Our First Summer Vacation!

Arrival

We arrive at the FREEZING COLD!  Beach...The kids ran from the car, and were surprised at it's cool temperatures, they couldn't help but just dive in.  Poor Naomi got taken by the waves, and she ate sand pretty bad.  Once Joshua caught his first wave, we could hardly get him out. 

 Day 2 Beach and Fathers Day

Linda did not like the water at all.  She loved loved loved the sand.  It was sunny after a day of gloom.  Yeah!  We are loving the weather and have hardly  been inside.

Happy Father's Day to the bestest Dad ever...thanks for showing us life out of the desert!

 Day 3 - La Jolla Cove

This was the most amazing day of our trip as far as I am concerned.  There were seals on the beach...yes and there was a cave and a tide pool to swim in right by them.  We didn't have our suits on, but the kids did.  They got in the water and the seals came over to play.  Joshua and Naomi were pretty brave.  Had we been in the water, I am sure we could have even pet them.  AMAZING!  We couldn't get enough of the animals.  My friend lent me her ultra zoom lens...so I was able to get some awesome shots of the animals.  We walked up to a cave after swimming with the seals, then a picnic, and of course gelato...not ice cream...gelato!  We ended the day "fishing" on the pier.  To E'lans great relief, we didn't catch anything...haha. 

Do you see the seals head????

 Day 4 - USS Midway, the Harbor and Seaport Village

Today, we took a break from cold waters, and decided to sight see a little bit.  We spent almost 4 hours on this aircraft carrier, and the kids loved it.  Joshua did not like the small space for sleeping.  He loved the planes.  He was able to get a headset and learn all kinds of stuff.  He was just pushing in all the codes he saw.  It was such a reminder of what keeps our liberty and who maintains such a great nation.  We then walked over to seaport village and caught a hilarious magic show....and saw this guy stacking rocks, this is for real!  Then my husband took me out to dinner.  Our only dining out this week, and yes it was seafood!  I never ever ever get seafood due to E'lans vegetarian raising....it is z on his list, but he suprised me with not just any ole seafood, some of the best in town. 

 Day 5 - Some more beach...then some more beach....

Oh and Me and Joshua didn't want to leave...E'lan and the girls were DONE, TOAST, FINITO!  So we had a sunset walk on the beach, just the two of us.  He is a beach bum like his mama.  It was a night to remember.  We watched surfers, walked the beach, and gloried in the setting sun over beautiful San Diego!

 I will always remember this night my little man! 

 Day 6 -  we are getting tired!

Good thing Grandma and Grandpa are coming to spice it up!  We walked the pier and beaches with them when they arrived.  The kids were cold, so they went inside to change, they all came out in jammies, and grandpa suggested dessert.  On our way, we ran into a fire show on the shores, and I got to be in the show.  This guy was juggling fire, and put a bike on his chin.  IT was fun. 

 Day 7 - We went to old Town San Diego, Mormon Battalion Museum

Naomi tried on everything she could in every store.  She loves to dress up.  When we discovered the Mormon Batallion Museum, we totally jumped on it.  I had no idea what we did in the early settling days of the west regarding San Diego and the Railroad, and establishing good rapore with Mexico, Indians, etc... We also learned about Desert Farming which they used in settling Utah.  There were nearly 500 men who left their families to serve the USA.  IT was a great museum and experience.  Once again, reminding us of those who have sacrificed so much and paved the way before us.  A reminder that God is always watching over us and always is involved in our life.  A good message for us to hear right now as E'lan is doing his internship and looking for city work :)

 This was a red water pump just like they had in Flomaton Alabama...My mom used to pump one just like this when she was little at her grannies house.  The kids loved using it and the steel washboard. 

 A tree?  What is this about?  The kids had never seen so much grass and vegetation.  They loved this huge shady tree with its gnarly roots.  They didn't want to return to the desert.  I must admit 65 degrees and sunny is amazing. 

Departure -

On our way out, we wanted to see the SD temple, and I am so glad that we did.  Breathtaking does not begin to describe this edifice.  I begged E'lan to let me go in and do some work quickly before we left town.  I brought my reccomend to enter...don't leave home without it.  He agreed, and it was the best way to end our perfect trip.  Beautiful things are good, nice weather is better, Great family is the best!  Thank you E'lan for this marvelous week :)

My boy is growin up

My boy is growin up

My mom

I am so connected with this woman.  I feel like our souls speak to each other without any words, when we are apart and separate.  Our relationship defines the words "meant to be".  Love ya mom!

Winter in Arizona

 It was sunny and warm, so we did what any person would do when dad is home on a Saturday, we went swimming, and by we I mean they - haha- me and the baby stayed by the side. 

 I love these pictures, and that my camera caught  the kids midair.  I his face here. 

 They are such good buddies, always playing together. 

 Seriously, he is the love of my life, and the man of my dreams.  My life is so rich and full of love because of him.  I love you E'lan. 

 Grandpop Swinging with LInda Grace.  He is such a great Grandpa to them.  We always have so much fun visiting El Paso.

Linda sleeping on Nana on New Years Eve.  I cannot believe she is going tobe one in a few weeks!!!

Christmas in boxes

After having read a personal story of adoption from another friends website, I feel relief.  For the first time in a while, I felt the ice trickle off my crusty heart.  Her story of love, sacrifice, devotion, faith, and endurance have really strengenthed me and reminded me about the real meaning of Christmas.  Seriously, it has not really felt very "Christmasy" at the Vallender stead this season.  We moved on December 17th again from our 2nd purchased home into an apartment only 2 miles away.  Struggling with so many why's and what ifs all melted away in the sight of a new born baby girl and two doting parents.  Joshua has only asked for a motor scooter from Santa for over a month...with the move, and no park, culdesac, yard, a motor scooter would be a lost cause.  So, I told him that the complex didn't allow motor scooters.  His unprompted response was...maybe Santa can get me my own set of scriptures to read since I can read them now.  E'lan has truly stepped up the game at home.  He has been getting up every morning with the kids, making bfast, reading scriptures, and cleaning the kitchen.  So much easier to clean 1100 sq feet :)  Count your many blessings.  All that matters are those three children asleep across the hall. 
     I have been horrible to them and to E'lan.  It has been a very hard transition for me this time.  I am not really sure why.  I think perhaps it has to do with E'lan finishing up school soon, looking for a job within a city and so unsure about our current employment, seling our home that we put so much time, money, effort, and love into...all very poor excuses for forgetting what really matters, people.  I went to a Christmas concert a year ago, and as I was sitting their alone listening to a string quartet play Pachabel a vision opened to my mind about me writing a book.  The book was to be about the last week of Christ's life, from Passover to Easter Sunday.  A guide for parents on how to teach their children the events of the Saviors last words and steps here on the earth.  I learned so much in Jerusalem over 14 years ago, and then on my mission about Jesus Christ.  I have always felt passionately about teaching children doctrine.  Well, here I sit a year later with only one lousy page written.  Can you believe how I let time pass me by?  IT was truly an inspired "vision" over a year ago, and I felt the hand of God tell me it was what He wanted me to engage in and do.  So, my gift to Jesus this Christmas is to promise to complete that work this year.  My "spare time" will be devoted to Him - be it in the temple, studying Jewish history, writing my book, or teaching my children.  This year, today I begin. 
     Why do we delay those things which we know will bring us the most benefit?  Why do we withhold from the Lord?  I have been so suctioned into the "Things" of life that I didn't even see or realize it.  Perhaps God is teaching me to let go of all these things, and lean directly on Him, and my husband for support.  I have felt so many answers come and go regarding our situation.  It has been a whirlwind to say the least.  I know that E'lan has a work to do in his life in buildling a city or helping a city improve as well as a work for God's children.  One step at a time.  Can you imagine being Mary?  Combining the feelings of motherhood with your feelings to our Creator?  Holding that baby and rocking Him to sleep knowing that He is the world's....that night, He was certainly all hers as the angels watched over her babe's sleeping head.  I cannot fathom it.  I am grateful for it.  I know that He is leading E'lan and I somewhere in our life.  Each day's choices matter, how I talk to my children.  If I choose to stop unpacking and play, tickle instead of pay bills :)  I hope to be more like my children.  I hope that He sees my heart and knows that I yearn to be a better mother, daughter, wife, friend.  If only to become like His Son.  Thank you God for my gift of life. 
   I guess this post was more a plea and prayer from my heart that He will hear...

Moving...

Okay, we added it up, this is move number 8 in 8 years of marriage...We have been in our home for 2.5 years.  A record for us...we thought it would be much longer.  We have determined to not buy a house again until we have lived somewhere for more than 5 years.  :)  So, here is an update on what we have been up to.  We went to Strawberry/Payson  a couple of weekends ago to escape the madness of our life.  It was great.  We hiked Tonto National Park, saw some old antique shops, played with fire, and had no cell phones!   We went to the zoo, had Aunt Juju and Nana visit to collect blankets for http://www.becausewehavebeengivenmuch.com/  and  and and...Christmas is coming.  We sold our house without listing it and we are on the move again!  More details to come.  Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

FWD:

Good times beatin uofa

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