Ella's First Roadtrip!

My baby girl left on her first road trip last Sunday. My sister, Camille, took her down to Utah to stay at Grandma's house. It has been very quiet without our little Miss Ella. It was a perfect week for her to go have some extra time with her cousins and have some one-on-one time with Grandma. Cannon has been especially miserable this week so it was nice that I didn't have Ella to keep up with also. We have missed her and we are starting our trip to Utah tonight and will reunite with this cutie tomorrow! We love you Ella and are so proud of the big girl you are!

Going... going.....Basically Gone!

Yes, I did stand out in the road in my pajamas taking pictures of the car driving away. Kent was wearing our bedspread as he waved them off so I figured I wasn't the biggest loser out there.

Weakness

The Lord GAVE me weaknesses? Not only do I have them, but was GIVEN them by the Lord? At first I don't understand. I look at Cannon and see him struggle to breathe in his sleep, his most "peaceful" state, and I am sure I am not strong enough to do this. I see other kids his age and I notice things I never did before. Sure, the obvious- walking, babbling, playing, and throwing tantrums but I am talking about cognitive thinking, figuring out, exploring, making sense of action and reaction. I know my Bubby is perfect and I am humbled to be his mom- it is that which leads me to say that I am not strong enough. Cannon is the most purest person I have had the privilege of knowing. He is my true north- my constant. How are you supposed to watch the most sacrificing person suffer? I am embarrassed to put this in writing, but I want to be real. I am okay and I am not about to go crazy (today), I just want my children to know who I am and how I made it (for better or worse) through my trials and blessings. I feel ungrateful by having these thoughts, but there they are- my ugly thoughts. Now that I have said that, I cannot stop writing without adding that I do know we are GIVEN weaknesses for a reason, to become STRONG. Whether I like it or not I am weak, I am broken, I am tired but because of that I am growing, I am strengthening (some days better than others) and I am become more alert to the meaning of this life and the struggles we are given. I am aware and thankful of the blessings and strengths I have been given to help me overcome my trials and weaknesses. I am grateful for the love and support I have from so many. I am thankful for the comfort of the Holy Ghost to give me the courage to move forward in faith. There is so much more swirling around in my mind but the "peaceful" state has passed and Cannon is needing me.

4th of July

In the picturesque setting of the Weaver's backyard sandwiched between the smell of freshly cut mint and chicken on the grill, it was hard to tell if the smells, the sounds, or the sights were my favorite part of this American Holiday. The kids had a ball running around the yard as the adults sat comfortably in the shade under the large back porch. The food was beyond delicious and yet it paled in comparison to the company around the table. My heart is full because of the freedoms we are so honored to have, my heart is humbled by the men and women who leave their families and fight so bravely to protect our country and my heart is exploding with the love I have for those I hold dear. Happy Fourth of July!!!

The gracious hosts~
After dinner, we met our church family at the Sunnyside Pool for swimming before going to the church parking lot to watch the city fireworks. Perfect ending to a perfect day.