Super Saturday

Last Saturday was SUPER!!!! It was busy. It was fun. It was exhausting. And it still wasn't enough. Have you ever planned and planned and planned and executed and no matter how much you did, it STILL wasn't enough? Ya. Me. Too.

I digress.

Last Saturday, we walked to Grandma's. 2.25 miles. We started at 6:45am and ended up there at 8:45am. It took TWO hours. In the summer. In AZ! But it was really fun surprisingly enough. We stopped by the fire station to look at the fire trucks. Then we stopped to refill our water at the water hole (it feels like a water hole. It's only wet. SUPER hot.) Oh, did I mention the bum who was sleeping on the bench where I refilled the water? Ya. Nice.

We had a little lesson on good people and bad people and strange people.... Then someone ran by and Savannah yells, "Mommy is that a BAD person?" My reply, "He is a stranger. We don't know if he is a good or a bad person."

We ran through the sprinklers. Well Mikenna and I did. We dragged Savannah who was none too excited about being soaked with water. But when we are walking to Grandma's and it is in the dead of summer, I don't really care what you want :). So run through and get wet we did.

We stopped at the church to refill our water bottle (we dumped it all over ourselves... Ok I dumped it all over the girls), pottied, had a banana given to us by some folks who were eating breakfast, and off we were on our last leg of our trip. Just 0.5 miles to go!

We finally made it to Grandma's, had breakfast, and hitched a ride back home. It only took 5 minutes. :)

Then we went to the mall, got some summer clothes, shoes.... which by the way in the shoe store Isabella went CRAZY!!!! She tried on all the shoes, big or small, ugly and cute. She was Hilarious!!!!! I was just cracking up over her. And the clothing store? Wow she went crazy snuggling and carrying all the clothes in the store. It was a great time when WE LEFT!!!

The girls went and got their nails done with Grandma and went to Costco for lunch. It was about 5:30 when they got home. And I heard this..... "Mommy what are we going to do now? Can I have a friend over? I want to go swimming! I want this. I want that."

SERIOUSLY!?!?!?!?!?!?!

AM I the ONLY one with this problem? Owell. I said NOPE. We are going to BED. And dinner, bath, and bed we did.

And then I crashed. In my bed. Too.

Would have been...

The other day I was over at a dear friend's and we were talking about out kids and their age differences. I went through mine. Savannah and Mikenna are 22 months apart. Mikenna and Daxton are 40 months apart. And Isabella and Daxton would have been 19 months apart.

***If you are new to my blog.... his story is HERE. If you want more, you will just have to go back one post.

My friend then turned to me and said, "You don't have to say 'would have been', they ARE 19 months apart."

I don't know if she knew how much that stuck with me. I appreciated her comment and her intuneness (is that a word?). It let's me know that she still cares. That she still worries. And most importantly that she hasn't forgotten.

That my friend's is why she is such a good friend. And I love her for it. Everyone needs an Annie. I hope that you have one too!

Missions Served

All of my siblings have now officially served missions (one is currently starting his adventure), and I am officially the only of the 5 of us who hasn't. How do I feel about that? I am Totally Okay with it.

I figure at this point I have served several missions, and someday when I am OLD I will serve with my hubby. We can do that ya know. Serve missions with our spouses. :)

I have been thinking a lot about missions lately. My youngest brother Daniel just entered the MTC yesterday. I have mixed feelings about it. I am happy, sad, excited, and terrified for him. He will be serving in the Lisbon, Portugal mission. It will be an opportunity for him to learn and grow, meet new people, learn to get along with those he doesn't like, learn a language, and most importantly, teach the gospel to many who may not have otherwise been taught.

I am sad because he is the baby. He isn't so much MY baby, but he is the youngest sibling, the most spoiled, and lets be honest here. He is the favorite uncle to my babies. This is because from the time they are small, he holds them, totes them, listens to music with them, plays video games with them on his lap, and whenever I find myself in a bind, I call Danny. I had one of those moments today. One where I was in a bind and needed to call him.......

I digress. Daxton loved Daniel. In his short life, they were inseparable. Whenever I would go to my mom's, Daxton would jump out of my arms and into Daniel's, only to come back when we left the house. Isabella is the same way. There are only a handful of people that she will go to from me. Or too for that matter. And Daniel is one of them. She loves him and when we go to my mom's, she looks for him. It's sweet. She usually finds him........

Daniel is going to be gone for two years. Isabella will forget him. The girls will vaguely remember him, but their memories will be refreshed.

Daxton has been gone for 2 years and a few days. I should have received several phone calls and picked him up from the airport by now. His mission should be finished. Completed. We should be getting to know each other all over again. Alas. His mission is not complete. And neither is mine :).

But one day, our missions will be complete. We will reunite again. My girls will once again remember the brother lost. Isabella will get to know the brother she didn't meet on this earth. Perhaps their spirits know each other. Perhaps she does know him already.

I like to think that Daxton is busy, that he has a calling, that he too is waiting for the day we will see each other again. Perhaps, he will be serving right along his Uncle Danny.

Someday. Just not today.

Vim, Vigor, and Vitality

My grandpa was almost 100 years old when he passed away. I say that because I am not entirely sure how old he was.

He was one of the greatest men I have ever known. His word was his bond. He was a great example to everyone around him of how to lead a good life. He was small in stature but large in spirit.

His favorite saying included the words Vim, Vigor, and Vitality.

I would go visit him and walk in the door practically yelling at the top of my lungs (because he refused to turn the volume up on his hearing aid.... actually come to think of it, maybe when he found out I was coming he turned it down because he knew that I would be yelling at the top of my lungs :)) "Hello GRANDPA! How are you? Sure glad to see you!"

He would give me a great big hug and say, "Wow Brittany Ann Walter Kunz, you sure are full of some Vim, Vigor, and Vitality. If I had as much energy as you, I would jump out of this chair, and he proceeded to list all that he would do."

He passed away from cancer not to long ago, surrounded by family, friends, and many other people that loved him.

I have been thinking of him lately. Wondering if he is serving with my little Daxton. I bet he is.

Unbelievably Unexpected Visitors

I am happy to announce that after much deliberation and calendar coordinating, Stephanie is COMING to my HOUSE!!!!

So for all my friends who know me well enough to know Stephanie. She will be here this weekend. SO stop by, but make sure you bring a treat for me so that she doesn't think you are stalking her :). LOL.

A little background on my good friend. We met through the blog sphere. Isn't it remarkable? The blogging world? I can't believe how many great friends I have met, old friends I have caught up on, and of course those blogs I silently stalk.

Well Stephanie and I met about 2 years ago. Her little Camille passed away a few days after Daxton. I had several people email me or leave a comment on my blog about her and that I should look her up. So being new to the blogging community, I left a comment on her blog to email me and we have been friends ever since. We call each other on bad days, hard days, good days, milestones, etc.

Last year we even went to California for a week. It was awesome. This year we were supposed to go to her parent's cabin, but it was flooded and my brother is going on a mission next Wednesday (wiping tears....) and is speaking on Sunday. So we were unable to travel such a long distance in such a short amount of time. It seemed as though we would not be able to spend our "anniversaries" together. And that was very sad.

And then Steph had this GREAT idea that she and her family would come HERE!!!! To my house!!!! YAY!!!! And there was much rejoicing in the Kunz home. Much cleaning, shopping, tossing out the old, and trying to "x" out some of that "to do" list. And so it is mostly done. And they are on their way. And I am so excited.

SO here is to Unexpected Visitors, who are SOOOOOOO welcome to come anytime!!!!

Holding Her, Missing Him

It was 2 days ago 2 years ago that I left my little baby crying for me in my sister's arms.

I will never forget that day. I remember how he held me tight. I remember the tears on his face. I remember his chubby little arms and his chubby little legs and his chubby little cheeks. And I miss him.

I was holding Isabella tonight, getting her to sleep. She held me tight. She has chubby arms. She has chubby legs. And she has chubby cheeks. She loves kisses, hugs, kissy faces, dancing to the music in the car, wearing her sunglasses, putting on lip gloss. Oh and she LOVES her mama.

As I was in and out of sleep laying by her getting her to sleep, it felt like I was holding HIM again. It felt like I was loving HIM again. And the tears streamed down my face.

One day. Just not today.

Unemployed

Well folks. I regret to say that the hospital I work at had some massive layoffs. 147 employees and 89 of them were nurses. Stinks now that I am out of a job. I am a little sad because I really LOVE most of the peeps I work with (except for the narks, snitches, and two faced back biting.... ok that was petty, BUT totally called for). I will miss them dearly.

I pondered how I would share this with you all, my friends at the Copa, and this is the best I could do. Thanks for the good times and the bad. Thanks for all the love, support, help, and teaching moments. I am grateful for most of you, not so much for two of you, and will miss the whole lot of you. I loved baking cookies for you, watching our babies grow, and being out baked by MG. One day you will see me back.... as a resident! Wouldn't that just be the icing on the cake. Thanks for being my friend, sticking up for me, and hanging on to the bitter sweet end.

Now just in case you wonder what I will be doing in all of my free time.... Here is a little preview of what we were up to today. I just want to make sure Isabella has some mad skills!!! She is a fast learner :).

SNORTA and the Dead Fish

Ok remember I told you that you would hear a funny story about my brother?

***I must warn you that there is a little bit of swearing....BUT it is TOTALLY worth it, so just be warned.

Here goes....

We were playing SNORTA and in the game you have to pick an animal and the animal's sound. Everyone is dealt an equal number of cards with pictures of the animals in the game. As you go around the circle you lay one card in front of you and when you see a match to your card you call out the sound to the animal of the person who matched your card. Whoever says it first WINS and the loser gets all the of the other person's cards.

I know. Clear as mud.

It is quite hilarious actually. Especially when you are playing with adults. You can either hide the animals (for those experienced) OR you can uncover them (for those not so experienced).

SO back to the sounds. There is a pig, cat, cow, sheep, donkey, owl, dog, snake, horse, and a few others. As we were going around the circle we were picking our animals and giving them sounds.

It came to Logan, who picked out the donkey... of course he did. He proceeded to tell us that his sound was (inhale) "I'm an (exhale) a**" Doug said, "What? Did you just say "dumb a**?" And so the sound was created.... "(inhale) dumb (exhale) a**." I have never in my life laughed SO hard. Ok. Its been awhile.

But it gets better. My super adorable sister in law (Logan's wife)... yes Chelsea you are adorable too, was the FIRST one to go and my brother was the second. Turns out they were the same cards. We all just stared at Natalie wondering if she would actually say it. AND SHE TOTALLY DID!!!! It was so funny. That was the 2nd hardest I have ever laughed in my life. Really this time. And Logan lost the game. Go Figure.

***** you will have to wait to hear about the dead fish until next time.....

Has it Really been 2 years?

It has been said, "Time Heals all wounds." I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone."

Rose Kennedy

Tempest approaches at furious pace.

Turbulent winds lead The Timorous race,

bringing Terrifying Truths I must now face.

For This Trial is mine, alone, To embrace.

With Temerity I never knew I had gained,

I Tread The Terrain Transformed by storm's reign.

Trampling upon The Terror sorely disdained

Only To learn That These efforts were in vain.

Memories, un-Tethered, now Tattered and Torn,

Trembling I remove Their Tortuous Thorn,

Whose Toxins slain The child I now mourn.

The pain is The Tonic for The wounds I have born.

The 5th Sister Blog-AWESOME

Dear Daxton,

Mommy misses you. I can't hardly believe that it has been two years since I held your little hand, kissed your little cheeks, or held you in my arms.

Sometimes it all seems like a bad dream. And sometimes it feels like you were never here. Only the memories live on. I know you were here though. A mother's heart will never forget. My heart will never forget. We are 2 years closer to that sweet day when we will never be separated again.

I may not be physically able to see you, but I can feel you near. I love you. And I can't wait to once again, hold your little hand, kiss your little feet, and NEVER EVER let you go again.

Love, Mommy.

Ten Years ago TODAY....ish

10 years ago last weekend, Doug and I drove from Utah to home, as just "friends." I hooked him for the 12 hour drive by promising him we would see the Grand Canyon. The best I could give him was Jacob's Lake on the very most southern tip..... hey you gotta give me credit for trying :).

And so it is 10 years, 4 kids, and 3 moves later, we found ourselves at the Grand Canyon. 

It is AWESOME. So amazing. 

We took the train from Williams to the Grand Canyon (Nice I don't know even what city its in.... Grand Canyon?) 

It was a 2.5 hour train ride (a 50 minute drive) with lots of adventures (kids puking, babies crying, motion sickness, sugar comas) guitar players, train robbers, harmonica players, over-priced photographers, and the beautiful scenery horizon to horizon. Pretty incredible. 

The train robbers were the best though, second to Mikenna puking her guts out and Isabella completely losing her mind. Savannah was terrified (seriously? that girls isn't scared of anything!). She was crying and making all sorts of raucous. She was yelling at the train robber to GO AWAY. PUT HIS GUN AWAY. 

And even when he gave her a frog from him sleeve, she was NOT persuaded that he was the same "Cowboy Santa" that she had seen earlier at the gun fight and begged to have a picture taken! Gotta love her. 

When we got to the Grand Canyon we took a free tour to see all of the coolest points. And let me tell you. They. Were. Incredible. 25 years we have lived in AZ and this was our first trip. NUTS. 

My brother Logan mentioned that whenever he comes home he looks on the internet to see if he made my blog.... Well my friends here he is with his cute wife. Aren't they adorable? Well he will not only make it in pictures this trip, but there is a GREAT couple of stories he is going to make on my blog as WELL!!!

Did I mention this was a family reunion affair? Oh yes. It was our FIRST ever Walter Family Reunion. And it was pretty fun. We had all of us kids and all of the grandkids (ok mine plus one :)).

***note the MOBY WRAP that Isabella is in. It is about 15 yards of cotton fabric wrapped around my body. There was a woman who made the comment when she saw me that this particular wrap was only good to carry newborns and small infants. HMMMMM note a little later just how wrong she was.

We played games, ate food, walked, played games, ate food, walked. It was everything a family Reunion should be. With a little bit of cuteness mixed in. :)

Totally UNPROMPTED!!! Isabella went and grabbed a sandwich from the cooler and proceeded to carry it over to Grandpa and plopped right next to him. We about died laughing. She is a hoot!

Playing Ticket to Ride. My all time FAVORITE game. NOT. Actually it is sheer torture every time I am forced to play it. But sometimes I sacrifice for those I love. 

Isabella started this new thing.... she loves to hold our hands. SO adorable. She will put her hand up and say "MA, MA" which pretty much means anything she wants, including but not limited to MOM.

PS: Note the woman carrying the 8 year old on her back in the infamous MOBY WRAP. Oh ya. That's ME. Carrying Savannah. I know. I am buff. I ride my bike and do yoga. The reason that I mention MOBY WRAP is because I think it is the SHIZ! I can carry a newborn and a small 8 year old. All in the same get up. 

Why did I take a picture of Savannah asleep? Glad you asked!!! There was a bus of tourists from China. As they got off the bus there were several of them who came up to where she was sleeping and took multiple pictures. No, I am not even joking. It was so funny. Like they had never seen an American girl sleeping.... who knows maybe they hadn't. SO watch out world. You may see Savannah on another blog! But seriously. Doesn't she look adorable? Poor thing was so worn out and not feeling too good the whole trip.

This post linked up to.....

Gardening

Doug has a green thumb. I must admit. I don't. That much I know. 

The girls have helped dig, plant, sow, and water our garden. 

This year we have zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and onions. 

Kind of fun to see it all grow before your eyes and to eat what you have grown. 

YUM!!!!

And what about the babes in the Garden of Life?

I can't believe how many babes I am growing in MY garden of Life. 

It's hard. And I am sure I am messing up more than my fair share of times... trust me, my kids tell me. 

But I love them. And hopefully they love me :). I try to bribe them with trips to the cabin, swimming, to the museum, to get ice cream at McDonalds, and many others that I shall not share.... SO hopefully some of it is sticking. 

Isabella loves to water the flowers. They are the girls responsibility to remember to water and to take care of, and she is one of the girls. And just because it is Sunday and she is in a dress is NO exception. 

I just love her. You can always expect a smile from Savannah. She will always give it to you. Unless your name is Trent. And you are a pest. 

I wish that I had the perfect picture for you all to see. You know the one where you threaten your kids with their lives, candy, soda, etc. Well I am just not in the mood... So here is REAL LIFE!!! 

My cheeks hurt, Mikenna is slouching, Savannah's fingers are in her mouth (and that is NEW?) and Isabella is beginning to copy her big sisters.... so her hands are making their way to her mouth, but somehow got stuck in her ears. 

And she somehow got stuck in my IKEA shelf. SOOOO funny. Mikenna was panicking about Isabella and I told her to stop fussing, but she insisted I come. And this is what we found. (***note I had time to locate my camera, figure it out, and take a picture, BEFORE I rescued her)

Isabella likes dirt.

But I think banana peels are better for you :)

The girls love walking to the park or elementary school to play. So here we are. We always end up on the swings. 

And that is my Garden. 

Ballet Recital

Has it really been 3 years since you started Ballet? The recital was SO cute. There was a little bit of sass and a little bit of frass. Here are some pics. We got video, but today I am just not that smart!

Isn't it sad how much she looks like me?

I know. So sad. 

They totally busted out the can can. It was AWESOME!!! And Sassy :)

Kindergarten Graduation/ End of the Year

I can't believe it. Mikenna is no longer in Kindergarten! 

Today she was writing on her whiteboard, "I am going to be in First Grade"

REALLY? NO WAY!

Here are her and her teacher. He was awesome. I know. He looks like he is pushing 12 (Sorry.... its true), but he was fabulous with the students and they LOVED him! And so did the parents.

We made it to the graduation just in time. We did family pics at 7am that morning and rushed back to school so that we could be on time. It started at 9am and we walked in at about 855.... 

SO that is why Mikenna is wearing two different colors hats. Maybe you didn't notice :). 

Owell, secrets OUT!!!

Savannah's teacher is leaving us. This was her last year teaching. Another opportunity has arisen for her to pursue and we are grateful for the time that we have spent with her. However, we are SO very sad. She has been so good for Savannah. She has never thrived in a classroom like she did with this teacher. She has grown so much, even counting to 20, reading sight words, and her fine motor skills for writing has improved IMMENSELY! We will miss her teacher next year. But we wish her the best. I really hate that I don't have a picture of her teacher.... maybe we will see her this summer and make up for the lost cause.