So Much Celebrating

I tried to keep Easter low key. I even told family we may go out of town, so don't expect the regular celebrating. We did get in a few Easter eggs hunts and even colored some boiled eggs.  Emmy got an Easter dress, from Justice min you, and she was included in the Utah family's Easter traditions. Celia like the Saturday before Easter because of the donut social. We had tabby over to play after. Let's just say celia is loving the room to herself again and some attention.  Celia had her 11th Birthday. The day before I took her and her buddy Olivia to Dave an Buster's. Celia kept saying how it was so cool and how she was so happy. That is a pretty big deal coming from our girl. They had unlimited video games, when the machines cooperated and they actually won something from the highly anticipated claw machine attempt. That machine may have been the reason she wanted to celebrate there.  That night was the Daddy daughter dance and Celia and Brian went. She dance d a little and had fun going out to dessert with Olivia and both he Dads. Bri was a trooper to go on such short notice.  Celia also had some friends over on Saturday. She got her frosting dog cake she wanted and was so happy with She got and new phone and  to have a pinata which she has been wanting for Dogs even came to her party. A visit from Olivia's furry friends was a bit hit. Celia had a beta fish named rainbow Kate so she is content for now with her pet situation. And the party continued on Monday with the tutors. We celebrated Spencer's upcoming birthday too, but Celia was loving the chocolate cake an gift Lindsey got her.  I've tried to tone down the amount of cake this year, but so far we are still doing cupcakes, but the amount is as immense an in other years. Celia might be on a three week sugar high from Easter and birthdays, possibly. I'm feeling very blessed with so much posterity and blessing and days looking up. I am standing on my two week a little more since my best helper Emmy has returned to school. It is tricky running the household with a healing ankle, but we are makin' it. This year has been full of blessings.. A tax return, Spencer's tummy healing, our kids learning more in school an progressing, Brian's work going well, Spencer calming down a bit  and increased love of the gospel and our Savior.

First Date

Joseph went on his first date last night. He went over to Caroline's house at 1pm to hang out before dinner. Emmy drove me over to pick them up. Emmy Played the song First date by Blink 182 while we drove her back home to go to a wedding reception. It was cute and the lyrics talk all about a guy excited for his first date. Joe was embarrassed, but it was o cute! Joe drove us to Costa Vida, My folks met me and we went to Thai while the couple went to their dinner. We were pretty happy about the Thai Kitchen, It was delicious. Next, we went to the movie theatre down the street. My folks and I saw The Zoo Keeper's wife which was really good and the couple saw Power Rangers. Joe drove us home and that was the whole point of my going. He was able to drive legally and to go in his own car and feel like it was a real date. They were smiley and seemed to enjoy each other's company. the grandparents and I got to have a great time too. I wouldn't have went to dinner and a movie as I'm still nursing my ankle back to health, but it turned out to be a nice night.:)

Sweet Son's 16th Birthday

I love my Joseph. He really is a good kid. I can't believe he is 16 today! He was an easy delivery and his temperament is so calm. We had no drama with him even in Junior high. I'm glad he has a car and seems to be making it through crazy teenage life. I'm so glad I was pregnant with him when we got the news of Spencer and his Disability. A baby boy on the way softened the blow and was something wonderful to focus on.  Joe has been helpful this week as my sprained ankle has made it difficult for me to walk and I cannot drive. He loves driving me and the family mostly Spencer around town. Joseph would stand up for me and he would protect me if I needed it. Hooray for this great son. He has had a great weekend Celebrating his big day. We took him to his favorite place, Chando's tacos for lunch. The Grandparents met us there and they liked it. I got a great smiling picture of Joe when he opened his card and it had money in it and kind words also. The next day Joe had Caroline come home from school with him for the friend party. Emmy, Celia, Joe and her went and bought all the food and fun while I tried to straighten things at home. Joseph had his friends over then we headed to Top Golf for some more fun. It was a fun experience seeing them all in the Land cruiser and what a grand time they were having. Joe was invited over to Jake's for a steak dinner and he stayed out late with his friends. Overall, I'd say he had a great 16th Birthday!

 

Goodbye and an egg hunt

After having the same respite worker for 11 years, Merlene moved to Utah. She will be missed. On her last day, she provided an egg hunt for the kids. They loved the eggs, treats, money and socks inside. we hunted the next day for Spence to have an opportunity to find some also. The tutors were involved to and it made for a fun time. Spence has been more calm lately, due to prayers, I think. It was a good repoire day with his staff. Eater is coming quick and with General conference happening, April is flying by. We enjoyed visiting my folks for general conference, It helped m e feed the kids spiritually and physically. Emmy gave Spence tons of car rides and we went shopping in between session son Saturday so that was another way to get out and about for Spencer's sake.

Yellowcard and Universal

On a visit to my Mom's house, she convinced me that I needed to take Emmy to see her favorite band's last concert. We were able to get tickets and a relatively cheap hotel room and headed to L.A. a day earlier than planned.  It was fun going on a trip again, this time to a familiar place. I had not been in a while. I don't remember visiting Torrance much when we lived in So. Cal, but the Rebac hotel seemed to do the job. We were comfortable and he Asian breakfast bar was unusually and delicious. salmon, miso soup, veggies and such. All along side of eggs and sausage and the normal continental breakfast? It was nice to see the options and diversity. That is L. A. for you.

Emmy and I assumed the Disney House of Blues would be at Downtown Disney when we visited just three years before, but the building was gone! Someone in the Disney store gave us directions and we were on our way to the concert. We waited and stood for so long. We did have someone ask Emmy a trivia question about the band and she won a  sticker and they took a pic of us for their social media site. wetzel pretzels for a quick snack would have to hold us over until the concert ended. The opener was excellent. I really enjoyed the whole concert. It was a bit close quarters sometimes, but the crowd was energetic and feeling the Yellowcard vibe. There were tears shed and happy dreams fulfilled. I was glad for Emmy and happy we made it back safe and sound to the hotel. I listened o S. Michael Wilcox's book on tape called House of Order. It is a great talk about the temple. On Sunday we toured Whittier and visited with the Elletts. We made it to Tanya's house and caught up on all goings on with them. We went out to Vegan food and enjoyed the new and different Sun Café. We wanted to see the Griffith Park and the abandoned zoo there. Alas we couldn't find it and decided to chase a sunset at the Griffith Observatory. Dun Dun Dun. I wanted to go there. It turned out to be a place of accident. I slide down a dirt filled and sandy slope after warning others to not climb up that way and to take the long way around. It was ill and in unusual pain. We made it to an urgent care and I was relieved to find there was no break, but a sprain. All with me were such a great support. I never want to take for granted my health. This is a set back, but tendons will mend and I will be stronger for it.

I did get good sleep despite camping on the ground in Tanya's rental home. That pad I bought for Joe's camping trip turned out to be pretty comfy. We went to Universal Studios as planned on Monday. We had to valet park to get a wheelchair, but it was an enjoyable time. I was shaken from my fall but for the most part the diversions of the day made it all bearable. I wouldn't advise going on a mini roller-coaster though. It was nice that Emmy is such a great driver. We left the park and she got us home via the 99 in 6 hrs  flat. The weekend was definitely adventurous and I went from walking a ton to walking none. I am grateful Emmy has been home for  the semester and that Joe has his permit. they have been my drivers. I have been visited several times by my parents, Alex McCartney and Laurie Jensen. They've brought food and friendly support and conversation to cheer me up and help with healing.