Adam Cruise

I took this photo of Adam a while ago. 

We always laugh so hard at this one.

Ella's First Dance Recital

Ella had her first dance recital...tap dancing to the Muppet Show song on the big stage. 

We were so thankful for the grandparents and Aunt B to come see her.  Ella loved every minute and we are very proud of her.

So Far Summer Reads

I finally sat poolside and finished up a book my sister-in-law challenged me to read months ago.  Despite the NY Times Best Selling title, this teen novel had an abrupt ending and the editor was below par.  Not recommended by me, but my sister-in-law has a great young perspective which I admire.  I foresee this will be another Twilight type of series for young romantics.

1937 copy of David Copperfield (Charles Dickens) which has been

a venturesome yet emotional read so far this summer.  The book is old and smells like an old library. 

I love the classics.  This book is poetic in every sentence.  Copperfield's story produces an incredible amount of self reflection in my own life.

A spiritual boost when school day routines flee.  This summer I've been gobbling up Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage.  This LDS Apostolic perspective of the life and mission of Jesus Christ is deep, detailed, and inspiring.  Taking a chapter with my morning scripture study is very uplifting.

John is reading young physics books about magnetism and matter.  Ella has been reading books about baby animals and families.  Summer reading is wonderful.  What are you reading?

Good Things to Come

Good Things to Come

Recovery Time

John's recovery is moving along.  He's finally seeing everything again.  This photo was a few days after surgery, trying to see the TV.....uh....not so close guys!

John made a jigsaw puzzle.

He also came up to me the other day and said, "Mom, I don't like seeing two of you."

Almost better

John's Eye Surgeries

Here's the drive before surgery.  Allison watched Ella for the day and we were SO thankful.  Ella has been a champion this whole time, helping in every way she can.

Here's John dressed up and ready to go.  He was a bit worried.

The red tag on his hand says ALLERGY.  I hope one day he won't need that.

Monkey got a bracelet too.

John was so glad for the little Lego table.  He built a tower with Dad.

I was glad for a blanket.  Those surgery rooms...Brrr!!  Can you tell it was a long night?

Last photo before the doctors came in and then he was swept away.  What a brave guy!

After surgery we went in and helped him wake up.  Lots of crying.  John was quite disoriented.  We had to hold the little guy down until the nurses came with demerol.  Then he was able to relax.

I was crying too.  Especially when he kept calling "Mommy, Mommy!"

Keeping the eyes covered helps out.  Still bleeding a little.

The drive home.  I thought my arm was going to break off from holding up that rag.  I was just so glad to help.

Papa came to visit right away.  The first thing John wanted to do was read the instructions of his new Lego set.  He could only keep his eyes open for a second, then he'd have to go lay down again.  We listened to a book on CD and Ella watched her new Wizard of OZ movie.

Well, we're still in recovery today.  John's primary teachers showered us with dinner, gifts, and treats last night.  I almost cried again when they came through the door with a hot meal and lots of love.  My friend Nicole dropped off cookies and we also received phone calls for which were were also grateful.  Day II has been much more difficult.  Fighting John to get his eye drops in was exhausting.  Adam went to work and I tried for over an hour to get them in his eyes.  Lots of tears from John and Mom.  The nurse on the phone has been an angel.  We can't wait for John to be seeing everything again!  Until then, we have to be careful of his double vision (bumping into walls and knocking stuff over).  Thank you all for your prayers!

Here is a picture of today.  It looks like John is angry, but that's just him trying to see the TV.  Sweet Ella, guardian angel. 

Facebook...OUT.

We decided to give Facebook the boot.  There were lots of reasons but the main objective was for Adam and I to spend more time with each other and the kids.  After reading Elder Bednar's Ensign article, "Things As They Really Are" it seemed appropriate to get rid of some of the extra online socializing.  Adam and I are just as addicted to Facebook as our friends and family, so the next few weeks will be interesting! 

We're filling our time with....dare I say....good old fashioned family fun!  The other night Ella and I went out into the yard and looked at the stars.  It was bliss.  Time well spent.  I had a feeling of sadness that online socializing took over a part of me. 

The blog can be just as addicting, so I'm making it a point to have some moderation.  The last thing my kids need is Mom plopped in front of the computer in blog-land (aside from the additional time online doing school work!).  I still value the blogs so much...I'm hoping to have a book made of the past year from my blog posts.  I hope family and friends will continue to check in on our family (as we continue to stalk all of you!).  Moderation, though, right?!

So, with that said, there are a few highlights of the last month: I went to DC with my mom and visited family for a whole week, we had the Gila Valley Temple Open house, and we ALMOST sold the bus to pay for John's eye surgeries but things worked out (for now!).

Adam and I are happy clams.  Life is good.  Summer is hot.  Keep up the green smoothies!

Oh P.S. - Our blog is public again.  I think going private for a while was a good idea and we might do that again in the future.