COUSIN SURPRISE

At about 4pm on a Monday I received a phone call from my cousin Misha saying that she wanted to come visit from Utah and was on her way. When she called she was in St. George. I had about 10 different emotions hit me at once. PANIC - my house was a mess! EXCITEMENT - I had been trying to get her or any cousin to visit FOREVER. GUILT - I had to get ready for our trip to Cancun that we were leaving to in a few days. HAPPINESS - I actually had a family member that was visiting me and not staying at my parents. HORROR - I had no groceries, the kids had school, again, the bathrooms were so messy, where would I put everyone and did I have enough pillows (it turns out no I did not have enough pillows but it all worked out). CONTENTMENT - none of the above worried feelings mattered because Misha is family and my best cousin all growing up. We are the same age and when I was younger I would count the days until I got to go visit the Davies cousins and play with Misha. No matter if my house was clean or dirty, prepared or chaos she would still love me for me. Then I was able to relax and look at this visit like the gift that it was. After I told the kids they were beside themselves and wanted to stay up until 11 to wait for them. After patiently explaining that it was a school night and they should probably get some sleep they grudgingly went to bed. The next morning was chaos. It was Tanner's birthday and we had to have his special birthday smiley face breakfast, plus getting them all ready for school, scriptures, prayer and send them out to door with hair done, matching clothes (if it is a good day) and all their school supplies. Add in seeing their cousins and some of the above did not get done. I think they went to school with dirty teeth, non-matching clothes and hair not done (for the boys - NOT the girls!). At least they were dressed and fed and had a family prayer to send them on their way. Misha and I then spent the day at a freezing cold beach wrapped in towels catching up. Luckily the sun came out later in the week and we were able to have a great week. I was able to pack, see my cousin and her kids and have a very memorable week.

What handsome boys

Misha and I - we had a lot of late nights and good chats. I wish she lived closer!

Hadley and Lexie were sad to say good-bye


On the way to the pool


Hadley the entertainer. She was a riot and my favorite thing about her was how much she loves to read. Hadley is also quite famous in our circles. You see, in October 2008 she was talked about on television by Elder Neil L Anderson and broadcast around the world.
Here is the text link:
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=92a44bb52a73d110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1
Here is the video link:
http://www.lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference&event=178&lang=english

Here it the excerpt from the talk:

Jesus said, “Except ye … become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Hadley Peay is now seven years old. Hadley was born with a very serious hearing impairment requiring extensive surgery to bring even limited hearing. Her parents followed with tireless training to help her learn to speak. Hadley and her family have cheerfully adapted to the challenge of her deafness.

Once, when Hadley was four, she was standing in the checkout line at the grocery store with her mother. She looked behind her and saw a little boy sitting in a wheelchair. She noticed that the boy did not have legs.

Although Hadley had learned to speak, she had difficulty controlling the volume of her voice. In her louder voice, she asked her mother why the little boy did not have legs.

Her mother quietly and simply explained to Hadley that “Heavenly Father makes all of His children different.” “OK,” Hadley replied.

Then, unexpectedly, Hadley turned to the little boy and said, “Did you know that when Heavenly Father made me, my ears did not work? That makes me special. He made you with no legs, and that makes you special. When Jesus comes, I will be able to hear and you will get your legs. Jesus will make everything all right.”

“Except ye … become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

It was very special having Hadley's sweet spirit in our house for a week. We are so proud of her and the amazing individual that she is. Not to mention that Lexie things she "the best".

The boys - it was great to have Callen bullied around a little by Lincoln. Callen is so used to being the bully that I have to admit I let Lincoln push him around a little to show Callen how it feels.

measuring up