No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye.  You were gone before we knew it and only God knows why.

An angel in the book of life wrote down my baby's birth and whispered as she closed the book: "Too beautiful for this earth"

Yesterday I walked across the street to bloomers to pick up some flowers for a dear friend.  While I was waiting, I spotted these very beautiful hot pink peonies.  I told the owner that they were so beautiful, and perhaps my favorite in the whole store. My order was already made, and I left wishing I had picked the vibrant peonies.  

Today I was so excited to see my baby for the very first time.  I will never forget the way I felt hearing the unexpected news, and how hard it was to lose something so precious.  I am so very grateful for my dear family and friends who helped me get through the day.

What are the chances that this beautiful arrangement from the same store I was at yesterday showed up at my door tonight from a friend who lives very far away? I couldn't hold back the tears.  Before I even read who they were from, I knew in that moment that my Heavenly Father knows and loves me dearly.  He must have told an angel to send them my way.

And Jesus said "let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these"

One and a half

Ryder is honestly one of the funniest kids you will ever meet.  He is officially not a baby anymore, and I call him my big boy.  He really wants to show me how independent he is.  He likes to hold my keys and walk to my car, then try and open the door by himself.  He only wants to feed himself at the table, and we had to retire the high chair because he wants to sit at the table like mom and dad.  I also stopped nursing him a few weeks ago.  He still likes to try to “nurse nurse” to go to sleep, but I tell him the milk is all gone.  He is very good at going to bed.  Thank heavens! He walks to his room, picks out a couple books to read, and then wants to get in his crib with his sippy cup and teddy bear.  He folds his arms for the prayer and says amen.  

Yesterday he said ice cream, today he said flower.  I asked him as we were leaving to go to his gym class to help mommy find her shoes.  He ran to the closet and picked out my shiny gold shoes with flowers.  He even tried to put them on my feet.  He throws things in the trash when I ask him too, and when I ask him if I can change his diaper he runs and hides.  He thinks it is a very funny game.  I think he understands 90% of what I am saying, and he really tries to communicate back with baby talk.  He loves to approach strangers and engage in a conversation.  He makes everyone smile and laugh.  He still loves to eat! Mmmmmmm, eat and please are the magic words to get mom to feed him.  In the morning he pulls me out of bed begging to “eat” “eat” he loves eggs, and yogurt.  

He is still obsessed with almost every kind of transportation vehicle.  Motorcycles, bus, trucks, cars, garbage trucks, airplanes, diggers, skateboards, fire trucks, boats, and scooters.  He can recognize and point to them, and he can also say the name.  He is a very smart boy.  Today at lunch, I asked him to say at least 10 new words.  He smiled and said each one very clearly.  You have to catch him in a good mood to be your parrot, for he only talks when he wants to.

We just found out I am pregnant, and are excited to have another baby because ours has grown up so fast.  I am also very relieved that Ryder is making leaps and bounds in communicating with me.  I haven’t really been feeling sick, but am very tired.  The past couple of days, I have fallen asleep with Ryder in my arms for a couple of hours and it is heaven.  I hope to really spoil him with as much attention as I can for the next 9 months.     

June Easter

It goes without saying that two of Ryder's favorite ladies happen to be named June.  He was so lucky to get to spend some time with both of these beauties the week of Easter.  

This little missy is Ryder's good friend June.  As you may be able to tell from the photo, he likes a lady in charge.  June's mom who is my good friend is due any day now with a little boy that I am so excited to meet.  She is a great photographer, and I am so glad she captured this darling photo.  

Can you believe how much he has changed since last Easter

Ryder's other June is his Great Grandma.  She has the funnest house, and always throws the best parties for the whole family.  Ryder loves her playroom, and running around her orchard and avocado trees picking fruit, and jumping on her trampoline.  A few more months, and I will let him jump in the pool he kept trying to sneak out to.

I admire my Grandmother so much.  When I think of the type of woman I aspire to be like, she always comes to mind.  Just so you get a better idea of who she is I will let you know a little more about her.  

She has twenty three grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.  She has never missed a birthday or Christmas gift for any of them.  She has taught her church choir for over 10 years, and has taught the seven turning eight year old's in church for over 10 years as well.  She plays the piano, and always shares her talent.  I love to sing with her, and she accompanied me for my first solo when I was eight years old.  She recovered from breast cancer.  She lost her sweetheart 12 years ago.  She is currently fighting another form of cancer, and continues to live life to it's fullest.  She attends curve's fitness every morning at 6am.   She goes to the farmers market every Saturday, and has a huge family night at her house every Monday.  She is a great listener and offers great advice.  She always makes others feel welcome and loved when they are in her presence.  Everyone wants to be her friend, in fact, she is still in close contact with her five best friends from High School.  They usually get together more than once a year.  She has nerve damage in her feet and is often in a lot of pain.  You would never know it because she is not a complainer, and she gets a million things done in a day.  She loves the details and making life beautiful.  She radiates the spirit and always finds ways to share the gospel.  Last week she told me that her heating and air technician asked her why she is always so happy, especially when she lives alone in such a big house.  She told him, that she knows what makes her happiest is being close to the Savior and her Heavenly Father.  She loves to read and play mindsweep on the computer.  She is an excellent cook, and always has treats around her house.  Three of her children and their kids live within a few blocks of her house, and in the summer, she hosts a swimming party just about every day.  She never gets bothered with the commotion of noisy children, and all the wet feet running around her house.  I don't think I have seen her wear the same outfit twice.  She loves to dress for the occasion, and is a great shopping partner.  When I am with her,  days seem to pass without me keeping track of time.  I love her so much and am so happy live just a few hours away.

Blast from the past

It has been five years since we left Hawaii, where has the time gone?  After having lived there for so many years, it was definitely time for us to go back and relive some great memories we made on that island.  While some of our favorite places involved onolicious grinds, we did manage to tour our old stomping grounds at the BYUH campus, and my old workplace Turtle Bay.  We stayed in the Villas next door to the hotel, so I made sure to stop by a couple of times and catch up with some old friends.  Gordon was able to surf everyday, rain or shine.  He really misses the warm water.  Ryder thought the trip was great! Mostly because his buddies were with him all day.  He learned to climb out of his pack and play crib, and open the door to the bedroom.  He would come running out saying "Aw bee" "Aw bee" (Aubrey- the little cutie seen above in the bikini) I know, I am going to have to worry about her in the future if she is already luring him away from his daily routine.  Let's just say, naps and bedtime became a very difficult task for us on this trip.  We are so fortunate to have such good friends, the Warners and the Hartens.  It was so nice relaxing by the pool with them, and indulging in the two pregnant ladies sweet cravings.  I honestly think we all gained a few pounds just from eating melona bars and Ted's Bakery Haupia pie.  I was also able to spend a few days with my darling cousin Alexandrea who graduates this June.  So proud of her! Especially because she will soon be a Seasider Alumni.  

Sunset Beach

Coconut- Melona- pure heaven!

 Turtle Bay

 Stacey and Kristy

 Wore out from the glow stick party

The crew

Eating at the place where Gordon and I first met 8 years ago

My blue shoe boy keeps me on my toes.  He is always up to something.  The other day I heard the sound  of silence so I went to check on him.  I started laughing out loud when he jumped and gave me a mischievous look.  He had my oven mitt on, and was trying to open the oven.  Today's new word was gock (pretty sure he means rock).  Anytime from 6:30 am - 7:30 am, I hear him calling Hi---dee, over and over until I go get him.  When I pick him up, I get the worlds best hug and kiss.  He is a big fan of folding his arms for a prayer; however, his recurrent sign for a prayer is becoming somewhat of an undertaking joke.    Lately whenever I give him a cracker or his sippy cup he folds his arms, looks at me and waits for the prayer.  Cute, but I get the sense he is kind of a tease.   

   

My Dad When he was a little boy and Ryder.  Do you see the resemblance? 

How does this thing work? Twas a very funny afternoon chasing this little rascal today. Despite the very chilly water temperature, he was determined to get soaked. He definitely has a personality that likes to test the waters. He finally gave up when a waist high wave took him out and rolled him in the sand.  He was shivering and screaming out of shock. I was trying to comfort my soaking wet child, but couldn't stop laughing. My girlfriend wished she had caught it on video because it was Pretty funny.

Ryder thinks the beach is the greatest place in the world. The minute he can see the sand, he starts fighting me to put him down.

He loves to brush his teeth

When this guy gets too cranky, a day at the beach usually makes us both  feel better.

One of Gordon's best friends Keith Arbuckle was married this month in the Arizona temple.  It was a bright day, and Emily was a beautiful bride.   I had never visited this temple, and I loved all the citrus trees planted on the grounds.  We were able to spend a couple days with my darling BFF Heather from college, who also has a son who Ryder adores.  Thanks Ashby's for the fun weekend, and especially James for being the coolest buddy who shares his treats and toys.

Love bug

Ha Ha, I can't believe my little chunky baby has now thinned out into a surefooted toddler. Although he can say momma, he prefers to call me Hi-----Di.  His new favorite toy is a Garbage truck, which he calls gar-chee.  He is really good at his baby sign language, and can do the following very well.  Thank you, please, more, dog, cat, toothbrush, fish, juice, all done, eat, and my personal favorite owie.  He usually hits himself on the head and then does the sign for owie.  He is sooo funny! He loves to fold his arms for the prayer, and will give a big hug to  just about anyone.  Everyday he learns a new word, and pushes his limits with one of his favorite words "NO"  I am pretty sure that when I tell him no, he thinks it means; better hurry and do it before mom stops me.  

Ryder's loves:

The park, we go there just about everyday

Sand and dirt, preferably with some type of shovel

Dogs, he can spot them well before I do

Trucks, and electric devices. (mini hoover vacuum)

Pickles, clementines, apples, altoid mints

Books about animals

Playing with friends at nursery or at the park

Push bike, that has replaced his stroller

Dancing to music in the car, or to dad on the guitar

Climbing on top of the kitchen table and standing near the edge

Runs to the door when dad comes home from work

Getting wet and sandy at the beach

Talking to himself in the mirror, or reading himself a book

Sisters

This Christmas was one I will never forget.  The holidays were definitely a whirlwind for me this year, and I am so glad I have the worlds best sisters to make me feel so special.  Ryder had the time of his life playing with his cousins, and It was also nice having dad around (when he wasn't boarding with Spencer).  Some particular highlights include; visiting the Oquirrh mountain temple with sister Amy, glow stick new years party for all the cousins, meeting up with the Summer's.  My 29th birthday party (yikes).  Lunch date with the Beifuss girls, sisters craft and dinner night at Keri's. 

 Christmas Eve Nativity

Ryder at Keri's

Our paths may change as life goes along, but the bond between us remains ever strong. Miss you sisters...and little brother!

New Years with the Wagstaff's

My Hairdresser