Shootings, Statues and Sactions

What a crazy weekend I had. Not really in the good sense of the word. I woke up Friday and as I'm sure many of you did, found out about the shooting in Colorado. Immediately I was watching/reading news and couldn't take my eyes off it. I felt so personally affected and I didn't know anyone involved. As more information I was so deeply saddened for the victims and their families. Honestly I didn't have anger for the shooter, just concern for everyone else. I was basically crying on and off the whole day. Eventually I turned to my Heavenly Father and felt strength in knowing all will eventually be well and we are so blessed to have the promise that every family can be together eternally.
This morning I was reading this talk by Elder Cook and it was amazing how it put into words my feelings and gave me more comfort. He says, "Many people face significant problems or even tragedy during this mortal journey. All over the world we see examples of trials and tribulations. We are moved in our souls by television images of death, acute suffering, and despair...Something stirs us when we become aware of such tragedy, especially when suffered by innocent people." He goes on to say, "Whenever tragedy occurs, we mourn and strive to bear one another's burdens. We lament the things that will not be accomplished and the songs that will not be sung."The most comforting part for me was at the end of the talk when he quotes scripture, "'The Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgement may come upon the wicked.' He made it clear that the righteous are not lost but 'enter into the rest of the Lord their God.' The wicked will be held accountable for the atrocities they perpetrate." And the part that brought me to tears was from a hymn, "And Jesus listening can hear the songs I cannot sing."

Through the midst of all this, on Saturday, the Joe Paterno statue was removed. I was so sad to hear this. I don't want to get into any discussions on the matter. Just know I've been watching Penn State football for as long as I can remember and I just bought a new shirt so I could take my picture by this statue in just 15 short days.

Well, yesterday the NCAA sanctions for Penn State football came out. I'm not even going to post a link. If you don't know about it, google it. I was at a loss for words. Just like I was when they hastily fired Paterno back in November. I felt like I couldn't really take any more depressing news so I decided to get away from the internet and focus on things I have control over. Ultimately I can only form my own opinions and can't change others'. I can't undo what has already been done and I will proudly get my picture by the Lion Shrine.

I instead am focusing on the fact that I get to see my whole family, minus one :-( in just 3 DAYS! I literally shake with joy when I think about it and our bags are almost packed!!! I also just got a Nicholas Sparks' novel that I will immerse myself in and make the world go away. :-) I'm going to have a great month and nothing is going to stop me! WE ARE....

Tea Party

Whitney has a new friend in our ward. This cute young woman (we'll just call her M) in our ward is so good with kids. Everyone just loves her. Well last Sunday Whitney didn't even sit with us in church, she was with M and her family the entire time. After church we were all talking and M said she needed to have a tea party for all the little girls because they always talk about it. Later that day there was a knock at the door and M brought an invite for a tea party. Whitney was so excited and talked about it all week. Yesterday she got all dolled up to go. They got their own new tutus then played with puzzles, got to dress up stuffed animals, played musical chairs to the Tangled soundtrack, had "tea" and then watched Tangled.

All ready to go! Notice Lindsey on the side. Now if she knows I'm taking a picture she runs to be in it.

She was at the table when I got there. They had flower shaped sandwiches and cookies. In the teapot there was water and in the sugar pot was pink lemonade powder so they could mix it themselves. So cute!

Here she is with M. They got ring pops at the end (since every princess gets a married at the end of the story) Take notice of where Lindsey is

I told you she tries to be in every picture!

I know I tweeted about this, but the baby lizard outside our apartment is one of the cutest things I've ever seen. It seriously looks like a toy.

I'm so glad M included Whitney in this fun day! Of course now she loves her more and had such a blast! What have you done for fun this week?

Museum Day

 This last week we went to Balboa Park. Every Tuesday they have select museums that are free to get into if you are a San Diego County resident. We went with a family from our ward. It was crazy with all the kids around. I think it's probably better when school is session.

 We went to the model railroad museum. It was pretty cool to see all the tiny little cars, people, etc.

 We also went to the Museum of Natural History. I was thinking of Night at the Museum the whole time. :-) Right now they have a horse exhibit so Whitney was really excited. It ended up being more about the evolution and domestication of horses so she wasn't quite as excited as we went through it, but she still liked it.

Waiting outside for the doors to open.

Outside the horse exhibit

Whitney and her cute friend on the saddles.

Does she measure up to be a jockey? :-)

Lindsey running away from the horse

Scary dinosaur! The kids loved all the prehistoric animals.

This is just a cropped version of the one above, but I just love her little face.

I'm really excited to try out some of the other museums. They're not all geared towards kids but a change of scenery is always good! I'm really loving all these new adventures. I usually like to stay in my comfort zone and not venture away from it. I'm learning to be brave and making friends that I can go explore with. I'm so grateful for all these new things that we are experiencing!

Independence Day

This was quite a different holiday for us. Out of every holiday July 4th has the most set traditions for us. We were far away from home, but we decided to do what we could to make it feel patriotic. Luckily Ty didn't have to work so we got to spend the whole day with him!
In the morning we went to a Stake pancake breakfast at church.

Our little American cuties

Happy to be with daddy!

Lindsey wouldn't let the ipod out of her hands for some reason and just gave everyone dirty looks all morning.

We had a relaxing afternoon and both the girls took much needed laps so they wouldn't be grumpy later. We packed up and headed down to La Jolla Cove for fireworks. We didn't quite know what to expect, but it was a little crazy with the amount of people there. We had quite a trek from the car to the beach and because I'm so smart, I forgot the stroller. :-( But the girls did really well and didn't seem to mind.

Can't complain about that view before fireworks start!

Whitney kept doing everything Ty would do. This time she laid down then said, "Mom, take our picture!"

We got there with a few hours to spare so we just relaxed, ate snacks, explored the beach, and enjoyed watching the pelicans and seals. The downside: I got bird poop on me, Lindsey threw up on me (my fault, I was bopping her up and down), and applesauce was spilled all over my leg. Thank goodness for wipes and hand sanitizer!

I asked Ty to throw our garbage away and he took the girls with him. Well, he came back and they both had these glow swords. I love how Lindsey is yelling in this picture. She totally loves hers.

Watching fireworks

Oh how I love watching fireworks!

The finale was very bright and loud. I loved it!

It was a really cool experience to watch fireworks right next to the ocean. I'm so glad we braved the throngs of people and went. Although this wasn't a normal 4th of July feeling to me, I'm still grateful for the country that I live in and the freedoms that we have. Did you try anything new this Independence Day?

Another Sunny Day in Cali

 Today was a crazy fun day. We went swimming at Whitney's teacher from church's house. It was a blast. The girls really love her and she had over her daughter and grandkids so it was a lot of fun.

Lindsey hammin' it up while she waits for lunch.

Whitney sliding into the deep end. She even let her whole head go under water. (a big accomplishment around here)

After that we took Ty to work and headed to the beach for a family night with some people from church. There's an awesome playground that the girls love. We got a nice spot right by a fire pit then realized none of us brought firewood! We still had lots of fun and got to mingle. Let's face it...any time we get out of the house we have fun. :-)

If sand is involved, Lindsey is happy!

Don't let my cute innocent face fool you. My middle name is Trouble!

And just in case you are wondering what Doritos mixed with sand taste like...ask Lindsey. :-)

Overall we had a great day and are all exhausted. I was smart and the girls didn't soak up too much sun, but I was also dumb and didn't protect myself so I'm a little roasted. :-) Hope you are all doing great and that we'll all have a fun patriotic week!