Malia's first crush!

As I was driving Malia to Ballet on Wed. she noticed the car next to us had a bumper sticker on it with a photo of Barack Obama on it.
M: Oh, it looks like they want Barack Obama to be our next president.
Me: Yea, I guess they like him. Who do you think is going to be the next president?
M: Um, I think Barack Obama is gonna win, but I really like John McCain.
Me: You do, huh?
M: Yea, I want to marry John McCain
Me: You what?
M: I want to marry John McCain
Me: Why do you want to marry him?
M: Because I think he is so handsome
Me: Oh, ok, what do you think makes him so handsome?
M: I like it when he is on T.V. and says, I'm John McCain, and I approve this message. He always smiles when he says that, and I really like his smile.
Me: Oh, that's nice. Don't you think that maybe he is a little bit to old for you?
M: No, I mean he has white hair and stuff but I still think he is handsome.
Me: Sweetie, did you know that he is married already?
M: He is?? What is her name?
Me: Cindy
M: What does she look like?
Me: She has blond hair and she is beautiful, but you are just as beautiful.
M: Oh, ok. I just want to marry him.
Me: Sweetie, I don't think it's gonna work out.

I think I'm in trouble with this girl!!!
Maybe she could campaign with John McCain??

Pucker Up!!

How can anyone resist these cuties??

I'm Back!

So I have been told by a few family members that I am a terrible blogger!! So thus commences the mother of all updates, you asked for it peeps!! I will go back about 7 weeks, Brinley had been sick and we were told also really anemic. Lots of iron and blood tests followed and there was no change in the iron levels. The doctor called me on a Tues. evening, I believe it was the 2nd of Sept., to let me know that he had done all he knew to do and that he was faxing her blood work to a Pediatric Hematologist at U. C. Davis. I was a little shocked and asked him why the concern, what are we talking about here? I already knew what he was about to say, I had done alot of research online, I just wanted him to confirm my suspcions. He let me know that they were testing and looking for Leukemia. My worst fears confirmed. I really don't remember the rest of the conversation, but I knew it would be at least a week wait until we knew for sure. How could this be happening? Rod was playing in the front room with the girls, so I let him know what the doctor had said. He was great to let me be alone in my thoughts and ponder what this would really mean for our family. That night I found that I did not want to be around anyone, especially Brin. I tend to pull away from people in stressful times and I felt that if I was going to lose her, then I didn't want to fall more in love with her. Thank goodness for routine, because the next day, Malia had school, I went to my regular class at the gym, and then we went to ballet. I had woken up with a new perspective. I wanted to be with Brinley every waking minute. I took more pictures, and found that I just let the little things go. It really helped me to focus on the more important things in life and let go of everything else. The next few days were long and full of a roller coaster of emotions. Late Fri. night I recieved a call from the Doc. He let me know that the Hematologist had ruled out Leukemia, and we were looking at a genetic form of anemia. We would meet with a Dr. Hastings from U. C. Davis to find out more about what we were dealing with. I hung up the phone and started to bawl!! I don't ever remember a time I have cried like that. I had no idea the stress I was carrying around until I let it go. It was such a relief to know that we would not have to go through the process of fighting leukemia, and as dumb as it sounds, I am so greatful for those few days when we thought that we might. It has really caused me to slow down, take each as it comes, and remember that our plan for our lives may not be our Heavenly Father's plan for our life. We met with the doctor on the 22nd of Sept. and it was such a waste of time. After talking to us and asking random questions for a couple of hours, he said that they don't really know much until they take more blood and test it. 5 vials of blood and alot of tears later, we were out of there. We meet with them again on the 16th of Oct. That weekend I flew to Vegas, rented a car, drove to St. George, and went to my 10 year high school reunion. It was pretty fun and interesting to see everyone again. I talked to alot of people more at the reunion than I ever did in high school. Weird how that works, huh?? It was great to see everyone and hopefully it won't be another 10 before I see some of you again. It was a fun, but quick trip, and it was also good to get back. It's good to be missed!! We have just been up to our normal routine lately, getting in the Halloween spirit, and planning a few Halloween parties! I have started some Christmas shopping and cannot believe that it is that time of year again. We are planning on spending the holidays in St. George and on Cedar mountain. I am so excited, I love Christmas!!!! A few photos for your veiwing pleasure. Enjoy!!
We went to a Halloween Festival last Saturday. Malia got her face painted and played a few games. I paid a dollar for a cupcake and all was well, A dollar for a cupcake!!??
This little piggy went to market......
This little piggy stayed home...... Easy way to get a good laugh, right??
The girls hanging out in Rod's patrol car
Brinley loves tomato's! We had turkey burgers a couple of nights ago for dinner, and she just wanted the cheese and tomato's. The first picture I took of her, she smiled so big that her eyes were squinted shut, so I told her to open her eyes. Here is Brinley with her eyes open!!

A little bedtime story from Brinley and Malia

Accessories

Sometimes I wonder where my dear sweet Malia came from. This girl is obsessed with anything gold and anything that sparkles. She has sparkly belts, shoes, purses, you name it. I have noticed the last few times we have been out shopping that she has had her eye out for a gold purse. She fell in love with one a couple of weeks ago that was huge and gold and hideous, I looked at the price tag thinking , really how much could they charge for this thing, $50.00 bucks!!!! I told her it was way to much, but we would keep our eyes out for something else. Well today as we were out strolling around town at a craft fair thing, there it was! I think this bag was calling her name, as we walked into the booth, she was slowly being pulled towards it, I could not stop it from happening. I just reached into my pocket and handed Malia the money. She paid for the purse, and walked out with a huge smile on her face. Although I do not love her love of gold, I try to support her inner ghetto! What's a mom to do?

It's gettin hot in here

Malia has wanted a ceiling fan in her room since she was old enough to ask for it. I thought that it was not necessary, and therefore kept saying, we'll see or let's talk to daddy about it. Well a couple of weeks ago as I was putting her to bed she says, "it's so freakin' hot in here, I'm sure if I had a fan I wouldn't be hot!" I laughed and told her to just change into some cooler pajam's. I told Rod about it later that night and he said, I'll just take her to Lowe's tomorrow and let her pick out the one she wants. So , as I was getting my hair done the next day, Rod was at Lowes with the girls picking out a fan. He put it in that evening and it works and looks great. Malia also wrote her daddy a super cute thank you note for putting up the fan. It says, Thank you for building my fan love Malia. She is a girl who knows what she wants, and knows how to get it!!

Malia's 5th Birthday!

On Thursday, September 11, Malia turned five!! Malia had been counting down the days for quite a while. She is the last of her friends to turn 5, and she barely made the deadline for starting school this year, so it was a major celebration around here. After putting Malia to bed on Wed. night, I ran to the store (don't worry, rod was home) and got her a boquet of flowers, a bunch of helium balloons, and some texas toast to make her french toast for breakfast the next morning. Malia had requested french toast for breakfast, so I made a bunch while she was still sleeping, stacked some up, put a candle in it, and went to her room to wake her up with a rousing rendition of happy birthday!! She woke up with a big grin (totally made my day) and blew out her candle! We had breakfast and then let her open a few presents. My mom left some gifts with us when she was out a few weeks back and so she opened those too.Malia is really into all the Barbie movies (this too shall pass) and so she got a couple of Barbie DVD's, some pony's, a Barbie, and a Hello Kitty CD player. I had a few things to run around and do that day, and so Malia and Brin joined me. Most of the day was pretty chill , but I tried to make it special for her. Rod's parents got into town that afternoon and we hung out until Rod got home from work, and then we let Malia choose where she wanted to have her birthday dinner. She chose Olive Garden, which is no surprise, and so we headed to Reno to eat. Olive Garden was packed, and so we headed to Claim Jumper ( much to Rod's delight). Malia ordered "pasta with white sauce" and had a great time eating it!!I had talked to our server when we first got there about it being Malia's big day, and so at the end of the meal she was served a huge piece of ice cream pie and we all sang to her. She loved it!!
On Saturday, we had her friend party at a Museum in Carson City. It was a great time and Malia had a lot of fun with her friends. When we first got there all the kids just played in the museum before heading downstairs to the party room. The kids made a couple of crafts and then played a fabulous game of duck duck goose ( it's not a party without duck duck goose). Rod showed up with pizza, but I totally dropped the ball and forgot to bring ranch dressing. The kids ate lunch, had cake and ice cream and then opened presents. Malia got the Barbie Mariposa DVD and the actual Mariposa barbie, a little makeup kit, a Webkinz puppy, and a few other little things. She has some great friends and she had a great time.
I love this next picture, I had Malia and her friends all stand together for a picture. I was having a hard time getting them to all smile, so I said " who can smile the biggest"? I think we have a clear winner here!! Notice the huge veins popping out of her neck!! (backfire)
All in all, it was a fun day! These are just a few more pictures of the day. As you can see, Brinley had a great time too!!
Malia, you have got to be one of the funniest girls I know, you crack me up on a daily basis. I love you!!!!