A New Post

I havent posted much in the past few months. During the summer it was mostly due to being busy and out of the house more, but these past couple months have been extremely difficult. I have a hard time letting time pass as each day I wake up and the loss of Melindas husband becomes more real. I know he is my brother-in-law, and that doesnt seem like such a close relationship, but my little sister is the sweet one in our family and has been my best friend many times in my life. I loved her husband as much as I would my own brother - and my parents loved him like a son. While the loss for us is not near as painful as it is for Meilnda, I have had a lot of heartache and a hard time letting time march on. I explain this in order to explain the inability to make a new post. I dont want time to move on. I dont want him to become a memory, and I want what happened to stay recent- so that he isnt part of some past that we remember.

I dont know a lot about grieving and death, but I do know that the saying, "Time heals all wounds" is simply not true. Im not saying that wounds cant be healed- because I am certain that through faith in the Lord we are healed- but time in this case has seemed to make it harder.

This post may sound a bit desperate, but I do want to note that I have had many precious moments of sweetness through this experience. The tender mercies of the Lord have been many, and have had a lasting impression on me and have strengthened my faith. I am grateful for these things.

There, Ive done it. A new post is written.

We Love You Clay!

Clay with his kids
Melinda and Clay
Clay and his Ah64 Apache
Melinda and Clay
Clay and Cale
Melinda and Clay during R&R from Afghanistan

My sister Melinda recently lost her husband, Clayton, in a helicopter accident. We will remember Clay as one of those guys that everybody loved. He had a love for life and lived it to its fullest. This past Spring his family celebrated his 30th birthday. He accomplished much in those 30 years of his life: including marrying Melinda, the love of his life, in the temple, serving an LDS mission in the Philippines, serving his country by flying AH64 Apache helicopters in Afghanistan, graduating from BYU and getting accepted into dental school, and supporting and loving his wife and 3 kids. It is no wonder why he is so dearly missed. We are heartbroken to lose such a wonderful person, but grateful for the time that we had him with us.

GO Diego GO!!!

Dave and Josh scored some last minute tickets to see Go Diego GO LIVE!!! OOOOOH Babay! Just what Dave has always wanted to see. They got there a little late, and Josh actually fell asleep on the way there, but when he came home- He was as happy as could be. He brought home a little baby Jaguar mask and showed off to his sister and her friends- who were having a "girl" party that night.

Lizzy and Her Twin

Lizzy's cousin Brielle came out to see Texas! They had a blast- and even met one of their heroes "Wonder Woman"! They visited San Antonio and went to Fiesta Texas, then met up in Salado at their other cousins house. Lizzy had been looking forward to the visit for 17 days- i know the number because she did a "count down". On the final day- she waited by the window counting down the hours and minutes- it was pretty exhausting being held to my exact phrases such as ; "They'll be here in a few minutes." I better be sure next time or Ill get crossed-examined by my 6-year-old. Their final night was a sleep over where they watched "High School Musical", put on make up, played rock music, colored little love notes, and giggled like 6-year-old girls! I let them stay up as late as they wanted to- I think they finally quieted down about 1 AM. What a week!

So What if Your Kid Isn't Potty-Trained!!!

Why do people find it to be their buisness if your kids isn't potty-trained in what they perceive to be the appropriate time? My 3 1/2 year old isn't potty trained- big deal! Yet for some reason "seasoned" moms feel that they are experts at such a topic when pediatricians and child psychologists support letting the child be trained when he is ready. "Ready" would mean that he can acctually relax on the toilet to "let it out" and that he has the desire to be toilet-trained. So yes, when I took him to his 3-year-old check-up, I was concerned as any mother would be, but reassured (by a doctor who not only raised 4 kids- but sees hundreds of kids per month) that potty-training should not be forced or rushed. Why? I suppose that a traumatic potty-training experience is not worth the setback it may have or the "guilty" feelings it would create in a child who is faced with this major task prematurely (from a 3-year-olds- veiwpoint) just to get him into underwear a few months earlier. So for all those moms who have their own "theories"- potty-train your own, and don't worry about mine!

Fossil Rim

Josh and Grandma- Look at those teeth (zebra)!

"I can see the Giraffes- here they come!"

Got any food in there?
Dont mind my drooling tongue.

Josh
Jaxson

Our trip to Fossil Rim was great! Definitely the highlight of the trip was the feeding of the giraffes. "Here they come!" And come they did- right through the sunroof and into the car. One giraffe lowered his head through the sunroof and wouldn't leave until my sis-in-law and I gave him a few handfuls of food. The kids were terrified- and screaming "close it, close it (the sunroof)." The giraffe finally raised his head back through the sunroof leaving behind the most amazing string of drool ever- no kidding, it was about 18 inches long! Definitely the most exciting part of the trip- even though the kids were a bit scared it was pretty hilarious. I definitely recommend the trip- worth the drive and a very unique experience.

Field Day

First grade Lizzy

"Pull, pull, pull!"

Way to go Mrs Cortes Class!

You are the tug-of-war champs!