Eleven

Where have the last eleven years gone? It is so hard to believe that my Sage Landon is eleven years old today. He may be extremely small for his age but he makes up for it by being the most loving, creative, kind kid I know. He is all about things being fair,  he gets so upset when he see's an injustice. He loves and lives for Scouting and is so excited to be a REAL Boy Scout.

he loved all of the camping gear he got for his birthday but was NOT happy with a prank gift of Oatmeal.

Sage's Birthday Cake

 Trying out Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans

 We celebrated at Corvette Diner

 A week before his actual birthday we celebrated with friends at the Minion Movie

He's going to be starting sixth grade soon and I am definitely NOT ready for him to grow up. I know that he growing into a fantastic young man. He is my miracle and I will forever be grateful that he picked me to be his Mom. Happy Birthday my sweet boy!

Where Did You Go?

Wow... life has been crazy busy and has not slowed down enough for me to get my thoughts written down. Homeschooling this last year was crazy and at times I thought it would do me in. I am glad to report that we all survived although, just barely.

The beginning of 2015 brought a switch of job locations for Robert and Sage earning his Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts. We then spent 5 months in hell looking for a house. I don't recommend it if you want to keep your sanity.

Aurora turned 8 in February and was baptized with her friend Keenan in April. She started Girl Scouts and Activity Days.

I am working on overcoming my social anxiety and learning other ways to deal with it besides medication. So far every medication I've tried leaves me feeling like a zombie and takes away my ability to care about things like housework. I've recently discovered an herbal remedy that seems to be helping to relax me.

Lydia finished another semester of college and now has just one class left before she earns her Associates Degree in Deaf Studies.

In May we ended up having to replace my Mom's car with something more reliable. In addition to our Mazda MPV we are now the proud owners of a Honda Pilot.

The kids finished the 2014-2015 School Year and will be going into the 6th and 3rd grades. I can't believe how fast my babies are growing!

Sage will be turning 11 this Friday the 17th and will officially be a Boy Scout. He is so excited and cannot wait until he is 12 so he can spend more time with Robert camping and earn actual Merit Badges.

Aurora Turns 8!

Today, my baby girl turned eight! I can't believe how fast the last few years have gone by.

Thirty-three

Thirty.... What?!? Today I am thirty-three. Sage and Aurora insisted I answer the 20 questions that I make them answer every year.

1. What is your favorite color? Pink
2. What is your favorite stuffed animal? Sidney the Lamb and Hayden the Rabbit
3. What is your favorite fruit? Raspberries
4. Favorite T.V Show? F.R.I.E.N.D.S
5. Favorite food? Rubio's Fish Tacos 
6. Something I can't live without? Hayden's ring
7. Favorite game? Uno 
8. Favorite snack? Buñuelos from El Indio
9. Favorite animal? Beluga Whales
10. Favorite song? The Right Stuff- NKOTB and When You Say Nothing at All- Allison Krauss
11. Favorite book? Heaven is Waiting - Stephanie Nielson
12. Best Friend/s/? Robert, Mom, Lydia, Aurora, Marissa, Juniper, Diane
13. Favorite Cereal? Cinnamon Toast Crunch
14. Favorite thing to do outside? Swimming
15. Favorite Drink? Vanilla Coke
16. Favorite Holiday? Christmas 
17. Favorite Movie? Pitch Perfect
18. Favorite Breakfast? Créme Brûlée French Toast
19. Favorite place to visit? Disneyland
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Grandma

Sage's 10th Birthday

Sage's birthday was actually very low key this year. Sage opened one present which was his custom-made by Mom birthday shirt.

We then went to Boomer's for some Mini Golf, then to 7-11 for giant Slurpee's with mustache straws. We spent the rest of the day having fun at home. When Dad got home we headed to Souplantation for dinner.

I made the name banner to look like LEGO bricks and the cake was Lego Movie themed. It was an extremely hot day so the frosting kept melting. I'm not happy with the way it turned out but of course Sage was so, i guess that's all that matters.

 After dinner we came home to open presents, beat the pinata open and have cake. The trick sparkler candles were a big hit with Sage. He made out with an Emmett shirt and a huge LEGO set. Lydia and Shane took him to Legoland for the very first time. He loved it!

I cannot believe that my little boy is 10 now.

Double Digits

Ten years ago, today we were finally blessed with a healthy baby boy. I cannot believe that my Sage is now 10 years old. We love him so much and are extremely grateful that he chose us to be his family.

Here is this years edition of 20 Questions.

Sage Landon Parker

1. What is your favorite color? Blue
2. What is your favorite stuffed animal? Jack the puppy
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apple
4. Favorite T.V Show? Wipeout
5. Favorite food? Chicken Nuggets or Pizza
6. Something I can't live without? Lego's
7. Favorite game? The Lego Movie video game
8. Favorite snack? Fruit snacks
9. Favorite animal? Sharks
10. Favorite song? Everything is Awesome
11. Favorite book? The Lego Movie Jr. Novel
12. Best Friend/s/? Aurora, Andrew, Joshua, Keenan
13. Favorite Cereal? Cinnamon Toast Crunch
14. Favorite thing to do outside? Swimming
15. Favorite Drink? Chocolate Milk
16. Favorite Holiday? Christmas
17. Favorite Movie? The Lego Movie
18. Favorite Breakfast? Pancakes
19. Favorite place to visit? Disneyland, Sea World, Utah
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Architect

Lydia Turns 20!

We celebrated with a donut cake for breakfast, presents, cuddles, yummy sugar cookies and a pink camouflage cake with blue raspberry filling.

                      

                             

And no birthday would be complete without a trip to the ER for Lydia with yet another Kidney stone. 

20 for 20!

Lydia Katherine Miiler

April 15, 2014

20 Questions

1. What is your favorite color? Yellow

2. What is your favorite stuffed animal ? Major Cuddles a.k.a SB

3. What is your favorite fruit? Mango

4. Favorite T.V Show? Twisted

5. Favorite food? Egg rolls 

6. Something I can't live without? Music

7. Favorite game? Wipeout for kinect and intense games of UNO

8. Favorite snack? Smoothies and wheat thins

9. Favorite animal? White Tiger

10. Favorite song? She Wouldn't be Gone- Blake Shelton

11. Favorite book? The Me Nobody Knew

12. Best Friend/s/? Dani and Shane

13. Favorite Cereal? Cinnamon Life

14. Favorite thing to do outside? Swimming and Bike Riding

15. Favorite Drink? Milk

16. Favorite Holiday? Halloween

17. Favorite Movie? The Moulin Rouge

18. Favorite Breakfast? Hashbrowns

19. Favorite place to visit? Beach

                          20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Radio-Oncologist

Aurora Turns Seven!!!

We had so much fun celebrating Aurora's 7th birthday. We had a family dinner and opened some presents followed by cake and a piñata.

Lydia and I  made a banner and hung snowflakes from the ceiling for the FROZEN theme. Aurora ended up taking a much needed nap before the festivities.

Piñata's are always a hit!

Aurora On Ice

We had Aurora's birthday party early this year. She was able to pick 2 friends to go with her to Disney on Ice. Two of her friends already had tickets for the same night so she ended up being able to have 4 friends join her instead. 

First, we headed to Chick-fil-a for dinner then next door to Viejas Center for the show. Hannah and Bella had seats on the opposite side of the arena so we said our goodbyes and went to find our seats with Casey and Gabby.

The girls and I had a great time and can't wait to do it again!

October's Greatest Hits

Whew, October was one crazy month! Instead of doing different posts I'm going to post it all here.

Miya playing dress up in Aurora's jacket

We took the kids their first football game at the Mount Miguel 

Homecoming game. They beat Monte Vista 35-12

 We spent a day in Los Angeles playing with cousins we've haven't seen in a long time.

We caught Simba cuddling with Houdini and Miya

We celebrated my 32nd Birthday

We had fun trick or treating at the ward dinner and in Point Loma

We also carved some pretty awesome pumpkins.

Hopefully, I'll be better at posting in November.

Little Lady

My little lady is 6 today! I can't believe it, It seems like just yesterday she was born. She has filled our home with joy and laughter and definitely keeps us on our toes. 

Aurora 

February 23, 2013

20 Questions

1. What is your favorite color? - gold

2.What is your favorite toy? - Princess Cadence My Little Pony

3.What is you favorite fruit? - Bananas & Strawberries

4. What is your favorite tv show? - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

6. What is your favorite outfit? - Pink and Silver Christmas Dress

7. What is your favorite game? - xbox 360 Kinect Adventures

8.What is your favorite snack? - Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies

9. What is your favorite animal? - Cheetah

10. What is your favorite song?- Call Me Maybe and Gangnam Style

11. What is your favorite book? - Goldilicious and Bad Case of the Stripes

12. Who is your best friend? - Eva

13. What is your favorite cereal? - Cookie Crisp and Cocoa Puffs

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? - Jumping on the trampoline and 

swinging 

on the tire swing

15. What is your favorite drink? - Strawberry Milk and Stawberry Lemonade

16. What is your favorite holiday? - Christmas

17. What do you take to bed with you at night? - Stuffed Princess Cadence

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? - Special K with Strawberries

19. Where is your favorite place to visit? - Disneyland

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? - A teacher

Ten Years Ago

Ten years ago today in the University of Utah Hospital ICU I gave birth to our second son, Hayden Andrew Parker. To read Hayden's story click HERE. 

Since Aurora's birthday is tomorrow we will combine the family festivities at the restaurant of Aurora's choice at Disneyland the 25th and 26th. 

Can It Be???

I can't believe that my Baby will be 6 years old next week. It seems like just yesterday we brought her home from the Hospital. 

This year we are actually forgoing a big party and will be spending 2 days at Disneyland. However she has  been asking for a slumber/tea/dance party. She's picked one friend to come over and we'll do all the girly things that Aurora has been dying to do.

I made up two invitations because Aurora has this obsession with invitations

Happy 37th!

Today my amazingly perfect for me husband is one more year closer to the BIG 40! In honor of Robert's birthday here are 37 things in no particular order I love about him.

1. He loves me

2. He loves our children

3. He works hard to support us

4. He loves cuddling with me and the kids

5. He is kind

6. He is patient

7. He always puts his all into his church calling, whatever It may be

8. He is my biggest cheerleader

9. He is a master at the BBQ

10. He keeps me safe

11. He stands behind me in tough times

12. He learns quickly

13. He deals with my depression and anxiety better than I do

14. He is a movie buff

15. He is a worthy Priesthood holder

16. He makes me want to be better

17. He teaches the kids things I can't teach them

18. He puts up with Ginger even though he detests cats, because she helps me.

19. He understands me better than anyone else

20. He loves Mexican food as much as I do

21. He respects my opinions

22. He makes me laugh

23. He always holds my hand

24. He is a hard worker

25. He always compliments my meals even if they aren't so great.

26. He lets me eat off his plate at restaurants

27. He understands my need for some part of us to be touching while we sleep

28. Fireworks make him act like a 10 yr. old

29. He opens doors for me

30. He gave me Bryton

31. He gave me Hayden

32. He gave me Sage

33. He gave me Aurora

34. He laughs at my lame jokes

35. If he needs laundry done, he does it

36. He carries the heavy loads, literally and figuratively

and last but not least...

37. He tells me I'm beautiful, even when I don't feel like it

Thirty One Life Lessons

Today I turn thirty-one. I can't believe it. When I was a teenager I remember thinking that people in their thirties were OLD and didn't like to have fun. While I'm not sure that any of that is true for all thirty-somethings I know that I am a fun-loving, silly, thirty-one year old Mommy who loves to be silly with the kids and teenagers in her life.

In honor of my birthday I thought I would post thirty-one life lessons I've learned over the years.

1. It's perfectly fine to make mistakes. It's the best way to learn.

2. We are responsible for making our own happiness.

3. Silence is golden and essential to my sanity.

4. We must first love ourselves if we are to truly be loved by others.

5. You will never be "100%" ready for things in life, so trust your instincts.

6. Life is short, live it right.

7. Change is good; hard.... but good.

8. It's important to dream.

9. Time spent stressing over anything is time wasted.

10. Never let fear control you.

11. Choose wisely how and with who you spend your time.

12. Less is more. Say and buy less, listen more.

13. Choose your friends carefully.

14. We don't need much (stuff) to be happy.

15. By loving ourselves we become better friends, partners, parents and all around better people.

16. Serve others and let them serve you.

17. Enjoy and savor every moment.

18. We are stronger and more resilient than we think we are.

19. Never sell yourself short.

20. Complaining, criticizing, and gossiping are a waste of time.

21. Stop being a victim and be a leader.

22. Forgiveness is easier than we think.

23. It's easier to find fault in others much easier than seeing the faults in ourselves.

24. Naps are good. It's okay to sleep in, sometimes.

25. When you feel nervous, stressed or anxious get on your knees and pray.

26. Everyone has the need and/or desire to create something.

27. When you passionately believe in something it can and will change you.

28. Learn to say no. If you don't want to do something - go to a party, accept an obligation, meet someone- just say "no, thank you." You don't owe anyone an excuse or explanation.

29. Never give unsolicited advice! I can guarantee you that it is not wanted or needed.

30. Stop rushing through life. Slow down and enjoy it.

31. Don't ever let a day go by without telling your loved ones you love them and how much they mean to you.

I Am Your Father

We will be in Utah on Sage's birthday and he's also being baptized that day. We already took him to Disneyland and California Adventure last month to celebrate but I wanted his Baptism party to be extra special since we'll be with family who are never around for his birthdays.

Sage's new obsession is Lego Star Wars. I found these images online and made a super cute invitation using Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software. I love it and I am so happy with his invitations. I also made some super cute Thank You cards to send out afterwards. I'll share those after everyone has received them. 

I also made this for the party to put on the table for decoration. Love it!

Aurora's Party

I don't know what happened to the pictures I had from her party but they have officially disappeared. We spent her birthday having all sorts of fun. We woke up early and opened presents.

She absolutely loved her new doll, stroller and baby gear, ballerina music box and her butterfly garden.

Then we headed to Souplanation for her Birthday dinner. Every time we go we have to take pictures with cucumbers over their eyes since the last time we went out to dinner with Grandma she did the same thing with them.

Happy Birthday Princess Aurora!

Five years ago today my sweet little Princess Aurora Janell Isabelle was born at 8:30pm. She was truly an answer to my prayers. I knew this was my last baby and so I hoped and prayed for a girl since I already had 3 boys. She has been a blessing in our lives and while she can be a huge Drama Queen she also reminds us to slow down and enjoy life. It's amazing how fast the last five years have gone.

 About an hour after birth and she already has her thumb in her mouth.



 6 months old with her Grandpa Sid's ears and her thumb in her mouth.

 First Birthday 2008

 Second Birthday 2009

 Third Birthday 2010

Fourth Birthday 2011

Fifth Birthday 2012



Happy Birthday my darling Princess Aurora. Just like her Mom she insists that her birthday be celebrated for as long as possible so here's the plan:

Today: Presents, Princess Waffles for breakfast, then off to school, and then home for a day of fun and dinner at Souplantation.

Friday: Movie Night (Aurora's choice) with churro's from Churro's El Tigre

Saturday: Birthday Party and game night

Sunday: Dinner and drinks of her choice followed by brownies and homemade ice cream of her choice.



Happy 7th!

Happy Birthday to the little man who stole my heart seven years ago today! Sage is the most amazing kid ever. He is loving and kind and is my little cuddle bug. I'm not sure how much longer it will last so I am taking full advantage of it now. Here are seven things that we love about him.

1. How loving he is.
2. His fabulous imagination.
3. His warped sense of humor that he gets from his Grandma & Mom.
4. The fact that he mentions his Grandma & Hayden every night in his prayers.
5. He almost always will play whatever Aurora wants him to play.
6. He loves helping Daddy fix things.
7. How excited he gets over the littlest of things, he really loves to laugh.

We love you Sage with all of our hearts.

Love- Mom, Dad & Aurora