Three degrees of Glory tour

Today was the educational portion of our vacation! Michael and I had a brilliant idea........well it seemed like one at the time. I went online to order some small columns for the "emily" wedding and saw that my internet source had a new storefront in downtown LA. Well why pay shipping...we could just swing by on our way to the La Brea Tar Pits and pick them up. Did I mention it was in DOWNTOWN LA? Today's educational adventure brought our children a unique view of the American way of life. We not only got to witness several drug deals take place but Michael did a whole lot of praying after he kicked me out of the van to RUN in the store. While I was in the van the hooker and the 2 men sitting next to our auto were kindly making sure that we were okay...since the parking meter did not accept money. I kindly gave them all the change out of my pocket after I returned from my few minutes in the warehouse which Michael said felt like an eternity. We were definitely not of the correct ethnic origin to be hanging out on the corner. Did you know that 2 1/2 hours of driving here equals only 40 miles and the way is colorfully decorated with every sort of name available in creative spray paint design.
After this eye opening or should we say 'Please close your eyes kids" route....we headed to the La Brea Tar Pits which was pretty incredible. There are still tar pools all around and they have tons and tons of bones on display. Maliea was fascinated with all of it.
After we drove through Beverly Hills, Hollywood (got to see the sign on the hill) and continued on through the opulence until we finally found food.
Heading toward the Santa Monica pier, we drove past the LA temple!! I was so nice and much much bigger than I thought it would be.
We played on the beach for awhile. Lydia was not impressed at all. She was scared and just wanted to go back to the hotel. The other kids stayed fairly dry until the last five mins when Chaiya got knocked over by a wave and pushed Maliea as she was trying to get out of the water. They were soaked!!!!! Thayne even put his toes in.
Our drive back was long as we got misdirected several times by a faulty map.
Very long day.... Quayde and Lydia would have been happy the whole time to just sleep in the hotel and watch tv!
On to another day....

Most magical place on earth!

First- $1.00 a diaper is a bargain when both little children decide to go potty more than they have in their entire life in one day!
Second- Michael brought his pedometer and it said he walked 20.8 miles at Disneyland
Third- When you plan to leave and take a break at lunch time then get a parking place right at the front in the morning you don't leave.

There are so many things I want to write about to tell you how incredible and magical our day was yesterday. The fireworks display for the 50th anniversary were worth the price of admission alone! All of us standing there together watching and listening to the music will be one of my most cherished memories! It was amazing.

Lydia, Thayne and I took off with her disabled pass and walked right on most of the rides. The cast members were so wonderful about letting us on right way. Of course we got "looks" of wonder from those people in line about what special piece of paper we had. Lydia's favorite ride was the tea cups at the Mad Hatter's tea party. She hated the dark rides like Peter Pan and Alice and Wonderland. One of the other top rides for her was It's a Small World. I am so impressed still that wood, paint, glitter and fabric in a most basic sense can still be so magical looking under low lights.
The older kids and Michael took off for more exciting rides like Splash Mountain. Which they rode 7 times!
Chaiya says she loved the little Go Go Gadget coaster and Space Mountain
Maliea did really well, got tired faster than the others and says she can't decide which was her favorite cause she loved them all
Quayde got bored in It's a Small World but loved the fast rides.
Michael's favorite was the new Buzz Lighter Astro one. It is totally interactive and you can shoot and control your car.
My fatal mistake was forgetting the sling for Thayne. My arms feel like paperroute arms again as he wanted to be held the whole day. I just balanced him on the 'fanny' pack I was wearing for most of the time.
We all really really enjoyed the Aladdin storyteller theatre and of course the best most awesome Tiki Room!

Best food deal: We got the turkey club sandwiches on Focciaca bread and could feed two people from one. Plus we got huge fruit containers for $3.75! Very impressed with the fact there were a lot of healthy food choices now including veggies and fruit around every corner.
The kids came back to the hotel last night to treats on the table with coloring books, pens, notebooks, cups etc.. I had purchased previously and set out right before I walked out the door.
But of course we had to buy the 50th anniversary ears with their names sewn on and the giant lollipops!
We need to play more I think . This was a great day!!!!!!!!

skipping disneyland

Parents choice....we want to skip Disneyland and use the money to start saving for this bed we slept in last night! Oh how supreme but we can't steal it , it won't fit out the window.

starting out

Thayne is loving the hotel! This is just the kitchenette part with me trying to figure out the free internet. Mike loved the wind turbines on the road here!

We are here!

We made it just ahead of the rush hour traffic that was starting to pile up on the other side! Right now we are relaxing in an incredible room at the Residence Inn. The kids are already having a blast just enjoying the super nice room. The reception hour starts at 5 with free drinks and snacks! Plus tomorrow morning we will enjoy an incredible free breakfast before we head out to Disneyland. More later....

Tax return

Lydia is finally breathing better and its a very good thing cause we do not want her to be sick at DISNEYLAND! Yes we are on our way on Thursday for several fun filled (note: exausting for me) days. We are going to the science museum, La Brea tar pits, Disneyland, the beach and sleeping at a very nice hotel. This will all come to pass thanks to our tax return! We also are paying off Michael's truck and saving some for moving to a new house. We went tonight and purchased bright blue shirt for all of us to wear and aqua socks to play at the beach in.
We chose to do this before wedding season is here in full force, so the kids feel like there is more to life than tulle and silk flowers.
Stay tuned !

when lives collide

The kids borrowed Star Wars III from my dad this weekend and have been watching it repeatedly, I on the other hand have been working on wedding stuff repeatedly. Hence when worlds come together in my dreams I am doing weddings with Yoda's head as water fountains.

Praising God for Snot Bubbles

Lydia hasn't been doing very well for a few days. Today she took a turn for the better...her heart rate is down and she was maintaining O2 levels better. This is the exciting news.....She had the worst most nasty snotty nose!!!!! The best part? SHE HAD SNOT BUBBLES!!!!! Okay for a normal kid that is nothing but gross. For Lydia it is amazing. She is really really breathing from her nose. Heavenly Father is incredible. The miracles we have seen in our life with Lydia are astounding. We are very grateful for snotty noses tonight.

Update

I I haven't had a lot of time lately to be online. Trying to make proto-types of centerpieces and make backdrops etc... Already got another wedding from the May 13th one so this will be worth all the trouble. I have been stringing ivy on a frame to make rose trellises today and taking photos to send.
Maliea's pet bird Sapphire passed on to the great bird heaven in the sky this morning. So it has been a very somber day for all of us. She of course is heartbroken and it will take her awhile to feel better.
Thayne escaped out the front door and Chaiya found him enjoying the dirt, he didn't seem to like the taste very much though.
Lydia is still asking what day is it? and what day is tomorrow? We have lost all of our sense of rhythm without our nurse so its time to again find a new normal. I am off to go create some more!

Dr apt.

Today we had an appointment with Dr. Shindell. When I was sick last month and running a fever for a few days all that ran through my head was the questions and answers I wanted from this man. Being sick helped me process all the anger I had been feeling since Lydia's botched spine surgery. So when Lyd and I went in today I felt much healthier about approaching him with my concerns. He and I had a GREAT talk. Lydia's spine is now at 77% which is another 4 % less than 3 months ago. Dr. Shindell said that he would never go against my "gut" instinct and that I knew Lyd best and he would trust my judgment. We are now on much better footing. We don't have to go back to see him again until October.
Afterward the whole family went to IKEA and ate lunch, bought some very fun cups, bowls and eating utensils and drooled over all the cool furniture we want.
It has been a good day.