Satan is a tricky one.

After watching conference, we got motivated to go back to the temple weekly. Where we live we feel like this is very manageable for us to do. Once a month we'll go together and the other weeks we'll do work on our own. Inititories are my favorite, so that's what I do. But when we go together we'll switch between Endowments and Sealings. We got out of the habit after his work schedule changed and made it impossible to keep our current (at the time ) routine. Well my new time is Tuesday nights. And tonight was the first. Let me just tell you how many things "came up" that could have easily deterred me from going. About 7 different instances happened to prevent me from keeping my commitment. The last one actually being a little traumatic. I was literally walking down the stairs with 7 minuets until the temple closed. We heard a big crash followed by a loud scream. Aubree had fell and hit her head H.A.R.D. instantly a HUGE black goose egg on her forehead appeared...what do I do? What's more important? The others were a lot more clear to me. But luckily she was willing to have Daddy comfort her, and he was willing to deal so I could go. He told me it went down a lot and she seemed fine after. So I did get to go and it was amazing. It has been WAY to long. And all I have to say is, take that Satan. Nice try but it didn't work.

Dave's Birthday

I had already orchestrated his birthday so that it ended up being great. But I wanted a chance to celebrate with him, and make sure that I really have made up for ditching him on his 30th birthday. So I had in store a surprise party for him and his friends. I had sent out an email invite the week before and a reminder one the day before. I had it all planned out so that I could be cooking for 30, at times when he wouldn't see. He always goes to the gym in the morning. So I scrubbed all 29 potatoes and placed them in the oven. I cooked all the bacon (that could easily be explained, as it was morning) and both his birthday cakes, and took it all over to Karen's with the bottled water and soda to chill in her fridge. By the time he got home in the morning I was done with almost all I had to do to prep the food...and he didn't even suspect. I even explained away the cake smell with making cookies for Zenny who had helped me out a lot with my plane ticket to California! Anyway, we had a normal day and around 4:30 I acted like I forgot to pick up a picture at Costco that I NEEDED for tomorrow. (I was going to send him for pictures AND diapers but he found my stash of diapers I was hiding so it looked like we were out. I played it off on the kids :) Anyway. I told him he had to go NOW so that he would be home in time for dinner. And then we would have family night so he couldn't go after. Like a good husband he consented to go. I gave him $0.50 for the picture, and he was off. I forgot to tell him to look at the picture when he picked it to make sure it looked good. And after he picked it up he went to the mall to buy new basketball shoes. It gave me plenty of time to get the house set up, and the dinner ready. People started showing up around 5:30 and I texted him to look at the picture. This is what it was...

He called me and said "celebrate what?" He didn't even think of his birthday 'cause he had already celebrated with his fam! When he got home, this was waiting on the door for him. I didn't want to try to do the lights off, "SURPRISE" when he walked in the door. So this was how I did it. He was VERY surprised and we still said "Happy Birthday" and "Surprise" just a little more low key.
This was on the front door. Which made it hard to keep Aubree and Soph inside. They escaped a few times, but returned safely each time.
I designed all the decorations by my self using pages on my mac (after Karen showed me how) and I was pretty proud ....until I saw it all come together, and realized that it looked like an "over the hill" birthday. In fact I even had one friend comment about that! I was just trying to make it not look girly so I went with blacks and gray's and by the time I realized my mistake it was too late to change it.


Sadly I forgot to take pictures of it all set up...and it looked really cute..but theses flags were on individual slices of his b-day cake.
And I had a banner set up with similar display arrangements like I did at Sophie's party.

I also forgot to set out the potato chips and ice cream. I guess I can't remember it all! But I did remember to take some candids. After about 3/4 of the people had left. Here they are.








To end the night. Sophie had spilled her orange soda all over the floor in front of the stove. But she wasn't about to let that stop her from drinking it!

The Wedding

Day 2: The Wedding Day

First I have to say that this is the FIRST TIME EVER I have left my kids over night. It felt really weird, free, and sad. Especially since today was Dave's 30th birthday!!! Well, I have to say that I did have a fun day planned for him, so I'm not the worst wife in the world. I sent Dave home from work to his Mom and Dad's and my sweet Sister Kelsey (who watched them all day Friday) delivered my kids. So he spent the weekend with his parents, his Mom pretty much taking over the kids and letting him enjoy his birthday. His day consisted of golfing with his Dad, lunch, dinner and a movie. And I had his Mom deliver him presents throughout the day from me. So I didn't totally abandon him.

Anyway, back to the wedding. Even though we went to bed super late, or early...we got up around 6:30. We tried to lay down longer, but once we were up...we were up. Being to excited that today was the day. And getting little sleep and being tired is a whole new feeling when you know you don't have responsibilities (kids, clean house, dinner, etc...) it was fabulous that I wasn't a zombie and I only had about 4 hours sleep...needless to say we were ready way before it was time to go. (thankfully, because this was the first time I have ever done extensions, and I wanted enough time to play around with them.) Chels left me with her veil and temple dress (to steam) and left with her Dad to the Temple. Marvin and I drove over to Jonelle's to finish up some things and pick up Jonelle and Lori (her Mom) This picture is of my lap on the way over to her house:

You can see the iron to iron my skirt, her dress, and the veil. My bag with my slip in it. a peek of Chelsea's temple dress, my skirt, my pajama bottoms that I still had on and my purse carrying essentials for me and Chels at the temple.


We finished everything up and loaded in the car. It takes about 45 minuets to get to the L.A. temple and we made good time. We met up with Chels and her Dad and we were all ready to go in. Of course we had to get some shots of them walking into the temple on their Wedding Day...

Once inside we were ushered to the bride's quarters where we would meet up with Chels, to help her get ready. We had a little drama, and I decided to back off since I wasn't family and I didn't want to step on anyone's toes. Jonelle and I went to wait inside the chapel and we had a good 50 minuets before the ceremony. Soon Chelsea's older brother Corey came (who was the only sibling so far that I hadn't seen) and I got to meet his cute wife. Her grandparents came and I got to say hi to them after 10 years. I was happy to say her grandpa remembered me. I wondered if he would. But we were always there when we were younger...so I guess it's not too surprising. Eventually we were all there and ushered up to the sealing room. I have never been inside the L.A. temple so it was fun to look around, and of course it was just beautiful.

The ceremony was very unique. I haven't been to one quite like it yet. And probably never will again. There were two sealers. One who was the Temple president. He has known Chels since she was born, was her Bishop and Stake President...the other sealer was probably the cutest little man I've ever seen. From Argentina to translate for Marvin. The President was the one who talked and gave them advice. And then it was translated for Marvin. There was a really sweet spirit in the room and he did a great job talking about the sealing and covenants and everyone was touched. Next came the part that was really unique. Marvin brought Chelsea up to the alter and the President sealed them in english for time and all eternity. After they kissed, the Argentinian sealer came up and sealed them over the alter in spanish, for time and all eternity. The were sealed TWICE! It was pretty incredible. And oddly enough I felt the spirit the strongest during the spanish sealing, even though I had NO idea what he was saying. (well I guess I had an idea...but I couldn't understand him.)

Jonelle, Denise, Lori and I then went to the Bride room to help her get ready for pictures. We got her dress on, fixed her hair, touched up make up...etc. When she was pronounced perfect, we were escorted out, to meet up with the family before she came out of the temple with Marvin. It was amazing, being such a big part of this whole process, to see it all come together. And it was BEAUTIFUL..I was proud of all the work I did. And impressed with her vision. Pictures followed, by her amazing amazing photographer. ( I just can't wait to see how they turn out. He seriously is AMAZING!!!) I got a few shots with my phone to tie me over until the good ones come...

This is me and Denise. Chels has one other bride's maid...but she couldn't come. So she'll be at their open house in Utah.

And me and Chels.
She wanted me to follow them around to make sure her veil, hair, etc.. looked good in the shots. After a while I felt bad that I was robbing her of her experience with Marvin to be "alone" getting pic's done around the Temple. So Denise and I vanished. And I had to get some shots of the BEAUTIFUL scenery.

My bouquet, so beautiful.
How gorgeous is California?



I decided that I probably shouldn't be a third wheel to the newly wed's needing a ride home. So I hitched a ride with Denise, Heber, Krista and Keith. We tried to drive around the temple to find them but we couldn't, so we texted Marvin to let him know I wasn't abandoned :) Then it was Luncheon time. The Guatemalan dinner turned out SO uber delicious. Didn't get any pic's but the photographers were there...it was kinda a rush and I'm surprised that we didn't forget the decorations for the car!

The reception was beautiful. I can't wait to show you shots when I get them. Anyway here is the beautiful bride....
And with her clip.
We made Heber and Keith put the decorations on the car...and I realized that I left the garter at Jonelles house. So Denise and I ran back to get it! Then we realized we never put the ribbon on her wedding cakes to spruce them up. So we then did that and couldn't think of anything else we forgot...so we mingled. It was really fun. I actually saw a lot of people I knew. I wasn't sure if I would. But I mostly saw my friends parents. I did see one friend. Ryan Haws, and his family. Katie his older sister got my number to give to her younger brother Danny, who was my really good friend, and not in attendance. Then Chels and Marvin did the cake, bouquet and final goodbye. They drove off into the sunset. It was quite beautiful, and I'm sure relieving for them. All the family stayed to help clean up, and I was really touched. EVERY member of Chelsea's family, in-laws and all expressed their gratitude to me for how much I did. It was really neat of them. They expressed how grateful they were that she had me and such. It felt good. It took a while to clean up and as I was leaving I got a call from Danny. He is local and wanted to see me before I went home the next day. Since he is recently separated, and I was husbandless I invited him over to Jonelle's so it wasn't inappropriate :) We caught up, it was really good to see him. And we all (Jonelle, her husband, Denise, me, Danny) talked and hung out until about 10:00. Jonelle was starting to feel sick. So she asked me if I would be comfortable going with her husbands sister to sleep at their parents house and she would take me to the airport in the morning. It was fine by me. So we left. She was super sweet and set me up in a nice room. She lives in Augora which is a little closer to the airport. So extra bonus. I got to bed a little earlier that night, around midnight...and was up at 6. We left and made good time again. My sweet friend Zenny who set me up with my tickets was waiting for me at the airport to fly home with me. (I had a standby ticket. And without her there I wouldn't have made it on that flight!) She woke up at 4:00 to start her day to make it to Long Beach in time to pick me up! She is the BEST in the whole world. I got home safe and my trip was at an end!

What a great time I had. And I VOW that it will not be 10 more years before I go back. I just love that city.

California

Day 1:

Friday morning. Woke up at 4:30 to be ready and out the door for my 6:30 flight. I felt bad making Dave take me...it ended up being a LONG day for us both. Marvin and Chels picked me up from the airport in Long Beach and before I knew it...I was in my beloved Thousand Oaks. I realized that it had been 10 years since I had been there last. And it was entirely too long. It sounds very cheesy...but there is just something special about Southern California...and the way that I feel when I'm there. Like I'm truly home. The days' agenda surrounded around finishing up all the last minute details and running around like crazy. First stop..Chelsea's Dad's for breakfast and to drop off my luggage. It was fun being back at that house. It has some fun memories. And I got to see her Dad and older brother. Very fun. I also met Marvin's friends who drove down from Utah the day before, and also came over for breakfast. Heber, Krista, Keith, and Denise (who I already knew)...Next Jonelle's house (Chels's older sister...who I just LOVE) we dropped off Marvin to make some chicken coops and drove with Jonelle to pick up cakes, chairs, and take them to her Aunt's house. Which was also a blast from the past. Chelsea's Aunt and cousins are also friends so It was fun to see them and have memories flood back of singing in Sunshine Generation in her home...anyway..this post will be FOREVER LONG if I keep this up...so to shorten it down the rest of the day we:

picked out the stands for all the cakes at a members house

went to the reception home to organize all the displays, tables, chairs, linens, (it took a few hours)

We had some down time where we just laid out in Jonelle's back yard and soaked up the sun. It was 80 degrees and I took this cheesy picture of me....
Picked out a cute skirt for Chelsea's "arrive and depart" outfit.

Took this picture for Dave...(because of Breaking Bad)
This one for me...
Ran to two different stores to find some hair product and bobby pins for Chels...we never ended up finding the right one.

Stopped for a break and a drink at a DELICIOUS coffee house that makes non-coffee drinks.

Picked me up a slip for my skirt

Got some Guatemalan seasoning from the local hispanic market

Throughout this whole time we chatted with Jonelle and I got to meet her cute kids, saw Chelsea's Mom, my old stomping grounds..Janss Mall, Aspen Elementary (where I went) and many more...

Day one was turing out to be a success and and a joy to be back in California.

This picture is driving down Lynn road, which is the main road that I used to live off of.
When we finally got back to Jonelles...it was late-ish. Everyone was eating dinner and we joined in. Jonelle is probably the cutest Mom ever. She made us all the onion soup that she came up with for her kids to eat, based on the onion soup mentioned in Harry Potter that he burns his tongue on! And it was quite delicious. We were way to busy for me to really dwell on the fact that I ditched my family back home....but I had constant reminders when I was being served by someone else. So far I had not made ONE meal, done ONE dish (although I did offer to help) or cleaned anything up. It was a nice break, and it felt really nice to be served! After dinner I tried to sneak away with Cassidy (Jonelle's oldest) to make something to put on the back of Chels and Marvin's car. Chelsea's Dad gave her a blessing, her older sister Kelly came over (it was good to see her, she cracks me up) and then started on the daunting task of making an authentic Guatemalan dinner for the luncheon tomorrow. We were instructed by Marvin and got to work...I can not tell you HOW many potatoes, carrots, onions, peppers....etc..that we diced. Chelsea's hands started turning orange so we had to kick her off carrot duty to preserve them for her wedding day. By this time a lot of people had gone home and it was Me, Chels, Jonelle, Marvin and Kelly. After a couple of hours Heber, Krista, Keith, and Denise showed up (After a day at Magic Mountain) and we enlisted their help. I wished I had thought to take a picture. It was pretty crazy with the pounds and pounds of food..and the kitchen FULL of people. But hopefully just writing about it will help me remember...anyway it was about midnight and we were still going strong...but getting a little slap happy and crazy. I was going a little crazy since I had been up since 3:30 (CA time) Around 1:00 were were at a point where we could put it all in the fridge, and in the morning it would go in crock pot's. Kelly was going home and offered me a ride. But I just couldn't do it. I had to stay..because up next was the Wedding Cake. I know, right? Except that it's not what you think. We were done pretty quick. Chels decided that she wanted her cake to be made out of ice cream sandwiches. So you get chocolate syrup to act as the glue, and you stack them like bricks. We built three, and then I went home (to Chelsea's Dad's.) Jonelle, Denise, and Chels stayed to frost them all with cool whip. Once at her Dad's I took a shower, read (which I have to do no matter what time it is..) and fell asleep around 2:30. So I had almost been up for a full 24 hours. Just 1 hr. shy. WHEW!!! Even though the first day was total insanity it was also pure bliss. LOVING California.

New Baby

Yay! My new nephew has made his appearance. And he is too cute. I'm proud of my sis for getting the epidural since she has had two natural and is TERRIFIED of needles...shots...etc...

OF COURSE the anesthesiologist who administered the epidural had only done ONE other EVER...and had another anesthesiologist shadowing him...not only did it take forever, but I'm sure poor Brittany wasn't too excited that that was her first experience with it. At least it worked, unlike mine with Soph...so it was worth it. Anyway all are doing well and here he is:

Bradlee Eugene Kingston Raymond. Born April 10th 12:47 A.M. 11 lbs 2.5 oz. Youch!

The Eugene is very significant. It's my Grandad's middle name, and ever since I can remember he has always teased us and called us Eugene. Then when we got older he progressed his teasing to asking us who is going to name their kid Eugene...we all guffawed at this, especially since none of us were actually old enough to have kids....but now that we are....my sister who gave birth to their second great grandson decided to honor him with his name.

Date Night

This weekend Dave and I went out. And it was FABULOUS! It's always too long between dates, and we had to finagle between two babysitters to have our night, but it was worth it. We went to a movie {Source Code} which was weird, and good, but not really realistic...and then came home to switch babysitters so we could go to dinner. When we walked in the door we smelled fresh cookies, saw a nice clean house, and heard silence....they were up stairs playing and being angels....they had baked peanut butter cookies, and decorated special ones for Mom and Dad...

She even cleaned up her mess, so the only evidence that she had made cookies, were the actual cookies themselves.....

This was the first time we have used this sitter and you can bet it won't be the last. We were pleasantly surprised to see how much she really does love babysitting, and we know she won't just be turning on the T.V. but PLAYING with them. Which is HUGE for me. Then we got the other sitter {who had NO chance of meeting our new expectations.... j/k} and went out to dinner at Thai Basil with our friends Rich and Lexi. It was a fun night, and nice to have two more awesome babysitters to add to the list.

Self Reliant

The other day, the unthinkable happened. For the second time. My sweet little Sophie pooped in the bathtub. Y.U.C.K. I hadn't even washed them yet, or their hair. So as I was draining the tub, getting ready to clean it..the girls were running around naked. In the middle of this process Sophie looked up at me and said "potty?" So I helped her sit up on the big girl potty and guess what....she went! After the bath was up and ready again, I told Soph we do NOT go to the bathroom in the bath so about 10 minuets later she asked to sit on the potty again. And again she went! Apparently she is tired of waiting for me and decided to potty train herself. Every bath since she tells me if she needs to go, and if I ask her through out the day she'll tell me yes or no. And so far she has been always right...As soon as I get back from California you can bet I'll be all over this! No more diapers in the near future! YES.