Anza-Borrego Desert

We went to the desert with Kent, Anna and Benson. The wild flowers were blooming. The drive was about 2 hours, we drove there had lunch, and went to see the wild flowers. We stayed for the sunset. It was awesome out there! Beautiful weather, beautiful scenery! We had a lot of fun, like we always do with the Wests!!

The boys were crammed in the back seat on the way home... The girls were feelin' good up front

Kent chillin on the edge of the world

The wild flowers that bloom only once and a while out there.

can you guess who's who?

Anna in the flower fields.

Peace, Love, and Crabs!

Our group of friends (10 of us) went to Joe's Crab Shack for our birthdays. It was also our friend David Cox's birthday the same day as Sean's. We love Joe's! It is always so good! Sean and I shared a steam pot... we were the only ones who ordered crab in the whole group, crazy huh?! It was DELICIOUS! Our friends told them that there were three birthdays they came and put the crab bibs on us backwards, and made us "fly" around the restaurant while they sang happy birthday. By the time they came to sing David had already left. Somehow they thought our friend Chris Harrison was David, So he got roped into the embarrassment too and it wasn't even his birthday. For the record: Joe's Crab Shack does NOT give out free dessert! We were all bummed that went through all of that and didn't even get some cake! It was good for a laugh though. And of course, a lot of fun like it always is with our great friends. 

It was David's birthday too (the one not making the crazy face...)

Chris, Sean and Melissa "flying"

Sailing San Diego

The West's invited us to go sailing with them (on Kent's co-worker's boat) It was beautiful weather, and the view was beautiful too. I had never been sailing before... the sea didn't welcome me nicely! I got sick, I had to go and lay below the deck and focus on not puking! I never did lose my lunch, but I definitely could have! Sean and the West's took turns steering.... Sean ran the boat into a sand bank. It was a lot of fun, even though I got sick. I want to go again... next time with sea-sickness stoppers! (I don't know what those medications are called.) 

The lighthouse on Point Loma

kent flying

Anna, Benson and Melissa

The group, minus Sean, who is taking the pictures

Cody Frank Wallace

Tifani and Brad had their baby at 8:50 p.m. A heathy adorable little boy! He was 7 pounds 10 ounces and 19 and 1/2 inches long. This is their third kid (Cade: 4 years and Makinzi: 2 years). We are so excited to have little Cody join the family, and can't wait until we get to meet him!!! Congratulations Wallaces!! We love you guys! 

It's time to bake...

We bought a kitchenaid. It's pistachio colored. I love it! 

Tribute

They say that no greater love hath a man, than that he will lay down his life for his friends; I say that no greater love hath a man, than that of his wife. Being the wife of a military man is not easy. It requires patience beyond that of Job. It means forever being anxious of the pending call of deployment and the separation from loved ones sent into harm's way. It demands sacrifice beyond what most women will ever experience. But know this, were it not for this unwavering support, our service would be in vain. To all the men who have bravely answered the call to defend their rights and that of their families, and to the women who steadfastly stand by their side, I pay tribute. And to my wife, I love you and I thank you.

"inspired by a better cause"

Everyone has been asking me how I feel about Sean's pending deployment. The truth is, I wasn't entirely sure. When I found out that Sean was up for deployment my first response was anger. I felt that the plans we had made for this year were ruined. Mad that he was the one who had to go and not someone else. Next I felt sad and scared, I didn't think I would be able to be on my own for so long. I was worried about where he was going, and what he would have to do there. We still don't have any details, we still don't know when for sure, (I hold on to a hope that maybe he will not have to go) but I now feel peace. I have an awesome support system... my family and my friends, who's unwavering love and willingness to help is never anything less than amazing. I know that I will not be alone, which gives me courage to be away from him. I have faith that Sean will be kept safe. I am proud of my husband for his service to our country, his pride in the work that he does, and his willingness to protect our rights, and our freedom.

Alma 43:45-47

Done.

I finished my purse. I like it. I still might add a clasp at the top so it will close a little, or maybe a cloth covered button (covered with the fabric from the inside) and a loop. On the outside I've thought about adding buttons where the straps are sewn to the purse. Or making a detachable flower out of the inside fabric for decoration.... but I also just might leave it the way it is.