Engaged.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Saturday, May 21

Jonah proposed to Mar ♥

I seriously can't tell from these happy pics that Mar had called me the day before to tell me she felt like she was going to die. All I can say is... "the things we do for love (the things we do for love)."

1976 song by 10cc

The proposal was very sweet. Jonah sang to Mar on the drive over to the church (and video recorded it). I'm guessing he chose to propose there because that's where they met. His family was there to take pictures and video, and to toast the happy couple afterwards.

I wish a few things could have been different, especially that Mar could have felt better and that we could have been in town to celebrate and congratulate her in person.

She had waited for this day for her whole life, and despite being sick and alone at home, 

she was so happy.

And true lasting happiness is all a momma wants for her children.

Congratulations, Mauri and Jonah!

CO trip + a dance recital.

Friday, May 20

We left a sick and tonsillectomy-healing Mar Mar and flew to CO so we could see our people there and attend Evie's dance recital. (I may or may not have been up much of the night before with Mar as she felt sick to her stomach and was super stressed about throwing up with her highly sensitive throat situation.) We had an early morning flight (Bill had to work), so we headed out with only a couple hours of sleep, praying that Mar would get by (with a little help from her friends boyfriend).

I got to spend the day playing with these cute girls.

They are so fun and I had the best day with them.

Saturday, May 21

The day started with an early game of Pretty Pretty Princess. Little Billy is a pro at that game.

Then we all got ready to go to Evie's dance recital.

That girl has pois-on-al-ity. 

(to be said Crutchie-style from Newsies).

It was so fun to see V shine. She did a fantastic job!

Sunday, May 22

More fun with these girls.

Monday, May 23

A snuggle with NJ before we head home.

Lots had gone on back at home, which made this trip have some emotional hiccups, but I always love my time with Tay, Nae, and these adorable and fun grannydaughters. For whatever reason, Nae seems to be around for my {extra} emotional moments, and she is such a sweetheart for lending a sympathetic ear, warm hug, and sugar hit (she knows my love language haha).

I miss them already.

Mother's Day.

 Sunday, May 8

Happy Mother's Day!

I love my beautiful daughters and was so happy to have most of them here to celebrate Mother's Day. (We miss having Tay and Nae close, and hope Lynnea knows how much we love her ♥)

Billy-my-hero and the boys made our dinner. That's the best gift ever.

Big Billy and Great Grandma stopped by.

Big Billy is such a good sport to play with these energetic great grands.

This final picture makes me smile.

Almost all the kids + all the moms. 

Not pictured: the menfolk chilling on the sofa haha.

Love my people ♥

Mar's tonsillectomy.

Mar had been having issues with tonsil stones for 6 to 9 months. I had never even heard of them until she started getting them. We went to see the doctor, who agreed that they were definitely not only a nuisance, but problematic, so we scheduled a tonsillectomy.

Thursday, May 5th.

Mar has some {not-so} mild anxiety, so this was a big deal for her.

The procedure was FAST. I had just settled into a podcast in the waiting room, and the doctor was there to fill me in on how things went. He confirmed that she had some loaded tonsils, and it was good they were now gone. I went back to sit with her while she came out of the anesthesia and waited to be discharged. That took way longer than the surgery.

Afterwards we ran to a couple of pharmacies to grab the recommended meds, then took her home and settled in for the long recovery.

There were only a few "I'mgonnadieI'mgonnadieI'mgonnadie..." moments, but overall Mar handled it like a champ. I know she'll be grateful to not be spitting out stones for the rest of her life.

Dinos, sharks, and butterflies.

 Wednesday, May 4

Thanksgiving Point.

The kids all love this place.

In between the Dino Museum and the Butterfly Emporium, we took a snack/ice cream break.

Time for the butterflies.

The butterflies were active, and with Mar's gentle touch, any of the kids who wanted to hold one was able to.

Those who didn't want to hold any may have had attracted one or two anyway.

Shhhhh.... don't tell Cal.

Reese had a beautiful butterfly headband.

We all got a kick out of where this butterfly chose to land haha.

Love these little people (and their big people) and watching them discover and explore the world around them. Such a good day.