Favorite Moments of the Week.

We have had a busy and fun week. Aunt Ranell came to visit!
This week we took trips to the pool, splash park and beach. Went to movies to see Kung Fu Panda 2 and afterwards Jack put on a show by doing Kung Fu moves out of the theater and all the way to the car. We enjoyed time outside watching Jack pedal up a storm (Finally! This kid has been so dang stubborn only wanting to ride his pedal-less bike) We even got in some patio time complete with a cooking show by Chef Jack.

 It is getting warmer so we look forward to our after dinner treat and bike ride in the cooler weather.

Jack's Cooking Show

Jack's Cooking Show from whitney Balls on Vimeo.

 Fun with friends at the splash park.

 A lot of silliness went on that day.

Friday night! 

Waiting for Jason in the big city to come and take us out to a fun Japanese steakhouse for Sushi.

Fun at the beach with Aunt Nelly!


It has been so great to have Ranell here! We have loved every minute of it especially Jack. He always wanted to be close to her, the only one he wanted to play with. One morning he even crawled into her bed with her fell back asleep. It has been fun having another girl around and just having fun together. We are so glad we got to spend those five days with her!

My Sweet Grandmother Judy.

My sweet Grandmother Judy Russel passed away this weekend. She had been suffering with an aggressive cancer and her body is now at peace. My Grandparents were able to be together till the very end. I have been thinking a lot about that, how important family/spouses are and to make every moment count. After hearing of her death on Friday I just wanted to be with Jason and Jack and to be there for my Mom. Saturday we spent the day just doing the normal things but there was a lot more clinging, hugging and kissing that took place. With something like this happening got me thinking how I need to make everyday count. Then with further contemplation I realized that is a hard thing to do. Life happens and it is easy to get caught up in the daily things. I guess it is all about taking the opportunity to seize at least one moment each day. Not to put off telling those around me that I love them, changing my schedule to have that visit, making a phone call or sending that letter. These exact things being so important to me when I able to again live my "normal" life once I got out of the hospital but has sadly faded. It has been with this great loss that has renewed my view on the importance of taking those daily moments and clinging to what matters the most.

 

 I don't have a lot of pictures of my Grandma she was not into having her picture taken. I did have this one that was taken before I moved back to Utah to get married. It was taken after one of our lunches together. Something that has happened for as long as I can remember especially the ones since we moved here. It was so wonderful to be able meet and catch up over lunch. My grandma and I  would always talk about the books that we were reading and trade recommendations. 

The last lunch I had with her was a great memory. It was with Cami and TJ and the kids in January. I sat across from her and the whole time we talked about books and movies. Grandma loved to talk about her movies and name off all the good looking actors that were in them. It was a wonderful visit and I am grateful for that moment.

We all just wanted to have some quality time together so Sunday night  Mom and Dad come over for dinner. Being outside enjoying the fresh air always seems to do your body good so we made it a cookout. While Jason maned the grill the rest of us played a game of croquet.

 

Over dinner we reminisced over Grandma's life and our memories of her. Mostly importantly a prayer was issued in behalf of Mom, her siblings and especially to Granddad during this difficult time. For there is no greater comfort that can be given as stated so perfectly in Mosiah 15:8

 the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

 I am grateful for my sweet Grandmother's life and all the wonderful memories she has given me and the influence has been in my life.

V Week

V is for 

We took the vegetable theme a little bit farther and made a vegetable

 

 

 

 

I just have to say Jack's faces that he gave me this week for his pictures are quite something. I think he is getting tired of getting photographed. We are almost there Jack. Almost there.

Mothers Day

Mothers day was just how I wanted. A relaxing day where I was able to celebrate with my Mom, Dad and my boys. One of those great Sabbath days.

It was also nice to be pampered by Jason and Jack and to get some cherished gifts. I got new earrings and a necklace Jack made in primary along with a picture of his hand prints. My dad even gave made me a gardenia corsage to wear to church. It smelled so wonderful.

 One of my favorite things was watching Jack pull out all his charm saying some really adorable things. After Jack made his necklace in primary he came over and gave it to me and said "I made this for you because I love you." Later at lunch we were talking and he says "Mom I like to hang out with you." At the end of the day as we were driving home from Mom and Dad's I was telling him how I had such a wonderful day and how much I loved my necklace. He asked if I was going to wear it to bed. I told him that I would and that I would wear it everyday because I loved it so much. He was quiet for a second and then said "that is a lot of days."

I also had a wonderful lunch consisting only of donuts and chocolate milk. Using one of Jackson's favorite phrases "That's what I am talkin' about." Amazing.

An afternoon with Woody and Buzz

Jack had a friend come over today. We had lunch at the park and then the fun began on the playground with Buzz, Woody, Slinky dog and Bullseye. They certainly were in boy and a toy story world today.

 

They played Woody and Buzz all the way home and then once we got home dressed the parts.

It was quite the afternoon.

Patio Time

Today was a blessing. Jason got a half day so he was home early which set a different tone for the rest of the day. I got to get in some alone time with the piano practicing. Jack took a nap, we were able to have an early dinner. Since we were done eating and cleaning early there was still some daylight to be enjoyed. Jack and I got to spend some time out on the patio during the cool part of the day.  Eating popsicles, Jack taking my order and making me an awesome dish of mint ice cream out of his foam clay.I even got to read a couple of chapters out of my book.

It is amazing what a small little change like that can totally turn things around.

My child's childhood.

I think I say it all the time but I would love to be a kid again. I say this because I had such a wonderful childhood. I got to see,do and be things. When I got my cancer diagnosis just a few years into my adulthood I really only had that life to look back and measure what kind of life I had had up unto that point. It was seven years ago today that I received my very first chemotherapy treatment. It has been one of those reflective weeks which has been good for me in so many ways. I get so bogged down and frustrated with all the little daily things I deal with as a result of all my treatments. Anniversaries are a humbling reminder to me, that I may have to  deal with a lot of stuff  but I am here with my son for his childhood. I try to make his childhood as magical as mine was. There is one main ingredient that is a must for a memorable childhood and that is imagination! At our house we have buckets of it flowing out of Jackson's little head filling every room and space. I love watching it, listening to it and being included in it. This weekend it was in full force.

 

 Friday Jack and I were able to go to Hollywood Studios with Nana and Pepi where Jack was able to once again live his movies. Here is is all ready to jump into the Toy Story world.

We walked up and down the streets of America and Jack said that we were in Radiator Springs. Which only made it fitting when Mater drove around the corner making Jack vibrate with excitement.

 Earlier in the day Nana couldn't resist Jack's sweet face and bought him a Pirate Mater to add to his growing collection of Maters. Jack had to show Mater his new pirate Mater. We all died a little it was so cute. That kid lives and breaths cars. That is all he talks about. He is even so anxious to see the new Cars movie coming out June 24th (as I am told everyday, multiple times) that he acts out what he thinks will be in the Cars 2 movie. He will do this for hours.

Saturday we headed over to Nana and Pepi's to give Jason some peace an quiet to study for his upcoming test this week. We spent the whole time in the pool. With no big plans or trips this Summer we will we spending our time at the pool to survive the hot summer days. So we have started our collection of toys to get us through.  We got some new water squirters this weekend and pulled out an old gem that we have had since Jack's early days in Utah. Jack and I were a good team I was the motor and he was the squirter taking down our objects placed around the pools edge.

He had to have a rest after all that swimming, bird watching and alligator wrestling.

Jack ended the day by squeezing in some time building and playing legos with dad.

I look at these years at not only making happy memories for Jack to be able to reflect on but for me as well. Each day I get to step into a little bit of my childhood world. Except this time around it is not full of barbies and babies and nurturing  but cars, super heroes and a whole lot of destruction.

 I would also  on this day wish my parents a very happy Anniversary.

Dad I am so glad that you went to Illinois for your masters and on your very first day of church seeing and hearing Mom speak realized you had to have her.

Mom I am so glad you finally gave in after being chased by the older man and said yes to him. Especially after you saw the house that he bought you for Christmas and all the work that it needed.

I love you both dearly!