An Attitude of Gratitude

Today I shed a few tears as we were leaving Costco.  This wasn't my first time crying while at Costco.  The first time was a few years ago when I was having a bad day (like today), they were selling pictures of Christ, right in the front of the store.  The painting were beautiful.  I could feel that love that He has for us.  One of my very favorite is Jesus with a little girl on his lap.  I saw myself in that little girl and I felt the His arms wrap around me during that not-so-good day. 

Today was because of something else.  While we were eating some lunch an older couple came to sit next to us.  As they got close to the table the sweet woman carefully and sweetly instructed her husband how to sit.  He was confused and asked her several times where and how to do it.  They smiled at us.  She then told him she was going to go grab some hot dogs and would be right back.  He smiled and said, "ok, thank you!"  My mom was with us and she told the sweet woman we would keep an eye on him. 

Then, the sweet, kind, grateful old man looked over (he had poor eye sight as well) at us.  We both smiled at him.  Then he said, "THREE CHEERS FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE!" And then told us what nice women we were :). 

He was funny too. 

Abuela:  How old are you?
Old Man: I am 62 :)
Abuela: Oh!  Good for you.
Old Man: Hey!  You are a poet.  Did you know it! 

It took us a second to realize what he had said... I thought it was so cute!  Then he told us again, what nice women we were and thanked us for our smiles. 

When his wife came back she told him she was getting his hot dog ready and he said, "Oh, OK. Thank you!  Tell me where it is and I will put it in my pocket."  She patted his hand and told him she would be right back. 

Anyway, EVERY TIME we said anything to him or his wife offered him a bite of his hot dog or something to drink, he would thank her!  If she had to clean his face he apologize, then thanked her. We asked her hold he was and he was actually 80yrs. old.  He has been like this for two and a half years.  She said he has a very sweet disposition. 

I was touched by his attitude of gratitude.  Even for a courteous smile, he was grateful for!  I was also touched by her sweet care with him.  You could tell they love they had and the love they had shared with each other.  It was evident in the way in which they spoke to each other. 

Today I learned that I have to be more grateful for EVERYTHING!  Even my little stinkers, who today I wanted to put to bed at three in the afternoon.

I have thought about this man all day.  He wasn't being ultra gracious because he was in public, but that was just who he was.  I hope that when I am old and loosing it that I can be like him.  Kind. Sweet. Grateful.  

I hope that Dave and I can be like this when we are old.  That we can love each other more than we do now.  What a beautiful example this older couple was to me today.

Pioneer Day Celebrations

Dave was out of town so we tagged along with Maricela and her kiddos to the Bountiful Parade and the fair.  We looked around in the Teepee, the kiddos went on some rides and we ate some fair food :)  (my favorite: fried bread!  YUMMMMM)

It was HOT!  But it was a good time.

 The Teepee was surprisingly spacious.  

 The kids got to touch a rabbit fur hat.  It was very soft.  Below the "pioneer lady" was spinning wool into yard.  Life had to be hard back then, more simple than life is now, but hard work!  I would not have been a good pioneer. 

 "Ice"-cones!  A must on this very hot day.  I love Leah sharing with Otis :)  

That boy cannot get enough of anything sweet. 

 This Native American was VERY nice.  He talked to the kids for a long time and was very friendly and patient with them.  He was also really good at telling the kids how to pose with his cook props :)

Watching the parade.

They handed out mini-flags and the girls put them in their ears.  

This little cutie is just too cute for words!!!!

Later we watched the fireworks at Norma and LaVance's house.  It was a very nice day!  Glad we have friends we can make such fun memories with. 

Cherry Hill

We LOOOOVE Cherry Hill.  Some may think its "ghetto" but its not.  Its perfect!  The kids LOVE it.  They play and excersise at the same time and get some much needed sun rays :) 

Being stuck in our temporary home (which I cannot upload a video of) has proved to be hard.  The kids, and I, really need the out.  So get to get to Cherry Hill several times a week, meet up with Abuela and cousins.  We have also taken a few friends up there and it makes for a great day :)

 Me and my boys.  I wish you could see their tan lines.... they are SO dark!  Mylo loves the lazy river and does not like the slides.  Oti likes the shallow Pirates Cove and to play with other people's toys :) 

 This child is so dark right now and I love it.  Just goes to show how much fun she is having.  She LOOOOVES the slides and is a little fish.  She has grown up so much it makes me sick.  She goes around Cherry Hill like she owns the place :) 

Love this stinker!  

I try to get him to take a nap in the stroller, but I am not always successful. 

Still he has fun :) 

 YAY!  The lazy river!!! :) 

 Milli fell asleep out of nowhere last time we were there.  She slept for one hour and I had to wake her up!  She has loved the water, period!  She surprised me with her "tanness" this year.  

Who knew the white girl could tan ;) 

Otis and his buddy, Rockwell.  They are so cute!  I love those tiny little bodies :)  

I am sure there will be LOTS more fun Cherry Hill Days. 

Trevino Family "Reunion"

Al and Diann put together a week of fun for all of Al's siblings and their spouses.  One of those nights all the kids and their families were invited.  It was SO fun to see Al's siblings.  What a great family I have married into! 

Diann knows how to put on a party; yummy food, lots of decorations, games for the kiddos, prizes....

It was GREAT!

The Hosts (married almost two years) 

Vic, Normas husband, about to enjoy some chips and dip Diann made.

The woman can cook! YUM! 

 Nancy (Norma's twin) and Christina

Debbie (married to John), Norma (married to Vic), Lane (married to Dona) and Tori (married to Richard).  Side note:  Debbie and Tori helped me make my very first quilt, about 12yrs ago, in THREE days.  It was TINY squares in three different colors.  After finishing my quilt I vowed to never quilt again :)  Debbie quilted it for me.  Love them for teaching me a new skill.  Perhaps if I ever do it again, I will start small, not a queen size :). 

Uncle John!  He is SO sweet with the little kids.  What a nice guy!  

Sidewalk art "contest".  The kids loved it... so did Emily :) 

Emily, Chloe and Xanti 

Richard, Al and Lydia

Sally and her youngest Kylie

John and his sandwich, Al and Melanie (way in the back :) ) 

This was a really fun evening!  I love Al's family.  They are warm, friendly and fun.  I had some good laughs and some new memories were made.  I wished we would have gotten some more pics, but my card was full!!!!!  Frustrating!!!!!

The 4th!

I cannot believe how long it has been since I last posted!  I haven't even posted about Otis' b-day... I am a terrible mother!  (I know I am not... I am just mediocre and I am ok with that :) )

For the 4th of July we hung out at Sarah and Dave's and it was fantastic!  They are GREAT hosts :)  Can't wait to have our turn next year (in our new house :)) Anyway...

Picture Overload .... Enjoy! 

Otis LOOOOVES watermelon!  LOVES IT!  He ate several slices... and was in HEAVEN!

 The kiddos played on the hammock (so did I and it was WONDERFUL!)

Milli played dress up and changed about twenty times.  From princess dress to swimsuit and back to "regular" clothes and back to princess dress and so on.  NO JOKE!  

WATER FIGHT!!!!  Fun.... until some one (or someone's feelings) gets hurt, but mostly fun :) 

Fireworks!!!!  So fun to have aerials aloud this year.  

We had our own little firework show in front of the Pearce Residence.  LOVE IT! 

Abuela and Otis... awwww!

 

I love this holiday!  I LOVE this country!!!!  Its my home.  Even if I was not born here, I love it!  I love the freedoms that I am able to enjoy here and I love that this is the place I can call home.  

God bless America and those who sacrifice their lives so that I can enjoy this great land!