Thank you, Abuelita!

Imagine taking care of two little, energetic, loud girls AND an adult who has low tolerance for noise. This usually creates a bit of tension in the house. It is difficult because I can send Cailyn out into the back yard to play, but I would have to go with Jessica and I can't leave Mom alone in the house. Do you see what I mean?



BUT, lately I have been staying with my Mom in Waco, KID FREE! Wow, what an experience that is. You see, Jason's Mom(we call her Lita--short for Abuelita) flew down a little over a week ago to watch the girls while I take care of my Mom. This has been a complete lifesaver.

On a side note: the first night I was staying at Mom's I woke to the sound of Jessica crying(she wasn't with me remember). I felt that I couldn't escape them, that they were somehow haunting me. I realize now that I was unconsciously wanting them with me.



This past weekend I drove home to work on a project for Mom and I couldn't believe how much I missed my little princesses. I just wanted to hold them for hours. I longed to hear their giggles and see their smiles. What a joy they are in my life. "They" say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. It is true!

Even more though, I missed my loving(and not to mention HOT) husband. After a week of not seeing each other, he held me as I cried almost to the point it hurt, then we talked for hours until we couldn't keep our eyes open. It felt so nice to just sit and talk to him. I have really missed that. It amazes me how just a tiny bit of love from him can make me feel so safe that I can release everything that I hold in when at my mother's house. I know that I would not be staying afloat through this trial without Jason. I needed to go home to re-charge for this week. I know that the Lord sent him to me to carry me through this trial. Thank you Jason for your constant love and care.

I apologize for the lack of pictures, but I have seriously not even touched my camera for at least a week. I will be better when life gets closer to normal. I have missed blogging, but didn't want to make every post a total downer, which is all I feel lately. Hopefully I will be back soon.

I can do that, or can I?

As I have watched my Mother grow weaker, I have discovered some things that I taken for granted on a daily basis( I believe we all do).

Among the most common are:
*Being able to stand from a sitting position.
*Being able to stand without help for more than a minute.
*Bladder control(even during pregnancies)
*Having the ability to work electrical devices(i.e. remote controls, cell phones, microwaves)
* Being coherent enough to contribute to a conversation, or even understand it.
*Having the option of working(outside or inside the home)
* Driving
*Sight/hearing
*Fixing my own hair
*Preparing a meal(or even planning one)
*Having the energy to read a chapter in a book(not to mention the sight to do so)
*Memory(especially short term)
*walking without aide

It is difficult to watch my mother weaken and lose her independence(which she is reluctant to give up), but I am blessed to have the opportunity to serve her much in the same way she has served me and many many others. I pray that I will have the strength to help her when needed without frustration and too much fatigue. She is a remarkable woman and I am honored to be a part of her family.

Here are some pictures of our latest trip to Waco.

Jessica and her great'est' Aunt Tricia enjoying a little snack.

"Here come some sugars."

Aunt Lynnae and Jessica sharing a Pringle stick.

Cailyn and Becca playing 'house' outside on the swing set.

"Mmmmmm, these are yummy!"

Happy 1st Birthday Jessica!

On June 11, 2007, Jessica Faith joined our little family. Jason's parents had come down to help us out. They stayed with Cailyn while Jason and I checked into the hospital at midnight. By 10:45 Jessica Faith was here. It was a 7 hour labor with Jessica weighing in at 7 lbs 12 ounces. She was eating a full 2 ounces at every meal before we left the hospital, so needless to say she never lost any weight.

Jessica is such a little doll. She adores her sister, and he feeling is mutual. I would be lying if I said there were not moments of jealousy or frustration with each other, but that happens less often than the other. I love having my 2 Angels and watching them play together is so much fun.

Last night we had a little family birthday party for Jessie. We made a strawberry cake with chocolate icing and decorated it with colorful twizzlers.

After we ate that, we let Jess open her gifts(with a little help from each of us of course).

This is Jessica saying, "Thank you!"

Then we headed over to Jason's boss' house for a work party. I know, that sounds wicked boring, BUT they have a swimming pool and they served steaks, so it was absolutely tolerable. The girls had a great time swimming with Daddy and they even let Jessica blow out another candle. Overall it was a good day of celebrating Jessica Faith's birth.

A scary look inside myself

****I appreciate comments(I usually long for them), but please do not comment on this post. This is not a pitty party for myself(and there are no exaggerations), just a goal for improving my inner self. -Thank you!******


I recently had a difficult conversation with someone I love and admire. Some of my faults and weaknesses were pointed out to me. I have, for the past several days, examined and prayed about these weaknesses and shortcomings. I have come to the realization that who I think I am is not viewed the same by others.

As I have pleaded with my Father in Heaven for guidance in this inner stuggle(which is evidently outward also) I have been impressed as to how to begin my change. So, here is my start to a new and hopefully much better Mindi.

There are many people in my life that I see and talk to on a regular basis and some I hardly talk to at all, but I still care for greatly. I can name at least one thing about each of them that I would like to add to my character. My goal is to take a strength from everyone I see and try to make it stronger in my life. I am going to pay attention to something positive in each person and here are some that are very, very evident to me.

Sheryl can see the beauty in every person whether she has known them long or not.

Leanne notices when someone needs something and immediately gets them the help they need.

Heather has the best listening ear on this planet, and never seems to judge.

Rachel is constantly reaching out to others even though she is very busy with her own life(and somehow always finds the best deals out there).

Cassie is very sincere and caring with each person she comes in contact with. She always makes them feel they are the most important person right then.

Lynnae is a great friend. When she makes a friend, they stay a friend forever and she will stay in contact with them always.

Kyle(and his beautiful wife, Julie) knows how to set goals and meet them. They are great at supporting each other and getting it done.

Jim and his dear wife Candace pay attention to others and comforts when and how needed. They are obvservant of everyone around them.

Cory(and I am sure his cute little wife, Andrea-but I don't know her as well) has a love of life. He has a great sense of humor and is almost always laughing about something.

There are many many more, but today we will end with my sweet husband Jason.

Jason, as most of you know, is very quiet. But, he is constantly and quietly observing everyone and analizing the situation. He carefully picks the words that come out of his mouth(this sometimes takes time-but it is worth the wait) in response to what is going on. Most of the time(especially in large groups) he chooses to say nothing at all. He has a great poker face(I am trying to pick this up, but it is not working well-obviously). This makes him very hard to read(I think that is a good thing, it makes people really listen to his words instead of his body language) He turns to his knowledge of the Gospel to answer almost any question in life, and when it is not obvious in writing what to do, he pays very close attention to the Spirit.

All of these attributes are things that I need to add to my character. I realize that I am not the best example of the Gospel and I apologize to anyone that I might have offended. I am sorry if I am too selfish to give care and comfort when it was needed. I pray that I can work on these things and make them a part of my life so I can teach my daughters to be a better woman than I am.

I thank all of you for showing me how to LIVE the Gospel.

Museum Fun!!!

We spent this past week in Waco visiting my Mom. I tried to get the kids out of the house as much as possible. Mostly for everyone elses sanity, but the kids needed it too. My parents have a membership to the museum in Waco and they have a great children's section. I took my dear friend, Heather's kids with us and met my good friend Carrie and her family over there. My Dad got us in for almost free and we spent several hours playing and wearing out the kids. We had a great time. So, the pictures are all from the museum.

Our first stop at the museum was a visiting exhibit. It was really cool. They had pyramids for you to build and a boat to steer. They had star gazing with telescopes, space shuttles to fly, maps to read, and a visit to the jungle with a tent complete with sound affects.

Aiden is busy putting together a pyramid. He was doing a great job too.

The Forehands(Carrie & Brad and their two little boys-Aiden & Calvin)

Madelyn, Ethan, and Cailyn were taking a lunch break after a long day of the jungle.

The kids navigating their way through the ocean.

"I wonder where I will go on my mission?"

Next we visited the mammoths. Near Waco they found Mammoth fossils and they have built a replica of the site in the museum. As you can see, we are standing on a glass/plastic floor and looking at the mammoth bones under our feet. The kids weren't sure they wanted to walk out there.

Calvin wasn't sure he was comfortable walking out there.

Everyone is watching the little video of what the scientists think happened to the mammoths.

Everyone took turns in the stroller.

Another stop at the museum was the cabin. I thought it was very interesting that the boys were building cabins with the blocks while the girls were dressing up and washing clothes. Anyone who thinks that society is embedding in our children the roles that they should play hasn't watched children play.

This is Cailyn and Madelyn washing the clothes.

Here the boys are busy building a cabin.

Cailyn milking the cow.

Cailyn wanted to take a nap I guess.

Madelyn is getting dressed for the day, while Cailyn starts to cook breakfast.

Madelyn dressing as a prairie girl.

Cailyn dressing as a prairie girl.

Jessica had fun dressing up also.

This is my good friend Carrie(she makes a beautiful prairie girl, huh?)

Ethan is a cowboy about to go work in the fields.

Next stop: The little town(I forgot what it is officially called, but the kids LOVED this part)

All aboard, and stay seated while we are driving.

I think Ethan is in some pretty intense traffic, look at his tongue as he concentrates.

Don't you know that jaywalking is illegal, Jessica?

Watch out for Aiden, I here he is a reckless driver.

"Come on Cailyn, there is a fire we need to stop!"

Cailyn, Madelyn and Ethan did a lot of shopping and cooking in the little house. They had a blast playing "house" with all the stuff for it.

Jessica was adorable as she walked around mostly watching all the other kids, but occasionally found something that sparked her interest. ( I got a bunch of random pictures of Jessie; probably because she was the only one slow enough for me to get a good shot of)

Our final stop was in the multicultural room. The kids had a great time trying on clothes from different countries.