We go out to eat, of course!
We thought it would be fun to go out one night to eat while the girls are away in Utah. So Shelly, Kris, Lizzy, Joy, and I went to Red Robin for some yummy food.
The pictures may be somewhat blurry as they were taken from my phones camera. If you move it blurs. :)
We had lots of fun and yummy food.
Lizzy, Joy and I were shopping today. A total stranger came up to me and apologized for interrupting. She had a question. I prepared myself to educate someone about Down syndrome. She asked if we lived in …….our neighborhood. Yes. Then she asked if someone took care of Joy for me during the day. Yes. She had recognized Joy from the pool. She then proceeded to tell me how wonderful Kris is with Joy. :) I trust Kris completely, but it’s always wonderful to hear that your children are safe and loved.
BTW – She is a mother of a special needs child herself, hence the radar. :)
My three big girls are in Utah visiting our friend Linda. She flew in, met Bella, and took my three big girls home with her.
So far they are fine. Jessi loved the plane flight! Everyone sounds happy on the phone. Have fun girls! We love you!
Will you stop taking pictures so we can leave? :)
A post from Kris:
We had a week all about swimming a little while back! It's quite a walk there and back, but we were troopers for the fun in the sun ;) 
Lizzy loves the pool!
it was too bright to take a picture in the sun at first. haha 
Joy is ready for the pool :)
Becca was helping Joy to swim
Becca! 
Jessi and Lizzy!
haha, squishing Becca. I think we were all falling over... :0 
Kris and Becca! 
Sammi, Joy, and Kris went together later that week :)
Joy is walking all over now. She has the funniest gait. She walks with her legs straight, but her therapist says it'll improve with time.
Miss Aurora - that girl knows what a camera is! I point and she smiles :)
had to include this one, Joy's expression was too priceless!
Hammock shots
Sammi was around - just busy and not where my camera was!
Happy Father's Day, Daddy! Thanks for being my Dad and for always wanting me to feel loved and welcomed. I really appreciate it! Love ya!
The month of May I went to church every week. Usually Jason and I alternate, he will go one week and I will go the next. But the 2nd week of May was Mother’s Day – and the kids were singing in church. Then I thought I taught the 3rd Sunday, no I teach the 4th Sunday. So it just ended up that way. So for the month of June, with Father’s Day, Jason will attend church. I will be there on the 4th Sunday to teach my lesson. So what do I do up here at the hospital for spiritual renewal? Thank goodness the church produces the Ensign!
I have gotten so much out of this month's issue, but wanted to share some thoughts. This is from the article Hope: The Misunderstood Sister. Bella’s middle name is Hope. I didn’t realize how much meaning there would be for me in her name. I have never used the word “hope” as much as I have these last 7 months. Back to the article. It talks about Faith, Hope and Charity, but focusing on Hope. The author personifies each virtue as a person. Read the last paragraph. Doesn’t it remind you of our sweet little Arabella Hope?
“I see Hope more clearly now. She is serene. Her eyes have the deep, knowing look of someone well acquainted with sorrow, the luminosity of recently being wet with tears. Hope has the confidence of one who clearly sees a bright future even when the next hours seem fog shrouded. Hope is steady and strong, a friend I am glad to have beside me during my trails.”
One more thing – this time from Elder Christofferson’s “Moral Agency:”
And Elder Oaks (he is quoted in the footnotes):
“The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become” (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32; emphasis in original).”
Isn’t that wonderful? As a black and white perfectionist, I saw Judgment more of sitting down and watching The Life of Shelly. (That’s why when I’m all alone and I do something stupid, like trip, I smile. One day I’ll see this all again and laugh.) But no, while our individual choices matter immensely, it is who I am becoming that is the most important. For some reason that makes me feel better. I don’t have to be perfect in every tiny little thing, it’s the overall picture that is more important. Hmmm….
Newton! (Becca's new fish that she earned in Science class) 
Showing off our lip gloss!
Busted!
Lizzy likes fairies, so I had my friend edit this to make it look like she was one!
Sammi made a cake so we decided to have a party!
