Living our Best Lives

The day after Parker ended his 2 week of Junior Lifeguards and subsequently, our 2 full weeks of totally epic fun in the sun, the "Bunco Gals" had a beach day. Tanner was not excited about me being gone on Saturday because he had worked about 100 hours (keep in mind, there is only 120 hours in 5 days) the previous week and he was tired. But, he was trying his best to be supportive and didn't say a word as I took off. I was so looking forward to a day spent with friends and family! Not that I don't love being with my husband and children- because I DO! But it's such a treat to be able to be "friends" Chandra sometimes. (As opposed to "wife and mother" Chandra")

I made swag bags for everyone with sunblock, water, crystal light energy, a paper straw, a homemade chocolate chip cookie, watermelon sour patch candy, a pink napkin, and a fresh lemon from the tree. I LOVE doing stuff like this! When I finally got down to the beach an hour late, most of the girls were off on a bike ride. They ended up riding from Newport to Huntington! ha ha I sat on the beach with Denise and Erika and we bundled up and chatted. It was actually super chilly and windy! But that kinda felt good because the hot days are HOT. And it helped with the crowd control. Soon after the girls got back from their bike ride (and finished their stretching ha ha), I left to meet my parents, Kari, and Cami at Cheesecake Factory to celebrate Karina's 5oth birthday! (Don't say the number out loud or to her face- she hates it!)

It was soooooo good to finally eat a delicious meal that I didn't have to plan, prepare, or clean up! We shared some cheesecake for dessert and stayed and talked for almost 3 hours. It was wonderful!

When I arrived back home around 4pm, everyone was relaxing on the couch and I just sat right down and joined them. They all piled on top of me as if they HADN'T spent every waking moment with me for the last 2 weeks straight!

Tanner and I had a good talk on Sunday. Communication is so key in any relationship- we all know this. I thought that by giving Tanner LOTS of space last week, that I was being a terrific wife. The message that I sent him was, "I really don't care about anything that you're doing." I made a special effort to let the mess lay and just BE with my family on Sunday. And Tanner and I both made a pact to each other that we'd be more patient and kind from now on.

The beginning of the week was spent massively cleaning, organizing, sorting, purging, going to the store, getting gas, cleaning my car, and packing for our Mammoth trip as well as preparing for a busy Friday at Emily's wedding/Kari's party at the park! Life is busy but oh so wonderful.

Tanner took the opportunity to go to the temple and took this beautiful picture. 

We had lunch at my mom's after a disastrous trip to Children's Orchard. What a waste of my life that was. Kids were outstanding, but I will never ever go back there.

My mom shared this journal entry with me and I found a picture in my scrapbook from that day. It made me cry to read this. I'm so thankful for these special memories! 

Parker has "Cubanapolis 500" at the church this week and spent many, many hours working on his car! It is very impressive! He has several "sponsor" stickers and a working radio! (He put my old phone in the red cup while the music was playing) I am so proud of his creativity and hard work! He was even working on it in the garage late one night when Tanner got home from work and brought me ice cream! :-) Rayleigh and Jack were so impressed that he decided to make one for them too. I have fond memories of MY brother doing this exact same thing for Josi and me when we were little. We watched "drive in movies" in the living room and we thought that was just the coolest. So, when their car was finished, complete with cup holders, we turned on Cars2 and popped some popcorn! Man, I just love these kiddos so much!