Week 40 and Desh’s bday

Another week means another trip to the doctor for Keen.  We're still working on getting that left arm set the way it should be and this week Josh made it clear that he didn't want to come back to have this done again.  So this was the last shot to get it right!  Well, they worked really really hard on it (without any anesthesia at all, poor boy) and the final x-ray after shows that they got it right!  So we're in business with both arms now and they're on their way towards some good healing.  It has been a long road for these two, going to the hospital every week now.  So glad we're on a good path and now they don't have to go back for 3 more weeks.  

The projects at the house continue to get done.  This week all 5 of the boys worked on getting a gate made for the back fence.  It's going to be great so we have access to the land behind us and those boys all worked really hard to get it done and into place.  It looks great!

It's also end of school time around here so we had the last of the programs and field days this week for all the schools.  The kids all had A BLAST at field day (which wasn't actually on the field, but inside the gym), and played lots of games, performed their songs and dances and everything that they've been working on this year.  Desh's class did a darling dance and he got to be front and center showing off his awesome moves.  

Beck's class won the first place trophy for something or other but I'm not sure what it was for.  Regardless they were all super excited about their trophy and collected it as a group.  Beck and Desh have also been part of the  school choir this year and got to perform one last time.  They both memorized the Puerto Rican national anthem and it's so cute to hear them sing it together.

Keen participated fully in field day, two casts and all.  He is very determined that his team gets first place in every event and he did his best to help the team out with that! They ended up getting a bunch of 1st and 2nd place ribbons for their events so I'd say they did pretty darn good.  

I popped over to Rhen and Liev's field day and caught the very tail end events.  They also had a really fun day and even let me snap a quick picture of them together.  

Other highlights of the week:

Rease, Rhen and I painted the big outside wall.  I wasn't sure it actually needed it until we started and then I realized how much better it looks with brand new white on it.  It looks really amazing!

Our gate motor got installed!  Happy day!  Although, the kids have never had a problem fighting over who was going to jump out and open the gate.  Now they don't have to fight I guess :)

The kids started signing shirts at school as a sort of "yearbook"

Night swimming

Our visitor wall is completely signed and filled up

And an early birthday present for Desh - the new Zelda game (which I got joyfully tackled for by all the boys).  I guess it's a good gift?

Of course the biggest news of the week is that Desh turned 7 right in front of our eyes!  How did this boy grow up so fast?  He has the sweetest teacher and she sent him this cute message on his birthday for us to read to him.  

We had a little birthday party for him and he invited a couple of his favorite friends over to spend the afternoon.  Luckily all they wanted to do was swim so it made for an easy party for us!  They swam their little hearts out and didn't want to stop.

But we did take a break for cake and ice cream and presents.  Mario Cart birthday cake this year!  He was super excited that the cake pulls apart as cupcakes.  

These cute friends of his have been so good for him this year.  They have gotten to be best buddies and love playing together.  I'm so grateful for the friends that have accepted us wholeheartedly and made us all feel welcome.  

Happy Birthday Big D!  We couldn't love you any more!

7 year old stats: 

Height: 4'5" - 99%

Weight: 66 lbs. 13 oz. - 93%


Today is Sunday and since Desh and I share a birthday, we waited until today to celebrate my birthday.  Josh was so sweet and made sure that I didn't have to do anything at all today except hang with my favorite people.  I got a card full of foot rub vouchers from Beck (I promptly cashed in one of the coupons), a vase full of flowers from Desh picked straight from our yard, and a pair of new basketball shoes from Josh!  Best of all, I captured all the kids after church and we snapped a picture of all of us together.  I love this family more than I can ever express.  

Week 39 in PR

We welcomed our Grammie, papa and dear aunt Shirley back into our lives this week and had the best time with them in our home! It is so nice to be back with these loved ones that we have missed dearly while we’ve been away. Monday we drove down to the beach and showed them around our favorite playa Azul. We picked Rease up from school right across the street and she joined us for a bit. That night we hosted Noche de Hogar for our branch and had a great lesson, discussion and good food. It was so fun to have them all at our house together! 

We spent lots of time relaxing, reading, and hanging out in the pool this week. It’s definitely warming up around the island and summer has arrived. The pool provides a great break from the heat. 

Rhen has a dance/party coming up to go along with her graduation from middle school so we took her dress shopping for both her big events. She was so cute trying things on and we loved spending the day with her! 

One day we drove the crew up to old San Juan and spent some time driving and walking around near the old fort. It’s so gorgeous up there especially right around sunset and is one of our most favorite spots on the island to take people to. It’s such a unique spot with so many different views. We had a fun night with them there! 

And we drove them by the temple on the way home and took a short tour around the grounds of it. It was a beautiful night to be out and about! 

We had such a fun week with these three and we’re just so excited to have them here for a few days with us! 

At school Rhen is in full graduation prep. They get to wear their class shirts every Monday and Thursday to school in place of their regular uniforms. It’s a fun break for them from the norm! This week they took class pictures together with their shirts on. These cute friends of hers have been such a blessing to her this year! They’re a fun, good group of kids that have loved and welcomed her from day one. I’m so grateful to them for their love for my girl! 



After Jeanie, Alma and aunt Shirley left we had some friends from Herriman fly in for a few days and spend with us! The Slimaks live right across the street from us in Utah and our kids were so excited to see their old friends again! We spent lots of time in the pool in between them going out for different excursions during the day. It’s always so fun to see people we haven’t seen for a long time. 

We’ve also been watching lots of basketball lately as it’s playoff season for the NBA. We may or may not stay up super late to watch the warriors play… 

In between visitors we’ve been trying to get some projects done around the house as well. This weekend we got a load of topsoil and sod and worked together to get that all laid out in the lower level of the yard. It went fast with all eight of us working together and it’s going to be so nice to have a grassy area to play! We got rained on just a bit and took some breaks, but then just embraced the wet and took it all in! 

For Mother’s Day today I was spoiled by Josh and the kids. I got lots of cards, notes, foot rubs and most of all lots of love from each of them! I couldn’t be more happy to be a mother. My kids are the best parts of me and I’m so grateful to be able to have them in my life. Love them with my whole heart! 

Week 38 in PR

It’s been a week and a half since Keen broke his arms and he and Josh had to get them checked out to make sure the right progress is being made. Early Monday morning they headed to the “first come first serve” clinic in San Juan and ended up with a long day of waiting and X-rays and waiting some more before the doctor delivered the bad news that the left arm wasn’t in line correctly and would have to be reset. So back to the treatment room they went and Keen had to endure a painful reset without any anesthesia. Poor kid has been through a lot. But he ended up getting new casts on both arms and picked out red as his favorite choice. It was a king day for the two of them but we’re hopeful it does the trick. Next week another X-ray to check it out again…

We’ve loved having the Harris’s with us this week and our house has been lively since the minute they arrived! They bring such a fun energy with them and we’ve had the best time together. We took them to one of our favs, Charco Frio, and it quickly became one of their fav spots too! You can’t beat the cool fresh water and the natural water slides and cliff jumps. It just makes for a great day! 

Early the next day we said goodbye to them and they headed out to spend the rest of their vacation on the west side of the island. We’re so glad they came to stay and already have so many fun memories of this group of ladies!!

Meanwhile, Rease and Rhen have been studying hard with their online classes. Aside from their regular school, they’ve each had a few online classes and have really worked hard in their spare time. They can see the light at the end of the school tunnel but have each had a few big projects they’ve been working on the past week or two. These are just a couple of things Rease has done for biology. 

After the Harris’s left, we made a quick switch around with the sleeping arrangements to allow for Josh’s parents and Aunt Shirley to join us!! We have had so many great visitors as we’ve been here, but nothing is as good as welcoming parents here to our home! 

Week 37 in PR

Our last day with the Flints here we took them to Playa Azul then later up to old San Juan for pizza and gelato. We don’t get tired of this part of town and love being there in the late afternoon and evening. It’s just delightful to sit out in the warmth as the sun goes down and walk down the cobblestone streets. It’s just one of our fav parts to show everyone! 

Rhen and Liev also had a field trip this week and took the bus to a Roberto Clemente museum which they said was super cool. Then ended up at the mall for lunch and on to Old San Juan for site seeing. So fun!

This week we officially got our house listed on airbnb in preparation for the summer rental season. We hate to even talk about it, so we try not to. But we do know that our time here will eventually come to and end and we’re trying to prep the house for that. That’s all I even want to say about it for now :(

But here are some of the pics we’ve been working on for the listing. 

 


The elementary kids had their final day of tutoring this week and each grade had a small presentation for all the parents to show some of the things they’ve been working on. These extra hours after school each day have been so helpful and beneficial for the boys and we have loved it! There is going to be a summer camp for a few weeks in June that they are all excited to be a part of. But for now we’re sad to see these tutoring classes come to an end. 

Friday night we welcomed the Harris’s to La Brisa to spend the week with us! My Aunt Celia and her girls made the trek all the way to Puerto Rico to see us and we’re so excited to have them! They’re such a fun group and have lots of fun plans while they’re here. Can’t wait to do some of those things with them! The boys also worked on Saturday putting in some more plants in the empty spots around the yard. We have so many plants to plant still so it’s always a work in progress. 

And I snapped a quick pic of the basketball court I get to play at on Thursday nights. I’m in awe of the beautiful scenery around me wherever I’m at on this island and even something like a basketball court can have beautiful surroundings on a beautiful night. 

Saturday we took the girls up to La Perla for seaglassing and had the best morning on the beach! So much glass everywhere after the big storm that came through yesterday. We were lucky!My cousin Krystal brought her darling baby Finn with her and I’ve loved snuggling up with him while they’ve been here. It’s so fun to have a baby around! 

Our week was a bit more chill than last week and I’m certainly not complaining about it. We loved the down time and the fun time we’ve had with family here!