Feliz Cinco de Mayo!!

To most today is simply the 5th of May, but to most people in Arizona and other southwestern states, it's Cinco de Mayo - a day to celebrate the Battle of Puebla wherein the Mexican people defeated French troops on May 5, 1862 in its quest for freedom. It is also a day in which the Mexican people celebrate their heritage. It is not Mexico's independence day, but you wouldn't know it from the amount of celebrations that go on. In any case, you know that I am always up for a reason to celebrate and since I do have Mexican heritage, I figured why not throw a fiesta! We invited Jeff's parents, Aunt Katie, Aunt Trudy, Mitchell (cousin) and Evan (cousin) over for the festivities. We had a blast! We had chicken enchiladas, black beans, homemade jalapeno poppers, homemade salsa, guacamole, chips, a Mexican flag veggie tray, Mexican sodas, and sopapilla cheesecake for dessert. Needless to say, we ate well! After we filled our bellies, we headed outside to enjoy the gorgeous weather and where the kids had fun destroying a piñata. It was hysterical watching the kids swatting at the piñata, especially when Amber tried to hit it when it was actually behind her! Once the piñata was terminated, we pulled out a paper bag and played a Southwick game in which you had to stand on one leg, lean down, and pick up the paper bag with just your mouth. This is harder than it looks...and much funnier too! All in all it was a fun night with family. I feel so blessed to have married into such a great family. I have appreciated all their love and support. Gracias a todos por su amor y apoyo! Les quiero mucho!! Feliz dia!

Teaching my boys how to make guacamole

 

Jeff being silly...like usual.

Grandpa Rodney get into the swing of things.

Squirt guns + piñata = wet boys

Laurin

Jeff

Amber

Evan

Dallin

Mitchell...and Jeff trying to help.

It didn't work!

Trudy

Daniel

Me! I did pretty well...I guess I can be a Southwick now.

Katie...who didn't know we were taking pictures...or else she would have deleted them.

Provo Beach Resort

Tonight the kids' wonderful Aunt Katie took them out for the evening and had a sleepover! (Which meant Jeff and I were able to have an entire evening alone...our first evening alone at home since we've been married! Thank you Katie!!) The kids are lucky to have a great aunt! The first (and practically only stop) for the evening was the Provo Beach Resort. This is a really cool facility that has an indoor ropes course, FloRider, bowling, croquet, etc. The kids LOVED it! They spent nearly 4 hours doing everything they could. After they finished at the resort, they headed back to Grandma and Grandpa Southwick's home (where Katie is currently living) for a sleepover. The kids came back exhausted but extremely happy the next morning! Thanks again Katie!

 

As a side note, I want to congratulate Laurin and Amber. They both made it into Salem Hills High School's top choir, Singers! I am so proud of them. They are both incredibly talented. I am looking forward to all their concerts next year!



A Whole Bunch!

Tonight for YW the mothers were invited to join the activity. It was themed around how we are loved "a whole bunch" (e.g., grapes). I felt honored to be included in the realm of motherhood. In some ways, I feel very much like a mother (because I get the daily privilege of serving and loving four incredibly amazing children), but in some ways (mainly because I haven't given birth to a child or haven't raised a child since birth), I feel like an imposter. It is often hard for me to hear generalized messages about motherhood, especially when they reference all the years mothers have spent with their children or how those mother sacrificed hours of sleep when they were infants, etc. I don't feel like I fit into the "motherhood" categories that are described in such messages. Yet, I know to be a mother doesn't require raising a child since infancy or even many years, I feel it requires a loving heart and an ability to forget oneself in service to the children within your care. By that definition, I guess I truly have had years as a "mother" - as I worked to rescue children from abusive homes, as I labored with the YW in my previous ward, as I counseled with troubled youth experiencing traumatic situations, and as I was privileged to work, play and serve my amazing nieces and nephew. Still, there were moments during tonight's activity wherein I wondered if I truly belonged with the other amazing women that were present...then I looked over at my two beautiful "daughters" and knew I was right where I needed to be. I may only get a few short years with Laurin and Amber before they go off to college or on missions or married, but I intend to cherish each day. At times I feel unworthy of the privilege to help raise these two amazing young women. Each of them have unique talents and testimonies that never cease to amaze me. I don't think Jeff or I will ever know the depth of emotions they have coursing through their hearts regarding past injustices or situations; yet they continue to wake up with smiles and move forward with faith. I loved being there with them. We did a little mother-daughter interview wherein they were able to ask me questions about my likes, dislikes, interests, etc. It was fun to share some of my stories with them. In the end, the YW leaders interviewed each of the young women and compiled a DVD of short, sweet messages from the girls to each of their mothers. I was touched when I first heard Amber speak my name and address her message to me. Tears filled my eyes as both girls shared their gratitude and recognition of my sacrifices and efforts. I feel blessed to have two amazing daughters that I love "a whole bunch"!

I have no clue why Blogger keeps flipping my pictures. Oh well...you get the point.