Disney parade

One of my friends had been planning to take their son to Disneyland to celebrate his birthday. With the shut down because of covid-19, their plans were canceled. But Lori is a super mom and organized a Disney parade for him to help celebrate the day.  We decked out our truck and went with a Disney characters of the water theme. Ariel, a shark, Moana, Maui, Captain Jack Sparrow, and his pirate friend all waved to Carter to wish him a happy birthday.

Tattooing Kyler with permanent marker and eyeliner is always a good time.

They thought Torani syrup was a nice touch for the drunken pirates.

I wish I had gotten a good picture of some of the others at the parade...the best i got was flounder on rollerblades. But someone else made the incredicosater and that was cool, too. I love seeing such creativity!

We ate them before I took a picture, but Lori passed out the cutest Mickey Mouse cookies to everyone who came by. It was fun to get out of the house and do something creative to wish a friend happy birthday. Not quite Disneyland, but almost as good and I hope he had a great day.

Trauma and connection

I recently took a couple of trainings through zoom from Prevent Child Abuse Arizona. I listened to a lot of fascinating stuff about ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and parenting. Around 61% of people have had at least one ACE. ACEs can include witnessing or experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect and growing up in a home with substance abuse, mental health problems, or instability. ACEs have far lasting effects and literally rewire the brain. As adults, we may also experience various traumas. During the training, I made a single note (and now I can't remember if it is something she said or a thought I had, because, hey, I'll take the credit if I can...haha). It was this:

The antidote to trauma is connection.

There's not often a magic answer to the challenges of life, but I think that comes pretty close.

As humans, we NEED to feel love and belonging. And after trauma or ACEs we might struggle to regulate ourselves and sometimes that leads to unhealthy ways of coping. However, the best way to heal is through positive connection.

I would argue that means connection with other supportive, good for us people, connection with nature, connection with ourselves, and connection with God.

Little children don't need time-outs, they need time-ins.
Teenagers who are struggling need more time with us to feel love.

In general, we all need people who will get in there with us, listen to us, and look us in the eyes and be a safe place over and over again for as long as we need.
We all need time to connect to mother nature--to breathe in fresh air, wonder at the beauty of the world, and to put things in perspective. Nature is the best place to put things into perspective.
We, also, need to connect to ourselves and our own self worth. To notice what we like or don't like, what we need and don't actually need, and recognize the thoughts and feelings that flow through us without passing judgment on ourselves. We need to decide who it is we want to be and try to figure out what our personal mission and purpose is.
Most importantly, we need to connect with God. Through sincere prayer and scripture study. Through song or meditation. When we connect with a loving Heavenly Father and turn to Him, we will heal.

Things to think on:
How can I heal my own personal traumas through connection? Is there someone I should talk to (therapist, friend, God)? Is there something I should do to get to know myself better? How can I take time in nature this week? What are the thoughts that run through my head and how do I feel?

How can I help someone else heal through connection? Can I listen without judgement? Is there someone I could spend more time with? How can I show more love? How can I inspire someone to connect with God or with nature?

Because the antidote to trauma is connection.



Slightly related, but on a side note...Layla and I met some friends for a lovely hike at the Wind Cave trail.

Connect with people.
Connect with nature.
Connect with ourselves.
Connect with God.

scripture study

“The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls.”

-President Russel M. Nelson

One beautiful blessing from the stay home orders due to Covid-19 is that we now have the time to be consistent with family scripture study. It has always been such a challenge for us to study all together because the older kids leave for school so early (6:10am!) and then there always seemed to be some activity or event at night making it impossible to be consistent. We have tried many different things but nothing has really been lasting. 

However, now that no one is rushing off to work or school, we can actually take time to study come follow me and read the scriptures each day. We gather around 8:30 am, or whenever Eric has a break from any morning meetings. 

Our study is brief and the discussion is often one-sided, but we are consistent and I feel a difference in our home. 

I definitely feel a difference in my own life as I am consistent in my personal study of the Book of Mormon. There is great power in that book and it draws me closer to my savior and helps me to keep my sights on a more eternal perspective. And that brings me great peace, comfort, and wisdom as I make decisions throughout my day.

(Photo credit to Perry. What a happy surprise that he got us in the pictures he took as he walked around with my phone!)

Lookin’ good and autism awareness

“Mom, I look really good right now in this shirt.”

Buddy, you are always looking good in my eyes.

I see you for who you are and all that you teach me.

You teach me it is the small things that matter most.

You turn everything into a game.

You remind me to appreciate the smallest of victories.

You feel big and love big. 

Your kisses and hugs are pure love.

You feel so much pride in being a big brother to Brinna. You care for her so gently.

You look forward with such hope and excitement.

You teach us flexibility and patience.


You allow us to serve you and our hearts grow bigger because of that privilege. 


We are better people and a much stronger family because of you, Perry.

We see you and we love you.

Yes, you are lookin’ good.

Tres Rios Wetlands

It’s thrilling to find beautiful places we never even knew existed so close to our home here in Arizona. Who would’ve thought that a place that I grew up in would have so many hidden gems?

We wanted to take a walk as a family, but also get out of our neighborhood. Perry would need his wheelchair this particular day. Eric did a quick search on his All Trails app and two wheelchair accessible trails popped up nearby. That’s how we found Tres Rios Wetlands.

Wide trail, water, birds, pretty rocks, flowers, and a mountain view. We’ll take it!

Perry stayed buried under a blanket most of the time so he could see the show he was watching on his phone. 

See, how pretty is this!

I’m certain it was Kyler’s suggestion to hold hands, hahaha.

I’m sure you know by now that what often keeps Layla going on these hikes is taking pictures. I end up with so many that I have to delete the majority of them. But I was so delighted that she caught these spontaneous moments of play during these next few pictures.

On our walk, we had a family meeting. Eric and I revealed, through a lot of hype and explanation, a plan that we have to work as a family for a special Christmas present. It was here that we laid out all of the conditions that have to be met. We will see what happens!

Brinna gave her daddy her necklace. Pretty boy.


Make a wish.

I love her glee when she’s playing with daddy.



Kyler has this grand idea when he ended up pushing an empty stroller. 

Then they added to it.

Add one more.

They were quite the train to end our walk.

But this was the greatest moment. (Kacin is so incredibly strong! He carried Eric like this for quite always in my opinion.)

We made some good memories in the desert wetlands. 

opportunity to see beauty

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

As we creep towards May, the weather is warming up and we know that temperatures in the triple digits are fast approaching. That’s an extra motivation to get outside to soak it all up while we can. Bike rides, hikes, and walks are glorious right now. There’s so much to see and do.

Layla is really into taking pictures right now. So she has become the main photographer on our hikes and walks. The desert is SO delicious right now.

The baby on my back made me also carry that baby in my hands.

I can’t get enough of them and their twin outfits.