On the Street Where You Live

"On the Street Where You Live" - Can anyone name that movie? Clue: It's a song in this classic.

This is the street where WE live!

Another trip to the Post Office. Isn't this awesome?

This is a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk - taken from our bedroom.
This is my favorite again from a better angle...and then at night.
...much cooler than this picture!

This is officially The Pink Building...ok, not officially
FedEx...I thought it was cool. The rest of these are not technically
"On the Street Where [We] Live" anymore.
The Hole Building...another official name.

Verizon...How many bars do you have?

Still more to come.

I picked up a few recipes in Mexico and Miami is no exception. Although, I am a little embarrassed to admit that I am 29 and Saturday was my first attempt at cooking fish. I suppose that's what happens when your dad and then your husband both won't eat it. But to improve our health I ventured and tried my hand at tilapia. It was a great first, especially considering that Jon ate his entire fillet. I was also excited to learn that tilapia can be found in the Everglades. Cool, eh?

Tagged

Chersten tagged Marcy and me. I took on the challenge but now I've spent too much time and need to cuddle next to my Jon.
I am - the luckiest wife and mother
I know - things happen for a reason
I want - my children stand strong through the war against good and evil
I have - the most amazing husband and three precious little sweethearts
I dislike - arrogance, plastic bags or cellophane in the sink, selfishness
I miss - my old friends and family
I feel - grateful to have had my cup filled today in a language I understand
I hear - the hum of Jon's laptop...and Anna waking up, sigh.
I smell - the empty remains of my blueberries and cream oatmeal - before bed bowl of cereal.
I crave - a Lee's shake when I am watching a weekend movie with my hubby. (scoop or two of vanilla ice cream, with banana slices, Nestle's quick, chocolate chips, marshmallows - I like 'em crunchy, and a little milk.)
I cry - when I consider all of my blessings
I search - shoes - Rissie's, Lauren's or any of mine they've decided to wear
I wonder - how I can keep my kids from growing up too fast
I regret - wasted time
I love - being with my family, the excitement of trying new things - to read your blogs!
I care - about others feelings
I worry - about the future of this country and the world my girls are growing up in
I remember - all of the good. What a blessing!
I believe - in being honest, I believe in being true...ha ha it's a song I sang when I was in YW.
I dance - with my girls to their "Silly Songs"...we love it!!
I don't - do enough
I argue - if it will make a difference...for good. Is that an oxymoron?
I write - the cute things my girls say before I forget
I win - in Chinese checkers...that's about it. Haha
I lose - patience if the girls don't listen and obey
I wish - I had more patience...it's coming.
I listen - to my girls singing all day long...it warms my heart
I can usually be found watching - Netflix with Jon, or FOOD NETWORK!
I am scared - of SPIDERS Eek!
I need - to feel validated
I forget - to say my morning prayers too often when my routine is off - I need as much help through the day as I can get!
I am happy - to be me
I tag - C, J, D, Lu, Bets, Jamile, Jo, Shannon, Tif, Anda, Rach, Mae, Tanya, Nikki, Anne

Our Miami Neighborhood

Most of you probably don't care, but for those who do I thought I would post some pictures of our neighborhood and apartment.

This is my favorite sky rise in our neighborhood.

...again.

This is where you turn off of Brickell Ave. onto our street. (Notice my fav. is on the left.)
This is our downtown Post Office. I only mention it because in the business district it's our only legitimate destination for our walks. =)

Jon and I model Brickell Ave. with the girls. As you may suspect our little herd is quite conspicuous in this part of town.
The rest of these pictures are taken from our apartment balcony. Stay tuned for our apartment in another post.
Above and below is the Four Seasons Hotel which is ginormous...I was on that corner when I took the picture with Jon and the girls at pic. #3.

We can look out at blue skies towards the ocean in one window and see angry thunder clouds towards the city in another.

All of the rain puddles remind me of the monsoon in Mexico.

It's been pretty exciting for us. For me, living downtown is the part I enjoy the most. Guadalajara was a much bigger city but we weren't downtown in the middle of the city-ness. Driving around isn't as life threatening either, but still is a bit nerve racking with all of the traffic and not being familiar with layout of the city yet. I'm sure I sound ridiculous to admit that it's an adventure for me to merely drive outside my apartment. Not to mention I am driving a van now, which for me might as well be a bus...I'm still getting used to it, but it's sure nice to have!

Moday starts week six of twelve - time is flying by!

Bienvenido A Miami

Welcome to Miami

So Carillisa and I made a relatively quick drive (4 days) to Miami, while Grandma Jane brought Lauren and Marissa out on the day we drove in. In fact, we got to our apartment just in time to unload the van and get back in and pick them up at the airport. Fortunately, the it's only a fifteen minute drive from our downtown apartment. In this skyline picture you can see our apartment two to the right of the tallest building. I took this picture from the bridge coming back from Key Biscayne.

The next morning we took a little walk around the block and down this ocean walk. It was pretty cloudy the first week we were here, as you can see this was no exception. Too bad too, Carillisa and Jane flew out the next morning.
This little pavement ledge was the only thing keeping the girls from investigating too far over the edge. Their exploration was short lived as you can see Rissie was the first to end up buckled back into the stroller.
Vaisalles (?) was delicious Cuban cuisine that made even better leftovers...for a couple more meals. After we stopped by the bakery and had some delicioso pastries and Jon and I were able to spit out a little of our Spanish. It's much more fun to use it when you aren't compelled!

Friday, Jon took us all on a little adventure to Key Biscayne where we visited the lighthouse and dipped our toes in the beach. This nice ranger is showing the girls how you can hear the coconut milk when you shake them at the lighthouse cabin.

The view from our bedroom window.
Lauren modeling her dress...and the apartment.

We are loving our time in Miami. I can't believe I considered missing this. For some reason, Miami in my mind was a city stuck in the 80's. Not that they didn't move on, but that's the only time I remember it being a big deal. After two weeks I can see why this place was such a hit. It's BEAUTIFUL. I'll be posting more soon.
Did I mention how much I LOVE being downtown? When C and I drove in it was night so the city was all lights and to get to our apartment was seriously such a rush (can you tell I'm a small town girl?). ANWAY - it was awesome! Our jaws dropped as we saw the city and then DROVE through the city anxiuosly hoping we were going the right way through the spiderweb of freeway. We found it and I couldn't stop grinning with my first impression of my new home.

Farewell to Utah

Hello Blogger Friends - I am heading out for our next adventure. See you in a while with our pictures from across the US. My sister and I are traveling together. I am so excited. Miami - HERE WE COME!!
I am sad that I didn't get to see everyone here that I wanted, luckily out adventure isn't too long. Only 12 weeks.
UPDATE on Lauren, it will take her several months to fully recover and will always have a scar, but her follow up visits are done and we've been given the OK to head out. Hence this message. :)

If any of you can recommend anywhere to eat along our way, PLEASE send me a note. I'll check this before we leave.

Happy Birthday Jon

Today (the 17th) is my dearest husband's birthday (pardon the sap, I just watched Becoming Jane) and he is across the country away from us. He is thirty today.
He has been gone since Saturday night and everyday seems to get harder and harder. I am not sure if his being gone on his birthday was harder for me or for him...I think it was me.
The original plan was for me to stay here with the girls and save some money on the outrageous rent in Miami while he went on his own for twelve weeks in smaller accommodations. I was thinking economically, but seriously what a DUMB plan!!! My heart goes out to the wives of soldiers. I don't know how they do it, December for me seems impossibly long. I realize that I will basically be on my own anyway with the girls in Miami, but it's worth it to see him even if it's a few minutes a day or asleep at night. Families are meant to be together, they just are.
SO - This one is for you Babe!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! We LOVE you and MISS you. XOXO Your GIRLS
I'll keep y'all posted on when we're headed out to join him...Lauren's appointment with the surgeon is this Friday. We're hoping he has good news.

Back to the Hospital

Ya ever heard the doctor say it gets worse before it gets better? Well, Lauren got better (almost) and then much worse! She spiked a fever Sunday night and by Monday morning (Labor Day) her injury had gone from the healing mild pink to a purple red again and the swelling was returning drastically. So, we left the Jenkins' party in Park City and took her to the on call doctor in Provo who suggested that we take her back to the hospital for the IV antibiotics again. When the infectious disease doctor saw her again he ordered an ultra sound (which has not and still didn't show an abscess) and later a CT scan. They finally found the hiding abscess and scheduled her for surgery. Tuesday morning Papa Lee and her daddy gave her a blessing and she had a successful surgery later that afternoon.
I was comforting her on the bed before they came to get her and suggested that I stay with her for the ride to the OR. We waved to all of the people on the way down and most of them smiled and waved back.In pre-op she got nervous so they gave her some stickers and a couple of Beanie Babies (they gave her the cute teddy blanket for her wagon ride to the CT scan.) They let me stay with her until the anesthetics started to put her to sleep...VERY wise!
Waiting for the surgery wasn't bad. I got a little anxious when they didn't come and didn't come when they estimated they would. Then having Papa Lee there, then Grandma Jane, Aunt Missy and her friend Alexis, and Aunt Marci (it was her 20th birthday), and then Grandma Lee come helped ease the stress. ALTHOUGH, there is something about being in a stressful situation like this that when the burden is shared all of the pent up emotions find their escape.

After the surgery, she was excited to wear the crown she had made. What a relief to have to her back on the road to recovery.
Jaro, the beautiful Newfoundland, came to boost her spirits. Debbie, from Child Life Services, got to be good friends with Lauren and helped make her hospital stay enjoyable.
Like painting butterflies out of coffee filters with A. Carillisa. Debbie later added pipe cleaner antennas and strung them from her ceiling.
Aunt Carillisa spent several hours with her one evening while her mom and dad took a mini break back to Park City for their belated anniversary celebration. Grandma Jane came to relieve A. Carillisa and SPENT THE NIGHT with Lauren. There were lots of worried friends and relatives that came to visit - THANKS to all of you who made an effort to show Lauren how much she is loved. (I didn't always remember to take pics, sorry)Going to bathroom was QUITE the ordeal. One night I had to call Papa Lee to come help. He has a great relationship with Lauren and has a way of explaining things to her so she isn't so afraid...like going to the bathroom even when you think it's going to hurt! As you can see with the IV and catheter - it's not an easy task.He was here to visit everyday and sometimes twice, when Gma Lee came too.She stole the hearts of her nurses, especially Dennis who brought her stuff as often as he could.
After a WEEK in the hospital she is discharged and ready to go HOME...catheter and all! Dennis took her out in the wagon and she waved good-bye to everyone on the way out.
She went back yesterday to get her packing changed for the fourth time since her surgery and will go again tomorrow. She is getting better but I've said that before! Let's just pray this is really the END.
I've posted a couple of videos of her coming off the drugs (from the packing procedures). If your interested in seeing more click on "Cracking Up!" and "One More" on Aunt Carillisa's blog