SMA camp

Oh how I love SMA family camp.  Having the opportunity to spend so much quality time in a circle where my life is normal is so awesome!  I almost feel like an SMA veteran now.  I know that might seem silly (Evan is only 5), but I feel like I've a pretty good grasp on what Evan needs and I feel like Justin and I have done pretty good getting those things in the order that they need to be got.  We aren't done meeting our goals of getting the equipment that he needs but we are doing alright and pushing forward.

The SMA family that I'm a part of is chalk full of angels gracing this earth.  From the kids who literally roll with the punches to their incredible parents who are warriors that care for them.  Being with them all renews my soul and I am lifted up by their strength, despite the frailty of their bodies.

Enjoy these highlights from camp.  Too bad we have to wait for a whole other year to go back!!!

This summer has given me some of the nicest weather I have ever had in this eskimo land and we have truly been living it up!!!!

this is a good example of how broad the spectrum of Spinal Muscular Atrophy is.  Here are two 5 year old boys playing hockey.  Both are affected by SMA. 

the boy who never sleeps fell asleep in the middle of a water fight!!!

before the marshmallow war

 

my bike had hand pedals!!!

I defended my title well and am pleased to announce that I still reign as the champion mother in the obstacle course!!!

Happy Birthday Evan

Time time, when will I have time.  This summer is flying by so stinkin' fast and I can't believe it!!!  But there is NO WAY that I can let the day end without sharing a bit about my big 5 year old boy.

Evan turned 5 years old yesterday and the last two days have been non-stop celebration.  We hosted not one, but two celebrations with the family yesterday, because some weren't able to attend the dinner that we had planned.  It was totally hectic and WAY more work for me, but ended up being a really lovely experience.  I'm quite pleased with how everything turned out.

This year I let Evan determine the theme and guests for his friend party, which we had today.  After the party was over it was one of those days that I thought to myself ..."yup, I'm a really good mom!"  Before you call me out for being overly confident I promise you I have bad days, but today just wasn't one of them.  The party was amazing and Evan, who has the sweetest spirit ever even told me as I was tucking him in that it was a really great party.  That sealed it for me.  This year ... I did good!

-wicked awesome decorations? (mostly borrowed from our neighbors) CHECK
-home made cake from scratch CHECK
-activities timed perfectly so the children never got to rowdy CHECK
-pinata (a requested activity) CHECK
-awesome friends CHECK
-telescope AND ocean crafts to make and take home CHECK
-pirate food CHECK
-face painting and pirate oath CHECK
-treasure hunt CHECK

The welcome committee handing out hats and swords.

Face painting and swearing in room.  They had to be sworn in as real pirates before entering the rest of the party area.

we made oceans, but I forgot to get an after picture.

I made the cake from scratch and tried fondant for the first time.

swearing in the boys as real pirates

our fearless leader!

 

learning the rules for the treasure hunt.  The treasure box was buried and their loot bags (complete with a ring pop and gold coins) was found inside.

too bad Ishan and Shanaya hit traffic and aren't in the picture, but it was too good to pass up.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!

I love you more than you know!!!!

I miss this!!

I'm feeling quite conflicted!!  I miss my blog!!  I really do, but I really try to live life with the motto of enjoy NOW.  What that means is that it is nice now, I have two rascals who keep me busy, and we are traveling lots.  How does a mother do it all?  Some can, I have found that I go in spurts of being able to do everything.  I have decided that I really want to play with my kids (especially now that its summer) and I want to finally get things finished in the house.  I don't even know if this makes sense.  I'm coming back though ... really!


Something that I have discovered in the meantime is Instagram.  It has changed my life ... in a little way at least.  I'm taking pictures all the time on my phone and this way I can upload them really fast and easily.  My family and friends can see them really easily and it at least records a little bit of my life until I can blog it.  Sometimes that will be immediate and other times it will might be weeks, but I won't lose it.  So for those of you who care (and don't already follow me) my Instagram name is kira_palmer82.  I'd love to hear from you :-)

Since I last wrote the boys and I have gone to San Diego to welcome my brother home from his mission in Chile.  The best moment was when he was walking up and Landon (who was still a baby when Alex left) looks up at me with his big blue eyes and says "is that my uncle Alex?"

Justin and I went to one of our best friends wedding.  It was a quick trip to Idaho Falls, but we wouldn't have missed it for the world.  We could NOT be more happy for Eric and Michele.  They are such incredibly wonderful people and deserve to be happy!!  I cried through the whole ceremony because I love Eric so much and couldn't be happier for him right now.

Since then the boys and I have been outside, enjoying this weather.  Man ... it has been lovely!!!  I actually can't wait to share more of what we have been up to, but until then ....  HAPPY SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!