Life is a highway and the
older kids and I decided to ride it all Saturday long.
First, when the Disney/Pixar movie Cars came out, we loved it. In particular, Karter, who was of course very into cars and almost 2 years old when the movie came out, loved it! Even after buying the DVD we had a few different occasions, just by happenstance, to watch the movie again and again at the public library and various parties and such. Karter got Cars everything it seems: a Mater toothbrush, Lightening McQueen toothpaste, Doc Hudson band-aids, Cars bubble bath, a Cars lounge chair for kids, and finally, the Lightening McQueen hotwheel car that has traveled with Karter many places over the last couple of years (now Lightening usually travels along side the Mach 5).
Second, to make matters more interesting, Karter's granddad went out and bought a real Lightening McQueen a couple years ago. That's right, a brand new, bright red, shiny Corvette. When we told Karter what it was, an unbreakable bond was formed that can only be found between Karter, his granddad, the corvette, and the pavement. When granddad brings the vette to visit, it always includes the traditional removing of the hard-top to take Karter for a ride. Karter is all smiles when granddad pins him to his seat with that accelerator several times on their cruise that is all too short.
Third, on the way to/from the
Havasu Falls hike last October, I drove this route between Kingman and Peach Springs. 7 miles east of Peach Springs is the turnoff for Hilltop trailhead which leads to Supai village. It was then that I noticed many places that inspired much of the
Cars movie fictional setting.
(In case you haven't seen the movie or need a reminder, here's a short video on YouTube that catches the gist of the premise: Cars: the story. And if you are interested in reading more about the similarities between the movie setting and real life people and places, here is a fairly good site, but I think the author missed the mark on some of them. I could go into a dissertation with supporting evidence, but I'll have to save that for another time.)
So, last Saturday, after Miki's mother stayed with us the week to help with the new baby, we were glad to drive her half way home to meet up with granddad. We decided to take the scenic route home on Route 66 and experience a throw-back to the past for ourselves.
We started in downtown Williams, AZ, where we stopped at the grocery store and bought some lunch to take to great granddad Patrick and Jeanie's cabin, where we met granddad to eat lunch with everyone and drop off grandma. We then hopped back onto Route 66 at Seligman and stopped at the
Grand Canyon Caverns for a tour. We then made several stops between Peach Springs and Kingman to take photos. This is the longest stretch of
original Route 66 in existence today. We had dinner at
Mr. D'z diner in Kingman before heading back home. It was a long day, but as usual, we had a good time!
Follow along our road trip with the photo album here:
This year began with a rough start when Karter had to have surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids. But it was worth it. Karter has grown tremendously physically and socially. His speech is no longer a challenge.
Oh Sage, what do I say about Sage? There is so much! Sage has been such a joy since birth. My first daughter. The little one with all the boss and fire. It has never ceased to amaze me how Heavenly Father managed to pack such a big personality into such a petite little body. At 9 Sage is still wearing 6x. She is beautiful and joyful. She's fiesty and bold. She's the daughter I always envisioned. Perhaps a little too like me. She has always been a great student and a quick learner. This year she is on to her 4th school since kindergarten and is taking it in stride. She has a wonderful little group of friends. She is also taking dance (pop & jazz). A new thing this year is the need to use the phone. She has a friend or two to call almost every night. She even has long distance friends that she emails regularly. Sage in a word is SOCIAL! I love her with all my might. Happy Birthday Sage!
OK this one snuck up on me. No matter how long I'm a mother each of Kaleb's birthdays feel so surreal. He just can't be 11 already. In a week and a half we'll be taking him to our wards priesthood preview. Since when did they start giving the priesthood to little boys? In some moments I look at him and he takes my breath away. When and how did he get so dang grown up? Kalvan keeps reminding me it's my fault for feeding him. Which by the way is another shock. This boy puts away almost twice what I can eat. I still remember the days when I couldn't get Kaleb to eat more than a handful of animal crackers and nearly half a gallon of milk on a given day. Yes, I know the milk is what kept him alive. He was such a picky eater. I remember him learning to get past the baby locks and drinking lavender baby bath just days before his first birthday and teaching his cousin Baylee how to swirl her hand in the toilet. Where has my little fella gone? I remember him falling asleep with his head on my chest because he ran so hard he just fell over. I remember all the 
cuddles and sweet quiet mom and Kaleb moments that I'll cherish forever. Kaleb is still a wonderful and loving child, but he's gotten so big so fast I can hardly believe this is the same boy. I'm so proud of my first born child and the many accomplishments he has had over the years. The day after his birthday Kaleb received his Webelo and Arrow of Light. He is officially a Boy Scout. As always he maintains his straight A average with little effort. His creative abilities are amazing. And I'm proud to report that Kaleb still loves having me around, he'll still give me hugs in public and he'll introduce me to others as his beautiful mother. How did I ever get so lucky? Happy birthday Kaleb!
I came across an article today that caught my attention. It's titled Birth Moms Deserve Our Respect. It ran in Newsweek on May 20, 2010. Ironically, one day after our sweet baby girl was born. I am thoroughly grateful to find there are people who share my view of birthmothers. Our birthmother, Shanna, as imperfect as she may be, is my hero. She's one of the very few who was able to place the needs of her daughter above her own and give her up for adoption. Today I am paying tribute to birthmothers who muster courage and strength that few are capable of. They place their babies for adoption.
OK, so I'm over a month late with this post, but here it is. Our little man is 5!!! With the other kids I remember feeling shocked when they finally reached this somewhat grown age. With Karter I don't feel the surprise. Between his speech delay, ear infections, behavior issues, and surgery, I've had more productive 1 on 1 time with him than any of my other children. It's funny how his challenges have turned into one of my most cherished blessings. I know Karter inside and out. I've watched his growth very closely. So, this birthday comes as no surprise.
lvan went back to comfort him as only one of us was allowed. But Karter didn't really calm down and sleep until I arrived. I felt so privileged to be his mom and to know how much he needs me. 
tice be?
I can hardly believe that Shaylee has already been with us for a full month. Today she weighed in at 9 pounds 6 ounces! She is growing so fast and is such a joy to have. My older kids are doing fantastic with her. Sage can already boast that she has stayed up a night with Shaylee. Although, Kalvan says Sage has an unfair advantage, she can sleep right through Shaylee's crying.
