Addie does Hawaii

This girl was so lucky over Spring Break!  She got to spend a week in Hawaii with Michael, Tara, their kids and Aunt Kathi.

While she was supposed to spend a week there with Poppy Hatch, Aunt Yvette, Brendan, Raife and Rhett, the trip just wasn't coming together.  Uncle Michael graciously invited her to join their family on their vacation as a way of getting her there and freeing up the boys for a much desired trip to Alaska.

We only had ten days to prepare for the trip so we made a quick purchase of shorts and swimming suits online and Addie got to work earning spending money.  She also spent time online oohing over the beach house rental.

The day finally came for her to leave and she was off with no hug or fear of the being so far from her mom.  It was a long day for her to get to Honolulu but it was all worth it when they hit the beach at 9:30pm Arizona time.

They did all kinds of fun stuff: visited the PCC, Pearl Harbor, the Temple, spent lots and lots of time the beach and really, who knows what else!  I only spoke with Addie once (and that is because I finally called her!) so I anxiously awaited the pictures Tara would send at the end of the night.  We sent Addie with Jared's phone so she was also able to take lots of pictures.

The Kiddos

I love my crazy little bunch.  They keep my laughing, guessing, happy, on my toes and stretching.  I thought it would be fun to share a few things about them in their current state.

Addie:
*Is one of my greatest friends.  We love being together!  This morning she returned from a weeklong trip to Hawaii, and I'm just thrilled to have her back.

*Is super duper into baking, and is quite impressive with her creativity.

*Is very tall!  She hits me right under my chin.

Kimber:
*Has done such a wonderful job controlling her anger lately!  I am very proud of her.

*Is an avid reader, self motivated and has all A+'s!

*Hates being away from her mom :)

Lucy:
*Has come so far in Kindergarten!  For being young for her grade, she sure has done a great job!

*Loves to put makeup on.  I actually have to take it away as a consequence for bad actions.

*Calls Colton "Bud."  It melts my heart.

Colton:
*Is talking so well!

*Does NOT want to be potty trained.

*Could live outside if I would let him.

I'm so lucky to have this little crew I call a family.

On Edith

We met Edith in 2010 when she came to take care of Grandpa Miller.  Ben knew of her in Winslow and offered her the job.  At first she turned it down.  She had worked nights at Arby's for 18 years cleaning the restaurant.  A few days after she told Ben no, the manager at Arby's made her mad so she decided she better accept the offer.  She packed up her clothes in her little Toyota Corolla, left everything she owned in her trailer and moved in with Grandpa.

The first few months were very hard.  She would come to my house crying and telling me she was going to quit.  He was mean, he was obscene, he was....well, out of his mind.  And Edith had no experience caring for elderly people.

She stuck it out and eventually she and Grandma became best of friends.  And she became part of our family.  That is where I want to take this post today.

Edith left Mexico about 25 years ago.  She left in hopes that she could get a better paying job in the US, then send money home to her family to help support them.  Her mom is over 90 years old and she has many nieces and nephews there.

During Edith's stay with Grandpa, she became very attached to my kids.  Mexicans just love blonde headed little kiddos!  "Aaaddie, Keember, Lutchie, and Poppi."

We tried our best to be missionaries to her but she didn't show much interest until Grandpa died.  She was very touched at his funeral, which we held in our ward building.  A short time later she started meeting with the missionaries but still wasn't interested in committing.  One day she asked, "Kobie, do I need to give them an answer right now?  They keep asking me if I want to be baptized.  What is the rush?"  I assured her that there was no rush, because really, what difference would a few days, weeks or months make in the eternal picture?

We invited her to Kimber's baptism and the very next day, she called Jared and asked him if he would baptize her!  I guess she just needed to see it for herself.

About five months later she received her Patriarchal Blessing.  I was so honored that she would invite me to join her.  

Two days after that, she went to the temple for the first time to do baptisms.  It was so special.  She is such a humble lady and that was evident in her reaction to the beauty and sacredness of the temple.

On her 61st birthday (April 14th) Edith will become an endowed member of the Church.  I am so thankful for her example, diligence, desire to do good and for the special Aunt she is to our family.

Edith learns to use a selfie stick.  Pretty hilarious.

Edith's 60th birthday.

At the family party she threw for Grandpa Miller in 2014.

Edith and Poppi.