California

We just got back from a week in Southern California. After being wishy-washy for the few weeks leading up to the trip, we finally decided to go. I was SO nervous about driving 7 hours into California freeways without Jeremy with me. I was nervous the kids would argue, or whine, but they were so good!

A huge thank you to the Ricedorff's for planning the trip and for going to the time-share meeting so we could stay in the awesome condo for so cheap! I couldn't believe all the shops and awesome hole-in-the-wall food joints that they knew about. I mean, really, "Picante Martin's"? Who would have ever thought to eat at a place like that and it was so good.

Thanks to Joe and Cassie for helping me navigate my way around the freeway mess in CA. After seeing me so stressed, Joe volunteered to drive my car for me so, probably more for his sanity than for my sake. They were so good to take the little ones on walks and adventures. Also, thanks for providing Hadlie for Hannah and Abby's entertainment.

We spent most of our time at the beach where the kids got to boogie board (thanks again for that Ricedorff's), run away from white waves (named "The Lava Game" by Joe), build sand castles, bury each other, play Soul Surfer (Hannah and Kate), sand volleyball...

Here are the pics in no particular order (mainly because it would take me forever to put them in order)...

Jake, Abby, Hannah and Annie at Laguna Beach

Annie and Keelie - they had been in a "fight". They fought over a shovel (there were like 6 to choose from) and wouldn't talk to each other for a good hour. They kept scowling at one another. Thankfully, they "made up" and are friends again so I could get this adorable picture.

The 3 little girls - Kate, Annie and Keelie

Kate and Hannah, or should I say, Alana and Bethany. These two played "Soul Surfer" the whole time, trading off who had their arm bit off by the shark.

Jack and Jake jumping off the boardwalk. They have amazing hops!

Hadlie - the celebrity to my girls. Poor girl didn't get much time alone.

Abby and Jay - they hit it off and were inseparable. I call them the Skin and Bones Duo. They did EVERYTHING together.

Hannah trying to surf. Really, just standing on the boogie board waiting for the waves to float her out to the ocean a few feet.

Hannah boogie boarding

Jack and Jake digging holes. No surprise that these two were always together.

Abby - I caught her smiling. She was insistent that I not get any pictures of her. But isn't this one so cute?!

The 3 little girls again - Keelie, Kate and Annie digging in their hole.

Annie in the sand. That's where she spent most of her time, not in the water much.

The cousins - Jake, Jack, Hannah, Jay, Abby, Annie, Kate, Keelie, Hadlie

The girls - Keelie, Abby, Kate, Annie, Hadlie, Hannah

Happy Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my wonderful, sassy, smart, shy, beloved, four-year-old, Annie. I love you so much and have had such a great time with you one-on one-this year. I hope this year you continue to grow, learn, have fun, and smile.

Here are some pictures from her birthday.

She was so excited to get this hat. She found it in a shop in downtown Prescott yesterday and it was love at first sight. I just had to sneak and get it for her.

Wearing ALL her birthday clothes.

My first, and quite possibly, only attempt at a fun birthday cake. I had no idea how much time they took, but it turned out kinda cute.

Blowing out her candle.

My four marvelous kids. Oh, how I love each of you!

Emotional

Today started out the usual way - wake up, pray for patience, get the kids up, the morning battle over dressing, anticipation of the ultrasound... You get the picture. Then for whatever reason I had time and randomly decided to check my email, that never happens. There was an email from PANRE - Physician Assistant National Recertification Exam. Jeremy had taken his test the day we moved, Aug 6. He felt really good about it only to find out 5 days later he bombed it. We were devastated, knowing he would have to try again and had only one more try to pass or his certification would lapse. Well back to the email - I opened it and started reading. It turns out, they graded the exam wrong and had a massive amount of failures. They looked closer to find out it was graded wrong and Jeremy actually passed with flying colors! I screamed for Jeremy who was getting out of the shower. He thought someone broke a leg or something. "You passed your PANRE!" " No I didn't, I failed:(" "Yes you did, they screwed up, you passed!!!!!!!" Talk about relief. Our home was absolutely jubilant. Jumping, cheering, Karrie nearly crying, hugging. Joy, Joy, Joy!

We rode those emotions all day until the big ultrasound. I've gotta say, I was a little nervous to find out. All the kids had been praying for a boy, and I've spent the past few weeks preparing them for the idea of another little sister. I was a little shocked to hear it was a girl. Jeremy and I were happy, the girls were happy, but one little boy in the Platt home was not. Jake was crushed, heartbroken, completely saddened. He cried, he got mad, he withdrew. He sat in the car not talking to anyone for about an hour. But I hopefully he'll be as resilient as he's been each of the other times he heard he was getting another sister. Thankfully, Jeremy came to the rescue and took him to get new shin guards (badly needed), then whisked him off to soccer practice and to watch Yavapai play soccer. I guess that's the answer, distract him until little Claire (we think will be her name) is all grown up.

Yay Jeremy, Yay for Claire, Yay Karrie who gets to clean out half the baby clothes in our garage.

Before and After

Before...

After...

Annie got a hold of some scissors, obviously. She initially did the job on one side back in August at Dyan's house. We were able to get away with it because it looked like she was just pulling her bangs over to one side. Then, according to Annie, on Monday Hannah asked her why she just didn't cut both sides so they'd be the same. It's all about the symmetry. So Annie got the scissors and cut the other side. It wasn't horrible, but enough that it looked funny and definitely needed fixed. We went to someone in our ward, Heather, and she did a great job fixing Annie's 'do.

I guess it's time for the "Koe is the only one allowed to cut our hair" talk. Again.

But on a side note, Isn't she cute? I love her poses for the before pics.

R2R - tons of pictures

Here are a lot of Pictures from Jeremy's Grand Canyon hike. Thanks Kelli for sending them my way.

Hannah hiking out with Matt at the South Rim.

The Goodman Relatives: Aunt Diane, Dyan, Matt, Luke, Craig, Dad, Jodi, Kelli, Ryan, Nick, Uncle Jim and Jeremy

A view coming down from the North Rim

Our Family at the South Rim

Most of the crew after the hike -Back to Front - Dad, Katy Vermillion, Matt, Jeremy, Luke G., Nick W., Craig W., Ryan Alder, Jodi, Pam Sarbo, Richard Garner, Kelli, Cami Hunt, Chuck Melser, Steve Patience, Dyan, Ryan Brown, Kourntey Garner, Uncle Jim

The Whole Group at the North Rim 5:15 am at the start of the hike

Resting at Indian Gardens

Jeremy, Matt, Dad and Dyan at the North Rim

The senior citizen coming out of the South Rim -Victory! You're a stud, Dad!

Most of the group at the North Rim .

Jeremy feels good, was never too sore, therefore never did the true Grand Canyon Shuffle. He has exclaimed over and over again about how awesome the group was, just the neatest people ever. He only wishes there was more time to get to know them all more.

One of these times we're going to go up on Thursday to enjoy the North Rim a little bit and not hike until Saturday, someday...

Creation

Every once in a while I hear people wonder if there is a God or debate how the world was created. I know there is a God and that He created the world.

This picture of 5 of the most magnificent creations seals the deal for me:

Yesterday I took the kids up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to greet Jeremy as he came out of the Canyon after his 24 mile Rim to Rim hike. I so often hear adults say that they have lived in AZ their whole lives and have never seen the GC. I didn't want my kids to ever say that. I didn't want them missing out on one of the most remarkable sights in the world that is so close to home. The kids were amazed when they saw it. Hannah at her first view of the canyon's grandeur exclaimed, "It looks like someone painted that picture in front of us." She couldn't believe it was real. On our way home I asked the kids if they had fun (knowing the answer). They overwhelmingly proclaimed yes, then thanked me over and over again for taking them. Jake: " That was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

We enjoyed the afternoon greeting all the hikers in our group coming out of the Bright Angel Trail. We cheered for each one joyously. As the group got bigger the cheers were louder and louder for the last few hikers in the group. As someone who has done it before, I can honestly say it is one of the most amazing feelings of accomplishment when you make it to the top.

The North Rim view (so beautiful and peaceful)

Jeremy was in great shape for the hike. He had trained hard for it. It helped that we recently moved near mountain trails and across the street from the high school bleachers. He did a lot of hills and jogging along with P90X to train. After he got out, he said he could have easily pushed it harder, but being his first time going back in 12 years, he wanted to enjoy it. He still had a spring in his step as he came out the top. He even went back down with Jake a ways to check on Dyan and my dad. Jake carried my dad's pack out the last little way as a birthday present.

Jeremy took a little detour to Ribbon Falls. It is a bit off the path and so worth it. He swam around it in, soaked his feet and enjoyed the gorgeous falls. He said he felt like a new man after that and was ready to trek on.

Jeremy, Matt, Dad and Dyan on the North Rim. They waited until it was too dark to take the North Rim picture, so you can't see the Canyon in the background, but don't the hikers look great? My dad celebrated his 65th Birthday in the Canyon hiking. I'm much impressed. He even beat his time from last year by a whole hour!

Our family after Jeremy got out. Way to go Daddy. The kids were so impressed with how far their daddy went.

By the way, Jeremy already has the itch to go back, but to push himself to see how fast he can do it.

Forever

Tuesday I was blessed to escort Cheramie Rahaim Hawkins through the temple. We were roommates in New Orleans and have stayed good friends over the years. She was baptized about 3 weeks after I left N.O. by Cory Hawkins who was in my singles ward. They dated for a time and then went their separate ways.

Fast forward about 10 years and they reconnected. They were married in Vegas two years ago and had an adorable little boy Kai a year ago.

Cheramie chose to go through the Mesa Temple on Tuesday to be endowed and then sealed to her husband and son for time and all eternity.

It was a beautiful experience and one I will never forget. I was a bit nervous to be her escort and to help her through the whole process, but lucky for me Cheramie is so mature and was so prepared for the temple. I loved hearing the counsel the temple matron gave her as I listened in so intently thinking certainly I was learning more than Cheramie.

The sealing was beautiful. I have never seen a child be sealed to his parents before and it was priceless!

I am so happy for her and her friendship over the years.

Thank you, Cheramie, for letting me be a part of a beautiful evening.

Cory, Kai and Cheramie

Me and Cheramie

Cory's family - they were all there to support Cory and Cheramie, as well as my parents and Dyan (who are not pictured)