Growing Too Fast

Cael is now rolling over (bottom picture) and talking up a storm with great expression (top photo). He tells sad stories to his mom and dad all the time.

Happy Mileage, Spectra!

I know I am weird. I will admit it. Paul will testify to it, and soon Cael will, too.

Regardless of the question of my sanity, I celebrate my time with my dear car, Spectra. I always have, at decade miles, or even smaller thousands of miles. She and I have a bond, as we have spent much time together, traveling on long and short journeys alike. We have been on a road trip to Tennessee, with my mom and my brother, Tyson. My mom and I traveled up the Pacific Coast, from San Francisco to Seattle, in Spectra. Paul and I took her to San Diego and Las Vegas last summer. Spectra and I have been on numerous trips to the Valley as well. Paul and she have bonded lately with him driving her to Show Low almost daily. Not only is she a very reliable car, but she is also the one I have hung onto the longest. I hope to have her around many more years, dancing around her as she hits more milestones and patting her dashboard as she successfully passes another flashier vehicle going uphill. Last Wednesday, on October 22nd, Spectra's dial turned to 100,000. Woohoo! It was quite the moment, driving back from a dinner in Springerville. I had butterflies the whole time, knowing the time was near for this special moment. When it arrived, right at the Lyman Lake turnoff, I welled up with emotion as I realized the moments that had all built up to this. I pulled over, my mom in the passenger seat as she'd been so many times, Paul behind me in the back seat with Cael, who was sound asleep for the momentous occasion. I ran around this car, this assemblage of metal, and I realized that Spectra is a piece of me. I have cried in her from a broken heart, laughed with friends, sang my favorite songs at the top of my lungs, shared precious time with my mom, drove to Holbrook to meet Paul for the first time, viewed beautiful sights from her windows, received revelations from my Heavenly Father, visited family, and I could go on and on. She holds in her a part of me. That is why I celebrate her miles - because I celebrate the life I have lived. Here's to 100,000 more, Spectra!

I washed and cleaned her, inside and out, for her special day,

as well as filling her up with premium gasoline.

Three Months on October 21st/22nd

Cael is almost as tall as his mother already:)

He is just hanging out on the bed in the morning, looking so bright-eyed.

His I'm-so-cool pose.

Good Times

Hope Davis was holding Cael at this St. Johns volleyball game.

She loves him, and we all love her.

They are both just as cute as can be.

The Best Smile

Paul said one day that when Cael smiles, his whole body smiles. It is so true. His face lights up, his eyes twinkle, and his little chubby self curls up in happiness.

It doesn't matter what is going on in the day, or the night: when he smiles at me, my heart stops and swells at the joy he brings to me. He makes everything else wrong in the world right, with just a grin.

First Trips

We have been traveling the last two weekends: first, Cael and I went to pick up my mom in Chandler (and to get my hair done:); and second, Paul, Cael, my mom, and I went to my cousin's daughter's wedding in Tucson and then to spend some time in the Valley of the Sun. These marked Cael's first long trips. He was such a good boy, sleeping most of the driving time.

At Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Lon's:

What's so special about this Valley place, Mom?

First Target Trip (first of MANY)

First nights in a hotel: Playing on the bed with Dad

Cael's First Toy

I ordered this playmat for Cael and received it about two weeks ago.

It is so fun to watch him on it. He just smiles and talks and interacts with all the hanging items.

He scoots himself, too, to kick the bars to make the star go on (it lights up and plays music).