Look closely…what do you see?

A boy. A far, FAR, FAR cry from a baby. Unfortunately, baby is what I see when I look at him. I didn’t realize what psychological  handicaps I would impose on him by continuing to treat him as one.

I should clarify what I mean by “treating” him like a baby really means to me. Realize that this is quite embarrassing for me to openly admit. But through this process, I think it will help in letting go.

Anthony has always been a little smaller than Andre and Aliya. I don’t doubt that he will pass me up just like the others, but it might take him a little longer. He has always been a cuddly kid. I could grab him and snuggle him at any time during any day and he would never fight me off.  Just last night I cradled him in my arms and kissed his cheeks. Only when I am a distraction, does he push me away after 15-20 kisses. If my swaddling interferes with his view of the xbox game or draws his eyes away from the new episode of Sponge Bob Squarepants. And still to this day, I will pick him up, he will wrap his arms around my neck and his legs around my waist and squeeze as tight as he can. I love it! The visual…it’s weird. He’s almost 10 years old. In June!

Anthony started 4th grade and I still parked the car, walked him to his classroom, reminded him to take his homework out and put it in the box, hang up his backpack and put his lunch in the bin.

…And then I would wonder, “Why can’t he remember to do anything?” Because I never let him learn to remember things on his own.

So half way through the year, we decided he would walk to class by himself. GASP. How would I know if he made it to class? What if he got distracted and got locked outside the gates? What if he forgot to turn in his homework? What if someone is mean to him? Just some strange thoughts that would run through my mind as I’d watch him jump out of the truck and walk off all by himself. SNIFFLE.

He has been just fine! There have been several times when he has forgotten homework. Several times when he is able to tell me half of the assignment and can’t remember the rest. It’s all part growing up…He’s just a little behind. These are responsibilities he should have picked up in Kindergarten =), Right?

As for the snuggling and swaddling - one day he’s gonna push me away and think it’s disgusting. When that day comes, I’ll probably cry. It’s all part of letting go.

So this year for the our spring break we decided to go to this amazing RV park that we went to last year for their spring break! Its called Campland on the Bay and its in San Diego.  And we are just having a blast!

We have a tradition that when ever we come to stay in San Diego we always go to a place called ” Dave and Busters”. It is like a big arcade place with tons and tons of game. You get a card and get a certain amount of points on it and go play games till all your points are gone. Most of the games you will get tickets on, and then you go add up all your tickets and go to the “shop” where you can get stuff. But most of the stuff there, you have to have a lot of tickets to buy. So most the time i don’t get anything that big or stuff like that but oh well it is fun enough! I like the car driving games even though you don’t get any tickets for it. Its still fun! and even my parents have so much fun.

On Wednesday we went on a really long bike ride to the Pacific Ocean! It was about a 5 mile round trip. Long my legs were killing me. Anyways, at the beach we played in the water i didn’t care that it was cold because i was having to much fun! My mom even had fun in the cold water. In the water we were letting the waves go over us. I think that we were pretty far into the water and i just let the waves take me away. The waves were pretty big and they took me a little under water. It was probably SO funny to watch me fall every 5 seconds….(:

On Thursday, we went to the ship place where you could go on the ships and look around! It was awesome! We only went on one ship though but it was the biggest ship of them all. It probably took about 2 hours to go through the whole thing. There were like 20 airplanes on it and rooms and lots of kitchens. It was just so much fun.

We are leaving tomorrow ( Friday) ): we are going to be headed to Las Vegas, For my aunts baby shower it’ll be a lot of fun! I cant wait we will be there till Sunday. Then home sweet home…! (:

Ok so even though i am excited to be home again, this trip has been the life!We have been up late eaten only junk food hang out at the beach slept in late and swam! It has been so much fun that I am sad that we are leaving, but excited at the same time! (:

- aLiYa DeWsNuP (:

Ah, Saturday mornings are so nice…I usually am awaken by Anthony tapping the top of my head with his pointer finger. I don’t know what that is, kind of annoying when I really think about it. I slowly opened my eyes and I was struck with the reality that it was not Saturday. Friday…the sun is up…I’m still out cold…what time is it?…School…late for school…AHHHHHHHHH!

So began the morning after the midnight showing of New Moon.

Thursday, November19, 2009. Excitement had been building for several days. Aliya and I bought tickets in advance for the movie and anticipated the seconds before we left the house to begin the festivities.

Then plan - 8PM Dinner at Pei Wei with friends, then head to the theater to wait in line

The unplanned - Kiowa Gordon (Embry) was scheduled to sign autographs from 7:30-9. That could be kinda cool. I wasn’t sure what part Embry was, but one of the actors from the movie would be at our little movie theater in Surprise…it sounded pretty fun.

We left the house around 7, our friend Jill picked us up…she is a friend of a friend of Kiowa…Jill is my friend, so Kiowa and I are practically family! There were so many people there, a bit crazy. We leisurely made our way around watching people and laughing at them for making such a big deal about just a regular kid. Not a big deal, but still fun to watch. We stopped in front of the theatre not completely sure where the wolf-kid would come from and waited.

Soon a stretch SUV pulled up and stopped nearly right in front of where we were standing. The door to the far rear opened, but we were too far away to see who got out. The crowd went crazy!!! Screaming and jumping. (Poor Jill had on flip flops…I wonder if she has toe nails today.)

This wolf-kid was greeted as if Brad Pitt just stepped out. Hilarious!

So we are craning our necks and stepping on Jill’s feet to get a better look, when we notice that he is walking toward the front of the SUV…towards ME!

The teeny bopper that had been buried since I loved Michael Jackson in the 6th grade came roaring out and alive as ever! I shoved my way through a few layers of people and stuck my arm at least 2 feet past anyone elses.

Then it happened. He shook my hand. He wondered who the hand belonged to so he searched the crowd and finally found me. A short, middle aged mother. HA!! I screamed when we made eye contact. HA HA!! Talk about hilarious!! I don’t know what came over me.

Kiowa made his way up the red carpet followed by a swarm of screaming girls and mothers. He was signing book covers and giving hugs and posing in pictures. He seemed the sweetest humble kid. So I shoved Aliya into the crowd with my book cover and marker.  Yes, she did get pushed around a bit and one lady gave her a dirty look and told her to stop pushing. I kept pushing. I’m not saying I’m proud of that…but it did get me a signature ; )

After that, I felt that the evening could be over and I could go home and sleep soundly. Then I realized that there were still 4 1/2 hours till the movie.

We got in line for another autograph and hopefully a picture with Kiowa. The line moved as fast as a turtle swims through tar. By 10:15 we were in the best seats in the theater (thanks to Jill), we had our autographed picture of Kiowa Gordon, we had food and popcorn. All set! Only an hour and 45 minutes to go…………………

The movie was better than I had ever hoped for. The effects with the “wolfing out” were amazing. I paid special, special attention when my distant relative, Kiowa entered the screen.

We got home around 3am. I made Andre’s lunch and left it in the fridge for him and planned not to get back up till6:30.

And you know the rest of the story.

But if I could just leave my thoughts for those who have seen the movie…Edward paled in comparison to Jacob on sooooo many levels. Who could argue that statement? For someone who is suppose to be virtually indestructible,  Edward sure did look breakable as he was about to step into the sunlight after he dropped his shirt. I hope he beefs up a bit before Eclipse =)

Aliya and I are sitting here looking at all of our friend’s blogs reading and catching up on everyone all over the world! Then we noticed our pathetic attempt=( Not so good. It’s been since last November. So we decided we better do somehthing! So Aliya suggested a “Random Blog”. I don’t think we will try to catch up on anything, just maybe a blog sharing proof that we are indeed still alive. Just busy. (I know, weak excuse.)

So, Aliya. What’s new with you?

i got an iPod touch!!

Cool! When did you get it?

Yesterday after we sold my nano to some creepy dude!

Don’t forget STINKY creepy dude! What do you have on your iPod?

Not very much yet, but i have about 8 movies, 113 songs, and 48 pictures!

LUCKY!! You have the coolest!

My intentions of being a good blogger are great. I have such a great time reading all the others.

Andre is at Scout Camp and then Trek is next week for him. Aliya and I have Girl’s Camp July 6th-9th. And then we’ve got our annual family trip up through Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Whyoming. We are super excited! By the time we get back, we will be starting school again. WOW.

Do you realize that Andre will start High School next year? High School. Crazy!

Yesterday, Kevin went up to join the boys for the last night of Scout Camp. Aliya, Anthony and I had a movie marathon. We started off with Australia <3, Edward Scissor Hands, Mall Cop, 13 Going on 30. Then Just Like Heaven. And finally, Anthony’s pickNapoleon Dynamite. Funny how that and Nacho Libre never get old =)

Thursday we went to UP. So loved it!

I think this is completely fitting to the title. How much more random could I get.

I just knew I took some pictures! I found them!!

Anthony’s birthday was June 17th. My kids are known to be forgetful if it benefits them. It is OUR agreement that they get BIG birthday parties on those important mile-stone years - 8, 12, 16 and 18. The agreement was “Those four, or none at all.” It was agreed. I took these pictures because, for one, Anthony is very good at convincing me that he misses out on everything that Andre’ and Aliya get. I don’t know if he’s really good at playing me or if maybe he does suffer from selective amnesia. He’s very convincing.  So, here is the proof! And of course the other reason - to document this awesome birthday party!

We passed out several invites and our turn out was amazing! Course, we had this 18′ water slide reserved and we boasted endlessly about it!

Our great friends came and played. It was a blast!

This happened earlier in the year but I just received these pictures. We went with Justin Warick and his son JR, and Brad Brown and his two boys Derek and Garrett. We all had a lot of fun and they actually caught some fish too.

Wahoo!

Monday morning we found out that Andre made the basketball team at Paradise. He knew it would be posted before school, but as luck would have it, we left the house late and we all dispersed the car frantic to get to our destinations.

“Text me as soon as you find out.” I hollored as he ran off.

I had just dropped Anthony off at his classroom when I received his text. “I made it.” Those 3 little words made me giddy as a school girl!

I wasn’t sure if I’d see him on his way to his T.A. class, but I did. I wish I could’ve taken a picture of what he looked like. He was so happy!

The whole week previous was the tryouts. The coach worked them hard for two hours every day after school. Andre made sure he put forth his fullest potential and then some.

It paid off!

The games start November 12th. We can hardly wait to attend his first game!

He doesn’t have his uniform yet, but ASAP I will get a picture up of him dressed in it. His coach asked the kids to get knee-high black socks and black shoes. They are gonna look awesome!!

GO EAGLES! Whoop-whoop!!

These guys are getting pretty good. You gotta love the personalities too!

See if you can spot Kevin! He’s the stud in black shorts and red t-shirt. He blends in with the boys!!

I can’t believe she’s 12! Goodbye Primary - Hello Young Women’s! She was so ready. When they passed out Primary Program speaking parts, Aliya politely informed them that she would be 12 before the program (4 days before!) So she talked her way out of it. She told me last year that she was so happy she didn’t have to do it anymore. So Anthony was the lone Dewsnup primary child in the program.

Aliya’s birthday extravaganza began on September 10th. It was Wednesday. She could’ve gone to YW’s but decided to go to dinner and the mall instead to celebrate. We had dinner at the 5 and Diner off of 27th ave and the 101 with a creepy life-sized poster of Elvis Presley watching our every move. The staff sang to her and I swear I saw his hips move! “Yeah, we gonna win this race.”

At the mall, she had her heart set on finding a hair brush at Clair’s. She was successful and she got a darling purse and chapstick too! On the way out, Kev started announcing to any and all life in the mall that it was her birthday. Quite loudly. Hoping to embarass her (as if the staff at the 5 and Diner (and Elvis) didn’t do the job). Surprisingly, her face stayed a normal shade and she giggled - I guess she assumed no one cared or was listening. It was pretty late, for a week day. Not many people were around. She thought she was safe. Thought. We walked passed a store and I yelled in, “Hey, today’s Aliya’s Birthday!” There was a kid at the counter chatting. He looked up and said, “Hey, Happy Birthday!”

Now her face was changing shades! Aliya started laughing. We continued walking toward the exit. Soon we hear the kid again…in perfect tone…”Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you.” We joined in and finished the song with the kid who had started it. She laughed all the way to the car! Especially when I spilled my ice cream sundae down the front of my shirt!

As if that wasn’t enough!

Friday night Aliya had a slumber party. Maddie, Kayla and Kailen came to celebrate.

The night started off with pizza and presents! Followed by a scavenger hunt that led them to their final gift - a picture frame which they decorated with paint and jewels. They turned out darling!

And finally the main event of the night was a little something I like to call Midnight Mischief. Dressed in black with black streaks under their eyes ( I think they confused this event with football ) we went to show a member of our ward how much we love them. Toilet paper was my suggestion, but the sweet girls thought that wasn’t very nice so we made bows, posters and paper hearts. Aren’t these girls adorable? We left the house around midnight and walked to the Bailey’s. (Oh, yeah - they knew it was us! - Someone slipped and spilled our plans.) We covered their palm trees with bows, their garage door with posters and paper hearts, their front door with a banner and their cute little bear at their front door - we left him with a hat of chocolate chip cookies.

We saw a weird guy out walking his dog on our way back home. Who walks their dog at Midnight? Yikes! Good thing I am a black belt in…let’s run really fast!! There were five of us and actually, I think he was a little afraid!

After that, I don’t really know what happened. The girls set up a game of LIFE and I went to bed. What a great party! What a fun bunch of girls!!

At church on Sunday, Bro Bailey met us at the door, said thanks for the cookies and rewarded Aliya with the opportunity to speak in church next Sunday!

Over the last couple of weeks, the word “Cancer” has seemed to appear in strange places and times. The woman at the nail salon and then on Friday, September 5th all the local T.V. stations banded together along with several celebrities and showed the world it was time to take a stand against Cancer and find a cure - NOW. The program was amazing. Hopefully you were able to watch it! To find out a little more about it or to donate to the cause click here. Another good link is here, for a little more info on the show if you missed it.

The statistics are staggering and I learned so much. It was exciting to hear that a cure is definitley in reach but what is holding up the process? Money. Make sure you watch the youtube video of where the money goes. It explains it simply. (You can click here.)

I know this is a strange Blog topic but I have been thinking about it so much lately and I guess I would like to help spread the word. We live in an exciting time and Scientists are discovering and solving life’s mysteries all the time. Can you imagine a day when our children might receive a Cancer vaccination at birth? Or a treatment that kills Cancer but won’t leave you hairless, weak and with life long side effects? No more “life expectancy” predictions at the prognoses of Cancer. Just a treatment. And one day Cancer could be an illness we have bested and a nightmare of the past like Polio, Hepatitis or Measles.

It’s just a matter of time - and money. I know that soon, Cancer will too, be a thing of the past and will no longer be capable of driving fear into our hearts at the sound of it.