U4ia: Sunday, August 05

So Miranda came home from her mission a couple weeks early to have some surgery, but I have this great excuse to still write our family history down, since her novio is still on his mission in Paris, France for the next year. So until May 9, 2019, I'll still write a missionary letter for our blog posts. =)

Ok. There's this comic on Dry Bar Comedy who makes fun of his family because they couldn't use any slang in their house, including names for your hind end... sounds familiar to my kids... but his dad went even further and corrected him when he used the word "bum" to describe sliding down the sledding hill. When he asked what word he should use, his dad suggested Bim. I'm sliding down the hill on my bim. So now, bim is inserted in our family, for every word we want to edit. All during some movies, the kids are editing as the movie goes, shouting out Bim! when the movie swears. SO. Some of the kids, who shall Carlie remain nameless, used to say, when things went really wrong: well, it sucks to suck. Now, notoriously and insistently, it's: "Bims to bim." Now you know. And now you will abide by the standards.

So Monday, the 3 oldest kids went paddleboarding with our new paddleboard.

And this beautiful phone case hit Amazon... can you please take note of the CASTLE they're going to be living in? I wonder if this is a knock-off brand...

Tuesday, Carlie took the kids to the Fun Center again. They have really liked having those passes this summer!

Meanwhile, Miranda & I checked into Miranda's Fun Center. We had so much fun.

We did have one of those miracle moments there. Since the home health nurse hadn't turned in her labs correctly, Miranda had to go get more labs drawn in the clinic first, and we happened to run into a long-lost friend Izabela from medical school days, who loves our family SO MUCH. Her daughter Clara & Miranda used to play together all the time in the Village - the on-campus housing at the U of U. She happened to be about to eat lunch with Clara, so while Miranda got her labs, she picked up Clara, and we had exactly 45 min for lab results, so we ate at the little cute cafe in the lobby. Izabela & I told Miranda & Clara miraculous stories from when we lived by each other, of when part of the Valero family was stuck in Sweden and couldn't join them; of fasting for them, across religions, and sweet tiny Miranda had joined in the fasting, happening to make the number of people fasting 7, which to them was a very significant religious number, so they felt like God was watching over them and miracles would happen. And they did. Our bishop happened to have connections to Senator Hatch, who arranged for their release, and their dad and 1 year old sister could join them again, after months of being held over there. Miranda was able to share some things about her mission, and it was the typical "Miranda's life is touching so many people in ways that couldn't happen any other way." It was amazing.

Also, Miranda's first mission president stopped by to reconnect with her. =)

Then, Miranda literally slept for - we calculated - about 41 out of the next 46 hours. Wednesday, when we were ready to leave, the nurses paused to do some more discharge work, and Miranda was still out from the day before. It struck me that even though she is a full grown woman, this is my baby. I have the same snuggly, loving feelings for her, but even deeper, as when she was a tiny baby, little girl, young lady, and teenager. I just want to hold her and make everything better.

When we got home, Jeff & the kids had decorated again. Please note the gold ribbons hanging from the ends of the balloons. I was so proud of how adorable they made it.

Everyone was also wearing their new tattoos with words of wisdom on them. =)

The twins had spent all their hard-earned and long-saved money, so buy ipods online. Now they can text us with emojis... it's so great.

Thursday, Miranda was STILL ASLEEP. Her loyal dog was right by her side. If she can reach her, she's on top of her; if not, she's as close as she can get.

Thursday also started my Levie family reunion. It's just my parents and siblings, and it's 60 people, but it's fun to try to get together for 2-3 days. So it started with Lagoon day for all the older kids who wanted to go. No adults; just the kids, ages 17 down to about 10. Here are the illustrious pictures I got.

I could not cut this photo-bomber out. I'm so proud of him. Don't know him.

Yep. That's it for the Lagoon pictures. Except that while they were traveling home that night, I was tracking them on Find my Phone while Jeff was at work, and I realized: I'm Mrs. Weasley.

I need this made into a clock.

For the kids who didn't get to go to Lagoon, we had 2 cousin camps. The little girls were at my sister Kimmy's, and the little boys were at Grandma's. They did activities like shooting bows & arrows, treasure hunt, watching a movie, and spending the night.

Friday started with Lake time up at Deer Creek, Rainbow Reservoir. It's hard to see, but they took turns getting pulled on the tube with the boat, paddleboarding, canoeing,

And playing on the shore.

On the way home, the teenagers stopped and went bowling together.

Not kidding about the sleeping, and I had to show where Chloe perches herself.

This beauty was still not up for joining in the festivities, so we took our group pic without her that night at the dinner at the park. And Jeff was at work.

After I left to come back home to Miranda, they shot off candy in a pressure cannon, and glow sticks that night in the huge park. Don't know if you can see it very well, but the spire of the Provo temple with Angel Moroni is offset in this picture a little to the right, so you can tell where the park is. =)

On the way home, I could hardly believe the sunrays that were shining through the incredibly smokey skies we have this week. California & Utah are on fire, which is horrible, but it's a little beautiful. I'm so glad Carlie & my niece Alivia captured it. #nofilter

Saturday morning was the adult get-together. We met up at the Browning firing range to shoot "clay pigeons," or little orange foam discs. =)

I knew it had hurt when the shotgun had kicked each time, but my 1.5 inch bruise at lunch time was only getting started. That night I sent this to Jeff while he was at work. #braggingrights #everyonewasjealous

Zeus is not monogamous. He has a harem around the neighborhood, and sometimes, he escapes, goes and rounds them up, and they go on adventures together. His best girlfriend now, is Luna. When her owners were walking her, she went crazy at our fence, so they just let her stay and play. He was in heaven.

These arrived in the mail, and Jeff put them on our cars. My first ever window sticker on my car & his Raptor.

David, we are going to share with you the best portrait we have ever taken as a family. I need you to notice Captain Ice Beard, Chloe perched on Miranda, Morgan's hair pile (accurate), the crazy cog, Derek?, H&K who are all over each other, and Connor, who didn't fit on the end, so he's flying. Please don't miss Zeus' drool, Julianna the gecko on Morgan's leg, and even Taylor on the twins. Carlie does need to spruce herself up, because she has so many cool things about her, and I do believe Miranda is black. I'm either kneeling or jumping for joy with my favorite pet: the one that takes care of himself and never needs anything from me.

So Saturday evening, we went to dinner at my mom's, and the teens played cards for a while... I LOVE that they love being together. It's amazing. It's what I had with my cousins, and we're still so close, even though we live far away.

After the prayer, I had to snap this; which is only about half the group. It includes one of Miranda's eyes. =)

When it was time to go, all the teenies joined in a giant group hug, swaying back & forth, but by the time I got a picture, they had broken up a little, and it was only the guys left. Dang it.

I took Miranda to an outdoor movie night with the wardies her age - OF WHICH SHE DID NOT GET A PICTURE - Morgan to night games at Mariah's house

- OF WHICH HE DID NOT GET A PICTURE, and Derek to his best friend's birthday party - OF WHICH, YOU GUESSED IT. All in trouble. But I did get this picture that night of Morgan facetiming with Mariah.

Today after the prayer on dinner at Carol & Winn's, I had to take this picture of all 7 of my kids together. I just can't believe it... it's such a magical summer. The little one is still bowing his head, but he's there. =)