Aunt Kate came to visit!

Kate opted for an airline ticket to AZ for her 50th Birthday! It had been four years since she's been out here and had seen her mom. So, a whirlwind weekend, brought Kate in for a fun visit!

Not only did Kelly and Tom bring her over for dinner on Friday night, but Kelly also brought her back down on Saturday for Hayden's soccer game! We all enjoyed seeing Kate, but I think the kids had a blast with her!

Gilbert U7...Lightening!

Hayden is on her very first soccer team this Fall, and she is loving it! The Lightening practice twice a week with games every Saturday. She's learning the basic fundamentals of soccer and making some friends while she's at it! Each week brings a different experience for her, and for us!

The first week Hayden played her little heart out, it was fun to watch! The second and third week we found her intimidated, overwhelmed, spaced out and a bit lost. Even her coaches asked us at practice if she was still having fun and if everything was okay. They figured she was, but said she seemed so lost. And then I had to miss week 4, but Conal said she did great! She's having so much fun, and I love that!

Her coaches are very great and have a ton of patience. More than I ever could. We let them know that she's a visual child. They are so supportive of her, and all the kids!

Before the season started, Hayden mentioned that she wanted number 7. When jerseys arrived, they just randomly handed them out and Hayden ended up with number 7. Lucky!

They walk for Hayden!

Aunt Meghan and Aunt Kate walked in the Jones Beach, NY Autism Speaks 'Walk Now for Autism' yesterday. Meghan had cute shirts made up for the two of them and also raised over $700! What an awesome way to show their love and support for Hayden from clear across the country! THANKS you two, it really means a lot to us!

"God gives you what you can handle".

And really...did God really make that up, or did that prophecy come from somebody who had absolutely no idea how to respond to something that he/she cannot relate to and is just relieved it's not her?

Deep thoughts! haha

"God gives you what you can handle". Really? And how is that determined? I want to know what 'scale' He determines, Rebecca Marquette...you can handle a daughter with special needs, a daughter born with medical discernment, developmental delays and mysterious illnesses over the course of her small life. Rebecca, you are strong enough to watch one childs hair fall out, and another stimulate herself by grinding her knuckles into gravel, or scraping her fingernails against cement because "it feels good".
You, Rebecca, can handle witness a beautiful six year old reach out for her thoughts as they slip through her fingers like fine grain sand, whilst she continues to flap her arms, twitch her eyes and slap her cheeks in the middle of a restaurant because she's aggravated and does not know how to express it. And when your baby wakes up in the morning praising that she "did not puke last night Mommy so her tummy isn't going to hurt today...is it? Say NO Mommy, say NO", you can handle that too.
I'm curious to what the scale is....how He determines how much I can handle....when does it stop?
When does God, fate, kharma, payback, stop. When does it stop? And really, as my thoughts are processed into words, I wonder...how does he determine how much a child can handle?

Please Lord, let us live and not wonder. Let us love and not question. Let us rest and not worry. And while you're giving me what I can handle, throw a little strength my way too.

Happy 36, my Love

I cannot sit here and type how much Conal means to me. Words don't do it justice, and it will just take me forever to wade through the tears. I say this always, but it's forever true. I am a lucky, lucky girl!

We had a great time celebrating this year! We went to Buca di Beppo for dinner. Our waitress was great and was totally onto the fact that we were celebrating something. So out she came with dessert and a big candle. The girls got such a kick out of them singing to Daddy!

This year I surprised Conal with tickets to BB King. He's not coming until November, but he is somebody Conal has wanted to see for a very long time!

We enjoyed some birthday cake and Hayden and Tay gave him his own copy of Fast Times. And of course, a birthday celebration is never complete without my mom's invitation for a homecooked dinner of 'favorites'!

Happy Birthday, my Love!

Meeting Miss Paisley

On the Tuesday after we got back from our trip, we went out to Pam's for a quick visit with Paisley. Conal and the girls hadn't met her yet, as she was feeding when he went to the hospital on the day she was born. It was a quick visit, about 20 minutes, because she needed to eat again. BUT, it was well worth the drive. Look at this little cutie girl at one week old!!!Proud and Protective Big Brothers!
Taylor was there, she was just too busy to slow down and do anything more than pat Paisley on the head or give her little kisses, then off she went!

More Southern CA Pics!

Knott's Berry Farm

While we were in SoCal, Conal suggested some play time at an amusement park. And even though it was really hard to drive past Disneyland on the I-5, we had a great time at Knott's Berry Farm!

There's something there for everyone! From an old western town with some fun rides...like the Log Jam that we all enjoyed, great food and cute little shops, to extreme thrill rides for me and Camp Snoopy for the kids. ALTHOUGH, I can't go without saying that I think Tay is going to be my roller coaster buddy! Good grief does that girl love speed, heights and unforeseen drops! She 'bout made me hurl on the Spinning Sombreros (think Teacups)! Hayden went on the big swings all by herself and loved every minute of it!

We had a fantastic day! The price there is definately great and there were no lines! Even on Sunday of Labor Day weekend. I'd say it's a well kept secret, that amusement park!

San Clemente, Labor Day Weekend

On Labor Day weekend, we got the heck out of dodge! Other than a couple of camping trips (which I don't consider vacation!), we haven't been away as a family in almost three years. I found a great deal on a hotel in San Clemente and off we went. Quite honestly, I have not seen my girls so happy and smile so much in a very, very long time. It was a much needed, well deserved and totally awesome getaway!

Taylor and I spent endless hours making drip castles while Hayden taught herself how to boogie board! Conal enjoyed quite some time riding the waves, and on this trip, I even got in on the fun!

We relaxed one evening at the Dana Point Harbor. The seafood was awesome, and the weather was perfect! We let the girls stay up as late as they possibly could, and found ourselves wandering down the pier at 9:00 at night on Saturday. It was tough to have to leave to come home, we milked it for all we could. Eating breakfast over the water on Monday morning and playing on the beach until noon. We even stopped one last time (our second trip in less than 24 hours) for fish tacos at Wahoos.

With all of the chaos of back to school, Taylor's strange mysterious illnesses bringing numerous nights of no sleep, me getting ready to start back to work and soccer on the horizon...it was an absolutely perfect trip for us to spend time together and enjoy one another!

Walk Now for Autism

Six years ago, Conal and I didn't really know what Autism was. It was in the media, a bit...but we never really tuned in to it, because it didn't pertain to us. Wow! Could that have been the furthest thing from the truth.
Our daughter Hayden is the pride and joy of our life! She's a wonderful girl with such talent, an amazing personality and is so lovable. She has Autism. But let me tell you what, Autism does NOT have her!

This year, we are participating in our first Autism Speaks Walk Now For Autism. Please, take a few minutes to visit our link and make a donation! If you are interested in joining us in the walk, you can also create your own profile and start raising money, too! If you would like to walk with us at Tempe Beach Park on Sunday, November 1st, please click on the link on the top of my donation page..."My Team Page".
Thank you so much for your time, compassion and donation. Not only does it honor Hayden, it honors the hundreds of thousands of other children just like her!

http://www.walknowforautism.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=303230&lis=1&kntae303230=213C48125FF94E5BA83771D9E36E6615&supId=261533525

Conal, Becca and Hayden Marquette

Happy (belated) Birthday, Cash

I refrained from calling him Cashy in my title...however, I can't not call him that for some reason. I'm sure one day he'll hate me for it! But see then we will have come full circle. Okay, hate's a little harsh...but the truth is, it has taken this little guy almost 3 years to like me!Uncle Conal, ahem...excuse me...Aunt Conal, on the other hand, Cash has liked since day 1! Stinker!

Cash has a smile that can brighten the drabbest of days. He has this voice that melts my heart. He's a prankster (Aunt Conal and Uncle Auntie), a tough guy...and still a gentle little boy at heart. His laugh cracks me up...and he really loves to ask questions, listen and learn. I value any bit of time I get with him, even though it's usually short and not often. This is one amazing little 3 year old...not to mention super cute!

I feel so lucky that Cash is our nephew...he's just so special to us.

Happy 3rd Birthday Cashy, we love you VERY MUCH!!

Saturday Night Sleepover

Smack-dab in the middle of Tay's most recent 2 week Mystery Illness....she had two days of remotely decent health. SO, Pam and I decided to pass the time (she was on eternal clock-watch waiting for her induction with Paisley) by having some fun with the chitlin's!

We started off with a picnic lunch and a swim at our favorite watering hole, Mesquite Groves! The kids had a great time going down the slides, jumping off the diving boards and lounging in the lazy river. As usual, it got crowded around 2:00pm and we were outta there!

We headed our seperate ways just to end up chatting on the phone from home. Realizing that Bub was working his 24 hour shift that night and my mom went for a girls weekend at a resort in Scottsdale, I offered to come out and keep her company...and keep watch, just in case she went into labor. She had the great idea of turning my stay into a slumber party. I knew Conal was just going to be heartbroken about a quiet night with no kids and no wife! haha! So I packed the girls up, picked up one of our favorite salads from Rumbi's, rented a couple of chick flicks and headed out to the QC. I must admit, we had such a blast!

We took Cash's birthday present out with us, since his party was cancelled and we hadn't seen him in awhile. Hullaballoo was a huge hit with all the kids. Pam finished their night off with the story Walter the Farting Dog. HILARIOUS! My girls (and myself) thought it was so funny! Especially since they're not allowed to use the "F" word...they thought it was a riot that Auntie was reading a book with bad words!

Pam and I enjoyed some much needed quiet time and some lovely conversation. It was nice to hang out with my sister with no distractions. Other than Taylor getting up every 10 mins. for an hour and a half because she had a late nap!

The next morning Bub picked up Conal on his way home from the station and we had a nice big pancake breakfast...and were in our pj's till 11:00! It was such a relaxing, fun break to check into Casa Cox for an overnight staycation!

Paisley May

Practically perfect in EVERY way!!!

Born: September 1, 2009 at 12:12pm

Weighs: 7.15 lbs

Height: 20 inches

Congratulations Pam, Bub, Cooper and Cash!!!