Leona's "Back to School" Blessing 2016

"Leona Elise Roueche, (Leona repeats her name) by the power of the priesthood I put my hands on your head and I give you a blessing.  A blessing to believe in Jesus, a blessing to help your family. (Leona at this point has slumped down in the chair and is melting towards the floor and away from dad's hands.) Leona, Heavenly Father loves you and Jesus loves you and you will be able to... (Leona escapes.) In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Austin Duck Derby

I know I've mentioned how awesome our apartment's location was but seriously, it was so fantastic. There was something going on every weekend right next door to us.  This was our last weekend together in Austin so we went to the Austin Duck Derby.  Pretty much it was an excuse for Leona to wander around quacking and for the girls to do the inflatables.  Which speaking of the giant inflatable balls, Clara made Eliza go on them.  Eliza didn't want to go at all but then Clara just marched on up like she owned the joint and Eliza couldn't be left behind.  It was hilarious because Clara very matter-of-factly hopped in the ball, ran to the end and hopped back out, leaving Eliza stuck at the end trying to get out of her own ball.

Botanical Gardens or Leona Meets Cactus

These photos can be considered the BEFORE photos at the Botanical Gardens.  The AFTER photo was not taken due to emergency measures being taken instead.  We went to the Botanical Gardens to relax and run around outside, which we did.  We had decided that it was time to head home but Clara wanted to see one last thing so I had agreed to 5 more minutes.  Literally as I am saying, Ok guys time's up, Leona runs off the trail and falls into a cactus.  It was horrible.  Her adorable chubby hands and wrists were COVERED in spines.  She started to clench her little fists because they hurt and I was trying to figure out what to do.  Is this the kind of thing that you go to the hospital for? Should I somehow try to get her home and then take out the spines? Where could I even find tweezers here? Should I call Collin and have him come get the other two girls or hold Leona's hands so that we can get her home? I felt so powerless.  

Just then this kind young woman came over and asked if she could help.  She helped me herd the big girls to the visitor's center and procured tweezers while I slowly walked holding Leona's arms and saying "Open handies" on a loop. She stayed with us for over an hour while we took turns pulling spines out of Leona's hands, wrists, and forearms.  She stayed even after I told her a couple of times that I could handle it from that point.  She was an angel sent to help.  She has become a metaphor for the kind people of Austin who helped me this summer even when they didn't know me. I was so grateful for her help.  At one point while we waited for the Elmer's glue to dry on Leona's hands in an attempt to remove the hairlike spines Leona looked right at her and said, "Jesus dies." So then I explained to her that Leona had been a bit obsessed with the topic ever since Easter.  She told me that it was ok, she's Catholic, and I told her that we were members of the church.  Leona even worked a missionary moment into her fiasco.  Well done.

Random Photos

Leona's favorite hiding place.