Dedicated to our BFFs

Mark (my BFF) and Audrey (Dan's BFF)...

We come up with some AMAZING plans together... 

 

You are INCREDIBLE parents...

We go to COUNTLESS weddings together...

 

 You make ADORABLE children (for us to spoil rotten)...

 

We RAISE our kids together...

We CELEBRATE together...

 

And we TRIUMPH together...

Bye, Bye, Winkie!

Through it all, we have been TOGETHER.

Thanks for over a decade (over 2 decades for the men!) of true friendship.

Here's to many more years of memories! 

We love you so much!

Visitors, visitors, and more visitors.

We LOVE visitors!

Last Tuesday, Grandma Gail came and spent 2 nights with us. We played, ran errands, toured the church, explored our new town, visited a park with a water feature for the first time, and enjoyed our time together.  She left Thursday night.

Friday, around lunch time, my parents came in (with Kaleigh in tow). They stayed at a fancy resort, with 41 pools, and spent the whole weekend hanging out with us. We spent part of each day swimming at the resort!

On Monday, some dear girl friends came for a visit. Up until Sunday night, I thought only one friend was coming, but on Sunday night she called to see if 2 more friends could come along. Yes! As the kids all played happily, the girls talked endlessly. We definitely did not run out of things to talk about. We had such a great time and talked about places to meet that are more central--my house isn't really central to anywhere--and I hope we can do it soon. They were such a blessing to have around for a whole day. The kids played like little angels all day--also a huge blessing!

Melissa is coming for a visit (with KIDS!) in mid July, and some girls from Riverside are coming next week, potentially. I am so thankful! I am not completely lonely--there have been a few opportunities to get to know people at church, and my kids are so fun to have at home, but I do miss my friends.

Of all the visits  we had, we only managed to take one picture, but it's a keeper...

Papa Rob and his Mooses. 

Formula for sleep

Visiting friends, playing in the sprinklers, and eating ice cream cones often makes it difficult for excited little boys and girls to go to sleep.

But the answer is really quite simple.

A dear friend's face snuggled right up to yours, with your favorite blankie inbetween.

A protective arm holding you tight, soft pillows and warm blankets.

And a blue lightsaber. 

Just. In. Case :o)

Hayden, come back soon. And your mom and dad and baby brother too. We love you all so much.

Breaking Rules

I am not a rule breaker. In fact, other than driving the speed limit all the time, I am a rule follower. I am early to everything, I follow instructions (if I get around to reading them), and I have a healthy respect for authority.

But the weekend we were in Joshua Tree, we broke at least 2 rules, albeit unintentionally.

You only get one story, though, the other one will remain a mystery.

The plan was to rent a motel room to take a shower and get dressed between camping (with no running water) and heading to Juli J's wedding. Mark offered to book one room for him and Audrey and Daniel and me...we just planned to run in, clean up, and run out.

He made the reservation, and made it clear that we were just coming to shower, not to sleep. Actually, he tried to make it clear, but there was a language barrier between him and the motel owner, and after repeating himself multiple times, and getting the same unsatisfactory answer, he gave up. For $40.00, we all were going to be fine with whatever. Besides, with the four of us it's always an adventure.

Sunday came, and Rob and Carla came to our rescue. Daniel and I went to their house, and Mark and Audrey headed to the Sahara Inn. We picked up lunch for all of us, and headed over to eat with them. Our friend Rashelle was there too, just to change clothes and eat.

Shortly after our arrival to the illustrious room (read: Disgusting), Mark's phone rang. It was the Motel office. Ha! Mark got called to the office! He came back bewildered. Apparently (okay, well posted on the door), only two people can be in the room. Somehow they knew there were five of us, and they were sure we were all taking showers there. They knew what cars we drove and what we brought into the room!

We decided to finish eating and then pull out, but admittedly, we did not hurry.

Within five minutes, Mark got called to the office again. On his way out the door, Mark said, "Huh? You have to give me back my money?"

He came back, a little annoyed and a lot amused. We needed to leave, but they were going to refund his money.

Um, okay.

We made a quick exit and noticed the security cameras everywhere.

In the end, Mark got chewed out--and he did a little yelling of his own, the guy kept asking him what was going on and then interrupting as Mark answered--but he only got charged $10.00.  Pretty cheap shower and place to lay down for 30 minutes all in all.

I guess that makes me a rule breaker.

I think I kind of like that.

Another Year, Another Day

I expected my 31st birthday to feel like this...just another day in another year. I am not even saying that in a self-pity kind of way. I honestly don't care all that much anymore, and our circumstances have taken a large place in my emotions.

But, to my very pleasant surprise, I had several sweet gifts designed to make my day special.

My hubby took me out, and we used gift cards and free-bees to have a fun night together.

My mom brought me a huge gift bag with clothes, shoes, a pan and an MP3 player! Dan's mom helped me buy a floor cleaner for my tile, and took my kids to Starbucks to get me a gift card--what a treat.

Then these showed up from a florist. My sweet friend Debs sent them to me. I was floored. They are still beautiful, and her thoughtfulness made me cry.

Our friends and neighbors, the Blooms, came for a visit and brought me this candle that smells amazing. I light it every night and enjoy its warmth and sweet scent. Plus it's red. I love red.

And my dear Melissa, who was in Ontario on my birthday, took me to dinner and spoiled me ridiculously with this new wallet. Isn't it gorgeous? And it was not empty--gift cards and cash were tucked away in hidden pockets. Her attention to detail in my life humbled me, and we had so much fun together that night.

I have to mention too that my sis Joanna did the sweetest thing. I mean really, who else besides a sister would go through a Costco sized jar of Jelly Bellies and pick out the coffee ones for me? There's no picture, because, um, I ate them.

All in all I felt blessed, supported, loved and special. That's what makes a great birthday.

Before

Today my wonderful friend Cassie, and one of our sweet students from youth group, are coming over to turn this very large, white wall into a very large, green wall. I am so excited! 

In other news, the kids are thoroughly enjoying some time with Grandma. She loves having them and they love being there with her. So it works out.

My sister (in-law, but you'll remember we just don't use that term) and her husband bought their first house this week. CONGRATULATIONS guys! I went over and saw it yesterday, and man is it awesome. They have some long, hard days ahead of them of painting, putting in flooring, and cleaning, but as I have learned, when it's "yours" those long hard days are more like long, hard, rewarding, fun days. Seriously Ben and Kris, I am so excited for you and I love your house, your neighborhood, your plans for the house...all of it!

Last weekend we took a whirlwind trip to SCV. We went to Madi and Jackson's birthday party on Saturday, then went to my mom and dad's and started putting in new flooring and baseboards in their bathroom. Then I went to a shower for Ellen (future sister) and ended up hanging out with the girls until 10:00 at night. There were 4 engaged girls there and 2 of them are entering full time ministry with their new husbands this summer. It was a sweet time of talking and laughing and sharing.

Dan and the kids went home once he finished the flooring, which looks great by the way, and I spent Monday morning with my mom. Yay!  We don't often get time just the two of us. We turned in my essays, got my car washed, and went to JC Penneys, where she found Mckenna some shoes to wear in Ellen's wedding. 

Then I met Melissa for lunch and more...I don't think I will go into details on that, but let me just say this. Melissa and I are a little crazy sometimes when we are together--at least crazy for responsible, grown women who have 3 kids each. But, at the same time that we are being crazy, we have the deepest, most godly conversations in which we are honest and open and work hard to help each other grow. She is the friend who knows me so well that confirmation from her matters, and her questions are ones I take very seriously. 

 By the way, Melissa, all I have to say is I am glad it was closed because I have looked and looked for ideas and come up short. But...the day will come when I will want it to be open!

My generous and fun friends should be here soon to paint, so I am off. After pictures coming up later today.

Not Me! Monday

As always, you can check out MckMama's blog for others who are sharing what they did NOT do in the last week.

When we baby sat our buddy Hayden, we did not change his answers to animal sounds (Hayden, what does a cow say? Woof, Woof!); we did not teach him how to shoot an automatic Nerf gun; and we did not feed him Mountain Dew or Dr. Pepper. We are good surrogate aunt, uncle and cousins, and we would never do anything like letting him use Jules' doll stroller as a ram rod.

I did not have the joy of playing with my little niece Jadelyn, and for the first time in her 11 months of life get her to wave on command and finish an entire sippy cup of water (or anything!). That would be unfair since I am the auntie, not the mom who works hard at that stuff all day, so I would not revel in the joy of having that moment with her. And, for the record, she is not the cutest-little-thing you have ever seen.

My nephew Michael did not turn 2, because he cannot be that old already, and he is not the spitting image of his dad, Dan's brother.  He is not also the most athletic little 2 year old I have ever know, with killer dance moves too. And he is most certainly not the most adorable little man right now! Ahh..I do not just want to chase him and tickle him right now to hear his perfect laugh. No way!

I have not spent every waking moment that is not with my kids or hubby or ministry related things grading essays. I do not have 450 essays right now waiting for my attention. I have not stayed up until 1 or 2 am many nights to do some in peace, and I have not found a couple that were almost entirely copied (plaigiarized) from the internet. I am not tired of reading about Huck Finn...but since I love my job that let's me work from home I have not constantly reminded everyone who has pity on me how thankful I am for this job.

And, because I have not been up late, I was not up at midnight when it officially became Sunday morning--which means I did not use this opportunity to take my break from my fast from all refined sugar, a break that lasts for 24 hours on Sunday (More on Lent later). So I did not have a small bowl of chocolate ice cream at 12:01 am. Not me.

Not for Long

Not for long, Hayden, will you fall behind. Your legs are growing strong, your determination stronger, and you will catch them.

Not for long, Hayden, will you fight to keep up. Your body grows everyday and soon enough you will run with the big kids.

Nor for long, Hayden, but could you please stay little just a little longer?

Hey Guys, I was thinking, do you want to check out my park when we finish our snack?

 {Someone, please, come up with a caption good enough for this picture!}

Um, guys, I was gonna show you how to get there...

Okay, I caught you. We have to go through this gate. Follow me.

Um, guys?

Holiday Happenings, part 1

Christmas Chaos Joy officially began last week, and like the 300 essays I graded the previous three weeks, some days it kicks my tail and some days I conquer. You did not know it was necessary to conquer Christmas? Now you know. Dan thinks life is much more worth living if you can say, "I won today." 

My friend Rebecca and I are attempting pre-school with our little ones. I say "attempting" because it has been a less than consistent endeavor, largely because of me. But in the spirit of the holidays, we decided to get together and make cookies with four children ages 4.5, 3.5, 2.5, 1.5. 

Good-bye homemade, hello Betty Crocker.

It went...well...how you might imagine it would go. A lot of laughter, a few tears, a pound of flour on the floor, half a pound of flour on Juliana, sticky fingers, smiling faces, and sugar-high children. That equals success in my eyes. 

Gabe and Sam, ready to roll.

Juliana kept on rolling...even when there was no dough.

Tasting is as much fun as decorating.

There is a cookie under all those sprinkles, I promise.

So cute!

We won.

One Good Reason to Live in So. Cal

Sorry to anyone reading this who lives anywhere other than Southern California. Although I think it is absurd that we can still wear shorts and flip flops, the benefit of this Eden is going to the beach in mid-November and not freezing. In fact, it was a lovely day.

Man he looks so big. And handsome. Gabe's favorite part of the beach was exploring caves.

If you are wondering about the missing top tooth at 4 years old, just wait...that story is coming and it's a good one.

Mmmm. Sand and chips. Delicious. 

Mckenna's unauthorized climb. We both saw her when she was only 10 feet up, and suddenly she was gone.  But how do you get angry when she is so good?

Gabe and Hayden. They were so cute together. But not as cute as Hayden and Jules...just wait.

He is always looking at her like this. It's so sweet, he just adores her. All my kids adore him, so it works out.

After the beach we grabbed dessert at a nearby mall. Hayden was in a high chair at the end of a long booth. Juliana was at the end of the booth next to him. At one point they were arguing over some stickers, so we told Jules she would need to move, at which point she said, "No, I want to sit next to Hayden." Okay, so we did not move her. She also snuck him a few french fries. My biggest hope and prayer is that they will be great friends all through life.

They're Cousins...

2 of my sisters (in law, but we don't often say that part) and I try to get together once a month. Between us we have 6 kids, and only Mckenna is school-aged. When they come it is crazy, chaotic fun. We discovered a few things on Monday when they were here. 

I am Jadelyn's favorite auntie. Sorry to the other aunties, but we must face the truth. I got her to stop crying and to play, I figured out she likes plain yogurt (and she ate 3 bowls), I bought her baby food, and changed her diaper. Hey, she's only 7 months old...that's enough to win her over. Seriously people, could she be any more adorable. I Think Not.

Juliana (2.5) and Michael (21 months) are double trouble together. My coffee table ended up covered in crayon (not really an exaggeration), they snuck off together and schemed, were quite hyper together, and just have that *look* that mommies know means mischief. They had a screaming good time in the tub after I cut Michael's hair (which was also a screaming time, but not "good." Kim had to take the clippers home to finish the back when he wasn't so tired and cranky).

Gabe is the sweetest of sweeties. Oh, wait, we already knew that. He is as good of a big cousin as he is a big brother. 

This is Michael pre-haircut. He is ALL boy.  We learned that he can miss his nap and still have fun as long as a cousin or two are there to keep him entertained. Apparently he clapped with glee when he saw that they were pulling up to my house!

Umm...since Lizzie is the easiest, mellowest 2 month old on the planet, I actually did not take pictures of her. Next time!

Cheesy Rodent

This, thankfully, is not another animal post.

There is a Veggie Tales that mocks some establishments--including Starbucks--my favorite of which is a giant mouse with an electronic voice repeating over and over, "Cheesy, Cheesy, Cheesy." Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to name a kid's restaurant/play place after a rodent.

But, we did go to Chuck E Cheese the other day. This is best we could do as far as pictures go. The last one is my friend Rebecca. She and I are going to do homeschool preschool together for Gabe and her son Sam. One day we will start--I am the slacker, it's been too busy!

***Mckenna was in school, and did not get to come. We are dealing with that hard fact of life right now. Both of us, actually, as I miss her and she feels like she misses out.