2010

What we have learned in 2010

1. Pursue God

This year started off with us reading, Don't waste your life by John Piper. What an inspiring book to live up to. Its impossible not to waste every moments of every day, but overall, this year in the life of our family has not been wasted. There have been so many lessons along the way, but I keep coming back to the most rudimentary, Pursue GOD!. Nothing else matters.

2. Obey God

Obedience is not easy, just ask my kids. God has proven Himself faithful. Who am I to ever tell Him no.

3. Read to learn

last year's New Years Resolution was read one book a month for 2010. I read 14. The best resolution I have every made and kept. The books were challenging, enlightening, inspiring, encouraging, and educating. However, not so sure that I can pick a favorite, they were all so good in their own way.

4. Security isn't everything

Our family left every secure thing in our life, and have shed many tears over it. Fear is a powerfully defeating thing! If your faith is in anything other Christ the Rock, failure is imminent. Over and over God shows us how he Never Fails! We are overwhelmed with His goodness.

5. California food rocks

It is the FRESHEST. I am hooked.

6. Eat Organic

Omnivore's Dilemna opened my eyes to the world of Organic living. I am thankful that Organic food is so accessible and relatively afforabdle in our new town.

7. God provides

Over and Over and Over again.

8. Living in community can't be forced

I cried in all 3 church services that we attended in our home church during Christmas vacation. How I miss our home community of believers and I wish that I never took it for granted before. It's only been 6 months, but we are not connected out here yet and it hurts.

9. Life is hard

Nothing about this year has been easy. But I would not change the lessons we have learned. We are closer as a family because we are living life's struggles together, helping each other grow, and learning to love through it all.

10. My new year's resolution for 2011..........Plant a Vegetable Garden

Happy New Year

Bah Humbug

When in a clothing store by myself, my kids can be hard to handle. They get bored and want to hide in the clothes and run around. It gets stressful at times. However today, in Banana Republic, my kids were doing well. I prepped them before we went in and reminded them that we were entering a store and not a playground. So when the grinch herself walked by and told me to get my kids under control, I was so shocked and felt like decking her. The boys happened to be standing where she wanted to walk and the store was crowded. But they weren't jumping off the furniture or running around or causing ruckus, just happened to be in her way.

I said "excuse me? rather loudly and told her that was really rude." She never turned around to look at me. UGH it still fires me up, how people can be so rude!

Just had to get that off my chest.

What calmed me down, was finding my new coat in the store for over $200 off the original price and even getting cash back from my return!

We tried to get a serious family picture on Christmas Eve, but the kids had other plans, so Mike and I followed along with what they were doing. When you can't beat 'em...join 'em kind of thing!

Merry Christmas to all!

well, except, Bah humbug to the rude lady!

Elf yourself

Merry Christmas

CLick Here for our Elf video

Long Day

I picked up some PT work this week. Today was especially long 8:30 to 6:00 with only a half hour lunch.

But when I got home, aaaahhh, super big hugs from my kids.

and what brought tears to my eyes was when C told me how we forgot that he was supposed to bring something for share day at school today. It was "M" day.

So se said that when it was his turn, he stood up and said "M is for Mommy."

Oh how I wish I could have been there to jump out and surprise him.

I love how my kids love me!

Unconditional!

Respite

Monterey Bay/Carmel was our respite, our short interval of rest or relief. This is the 2nd year in a row that we have taken a mini-vacation on Thanksgiving day. I would love for this to become our holiday tradition. Forget the enormous amounts of cooking, and endless hours of football. Give me time away with my family. Time to reflect on why we are thankful.

The minute we smelled the ocean air, took in the gorgeous view and had our feet touch the white sand of Carmel, this was my response! Jumping for pure Joy.

It has been 6 months since we have lived near the ocean. Besides college, my whole life has been spent near the Ocean. I never realized my deep connection with the coast and it's renewing sense of peace and calm in my life. I guess you could say, I really like long walks on the beach.

Since the water and air were too chilly for a swim, we walked and explored, and jumped.

It was the perfect day.

I must not forget to mention breakfast that day. Katy's in Carmel served the most breakfasty breakfast. Imagine what the perfect french toast should taste like, and that's just how it was. MMM saucy goodness is their slogan. Need I say more?!

By the way, I am thankful for this beautiful man.

Later, we drove the "17 mile drive" along the coast. Absolutely Gorgeous!

I am also thankful how nature reminds us of the vastness, goodness, and beauty of our GOD.

In this season of life, may God be my eternal respite!

Good Morning

View of the Sunrise from our backyard!!!

"Is this the little boy I carried?"

Nov. 12, 2010

Owen prayed with Daddy today and asked God into his heart!!!

Overwhelming Joy!!!

I have been teaching the verse "God is my Salvation" to the boys. Because several times a day, Owen says, "i know who can save us from the skunk ( or anything else you might insert there)." Knowing the answer, we still reply "who Owen ?". and his answer is always, "GOD!"

I love seeing the fruit of Faith in my tender warriors!

Where has the time gone?

In less than two months, Owen will be 4 years old.

What a privilege to be his mom. He is so content, happy, imaginative, and loving. He is strong-willed, decisive, and a leader. He makes me melt and laugh and I can still stare at him in awe the way I did when he was born.

He reminds us every day that he is the strongest, biggest, fastest boy around. Even stronger than Sammie dog.

Owen loves:

reading books,

eating,

playing with cars and trucks,

eating,

watching the cartoon Super Why,

daily wearing his gun holster with any outfit,

shooting guns fashioned out of tinker toys or sticks,

eating,

jumping,

pretending he can fly,

getting back rubs,

and

reminding his mom and dad how much he loves us

He likes to compete and loves to win. Even when walking in the house, he runs ahead and says, "I'll beat ya there!"We are so proud of how well he is riding his bike. This is the first year that I didn't get to take both boys to the Pumpkin Patch. Caeden visited with his Kind. class on a field trip. I admit it made me a little sad to not have both of them with me, although O and I had a really great time. Mike and I love hearing the boys talk to each other and watching them play together, they really adore each other even though they mostly show it through aggressive play. In the picture below, Owen donned an Indian hat when we went to visit Caeden at his Native American Party in Kindergarten.

Owen, we are really in love with you!

love, Mom, Dad, and Caeden

Chocolate cravings

I used to say, "I don't like chocolate." Well, times have changed...along with my waistline.

For me, justification of eating sweets is much easier when baking homemade desserts with organic/high quality ingredients. Although it's probably the same justificaiton as I used to make in college when I would use the term muffin instead of cupcake, just so i could indulge myself more. We all know that muffins are healthier, right? :)

1. Chocolate Syrup (click here for recipe)

The other day, Mike threatened to buy Hershey's Chocolate Syrup in the store to pour over our vanilla ice cream. I pointed out that it said, chocolate FLAVOR and wasn't real chocolate.

So to appease him, I made some incredible chocolate syrup when we got home.

2. Oreo Cookies (click here for recipe)

The kids and Dad have been asking for Oreo's. It sounds controlling, I bet, but I can't buy them. I would rather make them so there are no preservatives in the foods we eat. Plus, money is saved by using the ingredients I already have at home. Anyway, the kids and I made these oreo cookies today and I was surprised at how similar they taste to real Oreo's.

Have I mentioned how much I love organic dark chocolate bars?

I need to get a grip!

Library Card

Since moving here, we have familiarized ourselves with the local library, took Owen to a few story times, checked out some books and a few movies, used the computers, even used it as an "office space" for Mike to quietly get some work done. I haven't been too thrilled with the children's book section yet. In the 5 years that we have been reading Children's books from the library, we have purchased a total of 5. The books we decide to purchase have to be special, inspiring, fun to read, attention keepers, and ones that the kids want to continuously read.

Yesterday, Owen and I read 14 books together. 8 in the morning by ourselves and 6 later that night with Caeden. This is something I thought Owen would never be able to accomplish. He hasn't ever been much of a sitter and he isn't ever quiet. I am proud him, because it is really special bonding for me to cuddle with my kids and read to them.

So, there was a gem in the group of books that we got from the library this past week. It is inspring, it has been read over and over, it keeps their attection, and it is fun! The book is Edward and the Pirates. The little boy in the book has just learned to read, and loves books because when he reads, the characters in the story come alive. In one paticular Pirate book he was reading, the Pirates come into his room in search of the clues to the hidden treasure. My favorite part is when Edwards mom comes riding in on a white horse and pins the pirate to the wall with her sword. Then his father bounds in with bow and arrow and makes the pirates surrender their swords. In the end Edward ends up reading the book to the pirates because as we all know, pirates are illiterate.

After finishing this story for the first time, I told Caeden that when he learns to read, he can get his very own library card. His response was, "Ok, but can I still live with you guys?"

This made me laugh because, it either means that he refuses to read until he is 18, or he sees this as so much freedom for a 5 year old that it must mean he will be on his own for the rest of his life. I assured him that he can live with me for as long as he wants too, even when he is old. To which he replied, "but one day i want to marry a mom and then just come visit you guys."

Oh why do they have to grow up?

"mom, I told you that you don't have to be sad, when I grow up." (Owen)

40 years of Wedded Bliss

My parents, Harry and Carol, celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary today.

This is a "re-enactment" of how they got engaged, sort of, not really, but watch it anyway

and ignore my whiny-high-pitched voice.

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for your loving example.

US

the credits read

Mike as Horace

Mel as Carol

Caeden as Cowboy Chuck

Owen as Harry (HDW)

the video was shot from my iphone using my outstretched arm, but turned out pretty good considering.