Cute Kids

Here is a recent photo of my cute kids. I love being their mommy...it's my favorite!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Emily and JD hosted their first annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Their invitation read, "The uglier the sweater, the better the party". It was a very fun night with lots of humor, delicious food, Christmas trivia games, and of course a White Elephant gift exchange.

Christmas Fun

Here is a look at some of the fun things we did this Christmas...

I attended a Christmas Tea at Eden's class. What a wonderful idea, she has such a great teacher. Eden was so dang cute. She insisted on wearing gloves and jewelry with her dress and she made sure I knew that I was supposed to dress up too! We sipped blueberry tea and shared a scone dipped in whipped cream and jam...yum. It was such an enjoyable morning spent with my girl.

Kai practiced for weeks for his big holiday performance. He would come home from school each day and tell me about a new song he was learning. He was so excited when the day finally arrived for his performance. He did such a good job and it was fun to watch him perform. Kai loves to sing!

The kids had a great time building and decorating...and eating gingerbread houses!

Decorating the Tree

Tonight we decorated our Christmas tree. As I watched my kids enjoy the process I remembered how much I enjoyed the process as a child. Ezekiel especially enjoyed the lights part of the process! It's fun to watch my kids get so excited about Christmas. I love that they still believe in the magic of the season. They are convinced that Santa has little birds watching their every move (that's what my mom told me and I'm continuing the tradition)...so they have been on their best behavior!

Brunettes Have More Fun!

My four inch roots and the cost of going to the salon to be blond motivated me to become a brunette with a $10 box of color. This is the first time I have colored my own hair...I was so nervous but it turned out alright.

So, what do you think?! Do blondes or brunettes have more fun?

I'm anxious to find out!

Ezekiel's 1st Birthday!

It's amazing to me that an entire year has gone by since Ezekiel's birth! This year went by much too quickly. My little baby boy is quickly growing into a toddler...but he will always be my baby. Oh, how I love this little boy. He is such a joy to me. He makes me smile and laugh numerous times daily.

Zekie, I'm so blessed to have you as my son. You are such a good boy! Everyone always comments on how easy-going and happy you are. You bring joy to everyone you meet. I love your tight squeezie hugs and your big smiles! I'm so thankful I get to be your mommy and I look forward to the many years we will spend together. I love you Z, your mommy loves you!

Twilight

We went as a bookclub today to see the long-awaited movie, Twilight. It was everything I hoped it would be. What a great love story. Every girl could use an Edward in her life...I know I could!

Christopher's Birthday

We recently celebrated my brother, Christopher's 31st birthday. We went to his home in Fallbrook, ate at McDonalds (his favorite) and then back to his home for cake and presents. We gave him clothes, Ding Dong cakes (another favorite), and LOTS of bows (which he loves to take apart and play with). Some of you may not know Chris. He was born with Down's Syndrome and autism. It wasn't easy growing up with a developmentally disabled brother and I know it was much harder on my parents. However, the love that we are blessed with because Christopher is a part of our family completely outweighs the trials. My brother has taught me to love others no matter their differences, he has taught me to be thankful and to count my blessings, he has taught me patience, he has taught me to find joy in the simple pleasures of life (like cheeseburgers and ribbons), he has taught me to love on a deeper level--a level that requires no words. I love you, Christopher! I look forward to seeing you after this life when you no longer carry the burdens you have chosen to carry here on the earth. I hope I feel worthy to be in your presense then...I see your strength and goodness in your eyes. I am blessed to have you as my brother!

Littlest Pet Shops Go Trick-or-Treating

Eden woke up Sunday morning telling me she had a "great idea". She said she wanted to make Halloween costumes and candy bags for her Littlest Pet Shop animals. Grandma supplied the fabric and pipe cleaners and sewed up the candy bags. Then Eden and I worked on the costumes after school today. Here is a photo Eden set up showing our runway designs!

Halloween Party

The kids and I went to our annual church Halloween party. Every year Eden and Kai try to convince me to dress up and every year by the time I've put time and money into their costumes I forget about myself. I decided this year I would make my kids happy by dressing up. Eden especially loved the fact that she and I were both cats...she wanted me to put on my costume as soon as she got home from school! I had forgotten just how much fun it is to dress up for Halloween!!!

Happy Birthday My Sister!

We celebrated Emily's birthday at kid-friendly Chili's restaurant. It was fun being together with family. I'm so blessed to have a sister that is also my best friend. Oh, what would I do without my Emily?! I love you Pookie!! Happy Birthday!

Life...is good!!!

Life...is tough and beautiful all at the same time. As much as I've been experiencing the tough part a lot lately I have also seen much of the beauty. That's how life works--we go through hard times but we are never alone. And it is the difficult trials that show us how strong we are and how much we are loved. Below are some captured moments of beauty that have taken place in the past month of my life.


Boy in the Bubbles

I think this is such a cool picture of Kai in the tub!





















"I'm Strong to the Finish, Cuz I Eat my Spinach"

We met Emily at Fletcher Cove for lunch where she gave Zeke this adorable "Popeye" onesie. I'm so blessed to have a sister that I can also call my best friend. I love you, Emily. I'm so thankful we were both birthed by mom! Everything is more enjoyable with you.




















Ezekiel is 10 Months Old!

It's hard to believe that Zekie will be a year old in two months. He is growing so fast and so big--he is the size of most 18 month olds! He is such a joy!! Oh how I love him!!!





















Time with Papa

My dad is one of the greatest people I know! He is and always has been such a great example of honesty, integrity, strength and kindness. And he knows how to laugh his way through life with his incredibly positive attitude and sense of humor. I love you more than words can express, Dad. Thank you for your constant love and support. Like we always tell eachother: I couldn't get through this without you. I love you.























The Beach

The beach is one of my favorite places to be in this life. I love seeing my children enjoy the beach. This was Zeke's first time in the ocean and he loved it! Life is good!!!

Back to School

Summer flew by this year. I can't believe another school year is beginning. I also can't believe that Eden is in 2nd grade and Kai is in Kindergarten...oh how quickly time has passed. Sending children off to school brings back memories of my school days. I absolutely love the song, "We're Going To Be Friends" by The White Stripes....

Fall is here, hear the yell. Back to school, ring the bell. Brand new shoes, walking blues. Climb the fence, books and pens. I can tell that we're going to be friends

Walk with me, Suzy Lee through the park and by the tree. We will rest upon the ground and look at all the bugs we found. Then safely walk to school without a sound.

Well here we are, no one else. We walked to school all by ourselves. There's dirt on our uniforms from chasing all the ants and worms. We clean up and now its time to learn.

Numbers, letters, learn to spell. Nouns, and books, and show and tell. At playtime we will throw the ball. Back to class, through the hall. Teacher marks our height against the wall.

And we don't notice any time pass. We don't notice anything. We sit side by side in every class. Teacher thinks that I sound funny but she likes the way you sing.

Tonight I'll dream while in my bed when silly thoughts go through my head about the bugs and alphabet and when I wake tomorrow I'll bet that you and I will walk together again. Cause I can tell that we're going to be friends.