Wyland's Blessing Day

Wyland Douglas Boles was given a name and a blessing by his Dad, Matthew Harrison Boles on Sunday, February 7th, 2010.

It was such a happy day for me. I felt such thankfulness for my many blessings. I am so blessed to be married to a man who loves the Lord and loves his family. Matt and I are so blessed to have four beautiful children who we get to love and serve through the years ahead. I am so blessed to have a new, healthy baby boy to snuggle with and hold in my arms. I am so blessed to be surrounded by a loving family and friends.

I am so blessed.

Many wonderful things were pronounced upon Wyland during his blessing. I look forward to watching these things come to pass as this sweet boy grows through the different stages of his life. I am so glad I get to be his mother all along the way.

Eden's 9th Birthday

Eden's 9th Birthday was a party from sunrise to sunset! She began the celebration by having a sleepover with her cousins at Grandma's house. They stayed up late (of course) doing crafts and playing games on the Wii. The "fairies" visited in the middle of the night (as they often do at Grandma's house) and left presents for all of the girls!

First thing the next morning the girls went to the "spa" at Jill's house (thank you Jill!). They were treated to pedicures and manicures while reading American Girl magazines and sipping orange juice. Breakfast was a doughnut tower complete with birthday candles!

Then it was back to Grandma's house for afternoon tea. The girls were treated to finger sandwiches, veggies, cheese & crackers, apples & caramel, petit fours, and lemonade poured from a tea pot into tea cups. Each of the girls were given a small tea pot of their own (thank you Grandma!).

After tea time we all headed back to our home in Carlsbad to gather with family and continue the celebration. We had cake and Eden opened her presents. Eden said more than once that day, "This is the best birthday ever!"

We told Eden this is her last single-digit year before she begins the double-digits. It was a reality check for me that time has passed so quickly. My Eden will soon be a young woman. I want to savor these next few years of "girlhood". I don't want her to grow up too quickly.

Eden, you are my first-born and my only daughter. You mean everything to me. I experienced pregnancy and motherhood for the first time with you. It was just you and me and Daddy for 2 1/2 until Kai arrived. I have such fond memories of just you and me together while Daddy was at work...we played together all day without the boys! : ) We ran errands together, watched Winnie the Pooh and Aristocats together, read books, did puzzles, got the mail and played on the playground every day together, snuggled...because you were my only child at that time I was able to give you so much of my attention and I'm thankful for those years. It has been so fun through the years as you have grown. You are a beautiful girl with such a caring heart, a spunky personality, and a great sense of humor! You are the little artist of the family, you are so creative! I look forward to continuing to watch you grow into a beautiful woman and I'm so glad I always get to be your Mommy!! I love you Eden, your Mommy loves you!!!

Wyland Douglas Boles

On Saturday, December 12th 2009 at 8:03pm Wyland Douglas Boles entered the world and joined our family. He weighed 9 pounds, 10 ounces and was 23 inches in length...a big boy! We are so happy he is here and that he is healthy. We are so very blessed!! Welcome to our family, Wyland...we love you.

Ezekiel's 2nd Birthday

My little Zekie turned 2 years old! We celebrated in our home with family. It was a Winnie the Pooh and dumptruck birthday party...Zeke loves "Ah-Pooh" so we ordered a Winnie the Pooh cake for him and without us discussing anything he received three dumptrucks of three different sizes from Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa, and Aunt Emily & Uncle JD...so funny. He also got a tricycle from Mommy and Daddy. He loves anything with wheels on it!! He is definitely a boy!

He loved everything about his birthday and really enjoyed opening his presents and eating his cake. It was so fun to watch him have such a great time. I sure love that little boy!

Ezekiel, you are my sweet boy. You always make everyone around you happy. You are so loving and always ask for a "huggie". I love your hugs and kisses and can't get enough of them. You are the entertainer in the family and make us all laugh with your fun personality. There is something extra special about you. I am so blessed to be your Mommy. I look forward to watching you grow and to helping you along the way. I love you Ezekiel, your Mommy loves you.

End Of Summer...Beginning of Fall

Okay, time again for major catching-up!! Here is a look at what we have been up to since the end of summer...



Barbeques & Swimming

Bike Rides & Campouts

The Wild Animal Park

We spent the afternoon and evening with Grandma Boles and cousins, Abby and Gracie. We had such a fun time! It was one of those perfectly happy days.

More Time With Cousins

Ella and Zeke got some bonding time!

Kai's YMCA Soccer

We're Painting the Room Pink

We got new carpet and vinyl this summer and decided to change the rooms up as well. Kai and Zeke now share a room and Eden now has her very own room. She decided she wanted pink walls! So, thanks to Grandma Eden's walls received a coat of Bubblegum Pink!

From Russia With Love


For those of you who don't know, I taught English to children in Voronezh, Russia in 1995. It was definitely one of the greatest experiences of my life! The children were ages 4-7 years old at that time. Well, do the math and that would make them 18-22 years old now. Over the years I had lost contact with everyone from Russia. Well, thanks to Facebook one of my former students, Natasha found me! She also happened to be living in San Diego for the summer so we were able to spend some time together! It was wonderful to see her again and hug her and talk about the past and how things are in Voronezh now. It was especially wonderful to see what a beautiful, kind young woman she has grown up to be! I love you, Natasha! I'm so thankful for the opportunity I had to teach Natasha and the other Russian children...as much as I may have helped them learn to speak English, they gave me so much more in their love.

First Day of School

For some reason this school year was tough for me...I guess it was a realization of how quickly time is passing. Eden started third grade and Kai started first grade. I remember my third grade year so clearly with Mrs. Berhman as my teacher, it was one of my favorite years of school. It was just crazy to think that Eden would now be making third grade memories. And first grade for Kai meant he was staying at school for the full day which just made him seem so much more grown up. Anyways, I dropped them off and cried a little on the way home. I'm so proud of them and I hope this school year is a happy one for them!

Colorado


Natalie and Jed invited us to travel with them to Colorado for a weekend so we could check it out as a possible place to move and own a home. We are so ready to be able to buy a home and homes are very affordable in Colorado. We love San Diego so much but we went to Colorado with an open mind. It is beautiful!! We looked in the Denver area, specifically Castle Rock and Parker. I absolutely fell in love with Castle Rock and it felt great to look at homes we could actually afford to buy! So, we'll see what happens in the future...Colorado is definitely a very possible option for us.




Out to dinner in downtown Denver

The Rock formation that gives Castle Rock its name

A funny name for a pet adoption company

Halloween


Grandma Boles made her grandkids each a very special pumpkin trick-or-treat bag!

Cookie decorating and crafts with cousins

The Wild Animal Park with costumes for crafts and games

Church Trunk-or-Treat

Trick-or Treating