Dancing in the Rain

Cookie Drama

2010-09-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

So today was LONG! I am beat!

On the way home after such a long day I had the brilliant idea to go out to dessert, just me and the kids. Not so brilliant! The wait was too long at the restaurant and we definitely couldn't stay. I thought about leaving without anything, but the kids would have started a revolutionary war and overthrown the queen and stormed the dessert case. And since I didn't stand a chance against that threat... I decided to just get a giant cookie to go and bring it home warm it up and pile a mountain of ice cream on top and share it with the kids. So by the time we got back in the car Ella had fallen and, I thought, torn her ACL or something by the way that she was holding her knee and screaming. (It turns out she is fine, not to worry.) And it was 8:30. And let me tell you people when your husband works all day, like from before you wake up till after you go to sleep, 8:30 pm might as well be 2:00 in the morning. And I had just spent $4 on a cookie. Can we all just agree that a cookie in not worth $4?

So I was driving home reaming myself for my stupidity. And I got home and heated up the cookie and threw a gallon of ice cream on top of it. I pushed the chairs of the table together and we all huddled up, shared a plate and ate the cookie concoction with 4 spoons. And guess what? It was all so worth it! We sat there and talked and scarfed and helped each other cut a cookie with spoons. It was a great moment...and totally worth $3.99.

Tired Little Tiger

2010-09-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

Well we ended up in the hospital. My little fighter couldn't kick that stinkin pneumonia at home this time.
Her hospital gown had tigers on it. It said "Tired Little Tiger." She fought like a tiger. She was brave like a tiger. And she kicked it in the end.
I am so thankful to have her home and healthy.

Pneumonia

2010-09-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

My girl has pneumonia again. She is the toughest cookie. Ever. Tomorrow will be the eighth day of fever. She is such a trooper! She inspires me to be better! If Ella can be that amazing, I can certainly be more amazing.

I love you Ella. You inspire me. You are like a little drop of heaven in my life.

Get better Ella! I am sad when you are sick!

Daddy

2010-09-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

My kids have the best daddy.

We are so proud of you Jarrod.

We think that you are amazing.

We know that you can do anything through Him.

Go get 'em babe!

Storm!

2010-09-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

The girls...

The boys...

The babies...

We had another great family night. We celebrated Labor Day weekend with a baseball game.

I love these people so much! Lately I just feel so incredibly blessed. It isn't perfect, but it is wonderful!

Wisdom

2010-08-27T22:11:00.000-07:00

I was able to go to Ella's class to help out for the first time today. I can't even express the many things that you can learn from this experience!

So I went today so curious about all of the kids in her class. Well do you know what I walked away with? My little red head did not get her art skills from her daddy. Meaning she got them from me, which is bad news for her. I came home and immediately told her father that he was to start tutoring our daughter in the arts.

And that wasn't even the worst of it. Do you know what my daughter did while the teacher was talking? She barked. That is right people, barked! Like a puppy. Her perfectly sweet teacher had to stop talking and use her full name to get her to stop barking.

I guess I should stop and tell you that Ella is usually a really great student. She is very compliant and has already vowed that she would never need to move her clip in kindergarten because she was so sure that she would never ever misbehave. She listens pretty intently and follows directions very thoroughly. Her last teacher thanked me daily for sharing her.

But despite all of this she barked. Luckily she is not my firstborn because if she had been I might of fainted dead away from embarrassment. But because she is the second born I just laughed and made a mental note to remind her not to bark in the classroom. You know, just to save the barking for the playground. I know I know, I am so wise now.

I Mean It

2010-08-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

I feel like when I kiss Halle's neck over and over and over and over and watch her laugh and laugh and laugh, that these have to be the best days of my life. And I mean it too.

I feel like when Ella tells me all about her new friends and forgets their names and depends on me to remind her of their names (even though I have never met them) just so she can finish a story, that there is no way that life can get better than this. And I mean it too.

I feel like when Bryce hugs a sister and then chases her down a hallway screaming and laughing, that I am so blessed. And I mean it too.

I feel like when I kiss Ella's freckles and braid her hair for school, life is so grand. And I mean it too.

I feel like when they all still call me Mama, that I am the luckiest girl in the world. I love being Mama. And I mean it too.

And when their daddy kisses me...I know that I must be God's favorite.

Sharing

2010-08-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

So yesterday Bryce came home from school and told me about a friend that he had told about Jesus.

He had told his friend to say that he believed in Jesus so that he could go to heaven. So we discussed the situation. And we talked about that and how you have to confess Jesus with your mouth and also believe in your heart and then you will be saved.

So Bryce responds with, "I believe. Do you believe Mom?"

"Yes Bryce I sure do."

And Bryce says "Well, then I'll see you in heaven!"

So hilarious and so so wonderful!

Ella

2010-08-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

This picture just says summer to me. I am trying to enjoy in while it lasts. Soon enough it will be cold and I will be lugging jackets everywhere we go and dreaming of summer coming once again. So happy summer to all. Love, Us.

Popcorn

2010-08-20T21:39:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was popping popcorn for the kids and I for Friday night Movie Night. I was standing in front of the microwave waiting for the popcorn and Halle looks at me with a huge smile. So I asked her what that smile was about and she asked me what the noise was. I told her it was the popcorn popping, "crazy." And she said "Oh (giggle giggle) I thought it was a toot."

What?! She is hilarious. Where does she get this stuff? Surely it is not from previous experience! Surely not!

Wolfie

2010-08-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

Wolfie is back! For those of you who have no idea who Wolfie is, he is like a class pet in kindergarten. If your name gets drawn then you are the lucky one that gets to bring Wolfie home for one night and journal about your adventures with Wolfie and then return him the next day to his official home: kindergarten. Well of course Bryce did this two years ago and now it is Ella's turn to do it with her class.
I don't know if I have ever seen this girl so happy. It was like she won the lottery or something. She came out of her class yesterday with the biggest smile and was proudly wearing the Wolfie bag. She took such great care of Wolfie and included him in everything she did while he was here. But right before she went back to school I found her sitting by herself with tears in her eyes. At first I didn't even notice because she wasn't crying and she really isn't a big crier anyway. But then I noticed and asked her what was wrong at which point she burst into tears and explained how much she would miss Wolfie.
It really was the sweetest thing because she wasn't throwing a fit about it or anything she was just explaining to me how much she would miss him. So, I guess, needless to say we are very much looking forward to the next time Ella's name gets drawn to bring Wolfie home again. I am not sure if Wolfie has ever experienced that much love. So I am sure he is looking forward to it too.

A Buggy Party

2010-08-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

Halle turned 3! So we celebrated. We had a little ladybug party at the park for her. Lots of ladybugs and flowers to celebrate our beautiful little girl. We played pin the spot on the ladybug and toss the ladybug in her home (flower pot). She opened presents and we ate cake. The kids got to beat the tar out of the ladybug pinata. (The whole pinata thing is such a strange tradition when you think about it.) Overall a fun time was had by all.

We love you Halle. You light up your lives with your smile. You have immeasurably blessed our family just by being a part of it.

First Day of School

2010-08-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

So the first day of school came once again and surprise surprise we survived it. So first we took Bryce to school and met his teacher. His teacher seems very sweet and of course very capable. I wanted to sit her down and tell her how lucky she is to get to have my adorable boy in her class, but you know I thought that might be a little bit forward.

We examined his desk with him. Everything was so nice and new. I love all the new school supplies...I know I am weird like that. It was kind of hard to leave him there with all new faces. He didn't know a single soul in his class and he looked pretty nervous when I left him. But by the time I picked him up he said that it was fun and that he made a friend. His new friend sits right next to him. His name is Gavin and apparently Gavin has a really cool folder. Cooler than Bryce's. I asked Bryce what it was like and he told me that I need to come to school and check it out because it is that cool. I thought folders were just folders, but what do I know I am just a mom now. We went home and waited for Ella's turn. She changed oufits a couple of times. She finally ended up in this little get up. Whatever makes her happy right? I for one think it was an excellent choice. Great job Elle!

So we went to school which was actually a short day for her. It was more of a parent orientation than anything. She got to do a few things and the teachers talked to the parents. And when I said "Okay Ella are you ready to go." She looked up and said "That's it?"

She is so ready for this.

Watch out world here she comes!

We waited...

2010-08-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

Well, we waited and we waited and we waited some more...and finally Bryce joined the "I lost a tooth" club. Poor kid had to wait literally years after some of the kids in his class lost their first tooth. He was so patient too. He finally had a loose tooth that was just kind of hanging there. It was all cockeyed and it kept bleeding when he would eat. Last night he let me yank on it and it came right out. He was so proud of himself and he said that it didn't even hurt. We put it under his pillow and the tooth fairy left three whole dollars. Before he went to bed he was telling me that the bigger the tooth the more the tooth fairy leaves you and he admitted that his tooth was tiny. He is so proud of that little space. Today he even went back and showed Mrs. Thompson, his first grade teacher. Who gave him a huge hug. (Love her!) So happy for my little man.

Back to School

2010-08-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the first day of school. I am so not okay with it! I am not ready for it. I want to keep them with me. I want to protect them from the world. I want to cuddle with them for three hours in the morning if I want to. Ugghhh! Why does time go so quickly. I am not ready to have a second grader and a kindergartner. Not to mention that my baby is going to turn 3 in 2 days. I remember when they were just squishy sweet smelling babies. I WANT A SQUISHY SWEET SMELLING BABY! Ugghhhh! Tomorrow I am supposed to bravely march my kids down the street and leave them there. LEAVE THEM THERE PEOPLE! I want them to be squishy and rock them all day long instead because that would mean that I still had their whole little lives ahead of me.

Bryce is nervous and therefore I am so nervous for him. I am more nervous than if it was me going to school tomorrow. He is nervous about making new friends and meeting a new teacher. I wish my baby never had to be nervous. Pray for him with me tomorrow. He told me tonight that he might have diarrhea tomorrow because he is nervous. At least I have been warned right.

Ella is so excited. She can't wait to go and meet new friends and show off her skills. She makes new friends so easily. She was explaining that to me tonight, naming off examples of past friends that she made quickly. And therefore I am so excited for her. She got afternoon kinder and so I am super excited for the quiet afternoons. Also that schedule gives me a little bit of time with each of them when at least one or both siblings is gone. A little one on one is always good for everyone.

Halle is so excited for her birthday and talks about it whenever the other two talk about school. I am excited for her too. I can't wait to give her a special day.

Today we celebrated the last day of summer by going to the beach. What better way to celebrate summer right?! A fun time was had by all. I want to remember the girls screaming and running from the waves. And I want to remember Bryce boogie boarding in the small close to shore surf. I want to remember their cute little bodies covered in sand. I want to remember Mason standing on shore with Jarrod's boogie board with the leash on watching Fycey (Brycey in Mason talk) with such adoration and yearning to be out there in the water with him.

So tomorrow I will take them. Pray for me people. Pray hard! I don't want to be the only mom balling her eyes out, while her second grader has a diarrhea problem, while her kindergartner tries to make a mad dash to join the morning kinders (because she doesn't want to wait till 11:45 to start school), all the while trying to steal some ones squishy sweet smelling baby. I told you people-pray hard!

My Angels

2010-08-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

We had a really great and much needed family day on Sunday. We got to go to the Angels Game. Bryce and Jarrod are huge Angels fans. Of course the girls and I are not as much, but we always think it is fun to go watch them.

I took the girls for a little walk during the game and we ended up in the back of the fountain at Angel stadium. I don't know if this is allowed, but we like to live on the edge. A band of rebels we are!

After the game the kids were able to run the bases too! It was so neat. They loved being down there and getting to take a lap around the field where the Angels play.

Like I said such a great day enjoying my four greatest blessings!

Names in the Sand

2010-08-02T09:04:00.001-07:00

Mount Hermon Rocks!

2010-07-31T23:30:00.000-07:00

I have so many great memories here which helps make it one of my most favorite places on earth. As we drive up Conference drive I feel like my soul smiles. I love it here! And in true Mount Hermon style we had a wonderful time that will not soon be forgotten. And the only thing that is better than Mount Hermon is the people that we get to share it with. I love being there with my sisters and my dad and their families. And I love being there with my cousins and their families and my aunt and uncle too.

This is the field house and rec field. And also the front view from our room this year.

These are the some of the greatest kids that made it so fun and interesting and loud. What would it be if it wasn't loud right?

My family and naked baby. Just when you thought you got your three kids to all smile and hold still at the same time and you want to give yourself an award you realize that there is a naked baby in the picture!? What the ...?

Our room where we got to share a hallway with Court and Johnny and my cousins and all of that without planning it that way. Well God planned it that way and we were blessed because of it. When you only get to be together one week it is good to stay close!

That is us! 1 2 3 and 4 all ours. Our rooms that is.

Sisters. They wouldn't know what to do without each other.

Mmm hmm that is me people! So proud of myself. I climbed the hardest side of the wall. Something about having three kids and still having it makes me feel good.

So proud of Ella she is so brave!

Go Bryce.

This ropes course is amazing. And Bryce was able to go on the zip line at the end of it. We did it together because last time he did it with daddy and I was pregnant with Halle. Bryce says that this was his favorite thing that we did.

Dance party with the cousins.

Also this is our room that we stayed in. It is a little rustic and somewhat small for a family of five, but I would have stayed in it all year if they had let me.

This is a place in the redwoods that we call the Garden of Eden. There is a bunch of places on the rocks that you can jump off of into the river. It was fun and even Bryce jumped off the small rock. It was especially cute because he did it with my dad.

This is our crew. We had fun going up the river. All the green in the water looks scary but it is actually seeds from the trees.

Halle being "a rock star."

This is "train day" as we affectionately call it. We get to ride the train for an hour to the Santa Cruz boardwalk where we get to go on rides and buy yummy treats and see the ocean.

The train ride through the trees is so amazing!

My sisters and my brothers.

My cousins Beth and Rob. My cousins Tommy and Janay and their son Brady.
My Mason!

I love them! This picture was taken in pitch black in the train tunnel. Somehow Jarrod and Mason knew that the picture was coming though.

This is my cousin Beth and Rob's youngest daughter Elaina. She is so cute.

My Mason.

Smores!

Bryce and Violet had so much fun together all week.

We all love Violet.

Me and Beth. I am so thankful for her.

Kelsey and Brandon and my kids, oh I mean their kids.

I was so sad to leave and come home to reality, but I am looking forward to going back. Till we meet again Mount Hermon.

Two Things

2010-07-31T22:25:00.000-07:00

So I was going through some pictures from Mount Hermon. Which by the way was the best week maybe all year! Love that place! It is like a little taste of heaven.

ANYway we took this little family picture on the last day of camp. And my first question is how did the naked baby make it in the picture? Really how?

Okay and my other question, is it normal that these kids make me want to have this many kids of my own? How adorable are they? Really! I love them!

Can you relate?

2010-07-30T22:05:00.000-07:00

Pure Sorrow Pure Joy

Can you relate to this? Because I surely can...

One minute you think you are okay and the next minute...not so much.

One minute you are a mess and the next minute you are filled with joy.

And then in the next minute you realize that you are wearing some ridiculous outfit! (It was "crazy dress night" at Mount Hermon.)

Sometimes life is just hard whether you are 2 or 92.

We will make it Halle, I know we will. God has better days in store!

Disaster

2010-07-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

This has been an awful week. Awful!

Job 5:18-19 "For though He wounds, He also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal. From six disasters He will rescue you; even in the seventh, He will keep you from evil."

I can relate to the six disasters part!

Warning-This Post is not for the Squimish

2010-06-24T10:32:00.000-07:00

So we were camping and my baby (what? even though he is seven he is still my baby) was riding his bike when out of nowhere came a mountain lion. And the mountain lion immediately ripped off my baby's helmet. And thankfully that is all he wanted and then he ran back into the woods with my babies helmet (probably for his young cub that wanted to learn to ride a bike) and luckily this is the only damage that my baby incurred.

See, even the fireman came to chase down the mountain lion and to check on my babies head.

What you don't believe me? Look at those faces would we lie to you? Okay, okay so maybe sometimes the truth isn't as interesting as a good story. So really my baby was riding his bike with no helmet. Shame on you baby! And he somehow fell backward onto a rock wall and split his head open. There was blood everywhere and the firemen really did come to check out his wound and advise us on what to do. Don't ask me how they got there...it's complicated. And in the end we butterflied it. My dad would be so proud. (When I was a kid every time I got hurt and my parents were deciding what to do about the wound, to stitch or not to stitch, my dad would always say "Just butterfly it!") So we shaved his head and held it tight with a couple of sterie strips. Now I just hope that some day he doesn't hate me for his scar. But chicks dig scars right? Wait what chicks? He is only a baby.

Adalyn Joy

2010-06-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to our Addy. She is one! I can't even believe it. It went by way too quickly although I am looking forward to her year of being one. Her little toddle makes my heart so happy. It is so fun to see her become more and more a part of the gang of little people that run the show around here...Doesn't that face just kill you!?

We love you Addy, you make our hearts happy!

So Proud

2010-06-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

I am such a proud mama! Most parents are proud of great sports skills or academic success. I am proud of those things too, don't get me wrong. But I am so proud that my daughters catch tadpoles. There is something about them not being sissy girls that makes me SO PROUD! Bryce of course catches tadpoles too, but that is to be expected. Way to go girls! Keep on catching those nasty slimy things and hanging in there with the boys.

Rolley Polley

2010-06-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

So honestly I am going to make this quick because although summer is fun and all I am exhausted! Anyway today we went for a long walk and stopped at the park and had a little bug hunt. Both Bryce and Ella found rolley polleys and brought them home. Well when we got home they wanted to build the bugs a playground. I gave them some cardboard and tape and it went from a playground to a rolley polley house. They spent hours today working on this rolley polley house. As you can see it is quite colorful and it has a nice grassy yard.

On the inside there is a tunnel and a rug and wall hangings. There are also some windows and a flat screen TV.

On the other side of the house there is a bunk bed complete with pillows and a ladder. So all of this for the rolley pollies and guess what...somehow the rolley pollies escaped. Can you believe it? The greatest, most luxurious digs a rolley polley could ever ask for and it just takes off like that! So disappointing, especially for the five year old involved. So I guess tomorrow we are going for another bug hunt.

Recognition

2010-06-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

Bryce's first grade class, they are such great kids. We will definitely miss this class.

So school is out. But before school was officially out there was some recognition going on. Bryce was recognized in his class for being a "Writing Wizard." Let me go back for a minute and tell you a little about why he got this award. Somewhere about half way through the year Mrs. Thompson (which have I told you that I think that she is the best thing since sliced bread) pulled me aside and told me that she was so proud of Bryce's writing and that she wanted to show me a couple of his journal entries. So she pulled me into the class and told me about one of their writing assignments that was to write about the person that you would most like to meet in the world. Well she told me about how all of the kids had brainstormed about who that would be together and some came up with movie stars and some came up with sports players and some came up with President Obama. So after they had brainstormed about all of that she went ahead and let them start writing. Well what she had wanted to show me was that Bryce hadn't written about any of those people, he had decided to write about Ruth. Who is Ruth, right? Well Ruth is the little girl that his Sunday school class sponsers in, I think, Africa. He wrote about how he would like to meet her because she doesn't have any money and he would like to meet her and give her money. I know that I am a sap and everything, but it totally made me cry right there in front of Mrs. Thompson. Let's just say that I was so proud of him and felt totally validated as a mother. She also has shown me some of his other writing of which I cannot remember what any of it was about, but anyway way to go Writing Wizard! He also had a great report card of which I was most proud of where Mrs. Thompson had wrote in "Perhaps my favorite trait of Bryce's is that he is always courteous to others and sets a wonderful example for the entire class." Did I mention that I love Mrs. Thompson!?

Bryce also recieved a trophy for playing on the Giants. He also got the NO FEAR award. I loved Bryce's response, "Who would be afraid of baseball, anyway?" Well Bryce, that my son, is why you got the award.

And Ella graduated preschool with a paper graduation cap and everything. She learned so much and was such a good helper in her class. We are so thankful for Mrs. Heather too. She also blessed our lives this year!

Being a kid...

2010-06-13T19:57:00.000-07:00

So being a kid is super fun, so exciting, and very very messy. The messy part is where I can get tripped up because as an adult that has to clean up the mess I can get somewhat uptight. So the other day when we went to the San Diego Children's Museum and we got to do all the fun kid stuff (like painting their metal whale form) and leave the mess behind, I was a very happy mama. They were able to paint, play with clay, chalk and blow bubbles, water color, a bunch of other stuff and I didn't have to clean up anything (except for their little hands of course).

I love being their mama...even if it is a messy job.

Ella's Choice

2010-06-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

This is the result of letting Ella pick her outfit herself...and look at that pose to go with it! I love that little personality! She felt beautiful all day.

School is Out!

2010-06-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

So today was the last day of school. I now have a second grader and a kindergartner. Ahhh! This picture was taken on the first day of school. Ella's very first day of school. And this picture was taken today! They look different and they feel different too. Bryce has matured so much this year and become such a good reader. We are so proud of his growth this year. And Ella has had a fun year making friends and getting ready for kindergarten.

And Ella has grown a lot! Yay Ella!

Still as feisty and as goofy as ever...I guess they haven't changed too much.

I am so proud of you both and all the hard work you did this year.

I love him

2010-06-10T23:52:00.000-07:00

I love this man. Like I really really love him. I love that I get to do life with him. I love that I got to have his babies. I love being his girl.

Lord-thank you, thank you, thank you for him!

Laura's Wedding

2010-06-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

Such a wonderful day! I love weddings. I think it is so wrong that you don't get to remarry your love every ten years or so. Okay who am I kidding that is way too much work for me to pull off. But anyway, I love weddings. Isn't this just so romantic. Ella's dress ripped a couple of times before the ceremony was even close to starting. We were still just taking pictures with the handsome couple when the dress literally started to come apart at the seams. And Mrs. Alden and I had to come to the rescue with a needle and thread and sew that baby back up. Thank goodness we had it all fixed up before the wedding so Ella didn't look like a homeless flower girl while walking down the aisle. I love those little things that happen at weddings that make it memorable. You always need a good story right?

I loved this cool flower girl basket. So pretty!

The cousins.

I am sorry, but look at Bryce in this picture. What a stud right! Good thing he is that cute because sometimes that is the only thing that keeps me from putting him up for adoption. Okay that is just a joke, haha funny funny. Kind of...
I love this picture. So scary though that it is a small preview of what is to come someday at her own wedding. That thought alone makes me want to cry.

Just doing their job. They are professionals you know.

So pretty! I love that Laura couldn't wait till the end to kiss Peter and that she tried to sneak a kiss in before the pastor gave the official green light. May you keep layin it on him forever Laura. Yes, that is my official blessing by the way.

I love the flowers.
How cool is that blue metal wall? We love you guys so much and we so enjoyed being a part of your big day. May you kiss lots and fight a little and after your little fights may you kiss a lot.

First We Practiced

2010-06-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

So a week ago yesterday my cousin Laura got married. And the Friday before that she practiced getting married. We were lucky enough to be there because my kids..wait for it...were in the wedding! Bryce and Ella had the honor of standing with my cousin Laura and her husband Peter on her wedding day. We had so much fun being there with them. The wedding was at Saddleback church, which by the way is not beautiful at all. Pastor Rick, maybe you should work on that a bit. No really I am being so ridiculously sarcastic, the place is gorgeous. I told Jarrod that we should take a bunch of pictures in front of their whole waterfall/beach/fire pit area and just tell everyone that we went on an incredible tropical vacation, that is how beautiful it is!

So some of the highlights from the rehearsal besides the tropical oasis were:

Laura and Peter of course because we love them and wish them nothing but the best.

Bryce running as fast as he could right into a cement structure and almost breaking his nose. He was bleeding from his nose and also got a nice big bump and bruise on his forehead that he got to sport on the wedding day. Yay Bryce!

Meeting Pastor Rick Warren and his wife Kay.

Finding a sound proof indoor basketball court room that I could lock the kids in!

And the yummy food and good company.

The bride and groom, love them!The fun "bouquets."

The ring bearer and flower girl.

Bryce after he rammed his head into a wall.

The tropical oasis.

Tomorrow I will post about the wedding!

Cheese is my Favowit

2010-06-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

So nothing exciting happened today. I took kids to school. I took kids to the park. I played Barbies. I played store. I did laundry and I made chicken tortilla soup for dinner and that is pretty much the extent of it. (I know...you all are jealous.)

So tonight we were eating dinner and I put cheese on top of the soup and Halle said to me "Mommy, cheese is my favowit... Cheese is my favowit color." (That is how she says favorite.) And of course Bryce being the ever present and helpful big brother, told her that cheese is not a color. So Halle said "Cheese is my favorite color, green." Bryce quickly corrected her "Cheese is not green!" So I told Halle that cheese is orange. To which she reassured us that yes orange is one of her favorite colors. I always love dinner conversation!

Ella is 5

2010-06-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

Ella is my beautiful, red headed, freckled, 31 pound, independent, lover of life, mischievous, little girl. And now she is officially 5. Five seems like a red flag that is waving around saying "watch out because I am growing up, and there is nothing you can do about it." Five is like a big deal and so is Ella, so together they are a really big deal.

Ella, you are a big deal to me because you are one of my greatest gifts from God. He made you so wonderfully. The way that he gave you your beautiful red hair and your adorable freckles, even on your elbows, is so completely perfect. I love who you are. I love that you love people so much. I love that you are so curious about life. I love that you love chicken nuggets and ranch and sweets and books. I love that you like to sleep in Brycey's room and play dollhouse with Halle. I love that you like to wear dresses and that you would like to be a princess when you grow up.

Thank you for being my Ella Rose.

Saying Goodbye to 4

2010-06-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

Today we tried to say goodbye to four. Ella will be five tomorrow and so today we said farewell to four. We had a good day but it is slightly painful to realize that Ella is done with those baby years. Five definitely starts childhood rather than babyhood, I guess you could say. How did we get here so fast? (By the way I know that I am pathetic, so you don't have to tell me.) Luckily she is like 30 pounds, so sometimes I can just pretend like she is still three.

So on another note, last night Jarrod stubbed his toe on a brick in the dark. It was a pretty good stub and so there was blood and all of that. Well this morning when Halle saw it she said "What happened Daddy?" Jarrod told her that he hurt it when he kicked something. To which Halle responded "What did you kick Daddy? Momma?" Anyway this was hilarious to me because of course he never kicks me and so it just seemed hilarious to me that Halle thought that perhaps he had hurt himself kicking me! That kid man she cracks us up.

Okay so one more side note. We ate frozen yogurt for dinner tonight (what don't judge me). That is what that gooey nastiness is. Anyway, so somehow it was spilled. The reason I took a picture of this nastiness is because I feel like my whole life is spills! No I am not being dramatic! Every time that I sit down to eat or relax something is spilled. Today it was Craisins, bubbles, frozen yogurt, goldfish, Halle's whole cereal bowl. Seriously just listing this makes me think what is wrong with my children?! Can anyone else relate to this problem or am I doing something wrong?

So Happy!

2010-06-04T00:40:00.000-07:00

This picture just made my whole day! Kelsey took this picture and posted it on Facebook and so I stole it... and now I am happy. The End.

My Sister the Graduate!

2010-06-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of my sister! She is officially a graduate of Cal Baptist University. Way to go Court! Such a huge accomplishment.

Giants

2010-06-02T20:42:00.000-07:00

Well our Giants season is officially over. It was a really fun season. Bryce got to play with some of his best friends and his team did really well. I loved watching them play. There is just something about little boys in uniforms that kind of makes my heart melt. We won't miss the cold afternoons at the sports park, but I will miss that cute uniform!

My Loves

2010-06-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

This post is just purely a"look at my kids post." I just transferred pictures tonight for the first time in months and I just wanted to share a few of my favorites!

Good Morning

2009-10-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

I was up painfully early this morning. I think that I got 4 hours of sleep. Which means either I will make 2 pots of coffee today or I will be terribly crabby later, or possibly both. (No probably both.) Anyway... I just put an Apple Spice Bread in the oven and I am drinking my hot cup of coffee and so enjoying the peace. In fact I am almost looking forward to when my kids start waking up. I really need to get myself an alarm clock and get up before my kids every day because usually I am not this excited for them to wake up. No excited is not the word that I would usually use, not even close.
So anyway Good Morning to all.

Did I mention the Apple Spice Bread? I am so excited!

So Far Today...

2009-10-22T13:13:00.001-07:00

So far today I did a mountain of dishes. I made pancakes and eggs to nourish my little munchkins before they went to school, and then did more dishes. I put away all of the laundry while dressing and preparing my children for school. I packed lunches for my kids, and then I did more dishes. I dropped off at two different schools. I put deodorant on and brushed my teeth so that I wouldn't scare people away. Then I made 2 dozen peanut butter sandwiches for the school Harvest Festival and then I did more dishes. Then I brought Ella home from school after staying at said Harvest Festival. And it is only a little after noon. By the way do you notice a trend here with the dishes. I think I am going to go take a nap and contemplate how to put a permanent end to the dishes.

Rice Activity

2009-10-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

I just thought that I would share a fun cheap and easy activity that we did tonight.

I basically just took a rimmed cookie sheet and lined it with a thin layer of uncooked rice. Then I let each kid take a turn. Bryce wrote his spelling words in it. Ella did letters and her name. Halle mostly just played. And in case you were wondering the way that you spell Halle according to Halle is h..7..8..9..10..11. So we had a good time for about an hour and it was free and educational for all.

P.S. To erase just give the pan a little shake.

Pumpkin Patch with my Pumpkins

2009-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

We had such a great weekend. We went to the pumpkin patch and we took Mason. I am so glad that we got to take Mase. We got to pet and watch the animals. They all picked out a pumpkins and we did the hay ride. We listened to the country band while eating funnel cake and kettle corn. The kids had so much fun that 3 out of 4 of them fell asleep on the way home. I would have taken so many more pictures but the battery on my camera died.
How hot is this man that gave me my beautiful children?

They were so cute while picking pumpkins. Mason is almost painfully indecisive. Bryce was looking for the biggest. Ella wasn't very picky at all. Halle was easily persuaded. I love to see how each of them is different in a situation like that.

Updates

2009-10-14T22:06:00.000-07:00

Well I realize that it has been quite sometime since I last blogged. There are quite a few things that I haven't blogged about. Truly I have been just trying to keep my head above water.

One of the events that I have missed is our family trip to AZ. We stopped first at the Hancocks. Whom we love and had a great time with. And then we went on to Sedona and had a great family trip.Ella started ballet. I am sure there will be more to come on that subject. The last week we have been baking. The girls love to help me bake. Especially Halle. And since it has been cool here and somewhat fall like we have been baking fools. Too bad that tomorrow we are supposed to be back in the 80s.
This picture brings pure joy to my heart.
Tonight we made chicken pot pie. It was deee licious.

First Week of School...A New Normal

2009-08-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

Well this was a big week in our house. Bryce started first grade and Ella started preschool. It has been such a strange week for me to go from 3 kids at home all of the time down to sometimes only one at home. There are many reasons why it will be great for the two of them to go to school. For instance grocery shopping and cleaning bathrooms and not having to referee every moment of every day. There is also the quietness factor. One kid is so much less noise than three. Have I told you all that I love quiet? I actually crave quiet. I could roll around and eat up quiet. (Okay, so enough about quiet.) I love the new found one on one time also. It feels like with this new schedule I can actually pay individual attention to each of them and not just to the gang of them. Walking to school has been fun and all of the conversations that have evolved from that new time. I also love to be able browse a store and actually see what I am looking at because there are not three voices talking to me and three bodies trying to preform acrobatic stunts in the grocery cart. So there are many reasons why it is great.

But there are also reasons why it is terribly sad. It seems like I just gave birth to each of them and here they are ready and willing to leave me and go out into the world without me. I can't help but feel like time can be such a cruel thing because the days that are so hard and unfun, that you want to sprint by you, seem to stand still and yet the years that you want to hold onto, seem to fly from your grasp. I guess that I am just not quite ready to let go of them yet, and yet it is time. Dropping off Bryce just seems wrong. I can't believe that I am just supposed to leave him there without even a teacher knowing that he is there, so that he has to just fend for himself on the playground until the bell rings. What is he like 6 or something? Oh that's right he is. It just seems different without him around and it makes me realize what a big kid he is becoming. I know that I will miss him and yet I know that it is time for him to go and learn and become more and more of who the Lord created him to be. It will be a learning process for me about how I will fit into his school days. I want mornings to be great and yet there has already been mornings that I have lost my patience with the bunch of them. I want afternoons to be great and yet they just seem normal too. We need a new routine, a new normal. So we are working on it. It is also sad to be without my Ella, who I haven't spent much time away from at all so far in her little life. I can't help but be so happy for her though. She has waited so long for this day to be like Bryce and go to school. I know that she is already waiting for kindergarten. Look out world here she comes, all 29 pounds of her.

So we are finding our new normal. And my heart soars because of it and breaks because of it. This whole parent thing, man who knew it would be so hard.

Me and Halle left to eachother. Well Hall, there is no one I would rather be left with!

My Baby Turned 2 Today

2009-08-12T21:09:00.001-07:00

These are just a few pictures that I took of Halle tonight. She had such a fun day. She figured out about an hour into today that something was special about today and that she was the star. She probably thinks that biwday (as she says it) means that everyone pays a lot of attention to you and that you get extra sugar. And those are two of her most favorite things.

She is two today and 24 pounds. She can't say L's very good so she says things like "wook it" and she calls herself "Hade" and calls Ella "Eya". She also says peeky boo instead of peek a boo. She calls Mason "Fason". She also tells me she "wuvs me" which melts my heart.

I love her so much. There is not much that is better in this world than Halle when she is happy. Her laugh is heavenly. To be very honest she is sometimes a very hard kid. And there are days that I want to ship her off. But when she is happy she is amazing. And of course I love her even on her most screamy days. Is screamy a word? Well it is in Halle's world anyway.

The fact that she is already two is very disturbing to me, but I am trying to cope.

My Little Angel Fan

2009-08-08T23:35:00.000-07:00

Bryce is cracking us up lately with his love for the Angels. There are quite a few Dodger fans in our family I won't mention any names (Jared, Jason, James...) and Bryce will totally stand up to their heckling and give it right back. Last night he was teaching Kaitlyn to say "Go Angels" much to her Dodger loving fathers dismay. He got an Angels shirt when he went back to school shopping so now he can proudly display his team colors in first grade.

And by the way Bryce I am a fan of you.

Cousin Love

2009-08-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

Have I Told You Today That I Love Being an Aunt

2009-08-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

Adalyn Update.

I still love her.

She is seven weeks old.

She is beautiful.

I am loving her more by the second.

She smiles a lot now.

She has great hair.

I still love her.

Jared and Tiffany Got Married Too...

2009-08-06T20:59:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I have mentioned this lately, but we had a weddintanstic summer. Yes we have been doing weddings. I love weddings. I also love my little cousin Tiffany. She is like one of those people that is so adorable all of the time, that you just want to squeeze them constantly. I adore her and I am so happy that she has fallen in love with this very lucky man Jared. I am also so happy that she wanted two of my litter to walk down the aisle with her. I am so excited to see how God will use Tiff and Jared. We are so happy for you guys. We love you and thank you for making us a part of your, oh so special day.

These two are getting ready to make their very professional walk down the aisle.

Daddy's Girls

2009-08-05T22:01:00.000-07:00

There are some moments that I just want to file away and revisit later, again and again. These are some of those.

Jason and Meeko's Big Day

2009-08-03T20:44:00.000-07:00

Jarrod's brother and my brother in-law married Meeko my now sister in-law. They were married in June on the 2oth. They had a beautiful wedding on a boat in Newport. Bryce Ella and Halle and Jarrod were all honored to be in the wedding. Everyone looked beautiful. I was smart and wore a dress with pockets so I was able to get lots of great pictures. (Of course mostly of the kids.)

We have been able to be a part of so many weddings this summer that it has made me reflect on weddings more than normal. These weddings are really an amazing event. It is this moment in our lives where we pause and celebrate and promise some really big stuff. We promise to love this person that we are marrying for the rest of our lives. Through whatever comes good and bad, beautiful and ugly, heart wrenching or heart warming. As we stand there at the altar we stand at a door way for the rest of our lives. We mostly look at the doorway which is happy and bright (as a wedding should be), because even if we wanted to we cannot see past it. But what is beyond the doorway is life and now after this day we have a partner to walk with the rest of the way. We have someone to hold us up at times, we have someone to hold up at times, we have someone that we will want to get lost along some other trail at times, we have someone to lay down and cry with at times, we have someone to keep our secrets at times, we have someone to roll around on the ground in laughter at times. No matter what comes we have a partner and we have made a covenant before God to love them and stay with them. What an amazing and beautiful thing a wedding is! And may we do what we set out to do. May we do what we promised to do.

Congratulations to Jason and Meeks. We wish you a beautiful life and an amazing journey together.

Introducing Adalyn Joy

2009-08-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

I want to officially introduce the world (okay really just my ten blog readers,) to my neice Adalyn. She was born on June 18 2009. She weighed 7lbs and 13ozs and was 18.5 inches long. She was 9 days late. She is adorable. She is six weeks now. She has dimples when she smiles and she loves to cuddle. My kids love her more than I thought that they would. They talk about her all of the time and love to hold and kiss her. Bryce doesn't love it when she cries and gets really worried that she isn't okay. Halle loves to help her with her passy and to buckle her car seat. We all are overwhelmed with how she blesses us. Thank you Addy for coming into our lives. We will love you always.

Courtney's Big Day

2009-08-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

My Sister made the most beautiful bride. I am still trying to process the whole event. It is too much emotion to get a hold of. Eventually I will. And then maybe I will write about it.

Princess Ella

2009-06-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

Can I start out by saying that I never thought I would be here with one of my own little girls dressed up like a princess. I have always thought that was so over the top, you know, way too girly for me. But none the less here I find myself with my adorable little girl that loves the princesses and of course wants to be one.

Well ahem...I had so much fun letting her be such a part of what she loves so much. Ella and my mom and I went to Disneyland without the other kids for her 4th birthday. She soaked up every minute of it. We did all of the things that she loves that we usually never do, like wait in line to meet every princess you could possibly think of. They all hugged her and told her that she looked so much like their best friend Ariel. And they all said that she had a pretty name just like their friend Cinderella. We got their autographs and their pictures and we will remember our special day. And now I realize that I would go through Disneyland with one of my own girls dressed like a princess because she loves it and so I... love it!

The best princess ever.

She really doesn't like this that much at all. Can you tell?

Her autograph book, that is right now her most valued pocession.

We definetly liked Princess Aurora the best. She was just precious. Which is why we ended up picking her dress in the dress shop.

Yes she is turning 4. I think I will go cry now for a while.

Not Normal Ella

2009-05-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

This is how I found my almost 4 year old the other day. Okay so this is not normal. I know she is small, but what in the world. This is a very small little kid play stove. And she isn't even taking up the whole thing. No, just the bottom shelf. Ella get out and come eat something for goodness sake.

Halle and the Colored Horses

2009-05-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

The other day I dropped the big kids off to have a little play date and while they were doing that Halle and I went to the Mall to browse around and return some things. While we were there Halle happened to see the little miniature carousel. She ran over to it and wanted to hop on. Well there were three different colored horses. There was a blue horse, a pink horse, and a green horse. Halle hopped right onto the green horse. And then she proceeded to tell me that the pink horse was Ella's and the blue horse was Brycey's (she only calls him Brycey, which I think is hysterical and adorable). It was so cute that she was thinking of them and so perceptive that she knew which horse they would pick. And so considerate of her to pick the remaining horse, even though they weren't there anyway of course. I am secretly hoping that this also maybe means she will have a little more tomboy in her. Maybe she will be just the balance we need. No pressure or anything Halle, if you are obsessed with all things pink in a couple of years that is okay too.

Halle's Love Language

2009-05-24T14:14:00.001-07:00

Okay so I know that traditionally processed sugar is not considered a love language. But I truly think that whoever came up with the five love languages did not consider Halle in their research because look at this face. This is what happens when you give this child processed sugar, high fructose corn syrup, any baked good, or any other sugary treat. She acts like she is on top of the world and everything in life is good. She actually acts relieved like she has been walking through the desert and has finally come upon the thing that will keep her going. I know that seems dramatic but what can I say I am just reporting the facts. I am telling you I think I have found a sixth love language. It is called junk food. Or maybe we should name it after Halle Reese herself.

Sew What?

2009-05-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

Okay this is going to sound crazy but I have been learning to sew. (I know in all my spare time right.) I decided that since I could barely sew a button back on or sew a straight hem, that maybe it was time for me to take my skills to the next level. In short I was starting to be embarrassed about giving my mom all of my mending. And not to mention the fact that there is becoming more and more mending with all of these children around here. So I decided to take on a sewing project and have my mom help me so that I could learn what I was doing. And I discovered that it is quite fun. So first I made the girls Easter dresses because it was almost Easter and it seemed like an appropriate choice.

So there they are: my first attempt at making my kids clothes.

Then I saw these dresses that I liked at a cute store but they were $89 dollars each. Let us just take a moment to laugh at buying kids $90 dresses. I mean really how long would it take these two crazy kids to destroy them. I might as well flush $200 down the toilet. So anyways I thought I bet I could make those. So I did. (With a little help from my mom again.) And guess what they cost me about $12 each. Anyway I think they turned out fun.

By the way this really isn't to toot my own horn. It is really just to document that I actually sewed. But feel free to toot my horn if you like.

4/29/09-Bryce is 6

2009-05-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

This is from Bryce's little birthday sleep over with his close friends. We had such a wonderful time with these kiddos. They were all such a joy to have for the night.

My Baby turned 6. 6. Did you get that? 6. What in the world? How is this happening?

Bryce, I love you so much. I don't understand why my time with you is going so quickly. It actually feels a little bit like a cruel trick. I like you so much that I want to spend all of the time with you that I can. I love your sweet spirit that has to tell the truth and loves to cuddle. I love your playfulness that is always wondering what and where we are going to go or do next. I so look forward to your beautiful smile that walks through the door everyday after school. I love that you love your sisters and that you love to teach and help them. I love that your favorite thing is to cuddle with me. I would do anything for you, I would walk a hundred miles to kiss those cheeks of yours, I would back flip just to see you smile. So please please don't grow up too fast. Make sure to spend plenty of leisurely time being a little boy, our sweet sweet little boy.

I'm Back!

2009-05-22T21:32:00.000-07:00

I know that you have all been on pins and needles... waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting... for another all inspiring post. Okay maybe nobody really noticed. Either way it is okay though because really this is for me. I want to remember this stuff someday as silly and random as it seems.
Anyway so this last week I realized something. I realized that I had become okay around here with things that are absolutley not okay. I was over looking and ignoring things that my kids were doing that desperatley need to be addressed. So my priorites have changed and I have placed discipline and training and shaping my kids near the very very top. And guess what? We all feel so much better. They are happier even though they have had to endure some more severe punishment that I truly hate to be the enforcer of. They are still so much happier. They know how I am going to respond. They know what they are not allowed to do. (They knew it before but lately I think they doubted if I would follow through and do anything about anything.) Daddy is happier because Mommy is happier and the kids are more fun to be with. And I feel more at peace and there is so much more joy in doing a better job at my job. I don't know exactly how I lost my way for a little while. But my hope is that I can continue to do the work that it takes to do my job which is to raise kids that respect and love God and others.

Halle is learning a lot about behavior that is not okay in the Lippen household. The crying and whining is being ignored to the point of painfulness but I think that she is getting the point. She is learning if she is going to throw a fit because she does not agree with mommy that she will have to do it in her own room and not disrupt the rest of the family. She is learning that mommy loves her so much and wants to play with her but that she can't always do it right now and that sometimes you are going to have to wait for a better time.

Bryce and Ella are just being reminded of what they already know- that mommy is absolutely all the time, never changing, no amount of whining altering, unequivocally in charge. And also that if you say a non loving thing or raise a finger towards your sibling you had better prepare yourself for the consequences.

Anyway there is just so much to learn and talk about and discover when you are 6, almost 4, and 21 months (especially 21 months.) And when I am working and see 12 year olds crying about the decision of what to eat for dinner or 7 year olds crawling under the table and not responding to the question of what do you want for lunch or 10 year olds running through the restraunt or just kids that don't say thank you or may I please have..., I remember how important it is for these little people to keep on learning and growing .

So I guess I am back in more than one way.

Our Dog

2009-03-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

Okay so first off Jarrod is going to hate this post because Kaia is on the couch... I try to keep her off of the couch but sometimes when I look away she climbs up there anyway. So before I kicked her off I had to get this video. She is so loud and she is totally one that will start moving her legs and barking and everything.

But Jarrod, I did kick her off the couch right after the video, hopefully that makes you feel better.

Seaworld

2009-03-07T15:37:00.000-08:00

The other day we visited Seaworld with Aunt Kelsey and cousin Mason.

The kids and I were all struck by Gods creation as we watched the killer whales. At one point the whale came up to say hello to us.

One of my favorite memories from this day was when Kelsey and I were trying to figure out if these shark teeth were real. So Kelsey reached out and touched them (you know sometimes you have to use all five senses to be sure.) And the alarm went off. We jumped about a mile. And ran out to go visit the next exhibit.

Cousin Love!!

Facebook

2009-03-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

So I just joined Facebook. Iknow, I know, what was I thinking? I wasn't, let me tell you. But I found this funny video about Facebook and it totally cracked me up. It pretty much sums it up.

Fetch

2009-02-26T13:22:00.000-08:00

I have come to the conclusion that I have not played enough catch with my daughter. Today I got out a football and asked her if she would like to play catch. She said sure she would like to play fetch. Fetch? No Ella it is called catch. Alright mom, lets play fetch.
Well, alright Ella lets.

Closet Time

2009-02-24T14:34:00.000-08:00

Well it may be hard to tell, but that is Ella. She is back behind all of her clothes in her closet. She is supposed to be taking a nap, but instead she is looking through her options for an outfit change. This is her basic routine. She tries a few different looks before she decides on one. I never really knew how she went through the things in her closet, until I walked in to find this the other day. I don't know if you have noticed yet, but she is truly one of a kind.

Best Picture Award

2009-02-22T16:07:00.000-08:00

Halle's New Hair Do

2009-02-21T21:22:00.000-08:00

We hit a milestone this weekend. Halle became a big girl with her pigtails. What a big girl!

Mason's Birthday

2009-02-21T21:15:00.001-08:00

Mason two years ago. (Where has the time gone?)

Yesterday was Mason's birthday. We all had so much fun with him. He had a Ka-Chow party (that is what he calls Lightning McQueen). He seemed to like all his toys and he was so adorable swinging at the pinata. We love you so much Mase!!!

Get Those Cameras Rolling

2009-02-16T20:46:00.000-08:00

Okay I am posting this video as inspiration for all of us. I found this video in my picture files just now and my first thought was that he was never that small. He is almost 3 in this video. I mean I truly don't remember his voice sounding like that or even his face looking like that. It made me cry, I mean really cry and I had to watch it twice. So get those video cameras rolling. Capture those little voices and little faces while you still can.

Valentines Day

2009-02-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

Oh what a day!!
I am exhausted!!
We had a fun, busy day today. I think that the kids had a good day and that is the second most important thing to me today. The most important of course, is that my husband knows how much he means to me and that he knows that I want him for a valentine forever. (By the way I know this makes some of you want to gag, and um, sorry about that.) He of course is not here with me right now because he is out being amazing and conquering the world for us. And thanks to a friend of mine, I thought I would let him know what I thought of him on this here little blog.
So here a few of the reasons why I want to spend the rest of my life with him...
1. I guess that I should start with what he is doing right now. I love him because he works so hard for us. I don't know another man that works as hard. And the most amazing part is that he does what he does every day with a smile on his face.
2. Which brings me to number two. I love him because he comes home from working so hard and he doesn't just lay on the couch and demand "me" time. No, he comes home and gets on the floor and plays with the kids and talks to me about my day and tells me about his and picks Bryce up from school and talks to him about his day and the list goes on and on. He is like the Energizer Bunny. How he does it I will never know, but I do know that I love him for it.
3. Another thing that makes him so amazing is that he doesn't treat people like he is better than them, ever. No matter who they are, he is not better. He is truly humble.
4. He goes without. There are so many things that I know he would love to have but he doesn't because he loves us more. I respect him so much for that.
5. He puts up with me even when I don't deserve to be put up with. (There are not a whole lot of people that could, believe me it is no small task. I definitely have my moments.) And really it is not just putting up with, he loves me.
6. He teaches me not to take life too seriously. He is such a good balance for me.
7. He makes me laugh. He did the very first time I laid eyes on him and he has never stopped. I may not laugh as much as I used to, but I do still laugh. One way that I know he loves me too, by the way, is that whenever I do laugh it makes him so happy. And he will usually say "You're so pretty when you smile", or "I love to hear you laugh." I told you he loves me.
8.He is such a good dad. Whenever I hear him playing dolls with the girls I am reminded of it. And it always makes me stop and thank the Lord that they have such a good dad. He doesn't just play with them though, he also makes sure that they respect him, and even me. And most of all he loves them. They are such amazing kids because of him. And I am so so grateful.
9.He will shop with me and take me to chick flicks and watch chick shows like the Bachelor. And let me clarify for his sake, that he doesn't do these things because he likes them, but because he likes me. He even offered yesterday to take me to see Twilight. Didn't I tell you that he loves me.
10.I honestly could go on and on and on. So I guess I should wrap it up with number 10. He can still make my stomach flip flop. I didn't know that was possible after three kids and mortgages and lots of hard stuff. But he can.
Anyway like I said I know some of you want to gag, but hopefully it makes him want to smile. I love you, Happy Valentines.

The Girls

2009-01-23T14:44:00.000-08:00

You Guys...

2009-01-21T21:09:00.001-08:00

Today was a rough day. I slammed four of my fingers in the garage door. You know like in between the rows of panels. Yeah it hurt let me tell you. Then I took my kids to In n Out to try to brighten their day with a milk shake. (We have kind of been stuck in the house a lot with sickness.) As I sat there in the booth I could totally feel everyone notice me and look at me like I was crazy for coming with all of my kids. So after we had that experience, that involved Halle pulling napkins out of the napkin holder and Bryce wheeling around the place on his Heelys and Ella taking the lid off of her shake and spilling it down the front of her, I realized that we were totally late for kindergarten. So then I was trying to get the kids into the car alive without being run over and in my effort to that end I piled a bunch of stuff on top of my car, my diet coke, Halle's pacifier, my sunglasses, and I think a couple more things. And then after I spent 5 minutes trying to get Halle to comply and sit in her car seat, you guessed it, I started driving with all that stuff on top of my car. I mean really who does that? Really who does that? Thank the Lord one of the guys that had been watching my like I was some form of entertainment inside In n Out stopped me and told me that all of that stuff was on top of my car. I mean really who does that? Then of course we were late to school. Then I got home and spilled my diet coke all over the kitchen table. The one thing that was going to brighten my day, gone. To which I cried! Cried! Who does that?
Usually life is not this hard.

Ella

2009-01-21T21:04:00.000-08:00

Washer and Dryer

2009-01-17T21:02:00.000-08:00

We have had quite the week. Monday was bloody noses and Tuesday was puke and Wednesday was diarrhea and then of course the rest of the week was just the normal 10 loads worth. So I just wanted to give a little shout out to my washer and dryer. Let me say first that they are nothing special. They are 6 years old, my washer is not even front loading, in fact they remind me very much of what my parents had when I was growing up. However, despite their inadequacies and their failure to be new and improved and their lack of a really cool color that makes the laundry room pop (you know like those jewel tone ones that they have on the Maytag commercials), they still get the job done. They are still a modern appliance that makes my life better and for these reasons I am thankful. We spend many an hour together and I just wanted to give them the recognition that they deserve in my life. So Maytag washer and dryer I salute you. I thank you for your hard work and long hours and loyalty to me and the fam. What you do is truly essential to my sanity.
Oh and PS, Washer, could you work on doing a better job at stain removal. Sometimes the lack of effort is really astonishing.

Gingerbread House with Aunt Telsey

2009-01-17T20:55:00.000-08:00

My sister is the best. I love her so much. Anyway she has a tradition of making a gingerbread house with the kids every year. And it is really cute because Bryce remembered this year with out being told. He loves special time with Aunt Telsey.

Well of course we had to take a picture of it before these two big bad kids ate it all down. Anyway thanks Tels we love you so much. (That is if you ever check this.)

A Few More Christmas Highlights

2009-01-17T20:30:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more of my favorite Christmas memories...We had so much fun when some of our favorite friends came over to exchange gifts. We had pizza, read a story about Jesus birth, opened one present each, did a hand print craft, and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and ate cake. We are so thankful for our friends and so glad that we could celebrate Christmas together. This is my adorable nephew Colton and my adorable niece Kaitlin. They came to see Bryce's performance and we loved having them there.This is Mason opening one of the presents that we got him. I love this because he loves this skateboard so much and it makes me want to buy him everything in the store. This was Christmas with my Dad's side and these are all the second cousins. I just love that we got a picture with them all in it. And I am so pleased with the number of happy faces in this group shot.

At the same party we had a competition to see who could create the best gingerbread house. Ours did not win, but we looked cute trying. Our kids totally sabotaged us and traded to a new team right in the middle of the competition. What is up with that Bryce and Ella? Oh and Halle helped a lot by eating all of our supplies. Good lookin out Hal.

I think that the prize definitely went to my Dad's group. They built a mansion! Way to go guys.

Kindergarten Christmas Performance and Parade

2009-01-12T19:49:00.000-08:00

As you can see I am trying to catch you all up on our busy holiday adventures. This is one small taste of Bryce's performance at the Kindergarten Program. And this was definitely one of my highlights from kindergarten so far.

These are pictures of Bryce's Polar Express Parade. Thank goodness for dads. Jarrod is fully credited with helping Bryce build his Christmas Train.

It was so cute to watch them parade by all the older kids in the school. They were so proud of their trains and the big kids really cheered them on.

Christmas Picture

2009-01-11T14:34:00.000-08:00

So here is how we really got our Christmas picture this year...

Let me start by telling you that Halle happens to have two personalities. One is sweet and funny and just about the cutest, most fun personality you ever saw. The other however is very stubborn and uncooperative and happens to sit in time out a lot. As you can see in the first picture, my effort to get an amazing picture was not going well at first, and you can guess which personality I was dealing with. So I was on my own for this(daddy was at work) and I had to come up with something fast. So I had some white M&M's(white being important because it wouldn't make a mess). And Halle of course, actually lives for chocolate. And lucky for me as long as there is an endless supply coming her way you can actually flip the switch on those personalities. So all of you that thought she had such a funny huge smile. Now you know that it is because she ate about 20 M&M's. Who said that bribery was bad? If it gets the job done isn't that what really matters.

Fall

2009-01-07T18:18:00.000-08:00

I have decided that it is officially fall in our dear sweet town. "But it is January" you may say. Yes well I am not sure what to tell you except that someone forgot to tell the trees. I must say that all the fall foliage is so beautiful and today the kids were even enjoying playing in the leaves. Hmmm, I wonder when winter will start.

Halle

2009-01-02T15:13:00.001-08:00

Big Day

2009-01-02T14:52:00.000-08:00

So yesterday was a big day. I went with my sisters and my mom to pick out my baby sisters wedding dress. (I really am so struck that this is already happening.) I love my sisters and I love how close we are, it really makes days like that amazing. We laugh and make fun of each other and other people and we eat of course. What a forever fun day though. I will never forget it. The part that I will remember the most is how excited and deliriously happy she looked. She found the most amazing dress and she couldn't have looked more beautiful. I obviously can't post pictures so you will all just have to wait till the big day.

Flying High

2008-12-20T21:21:00.000-08:00

Yes, that star is on the top of our seven foot Christmas tree. And yes, Halle loves to fly. And yes, Jarrod is Halle's hero.

Aunt Cookie is Engaged

2008-12-19T16:21:00.000-08:00

Do you see the big beautiful ring on that finger? We are so excited to tell you all that Aunt Cookie (formerly known as my little sister Courtney) is engaged. She is going to marry Johnny Hall who we love very much and are so excited to have for a brother and an uncle. I personally can't wait to go dress shopping with my baby sister. I have also been asked to be a matron of honor, along with my other beautiful sister. And I just want to announce now that Kelsey and I are so going to take matronly out of Matron of Honor. I mean really who came up with that title anyway.

Non Transformation

2008-12-18T21:06:00.000-08:00

The other day my kids decided to work on me . They worked and worked on me. For about an hour they put things in my hair and used makeup brushes on my face. At some point when my hair was full of everything that they could find. Ella said to Bryce what do you think she will look like when we take it all out. Bryce said "I think she will look like Hannah Montana." When they did take it all out Bryce stood back and looked at me and said "You look like Mommy." Sorry Bryce, I am sure that was disappointing.

Jana

2008-12-18T20:43:00.000-08:00

First off I am sorry to anyone who is keeping up with my blog, that I haven't kept up very well this month. We are very busy enjoying all the festivities of the Christmas Season.

Okay do you all know who this is? Because you had better. It is Jana Alayra. A real live super star to my kiddos. She came to our MOPS group last week and she is such a sweetheart.

We got to MOPS early that morning and so my kids came in the room where we have our meetings, and saw Jana walking around casually. Then they followed me out of the room and they were standing at the entrance of the room near me. As we were standing there, Ella was whispering as people walked by, "Jana is in there!"

Thank you Jana for a great cry(her testimony), and a fun time with the kids(concert).

Don't Eat Them All Mom

2008-12-03T14:36:00.000-08:00

So this afternoon Ella and I were baking caramel apple bars. And after we put them in the oven it was time for Ella to take a rest (I would love to be able to say it was time for Ella to go take a nap, but who am I kidding she doesn't nap). And Ella said "No Mommy, I want to taste them." I reassured her that she was welcome to do that after her nap when they were finished. And do you know what she said to me, "Don't eat them all Mom, I want to try them." What? Why in the world would she think that I was going to eat them all? She is 3 why is she talking to me like a grown up?
Well anyway I think that this serves as a wake up call, eat less baked goods, or maybe just make more! I think I will go with the latter.

Great Grandma!!

2008-11-29T21:27:00.000-08:00

I love my Grandma. The kids love her too. I love to hear all of her stories and I love to get her little pieces of wisdom. She is such an amazing woman. She was married to my Grandpa for, I think, 56 years, before he went home to be with Jesus. She has 4 kids, 14 biological grand kids(many more if you count all of the ones that married her grandchildren), and almost 18 great grand kids. She waited at home for my Grandpa while he fought in World War 2, and after he fought in the war, they owned and ran a farm in Nebraska. See I told you she is an amazing woman.

Bryce and Ella call her the Great Grandma with Fritzie. (She has a cute little dog named Fritzie.) And they love to go visit her. We love you Grandma!

One of my favorite things that she has ever said to me was just recently, when we started talking about how we didn't want to be stuck here on earth for too long because we are so anxious to go home and be with Jesus. She said "Oh I know, every morning I wake up and think oh Lord, (sigh) another day."

An After Thanksgiving Hike

2008-11-29T20:52:00.000-08:00

We went for a really fun hike today. Really fun!! It was so great to be together as a family. We climbed trees and rocks and laughed.

Bryce and his friend the lizard that "rode on him" for quite some time.

I love this picture of Bryce and Ella. They stood like that on their own. I love that they are such good buddies.

After I took that picture of the two older kids, Halle walked up to the fence and turned around and smiled at me and said "eeee." Man that kid cracks me up.

My sweet Ella girl that I love so much.

Monkey Girl

2008-11-29T15:24:00.000-08:00

Wow does my monkey love to climb trees. We went for a family hike today and she just loved to climb everything. And of course she was as determined and full of personality as always.

John 3:16

2008-11-12T14:05:00.000-08:00

Hooray for Free Day

2008-11-11T22:00:00.001-08:00

We had such a fun family day at the San Diego Children's Museum. Hooray for Free Day.

The motto of the Museum is Think Play Create. That is all that we did there Sunday and it was right up the kids alley. They made shadow puppets, pillow buildings, houses out of cardboard, buildings out of blocks and bubbles blown from pipe cleaners. They also climbed walls, matresses, jungle gyms, a tent city, and tire pillows. Can you imagine a better day in the life of a 5 and 3 year old?

Dancing with Halle

2008-11-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

Okay so Halle has recently added some new dance moves to her routine. What do you all think?

A Date with Daddy

2008-11-11T21:35:00.000-08:00

This is just for you Honey Bunches!

2008-11-03T13:24:00.000-08:00

Yeah for Halloween. We had so much fun. And so did the kids. Because is Halloween really for the kids or is it more for us adults? When we first put all of the kids costumes on, all of the little kids, Colton Mason and Halle, started crying and whining and protesting. They eventually caught on. And once we got them all outside they all had a blast. But it made me think that really we adults just love to see our little guys dressed up and running around.Halle was a ferocious shark complete with a bow, leg warmers, and ballet flats. So ferocious Halle!
Bryce was Captain Jack Sparrow. The leader of the pack.

My dear sweet Colton was a sock monkey, or as Ella later recalled a sack monkey. Whichever right, all that really mattered was that he was adorable.

Mason was a tiger, who was not willing to humiliate himself by wearing the head of the costume. Who can blame the kid when it is like 90 degrees on Halloween.

Oh and of course Princess Ella or on Halloween Princess Ariel. The other night we went to a little Halloween party at the park with the ladies from MOPS and one of the little boys there asked her if she was princess and she told him, "Ya, I look like Ariel."

Another thing that happened on Halloween was that while we were trick or treating we did happen upon one house where there was a man dressed up and trying to scare kids. Well Ella was horrified and scared out of her mind. She ran back to me at the sidewalk were we started to talk about what had happened and she said to me, "But Mama that wasn't very nice, he hurt my heart, and he is trying to scare the kids. I don't want his candy." I don't blame you Ella.

Pumpkin Muck

2008-10-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, I found this great pumpkin carving lesson on a website, I think it is called TheHeartof theMatter, but anyway I love that it has all of the verses with each point. It is probably to late for most of you because we are probably the only ones to pick the day before Halloween to carve pumpkins, but I thought I would share it anyway in case anyone was interested. Also something I saw that I want to get for next year (because it is too late for this year) is a kids book called The Parable of the Pumpkin by Liz Curtis Higgs. Anyway just thought I would share what I had found.

~HOW GOD CARVES A PUMPKIN~
Create a pumpkin. Make it big, little, short, tall fat or skinny. No matter which, it will be a WONDERFUL pumpkin.
“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” Isaiah 66:2
Harvest the pumpkin when it’s fully ready.
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Hold the pumpkin gently as you cleanse the dirt outside, washing all the dirt away.
“Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sin.” Acts 22:16
Make an opening at the top, Search into the dark cavity for anything that needs to be removed.
“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward according to conduct and deeds. Jeremiah” 17:10
Remove all the stringy pulp and slime, and clean out the entire cavity.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God.” Psalm 51:10
Give that pumpkin a big set of eyes so that he may see all the good around him.
“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” Luke 10:23
Carve a nice nose so that he can take in the wonderful scents of the world.
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart.” Proverbs 27:9
Carve a great big SMILE so that he can bring JOY to anyone who sees him.
“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart of others.” Proverbs 15:30
Make the pumpkin glow all over with a little white light inside.
“God said, “let light shine out of the darkness,” and made His light shine in our hearts.” 2Corinthians 4:6
Rejoice in the “NEW” pumpkin that has been created and given new life.
“Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me, I have found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:6
Place the pumpkin in the perfect spot so that the light will guide others.
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise the Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Disneyland Again

2008-10-28T21:38:00.001-07:00

The other day I took Bryce, Ella and Olivia to Disneyland by myself. I know I am a crazy person, but it was fun to give them all of my attention. I love them all so much and it was so fun to watch the joy in their faces about the different things. The highlights were definitely the parade and the Elvis concert.

It was also one of the only times that I have stayed with kids to watch fireworks. I must be so old because it felt so late to stay. Oh and also it was so cute they picked Ella to be the princess of the carousel, which if you know Ella, you know that is a big deal. They announced her name over the loud speaker and everything. All in all it was a fun and very exhausting day.

"I want it all!"

2008-10-28T14:55:00.000-07:00

So really I guess that I most love to blog about the little funny things that happen in our lives and in our home. These things are small and maybe even uninteresting to most, but some of these little things are the highlights of my day.

Yesterday these two cracked me up. I gave Bryce a Toys'R Us ad, but it was like one of those super ads, meaning it was more like a catalog. I told him why don't you sit down and circle some things that you would like to get for Christmas. So Bryce and Ella, who soon

joined in on the fun, sat and started circling. About an hour later (by the way did you get that, this lasted for an hour, which if you are unaware that is like forever in the life of a five and three year old) they had circled almost everything in the ad. Bryce would circle everything that he wanted of course. And then everything that he saw that was girly he would say do you want this Ella and I don't believe that I ever heard her say no. Well I guess everyone is allowed to dream.

My Halle Reesey Piecey

2008-10-19T20:35:00.001-07:00

Halle is one now. Well actually she is 14 months but who is counting. What can I say about Halle? I think that she is so adorable, but it is a good thing because she can be a royal pain in my hinney. Am I allowed to say that about my precious little one year old? I love her to pieces but she is the most stubborn independent and active one year old I have ever seen in all my life. I am actually a little bit scared of what the next few years are going to be like. I know that some of you at this point are thinking what is the big deal? Or, look at that face, how could she be anything but adorable? Well there is a reason that God gave her that cute face, let me tell you. There are also those of you that have seen her in action and know just what I am talking about. I do love though, that she has a mind of her own and I know that she will be a strong girl that loves to laugh.

We all love her so much though. It was so cute when we were doing this photo shoot with her, every time I would put her on the backdrop she would run off of it and straight to her big brother and then laugh like she was the funniest thing in the whole world. It was so cute to see them all laugh and play even in the photo shoot room. Bryce and Ella wanted to do anything they could to help Halle do what she was supposed to do. And Halle loved being the center of attention and wanted to make Bryce and Ella laugh.

Cilantro

2008-10-17T00:56:00.000-07:00

So Bryce has become a kindergartner. Which by the way is just not right. How did my little baby boy become a school aged kid? I think that something happened when I wasn't looking. Like someone threw me in a time machine with all my kids and warped me like at least two years forward. Anyway I guess I have to accept it.

So yesterday Bryce came home from school and started counting in Spanish because that is something that they do in school. It was so cute he said "Uno, dos, tres, cilantro." To which Jarrod and I laughed hysterically. Which by the way if you are worried about Bryce's little ego right now, don't. He loves nothing more than to make people laugh.

So I started to count to ten in Spanish correctly and by about the time I reached siete, (I know really impressive, is that even spelled right?), Bryce looked at me with wide eyes and said "Mommy you lived in Chinese."

Man I love that kid. Have I happen to mention that yet? I am still not entirely sure that it is fair that Mrs. Taylor gets to spend so much time with him.