Daddy's Gone...Day One

Well, I am a work week widow once again!  To be honest, this has not been so easy for me, but everytime Brian is gone I feel a little better, stronger and capable than I did the time before.  I told my friend this morning that today I was determined to put my big girl panties on and be positive and productive this week.

Today we headed to Hands on Art, a paint your own pottery store.  We had a mission - handmade gifts for Papa Craig and Daddy who both have April birthdays.  It was a success for the most part and I will reveal the final products after the gifts have been given!

Big thanks to my friend Amy who tagged along and helped big time.  She also happens to be a pretty great photographer and got this with my phone!  Thanks Amy!!

Keep us in your prayers this week!!

Finding the Profound in the Practical

A few weeks ago I got to go to see Beth Moore (a popular Christian author and speaker) with a group of ladies from my small group.  If you have ever done one of her studies or heard her speak you can imagine what an awesome experience it was.  She is super practical and in her truest Baptist form always wants ya "to take home a word"..said in my best Southern drawl.  I walked away with much to mull over but the thing that has stuck with me the most was the title of this post.

Her point was, in our ordinary, day to day practical living is the profoundly spiritual.  There is no time that He does not meet us.  For me, this means, whether I am scrubbing a toilet, changing a diaper or folding the laundry, God is with me.  Seems pretty simple right?  As a stay at home mom, I tend to get lost in the tasks and forget that.  I don't need to climb a mountain or look at the ocean (although I do love both of those) to experience the Lord's presence.  He is there...in the dirty dish duty or the discipline a daughter moments.  I love that.  What a great reminder.

'nuff said!

Princess Jasmine is learning quite a bit in Preschool!!

Winter...what?

The weather the last few weeks has been pretty un-winter like for Washington.  I'm talkin' 60 degrees, break out the T's and lots of playing outside!

Yes, the leaves never seem to stay gone for too long.  I'll shovel snow any day rather than rake those pesky things.  But they do make for fun photo opps!

 Oh the things that will entertain a three year old

 and a one year old.  I think dirt is one of her food groups for sure

Take that old man Winter!

This, my So Cal friends, is called dormancy...say it with me dor-man-cy.  Dormancy is a period in an organism's life cycle when growth, development, and (in animals) physical activity are temporarily stopped.  Most of the world does slow down a little Los Angeles, shocking!  But don't you worry, she'll be looking green in no time!

When I shot this all I kept thinking was wow God and DNA, a pretty remarkable combination.  That hair just amazes me and when the sun shines on it, breath taking!

These are my winter obsessions...purchased on my recent Seattle trip.  You can notice my skinny jeans too.  Welcome back '80s

We are some serious sidewalk chalk artists



And thus the reason I left the second L out of the traditional spelling of Mal's name.  They line up together pretty well...I like symmetry!





January...done!

I do a little happy dance when January is over.  It just seems like THE looooongest month!  Although, this winter thing is definitely growing on me.  Sure, it's cold and gray pretty often, but it's fun to play in the snow and I've even driven more than I have in years past.  Yay me!

This month we had a few fun trips.  One overnight to Seattle where we got to stay downtown at the Hotel Monaco.  4 stars for $75, thank you Priceline!  Oh how I love a nice hotel.  I'm such a sucker for the fancy soaps and comfy beds.  We also got to spend a few days in Portland.  Once again, Oregon does not disappoint.  Our hotel had an INDOOR pool - this is exciting to me, maybe because in California this is an anomaly.  A pool housed with a roof and walls?  Who knew...

I got to introduced to this wonderful piece of machinery:

Coffee and tea packaged in these tiny round containers, add a little water and voila!  A little bit of tasty for one!

So, all that to say January isn't as bleak as she once was, but I certainly welcome the shorter February and then straight on til March!!

Til then we'll eat a little more snow...

and make a few more angels...

 See ya next year January!

The Basement

Until I moved to WA and bought this house, I don't know that I had ever been in a basement.  In California, we don't have basements....we have attics and garages, but no basements.  I understand, they can be kind of dark, a little scary, ours has even been referred to as the "dungeon".  Yes, it is underground and a little mysterious, but hey, we have come to appreciate the beauty of a basement.  It stores your stuff, it keeps your kids toys out of the living room, and it stays really cool during the hot summer.

2011 is the year of the basement...we want to make it bright and liveable and a place where we can enjoy, watch movies and entertain.  First up, the family room. 

Demo..done!  Remember that lovely wood paneling and dropped ceiling...all gone.
   

I'm laughing at all the random things in the room...the bumbo, the recliner, the tea cup
  



New electrical...I know, so exciting right?



The old lighting and the lovely laminate flooring...oooh ahhh.  Soon to be replaced by carpet, my feet feel warmer already!

Next up, insulation,drywall, and paint...oh my!  It's a process people, a very lengthy one.  At times I feel like home owning is a little over rated and lotsa work but the outcome will be worth the effort says my always-positive husband.  Gotta love him!

Surprise!

I had an amazing birthday!!

I got to spend the weekend with my sister in law Jen and our friend Sarah in Seattle.  If you've never experienced downtown Seattle at Christmas time, it is a must!!  The lights, the bustle, and of course the red cups.  First stop, Nordies! That is precisely where the Light Rail dropped me off.  We stayed at a great hotel, shopped, ate yummy food, shopped, laughed, cried a little too, and then shopped some more!  Thanks for a fun time Jen and Sarah!!



Didn't bring my camera, but you get the idea!

Sunday Brian invited about 20 of our family and closest friends and threw me a Surprise party.  I was completely shocked!!  The deep house cleaning and strange behavior on my husband's part did not give it away.  I felt so loved and grateful for the people there who have quickly become so special to us.  I love my life here and if you know my story the Lord has done a GREAT work to get me to this place.

Two of my closest friends Gina and Cortney!



My amazing husband...





Addy and Josh...they had the tough task of getting me out of the house.  Hilarious story and a great memory!



Deb and Craig



Red Velvet...my fave!

I am so thankful for another year of life and for all that God has blessed me with!!