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!!

Cali

Wow Christmas is next week...how is that possible?!  The last month has been full of fun.  A trip to California for Thanksgiving.  We saw lots of family and friends

We got to go to LegoLand!! Liv got her first face paint

some California driving :)

Ok, I'm a sucker for a kiddy ride...the big roller coasters just aren't my thing!

Quality time with Gammy and Papa, definitely a highlight!

Liv and her bestie Gianna.  Her mom and I have been friends since we were born and now our girls are...crazy!

That's all for now!  Next up, my birthday bash and Christmas!!  xoxo

Behind

Oh my heavens, I am a bit behind these days...the blog is a good reflection of my life in general, I guess.  Always a bit behind in my day to day tasks, my schedule (I like to think I have some semblance of one) and my walk with the Lord.   I am thankful for the quiet moments, like now, just to sit and think, dwell on my day, reflect, and pray.  I don't get enough of this, but I know it's life...we are to be hard working, busy, purposeful and productive!

Weekend before last we took a little family hike.  We packed up the girls and the gear - backpack, snacks, sippy cups, jackets, hats, the list goes on.  It was just a short drive from our house, but it felt like a little escape.  It was a beautiful fall morning.  We slowed down, we caught up and we enjoyed being together!

I told you, beautiful! 

It's hard to believe it'll be covered in white soon...I think I'm ready (at least I keep telling myself!)



I'm never too far from my phone...my husband had to prove this by taking a pic of me texting or something on an old bridge in the middle of nowhere!



He can be a smart aleck sometimes...but oh how I love him!







and her.  The threes have shown themselves to be a bit more challenging than the twos.  But we're workin' at it.  God knew just who needed to be her mommy and I'm up for the task...there's no other job I'd rather have!

More fall

It's been a busy few weeks...

Aunt Shanny came from Florida!!  It was such a special time...I love my sister and miss her more than ever!

We did a lot of shopping, laughing, eating out...I even got to see a movie, in the theater (can't even remember the last time I did that).  It was a girly one, even better with your sister :).  There is such a comfort and ease being with your family.  The timing of her trip was perfect and I tried to soak up every minute...we even kicked Brian downstairs so we could lay in bed and laugh and watch HGTV!  Bliss, I tell ya.

We took her to a "real" pumpkin patch.  First stop...

the warm, fresh pumpkin donuts...there are no words, just drool

there were lots of cool antique looking props that made for good photo opps...can you tell we read a lot of Dr Seuss around here?

Family photo in the orchard

Corn Maze!!

The cutest pumpkin in the patch!!

Thanks for coming sis..I know it was a big sacrifice for you!!  It meant so much to me and my family.        WE LOVE YOU!!!

Fair fun

The fair is a BIG deal in this town...think Academy Awards LA (well, not quite, but you get the picture!).  It's advertised for weeks and weeks and it really is all the rage.  I've noticed it's the first thing you get asked, "Have you gone to the fair"? - by your doctor, your barista, your hairdresser!  Wow, I guess I have been missing out the last 4 years!

It was fun to take our girls...here are some highlights!

Livi practicing on the pretend pony.  She was a little hesitant to go on the real thing!



Our little fearless one...first fair, first pony ride, no problem!  "Pony" she kept saying and "soft" as she pet it!

getting closer...

Success!!

Micah and Liv checking out the bunnies...gotta love it!



Next up..baby chicks and should I be worried?  Isn't 3 a little too young even for this generation ;)

First fair ride...vrrooom!!

Not pictured events...my first elephant ear and a covered wagon ride.  I never thought I'd be typing or knowing about those things.  Fun stuff!!

I Heart Fall

The football, the leaves, the hot soups, the long sleeves...I love it all!  Growing up a So Cal kid I guess we had our fair share of fall days...they'd show up here and there, with a 100 degree day in between, just to remind us to not put away the t-shirts!  I really love this time of year.  It is my favorite!

So far our fall has been fun.  My mom came to visit for Olivia's 3rd birthday (a gift in itself - especially to me!).  I really love my parents and miss them so much.  My dad couldn't make this trip but we hope to head down there for Thanksgiving.  In a few weeks my sister is coming from Florida. We have not seen her in a year and a half which means she has never met Mal (only via Skype, I also heart technology!).  So fall has meant family which has left me a happy girl.

Here are some pics of my mom and Olivia at one of our local orchards.  In case you city slickers don't know that's what you do in the fall.  You go pick apples at an orchard, uh huh, fresh from the trees.  Did you know the apples you buy at your local grocery store were picked close to one year ago?  Crazy, huh?  Ok, enough of my random facts...on to the memories!

Don't know how that date stamp got there...ugh!

I love Liv's face in this one...we are pretty much all smiles when Gami is here!



Love it!



Love you Mom!!!