Looking Back and Forward

The year 2008 has been interesting. Hard is the more accurate word. It seems for me there were many relationship losses and personal disappointments but in the mist of pain, a beautiful wonderful boy was born and his personality as it comes out more is such a joy to see. I would have to say the birth of our son was THEE highlight of 2008

The hardest pain to work through in 2008 was the loss (not physical loss) of my nephew. He's with his mother and they have each other. That was really hard....and still hard. Learning how to grieve was important in that I learned how to work through that loss.

Seeing Morgan grow up more was fun, interesting, and challenging. We're still growing and that's good.

I felt that Jesus personally challenged me to trust him in some areas of my life. And I can say that I have grown in that area. Thank you that it's a work in progress and his mercies are new every morning!!

Here's to 2009. There will be another nephew born...Congrats Cullen and Melissa!! and our kids getting older. We're looking forward.....

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!

Surprises

I love when I my husband shows up where he knows I'm going to do an activity or an errand and he is just there....great surprise!

Some surprises are hard to work though because there disappointments. It just hurts..sigh

I can hardly imagine how surprised the shepherds where when they saw angels in the sky....pretty cool

I'm looking forward to how surprised Morgan is going to be when she sees her stuff animal Nemo.

Christmas Week

I'm so excited about Jesus' Birthday this week. More then I have been for years. I know this is due to having a 2 and 1/2 year old and getting to see her experience everything for almost the first time and her being able to participate and understand what is happening more than the past years.

The innocence of her spirit and her 100% trust in what I say makes me scared sometimes but also makes me realize what Jesus meant when he said to make yourself like little children. I find that I am jaded by my 'knowledge' of the world' and that life experiences have left their scars or walls around my heart. Thank you that Jesus is able to heal and restore.

Weeks Highlights

I'm thoroughly enjoying the snow today. Mostly because I'm inside and have had only had to drive in it once.

As soon as Morgan saw the snow covering her outside slide she exclaimed "oh no my slide" and ran and got a napkin out of the kitchen drawer and I let her outside where she tried to wipe the snow off her slide. This lasted 5 seconds until the extreme cold sank in. If only snow could be removed that easily.

Caden has quite a grip and hasn't learned how to release his hands as fast as he graps on to something. While I was changing him he discovered that there are areas down there that really hurt if you pull on them!! I felt really bad for him seeing the shock in his eyes and as he was screaming his head off and didn't know how to let go :(

Sunday morning's speech Louie gave was very refreshing and made me glad we didn't play hookie that morning ;)

Most memorable was the high note Morgan was able to reach when she was screaming when Andy was taking her out of the sanctuary this past Sunday. I just chuckle and smile rather then cry now.

Growth

I've always thought I've been a mature person as I was growing up and as an adult. I felt that I was pretty level headed.

Even after I met Andy I thought that I have matured in some areas. Unfortunately probably in the last couple of years, I have felt that I am going in reverse in some areas of maturity and my husband has growth spurted through areas of maturity or concepts that have taken me a long time to get through. I've ever delighted and amazed to hear words come out of his mouth that are so profound and he says it in probably just a couple of sentences and when I least expect it. The same thing in would take me 15 minutes to explain.

Like wine.. he just gets better with age

Rock Climbing

That's Melissa (my sister in-law ) in the red sweater
Hotness!
That's me above. Trusting my sister-in-law in a deeper way (as she's what would keep me from falling)!

Andy's brother, Cullen, and his wife Melissa are avid rock climbers. We went with them and Andy's parents to do some rock climbing for their dad's birthday. It turned out to be alot of fun. I actually climbed part of a very large rock ( with Melissa's help). Andy climbed the same rock with much ease. Morgan tried it as well and lasted a whole 2 minutes!! ;). I had a few seconds of panic when I looked down but then quickly looked up to focus on the next grab ahead of me ( a life lesson that I'm using every day now as we are minus a dear family member.

I'm not even close to an expert but was glad that I tried it.

Brooks

Brooks- Dec ??, 1997 to Dec 3, 2008

You were a great friend and dog and we're glad your not in pain anymore, Brooks...We love and are going to miss you.

Sick Doggie

Our dog is sick :(. She turns 11 next year and besides arthritis in her back legs which cause her to limp and has earned her the name tripod, she has been a pretty healthy dog.

Till Friday, since then she hasn't wanted to eat, barely drink, and not move from where-ever she is. She moans when she moves and is pretty listless. So, Andy and I took her to the vet today and their doing some test as I type. During the physical exam the vet said that her pulse is weak and that her heart doesn't sound as strong as it should. . I'm cautiously optimistic that this is an acute illness as it came on her so fast and isn't something chronic. I'm probably in denial though. The question with an older dog is how much do you want to do to prolong her life.

As Morgan would say...poor rah rah

First Movie

We took Morgan and Caden to their first moive and we saw the Disney movie, Bolt. Well actually we took Morgan to 2 movies when she was an infant but I doubt she remembers Nacho Libre and the 3rd pirates movie but since she slept through both of them we don't count them. This was Caden's first movie and he slept through the whole thing :)

Morgan did good. She laughed and exclaimed "oooh nooo" in scary parts and cheered for the kitty and doggy. She lasted the whole time. It did help that when she looked back all the other kids where sitting and watching quietly. The movie was pretty funny. The hamster made Andy and I laugh alot. I guess if you have to go kids movie this one was entertaining.

My highlight for this thanksgiving was the turkey. I brined it the day before and it was so juicy and tender. Safely say it was the best I've tasted :).

Hiding From Love

O.k., so I have a hard time diving into a book and I can't force myself to read something if it doesn't spark my interest, even if my mind says I should. I've been looking for a deep and meaningful book to read for several months...yes months.

I've tried a few but finally heard my mom talk about the book "Hiding from Love." What really sparked my interest is it is written by one of the authors that wrote the Boundaries book (Dr. Townsend) which has changed Andy and my life and our marriage. That is what got me interested.

So I'm about half way through it and it's really good. It has made me think about where I struggle (where are my triggers) where I haven't experienced wholeness and life.

If you do pick it up...the story about the little girl in the woods is a great lead in and it is a picture which the author draws from later. Just so you know ;)...Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Trout

The thing most that I will miss if we ever move is our neighbors across the street. The man has been retired for over 10 years and he and his wife have lived in the same house for 45 years. They raised their three kids in a house just about 1000 square feet. That encourages me :).

Anyway, the other day the man, Carl gave us 3 trout that he had caught so that we could eat them...yummy? The first thought that came into my mind was...whole fish head, tail, and everything? Fortunately, to my relief Carl had taken the guts out ( is the official word, digutting?). and he said pan fried they tasted best. So we did and the fish turned out great! Trying not to stare at the eye the whole time was challenging and Andy did enjoy chasing Morgan around with just the head...but it was yummy.

Here's to fresh caught trout! Almost makes me want to take up fishing...almost

Potty Training

So, Sweet Pea, is very ready to be potty trained. After she announced that she went in her diaper to all the preschoolers at the library yesterday, I figured it was time to go for it. As she had been dropping other signs like crazy for the past few weeks.

So we are. We have a ways to go, but I'm really excited that she has started the process. Her favorite underway are boys underwear cause those were the ones that had Nemo and Lightening McQueen on them. Fine with me.


It seems amazing to me that she grows in spurts. Not learning anything new and then all of a sudden she wants to go potty and wants to help set the table and put the silverware in the dishwasher....seemingly all in 1 week. ....Sigh..... At least Caden is STILL a baby ;)

Hurray Morgan!

Passport Woos

So, trying to get the passport for my 2 month old has proved kinda've funny and yet cumbersome. Some of my highlights and wooos

- getting a passport picture for Caden and holding him out on one hand infront of the camera guy at Costco. Mommy needs to get some muscles. Did I mention I almost dropped him. You try holding a 13 lb baby stretched out in one hand!

- I stapled my finger while trying to get his photo on the application and then I read how I wasn't suppose to staple it...ooops

- Both mom and dad have to go to the passport office to show our I.D. and my hubby finding time to get away from work has been trying. If one of the parents isn't there 2 letters have to be written, one giving me permission and the other telling them why he couldn't be there. brother...

My highlight though was filling out Caden's part of the application it asked how tall he is-- a very tall 23 inches and his hair and eye color. Just incase the baby I bring to the office doesn't match the description......government bueracracy

match maker match maker

we took this picture earlier in the month. Coincidentally my friend, Rosanna just got Fiddler on the roof. I got my match but I fear our poor old dog is still looking for her match.

Retreat

Tomorrow, I'm heading off to Lake Tahoe for the women's retreat. Caden is coming along as he is so attached to his mother ;).

Andy has been really busy at work (thank you Jesus) so much that he actually brought work home, which is really unusual for him. Morgan enjoyed drawing on the draft papers with her markers alongside Andy. I was really proud of hubby as he actually told a fellow co-worker who told him that he needed to stay longer at work that day (this fellow is not andy's boss and Andy felt he could get the work done on time anyways without the extra hours in the office) that his family was his priority. Good for you, Andy! :)

Australian Open

For those who do not know, I am an avid avid tennis fan!! My family of origin and I learned how to play tennis when we were living over seas as it was cheap and a good way to get exercise, and you could play at night which offered some relief to the 100 degree temperatures during the day. Any whoo, I love watching the game and know the players history. I'm glued to the tv during the four big tournaments throughout the year, which Andy dreads as it's on literally day and night which means boring tv for one of us for at least a week :)

It has always been a life long dream of mine to attend one of the slams (Tennis has 4 big tournaments through the year called grand slams) and when my sister ( who lives in Australian) told me she would be attending the Austalian open in Jan 2009, for her 30th birthday, I jumped on board fast! my gracious hubby who is very understanding agreed to let me go.

Soo, in January I'm hopefully off if all goes well with baby Caden coming along with me and Andy handling our so calm and complacent 2 year old ;) for 10 days

Tomorrow then, I'm going to try to get my 2 month old a passport...wish me speed as I have endless forms to fill out and senseless bureaucratic procedures to muddle through.

Things I Like

Following up from the previous post of what I don't like. This is what I do like


I like finding money in the laundry-

I like telling those political phone calls that I have already voted and then having the phone call end promptly :)...

I like fall and the color of the trees change

I like trying to explain what 'I'm sorry' means to my daughter...(although, I think I could use simpler and easier words :)

I like having the lights on in a room

I like my husband's decorating ideas. He has some great ideas

Dancing in the kitchen

Things I do not like

I can saw with all honestly. I have a great dislike for these things

political phone calls that wake me up from sleeping

a rug that looks like it hasn't seen a vacuumed in months 1 hour after I vacuumed it

stubbing my toe countless times on the same spot

when Andy doesn't have a good day at work

the dust and hair cloud that fills the air when our dog shakes

stepping in dog crap while I'm picking it up

playing phone tag

seeing my daughters feelings get hurt

getting heartburn even though I'm not pregnant

Super Girl

Here is a bit of a preview of Morgan's trick or treat outfit----Super Girl!!!

She insisted we wear it to Apple Hill. It was really cute and fun

Question

I'm watching the world series as I type and the question came into my head...

Why doesn't the sport of baseball have cheerleaders?? There's lots of time and lots of space on the field. Not that I ever was one, but I'm curious if anyone knows??? the actual and serious answer ;)

U-Verse and thoughts

Today we are getting the new u-verse by AT&T ( I have no idea if this is spelled right). Hubby wants to do this really bad. Apparently we get more options with very little more $$. So the installer is coming today for 4-6 hours!... oh my.

I'm thinking a very very long walk with the dog and a few videos to pre-occupy the toddler.

Caden had his 2 month check up yesterday. All is well and he is in the upper percentile. what was cute was as soon as sweet Pea saw the nurse and the doctor she says ouhh weee! ou wwheee!!. Lucky for her, she wasn't getting the shots.

Installer at the door.....

Fall Time and Thoughts

I love fall, the crisp cool air and warm afternoons

I think for probably one of the first times in my life, I am very content in where I am living. This is very literal as I always dreamed of 'living' someplace else rather then my place of birth, but recently, I am being more content where I am and dare I say it 'grateful.' And when someone asks me if I'm from around here I hold my head up high and say yes I was born here instead of sheepishly saying yah, still here :)

I'm very grateful for the people that are in Andy and my life.

We went to a great buffet dinner for my hubbies birthday and I had trouble believing that the gaming community is suffering from the economy. The line for the buffet was out the door and down the hall. The amount of 100 dollar pills slapped down was amazing. Maybe our economy is not in recession but is just leveling out.

I love when my children smile and the excitement they find in the little things

I have been really missing my sister lately. Sad that she won't be coming home for the holidays. Emails just don't do justice. Australia seems like another planet right about now.

2 months old

Caden was two months old Monday...Time is flying by so quickly. He also weighs 13 lbs!!! I think my daughter barely weighed that at 9 months. I'm thinking he's not going to follow in his sister's footsteps and be a picky eater :). Morgan insists that her babydoll and the bottle share the highchair with Caden. He doesn't seem to mind. Can you say handsome!

Living in the Moment

Living in the moment as been a phrase for me that has challenged me to really enjoy where I am and at the stage of life I'm in.

Isn't it human to always want something different then where you are?..Prime example. My parents went on a cruise to the greek islands, They left Sunday. and they are staying in Rome for a few days before and after at a bed and breakfast. I was more excited then my mom about the trip! As Andy and I are looking forward to the days were our kids are grown and we can do that. My mom is in that place and she said she thinks she had more fun going on vacations with us kids when we were little. So there you go.

Grass is always greener on the other side has more truth in it that I realized. I don't want to live in a place where I am always yearning for the next thing and missing out on what is happening right now. Even if it is the daily grind that isn't very exciting :)

Not Soo Hard

So this is kinda've a silly post but I did something today that I have wanted to do for along time and never thought I had the patience for. I blogged awhile back about having an absolute distaste for sewing verging on the edge of hating sewing, but I decided to face my distaste and sew. I asked a friend, who I knew was a good sewer and a teacher and loves aprons if she would help me...

Well finished product, I made...I...I...I...made an apron!!! and managed not to smash the sewing machine with a hammer or walk out of the room in complete distaste. I know this is no big deal for most but for me I've been so intimidated with sewing that it's amazing to myself that I sewed something all by myself (with the help of Shontell)

-Thanks Shontell

Imitation

Morgan is in the imitation stage of her life. Basically whatever I do she wants to do. when I cook dinner Morgan brings her stool and has to stand right beside me pretending to cook and stir. When andy and I read stories to her she tries to copy what we say and talks right along with us. This is a tad annoying as she matches our volume level as well and it can turn into who can talk the loudest. She does this as well with her singing books. Oh well,we're both really glad that she is right on tune! So sing and talk away Morgan!

The most funniest imitation though was when Morgan tried to breastfeed her doll after I told her she needs to feed her play doll. I tried my best to smoother my laughter. Little girls.

Good Times

I love netflix. Minus the few scratched discs we have had to return, I like picking a movie and not having to drive anywhere. Not that this is a commercial for them, but when no current movies look good. Hubby and I have rented some old movies and it is pretty amazing to the see the difference in affects. The actors comes across as more dramatic but I guess they have to if you don't get computer enhancements.

Our latest old movie was The MissFits with Clark Gable and Maryln Monroe. I didn't even know it was Marilyn Monroe until half way through and Andy had to tell me. Guess I only recognize her in the poster :). The phrases they use to describe Reno make me laugh (are they serious?). here are a few...

"you never know who you'll meet in this town" ...like around every corner there is adventure lurking. I beg to differ!

" this town, there is always something new to do or places to go" ...technically this could be said about any place.

Overall, it was a enjoyable movie although until the last 45 min the movie moved REALLY slow. Guess they were counting on the audience gawking at Clark Gable or Marilyn Monroe

It was fun to see Reno back in the 20's. I can positively say it DID not look the same...thank goodness....I'm probably one of the last people on this blog site to have seen this movie, ooh well

pictures

Morgan ducked under the keep out tape.. This is what happens when you don't watch your kids!
This is Morgan practicing her "oooh NOOOO" at the air show with Dad


Enjoy the pictures.

Friends

I haven been contemplating alot about friends. What makes some people be friends and other people not? Chemistry, personalities, trials. I was thinking about a friend I have had since I was 17. To be honest, sometimes I'm amazed we are still friends cause we don't agree on some major issues and we could easily argue about them, but we don't bring the topics up. And it works and we are great friends.

I do remember specific points in our friendship where I had to be very honest with her and her with me and we had alot of conflict. I was thinking how I could have or she could have easily just put our friendship aside but we didn't, we persevered and today we are still friends. We still don't agree on some major issues but I account what we had to work through as some areas in my life where I have learned discretion as to when and where and how the truth is spoken.

It made me think, I wonder if I fought for all friendships like I had with the above one if I would have any of those relationship where I was a good friend but now we barely talk. Or if some friendships don't work out just cause. I'm very grateful for the friends I have had, have and the friends that are in the future

Life's Knocks

It is amazing to watch Sweet Pea experience life moments for the first time but as we know life does have it's knocks which is hard for me to accept that at some point Morgan will discover not all friends are friends and she will be left out and have her feelings hurt. Well at library time this week she experienced her first realization that the knocks of life hurt. Basically she collided with another toddler and landed on the floor and then her toy was taken away from her by the same kid (who thought he was helping return the toy to the teacher). Sad thing was, I was there for the entire thing and was trying to explain to her that the little boy was returning the toy for her and not taking it away.

I then realized how it looked to her and why she was crying so hard. and Andy said it the best, returning the the toy is part of the fun! So she had her head smacked and then got her toy taken from her! It was really hard to see the sadness and hurt on her face and she kept talking about it on our way home. Well I decided this would be a good time to explain a life lesson and I said that we all get hurt but we need to forgive. The next second I thought to myself 'yah say it in real terms so a toddler can understand.' So we prayed that Jesus would heal her head where she got hurt and heal her feelings.

Being a mom is definitely on the job training!

Blind leading the Blind

I have an official distaste for sewing. I've taken several classes growing up but I avoid it like the plague. What is most annoying is even after several classes and having other people show me how to use the machine, I can barely tread the blasted thing.

Well last night, hubby wanted to sew on some patches for his airsoft stuff and after much avoidance from me he brings out the dreaded machine. I don't know much about sewing but can turn on the machine but it ends there. So he and I are trying to thread this monster and he keeps asking me questions of which I barely know the answer. It was the blind leading the blind. Hubby is convinced it's easier then I'm making it out to be....well after 2 hours of threading the machine and trying to figure out why it wasn't working, he to now is a believer that sewing is more then a mere challenge and leads to frustration and much nashing of teeth!!!

Autumn and Thoughts

Autumn is in the air! I love how the mornings and evenings have that crisp cool feeling to them. This is my favorite season as our year starts to come to an end. I am dreading seeing Christmas decorations out at Costco before Thanksgiving though. Why do retails have to rush the year out!

Caden will be a month old on Monday. My goodness. Morgan is a big sister naturally and is enjoying Caden what he can and cannot do....already.

Knowing all of someone. It intrigued me lately how there are different sides to a person and as a friend you may not know who that person is completely. Hopefully one's spouse knows that person or is aware of different aspects of that person. I can see how one has to make a conscience effort to be known by others in some areas of their personality. It seems easier to hide those areas away.

Andy and Sweet Pea went to the Air Races this weekend- admist all the tantrums, having an older Morgan (compared to Caden) is becoming fun :)

One's Hope

I've been contemplating the term- Putting one's hope in the Lord. That phrase I know is used alot in the Psalms and I was thinking about how to do that. I found a good picture of what it looks like- Caden's hand in his dad's hands :) and this helped me think what do I hope for in the future

- vacations :),
-desserts!,
-relaxing weekends,
-good days.
Thoughts that give me a sense of hope are things I desire. Then I started to think about what God says about me and what HE desires for ME
-good plans
-give me a future
-purpose
-life
-prosper
Thinking about these does give me hope! and I need to learn to desire them more