San Diego Trip - Day 2 & 3

So much has happened in the last couple days, it's hard to keep up! But here are some of the things we've been doing since Sunday...
Isn't that just the best!? The beach was sunny but a little cool... And absolutely gorgeous.

Danny didn't actually stay happy for very long, since he was tired and cold. But we enjoyed it while it lasted.

He wasn't too sure what to think of the sand. Hopefully we can get in another trip this week and he can decide for sure... Because if this kid doesn't like the beach, we may have a um, problem.

On the other hand...

...He does love him some of Grandpa's beard!

After cleaning up and heading back to my Dad's house, we got together with my grandmother and went out to dinner. This is Namas meeting her great-grand son!

We went to Nicolosi's, where my sister has worked for hte last several years. Sadly, it's closing, and Sunday was their last night open.

It was a special occasion for us with four generations around the table.

The food was deeeeeelicous! As you can see.

And last... the four-generation picture!

And a goofy one for good measure!Then yesterday, started the preparations for Mom's wedding.

Anne, Mom and I endeavored to find beautiful flowers for her to carry...

Anne's really the master on that one!

Finally, yesterday afternoon my friend, Michelle, came down from Orange County and we hung out! It had been several years since we'd seen eachother, so we had some good girlfriend hang-out time! Man, I miss that! Thanks, Michelle, for coming!!!

Around mid-afternoon, we headed to Target and left all four children with my husband. About an hour later, he called me up, frantic... One of Michelle's daughters had gone potty and needed some help. I laughed hysterically as Michelle proceeded to have this conversation with her oldest daughter over the phone in a loud voice in the middle of Target:

"Kennedy, please wipe Kendall's butt for her!"

"Just wipe her but a little with toilet paper and I'll get the rest of it when I get home."

"No... just wipe her butt a little."

"Ok, put her on..."

"Kendall, please let Kennedy wipe your butt! And I'll finish it when I get home with a wipey."

"...No, you need to let her wipe your butt!"

I almost. Died. Laughing.

Here are the four kids hangin' with Grandpa and Grandma Jeanne later that night.

I'll be back later! We're about to go get Rubios fish tacos and go to Sea Port Village!

My Very First Blog Contest

This was just too good!

What quote would you give this picture?!

My favorite quote will get a prize in the mail!

No, I'm not telling you what the prize is!
No, that is certainly not because I have no idea what the prize will be yet! ;)

You've got until tomorrow - or whenever I get around to blogging next -

to enter!

In order to enter, leave your quote in the comments section of this post.

Have fun!

Thanksgiving Trip to San Diego - Day 1

Hi everyone!

Well, the reason I've been a little absent around here is because our house was a flurry of preparation for our Thanksgiving trip!

And now we're here!

"Where??" you say...

We're in San Diego!

This is where I grew up, so we're back! It's going to be a busy week. My Mom's gettin' married. Danny's gettin' to know his Grandpa and his Grandma Jeanne. He had a first plane ride, oh and you know, turkey...

Actually, let me catch you up on the past few days, before I show all the fun pictures from yesterday. Danny had quite an eventful week with several firsts. He had his second set of vaccinations. This experience was much better than last time.

He also grabbed his toes for the first time (at least the first time that I saw - apparently he's done it several times and I just didn't realize it, according to my husband).

And on Friday night, he immitated Uncle Matt and Aunt Melissa in the famous "SO BIG" game! Here's a not so successful picture of it.

Well, Matt and Melissa did very well, you see... But Danny was camera shy. ;)

Wait, who's that lady with the cute short hair-cut cooking at the stove?

Why, that's me!

Yes... This mommy was feeling a strong need for a new look. Sometimes, you gotta' just do something so you feel pretty again.

Anyway, back to the real thing I'm writing about today... our day yesterday! Here we are on the first plane trip from Colorado Springs to Denver.

As you can see, Danilo is out like a light! That's pretty much how he spent the entirety of both plane trips. Yay!

We had a bit of a delay due to mechanical problems on the plane we were supposed to get on. Fortunately they got us a new plane. Because who wants to get on a plane right after they tell you there were mechanical problems, right? So we were a bit delayed getting in to San Diego. While we waited, Danny practiced his own mechanic skills.

Finally, we landed in San Diego, got out into the fresh San Diego oceany air and called my Dad too tell him we are here!
Oh, by the way, this is my new Ergo Baby Carrier. I do SO love it!
Hangin' at the curb, waitin' for my Dad and his new wife, Jeanne... (I really need to introduce you all to her. Soon to come...)
Modeling the cool hat from his Grammy...
And finally... Grandpa, meet Danny! Danny, meet your Grandpa!
Grandma Jeanne, meet Danny! Danny, meet Grandma Jeanne!
Back at the house, hangin' out...

And here are Grandpa and Danny taking some time to get to know eachother...

And there you have day 1!

Stay tuned, because today we're going to the beach!

Bootie Model

This kid is so cute, he could be a bootie model!

No, not a booty model.
Come on, people. What kind of mother do you take me for?!

Ahem. A bootie model.
A few days ago, my mom sent me the funnest package in the mail!
And now, Danny's tootsies are warm. :)

And he's happy!

Thanks, Mom!

Early.

I am Super. Mom.

This morning, I have already gotten up, nursed the baby, changed his diaper, went and worked out (sweat like a pig), came home, kissed my husband goodbye for the day, had breakfast and read a few of my favorite blogs.

And it's only 7:26 a.m.

This is not likely to happen again anytime soon, people.

So call the press, leave the comments, and congratulate me on my success while you can.

Because later today, I'll probably be taking a nap.

;)

Welcome to the Family

Well, yesterday's celebration was fun... And now we have another one!

I've been wanting to shout this fun news from the rooftops for a while, but I had to be patient to make sure that the news was official...

Welcome little Bryson, to the family!

Our distant cousins, Craig and Anne (although they SOO do not feel like distant cousins) have been wanting to be parents for a long time. And now they ARE!!

Congratulations, you guys! We could not be happier for you!

Full

Tonight I'm exhausted.

Tuckered out.

Worn down.

Sleepy.

Ready for bed.



But it's the best tired I've felt in a LONG TIME.

I'm Thankful.

Joyful.

Heart overflowing!

Jumping inside!!

Overwhelmed with gladness.



And I just can't keep quiet about it.

You see, someone...

...who I've been praying for for a long...

...long...

...long time...

...gave her heart back to God.

Sunday Night Fun

One of my favorite places to go for good recipe ideas when I have no idea what to cook and I'm totally sick of everything I usually cook is Foody Friday.

Plus, the last time my husband and I went to visit Kingdom Mama and her family, she made sushi!

And my husband and I learned to love California Rolls.

So this week, I got adventuresome and decided to try Kingdom Mama's Sushi Roll Recipe.

These were the results...

And then, to top the evening off...
Uncle Matt got Danny to giggle!

Comment on MckMama.com!

UPDATED: 1607 comments later... What a miracle!

UPDATED: Every time I refresh her page, there are 10 more comments! And I am refreshng every 5 seconds!

ORIGINAL POST:
Hey everyone! Hurry and go to http://www.mckmama.com/ and make a comment on her last post! Hurry hurry! Until noon, Frozen Tundra Time! :)

Weeds and Poop Wednesday Thursday Oh Who Cares!

It's time for Part 8 of...

Once again, I'm late blogging my Wednesday post... but I'm a little over it now. I seriously doubt anyone out there cares.

I don't even really know if anyone reads these. But I sincrely hope that someone is blessed by this.

Maybe that someone God intended to bless was me.

Thank You God for Poop and Weeds

Mark 4:3-20

"Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed... Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.

"Are you listening to this? Really listening?
‘…Whose eyes are open but don't see a thing,

Whose ears are open but don't understand a word,
Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven.’”

"He continued, "Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way. The farmer plants the Word… The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it,

…and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams."

The Message Bible
Some verses omitted

Part VIII: What Do You See?
(Written last year)

Yes, this is the horrid view of my back yard. It’s pretty bad, right? But what do you see? Most would say “weeds,” very few would say, “patches of grass fighting through.” Actually, in this case, you have to work pretty hard to see anything positive in the picture. But the point I’m driving at is this: when you look at a situation in your life, do you immediately see the positive part of it or the negative part of it? Do you focus on the good or bad in life? It's the proverbial glass-half-full question. This is a common question that has become cliché. However, I think it’s still a point worth making.

I believe that if we’re not focusing on the good in our lives, we discredit God and diminish the glory we give to Him. When people ask you how your day is, do you say something good, or do you immediately comment on the challenge in your day? When you feel tired, are you thankful for the job that made you that way, or do you grumble at the feeling? When you feel sick, do you thank God that you will get better soon? There are many that won’t. When you are stressed, do you recognize that God is doing exciting things in your life and in your job position? Or are you stressing over something that’s out of your control anyway, and do you need to hand it back to the one who has all of us in His hands?

My business mentor often shares that she used to think that she was pretty positive. Then one day, she took a challenge to only speak out loud the positive thoughts. She shares that she found herself having to be quiet quite a lot!

Another mentor of mine shared with me this thought: “Challenges may come in threes, but blessings come in thousands.” Next time you feel challenged or disappointed, try counting the blessings, literally. How high do you go, before you give up and surrender to God and admit a poor attitude?

On that same note, I am reminded of something else I did while weeding once. I had pulled up a particularly difficult and deep rooted weed and triumphantly walked over to the garbage bag. Rather than dropping it without thought, I emphatically shoved that weed into the bag of other weeds… except that I happened to be pulling those weeds that I have a special loathing for. That’s right! I shoved my hand right into the bag of weeds with thorns and points. All my careful work to avoid getting stuck by this one weed that was so hard to pull out, only to have a hand full of stickers in the end!

I have found that when I focus to much on the negative situation, rather than tossing it away, I end up attracting that back into my life and I end up more frustrated or hurt. My positive friend shared this with me several years ago. What we focus on is what we attract more of into our life. For example, If I feel rejected and alone and focus on that, I am not likely to be welcomed into a crowd. The “vibe” I give off is negative. If I feel fat and out of shape and I focus on that, it usually does not help me feel better. Instead, a good idea is to pick a new activity, or better yet, get up and take a walk! If I am angry at someone, dwelling on what made me angry, usually only intensifies the emotion.

…part of forgiveness and healing is letting it go. Gracefully let the issue out of your hands and into God’s control with humility and an attitude of submission. Don’t insist on slam-dunking the weed into the trash can. It will probably backfire! Allow God to turn your eyes to what great things He is developing in your life.

_____________________________________

What are the blessings you are counting today?

Hey everybody! Check out my new header!

...I wish I could claim this creative work of art as my own...

But it was so graciously gifted to me my an amazing new blog friend!

Meet Feris!

Thank you, Feris!!!

Do you know what I can do?

It's official.

I'm a mom.

Did you know the true sign of mommyhood is not labor and delivery?
Just ask this lady. Or this lady.

Nope. The true sign of mommyhood? Well...

I can carry the diaper bag, a hand bag, my purse, the laundry, a water bottle, and the baby up the stairs.

Can you?

I'm not competitive

On Saturday, Alejandro and I went mountain biking.

At first it was definitely a challenge. I usually spend the first ten minutes of every biking work-out sucking air and gulping water like there's no tomorrow.

But after the first ten minutes half hour, I really started to enjoy myself! I have gained a lot of balance since the last time I tried to get on that bike. Oh, and I think I've lost ten pounds since then. That might have helped.

By the way, I seem to be "stuck" at the 12 lb mark of my diet. I've lost 8 of the 20 I vowed to lose. (Rememer way back forever ago when I posted that I was going on a diet? Yep, still workin' on it.) But those last 12 seem to be stubborn.

Anyway, biking Saturday was a much more fun experience than two months ago.

At the end of the ride, I came huffing up a hill, giving the last of my energy to finish the ride well, and then pooped my way in circles around the parking lot while sucking air and trying to keep my lungs from exploding and my legs from turning to jello. I was sweating buckets.

About two minutes after I came up the hill in such a graceful and regal fashion, another guy came up the hill behind me mimicking my every move. He was huffing just as hard, and sweating just as much.

I think I sat a little taller.

"Oh yeah!?" I thought, "Well, I just gave birth four months ago, gained 55 lbs and lost 42 of them!! So there!" (Tongue stuck out.) "I win."

I did manage to keep this childish little bragging session in my mind.

I just saved it for all of you! Isn't that nice of me?

I'm simply praying for Stellan.

Please, please join me.

Playin' With Grammy

It's Been a Big Week

I produced my first movie made my first video.

Danilo pronounced his first consonant sound.
He said, "Doooooooooo.... dooooo..."

Danilo touched his toes for the first time.

...AND he rolled over!

Oh, and he made his first appearance as the leading role in a major film.

See...

Poop and Weeds Wednesday Thursday - the one in which I post a picture of my dog's...

In case you haven't been reading my blog for long... this is Poop and Weeds Wednesday...

Yes, I know it's not Wednesday.

You see, I rarely (as it turns out) actually post this weekly series on a Wednesday. The alliteration just sounded good. And that accompanied my good intentions at the beginning of sharing these thoughts, when I really believed I would post them on Wednesdays.

...You know... Because I forgot that I have a life and a 4 month old and a .... (fill in the blank) that interrupts me on a hundred-time-per-day basis. Oh, and I get distracted sometimes too.

Anyway, back to the point.

Last year I was inspired one summer afternoon to attack the weeds in my back-yard and somewhere in the midst of sweat and dirt, God started speaking to me about His Kingdom. The verses in Mark chapter 4 came to my mind and I dropped my dirty gloves in light of inspiration that had to be written.

After I wrote out this little 10 part devotional, I stashed it in a drawer and forgot about it for about a year. When I found it shortly after Danny was born, I decided to share it.

So here you go. It's Part 7 of...

Thank You God for Poop and Weeds

Mark 4:3-20

"Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed... Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.

"Are you listening to this? Really listening?
‘…Whose eyes are open but don't see a thing,

Whose ears are open but don't understand a word,
Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven.’”

"He continued, "Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way. The farmer plants the Word… The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it. But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it,

…and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams."

The Message Bible
Some verses omitted

Part VII: Praise Him for Stinky Situations
(Written last year)

After I settled down to work this afternoon, in a cool corner of flourishing plant-life unruly weeds, I smelled something less than pleasant wafting through the air… The foul smell of my black labrador’s dinner, come out the back end! Apparently, this was also his favorite place! Gross! “Oh well… what am I gonna’ do?” I thought, as I got something to throw it out. “I guess it probably helps the grass grow,” I mused. And then came the next parallel to our spiritual life.

Fertilizer never smells too great. In fact, it downright stinks. How many stinky situations have you been in that have served to strengthen your relationship and faith in the Lord? Fertilizer may smell terrible, but it sure does make the grass grow thicker, healthier and stronger. I almost never enjoy bad situations, when I’m in them, but I have always been able to look back and see how God worked through that situation for my benefit.

Once, I tried to get a plane ticke to go home from Costa Rica* on short notice to visit my family and cure my home-sickness. I was quite disappointed, when it didn’t pan out. That was the week my husband and I started dating!

*I lived in Costa Rica for a year in 2002.

Another time, I worked really hard for a promotion in my Mary Kay business, only to come inches away, and not earn it. But through that, I learned a wealth of knowledge and wisdom about true leadership.

Most difficult, was when my parents divorced after over 30 years of marriage. I thought my life was shattering, but had it not been for that, it would have taken much much longer for me to see many issues in my own marriage that needed to be resolved. When my parents' marriage fell apart, I took a good hard look at my own. God helped me to see that (first) there were some patterns and habits we were forming that were really damaging to our relationship, and (second) the Lord could accomplish anything in us, regardless of the past history of divorce in each of our families.

I mentioned in a previous Poop and Weeds Wednesday that Paul could give thanks for every trial he encountered. Read Romans 5:3-6 from the Message Bible:

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! Christ arrives right on time to make this happen.

Though you may struggle to rejoice in trials now, it is my hope for you that you will learn to have joy in the midst of trials, by starting with a small step: Simply trust in Him that all will turn out for the best, according to His best purpose for your life.

Missy's Baby Shower

Apparently, somewhere in the deep recesses of my soul, Martha Stewart has implanted a bit of her inspiration.

Er. Um. Ok, maybe not.

But whatever the case, when my good friend, Melissa asked me to throw her baby shower, I was ecstatic! Ecstatic because I just love this woman to death! And ecstatic because I LOVE doing life with our families together. :)

So imagine my increased excitement when the Martha-Stewart-Inspiration hit me in full force several nights before the party was to be thrown!

Here are the results. First we have the dining room table decorated with all the goodies...

A picture of Caleb welcomed everyone on their way in.

Then there was the oh-so-delicious red velvet cake. Yes, it was as good as it sounds. No, I SO did not make that from scratch. That was courtesy of the Walmart bakery, but it was amazingly scrumptious.

We started Caleb's college savings fund.

And everyone got the cutest name-tags, to which we attached our baby pictures, after playing a who's-that-baby guessing game.

All of my old dolls sat in the Pac-n-Play in the living room.

This was not for the torturing of guests by having to look at the ugly terribly old dolls from Renee's childhood. (Can't call my childhood babies ugly... They are still too near and dear to my heart. Even though my husband thinks they're hideous.) This was for the cloth-diapering race. That's right! We raced to see who could diaper the stuffed bear the fastest and the best. It was definitely one of my two favorite moments of the party... I only wish I'd caught it on camera.

Melissa was totally showered by love, gifts, laughs and fun...
And I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of her girlfriends!

This little guy, Zander, came with his mommy, Andrea.

And my little guy joined us for part of the time too.

Our big guys hung out with a movie downstairs... and came and stole goodies and cake when I let them.

We had a great time! My other favorite moment that we didn't catch on camera was when we gathered around Melissa and prayed over Caleb. What a blessing! Melissa, you have great girlfriends who love God and love you. Thanks for such a fun time! I love you! We can't wait to meet your little guy soon!!

Daylight Losing Time

Last night I was careful to set the clocks back and make sure that we didn't arrive at church an hour ahead of time. I made sure to pay attention to my cell phone and not the clocks so that I wouldn't be confused.

We got to church and enjoyed a GREAT message, while Danilo spent his first Sunday in the child-care room with a good friend of mine. It was a relaxing morning.

After church we headed to Walmart to pick up a few last-minute items for the babyshower that I'm throwing today for my good friend, Melissa. We grabbed McDonald's lunch and headed home.

Then Alejandro and I went into a flurry of frantic cleaning, cooking and preparing for the party.

Hand me that! I'll put that away. Danilo can sit here. You change his diaper. I'll sweep the floor. I'm doing the cake. You do the pasta.

Finally, at 10 till the hour, we sat down on the couch with a huff and fanned our flushed, sweaty faces.

And glanced at the clock.

Yep.

You guessed it.

We had an hour to spare.

So I thought I'd take the extra time and blog about it!