Natural Progression

It's time to get the camera out and document these last few weeks before I am a mother of 3 children. I didn't take enough pregnancy photos with Emma and Zachary, and I said I would take more this go around. Of course life happens, the days rush past, and the camera sits dormant way too often.

I thought today I would post a progression of sorts.

This is me 29 years old and pregnant with Zach at 6 1/2 months. It was all so new and exciting.


This is me 2 years later pregnant with Emma just days before I gave birth to her. I had no idea what I was in for, or how fast she would enter the world.


And... at 36, me 8 months pregnant with Luke. It's still new and exciting. I still have no idea what to expect. I am sure it's going to be a fun ride though.

Busy with the Needles

Call it nesting, but I've really been enjoying knitting lately. I thought I would post some photos of recently finished projects. You will see most have a theme...

These booties and hat came from a book titled, "Knitting for Baby"


These mittens are a free pattern I found online here.

This is a vest that my mom made for Luke. I found the pattern online before I knew if he was to be a girl or a boy. I sent it to my mom and called her the day we found out so she could get started. (Sorry I don't remember where I found the pattern) I love the bunny buttons she used for the shoulder.

Also knitted by my mom in a beautiful scalloped pattern.


This last project was started last spring (found here). I couldn't get myself to knit throughout the HOT summer, so it just got finished. My first sweater... and it's all for me. I love how it only has two buttons and swings open. Perfect for the pregnancy belly. I used a beautiful 100% cotton that is very soft, although it sheds on everything right now. I am hoping that will go away once it's worn a few times. The only thing left is to find just the right buttons for it. I saved that for my treat once it was completed.


I have a scarf on the needles now in the most beautiful shade of orange. Very much a "Cheeto" orange. Hopefully the weather will cool off some this fall so I can actually wear it.

I'm so looking forward to a cool weather baby and being able to cozy him up in all these fun knits.

Dad's latest garage sale find

I wasn't told about this little purchase before they came home, but I'm glad because I probably wouldn't have gone for it and that would have meant missing out on a lot of fun. Dan found a used kids set of drums at a neighbors garage sale, and they followed him home (at least it wasn't a car, I hate when they follow him home!).

Lately the kids favorite thing to do is to go out into the garage and put Air 1 on the radio and drum along. They close both the garage door and the laundry room door that leads to the garage. It's just enough of a buffer that I don't go crazy, but I can hear where they are and what they're up to. It actually works out really good. The best part is hearing the singing over the beat : ).

Can you see the concentration??



Looking closely at these photos, I can find many more of Dan's garage sale finds in the background. Well, it's his garage... my office doesn't look much better ; ).

It's Official...

We are now a State of California recognized Private School. Today we filed our first Private School Affidavit for the 2009 - 2010 school year. This is our second year homeschooling, but in the State of California it is not necessary to file unless you have students that are between the ages of six and eighteen years old. So today we became the Inspired Learning Academy with a student enrollment of one, although we have hopes of growing our enrollment to at least three in the years to come ; ). I can now add "Site Administrator", "Teacher", and "Custodian of Records" to my bag of tricks. Danny is our official "Principal". Pretty funny isn't it!!

I can't express how good it feels to have the freedom in our country to educate our own children in the ways we feel led by the Lord. My prayer is that this freedom is never compromised.

11 Awesome Years

Danny and I just celebrated eleven years of marriage last weekend. I have been so blessed the past eleven years to get to grow and spend my time with my love. He is truly a special gift to me. Not an anniversary or birthday pass without him doing something special (or out of the ordinary) for me. Our past anniversaries have included planning surprise picnics at our wedding location (including kids, kites, and beach toys!!); taking me to Starbucks after secretly calling the pastor who married us and having him and his wife meet us there; a two night get-away at a beach hotel in Carlsbad; the list goes on...

This year was a little different in that I'm not too comfortable these days, which is probably making me a little difficult to live with. Dan surprised me once again by getting a reservation at Bolsa Chica State Beach. We (he, did I mention how uncomfortable I've been) packed up the camper and off we went for a one night excursion with our two kiddos. The weather was beautiful, the food was yummy, and spending that time as a family was priceless. BUT... the best part (for me) was Danny showing me once again just how much he loves me...


My love packed the lazy boy for me. The lazy boy is the only way I've been able to sleep for the past 4 weeks. So when we got to the beach and put down the back door (right on the boardwalk) there I sat watching my family play in the sand while I knitted lazily in my comfy chair. Ahhh, now that's love : ).


11 Awesome Years!!

Can't wait to meet Luke.

My view of my feet in the sand.

Perfect Beach Day

We recently had a beach day that felt too rushed and, well, just not quite as relaxing as a beach day should be. So, last week me and the kids decided to have a re-do. It was a success! Just what we had been needing (at least, just what this mama had been needing). It was a perfect low tide. The water was very warm and inviting. It was clearer than I ever remember our local ocean being. The kids were very happy just playing in the sand and making up games (as you can see, the sand does not bother my little ones!!).

My mom and I altered between sitting in our chairs under the beach umbrella relaxing and swimming with the kids.

Yes, a very good day indeed!

A 4 Year Olds Birthday!!

Emma's birthday was last Tuesday and Danny took the day off work to spend with us. We had a wonderful day together, and it all started with the unveiling of Emma's new fish tank...



Then she donned her birthday crown (pattern in this book) and we went out for pancakes and to Petsmart to pick out a new friend. It wasn't a difficult choice. She found a white goldfish with red on her head and "Dorothy" came home with us. Since then "Dorothy" has changed to "Emily" and is sometimes "Goldy". She doesn't seem to care that her name keeps changing, and she seems to enjoy her new home on Emma's dresser.



Here's the birthday girl with big brother laughing it up.



Zach proudly made Emma her birthday present this year. She wanted a ribbon on a stick, just like in dance class. Zach and I couldn't find one, so we went to Joanns and got a dowel and he picked some ribbon. He painted the dowel pink and purple, and then covered it in glitter. I hot glue gunned the ribbon to it. It was (and is) a huge hit. And it's so special that he made it for her. She keeps having dance recitals around the house and making up new dances with her beautiful pink ribbon.



It was really a great day followed by a fun evening at John's Incredible Pizza where Aunt Teri and Casey met up with us. Emma's birthday continued through Saturday with a dinner and cupcakes at Nana's house for her and Uncle Joe's birthday.

I'm so proud of my 4 year old. She is such a sweet little girl, and I am so blessed that the Lord picked our family for her. She is such a gentle soul, always ready to give love to her family (esspecially her big brother).

I love you Emma Lulu!!!