MOPs Day

I really enjoy my Tuesday mornings. Tuesday's are MOPs days. A day I get to feel pampered in the midst of being a mommy. I only wish I had known about MOPs when I first became a mommy. The love and support at MOPs priceless.

Now, being a bit of a more "seasoned" mommy, I also love to see the newer mommies at work. The ones who get to bring their newborns in with them because the are still nursing. Watching those precious relationships between mommy and baby feels like stealing a glimpse of something so extraordinary. Oh, and the nursing relationship between precious baby and mommy - so special. This is probably the most missed part of having a baby for me. I loved nursing. It certainly did not come easy to me and Zachary. We both had quite the learning curve, but we got past it and he nursed exclusively for 6 months and then continued up until 13 - 14 months. Emma, on the other hand, came out knowing exactly how to nurse. She was a pro from the start (and still is a pro eater). Yes, Emma and her coveted "mommy milk"...

Just watch, and don't worry, there is no nudity here:



I had to add this one more video. Okay, now I'm done with the family movies... for now.

So tomorrow is Wednesday. Another favorite day, for tomorrow is Emma's dance day and who couldn't love watching that : )

I can already tell that this video thing is going to be fun... I just found this on my hard drive, and while I have posted it mostly for the sake for Nana, perhaps others with enjoy seeing how quickly these little boogers grow up. I can hardly remember these two so small. This video shows a small glimpse of the future friendship these two have kindled.

Happy Monday

I've been wanting to try adding video to my blog, so here's my first attempt at it.

This is last Monday's practice session at the track. I was not able to make it, but Dan took the kids over. He took this on his phone, hence the quality, but Emma's cheering is great. Oh yeah, and that kid on the bike, he is pretty fantastic too!!!



Happy Monday to you.

Big and Small, God made them all.

That was Zachary's character verse for the last unit we completed in kindergarten. We had a whole unit on dinosaurs and it proved to be one of our most fun yet. We took school outside one day and measured 110 feet to see how long a blue whale was. Then we compared it to 100 feet, which is how long one of the largest dinosaurs were. The kids each chose two dinosaurs to learn a bit more on and made stuffed dinosaurs using paper bags and crinkled paper for stuffing. Then they painted their dinosaurs.

We have moved on to "O" - Octopus and we are learning that "Even the Octopus praises the Lord". This unit is going quickly and after it comes "W" - Water then "I" Insect. We have already started our Ant Farm for the Insect unit. It sits in our kitchen, and we all enjoy seeing what the ants are up to. They are busy little guys, and I'm sure there will be more news on them later (hopefully no news of an escape!!).

Zachary is turning out to be quite the student, and he is enjoying learning to read. I think it is even more fun for me to see his excitement at sounding out words. He is so amazing, but I'm sure all mamas think that of there little ones. The other day during school, I called an Ox a Yak. He, of course, corrected me and I told him, "I'm sorry, I forgot". To which he said "You shouldn't forget, your a school teacher". I guess I have a lot to learn too.

Last weekend was quite busy. Friday night I went to a moms night out. The mommy that was hosting has a five year old and wanted to keep him busy, so I brought Zach along. That left Emma and daddy to have an evening together. He took her to "Chuck-a-cheeses" (which is how she says it - adorable) and they had a fun "date-night". She has been begging to go there and I'm just glad he caved in because I really can't handle the noise level in that place.

On Saturday Emma and I were invited to a baby shower, which left Zach and daddy to go ride the quad and go to the shop for a little male bonding time. Emma and I had a little extra time to get ready for the shower, so I put her hair up in hot rollers. She loved it. The only problem was, when it was time to take them out she didn't want to. She was sure that the rollers were very pretty and that was how she should go to the party... Well, I prevailed. She was so cute with her curls.

Half way through the baby shower she came up to me with a secret and asked when was the shower going to start. I was a bit confused until I realized she thought that the new mama was actually going to be showering. She didn't seem too disappointed in my explanation that we where showering the new mama with baby gifts instead of water : ).

I've been in a knitting craze lately. I really enjoy the act of knitting and the relaxation it provides. It is also a great way to spend the hour a week at the dance studio and the hours at the BMX track (not to mention it's a great way to keep my eyes off the road while Dan is driving). I will have to take some photos of my latest completed projects and post them soon. Here's a photo Emma took at the BMX track for me...

Not the "best" photo, but it sums up a great night in this mommy's world.

Emma's First Ride

We took the kids out Sunday to ride near our house. It would have been great to be in Glamis, but for this weekend, this would have to do. Besides, we could practically see our home from where we went ...and the cop didn't ticket us, he only said we would have to leave... opps. Well, we where done by then anyway. Next time we will have to fine a spot further out.

Emma has been wanting to try out the quad, and to my surprise, her feet touched the pegs (which is my prerequisite). So after Zachary had his fill we let Emma take a spin. Dan turned the governor waaaay down and ran beside her, which, by the way, is much easier not being in sand (of course I wouldn't know this since I was perched in my chair praying). She did very well, I'd say. I'm sure we will have to get another bike soon. Of course it will have to be pink...

I'm Married to a 40 Year Old!

I'm not sure exactly how that happened. Well, I mean, I know how it happened... but the time has gone so fast. When I met Danny he was 25. A gorgeous, tanned, muscular, salt-water-sprinkled 25. And really... it was love at first sight. He was unlike anyone I had ever dated. He and I had so much fun together. We have come so far!! He has come so far!!

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such a blessed life. Dan is the perfect partner for me. My other half. He really does complete me. He always has the strength to step in where I leave off. To go the extra mile when I am weak. He never ceases to surprise me. Not a birthday, anniversary, or holiday goes by where he doesn't have something up his sleeve. He truly amazes me.

The gorgeous man that I met 15 years ago was not half the man that I have in my life now. Why is this? Because Dan now has Jesus at the helm in our family. Dan's obvious love for our Lord far surpasses any attraction that took my breath away 15 years ago. Dan is God's gift to me, and to anyone who has the joy of calling him "friend".

Happy Birthday Baby!! All my love.


Danny at Lake Powell, about two weeks into dating me.

Danny in his element - Carlsbad 11/2007

Ojai waterfall

Just one of His loves... riding

Did you know Dan pole vaulted in high school?

Yes, he was always cool.

Danny at 6 month, yes, and he was always cute!

10 Things I'm Loving Right Now

I keep seeing this done on other blogs, and it always warms my soul... so here I go:


1. The memory of this afternoon at my parents house when I sat for awhile with my Nana with the warm afternoon sun shining in the window. She hand hemmed a pair of pants in record time while I knit. I know, next time I need a picture of us together...but this is the memory.


2. An even stronger understanding of what the best gift of Christmas is. The story of Christ's birth was never as real to me as it was after reading Intimate Moments with the Savior - Learning to Love by Ken Gire. Awesome!!!


3. Knowing that I can try to make Toffee again, even if it's not Christmas. I made 4, yes 4 batches in December and not one of them turn out right. I finally figured out the culprit...my candy thermometer is broken. Man, that's a lot of burnt butter in the garbage!!


4. Sorry to any vegetarians out there, but come on...this is perfection. Prime rib made by my dad for a family dinner.


5. Do you see how cute these leg warmers are on Ms. Emma!! They were originally wrist warmers for me from a free pattern found here. But a cold rainy day at dance class, and they are now hers. I just bought more yarn yesterday to make me a new pair.


6. The lavender I put in my knitting bag. Every time I pull something out of there...ummm. And the fact that when my kids smell it they know it's lavender : ).


7. All the Christmas "stuff" is finally in boxes ready for Dan to put in the attic tomorrow. And I even remembered the Christmas books so we are not reading Rudolf in August!!


8. This picture of me and my mom. Her and dad came up to visit us while we were camping last week. I just don't have enough photos of mom and me. (see blog dated October 22, 2008)


9. I love this photo of Dan relaxing while we are camping, mostly because it's so rare. I don't believe he got to sit for more than 10 minutes the whole time. Those kids keep him busy.


10. That my boy has been hounding me to teach him to embroider for months (yes, I said embroider). He did a great job, and he loved it!!

So that's what I'm loving right now... How about you?