Our Morning Ritual

So I may have gotten carried away.....

1. This past Christmas I decided for the kids it would be the year of Playmobil-they have a little sentimental value because Steve used to play with them when he lived in Germany. They're my absolute favorite toy for kids age 3-10. That's another reason I love them; even though they're a little pricey, four of my kids are able to play with them for many years so it's well worth money. Well, the funny part is how overboard I went, (although I do have to say that some were bought by my parents.) By the time the kids were done unwrapping gifts Steve and I just looked at each other in amazement at how much playmobil we had got. I was trying to be wise and frugal but I still went a little crazy. So, here are some picts of our playmobil toys; I highly recommend them.

The Forest Lodge

Luke loves his French gardener


Lukie's Floral Shop-I couldn't resist because of his love of gardening.

The kids say this is Steve and I (notice the bunny ears behind my head.)

This is just a small sampling of how much we have.......

Dancing bottoms and Mysteries

Olivia and I have a little ritual at bedtime. I have to scratch her back while singing "You are My Sunshine." Tonight while I was singing and scratching her back she started wiggling her rear a little; then she said, "Look mommy, my bottom's dancing." I thought that was too cute. Another funny thing that I wanted to jot down was something Andrew said recently. We were talking about why he has to study subjects like History and Science so much in school. And I of course was doing my best to explain why, but then he said "Why can't some things just remain a mystery? Do we really need to know EVERYTHING." He's very content with Science and History being a mystery and thinks others should feel the same way. For some reason that tickled me.

Sad News Happy Life

When I got the lab results a couple days ago that my numbers were not rising like they should I started to prepare myself for the ultrasound today; So, I was not surprised when they could only see a sac-at this point they should be able to see a hearbeat. All day I've just been wanting the day to pass and get past this but I decided that I at least want to write down the things that keep crossing my mind-this is my journal after all-so here are some random thoughts in no paticular order:

-Children are a miracle
-The Lord causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him
-I didn't realize how much I wanted another child
-My husband couldn't be more supportive.
-Andrea went through this also so she understands how it feels.
-I don't want to ever take for granted my family and friends
-God calls the womb the "secret place" and is in control of everything that happens there
-I am to be grateful for everything
-Through some mystery God allows trials to make us love Him more
-I have suffered very little in my life (so far)
-I really, really hope the Lord allows us to have another child
-My brother really loves his sister
-I'm a little concerned that having two miscarriages in a row may mean that we cannot have any more kids -silly, I know.
-I'm thinking that waiting to find out the results was worse than actually finding them out.
-I really tried to work on patience throught this process-I hope I improved.
-My mother is as sad (actually sadder) than I am about this-that's true motherly love.
-My cousins are priceless
-The Angry Whopper might not have been the best comfort food.
-And I'll end again with one of my favs "BE STILL and know that I am God."

My Big Girl ...and a Tiny Baby

Wanted to get a picture of my big girl riding a motorcycle like a pro. She went camping with the Nardones and they all ride motorcycles (even Brenda-go girl!) I think Christine is hooked now. I'm proud of myself for making it through the weekend while she was gone. Now I just need to make it through her first camp experience. Winter camp is next weekend and I have to admit I'm a little nervous (windy roads in a big bus.) I know I don't have a choice; I need to let her have her independence and remember that the Lord loves her more than I do. Oh, and along those lines of trusting God, I'm very excited to say the that we found out last week that we're pregnant!!!! We are so excited we can't stand it; but, I do have some concern that is preventing me from the joy I could be having. I miscarried a couple months ago so now I'm just much more cautious and not getting too excited until I have confirmation that everything is Ok. I'm trusting the Lord implicitly but also hoping that it's His will that this baby be healthy. I will be getting another ultrasound on Thursday and I'm hoping and praying to see a heartbeat. I will end with the words that keep coming to my mind, "Be still and know that I am God."

Mish Mash

A mish mash of pictures from the last couple weeks....

That giggle I love

Grandpa Rocky tickling

Picking oranges in Fillmore-Steve and the kids juiced them all.

I finally got these pictures framed in the boys room-the rock art that Steve did of each of the kids names in Carpinteria.

Jaden's front tooth dangling

How Livy likes to eat apples

Livy felt like she was going to "fro up" so we made her a bed on the bathroom floor.

Lukie making Christmas treats for teachers.

Livy turned 3

Still catching up on my blog......

We had a little cupcake birthday party for Livy's birthday. Christine and Brenna had a "nail station" and did the girl's nails; and the girls got to decorate their own cupcake. It was very simple but very fun.

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl

Speed Blog

Jaden's 7th birthday on Christmas Eve

Every Christmas I buy the girls an ornament for them to take with them-this year I got Livy ice skates.

The boys really excited about their gift.

Christmas Eve at Uncle Paul and Aunt Judi's

I am so behind!!!! I have no excuse except the business of life-and you know when you get behind on something you put of catching up. But, since I use this blog for my own journaling purposes it is torturing me to be behind. So, I'm going to "speed blog"-try to quickly recount the last month. We had a wonderful Christmas and plenty of great family time because Steve had the last two weeks of December off. On New Years Steve's parents came for a visit and we had a lot of hanging out time-and perfecting our 6 Dice skills. Steve and the kids got to take his parents to the Getty Museum, also. The kids were pretty scarred by some of the statues and paintings-it's culture, right. So far most of January has been pretty mellow; I've been spending time trying to get organized and get back into school mode-that's been a little challenging-maybe it will happen this week!

A sad discovery (Ok maybe I'm being dramatic.)

I have a lot of blogging to catch up on from the past two weeks; but it's going to have to wait. Right now my heart hurts a little-Ok, it's going to sound completely ridiculous to most of you but when I tucked Andrew into bed tonight, I noticed the beginning of some hair forming on his upper lip. I have had a pit in my stomach since. I know I'm being dramatic, I just can't help it. It's just that he's my first baby boy and to me he's still a little boy{I'm trying to ignore the tears in my eyes.) I've taken such comfort from the fact that he still loves to play with toys and all the boy stuff that 11 year old do. But when I saw what could be the beginning of a mustache I got very sad But God made it clear to me tonight that we are on the threshold. We need wisdom from our Lord how to train and lead these boys that I love so much. My prayer is that my boys will grow to honor, obey, and fear the Lord of Creation. There are times I feel so unworthy and incapable to lead them. Thanks to the Lord for his abundant mercy and love.

Pics from this week.

Luke making snowflakes for our window
Jaden getting talked to by a Roman soldier at "Back to Bethlehem" Christine and my dad going to the Master's College Christmas concert
Our Thankful Tree that Christine made

Christine pulled out all of her stuffed animals for Livy to play with-she was giddy.

If I could save time in a bottle.....

So, I'm sitting here trying to remember what we did this week, what made it feel so busy that it's all a blur to me now? It started me on another train of thought-how fast time goes. Sometimes it's downright painful to think about it, how big my kids are getting, how long ago it seems that we got married, how my baby girl that was just born yesterday but is now turning three on Tuesday, and how my firstborn, Christine, is now two inches taller than me (and she's only 12.) It's funny because we take so many pictures and videos of the kids and yet it's sometimes so hard to look at them all because it reminds me of how fast our life is flying by us (another reason I homeschool.) But, I can say that there are wonderful things about kids getting older. You can have such amazing conversations about the Lord and you can start to see them becoming their own person with their own set of strengths and weeknesses. Another benefit is how much the older kids can help. This week for our co-op school day Christine got to teach the little kids because my friend, Yvette, was out of town. For science we were covering rainbows so she made rainbow jello cups. They turned out so cute. As hard as it is to raise kids it is so rewarding and fulfilling. I'm so grateful to be able to be home with my kids being their mommy.

Our Thanksgiving Tradition

Christine and Reagan

Livy and Andrew

The Sauer Family

Steve decorating our annual jello salad.

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Our tradition every year is that we go to my Aunt Judi and Uncle Paul's house. This year more family were able to come into town so it was extra special. My dear cousin Aaron, his wife, Nicole, and their two boys, have been in town all weekend and we have had such a fun time with them and the rest of my family. I am so thankful for my family and feel extra blessed to have them. My cousin, Aaron, makes me laugh like no other. He is so funny. So, there isn't anything extra-ordinary to write about; just a wonderful weekend with wonderful people.

The joys of a little girl in her polka-dot jammies.

A little behind......

Better late than never. I wanted to post some pictures I loved from Halloween. Steve, Christine and Drew were in Mexico; but we had so much fun trick or treating with family and friends.

Livy and Avery-little princesses

Jaden was a ninja but looked more like a terrorist.

Luke and Jake were constantly being asked for a "Double, Double."

Livy and Coley be precious.

Her dress was not overly comfortable-she hasn't learned that beauty is pain.