The night before

Well here I am totally packed and NOT ready to go. My family is all asleep. As I sit here all awake, many things rush through my mind. Not the usual night before a trip stuff. Some of you know I stuggle with the whole fear issue. Satan loves to use that one. Instead of worring about if I packed enough underwear and remembered my toothbrush, my though race somewhere else. I worry about my babies and my love. What if there is a major disaster and I can't get home. Probably shouldn't have watched Armegedon tonight. I wish I had thought about this more and only did a short trip. 8 days 7 nights, that is a long time to leave my family. I have only been away from them for one night and that was way back when I was pregnant with Will. And it was for work. I will enjoy not working but now what do I do? Don't get me wrong, I look forward to a little r and r. I just love being around my family so much. They are my life. I want to go to Disneyland, or camping or just playing in the playroom. They are probably looking forward to a break from me. So if I were to have a prayer request while on vacation, it would be to leave Satan at home. I pray that I am strong enough to keep him from stealing my joy. Bill would flip if I backed out now... too late for a refund. I will miss all of you. So I'll be back on next Monday, unless I sneak to the computers on the ship....

My mountain and yours too!

I feel the need to "add" something to my previous post. I left out my awesome friends and support at Sandals and here my fellow bloggers. Each time someone cares enough to go out of their way to give me hug at church(you know who you are). Or posts a comment on my blog. You lift me up. I am an extrovert. Being a stay at home mom extrovert is a whole different animal. Sandals has given me a small, yet ever growing group of women who make me feel loved, wanted and appreciated. So to my fab 4, and my new group of girls thank you. All this to say, for those of you who feel you are in a spirtual valley now, I look forward to going through some trenches with you and standing on top of your own mountain. Shared victories is what I'm talking about ladies and gentleman. If we don't share our burdens and shortcomings with one another we don't get to rejoice with them when we reach the top!!! So long story short, I feel like you all are up here with me on this mountain because you were down in the valley with me before. I know that I will have more valleys ahead and I hope you all are with me then too. For what it's worth, I hope that I can stand with you on your mountain and I'll be there in your valley too!!!

Stay at home mom

So I have been a stay at home mom for FOUR years now. I love it. However, I found that there were parts of working that I loved. Like having a reason to buy something other than jeans and a t-shirt. Or not planning on wearing those cute little jogging suits to take the kids to school, when I never planned on jogging. Don't get me wrong my hands still smell of bleach at least one day a week. (How come you can't wash off that smell for like a day? It is probably toxic.) However, I started helping out a friend one day a week and it has really changed my life. I could never go back to a full time job, but I love this. I have a reason to get dressed in something other than my sweats. I get to talk to real people and not end every other word in -we. I feel like I accomplish tasks. You don't get the same satifaction from cleaning. Why? Because you will have to do the same job 20 more times later. It is never completed permantly. I love having something more than just grocery shopping. Yet, I still get to spend most on my time with my babies. I feel like it is making me a better mom. I have a wonderful life. I have been through a spirtual valley recently and now I feel like I am headed for a very high mountian. I have made some great new friends. I also have a great set of old ones. Bill and I are really getting to be on the same page in several ways. Our old house is in ecscrow. Just things are going so well. God is good. I feel like each and every valley leads me to be more of who God created me to be. Refiners fire... The flames hurt but the end result makes me feel more solid and grounded and useful. I hope the my lessons will make me someone that God can use to help other women in my spot. Lord, mold me and use me. As I take on new shape I am learning to like the person that GOD has made me to be. I did not like the person that I made myself out to be. So I realize this was all over the place, so I will end this way. Thank you Lord!!!!!

6 more days

Six more days till I leave for seven. All the women in my family are setting sail for a mexican cruise, no Ricardo you can not come. There is a big part of me that is really excited. I mean no tantrums, no sippy cups, no making food, no cleaning, no laundry, NO DIAPERS!!! It has been seven years that I have spent takinh care of babies on a daily (and nightly) basis. However, that is my life. I love my life. So on that note I am a little sad to be away from the things I love most for SEVEN days!!! I hope that I will come back renewed. But I worry about my tribe here. Bill is a great dad. Maybe too good. He might do my job better than me!!! Then again if you have met my children you know that he could end up bound and gaged for six of the days in a cowboy and indian game that went to far. If you think about me or my family next week, maybe give him a call or stop by. Just to make sure that Bill is still alive!!!! Say a little prayer for me too... no more cruises during hurricane season.

Being Real

Ok, so this blog thing started as a cute place to post pictures of my kids. Now I feel convicted to open up more. I have been talking with Bill about letting people see who he really is. By that I mean he is really the funniest, most witty person I know. Until resently not many people knew or ever saw that side of him, the real side of Bill. Well, after spending time reading his blog I realized that I am not very "real" on my own. Not many people know the real me and how I tick. I don't think that I can write as beautifully as Jess Boctor, I mean she is just a beautiful person anyways. I do think I can be more honest about my life friendships and spiritual walk. I hope it won't bore you. There will still be pics of my kids of course. But maybe you might be able to relate to what is going on wth me. And then maybe I can learn more about you. Happy blogging!!!!

Soccer Pro

Oh. my!!! Three years old and already nothing gets by him. Will loves sports class at Little Gym. And for once I really feel like I am getting my moneys worth. He is really learning to play soccer. And he gets to have fun too!!! Thanks Coach Brett! You are awesome!!!

back by popular demand

ok, everyone keeps asking.... when are we doing game night again? Alright it coming.... but when? Check back often for the update.

Ok let's do this again...

Alright, so we had a little get together to celebrate my birthday. First, I need to love on my husband. He did all the inviting, cooking, clean-up ... everything. He is awesome. What a great guy I have. Second, we need to do it all again. Why you ask? Because we took not one picture!!! I even got a camera as a gift from Bill!!! So I have not one picture to put in here :( And now we need to relive it all so I have a Kodak moment to keep forever. Are you game?????

Macey Karate Master

Macey has decided to take karate. She loves it. She is so little!!!! Is she not the cutiest little ninja you've ever seen???

Daley the make up artist

While Macey and Will are at school Daley has found her own way to occupy herself. I know, I know you all want makeup lessons. She is very busy but available after naps and in between snack times.

First Day of School Round Two

Will started school on Thursday. I kept waiting for them to tell me he was not big enough. He was a little nervous and kept asking who was going to stay with him. However, when I picked him up at lunch , he wanted to stay for the afternoon. I can't believe how fast he is growing up.

Hot Sandals Babes

Okay, Summer and Janie may be going crazy because us Sandals people keep having babies, but look at them. Tell me they are not the cutest babies you have ever see!!! And this is just a sample!!! We are all in trouble when they turn into teenagers and want to date each other. We all know why Gavin is smiling the biggest! What a chick magnet!! By the way Daley was not amused!!!

My birthday!

My oh so sweet husband made me this giant brownie cake for my birthday. Observe the stawberry cut roses and that my name is carved in the whole strawberries!!! Great guy. Very tasty brownie!