Last day of 08

Always good for a time of reflection and perspective. God has been so good to me and to my family. I am so blessed to have two healthy children, a husband who loves me and who loves our kids, a beautiful home, wonderful family and friends. Thank you Lord for all your blessings....You never cease to amaze me! Thank You for Your good gifts - I am truly spoiled by my Father. May my 2009 be a year in which You Lord shine!

Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my special day! Happy Birthday to me!! Neil is taking me to lunch in River Park and then we are going to go see Benjamin Button movie!! How wonderful! Of course it all started with a cozy sleep in, yummy coffee in my new coffee maker. Neil even made pancakes this morning - now that is amazing! What a great day!

Ready, Set, Open!

Our Christmas morning started early with getting the kids out of bed and heading straight to Gigi and Papas house. Uncle Jim and Aunt Erin were there with Cousin Jax and Nolan. All the kids were eager to start opening presents. After a hasty breakfast it was Ready, Set Open time! With 3 boys aged 4, 2 1/2 and 2 1/2, it was mania! Constant "Wow, look what I got" or "This is awesome" or "This is exactly what I wanted" and other totally fun exclamations. Haven was having a blast also, but mainly it was from picking up little pieces of wrapping paper - oh what treasures! All the kids got so many toys and the adults didnt walk away empty handed either! At the end, the living room floor was covered in paper. It was lots of fun.

Later in the day Justus and I spent some time thanking God for the birth of Jesus and all the great gifts He provided. The day ended up with a trip over to Aunty Katies and Uncle Jeff to see the girls and exchange gifts there also. What fun! Happy Birthday Jesus!!

A new do

Since Haven's hair is rapidly growing and playing havoc with the head bands Ive been using, after the holidays (need to use my Christmas bows) this will be her new do!

The generosity of others

A very special family offered to give us their play kitchen for Haven and Justus. I was so happy! I know those things can be pricey. I wasnt gonna get one til next year for Haven, but free is free! I love when people are so generous. They didnt want any money for it and when they brought it over, she had all the play food, shopping baskets and a bin for me to have to store it in. So nice, so generous and the kids love it!

Some things I wish I wouldve known...

When it comes to dressing girls, I seem to have problems. I bought Haven some Christmas onesies and when it was time, I put her in one with jeans. She looked like a boy. I wish I wouldve known/thought of this. If I only had gotten a jean skirt and some tights, then she wouldve looked like a girl. Another issue, I wish I would have thought to have gotten her a red hat with a flower on it. The Christmas bows are cute and all, but if we go outside her little ears freeze. Anyways...hopefully next year Ill remember to get her a jean skirt and cute hat for Christmas time! Here is a pic of her in her boy Christmas outfit and cute bow that is only good for indoors!

Sisters birthday

We had some yummy cake and had fun family time. Jeff helped Neil get the treadmill in our room. Justus ate way to much cake, Haven played with the cards. Played a little Wii. Good family times!

Robots and Racecars

I asked Justus what he wanted for Christmas. He said a robot and racecars. I think its funny cause he really doesnt get it. Weve been talking about the fact that we celebrate Christmas cause its Jesus' birthday and we give gifts for birthdays. He just kinda looks at me and says he wants presents and that his birthday is February 12th. He doesnt get the whole Santa thing. We stood and watched Santa at Fashion Fair the other day to see if taking a pic with him would be worth the $$. Justus was super interested in the door at the house and the reindeer, but would have nothing to do with Santa. Oh well, maybe next year.

Jerk Cop

Today on my way to Clovis Costco, a cop pulled me over. I dont mind being pulled over one bit...especially if I know I deserve it. I was smiling and being my friendly self and knowing just why he was pulling me over. My tags are out of date only because I have yet to put my sticker on. I have it there in the glove, along with my insurance and registration, just havent put it on yet. Mainly cause my kids take all my attention and when they are sleeping, Im usually resting or doing household things or important things like that. So I was smiling when he came over. Last time I got pulled over the cop was so nice and Justus got some stickers, I got a ticket, and all was happy. Not this time. He was so rude. Just very matter of fact, no smile, no understanding, just pure rudeness asking rhetorical questions like "You have had this 180 days and you havent found time to put this on?" Even when I said (with the kids in the back and Justus trying to make friends) "I have a one year old and a two year old" He just was so unrelenting. In the course of our dialog I wanted so badly to be mean back, but then I knew it would for sure land me a ticket and lets face it, thats not what I wanted. So Justus didnt get any stickers, and I didnt get a ticket, but I sure left without a smile on my face.

Fat

Do you see what Im dealing with here?? Wonderful people give me/Neil the yummiest stuff and I just sit at home and eat it all!! Then notice the treadmill....stored in the garage....I need that sucker in my room pronto! But it is so super heavy.... Then tomorrow is Sisters bday and I ordered her an Eddies cake. More super yummyness....like I said - Fat!

Do you ever....

make yourself sick by eating to much chocolate?? I definitely have done this today. Neils Christmas gift is in my tummy...no not every piece, but just about. Maybe one day Ill have the self discipline to stay away from all that yummy chocolate!

Neil's Christmas gift

Neil got this very yummy gift from a super fabulous friend. Mind you, it was all the way full when she gave it to me to give to him.

Christmas is up

I got my tree up with Justus' help. He did a good job and was really into it. So cute. Of course, notice that all the ornaments are at his level. We had to do some rearranging after he went to bed. I also got my stockings up. Oh, and the door wreath. Thats about it for this year tho. I may have nothing hung on my walls and boxes still line the walls, but I certainly have my Christmas decor up!

Im a princess, didnt you know...

Justus saw me all dressed up the other night for Neil's work Christmas party and looked at me and said "Mommy, Youre a princess!" It was the cutest thing. Of course, I am the daughter of The King of kings, but whoda known my son would be the one to remind me - blessings do come in the most special places!

Clovisite

Well, its official, I am a Clovisite - or whatever you call it. I did all my errand running and didnt leave Clovis limits not once! Gotta love me some Hwy 168! I just hop on at Shepherd and take it where ever I need to go. Although I decided I really dont like the Clovis Costco. I think Ill have to make the River Park trek every time. I did find a blessing today...there is an In and Out at Clovis and Herndon - who knew?? I was so excited when I drove by I exclaimed out loud - What a blessing from God!! You know, having toddlers in the house has really made me love any restaurant with a drive thru.

Moving funny

When we moved into the house and had brought the kids home we had Justus go find his room. Well, he found it, but then as we were playing, he kept forgetting where it was. It was funny watching him look for it each time!

So much to do....

I love my new house! But as you all know, new house & moving = lots to do. Lots to clean, lots to put away lots to hang up and decorate....just LOTS! Add that to trying to decorate for Christmas. Justus is well aware that it is Christmas time and has more than once asked where our tree and decorations were.....mmmm. Need to get that tree up! Maybe after I get all my clothes put back in the dresser and finish unpacking boxes......

Fiasco = New house = Move!

It was crazy from the get-go. We made an offer on a short sale house back at the beginning of Sept. It was due for auction like 2 weeks later so we felt sure we wouldnt have to wait months like we had heard happens with short-sales. Our reasoning was they would have to make a decision before the auction date, right? Well, auction day came and went and we hadnt heard a thing. We were like, do we find another house? Has it been auctioned? No answers even after multiple phone calls. Finally I called the the city and the automated voice said the auction had been posted-phoned due to mutual agreement. Ok, whatever that meant....we still hadnt heard anything. That was just the beginning....well, without telling the whole story, cause that would take forever, we are now the excited owners of a new house! We are ecstatic!! Moving day is tomorrow!! Yay!!

Curious...

Tell me, how can the scale say Im 2 pounds lighter than normal, but my jeans fit like Im 5 pounds heavier?? Curious.....

Fiasco

Ill have more info later, but seriously, the last few days have been CRAZY!! But it does come with a good ending!

Cute outfit and Gingerbread House

These are from when we were in Alabama. This was an outfit we put Haven in for church. I happen to think it is so super cute. This was the first time we have done a Gingerbread house with Justus. He and Neil had a great time engineering it! I love Holiday Traditions!

Alabama

We had so much fun while in Alabama! It is always great to see my parents. The kids got to experience the great outdoors like not possible in Fresno. They got to go to a Cracker Barrel. Tons of fun and good food! But most importantly, they got to spend time with Grammy and Granddad!

Alabama Starbucks Funny

This is something I thought Id never see - but then, you see it all in Alabama! I hope you can make out the picture. It is a truck hauling a flatbed in the Starbucks drive thru. I was truly aghast!

Atlanta Trip

While in Alabama we also took a few days to go visit my Aunt Carolyn who lives in Atlanta. It is always fun going to see Aunty. Her home is beautiful and there are so many breakable things and priceless items she has. That would sound like a nightmare to bring small children to, but she also has stairs. My kids loved it!! Up and down, up and down, all day long! And of course Aunty had bought tons of toys. We got to go eat at some yummy places like Buckhead Diner and waffle house! I do love me some waffle house! My aunt had arranged for the kids pics to be taken so we went to http://www.carolynwhitmore.com/home.php to have the kids portraits taken. She has a beautiful studio which is an old historic home. Very beautiful! We had a great time!

Thankful for Family

Thanksgiving day was so much fun!! When we visit Alabama, first and foremost we are visiting my parents. But all of my dad's family live close by - they stretch from Birmingham Al, to Atlanta Ga. He comes from a family of 10 kids and he is number 8 in the lineup so I have second cousins my age. We are a close-knit family and they have all been getting together every Thanksgiving since the beginning. Growing up in California, we didnt get to experience it often, but when I lived there for 8 years, it was always fun. We have every age. Haven was the youngest this year, but one is on the way with one of my cousins. Then of course my dads bro Ladsen is the oldest - Im not sure how old tho. It is always encouraging being with my family. Another cool thing is we always can invite friends. Often there are boyfriends/girlfriends that come or neighbors or just friends. No one wants to miss Thanksgiving! This year we had 58. We all claim Christ and there is so much love and support among us. I am thankful to have such a great family!

Yummy Food

We had so much yummy food! Everyone brings their favorites. There are always lots of casseroles - sweet potato, broccoli, vegetable (I didnt see a green bean, but that doesnt mean it wasnt there) tons of turkey (3 to be exact), ham, dressing, Chicken and dumplings (a Southern favorite and only certain people can make it!), baked beans, I cant name them all. It was a whole lotta food! Then of course the desserts - Coconut cake, pies all kinds, chocolate stuff - tons. I made a chocolate pizza - Thanks to Michelle Temples blog. All so super yummy!