A Flurry of Activity

Christmas has come and gone.

I am sad.

I am still listening to Christmas music and enjoying my tree (just don't bump into it or the needles go all over :). Christmas is such a magical time of the year.

We helped out a family this year and the kids helped with the cause by donating some of their new toys. They LOVED helping a family in need. They still talk about it daily. Dave and I usually do it ourselves, but this year I thought everyone could join in.

Service is great.

And we are fortunate to be in the situation where we can help others. For that I am VERY thankful.

We have had two birthdays in our home. Filippo is the big 13 and Evan is sweet 16. They are wonderful boys. They are a delight to be around and I am so proud to be their mom.

They are really cute, too.

I get told that all the time and it worries me a little bit.

Our So Cal trip was a blast. Busy, busy busy...but that is how it always is. I wish I could talk to everyone more, but that is just how it goes. We caroled, we went to Disneyland, we ate and ate some more (paying for that now!), we played and we opened presents. I love seeing my brothers and sisters and all their kin. They are all so cute. We stayed with my parents and we filled there spare bedrooms to the max.

When the heck did I become a mom to six?

Our car was filled with eight people, a dog, luggage on top and luggage on the back. Six hours there and six hours back is just about all we could take! I am still recuperating :)

Life is good.

2009 has brought some sweet blessing and bittersweet trials. My heart still aches when I think of the numerous times we almost lost Sophie. But then my heart leaps with happiness when I see her standing in her crib grinning at me. I love that face. She greets everyone with a smile...I believe that is her way of saying, "Thank you for praying for me." My husband is back to his same old self. My heart hurts when I think of how his body started shutting down of him that Saturday night. But then I see his smile and I smile back even bigger. Love that man. He is everything I ever dreamed of. He is mine forever. So are my kids. Lucky me.

So here is to a New Year. I can't wait to see what 2010 brings my way. (Hopefully good things :)

Tis the Season

Life has been so crazy. No joke. I am trying hard not to feel overwhelmed with trying to get everything done, so this evening before dinner, I told Bridgete we were going to take a walk. It is her favorite thing to do. I put dinner on hold, loaded up Sophie in her stroller asked Filippo and Spencer to join us and we were off.

Twenty minutes of feeling carefree.

It was heaven.

I skipped with them,

galloped,

hopped on one foot,

ran

and gave a piggyback ride.

(Filippo was running along kicking the soccer ball...no piggyback ride for him :)

It was almost dark so we hurried home. Everyone was happier. I was happier. So I have decided when I am feeling completely overwhelmed, I am going on a walk with my kids.

Thankful

Count your many blessings

name them one by one,

and it will surprise you

what the Lord has done.

Dave (my hubby)

Jenny

Evan

Filippo

Spencer

Bridgete

Sophie (extra tears with this one:)

home

My Savior

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

music

good health

food

the vacuum

Ok...I realize I can list a million more things. I am thankful that I get to reflect on all my blessings a little more today. Everyday should be a Thanksgiving day. I am going to work on that :)

Happy Thanksgiving

New things

Having a try at a new hobby :)

A bit overwhelming.

Fun with Grammy and Grampy

Last week, my parents came for a visit. They got to see Evan's football game and the other's soccer games.

I also thought they would enjoy going to the zoo. Spencer and Bridgete had minimum days, so we scooped them up and headed for the Sacramento Zoo and at the last minute, we decided to go to Fairytale Town as well. These two places are gems for young kids. I just love them, especially Fairytale Town. I get sad when the kids outgrow it. It is perfect for little kids. We went on a Thursday afternoon and there was barely anyone there. Spencer and Bridgete practically had the place to themselves. My parents loved it, too. I knew my dad would love all the beautiful mature trees. It was a lovely, crisp, autumn afternoon. Sophie and I at Fairytale Town

We always love having them come up. I think our dog Tucker loves it even more than we do. Grammy and dogs...a match made in heaven :) Seriously, there is NO dog that doesn't love my mom.

We can't wait to get down to see everyone next month.

The History Buff

Filippo loves history. I mean he really loves it. He is like a sponge when reading or learning about anything historical, especially WWII. So, he came home yesterday from middle school and said he got tons of candy from his history teacher. I said, "Why?" He said, "She quizzed us on WWII and I knew every one." Not shocking at all. He could not believe his peers didn't know about D Day. A history buff in the making, that is for sure.

Ughh

I don't know if I should be worried.

I picked Bridgete up from Kindergarten today and her friend Jason awaited her outside. His Grandpa kept saying "Let's go," but Jason kept saying, "I have to wait for Bridgete." So once she was out the door and next to him, he said, "Good bye Bridgete, my love!" She didn't acknowledge him at all, but I told her to say goodbye anyway. I then asked Bridgete in the car, "So, is Jason a good friend?" She says, "Yeah, he says he is my boyfriend." I said, "Well, is he?" She said, "I guess but Kevin really likes me, too."

Ughh. Not what I wanted to hear, but secretly I did think it was cute he said, "my love." But just for a second :)

Scarecrow Day in Mrs. Start's class.

Happy Halloween

We played soccer.

We carved pumpkins.

We saw Jenny off to Homecoming.

We got dressed up.

We went trick or treating till someone couldn't walk anymore (Spencer).

We ate all the candy we could. (mama's rule - eat all the candy you want on Halloween, then I am in charge :)

Got ready for bed while the parents did a little dance in celebration of the time change.

And that, my friends is our Halloween in a nutshell.

Sophie and her new best friend

Sophie is on the move.

Watch out.

Her motivation for crawling all over the family room is.....

Tucker.

(doesn't he looked thrilled!)

I don't quite know how to feel seeing this all day long. I am not a "let your dog lick you...especially in the face!" kind of a gal. But Sophie is completely fascinated with Tucker. Luckily, he just takes it and cleans off the sweet potato mess on her face :) Love, true love.

Doing good

Dave is doing better. He has drank more water this week than ever before. His blood clot in his arm is a wee bit better. He is slowly getting back to his regular self. His spirits are much much better which makes me so happy. It is hard to watch your man be down and out.

My brother Adam came up Thursday to help out. The kids were so excited to see him. He is a "cool" uncle. He helped take kids to school, babysat a little, worked on the pool, picked up kids from practices and watched five games (1 football, 4 soccer). It was so nice to have him. He came bearing gifts from the bakery which is always such a special treat. I think we had toast for all three meals yesterday :) Thanks Adam for coming up. It was so sweet of you to leave your family for a few days to help us out. Thanks Stacey for giving up your hubby for a little bit and letting him come up here. It really meant a lot to us.

This is the smile he decided to do....nice.

Dave and Adam were a traveling pair this weekend. Don't they look cute together :)

You Never Know

You never know what life has is store for you.

Saturday the 17th, Dave and I were out eating a yummy dinner at Macaroni Grill celebrating our 9th anniversary. Three hours later, I receive a phone call saying that my hubby is being transported to Methodist Hospital because he had a seizure at the grocery store.

What?

Life is fragile.

Dave is fine. He is home now. He is extremely drowsy from his medication for seizures. He has a 2-3 inch blood clot in his arm. So he is on blood thinners for that. He is taking more medicine now than he's ever taken. But he is ok, and that is what matters.

They said he had three seizures and it took 10 people (the fire dept had to call for Code 3 back up) to hold him down. He had to be restrained (strapped down) while they transported him to the ER. I could have sworn I married a lover not a fighter...guess I was wrong. I thought the paramedic was joking when he told me my hubby was in an ambulance because he had a seizure at the grocery store.

What?

Good news is that all the tests they ran came back normal. Thank the good Lord. The reason for the seizures....lack of sleep, dehydration and low potassium.

Working two jobs has taken it's toll.

Diet Mountain Dew is not the most hydrating drink out there.

I don't know if it counts, but he did have bananas in the cart before he went down.

So a lesson has been learned. Life is so fragile. He could have died.

Our bodies are a gift.

We need to treat them like that.

(I guess I shouldn't have finished off that plate of brownies just now :)

Thank you for all your prayers. We love you all.

2009 has definitely been an eventful year for our family.

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to the man I love.

It has been 9 years since we got married and I coudn't be happier.

I love being his wife.

I love being the mother of his children.

Nothing could make me happier.

Who knows, maybe we will go out on a date all by ourselves today.

(or Sophie might join us :)

Either way it is great.

It is funny the paths life takes you on.

9 1/2 years ago,

I would have never imagined living in Northern California,

taking care of a darling hubby,

six kids

a dog and a cat.

The Lord has watched over me.

I am eternally grateful for that.

My dreamboat

Dreamboat is Spencer. That is what I call him and always will :) He thinks a lot about things I wouldn't expect a 7 year old to think about.

Example: last night he told us how we have two families in Heaven... The one that we are with now and the one we have when we are married. He said, "We were all really good friends and that's why we decided to be in a family together." Love it.

Then today on the way home from school, he said,"I am going to start my own business. I am going to open a bakery up here just like the one Grammy and Grampy have down there. That way we can always have one nearby. Mom, you can bake your cookies and stuff and the rest of the recipes I will get from them. I think it will do really good because there are no bakeries around here." He has mentioned this before but he talks about it a lot more lately. Isn't that funny?

Here he is with one of his recycled artwork pieces. It is impossible to throw anything in the recycle bin without Spencer finding a artistic purpose for it.

On a totally different side note...I have been trying to write more on my blog. I don't keep a journal (the horror!) and this is my way to remember all the fun (and not so fun) things in my family. So hang in there...you might get smothered in my sappiness sometimes, but it won't harm you. I promise.

A Full Heart

I love staying home. I have No idea how our home would run if I worked full time. I am so grateful that my hubby has two good jobs that allows me to be home.

Right now we are going on Day 5 of the flu. We suspect it is the swine flu, but I am not taking them in for an official test.

I love that "mom" makes things feel better with a snuggle or a kiss. I love that "mom" is the name they call out to soothe them. Call me selfish...but that is one of the perks of the job.

I remember my mom taking care of me. Oh how I loved it. When she would give us 7 up to drink and crackers to eat, somehow she made them taste so much better than they were. I want to be like that. I think I may actually be like that with my kids. I hope so.

I remember coming home from school and every so often, our house smelled of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. It put an instant smile on our faces. If we had a rough day at school, it was suddenly forgotten by cookies and milk. (She made crispier cookies so they dunked really well :)

Now I think I will go make some chocolate chip cookies. Mine aren't crispy, but I know they will put an instant smile on their faces after school. (well, Filippo and Bridgete are home sick...maybe I will set some aside for them in the freezer :)

A little bit of this....

A little bit of that... (now I am singing that song :)

Days have been going by so quickly. I can't believe it is already October 9th. Our house has been a busy house with school, my hubby's new work schedule, football and soccer. I am happy to say that our fall decorations are up and I am already making Bridgete's costume.

I am loving the change in the air. Bring on the soups, stews and casseroles!

We had VISITORS! Uncle Gery and Ken came by to see us. It was great (a little chaotic: at dinnertime Sophie was hungry so Dave was holding her while I was serving up enchiladas. Neither of us could sit and Gery and Ken weren't to sure if they should sit or stand or wait or what. I eventually got everyone their food; Dave sat down as the official adult representative of the family and I nursed in a chair close by. Just a little awkward :) but it worked out.

And this little cutie is sitting up and moving all over. She is growing up WAY too fast. She doesn't "officially" crawl, but she gets around pretty darn good.

"Hi. I am Sophie and I am a big girl!"

"Hi. I am Sophie and I like yoga. This is my downward dog."

Speaking of growing up fast - when did Filippo grow? He has almost caught up to me! And his feet are like flippers. Got to love those middle school years when all they do is eat and grow.

Is there anything sweeter?

I just had to share this. Is there anything sweeter than hearing a baby laugh?

Family

Today was the Primary program! It was so sweet. I look forward to it every year. It is by far the best sacrament meeting of the year. Spencer and Bridgete had their lines memorized and did a great job.

They sang a song "The Family is of God." It was in the Oct 2008 Friend magazine. O my gosh....the tears started flowing. The words are simple and beautiful. Add 50 kids singing it and it makes it even better. Here are the words:

Our Father has a family. It's me!

It's you, all others, too: we are his children.

He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,

To live and learn here in families.

God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be-

This is how He shares His love, for the family is of God.

A father's place is to preside, provide,

To love and teach the gospel to his children.

A father leads in family preayer to share

Their love for Father in Heaven

God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be-

This is how He shares His love, for the family is of God.

A mother's purpose is to care, prepare,

To nurture and to strengthen all her children.

She teaches children to obey, to pray,

To love and serve in the family.

God gave us familiesto help us become what He wants us to be-

This is how He shares His love, for the family is of God.

I'll love and serve my family and be

A good example to each family member

And when I am mom or dad, so glad,

I'll help my family remember:

God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be-

This is how He shares His love, for the family is of God.

After the program was over the Bishop shared a few words. He talked about the chorus of this song. Heavenly Father shows us his love by blessing us with our family members. Kind of makes you think twice before getting upset or impatient with those that should always be most dear. They are forever. Is there anything more beautiful? 'fraid not :)

The California State Fair

We finally made it to the State Fair. Yipee! It was huge! Dave kept telling me the LA County Fair has nothing on the CA State Fair, and he was right. The kids had a blast. They went on a couple rides, saw some exhibits, ate "fair" food, and saw some animals.

Getting on the ferris wheel.

Jenny and Jake (just a "friend") in the fun house.

Spencer and Bridgete on the swings. They laughed the whole time. And Spencer would like you to know he did "no hands" the whole entire time:)

And this little one was a trooper once again. Don't you just want to bite those yummy cheeks? Her favorite ride was the stroller :)

Labor Day Weekend

So Dave's best friend Ron decided to make reservations for us to go camping at Bruno Island. What's that?....You've never heard of it? Well, we had never heard of it either. There is Brannon Island that is known by many...Bruno Island is like the little brother of Brannon. It is along the Delta and it took about 45 minutes to get there...gotta love that!

It was great. There was grass and nice trees and we were seconds from the water. Everyone else camping at Bruno was river rats. That made for some interesting company :) As Dave kept saying, "They're just good ol' boys." We stuck to fishing. So Saturday morning was spent patiently waiting for something to happen....nothing. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was the bait. Call me crazy, but I just had a feeling that fish weren't into synthetic worms.... :)

So we decided to head out and explore the sights. We did a little Geo caching along the way, thanks to Hailey and Ron. I had heard of it before but wasn't too excited by it. The kids had a great time doing it. We found four. They are all over the place. Spencer was soooo into it. He loved it and wants to do it all the time :) It is pretty neat, especially for kids. Anyway, it was lunchtime so we stopped to eat at the famous Fosters Big Horn. Dave and Ron told the kids that it is a place where they can see lots of stuffed animals.

Yeah....this guy Foster killed all of these between 1930-1950. There are pictures to prove it. None of us will ever forget this restaurant, that's for sure :) Dave got some night crawlers, and within 5 minutes of baiting the hooks, Spencer caught a fish. He was so excited. It was like Christmas morning! All the kids caught numerous fish...29 to be exact. But we left them in the water overnight (don't ask me why) and the otters ate ten of them. That left us with nine...they all had a bite taken from them...naughty otters. The kids were sad and decided to fish again Sunday morning and they caught what the otters took. Dave cleaned them and I floured and fried them for a mid morning snack. They were blue gill which aren't real meaty but they were tasty. Everyone tried it. I told them that if you catch them we have to eat them, and they didn't argue.

The kids love camping. Dave and I love it, too. We haven't done much of it this year because of Sophie but she was sooo good. So I hope to get in a couple more quick trips before the weather gets too cold.

Happenings

Thank you, thank you to Dave's patient who found all my deleted files on my camera! I now have the pictures that went missing from this summer. I am so thankful for computer savvy/camera savvy people. Now maybe I will get around to posting a few :)

Sophie has a cold. She coughs quite a bit, but we went to the doctor's yesterday and her lungs sound great...it is just a head cold :) Can't help but stress when she is coughing and coughing! She weighs a whopping 15.1 pounds. OK, OK, so she is no heavyweight, but she is right where she should be :) I know my sister Aimee's kids weigh that at two months (love you Aimee!)

Dave is close to being rehired. Hopefully this month!

And I am doing just peachy. Trying like heck to lose this baby weight. Any pointers? I am breastfeeding....so starvation is out the window (like I could do that anyways!) My friends and I have a goal to lose 20 pounds by Halloween. 16 to go! and then after I hit 20 pounds, I need to lose 10-20 more. Is there ever an end to the dieting madness? I do feel much better from making better choices ...my new favorite is steel cut oatmeal. Yummy.

Bridgete turned 6!

Our little Bridgey turned SIX yesterday.

She is such a sweet girl.

She loves her family.

She LOVES being a big sister.

She is so much fun to watch when she plays quietly by herself.

She started kindergarten a week ago and already has made so many friends.

She also started soccer this year. She works it. She is a fast runner and gets to that ball quicker than anybody. It must be those long lean legs (Dave and I are still trying to figure out where those legs came from :)

Happy Birthday Bridgete. We love you!