Our First "Pet"

I know many of you NEVER thought this day would come...especially my kids...but we officially have our first "pet"!

Alexa took Gavin to a free kids day at Home Depot. They have a project for them to build, games, and goldfish. So of course, he came home with a goldfish in hand.

After seeing the smile on his face, how could I NOT be excited for him?!? Having never owned a fish in my LIFE, I was quick to jump on the internet to find out how to take care of this little guy.

Auntie and Joe headed over to Petsmart and got Capt. Black Stripe some new digs...

He loves his new home! :)

Our God Is Love

I love this song...it's been stuck in my head for days now, so I'd thought I'd share and now it can be stuck in your head too. Ha! ;)



Every soul every beating heart
Every nation and every tongue
Come find hope in the love of the Father

All creation will bow as one
Lift their eyes to the risen Son
Jesus Savior forever and after

This is love
Jesus came and died and gave His life for us
Let our voices rise and sing for all He's done
Our fear is overcome
Our God is love
Our God is love

Every distant and broken heart
Every prayer every outstretched arm
Finding hope in the love of the Father

Age to age let His praises rise
All the glory for all of time
Jesus Savior forever and after

Age to age we will be singing
In the light of all He's done
All the earth everyone singing
In the wonder of His love

Veggie Pasta

8 oz whole wheat pasta
3 zucchini, sliced
1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
1 sm onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, diced
2 cups spinach
3/4 cup feta cheese

Boil water for pasta, and cook pasta. Brown onion and garlic in a little olive oil. Saute zucchini (for about 5 minutes) until slightly tender. Add grape tomatoes until warmed (another couple minutes). Add spinach until wilted. Sprinkle with feta cheese before serving.

I had some leftover chicken so I threw that in too. Super easy, super good.

Oh, and I'll work on a more creative name... :)

Cousins

I LOVE this face!

Lincoln loving on Sofia. :)

It's a camp out! Cowboy Gavin and "Pocahontas" have way too much fun!

The "ReBoot"

I have taken on a new health challenge. No coffee, no fast food, minimal processed foods, no sugary drinks and JUICING!

My inspiration: "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" A documentary about juicing and the many health benefits from "drinking" your fruits and veggies. Watch it! (It's available on Netflix or check out the website here)

My sis came out last weekend for our Disneyland trip, and she decided to stay an extra week to hang with me and the kiddos. We decided to watch the documentary one night and were hooked.
So the next day we went out to buy a juicer and the entire produce section from Stater Bros. It's been two weeks and I can totally feel a difference. I'm constantly on the go, chasing after the kids, driving to swim lessons, taking Lincoln to speech therapy, cleaning, working, cooking... the list goes on and on. I have so much more energy than I did before and am feeling great. Some of the drinks are a little "interesting", but not all that bad.

One of my favorites:
2 apples
4 celery stalks
1 kiwi
1 bell pepper
1 bunch of kale

In addition to juicing 2x a day, I have been eating really healthy and experimenting with different recipes. It's been fun!

More recipes and updates to come. :)

The Happiest Place On Earth

We finally made it to Disneyland! It was Gavin's first time, and he LOVED it! I hadn't been to Disneyland in probably 10 years and I totally felt like a kid again... we got there when it opened and stayed as late as the kids could handle. (Leaving the boys and kids to warm the park benches, while us girls tried to get in one last ride on Thunder Mountain)

The crew in line for Autopia

Brandon and Siena chasing us down

On our way to the next ride, Gavin passed by two Storm Troopers. He couldn't resist an opportunity to take them out with his double light saber!

Me and Court on the new Toy Story ride

Breaking out of jail in Toon Town

Waiting for Star Tours

How can you not LOVE these faces?!? They were so happy to be there together!

My Fam

Thanks Dad & Kathi for an amazing day full of great memories! We are so, so excited to be near family again and share these good times together! :)

A New "Adventure"

Life has been a little overwhelming lately. We are settled and into a semi "routine", with naps, working, Joe working from home, dinners and bedtimes. We love the southern California sunshine with lots of trips to the parks and beaches. Being away for almost 6 years has really allowed me to appreciate the beauty around me. Going to the park might entail 30 minutes of prep before I go, and taking the kids to the beach can be quite a work out, but it's SO worth it. I want them to appreciate being OUTSIDE in the SUNSHINE.

Despite all the wonderful things we have, it has still been an adjustment finding my place back at home. I have reconnected with a few old friends, but I really miss the ones I left behind. We are having to adjust to the cost of living back in Southern California, which can be pretty stressful at times. "Couponing" is my new hobby. :) I know this transition will take time, and as time passes this new life will feel normal.

Yesterday, we got hit with a new twist in our everyday life. When I took Lincoln for his 15 month well check up, the doctor recommended I take him for a speech evaluation since he isn't saying any words. With him being my second- I wasn't even sure what the milestones were for a 15 month old... Funny how we mellow out with the second. His evaluation was yesterday, and I was really anxious about going. She asked me a bunch of questions- mostly about his language development and some about his motor skills. The bottom line- he is delayed. In some areas more than six months. The clinician recommended him for 2x week speech therapy. My first reaction is sadness, discouragement and questioning. I KNOW he will be fine, and I'm so glad that I live in a place where I can get him the help that he needs. But I'm still human. I'm still a Mom and I want the best for my kids. I don't want them to struggle. But I also know that's part of life and I need to let it go. So on to a new chapter...