Expression of Happiness

Catching Up...

2012-02-10T18:31:00.000-08:00

Everybody's busy, I know that. So, it's not a very good excuse for not posting anything, but it's life. With teaching 3rd grade, running from basketball practices to games, going to dance classes, competitions and conventions, church, hubby, and some time with friends there's so little time left to do the fun, extra things like blogging. I don't mean to complain because my life is good...so good! Anyway, this is what I've taken pictures of (I say it that way because I haven't been bringing my camera with me as often as I wish I had...oh well) lately.

My sick little girl :(

Friends over on Super Bowl Sunday

Robbie's first new car. A college degree and a a job will buy you nice things :)

Brady made hers and Rob's birthday cake this year. So awesome!

My new pot (from a good friend) with chicken tortilla soup in it.

Taylor's house

Brady letting me practice my sports mode on my camera. I got it! This time.

Birthday girl is 13! My baby is a teenager!

On our 16th wedding anniversary! Love love this man!

Hubby's bday.

Robbie turned 27 on the 28th and Brady turned 13 on the 29th! Wow!

Happy New Year!!

2011-12-31T16:18:00.000-08:00

We're all about basketball right now!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T08:24:00.001-08:00

Family-What Christmastime is About

2011-12-22T21:14:00.000-08:00

sweet cousins, aunties, uncles, grandmas & us

We had an early celebration with my husband's side of our family. What great fun! They are wonderful!

Let the Merriment Continue

2011-12-11T21:54:00.000-08:00

Another Christmas party with friends! We are blessed.

Holiday Fun Has Just Begun!

2011-12-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

Our annual Duffy Boat Party! We rent an electric boat and tour through the canals to look at Christmas lights. We have good food, good friends, and good wine. It's wonderful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

49er Fans

Birthday boy & Grandma

Thanksgiving Love!

Holiday Dance Show

2011-11-20T11:21:00.000-08:00

Daddy's Girl!

Dance Friends

Brothers of dancers

Goofing around before the show

Best Friend, Olivia (sweet, sweet girl!)

Dance girls

Cute Show! Next up...performance at Knott's Berry Farm!

A visit from our sweet relatives

2011-11-18T21:53:00.000-08:00

Brady, cousin Carissa, and Jake

I'm lucky to have such a great sister-in-law

Hubby, Me, Sister and Brother-in-law (hubby's brother) We sure love them!

Beginning of Fall

2011-10-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

Last days of swimming, but lots of days of Jacuzziing ahead

making cupcakes for church carnival, I think 14 dozen

Flag football brings out all the fans:)

Friends in dance

Biggest boy's soccer game :) He's still awesome!

more football

Life is good. God is good!

Hope you're well :)

Loving 3rd Grade

2011-09-29T20:20:00.000-07:00

My cutie little growing-up girl (12 yrs. old)

Just Trying to Keep up with it All

2011-09-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

So much to do...I know we all feel that way. Teachers, especially, are busy in the month of September (unless they start school in another month). It's starting to get manageable. I am so blessed! I have such a supportive husband, great healthy kids, a good job that I really enjoy, a wonderful church and small group and a few good friends.

A few pictures of "lately".

While the Kids Were Away-This is What We Were Doing

2011-08-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

Our two youngest kids went away to church camp in AZ. This was there 1st time away from home. They were gone for 6 days. They LOVED it! No homesickness, no sadness, no worries, no problems! Incredible!
My husband took the week off to help (do all of the moving) me move to a new classroom. I am moving from 1st grade to 3rd grade. I hurt my back a few months ago (I don't know how, but I have a large herniated disc, and I'm so sad about it). My wonderful hubby took over. I barely lifted anything.
Anyway, it was beautiful weather all week and we spent a large majority of our time in my classroom. We managed to go out to dinner, out to lunch, swim in our pool, relax in the sun, read a little, rent movies, and just relax, also, but I'm telling you my husband wins the award for best husband of the year! I'm off all summer, but he had to take vacation to WORK for me :). I'm a good boss and I did try to treat him to his favorites :)!
I still have work to do, but my classroom is looking great and I'm very excited about it!

The campers

Jakie's 14th Bday & 4th of July

2011-07-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

My baby boy is 14 years old, Oh My Gosh!!! He is such a soft hearted boy. He cares about other people's feelings like no other boy I've ever known. His latest concerns have had to do with the Holocaust and wrongs against Black people. I'm not kidding. He has read everything he can find and watched quite a few movies about each topic. I pray he will grow up to change lives.

He celebrated his birthday, first, with the morning at Tay's apartment. Taylor picked him up at 9:30 and took him to play basketball. They hung out until it was time for Taylor to go to work. I picked him up and took him to lunch at "Tommy's", his favorite! Then some of his friends came by to snack and go swimming with him for the afternoon. Then the whole fam (minus Tay who was at work, but with the addition of Aunt Jo'D and friend Amy) went to Soupplantation (Jake's choice) for dinner. Jake got a basketball, cash, GC to Tilly's, t-shirt from "Tommy's", a wetsuit for surfing and a few other things. He was one blessed teenager. And, we are two blessed parents!

And, we are so thankful to live in a free country!

Remodel Update- Before & After

2011-06-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

Is it ever "finished"? My husband did about half of the work and we hired others for the other half. So, there's always a "punch list". But, I love it and it has made a big difference in our living space.

Before

After

Dance Recital & Graduation

2011-06-21T17:23:00.000-07:00

That says it all. Life is good. Life is happy all around!

Random Stuff

2011-06-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

Life has still been going on, it's just that I haven't taken the time to document it. I know it still happened it's just that I like photographing it. I have a couple of "random" pictures to post. I'm planning on getting organized, with my pictures, this summer.

Jake's basketball

Taylor's new apartment

Brady's picture day pictures before recital (June 17, 18, & 19)

Mother's Day

2011-05-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful visit with my mom. We shopped at So. Coast Plaza on Saturday and we had a full day of church, movies and dinner on Sunday. I have some pictures with all the kids, but they are on my oldest son's camera and he needs to send them to me. I love getting photos with the whole family. I hope your Mother's Day (which was about 2 weeks ago-can you say late?)was superb!

Happy Easter Visit

2011-04-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

We went here:

I spent time with him :)

Really enjoyed the company of all of them:

Rode a trolley car and these two loved it the most:

Went to Chinatown:

Went to the Beach Chalet for dinner, across the street from here:

We celebrated Easter at their church:

These are some cute bunnies:

And, these are some funny looking bunnies:

They hunted for eggs:

And the adults had a wonderful dinner at Francis Ford Coppola's winery:

We visited with our family and had a great time. The kids will definitely miss the rowdiness they caused together! The adults will miss the way the cousins interacted and all the conversations we had together.

Family.

Love :)

We Did This and Now We're Doing This...

2011-04-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

On our way to La Paz, Mexico

Ripping our kitchen up to make it more modern

Took the wall between the kitchen and the living room

Changing the ceiling and adding recessed lighting

I will post "after" pictures when we get there...

Hola Amigas

2011-03-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

We are in La Paz, Mexico. We've had some very successful fishing! My husband is in heaven! More to come...

What A Great Cause!

2011-03-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

We have been involved with St. Baldrick's for 5 years. This is my son's 5th year shaving and my husband's 4th year. Once you know a child with cancer you can never be free from wanting to help. We had to do something... This year was another successful year for Cubberley (our school where the fundraiser was held). Our sweet friend Kayleigh was the honoree and spokesperson for this event. She did great! We were featured on ABC news and in our newspaper.

Visit with Grandma=Shopping

2011-02-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

My mom is a shopaholic! And, she loves South Coast Plaza! So when she comes to visit we always go to THE mall! Awesome things to look at. We didn't do too much damage :)

Quite a fun visit!

Happy Happy Birthday to Me!

2011-02-11T18:40:00.000-08:00

I have absolutely everything I could possibly want, okay, except maybe more time!

Yes, I caught that piece of shrimp with my eye!

Happy Birthday! My first and my last!

2011-02-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

26!

12!

And, two in between!

Happy Birthday!

Wow! An award!

2011-01-24T11:07:00.000-08:00

Yay! and thank you Lorri at lizardsandlollipops

I love this outlet and support that blogging provides.

The rules for accepting this award are to share

7 things about yourself and nominate 5 blogs

to receive the stylish blogger award.

So....

1. I love sweets, but anyone who knows me knows that first.

2. My kids mean everything to me, but I love that they are growing up and giving my hubs and I more time together.

3. I want to visit Alabama.

4. I wish I had the desire to run a 5k, just so I could say I had done it.

5. I love to scrapbook and I take way too many photos.

6. I love watching "I Shouldn't Be Alive" and any 20/20 mystery (who killed them?) Sick, huh?

7. I'm a wuss, I don't like spending a lot of time away from my husband (I would like to give off the image that I am really independent and do my own thing, but really I love being with him and don't like being away :( I know I'm a whooped baby).

Thanks, again, Lorri!

Now onto my 5 Nominees:

1. Kristin at Diapers, Dress up and Other Holy Things

2. Mindy at Trendy Mindy and Her Loves

3. Amanda at My Life in the Making

4. Robin at Read about the Reeds

5. Lissa at Humble Pie

Happy Birthday, Baby! I'm so glad you're mine!

2011-01-15T11:43:00.001-08:00

Surprise, Honey! We are going somewhere for the weekend. Rob and Ash are going to stay with J & B. Come on... trust me :)

45 minute drive and then dinner 1st.

It's a bit chilly, but we'll be inside soon.

Into the Staples Center to see the Lakers play!!!! Yeah!

Next day to a late breakfast and then...

to the movies! We saw "True Grit" and "The Little Fockers"

We needed to eat again...so to dinner we went.

After dinner we went back to the Staples Center and had great seats to see the Kings play.

Though, there's nothing like the Lakers' game, watching the Kings play was awesome too.

The next day we went home and had a birthday dinner at Hubby's favorite restaurant, Super Mex (with the kids).

Brady decided she needed to be in every picture :)

The birthday boy!

I love this man (and the little men too)!

We just had our 15th anniversary on the 13th, too! Lots of celebrating in January and we still have 2 of our children with birthdays in January and an uncle, 2 nephews and one sweet little niece. Whew!

Happy New Year! Bring on 2011!

2011-01-01T10:49:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-26T16:17:00.000-08:00

From our family to yours

With lots of Love!

It Snowed in Long Beach?

2010-12-24T11:05:00.001-08:00

Okay, so it didn't really snow. Our friend, Kayleigh, had a wish and it was granted! What fun this morning was!

Wordless Wednesday- Some more Cousin Fun!

2010-12-22T07:59:00.001-08:00

Some of the girl cousins

With Grandma Penny (she's missing 6 more grandchildren)

My favorite Christmas present

At Jake's tournament

Hubby & Sis

McClure Cousins

With Great -Grandma June, she will be 81 on the 31st!

Wordless Wednesday- It's so easy

2010-12-14T22:01:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm cheating, kinda, because it is so easy to post a Wordless Wednesday. This is the best way, for me, to post my pics. I have lots to say, but I don't have time to say it...

Lovin' our cousins!

Wordless Wednesday- Thanksgiving

2010-12-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

Keeping Up with Everything

2010-11-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

This time of year is extremely busy, probably for all of us. With Taylor's birthday :), work (teaching), school for the kids, dance, basketball, soccer, Boy Scouts, church, eating (you know the shopping, preparing, cleaning up) and sleeping, there's nothing left over for just relaxation :(

But... luckily we have this week off from school and sports. Thanksgiving will truly be a thankful time! We are so blessed so please forgive my complaining.

the soccer fan

the soccer player

the basketball player

the golfer and birthday boy- 22 years old (can you believe it?)

the family

the kids

the dancer

the friends

the proud mom of all her kids!!!!

This Weekend! Happy Birthday Jo'd!

2010-11-14T07:58:00.000-08:00

It's a blur! Two days in Burbank at a dance convention, Jo'd's birthday, hubby on hiking trip, son needing to be "places" and me figuring it out! Amazingly, the Lord is with me on everything :), duh! It's all going well, and has been really fun, actually!

Jo'd's 23rd bday!

Getting ready to perform their hip hop combination.

Cutest girls... They are all so sweet and supportive!

Fooling around in the hotel lobby during a break.

Some of the girls from Center Stage.

Jo'd and Amy

Jake & Taylor (almost a birthday boy, too)

November birthday babies! They are auntie and nephew, but much more like sister and brother.

A Little of this, a little of that...

2010-10-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

We are busy, just like everyone else! We have football, dance, Boy Scouts, school, basketball, church, work, sleepovers, parties and family time. So each day is "A little of this, and a little of that." We are soo blessed. We are healthy and happy. We have good jobs, we (mostly) enjoy and great kids. We also have a loving, supportive marriage. God is good. Hope you are all well, too.

Sleepover, after a Halloween party

Dance convention in Long Beach

Just stretching to get ready

Not Much

2010-10-05T16:33:00.001-07:00

We have been so busy! We are all adjusting to me working full-time. I love to teach and I am happy at my new school. I feel blessed and I am enjoying it all, BUT I am so tired! My kids are tired and my husband is tired. We manage to get, almost, everything done and go to our sporting events. Rob even made it to Jake's first football game. It was soooo hot that day(105 degrees), but not today! It rained really hard and it is a cool 62 degrees right now. We are having some wacky weather. I hope you're all doing well!

Happy BDay, Dad

2010-09-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

We went to Las Vegas, last weekend for about 24 hours. It was my FIL's birthday. We had a great time, but my SIL wasn't able to be there with her girls. My BIL represented the family :). They live in FL and it was too long a trip for just the weekend when they have school aged kiddos. Anyway, here are some pictures from the party. Happy Birthday, Dad!

My handsome hubby, my FIL and my BIL- Some handsome hunks!

Mine and my husband"s little sister!

Brady at Jo'D's new apartment!

A good friend of the family's, me and hubby. This is one very sweet gentleman.

Baby girl and Momma (with food in the side of my mouth :( )

Jake & Uncle Chuckie

First Day of School

2010-09-13T18:02:00.001-07:00

Since this is my first year back in first grade and my first year at a new school and my first year full-time in 9 years, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed!!! I just finished my fourth day of teaching and I am wiped out! I think I'm going to love it, again, as soon as I get back into the swing of things.

But, more exciting is that my baby is in middle school. We planned on me being part-time until she was in 6th grade and here we are! I can't believe how grown up my kids are. Jake is in 8th grade and will go to high school next year! My big boys are BIG. Graduated from college and still in school-Rob and Tay. How did we get here so quickly? Life is good and we are blessed!

Hope you're all getting used to your new routines!

Happy Friday

2010-09-03T09:08:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday! Things are coming along. We are almost ready for the school year to start. It's bittersweet. I love the easy schedule and the "plenty of time together" way of the warm summer days. But, I do love school days, autumn weather and traditions, and teaching. So, since we don't have a choice, we will embrace the start of another school year :)

Some Disappointment

2010-08-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

We were supposed to go to Catalina yesterday at 6 a.m. We were going to be there for 4 days. We would have had all 4 of our kids and their girlfriends with us. We would have taken our boat across and all of our camping equipment. We bought all the food and had packed it carefully. We had lots of fun plans to knee board, be pulled in the big tube, to snorkel, explore a water cave, eats lots of good food, drink a couple of Buffalo's Milk (a very tasty drink from the little bar on Two Harbors), laugh, hike, enjoy our family and friends and simply appreciate God's splendor. BUT, that was all denied! Our reservation for our 3 campsites for 19 of us were given away, the reservations we booked in December 2009. Somehow they did not get paid for and the 5 phone calls they said they made to our reservation-maker did not get through. What I'm saying is we think they gave away our primo spots to someone they knew and made up the effort to contact us. Most of the girls (in our group) cried and most of the boys were very aggravated. So, we did not get to have our little trip with all of us together. After all the planning, purchasing, securing the time off, and the excitement that led up to it, we did not go.

We have made this trip 4 times. This was going to be the first time that our whole family would go together. I, as the mommy, am very disappointed!!!! As my kids get older it gets harder to get us all together at the same time. I soooooo looked forward to them not being able to leave early, answer cell phones, have other things to do, fall asleep watching sports or just go into another room.

Okay, enough of that! We are all healthy, happy and safe. We had lunch together and the boys played basketball yesterday. We rode our bikes, with the younger kids, to the movies and saw Nanny McPhee. Today, we worked on my new classroom, which I desperately needed (and still need) to do. Tomorrow, the boys and their girlfriends will come over, after they play a round of golf together, and swim and have a bbq with us. We are happy, healthy, and safe. God is good.

I will get over my disappointment! I am blessed and I really shouldn't complain. I'm done. Thank you for listening(reading).

Beach Bonfire

2010-08-21T16:06:00.000-07:00

I love having a bonfire! We make sure we do, at least, one bonfire each summer. It seems like it's a lot of work, but once we are there and night falls we are thrilled we did it. Usually we have to be there all day long to secure a pit. So the day could be from 10 AM to 10 PM.

It was really hot during the day (90)(and not at the beach, it was about 72 at the beach), but once the sun went down it was cold (60). We stayed warm with a great bonfire and s'mores :).

Jenna (friend) & Brady

Corey(friend), Brady, Jenna

Jake & Cameron(friend) skateboarded in the parking lot

The kids

Friends

Jake & Corey(friend)

Me & Lisa(friend)

The girls

Camping

2010-08-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

First of all, I have a blog friend who is hurting and it has been hard for me to post anything because of the pain they are going through. People have been praying and praying and things are starting to hold more promise. God is good. He does answer prayer, we just don't always understand why He answers the way He does until, sometimes, much later. I will continue to pray and hope and keep them close to my heart.

We have been blessed with more family time. We, just our two younger kids and us, went camping in Lake Arrowhead. It is our go-to campsite. It's less than two hours away and easy to get ready for. We hike and bike and swim at Lake Gregory. We explore and shop and eat by the campfire. We talk and read and tease for hours and hours. It's great fun!

Thankful Thursday- A Healthy, Supportive Family

2010-08-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

Tuesday morning Jr. Lifeguards had their "Ironman". We all participated and supported, in one way or another. It was great! Our older boys and their girlfriends took off from work to be here with Jacob and Brady. It's a great event. Afterwards we took everyone out to a well-deserved lunch.

Brady-11 1/2

Jacob-13

Kierstin, Taylor, Ashley, Robbie, Jacob, Brady, Me & Brad

Healthy, Happy Family

Favorite Things Friday- The beach & my kids

2010-07-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

I've lived in So. CA for 26 years now and I never get tired of the beach. It is beautiful and majestic. When I look at it I know God loves us, for He gave us it. And, when I look at my children I know how God loves us in spite of our mistakes. He wants only good for us as we want only good for our children.

Have a Beautiful Day!

Wordless Wednesday-Summer Grillin'

2010-07-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

Favorite Things Friday- The beach, Jr. Guards, Peanut Butter Chocolate ice cream

2010-07-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

I had a BIG scoop of Peanut Butter Chocolate ice cream from B&R last night. I did walk over there (with the fam) to get it, but I inhaled it. Needless to say, I didn't get a photo of it :(. I LOVE the beach! It is the most amazing, awe-inspiring, beautiful location on earth. So, I am thrilled that my kids are doing Jr. Lifeguards. It is challenging and, sometimes, intimidating for them (it would be for me, too). They are troopers, though! No Fear! (okay, a little fear).

Wordless Wednesday-"loving" each other

2010-07-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

LV Dance Competition

2010-07-11T21:08:00.000-07:00

We had a really good time this past week. We were together, we had time in the sun and the pool, we saw some family, and our little girl performed really well! It was so much fun to watch her. I, also, enjoyed the maid service, the food out, no chores to do and having no place else to be. Though it was a trip with a purpose, we had a little vacation time, too!

Wordless Wednesday-Summer Vacation

2010-07-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

Favorite Things Friday- My Family

2010-07-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Jake's birthday and I felt blessed beyond measure. It is the summertime in Southern California, my third child is 13, happy and healthy, all four of my children are loving and supportive of each other and us, and we were all together. Really, what more could I ask for (okay world peace and salvation for everyone)?

We went to Soupplantation (one of Jake's favorites) with all four kids and their girlfriends (just the big boys :) ). We went back home to have cake and presents. Jacob was loved-up! Nothing warms my heart more than seeing my children being so caring and unselfish. The Lord has given me more than I will ever deserve and I will try to honor Him in every way I can.

Happy Birthday, you wonderful boy!

Thankful Thursday- Happy Birthday, Jacob!

2010-07-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

My third teenager! Wow, 13! I remember when you were born, like it was last year. You are a special boy, turning into a very special young man. I love you for your generous heart, your sensitive ways, your athletic abilities, your sense of humor and your love of the Lord. I am so proud to be your momma.

Jake with his chocolate chip pancakes, that his little sister made for him! Lucky boy.

Jake on his way to Jr. Guards with 40 warm brownies for his group. I bet they'll be happpy it's his birthday.

Tonight we will celebrate with the rest of the family. More to come...

Let's bug each other this summer!

2010-06-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's only the second week of summer and they are in full force! Everything turns into "bug, bug, bug!" Right now it's funny and, sometimes, even cute. But, luckily (and a little bit "sadly") we have a busy summer ahead of us. Today Jake and Brady start Junior Lifeguards at the beach. Rob and Tay did it when they were about this age and it's become a family rite of passage. It's a big undertaking, but my strong and spunky little ones are ready for the challenge!

We took our dinner to the park, one night last week, and found silly things to do.

This is Jake at his basketball awards ceremony. He is an awesome basketball player (if I do say so myself). He will be 13 at the end of this week, so it's time to have a growth spurt and reach the rim:). He's loving playing and we love watching him.

Brady had an "End of Year" pool party. She just had her closest friends, from school, over. It was fun and the girls were ready to let loose from the crazy work of the school year.

Bring it on!

One Busy Father's Day Weekend

2010-06-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

The big recital was this weekend, Father's Day weekend. It was 3 days of crazy excitement! Brady had 5 shows. The biggest one was on Sunday. That meant that Daddy and Grandpa had to share their day with the dancer. They actually moved right over and let the afternoon be all about the best dancer in our family :).

Aunt Jo'D drove in from Las Vegas, just for Brady's shows.

Some of Brady's good friends from dance.

Grandpa & Grandma came from Las Vegas, too. They never miss the recitals.

Grandpa spoiled us all and cooked up some spicy wings before the 2 PM show. And, it was Father's Day!

What a mess, good thing she showered before the show.

Jake enjoys him some wings!

Rob took off his shirt so he could dive into his plate of wings!

Grandma even appreciates Grandpa's cooking, who doesn't?

Daddy, Grandpa, Jake & Rob (Tay wasn't there yet and Brady was back stage).

Grandpa & Grandma and our 4 kids!

Kierstin( Taylor's gf), Brady & Taylor

After the last show we went to eat at Daddy's favorite spot, Super Mex!

These are some good daddies (minus Jake). We are so lucky to have them.

Happy Father's Day, you wonderful guys!

Wordless Wednesday-The Girls

2010-06-02T21:03:00.001-07:00

Talent in the Talent Show

2010-05-28T10:11:00.000-07:00

My little girl choreographed her own dance. She practiced and practiced. She chose what she would wear and she decided every detail, by herself. That, alone, is a talent I am so proud of her for. She did such a wonderful job. She did a jazz/ lyrical dance to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". She performed two nights in a row and had the crowd eating out of her hand. The talent show had many talented participants. It was such a fun show. Even the school's staff did a fantastic dance to a mix of Michael Jackson songs. What an awesome ending to the school year (three more weeks left).

Ash and Rob always support Brady.

Momma loves her dancer!

Daddy loves his dancer!

Brady and Mr. R

Mr. Sevilla, Brady's 5th grade teacher, he was in the staff dance

Our sweet neighbors and friends. They both played the piano and they were amazing and so adorable!!!!!

Our principal, in the middle, was so awesome!

Another adorable act.

Am I lucky, or what?

Wordless Wednesday-Talent Show

2010-05-26T11:47:00.001-07:00

Favorite Things Friday-Fresh Haircut

2010-05-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love the feeling after a cut and color. Fresh, clean, and healthy. I have had the same hair length for about 6 years. I was ready for a little change. I know it's not much different, but it was just right! One of my "Favortie Things" is a good haircut.

Before

(I know I look tired, this was taken right after my husband's 2nd surgery.)

After

(I think I look tired here, too. I do have a cold, but I think it's kinda just how you look when you are starting to get older -starting :) )

Wordless Wednesday-collage

2010-05-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

Create a picture collage

Having a Daughter

2010-05-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Having a daughter means enjoying all the girlie things again. It's such a pleasure, most of the time:), to be the mother of this precious girl. I love my mom to death, so don't get me wrong, but I try to nurture and lead my daughter in ways I missed out on. I want to prepare her for everything so she will do better than I have done (not thatwhat I have done is bad). I want her to know she is beautiful on the inside and that the Lord loves her even more than I do. I want her to feel her daddy's love always.

My boys are unbelievable, too. I wouldn't change any one of my children. They are all still my babies, it's just that my daughter is the youngest and on the verge of growing up :( .

We spent the day at "picture day" for recital pictures. It was a long day, but the photos turned out beautiful! Here are some of the shots I took while we were waiting. The professional ones were very nice. She is in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, and jazz-tap-repetoire, plus technique classes. These are some of the costumes. I'll share the professionals when they come in.

Wordless Wednesday-Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

Almost Back on Track

2010-05-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

We had a bump in the road. A couple of weeks ago, I posted a picture of our family at the hospital. Why in the world would we take a family picture in the hospital (I am known to take pictures in the oddest places, but this was really odd)? My husband got a serious infection in his tear duct. Doesn't sound that bad? Well, it started 35 years ago when he was just a kid. He and his brother were swinging on a swing set, that wasn't cemented into the ground. Guess what happened when his brother jumped off the swings (he did warn my husband, first)? The whole swing set fell backwards onto my husband's nose and cheek and, consequently, crushed his tear duct. His nose and and cheek healed, but his tear duct didn't. He never had it repaired. His whole life he has had to wipe his eye and clear the duct with a kleenex. Okay, not too big a deal, but a hassle. Then, more recently, he began having more problems with it. It would not drain properly and always felt congested. Come to find out, he had an infection. He got on antibiotics and scheduled surgery to repair it.

Around the beginning of April he and Jake (our 12 year old) went on a camping/hiking trip with Boy Scouts. It was a 23 mile hike in the Los Padres National Forest (Northwest of Santa Barbara). It was a three day trip. The first two days were great. By the evening of the second day things began to go down hill. Brad (my husband) started to get a bad headache. He got the chills and he felt horrible. By Sunday morning he was miserable. The bad news was that he had to hike 11 1/2 miles, back to the truck, in 40 degree weather with 40 mph winds. Then he had to drive 3 hours to get home. Did I say that the first hour of the drive was on a very windy road and his eye was now almost swollen shut? Well, that's how it went.

When Brad, finally, got home he was a mess. I had dinner almost ready. Brad showered I turned off everything, called a friend to ask to drop the kids off, then rushed Brad over to the emergency room. We really thought they would just change the antibiotic and then send us home. No such luck. He was admitted.

The next five days went like this: prayer, i. v. antibiotics, morphine, a 2nd antibiotic added, vicodin, pain, swelling, praying, more swelling, more pain, a cat scan, surgery to remove tissue that had cause an abcess, relief, prayer of thanks, rest, more antibiotics, prayer and subsiding swelling. After 5 days he was released to go home with a PICC line, for antibiotics, in his upper arm. Two weeks of antibiotics thru a pump, prayer, visits to the infectious disease doctor, the opthamologist and nurse home visits helped heal Brad enough for reconstructive surgery.

A week ago, Brad had successful reconstruction. Coincedently, Brad's original surgery date was April 29th, his actual date was May 4th. Feeewww, that was crazy! Now he is recovering and feeling soooo much better. He has quite a scar, but no other repercussions. Boy, have we been blessed. The Lord took care of everything. We are so thankful. So, needless to say, we have been preoccupied :) .

I'd say, life is "almost back on track." Brad goes back to work on the 17th and then it's the last few weeks of school. Boy, are we ready for the summer!

First day in the hospital

after abcess surgery, finally resting

implanted drain, had to stay in for almost three weeks, until new duct could be made

PICC line for antibiotics, went directly to the top chamber of his heart

Brad's great nurse, removed the PICC after 14 days

2nd day after reconstruction, not bad

Looking better, feeling better (5 days since surgery)

much happier camper, literally :)

much happier wife

I'm so thankful for my husband, his health, our children's health and my health

Thank you, Lord.

Wordless Wednesday-Getting Better

2010-05-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday-OK, I've gone too far with the photos

2010-04-20T21:24:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday-Let Me Kiss Your Bald Head!

2010-04-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

Our Easter trip to Las Vegas

2010-04-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

It's nothing like you'd think... We went to visit family. We got to meet our newest little niece and see our sweet relatives from FL, as well as Las Vegas.

We brought one of these for each child.

Meeting precious Carissa

Brady & Grandpa

Savannah

Sammie

Kylie

Brady

Jo'D, Kristin & I

my sweet sister-in-law

cupcakes

Grandpa, Grandma Tammy & some of the grandkids

Grandma & Brady

Grandma & Jake

Easter egg hunt at Grandpa's and Grandma Tammy's

New baby, Carissa and Mommy & Daddy

Jake tricked Grandpa, Jake loves the Bruins and Grandpa doesn't

My sweet Jo'D

Honey and his little sis, Jo'D

Happy Easter!

2010-04-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

In Las Vegas with part of our family

4 of the many cousins

Trying to get a picture with my Jo'D

Easter without Rob & Tay

We are thankful for Jesus! We are forgiven.

Wordless Wednesday-Bald is Beautiful!

2010-03-31T17:36:00.001-07:00

Junior Lifeguards Here We Come

2010-03-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

Jake and Brady, both, tried out and made Junior Guards! We are looking forward to a busy and fun summer!

My Kids...

2010-02-25T10:04:00.000-08:00

What have we been doing lately? Well, mostly, kid stuff. And, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Brady and her teacher. Brady did a biographical report on a dancer and then demonstrated techniques and moves. She explained how modern dance began, then showed a beautiful (if I do say so myself) dance. Afterwards, she answered questions in front of about 120 students. I know it's bragging, but she was fantastic! She was so confident and poised. She was intelligent and clear on every bit of her presentation. When I left and the kids all went back to class, I called my husband, almost in tears (of joy), and told him our time and money, towards dance, has been so well spent! The confidence it has instilled in my daughter is priceless.

Brady, and her best friend, Olivia played with makeup. They do a better job than I do :). It gave me a scare, though. I certainly do not want this time to be hurried up. I will not be letting her wear makeup for a long time. (Oh yeah, Brady got her bangs cut-on her insistence- but I like them. She knows what she likes!)
Even though Taylor and Robbie both have professional jobs they always make time for Jake's basketball games. It's been a great season, but just having the big boys there is, also, priceless.

Jacob has got some "mad skills". He is an incredible basketball player (again, if I do say so myself :) ). I'm telling you, supporting your children, in whatever their passion is, always pays off. Whether they master the sport or not the confidence and self-understanding they gain is impossible to duplicate.
We, as parents, enjoy watching our children as if we were participating ourselves. I love "it" being about "My kids..."

I Am Older!

2010-02-15T08:01:00.001-08:00

Everyone ages. You have no control over that. BUT, you do have control over your attitude and your appreciation. I have not had good examples of "growing old gracefully." My family has fought it "tooth and nail!" It's really not funny. It takes the joy out of the "season." I want to break that cycle. I take care of myself, I eat right, I exercise, I enjoy everything I do and I love the Lord. I appreciate all that I have. I am soooooo blessed that I can't imagine cursing aging, but I have. I will stop. I will set a good example for my children. So... Happy Birthday to ME!

The End of January

2010-01-31T20:04:00.000-08:00

On my way to Rob's office

Out to lunch with my baby boy, who has his own important job

"Enough pictures, Mom!"

Brady wanted to cook dinner with Uncle Jay, as her birthday present. He and Aunt Shayne ordered this cool chef's coat personalized for Brady-so awesome!

Brady's best friend, Olivia, came along with her and had a blast cooking with her.

The girls really made the cheesecake. It was amazing!

Uncle Jay explained the timing of preparing a gourmet dinner. They made "Sunday Gravy" for us. It is pasta with chicken cutlets, braised ribs, meatballs and sausage. We also had salad and garlic bread. Everything was delicious!

Uncle Jay was so patient and was such a good teacher! It was a birthday Brady will never forget!

One night earlier we celebrated with all the kids.

Our favorite food- Mexican from Super Mex

Daddy brought pink roses to Brady, at school. A yearly birthday tradition.

Taylor & Grandma

Ashley, Brady, birthday boy Rob, & cousin Carleigh

Robbie & Mommy (my 25 year-old 1st baby)

And, now onto February.

Birth Day and Birthday

2010-01-25T21:38:00.000-08:00

First of all, I need to update our "January Happenings." I'm so happy to say that we have a brand new baby neice to celebrate in January now, also. She was a surprise in that she arrived in January instead of February. We are so glad that Carissa Joy has joined the family. You can get a glimpse of her and her beautiful family on her mom's blog here. She joins three older sisters who are just adorable and so well-behaved. She has wonderful parents who love her dearly.

Second, back to "January Happenings", Brady's birthday party. Her actual bday is on the 29th, but we had a sleepover party on the 22nd. Can you say 4 AM? Yep, that was the time the last little girl fell asleep. We went to the movies (saw "The Spy Next Door", ate pizza and salad, decorated t-shirts, jacuzzied in the rain, play games, played pranks, talked, giggled, and pranked some more. Then, the next morning, at 8:15 AM I made chocolate chip pancakes for some very sleepy girls, 9 of them and one sleepy boy (12 yr. old brother, Jake). By 10 AM most of the girls were gone. Whew, that was fun!! Now for the clean-up!

Brady turns 11 on Friday. She is one special young lady. She has a heart for God. She is sweet and tender-hearted. She is girly and sporty. She is smart and she is silly. She is the honey that makes our family stick together. She is a lucky girl to have her family members love her so much and we are lucky to have her as our daughter/sister. What a blessing she is.

Next up, Robbie (actually he's before Brady, but next will be his celebration!)

Happy Anniversary, Baby! (& Happy B-day)

2010-01-13T20:23:00.000-08:00

January is a busy month for us. First, my hubby's b-day is on the 9th. Then, it's our anniversary on the 13th (today!! 14 years and loving every minute of it, okay not every single minute, but almost all of them :) ). On the 26th it's my BIL's, the 28th our oldest son, the 29th our youngest, and then the 30th is our nephew's b-day. It is a fun month.

My husband is such a blessing to me. I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed our marriage. Without God as the center and rock of our marriage we would be a mess. We enjoy our love like nothing, either of us, expected. We are undeserving of such a gift, but we will live every day of our lives thanking God for what He does in us and in our relationship.

Happy Anniversary, Baby!

We went to the movies (we saw "Up in the Air"- it was very good!) and we went to dinner at Lucille's. It was a wonderful day!

On Hubby's birthday we went fishing. He is so happy on the ocean. He is, definitely, in his element when he is fishing. It's always quite exciting to fish in the deep blue sea! You never know what you'll pull up.

Jake caught an octopus and three fish.

Brady, also, caught three fish.

Brad, Brady & Robbie- the 3 birthday people in our immediate family. We went out to dinner at Super Mex- we all love Mexican food!

Brad's mom, Brad and my mom.

Wordless Wednesday-Shotgun merit badge

2010-01-12T15:41:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday-Lovin' Aunt Jo'D

2010-01-06T15:11:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010!

2010-01-02T13:39:00.000-08:00

I love the beginning of a new year! I love the new school year, too. The beginnings of things always hold so much promise. I love to have a reason to make a list. So, to make a list of resolutions is my idea of a good time. We had a great "last" night of 2009!

Now, onto 2010!

My list of New Year's Resolutions will come shortly!

52 Week Challenge 19/52

2009-12-31T08:43:00.000-08:00

52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with your family. I love this challenge because I will have, at least, 52 pictures of me with my kids, all from one year!

Our Family on Christmas Eve. We are so lucky to have the church service that we have! It is beautiful and so meaningful. I hope visitors are as touched as I am.

Leslie

December Giveaway

2009-12-29T07:45:00.000-08:00

It's December Giveaway time at Five Moms & a Blog......Check it out!!