Our New Home

Here we are in California!

As you can probably guess the backyard was the selling point for the kids.

Here is a view of J's work in the "field".... it's beautiful!

E helping daddy, and boys being boys...

A warrior by day,

Bubble bear by night!

The younger 2's room
This is our room and master bath.

Here is me and Oliver. He melts my heart...and as promised, the cups that made me giggle. (still do) I call the green floral one "testify" because it's still alive and kickin after all these years. The orange one I call a cup o' sunshine. If anyone should come over needing a cup of cheer, I feel totally prepared! Cups in a thrift shop:79c .....giggles for a lonely friend in a new town: priceless

A New Beginning:part 2

Ok. We are officially "moved in." I apologize ahead of time for the lack of photos for this post. Our main computer is not accepting our wireless connection so I can't download any new pics for you. I amusing the fun little notebook my dad got me for an early b-day present. 32........I am about to be 32.......sorry I'm back.



SO, summary of the last couple weeks goes something like this: I went to the library yesterday thinking we had until 8 because they are open till 8 on Tuesday's....unfortunately,it was Friday. That was a humbling conversation with the librarian closing the doors promptly at 5. J comes home for a few hours at night then leaves for couple days only to leave the very next morning for another few days. I can hardly remember what day it is. Went out for a sanity check for the first time this morning. Itwas so hard to leave becasue he was only home untill 3. but I'mreading this book for mom's. And we decided if I didn't make myself take one I'd get to the breaking point againwhen I am crying and HAVE to get out. I guess we'll call it "mommy maintenance". I had a great time slowly shopping at the thrift shops. purchased 2 coffee cups older than me by 15 years because they made me laugh(pics to follow soon) Tried on some CA clothes. Only to find out their size 3 is not I repeat not a Tx 3. None he less i learned if a pair of Capri's are hard to get on, the are way harder to get off! Pretty sure you're not supposed to break a sweat trying on clothes. 32.......

When I got home 2 hours later he had the kids down for a nap and we got our home time: it was wonderful. Then we dropped him off and i had to try and not cry! ???? I feel so wimpy. I miss him terribly (he just says that's a good thing).

Anywho. Some of our favorite quotes our our trip to CA was one at a Denny's. We were thinking about fun places we should go and see on the way in CA and Alex shout's excitedly "I know, let's go to the Holy Land!" Without skipping a beat, Eric replies confidently,"No. We can't go there, that's in Florida."



I can n hardly type I'm still laughing that one through.



Since then they have both held 2 snakes, plenty of mice at the local desert pet store down the street. They are saving desperately for their first lizard. We adopted a little kitten they named Oliver. We are all smitten. one meow,and we all come a running. he is such a blessing. the kids are smiling and laughing with a freedom and sincerity I have enjoyed. the house we found is just lovely. tile floors(important for me), carpeted bedrooms(important for J), the bonus room doubles as school room and guest room(important for you) the backyard is divide in the middle with plenty of space for our new gator mobile,(important for #3 and 4) the other side has an in ground pool, "complete with a water slide"( important for all of us!) A large covered patio set up with a misting system. God was so good and gracious to us. We knew j would be gone a lot and we needed to find a home we enjoyed while we were apart. CHECK! Don't even get me started on the kitchen. love it.
#1 has learned how to make coffee for us. He even knows how cream and sugar! I am so spoiled!!!


We did make it to the library on time today, every one got books and a movie, which gives this mom a quiet dinner and a chance to blog. I have had the blues the last 2 days. so getting out today was important to prepare me for another week. I am so grateful to be here. With my loving husband, under the care of a loving Father. We know His great love brought us here, and His great love will keep us here. Every morning I wake up and see this big mountain out my window reminding me God does BIG things. I am ready for Him to work in my heart and home.

We miss and love you all. I pray and hope you know God is in the business of doing Big things. So if you're weary and slow of heart to believe He is there and willing to do something...He is

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

We couldn't ask for better weather for our last Christmas home for a few years. I loved using the fireplace.

Christmas was wonderful! We stayed with Papa Smith. As soon as we got home #4 asked if "we could go back to Papa's tomorrow?"

I can't believe we didn't stop and get pics inside with Papa....but many memories are stored in our hearts. Like Sunday morning we had church at home. We brought our guitars, so we played a few worship songs, read from Luke to follow Christ without apologies. Then we all shared our hearts and prayed together. There is nothing like home fellowship. The kids woke up to Papa's pancakes every morning he had off. We all played a round of pictionary after Christmas dinner with all the cousins. It was so much fun.

Daddy made Snow Ice Cream and it was really good!

At papa Martinez's's's' we played a vicious round of hand and foot, ate more than should be humanly possible, and found some huge ice cycles! A few family members couldn't come, I think that was the only thing keeping this from being a perfect Christmas. We missed all who couldn't make it and love you all!

Double Digits!

The new tradition in our home was dad's growing up: As soon as the birthday boy/girl gets up, they get their presents accompanied with the Happy Birthday song. I love this one.
And fittingly he opened legos and more legos....

He ate Legos for breakfast!

I love this shot, dad cancelled his morning to put this together :)

GG and Gramps came!

Booger was played....

This birthday boy likes Brownies ala mode. He wanted to make footballs but settled on stars.

2 days old

Yes...yes she did.

I love it. I didn't let her go as short as she wanted in the back. Next time I will. It was the pony tail they gave me that threw me into shock! She wants it about three inches higher in the back.

We also ate out at WING STOP last night and our oldest gave it the "best chicken place ever!" He even made me take the picture of the paper in the bottom of the basket. It proudly claims:The Wing Experts.

They are: they said 10 minutes and in 10 minutes they brought us a 3 different kind of chicken strips, a huge basket of fresh seasoned fries, and free refills on a BIG root beer. I have to agree. Best chicken place ever!

(They also play sports on three screens.)

Here is one of the pumpkins we got last Monday. If you've seen BOLT the movie, you will understand how funny his pumpkin is. the hamster "Rhino" made this face in his hamster ball when he was ready to fight. And that's what he asked daddy to carve. "Let it begin!"

We went to love creek orchard as a family. No I didn't bring the camera. So I would actually be with the family. Regretting regretting..Everything we did from hay ride, pony rides, singing with two honky-tonk Christians with spoons! Chasing wild turkey around a pond. They all said the same thing.."do you have your camera? Take a pic!" ugh!.....Never-the-less, great time with their dad. We, being high school sweethearts, were amazed at where God has brought us as we walked 4 beautiful kids in hand across the field. For the parents and siblings around for those roller coaster days you can join in with the wonder of it all. Life is still a ride but this time, I don't want to get off! I just read psalm 139 last night and these verses rang true. No matter what we have done, how far we ran, in Christ we are in His favor: surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all our days.

"You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. "

Love to you all and have a blessed week!

Let it Begin!

We had a great time last game day. Our cheeks were sore from smiling! it was hilarious to see the younger kids "play". At the beginning you could hear our little one singing, "evewy body is kung-fu fighting! HOO- HA!" with all the kicks and chops for affect. We were so proud.

The Dragons

The Bluebirds

The Ref said these two girls teams were the most aggressive group of players she had seen all day. Ya, we all took it as a compliment.

The Steelers

The Raiders

I have to confess, I cried at the first game of the day. One of the boys got excited during a play and elbowed a team member right in the eye. Who then cried all the way off the field covering his wounded eye. As a mother I only cared for my son slightly embarrassed. I just smiled and said "it's ok! Keep going!" I could see he felt really bad. I found my heart was strangely outside my chest and in the middle of a football field surrounded by 8 year olds. He went right back into " game mode". I, on the other hand, was a bucket of emotions. I had to laugh at myself. I also knew this is the same love of the Father. I know He hurts for us, and laughs with us. (And quite possibly chuckling at me too.)