Silly Boys III

Third video in the series!

Silly Boys II

My Silly Boys Part I

I really don't feel the need to make any comments...their actions speak for themselves! 3 posts to get them all in!

I just never realized

How much "new moms" need encouragement!

When I was pregnant with Natalie and had so many questions and insecurities God gave me a wonderful friend, She had been down the same road twice just a few years earlier and was pregnant again at the very same time as me. Amy and I became such great friends during this transition time in my life. Here baby was born just a few weeks before Natalie and so every little thing that happened I'd comment or ask Amy about and she would give me great wisdom, understanding or just a listening sympathetic ear. She knew to check in on me and make sure I was doing okay... She seemed so confident in her mothering skills that I just assumed that she "had this baby thing down" and did not need all the reassurance that I seemed to need as a first timer.

I've come to learn that she was just a really good friend and went elsewhere with her need for reassurance! But as we became closer friends she shared her struggles with me, and it helped me see that I was not crazy but actually quite normal!

Another friend of mine just had her 4th. She structures her home much like I do, she has routines and so forth. Her oldest is just 6 and yet she came to ME, asking ME for help with getting her newborn through some sleep issues... I mean, for crying out loud she is the mom of 4...she has done this more than I have... how in the world could I possibly tell her something she does not know already...

Well come to find out, she knew exactly what to do... BUT, in the midst of sleep deprivation, juggling more than you've ever juggled in your life and adjusting to this new person in your home and family you NEED reassurance and a comforting listening ear. Someone to see things that has a perspective you don't. Every woman needs a good friend to come along beside them during this time of transition and encourage them, lift them up, hold the flash light that lights up the path.

Being a mom is amazingly wonderful and gloriously sanctifying at the same time....and God has not created us to be lone rangers, he made us to be in community with each other...

So whether a woman has just given birth to number 2 or number 8, I'm certain she needs friends to walk with her and encourage her....

We had some family come to visit last week. James' younger brother came with his beautiful family and his in-laws too. See we live just about an hour from Disney Land! (yes that's right, so plan your vacation to Southern California, stay wtih us a little while and visit the happiest place on earth!). So they did just that, went to Disney and stopped by here on their way home. They have 2 children, a girl and a boy. that are almost exactly the same age difference as Natalie and Jameson. Only they are 2 years older than our two. So Natalie LOVED playing with her cousin... They all visited the U.S.S. Midway that is permanantly docked in the San Diego Bay and open for tourists.. (doesn't it look like fun, to be on board an aircraft carrier? Makes you want to come visit? Right?)... Natalie is on the right and her almost identical cousin is on the left! Future Pilots?

Big News

Yup he's walking! and those are shorts by the way...just a little droopy on him! This was taken last weekend, he is now walking everywhere almost all the time!


and this is our silly goofball!

Welcome to Facebook

I feel SOOO behind! I'm just now getting on Facebook.com My sweet husband has been on for a while, and apparently MANY of my friends have been too...

James actually had to sit down and sign me up to get me going...I'm passing out flair like crazy today..so look out!

Well..come on over and check it out....if your not there already look me up...I'll be your friend!

A Day at the Beach

This past Saturday we spent at Mission Beach. It is a 15 minute drive from our house! I still can't believe we live so close to the ocean. Actually we went back on Sunday and played at the park that is on the beach and did not swim. (it was late and sort of chilly). And yesterday the kids and I packed up and went on a play date wtih a couple of friends. I took the camera yesterday but totally forgot to take pictures.

When I go by myself we head over to the bay side, the water is calmer, but not as nice..more like Oklahoma lake water... but the kids mostly just play in the sand anyway.


These are some pics from Saturday.

Natalie cheesing it up!

Jameson was so mad I made him wear the hat. He cried the saddest cry and snuggled me, but left it on!

Daddy lost his beloved Oakely sunglasses. He's had them for over 5 years and has lost them in public places several times, always to recover them...but Saturday they were swept out to sea!. He and Jameson spent quite a bit of time combing the beach looking for them, we came home without them :(

Natalie, resting from lots of water play, you can see the water cup and snacks all around her!

MMMMM....This is good!

Tri Tip Goodness!



I made this for dinner last night! I've never heard of "Tri Tip" apparantly it's a roast cut of beef. A few of our new friends we going on about how great it is, I saw some at Trader Joe's with a yummy looking marinade, so I figured I'd give it a whirl..

Probably the single best meal I have ever prepared myself.

MOST EXCELLENT!

Deb's Enchillada's!

I really can't believe I'm posting this, but alas, it's some deep random thoughts.

I've been looking for some nice reusable outdoor plates and cups for us to use. We eat about 95% of our meals outside! I found a cute set on walmart.com... I thought just maybe the store would have it in stock... turned out not to be the case...but something bigger happened as I entered the store...

Do you have a favorite food that you absolutely LOVE one specific recipe for, and nothing else will do...all others are just different, don't quite satisfy like this one recipe. For me it's Enchiladas. the first time I ever ate them was in junior high, my neighbor made them. I don't think they were very authentic "Mexican" enchiladas, as I recall she was using a recipe that called for lots of Campbell's soups so she could cut off the lables for her kids to take to school... Well, now I don't have that recipe (she made it uniquely hers anyway), but every other enchillada is okay...but just not the same...

So that's about how I've been feeling her in California... It is nice, the weather is beautiful, we live right by the beach (going tomorrow with friends), the best zoo, we will be getting Sea World passes. Disney land is an hour away... But everything about California is just a little different... parking spaces are lots smaller, grocery stores are layed out a bit different, every where I turn everything just seems a bit off to me... it's just not what is familar and every where I turn I'm reminded how much I really miss Texas, my friends and my family. Even shopping at Target is so different for me. The only Target I've ever really shopped at was a TEXAS sized SUPER Target... HUGE parking lot with wide spaces to pull my van into... wide isles to stroll my cart down, lots of food, and fun stuff to brouse... the Target here is tiny by comparison.

Now normally I don't like Wal-mart... I've had lots of bad experiences there and have made it known to most anyone who will listen how much I loathe having to go in there for something...

When I entered Wal-mart today I got this overwhelming sense of "home" I still don't like Wal-mart so much, but being there today was refreshing for me... The parking spaces were a little bigger than normal ones around here (or maybe I'm just getting used to them?) but the store looked just like all of the ones I'm used to... it's not a SUPER wal-mart, but I think that's what I dislike the most.. it just felt so nice and familar...

I still miss my friends, family and the familar something fierce... but today was nice to see something that was familar!