The faces behind the stories!

The faces behind the stories!
My little Loves.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Oak Glen 2011 & Papa's Holiday Shirts...

We had our Annual Trip to Oak Glen for family pictures! Here are a few of my treasures!!








When we moved to Sonoma, Papa sent the boys up with some amazing t-shirts he had drawn on for them to sleep in... "Papa Sized T-Shirts." We're coming up on Christmas now, and they got a fun new package in the mail... Papa Christmas T-Shirts! They absolutely LOVE their new t-shirts and can't wait to have their Nana and Papa visit for Christmas!

Boys and being cool...

Ok, so this one isn't for parents to read to their small children! There are "Words," as we say in our house! BUT, I just have to type this out and have in my memory books!

Last Friday, we had Charlie over to spend the night. While our house finishes up getting ready for us to move in, we're staying in the RV together. Aaron was out of town for work, I was in the bedroom section of the RV and all three of the boys stayed in the living room area. They were actually VERY good at going to sleep at night, but it was the morning that turned into the "fun" we had! I was laying in my bed, able to hear everything they were saying. I decided to pretend to still be sleeping to see what they would do.

The "Words" began with "Shut Up." One boy said it, then the other, then the other... Each in their own way, but equally trying to be cool! A part of me wanted to stop them, but I held back my control freak side and just let them think I was sleeping and got a little chuckle out of it.

Then, the "Words" went a little further... "Shut Up" had run it's course, and something else needed to take it up a notch! All of the sudden, I hear Charlie's sweet little voice say proudly and loudly, "What the HELL!" My boys did a quick gasp and then chuckled and said, "What the heck." lol On that note, I had to jump in and put a stop to their mouths before someone took it up another notch!

I will never forget that tiny voice being so proud of his "Big Words." lol He's lucky I was in a good mood or he just might have gotten a good taste of Aunti Cole's soap! ;)

What I Came Home To...

The other day I went to have some "Niece Time" with Lilli... We dyed her hair and had fun, but I didn't get home until about 11pm. Aaron had the night alone with his dudes, and they were to have gone to bed only an hour after I had left. When I got home, I walked in to this picture... with the sound of the "Tangled" menu music going over and over! They all three fell asleep to Tangled and were snug as three bugs in a rug. :) I absolutely LOVED this (and of course had to snap a shot!). They didn't like me when my flash woke them, but they will love to see this later! I love these three guys SO much!

A Conversation I Loved Overhearing!

I love my sweet kisses...

We were visiting my sister's house today when Matthew was in the back bedroom playing with Jacki and Charlie. As Christina and I were working on something in the living room, we overheard a conversation between the three of them.  They were talking and then we heard Matthew say, "C is for Christ, while we were sinners, Christ died for us." My heart was so incredibly blessed to hear my 4 year old quoting the scripture he had learned at Awana. I'm so thankful they have the opportunity to go and learn and I LOVE that Matthew is able to express it with others too!

Somebody is a fan of animal print!

Someone asked me today what Matthew is into... The truth is, animals. He LOVES carrying around his "Ti-Long" cheetah stuffed animal (that is currently squished in the middle in this picture). Ti-Long is just about as big as Matthew, but it MUST accompany us wherever we go! Matthew is the definition of a "Cuddle Bug"... Except, it's not with people... it's with creatures. :) The boys LOVES soft things to touch him and I just couldn't pass up this "Animal Print" picture.

Our 45 Degree "Hot Day."

My Handsome Boy...Got me wildflowers...


The other day, I picked Joe up from school. It was about 45 degrees outside with a slight breeze. As we were walking to the car he said, "Mama, could we please go get some ice cream, since it is so hot outside?" I had to laugh at him, as did the lady walking in front of us. I told him, "Joe, you don't need to come up with a story to get an ice cream... just ask and we'll call it a date!" Off we went for our ice cream date!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Well Hello Winter!

I'm getting ready for my first paid photo shoot tomorrow. I'm taking family pictures for a family of four. I've done this so many times now, but it's always been free for friends... It's both exciting and nerve racking to be charging someone... I'm worth it, but it's hard to feel that way. 

When I took these pictures, just for fun... something hit me. I believe lies way too often. I've believed, "You're not that pretty." I've believed, "You really can't do this" or "You know you're not good enough."

This sounds funny/awkward to me... but I have to say it to myself and let you be a part of it... LOOK AT ME!  I'm darn right beautifully made by God, and I take a pretty stinkin cute shot, even when it's of myself! :) I'm working to walk past the lies that try to attach themselves to me, and see what the Lord sees in me!

A Boy's Workstation...

Joe has been waking up early since the time change. When he wakes up at 6:30, I tell him to go enjoy coloring while I enjoy finishing my rest! This morning, he asked if he could have some of the colored paper to work with, and I gladly said yes as I continued my rest. I loved waking up to this...
And then, over the next hour, it progressed:
(Momentary pause for a mustache idea)
I loved that he found his sticker book and used ALL the Garfield stickers to make his house stand, and the trees, and the Igloo (what, did you not see the blue igloo?). He created grass pieces and "taped" them down with the stickers.


WHAT? How did that monster get in my house???



It started to rain outside here, so Joe decided he needed a backdrop (and somehow he knew the name of it! lol)

The Monster is so thankful for the nice cozy house Joe created for him in the rain storm!

(P.s.: I did not touch one piece of paper or help in ANY way... he did it all himself!)


Matthew's scissor cut Giraffe.

Matthew decided to do "Cutting Practice." All of the sudden, he made this piece start to walk and make noises. When I asked what he had made, he said, "It's a Giraffe!" It's pretty funny because I can totally see the Giraffe, minus the rest of the neck and head. Ha ha ha

Joe's New Buddy... Igloo

We recently watched a show about Polar Bears. When I was walking through the grocery store and saw this little guy on a kiosk, I just KNEW he'd be a good replacement for "White Puppy." Luckily, I was right and there are no more tears for the little guy we lost in Pacifica.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Red Tailed Woodpecker!

Matthew was looking at himself in the mirror and I said, "You goofy boy!"
He says, "Mama, don't I look like a woodpecker with the pecker in the back?"
If I could put video on the blog, you'd see his jerking his head back in "pecking" motion!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Happy Hats

My mom has a friend who makes hats for the homeless. She wanted to give our family some hats to keep warm. Matthew and Joe were wearing their hats when Pop got home tonight, so Joe grabbed a hat and went running to Pop. Much to my surprise, Pop was actually willing not only to wear it, but to get down on his knees in front of me for a picture! As you can see, Joe was very pleased. :)

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Farewell to a Fine Furry Friend...

Joe has had a little white puppy as his bed buddy for the longest time. He LOVED "White Puppy" the most of all.  Not too long ago, we went on a weekend getaway that White Puppy HAD TO come on with us. The only problem is, White Puppy did not make the trip back home. We checked and re-checked the car, we called the hotel 2 times... White Puppy seems to have found a new home.  This is the best picture I could find tonight of White Puppy and Joe:
Tonight, I had to break it to Joe that the hotel was not going to be sending us White Puppy. He made something and said, "I can't wait for White Puppy to get home so I can show him!" I was sad to break the news to him. He instantly began to cry. I had bought him new socks today, so I used them to be goofy and try to cheer him up. I said, "But look, you have new socks!" He said, "That doesn't make it better, Socks get stinky after a while!"

Awww, my poor broken hearted Puppy lover!

Matthew's Favorite Thing...

Matthew has a "thing" for shoes. I didn't know how bad it was, until we stopped by a Nike Factory Outlet store. He thinks Nike makes him SUPER fast, and he HAD TO try on 7 pairs!

When settling on this awesome pair (which happened to be on sale and Mama nudged him in this direction)... He proceeded to beg the man to take the "special tag" off so he could wear them right away!

When we got home, he asked if he could wear them to bed. When I told him he could not, he said, "Could I please go to bed and sleep then, so I can wake up and put my shoes back on?"

Watch out shoe stores... Here he comes!

We've got Spirit, yes we DO!

My boys and their Crazy Hair for Awanas! They had a BLAST!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween 2011

Just wanted to share some treasures from our family memories!
Robin, Spiderman, BatWOman, & Batman



We got to trick or treat to their Great Uncle Curt and their Great Great Uncle Joe:

Moments & Memories

I can remember walking through the field next to our house, picking flowers for my mom. I remembering thinking it must be VERY special to her that I brought them to her. When I was done mowing the lawn the other day, Matthew came walking up to me from that very same field with a flower that I could tell he thought would make me feel very special. I couldn't help but treasure that moment!

My Great Accomplishment...

I thought it just might become noteworthy in our lives that THIS is THE very first badge I ever sewed on anything for my boys. Joe received this badge by memorizing scriptures for Awanas at Adobe Christian Center! I'm so proud of him... But, I wasn't as proud of myself when I was informed this was an iron on badge! HA HA HA BUT, in my defense, the people who did iron on ended up telling me it's good to sew because they come off in the wash! THAT was a close one! :)

My funny Joe!

Joe just said,"This is Grandma" When I chuckled, he said,"Are you laughing at the dimples?" :) Yeah, that's it, that's what I'm laughing at. lol My boys makes me laugh!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Kindness, MY tough lesson!

One day last week, we had a morning where the boys just weren't getting alone (OK, not just one day last week... but one in particular stands out). Joe was struggling with being kind with out expecting something in return.  I had a talk with him about how we are kind because that is how God has called us to be, and although it would be NICE if someone was kind back... it doesn't always happen that way.

I dropped Joe off at school, and went about my errands.  I found myself at Target and Costco through out the morning. As I was walking down an aisle, a lady completely crashed her cart into me. Even though it was "her fault" I decided to say, "Oh, sorry." I completely expected her to say something like, "Oh no, I'm sorry." Instead, she looked at me with an ugly look and kept walking past me. Then, as I was at the checker, he dropped my Costco card when handing it back to me. Instead of saying he was sorry, he made a comment that made it seem like it was my fault. As I left the parking lot in my car, I noticed a big truck that was really struggling to get in the lane I was in, so I stopped traffic and waved him in... Again, I had an expectation of acknowledgement... I thought he'd wave, maybe flash his light on and off, possibly a head nod at least. NOTHING. Each of those instances frustrated me. Lately I've been treated with less than common decency when I've gone out... When the truck thing happened...IT HIT ME, it hit me hard. "We are kind because that is how God has called us to be, and although it would be NICE if someone was kind back... it doesn't always happen that way." OUCH... I had to relearn that which I had just taught my 6 year old earlier in the morning.

I believe there are a lot of hurting people in the world... I believe the devil has surely taught selfishness well... There is darkness all around us and people are showing that more and more in their behavior. SO, most likely kindness will not be reciprocated, BUT... what better setting is there to stand out as the Light of the World?

I was convicted and I pray that my mind/heart is reminded to continue to act in Kindness EVEN WHEN others are not kind to me... maybe, just maybe, the Lord will be able to use that for His glory and impact on lives! I know this is a struggle for me... not being kind, but being kind because it's what I'm called to... not because of any one's reaction or any glory I might get... so, my heart is challenged to grow!

(Some Pictures of the handsome boy that's always keeping me learning, by being his mom!)


1st Sleepover With Jack & Char!!

We went to Steve and Christina's house for dinner... When it was getting close to time to leave, Joe asked Aunti Christina if he could spend the night. Sooo, an impromptu sleepover occurred. They had SO much fun... and then got to wake up and go to Train Town and Lunch at Black Bear with Uncle Steve! (Yep, he took ALL 4 little ones!)

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Matthew's Scab

Matthew put his elbow up infront of me and showed me where his scab used to be. He told me, "I was healed because I asked God for that while I was sitting on the toilet pooping." :)

Monday, October 3, 2011

Becoming Open... in Full Color.

Recently, Matthew and I have been picking a "Favorite Flower" on the way to drop Joe off at school. As we walk, we stop and take a picture of our daily pick.  A couple of days ago, the Lord used the morning flowers to impress something on my heart...



I saw a closed flower early in the morning. It hadn't yet opened itself up to the sun. It hadn't yet reacted to the warmth of the light.  Sitting next to it was a flower that was fully open and exposed to the light. It was so beautiful, so colorful, and smelled so good. (I didn't snap a pic, these sunflowers are just as an example.)


This is the moment where my heart was touched. How many times have I been slow in reacting to the Son in my life? How many times have I tried to maintain my control and didn't live in complete surrender to His affects on my life?  How many times was the fragrance of the Lord that should flow from my life quenched by being closed off to Him?
I am praying today that the Lord will show me the areas of my life where I am not in full surrender to Him, the areas where I haven't reacted to Him as I should, and the areas where all the colors He's creating inside me to bless others aren't being shown.  I want to leave a fragrance of the fruits of the Spirit flowing in my life.

I don't know that I'll look at morning flowers the same again.

(Note:I didn't take the picture...I got them from the Internet, fabiovisentin.com, so I could get my thoughts done on my blog!)




Matthew just shyly asked, "Do I look gorgeous?" lol

Sunday, September 25, 2011

More from Joe's Cooking Class!

This is the second main course Joe has made in his new Cooking class. It's meatballs, and when I asked him if he enjoyed making it, he said, "No, I had to squish guts!" Ha ha ha

I'm gonna push your buttons for you mama! (ha ha)

Matthew was my date to Bible study... we went out to lunch together after. I can't help but want to remember the moment when he reached over to my cup and said, "I'm gonna push your buttons for you Mama!" I need to buy a stack of those lids and give them to the boys when they are driving me crazy... ask them to push those buttons instead of mine! :)

Matthew is REALLY into belts today.

(He thought I was taking a picture of his mouse.)

Something I loved Today!

An atheist was seated next to a little girl on an airplane and
he turned to her and said, "Do you want to talk? Flights go quicker
if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger."

The little girl, who had just started to read her book,
replied to the total stranger, "What would you want to talk about?"

" Oh, I don't know," said the atheist. "How about why there is
no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or no life after death?" as he smiled
smugly.

"OK," she said. "Those could be interesting topics but let me
ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same
stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns
out a flat patty, but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that
is?"

The atheist, visibly surprised by the little girl's
intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea."

To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified
to discuss why there is no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or no life after
death, when you don't know crap?"

And then she went back to reading her book.


(LOVE IT!)

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Spinning Class

The boys were out riding their bikes, until they came to me and asked me to come check something out! I LOVE their idea! I think I'll let them do this for an hour every day!