I Hope They Call Me On A Mission

 We have really been trying to be better about family night lately. Instead of just watching a movie or coming up with something at dinner right before family night, we are really trying to put some thought into lessons. So far it has made a world of difference. Not that there's anything wrong with having a movie night, we were just falling back on stuff like that way too often!

This week we decided to talk about missions and missionaries. We sat the kids down and told them that they were going to go on a mission and that they would get a mission call telling them where they were going. Emma was SO excited. She was jumping up and down in her seat and giggling the whole time she was opening her letter. I actually got a little teary eyed imagining what it will be like when they are doing this for real...in another 16 years.

They were each called to serve in Mexico (just like their dad!). They put on their missionary clothes and went to the Missionary Training Center. There they each got their name tag and headed off to class to learn Spanish and how to teach the gospel.

 

 

They lucked out and got their dad for a teacher. He taught them all sorts of stuff and then they were ready to go. He took them to the airport, they boarded the plane (we rearranged the chairs so they were one in front of the other) and took off to Mexico, each with a Spanish dictionary in hand. Emma was taking the whole thing so seriously and really getting into it. Matthew just kept saying, "I'm in Mexico!" and "I'm a missionary!". It was so funny to watch them.

 I didn't get any pictures of the airplane or of them knocking on doors....but it was pretty hilarious.

When they got to Mexico, their mission president (again their dad....I tell ya, they're lucky kids!) met them, showed them where they would live and then took them out to knock on some doors. They came and knocked on my door and told me about the Book of Mormon and invited me to church. It was the sweetest thing to see.

Their mission ended, they flew back home, and we talked a little more about missionaries. Then we read them this page from the Friend magazine about preparing for a mission, and had them sign their names.

It was such a fun night and it was so nice to have them pay attention and get excited about it.

Lately

The time has once again come to clean off my overloaded camera and update our neglected blog. So, here is a random sampling of our last month.

One rainy morning, we built a huge blanket fort in the living room and then watched a movie in it. After the movie, the kids had a blast tearing it down and jumping in the big pile of blankets.

Another rainy day, we headed to Pump It Up, which happens to be a convenient 5 blocks from our house. It is one of those places that has all of the big inflatable, bouncy things. There was a groupon recently and we were able to get passes for super cheap. The kids were in heaven....pure bliss! We all can't wait to go again.

Emma jumped right in. Matthew took a while to warm up. He wanted me to stay right with him on everything, but eventually he realized he could do it all by himself.

Boomerang air hockey....I'd never seen it before, but it is SO fun.

Emma got to try rock climbing. She watched several older girls go before she tried it, so she was sure that she would be able to make it all the way to the top. She was pretty disappointed when she didn't. I was impressed that she was able to make it as far as she did!

ANOTHER rainy day...we've had a lot of rain recently! This particular morning, it had poured rain...tons of it. The kids ventured out to splash in all of the huge puddles....some of them were so deep they went up to Matthew's knees.

Emma had her special day at preschool last week. All the kids with summer birthdays have a special day that they get to bring treats and basically have a little birthday party at school. She chose to do rainbow chip cupcakes with chocolate frosting, sprinkles, and gummy worms. They were a huge hit with all the kids.  :)

Last week we went to Habitot, the children's museum in Berkeley. This is probably our favorite children's museum ever....just wish it were closer! We went with our friends/neighbors, the Lyle's and had a blast.

They had a new hospital display, complete with an ambulance for the kids to drive, a nursery, a pet hospital, an x-ray machine, etc. 

These two drove the ambulance

while Emma and Brady took care of all the sick dogs in the back.

We took a break from that to do some painting

And of course, we had to play in the water area.

All of the kids painted their faces

and they all thought it was hilarious to pretend to be dogs.

Dr. Emma

It was such a fun afternoon!

And some non-picture updates-

Matthew has started to use the word "because". It's pretty funny. He feels the need to say it in almost every sentence, so he'll say things like: I can't go to sleep because I'm tired, I don't want to because I don't want to, I'm crying because I'm crying because I'm sad, I'm hungry because I'm hungry and I want to eat. I can tell he gets the concept, but a lot of times it just comes out funny.

Emma has started talking like a baby. I was really worried at first, wondering where it came from and why the sudden change. And then I realized she was talking like the duck on Wonderpets. So, I'm relieved that she's not going through some regression stage, but I think Wonderpets might just have to go.  :)

I got Emma registered for Kindergarten today. Crazy! Up until today, I was really excited for her to go. We've been waiting for this for so long and it's finally here. She is so ready to start school. I didn't think I would have a hard time with it. And now that she's registered, it's all sinking in. She's going to be 5 in a few months. She's going to start school. This is the beginning of 20+ years (once you figure in the younger kids) of school projects and late nights doing homework and all of that fun stuff. And all of a sudden I don't know that I'm ready. I kind of like how simple life is right now! But I am really excited to see her continue to learn and to watch her grow and see the person she becomes.

And Matthew gets to start preschool in the fall. That is really hard for me to believe! He just seems so small, it's hard to imagine him in any kind of school. He is going to go to the preschool Emma is at this year, and he is really excited about it.

And of course we have the baby coming this summer. So many changes! I am really glad we'll have the whole summer to adjust to life with 3 kids before we have to jump into the craziness of the school year. We are excited though. 12 more weeks!

Jon was recently called to be the assistant scout master, which is the PERFECT calling for him. He is so excited to be working in the scouts, and he's especially excited to get to go camping every month. And that leaves me looking forward to many widow weekends.  :)  I really am glad that he has this opportunity though.

And that's life lately.

Sewing Projects

Just wanted to post pictures of a couple of things I've made recently. I am not a seamstress by any means. I am very much a beginner...these were my very first solo sewing projects. I learned a lot through trial and error, and the finished products are far from perfect, but I'm happy with them.

So, here's what I've made:

When I was 8 weeks pregnant, I saw this tutorial for making maternity bands on the Make It and Love It blog...love that blog! Knowing that I would be in that awkward can't quite button my pants but can't (or don't want to) wear a bigger size yet stage, I was so excited to see this. Despite my lack of sewing skills, I was determined to try this. It looked simple enough and I happened to have a scrap of fabric that I bought a LONG time ago that was the right type and size for the project. Hooray!

So I got really excited about it...and then never got around to making it. My belly kept expanding and I kept telling myself I would start it tomorrow. Fast forward 17 WEEKS (yes, I'm great at procrastinating!) and my tomorrow finally came. I sat down and made myself do it. And you know, it actually turned out okay. It's far from perfect, but all the imperfections are hidden under my shirt.  :)  This was the perfect beginner project. It took me A LOT longer than it should have, but now I feel comfortable enough to try another one and I know what to do differently next time (I want to double up the fabric or use a thicker fabric). I can't wait to make some more! It is so so comfortable, it has allowed me to wear some of my favorite jeans a little longer, and I've been able to add a few too-short shirts back into my almost non-existent wardrobe.  :) Hooray for maternity bands!

 And these are the curtains I made for the baby's room. LONG story short...I wasn't originally planning on making curtains. I just didn't have the experience or confidence for that kind of a project. So, I had bought some brown curtains and just wanted to sew a panel of fabric on them to add a splash of color. I headed to the fabric store, found this striped fabric, and then way-overcalculated how much I would need. When I got home I realized it would be enough to make a whole set of curtains, so after a couple more trips to the fabric store and a lot of research, I started sewing.

I used this tutorial....which ALSO happens to be from the Make It And Love It blog...seriously, you should checkout her blog if you never have! I changed a few things with the design and figured out my measurements, and after a lot of trial and error and a couple more trips to the fabric store, the curtains are finally done. And I am SO happy with them.

I love being able to see these things and know that I MADE THEM. I made something I never thought I could make, AND I even like them!. It's a really good feeling. And now I've got the sewing bug....I NEED to sew something else! Maybe some living room curtains...

27 week belly shot! This pregnancy is going SO fast!

Pictures of Love

 As a parent, there are few things more satisfying than seeing your kids be friends. I love the bond these two are developing and hope they always stay friends.

Seeing those pictures reminded me of this one. It is one of my very favorites of the kids together. Awww...melts my heart!

January 2009

Riding the Train

 We had another gorgeous Saturday yesterday, so we knew we had to get out of the house and enjoy it...especially since it looks like the rain is coming back next week. We boarded CalTrain and settled in for our 50 minute ride into the city. The train is a special treat for the kids....they were SO excited. When we got on the train, they decided they wanted to sit on the second level...they thought it was the coolest thing ever. You'd think we took them to Disneyland by how excited they were (except that this was free! We love cheap entertainment).

When we got to the city we walked another mile along the Embarcadero to the big farmer's market there. We have never been and thought it would be fun to check it out. It was huge! We tasted some yummy samples and bought the most delicious bread...and almost bought lots of pretty flowers, but we didn't think they'd survive the long day. We will definitely be going back, but next time we'll drive. After walking around for a bit, we grabbed some lunch at a little Mexican restaurant in the ferry building. Delicious! We walked around for a little while longer and then started the walk back to the train station. Matthew slept the entire time we were there!

On our way home, we made one last stop in Burlingame. We had to visit our favorite candy store there and I wanted to check out the consignment store. The kids got their treats,  and I got some cute baby clothes. Win win! Then we boarded the train one last time and headed home. It was a really fun, beautiful day, but we were completely worn out! Kids were in bed by 6:45 and we followed at 8. Definitely a sign of a good day!

 All ready to go

In front of the Giants stadium

We were in one of the front cars. Emma was so excited when she realized that she could see all of the other cars when we went around a bend.

Cute boys!

I love Matthew's face here...haha!

Home sweet home!

24 Weeks

 I must have popped this week, because for the last 3 days I have had several people who know me comment that I am finally looking pregnant. And I have started having complete strangers come up and ask when I'm due and then tell me that I'm either huge or so tiny....gotta love that! I also had one older woman come RIGHT up to me, in my face and very much in my personal space, and tell me how exciting it was that I was having another boy. She was surprised when I told her it was actually a girl and said that by the way I was carrying she was sure it was a boy. Regardless, I am so excited to finally be looking pregnant, and not just fat.  :)

Baby's movements are definitely getting stronger, and Jon has even been able to feel her a few times. I love getting to that point...to where he can have that little bonding time with her.

I'm feeling mostly good, but the morning sickness just won't go completely away. It has come back with a vengeance the last few days. But my energy levels are definitely up, which is awesome!

24 weeks!

Dear Sun

 Dear Sun,

I would like to thank you for gracing us with your presence these last 2 weeks. We have loved having you around. These summer-like 60-70 degree, sunny days have almost made me forget that it really is the middle of winter still. We have thoroughly enjoyed taking long bike rides, spending several hours at the park (often multiple times a day), playing in the backyard with the water table and sprinkler, eating popsicles and spending time at the beach. You have spoiled us so much, we will forgive you for the rain you brought on Saturday and Sunday. After all, a little rain every once in a while is good.

Please stick around!

Sincerely,


A very happy mom

Pictures taken at Poplar Beach- Jan 22, 2011