Season of Change

Where to start?! Season of change is putting it mildy for us lately. Since my last post we have had Matthew's 3rd birthday at Boingos, my birthday getaway in Monterey, going back to work 4 days a week and Cory starting a business! Did you catch that last one?? Yes, you read right...Cory's business. Let me back track a little for all who don't know the story. Late August we found out that Master Pools by Paul Haney, where Cory had worked the last 6 years, would be closing their doors and the owners retiring. We were shocked and scrambling for what to do next. Well, God is good! Cory, along with much guidance and help from Master Pools, opened the doors to Genesis Pools just after Labor Day. There are 3 employees, all former Master Pools employees, that are trudging through this with him. At that same time my employer, Cypress Surgery Center, offered me double the hours I was already working! See what I mean? God is good! The business is going better than anyone could have expected and we can only hope it continues to thrive. It has been a wild ride these last 8 weeks ... we are just now starting to settle into our new routine and adjust. I truly feel God has been leading us and I hope that a year from now we will look back and say, "it was worth it!". I do miss the park play dates, story times and benefit of daily nap time. But the sacrifice of now will be worth it later! I am so proud of Cory and all he has accomplished...I have no doubt he will have long term success.

In the midst of all of this chaos we also had the engagement and then wedding of my brother and Kari. They were wed on October 17th in a beautiful wedding at her parents home in Woodlake...it really was gorgeous! As said above, season of change is putting it mildly! Thankfully, we have had all GOOD change and can only be thankful for all we've been blessed with! I am going to embrace this season of change and all it has to offer!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

1st Grade

Well...despite my constant requests to go back to preschool - Sami had her first day of the 1st grade yesterday. She had been so excited all summer since learning who her teacher would be, she could not wait for school to start. We got a new outfit, backpack, lunch bag and had everything all set out ready to go. She woke up that morning ready to get the day started and after her favorite breakfast we headed to school. She was completely fine until we hit the school entrance. Suddenly she was attached to my leg and really nervous. I was suppose to be helping at the PTA table but that went to the wayside. Daddy arrived and we went into the room, talked to the teacher and met the kids. Then...the bell rang and it was time for the day to begin. Poor Sami just lost it - tears, grabbing onto any body part of ours she could reach and pleading for us to stay with her. A new friend came over and took Sami's hand but she was still not having any of it. Fortunately, the wonderful Miss Haley came over, talked to Sami and took her by the hand to go get in line. It was so cute as Sami turns towards us - hair messed up, tear streaked red face - and says, "OK Mommy and Daddy...bye." And that was that! She ended up having a wonderful day that we all heard every detail of over ice cream after school. It was a good, good day....hopefully the first of many!

School Time

I cannot believe summer is already coming to an end....in just a few days I will have a 1st grader! How did that happen? My stomach turns in knots every time I think about her on that "big" playground. Nevertheless, the time has come to get ready for a new school year whether I like it or not. One night Cory and I were sitting in the living room watching the Dodger game - well Cory was watching and I was on my laptop - and the kids were in the toy room watching a movie. Suddenly Cory looks at me and says, "This is ridiculous...what kind of family time is this??".

And with those words began the transformation of the toy room (and extra TV) into a school room. The next day I went on hunt and hit the jackpot. I ended up at Rescued Treasures (the Rescue Mission store) and found the perfect desk for only $20. Next came Target for 2 desk chairs, a storage bench, rug and decorations. When we came home the demolition began. We took out the entertainment center, TV and futon which we will be selling. Then we took the bookshelf from Sami's room and brought it into our new school room where we put all of the books. Then we organized the closet with one side being school supplies/puzzles/crafts and the other for toys shared by the kids. It all came together so cute and the kids absolutely love it! Sami can get on the computer without help and they are both able to be at the desk at the same time with no fighting! Mission accomplished! After a little back to school shopping we are all set for the year to begin....now if only they had something to take that knot out of my stomach?!

Life's a Beach

After 2 years we finally went on a vacation that did not involve hospitals, doctors or stress. We took off for Pismo on a Wednesday and didn't come back until late Saturday! We never get to go out of town during summer because of Cory's job. The last time we went anywhere it was November and only a quick trip to the beach. So this time was so nice to be able to actually unpack and relax. We spent the first day on the beach all day....sandcastles, playing in the water and a picnic. The next day we drove to San Simeon to see the elephant seals then stopped along the way back to Pismo. We had lunch in Cambria, fed the seals in Morro Bay...so fun! The last day we had a big breakfast then headed to the Avila Farm. We took the tractor ride, fed the goats and got some goodies for Granny and Papa (they had been babysitting Bear for us). We finished off with more fun on the beach at Avila before heading home. I think we all threw a fit when it was time to head back. We had so much fun being to focus on nothing but each other, the kids even got along better! We ate yummy food, filled our bellies with as much Pismo Yogurt as possible and ended each night with the relaxing spa! It was a very long overdue break from reality...now where to go to next?!

Fun, Fun and More Fun!

Summer fun has arrived! With school ending came all the joys of summer - kicking off the festivities was Kindergarten Celebration (aka graduation) where the kids sang some songs and had yummy cake! The very next day was Sami's 6th birthday. Honestly, how did this happen?? Six years old, really?? I cannot believe that much time has gone by since I first held my baby girl. She is becoming such a little lady. Any remnants of those toddler days are long gone! She had all of her cousins and family over for a swim party that weekend. She and Cory shared a birthday present (his birthday isn't until July 14th..didn't this work out well for him??). They got a Wii..she was showered with all kinds of fun games and goodies to go along with it too. She can almost duplicate Miley Cyrus' "Hoedown Throwdown" dance from the movie. Oh, the joys of video games! We took a family trip to the Fresno Zoo and had a fabulous time - the kids loved seeing all the animals and we got to eat at our favorite Fresno restaurant, yummy! Next came Sami's June ballet/tap recital at LJ Williams Theatre. The theme this year was
"Broadway Babes" and she did an awesome job! Her "boyfriend" Joey even brought her flowers after the performance. Very convenient that his Mom is one of Sami's ballet teachers! We celebrated with Red Robin afterwards, of course! Then we had our Father's Day BBQ at church and home. And now, 4th of July just came and went. We went the Rawhide game the night before. The kids had a blast running around, eating snow cones and watching the fireworks at the end. The next day we had dinner at Granny and Papa's, then off to Exeter for the fireworks show. This is our absolute favorite place to go for fireworks. Blankets, lawn chairs, drinks and a few yummy treats is all you need. We loved it! All in all, this summer is shaping up to be fantabulous! Our next adventure: 4 days in Pismo...can't wait!!

PooPoo Play

Matthew has been showing a lot of interest in potty training these days, so I try to take advantage of it when I can. A couple of days ago, we were staying in for the afternoon and he had just gone potty on his own. So...since we weren't going anywhere, I figured I would let him wear his new Cars underwear. Two minutes later this is what happened:

Matthew: "I peepee in my chonies Mommy"
Me: "It's ok buddy, you're learning. Come here, we will change you."

Matthew walks over to me and I proceed to pull down his shorts and then underwear.

Me: "OH NO!! You didn't tell me you had gone poopoo in your chonies!"

Poop is all over the floor and his legs at this point.

Matthew: "I sorry Mommy, I sorry" as he tries to step away from to poop only to actually step in it and then do a banana peel slip and fall in it.

Me: "Matthew, just stay still. There is poop everywhere!"

Matthew is now getting upset and starting to cry. Sami meanwhile has been sitting at the table nearby doing homework and decided to help out.

Sami: "It's ok Matthew. You are learning, this just happens sometimes. I used to have this problem when I was learning too."

Such a sweet girl, she then goes into Matthew's room and gets a diaper to try to be even more helpful. Meanwhile, I have most of the floor cleaned up, his feet and legs. I turned to get more wipes and that is when I saw poor little Matthew with a wipee in each hand cleaning the floor!

Me: "Matthew it's ok honey, you don't have to clean the floor. Mommy will do it."

Matthew steps away and I continue to clean up the mess not paying attention to what the kids are doing. When I got done, I stood up to take it all to the trash and what do I see? Sami has lifted Matthew onto the coffee table to put a diaper on him. Great help but one problem...I hadn't quite got to cleaning his bottom just yet!

Me: "OH NO! Sami you can't put him up there...Mommy needs to clean his bottom."
Sami: "I'm sorry Mommy, I didn't know where to put him."
Me: "It's ok but he needs to get cleaned up and now we need to clean the table."

Matthew gets down, I wipe his bottom and head to get more cleaning supplies. When I return, there is sweet Matthew with yet another wipee in his hand cleaning the table and saying...

Matthew: "It's otay Mommy, it's otay. I cleaning...all better!"

And with such satisfaction on his face he goes and puts the wipe in the trash. How could you not just sit and laugh at all of this?! That is exactly what I did...sat down with them and laughed until it hurt. I wish I'd had a video camera of the whole experience....kids - gotta love 'em!