Disneyland and Beyond

I promised Disneyland pictures...so enjoy! It wasn't the vacation we had hoped for and planned but it was definitely a memorable time nonetheless. The drama, the details don't really matter; most important is we went, we saw, we conquered! We survived the big signs reading "Park sold out", 2 hour waits for rides and even rain. We were determined to salvage this trip as my only chance to enjoy Christmas since I spent every bit of it sick with the flu!
So, now here were are starting 2010! I can't believe a new year is already here and the first month is half over! This is going to be an interesting year with the new business, Matthew starting preschool and routine changes. We are starting it off this week with my job now going to full time. I will be working Monday through Thursday, 7:30-4:00pm. It is a good change but any change is always difficult, especially for the kids. Sami especially reacts to change and she has had her fair share this year. We are prayerful that it will all go smoothly, I know that the Lord has provided this opportunity at this time for a reason. So...with a deep breath, long prayer and lots of hope - we are going to kick of this year of change!

Christmas Is Over?!

I cannot believe that the holiday season has come and gone...where did it go?! We had the perfect Christmas planned but sometimes even the best made plans don't work out! The week of Christmas Sami and I both got a horrible flu. Fortunately, Sami was much better come Christmas Day but I was still sick for several more days. So the family went to my parents house Christmas Day instead of us hosting and I had to miss out on all the festive fun! I was still able to watch the kids on Christmas morning but we have no pictures and the rest of the day was on the couch. Not exactly the best holiday ever but the kids had a great time - that is the most important part anyway! We still went to Disneyland as the kids Christmas gift but we had to rearrange plans and go a little later...pics of that will be coming soon. So now...all the decorations are put away, the tree is down and we are back to the routine. I feel like I'm still waiting for Christmas to come!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

"Ch...Ch...Changes"

Our season of change continues. About a month ago, after long discussions and lots of prayer, Cory and I put Sami on the waiting list for St. Paul's School. We didn't expect any openings until the next school year, but God had other plans as He usually does. Last Tuesday I got a call from the school saying they had an opening and would like Sami to come in for her assessment. I told them we would be there but I was hoping to wait to start her after Christmas break. After her assessment they asked us what the plan would be and when Sami heard me say "Start in January" she almost jumped out of her seat. "January...January?!?! I don't want to wait until January, I want to come tomorrow!" was all Sami could say. Cory and I looked at each other in dismay and quickly decided to make the change while she was excited. So the next day we let her teacher and principal know of the change. On Friday we had a "Going Away Party" with the kids...goodie bags with cookies, lots of pictures and hugs. I was fully expecting a tear or two...but none! Each day she kept asking, "Can I go to St. Paul's today???". We had known one of the girls in her new class but hadn't seen her in a long time. So on Saturday we had a lunch date with her, her sister and of course Mommy. We met at Red Robin and by the time we left the girls were hugging goodbye! Then, this Monday she made the switch and had her first day at her new school. Again, expected tears and a little anxiety...none! The teacher had put her desk next to our lunch date friend and had told the kids all about her. When I walked away Sami was literally skipping to chapel! Any hesitation or anxiety we had about switching schools was wiped away with that smile on her face! God is good!

Trick or Treat

Spiderman and Hannah Montana had a successful Halloween this year...way too much candy and even more fun!

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?!