MOPS...

Today began a new year of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). For those who don't know it is a program designed for women who are moms to preschool age children. There is also a program for the kids going on at the same time. It is such a wonderful outlet for mothers, especially at the beginning of motherhood when your life gets turned upside down. :-)

I have to confess that last year I was not going to join in the group because I felt a bit of pressure coming from many sides. Being the wife of a youth pastor you have eyes on you at all times, so I really wanted to be defiant and not join a ministry that I was "expected" to join. I'm so glad I didn't listen to myself and that I listened to God! MOPS has been such a blessing for me. It has helped me to forge new friendships to learn that it's okay to have mommy guilt sometimes. I've learned to be a little more laid back in the things I do. To not sweat the small stuff!! I've learned that I'm not the only mom who has days she just wishes she could have five minutes to myself. I've learned that God is in control of my life and that I can't do this "mom thing" without His help or the help of others.

All this said, I'm really excited this for this year and all the new friendships that will be formed and all the new things we will learn! It's going to be a great year "Together on Planet Mom!"

I have a deep dark secret...

Okay, maybe it's not a deep dark secret, but it is something that not many people know about me.

Okay, so here is the big reveal:

I secretly wish I was British.

I wish I lived in England and had a British accent and that Addie had a little British accent too. I LOVE London and I have been thinking more about it lately. It's been two years since I've been there and I think I left a little piece of my heart there. I just love the people, the atmosphere, the public transportation, and the parks that are everywhere (and people use them). I know that I eventually will go back there, but until then I will just keep "secretly" wishing I was British. Cheerio!!

Amazing Website...

This is such a great website out there for all you moms. I love it and they have really great deals!!

Not so good at this whole blog thing anymore...

It seems like I go a really long time between each blog and I shouldn't because I always have a lot to say. :-) It has been an extremely busy summer! Every other week had something going on. The fall slows down a little, but the first part still looks to be fairly busy. We were lucky enough to have two "vacations" this summer. The first you saw was in Glorietta, New Mexico. It was sort of work for Mike, but still a good time of getting away. A week ago we were able to take a nice week long vacation. We started it out in Fresno visiting Mike's family. It was super nice to get away and not have to worry about our routine or anything with church. We came back on Wednesday and we hung out at home on Thursday and went to a Luau at Mike's grandma's senior living facility. It was very nice and the food was pretty good. Addie loved the rice!! On Friday we drove to Redondo Beach and went to a place called Seaside Lagoon. It was a place I used to go to when I was younger and it was fun to take Addie. We also drove around where I used to live and saw my old house I grew up in and my church I grew up at. Both have changed a whole lot! On Saturday we hung out at home and went to the Farmer's Market and Trader Joe's. All in all vacation was pretty relaxing and I wish we could have it everyday. I guess then it wouldn't be vacation! In a few weeks we will go on our final vacation of this year. (I promise we don't usually travel this much.) We will be traveling to Nashville, TN (my first time) where Mike will be teaching at a confernce or youth workers at Lifeway. After this we will then head out to Denver, CO to visit Mike's family and one of my roommates from college and her family. It should be a lot of fun and I will try to post pictures from that trip.

I'm praying that this fall will be a wonderful time of connecting with old friends, making new ones, strengthing current friendships and for Mike and I to take time to grow our marriage. I know that God can do amazing things and He has already shown me how powerful He is. I pray that I can learn to rely on God more and trust in His plan for my life. We can't do it on our own and I am learning that more and more each day!

One Year Ago Today

My baby was born a year ago today! It is hard to believe that Addison is one already! Most moments have gone by quickly, but some of it slowly!

Here is a picture of Addie and I last year:
Here is a pic of Addie and I this morning:



A year has sure made a difference... both Addie and I have thinned out a little. :-) I don't know what this next year brings, but I'm sure it will be filled with lots of joy because of this little girl!

Happy Birthday, Addison Rose!

Addie's Message...

New Mexico... Our Last Day...

On our last day we decided to drive through Santa Fe one last time on our way down to Albuquerque. We drove through the town and past the capital building. When we got to Albuquerque we wanted to eat at this place called Top Dog, but it was closed, so we ate at a place called Whataburger. It was pretty good. After this we went to Old Town Albuquerque and "shopped" around a little. I bought an anklet made by a Navajo lady and I also bought a little bracelet for Addie. It's the perfect size and so cute! We then drove over to the aquarium and botanic gardens. The aquarium was okay. Addie loved the jellyfish. The botanic gardens was great and had this little area especially for kids. Addie was pretty indifferent to it, but I think she enjoyed it a little. When we were done we drove over to a Mexican Market to find some Hatch Chiles for Mike's dad. We were not successful, but we tried. Our trip home was pretty good until we were on the plane from Phoenix to Ontario. We accidentally sat in the wrong seats. We were supposed to sit in 20 B & C and we sat in A & B. It wouldn't have been that bad but the flight attendant (man) was very rude about it. Our seat buddy was totally cool with it and very nice. He said he would elbow the flight attendant the next time he walked by. He didn't, don't worry. We also had super bad turbulence on the flight which made it worse. Overall, our flying experience was great with Addison. She slept on the last leg home. We are going to Tennessee and Colorado in September, so hopefully Addie does just as good. Enjoy all the final pics!

This is the state capital building in Santa Fe.

Mike enjoying his whataburger!

Little Cowboy Mikey!

A beautiful old church in old town Albuquerque... it still has services and is over 200 years old.

In front of the plaza

In the aquarium looking at the Stingray's! Addie was pretty fascinated.

The shark was pretty cool and has a whole lot of teeth!

In the fairytale garden sitting on the ant!

Going down the tunnel slide! Soooo fun and sloooow!

Inside the large pumpkin

Inside the beautiful ceremonial garden

Flying away from New Mexico and the Rio Grande.

Glorieta: Day Four & Five

I'm sorry I slacked on giving you an update everyday. I got lazy and didn't want to upload pictures so I didn't think you wanted a blog without pictures.

Day Four (Wednesday):
This was an extremely lazy day for us. Addie took two naps because the night before she slept horrible. She woke up off and on between 1 and 4. Not fun. We pretty much stayed inside and went for a walk to the little snack shop and the chapel. Here are a few pics of Addie throughout the day and the one Mike took of the "sunset". He sort of got out there too late to get a real colorful one.


Day Five (Thursday):
This was our last full day in Glorieta. We tried to make the most of it by going on lots of walks and taking lots of pictures. I was able to take some time in the morning to walk out to the prayer garden and spend some much needed time alone with God. It was really good! We did take a little drive to a place nearby called El Dorado at Santa Fe. We stood in line at a Subway for almost about 30-35 minutes. There was one teenage guy behind the counter doing everything and he was going super slow. That was about all we did, so enjoy the pictures of our last day at Glorieta.

The beautiful prayer garden!


I told Addie to lean back on daddy... this is what she did.


Our final sunset in Glorieta!

Glorieta: Day Three

Today was another beautiful day in Glorieta. I really wanted to stay asleep in bed, but with an 11 Month Old that is highly unlikely. Addie and I caught the last half of Mike teaching the Bible Study with the leaders this morning. He did a great job! After this we walked around the lake and took some pictures while waiting for lunch to start. We had lunch at the camp again and today it was lasagna... not too bad. After this Addie and I went back to the room and napped. It rained for a good 10 minutes while we were inside. When Mike came back we got in the car and headed for Pecos National Historical Park. We were able to "hike" around and see an old Indian Pueblo. It was pretty cool to be able to see where the Pecos people lived many years ago. After this we drove down to a place called Bobcat Bite to have some burgers. They were pretty delicious and I ate all 10 ounces of mine! We were able to stay for the entire speaking time in the chapel tonight. It was great. The speaker does an amazing job of communicating his point to the students and the adults. Tomorrow is another day so I'm sure I will have more to tell! :-)

I turned around in the bathroom and couldn't find Addie anywhere... this is where she was... in her suitcase behind the chair with her pacifier... silly girl!

The Chapel at Glorieta


Addie loved watching the ducks on the lake!


A giant Bible and cross near the Dining Hall


At the start of the trail


Beautiful Cactus?


Going down into a ceremonial place (Kiva)... I conquered many fears with this... sort of!


Inside the Kiva... Mike took this I didn't go all the way down.


The Mission... the only building still really there.


Yes, it's as small as it looks!


Another beautiful sunset to finish out the day!

Glorieta: Day Two

Today it was our first full day in Glorieta. Mike got up early to go to a meeting for the Fuge staff. I "slept" in until 7:30am which would actually be 6:30 California time. Addie and I got ready and while Mike was teaching his track we walked around. We went and saw the lake and walked around the building called New Mexico Hall. After this we walked with Mike down by the lake and over to the Dining Hall for lunch. I don't know what I was expecting but it was pretty much your typical camp food... corn dogs, hot dogs, beans, broccoli and a cookie. The cookie was good and that is all I have to say. While Mike taught his afternoon tracks Addie and I both napped. I don't really like to nap, but my body told me I needed one. When Mike was finished we drove into Santa Fe and ate at a place called The Shed. It was pretty good food... sort of a southwest Mexican restaurant is how I would describe it. My tacos had the chicken underneath them so I sort of had to eat it with a fork and knife. We also explored a few shops and saw the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. It was very beautiful. We came back to listen to the music and the speaker at camp. I had to take Addie out for a little bit since she was making a lot of talking noises, but from what I heard the speaker is a very good communicator. We took some pictures by the chapel and we were able to experience a beautiful New Mexico sunset. Enjoy the pics. More tomorrow!

My tasty dinner!

The Cathedral


On our way back to Glorieta!


My beautiful daughter


The Family

Another gorgeous sunset to complete our day!