Life amid boxes

So this weekend we made our big move! We got the keys to our place on Thursday night and Friday we had the help of Chad's family moving all our things in the house. Saturday we spent most of the day unpacking all of the boxes and trying to make the house functional. We actually spent our first night here that night. Chad's parents were down and they were our biggest help by far. In the record breaking heat, they were right along side of us sweaty and dirty getting everything done. Lucky for us, Chad's dad is a contractor, so he not only helped us move in, but also was working on all sorts of odd jobs like changing hinges over, grouting a spout, cutting a door down, changing locks, etc. I am glad that we are in our own place now, but moving is stressful for sure! It is hard to reorganize your life and make it all work in a different way. We are finding that our place is very "cozy" and there for we need to get rid of a lot of our things. In fact, we are going to be having a garage sale to get rid of a lot of it!


Well, we have run into a few bumps along the way. Our SAM was supposed to be stored indoors, but we found out was not and our couch suffered a bit from sun exposure. We are hoping to get reimbursed for it! Also, we had some parking issues. We were told by the patrol company that our cars were safe listed for 20 days, but then woke up Sunday morning to find that Chad's car had been towed. The patrol company then changed it's story and said we were only safe listed for one day! $310 later and a trip down to the ghetto of Lake Forest, we had the Honda back. Believe me, the association will be hearing from us.

I think that the stress of moving can bring out the worst in people. It did in me. I felt like I was hearing myself more. I know that sounds weird, but as I was talking, I was also listening and I didn't like what I was hearing. Here I have just become a new homeowner, it is within our budget, is quiet, mostly new, and has room for everyone to have their own space, but I was being negative! When I would show people the house, I would point out all the flaws and things I wanted to change. Is that normal? I felt bad soon after. I think I need to work on being more positive and grateful. I think if I can be more of a glass-half-full type person, I think it will make life better and easier on all of us. I need to squash that type A personality that likes to creep out and expect perfection. I'm not perfect, won't ever be and I shouldn't expect it. I need to take pleasure in the simple things and have "Joy in the Journey."

Just spoon full of sugar...

I would have to say I am a pretty strict mom about sugary treats, but for some reason or another, this week I was a little lenient. On Monday, we went to Oak Park and met up with some friends to play and make our own candy jewelry. My mom did this for us when we would go camping. All you need is rope licorice (which is hard to find by the way so we used the pull-n-peel stuff) and Fruit Loops! The kids love it and love to wear them, before eating them of course!

Today we went to The Sweetspot in the Spectrum. You can go in and create your own cupcake. Micah chose a strawberry cupcake, green frosting, M&Ms, Oreos, gummy worms and sprinkles. Yum yum! Brooklyn wasn't too happy about sitting this one out. I think it will be a little while before she can get in the mix, but don't worry she got to sample that green frosting too!

Some good news...

So in the process of getting our new condo, we found out that we can shorten the escrow time, sooooo we are going to be in our new place by the end of the month! Yay! It is going to be nutty, but we will be in our own place soon and we are both excited. I think my parents are too! I'm sure they will appreciate having their home back free of bottles, dirty diapers, and lots and lots of Matchbox cars!

Anyways, I am already daydreaming about decorating our new little place. I would love to try a paint treatment like this in one of the rooms, but I am thinking green on green might be more my speed.
We have a little living room, but I think the most efficient use of the space would be to get a sectional. It would be big enough to fit the whole family on and yet fit the size and shape of the room.
I am loving this rug and by the way, it is much cuter in person. It has a lot of personality and brings in a lot of warm colors. I'm hoping to put in little pops of red here and theresince it would tie in with the rug. Good ol' Target!
I think I will be getting some pretty paper lanterns in sherbet colors to hang over Brooklyn's crib. It would match her bedding perfectly and make for a nice alternative to a mobile.

As for Micah, I am thinking a fun chalkboard area in his room. I might regret it later, but I think he would enjoy being able to write on his walls without getting into trouble. He has a beachy themed room, so maybe I will have to make his chalkboards in the shape of surfboards.

So I have also been working on a couple little projects and picking out paint colors. Again, we are excited and hoping our tiny little place becomes very cozy for us!

A little late to the party...

Micah is a funny kid...I'm trying to remember that right now because he is in a stage where he is testing his boundaries and if I didn't remind myself of his good qualities, I might leave him at the grocery store screaming and crying. Anyways, he is hysterical and here are a few reasons why...

Micah just realized that my sister is pregnant. She is 5'2" and seven and a half months along, so she is huge. He looked at her the other day and said, "Is there a baby in your tummy?" Wow, a little late, right? She said yes and then he wanted to see her stomach and touch it. The next day he looked at her again puzzled and asked, "Did you eat your baby?" She said, "No, I didn't eat my baby. Do you know he is going to come out soon and want to play with you?" Micah says, "Really? You are going to have to open your mouth up real big so he can get out, like this." he then tries his hardest to open his mouth as wide as he can. "Something like that." This of course led to the big questions later on "Where do babies come from and how do they come out?" Yikes, I think he is too young for the talk, right?

Micah also thinks that "because" is a legitimate answer to some questions. For example, questions like 'Why did you do that?' or 'Why are you upset?' can be answered with 'Because I did' and 'Because I am.' I wonder if he picked it up from the "because I said so" answer that he may or may not get from his mommy every once in a while.

Micah also has imaginary friends. I've heard it is healthy. I never had one, but some of my friends have told me that they did, so ok! Anyways, he will talk and ask questions and when I answer him or ask questions, he says "Mom, I'm talking to my friend Plankton!" Gosh, how could I be so rude? Can you tell he watches SpongeBob? One day, he was swimming with Chad when he asked Chad to help his friend get his swim suit on. Chad humors him and said sure. He pretends to help this imaginary thing put his board shorts on. Once done, Micah makes sound effects to make is sound like his friend has walked over to the pool and jumped in. When Chad asks who it was Micah says "That was Plankton." Then Micah asks Chad to do it again. Micah makes the same sound effects and Chad asks him again who that was. "Uhh...ummm...that's my friend Lankton." Once more, Micah asks Chad for his help getting a friend ready. Sound effects follow and again, Chad inquires as to who this is. "Um...it's my friend....Wankton." Way to be creative little man!

In other news, Brooklyn has put forth some effort into doing some talking. Yay! Most of the time she will just get loud or point, but this morning she said "Peas (please) mama." I was very happy that she was starting to use words instead of yelling or crying! Woo hoo!

Pooped

I think you get the point!

Party Time

Here are some pictures from Micah's itty bitty b-day party last night. Just a few friends and family members came by. Water balloons and silly string were on hand. We also had to celebrate with an ice cream cake because Micah loves that Baskin Robbins commercial. Don't get me started on that one, I will be singing all day! Micah was spoiled. I had left a little memo that said we didn't need presents, but if you want to bring one please think small. Some people just have to break the rules, right? Oh well, Micah is loving his fun new toys. Thanks to everyone who came and those who wished him a happy birthday. Four was fun for all of us!

He's 4!

The day I fell in love with you!
One
Two
Three
...and now four!
Happy birthday to my big boy! Micah I can't believe you are four already. I love you love you love you so much! You have brought your dad and I so much love, joy and lots of laughter. Thank you for letting us be your parents!

Comfort in your own backyard

**This is just a joke.

Welcome to our nudi camp! Clothing is optional at all times, especially when it comes to the pool!

White board shorts? No, a super white booty!
Brooklyn loves these water wings. I swore I would never let my kids wear them after being a lifeguard, but, oh well!

He is a fish now! He took a few lessons and now he is a wild man.

The only pool occupant that wore a bathing suit (or did he...)

In other BIG BIG news...we just heard that we got a condo yesterday! Yay! We are excited to move. We are heading back to Laguna Niguel and funny enough, back to our old ward. It is a tiny little condo and we got a great deal on it. It is in perfect shape and is move in ready. We still have the inspection and all that fun stuff to go through, but we are hoping escrow is short and we can be in our own home soon! I will fill you in on more details as we get closer. I guess this means I have to break these kids of this naked habit. I don't think it would go over well in the community pool!

Shopping shopping shopping

That's something I do little of these days, unless it is for the kids of course. When it comes to me, I will visit things I like over and over again until it is no longer available. Is that coveting or masochism? Not sure. Anyways, here are some of the things I am loving and needing right now.

This is the cutest dress and I realize it is for Brooklyn, but I just love it and will have to get around to buying one for her. The model even looks like her. I think it is a sign!

I want this vignette so bad! I love how sweet and feminine the dress is and the shoes and bag are just a great finishing touch!

OK, OK, I realize this is a maternity skirt, but it says you can wear it not pregnant. I just thought it was so cute and I love a great basic with a little flare.

With all the time we are spending in the water, I should get another bathing suit. I have my eye on this one and this one. Cute huh?

I am in need of replacing my current basics, so I could use one of these in every color. They change an outfit from trashy to classy instantly!

Sadly, the girls have been neglected for quit some time now. Going from nursing to well, not and now exercising. My current bra has been through the mill and I think (hope) is bigger than I need now, so this one is looking good to me!

And lastly, for the heck of it....I have been wanting one of these for a while. I don't know why, but I think it would be fun to put a baby seat on the back and go cruising with the kids. I guess that means I would have to get Micah on two wheels too!

Balboa Island and so on...

OK, so I am about a week late getting this post up. Last Friday we made a quick trip out to Balboa Island with my friend Michelle and her two kids from my moms group. We met up at the ferry and Micah was so excited to get on!

Shelby was my helper for the day. I love that she can help me and also play with them as a buddy.
Micah loved the ride over. He loves the water and gawked at all the boats on the water.
Once we made it to the other side, we went to the Fun Zone, which is not as fun as I remembered it. Does anyone remember the Dark Scary Ride? It's now an office. How about the bumper cars? That is now a Nautical Museum...yawn. At least we had the carousel and Balboa bars of course! I have to say it was a little bit of a bust. Half of the island has lost it's power, so only a small area was up and running. It took us a while to find a place that we could even get a Balboa bar and Brooklyn was a bit of a pill. That was more my fault though. I am trying to transition her from two naps to one, so she was tired, which made her less than pleasant. She crashed HARD after that! Well, the kids had fun. They enjoyed the ferry, dessert for lunch, riding the carousel, watching the water, playing at the arcade, winning candy, etc. I need to learn to enjoy the little things in life the way they do. They teach me a lot.

I don't know if any of you think about this, but I do. I think I learn a lot about the nature of God as a parent. I think I hear a lot of the things that come out of my mouth are things that He is trying to teach me as well. When I hear myself saying things like "Stay close to me, I don't want you to get hurt here," or "Be kind, it's important," or "I love you so much, you have no idea!" and my favorite one by far which I hope He thinks of me with "I know she does naughty things sometimes, but she is just a baby and she is still learning." I feel like I learn so much as a person being a parent and learning patience, but also hearing the guidance that I give being a reflection of the guidance He gives me. Motherhood is a blessing and a challenge. Sometimes I want to throw in the towel and say I am done, but other times I can't get enough of my sweet kids who love and snuggle and tackle me. Sometimes it is just what I need to brighten my day and make my worries float out the window!

I have much more to talk and blog about, but I don't like to make my posts too long, so give me another day or two and I will be back on here with more!

Random iPhone Photos

Micah woke up early from his nap one day, went to walk downstairs and apparently decided he wasn't quite done sleeping. So he picked up where he left off... but he did it at the top of the stairs

Brooklyn likes crawling up into this rocking chair all on her own

Micah decided to have some fun with Brooklyn by doing "This Little Piggy" on her toes. It was pretty dang cute

Brooklyn was stoked to wear these glasses. She looks a little like Ray Charles here, but she was rocking them!

The kids love to go down to the park and swing. And swing and swing and swing.

Another park picture, this time with sand toys. Brooklyn absolutely loves playing with the sand toys, she will latch onto that bag with a death grip if she sees it!

Brooklyn also adores puppies, she will run after them and say DAH. Here at the dog store in the mall, she sat down in front of her favorite one and kissed it through the glass. The puppy also actually kept kissing her back, it was priceless

A few weeks ago we went to the Billabong company store and Micah found this backpack and instantly fell in love with it. We went ahead and bought it, and he was wearing it everywhere with a huge smile on his face. He packs it with cars now, of course

Micah won these glasses at the church fair (Pioneer Day) and, of course, looked goofy wearing them

He asked for chocolate cake when we went to the Cheesecake Factory, and boy did he get it. I suppose this would be a good place to mention that yes, he handles his sugar much better than he used to so we've been able to be just a little more lax on that rule.

See you again in a few months!