While I'm away (or on the computer) the kids will play...

Some of you have asked, " How do you have time to get so much blogging done!?" I have tried to answer this question as best as possible, but as they say, a picture tells a thousand words.
This was the state of my living room after posting blogs the other day. I usually deal with some sort of distraction about every 15 minutes, but this was a surprise when I walked into the living room. I swear when I went in there 20 min. earlier it was spotless. They had fun!
I spent the next 30 min. (while the kids napped) cleaning it up. BUT... on a positive note I got some extra things done that day- 1. clean out diaper bag, check 2. Find 3 pairs of Gabe's missing underwear- check (no idea where they came from, but they ended up on my entryway floor). 3. Re-organize the toy drawer- check.

Did you figure it out?

As you can see by our newly remodeled blog layout... we found out we are having a BOY!! YIPPEE!! We are SO SO SO excited. Mike and I both were leaning towards wanting a boy. We both really felt like it was a boy, and that made us start to get used to the idea of it being a boy, and then when the time came to find out we got a little worried that we might be disappointed if it was a girl. I guess you never know what your reaction will be until you know, but I was so afraid I would not be as grateful as I should be if it was a girl... thankfully we were right and I didn't have to find out! ;) I am so stoked to have another little lover boy around here. Now for the name... we will let you know when we figure it out. We have nothing yet, time to get started!

The good with the bad

As some of you may know we have started feeling the blow of our Countries difficult economic times. Mike has recently found out he is getting laid off and has had no luck what so ever of finding a new position. Times are tough... but, I feel SO lucky in a way to be going through this. Because, with every struggle, comes a lesson to learn. And with every struggle we are able to overcome, comes a new or renewed appreciation for all that we have, it makes us better and stronger.
At first the unknown made us all a little stressed out and worried about the trial we were about to face. We do know there are and will be more trials associated with our current situation, but the outpouring of help and support is what has given us the ability to move forward with our heads high and our emotions positive. SO many people have lended a hand and asked what they could do to help us out. People are constantly telling us they are praying for our little family and we can just feel the love surrounding us. I want to say thank you to all of our friends and family. We could not get through this without you.
This situation has made me realize how skewed my perspective was of what I "need" vs. what I "want". And I now can really understand why my grandparents and parents have always saved their money, even without any future plan for it. They have been great examples of "living below their means". How grateful I am for their examples.
We truly feel lifted up and supported by so many kind and wonderful people. We are able to stay in our home thanks to the owners of our home releasing us of any rent payment for the next few months, we are able to pay our bills through the little money we will be receiving and the help of family and church- In what other time would we be taken care of like this? I think of those without homes and without people to turn to. I am grateful for the loved ones in my life who have stayed prepared, so that when the time came, they could help us. Their examples will be what drives me to continue to prepare ourselves when we are back on our feet. Not only to be prepared for our future, but to BE ABLE to give charity to others and help when needed.

4th of July- Malia... over exposed

4th of July this year- a pancake breakfast filled us to the brim, then off to Dana Point Harbor to meet up with the Proffits for a little beach BBQ and birthday celebration for my friend Lisa. The kids enjoyed playing at the "baby beach" (which I now get why it is called that! You don't have to worry so much about your babies... no waves to knock them over). Then, back home for naps and a DELICIOUS dinner at Grandma Melinda's house- 3 kinds of ribs, bean salad, potato salad, homemade lemonade, cupcakes and homemade ice cream! Besides making the potato salad I did not have to cook one thing all day! And we ate SO much good food. Then back home to walk to the beach to see the fireworks. This Mrs. Jones had to watch them from the front yard because Malia pooped out before we could finish off the day... but still got to see a great show from the yard! Hope you enjoyed celebrating your independence as well. Happy 4th!!


Here is our little beach bunny in her super cute roxy bikini.. over exposed ;)



Do you think Gabe was having fun!? He was dancing across the beach. And if I do say so myself.. his hair was looking AMAZING as usual.

Splashing Mommy with the unusually cold July ocean water.

Mrs. Jones and the "baby bump" hangin with her girl Malia

Our little swimmer boy

Gabers just finished his second round of swim lessons and we officially have a swimmer!! He did so great and loved every second of it... which made Mrs.Jones VERY happy. I have very different memories of swim lessons when I was a child. Lets just say the only thing that got me through them was my Mother's promise of a A&W root beer float after every lesson. Gabe is my little fish though, and he just did so well. He can now swim to us from the side, or swim back to the side from us. Way to go Gabe! We are so proud of all of your hard work!

A fun visitor...

Gabe misses this girl SOOOO much!! We had a blast playing with Maty, Mrs. Jones' second cousin, all last week. She stayed at our house for a few days while visiting all of us here in CA from MO. We went to the pool and the beach and can I tell how great she was with Malia and Gabe!? He just fell in love with her and now he can't stop talking about how Maty is his FAVORITE. He cried all day after she left.
Thanks for visiting us Maty!! We will miss you and can't wait to see you in 3 years ;) Love you!

Father's Day

Gabe, Malia, and Mrs. Jones spent ALL day making Daddy a handmade father's day card and wrapping this present. Gabe did such a good job following instruction on how to wrap and where to place the tape and did such a great job! These kids really love their Daddy. And Daddy LOVED his 2 new pairs of rainbow sandals.

Tom Boy

Malia LOVES to put on Daddy's shoes and hats. The funny thing is that she will never really put on my shoes! I think it is because she misses her Daddy during the day while he is at work and it just makes her feel better.

We have a baby!

... no longer a sea monkey!! Mommy went to the doctor yesterday, and after a little coaxing (and unfortunately not ultra sound photo to share), got to see our little baby and hear the heart beat! I could not believe how much you could see. It actually looked just like a little baby, and boy was it moving around! Kicking like crazy and moving it's arms. Still could not see any "family jewels (or the lack there of)" but that should happen at my next ultra sound in two weeks.
Being able to see a real life little baby on the monitor really made this whole thing even more real to me. It was the most amazing thing to see the baby and think, "Wow, that is MINE, and it is inside of ME!" What a miracle. I am SO grateful and blessed to be able to go through a pregnancy at least once in my life. I have also been feeling the baby kicking a lot this week. That is such a comfort and really helps me to begin to feel really bonded to this little person. Looking for to updating you all in a few weeks with the sex! Can't wait!

Girls will be girls...

Typical girls! Hanging out at the beach on the towel, under the umbrella, eating! I love seeing the difference between girls and boys when you watch different kids interact. This is Malia's best girl friend, Kahili. They are the same age and are going to be heart breakers don't you think!? Our little beach bunnies.

and boys will be boys...

Gabe is taking "low riding" to a new level. The board shorts fit him fine dry... another story when they got wet. His whole bottom was popping out of his pants. Since he is only 3, we just laughed about it.

We had a fun beach day with friends Karla with a "k" and Jenelle and their kids. The boys are all the same age so it was SO fun to watch them play and get all sandy and just have pure child enjoyment playing in the shore break.
This is Gabe's friend Kai, such a cute little guy. He and Gabe are currently taking swim lessons together and are both loving it and doing so well. We will have two good swimmer boys soon... I can just feel it! (p.s.- Notice the Gabe booty in the back ground)

Gabe's Chore chart

Some of you requested a photo of the "responsibility chart" that I use with Gabe. No joke, this thing rocks. He still gets excited to put up his stars, pick out his reward, and switch up his chores every now and again. I think the variety keeps him into it. And that makes me happy! This little kid makes his bed, sorts his laundry, folds his shirts and pants, and puts away his clothes and toys. He also has gotten a lot better at sharing with his sister, knowing that he might just earn a star for doing so.
Things I love about this chart:
1. Durability
2. Flexibility, you can use the pre=made velcro ideas, or they have some blank ones you can fill out yourself.
3. You can even place a photo of the goal they are working toward.
4. You post how many stars they need to earn to get the reward, your choice.

Here is the link if you are interested in buying one. :

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=534909