Valentine's Day Prep

Inspired by a post on Pinterest, we created these cute Valentine's Day cards for each of the kiddos classmates.  The kids had fun doing this--from taking the picture, deciding their own wording (just did this with the text feature in Picasa) and then putting the lollipops in (I punched the holes so it would work right).  I loved how they turned out and it was a fun and creative craft project we did altogether.  Now the kids are enjoying the leftovers! :)

These were the original pictures of each of the kids.  I think they felt silly standing there with nothing in their hands, but they were good sports and let me take lots of pictures to try to get it just right.

It was a little hard to capture great shots of the final products because the lollipops made the pictures bend, but I think they turned out pretty darn cute!

Now to turn my thoughts towards their class parties...

Happyy Valentine's Day!

January in Pictures

I realized that I've been severely lacking at picture postings... sorry parents! 

The start of a semester is always a little rough!

Our weather has been absolute incredible for January, so we've gotten to spend lots of time playing outside and soaking it up before the rain and snow make their entrance for real.

I got to go on a field trip with Zeke's second grade class.  They went to ATCAA Food Bank first and got to do different tasks sorting and packing food for distribution. As a family, we have served there multiple times, so Zeke knew the drill and I could tell he felt good about his handprints already being on their wall (every volunteer does this). 
Then next door, they visited the Humane Society and learned how they care for and adopt out the animals.
Lastly, the bus dropped the kids off at the park next to the school where they ate lunch, got to play out their wiggles, and then walk back to the school.
Great day!  So glad I got to join in on the fun!

Our princess and prince =)



Daddy and Bubby at Sullivan Creek School



This kid has got mad ball skills already!

Emmy got an American Girl doll (Kirsten :) ) for Christmas.  She LOVES her!

Bike riding

Off-roading

Priorities

My 'one word' for the year. 

Already being tested. 

I found this quote on pinterest and it has been playing like a tape reel in my head this week as we talk about summer schedules at work (yes, already).

I need to remember this.

Regardless of how much they 'need' me at work, they can hire others.

My family needs me--I'm the only one they've got. 

Year in Review 2011/2012

Our Year in Review this time around was done over yummy coffee drinks in the car on the drive down to Fresno for a friend's new year's eve birthday party.  The kiddos were engrossed in a movie, so Brian and I were able to get a lot down... though I know I'm still finalizing the goals I want to set for myself in 2012.  Thought I'd get them down while I can... the college starts back up this week, so as of Tues, I'm hitting it full speed again!

2011 in Review:
*got heater installed and working (8 years in the making!) * Ethan started preschool, Emmy started kindergarten and Zeke started 2nd grade--all getting great reviews from teachers! * Zeke was in his first bus fight * Avila in June * Family camping in Santa Margarita w/ mishap of no San Simeon reservations--Leonard's joined us for the first time * Kirsten's Capitola Girls/Scrapbooking weekend * Couch!!! * Emmy can read! (Hop on Pop) * Legoland for Ethan's 3rd birthday * Kirsten took Emmy to Disneyland for her 5th birthday * Purchased fake Christmas tree this year * B & K weekend getaway to Capitola over Thanksgiving weekend * Bri entered his 1st beer brewing competiton * Bri bought Tundra & loves it * Cousins Staci and Danielle got married * Brian backpacking FUG pass * Cousin Nathan born-Kirsten got to go be w/ Melissa to help * finished front fence and gate * Ethan got his tonsils out * Brian was voted one of SHS's 'most inspriational teachers' * Organization & decor in the house! * Bri & Zeke to San Fran mission * fostering kittens and then a forever kitty--Anakin * Emmy--1st yr of soccer, loves dress-up, decorating, make-up, dolls, and her cat * Ethan loves trains (Hiro!), talking up a storm, super cute and funny ('spankin' butt) * Zeke totally into Legos, Star Wars, Wii, and tetherball, soccer team was undefeated (but still no goal for him), super good at computers, math and reading, was awarded Sparky of the Year in Awana * Christmas with folks and Grammy B (for the first time I can ever remember--too bad she won't remember it!) * Zeke & Emmy learned to ride bikes w/ no training wheels * and so much more....

Goals for 2012:
* Build fairy garden for Emmy
* Service projects as a family
* Keep up on Bible reading (Story) w/ kids (and adults, too!)
* Add bedroom for Emmy w/out borrowing money to do it
* One weekend away (for B & K)
* Continue Awana, Ethan to start Cubbies in fall
* Ethan to be part of the family--dinner time, help clean, in own bed all night more consistently
* Family recreation 1x per month--bike riding, hiking, Yosemite, pass drives, etc.
* Drive over Sonora Pass first day it's open after winter
* Start savings--college, general, big trip in 2013
* Ethan into soccer in Fall
* Sponsor another child... Gabriel at For His Children orphanage in Quito

There are some personal goals I have set for myself as well, but I think the main one goes along with my 'one word' for the year, for which I have landed on "PRIORITIES."  Brian's goal for me this year is that I wouldn't spread myself so thin and then get frustrated about my lack of time, energy, etc.  I want to be able to have time to do the things I need to do, to spend time with those I love, and to do the things I enjoy, to be able to sleep more, to have more energy for my family, less time on the computer, have fun with friends, scrapbook more (I only got to do this 2x last year!), and to be more creative with my home and children.  So, if I say 'no' to you for something or don't return a phone call right away... don't take it personally and just know that I'm probably playing with my kids who are only this little right now, or I'm folding their laundry so they can have clothes to wear tomorrow, or I'm listening to my husband dream up his next invention, or I'm grading papers for my students who are finding their way in college, or.... taking some time to myself to regroup so I can do it all again tomorrow!!!

Learning & Growing...

Between 2 different studies, I have been really learning and growing.  Coincidentally, they are both about the marriage relationship and I have been learning (and re-learning) some great things!  I had to post about it just so I can encourage others to read and/or check out these powerful tools to building great marriages!!!

I've been meeting with a group of friends over the last few months doing a book study about God's instructions to wives that has been completely transforming my life and heart toward the role I have been blessed with.  It's been challenging and has caused me to really search the Bible and learn God's instructions in this regard.  I wouldn't say that I like everything Debi Pearl has to say, but I definitely can see the wisdom she is speaking from.  It has gotten me to examine my heart toward what submission really looks like and why we are called to do it, how God has designed women and men to repsond to Him and to each other, and to understand the needs of my husband and how God has allowed me to be the one to bless him with helping him in this life and for an eternal purpose. 

This is the study that we have been doing with our (big) small group.  We have been doing the DVD's rather than the book, but the book is awesome, too.  Right now with childcare issues and whatnot, the guys meet one week and the girls meet the next.  The design is that we are studying the same material, just on different weeks, so that we can talk about it and work on it together with our spouses at home.  It's not going as quite as smooth as we were hoping with that, but we're still getting a lot out of it.  Like last nights session... it gave some specific instructions to men about what women view as loving and to women about what men view as respecting him.  Obviously, I knew the loving things... but gained lots of great insight about what respect looks like in real life to my husband and how to apply it to our marriage in a more consistent way.

As we go into the new year and setting our new goals for 2012, some of this stuff is definitely going to come into play for me.  I pray that I can be the wife God designed me to be, Brian needs me to be, and that I desire to be!  I'm also still trying to determine my 'one word' for 2012.... wonder if it will be born from these studies?

Whew!!!!

Finally, grades are done and posted, class parties are done, and school is out for a couple weeks.  Now we can think about Christmas--yea!!!!

Here's some pictures from the last month to catch up a little bit...

Ethan turned 3!!!
We got to go to Legoland as a family to celebrate!  Super fun and he loves being a 'big boy'--potty trained and all!

My cousin Danielle got married to my new cousin Darius over Veteran's Day weekend.  We were blessed to be a part of the celebration and loved spending time with my family.

The kiddos enjoying the after wedding brunch and the wonderful weather at Aunt Karen's and Uncle Phil's



I finally got my couch!!!  I've been eyeing this one for about 6 years now... and we are soooooo happy with it!



My cousin Melissa and her adorable boys came up for a visit while her hubby was on a work trip.  LOVED spending time with some of my favorite people.  This isn't t the best picture from the entire weekend, but it's the only one that I have of all of them together.  Love this crew (and the missing one, too!)

Ethan is ready for Christmas--3D glasses and all! :)



I got to help in Zeke's class this week with Christmas parties and Gingerbread House making.  This was Zeke's masterpiece in process.



Lastly, but definitely not least, Emmy has started to read!

Thank you SBC Children's Ministries

...for partnering with Brian and I in raising children who know and love God.

Our kids are flourishing in the Awana program and they are excited to know God's word for themselves and put it to memory.  The other night, on his own, Zeke wanted to look up in his Bible the verses he was learning in Sparks.  Because he knew the books of the Bible in order, both Old & New Testament, he was able to find them no problem and was really into reading the verses around the verse itself.  I can't tell you how awesome it was to walk in on that one...