oops!

these pictures somehow missed the last post... check out these gifts, isn't this cool?

this was the best wrap job of the night! look how hard riley's working, it love it!

i thought this gift says it all. it really brings tears to my eyes. to know what this gift means not only to the child that is receiving it but what it means to the child who gave it!

i really wish i could explain all the details of what took place this evening but it is impossible. i believe our kids gave the gift of presence to their families, they made a memory that will last forever!

thank you God for sending your one and only son so many years ago. let us remember why we celebrate. i pray that this year YOU will be the focus. may you bring families closer together, and closer to you this Christmas season. thank you for not only teaching/reminding these kids the real meaning of Christmas but for me as well. i love you, you are an awesome God!

In Jesus Name

Amen

Advent Conspiracy: Kidz Edition Celebration!

this year instead of putting on a Christmas musical we got together with the kids every tuesday night and we potted ways to make this Christmas more about presence (people) instead of presents (things). it was absolutely amazing. we challenged the kids to give up one present, instead of having the normal 4 gifts under the tree, this year they would get 3, for example. they would use the money from that gift and buy a gift for someone who might not otherwise get a gift this Christmas. this could be their only gift. this was a sacrifice. we talked a lot about sacrifice and what a true sacrifice means. the kids got it! the stories we heard from parents and the things the kids shared was incredible. we wanted to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with our families. the kids wanted to give and gift of presence to their families. so last tuesday we did just that. the kids put on a party for their families. they decorated, they organized, they made invitations, they made place cards, they practice leading Christmas carols, they made a beautiful power point presentation using their pictures as kids read the Christmas story, they served their families throughout the night, they were the host and hostess. they also bought Christmas gifts and together as families they wrapped them. the kids did an amazing job! they were so proud, they were beaming. it was a night that i will never forget, i was so thankful to be apart of something so absolutely incredible.

the kids brought in their unwrapped toys. they were so proud so show us what they got for someone else!

they decorated cookies.

some kids led singing.

You are Invited!

i want all of you to come to movie night, tomorrow friday the 12th at 7pm. free popcorn, candy, and drinks, bring something cozy to sleep on and in (sleeping bag/pillow and jammies). call me or email me for details. it will be a blast, and the kids might even have fun too!

San Diego, Perfection!

when we touched down in san diego we got our car and came straight here! we loved the zoo, the way it is laid out is amazing. the animals are so close. it seams like you could reach out and touch them!

on our way to the hotel we stopped at the beach, jesse got a little excited when he saw a pelican and seals, "right there"

look at these little guys, aren't they so cute?

this was a pre-haircut and eyebrow picture, yuck! this girl could use a serious make over!

after the spa we went down to old town is was so cool. the lady who cut my hair recommended an authentic mexican restaurant, it was so so so delicious! muchas gracias!

in old town they had this nativity scene set up in the town square it was beautiful. time and time again we would see Christmas decorations and it just seemed completely strange. the weather made it seem like summer and yet Christmas decorations??? it just was very weird.

after the "haircut" in old town. i love this man!

jesse saw this coffin and what else did you think he would do??? it was so funny, a lady walked out of a nearby store and jesse popped up, she screamed! it was an accident, but there was almost a cleanup on aisle 2.

we went to the first light house on the west coast it was amazing, and it had the most incredible views.

jesse and i decided that we want to live here. we're packin up and moving to this light house! oh...we can't it's a monument, dang!

look at this beautiful day, can you beleive it's december? jesse is on top of the world!

we went to seaworld, the weather was perfect. can you tell who this is? it's jack hannah. when i realized who it was, i turned around and chased after him and tried to take his picture. i was a paparazzi! it was terrible. i can't believe i acted that way, poor famous people.

of course the shamu show was awesome. i was teary the entire time. i wished my kids could have seen this. they would have loved it, someday they will, that's a promise.

after seaworld, we got all dressed up for our fancy dinner. look at my hot hunk of a man! (it took us four times to get this picture, we were laughing so hard!)

the dinner and dessert was so good. i wish i could describe it to you in great detail, but it would just make you jealous and hungry, so i'll spare you...

my feet hurt and i was cold, so jesse (like the gentleman he is) let me barrow his jacket and i ran back to our room barefoot! we had such an amazing night, jesse was my prince and i was his princess. (thank you laurie and chelsea for the dress and shoes and ryan for the tie)

i told jesse on the plane to san diego that i wanted to find this statue. i can't believe we actually found it. it was kind of a fluke. jesse toured an aircraft carrier that was right next to it. cool huh?

this is my man! he is showing me his "how you doin' " face.

here's me trying to do it back but not so well... this was our farewell shuttle back to the couve! we are so glad to be home, we missed our kids desperately. i am so thankful however, to have had a wonderful time with my husband of almost TEN YEARS! i love you babe! thank you again to everyone who made this trip possible!

San Diego, Here We Come!!!

this is the craziest thing ever! i don't even know what to say or how to say it. jesse and i are going on an amazing little getaway. we're flying to SAN DIEGO for four days! we are staying at the FOUR SEASONS! yeah, and i have money to spend at a SPA! i'm basically getting a head to toe makeover, choppin' the hair off, FINALLY!!! going to SEAWORLD! having a super ultra formal dinner. all of this is free to us! did you read that right? FREE! we are so blessed, beyond blessed. thank you gramma c! you are so generous, i am amazed. thank you for thinking of us this is a gift that leaves me speechless, we love you! thank you mom for taking care, kissing, loving on my babies while we're away, i trust you completely! thank you aunt laurie for the most beautiful dress i could ever imagine wearing, (and the undergarments and shoes to go with), thank you jeff and shelley for the tickets to sea world, what an incredible place to experience, and thank you for watching annabelle and sawyer on saturday for my mom, i know the kids will have a blast! and thank you GOD for putting these people in our lives who love and care for us so much, we feel so outrageously blessed, we're busting out the seams right now! you are an awesome GOD!

check out these pictures of where we are staying, i can't wait!

more pictures to come when we return...

Ms. Debbie!!!

do you shop at 164th fred meyer? those of us who shop here frequently, know and can hear ms. debbie laughing clapping and playing with the kids. she works in the play place and she is amazing! everytime we go to fred meyer (which is way too often) my kids beg me to let them play at the place play. if i'm not in a hurry i'll take a look and see if ms. debbie is working. i only let them go in if she is there. she gives each child one on one attention, she gets on the floor, she comes up with new inventive games, she does a great job in there. i went to f.m. today, there was a waiting list to get into the play place but we waited, the kids were so excited. by the time the kids names were called to head in, my shopping was done. oh well, i thought, i'll just hang out and let them play for a while. they had a blast, and i sat at the cafe, quietly, calmly, peacefully, as i sipped a grande, non fat, chi tea latte it was the best. i could here the squeals and laughs of my kids as i sat and smiled. when i picked them up debbie told me that her last day is dec. 10! i don't know the details, but it is not her choice! i told her that i wanted to write a letter or talk to someone. she gave me the name of the store director, greg gauett. so i wrote him a letter and if she has enhanced your shopping experience in any way i would hope you would do the same. you may also post comment here, and i can pass off your comments to him as well.