Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles!

Isaac and I had MEXICAN food in OUR TOWN!!! Six years we have been here and in withdrawal from this most amazing food. We found out through a friend that a little old building on main street was serving mexican food on tuesday nights, all month!! We thought we would give it a try but didn't want to expect too much. Surprise!! It was amazing! We shared a platter for two. Enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas, rice, beans, tortilla chips (homemade) and 3 dollar margaritas! The portion size was enormous! We came hungry but took quite a bit home. It was some of the best mexican food I have ever tasted! We were so excited and looked like kids in a candy store. Apparently, they will be doing this again in May!! Hurrah! We can't wait to go again. What a fun date.

Why are so many of my posts about food?? Hmmmmm....

Here is a pic of what was left over! There was about four times this when it was served!

Big Boy Stuff

Judah has been very excited to have "braces." It is actually called a space maintainer , but it is in the orthodontic family, so calling it "braces" works. His little mouth needs more room for his adult teeth to come in so this will open up his very narrow jaw and push his front teeth forward a bit. He was such a champ and picked out a toy when he was done. Dinner was an ordeal though. I made pizza at home and didn't consider the fact that he needed to get used to eating with the device in his mouth. The cheese was sticking and it freaked him out. He didn't eat much, but we tried. He will get used to it in a couple of days. Here it is!

Pure Joy!

Stella decided to try to swim WITHOUT her floaty at her lesson today!! She just took right off, and swam!! She was excited, I was thrilled! It was amazing to watch her go and to see the smile on her face. I think I was smiling even bigger. There is nothing like watching your baby learn something new and take off with it. She swam and swam and didn't even stay near the edge. She was all over the place and I was a tiny bit nervous, but she did great! This is such a big step for her and she can't wait to do it again. Maybe she will be able to swim without a floaty in Cali, yay!

Date Night!

Isaac and I had a quick date last Tuesday. We decided to get sushi. I bravely walked away from the habachi table and decided to just get sushi. Isaac ordered a huge plate of sashimi, ewww. I ordered the california roll and shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber roll. Is that still considered sushi? I always feel like apologizing to the cute japanese waitress for not ordering raw fish. Here is it! It was SO good. I loved it. Isaac couldn't finish his plate.

Do What You Gotta Do

Last week I was down and out. I had a sore back and a bad cold. I needed rest, but Stella needed entertainment and food. Isaac works in our bedroom, I needed the bed, and Stella needed to be quiet. This is what I came up with.Stella in bed next to me with a plethora of snacks and a movie to watch with earphones. She is easy to please so it worked out for all of us. She even let me steal a few crackers.

Nobody Was Pinched

Here are the kids with friends getting ice cream on St. Patrick's day. It was a gorgeous day and we had a lovely walk. A fly landed in Stella's ice cream cup, so Judah gave her the rest of his cone....so sweet.

Childlike Faith

My children teach me far more than I have taught them. God, let me have faith like my children. Stella was like this all on her own, and I quickly snapped a photo. I wish I could have recorded her prayer too.

Just Because

I cannot resist this face!

Barfy

Nanny sent the kids a care package a few weeks ago and in that box was a very cute puppy for Stella. She named him "barfy." I thought it was so cute that I couldn't tell her what that meant. She started making barking noises while saying "barf" "barf", rather than "bark" "bark". Hilarious. So flash forward to last Wednesday, Stella woke up and "barfed", the real kind. Poor thing. She is so quiet and sweet about it, unlike her brother! She ended up being totally fine. I think it was a fluke. But, I made her rest all day anyway just in case! She snuggled with her new puppy and watched movies all day. I couldn't resist a picture of..........

Barfy holding barfy :)

Who Cares if it's a School Night!

We threw out our normal routine the other night to have a snow party. They enjoyed blue popsicles and went outside and made a snowman in the dark (I was watching them:). We had a very big snow storm the day before and didn't want all that snow to go to waste. They shoveled some of it, threw most of it at each other and ended with a very cute snowman.
There is nothing better than watching them having a blast and laugh hysterically.
Snowman's head fell off about five times:) We gave him eyes after the picture was taken.

Shhhh....

Today on the way home from swim class.....

Stella: "Mom, I didn't pee in the pool today"

Me: "Does that mean you have peed in the pool before?"

Stella: (smiling) "Remember mom, I told you before?"

Me: "Oh, you mean the one time a while back?"

Stella: (mischievously now) "Actually (pause), it was a few times (smile.)

Me: "Remember, that water goes in your mouth quite a bit while you swim;"

Stella: (disgusted look) "EWWWW!"

That solves that

Personal Pampered Chef Party

I received my new pampered chef stone pan. I decided to give it a try tonight. First, I made the kids a three cheese pizza. Stella wasn't hungry. Judah loved it and ate four pieces. I thought it was good. One problem, much of the crust stuck to the stone. I found out this is normal for the first use.Pizza #2 was the "Three Cheese Garden Pizza." I was nervous about this one. It came out perfectly. The garlic made the pizza and it was really nice without red sauce. This is a pampered chef recipe, and I recommend it! Isaac loved it too. The picture was taken before it was baked. It looked even tastier afterward. Check it out on pamperedchef.com

Nine Years....

Isaac and I celebrated nine years of marriage last Wednesday. I can honestly say it was the best one so far. We have come such a long way together, and have fought with all of our strength to not just survive in a marriage, but have a thriving, successful, love filled life together. We have learned so much, especially in the last two years. We spent the day reflecting on the miracle in our life and talking about what is really important about marriage. We talked about things like, serving one another, humility, spending time in the morning together (just us.) The funny thing about this anniversary was that it wasn't unlike any other day. In the past we used to try to make our day this amazing emotional experience where we showed our love to each other in a big way. Now, we do that everyday. Our anniversary is just another day where we love each other, and live for each other. I was at peace and quite satisfied with just being together, it didn't matter what the festivities were. The japanese food was a BIG plus though. We saw "The Blind Side" and cried our eyes out, loved it!!

This post will be dedicated to Isaac. I love his heart. I love that everyday he strives to be the best man, husband, and dad that he can be. I love how loved he makes me feel. Happy anniversary to us!

P.S. The picture above is of us at my senior prom. We were 18 years old:)

Jack and the Beanstalk

Judah was so excited to be part of another play. This is his third one with the Missoula Children's Theater. He was a member of the band in the circus. He was very excited to have a "bigger boy" part this time. He did great and his confidence is growing each time.
They worked everyday for a week until 8 p.m, but was still smiling.
Afterward he was excited to get a chocolate flower and a gift card. I think part of the reason he does the show is because he likes getting a goodie afterward, and likes having fast food brought to him at rehearsal each night (YUCK)! Isaac and I are so happy that he enjoys theater.

She Jumped!

Stella FINALLY jumped in the pool at her swim lesson!! This has been an ongoing drama since August when I traumatized her and threw her into her daddy's arms in the pool on vacation. She has refused to jump, saying things like, "I am not going to jump in when I am 5. I am not going to jump in when I am 30!" She even fought going at times, just because she did NOT want to jump!

Well, I don't know what changed or why, but, she stood right up, grabbed the teachers hands, and jumped! Then, she jumped again! I was delighted. She was moved up to the next class, yay! So proud! Judah has moved up as well. He is now a fish! Two more steps to go until he is a shark and has completed the program.

Important Things To Know About Me and What I Love

I spend most of my blogging time writing about my kids because they are my favorite subject. But, because this blog is partly for them I thought I should share some things about me that I want them to know. These are just a few that come to mind. Prepare yourself for cheesy overload....

Iced Coffee, extra cream, 2 splenda

Fresh Flowers of any kind in a vase on my table

Photography

The smell of my children's feet (when they are 5 and under)

Watching a movie with Isaac while my cold toes are warmed by his calves

The warmth of the sun on my bedroom window when I open the curtain in the morning

The smile on the kid's face when I pick them up from school and the smell of crayons on their hair

Family hug time

Listening to Isaac read to me at night

Praying with Isaac

Praying with my children

Dinner time talks about our favorite part of the day

Hearing about my children's love for God, questions about God, and care for others

Hearing them sing to themselves when they think no one is listening

Strolling through Target without a time limit

Jacuzzi's

Taking a shower after the house has been deep cleaned, ahhhhh

Jazz music, while cleaning, driving, eating, resting....etc.

Being a redhead

Playing my piano and singing loudly, all by myself

Finishing what I start

A productive day

Encouraging others about relationships/parenting (knowing that I've "been there")

Pasta, pasta, pasta

Watching my children grow to love the family members whom I have loved for so long

Laying next to them as they sleep and smelling their breath

The excitement in my kids about life, right down to the simplest of things like......popcorn

More to come later.....

This Face:)

I can't seem to get many pictures of Judah lately. But, I got one:) All I can say is......

I love this face!

Lullaby and........GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!

What happened to my children's 7 p.m. bedtime? Was it vacation? Is it that they are getting older and don't need as much sleep? I put them in bed around 7: 30 usually and it seems that they are still awake at 9 pm!! They are thirsty. They have to go the bathroom. They want to read for a "few" minutes. They are too hot. They are too cold. They can't find their teddy or their tiger, or their baby. I am such a softy. No matter how frustrated I get, I can't leave the room without a hug, a kiss, and an I love you, even if for the 20th time. So I guess this is all my fault.

A few nights ago I came in to see this sight in Stella's bed.
At first, I was a little worried, wondering why she has taken to "hanging" (torturing) her animals. I was ready to reach for the phone to call a counselor when she said, "Mommy, they are ornaments, like on our Christmas tree. Phew!

Then, last night I found as I usually do, feet on pillow, head turned the wrong way, with a book nearby. I though the title of the book was fitting.....and funny....

At least she was ASLEEP!!

Busy Wednesday!!

This past week was VERY busy, especially Wednesday. I worked all day, ran home, and had 5 minutes to change before taking Judah up to the slopes. It was very cold, but we all had a great time.

Here is the Chinese food we ate afterward, no time to cook:)
I tried to get a picture of Judah on the hill, but with 100 kids skiing it was tough. Here he is, all geared up.
Side note* I "ATE IT" trying to walk the hill in my Uggs. I fell flat on my face (in front of many parents) and the *S* word (unintentionally). It hurt!! I was later teased by some of those same parents. Time for snow boots.

Sunset on a Saturday

This is the beautiful sunset we came home to after a family day together. It was much more vibrant in real life. We couldn't tell if it was a fire in the distance or a sunset. Gorgeous!