SUPRPRISE!!!!!!!!!

I am head over heels in love with this little girl....

and this little boy....

and my love continues to grow...

We are thrilled to announce that we will be welcoming our third little munchkin this spring!!!

"A new baby is like the beginning of all things...wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities"

--Eda J. Le Shan

Come roll with me....

Wanna know a secret about me?

I may come across as a typical girl-next-door housewife type (and that's actually pretty accurate), but down deep I have a love of something that does not exactly fit my personality...cool car rims. 

You know, the ones that are all shiny and chrome and catch your eye and make you swoon (OK, maybe they don't make YOU swoon, I'm purely speaking for myself).  Seeing beautiful rims makes this Mama smile and maybe a little drool run out the side of my mouth.  It also makes many I know laugh because it totally does NOT fit my personality.

Regardless, I love them.

Guess what I got my ride hooked up with today?!  Yep, you guessed it....

Safe to say I refuse to look like a "soccer mom" while I'm driving around town.  When I told my mom what I did she just laughed at me.  Then she said, "You're right!  You don't look like a soccer mom...now you look like a teenager!"  Secretly I think she wishes she had sweet rims like me.  Ha!  Just kidding Mom!!!

"Be yourself...everyone else is already taken."

What would you change your name to?

When I was little I loved thinking about what I would change my name to if I COULD choose my name.  Back in the 80's I always liked the trendy names of the times....Kelly, Tracy, Stacey....I loved those names!!!  As I got older I grew to appreciate my own name I even ended up liking that it can be a boys name OR a girls name (something I did NOT like about my name when I was younger).

The other day I posed the question to my own little ones..."If you could change your name to ANYTHING what would you change it to?"

Eva did not hesitate, "TAYLOR!!!"  (this will not surprise anyone that knows about her love of Taylor Swift)

Jaden thought about it for awhile and then said, "Peter Pan"

Gotta love it.

God Rays....

Ever since I was young I was always awestruck by the strong rays of sunlight that stream through clouds on a cloudy day.  It is as if the strength of the ray is so incredibly strong that a few clouds are not going to stop it.  These amazing rays of light have always reminded me of God's love and blessings raining down on the earth and I started calling them "God Rays".  A few weeks ago the "God Rays" were beautiful and I could not help but grab my camera....as did Eva and Jaden.  So together we sat and photographed these amazing rays and this girl couldn't help but feel God's love and all the blessings He has so graciously given...

"A soul can split the sky in two and let the face of God shine through."

--Edna St. Vincent Millay

WE JUMPED THE FENCE....for a good cause.

Those of you that know our family know that we love Notre Dame.  Always have...always will...

However, Isaac and his family are HUGE Boise State fans.

(Note:  For those of you that need to be brought up to date, Isaac is the 5 year old son of some of our friends.  This past summer he was diagnosed with brain cancer.  Simply put, he is one of the bravest little guys I know and our family is proud to be part of  "Isaac Nation" - the group of people who do our best to support him and his family.)

Before Isaac was ever diagnosed with cancer Isaac's family had purchased some tickets to a Boise State game.  The tickets to the game arrived in the mail shortly after Isaac's diagnosis, and while Isaac was in the hospital recovering from brain surgery.  Isaac's dad decided that the Boise State game would be a perfect time to invite any members of Isaac Nation that could make it to come to the game to support the Broncos....and Isaac.

Sooo our family "jumped the fence".  We put away the navy and gold for the day and sported blue and orange.  We cheered on  the Broncos and enjoyed our time with Isaac and his family.   It was a wonderful evening filled with some special moments this girl will never forget.

A special thanks to Isaac and his family for allowing our family to be just a small part of ISAAC NATION.

"The human spirit is stronger than anything that happens to it."

--C.C. Scott

An early morning flight...

Yesterday was the 10 year Anniversary of September 11th....and where was I?  I woke in the morning and boarded a United flight. 

Some friends thought I was crazy....flying ON September 11th?!!  On UNITED??!  By YOURSELF?!

I'll start by saying, I felt pretty certain that September 11th is now, unfortunately, one of the safest days of the year to travel.  After going through security and seeing the amount of extra measures taken my suspicions were confirmed.  Security was TIGHT.  (and just for the record, I am fiiiiiine with that.  In fact, I'm not sure why people complain about ANY type of security - heck, you scan my whole body with an X-ray scanner, ask me to bounce on one leg and bark like a dog - if it means the plane is safe I am allllll for it)!

As I got ready yesterday I could not help but think that what I was doing (packing, saying goodbye to my husband, checking my flight info, etc.) were the exact same things those passengers that lost their lives that day did.  As I boarded my flight, settled into my seat, and silently watched others shuffle by my mind kept flashing back to that date 10 years ago and how those passengers would have done the exact same thing.  Crazy how the unwritten rules of airplane etiquette seem to transcend age, race, culture, and time.  It's all so normal....so routine....but for them the end result was the ultimate sacrifice.

I was also touched by other aspects of the day....the way the American Airlines counter was decorated with flags and red, white, and blue.  The way some flight attendants were wearing corsages.  The pilot that was wearing a tie with the American Flag on it.  The flight crews that were all hugging eachother.  The sense of  "community" at each of the airports I was at - instead of walking with averted eyes people were making eye contact with eachother, smiling, and talking. 

I've flown a lot...and yesterday was unlike any other day I've taken to the skies. 

September 11, 2001 was a horrible horrible day....but what I saw yesterday was the true "American Spirit" and I was humbled.

"I'm just a singer of simple songs, I'm not a real political man.

I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you 

the difference in Iraq or Iran.

But I know Jesus and I talk to God, 

and I remember this from when I was young,

Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us...

But the greatest is Love."

--Alan Jackson, Where were you  

Higher Mommy, HIGHER!!!!

I am linking up with

and

There has to be a way....

Jaden recently got one of his vaccines....the MMR.  For those of you that read up on vaccines this is a BIG one.  The MMR is a "live" vaccine and there are a lot of side effects that can go along with it.  Most children receive this vaccine at age one, but I held off and didn't give it to either of mine until age 4.  Thankfully my little guy handled it like a champ and we, thus far, have experienced no side effects.

I am finding the older I get (and more research I do) the more passionate I am about finding a way to make our vaccines safer for our children.  Do you know that the MMR vaccine contains the cells of an aborted fetus?  Yep.  I just can't imagine that it is all that safe to inject another persons DNA into a child.  However, on that same note, I understand the fact that only human cells are providing the immunity needed to create the vaccine.

I am NOT anti-vaccine.  I believe in vaccines and what they do for our children....but there HAS to be a way to make them safer.

If we can send a guy to the moon we can find a way to take some of these toxic ingredients out of our vaccines.  Formaldehyde, aborted fetus cells, cow proteins, antifreeze etc. are just a FEW of the controversial ingredients that are injected into our children.  Read below:

Here is what I DO believe regarding vaccines...

1.  I believe in waiting to vaccinate a child until they are older....not in the first year of life.  I believe it is good to let their immune systems strengthen and mature before loading them with toxic ingredients.

2.  I believe in spreading out vaccines and never using a compound vaccine that contains more than one vaccine in it.  Give the vaccines one at a time and allow your child's body to process it.  I usually wait 3 months between vaccines.  For example, if you go by the normal schedule, a child would get 2-3 other vaccines on the day the MMR is given.  I don't encourage that.

3.  I believe in building up your child's immune system through vitamins and a healthy lifestyle.

4.   I believe in reading BOTH sides of the vaccine debate.  I feel you have to read both sides to understand what is best for your child.  BE INFORMED.  When I took Jaden in for his MMR the doc said, "Oh your probably worried about what you see in the news about the MMR causing autism right?"  I responded that I wasn't at all.  I had done my research and at the age I was vaccinating at that wasn't one of the concerns I had.  The important part was that I had DONE the research....I knew the ingredients of the vaccine, I knew the side effects, I knew to ask to see the expiration date, I knew the controversies.  It didn't mean that I was totally comfortable with it (and I won't be until they are safer), but the more you know the better off you are going to be. 

5.  I believe in standing up for what you believe in...and not allowing a doctor (or school nurse or friend or co-worker) make you feel like you are a bad parent.  Unfortunately, this happens a lot.  Trust me.  DO YOUR RESEARCH and STAND STRONG with what YOU feel is best for your child. 

Simply put, this is how I handle vaccines in our world right now....but I often think about a world where parents can vaccinate their child without the harsh chemicals and toxins that are currently being used.  A world where vaccines are safe.  Until then, this Mama's gonna keep fighting.

I'm baaaaaaaaack......

Wowza!!!  Between school being in full swing, my out-of-control allergies, and Eva being sick this past week my blog has been low on my priority list.  Sorry folks!  I love blogging, but sometimes mommy and wife duties take priority (as well as nursing my allergies).  Sooo...here's is a little catch-up on what's been going on in our neck of the woods, along with some random thoughts...

1.  I've found a new form of mommy-crack....it's called Pinterest.  For those of you that are not members of this website you need to GET. WITH. THE. PROGRAM.....for those of you that are members you need to look me up!  I loooooove it.  I use it for photography inspiration, decorating ideas, recipes, etc.  Here are some pictures of just a few of the amazing things I love and have pinned to my boards on this site...

Cookie Dough Cupcakes?  Ummm...yes, please!

Homework area...perfect re-do for the playroom when the kiddies are older!

Photography inspiration...I love hands.



2.  Speaking of websites....I'm still addicted to Zulily.  I just purchased Jaden the cutest pair of jeans I've ever seen on there.  For those of you that know how obsessed I am with the Royals, you will love that I purchased my son a pair of jeans with a British flag on the back pocket.  Ohhhhhh yea!!!!  Loooooooove them.  My husband, on the other hand thinks they are hideous so we will be sporting those little bad boys at mommy/son outings because I think they are FAB-U-LOUS.  If you have not joined Zulily click below and get on board...

 http://www.zulily.com/invite/happyhousewife

3.  Jaden said the most precious thing the other night.  We were talking about how to handle situations when friends aren't making the best choices.  I told him that often the best thing to do when a friend says something mean is to just walk away.  He looked at me with his innocent little eyes and said, "Mommy, sometimes when my friends aren't nice to me I talk to them about God."  I just stared at him and my heart melted into a huge puddle on the floor.  Yep buddy, you don't need my advice....it seems your own way of handling the situation is even better than the advice I gave you.

4.  We are planning a vacation outside of the United States in the coming months and the kiddos will be joining us.  Being the safety nutcase that I am I started thinking about how we would handle a situation if our children became separated from us for whatever reason (cue husband rolling his eyes).  I discovered these little gems on-line and plan to purchase one for each of them.  It contains their name, medical info, and most importantly how to contact Matt and I.  On top of that they are water resistent.  I call it a "keeping-mommy's-sanity" purchase.

5.  Since you can't see me I will let you know that I am doing my happy dance!!!!!  Would you like to know what has made me so happy?  My daughter has come to the conclusion ON HER OWN that she doesn't like the school lunches.  BOO-YAH!!!  (is that word allowed by 35 year old women?!)  Anyway, if you have ever seen the nutritional information for school lunches you would understand why this makes me soooo happy.  I am a happy Mama when I'm packing her a nutritious lunch.  On a much funnier note, I noticed that she wasn't drinking what I was packing her....seems she may not like the school lunches but she thinks that chocolate milk is a little slice of heaven!!  Ha!  So we made a deal....every Friday she gets chocolate milk.  She's a happy camper...I'm a happy camper...it's a win/win situation.

6.  I'll leave you today with a picture of my favorite super hero.  I asked him to smile for me when I took this picture.  His response?  "Mommy, Batman doesn't smile."