Prayer

On the way to preschool this morning, there was a car accident. The accident was bad enough that I said, "I hope no one got hurt" out loud. Wall-E was on in the background, and Laney asked me to turn down the 'noise'. I asked her why and she responded, "I want to say a prayer".

Laney said the sweetest little prayer that we would all have a good day and that the people's cars would get clean and they would be healthy and better. I will admit I got a few happy tears.

I think it is probably my most favorite thing Laney has ever done. :)

The Old Days...

Living in the bay area, I realize that it is just a hard place to live because it is so expensive. I spend so much time thinking about what I could have if I lived somewhere else. But in the last year or two so much has changed for us. Although I long for the house and extra money to spend, I have really been humbled and become more grateful for the wonderful things that Josh and I share together right now. I never really spend the time to write the things I feel or what has been going on in our lives without pictures to tell the story for me. So I thought it was about time to do so!

The most monumental change was Josh's new job last year. I have been remembering the days when the kids would go an entire week without seeing Josh at all even though he was actually here at night. He has been home more this last year than any other time in our marriage, and with 3 kids at home we knew it was really a critical time. The kids have enjoyed it so much and I feel like Josh has developed a priceless relationship with each one of them. Along with that came the fun and silly memories we have all made together as well.

Josh and I are in our 10th year of marriage, yes 10th! I feel like just yesterday we were dating and getting to know each other and we have just jumped forward to this time in our lives with 3 kids and everything goes by too fast. I never could have imagined all of the things we have been through together. 'They' are right when they say life is like a roller coaster.

It really is crazy that Kadie is getting baptized this Saturday! She is probably the most creative and sensitive 8 year old I know. Kadie is one of those kids who notices the lonely caterpillar in the yard. She cries in movies when two friends are mean to each other, she writes notes to any one that she may have hurt their feelings, and she can make just about anything out of a box, scissors and some tape. She is also a bit of an entrepreneur and is always thinking of ways to make money so that she can buy more toys. She is just a true kid...I don't know if she will ever get sick of "playing". She is my mini-me.

I also have been reminiscing of the old days of Laney, when she would dump out cartons of orange juice or whatever on the floor, and we had to bungee cord the fridge shut so that she wouldn't get into anything. The floor constantly had things spilled and spread around, and I had no idea it would take 2 full years of climbing the potty training mountain with her. She would RUN everywhere and I even had to chase her a few times with an 8 month baby belly on me. Suddenly she seems so grown up and I sort of miss her little messes. She draws letters and pictures on anything she can (and some things she shouldn't), and loves to pretend to be a "mystery girl" a.k.a. - spy. She makes me yell and laugh everyday, and I know her fiery personality will turn her into a leader. Laney is my little buddy.

Luckily, I have Crew now to fill in that spot of mess-maker, and although he seemed to become a trouble maker over night, I know that it will soon seem like this stage is never going to end. Then suddenly it will be over and I will miss it. He is already so goofy at almost 17 months. He climbs on everything and says "hi" to people he doesn't know. He dances to ring tones. He has one of the cheesiest smiles any kid could own. He loves food almost as much as Laney, and is drawn to electronics, cars and balls like a true boy. I was definitely missing out on the boy thing before he came along. I adore him. I love his little snuggles and that he is a bit of a mama's boy.

Life certainly got full for Josh and I fast, and I wouldn't change a thing about it. I am so thankful for the most simple things we have together and I wanted to write it down for those days I have that I feel like a loser. God has given us so much and I truly love all of it. The biggest thing I find myself wishing for is more time. :)

Promotion

I just opened a fortune cookie that said:

"You will soon be singled out for a promotion! Congrats!"

At first I rolled my eyes and threw it in the garbage. Then I thought...this must mean that I am now VP of Waldron corp or something? But actually I already thought of myself as the co-CEO so I don't really know if I can go up to the next position from that.

Then I thought...if I receive a promotion more than likely it means I will get a pay increase. If I make more money, it generally means Josh will. So this is good news!

Curiously I opened another cookie that read:

"When one door closes, another will open."

Not completely satisfied I opened another:

"An interesting sports opportunity is in your near future."

I see great potential in our future! Promotion, new door opening and sports opportunity.

Yes!

Baby Michael

We ventured up to Roseville last Saturday to visit Uncle Jake, Aunt Andrea, cousin Morgan and their new addition Michael Stewart Waldron.

Baby Michael!

For those of you who know me well...

I will answer your question with a YES... he made me want another baby. :)

First things first...Morgan is almost a year older than Crew.

He was following her everywhere, and trying to copy all the tricks she could show him.

Then it was off to the park!

The girls literally couldn't keep their hands of baby Mikey.

Don't worry, they washed their hands. This picture made me nervous just looking at it.

Every mothers' nightmare!

Family of Four!

The park was awesome! It reminded me of a modern "Osage" from this area.

The kids had so much fun on the swings alone.

Morgan is hilarious. Her facial expressions are worth a thousand words. :)

Michael was such a good sport, he didn't cry once. He seems like such a sweet baby.

Can't wait to hold him next weekend at Kadie's baptism!

The End!

Thanks Jake and Andrea for some good times.

See you soon!

Back to School!

I can't believe that Kadie is in second grade. What is more weird is that

Laney is in her second year of preschool and will be in Kindergarten next year!

They were both so excited...

I was a little lonely with out my little buddies!

Crew didn't know what was going on,

but he took full advantage of having mom all to himself.

San Luis

The weekend before school started we went down to San Luis Obispo with our friends Will and Leslee. It was a great weekend away before school began. It was so much fun I think I may suggest it every year! Anyone else on board. They even have camping right by the beach!

Kadie, Brock, Keili and Laney were like 4 peas in a pod.

And Crew and Ryann followed them around everywhere. :)

Kadie found TONS of sand dollars...

Crew ate a lot of sea weed. :)

Laney hugged some trees!

We rode our bikes to the beach the second day. I was mostly proud of Laney and Keili who were on tiny bikes, and Crew who was a good sport and even fell asleep on the ride there.

Once at the beach, Laney got a surprise from a seagull!

We told her "She won!" because no one else got pooped on by a bird.

It didn't really make her feel better, and I think she was mad that I took pictures.

The lil' gang

Crew was obsessed with Tippy and followed him everywhere.

If I ever talk Josh into getting a dog it will be a dog like Tippy.

Crew LOVED the sand to say the least. He was literally covered head to toe.

Up close of the Sand!

Crew and Daddy!

Josh hurt his back the day before surfing,

but he couldn't even resist playing with Crew boy in the water.

My boys!

Crew was on a high from the whole trip.

He was being so goofy; jumping, running, doing all sorts of new tricks!

Eating more seaweed. Yummy.

Mermaids...

Sleeping babies..

.

The infamous "Hole" mostly built by Sharlee.

It was the center of attention for the whole beach.

We also went for a hike, but thank goodness I didn't bring my camera to the nude beach where people were playing volleyball. Next time though for sure. ;)

Thanks for a great time Ellsworth's!

Santa Cruz

Who doesn't like dollar night at the Boardwalk?

If you answered "me" you are no fun!

PIZZA, COTTON CANDY, SOFT DRINKS, KID RIDES...

Although it was busy, and a little dirty...we still had so much fun.

Crew boy LOVED the Carousel.

The swings were Kadie's fave...

Check out the lady scared out of her mind below...top right.

HAHA! Seriously, look at her face!

Laney's fave...the kiddie boat ride! And the girls' boat was named "Little Toot".

So cute!

For some reason, all of the kids got a little scared on the train ride.

It may have been because it looked like this picture below???

Thanks Morgan and Cade for coming along!

And thanks to Papa Josh for taking a week of work to play. ;)