eat sleep and farm

We're going to spend the next 4 days with Jason's Grandma Anita in Livermore and are SO excited about our little trip! The kids think its so weird that we'll be at Grandpa and Grandma's house, but they won't be there... Ethan keeps telling me we're going to "baby sit Gramma Nina." :-) The kids wanted to help me pack yesterday and I got the biggest kick out what they packed. Ethan: swim suit 6 pairs of underpants his Bible tooth brush suckers z-bars sippy cup with ice water Rachel: 4 dress-up dresses 3 crowns 2 pairs of dress-up shoes 6 dolls 4 purses I'm looking forward to the memories we'll be able to make with Grandma Anita and I'm also going to enjoy a small break, being away from our house and all the daily activities here.

Rachel has taken to being in character throughout the day. One day she's Cinderella, the next day she's a cat, the next a puppy, the next she's Sleeping Beauty. You typically find out by calling her name and she answers "I'm not Rachel today, I'm Cinderella!" and then you know to call her by the name or type of animal she gives you. A lady at the store told me I shouldn't put up with this type of silliness, because its really just a sign of early rebellion. Ha! I disagree... and felt sorry for her kids. Anyway, we're running out the door to run some errands and here is their conversation: Ethan: "Rache, check this out." (he holds up the play cell phone and shows her how he's able to flip it open with one hand) Rachel: "Um, I'm not Rachel today I'm Mulan." Ethan: *growls* "Rache, you need to tell me from the first time you wake up in the morning who you're gonna be, okay? I'm too busy to worry about your ...

Ethan has been working so hard on his AWANA verses every week. He enjoys learning the hand motions that I make up for him, he enjoys hearing the story behind the verse and really enjoys doing the activity/craft for the week, to go along with the verse. I think his all time favorite activity, was the week where he was learning about serving others and he needed to find someone to serve that week. He went to our neighbors house and got his first "job" taking out our neighbor's trash for him, 2 weeks in a row! I got the biggest kick watching him both times, taking the garbage down to the street and then bringing it back up. Our neighbor was super nice and made a big deal about how much it helped him to free up some time and have time to get to mowing his lawn. He told Ethan "if you hadn't helped me with that, I'm not sure I would've had time to do my yard work!" Ethan was quite pleased. :) Tonight was a big night for him... he was on his last 2 verses i...

Today the kids watched an episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8, where they're celebrating the 4th of July. Here's how it went. R: "there's a lot of flags with them." E: "Those are so if they get lost, they can hold the flag up and their parents would see them." R: "Oh! I knew that Efan. I want to buy a flag for when we go to Target." E: "Rache, you're full of great ideas." R: "Yeah. Its because I'm 2 and a half and I love Princess Belle." ...about 5 minutes goes by.... R: "I fink 4th of July means my birthday party, because my birthday is July 14!!" E: No, Rache. 4th of July isn't your birthday because yours is 14 and this is just 4." R: "I fink it means FIREWORKS!" E: "Umm... Its when Santa and the Easter Bunny find out they're not like God and they're just pretend." R: "oh, that's right. I renembered that now." E: "you don't learn about it in the Bib...

Its that time of year again, friends! VBS is on a different week this year, so please take note of the dates. Space is limited, so if your kids want to go, be sure to sign them up quick! Your kids have to be 4 years old by the VBS date to attend, unless you're teaching and then there is nursery and classes available for the younger ones. Calvary Community Church Son Rock Kid's Camp Vacation Bible School June 15-19, 2009 @ the Griffith's Campground, Knightsen 9AM-12PM Limited spots available Registration Begins April 26th To Register: Print out and complete 2 forms here ("Ministries" tab) and sumbit to the church office.

Jason and I have been talking a lot lately about how God's presence is not only obvious to us, but so overwhelming! The other day we decided that each evening we're going to ask each other "in what ways did God show Himself to you today?" and then it will get some good, healthy discussion flowing. Maybe a dinner time conversation with the kids, even! Many of you know that Jason was laid off a couple weeks ago. He was basically told "the company isn't doing well and if we let you go, we think we can save enough money to survive a little longer." It was actually a layoff like "as of now, you have no job." Thankfully, his friend he works with went and fought for him and got him until the end of April. In the meantime, Jason hit the road running, looking for a new job. I am SO thankful for a husband that doesn't put the important things on the back burner; thankful that he spent hours and hours putting in resumes, calling old contacts and getti...

We sang this song on Sunday and it has quickly won its way to the very top of my favorites list. I hope it blesses you... Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day; Christ on the road to Calvary. Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten, then nailed to a cross of wood. This, the power of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- we stand forgiven at the cross! Oh, to see the pain written on Your face, bearing the awesome weight of sin. Every bitter thought, every evil deed crowning Your bloodstained brow. Now the daylight flees; Now the ground beneath quakes as its Maker bows His head. Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life; "Finished!" the victory cry! This, the power of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- we stand forgiven at the cross! Oh, to see my name written in the wounds, for through Your suffering I am free. Death is crushed to death; Life is mine to live, won through Your selfless love! This, the power of...

A friend of mine suggested that I try a website called bust-a-meal and my first thought was *oh brother. Not another website that claims its gonna help me get my meal planning in order and done much simpler, but really take up way too much time* but I went ahead (out of curiosity) to check it out. ITS AMAZING!!! I am completely sold on it and I'm not sure I could ever live without it! If you sign up using facebook you get one month free w/out even giving them your credit card number. It keeps track of all your likes, dislikes and allergies (including a dairy free or gluten free diet!) You can enter things like, how often you eat certain meats and so when it makes your list for the week, it will offer recipes according to what you said your family eats. When you add a meal to your quick list, it puts all the ingredients in a shopping list for you (that you can edit, depending on what you already have at home) and then categorizes your list by grocery isle. I think this has saved me...

I've been working with the kids on their letters, the sounds they make and how you form actual words. Ethan has caught on extremely well and thinks its a very fun game to play anywhere he's at. I'm excited to see that he finds learning to be such a fun game! This will help me in the future, greatly.  This morning we were driving to our park play date and we stopped at a LONG red light. The car next to us had an advertisement written on the back window, right next to where Ethan was sitting. I noticed in my rear view mirror he was starring at her window and pointing, while his mouth was moving.  I kept thinking, "what on earth is he doing?" and then about 3 minutes later (just as the light turned green) he says to me "Mommy! That word on the window next to us is..... w-on-d-er-ful.... won-der-ful... wonderful!! Its says wonderful!!!" As the car next to me drove by us, I looked and sure enough... he sat long enough to sound out the word wonderful!  I am ve...

On April 1st, the kids and I drove to a fun park in Los Gatos (one that I used to go to when I was little) and met up with my sister Amber and her kids, plus several friends we grew up with and their kids. We had a blast and can't wait to go back! L-R: Ezekiel, Breydon, Kara w/Madison, Rachel, Ethan, Kyle and Kayla. Natalie was with her Mommy. :) Ethan, riding across the bridge this is the same airplane I used to play on! ::Cousins: : Kara w/Madison, Rachel, Ethan & Kyle thinking about getting their feet wet (by the end of the day, they were soaked) this is how my life feels sometimes -- on one track, but splitting off and going two different directions... or 3, in my case. :) Riding on his cousin Kyle's scooter

showing off her new earrings we have yet to have a child that doesn't like the water :) the kids love pushing Kara in their doll stroller looking at pictures of themselves on the laptop our little sweet heart (almost 6 months)

I'm shamefully late at getting these pictures up, but I promised Ethan I would and so here they are! he had so much fun racing his car! Rachel was very wowed by baby Ainsley my first time holding her! Mrs. Gleeson loves Kara the Bartok boys. (I love this picture of little connor!) the 3 amigos: Ethan, Rachel & Caedmon she told me she was picking her favorite one.

Daddy and Kara Easter morning :) my nephew Sam Aunt Emmie, Papa and Kara were wiped out Rachel finds the last egg! our poor pink eye baby :( my nephew Joe the boys hunt I love how they're in age order here: Ethan (4) Emma (3) and Rachel (2) she sees one!! Rachel found the egg in the hardest spot!

We had a fabulous Easter! Thankfully everyone was healthy enough for us to really enjoy the day, however, Kara came down with pink eye late last night. It looked okay this morning, but as the day wore on, its gotten really bad. I'm going to pick her eye medicine tomorrow and hopefully that will get rid of it quickly. We went to church this morning for breakfast and then got to hear the kid's choir sing for us -- so cute! I love seeing all the kids in their Easter best and hearing them belt out praises to God is so awesome. After church we went to my parents house, along with my older sister and her family. I am SO thankful to my parents for the generosity they give to us all each holiday; for the love they have for their kids and Grand kids and the memories they're helping us make. Its always so fun going to Papa and Nana's house and being together as a family, celebrating Christ! The kids had a blast this year. We have a Resurrection Day egg set (for hunting) and the...

Ethan and Rachel's quotes: Rachel: "I have a good nose for music." (after she hears me telling Ethan he has a good ear for music) Ethan: "Oh, that is NOT cool!" (when he messes up while playing the wii) Ethan: "Rache, the word ridiculous means don't take people's toys without asking!" Rachel: "Kawa (Kara)... this is the Bible. It teaches you all about God and how to obey and be happy. It will NOT teach you how to play dolls though. That's what I'm here for." Ethan: "I love IKEA. Its the one shop stop." (he always hears me say this about Target -- its the one stop shop) While looking at our wedding album: Ethan "Mommy looked so pretty that day!" Rachel: "I fink she was Princess Belle when she married Daddy." Ethan: "Well... I'm not sure. Because Daddy doesn't really look like the Beast."

We're turning our home into an infirmary, just so you know. We're going on 5 weeks of at least one person being sick here. Kara and I are yet to really get sick. I've not even started to, but she has kind of flirted with it, but each time she ends up passing it by (thank You, Lord!). Ethan and Rachel have had these annoying colds the longest and yesterday I knew it was probably not going away due to infections. So today the girls and I ventured to Kaiser to find out that Rachel does, in fact, have 2 inner ear infections. Poor girl. Explains why she's been up in the night crying. She checked Kara's ears for me (since Kara had an infection 2 weeks ago) and she said her ears are infection free, thanks to the Antibiotics. Yay! Ethan goes in tomorrow, when we'll be checking for strep throat. I'm so ready to move on and be healthy again. Tonight I got very serious. They had baths with eucalyptus drops in the water (Rachel's favorite), got out of the bath and h...

A friend of mine posted about how she's been doing with her new year's resolutions and I thought I'd do the same (thanks for the idea, Krista!) We made some personal resolutions, but we also made a couple of family ones. The biggest (and probably hardest of all) was for us to stop eating meat that has any hormones, antibiotics or preservatives in it. We're going, not only organic, but also nothing chemically treated. We knew this would be a hard goal to live up to, since most of the meat/dairy out there has been treated in one way or another, but thankfully, its been way easier than we thought! I think the best thing for us has been, eating less meat altogether. I read an article where it talked about Americans and the enormous amounts of food we eat (probably why we're typically the most over weight country) and then the amount of meat we're eating tips the scale in a very bad direction. Lamb is apparently the best meat for us to eat (unfortunately I cannot sto...

Jason and the kids are sick, so life has been uneventful over the past few days for the most part. We celebrated our 5 year anniversary last Friday. Can't believe its been 5 years. I think because we've known each other 15 years, 5 somehow seems so short. A friend of mine commented that 3 kids in 5 years is pretty impressive and wonders what the next 5 years will hold. Maybe less excitement? :-) Jason got sick the day of our anniversary, so we played it very low key (not that we had anything fancy planned). Our kids were getting over their pink eye and my parents graciously offered to have them come for a sleep-over at Papa and Nana's house. So we sent them there, with meds and all! Thank you Dad and Mom!! We took Kara and went to our favorite pizza place called Melos and then Jason surprised me by buying one of my new favorite movies - Marly and Me. Saturday we held our first garage sale! It was fun, but stressful and a little tiring as well. I forgot how much I hate to ha...

Rachel loves putting on a dress or shawl or, anything that will twirl. Then she goes around the house asking "who will dance with me?" Ethan typically offers and gets great satisfaction out of successfully twirling her around, without knocking her over. Jason offered to be "Prince Charming" this time and so they danced. I sat over in the kitchen having a completely hormonal moment, while I watched them, realizing that the day would come too soon for them to have their Father-Daughter dance at her wedding. Sigh...