A new member of the family

We just got the news that Steve's brother Scott got engaged yesterday up in Big Sur!! Scott has been dating Kristy for about a year and a half, but about 5 years ago, he dated her as well. When they got back together, the whole family was excited. She always felt like she "fit", ya know? We adore her and she has been such a part of our family for so long it seems. We have also been wondering for the last few months or so, when he was going to propose. So it's about time!! Congrats, Scott and Kristy and we look forward to many wonderful family memories with you both. And Esther couldn't be more excited about having a new aunt.

Our unexpected house guest

Today, Steve told me to come out in the backyard, because he and Esther had found a frog. I was assuming it was just a regular green frog. Come to find out, the little sucker is an oriental firebellied toad. He's gorgeous. I still can't believe he was in our backyard. Steve caught him and after we decided we didn't have any more room in our menagarie, I called my friend, Darci. She has 3 frogs already and some bugs, so I thought she might be interested in adding "Fuego" to her mix. She of course said yes. So Fuego will be leaving us tomorrow morning, but for the time being, Esther is obsessed. Can't you see the love in her eyes? Oh and Steve made him a wonderful temporary home out of a flower vase, a spider plant and some smooth stones. He also caught a cricket out in the garage for his dinner. With this kind of treatment, Fuego might never want to leave!!!

Alone....at last

Steve and I just got back from Laguna Beach where we celebrated our 8th Anniversary.(it's actually the 30th, but I have a Women's Retreat on the 3rd-the 5th and I didn't want to be gone from Esther for too long.) I was sick the whole time and Steve caught my cold the last day we were there, but we still enjoyed our time away, Esther free. We had a great room literally RIGHT on the beach and enjoyed beautiful sunsets, great take out and good card games. The weekend was wonderful, not because we did a lot, but we spent it together.

Esther's first smore

Steve had the great idea of making smores the other night.....over the stove. Now they aren't as good as the ones you make over the fire camping, but Esther enjoyed them none the less.

A good 'ol day at the fair

We went to the LA county Fair a couple of weeks ago and Esther had a great time. Of course, most of our time was spent looking at the animals. She enjoyed all the farm animals at the livestock exhibit and there was this area called the "Bark Park" and had an area of puppies running around and a really cool dog stunt show. Thanks for getting us in, Lisa, we can't wait until next year.

Esther showing her "jack o latern" smile @ the Bark Park.

A giant flower misting area. Not that we had to cool off...stayed in the 60s all day.

A baby lamb just an hour old. We felt so blessed to see it.

Esther enjoying the baby cows.

The Virus Strikes AGAIN

I don't think I posted this, but about 6 weeks ago I came down with a cold. It was pretty bad (being sick and pregnant is always bad), but it was doable. I was able to function and taking Theraflu (one of the meds you can take while pregnant) helped. While being sick, we launched MOTs and Steve and I were able to go to San Diego. Well the other morning, I woke up with a sore throat. I thought maybe it was due to allergies and I had just happened to sleep with my mouth open. But alas I woke up Thursday morning, feeling pretty terrible...all the signs of a HUGE cold. And yesterday was even a worse day. Thank God, Steve was home to watch Esther and let me get some rest. I am taking Theraflu, drinking TONS of water and of course, the old stand by, eating lots of chicken soup. I am trying to recover quickly because Steve and I are headed down to Laguna Beach on Sunday for our 8 year anniversary. I NEED to be well by then. Not only will it be a great getaway for the 2 of us, it is out first trip without Esther and our last trip before the little one arrives. So this morning, I woke up feeling A LOT better. Still not my best, but I do have a glimmer of hope. So keep praying.

Peace

This week was our first official meeting of MOTs. And it went GREAT!! Our theme this year is the Fruit of the Spirit: Getting Past the Peeling and each month we will be focusing on on a different fruit. For all the moms to get to know the leadership team, I had the steering team and mentors come up front and introduce themselves and then share what "fruit" they think they exhibit the best and which "fruit" they feel they should really work on. I thought I was going to say kindness is one I feel that I exhibit the best, and most of you who know me, know my heart for the hurting and for animals. But when it was my turn I said peace. And honestly there is no way I could have said that last year, much less 2 months ago.
God has been working on it. Typically I am not a peaceful person. I typically stress out about things and the beginning of the summer, I was really overwhelmed with being coordinator and starting the year without an assistant coordinator, without a "Tater Tot" coordinator (tater tots are our kids) and without enough workers for the kids. But as the summer progressed, I begin to realize (something I should have knows all along) that this is GOD'S ministry and if He wants it to exist and succeed, then He will provide. Of course, I was praying and working on finding people to cover these positions, but there are things that aren't within our power. And with everything else I had to be doing, I focused on those things and trusted that God will do His part. Sometimes in ministry, we think WE have to do everything and we leave God out. He's our partner and He is there to provide for what we need. In my case, He provided me PEACE!
I have such a peace about MOTs and know that as long as I stay in prayer and in His Word and do what I need to be doing and not flaking on things, He will do the rest.
Quite a few women came up to me after the meeting and told me how great they thought it went. And how they could see His peace in me. That's the biggest blessing of all. I mean, isn't that the point of having His Fruit in our life, so other's can see it???
Oh and He has provided a Tater Tot Coordinator (2 days before our 1st meeting, but none the less) and we started the year with plenty of workers. Still working on an assistant coordinator, but I am not going to be the one worrying about it...He will provide!!

Sea World

We went to Sea World last weekend and had a blast!!!

Esther's first big girl ride. And I know she felt safer with Daddy AND Elmo!!

Esther trying to feed a catfish at the Manatee exhibit a cracker. So sweet.

Esther and Mommy looking a bit goofy. (notice the belly??)

Streaker

Do you recognize this naked girl?

Some random pics of lil' E

Esther loving on my friend, Tiffany's little girl Rylie. Isn't she gonna be a great big sister?

A special visit with my cousin, Shannon and her family. Esther enjoying some ice cream with Shannon and David.

Giving Auntie Shannon some love.

Who loves mac n cheese?? Well we know she likes wearing it.

We aren't as "white trash" as this looks. Just a easy way to keep cool.

Esther's happiest time....in the bath!

A fun & free way we are staying cool this summer

There is this super cool park in Moreno Valley called Celebration Park and they have all these fun pipes and buckets that spill and shoot water. It's totally free and not that far (from my house about 15 minutes). I took Esther awhile back with one of my play groups and then again with 2 friends from my bible study and their kids, Brooklyn and Aiden. Esther was a little unsure at first, but took to it right away. Such a great way to keep cool!
An overview of the water play area.

Esther likes to lick the water, rather than play in it.

Esther and Brooklyn playing together.

The 3 musketeers hanging out.