It's ALL green baby!

So my cute sister Emily brought over some adorable St. Paddy's day shirts for all the kids (she's obsessed with Holidays, ALL of them) I was out last night, so Randy painted Mac's fingernails green (and she did his...) So funny. Today we indulged in GREEN blueberry pancakes (much easier than making green eggs and ham (which we've done a couple times) then it was off to school.... What a LOVELY day today!! I am off to VEGAS!! I shall report on Arbonne's AMAZING product launch when I return, until then.... Happy blogging (and good luck Randy with ALL the kids) XOXO ♥ ♥ ♥

I can get it myself

I have been able to get into some nasty habits... I will blame it on Lukas our #3. He has been the EASIEST child in that he has NEVER (I know, never say never) gotten into things he shouldn't... Really the first three were like that. We never needed baby locks, gates or any of that business, no coloring on walls, playing in toilets etc. and I never worried about them if I wasn't right next to them. Then came #4. If he had been the #1 there is a good chance I would have been too tired to have #s 2-4 ☺ But, the Lord knew that, so he graced our CrAzY family LAST.... He saved all the climbing, getting into EVERYTHING, and me not being able to turn my back on him for last. This morning I was upstairs cleaning (because I don't have to worry about my baby when he's downstairs right?!) I hollered down to ask #3 "how is the baby?" he quickly replied "oh, he's great" and went back to what he was doing.... AND HE WAS GREAT!! This is what I found when I finally went downstairs.... Yogurt anyone?? Oh, how I love this kid!!

enjoying some of his brother's left over yogurt from breakfast

Have you eaten your "frogs" today?!

http://www.eatthatfrogmovie.com/

This is a MUST watch, cute little short about procrastination. I've been working on "eating frogs" lately and it really does work... I even bought some little rubber frogs that I use when I am making phone calls for my business (especially on days when I'd rather be playing instead of working) For every so many "frogs" I eat, I reward myself with something fun. TRY IT!!

Our little homemade Junque' Box

Finally, our little (or not so little) project is done!! I've been wanting a piece of furniture with giraffe print, but it needed to be something functional. So, the compromise was a bench seat/toy box (or junk box; junque' as my Mom would spell it) Leave it to an interior decorator to come up with a fancy word like junque'... Makes you want to go out and get more junk just so you can spell it like junque' LOL!! I've been needing something for all the kids books, blankets and the baby toys that are down stairs so my house doesn't look like romper room. Here is the result!! THANKS to Fred and Reagen for helping to build it, and MOM for helping me with the upholstery

I am in LOVE with this furry print

How do you like the studded leather belt we used for a handle??
The finished product!! I'm still going to add some vinyl something to the front, any ideas?? Maybe a quote or something? Not sure yet

I am NOT really a runner

So if you know me well, you know it's no secret that I really HATE to run. I am NOT a runner. I would have considered myself a runner at one point in my life, but after my cartilage transplant on my left knee 6 years ago, it's never been the same. It aches and hurts often and since I need these knees for lets say at least another 60-65 yrs (Yes, I plan to live to be 100) I am somewhat careful. Anyhow, since moving to Rocklin I am jogging. You would think that with a BS in Exercise Physiology that I would LOVE to exercise... not really the case. I LOVE the benefit though, so I do it. The mental, physical, emotional and spiritual benefits are a feast I enjoy.

I remember when we first moved here, Randy turned to me and said "everybody is out either running, riding bikes, walking dogs etc" It's TRUE and coming from our last neighbor hood, it seemed odd. I had just forgotten what it felt like to see people out and enjoying life and improving their health. The OPTIMISM is contagious!!
So I jog with Luke and Nick in my fancy RED stroller. UP, UP, UP some pretty steep hills on a wonderful trail in Rocklin. It's roughly 4 miles of hills, not a marathon but it will do for now. It's been such a great workout pushing 60 pounds of kids (and great for the BUTT) and fun for the boys to get out most mornings. We get to see wild turkeys and other wildlife too which is fun for them. I even went today in the RAIN... the boys loved seeing the raindrops splash on the rain cover to the stroller. So thank you Michelle (and Ella) for being our running buddies, thank you girl down the street for selling me your hardly used double jogger, and thank you boys for enduring your Mom's crazy notions to run in the RAIN!!

turning around and going back on the trail
we cannot be missed in our RED stroller
The sweet reward for enduring an hour run with Mom

Luke and his gal pal Ella at the park at the top of the hills

Daddy/Daughter date night

Such a cute pair don't ya think?? Randy took Mackenzie to her very first Daddy/Daughter date for a church activity. She was so excited to get all dressed up to go out with him. So cute!! They even learned how to waltz... "well, sort of" (said Randy)

Sweet dreaming ♥

So it's almost 10 and I am "supposed" to be in bed already, except for the fact that my body (or my brain rather) doesn't begin to shut down until after 10. I am working hard to get to bed earlier so I can be up by 5:45. That's the goal. I need to be up way ahead of the kids so I can meditate/visualize/pray/read and shower etc. These things are impossible to do once everyone is up. But here I sit blogging again... I have been so busy since last Summer that I neglected the blog for some time. It feels good to jot down my thoughts again (while I polish off a box of girl scout cookies...)
We got rid of the TV about 3 months ago and man, it was the BEST decision we've made in a long time. I mean, we even sent the DVR's back... REally. It was tough for about 2 days, then nobody mentioned it again, not even the kids. An absolute breath of fresh air NOT knowing every single detail that is happening in the world... Besides I have found that news does travel fairly fast even if you don't have TV it just comes from odd places. Like today, I found out on Facebook that Corey Haim died... See I still get the news. BUT oh, how I ♥ NOT having TV!! I missed Grays Anatomy (my one big sinful indulgence) but to my surprise it only lasted a few weeks and it's faded too. Oh, and I'm missing Oprah's last year on TV but I figure I'll survive. So since I was sitting here awake, without mindless TV, and not feeling like reading I was thinking about Randy...
Yes, that little trip we took to Elk Cove Inn is still fresh on my mind. I finally slowed down long enough to really ponder and be full of gratitude for Randy. It's not that I don't think about this often, but I really, really, really love him. Usually in the world we live in, you don't hear too often how wonderful love can be the more seasoned it becomes, and the more it can evolve into something greater than you could have ever imagined. You typically hear how "old" and stale it becomes... Sure it can, if you neglect it just like anything else.
I couldn't have imagined this kind of love and I can only look to the future with optimism of what lies in store for us and how much better it will get with time. It's so funny because after he was home for 3 months for his shoulder issue so many people said "oh, I bet you can't wait for him to go back to work, isn't he driving you crazy?" "NOPE" I'd reply. Infact, I am still mourning the loss of him having to go back to work. I miss him not being here during the day. So tonight as I go to sleep I will feel the overwhelming gratitude for Randy and for a wise and loving Father in Heaven who put the two of us together. We are truly blessed ♥

Chick Magnet?

So while I was doing dishes this morning I overheard Jack and Luke having a conversation. Jack (6) said " I sure wish I could have chicks like that" to which Luke (4) replied "me too" It caught my attention (and caught me off guard) so I looked up and to my relief they were looking at a farm book together and had stumbled on a page that had all these fuzzy little chicks... LOL!! I spose there will be a day in the near future (but not too near I hope) where the dialogue will be the same between them but they won't be referring to the fuzzy yellow ones anymore.

Finally, ALL CAUGHT UP!!

Okay, FINALLY I think I am all caught up on the blog... I hope, because this was far too many posts in a single day. I just relived the last 7 months again as I updated and looked at pictures. Enjoy!

10 + more years please!!

What an amazing journey it's been! Randy and I have been married for 10 yrs. It's truly been the best 10 yrs of my life. I feel so blessed to be married to him; it's still the best decision I've ever made. For our anniversary this year we were lucky enough to be able to go back to the same area on the Northern California Coastline where we spent our honeymoon. This time we ended up in Elk, CA at the Elk Cove Inn and Spa. My Mom took the kids for 4 days which was the best gift she could have given us!! We started out our trip with a couples massage (tmi??) sauna and steam shower which was followed by fruit and warm tea while we watched the waves crash onto shore. HEAVENLY! We spent the rest of the 4 days waking up to the sounds of the ocean, eating phenomenal breakfasts cooked by the friendly staff at Elk Cove, walking on the beaches, visited Point Arena, Mendocino, and Fort Bragg. We also ate at the Albion River Inn which was the first place we ate at on our honeymoon. We had PLENTY of fish and chips and clam chowder... We left feeling renewed and full of gratitude for our relationship. We really are pretty lucky to still be in LOVE!! What an amazing trip ♥

the view from the Inn

Cute place where we stayed

nice self portrait eh?

from inside of a crazy cave we found at one of the beaches

the view from the dining room at the Inn. I could get used to this!

Visiting Point Arena Lighthouse

We got a workout walking all the way up to the top of the lighthouse

But, the view was totally worth it!

Snow boarding anyone?!

We took the kids up snowboarding and they LOVED it! Mackenzie preferred skis but the boys stuck with it and did amazing. We had fun just helping and watching them. We'll certainly go back again before the end of the season

Randy and Luke

Mackenzie flashing a peace sign as she coasts downhill
Jacksen

How cute is this?? Who knew a 4 year old could be this good?

Our frozen family

brotherly love

awwwww, do we have to go so soon?!

Our little snow bunny

a great day!

Sleepover

We were so happy that our friends the Caillouette's and Besabes joined us for Mackenzie's Baptism!! Mariah and Jordan even stayed the night and had a sleepover, so much fun!! The kids really miss their old pals, so it's great to get together when we can.

Jordan, Jack, Luke, Mackenzie and Mariah
Silly boys...

the boys made their own pizzas for dinner

the girls painted and made hair flowers

FINALLY...

Mackenzie turned eight in September but due to Randy's shoulder surgery he wasn't able to perform her baptism until January. She waited very patiently for it to heal up for her special day. Finally it came!! What a wonderful day. Beautiful weather, a room full of family and friends to share it with along with a peaceful spirit. I am so grateful to have shared that day with her. A friend of mine had said "enjoy your quiet moment with her right after she's baptized because you won't get to do it with the boys" I hadn't really thought that far ahead and I am so glad that she mentioned it to me. It was so neat to be able to see her glowing spirit right after the ordinance and talk with her for a brief moment; one I'll never forget as her Mother.

Mackenzie on her special day

Grandma Nonnie and Mac

Mom and Mac

Daddy and Mac right before her Baptism

Mackenzie and her buddy, Damien Mitchell

My three stooges

Papa Mickey, Papa Cal, Randy and Mac