Driving Emmy and Star Celia

I'm getting excited for Emmy to actually have her driver's license. The running of kids back and forth for activities can be really busy! I think its one of those having teenagers things. Something drives you crazy and it prepares you for them to be a little bit more independent. So, yeah waiting for her to come out of school while the other kids are getting out of school makes me excited for her to drive herself to school in just two short months!  While we were waiting for Emmy, Celia and Joseph and I played at the park near Emmy's high school. Celia and Joseph just had their teeth cleaned ( Celia will be going back to the dentist on Thursday to have her two baby fangs extracted to make room for her eye teeth, yikes) and were excited to be out of school! It has been a cold winter, but a little sunshine really warms our spirits and the body. Celia got a haircut, we love the cute Dora the Explorer style on her.

Celia star of the week. She has made a poster, brought three things to share, provided photos to go on the star wall and had the teacher read her favorite book to the class. She says it is a lot of work to be a star. I'm sending a little letter about her for them to read today and I'll be her special visitor for lunch tomorrow. On Friday her friends give her a binder of artwork and a fun note from each member of the class. They grow up too quickly. I'm glad I have Celia to do all this fun elementary school age activities with. We are excited for Valentine's day. Celia says it is her favorite Holiday! That doesn't surprise me knowing her love of pink and all things heart shaped.~

Go, Fix, Rest

I want to get out and move. I went to my old gym on Monday. It was funny seeing the manager there. Of course He recognized me since I've had that membership for a while( Despite the I haven't seen You in a while look ), but I've been going to the one in Rocklin more since it is a bit closer.  It was foggy and I ran on the treadmill a little. Pretty boring, I tell ya. So the next day I went walking around a nice neighbor hood that has a great circular path and some biking paths nearby. I love to hike, and this was as pretty as being out in nature on a hike even though it was just green space near neighborhoods. I loved the blue birds, the trees, the sun breaking through the fog and everything being green. Funny how it gets so green here in the winter because of all the moisture and rain.  It has been extra cold here this year so all my plants in the backyard look dead, but hopefully things will come back in a month or two. Finding a lady bug gave me hope, he kids loved it too. I put it on my rose bush and hope she/he wants to stay.

There always a mishap when I plan to go out and exercise. Celia broke her glasses Monday, Tuesday Spence slept in Tuesday so we couldn't walk the other kids to school, and Today Joseph had a scrapped up knee from a mishap yesterday so walking was out of the question. Guess I'll just have to make the effort at a different time today. It makes me happy to stretch , be out and about,  and exercise. Its not a resolution per say, but consistently treating my body well is! That being said I have some sleep to make up since I was with Spence last night. I gotta get my no light curtains I bought up so that I can cat nap during the day sometime, my body knows when its light out and wont let me sleep. Here's to tricking it and getting some rest!

Ringing In the New Year

Sometimes I feel like writing things down is so very beneficial. I had an amazing week last week and yet the memories start to fade just a little in the light of new challenges and the mundane.  I was the recipient of many tender mercies. First of which was strength and health to drive to L.A. and back. I felt very ill the night before leaving for our trip to visit my folks in L.A. I heard there were problems and accidents on the grapevine due to snow and Ice. I checked the weather there and realized Friday would be the time to go and that getting there before dark would be ideal.

 I had a prayer with Bri and the family and after much preparation Emmy, Celia, Joseph and I headed to Grandma's house.We saw a beautiful sunset and although there was a bit of traffic, we were enjoying our ride down. Mid way through the grapevine we decided to pull off and get some food. As I was turning left the car in front of me seemed to be going backwards and as I slammed on the brakes, I realized glass and other debris was headed our way. I yelled and realized after looking around, we hadn't made contact with the car and the big monster truck that struck him was head on in front of us shining its headlights less than two feet away from our car. I got out, we were fine, our car was fine, and all was well with the other drivers. Yes, I felt we were spared from the accident. Not lucky, but protected. As the days and events unfolded that week. I saw more and more the tender mercies, good deeds, and blessings we received.  It sounds silly to name them, not conveying the love and fortune we felt. Suffice it to say we enjoyed a lovely time  in great places, with family, and did well to strengthen our most important relationships, that of the family.

 After the Aquarium of the Pacific at night, we found Celia's doll she had lost, and my kids player with their cousins( Addison and Kieran) played the Wii literally until they were taken home for family time. Sunday we enjoyed some Church and a Thanksgiving like New years Eve Dinner, Delicious~

 Knott's Berry Farm was a highlight of our trip. Fast pass;) and an Ariel view of all of Orange county's New year's fireworks from the Sky cabin was Magical. Celia loved the lollipops and stuff animal used to comfort her after going on "The Jaguar".  We all were happy driving home  to be back with Spencer and Brian. He was so great to watch him for that time away. Happy New year, now I just can't wait for school to start.:)