Merry Christmas

This will be short. Rachael took our family pictures again and I love how talented she is. It seriously took us 15 minutes total and she got some cute pictures.

We wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We've been very blessed in 2014 with good health, fun vacations with our family and to be expecting our 4th child. Looking forward to what 2015 has in store for us.

 

 

 

Care Home Visit

Today I took the Young Women to visit an assisted living home in our ward boundaries. I was struggling on my way to mutual with thoughts of being tired of having this calling for 5 straight years, and wanting a break. I said a quick prayer in my heart that our spirits could be lifted and that the girls could have a good experience.
It's funny, because once I got to church and saw the young women I felt a change in attitude. It doesn't take much for me to be reminded of my love for them and this calling. I am lucky to serve with such a special group of girls. I also love all the other young women leaders, they are amazing and help me a ton.
We said a prayer with the girls and quickly practiced the hymn we were going to sing. I explained the program to the girls and we drove to the care home. The girls did great interacting with the elderly. They seemed to have a great time and showed genuine love for the older ladies. I have to admit that every time I do a service project I come out so uplifted and energized. It's the best feeling ever!!! At the very end of our visit we sang the hymn "Away In a Manger." There was one resident there that has pretty advanced dimencia, and her eye just lit up and she joined us in singing it. I had a hard time holding back the laughter (I'm so bad) and totally messed up the girls, but it was the highlight of the night. To see this old lady that couldn't make sense of anything she spoke all night, all of a sudden remember the words of a familiar hymn and want to join in. What a sweet and unforgettable experience.
My silent prayer got answered tonight. Our spirits were uplifted and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. The girls want to go back next month to give the old ladies manicures.

On a quick side note, I got my big ultrasound done today. The baby is really a girl. She's growing up beautifully. Here's a couple cute little pictures. I'm getting excited to meet her and see her sweet little face! Now on to figuring out her name.

Catch Up

Not sure how this post is going to go. I think I'll just write several random paragraphs of what we've been up to lately. Hopefully it will all make sense.

First and most important, we are expecting baby #4. It's a girl!! I'm still not 100% convinced I'm having another girl. I always thought Clarissa was our little gift from heaven (specially since she was a surprise and the other 3 pregnancies have been planned). I guess I will completely believe it when she is born and I see girl parts, not boy parts. :) Baby girl is due May 11th, 2015. Clarissa is ecstatic she's having a baby sister.

I've been volunteering at the boys' school a lot lately. I go in every other week for a few hours. It's fun to be in the classroom again. It makes me miss (just a little) my teacher days. I'm not sure it's a good thing for Christopher though. I feel like he always gets a little out of control and thinks he doesn't need to follow the rules when I'm there. Last week I accompanied his class to a field trip. We watched Junie B. Jones in theater. The kids had a great time, it was a really good play!

 

In the bus going on the field trip. He was just "a little" excited!

Halloween this year was very last minute. I caved and bought the boys new costumes the day before Halloween. I purchased Clarissa's Dorothy dress that week and it arrived in the mail the night before she needed to use it for preschool. They sent me the wrong size, so she was sporting a size 1-2 dress when I had ordered a 4-6. Good thing I could at least get it on her. Cory's scare crow costume turned out great, and I wax supposed to be the Wicked Witch of the West. My make up wasn't as green as I had hoped and I had to wear Clarissa's witch hat from 2 years ago (again we were stuck wearing a size 2 costume). I bought a witch hat last year, and it's somewhere hiding in the garage.

 Christopher got invited to a Halloween party from a kid in his class, so I invited Drew's primary class for a last minute Halloween play date. He had a blast!

 Clarissa and her super short dress.

I took Christopher in to get tested for his allergies a couple of weeks ago. He's been having a hard time with seasonal (more like year round) allergies for about a year and I can't seem to get it under control. Lately he's also been showing more allergy symptoms when around dogs, so I decided to have have it all checked out. The poor kid is allergic to just about everything outdoors: grass, weeds, several tree pollens, cats, dogs, feathers... The doctor prescribed be a stronger allergy medicine and has strongly encouraged us to consider allergy shots. For now we are trying the meds. Not sure he's ready for weekly shots for a whole year!

His allergic reactions during the test.

Lastly, Clarissa got her ears' pierced. I went to the mall to buy shoes for me and had a spur of the moment where we walked in to Claire's and decided to pierce her ears. She loves it and thinks she's a real princess now. Cory had no clue at the time, he was at work, but thankfully he wasn't too upset. 

Phoenix Temple

I can't believe it's been two months since my last post. Life's been busy around here and there's lots to catch up. The post I'll just focus on our newly dedicated Phoenix temple, then I'll do another post later to catch up on life.

The Phoenix temple was dedicated a little under 2 weeks ago. It's only 15 minutes from a house and we've been able to be a part of serving in the open house and youth cultural celebration. It's been an amazing experience for our family, youth and ward. I love having a temple so close to my house now. It's a dream come true and really makes it hard for me to want to move to a house that's further away from the temple.

I've been able to attend the youth practices for the cultural celebration that took place the day before the celebration. It was a special opportunity that I'll treasure. On one of our last practices, after many frustrations, long hours, and hard work, I was overwhelmed with spirit and had a hard time holding back the tears as the youth began their dance. It has been a blessing to be able to watch our young women and men work hard weekly and try their best. We've really been blessed with a spectacular group of kids, that in my opinion, were some of the best prepared dancers out there!

Last weekend Cory and I got to serve in the temple for the first time. We did sealings and then went out for dinner. We just kept commenting on how exciting it was to go to the temple and then out for dinner and be back in a little over 3 hours. Before it would take us 3 hrs just to travel to and from the temple and do sealings. It truly is a blessing to live so close to a house of the Lord now!

Don't mind the boys' goofy outfit. It was very hot the day we went to the open house. While at the temple Christopher kept saying "Mom, I don't want to leave, it's so beautiful in here." He loves the temple and talks about how he wants to go there when he grows up.

 

Cory and I after our first temple and dinner date. 

Kids say the silliest things

Christopher started piano lessons today. On our way to his teacher's house he says "mom, I'm a little nervous. Is my teacher pretty?" That's always his main concern. He seems to always get the "old ladies" as teachers (at least in school, not church) and ends falling in love with them and thinking they are beautiful anyway. Tonight after his lesson he was telling Cory about his day and this is what he said "my piano teacher is a little old and a little fat, but she's super nice. She even gave me a chocolate for doing good." I guess as long as she keeps bribing him with candy, she'll stay on his good list.

Last weekend Christopher was talking to Cory about pajamas.
Christopher: "dad, why don't you have pajamas?"
Cory: "I don't really like wearing them. I like to sleep in shorts."
Christopher: "when I grow up I'm going to sleep in pajamas. I don't want to sleep next to my woman naked, that's just gross."
I was listening in and couldn't stop laughing. I need to make sure I get him a nice pair of pajamas as a wedding gift, and that story is coming out on his reception party!

Clarissa started preschool a couple of weeks ago. She LOVES it. She begs to go to school everyday, to bad it's only 3 times a week.

Drew is starting to get used to kindergarten. He never really liked school before, so everyday, full day kindergarten is a stretch for him. I told him during the second week of school that it is a law for kids to go to school. If he doesn't go I can get in trouble. It kept him quiet for a few days, then he remembered his old preschool, and begged to be able to go to preschool again. Nice try buddy, but you're too old for that.

 Drew's first day in Kindergarten.

 1st day of School

I got a "new" calling. I'm still working with the Young Women at our ward, but I was called to be the President. I'm a little overwhelmed with the calling. I've served as a counselor for the past 4.5 years and loved it, but president is a lot of meetings/responsibility. I have beam blessed with Amazing counselors and secretary, so hopefully I'll do okay.

Cory starts his master's program this week. I'm excited for this step in our life but nervous about having to hold down the fort for longer hours so he can go to school and study.

 Clarissa getting her first professional hair cut. she's had several trims at home by my mom, but this was the real thing. She got 3 inches chopped and her hair is still long!

 

We went crawdad fishing during labor day. The kids had a really good time. I'm grateful for outdoorsy friends. 

Clarissa is 3

Our little princess has turned 3 and we celebrated with a princess party at AZ Air Time ( a fun trampoline place). This time we really just had the  cousins join us. I found an awesome deal on Group on and this place was super nice and accommodating letting my bring a cake and decorations without having to pay the outraged party package fee!

I started the day by spoiling Cissa and myself to a pedicure (and manicure for the birthday girl). She was in heaven! Later that afternoon we celebrated at her party with pizza, cake and presents. It was easy and simple, just what I needed to finish off our birthday season around here.

Clarissa is quite active and mischievous. She will still color on anything but paper if you don't watch her (I have my walls as proof). She is a HORRIBLE eater and eats baby food most nights for dinner. She likes pizza and Mac and Cheese (I think those are the only 2 non "junk" food things she eats). She will eat some fruit, but still very picky about it (pairs are her new favorite). She can down candy and cookies like a pro though! She's starting to want to do things herself, like dress herself and go potty alone, and I'm not complaining about it. She just gave up her bottle for milk (as of a week ago) and can be very stubborn at times. She talks A LOT and loves to sing and dance.

We love you little girl, and are so grateful to have you in our family!

Disneyland

Last year Cory and I planned on taking a family trip to Disneyland for the kids' birthday this year. We went small on their birthday parties so we could save up for a super fun "vacation". We left Phoenix Monday afternoon and got to California for dinner. We enjoyed dinner at our hotel with Cory's mom, sisters and nieces and nephews, who had already been in California since the weekend. The next 3 days were filled with intense park adventures, little drama, lots of fun and sun! It was great to have Cory's side of the family there. They definitely helped watch and entertain our kids. Christopher still talks about Disneyland everyday and we've been back for a few weeks now.

We decided we wanted to do 1 park per day, so day 1 was Disneyland. By far the most crowded of the parks, but still magical, although I have promised myself to NEVER go back in July! My highlights were the Indiana Jones ride (our very first ride of the trip) and watching the fireworks at night. Clarissa loved seeing Cinderella's castle although we never got to see her. We only saw Aurora, Tiana, and Sofia the 1st (who we saw on our 2nd day), but the lined were so big that we didn't get pictures with the princesses. I know, I'm a mean mom. I'll stand in line for a ride, but not to meet characters.

 

Drew had a constant smile on his face!

 

Love seeing Christopher's excited face!

 

 First ride I took Clarissa on.

  

This was a long day, and the kids were troopers.

Day 2 was spent at California Adventure. This day was hotter, but the park was not as crowded, which meant more rides and shorter lines. My now Clarissa had caught on to the idea of going on rides so anytime the big kids went to a ride she couldn't go (which was most of the time) she would start saying "rides, rides, rides..." over and over again until we found something she could do. I love the Bug's Life 3D movie and the boys really enjoyed it too. Clarissa freaked out and screamed the minute "bugs" starter flying her way. Christopher's favorite was California Screaming (their biggest rollercoaster) and Drew was pretty bummed he wasn't tall enough for that. He didn't complain much once we found Goofy's rollercoaster for him and Gabi to go on while the taller kids went to California Screaming.

 Christopher on California Screaming for the 3rd time!

 Bugs' Life Theater

Day 3 was spent a Knott's Berry Farm. My this day we were all exhausted and tired of standing in the sun. They had good rides at this park and an awesome kiddy section with a Charlie Brown theme, we just lacked energy and enthusiasm to really take full advantage of it. Cory and I have decided that we won't do 3 parks in a row again. I would like to try 2 park days that are actually split up with a break day because even 2 days in a row is exhausting.

We had great plans for Friday that included stopping at the outlets on the way home, but we were all so tired that we just drove straight through in a hurry to get home. This was definitely a vacation you need a vacation from!

 

The kids were so exhausted the last day, that going to sleep came easily! 

Drew is 5!

My sweet Drew turned five last month. I call Drew my little angel. Now, I know that if you look at his behavior he's far from an angel, but it's the small little things he does almost daily that make him MY angel. He can get really mad and fight with Christopher often, but yet he will always stick up for his brother and try to keep him safe. At times when I'm frustrated with Christopher's disobedience and defiance, Andrew is the first to intervene and try to make both parties happy. He'll give up the captain chair in the car, share his treat, whatever it takes to get Christopher calmed down and me not mad (yelling) anymore.
Andrew's a great friend. He makes new and loyal friends rather quickly. He's still super into superheroes. This year he wanted a Skylanders party. I've been enjoying decorating the kids' birthday cakes this year, and am pleased with how it turned out.
Drew is a great cuddle bug and LOVES to be tickled. He is NEVER the first one to get out of bed, even if he's the first to wake up. He just stays in his bed and waits for a sibling to wake us up. Granted he's a great sleeper so he's usually woken up by his brother or sister. He's easy to put down for naps (on the rare days we do them) and he's by far my fastest eater. Even when he doesn't like dinner, he still scarfs it down pretty fast without much complaining.
I love you my Drewzinho and hope you have a fabulous 5th year, and that you adjust to kindergarten well. Cissa and I will miss you while you are at school!