We are currently in the process of moving...

and becoming Oregonians!

When it rains...

I have recently been thinking a lot about a quote from Richard G. Scott:

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your own disobedience they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepaired to grow more.

I can honestly say we have hit the growing season!

Going away party

Last Saturday some of our friends at church threw us a wonderful going away party. I have to admit I was hesitant to show up. I have been having such a problem with crying that I was afraid I would not be able to stop.  I am happy to report that I did not cry! Thank heavens!  I think I was finally cried out and ready to have fun with our friends.

 
We had a great time. The backyard was beautiful, the food was delicious and we were surrounded by people we love. 

Lucy with her good friends Riley (left) and Claire (right)

My friend Melissa (a.k.a. early morning biker chick) is famous for her toffee. She gave us a HUGE canister of her famous toffee 

So funny she put "Have fun storming the castle!" on the card.  The Princess Bride is one of our favorite movies and Eric says this to me all the time.

Me with the education week girls Jackie, Meissa and Stephanie (left to right).

Me, Lori, Melissa and Karyn

Ruby and Ellie had a really hard time saying good by.  I assured them that will be able to see and talk to each other on Skype. 

This is what happens to kids after their parents party too late.

Thank you so much Stephanie, Melissa, Laurie and Sharon (and Dan & John) for throwing us such a beautiful, fun party!!!!

Stephanie & Laurie (it was Laurie's beautiful back yard) 

It's a little crazy here...

I feel like climbing into one of the boxes and hiding!

Happy birthday to me!

1111111111111111111111111111111111111 ...to be exact.

Why I hate silly putty...

Lucy came in our room at 4:30 am (half asleep) and told me that someone was pulling her hair.  After working out all the hair I could, this is what had to be cut to get the silly putty out of her hair!

Our birthday tradition!

Happy Birthday Lucy!

My little Lulu is turning 6 today!

She LOVES her cousin Ali

She is obsessed with "bum bums" (this is one of several similar self- portraits I found on our computer) 

She has the most beautiful smile and is always smiling.  Even if she knows she is busted and about to get in big trouble she still has a huge smile on her face. (Yes... she loves wearing the gynormous flower) 

These are common objects missing in our home and can always be located "hidden" under Lucy's pillow.  She loves stuff that goes in a purse.

Lulu definitely beats to her own drum, a leader not a follower.

I LOVE MY LUCY!!!!

Laundry day

Our dogs live for Mondays.  They think I take all the sheets, towels and dirty clothes to make special beds for them to comfortably nap in.  Eventually each pile gets washed and they are forced to sleep on the sofa.  Such a hard life. 

The light at the end of the tunnel

I am an optimist... most of the time. I have been so excited about moving and focused on all the great things about moving that it was all good... It's starting to really stink.

Recently I have found myself busting into tears (ugly snot dripping sobbing) when I think about all the friends I have met here, how much I love them and painful it is going to be to leave.  We also have ton's of family nearby, now our closest relatives will be 5 1/2 hours away! I have to seriously try not to think about it because it hurts.  

I still remember when we were leaving New Orleans to come here, I was crying hysterically for hours. Eric's Dad was driving me and the girls and I'm sure he was wondering if I was going to cry the entire 3 days of the trip.  Luckily it was only one day and he kindly endured my emotions and we eventually made it to California.  I know we will get through all of this... I just wish I could stop crying. 

Eric's girlfriend

I have to admit that I am seriously jealous of Eric's Iphone. Yes, I am the one one that purchased it and gave it to him for his birthday back in November... but I didn't realize how much attention she would get.   I have officially named her LG because it's his "little girlfriend".

This photo documents his illegal googling with her while going 80 mph on the 10.  I just hope he doesn't come home with a tattoo of an apple on his bum anytime soon. 

Celebrating Lucy's birthday in LA

We gave Lucy the option of having a big birthday party with all her friends or using the money we would have spent on a party to buy something that she really wanted. Luckily she choose to go to the American girl store and get a doll. I was thrilled with her decision... a party right now might have thrown me over the edge.

After the American Girl store we headed across the street to our favorite place to eat in LA, the little hole in the wall called Andres Italian.  I have ben eating there since I was a kid and I'm so glad that my kids love it too. Of course Eric and I get their spaghetti (a must) but my kids love love their pizza. 

We needed a really special treat since we were celebrating Lucy's birthday so Eric (via google) suggested Milk. You can check it out here.

It's a very trendy place and we are probably not swanky enough to eat there, but we did anyway.  It was AMAZING.

The most amazing handmade ice cream and hot fudge sauce ever!

We ate so much we were all sick... except for Haley that was trying to lick her bowl.

End of year activities

The closer we get to the end of the school year the busier we have been.

Of course we needed to help the Sharpes break in their new pool and jacuzzi!

I got to go with Ruby on a field trip to the San Bernardino County museum.

Afterwards we all went to the park for lunch... this is Ruby with her best friend Corrin.  She is really going to miss Corrin.
Lucy had her end of year program.  She was the cutest little pink shrimp that I have seen (at least since Haley was the pink shrimp 6 years ago in the same play). 

Lucy's teacher gave me a really nice card and thanked me for being the room Mom and helping out in the class.  Lucy got to pick what 10 kids she wanted to help make this bag for me as a thank you from the class- I love it!

For a good time call...

ME!

Today I received six calls from people interested in renting our house. I scheduled 6 different times for people to come by, changed my schedule accordingly and made sure the house was spic and span... only one person showed up.

Now I know what people are doing for fun in this slow economy.