Organic Farming

This carrot might just feed 5,000!

AVOCADOS ANYONE???

The girls have been picking avocados all morning and the bags are bursting. Let me know if you want some and I will put a bag outside for you!

UPDATE:
SNAILS are also available!

ENERGY

Buddy and I were studying different forms of ENERGY when we came across some very interesting information- especially interesting when you are a 4 year old boy! The Venus Flytrap gets some of its energy from BUGS!!! Buddy was hooked and REALLY wanted to get one. That afternoon we checked at our local nursery to see if they had any. I thought it was a strange request, but they had several.

If you have never owned one yourself, I suggest rushing out to get one.

They are so much fun to watch!

And catching the fly is pretty great too. Wearing your 'bug catching outfit' is another added bonus!

ONE for the BOOKS

Yesterday was one for the books. Every little detail will be seared in my mind for a long time, hopefully forever. Nothing major happened and that's probably why I loved it so much. When we are in the midst of either Track or Cross Country season our mornings are HURRIED and LONG. Yesterday, we opted out of all commitments. Instead we slept in (well, the majority slept in- Buddy loves his Legos at 6:30am). Around 9:00am Bailey and I started out on a short 2.5 mile run to the Bagel Shop. Mike and the littles were already waiting for us and Aunt Karen and Uncle Bob arrived a few minutes later. It was leisurely, no agenda. After breakfast we went home and packed our backpacks with water and snacks for a hike.
Mike and I were married in Ojai at a Christian Conference Center. We haven't visited in years and thought it would be fun to finally show the kids around. It was a beautiful day to go hiking.

Mike and I took this same hike on Christmas Eve 1998 when he proposed to me.

This is the spot that he asked me to be his wife. It was surreal to to have kids with us. We could not have imagined, at that time, that our life would be so blessed.

After a few healthy snacks on the hike we felt it was time to refresh and cool down with a little ICE CREAM! The kids were sweet and our afternoon was again, leisurely.

We couldn't let a fabulous day go to waste on a boring evening, so a camp-out was planned for the night. The yard was just fertilized so the tent went up inside the house. And what camp-out would be complete with out one of these?


Jealous?


Saturday April 24, 2010- One of the BEST days EVER!

HAPPY EARTH DAY

NEW SOCKS

Last Sunday we had UNCLE BOG (Bob) and AUNT TAREN (Karen) over for dinner. Chicken Tortilla Soup was on the menu. It is one of our favorites. The food was great, the company fabulous, but things took a funny turn midway through. Buddy was talking to Aunt Taren about his new socks when he popped them up on to the table. These were the socks that were so new I took them out of the package that morning. They had not even been washed yet. OBVIOUSLY Buddy had been playing VERY hard for the past 3 hours since putting them on. Take a look:
A new pair of socks each day is NOT going to work. Next time he has been warned that he MUST wear shoes when skateboarding. Knowing Buddy he will probably build sock protectors or something.

SHOTGUN

What little kid can pass up the opportunity to drive the car with Daddy?

FLASHBACK

The following picture is a flashback of sorts. This type of picture took place 25 years ago but I was the subject and my parents were taking the picture. I don't recall the moments, however our family albums bear witness to the events. My Mom and Dad would say smile or cheese or something to get me to look happy. I would do EXACTLY what Brooklyn does to me now...

The only difference is that I didn't have a charming little brother.


I was trying to get her to show off the container of succulents that she had made. Give her a few more years. I smile now- MOST of the time ;).

More Potty News

I suppose it isn't funny to everyone, but we think it is hilarious when Emmett is singing on the potty.


Translation: GROWIN' A TAIL...

TIME FLIES

I turned around and my baby was gone.

MIRACLE

If you have been around my kids in the past two day you have already heard the news so I am sorry for a repeat. For the rest of you here is an update. We witnessed a miracle. You heard me right a miracle. You know, the Parting of the Red Sea, Water into Wine- MIRACLE!

Here's the story: (The kids version is the same but with more enthusiasm)
On our way out of swimming lessons yesterday is where it all began. All of the kids were in their seats ready to head home as I sat down in the car. I put the key into the ignition to put the windows down while I ran back inside to go to the bathroom. The car would not start. NOTHING. I tried several times. NOTHING. At this point the kids were complaining about the hot car. Bailey and I both opened our doors and nearly simultaneously began to pray out loud. I told the kids that I was going to go inside to the bathroom and to pray together while I was gone. Sweet words were flowing from their mouths. It was precious. I was gone a minute and then back out to the car where they were still praying. Together we prayed over the car and asked the Lord for a miracle- full of faith believing that HE is the God who moves mountains and our little car was easy for HIM. I placed the keys in the ignition and with the start of the engine the kids let out loud shouts of PRAISE. It was an awe inspiring moment. I drove the back roads home avoiding stop lights and the freeway. As we pulled into the driveway I was well aware of what we had witnessed. Once in the garage I tried turning on the car again. NOTHING. He got us home and that was what we needed.

This week Mike is riding the bus to work while the car gets fixed ;)

Easter Blessings

CASE CLOSED!

We went to court this afternoon for Tate's re-adoption. It's kind of confusing, but basically it's just another step in the adoption process. Re-adoption will give Tate a California birth certificate rather than a Ukrainian one. It was very casual. If I had to guess I would say that the judge was wearing a t-shirt under her gown.

We signed a few documents.


Tate acted uninterested the entire time.


The bailiff was the photographer while we did our best to get Tate to smile.



Surrounded by our family on a very special day.


Tate's adoption paperwork is finally COMPLETE!

CASE CLOSED!!!

That Darn Bee!

Poor Baby M was stung by a bee yesterday at swimming lessons. He didn't have too much of a reaction yesterday but this morning he woke up with a swollen cheek which eventually took over most of his face. His breathing has been normal, so it doesn't seem to be affecting his airway. Besides being a little sleepy from the Benadryl that I am giving him he is sweet as sugar.



His nurses think he looks adorable too!

Homemade parachute man.

Baby M received a very thoughtful birthday box from the Hellberg girls. I finally got around to opening it up and sharing some of the contents with him. The peanut M&M's were confiscated immediately! He loved the pictures, stickers and the other candies that were taped on so secure it took a few hours to get them off. But what he loved most was parachute man. Most 3 year old boys would have the same sort of affection, but his went beyond the norm. You see, his older brother also LOVED parachute man. So much so that he fell to the ground crying, clutching his chest asking why he didn't get a parachute man too. Birthdays are still a tricky thing at his age. Since I knew consoling him wasn't going to work I left him alone on the stairs to "CRY IT OUT". It didn't take that long until the tears were gone and he came to me with the most determined little face I have ever seen. If he wasn't going to get a parachute man well then he was just going to make his own. And make his own he did. He amazes me everyday. No help at all from mom. Buddy's original design.

DETAILS, please!

I am a details kind of girl. Most women are I think. I want to know everything about an event. Who was there, what were they wearing and most importantly tell me about the food.

Remember the wedding that I mentioned a few weeks ago? It happened. We were among the few friend and family that were honored to witness Lee and Nicole become husband and wife. This wedding was put together in less than 3 weeks. Not for any big reason other than they DIDN'T really care so much about the details. They just REALLY wanted to be married, so why wait. The ceremony was simply. No matching outfits, no music, no flowers, no fluff. Want to know my thoughts? It was AMAZING. So pure and perfect I could hardly keep the tears from flowing. Lee walked around the corner and gave a huge wave and welcomed everyone. It was just his style and we felt loved. When Nicole walked down the brick path leading to her man there was a gigantic cheer and a standing ovation. No rules, just spontaneous emotion. These two young kids did something unique that most of us probably wouldn't have the guts to do. It was a precious, memorable day that has been added to my 'best of the best' weddings EVER!

NEWLYWEDS

The Newlyweds are doing superb. So great in fact that they were willing to host our family of seven at their home. The kids loved 'vacationing' at Jeff and Stacy's and have begged us to go back. Hopefully we will get an invite soon! HINT HINT

Dear Miller,

I miss you, friend. Do you want to come over to play soon?


Love, Tate

OBAMA?

The girls and I were driving in the car the other night when the topic turned to presidents or rather THE PRESIDENT. Brooklyn asked if anyone could be president. Bailey quickly responded with, "No, Brooklyn, not anyone!" Brooklyn asked if our friend, Dave, could be president. Bailey thought about it and then said, "Sure, since he is 35 and really smart." We went back to talking about our president. After several minutes of discussion Brooklyn announced, "All this time I thought you two were taking about a LLAMA."