Ella's pillow

I entered the bathroom to find that Ella had gotten into some of my things!
I ran and got the camera hoping that she wouldn't move. Evidently she thought these were pretty soft because when I ran back in she was in the exact same spot. I snapped some picture and then she noticed me there.
"Shhhh...I'm sleeping. My pillow is soft Mommy."
You can imagine how hard I laughed and how happy I was to get these pictures. I promise I will not pull them out for a laugh when you're old enough to be embarrassed.

Happy Halloween... take 1

Happy Halloween!

Our kids started the festivities this Saturday with our Ward's Trunk-or-Treat. We all had such a great time, even Papa and Nana came to watch the kids go from car to car.

Luke was so excited at each car he went to. Everytime someone put a goodie into his bag he was grinning from ear to ear and would say, "I got a treat!!!"

And Ella caught on so fast. In about 2 seconds she was happily saying "trick-or-treat! Thank you!" and then ran to the next candy dispensing person.

On our way home Ella said, "Mama, I saw a scary Monster." Dave and I got instantly nervous for the nightmares we thought she may have. Then she stated, "He was so funny" and started to laugh. I was relieved.

So... here it is

I had no initial intention of posting about what's been going on but just now decided I'd like to. If not just to document my own feelings as this is really more for myself and my Family than anyone else. I am not looking for sympathy and I know many of you have been through the same thing. I just needed to write tonight.
2 weeks ago I found out that we were going to be expecting another addition to our Family. We were really excited mixed with a little bit of fear and a tinge of plain, "are we capable of doing this?" All in all I was elated and each time I looked at my 2 kids faces couldn't help but imagine what the future dynamic of 3 would be. What this little stranger was going to bring.
The first week went by as usual. I was extremely hungry and was actually out-eating Dave... this never happens. I was really tired and the thought of drifting off in to dreamland crossed my mind about 50 times a day. And I would even feel a little nauseous; which ,unfortunately, is something I know far too well when I am pregnant. My Doctor had me get some blood drawn and called to tell me that everything looked great, just where it should be.
The second week was a bit different. Still sleepy but just not quite the same as when I was expecting my other 2. I had yet to be really sick and was maybe even feeling better than I had the previous week. I had another appointment to get my blood drawn to be sure all my levels were in fact going up. I love my Doctor. She is so good and takes such time and care with everything she does. Her being so pro-active has made this all so much easier to take.
I called the office early Monday morning to check how the results look. My message went something like this. "Just wanted to see how things were looking. To be honest I'm a little worried due to the fact that in the past at 6 weeks pregnant I was feeling pretty terrible and I am feeling really great."
The Dr. called me back and informed me that in fact my levels had drastically gone down. They took some more blood immediately and found they had gone down even more over the weekend. We did an ultrasound to rule out an eptopic pregnancy, which it did. So they told me what to expect to happen in ways of a miscarriage, gave their condolences and we were out the door.
2 days later, today, my body started the miscarriage process. I thought I would be a lot more effected and emotional about the whole thing but I am doing quite well. Disappointed? Yes.Sad? Yes
I know that there was a reason for this all to happen and that this pregnancy was just not going to be. I find peace and comfort in the fact that I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that my Heavenly Father is with me and watching over me. I know that He has a plan for me and I can always feel that direction and love in my life. I have been given so many blessings and am so grateful for them in my life.
I have a wonderful Husband who has been by my side non-stop since Monday. Who has taken care of the kids, cleaned the house, bought dinner... hey you can't do it all. He has not once complained and I know he is not only dealing with this as well but is just plain tired. I have had such great support from friends and family who love us. I have felt the power from their prayers. Simply put, I am grateful. And I have surly felt the hand of God in my life these past 2 long days.

Down at the Farm

We had a lot of fun at Tanaka Farms in Irvine. We got to go to the petting zoo, eat some yummy food, go on a wagon ride and run through corn mazes and Pumpkin Farms! Best of all we got to do it with some of our best friends.
We love Fall happenings.


Ella had not napped this day and was about this grumpy the entire time.

Both of the kids really loved the petting zoo. Ella was fearless, as usual, until a Goat up to her head sneezed in her face. I have never seen her get so afraid in her entire life.

Checking out the Pumpkin scene.

Ella's favorite thing recently is holding hands. Not only is it cute and makes for lots of sweet photo op's but it ensures her staying close, which I love.

Jenn and Madilynn. Seriously, they don't get a lot prettier than Madi.

Looking for some Baseball players.

Morgan running through the corn maze.

The funny thing about this picture is that a foot away kids were eating their lunches. Ella just lingered there for about 10 minutes. This girl is always on the lookout for what yummy snacks others may share with her.

Mickey's Halloween Treat

Ella and I had such a fun time with the Jackman's at this wonderful festivity. Disneyland never seems to let you down and this was certainly no exception. We did lots of Trick-Or-Treating, dancing, mingling with characters...etc. I recommend this evening to anyone who is ever able to go. It was so fun to be surrounded by Families all dressed up and enjoying themselves. Everyone was so happy and nice. It brought back memories of when the whole neighborhood was filled with trick-or-treaters when I was young.

And no, Luke was not in attendance. Those of you who know my beautiful boy know that he needs a full nights sleep... my kids go to bed at 6:30 pm. Ella can adjust her schedule but Luke just can't seem to do it. We didn't get home until almost 10:00 pm. The next day would have been no good for us all. Luke's not a fan of candy so I only felt a little bit guilty.

ramp

this blog is named after the entire family, but i don't seem to be participating much.  i figure it's about time i did something to contribute.

even though neither of us had skated in years, my friend and i built this little ramp.  just after we finished building it, i sprained my ankle playing basketball, so i got put out of commission for a while.  this video is from my second time skating the ramp, and first time riding since i hurt my ankle. i was only brave enough to try one trick, but that didn't stop me from doing it over and over.

playing at the park

We had such a good time playing at the little park in Newport off of PCH. Its not to shabby to swing and climb while looking out at the view of the Pacific. I guess we do love it here.
Again, a day of firsts. Luke decided he wanted to climb to the top of the big, tall structure. I looked over 3 minutes later and he was way at the very top! I ran over, kind of panicked, thinking he was going to be really nervous at what he had gotten himself into. He just calmly said, "Im ok Mom, I climbed up her all on my own. It's not scary." It hit me that he's getting so big and so grown-up. Things have come so far for Luke over the last 7 months since his diagnosis. It is amazing to see how well he is doing with all his therapy... and in huge part to his GF/CF diet. He is doing things and saying things he would have never done, even a month ago. It makes me feel so blessed and overwhelmingly happy. Hope has been given to our Family and I relish it.

Beach play with the Jackman's

We took a little early evening trip to Newport the first day Jenn and her kids were here. It was the most fun I've had at the beach in a long time. The kids were so good and had such fun running all over the place with each other, splashing in the water and rolling in the sand.
That trip is the very first time that Luke braved putting his feet in the water. He has always been so afraid of the waves and usually won't even go near the wet sand. So this was a big trip and a momentous occasion, I was so happy that I had my camera, though I got a bit carried away.

Round 2

As stated yesterday in my personal blog, I took the kids to the Pumpkin Patch again yesterday. I was a bit grumpy yesterday and thought the kids could use some pony rides and running. We had a great time with Sam and Vanessa, they're so much fun.

My happiness

Just wanted to share that I started a new blog of my own. If you'd care to come visit feel free.
http://mylittlehappinesses.blogspot.com

Pumpkin Patch... Round 1

Today Luke desperately needed a nap but was really fighting me on it. So , in the spirit of good Parenting skills, I bribed him. Initially Dave and I wanted to take the kids down to Laguna and walk around all bundled in our sweatshirts as its the first day in months that warranted wearing one. But when I threw that one out there to Luke he did not bite in the slightest. " I don't care about the beach" So I had one that I knew would work. "If you take a good nap we can go to the Pumpkin Patch when Daddy gets home" Done. He was in his bed asleep in 3 minutes flat.
We had a great time... all 15 minutes of it. It was really windy and once the kids went on the $5 pony ride thats all they wanted to do, so we thought it best to head out before we were broke. Ella walked up to about 25 different pumpkins and either hugged or kissed them. And Luke really enjoyed the pony ride, he thought it was really cool and kept saying, "thank you for giving me a ride, Pepper."
I am sure we will be back soon as it is a tradition to go with my whole Family each year. We have been doing this since Johnson's Bro's opened years ago so its really fun to take the kids here.

What a brothers for

The kids love to slide down the skate ramp that Dave built. Yes, my 30 year old Husband built a skateboarding ramp. I was just watching the kids playing on it and sliding down it so I ran in to get my Nikon. Luke was so sweet with Ella. Helping her up, although she is an amazing climber and I think he was more of a hinderance than a help, and sliding down together. When they got to the bottom they would laugh and do it again. These are the most joyful moments of my day!
I am so thankful that Luke has a Sister and that Ella has a big brother. My Brother's and Sister's are the reason for who I am today and make up so many of my smiles in life.


"I wont let you fall Ella"


A big Brother will always lend a helping hand


This is love

"The Butterfly Park"

The plan was to go  with some friends to the Butterfly Park in Huntington, the kids were really excited. But when we got there it was having some work done on it and was closed. Luke was wondering what was going on so I said," We went to the wrong place, the Butterfly Park is in another place. We'll go over there now" The little white lies we tell our kids. Crisis was averted and he happily replied, "OK Mama, lets drive there" When we pulled up to a park which was close by they both ran out of the car cheering for the Butterfly Park!!!! 

We had a great time. I don't know why we don't go to the park more often. I think we got so spoiled with all of the awesome, new parks in Chicago that its hard to be satisfied with the older, dirtier ones around our house. The kids are happy with any park, I need to just bite the bullet and walk down the street to the old park in my neighborhood. I am committed to doing it more often.

Samantha and Ella doing what they do best

Luke and Paige playing in the dirt. Obviously Luke thinks she is pretty awesome.

The first take she fell head over feet and kind of rolled down. She got angry at the slide but thought she'd give it another chance to do its job.

Lukie and Sam. They love eachother.

My beautiful boy

He was so happy they had a slide and pretty much went down it the entire time.

Cutie pie