Good Idea...Bad Idea

Good Idea

Playing Peek-a-Boo with a blanket.

Bad Idea

Playing Peek-a-Boo with a bib.

"...Glad with the joy of Your presence."

A quick Monday Morning post to express the joy I have with what God is growing in our lives and to say again, thank you to Ryan who works hard for us in so many ways. The Lord is truly blessing our home with increased life and love, and His presence is what completes and fills it all. This is another real-time post, pictures just taken for you Ryan, Josiah is still napping. I wanted to tell you again how thankful I am for you and to show you just a few of the things you are growing here at home this Monday Morning.

"Surely You have granted him unending blessings
and made him glad with the joy of Your presence." Psalm 21:6

A sampling of our garden's harvest and a few of my canning endeavors. Blackberry Jam, Spiced Peach Jam, Low-Sugar Apricot Jam, and Canned Peaches. Plus, there's more of everything on the way!

The new baby needs a spotlight every once in a while...Here's my tummy taken just now at about 7.5 months along.

Sweet baby! He ate a ton for breakfast then sat in the garden and chowed on fresh tomatoes while I harvested and tended the garden. He may have a bit of green bean in his mouth still...Don't worry, he'll get a new shirt before we head down to have dinner with Grandma and Grandpa.

Megan's Wedding Part 2- The Main Event

I can't even begin to describe how lucky and blessed I feel to have these friends. From the left they are Kristin, Jessica, Megan (bride), Me, and Shelly. Kristin, Jessica, Megan and I have been friends since 6th grade-junior high, and Shelly joined us in college. I feel like our friendship is such a rare gift. We are like family. Some of us have kids, some don't, some are married and some aren't. We have always remained close regardless. Our friendships have spanned various life stages and grown deeper throughout the process. We have fought, cried, laughed so much, gotten in trouble (...in high school, I'm pretty sure we're less scandalous nowadays!), worked through issues, prayed together, and for each other, and counseled one another.

Megan is such a beautiful person and we were all so excited to see her marry Nathan. He is a great guy and I'm excited to welcome him into our lives. Congratulations Megan, I love you!!!

The Bachlorette Party- a day at a spa and night at the corresponding inn. So relaxing!

Brunch the next morning before our mani-pedi's...Wow, I've been so spoiled this summer!

The rehearsal dinner with my Man.

The Head Table- notice all Megan's pretty decorations. She planned the wedding in her backyard. It was beautiful and whimsical, complete with little bow ties for their chickens!

Taking a breather from some crazy dancing. Ryan was the MC and DJ for the entire wedding! Good job husband!

Me and my daddy.

My mom, dad, and sister all took care of Josiah since Ryan and I were pretty preoccupied throughout the night. Thank you, you three!

Our little ones will have no lack of people loving on them as they grow up!

Megan's Wedding Part 1

Although Megan was the star of the show, the joy of meeting Elizabeth Pilchak for the first time made it a tie. Kristin has been a dear friend of mine since 6th grade. We were in each other's weddings, have been through ups and downs, and now are mommies at the same time! Kristin and Nick are already great parents and I love their little Elizabeth.

Look at that face! So cute! - Sorry Nick, your head is chopped off!

Josiah and I left San Luis about a week early to spend some time with Andrea and to meet up with friends who had congregated in San Diego for the wedding.

By far, my best quality time was spent with Andrea. I am getting to know my sister now as a new wife as well as a friend, and I love her so much! Thank you Andrea for making time for us! xoxox

How could I not add this little mug shot!? Jessica took this picture of the little man as we were all hanging out on the beach. Of course, I can't post this without thanking my amazing husband Ryan, who was working while I got to go off galavanting around in San Diego. He joined me later in the week.

So Cool...

Summer days

So I have been pregnant almost non-stop since January of 2010. Granted, I had a 3 month break in there, but that hardly counts since I was breast feeding around the clock and getting used to our first newborn baby. After Josiah was born, I began the journey of motherhood, ending my job and being at home full time. Somewhere in the chaos of infanthood, I began to try and get a grasp on what my new life would look like. What I would do during the days, who I would socialize with, what routines I could establish to enjoy this time, who I was as a person...I was trying to figure out all these things when I got pregnant again and slid back into the fatigue of my first trimester.

Now I have my energy back, and I am still exploring these same issues, but I know that it will all change drastically again in three months from now when we have number two. Because of this, the fall holds so much excitement for us. We get to meet our new baby, to have him/her around for the holidays, and get to begin figuring out what 'normal' will be for us, for a while (we will be a little more 'careful' this time around...). For this reason, I am so thankful that our summer is going by quickly and has been packed with fun. I have had the opportunity to really love being a stay at home mom. Being at home has given me the energy to get out and really enjoy the summer days and all the amazing people Ryan and I have in our lives.

A few of my best friends after Megan's bridal shower. Kristin, this picture was taken specifically for you, highlighting the baby belly. In fact, I made everyone come back and pose again, telling them "I have to take a baby bump picture for Kristin!" ; )

Summer Fun

Willie Nelson Concert at Pozo Saloon

We had amazing seats, basked in the sun and spent the day with our sisters and close friends Jaime and Joe. Our other dear friends Garth and Holly even baby-sat Josiah all day and at night. Ryan and I had some sweet one-on-one time, and got to sleep in the next morning. It was so refreshing to laugh together and chat, re-connecting over things that weren't just baby or house related. I love my husband!

Sister Love- Me and Terra

Sister Love- Me and Lyndal

Megan's Bridal Shower

The week after we got back from our big two week vacation was Megan's bridal shower. I drove down in the afternoon on Friday and spent the night with my wonderful friends Megan and Jessica in LA. We had dinner and lots of girl time. Then along with Shellie, we threw Megan her Bridal Shower the next morning. I came back so refreshed, thankful to Ryan who watched the little man Friday evening and all day Saturday, and better able to be a great mommy and wife.

I love food! How could I leave this picture out!? The best part was how it seemed like everything we did matched Megan so well, her personality and what she liked. It makes me so deeply happy to see her excitement and joy!

Random Beach Day

Josiah and I took advantage of my stay-at-home mom status by going to the Avila Valley Barn and then going to the beach. He missed his morning nap in all the excitement, so by the time we took this picture he was ready to go home. He was a little trooper though, and we really enjoyed hanging out with some new friends.

California Mid-State Fair

All sorts of sheep...he may be a bit confused right now!

My friend Julie and I were confused about these giant hamster-running-balls over a pool of water. They looked inflatable and had people flailing about inside them trying to stand and run around. It made me think, hey, I could think of some crazy ideas like that. Maybe I could make some cash next year at the fair if I knew people would pay to do weird stuff...any ideas??

Uncle J and Aunty A.!!

One of the most blessed feelings I have is when I see my sisters happy and loving life. God really has orchestrated all three of us and our marriages, and my sister and her new husband work together so well. I really feel like our family has been blessed yet again with their marriage. It was so much fun to be down in San Diego to spend the week prior with the (then) engaged couple. My new brother is a great guy and we are so excited to have him in our family. My pictures are limited, so he's not in any of these, unfortunately, but we love him all the same.

Hike up a mountain- A. was a trooper! J. weighs at least 20 pounds by now so she was trekking up a load!

All dressed up and ready to go out dancing and dining for the bachlorette party! A. was a crazy woman! Little did we know that there was a gay-pride parade the next day in the neighboring community, so the bars we went to were full of good-looking men who were of no threat to us married/engaged women! Perfect! : )

Super nice dinner before dancing

The Bridal Party Girls

J. had to be all dressed up for his Aunty's wedding. He and cousin E. (the younger baby), with cousin J. pulling them, cruised down the aisle in high-class baby style!

Watch out Ladies...!

Congratulations A., I love you! I am so excited for you and J. as you begin your story together and I love being a part of your life and you being a part of mine. xoxoxox