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Abby in the Nutcracker!

2008-12-20T20:58:00.000-08:00

It was a whirlwind week for Abby...last Saturday she was "Cindy Lou Who" in the Carp Parade. This week she had a major dress rehearsal followed IMMEDIATELY (as in 5 minutes later) a performance for her school's Christmas Program, Caroling with her class the next morning, then back to back Nutcracker performances Friday night and Saturday afternoon! She was an amazing trooper rolling with all of it while battling a cold! She's amazing! The busy week is best described in the picture below:

Things that can make your day...

2008-12-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

Facebook is a funny thing...One of my former students found me and we chatted for a while...the next morning she posted a picture of us from her third grade year...seems like a small thing...but knowing that there are students out their that I have had a positive lasting impact on is VERY encouraging. She is studying to become a teacher!

Happy Halloween...er um..Fall Festival

2008-10-30T22:10:00.000-07:00

...whatever...these are cute kids! We carved a pumpkin, ate pizza and watched Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin...Abby thought it was hilarious!

Apple Pickin'

2008-10-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

Well I couldn't have picked a better person to adopt me for the day! With my car in the shop ALL day...Megan the mom of twins and a toddler carted Aaron and I around all day! At the last second we decided to go apple picking in Santa Ynez ("the valley" for those of your from the ocean side of the 154)...we also had the fun idea to grab Brady for the day since his mommy JUST had a baby. Those of you that know Aaron and Brady know that many of us think that the two look very much alike (although Aaron is of MY people who are smallish)...It was fun to try to be a mom of "twins" today...though I can't really count it...since the ACTUAL mom of twins was doing most of the work! We met up the Knoles clan. We picked and nibble our way through the apple farm...and then stopped in Ballard for lunch with the Sieck girls. It was a tremendously fun day! (Although if you saw me around 3:00 sorry Matt and Megan...I was at my wits end with Honda...but that is another story!)
Here are some photos...brace yourselves...there's a LOT of cuteness to follow!!!!

Little Surfer Girl

2008-09-21T22:31:00.000-07:00

The answer is yes...she loves him! Andy has had a blast boogie boarding with Abby lately. Andy says she tells him, "I love you!" over and over again while they're out there. So cute! I finally got to go watch AND take pictures on Saturday! Fun times! Here's a little slide show video of the action!

For more on this...check out ANDY'S BLOG

Di NAH sticks- Gymnastics

2008-09-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

So fun...Aaron and I got to go to gymnastics together today. I am still feeling a bit under the weather, but the buddy needed to let off some steam! At first he was a bit shy about entering the "gym" area. He's been used to watching Abby from behind the gate. So he was pretty mad when I had him put down the toys and walk into the gym. Once he warmed up, he was tough to keep up with.

Oh and as for photography...not my best work...remember it's a mommy and me class so I was trying to help him AND snap pictures... and he's faster than lightening at times...No amount of "Automatic...Or Sports Settings" can help me capture the buddy!
Here's a bit of the action!

He is SUPER strong. He was pulling himself up into pike and straddle positions. Way to go buddy!

First Day of School! First Day of School!

2008-09-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

ABBY IS IN KINDERGARTEN!

For the last week Abby has been bravely holding back tears about her anxieties and worries about starting Kindergarten. Aaron helped pray for her last night...it must have worked! She was ALL smiles and ENTHUSIASM today. And surprisingly so was I! I thought I'd be a shambles...but seeing her so excited and KNOWING the teachers so well made me completely at peace! What a blessing! So here's a few of the events in picture form...I'm CERTAIN Andy will have a post of his own so fear not...there's lots to go around.

Thumbs up is the theme~

Last minute alterations...oops should probably have figured that out sooner than moments before we had to leave! She was cute and rolled with it!
Every time she posed for a picture she stuck her thumbs up...so cute...I fully expected tears this morning...instead I got this sweet response! She's ready!
Oh and as an added bonus we got to see Daddy just before school started! Daddy likes knowing he gets to peak in on her from time to time! Oh and now we know where she gets the thumbs up from!
Some of the girls hanging out in line before the doors opened!

Big girl at her desk! Just about the only shy moment of the day...it wore off quickly! As soon as she saw that Mrs. Moore was free she went over to greet her...I could barely make it through the sea of proud parents to snap this pic.
These next two I'll call "Pencil Pride." She was so proud of her pink pencil grip and quickly noted that all the girls had pink and the boys had blue!

It's hard to believe...but it's true~ She's officially the cutest kindergarten student I could ever imagine!

Busy Beach Buddies!

2008-06-29T22:19:00.000-07:00

Summer is here! Took Aaron & Abby to the beach the other day...FUN times! Aaron is VERY into the beach. He loves the "Ya-ooo" AKA water. He and Abby both enjoyed digging a pit and taking turns sliding into it. It is so fun to see them develop as friends! Oh and how can you NOT love the ALL orange buddy in his new SURF PATROL beach gear!

This Little Piggy Went to Market...

2008-06-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

So...long time no post I know! But this one is worth it! My little Abby is 5 years old!!! I can hardly believe it! She had her first dance recital. May I just say it was an AMAZING show! Their cute little RED SPARKLE Parade was the hit of the show! Here's a bit of the action.

Who Burnt the Beans???!!!

2008-04-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

My Neighbors! I came home from dropping Abby off at school to the sound of blaring smoke alarms, and my next door neighbors dialing 911, and the VERY DISTINCT SMELL of burnt beans. The neighbor girls said the dog in the front would not move, but smoke was pouring out of the kitchen and I said, "Someone burnt the beans again!" A phrase from my childhood (long story). They said how do you know it's beans...I said, "Trust me I know that smell!" The fire department arrived about a minute later and after making nice with Monty the HUGE husky in the doorway they confirmed my declaration by carrying out a pot of burnt beans. Then they brought out the industrial fan (another familiar site (remember Dawn....hot pain, cold oil...). They even went the extra mile to check the walls with the TICer(ticker)Thermal Imaging Camera...sweet! So I know I'm supposed to love my neighbor...but when are walls are connected, I can't help but be a little worried about THEIR mistakes threatening my house! I can hear my dad now..."Never (pronounce Nehbver) LEAVE the beans unattended!" Good news is...smoke detectors work!

family plug...

2008-02-15T11:43:00.000-08:00

Our good family friends Judson Morgan and Kelly Overton have made an fantastic movie...check out the trailer...

First Hair Cut...

2008-02-09T21:11:00.000-08:00

Well...after MUCH resistance on my part...I finally went through with it today...I cut the cutie's hair. He was very patient and even added a hmmmmmmm sound to match the sound of the clippers. He looks very handsome....and much older....but still as cute as ever!

Worth Blogging for...

2008-01-17T21:11:00.000-08:00

Abby had her first day of ballet today...she was so cute...excited...and completely self critical...she REALLY did not like being perfect right away...she did really well...but her perception of her performance was sub-par. She really was great at following the teacher, but she felt overwhelmed by all the newness. Cutie girl. She certainly looked PERFECT in her leotard and tutu! SO CUTE...I hope she sticks with it, cause I can't wait to see her in the recital...priceless!

Why I don't blog...

2007-12-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

Here's why I don't blog....THIS is what I took out of Aaron's mouth while attempting to post a new blog entry....Bad mommy!

P.S. I guess I'm officially a realist...since I'm posting in December...although the pessimist in me doesn't have much hope for future blogging after today~

"Good Bye Everyone" (Pessamist) "Check Back in Decemeber" (Realist)

2007-08-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

So it is official...I am a classroom teacher again...I'm working half time (every afternoon)...I'll be up to my neck in busy (even more-so than usual)...Here's the view from my classroom...you can't beat that. If you want some updates you're going to have to visit Andy's blog.. Bye for now...or for a WHILE!

Second Child Syndrome

2007-07-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

Being the youngest of 4 you'd think I'd be ultra sensitive to making sure to not let things go un-noticed...don't get me wrong being the youngest had it's perks...but it was also pretty easy to fly under the radar...

The last couple days Aaron has been super fussy at bedtimes, while nursing or eating(previously his favorite activities), and then came a runny nose...a parent of one might say...oh he's coming down with something, better keep him home,give him extra rest...nope...we had to go to Abby's wrap-up show for the vacation bible school (affectionately known by her as "bible-school-camp")...so we trudged Aaron to the show, and tried to keep him happy...I reached my finger in his mouth as a last resort to figure out what could be bothering him...DUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHH mommy! HE HAS TWO TEETH!!!! Lest you think I haven't checked...I did check on Wednesday...that means in two days they surfaced and pushed through...POOR cutie...no wonder he's been complaining...he's so sweet most of the time that these moments of unhappiness really stand out...don't worry...he's still REALLY cute!
See!? Don't you just love how his eyes disappear when he smiles!!

And since the last posts have been about Aaron I'd better include an Abby update. The other day on the way home from homegroup we asked Abby what she is thankful for. Here is her list in order:
1. The Sun and the lights (they keep us warm)
2. horses (they are very beautiful, I wish I had a horse)
3. cars (we are really lucky because we have two cars so that when Daddy goes to work, we still have a car for us)
4-6. my mommy and my daddy and baby Aaron
7. trees
8. fireworks
9. Jesus (I really like doing that stuff...what stuff? learning about Jesus...Oh!)
10. stars
11. rainbows
12. buildings
13. water (it cools me down)
14. milk
15. soft blankets

MA! MA!

2007-06-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

While we have unofficially been saying that "Hi" is Aaron's first word...the only one he would regularly mimic since he was about 6 months. But NOW it's official his first spontanuos-self-chosen word...MA ! MA! Yep! It happened this morning, when I was leaving him with Andy while off to work my first day of summer school (incidentally this is the first day I have ever LEFT him for work...all last year he came with me...)So...he picks today to make it official. Technically I think it happened yesterday, but it was 5 in the morning...I was dead tired and he was REALLY wanting to play so he tapped my face(my eyes were barely even open at that point) over and over and finally said MA! He was satisfied because it woke me up and he decided to stop saying it...But today he has said it over and over, and YES, my heart melts more and more each time!

By the way, Andy took this awesome photo yesterday evening at the Mission Rose Garden! He's good! And that boy is CUTE!!!!!!!

Four???????

2007-05-22T14:51:00.001-07:00

How can it be...age four is here...well almost anyway. Abby's friend Sydney had her party this weekend...which means we're going to blink and Abby's going to be four. Wow!
Here's some of the action from "Under the Sea" These Little Mermaids had a splashing good time!

The A-Man!

2007-05-17T15:56:00.000-07:00

What can I say...being friends with Tad Wagner is a cool thing! Not only is he a guy that I respect tremendously...but he takes some AWESOME photos of my kids...we were out working on a project together today and having Aaron with me turned out to be an added bonus. You have seen many pics of Abby by him on our blogs...but this is the A-man's T-bone Debut!

Few Things More Fun Than This!

2007-04-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

Abby loves to help me cook...tonight she was SUPER bummed at me because I had done all the work and didn't have her help. I can't wait for the day when I get to step aside and let her cook a meal for our family...I know I am going to blink and the day will come~I was cooking for my entire family by the age of nine! It will be kind of nice to have another cook in the rotation in a few years! On another cute note...she also LOVES to hang out with Andy while he BBQ's...I guess it's only a matter of time before we are not needed to provide the meals...meanwhile I will cherish the moments of her soaking up the experience of cooking! What a joy!

VOTE FOR CHRIS MUNDELL!!!

2007-04-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

VOTE FOR CHRIS MUNDELL

His video is the one in the middle calle "Resume for Pizza VP"!
Vote for HIS video...it is the BEST!! If you are my friend then you will do this right now~~I'd say no pressure...but I'd be lying...there's $25,000 at stake and he has 3 adorable children to feed..and two very old, very needy vehicles! SO enough with the guilt...JUST GO VOTE NOW!

Click here to go VOTE NOW!
Tell EVERYONE you know VOTE NOW~~~~PLEASE!!!

I'm sorry...but that is CUTE!

2007-04-08T20:53:00.000-07:00

I dare you to argue with me!

Tired Beyond Belief... of looking at that old post???

2007-03-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Finally a moment...here's a fun photo side by side...well one on top of the other anyway...Abby is three weeks older than Aaron in this comparison...check out how much more hair she has! So here's how I see it...As I have been saying, they are VERY different. The mouth and chin (the unescapable!) is the same...that's about it. You may weigh in with your opinion.

Tired BEYOND belief!!!!!

2007-02-07T18:08:00.000-08:00

Do you remember that feeling you had in college the week after finals. The hazy-sick-to-your-stomach-head-in-a-fog...feeling. Now imagine that feeling for nearly 4 months (well wait...add to that the last 4 months of pregnancy)!!! The other significant difference is that in college you only had to take care of yourself and you can nap at almost any hour...so in my foggy existence I also have to care for 2 children...yikes...Oh and I am considering long drives at 4 am to get my son to sleep...I reccommend staying safely in your own bed...I predict I'll be running into Carrie Eacker sometime out on the roads!!!

WILL I EVER NOT BE TIRED?????!!!!!!!!!!!

And the winner is....

2007-02-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

My wonderful husband wins the prize today. He let me "sleep in" both Saturday and Sunday and last night he took Aaron until 5:00. The amazing thing is that Aaron went nearly 8 hours without eating! This proves to me that he is NOT hungry in the middle of the night...just wants some cuddles! Thankfully daddy was willing to provide! I feel like a new person...I slept more last night then I can remember in a long time! Andy may on the other hand be tired beyond belief today...but I am OH SO thankful!

Abby is today's winner!!!!!!

2007-01-24T08:50:00.000-08:00

I have a favorite child...there I said it! This is my wonderful first born child!

She slept through the night immediately! Yes, I know that I was spoiled. Most babies don’t sleep from 10:00-7:30!!! But Abby was and continues to be a stellar sleeper! Now mind you I realize that this phase of life is temporary and that “this too shall pass” But I’d advise you to steer clear of reminding me of such things in person these days! That sounds harsh...what I am trying to say is that I have run out of the fumes I was running on. My second child (adorable though he may be!!!!) has decided that he’d like to be awake multiple times a night....and some times for an extra special bonus he’ll stay awake for an hour or so around 3:00 a.m....for the record he does have some pretty bad gas...but DAYS of gas! It is time for me to cash in on my husband’s promised spa day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and by the way this post is subject to change by the end of the day...you never know what Abby's gonna do next...little miss 3.5 going on 13!
Here's a memory of a sleeping Aaron!

The Alpaca Farm

2006-11-27T17:52:00.000-08:00

This is Ticky.
She greeted us on our arrival to the Alpaca Farm in Carpinteria.

Grandma Shudu and Papa James took us to see these cute fuzzy friends.

Abby loved getting to pet them. She even got to give Ticky a kiss. Ticky believes she is part human, by the way....she was bottle fed by the owner. We got to see an alpaca who had just been born a few hours earlier. He was pretty cute...kinda wobbly like Bambi.

It was a beautiful spot to see the sunset overlooking the Carpinteria Valley and the Pacific!

I got a hair cut today...

2006-11-21T19:18:00.000-08:00

Or as my family would say...I had more than one cut...or I had my ears lowered. I had had it with the school marm look...I'm not even a teacher anymore...and I had the eternal "up-do" If I wore my hair down my cute little newborn would flail his arms about and manage to get tangled in the mop...so it's "mom-hair" time...you can be brutally honest...weigh in with a thumbs up or thumbs down. I can take it! Fortunately my husband likes it!

take what you can get...

2006-11-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

Here's Abby's preschool portrait...pretty cute if you ask me.

I have been getting hints that some have thought I have lagged in the area of blog updates...WELL YES!!! As I type I am holding sweet Aaron in one arm, while I type one handed...as you can guess this is not the easiest endeavor. We are managing to survive through the fog of VERY LITTLE sleep...well for me at least...Aaron manages to sleep through most of the day still...well I hope you will all forgive my absence from the blog world...

Halloween Fun!

2006-10-31T20:34:00.000-08:00

What a fun day to be a mom! Abby was on cloud nine all day! She loves to dress up...so a whole day dedicated to it is like bliss for her...she would be happy if there were a dress up hour every day...kind of like the siesta tradition of Spain...I digress. This morning Abby's school had "Fall Festival" with an Ocean theme...her class were the Rainbow Fish. They paraded around the courtyard. What I really should have been taking pictures of were the hoards of parents crowding around with every form of camera related technology trying to capture the moment...too funny us ridiculously proud parents!

After that it was time to go to Daddy's school. Abby changed into her Tinker Bell Costume which my friend Tina sent her (extremely thoughtful of her...knowing I would have NO time to shop for a costume this year!!! Before we left her school she wanted to show EVERYONE her new costume...she was BEAMING!!!

A few years ago I made Andy a costume...let's just say it's a lot of yellow for one man...he is the perfect "Man-with-the-yellow-hat" (by the way I am still mad that they gave him the name "Ted" in the movie...but don't get me started) So what better costume for Aaron than to be CURIOUS GEORGE! My friend Sarah gave us some cute little brown jamies for Aaron...I slipped on the shirt from one of Abby's stuffed Curious George monkeys, sewed some ears onto the hat...and VOILA the cutest monkey you've ever seen! At Andy's school they had an assembly and he held Aaron up in front of the school like a proud father (anyone seen Lion King...picture pride rock...Simba...it was adorable!)

p.s. sorry tosay but this was not one of my better photo days...lack of sleep has damaged my attention to detail!

Pumpkin Patch

2006-10-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

Abby is in that hillarious stage where she cracks jokes that make sense only to her...but we all laugh heartily. Today on the way to the pumpkin patch she was singing (to the tune of On Top of Old Smokey)"On top of my pumpkin all covered with pumpkins I lost my poor pumpkin patch when I went to the pumpkin patch...HA HA HA!!!" She had a blast sprinting through the pumpkins (okay so it was more like a wiggle run...if you've seen her you know what I'm talking about).

Aaron even got in on the fun with a wagon ride...okay so not exactly a ride...but he did get to sit with his cute big sister IN the wagon...so close enough.

It was a fun family outing...seen through the eyes of an eager three year old most things are a lot more fun!

Trump Card of all excuses...beware the long post!

2006-10-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

I am sure you have been missing my blog updates...terribly!!! I have been a little busy lately...I guess giving birth to an 8lb 11oz baby will earn you a "get out of jail free" card. My friend Brad had a great post about making excuses for not blogging. The truth is I have too much to say...

At first I wanted to tell you all the gory details of labor...but I thought the better of it...there is such a thing as TOO much information. I do want to say how deeply grateful I am for all the support I received throughout the labor process. I was truly in God's hands the whole time and I felt it! It was an event covered in prayer!!!

Many things were the same as last time...I was induced so there was no rush to the hospital in the middle of the night..there was a LOT of "waiting" for those in the "waiting room"...and Team Andy and Dawn were stellar as usual with keeping me calm and relaxed...as was the epidural administered by Dr. John Keating...who as many of you know has "ministered" his care for me on several occasions. That man will have a MANSION in heaven! The care I received from the nurses of Labor & Delivery was AMAZING...although ask Dawn to tell you about the "break nurse" sometime...PERFUME should be outlawed in L&D...

Here is what was REMARKABLY different..for starters I walked into the hospital without my husband having to help me take each and every step...last time I was in so much pain from my "pelvic" injury that I could not MOVE without assistance...then there is the fact that the labor process was only 17 plus hours as opposed to 31 hours....The other major encouragement was being able to tolerate real contractions for more than 35 minutes without begging for an epidural...this time I lasted 2 hours...and I only did so to prove to myself that it WAS NOT in my head last time around...my injury had been so severe I simply could not tolerate the pain because there was never a break from it...sidenote...I think my husband thought I was a bit bonkers for WANTING to experience pain this time around...I am glad I did.

By far the best difference was that this time I was able to hold Aaron immediately after he was born...with Abby there were breathing problems so the NICU nurses had her right away...I really only had about 10 minutes with her when she was born...then we weren't reunited for several hours...with Aaron I got to hold him...and kiss him and introduce him to family all in the delivery room. What a peaceful difference from last time. And the love in my heart is full~and getting more full by the minute!

Tommorrow is BABY DAY...unless he decides it's today!

2006-10-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

How does THURSDAY sound??? Or earlier!

2006-10-07T13:29:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful that this cooperative little bundle has listened to his mommy again! I FERVENTLY asked him to stay put this week so that week could get through the memorial service for our good friend Matt. It was indeed an amazing service and I am so thankful to have been there for it...and more importantly that Andy was able to play guitar for worship.

That same afternoon we had an ultrasound to check on the size of the baby....(we've been struggling with the whole juxtaposition of joy/sorrow...life/death this week...this was just another example of that). So as for the size of the baby... he is already PLENTY big!
I told myself if he was bigger than 7 pounds I would go through with an induction appointment scheduled for next Thursday. WELL....
So...unless he decides to come sooner...
We'll get the ball rolling on Thursday, Oct. 12th!

Roll over! Sit! Head down! Good boy...okay he's not a dog...but he is a GOOD BOY!!!

2006-09-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

Went to the doctor today and he did an ultrasound to determine that Baby Boy White (by the way Abby stopped calling him Magical Boy Pony White....and now calls him Daddy Boy...a real name is going to be an adjustment for her) is HEAD DOWN!!! He is no longer breech. What an answer to prayer! As an added bonus I am getting kicked in the ribs while I type this...he must know I'm talking about him. I must say the kicks are far better than the Zidane-style head-butts to the rib cage. Now just pray that his little noggin doesn't put too much pressure on my unstable pelvis!
For those of you rooting for an earlier arrival (it's not just me right? RIGHT?)...things don't appear at this point to be going that way...but hey last week this boy was breech and now he's not...so a lot can happen in a week...I'll keep you posted!

And now for a joke for my husband...he has been calling our boy "Ronaldino" whenever he kicks...so here's another comparison of last week to this week!

I suppose today could have been worse...

2006-09-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

Well, this morning started off great with a really fun music class (that is once my daughter got over her tears from being disappointed that she couldn't sit in my lap...doesn't she realize I have NO LAP!!!) I got sneaky and decided to drop in early for my OB appointment with a new doctor (my plan involves meeting all the doctors who could be on duty in the hospital when I deliver). Dr. Barnes was able to fit me in even though my appointment wasn't supposed to be until later...She was great...I told her about some weird pain I have been having in my legs...inner thighs down to the ankles...not your typical muscle pain. She said, "I don't like the way that sounds..." and "scheduled" me for an ultra sound with the vascular radiologist to look for clots.

The radiologist was able to fit me in at 1:30 this afternoon. That gave me enough time to rush back with a lunch for Abby at preschool...where she would spend a spontaneously long day. Everyone tells me she did great. After that I had a bit of time to grab lunch and head to the Biltmore wall for a little "get with God" time. Dawn swore me off of doing any internet research to self-diagnose and worry...solace with God was a much better plan.
Back at the Sansum Clinic (I should point out that it was clearly one of those "God Things" that my appointment was at this Main Clinic in the first place...the other OB office is a block away...but worlds away in terms of phone calls and fighting the system that would have had to take place if I was being seen there...instead the nurse walked five doors down...chatted with the radiologist and had an impromptu appointment in seconds!!!) The radiologist was VERY thorough (she spent about 3-5 minutes behind each knee...the main one being..."You will tell me if you see something suspicious right????" She assured me that she would....BUT fortunately she didn't have to...I AM CLOT free...and blood is flowing like a charm! Praise God from whom all blessings flow...are you singing with me???

MEANWHILE IN OTHER NEWS!!!

Baby Boy White is stubbornly in breech position...he should be heading downward by now...Dr. Barnes did a quick ultra sound to confirm what I could have already told her... I have been saying this boy thinks he will be exiting via my rib cage!!! This could still change...so pray that he will!!! If he doesn't I'll for sure opt for a C-Section...Lord knows my pelvis doesn't need any more trauma!

Be Careful What You Ask!!!

2006-09-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

So we've been reviewing with Abby that some of the people we know have different names when we're at school. For example we happen to be close friends with the director Jeannine, who is also known as Nani...Well Abby has thus far done a great job with greeting her at school saying,"Good Morning, Mrs. Morgan" She also knows that at school Mommy & Daddy are Mr. & Mrs. White. Today when we were visiting with the teachers I asked her what my "at school" name is...she said Mrs. White. I then asked her what she called me...she said "MOMMY!" with great enthusiasm. I should have quit while I was ahead...but then I asked her, "What does Daddy call me?" She confidently answered, "Issues!" Everyone laughed! I have not laughed that hard in months! But maybe I should be considering marriage counseling! Just kidding...I KNOW the truth! I AM issues!

Do they make a souvenir license plate with that name?

Abby's "FIRST"day at Preschool

2006-09-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

What a fun day! Abby started preschool today. She is VERY familiar with the environment having spent so much time "dropping in" last year while I played music for chapel...but now it is HER school! She was very excited and bounded right into the room. She tolerated me making her take pictures with her teachers....who by the way are FABULOUS!

Before my elementary teaching days I used to be an assitant to Cathy...who is phenomenal with these kids!

I also got to know Zoe last year during Abby's drop in days, and she is a natural with this age group as well. I really like her!

As an added bonus...one of the assitant teachers in the preschool is KJ! Our babysitter from the last two years! Abby was very excited to see her this morning.
Once I was finished torturing my child with photos, she got straight to the business of playing...First stop was to find the "beautiful dress" in the dress-up corner. I have a feeling this will be her first stop DAILY...does this surprise anyone? Yeah me either!

So I have to brag for one moment (because you have to take these when you can get them...) During her first social playing moment I was snapping pictures, and I actually heard her say, "Sure! You can have some...here you go!" This picture proves it...and if you still don't believe me you can ask Miss Zoe. She and I were both feeling proud for Abby's first act of sharing in preschool!

First "Official" Haircut

2006-09-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

Big spenders that we are...we took her to a high class salon...known as "Le Samuel Fantastique" Abby was super excited to participate in this highly fashion oriented endeavor...though I must say the motivation was in part functional, as her hair was getting dangerously close to the "popo" (our word for bottom). Even Abby saw the urgency of this matter and inquired rather seriously of her stylist whether her hair was now short enough so it wouldn't touch the "popo"...too funny! Anyway we went conservative because daddy and I both love the long hair...and the best part according to Abby was of course the LOLLIPOP...which she kept insisting I take a lick of (which of course I cannot do...see previous entry below).
Enjoy the pictures!

It's Official...I have Gestational Diabetes!

2006-08-23T18:28:00.000-07:00

HERE'S THE HAPS:

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? I get to meet with an endocrinologist (easy for you to say):

TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO DO THIS:

OR WHETHER TO JUST GO FROM THIS:

TO THIS:

ALL IN ALL...it means once again that I am NOT a normal pregnant woman...It was fun while it lasted! The good news is that I only have about 8 weeks to deal with all of this! We would still appreiciate your prayers!

It's what's for breakfast! [Glucose Tolerance Test Part 2]

2006-08-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

No it's not an illegal substance...it is pure sugar!!!!!! 100 grams of dextrose to be exact. First off, you can't eat ANYTHING all night and for three hours during the test (a near miracle in and of itself for a pregnant woman!) Then they draw your blood (for one of 4 times!) After a lovely prick in the arm... breakfast this morning in liquid form was like drinking 4 seven-ups in one 6 oz. bottle. SO GROSS!!! Three hours of trying to control the urge to rid my body of that pure sugar...meanwhile the little boy inside me has decided to try to get out too...RIGHT OUT THE BELLY!!! He was NOT liking the menu this morning...and I don't blame him one bit! NOT my idea of a fun morning. I don't know the results yet...but I don't think I passed...I'll keep you posted.

When Girls Play with Cars...

2006-08-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

So I was feeling proud that my daughter loves to play with her collection of cars from the recent Pixar movie, Cars. Well, I definitely realized there is nothing "tom-boy" about my girl.(I should say I have supected this for some time now considering the I MUST WEAR A DRESS OR SKIRT DAILY...and ABSOLUTELY NO PANTS!!!) Once in a while she sends the zooming across the floors. Today however, instead of "vroom, vroom...crash!" this is what we heard..."It's okay cars, it's time for a little rest. Here you go, I'll sing you a song...go to sleep...zzz zzz etc." They're all still happily resting underneath their pink blanket!

God is So Good

2006-08-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

I found this old tape the other day and since my husband runs a recording studio he was able to convert it from "Old School" Cassette to mp3 format...then I got carried away and made it into a video. Enjoy!

on a side note...has anyone noticed that I changed the name of my blog to "dot-dot-dot" That is because I have an addiction...to the ellipsis... I did some research...google style that is...and found that I am abusing them and using them improperly. I don't even make them right...it's supposed to be dot-space-dot-space-dot. The truth is I tend to use them instead of just putting a period, a space, and then a capital, which would technically be less work...oh well...I'll just keep on dot-dot-dotting to my heart's content...if you're interested here's the scoop on the ellipsis. . .

Oh my aching back!

2006-08-01T10:24:00.001-07:00

Oh Man! Back pain stinks! I woke up in the middle of the night to go pee (for one of my seven trips...no joke!) as I stepped onto the ground sharp shooting pains went down my left leg...I stood there for a solid minute deciding whether to take another step. Once I finally took another step...OUCH...so the funny part is what do you do once you reach the toilet...that is a LONG way down...will I ever get back up if I get down there?
So this morning I finally asked Andy to help me...he makes a really good "walker" minus the tennis balls on the ends of his feet of course. So the story of my day today will be ice and rest...since I can't take any of the lovely products available to help the pain...

Sorry... NOT for you prego!

Oh...if only I could alleviate the pain this way!

2006-07-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

Abby's Headphone Day

Abby is Clark's number one fan! We went to a gig on Friday night. She loved it! After every song she clapped and yelled, "Good job Daddy! Dana & B!" But like any three year old she got pretty distracted at about half-way through the set. She made good use of the listening station...she chose the perfect time since Clark was playing their fabulous song, Headphone Day!

I'm a normal pregnant woman!

2006-07-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

Hey that's a quote from the doctor...not me! I had my follow up ultra-sound yesterday...and ALL IS WELL! I had originally been told at my 20 week that I had a "low-lying" placenta (sounds like an insult to my placenta if you ask me...you dirty-rotten-no-good-low-lying placenta!) But seriously this is good news! It would have been guaranteed bed-rest and C-section...so I am thankful to have that burden lifted. The other good thing about having another ultra-sound is that I got to see more of our cute little boy! Here is another picture of him sleeping with hand over his eyes. Too cute! Thanks for praying!

Summer is in full swing!

2006-07-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

Abby started swim lessons with Judy Cooper today. Check out those "kickers"! I remember when my little friend Elie first started, and we all filed in to watch. Wasn't that just a couple months ago??? Today it was just Abby and I, but I made for a good cheering section! She was more brave than I could even believe! For a girl who doesn't like to get messy, she LOVES to get wet...and has no problem dunking her full head under water! Her swim instructor was soooo impressed with our little fish girl! I have to say, I was a proud mommy!

In other news..Abby was in a "home-town-fourth-of-july-parade this weekend! Her gymnastics class won first place in the parade! Abby was adorned in her American flag headband, blue leotard, and red hula skirt as she performed her donkey kicks for the masses...okay so it was only a couple hundred or so people lining the streets of Carpinteria...but whose counting. Check out a video of the PARADE here!

Happy Fourth Everyone!

A Crowning Moment: Coca-Cola & Pink Cup Cakes!

2006-06-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe...but Abby is 3! This Saturday we celebrated at Padaro Beach Grill-with tons of friends and family. She requested a Crown-fitting-for my little princess! That morning she also asked me to paint her nails-whose kid is this???

Highlights of the day include Abby's first soda-When asked what the coke tasted like she said...with a smile..."SUGAR!" Well she got that right!~ Another highlight was watching her flit back and forth among all her party-goers! She was sooo excited about to have so many people that she loves there! Then it was time for her pink cupcakes topped with sprinkles, Cinderella, and most importantly the number 3 candle...which she was disappointed to discover is not edible...why don't they make edible candles? Why should the cake have all the fun...she should get to have her cake and eat her candle too! I digress...Gift opening time was a huge hit as well! She was showered with wonderful gifts. It has now taken us two days to convince Abby to let us wash her new Ariel outfit from Auntie Luv! The only consolation was that she has tons more new clothes to put on...what am I going to do with this girl! It is a good thing the next one is a boy!

IT'S A BOY!!!

2006-06-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

Isn't he cute?!

Too graphic? Hope not!

We had our ultrasound today-even though thanks to my pregnant brain we almost missed it! We decided to bring Abby with us to the appointment. She has been convinced for a while now that it is a girl. I was convinced that she wouldn't believe us if she didn't hear it from the doctor himself! When the doctor asked her if she wanted to know what it was....she said, "Yes!" He told her she's having a brother! She was really excited...I was RELIEVED! You have to hear her say "bruder"...it's the cutest. Tonight Andy took us out to a steak dinner at the Palms in honor of having a boy. As we were putting Abby to bed tonight she said, "I'm so excited I'm having a bruder!" I have to be honest...so am I! It is nice to have a complete set! Keep praying that all goes well.

Surfliner to Seaworld

2006-05-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

Abby and I tagged along with Andy's class for a BIG ADVENTURE! First, we road the TRAIN to San Diego...which for Abby was really exciting until about San Clemente. Then it was, "Mommy, I'm done with the train!" Throughout the ride she had a plethora of babysitters in Andy's wonderful students. Abby loves the attention...shocker!

We spent a couple hours cruising around Old Town San Diego until my friend Tina picked us up. She knows how to HOOK UP a friend! We went to her Chiropractic Spa where she scheduled me for a hot rock massage! It was the most relaxed I've been in months! Then we drove to her house where we got to hang out with her boys for a little while before bedtime! Hanging in Abby's room was a brand new outfit...(remember I said she knows how to hook up a friend) Needless to say Abby has a new favorite skirt!

The next morning Abby awoke before the rooster would even crow! Ugh! We attempted to "stay asleep" until 7:00. Then it was up and out of the house for our trip to Sea World.

Abby LOVED Sea World! We had a jam-packed day of fun! Our first stop was the dolphin show...which by the way was REALLY fun! Once again, Tina had connections and was able to get us to be first in line to take pictures with the Dolly the Dolphin! We managed to squeeze in the Pet show and the brand new Shamu show...while taking in the sea creature sights along the way.

It was a fun-filled adventure for sure! Though I am thankful for the long weekend to recover from the lack of sleep!

Pray without ceasing

2006-05-05T15:11:00.000-07:00

My nearly three year old is far better at boldness in prayer than I am! It is quite remarkable and inspiring. Recently while at her gymnastics class we saw my friend Jennifer who Abby has never met before. Jennifer was wearing a back brace as a result of recent surgery. Abby gently patted her on the brace and said, "Do you have an 'owie' on your back? We need to pray for you [let me interject...here is where I might say "I'll be praying for you" with the best of intentions and very little follow throuh...NOT ABBY] immediately with head bowed and eyes closed and her tiny little hands up by her face, "Dear Jesus, please help Jennifer's back feel better...AMEN!" Oh-I wish you could hear her say AMEN-you know the word means "let it be so" It is with that spirit that she declares AMEN!
She is also a commited prayer warrior...she will continue to pray for people she knows have on-going illness until she receives confirmation that the person is indeed well. Right now her prayer list is long and growing. She is praying for so many "babies in tummies" and sometimes she shows her age and gets overwhelmed by her long list and she'll say,"Dear Jesus please help EVERYONE!" But other times she'll surprise me with her sensitive heart. Our friend Ryan Morgan had knee surgery over a year ago...when she saw his picture on my computer the other day she said, "We are praying for his knee to get better." I assured her that his knee has healed. I can't believe how long she remembers things! Her fervor spurs me to be more motivated in my prayer life! By the way if you need prayer...don't let me tell you..."Oh I'll pray for you!" Make me pray with you then and there! Of course if Abby is nearby she'll remind us both!

a PROUD plug

2006-04-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

we have a hope
Originally uploaded by ange7.

That is the opposite of a shamless plug...that's because I am SOOO excited about this new CD for many reasons. We feel a bit like we have a "new arrival" in the house. No, not that kind (there's several more months to go on that one)! Andy has co-produced, engineered and created this CD through months and months, hours and hours of labor.

So what is it? It is a compilation of original worship music and some re-worked hymns by the musicians of Santa Barbara Community Church where Andy and I attend.

So why am I plugging it? I am excited about the fact that this is a benfit CD for International Justice Mission. My good friend SCOTT ANDERSON did the amazing album artwork. Not to mention that my talented husband helped bring it to life...and if that's not reason enough....I have two of my songs on the CD! You can check out those songs on MYSPACE

So where can you get one? They are being sold through our church for a requested minimun donation of $10...so why not buy two and give one to a friend? Email me if you are really interested. Or you can go to ANDY'S BLOG for more details

PRACTICALLY Perfect

2006-04-16T18:35:00.000-07:00

PRACTICALLY Perfect
Originally uploaded by ange7.

Newsflash! My child is not perfect. I know this comes as a shock to many of you. You better sit down for this: A few weeks ago Andy went to Vegas for the weekend to celebrate a bachelor party with his friends. I suppose under normal circumstances I would have been fine with this scenario...BUT things were far from normal. Being pregnant causes me to be exhausted, and I was dealing with constant nausea...so needless to say my patience level was at an all time low. Couple that with the fact that Abby was beginning her first (of many to come I am sure) phase of rebellion. Don't let anyone tell you about terrible two's...It is the terrible "almost three's" that get you! The first night Andy was gone it took me 45 minutes to negotiate Abby to going to sleep...this is normally a 10 minute process. I went straight to bed!

Later that weekend was her first willful act of rebellion. First I will own up to all the things I did wrong before...I kept her out way too late at a birthday party...I tried to put her to bed after she'd already fallen asleep in the car...and she had eaten a highly unsatisfying lunch. ALL that said...I put her down to rest, and as usual she was chattering away up there. Then it was quiet. Ahh she's asleep...what a good girl! After about a 30 minutes I heard a few little tinkering noises so I went up stairs to check on her...and THIS is what I discovered. (Remember the videos take a while to load)

Major props to my friend Tad Wagner for the great song at the beginning of the video "You are a Tiger"

The Proud Sister

2006-04-12T22:40:00.000-07:00

The Proud Sister
Originally uploaded by ange7.

Well we shared the big news with Abby yesterday! She is going to be a sister! It went exceptionally well. She had the reactions I expected of excitement and curiosity. Her enthusiasm was absolutely adorable, but her tenderness was a sweet surprise. She hugged and kissed the baby via my belly. CLICK HERE to see the video of how we told her.(THIS WILL TAKE A WHILE TO LOAD)

I am sure there will be many days filled with questions and anticipation. At the moment, if Abby could, she would MAKE this baby a girl. For that reason we are going to find out what we are having this time so we can prepare her for being the best sister to whatever comes our way.
It will be another 2 months before we know if it is a boy or a girl.

So here's the scoop... I am 12 weeks pregnant right now. Yesterday I had my second doctor's appointment and got to see the baby on the ultrasound. At first he tried to hear the heartbeat with the doppler, but it didn't work (giving me a brief anxiety attack). Then he quickly wheeled in the ultrasound, and I was relieved and excited to see our new baby sucking his/her thumb!

This has been a rough 12 weeks filled with constant nausea and major fatigue, but I can slowly feel things turning a corner. The biggest thing I feel right now is JOY and RELIEF!

Gabriel Asher Carreño

2006-04-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Gabriel Asher Carreño
Originally uploaded by ange7.

My new nephew! What a good boy he is already...showing up EARLY! My brother Daniel and his wife Marybeth are the proud parents of this adorable little boy...someday we'll tell him that his cousin, whose a girl, had him beaten in the weight department by 2 whole ounces! Course- he'll probably be strong enough to take her in about 2 months! Welcome to the world Gabriel! We love you!
Love,
Auntie Angela

Fiesta Family

2006-03-28T14:19:00.000-08:00

Fiesta Family
Originally uploaded by ange7.

Rainy days and Tuesdays always get me down. I have to remember that most days in our area are like the one from this photo of Fiesta at the mission.

trying to be as cool as my husband

2006-03-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

Well-It is about time I start one of these myself. I can't let Andy be the only voice for this family! The only problem is he is doing a pretty good job...so maybe this is a lost cause. Speaking of Lost...do you watch it? Great show! I digress...from what? Someday there may be exciting posts but as for now it is naptime! It's a rainy day!