Time to Refocus

So about 1.5 months ago I was laid off from my job of 10 years. I had been working 16.5 years straight without any break so this has been quite the period of adjustment for me. At first I was in a fog. I could not relax. I did not know how to function in a life without a job. I have been mad, sad and every emotion in between. You know whats gotten me through it? The 3 faces above. They have reminded me of what is really important and have taught me to live again and not simply survive each day. Now that the shock is over, I am learning to embrace life again. I am sleeping better, laughing alot more and recognizing the beauty around me.

 I am learning to refocus which is ironic because my church is going through that too. Sometimes you have to take an inventory of what is working in your life and what is not. Once you begin dumping whats not working the things that are working really shine.God gave me 3 incredible gifts and I intend to enjoy them. Its such an amazing feeling when you have God in control. Every day is a gift and an adventure. So with that said, I am ready to embark on a new journey. Won't you join me?

Merry Christmas :)

So, on Christmas Eve we all talked and said that we would get up when Kayden came to get us. Casey of course wakes me up at 7 am to say "Merry Christmas" and I had to send him back to bed. By 9:30 it was obvious that sleeping beauty was not waking up and needed our assistance. Once downstairs she became really excited and the paper ripping began. It was so cute..whenever she was opening a gift her dad would ask, "what is it?" and she would reply.."its mine!!!!"  It was a beautiful day filled with lots of love and smiles. My kids are growing up way too fast :(

The Stockings were hung by the Chimney with Care

Santa has arrived! The stockings are overflowing with candy and goodies for the kiddos. I love that my older kids still fully participate in all the Christmas rituals. They both went to bed early with Kayden. :)

Rockband

                                                        Carvel Chocolate ICe Cream Cake

Casey had a blast at his Rockband Birthday Party! Those kids played nonstop for over 4 hours!! I love rockband. It brings out the rocker chick in me..ha ha Casey and I often play Rush songs together which is alot of fun. Last night he asked if we could do it again for New Years. We'll have to see about that :)

Costco Pizza

Where else can you get a large, 16 piece pizza with as many toppings as you want for $10.99! I love that you can get a gimormous hotdog AND a soda for $1.50. My kids love it. My weight watchers diet, not so much!!!

Christmas on the Corner

Okay..so I took this picture w/ my phone and as you can see its kinda blurry. But I LOVE IT because it makes me giggle everytime I look at it!! Kayden can never just smile. She always has to make a face or be silly. This face is particularly goofy. We decorated our version of 'Mater (bobs 1970 something truck) for the ECW Christmas on the Corner. We all had a great time. I am so glad to be back to blogging..moving has kept me busy and I also cannot find the cord that allows me to transfer pictures from my camera!! But I will find it this week because I have lots of pics to share :)

Snow Ball Fight...pee wee style

 

 Kayden had such a great time in the snow at the ECW Christmas event! She loved playing with all the other lil ones and especially loved throwing snowballs at me and her Maw Maw. Good thing I wore a water proof jacket!  I am looking forward to the next big, cold rainstorm because that will mean snow up on Sunrise Highway. Kayden will love the snow and we will be able to make snow angels then too.

Its a Small World

Christmas is upon us!! We always make sure we go through "It's a Small World" when we go to the happiest place on earth. The lights are so beautiful! At the top of every hour they darken the lights and play an amazing music and video show on the walls. It will never get old. Ever!

Thanksgiving Feast

Every year, we go to Disneyland for Thanksgiving with our best friends. My family lives in Washington so instead of making a big ol dinner we decided to let someone else cook and clean up for us! The Thanksgiving Feast at the Disneyland hotel is amazing! It is held in the Grand Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel. They have so many different foods from traditional, to a kids bar, to crepes, etc. The dessert table is so incredible. I love the mini pumpkin pies and red velvet mini cupcakes. They also have music and Disney characters there to entertain. Afterwards we head off to the park for the holiday parades and fireworks to start the holidays off with a bang! (In the background you can see a bottle with Mickey ears..thats lotion they have in the bathrooms!)

Church Bistro

Today was the annual church bistro and it was yummy! I had spaghetti and meatballs.Looking around I realize how we have so many wonderful people at our church. I just love our church family. Pastor Steve led each table in a sing along to "Thats Amore" and our table won. The only thing that was missing was Alison and Special K. I know they would have enjoyed it :)

Moving In

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind!! We are finally out of our old house and into the new one. let the unpacking begin!!!

Halloween

                                                                  Sleeping Beauty

                                                         Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift

                                                                             Punkins

Every year we go to our best friends Halloween Party where we eat yummy tacos, and see all the cute Halloween costumes. Kayden was a princess and Katy was Taylor Swift. It was a nice break from the moving :)

Cake Topper

As you know we are getting ready to move. So with it has been many hours of packing and sifting through boxes to determine whats going with us and whats getting a one way ticket to the dump. My hubby found our wedding box today and in it was my dress, veil, guest book, champagne glasses, katy's flower girl hairpiece and basket, invitations,partyware and our cake topper. Its hard to imagine that we have been married almost 15 years. Seems like a lifetime and yet not even a minute ago. That day was special. I can laugh now but our family was going through some stuff and well some moments were incredibly awkward but hey its all better now! My friends Heather and Sherrie made my 3 tier wedding cake. They had been taking decorating lessons. I remember picking the cake out in a bridal magazne and voila! they made it. I will have to scan some of the cake pics so you can see them. I really loved this lil topper. Its survived well, much like Bobby and I have :)

Rainy day at the beach

I just love the weather we have been having lately! The clouds and cool drizzle are announcing that fall is here. I grew up in the Seattle area and so the weather we are having is very similiar to what they have up there just about everyday Fall through Spring. The beach shot pictured is across the street from one of our favorite restaurants, Las Olas. I have mentioned it in earlier posts. The charbroiled chicken taco platter is awesome and their yogurt salsa is to die for. I was so thrilled when the waiter asked,"flour, corn or wheat tortillas?" Wheat?? yay!!! Fiber is a major plus on the WW plan so I was excited.  It really is one of my top 5 favorite retaurants. As for the beach, its Cardiff-by-the Sea, so its more rocky than most but still a beautiful place :)

Faith Stones



Faith Stones

With Casey in band there is LOTS of fundraising. I found these stones in his recent fundraising catalogue and absolutely had to have them! I was so excited when they came in today. I plan to carry them in my purse and when I have a weak moment, a moment where I am floundering, I plan to stick my hand in the bag and pull out a stone and concentrate on the passage it has for me. Here is what the stones say:

" You have been saved by God's grace".- Ephesians 2:5

"We walk by faith, not by sight."-2 Corinthians 5:7

"I will be with you always". - Matthew 28:20

"God can do all things".- Matthew 19:25

"My soul finds rest in God alone."- Psalm 62:7 

and my FAVE verse ever:

"Be still and know that I am God".- Psalm 46:10

Box Houses

I remember as a kid we moved alot..so we used the boxes to create houses and castles and one time we made sleds and went sliding down steep grassy hills on them. So imagine my delight when I found my pumpkin hanging out in her "house".  She must have stayed in that box for at least 30 mins to an hour. I love her imagination...I hope she never loses that!!

Young Padawan

The force seems to be very strong in this one :) Watch out dark forces!!!

Pocahontas in training

Disneyland is always so much fun! Everytime is different and now that we have our lil pumpkin it makes it all new again. When she asked to go on the canoes, I was actually surprised. I mean she is just a little person and I wasn't sure if she would be scared. She had so much fun. She was the littlest person on the boat, too. She kept going all day and all night until the park was about to close. I love our Disney memories.

Points

So about 2 weeks ago, I decided to start Weight Watchers Online. I have some friends that use it and they have had success and so I decided I would try! I was amazed at how easy it is and how you don't feel deprived. You quickly learn that the high fat foods are going to use up all your points so you learn to make healthier versions of your fave foods! I have lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks. I figure, it took some time, (and 3 10-11 pound babies) to put on this weight so its gonna take some time to get it off. Slow and steady wins the race is my motto!  So, this is my trusty notepad. I carry it everywhere and write down every bite I eat. I used the online food diary at first, but really like this the best. Now I just gotta get moving more!!

Staples

Staples: of prime importance; principal.

How appropriate that a picture of my savior be in my Staples box at work. The box sits by my monitor and is an ever present reminder that when work gets tedious or frustrating, I just need to rely on the main staple in my life: Jesus.

My job requires me to deal with all kinds of problems. Residents come to me with their troubles and are needing me to help them fix it. Somedays and some troubles are a bit overwhelming to me. Its then that a simple glance to my staples box and voila! I realize that God is very much a part of all of it. He's been here before me and I need to trust Him.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46