...we went to Caroline's birthday party.

Jayden was so thrilled to be at her preschool buddy Caroline's 3rd birthday party that she kept exclaiming "I'm so happy to be here!". Zachary enjoyed watching all the kids play and kept trying to get out of his stroller. But once he was on the ground the new sensation of the grass paralyzed him with awe.

Caroline and Jayden

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Jayden and Austin -- another preschool buddy.

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Jayden put stickers all over Megan.
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Zachary thought he should taste the grass.

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A peaceful moment.

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We go to the park a few days a week and Z loves to swing.
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Jayden and Austin used their Easter Egg buckets to make "ice cream soup".

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..we're getting a face lift

For the past 3 weeks there have been various teams of contractors and workers creating their "magic" on our house and yard. So far it's been just a lot of demo, but our house has recieved a fresh coat of paint (no more 1990's peach!!) and we have new gates and a dog run. I love watching the progress and can't wait till the jack hammers are gone.

...our friends came to play

8 years ago Marty and I moved from Solana Beach to Moorpark because he had been hired by Oaks Christian Schools to be their IT Director. I was eager to make new friendships and I hoped that our connections through the school would satisfy this desire. I met many wonderful women there and we'd have an occasional group get-together. But it wasn't until 5 years later after Marty left his position at the school that some rich friendships blossomed with these ladies.

One such friendship is with Lisa French. We spend the summer of 2006 loading the kids in the joggers for morning excerise and then watching Jayden and Luke crawl around while we sipped coffee. By the end of the year we both joined a Womens Bible Study and since then she has become a source of Godly encouragement to me.

(Luke and Jayden crawling around at Kieran's 1st Birthday party)

By the fall of 2006 we were both pregnant with our 2nd children, and now as our days are crowded by the minutia of household tasks and the busyness of caring for 2 small children, I cherish our times together all the more.

(Lisa and I very pregnant with Zachary and Ryan)

This morning our home was blessed with a visit from Lisa and her two boys. I have enjoyed watching Jayden and Luke develop a friendship over the past 2 years and am excited to see our babies Zachary and Ryan grow up together as well.

...Creation sings God's praise

I love rainy days. Bundling up and keeping warm by the fire while listening to drops of water dancing on the window is a welcome retreat from the typical sunny California days.

Yesderday as I walked into the front yard to bring out the trash, I was struck by the beauty of the billowing clouds. Not a minute later I was inside sitting at the kitchen table and there in our backyard was a spectacular rainbow.Moments like these cause me to pause and breathe in the astounding beauty of creation. They force a reflection on the greatness of our Creator.

...Grandma came to visit

Last Friday Marty's mom drove out from Palm Desert to have some quality time with Jayden and Zachary. It was wonderful to have her fresh energy and helpful hands especially because Marty and I came down with yet another strain of illness. On Sunday we celebrated her birthday with a ton of chocolate and Jayden's hearty rendition of "Happy Birthday". We can't wait for Grandma's next visit.

...the rain has gone.

Between the fires, 60 mile an hour gusts of wind, and torrential downpours it often feels like we live in a disaster zone. And our flooded, wind strewn back yard is the proof. But at last the rain has stopped,the pools of water are receding and perhaps today we'll be able to play outside! As you can see Zachary and Jayden are anxious to run around with our dog, Don Vito.

...the tradition continues.

I grew up attending the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena and this year we brought Jayden and Zachary to experience the floats up close. We actually watched the parade on TV and then met my parents to walk the display route.