nd 100% effaced. Her and Brice are practicing the techniques they learned...please pray that things will go smoothly. I'll update later! :)

So, Mom and I are heading to the hospital...Emilie is in labor and she's doing great. She's in the early stages and is about 1 1/2 centimeters dilated a

Just testing this thing out...from my cell.

The Sweetest Thing...

I was on my way out the door to go help with stuffing programs at Grace for the Passion Play this weekend and Cole starts yelling, "Wait mama...wait...I've got to tell you something!" Of course, I'm doing the mom thing and trying to get out the door as fast as I can so I can come back to him...and not really being patient. :)

"What Coleford, what is it little man?! Can you tell when I get back?" I say.

"No mama, just wait!"

"Yes darling?"

"Hey mama, I spy with my little eye something...beautiful."

"Hmmm. What is it Coley?"

With the cutest smile and a finger pointed right at me, whispered in a hushed tone..."You."

Pretty much enough to make my knees go weak. :) And of course I had to go back and give him a fifth hug before I left. This time, squeezing him a little longer than I usually do. :)

Ahhh...just the sweetest thing.

Beaches. Bridgeport. Bumps. Birthdays. Bums. Birds. Bugs.

Hello all...(all three of you who actually look at my blog!) :) Spring is here! I have been able to head up to Santa Barbara 2 weeks in a row and get some fun pics... The first time is when Brice, Emilie (+baby in belly), Cole and I headed up the coast for a fun day together. We stopped off at...

in Ventura and had some great breakfast! We then headed up to S.B. and hung out by the pier and took some fun pics...

Then we headed down to Carp for their farmer's market and dinner at "The Spot."

And yesterday, Jamie and I drove the distance to SB again to pick up Cole (his daddy got married) and had a blast walking on State Street in the pouring rain for 2 hours!

On April 1st, we celebrated Emilie's 27th birthday by going out to lunch at Kisho as a family and really enjoying some good grub!
What Em didn't know was that Brice and I had planned a surprise party for her here at the house with about 20ish friends and family...here are some pics of that...

If you want to see an album from Em's birthday party...click here!

I had about 30 minutes on Emilie's April Fool's Birthday to go for a quick walk and here's what I was able to see...


Mom and I were playing cards out on the backyard patio and this little fellow made his way onto the table with us...

Overall, it's been a hectic but fabulous last few weeks! Now that all of the showers and birthday are over, I hope to be able to update this blog more often! :)

Emotions...

Emotions are interesting...some days I wish I had less emotion pouring out from within me. Some days I feel I don't have enough. But most days, I'm emotional. Yesterday, I was emotional. I had the opportunity to run into our neighbors, Mike and Kim, and I'm so glad. Today, Mike is leaving to go out of the country...he's being shipped out to Iraq for 8 months. And I am really sad to see him go. His wife threw him a huge going away party on Saturday with tons of friends, family and neighbors there to see him off. There was an awesome impromptu flag ceremony that brought even Mike, the tough military guy, to tears. He said, "The flag now means so much more to me than ever before." He believes in going to Iraq and fighting for his country and helping another. He is a great guy and I hope all who read this send up a prayer for him once in a while for his safety and protection...physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. As I left the party, I really didn't get a chance to say "goodbye" to Mike but I did ask if they were going to be around the next couple of days. They said yes and I thought, "Cool...I'll run into them." And I kept looking out the window trying to figure out if they were home or what over the next couple of days. Well, Tuesday came and I had the pleasure of having my friend Melody and her girl, Julia Rose, come over to play and when lunch time came around, Mel was hungry for Mexican food. Being 38 1/2 weeks preggo, I figured I'd just let her pick! :) When we pulled into the parking lot, I was pleasantly surprised to see Mike and Kim in their truck. I was hoping they were eating at the same restaurant...they weren't. Before I walked into our restaurant, I caught eyes with Mike and he came over and gave me a BIG hug. I told him that I'd be praying for him like crazy and that I'll miss him. And I told him, "You come back." His simple response said with a smile, "I will." I sat down inside with a heavy heart and told Mel who they were. Then I remembered that I had just put my camera in my purse right as I walked out the door. So I rushed out and found them a few doors down grabbing Chinese food and asked them if I could take a picture. The picture isn't the greatest with the best background, but I love it. And I'd love it if you upheld this couple in prayer with me over the next 8 months. Here they are...

At the impromptu flag ceremony...Here's Mike talking before the flag went up...Derek, Dave, Dave's buddy, and Mike readying the flag!When I got home from Bible Study last night, I saw these ribbons and again, got emotional. I haven't seen them in a while and we've never had them up on this street. But I'm glad they are up and they are a constant reminder to keep those deployed in our thoughts and especially prayers. Thanks Heather for taking the time to put all the ribbons up! I'm sure Kim will be surprised and grateful!!


Lord, please keep your watchful eye on Michael. Please protect him and keep him safe from any and all kinds of harm, whether it be physical, spiritual or emotional. Preserve him and Kim through this trying time and allow them to be together again when You see fit! AMEN! :)

Wordless Wednesday...so I'm a day off!! :)

Cole showing off his new helmet and bike skills...

Cole showing off his lady skills...

Cole showing off his "skateboarding" skills...Cole showing off his pouting skills...

Sonny showing off his posing skills...
And me having fun with the camera...
Comment away...