Ahhhhhh!

So, finding time to blog is near impossible these days. Chop is gone all of the time and has been in the field since last Wednesday. And a lot has been going on...

First, Andrew tested for his orange belt and made it!! We are so very proud of him. Let me tell you how the day went...

They had it all set up very nice. Andrew was a bit nervous once he saw how official it was. So, they call Andrew and two other little boys up. The instructor asks to see their steps. When they call Andrew up and tell him to go he first looks at me and gives me a thumbs up. He wanted me to give him a thumbs up back. I guess his way of feeling secure? I don't know, but everyone thought it was the cutest thing. So, he did his steps perfectly. Then it was time to recieve his belt. They wanted the kids to run around the back of the rest of the kids and go down the line of instructors to give high fives. So, a few kids went. Then they called Andrew. He just sat there. They were like "Andrew, come on Buddy". He got up. He just stood there. So they told this seven year old boy to let Andrew follow him. Well, that boy went and picked Andrew up to carry him. Everyone laughed. He put Andrew down and ran around the back and Andrew walked so slow. It was hilarious. He got his belt, finally. Everyone was off their seats laughing. Andrew didn't see what was so funny. Anyways, Chop missed it but we texted him and told him about it..

Merci has a dinousaur play on Thursday and her talent show Friday. Please keep her in your prayers. She is VERY nervous!! Chop painted her room pink a couple of weekends ago and I finally got in there to hang up her pictures. I decided to move her bed to the center where it looks better and gives her more room. She loved it until it came time to go to bed. For some reason she was very, very scared. After about an hour and some negotiating, she got on her floor. About four a.m she ended up in Andrew's bed and I put her back in hers.

Sophia is moving like a mad woman! She can crawl up the stairs faster than I can! She is into everything. I don't have much time to sit because I am constantly chasing her. She is so darn cute! She eats cheerios now and they are her new best friend:)

Yesterday was spent cleaning house. I literally cleaned from morning to night and finally got it all done. And I am not talking about light cleaning, I mean scrubbing windows, tubs, toilets...everything! It is done, I am tired. I pulled weeds a lot of today. That got very boring so I convinced myself to let them grow a bit longer so they will be easier to pull out? I don't know, it sounded good! I have had a lot of anxiety about flying with two kids and a dog. I am very nervous about Sophia. Once we are in the air there is no turning back and she does not like to be around people or in the car. I am praying she loves airplanes. Please pray for this as well. I joked to my mom I hope there is a doctor and a priest on the plane with us. I think we may need it!!

I will be turning 24 in a matter of weeks. I feel a lot older than that. Maybe because I became a mom to Merci at 18, married at 19, gave birth to Andrew at 19, and I am done having kids at the age of 23. I like where I am at in my life right now. Things are good:)

When Merci had her field trip, we took Andrew fishing in the mountains. It was a lot of fun, but didn't catch anything. However, something ate the worm off of Andrew's pole. He was a little mad about that.

Anyways, I know this blog has random thoughts thrown around but I have a bad headache and Sophia is screaming in her jumper. Just wanted to catch everyone up on our life. It has been hectic and a lot coming up:

Thursday:Merci's dino play

Friday: Merci's talent show, Jason and Kristin get here:)!!!

June 12: Merci's last day of school

June 20: My bday, Chop's unit family day

June 21: Father's Day

June 25: Merci heads to Hawaii and us to Texas...Soooo darn excited!!!

How Great is Our God...

So, it is Saturday night and I am sitting here in bed on the computer watching my beautiful princess sleep. Every so often I hear my other two laugh at a funny show they are watching together in Merci's room. I was just messing around on the computer and I came to a blog. To sum this blog up:
A baby girl was born three months early(June 08)
She weighed 1 pound, 1 ounce
She never got to come home from the hospital and she went Home to our Father a few days ago.

We have all read and heard sad stories such as this one. But this one touched my heart. I can't explain it but I felt the words and the strength of this family melt on my heart. These parents posted daily blogs, as hard as it was. And in EVERY single post they never failed to mention our Father, our Saving Grace. Nor did they once ever blame Him. Instead, they thanked Him for allowing them to meet and know this precious little girl.

I honestly with all of my heart belive that God led me to read this. I forget how blessed I am. I think we all do. I get so caught up in my every day life and I don't take time to reflect on what God has given me. I have a husband who works so hard at what he does. I am so blessed to be able to stay home with my babies. And yes, I am human...I gripe about them sometimes. I need a break sometimes...But how blessed I am to be here with them! Sophia gave us a big scare when she was born, and look at her now. Our beautiful little princess. I thought a week in the NICU was torture, and this family never even got to bring their baby home. I feel overwhelmed at times when the house work falls behind and the laundry is not done. But I have a house...that is so much more than so many people in this world. Sophia screams when she is in the car or when she is put down on the floor to play. But I have my baby at home, something this family will never have.

I know this blog is random, but that's what blogging is for, right? I feel like I want to get on my hands and knees and thank God right now for what He has given me. I strive to be a better person in every aspect of my life. I am so blessed, we all are.

Sick kids=No FUN

So, remember how I reported in the last post Merci was sick? Well, Andrew caught the bug. His temp. was 104 at its highest. He felt cruddy. Unlike Merci, he had NO energy. It was wierd seeing him that way. But like Merci, his lasted a day and he was as good as new. Well, Monday night my little monkey had a fever...103.2. Having sick kids is scary in itself but having a sick baby is VERY scary. So, I ended up taking her to the dr. because she kept pulling on her ear. Luckily it was not an ear infection and I guess she just had what the other two did. She was miserable. And today she is keeping her diaper full for me, if you know what I mean and she is teething big time. She is still not at her best, but the fever is gone which is a blessing.

Mother's day was wonderful. Merci and Chop made me breakfast(Andrew is impossible to wake up) and brought it to me in bed. Then they gave me my presents. I got an elephant and monkey candle holder and another candle holder that is really nice. I love them. And I got the sweetest cards. Then we went to church. The sermon was by far the best I have heard. Wow, it was very encouraging. I always knew being a mom was one of the most rewarding jobs, and the pastor shed light on the impact a mother has on her children. What a wonderful job God has given me. I pray I can raise my kids to have values and morals they will pass on to their children. After church we packed up and went to Lake Skinner. We only stayed for about an hour because it was so hot, but it was so nice to be with my family. Sophia LOVED the water. She splashed around and soaked up the sun. We had to take her out when we found a mouth full of sand. That kid will eat ANYTHING! Merci and Andrew had a blast.

Andrew had taekwondo yesterday and got another stripe on his belt! He was so excited! Hopefully he will get to test in a few weeks for his orange belt. And the teachers told all the kids yesterday about respect. So if the kids show respect for a whole week, they get three stars on their patches. It is amazing how well Andrew has been behaving!

Merci's school sent out flyers a few weeks ago about a talent show. Only the first 25 applicants get to be in it. I hurried and got hers in and crossed my fingers she would be picked. Well, SHE WAS!!!! She will be singing the National Anthem on June 5. I will video tape it. We are so excited!! I told her in the beginning to convince her to do it that if she got picked I would make her an awesome red, white, and blue costume. She hasn't stopped talking about that now...I guess I need to figure out how to sew and get busy. Any suggestions would be GREAT!!(Nana, Silva, Mom, Debbie)

I realize everyday how blessed I really am. I have three of the most wonderful kids I could ask for. I am going to give a little preview of some funny things they are doing at this stage in life:

Merci, 8

Everything is "Totally" cool, or SOOOOO awesome. Is that Cali talk or what??

She is in to boys...big time. She asks me for advice. I guess that is an advantage for having such a young, beautiful mom...haha. I tell her she isn't allowed to date until after college so not to waste her time right now

You would not believe the drama that goes on in second grade. WOW!

Andrew, 4

Andrew puts a B in front of his words...For example

I had a great time at the Bzoo

Or remember when we went to the Bmuesem

The other day he said I am so bexcited we got a blarm so I can sleep better.

I could go on and on...

And the other day he was on the phone with nana and he asked her what she was doing. She said me and poppy are outside making a flower bed. She went on to ask him if he had a flower bed. He said oh nana, I am a boy I have a cowboy bed...

That kid is a mess, not to mention he LOVES girls. We are going to have to watch out for him...or the girls are going to have to watch out for him.

Sophia, 9 months

Sophia is spoiled. She hates to be put down. But she is the cutest little(well, big) thing ever. She is in the 90th percentile for her weight and is in 12-18 month clothes. She is well fed! And she crawls everywhere, even up the stairs. It is scary at times.

When you put on music, she will dance. It is so cute

She loves Merci and Andrew. If they leave the room, she cries.

She loves animals

Our kids are such a blessing to us. All are unique and very special. They keep us on our toes, that's for sure.

Motherhood...Ahhhh:)

So, it has been a while since my last post. Three kids and a military husband keeps me very busy! Let's see what has been going on... I got a call Thursday from Merci's school telling me she had a 102.3 temp and I needed to pick her up ASAP. So I rushed down there and got her. Go figure it was at the exact time Sophia fell asleep...but what do you do?!? So I got there and could tell she didn't feel well. My mind went straight to the swine flu. I got her home and made her change and wash her hands and cover her mouth to talk. Yes, I am a bit OCD when it comes to germs. I gave her lots of juice and told her to lay down and rest. The next morning she got up and her throat was sore, she had a headace, and she was dizzy. So, I cancelled Andrew and Sophia's well check appts. and took Merci in. They swabbed her for strep and did a urine test to check for infection. Both negative. In the meantime, while we were waiting, I put Sophia on the scale. A whopping 24.3 pounds! My little chunky monkey:) The dr came in and said she thought it was just a virus and if it was swine flu it was a very mild case. By Saturday Merci was feeling a lot better. Sunday morning Chop's brother came to pick him and Andrew up to go fishing...at 7am. They left and me and the girls went to breakfast and to see Hannah Montana. Sophia was suprisingly good during the movie. Even slept the last 45 minutes. Then the guys got back and Chop said he has never seen Andrew so happy. Andrew was playing in the water and just being a boy. Chop made it a point to tell me that Andrew did not miss me a bit. But when I asked Andrew, he said of course he did:) The guys grilled for dinner and we just hung out. It was nice family time. Sophia has been pulling up on anything and everything. She is trying so hard to walk. It seems so early for that! Speaking of Sophia, she gave us the biggest scare Saturday. First, I had her in the bumbo on the kitchen floor as I was cleaning the kitchen. She was playing with the magnets on the fridge. I smelled poo so I went to change her. Layed her on the couch, changed her diaper and put on her new dress. Then I took her outside so she could see her daddy. I was kind of flipping her down, making her laugh when I saw something big in her mouth. It was a huge sticker. Not like a grass sticker but what Chop calls a hitch hiker sticker. It was huge. I pulled it out of her mouth. I had no clue she put it in there. When I think back and how I layed her down to change her, it could have gone right to her throat and when I was flipping her over... I hate to think about it, really. God was watching over her, for sure. Then later on that day I put her in the bumbo by the back door so she could watch her daddy grill while I was cleaning the kitchen...yes, I clean the kitchen a hundred times a day. And I think God just gives us intuitions because I had a huge urge to look over the counter and check on her. That silly girl and gotten out of her bumbo and was trying to pull up on the kitchen chair. And again, God was watching over her. She could have easily crawled outside. She keeps us on our toes.
It has been a good past few days. We are thinking about going to Disney Land this weekend...I'll keep you posted:)

Andrew is FOUR!

Andrew turned four today. When he woke up and I started to sing him happy bday he told me to stop "that I had already sang him that yesterday". It was cute. My friend and I took him to Island Burger for lunch. He had such a good time. Then he went to karate where he earned a black stripe on his belt! Go Andrew:) He was super excited. Then I made dinner, with his special request of Macaroni and cheese. He had a good day. He did not want to go to bed at all, but he finally fell asleep.

Just wanted to look back four years ago and recall how this day went:
I had already been on bedrest for over a week because Mr. Andrew tried to come into this world at only 34 weeks. My labor was stopped because it was way too early. So, April 27th, 2005 I started the day watching tv on the couch. My dr. told me I can get up to go to the bathroom and that was about it. That was pretty easy to follow! Anyways, Chop came home from school around 230ish and I told him I wasn't feeling well. I had tons of pressure in my belly. So, I called the dr and she said to come in. So about 330ish Chop took me in to the dr. She told me I didn't look like I felt well and she checked me. She said my water was about to break and she was going to send me over to the hospital(it was right next door) She had guessed my water would break on the way over, it didn't. Anyways, I called my mom and headed over. We registered and got in my room. I watched my epidural movie, signed the papers declaring I wanted the drugs!! My brother and sister-in-law came to visit. The dr eventually broke my water around 830ish. She told me it would be the next day before I had him. So we watched American Idol, the contractions got really intense. Next thing I know, the nurse is telling me to push and calling for the dr. I kept telling them to wait because I hadn't had my epidural yet. They informed me there was no turning back and I had to push. So, I did. And at 11:25 pm my precious baby boy came into this world. He was absolutely perfect. And when I say perfect, I mean perfect. He was wide awake and stared at his daddy for several minutes. After a couple of days in the hospital, they let us go home. And now four years later he still melts my heart just like the day he was born.
There is such a special bond between a mother and son. Andrew is my angel and I love him more than I could ever put into words.

Just wanted to share that memory. Here is to another wonderful year with my beautiful family:)

Tell Me It Isn't So...

Well, we celebrated Andrew's fourth bday today. However, he will not be four until April 27th at 11:25 pm. He will be three until the clock turns! It was a good, non-stressful day. It could have been a bit warmer, but it didn't rain and was sunny, so I can't complain. The spider man jumper was a success. It got here about 9am and the kids jumped themselves out before the party started at 1. Andrew got a lot of really cool things. He got a Nintendo DS (Merci got one, too), batman, action figure things and a soccer goal. He got some clothes but he wasn't too into that. Overall, it was a great day. I can't believe that he is turning four. It seems like yesterday I was giving him a bottle. You never can really appreciate time until you just want it to slow down, if only for a moment. Merci was almost three when I met Chop and she is already eight and Sophia will be nine months old this week. It is just amazing, really.
I will post pictures soon of Andrew's party. We are taking Chop's dad to the airport tomorrow, then back to the routine on Monday...Goodnight:)

Happy Early Bday to Andrew...

Today was a cold, windy day. But that didn't stop us from getting in the yard. My dad and I have been working really hard on the front. We left this morning to go to Lowe's and when we got back my neighbor had mowed the front for me. How nice! We have a tiny front yard, but the kindness was great! He knows that Chop is gone a lot and him and his wife have been great neighbors. Too bad they are moving in a few weeks...
Anyways, since my dad won't be here for Andrew's actual bday party, we took him to Chuck E Chesse tonight. Him and Merci had a blast. My dad goes all out and bought 175 tokens, so my purse is heavy with leftovers. But they had a good time. Sophia loved hanging out with dad until she saw Chuck E and flipped out. My dad leaves early Friday morning, so I am hoping tomorrow goes by super slow. I love it when he is here. No matter how old you get, the comfort of having your mom or dad around brings such a sense of security. I love my parents! They are both so very wonderful and supportive of me. I am glad they fly out to see me. (Although some may argue they are actually coming out to see the grandkids, but it still counts in my book!)

Another day...

So, yesterday was very productive! We all got in the yard and pulled weeds. My dad sprayed the yard and fertilized. Our backyard is nothing but dead grass and weeds, so he had his work cut out for him. But for some odd reason he loves this stuff. Today we got a rose bush and red mulch and the front yard is looking good! Finally! The previous owners either neglected the yard all together or it was vacant for a while, because it was in BAD shape. And our Home Owners Association had some nerve sending me a letter right when we moved in giving us 14 days to have our front yard looking "green". And Chop was in North Carolina, so I was like, okay, I guess time for new grass...and new grass we got! Anyways, enough about yard work...
My dad goes home Friday which I am not looking forward to. He is such great company and is a neat freak, so when he is here my house stays spotless. My dearest hubby gets home Sunday and that is so exciting:) And his dad gets here Wednesday for Andrew's bday party, so we are really looking forward to that. Andrew's newest saying is that he is such a jerk. I have no clue where this kid gets these things. It is hard not to laugh, but don't want to encourage it. Sophia is getting around so well. She just takes off crawling. And as soon as she finds something to pull up on, she does. Bad thing is that she hasn't figured out that if she lets go, she will fall. I am thinking after a few tumbles, she will learn! We are in the process of putting up the baby gate. I didn't have stairs when Andrew was a baby, so this whole tumbling down the stairs is new to me. I know that is totally dangerous, so the gate is a must. Sophia is so quick! Merci is dreading going back to school next week. She loves being home, lounging around. California schools are so much different from Texas. They get almost a month for Christmas and two weeks for Spring Break. But they go until June 13ish and start the second week in August. So I guess it balances out. I don't know, just seems like they get a lot of time off. And they are always getting half-days. Not sure, but Merci loves it. I tell her to enjoy school because she has much more to go! If I would have liked school, it would have been so much easier. She will learn:)
Anyways, overall the last couple of days have been good. Just wishing the time would slow down so I can have more time with my dad and speed up so I can see my hubby. Just can't have it all, can I?? Looking forward to the next couple of months and coming to Texas to visit:) Miss and love everyone of you!

Last thing...In my first post I put that Chop deploys September 13. It is actually September 19th...

A Wonderful Day!!

Today was great! First, we celebrated an amazing day. How blessed we are to have a wonderful Lord to serve.
The kids dyed their eggs and had a great time. It was hard for me to not have Chop here to share these times, but I know he was thinking about us, and us about him. We all went to lunch at Roadhouse. The food was good, but I am so spoiled to going to Nana and Pop's house for Easter! My heart ached inside for all of my Texas family but I am so glad I had my dad and brother-in-law here.
Okay, now for the super exciting news...you all ready for it???????????
1. Sophia pulled up!!! She crawled to the otoman, got on her knees and pulled up! Talk about a proud mama:)
2. Sophia drank from her sippy cup!!!! Some may say oh big deal...but as most of you know Sophia is a nursing only, bottle-refusing child. So, this is a HUGE deal. It was Gatorade, but who cares! She drank from a sippy! The future for weaning her is looking bright:)
3. My absolute favorite....... Sophia said Mama!!!! Plain and clear at the table! She usually says dadadadada all day long, but she put that word aside for a second to say mama!!

See, told you it was a Great day!

A day in the life of an almost four year old...oh boy

Ok, so how does an almost four year old little boy deal with his daddy being gone??? He saves his poop in the toilet to show his him. I swear in the last week at least one toilet in the house(we have three) has had unflushed pooey in it at any given time.And Andrew claims this is because he wants his daddy to be proud. I mean, when Andrew was two and potty training, it was rewarding for him to save this special surprise for daddy. But he will be four in a matter of weeks...oh goodness. It is so funny but at the same time gross! I can't wait until he is 16 and I remind him of this story...
Today was good. My dad got here around 9am. I think I finally got into a deep sleep around six this morning and the alarm goes off at 6:30, so I am a bit tired. There was tons of traffic on the way to San Diego, I guess because it is Easter weekend. The kids are excited about tomorrow. Their Uncle Lucas is coming over for lunch and watching them find their eggs. Sophia crawled all over the house today...so cute. I am so glad my dad got to see her crawl. And she is actually not scared of him, which is a relief. That means I get a break from holding her! Yay:)
Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter. God is so amazing!

I jumped on the blogwagon...

So, I caved. I joined the world of blogging. I figured this is a great way for our families to keep up with us, if they choose to do so. Chop will be getting home on April 19th and he told me yesterday he does not leave again until June 29th!!! That is a HUGE deal to us...we spend most of our time apart, so to have him home for more than a month is a blessing. He will start his at sea trainings in June and deploys September 13th. Not looking forward to that...
Merci has her Hawaii trip with her grandparents set for June 25th. She is so excited:) I found her an awesome little sundress that she thinks she will wear everyday there. She is doing excellent in school. She is at 3rd grade level in everything except math, but where she needs to be for math. She has met some great friends, some interesting ones as well. These Californians...ha
Andrew will be four on April 27th...where in the world did these past few years go?!? He keeps us laughing...he always has something funny to say.Even when he is in trouble, that is how he tries to escape, by being funny. The other day he asked me to teach him to read, so I have been working on that. He is learning his phonics pretty good.
Sophia is still spoiled rotten. My arms are sore from carrying her around all day. Most people say to put her down and let her cry it out. I will buy you a plane ticket to show you how this goes...I would rather have sore arms than to go deaf...seriously. She is crawling, well if that is what you call it. She gets on her hands and feet, with her bottom in the air. It is entertaining, but hey, she gets to where she needs to go. Which means the baby gate at the top of the stairs goes up this week.
And as for me, I am doing good. Life can be so hectic and it is easy to loose myself in all of the chaos. But at the end of the day I have time to sit back and realize what a wonderful life I have. My husband and kids mean the world to me and the support I have from my family is amazing. My relationship with God grows more and more everyday. He has taught me so much in the past couple of years. He has been my Light and helped me see my way through obstacles. I have realized in the past couple of months that I am a lot stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. I am a firm beliver in "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" He is an Amazing God...