The Graduate.....

The past Tuesday, Maddy graduated from Grace Kids, the co-op Pre-School program we do through our church.  I can't believe it's over!  I think this graduation was just about as fun as some of the college ones I've been too, if not better.  It was short, there was entertainment, some great laughs and yummy dessert.  :)

Maddy was VERY excited to graduate and the kids created a life-size drawing of themselves that we used to decorate the room.  They sang some of the songs they learned, recited some verses, had little "interviews" and a slideshow.  Maddy was one of the kids that was "interviewed" and she did very, very well.  All the moms surprised their Grace Kid with a scrapbook of the year and Maddy looks at hers every day!  It was worth those 3 sleepless nights I spent doing it.... at the last possible moment.  Thanks procrastination!  :)  The only thing missing from this great night (besides Grandparents that live in another state...) was her daddy. He was gone for 10 days on a trip for work that took him to Dubai and Paris, but we took lots of pictures and videos for him.  :)

Rising Star

I'm so proud of my hubby that I just have to brag for a moment.  And unfortunately, I don't have much to show you but I had to post anyway....

John recently received a phone call from someone that wanted to interview him.  Unfortunately, he was at work and it was a bad time so they didn't get to talk.....and I don't think he was able to connect with the man again..... BUT, he found out that someone nominated him as a "Rising Star".....or an employee that's

 performing really well at his job and one to keep your eye on.  

From what I've gathered, the San Fernando Valley Business Journal puts it together and it's for the Santa Clarita Valley and several surrounding areas.  John never mentioned it again, but I found info on the internet about it.  He was 1 of about 50 nominees, and some of those others are very well known.  Needless to say, I'm so, SO proud of him!!   Here's a link to the flyer I found....  http://www.sfvbj.com/Events/SantaClarita_Flyer.pdf

Does Anyone Know?

Ok, on a scale of 1-10 for importance, this is a negative -5......BUT.......does anyone know what causes random "grease" stains on clothes???

I've noticed for a while that, AFTER washing clothes, there will be a random stain that never comes off.  Initially, it just looks like there's a wet spot......but it's actually not wet at all and I can't get it out.  It's always a circle....like a spot of water....and ranges from about the size of a penny to the size of a quarter.  My washer & dryer are pretty new (3 1/2 yrs) and I primarily use powder detergent over the liquid.  I stopped using the "downey ball" because I thought that's what was causing it and I also stopped using dryer sheets in case that was it.  But it still happens!  And it's not every load or every item.....just a shirt or  pair of shorts now and then.  But of course, the stain shows up in a spot where it's noticeable and I end up making those items "play clothes."  I thought I was going crazy, but then John commented that he noticed it on clothes too.

Any ideas?????

In Christ Alone

Last year I had the pleasure of hearing Natalie Grant sing at a Women of Faith conference.  Although I totally love music, my days of listening to anything usually consist of a big purple dinosaur or princess music or kids praise, etc.  So.....the WOF conference was the first time I heard Natalie and she totally blew me away.  Not only was she adorable, but her voice was absolutely incredible!  

That was last September and the 2 CD's of hers that I bought then are still in my car today and I listen to them constantly!  I've been thinking so much of what our pastor taught today and it reminded me of one of Natalie's favorite songs.  Just wanted to share the lyrics:

"In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fulness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

She's a clever girl....

Maddy.......if you know my lovely girl Maddy, you know that she's a girl who fits the stereotype of the first born perfectly.  Strong. Smart. Knows what she wants.  I mean....BOSSY.   :)   I say a hundred times a day.... "Maddy, you aren't the mommy, don't tell them what to do...."

So on Sunday, she was telling Davis how to rock correctly in the chair (or something like that).  I turned around and gave her a mommy look--with a raised eyebrow-- and said in a firm mommy tone "Maddy!"  And she says, very matter-of-factly, "Oh yeah.  Sorry Mom.  I was just giving Davis a little bit of advice."

I had to turn around so she wouldn't see me smile.  She's a clever girl that Maddy!

Sisters

M.I.A.

I've been MIA from my blog, partly from being unmotivated to update it, but mostly because we've been so busy!  I was blessed to have my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin visit for a few very short days while my cousin was visiting a local college.  That was a special treat because they haven't been out since my wedding, which was almost 7 years ago!  And then, another totally special treat, was a visit from my sister all the way from the Great White North.  And White it is since it snows practically 364 days of the year!  And then, my parents celebrated their 40th anniversary in Carmel a couple weekends ago and we drove up there to see them.  So fun!

Emma giving herself a breathing treatment!  lol...  (she has asthma)

My lovely Aunt....

Saying Good-Bye

So, as you know, our household sees lots of puppies (Faithful Doodles) come 'n go and usually I have mixed feelings about them leaving.  They're SO darn cute..... and sweet and fun.....and I'm so thankful I'm able to do something from home and give my kids a neat experience..... but right around the 7 week mark, they start to get a bit more obnoxious (or maybe I'm just burnt out!), so I'm usually ready for the break.  Even though it's sad to see them leave, I've been totally blessed to have great, wonderful families take them and keep in touch with me.  I wave good bye, shut the door kinda sad and give a sigh of relief at the same time.  

But this last litter has been a bit different.  My kids love to play with the puppies.  They're still young and need to be watched, but Maddy can pretty much play with them by herself and I

 don't fear too much of her doing anything wrong.  This last litter she spent the most time she ever has playing with them.  Up to this point, it hasn't been hard for her to say goodbye to them either and I often joke that she has her Daddy's emotions more than mine.  In fact, when 2 of the pups almost died at birth, she matter-of-factly told her brother that they were going to die & went off to play, while I was crying over them.  lol....  But as we said our good-byes to them this past week, Maddy has cried harder and longer than I ever imagined her doing, especially over the 2 girls, Hope (the one that almost died) and Yellow Girl....whom she named Ashlynn (Summer!).  When Hope left, she literally cried for 3 hours and every day since Yellow girl left, she has either cried about missing her or whined over wanting her back.  So sad!  It was almost easier when she didn't care, but I totally relate to how she feels.  I hope she doesn't have to go through this each time we have a litter!  She has asked me to make her a little photo album of some of the puppies for her to remember they by and look at when she is sad.  She also drew a picture of one of them "so she would never, ever forget him and will keep it forever and ever."  

 

What We've Been Up To

The Amgen Tour of California always has a stop in Santa Clarita and John, being the cyclist that he is, is sooo excited for it's arrival.  He and some friends went and watched the Tour pass through Solvang (actually, I think they were having time trials there), then we watched them head out of Santa Clarita and drove to Pasadena to watch the finish.  Before they headed out of SCV, we had a great spot and were able to see most the guys up really close.  I know their names, just don't know which name goes with what body.  :)  Oh.....except we all know that guy covered in yellow and "livestrong" and "hope rides again"....2nd picture.... you know.....Lance Armstrong?  If I know who he is, everyone else must too.  :)

This weekend we headed up to Hume with our annual trip with some friends!  Kids had a great time playing in the snow....except Emma.  Miss Emma didn't like the snow and cried most of the time she was in it.  :)

Freeze!

Anyone have any special tricks to keep these guys from growing up? Seriously. No, really.

My babies are getting too big.  Puppies too!  I want them to stay exactly the way they are.  Except I would love for Davis to be about 1 1/2 too.  He was the cutest little boy.    :)

He's 30!

My DH finally turned 30!

Progression of a 5 Yr Old

Last week my "baby" turned 5 years old! I just can't believe that she's five and SO ready for kindergarten!

I had this great idea to show a Progression of my 5 yr old and started scrolling through allllll of my photos, originally searching for just Maddy's b-day photos. But then I kept coming across all these cute pictures of her so I decided to add those too. And before I knew it, I had a couple problems. 1) I have THOUSANDS of pictures (yes, literally) and wasted so much time just looking and reminiscing and trying to narrow them down. 2) I had too many photos and was only at year 2 and then 3) I got tired and lost the desire to post them on my blog. LOL... so here is a qucik, partial review of "The Progression of my 5 Yr Old......