....and lately

We have been trying to find a bird cage. Todd wants to get a bird, so we have been looking for a used one- just in case it is a passing phase. And yesterday I found a perfect cage at the perfect price on Craigslist! So, we picked it up this morning. We had to go up to San Luis, but we were going to the beach today anyway, so no big deal. On the way there I had the windows down and all of a sudden I started smelling a yummy spicy smell. I looked out and we were driving past a field of chili peppers! It was pretty cool- we could smell their spicy goodness just driving by!

And we hit the beach today- it was perfect. And empty, since most schools have started already. Perfect for keeping an eye on the kiddos while catching up with friends. We actually had a little "amen" meeting with a girl who wants to Rep for us and get our blankies into some stores in LA. Sort of exciting. So the ball is in our court now, we have to get some licenses and dbas or something. We will see what is happening with that!

And we had another meeting with the new teacher this week too. (At the library, where I have to tell you, I had a $45.00 fine. Yes, $45.00! Holy cow, Todd was not happy) Anyway! She is so great and has already given us some great tips and ideas to get the year started. She is going to be a great asset, I can already tell. So, yes, next week- it all begins!

Well, I suppose that is all the information you need for now :) love love.

emma the grace

....in the sweet dress from Aunt Leah and the cute boots from Aunt Kami ------>

back to school!

Isabella officially starts Sept 4, the first day of school! This was our very first outing of the year- a Back to School fun day. We played games, did crafts and even made some new friends. This is a pic of Isabella's "homeroom" teacher this year, Miss Kris! We are excited for the year to begin!!

blessings and blessings

These are some new friends the girls have made for the past month or so. They're part of a family visiting the area for 6 weeks because of some Air Force craziness....and this was their parting.

So, this is Eden, Isabella, Ava, and Abigail. Fast friends- and look at how sweet Ab is hugging her friend so tight! It was so sad when I told her they were leaving to move to their new house in Colorado. She cried loud tears! But then she cheered up after we made a card with her address on it and they agreed to send each other pictures.

So, what started out as us attempting to bless a family who was misplaced for a month, turned out to be us recieving a blessing of great new friends. So wonderful!

What, exactly, is on God's iPod?

Over the Rhine's new album came out today! And Todd came in and downloaded it for me from iTunes from his own fund. Way better than a dozen roses, that is for sure! Usually I have to have the CD in my hands to truly appreciate it- read the liner for about an hour, study all of the artwork....read the notes. This time, I just read the digital booklet which was actually just as beautiful and nothing was lacking in doing so, except the old fashioned feeling of holding a CD jacket in my hands ;)

Here's a little taste for you (by the way- you can listen to the album on their website, I'd recommend the into to "I Don't Want to Waste Your Time", the song "The Trumpet Child" and "If a Song Could be President"...just from the first listen) from the liner notes:

"We've been wondering about the sound of the trumpet in those old hymns- Is it real? Is it a metaphor? What, exactly, is on God's iPod? And me, my first memory, the sound of a trumpet at a tent meeting revival, I was sitting on my mother's lap. I remember that bright brass bell, that eggtooth blast waking me up, snapping the world into focus, piercing the womb of distant muffled things, stirring my conscious mind, the sound of a trumpet! and I remember the stage at the front of the tent, strings of bare lightbulbs, my sister Grace's braids, and me forming my first real thought: I need to be where the sound is coming from."

:) Just a small taste from the notes of Linford. I know you know how much I love Over the Rhine. Thanks for reading :)

soccer and pink.

Soccer starts this week! So exciting. The girls have been out practicing today and having fun kicking the ball to each other in their new shoes. I think Ab might be a natural...and Bella is a little worried if she will look cute in her black shorts. Pretty silly. Emma was bummed she didn't get new shoes! And she almost stole a baby sized soccer ball from the soccer store!! When we got home she did find some black shoes to put on, though....even though they were dress shoes! It is the black that matters, I guess :) So, let the whirlwind of soccer practices begin!!!

up and running!

amen blog!!

www.amenart.wordpress.com

yay!!

what about china.

I-ant my blaaaaaaankie! I-ant snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.
Over and over again until she gets whatever she is asking for, no matter where we are. At Costco the other night, she repeated it the ENTIRE time until we got to the car and she got whatever her mind was set on. For goodness sakes! Oh, Emma. She knows what she wants and wants it now. I guess it proves she is 2.

We've been taking it easy and staying low key. Mostly because I don't have the energy to go anywhere :) Today we actually made it to the playground and I was out of breath just sitting there! Ugh! But it actually was fun and I think I should push myself to get out and do more because it is better than just hanging out here. We are going to try for the beach this week. It's been a while.

And what about all of these China recalls? Ever since Todd and I watched the documentary about the Tank Man on PBS I have been a little leery of anything from China- even though almost EVERYTHING is made there. The girls have a soccer ball which says "Made in China" "Not with child labor". Nice. Do I believe it just because it says, or do I not believe it because it is an odd thing to write on a soccer ball? I don't know. It is sad that we could be eating cardboard and giving our kids poison to play with because of cost cutting and cheap labor. And it is sad that the Chinese government will execute a scapegoat and think that makes it better. Not to mention the censorship issue. But anyway. You did not come here to hear my woes about China. (And if you live in China, this will be censored by Google or yahoo!!) So I better go make some muffins or something.

waaa, mommy

So, no such luck picking a name....although we got a great book so hopefully I will find one I like. Todd has a list. The list. But nothing.....is standing out as "the name". But Todd and I had a really fun time hanging out just the two of us, it has been a while- which I didn't realize until last night.

And nesting has officially begun. Re-arranging and cleaning all the dust and trying to figure out some baby stuff. Clothes, diapers. At least it helps pass the time! :) And at least I am finally inspired to clean a little bit. That is a big bonus! :)

School starts for Santa Maria on Wednesday! Not us, though! We have until Sept 4 until our first day. Which is good, because we haven't gotten our curriculum yet! I guess it is supposed to be in the mail! It is always exciting and makes us ready to start when we get all the new stuff! Like Christmas!!

Anyway, better get back to cleaning before the inspiration fades!!! PS The title is just what I am hearing in the background as I try to finish up a think of a good title....in case you wondered!! :)

the weeks go by.........

Hey everybody!
We are winding down summer, the kids are bouncing off the walls. They are so so incredibly ready for some structure and some business. I am feeling so so tired most of the time, so pretty much the opposite! And I am feeling like it is almost time to have this baby! 8 more weeks. I am finding it is hard to keep the kids occupied during the day since I don't have that much energy. But today we went to the park and that was nice! They had fun playing and climbing and sliding.

Todd and I have been trying to figure out what this new baby's name is! We are on opposite ends of the spectrum with pretty much every choice. Tonight we are going out by ourselves to talk it over and look through some baby name books. Hopefully we'll find the perfect name!! It's hard after 3 girls! We'll see what we come up with!
Well, better go referee the splashing water fight I hear in the back. Love love.

lake san antonio

Over the weekend we went as chaperons on the youth group camping trip at Lake San Antonio. We went early to help set up all the tents- when we got there it was SO SO hot. It was 98 each day which is WAY hotter than what we are used to- and much hotter than I had expected!!! I think I drank about 3 bottles of water in one hour!! Sheesh! But we had a fun time with all the kids, and the girls had a blast.

Here are some pics:

These deer just kept coming over to us, eating right out of our hands. There were about 4 and a baby. We found out that they don't like soda, as one of the kids tried to give it some....and also, they run away if you try to ride them.....hmmm.

Bella was taking notes during one of the little teaching sessions. It was amazingly sweet. She wrote: Wen Frsty com tu Jesus. Bles the peple ho r srsde. Can you interpret that?

This is Paulina, one of the sweet youth with "Princess Abigail" as she called her the entire weekend. Every time Paulina would see the girls she would say "Best friend!!" And made up a secret best friend song with them. They LOVE her....needless to say.

And this is the highlight- Abigail got baptized! So beautiful. Bella was going to also, but then she changed her mind- I think she was too shy, but she said: I will do it when I am a little older and understand it better. She is such a thinker.