Week in Review

2016 started off with me facing my fear of the stomach flu.  It hit hard.  My co-captain was out of commission and it was only by the grace of God I managed through it.  God had mercy on me and no one else has been infected, but 3 of the 6 meant the odds were against me.  It was bad.   On Ernie's third day off from work, we squeezed in a breakfast date.  All is well that ends well.

 We've been able to squeeze in some cousin time with our newest favorite.

Volleyball season is in full swing.  Layla and Lene are on the same team which is fun.  Their team name is Set to Kill.

 Marriage ministry continues to be a favorite date night.

We hired some twice a month help at home.  Her name is Lupe and she she has freed up some time for me to do fun stuff while she is deep cleaning. This particular day, Janessa and I did some grocery shopping and then had a late lunch in the park.  I am so very thankful that Ernie encouraged me to have someone help out with the deep cleaning.  There's this misconception that because I stay home, I have to do it all.  I believe it's important to look at your skill set, and make adjustments accordingly. We have adjusted and I'm so very grateful!

Also, I started writing at another blog:  An Invitation
I'm not one hundred percent sure where I will go with it, but I think it will be more my musings of life from a forty year old female's perspective.  I will continue to blog here with our family happenings to document our memories.  However, I am noticing a decrease in pictures since I'm trying to be more hands-free.  Embracing life in the moment means capturing pictures in my mind. It's a new way to live but a necessary one.  I am tired of being a slave to my phone, besides little eyes are watching me. They emulate what they see, so I'd like to give them more of me, at their level, living well.

This and That

I know I haven't finished with Hawaii yet, but life has been moving at warp speed.  So much good stuff happening around here!

 Little bought a fifth wheel and is working in Ventura right now.  His trailer is so nice!  I'm so proud of him and how hard he has worked to make a name for himself in his trade.  He is just like his dad.

 Ernie is still out of work due to his injury. I can not complain. It looks like surgery isn't necessary since the muscle tore away from the tendon, not the bone. . .according to the mri.  Looks like he won't be in surgery on my 40th birthday, after all!  I found him practicing the guitar last week.

 I also found him taking a nap.

 This one lost another tooth and dresses herself now!

 Three times a week, I've been getting back in the hang of running.  This is my best time so far.  I keep debating about a 5k in Temecula at the end of the month.  I should just pull the trigger and do it, if nothing else but to end the race with a glass of wine waiting for me!

 This kid ran for Vice President at his school.  He got it.  There was nothing I was more proud of than the way he got up early and wrote out some verses about winning and losing.  He had the right attitude and the speech he wrote on his own, with a "Just do it" at the end was pretty great too!  His Nina went out and made sure he had a cross to wear.  Grandma provided the scapular.  We provided the shark tooth.

He is turning into quite the young man.  Hard to believe that this is the last year of elementary school for him. It is hitting me, that he too is growing up and coming into his own.  

After viewing the movie "War Room" with a couple of my faith filled friends, who I cherish our time together so, Ernie helped me to create my own little room to focus in prayer.  I love it, even if Janessa told me we have to share "her personal space."  She cracks me up!

We were able to squeeze in a play date with Sarah.  It actually was a cooking afternoon.  The blueberry muffins were a crowd favorite, but the apple cake was a hit with the big kids, so. . . 

That's all for now--a whole lot of this and that, but definitely things I want to remember because the days have suddenly become shorter with everyone in school.  There is so much to be done, but right now I'm making myself enjoy this alone time with Big E.  It's like this huge gift right before I leave the decade which were my 30's. . .and into the hopeful unknown of my 40's. Life is good. Live it well.