Mexico Getaway

We had such a wonderful time on our quick trip to Rocky Point. We originally were supposed to leave Sunday after church, but had a few set backs and decided it would be better to wait and leave on Tuesday. I picked Joleigh up from preschool, had some lunch, packed up and headed out. I was so happy to be getting out of town, to see Brittany, and to take the girls to the beach. We made great time to Ajo, where we stopped for our Mexican insurance. It was a nice break to get the girls out of the van, walk around, take a bathroom break and get some drinks. It was about 15 minutes after we left that Joe asked where I put the insurance. I looked at him and said that it was on the table, along with our registration and car insurance card, at the gas station. So we had to turn around, it was a quiet ride back to Ajo. But after getting all of our important documents we were back on track and made it down to Rocky Point just in time for dinner. We picked up Brittany and Dustin and headed into town, to one of our favorite places to eat. It was delicious and the view of the ocean and sunset was spectacular. After dinner we went to get ice cream and the girls were more than ready to head back to get some sleep.

Joe and I were hoping for a great night sleep and that the girls would sleep in, since they went to bed kind of late, but no. They were both up at 6:30, bright and early. We tried hard to keep them quiet until 7:00 and then everyone, including Brittany and Dustin, were ready to start the day. Joleigh couldn't wait to go to the beach. She had been talking about building sandcastles all week. Joe went with Dustin after breakfast to go visit some local families that are in need of a house. Brittany and Dustin are working with churches and charitable organizations in Rocky Point to identify and choose families to build houses for when churches from the Valley come down to build. CCV is coming in October, so they need to find 4 or 5 houses by then.

Brittany and I hung out and chatted while we watched the girls and packed our lunch for the beach. When the guys got back we were ready. Britt and Dustin have only been in Rocky Point a couple of weeks, but have already met a ton of people, including a couple that owns a condo at a resort right on the beach, so we were able to go there for the day.

Last time we were in Mexico, which was in May, the girls weren't sure about the beach. Joleigh loved the sand, but hated the water and Noelle hated both the sand and the water, so she just ate on a blanket the entire time. This time however, they surprised us and both girls got in the water and had the time of their life. We couldn't get them out. The water was perfect, the day was perfect. I sometimes (almost always) have way too high of expectations when we go places or plan special activities, but this day way exceeded my expectations. I had the greatest time with my family and with Brittany, who I love more than I can say! We ended our time in the pool at the resort. It was a gorgeous infinity pool and it felt like we were in the ocean.

We were going to stay another night and head back Thursday morning, but after our naps decided to head back home after dinner. The girls didn't sleep great, which meant we didn't sleep great the night before, Joleigh had school and Joe and I are planning on coming back in a couple of weeks for the missions trip. So we ate another great Mexican dinner, said our good-byes and headed home, not arriving to until mid-night.

It was such a great trip for so many reasons: we got to get away and relax as a family, Joe didn't have to work or even think about work, we got spend time with our good friends and feel reassured that they are in the exact right place, and build special memories with our sweet baby girls. Thank you Brittany and Dustin for your hospitality and we look forward to our next visit to see you!

Picture Day

I just wanted to share some pictures of Joleigh on her school picture day. She looked so cute and was so excited to go to school today. I have almost ruined Joleigh of taking pictures, because I have had a camera in her face since she was born. So Joe and I decided we needed to practice her smile for the photographer. Instead of saying cheese, we were teaching her to giggle. At home it worked pretty good. I brought Joleigh to school and she was one of the first ones there, so they let me go with her to take her individual picture. The first one went pretty good and then she struggled a bit. She was distracted, looking everywhere but where she was supposed to. The photographer handled it pretty good, but then banned all parents from coming with their kids to take their pictures. Whoops. Anyway, here are some pictures of my beautiful, grown-up girl.

Family Night

We had some family bonding time tonight. Joe decided that he wanted to have a Family Movie Night. First, we went to the grocery store to pick up a few things. Then, Joe and Joleigh went to pick up a cheese pizza from Brothers (my favorite) and a movie, while Noelle and I picked up the house and Noelle helped me sweep the floor. When they got back, we spread out a blanket and had a picnic pizza party in the living room and watched Madagascar. What a cute movie! The girls watched the entire movie and ate a lot of pizza! After the movie we had a dance party to the movie credits. I love family time! It is so cool that it doesn't take much have a great time together and really create some fun memories.

Play Dates

Today was we had a fun-filled morning playing with friends. First we went over to play at my friend Lisa's house. The girls love to get together and play with her three kids, Teda, Dane and Jett. Lisa and I try to get together every week to catch up on life together. We live down the street, but sometimes, when we get busy it feels a world away. The kids have fun together and it is good to have a good friend to have adult conversation with.

Next, all of us headed over to Westgate to meet my friend, Melanie, her husband, Chris and her two boys, Hayden and Noah, to play in the water fountains. We had such a fun time! Joe and I have been to Westgate for dinner and a movie and also to celebrate New Year's Eve, but that was the first time I went to play with the girls. They have great covered places to sit and comfy chairs. We all brought our lunch and had a picnic. The kids all played great together and the adults were able to keep an eye on them and still talk together. It got a little warm and there was an occasional funky smell, but overall it was a great morning with friends!!!

Good day

I didn't take any pictures today, but I wish I would have. I had a great day with my family, especially the girls. Our day started like most, around 7:15, with Noelle waking up first, then Joleigh, some cartoons, blueberry muffins for breakfast, a little snuggling in bed and then Daddy had to go into work, a little earlier than he had planned. Unfortunately, that has happened a lot lately. There is so much to get done and my man is the man to get it done. Hopefully soon he will have sometime for himself and catch up on life and sleep.

Anyhoo, I decided the weather was actually pretty nice, so we played outside, riding bikes and writing with sidewalk chalk. I can't believe how messy two little girls can get in such a short amount of time. So after playing awhile I had to give them a bath, but let them bring in there sand toys (I rinse them off first) into the bath. Who knew how much fun could be had in the bathtub and for how long. After getting clean and beautiful. I packed a picnic for the girls, a very healthy lunch, and then headed to Jack-in-the-Box to pick up lunch for Joe and I, a not-so-healthy lunch. I have been craving tacos from there, isn't that funny?!? We had a picnic as a family and played outside. It was great!

Joe had to stay at work, while we took naps, but went back up to the church for dinner. I have also been craving the sandwiches at the CCV cafe. Anyone who has known me during my pregnancies knows about my crazy cravings, and I pretty have to have what I want when I want it.

It was tonight though after dinner and after Joe went back to work, that I was watching the girls playing that I was brought to tears. Tears of joy and gratitude. I have such an incredible life! I have an amazing husband who works so hard to take care of our family, and works so hard and with such diligence to make whatever he is working on be the best that it can be. He has been working so hard lately, that he has been gone a lot but I know how hard it is on him to be away from us, that I can only be supportive and grateful to have such a wonderful provider. I was also remind about what amazing gifts God has given me in my Joleigh and Noelle. Lately, some days have been long and exhausting, but their smiles, laughter and "I love you's" (or as Noelle says "I duv you too"), make every hard moment seem so small and insignificant. I can't wait to bring this new little baby into this wonderful family of mine. And to one day just sit back and watch the three of them running around, having the time of their life, while holding my husband's hand. It was a good day!

"I sawry."

Noelle has been pretty funny/sweet/frustrating lately. She is going through a bit of a sassy stage, where she is testing the boundaries a little more. For instance, one example, she likes to push the buttons on the cable box, receiver and/or the remote, especially when Joleigh is trying to watch a show. I can't tell you how many times I have told her "NO!" and slapped her hand. I started time-out with her not very long ago and she thinks she has already mastered that form of punishment, and to her credit I am at a loss. Let me explain. So she does something she is not supposed to, I reprimand her and before I can send her to time out, she looks up at me, or Joe, with these sweet little eyes and face and says, "I sawry," then proceeds to hug us. She will then walk over to time-out. But by that point I don't know what else I'm supposed to do. The "I'm sorry" is supposed to be the conclusion of the punishment. Plus, her apologies are just so gosh-darn adorable that I just melt and give her hugs and kisses. I guess I will just have to figure out something else, but in the meantime, I guess I will just have settle for the her sweet little apologies and hope it all just sinks in eventually.

Joleigh's Turn

I was showing Joleigh the video of Noelle saying her letters and she wanted to make her own "movie." So here is Joleigh saying her letters and sounds. She is and has always been a little sponge. Her memory is unbelievable, sometimes I just look at her and think "how do you know that?!?" Kids are great!

Lots of Learning

So, our little Noelle took us by surprise. We were at the grocery store a few months ago, getting ready to check out, when she points to a letter on the wall and says "B." I thought, "how cute!" But thought it was a fluke, so I tried for another letter and she said "T." Right again. I thought how can our 19 month old already know her letters. I have to admit that I worked a lot with Joleigh on learning her colors, shapes, letters, sounds, etc., but have neglected to spend as much time working with Noelle. But to my amazement she is picking up on so many things all on her own, or from just watching her big sister. We were always amazed that Joleigh knew her letters at 2, but Noelle blew us away. Here is a video of her practicing her letters.

Brittany and Dustin

I wanted to share with all of you some exciting news about my good friends Brittany and Dustin Patrick.




First, I want to share a little bit about Brittany and how she has impacted my life. Joe and I met Brittany in 1999, she was in eighth grade and we were starting our ministry at Glendale Christian Church. She was the most devoted student that I had ever encountered. She was consistently at every youth function, whether it would be our usual youth group meeting, to Bible studies, service projects, volunteering for children's events, everything. We could always count on Brit. Over the time spent at Glendale, the bond that Brittany and I shared grew. We were at summer camp after her freshman year. I was her leader and we were talking at session about different relationships we needed in our life. One was a "Paul," someone to mentor us, another was a "Timothy," someone to mentor and the third was a "Barnabas," someone to hold us accountable. I will never forget the exact moment at camp in our cabin, Brittany was in the bunk above mine and she pops her head down and asks, "Will you be my Paul?" She made me so happy and the rest is history. We spent SO much time together from that point on. She even spent most of her Friday nights with Joe and I. Her family has become our family and ours hers. I love her more than I can say. She is kind, caring, compassionate, hard-working, thoughtful, a servant and she has dedicated her life to helping others and following God's plan for her. After high school, she decided to go to ASU West to become a teacher (like me), but after a year felt God calling her to ministry. She wasn't sure what or where that meant she should go. It was the end of summer before her sophomore year, she came over to our apartment to ask Joe and my advice and by the end of the conversation, she decided she was going to Manhattan Christian College, which by the way started in 2 weeks. She made it there and loved it. The next year, she met Dustin, who Joe suggested he look Brittany up when he got to school. They have been together pretty much ever since. Well, she graduated in May of 2007 and got married on August 3, 2007 (I got to be one of her bridesmaids). Dustin and Brittany moved back to Manhattan for one more year so he could finish up and graduate.

That leads me to now. Yesterday we said good-bye to them. They have decided to start an adventure and move permanently down to Rocky Point, Mexico. They are partnering with One Mission, an organization that desires to help the community of Rocky Point by building houses for needy families and eventually unite the community as a whole. One Mission purchased an RV park that will host groups from different churches, including CCV, who are coming down to build houses. Brittany and Dustin's main job will be to living at the RV park and hosting those groups. They will also be working with the local churches to find families in need of a house, as well as building relationships with locals and getting them plugged into the churches. I know there is much more that they will be doing down there. I ask that if you are reading this that you keep them in your prayers. They are still learning Spanish, as well as what is expected of them. They both have an amazing servant's heart and truly feeling that this is where God is leading them. I couldn't be more proud of the decision that they have made and the people that they have become. If you are interested in knowing more about One Mission or if you would be willing to help Brittany and Dustin raise the financial support they need, check out the website. http://www.1mission.org/index.php

Thanks for reading.

Another update

It has been a little while since my last post. Not much has been happening lately. I haven't been feeling very good the past few weeks. Just run down, tired and have been getting dizzy and light headed, so we have been staying home and relaxing a lot lately. I went today for my 15 week check up and everything looks good. I told the doctor how I have been feeling and he told me that I have a little bit lower blood pressure and that I just need to stay hydrated and eat more. It's funny to get permission to eat more from your doctor. I am so ready to start feeling and looking pregnant. It will make not feeling very good worth it. By the way i did start to feel the baby moving this past week. So AMAZING!!! Our doctor surprised us again with an ultrasound, so we got to see baby Jensen again. It is so great to actually see the baby growing and moving and everything looks so good, praise God! We find out the baby's gender on October 3. I literally can not wait! I tried to see if we could find out any sooner, but he suggested we wait to really be sure. I guess I can wait a little longer. If you haven't voted, I would love to see your predictions. Joleigh thinks its a baby sister. She is so cute, every morning and throughout the day, she wants to check on the baby and give "her" kisses. She melts my heart when she tells me, "Mommy, I already love the new baby." Noelle is pretty cute too. She loves to kiss my tummy and says baby all the time. It's crazy to think that she is already 4 months older than Joleigh was when she was born. The girls are going to be such great big sisters and such great helpers for me. So the count down is on to find out baby boy or baby girl. We already have names picked out and I can't wait to start call "the baby" by their name, instead of "the baby." CAN'T WAIT!!!!