Big News

Summer has flown by, and I won't even try to go into detail with all we did. But it was a warm, busy and exciting couple of months! The Bowers came for a visit so Caden got to spend time with his favorite cousins! Caden and I did swimming lessons, and he passed with flying colors. (Pretty much a lap swimmer...ok, so he can blow bubbles and float on his back). We went to an angel game, the beach, and even got Disneyland passes. And the MOST exciting news of all...well, you all already know, but: BABY #2 is on its way! We found out in July that Caden will be having a new little brother or sister arriving sometime in March. That means they will be almost exactly 2 years apart. We are so excited, and while I have had some mean morning sickness, its getting better (still not gone, but I will take it!) and its hard to believe I am already 15 weeks along. We get to see if its a boy or girl in just 2 and a half short weeks! (I am trying not to read into the major morning sickness as a sign of girl, since Caden only gave me a little bit of sickness. Who knows!) So here are just some random pics of the past couple of months, and lastly, my first "bump" picture. (I already feel like a bad mom taking my first bump picture at 14 weeks. And so it begins..the 2nd child who shall never be photographed as much as the 1st. Sorry baby.)

Caden loves to wear sunglasses! This is a little reminiscent of Risky Business.

14 weeks and counting!

Busy Busy

This last month has been as busy as ever, especially preparing for my work's big "event" --VBS. This year, our theme was "Midnight Museum" (it was a Night at the Museum feel to it), which was so fun for me since I was part of the team that created the idea, theme and have spent 6 months planning it all.

Overall, the week was a huge success. It was probably one of my favorite years so far (out of 8!) and I was so blessed and amazed to be a tiny part of God working in the lives of so many kids. I was in charge of everything that goes on in the worship center-- which means Opening Sessions, Closing Sessions, worship, drama, the set and stage and the overall production of all that. I was able to work closely with some of my closest friends who volunteer each year (as well as some who are on staff) and work closely with Tim Timmons, who led worship and who always makes things so meaningful, purposeful and fun all at the same time! It was so amazing to see kids engage and respond to God through Tim leading worship. He is truly gifted and he even got those 5th grade boys (our toughest audience) worshiping and learning what worship truly is about--quite amazing.

This was Caden's first VBS--he was in his little class each day and did SO well! Although afternoons were a little tough when we got home, he did SO good in class and overall was such a good boy! He made it easy on mama for the long week of work I had!

Here are some pics from the big week!
Mama and Caden in their VBS shirts heading off to our big week!!

The worship cetner--all I was in charge of! Here is our "set" that was made!!

Here is part of what I got to do--help lead worship and do "hand motions" with our "groove team". :)

Our worship team kids! (silly pic)

Ok now our smiling pic :-)

Jodi, Me, Michelle and Becky! (Michelle was "Queen Elizabeth" in our skit--hence the costume!)
Becky, Jaclyn and I

Me and Meygan (Meygs and I grew up together, and our kids are 3 days apart! We are in small group together, and I asked her to be a part of our worship team since we used to do "choreography" together back at our old church, so we were able to work together and choreograph worship stuff--it was so fun working with her!)

Caden was quite popular with everyone all week. Here he is with Sara!
Sneaking in some mama time amidst the crazy busy-ness!!

Two of my staff--Brooke and David

Overall--a great week! Its weeks like that, though crazy, long and tiring, make me so thankful for the people I work with, the job God has called me to and all the fun had along the way!

Catching Up

Its been a while since I've posted anything and to be honest, I feel like I've been avoiding it because I know I have a lot to catch up on! The last time I posted was before Easter, and now that, Mexico and the month of May has pretty much passed, so instead of being overwhelmed by it I am just going for it! So grab a latte (grab me one too while you are at it) and get comfy cuz here we go!
(More pics are on my Facebook--mom and dad, you need to get on it just for the pics!)

Easter

While this holiday seems to be one of the busiest due to ministry, the weekend production I wrote and headed up turned out well and I was even able to go to church with Jon. After the long weekend at work, it was fun to celebrate with Caden and our family. We went over to my aunt's house and got to have an easter egg hunt for Caden (and when I say hunt I mean we put plastic eggs on the floor and Caden played with them). It was fun to think back to the year before to Caden's first Easter where he just sat there and looked cute in his Easter outfit. And now, he hardly ever sits still! :) At church with Caden in his Easter outfit. Easter egg "hunting" (ie putting eggs in and out of his basket)

Mexico

Oh Mexico...how I miss you dearly. It seems like a lifetime ago, but the day after Easter Jon and I had a getaway, just the two of us, to Mexico on vacation. And it was perfect. We went to the same exact place we went to on our honeymoon and it was JUST as wonderful. It is an all inclusive place, so we just layed out, ate, went to the beach, snorkeled, ate, tanned, ate, read, ate and relaxed. (Getting on a scale after this vacation was not so fun, but well worth it). It was so amazing to sit down and have so much alone time with just Jon--something I don't take for granted anymore since our dinners at home usually involved chicken nuggets being thrown and limited conversation. We had hours and hours to talk, relax and be a "couple" again, which life doesn't always allow as much as we'd like. It was so wonderful and we were so blessed to be able to take that time. My parents and Jon's parents were so generous in taking care of Caden while we were gone and of course, Caden had the time of his life. He LOVES his grandparents houses, especially since both houses come equipped with lots of space and toys! Here are a few highlights. A-MA-ZING.
The water is so beautiful there!
We had a room simliar to the one we had on our honeymoon--but this time it was even better because it was a swim up room! (see below)
Fondue dinner with an ocean view

Taking an evening stroll on the beach
Candlelight dinner on the beach
Ohh I miss you Mexico.

Caden

Well, our little man is not so little any more--growing each and every day into a toddler. While he isn't walking on his own yet (he insists on holding someone's hand or pushing something) he is EVERYWHERE. I've had multiple people tell me that he probably doesn't walk yet because he crawls so darn fast. (that is what I was thinking but hey, I see his speediness every day so didn't really realize how stinkin fast he is until others started mentioning it). Here are some pics of him from the past couple months!

Helping mama pack
One Year Pics!

Family Life

As always, the things we do as a family are pretty much my favorite moments and days. We are loving the beautiful weather and have enjoyed many pool days and walks in the evening or on the weekend.
Walking in Irvine Park
Playing at church (our new chapel is in the background--isn't it beautiful? Its very cool inside as well, and has some really cool worship experiences in its service. Come check it out if you can!)

Last weekend, as a family along with some friends, we walked in the Cystic Fibrosis walk in Huntington Beach in honor of my nephew Kaleb who has CF. People so generously supported me and gave to the important cause, and combined with Kristi's amazing fund raising, have raised almost $5,000 that goes towards finding a cure for CF. So amazing! It was so meaningful to walk alongside friends who I know are praying for Kaleb as well as be with families who feel just as passionately about this cause.
The walkers (minus me who is taking the pic!)
Jon, Caden, B, Ezekiel, Bekah Jane, Beth, Noah and Dan (Roberson).
The Robersons are a part of our small group at Mariners!


Bethany and the kiddos came to walk! (Roomies for life) :)



Getting ready to walk..or stroll in the stroller...whatever works.

The girls and their strollers
The family

Why we are walking. Always praying for a cure!

And last but not least....
Baby Dacey!!

My BFF (yes people still use that term and yes its still cool) Kristen is having a baby!! She was able to come down from Washington and visit a few weeks ago and we threw her her very first baby shower. It was SO much fun! We got to spend a few days together and it was much needed (need in person girl time!) and was SO great--great conversations, laughs and excitement for the future!
We even got to spend an afternoon at Burke Williams Spa--ahhhh! Perfect! Jon was the amazing husband that he is, and was on Caden duty for multiple nights and days so I could soak up as much Kristen time as possible (love you Jon!). I am blessed.

The beautiful mama-to-be!
I love that we have been through so many stages of life together, and here we are again! MAMAS!

B, Heidi, Kristen and me!
I can't wait to see that little baby Dacey! They aren't finding out if its a boy or girl until the big day...I'm going with...GIRL! (Mostly cuz I want Caden to have a beautiful Dacey girlfriend! But I will love a buddy for Caden too.) HURRY UP BABY DACEY! Due on 9-9-09--isnt that the coolest??


Phew...I think that's it! I will try not to wait so long next time to keep updated. See you soon!