Christian got the "wast one"--

Shane's favorite expression right now..."I want the wast (last) one"...no matter what it is...he wants the last of it. Although his eyes are slowly being opened to desiring the "first one". I love 3 year old discovery of the world.
So the last one I refer to is the last 3rd grade spot at the school across the street from the home we just moved in to. Our new ward members told us on Sunday that it was likely full and a waitlist would be the best we could get for now...its a very desirable "10-rated" school. So I called, got a last minute appointment for summer registration, hurriedly filled out the bazillion forms they need to have, begged a working hubby to run home with a key to our safe where Christian's birth certificate is, barely made it to the appt...... all to hear "Well, Christian, you just got the LAST 3rd grade spot at Creekside". HUGE sigh of relief....we can walk to school and it doesn't start until 9AM...that is my kind of school=) The thoughts of dragging 3 children (including a newborn) in a car to a foreign school when a perfect school sits so perfectly right in front of us...well, I would have been quite sad. So....we are grateful for our awesome new ward and for a simple blessing...big for a mommy adjusting to a new place...grateful to a simple tender mercy. Then my mind wanders to the many tender mercies I experience every day...and I vow to be more grateful and tell my Father that I am so. I am hoping the mercy continues as I visit the fetal specialist on Friday to see our little Baby Bob...hoping he is growing and is healthy. We have come such a long way for him.

10 years of adventure and bliss!

On July 2nd, Gavin and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary! Because I was barely 19 when I got married, I remember people second guessing that we were truly a married couple 10 years ago. And...even now, 10 years later...there was hardly a person in public that could believe we had been married for 10 years.( Can I tell you how many times in this pregnancy that I have had people ask "Is this your first?"... "No, actually my 3rd"....shock and awe and disbelief always follow). We just look like babies I guess. But we are okay with that!
Before I share the details how we celebrated...I just wanted to express my love and admiration for the most wonderful man I have ever met. I tell people all the time that only through God's help could I have made such an important, eternal decision so perfectly at such a YOUNG age. But when it's right, its right. I cannot say that I knew HOW right it was at the time....but time has proven how very perfect we were/are for each other. We have had a very busy and adventurous 10 years of marriage and 3 (almost...2 and baking) sweet boys to show for it all. No matter where around the country or world we may be...I know it will always be perfect with my best friend at my side. I love you forever Gav!
Now...past the sappy....originally for our 10 year anniversary we had big plans...we were going to go to Hawaii in December for a luxurious vacation during the Pipeline Masters surfing competition (something we both thoroughly enjoy). But then, as has happened frequently in the 10 years of marriage, plans changed as life plans changed. With Gavin's decision to accept the Navy Ophthalmology Residency, it meant we had to leave Corpus 1 year early and sell a house. And selling a house means lots of unexpected expenses and costs. In addition, the unique opportunity to do InVitro came up rather quickly, with its associated costs. Long story short, the money we had hoped to put toward a nice vacation to Hawaii was now spent....not to mention we would have a brand newborn baby! So...for now, Hawaii is postponed. With limited time and resources and abilities, we picked our brains trying to think of a fun little celebration for this milestone. So...we went to New York for 5 days. It was a great compromise...and I think we both had a fabulous time. 2 of the days were mostly travel. And the other 3 days we tried to pack full of things we never got to do while we lived in New York and also visit nostalgic places and people. We stayed in Manhattan 2 nights and spent 2 nights with the Darger family that I nannied for 3 years. Now they are so grown up...they no longer need a nanny! My long lost children turned out to be quite the mature, great grown-up kiddos. Gavin and I had so much fun...we missed the boys but really enjoyed life without responsibility and being free for a few days.

More catch up...

Since we've been here for a month, we have been to Disneyland twice, once with my sister and family and another with my SIL and kids...we broke down and sprung for an annual pass...it just made sense. We had a blast both times...although I can't ride anything but "Small World"...I just love to see the kids (Gav included when at Disney). Half of my pics from Disney are with my MIL camera because we hadn't yet found the box that had the battery charger for our camera...so maybe I will post more later. Can I just say...that it is still so surreal to have so much family around for so many things...we are loving it!!
Shane's only request of the day...I want to meet Mickey, please!

The crew for round 2 of Disney...Christian and Shane had so much fun with all those girls!

Our first time to California Adventures...we left Disneyland mid day and hit the other park...its awesome...well, does Disney do anything poorly??

Shane and I waited in line to see Tigger,Pooh and Rabbit while the rest rode Splash Mountain (pardon the big FAT belly!!)

End of the day...Shane loves his cousins Sarah and Chloe and Auntie Tracy!!

Don't be fooled...

Just because I have not found the time, energy nor motivation to post the bazillion overwhelming posts that are due from all the fun and adventures we have been on in the last month...does not mean that I haven't been checking all y'alls very regularly. I find it makes me feel in some way still connected to my friends from around the country. Transitions are never fun....at first. I know I always look back and appreciate the growth and the lessons and the friends....but in the midst of decisions and moving and displacement....I just miss whatever used to be my normality.

I will just start posting a few pics to tie in some of the blanks from the last month... Christian and Coach Chuck...we could not have asked for a better coach!

Last minute way of telling Gammy & Papa that we are making Team Surf McEwan with Shane's shirt saying "I love my lil' brother" and Christian's saying " I love my lil' brothers"

Same sport, with some new equipment....a wetsuit for the chilly Pacific and his first real board!

Farewell Dinner

Just a quick shout out to Kassandra and Maxine for putting together a dinner with some of our close friends prior to us leaving Corpus. It was great times, good food and memories that will last forever. We miss you guys!!

Made it

We're here in CA and CRAZY busy....stay tuned for some serious updates=))

Renewed Faith in America and California

With today's Supreme Court decision in California, voting so predominately in favor of upholding Proposition 8 and the voters voice in the matter...I have found a renewed faith in our judicial system and in the righteous will of good Americans. As we are readying ourselves to move back to CA, I will not deny we have had some hesitations on moving back to a state that has been so liberal minded and has continually moved down a path of less-than-moral lifestyles. Especially after having lived in the South, especially TX. Although not prime location or perfect, we have loved living where our children have been taught respect, love for our country, good old-fashioned values, and where moderation and conservative thinking is honored and well-loved. In FL, when Christian sang "God Bless America" the first month we lived there...I realized how liberal CA really was. There is little hope he would have been taught anything with the word "God" in it at a public school in California.
Anyhow-- I am just very glad that our judges in CA heard the voice of the people...not the angry minority...and have upheld God's most important institution...the family...with a father and a mother. What a huge success for good!

Wanna-be

I think its pretty apparent that Shane idolizes his big brother. When Shane was running around with the uniform on...it was more evident how much the 2 boys look alike...definitely brothers.

Excuse #359

Reason for not posting: I keep forgetting my camera at all the family things we keep doing. Lame, I know. Maybe I need a smaller/more compact camera that I can keep in a pocket in my purse evermore. Because really...does anyone want a post without pics...rarely! (except maybe my friend Jen that has one of the funniest blogs I have ever read!!)

SIKE!...strike that, reverse it!

After letting school out on Monday the kids thought they were in for a nice vacation. But by late Tuesday afternoon, the school district had again followed the ever-changing CDC's guidelines...and decided to reopen schools on Thursday, as in yesterday. Christian was momentarily bummed....but is over it now. He really did enjoy the 2 days off. We got to go to the pool a bunch. And this way, we didn't have to pull him out of school on Wednesday to go up to San Antonio for an ear check-up ( our last one). Christian got the final okay that once we get to CA, he can go in the water.
Less than 3 weeks left here in Texas...