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Monday, April 26, 2010

Gizmo the Pug

Meet Gizmo, our new Pug. It is wonderful to have a Pug in the house again, for I am a Pug lover. I love their wrinkly faces and curly tails, their snorts and snores, but especially their personalities. They way they tilt their heads at the sound of something they don't quite understand. Ever since we suddenly lost our Pug Stella a little over a year ago, I have wanted another Pug. I would peruse the Pug rescue sites, even local breeders, and none ever felt quite right. I had worked so hard on Stella.....from potty training, to manners, and just as she was becoming that perfect dog, she died. A part of me was still angry about it, as it seemed all that work was for nothing. So, I wasn't sure I wanted another puppy. I was being picky, and probably a bit ridiculous. Couldn't I just find a black one that was like a year old and already potty trained? Then just like that, an email came (from my sis-in-law), with a picture of a black pug who just turned one in December and needed a home. Oh and the kicker.....he was free and potty trained! After a few days of pondering, we went for it.....my hubby indeed loves me, and Gizmo is adjusting quite well. In the short 20 hours that we have had him, he has attached himself to Matthew and me, and is still trying to figure out the kids. After all, they are loud and move fast, and there are 3 of them for heaven's sake! He joined me in the shower this morning and seemed to enjoy the warm water, so I grabbed the kid's shampoo and seized that opportunity. As I write this he is laying on my feet, on his back, snoring......and hopefully dreaming of his new family.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Say Cheese




These were taken by my friend Jaime (well maybe her hubby John too), and I had to post them. We found an old train station in Del Mar while the four of us were enjoying a walk on the beach, and it made for some cool backgrounds. Thanks guys for the pics, and for the new lens as well!! Can't wait to try it out in Israel!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Princess Tooter Pants


Today my baby turns 3! My little Emma. The one who makes me laugh more than once a day, and can give the best stink eye ever. Her personality is all her own, as is the territory in being the third born I think. She adores her sissies, well when they aren't making her mad (as she puts it), and is definitely a mommy's girl. She wants to be a big girl but is still holding onto the baby, but I really don't mind. She loves princesses and pirates, but not Buzz because "that's for boys." Her giggles melt my heart and her Teradactyl screams pierce my ears. She is my everyday joy, the light in the backseat that asks for the "Taylor Swift cd" in the car. She thinks it hilarious to toot at the dinner table simply for a laugh, and then declare that she is "Princess Tooter Pants". Happy birthday my love, my Princess Tooter Pants!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Clutter

Here I am, It is Thursday morning, my older girls are in school, Emma is watching a Barbie movie (those are kind of creepy) and I am deciding that my blog needs attention. So here is a list of things that are cluttering my congested mind.


  • Potty training Emma, this is the third attempt.
  • Working with Julianna on her schoolwork. Kinder for half a day is worthless.
  • Laundry, laundry, laundry....I think it grows and multiplies by itself.
  • My ticket. It makes me ill when I think about how expensive it is.
  • Disneyland expires next month. If we do the "give a day" thing we can use towards renewal, but then there is that dang ticket to pay for!
  • I have another photography gig this month. I love taking pictures, but I always get so nervous the weeks leading up to it. I know I just need to have more confidence in myself.
  • The grocery game is getting fun. $170 worth of groceries at Vons this week for $110....not too shabby.
  • How do we teach our girls the importance of selflessness? They have a playroom full of toys and lack for nothing. It is one of my biggest fears, raising selfish children.
  • I actually read the World Vision magazine that I get every month and it made me cry. I think that we forget the poverty and sadness in the world as we live our cushy little lives. To think that there are 7 and 8 year olds raising their younger siblings, living in straw huts and eating one small potato per day. Sometimes I feel like we are simply not doing enough.
  • I often think about adoption. Matthew isn't sold on the deal, so I will pray.
  • We are going to Israel in May with the Coffman's, and a 2 day stop in NYC. It will be an amazing trip with great friends.
I told you it was cluttered......but I feel better now.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Merry Christmas and Goodnight




It is so hard to believe that another Christmas has come and gone.....where oh where does the time go? The girls loved everything that came with the season this year, and Emma being a bit older, was really able to enjoy it (as you can see from her expression above after getting a new toothbrush)! After my mom suffered a heart attack 3 days before Christmas, we had to re-arrange things a bit. This year we spent Christmas day with good friends, as they too were without family, and we had a great time feasting and mostly watching the Chargers win. Go Chargers! Then on Sunday with my mom released and on the mend, we hosted our family Christmas. This was the first time it was at our house and thus, so was the cooking. I felt like an adult and a crazy person all at once. I think it was a success (or at least everyone is lying to me). Kudos to my awesome hubby who took charge of cooking the prime rib and our broccoli dish. It was a successful day and a wonderful season. Merry Christmas my family.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

The McNeill Family.........



The Knight Family.......