Not quite a year later!

Okay everyone...so don't delete me if you haven't already. It has been a crazy year and my life has been occupied by three things: family, school, and work. When I say occupied....I mean literally. I haven't done too much more since then besides get pregnant, but that took all but a few minutes.
So now that I am waiting for my school group to get their pieces to me for our thesis, which I have to say that attempting to write a thesis as a team is horrible...I thought I would state a few things that have happened in the last 11 months.

1) Pregnant....with a girl....due July 1st.
2) Finishing up my masters/administration credential program.
3) Had two family reunions last summer- one from each side.
4) Mitch is finishing his teaching credential.
5) Still have the same job.
6) Beginning to apply for southern california jobs...if they are out there.
7) planning a cruise in a year.
8) Kids are one year older...and so much fun.
9) Celebrating Mitch's grandma's 90th birthday
10) Saw my little brother and his wife twice in one year.
11) Yankees and Lakers won the their championships in the same year. Priceless!

Success in California to Uphold Prop. 8

I am proud of the justice that was exemplified today. The voice of the people was upheld by the 7 justices. I know the world was waiting to hear the verdict of Prop. 8 and now the world knows that although California may have many other issues....we do NOT recognize same-sex marriage.
The ruling wasn't a total success with the 18,000 same-sex marraiges recognized but it is no longer legal, which I am sure will cause more confusion within the state.

As I discuss the issue more and more it comes down to this:

Yes on Prop. 8- people who believe that gay and lesbians are NOT born like that.
No on Prop. 8- people who beileve that gay and lesbians ARE born like that.

And again, EVERYONE in California has the right to marriage.... it just depends on their choice. I am happy to be from California and not from Iowa, Vermont, Conneticut, Massachusettes or any other state that is in favor of same-sex marraige.

Brave Derek

Last week Derek had minor surgery and he was great! Here he is in his hospital gown getting ready to go into surgery. He was all smiles...well, until after the surgery when he woke up. But overall, he was a brave little guy. Everything went really well and the recovery has been extremely smooth. He was up and jumping around within a couple of hours after we got home. It seemed to be pretty easy for him. It was probaly hardest on me. Yes, I was being as strong as possible but nobody likes to see their child have to go through any kind of surgery, even if it is minor.
Derek is doing great and back to his talkative, dancing self. We love our brave Derek!!!

Baby Girl's Thumb

Well, I haven't posted anything of Taylor for a little while. She is now 4 months old and doing very well. She sleeps really well during the day and night and is now up to eating about 5 ounces per feeding. She has rolled over, which was so much fun to see and has great eye hand coordination like her brother. She is not nearly as talkative as her brother but is developing just as fast as he did.

However, one difference is that she has found her thumb!!! I know there are pros and cons with this but I couldn't resist taking this picture of her today taking a nap.

She is our little angel.

Happy Birthday to my little bro.

My little brother is turning 28 this year!!! I still think of him as a 10 year old kid. I probably talke to him like a 10 year old kid too sometimes. But he is a special guy who now lives across the country so we don't get a chance to see him as often as I would like. I always thought that he would be around to watch my kids grow and I am hoping he will be in a few years. He is married to a wonderful girl whom we all love. They are the cutest little couple. Happy Birthday little bro.

Life with Two

It has now been 10 weeks since we have been
blessed with our second child. I have to say that having two is easier than I had anticipated. I have been told from many women (and men) their opinion of which number gets to be the hardest to handle, which always seems to end up being #2 or #3. This doesn't necessarily mean the actual child is difficult but just the amount.

I suppose I was ready for two to be extremely difficult, however, we seem to be doing really well. Of course I have my "crazy days" but overall two has been wonderful. Perhaps 3 will be our hardest amount to handle. I have heard that after 3, it is all the same.

I am not a flower girl but.....

For Valentines my husband gave me flowers for the first time since we have been married. I am usually not a flower girl but they were beautiful!!!

There were 36 roses all for me. I think every girl enjoys receiving flowers every now and then. He also gave me a box of chocolates from SEE's candy. I really only like two kinds of candy and the box had only those two kinds. They were delicious.

I think my husband could get me flowers a little more often then I let on and chocolate is always nice.

Thankful for kids

I can't help but post a blog about how fun it is to have kids. My kids are a blast. Derek is at such

a fun age. Here he has just finished a bath and is wrapped up in his CARS towel. He is truly a happy little boy.

He is a wonderful big brother. He gives Taylor kisses and hugs and knows to be very gentle. He is an eager little helper as well. When Taylor cries, he helps mommy put a pacifier back into her mouth over and over.

Taylor is the sweetest little baby. She can smile now which always brings such joy to in our home. She is already smiling and making her little cooing noises. I am so grateful to have children. I know many of us take advantage of the opportunity to physically have our own children and sometimes even complain about the sleepy nights or difficult days, but children bring happiness and laughter into the home which is wonderful!