I will tell you, the Lord works some crazy ways... and we are on one wacky ride right now.

First off, I want to update you on our status for Project Danielle. We have raised enough money to get the DS Lite! (Shout out to my little Brother for standing in line on Black Friday!) We got her a pink one, with a case... so she's going to be one happy little girl!

We also had some gifts donated, and I can only tell you THANK YOU a million times over!

Secondly, I wanted to share her Christmas Letter to Santa that I had the kids make last night.
This is what she asked for...

1. New Green Shirt
2. New Green Converse
3. New Green Skinny Pants

Thank You

I told her she needs to put more on that list, or it was going to put Santa to sleep. I looked over at my kids, and they had about 15+ things listed- mostly toys- and certainly NOT clothes and shoes. She was stumped... and said she couldn't think of anything else. My heart almost broke...

Like I said, the Lord works some crazy miracles... and this weekend was proof. When we got home on Sunday, we walked over to say hi and see how their holiday had gone. Instead, we watched some family drama unfold... and the end result was that Grandma asked if we would be willing to adopt Danielle.

Yes, I said adopt.

I told her of course we would... and my head is still spinning with all the reasons it would turn our world upside down. However, Grandma is struggling... and once I told her my concerns for Danielle and her living situation, she confided in me that she was overwhelmed with the situation. Grandma is struggling with some health issues, and I'm not sure if she's thinking clearly.

All I do know for certain is that we are going to play a bigger part in Danielle's life than I ever imagined. John said he thought the Lord was preparing us before we even knew it, and maybe the things we are collecting will be the way she starts the new chapter in her life. (Who knew how smart he could be?)

I don't know if any of this will actually happen, or if it's even possible.

Whew... what a crazy path life takes you down sometimes!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Can you believe another year has gone by?? It just comes faster and faster, doesn't it?
We spent our Thanksgiving at our usual place... just up the road at our extended families' house. The difference this year, was John was on-call- and he spent most of the day at work. He was able to make it just before the sun went down so we could get our annual family picture.

It's not easy getting these two to look at the camera, especially at the same time! So it was such a nice treat to get this shot... We are so blessed each and every year to watch our two little miracle babies grow up big and strong. Thank you for caring enough about them to check on us regularly. Thank you for reminding me that writing about our everyday adventures is a gift for their future.

I hope you all had the best Thanksgiving... and were able to surround yourself with laughter like we did. I hope you were able to enjoy a day with family and friends, and the memories of those not with us kept your heart full of happiness.

I am Thankful for all the Lord has blessed us with... especially the love of two wonderful little boys. :)

Send me some Elves Please!

Most of you that read this blog, have seen this little girl a time or two... her name is Danielle. (This is a photo I took of her last year...) She lives with her Grandma, and is our next door neighbor. She is also the boys very best friend... and sort of my adopted daughter.

I need some Christmas elves to help me pull off some Christmas magic... for a little girl that deserves it more than any one I know.


For quite some time, Danielle lived with her Grandma and cousin. Last year, her Aunt moved in to their home, and her Grandma quietly moved out. Since then, I have noticed several times that Danielle has been overlooked. I know that times are tough, but when there are other children in the household getting school supplies and clothes, birthday and Christmas gifts- well, I can't think of any reason she doesn't deserve the same.

This little girl is always first in line to help me, or anyone who needs it. She is always the most gracious person, and the first person to make an excuse for the behavior of the adults in her life.

So rather than adopting an unknown (but deserving) child this year, I am going to focus on one a little closer to home. I would like to invite you to do the same... here's my plan:

Her cousins both received a Nintendo DS last year for Christmas, and she didn't. So this is my first goal- to even the playing field for her. My sister in law is going to bargain hunt one on Black Friday... so if you would like to donate towards this gift it would be her biggest surprise ever!

My brother and sister in law are going to donate a gently used mountain bike for her. John has repaired her bike several times, but it needs so much work. She is going to pass out when she gets a bike that is more her size! She could use a helmet, or anything else a bike might need. Bells, whistles, lights... etc.

I am also going to get her some clothes that she can grow into. I was thinking leggings and long shirts... things she can stretch and grow with for a while. She could also use a backpack, because the last one she had she carried with both arms, since the straps were tore off. I don't want her current one to last that long...

This year, her aunt is out of work... so I am afraid of what's in store for Danielle. Please don't get me wrong... her family is keeping her out of foster care... and to my knowledge, most of her needs are met. Her Mom was deported for drug related charges, and we are pretty sure she lost her dad to drug overdose. So it's up to her family to take care of her- but I'm not sure why she gets overlooked in so many areas- the same areas that her cousins are not. Instead of feeling bad, or complaining on her behalf... I'm going to just make it right this year.

This little girl is at my home most evenings, and I have watched her grow. She has never once complained about anything- she is truly grateful for all she has. I am the one that sees the need- and I am asking you to help- if you can.

If you would like to help purchase anything, you can drop off money to me at Broadway Salon, or mail it to my home. If you want to purchase, or donate something to her, call me- and I will be sure to pick it up.

Her favorite color is green, and she LOVES to draw- or any sort of arts and crafts projects. She wears a size 3 shoe, and a size 10-12 clothing. She always helps me when I'm cooking.. and says she wants to be an artist when she grows up. She can always use school supplies, and could probably use some books.

I will be sure to take pictures, and be accountable for all that you donate. I am going to make sure she has a great Christmas, and I know so many of you have incredibly kind hearts and have already offered to help. I have always felt so good donating to an unknown family- I can't wait to see her eyes light up- and be able to see the whole thing start to finish! I will be sure to post pictures of her Christmas miracle...

Thank you in advance for your help.
Love you guys!!

I Four Now Ma...

After we dropped Zach off at school, we came home and took Kyle's pictures on the morning of his birthday. I asked if he knew why were were taking his pictures, he said "I Four Now Ma, and I am a bigger boy!" He insisted on picking up the kitten, and we wandered around the property...

This little person is the sparkle in this family... he is almost always laughing and giggling. He wakes me up every morning by announcing "It's mornin' tymmmme! Tymme toooo tickle meeee!"

He loves the color green, and almost always prefers a piece of fruit over a cookie. He likes trains almost as much as his brother- but he prefers Diesel engines- his favorite is the Sante Fe.
Did I mention he always picks broccoli when we go to the grocery store... AND he eats it when I cook it? He says they are little trees and giggles when he eats it.

His favorite meal is "Old McDongals" and he hardly ever eats his fries. He rarely sits down at a meal, because he likes to bounce up and down during meal time.

He also has his Daddy (and his Grandpap's) gift of gab... the only time he's not talking is when he's asleep.

Every time I give him a kiss... he wipes it off... and then tells me about it so I will chase him to give him another.

Kyle loves "Mighty Machines" also known as construction equipment. He plays with trains when his brother is home, but when Zach is in school- he says "Ma... I don't want any Lionel on the T.B. today... just Mighteee Machines!" And when I put his dvd in, he says "Oh yeah bay-bee, that's what I'm talkin' bout!"

LOVE this little man!

Few more pictures from our Halloween Trip

A few more pictures of our trip to Nevada from Halloween weekend...

Here's Kyle enjoying a cookie- the train took us from Carson City to Virginia City- and we got to explore for a couple of hours. We did some shopping, ate pizza for lunch... and found a yummy bakery.

Here our the train nuts... and my friend's kiddos.

And the star of the show... and the reason my wallet is a little lighter. =)

Here is Quinten... it's near impossible to get this kiddo to smile. He gives the best dirty looks of any person (small or big) I've ever met.

We just hung out that morning... and decided to stay in our jammies most of the day. Then we went outside to carve our pumpkins. Baby Q wasn't allowed to have a 'knife' but he sure was interested in what the big kids were doing...

Kyle drew that face all by himself... and John helped him carve it.

Alas... synchronized carving is a favorite past time of me and my bff Jenn. But what female isn't good at gouging somethings eyeballs out? lol...

This was Kyle's pumpkin... not sure why he came up with the frown. He's usually the smiling one in this family... This was Zach's pumpkin. He drew the face on, and carved most of it himself. I can't tell you how many heart attacks I had watching him with the 'knife'... and how many times I worried I would end up in the ER that night. Thankfully... we all made it through the carving process with all our appendages. :)



Here is Maddie- as a mermaid... and her little brother Quinten as her sidekick... the lobster. I see a lot of sidekick costumes in his future! lol

The crew was full of energy, and ready to go. Except one little Woody... we forgot to bring his horse... so he had to settle for a ride in the wagon.

After the evening festivities... the kids came home and crashed. Then we were up the next morning, packed and ready to head home. We had to take one ride on the tree swing in Maddie's back yard. It was a little more weight than it was used to... but they managed to giggle just the same.

Thank goodness John was strong enough to push them!

I wish we had a tree big enough to hold the boys... most of ours are eucalyptus trees- the most brittle ones you can imagine! And they're on the fence line. I suppose I could get John to add building a swinging structure to his honey-do list... but it might be faster to plant a tree now. ;P

It is such an honor to be friends with people for over 20+ years... and to watch our kids grow up together. Especially for a military brat that moved a ton over the school years... I am so lucky to have landed where I was able to make great friends. And I'm so glad they let me crash at their houses for our 'mini-vacations'! (And feed us, and put up with our train expeditions, and, and, and...)

Halloween

Did you hear about the Cowboy and Italian Coin collector that went trick or treating? ha ha...

This was Woody and Mario on Halloween this year...

We left Friday to travel to our friend's house up in Carson City, NV for our annual trip. We went for a train ride on an old steam engine that took us up to Virginia City on Saturday. Then Sunday, we spent the afternoon carving pumpkins. We bundled up, and got their costumes on- it was quite cold up in the mountains for us CA folk! I put their jackets on under their costume- in case you thought they gained some extra pounds... :) His new favorite thing is Mario Bros. He picked this costume out before he got his game... and I think he liked the moustache the most!

On the car ride over, we stopped at Starbucks. We should have got an extra coffee for Woody... cause he was awfully grumpy and tired. Daddy had to wheel him around to the first few houses...

The cold air, everyone saying 'HI" to Woody, the rush of adrenaline knowing his bag was filling with candy... I'm not sure what gave him his second wind... but soon he was off!

The little mermaid is our friend's daughter, Maddie. Her Mommy, Jennifer and I have been friends since Jr high. I guess our kiddos will be able to say they were friends a lot longer than that.

We always have fun going up the hill to enjoy some cooler weather... and the neighborhood was absolutely gorgeous. The streets were right out of a Norman Rockwell painting... I was trying to decide which house to buy while we were walking around. Then the sun went down, and it got cooler... and I decided CA was just warm enough for this pansy!

Thanks again Jenn for letting us invade your home with our wild crazy bunch! It's always a blast laughing until your side hurts... =)

First Grade School Picture

Here is Zach's school picture for his First Grade fall portrait.

I'm a little tiny bit partial... but I think it turned out pretty darn good. :)

His favorite thing is still anything to do with Trains. He likes steam trains the best, and his favorite is the UP 844. He can tell you an abundant amount of facts about most trains, and he is convinced he is going to 'Engineer School' as soon as he graduates.

Recently, however, he has a new passion. He begged for a hand held game system like the neighbor kid had. His best friend in kindergarten loved anything to do with Mario Brothers, and so did he. (Even if he had never played it... ) I finally gave in, and on his birthday got him a Nintendo DS, with a Mario Bros. game.

He's only allowed 30 minutes a day, and he's not thrilled about that. Especially since he has to 'pay' for his minutes from his coin jar. Those coins have to be earned by doing chores.

The funny thing is that you can tell he goes to a school with a lot of Hispanic influence, because he doesn't say Ma-ree-O- he rolls his 'r' and it sounds more like Ma-dee-O.

He currently still lists his favorite meal as a cheeseburger happy meal from "Old McDonalds"... but recently said cheese pizza from Round Table is 'way awesome dude'.

He is quite compassionate, and wears his heart on his sleeve. When his friends have to leave, he usually cries his heart out. He still thinks it's okay to yell across the playground "I Love You, Mom!" in front of ALL his friends. He always stops Kyle from walking on the tracks at the Pumpkin Patch- you know- so he doesn't get run over by the train!

He says he misses me, even before he leaves the van in the morning. And his favorite thing to do is 'nuggle' with Mom... especially if we have 'popcorn and a movie' night!

He just turned six on the 16th of October... but this blue eyed handsome fella is one big boy... as long as you don't put anything scary on the T.V. (like Scooby Doo!)

LOVE this kid!!

Another trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

After the birthday party this year, I was bummed to notice that we didn't get any of our usual pumpkin patch pictures. There just wasn't enough time to do it all... so we decided to take another trip to our favorite pumpkin patch.

And I made my cute lil' pumpkin pose with the other cute lil' pumpkins... My little guy isn't so little anymore. I watched him jump and leap over pumpkins, and he kept running ahead of us to direct us toward the different areas. He is trying his best to grow as fast as he can, and I can't figure out a way to stop it...

This is Kyle, when he put his boots on, he decided to tuck his pants inside of them. I think he got tire of pulling his pants up to show everyone his 'John Deere Green' boots.

These were his big birthday gift... and he has hardly taken them off since last week. He shows everyone his new boots, then shows them how high he can jump in them. I only thought girls could find that kind of joy in a new pair of shoes... excuse me... boots!

As you might imagine... the train caught their attention...

After two trips on the train, I was able to deter them with chocolate chip cookies and apple cider. I had a hard time getting them to stop wiggling because they wanted to feed the coy fish their cookies.

I kept telling them no, but when I looked up, I seen Kyle throw his half right into the pond. I asked him when he came towards us, what had happened to his cookie. He pointed to the pond. I asked him why he threw his cookie- he said the 'fish was hungee and Ma, they like chocolate-y cookies'.

How can I argue with this?

It was a great day at the pumpkin patch, because the crowd was thin, and the weather was cool. The kids had so much fun running around, and I had fun chasing them with the camera.

We had to cut our visit short, because Kyle pulled his pants down to pee. This isn't usually a problem- except that he decided to pull a "LOOK MA, NO HANDS!" while peeing. Needless to say his shirt, pants and boots were wet- so we grabbed out pumpkins and headed for the gate.



While we were waiting in line to pay, the boys found a truck to 'drive'... and by the looks of it... it was one heck of a ride!

Life is always such an adventure with these two. I never know what to expect- from tossing cookies to the fish- to riding home with a naked little boy... and his new favorite pumpkin.

Either way... we got a couple of gallons of cider... and some yummy treats. After two very rainy days stuck inside, these boys needed to play... and play hard. We all needed fresh air... and some family time at the pumpkin patch.