My Turn!

Thanks for the tag, L!

A - Attached or Single: Married! Eric and I started dating in July of 2001, got engaged in June of 2002, and have been married since June 7, 2003. Almost 4 years!

B - Best Friend: I am so blessed to have several amazing girlfriends -Pastor Nicola, Laura, Brooke, all of the my cell girls. But, my bestfriend is my husband. My best-bestfriend is Jesus. He is my bestfriend now and into eternity! (Umm, that "eternity" part sounds a little weird, but it's true, eh?)

C - Cake or Pie: I'm not a big cake or pie person. Cake is usually too dry and I don't like fruit pies. I only like ice cream cake, really, really chocolately cake, buttercream cake from Upper Crust, my grandma's pecan pie, and pumpkin pie.

D - Drink of Choice: I don't think I have a favorite drink. Eric's is cherry pepsi, so I drink some of his a lot. I hope L's response will motivate me to drink more water!

E - Essential Item: With the boys? Diapers!

F - Favorite Color: Hot pink and chocolate brown. Judah reminds us daily that his is red!

G - Gummi Bears or Worms: Worms, although I don't remember the last time I've eaten either. When I was pregnant I bought chocolate covered gummi bears in bulk and Eric thought that was very strange.

H - Hometown: Chico, California- born and raised!

I – Indulgence(s): Not too much these days! Mochas, we spend a lot of time at coffee shops.

J - January or July*: July, I LOVE the summer. I love to swim. Summer is not fun with a little, tiny baby, but I'm looking forward to swimming and doing fun stuff with the boys this year. Tomorrow we're going to swim in our little plastic pool! (Ok, not "we," just them!)

K - Kids: The two most beautiful, precious, amazing, perfect boys in the whole world. Judah Paul was born in Oct 20, 2004 and Samuel Christian was born April 30, 2006

L - Life is incomplete without: Have to go with L's answer- Jesus. Without him life is hopeless and empty and destined for hell, with Him life is exhilirating (like tonight after cell group, watching women's lives being transformed) and amazing.

M - Marriage Date: I guess I got ahead of myself. I've already said June 7, 2003

N - Number of Siblings: Just my sister, Miranda Jayne (aka Aunt Reni)

O - Oranges or Apples: Oranges, although my favorite fruit is watermelon. I just bought one today at Costco.

P - Phobias/Fears: I used to fear throwing up, then I had kids and I feared them getting sick. Thank goodness fear has been broken off my life.

Q - Favorite Quote: "The people you hang around are a prophesy of where you're going."

R - Reason to smile: My husband, family, and what Jesus is doing in the lives of the girls in my cell!

S - Season: I don't have a favorite. Summer has always been my favorite, until Judah was born in the Fall. Then, Samuel was born in the Spring, so they're all 3 my favorite. Winter? Not so much.

T- Tag Three: Most of my bloggy friends have already done this quiz, so I'll have to say all real-life friends. Unless you haven't already done it. Then, do it now!

U - Unknown Fact About Me: I wanted to be the President my senior year of high school. I guess I wasn't really living in reality. ha! I still really love politics (but, my dad REALLY loves politics. well, love? maybe not love, but feels strongly about). Anyway, I'd love to be a City Council member someday when I'm a person of influence and can actually win!

V - Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: Well, I do eat meat, but sometimes I gross myself out in the middle of eat thinking, "I'm eating flesh...", although it's never stopped me from finishing a meal.

W - Worst Habit: Ask my husband. I can't think of any right now.

X - X-rays or Ultrasounds: I've had 3 ultrasounds all together (1 with Judah, 2 with Samuel) and they were so amazing!

Y - Your Favorite Foods: Chicken breast pitas from the Pita Pit (whole wheat pita, chicken, tzatiki sauce, spinach, sprouts, swiss cheese, cucumbers, and olives) and Tofu Grilla from Grilla Bites (sourdough bread, grilled tofu, mozarella cheese, tomato, and pesto) Yum!!!!

Z- Zodiac: Why does it have to end like this? I'll leave it with my favorite foods...much better!

Mother's Day Weekend

Friday we went to the park with out friends Katie and Big Sam.* Always a good time with the park. And, we met my dad, Grams, and Bill for lunch for some cheap Mexican food. All of you Chico people know I must be talking about La Comida!

little brother is walking!


Big Sam, Samuel, and Judah at the park. They weren't that into the pictures. But, the were into the goldfish crackers that Katie was holding.


Sweet Brothers


Judah loves to climb


Saturday morning Judah and I, Katie and Big Sam, and my sister, Miranda and my Grams were in the Durham parade. It was my dad's idea and he did everything, but he wouldn't be in it. What's up with that? Miranda drove and we all survived and Judah and Sam had LOTS of fun throwing candy (ok, eating candy).

Us in the parade. Miranda was driving, Grams was in the front, Katie, Sam, and Judah in the back, and I was...hiding?


Afterwards they have a "picnic," which I think is mostly a fundraiser for Durham High School. Durham is a small town right outside of Chico. My dad grew up there and my Grams and Bill still live there in the middle of their orchard. (Eric grew up there, too!)

Feeding a sheep at the picnic


Judah's first race. It was hilarious watching him run. He didn't stay in his lane and was the youngest and littlest one running. Needless to say, he didn't win, but we always have next year! :)


Samuel slept through the whole picnic, but woke up just before we were leaving. During the parade he stayed with Eric, but when he saw me he started crying hysterically.


Today we went to church, then out to lunch with my dad, sister, Grams, and Bill. I was pooped (so were the boys!), so we all took a nap. We finally had to wake up Judah and Samuel at 6pm to go out to dinner with my mom and sister. Fun weekend, but busy busy! My mom gave me the cutest dress from American Eagle and Eric bought me some dress pants. And, Robb and Ellie (and Judah and Samuel :) gave me a box of See's! Yum!

Officially Walking

Tonight after I picked up Samuel from Eric's parents' house and brought him home he was walking SOOO much. He's been getting bolder and bolder lately and will start walking on his own, but tonight he didn't really crawl at all. He took his first step at 10 months and has been perfecting the walk ever since. I'm so proud of my baby!

I think the time has come to begin the weaning process. I thought I would be excited about finally getting a break (after 3 and a half years of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pregnancy AND breastfeeding at the same time!), but I'm actually really sad. I love that Samuel is growing up and we're seeing more and more of his personality, but the baby stage is so precious and passes quickly. I guess I'm feeling nostalgic about my baby growing up. It was even worse with Judah, though, because I was pregnant! Or, maybe it's just because it's late and I'm tired. haha! Anyway, I'm going to get a picture of Samuel walking tomorrow.

Finally

Well, the birthday celebrations have finally ceased! Haha, in actuality Samuel's birthday was extremely low key, but very fun! On Monday (his actual birthday) 5 people plus their kids came over early for dinner. I made cupcakes and he opened a few presents.

On Saturday we had a little birthday party at Eric's parents. Eric's mom's birthday is tomorrow (Happy Birthday ELLIE!!!), so we got a cake and sang for both of them. Here are a few pictures from the celebration. Samuel got lots of GREAT gifts, loved his cake, and had lots of fun!


Family Picture


The yummy cake with my favorite- buttercream frosting. (Whoops, it wasn't MY birthday?)


Samuel LOVES balls these days and is constantly saying, "ball! ball!" Everyone knows this, so he got several for his birthday. I took a picture as he was reaching for a beloved ball.


After the presents, waiting for the cake. Don't you LOVE that shirt? It was an early birthday present from Nana, so he could wear it to his party.


Nana (my mom) & Samuel


Me and my boys


Can you tell I got my hair done? Eric took a picture for me (Erica asked when I was going to post it on my blog), but I accidentally deleted it off of my camera. It was right after I got it done. Unfortunately I just can't do it like the hairstylist!

And last, but not least, our friends Jared and Melissa are getting married on October 6th. Yay! We're so excited for them and Judah and I are SO excited to be a part of their wedding party. I'm going to be a bridesmaid and Judah is so excited to be their little ring bearer. They are such an amazing and gorgeous (on the inside and out) couple!