CA to VA....one letter change and about 2700 miles

As most of you know, we moved from the beautiful state of California to the even more beautiful state of Virginia. We live in NOVA which is an abbreviation for Northern Virginia.  I think we were all a bit apprehensive about the move. Of course, being without the husband for 5 months left me with an independent streak a mile wide. Thankfully the transition back together as a family hasn't been too rough.  The kids are adjusting well, as are the parents!

 Of course our Big E has already dominated the neighbourhood with her vibrant spirit, loving heart, and dare I say "ummm leadership" and formed a club called Kid Time Club.  (Please don't get her confused with Hitler, he had a mustache) Needless to say she has gotten together a group of 6 children and they meet on Mondays and Wednesdays at the local park.


  It is so nice to live in a neighbourhood where I feel safe to let the small short people go up to the park on their own. It is just around the corner and if I go out on the deck I can hear them and see them through the trees. It allows me to be able to get a few things done around the house. Little E has already been banned from going unless with an adult because she refuses to obey Big E. However, she is only 3 and she will catch up on maturity with time.

  Dane takes the Metro to and from work and really seems to enjoy it.  It is about an hour commute each way but it gives him some downtime before and after work and because he doesn't have to drive it is more relaxing than if he were to have to drive both ways and the commute would be longer probably. So we are managing with one car just fine and I am able to run errands as I need to and also hit our local farmer's markets.  We have several in the area. I found one man that sells his organic honey.  I have always had a firm opinion that honey tastes like bee spit and is DISGUSTING, however if I have to eat honey it would be from this guy!  Soooo YUMMY, for honey. 

  Well that is a semi brief update on our VA adventures for now but I will try to update more later. Enjoy a few pictures of the small short people at Frying Pan Farm. (Emmaleigh milked her first cow)

My Grandpa

There is a saying, "Grandpas have silver in their hair and gold in their hearts." My grandfather is very ill at this time and while I know it is inevitable that his time will come to go home with the Lord I don't think you can ever be truly ready. I didn't have much of a relationship with my grandparents growing up but the few interactions I had have remained imbedded in my mind forever. I can never eat a soft pretzel without being magically transported back to being a 9 year old little girl when my grandpa took us to get fresh soft pretzels from the factory in Pennsylvania. I remember being so timid to ask for more than just the pretzel but I wanted cream cheese with it and he told me "a pretzel just needs mustard" that is my favourite way to eat my pretzels now. When I eat swiss cheese I think of Lebanon bologna and swiss cheese on rye bread at a park in Pennsylvania. Grandpa took us there after we went to the Green Dragon flea market in Ephrata. I think of how he would let me come into his woodworking shop and let me use his soldering tool to make my name in scrap wood and he helped me make things for my siblings. I remember how haunting it sounds when he plays his guitar in the morning and sings "Farther Along". I love how he always wears Dickies, except for church of course. I love how even though he has 18 grandchildren he has always makes each of us feel special and loved. What I love most of all is how he is always praying for me. I know when my grandfather goes home to be with his Heavenly Father he will be rewarded greatly with a "Well done my good and faithful servant" but I know earth will have lost a prayer warrior, a pastor, a husband, a father, a grandpa, a great grandpa, a confidant, a counselor, and a friend. He is truly a man after God's own heart, he has dedicated his life to loving people. The loss for me will be immense but then my little 7 year old daughter made a statement at the dinner table tonight that reminds me to rejoice. She basically said that God only wants good for us and that he will never let something happen that isn't in his will. If it is great grandpa's time to go to heaven then it must be good. That is the legacy my grandfather will leave behind. A legacy of love for people and God! He has pure gold in his heart.

The sun is out, the ground is dry....

There is nothing better than packing the kids up to go to the park on a beautiful day.  I took my 3 youngest and my beautiful niece to Freedom Park today. They love this park because it is big and beautiful and they can watch the planes fly overhead.  They love to look at the airplanes in the Aerospace Museum next door. Koen loves to throw his frisbee at the trees. They like to pack up their snacks and get ready to go. We went on the swings, and visited the butterfly garden, and Koen mastered climbing up the rock wall.  It was fun and this is one of the best things about being a stay at home mom. I am so thankful that God has blessed my family and my husband so I can be with my children.

Viva La Mexico!

This afternoon we realized Emmaleigh hadn't done her "Field Study Day" project for school yet. So Dane had this plan to do this special effects thing with her but that got to be so stressful we decided to change up and do it on Mexico and just do a quick research project. Then we made "authentic" Mexican food. Okay, we made enchiladas. I think it is slightly authentic.  They were really good and I got the recipe from one of my favourite food bloggers Gina.  It was really fun to cook with her and learn a little bit about Mexico. There were many facts about Mexico that I was unaware of, such as, did you know that Mexico isn't Catholic? That they only incorporated Catholicism into their religions because of the Spaniards.  They actually practice ancient Nahua which is a compilation of different beliefs from different tribes. I found it very interesting.  The sad part of the night was when Emmaleigh realized we weren't making Fajitas but we were making Enchiladas. I have never seen her so upset. She was so bummed. We tried to pull her out of "the depths of despair" by offering to go get her a Jimboy's Quesadilla but there was no pleasing her. Then I remembered I had some Chevy's salsa from Costco. She was satisfied and the night was saved. Add that to a wii game we rented it ended in a super fun night for her!

Change isn't just for the Homeless

  It is for you and me. 
  So I went to this conference today and let me say it was AMAZING! Anywho I wanted to share this verse that really touched me. 


"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead fix your attention on God.  You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity. God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:2 MSG


  How many times do you find yourself stooping to a level of immaturity because we have become like those around us?  I know I do. I forget to keep my eyes on God and to remember that he has plans for me. He wants to know me intimately. He wants to change me. He wants to develop a "well formed maturity" in me. He has a DESTINY for me! He has given me a life inside and wants me to live out those plans and dreams. 
  God doesn't want us in a box with only a little light shining through, he wants us to be free of addictions, hurts, problems, pain and curses. He wants us to claim his promises of love, affection, joy, and trust. He wants me to let go of the loneliness, the pain, the rejection, the hopelessness, the anger, the rage, the criticism, and the self hatred.  
  To a new life, to change, and to growth.

Nashville, Tracy, anywhere but Sacramento

Dane had to go on a business trip this week to Nashville for some training. I knew it was going to be a long week with 4 kids on my own.  I love each and everyone of my children, but what I love more is that break at the end of the day when Daddy comes home and rescues Mommy from all the chaos.  I decided that I shouldn't risk a nervous breakdown so I came to Tracy to stay with my very good friend.  My friend Tracey, who lives in Tracy, and her husband David graciously allowed me and my four children to hang out with them.  So we arrived yesterday and we don't leave until Friday, unless we are asked to leave earlier, and I have decided to kick back and enjoy this time away from my home and focus on my kids.  It is going to be a fun week.  So far all is well minus a few tears last night when they missed their Daddy tucking them into bed.

She did it

So Emmaleigh has been playing basketball for about a month now and tonight she scored her first basket in practice. I am SO PROUD of her. She is my sweetheart and I love her so much but seriously, other than me, the  world's most uncoordinated child. She is bright, funny, friendly, and loving but she is NOT athletic. When she dribbles the ball she also is dribbling herself. She jumps with the ball it is hilarious.  The thing I love most about Emmaleigh is she is having fun. I think she knows she isn't as good as the other girl's but she is having a blast anyway.  I hope she always stays this open with no fear of being embarrassed but just living life in the moment and trying things she may not be good at. I <3 that girl!