House Guests

So we had our first house guests and it was great. This last week and a half was a busy one for our family. My youngest cousin got baptized, another cousin recieved his endowments in the San Diego Temple and another cousin got married. So my parents (who brought our second car and our dog down YEAH!!), sister and new brother-n-law, my other sister and her 3 boys, and my brother all came down for the weekend of festitives. It was a busy one kicking off on Thursday night (May 7). And ending on Sunday morning with a Mother's Day Brunch. After the weekend of cousin events, my family came and stayed at my house. Most just stayed the night before heading home, but my sister and her boys stay for some fun filled days. Isaac was so happy to have some other boys to play with. We took them to the Santa Barabra Zoo, and then the beach and the well loved PIRATE Park!! We had a blast. Well my sister left Wednesday morning (May 13) and our second set of house guest arrived Thursday, and we repeated the same activities along with this weekend's strawberry festivial. The beach didn't go over as well with the second set of kids, but we did have a blast at the zoo, and the festivial. I throughly enjoyed all my guests, thanks for coming, and helping me pass the time until John comes back. Now that we have an empty house again I have to get it back into shape for when John comes home this Saturday. At first I was really scared of being all by myself in a new house, in a new town for a month. But really it wasn't that bad. And hey, I better get used to it, since I get to do this over and over again for the next 5 yrs, some times for a month and some times for 6-7 months.

All in white

After the happy event

All who attended (minus the photographer)
The zoo

Isaac and HIS Nathan

Always so happy

Always with this face

The Zoo goers

Sheila enjoying the grassy hill

The race is on

All connected

Hatching

I think that this was a pretty good picture considering it was on a timer

Which one do you think he looks like?

The beach... So Benjamin got water by a wave by accident, and the next thing I know he runs past me like this. (Black block added for his protection)

YUMMY!! Dirty diapers were fun for both of us for the next few days!

Hurry cover them all up

Once Noah figured out that he could leave the blanket, there was no turning back

The Pirate Park

One time he got up here and spun around so much that he fell off.

After the beach, the park and on the way to dinner
At the strawberry festivial, all the kids rides were free!!

The Cutest Kids

I know that I am bais, but I know you all think so too...

After 6 weeks...

we are still fighting with Drs to get Noah's neurological work up. For the last 5 weeks it has bounced back and forth between doctors, each saying that he needed it, but it was not their place or responsibility to put in the referral. Once I contacted Tricare (last Tuesday) and complained that it was such an ordeal just to get the referral suddenly the eye doctors office was more than happen to bypass the actual eye doctors signing the papers (the head eye doctor at that clinic did it instead) and within in a day things suddenly went through. And on Friday we got the noticed that the referral was approved and we could see a neurologist at UCLA (45 mins away BTW). But today when I called to get the whole process started there, OH!! that was I nightmare. UCLA is so HUGE!! The insurance company gave me the number to the doctor directly, and of course she can't help me personally. So she transferred me to someone who supposedly could, they transfer me, and so on. Finally after a few transfers, I was talking to a lady who informed me that, this specific neurologists doesn't kids unless its for sleep problems. WHAT?!?!?!? She then transferred, yet again to the Peds Neurology department, and they told me that they couldn't even talk to me until the eyes dr faxed over his stuff, my primary peds faxed her stuff, and the insurance company faxed their stuff. I called and left messages for both drs, and the insurance company, who bends over backwards to make sure this is not stressful, its just drs complicating stuff. GRR!! I am so annoyed at the level of care that we are receiving here. I understand that Port Hueneme is small consisting of one actual peds dr, 2 regular drs and 1 OB, and various other rotating staff. BUT COME ON!!! To make matters more annoying, I have been fighting to get Isaac the help that he needs here, but because he turns 3 in a month (can you believe that!!) that also seems to be no one problem. So between the two I was ready to go back to HAWAII today. Ya its that bad!! Not that Hawaii was bad, but I was just well ready to leave! I just feel like no one wants to help me get the help that my kids need. And I am getting SO SO tired! I just want things to go a little smoother, thats all.

Santa Barbara Zoo

So the Friday before we moved in I took the kids to the SB Zoo and some other mom's and their kids too. We did figure out that we had 4 out of the 6 nursery kids. Anyway we had a blast and so did Isaac. It is a small zoo like Honolulu Zoo has a few hills, well just one really. But it was fun, and I nice way to get my mind off the house closing late. Well I had totally forgot that we had taken some pictures there until I loaded the Easter pictures on the computer. So anyway here is our trip to the SB Zoo

"please shut the sun off"


"ROAR!"

Some of the Kids...Look for the butt if you want to find Isaac

We found this pond, and water fountain and then it seems like we didn't leave for a long time, But the kids loved it. One kid even drank the water. YUCK!!

Trusty PB and Honey

Isaac is eating a cookie not anything gross!

The other kids kept sticking their hands, and arms in the pond. Isaac's face is in disgust cause a fish swam by him.

Happy Happy Noah!

You could slide down this hill, if you did it on paper, the kids went there after the pond, and LOVED IT!!

Since the kids were loving it so much I decided to check it out. Little hot on the BUM!!

I got him MOMMY!!

You know there had to be at least one picture of a giraffe!

Sliding off a statue of a monkey entertained Isaac for a long time

Easter

I know, I know I am a little behind the time for Easter, but I wanted to post about the fun that we had. Part of the reason that I am so late in my Easter Post is because we didn't do Easter on Easter Sunday. We did it the following Saturday. Yes I said Saturday. With the move and all I completely forgot about getting stuff for dieing and baskets. But I did want to do something since the reason for the holiday is so important. So we decided since Isaac and for sure Noah had no idea when the actual holiday was celebrated by the rest of the world there was no need to rush out at 11pm on Saturday, April 11, to buy the provisions. So I went on Wednesday, and got killer deals on Easter stuff. I bought everything in both boys baskets and the baskets all for 8 BUCKS!!! YEP! 8 Smackers. Except the Hulk hands those I bought earlier when they were 50% off! Now they didn't not have the selection on things that I would have wanted, but both boys are still young and have no real clue about Easter or Easter baskets. So Saturday morning we died eggs with Isaac as Noah napped. I thought it was funny that Isaac just threw the eggs again this year, and that the only reason that the eggs are more than just red thanks to us the parents! But we had fun dieing the eggs, and then during nap the Easter Bunny came and hid the eggs, and then after nap we did baskets and eggs. Then we played what has become known as "Punch!"

Noah wanting in on the "action" or wondering why we are beating each other up?

The Hunt

The Capture

The Loot!!
As general update Noah can say "dada" which he started saying on Easter then the next weekend he started saying "mama". He is getting better at crawling he still would rather army crawl. As for the whole MRI mess, lets just label it that, well come to find out that he actually needs a neurologist appt and it at this point seems to be no ones place to put in the referral so I am currently calling and calling both offices until one of them finally decides it is their place to put the referral in. And the government wants to give everyone standardized health care, well let me tell you this is what you get, no one is responsible, and no one has anyone to answer to.

MOVIN' IN

So we got moved in on Tuesday. And let me warn the people that are still in Hawaii and may have movers moving you off the island any time soon. Watch them like hawks. We have found their trash from the moving supplies in our boxes, 2 whole rolls of packing paper, unused, wrapped, and numbered. Not to mention my wedding dress shoved at the bottom of a box with pans on it. Isaac potty chair packed with my stones, they broke our TV, my giraffe mask from AFRICA, my spice rack was thrown in on top of stuff, so it broke, along with a bunch of other stuff. I still can't find my phone and the wires to my PC. (You think the wires would be with the tower and monitor, but that would be too easy!) Then on Wednesday our fridge came, and washer/dryer and today the internet guy came. I think I am done with installations and what not. But not anywhere close to unpacked. I am working on one room at a time. Trying to get the places that people see and will stay soon, all organized. My office/exercises/guest room will be last. But the downstairs is mainly done, except painting and hanging things on the walls.

Isaac is loving having a house with toys, and all the stairs to climb. Noah is creeping away, and is loving all the toys that Isaac leaves for him to play with. We have gotten the referral for his MRI, but we are still waiting to hear when that will be. I have come to terms with it, and understand knowing more is better, but I was terrified for him those days following the mtg with the eye surgeon.

We are abosultely loving our house and all the things that we get to do cause its OURS!!! And of course all the $$ that will come with personalizing it. But that will all come with time. John and I love our master suite area. OH!! The tub is so nice and deep, I took a bath last night and actually was covered with water!! The master bedroom actually fits our bedroom set, and still has lots of room to spare. I could put a queen size matress if not bigger at the foot of out bed and still have space.

More Waiting...

So we are now waiting for the keys!! I know that means soon I will get to move IN!!! Funding happened on Friday, and recording is happening, well right now I HOPE! Well I hope that everything goes according to schedule today, cause I don't really have time for this not to all go through cause the moving in kicks off tomorrow. I have movers showing up at 9:30am, the fridge is getting deliveried in late morning. Then on Wednesday the internet guy is coming along with the washer/dryer delivery guy. Not to mention Noah's appt to get refered to the MRI peeps, and normal every day stuff.

Well remember how I told you all that Noah will probably crawl at the hotel. Well it happened. Well sorta, he took a few crawling steps, but then nothing. And it did end up happening at the hotel, since after some stuff we moved back into the hotel again. This room is alot smaller then the last one, but we only have to be here until later today. We will sleep here again tonite, since I can't get all my stuff out by noon, check out time.

So what is New...

We have a few new things that we are dealing with these days. First things first loan docs where signed on Friday, and hopefully; cross your fingers, pray, wish and hope that it closes it on time. I am stressing about this a bit since it’s the end of the month and so the lender said that funding will happen after the first. But it gets tricking, cause funding on a Friday means we will have to pay a bunch money to record on a Monday. (Ventura county charges you 3 days of interest to record on a Monday or a day after holiday) But I really want it to close on Thursday since the movers will not deliver it on the weekend, and I don’t want to wait until Tuesday or Wednesday to have my stuff. BLAH BLAH BLAH, actually I am tired of thinking about it.

The next new thing is that Noah will now have to have a MRI before the eye surgery. They are afraid of neurological issues and or a cyst that is creating or contributing to the eye issues. So that was a bit nerve racking for me today. I am the type of person that needs to plan and prepare for news like that. When the dr told me that was the next step I wanted to cry. I didn’t even get to the car before I was on the phone with John, my mom, and then John’s mom. John’s mom is probably going to come down to help me out, since John will be busy either in Mississippi or just starting work. Neither thing will be painful or invasive but it will be more for my peace of mind and sanity really than anything else.

The last thing is a cool thing. A lady in our ward, whose hubby is in Afghanistan, was out of town this last weekend until Tuesday. So she asked if we wanted to stay at her house until escrow closes. We were so ready to check out of that hotel. The other cool thing is that she has a son that is just a few months younger than Isaac, so Isaac is just LoViNg a playmate this week. So we are here for the time being. Which is another reason that I don’t want the house to take too long, I don't wanting to over stay our welcome.

FINALLY...

the videos and pictures you have all been waiting for...

I had to break the video up, so I did it by floors. Made the most sense. But first this is the front and the side of the house. We have a corner lot so we do have a slightly bigger yard then others, not that the whole thing is that larger, but hey every foot counts. The HOA says that we can't not for any reason change the landscaping, well I hate mine, so I am going to join the board and change that rule. HEHEHE. The bushes are ugly, and non functional. And that TREE!! What were they thinking. So good-bye bushes and tree, hello nice lush green grass.

Also some humorous stories from today. I got there a few minutes before our realtor so I was poking my head around, and as I was doing so I could hear talking. So I poked my head of my soon to be fence, and there was a man in my soon to be yard. With papers spread out all over my trash cans. Then when I asked who he was he said that he was the neighbor, and in between the two houses was the only place he could get internet. Well mister nice neighbor find some other place to get your internet fix from. Cause that is my soon to be trash can, in my soon to be yard.

Then as I was waiting for our realtor to finish some paper work on the house I was hanging out waiting, looking around the kitchen. And I decided to play with the alarm stuff. WHOOPS!! I pushed a button then it beeped and asked for my code. AAAAHHHH! I don't have one, then it started beeping some more, and the motion sensor light came on. Beep, Beep, Beep!! Then we were still, waiting. Then we moved and a loud siren went off. We left the house and stood outside, called the seller, and informed him, he called the alarm company to get it all taken care of, but still. Whoops!! I can see it now, the high tech alarm is too much for us, and the police get called out. HEHE!!

Ok anyway here is the house you have all been waiting for

First Floor click here

Second Floor click here

Third Floor click here

An All Around Update

So we have done nothing super exciting that deserves one post, but we have lots going on....

Our house is still in escrow, although things are on schedule, I feel as if it has been months since the offer was accepted by both parties, and the house went into escrow. We are nearing the end though, appraisal has been finished, and the underwriter is working on loan docs for us to sign so any day now we will sign those, and the end will be in sight. YEAH! Cause living in a one room, with a small bathroom, hotel is getting quite annoying and cramped. One day I will take a picture of what it looks like around here when it comes nap time or bedtime. We have tents set up every where so kids can sleep and the world not end. Also some of you maybe dieing to see the house, well tomorrow I am going to make a new video, cut into smaller sections, in hopes to get it uploaded. So look for that.

Isaac is doing great considering, well considering he is Isaac. He loves that we have cable here, and that he gets to watch TV more than, well I would admit. We do try to go to the park, but it is hard since John generally has the car. One day we did decide to walk to the park, but that ended with Isaac punching a kid square in the nose three times, before I could haul him out of there so fast. This was hard by the way, I was pushing Noah in the stroller, with Isaac potato sacked over my shoulder, as he was kicking and screaming I play park. It was very embarrassing. I thought someone might think I was kidnapping him. But he is learning lots of new things. Since Noah goes to bed, and nap about an hour before he does we sit down with flash cards. He now knows a square, circle, triangle, and a star. And today, it was beyond what I thought he could do, but he made a triangle and circle with toys on the floor. And then told me look triangle, circle. WOW!! Along with red, (every other color is green-blue or green-yellow, go figure??) He can now also identify every picture on the front of the ABC flash cards that we bought. I figured it might be easier for him if I said Apple begins with A. He can also count out 10 things. He can't just count to 10, but because of a wonderful book my mother-in-law gave me he can count 10 things, and he loves to do it.

Noah is almost crawling. I have seen him hit stages that I NEVER saw Isaac do, since Isaac sorta crawled for a month, I take that as a good sign that crawling is just around the corner. I always joked that he would probably learn to crawl in the hotel and think that joke might actually come true. As many of you may have noticed in pictures, he has some crossed-eyes going on. Well we talked to his DR about this when we had his 6 month check-up and she sent us to the Eye DR. We saw him today, and I am very glad of a couple of things: 1. Good insurance that is going to pay for the surgery that he is likely to have, and 2. my sister bracing me for the fact that he might have to have surgery. The idea of surgery never even crossed my mind, glasses yes, eye exercises yes, but surgery no way, until Karen mentioned that, that is what her daughter needed to correct a similar issue. We have a meeting with the surgeon that will perform the surgery if he thinks it is needed on Mar 31st. The Dr we saw today, an old guy, very funny, cute old guy (in the way old people are cute) said that he would do surgery, but he is too old to operate anymore, so this Dr would do it, but he doesn't operate on any one until he sees them and says yes they need surgery. So after that consultation we will know if and when it will happen. The idea of surgery on my little baby kinda scares me. Putting anyone under is scary, but a 7 month old? The Eye Dr today said they did this surgery on babies as young as 2 weeks old 30+ years ago when he did surgery. So I guess many have gone before Noah and many will go after him, but WOW!! Still scares me!

John is doing well in his class. But he is still studying from dawn til dusk these days. Which makes for very lonely nights with the computer. I miss him terribly, and he is in the same room as me. HEHE!! Because I am bored, cabin fevered, and lonely I plan lots of trips to see that family that is so close. We just went and visited my sister and will visit my grandparents this weekend. John has a test every Monday or Tuesday so that makes the days leading up to those days very stressful for everyone, so it is better for us to leave him, so the kids don't make too much noise, or I am not too much of a distraction.

Well until next time, I hope you are all well and happy. I miss you all so much. I hope that WA, OR, HI, and other parts of the world are treating you all well.

I CAN!!

So after my disastrous trip out with both boys oh so many months ago, (remember the one with walmart, the lost ID, grocery shopping and coming home, 6 hrs later, falling asleep before putting all the food away.) I have not ventured out much with both boys by myself, well actually I never did in Hawaii again, it gave me anxiety to me honestly. But since our time here at the hotel I have begun to do it more and more. And I am learning that I CAN do it. It helps tremendously that Noah is alot older, and can sit in the cart at the stores. And that Isaac amazing has grown up some. Like the other day we walked to the store and he walked and LISTENED!! WOW!! I whole new Isaac. So today I took both kids to the grocery store all by myself. It was actually kinda funny since I got one of those carts that are a rocket, Isaac was so excited that he got to steer, but was not excited that Noah was excited to sit next to him. All I heard the entire time, "Mama, NOAH!!" Noah was touching him, leaning on him and even took his apple. (Isaac had picked up as we were in the produce area, without my knowledge, and tried to eat.) But the thing that helps the most, not having an hour roundtrip drive to the store. It was so nice to feed Noah before we went, get Isaac a snack, and a drink and be on our way. I was able to get all the shopping done without needing to stop to feed Noah. Which was always the hardest part to be honest. Isaac always wants/needs something when I am feeding Noah, then everyone starts crying, and I start feeling the anxiety creep in. (Crying is so hard for me, I feel like I am failing at being a Mom). See the thing is after that frightful day oh so long ago, John did all the shopping for the house. And as we were preparing to leave Hawaii, I would tell some people that I was terrified from John to go to school in Mississippi next month, cause guaranteed I would need to do some shopping in the 25 days that he is gone. But now I have a renewed confidences that I CAN do this. I CAN take both kids to the store and be successful!! This post might seem silly to some of you that have like 500 kids, and do it all the time. But today as I returned from my confidence boosting grocery shopping trip I began to wonder what else I put on hold for fear of failing or feel as if I failed. So I decided that I am going to reevaluate what my goals are and where I am going and doing with my life. Because I now know I CAN do anything...ok maybe not everything yet, but I know I can move forward with life at this time because I CAN and so can you!!

Happy 2nd 25th Birthday

So today I turned 25 for the second time. Ever since I turned 20 (oh so long ago) I have a hard time getting "older". (**Disclaimer: others that are older then I am, I strangely don't think you are old at all**) So this year I celebrated my 25th Birthday for the second time. (I made a decision this year, I AM NOT GETTING ANY OLDER STOMP STOMP STOMP!!!) It has been a wonderful day though. John loves and spoils me so much. HE made me breakfast in bed from Denny's. (Hey give him a break we do live in a hotel :) ) And tryed to take me to my favorite restaurant, but it was a 45-60 min wait, and with two kids, not going to happen. But we did go to TGI Friday's and we remember why we don't go there. Then he bought a cake and sang Happy Birthday to me. He also bought me wonderful gifts, always nice to be showered with gifts. He got me Punch! Home and Landscape Design software, which I am so excited about, because I now can plan how our new home will look, where the couches, beds, and tables will go along with the color of the walls. I had been trying to find a free thing online with all those features, but I had no such luck. So John surprised me and bought me one YEAH!! Also a 100,000 computer games, which is something that I normally wouldn't not play that much, I normally have way too much stuff to do, but being in the hotel with quiet hours after 8pm (since Isaac sleeps not 4 feet from us) and John studies from dawn to dusk, I find myself quite bored. So it will be well used these next few weeks. Also (I know there's more!!) He bought me this...

My friend Whitney has a similar one, that I was telling John I "needed" cause it has so many practical uses (lazy susan type server with bowls) and Whitney and her sister-in-law were helping me in the persuasion, but John kept telling me no, not until pampered chef sells one. (Since I sell PC, I am not allowed to buy any kitchen stuff unless PC sells it.) But anyway when he was at Costco buying me something else he saw this at 75% off. I guess the bottom has a chip in it. Well guess what I couldn't see it when I looked. So I am so excited to serve someone on it. Taco Salad, Tostada, Salad, Dinner anyone?

And last but not least, this wonderful pack of card stock that Costco was selling, and I told John I "needed" it cause well lets face it, a scrapbooker can never have too much paper! I love all the gifts that John got me.

He truly does spoil me. I love him so much. And I am so happy that he got on the same bus that I was on that day. And the finally called me and the rest well is history. But the card he gave me tells it best so :

From the first time we met,

Something wonderful and unique

Reached out and drew me

To you Completely

My Friend, My partner,

The Love of my Life

He truly does complete me. I miss him so much when he is not around, he is the first thought in my mind when I wake up and the last before I fall asleep, and he is truly the man of my dreams. Thank you so much John for making me feel special on my 25th birthday again!!

Our New Ward

So today we attended our new ward. We were so excited to see who our new ward family would be that we could hardly wait. We arrived early at church, and I would probably say like 7 or 8 people came up to us and asked about us, where are you from? what brought you here? how long will you be here? were the very common questions that we answered over and over excitedly. Oh our ward is so nice, and friendly. We did get a touch of the islands as one brother stood up and said talofa! I smiled largely at the warmth that gave me. I left with 3 phone numbers, and one duplicate, that sister just really wanted to make sure I could get a hold of her. Such a cute lady. Oh it was so nice to feel so welcome, so quickly. The bishop came up to us and told us of all the fun that is in store for us in the next couple of months in activities, and such. I would say that I probably met over half the ward today. On the young couple front thou, not many. Lots of well seasoned people and some younger people with larger families (only mention that they had larger families, cause that generally means, married long, and a tad older then ourselves.) But either way a nice new welcoming ward to take us under their wings; to guide, mold and help us on our way.

Just so you know that Isaac was, well Isaac at church today. Loud in sacrament and violent in nursery. We were standing in the foyer after church talking to the bishop, and I heard the lady next to me say "kicking is not nice" I looked down to see Isaac kicking another little kid, I promptly made him apologize, and I scowled him. Then the lady said "It's OK I got to know Isaac in nursery today." Which leads me to believe that he was the same kinda Isaac that Sarah and the other nursery leaders know so well.