32 Weeks

I wanted to take profile pictures of myself preggie with Rock, and Key every month, but guess what?  It never happened!  Maybe that's the same story with other mommies-to-be.  I am on my third child, AND 32 weeks pregnant.  But I did get inspired to start anyway (even though there's, are so darn cute!)

Visited doctor today, she again emphasized how big my tummy, and baby are, which concerns her that I may go early.  To my defense, I was big with Key too, and she was 4 days early...so, perhaps no big deal.

Book Packaging

So many people, including myself, love pretty packaging.  As a gift to a friend, I choose to use book pages.  I made a project for the new baby (which I intend to share), using the same book pages, so it wasn't a big deal ripping out pages.   I don't remember if I saw this somewhere but I wouldn't be surprised.  So, in case you run out of wrapping paper, try that book sitting there that no one is gonna read  :)

Thrifty Finds

One of my thrifty finds on Valentine's Day.  I saw it and immediately loved this colorful tray.  It's now displayed in my kids room (I'll show that on another day :)  This little treasure was just a $1...Amazing!  Don't you just LOVE thrifty finds?

Valentine's Day

Our Valentine's Day was broken up into a few days.  Since it was family day on Thursday we also celebrated with the kids.

It began with yummy, heart wheat- honey banana pancakes

A lovely picnic at the park, with plenty of play time

Then Saturday little gifts to show LOVE

Our homemade paintings for abba

Then off to the much awaited LAstreetFoodFest!

The line was ridiculous! This is the closest we got :(  My hubby was right we should have paid a little more for the VIP tickets.  

After this failed attempt, we whisked off to drop off the kids, I did a little shopping, and later that night our weekly hot date :)  Like my hubby said, every week is Valentine's.

Photo Love

Since I'm organizing, or whatever it is that I'm doing (nesting), I found this cut out picture from West Magazine, back in 2006.   I wish this could be my view from my window every day!  I love the gloominess of it.

Photograph by Isabel Gomes.

Marriage Is Funny

Marriage is funny.  

I found my little Key very quiet on my bed, playing with lotion.  I've known she loves playing with lotion, but upon closer inspection this time, she was literally trying to shower in it!  Although she did smell very nice :)  As I was crafting away she was quietly playing.  When I finished my elephant project I was not satisfied with it, and actually disappointed of how it came out.  Perhaps I didn't plan well for it, but whether I did or not, it came out icky.  I wanted to make Key a cute elephant. We got inspired after visiting the zoo several times.  

Anyways, the reason I said marriage is funny is because usually we all have this view of marriage, the happily ever after kind, and sometimes in marriage if we're honest, it's not happily ever after all the time.  Sometimes there's arguments, disappointments, sadness, etc.  So upon "closer inspection" we see marriage is a progressive, life-long, kinda work.  We can plan all we want BUT the reality is, marriage takes many shapes and colors.  Love goes up and down, many people say when they get divorced "I don't love you anymore", but if you base your marriage on love, love is a roller coaster!  I love my marriage.  I love my husband very much, but we both have feelings of not wanting to the love the other because of an argument, or a disagreement, but what keeps us together is our commitment be together "til death due us part" we both know we mess up and we will continue to, but if we can forgive, humbly rebuke each other, communicate, desire good for one another, spend quality time together, up in each others business, and love God together and individually, we can grow in dealing with problems/trials.  I love my hubby, he truly is a blessing, and I know we'll hit bumps in the road (because we have) but I want THIS still and by God's grace I will continue to, if we walk near Christ.

Keys

Anticipating our future move, and finally being able to decorate how I envision somethings, I began working on a little project for my daughter, Key's room, hence the skeleton fabric keys.  This was just an experiment. Anyhoo, I like them. 

Since I really want to move, God has been teaching me to be patient and not be so antsy.  I feel like I'm in the "nesting mode" and I want to fix stuff, but to be honest I don't want to go through all the trouble of decorating IF we'll be moving soon.  I guess it was my fault to begin with since I never wanted to stay here too long, and never wanted to decorate our place.  I should have, it would have felt more homey to me.  It's okay now,  it's a learning process.  I will still plan, create, and dream of things I'd like done, but for now patience is what God is teaching me :)

Thrifty Finds

Finding these cute girlies was a treat!  They came in a pair, but I never thought I'd make use of the other in my home.  Now expecting another girl is perfect, she'll have her own...yay!

Rainy Day Schedule

Rainy day schedule calls for...

the family taking a morning walk, to be happily greeted by rain, in which mommy stands in the middle of it, and beckons for the fam to join and enjoy!

a trip to the library...in our pj's :)

some prep for crafting...

Rock building a monumental home out of anything he can find.

Rain is just grand.  According to my mother, I was born when it was raining, that's why I think I was born for it ; )

Good Times in LA

We were able to take grandma to the Griffith Observatory and spend some quality time with her.

Thrifty Finds

This cute frame I stumbled upon a year ago. I haven't quite figured out where I would put it, BUT maybe when we move (if we), I can hang it up. I have no clue what circa this is from, or even if it's a current frame, but either way, I think it's cute. I especially love the chain for hanging. What girl doesn't LOVE shoes ;)

Building Blocks

This year my hubby and I want to be mindful of our mindset behind raising and disciplining our kids. I was recently reading "Age of Opportunity" and it was so insightful, and really a kick in the butt of what our goals as parents should be. Sometimes our focus can be so much on the external behavior (wanting our children to just obey), but the reality is that they are not just going to obey, but we as parents need to help them learn how to repent and ask for forgiveness (get to the heart issues). As I see my children disobeying, I need to see it as a gospel opportunity and know this is a prime way, and time to show them and teach them how to get out of their sinful behavior. What a relief...I know this stuff but it's so easy to forget! Now, I am able to tell Rock, my son, that he will make mistakes and sin but we need to learn from them.

I'm currently helping one of my family members with a sin issue, and I'm reminded again at how important parenting in a, gospel-graceful-way is extremely important. I get scared at times with Rock, and Key, and knowing there will be rebellious times, and blatantly sinful actions, but what can I expect, they're two people that are sinners, just like me. I do a whole lot of hurt to God and others because of my sinful actions and attitudes. All I know, and pray for now, is GRACE to get us through those tough situations.

For the New Year...

what goals, aspirations, hopes do you have for the new year? My Lovely posed a couple of questions (for us both) before we rang in the new year. I pray those goals will continue throughout the year, and bear much fruit :)