Summer, Gobbles, and BABY!! =D

 

 

So, it's been quite a while since I've been here...

 

Well, it's summer now and we are even busier than ever!!!

 

 

One of my favorite things about summer is the free lunches!!!  It is basically the best excuse to have a picnic(which I love!) because we can't leave the park.

 

The first few days were really chilly...but it's warmed up and now, we can sit in the sun!

 

 

It was still kinda chilly here, but Chelise decided to be brave!

 

 

Another fun thing is swimming lessons!  The girls love the water...two days after the lessons start.  This year, Chelise was really hesitant at first(she cried!), but she now loves her teachers and is actually "blowing bubbles" in the water.  Emma is still really hesitant.  She is afraid she will sink and no one will see her drown...I've reminded her she is surrounded by life guards and that seemed to put her a bit at ease.  Beighlie-lynne on the other hand-she is a fish!  She loves her teacher and she loves the water.  She is the one we were most worried about because she said she didn't want to do "schwimmin' lessons", but now, she is the first to get dressed and the last to come out!

 

They were most excited to get "gobbles" for "schwimmin'" lessons.  Emma got some last year and we decided to buy them all some this year!

 

Aren't they the cutest!!

 

Another thing about summer is the bikes!  Emma has been begging us since the snow melted to ride her bike and it is finally warm enough!  They have all come so far from last year!

 

 

She is finally looking up!

 

She was going up and down the hills like a trooper!  Look at her smile!

And Chelise just wanted to play on the slide...

 

The most exciting news is...we're have baby #4!!!

 

God has truly blest us and we are so excited for this baby!  The girls pray every meal that the baby is a girl!  We, personally, will be happy with either, but the girls really want a sister, like bad...they call it a her and ask if she is kicking...I'm glad they are so excited!

 

I didn't know I was pregnant until I started getting morning sickness all day long.  I was wondering why I wasn't getting over this and then I thought...hmmm....maybe...could I be...and then one stick test later...BOOM!  Baby #4!  I am finally able to get up and not feel like I have to throw up, but it is still lingering.  Just a few more weeks, I keep telling myself...this too shall pass. 

 

 AND IT'S WORTH IT!

 

Baby Elybug at 10 weeks, 5 days!

It was moving around so much, Josh could see it from where we were sitting!

 

My little belly at 10 weeks, 4 days.  I am sitting down and I'm a bit chubby anyway, but it's bigger than just chub!

 

 

So far, our summer has been fun and exciting!

 

I am trying to be better about this, especially because in 30 weeks, life will get a bit more hectic. 

 

Well, tata for now...hope you enjoyed my summer so far!



God's timing...

The month of February was pretty epic. I know I said I would post about the Valentine's Bash, but things kinda got a little...crazy.

 

  God's timing is perfect in each and every way and He answers prayers!  We got our taxes just when we needed them and my hubby surprised me with a trip home(alone) to Hawai'i!  I've been really missing my parents something fierce these last few months and it was just so sweet of him to think of me!

 

 

 I finally went to the doctor and after a bunch of tests,I found out I ended up having a miscarriage the second time I didn't feel well(no, I didn't know I was prego).  It was pretty heart breaking, but, again, God's timing is perfect! We found out the day before I was scheduled to leave for Hawai'i, so I didn't have much time to think about it. God put into perspective that He is God and He knows what I am going through and He is in control.  He allowed me to be home and put all this stuff behind me so I could move on and grateful.  (I know that sounds kinda bad, but I'm the type to fester on things and they seem to really bring me down and that is never good when you have three thriving girls watching your every move.)

 

 I am so happy I got to spend so much time with my family and friends back home, but I was very happy to come home to my little family!  I missed them so much and God laid it on my heart to appreciate what I have and not to worry about the future. 

 

I hope God allows us to have more children, but I will wait until His perfect timing and appreciate what He has blessed me with already!

Sorry, if I sound all...pity party...not meant to come off that way.  I just had to write it down and share!

 

Now, here are a few pictures of Hawai'i...don't be jealous!

 

 

 

 

Valentine's Day Countdown- Day 3-13

So, with one of my favorite holidays came illness! I apologize for not bringing this any sooner...

 

First was my hubby, then me, then my girls, then me again!  It's not how I wanted it to go, but we celebrated anyway!

 

Day 4- We wrote Valentine's day notes!

 

 

 

 

 

As you can tell, they loved it!  I actually had to take it away from them or else we would be up all night!  And I got the mailboxes on sale last year for 50 cents a pop!

 

Day 5-Kiki Hoko!!!!

This is Chelise for Kiwi Loco...

 

 

 

They love the fact that they have the power to choose what they get and what they get to put as topping.  Plus, there is a tv in the room.  =D

 

 

Day 6- Happy Meals!

 

 

 

Now, who doesn't love Hello Kitty?

 

Day 7- Socks!

 

 

The added bonus was their favorite princess' on them!

 

 

Day 8- Cupcakes!

 

 





Went to a friend's house and had a decorating party!  B was just thrilled...she actually just wanted to eat them. =D

 

Day 9- Lollipops!

 

*Forgot to take a picture. I was sick, so please forgive me.  =D

 

Day 11- Breakfast for dinner!

 

Again, no pictures...but who doesn't like bacon for dinner?

 

Day 12- Craft time!

 

My mother sent these to me last year and I just saved them.

The girls enjoyed it!

 

 

Daddy even had some fun with us!

 

Day 13- Glow sticks!

 

 

I got a pack of twenty for $1 at Target...can't beat that.

 

The girls knew that the next day was Valentine's day so I figured I'd give them something to help them go to sleep.

 

 

I will post our celebration in the next blog.  Again, sorry for the hold up.  We are on the up and up!  TTFN!

 

<3~Me

 

 



Valentine's Day Countdown- Day 1 and 2

 

 

Valentine's Day is my third favorite holiday (Thanksgiving and Christmas coming in first and second).  I like to make it special for the girls and have a little something to do with them every day except Sundays when we don't have much time with church and my mandatory "Mommy Naptime".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sir Luvsalot made his first appearance last year and the girls thought he was so awesome!  I got a pack of these at JoAnn's on sale two years ago and put him into action last year. The treasure chest is an addition this year and the girls love to see if Sir Luvsalot has brought them a message.  It's the first thing they look for when they wake up.

 

 

On Day 1, I always have them help me decorate the dining room.  All I use are cheap decor from the dollar store or things I get at the end of the season sale.

 

 

 

I put everything in a pile and I let them discover this thing that Sir L brings. 

 

Here is a list of what I have:

~Heart Garland- Dollar Store

~Vases- One from a bouquet, one from the Dollar store, and one from a discount store for 69 cents

~Window clings- Dollar store

~Magnets- Walmart for 50 cents each

~Heart Candle- Discount store for 89 cents

~Hearts on a stick- pack of 8 at Dollar store

~Tinsel like stuff- Dollar store

~Hearts on a wire(kinda like tinsel)- Dollar store

~ Fake roses- Dollar store

~ Heart Place mats- on sale at JoAnns

 

 

When the girls opened the box, I got to read what Sir L had to say:

 

ITS THAT TIME AGAIN! LET'S DECORATE!

 

The girls love decorating so they took it in speed! 

 

 

 

 Don't have much because I was facilitating, but I snuck one in!

 

Here is the end product:

The heat was blowing the garland when I snapped this one.



Something simple, yet special to make the atmosphere different.


On day 2, I really didn't really have anything special planned.  Emma got to read the note this time, and this is what it read:

 

 

 This totally thrilled them because they normally don't get these. 

 

 

 

As you can tell, they were silly with happiness!

 

Stay tuned to see what else we have planned!  Simple yet special things are what makes memories!

 

 

Love, Mel 

 



The Joys in Life

So I saw this really neat idea on Pinterest a while ago...write something down everyday that you want to remember.  So I am not the best at writing things down, so I used the memo app on my phone to write them all down...

 

 

This helps me see the good in each day and helps me smile when I look back.  It also helps when I am going crazy and want to pull my hair out...=D I hope you try this out.  Have a great night!

 

Mel

Chicken and Black Bean Soup

 

 

 

I was messing around one day and decided to try and make another chicken slow cooker meal.  It is real easy to make and my favorite part: you can put in FROZEN CHICKEN!  I always always forget to thaw out my chicken...=P

 

 

 

So here is the ingredients:

 

Frozen Chicken, 4 pieces

1 can of black beans, rinsed

Chicken Broth (I know the picture has stock, but I already threw the box away)

1 can cream of chicken soup

 

 

Seasonings (I really like celery with chicken, so my main was celery salt)

 

Garlic Salt, Onion Salt, Celery Salt, Chili Powder, Basil, Hawaiian Salt, and Black Pepper

*Can you tell I love salt?*

 

 

1-Mix the entire box of broth and can of soup and make sure all the soup is blended well.  Mix in the drained beans, frozen chicken, and seasonings.

 

 

 

2-Cover and put it on high for 4-6 hours.

 

 

 

3-Shred the chicken and mix it back in with the soup.

*I'm a little OCD, so what I do is take out each piece of chicken and shred it on a plate, then mix it back in with the soup*

 

 

 

4-Serve and enjoy!

 

How we like it is over rice.  I'm sure it would also taste good over mashed potatoes, but I am from Hawaii, so I prefer rice over a lot of stuff.  =D

 

 

I really hope you enjoy!  It is really good and high in protein!

Promises I intend to keep

So, it's that time of year again....

 

 

to make promises we don't intend to keep. 

 

Now, lets be honest, there are many a resolutions that have come and gone and have never been accomplished.

 

 

Well, as the year was coming to an end, I sat and thought for a while about something I could actually do and put a cool spin on it.

 

Well...(pause for effect)...here is my

 

2013 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION!

 

Now, don't get all excited.  It's probably not that impressive to you, but I intend to keep my promise!

 

 

1-Be more patient-with my family and the public

2-Be more orginized on a whole

3-Be more friendly to those around me

4-Show Christ's love to those in need

5-Be a better Godly example for my girls

6-Loose 10-15 pounds...=D

7-Eat healthier on a whole

8-Lead a woman's Bible Study in church

9-Start an etsy store

10-Go on a date with my husband every month

11-Spend more time with my girlyques

12-Save money for our future(or a nice vacation)

13-Knock something off my bucket list

 

 

Well, there you have it folks.  With at least thirteen things, I'm bound to get some of them...=D 

 

I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful year!