Here's to 2010!

  While the end of 2010 wasn't the best I am thankful for a lot of things that happened to us this year. We saw a lot of change and we were most definitely blessed. Not only did we welcome another member into our family, but a business was started, our first family car was bought, we got our first family pet, Leif's job switched from contractor to federal employee and we were able to celebrate another birthday with our daughter.

I see even greater things happening in 2011:)  

Another life update.

Life lately has been good. I think its been more than good, its been wonderful, perfect and an adventure. How it should be right? Despite not having any sun around here for awhile, I feel as if our spirits are still pretty high:) Today it got to me a bit but I chose not to dwell on those feelings, rather be greatful for the company that I got to spend time with today.

I recently had to say goodbye to my best friend Summer this past weekend. It wasn't the goodbye I would have liked to end our time in Monterey on. I think its because we both assumed we'd be seeing each other the next morning but things didn't work out so the sucky goodbye had to do. In a way it was good because it was like our other goodbyes... like an "Okay I'll see you tomorrow" kind of goodbye. I know I'm going to see her again, hopefully next summer, but either way, we'll see each other again!

Besides seeing another friend go (oh I must write a post about the military life here...), I've been growing. I think Leif has been too. We've learned to be grateful where we are, to embrace what life has to offer us here. It's good for us and we might almost be back to the outlook we originally had when we first moved here. We'll see... For now we're taking it a day at a time, enjoying what God's blessed us with and looking forward.

The kids are also growing. Literally of course. Our baby girl is not really a baby any longer. Her talking is blowing us away, counting and saying abc's. She is mostly potty trained. She caught on really fast and has adjusted well to it. We haven't tried using the potty at night yet, so we'll see how that goes. I do know that I love only having to change one child's diapers! We started giving Riley time outs when she disobeys, just a minute in the corner and that's worked out. She understands it and always comes to us after and says "I sawwwy. I loveeee you" Of course you feel terrible for putting such a perfect child in timeout ;) For awhile Riley was fighting bedtimes but has gone back to her wonderful old ways. And the cutest part about her going to bed is, she'll grab a book and read it in her bed before she lays down and falls asleep. I think it's so adorable! Sometimes she comes to our room early in the morning to sleep with us, but you can get her back into her bed which is a relief to me... Beck is still sleeping part of the night with us so the bed gets crowded!

Beck, my sweet little boy, I could snuggle with you all day! Look how adorable my son is! And he just gets cuter everyday. Beck really is such a sweet baby. He falls in love with everyone and will make you think you're the center of his world. He has tons of smiles to offer and he is so happy just being surrounded by people. Just recently he started rolling around and somehow moving towards things. He takes his time and just enjoys everything. He is in no rush. We started him on solids and he is loving it. He cries when Riley has food and can't give it to him. The other day I walked into the living room and caught Riley feeding Beck her yogurt. He was in heaven. I think my favorite thing is when they sleep next to each other in our bed and cuddle. Oh, and when they "talk" to each other in the car. I love my babies together! Beck is still an excellent sleeper. Finally figured out his schedule and it works out that him and Riley take their afternoon nap together. 2 hours of me time! Thank you children!

All in all things are going well. We haven't really seen the sun around these parts in awhile, but we're hoping that summer will finally start sometime soon here in Monterey!

A Day in Portland

Below are a few photos we took in Portland... Which happens to be my favorite city ever! Seattle gets second:) We had started the day off with our good friends who live right outside of Portland, and then met up with my wonderful and talented friend Moorea. I know I've blogged about her before. She's brilliant! And beautiful. Inside and out.

    Everything about Portland to me, is perfect.  Its right by the river and its surrounded by trees. I'm used to L.A. which isn't half as clean as Portland, and there are very few trees surrounding it.  The atmosphere  is wonderful and you hardly ever meet a mean person.  Everyone is just different in Portland.  Or I want them to be... I think that everyone needs to visit. Or even live. I hope and pray that if we move to Oregon we get to move to Portland.  I love it. 

  We spent another day in the city, just Leif and I.  We were there from about 9:30 until 7pm.  And we weren't tired yet. Every time I go into the city I get on this high and I don't want to leave.  The shopping is amazing, the food is even better and I really enjoy the people watching you can do.  People say Portland is weird, I say its awesome. 

Day 1 in Oregon!

   Here are a few pictures from our first day in Oregon. It was also my 23rd birthday! We stayed over night in some little town close to Redding.  At first I was really unsure about it because we found this couple on couchsurfer and I was sure we were going to get murdered. We got off the freeway and had to drive back into the woods and it just got darker and darker. I was not a happy camper.

   I made Leif go in first and he was greeted by the sweetest little woman. I was relieved and slept pretty well that night. The house was beautiful and I kind of hope I have a log cabin house someday. I also think that the next time we drive up to Oregon we'll stop over in Redding. Its nice taking a break and waking up totally refreshed and ready for 7 hours of driving. 

    It was wonderful to be back in Oregon. I love it more and more each time we visit.  My mother in law made me enchiladas and a cake!  Best enchiladas I've ever had. And my birthday cake was pretty awesome too:) I got to blow out these super cool candles and I hope I can find candles similar for Riley's 2nd birthday.  It was a good way to celebrate my birthday. I loved it. 

    I was happy that my two sisters and my father in law were finally able to meet Beck. That was one of the best parts of the trip. It never gets easier living apart from family. I pray that sometime soon we'll either be able to move back to L.A. or up to Oregon. I really want my kids to be close to their grandparents.  They grow up so fast! 

         I don't understand why its been so hard for me to blog lately.  I just can't seem to get into the groove.  Its not that I don't want to, I do.  I start blog posts all the time and promise myself that I'll go back to them. I don't. I move on to something new.

   Ever since my life became a lot more hectic blogging has taken a backseat. Before it was so important to me to record as much as possible. I still want to, but I'm having a hard time forcing myself to write.  I like when things come easily, but nothing seems to come that easy anymore.  I think it might be because I have so much on my mind constantly.  Thoughts going in so many directions.  Ah!

   I do miss the blogging world.  I miss being able to share events and happenings with family and friends. I hope that soon I'll be able to get back into the swing of things... Until then, know I read all of your blogs and just because I don't comment doesn't mean I don't care! I try to comment as  often as possible.  And to family and friends who read this to know whats going on with us, I'm sorry! We're all doing well and I will assure you a good update is coming!

Mothers Day Post.

How we spent mothers day.
Well  Leif wanted to make me breakfast but we were out of eggs so instead
we went to Dennys for breakfast. Its one of my favorite places to go. I love pancake puppies.
After Dennys we had to sign papers for the car, which wasn't so bad. It was kind of nerve racking actually.  Buying a car is a big decision and commitment!

We lounged around a lot of the day. Leif worked on the other car and it now runs wonderfully.
We're trying to decide if we want to have two cars or sell the old car and just have one.

We got to go to our favorite beach and hang out a bit.  The weather originally had been cloudy with some drizzle but by 5 it had cleared and we got to watch the sun set over the ocean.  Praise Jesus.
I prayed the sun would come out so we could celebrate at the beach!

Some photos

Sunday Funday.

We haven't gone to the beach in awhile.  I'm not sure why not... Its literally outside our front door. Today though, we ventured to the beach. It wasn't just any beach though. It was the Fort Ord Dunes Beach.

Please Don't Go.

This is a picture that was taken tonight. These two girls are my best friends here in Monterey and the military is taking them away from me. Ashley, the one on my right is moving to Georgia this coming Friday. Summer, the one on my left will be moving to Hawaii come August. I'm having a really hard time with this. I try to avoid the subject but its not really something that can be avoided.

Its hard for me to grasp the fact that someone I cherish and love so much is going to be gone within a week. Its very unfair if you ask me. But life has never been fair. This makes me upset. Its hard for me to write this without crying because when we first moved here I really struggled with loneliness. Then I met Ashley and we bonded right away. It was such a blessing that she too had a daughter Riley's age and was a young mother like me. We spent many days at the park and at each others houses. We watched our daughters go from crawling babies to walking toddlers together. We did photo shoots together and spent most of the money we made on food:) We would go to the gym and then go to Jack in the Box for curly fries, ha! Her friendship has been something I haven't taken for granted.

Remembering the things we did together and knowing that its all coming to an end is depressing. I hate it. I have a hard time saying goodbye. I hate when change involves people leaving and not being close anymore. I know its not the end of our friendship, I just wish she was going to keep living in the house down the street. I wish that Riley and I could continue to walk down there to go play with Kyleigh. I wish that we could still have good conversations in the car.

Friday is still a few days away and I'm going to enjoy the last few days we have together. I'm thankful that I met Ashley and I'm thankful for all the fun times we shared. She's a person I definitely thank God for. My life wouldn't be the same without her. I may be having a hard time with her leaving, but I'm more than happy I met her and her friendship means the world to me. I'm excited for what awaits her in Georgia!

[Thankfully I won't have to write a post like this for Summer for a little while!]

Week 2!

We're halfway done with our second week at home with both kids. Its been fun. I'm really enjoying having two children. I also never get tired of Riley giving her brother kisses and bringing him blankets. Nights are going even better than they were last week. Riley is back to sleeping through the night in her own bed, and Beck gets up at 12am and 4am to eat. I'm hoping these good nights continue for a long time:)

This week my wonderful friends have been bringing us dinner every night. That's such a blessing. Even though I've been itching to get back in the kitchen and try out some recipes I found last week. I have been able to cook breakfast and bake a little at least! Leif has been at home this week as well. He's suppose to be "helping out" but I think its turned more into a vacation for him than anything, haha. He's getting breakfast made for him every morning and dinner delivered. And naps during the day? What a lucky man:) Riley is loving having him at home though so I don't mind him messing up my routines too much.

On a happy-happy note: I fit into my old jeans and I don't feel as if I had surgery a week and a half ago. Oh and my husband bought me a steam-mop! I just tried it out and I love it. Throwing out the old mop and bucket tomorrow.

First Night at Home.

Leaving the hospital

First, let me say that I feel so rested and full of energy. I feel completely refreshed, like a new woman. Getting 6 hours of sleep as opposed to only 1 hour does wonders for a person. Now about last night...
It was like any other night for the most part. Except instead of just kissing mommy and daddy "goodnight", Riley also kissed Beck and grandma. And then Riley woke up at around 1 and decided that she was done sleeping in her crib. So the battle began. She fell asleep in our bed then we moved her, but then Beck woke up and we took awhile getting his bottle, so in turn he woke Riley up. Of course by the time we got the bottle Beck was over it and Riley was in our bed. Again.

We got the idea that maybe if we put Beck in his crib Riley would want to go in hers. But she didn't. She simply waved "bye" to Beck when we put him in his crib and expected us to take her with us to bed. Finally, we decided to leave her in her crib. Sure, she cried and screamed but eventually fell asleep. Thank goodness.

I really expected Beck to give us a hard time at night, not my toddler:) It really wasn't that bad though because I did get some hours of uninterrupted sleep. And Beck did a wonderful job. He mostly slept through the night. Woke up twice and probably would have gone back to sleep if we didn't make him eat. At 5 this morning, Riley was up and watched as Leif changed and fed Beck. She was amazed and kept smiling at her little brother. I was sitting on the floor pumping... It was one of those moments I wanted to last for a long time. Even if it was early in the morning.

The babies this morning.