Hard Work Will Pay Off!

Well I finally have a moment to sit down and rest. Zach and I have been extremely busy with our new house. It really will make us proud once we are in and we will definitely have pride of ownership! Thanks to the help of our family and friends we have knocked out the wall of mirrors that covered a full wall in the living room, put up new baseboards throughout the house, chair rails in the bedrooms, spackled a gazillion holes and sanded them down, ripped out old carpet and the painter is there painting as I type this. Then we're re-tiling the hall bath floor and shower and putting in new marble countertops in the kitchen!!! Whheewww, it exhaustes me just thinking about it. The kids have been awesome through this whole thing...its hard not having a schedule, pulling late nights and not having toys everywhere at the house! Paint will be done this week, new carpet laid Friday and we move in this coming weekend!!! I am planning on making a "before and after album" of all the changes we've made. The house is in such a cute court where all the house are well taken care of and lawns are nicely manicured (which if you know me and Zach thats a big thing!) We have met almost all the neighbors and they seem very nice and welcoming. Cant wait til we are all moved in and settled!!!

Rainy Day Activities.....

It's raining today so its always a challenge finding things to entertain the kids throughout the day. We've watched cartoons, danced to Christmas music, made a big breakfast, played with toys and then Daddy joined the kids in coloring! (Dont mind the bare ugly walls in the background...were almost all the way packed!)Riley wanted to color a picture for Auntie Jess who is coming next week to celebrate an early Christmas with us!

Polar Bears!

I have been really thinking about a theme for Christmas. After a lot of pondering I have decided on Polar Bears! I think they are so cute and love the all white of their fur. I think it's something different too rather then Santa or snowmen, something you kinda have to search for. A package was left on my doorstep last week from UPS. All excited, I opened it up and to my surprise it was my first polar bear sent by my mom!!! Thanks so much Mom I love it!!

Let's Pretend....

Okay since we haven't been able to decorate for Christmas and decorate our tree due to packing/moving I found a tree I love and will just pretend for now that this is our tree! Isn't it beautiful??

Sick Ducklings

Well to say the least.....Zach and I are physically and mentally exahusted! Last Friday I felt a cold coming on and within hours was all stuffed up, runny nose and feeling icky! Next thing ya know Riley, Trevor and Ireland all have runny noses and Ireland has a major cough that is so low and deep. Over the weekend it consistently got worse and worse so first thing Monday morning I took her to her AWESOME doctor.....if you live in Sac and are looking for a great pediatrician I highly reccommend Dr. Warden with Sutter Health! Anyways, he thoroughly checked her and said she has a respiratory virus. He was happy I had brought her in when I did because it could have turned into RSV or pnemonia!! I was surprised but relieved! Poor thing is on a breathing treatment every 4 hours but the sweetheart that she is she smiles through the whole thing :) Riley and Trevor have passed back and forth a slight fever and slight cough but all in all I think we are getting rid of the bug.

The mental part comes in because we have been anxiously waiting for our keys to our new house!!! We signed a week ago today and still dont have our keys! The bank is just taking their time and poor Bob has tried everything he can to move it along but its up to them.....we were hoping on getting in there this weekend and doing some demo to put in our new marble countertops, tiling the hall bath and fireplace, and putting up baseboards throughout so the painter could come in Mon and Tues and carpet could be laid Wed and Thurs and we could move all in with that stuff being done! Its been so hard not being able to put lights up and decorating our Christmas tree we've had for almost 2 weeks now. Riley and Trevor are so into christmas this year and keep asking why we dont have lights up :( Cross your fingers we get keys on Monday!!

Lucas Michael Lindberg

Zach's cousin Jenny and her husband Chris welcomed a beautiful baby boy on December 8,2008! We are so excited and happy for them. We heard it was a tough journey but Im sure well worth it in the end. Congrats guys....he is so cute!! We cant wait to meet Lucas and have him meet his 3 cousins out here on the West coast!

Sutter Street Fun!

We had such a fun Friday night! We went to Hacienda in Folsom with my dad and sister and Zachs parents. After a great meal and a few margaritas (I highly recommend the Raspberry Sherbert Margaritas!!) that my dad treated everyone too, we walked along Sutter Street. It is so beautiful this time of year with all the lights and lit horse carriages. They also put a snow machine on top of a roof and the kids go crazy for it! It was so packed this year and I think its because of the new ice skating rink!! It was so fun to watch people. Riley got a Santa painted on her hand and Mikayla got a xmas tree on her face. We went and saw the huge Christmas tree they decorate every year as well and ended with a piece of chocolate from Snooks. What a nice way to end the week!

Commenting on our Blog

I know many of you read our blog and we love sharing it with you! Just wanted to let you know because a couple people have asked how they can let me know their reading it or comment on it and you can comment on each post. At the bottom of each post click where it says Comment and it will take you to where you can leave your comment and/or read other comments that have been posted!

Thanks so much for reading and I encourage everybody to make one for themselves...it can be about you or you 2 as a couple or your family. Its so fun and a great way to journal!!

Cuttin Down Our Christmas Tree!

5 Months old today

Our 6th Christmas together!

Our not-so-little fam!

As a family tradition, Zachs family has always gone up to Apple Hill to Indian Rock and cut down their xmas trees! Now we do it as a family with them every year! It is so much fun and something I hope our children pass on to theirs. The kids did such a good job hiking all the way up the mountain! We found our perfect tree and we are sooo anxious to decorate it but were going to wait til next week when we're in our new home!! Oh and Ireland got her 1st Christmas tree on her 5 month old birthday, how fun is that!!

Gobble Gobble

Another Thanksgiving....Rileys 3rd, Trevors 2nd, and Irelands 1st!! We had Thanksgiving dinner over at my moms this year. It was a full house....my mom and Jack, Tyler, me, Zach and the kids, Bob and Linda and Great Grandma Shirley, Josh and Des, and my dad and Mikayla!! So much fun. We played Taboo, visited and went on a walk while the kids drove their jeeps. Then we sat down to a delicious meal prepared by my mom and Jack. The turkey was so moist and my mom had all the fixings...mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, biscuits, corn, stuffing, broccoli and rice and I made a green bean casserole. Yummy....of course we all ate way too much but somehow managed to fit in our choice of pumpkin pie, blackberry pie or chocolate caramel cake!

Riley's 1st field trip

Last Thursday Riley and her class went to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. I came along and took Trevor and Ireland as well. They had a great time learning about how the fish jump up the ladder and what happens to them once they make it to the top. I dont know about you if you've been there before but when you're in the visitor center they allow you to look out a big window and watch them bring the fish in, hammer them in the head with a rubber mallot, fill em with water and then slice them open and retrieve all the eggs!!! I do not remember that at all! I felt a smidge better when I learned that the fish die anyways after they spawn but still........so we fed the baby fish, watched the big fish jump the ladder, ate our lunch and headed home. Great 1st field trip!

Thankful This Thanksgiving

We have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! Mine and Zachs lives have really changed and we couldn't be more proud or happy with ourselves and our family.

• So thankful and grateful for our wonderful family. We enjoy being so close to everyone and we wish we lived closer to Auntie Jess and Daniel, Nina and Papa George, Aunt Jan and Uncle George, Aunt Denise, Layla and her family, Mema and Papas,and all Bobs siblings that live in Tennessee, Chicago, Montana and Ireland and mine that live in England. Theres new babies and one on the way with cousin Jenny due in about a week and a half! Our parents who are always there for us and love their grandbabies so much! We love you all!!!
• Being married 5 years this year on 8/30/08!! Can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you Zach. You are truly an amazing husband and father. I couldn't be more proud or in love with you than I am at this moment!
• Our babies....the loves of our lives. We welcomed our third angel this June and as it was unexpected it was very welcomed. Riley, Trevor and Ireland have brought Zach and I so much joy and laughter. We have so much fun with them and they are little love bugs! So thankful for the three of them!
• Our new house!! Yes, we bought a house again and are so anxious to move! So thankful that we can own a 4 bedroom home with a pool in a great neighborhood!
• My disability! Although I would give up my Rheumatoid Arthritis in a second I am thankful that all my hard work paid off and I was rewarded disability this time last year! It allows me not to have to prove myself anymore and also to be able to stay home with my children. It also allowed us to have a savings again, pay off our Suburban, and buy a house.
• and some little random things to be thankful for: Sacramento weather, living so close to Walmart and Winco, our 2 dogs, Zach's mustang being painted, cartoons to entertain the kiddos every morning while I shower, a father in law for a Realtor, and friends.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!!!

Growing Girl!

Ireland had her 4 month checkup yesterday, even though she will be 5 months on the 30th. She is very healthy and happy. The Dr. couldnt believe how much she smiled and said how beautiful her eyes were. Ireland Kate weighed in at 13lbs. and 14oz! She gained 2lbs and 3oz since her last appt and has gained a total of 7lbs. 5oz since coming home from the hospital. She is pretty much around the 50th % with her height,weight and head size. We cant believe shes about to be 5 months already. She tries to sit up and loves to stand and even went in her walker for the first time on Sunday. She has the sweetest temperment and smiles at anyone that looks or talks to her!

"Im Gonna Miss This"

*Cleaning up the same mess three times in a row.
*Folding laundry I swore I just did yesterday.
*Trying to potty train Trevor.
*Packing for our move and having things unpacked by my rugrats.

Tonight I was just reflecting on my day. I had had a long day with the list mentioned above not to forget I had steam cleaned the carpets,vacuumed the entire house,dusted and cleaned out the car. For the most part, I just was tired. Not upset. Not frustrated. Just tired. I kind of had thought in my head: Won't it be so nice when Trevor is potty trained? Won't it be so nice when we're all settled in our new home? Won't it be so nice when we can buy this and this and this on our list of things we need/want?

Then I recalled a song I had heard the other night on the CMA Awards. The song is by Trace Adkins, and its called "You're Gonna Miss This". If you haven't heard it, I suggest going to youtube watching the video or downloading it. The verses were all different stages of life and how this woman kept wanting something more--looking at the future for all of her happiness. The part that touched me the most was the advice she got throughout the song via the chorus...
"You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days
Hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this"

I thought about the lyrics and it was like he was saying to me, "You're gonna miss this....You're gonna want this back." And instantly, I felt that.
I also realized, I'm going to miss these days where Zach and I are 25 and 28...virtually still newlyweds and in the prime of our lives. I'm going to miss the days where we have little ones running around the house yelling at the top of their lungs. I'm going to miss the days when we realized that even though we didnt make a lot of money and didnt get everything we wanted...we still had everything we needed right there.
I'm going to miss the days when I even had little kids to take to the park or clean up after. I'm going to miss the days when I'm strong enough to pull a huge load of laundry up and down the stairs.
I'm going to miss the days when my little babies needed me for everything...even if it meant wiping their poopy diapered bottoms.
I already miss it...and I'm living it.
I know its normal to have those feelings of being tired and frustrated in the monotony of life...but I'm grateful for those little moments that make me realize that even through the midst of it all...
...I'm gonna miss this.

Baby Food!

I gave Ireland her first little taste of baby food the other day and she wasn't so sure about it...it was pears. After a few bites she would start moving it around with her tongue but it didn't last too long.

1st Day of School!

Riley had her first day of school last week! She loved it and we couldn't be happier as well as suprised! Zach and I thought she was going to have a really hard time being as she is soooo shy. But, the 1st day I took her in, we met the teacher, put her name tag on and sat down for circle time. I left after 13mins. and she didn't cry at all, she just simply waved goodbye! When I got there to pick her up she was just coming in from outside and was walking with her friends. On the way out she says to me, "that is so fun!" I asked her if she wanted to go back and she yelled "Yes!"

She goes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00-3:30pm. She loves it and it gives me some alone time with Trevor and Ireland.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday dear Gpa!

Happy Birthday to you!!!

Hope you have a wonderful day! Cant wait to see you Sunday for lunch and a movie! We love you lots!!!

New House!!!

We are officially in Escrow!! We are sooo thrilled to be purchasing a home again! It is on the border of Orangevale and Citrus Heights off Oak and Old Ranch. It is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with a pool!!! I never would have thought I could own a house with a pool but I know its bc of all our hard work and of course this market! Now we get the fun part of picking out paint colors and ideas. Thanks Bob and Linda for ALL of your help...we truly appreciate it! And to everyone else, get ready for some pool parties this summer!!

Thoughts after the election.......

So the election is over! Barack Obabma wins by a landslide with the electoral votes but it was a very close match with the popular vote. I really was 50/50 on the two candidates and didn't make my decision til the night before I voted. Zach and I just sat down one evening after the kids were all in bed and researched for over an hour about each man, his beliefs, thoughts and goals. After looking at education, healthcare, abortion, death penalty, gun control, security and gay rights....I made my decision....and I guess I wasn't alone...Obama! We'll see how he does in office and hope for the best. God knows we need "change" and to get this economy back on track.

As for the propositions.....as most of you know I was definitely and always will be NO on Prop 8!! It was a pretty close race but Yes on 8 has won. How sad is this day! I'm not even gay and I feel like crying, I cannot imagine how those who are must feel. We can elect a black president who wins by a huge gap but can't let 2 people in love marry eachother!!! I know they will continue fighting and hopefully one day we will have and keep equality!

Trick or Treat!

I love Halloween and I think the kids do too! This year was soooo much fun. The kids were at a perfect age, except Ireland of course. They really "got it" and had a blast. Riley and Ireland were beautiful bees and Trevor was the cutest frog you've ever seen! We all met at Crystal and Steve's house. Ate yummy chili and taco soup and cornbread. There was a total of 10 kids, 8 of them trick or treated! They held hands, ran up to the houses, knocked on the doors and held their bags out for candy...how cute. The only thing that I am bummed is our camera was acting up and wasnt auto-focusing! So dont mind the blurriness...aggh! As a picture freak you can only imagine how irritated this made me!

Preschool Halloween Party!

Today Riley and I went to her new preschool Halloween party. She starts there next Tuesday. Its Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 1-3:30 pm. We are so excited for her to start. Shes such a shy fly and this is really going to give her some social skills and independence. Today she really suprised me though...she was of course shy at first but after a while she was running around, doing arts & crafts and having a grand ole time! I hope she is really going to enjoy it!!

Good 'Ol Gpa!

Gpa and Auntie Mikayla came down for a visit the other day. Riley was asking for "Kayla" all day and her and Trevor were soo excited when they got here! They brought a Halloween toy for each kid. We hung out, played and visited for a while and then went out to eat at Panda Express! Thanks Gpa and Auntie Mikayla!