It's all about ME!

I NEVER EVER thought I would have the nerve to put just a close up picture of my chubby face on here but I had to show you all... I finally tried something I have wanted to do for years!
I should have had Kristen do my makeup too before I took this shot but whatever. What do you think?

My AWESOME New York Story

It all started when my wonderful sister and her hubby offered to treat me to an all expense paid trip to New York, my hubby said he could handle me being gone and encouraged me to go and my in-laws offered to help watch my kids while I was away. Thank you to all of you!

Day 1 - My flight was awesome... no matter what happened it didn't matter because I had no kids with me. I arrived to my sisters beautiful home in one piece and was ready to party!

Day 2 - DJ and I went on a little date to go see his super cute toy store and spend some time together. I didn't realize the toy store was named after him, that we would be playing in it forever and that he would need me to go in the toy house with him to complete the experience! It was super fun though. We then walked down the downtown strip and got a bagel followed by a trip to dunkin donuts (which is disgusting but all New Yorkers LOVE) where there was actually a BIG line. DJ was so sweet to me on our date and had super good manners which made me feel super proud of my sweet and friendly nephew!

Then we got home and took a few cute pictures before we headed to the city to meet daddy at work. Here is Gavin who is getting so big and looking SO CUTE!

And here is DJ who turned into such a big boy and cracked me up non stop the whole time I was there! I loved this picture because a.) he looks super cute & b.) it reminded me so much of Kenyon who I hope to be one of DJ's best buddies when they are bigger.

Here we are getting me a taste of why no mother belongs in New York with little kiddos. It is such a hassle to go anywhere - especially the city where Daryn happens to work.

Below Gavin is giving me the full experience of trying to meet Daddy for dinner. He is not impressed by the city at all and although boys love trains - hour subway rides are not included.

And this picture just cracks me up because they look like they belong there - even though they DO NOT!!!

Here they are in front of Daryn's work (with the 2 American flags on it)...

And here is a picture of my purse being scanned so I could go inside and see his desk... wow! Daryn seems so important huh? Then about 5 minutes after this I took a picture of Daryn and Stacey and a security guy started freaking out and telling me no pictures are allowed in this building... oops!

And since Kyle didn't get to join me in person I thought I should include a picture of him and I at the Statue of Liberty (kind of).
After that Daryn gave me the quick tour of lower Manhattan (the New York stock exchange, 9.11 site and much more) then they took me to a wonderful dinner and then we took 2 very tired boys home where they could go to bed which is just what they all needed - except for me who was still on CA time and got to watch instant Netflix on the big tv (don't know how they do it but it was truly magical) and I finished season 4 of Lost!

Day 3 - After I slept in late we got ready and took DJ to preschool. He is the cutest school boy ever and was so proud to show me every detail of his morning routine.

And here is his AWESOME teacher who is guiding them on the hay ride!

That night I got to babysit for my hottie sister and her cute hubby who showed up with flowers to whisk her away for a fancy dinner on the Hudson river.

Gavin was such a good boy and after a big dinner (of yams and banana's) he went to bed with NO FUSSING (praise the Lord!) and DJ and I had big plans to make a balloon solar system, practice writing his name and watch a fun movie!

Day 4 - After Daryn went out to breakfast with Gavin and brought home super yummy donuts for Stacey and I we were off to see the sights. She showed me where she lived when she first moved there, where her church was and all kinds of things I have heard her talk about. Below is just a cute building I LOVED.

Here is their church...

And here I am paying for 12 hours of parking so Stacey and I could head to the city with no kids in tow. SO EXCITING!!!!

She treated me to Phantom which I LOVED! The only part I didn't like is that you can't sing along. :( After Phantom we headed to a super fancy dinner which ended with a delicious chocolate souffle - YUMMY! Then we headed for a tour of the city by a super cute boy on a bike. I saw Rockefeller center, Time Square, Trump Tower, went in The Empire State Building and much more. We were glad the stores were closed as we browsed by tons of super cute stores and picked out our favorite pieces in each window. I had such a great time!

Day 5 - We hung out and relaxed at home. DJ played with his famous Geo Tracks that he is amazing at building. I watched a great movie (The boy in the striped pajamas).

Daryn even hung out with me but I couldn't ask what he was doing because it was illegal for me to know about his report since Kyle and I might base our investments on what I hear.

Then that day we headed to Harbor Park (DJ and Stacey's special park) to try and get a family picture - which didn't work out that well. But I did get a few shots I really liked! This one of DJ is probably my favorite picture from our 2 hours of snapping shots!

And to end I just have a few words to Stacey and Daryn...

To my beautiful sister Stacey, how could I thank you enough - I had so much fun hanging out with you and your boys! It was such a needed break from life and I felt so spoiled by every detail of the trip you had obviously thought out just for me (chocolate cakes, perfect restaurants, fun days, lay around days and so much more!). You are such an awesome sister, host and friend and although I LOVED the trip I must say it makes me want you home all the more so I can come lounge at your house anytime I want (and we don't have to get Daryn to pay for it). Thank you again... I love you, your boots and every minute of my trip (well, except that one night).

And lastly I want to say THANK YOU to Daryn (who I am assuming Stacey will make look at this). I know this was all Stacey's idea but I know if it weren't for your love for my sister (and kind of for me too), your hard working/great money making skills this trip would only have been a dream. I seriously had so much fun and I even enjoyed hanging out with you/making fun of you! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I can't wait until we live closer and it's a little more even... you and Kyle vs. Stacey and I. Oh the laughs!

I LOVE YOU MILLERS!

And I miss you already... thank you again!

Happy Birthday to Me

Thank you to all of you who sent me birthday wishes yesterday! I had a great day and felt super loved and super spoiled (my favorite feelings!). I woke up to a decorated room (thank you Adia), had yummy omelets for breakfast (thank you Adia), saw Kaden poop in the tub and I didn't have to clean it (thank you Kyle), went out to lunch and was surprised to see family waiting for me inside (thank you Lauren, mom and dad), went to the zoo, had a great time (thank you all who were with me), went to old Sac, walked around, had a nice dinner (thank you mom and dad) and the day ended perfect - falling asleep with my head on my favorite persons lap (thank you Kyle) while he watched a movie (thank you Netflix).

Kyle started off the day throwing kids really high and making all of us laugh. I would show you the other pictures but somebody might call CPS and that wouldn't be good!

Here we are at the zoo

Beautiful flowers = picture time for 2 of my BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!!!


Lauren and Avery were hardly in sight all day... they had a great time and the only times i saw them were when they waited by these silly boards for the me to get a shot of them.

It was so crazy to run into my dads long lost twin at the zoo...


Kenyon was in heaven - dirt, animals and candy!


Kaden and daddy goofing off on the spider web.



My lovely parents who not only surprised me with a visit but got me a cricut (a big paper cutting toy) to play with as well.

The kids were all trying to climb this huge tree when I told them whoever gets the highest wins a kiss from mom...

and Kyle jumps up, climbs WAY too high and lost the prize for scaring me!

We went to dinner in Old Sacramento at a Joe's Crab Shack

And finished off the day browsing cute little shops but being good and not buying anything!

My heart...

Here is a glimpse into my heart lately. I'm struggling. I'm really struggling. I can't come to grips with how I know God's Kingdom is real and thriving, I know He loves me and every other child of his on earth, I know so many don't know him and without those of us who do know Him telling them they will pay an eternal price, I know so many people need him and the people who love Him to stand with them as they fight the injustices that have come their way and I know my family (including me) has so much to offer the world around us - so why am I consumed by this world and my little life? I'm on a mission to learn to live more simply, to quit striving for the things of this world and to enjoy the call to serve God, to live for Him and to give fully all He has put in my hands. Gosh - this will be a long journey but with God's grace and love I know there is hope for even me.

Here is a great post from a friends blog that really touched my heart today and I wanted to share it with you as well! Thanks Gail... your faithfullness to the call is a breathe of fresh air! Not everyone understands all you are giving up but I see it and I so appreciate your willingness to go therefore and make disciples of all nations.

God's Calling vs. Our Desires

"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever." ~Elisabeth Elliot~

This is a quote from Elisabeth Elliot, the wife of martyred missionary, Jim Elliot. Jim Elliot's famous quote is my favorite, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

As soon to be full-time missionaries we realize that we are giving up a lot, but what we give up is less of a cost than our Savior gave up for us. He gave his very life for us so that we can gain a life that we cannot lose. In following Christ, who gave up everything, how we can anything but give up our desires, our possessions, and our everything in order to follow Him in the calling He has placed on us. Although some may not understand this calling, I choose to give up my plans and purposes, my own desires and hopes, and accept His will for my life, wherever that may lead me. I have found that as I give up my desires for the things this world says are important and follow His calling, then His calling becomes my desire and the things of this world become less important.