Recent Pics

Soon after Karis got better, Kyle caught the stomach flu. He is just getting better after battling it for about seven days. Derek got a sinus infection but is now better after a round of antibiotics. I now have a cold.  Good 'ole Makena is the only one who has stayed healthy through it all (tho today she sounds a little congested). 

I think the biggest adjustment for the kids so far is not being able to go outside to play. We've had to find other alternatives like Chik-fil-A, the mall's play area and our church's  indoor play structure. The other day we went to McDonald's. The kids loved the play structure that they had all to themselves on a rainy day.

The kids wanted to go back the next day. After running a couple errands, we had a picnic lunch in the car before going back to McDonald's (I couldn't feed my kids mystery nuggets two days in a row).  The girls thought a picnic in the van was the best thing ever!

We finally got a warm day last Friday so we headed to a park. It was huge and had lots of different stuff. The kids loved it all.  

  

  

On Tuesday, we were surprised to wake up to snow!  It snowed about an inch and then it melted away by the afternoon. The weather here is so crazy -- it's always changing!

After we dropped Karis off at preschool on that snowy day, the other two kiddos and I went to a grocery store. As we were walking to the van, Makena was calling out every place she saw snow. 

"Mommy, there's snow on the street." 

"Mommy, there's snow on the car." 

An older gentleman came out of the car and Makena said, "Mommy, there's snow on his head! There's snow on his head!" 

By this time, I was busy unloading the car and wasn't really paying attention to Makena. She kept repeating "There's snow on his head!"

I finally realized what she was saying and looked over to see a man with a short salt-and-pepper afro. He was just two parking spots away and definitely heard what Makena was saying. I was so embarrassed but as he walked away I was laughing so hard I could barely lift Makena out of the shopping cart. Sorry Sir, we're not from around here!  

Hanging Out With Our Church Family

At the end of July, our church had a summer BBQ/pool party at a lagoon in Irvine.  Over 200 people came to eat dinner, watch baptisms, and hang out.  It was a fun evening with our church family and the girls had a great time playing in the lagoon (which had sand and a water slide) and making s'mores. 

Derek had the privilege of baptizing people.  I especially loved watching the kids get baptized and can't wait for the day Derek baptizes our kids.  

When it was dark, we packed up and I took the kids home.  Karis asked why Daddy wasn't coming home with us. I told her that he had to stay to clean up.  She asked why (as she always does) and I said it was because it's part of his job.  She responded in a "Mommy-you're-so-silly" kind of voice, "Mommy, Daddy doesn't work at a pool.  He works at church!" Silly 3-year old!

Karis' sayings reveal she is a sponge

"Thanks, babe." "That's close." "No problem." These are a few things that have rolled off Karis' lips lately.

I was sitting on the stairs with Karis awhile back. I cannot recall now what she did, but I was appreciative of it and replied, "Thanks, babe." She immediately spouted it off back at me. It was cute. I know, I'm marking my words. It won't be long until she is mocking me with my own words, right?

Both Lena and I find ourselves saying, "That was close Karis" in response to her nearly falling, tripping, etc. While at Nana's house last week, Karis was getting off the toilet by herself but without the aid of a stool (pun intended) like we have at home. We have shower doors in our bathroom but Nana has curtains. Karis lost her balance briefly and went to grab the shower curtain to steady herself. It didn't help her, but surprised her and maybe even furthered her challenge to balance herself. She finally regained her balance. She turned to me and with big eyes said, "That's close. That's close." Yes, Karis, it was.

Karis and I went to run an errand the other afternoon to give Momma some quiet time. I opened the back door of the car for her and asked her, "Can you climb over and up into your seat?" To which she quickly replied, "No probmem, Daddy." I caught her on video using the word "probmem" again in response to me asking if it was a problem for me to put a bag on the floor in front of her car seat.



This next one started a couple of weeks ago... and typically happens at bedtime. The funny part is the context in which she uses it. I'll ask her about a Bible story I've just read to her, for instance, "What did Jesus say?" She shouts but yet still with some uncertainty in her voice, "Fight." Tonight, she made a fist and yelled an invitation to me "FIGHT?" I asked her who taught her to fight. Surprisingly and not surprisingly, she replied "Jesus." I have to ask her Sunday school teacher what they are teaching. Although I did read the story of David and Goliath the other night. But it wasn't Jesus that fought. Very interesting and funny.

The other day I was holding Karis in the kitchen. She saw a photo on top of the stove and asked to see it. I pointed to Lena and asked Karis if Momma looked happy or sad. Then I pointed to myself and repeated the question. She said happy both times. I went on to explain that the photo was taken on our wedding day and that it was a very happy day for both Mommy and Daddy. That's when she said, "Me married, Daddy." Fighting back tears, I said, "Sure one day honey. In like 40 years."