Monday, January 31, 2011

Where we live

I love where we live.  The Northwest is so beautiful.


A mile from our home is a beautiful golf course over looking the Pudget Sound.  It has a three mile trail around the golf course open to the community,  two large grassy fields, a dog park and beach access.

Words can't really describe the beauty, and unfortunately my camera is on it's last leg so the pictures aren't the best either, but I wanted to document the beautiful place that we live.


We decided to go on a walk this morning since it wasn't raining.  James biked to the park and Gwenevere and I fallowed in the car.


The trail is a big loop around the golf course.  A mile or more up top then a 1/2 mile decent to the water front, a mile ore more at the bottom and another 1/2 to get back to the top.  
This is the view from where they will be building a play ground up top.


These are some pictures of the trail descending.





Then you reach the bottom




On the way to the top again.  Looking back as we climb there is a beautiful view of the Olympic Mountain range.  
this picture also so the old factory ruins, the train tracks and the large grassy around at the bottom.  I can't wait for summer.  This place is awesome.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Coming August 2011

Hip Hip Hooray a baby is on it's way!

just so you know I'm sticking my stomach out in this picture.  But unfortunately my stomach is looking that big already.  

All week I was thinking I was 10 weeks along, but this morning when I checked my e-mail I had an e-mail from babycenter.com saying I was 12 weeks along.  I haven't felt nausea all day (fingers crossed). 

I'm still waiting for health insurance but we hope to see a doctor soon.  On a good note.  Two weeks ago James brought home an Ultra sound machine from school and he found the baby's heart beat.  It was the coolest thing ever. 

What I found in my old Journal

I am a terrible journal keeper.  that is why I started blogging.  I figured if I blogged it could count as journal writting and someday I would put all my blogs into a book for my children. 

Well today I pulled out my old journal that had about 3 enteries in it and I found this.  Some accounts of Dating James.  I had so much fun reading it I figured i needed to add it to our blog.  So here it goes

October 20, 2004

I was returning to my apartment and I saw that the gang was there.  When I went inside I noticed a guy sitting in the corner.  We were introduced, and I thought he was really good looking and there was something about him, but he was short so I pushed it to the back o f my head and left so that i could go do homework.

Oct 29, 2004

The Church put on a young single adult Halloween dance, I started to notice James at that time.  He was extremely good looking, and all I knew was there was something about him.  As the night went on, I wanted to talk to him, but every time I saw him he was talking to another girl. 

Oct 31 2004

This morning I went to the Fanno Creek Ward.  I heard Melissa say James was giving his home-comming talk in sacrament that day.  I also went because I was still deciding weather to go to a family ward instead of a singles ward.  but that's not the point.  I sat next to Megan and past notes back and forth until James stood up at the stand.  Both Megan and I sat still and listened.  You could tell he was nervous but you could also tell he was prepared.  In closing his talk, he bore his testimony in Tagolog.  I was so impressed.  Not like a laural when an RM comes home but more like the desire to get to know him. 
After sacrament meeting I asked Megan to come with me to tell James he gave a good talk.  We were making are way to him when Rebecca stopped us to talk to Megan, By the time Meg and Becca  were finished Megan James had dissapeared I was disapointed I still hadn't had a chance to talk to him.  I was seriously upset with this girl Becca who stopped me from talking to James.  When Meghan and Becca where done talking Meghan told me that Rebecca was James' sister.  I felt stupid.
A few minutes later Meghan and I bumped into James while he was talking to Joel.  James smiled at me, I got butterflies and tripped over my own shoe.  It was kinda embarrassing.

November 5, 2004

Oh what a good day.  Melissa had invited me to go shoe shopping.  I had gotten a gift card at payless and I wanted new shoes and she was looking for new sandles.  After shoe shopping we picked up my navy blue punk rock dress Laura had left the week before, and we went back to Melissa's house to get ready for a wedding reception. 
Eric, Danny, Megan, Kenzie Melissa, Jenn, James, David and I all went to the reception.  I was there for about 15 min when I noticed James eating by himself.  I went over said hi and then left.  Later on I saw James dancing with a little girl 7 years old.  It was cute.  It was one of those things that make girls awe and owe over.  My heart really melted.  After the reception we all went salsa dancing down town.  I had gone before with Danny and Brandon so I was ready to party.

We decidedto drive together.  We took David's suburban.  I jumped in the bery back and Eric climbed in afterward.  James about about to climb in but hat the last sec he sat in the middle seat.  He had a gray and red knitted hat on.  I took it from him.  Eric and I talked all the way.
When we got to the place it was packed.  I danced with everyone.  It was so much fun.  Later on that night most of the gang was sitting on the benches when I noticed James, he was having so much fun.  Before I could talk myself out of doing something stupid I went over to James and started dancing.  As we were dancing we both looked down at the same time and bumped heads.  I think I might like him, but it's too soon to tell.

November 07, 2004

Yesterday was just terrible.  I got over worked and worried about everything.  Kenzie never came home and that threw me over board.  I called up Conney (eric's mom, and the mother of our group) and we talked.  By the end of our converstation I felt a lot better but it wasn't until Conney asked me if I would like a blessing that I finally felt peace.  I asked Eric if he and James could give me a blessing.  He said yes, and he said he'd talk to James also.
So today, being a Sunday and a fast Sunday at that, he been filled with the spirit.  I went to Fanno Creek ward this morning Eric and I had already planned on giving me a blessing after church.  I saw James but we couldn't find Eric.  Finally, I had to leave to go to the Singles war.  I am the Relief Society Securtary and I had paper work to do.
Eric and James  along with Ashley, Kenzie, Danny Melissa and David all came to the singles ward.  We all sat next to each other I sat up against the wall and next to David.  During Sacrament, David started playing with this really cool ring. I asked if I could see it.  He let me play with it for a while and then I gave it back to him.  The ring Reminded me of a ring I saw on the internet right before I went to El Salvador.  The ring I wasy was an engagement ring but still it was really nice.
After church was over we ent to break the fast.  I told Eric that when he was done she should come find me.  I was working on Securtary stuff.  I didn't wan to brake my fast yet so I just worked.  I wanted to brake my fast after the blessing.  With not luck i was spotted by myself by a group of really nice poeple.  They told me to come sit with them.  I really didn't feel like it but I sat by them anyway.  From the seat I was sitting in I could see Eric and James eating.  I wished i was sitting next to thme but I felt obligated to stay.
The group that I was sitting with talked about little stuff but I felt so out of place it was hard to make small talk.  Finally out of the blue I saw Eric and James coming over.  I was so excited.  They looked really good.  They were a mix between angels and FBI agents.  I was so excited to see them.  I was even surprised at how excited I was to see them.  I left the group, asked Eric and James to wait a moment and then I ran over to my brother Will and his girl friend Jenni gave them hugs and then went back to Eric and James.
I fallowed Eric and James to a small classroom.  Eric gave the blessing and James accompanied.  The blessing was just what I had needed.  I know everything was going to be fine.  Kenzie and I will be able to work through our trials, being secratary won't kill me.  If I end up going to a family ward it will be fine.  Everything will work out if I have faith.  Just one thing caught be off guard. Eric said something like "your future husband will fall in love with your smile and through your service you will meet the one you will marry."  Weird.  Oh well, the Lord knows what He is doing.  I can't wait to find out what's His plan.
Later on that group got together at Eric's house.  James brought over his missionary pictures.  I wanted to see them but everyone was looking at them and I don't really know James so I didn't look.
Oh I totally forgot one part.  Rewind.  Aftrer the blessing, I gave Eric a hug.  I didn't really know if I could hug James but I would have felt dumb just shaking his hand.  So I asked James if I could hug him too.  He laughed, It was like a big bear hug, you know the ones your Grandpa gives.  He started to chuckle.  Oh I was embarrassed.  I asked him "what" and he said "nothing."
Ok back to the part I left.
I went down stairs for a while.  Later on I went back up stairs and James and Ashley were looking at his pictures.  Okay I was curious.  I silently sat down next to James and Ashley and listened in.  They were just finishing.  I was bumped.  Ashley left and I asked to look at the pictures.  James stayed and looked at the pictures with me.  The pictures reminded me of El Salvador.  We talked and looked at the pictures together.  In the middlw of our conversation, Danny and Kenzie asked to talk to me.  I didn't want to leave James but I had to.  Kenzie took me down stairs.  Her and Danny talked to me about how they don't like each other and how they are just friends.  With the way they acted I had no idea, but I finally don't care anymore.  YEAH!
After was seemed like forever, I walked out of the room feeling so embarrassed that I had ever had a crush on Danny.
I went back up stairs, James was still waiting.  We went back to talking about the Philippines.  I must had been sitting with him 5 minutes when something cool happened.  On one of James' fingers was the puzzle ring I had seen earlier.  I stopped our conversation to talk about his ring.  He took it apart and showed me how to put it back together.  He then let me see the ring.  I put it on my thumb.  It was so cool.
By the time we finished looking at pictures it was around 10:30pm.  I had school the next morning.  My first class is at 6:30am.  It's a fitness class so I decided i needed to go.  James decided he needed to go too.  Then everybody said it was time to go.  We said good byes and went home.  OH MY GOSH!  You will never believe what happened next.  After James had left I was walking to my car when I noticed I was playing with something on my finger.  I STILL HAVE HIS RING! I can't believe I forgot to give it back.  Oh well, I'll give it to him tomorrow at FHE or at Instituted on Thursday if he doesn't come tomorrow. Oh my, I have written a novel I better go to bed.  Good night.

Monday, January 24, 2011

A great weekend (AKA the big move)

This weekend was wonderful.  Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and went to burger King for breakfast.  We don't eat fast food often but we thought it would be fun to go out for Breakfast as a start to our weekend.

Gwenevere and I enjoy some french toast sticks while James ate two egg and sausage sandwich.  Gwenevere's PJs where covered with syrup by the time we where finished eating.  So a change of clothes was required before getting in the car and driving to Will and Jenni's house.  When James discovered that each sandwich he ate had over 500 calories he almost threw up.  I begged him to try not throwing up since my stomach was a little queezy and if he threw up and I would have to throw up too.

The drive to Will and Jenni's was beautiful.


Five miles short of Will and Jenni's house Gwenevere surprised us both by an unexpected upchuck of French toast.  I had a hard time not throwing up myself.  We rolled down the windows and drove fast the rest of the way.  James cleaned the car while i cleaned up Gwenevere.

I don't think we'll be having fast food again anytime soon.

After everything was cleaned up we where then able to turn our time over to helping load up the U-haul.  Will and Jenni where moving to Camino Island.  We are sad that they will be farther away, but we are so excited for them and their new home.

the moving Truck

Playing in the truck


Thanks to some amazing Elders it only took a few short hours and everything was loaded up and we where ready for the drive.  Will and Preston drove the U-haul, Jenni and Taylor took the VW, James and Gwenevere drove our car, and I had the kia all to myself.

As we pulled up to Will and Jenni's new home excitement was in the air.  Their new ward was there ready to help unpack and meet the Thomas family.  We unloaded the truck in half the time it took to load it.  Then we ate pizza and took a brake from the heavy lifting.  The rest of the day was spend setting up beds, unpacking the kitchen and just visiting with each other.  Gwenevere and Preston found a new play area that they loved.
Playing with Preston cars in the closet underneath the stairs

Preston didn't waste anytime playing outside with his yellow car.  He had fun pushing Gwenevere around
 Uncle James helped the two of them explore Preston's LARGE back yard.
 For the move Will bought Preston and Toddler bed, toy box, and table and chairs will matching Disney's movie Cars.  Preston was in Heaven.  He was very protective of his bed and we tried to help make sure Gwenevere understood this was Preston's bed.  He was one Happy little boy.

the two of them ate dinner and breakfast on Preston's table.  The both loved it.
 And of course we had to brake in the bathtub



This is my favorite picture of all weekend. 
It's terrible quality (my camera is starting to act up) but the dream of one day having a back yard of our own where my children can play is felt in this picture.  As I watch my little  girl eat breakfast and look out the window to watch the neighbors dogs and point out birds flying in the sky my excitement for a home of our own grew.

We drove back to Tacoma Sunday morning so we could be back at church for primary and a friends baptism.

Here are a few more pictures of Will and Jenni's new place.
the entry way

The living room where Jenni's baby grand piano will be placed

the dinning room

up stairs to the 4 bed rooms

and the family room and Will's Fish Tank's new home

Friday, January 21, 2011

Short Story

The other night I wanted chocolate Pudding, so while I was watching a chick flick I asked James if he would go to the store and get me some pudding. Not only did he say yes but he asked if I wanted instant or a pudding mix. On top of that when he came home he had not only one box of pudding but SIX all different kinds of chocolate pudding (and one box of Butterscotch because I love butterscotch pudding too). I have the Best Husband.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Gwenevere's prayers

I can never tell what Gwenevere will say in her prayers.

tonight prayer
Mama:  "Please help me to sleep."

Gwenevere: "....in Mommie's bed."

Mama;  "...in Gwenevere's bed"

Gwenevere more earnestly: "...In Mommies's bed."


A few nights ago Gwenevere out of the blue blessed Uncle Mark.  It was so cute.  When I called Laura to tell her she said Uncle Mark needed her prayers.  I love my little girl.


A month ago I thought it would be fun to start teaching Gwenevere the articles of faith.  So we started with the first one.

Mama:  We believe

Gwenevere:  we Believe

Mama:  In God,

Gwenevere:   in God

Mama: The Eternal Father

Gwenevere:  something mumbled "Father"

Mama: and in his son

Gwenevere: Son

Mama:  Jesus Christ

Gwenevere with much excitement:  AMEN

I guess we are done.

blog upgrades

i added a few pages to our blog.  So look up at the top of our blog, above our header and you will see the new pages.  They are some of my favorite stories.