I forgot to post my eggs...

Today there is only 25 more days!  

Yikes... so much to do, yet I wish it was tomorrow! 

Easter, Easter, Easter!

We had a fantastic Easter. We are finally settling into our new church and really enjoyed Easter morning celebrating with our new church family. (His Place in Burlington) It has been hard after all those years at Cornwall to find a new Church. But I am finally feeling like we have found our family church where we are and will always be Joe, Amy, Isabelle, Ethan, and Jack... No strange looks, like "who's that?!" After church we headed out to Lynden for the annual Easter Egg hunt and then home for tacos. 

I am grateful for all God has done for me, honestly really overwhelmed this Easter season. As if dieing on the cross was not enough, God took a broken family and made us whole again. He has Risen and is working miracles in our lives!

The girls... Isabelle signs to go see Emily everyday when see gets home from school...cute. 

Look how they've grown! This was Easter 2007.

"Finally, Finally, Finally!!"

I am so happy for Jack... Today after two years of standing on Ethan's sidelines it was finally his turn! Jack's first soccer practice was the best! I love to watch kindergarten soccer! Jackers had this smile the whole practice. I can't wait until Saturday for his first game. Bring on the Lakeside Jersey!

Our Engagement Photos...

We had a fun time having our pictures taken. I had to get used to being the one in front of the camera instead of behind it! We secured our plane tickets today so we are as good as in San Diego! I can't wait, four weeks from Monday and we will be on our way. I have started working from 8:30 to 2:30 at Cafe Caffe' so my days are passing quickly by! I have been using every spare moment and day off to try and pull this all together. Last Wednesday Christine and I found my wedding dress. Because I put it off for so long I thought we would find a pretty one but we found the PERFECT one, I love it! So with plane tickets and a dress we are almost set! Oh yeah, rental cars, hotel rooms, flowers, chairs for the beach, cakes, decorations, dinner reservations for reception, pants for Joe and the boys, hair appointments, tulle for bows, shoes for all.... Mmmm back to planning..... Enjoy the photos! 

This is real!

These arrived in the mail today. Wow, this big ol' life changing event is coming up quick! The plans are coming along although to say the wedding is next month is a bit shocking! So much to do so little time! I am excited for the trip and for the wedding ceremony but I am really excited to come home and be married. To just settle in as husband and wife (and the other three we hang out with :) and just be! 

For the love of Valentine's Day...

 In all the insanity around here I forgot to post My Little Valentine's. Okay this cookie making, valentine constructing, paper punching rush was all hearts and flowers when I started this tradition. Back then I had a kindergardener and maybe a preschooler, and maybe a few neighbor kids. Now however this is a huge production! :) Three classrooms at 23 kids each plus Isabelle's entourage. That makes 90 plus frosted cookies plus the 10 or so Joe ate!! The only lesson learned is to start earlier so I don't have to push it on the eve of the 13th. I think Joe thought I was a little coo-coo, insane cookie making fool! The other thing I have to mention is Webkinz! Christine's kids have had them for a long time and I always thought 'yeah, yeah just another computer game'. But I was mistaken. I love the idea of them adopting a pet and then caring for it on line.  I love the website design and how it keeps them safely in Webkinz World an not bouncing around all over the internet. I think adopting a pet helps them learn about money etc.. So Caleb and Emily you were right! Plus it gives me a lot more free time with them caring for their 'pets'! I hope you had a happy Valentine's Day! I got a homemade dinner and a dozen roses....mmmmm. 

Opening their new Webkinz! 

Blue Sky!

Sick or not sick, we had to get out yesterday! And what a beautiful day it was. We took Joe to Fort Ebby on Whidbee Island for the first time. It was a gorgeous day and got us all thinking about the wedding on the beach. We can't wait! Please pray that everything will come together for our trip to San Diego, money is tight right now with the move, a truck repair, new brakes on my van, plane tickets, etc... Planning a wedding and raising a family is a bit tricky!

"Ms. Fields... Can you come get your son?"

Oh my baby. This is how it all started... last Tuesday.  E, then Jack now Bellie. I feel sad when they are sick but I have to admit that there is something so sweet and vulnerable about them when they look at me with those eyes. I love how there fast paced life turns a little slower and they actually need me for a little extra time to snuggle. Here is to a better week, free of fevers and vomit!

I scooped him up from school and not three minutes later he was fast asleep... Ethan is hardly ever sick so when he lets it show I know he is miserable!

Okay Ladies!

After mucho requests to 'see the ring' here it is!! This is actually the wedding band the other part is a plain, wide, white gold band with a round solitare then another band like this one above it. So I hope I can help you to rest better tongiht (Jen and Jen) now that you have seen it! Love to all! 

af 

Did my baby not to a fantastic  job!!! I love it.  

'This is the Best Day of My Life!!!'

Isn't that the best news for a parent to hear!! It melts me into a puddle!  We did have a great day. Ethan got to spend Friday night and all day Saturday with Caleb and Emily, freeing up the four of us for an all day outing. First we went out to lunch then headed out Chukanut to hike down to Clayton beach. What an adventure, Joe, Jack and myself were able to hike and explore all around the place. Our little Bellie was a trooper! She is not all that into hiking, the long distance endurance it takes to hike down and (then to her surprise) all the way back up is difficult for her! She was exhuasted! After the hike we had promised to fly the kite so despite the dropping tempratures and wet pants we landed at Zuanach Park to fly Jack's kite. Ending up home to get Isabelle and Jack's jammies on, then to Starbucks and the Gish's for dinner. And as we waited in the car for my hazelnut latte, Jack looked straight into my eyes and said: "Mom, this is the best day of my life!"    Click here.

I love the new foot-steps that Jack has to follow...

No hike complete without a little fungus! 

What a fun rope swing Jack found, he was brave too! 

Boys and Fire...

In all the excitment around here I have some good moments that did not get blogged, like the night these three guys about lit the little cabin on fire and the surrouding forrest... What is it with guys and fire?! My suggestion was to take the extra c-rap from the move and take a load to the dump but that idea was overturned! Instead this fire starts (with gasoline....?) and then grows bigger and bigger. Then the hose is retracted from the holder and then the nieghbors think seriously about calling Sudden Valley security! No harm done, there is no stopping guys playing with fire!