The Tooth Fairy Is Coming!!

That's right, the Tooth Fairy will be paying a visit to the Parsons' house real soon. Stella has her first wiggly tooth. She came to me the other night after brushing her teeth and said "mom my tooth feels funny." So I had her show me her tooth and, low and behold, it was wiggly and the new one was right there in sight! We went to Grandpa, the master tooth-puller, the other night to see if he could "check" it. Well he gave it the ol' sneaky yank and thought he had gotten it out. No such luck. It scared Stella a little, might have hurt a bit too, and it definitely made it more loose. Stella was trying her best to keep up the brave front. I told her to look on the bright side, I said to her "Stella, Grandpa just stuck his massive paw in your mouth, just be thankful he didn't accidentally pull out ALL your teeth at once!" If you know my dad, you know he has gi-normous (gigantic + enormous = gi-normous) hands and if you know Stella, you know she has tiny teeth...probably not the best combo. If it is up to Stella I think she will try to keep that tooth her mouth until it is hanging by a thread. Although she is looking forward to finding out what that little fairy is going to bring her. So take a good look friends, this is probably the last time you'll see this cute smile on this cute little face!

Leavin' On A Jet Plane.....

Me: "Guess what you guys?"

Stella and Jonah: "What?"

Me: "We are going to fly to California!!!!!"

Stella: "Really?! YES!! Then I won't have to sleep in the car!"

She still remembers our last trip when we drove through the night and how uncomfortable it was - she literally thought her mom and dad were crazy when they told her to just lay down and sleep.

Here they were all "tucked" in for the night on the road, on our 2006 trip to CA

Jonah: "Wait mom, I need to go get my cape." He runs and gets his "super man" cape on (what?? does he think we have magic powers or something??).

Me: "No Jonah, we are going to fly in a big airplane!"

After showing the kids what the airplane looks like Stella said...
"Oh mom, I just love that airplane." I think she's just about as excited as me that we're flying and not driving!

A Monday Memory

So I'm back with a Monday memory. Did anyone miss them?? I took a few weeks off...

I remember when Tori and Liz came and stayed with us before we (the girls) headed out to our annual Lake Chelan gathering. The plan was for them to get here Wednesday early afternoon and then we would head out to Chelan Thursday morning. I went and picked them up from the ferry on Wednesday and we headed back to our house and kicked it for awhile. Liz has this HILARIOUS photo thing on her laptop, so we messed around with that. I don't know if I have ever laughed so hard, seriously my stomach hurt! Her laptop has a camera and then there is this program where you can totally distort your face. OK here, have a look...

like mother like daughter

like father like son

Funny huh?! And yes, just a little bit scary.

After messing around with the computer we had some dinner. Sean barb-b-qued some yummy hamburgers, and I made a fruit salad. I remember Jonah ate a ton of pineapple. After dinner we decided to go on a touristy drive but first we wanted to go get some ice cream. Everything seemed to be going great, but I noticed Jonah wasn't really acting like himself. He seemed a little bit quiet and a little tired, but hey ice cream would perk him up right?! Nope. I think he took like 3 slicks off his ice cream cone and that was it. We finished up our ice cream and headed back in the car for our drive. We decided to go out to the west side to watch for whales. We almost got to our destination but then Jonah started to cry and say his mouth hurt. He was acting really weird. His mouth was all watery and his tongue was sticking out of his mouth. My first instinct was - he's having an allergic reaction. He kept saying his mouth hurt and the way he was talking seemed like his tongue was swelling. So I turned into a mad-woman and was like "SEAN TURN THE CAR AROUND JONAH'S TONGUE IS SWELLING!!" So Sean turns the car around and then we were behind some people driving super slow. So I was like "HONK YOUR HORN SEAN, GET THEM TO PULL OVER!" So we honk and thankfully the car pulls off to the side of the road and we take off in a mad dash. Jonah's still crying, I'm acting like a crazy person and yelling, when all of the sudden Jonah starts coughing and then boom he throws up all over (phew, it wasn't an allergic reaction). Poor Tori and Liz. Jonah was sitting right in the middle of the two of them. After he threw up he was crying big time because he was covered in barf (yep you guessed, it consisted of 'lots of pineapple). Both Tori and Liz looked like they were going to throw up too. Then Stella, who was sitting in the way back, starts to cry and ask for water because she wasn't feeling good now either. Oh man, it was quite the car ride. My thought then was 'well I guess I won't be going to Lake Chelan.' But Liz calmly said, "we'll see how they are feeling tomorrow." Thankfully the girls were OK with leaving later on Thursday instead of in the morning and thankfully they used their persuasive skills and convinced me to go (I'm also thankful they still think I'm a good mom, despite my craziness). Jonah didn't throw up again and Stella never got the stomach sickness. Graciously my husband stayed home with the kids and let me go have fun with my friends. I got calls while in Chelan that both Jonah and Stella were running high fevers, I felt horrible that I wasn't there to help, but at the same time I was so thankful for Sean and his willingness to let me go.

(FYI, I was 6 months pregnant with Ava)

Jenny "tagged" me on her blog to answer these "4 things" about me that you may or may not have known. Here it goes...


Four jobs I have had in my life:
1.Amigo's - waitress
2.Abercrombie (I know, I know... it was in college, they recruited Sean and I. But shoot, I got some good deals on clothes)
3.3rd grade assistant teacher
4.An office job - I really have no idea what I did there!!
(I think it's safe to say the job I have now is the best - I love being a mom!)


Four places I have lived:
1.Santa Clarita
2.Lynnwood
3.My current location
4. " "


Four TV Shows that I watch: (we don't have TV, so these are some I watch at my parent's house)
1.HGTV
2.TLC - take home chef, what not to wear
3.Rachel Ray
4.Lost (I tape it)


Four places I have been:
1.Oahu
2.California
3.Chicago
4.Lake Chelan


Four blogs I read regularly:
I read everyone's blogs that I have listed as a favorite on mine - honestly I do.


Four of my favorite foods:
1.Mexican (especially Baja Fresh, but I'm a sucker for any type of Mexican)
2.BBQ Chicken salad (me too Jenny!)
3.Bread and butter
4.Waffles with syrup of course


Four places I would rather be right now:
1.On a vacation with just my husband
2.laying out by a pool or the beach
3.On the couch reading a good book
4.In my bed watching a movie
(man, I sound like I'm wishing for some lazy days...)


Four friends that I think will respond:
1.Tori
2.Kim
3.Amber
4.Reese
(no pressure girls :)


Four things I look forward to in the next year:
1.Ava learning to sit up, crawl, walk and start to talk
2.Going to California
3.My sister's wedding (although it makes me a little sad too - pure selfishness though Trish, I just like it when you come home...)
4.Stella starting Kindergarten (as scary as it is, I do look forward to her going, learning to read, and coming home and sharing what she did that day)


Now if you read this you have been Tagged!! That's right, you're IT! I can't wait to read about all of your "4 things" on each of your blogs. Come on, you know you want to play!!

Pictures, Pictures, and a few more Pictures....

Were You Listening??

I remember, like it was yesterday, my dad reading to us from this book every night after dinner. At the end of each story there is a set of questions for the "listeners" to answer. The first question is always the same - Were you listening? I can still hear my dad's voice saying those words to us, and I can remember always thinking - uh oh, I hope I get an easy question. After we were grown and out of the house my parents passed on the book to my brother and his family and just the other day the book was passed on to us. My brother had originally looked into getting another copy but soon found out there were no more prints made. So we are handling this book with much love and care (in other words - kids do not touch ;).

Sean was telling Stella and Jonah that we are going to be reading to them after dinner each night. When they were told there was going to be questions to answer after each story Stella couldn't hide her excitement. Her exact words were "oh I LOVE that." I hope that excitement for learning stays with her forever! The first night we were going to start, Sean got called away to an outage for work. So I decided I would read it to them before bed. The first story was, of course, about creation and how God created the world and everything in it. The fact that God created the world must have really stuck with Jonah because last night after Sean read the second story, about God creating man in His image, Jonah still had God creating the world on his mind. Here's a little glimpse of what took place after Sean read...

Sean: Were you listening?

Stella:YES! I was!

Jonah: Yes.

Sean: What was the most wonderful thing God made?

(After the question, Stella raised her hand. Jonah quickly caught on to the raising of the hand, and his instantly went up too)

Sean: Yes Jonah.
Jonah: God made da world (big smile).
Sean: That's right Jonah, but what was the most wonderful thing?
Stella: The flowers? (said in a dream like voice)

It was my turn to pipe up now.

Me: After God made the animals, He made something even more special. What was it?
Stella: He made man!
Sean and Me: That's right, good job Stella!

Sean: Why was this the most wonderful thing God made?

(before Sean finishes the question, Jonah has his hand up)

Jonah: God made da WORLD(another big smile).
Sean: Good Jonah, God did make the world.
Stella: Can I have another hamburger?

Uhhh...OK, moving on. Sean repeats the question and then proceeds to give the answer.

Sean: Why did God make Eve?

Jonah: God made DA WORLD! (the biggest smile yet - seriously it was so cute because he really thought he was getting the right answers)
Sean: Good Jonah. What do you think Stella?
Stella: So man wouldn't be alone.
Sean and Me: Yes, that's right! You were listening!!


What a great mission God has called us to. To raise our children to know and love God and His word.

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Deuteronomy 6:4-7

At times I think it is such a daunting task, but praise the Lord that we have Him to call upon. I hang on to His promises, that when we ask it will be given to us, when we seek we will find and when we knock the door will be open. When I don't feel equipped I'll remember we have the Word of God.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17

I think about this a lot - for my children to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. Especially lately knowing Stella will be starting Kindergarten this fall. I have a feeling Sean and I are going to be on our knees before the Lord a whole lot more with our kids starting school. We'll be praying they hold on to the truths of God's word that we taught them and stand strong for what is right. If someone were to ask me if we do home school, I think I would have to say yes. At our home they will be learning the Bible, they will be learning to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul and strength.

Time For a Change...

Every now and then I get super tired of my hair and I'll go and give it the big chop. Well I'm at one of those moments. I'm ready for a change. I just made an appointment to get it cut next month (happy birthday to me:). But before I do anything I thought I'd take a vote and see what you all think I should do. I went online to InStyle.com, Hollywood hair makeover (thanks to my friend Amber) and messed around for some ideas. Here's the pictures of my inspirations...

Below are the pictures to vote on:

A. The short do
(fyi- the color doesn't come with the cut and I'm thinking this style, but a little longer)

B. Keep what I got, just get a trim
(Jonah had to show his hair too)
Pictures taken by my personal photographers - Stella and Jonah


C. Grow it long and make it straight

(this one is kind of a joke - for those who think I resemble Reese)

Before voting, here are some things to consider:

-I'm not attached to my hair

-I've had short hair before

-I like to able to pull it back (doesn't have to be a pony tail, just away from my face)

-I have thick hair (but I must say I'm shedding like crazy so this could change?!)

-My hair is naturally wavy
-I like low maintenance when it comes to hair

All right, I think that's it. You can place your vote to the right on the top of the screen. I'm looking for honest feedback here and if anyone wants to comment and say why they voted the way they did, I'd love to hear!

Oh, and Sean's vote is cut it!!

O Sun, Sun! Wherefore art though Sun?

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. golden Sun, please shine down on me.
Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. golden Sun, hiding behind the trees.
These little children are asking you,
Please come out so we can play with you.
Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. golden Sun, please shine down on me!

Today's forecast: cold, windy and a chance of snow.
What?! Snow in April?! No thank you.

No more gray, dreary days...
I'm ready for the warmth of the sunshine...
No more sweeping up the mess in front of our fireplace...
I'm ready for the endless fire to be put out...
No more zipping up coats and sweatshirts...
I'm ready to put the winter clothes away...

Let's hear it for tank tops and flip flops...
Yes to sunscreen and bleached out hair...
I'm ready for lazy days by the pond...

Yes please, I'm ready for the SUN!

Ava aka The Turtle Baby...

Middle of the night ramblings...

Ava's crying. I look at the clock. It's 3am! Oh no she doesn't, I am not getting her up right now. Ava continues to cry and now I hear a thumping sound. I look at the clock again. It's now 3:30am. Oh fine, I'll go check on her. I look in her crib. There she is on her back, she rolled over! You little stinker. I feed her and put her back to bed on her tummy. I go back downstairs to my bed and say out loud (which I thought I was saying to myself because Sean seemed to be in a deep slumber), "Ava rolled over to her back." What's that??... Sean's saying something....in a half asleep voice I hear him say... "was she like a turtle?" zzzzzzzzzzzz snore, snore... and he's asleep again. Funny guy, that was exactly what she was like.

Ava, the little turtle baby. She rolls over and then she can't roll back. So far she's rolled over 3 times, and I have yet to actually witness the event happening. All of the "rollings" have been from her tummy to her back. She has done it once during a nap and boy was she mad. Then the 3am time. Then the last time she did it was in the night also but she wasn't crying, instead she was squealing and having a good ol'time. She acted like it was the funnest thing she ever did - probably because she knew her mama would come and bring the goods. Oh Ava, you sneaky little girl .

It's hard to believe she is 4 months old already. I feel like I just had her (this possibly is due to the fact I still look I did???? - but that's a whole other post...). She had her 4 month check up yesterday. For those of you interested in her stats, here they are:

95th % for height @ 26inches
75th % for weight @ 15lbs

Ava is such a sweet baby. She loves to be talked to and will smile easily to any and all faces that she comes across. For the most part she got a clean bill of health from her doctor, although there is one area of concern. I don't want to jump to any conclusions because we don't know anything yet, but the last month or so I've noticed her eyes wiggle. I asked her doctor about it yesterday and she recommended I take her to a pediatric ophthalmologist. I made an appointment today and I'll be taking her in next month on the 19th. I'm on the hunt for some baby sunglasses now because they are going to have to dilate her eyes at the appointment and she'll have to wear them for a few hours. I'm trying not to worry because I know the Lord is already there at that appointment. So to my family and friends, please pray with Sean and I for our baby girl. For wisdom for the doctor to be able to diagnose the problem, for comfort for Ava because I can imagine an eye exam for a 4 month old baby isn't going to be fun, and just for peace of mind for us, that we'll trust the Lord is in control and that this is His will.

"Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7

Spring Break with the Family

Grandpa and Grandma had a full house! many shoes = many feet

Steve, Kelli and their family were here and Tricia came home for the week too. I love it when my sisters come visit and I hate it when they have to leave. The only ones we were missing were Darrin, Janet, Andrew and Austin (and we did miss you guys). Otherwise the whole gang was here.

Wedding stuff

Here's us girls working hard at writing addresses on the envelopes. Minus the 5o + mess-ups, they turned out really pretty. On the actual invitation we did embossing which turned out so neat. I had never done that before and I loved the finished product. I can't wait for Tricia's wedding, it is going to be so beautiful! Only 3 more months!

Polly Pocket mania!

Each morning Ashlin, Alaina and Addison would come over to our house. Addison would shoot some hoops with Jonah and then they would head down together to Grandma's. Ashlin, Alaina and Stella would stay and play polly pockets for a couple hours. Stella was in heaven. To be able to play polly pockets with her cousins was so great! I love it when my nieces and nephews are here. Each one of them is so good with my kids. It is so nice for me, the mom, to have a little break and know that Stella, Jonah and even Ava, are in good hands with their cousins.

Goin' on an adventure!

All of the kids made a fort back in the woods. It brought back so many memories of when I used to do that. Alaina and Ashlin even made chairs out of some scrap wood that Grandpa had laying around. They had fun out there and even got to spy on the crazy neighbor with the llamas.

Hide and seek!

1,2,5,10,21,16...

Here's Addison and Jonah counting. It was their turn to find the girls. I had to take a picture because it was so cute. Jonah calls Addison his "big friend." Jonah will ask me "mom do you want me stay a baby?" and I'll tell him yes because I don't want him to grow up. And Jonah will say "mom... I have to get bigger so I can play basketball like Addison." Jonah loves Addison, and I'm pretty sure he told him that on a regular basis while he was here.

An Evening at the Beach

Last night we went for a family drive. It was such a beautiful day we decided to venture out to the beach after dinner and then head out to the whale watching park to watch the sunset. On the drive we heard a lot of this...

"are we there yet?"
"boy mom this is a long drive!"
"where are we going?"
"do we have anything to drink?"
"waaaaa waaaaa"
"I'm so thirsty!"
"mom Jonah hit me"

Boy does that little chatter make me excited for our drive down to California in a few months or what?! ;) Keep in mind the drive to the beach was probably a good 10 minutes tops. Whereas the drive to California, we're looking at 21 hours. Oh I can't wait! Never-the-less, the kids had fun. Jonah had free reign to throw rocks as high, as far and as hard as he could. Stella loved the makeshift teeter totter and Ava just kicked it in her car seat. On the drive out to watch the sunset Sean had a great idea to get a little treat to enjoy while we were there. So we headed to town and got ourselves some milkshakes. It took a little while to get them and we all had them sucked down to nothing before we even got to the park. We ended up missing the sunset, but hey, the milkshakes were great! Looking forward to more nights like that one!