it takes my breath away

It's 8:15am, we're almost to the spot of drop off.  I hear the first bell ring.  A quick hug, and "I love you" and "have a great day, Bub, I'll see you after school" and she's out the door.  I sit in the car and watch her; just for second because there is a line of cars behind me.  I see her pink backpack bouncing.  She's got a little skip in her walk.  I start to drive away slowly because I know it's coming; that one last wave and smile.  "Jonah and Ava, wave to Stella"  She glances over one last time and gives us a big wave and smile.  And then it happens, I feel like I can't breathe and my eyes well up in tears.  It doesn't happen every morning, but when it does I just want to run in after her and give her one last hug and tell her "Stella, stop growing up! You are just right the way you are." 

She's growing up so fast.  It takes my breath away.

cute girl. cute headband.

The girl isn't for sale, but the possibility of a cute headband and many other CUTE hair accessories are.  

Here's where you can find them...

little lesiw etsy shop 

little lesiw blog 

or

little lesiw facebook page 

Go ahead and check them out.  Be a fan.  It's the nice thing to do. :)

a busy blog

Apparently, The Pioneer Woman added the link to my blog on her site.  She asked on facebook, for those who blogged about her Seattle trip, to share their links.  Silly me, I thought it was just so she could see.  Little did I know it would be on her website for the whole world to see!  I found out yesterday morning when I noticed I was getting a new visitor to my blog, literally, every 10 seconds!   All coming from P-dub's site.  Welcome visitors!  Some of you even left a comment.  That's sweet of you.  Everyone loves comments. :)

Anyway...I thought I might as well embrace the plethora of visitors and ask for your prayers for a very dear family.

photos by Niccole W Photography 

Steve, Vikki, Jake, Luke and Tori

I saw this photo on facebook yesterday and I cried.  Friends and family of theirs brought down fresh snow for Luke.  The outpouring of love they are receiving is just a testimony to who these people are.  They are loved deeply.  After seeing this photo, I was compelled to ask for prayer from my friends and family for Luke and his whole family.  I believe, with all my heart, in the power of prayer.  

James 5:16 "...The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." 

Luke has beat cancer twice, but it's back and we're praying for a miracle.  I don't know if I've ever met a stronger little boy, or two more courageous parents.  Their faith through all of this has been amazing and unwavering and brings you to your knees.  Right now they are hanging on to the hope they have in Christ.  They know, whatever the outcome, that His will will be done, and they trust that His strength will get them through.  Pray for Luke, that he'll be free from pain, and that he'll continue to feel the Lord's presence and be able to enjoy these precious moments with his family and those who love him.

You can read more of Luke's story here,  on his CaringBridge site.  

Thanks for praying.

P-Dub

Yep, I met her last night.  I really did.  The Pioneer Woman!  I know!!  It was awesome.

Here's Amber and I waiting in line (please excuse my hair, it struggled).  We were in group A and we were very close to the front.  I was nervous and excited, and a little red in the face.  It was hot in there.  I was starting to sweat.  And by the looks of this picture I was getting puffy in the face...oh wait, that could be because I ate a couple of PW's mocha brownies the night before. :)

It was my turn!!  I gave her a card.  In the card I asked her to come visit my blog and "sign" it.  She's a busy lady, I'll understand if she doesn't.  And shoot, seeing that I was the sweaty, puffy, red faced girl, she might not want to look at me again.  But, she did tell me she liked my sweater.  Two times. :)

Here I'm telling her the book is for my mom, because as you remember my sweet friend, Kirra already got me a signed copy of the book.  Which I love and treasure, and  I make lots of yummy things that make my bottom good and big. ;)  She also asked where I was from.  She seriously was so sweet and beautiful and I really wished I could have just sat and talked with her.  Because, I mean, I am her #1 fan. :)

It went by so fast.  I really wanted to go back through the line again after we were done.  There were so many things I forgot to tell her like; how I love her even though her recipes make my face puffy and my bottom big. ;)

It was so fun.  I would do it again in a heartbeat!  

date night

a photoshoot thanks to my darling Stella +  just me and the man I love  +  sunshine  +  Sean eating my dinner because it wasn't my favorite and me eating his dinner because his was tasty  =  a good time

Easter

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"  Luke 24:1-8

Ava with her little buddy, Finn

I hope you all had a blessed Easter and remembered, unlike my children, that it's not about candy inside plastic eggs. :)

our week in california

First stop - a junky beautiful hotel in Roseburg, Oregon.

The kids didn't mind the junky-ness or the mildew on the shower curtain.  Stella told me, "mom it's beautiful here, don't you think?"  I told her it'll do for the night, but in my mind I'm thinking - please oh please let there be no bed bugs here.  

3 little monkeys in the "beautiful" bed.

Second stop - Aunt Tricia and Uncle Koby's house!

We stayed with my sister for the first half of the week and soaked up every last second of that sweet baby, Caleb.  Oh man, he was sweet.  I love everything about newborn babies.  He was perfect.  I didn't even hear him cry during the night.  Did he cry, Trish?  I doubt it.  He was too sweet to cry. :)

Caleb with his crazy cousins

Getting all lotion-ed up after his bath.

Caleb loved Ava's kisses, you can just see it in his face.

Stella got her ears pierced on the trip.  We went for a walk along the paseos one morning and ended up at Valencia Town Center.  I asked Stella if she wanted to run in and get her ears pierced and of course she said yes.  It was a late birthday present for her.  She did great and didn't even shed a tear.  I was so proud.  She just keeps growing up.

We saw our shadows!  It's a beautiful thing, that sunshine.  I was thankful it shined every day we were there.  We put on shorts and bared our white legs.  It was awesome.

Sean tried out a rip-stick.  Yep, I like the looks of him.

The kids had fun playing in the pool, the spa and playing with the dog, Duke (or Doot, as Ava called him).

Third stop - Papa and Nana's house!

We played a lot of Wii.  I whooped up on Sean and knocked him out.  I had a sore arm the next day to prove it. 

The Bateman family came to visit!  We love spending time with this special family.  I think they should move to Washington.  I'm just saying. :)  The kids all get along so great and us adults get along pretty good, too.

The kids decided to play a friendly game of freeze tag a.k.a. tunnel tag.  The dads thought they would go and "help" the kids out.  Who do they think they're kidding??  They're the biggest kids out there.

It was a great trip!

to california and back again

21 hour drive
bug splattered windshield
a menu so simple you can never go wrong
pirates booty. a lot of pirates booty. i'm still finding pirates booty...
100 miles and the cows, letting us know we're getting close

more of our trip coming soon...