Unexpected Bliss.

There's an old saying that "cleanliness is next to godliness," and I believe it! For about 10 minutes this evening it was more like "attempting cleanliness feels like heavenness!" Somehow the stars aligned at just the right moment, and the entire family was happily (at least I didn't hear any grumbling, so I'm assuming everyone was happy) cleaning up: Billy was washing a sink full of dinner dishes, I was folding a 6-load mountain of laundry, Billy E was organizing his closet, Seth was "hunting for crumbs" with the vacuum, and Grace was... quiet (not sure what she was up to)! Why was it such a great moment for me? Perhaps it was because it hearkened back to my highschool and college housecleaning days- when I got cash for transforming a messy house into a haven. Maybe it was the relief, albeit brief, of knowing that I wasn't alone in the black hole of domesticity and chores. But I think it was the fact that we were all working together to bless our little home. Whatever it was for everyone else, it was my bliss for the day!

Let the practical jokes begin!

Does anything look odd about this chest of drawers?
This was Seth's handiwork while Billy was at school today. And when I asked him about the missing knobs, he just snickered and said "I'm playing a trick on Billy!" I wonder what Billy will think up as payback? Aren't younger siblings fun?!

Best years of my life!

What a great day we had at the beach today! It started out when we discovered that the high would be in the low 80's (yep, in January) So we dusted off the beach gear and headed to Carpinteria State Beach. As I was unloading the kids and gear, an older lady sat in the car parked beside us, watching. Her window was down and we started to chat. Her comments stuck with me all day, enhancing it and prodding me to BE PRESENT! "These will be the best years of your life!" she said, with a reminiscent smile. Ahhh, the best!

Second Bath Anyone?

Hey, who wants to take another bath? Wait, why are my jam-jams all wet?

cousins are cool.

We had a great time meeting up with Peyton, Tatum and Nate at a park in Thousand Oaks. The kids absolutely LoVe thier cousins... too bad we don't live closer!

Look who's riding a bike!

Seth's
a bike
rider
now!






Seth's bike disappeared for a few days and when we found it, it had been stripped of the chain guard, pads, and training wheels. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Billy took the peddles off so Seth could practice balancing... and then put them on again... and he rode! It's so fun to watch a child learn something new and to witness that proud feeling of accomplishment wash over their face. Good job Sethy!

She's all grown up

Gracie turned one on September 6th!!! Where did the time go? This has been an emotional month with 2 birthdays and school starting- phew! All of a sudden Grace seems like such a "big girl"-- dancing to music, waving to everyone that passes by, and babbling as if she's talking in full sentences. She has so much love to give and is constantly giving hugs, complete with lots of pat, pat, pats on the back.





The other day we strolled down the toy isle at a store and as soon as she spotted the dolls, she would not stop reaching out and grunting for them. I was shocked to see how she immediately cuddled one up into her arms. Wow, that maternal instinct is definitely alive! Thanks to Grammie & Grandmother for the dolls on her birthday!


























Check out the pigtails (it's a first for her, and for me... this girl thing is fun!) and the shirt she wore to Billy's bike party (it says "I do all my own stunts").



















And here's an example of the stunts she tries to pull when I'm not looking...