I have Super Mommy Powers!!!

I baby sat the Martin's little boy Tanner yesterday.  He was unhappy if he wasn't in the sling and of course my little man wanted to be held as well.   The solution I found was to use both slings at one time.  It actually worked pretty well, and resulted in two happy babies ... until Tanner got tired. :-)  I have to point out that our friend Jon thought that Evan looked like Tarzan in the sling.   I can see it, check out those pecks! 

Now I would like to pose a question to y'all.  Which baby would you say is ready for a hair cut?Justin thinks that it is Evan.  Seriously he thinks that our bald baby needs a haircut!!     

We "Had a Great Day"

Justin and I before the concert

Daughtry was the opening act

Bon Jovi is HOT!!!

So going to any other concert is completely ruined for us!  The Bon Jovi concert yesterday blew EVERY other concert that we have attended out of the water (and we have been to a few).   I didn't know that anyone could perform the way he did.   We were are at loss for words to describe how great an experience this concert was, and that is not because we are still horse from screaming and yelling so much during the performance.  If you ever have the opportunity to go see this group perform live ... DO IT!!!!!!!  You will not be disappointed.  This was the BEST christmas present ever!!  Thank you Justin!   

Happy Birthday Millie

The Birthday Girl enjoying her cupcake!
Have we ever mentioned how great Florida weather is??  Well ... it's perfect!
Loved the bubble machine (I know my face is covered ... oh well)
Is this not the cutest thing ever???  Sahara and Joseph are such good friends (with benefits :-)
We had to add this cute picture of Evan.  I love his outfit, regardless of whether Justin thinks it looks "gay" or not.  

Today we went to Millie's 1st birthday party.  Our friend Lacy has been preparing for this momentous event for a while now, and we do have to say that it was a huge success!  Their backyard was like a small amusement park for all of the kids in attendance.  The weather couldn't have worked out better for the event either.  The sun was shining and it was very warm.  Evan spent almost the entire time in the pool ... loving it.  Congratulations Lacy, we all had a great time!  Happy Birthday Millie!!

42nd Street

My sexy Meredith did such a great job as one of the leads.
Bit and Catherine were the voices of the chorus ... they were amazing! 
Ashley (is the wig not incredible?), Thomas (one of the leads), and Maren (another of the incredible chorus vocals)
My sweet Chandlar (chorus vocals)
Britney, Irene (my date), and Ashley.  Britney and Ashley are two of my girls that have "grown up" and are in college.  I love it when we get to see them again.  

For my church calling I have served in the Youth Group for the past three years.  I LOVE my calling!  Our kids are blessed with incredible talent and I had the opportunity to go on a date with Irene to see their play 42nd Street.  It was amazing.  This school puts on college level performances (seriously).  As a professional musician I tend to be critical of the typical high school performance, but I have yet to be disappointed by these kids.  I have grown to love them so much and I start to cry anytime that I think about leaving them when I move to Canada.  I really have been blessed to serve with them.  I couldn't be more proud!!  

Update on our Cardinals

Well the eggs hatched yesterday. We loved seeing the brand new Cardinal babies (they were sooo little). Unfortunately there were only 2 babies in the nest. I figured one of the three died and the parents moved the body. We went to check on them today and the nest was completely empty. We searched for bodies, but found no trace of them. Whats even more confusing is that the nest is completely unharmed. Daddy Cardinal is still hanging around, but I haven't seen Mom all day. I really was hoping that the parents were able to move the babies, but after researching a little more I don't think that is possible and we fear that the worst may have happend. It was a very sad day for us. We were so looking forward to watching this family grow and having their beauty around us.

It Finally Happened

I knew this day would come eventually, and I LOVE that it did!!!  For a while Evan has been a little obsessed with toilet paper, but never actually figured out how to unroll it.  After we went for our run today I took a shower and during that time Evan found some entertainment.  Look at this face . . . he was definitely proud of himself!  Could he be any cuter???!!!!    

I love my movie mom character

The best part about this test result is that Maria is one of my very favorite characters in that movie, which I adore. Justin didn't like that I am actually the one that wears the pants ... oh well!

Which Movie Mom Are You?

My Result: My Big Fat Greek Wedding's Maria Portokalos

Maria Portokalos may not have been the focus of the movie, but that's the only way she would have had it. You, like Maria, are the backbone of your family, but you do it without ever wanting to be the center of attention. You know what we're talking about — your kids always seek out your well-thought-out and sincere advice, and your husband knows who really wears the pants in your house.


You consider motherhood a delicate balancing act — you're strong and tough when necessary, but it's tempered with love and respect. Fiercely loyal, you always act with your family's best interest at heart. And that's just the way you want it.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=moviemomogt&c=50652

The Beauties of this Earth

We're having babies!!!!  I have seen a gorgeous red bird building a nest in the bushes in our front yard, and this morning I went to see if there were eggs yet.  I am so excited for the eggs to hatch, it is such a beautiful thing to see God's hand in the continuation of life.  I love this earth, and I feel so blessed to be here and witness even the smallest of miracles.

This one is for you Lacy

Well, I thought that it would be a good time to make my first blog post. This is Justin and I wanted to tell you all about this really awesome "mancation" we had last week. Five men got in a truck, watched Nacho Libre and laughed our way down to Tampa to spend a day at Busch Gardens. We have been to this amusement park many times and we started with the goal to beat our last record of 27 rides in one day. We were not victorious but the day was pretty awesome none the less. Here are some of highlights:

-Jon not puking (thank you Dramamine)

-Ugly lesbians groping each other in line for the water ride.

About to get wet, aren't we scared?

-Riding the scariest ride of my life (the Sheikra) 8 times This is a view from the top, 200 feet in the air and we think that we are going to die

Take the virtual tour of the Sheikra here

-Quoting Nacho Libre all day (I have had diarrehas since last Easters)

-Great food (McDonalds breakfast, overpriced park BBQ, funnel cake, etc)

-Large bird pooping on Jon's back while we ate our funnel cake.

Yes, that is bird poop

-Almost beating our record (we got to 25 rides this time).

Before the ride started
After the ride started (where did my hair go?)

-Watching the men's NCAA b-ball championship (I miss the gators being in the championship)

-Forming a bond of friendship with the other men that will last forever and ever while at the same time strengthening our love for our wives. (This one is for you Lacy)

Evan's Theme Song

What's Your Baby's Theme Song?

My Result: If You're Happy and You Know It

Your baby's theme song is jolly and spirited — a perfect match for your cheerful, social babe who more than likely smiles at strangers, hugs and kisses other little ones, and chatters throughout the day. Your pride and joy really knows how to connect with the world around them, and you're probably surprised by how much attention they always get from adults and kids they meet at the park or playground.


Your lively little one is probably very expressive, even if it's mostly with their face and hands or their own little sounds. Even though they've got a language all their own, it's easy to tell how they're feeling. Like their song says, their face will surely show it.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=babythemesongogt&c=50652

Well, I just did one of the tickle tests to see what Evan's theme song would be. I am going to have to start singing this one to him now. If it is going to be his theme song he might as well know the song. What is your child's song?

A Good Day!!

Alright, so Justin told me that I should write a blog about my Bells Palsy, but I didn't because it was hard for me to sit and talk/write about it.  About 2 weeks ago I sat down to practice my oboe and half of my face would not grip the instrument.  The long and short of it is that I spent the day in the E.R. crying and totally freaking out the doctors.  They diagnosed me with Bells Palsy, which is a temporary weakening/paralysis of one half of your face.   Since then I have come to terms with it and tried my very hardest to relax so that I can get better.  That brings me to the good news ... I played my oboe for 20 minutes today!!!  Now 20 minutes is nothing to sniff at under normal circumstances, but when dealing with facial paralysis it is GREAT news.  I am so glad that I listened to my body and started the medicine when I did.  I really believe that is the reason that I didn't get worse and the reason that I have improved so quickly.  I had to share my good news!!   

Twilight

My friend Irene posted these video clips about the production of the Twilight movie. For those of you who know me you also know my love affair with this series. I will forever be indebted to my sister-in-law Chelsea for introducing me to Edward. I have spread the love with so many people. Men and women love this series and I would recommend it to anyone who needs to be lost in a good story. I cannot wait for this movie to come out and for the fourth book to be released this fall. Enjoy.

MTV News - on the set of Twilight. "I don't know, they've got brooms."

http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1585325&vid=224215

ET Online - behind the scenes of Twilight:

http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/04/60435/index.html

We love Florida

Sorry these pictures are out of order for the day, but you get the idea.  

The boys were chaffed.
At the end of the day, Evan did not enjoy rinsing off the salt and sand.  
Irene and Kira
Our happy little family
Look at that smile.  
My boys!
I found this star fish in the water . . . and it was alive! 
Nap time
LOVE this picture!!!

It is true! We love Florida. Growing up in San Diego I am a beach girl by heart. I love being on the sand and listening to the waves crash. It was the fist time that we were able to go to the beach since Labor Day. The weather has been warming up here in Florida and I have been itching to go. We went with the Da Costa's and it was a perfect day.

My Joy

I am sitting here with my son asleep in the other room and I am overwhelmed by a feeling of gratitude for my life. Evan is growing so much everyday, and I am so blessed to be his mom. I would describe Evan as my little ball of sunshine! He is becoming more and more aware of his surroundings. He will just look up at me and smile, or laugh. He wants to be with me and I love that. He cries for me when I am gone. I am just so blessed to have him in my life!

Friends and Babies

Lacy, Irene, new mom Natasha, and me
Alexander William King
Irene, new mom Lindsey, me (Lacy is out with the kids)
Riley Marie Harding

So yesterday was intense!!!  A bunch of us friends had plans to hang out for most of the day to go shopping and just relax.  We knew our good friend Natasha had been in labor for about 2 days and we were getting regular updates on her progress.  Right as Irene, Lacy, and I were ready to leave for our morning run we received the call that she had given birth to Alexander William King (8lb. 4ounces).  We hung up the phone and 30 seconds later got the call from our other friend, Lindsey, that she was registering right then to have an emergency C-section!!  She wasn't due for a month!  We went for our run, awaiting details for both friends.  We got back, miraculously found a babysitter for all of our children, went to the store for flowers, went to the hospital to see Natasha.  Went back to rescue the babysitter and take her to her riding lessons.  Got the phone call about Lindsey (Riley Marie Harding 6lbs. 6ounces), met back at the hospital (with the children), visited Lindsey and played switch off babysitter with Lacy.  Then we headed back to Lacy's house with an extra kid (I was babysitting my friends girl) and stayed there until shortly before our men got back from Busch Gardens.  Needless to say it was QUITE an eventful day, but I am sooo happy for both the Kings and Hardings.  Both babies are healthy and we love you all!!!!

Our Day at Cedar Key

Alicia, Lacy, Me

My cutie pie, eating the sand
Evan LOVED the sea gulls
We are so blessed to live so close to so many neat places here in North Florida.  Cedar Key is located about 50 miles from Gainesville and is a quaint little town that hasn't been changed too much with any tourism.  Two of my good girl friends (Lacy and Alycia) invited me to go to the park with them and their children.  It was so much fun.  The park is really nice and it is located next to a small beach and a grassy area.  Evan, as usual, loved the swings and playing with his friends.  We had a good time being a boy and getting dirty in the sand and playing in the ocean water.  Evan was hanging out in the waves and all of a sudden a HUGE horseshoe crab came up right under his face.  It didn't scare Evan at all, but it sure did scare me!  We started to look down the beach and saw a ton of the animals and noticed that they were all mating.  It was very fascinating to see so many on the beach.  The day was perfect, thank you girls for the time, I loved being with y'all.