The Ellis Trellis

Our Christmas Letter

2010-12-25T19:22:00.000-08:00

December 25, 2010

Dear friends and family,

At this point in my life, I can barely remember what happened last week. So thinking about the whole year in review is a little daunting. We'll see how I do.

This has been a big year for Susannah (9, 4th grade). Nothing "big" per se, but a real understanding has come over Brandon and I, that childhood really does go fast! She is becoming a young lady, and has a reputation for common sense, helpfulness, respect and hard work that is wonderful to behold. At school she loves math particularly, is continuing to grow in her Spanish abilities, and is involved in an after school community service club. On the sports front, Susannah played basketball and softball and did summer swim team. She loves sleepovers with friends, playing Monopoly, is in demand as a "mother's helper," making potholders, and is involved in all kinds of things at church. The youngest child in me sometimes does not understand the first child in her, but we are working on it!

Abigael (7, 2nd grade) is the energy of the house! She is an extremely sensitive and passionate person, and goes after whatever it is with all of her being! She loves reading, art, God and cartwheeling everywhere. I really do not know how she sits still at school. Abbey has moved up to 2 hours a week of gymnastics, and is doing swim team even through the winter. She has the body of a greyhound, and is making a name for herself in both gymnastics and swimming, and at whatever sport she tries her hand at. She is challenging to contain, and all her activities are a futile attempt to use up her energy. The most recent development is that we will be adopting a puppy/dog that will surely become Abbey's best playmate. This follows years of begging...

Jesse (newly 5) started Kindergarten this year. I went back and forth with my nerves about sending a then 4 year old, but my nerves prevailed. Jesse has thrived, and LOVED every minute of it. He is apparently the model student, despite the dubious honor of being the first of our kids to lose recess one day! He is picking up Spanish quicker than you could believe, and is now reading. I love kids growing up! Jess did soccer this year, learned to ride his bike this summer, learned how to surface dive, keep up with his fish-sisters, and loves AWANA at church. He is popular, handsome and very capable of dealing with his sisters. Jess has a tendency to be shy, needs alone time and is slightly pouty. I regularly tap into my husbands vast experience in dealing with this personality trait.

And then there's Mag. Magdelena (2.5 years) has many of the stereotypical last born traits. But you can leave out the part about wanting to be the coddled baby! She is a force to be reckoned with, is deliberate, watchful, intense, loving, charming and funny. She spent most of the year not speaking much, though still communicating to be sure. Of course I worried about it, but now would give my right arm to relive those quiet moments. Maggie is weaned, potty trained, learned to swim, sleep in a big bed and started preschool (which she LOVES). She does succeed in keeping up with everyone, as well as wearing the most interesting ensembles and loving her Music Together classes. We are thankful she was not our first child, and are learning to really appreciate her self confidence! Look out world.

Brandon's world is pretty similar to last year. He still works at Sanger High, loves fantasy football, plays volleyball on Tuesdays. He works hard, relaxes hard and makes family time a priority. The kids love walking on his back, helping him with the yard chores, getting up on the roof with him to put up the Christmas lights, riding the city bus etc. etc.

My world is a ditto as well. Saying goodbye to the baby stage was not sad for me, but has still taken some adjustment. Doing kindergarten pick up in the middle of the day as well as at 2 o clock is pretty much for the birds. However, I do get a lot of life from doing the childbirth education/labor assisting I do with birthing families and sewing and fun creative projects around the house. I started working at AWANA at Church and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have a couple hours without kids when Mag is at preschool and it gives me a taste of what might be to come. I have found a little group of fun ladies in my neighborhood that I walk with and am enjoying our meetings of the "Sunnyside Ladies Jigsaw Club." I also have a couple of new and exciting possibilities for the new year. I am eager to see what's in store.

As a family, we've enjoyed trips to Monterey, the Bay Area, Redding, Yosemite, and lots of surrounding areas. It feels good to get away and have some perspective. We camped quite a bit this summer, and it is getting slowly-but-surely easier! Our church has experienced some tragedy this year but we are enjoying being connected to a House Church at our home, and getting involved in different ways. We started playing tennis as a family this fall, and despite it looking like a circus, we are loving it. Life is definitely full and bursting. We struggle to keep up the house, find everyone's shoes and return phone calls promptly, but we feel incredibly blessed.

We hope you have had a peaceful and blessed year. Thanks so much for loving us. We value your friendship and support, and love hearing from you. Come see us if you are in town, and we will endeavor to do the same!

With love,

Sarah, for the Ellis family

Best of Both Worlds at Shutterfly

2010-11-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

Every Christmas it comes time to think about sending Christmas cards out. I always like to think that I am just going to send an e-mail, and call it good. But then I am slightly eclectic, and sometimes even old fashioned. I still love going to get the mail even as an adult. So it never seems good enough to just shoot an e-mail off. The second part of my conundrum is whether to write a Christmas letter. I agonize over it, don’t want to sound too “our life is perfect,” or on the other hand “everything is terrible, please feel sorry for us!” I put it off, admire others lovely, artistic and perfect letters, and then at the end do a mad dash to put one together, and that is never quite right. Between finding the right picture, and the right amount of information divulged in my letter, I am never quite satisfied. This year, I am so excited. It’s the first day of November and I found that Shutterfly has the perfect solution. It’s a picture card that has the picture opening (obviously!), and a top 10 in 2010 list on the side. Enough room for the highlights of our year, and our wonderful family picture. I seriously couldn’t be happier. They’ve made it easier than ever.

Here’s a link to my favorite:

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/love-2010-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479

You can look for your own perfect card that meets your needs and specifications you can find it here: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

or some holiday cards here: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

One of the main parts of my Christmas shipping usually includes photo calendars for the grandparents. You can some proud grandparents gifts checked off your list quickly and happily here: http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars

Happy Christmas Card Shopping to you all!

Summer

2010-07-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

We have had a great summer so far. It seems like we have had a lot of relaxing around the house, but also a lot of adventures. These have included: ridiculously long swim meets, a trip to see my parents, the circus, Hume Lake, sleepovers with Grammy, art camp, potty training, lots and lots and lots of swimming at home, church activities and so much more. Here are a few pictures.

Abbey, where she loves to be most. A rare sighting above water.
Love this.
10.5 years later!
Jess is spinning!
Look at those eyes!

I really do love being home now. When I first became a mom, and when my older kids were toddlers, i was desperate to be out of the house. Now, my perfect day would be staying in. I have a number of things around the house on my list-to-be-done-before-school-starts. We'll see where I get with those.

Learning to swim

2010-06-15T07:37:00.001-07:00

Having my children learn to swim early is important to me because it teaches self belief, self confidence, the ability of one's body, physical work and co-ordination. Every other year in our family, someone learns to swim. It's a rite of passage around here. It's so exciting for the others, that now the newest swimmer can also be privy to the world of summer fun. This year it was Maggie's turn. Newly 2 with the confidence of a 6 year old, she jumped right into it. Here are some pictures of her lessons.

Women to learn from

2010-06-15T07:12:00.001-07:00

The end of the school year is always an emotional time for me. I know, I don't even go to school anymore. But good byes are hard for me. I've said so many permanent ones: to the land I grew up in, to my grandparents every other summer before I travelled back across the Atlantic; to the my childhood friends. This year was particularly hard for me. Not really sure why. I do love my kids getting older and more independent, but there is a part of their childhood that I say good bye to with each school year ending. They had wonderful teachers this year. I would count each of those women as wonderful teachers, and also friends. Not only have their teachers poured into the lives of Susannah, Abbey and Jess. I feel they have poured into mine with their wisdom, style, and their presence.

Jesse with his preschool teachers

Abbey and her first grade teacher

Susannah and her 3rd grade teacher

Long overdue.

2010-04-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I keep saying this, but here I am trying to updae this more often. I often say I want to, but I have this perfectionist part of me that says if I can't write about everything, I am not going to write about anything. I am working on it.

My baby girl turned 2 this last week. Crazy. It is weird to have a 2 year old with no one else on the way. Her birthday brings up a lot for me as far as remembering her birth, and specifically the time leading up to her birth...being overdue.

Other than that there are a lot of ordinary days around here. Most of them involve large amounts of driving here and there, lots of food being made and consumed, large amounts of time pondering what's important, to me and for my kids. Books are pretty important for me and the kids. I spend large portions of time with my therapist friend, the sewing machine. Also, spending time talking, texting or "fac*booking" with friends is a highlight on this privileged journey.

Jesse is registered for Kindergarten. He is playing soccer and had a star game as Goalie today.

Abbey is transitioning into the thought of being 7. She loves her gymnastics and does more monkey bars than you could imagine. Her hands tell their story.

Susannah is growing into a young lady, and I am trying to be ok with that. I am ok with that, but I am learning not to squelch the delicate wings that are eager to unfurl. I am learning.

Learning is probably the common thread around here...tonight I am going to learn to go to bed.

Our Christmas Update!

2009-12-11T15:07:00.000-08:00

Seasons are changing. This time of year I feel like Thanksgiving is hardly over and Christmas is in full swing. The weather turns from semi-warm to California cold in the space of a couple of days. Sometimes the seasons change gradually, and other times all at once. I’m holding on to thanksgiving as we anticipate Christmas this year. We have much to be thankful for.

Some of the the seasons that have / are changing for us this year include:

A new home, with lots of space inside and out. Perfect for our famiy to grow up in.

No more babies on the way. We are loving concentrating on watching the children grow up before our very eyes. Brandon pointed out that I have said that about every one of them this week. And it’s true!

Next week Brandon and I will finish our first decade of being married, and embark on a new one. We have grown together in so many ways in these first 10 years together and are excited to see what is in store in the years to come.

As for the rest of the updates:

Brandon is still at Sanger High School teaching the same class. He still enjoys volleyball, fantasy football, working on the house. This year he has become more involved in teaching at church on Sunday and mid-week.

I am seeking direction as to what I will be doing in the coming years, as I will have the majority of my kids in school. The kids and house is where I spend much of my energy, but still enjoy my work with pregnant mamas, sewing, decorating and reading.

At Thanksgiving each of the kids each wrote a list of what they are thankful for. I will share them here...they tell themselves well:

Susannah (8 in 3rd grade): God, family, friends, birthday, Christmas, vacations, clothes, autumn and seasons, bed, legs, being alive, grandparents, aunts, cousins, fun things, painting, school, teachers, money, food. I’m glad to be 8.

Abigael (6.5 in 1st grade): I’m thankful for my family, God and Jesus, brother, sisters, class, mama and daddy.

Jesse (newly 4): Jesus, this castle, my mama and daddy, my toes, babies, everything, food and eating, playing games, my sisters, playing soccer, my preschool, turning 4, outer space.

Maggie (20 months - mama and Susannah’s opinion of what Maggie is thankful for): Jesus, family, Susannah, words, baby, nursing, balloons, the learning tower, showers, balloons, markers and music class.

We are very thankful for you, our family and friends. We look forward to connecting with you more in the coming year. May you experience the peace and hope that Christmas brings in the coming year.

Christmas...

2009-12-08T13:17:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the new year, I am going to try my hardest to get back to blogging! Here are a few pictures to tide you over till I get the Christmas update together! Also, we had some professional pictures done, and you can check some of those out at:

http://marianofriginal.com/blog/2009/11/the-ellis-family/

If you live in Fresno, and were walking down Christmas tree lane last week, you might recognize the sleigh. Apparently it was very "cute!" Thanks, Grandpa Dennis!

Back to School

2009-08-18T02:30:00.001-07:00

I know I have lots of summer pictures to post including our 3 camping trips, but here are the most recent photos from "Back to School" Monday at our house...very excited people = a few really cute pix. Enjoy!

Abbey waiting to go into school...she's a first grader now!

Susannah in line too...she's in 3rd grade.

Mug shot!

Can't believe everyone's smiling!

My big kids!

Rhythms of life

2009-07-27T23:45:00.000-07:00

I always think I am going to get "things done" during the summer. No routine, no where to be at specific times.But here I am, a few weeks before the summer is over, and no sign of moving forward on the things that I was going to definitely move forward on. It's not like I have been idle, just not crossing off the expansive list of things that I dream of doing. This summer, for example, I was going to get caught up on memory keeping. Well, we've been making lots of memories. And my hard drive is getting more full of pictures. But nothing has been collated. That's for sure.

We celebrate 2 birthdays in July. We've been camping 2 times...and I finished 2 quilt tops. I guess it's a "2" month. Maybe I'll get 2 scrapbooks done in the last 2 days of July...NOT.

We've hosted our first party at our new house. So nice to start seeing our house become our home. It's lovely. I've been riding around our new neighborhood(s) early in the morning with my little early riser. We're still swimming at least 2x a day. It's the highlight of the day for most of the kids. Serves as a good motivation to get some chores done.

And now, my thoughts turn towards getting some people ready to go back to school. Abbey will experience all day school for the first time. She'll love it. People are needing new shoes, jeans. It gives me such satisfaction to sort, get rid of the old...make space for the growth. Susannah is so ready to go back to school. And Jesse is showing he really does want to go to Kinder next school year. "Mama...what's 6 plus 3...it's 9! Mama, what are lights made out of? What...Why...How!" Yay for expanding and growing minds. I love it.

I am so ingrained in the new school year being a new year. It's amazing how the rhythms of life become so habitual and instinctive. Believe it or not, even the thought of another baby has flashed through my mind since Maggie is at the age where it has become the routine to be with child again...but I digress. In a couple more weeks we'll try hard to get some little ones to go to bed before it gets dark...and get them up earlier than they want (they've been sleeping in till around 9)..and start all over again. We'll be back to the familiar drop off and pick ups...and another year will be underway....

Weekend at the coast

2009-07-05T09:10:00.001-07:00

Going to the coast is one of my favorite ways to get away from real life. Last week we got to go to a wedding there too. It was quite an adventure to find the requisite things that we needed for the trip in a garage full of boxes. But we did...and had a pretty good time at it. The big girls were flower girls in the wedding, so we got to be a part of it all. It was quite a long day following Maggie around as she socialized with everyone and explored every facet of the wedding decorations, food etc. I was beat after it all. But we still had a good time. After almost 10 years of being married, it's fun to see others just embarking on the adventure of marriage. I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned, hopefully the better person I've become and the family God has blessed me with in this marriage. I've gained children, but also been blessed by the in-laws and extended family I have gained. We spent some time at the beach itself before and after the wedding...sand is also always good for the soul!
Just the two of us!
Abbey dancing with the groom
Sisters
Thank goodness for lollipops!
The flower girls with the bride and groom
Baked beans
Cameron Diaz?
Watching in awe at the first dance
The sky is falling
Doing the job
Waiting for the proceedings to start

Walking down the beach with a sleeping babe
Family hands!

A prized whole sand dollar
The fam!
A beach baby

Moving the right direction

2009-06-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

We've been moved for a week and a half now. Brandon's dad and step-mom have been her almost every day working on the walls, or other projects. We are so thankful for all the help we have had in getting to this point. Today the painters finished the painting that had to be suspended due to all the demolition of bathrooms/walls that was happening when they first came almost 3 weeks ago. Tomorrow we will get the settlement check, and we get carpet on Wednesday. I have never been so excited about carpet in my life! Yay! We've been keeping busy outside of the unpacking going on at home. Last week Susannah had "drum camp" which meant we were a 4 person taxi service, and this week is Vacation Bible Blast. We did squeeze in a trip to the zoo, Jesse's soccer, Abbey's gymnastics and my sewing day at church. This weekend is a wedding in the San Luis Obispo area...the big girls are going to be flower girls. Next week, God willing, should be our first taste of normalcy - guess not having places to be isn't really normal. But I am looking forward to it nonetheless. Getting 5 people out the door everyday really does get old sometimes. The pictures are of our adventures, including the pictures of Jesse and Maggie standing on the (approximate) spot of their birth at our "0ld" Pico house!

"this is where I was born"
"this is the house I was born in"

Susannah and her friend Ella playing at their "drum camp" concert

"this is where I was born"
"this is the house I was born at..."
Abbey with my very most favorite Kindergarten teacher ever...we feel so blessed to have started off our school experience with this treasure.
Susannah and some of her best friends at school
Happy un-Birthday Abbey! Joining the likes of her mama, never to get to celebrate birthday at school. She doesn't look too sad does she!
My other "Bills guy!"
Susannah received this certificate of achievement in all academic areas. She also received her perfect attendance certificate - for the whole year. What a healthy (and eager) girl she is!
I love this picture...
the house...with the walls gone on the bottom of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a walk-in closet
here's the culprit. It looks beautiful now complete with the fence

Long time no blog

2009-06-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

The last few months really have got away from me. I am determined to better update...from now. The news is we moved. What a few weeks...with all the end of year stuff for all 3 kids in school, as well as all of Brandon's end of school stuff. Also, I did 3 births in a weekend, taught a weekend class and 3 daytime classes another week. Also did a mother blessing up in Sacramento. All fun things just slightly overwhelming on the cusp of a move. Then Brandon had a test to take, and we moved. All within the space of 3 weeks or so. It has been crazy. Thanks to the help of our dear families, we have survived. It was getting pretty dire for a while though. On top of the normal moving upheaval, 4 rooms of our new house were "flooded" when a workman "accidently" drained the pool water into the septic tank, which in turn came up through the toilets. Thankfully we had painters here who walked in on the disaster...or it could have been much worse. So, we are all 6 in two rooms right now, but enjoying life at our new place nonetheless.

We have been processing the move for quite a while...having given birth to 2 children in that house makes me quite sentimental about it. I made a list of all the milestones that took place within those walls. When I find it, I will share it with you. However, saying good bye to it tonight was not as sad as I thought it would be. We love where we are in our new house. The kids are holding up well. Although being 1 and 3 and moving seems to be a tad traumatic. Especially 1. We are ready to get in some kind of routine again, and I never knew I would be so happy about the prospect of cooking dinner and washing dishes again. (we are still waiting on a stove/oven and the dishwasher!)

So, the summer starts tomorrow. Susannah is going to drum camp. Swimming lessons are on tap. Lots of organizing in our new house...a wedding, 3 camping trips and a few more road trips no doubt. Also looking forward to lots of reading and dare I say sleeping past 6am. We are so thankful for our blessings and the way that this has been so watched over. We are thankful.

Here's a few glimpses of some cute people to leave you with...

Feliz dia de las madres!

2009-05-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

It's been a while! Just means that the current of life is moving me along at a quick pace, and I can't feel my feet on the ground for long! But, I wanted to write an admittedly impersonal note, to wish you, my friends, a very happy Mothers Day. I have learned so much from each one of you, and am so thankful for this journey. I have found you, the companions on this journey, to be full of wisdom, different vantage points, correction, humility and grace. These attributes have combined with the way my children are instruments of change in my life, to truly leave me a changed woman. This is my 8th Mothers Day. I look back on who I was 8 years ago, and see so many differences. This mothering journey is powerfully transformative. I am so thankful for walking beside me.

Flashbacks and Walking

2009-04-08T21:07:00.001-07:00

This time last year I was a week and a bit overdue with my fourth child. It was such a tenuous existence. It was bone-jarringly emotional, physically exhausting and generally not fun to wait. I feel like I am reliving it as I wait for Maggie's 1st birthday. Amazing the things that come back. Every time I write the date I remember that day last year; hoping, praying, pleading that God would have mercy and let me birth this child. As I wait for her birthday this year, I remember all the people who reminded me last year to cherish this time of being pregnant for the last time. I couldn't bring myself to do it much. This year is similar in that sense. I love to watch my children get bigger, gain independence, learn to sleep, learn to read etc. Maggie has been in a not-so-good-sleep phase. I want to be done with sleep issues. But, she is learning to walk. I am trying, in my very-impatient way to cherish this time. The last time I will watch the wobbly, Frankenstein attempts at walking. It's so entertaining to watch. She is SOOOO pleased with herself, I can't help but try to find something to be sooo pleased about with myself. I love it. I love the gleam and glimmer in her eye as she makes it. I'll make it. I'll probably never be fully content, but I will try and cherish.

The Beach

2009-04-08T20:53:00.000-07:00

I must have realized that it was a "break," because I have been falling apart in different ways. One sure way to get things in perspective for me is to drive away. It doesn't even need to be far, but out of the city is best! The beach really is my happy place, but it's not all that happy to get one hotel room for the 6 of us. Never ends up being very relaxing. So we solved the problem by going for the day. It was such a great day. The beach was a little overcast, but sunny. The kids played and explored and were fascinated with all kinds of big and little things. I layed on the blanket, took walks with the kids to the tide pools and generally let go. It was lovely to have a day away from all the "should-do's" at home. Really, we need to do this more often.

More pictures

2009-04-02T19:44:00.001-07:00

going down the path...
eating area in the kitchen
two of my favorite people...
...the green pool!
the back of the house from the east

Moving Pictures

2009-03-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

from the master bedroom into the back
master bath/closet area
bath tub in the kids bathroom
french doors in the livingroom into the back
hallway cabinets
the east end of the "study" area
looking from the entry way into the kitchen and "study"
the cabinets in the living room
looking from the middle of the living room into the entry

the entry way

our family in the front courtyard
from the front
looking down the street to the west
looking down the street to the east
the big girls in the front courtyard

wisdom for the day

2009-03-10T21:21:00.001-07:00

I don't regularly frequent coffee joints, but enjoy some hot chocolate now and again. Today, I noticed "the way I see it" on the cup and had to share. I love it.

"The irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating - in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyrrany of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life."

How apt the advice is for so many areas of life. I find the kids can sense when I haven't "committed" to whatever I am saying. I am saying it but they can sense I am still internally arguing with myself. Mostly, I am posting it on here so I don't have to keep a moldy cup or keep track of a little piece of paper, but I hope you can glean something from it too.

Magdelena Clare

2009-03-10T20:20:00.001-07:00

My sweet baby girl is almost 11 months. She is becoming a person in her own right, and I am celebrating that! Maggie stands on her own now, and is taking a couple steps, if given the right incentives. She is learning to balance and squats and stands back up. This is preciously early for my family genes, and I am very thankful for such a gift! She weighs around 23 pounds and is growing out of her 12-18 month clothes by her length. Maggie does not communicate much yet, besides "mama" but we all seem to know what she wants. She loves the cats, her siblings, splashing in the bath, emptying things, pulling the shoes off the shoe rack, bending the flaps on books, her Music Together class, crawling in the street, going down stairs headfirst and many other endeavours that should not be publicized. We felt very prompted that her name should be Magdelena. It means "protected" and now we know why! We also know she is part of our family because she loves to eat, loves having bare feet, loves playing outside, hates to be tied down (ie. put in clothes or her car seat.) Magdelena smiles at everyone and is now showing off her 4 teeth that she just sprouted. She continues to sleep pretty well...for another mercy, I am thankful.

It has been a full year for me. Daunting, yet full and good; overwhelming yet growth inducing. She was not anticipated, but we can see the completeness she brings. Now and again I get a twinge of sadness that the baby stage is gone forever especially when I see a new baby stretch it's neck like a turtle, but I can honestly say that I am thankful to be able to "move on" (whatever that means!) God has richly blessed me. As the curtain on Magdelena's first year comes down, and the book of my twenties is nearly closed, I am thankful to know that God has it all worked out.

Nothing deep.

2009-03-10T20:03:00.000-07:00

This seems to be the season of nothing deep. I have actually been thinking about a lot of things that are quite "deep," but am having a hard time putting it all into words. So, here goes with my update as it is! We put in an offer on a house that would be PERFECT for our family, but have not heard anything and I am actually not very hopeful about it. Time will tell, and I am feeling very peaceful about it. I got the opportunity to go hear Lisa Whelchel speak this past weekend. It was wonderful to sit for 3+ hours, although the first hour was hard as I am not a good "sitter" anymore. I was inspired in my faith and journey, and am implementing some little improvements in my household. One thing is intentional time learning with the kids after school. It is my tiredest time of the day, but I am convinced that it is good. I used to designate it as my rest time, but I am trying to rest before they come home, and choose a book or quiet activity when they get home. So far, so good. I have actually really enjoyed it. On some level it is more surrender, but like all the other kinds of surrender; I can sense the fertile-ness of the time. My Bible Study on Esther has been choc-ful of amazing depth. Too much to fully digest, but I am loving it and am sad it is almost over. I have learned so much and am seeing ways that I am being changed as a result. I am also reading a book called "Too Small to Ignore," written by the CEO of Compassion International. It is very interesting and I am looking forward to curling up with it later tonight. My "daily walks" are not quite daily, but I am enjoying them in the glow of spring. I am varying where I walk and what I listen to, ie. sometimes myself and God, sometimes music. It helps to keep going and interested. The time change is making it hard to get up in the mornings, but I know we will adjust in due time. I have a number of sewing projects on the go. Too many. I love doing it but it makes me frustrated when I don't have time to achieve my goals on them. Sometimes it's better to have nothing extra, but then, it is boring to have nothing to escape to, since I gave up TV for lent. I have been teaching birth classes and will teach another "Preparing for Homebirth" class this weekend. It is also a fun distraction...This time of year has been very interesting for me. I sooo remember being nine months pregnant this time last year. I was on the home stretch of my 5th pregnancy. My allergies come up in March, clocks changing, thinking about Easter, helping mothers prepare for their births, it all reminds me of preparing to meet Magdelena. And here I am, on the otherside of it, waiting for her to walk, seeing the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel of no sleep etc. Time is a strange thing. I feel like the markers that I have are useful in my journey. They show where I came from and where I am going. I am hopeful.

Life

2009-02-14T21:46:00.000-08:00

Not much new going on here. Feels like we have some things in the works but the perfect timing has not come. I did get to go to my first "birth" since Maggie was born. Can't wait to start really moving in that direction once Maggie is old enough. Such a satisfying experience to learn new things each time and support a family as they move through such a surreal time of awe and growth. We are investigating finding a bigger house. 1400 square feet feels mighty small nowadays, and if there is anyone extra in the house, it makes me want to run away (not from my friends, but from the claustrophobia!) Of course, not a a straightforward process. It never is. I have been sewing some and loving it. I am also reading from time to time. I really get hooked if I start though, so it is slightly dangerous. The kids are...kids. Maggie is working on standing up without holding on. Susannah is watching her progress carefully, and keeps a chart of Maggie's development on her bedroom wall. Probably because she thinks I am not. Surprisingly, I am. Jesse is charming his way into his sister's lives. The charm doesn't work so well with me though. I am pretty tired of it. This 3 year old likes to sneak and find his sister's Nintendo DS - he is amazingly good at both finding it and playing it. Did not get that ability from me. That is for certain. Abbey is reading pretty well now. She is definitely still easy going, but has developed a few habits, both emotionally and physically. Won't embarass her here, but suffice it to say, I'd be happy to say goodbye to them. Susannah loves her Upward basketball, and seems to be pretty happy in general. She loves anything to do with Maggie, and nothing to do with her chores. She also likes inviting her siblings for sleepovers in her room. Fun times, and no sleep is had by all. Myself included. Ok - here are a few photos from my "shoot" the other day...guess I wanted to update everyone. Good night!

This Season

2009-01-27T19:13:00.001-08:00

"You can't amputate your history from your destiny." Beth Moore

The middle of winter is hard for me...although California is rich in sunshine, the cold and relative darkness make me a little under the weather. Add to that, Maggie is having a hard time sleeping, and my life continues at a frenetic pace to keep up with what color plate everyone wants and the next installment of the fight to sit next to the baby in the car. I'm worn out. I bite off more than I can chew everyday. I used to feel like I could get a lot done. I can't. Just like I surrendered to birth my babies, I feel I need to surrender to my season anew everyday. There are moments though, that remind me what an honor and a privilege being the mother of 4 little ones is. Abbey learned to ride her bike; Maggie's finding her voice; Susannah's falling asleep with her nose in a book; Jesse's doing tricks. Watching our new president be inaugurated was a moment in history too. It gave me goosebumps. I love watching history in the making. While I have this season of surrender, my kids are starting down their road of life. What a journey it is...and I have a ringside seat.

Braces off!

2009-01-13T15:07:00.001-08:00

Susannah endured her time in train tracks with grace. She has always had such a beautiful smile. Now look at her, my beautiful big girl!

Time away

2009-01-11T21:26:00.000-08:00

We were planning on having a beach getaway this week, but last week Maggie started sleeping terribly. The thought of all 6 of us in a motorhome with a terribly-sleeping-baby was enough to make me vomit...yuck. So I decided that I could stay with Mag, and Brandon could take the older kids. That's what happened. It was pretty exciting. I missed seeing them at the beach, and having family time, but what I got instead was priceless! I got to be a mama-of-1-baby. It definitely wasn't complete freedom, but it was as close as I am going to get. I did all kinds of things that I wouldn't have ever dreamed would be classified as "fun" - but they were. I sorted clothes, got rid of infant gadgets, washed the bathroom floors, scrubbed the bathrooms and kitchen, moved some furniture, did some paperwork and made some phonecalls. Funny, some long lost friends called during this time, and it was lovely to be able to talk without an update on how long I had been on the phone. I did watch a chick flick, and have dinner with friends too. The list goes on. I remember being the mom of 1 baby and being totally overwhelmed. But for these few days, I had time and space to think. I feel like I exist in my own head again. For the record, the kids had a great time at the beach, and Jesse came back without his attitude, and with a new found desire to stand to pee. My husband really is amazing, I decided again. He didn't come back stressed at all after 2 nights in a motorhome with 3 kids. I would have been. For sure. So, back to real life we go. I filled up my gas tank tonight.

Thoughts

2008-12-28T20:58:00.000-08:00

I was on such a roll with blogging, but somehow I had overload the last month...can't imagine why. This random picture illustrates what I feel - everyone with different things going on everywhere I turn. To boot, Maggie likes to hold on and stand up, usually wherever I am, so I feel like I am dragging her along as I go...and I have a splint on my thumb due to a Pump It Up injury. Almost every day Brandon says "4 kids is a lot." It's true. People told me 4 wouldn't seem anymore than 3, but I guess I don't have as much energy as they do. Anyways, I do have a few minutes each day to myself, and I check what is going on with other people but rarely have the energy to post about us. Enough excuses...I'm back on the horse.

Time to turn over a new leaf and take control of some things. Even though "resolutions" are easily broken, I am always thankful for an opportunity to start new. If one of the things I am resolving to do, or not to do sticks, it's been worthwhile thinking about it and doing it. Some of the things I am "committing" to at the start of this year are: getting out of my house more and seeing more people; finding a good Bible study to be a part of that works as far as time and content go; sewing and doing things that I enjoy more. I also plan to get back into teaching classes and doula-ing more. Also, I am going to be eating less, being in my house less...there's probably more or less. I am going to be posting some more pix soon, and posting my "Christmas" letter on here soon, so stay tuned. I have been thinking of this hymn a lot recently. We sang it at our new year's eve service we went to every year in England, and thought I would share it here:

Standing at the portal of the opening year,

Words of comfort meet us, hushing every fear;

Spoken through the silence by our Father's voice,

Tender, strong and faithful, making us rejoice.

Onward then and fear not, children of the day!

For His word shall never, never pass away!

I, the Lord amd with thee, be thou not afraid,

I will help and strengthen, be thou not dismayed!

Yea, I will uphold thee, with My own right hand,

Thou art called and chosen in My sight to stand.

For the year before us, O what rich supplies!

For the poor and needy living streams shall rise;

For the sad and sinful shall His greace abound;

For the faint and feeble, perfect strength be found.

He will never fail us, He will not forsake;

His eternal covenant He will never break.

Resting on His promise, what have we to fear?

God is all sufficient for the coming year.

More autumn leaves

2008-11-29T15:48:00.001-08:00

Autumn leaves

2008-11-29T15:35:00.000-08:00

I love the fall time. This whole time I have been meaning to get pictures of the kids playing in the leaves...but finding the time and help to accomplish that has been difficult. I had an hour to myself last night - imagine...alone in the house...and decided to take control of a few things. On my early morning walk in the fog this morning (again alone, believe it or not) I found the perfect set of leaves just round the corner from our house. So, we did it! I love how they turned out too. Happy November!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T15:24:00.000-08:00

Jesse's third birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year, so it feels like we celebrated double time. I finally got a nap today. It will probably be another 6 months before I have another nap. Anywho, we had fun...we had family...we have tons to be thankful for. We actually still have our third installment of Jesse's birthday/Thanksgiving to look forward to on Monday, but in the mean time here are a few pictures of our adventures. Monday - his birthday party with friends at Oso de Oro; Wednesday - Thanksgiving/Birthday at Grammy's; Thursday; is THE day: to the zoo with family and on to Uncle Wes and Auntie Karen's for dinner and presents. If you have never tried it, the zoo on Thanksgiving is fun. There was that wonderful crispness in the air that only a holiday brings and very few people. The animals were very active and the walk made for a good appetite for dinner!

Moving forward!

2008-11-22T09:16:00.002-08:00

One of my least favorite stages of a baby's life is crawling backward. I know, it's foundational and important, but it is frustrating for me to watch. Who wants to go backwards. I am not a big fan of moving backwards. Maggie has been crawling backwards for a few weeks (although it seemed like years) and is now finally moving forwards. She "army crawls" mostly, but is taking 3 or 4 crawls forward on her hands and knees! She can also sit back up from crawling and has been practicing that for a while. Yeay! This is much earlier than any of the other kids; she is very focused and determined. We had a couple days of terrible sleep...but are back to being much happier in that area too. Our life is moving forward. It's especially fun this time because we are not going to be going back to the start in less than 2 years and do the dance all over again. We are all growing up, even me! I can look back and see how I was at this stage with each of the other children and see how much I have changed. I am relishing the new-ness of being "done" with the baby stage and not having to dread it. I do know, however, that there will be new challenges along the way...different ones. We are moving forward.

Speaking of moving forward, Jesse and Abbey are in a new phase of being best buddies. They are sharing a room right now, and have been for a year or so. Recently they have started to disappear into their room at any opportunity and play with "Little People" and Barbies, make clubhouses, and all assundry of other schemes I am sure. Last night they wanted to sleep on the floor together. I had my doubts, but they did fall asleep. I snuck in and took a picture. They are so cute. I'm guessing this won't last too long, but it is so cute to see such a team right now!

Thanksgiving Break

2008-11-22T07:01:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for a break. It used to be that I didn't like breaks from school because everyone was home. Now, it's the reverse. A break for them is a break for me. Yippee! I started my vacation by reading a whole book last night. It was a "fluffy" fiction book - Twenty Wishes. It did inspire me to maybe make my own Twenty Wishes list. Today I am planning on making a CD of Thanksgiving/Harvest hymns that I remember from my childhood to play this week. Music was very important for me growing up, and I am determined to expose my kids to all kinds of music. I also plan on starting and completing Christmas shopping/making this week. Probably a little bit of a dream, but that's what I am aiming for. Monday is Jesse's birthday party - so I have some preparing for that, though it will be VERY low key. We are really looking forward to spending time as a family this week, and seeing more family. Jesse's birthday is on Thanksgiving day. We have a lot to be thankful for, including this break!

More pictures

2008-11-09T21:03:00.001-08:00

All Saints Day

2008-11-09T20:52:00.000-08:00

Otherwise known as Halloween...here are a couple of pictures from the day. I kind of dreaded the day because there was so much going on. We did end up scaling back at night; just relaxing and doing a small amount of trick-or-treating around our neighborhood. It was a fun day in the end. Just a little frantic going from getting Maggie down for her nap, to Abbey's class, to Jesse's parade and then to lunch and then back to get Maggie down for her nap again. I am SOOOO going to love the freedom that comes with 1 nap! Anyways, here's some cute pix from over the month that they wore their costumes to different events!

Reminiscing..

2008-11-09T20:43:00.001-08:00

Ever since Maggie was born, I seem to be reminiscing about my own childhood. Maybe it's that Susannah is old enough that I remember myself at her age. Also, I think it's because I have recently got back in touch with some friends from school in England. I spent all my formative years there, so there are many memories. Brandon grew up in Fresno and gets to see the house(s) he grew up in etc. etc. whenever. I have begun to feel more sentimental that I have almost completely lost touch with that part of my life. Also recently, I have started to want to cook better. I love all the different flavors and varieties, ethnicities of food. My sister mentioned that she had found a recipe for Cheese and Potato Pasties like we used to have in England. My ears pricked up big time. Even better than that she said they tasted a lot like the Cheese and Potato Pie that was my favorite food EVER when I was a child. For a special treat we went to the cafe that was opposite the bus station in Harrogate. And I ALWAYS had the same thing. So, in an effort to reconnect with my past I experimented with making one. It was pretty good. It seemed weird to be eating it in the middle of California, in a house with children of my own. However, it was good. I will be doing this more. Nothing much to look at, but many memories involved!

Life and Death

2008-10-27T14:18:00.001-07:00

The girls and I took a whirlwind trip to Napa this weekend. My dad's side of the family was meeting there to lay Grandma Johnson to rest and celebrate her life. It feels like my life is so full right now that I have to be on guard and have not really had the chance to grieve. It was so good to be around family, to realize again from where I came. I definitely feel a part of that family.

Grandma was truly a gift to me. She thought that I (and my sisters) were amazing, "exceptional." She gave us so much fun and memories. She was very active and strong. She cared deeply about people and worried more than anyone I ever knew. Even as a parent myself, she would tell me not to drive at night, etc., etc. A smile comes to my face when I think of her...she didn't exhibit anger or distaste. We saw her happy. It's pretty refreshing!

So there I sat at her graveside service watching my dad cover her ashes over, as my little one cried for food. I feel it was very apt that I nursed and gave life to my baby at this somber time of death. Grandma was perhaps the most real about motherhood. She remembered vividly being very nauseous with each of her pregnancies and I am so glad I had her to empathize with through mine. She clearly remembered real parts of how hard it is to have toddlers, babies, and love doing it anyway.

It does remind me of how fleeting this life is, and give me pause to talk and pray with my children about the One who holds the future. It is also incredible to see that each time there is death, there is new life that comes with it. Truly a gift to remind me that life is so extremely precious.

How full can each day be?

2008-10-20T22:13:00.000-07:00

I am so tired. It's 10 pm and I should be in bed, but I am relishing the peace in my house. Everyone is asleep and peace prevails. I want peace to prevail all of the time, and I really do limit our activities. However, the last few days have been bone-tiring full. From one event to the next...or just one event to home. It doesn't seem to matter. My house is tired even. There are crayons, pillows, backpacks, baby toys, furniture strewn all over the living room floor as I type...and I am not even going to do anything about it. I could tell you the story of why each thing is where it is, but I am just going to rest in the fact that my life is full to the brim, and I am blessed. I have 5 people to love and who love me resting peacefully, contented for now, resting up for what tomorrow shall bring. What will tomorrow be like? Will Maggie get her naps? Will we get up in time to get to school on time? Will Brandon feel better? Will I figure out how to get Susannah and Abbey to 2 different places at the same time? Will there be a pee accident at preschool...will he be scared of the fire engine? Only One knows the answer to these questions. But I will go to bed (really) tired, but thankful and blessed.

One-on-two

2008-10-17T22:22:00.000-07:00

Abbey, Maggie and I took a trip last weekend to go to Abbey's friends birthday party in Sacramento. It was a good excuse to have some really good quality time with Abbey. I feel like she has a tendency to get lost in the shuffle as she is not as loud and demanding as some of the other kids! It was truly a delight to spend a low key weekend with her (and Maggie!) We met our friends at a local plant nursery where they were doing a "Bulb-fest" for kids. We stayed with Brandon's aunt, and were able to stay in bed and read books together in the morning and had breakfast brought to us. We took a trip to a REAL pumpkin patch where you pull your own pumpkin off the vine, watch pig races, and of course eat yummy caramel apples! The weekend concluded with the birthday party and a late night trip home in time for school in the morning. Although there seems to be so much to do when coming back from a trip like that, I felt refreshed and rejuvenated and reconnected with my second-born.

THFP!

2008-10-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

Thank Heavens For Preschool!

I was very undecided about whether to send Jesse to preschool this fall. However, one bad Monday later, I dialed my helpline - teacher Bev at Nosworthy's Nursery School. Abbey spent one idyllic semester there last year, and it turns out Jesse followed right along in her footsteps. He loves it in a big way - it seems like he's been there forever already. It's the nicest place to be, and the teachers are wonderful. The kids have opportunity to explore and do a lot of different things in their time there. Best of all, there is no academic pressure...they learn so much without even realizing it. There are so many families of diverse origins and backgrounds. It is always interesting to talk to parents there. Many of the children are being raised bilingually and happen to end up there, so we fit right in! After Abbey started there last semester, I mentioned it to my mother-in-law, and it turns out that Brandon went there when he was a 2/3 year old. If you are in need of a preschool...check it out, it's wonderful. I just re-read what I wrote, and it sounds a little like an advertisement...I can assure you it's not. I've just been thinking about how great it's been for our family!

Susannah's birthday continued

2008-10-17T21:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been seven years since I crossed over the threshold into the wonderful world of parenting. I never knew how much I could be changed by seemingly powerless little people. Susannah changed me the most in that she did the hard work of metamorphisizing me all in one go. She had the work of physically being born first: the birth was more difficult; I had no clue about babies cues etc. etc. It continues: she ploughs the way for the others. I have to figure out what I think about all the things that she faces first. I have a bit of a clue by the time the others get there...

At seven, Susannah is very driven, yet equally nurturing; frustrating, and fun. She likes anything to do with school, and tutors her younger siblings. She loves her school friends and what they are doing, but has her distinct style without regard for others styles. Susannah loves to eat carbs and sweets of any kind. She loves to go for walks, go on trips, learn about new things and people. She likes to draw, and do crafts. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up, and wants to speak at least 3 languages. She is mastering Spanish and revels in learning more. Finally, Susannah loves her younger siblings intensely - I mean, INTENSELY! She likes nothing better than to snuggle with her baby sister and hold her and walk around with her. Happy Birthday Susannah - we love you so much and can't wait to see what God holds for your future.

Update: Pic1&2: Birthday girl with Daddy and Mama: Pic3 Susannah as Mary on Awana Bible Character night. Pic4: Susannah has recently had braces put on her front four teeth, and has also started to get her hair in a ponytail.

Book club anyone?

2008-10-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, no one has time to read books anymore. But I "have" to. I love nothing more than escaping to someone else's world, with no noise added. But it's always so sad when it ends because then I wonder where and when I am going to find my next escape. My sister goes to a book club where they all read their own books and then tell about them each month. She gets some great ideas for her next great read based on what other people have read. Anyone up for this kind of set up? We could even do it online...but would love to find some to meet with (in Fresno!) once a month for this. There has to be some more "closet readers" out there!

Birth-day Party Pix

2008-10-05T22:59:00.001-07:00

Birth-day Party

2008-10-05T22:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Susannah's birthday party. She invited 7 friends, all but one from school, and we went out for dinner to BJ's. She wanted to go there because of the scrumptious "Pazookie" that she would get for dessert. It was very fun to see what a grown up young lady she is becoming and what a good time a group of girls could have together. I apologize to anyone that happened to be in the vicinity when the sugar ingested at dinner gave way to giggles that really could pierce eardrums. Outside the restaurant, over in the water play area, in the cars on the way back to our house, and into the house the giggles and screams of glee continued. The plan was to watch a movie when they got back, but really it was a "GiggleFest." A great time was had by all the girls it seemed. Two parties down, 1 to go!

They are all so different!

2008-10-05T22:41:00.001-07:00

I know, everyone tells you when you have more than one child that they are all so different. Sometimes though it just really hits me how different they all are. I know if I had more (God forbid), they would still be different again. God is so amazing. It seems with every new child, you have to eat a few more words as well. Each of my children has had a comfort tool - the oldest: thumby, next in line: paci, boy: deet (looks awfully like a horsey to the untrained eye) and new baby: two fingers. It was bad enough that my five year old going to kinder still asks for her paci. But now I have a "finger" child. I never was a big fan of the finger-sucking-look. But I know enough as a mother to embrace whatever makes a baby happy - within reason! So, I am taking a deep breath and enjoying looking at such a cute face. Who couldn't love that face!

When everything is crazy...

2008-10-05T22:33:00.000-07:00

...I seem to start a project. I think it's coming to the realization that I can't control much, so I want to control something. Sometimes it's sorting out outgrown clothes, or cleaning a closet, or organizing the shelves in the garage. Sometimes though it has something fun to show for it. We recently created a makeshift fourth bedroom in our 3-bedroom- 1400-square-foot house. So now Maggie has her own room (and so does Susannah). I am finally getting to decorate a "baby" room again. This was the name sign I made out of cardboard for over her crib.

Birth: the play, and real life

2008-09-29T12:03:00.001-07:00

I went to see "Birth: The Play" last night. Last year when I went I was about 13 weeks pregnant with Maggie. The play is intense in itself, but was made more intense by the anticipation of my fourth birth, and what that might be like. This year, I held Maggie securely in my arms as I watched the play. Being on the other side of my births is a lot more comfortable place to be in. Although I have the day to day anxiety of raising children, for some reason it is not nearly as intense and fraught with worry as the preparation for giving birth to my children. Being pregnant is not easy in anyway...the physical, emotional, psychological demands are tremendous and cannot be walked away from as the physical reminders are within one's own physical being. I watched with interest last night as the characters played out there pregnancies and birth experiences, but at the end of the night I could just walk away and not play them over and over in my mind. It reminded me that those of us who are on the other side of the threshold never to cross back over can give out advice like it's going out of style. However, we no longer are in the arena where the consequences of that advice have to play out...in otherwards the rubber doesn't have to hit the road. The gravity of the situation is not so intense for us.

The play did bring up some of the issues that I had with Maggie's birth. It was wonderful in that she was actually born - we were all starting to wonder 2.5 weeks after her due date. However, it was not nearly as serene as my previous 2 births, and was not what I expected. I pictured a dark, night with my daughters by my side, an intense and quick experience, preferably before my due date. Instead Magdelena was born in the daytime at the brightest part of the day, my children were all gone, and it lasted "forever!" Expectations play a huge role in determining how the mother sees the birth, and this was not it for me!

So, in order to keep serving pregnant and laboring women, I need to remember to empty my cup that is full of all my personal birth issues. I also need to remember that what now seems kind of inane to me in my status as a "post-childbearing mother" was so grave and anxiety ridden in my time of trial. I hope and pray I never lose the ability to come alongside and be.

Susannah's famous!

2008-09-21T07:22:00.001-07:00

Click here for the aforementioned picture of Susannah in the Fresno Bee!

I Choose!

2008-09-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling more and more overwhelmed with my family. Maggie has been a sheer delight. Since the onset of her 6th month (4 days ago) she has started to be much more fussy. The dreaded teeth are coming, and she senses that there is more to life than mama and her where her next meal is coming from (it's sucked from the same source every time). When the baby is fussy, it seems that everyone else is more needy. I feel myself getting sucked in by a pit of guilt. Guilt for letting the kids watch more TV or play on the computer, guilt for not getting a full meal on the table, of course the list goes on. I am not usually a "guilt-y" type, but when it comes to the baby...guilt seems to accompany. Also in this phase I start feeling like i am not me. I don't have the time, energy or space to do the things that I enjoy doing...playing tennis, sewing, organizing pictures (or maybe even putting them in a album, God forbid!) I feel like I am so one dimensional

With all this in mind...I choose to ride the wave, to not get sucked into the guilt-pit, and instead know that we will not be tied to naps forever, that Maggie will one day be a functioning member of our family, and that I will be too. The kids will not be scarred by an over abundance of TV for a few days in Maggie's fussy phases. That we will all be ok. If you see me...remind me. I might forget to choose this tomorrow!

Hot Air Balloons

2008-09-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

As is our custom, we went to see the hot air balloons take off in Old Town Clovis this morning. After a late night at a Sanger High football game, we woke everyone up at 6:15 and bundled everyone in the van. It wasn't as cold as it has been and we all enjoyed it. Well, except Susannah who was very upset that a photographer from the Fresno Bee took her picture and may be in the newspaper tomorrow. Some of us are old enough now to want to know the science behind the hot air balloons, so we got in our science lesson for the hour in the wee hours of the morning.

Immersion

2008-09-18T07:51:00.002-07:00

ready for the first day of school

our Chinese immersion class

I have always been passionate about language. I grew up on the other side of the world, learning French and German, with the rest of the world close at hand. It is very different here in the USA. Although we live with other languages in our city, we are also it seems to become very culture centric. This scares me. Thankfully, there is the anti-dote. There are 3 Spanish immersion programs in Fresno Unified. My older 2 are attending one of them. Susannah is in 2nd grade - it is her 3rd year of it, and it is fabulous. Her teacher speaks 90% Spanish - and all the work right now is in Spanish - Math, Science, Social Science etc. She reads fluently, understands fully and is starting to speak more fluently. It is so cool. It makes my heart happy. They celebrate all the Mexican holidays with Fiestas and lessons explaining why. Abigael just started Kindergarten there and is thriving too.

My friend is Chinese and started immersing her daughters in Chinese. Coinciding with that, she started once a week Chinese lessons. We went this week and had a blast. They are totally in tune with the immersion model and picked up the songs and rhymes easily. Jesse had a great time too.

This is so important to me as I raise my kids, and I am soooo thankful that we have opportunities to learn about the rest of the world and gain the ability to communicate too.

Out with the old...in with the new

2008-09-18T07:51:00.001-07:00

We outgrew our original Ellis-mobile! It was so cramped in our good old 2001 Mazda MPV we were losing loads off the top of our roof rack when we went on trips. After we got back from the bay area at the end of July we were fortunate to upgrade to a 2008 Toyota Sienna. We all love it. Especially the doors that can be opened by mama from the front. We have enough seats for my elaborate car pool plans, and enough storage for our trips (we just got back from Redding). So, out with the old, in with the new.

My boy

2008-09-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

I grew up in a family of girls, went to all girls schools, etc. etc. I wasn't too sure about having a boy. I guess I am not much more sure now, but I've had one for almost 3 years now, and he makes me laugh every day. He loves to go to the zoo, he loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, he loves his sisters, and snuggling with his mom. He loves playing frisbee and ball with Grandpa especially. The moon is a must-see every night with him. He is so independent and sure that he is 5 or 6...he learned to swim by himself this summer and goes all over the pool. He just started pre-school and Cubbies, and loves that. He has a very dry sense of humor. He makes me look at life outside of myself with a new lens. When I picked him up from pre-school on Tuesday he gave me the painting that he did. As I have with the girls, I asked him to tell me about his painting. With the girls I would get elaborate stories that would involve hand movements, facial expressions etc. However, he stated, "I painted it!" Ok, I guess that was an appropriate answer. It made me laugh.

Getting started

2008-09-16T13:27:00.000-07:00

It's always hard for me to get started on things. That's how the perfectionist in me comes out. If I start something than I might fail...However, my sister just started a blog, and I am determined to do one too. So, here goes. It might be another 4 month period between posts, but I am going to do it.

Today Maggie is 5 months old. I can't believe it. I love her so much, she has definitely added to our family in more ways than one. I feel so full with her. So blessed.

First Post

2008-05-01T19:04:00.000-07:00

On the occasion of the birth of our fourth child, I figure maybe we should join the world of blogging in order to share photos more efficiently. Here are a couple to start it off!

All ready for church..

Magdelena Clare Ellis 2 weeks old