what a day...

**this is a true story, none of it is made up!**

did you know that it was bring your family to work day today?
what? you didn't get the memo? well, it was!!

i have to admit i didn't know it was either, but at about 8:30am i got the call...
it went something like this...
me: "hi honey. how are you"
jacob: "not good honey. diesel is pouring out of your dad's truck, smoke is coming from the engine, i think i might run out of gas on the freeway with the amount of gas i am loosing and the truck might catch on fire. also, i have to be at a job site at a certain time. i am going to need you to load up the kids and come pick me up to take me to the job site."

alright so that is how it went this morning.
all the kids were in their jammies, jake had chunks of oatmeal in his hair from breakfast.
i quickly changed them and we ran to the van.

jacob was about 45 minutes away from home...so we hit the road!

i was running low on gas and by the time i got to my exit i needed gas bad and i was lost so i was approaching a stop light and the light turned yellow so i hit the brake...our lovely new (used) van stalled! not a nice feature to have on your car...when you break your car stalls...i don't think people will be lining up to buy these vehicles, anyway...

we got it started again and pulled into the gas station, almost every pump was broken so i had to wait for a lady to finish...i think she was mad at me because i was waiting. she kept looking at me.
she got done and got into her car and sat there for a LONG time before pulling away. so we pull up, i grab my purse...it just happened to be upside down, probably from when i slammed on my brakes at the yellow light. well i never zipped it up so.....everything flew out of it when i went to grab my wallet.

i got gas and found jacob. we left my dad's truck behind to get fixed.

we were back on the road to get to the job site.
as we were approaching the exit we needed to take it was all coned off and closed...no warning at all that it was going to be closed.
we then had to backtrack.

we made the delivery and then were off to the next park.
the kids were excited to play at the park so we got a very nutritious 2nd breakfast, mcdonald's and went to play.
we got done and were off to the next park.
it was starting to get hot, but the kids played for a while and then we went and got a nutritious lunch at burger king.

then it was passed nap time, so i told them all to close their eyes and a few times around the block and they were all asleep.
i parked back at the park and they all slept for an hour and a half.
we headed towards jacob's office and i had to go to the bathroom really bad so i figured the girls would have to also.
when i went to get gabi out of her seat she was soaking wet!
i asked her if she went potty and she no she was just really really sweaty...she had peed when she was sleeping.

we got home, jacob mowed the front yard, and cleaned the car.
grandpa and grandma got here with our wonderful friends truck that they let us borrow and then jacob and grandpa went to go pick up sod for our backyard!

it is currently 9:35pm we are just getting done putting in the sod and watering it.
WHAT A DAY! I AM EXHAUSTED!
jacob has to leave for work at 4:30am and will be out of town til friday afternoon...

some days things just don't go according to plan. and that is ok.
we should always be ready for whatever adventures come our way!

letters from papa.

papa sent the kids their own cards from afghanistan.
they were so excited to get something in the mail with their names on it.
i remember when i was little it was the funnest thing in the world to get my own mail.

all gabriella keeps saying all day long is, "papa is coming home for my birthday!"
we are all so excited to have you home in a few months papa!

the rest.

on father's day, we couldn't go to church because jake was still not well, so we did exactly what jacob wanted to do.
we had personal pizza for lunch.
jacob installed a fan and light in our room.
we all went swimming, together, in our tiny pool.
no pics. of that because i was afraid my camera would get wet!
then we went to lowe's and got some stuff we needed.
jacob made homemade salsa for the first time and it was delicious!
we had fish tacos for dinner at home.
it was a great father's day.
we got jacob a new lunchbox so he can start eating more healthy lunches and save money.
gabriella made her daddy a very special handmade card.
she was very proud of it!
he also got a new shirt and my parents got him a new tackle box with some trout bugs...they will surely catch us some huge trout!
all in all i wouldn't have changed anything about our day.
jacob's favorite part...swimming:)

father's day.

happy father's day to my husband, my babies dada.
this morning gabi picked out her dada's clothes that she wanted him to wear.
not sure why she picked pajamas, an undershirt and tube socks, but what a GREAT daddy to oblige her every whim.
i am so thankful to have such a great daddy for my babies.
we love you so much!

papa.

happy father's day to my dad!
thank you for always supporting me and willing to help, not only me, but anyone that ever needs your help!
you are so giving and i am so thankful to call you Pop!
your life has truly shown me what it is like to be a servant of God.
I love you!

sleepy boy.

here is how it happened...i will just let the pictures tell the story all on their own. enjoy.

and this where jakey ended up...in uncle rob's arms...sound asleep.

yesterday we were at marcella's going away party:( (we'll miss you marcella!)
and jake fell asleep standing up!
he is just like his mama...he can fall asleep anywhere!
it's just a matter of time before he falls asleep at a movie theater :)

confession.

i LIKE doing LAUNDRY!
there i said it!
so sue me...

i just love when you fold the clothes fresh out of the dryer...not too fresh where they burn you, but you know what i mean...

and then putting them away into nicely organized drawers...
it brings a smile to my face:)
call me CrAzY!

however, most of the kid's drawers are not photo worthy because they are busting at the seams with both winter and summer clothes because i haven't cleaned them out yet.
BUT the thought of it makes me happy to think they will be organized soon.

our new used van

we got a bigger, much needed vehicle a few days ago.
we are all so happy with the room.
this is the first time the kids got to ride in it.
they were singing and dancing and all smiley the whole time.
mel picked the seat that she wanted and she was so excited that she had a cup holder!
alright papa here is what it looks like! hope you like it!
papa your truck is safe and sound in our driveway...waiting to be worked on!
i know this is a horrible picture, but i was trying to show you the color...it is brilliant black.
it has like some speckles of colors...it's pretty.

every time we go in it melonie says, "auntie i just really love our new van!"
we are so thankful to have this van for our family!

when family comes to visit. [part 2]

BEACH DAY!
we all love going to the beach and we were able to get there twice while uncle and auntie were here.
it was a windy day, but we made the most out of it and had lots of fun.

sandcastles
relaxing
sunbathing
digging
snacking
and making lots of fun memories.
jake had his splint on the whole time and it was full of sand and salt water, but he didn't care.
we all had lots of fun and ended our fun afternoon with ruby's on the pier...delicious!

HaPpY bIrThDaY! uncle rob

we LOVE you! we MISS you! we can't wait to see you soon!
thanks for taking us out in the water and always playing with us!

when family comes to visit. [part 1]

wow, we have have been busy!
uncle rob and auntie erica have come and gone and we are sad not to see them everyday.
when they got here the kids were giddy with excitement!

on thursday uncle rob and jacob went deep sea fishing and their boat ended up at catalina...they said it was a wonderful day for fishing and brought home some prize fish.
melonie was happy standing back with the beanie on...no touching for her!
gab had to examine and hold every single one they caught.
and now the aftermath:
that's my girl!
last night they were talking about karate on sesame street and i asked her if she would like to do karate? she smiled and said yes!
i knew she was going to say yes...she is so small, but has such a huge personality and zest for life!

***all the while jacob had no idea what was really in the works!
while they guys were fishing we were shopping for last minute party supplies!
can't wait to share what came next with their visit!