DISNEYLAND!!!

Thanks to the good people with Brian's company, we got to enjoy a day at Disneyland on Saturday.  Yes, we have passes, but that didn't stop us from enjoying a great day!  Our friends (Joe/Alisha/Oliver) came out from Temecula and hung out with us.  We also got to hang out with Jacob/Dawn/Marshall and Samara, but silly me...I didn't get any pictures of all of us hanging out together!  Urg...

Emily was styling in her sunglasses

Emily and daddy at the Toy Story ride at DCA

Emily was so happy to see me with the camera she got a huge smile on her face. 

Joe, Alisha and Oliver joined us for our day at Disney---this is us on Jungle Cruise

Emily staring at the birds in the Tiki room.  Brian didn't hear the announcement that there should be no photography---oops.  

Emily and daddy outside Finding Nemo

Emily and Oliver inside the submarine

Finally tired after a LONG day at Disneyland with NO naps!!!

Miss Independent

Okay, so I promise not to compare everything that Emily does with me or Brian to my relationship with Christ----not that it's something to write a disclaimer about, but I don't want you to think my posts will always be about the same kind of thing....but this happened just about 10 minutes ago and it resonated with me...so I thought I would share. 

Emily is becoming more independent every day.  Sometimes I am grateful because I don't have to be providing EVERYTHING, but then I get sad because she is slowly growing up and soon enough she won't need me for EVERYTHING.  It's a catch 22 really....Anyway...

She was just crawling on the couch and was about to fall off.  Brian reached out to grab her to so that she wouldn't fall.  She puts both hands on his arms and tried to push him off.  He looked at her and said, "Honey, I have to protect you."  

I don't know....sometimes I feel like maybe that is what I do with God...I play right along the edge and when I am about to fall, he grabs me to protect me....and I try to push him away.   

Moms...I need some help

Emily's 1st birthday is approaching, which also means an end to breastfeeding. I would like to wean her so that I am done by her 1st birthday....I think. Anyway, I am clueless when it comes to this. How fast does your milk dry up? What worked for you? Help me if you can!

Also, did your babies have trouble feeding themselves? Emily will eat whatever we give her, with the exception of fruit, but she won't pick it up off of her highchair, unless it is big---like a teething biscuit. Any advice on this topic???

Just some good ol' pics

Emily's big day

About 6 years ago, Brian and I were talking about getting married.  Obviously, one of the major conversations that couples have is "when would you like to start a family?"  My answer.....Never.  I had absolutely NO intention of having any children.  Brian was okay with that and we got married----no kids in our future.  

About 2 years ago, I was sitting in a "family day" church service at our church and was overwhelmed with emotion.  About 3 months prior to that service, I felt a nudging in my heart to start a family---I squashed it as much as possible, but during this service, I couldn't squash the desire anymore.  I had to talk to Brian about it, but how?  How was he going to react, he was indifferent about kids in the first place, will I be able to convince him to be a dad?  Long story short---God was working on his heart at the same time.  

Today was "family day" again.  Of course, I was overwhelmed with emotion----thankfully there were no obvious tears, but I had to talk myself out of them about 3 times during the service.  I don't know if I am ever going to completely understand the kind of love and forgiveness that God has for me, but after having Emily, I can say that I somewhat comprehend the love between a father and his children---or, if you will, a mother and her child.  I love Emily so much, it literally turns my stomach.  

Bruce challenged us, as parents, to raise our children in a Christ centered home and to support our kids if God chooses them to be used in a special way. (Talking myself out of an obvious tear, I vowed to do so.)  

Anyway, here are some pictures from this morning's dedication....

I know this isn't a great picture, but it was taken and I didn't know it.  She completes me....

First Picnic!

We joined the Fransz' for a lunch at the park on Sunday and had a great time.  Brian met Mike/Jessica a little more than 2 years ago while he was working in property management.  He came home from work one day and said that he met a really cool couple---they didn't end up leasing that day, but they decided to do so the following day---anyway, they got to talking and "one thing led to another" and we all became friends.  

There are a few people in my life who have really challenged me in my faith in ways that they don't even realize and Jessica is one of those people.  She has an AMAZING relationship with God and I often look at their relationship as one to aspire to.  She is so wise and gives great advice and encouragement.  I am truly blessed to have her in my life!  Mike is such a tremendous husband and father too.  We have so much fun with them!   

Taking pictures by ourselves...Emily didn't want to cooperate.  

Emily looked up, but I look kinda scary.

Mike, Jessica and Ella Fransz

Ella and Emily swinging----check out Emily's "grandma" smile.  She does that all of the time now!  

Today....I do not like my job.