.

Check us out....

2010-08-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

We are moving! Well blog spots...not houses!

Take a look at Kena and Cooper!!! I thought Cooper should be included in this family too!!

Did this happen to any of you?

2010-07-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

Ok this is going to be more of a Rant then a Rave....

I got married almost six years ago to the most amazing man ever and I am very blessed by that. That, however is NOT my rant.

I went to Seattle Pacific University for two years, while there I did live in the dorms there. Emerson, being brand new, on three different floors over the two years I was there. I made some great friends, friends I thought would be with me for a long time. I met Adam Winter of my second year at SPU. My friends loved him and I thought he fit in quite nicely.

We got engaged the following Fall (I was already unenrolled in SPU...and going to a community college)...then got married the Fall after that. All of those friends attended my wedding and some of them even served as Bridesmaids. Even my maid of honor was a SPU friend.

Once we got married and settled in, we hosted a few parties at our appartment...just steps away from the SPU campus where most of them lived. I visited there too, however it was hard for me since I was working a full time job and Adam was going to school and working also.

And then...it stopped.

The hanging out stopped...they didn't call...no emails.

We moved to Bothell a year after we got married and lost contact completely. Its not like we weren't a drive away.

Here is my question...when you got married, did you lose friends? Or big events in your life where you thought you would have those friends and now they have disappeared?

I am sad because I do see them still get together on facebook...They are my friends on facebook too so its nice to see how their lives are turning out.

I have kept in contact with one, Melissa W, who is just wonderful. Also I kept in touch with Derek by reading his wife's adorbs blog.

The Rave part of this....I LOVE my friends now. They are absolutely the best people out there. Adam and I are continuely blessed by. But there is always something in the back of my head that wonders, what the heck happened there?

We are blessed by those friends that come by to hang out...neighbors that watch out for you and your children. I have fanastic "mom" friends, a "photography" buddy that helps me with questions, my "post partumn depression friends", a fab "forever" friend that seriously is more like a sister than a friend, my "gossip" friend(s)...I have everything that a girl can ask for.

So really this is more of a Rave...because I have such great friends.

Rock n Roll Marathon...American Cancer Society Benefiting Charity

2010-06-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, its been awhile...

Besides getting bigger and bigger each day (I better give birth to a 20 pound baby), we have been full on "Rock n Roll Marathon" at our house. Most of you know in the beginning of the year Adam landed a new job with American Cancer Society's Determination. For the west coast division's first event was the 2nd annual Seattle Rock n Roll Full and Half Marathon, Adam dove head into Determination.

I can not be more proud of my husband.

I got the chance to spend the whole weekend emerged in ACS with the Rock n Roll Marathon. The weekend started early on Thursday morning, where we packed up the "crazy man van" (its called something else but not PC for here...) and headed to the Health and Wellness expo at Qwest field. Not only did we get treated like V.I.P, I was so impressed with the overall expo that CGI (the company that runs the RnR) produces. If you get a chance next year...take a look. Its a blast. We spent most of the day there, getting to meet participates and talking to others about RnR's benefiting charity.

After many hours...we took our 'van' to the classy...W Hotel, where Adam and I got to stay until Sunday afternoon.

Pasta dinner followed the busy day at the expo. The pasta dinner for charity runners and their friends and family went without an hitches. It was a beautiful dinner hosted in the W's banquet room. I most enjoyed meeting those that running...and some of the surviors. One of them is a 4 year old girl that is a eye cancer survior.

Friday brought another busy day at the expo (I slept in...walked down to qwest field when I was ready... I got to enjoy the city sights!). Most of the runners attended that day. There I got to meet a recent cancer survior whose RnR marathon was her frist marathon after cancer treatment. Amazing.

After drinks in the W's Bar after the expo, Adam called it a night...he had to get up at 4.

I don't know much about the start....oh thats right, I was still in bed.

Volunteering at the charity tent was a blast. I loved seeing all the signs, sweaty faces and cheering families. This year the RnR had 28,000 runners/walkers/limpers/etc. My mother in law and sister in law ran for 'team hope' for those in church and our community. My mother was so impressed she decided that Stanwood needs to get a team together, as that community has been deeply affected by cancer. Saturday was a long day and thats putting it lightly. But it was the most amazing volutneer experience I have had. We had two women in our church community hold the 'finishers' tape...Kelli stage 3 cancer fighter and Joni a stage 4 breast and brain cancer fighter. They were more than excited to be included in the hype of it all.

The phrase I heard the most at the race's end was...."I wanted to QUIT. But then I thought of those who we were running FOR...and those friends/family/community can't stay QUIT to CANCER."

...this is a disease that affects everyone...no matter your race, gender, age, income. Please consider running/walking/tranning with ACS next year for the RnR. Its an amazing experience.

Please let me know if you have anyone that is a survior or current figther as Adam is always looking for people to feature with ACS.

Below are some amazing pictures by my dear friend Krista. She captured so many beautiful moments and I will share more later.

...I have had people ask me if I am going to run/walk next year. I have already decided no....because I just have way too much fun volunteering!

...Thats Kena...a total rock star...with her V.I.P pass!

Some New Pictures.

2010-05-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

Its been awhile....

Inbetween the computer situation, craziness at the house and...A BABY ON THE WAY...we have been a bit busy...

Here are some pictures of our sweet girl....

Kena's Swimming Lessons

Easter

First Hair Cut by Tasha

Christmas 2009

Day in Seattle

A trip to the Children's Muesum

Gold Creek Community Church

2010-04-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

Either if you are close or far...you can enjoy my home church's Easter Service via the web!

Yes, our church is super techy...

Easter Services at Gold Creek
Friday 7pm
Saturday 7pm
Sunday 9am, 10:30am and noon
Or Live at
www.goldcreek.org/live

Also, my baby brother (who works at the church) will be playing drums with the encounter band!

Little Known Facts...

2010-04-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

Just a few tidbits of yours truly....

-I am in fact 26 years old...even though I look 16. I know everyone says to enjoy it...I hate it.

-I am probably the worse housekeeper you will ever meet. I guess I don't care who sees my dust! I also have a tendency to burn food too....which makes me think....

-That I am a little ADD. Simply because I am so distracted. Ask my husband....I am not allowed to watch tv in the morning because I get so distracted. Hence the many projects I have around the house that I have yet to finish.

-I suffer from Depression and Anxiety. God has given me the courage to be able to share with other women, especially mothers, my story. I also had horrible Post Partunm Depression with Kena.

-I really enjoy blogging...and just wish I had a little more time to do it.

-I really wish I was musically talented...like my brother.

-I LOVE music. Silence kills me. We always have music going on at the house.

-My true passion is helping others. I was studying sociology when I was in college. I loved it because I enjoy learning about others.

-I prayed when I was pregnant with Kena that she would be a compassionate person.

-I love Jesus and are amazed daily at his grace, love and understanding.

-My church is more than just a church...its family.

-Even though I am not the most girly girl, I do love planning weddings. I thought about doing that as a job, but then realized that I am may not have the most patience....

-I am also an extremely impatient person.

My dear friend Kisha

2010-03-23T15:44:00.001-07:00

I woke up this morning to check my facebook and found this picture posted on my profile...

Now, if you don't know...I have the hugest celebrity crush on Joel McHale (from the Soup and Community). Kisha over at In through the out door, her crush is McDreamy from Grey's. These would our, lets say, top on our "laminated list" (yes I am pulling a friends' reference).

So I don't know how the crap Kisha found it...but a picture of our two dream men (keep in mind both of US are married, happily)...together. We can only wish right???

Ponderings....

2010-03-22T20:16:00.001-07:00

This commentary was written Monday March 15th....

-As I sat today watching a Josh Groban DVD (don't judge me, Kena wanted 'ball' music) the song "You Raise Me Up" started. And all i could think of is five and half years ago at my wedding and how far things have come.

With Makena sitting next to me, distoring my day planner, surrounded by the morning mess, I think back to me in a stunning white wedding dress. "You Raise Me Up" was the song my father and I danced to at my wedding. I never seen my father cry so much in my life. I think of twenty years from now, our own daugther could be getting married. She too will pick a special song to dance to with her father. And just like my father, Kena's father will sway his "little girl" (now in her twenties) ad tears will stream down his face. Much like the way Kena and her father dances now, with a total different meaning. He will then hand off his "little girl" to her new husband, both egger to start a beautiful life together.

Three years ago this month we found out our new addition will be a daughter, as she proudly displayed her "girl bits" (I will spear you all the ultra sound photo). Driving home from the ultra sound appointment I vowed to never in anways have a 'girly girl'. Speed forward 3 years later, as I look at our playroom floor, cluttered with scarfes, jewels, purses and a castle made of mega blocks for princesses, that I do in fact have a girly girl. I hate to break little Kena's heart and tell her that, sadly, we do not live in a castle. We will let her figure that one out on her own.

Bottom line, God laughs when you say 'never'.....but I digress....

I had to make myself stop thinking about the future, enjoy my time with Makena, because before you know it, I will be watching her dance with her father in a stunning white wedding dress.
.....Lets just hope one of the wedding colors is NOT sliver.

Busy...

2010-02-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

...is the goings of this house!!

Yes, I am backing to writing (little by little), with a borrowed computer from the lovely Deiby! She let me borrow a extra laptop they had so I am able to feel 'connected' with the real world. As a mom sometimes you don't feel like you are connected to the real world, but a world of forever whinning, gigi (God's little Princess), saying 'no you may NOT have more sugar' and cleaning playdough off the carpet. Its nice to take those few seconds to see if other moms are having a crazy day like me. Normally they are, which puts my mommy mind at ease. We have been very busy around here. Adam is very busy with his new job. We are so lucky that he is happy with his job, most people find that when they are older or never at all. He comes home excited to talk about his daily work and his goal setting for the next couple of weeks. If you are interested in running the Rock n Roll Marathon in Seattle for American Cancer Society please check on the following post.

I have been working very hard at battling with my depression/anxiety. I will blog more about that later....

Kena, is talking more and more, which makes for some interesting coversations. She regularly makes us laugh, which we LOVE. She is such a carefree, loving, kind, and compassionate little girl. Yes, she got both her mother's and father's stubburn sides, but I know God has quite the plan for her! Ask her her favorite song and she will gladly proclaim "GLORY TO GOD" (by Fee band). We have taught her at a young age to express her Praise and Love to Jesus through music. We often raise hands in Church to show that its ok to Praise, however you may. She will ask to listen to our Church's music before she goes into Children's Church. We are so proud of her and her love of Jesus!

Personally, I have started a Bible Study with some wonderful friends at Gold Creek. We are working through "Captivating" which is the sister book for "Wild at Heart". I am really enjoying the study and being able to open up to others and listening to others open up to me.

God is doing amazing things in our life.

A little break....

2010-02-04T08:04:00.000-08:00

..not on purpose!
my computer, finally, did bite the dust. it was time...well not really, but i guess my computer decided it was. now we are on the search for a cheap, great and hopefully orange laptop! if i don't get my orange laptop adam said that i can get a cool orange sticker from etsy (i am thinking a little orange birdie on a tree). until then, i have limited time on the hubs' computer so i won't be able to update my blog as often. also, no new pictures until i can download them on a safe, new computer!

until then....check out my friend's blog!!! Kisha, who is a friend i met at work, has an awesome blog, she is a great writter! please check out her blog! also she has 'freebie fridays' where she gives away some awesome prizes!!!!

In Through the Out Door

will be back soon!

the adventures in potty fairy land...

2010-01-27T09:46:00.000-08:00

So in a blog entry, oh so long ago, I said iIwould let you know how we potty trainned M. Now, please keep in mind, it won't work for everyone! M is a very independant, strong, stubborn, first born. So we had to take a little bit of a different approach.

So, at first to get M excited about going potty and having a direct reward (decided against giving her candy...because, well have you seen her? she would be tricky, so she can get more candy). So for a pee- she got a sticker. For a poop, she got to make a phone call. And for some reason, that made her excited! She got to call who ever she wanted (before hand we 'warned' those who might be getting phone calls) Her fav's her boppa and g'ma/ auntie and Olivia. Once she grasped that idea and didn't need the phone calls, but still needed some kind of...reward...we introduced "The Potty Fairy".

M, being the stubborn child of mine (who the heck did she get that from?) decided she was DONE taking naps. So I morn the death of NAPS at 2 and half years old. So we didn't need to work on staying dry while sleeping, we will save that til later. So, if M stayed dry all day...then after her bath time the 'potty fairy' would visit (i would sneak into her bathroom and be the 'potty fairy' when she wasn't looking). PF would bring a small toy...a matchbox car or a puzzle, on the toliet. For some reason, that worked! She loved getting little toys at the end of the day...and she was so proud of herself.

Her end of day potty training kind of coinceided with christmas, so PF took a break while Santa took over and gave her presents on Christmas. However, if it didn't work that way then the PF would have brought a big present to end her adventure with M and that M was potty trainned.

Now, of course M has her slip ups. It happens and that is ok.

DetermiNation

2010-01-25T21:17:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Adam for landing his dream job at American Cancer Society! January 4th he started a new journey as the Community Relationship Manager, exclusively working with the "Rock n Roll Full and Half Seattle Marathon" (June 26th). As the Community Relationship Manager, he is in charge of scouting runners to run/train for the Rock n Roll Marathon and rising money for American Cancer Society (ACS).

If you are to sign up, run and raise money for ACS, you will be apart of "DetermiNation". As a member of DetermiNation, you will not only be raising money to END Cancer, but you will receive Rockstar treatment, including (but not only):

-Free Group Race Training

-VIP treatment on race day

-Free entrance fee into the Rock n Roll Marathon1

-Many More! (click on the Rockstar treatment link for more info)

Have you ever thought..."One day I would like to run/walk/crawl/moan/cry through a marathon!"? Then this is your time to do it! You can do either the half or full marathon, while raising money for ACS. Click on the following link: ACS to get more information.

Or email Adam, my hubby, at adam.cross@cancer.org Call him at 206-406-9626

pure...nastiness....

2010-01-25T20:59:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here with my lovely husband...watching some "cbs" (because I changed it from the "bachelor"...frankly i got sick of that 'd bag'). and a commerical comes on for the new "big mac snack wrap" from mcdonald's. um, nasty. maybe mcdonald's made an 'ordering mistake' and made too many 'big mac beef patties' and flour wraps. sit back and think about all the big wigs in a meeting

"WELL, damn it folks! we have far too many wraps...and beef patties. WHAT on earth are we going to do??!?!?!"

"Well boss...combine them together. we can corner the 'pregnant mom cravings' and the 'poor hungry college kids' market!"

no i am not knocking mcdonald's here...i am simply saying "hey mcdonald's...i think you went a little too far". it has got to be the nastiness thing i have ever seen. no wait...yes...yeah it is. it out beats the 'famous kfc bowls' shown in commericals a few years back.

yes folks. that is crispy chicken, cheese, corn and rice! i don't know if a pregnant woman, with all the crazy cravings in the world, would think this looks appetizing.

now its your turn....what do you think? maybe wash it down with a tall beer?

We are a.....

2010-01-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

...work in progress!

please ignore the mess! i decided, while sipping wine and watching "Community", to change my blog. frankly, i was bored with it and needed a change.

if anyone can help...look at the little sweet window at the top of the page...HOW ON EARTH do i get a actual picture in that!

I guess I am that bad...

2010-01-17T22:06:00.000-08:00

yeah, i totally suck.

i thought i would be more on top of things lately, but let me honest...i am not.

let me catch you up on a few things that has been going on in the Cross' household.
-Christmas came and gone in a blur. however, the piles and piles of garbage is still around. oh and so is that freak'n poundage that i 'luckily' gainned from christmas sweets (note the scarasim.). damn you holiday sweets. those cookies get me everytime. does everyone need like, three cookies, to go with their coffee?

-kena is day potty trained. how we did it? i will never know.

-kena has decided to never take naps again. which makes mommy sad...i miss my OWN naps. a single tear for what was a nice two hour nap time...with out whinning. now the time that was spent updating my blog, is now...watching my two year old not taking a nap.

-Adam recieved a NEW job! yes!! Praise God, for adam's new job at American Cancer Society. i will do a whole post on his new job and what that entails (any runners out there?).

-i have been reading! finished jennifer wiener's "good night nobody" around Christmas time and now working on "Tweak" by Nic Sheff (a compain book to "beautiful boy" by his father David Sheff).

-crap dang it...i am addicted to...crossword puzzles and wordsearches. And not just the same old puzzles and wordsearches...its those damn celebrity ones. i just bought my second 'people puzzler' from people magazine. hense why i am tired because i stay up doing those things!

-both adam and i had two weeks off. sorry, i hung out with my fam playing games.

-i thought kena wouldn't get the 'terrible twos' but guess what??? it has smacked me in the butt. kena has hit the terrible twos...and is running with it. the whinning, drives me nuts. so i have been trying to 'nip it in the bud' before it gets too far. hopefully there isn't too much damage.

-life gets crazy. i guess sometimes i HAVE to do laundry...when everyone runs out of underwear.

-i am loving some new blogs! I will follow up with a later post with my NEW favorite blogs!

Ok, I gotta get back to watching my 'friends' dvd's and my crossword puzzle. wow did i like age 30 years just then?

Thank You Krista Schei Photography

2009-12-10T20:09:00.000-08:00

I will post more...Thank you Krista Schei for a wonderful photoshoot.

Ooooh Crap...

2009-12-10T19:44:00.000-08:00

Am I allowed to even say 'crap'? Well, if my mom had any say...then no. But WAIT, this is MY blog...so...
crap
crap
crap!

There it is...

Ok, why am I saying 'crap'? Its been too long since last time I blogged. Its not like I have the computer every day, I guess I have been checking out so many other blogs that I kind of forgot. I think this is the longest that I have gone.

First want to give some shout OUTs...
I have won two contests in the last month...I won a adorable Coach Coin Purse from April over at Dot...Dot...Dot. Thank you April! Everyone check out her super cute blog...which has just been redesigned!
Then I won some wonderful "Lip Love" from Lacey over at Neohippiemama. Thank you so much Lacey! It smells like yummy, warm chai tea and has been amazing for me with my current cold situation! Lacey (who I grew up with in Stanwood) has a etsy site where she makes all natural products with therapeutic grade oils. Please hop on over to her blog and check out her findings on perfume...so interesting!

Thank you so much ladies! I loved receiving my little 'presents' in the mail!

Here is a little something else that I have been thinking...Should I change the look of my blog? I don't know...what do you guys think? Is it time for a 'face lift'? Not for me please, for the blog. Please give input!

If you don't live in the Northwest, you don't know the pain of the bitter cold we have been experincing. I think I have heard numbers like..um, 17 at like 6am. Yes and thats with out snow. I am sorry, if its cold I rather have snow on the ground, or at least a snow day. Some of you know, I work at a preschool. And part of my job I run 'valet' which is, I will come out and get your preschooler out of the car so you don't have to leave your nice warm car. So that 'pain' of the cold...its really true. Its 'supposed' to be warmer this weekend...with the chance of snow...NOW we are talking!

Our thanksgiving was filled with yummy food and laughter. My parents, bro and us all had thanksgiving over at our house this year. We love hosting and Adam loves making the turkey. Our night ended with a heated debate on music, which I now think Adam understands where I get my craziness for music from.

We have been very busy, family, life and church. I will in another post open up the debate about what our Church did a couple of weeks ago. You might have seen them on the news...we are the church that tattooed someone on stage. (if we had the funds, I would have been up there getting my tattoo...of my three little birds).

Happy Halloween....

2009-11-02T22:40:00.000-08:00

Such a cute outfit....

2009-11-02T22:39:00.000-08:00

...only if she turned around for the picture. But she wouldn't....

Congrats to Uncle Tyler!

2009-11-02T22:34:00.001-08:00

I want to give a big shout out to my little (BIG) bro! Congrats Tyler for his new job at our Church, Gold Creek Community Church. I am more than proud of him and so blessed to have him working at our church and getting to spend time with him. He works in the graphic arts department (i guess you can call it that) of our church. He has talent in so many areas and I can't wait to see what God has in store for him!!

Love ya little bro!

The many faces of Nena...

2009-11-02T22:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween from Princess Kena!

This was her idea of dressing up.

If you ever thought she wasn't my daughter...look at that picture...she is crying because she can't reach the cookies

Cousins!

A outfit Great Grandma Matheson made and Grand Aunt Pattie picked out the fabric!

Loves being like daddy

Our last bike ride of the year...sad.

This is what she does for fun? Who does she belong to??

Cowgirl Makena (in a shirt I wore about her age)

I cracked up when I saw this...a little OCD? The books are in size order...in a row...

HUDSIE!

2009-11-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

Our friend's (Nette and Gavin) son, Hudson, came over for a weekend sleep over in September. Kena loved EVERY minute. They were so adorable with each other. She can't wait for another sleep over!

He loved playing dress up...sorry gavin!

Relaxing breakfast...waffles!

A Sneak Peek...

2009-11-02T22:05:00.000-08:00

Here is just a sneak peek of our photoshoot with Krista Schei Photography

What we have been doing....

2009-11-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

We are potty training!

Sorry we haven't been in the blogging world lately...we just have been so busy! With what you might ask? We are potty training at this house...which takes all hands on deck. Kena was ready so we decided to take the 'leap' and really start working on potty training. Kena will be starting preschool in a year and the kiddos HAVE to be able to use the potty. This give us the allowed time...pacing ourselves for your normal 'set backs'.

Of course, we run into the issue of....Kena being very stubborn. Her quote "I do it myself" is constantly being used. She pulls up the stool (yes, she is short like her mother...but I don't need to use a stool), puts her own potty on and takes off the pants. Most of the time we just let her do it.

Now, we will reveal what 'method' we are using for Kena, once she is potty trained.

I want to give a thanks to Auntie Melissa for capturing Kena...in all her glory.

It's never too early for Christmas shopping...

2009-10-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Truly, its never too earlier to start Christmas shopping. Adam and I talked last night about Christmas shopping and we are working hard this year to keep within budget...but also supporting handmade items!

In comes ThePiShop on etsy.com. All handmade knitted beautiful hats and coffee cozies (for those who love getting coffee!). The funny thing is the other day I was at Starbucks saying "Adam, I really wish I had a coffee cozy right now. My hands are burning from this coffee cup.". Then my wonderful friend Maegan posted her new etsy site, which happens to sells COFFEE COZIES!!! I talked to Maegan (who I have known for a few years, we were pregnant at the same time) and she says that she can even work with you to do custom orders (like...say...um...a orange and brown coffee cozy). I LOVE warm knit hats in all the trendy colors (pink and brown a personal fav on kena) which ThePiShop sells.

As Christmas approaches, please remember to buy handmade...and pop on over to ThePiShop and pick up some warm gifts...

WHOA! Big Changes at the Cross Household...

2009-09-17T08:11:00.001-07:00

This is a BIG week at the Cross household...and its only Thursday.

This week we unexpectedly gave up the binky. I mean Kena gave up the binky. Why unexpectedly you ask...because I lost the only freak'n binky we had. We lost it some time in the morning (flushed down the toilet? in the garbage? buried in play clothes?) and well...I decided thats it, NO binky. I started to talk to her early that day about what will happen at nap time and bed time. We didn't promise her anything (ok, chocolate milk after she woke up the night after) and Adam and I agreed that we were going to brace ourselves for the longest night we will have. Nap went, well crappy. Kena is a marathon sleeper, so an hour nap is not normal. Awesome, cranky Kena for the rest of the day...and no binky.

So came the night. Yes it wasn't fun, but it was needed. And we are day three of no binky. If she makes it one more night sleeping...she gets a matchbox car (she is reallllly easy to please).

Kena got to wear big girl undies yesterday...and stayed dry! Adam thinks she could be out in public in undies...and I said "Go ahead and take her! I am not going!". We have some things to do this morning, but she will be back in undies once we get home.

Kena is talking...so much. Yes she has been talking for awhile, but this is full on conversations. And my gosh...her imagination is huge! Yesterday, after my bike ride, Adam and I just sat and watched Kena play. Putting Elmo, Mickey, Minnie and Baby to bed. Then giving them a bath in her sink of her 'kitchen'. She cracks herself up as she plays. I have no idea what she is saying (because I am in the other room), but all I hear is giggles from the other room.

...I frankly think this is the best age ever....

An Awesome, awesome giveaway!

2009-09-08T17:35:00.000-07:00

I have wanted one of these shirts...for like...EVER.

Over at My Wee View they are giving one of these "My Husband Rocks" t-shirts to one lucky winner (I am crossing my fingers!!!). I have to win it...the contest ends on my 5 year aniversary!!!

Union28 (the company that makes them) are an awesome Christian company with shirts that tells whats in your heart. For the hubbys there is "My wife rocks" and for the kiddos they can choose from "my mom rocks" or "my dad rocks". You can also find "bride/groom" shirts there if you know someone who is getting married. They also have some wonderful miltary wife shirts (like "my husband is my hero" in a camo shirt).

So go on over to My Wee View and check out there Union28 giveaway! Remember contests ends on 9/18 (again, my 5 year aniversary!!!)

(in)courage me

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

I found this website/blog via Angie over at Bring the Rain. (in)courage is a blog devoted to women telling their encouraging stories of the Lord. Once you arrive, you instantly want to sit down have a cup of coffee and read some of the amazing stories. A lot of my websites/blogs that I follow have to deal with being a mom, however (in)courage is for everyone. You can sign up for daily emails/updates, where you will receive a little encouragement during the day.

Check it out.... (in)courage

Probably the most promising show this fall...since F.R.I.E.N.D.S

2009-08-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

Community on NBC. Thursday Nights starting September 17th.

I love Joel Mchale. Adam might think its borderline obessive (and he is going to be so annoyed that I posted a picture of Joel). I cried the day we canceled our cable. Not for the billizon channels I will be missing...but I wouldn't be able to watch 'The Soup' friday nights. How could you not love Joel Mchale? A local boy who can seriously rock the skinny tie.

Well finally, Joel is joinning 'free' tv with his new show Community. I know, I know they have been advertising the heck out of this show and I think for good reason. This is the only show that I am excited for this fall. Yes, I love TV...and could most kick anyone's behind on tv triva. I say I probably would have graduated college if I could get a degree in random tv knowledge and F.R.I.E.N.D.S obessession (on a side note...Adam asked me the other day "I wonder how many episodes of friends have you watched this year?" and I said "probably, give and take, two episodes a day"...work that out to...about 600 episodes this year).

Not only is Joel Mchale in it, but also Ken Jeong. You would know him from: Knocked Up, Role Models, The Hangover (which I haven't seen, but I am told he is it in)...he is one of "Judd Aptow's Boys". He plays a doctor in Knocked up which transends into his real life...this guy is a freak'n doctor...and is still practicing! Jeong...is the spanish teacher.

Yes, they are promoting the crap out of Community, but I really do think its one of the promising new fall shows. Heck, they just added it to the 'thursday line up', which we all know is...legendary.

(insert video...but WAIT, I have no freak'n idea how to do it....so I am posting the link)

Community on NBC

Ok...please tell me...

2009-08-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

are you freaking about about the swine flu?

When this happened, oh six months ago, I don't think I was as 'worried' as I am now. Its all media driven, but how much isn't? I was watching a episode of 'momversation' today and the talk was about 'are you getting vaccation?'. In our family, yes. I am a mom who believes in vaccations (my mother in law is a retired nurse and my brother in law is a scientist.), however if you are a mom that doesn't believe in them...fine. From what I heard its a series of two shots, then you are guarded from it...but that doesn't include the normal flu! Because I have a toddler and I work in a preschool, if there is short supply, I should be able to get one.

But I guess I am just a little worried about the swine flu, as we start school in two weeks. I work at a preschool at my church...around 300 kids. Last year we had a family 'withdrawal' their children for the fear of the swine flu...what on earth are they going to do now? I saw a video on yahoo the other day (it might have been from 'good morning america, i can't remember) that said up to 60,000 might die (mainly children and elderly) from this flu...that makes me pee my pants.

Adam is trying his best to help me not freak out about it. But I also want to hear from you ladies...what do you think of all this??? I would love to start a conversation on this...is the 'freak out' media driven? Are you worried? Even you ladies that are NOT moms, are you going to get the shot? Are you worried about it???

Just curious...

Are you RIPE?

2009-08-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to introduce you to

RIPE Jewerly....

Beautiful, right? My college friend Taryn Kitson has launched her own etsy site called Ripe Jewelry. You all know I enjoy jewerly, but even more I love handmade jewerly. Taryn uses goregous semi precious stones and pairs them twisted copper and sliver. Not only casual, but you can dress up her jewerly for a nice date with your hubby. The yummy colors look like they were plucked right out of nature, fanastic for fall. Which brings me to...

Ripe's 20% off Labor day sale!! A sale Friday, Saturday and Sunday where you can stock up on some wonderful pieces for fall.

Taryn is not only talented, but also a true sweetheart. She loves doing special orders and will work with you to create your own special look.

So head on over to RIPE and grab some pieces to add to your new fall clothing!

Three...count them THREE CD's you must own if...

2009-08-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

...you are a parent.

Now, I don't claim to be an expert. But I think that I have a love of music and I want Kena to have a similar love. And I have talked about this before in previous blogs...kids music. Ugh, it either makes your ears bleed or you want to cut them off. SOME might make you do it...my recommendations, will not.

Jack Johnson and Friends. Sing-a-longs and Lullabies for the film Curious George. Who doesn't love the easy sounds of Jack Johnson. It makes me think of the Hawaiian Breeze and the smell of the islands. This CD, which is one of Kena's favorite is easy for the parents to listen to. It even has a fun rendation of "We are going to be Friends", the lead song in Napoleon Dynamite. Kena knows his music and will scream "JACK" when she hears it. And will act like a monkey during "upside down" the lead song in Curious George film.

Anything (and I mean ANYTHING) by Dan Zanes and friends. I have listened to his music before but was very grateful when my friend Whitney copied me "All around the Kitchen" a CD by Dan Zanes and Friends. There isn't a song I would 'skip' over on any of CD's. Kena favorite is any song featuring "Father Goose" one of Dan Zane's friends. Father Goose is from Jamaica and brings his awesome 'hip hop' music to the CD. Dan likes to bring back some old songs, not just inventing new songs. Like one my favorites "Pay me you owe me" which is an old worker song from South Carolina. Kena is really funny singing that song! Another one of my favorites is "Hello" which at the end sings "hello" in different languages! moshi moshi is my fav (japanese). More on the folky side, I really think this is the best kid singer out there.

And...

Elizabeth Mitchell, Little Bird and You are my Flower. Thank you to my friend Nette, you also gave me a copy of Elizabeth Mitchell's CD. A bit more mellow than the others before her, she is perfect for those screaming fits in the car when you just need your kiddo to calm down! Also, leaps better than the classical music (because this won't make you fall asleep to). She also takes old folk songs and gives them new life. I have had a few car rides where I would have a few tears in my eyes thinking of Kena (baby to now toddler)...and these songs make you think of it. 1 day, 2 days, 3 days old on you are my flower takes each day until they are 20 days old and makes a cute little song out of it. (I'm a little butterfly one mintue old). And she does a beautiful cover of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" (which has special meaning to me). Adorable and tugs at your heart (well at least it did to mine).

So, if you are interested...check them out at your library!

Ok, so what are your favorites??? What CD is currently in your car player???

Thank you dot...dot...dot...

2009-08-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

First, after you read this blog jump on over to April Baker's blog at dot...dot...dot. She has a super cute blog with GREAT giveaways!

Which I was lucky enough to win!!

I entered a contest on her page "Project Photography", a chance to win a ebook by photographer Angie from "the creative mama". Not only a mother, a professional photographer, but also loves to teach about the art of photography. As you all know photography is a love of mine (right up there with cakes!) and I would love to learn more about my camera and photo taking. The contest was for one eBook (a book you buy off the web and download it to you computer) for free! So I entered the contest....

AND WON!!! I was super excited! I won the ebook. Of course I dove right in.

This book is great for those who are new/interested in photography. I love that she talks about what type of camera would fit you best. Talks about all the 'buttons' (and let me tell you there is a bunch on my digtal slr), and muiltple functions. My favorite part is learning about 'lighting'. Who would have known cloudy is the best type of lighting?? She backs all this up with her own photos and stories behind them.

I love photographers what are also mothers, since they have a special heart for children. Taking pictures of Kena, her cousins and friends are my favorite since you capture all that craziness and sweetness all in one little click. I am so thankful for this book and can't wait until I have a 'quiet moment' where I can sit with my cup of coffee (with soy creamer of course), computer, camera, and notebook to pour more into this eBook.

Thank you April!!!

Also, she has TONS (and thats an understatement!) of giveaways this week!! Jump onto her blog and enter! So far she has MAC makeup and a sweet little neckless from etsy!!!!

Happy National Cupcake Day!!

2009-08-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

Now, if I just hadn't gotten over the nasty stomach flu, I would have been celebrating "National Cupcake Day". However, this year I must pass. However hop on over to my favorite blogs Cakewrecks to find some wrecktastic 'ccc' (cupcake cakes). That lovely picture is...what some will call a 'ccc'. Now, some ccc's can look fanastic. Some...however end up looking like a blob.

Boy, what I wouldn't give for a chocolate/peanut butter cupcake right now...

The many 'cheese' faces of Makena

2009-08-13T15:21:00.000-07:00

Some pictures for your enjoyment....

(Apparently saying 'cheese' means sometimes you need to kick your leg)

If you ever thought Kena wasn't my child...

2009-08-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

take a look at this little gem...
During a trip to Camano Island, Kena was throwing rocks into the water. Somehow, she lost her balance (she is bound to with her genetics) and landed face first into the water. I laugh each time I see this picture. As it reminds me that, most certianly, that is my child. NO balance...and NOT graceful.

I LOVE this age...

2009-08-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

Not the age 26 (which I am), but the age of two. To be honest, I was afraid of Kena turning two. Everyone warns of the "terrible twos" so I was preparing my mind and body for a hurricane. Yes, she has only been two for 8 days now, but I love it. Of course she has her tantrums, which makes me want to rip my hair out or turn into the corner and cry. But that passes.

It seems the day she turned two she looked OLD all of the sudden. Clothes are a little more 'grown up', her walk isn't as childish and even her laugh sounds more like a 'big kid'. Her words are amazing and Adam and I are surprised every day by what she says.

For example, Kena was sitting on the potty last night. Adam and I sat listening to Kena and all of the sudden she started counting. In her adorable voice she started rambling off her numbers

"1,3,5,7,9,10" (I didn't say she said ALL the numbers!)

Adam and I shoot a look to each other to say "how in the heck does she know this many numbers"

Somehow Kena got to 14...how we arent sure. Was it all in order? Heck no, but we are equally proud of her.

Then comes to her bathtime. Lately she has been VERY interested in prayer, praying many times during dinner. Prayer time I guess continued through to bathtime.

"Mommy, daddy, pray"

She closes her eyes, hands folded

"Jesus," mumble, mumble, "bubbles, bubbles....AMEN"

Yes our Kena sat and prayed for bubbles, not once, not twice...about five times in a row. Bubbles? Not really sure why...but thats what she wanted to pray for. Could careless what she prayed for, as long as she knows she can talk to Jesus...about ANYTHING, ANYTIME of the day.

I don't know how many words Kena knows. I do know that I can carry on a conversation with her.

So many things...

2009-08-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

I know, I have totally 'slacked' in the way of blogging. By each passing day I am getting ready to throw my computer out the window, or at least 'office space' the thing (bring it to an open field and beating it with a baseball bat). Soon, I will post more than ever up to and including a giveaway I won over at dot...dot...dot. Take a look at April's blog and enter one of her contests!!! I was lucky to win an eBook on photography (how fitting for me huh???). I will review it and give you all the info on a entry at a later time.

On her actual birthday:

Trophy Cupcake! Peanut Butter and Jelly! She called it her Peanut butter 'samwich'

Trophy Cupcake in UVillage

For her birthday she got to bring daisy and her stroller and walk around in the mall with her.

At her Birthday Party!:

Her Ladybug Cake made by her mommy!

Kena and Jaden playing with her new kitchen.
Noah showing kena 'the ropes' of opening the gifts.

The kids also got to go swimming!

Kena in her ladybug dress for her 'bug' themed party!

Poop in the potty...

2009-08-05T12:00:00.001-07:00

(everyone sing with me..)
Poop in the potty
Poop goes in the potty
Poop in the potty
Poop goes in the potty

Yes, we have (*sort of*) started potty training with Kena. As some of you know, Kena does things in her own timing...big surpise, look at her mom. She has been very interested in the 'potty' lately so we have let her do her own thing. Lots of toots, but we thought, someday it will click. Well that day sort of came earlier than later. For the past 6 days, I have only changed 2 poopy diapers. Ok, really for the past 5 days, one day was at g'ma and boppa's house (that happens when you are in a different place). She LOVES going poop in the potty! The other day we were at grandma's (she has a BIG outside deck) and I decided to pop her in her undies on monday and let her run around. Surprisingly, no pees! She hasn't gone pee yet in the potty, but she didn't wet her undies either.

Kena is so funny when it comes to hanging out on the potty. Why you might ask? Because she could camp out there if she wanted. The other day she had...her milk, snack, and book in the bathroom. And of course mommy or daddy to chat with.

I don't think of this as 'training' as more as it is to just listen to Kena. For special treats as a reward is: one sticker for pee, two stickers and a phone call for poop. She gets to call anyone she wants and tells them she went poop in the potty. So far that reward system as work. I watched a dr.phil show (yikes I know) a while back with Adam and dr. phil did potty training in one day. Well I am not even close to doing that, but we did adapt one thing from him...the phone call. As a reward to the child when they finally go poop/pee the child would get a call from their favorite character on tv (for example..thomas the tank engine). For us, Kena gets to call someone when she makes a poop...which is kind of nice. Because I am sure she gets sick of the praises from mommy and daddy. So making a phone call is a nice spin on it.

but...with a two year old you never know how long that will last....

Ok...enough about poop and pee.

I promise in the next couple of days I will post about Kena's 2nd birthday. I have been having computer issues (maybe a bright orange laptop is in my future??? I know...not even close), so uploading pictures seem like an impossbily long task. Save that for another day...

The countdown has started...

2009-07-23T15:06:00.001-07:00

My....

Baby...

girl...

is...

almost...

TWO!!

On my offical due date

Being induced...

...and...

PROUD MOMMY ALERT!!!

2009-07-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot...Krista had Kena up on her photo blog...check her out!
Makena cute as a button
Then check out the next link to see some other kiddos (including Lucy Joy Ford!)
Cute as a Button Event

An alternative to swim diapers....

2009-07-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

I hate waste and I hate to waste money even more. So, this summer I sought out to find an earth friendly alternative to swim diapers. My mother in law has a pool in their backyard so we are consitantly there and we use up a LOT of swim diapers between two girls (my niece too). So before summer offically started (which is like mid june here!), I made a search on etsy for reusable swim diapers. Come to find out...you can just use cloth diapers, ones that have a waterproof outside (NOT plasticy nastiness).

Upon my search I found Monkey Snuggles Diapers. First, I love their name...we all know how much I love monkeys! I communicated with Renee on what I was looking for. She was so fanastic and responded so quickly with all my crazy questions. I decided to try out one of the 'large pocket cloth diapers' for Kena, just giving it a try. First I LOVED the yummy robin's egg blue color and that it had snaps. $14.00 was a good price since I was looking at other ones in the 22-30 dollar range.

Once I recieved it in the mail I was so excited to give it a try....then came those gloomy icky days we had in June. So I waited. Then came the sun! I tried it and fell in LOVE with them!! They are so well made and fit Kena wonderfully. So far no poops has happened in them yet (Adam wants everyone to know that I will be the one who will clean that up!), but I have been MORE than happy with them....so I ordered another one! And my sister in law ordered one for my niece!

If there is a 'second child' Adam and I have decided to go cloth next time. Why? The cost (yes a lot up front...but will save you a lot in the long run) and have you seen those little 'gel dots' on your child during a diaper change? Thats just plan nasty. Since I did a lot of research after Kena had been in diapers so long, we decided that for us the investment would be too much (we are close to potty trainning time). But if you are interested in cloth diapers or have a friend that is interested, please check out Monkey Snuggles! (next time I will try and remember to take a picture of Kena in her diaper!)

A little of Makena

2009-07-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

Storytime craft, Dog Ears!That was my dress, when I was little. Sorry for the horrible picture.

Seriously, how sweet is that?

I love my dolly....

2009-07-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Meet Baby, Kena's cabage patch doll. She loves it like her own baby. This is how I know if we decide to have another child that Kena will be so good to it. Yes, sometimes she does carry baby by her leg. Or even sometimes throw baby on the couch, but still...what do you expect?

One day I was cleaning...Kena would run into her room (do something) then would run back out with a big giggle. This happend about two or three times before I decided to put down the cleaning products and see what is going on.... fyi-thats an 'owie' not a tattoo, i am pretty sure we will have that discussion sooner than later.

"Shhhh....baby....nap" is what I was greeted with. She had the biggest, goofiest grin on her face. She was so proud of herself and I was right there with her. I felt my heart swell as she was so happy that she has taken care of baby. Not only did she put baby to bed, Kena also grabbed some books to read to baby then to leave in her bed for baby to look at once she left (mommy does that sometimes). Oh and her sound maker was on too, so baby can fall asleep to background noise.

I am not only so proud of her but I am also amazed by her. At almost two, she has a heart and love that some adults don't show. I can not wait to see what God has in store for her. Ohhh, it just gets my heart so excited!

Cakes, Cakes and more Cakes!

2009-07-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

I love cakes. And I am not the only one in the house that does. Kena has started with her own love of cakes and cupcakes. One day we were reading together on the floor, for some reason she found a cake book (which are laying all over our house), plopped on the floor, laid on the tummy and flipped through the pages of a cake decorating book. It cracked me up...and NO I did take it away from her. The only thing is I don't always eat my cakes however....Kena is always there to eat them. Next thing you know we will be on "Maury" with the other 'fattest children'.

Ok, so here are a few pictures of my last cakes. Please be kind, I am new at this. Next to make Kena a "ladybug" cake for her birthday party. I am nervous about it so I am making one before her birthday to practice on.

The most beautiful girl in the world.

2009-07-19T18:34:00.001-07:00

Yes, I am allowed to say that, because she is my daughter. My friend Krista (who I have mention before) had a booth at a local consignment sale (a weekend sale) and was taking pictures of your children while you shopped. I fully took this opportunity as I LOVE Krista's pictures. I was so lucky because, not only was my child brused and cut up from a trip to the beach...we (ok, me) also didn't brush her hair that morning (seriously,I know I should but she has CRAZY hair). Kena is wearing my favorite shirt of hers, orange and brown you can't go wrong.

I LOVE that she took a picture of her yummy chubby legs!

Look at her eyes, she is so beautiful.

Where I have been...for the past three wednesdays...

2009-06-28T09:10:00.001-07:00

Ok, now I am able to spill. I haven't told anyone what I have been doing for the past three weeks on Wednesday nights...simply because, well I didn't want people to ask what my 'final project' looked like. I didn't know if I was going to be good at it, or even if I was going to 'like it'. So here is the big reveal.....

I have been taking a Wilton cake decorating class. I am sure you all thought it was going to be a big reveal...but here it is, my final cake. Made from scratch wilton's own buttercream frosting, hand decorated and colored by yours truly. And yes, I was the ONLY one with orange roses (those are all handmade also).

If you are curious about cake decorating, take this class! I took it at Joann's in Lynnwood, for three weeks/3 hours a sesson, I decorated to my hearts content. The first class was all about frosting! Now I have my little cake 'caddy' with my tools, pipping bags, and tricks of the trade. I will plan on making wilton II, III and fondant, but I would like to practice more before I get ahead of myself. Here are more pics of my final cake (and NO they didn't grade it...thank goodness!)

Yes, that is hand piped roses that I made!

Frosting could have been a bit smoother, but I thought it looked pretty good!

Blogs I read (stalk)...

2009-06-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

Be prepared. I apparently have no life what so ever and rather read blogs. For some reason I love that I get to 'peek' into someone else's life for a little bit. Some of these blogs are on my 'ticker' on my yahoo homepage, some are in my favorites, some...sadly I have memorized the url. When it comes to blogs, I am a freak. I really enjoy learning about others, blame it on my interest in sociology (if you don't know already, I was going to major in sociology in college).

I will group them into sections, so then you may understand why I read them.

Friends/Family:

http://www.theofficeladychronicles.blogspot.com/ my mom's blog, that she NEVER updates. I look forward to the day she does.

http://tylermeettaylor.blogspot.com/ my baby brother's blog. He is a talented music writer. Read his stuff, its amazing.

http://noahandolivia.blogspot.com/ Auntie Melissa's blog. Learn about my nephew and niece.

http://hudsonmack.blogspot.com/ My wonderful friend Nette's handsome boy Hudson!

http://www.andkaiyamakesthree.blogspot.com/ Kjerste and Derek Whaley's adorable family. I met Derek at SPU, where we lived in Emerson (different floors of course)

http://dandscarriere.blogspot.com/ Sarah and Dan, very dear friends of ours that have moved to Canada. Dan was Adam's real estate partner 4 years ago.

http://hopesprouts.wordpress.com/ Jen Montzingo's Blog. She is an actress and a fellow Emerson Dorm floormate (College of course!). I love reading all her adventures.

http://paperpassionpixels.blogspot.com/ Noel Culbertson's Blog. She is PROFESSIONAL scrapbooker, no kidding! And an amazing photographer...please check out her amazing pictures of her cute daughters.

http://www.neohippiemama.com/ Lacey's Blog. I graduated with Lacey from Stanwood High ohhh...8 years ago. We walked together (If my memory is correct). She has some great ideas on how to live naturally and with the earth.

http://theharrisblog.blogspot.com/ I also went to Stanwood High with Becca. We took an english class together that...I don't think we EVER learned english.

http://cancersurvivor2006.blogspot.com/ Doreen Schmidt's amazingly touching story of cancer. Her and her husband are both fighting against cancer. Hers is lung cancer although she has never smoked in her life. Please, take the time to learn about her, her family and how cancer has affect her life. There is a link to "lung tube" on her site, to watch a video about her story.

http://kristascheiphotography.blogspot.com/ A friend who is starting her own photography business. Takes amazing candids, especially of children!

http://viewsfromajavahut.blogspot.com/ Lisa's blog, my chatty friend from church and work!!

http://redmansjourney.blogspot.com/ Suzi and her family's journey with adoption (with a second adoption in the process!!)

Sites that will make you want to eat your computer screen (but please don't...):

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ I know I have mentioned this one before, but I seriously get a kick out of it!

http://bakerella.blogspot.com/ Home of the "Cake Pops". Great website, great photography, yummy recipes.

http://www.charmcitycakes.com/blog Yes, I love Duff over at Charm City Cakes. Their cakes are amazing!

My Celebs that I stalk:

http://dooce.com/ Heather Anderson's personal blog. She suffered postpartum depression also, which she has turned into laughs. Its a breath of fresh air when you are sick of reading the statics.

http://teresastrasser.com/blog/ Popular from a show called "while you were out" where she, Teresa Strasser was the host. However I probably hear/learned more about her when she was Adam Corolla's co-host on their morning radio show. Teresa is about to become a mom and blogs about the journey is traveling. Funny and then sometimes too real.

http://celebrity-babies.com/ I don't know why, but I do. It is fun to see how 'pregnant' the celebs get.

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/the_soup/index.html The reason I cry on Friday nights at 10pm. Ok, its because we don't have cable anymore and I can't find episodes of the soup anywhere on the internet. Boy, do I love that Joel Mchale...and he is a local boy! Anyone remember "Almost Live"?

Getting Creative!:

http://tutusandturtles.blogspot.com/ Some really fun, creative ideas! They have an idea for an art 'area' there that I just LOVE!

Oh How I love Seattle:

http://monkeyaroundseattle.blogspot.com/ LOVE this site. First it has monkey in the title. Second its kind of a blog of all the funky happenings in Seattle. All the fun bakery openings to what was playing at the Seattle Flim Fest. I also love Matthew Porter's monkey in the logo.

http://www.merakohblog.com/ Me ra Koh is a local, yet very famous, photographer. She has a amazing story of how photography has healed past wounds. Her photos are breath taking, I am not even kidding. Oohhhh the color! I love her, well kind of motto, 'refuse to say cheese' (I will have to dig up some of my wedding photos, I think we only had like 4 posed. The rest, candids!)

A few more of my favorite sites:
http://www.eonline.com/
http://www.people.com/
http://www.etsy.com/

ok...let me know what your favs are!

Sweet Makena-isms...

2009-06-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

Our sweet girl is growing up...and FAST! Every day she does something new, I laugh and then run to the nearest pillow to burry my head to cry. Only because she is growing too fast. I do miss the little 'peanut', but boy am I excited to see what God has in store for this little girl!

So for your enjoyment...Makena-isms...

-She offically has moved up to a big girl bed. Luckily her crib converts in toddler bed, so one weekend we just took off the railing. I am not a big fan of the current bed, but toddler beds are just too expensive (I don't like the bed because its too high). So far she only fell out once.

-She is wearing big girl underwear! Why you might ask? No, no, no she is not potty trained. Its because she figured out how to take her diaper off. The undies are there just as an extra step. For Kena, if there is too many steps involved she won't bother (like her mommy). The other day, she was supposted to be taking a nap. I normally have the montior on to listen to her, this time I guess I didn't have it high enough. I walked back to take a nap, heard Kena, opened her door and found....well Kena with a shirt and...thats about it. She took her diaper off (yes she sleeps in just a diaper...) and then proceeded to trash her room! Yes, q-tips strewn about, clothes taken off the hanger (even a hanger broken), books scattered all over. BUT HERE IS THE KICKER...I asked Kena "what happened???" and her response "I sorry mommy" then covered her face with her hands. How on earth can I get mad at that??? On goes the undies!

-I have horrible seasonal (which feels like ALL the TIME) allergies. This year has been the worst. The only postive, when I sneeze (actually when anyone sneezes) she says "God besss you mommy". Tooooo cute!

-She is figuring out her colors...or at least for now. We were coloring today and she would bring daddy a crayon and daddy would ask "what color is it?" and she would answer...correctly! Either I am doing something right or I own a lot of money to PBS.

-LOVES bubbles. And if you ever want to be 'cool' or on the 'good side' of kena, bring her some bubbles.

There will be many more...

Who do you stalk?

2009-06-19T16:52:00.001-07:00

Hello fellow blog readers. I wanted to ask you all a question...Who do you stalk????

Ok...sounds creepy?

Its not meaning to. I am wondering which blogs do you 'stalk/read'. I mean, blogs that you check daily (or more than daily). And why do you stalk/read them. I am going to compile a list of my favorite blogs-and the reason(s) why I am a follower. These blogs are not nessarily on the side of this blog (look to your right). I do need to update that.

Please...tell me...who do you stalk?

KILL IT WITH FIRE!!

2009-06-18T14:58:00.001-07:00

One of the blogs I check daily, ok twice daily is Cakewrecks. Just some light hearted humor. But you HAVE to click on the following link and watch the video on the post "KILL IT WITH FIRE". Seriously...the ladies should have handed in their aprons after the "sketch". I am sorry, the only one would should mess with fire is Duff over at Charm City Cakes.

Anyhoo, here is the link: KILL IT WITH FIRE. -Oh Crap! Is it really on fire- I think my favorite part is when the baker goes "do we really have to do it?".

Random Sippy Cup Showdown...

2009-06-15T22:21:00.000-07:00

I have a few favorite blogs. Ok, let me be honest...I have a LOT of favorite blogs. I have a 'ticker' on my yahoo page that constantly updates when the blogger updates their blog. One of my fav's is Z Recommends. Its updated by a stay at home father (actually I think they were recently mentioned in "Parents" magazine as a cool dad..or something like that) and focus on products for your children and family. He is 'green' and shows that in his posts. His recent post is called "2009 BPA Free Sippy Cup Showdown". I am not only worried about BPA, but down right afraid. I don't think all the research has come out yet and I think its going to be worse than we first thought. Its band in places...like Canada. Once the news started talking about BPA, I was one of 'those' who reached into their cupboards and threw (or tried to return) the bottles with BPA.

Jeremiah took the time, which we really don't have, to try out all the BPA free sippy cups and then ranked them. Check out his site, it will make your life waaay easier the next time you are at target or babiesus.

Q-Gifts.com

2009-06-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

Some of you might know, that my hubby is heading up our high school youth group's Water X (which is the youth's summer get-away). He is in charge of all details up to and including the ordering of the t-shirts.

Ohhh, high schoolers! You gotta love them, but they are picky!! In comes Q-Gifts Custom T-shirts( q-gifts.com) and their custom made t-shirts. My brother made an awesome 'water x' logo, which some custom t-shirt makers had a hard time with. However the folks over at q-gifts custom t-shirts made it so easy to do work with them. And about the high schoolers being picky...they have AMERICAN APPAREL t-shirts. If you don't know what american apparel is, its a super trendy/fair trade t-shirt company. Q-gifts custom t-shirts has a nice selection of colors and fitted sizes of t-shirts.

So if you are looking to buy t-shirts in bulk (all you church folks that have VBS this summer...or summer camps...or just want a bunch of t-shirts.) go ahead and check out Q-Gifts Custom t-Shirts! (we recieved a 10% discount for blogging about them...YAY!!!)

Looking for a Photographer?

2009-06-13T23:00:00.001-07:00

Are you looking for an awesome Photographer to take some awesome pictures of your family?? Can you tell that I love the word AWESOME?

Well, I wanted to give my friend a shout out in the blogging world. If you are looking for some cool new family shots take a look at Krista Schei Photography. Krista's way of capturing beautiful candid moments are amazing. I love the way she uses lights and different lenses to tell the story of each family/child. Check out her photography blog, you will of course see her adorable children-Katie, Will and Ben. We will having photos done sometime this summer or now that I think of it...FALL, since it is my favorite time of the year!!

Please check out her blog and remember...support local!

Clips anyone?

2009-06-13T22:45:00.000-07:00

Now, Kena has some really adorable clips. I bought them off etsy.com before Kena had hair (which wasn't too long ago). Beautiful hand cut leather flowers on colorful ribbon...just too yummy. Yet, this is what she always chooses. One day I got super lucky and she wore two clips...Elmo and Big Bird. Some battles are just not worth fighting....

And yes she might be pissed. I think she is getting sick of mommy always taking pictures of her.

Happy Birthday Hudson!!!

2009-06-13T22:37:00.001-07:00

Um...about 6 months old

1st Birthday Party

Happy 1st Birthday Hudson!

Happy Birthday Noah!

2009-06-13T22:34:00.001-07:00

We can't believe you are 4 Noah! We are so proud of you!!! We love you!!

-Auntie Sara, Uncle Adam and Kena Ranae!

Yes it really did get into the upper 80's!

2009-06-13T22:24:00.001-07:00

Do you guys remember that 'freak' week we had when temps climbed into the upper 80's? Ok I will be the first to tell you...I HATED it! Full on, miserable, hot allergy me HATED the weather. I am sorry, it just was too hot. So we found alteratives to the heat...WATER! Luckily Kena loves anything to do with water!

I laughed so hard a little pee came out...

2009-05-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

(for those that don't know...that is a 'friends' quote. I can hold my urine that you very much)

Think about it....get it??? "Under neat that" (you aren't supposed to write it...just do it!)

I haven't blogged about this website yet and I wanted to pass it onto you. You will thank me later as you will read though the many posts....of horrible cakes!

Over at cakewrecks they host a website of the world most horribly decorated cakes. Pictures sent in by the people who bought them or the bakers themselves, will not only make you laugh but will make you feel better for your own cakes you have decorated. I laughed so hard at some of these cakes. I was telling Adam about them last night and I was crying so hard recalling the pictures and stories.

Here is to give you just a taste...

I want sprinkles DAMN it! Ok..maybe I will settle for you just writing "I want sprinkles" on top...thats pretty much like eatting them,yeah. This one made me crack up. So funny!!!

Can you tell? This is Dora!

"Which cake would you like?" "Um...yes, the one cover in turds and hot dogs please!" Totally makes sense!

I am not even going to say anything.

Most of the cake's pictures are taken while still sitting on the store shelves (thank goodness for camera phones!!). You know someone didn't do that on purpose...or maybe that did??

Would love to hear what you thought of cakewrecks!

A playdate at Willis Tucker...

2009-05-19T15:19:00.001-07:00

We invited some friends to enjoy a day at Willis Tucker Park on Monday. Kena had a great time with her friends. Here are a few shots of the day.Noah and Livvy sharing their lunch with Kena (thanks Auntie!)
Natalie

Kena and her friend Kendal. Kendal and Kena just walked around the park hand in hand.
Ready....set....go!
Ryan! Kena and him share the same birthday.

Kena being pushed on the swings...by everyone!

Evelyn

Mommy and Makena Monday's!!

2009-05-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Monday's adventure was to....

Country Village, Bothell

Happy Birthday to .....ME!

2009-05-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

We celebrated my birthday/mother's day the whole last weekend. I got to sleep in...priceless.

As tradition, we go to Trophy Cupcake in Seattle to grab a birthday cupcake and 'take in' the people behind the counter decorating the cupcakes. Since it was mother's day the next day and Saturday being so popular for weddings they had around 10 people making, baking and decorating. I so wanted to take a picture of the busy bees, but thought I shouldn't be 'that person'.

Afterwards off to walk around U Village...just to look. We didn't take a stroller for Kena, which makes it more fun to let Kena decide where she wanted to go. You will see in pictures below...she got a tad bit wet from the frog water fountian.

Once home, I got to rest and enjoy the rest of the day. My parents stopped by for a bbq later that night.

and now...

2009-05-11T09:40:00.001-07:00

I added "three little birds" by Elizabeth Mitchell on the playlist...enjoy!

A not so traditional lullaby...

2009-05-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

We just aren't normal at this house...and I love it.

So as some of you know, I suffer from anxiety/depression. I pray to God that Kena will never experience this pain. I work very hard for her never to see me when I have anxiety or talk about it around her. She will be much older before I will 'get real' with her and talk about it. In our house we work on talking things out, feelings/emotions, worries/fears...even with Kena at her age. For me its easier to talk about it out then to hold it in.

Luckily, as far as we can see, she got her fearlessness and calmness from her father.

But one day, while we were cuddling getting ready for bed I started to sing (if singing is what you want to call it) "Three little Birds" by Bob Marley. There are so many 'versions' of this song. Bob does best of course and children's folk singer Elizabeth Mitchell (little bird cd) has a beautiful version that is in our car. I was singing to her and she kept on saying 'one more, one more'. And she will even sing the "alright" part. Now while I sign it she says "mommys song, mommys song".

...I am thinking that in her 'backyard themed' room she might need three little birds sitting in a tree on her wall...

Throw that word away!

2009-05-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

I have a total headache, but I have to write about this. Kena's new favorite word..."Mine", which is totally the worse word. I hate it more than "No". At least with 'no' you are making a stand for something. She doesn't need to say mine, even if someone is taking something from you. It just bugs me, because I in no way to raise a greedy child. She says "mine" to everything-up to and including my cereal in the morning. She is right now playing with her mega blocks saying "mine"...well yes they are yours, but you need to share. So I tell her throw that word AWAY, she doesn't need to use it. I don't even want it in her vocab, I can see it...one day in children's church she will go "thats mine bit*h" and I can only guess it will have to do with food.

Her favorite phrase right now "one minute" and yes she got it from me...do I care? Crap no. Its quite funny. The other day we were at the library and there is a kid's computer-she went up to older kids and said "one minute". The older kids were looking at her like, did she just say that? (Did I already tell this story? Don't care, will tell it again).

So to all those words like "mine"...throw them out!

Blog Alert!

2009-05-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

I wanted to inform you all on a new blog that I have stumbled across. As some of you might know, I enjoy history. Especially Holocaust/World War II history. Adam's boss at Nova Fisheries, his wife works for the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center. WSHERC has wonderful resources on educating about the horiffics of the Holocaust, genocide and hatred. WSHERC also is fanastic if you are in the education field and are interested in teaching your students about the Holocaust. Useful tools are available for rent, one of those tools being a 'suitcase' that is filled with media, books, etc.

They started a blog, which shares special dates, educational forums, and info on grant information (WSHERC is funded by donations and grants that they apply for each year). Its a wonderful resource for those interested in learning a little bit more about history.

Tid Bits...

2009-04-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

So a few tid bits from the Cross' household....

-Kena called me 'Yoko Uno' the other day. Yes really. She yelled something to the affect of "Yoko Uno" while looking at me. Adam and I turned to each other and asked "did she just call me/you Yoko Uno??" I appologize for breaking up the beatles.

Kena loves singing the wheels on the bus. Today she wanted to the crying baby part. We did and once she finished she covered face, turned around started walking and RAN RIGHT INTO THE WALL. She turned, looked at us, and then continued on. Adam and I thought it was joke. We laughed and I fell off the couch it was so funny. Its not child abuse if its funny right?

-While listening to my music today, "Queens of the Stonage" is on my playlist with a song called "sick, sick, sick". Kena was taking a bath when the song was playing from the family room. The song goes "sick, sick, sick" and sweet little Kena in the bathtub sang "SIC, SIC, SIC" along with the song.

-While sitting for a family dinner one night at our dinning room table with a nice home cooked meal...oh shoot, thats right I need to be honest. Ok, we were lazy one night and had dinner in the family room. That dinner consisted of mac and cheese or something like that. While we were eatting Kena lifted her finger...she had something on it...what on earth was it. So Adam got up from the couch to see (I was thinking it was cheese maybe), looked at it then smelled it (right then I should have known). Kena put her hand in the back of her diaper and picked some squish poop out for dinner. Yummy right?

-After 'creative time' at our house it was bath time. I let Kena play with markers (not always the wisest choice, but I don't care), so her clothes took a toll-mainly the tan colored pants. So I took off her clothes and saw blue pen marks on her butt...but no pen marks on the back of her pants. Yes my child, took her pen and drew on her butt.

-One of the most recent battles is that Kena wants to take lovey with her into the bath. If we take lovey away that means she screams during the whole bath time. Well dada isn't home and I wanted to score some mommy points-showing dada that I can get Kena to learn her lesson. It freak'n blew up in my face. She LOVED THE WET LOVEY. One point Kena.

Thank You for following my blog...

2009-04-25T21:33:00.001-07:00

Thank you for all that responded and said that they DO read my blog! Yes, I got warm fuzzies NOT cold pricklies.

Dear Uncle Tyler....

2009-04-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

I think Kena hearts you....

Pre-Easter Egg Hunt at Gold Creek

2009-04-20T19:39:00.001-07:00

Our church had the big egg hunt the weekend before Easter. Boppa and G'ma came down especially for the egg hunt.

Kena, well, was Kena....look on to find out...

Yup...she cried the whole freak'n time while picking up eggs....

Observations at Barnes and Noble...

2009-04-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

..Sorry folks, this was written about last week. I am lazy and it sat as a "draft" for almost a week...

Sunday I desprately jumped at the chance to get away from my house, my Kena, and my adam to take a trip to the bookstore. Adam took Kena to Lowes for a lawn mover blade and I took a long hot shower and 'got ready' for the day. Next, I hopped into Adam's car (which for some reason is difficult for a shorty like me to drive) and drove to the local Barnes and Noble. It was a pretty day (not beautiful) so I rolled down the window and breathed in the toxic allegien air.

I knew I wasn't going to buy anything. To be honest I just wanted to read a few pages for a book I have on hold at the library "I cried and it sucked: How I had a baby, a breakdown and a much needed margarita" by Heather Anderson over at dooce.com. It was located in the parenting section (ha!), so I walked by the 'newly pregnant' couple. Her huddled on the ground with a HUGE book and him standing over her with "the EVERYTHING about Fatherhood book". I am guessing by the size of her book it was pregnancy week by week. She wasn't showing, so I am guessing this is a newly known. They didn't looked stressed or unnessarily happy either. You all remember...oh CRAP, this is for real? Of course you say that after the cheers of pure joy (or hyperventating like myself).

With how they were BOTH looking, I knew they weren't buying the book for their neighbors.

For some odd reason, I just wanted to go up to them and sliently say "its going to be ok".

I remember the overwhelming joy, yet anxiety with our impending arrival. I too bought the books, studied them like I was in school and then shortly after that forgot about them (collected some dust). Thankfully I passed the final test (or what I think is passing). Reading the pregnancy books helped me, but the raising your children books were a little hard to grasp for me. I stopped reading shortly after a few months, Kena is turning out just fine. She has her moments, which then I in turn want to call my mom and appologize for how I acted as a kid. "What on earth am I going to do with you???" I feel like asking Kena. Luckily we haven't any moments that involved a burning candle or my make up or a roll of toliet paper (not all together of course). But as of recently her favorite thing to do is to dump her snack on the floor. Want to know what her snack normally is (what is asked for)..cereal, corn flakes. Yup, crunched up corn flakes on my the bottom of my feet, sounds nice huh? Or taking all of the books out of the bookshelf. That kid needs to start earning her keep around here!

Ok, totally side tracked there. But those were one of my observations at Barnes and Nobles.

Have you read my blog yet???

2009-04-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

I googled "Read my Blog" and this came up....thought it was pretty funny.

So random question-who are you? Who is reading this blog??? I am so curious to whom I am writing to, complaining and rejoicing in my normal 'mommyhood' or just plan life. Do you read it often? Or just check in once and awhile? I say this because there are blogs that I check daily-Kjerste, The Redmonds, Noah and Olivia's, Lisa over at Views from a Java Hut and others that are saved in my "favorite's" that I check out. I wonder if anyone else checks on this? Could you please leave me a comment??? Just so I know you are out there, floating in cyberspace. I know it sounds like desperation-good I am getting my point across!

In posting random info and sharing my love of photography, I have found joy. I have even picked up writing again (which I did when I was must younger and found joy) and even started to read more.

Just sometimes I sit back and wonder...who reads this? Or as the cartoon says "Why? I don't even find you interesting in person". Which, if thats the fact, please keep your comments to yourself...oh wait, you wouldn't even be reading-HA score one for me!

I wanted to do more 'product reviews' on this blog, but really never got to it. So if I find a great product or find I will post it. Otherwise frankly, it is the Adventures with Little Mama and Big Makena (with a little Adam thrown in there too!)

Thank you for reading.....

The BIG A has hit...

2009-04-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

And what I mean by the BIG A?? Allergies!

Spring has arrived, which means that I am 'drugged' 50% of the time. Each year once fall hits I completely forget about allergies, taking OTC drugs that you are only allowed to take "one every 24 hours" and feeling like I have crusties in my eyes all the time. And if you know me, crusties in the eye is my biggest pet peeve. The worse of my allergies that I remember is when I was super pregnant, July 4th 2007. I was literally days away from our arrival, or what I thought (Kena came a week late on August 4th). At our house we have a tradition to throw a HUGE block party on the 4th. Pretty much our road is shut down, bqqs are out and we have a great time. All I remember is that I could barely see out of my droopy, watery, crusty eyes. I was constantly sneezing and frankly...because I was pregnant...couldn't do a darn thing. Well, actually I could do a darn thing-grin and bare it. Of course, I being the perfect hostess (ahem, not really) I let anyone with in a earshot know how misserable I was. Ask Adam, he remembers.

To be honest, I never grew up with allergies, or at least I don't remember. It was when I moved out to Lake Stevens then to Bothell that I had allergies, crazy huh? So there was many fond memories of Spring and Summer in my past.

Here's to praying (sneeze, sneeze, sneeze-literally right now!) that Kena doesn't get them also...

A dressing up

2009-04-10T13:52:00.000-07:00

We already have Kena's easter dress (pictures of come later), but I was given this easter dress as a hand-me-down. We LOVE hand-me-downs in his house. Kena loved walking around in her 'dress-up dress' carrying of course, what else, a big bucket of crayons.

A girl and her mama

2009-04-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

I rarely post any pictures of myself...because frankly, I don'twant to. But I have to give the credit to Adam who took the photos of Kena and I.

Visiting the church's playground.

2009-04-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

A kids love of cocoa...

2009-04-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

A trip to the outlet mall with boppa and g'ma of course means cocoa!

Dad hammers teen's phone...

2009-04-09T14:52:00.001-07:00

Read the article here
A-what is a 13 year old doing with a phone? In school? I didn't get my first cell (keep in mind it weigted like 10 lbs) until I had my first car...18 years old. My parents watched the bill and made sure I didn't over my minutes...we didn't even have text back then (boy do I sound old??).

B-I do commend the dad...hammering the phone was the best thing. And grounding her until the summer...lucky for her it wasn't until she turned 18. $4,000...I am surprised they didn't disown her. Ok, not really but wow...

C-Dad thought the phone had been disabled when it comes to text messages...surprise, surprise dad...verizon has the upper hand...

Celebrity Apprentice

2009-04-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

Adam and I normally sit down and watch the Celebrity Apprentice on Sunday nights. We risk the lack of sleep and watch the whole thing through until 11pm, just to see who gets kicked off. Trump always picks celebrities that will 'push the envelope', actually in the last episode that phrase was thrown around alot. Dennis Rodman and Joan Rivers, I would say are the most...um...difficult of the celebrities. Luckily Rodman was sent home last week after drinking, I can only guess, the east river amount of Vodka and Cranberry (and let me add, what ex basketball player's choice of poisin is Vodka and Cranberry? Oh thats right...Rodman), during a task. Smart choice Trump, but it won't save his life. I was hoping that he would at least send or talk about sending him to rehab...come on Trump, think. The only one who did talk about it was Jesse James.

Anyways, thats not what episode this post is about. Last week's episode was to make a viral video (aka youtube) for All's new "small and mighty" line of detergent. Teams were mixed up to have both male and females on each side. Apparently when you think of small and mighty what else do you think of but...a little person? Come on PEOPLE! Adam and I both sat there, uneasy of what the outcome was relieving. One team decided to hire little people for there video, the other team decided to use an unrealistic model of a housewife (with 'affair' undertones).

Watched the episode, wasn't happy, but kind of pushed it to the back of my head. Until I read from a college friend's blog. Jen Montzingo over at a little zing, wrote about it from her heart. She is a little person and talks about Social Responsibility in her latest blog. Please click on that link to read what she wrote. Thank you Jen!

Dooce.com

2009-04-03T17:22:00.001-07:00

A new favorite blog! And you all know how much I love blogs!

Heather Anderson over at dooce! Awesome writer, with a great story. A mother of one and one on the way, she battled depression/anxiety and ppd with her first child. As most of you know I too battle with depression/anxiety/ppd, however don't talk about it in this blog since I have my own that is only about depression.

She is funny and creative. Its nice to get a different approach to depression...

Check it out.

Have you ever....

2009-04-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

...Fabreze your child?

Ok, so as some of you know, I had a barfing child yesterday. Barfed all over her nice, bright, clean carseat cover. After the barf, I rushed Kena inside layed her into bed (because I had to contain if any more barfing were to follow), rushed back outside to clean up the...mess. Oh, forgot to tell you, Kena...had yogurt and milk for breakfast. I cleaned up with babywipes (moms, we all know how amazing they are) and towels. Feeling pretty good about my clean up job, I rushed back inside to tend to me child. For the rest of the day forgot about the milky barf that was or wasn't sitting in the carseat.

Most of you know, I suck at cleaning. And I also kind of forget about things. So the next morning, Kena was doing better so we resumed our outing from yesterday. Off to Woodinville for a little shopping. Kena needed a sweater and shoes for her Easter dress. I took shower, got Kena dressed, even strigten my hair. Grabbed my bag, remembered my camera (just in case), snacks for Kena and was out the door in perfect timing. So proud of myself, got into the car and...sniff, sniff...oh crap. The barf. It wasn't cleaned as well as I thought. But, once I have something in my mind, I don't turn back. So Kena, (sweet, sweet Kena) sat in the smelly carseat (to my defense-it didn't look like it was nasty.) On our way to the consignment shop I decided to stop by target, look for somethings and purchase some fabreze for the carseat. My idea was to at least spray it, save the trip and wash the cover at home tonight.

Got Kena out, put in her the cart and the smell was still lingering. You have GOT to me kidding me. Score one for me. I am not going to win mother of the day award (thats ok, I won it yesterday for letting my child throw up on me). We didn't even make it into the store yet and she started crying. Not the full blown-out cry, just that consent whinning crying. I rolled my eyes and continued on. Grabbed my few things, couldn't find shoes/sweater for Kena (crap) and grabbed of the "lavender fabreze".

Ok, let me say this...I DID NOT fabreze my child. Kids don't have things to spray on them to make them not smell nasty. Sometimes I wish they did. Although, Kena's nautral smell is the yummiest around, the smell of barf outreached natural. While Kena sat in the front seat, I sprayed/sprayed/sprayed the carseat. Waited a few minutes then safely buckeled in Kena. We did our shopping and I felt like the smell was starting to disappear.

We made it over the 520 bridge (which gives me major axinety) and over to Adam's work for lunch. Adam got in the car and said "WOW, its smells like vomit". Awesome, know I am just immune to the smell, or am I starting to smell like yogurt/milk barf?

We had a great lunch at Ivars (of course seafood!), Adam cuddled with Kena-he said he didn't smell barf, but fabreze.

Just want to clarify...I DID NOT SPRAY MY CHILD!

We are more than blessed.

2009-04-02T13:16:00.001-07:00

Do you ever sit down and think "oh my gosh, we are so blessed!". I don't think I do it enough in a day. Yes today, my child threw up all over her carseat, then once inside threw up all over me. But those thing are so small to what we really do have. I have an amazing family. Beyond the support and love, I am blesssed with more than I can say or write. My child is healthy, happy and here with us. There is just nothing like your little girl, curled up in your arms. Or sitting watching me getting ready for the day and wanting to brush her hair (all three hairs). She has her moments, like an incredibly embrassing meltdown at the outlet mall (which resulted in a time out in the food court. I saw it on supernanny-it didn't work). But those moments are small compared to her smile, chubby cheeks and warm hugs. My husband is healthy, happy and here with us. He works so hard for our family so that I can stay home with Makena, a dream that a lot of women can only dream. He listens to me, comes home to a crying mess and gives me a hug. I've always said it takes a special man to be a daddy of a little girl and God knew exactly what He was doing. Adam might kill me for writing this but, he even plays dress up with Kena. I mean purse, tea cup in hand and scarf around the neck. Then will play indoor soccer to make sure she is well rounded.

It amazing the things I forget about it and need to be thankful for. So what are your blessings?
...now must tend to that throwing up child! The things we do out of love.

Valentine's Day 2009

2009-03-23T14:43:00.001-07:00

In classic 'Sara fashion' I am posting super late about Valentine's Day.

The beautiful flower that Kena picked out for her mama.

Sugar cookies that Kena decorated for our family members.

And then the super classy heart shaped pizza with red crust from papa murphys!

Two New Etsy Sites.

2009-03-22T20:56:00.001-07:00

Yes, we all know the economy...well less then great. That is why I heart Etsy. If you have NEVER shopped etsy, I dare you. Take a look around for a few and you will find the most amazing handmade products. I am addicted and I know I am not the only one. I spent an hour today looking at yummy fabrics for Kena's new duvet cover.

yes, yes one day I will have my mom's jewerly on it...

But today I want to let you know of two people that I know that currently are selling items on etsy.

Corrine, who I went to high school with is amazing at Scrapbooking! On her etsy site; CORRINEePANTS has premade scrapbooking pages, cards and 'brag books'. How cute is this little boy brag book?

It saves you time and the mess of making it yourself! Super cute stuff Corrine!

And then...geez I babysat this girl when she was a little one...Jess over at vigilantegoldfish makes practical wristlet aka "the anti purse". I love it because I am always losing things in my giant purse and in my even more giant diaper bag. Having something, easy like that that I can throw into my bag and then take out when I am on...a date (?) is so wonderful and easy!!

Check etsy, Corrine and Jess's site. Help support this economy!

Awesome Blog Alert!

2009-03-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

While 'surfing' the other day, I stumbled across an awesome blog site that I wanted to share with everyone. Its a great 'crafting' blog. Nannygoat is ran by two very creative sisters, who have seen all the 'trendy' crafts online and decided to figure out how to do them themselves! The great thing, they take TONS of pics to show you how to do the crafts.

I am thinking about 'making' these for Kena's new toddler room. Which of course has been much debate lately. I am thinking "backyard" theme. And yes...I have to have a theme. Last couple of days I started to shop on etsy for fabric for Kena's duvet cover. Joann's, yes, has fabric but not the cool Amy Butler, Michael Miller type that I would love for Kena. I am thinking to Paint a tree with a little birdie (tweet tweet) and grass painted along the bottom of the wall (mom...want a spring project? You did so well in our bathroom!). I went back and forth with if I wanted a 'jungle' theme or backyard. I am going to move all the monkey items into our bathroom, which is now the hawaiian monkey bathroom.

Eventually adding to the 'backyard/Park' theme room will be the house toybox that Adam will make for her.

...Sorry totally got side tracked. Nannygoat has some cute ideas for banners, 'leg warmers' and other fun trends! Take a look, you won't be disappointed.

Super Late Christmas in Hawaii pics...

2009-03-11T21:10:00.001-07:00

I know, its March. But I finally got on Adam's work computer and retreved all my Christmas in Hawaii pictures. There is NO order to these pictures! Welcome to Maui, Cross Family. First day at the beach!
Kena in her Christmas Eve Jammies

Christmas Eve! She is so beautiful.

LOOK! There is Kena with dada in the water!
Jesus' Birthday Cake!
Kena pulled out the "rocker chick" fauxhawk!

Cousins Noah and Olivia

"Princess' of the Mountian!"

Spot Jarren?

Sweet dada and kena steps.

Auntie Melissa and Noah

NOW...this is lame...

2009-03-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Christmas. Folks, did you really think I had it 'together'. Psssh.
Kena's Christmas Dress
Olivia and Noah in the "Snowdirt" at Snow Days at Church

Kena 'enjoying' the bouncy house

Think she is getting sleepy?

Kena showing off her Christmas Dress-yes..she did have two dresses!

She is so sweet!

First gingerbread house!!

Kena's new trike from Boppa, G'ma and Uncle Tyler

G'ma and Boppa at Lights of Christmas

Uncle Tyler and his sweet girlfriend Lauren

Our family at the Lights of Christmas

Kena's performance at Church for Christmas. It took her two seconds and she was in tears. So...she isn't an actress...thats totally ok with me!

Riley and Kena

2009-03-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

Do I really need to say anything more?

Did the time change throw you off?

2009-03-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

It sure did to everyone in this house. Of course it didn't effect us really until today, the day after.
As I sit here, on a lazy Monday I am watching the snow melt from the craziest day of weather in a long time. Around 11:30 it hit, hard falling snow! I had to run to pick up Kena (I was at work) then off to home. By Church, roads were awful, over by my in-laws not bad at all. Crazy!

We are getting prepared for Adam's surgery this Wednesday. We are so lucky to have amazing friends that will visit Adam and bring him movies while at home! Adam can't wait to get his hip fix so he can go running.

Kena is growing leaps and bounds. The other day Adam and I looked at each other and discussed how much Kena had grown overnight. She seems taller all of the sudden, which if you know my family is rare. She is starting to put words together to make phrases "mama go" "no no dada" "snow...cold". As parents, we are constantly thankful for our amazing blessing.

Haven't taken many photos lately. I did just get an awesome 'purse' big enough to carry my camera everywhere. I needed a bag that didn't look like a camera bag, which yells-please come steal me!-instead I now have a trendy Keen messanger bag. I am so excited to have my camera everywhere. Also I am working on more of 'learning' my camera, while not focusing a lot on 'touch ups'. I don't feel I need to take a class. I have talked to a few photographers, professional and hobbist, and they said they didn't take a class.

Here are a few of inside pictures, I can't wait for spring and summer for some good outdoor shots!

Kena's "cheese" face

Happy 2nd Birthday Riley!!

Kena in the only hair clip she will wear..Elmo.

This Week in Rage...

2009-02-22T19:20:00.000-08:00

...some of you might not know whats that from. I will explain later.

Among being a blog for kena, this is also a blog for me. A mom, a wife, a lady. So of course I have many of opinions. There is a lot I will bite my tongue about, but some things, well I just want to talk about. Then see if you feel the same way.

---To include you in my title. EVERY morning I would wake up, start my coffee, pop in a waffle for M and turn on 107.7. Every morning I would listen to Adam Corolla with Theresa. Yes, I know its not the local 'Christian' station, but I am a grumpy person when I wake up in the morning, so I don't want to hear 'chipper'. Adam, Theresa and Bald Brian would have celebrity guests daily. On Friday they would have my sweetheart...Joel McHale from the Soup. It was good, funny, yes inapporate talk radio. Come to find out, talk radio is going down the tubes. Or at least off the air. Wednesday started rumors that the Adam Corolla show was being cancled (they are from a LA station). Come Friday, they were saying there 'good byes' as the station decided to pull all there talk radio and only play music. Although Adam and the crew just received major bonuses at the end of the year, the station decided to lay them all off to play music. HOW SAD??? What on earth am I going to do? "this week in rage" was a segement on his show where listeners would call in, give a random topic and Adam would rage on it...so funny.

---Second...these STUPID converter boxes. Yes I might have 20 more channels, but I can't get them all at the same time. Right now I can't get channel 7 so no 'Amazing Race' tonight. However if I turn the dial, stand on my head, kena sits on the left side of the couch and Adam stays in the kitchen...we might be able to get the 'Christian' channels (Praise the Lord?? Really?? Purple hair???). I much rather have fuzzy channels that the digtal cut in and out. Its really annoying. And of course Adam will say, "we haven't given it a chance. Let me mess with the dials and find the right channel and they will all work." Guess what? I don't have patience for that, especially when it comes to my tv. Yes, I am sure I will like it in due time.

---OctoMom. It is wrong on so many levels, refering to the mom who just recently had octuplets. I consider myself fairly open minded, but this seems out of hand. I don't mind my tax money going to single moms/single dads/families with hardships. But when a mom, pays for IVF and gets pregnant with 8 kids (when she already has 6 kids) is just immature. And yes, I check tmz.com and the gossip magazines. I have seen in the last couple of days pictures of her "getting her nails done", "shopping at nordstroms", and running away from the paps saying "I am NOT a celebrity"..while smiling and laughing. I can't afford getting my nails done and I only have one kid. I rather spend that money on my child/home/family then getting my nails done. Yes I am sure she needs time away-but buying make up at Nordstroms? I don't even wear make up! I think I would have been a little more, understanding, if the mom decided to stay underwraps and not come out. I feel horrible for these kids, because if they are taken by the state (adam told me that there is a lawyer out there trying to get the kids out) then they will likely be spilt up. How is one family going to take 8 babies? Or, 14 for that matter. And now I hear that she is trying to get the hospital to pay for all expensives while they stay there. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? My family had insurance and we are STILL paying for Kena's birth. I am sorry, thats not fair. Maybe half is fair, but not all. I am sorry, I digress.

---one good thing...hulu.com!!! I had a super cranky M, so I looked up 'elmo' on hulu and found tons of celebrity guest spots with elmo! She had a great time saying "on more, on more" shaking her pointer finger. She was happy and I was happy because she was cuddling on my lap.

---Another good thing, I have the most wonderfully, beautifully, kind family ever. Adam has such a huge heart which is filled with understanding. M is showing us that she compassion, independance and brains. Her heart is filled with kindness and joy, beyond what I have seen before. She WANTS to make you laugh, which spend 5 minutes with her and you will be laughing. I am seeing our parenting paying off.

Ok, I am done. At least for now. Totally kidding.

Sweet Kena.

2009-02-20T20:33:00.000-08:00

I love the way Kena looks right after she wakes up. Skin-perfect,eyes-perfect,little mouth-perfect. And she even wants to cuddle with mama.

I just loved this sweet picture of Makena.

Moody Bands...

2009-02-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

Adam has a high school friend that he recently connected with via facebook. Naif Farris now is a writer for children's books about emotions. Naif posted that he just finished a new book, about bullies, and posted the 'video' on his facebook page. Adam right then told me to log in and check it. And let me tell you, it was awesome! I am always looking for new books and new authors. I fell in love with how Naif explained 'bullying' on the playground (Byron the Bear and the Bully). Then Adam directed me to Naif's website, Moody Bands. What a WONDERFUL idea! These bands have six emotions, my favorite is excited, on these trendy arm bands. We are thinking about ordering them and putting them away for when Kena is older. What a great way to 'talk' about your feelings, especially when your child can 'start the conversation' by wearing one of these bands. Also, Naif talks about wearing these bands to show that we are all alike! I LOVE IT! Here you can read about Naif and his passion about children!

For 12.99 you can get a pack of 6! Click on this link to go to the store.

Handsome Noah

2009-02-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

Sweet Olivia

2009-02-12T19:10:00.000-08:00

A Warm Hat.

2009-02-12T19:06:00.000-08:00

I love chilly, sunny days. Even more I love taking pictures of Kena bundled up with the sun shining behind her.

Kena's Favorite Song...

2009-02-12T15:29:00.000-08:00

I have RAVED about Kimya Dawson's CD Alphabutt. Yes, they talk about turds, butts, doo doo, and peeing. But seriously this is kena's favorite song. Really the whole CD is creative and sweet. Mama's Favorite song is "I love you sweet baby" which goes

"..first thing on our list to do is to wake up right next to you. the second thing that we have planned is to kiss both of your hands. third thing that we will do today is look you in the eye and say "I love you sweet baby, I love you sweet baby, I love you more than anything." It goes on to talk about the 'goings' of there day...but no matter...I love you sweet baby more than anything.

So, really if you don't want your kids to repeat the words fart, butts, and doo doo...maybe save this one till later. Kimya is a...a little different...also when they talk about panda..thats the name of her daughter. The video is live and I am guessing in a coffee house or something like that. The kid version has more music to it, but I couldn't find it anywhere on youtube...
www.youtube.com/v/nfbqrNPJXlQ&hl=en&fs=1"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true">

The Little Travelers Giveaway

2009-02-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite blogs to follow, "The Little Window Shoppe" is having a wonderful giveaway! As you might know, I love introducing Kena to all cultures/traditions and Emily over at the Shoppe is giving away two items from The Little Travelers website. You follow kiddos and there mama's as they learn from amazing adventures all over the world!

Emily is giving away a 'dress up' set and a 'dvd' to go along with. The dress up outfits are not your normal run of the mill outfits. They are made with beautiful silk and have so much character, unlike the disney ones. I love the princess one for Kena. So click over at the Little Window Shoppe for your chance to win!

The Good Old Days...

2009-02-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

So Kena and I ventured out yesterday to enjoy the beautiful sun at our local park. Kena was dressed adorably, of course, and I toted my Digtal SLR along with me (right now I am sort of attached at the hip to it).

Now, I thought...way back when...the good old days...that you would go to the park and meet new friends. As in"How old is your little girl?" "Oh mine is just a month younger!" "Oh, her name is Makena, whats her name?" "Isn't this a great park?". I have a passion for kids and their mamas, so I am always up to meet new moms! Well, apparently things have changed. I tried so hard to strike up a conversation with one mom who's child was almost two. Asking her questions...nothing back. Didn't even ask about Makena, which frankly, is just manners. Even if you don't care you still ask. So Kena found another friend, a little boy. They played, but his mom came over and 'redirected' him to play with another friend (a friend that they came with). This little boy adored Kena and they were having a great time. No moms talked to me or even whats worse, even showed interest. I thought you went to the park to meet new friends? Or am I on something?

I have always ran into a problem that "I look too young". Yes I KNOW I will love it when I am older, but right now I am rarely taken serious as a mom. I am sorry, once you are a mom you are ALL on the same playing field regardless of the mom's age. Yes, I don't dress fancy or wear make up. Why? Because I rather have a couple more minutes of sleep. If I were to look 'nice' or wear make up I might look older, but I just don't care. I also get the "oooh got knocked up at the prom" look. This is the best when I am with my 28 year old husband and we get that look. Mainly by older ladies some times other moms. At work there are still some moms that I feel don't 'trust me', yes I might look like your babysitter, but I have been working with kids for a long time and I am also a mother. I know a few things about kids...good and bad.

So frustrated, I let Kena just walk around (which the let me think more). I didn't want a new hang out buddy. Maybe someone I get ideas from...maybe another facebook mom. Another someone out there that knows what I am going through, because they are going through it right now! Kena then through a fit and I decided I was hungry and deserved McDonalds. I vented to Adam when I got home (threw a bit of a pitty party) and put Kena to bed.

Don't get me wrong...I ADORE my mom friends (whitney, nette, melissa, maegan, suzi, leia, anna, kristin, rhian, devon to just name a few), but I am always up for Kena meeting new kids. And for me to reach out, its also a great ministry I have found out.

Anyhoo, I got home, debrief and this is day two of my debriefing. I feel a bit better now.

After that I decided to put in my picture card to see what awesome pictures I got in the beautiful sun. Nothing. You have got to be kidding me. Yes really nothing good.. bummers. The only 'great' ones where taking in my backyard when I got home. Go figure.

A curl?

2009-02-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

Do you see it? Because we do!

A sunny day in Feb?

2009-02-03T18:14:00.001-08:00

says it all, doesn't it?