Santa Clarita Valley

This is where we are moving. Just thought you'd like to know.

Happy Friday!

Yesterday, this came in the mail from my TAMIL (Totally Awesome Mother-In-Law).

It was such a nice surprise!

Happy Friday everyone!  Mine has already started out a little sweeter...Thank you Wilma:)

Tuesday morning talk...

We found out we will be moving next Friday...I'm going a little crazy...thinking of all the things that need to get done before moving to California. Kid's doctor records, school records, turning off water, cable, electricity, getting carpets cleaned, spending last moments with friends and family, changing banks, closing accounts, getting important documents together, etc. etc. All while continuing to work full-time.

But on the other side of the craziness...I can't wait to see Scott. We all miss him and it's hard to have our family separated. He is living out of a hotel room. No home cooked meals for him. I'm sure he's surviving on beer and chicken wings! No kidding...and if you gave him a choice...he'd choose the beer!

I'm ready to get our family back to some normalcy. I'm not sure that's possible in our family but at least get us back to something constant. I'm ready to get Hayley & Hannah into their new schools; Holly into a new pre-school class; I'm ready to settle into a new house that fits our family; I'm ready to grow into a new church; I'm ready to explore the area; I'm ready to take photographs along the way and document our time in California. I'm excited for all of this and more. My excitement doesn't come without tears though because there is so much I'm going to miss!!!

I've been praying about all of this. I know God has us on a path that he wants us to be on. No matter what, I'm ok with that. I trust him.

Enough of the mush...
If you don't do anything else I say...please do this one thing for me.
Go buy this book and read it. It's so good. I loved it!!  Let me know what you think after you've read it.


Happy Tuesday to you!

11 is Heaven

Hannah turned 11!

Hannah woke up to 150 balloons on her bedroom floor. Actually, one popped in the middle of the night and woke her up the first time.  Me, Hayley and Holly woke her up the second time.

We also posted signs on her door.

We sang "Happy Birthday" and let her blow out candles on her doughnut cake before school.

We also gave her the traditional candy bar card.

Then she went to school.

Later that evening, we went to a local restaurant and surprised her with a family dinner...although Scott couldn't be there. :(

We love this girl to pieces!!! I'm so proud of the little lady she is. I hope she felt as special on this day as we think she is!

Sorry about the picture quality.  All the pics were taken on my iPhone.  I'm getting lazy, I know.

Bits from our weekend

My new Fall color...OPI - Russian Navy.

Took a couple of furry babies to get groomed.

Cousins came to play.

Pictures before church.

Greeny came out to play

And pose for pictures.

I made Pumpkin Bread.  I love the way it smells up the entire house.  It was delicious!

We finished our weekend with an evening bike ride.  Nice!

Bits from our weekend

With Scott in California now, I knew I needed to keep busy to help the time pass quickly. Here's what me and the kids did this long Labor Day weekend.

Friday night I took Mimi to our favorite frozen yogurt place. I think in her eyes it lived up to the "hype" I said it would.



Hayley went to the High School football game with a friend. This was kinda scary for me. I've never let her do this before but I know she wanted it. I spoke to the other mom and she was going to be there the entire time and said she wouldn't let them just roam. I've got to take baby steps to learn to let go a little...but it's really hard.

Saturday, I held a garage sale at my house. I'm trying to get rid of all the things I know we can't take with us to California. Our house now has 5 bedrooms and a huge gameroom totaling about 3100 sq. ft. Sadly, we won't have nearly this much room in California. I'm ok with that.


Holly and I texted Scott this "Good night" picture.


I took a nap with my favorite furry baby boy.


I captured a picture of storm clouds while I was driving (I was careful - promise!)


I don't know why but my desk just makes me happy. Even though I've never sat at it before. I plan to once we move though. Thinking of painting it white but I don't want to ruin it.


Holly's pet lizard which she appropriately named "Greeny" hanging around on our palm tree outside.


The last time this pool will be open until next year.







Thanks to Mimi for letting us hang out with her all day.


Back to school and work. Me & Holly texting Scott to tell him to have a good day and we miss him. It's Tuesday...bring on the week!

Un-happy Friday

3:30 AM...We're going to miss him.

Say it isn't true!!!

Please somebody tell me it's a lie! No, No, it can't be true!!! Zara...why do you taunt me? You know I'm on a spending hault. Can't buy a thing right now...can't even spend a little bit. You see, we are moving to Southern California soon and so for right now until we are settled with a home and new jobs...I'm on a strict budget. Oh, there's other taunts coming from Target, Kohl's, Old Navy...and don't even get me started on the online stores!! But I'm being very careful to stay far, far away from any temptations that might make me fall off the wagon! But Zara, my love, why on heavens earth now?? I mean, I only got to shop with you every once in a while as it is since you were only in 1 location in Houston and it's not very easy for me to get to. Now, you've made my temptations so easy to acquire!! No, No, Must Be Strong!!! I will be strong! But you can bet your bottom dollar, when I'm settled in Cali...I'm gonna purchase a whole outfit! Until then, I'm not believing these lies!!!!!!

First Day of School

Well, we all survived the first week of school. I'm not ready for schedules, routines and homework yet but I have no choice. It's here! Hayley started Junior High; Hannah started Middle School and Holly is in Pre-K. Keep in mind...Hayley and Hannah have to wear collared shirts under the strict dress rules at school. They are not allowed wear anything with a sparkle, glitter, rhinestone or shimmer...or else they'd be blinging it everyday!!