And the biggest newest news of all...

We found out in December that we are having another baby!!!  This took a little getting used to...especially for daddy.  But when it all sunk in we were all so very excited!  We surprised and told the girls on Christmas Eve and of course they were ecstatic!  We weren't going to find out what we were having because we really wanted it to be a surprise and didn't want to make it about the sex of the child since everyone was obviously rooting us on to have a boy being that we have three girls.

So going into our 20 week ultrasound the ultrasound tech told us that sometimes its really hard to avoid finding out this late in the game.  Especially if it was a boy.  And sure enough, when we saw the sweet little profile of our baby, Gabe starts tugging on my arm and covers his mouth and points to the screen.  He says "I've never seen that before!"  And the ultrasound tech laughed and said, "yeah that's pretty obvious, its a boy!"  Gabe immediately starting crying and I screamed "Thank you Jesus!"  We honestly had completely prepared ourselves for the fact that we would probably have four girls and that is what we would have and were totally fine with it.  This ended up being a very nice pleasant surprise.  And to be honest...deep down I had a feeling this one was a boy, I just of course didn't tell Gabe that.

So, we are of course over the moon excited that we get to experience having both genders and I cannot wait to meet our little boy!  I already love him so much!  Now to pick a name and get the nursery ready!  I'm due on September 1st so we have some time.  It's all so exciting!

Just catching up...

Soooo much has happened since Christmas!

We took a trip to the snow...

I had a birthday...

Ruby Paige was born!  She is the sweetest little baby!  Can't believe my sister has two!

Softball season started and daddy is the coach!

And we took a trip to Orange County to see good friends, got to go to disneyland and hang out with cuzzies!

And Easter came and went and we had a house full of people in our home!

(Girls getting ready hunt eggs, can you tell they're excited?)

And the biggest news of all will be my next post! ;)

The Holidays...

Christmas card pictures in our backyard...

 Thanksgiving table feast...

 playing in front of the tree...

 Santa Lucia day...

Piano lessons with Becca...

 The table is set for Christmas morning...

 Christmas morning was magical...

 I love my family!

 Almost time for Christmas Brunch!

Sophie Marie turns 3!

Baby girl turned three and brought in her three's with a Tangled princess party.  All of our family and some of our closest friends came to share in the festivities.  This little girl brings our family so much joy...what a little love she is with so much personality!

Oh Hi there!!!

Yeah...I'm finally posting after months and months.  I'm not giving up on this whole blogging thing.  But I couldn't just blog today's news without getting caught up on everthing that we have been up to in the last six months.  

First thing to post was Maui with my man.  8 days in paradise with the love of my life without our kiddos celebrating our 10 year anniversary.  Let me just say it was HEAVEN!  By day five I started missing my babies terribly but tried not to let it get in the way of our fun and time together.  The girls were just fine and having a blast with their grandparents.  Basically we spent the trip eating the most fabulous dinners every night, laying on the beach or by the pool, shopping, snorkeling, and even braved a surfing morning.  

Here was our first night out for dinner...maybe one of my favorite nights.

 Heading to the pool.  Our bathroom was fabulous!

 Hanging by the pool...

 The view from our room...

 Another night out for dinner...

 This was our Anniversary night.  The views were amazing and Merrimans.

This trip was a dream come true and much needed and I will always cherish it.  

Longing for Heaven...

I guess that's the closest way I can describe the way I have been feeling lately.  After the shootings in Connecticut happened I had an overwhelming sense of hopelessness come over me.  The reality of how evil this world is and that I have three children growing up in it is the scariest most UN-peaceful feeling there is.  I once heard that becoming a parent is like having your heart walk outside of your body.  I feel like that now more than ever.  

I have never been a worrier or a super over protective mom.  But when I dropped my kids off at school on Monday my eyes filled up with tears and my chest felt tight.  I watched them walk away and felt completely helpless.  The truth is, they are out of our control. That is why that as we are here on earth for such a temporary time there is only one thing we can do to ease the anxiety that fills our minds and life daily as parents.  And that is to TRUST.  Trusting doesn't mean that we think that bad things will never happen.  Because they might.  But I can't live my life fearful of what those things might be.

Here is what I can do...

I can live like today might be my last.  I can long for eternity and live for eternity...loving God with all that I am and trusting in His sovereignty and plan for my life and my children's life.  I can love my family deeper and better with my time and patience...I need more patience.  I can take in those little moments of life with a deeper understanding that life is fleeting and we NEVER know what tomorrow holds and be more present in the everyday stuff with my kids and not take it all for granted.  And I can believe and wait for Christ's return someday with anticipation knowing that in the end He will be the victor and He will prevail with no more pain, no more evil, and no more longing.

With the Election coming up....

I came across this blog post and thought to myself..."If I was a good writer or if I had the time to write, something like this is what I would say about the upcoming election."  So go check out this girls blog Here and read what she has to say.  I could not have agreed with her more and I hope that you take the time to read it.  And don't forget to vote!!!

The Girls rooms...

Here are pictures of the girls rooms in our new home.  The only difference is the walls are painted this time.  Paint makes such a difference!  Don't ya think?

There was no need for a dresser in their room because of the amazing storage.  Which means I will be repurposing the coral dresser that was in their old room.  It may go in my living room.  But a new color of course!

 Sophie's room...

 Amazing storage in her room as well.

A few "Must haves" for Maui...

So last night I booked Gabe and I's 10 year anniversary trip to Maui at the end of September.  I am so excited I could scream!  We will be staying here which we got an unbelievable deal on.  I cannot wait to spend 7 uninterrupted days with my love and celebrate the 10 amazing years we have had together.  

With that said, here are a few must have items that I will be purchasing for our trip...

Just ordered a couple of these turbans from Pepper Lou last night.  You can check them out here.  

 Also going to order this white bikini from Victoria Secret except with different bottoms.  A white bikini is a must when going on a steamy vaca with your man. :)

 Won't be leaving without a couple cute Maxi's in my suitcase...

 And of course some mint nail polish will be my color of choice for my nails and toes.  Already picked some of that up yesterday at Sally's!

Can you tell I'm a little excited?!  Just a little. ;)