Jack & Kate- Plus 4

Meet Jack & Kate:

{Kate- I hope it's okay I stole this picture from your blog. ;)}


I met Kate during my freshman year at UCLA. We were living in the same dorm building, Sunset, {right, Kate?!} and bonded quickly. I think it helped that she was from Danville and I, Ptown, seeing as we were both living large in LA. We went to our first {and last} frat party together. And we've stayed in contact when she went into the FBI, then when she moved to Vegas, and finally now that we're both wives to wonderful men and Mamas to stubborn but adorable boys. Nothing like facing the same challenges that bond you yet again, and faster.

Since she's still very local and I haven't seen her in ages, we decided to meet at an ol' place we used to frequent in our college days: 3rd St in Santa Monica. It's literally been over 5 years since I've last walked the promenade, but used to go so often. It was one of the cooler places you could get to by bus {#8, I think} that was outside the 5 miles radius of campus we were confined to, without having cars.

So fun to come back years later with my whole family in tow {we're the plus 4}! Man, what one person can accomplish in just 6 years.

Here we are with all our boys. And doesn't it just make you jealous that she looks this good after only 6 months?!

We walked around the farmers market among all the good looking people of LA. E was all about helping Papa push the stroller through the crowds.

 And of course, trying to ride other people's bikes.

Oh, and checking out the fountains.

And it'd be a crime to not mention... the one store we actually went into was the Apple store. But were basically escorted out by the security as E tried to take apart the store front display. It was really funny watching W rush around trying to corral E while putting back the balloon-looking things. Such a good Papa!

After saying our good-byes {from a way too short hang out}, we headed home for naps. W let me get in a good snooze, then I joined them for some grass play time before dinner. We tried putting E in his bumbo for dinner and putting it on the tile for easy clean up, but he was having none of it. He wanted to eat the rest of his dinner like this:

And he did fairly good, all things considered. We certainly laugh a lot around here from his crazy antics!

W and I got to sneak out for some dessert and drinks after my mom got back from her evening session. We also got in a wonderful walk.

And in honor of Kate and her out-takes from Jack's monthly photo shoots, I thought I'd share what she has to look forward to as her little guy gets more and more wiggly... and distractible!!

Thanks for hanging out with us, Jack and Kate!!

Headed For The Coast

On our last day with the Swensons, Carolyn pulled out their giraffe pool before afternoon naps. It has been very warm down here so it was a huge hit even for pregnant toes!

All the kids loved the running water!

We added some pool toys

This inflatable pool was quite spacious but they all crowded around the watering hole: the giraffe's tail that spurted water.

And of course drank the hose water. What is it about running water and insatiable thirst?! I constantly offer water from a cup but he's just not as interested?! Sheesh!

After E was up from his nap, we loaded the car and headed onto the PCH. Truth be told, our original vacation was joining my mom at Pepperdine University. We just tacked on the extended weekend to see our cute family. Every year, my mom's church attends the Bible Lectures at PU. I've gone a few times before this: when I was a junior/senior and checking out colleges {Pepperdine was in my top #3} and again when I was at UCLA since I was already done here. It's basically a multi-day conference of speakers, lectures. etc. on Biblical topics. Plus, hello?!, you are in Malibu for cheap!! It doesn't get much better than that!!

We left before traffic, rolled onto campus, unpacked and got situated in the on-campus apartments in no time. Right before putting E down for the night, we took a family stroll around campus. 

Did I mention our apartment has an ocean view?! Um, could you imagine being a student and seeing the coast every.single.day? The whole campus gets a breath-taking view.

I might actually be persuaded to run if I could have this.

We're hoping for more beach, visiting some of my college friends who are still in the LA area, and just get in some more family time. G-ma is very excited to get her Ezra-fix while she is away and we're more than happy to oblige!

Happy Birthday, Mama

It worked out perfectly that while we are visiting, Mama Judy {my MIL} celebrated her 69th birthday. A shindig was held in her honor at Wes & Carolyn's.

W with E and Wyatt

Aly-Berry snuggling E in the hammock

Par-tay time with lots of yummy food!

Wyatt and E even got in some bath time before pjs.

The lady of the hour!

All cousins present

The 2009 Swenson babes...and just because I can, here they were back in Jan 2010...

My, how they've grown! And to look more like each other too!

And the future 2011 Swenson boys; June & Sept, respectively.

{so loving the farmers beach tan. yikes!!}

While the grown-ups were saying their good-byes, the cousins started playing "Ring Around the Rosie". E had already been put down for the evening so he missed out.

They were too cute! It was the classic Swenson full-house which I just love. It was great to see everyone especially the little ones because they change so fast. Hopefully, Mama felt loved and treasured by all her local family and those visiting!

Happy Birthday, Mama Judy!

Family Beach Day

Saturday mid-morning after a delicious breakfast and morning nap, we drove to Corona Del Mar for some beach and tide pool fun. Siah wanted to join us in our car so we loaded everyone up.

Instant buddies!

Beautiful coastline

Beautiful family of five: Wes, Carolyn, Josiah, Charis and Baby on the way!

We found a cozy spot on the sand and went to play!

The big boys dug a Siah-sized hole.

 Oh, make that a Charis-Siah-sized hole.

Tide pools

 Checking out crabs fighting

We ended the day with a bath party. The first time E's had friends in the tub. They all loved it!

Among some other firsts, E is sharing a room with Siah while we've been visiting. It's been wonderfully uneventful and gives me hope for the day our two boys will get to share a room. It is already clear that E loves waking up to another playmate so as long as they are on the same sleep schedule, it should be good.... ;)

On Perspective.

{One of the perks of vacation: being able to finally journal, read, etc. without distractions! Here's a bit about what I've been pondering during my quiet times...}
 

About a month ago, a dear friend's world was rocked by a miscarriage. It was the fourth woman I've know since December to lose an unborn child. Completely heart-wrenching. Coupled with a run-in with my neighbors who had just returned from an infant memorial service {the two year old had drown in the pool while his mother was home} and I have been internalizing, reflecting and thinking since. Not just on the surface or fear-level: like refusing to ever own a pool or making a commitment to keep all dangerous and hazardous paraphernalia away from my children. Or to refuse to embrace life the moment I found out it's been created either. 

I guess, thinking more about perspective. God's perspective. Eternal perspective. This is one of the many attractive characteristics my girlfriends, Stef and Natalie, have. They just get it. And do such a great job of being vulnerable so they can share it with others and encourage them. Stef has been so open during the hurtful process of mourning and recovery. It's rare to see that kind of transparency and maturity. And it's beautiful. Most people, like myself, can easily open up AFTER the whole thing is said and done. When you're back on your feet. Feeling good. And all is right in your little world. That way, we're safe to only expose little parts of the nitty gritty without losing face.

When my favorite baby girl was 6 months old, Autumn fell and landed on her head. There was a period of several days where they had to wait to see just how bad the damage was. Life-threatening? Ability-threatening? That whole time, Natalie did not panic. She didn't self-blame or dwell in insecurity or guilt nor was she consumed with worry. She simply prayed and waited. During that time, she reminded me of what God's says:

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were non of them." {Ps 139: 13, 16}

Of course, what they went through was scary and there was a point when the nurse shared that their baby girl might not make it, before they did x-rays. But Nataile held fast to God's word. He had numbered Autumn's days even before her parents knew her gender or her name. There was nothing about this horrible situation that unnerved or surprised Him. I remember her husband also sharing the same perspective with me. That he was finding joy and closeness with the Lord amidst the nitty gritty. I was sad for them, but so encouraged by the way they handled the whole thing. It was evident that they had thick skin and a tender heart.

After hearing about the more recent losses of young life, I started asking myself questions. Did I hold that kind of perspective up higher than my limited perspective? Do I actively trust the Lord or do I rely on the health and stability of my family, children, or marriage to hold me up? Am I living as though I already have all the resources I need to face whatever sufferings this unstable life throws my way? Sure, I've had some horrible experiences, but what about the ones that rock my identity? My foundation? God never promises a comfortable life. Or even a happy one on this earth. The last bit of Psalm 139 came to mind...

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if here be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" {v.23-24}

So yes, death, life, children, family, marriage, worry, doubt, fear, health, insecurity, long-suffering...all these things are in front of me on earth. Some are beautiful blessings while some I wish to avoid like the plague. But all point me back to Him. The good and perfect gifts along with the sadness from the Fall. Point me to my desperate need of a Savior who rescues, forgives, loves, and endures the hardships with me. My need for grace and the wonderful process he does of making me new.

I pray that He will continue to re-wire my thinking amidst suffering and change my perspective. That he will help me to "lay up for {myself} treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust {nor death} destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." Because "where {my} treasure is, there {my} heart {security, identity, etc} will be also." {Matthew 6:19-21} And that He will help me be more transparent during those times of struggle and hardship...

Thick skin. Tender heart.
Thick skin. Tender heart.
....

Delightfully Out Of Character

We are in Orange County visiting W's side of the family!

We left Friday morning and I must say that it was the most smoothest travels to date. I love traveling and am so happy that we've continued after starting to have kids. But, it's definitely not easy anymore. And E hasn't been the easiest traveler, especially in the car. So our car ride was pure amazing awesome-ness that I just must record. For starters, we ::gasp:: actually packed the night before!! Which helped a ton. I'm so much like my dad when it comes to traveling {Blessedly cursed, what can I say...} and like to stick to the planned schedule. So I was beyond excited that the car was completely ready to go come the morning of leaving. 

Our AIS {ass in seat} time was set for 9am. Historically speaking, we rarely if ever meet that time, more so after having E. We did several errands, including dropping off some things at my parents. So our official leave time ended up being 8:35. History is the making here!

Somehow we timed it just right because shortly after

I didn't have to sing to him or hold his hand or anything. He just quietly nodded off to sleep. So lovely. After his nap, he did some of this.

At this point, we were about half way and needed a potty and coffee break. So we stopped for gas, Starbucks, and stretched our legs. Then it was back in the car for some of this.

And more of this.

Then some more play with his stacker cups and new doll. The last half hour was the worst for Mama but only because my bladder was going to explode. :) So we made it in less than 6 hours with only one stop. E was great. I didn't even have to pull out half of my tricks that I had packed in his bag. He truly entertained himself for most of the drive. Did I mention I love this stage?! It was so wonderful to arrive with plenty of sunlight left for play.

Loving the big backyard with plenty of toys to go around!

And cousins to host an impromptu dance party.

Plus floor space to build!

This trip has been so fun thus far!