I love her....

I love her little chubby cheeks and the way she fits perfectly resting on my shoulder. I love the way she pats my back when I'm holding her and makes the sweetest little humming sound, as if to express how completely comfortable & content she is. I love her smile and her little dimple, I love everything about her. I love her animated ambition as she grabs cabbage patch dolls by their hair and pounds them on the hardwood floors. I love her "mmm mmm" sounds when she's eating and how excited cheerios make her. I love falling asleep with her in my arms, smelling her, kissing her...I just love my beautiful Jade. I love her sensitivity and the yes even her pre-crying frown brought on by my stern, "no Jade". I love how she's happy and smiling from the moment she wakes. I love seeing her smile as she lives vicariously through Hazel's adventures. I love how God knew we needed her and surprised us with her...how he knew we needed her to complete our family.

I'm just trying to cherish these fleeting months leading up to her 1st birthday and almost want her to stay little forever!!!

Happy Friday!!!!

Love

Mon

Fall Reading Program

We love Tuesday!!! No, not because of Tacos! Well maybe just a little because of Taco Tuesday , OK so maybe grub & literacy are equal as far as importance goes. We love attending the reading/play group on at the Seller's Library. Hazel and Jade are also enrolled in the Fall Reading Club and are in the process of earning prizes every 8 books they read.

Some pics to enjoy....
After reading club, frolicking in the playground is must for Hazel Rei. On this particular Tuesday, she made a sweet little friend.

Hazel's new term is "no take picture of me". Joe has suggesting backing off a bit, and yes I am trying. Hazel Rei, I just adore you beyond measure and think you are beautiful..."Momica" will try though! Here is a funny collage of photos proving the point of Hazel's hatred for anything photo...see how things go from good to bad.

Jade is young and is still happy to pose for shots....gotta love my little Jader tot.

Representin' La Puente like a homie in the last pic...shout out homegirls.

Have a blessed Thursday dear friends & loved ones!!!!!!!!!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

1 Corinthians 2:9

Oh Snap...

That faithful morning I was running two and fro...trying tirelessly to get everyone bathed, dressed, fed, and out the door in time for Hazel's Dr. visit. So I gave Jade a bath, dressed her and put her in their room to play while I gave Hazel her bath. I just so happened to have my diaper bag with my trusty camera inside (goes everywhere with me) on my arm because I was getting it ready when I noticed the perfect potential shot.

I mean it was so cute I could just hear the Grandmas & Aunts going crazy. I quickly put the camera back in the bag, leaned over to unplug the bath, when OMG my camera dove right into the bath...I grabbed the little wrist cord but not quick enough because the camera was completely submerged in water for a good 2-3 seconds. I think I went numb for a second, I could just see Joe's face after I told him that I killed another one of our cameras (e.g running over my diaper bag with the camera inside). So I quickly txted all of my friends and waited anxiously for any responses. The info I was receiving was not looking good, not at all. I had to put the whole thing out of my mind because we were going to be late for the appt. So the entire time while at the pediatricians I kept thinking about my poor, beloved camera....and hated that I wasn't able to snap dozens of pics while we were there...and my stomach ached at the thought of breaking the news to Joe what would he do? I was scurrrrred.

Once I got home, I received a txt & call from Joe's awesome sis, Corynne...who happens to be married to an awesome photographer, David. David had said to fill a zip lock bag with rice, put my camera & memory card in it, seal it, and wait 7 days. I instantly took the advice and within seconds my camera was in the rice & sealed. I waited, prayed each day, waited, peeked, and finally day 7 rolled around and thank you Jesus....our camera works!!!!!!! I am so lucky to have FABULOUS Corynne and Dave to give me such awesome advice. Thanks!!!! Now I'm snapping photos of my kids like a madwoman....watch out Hazel & Jade...here I come!!!

Love

Mon

No pain, no gain.

I just mainly wanted to post an insane picture of Hazel Rei. You see my work-outs consist of me trying to make it so that my girls are entertained for 40 minutes while I work-out...doesn't really end up that way. Jade usually crawls over to my work-out mat and gets in the way while Hazel is obsessed with lifting my weights. So constantly I have to pause my work-outs to attend to them. Hazel actually picks up her toys and stands next to me and "works out" herself...it is pretty cute.

So this is what happens when you leave your weights unattended (and your 2 yr old) for a moment (seriously I just finished) and turn around to pick up your 9 month old child. No, she didn't hurt herself....and luckily I had my camera handy. Also the mess in the background is what happens when you "try" to get in shape with a 2 yr old and 9 month old! Note: Hazel's shoes are on the wrong feet....she likes them that way....

This is what happens when you are sleeping (for a moment!) and your 2 yr old gets into your diaper bag and plays Dr. with her sister. I woke up to...."baby got ouchie, she needs to go to the Dr."...Jade did not have "ouchie", but that didn't stop Hazel from bandaging up her head....fun...fun....fun...

Lancaster County

I'm not sure if its their simplicity that intrigues me but the Amish people are fascinating to me. They seem so content, hardworking, with strong familial bonds. At the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia they sell their produce, ice cream, and ever so delicious Pretzels...and you see the mothers, fathers, and children working in unison. I'm sure they have their problems but it just seems vastly different from the materialism, laziness, and selfishness that plague society. I dream of being Amish living in peace, and quilting, knitting, and eating delicious dough concoctions, when Joe says, "Hey Monica no cable if you're Amish"...to which I retort..."yeah, I think I'm good" snap back into reality and try to shirk the reality of life with cable.

When my most precious, beloved Mommies was here she wanted nothing more than to go to "Amish country" and as time went on we were never able to fulfill that wish (Sorry Momma) but I hope that the pictures of our adventures will help suffice (Also to lure you back to Philly).

We visited Lancaster County, Pa last weekend. It is 1 1/2 hour drive from our home. We drove through some beautiful countryside, visited a farm where we ate fresh corn on the Cob, baked potatoes, awesome kettle corn, and did a corn maze, and just had a really amazing time...

We hope you all enjoy the pics....

Eating corn with the fam..

Having some fun on the Farm:

Now initially my approach to the corn maze was one of apathy. I thought to myself, "come on there has to be a somewhat obvious way to get out of here!" At first, we thought that we would only go right....and would somehow find the exit...after about 45 minutes of going nowhere we arrived at the conclusion that some effort was necessary. We noticed there where hidden mailboxes with clues that you tape unto a map that will give you direction. There where serious die-hard corn maze enthusiast in our midst and we weren't gonna go there...but we did put our corn investigative thinking caps on and really tried to figure this thing out. With sheer glee we collected the little pieces from the hidden mailboxes and made our way closer, and closer to freedom!! After about 1 hour & 18 minutes we finished the maze!!! It was a very interesting experience and a great lesson in teamwork!!!

Love,

Mon

Fall....oh sweet relief!!

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

I don't know if it's the orange and red leaves everywhere or the cool breezes, and warm sunshine that make Fall my ultimate favorite season of the year. Being a native Southern California girl I have yet to experience a legitimate Fall...all until now. Let's just say I hope and pray that I never again experience another East Coast summer....give me a beach, a pool, and definitely no humidity and I'll be just fine. Humidity makes me feel slightly insane as if I am by no means responsible for my behavior...I can blame it on the humidity! But Fall, oh beautiful Fall....it's absolutely gorgeous. It's refreshing...like a giant invigorating, deep breath!

Joe worked yesterday and arrived home at about 4:00. Hazel had been dying to ride in her wagon and I had promised her that we would just as soon as Daddy arrived. So we loaded the girls in their wagon and set out for a lovely, early evening, Fall stroll.

I had been dying for an Americano from Starbucks (Half Caff/no water/2 splendas---oh it is Heaven!!!!) and we wanted to feed our ever grown obsession (McDonald's Monopoly baby) so we figured a walk would be just fine. We never eat McDonald's unless we are on a road trip where McDonald's are ever so abundant.....but when Monopoly time rolls around...we are so there. So we stopped off at McD's and headed toward the Arlington Cemetery.

I find it highly ironic that as a child my mom would take us to cemeteries...I would always get so sad reading the tombstones and would leave so heavy hearted...and God brought me Joe who loves to do that as well....hummm! As an adult, during my Western Europe backpacking extravaganza I even dragged poor Nadia to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris (ever in Paris...please go it is AMAZING http://www.pere-lachaise.com/) So it just worked out that yesterday we would visit the Arlington cemetery. We sat and ate our delicious (but very high in calories) fast-food and observed our surroundings. I was reluctant and felt a little spooked and said as I saw joggers passing by "I would never jog here!!" to which Joe replied, "It's peaceful and really there isn't anyone here anyways!!" Oh my ever so sensitive husband! So we walked along the pathway pointing out interesting tombstones with scriptures or quotes...it was really enjoyable.

Now, I was at an interesting grave site, reading, in deep contemplation, "oh this person was born in 1895!!"...when I heard, "Hey Monica, that's a sweet butt tree....hey take my picture"...so we had stumbled upon the impressive "butt tree" (read Joe's blog below). and my heavy burdened heart was lifted and we did what we do best....act like crazy, silly people. Once our fun was done...we turned around and noticed our two children looking very bewildered at us...poor children. I also wanted to post some pics of the other beautiful things we came upon on our walk.

My little camera really did not do the image above any justice. As we walked out of the cemetery I caught a glimpse of the beautiful stone gate, the awesome fall leaves, and a little glimmer of the glorious sunshine and had to snap this shot. I believe it encompasses our beautiful day...and my most favorite time of year.

***We have so many potential blogs, Lancaster County trip, our Giant Pumpkin exhibit and autumm hay ride, Hazey's 2 1/2 well-baby visit, and the beginning Fall reading program picks...so keep an eye on our blog for future blogs....

Love & I hope you are enjoying life, love, and this beautiful time of year!! God Bless!!!!!!!

Mon

Finest Tree Butt Evaaaaaa!!

So you're asking yourself, 'What the....?' C'mon kids, we're goin on a little adventure I like to call "tree spanking." So today, my family and I took a little walk through the Arlington Cemetery by our house, no not THE Arlington Cemetery, jus this cool one by our house. It is an activity that I enjoy to do to read the quotes and see the history, its jus nice and relaxing. I know, us relax, but hey, to each their own. We were crusing around and we were almost done as we approached the final turn to the home stretch. Suddenly, there it was in all its glory. The clouds parted and down shone from heaven a glorious light to behold. Okay, so there weren't any clouds, nor was there any light from heaven but I figure if Joseph Smith can find ruby colored glasses and some gold plates, I can embellish my life too, right? But anyhow, I found the most amazing tree butt I have ever seen. Please take this as a challenge to find a far better one, and let me know. To those not in the know, a tree butt is when a tree has an abnormal growth around its midsection not unlike our human posterior. And now, (drumroll please....), may I present Exhibit A and B. Joe spanking that fine tree butt like a good Philly,before and after, and exhibit C. getting a grasp on the sitchyashun,Exhibit D. Monica taking a break...


Exhibit E. The Mrs. Monty tree shakin' and finally, Exhibit F. The classic and undeniably great and appropriate Credit Check.

Yeah, you could say this was one of the best discoveries in Pennsylvania ever.

Oh, jus in case you were wondering, the card was approved!!!