What I've been up to

So I've been really busy, which has been a good thing for this year. Another reason that I haven't posted on this blog regularly is that I've started another blog for my Bradley classes. It is unfortunate that I neglect one for the other, but I'm trying to remedy that, obviously :)

Here is one of my adorable couples who won the costume contest, which happened to fall on Oct. 31st ;) I just thought it would be something fun, since we were in class on that day. Teaching my Bradley class has also been a great addition this year, giving me some much needed adult time as well as a point of focus on something that really enjoy. I have really loved getting to know a few of my couples and seeing them learn and grasp concepts that I know will help them in their labor and birth and beyond.

 I've also been making a lot of bows, headbands, and clips. My friend Megan and I sold them at a church boutique on Thursday and Friday, but unfortunately, it was much financial gain. At least I was able to support Women's Ministry at Paz Naz (it was a fundraiser), which is where I go to MOPS.

Being a part of MOPS leadership has been a fun part of this year as well. I am both the Asst. Coordinator and the Hospitality person. The bummer is that we all have pre-schoolers, so leaving the house by 7:45 to set up and staying until noon to clean up, bringing food and having leadership meetings once a month in addition to 2 meetings per month ends up being a lot, especially since it is not particularly close to my house. I've loved it, but probably will be stepping down next year as Andy's year will be much more crazy when he starts rotations next August.

 Our church has been a wonderful blessing this year as well. In July, we changed churches from MBCLA (Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles) which we had attended the first year, to Grace Pasadena, a relatively new (about 3 years old) PCA church. The fellowship we've found there has been such a reprieve from the loneliness that I experienced last year, even amongst the church and small group that we were a part of. There are a lot of young families there, many of whom are also new to the area and need an "extended family" just like we do. So it is a great fit. Plus we convinced a couple med students to go there, including Andy's friend Tyler and Luke & Drea - bonus! :)

It is hard to say which is the biggest factor in this year being much better, but definitely one of them would be Andy's schedule. Whereas last year he had 36-40 hours of scheduled lectures, labs, group activities, and then would have to study and go in to the lab on top of that, it was a lot of time away from home.  This year, he has significantly less required time at school and he has become an avid "web-caster" meaning that he watches the lectures on his own time (in double speed, mind you). They also don't have anatomy etc. that keeps him studying in the lab. It has been wonderful for me and he's gotten to see the kids a lot more.

Having two kids is busy, but no longer having a newborn and not nursing has also contributed to this year being easier. We're looking forward to having more kids, but not sure exactly when that will be. I think I'm also glad that we weathered the 2.5's and are into the 3's. To be honest, it is still really hard to discipline with love and consistency and lots of grace, but at least I don't feel as much like I got broadsided with all these discipline issues like I did last spring when it came on so strong and suddenly. Annaliese is very smart and catches onto the slightest little things. I have to remember that even though she's so smart, she is only a toddler. Titus is really beginning to exert his little will and is both sensitive as well as stubborn, not surprisingly. They are both delightful, of course!

Christmas time will be fun and a lot of traveling. After Andy has his final on Thursday, we'll go up to Tahoe for a weekend with friends from SLO. Then we'll visit Andy's family in San Jose until Friday. Finally, we'll go to the Valley to visit my family for a week. We'll be back in Alhambra for New Years, I think we'll probably miss it.  I guess that's when you know you've begun to make a place your home - you miss it when you're away.

Dean's list

 Although when I try to get everything on the blog, I just end up not posting everything, this is one thing worth backtracking. In October, Andy was on honored on the Dean's List for the 2010-2011 school year.

It really is an accomplishment including not just an academic achievement amongst a class of smarties all of whom are future doctors, but also a leadership and service component, as well as being personally recommended by multiple professors. And although the Dean himself ended up having another commitment which prevented him from actually attending, there was a really nice reception. My babysitter ended up getting sick at the very last minute, but my dear friend Megan was able to come over and watch the kids so I was able to make it for the ceremony. I was so grateful that I got to see him be honored.

We all already knew it, but my honey really is the crème de la crème. His fellow students really look to him as a leader and for help with school stuff, rides, and personal stuff, and yet he can also be found cleaning the community student refrigerators before school once a month with a couple of other CSF students. Amazingly, he still throws Annaliese up in the air (we're talking WAY up in the air) and throws a ball with Titus when he gets home and also helps me do the dishes and takes me out for a date when we get the chance to sneak away. What a guy. I don't deserve him, but I thank God that he's mine! :)

P.S. Thanks, Shannon, for telling me to update my blog. I do love it. I just get overwhelmed with the fact that I can't seem to get it all done to the degree that I wish I could. :) Something is better than nothing, right!?!

New friends

How are we adjusting to life in L.A.? many of you have asked. Well, to be honest it has been hard, especially the first year. I find it difficult to know how much to say in the midst of it all, but fortunately, rather, thanks to God, this year has been SOOOO much better.

L.A. County Fair with Drea

One of the main reasons is because I have made a friend, Drea. This friend happens to be the wife of a first year medical student who is also Andy's friend, Luke. They are so dear to us. We met them through CSF (Christian Student Fellowship) at Keck and they are both believers. We usually see then multiple times per week. They have made dinner for us countless times, and often bring over wine and/or dessert so we can put the kids to bed but still be social in the evening... SO AWESOME!

Progressive double date in downtown L.A.

Luke and Andy are in a men's small group at school through CSF that meets on Wednesday mornings to fellowship, pray and have Bible study. Drea and I also meet at that time at my house before the kids get up to pray together at 6:30. It has been invaluable to me, to have someone to pray with as we walk through this unique and often difficult path together. I also know that they are lifting us up in prayer during the week.

Frozen yogurt date in her jammies

 Oh, and they've adopted our kids. I already posted about how they watched our kids for us when we went out for Andy's birthday (and gave us a Groupon), but I didn't mention that they also took Annaliese out on a special date for frozen yogurt one night as a surprise. She LOVED it. That doesn't really explain it though. She was shrieking and bouncing up and down when they came over and told her (they had asked me already), "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!!" I have to say that Luke and Drea were pretty ecstatic about her reaction as well. ;) I think that was the night they officially became "Auntie Drea and Uncle Luke" (aka Untel Newt, as Annaliese pronounces it).

Buddies

Titus also has a special place in his heart for Luke. It is so adorable. Usually when I am in the room and someone else is holding him, he tries to squirm away and get to me. But he loves to just sit calmly with Luke and Titus looks for Luke when Drea comes over without him. So precious.

Anyway, I just wanted to share a bit about these peeps who have made such an important, positive impact in our lives. It has only been a few short months of knowing them, but it feels like we've been friends forever. I can already tell that we've a lifelong connection.

A special date

I told Andy that I felt kind of like George Bailey at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life," last week when we got to go out on a date for his birthday. Our friends Drea & Luke watched the kids for us AND gave us a Groupon to a nice restaurant in West Hollywood, The Foundry on Melrose. (Btw, the food was AWESOME! We agreed, the best we've had in L.A. so far, not that we've been out a whole lot though.) Then one of Andy's classmates called ahead to the restaurant to give us a bottle of wine. We chatted for hours and enjoyed the food and drink - the perfect celebration of his 31 years. It was such a blessing and a needed respite while we are plugging away, both working so hard in different ways toward the same goal. We felt so refreshed and revived to finish out these last couple of weeks before his final next Thursday. I'm still drawing on that time to get us through until we have another break next weekend through Christmas and New Years. Thank you to our friends who made it possible. :)

So much to be thankful for...

We had an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving with Andy's family. We were just missing a couple of people: Josh and his new fiance, Desiree (more on that later). We hosted the meal and other hanging out activities here at our house, but it was really awesome that our friends Luke and Drea allowed Bert, Dale, Jon, and Ashley to stay at their empty apartment just down the street while they were in Portland. It worked out great for everyone; we are so blessed to have such wonderful friends.

 It was fun to see Papa Mac and the kids. The love him and we crack up any time Titus taps his head/cheeks/face because that is JUST like his Papa Mac! It is hilarious. If you know Bert and this funny habit that he has, you've got to see Titus do it too.

 Didi playing a rousing game of Cooties with Annaliese. Didi was a good sport and spent lots of time on the floor, reading playing games etc. with this little busybody.

 Uncle Jon and Titus. What good looking guys we have in our family!

 It is funny how kids always do this with olives. I guess it is just that they see a hole, and automatically know that they should stick their fingers in them.

Andy did a lovely job setting the table with our beautiful china and crystal (and clearing off the buffet, which is usually filled with stuff making it not accessible). I made all the sides, including mashed potatoes, bacon gravy, green bean casserole, apple cornbread stuffing with sausage, but skipped the turkey and bought a spiral-cut ham instead. It was perfect because Andy's family doesn't prefer turkey and I didn't want to attempt it any way on my first time hosting a big holiday like this. Some friends had an early Thanksgiving meal and then flew out of town and gave us some yummy fresh cranberry sauce and an apple pie. My mom supplied the zwiebach - again, didn't want to attempt it, knowing it wouldn't be as good. But it was a delicious feast overall, if I do say so myself.

 My professional gravy-tasters. :)

We hired a sitter for the first time ever, my friend Michelle from MOPS, to all be able to go to the USC v. UCLA game. Even the kids were dressed up in support of the Trojans!

It was my first football game of his magnitude. The energy, even from way up top, was really exciting.

 We've got spirit, yes, we do!

 Fight on!

 Ashley in her super cute new glasses! I seriously love them!

Andy took this pic and made us stay until the buzzer rang out. It was a great time for all... except any UCLA fans that were there.

We had some great family time, good conversations, as well as a brief shopping time at Ross for the girls. :) I love that it was low-stress and mellow. We had fun celebrating Andy's birthday with the family a little early, on Friday evening, with Cappuccino Cheesecake - amazing! It didn't turn out quite as "beautiful" as it has the past couple of years, so I don't have pics from this time, but here are some from two years ago (it is a once a year kind of caloric intake).

And here is the recipe.

Although words really don't suffice, thank you, God, for the many, many earthly blessings you have given us as well as for the gift of your Son and the life you give us in Him.

Birthday Party - Round 2

We had a little birthday party here in L.A. with Annaliese's little friends here too.

 She obviously had a great time, and once again, loved the cupcakes. Some of her little buddies, including Isaac, Aurora and Alina. (Jacob was also there, not pictured.)

 Titus riding in a little car, pushed by Uncle Luke.

 

Third cupcake of his life. I promise, he doesn't eat cupcakes all the time. ;)

One of her favorite presents, a "tent" from Auntie Jen. She loves to go outside and read with her blankies.

Happy Birthday Boo!

Our little girl is 3! She had a wonderful princess party at Opa & Nannie Pie's house with friends from the Valley.

 BFF - Ellyann

 We were all about the cupcakes, as you can tell.

 Loved having everyone sing to her

 She had so much fun decorating these with Ellyann before the party started - that could have been the whole party, in her mind, I think!

 Fuzzy kisses with Opa

 Princess kisses with aunties

 The cupcakes were a hit with Titus as well... clearly.

 All the little princes and princesses (plus Luke) :) They were adorable.

It was so fun, including a reunion of friends for Andy and me. The party was 6 days before her birthday, so she kept reminding me that she really wasn't 3 yet. Then she would occasionally ask, "Am I 3 yet?" It was so precious. I love that she just trusts me to tell her stuff like that.

Ginger Molasses Cookies

My hubby asked that I make these, which I was happy to oblige. He just wanted to make sure they were BIG. He later told me how my cookies are always good, but just not BIG.

 I guess I've just always figured you can always have more, but apparently there is something to just taking a bite out of a big ol' cookie, rather than just popping the whole thing in your mouth (if you have a large mouth like Andy :) love you Hon!).

 I have to say, I was kind of doubting both my abilities to perform up to the raving about these cookies that Andy first tasted at school, but they turned out so well, that I think they may become a holiday staple for years to come in our house. And hence, I thought I'd share the recipe with you.

 The amazing thing about them is that they have the spice and holiday-ish flavor, as well as a chewy, plump texture on the inside, with a sugar coating on the outside that gives them a little bit of crunch.

 Ginger Molasses Cookies
4 1/2 c. flour
4 t. powdered ginger
2 t. baking soda
1 1 /2 t. cinnamon
1 t. ground cloves
1/4 t. salt

1 1/2 c. Crisco (I used butter-flavored, as I always do)
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. molasses

Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Combine wet ingredients and then slowly incorporate the dry ingredients. Roll into 1" balls (I did my bigger, more like the size of a golf ball-ish, just to make sure they were BIG, as requested). Dip into iced water (sound weird, I know). Place 2" apart on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for ONLY 14 minutes - avoid overbaking. They literally have to "dry" to be done, they don't look totally baked when they are done. If you do the XL size like I did, 14 minutes should be perfect, if you do a smaller size, adjust the time down accordingly.

The golf ball sized dough balls produced 2 dozen (yes that is it, with 4.5 cups of flour, that is all we got!).

So, while we still have more cleaning etc to do, we're getting ready to host family for Thanksgiving and we're excited about it! Can't you tell!

Knocking over the water bottle

Sometimes the most random thing is funny!

The Lord's Prayer

This is actually from August, but I'm trying to play catch up!

Say, "Please!"

My kids have never gone trick-or-treating. You may think I'm a lame mom or something, but actually I'm not against going out to visit people we know or my kids eating a bunch of sugar on one night, it just hasn't worked out so far.

On the day of Halloween, they did however get a piece of candy from one of Andy's med student friends when we went to visit Andy at USC. Let me tell you, the students got a kick out of the kids. That we have 2 toddlers is novel enough to most of them, but they loved seeing them all the more dressed up (even though Titus got too hot and had to get out of his costume in the 85-degree-California-fall weather).

Before arriving at school though, I had to stop by CVS. When we were checking out, the nice witch (as she called herself) behind the counter said, "Oh how cute you kids are - I have some treats for you!"

She grabbed two mini-bags of M&M's and Annaliese's eyes lit up. The witch cashier said, "Now what do you sa-ay?" Annaliese put on her biggest cheesy grin and said, "PLEEEASE!?!"

I think the lady thought it was weird that I hadn't taught Annaliese what to say even though I had obviously dressed her up. I quickly informed Annaliese of the right words which she promptly repeated. M&M's are her favorite candy, she let me know later. Titus didn't actually receive any of the benefits of the M&M's, but enjoyed a little bit of Oreo cookie with which I tried to coax a smile out of him while taking these pics.

Andy was also kind enough to bring my kids for a quick visit to my childbirth class in Pasadena that I recently began teaching on Monday evenings. It is a pretty time-intensive course for pregnant couples to learn about pregnancy, labor, birth and breastfeeding. By time-intensive, I mean a 2 hour class weekly for 12 weeks! I am really enjoying it. Andy has been so supportive helping go to training in San Francisco this summer and watching the kids for me while I teach.

It has been a great way to have some adult time, share some great info that we learned while pregnant with Annaliese, and to be out there meeting new people that I wouldn't have otherwise. Hopefully, it will also help bring some additional income, once the initial investment of the cost of training and supplies recovered. In case you're not familiar with The Bradley Method® and are interested, you can check it out here (which is where all 8 of my couples have found me), see my personal Bradley website, or visit my new blog (which is all things pregnancy/labor/birth/health/baby-related). The training over the summer, prepping for class and teaching are partially why I think I've neglected this blog for the past several months. That, and I get so impatient waiting for pics to upload. It was way faster uploading these pics though, so I think I'll try to be more regular again! I miss you all - friends and family!