Some photos from the Beach Trip

As the sun was setting, the kiddos began wanting to "put their toes in the ocean." Soon, it was more than just toes and Grandma Susan, being the everwilling helper and loving Grandma she is, plunged in as well. The men supervised from the shore and helped construct sand castles for Wyatt to destroy. Such a wonderful time!

Thoughts for the Day

As we arrived home today from our second beach trip of the summer, my husband and I pondered our many blessings. We had the great opportunity to go to the beach twice in the past two weeks, once with his parents and sister's family and once with my parents. Both were outstanding. We feel so blessed that our children are so close to their grandparents and that everyone gets along so well. In addition, both sets of parents paid for our accommodation and food while we were there. Amazing. As the children frolicked on the beaches and parks of the Central Coast, I often sighed deeply at the peace and serenity of a family knitted together by love, patience, tolerance, and flexibility. We are all different and yet the same in that we value the connection of family ties and what each person can offer to the group.

We lost great grandma Dee a week or so ago. I had not communicated with her in 20 years or so. The loss of relationship I experienced with my grandparents will not be revisited on my kiddos. Scott and I have the tremendous advantage of loving, patient, accepting parents, who will never be separated from their grandchildren (if they have anything to say about it!!! LOL!). But seriously, as I have very few memories relating to Grandma Dee, I have very little feeling of loss realting to her passing. It has just been more of an overwhelming reminder of our mortality and the shortness of our time together here on earth. It reminds me to cherish each moment, to say the loving things I feel more often and to slow down, let the dishes sit a few more moments while I read my kids another book, and relax about the things that just won't matter when I'm gone. I am thankful for this reminder.

On a completely different note, Scott and I have decided to expand our animal family. He is in the process of building a chicken coup and we are picking up a kitten tomorrow as well. With these new additions to our menagerie, we look forward to new adventures and some yummy eggs from our new hens! :)

Switching gears only slightly, there are 145 days left until baby number 3 arrives. We will know in a few weeks the gender of the baby at which time we will begin preparing the house, rooms, clothes, name list, etc. As I sit here, he or she is reminding me he or she doesn't like when I sit for long periods in this computer chair (my back is reminding me as well!) so I must sign off now as a long bubble bath is calling my name. Sweet Wyatt is already sound asleep with his arms stretched over his head in the "touchdown" position! What a cutie!

More beach pictures will post in the next few days! :)

The Family at the Beach

From back left (relationship noted is to Kya): cousins Matt and Sierra, Uncle Sean, Aunt Julie, Daddy w/Kya, Mommy, Papa Haner, and Wyatt at Cayucos Beach. What a GREAT trip!

That's My Cowboy!

I'm the luckiest gal in the world!

Kids in the Wheelbarrow

Mom and Uncle Chris

This photo was taken when my mom was about seven (about 50 years ago--sorry mom for calling out your age to the world! LOL!). The little guy in the picture is my Uncle Chris. Their family always had Springer Spaniels. Lovely dogs. What a simpler time...or was it? At least the pace was slower I imagine, although I think people go as fast as technology of their time will allow. Thanks to Uncle Chris for sending this picture.

The Family All Together

This is a picture of us the morning after the 40th anniversary celebration of Jeri and Jerry Haner's 40 years of marriage. We shared a nice breakfast of healthy oatmeal made by Stan Dean and enjoyed a lovely Sunday in the sun. What a nice time with family and friends.

Making Mud Pies

Kya made some delicious ;) mud pies recently. During her very concentrated efforts, she didn't seem to mind her skirt was fallin' off! :)

Wyatt says, giddy up daddy!

Kya's Memory Verses

Christ died for our sins, he was buried, he was raised, on the third day. 1 Corinthians

Be kind to one another. Ephesians 4:32

The Haner Garden

Today, the fruit salad tree was in full bloom.
As we hoped for some bees to come visit and pollenate the fruit salad tree, we planted our first corn seeds....Sweet Golden Cross Bantam T-51 Hybrid corn to be exact. This is our first year planting corn so we are just testing different methods and hoping for some successful cross pollenation.
And while I planted, Wyatt played in the wood pile. He's such a boy! Kya was sound asleep in mommy's bed, where she fell asleep watching Go Diego Go! She slept for almost three hours this afternoon! Unfortunately, there was very little overlap between her nap and Wyatt's late afternoon nap, but that's OK, I'm getting used to our crazy schedule around here. :)

Wyatt Playin In the Grass

So I've decided that our long grass is evidence of our right priorities...have you ever had a neighbor with long patchy grass and thought, "What's wrong with them?" Well, I'm here to testify that they are not lazy people, they may just be spending time on family, work, and many other important priorities...that's us currently. :)

A Future Cheerleader?

We went to the Liberty game to watch daddy ref and to support Grandpa Mac's Patriots. Kya decided to join up with the cheer squad! :) She moved her little arms and legs and clapped and jumped like a pro! Oh dear, it is starting much too early!

Wyatt Can't Stop Climbin'

Don't leave a stool out!...or a ladder...or a hill...he'll climb on ANYTHING!!!!!

Kya's Memory Verse

Inspired by a little video clip at church, we are following the memory verse from church this week and Kya has it memorized...and it is penetrating my heart more and more everyday as well, which I think was all a part of God's sly plan ;).

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another."

So simple, but so integral to any life that seeks to follow Christ's example.

LOVE AND BLESSINGS!

A Good Sunday

Today was a nice day. A great message from pastor Ron about getting involved in fellowship and small groups that really has us thinking and praying and a lovely afternoon of sunshine (70 degrees!) and family. We are contemplating leading a small couples group in our home, but can't tell if it's God's will for us just yet.

Kya has a new friend down the street with whom she spent the better part of the day. Her name is Abby and she is five. She loves Kya and they play SO nicely together. They played at our house for a few hours this afternoon and it was so nice to hear the sounds of THREE kids running around...:)

I led worship with Scott (not hubby, a different one) and Adam at The Hub this evening which was a blast as usual. We sang "Amazing Love" and " Marvelous Light" among others, and it was so great to jam with those guys! (You can hear Adam's Hub song by clicking the link to the right--you might have to download the player, but it's worth it! He's hilarious.)

The Haners watched the kids for THREE LONG HOURS!!!! (Scott had a basketball meeting) so Scott and I had our own separate kidless activites this evening which was a nice change of pace. THANKS AGAIN IN-LAWS...I think every post could just be an ode to my in-laws. They rock!

Tomorrow's a holiday so there are many possibilities--maybe we will go visit friends in Fresno...we are praying about how to best help them as their 8 week old struggles with infant botulism. She is making a remarkable recovery, but has been in the hospital for sooo long. We want to help but can't decide how best to help. Of course we are constantly praying, so that's the most powerful help, but what else to do...hmmm. Scott is getting a cold so we don't want to expose them to that by going up there. Any ideas? We could send something there...like flowers or candy...doesn't seem personal enough...we will pray about this more. Good night all! Sooo sleepy...Prayer for them please!!!

Hallelujah for the New Week!

I am so thankful for this new week with renewed energy and new ideas. I have had so many great pieces of advice since the last post, and so much has changed for the better that I thought I'd better update lest everyone think I am still miserable! LOL!

I have joined the gym (LOVE IT!) at the advice of several people, who find it both energizing and relaxing. I am getting up earlier and spending quiet time alone. I have unsubscribed to some of my email groups that were sucking my time away from my family, and I am taking more time to myself to regroup. All of these things coupled with the added gifts of housecleaning (THANK YOU IN-LAWS!) and flowers from my sweet hubby have made this week a fabulous new adventure! I have found renewed patience and energy to love and play with the kids, and it FEELS GREAT!!!!

Saturday

Well, it's Saturday, but it doesn't feel that different from any other day. Mommyhood doesn't change. And in fact the kids have been extra challenging this morning--or maybe I'm just extra impatient. So I have been seeking advice. How do other mommies handle that feeling like, "I've been doing this 24 hours a day 7 days a week without a break FOREVER and there's no break in sight!!!" I just am starting to feel like running away to a distant land, changing my name, and having a little private mommy meltdown. Not really, but...sometimes...any thoughts or brilliant advice welcome. :)

A Wise Woman

From nogreaterjoy.org:

A wise woman doesn’t take anything for granted. She is thankful to be loved and seeks to make herself more lovely.
A wise woman doesn’t allow herself to be a liability but strives to be an asset to the marriage bond. She looks for ways to make, save, and use money wisely. Her husband knows he is a richer man because she is his wife.
A wise woman seeks to be a part of her husband’s life. His interest becomes her interest. She looks for ways to help him in every endeavor in which he is involved. When he needs a helping hand, it is her hand that is there first.
A wise woman knows that his peace of mind (and sometimes, wise understanding) is something she can give or take away by her observations and conversation concerning circumstances or people. She limits her conversation to the positive.
A wise woman sets a joyful mood in the household. She uses laughter, music and happy times to stir the children to a positive, joyful frame of mind. She knows this light-heartedness helps take stress off her husband.
A wise woman gauges her husband’s needs. She seeks to fulfill his desires before even he is aware of them. She never leaves him daydreaming outside the home. She supplies his every desire.
A wise woman understands that her husband’s need to be honored is not based on his performance but on his position. She learns quickly to defer with enthusiasm to his ideas or plans. She looks for ways to reverence him. She knows this is God’s will for her life.
A wise woman is not pitiful, puny, or whinny. She seeks to be confident, capable and thankful.
A wise woman does not dream of what “could have been.” She sees clearly that she is not God’s gift to men; thus she is blessed in her present circumstances. She learns to be content.
A wise woman never expects anyone to serve her; therefore she is never disappointed. She is ready to help—a giver. By her example her children learn to serve cheerfully and energetically.
A wise woman doesn’t attempt to instruct her husband through feigned questions. Her questions are sincere inquiries concerning his will.
A wise woman is always learning. She is open to change. She is ready to hear. She wants to know. She doesn’t cloud her mind with the foolish folly of entertainment. She uses her time wisely.

A View from Kya's Window

Well, actually, a view from inside the room. These are two pink fabric curtain panels that Dani Munoz gave to us ages ago that I tied and draped. I finally got them gathered into some semblance of randomness that looks decent. Kya loves her crazy curtains and her new duvet from Ikea (not in this picture since we just go it) that has a fairy circus theme. You can see it at this link (until somebody buys it:)

http://cgi.ebay.com/IKEA-Hocus-Circus-Wizards-2p-Quilt-Duvet-Cover-TWIN_W0QQitemZ150107657667QQihZ005QQcategoryZ37643QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Our friend Aimee picked it out and we just think it's SOOO cute!

I love havin' a girl! If you look super close, you can see the ornament I won at Raquel's Cookie Exchange hanging from Kya's ceiling fan! :)

A fence is down!

The recent forceful winds (gusts to 60 MPH) caused two large panels of our fence to blow over. This is a picture from our backyard INTO the neighbors' backyard. It has taken some hard work to dig out the old posts and take out old rusty stapled, but Scott is working diligently in all his "free time" to get it back up. In the meantime, the doggies spend a lot fo time in the garage, which they don't seem to mind. Last night Scott was getting dressed after his shower and we heard someone yell, "put on some clothes!" We are used to the field and no neighbors behind us! LOL!

KCBOB's New Blog Home

Hi all! :)

From now on I will be posting all pics for KCBOB at the new blogsite: http://kcbob.blogspot.com/. That way I can keep family updates/ponderings and kids' couture :) separate! :) Please add the KCBOB blog to your favorites and blog links and tell your friends! I hope you will visit both blogs often. :)

Valentine's Bows Big and Small

Valentine's Outfits

The Mia (Infant Dress and Headband Set)

KCBOB Price List

KCBOB PRICE LIST

KIDS CLOTHES 'N BIG OL' BOWS

(Add $5 for two matching small bows, one big bow or one headband

UNLESS already included ("Outfits" include bows))

10% discount for MOPS mommies

HAIRBOWS

Large: $5 (2 for $9)

Medium: $4 (2 for $7)

Small: $3 (2 for $5)

(MOPS Price: $3 ea. (2 for $5))

REUSABLE BOW HEADBANDS:

$7 (includes one matching bow)

$5 (headband only)

Applique Sweatshirt (No Hoodie)
$20.00
Applique Sweatshirt (Hoodie)
$25.00

Adult Coordinating Sweatshirt (Hoodie)

$32.00

Applique Onesie

$16.00
Jumper Dress
$23.00
Jumper Dress & Ruffle Cuffed Shirt
$30.00
Ruffle Skirt & Short-Sleeve T-shirt Outfit
$37.00
Ruffle Skirt & Long-Sleeved T-shirt Outfit
$40.00
Valentine's Day Outfit

(l/s shirt, pants, bows or headband, and jumper dress)
$48.00
Easter Outfit

(l/s shirt, pants, bows or headband, and jumper dress or tie back top)
$48.00
The Kya Outfit

(ruffle pants, l/s shirt, bows or headband, and tie back top)
$44.00
Applique T-shirt
$14.00

(w/ruffle sleeves: $18)
Add coordinating ruffle bottom pants
$14.00
Add coordinating ruffle bottom jeans
$26.00
Add coordinating denim skirt with ruffle
$24.00

Bib, "feely square", and matching blanket set

(Baby Shower Special)

$27.00

The Savannah Valentine's Outfit

This outfit is my latest creation for my friend Steffani's daughter, Savannah. My little Valentine sure had fun modeling it (even though her eyelids are droopy because she needed a NAP!) :) She fell asleep within minutes of this photo. :) You can check out my ETSY store (see link at right) or email me to get a price list! :)

Wyatt's Latest Photos