California!

We are in California and loving it! Check out Liz's blog for pictures as we have no way to post mine. Things are a bit crazy and I'm tired, but we are having a really great time. Ethan and ayden especially are playing very nicely together.

The adventure begins

We have arrived in Houston. Point A of the Mommy and Sons California tour '08. After Lucas's 10 hour journey home last friday night thanks to a traffic accident (someone else) and a flat tire (his own) I was worried the weekends luck would be permanent. But we made it here safe and sound. Lucas starts class again tomorrow and the boys and I have some shopping to do and then on Tuesday morning its off to Californ-I-A! We are very excited to do some much needed cousin and sibling bonding. This may be the first birthday I've spent with my brother in over 5 years. The kids havent seen each other but for pictures in two years and the little cousins, Mei Mei and Balin have yet to be introduced! Watch out Bay area! The circus is coming to town!

AHHH

So today I am a bit overwhelmed. I have to clean and pack so we can leave for Houston tomorrow. The reality that on Tuesday morning I have to get on a plane by myself with my two boys... eeek. So today I'm focusing on laundry and cleaning. Lucas has to take the car to discount tire in Longview so I'm sending the children with him. They need some male bonding time. I need an empty house. and another couple cups of coffee.

First tater tot

There are few joys in life that equal tater tots. Warm soft bits of yummy goodness. Balin struggles with potato in all form except those that are fried, so I figured why not give it a shot? He loved it, but I think more tot ended up crumbled ont he floor than his belly. Probably a thing thing.

Sweet friends

I'm in trouble.

Laminin is the major non-collagenous component of the basal lamina, such as those on which cells of an epithelium sit.[1] Basically, laminin is a protein found in the "extracellular matrix", the sheets of protein that form the substrate of all internal organs also called the "basement membrane". It has four arms that can bind to four other molecules. The three shorter arms are particularly good at binding to other laminin molecules, which is what makes it so great at forming sheets. The long arm is capable of binding to cells, which helps anchor the actual organs to the membrane.

The laminin protein is made up of three separate parts, called the A, B1, and B2 chains. That gives it a total of six "ends", which accounts for a lot of its flexibility in connecting up various kinds of molecules. Because of this, scientists who create biomaterials are extremely interested in the whole family of laminins. They are a family of glycoproteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding in almost every animal tissue. Laminins are secreted and incorporated into cell-associated extracellular matrices.

Laminin is vital to making sure overall body structures hold together. from wikipedia


Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.


************Colossians 1:17
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ************************


Colossians 1:20
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.


1 Corinthians 8:6
yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Romans 11:36 (Whole Chapter)
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.




My pastor shared this with us this morning through a video clip of Louie Giglio, another speaker. I am amazed and in awe and refreshingly reminded that my God- The creator of the heavens and the Earth- He who set the stars in place, placed this protein in my body which holds me together at the most intimate level. That the God of ALL creation would use this same symbol to remind us of his son Jesus Christ through whom we have everlasting Life. Through whom all Life exists. Thank you Father for electron microscopes! Thank you for the internet that allows these pictures to and videos to be shared. But thank you most of all for creation. Thank you, Jesus, for Laminin.

Graysons birthday party

So we went to our first party in almost a year! this morning. Grayson turned three and we got face painted. It was fun, thanks Amy!

snapshots of life

This is the Texas street Bridge. It crosses the red river between Bossier city and Shreveport,Lousiana. On the Bossier side is the Boardwalk. Lots of shopping and food and a water play fountain for the kiddos... right under the bridge. I looked up the other day and noticed the date on the bridge. Beauty and history and modern comercialism. All in one moment.

My mommy likes my hat.

We like to go swimming!

11 months old

Blueberry Hill

These are a few pictures from this weekend. I had a wonderful sunburn from my morning at the pool, but Lucas came home Friday night and SAturday morning we went to a place here in town called Blueberry Hill. A local farmer is still making use out of his property by growing berries and veggies you can go and pick. He is only open for this month, but runs a great family farm! We LOVED every sticky pickin' moment!. The blackberries were best right off the vine :-). Balin agrees.

Water and exhaustion

Todays activities, and the boys room

Balin and his buddy Avery



The boys room is getting a superman makeover. I still need to make a comforter for Aydens bed and curtains. Then I want to put comic book sound words "kapow"ect. on the walls

Bad days happen

So today was awful. An Alexander and the very bad day awful.
I couldnt get my car registered because Lucas is out of town and apparently we BOTH have to be there to sign something. Whatever. PLUS the form they told me I could get signed so I could avoid the road usage fees here (10 percent of the value of the car!) can NOT be used to avoid the road usage fees.(thanks for the notary and extra work dad, maybe I can frame it or something). Found all this out after waking the kids up early, making breakfast, getting everyone out the door and dressed BEFORE 8:45 am. THEN driving 30 minutes, having to stop and go into the bank (carrying Balin who had a fever)because the ATM was broken. Sheesh. Then I thought I would go visit with some friends, but no one came until I had to leave to get to my eye appointment. (I could really have used some girl time). AT my eye appointment the Doctor spent all of three minutes with me constantly asking if I remembered my prescription (because it would really help to know)and telling me how much money his oil wells make. Good for him. I personally am in contacts now that I'm fairly sure are a bit too strong. THEN! In line leaving wal mart some thick accented (swedish or something)red faced jerk decides to poke jokes at my children and comment to me "I see you have One big boy and one little one, but I can tell you arent done. Youve been busy!" (insert silent gasp)then continuing "Are you waiting on a boy or a girl?" I was waiting for the stupid line to end so I could run screaming! Now I know i'm curvy but sheesh... I've lost 30 pounds and no I dont care that you have twin boys and your youngest daughter is six, or that toys get more expensive the older they get. (Yes this is all conversation he tried to hold with me). So to make my life easier and to feel better we went for a comfort burger where I accidentally ordered the wrong number and ended up with this gigantic double burger. AAHHH. So tonight i'm going to go say my prayers and go to sleep and hope tomorrow starts out a little better!

It better because in the morning I start work, or get another child... however you want to look at it. Isabella will be here at 7:00 and my life as a mom of two and caregiver of three begins!