Date Night

On May 13th, Mike and I joined our good friends Ryan and Tanya and Adam and Shannon for a Date Night Cooking class at Tspoons in Ladera Ranch. I was a little skeptical at first, since I generally consider cooking my own meal on a date a no-no and knowing these three firemen, there wasn't much they could be taught about cooking since they seem to know it all, so I was sure there wasn't going to be any learning going on. But we ended up having a wonderful night, cooking our own meal and all, and had lots of fun with our friends! (and I think the boys might have even taken away a tip or two!)

This section of Ladera Ranch is pretty neat, it's called the Front Street Business district and all the homes have a small business space which line the street, hence Front Street.

On the menu for the evening was:

Corn Chowder with homemade Crusty Herb Bread

Fresh Spring Salad Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops with Creamy Pea Puree

Warm Baked Apple Caramel Tart

Here's Ryan with his finished Spring Rolls.

We prepared everything then it was cooked for us and brought back for us to plate. When our main course arrived for plating, Chef T, our head chef, told us to loving plate our partner's meal. Here is what Michael created for me. Personally I think it looks like a smashed cockroach, but love takes all forms, and it tasted delicious, so I was ok with it.

Michael had his own ideas for his plate, so I let him go for it, plus the pregnant lady had to eat!

Chef T told us about several plating techniques which make a plated meal attractive and height was one of the key factors. So here's Michael making the tallest plate in the room.

And this is dessert, which was probably my favorite :) Everything was delicious, and we really enjoyed doing something a little different for date night! Bon Appetit!

Chino Air Show

On May 14th, Wesley, Michael, Grandpa Al and Grandpa Robin went to the Planes of Fame Air Show in Chino. Michael didn't take too many pictures, but the boys had a fun day of touring the "aa-aa's", watching the air show, and just being guys checking out the vintage WWII airplanes.

And Daddy ran into a friend from the Chino fire department, so Wes got a chance to sit in a yellow fire truck!

Wesley Says: Mickey Edition

Our trip to Florida must have made a huge impact on Wes, because he still talks about Mickey all the time. If we're going to someone's house and I ask him "who's house are we going to?" he always replies "Mickey's house." But here's a few things he's said recently that made me smile.

Before Wes goes to bed, we always say prayers together, and each night we pray for someone in our family or one of our friends or acquaintances. I think it's important that Wes learn what a gift it is to pray for others and to lift their needs up to God, rather than just our own. So here's how our conversations have been going recently:

Mama: "Ok buddy, time to say prayers. Who should we pray for tonight?"

Wes (and guaranteed this is his response every night): "Mickey"

Mama: "Ok, we'll pray for Mickey, but let's pray for someone we know too" :)

I have to say, coming up with a way to pray for the world's most famous mouse is a little difficult night after night!

And Wes said this one this morning:

We were playing and being silly, which always riles up a toddler and Wes got a little too animated and hit me on the shoulder.

Mama: "Ouch buddy, that hurt! Please don't hit"

Wes: "Sorry mama. Sorry hitting"

(and we've been working on saying 'sorry' when he does something wrong, spontaneously rather than being prompted. And I've also been trying to teach him to say sorry along with what he's sorry for, hopefully helping him realize what behavior is not ok. This was the first time I've heard him say both without prompting.

Mama: "Good job Wes!!! Good job saying sorry and and for saying sorry for hitting! That makes mama so happy. And you know what else, it makes Jesus happy too, because you did the right thing. Good job!"

Wes: "Make Mickey happy"

Mama (Laughing): "Yes, buddy. I'm sure Mickey is happy too"

I know someday Wes won't consider Jesus and Mickey equals, but right now I'm kind of getting a kick out of it.

Shipley Nature Center

This was a while ago, but I'm just getting to post the pictures. We visited the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach with our good friends the Orliczky girls, and enjoyed the outdoors, the visitor center and some park time! I was newly pregnant when we went, so I was pretty much nauseous and hungry the whole time :) But it was a fun afternoon, especially visiting a neat place that I've driven by a dozen time, but never knew was there!

Having a pow wow.

Playing with Sylvie and Nora in the kids area of the visitor center.

Thanks for inviting us friends, we had a great day!

A Door Wide Open

Revelation 3:7 These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut and what he shuts no one can open.

You might not have noticed but the frequency of my posts have slowed down recently. But there are good reasons, and I think nausea and exhaustion are two pretty good ones! Michel and I are so excited to announce that Wesley is going to be a big brother in November!

We had been praying about having another baby for a while, but since I was experiencing all the same fertility issues I had when we were trying to have Wes, we figured we would have to go back to our fertility doctor for treatments, and that was a daunting thought! I realize I have never written down the details of our fertility journey with Wes, but that is a much longer and much more involved post that might never get written!

But in February, Michael and I were at a point where we just weren't sure where the Lord was leading us...was our family complete with the three of us, should we wait and see what happens, should we seek treatment again?? We were just at a standstill, when at church one Sunday our pastor, who was teaching out of Revelation, came to Chapter 3 and Jesus' letter to the church in Philadelphia. And with verse 7, we just knew the Lord was speaking to us. "What he opens no one can shut and what he shuts no one can open." We knew the Lord was telling us that His will would be done in our lives above all else. And if we sought treatment and another baby wasn't in His will, He would close that door and if His will was to expand our family, He would open it. And we knew we would be able to accept either outcome with the confidence that God is in ultimate control.

God's timing is always amazing and we were able to get a cancellation appointment for a consultation within a couple of weeks and were able to begin treatments right away. Fertility treatments are no walk in the park and are definitely not cheap, so after only a couple of office visits, I told Michael that after this cycle, I didn't think I wanted to keep trying. But miraculously I never got to that point, because God swung that door wide open and I was pregnant on our first cycle and with no fertility drugs! Needless to say we were in shock but so grateful for such a swift answer to our prayers.

I continued to see my fertility doctor every week for the first 13 weeks to monitor the baby and my hormone levels since I was on hormone supplements and fertility patients are considered 'high risk' in the first trimester. And each week I had an ultrasound, so here are the pictures of the baby growing each week:

5 weeks

7weeks

8 weeks

9 weeks

10 weeks

11 weeks

12 weeks

13 weeks

This is the baby sucking it's thumb (I am destined to have a finger sucker and a thumb sucker!)

I "graduated" (I love that term!) from my fertility doctor last week and am now considered a normal pregnant person :) I got some of my energy back around 12 weeks and the rest is being sapped by my almost 2 year old. And the nausea is still hanging around a little, but I'm praying it will be gone soon. I didn't have a single day of nausea with Wes, so this has kind of thrown me for a loop. But we can't thank the Lord enough for the joy of this pregnancy and knowing 100% that He opened this door for us. And we are really looking forward to finding out if Wesley will have a little brother or sister! Thank you for all your prayers and your continued prayers for a safe and healthy pregnancy!

Like Father Like Son

Here's how Wes chose to spend a recent Saturday afternoon!

Only men find the joy in spending (lots!) of time washing their cars. But I do have to say, his wheels were sparkling once he was finished!

Easter Afternoon

Easter afternoon after nap, we headed over to Aunt Kathy's house to celebrate Easter with Mike's side of the family. We had a delicious dinner and a nice time visiting with all of our Aunts, Uncle's and cousins!

Wes getting a leg up on the egg hunt from his big cousins!

Trying to get a shot with Grandma Susie, but I think he was too busy making sure he got every bit of chocolate in his mouth to smile!

Squeezing in a little batting practice.

Thanks to all our family for delicious meals and good company :)

We don't use our front door very often, so we didn't realize Grandma Susie had left an Easter basket for Wes that morning! He was quite excited to continue celebrating!

That bunny was almost as heavy as Wes. Luckily daddy and mommy helped tackle that one :)

Check out all these fun treats from Grandma Susie and Auntie Jessica, was a blessed kid!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

Easter Morning

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men clothed in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!" Luke 24:1-6

On Easter morning we went to church and then went over to Grandma's house for brunch and lots of Easter fun!

Wes made a bee line for his Easter basket from Grammy after walking in the door.

Checking out all his goodies,

but wondering, "what the heck is this stuff?!?"

Easter basket grass, truly is a wonder!

Grammy the Easter bunny gave Wes a Pez dispenser. We have lots of those at home, but there's never been candy in one before! He thought that was pretty awesome.

And then he was off for an egg hunt!

Grammy hid lots of eggs!

I always remember the Easter bunny hiding eggs up the stair railing when I was a kid, so I love this picture!

And now to the good part :)

This is Wes' Easter basket from Michael and I. Wes had accidentally found that box of tractors a week before Easter and had a major meltdown over the fact that he couldn't open them. Obviously I need to find a better hiding spot! So I think he was so excited to see them again!

The "dump'um" (dump truck) is his favorite and is often asked for before going to bed. (One truck always goes ni-night with Wes!)

And here's what happens after eating the contents of a few eggs! Grammy did a great job of filling her eggs with toys, animals crackers and a few pieces of candy and marshmallows. I couldn't stop him from eating the marshmallows, they're his favorite!

On a side note, I made dessert for our Easter celebrations and decided to make a fresh strawberry pie to take in the afternoon and a Banberry Pie (Michael's favorite) to take to my mom's. This was my first time making crust from scratch in all it's butter and Crisco glory.

And my first time making the custard filling for the banana creme part. (Banberry is a banana creme pie with strawberries and glaze on top. Polly's Pies is the only place I know that makes one). I followed the recipe in my Joy of Cooking book for banana creme pie (I love that cookbook, it's so laden with details, it's almost impossible to screw up one of the recipes!)

And here is the finished product. I have to say, it was delicious, and Michael and everyone else agreed! Though it took quite a while, I have to say, this recipe is a keeper. Happy Easter!

(Easter afternoon pics to follow)