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Friday, April 29, 2011

My Week(s) in Phone Pics

I've got some catching up to do.  Bear with.


Hope started it's small/life/community/bible study group two weeks ago at Grandma Jean's.

In case you couldn't tell, verdict is still out on the name.  But all are invited.  We're studying Ephesians.

Girls met last week at Grandmum's and had delicious cake pops made with love by Ellen.

Guys met this Wednesday at our casa and sat on boxes.

Next week, we start all over again at Grandma Jean's.

Got it?  Good.  6:30.  Wednesday nights.  See you there.


I've got BIG plans for this weird, misplaced, drywalled and carpeted-over fireplace in Kayla's room.

Speaking of misplaced, ignore the brown boots in 7o degree weather.  Shoes were packed.



What happens when you are a church planter's kid who celebrates a birthday between a huge move and Holy Week?

You have your "day of" birthday party at a local yogurt shop with 7 adult friends and your grandma.

But all is OK because you get to pick your own outfit and dad gives you all the sprinkles you want.



KK catching up on her scrapbook mid-move.  The toys were not unpacked yet.  Except for Thomas.



This is what happens when you "borrow" new neighbor Angie's internet a little too late.

Thanks for nothing, Ang.


Blessed beyond measure by our sweet little church.  Their generous gift pretty much covered our closing costs.

So much more than we expected or deserve.  We love you and are so thankful.



My sister-in-law to be had her shower last weekend.  Isn't she the cutest?  I love her.

And she got this which I wanted to rip out of her cute little hands.  I could marry multi-functional kitchen items.

Also, I think new home owners should be able to re-register.  And have a new home shower.


The only halfway decent Easter picture I got.  With my phone.  Kayla's in last year's dress.

But I'm secretly happy it still fit.  Because it's my favorite dress of all time.


My friend Monica made these magnets and passed them out to everyone on Easter Sunday.

She has such a thoughtful heart.  And she's quite crafty.  And that's my favorite combo.



Dave is really excited about that swing.  I'm still really excited about that dress.



Ashy's "real" birthday party.  At Red Robin.  Thrown together last minute.

Post on that rager to come later.  Maybe.


This is the face that she makes when she's not pleased with an outcome.

It worked once.  Maybe.



Way to go, Whitman's for keeping Easter legit.  But I don't really know what to do with it now.

It's the only piece left because I can't throw away.

It's seems wrong to trash a chocolate cross.  And even worse to ingest it.



Chocolate chip cookie dough stuffed cupcakes.  Make them.

And use Southern Living's Deluxe Cream Cheese frosting recipe.  And add real vanilla bean.

You won't be sorry.



This is my good friend, Betsy.

Hard at work in our living room last night while watching Michael Scott's last episode of The Office.

Which made me sob something awful.

I've known and loved Betsy since she used to hoard candy on junior high ski trips.

Go check out her Etsy shop.  And support an excellent cause.



Monday, April 25, 2011

We're Back!

I'm sitting on the floor in the southwest corner of our living room, borrowing wireless from "Angie's Place" (a neighbor we haven't met yet) on Dave's laptop because the keyboard to my computer is packed in an unopened box somewhere and I can't remember our AT&T password.  That was a run-on.  Fitting because our life is kind of a run-on right now.

We moved last weekend, the very same weekend the City of San Mateo decided to block and repave our street.  Dave asked the construction foreman if we could park the moving truck in front for an hour or so.  He mumbled something about lots of millions of dollars and said no.  So that didn't work out so well.


But after two long days, TONS of help from great friends, we're in our new place.  And I still have to pinch myself when I wake up.  I also have to unpack 872 boxes in our garage.  And find my glasses.  And my keyboard.

Hope Church's 2nd Easter Sunday was yesterday.  We had planned for another outdoor service like last year, but the rain came and changed things up a bit.  God continues to gently remind us that His plans are always better that ours.

60+ packed into Grandmum's house.  And I took one really bad picture.


Kim did a great job capturing the morning.  Read her post here.

After service, 60+ joined our 872 unpacked boxes for a potluck brunch at our new house for rich time of fellowship.


Later in the afternoon, we headed up to my parents for dinner and celebrated Ashlyn's birthday.

I can't believe she's 4.  I love these pictures of her.




We're celebrating with her little friends tonight.  Dinner at Red Robin.  The invite was a text sent out last week.

That's just kind of how we roll these days.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

What I'll Miss Most

If all goes as planned in the Escrow world, our last night here will be on Friday.

Which means we leave this house.

This place where we raised a puppy.


And brought two babies home from the hospital.

We learned so much here.

The worn hardwood walking trail from the front door to the kitchen tells a story.

A reminder of all the family and friends that have come through.

So many memories.  11 years of our life.  Now behind us.

There are many things I will miss about this cute little yellow house.

The smell of the Meyer lemon trees as we walk through the front door.

The roses that are just starting to bloom in the yard.


But this organizational marvel?

My label loving heart can barely part with it.


Dave makes fun.  But in 11 years he's never had to ask for razors.

They've always been stocked.  And obsessively marked in a clear container.

It's still looks like this.  And probably will until Friday.  Because I can't bring myself to pack it.

When all is falling apart around me, I retreat to the hallway, open the doors and take a quick gander.

All is instantly right again.

I will miss you, closet.  I will miss you so.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

A Date with My Girl

Kayla is on Spring Break this week.


And this morning we went on a special adventure.
She set the agenda.
I set some mild perimeters.
Her first choice was to "go to Hawaii to open coconuts."



Oh how I love my biggest girl.
I love her heart.



I love that, in the bookstore, she noticed the Max and Ruby section.
And reminded me how much Ashlyn would love one.



I love that, in Build-a-Bear, she chose the weird looking, not-so-cute wolf
because a portion of the proceeds go to the World Wildlife Federation.
And named it Jazzebella.  Not to be confused with Jezebella.



I love that, at CPK, she insisted on sharing the bread with me, even though I said she could have all three pieces.
I gave her 1/2 of the piece back, because I am size 122.


I love her compassion and regard for others.


It challenges me.
In such a good way.



I love my girl.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Cochlear Implant Journey, Part 1-B & Deaf Speech


We had another hearing evaluation at UCSF this morning.


And can I just say that this may be the most beautiful place on the planet?  Even from a freeway.


I love the Bay Area.  There is a reason it costs $5,678/sq. ft. to live here.


Back to the evaluation.


Surprise!  She's still deaf.


The UCSF audiograms taken last week and this morning matched her 3 previous audiograms from her regular audiologist.


This provided the necessary confirmation that she is a candidate for implantation in her right ear.


The UCSF surgeon now needs to review her CT scan and MRI that were taken at the time of her initial diagnosis in 2009.


We also learned that there is a slight increase risk of contracting meningitis in cochlear implant patients.


So she'll need a meningitis booster prior to surgery.


We also have to decide which device to implant.


We have two options - Medel or Cochlear.


Lots more research in our near future for a surgery that will likely take place in late June.


About six months after implantation,  the audiologist anticipates we'll see significant improvement in her speech.


With the implant, she'll gain access to the "soft sounds" that she is not getting with her hearing aids.


"sh"


"th"


"es"


"ef"


All the good stuff.


Speaking of speaking.


Here's a little video I took of Ashlyn on Sunday morning.


This will give you an idea of where's she at from intelligibility standpoint.


And if you're not me, Dave, Kayla or Kobi


you'll probably have no clue what she's saying.


She's telling my parents to come home from their vacation in Florida to take her to the beach tomorrow.


 


[vimeo 21993206 w=400 h=710]


Excuse the bed head and Thomas the Train in Japanese in the background.


And surprise!  She's still on her bike.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Communion Sunday





But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace.

Hallelujah!  All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah!  Jesus is my life.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Insta Friday

We have a fancy camera but I don't know how to use it.

My phone is so much easier and convenient.

Plus, it takes my paparazzi-ness down a few notches.

People don't look at you funny if you're always taking pictures with your phone.

But if you set up a tri-pod?  WEIRDO.

Now, it's no secret that I'm in L-O-V-E with the Instagram app.


Genius?  I say yes.

So come with me on a little adventure as I share some pictures taken over the last week or so, OK?

Smile.  This will be fun.



Kobi likes luaus.  Just kidding.  He likes "pretend luaus" hosted by Kayla.  Just kidding about that, too.

He actually really only likes treats.  And sleeping in peace when the kids are at school.

He definitely does NOT like indoor tricycles.




The Disney Store at Hillsdale Mall.  Her Mecca.  Truly.




To know my dad is to love him.  Really.  EVERYONE loves him.

He used to drive me to school in an ape suit.

He's totally weird.  But it's that weird that everyone likes.

He also has Giants season tickets.

And lets Dave and I mooch a few if we help sort them for his clients.

It also helps me forgive him for the ape suit.




Making "mouse soup" dressed in her cat costume.

Honestly?  Sometimes she scares me.




My little brother is getting married 2 months from tomorrow.

And my bridesmaid dress is a size 122.  OK, not really.  Take away one of the numbers.

Hint: It's NOT the 2.  And I had to pay the extra material fee.

I am eating nothing but grapefruit until June.  And I will be nothing but crabby until June.




One of my dearest friends in all the universe moved to Arkansas a few years ago.

And she came back for a visit recently.

I'm trying to get her to start a food blog.

Her dessert of the month almost went for more than Tommy Brady's signed football jersey

at our youth group fundraiser a few years ago.

The girl is fierce in the kitchen.  Cindy, are you listening?

www.bakingwithcindy.com




iCrazies.  At the Apple store on the day the iPad was released.

WHO waits in line for geek stuff?

I'm a geek.  And I don't get it.




I got my haircut.  Or as my grandpa used to say, "I got 'em all cut."

Speaking of grandparents, my brother says my purse looks "grandma."

Isn't that mean, Grandmums?

I think you should call him and yell at him.




We're moving.  Dave enjoys packing.




Our kitchen table has looked like this since March 1.

Home Loan Applying.  Cochlear Implanting.  School switching.  Church planting.

HELPPPP.




Pear blossom by Kayla.




It's gorgeous here today.

Perfect for avoiding packing and going outside to enjoy the sunshine.


Happy Friday!