Fri-e-day, Fri-e-day...

As excited as I was for Brian to go back to work, I am equally excited that today is Friday and he will be home for the weekend.  I've officially hit 30 weeks in this pregnancy and I am not sleeping well, at all!  Maybe I'll be able to sleep in a little tomorrow...here's to hoping!

Today I was determined to finish this light fixture that has consumed my life for the past 3 days...AND I DID!  I love it!  I can't wait to get it up tomorrow and see what it looks like lit!  We stopped by Ikea and got the light that goes inside of it and it should be up tomorrow!

I have seen these fixtures all over Pinterest.  I didn't try to reinvent the wheel, or anything, but I will say that the tutorials have been lacking in, well, instructions.  So I'm hoping to fix that with a quick tutorial for all those who want to learn!  I will post the instructions at the end of the post so those who don't care to learn can skip it!

We don't have a solid plan for the weekend, but it is supposed to be beautiful outside, so the Relph family will be getting some much needed vitamin D!  

Lastly, my Grandma fell and hit her head and suffered a concussion.  I do not know a lot of details but I know they are still running tests as to why she fell in the first place.  Say a little prayer for her that it is nothing serious!

Coffee Filter Light Fixture Tutorial

These are the materials that you need:

Paper Lantern (this is the one I have)

Coffee Filters (I used 1200...yes, 1200!)

Glue Gun

Glue

Burn Relief (see side note below)

Lots and LOTS of time and patience

I also suggest a good show to watch while you do this :)

When I started this I went about it the wrong way.  I took a single filter, folded it, glued it, and repeat.  Let me tell you a secret...prepare a whole bunch of filters before you even turn on the glue gun!  It will save time and it's easier to get 'into a groove' when you are just grabbing, gluing, and placing!

There are a lot of ways people fold their filters.  Some twist the bottom, others fold in halves, quarters, eights, and some don't fold at all.  I decided to fold mine into fourths...but I only folded the bottom part!  I wanted to make sure the top portion (the scallop-y part that looks like ruffles) stayed loose and soft so I only folded the bottom triangle.  Here are two pictures of what I mean:

I made sure the filters were curved as well...it makes it a lot easier to place on the lantern.

Now grab your glue gun!  I placed a pea size glob of glue on the tip of the filter on the bottom side.  I had my filters curving upward but I've seen people place them sideways and upside down as well...it's up to you!

Next place the filters!  You want them super close...which is why 1200 filters became necessary.  There was truly no rhyme or reason where I placed the filters.  I just tried to do a stack effect...a picture will help a lot more than my explanation...

This project seriously takes forever...but don't give up...because it ends up looking like this:

When we finally get it up and lit I will take more pictures and explain how we did it (as of now I have no clue how we are doing it :)).  On a side note, you may also want some aloe or neosporin around.  I have SO MANY blisters all over my hands from multiple glue gun burns.  It happens...and I promise even if you are careful you will probably get burnt at least once...better to have supplies on hand!

Finally, we have great neighbors back home and they are letting us know about our home.  Apparently our home is sinking to China...here's a picture to demonstrate :).

Say "HI" to the newest addition to the
Dechant family...Polina!!!

I'm really looking forward to some R&R this weekend...let's hope I get some!

Sometimes a day is just a day...

I tell you what. Writing on a blog everyday really is tough! Especially when you have a few "run of the mill" days. I did have some highlights today, though! Crystal and I got a chance to catch up and the kids got some "FaceTime" with Jaxon! It literally was 5 minutes of the kids making faces at each other...too funny!

I worked on the light fixture today...almost done! I could probably knock it out tonight but Myah has permanently decided she doesn't need naps anymore so I'm calling it an early night :).

Tomorrow is Friday and we still have a broken bed...should be a busy weekend.

Haircuts!

The kids got some haircuts :). For the record...I thought I had posted this last night...

Ah, some normalcy...

Brian went back to work today so the kids and I got back to our normal routine!

To start the day, though...we all went to the doctor to see pictures of Ms. Vera!  While we didn't get any to take home (SUCH A BUMMER!!) we got to see some GREAT pictures of her!  She has huge, fat cheeks, big, full lips, and all the required body parts :)!!  Her estimated weight is 3 pounds, 6 ounces which is in the 70th percentile...I think it's safe to say she will be following in her siblings footsteps and will be very early!  No complaints, here...so excited to see her!

After the appointment we dropped Brian off at work and went back to Ikea!  I decided to put together our coffee bar today as my 'project' and it was fun!  Let me say this, though; it is NOT easy trying to make something level, centered, and even with only one person...and a pregnant one at that!  I started the project after nap time and it took a couple of hours to finally decide the layout of all the pieces.  Since I wanted to incorporate the frame and the "R" that I made, I didn't have as much room to put shelves as I had originally thought so I have some returns to do!  I have just a few finishing touches to complete the look (runner on the top, I moved the toaster and will add a vase with flowers, etc), but it came together really easy!  It wasn't pricey, either!  The rods and 's' hooks together cost $20 (could have gotten much cheaper but I wanted it black and to look nice) and the shelf and brackets cost $3.00!  I already had the frame, buffet, and coffee cups, and the "R" cost $10 max!  So, all in all, not an expensive way to create a new 'space' in our home!

While we were at Ikea I got a paper lantern to start the light fixture for the dining room (the one that I showed you in yesterday's post).  I've read quite a few tutorials about it, and everything they say is true.  It is easy, time consuming, and REALLY BORING! LOL!  With Brian helping fold the coffee filters we burned through 200 filters in 90 minutes.  After multiple burns that turned into blisters and my butt becoming numb for sitting still for so long, I had to take a break!  I expect to spend about 6-8 hours total on this sucker...and about 1000 coffee filters!  However, every end result that I have seen online looks AMAZING so I think it will totally be worth it!  

I think tomorrow we will start 'school' again during nap time...if I can stay awake :).

We are so close to being fully moved in...yet so far away...

The Christmas Tree is down, decorations are put away and we are finally able to start putting the house together!  Unfortunately, it takes A LOT of time and energy...luckily Brian had his last day of holiday vacation, so he helped out!

We started the day off taking down Christmas decorations and everything was ready to go down to the garage when the kids decided they wanted to 'help'.  Well, help in their case is knocking over a whole box of ornaments and breaking HALF of them...grrrrr!  For the record, I told the kids they could not help due to it being dangerous (what I told them...), Brian said they could.  I will let you decided whose 'fault' the broken ornaments were :).

Then we started moving furniture around and opened up some space.  This also means I have found more areas for more 'projects'!  :)  We have decided to turn our buffet into a coffee bar...kinda like this:  

I think it's gonna look awesome!  Since we moved the dining room table, though, the chandelier is no longer centered...and that drives me CRAZY!  So we will be getting a new light fixture...another DIY that I want to look like this:

When I get the materials for the projects, I'll post pics!

We also got my closet a little more organized in the craft/guest room!  The whole project cost $25...not too bad! I'm excited to go back and get more rods to hang in the closet and I will get a few extra (nicer) ones to go with the coffee bar!  I'm excited to actually have a crafting station...and I know Brian will be happy to get rid of all the stuff around the house!  We put the 'station' in the closet in the guest room.  Brian took off the doors and I put in a table...it hangs out a little bit, but I don't mind!  Now all I have to do is finish unpacking and then it's craft-tastic!

Landon got the kids some art supplies for Christmas and part of the gift was bathtub paint!  The kids had a blast playing with the paint and was upset when we had to wipe it off :)

While the kids were taking a nap I decided to work a little on Vera's room.  I have seen these great trees that people paint on the wall and add things to the branches to decorate...so I wanted to try it!  These are a few inspiration pics:

  

Now, I am no artist...that much is for sure.  Especially when it comes to free-hand.  I gave it a shot anyway and it didn't turn out too bad!  There are a few 'oops' spots (like the 'x' in the top left corner and the GIANT random branch on the left of the tree...) but I plan on putting lots of things on the tree, so it should be covered!  I already have yarn covered letters, a yarn wreath, and I'm working on finishing an embroidery piece that will go on the tree!  I also plan on making tissue flowers (like in the first inspiration photo) and will probably get a few more embroidery hoops and put fabric in them.  I'm really excited and hope it turns out!  I also bought supplies to create a faux wallpaper with stencil that I want to do on the two other walls, but we will see :).

Something I didn't tell you about yesterday...I sliced some major chunks of skin off of my thumb.  Our cheese grater broke a few days ago and since we only buy cheese blocks and cut it ourselves, I had to use a cheese slicer to cut pieces off to make the cheesy garlic bread for dinner last night.  Unfortunately for my thumb, the cheese was too soft and I was too careless and ripped off a few chunks of skin.

Just wanted you to share in my pain ;).  On another note, Myah decided not to take a nap today and I'm thinking I might just keep this pattern going.  It is SO hard to teach a 3 and 2 year old at the same time...so I'm going to take a page from the Vinson playbook and teach Myah during Eli's nap time.  Hopefully it will go smoother and be more productive!  

Finally...ELIJAH POOPED ON THE POTTY!  Since I haven't been on my A-game as of late, I didn't plan ahead and decided to start potty training Eli Friday at the beginning of Brian's 4 day weekend.  I tend to think it's a little less chaotic when you have two adults making sure the 'trainee' isn't soiling themselves.  So we started today.  Well, we tried to start today.  He went #1 and #2 on the potty on separate occasions...but then also peed himself twice.  So he's back in diapers...LOL!  I am hoping he will be diaper free (at least during the day) before Vera gets here, so this week I'll come up with a plan and 'decide' to potty train...I wasn't quite ready today! :)

Good luck tomorrow going to back to work!  Brian should be FINALLY getting his new phone activated so he is very excited to get back to work!  Also we are going to the sonographer tomorrow to see Vera again!  So excited!  I will post pictures of our little girl tomorrow!

Happy New Year!

Resolutions for 2012 are not off to a great start!  Brian and I were laying in bed watching Dexter and it’s 9:20pm…and I JUST now realize I haven’t written on the blog yet!  Woops!

Yesterday was NYE and we had a busy day!  We took the kids to playground (which we need to do MUCH more often) but it was bittersweet because Myah kept asking where all her friends were L.  Having a playground across the street from our home in Kansas really spoiled us.  Not only was it readily available, but it came equipped with the best friends my kids could ask for!

My kids get along great…but even siblings need a break from one another and have someone else to play with!  So, Brian and I are looking for dance/gymnastic classes for Myah to take and possibly a tumble class for Eli.  I took dance and gymnastics as a kid and loved it and with Myah’s outgoing personality, it will be perfect for her!

San Jose Flea Market

We also went to our first Flea Market out here!  I think I have finally moved to a place that has legit flea markets!  I know Kansas City has a Farmer’s Market with a garage sale type place…but the flea markets out here are like the ones you see on TV…low prices, great finds…pretty much everything I love!  We went later in the day on Saturday just to look around and see what they offered!  Brian and I had a great time looking around but, not surprisingly, the kids got over it fast.  So we went home and ate some homemade pancakes (best I’ve had!) and decided to spend some quality time watching a movie with the kids.

We all pile on our bed and start to get situated and…BOOM!  The bed breaks.  Yep.  All the supports that hold up the bed slats fell out.  That’s how we spent our NYE…fixing our bed! LOL!  We had to shoo the kids out of the room to fix it and an hour later we had it glued and it was finally time for the movie…Winnie the Pooh!  I love that movie! It’s so cute!

The kids were sitting on the bed slats
while the glue dried :)

We didn’t quite make it to midnight PST, but we were up for EST and CST! LOL! 

Mr. Handyman fixing the bed...

Today was Brian’s “favorite day”.  He said there was College Football, NFL, NBA, and college basketball all on today…all day.  Awesome.  So, needless to say it was tough to get him unglued from the tv all day.  Luckily for him, though, I enjoy sports and watched my Patriots take home a win!!!   After naps we went to Ikea to get some storage solutions for my craft room so we can set up the bed and give my parents a place to sleep!  When we finally got home from the chaos (because OF COURSE Ikea was chaotic on a Sunday holiday at 3pm) we sat down and ate some pasta!  My mom has been serving homemade spaghetti sauce every New Years day for as long as I can remember….and I wanted to keep the tradition going!  This is our 6^th New Years that we have had pasta and I love it!  Luckily, it’s a family favorite dish, so we all chowed down!  There’s nothing quite like sauce that has been cooking all day on the stove!  Yum!

Hopefully tomorrow we will be more productive and finish unpacking boxes...we are far from moved in and we still don’t have a single thing on the wall!  It’s also the day we take down the Christmas tree L!

Hope you all had a great first day of 2012!!

New Years Resolutions and the likes...

What a week!  With the Christmas festivities behind us and a quiet NYE ahead of us, we finally got a chance to breathe and catch up on life!

29 weeks...ultrasound on Tuesday!!

Brian made the kids a tent :)

Brian had a 4-day weekend last weekend and has another one this weekend.  Watching him at home with the kids is awesome...he made them a tent tonight!  It's also hilarious...I can already see him counting down the minutes until Tuesday when he can go back to work!  He's been mentioning lately how much work the two kids are...HALLELUJAH!  It's nice to have some empathy from the hubs :)!

I got an iPhone 4S!  Not for Christmas, but since Brian's job is paying for his cell bill, it was actually cheaper to start me on a new plan.  It was also great for my anxiety level because Sprint is AWFUL out here and I have been unable to use my phone to keep in touch with anyone!  I LOVE my phone.  That might be an understatement...but I truly love it!  It has been really easy to post things (like pictures and short notes) to the blog in just a few seconds...love that too!  No more digging out our camera and downloading all the pictures!  Gotta love technology!

There has been a lot of laundry done this week...apparently I had been putting it off :).  I also got to catch up with Lyda and Lauren which was FABULOUS!!  I knew I missed my friends, but I had no idea how much it effected my attitude until I got to catch up with Lyda and Lauren.  Even though we can't see each other, staying in touch is such a blessing!  I had a new sense of energy after catching up...and it was miraculous that I didn't drop a single call!  Gotta love Verizon!

On Wednesday, Lauren found out she's having a BOY!  They got to see some great views of their little man and it made me super excited to see my little girl on Tuesday!  I also saw the doctor on Wednesday and everything is going along swimmingly!  We've hit the 29 week mark  but I highly doubt I'll make it 11 more weeks...so it's possible we are down to single digits!  Wahoo!  I'm already over being pregnant :).  It's incredibly exhausting chasing after two toddlers with a watermelon on your stomach!  I've had to get the kids to pick up things that I have dropped for a few weeks now...and it's only gonna get worse!  I'm super excited for Vera to get here and I've finally been able to channel some of that excitement into my favorite thing...crafting!!!

My parents gave Brian and I money for Christmas (Wahoo!) and I decided to spend my on craft supplies.  It makes me feel productive, gives me a creative outlet, and it gets me one step closer to getting Vera's area more homey!  Since joining Pinterest my craft 'wish-list' has exploded.  Seriously.  I'll never have enough money or time to do all the crafts I want to do...unless someone wants to pay me for it :)!  

The current wish list for crafts is as follows:

Yarn Wreath

Crib Sheets

Yarn Letters

Embroidery with Vera's name

Felt flower Headbands

Ruffle Bedskirt (for crib)

Cover for rocking chair

Recover chair and sofa in living room

Quilts (one for Vera, Lauren, and t-shirt quilts for Sam and Beau)

Mobile (for Vera)

Chandelier (for Vera)

Ruffle Butt Onesies

Baby blankets

and a new baby bag

Yes.  The list is long...but incredibly exciting!  I've already started/finished some of the projects!  I even added one!  

When I was shopping I saw this giant "R" and decided to wrap it in yarn and decorate it for the house.  I also have a black empty frame that I'm going to re-spray paint blue and frame this letter on the wall in our living room!  It took the picture with my phone so the lighting isn't the best...but I'm super proud of it...it looks awesome!  It's about 2 feet tall...so it's pretty large!

I also did a yarn wreath for Vera!  Her room scheme colors are rose, cream, green, brown...you get the picture...soft and Victorian-ish.  It wasn't my first try at making felt flowers, but I did try some new kinds.  I had such a great time doing this wreath...it's amazing how easy it is!  I'm going to paint a dark brown tree on the wall behind Vera's crib and hang the wreath and other pictures off the branches...I'm pretty excited about it!

Remember that awesome deal I got on the fabric?  Well, I finally finished a crib sheet!  It was such a simple project and would have been SO much faster if my sewing machine didn't break.  We went through Hades trying to figure out what was wrong with it.  I called Brother to ask them what I should do.  Since it was less than a year old, they told me to bring it to a repair center and it would be covered under warranty.  I explained to them that I do not have the receipt still (we've moved 1900 miles since then) and they said that it was no problem.  However, when I went to the repair center they said that I have to have the proof of purchase.  Great.  They kept it and looked it over while I tried to find a solution.  We contacted Walmart (where we bought it) and they said to bring in the card and the date and they could print us off another receipt.  AWESOME!  What they failed to say, was that you have to go back to that SPECIFIC Walmart that you bought it from.  Well, since we don't live there anymore, that's not an option.  So, in effect, I was stuck with a broken sewing machine.  Monday we stopped by the repair center to pick it up.  I decided to buy new thread, needle, bobbin, and start all over.  AND IT WORKED!  Thank God!  So I finished the first crib sheet and put it on the mattress!  It's not perfect...but for my first one it's not bad.  Not bad at all!  To top it off...it only cost $2.50!  Beat that Target!  I think it's safe to say I will be making my own crib sheets from now on!

I also started my embroidery project.  As soon as I get it finished (almost there!) I will post it!  

The kids have been busy breaking in their new toys all week :)  Until we get out there and make some friends, it's all they have to keep themselves busy, luckily they aren't complaining!

Ok...NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS (NYR)!  A lot of things went through my mind when contemplating what my NYR should be.  I thought of the typical: lose weight/workout/etc.  However, since Vera's not due until March, I didn't want to postpone a few months of resolution time, so I decided to resolve to do something else (though that's still a to-do for 2012).  After talking to my dad, he suggested I write a book.  Now, I love my Dad (LOVE YOU!!), he is obviously a Dad and partially out of his mind if he thinks I am any sort of good writer...or a bad one at that!  It did get me thinking, though.  I have really enjoyed blogging and I know that some have said they enjoy reading it.  SO!  On to the resolution...

I have decided to write a new post EVERYDAY.  I haven't quite decided what I'll write about or what sort of focus I will have.  My interests are varied and our life is a little insane, and honestly, I think that's what this project will end up looking like.  However, I think it will be a great challenge!  Blogging everyday is going to be time consuming...but I'm excited!  Some days I'll write about my family, others about my crafts, some about my Faith and things I am learning through bible study, maybe recipies that I've tried and then maybe some random posts!  I even thought of choosing something on Pinterest to do everyday; but I think that might have to come with time!

So there is it.  I would love to know who is reading this so I know which topics you would love.  In fact...help me out now!  Do me a favor and post a comment at the end of this post and tell me what you'd like me to write about!  I'd also LOVE to know YOUR NYR!  

I think I'll take the next two nights off and start fresh on New Years!

Be safe and have a fantastic New Years!  Here's to 2012!!

I did it!!

My first homemade crib sheet! $2.50!!

Merry Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone!  

It has been such wonderful couple of days...so here's a recap so you can enjoy with us!

Wednesday night we went to dinner at Left Bank in San Jose with Brian's boss and a few coworkers.  It was in a really cool part of town called Santana Row.  It reminded me of the Plaza in Kansas City...but I liked it better!  It was a little smaller but so beautiful!  There was an awesome Mexican restaurant in the center of it all that had a 5 piece band playing to those who were eating outside.  Yep.  People eating OUTSIDE 3 days before Christmas...so cool!  It was really great to meet some of the people that Brian works with...but it was a tad chaotic!  There were 8 adults and 5 toddlers...in an upscale restaurant!  We all survived and there were no spilled drinks, but I think we owe all of that to our smartphones! :)  It was great to get out of the house and meet other adults!  Brian's boss is incredibly sweet and great to talk to!  The kids had a great time meeting other kids, too!

Thursday and Friday were full of running errands so we weren't out shopping on Christmas Eve.  We got some last minute gifts, things for the stockings, picked up my (still broken) sewing machine, supplies for Vera's wreath (read further for info on that), and went out to eat on Friday night.  I have a question for the people out here...what is it with the BROWN salsa?!  Not tasty...the closest I have had to good Mexican food out here is at Chili's...and that is SO SAD!  I miss Mi Ranchito :(.  We also haven't found a Mexican restaurant with queso dip...sad story!  For those who know me well, you know this is a travesty.

Christmas Eve we cleaned the house to get ready for Santa and I started some small preparations Christmas Lunch/Dinner (take out rolls to rise, thaw ham, bake sweet potatoes).  We all had a lengthy nap (3 hours, Hallelujah!) and then it was time to get ready for church!  First, I will say we had an awesome dinner that consisted of Chicken Cord en Bleu casserole...go here for the recipe:

http://organizeyourstuffnow.com/wordpress/?p=19339&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganizeAndDecorateEverything+%28Organize+and+Decorate+Everything%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

... it was awesome!  A super-easy go-to meal!  Ok...so on to the Candlelight service!

The kiddos got 'dressed up' (we don't really have any dressy clothes at this point) and took a few pictures in front of the tree!  They are getting pretty cheesy, don't you think :)?

The church we attended was the same we went to last week.  It's called Jubilee and it's located about 5 miles from our house, so it's super easy and quick to get to.  It is also the first 'Mega Church' that we have ever been to.  It has a separate building for all the admin stuff, the older kids, and a bible college. Whoa.  The candlelight service started at 6pm and there was no childcare open...so we brought the IPad and my IPhone :).  Now, yes, I want my kids to pay attention.  However, I am also a realistic mother of two toddlers.  They can only sit still for so long!  I'm glad we brought them, too, because it was a 90 minute service...and I loved every minute!!!  There is something 'other-worldly' about a mass of people all singing their hearts out to Jesus...it's unreal!  Christmas music has also ALWAYS been my favorite...so it was a double bonus...people praising Jesus with Christmas music!!  My favorite part of this church?  The worship team!  There are about 40 people on stage singing every service.  It's awesome!  They have a choir, multiple soloists and a huge band...with a cello!  Brian and I both agree that Dan Deeble (our pastor at Heartland) can NEVER be replaced.  He has a God given gift...no doubt about that.  But I love the music at this church and they have a lot of fellowship at this church (basketball, MOPS, etc.)...so we will go a couple more times :).  The kids did great.  They had their moments, but the IPad always helps, and Myah loves to sing, so she had a blast!

When we left church we went to Target to get cookies for Santa (Brian was very excited about this).  We went home and put out some cookies for Santa, Cheerios for the reindeer, milk and water, and read two books.  My parents sent this AWESOME book that they recorded for the kids.  You turn the page and my parents read the book to the kids...such an amazing way to stay in touch 3000 miles away!  After 'reading' that book, we read "The Night Before Christmas".  I know a lot of people of have this tradition.  For as long as I can remember, my dad read us this exact book to us on Christmas Eve and in 2006 Brian and I got the book (the year we married).  We have read the book to the kids the past 3 years and will continue to do so and hope to pass on the tradition!

Finally it was time to get the kids to bed!  Surprisingly, they went down really easy and didn't even get out of bed!  Brian and I had some wrapping to finish (he doesn't like to do ANYTHING ahead of time...).  Then Brian set up the train set my dad gave us and we set up the presents.  We are so blessed to have so many people in our lives that love us.  We received gifts from all over the country (Maine, New York, Kansas) and we feel so lucky.  I knew my great grandparents growing up and I'm so excited my kids get to have the same wonderful privilege.

I 'caught' Santa at our house...check out the picture...

He also left a note and ate all the cookies :)!!

Myah woke up first at 5:30 am.  Not bad at all...I remember waking my parents up at 4am :)...I'm counting myself lucky!  She came in and said "Merry Christmas, Mommy" and then asked to open presents :).  I sent her to wake Eli up (which took about 15 minutes) and then we went to open presents.  Growing up, we had a great tradition where we 'had' to eat (cinnamon rolls or monkey bread) and open stockings before we could even SEE the presents around the tree!  We tried to do this by putting up a sheet at the doorway to the living room...but we were realistic enough to know that there was NO WAY we were getting the kids to wait until breakfast was cooked before we got to the tree...so we went straight to the gifts!  I have a video but I'm still trying to figure out how to post them, so check back for the video!  The kids were great waiting their turns (one present at a time) and it was hilarious trying to get them settled down after almost every present opened!

Waiting to open up presents after tearing
through their stockings!

Daddy had to jump in and help sometimes...

My GGma Bedore sent the kids
some remote control cars...
they were a HUGE HIT!  Thanks,
Grandma B!

I think Brian had more fun putting
the train track together than the kids did!

Isn't he so cute?!

Opening presents took about an hour (not bad for our smallest Christmas :)) and the kids had a great time!  We all got some wonderful gifts!  The kids got cars, airplanes, hats, books, puzzles, games, a train set, a tea party set, candy, money, cups, and lots more! Brian and I are really loved as well and got some gifts from my parents! I got my first Chi and we got some money!  Gotta love money!  We Skyped with Brian's family and the kids did a great dance for them and showed them some of their toys!  While I was getting lunch ready, I remembered I didn't have any aluminum foil to put on all of the food.  So, Brian offered to go to the store.  During the time he was gone, I cooked and the kids played with their toys.  It was really relaxing...which should have been my first 'clue' :).  When Brian got home, he asked why the kids were so quiet.  We walked into the living room and Myah was playing with the train set (Good girl!) and Elijah was sitting over the candy bowl downing his 4th or 5th chocolate!  He was off his rocker for the rest of the day...there was also a lot of diaper changes...at least he didn't throw it up!

We had a delicious lunch and nap time.  When we got up, the kids played with their toys and I started working on my newest project...a yarn wreath for Vera's room.  I've seen these all over Pinterest and I enjoy a challenge and DIY projects so I was really excited to make one!  It cost less than $10 to make and I think it turned out alright!  It will be on a soft green wall, so the colors will pop!  Here's what it looks like:

Myah set up a tea party...the boys
were very excited!

Say Cheese!

We finally got to catch up with my family on Skype right before dinner.  I miss my family a lot right now, but in just a few short months my parents will be out here!  I am so excited!!!  We watched Elf while eating dinner and then it was time for bed!  While it was a great day, I am so tired!! Brian wants me to watch Dexter with him...but I'm thinking watching the back of my eyelids seems like a better idea :).  I hope you all had as wonderful a Christmas as we did!  We love you all and don't forget to tell Jesus 'Happy Birthday!'

Merry Christmas Eve!

Dinner at Left Bank

Hi Friends! I need some advice :)  Brian's boss is taking the family out to dinner here:

http://www.leftbank.com/menu_sanjose

and I have no idea what to order...suggestions?!

Love you!

Jen

A few random updates...

Just a few things happened over the weekend and I thought you might like to know!

Brian got his holiday gift from Google on Friday...the brand new Nexus Prime phone!  He also found out that Google will pay for his phone bill...so that helps us on our monthly budget!  So far Google is paying for our internet and Brian's phone bill...love it!

We worked on the house all weekend and still have A LOT to unpack...it feels never ending!  BUT we did get the crib set up and I started to work on the new crib sheets (they would be done if my sewing machine didn't stop working ugh!).

Brian went to lunch with his coworkers on Friday and again today for different groups.  He is part of the HR department, but he is also going to be a TA for a class taught at Google and he's gonna "try out" for the basketball team!  On Wednesday his boss has invited the whole family out to dinner.  She has a little one and his coworker (who is also going) has two toddlers...so we will be out numbered!  It's a French restaurant, so it should be very interesting :).

I saw a great deal on Wishbone Italian Dressing at the local store today and since we use tons (for marinades, etc.) I stopped in to get some!  Regularly $4.99, on sale for $.99!  I also had a $1.00 off coupon...which means I bought 3 for $1.98!  Woot!  They also had Ragu on sale for 3/$5 so I got three of those.  I picked up a few more things (french bread, apple pie, mac n cheese) and after using my $10 coupon I had received for spending $75 on Friday, we only paid $3.74 for $30 worth of groceries.  I'd say that was a success!!

Christmas is just a few days away and we haven't finished shopping yet...wish us luck!

Tim Tebow

I don't care who he is playing or how good he is.  I will be a Tebow fan as long as he is a man of beautifully professed faith.  I would still like the Pats to win, though. :)

We're Nomads...

Is it SERIOUSLY one week from Christmas?!  Holy cranoley...time flies!  


As I had mentioned in an earlier post, I spent all last weekend making holiday treats...which are FINALLY ready to be shipped...Monday.  The snacks didn't work out the way I was hoping.  When I went to the Post Office to get the boxes to ship in, I realized that the boxes were WAY too small to fit what I had originally wanted to fit in there.  So, Brian's coworkers will be getting a few platters of treats next week :).


I did get a chance to finish the Christmas cards and sent those out today...so you should be getting yours soon!  In case you are wondering, they are super handmade...so perfection is NO WHERE in the picture :).  Also, since they are our fingerprints, don't go trying to steal our identities or anything! :) JK!


This week we fell behind in the school program we had started.  We did two days, Monday and Tuesday, and then I looked around the house and saw how much needed to be done.  So, the kids have taken a hiatus from school.  We will be starting FULL FORCE on Monday :)...they are very excited!


After posting a picture of my VERY giant belly to the FB world, I realized that I have less than 3 months until Vera gets here.  Yep...less than 3 months.  WHAT?!  This house is a mess!  We have 1/3 of our boxes still packed and none of the baby's things are out or set up.  Sure, we have time...but it goes fast.  So, I started to get a little nervous and we have been spending all last week and this whole weekend unpacking boxes and fully moving in.  There is NO WAY we will finish this weekend...but with Brian at home we are making a huge dent and I should hopefully be able to finish by myself next week!


We also started going through our 'old' bins of clothes and setting aside all the things Vera will need...they are so tiny!  The kids are very excited with the whole process and Myah asks all the time to give the baby a "high-five".  She has been talking about holding her and patting her head...she's a very excited big sister!  I think Elijah's just excited to get someone to pick on :).


I had a sad 'mommy' moment earlier this week.  We were driving home from an errand and the kids asked where we were going.  I told them we were on our way home and Myah asks "Where's home?". I know this was an innocent question and she was probably just asking a question to ask (if anyone has a toddler, you know what I mean), but it still made me think.  In the past 12 months, our kids have had 4 'homes'.  4!  And that's not including any of the hotels we stayed at on the trip out here.  As a military brat, I know that moving when you are young will NOT scar you and will only make you stronger.  I KNOW this.  It is my own personal story.  But as a mom...this just makes me sad!  And in 18 months we will be moving...again.  


We are so incredibly blessed that the reason we have had so many 'homes' is because we sold a house, built a house, and moved to California for an amazing job.  We are, by no means, true nomads.  However, the sentiment is still there.  Luckily, being a military kid, I learned early on that 'home' isn't in a building.  It's where your family is, where love is, and where you feel safe.  I hope that my kids feel the same way and I hope that I can do as great a job as my parents did of instilling in me the true meaning of 'home'.


Off that sad subject...


I went to my first fabric store today in San Jose...WAHOO!!!  I dragged Brian and the kids along and found two fabrics I will be using to make Vera some crib sheets.  Oh, have I mentioned the AMAZING deal I got?  The fabric was ONLY $2/YARD!!!!  That's right.  So I got 8 yards and tons of elastic for less than $25 including tax!  I am more than positive I will have extra fabric left over which means I can make a blanket, pillow, top sheet, dress...the possibilities are endless!  I know I'm geeking out over here...but come on!  So exciting!!


Tomorrow we will be going to our first church since being out here.  While I'm not looking forward to the difficult process of finding a church we can call our own, I am looking forward to "getting my God on".  I really miss Heartland and the friendships I made there.  I don't know if I can ever be as lucky or as welcomed as I was there.  But I still believe that God has an amazing plan for the Relph family out here in California, and we will find our new church home when it's the right time.  For now, I just need to sing some worship songs and be around those who feel His love!  Plus...IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!  What better time to be surrounded by Christians than now?!


Hopefully we will get the crib up tomorrow and I can convince Brian to let me paint it white...we'll see how that goes :).

On a final note, my friend Audrey got married to the man of her dreams Joe today.  I am so excited for them and extremely sad that we can't be there to celebrate with them!  I can't wait to see pictures, though, and I'm sure she rocked the house with the amazing dress she found!


I hope your weekend was as successful as our was!  Also, in case you haven't noticed...I figured out how to mobile blog, so you will be seeing a lot more short posts with pictures to keep you up to date when I don't have the chance to sit and write our life story :)!


We miss you all, especially around the holidays.  


Jen

I think someone slept well...check out his bed head!