Upcoming Roadtrip

I am so excited about our upcoming road trip in July! It's our first road trip traveling East outside of Texas. One of my girlfriends that I used to work with in the architecture firm in California, and who was also part of our wedding party, is getting married in Redwood, Mississippi at a lodge on a lake! And since it's only 8-9 hours away we're making the road trip out for the celebration. Again, so thankful for Stephen's Hertz perk of a free car and gas. We'll be staying in the town of Vicksburg on the Mississippi River. We won't have a lot of time to sight see but we'd like to take the kids to the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum: Where Coke Was First Bottled in 1894. It also has a restored candy shop where you can get ice cream, fountain Cokes and Coke floats. Mmmm, can't wait!

After the wedding festivities we will be driving down to New Orleans. I can't wait to see all the historical architecture in this town. Take the kids on the "St. Charles" streetcar, check out Decatur Street in the French Quarter and eat some beignets at Cafe du Monde. Can't wait!

Dying

Remember how I posted I had a lot I wanted to blog about from our California trip? Well I keep thinking about these things from our trip, so I decided to type up a post. Sadly enough we encountered being around some people that just had a death in their family while on our vacation. I was filled with humility to be around at the moment of time they learned of a loved one just passing.

Our first encounter was when our plane landed at LAX. Our plane taxi ed into the gate. The pilot turned the seat belt sign off so we all stood up to get our carry on bags and tightly form a line in the aisle way to get off the plane. I was with the kids and Stephen was a few rows behind us. I was a bit preoccupied getting our bags from the over head compartment and making sure the kids weren't bumping into the passengers standing around us, but the woman standing directly behind me was on her cell phone and her conversation caught my attention. I know it's rude to ease drop but the anxiousness in her voice and what she was saying was hard to ignore. Whomever she was talking to she was trying to explain we just landed and that she's trying to get off the plane as fast as she could. There was definitely a sense of urgency.

Then the anxiousness in her voice turned into shock, she started saying, "are you there holding her hand? Did you put on her favorite music?". I started to sense this lady was flying into LAX because a loved one of hers was soon nearing death. As the door to our plane opened and we started filtering out I did my best to get the kids moving so this lady could get off the plane. As we were walking off and on the jetway she started sobbing and saying, "oh no, oh no I'm too late! She's gone now, she's gone!". The kids and I got into the gate area and waited for Stephen. The lady passed and found a small quiet corner in between the gift shop and Burger King and sobbed, groaned and cried. I felt so much sadness for her. I thought to myself, "she just lost her mother, or maybe her sister, or maybe a dear friend." I prayed right then that God's grace would comfort her in this time of loss.

At the end of our trip we stayed a night in Arizona at our dear friend's beautiful home. We were so glad we got to visit with the Frey family. We ate yummy pizza and salad, the kids played outside on the slip'n'slide and Kacey made a delicious homemade ice cream cake. That evening Kacey was on the phone with her mother. Tim had informed us that Kacey's grandmother was not doing well and was in hospice and expected to pass any day. We insisted to Kacey that if they had to leave to go spend some time with family to please do so. Kacey spent some time with me sharing fond memories of her grandmother and explained how she was the "fun grandparent". That she lived a very long life and was able to meet and know Tim and Kacey's children. I felt sadness for Kacey and her family - it brought back memories of losing my Oma last year and the times I spent on the phone with my parents in her last few days. The next morning when we awoke Kacey had received the call that her grandmother passed early that morning. Before I fell asleep the evening before I thanked the Lord for wonderful, gracious friends like the Frey's and how it is a blessing to have them in our lives, and I prayed that Kacey's grandmother would pass in peace with our Lord.

I often think about dying, when my time will come. I ask the Lord that it will come later rather than sooner so I can watch my children grow and spend the most time I can with my blessed loved ones. I don't have a fear of death, I guess I dwell that I could be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend than I currently am. And before I die I will strive to do just that, not because I feel anything I do will earn my salvation but because I want to set an example of what it means to be a Christian and to accept God's grace.

The virtue of humility may be defined: "A quality by which a person considering his own defects has a lowly opinion of himself and willingly submits himself to God and to others for God's sake."

I just wanted to end my thoughts by saying as a Catholic Christian an adequate preparation for death is having faith and trusting in God's salvific work. And to understand that our justice and holiness is a gift of grace through the Holy Spirit not something earned or acquired independently. Because of a real, interior sanctification effected by God's grace, abounded to my soul - I'm prepared for death whenever it may happen.

I have much humility after experiencing the moments I wrote about in this post and I have so much to be thankful for - thank you Lord.

Update on Us!

Sorry for not posting in a week - we've moved and currently have no Internet connection at our new house. We moved in last Friday with the help of so many wonderful people: mom, dad, Oom Folly, Tante Patty, Whitney, Pamela, Ariel, Oom George, Tante Xenia, and Stephen F. We truly could not have done it so fast and smoothly without their generous help. We love you guys, thank you!

After we closed on the house last Tuesday we took 2 days to paint some of the interiors, install ceiling fans, install some upgraded bathroom lighting (thank you Whitney & Pamela, we love them and they look great!) and install the automatic garage door opener (thank you Oom Folly & Tante Patty for the opener!). It was such a blessing having so much help with everything!

We painted the family room this sage green type color called "Green Tea". We thought it turned out nice, giving contrast to our furniture.

The formal dining room we painted 2 tone with this putty type color scheme. Eventually I plan on putting a chair rail and crown molding. And I also still need to recover the chairs with fabric that matches better.

Madeline's room is a 3 tone scheme (except we still need to paint the pink stripe in the middle). She also got this really cute new bedding from Oma and Opa.

James' room is all BOY and all BLUE, denim blue is the paint color. And he also got new bedding from Oma and Opa. (he went from a twin to a full)

The kids are adjusting pretty well in the new home. Sometimes they say they are scared to go upstairs alone, but I'm sure that will pass. Penny has gotten used to going up and down the stairs, with her buff little short legs at first it seemed awkward to her. She likes her new yard too, although I think she'll like it more once they put the sod in this weekend.

This morning I flew by myself to California. Stephen stayed home in Texas with the kids, having "Daddy Daycare" this weekend as he calls it. I had planned to come out here a few months back so I could go with my very best friend, Robyn, to bridal shops to find her wedding gown. I'm excited to be here. I had a nice morning flight here, got bumped up to first class, had a nice omelet for breakfast and got to relax the entire flight. It was weird not having to tend to any of my kids! Today we're going to place my Oma's ashes at a Catholic cemetary in Orange. And then this evening I'm going to the Fujii's to meet their newborn baby James. Will be posting tons of photos from the weekend!

Arrived Safely - Vacation Days 1-3

Well we made it to California! When our names were called at the gate for any open seats they had 3 but they were all separate. We needed at least 2 together as Madeline cannot sit by herself. The ticket agent told me I could ask another passenger to switch. And luckily a really nice lady did. So the kids and I sat together in coach and Stephen got lucky and was able to sit up in First Class! (He still owes me a MAJOR back rub!)

When we were landing and Madeline looked out the window she said, "Mommy look at the mountains, are we in the North Pole!?". Can you tell she's been accustomed to the Texas flat lands!? LOL

Finishing up...

We're all really anxious for our vacation to start. Madeline keeps talking about the beach and Disneyland, constantly! Stephen and I are really looking forward to seeing all our family and friends. It's going to be a fun trip!

So my laundry is done, bags are packed except I need to still pack our toiletries. I have one more shift to take calls for West today. Oh and I've got 2 people coming by today who responded to my Craigslist postings, 1 for the Yukon and 1 for my double stroller. Hoping to sell both!

Wanted to share some photos before we leave. I'm going to try and post every few days from my parents with vacations photos and updates...


Isn't his expression the greatest!? He was stomping his feet on the kitchen floor so I crept up behind him and when he turned around this was what I got! :-)


Waking up and watching morning cartoons...


Sucking on his big toe, still watching toons!


Half asleep, giving mommy a pretty girl smile. :-)