Answered Prayers

God is so very good!

Snow...finally!! And a little reminiscing of my teaching days.

We had our second snowfall this winter, although we didn't see much snow at our house. I wanted to snap a few pics of the girls enjoying the snow, so we bundled up and headed out to Oak Glen. The girls lasted about 10 minutes-which was about 8 minutes longer than I thought they would! It was beautiful!!
The history lover in me sneaked a peak at Riley's Farm in the middle of giving Revolutionary War Reenactment Tours. I miss taking my 5th grade students up there. Riley's really does a great job making the experience authentic. And the snow just added to the experience-really giving kids a sense of what Valley Forge must've been like! I know what you're thinking, like the kids' cared about anything other than being in the snow. But one of the staff told me that those were the first words out of a student's mouth as he excited the bus that morning! I love it!! I'm a US History nerd, and I love it!

Blogging on the iPhone!

Ok. I may be just be behind, but I've been waiting for Blogger to become an iPhone App, and here it is!

So-this is my official test run blogging on my phone.

Yesterday was a last minute day off for Jon, and both of my girls have colds-but the weather was gorgeous, so we just had to get of the house. Jon always take the girls out for Daddy/daughter donut dates, so we did that and I tagged along! It was so fun!!

you're not the perfect parent 101...

The past 24 hours have been some of the toughest hours of my parenting thus far. My sweet daughter, Ellie, who has been and remains a remarkably bright and passionate little girl-has been going through a hard time.  Her beautiful heart is so troubled by the terrible two’s/teething/a battle of the wills – or something of that nature.  Bedtime and naptime have become times we dread rather than times of peace.  More often than not I find my little Ellie resisting and testing rather than obeying.  I know this is all normal, but I feel helpless.  It’s a terrible thing to feel lost.  Although, I have a feeling “help” and “now what” are common threads woven throughout one’s parenting story. As a perfectionist and doting mom, I desire nothing more than to figure out the problem, find a solution-and be done with it.  Let’s get right back to having well-behaved kids that do what I want them to do.  For the most part-we’ve been blessed to have that parenting experience up to this point.  I realize that my children have been very good babies, and while they continue to be great kids-I knew we were about due for some rougher waters.

Wait a minute, you mean she has her OWN ideas about things?  She’s her own little unique person with her own mind and desires and ideas? Wait a minute, was this disclosed in the paperwork I signed in my sleepless state at the hospital before we took her home? J  Where’s that instruction manual!

The hardest part is feeling so helpless and lost as to what to do.  The truth is that there is no perfect answer because every child and circumstance is different.  I have realized that I am not perfect, I cannot figure everything out, and I will make many mistakes.  But hopefully-I will work though them with a patient and loving heart, and a humble spirit.  I think one of most difficult realizations I’ve experienced as a mom is realizing how proud/ignorant/arrogant I can be.  It’s increasingly obvious that I am out of my realm of knowing what to do, and I desperately need the grace and guidance of my gracious heavenly father to lead me along these crooked paths.  I am so thirsty for parenting advice, wisdom and guidance.  I’ve been reading books, listening to radio segments, reading blogs, you name it.  Yet-God is the only one there at 2 in the morning when you don’t know what else to do.

I heard something during a Focus on the Family parenting pod cast the other day that really stuck with me.  The guest speaker mentioned that she often counsels parents who have done everything “right”, and yet their children continued to stray from their parent’s counsel.  She reminded the audience “Who is the perfect parent – God, of course.  And yet, how many times do we ignore, neglect or disobey his instruction and counsel.”  This brought me comfort in remembering that I cannot control who my children become.  I can only lead by example, seek the Lord in parenting them, and then trust that God will take care of guiding their hearts to Him and His ways.  This must be why praying for our kids is so important.  My children are not “mine”.  They are God’s.  I am merely blessed with the task of doing my best to lead them to Him.  I am always comforted in knowing that in everything, yes EVERYTHING, I can seek the Lord for comfort and encouragement.  He has walked this road, and lived this life.  He knows EXACTLY how I feel.  Thank you Jesus for always being a source of comfort and refuge for my soul. 

Happy New Year!

2012 is upon us and I have to say that I really enjoy that this holiday falls on the first day of the month, because once it's over, I can focus on putting away and organizing my entire house!  It's a month that symbolizes the time of year for reflection, renewal and reorganization! :)

More later...

Welcoming Charlotte Grace

My sweet little Charlotte Grace is now almost 4 months, and I am just now getting around to posting her baby announcement as well as the pics we chose from her 1 week old photo shoot.  Here is the link for the blog post about the shoot with Becky Hale Photography:
Becky Hales Photography Blog - Charlotte Grace Allen
I can't believe my sweet baby is already so big!  I am cherishing every smile, every hiccup, every moment!

Ellie Rose and her "Ellie-isms"

The apple of my eye.  My Ellie is Hi-lar-ious!!!!!  That kid has her daddy's dry wit, and at the tender age of 22 months-has me in stitches on a daily basis.  I have been noting some "Ellieisms" and haven't yet had the chance to blog about all of them, but wanted to mention the ones just from today.
First of all-I've realized the importance of establishing good habits.  When my mom was raising us, she and my dad always modeled the importance of being courteous, polite and considerate of others.  I remember doing these things out of obedience, not because I agreed all of the time and certainly not realizing the implications they would have later in life when I became a mommy.  So, today, there were several instances when we were out running errands when I had to say "oh, excuse me" and "no problem" and "your welcome".  Throughout the rest of the errand running, I heard the sweet voice of my little Ellie echoing these exact phrases, along with "oh sure mommy, ok" and "mommy, thank you so much".  THere is nothing better than hearing her polite little voice.  I beam with pride, and then I hear her say "oh my gosh".  So funny, she says it really oddly-with this thick southern accent.  I have been practicing with her because she used to say "oh my goodness", or in her words "Oh ma gooness".  (I think she's a closet southerner, like her momma).  :)  So, I told her "we don't say oh my gosh Ellie Rose because oh my goodness sounds so much nicer".  Now, in the back of the car and around the house I hear her saying "oh my gosh, no, oh my goooooooodness".  At least she corrects herself! Ha!  The other funny thing about lil' Ellie Bellie is that she is SO smart that she soaks everything up like a sponge.  Today she smelled of a dirty diaper, and I asked her "Ellie, did you poop"?  She looks at me and takes a long pause, and then responds with "No mommy, I have gaaaaaas."  HAHAHAHAH!  I started cracking up, and said. "well okay then". LOVE. THAT. GIRL.

blessed.

I was recently blessed with the chance to spend a few precious hours enjoying one of my dearest and most precious friends. My sweet bud Kelly (Turner) Cavin and I became friends when we worked on staff together at the JH Ranch back in 2000/01. We met at a very tender time in both of our lives and have celebrated together in each other's weddings, in having children, and in experiencing life in over the years. She is from Georgia and lives in Alabama, but has family in the Los Angeles area, and comes out for a visit every couple of years. It has been great to catch up and grab a quick coffee, talk mommyhood, and just reminisce during her trips. Just a couple of weeks ago-while Kel was here for a photography seminar, I was blessed to hug my sweet friend, (and her sweet momma)...and be the subject of a photo shoot to test out her newly learned techniques. Of course I jumped at the chance to be photographed by Kelly...she really is one of the most gifted photographers I've seen. (Seriously Kel, you're amazing!!)

Here is one of the photos she captured of me and my sweet girlies:

And here is the link to the sneak peak she has posted on her blog:

http://blog.kalosphoto.com/2011/09/25/meet-elli-charlie/

I can't wait to get them up around my house! Thanks my sweet Kelly! Love you TONS girl!

Pinspiration

 I have decided that I will start posting pictures of my Pinterest inspirations as I complete them…one by one.  Call it my virtual checking off of my to-do’s. I love to cross things off my list!  Here’s what I’ve created so far:

1. I love these yarn letters...so cute!  I made this one for my dearest friend Crystal's little boy Gideon.  I added a button instead of the Etsy creator's idea for a little felt mustache.  But, you could do that too. I got all of my supplies at Joann's, and am finishing up one for each of the girl's rooms.

2. This button monogrammed pillow was for my friend Lana (a friend from Highschool) who recently got married, and coincidentally was my labor/delivery nurse with Charlotte!   I wanted to keep the colors neutral so that it would accompany any decor.  

That's it for now, I have other projects in the works though......until then! 

Birthday Bash-Brown Butter Risotto with Lobster

So....pretend that today is September 7th....
Happy Birthday HUBS!

Today is the 32^nd birthday of the most A-MAAAAAA-ZING hubby/daddy/friend in the world…my bubs…Jon Allen!  Today started as an ordinary day.  Jon went to his second job for a few hours, (thank you hubs), and then he and the girls relaxed for a bit while I got to cooking.  I wanted to do something extra special for him this year since I am at home and have a little more time to think about such things.  So, when I was grocery shopping, I picked up some lobster, and was inspired to create a decadent dish that I’d seen on an episode of Giada at Home on Food Network: Brown Butter Risotto with Lobster on the Food Network and Steamed Asparagus with shaved Parmesan.  Needless to say, it was to DIE for!  I had never attempted Lobster or Risotto, and I was thoroughly impressed with both the dish and my mad cooking skills!  I was so pleased!  Paired with a lovely bottle of Carnival Riesling (nostalgic from our trip to Napa with the Merritts'), it was one of our favorite dishes to date.  Below are a few pics of the food, the fun, and my favorite – Ellie feeding Jon his birthday dessert (as tradition in his family)-Red Velvet Cupcakes…which are NOT homemade this time (I had to cut corners somewhere people).   Notice the lovely, red “You are Special” plate that Jon is eating from.  It’s a family tradition of mine and I was excited to borrow it from my mom.  Every birthday growing up, we would eat a home-cooked meal of our choice on the famed red plate.  Love. It.

On August 16^th, Jon and I also celebrated our 8-year wedding anniversary.  I didn’t have a chance to collect my thoughts that day, so this tribute is a two in one!

-To my amazing hubby-Jon Allen, you are such a catch (inside joke)! I am more in love with you with every year God brings to our lives and marriage.  You are like a fine wine, ripening with age, or a SoCal day in the summer…HOT baby!  Okay, okay, enough of the corny one-liners.  Seriously though, you are my “magnificent strong man”.  I have loved watching you graduate college, play basketball in Germany, sight-see in Paris, journey through Med School and Residency, buy a house, and coach me through the miraculous birth of our two precious girlies!  Your example of selflessness as a father knows no bounds and I love watching God glorifying Himself through such an amazing person as yourself.  You are so gifted, so talented, so loving! I love listening to you laugh and I would do almost anything to hear the giggle you get when I say something really funny without realizing it.  I love you forever, and am so proud to be married to such a Godly man!  Happy Birthday bubs, and a Happy Anniversary too.  Thank you for marrying me 8 years ago. 

You are my champion!

With Love,

Bubbies  

Let's be honest...

Do you ever feel bowled over with inspiration?  Ya know, to the point that you’re stuck with what to pursue and how, and when?  I giggle when I hear people ask “Are you bored being at home all day?”  Are you kidding me?  While it has its definite moments of loneliness and isolation, it’s ANYTHING but boring.  Sometimes, I feel like I’m running from one thing to the next just to get things done in a day.  Sometimes, I spend all day just changing diapers, wiping noses and being the tickle monster – and it just flies by!

So, lately I have been ADDICTED (admission is the first step) to Pinterest.  I get on there and get all excited about the many fun ideas I see, and then my bad habits set in.  I am a chronic perfectionist and a procrastinator (a terrible combo), which often leaves me all pumped up and motivated to the point that I become paralyzed with the thought of having so many ideas, and not knowing what to do first.  This resulting in my making a massive “to-do” list and upon finishing, (realizing, of course, that naptime is over) I’ve made yet ANOTHER list, and I’ve accomplished nothing…again.

So, a few weeks ago, I decided I’d had enough of myself, and I started planning things out. Taking a couple of hours to plan things out for myself has resulted in a much less overwhelmed, still inspired, reading to take on mommyhood/crafting/blogging/cleaning/ya, I could do that too…”me”. 

I have decided that I HAVE to get better about blogging.  When I wait too long, I feel all the pressure (self-inflicted) to update on all the latest, and I become overwhelmed, and another day passes, and I get more discouraged.  So, I am going to approach this differently.  Each week, I am going to set the timer for 20 minutes.  Whatever I can accomplish in twenty minutes will get posted.  At least that way I will blog once a week, and be able to stay up to date.

My problem is that while most people have one or two interests that they really focus on at once, I have a gazillion…yes, that’s right…a gazillion. This year I have really committed to finishing whatever I start.  So, I am trying to start new things slowly, working them into my routine. 

Here’s what I’ve got so far: (over the past couple of months)

A WEEKLY CLEANING SCHEDULE: This way I don’t feel like “the house is always a mess”.  I have a day for each of the main rooms.  That way, I can play with my kids even though I want to vacuum because I know I have already carved out time for it.  This may sound insane or really anal, but when you stay at home, your home is your life.  I just want to feel like I have mine under control.  I’m really not that dedicated to cleaning-but I want to model good habits for my family.  Plus, my hubby an I can enjoy time together when he’s home instead of worrying about the “chores”.

A CRAFTING/BLOGGING/REST time:

I have carved out little opportunities to work on “me” stuff, including resting and relaxing.  I am still figuring out how to work in daily devotionals each day.  Sometimes it’s through praying with my kids, or while running errands, or listening to worship music, or nursing my sweet Charlotte.

A WEEKLY MENU:

So many moms I know (including my mom) operate on a weekly dinner menu.  It really helps in resisting the urge to eat out, plus it saves us money and I feel like I’m providing nourishing meals for my family.  I LOVED when my mom cooked when I was growing up, and I can count on one hand the number of meals we would eat out in a year.  She made the BEST food, and I love that tradition of cooking with your kids.  There’s something so therapeutic about cooking and I can’t wait to grow as a cook, and eventually share that interest with my kids.  Nothing’s better than seeing the smile on Jon’s face when he comes home to a yummy home-cooked meal.  The best reward in the world!  He makes me feel like a professional chef when he comments of my cooking, it’s so affirming!  Plus, Ellie has taking a recent interest in “m’kin dinur” with mommy.  I give her a spoon and a mushroom to “dice” next to me while I’m prepping, and she LOVES it!  Such precious moments with my little one!

TMOMS:

I just joined the mom’s group at Trinity Church, and I am so excited to be a part!  I have always wanted to join and am so grateful to have the chance this “semester”.  Every two weeks, we get together and pray, and eat, and fellowship and I am so blessed to have a “mommy outing” while Ellie enjoys her playgroup.  I am confident this time will nourish both Ellie and I, and will leave us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. 

Now that I have these basic schedules in place, I feel I am much more confident in knowing that “there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven” –Ecclesiastes 3:1.  It really gives me peace knowing that I am doing my best to make time for my God, myself, and my family…in that order too!  I know that I am useless as a mommy without getting filled up by my Heavenly Father each day.  

Ellie Rose

Momma Lori and Grandma Charlotte's Visit

JULY

Pre-4th of July in Coronado

FATHER'S DAY

MAY/JUNE

WELCOME Charlotte Grace Allen!!

EASTER

April Snow Collage

*DISCLAIMER: There are a shameful number of Picasa collages...don't judge. I have so much catching up to do, and it's a fast way to show lots of pics.

I realized that i had too many collages in one blog, and it wasn't loading properly...so, I am going to paste a few in each post to recap the events in my Stella post.

APRIL SNOW

Stella gets her groove back...minus the Stella...........and the groove (according to Jon). But I STILL GOT IT!

I am FINALLY getting back to normal routines after welcoming our newest member of the family!  And one of those routines was blogging!  I was doing so well, and then I fell off the wagon for the past several months.  But, I have finally found made the time to get back to it.  So, the perfectionist in me is being silenced, while I try to briefly review all of the events and activities of the past four and a half months.  Bare with me, it might be rushed…but at least I’m getting back on track.

With so many events and activities occurring, I am just going to feature some of the highlights of the past few months:
MARCH

-GOD IS GOOD!!  Did we move?  No…after much prayer and thought, Jon and I realized that God was already answering our prayer in search for a place to live.  That place is our current home.  After sleepless nights, and a leap of faith – we came to the conclusion that the miraculous house that God so graciously provided for our family back on "8/8/08", as we refer to it, would be the place for us to stay.  In order for this to happen, my amazing hubby has started moonlighting (a.k.a.-working on his Saturdays off) to make ends meet.  I have been paying off debt, revamped our budget, and will be joyfully clipping coupons, making clothes, and saving wherever we can.  God has always been our faithful provider and has been with Jon and I through seasons of mac-n-cheese, and steak dinners.  I have no doubt that “He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus” Phil. 1:6. God has provided his direction and solution to my desire and decision to stay home with my sweet babies! 

APRIL

-Ellie started walking!!!  She took her sweet time, but is now "wunning" as she calls it, and is now running circles around us by the way, but this was a momentous occasion! As my due date approached, Ellie was still crawling primarily, and I started thinking I would be carrying TWO babies around after I delivered.  But, Ellie made it happen in her own time-when she was ready.  Bring on the free spirit!
-Snow in April?  It was a little late, but we finally got our couple inches of snow for the year.  Ellie was a little weirded out by it, and refused to stand in it...she doesn't like being cold.
-Easter – I was ready to go with coordinated Easter outfits and all, and on Easter Sunday, we watched the sermon…from urgent care! Jon was at home with Ellie and I was terribly sick with a wicked cold/infection that gave me a rotten headache for almost a week!  So, I went to urgent care, while Jon and Ellie had church at home.  Then my family came over as planned for Easter lunch, and I at enjoyed taking some fun pics of Ellie in her Easter attire.  Plus, we got to see our dear friends, the Birklands’ before they prepared for a move to Nashville, TN.
MAY

 -Enjoyed a wonderful Mother's day with my little family, and ran errands in preparation for being homebound when Charlotte Grace arrived.

-I survived my last month of teaching before my labor countdown.

-Said goodbye to my classroom, my students, and the amazing staff of Smiley School Elementary! *sniff, sniff!

-Enjoyed TWO surprise baby showers – one at work, and one with my family.

-May 31^st – my due date – came and went…as we all knew it would.

JUNE

-Enjoyed a week of Mommy and Ellie time before the newest little Allen beauty arrived.

-Ellie started adjusting to being away from daycare and with mommy full time, and preparing for a new sister to share the spotlight with.  Let’s just say…she has my sassy passionate spirit for sure!

-Counted the days I was past due…one, two, three, four…

-Scheduled my induction, and went into labor ON MY OWN (around 5am)!  Such an answer to prayer!  But, I was still induced at 8:30am, on June 4^th. 

-We welcomed sweet, precious Charlotte Grace Allen, 8lbs. 5oz., 21.5” long, delivered at 10:12pm, June 4^th, 2011!!!
-I rejoiced at only 12 hours of labor, and 12 minutes of pushing!  (As opposed to 30 hrs labor/3 hrs pushing last time). Whoo!
-Sleep is angry at me, and all but disappears for weeks.

-Sam and Delilah (the pups) can't believe there's another little wookie to steal their attention, but manage to take a liking to her.

-I hang in there thanks to my amazing “honey, could you just do” husband, my house-cleaning/food preparing mom, and all of the fantastic friends and family who provided entertainment, food and company during our stay at the hospital and once we returned home with our little family.
-We celebrated Father's Day with my Dad and Jon, and then I recreated the holiday the following weekend, when I actually had the time and energy to put some thought into cooking breakfast for the amazing father of my children.  He deserves the moon!
-Jon attends his annual Ortho Dept. dinner and receives a 2^nd place award for his research project!! Whoo hoo hubs!

-I don’t remember anything that happened after that……….sleep, I just need a little sleep!

And that about brings us to…

JULY!!

-We started things off by celebrating a wonderful pre - 4^th of July celebration at Coronado Island on my Aunt Becky’s boat.  We drove down with the girls for a day trip to see my dad’s family and introduce Charlotte to the ocean.  Jon, the girls and I all realized our sea legs were a little wobbly, but we survived and thoroughly enjoyed such a relaxing day. My Dad’s family has always been great about planning an annual/bi-annual event to get together with everyone.  It’s really amazing to look back on all of our trips/vacations together and think of the wonderful memories.  It makes for a very close-knit family, and I hope to encourage my family to do the same as our kids grow up.

-Ellie started running!  Oh….Good…..Lord!  Thankfully, without a pregnant belly-I can sort of keep up.  She is loving her new found freedom and is a little more adventurous than I’d really like her to be. She’s also nailed singing her ABC’s song, boasting it at the top of her lungs whenever prompted. We are working on numbers, and colors still elude her-but she is amazing.  I just love watching her little brain work.  She’s such a sponge right now, and we’re enjoying teaching her new things. She is also VERY into pretend play and playing with her cousins and any little friends that come to visit.  

-Momma Lori and Grandma Charlotte came for a visit!  Last week, we were so blessed to spend time catching up on hugs and snuggles with Jon’s mom and Grandma Charlotte (our little one’s namesake).  Jon hadn’t seen his mom in a year and a half, nor his Grandma in several years, and it was so wonderful to have some time with them.  Jon’s Aunt Vicky was gracious enough to let us all hang out at their amazing house and pool, and we swam until our skin couldn’t get any prunier!  Ellie had a blast hanging out with her cousins, and has been speaking their names ever since…”Tobey..Lila…Bella…Tobeylila…Bellatobey”.  She is really starting to “play” with others and it’s so fun to watch.

-We dedicated Ellianah and Charlotte on Sunday, July 10^th at Redlands Packinghouse Church, with Pastor Ed Rea.

-Charlotte Grace (Charlie) is now 7 weeks, and growing like a weed!  She has been lifting her head to look around ever since she was born (no, seriously…at the hospital), and she just started making little noises and smiling.  I've caught her sleeping on her side twice now, and am thinking she'll be hurrying to crawl and walk to keep up with her busy sister!

-Ellianah Rose (Ellie) is 19 months, and also growing like a weed-both physically and mentally.  She is gaining new skills daily, if not hourly, and I find myself making mental notes just to keep Jon updated of the events and achievements of each day!

-Jon started his 4^th year of a 5-year Ortho Residency program.  He is praying about what God wants him to pursue as far as specialties go, and will be making that decision in the next couple of months.  If he pursues a fellowship…his Medical journey will involve 2 more years of residency and 1 year of a fellowship…and THEN he’ll be done…and then Christ will return. J  We joke, but have you SEEN what’s happening in the world lately?  Jon is also graciously working a side job as a physician, and mowing the lawn during any remaining free time...I know, I feel like a slave driver.

-This pic is of Jon being a goofball with his "loops" on, which are ridiculously expensive Surgery glasses that the Ortho dept. at Arrowhead Medical graciously picks up the tab for...thank you Arrowhead!
-I am still adjusting to having 2 under 2, but loving every almost every minute! We’ve had our challenges, but I am amazed that 7 weeks have already flown by.  I was just looking at Charlotte (Charlie) last night and noticed that she is no longer a newborn, and is looking more infant/babyish.  She’s growing up so fast.  I can’t believe how much faster the 2^nd time around seems.  I am amazed at how God has answered my heart’s desire to be at home with my girls, and by how much my hubby is sacrificing to make that dream a reality.  I am humbled by my mother and by all moms who have been through this before.  What an eye opening experience my journey as a mom has been.  I cannot believe the grace, patience, love and efficiency that my mom demonstrated each day as she raised us.  Being a parent is an amazing job, an unending task, a precious gift!  I am so humbled and grateful to be the mommy of Ellie Rose and Charlie Grace.

-School starts back up in another month, and I can already feel my spirit getting the routine butterflies as if I were starting another year.  About this time I would have started school supply shopping and lesson prepping.  But this year-I will not be doing those things-not for 5^th graders anyway.  I will instead be buying letter magnets, and large crayons, while planning toddler activities and play-dates.  AND I CAN’T WAIT!


-Until next time, and it will be MUCH sooner, I promise!
       XOXO, The Allens'