Clumsy

The girls have matching scrapped chins. 

Unfortunately all 3 have inherited my clumsy gene.

Sorry kids. 

Aaron's 30th

My hubby turned 30 on Friday! 

And since 30 is kind of a big deal I had to throw him a party. 

After months of trying to figure out what I would do for him I finally settled on a beer tasting party.

And it was so.much.fun! 

We had each couple bring a chilled 6 pack of beer so we had quite a variety. 

A bunch of us (mainly the girls) don't even like beer but the boys sure had a blast. 

It was so fun seeing them trying all the different kinds and rating each beer.

We even had a prize for the top rated beer (which ended up being New Castle Winter IPA). 

   

And along with plenty to drink (beer. root beer and other non alcoholic beverages) we had some of Aaron's favorite foods...buffalo wings, taquitos and burritos, jalapeno popper dip, and lots and lots of chips with salsa and guacamole.

The party was in our new backyard (only a week after we moved!) so we had a good incentive to get it all set up. The cafe lights, fire pit and bar tables gave the backyard a fun atmosphere. 

We had so much fun celebrating Aaron and being with our closest friends.

We are so blessed by all of the awesome people the Lord has put in our lives. 

And I am so blessed by my amazing husband.

Happy Birthday Babe!

You are the best Daddy and husband a girl could ask for. 

I love you!

two teeth

My baby is not a baby anymore.

The other day she lost 

not one 

but two of her bottom teeth.

After a wrestling match with Daddy her very loose teeth got knocked even looser.

She was a little hesitant at first to let Daddy pull them out but didn't even cry when he actually did it. 

 And she was so proud once they were out.

We called all of her grandparent's to share the good news. 

Once Mackenzie was in bed Aaron and I had to sneak out to Target to get some tooth fairy supplies. 

Luckily we were staying at my parents that night (since the new house was no where near ready to sleep in) so Aaron and I got to go together.

I forgot how relaxing shopping could be without 3 little ones in tow. 

Mackenzie kept telling me over and over that the tooth fairy always brings girls nail polish (not sure where she heard that) so I made sure it was on the list and we got a few other things as well. 

I know we don't do Santa and I'm not sure how I feel about the tooth fairy but for now we are going along with it.

Mackenzie was SOOOO excited in the morning to find her loot that she woke up her brother and sister at 5:45 to show them what she got :)

Now if I could just keep her from losing any more teeth or from growing up at all.

In a couple weeks we have to register her for Kindergarten and I feel like I'm sending her off to college.

I'm definitely not dealing well with her getting older. Clearly. 

Moving and stuff

Life is craaaazzy!

We said goodbye to our old place and 

moved a couple miles away to a new house that we are really excited about. 

I forgot how much work moving is!

We have taken countless trips to Lowes

And still have countless hours of organizing, unpacking, decorating left to do.

And Maddie and Aaron both got struck down with the flu or a stomach bug or something. 

Oh and I'm hosting a party at the new house THIS Saturday. 

No big deal. 

How's your week going?

hacked

I'd like to say this doesn't happen often.

But that would be a lie.

The happiest place on earth

Over the weekend my aunt surprised us by getting us all into Disneyland.

I know...we were freaking out too!

It was so good to spend some family time (out of the house) together. 

And it didn't hurt that it was at the happiest place on earth. 

As soon as we got there we were on a mission to see and do as much as possible.

Our first stop was Cars Land. 

It is awesome!

The kids were so excited to meet Mater and Lightening. 

Riding the tractor with my big girl. 

Mackenzie and Wesley were so brave!
They went on so many big kid rides and loved every second of it.

Well except a certain roller coaster for a certain 5 year old girl. 

pink. sparkle. minnie ears.

perfect for my girlie girl.

And this little one...I can't believe she's not going to be the baby in two more months.

She's getting too big too fast. 

Wes was in heaven! 

The last time he went to Disneyland (in CA at least) he was just a baby so this time he really got to enjoy it.

He didn't meet a ride he didn't love.

We had the best dance party while waiting in line.

And we got it all on video which makes it even better.

I have the best hubby ever. 

Disneyland is so magical. 

We ended our long, fun day with the parade.

It's always one of our favorite parts about Disneyland. 

Hope you guys had a great weekend too!

Waiting and trusting

Waiting stinks.

I mean who likes being stuck in a waiting room.

Sure the first half an hour to hour is fine but after you have read all your emails, checked instagram and facebook, browsed Pinterest and read all the good magazines you are ready to move on. 

To get on with or past whatever you are waiting for.

I mentioned before that I'm in a woman's Bible Study at our church.
Right now we are studying Hebrews and this week one of our questions was asking us about
what in our life are we in the waiting room for? 

What impeccable timing for such a question.

2 weeks ago (after an appointment with my new gastroenterologist) I had some blood work repeated and last week I finished another 24 urine test. 

This week the results from my tests finally came in. 

And both tests showed that my levels for neuroendrocrine tumors were elevated.
One test in particular that serves as a tumor marker was 20 times higher than it was just 8 months ago.
The other test was higher than it was the last time I did it but still not super high (which kind of stumps the doctors)

When I first heard this news I was fine.
We have been on the journey to figure out this mystery disease for so long that it was nice to have some kind of answer.
But the more I began to think about it the more I began to worry.
And part of me feels like I have a right to worry.
For one I'm pregnant.
With baby number 4.
And we now have more evidence that cancerous tumors are possibly in my body.
And I need to have a bagillion tests/procedures done to locate the possible tumors and if they are there start treatment on them but remember...I'm pregnant. With baby number 4.
And all of the tests are not safe for pregnant people.
In fact they are highly radioactive.
So much so that I can't be around small kids for multiple days after I get them done. Or nurse for multiple multiple days after I get them done.
And that's only the beginning.
If/when they find the tumors I have a long road of treatment ahead of me. With more tests and procedures.
And a baby.
A sweet little baby that I won't get to enjoy like I did my 3 other kids (who are just waiting for life to get back to normal).
Not to mention that possibly having cancer definitely puts life into perspective.
See all of this...plus the rabbit trail that proceeds, is just worry.

And worry is not of the Lord.
These verses have really been ministering to me lately.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-8

And instead of worrying about all of the unknowns or the scary/crazy road ahead I'm learning to trust.
To trust in a God who I love and who loves me.
And who is sovereign and good and in control.
Who is holy and awesome and who's will is perfect. Even when bad things happen.

image found here