A Present From Sophia And It Wasn't A Toaster!

I'm embarrassed to blog about this but it's too hilarious! Anyway, today was our last day at R3 ward and Sophia made a mark of the day for us.

After the block services, the kids and I went outside the bishop's office to pick up a tithing slip. I sat down and filled out the form while the kids did their thing and played in the hall. During play, Sophia managed to take off her diaper. I thought to myself, I'll finished filling out the form then put a diaper on her. Big mistake! Next thing, I saw something and thought "Oh crap!". Yeap! Sophia had pooped on the carpet and made a couple more trails as she was running! I was mortified!!! I quickly scooped up the large pile with the diaper and desperately looking for something else to pick up the others. Of course I had nothing but an envelope ... so scooping I went. Then, I grabbed the kids to go to the Mother's Room to get a diaper on Sophia and took some wet and dry napkins to clean up the mess. So that was done and all I had to do was turn in the tithing. "Oh man!" It was in that envelope! Back I went to dig up the check in the trash. There I noticed that my chest was exposed! I had taken off the safety pin on my blouse to use on Sophia's dress to cover the poop so she wouldn't get it all over her and because my mind was on cleaning up the mess in the hall I had forgotten that I would be exposed. So while I had been cleaning up the mess I was out there! I suppose I made a mark too!! So finally (the kids with me through all of this), I retrieved the check, washed my hands, grabbed my blouse between me, walked the hall, put the check in another envelope, turned it in, and took off running!!! Got home, told Dave the story and he roared!

What a way to say goodbye, eh? Good thing there were a few people in that hall and most minded their business. Anyway, we will miss the constant fellowship of R3 ward but I've made life long friends there that I know I will keep in touch with. Thanks everyone for the many fun times! I love you all.

My Adorable Students

Today was my last day to teach in Primary. I'm super bummed! I've enjoyed this calling so much. My students are the best!! They love Jesus and are awesome kids! I will certainly miss seeing them regularly. I love you guys! Thanks for giving me a very happy heart.

Pictured above are Ethan, Sarah, and Ruby, 3 of my regular 6 students that attended class today, whom happen to be my most rambunctious students ... so there was never a dull day for me!

Took pictures of the kids last week with my cell phone but unfortunately I don't know how to transfer them to my computer. Once I do I'll post those too.

Happy Easter

Sophia ran a fever last night so I left her with Dave while David and I went to church. I had an Easter lesson for my Primary students today and it went well. I had one student absent and a couple of visitors. In total I had seven pretty girls in their Easter dresses. How totally cute! They all had something to share about their Easter adventure for the day but they came out of class knowing the real reason for the holiday ... Jesus' resurrection.

Since Sophia was feeling under-the-weather, we had to make changes on our Easter plans. Monica's house (my sister-in-law) is the hang out for the Easter fun. The family kids look forward to it every year. There's always special golden eggs that contain money and of course the best ones --some with confetti ... which makes the whole egg hunt so much fun 'cause everyone somehow gets some on their hair and such! Anyway, Monica was kind enough to pick up David so he can join the fun while I stayed home with Sophia (Dave went to work). David came home tired but with a happy face. Monica sent over food and of course Easter presents for Sophia from her and Grandma Bertha.

Happy Easter everyone.

Cranberry Chicken Salad

I got this recipe from one of our Enrichment night activities a couple of years ago and totally loved it! My family loved it too and I thought I'd share it with you. It can be topping for crackers or tossed in green salad.

Cranberry Chicken Salad

4C cubed, cooked chicken meat
1C mayo
1tsp paprika
1 1/2 C dried cranberry
1C chopped celery
2 green onions, chopped
1/2C minced green bell pepper
1C chopped pecans
1tsp seasoning salt
ground black pepper to taste

Directions:
In a medium bowl, mix together mayo with paprika and seasoned salt. Blend in dried cranberries, celery, bell pepper, onion, & nuts. Add chopped chicken and mix well. Season with black pepper to taste. Chill 1hr. Enjoy!!

Break From Unpacking Adventure

We needed a little break from unpacking so the family went to the movie theatres and watched "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who". Of course, I missed half the show since Sophia was awfully fussy. We ended up hanging out at the arcade. That was more amusing for her. Dave and David liked the movie. I'll just have to see it when it comes out on video. Then, we headed to Cabazon to see the giant dinosaurs. We ate at the nearby Burger King first then checked out the gift shop inside the T-rex and took pictures with the dinosaurs. David was enjoying the windy weather. I think he was trying to see if he can fly. What a cutie pie!

Swimmer, No Longer Swimming

As a house warming gift, we got a fish tank with a betta fish. David named him Swimmer. He was looking pretty sluggish during the week and yesterday I found him on his side, dead. I didn't want to tell David so I went to Wal Mart and bought another one. Unfortunately, they didn't have the same color betta but one close to it. When David came home from pre-school he went to check on his fish and he said, "Mom, Swimmer looks red today." I replied, "Oh." and left it at that. He went on the day just happy that "Swimmer" was perky again.

David could have understood the death talk but I didn't want to give it to him so soon after only knowing Swimmer for 5 days so instead I replaced Swimmer and got a couple more fish (some sort of tetras), which David named one Optimus and the other Prime. Actually fitting since they had a red-blue color in them ... hence Optimus Prime of the Transformers. All three fish are guaranteed for 90 days so hopefully they last at least that long. I bought other supplies and asked tons of questions to make sure I know how to take care of them well.

Swimmer is darker than this and this is about the color of Swimmer II

Double this picture and you'll have Optimus and Prime

Moving Day, What A Feat!!

I had mentioned awhile back that we had bought a one story house in the same city but south up the hill. Dave's good friend had been house sitting it for us. The initial plan was to remodel it to make it bigger (currently 1600+sq ft, 2 bedrooms) by adding another bedroom, a couple of offices, bigger kitchen, and so forth. The drafting of the remdeling took much longer than anticipated and with our up-coming baby the plans changed again. So now 1 1/2 yrs later Dave felt it best to move now before our son is born and while I'm far enough along to be able to, plus be settled in before David starts kindergarten. We will eventually remodel but will have to wait. Anyways, yesterday was the big moving day. I totally filled up the 2900+sq ft house so it was quite a feat to pack and move all our stuff. A few of my church friends helped me pack last Wednesday but most of the packing ended up on the shoulders of my dear sister-in-laws, Tish and Monica (my mother-in-law and I did what we could to help them; and my parents took care of the kids for me). Tish and Monica were efficient and organized. I could not have done it without them! I am sincerely grateful to them!

Dave had some help from few of his friends and few of my churh friends (thanks guys). There were at least three of them at a given time. The 12 hr move proved to be very tiring for them and still there were more stuff left. My dear husband didn't stop working that whole time and today continues to put the furnitures together and settle us in our "new" home. He finds the energy even when there's nothing left! Seriously, he's the most masipag (closiest English translation I can come up with is super unlazy) person I've ever met. So glad to be married to him.

I was surprised to love our new home so quickly. I had forgotten how beautiful the view is from here. I liked the one story layout and the short distance to get from one room to another. A smaller home suits me and I think will prove to be a humbling experience for me. I certainly have to down size my stuff and only put in the essentials and somehow get rid of the rest. It will be a task but I'm determined to do it.

I left my camera at my sister's so I don't have any pictures of the move. I'll try to post pictures of the new house later.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today's my mom's birthday. A special birthday for her because she is officially retired. Oh, how she was looking forward to this day. She's such a hard worker. She gives 110% everyday at work. Now, she can give her body 110% break she's been needing. She certainly is looking forward to spending lots of time with the grand kids, her favorite pastime. -- Happy Birthday Mom! We love you dearly.

Mom shares the same birthday with Lino's mom, Evelyn and tomorrow is Blake's (turning 6yo) birthday so we celebrated their birthday yesterday. We gathered for lunch and shared the special occasion together.

Trout Fishing Adventure

Dave, the kids, and Tish went trout fishing at Jess Ranch in Victorville yesterday while I stayed home and rested. This was the kids first fishing expedition. David was looking forward to it since his Aunt Tish told him about it a couple of weeks ago. He kept calling her to ask when they'd go. Yesterday was the day. Tish provided the fishing equipments and off they went. David caught four trouts and Tish caught one. Sophia of course enjoyed looking around and participating as much as she can. The kids received souvenir certificates of their first fishing adventure. Would have liked to have been their with them but the afternoon break was also pleasant.