Family Pictures 2012

Well my beautiful sister in law Jill Facer took these family photos of us while they were visiting.  These are our first official pictures as a family, other than random shots here and there of course.  I was so happy to get some pictures of our little family as it stands before we mix things up (and I get fat pregnancy face).  I have gotten very attached to the four of us hanging out these past 3 years.  "GO TEAM!" is a familiar saying around our house.  It's basically our way of saying, our family is the best and we love each other.  So happy Jill captured these precious moments of such a special stage in our lives.  And now I can send out a legit Christmas card!  Love you Jill, thanks for jumping a fence with me on private property while Ryan freaked out.  If you are in Orange County, here is Jill's website http://www.jillfacerphotography.com/  You should really look her up:)

The Big 3-0!!!

If you're easily bothered by sappiness.  Do NOT read.  Seriously.  You've been warned.

So you know that feeling when you're young.  Like late, late at night during a road trip when you're looking out at the stars, the wheels of the car are humming along and you find yourself  thinking about someone for hours and your heart feels like its going to burst.  Or hear a song that time travels you back to a specific day and time when you experienced something life changing.  Or how a certain fragrance can bring back feelings and emotion that you may have felt were gone forever?  You know that feeling?  For the older readers (if you've made it this far into this sappy saga); these moments of phenomenon may be almost dream-like.  Almost as if you're having a Mr. Darling moment of childhood remembrance from a 'Neverland' almost forgotten from "long ago".  This is my weak attempt to explain how I feel about Becky every single day.

It's actually kind of becoming a problem.  I find myself looking at her like I did when we first started dating.  I can't help it.  It's not forced by any means.  It's genuinely the way I feel and I'm drawn to react.  I could look at and trace her face with the same sense of focus and entrancement as I did the first day I held her hand.  I guess I just feel beyond blessed.  She's the one that everyone else was compared to in my life; even before I knew that I wanted her to be mine.  She's the one that I connected with from the beginning.  She's my ideal on every level.  So I feel crazy blessed that I get to be with my perfect someone for ever and ever.  Not everyone gets to have that. 

Yes, it's very sappy and romantic.  But when I think about what I have, it's no mystery to me why I act the way I do.  She's what I've always wanted and waited for since I was young.  All those feelings I had are alive in her every day.  Being around the things that are most important to you shouldn't mean they become stale or taken for granted.  On the contrary.  When you throw your heart and soul into things that are truly important; I've found that's when things go from amazing to miraculous.  So here's to my Baby, my every day miracle.  That's how I feel about her, truly.  She makes every day better.  Not just saying that to say it.  Seeing her and having her near always lifts me up; always.  Don't be afraid of the 30s Baby; they're going to be awesome.  You're a hot Momma in your prime and there is so much more for us in store.  For the rest of you readers, you were warned.  Although I know many of you know what I'm talking about.  Maybe not to the degree that I have it; but you know how awesome it is to have Becky around.  Love you Baby!!!  So glad I get to have you on our Team.

Faith

Recently, some friends of ours from Aliso Viejo lost their sweet 17 month old to a drowning accident.  As I've been following their process of grief on facebook, I have been so touched by their faith in Heavenly Father's plan for each of us.  I think that I would melt into utter and complete despair.  Seriously.  I don't know how they are doing it.  Actually I do.  Heavenly Father is comforting thier way towards understanding for this sad and tragic situation.  I remember one of Courtney's first posts after her son's death was "I know there is a God.  Max has gone to Heaven.  Please pray his organs will bless many children and save lives". 

A few days ago, Courtney's husband posted the details about his passing (below).  What struck me the most in his words was that if given the chance, they would not change anything that day.  I can't imagine what kind of faith it takes to trust and know that Heavenly Father had a plan for Max and he had fulfilled it in his short 17 months of life and this was his way of returning home.  My first thought would have been, what could I have done?  How could I have prevented this?  But you know what, I am not in charge.  None of us are.  I am working on having the kind of faith I need to face a trial like this if one ever comes.  I was just impressed to include this in my blog to always remind myself that faith is the answer.  Thank you Courtney and Gordon for your immense love for your little one and the understanding that only can come from our Heavenly Father.  I have been so touched this week thinking of little Max.  We love you guys and are praying for you constantly.    

"Max had been playing with trains with his brother and uncle in a toy room near a common area of our vacation home in Capistrano Beach. He was noticed missing for only a few short minutes, in which time he was able get out a locked door and into the hot tub, which is one of his favorite places in the back yard. When he was found, all efforts were made to revive him until the ambulance arrived, and the efforts continued in the nearby hospital . Max’s beautiful spirit never returned to his body, and surely he has been embraced by loving arms on the other side. Courtney and I have made all necessary efforts to keep our children safe and will continue to make the same efforts. We know that this tragedy was not the result of our shortcomings. Sometimes, despite all of our preparation and precautions, accidents occur. Given the chance to live out that day again, we would have not done anything differently.

I was a witness to a miracle at the hospital, where after over 25 minutes of no activity, Max’s heart was revived. His heart has worked tirelessly to preserve all of his organs and tissue (far beyond the estimation of the doctors). Max will bless many lives with his contributions to others as an organ donor.

Max has been such a blessing in our lives and we are so grateful for the 17 months that we were able to share with him. We know that he will continue to be with us and will be present in our lives as a support in future challenges. He has been a special friend to his brother and will never fail to fulfill his role as Jaxton’s constant companion.

Max – We love you!"

Ami J B-Day!

I had to send a shout out to my favorite little girl Ami J for her birthday.  I love that girl so much.  Being from a family of 5 boys and no sisters; I always wanted a little girl of my own.  I couldn't have created a more perfect package than Amelie.  Good thing Heavenly Father knew just how to put her together.  Ami is the best.  She is the funny one in the family.  Sometimes she'll just say a word or phrase and Oliver will erupt in un-controllable laughter for minutes.  It is very reminiscent of Jon and Jeff. Jon could say a single word, or even just look at Jeff a certain way and Jeff would be on the floor laughing.  Ami is sassy which drives me crazy sometimes but I also love because I know she wont let anyone push her around.  Still, she can be very sweet; and out of nowhere she'll say, 'Dadda, I love you'.  Hopefully she's not saying that just to get something out of me :)

Ami is gorgeous.  She has the most stunning features.  Ever since she was a baby people would stop us and tell us how beautiful she is.  My favorite to this day is when the waitress at Ruby's almost fell over when she saw Ami's face.  When Ami turned around in her little high chair the waitress literraly took a few steps back and said 'Oh my gosh!  I was not expecting that!  She's so beautiful'.  So funny.

I love playing with her hair.  I dont know how to do hair; but I love playing with Ami's hair.  I love hearing her little voice.  Becky and I always say Ami must be so frustrated with us sometimes because when she's talking, you can't help but just smile and kiss her little face.  Poor girl, she's trying to communicate and we're always so distracted by how cute she is. 

Ami loves to play as Becky mentioned.  She will make me play pretend anything for hours on end.  She has a wonderful imagination and can be very independent.  I could go on and on about that little girl.  I love her.  I'm so glad she gets to be mine forever.

My baby is 3!!!

 Amelie opening presents with the help of Auntie Leah

 I told everyone to look and smile.  Ollie was the only one who obliged:) 

 Excited about her sticker doll book

 Ready to paint her ceramic fishies.  If you know Ami, you know she loved fish, birds, and eggs especially right now.  We couldn't find any good egg toys

 I just couldn't pass up this one of Ollie's face.  My kids seriously have the best expressions

 Ryan picked out this cupcake pinata for Ami's bday.  She was beyond excited.  We got to have a few friends with us to celebrate with pizza and cake.  It was so fun

 Getting ready to show us her moves.  I was impressed with her actually.  That little girls got some spunk.  Just the way I like it 

 Ollie was a master at the pinata. 

 Luke trying his luck.  Such a cutie

 Happy birthday to you! 

Blowing out her candles.  Here's to a wonderful 3rd year for our little miss.  Love her so much.  I can hardly believe that 3 years has gone by so fast.  So much has happened since she came into our lives.  Ryan had just gotten a job out of college when she was born and we were living between our parents houses.  We moved to Aliso when she was 6 months old.  And now we live in Hawaii!  She is such a fun little girl to spend my days with.  I love the alone time we get together.  She loves to play "neighbor" and make cookies and cakes to take to each other (usually out of playdo).  She can play pretend "birdie" and "fishy" with Ryan's hands making puppets.  She makes you work a little harder for kisses and loves but when you get them, it is worth all the work.  She doesn't let anyone push her around and is very comfortable fighting for what she wants.  She is a sweet, caring friend, and loves her brother so much.  I love the way she talks in her high little voice and that she uses terms like "actually" and "probably" with a tilt of her head.  When she gets excited she shakes and squeezes her hands really tight.  She still loves to suck that thumb even though she frequently comments that big girls don't suck their thumb.  She is hard to put to bed.  Never wants to miss out on anything.  She gets away with a lot because that is a hard face to say no to.  The best stuff comes in small packages.  I can't wait to see what that little girl turns out to be.  She is something special.      

Akamai means Smart

We finally got around to taking some pics of us with our Smart reunion shirts on and the pics were just too funny not to post.  Plus anytime I actually remember to take pictures, I need to blog it because I feel like I'm forgetting a lot these days.  We also learned that our street name Akamai means "smart" in Hawaiian.  Who knew?!  Our little home was meant to be:) 

Ollie is still hitting the books hard at school.  Well as much as a kindergartner can.  His teacher seems very patient and consistent which is great for Ollie considering he's got a lot of energy and can be emotional too.  It's an adjustment for sure but I'm hoping after this second week, things will start to go smoother.  We started a sticker chart for improving behavior and listening at school so he is working up to taking Karate lessons.  She did mention that his art was above and beyond anyone in class and that it's very hard to rush him when he's not done.  I can imagine:)  I love that little boy so much and miss him a lot, wondering what he's doing at school, who he's making friends with, and if he's being a good example.  His best friend so far is this little boy Hunter who is so sweet and they are currently fighting over the affections of a little girl named Lily.  Seriously.  Oliver has told me about this "beautiful" girl in his class and then proclaimed he would marry her one day.  Oh boy.  Then Hunter told me the same thing.  Today when I picked Ollie up, he said that Lily told him she would marry him.  He was pretty stoked.  I bet Lily is telling Hunter the same and playing the field.  Smart girl.   It's still early on and she's gotta have options:) 

Amelie is my sweet little buddy during the day.  We pretty much do all the same stuff we did before but just on a more laid back basis.  Ami is more of an independent player than Ollie and is pretty content, where Ollie would be telling me he is bored and what next.  We grabbed a slice of pizza today for lunch and I could tell she was thinking, I could get used to this.  She keeps saying, "I love you mom" and wrapping her chubby arms around me.  I can't resist that girl.  She is out of control.  She is starting ballet class tomorrow which she is thrilled about.  Pictures soon to come I'm sure.  They even have a recital.  I will die.  Next week she is starting joyschool that I'm doing with some several friends.  I'm hoping to volunteer in Ollie's class while Ami is at school a couple hours a week.  

Ryan is as amazing as ever.  Seriously there is nothing that man won't do to make me and the kids happy.  He is the most thoughtful person I know.  Work is going well and he's hoping for a promotion before the new year, so just working towards that.  He is teaching the youth at church which is perfect for him.  He can relate to them so well and they think he is the coolest.  He is always a missionary and always teaching me how better to be.  We had the missionaries over for dinner and they were telling us about all these opportunities to serve and help and we were pumped.  They were like, we can always count on the Facers!  I'm so proud to be a family who wants to serve the Lord and his children first.  It's the best. 

I love my calling in Relief Society and getting to know all the sisters at church.  Our ward is the most humble ward.  People talk freely and openly about their challenges, never fearing of judgement.  I am amazed by the examples I get to see all the time and I find myself being refined into this person I always hoped I could be.  I always tell Ryan, I feel like myself in Hawaii.  I feel like I'm better.  Nothing beats the people.  Now we just need to convince our families to move so they can feel the Hawaiian love too.  Work is going well.  I have 3 clients lined up for Aug, Sept, and Oct.  I haven't done a birth in so long I can't wait to get back into it!  We also have visitors lined up for the next few months which is so fun!  We love visitors.  I have made some really amazing friends and there always seems to be something going on.  We live outside all day long and come home to sleep in our beds:)  Just the way life should be.  I am soaking in this phase in life.  When I hear more seasoned moms to tell me to enjoy it cause it doesn't last, I really focus on that.  I know already how fast my kids are growing and I'm desperately trying to slow time down.  Every night when we put them to bed, I tell them they are loved, they are smart, they are kind, they are anything they can be.  I think that maybe if I tell them who they are every night, they'll never forget.       

First day of Kindergarten

Yesterday Ollie had his first half day at school.  It was basically an orientation day where the parents came along too and met all the teachers, librarian, principal, and staff.  I really loved that they did this because it made me feel so much more comfortable leaving him there.  I thought I did pretty well other than welling up a bit once the parents had to seperate from the kids and I turned around and saw Ollie sitting like a brave big boy making his first friend.  It's really hard realizing that your kids are growing up and there's nothing you can do about it.  I am super excited for every phase with my kids but there's something just sad about knowing I'll never have that little first day kindergartner back.  But he is so excited.  He was just beaming from the moment he woke up, he could not wait to be a big boy at school.  He had his new Legoland shirt gpa got him, his spiderman backpack and lunchbox and he was so ready.  I was so excited to find out that his teacher is who I was hoping for.  I had heard really good things about her and was hoping (and praying) out of the 4 possibilities, that she would be it.  She is so sweet and loving, and just really good at teaching.  I can't wait to get in and volunteer and get to know everyone better.  This school thing is a whole new world but we are ready to tackle it and jump in head first.  The morning of we had to take some pictures pf everyone and when we didn't get one of everyone together, Oliver was like "We have to get a picture of everyone together.  We're a family!"  It was so cute and he was so proud. 

Last minute trip to California

We just got back from a very last minute trip to California and it was so much fun!  Grandma called and said she had enough of this space between us and we better get to her and Grandpa in California because they were missing us.  So we hoped a plane the next day:)  I didn't take very many pictures, too bad, but I did get a few the last day we were there at the pool with Grandpa and Gage.  We got to see our Nana and Papa Facer and Jon, Jill, Quincy and Dane too which was so fun.  Here are some of the highlights of the trip...
-Once Ollie spotted gma and gpa at the airport he dropped his backpack and ran full speed ahead and jumped into grandma's arms and said so sincerely "I missed you grandma".  I was fighting back the tears! 
-Everyone referring to the new house as grandma's house.  My poor dad, he considers himself a visitor:) 
-On our first night there we had dinner at Ruby's, of course, and met up with my favorite people Devin, Andrea and the kids.  It just felt like old times, sitting at Ruby's with my mom and dad and those guys.  So fun
-An epic beach day at Crescent with family and friends and a walk on the tidepool rocks.  And my dad bringing jack in the box down that all the kids literally inhaled. 
-A mall session with the kids that ended up in my spending way too much money in my favorite store (although everything I bought was $15 or less a piece, so not bad).  There were just too many sundresses that had Hawaii written all over them.
-Picking my sister Annie and her two kids up from the airport and meeting my newest nephew Asher who was so fun to snuggle and love.
-Going to the temple with Andrea which was wonderful and so needed.  We had some really classic moments together:)
-Amelie telling grandma that she was not in charge of her at the zoo.  Amelie does this as a matter of fact, not in a sassy way.  Around our house, whoever in charge is a big deal.  As a general rule, I am always in charge, Ryan is sometimes in charge, and everyone else needs special permission.  It's pretty common when I tell my kids something to do, they ask "Mom, are you in charge of me?"  And my answer is always yes:)  Grandma and grandpa got a big kick out of this. 
-Grandpa taking Oliver, Amelie and Gage to Legoland.  By himself.  Annie and I seriously thought of writing our info on our kids arms with permanent marker.  I told Oliver before they left that if he got lost, he should find a mommy and tell her that he can't find his grandpa and he's lost.  Well he got lost twice and did that twice.  Good thing I advised my first born or poor grandpa would be in big trouble. 
-A wonderful girls night with three of my favorite ladies to my very favorite sushi spot Hapi Sushi in Laguna, followed by an apple pie caramel apple from Rocky Mountain.  Yum
-While grandpa was at Legoland, Annie and my mom and I went to the Sawdust festival and appreciated all the fine art and ate lunch, then cupcakes, then gelato.  That's a good day.  Oh and then watched 2 hours of HGTV.  I brought running shoes home to workout.  Yeah, that was a funny idea.  I'm paying for it now:)
-Watching the Bachelorette season finale with Andrea and laughing so hard that we cried huge tears, many times.  And crying for real, because we are totally those people.   
-Sleeping with Ollie in bed everynight.  Man, that boy is a lover I tell you.  He would wake up at night and find my hand and kiss it and go back to bed.  I mean seriously?  Love him so much. 
-Grandpa asked the kids the day before we left where they were going the next day.  Oliver said "To fly back to Hawaii to see Dad!"  Amelie just looked at him and said "I'm staying here.  I'm going to miss Dad".
-My mom and dad proclaimed that they would have Ami swimming by the time we left.  Sure enough, with the help of floaties, she was cruising around the pool like a pro.  She will be swimming on her own in no time.  This makes going to the beach pretty awesome for me:)
-Going to the beach with Nana and Papa and Jill and kids and soaking in the San Clemente sun.  We hit Jon and Jills after to have a pool party and then some pizza.  Love spending time with our family.  Can't everyone just move to Hawaii?!  That my friends, would be perfection. 

There were probably many more fun moments I'm forgetting but it was so fun to get back to the people we love so much and pick up from where we left.  It was also so fun getting back to the island and realizing how much it feels like home and knowing we are just where we need to be.  And I missed my love so much.  Life just isn't the same when we're apart.  Thank you Mom and Dad for such a great time.  We miss you always and are so grateful for your love and support.  We can't wait to pamper you when you come visit!