15 things since the last time...

I am not going to apologize for not blogging.  I've done that enough.  

Instead, here are 15 things I want to share with you since my last posting.

1.  His name is Milo.  And we couldn't be happier to say we're adopting him. (I can't show his face until the adoption is final.)

2. Milo had his 1st birthday in May. (Yes, it's been that long.  I already feel bad about it.  Don't make it worse.) It was Dodger baseball themed, full of family and friends, hot dogs and nachos, cotton candy and cracker jacks, and prayer and laughter.  It was a good, hot day.

3.  This past spring, Susan moved out (tears and smiles) to start a new adventure.  And Milo moved into his big boy room.  We're working on his room right now, my inspiration.  We miss Susan.  She brought laughter, wisdom, and fizzy gluten free cookies.  There are so many times that I have said, "I wish Susan was here to see/hear/laugh at this."  I miss her dearly.

4.  I got a part time dream job.  I am now the "Early Childhood Director" in the Children's Ministry department of our church.  It's pretty much an answer to prayer I didn't even pray.

5. Michael, being a man of his word, took me to the Hollywood Bowl this summer.  Good food, friends, wine + Hollywood Bowl = perfect summer night.

(photo by jen burkhardt via Instagram)

6. I got lost in audiobooks this summer.  My favorite one that I plan to read again and again was this.  Although I really enjoyed this, and this, and this one too.   I seriously can't do dishes, vacuum, or mop without a good book between my ears. (Don't dwell on how weird that sounded, just move right along.) 

7. Milo went from getting around by doing this

to mainly doing this.

8.  My baby is walking. Whaaaa! Oh wait, Milo can you go get that for Mommy?  Thank you.   That was convenient. 

9.  Michael and I took the whole family (Milo, Dexter, and Toby) camping to Hume Lake.  I don't like camping, but I love my friends.  Friends always trump my distain for camping.  They're that great.

Dexter learned to swim in the lake.  He also learned how to pee and poop in it, but I opted not take those pictures. Toby, true to form, sank.

Milo, raise the bucket in front of your face, like you're eating sand, so I can show everyone how beautiful the lake is.

Thank you, son.

10.  At the end of July, we got our second foster placement.  

We'll call him Pickles for now.  Milo and him are just over a year apart. 

You will notice two things in this picture.  1.  Yes, Milo's nails are dirty. He's a boy. 'Nough said.  2. Yes, Pickles is pretty much, well, clear.  

Milo is intrigued by him.  He loves giving him kisses, and then non-maliciously pushing him away, and on to the next thing.  No jealousy issues, thankfully.  

And I. Am. Busy. 

11. It's hard not to compare.  Pickles is younger than Milo was when we got him, fussier, whiter (obviously), and already has his own personality.  He smiles in the stillness, cooes in the calm.  All he asks for his your undivided attention. He holds his fists tightly together, across his chest, on gaurd.  And when he's not in his element?  He screams.  It's a baby's prerogative.  

We don't know what the future holds with Pickles.  We're not in control of it.  I know that.  And then I forget, so then I relearn it, until the next time I forget.  

12.  I still get embarrassed when my babies cry in public.  I just don't have time to apologize for it now.  I've become one of those moms.  

13.  The yellow bungalow has taken a backseat lately.  The weeds are growing in my backyard, the ivy needs to be trimmed back, and I haven't pruned my roses in months.  Don't judge too harshly, please.  I still mop daily, okay every other day.  

14.  I need a vacation.  Maui, Cabo, or any tropical place will do.  Donations are accepted.  Checks can be made out to me.  Thank you.

15.   I still love to blog.  It's therapeutic, and I've missed it. I never want to feel obligated to blog, and I don't. But I have noticed, the longer I go between posts, the harder it is to get back into it.  There have been countless times this summer, I've wanted to write and share, but never bit the bullet.  Until now.  And it's good to be back.

love,

Kristin 

10 years ago Today....

Ten years ago today, the Hacker asked me to be his girl.

Ten years ago today, I said yes.

Ten years ago today, I had no idea that his simple question and my simple answer would have been the begining of the rest of our lives.

Ten years ago today, I had my first kiss.

Ten years ago today, I coudn't stop smiling because a boy told me he loved me.

Ten years ago today, I couldn't have imagined the amazing, godly man he would become and the incredible, adventurous life he would lead us through.  

Happy 10 years baby.

Can't wait to see what the next 10 bring.

love you,

mini

Happy Birthday Mr. Zamora

Yesterday was the Hacker's Birthday.  Yes, on 9/11.  

Like the rest of the country, we remembered the tragedies that occurred on 9/11.  We prayed for the families and loved ones who lost, and cried as stories were retold.

However, for us, we also celebrated my wonderful husband.

We had family over for dinner on Friday night.  It was nice to get together and enjoy a mellow and delicious meal together.  

Yesterday, he wanted to take Dex to the dog park.  So we did.

It was one of the more mellow birthdays for him.  No balloons, very few candles, but lots and lots of love.  

We decided not to have all the pomp and circumstance, considering we're getting ready for our house inspection.  It's tomorrow!  We're praying all will go well with that.

So, Happy Birthday to the Hacker. I love you.

To everyone else, Happy Monday,

I'll be doing laundry,

Kristin

Changes.....

eh-hum, Hi Dexter.  wake up, we have something to tell you.

Since we got you in January, you have been loved, spoiled, and have been king of the home when we're at work.  

This may be changing at the beginning of August.  There may be little babies that need a home for a while staying with us.   Now I know this may interrupt your two naps during the day, but we hope you will be able to adjust.  We expect you to roll with the punches when your nap is interrupted.  We'll leave Lady and the Tramp on today to help you understand what changes we're talking about.  It will explain to you your role in all of this.  

Now don't worry, you wont have to take care of them all by yourself.  I'm going to be home with the babies too.  I promise to do my best not to cramp your style. I can't speak for the little peanuts that may come through the yellow bungalow.  

It may be hard, but please understand.  We're really excited about this new chapter of our lives.  Foster care isn't something we ever thought we wanted to do.  But here we are, four years of marriage and can't wait to take on this wild ride.  

This doesn't mean we love you any less.  You're still our regal and stoic pup.

now get off the couch

we love you,

Kristin (and the Hacker too)

Four years, it's just the beginning.

This weekend the Hacker and I celebrated our 4th anniversary.

Four years ago, we held each other's hands as we said our vows

And exchanged rings

and in front of family members and friends, became Mr. & Mrs.

We danced into the night, under the stars.  It was a magical day...

However, as magical as that night was, it couldn't have prepared us for the magic that has come since then.   In the last for years, we have laughed so hard our bellies have ached, gained new friends so close that our future children will call call "auntie" and "uncle," bought the yellow bungalow, traveled to new places together and let's not forget about that pooch we adopted.

(such a classy dog, so dignified) 

With all those joyful memories, please don't think I'm saying it was easy, or perfect.  We've had tears, pain, and times of learning as well.  And I'm thankful for all of it.  .  They have brought us closer together and have refined us as a couple and individually. Because of the last four years, we are wiser, stronger, and closer for what may lie ahead.  

So this weekend, we celebrated those four years. 

We usually go to the Adamson House where he proposed, and where we were married.  It's a state park that is open to the public.  It makes for a nice tradition.

This year was no exception.

We stayed one night in Hollywood, and the next in Santa Monica.  We shopped, dined, and finally took the tour of the adamson house.  It was a great weekend to reflect, and to get excited for the future.

Hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend.  I promise to update more frequently this week.  There are changes happening in the yellow bungalow, and I want to share them with you.

But until then, Happy Monday, (and if it's not happy, remember next monday is a holiday)

xo,

Proud to be the Hacker's wife