Isabella crashed

We were all playing in the livingroom and then the house got just a little bit quiter. I am what I would consider an experienced mommy so I KNOW when there is no noise, something is happening! So I went to find out what was going on and this is what I found... Isabella was so tired from playing all day she layed down and crashed.
That is when Sierra saw her opportunity to start "getting" Bella! She said she was sharing with her, but lets be honest if I had not come in...Sierra would have covered her up with everything she could.

Don't fall asleep before Sierra!!! She is turning into a little sneaky girl!!!

Drawing by Isabella

Isabella was drawing on the Etch a sketch when she came over to show Romeo what she had just drawn. "It is daddy" she says! Then I asked her if she was going to draw me? She laughed and said "NO WAY, you can't fit! Daddy's head is way to big!"
If you take a look...it kinda does really look like daddy!

Car Ride Talent

This was from our moving trip (ok so I am a few months behind) but lets just say I am not quite in my element yet. Miss Bella did great in the car, she sang, read, slept, and played her leapster! We did not watch any shows on the laptop! We like to encourage the girls to look out the windows or play games with each other. Sierra on the other hand decided to work on her talents! She may look sweet and innocent here in this picture with her binky (which we got rid of after Halloween), but she was really working on her toe talents!
She is so talented we are thinking about helping her join the circus! She is able to hold a leapster game with one foot and her other binkey with the other.
We even have a pic of her holding crackers on another car ride! What a goofy girl!!!

They did GREAT on the car ride! Did I mention that the entire trip we drove behind Uncle Brian in the Budget Truck, so now when they see a Budget truck it is the highlight of the day!

1st Cousin ~ Elise

This was a bitter sweet day in Washington. It was the first time we were getting to meet Elise since she was born in the middle of the night. It was also our last ful day in Washington, it was the day we were packing our home into a truck. The little girls were not to sure who this was, but Bella LOVES babies and could kinda figure out that Aunt Lavi was there in the room so this must be what was in her tummy!
Sierra on the other hand was not to happy that I was holding a baby. She was very needy already with the packing and missing her daddy so me holding another baby and not her was tough on her! Poor baby!!!
Shelly & Becky were helping me with my packing day so we all went to the hospital together to visit with the new family! Lavi & Daniel were still in a tired daze which was comical since there were 5 other little people bouncing around the room!
This last pic has nothing to do with the new sweet baby, but it does have to do with my sweet baby! This is Sierra & I on the hay ride at the pumpkin patch! I love my little snuggle bug!

Make it Monday (kinda)

This is something I made a while back...when I was a "single mama" waiting for our home in Washington to sell. Once I knew we had a serious buyer I decided to make them a sign for the front door. I had made one for myself and I love it dearly! I knew that the buyers liked my decor style (they shared that with me) so i had a basic idea of colors and design. I decoupaged scrap book paper on this frame, added some ribbon and "HOME SWEET HOME" words and hung it on the door for them. I hope they LOVE this view as much as I did! My babies played in this backyard, we grew food here, deer snuck in and ate that food, dogs visited here, we had baby showers and birthday parties back here. WE LIVED HERE!

When we decided to move it was a tough decision to leave this home. We brought a 6 year old here then followed by 2 newborn sisters. WE LIVED HERE! We hosted birthday clubs (there I said it..wink wink), New Years Eve sing-a-thons, sleepovers with giggling girls, and Wilson date night trades. We held Romeo's old man 30th b-day surprise party, I helped care for and love many friends children here, kissed my girls' booboo's, laughed at their silly antics, and cried over life's unfair twists here. WE LIVED HERE!

It was this home that held the warmth of a loving family and amazing friends...it was with those feelings that we were ok putting that large white sign in the front lawn. It didn't signify loss, hurt, or anger for the Rachi family. It represented change, family, hope, and trust it God! We felt like it was time to move on and allow another family to feel the love in that home. We trusted that God would provide for us as we were humbly leaning on Him for everything. HE DID! We knew HE would!

We are one of the LUCKY few families that were able to sell our home without incident in this market...for this we are grateful! TRUST!

Granola Baby

Here is a few funny photo's of Miss Sierra raiding the pantry for oatmeal! She LOVES raw oatmeal straight out of the bin. I have found her in the pantry with the door closed eating oatmeal.
Her favorite breakfast is a bowl of oatmeal (cooked) with applesauce on top! She will cry if she wants it and I am out of applesauce....rough life!

I guess this is good that she is independent enough now not to starve if I was busy during snack time!

Staying just a little granola in the desert

We are getting settled in AZ (as settled as you can get in a tiny rental). We are adjusting to the lack of green trees here, but we are focusing on the beauty of the desert that I have known all my life. I think Isabella has pointed out EVERY cactus she sees! All this to say...we will always be a little WA "granola".

I look at recycling differently now, seems like AZ doesn't really stress the need. I have already been trying to come up with a plan to collect rain water run off to water plants with (you know when the 3 days a year of rain happen). I also crave granola! My wonderful friend Becky was kind enough to share her family treasure with me....

I hope she doesn't mind that I share it!

8 cups uncooked oatmeal
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup oil
1/3 cup water
1tbs vanilla
1/2-1 cup coconut shreds
1 cup chopped almonds

* 2 cups dried fruit (after oven)

Mix well in bowl. Heat oven 225 degrees, lay on flat baking sheet. Stir every 20 minutes. Bake up to 3 hours.

It will start to turn golden brown. Shut off oven & add dried fruit. Leave in oven til next day.

Makes aprox 13 cups of mix!



Thank you Becky for helping the Rachi family remain just a little bit granola here in AZ!