A good, lazy Sunday

Today was most enjoyable because we were home all day and for the majority of it we were in our jammies! The girls weren't feeling well so we all stayed home from church. We stayed warm and cozy inside because outside it was cold and dreary outside. Well Chico cold and that is 40 degrees. We made a fort out of blankets which brought back great memories of when I was a kid. My dad was the master of building forts out of blankets. He would often do this with my brother and I on Saturday mornings. I remember we would play silly games inside the fort. Now here I am doing with same with my son. We brought M's pirate ship and all his Batman "guys" in. It was good fun. He didn't play in there by himself like I had hoped; but still fun. All the kids took good naps which gave Bri and I time to enjoy the afternoon even more! He continued reading his new book called The Tipping Point by Malcome Gladwell. He says it's a good, easy read. And I finally decided to get dressed and then did some Christmas preparation stuff. More to come on what I am doing for some of my Christmas presents. My days are numbered to get these gifts in the mail!
Today I was reminded of when I was younger and I always had to be out and about doing something with someone. It was a must. I could not even fathom why anyone would choose to just stay home all day. And now I relish these days. When we are all together, home, just being together. It's all good!

10 things I've learned in the last 10 years

Today is my 31st birthday. In celebration of my special day I thought I would share with you some things I have learned in the last 10 years. They have been a significant 10 years with lots of major changes along the way. Lots to be learned!

1. Patience is something you can grow in.
2. To major on the majors, not the minors.
3. A Friday night of fun can be as simple as having a hot dog dinner at Costco.
4. My parents do know more than I thought.
5. I don't know as much I think did at 21.
6. Don't judge others, because more often than not I'm in the same situation in the future and I do exactly what I said I wouldn't.
7. I'm more of an introvert than I thought and I'm ok with that.
8. I'm a loyal person and I hold that as a high standard for others.
9. The hours of 4-7 pm before kids used to be relaxing, down time. Since kids they are dreadful, 3 life sucking hours.
10. I need God more than I ever thought, because I see how messed up I am, but I experience His grace that much more.
    

Tis the season!

M has really been enjoying playing outside in dirt.

I have the holiday spirit and I love it! We enjoyed a nice family Thanksgiving dinner. Well as nice as it could be with 3 little ones :) Oh, and the run that I had mentioned in the previous post didn't go so well. Here's the short version= flat tire on one of the joggers, 3500 people on a very narrow path, it took us 8 minutes just to get to the starting line and we weren't even in the back!, we completed 1 mile at a slow walk and then cut it short by 2 miles and headed to the car. We gave are ourselves an "A" for effort! Anyways, the next day I took down all the Fall decorations, cleaned and then decorated for Christmas! I even got so inspired I put lights up outside! M has loved all of the decorations, although it has been slightly confusing to him because he thinks Santa is coming now! He's probably asked about Santa 20 times in the last 48 hours. We also got our family Christmas card pic taken yesterday which by the grace of God actually tured out pretty well. Hopefully soon they will be ordered. Go Costco! And today I started and almost finished Christmas shopping! All in about 3 hours. I was a woman on a mission with a plan and I accomplished it. We don't have that many gifts to buy because I'm trying to make some of our gifts, but still to have the shopping done feels oh so good! We hope to get our tree tomorrow. I'm looking forward to decorating it. I really enjoy this time of year and celebrating the most amazing gift of all...Jesus!

Speaking of celebrating, I'm turning 31 tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well as some of you know we were out of town last week visiting Brian's family and at a conference for our job, Campus Crusade. Six days in a hotel definitely did us in and we are all very happen to be home. Good to see family and friends but good to be home. It's funny how even little people get drained and out of sorts when away from home for a long period of time. And then just like us love being back in familiar surroundings. My most favorite part of the trip was the quality time I was able to spend with one of my closest friends, Kyra. We used to work together here at Chico State. She is an amazing mom of triplets who are almost 1 1/2. Like ours, her life is chaotic so it's always nice to share in the craziness of life together. Our time together (lots of time in the hotel hallway while 6 kids were sleeping/crying) made me miss her a lot and realize even more how special she is to me. Thanks Kyra!

Brian is home with us all week (lucky him!). No bible studies, library time or anything so it has been nice for us all to be home. As you know from the video posted yesterday we've had some fun outside, more pics to come. And side note, I'm officially addicted to our leaf blower! I could do it for hours, just blowing everything away. It's a great feeling. Mmmm, what do you think this says about me??? We've been preparing for our first family Thanksgiving meal. We had the traditional meal in Long Beach with Bri's parents so we decided to put a little twist on the menu.

• Rib roast- Brian is in charge of this and I'm not sure of the details but I do know it's is going to be stuffed with goat cheese and chorizo. With that said, how could it be bad?
• Sweet potatoe casserole
• Stuffing with sausage
• Asparagus- one of the few veggies my husband will eat
• lots and lots of crescent rolls
• Pumpkin cheesecake

Yummmmm I can't wait.
But first before we get down to business with the T-Day Feast we have some other important things to do. We are running in the local Run for Food race. It's a 3 mile fun run, with over 2000 people signed up! Yep all 5 of us. And then when we get home I'm continuing the tradition that I did growing up, which my mom didas as little girl too. We will watch the Macy's Thanksgiving parade, eat cinnamon rolls and little oranges and sip egg nog!

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your day, there's so much to be thankful for!

M Playing in the Leaves

We're definitely in the middle of Fall--the last 2 years Brian has been behind in raking the leaves from our tree. This year, he was able to not only get ahead, but give Mason some time to enjoy the process.


Mason Playing in the Leaves from Brian Barela on Vimeo.

Yearly Check-ups

Last Friday all 3 kids had their yearly check ups at the doctor. With lots and lots of snacks we headed to the doctor knowing we would be there for a long time. And we were, almost 2 hours! But I am thankful to report everyone is doing well and all have excellent reports! M is now 40 pounds, this explains why I'm picking him up less and less. I was so happy when M was able to answer a proud YES! when the doctor asked him if he used the big potty! WOO HOO! I didn't tell the doctor it has only been a week! The doctor was impressed with how well he communicates, answering each question matter of factly and asking the doctor his own set of questions. K & T are doing good as well. T weighed in at a big 19 pounds and little K at a whopping 16 pounds. She is such a little peanut. T not only has a good 3 pounds on her older sister but also almost a whole inch. But don't worry K can definitely hold her own.

Other updates on the kids...
M is in to making up definitions for words. It's pretty funny the things he comes up with. And like we do with him when we teach him a new word, he has us repeat his words very slowly back to him. He is feeling a little tension with the girls wanting their own play time with Mommy and Daddy so any one on one time we can give him goes a long way! Brian has been taking him on "man dates" which he loves! I have been doing some fun art stuff with M, practicing tracing and other "school type" things. It's been enjoyable for both of us. For the most part M is a pretty good helper with the girls. He knows their bed time routine and can pretty much put them to bed himself, outside of lifting them up into their cribs. He loves to have them in his room to watch him dance to the music he plays oh so loudly. But the girls like it too and do their own dance as well.

The girls are starting to talk a little saying mama and dadda and "sssss" which is either M or sissy. Sometimes K says thank you. And they both can say all done. Their little voices are so precious. The girls are into everything! Taking clothes out of drawers, kitchen towels all over the floor etc. T has turned into our drama queen. Even when you say a simple no no she throws her head back and whails at the top of her lungs. Pretty funny. Both are very fast crawlers, especially K. T is getting so close to walking it's scary! We're excited for her to walk but at the same time there's no rush! T will pretty much eat anything and loves her milk. K could live on bread alone. She is our picky eater.

So that is where we are all at right now. Each day I'm learning about myself as a Christian, a wife and a mom. Even though they are all such little people that have only been in this world for such a short period of time they teach me and challenge me so much. Life is getting easier in some ways, like a good routine, and more independence out of each of them but mostly it's getting harder which I wasn't expecting. With everyone moving, and being very busy, and demanding their own things it's like being on a merry go round that never stops!

Just the girls

Just a fun pic from today that I love and wanted to share.