girls night out / family time:

My friend O treated me to a belated birthday dinner last Saturday evening.  I'm always glad to connect with her when we can.  We just click well.  This may be the last one for a while, depending on how the babies eat.  When they were infants, the other two just did not want a bottle.  Naomi would rather starve for hours than take one.  I've never enjoyed breastfeeding, especially when we were out, but it's best for our babies and saves money, so I'll be trying again.  But I hope the occasional bottle works out this time so I could have more flexibility.

I really enjoyed my dinner of truffle fries, organic tomato bisque, and stir fry.  I'm not sure the family appreciated my garlic breath afterward.  Afterward, we had some Italian drinking chocolate at Lavazza.  It was good quality chocolate, and I have been craving chocolate a lot the past couple of weeks.  Best of all, it was a nice place to hang out and catch up.

Sunday we heard another great sermon by our pastor.  When I say great, I don't mean catchy or funny phrases or show, but I mean his adherence to the Word, his humility, and his understanding of people.  He's good about clarifying while still saying what needs to be said, and he addresses both newcomers to the faith and the wise elders.  We had another baptism as well.  I'm actually in awe of how so many people from so many different walks of life have come to faith, but I guess I shouldn't be.  The gospel is for everyone.  

After service, we were supposed to get Naomi some new dress shoes (her feet grow so fast!), but we decided to go to the park instead.  The weather was nice again, and I felt we needed some family time where we weren't running errands.  Manny kept telling me to sit down since I tend to try to chase after the kids.  The baby is occasionally bearing down these days, and the last thing we want is early labor without anyone to watch the kids!  Lucas took a nap after we got home, and Naomi went to her room, so Manny and I had some quiet time together.  Even though that meant Lucas would be up really late, I think we needed some bonding time as well.  So that was really nice.

Two of our Yard.house favorites--their truffle fries and organic tomato bisque.

Delicious cioccolata italiana.  I was trying to figure out why we look so huge (other than my being pregnant), and Manny pointed out we look like we're sitting at a kids' table.  Haha.

Slides are such great rewards for lots of climbing.

Naomi pushing Manny and Lucas. 

sushi:

Naomi is learning about Asia at the moment, and I decided it would be a good time to make simple California rolls.  I don't think they're even Japanese, but I don't eat sashimi (the raw stuff), so we went with what Naomi and I like (the boys don't like seaweed at all).  PS I say simple, but the process still takes about two hours.

For the sushi rice, I made 3 cups in the rice cooker, and then in a large mixing bowl, I combined it with a seasoning mixture (4 T rice vinegar, 3 tsp agave nectar, and 2 tsp salt).  The filling was just imitation crab, avocado slices, and an English cucumber, sliced thinly.  I remove the seeds, but you don't have to.

When you roll the sushi, you can put down the rice first with a plastic wrap, but I just keep my seaweed on the outside and avoid that step.  Dip your hands in water before handling the rice, or the rice will end up all over your fingers and not the nori (seaweed sheets).  

The hardest part has to be the making the sushi rice.  I use Nishiki rice, and I fan the rice while adding the seasoning mixture.  I just didn't want to go upstairs and get my small fan.  Naomi helped for a while, but she got tired.  The rice has to be cooled to room temperature and mixed well but gently with a rice paddle.  You can't put it in the fridge, or it will get too hard.  The few that were left over the next day definitely hardened a little and weren't the same.  They turned out pretty well.

The filling.

Let's roll!

Naomi had a tough time rolling them, but her first try went pretty well.

Yummy!  Just missing wasabi and pickled ginger.

three-day wknd / anniversary / woman-to-woman:

Presidents' Day weekend is significant for us.  Aside from the patriotic and historical significance, our wedding, anniversary trips, first baby shower, and family traditions have happened during the February three-day weekend.  Naomi remembered how Manny took us all to the park last year, and we had such a fun time.  This year, we had so much going on, we actually forgot our anniversary the morning of, and Manny didn't feel well enough to do anything on Presidents' Day.  We did go out for a nice Korean lunch on Saturday and an American buffet place after church on Sunday.  We really miss Fresh Choice, one of the kids' favorite places to eat.  Naomi is sad this baby won't have any memories of it.  After lunch on Sunday afternoon, I had my first meeting with a lady from church to build a shepherding relationship.  Naomi accompanied me and we had tea together, and the girls went to the room to play.  I used to meet one-on-one regularly with older women at church, but I haven't been able to in years.  This was a welcome return, and it was neat to find out how much we have in common.  Manny was thinking of taking Lucas out, but Lucas was tired and just wanted to stay home and play video games.  After I got home, it was just a long night.  Something felt really off that weekend, and I guess we just have to move on from it when we don't have it all figured out.  

The next morning, Manny had to return to work.  We were talking about odds-and-ends, and I was thinking about my in-laws taking my dad to his colonoscopy, and I guess we forgot it was our 13th anniversary!  I only realized it after seeing a friend with the same anniversary post about it.  So I sent an email to Manny, which is really lame, but I can't call him these days at work, because there's a lot of change happening at his job and a lot of meetings.  I did enjoy eating out, although there was no date this time.  This year, there were no cards, flowers, or gifts exchanged, but like I said previously, we can't base everything we have together on one day.  Our marriage has lasted and is growing, and that really counts for something and is a gift in itself.  But I admit I still felt a little weird about it.

Copied and pasted from FB:  Thank you to my in-laws for taking my dad to his screening today and treating my parents to lunch. They are such great people. Some conditions were present, but thankfully no signs of cancer. Also, happy 13th anniversary to my dear husband. That's about 4748 days, perhaps some better than others! We have the best conversations, he's easy to love and teaches me so much, yet I know we only have what we do because of God. May we keep going and growing in Him.

I'm really the only one who likes kimchi among us, and Korean restaurants give you several variations of it before the entrees arrive.

However, Naomi always enjoys the jap chae, which isn't spicy.  She can (sort of) use chopsticks now.

Our Korean tofu and kimchi.  Manny and I like Korean food, but it can be too hot (both temperature and spiciness) for the kids.

Manny's shirt looks like a Best Buy shirt, and Naomi made that known.  Haha.

Tea for four with our friends!

valentine's week / thinking about love:

Last Monday night, Manny came home early so that I could attend a friend's Dream D.inners event.  We all got to make three entrees for about half the standard price.  Even at half-off, it still costs more than what I would pay for the ingredients at the store.  What you're really paying for at the standard price is the convenience and time savings.  They do the prep work and clean-up, so you don't have to trim, slice, chop, shred, wash, etc., but you still can control what goes into the sauces.  That's good for me because I can leave out the onions, but their marinara and barbecue base sauces probably still had onion in them.  You put the meals in containers or plastic bags that they provide, freeze them, and defrost them in the fridge before heating.  I think the price is too high for us, and it's the type of American cuisine that doesn't require that much prep work relatively.  The food is only sold at 3 or 6 servings, so I went for the 3, but a 4-serving option would be nice.  The three entrees I chose were the pulled pork on French rolls, layered ravioli bake, and Tuscan steaks.  They change the menus every month.  All were pretty good, and the steaks were good for Valentine's dinner.  The same night, our church had also offered childcare for a date night, but I'd already committed to this.  It's nice that they did that.

It was Valentine's week for the kids at their classes, which meant a lot of treats.  I used to think the holidays were over-commercialized, and they probably are, but it's rather fun to celebrate them with kids.  We baked oatmeal M&M cookies with valentine M&M's, and they came out perfect.  I'm making so many oatmeal cookies these days, because for Christmas, my mom got us this huge box of oats from Costco.  I was super busy, so I decided against putting them in individual bags with ties and just served them on the plate.  We gave out Snoopy bookmark valentines this year.  Yes, Snoopy is my thing, and I may or may not have selected them without consulting with Naomi at all.  :)

I made the Tuscan steaks, shrimp, kale, and fried rice for our Valentine's dinner.  I was pretty wiped out from the day, but Naomi took over, feeling it needed to be more special.  She set the table, made placecards, and decorated it with silk flowers.  The only thing (or person) missing was Manny, but he had to work really late that night.  She was disappointed, but our kids stay up and wait for him anyway, so we all got to have a nice time together before bed.  Since we already have my birthday, Chinese New Year, and our anniversary in close proximity, it's good to turn around and do something for Manny for Valentine's for a change.

We had our usual classes, and I met up with a couple friends again.  I've been more lax on the photos, sometimes because the timing or situation isn't the best for a photo.  Sometimes the person doesn't want me to post his or her photo, and other times I just don't have my camera or want to pull it out and ask for the photo.  I also use my calendar more than my photos now to blog.  At one meet-up with a friend at a coffee shop (I still don't drink coffee), a man who appeared homeless walked and spoke very loudly and boisterously in our faces.  I decided to at least acknowledge him, but he wanted me to judge his dance moves or something.  Then he sat down by us, seemed to motion toward my friend's purse, and my friend asked to move.  Later the employees were off yelling about something.  I suggested this place because it's near the kids' Awana and usually fairly quiet when I meet up with friends.  Oh well.  I felt compassion toward the man, but I guess I also have to look out for our safety.  I didn't see him as the type to grab a purse and run, but you never know.

I also had another prenatal appointment.  The baby finally started really kicking at 33 weeks!  Almost there!  Lucas usually goes with me to the appointment but remains quiet yet very attached to the baby.  He is also progressing socially, but he still has that stubborn streak sometimes and can be demanding.  I talked a lot about love with the kids this week, and I think this is the first time Lucas has really responded.  I don't want a unilateral conversation; I enjoy hearing what's on their minds.  Of course, love should be celebrated all year, not just on Valentine's Day, but there's nothing wrong with a little extra effort and reminder on a special day.

I was reading in the news about violent altercations happening on Valentine's Day (in one, a woman attacked a man specifically over Valentine's evening plans).  I also saw an article about how divorce fillings increase right after Valentine's Day.  I don't know each situation, but I do know we shouldn't put too much stock in one day.  I don't think any amount of roses or dinners will save a relationship; it'll only happen with the will to persevere (but I do like flowers and dinner).  Some days will be better than others, and perhaps sometimes you won't feel like loving the other person at all.  In cases of domestic violence or threats on your life, I am the first to say get out.  Otherwise, in marriage, remember that love is not just a feeling.  It's a choice, an effort, a testimony.  However, you don't want to just get by and tolerate the one you're with; rather, you want to exercise love so much that you'll increase the health of the relationship.  God gives us the ability to do that.

I am still learning the balance between independence and dependence (as opposed to partnership).  Sometimes I'm too independent and want to do things on my own, because that's the way I've been most of my life, and other times I am concerned and even obsessed with getting Manny's approval.  That usually doesn't work out well, especially when I have the wrong expectations of what his approval will look or sound like.  Though our love continues to grow and evolve, I know he's seen me at my worst, and we've had to work through issues that surprised me.  You can't go back to those first innocent romantic moments and try to relive them, even though they were the seed planted.  Sin creeps in, your habits differ, you say and do things you regret, circumstances (like having kids) change you, and it takes hard work to get beyond it.  Despite that, I have hope and I very much believe in starting anew and changing for the better.  Hold on to hope, and good days will keep coming.  Bad days are inevitable, too, but even those are good for your relationship in their own way.  There's a lot that's easy to love about Manny, and I think we have some of the best conversations and a great family, but I also know our marriage wouldn't grow or last without Christ at the center.  Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.

The tables for preparing our meals.

Baked ravioli with a sausage sauce from Dream D.inners.  I didn't take photos of the other two entrees.  

Lucas very happy with his treat bag from Awana. 

Lucas rolling in the woodchips.  The weather was so lovely this lovely week!

Lucas likes to set up these balancing acts with his toys.  I accidentally kicked this over afterward, but at least I got a photo.

He was excited about his I Love Grandpa and I Love Grandma shirts.

Snoopy bookmark Valentines!

Chewy oatmeal Valentine M&M cookies!

Naomi and her classmates enjoying their treats.  She picked out cute hearts to wear that day.

Naomi's Valentine's table.  :)

I really do not like taking belly photos, but I made this exception to remember how Lucas tells the baby he loves him and kisses him every day.  He detests kisses, but he said he'll only kiss the baby.  I couldn't catch him in the act; he'd keep defaulting to the pout.  Excuse the dirty mirror--I haven't scraped off the Bendaroos residue yet.

birthday/lunar new year weekend:

While I was emptying tissue boxes and trying to make it through the day last Friday, Naomi helped by coming up with games for Lucas.  She made this pirate hat for Lucas (with a teddy bear head instead of a skull) and attached a koala to him in place of a parrot.  Unfortunately the game didn't get very far.  She took about an hour and a half just to set up, and Lucas just wanted to run in circles after that.

After Manny and Naomi returned from the playplace, I opened the Valentine's package from Grandma, which were chocolates for everyone.  Manny wasn't too happy I gave them chocolate before bed, even though it was just a couple pieces.  I'm usually the one who doesn't want to give them sweets, but it was a special occasion.

The next morning I slept in, and felt much better.  Not really 100%--well enough to go out locally for my birthday but not well enough to make some Chinese New Year's events I'd planned to attend with Naomi.  We went to an authentic Chinese buffet (meaning a little pricey and the Chinese patrons clear the seafood in one fell swoop).  Naomi actually chose the place, but it was perfect for me.  We all ate a lot, but with the limited space in my belly, I had to pace myself.  

Some dim sum, noodles, and greens for my first course.

I like the stuffed fish ball soup.  The hot and sour was way too salty.

Love my little girl.

Afterward, we went grocery shopping, and Manny helped me with the kids and the heavy stuff like the water.  I can't really lift anything too heavy these days without feeling tremendous strain and pressure on my pelvis.

Lucas's sad face is his camera smile at the moment.

Afterward, we went miniature golfing.  It was a lot of fun even though it was a little crowded.  Naomi did pretty well, but would swing the club over her shoulder (nice form but unfortunately impermissible in mini-golf).  Lucas could not get enough and is still asking to go back.  I was so thankful for the nice weather and fresh air that day.  Made me feel much better, and I could finally breathe.  Unfortunately, Manny finally came down with the cold, but at least it's not the flu.

Manny teaching Lucas how to hold it (not like a broom!).

To finish off a nice afternoon, we went out for ice cream.  This Indian place serves fresh guava, one of my favorites, but it costs a little extra.  Lucas saw the giant poster of the flavor of the month (mango) and went for that one.  Naomi got the English toffee, and I think Manny got some standard flavor I don't remember.  We still had some leftovers in the fridge, so I didn't really have to cook or clean much that day.  Manny gave me a wonderful day off.  :)  He thought we should have done something even more special, but I was completely satisfied and felt it was a super weekend.

The next day, we went to church, which is always a blessing.  We are going through 1 Peter right now, and looking at our identity.  The only sad part is that we got paged because Lucas had hit the teacher's assistant in the face trying to get away.  So we brought him back into service with us.  We wish we could get him to apologize and really mean it.  That was disappointing after being told what a stellar student he was the week before.  Even though he's set in his ways, he's still rather unpredictable.  The good thing is that overall, he continues to improve.

I guess you can say the Chinese buffet was more our New Year lunch, and we went out for my birthday lunch after church.  Or maybe this was an early Valentine's lunch?  I don't know; we've a lot to celebrate in February.  The kids got to have coke.  They're used to the rule that they can only have it on  special occasions, when Papi or Grandma let them have it (i.e., don't bother asking me).  I ordered the open-faced pot roast sandwich, which was pretty good, but a little too salty.  I've ordered or made a lot of foods I normally wouldn't during this pregnancy.  Lucas loves to get spaghetti and meatballs, and the happy face and fries came with his meal.  It's really enough to feed an adult for a price comparable to that of a fast food restaurant.  Still, we keep reminding them that eating out might be a thing of the past for a while, so we're enjoying it while we can.  

Lucas ate that whole plate of fries and half his spaghetti and meatballs, which he completely finished a few hours later.

Open face pot roast sandwich with mashed potatoes (the best part) on garlic cheese bread and roasted vegetables.

the birds and the bears:

I inadvertently signed up to bring snacks on Birthday Jamboree Night at Cubbies, but I'm glad I did.  Not glad I loaded the kids with sugar before bedtime, but glad Lucas could bring something special to class.  Lucas had fun picking out the type of cupcake (he originally wanted chocolate chip but settled on chocolate).  He enjoyed sharing them with everyone.  They turned out pretty good, despite being from a box.  I was too busy to make it from scratch, and the kids and I were recovering from slight colds that hit us the previous Sunday.  We watched the SuperBowl, but I'm glad we stayed home.  All of us were tired and fell asleep at one point or another.  Unfortunately, I might have picked up something new from sick kids in the  nursery or someone else, so I'm feeling pretty miserable today.  I still got through school and cooking the three meals, but was pretty weak.  It actually feels like I have allergies only on the side of my face--my right eye and nostril are itchy and leaky, but there's nothing on the left side.  

Naomi earned a number of stars for showing love to others and going above and beyond, and she traded them in for a trip to a giant indoor playground with Manny.  Manny took her tonight while Lucas and I napped for a little while.  I really needed and appreciate that.  I just now saw that they are closing/relocating in a few days!  A friend told me about a homeschooling panel event tonight, but I was just too sick to make it.  It's not fun being sick on my birthday, but after the fact, I actually like being forced to take some downtime.

Naomi and I were looking through an events calendar, and she asked to see a free Happy Birds performance at a library/daycare center.  It was pretty packed, and we had to park down the street.  It had been go-go-go since 9:30 that morning, and the show was at 3:30, so I was pretty wiped out.  But sometimes you do it just to see the wonder in your children's eyes.  When Naomi turned four, I actually tried to hire them for her birthday, but the price was outside our budget.  I tried to negotiate down to just one bird, half hour, whatever, but I understood they needed the show to be worth their time and complete enough that it might garner new interest.  I felt bad there wasn't much for the younger kids to do at that party (a guest remarked about it, which probably wasn't tactful, but they meant well), but we can't do the big parties every year.  We're definitely going simple this year for Naomi's party, and girls only again.  I've posted only a minute plus of the forty minutes, and I missed recording the funny antics of Piper, the one bobbing her head to the alphabet song at the end.  That was Naomi's favorite part.  The shell game was Lucas's favorite part.  He also liked the parrot flying through the hoops, although it startled him at first.

I accidentally bought mini Teddy grahams, so I couldn't make the blue Cubby Bear vests, but it turned out cute anyway.  Naomi helped (and we always wash our hands and keep our faces away from the food!).

Shooting hoops.  They are in the World Book of Records for most slam dunks by a parrot.

Lucas's favorite, the senior Gordon.

L and N after the show.

pregnancy update and a whole lotta catch-up:

Pregnancy
Everything seems okay with the pregnancy so far.  I've gained 24 lbs now, which is the least weight of all my pregnancies at this point (32 weeks), but I also started off at a higher weight than with the other two.  :)   Lucas usually accompanies me to the appointments while Naomi's in class.  This baby moves with far less intensity and frequency than Lucas and Naomi did, even at night when I'm lying still and completely focused on the movements.  It causes me to worry, but the doctor just says to track how he moves compared to himself and not how it was with the others.  A couple of times when I drank cold water he would move, but what I ingest doesn't seem to affect him either.  Maybe it's just the position he's in or his size.  Maybe (hopefully) it means he's just a more mellow baby overall, because Naomi kicked me around the clock, and Lucas kicked me at the same times every day, and very hard.  I think they haven't changed much.  :)  Even at the ultrasound, the technician made me roll and even nudged him to make him move, but he didn't really care (thus why I have no cute profile images from the ultrasound).  Who knows how the environment affects the baby in the womb?  I've had a challenging and stressful pregnancy, though not as bad as with Naomi, and I craved spicy foods without an instance of heartburn.  I had a lot of heartburn with Lucas despite eating a mild diet.  Go figure.  I threw up for the first two trimesters, but at 7 months, the nausea and nosebleeds subsided, and I am able to eat more variety now.  I'm hesitant to ever get the flu shot again.  I don't usually get the flu or flu-like symptoms otherwise, and I felt awful for six weeks after this shot.  But I felt I ought to do it for the pregnancy.  Lucas and I got the shot and we were very sick for weeks.  Manny and Naomi didn't and were just fine, even with Lucas coughing in their faces.  I know there are many different views about shots, and I think some of that comes from varying reactions to them.

A lot of people have told me I look really small for being as far along as I am.  I feel pretty big, although even I forget sometimes I can't squeeze in a certain space or reach something.  Lucas talks to the baby all day, which was sweet in the beginning, but sometimes I almost trip over him.  I'm having a lot of pelvic pain, which can get pretty bad at times, but it subsides if I can sit or lie on my side completely still for a while.  I just can't find much time to do that.  A friend also told me a technique or exercise her nurse told her to help with the pain.  Overall, I'm doing fine, just a little nervous and excited and not entirely ready!

Friends

We had a busy past couple of weeks, and I'm enjoying visiting with friends before the baby comes.  One week, I met up with an acquaintance for coffee (I don't drink coffee, but there's plenty else on the menus),  Lucas had a haircut while Naomi was in Lego Club, Lucas and I met up with another friend for Vietnamese pho on a rainy day while Naomi was in class, and we had a playdate with a couple other families the day after.  I usually hang out with friends while the kids are in AWANA.  In general, we don't do morning playdates anymore, but it had been planned for some time, and it was the best time for all of us to do it.  At the playdate, one mom pointed out how amazing it is that we'll have almost a dozen children between us three moms in a couple of months.  We had to double up and squeeze in Naomi's schoolwork in that week, but we got through everything.

The next week, Naomi and Lucas had their usual classes, Naomi had fun at an evening community rec event, and I went to a baby sprinkle (not quite a shower, as it's not her first child).  They usually have a theme and have a jumphouse, games and crafts built around the theme, and pizza.  This was the first time there was no candy distributed, which was fine with us.   The sprinkle was wonderful.  The spread, decorations, favors, and everything was put together so nicely.  The guest of honor is adopting a boy from overseas, which is so exciting and inspiring (and requires so much patience and dedication).  The shower game was a quiz about how much we knew about their little boy and the details surrounding his adoption.  I didn't expect to win, and I didn't, but I did better than I thought I would.  It was nice to catch up or meet new people, and I'm always appreciate of Manny watching the kids after a long workweek.

Church
I was in the nursery Sunday so I missed the sermon and family time, but Manny filled me in completely.  He's really good about that.  I love to hear about how God is working in people's lives and through our church.  I like the nursery set-up.  If there's a fussy toddler, I've got him, and if there's a fussy baby, the main worker has him.  I do pretty well with the toddlers, but I think I have a general nervousness around babies.  Lucas did well in class.  The teacher said he sat there with a big smile on his face and wasn't wild'n out like last week.  He's unpredictable, but he's maturing.  The Awana leaders tell me he's doing better as well.  He's actually whispering now, and that's a step up from not talking at all!

An acquaintance, who walked away from the church, asked me what denomination we are.  I said we were just Christians, non-denominational.  He said, "Oh, so you're still searching."  I said not really; we just aren't looking for one.  I understand it's more comfortable to be around people with similar convictions and easier to put in practice those beliefs, but I don't know that anything in the bible says denominations equal like-mindedness or even that they're beneficial.  Perhaps there might be presumptuous for us to think that one is more holy than others (although of course some denominations and cults are probably unbiblical altogether).  I don't believe God favors people according to denomination, and we are only called to conform to Christ.  I said something about this to a Christian friend of mine who said, "We still think doctrine is important."  Well, so do I!  I get what her stance is, but I don't think I made mine clear.  I guess it's akin to different versions of the bible.  I do prefer certain versions, but I also read the other versions and see the need for having different versions that reach different people.  But at this point in my journey, I think identifying with a specific denomination would hinder the Spirit's work in my life.

I've started a shepherding/discipleship relationship with an older woman at church.  We'll be trying to meet monthly, and fill each other in through emails and conversations in between.  I'm excited about it.  I have had some rich times in one-on-ones with wiser women.

Parents' health
After several months of delays and red tape, my mom finally had a CT scan on Monday for a growth in her lung.  A recent mammogram also showed an abnormal lump.  The results of the scan should be back in 1-2 weeks, and they will determine if she needs a biopsy or other procedure.  My dad also has a colonoscopy or minor colon procedure (my mom didn't know which) in a couple of weeks.  Thankfully they are within driving distance of my in-laws, who have gone above and beyond to take care of them.  My mother cannot drive the freeway, and my dad isn't permitted to drive for the period surrounding the procedures.  They don't really have other family or friends around.  I'm not sure what they'd do without my in-laws.  I guess I'd have to figure out if we could pay for a medical transport.  My parents only lived to get by, so they didn't give much focus to savings, retirement, medical expenses, loan payback, and other financial needs.  Also, because they were self-employed for most of their lives in the States, there's not enough in Social Security.  My father was fortunate enough to have fairly good health and be over 65.  On the other hand, my mom, being under 65 and in poor health (yet not poor enough to qualify as a disability), does what we often did growing up--wait in long lines at clinics not sure if she'll even be seen.  The language barrier is really a huge challenge as well.  At least now they have emails and scanners so I can translate documents for them without having to be there.

The older kids playing Sorry!.

Baby M and her two sisters.  Sugar and spice and everything nice!

Lucas in the tent with A.

J. taught Lucas some soccer, which was so heartwarming I stayed later.

Naomi after a community rec class.  The theme was Neverland, and this guy was given the moniker "Peter Chan."  They're holding spyglasses that they decorated.  Naomi made friends who signed her spyglass.

One of the hostesses made this beautiful and tasty bundt cake.

A little sprinkle on my cactus will remind me of the sprinkle.

Dad is a musician, and they'll be doing a music theme for the nursery.