Kids...

As I was getting ready for our big trip to Iowa at the beginning of the week, this is what happened...

Emma today slept with her feet in the bed and her head on the floor. Her diaper did not hold because she was upside down, so she got wet. Yep, this is how she slept. When I asked her how she took a nap, she said "I was stuck, I got wet on my shirt, my eyes, my hair." Ugh, so gross. She will love this story when she is 15!



Evan was wanting to help me pack all day. He is such servant!!! When he asked if he could carry the big suit case with all our clothes in it, I said, well it is really heavy. He said "well I am 5 now." Ok, I guess age does make a difference. The whole night he was right beside me saying, "here let me put that in". At dinner this evening he asked me, "mom, why are you so mad?" Getting 5 people ready to drive to Iowa for 10 days did not make me have the greatest attitude. Kids will always remind you and make you take a self check. My voice did raise a few octaves a couple of times today.



Ean on the other hand was always ready with his "Mario" pose. Right handed fist up in the air with right leg hopping up. This is what Mario does at the end of every level in video games. He was also ready to help out today with the packing. I am glad they love to go see family! He is also reading this blog out loud to me as I am writing it. Homeschooling is always going on in our house. Not! He is reading and that was my goal for this year!!!



I have been very frustrated with Emma over the past month. We started potty training in June. She did well and learned how to have control, but I have to watch her. This past week I have been really angry with her. (Yes, I know, just want you want when potty training!) But, she knows what to do. She is choosing not to tell me. That just gets to me. She wants to hide and sneak away. Well, today I was packing, and six little words came out of her mouth for the first time, "mom, I have to go potty." I was elated!!! It was such blessing to get that today!!! And, then true to her real nature, she did not tell me she had to go later and, so I was back to changing her diaper again. Gotta love 2 year olds. Maybe by the first of the year the Stark family will be diaper free. I am not holding my breath!

These kids are a blessing and a challenge at the same time! I love them.!

11 years...

I had no idea where we should go eat for our 11th Anniversary, so John went to work. He came up with, California Pizza Kitchen. I was really excited! It's a woman thing, I guess. Excited, you may think, about CPK? Well, it brought back memories! The next picture shows why...

On our honeymoon, in Honolulu, we ate at this CPK about 4 or 5 times while we were there. It was right across from our hotel. We loved it! I tried a different kind of pizza every time we went. John, I am pretty sure, got pepperoni EVERY time. Yes, that's my husband!

While looking for the CPK photo, I also found these. We will never forget our time at Pearl Harbor. We did not speak to each other the whole time we were on the tour. The memorial is beautiful and done so well. The men and women that lost their lives will never be forgotten. Please spend time here if you are ever in Hawaii.

21 and tan. Wow, I love this pic and no, I am not vain, it was just snapped by John and the light is perfect. Running marathons will have to start taking place to get this look back.

At dinner on our last night in Hawaii. This trip was just wonderful. Hawaii's weather is so perfect, it really is paradise. I want, no need to go back some day!

This got me also thinking about how far we have come. We have moved a total of 4 times together. I have had 4 different jobs, John only 2. We have 3 kids. Just remembered we have bought 2 mowers, 2 TVs, 2 toasters, 4 computers and also have owned 5 different cars. Wait, one more, 4 or 5 cell phones each! Wow, now I feel old. And the money, ugh.

Well, lets get to the real important stuff. John. (yes, the Lord is #1) But, John has helped me get even closer to the Lord. The first year of marriage I learned A LOT about myself. Of course John, too. It matured me as well as all the other years after and I am still learning. I would not be the person I am today if I had not gotten married. This past year has really pushed me even more. Trust is a word that comes to mind about this past year. In the Lord, will this move be what our family needs? Will the Lord be in San Antonio? Will we meet new friends? Can I survive without family around? Will John be able to be my only friend and support for a while, and can I trust that he will be good enough? This is what has been on my mind. See, this whole process started on our 10 anniversary. How much change a year can bring, and really how short it feels also!

I will say, on the friend and trusting John part, well, tears come to my eyes. John has been loving, kind, patient, helpful and understanding. Just a tower of strength. Some of the emotions I have put him through, oh my. I lost count of all the tears. I would have driven myself nuts, no , I am still driving myself nuts! I am thankful for him. Glad that he listens and just lets me be myself. Still being blessed by saying "yes, John , I will marry you". And, we are still learning and growing. That is the part that I am excited about. What will this next year bring? I already see new friendships forming in San Antonio, two young boys in school, piano lessons, and no more diapers, just to name a few. And, I also am praying for an even deeper friendship with John, that I hope will bring our relationship to a new level.

Yes, the Lord is good, great and merciful. How I don't deserve any of it. It brings me to my knees. He has blessed me.

11 years...and ready for more!!!

Strawberry Shortcake...

Right after my birthday, I got this craving. Strawberry Shortcake. It would not go away. I love food, can you tell? Well, I decided to take pics like the http://www.pioneerwoman.com/ The recipe my mother uses is from the Betty Crocker Cookbook. "Pat In The Pan Shortcakes" check out www.bettycrocker.com for more info.


This was the first attempt. Helping John paint and baking do NOT go together.
Emma wanted to be in a pic.

Second attempt, just right!

My serving. Yum.

Half way through. I took my time. Yum, again! Perfect with a glass of milk, does a body good!

This really reminded me of home. Mom always makes this in the Spring when strawberries are in season. Wish she was here to share it with me. I may have to have her make it in July when we go back to visit Iowa.

I will be posting about sweet corn soon. I can't wait to have some of that! Hope it's ready in July!

My 32nd Birthday...

It started in Iowa with both the Stark's and Leinen's getting breakfast on Monday the 24th. Gifts were given and opened! And food was eaten, yummy!

Some of the gift I got! Yes, rain boots. I really need them. San Antonio has no gutters in the streets. Water just flows every where and streets flood when it rains.

On Wednesday the 26th, my birthday, we went to the Kiddie Park http://www.kiddiepark.com/ near downtown San Antonio. Our Sunday School class had a play date planned. We had fun with friends and the kids really enjoyed riding on all the rides. It was perfect for them!

I got myself lunch on the way home. I have enjoyed Bill Millers "Poor Boy" sandwich a few times since moving. They are good!

That same night we went to the Olive Garden. We tried to take three different pictures and this was the best one if you can believe it!

Emma enjoys pasta just like her parents!

On Friday John and I got a sitter and we went out to again, yes I milk my birthday for all it's worth! The restaurant I picked was Milanos http://www.milanos.com/ they have this garlic butter sauce that comes with their bread sticks that is SO good! Yummy, again!

John was glad that now my birthday celebrating was over. Got three dinners out of it! I love my birthday!!! I am also very thankful for my family and friends, they make it special!

Do to the state of my friend Becca's blog today, I have to post this! I know she will LOVE it!

This is what I found when I got home today for my morning run.




A scorpion!



I am sure you all will enjoy this one! I got it with my shoe. Yes, I took pics after it was dead. I am wondering if they get bigger as they grow. Well this one will never know!

Enjoy this pics Becca! Can't wait to see you next week!

New name again...

Yep, this came to me today. I kind of liked it. Going with it for a while. Now I am thinking it sounds like a country music band? Oh well, keeping it for now!

Maybe my sis could come up with a cool new look for me too! I have a hard time being creative!

My Mother's Day...

Card Evan made in Sunday School this morning! I loved it!




My other cards and flowers from today!

Ok, so this was my day! Let me start by saying that I cleaned yesterday, so that I would not have to today!

Went out for donuts with the kids for breakfast, no clean up in kitchen!

Got donuts holes for Sunday School brunch. Forgot to bake coffee cake because I was cleaning yesterday! No cleanup once again!

Ate lunch at Freddy's. I wanted a different place, but the kids love this place, so good eaters! Once again no clean up!

Boys played the Wii this afternoon and Emma took a nap. I read a book and got a nap in!

John went and got me Chinese food for dinner! I make popcorn for the kids. Easy clean up!

Picked up movie "Planet 51" for the kids this evening, so I can blog!

Kids in bed! A movie for me "The Young Elizabeth" can't wait!

A great day! I love my family so much! God has blessed me with, I think, the BEST kids in the world!

Today also brings me to thoughts of my own Mom and John's Mom. We missed getting to see them today. I must say I had a hard time with missing this holiday more than I did the others this Spring. It was kind of weird! I was so thankful to hear that Jenn went out with Terry and Mary for lunch. And my brother Joe took my mom out to lunch, what a guy! Justine had prom last night, so she went out tonight with my mom for dessert! This was also a different holiday for them as well, they had several kids not in town to see them. Glad for the technology of the phone today, it was good to hear the voices of Grandma's today!

My sister Judy wrote a blog about my mom! simplyjudybligh.blogspot.com if you want to read it, almost made me cry!

Also, I keep thinking about how lucky we are to have two Grandma's back home who love our kids so much. Yes, we took the only Grand kids away for them a few months ago, but I must say, they have been so understanding about it. Since we have been gone we have gotten cards, packages, phone calls, skype phone calls and messages on facebook! In Feb. Terry and Mary came down to help unpack and watch the kids. That was nice! My mom has been a great support any time I just need to vent via the phone. It may drive her nuts, but I really appreciate all the time given just to listen to me babble!

Now it's on to getting ready for our trip back to Iowa in two weeks.

Happy Mother's Day!

And I am still learning how to post pic on here, sorry! Need John's help again!