Latest Posts

Down on the farm

Published by Aubrey

At the beginning of the weekend the kids and I got to be a part of our student leadership retreat. We attempted to spend the night in one of the cabins. I laughed at 9pm as I laid there in the cabin listening to all 3 kids talk, jump, sing, yell and kick in the beds for 45 min. Did I really think we could spend the night in an open air cabin all together? Ha ha ha. I packed us up, drove home and came back the next morning for another fun day on the farm! It was well worth the driving back and forth. The kids loved being around all the students, they get so much love and attention. They also loved just running and exploring the grounds, petting the animals, playing in the mud, kayaking (mason), throwing rocks and swinging on the biggest swing ever! I am so thankful we got to be a part of the retreat. It was a blessing for the whole family.

New to my ears

Published by Aubrey

While in Colorado at our staff conference I was introduced to a new band called Tenth Avenue North. I think they are a newer band but not brand new to others like they are to me. During the conference they put on a free concert. My friend Kyra and I went and had a great time. We were probably 2 of the oldest people there but still we were rockin’ out with the youngin’s! That being said their music is appealing to my/our generation there were just a lot of young kids in attendance. I really enjoy the lyrics to their songs. We bought the CD and have been playing it a lot at home. It’s become a family favorite. If you have a chance check them out on Pandora.

One of my favorites is titled By Your Side. It’s a great reminder of how I often I hold tight instead of let go, I talk instead of listen, I go instead of stop, I keep doing instead of waiting. And the whole time he’s there for me waiting patiently. It’s not about trying harder to get it right but acknowledging my weaknesses and humbly accepting my need for a Savior right now.

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don’t turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I’m not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I’ll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don’t fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world’s sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

Nothing but fun!

Published by Aubrey

Here are some pics of some fun things we’ve been doing.

Last night we went to the park with our staff team and had dinner. Then we let the kids play in the creek and they had a ball! We’ve lived in Chico for 4 years why haven’t we done this yet? I don’t know. But we’ll definitely be soon…I’m thinking this weekend. Free, fun entertainment thay last for awhile=a parents perfect family activity!

Another fun thing we did was make our own finger paint using kool aid. It was a first for the girls and they lasted about 20 min so in my books that is a success. I got a the recipe from a mutual friend at Udubalum Family Blogworthiness.

Kids getting busy making their masterpieces with a neighbor friend.

Kid friendly paint:)

Making the quote board

Published by Aubrey

Recently Mason has had some quotes that would definitely make the quote board if I had one. We don’t so I will post them here.

Mason’s birthday list:

  • zebra
  • to be able to speak Spanish
  • a new voice…to be speak Spanish with of course!
  • a Star Wars back pack

ummm I might be able to get 1 of those

We were talking about going to the dentist and how excited he was to go:

“Mom, Dr. Roos is the best Dr. Roos ever!”

Mason is a big fan of ketchup (it runs in the family). He was done eating his burger but he insisted he needed more ketchup. We asked him what for:

“Well for my tomatoes of course!” Yes he dipped his cherry tomatoes into a big pile of ketchup.

Playing t-ball in the street with Brian, Brian was hitting and Mase was in the “outfield”. Brian made a good hit.

“Daddy!  THAT…WAS…AWESOME! I have to give you a high five!” As he runs to high five Brian. Such a little encourager!

Getting ready to bake cookies, which we never ended up doing because I realized I had no eggs or brown sugar. Kinda important. Anyways…

“Mom we have to get our apricots on.” (Translation= aprons)

And this one out of no where.

“Mom I remember when I was just a baby in your belly and I could see your gibs.” (Translation=ribs)

Me: “Oh, really.”

“Yes, and I also remember when you were just a baby and I was 39 years old.”

Me: “You remember when you were 39 years old?”

“Yep, I turned 39 on the 7th.”

Me: Speechless.

Oh our little dude makes us laugh quite often.

I’m Encouraged

Published by Aubrey

What encourages me

My God:
His grace that continues to draw me closer to Him. He’s consistent, all knowing, never changing.
My husband:
The lattes he makes for me every morning, his pursuit in seeing me grow in character, the way he leads our family.
My kids:
Mason’s genuine love of Jesus. Their love for one another. The faith and trust they have in us.
My friends:
A few select women who want to know me for me, who challenge me, laugh with me and cry with me.

To be encouraged by others stories check out the new site launch today! http://www.incourage.me/

1 little man and 2 girly girls

Published by Aubrey

One of the best things about about being home for us is seeing how much the kids have changed since we were last home in May. While we were gone we could see subtle changes but now that we are back in our normal environment we are comparing what they used to be able to do and not do and whoa! what a change!

One of the first things we did when we got back was raise Mason’s seat and handle bars on his bike because the little dude is growing ! He’s almost 4 ya know. This is what he tells everyone. This morning we took off his training wheels for the first time. It was a great first attempt. We can no longer play ball in the backyard because he hits it too far and it’s going over the fence each time. So in to the street we go. Which the girls just love because they can maneuver going up and down the curb quite well. They love running after the ball and “throwing” it back to Mason. The girls also love being out front because they can see all the neighbors and say their names as they drive or walk by. As you can see we are the entertainment for the neighborhood.

Like their brother, the girls are interested in seeing what’s happening on the countertop in the kitchen so they pull a chair over and climb right up. I now have 3 little helpers:) The girls have also followed suit in drinking their milk from the bowl after they have finished eating their cereal. Pretty cute.  Theia is still the “mommy in charge” taking care of her babies and everyone else. Kaia is the most light hearted little thing and quickly goes from one thing to the next. No more milk before they go to bed but a snack with big brother.

In general their is just a lot more chattering, running, climbing, negotiating and time outs and a lot more FUN!!!

I’ve been thinking in numbers…

Published by Aubrey

  • 10 bags/suitcases we unpacked in the last few days
  • 3 piles of stuff still needing to be put away
  • 2 big boxes we shipped home of stuff we couldn’t fit in our suitcases
  • 3 toddlers we have in the house- no more babies
  • 5th year we are starting at Chico State
  • 4 yrs old the little mister will be on Aug. 24
  • 10 days Bri and I had in Colorado alone that I am already missing
  • 7 days (more or less) a new niece or nephew will be born into our family
  • 19 days till 4000 new freshman walk onto the Chico State campus looking for a place to belong
  • 0 paper towels in our house now- we are a paper towel free home as of yesterday
  • 28 days till we start a preschool co-op for the little mister
  • 68 days till the girls turn 2
  • 15 miles I will be attempting to run on Sunday
  • 72 days till my marathon
  • 6 snacks a day we go through for the kids
  • 3 little mouths talking to us almost constantly at the same time
  • 1 time a day set aside to spend with Jesus (at least this is my hope each day)
  • 3 books I have started that I want to finish
  • 10 people on our staff team this year
  • 80 freshman we are praying to get involved with CRU this year
  • 6 hours in the last 2 days spent in tackling the jungle our yard turned into while we were gone
  • 1 1/2 hours I hopefully have left before the little ones awake…

Better go!

Second honeymoon…almost

Published by Aubrey

This conference has been a GREAT experience for Brian and I to experience alone. Even though we have been very busy, really tired, missing the kids, sleeping on an air mattress in our friends living room floor it has been like a second honeymoon for us. We have LOVED our time together. It has been refreshing, easy, fun and just what we needed. I find Brian saying cute little things to me, holding my hand, flirting with me and really enjoying being by my side. Not that these things don’t usually happen…they do, just not as much when we are in the normal grind of life. For me it has been a great reminder that he does still think I am cute and he likes to hold my hand and I do still get butterflies when he smiles at me. This has been an unexpected surprise for our time here. I am so thankful God has given us this gift!

On Sunday we took a day trip to Estes Park and drove into the Rocky Mountain National Park. We drove to the highest possible point and then took a small hike to to the top of Longs Peak. It was cold, rainy and windy at the top and we were totally unprepared with our shorts and sandals but it still was a great adventure. Here are some pics of our day. Our time in Colorado is coming to a close tomorrow night. On Thursday we will fly back to Ohio to get our kids that we are missing so much. Then Saturday we take flight again for the final time and make our way back HOME! The next time I write I will be in the comforts of my own home….a smile and sigh of relief!

Yes, totally prepared.