All the windows in the front room of our little house are wide open. The crickets outside are very lively tonight. There is a sleeping baby down the hall who smells like Burt's Bees "Baby Bee" and is fresh out of the bath tub. Its a perfect 75 degrees and the moon is out.
Im waiting for Gavin to get home from the baseball showcase he is working tonight. Kenley and I walked down to the feild to see what the boys were up to and the second she saw him out on the field she was pointing and yelling "DADA!!"... no doubt he was loving it.
It was last night that I sat here realizing just HOW blessed this little family really is. We have met SO many fantastic people down here and still have so many that we love back home. We finally have a church that is a great fit for us. I have one job that I get to do from the comfort of my living room while Kenley sleeps and the other one she gets to come with me to! Tomorrow Gavin and I will be celebrating our first year of marriage and NEXT weekend Kenley will be thrown yet another birhtday party by Gavins teammates and their families. My mom is able to fly down for it and the following week my beautiful Goddaughter and her mom Molly are coming to visit. Those things alone are enough to make me wonder what I did to deserve it all! God is so good and has continually reminded us just how BLESSED we truly are. I know I use that word a lot but what else do you call getting handed all of this???? I know its not just luck.
The highlight of my day today was coming home from work and checking the mail. I hadnt checked it in a while so there was A LOT of randomness in there along with some bills but amoungst it all, I found a "thank you" note and a "happy anniversary" card... both from Gavins teammate Eddie and his girlfriend Kaley who we had over for dinner this week. SOOO sweet.
Just feeling very loved, optomistic and grateful after today and thought I would share.
Jess
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
she's back!
Good Morning!
Its been far too long, yet seems like I did my last post yesterday! This little family has been BUSY... so thanks for bearing with me.
To catch you up, we are back in Riverside after a nice long (ten day) vacation "home." Let me tell you, after a trip like that it was not easy to come back down here. I was dreading leaving! but... it does feel good to be back, in our own space. It was by far the busiest trip we have taken home and was the most fun we have had in a lonnnngggg time!
Before I update you on that trip home I should probably update you on Kenley's birthday first! Before this last trip home we had gone up north a couple weeks prior to celebrate our little girl turning ONE. it was one very quick trip and we were basically just up for the weekend but it was SO perfect. Her party was everything I pictured and more. After all of my blog stalking, decoration hoarding and brain storming, it came together so well!
It was a BEAUTIFUL Sunday afternoon.... the weather was amazing. About FOURTY of our friends and family gathered to wish our baby a very happy first :)
I simply couldnt believe what I was hearing when everyone sang the "happy birthday song".... Our baby girl is 13 months today and I STILL cant believe we have celebrated her first year with us.
Kenley was the belle of the ball as usual and was dressed accordingly. Pictures never even seem to do that girl justice!
And speaking of pictures, the day was captured by our usual photographer Caitlin O'Reilly who did an outstanding job as always.
I spent most of the day trying to make the rounds and at least visit with everyone for just a little bit. The day went by way too fast.
It ended with my brother spinning me around infront of everyone, blindfolding me and tried to get me to hit the owl pinata... which ended me up scratched and bruised and sitting in a rose bush in our front yard.
The whole day was just another example of how loved our little girl is. We feel so blessed to have so many family and friends who were willing to make the drive and clear their schedules to be there.
Not to mention that she made out like a bandit! haha
We have been introducing one new toy every week which has been the BEST idea. It has kept her nice and occupied while I work, clean etc.
The best gift of all was probably the hardbound book that Caitlin did of all the pictures from her birthday. She very "artisticly" put all the pictures together and the final product was perfection.... and the work of a true professional. Im so happy to have such a great remembrance of the day :)
So today I blog to you from my desk which is now sitting right in our front window... and I LOVE it here. Its kind of hard to explain where it is, but I get lots of natural light, I can keep a better eye on Kenley while I work, its so much more open than the office and its a CHANGE! I think im going to keep it here forever... I got LOTS of work done with it here in the early hours of this morning.
ok so...I originally sat down to tell you about our last trip home... and all of the HILARIOUS and intelligent things Kenley has done since the last time we "talked."
Our first day home was spent in the lovely bay area where my mom picked us up from the Oakland airport and we made the rounds in the South City area... seeing both sets of my grandparents and enjoying the fresh COOL air. I cant tell you how good it felt!
The following day was the only day we stood still. Most of our mornings were spent walking with my best friends mom (and my friend) Jen Sims... absouletly LOVED watching her carry Kenley in the Ergo and try to walk both dogs.
Once we get to the Napa is when the total free-frall begins. We were either visting friends or being visted by friends the whole time we were there.
Our first weekend there was full of "bridal" activities, for my dear friend Makayla BRANCO! Her bridal shower and bachelorette parties were SO fun.
That following Tuesday we left for Tahoe... Tahoe my one true love. I spent SOOOO much time up there in high school, not so much time in college and hadnt been back since. Growing up I always said it was where I wanted to end up, raise my family and live til I die. Going back reminded me of why I once said that. We spent our time hiking, paddle boarding, swimming, shopping and simply taking in the beauty. I WILL end up there.
When we got back Gavin was finally able to come up!! I had missed him so much and was so excited to see him. He had just finished his first session of summer schoool and passed both classes with flying colors :)
He made it just in time for the real reason we came up in the first place... the BRANCO wedding! And boy was it well worth all the travel time. We had so much fun... and what a gorgeous wedding, and what a gorgeous couple. It was the best wedding I have ever been to... or ever even seen PICTURES of!!!! It was THAT well done. And as AC said "Makayla had a vision for the day... and she nailed it." We danced the night away and loved watching the happy couple together. The whole thing was perfection. As Gavin and I quickly approach our one year anniversary on Sunday it reminded us so much of the vows we took as well.
If I see one thing for Kenley's future... its two parents holding hands and sticking it out to the bitter end. I hope that for little Koa as well and I KNOW that Makayla and AC will make it because of the unconditional love they have for one another. I know that the "right" order is first being married and then starting a family but I feel like both of our relationships have already had one of the ultimate tests!... and what honest, loyal, and trusted MEN we have had by our sides. lucky us.
It is SO much easier to walk away from something than it is to make it work and I think I speak for Makayla as well when I say that I never do things the easy way :)
As I type, Kenley is fast asleep in her very low crib. I say that because our little escape artist's crib mattress is as close to the ground as it can go. Yep, I went in there two days ago when she had awoke from her nap to find one leg completely over the railing... talk about a close call. She is all kinds of busy these days... and Im loving it. It seems like all of the sudden she is doing TONS of new things at once.
Yesterday she waved to Gavin as he left for the gym and said "bye bye DaDa." ARE YOU KIDDING??!!?? I just about hit the floor.
Im still loving working on her sign language with her and its really starting to come in handy. Her newest signs are: water, please, thank you, doggie (so cute), SLEEP (which she uses a lot and even does it if you say "tired") and... I cant even think of the rest. She is getting too smart and its so weird being able to communicate with her!!! I love it though :)
Our house is gradually baby proofing itself as we have had to put up gates, move furniture around and put devices on doors, cupboards and droors. she is getting into EVERYTHING. I think it will be another month or so before she walking (which I am totally fine with!) I have read so many good things about babies taking their sweet time with walking... and it makes my job a lot easier for now! heck, both at home AND at Kissui (where my hours are picking up and im very excited about).
And speaking of things Im excited about... I find myself feeling this way a lot lately. and then I think about what it is Im excited about and it makes me appreciate a few simple things about myself, which I may not do enough. I just feel like being a mom gets you excited about the funniest things and when I think about what it is that Im so jazzed about it makes me laugh. This week it was: a new favorite cloth diaper (Kawaii Baby), a new hanging wet/dry bag for Kenley's room (by Planet Wise... SUPER cute print that matches her room perfectly), reusable wipes (by Thirsties) and some biodegradable liners (by Bummis) all courtesy of a very generous gift card to Kissui from my Grandma :)
Life is good in the Mills home <3
Well, as usual I feel like Im leaving lots out but thanks for stopping by!
Blog ya later, Jess
Its been far too long, yet seems like I did my last post yesterday! This little family has been BUSY... so thanks for bearing with me.
To catch you up, we are back in Riverside after a nice long (ten day) vacation "home." Let me tell you, after a trip like that it was not easy to come back down here. I was dreading leaving! but... it does feel good to be back, in our own space. It was by far the busiest trip we have taken home and was the most fun we have had in a lonnnngggg time!
Before I update you on that trip home I should probably update you on Kenley's birthday first! Before this last trip home we had gone up north a couple weeks prior to celebrate our little girl turning ONE. it was one very quick trip and we were basically just up for the weekend but it was SO perfect. Her party was everything I pictured and more. After all of my blog stalking, decoration hoarding and brain storming, it came together so well!
It was a BEAUTIFUL Sunday afternoon.... the weather was amazing. About FOURTY of our friends and family gathered to wish our baby a very happy first :)
I simply couldnt believe what I was hearing when everyone sang the "happy birthday song".... Our baby girl is 13 months today and I STILL cant believe we have celebrated her first year with us.
Kenley was the belle of the ball as usual and was dressed accordingly. Pictures never even seem to do that girl justice!
And speaking of pictures, the day was captured by our usual photographer Caitlin O'Reilly who did an outstanding job as always.
I spent most of the day trying to make the rounds and at least visit with everyone for just a little bit. The day went by way too fast.
It ended with my brother spinning me around infront of everyone, blindfolding me and tried to get me to hit the owl pinata... which ended me up scratched and bruised and sitting in a rose bush in our front yard.
The whole day was just another example of how loved our little girl is. We feel so blessed to have so many family and friends who were willing to make the drive and clear their schedules to be there.
Not to mention that she made out like a bandit! haha
We have been introducing one new toy every week which has been the BEST idea. It has kept her nice and occupied while I work, clean etc.
The best gift of all was probably the hardbound book that Caitlin did of all the pictures from her birthday. She very "artisticly" put all the pictures together and the final product was perfection.... and the work of a true professional. Im so happy to have such a great remembrance of the day :)
So today I blog to you from my desk which is now sitting right in our front window... and I LOVE it here. Its kind of hard to explain where it is, but I get lots of natural light, I can keep a better eye on Kenley while I work, its so much more open than the office and its a CHANGE! I think im going to keep it here forever... I got LOTS of work done with it here in the early hours of this morning.
ok so...I originally sat down to tell you about our last trip home... and all of the HILARIOUS and intelligent things Kenley has done since the last time we "talked."
Our first day home was spent in the lovely bay area where my mom picked us up from the Oakland airport and we made the rounds in the South City area... seeing both sets of my grandparents and enjoying the fresh COOL air. I cant tell you how good it felt!
The following day was the only day we stood still. Most of our mornings were spent walking with my best friends mom (and my friend) Jen Sims... absouletly LOVED watching her carry Kenley in the Ergo and try to walk both dogs.
Once we get to the Napa is when the total free-frall begins. We were either visting friends or being visted by friends the whole time we were there.
Our first weekend there was full of "bridal" activities, for my dear friend Makayla BRANCO! Her bridal shower and bachelorette parties were SO fun.
That following Tuesday we left for Tahoe... Tahoe my one true love. I spent SOOOO much time up there in high school, not so much time in college and hadnt been back since. Growing up I always said it was where I wanted to end up, raise my family and live til I die. Going back reminded me of why I once said that. We spent our time hiking, paddle boarding, swimming, shopping and simply taking in the beauty. I WILL end up there.
When we got back Gavin was finally able to come up!! I had missed him so much and was so excited to see him. He had just finished his first session of summer schoool and passed both classes with flying colors :)
He made it just in time for the real reason we came up in the first place... the BRANCO wedding! And boy was it well worth all the travel time. We had so much fun... and what a gorgeous wedding, and what a gorgeous couple. It was the best wedding I have ever been to... or ever even seen PICTURES of!!!! It was THAT well done. And as AC said "Makayla had a vision for the day... and she nailed it." We danced the night away and loved watching the happy couple together. The whole thing was perfection. As Gavin and I quickly approach our one year anniversary on Sunday it reminded us so much of the vows we took as well.
If I see one thing for Kenley's future... its two parents holding hands and sticking it out to the bitter end. I hope that for little Koa as well and I KNOW that Makayla and AC will make it because of the unconditional love they have for one another. I know that the "right" order is first being married and then starting a family but I feel like both of our relationships have already had one of the ultimate tests!... and what honest, loyal, and trusted MEN we have had by our sides. lucky us.
It is SO much easier to walk away from something than it is to make it work and I think I speak for Makayla as well when I say that I never do things the easy way :)
As I type, Kenley is fast asleep in her very low crib. I say that because our little escape artist's crib mattress is as close to the ground as it can go. Yep, I went in there two days ago when she had awoke from her nap to find one leg completely over the railing... talk about a close call. She is all kinds of busy these days... and Im loving it. It seems like all of the sudden she is doing TONS of new things at once.
Yesterday she waved to Gavin as he left for the gym and said "bye bye DaDa." ARE YOU KIDDING??!!?? I just about hit the floor.
Im still loving working on her sign language with her and its really starting to come in handy. Her newest signs are: water, please, thank you, doggie (so cute), SLEEP (which she uses a lot and even does it if you say "tired") and... I cant even think of the rest. She is getting too smart and its so weird being able to communicate with her!!! I love it though :)
Our house is gradually baby proofing itself as we have had to put up gates, move furniture around and put devices on doors, cupboards and droors. she is getting into EVERYTHING. I think it will be another month or so before she walking (which I am totally fine with!) I have read so many good things about babies taking their sweet time with walking... and it makes my job a lot easier for now! heck, both at home AND at Kissui (where my hours are picking up and im very excited about).
And speaking of things Im excited about... I find myself feeling this way a lot lately. and then I think about what it is Im excited about and it makes me appreciate a few simple things about myself, which I may not do enough. I just feel like being a mom gets you excited about the funniest things and when I think about what it is that Im so jazzed about it makes me laugh. This week it was: a new favorite cloth diaper (Kawaii Baby), a new hanging wet/dry bag for Kenley's room (by Planet Wise... SUPER cute print that matches her room perfectly), reusable wipes (by Thirsties) and some biodegradable liners (by Bummis) all courtesy of a very generous gift card to Kissui from my Grandma :)
Life is good in the Mills home <3
Well, as usual I feel like Im leaving lots out but thanks for stopping by!
Blog ya later, Jess
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