this is it

It was finally time to take the girls to see their first movie... This is It.

If you know me, I grew up loving Michael Jackson. My family would watch all his videos and my brother and I would re-enact all of them (we have tons of videos to prove it). He thought he was Michael and I just wanted to be a dancer/choreographer. Ben also grew up listening and loving Michael, but good thing he wasn't trying to be a Michael Jackson dancer like me! My girls have been passed down the love for MJ and everytime we are driving that is what they want to listen to. Now, with the movie out, we thought it was the perfect start to their movie experience. Before their introduction to the movies we went out for a family dinner.

Then, off to the movies we went...



They were in awe. They ate popcorn and they had a grand time, except when Thriller came on, as it scared them a bit. We were impressed that they stayed awake and were quiet the whole time, except when True would have to exclaim she loved a certain song. We were definitely glad that their first movie experience was with Michael. It was a fun family evening!

Now True tells me...

"Mommy, I want to see Michael Jackson again. Can we go after the baby is born?"

"We will see. Maybe, we can just rent the video and watch it at home."

"No Mommy! I like it on the BIG TV!!!" (as her arms spread open wide)

a storybook surprise

Sunday afternoon seemed normal. I mean, we went to worship with our church family in the morning, grabbed some yummy lunch with friends, and then headed over to my parents to pick up True's dance recital video (or so I thought). Once we got to my parents' house, Ben asked, "Do you want to go in or should I?" I said, "I'll just go." I planned on being quick, so then we could head home. I tried to open the door, but it was locked, so I rang the doorbell.

Immediately, the door opened and to my happy surprise, despite the look on my face, a lot of my friends were standing there and yelled, "Surprise!" At least I think that is what they said, but I was so shocked that I can't remember. The first thing that went through my head was "huh?!!" as I saw Danni, who was supposed to be in Seattle, then Cheryl, who was visiting her parents in San Bernardino and Frances, who has a sick little baby at home. I was utterly confused! Not to mention, I had already pinned my hair out of my face, barefoot at the door, and was stinky cause we just ate food with a whole bunch of garlic! I was not party ready, but party ready I had to be! I was not cute!!! Had I known I was going to a party, my newest baby's party, I would have sewn myself a new dress! But then I guess it was a surprise after all and definitely surprised I was.

(I looked so horrible, but I was so confused!!!)

Danni even took video of this hilarious moment and I will share it once it is up (because I already know she is dying to share it, but really my face makes me feel so embarrassed). After my shock and retrieval of my shoes (cause swollen feet are not cute), I continued on to the backyard where I was greeted by such a wonderful display of goodies! The baby shower theme was all about books. It was perfect for the crafter and teacher in me! Each yummilicious dish was accompanied with a poladroid picture (cause everyone knows I love polaroids) of its corresponding book. Everything was absolutely delightful and a crafter's heaven. I mean seriously, it was just all to darling and creative!!!

I was in awe of everything and ate everything, even though I just come from eating a ginormous lunch. I had so many questions as to how they pulled this off. I had no idea and I just kept telling anyone who asked about a baby shower not to worry about it as this was my third and another girl, so this was very unexpected.

The four of us, soon to be five, were so, so grateful and thankful to God for such good friends who love to support us and shower us with love. God is really so good!

The brains and the invite behind the dreamy storybook surprise... Danni, Linda, and Helen, but missing is Ellen who was moving that day.

This is the outcome when you have craft/design bloggers, a teacher, a super organized person and good friends all rolled into one... they throw one heck of a cute party!!! Thanks guys! You are the absolute best!!! I loved it all!!!

And thank you so much to everyone else who came and showered us with love... we are blessed by all of you!!!

*photos taken by my baby sister and Helen and can read more about it on Helen's blog.

a big uh-oh!

This was done by our little artist True. Her imagination and art has no limits.

Trust me, I was furious. Though at the same time, amazed because she is good. At least, we think so. Her picture even has a story. You should ask her sometime...

I guess that is what I get for encouraging art and imagination!

True's first recital

True was so cute in her recital. Actually, all the little girls were just darling. It is funny because True takes dance so seriously and does what the teacher says. Although, towards the end she got a bit distracted. We also know she has a shy face that she kept doing. When other kids were smiling and saying cheese to the audience, True's face was serious or her "shy face."

Ben and I felt so grown-up as we drove to her recital. We were both kinda dressed nicely and while we were driving we said, "This feels so weird. I feel old!" I guess this is just the beginning of feeling older, not that we are old by any means.

Brave was mesmerized the entire time. If you asked her, "Do you want to dance?" She would give a very eager, "Yes!" She wants to be just like big sister, so if big sister does a "shy face" (pictured below), then you bet your dollar Brave will do it too!

(last three above pictures taken by Auntie RJ)

We love our little ballerina and little Brave...

i love birthdays

Like our familial tradition, that started in the Navales family, I got breakfast in bed with Ben's added tradition of his little food characters.

My husband and daughters showered me with a wonderful homemade card and my newest camera.

The day was spent out thrifting with my little ladies and the night spent devouring Japanese food. It was yum.

I loved all the little smooches throughout the day and being able to spend it with my sweet little family. I love True and Brave (even little babycakies). I love Benny. I love birthdays. I just love it all! God is just so, so good!!!

Thank you Lord for giving me another year. May I fight to love you more this year. Please use me for your glory...

friday night polaroids

We went to a corn maze and got lost. We yelled, screamed, scared and chased each other. True even got to ride a little horsey named Rosebud. She loved every minute of it. Memory hunting is lots of fun...

lost in a corn maze

We finally made it out to Temecula to get lost in the corn maze. I have never been in a corn maze before, it has always been kind of a dream. I must say, we were not disappointed! We went in and the sun was out and we came out and the sun was gone.