Rainy Days in Sacramento

Visitors from Arizona!

My Mom and Dad came to visit Tessa one week after her birth. Doesn't my Mom look awesome she lost 30 pounds!

My parents are amazing they have supported our family in every decision we have made and every challenge we have faced. Looking back over the past 10 years of our marriage I see so many ways my parents have loved and encouraged Josh and I. They were there when Josh was deployed to Iraq, they were there for each move, each graduation, each baby birth, they let us live with them. They continue to do this for our family and for each of my brothers and sisters and their families. I couldn't begin to make a list of all the ways they have shown their love to me. . . it would never be complete. My heart really fills with emotion when I think of my parents, they are what I hope to become. 

If anyone ever needs an example of how a grandpa should love their grandkids look no futher than my Dad. He has each one wrapped around his finger and they each have him wrapped around their little fingers.  I think this is because he just flat out loves them, he loves to make them laugh, he loves to know what they are interested in, he loves to show them things, he loves to just BE with them. My Dad will endure any and all pillows or blankets thrown on his head in a giant pile just so he can growl, tickle and laugh. It is the best noise in the world. I can't help but watch as I feel time stands still and he teaches my kids that they are loved and special to him. Notice how Marissa is resting her head on my Dad and that he willing choose to sit in the  squished tiny back seat? Marissa was a particular baby she would ONLY go to certain people. This rings true to this day and now she is 4. From the time she was old enough to recognize who was holding her my Dad has been at the top of her very small "golden list". He would let her sit with him for HOURS and never suggest she go anywhere else. My Dad would swing Ty to sleep on his arm when he was a baby. I know my sisters and brothers have similar stories. I never tire of spending time with my Dad and I know it will be the same with my kids.

Then there is my Mom. .  . . she has an amazing gift of knowing what people need and making things happen, that includes emotional, social and physical things. When I wanted to get home this summer she quickly volunteered to fly up to Sacramento and drive 16 hours back to Arizona. Then she turned right back around with me and drove 16 hours back to Sacramento and flew home to AZ. Each trip was great I  enjoyed being with her so much I had her all to myself which is a seriously special treat. She told me her "Garden Analogy" about life and it made a lot of sense just like my Mom always does. My Mom teaches me   with her gentle kindness and listening ear.  She also got my kids huge dipped ice cream cones in the middle of nowhere and we laughed as they melted faster than they could eat them because of the 100+ weather. My mom is an optimist and she can ease the stress of many crazy situations. She is full of great ideas. As soon as she arrived with my Dad to help me with the kids for two weeks; she surveyed my room and said, "Kara you have got to get a rocking chair in this room." And before you know it I had a chair and a dresser for the baby's clothes. My mother gives so much of herself to everyone with out any expectation of reciprocation. She is an unconditional giver. She knows how to Love.

When my parents were here to visit and see Tessa. We visited Apple Hill and checked out the pumpkin patch. It was funny because crowds of people swarm to these farms for a chance to see pumpkins and pet a cow or run through a hay bail maze. We grew up with these things in our back yard. And I must say the kids LOVED it and I realized they haven't grown up with these things like I did. There were always cows in the field below the house and there were plenty of pumpkins that I had helped plant, weed and kill the bugs on and then harvest for fall. I want to have a garden in the future and continue growing the things I love. We had the "famous Apple pie" but I really believe my Mom's apple pie's and desserts are better :).

Here are the girls in their beautiful dresses they are perfect for twirling. Evonne added the white waist ribbon which made them even cuter. Olivia requests this dress every Sunday. She can wear it for years because she can continue wearing Marissa's when her's becomes too small. The girls dance around the front room like ballerinas they are fun to watch as they pretend and giggle.

My mom stayed for 2 weeks to help with the kids. I was so lucky. She made many treats since it was almost  Halloween. I think she made 3 batches of Pumpkin cinnamon rolls with carmel frosting. Delicious! She had plenty of extra hands to help in the kitchen.



We walk to Cowan (Ty's school it's about 1/4mile) It's not a bad walk in the rain.

The rainy days in Sacramento will be short ones. We are only here for one year and then we will be off to another place and another home to find and love.

But this home has been a wonderful ones with many great times. This picture of Tessa is one of my favorite She is laying in the window of the family room listening to the rain fall only a few days old. And that is how we have spent the rainy days of Sacramento just soaking in the goodness of life. A new baby, great and loving company and sweet kids. I can only say Life is Very Very Good.

Halloween Costumes Two Fairy Princesses and a Skeleton


Three little sisters!


We love the leaves it's finally fall and Tessa is Here.