finally, here are some pictures. i apologize for the quality of them, they are from my cell phone. i've only shown pics of the rooms that are (semi) finished. rooms still to be done ... family room, dining room and all the bedrooms.
you can slow down or fast forward the slide show and even stop or reverse it. ENJOY! i am still working on finding the cord so we can download pics from our digital camera.
nic
** NEW SLIDE SHOW (same awful pics.)
PICTURED ABOVE ...
living rm, kitchen, and the kids bathroom.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
little by little
well, slowly but surely, our new home is coming along. thank you to all that have encouraged me through this difficult time. i'm very close to having another room done. and then it is time to tackle the kids rooms. YIKES! i just look in lexi's room and i turn around and walk away ... the boxes are stacked pretty high and just don't look nice. they aren't stacked neatly. i think i could handle it a little better if they looked nicer - is that insane? (don't answer that)
we are off to carlos' parents house to spend the night. tomorrow will be full of swimming and spending some time with the baby at carlos' sister's house.
i have to tell you about the dodger game the kids and i went to. sunday, the dodgers were playing the mets (GO METS!!) and i had promised the kids that i would take them to a game when they were playing each other ... and sunday was that day. well, unfortunately, it was an afternoon game so we had to rush from church to get there. (not to mention the heat of an afternoon game is very close to unbearable) 3 years ago when we were visiting CA, we took the kids to an afternoon game and vowed we'd never do it again because it was too hot ... i guess i didn't remember. anyway, i digress, ... we rushed home from church (carlos had to stay at church, so he missed all the fun), got changed into our mets AND dodger gear and headed off to the game with mapquest directions. but the problem with mapquest ... if you make a wrong turn, it is no longer a help, especially if you are lost in LA. there was construction, traffic, one way signs, and not a single sign for the freeway i needed to get back on. lets just say i wasn't in the best of moods. frustrated, ticked, not to mention, scared and disappointed b/c i didn't want to let the kids down b/c, oh, i didn't mention it was already the 4th or 5th inning. lexi kept saying to me, "mom, it's alright." and i think it was jackson that said, "we will just go to another game." long story short ... we found our way to the stadium, walked, i mean ran (me w/ tony in my arms) up a million stairs to find the one box office that was still open, got our tickets in the nose bleed section and enjoyed ourselves. the kids thought it was amazing. and to top it all off, God gave us extra innings and a met victory (GO METS!!).
wow, now i'm tired! i'll put a pic or two of the game on the blog (say it with me) 'once i can download pics.'
i must run now,
nic
we are off to carlos' parents house to spend the night. tomorrow will be full of swimming and spending some time with the baby at carlos' sister's house.
i have to tell you about the dodger game the kids and i went to. sunday, the dodgers were playing the mets (GO METS!!) and i had promised the kids that i would take them to a game when they were playing each other ... and sunday was that day. well, unfortunately, it was an afternoon game so we had to rush from church to get there. (not to mention the heat of an afternoon game is very close to unbearable) 3 years ago when we were visiting CA, we took the kids to an afternoon game and vowed we'd never do it again because it was too hot ... i guess i didn't remember. anyway, i digress, ... we rushed home from church (carlos had to stay at church, so he missed all the fun), got changed into our mets AND dodger gear and headed off to the game with mapquest directions. but the problem with mapquest ... if you make a wrong turn, it is no longer a help, especially if you are lost in LA. there was construction, traffic, one way signs, and not a single sign for the freeway i needed to get back on. lets just say i wasn't in the best of moods. frustrated, ticked, not to mention, scared and disappointed b/c i didn't want to let the kids down b/c, oh, i didn't mention it was already the 4th or 5th inning. lexi kept saying to me, "mom, it's alright." and i think it was jackson that said, "we will just go to another game." long story short ... we found our way to the stadium, walked, i mean ran (me w/ tony in my arms) up a million stairs to find the one box office that was still open, got our tickets in the nose bleed section and enjoyed ourselves. the kids thought it was amazing. and to top it all off, God gave us extra innings and a met victory (GO METS!!).
wow, now i'm tired! i'll put a pic or two of the game on the blog (say it with me) 'once i can download pics.'
i must run now,
nic
Monday, July 23, 2007
are we done yet?
i feel like i owe you some stories ... stories of our trip out here, stories of all the moving we've done, stories of how God has provided through all this, stories of how each of us are doing, etc etc etc ... but, wow, am i tired. (plus our camera isn't connected yet, so i can't download pics to remind me of all that has gone on)
but here i sit wanting all of you to know that we are starting to get settled. not quite sure how long it'll take us, but with every passing day we get a little closer. i have to keep reminding myself that it all didn't get packed in one day (can i get an Amen! LOL!) i'd like to pass our new address onto whomever wants it - so if you do, shoot me an email and i'll get it to you.
the kids are doing great, considering that most of their stuff is still packed. they, of course, have their moments, but for the most part are getting along very well. they have been playing 'face painting' a lot lately. actually, i should call it 'body painting'. lexi is mainly the artist and jackson and tony (and sometimes mommy and daddy) are the canvas'. fun times!
we are still without a dinning room table, so our meals are all picnic style. fun for the cleaning lady (me).
i do have two rooms finished (the kitchen and living room.) i really NEEDED to have at least one room done, so i could go in there and pretend the rest of the house is completed, too. it works for only a second.
hugs to all that want them!
nic
but here i sit wanting all of you to know that we are starting to get settled. not quite sure how long it'll take us, but with every passing day we get a little closer. i have to keep reminding myself that it all didn't get packed in one day (can i get an Amen! LOL!) i'd like to pass our new address onto whomever wants it - so if you do, shoot me an email and i'll get it to you.
the kids are doing great, considering that most of their stuff is still packed. they, of course, have their moments, but for the most part are getting along very well. they have been playing 'face painting' a lot lately. actually, i should call it 'body painting'. lexi is mainly the artist and jackson and tony (and sometimes mommy and daddy) are the canvas'. fun times!
we are still without a dinning room table, so our meals are all picnic style. fun for the cleaning lady (me).
i do have two rooms finished (the kitchen and living room.) i really NEEDED to have at least one room done, so i could go in there and pretend the rest of the house is completed, too. it works for only a second.
hugs to all that want them!
nic
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
NEVER doubt God's love for YOU!
what a whirlwind! ... again, not a lot of time ... i know once we get settled i will have mucho (see, i'm learning spanish already) time to write -LOL! i'm not even sure how to shorten a very incredible story that God has written for us (and is still writing), but i'll try.
we found a place to live! we had no business signing a lease w/o selling our house, but we really felt this was the place God had for us. God was saying, do you really trust Me with everything? so we signed a lease for a 3bed 2bath house, not knowing when our house would sell. and wouldn't you know it, the day after we stepped in the water (signed the lease) the river parted (we sold the house). God is truly amazing!! and He didn't just supply only what we needed but what we wanted, above what we could dream or imagine. Thank You Jesus!
so here's where we are right now ... our realtor is sending out the contract but we've already initaled a copy of it and faxed that to the buyers realtor. we actually unpacked our stuff INTO THE NEW PLACE (another answer to prayer. there is no way that we could have unpacked, repacked, and unpacked again. and if you were there the day we packed, you know what i'm talking about). and now i get to play house. today i will start the process of unpacking over a million boxes (at least that's what it looks like).
i guess that was longer than i thought ... but more to come, stay tuned!
nic
we found a place to live! we had no business signing a lease w/o selling our house, but we really felt this was the place God had for us. God was saying, do you really trust Me with everything? so we signed a lease for a 3bed 2bath house, not knowing when our house would sell. and wouldn't you know it, the day after we stepped in the water (signed the lease) the river parted (we sold the house). God is truly amazing!! and He didn't just supply only what we needed but what we wanted, above what we could dream or imagine. Thank You Jesus!
so here's where we are right now ... our realtor is sending out the contract but we've already initaled a copy of it and faxed that to the buyers realtor. we actually unpacked our stuff INTO THE NEW PLACE (another answer to prayer. there is no way that we could have unpacked, repacked, and unpacked again. and if you were there the day we packed, you know what i'm talking about). and now i get to play house. today i will start the process of unpacking over a million boxes (at least that's what it looks like).
i guess that was longer than i thought ... but more to come, stay tuned!
nic
Thursday, July 12, 2007
quick updates
KIARA NICHOLE was born yesterday!! baby and mother are doing great. for those of you that don't know, carlos' sister and husband have been trying to have a baby for 7 years. after extensive treatment (all natural), they conceived and are now the proud parents of an 8lbs 2oz baby girl!
we are still in negotiations over our house. the price we feel is still a little low, but at this point we just want to sell.
and as for a place out here ... we are going to meet with the landlord of the house in lakewood tonight while the kids go to VBS.
that's all for now!
nic
we are still in negotiations over our house. the price we feel is still a little low, but at this point we just want to sell.
and as for a place out here ... we are going to meet with the landlord of the house in lakewood tonight while the kids go to VBS.
that's all for now!
nic
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
torn
today i feel pulled in too many directions. how do i choose between financial stability and my kids wellbeing? i may be being a little over dramatic, but i am finding that i am the one that has to compromise my ideals that i wanted for our family. let me explain ...
i don't know how to start, so i just write ...
i really like the 1 house we looked at. so much so that we went back to look at it again last night and i have talked with the landlord a couple times. i know, it sounds a little ridiculous to have only looked at one place. but really, it fulfills all my expections ... SAFE neighborhood, BIG backyard (by CA standards), and GREAT schools (ranking 8 and 9). one (or 2) simple facts remain, we haven't sold our house (sidenote - we did receive a LOW offer, so we have countered ... outcome still to be determined). and carlos is only employed P/T. so our choices become ... stay in fontana, where the rent is free, carlos commutes an hour one way, kids are in a sub-par school and must move after a year (which many of you know i did not want to budge on that one. i really feel strongly about NOT moving the kids from school to school), and really the kids (and myself) don't feel as if we are home (not that carlos' family isn't doing a superb job of makng us feel at home - but you know what i mean, right?) OR we rent this house in lakewood, overextending ourselves financially (until, of course our house sells, carlos is F/T and i pick up a P/T job), but have security in knowing that our kids are safe, getting a good education and are in a neighborhood that we will be in for years to come because it is so close to the church (thus no shuffling of schools), we would have a good size (gated) backyard where the kids can play and i will know that they are safe (also, a very important transition ideal i had). i don't believe this a decision that we have to make right now (although i am afraid of losing the chance of getting this house), but a decision that will have to be made soon because i will need to register the kids for school somewhere. SO, we have a few weeks to process and would love your continued prayers and input (craig, i just read your email and will do some research - thanks for the info.). God is moving, i feel that, i just want to make a decision that will not hurt our family one way or another.
thanks for reading and i hope i'm not coming across as whiny or doubtful ... just processing, that's all.
nic
i don't know how to start, so i just write ...
i really like the 1 house we looked at. so much so that we went back to look at it again last night and i have talked with the landlord a couple times. i know, it sounds a little ridiculous to have only looked at one place. but really, it fulfills all my expections ... SAFE neighborhood, BIG backyard (by CA standards), and GREAT schools (ranking 8 and 9). one (or 2) simple facts remain, we haven't sold our house (sidenote - we did receive a LOW offer, so we have countered ... outcome still to be determined). and carlos is only employed P/T. so our choices become ... stay in fontana, where the rent is free, carlos commutes an hour one way, kids are in a sub-par school and must move after a year (which many of you know i did not want to budge on that one. i really feel strongly about NOT moving the kids from school to school), and really the kids (and myself) don't feel as if we are home (not that carlos' family isn't doing a superb job of makng us feel at home - but you know what i mean, right?) OR we rent this house in lakewood, overextending ourselves financially (until, of course our house sells, carlos is F/T and i pick up a P/T job), but have security in knowing that our kids are safe, getting a good education and are in a neighborhood that we will be in for years to come because it is so close to the church (thus no shuffling of schools), we would have a good size (gated) backyard where the kids can play and i will know that they are safe (also, a very important transition ideal i had). i don't believe this a decision that we have to make right now (although i am afraid of losing the chance of getting this house), but a decision that will have to be made soon because i will need to register the kids for school somewhere. SO, we have a few weeks to process and would love your continued prayers and input (craig, i just read your email and will do some research - thanks for the info.). God is moving, i feel that, i just want to make a decision that will not hurt our family one way or another.
thanks for reading and i hope i'm not coming across as whiny or doubtful ... just processing, that's all.
nic
Monday, July 9, 2007
shock!
all i can say is wow ... did anyone warn us as to how expensive it is to live out here - LOL. the family went looking for a place to live yesterday after church. we saw a really nice place that was in a really nice neighborhood but didn't have a really nice price. so now, we continue to look, commute an hour, and pray that our house back east sells as we watch for what God lays before us.
our first week at LLCF was great. the people we met were very friendly and welcomed us in as family. we will be commissioned in next sunday. there is VBS this week that the kids want to attend, but, again, the commute may be a little much to do daily. we are planning to go at least twice, so when the kids are at VBS carlos and myself can look for residence.
thanks for all the words of encouragement! i love hearing from you all. unfortunately, i am not able to be online as much as usual and i don't have a bunch of time to myself ... but i promise i will continue to try and keep in touch as best as time allows.
many hugs from me!
nic
our first week at LLCF was great. the people we met were very friendly and welcomed us in as family. we will be commissioned in next sunday. there is VBS this week that the kids want to attend, but, again, the commute may be a little much to do daily. we are planning to go at least twice, so when the kids are at VBS carlos and myself can look for residence.
thanks for all the words of encouragement! i love hearing from you all. unfortunately, i am not able to be online as much as usual and i don't have a bunch of time to myself ... but i promise i will continue to try and keep in touch as best as time allows.
many hugs from me!
nic
Saturday, July 7, 2007
We're Here
for those of you that haven't heard, we have made it to CA safe and sound. what a trip! i would love to sit and journal of all of our stops and the fabulous friends that we stopped to visit but time right now is limited. hopefully soon i will be able to download some pics from our trip cross country and share with you the incredible hospitallity that was shown to us. i will also, time permitting, share with you the emotionalility (is that a word) that went along with the final drive away and the overwhelming love that was shown to us our final months, weeks, days and hours.
to give you a quick update ... carlos and i are enjoying some days of much needed relaxation. the kids are swimming tons and have the tans to prove it. they all have amazing skin. i, on the other hand, am suffering from lobster syndrom. but i went right back out there today like a champ, a decision i am sure i will be paying for later. all three of the kids are diving. i can't believe how well tony is doing. we all know what a daredevil jax is but tony i expected to take awhile to get comfortable in the water. not so. lexi is actually diving because tony was and she couldn't let her baby brother do something she couldn't.
i hope to being getting some pics on here soon. thank you to all that have been praying for us, i can definitely feel them and don't stop ... God is still moving and still has a lot to unveil to us.
much love to you all!!
nic
to give you a quick update ... carlos and i are enjoying some days of much needed relaxation. the kids are swimming tons and have the tans to prove it. they all have amazing skin. i, on the other hand, am suffering from lobster syndrom. but i went right back out there today like a champ, a decision i am sure i will be paying for later. all three of the kids are diving. i can't believe how well tony is doing. we all know what a daredevil jax is but tony i expected to take awhile to get comfortable in the water. not so. lexi is actually diving because tony was and she couldn't let her baby brother do something she couldn't.
i hope to being getting some pics on here soon. thank you to all that have been praying for us, i can definitely feel them and don't stop ... God is still moving and still has a lot to unveil to us.
much love to you all!!
nic
Monday, July 2, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
