sealing my little brother

Last week, the Collins family had the amazing privilege of going to the San Diego temple and finally sealing the youngest, Eman, to our family! He was adopted a year and a half ago but we were waiting for all family members to be present for the sealing. It was such a sweet moment and was such a strong reminder that families are eternal.


picture by the little's
We love Eman and we are blessed to have him be a part of our family forever.

This house, our home

This house was built roughly around 1912. It has the horse hair in its plaster and dated newspapers in its instillation to prove it.

This house was originally built in downtown San Diego where the post office is now located.

This house was picked up and transported on a truck and relocated just outside of downtown and placed on a vacant lot. This was around World War II when building efforts were focused on making "the birds" and other war equipment. Instead of building new houses, it was very common to see a house relocated by truck.

This house is sideways. The new lot was too long and not wide enough for this house. They placed it sideways resulting in no front door.

This house was purchased in 1966 by my grandparents and they lived in it with their two young daughters. They made it even more beautiful than it was, filled it with joy and love from a beautiful family. And grandpa even made a front door.

This house served as a family house where the daughters courted their husbands, married them and brought grandchildren into its welcoming atmosphere.

This home served as a home for my grandma where she mothered her children, was a host to many parties and enjoyed the comfort and love in her last year.

This home was fixed and kept by my grandfather where he changed or built anything to make his family feel comfortable.

This home has served as a loving place for this family: grandparents, parents, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren.

This home is very special to us and we will do our best to fill it with love and kindness as it always has been in the time that we are here.

This home is not ours to keep but we are glad to be here within its walls.

friday fotos

A few from the birthday shoot by the little's
This guy is so funny and makes me laugh constantly. He has such a curious mind and his own agenda.
Although, last night after the bath, I didn't get a diaper on him quick enough and I wasn't paying attention and he pooped. While I was scrambling to clean up the first mess (assuming he was done) he did it again. And I found it on his face ... and mouth.
Gross. I learned my lesson.

Moving Madness

This past week has been crazy to say the least. A whirlwind of moving out and then moving in. I am about to lose my mind with the idea of how long this may take and feeling ill that it may consume the precious few weeks of summer.
Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled with where we are moving into. The house is incredible and we totally lucked out on many levels.
But I just have to concentrate on one task at a time and prevent myself from being overwhelmed by the whole.

Here are a few things that are keeping me sane as we move into the new nest:

Mr. Clean magic erasers: Wonderful invention. Bath tubs are no longer a dreaded chore. I use them for everything from walls to cleaning my shoes. They have helped me clean the old place and the new.

Nutella: There was a time where I was spreading garlic artichoke humus on just about everything. This is the same thing but with nutella, minus my body giving off a strong garlic stench. I don't give myself much time to eat but I can slap nutella on something and eat it. Or just eat it plain.

My bambino: Even though he is following me around and undoing everything I am putting away, he still manages to keep me smiling.


My husband: He comes home from work thanking me for every little detail I have accomplished that day. Makes me feel like superwoman.

The moving end is near... {right?}

mom's birthday

hi ken!




sunday: We had such a lovely birthday feast for my momma! My SIL Ashley and I made most of the food and Ashley made strawberry shortcake that was divine! We feasted on steak and double baked/stuffed potatoes and the yummy dessert. We all left about 5 lbs. heavier. at least.

monday: To my mother's request (I wasn't complaining), we went up to L.A. and did some lunch and shopping at the Grove. My sister Courtney brought her American girl doll Kirstin to the American girl store where you can pay to have your doll pampered in he salon or spa ( I would have brought mine too if I knew it was going to be that awesome). Courtney chose to have her doll's ears pierced! Didn't know they could do that?! We lunched at Cheesecake Factory and hit our favorites for shopping.










Our girls birthday outing was a success (thanks to Shannon for watching KrewBear) and of course my mother made it a fun day for all of us.
And in the end, Kirstin was very pleased with her new makeover.
From girl on the prairie to fashionista. Bam.

my new trained pup

You didn't know I had a pup? Indeed I do!

I have trained my little new pup to clean up after himself. I change his diaper, wrap it all up, and give the diaper to my pup. He takes it to the kitchen where he lifts up the trashcan lid and throws it inside.
Isn't that brilliant?! He can clean up after himself.

I was so pleased with his new trick! I was impressed by his understanding and maturity and was planning future tricks in my head like matching his socks together. When his father came home that night, I gleefully showed him the new trick that he performed perfectly. I gave him a little bit of the Belgium chocolate I was eating as a treat for a job well done. His father said I was treating him like a dog and I shouldn't give positive reinforcement. Never mind that, he was doing such a good job!

The next day he performed the trick several times. Even carrying his diaper up a stair to get to his trash can.
In the afternoon, we were going for an outing when I couldn't find my flip flops... and then I couldn't find baby's flip flops... and I searched our itty bitty house realizing they were no where to be found.

I went in the kitchen for something entirely different when I came across this...

and this...

both pairs of flip flops sitting in the trashcan.

No Belgium chocolate for you, pup.
I'm not so sure we're completely ready for the trick unsupervised because I'm still missing our coasters.

Let him EAT CAKE!

I had Krew's pictures taken for his big one year mark. I happen to have really talented friends, Tyler and Barbara (you should really check out their blog and watch the AWESOME videos they make), who took some amazing shots of him. I know I am posting a lot of pictures but believe me, this is already cutting out so many good ones. Krew was a little cranky at first but once that cake came out with the oh-so-tempting icing balloons, he had so much fun. I am so glad Tyler and Barbara were able to do this and what an amazing bunch of pictures we got!

Those two front teeth are just waiting to come out! Can you see them? That is Krew on a sugar high.
Krew learned that frosting tastes really good and that birthdays are fun. I love his little personality and these pictures capture it perfectly.

escaping the heat

I am loving Emman's pose. He pulls these out of nowhere.
This week we have been escaping the heat and heading to the water! Our little house gets way too hot (no AC in house or car... ah!) and so we have to go do something fun (ex. beach, splash park, pool). rough life.

The other night we joined my parents and family in going to a very authentic mexican food restaurant. A little too authentic for my liking. and can't they use another, more appetizing name other than "guts"?





Healthy.

Two things I'm looking forward to in the near future:

• We're moving into a different house! not too far though... And I'm really excited.
• Chase (my bro-in-law) and Lisa's wedding! I love those two together. And they can pretty much thank Kylie and I. :)
  
• And my good friend Kristin is coming to visit in Sept.!

An exciting few months ahead.
And we're loving this wonderful summer weather! Keep it coming.