My Very Own Christmas Miracle

Okay, I've been meaning to write about this for a while, but I have been so busy, that I haven't had much time. But we have had our very own Christmas miracle here in our house this year, and I would be very ungreateful if I didn't shout my blessings from the rooftops.

We moved into our house a little over 5 years ago when it was just the 6 of us. Since then we have had 2 children and my parents have moved in. Now there are 10 of us. When we bought this house it was at the height of the market. With the housing market crisis, we would have to stay in this townhome for a very long time. So we are walking away and starting over. We have been looking all summer for a house, with no success. Either I would call for an appointment and the would rent it before I was able to get in , or it was in the wrong area, or it was too small, or they didn't want 10 people living in their house. And then we found out we needed to be out in 3 weeks! Which wouldn't be so bad except there are not very many houses in the area we wnat to live in that would be suitable for us. And the ones that we kept finding were not working out. So we did the only thing we could think of and handed it over to the Lord. I had faith that not only would He lead us to the right house but that He would also soften the hearts of the owners to let us live there. The first house I found that was a real option for us had a death in their business, and it took forever for them to get back to us and tell us that it was a no. Thankfully when I figured it would take them a while to hear back from them I called a Real Estate agent to see if she knew of something I didn't know of...She didn't...I was very dissapointed. There were two houses that I was curious about though, the problem was that they weren't in our ward, they were in the San Pedro ward. I just got a new calling a month ago and I thought there was no way we were supposed to be in the other ward, if I had just recieved this calling.

But we kept praying and packing and looking for houses on the internet. As it turns out not too many people put their houses on the market right before Christmas, so we were getting down to the wire, and we go to see this house on a Friday. And it was perfect. Everything we wanted and needed in a house and more. So the agent e-mailed me the application. They needed one from all adults over 18 which means she needed 4, she wanted a couple of other things too, it was Friday, I had it ready at about noon on Sat. I called her and e-mailed her but I guess she was done working so I waited till Monday. Still packing, still praying that we would find a house the clock ticking till we needed to be out of the house. Monday morning first thing I handed over the app, and she told me that the other real estate agent was out of the country till Friday afternoon. I was so frustrated now I had a week of not knowing and then I still had to keep looking for a place. So I did, one day I saw three places, one of them might have worked for us but it was 300 sq ft less than our town home. It make me sad. I kept praying and packing. Saturday afternoon I heard back from the agent that we got the place, and that we could be in by the Monday before Christmas. I was so happy, this means we can have Christmas together in our new home. It is so perfect for us, it has a nice back yard, a big living room with a view of Catalina Island, one of the most gorgeous kitchens I've been in. And probably the best thing is an apartment for my parents. I think (know) they get tired of constantly being on top of us, so it is so nice that they can have their own room that the kids can't just walk into. They have a living room, kitchenette, dining area and a bedroom and bathroom. It will be wonderful for them especially since they have a storage unit full of stuff to put into it, that we have been trying to get them to get rid of for a long time. Not only did Heavenly Father hear our prayers He gave us something we didn't even know to ask for. I feel so blessed to have a loving Heavenly Father that looks out for us and provides for us and has pity on us in our hour of need.

Our Christmas miracle is simple, it's that we will have a Christmas in our own home together. Something that wasn't easy but it will be so worth it.

Felt Food

I think at the begining of this post I must mention I have become a little obssesed with Pinterest. It's wonderful and makes me want to be more creative and crafty. I saw that someone had pinned felt food that was really cute, and I thought to myself we don't need felt food, but then I realized it was my niece's birthday and she could probably use some of it. So after not being able to find the original post on pinterest, I googled it, I found a ton of really good ideas. After making them I have decided what I liked about what I did and what I will do differently next time. But I think that they all turned out cute anyway. Chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies with pink frosting.

Bread Pizza

Strawberries, they are so cute.

Carrots, I actually made these at the doctor whilst waiting for my dad with 5 kids. Jamie helped sew up the top of them. I was quite impressed with her patience. She did a great job. And Kaylee loved the food too.

Disneyland

Here's one of all 6 of my sweethearts Thursday night, we had such a blast!

With a broken ankle going to Disneyland isn't so easy. I like to go in the fall, everyone's back in school and the lines are shorter. But we haven't been able to go...Thursday was the perfect day to go. We have no soccer practice, it's not too hot and there's no school on Friday. James wasn't able to get out of work early to go, so I set off with 6 kids all by myself. We had such a wonderful time. They were mostly finished decorating for Christmas, Jamie was so cute when she saw this tree she wanted to bring Grammie to see it.

3D glasses for Midway Mania. At first I had John's glasses on my head, but he was really excited to wear them and kept them on the whole time.

Josh was excited to go on the ride...can you tell?

Toby was such a good helper, going on the rides with some of the younger kids so we could all go on the rides.

This must've been a good book because Tyler couldn't take his eyes off of it

Soccer

We only have two kids playing soccer this year. Abby and Josh. Abby loves soccer, it's the only sport she ever wants to play. Josh on the other hand gave me a little resistance at first, but he loves it now a month into it. Abby is getting good at soccer, she is playing defense this year, but she wants to play forward. She wants to be in the action, but Saturday she got a little action on defense. Look at the determination in her face. She loves this game! She never complains about it at all.

See what I mean....defense! Go Lightning!

Josh's team doesn't really have positions. He's in U8 this year, but it's really just glorified swarm ball. He doesn't do well in the "swarm" but he does well when he's not around too many other kids.

At first he complained about all the running, but he's over it now, he loves running. It looks like he'll be first to the ball here! Go team Beast!

Sunday Evening Crafts

I have had way too much fun on Pinterest lately, there are so many cute things to do out there. Being able to put them all together is a great idea, I love it. So when Toby and James had to go to a fireside tonight and we had a little time before bed I thought we should take advantage of the time. Here's a cute one I found for Halloween...a bunting. I thought the kids would have so much fun doing this boy was I right. There were a few of these on the website, but Tyler, Abby, and Josh came up with some new creations.

From left to right: Tyler's own creation a wizard, Abby's candy corn, Joshua's ghost/vampire, Abby's cat, and Tyler's crazy face.

Jamie's pumpkin, Abby's vampire (it's supposed to be a girl, but to me it looks like a man with side burns), my candy corn, Joshua's spider.

My ghost, Jamie's Frankenstein, Jamie's owl, and Tyler's vampire.

The kids had so much fun creating their own pennants. When I was putting them to bed they were asking when we were going to do it again.

15 Years

Last week was our 15 year anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long. It sounds way longer than it feels. We don't get away every year but we try to get away at least every 5 years. This year we debated over where to go. The final decision was a day at Disneyland and a day at the L.A. County Fair, and a day to relax. When I broke my ankle I thought for sure we would have to cancel our trip, but we decided to press forward. My dad has a scooter so we used that so we would still be able to go on our trip. James was all excited because we were going to get to go on all the rides as handicapped.

We started off the day with a tour at Disneyland. It was very interesting to see how Walt Disney envisioned Disneyland. We got to learn alot about Disneyland and we got to see the lobby of Club 33. It was very nice, maybe someday we'll get to eat there.

This is us waiting for Star Tours.

We got on Tower of Terror so quickly we did it twice. It was so much fun. We took it easy the whole day, a thing that never happens with kids.

The next day we went to the L.A.County Fair. I think I've only been there once and James had never been there. There was a chainsaw carving demo first thing, so we hustled over there, it was really neat. In less than 10 minutes he carved a bear out of a block of wood. Then we watched the log sports show. The stuff they did was crazy.

James was totally caught off guard when we walked in and he saw frosting shots. That was all he could think about. So before we even got lunch he got it. He had to pick a topping, he ended up with gummy be3ars. He didn't like the gummy bears, but he loved the frosting. We ate a bunch of stuff that day, but nothing totally weird like the deep fried kool-aid, or the deep fried avocado. But we did have potato chip nachos, which were o.k. It was a nice day of shopping and eating. Another low key day.

Sunday we relaxed, we slept in (till Toby called asking where his church shirt was) and we had a leasurely breakfast. Watched a couple movies and had lunch before we came home. It was so nice to have some peace and quiet. Which it wasn't when we got home. So now it's back to the daily grind.

happy anniversary James!

First Day of Preschool!

Jamie started Preschool this year. She was so excited, I have to admit I was a little excited too. To only have one kid at home I was planning so much to do while she was gone! It was gonna be great! I had some PTO stuff to get done before we took her to school, so I totally didn't get any pics taken the morning of the first day, plus we were a couple minutes late. I hate that! Whenever I start my day out late I feel like the whole rest of the day goes bad and I'm running late to everything.

So we had our first board meeting before the first PTO meeting of the year. It went well, we got all the wrinkles smoothed out and then I looked at the clock, it was 11:54!! 6 minutes to get me and John to preschool 10 minutes away!!
So we got in the car and rushed to school, ran up the hill and was the last one there!!! UGH! not good thankfully Jamie didn't seem to care! There is a flight of stairs and a ramp and the kids wanted to take the stairs.

Well we took the stairs and I missed the last one, fell down and broke my ankle! It was super embarrassing, there were some mom that helped me out and all the preschool teachers came to investigate. Jamie's teacher even followed us home and helped me get the kids in. She was very sweet.

In the days that followed I have been (and continue to be) blessed with an outpouring of love and help. We had dinner brought in every night last week, and someone was here to help me with kids, they even helped with laundry and dishes. I feel so greatful to have people in my life that are willing to hlep me in my time of need. I can't drive for 6 weeks so this story is not over and I still have lots of people helping drive me to doctor appoinments, taking the kids to soccer, to and from school and preschool. It is really frustrating to be stranded, but at the same time I am so very thankful to know that I have friends willing to help.

19 years ago

19 years ago I moved to California from Illinois just before my Senoir year of High School. It was pretty traumatic for me, I didn't want to leave my friends at all. When I moved to California thankfully I made some friends from church. 2 days after the school year started we had a stake dance, I went. I have had a history of short friends that seem to always want to set me up, and when I ask if the guy is tall they always answer yes totally tall....and then I'm almost always taller. So I created a height requirement so my short friends would understand the acceptable height of any guy I would dance/date. So here I am at this dance with some short girls who say, your new lets find you a guy. I go along with it, but I tell them about the height requirement. Anyway long story short he passed (as did I because he also had a height requirement) and the rest is as they say history.
Here we are 17 years old, just started dating not having any idea what the future had in store for us. I think we look so cute. Who knew we'd get married and have 6 kids! I can't believe it's been 19 years it sounds like such a long time, but it sure doesn't feel like it, he got me through my senior year and so much more!

First Day of School

I guess I better get this posted before the third day of school starts. When I was a kid my mom took the First Day of School pictures, I totally thought we were the only family that did that. I don't know why, but I did. I thought it was some cruel tradition she was trying to carry on. Thanks to Facebook, I now realize everyone takes them. I can't believe we actually got a good one with all the kids, they all look so happy to be going to school don't they?! John's just excited to have me to himself.

Toby- He is in 8th grade this year. I can't believe we only have one year till High School and all that it entales. Toby is getting so much more responsible. He is able to take care of kids so I can take kids to soccer practice, or the dr. It is nice not having to tote everyone around all the time. He is such a nice brother and loves to help out his younger siblings, it's such a joy to watch.

Tyler-7th grade! I can't believe how big he's gotten over the summer. he has really grown. He loves to read and loves math so very much. He is so smart and funny and generally a goof ball. He has just bridged to Boy Scouts and is very excited for the responsiblitly that comes along with it.

Abby- 4th grade. She is such a good sister. She is so patient with them, she taught Jamie how to swim this summer. When I told her we needed to take pictures, she was first in line. Posed and ready.(As a side note I made the t-shirt, isn't it cute?)

Josh-1st grade He is becoming such a good reader, except all he wants to read lately are the Star Wars books, not one particularly but all of them. He loves school and thankfully he has 3 of his best friends in his class again this year. A funny thing about Josh is that he will not wear shorts, he has been wearing jeans all summer long, he is so afraid he will be cold if he doesn't.

Jamie-Preschool. This sin't actually her first day, but we were pretending like it was. She is so excited for Preschool, it's almost painful that she hasn't started yet. She is getting so mature I can't believe it. Good luck Jamie.

Vacation #3 Grant Grove and Moro Rock

The next day we went to Grant Grove and Moro Rock. The drive to Grant Grove was a little over an hour from where we were staying. It was another beautiful drive. Along the drive you leave Sequoia National Park and enter the Sequoia National Forest, and then back into the Park again. This is a picture from one of the lookouts. Absolutely breathtaking. You can't see anything man made at all, it is mountains for all to see. The kids hiked down a little to see the view with Eric, it was nice to stretch our legs.

In Grant Grove there were two trees that had fallen down and you could walk through them. The kids had so much fun running through them. They made up a little song that was very obnoxious as a parent, but also sadly catching.

walking in the tree. :)

General Grant. It's either the biggest tree or the heaviest tree. Either way it's pretty cool. The trail that you take to get there is amazing, such beautiful trees. We don't have many trees here in Los Angeles, so it was so fun to be in such a naturally beautiful place.

Let me just say I have some goofy kids, even if one of these kids isn't mine!

After Grant Grove we went to Moro Rock. It is a hike that consists of 400 stairs. My kids decided to count them, I thought I was going to die. I didn't want to know how many we had done, I just wanted to focus on getting there, it was another steep hike, but well worth it. With a breathtaking 360 degree views it is awesome!

Eric and Bryce Eckstrom

Our Family: Tyler, Toby, Abby, Me, Jamie, James, John and Josh.

Josh at the top. Look at those crazy people that climbed onto the other side of the bar! It's a pretty steep drop they are ridiculus!

Abby at the Top. She loved the hike it was super easy for her.

Jamie, She can be such a ham.

Toby! Opps, I didn't realize I got one where he wasn't looking! Isn't the view amazing!

Tyler with another great view.

Tyler, James and John. John had heat stroke that night. I'm pretty sure this is where it started. He was not a happy camper here or for the rest of the night. Thankfully he was feeling better in the morning.

The hike down, there were some narrow rocks. We had a wonderful vacation, it was our first time camping as a family. We definately had a few bumps along the way, but we will definately do it again. I still believe we can do anything, as long as we do it together.

Vacation #2

When you're camping fires are an important part of the picture. We sent Toby out for wood in the morning. This is what he came back with! I was skeptic that he wouldn't be able to cut it down to size. But as it turns out Toby can put his mind to anything, if he wants. As it turns out John loves to climb rocks! He was having so much fun climbing on and jumping off. All morning long.

Toby splitting the log. I think he cut it into about 6 or 7 pieces, I was quite amazed!

We had to change campsites the second morning we were there. It quite the ordeal, three tents, 2 bear boxes, clothes for 11 people. The first campsite was tiered and backed into the mountains, it was so cool. The second one was flat and really close. It felt like a step down at first, but in the end I enjoyed it. Here is a view from the picnic benches. The boys were in this close tent, Eric and Leah were in the red one, James and I and the girls and John were in our tent next to Eric and Leah's.

Bryce and the other kids had so much fun using the logs as guns, so they could play Starcraft...apparently 3 days without a tv or computer makes you have to be creative and play your own computer games.

In the afternoon we went to Crystal Cave. They don't sell any tickets at the Cave so you have to buy them and then drive for an hour to the cave. It's a total commitment. But the drive there is beautiful. It is a long and windy road, which doesn't really say much because all the roads up there are pretty windy!

Josh, what a goof ball. Sometimes he takes the funniest pictures. Once you've driven for an hour it's a 1/2 mile hike down to the cave. It's pretty steep, but gorgeous.

The hike down.

The entrance to the cave. It was beautiful. I have been in 2 other caves in my life, neither one of them had quite a grand entrance. The opening was huge! Once you got to the bottom of the trail you could feel the cool air coming out. It was a warm day, and pretty humid, the cave felt like air conditioning!

James and the kids at the entrance to the cave. James wore John in the backpack down the trail, but we couldn't wear the backpack in so John was running around happy to be free.

In the cave while I was taking pictures I thought they were a lot better than they actually turned out to be. But here are a couple of the inside of the cave. It was amazing!

This is the top of one of the rooms, the stalacmites starting to grow down.

The hike back was a 1/2 mile up the hill we just came down. It was hot and the end of the day, I fell behind, but I totally enjoyed the view. The trail was beautiful.

Splitting logs was a reoccuring theme on this trip. Eric got this log and was determined to break it down. James and Eric worked for a while to break it up using the two hatchets we had, it was actually quite comical.

The greatest entertainment was when Eric felt that the hatchets were no longer needed and he would just break the log apart with his bare hands....and he did