Home Depot

My new favorite store. Just call me "Debbie". My favorite time to go? From 9pm-10. Two words... No kids. Chris hates it when I run out the door at 9:00pm. I love it. FREEDOM! It's only 5 minutes away!

On the other side of the fence

Oh..... Hey Mexico! 

This was a picture I took when I was walking  one morning just a mile south of our house. That hillside is Tijuana, Mexico!! We live in the city of Chula Vista but we try not to tell people that. Old Chula Vista is scary. We live in a very new and nice area called Eastlake/Otay Ranch (pronounced o-tai). 10 years ago, this area was all dirt. And it's a big area(mile wise) not just a neighborhood. I wish we were our own city! The reason we chose to live here is that the houses are much more affordable than the rest of California. It might have something to do with the "Chula Vista" in our address. BUT I promise you that it is very nice here and anybody would love it!

When I was growing up in pasco, Wa there were a lot of Hispanics. Our schools were over 50%. Here in California, the % is even higher- plus there are other races. There are a lot of Phillipinos and quite a few African Americans. Growing up, there were Caucasians and Mexicans. Just a little diversity. And then we moved to Utah where there is no diversity at all- with ethnicity or religion. I really love Utah and I would be happy if we ever lived there again, but it's great for my kids to see diversity. We are the minority here. I'm guessing Addysin's school is less than 25% Caucasian. Well, we do live 5 miles from the Mexico border.

Addysin has made a friend here that she really likes. Her name is Miriam. She is in Addysin's class and they ride the bus together (and sit together). I've seen her when I drop Addysin off in the morning and she is a super cute girl. The one tiny problem is Miriam doesn't speak English- haha! Yesterday morning, when Addysin got to school, Miriam greeted her with, "Hi Amiga!" Addysin has been begging to have her over. We'll see what happens there. Addysin has also been begging me to buy a computer program to learn Spanish (like the Rosetta Stone program). I think it would be a great idea for our family to learn. We have the advantage of Chris already knowing so he could help. I know it's hard because I tried in high school for two years so I'm not jumping on the band wagon very fast.

The school has Spanish immersion but it has to be started in kindergarten. We signed up Caiden for the coming year but he might not get in. I'm hoping! Addysin is so jealous. Caiden is very smart academically so that would be good for him. I'm worried he is too smart for kindergarten.

Addysin reminds me once a week that California used to be Mexico. She loves that. A couple years ago when we lived on the farm, our next door neighbors were Mexican and their English wasn't very good. That's when Addysin became obsessed with Spanish. She told me one day (when she was about 4 or 5) that when she dies she is going to be Mexican and speak Spanish. Whatever your heart desires, little one.

Addysin's Bible stories

Addysin spent $5 of her own to buy a bible stories app. I was happy that's the app she wanted to buy! She has listened to all of the stories over and over. Caiden never does, but he got trapped into listening on the way back from Costco.
As Addysin and Caiden were listening and watching on the iPad, I hear Caiden say in fright,
"I don't want to get resurrected and get nails in my body!"
He was so scared because he knows we are all going to get resurrected and he thought that was part of it. I told him that Jesus was crucified and thankfully we will not have to do that.

The helper

Addysin is so smart. She loves to write and draw. I constantly find her sketches around the house and it makes me smile. This time she had written this for the babysitter to help her out. All her idea:)

Sickies

My poor babies. Dillon truly had the worst croup without having to be hospitalized, then Jocelyn caught the cold. When she gets colds, she gets ear infections. She WILL NOT take amoxicillin so I don't take her in to the dr anymore. And I just learned that something like 80% of ear infections go away on their own.
She has been in pain the last 3 nights. Last night was AWEFUL!! Then today her ear burst when she sneezed and all the liquid came out- hallelujah!! So now she's feeling better.
We've had sickness in our family for a month. Let's see if we can be done for a while.

Beach day #2

Our first day here was spent at the beach. My house was a real life nightmare so we left it. I have been so busy that we haven't gone back until today, 3 1/2 weeks later :/ The kids love the beach. It gives me such bad anxiety but I love the sand! I hate the huge never ending waves! I'm a river and lake person. I forgot to take pictures of the kids playing. It was adorable. Jocelyn slept the entire time in the stroller. One less to watch :) we went with our friends Roby and Brittany Clyde. Afterwards, we rushed home to wash the sand off the kids and went to their house for dinner. Summer all year. I love it. We'll see how much I like it at Christmas time :(

Addysins first day... Again

Addysin has had 5 first days at new schools since she started kindergarten a year and a half ago. She is always so excited and I'm the nervous and emotional one. I didn't cry this time! I'm getting better at this. We've been here 3+ weeks and she is just now starting because she was sick the first week and then the school had a two week spring break. So the big day FINALLY came. She's been out of school for 2 days shy of 4 weeks!
We live a couple blocks from our school but it's full- of course... So Addysin has to ride a bus from the school next to us to her new school. She is sooooooooooo excited about riding a bus! She doesn't care that she has to make all new friends next year when she starts attending her real school. I asked her what her favorite part of her day was and she said "riding the bus home." Did she have a bad day? Nope, she just loved the bus that much. I guess it's like a free carnival ride.
When I took her into her classroom, she was so excited, super anxious, and shy (as always). We were in the room when the students started coming in. She was standing beside me and as more and more kids filed in, she slowly hid behind me. It was really cute.
*Shocker* She has to be on the bus at 7:45!!!!! School starts at 8:15. Her last school started at 9:15 so we never ever woke up before 8:00. Our new waking time is going to be 6:45-7ish. Ah- I hate mornings! I'm too much of a night owl to go to bed before midnight!