Never Try on a Dress You Can't Afford...

...because you will love it & nothing you can afford will fit as well or look so good. That is a rule I always follow when shopping. Be it clothes, cars, shoes -whatever! It is a very good rule for life.

Well, today I forgot the rule.

My vacuum cleaner is not working well, so my mom sent over hers so that I can do a good once over on the carpets (which is especially needed since Lucy is now crawling). Her vacuum is a Dyson. And I love it!

I thought that I would not like it because it is a bit chunky and not able to fit under certain things that I am used to vacuuming under. But everything else about it more than makes up for it.

I was able to vacuum those little corners that only an attachment fits into without crawling around the whole house. The Dyson's attachment has a long handle so I was able to just walk around and reach all those far corners. I was also able to easily vacuum the drapes. Boy, do I love this thing!

Also, it is so easy to clean the dust container. Just push this button, hold over the waste bin, & pull that lever - and ta da! All done.

So, now I have to do the only sensible thing: go online and search for all those negative reviews on why the Dyson is the worst vacuum. Then I will feel better about not being able to afford it.

Oh yeah! I forgot. Thank you Mom for letting me borrow your vacuum. No really, thank you.

More Picures from Oak Glen

The children posed in front of Willowbrook again this year.

And another cute picture.

After Willowbrook Apple Farm, we went over to Sno-Line to see if they had any Winesap apples to buy (they didn't). We did get some apple donuts to nibble on and they did have a few animals to pet. This llama really liked Jason, but didn't like pictures. Everytime I tried to get a picture of Lucy with the llama, it w0uld hide behind Jason and peek over his shoulder!

Oak Glen 2009

On Saturday we made our yearly trek out to Oak Glen. Before we went out I checked out the web sites and was disappointed to read that a late spring frost had wiped out most of this year's apple crop. We decided to go out and make the most of the day.

We started out at Law's Cafe for breakfast. They have a wonderful buffet that is served on the weekends through apple season. Their french toast is the best! They also offer eggs, bacon (Joshua says it is the best he ever tasted), potatoes, sausage, ham, freshly made cinammon rolls, pastries, apple butter, apple topping, fruit, home made salsa, waffles, and more I am probably forgetting. I wish I had a bigger stomach!

Next, we went to Willowbrook Farm to make cider. We always start out at the tasting table. They offer most of their products to sample. This year they offered their first batch of apple blossom honey. It was tasty!

Mercy and I found a pretty picture spot while waiting to make cider.

This was Lucy's first trip to Oak Glen. She really enjoyed being outdoors. It helped that it was a beautiful cool day.

Jason and Joshua were hanging out waiting to press cider. The owners and workers at Willowbrook are so friendly and helpful. They remembered us from past years & were happy to see our new addition.

Mercy posing for another picture.

Joshua and Jason worked hard turning the wheel for our gallon of cider. Mercy helped by throwing the apples in the grinder.

This is the cider being poured through the filter. There were a couple of bees that got into the cider while we were pressing it.

Our beautiful children!

We found this lovely pumpkin in the pumpkin patch.

First Day of School

We took some pictures on our first day of school, August 24. Mercy was very excited about her first day. She woke up early, picked out a dress, & was ready to go.

She is a funny girl as this picture shows. We started calling it Year 1 because Jason does not like the K word. It has something to do with the word being a holdover from the Prussian system & it representing the state's idea of the indoctrination of children (you gotta love him).

Joshua looks very excited to be starting school in this picture, but he is just a great big ham and loves pictures.

Lucy was just over six months for this picture. She usually sits on a big blanket right in front of this easel.

Update

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted anything. It has been asked that I begin posting again, so I will try to keep you all up to date.

Sometimes I think that the only ones who read this are my Uncle Alex and Rosanne. But I think even if it is only the two of you, you are both worth the effort!

We enjoyed a beautful Fall day today. We don't get very many of those out here in Southern California. I am pretty sure that Redwood city gets nice Fall weather, and I am sure that Des Moines has perfect Autumn days. But we don't usually enjoy such days. There were even a few drops of rain this afternoon. And tonight has brought sweater weather!

We all recently were hit with the flu. I don't know if it was the H1N1 virus, but it was pretty bad. What made it worse was that all five of us came down with it. Little Lucy was so pitiful but she was a strong, brave girl through her first sickness. Praise God that we are all feeling better (besides this terrible cough I have).

In late August, we started home schooling again. Joshua is in fourth grade and Mercy is in Kindergarten (we are calling it year 1). Lucy sits on the floor and plays or talks (she sounds like a little Wookiee). It isn't as hard I thought it would be to school and take care of a baby. God is good.

We are looking forward to some Fall activities - apple picking, decorating the house with pumpkins & leaves, Joshua's birthday, Thanksgiving, and baking. I will keep you updated.

Laughing Lucille

Lucy at times finds anything that Joshua says or does hilarious.

The Blog Slacker is Back

I know I have been remiss in my postings of late, but I am back! Let's see... what has been happening in the Davis household?

We had our house painted in May. Besides it looking cleaner, you really can't tell as the color we picked looks the same as the color we had. The swatch we went off of looked darker. Oh well, we really did like the color we had.

Joshua's little league season is over. His team made it to the playoffs & finished second in his division. Mercy continues with gymnastics & Joshua with violin. They both have recently started swimming lessons. Also, Jason is playing softball & soccer. All this makes for a very busy family.

Officially, we are done with the 2008-2009 homeschool year. I have some subjects that we plan to work on throughout the summer. We are going through How to Teach Art to Children which will teach the 7 elements of art. We are also doing unit studies in geography and astronomy. Joshua will do math review (so as not to forget). And Jason and I will continue to teach Mercy to read. In the fall we will have a fourth grader & a kindergartener. Boy time flies!

And let's not forget the tiniest member of the family, Lucy! She is four months old and growing bigger everyday. She can roll, but she'd rather not. She drinks water from a sipper cup, but she usually spits it out. And she brings such joy to our home. Speaking of which, I must go attend to her. I will post more updates and pictures later.

Mercy is 5!

Mercy is now five years old.
Jason & I let her plan a special night out. We started out with her favorite pizza at Jojo's. After, we went to the Shoppes for an outdoor viewing of the movie Wallie. It drizzled a little throughout the movie but Joshua, Mercy & Jason stuck it out while Lucy & I sat in the car. Then it was off to the bookstore where Mercy asked that she and her brother each get to pick a book. We finished the night with hot cocoa at Starbucks.

It was a long night (we didn't get home until after 10pm), but it a fun night spent witth our little blessings.

This is a picture of Mercy wearing the dress that Grandpa Steve & Grandma Sandy gave her. She was so excited that the dress came with a matching dress for her doll that she insisted on putting it on right away!

Foto Friday

This week's installment of Foto Friday brings us a picture of Jason with Reggie Jackson. I am not sure how old he is in this picture but I would guess around eight.

Jason went to Eastland Shopping Mall in West Covina with his mom and Aunt Rosanne to see Mr. Jackson who was to be at a sports store's grand opening. Before going to the sports store they stopped for some popcorn. When Jason arrived at the front of the line for his autograph, Mr. Jackson asked where he had bought the popcorn and then asked if Jason would buy him some. Jason agreed, Mr. Jackson gave Jason the money and Jason ran to buy the popcorn. When he got back, Jason gave Mr. Jackson his popcorn and change and got to talk to him for a short while.

The women in the background is Jason's mom, his aunt took the picture. Thank you Rosanne for giving us the picture and the story behind it.

Foto Friday

Joshua hunting for eggs at Papa & Mama's house on Easter Sunday

Lucy in her Easter dress

Mercy working in the garden with her daddy

My Review of Especially for Baby 152Ct Diaper Super Value Pack - Size 1

Toys R Us

This Especially for Baby super value diaper pack contains 152 diapers in size 1, fitting babies weighing 8 to 14 lbs. Stretchable grip tabs allow baby to move freely and comfortably while preventing leaks. Great for overnight or everyday use, their super-absorbent cores quickly pull moisture away f...

Especially for Baby 152Ct Diaper Super Value Pack - Size 1

Worst Diaper

Chino mom Chino, CA 4/20/2009

 

1 5

Cons: Stiff, Leak, Messy

Best Uses: None

Describe Yourself: Parent of Two or More Children

I decided to try these diapers because of the price, but they are the worst diaper. They are stiff, and some of them have had brown, hard debris stuck in the lining. But the worst part is that they leak out the front, out the back, out the legs, out the sides!
I have learned not to be cheap when it comes to diapers.

()

Lucy: 8 Weeks

Lucy is now two months old! She is such a joy to have!

Lucy sleeps about 6-8 hours every night, but she is a cat-napper during the day. She is very alert. She will look at someone walk across the room, and try to turn her head all the way around to continue watching. She smiles, coos, & loves to swing.

Lucy in her Easter dress

On her way to her first egg hunt

Our happy little girl

Relaxing at the park

Please Pray For My Dad

I just got a call from my mom, telling me that my dad is in the hospital with an intestinal blockage. He went in sometime last night with what he thought was food poisoning. The doctors are treating it with medication but if that doesn't work he will need surgery.

Please pray that God would give the doctors wisdom in diagnosing and treating my dad, also that my dad would recover from this without the need for surgery. Pray also for my mom, that she would be comforted & strengthened in this trial.

My parents with the children

Three Little Kiddies

Jason & I took the children out for ice cream today and I was struck by the fact that we now have THREE children. As is often said, we are out-numbered! I am so thankful to God for these blessings. I am also thankful for the grace that He daily gives me to look after these little ones. And how I need it!

Joshua loves to hold Lucy, and he is always giving her kisses & rubbing her head. Lucy loves to look at her big brother, her eyes will follow him as he walks by & she tries to turn her little puff head all the way around to continue watching.

Mercy and Lucy have inherited my big cheeks. Poor little girls!

Mercy always wants to hold Lucy, she is always hugging, kissing, & putting her arm around her baby sister. Lucy does not usually like this attention, but this morning Lucy was smiling and cooing at Mercy's antics.

Life with Lucy is much more hectic. I am tired all the time, & my house is a mess (more so than usual). But life is also much fuller. When I see those three beautiful faces each morning, I thank God for His goodness.

Daddy's Girl

I love this picture! She loves loves her daddy!

In moments like this, I am overwhelmed with my love for Jason.
He is a wonderful, godly father & husband.
I am very blessed.

My Brother, the Officer

Last night, my brother graduated from the San Bernardino Sheriff's Law Enforcement Academy. He has been hired to work for the Claremont Police Department. I am very proud of my little brother! Whenever he sets his sights on something, he works hard to achieve it and doesn't give up. I really look up to him for that.
I have been praying that God would bless his career as a law enforcement officer, keeping him safe & humble in his duty.

Foto Friday

You should see what she wanted to wear
today!

Lucy's Doctor Appointment

Yesterday, I took Lucy for a well baby check-up. The appointment was at 1:30. At 2:45 I was in the examine room and still waiting for the doctor to come in! I was so frustrated, especially since I know that well baby check-ups only take a couple of minutes to weigh, measure & quickly check over the baby.

To make me feel a little better, Lucy stuck it to them by pooing & peeing on the scale when she was undressed to be weighed! Other than that, she was very good. She didn't cry at all when the doctor examined her. She is now 7 lbs. 11oz.

I will now switch doctors to the one that the other children use, which is too bad because I really like this doctor but can't stand the way the office is run.

Foto Friday

Oh! I almost forgot, it's Friday! The weeks really fly by now that little Lucy is here.

This week's Foto Friday will be pictures taken by Joshua on his Fisher Price digital camera.

Some of his pictures are very artistic :-) Like this shot of a valentine decoration on the sliding door.Some shots are silly, such as this rat puppet waving hello.And there are plenty of unflattering pictures of the entire family! Here are a few of the more flattering snapshots.We read Stone Soup and the children helped to make stone soup for dinner. It turned out very good.

Mercy and her one dimple.

Uncle Isaac

Aunt Brianna

Me
Jason, happy as usual

And a picture of himself with a friend.