Whittaker Woman

Our first weekend here...

We packed up on friday and headed down or over  really don't know, all I know is that we drove and drove and all I saw was trees but anyways we headed to Eric and Angela's house for the night. It was suppose to be 2 hours at the max to get there. But somewhere in the middle of trees we got stuck in this.

And heard this...

And felt like this...

And it was because of this...

So needless to say our 2 hour drive that took us 4 hours was not the best start to the weekend.  But then we got there and had a great time. We split up for the night.

Angela and I went and did some shopping and then went to dinner. Then the guys went out.
On Saturday we just played around the house.

It was fun.We usually  get to see Eric and Angela once a year at least but the kids have never been able to meet each other. So it was fun to see their friendships starting.

The guys watched football and even Losiah began his training of being a sports fan.

We did face painting on the kids. My girls thought it was so great!

We got home and had cute little pumpkins in our home, dropped off by the Great Pumpkin named Joy.

Today was church and it was a rough morning. I was late. Which I guess is a big no no. I was stressed, emotional, and honestly I did not want to be there. I wanted to go back home and get my pj's on. BUT Eric and Angela drove up to go to our first day and so I had to go. It was so hard. The girls freaked. Oh it was just one of those days. Unfortunately it was my first day! We went out to lunch after  and started to burn up. I got home with the kids. She is screaming because she feels so bad. Losiah is screaming because he is exhausted, and then it happens barfed on the couch, THATS NOT OURS! Yep I am telling you I should have gotten back in my jammies today. Anyways she was so sad.

But she perked up and is better. But honestly the best part was when I got home from church and in between the barfing I saw this...

I am telling you peeps. We are not going to be leaving  Joy and Billy's home anytime soon. Not with all this love anyway.
So that was my weekend How was yours? H

Making friends

This is Elle and Josh they are now our fourth and fifth babies. Well ok for only a time being but it is a zoo when they all get together. Nothing like a preschool class in your own home. 5 kids 5 and under and a huge dog. Anyone want to babysit?

I really have no idea what to title today.
I thought about counting the days we've been here, but then I thought it would be silly when my titles look like this: Year 2 day 98. Then I thought I could just put Thursday, but i soon realized that , that was pretty lame. I might as well leave it blank before i put Thursday. So i did its blank.

But here was today.

It's day two of going out, but third time getting lost. Today was the worst. I did not realize that there was a Lower Roswell street. I just thought the lower part of Roswell street was what they were talking about. oops. I then had to go to the Government health care office to have Sohaila's immunization records put on GA papers. There was no one there which was wonderful but the workers were not so friendly.
We then went to find the JCPenny's where  Carmen (carlos' mom) sent the girls these fun sleeping bags.

Then we went out to Brewster's with Billy and the kids. They give the kids free cones! No purchase unnecessary. Now I did make a purchase of coarse but it's not required.

Billy and Josh

Elle and Seanna

Our crew of coarse.

So there you go. Another day. I was sad today. They called for thunderstorms but it was nothing more than some LA rain. (Which means a mist). Hopefully soon we can see some Southern rain. H

First day out...

Well we decided to go  visit Carlos at work today and meet his team. This is a picture of me LOST! Now that might not mean anything to you. A girl gets lost. But that is one thing i dont get. lost. Never. I am a human map. But it gets better, on the way home I got even more lost! Twice in one day. Wow.

At Daddy's new office.

He has the same "toy" that he had in his Sandals office.

We had to walk to Chipotle (which is across the street) Because we stopped there for lunch but then locked the doors and i saw the key's on the seat. We walked to Carlos' office where Billy (who's car we are driving) had an extra set of keys. This is us walking back.

Losiah fell a sleep. This may seem like a normal picture but he probably has fallen a sleep with us holding him a total of 3 times. He needs to have his personal time, no cuddling! Except today! H

This is for Tam

I was talking to Tammy on the phone today and she said she needed to see where I lived. So for now here is where we live. I am the type of person that has a place for everything. Everything has a home. So when I find myself and stuff in a new place I HAVE to put things away before I am able to go on with life. And that is what we did today. Unpacked and tried to fit all of our stuff in our cozy new casa. Well not really ours but at least its the place we will rest our little heads.

Here is the bedroom where the girls and Carlos and I will sleep for now. The girls were offered to sleep with the sweet girl who lives here but with the transition I think we will keep them with us for a little. I just know I would have screaming girls in the middle of the night.

The whole apartment was so clean and cute and then we got here.

Here is the kitchen.

We are here!

So I guess this is going to be a photo blog for a while. Our lives are so crazy and I want everyone to see everything so here we go. I hope you guys dont get bored.

Sohaila was so EXCITED!

When I saw this I was so EXCITED!

Good-bye Cali.

I think my quote of the day is
"I am not emotionally stable right now Carlos" I feel justified!

Billy picked us up. He and his wife dropped off an extra car at the airport. You need to know how great that was. We tried to get a rent a car for all of our luggage but everything was booked everywhere. Anyhow. We just thought we could use some rope and tie it on top. Well sometime during the day they did some extra work for us!

Then we got in the car and  there were snacks waiting for us!

We drove by Riverside Drive, I got teary.

This is Billy.

We got to our "home" and found it full of things to make us at home!

Well its 3am. I guess i should go to bed. What a day. I think I did my record amount of posts for the day. I just wanted everyone to keep updated. Thank you for all your prayers. God was good to us today. From the adoption. To seeing so many of our friends and family for one last good-bye today, to the empty plane and the great welcome. I feel right in his hand. He is here! H

We are on the plane...

We are on the plane to GA! Good-bye Cali!

Pictures...

Woke up, got everyone dressed,  & said good-bye to my brother.

Made sure that our 8 bags, 4 carry on's, stroller and 3 car seats were ready to go.

Stopped at Starbucks for breakfast.

We gave all our food away last night so we just HAD to.

Then it was court time! I was signing my life away! Literally to Losiah.

It's done, this was our family, amanda and ricardo came too but I dont have any pictures with them :(

This is a painting my friend made for me. I stopped by after court!

This is my friend martina!

Then we went and said good-bye to our house. Sohaila was hysterical once we left!

We had to have our last meal!

Then we drove to LAX

Said good-bye,

Good-bye some more

Made sure piggy would not get lost on some chair.

And packed up our stuff on a cart and now we are waiting to board our plane. See you in the ATL!

I HATE THIS DAY!

Thats my quote that Tammy has been saying and now I claim. I hate this day!

ps for all those who tend to worry, i am not depressed and I really dont hate today. I just am going to miss everyone. I never thought this day would come!

This morning...

He is ours! Oh the weight that is off of my shoulders. It has been a long 33 months of paperwork, money and tears and now it is all over. Hurray!

There are to many people to thank who helped make this happen. If you gave us money, helped us in any way or prayed for us we thank you for making our family whole!

Another day of Good-byes!

Nannan came out one last time to have lunch and give us a sqweeze. This was probably the hardest good-bye for me. I am gonna miss her. I know I will see her but I will just miss her and her sweet voice!

Gail is Nannan's wheels. Nannan does not drive so my Wonderful Aunt always drives her out here. Its a long drive just for a few hours and she has done it many many times. Thanks Gail.

Uncle Jesse came this afternoon. He will be here all weekend. The kids loved having him around! That means it's play time! The first half an hour that he was here I did not see him.

Oh the good-byes are so bitter sweet. I love spending all this time with my loved ones but I hate that its because I am moving across the country. H

Palm Springs Day 5

wanted out and I told her that if she got out she could not go back in. Well sure enough she wanted back in and I said no. This was the evil eye i got back. Sweet, sweet child.

We had a great time in Palm Springs!

The Happy Wandering Woman

I just wanted everyone to know that I am actually doing well. Even though I am wandering I am very content and excited about this adventure that I am on. That one thing I am good at is adventures. I just normally go on adventures that last a day or maybe two but having my whole life as the adventure is new for me. It is going to be fun. Thanks for all the love! H

The Wondering Woman

I have a friend who's blog is called The Wondering Woman. 
It has made my mind begin to spin and I think I can now officially call myself The Wandering Woman. Here I am a stay at home mom with no Home. I have three kids one who should be in kindergarten but because I have no home or no idea where my home may be I have no school to put her in. I am a wife with no husband around. I am a christian who has said good-bye to her body (church) and has not yet gone to her new home. I am wandering. I am a mother, wife and christian who is wandering. All my identities right now are up in the air unknown. Oh l long for the day when I become what I used to know of me.

Palm Springs Day 3

It has been pretty lazy around here. We celebrated Carmen's (Carlos' mom) B-day, we swam, we watched tv (we have not had tv for a month now) and we have missed Carlos.  4 more days!

Daley

Carlos needed some pics or LA ink we had an 1/2 hour notice. I think i look like a chola and Carlos looks like a vato. Oh wait we are Mexican. No I think we look great for such short notice. Daley always comes through!

Palm Springs Day 2

A Fun Day at the pool...

These curtains have been the entertainment of the day. They are ghosts, princess beds, princess dresses everything a creative mind could think of. Its been a lazy day! Losiah is teething his last tooth, the girls are in heaven and I am just trying get some rest. 6 more days of Cali!

Palm Springs Day 1

We are here in Palm Springs finishing up our last days in Cali. After unpacking we took a walk and found Cars being played at the DIVE IN  movie theater. It was so great!

Where is your FATHER!

Ok really. My kids are pretty sheltered. They don't get barbies or bratz because I think the dolls are to grown up for a five  and three year old. But wowzers. Prince Charming and Bell are getting it on! For real this is not ok. Carlos needs to handle this one. Its Disney Porn! AHHH

Just one more time...

Nani came to spend the night.

They painted nails.

And gave out  lots of love!

Always doing it better!

So you all know about my list. I love to check things off of it. But what I love even more is checking things off and then doing them again or even better. So I had "to go on  a police ride a long" on my list for years,  and a few months ago I was able to go with my friend in his cop car.  Then yesterday I topped it, I not only went on another ride a long I went on a helicopter sheriff ride a long. Tammy took Summer and Summer. It was so amazing! We had the best time!

We called everyone to come out and see us from the air!

There is our house the second from the corner. There is Carlos!

What a way to say good-bye to Riverside! Thanks Tam!

Santa Monica

We went up in a ferris wheel, Losiah wanted out!

We left dinner and it was cold so the girls shared Grandma Sherry's jacket.

Then Grandma Sherry drove to the Airport with us so she can say good-bye to Carlos. It really was a perfect California night.

Woe is NOT me!

So this is really a funny picture.  It pretty much sums up my life as well as my friend Nancy's life. You see in the mix of all this packing, saying good-bye, eating my last In & Out, I sometimes wish to have my normal life again. You know preschool, cooking dinner, and just having my house put together. I have for a brief second or two thought woe is me. But then I am quickly reminded of my friend who is moving with her husband and four  boys to be missionaries in AFRICA. Hello no In & Out there. Heck No clean water there. No school, no malls, no America. Ahhh, I could not imagine what she is going through. So the reason this picture is so funny is because we were having all 7 of our kids sit on the couch to take our last pictures before we are off on our adventures and then all of the sudden. The battery died. Yep that in a nut shell is my life right now. All I can do is laugh.

Yet again!

Another Earth Quake!
3.7  2007/09/12 04:30:25 33.743N 117.471W  2.3   16 km (10 mi) WNW of Lake Elsinore, CA 

Just me and my girls...

More good-byes

This is my friend Angie and Nolan. Sohaila and Nolan are 6 weeks apart, but if you saw them you would think they are twins!

My mom came and had dinner with us.

My grandma came too but she did not want to have her picture taken.

Sue and Ronnie smothered us with good-byes and love.  Too.

Daddy was home for a day!

Since we are on such limited time with Carlos we decided to have a family day.

We went for our last Big D day. It actually was so great. NO crowds.

We went on the new Nemo ride. Sohaila holds her ears close when she is scared. That is what she is doing.

Seanna  went on a roller coaster. Which is very unlike her.

We waited in line to meet some characters. It was just perfect.

I even got a little teary when we left.

It was so amazing to have the Big D in our backyard. We'll miss you Mickey.

Monday Packing Party

Hey friends, we are... well no I am packing our house on Monday. I am going to order some pizza and  would love some extra hands.  You can email  me at whittakerwoman@gmail.com if you can help. I could use both girls and guys. I hope to see you then. Thanks so much. H

Where are my trucks?

Just a product of living with sisters. Poor Boy!

Just a little added stress...

So we had to pay for Carlos' ticket out here this week so we chose to have him fly through LAX because it was cheaper. I decided to plan a day of it, and visit some people out on the west side. We went to my sisters in LA where the cousins got to play one last time.
And then the girls decided I was not stressed out enough right now and proceeded to lock themselves in my sisters bathroom. They have done this before at our house but we just get the key or a screwdriver and take off the door knob. Well we tried to explain to them how to unlock it but they just were not getting it. Then I thought well we will just take the door handle off and well the screws had been painted over and there was no way that was happening. Finally after a good time they finally figured it out. Oh its just not the time to stress me out like that.
We then went to meet Sherry (my step mom) at Santa Monica pier where we road some rides ate dinner and had a perfect California evening!

Cookies!

Bogie and Becca came over last week to make cookies. I know its a late post but the pictures were so cute I thought I'd still post them. I feel so loved by everyone who is keeping me company. I don't have a night alone!

I mean really who else feels like baking in 110*? We did! 

Sleepy girl, Sleep a Sleepy girl

Some times you just have to crash, and crash hard!

More than I wished for...

So this may be weird to some of you, but last week I was thinking about all the things I am going to miss about Cali and  one thing on it was earthquakes. Now to some of you, that may sound odd. But for those who like roller coasters or those who like to feel the hand of God  you would love them. And you have to know that  when I am talking "earthquakes" I am talking about  5.5 and under quakes. They are harmless, nothing falls down and breaks you just get a little "ride". Its fun! Anyways It has been at least over a year since I have felt an earthquake which is a really long time for us. Until this week.

The first one hit on Sunday. The Hales and I were sitting on the couch and it came in a wave a small rumble then a bigger rumble. I love the look on Brian's face when  I said "Earthquake" it  was classic!
I actually was so excited that my wish came true, and I felt a fun quake before I left!
But this morning a few minutes ago I am at the computer and another hit. Ok, its one thing to have Carlos and your friends here but to be alone with three monkeys does not sound like fun to me.  No need for more!

Did anyone else feel them? H

Our Tuesday,

We started our day over at the Mays for Huevos Rancheros YUM! Brandi can cook!
Then we went to the dinosaur museum out in Jurupa, but it was closed so the we ended back at our house.
Then for dinner Kim and Derek came over and made some amazing Chicken Parmesan.
Derek really  came over and played mom (he cooked) Then he played dad (he wrestled and played for at least an hour with the monkeys). It was so great to be loved today! Thanks guys. H

Visitation

I grew up in a divorced family so once a month I got on a plane and flew to have visitation with my Dad. I feel like I am having deja vu. We would always pack fun things in when I came down and thats we did this weekend. Carlos came home and we had our salsa party.Then on Sunday the Hales and us had our new yearly tradition of a Un-Birthday. Its going to be once a year when we are together we will have a  B-day party for EVERYONE. We thought it would be fun to have cake for breakfast!

Then we had a surprise b-day party for Carlos and we had his family over.

Then on Monday the Hales left and we just had a good day with Dad at home. We got pizza by the Airport and dropped him off. It was a great weekend. I am sad because it was our longest time that we will have together until we are in GA.

Cleaning up

Since I feel like I am cleaning up my life here, I thought I would clean up my blog as well. I want to  make sure I have everyone linked and that you have me linked too. If I do not have your blog, please let me know. If I am not linked on yours please give me a little link love. Thanks so much. H