Busy, Busy, Busy...But Who Isn't?!

I know, it's been quite a while and for those whom I know that follow our blog, pictures are always appreciated.  So, I will try to squeeze a few in soon. 
It has been a very busy year (2011) so far.  The spring semester at school (SCCS) always goes by very fast with so many fun activities.
This year seemed even more hectic due to the time I committed to various activities at SCCS.  I was "room mom" for both Emily and Nathan's classes which includes communications between teacher and parents, organizing parent helpers in the class, seeking volunteer parents for various holiday and fundraising events, and communicating to parents any special activities that pertain to that particular class.  In addition to "room mom" I am also really enjoying my roles with in the school's PTF (Parent Teacher Fellowship).  My responsibilities include, but are not limited to, staff bday recognition (80+), fundraising (1st annual Jog-A-Thon, Box Tops, and Funds for Fun), and assisting with set-up, serving, & clean-up at 3 teacher luncheons throughout the year.  At home, I publish a newsletter on behalf of the PTF to help distinguish our role within the school to current families.  Our main goal for this separate publication is to communicate with parents our current events, needs, and volunteer opportunities.
At this point in the children's development, they really do enjoy seeing me on campus several days a week.  It has been a HUGE blessing to also have a neighbor with whom I carpool with throughout the year.  Thanks Marie!!

So, now that school has been out since May 27th, my schedule should be wide open with many opportunities for pool days, beach bumming, and friends, right?!?!?!

Here is a quick glance at what our 12 weeks of summer looks like!

• Hosting 2 weeks of swim lessons (10a-5:45p) M-F
• Jeff in MX, 2 weeks
• Cousin from Chicago visiting, 3 wks total
• 2 weeks of VBS
• 1 holiday
• 1 birthday (Jeff)
• 1 week in Yosemite with 45 other family members
• 1 week home with sister and family visiting from MI
• 10 days at Lake Don Pedro with friends on a houseboat
• 20yr HS reunion (Jeff's)
• MOVING! (locally)
• School starts Aug. 23rd

I have also found time to dedicate part of my mornings to exercise (The Biggest Looser DVD) and Bible study (reading through and Ephesians).  Two areas I have struggled to keep consistent in.

Today, Nathan and I get hair cuts, we get to spend time with my sister and family, then I pack for Yosemite...leaving at 6am tomorrow.

Deep breath.

SCCS Carnival 2011

Nathan standing next to his art work on display.

Leona Valley Winery

We had been here a few weeks prior, this time we brought the kids. Nate had already found a friend he was running around with. :)

This particular event was the Christmas Tree Decorating. The winery was open to the public and club members were able to enjoy a few extra perks!
Leona Valley Winery---our new find thanks to, Screamin Daily Deals!

Just 5 mins home from school...

Happy New Year!

I recently was thinking about 2010 and the good things that have come out of it (a convo I had with my cousin, Anna). Around that time, I was also thinking of posting some ideas, dreams, goals, etc. for the current year...however, before I got to posting some "Resolutions", I read this e-devotional.
After reading it, I have decided that I will only list my Top 10 of 2010 as a reminder to me of how God has worked in my life and will only post 1 goal that I have for myself in the year 2011 (posted only to perhaps solicit some encouragement and accountability).

Stay tuned...

Presenting...Our Year @ a Glance 2010

This scrapbooking design created with Smilebox

Peace in knowing...

Our job is obedience. God’s job is results.

(P31 Ministries)

O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree!

Riley did not hesitate one bit to make himself comfortable under the newly decorated tree.

Thanksgiving

The kids and I at SCCS's Annual Thanksgiving Feast.

This was a craft I put together for the kids to assemble on Thanksgiving day while they were waiting for dinner. Thanks Stephanie for the resources!!

Bamboo skewer

Gum drops (2 each)

Hearts, cut out (6 each)

Markers, crayons, stickers...etc.

Children decorated the 'petals' of their flower with things they were thankful for.

Happy Hallows Eve

Looking back....

I am so thankful for this blog. Even though I do not post everything that is precious or memorable, it is a joy to see how much we have enjoyed in the last 5 yrs.
This one is an oldie but goodie...
http://jjenbernards.blogspot.com/2007/06/its-in-my-pocket.html

Celebrating Emily

Emily will be 8 next Monday (9/27) however, we will be celebrating elsewhere with her on that day, so we decided to have both our folks over for an intimate family dinner and celebration.

She loved the setting and was thrilled to be celebrating with her grandparents, and it was very mellow for mom and dad too, so that was nice for us.

She was thrilled to get this bike that "peddles backwards" from Jeff''s folks (along with an L basket for her treasures). My folks got her a DS game, Princess and the Frog, a winter jacket. Jeff and I got her new bed sheets, flip flops, and some dresses. She was very happy with all her special treats.

This type of cake is always a request of Emily's and its' one that she is comfortable helping with too. This recipe has been around the family as long as I can remember--it came from my grandmother. Over the years of me making it, I have added special touches to it (like chopped Andee's mints, ice cream sandwiches, doubled up the fudge...)

The basic recipe of this cake is simple and it's fun to change it up a bit too!
Standard white cake mix + 3T Creme de Minthe (pour into 6 cupcake moulds, eat for later)

Pour remaining mix into an 11x14 greased pan (follow baking instructions minus 5 degrees and 5 mins on bake time)

Cool. Cover top of cake with room temp fudge, chill.

Place ice cream sandwiches (about 12) on top of fudge (you could add the second layer of fudge here if desired), freeze.

Mix one tub of Cool Whip and another 3T of Creme de Minthe together and spread mix on top of ice cream sandwiches (or fudge) layer.

Decorate any way...crushed Oreos, chopped Andee's mints, mini chocolate chips...

Freeze until 30-45 mins. prior to serving.

WE LOVE YOU EMZ!

Excuse me, I'd like to brag...

May 2010
I wanted to post these 2 special pictures separately from the Pre Summer - Post Summer post.

We are extremely proud of our children and their efforts that they put into school. I also love that they have such personality in all they do. They're are not just our 'little robots' regurgitating what they are 'programed' to do. It's such a lovely thing (as all parents can attest) to see your children doing right and loving others with their own will.

Our lives are filled with joy watching these 2 learn, love, fail and succeed.

Citizenship: Demonstrating unusual cooperation, kindness towards others, respect, obedience, and a helpful spirit. Titus 3:1-2

Principles List: For exeplary academic achiedvement by maintaining a 96% - 100% numeric average during the 2009-2010 school year.

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance.... in the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:9-12

Pre Summer - Post Summer Pics, 2010

The Bernards family has been busy with various activities this year...doesn't seem possible that we are headed into the home stretch of 2010. God has been doing a work in this family and we are incredibly blessed by all He has given us. Below is a 'Snapshot' of the last several months...

MAY

A very SPECIAL birthday boy!

Breakfast of choice? Crepes, of course!Birthday boy receiving a special treat from his Yaya

JUNE
AWANA Sparks Promotion Night
Proud moms (and good friends)

TRAINS!
Lots and lots of train time! (pic was taken by N8)

YOSEMITE
Myself, mom, and Gma/Gpa drove up to Yosemite for less than a 17 hr visit to check out a potential family reunion camp ground. It was beautiful!

TEETH

More Loose and Lost

NATURE
Enjoying the beauty of God's creations

JULY

APPOINTMENTS

Getting eye and teeth exams before school begins. Everything is A-OK!

VISITS
From a kindred spirit. Both happen to be in our family!

CHICKENS!

Pop and Ya are on a chicken adventure...stay tuned.

FAMILY VISITS
Blessed to have my sister and her family out for 2 weeks.

Lots of activities...Disneyland, STAPLES Center, family dinners, etc...

THE COUPE!

Here the chicken coupe is nearly complete (with sky lights) and the cousins are enjoying the new "pets". Pop has acclimated them to human and dog. :)

AUGUST

SHAVER LAKE

Ahhhh, one of my favorite trips of the year!

Typically the last summer trip before school begins.

SEPTEMER

AYSO SOCCER

Nathan loving the game, GO Bulldogs!!

Emily too! GO Purple Angels!

First Day of School

Miss Essex--2nd grade teacher.

Miss Flores--1st grade teacher.

I have had a handful of friends ask, "What are you doing with all your time now that both kids are in school all day?" (8a-3p)

True, it is a new season of my life. What has made up my life for the past 15 yrs as a wife has been a fine blend of fulfillment....college student (4 yrs), employee (2 yrs), teacher (3 yrs), volunteer (5 yrs), and certainly not least 'mommy' (8 yrs).

Sunday night before Orientation Day at SCCS, I was feeling a lot of internal emotions.

As most of you know, I do not quickly adapt to change. I like to know what to expect. I generally plan for the worst, hoping to be relieved when things go better than expected. I analyse all the possibilities of what could go wrong but also being hopeful of the good as well.

So, not knowing what the next 2 days would bring about, I worried. Yes, I know verses...Psalm 46:10, Psalm 37:5, Philippians 4:6, 1 Peter 4:7, Matthew 6:25-27, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 6:34, etc...but I have not committed myself to solely leaning on Him, so my 'nature' took over my well-being.

Come Tuesday (1st day) I anxiously walked Emily to her 2nd grade class and Nathan to his 1st grade class (both are wonderful teachers). I did not shed a tear (as I had done the previous 2 yrs) but looked ahead to the possibilities of what was to come. Many of you know that I attended SCCS 2nd gr.-6th gr. My experience during that time was mixed and unfortunately ended poorly. I am thankful today that I am able to step ahead and step into making SCCS a wonderful experience for our children.

Currently, I am heavily involved with PTF (Parent-Teacher Fellowship) and I LOVE IT! I am thankful to the Lord for blessing our family with a hard working and loving father who also supports Christian education for our children. The more I am involved there, the more grateful I become for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom who can have all the time in the day to 'go back to school' and give back to a student body and administration during this season of my life.