Mela's Baptism

November 12th, 2011. What an awesome day. The weathermen called for rain all day.. we waited and waited and no rain.

At 3:30 it starts to drizzle.

4p we meet Jonathan (our Pastor) at Torrance beach.

The sky is grey and the air is damp.

Jonathan brought a bowl to fill with the Ocean water to bless Mela (sand and all) that Eric ran down to the ocean to get.

We get started.

It was windy and cold, but the rain held out. It couldn't have been more perfect.

Kim and Brian were our best choice for Mela's Godparents. I think they love her just as much as we do.

She is one lucky little girl!

After the ceremony, we took a few more pictures and the boys had fun running around getting their feet wet.

Next thing we know.. torrential downpour.

I was holding mela, I covered her and started running up the beach. We all did. Running barefoot into the parking lot-back to our cars.

AND of coarse Eric wanted us all to wipe off our feet so the sand would not get the car dirty...

It was a bittersweet, perfect day!

We all headed over to HT Grill in the Village to celebrate! We got to meet Jonathan's wife, Tara as she joined us for dinner. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.

Dedicated to our Sweet Mela Bliss

Our little Angel

The Godparents

All of us

US

Kim says, "Please don't make fun, as she could not read the paper without her glasses."

"What if you woke up today and all you had left was what you had thanked the Lord for yesterday." It made me think...how true is that?

We've got a YELLOW BELT.

Tonight was Austin's Belt Ceremony at TKD. He was so excited (of coarse he did not sleep last night) and was talking about it all day until we finally got there tonight.! He takes this job very seriously!


The Yellow Belt Class
And all the parents. I did not go up because I had Mela sleeping and Kain on my lap playing games on my I-Phone, so I was able to snag this picture..

I love how serious he is in this picture. He really likes this place (much better than the other one)
Austin and his buddy Jack. They were both super excited. I treated the boys to MCD for dinner tonight since they have been asking me to go forever. We had a nice little celebration!

Austin, Kain & Mela

No, I don't walk around with my camera, but it just so happened that while Austin was at school, Kain and I were playing around with Mela in her bedroom and I had left the camera in there. Tonight as I was cleaning up Mela's room, I grabbed my camera to take it back to the kitchen. I heard this little voice trying to calm Mela down as she was a little fussy tonight. I'm so glad I was in the right place at the right time!

Austin is totally warming up to Mela. He has no hard feelings anymore and I've been noticing him wanting to be more involved with her. AND when he says good-bye to us he says, "Bye Kain, bye Mela." I just have to smile a little and really like what I see. He is so sweet with her. Check out what I caught on tape tonight. (And Kain is supposed to be eating at the table, that's why you will see his "chipmunk" Cheeks filled with chicken in the background).


Earlier today, Kain and I were playing with Mela in her crib. She just loves her mobile. Kain pulls the stool up next to her crib and talks to her. I think I've caught her smiling at him.

Photo Booth

We had a little fun with the camera the other night and if you can believe it.. Austin said, "mom, go get your camera". Of coarse that's just what I did. Austin even wanted Peyten in the pictures.

Little "Pink" Riding Hood.
SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST.. FOR YOU DAD.....Hahahaha..

Let the fun begin

Well, we made it through the week, although tough at times with our crazy schedules, we did it! And I'm proud to say I DID IT!!!!

Lisa and Mark came to visit this weekend too. They stayed near by in a hotel and got to do a lot of "tourist" things while here, but came to give each kid individual attention which was really nice! It was fun to see them and hang out like old times!

On Friday night, Austin tested for his yellow belt. It's a day we've been waiting for...He did it and did so good at it. He will have a belt ceremony on Wednesday of this week and he will be presented with his yellow belt. He was VERY excited and liked having everyone there to watch him, even Eric made it!

Part of the test was that he had to break a board in half with his hand. On the board I was to write his "bad habits". I did, and added a few extra. He did not know that he was going to have his bad habits on it, but they had him read out load what it said (in front of everyone and Eric and I) and then told him that these were all the bad habits he was about to break. I'm not sure he was happy with what I put them on there, but hopefully it will work break them. All the kids had to do this-not just Austin. And then once he did it, he get's to keep the board of all his "broken" habits as a reminder. (I have it on video, but it was very shaky so I did not post.) but this is part of his test below.

Anyways,I know you are all wondering what the bad habits are.....

1. Listen better (cooperate). 2. stop lying. 3. no backtalk.
Kain got to sit on Mark's shoulders. There were so many people there that night, Mela and I were lucky to get a front row seat!

Lisa and Mark were both excited to meet Mela. They loved to hold her and feed her. I dressed her up in her little party dress for the occasion.

And finally just a quick shot of my two favorite little men...
Have a happy week....more to come once we get the yellow belt. And the fun weekend ahead with our new visitors, Kim & Brian and Nicole and Jim!!!