Blog soup anyone?

We spent Thanksgiving with our friends Mark and Erin at this awesome cabin in Lake Tahoe. It was so fun and Mark and Erin made the most amazing meal. It is a blessing to have friends that are like family to us!

I still think about Haiti on a weekly basis and over Christmas we all pitched in and baked a bunch of desserts to sell in front of the grocery store. My family was so amazing with all the help they gave me. We were a great team and all in all we raised almost $1,000 with the bake sale, yard sale, donations and T-shirt sales. I was thrilled to see my kids serving and excited about it. Thanks to our great friends the O'Donnells who came down to San Dimas to help us. Love the friends God gave us!

Here's to the months of November and December 2011!

We made a lot of fun memories.

Things I remember...

• Thanksgiving with some great friends in Lake Tahoe
• Great conversation and catching up
• Amazing food
• Freezing our butts off on the beach in Tahoe
• Finishing my second semester back in college!
• Time with my Dad in Montana
• My Dad moved back to home!!!
• Christmas at Mom's house
• Baking with Mom and great chats too
• Family...lots and lots of fun!
• Shocking Family Game Night...ouch!
• Sean and I winning Trivial Pursuit! Booyah!
• Raised almost $1,000 dollars for Haiti
• Watched my kids and family serve others with JOY!
• Hanging with my brother Jordan and lovin' it
• Jordan turned Tim the Tool Man
• Cirque De Sole for Sean's birthday
• Celebrating my amazing husband and his birthday
• Gorgeous weather
• Missing Grandpa Schaefer
• Lindsay's smile ;)
• Ry got diamonds
• Celebrating Jesus!
• Kids having a blast together jumping on the trampoline
• Bay playing basketball all day everyday
• Brandy and her Pokemon
• Missing Gen and her family
• Seeing old friends
• Puppies!!!
• Movie night at Katie and Justin's new apartment

LOVE, HEALTH AND HAPPINESS!

Thank you Lord for another great year!

Baseball Season Begins!

Here starts the madness!

Bailey is a spitting image of his father and I love that.

He has the passion for what he loves and he LOVES basketball!

I have enjoyed so much watching the two of them work together.

These are the days. It makes me happy.

The other day, Bailey was getting ready for school and I went into his room and he had one shoe on and was just sitting on his bed in a daze with a smile on his face. I said, "Bay, what are you thinking about?" He smiled and said, "basketball". I really don't understand the male brain but if it makes him happy then I'm happy.

He is so cute and I love his personality.

I've been on a blogging hiatus lately but I need to start documenting these great memories of my kids. So here you go!

Um, it might be a little hard for him having Dad as his coach but I love it!

Can you feel the intensity?

Bailey is the point guard and he is actually very good. He has a lot of potential and I think this is going to be his sport.

I love my boys, they make life so much fun!

Lucien

Lucien was a sweet, quiet boy we all met while in Haiti last summer. He had a serious infection that was eating away at his leg and a big portion of his back. I had the opportunity to clean his wounds and change his bandages. I was scared because I didn't know if I could handle the grossness of it but if nursing was what I was going to do then this would be my test.

I did it, I couldn't believe how I didn't gag and enjoyed helping him. I was conscious of his pain and wanted to make him feel comfortable. Right there is where I had confirmation from the Lord that this would be my calling. Why did God give this to me so late in my life? I don't know, but there is a reason. I will be going back to Danita's soon and am excited to see how God will use what I am learning in school.

Lucien passed away last week from complications from Malaria and Typhoid Fever or really, they don't know. His wounds were almost completely healed. God wanted him home. He is in a better place but I can't help to feel a sense of urgency right now. They need more help there in Quanaminthe. They need our prayers for strength to deal with the loss of so many people and the strength to keep going.

Please pray with me for these people. Please pray for God to provide the funds for Danita's Children to build the Hospital they are in desperate need for. If you feel led to give, my good friend Mark Gonzales started a website called www.fortybyforty.org to raise 40,000 by the time he turns 40 in February! Every little bit helps!!!

Pray for Haiti

I've been thinking about how to blog all that touched me while I was in Haiti. The impact it had on me was incomparable to anything I've ever been through. It really changed me and my thinking.

Where do I begin? I don't know. I do know that I can't share everything and expect you all to get it. I remember hearing about how awesome my friend's trips were but I just really couldn't connect or feel what they were feeling because I wasn't there.

Now, I know what it feels like.

It was very emotional. Here are just a few of the emotions I felt. Anxiety, fear, sadness, shock, anger, selfishness, joy, love, empathy, sympathy, a call to action, and HOPE!

We went to Hope for Haiti Children's Center in Quanaminthe, Haiti. Danita's Children is the Organization. Danita Estrella is known as the "Mother of Quanaminthe". Wow, when I heard the governor declared her that I thought, what an amazing testimony of God's love shown through Danita and her staff. These people are amazing. They love the Haitians as their own and have given up comfortable lives in the United States to help these people. Amazing love.

Awe, is really the strongest emotion I'm still feeling. How can someone do that? I want to be like that. I want to go back so bad. I left a piece of my heart in Haiti and I want God to use me somehow in the future if that is what He has for me.

I will share these photos to show a little of what I experienced.

Thank you to all who supported me on this trip!

The people of Haiti are beautiful. The children were especially easy to love. You would catch their eye and smile at them and they would get so happy. It felt to me like they were surprised to even be noticed. It made me sad. It was really hard to leave.

I felt like I was holding a child almost constantly. The trip was hard but it felt so good to have something I could give them which was God's love.

I will never forget this boy. He had a flesh eating disease on his legs and back and he would take a motorcycle taxi to the orphanage clinic I think three times a week to have his dressings changed. I had the opportunity to change his bandages and I was so surprised it didn't gross me out at all. It was confirmation for me that I can hack the whole nursing gig. Besides that, he was such a gentle, sweet boy and I had a lot of concern for him. After we left, our friend Mark Gonzalez helped find the right medicine for his disease so now he will hopefully be completely healed. Before this, he would of probably died because they were treating him with the wrong medicine because of lack of testing.

This is princess Denise. She has hydrocephalus and this is her caretaker. These women are wonderful people who give 24 hour care to all the special needs orphans. It is a hard job, but these kids will steal your heart.

These are some of the adorable boys from the orphanage. I love them and miss them all so much!

Mark and Erin made the trip with us and it was a memory we will all never forget. This brought us even closer and I am so grateful for their friendship!

Me and E :)

This is Louis. He stole my heart. Well, I think I keep saying that about everybody, but it's true. He is deaf and half blind. Somehow we communicated perfectly the entire trip. I can't even begin to share the relationship we built during my time in Haiti but I just can't wait to see him again soon.

He is a special boy.

Sean and Samson showin' off as usual

This is Danita. She is on her way to Santiago, Dominican Republic here to arrange to pick out supplies for their new special needs facility. I seriously fell in love with her. I can say, I've never, ever met anyone in my life like her.

This is my little buddy Jacob. He ran up to us with a huge smile and a hug everyday we would walk into the orphanage. He lived right outside the gate. The first day we arrived he was buck naked and ran up to me screaming and laughing and just jumped in my arms. Sean said my facial expression was priceless.

Our awesome Crossroads team members with three of Danita's staff members, Brenda, Karris and Bill. Love them!

If anyone is interested in giving to this organization please visit:

www.fortybyforty.org or www.danitaschildren.org

We are so rich in comparison to the people of Haiti, please give if not with your money then with your constant prayers. God is doing some amazing things there!!!!

My baby is 1 1 already...WHAT???

This post is about a month behind but I needed to remember the great birthday celebration we had for Reagan. She turned 11 on September 21st. We decided this year we were going to celebrate birthdays as a family. After going to Haiti and seeing how little the kids had and how happy they were, it was hard not to feel like we have somewhat turned our children into spoiled brats. They aren't though, they had such great attitudes and were so grateful for our time as a family.

Reagan wanted to go on a shopping spree for her birthday, so she had almost $200 from us and our families to spend all on herself. We went to the mall and she got some clothes, jewelry, new shoes and also had two feathers put in her hair.

All in all, she said it was one of her favorite birthdays. See, you don't have to spend a lot of money for your kids to be happy. Quality time has been something I've learned is far more valuable than anything money can buy.

I love you Reagan! You have become such a gorgeous girl especially on the inside. You have a heart for others that is rare. I am so proud of you and all God is doing in your life. You are my little blessing from God!

What a man wants...besides that!

Do I really need to write words here?

If you know Sean then you know he is a sports FREAK!

Ever since I met him, he has been involved in some kind of sport. We even tried playing together on a city volleyball league which only led to a lot of marital stress.

I realized throughout our marriage that Sean needs some kind of recreational hobby or sport.

He recently started playing baseball and it has been so cute listening to him come home and talk about the game. He's having a blast. He needs this time. I forget the stress he carries being responsible for providing for our family and also the stress that comes along with being a pastor and helping people through very difficult and emotional issues. He's a great man and I just had to brag on him today!

Busy, busy, busy!

I have been so busy lately. I think about all the things in my head that are piling up and I just can't seem to get caught up on anything these days. Ever since we got home from Haiti it has been one thing after the other for us.

I'm in my second semester of school and I'm getting so excited at the thought of becoming a nurse and also to finish up my first degree that has been on hold since 2000. I will be done with my bachelors next semester! Wahoo!

The Lord has really blessed our family. It's been nice to have this time of peace. We have been through a lot of up and downs and really difficult life experiences but things have been going very well. It almost makes me feel like it's the calm before the storm but that is just my negativity speaking. God is really good and I know He wants us to enjoy His blessings. So, I am. :)

Well, Reagan turned 11 last month (more pics later) and Bailey turned 9. I'm so amazed at how quickly everything happens but then I say that at every birthday. They are both doing great in public school and have really enjoyed their teachers and friends there. It is just around the corner from our house so they walk to and from school and that it really nice.

Drew just started pre-school and she LOVES it! Today when I picked her up she said, "today was the best day ever!" She was hysterically laughing on the playground while these two twin boys were pulling her in a wagon. So cute!

We are really enjoying our kids at this age, things have gotten easier for all of us and it's nice to just hang as a family.

We have tried to make Friday nights "Family Movie Night". We are in the middle of the Harry Potter series. It's a lot of fun and we all look forward to it.

Sean is loving his job, I know he is right where God wants him and it is a blessing to watch him grow and see his gifts being used. He is such a blessing in my life and I'm lucky to have him.

I can't wait to share all about my time in Haiti. It changed me forever. I could go on and on, but I will save that for another post.

For now, here are a few highlights that I don't want to forget!

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE!

Sean's sister Connie and her family drove from Ohio for their vacation and made a pit stop here with us for a few days. We of course had to take them to San Fran and this is the famous Lombard Street.

Ghirardelli Square, yummy!

Bailey turned 9!

This year we just celebrated both kids birthdays as a family. We had such a fun time and didn't break the bank. It was lovely.

Our little Monkey!

Trying not to FREAK out!

Today was the day it all started feeling really real to me. I mean it's always felt real but you know that feeling before something big? I'm getting really excited. The kids and I sat on the couch last night watching youtube videos of the orphanage we are going to visit. Bailey said, "Mom, can we adopt one?"

Uh...

Anyway, today we had a Haiti Team Meeting after church and when I came in the Ministry Center, I was amazed at what I saw. The room was packed full of donations for the kids at Danitas Children. We have such generous, big hearted people at Crossroads. They gave us a small list at first and then Sean said, please give us a bigger one and boy did they. I even ran into a lady at Wal-mart holding the list today.

It's amazing to be a part of a group of people who are doing something outside our little Vacaville bubble. Our church really has a heart for missions and I can literally see that with the support, prayers and donations that have come in. I really feel blessed God is allowing me to go here.

On to my list of things to do before I leave:

Finish our Living Will
pray
Buy hand sanitizer
Try not to freak out
Send my kids off to school this week
pray
Get my second Hep shot
Tell my kids I love them
pray
Start school myself
Try not to freak out
Pack
Leave details instructions and emergency contacts for my sisters
pray
Try not to forget anything and TRY NOT TO FREAK OUT!

More thoughts from the heart...

I was outside tonight doing some yard work, spending time with God talking to Him about my fears and excitement of what is to come. We leave for Haiti in exactly one week. I don't know if everyone goes through such emotion before going on a trip like this or if I am just hormonal but I just felt like recording it here.

Right before I was going to write, I noticed my friend Libby just updated a new blog posting. I love reading Libby's blog. She is an amazing writer and I am sure she will be the author of some amazing books one day. I am proud to have her in my life, she inspires me to grow deeper in my relationship with Christ.

After reading her new post I found myself connecting exactly with what she says in her blog. Please read it here for yourself.

Have a Happy Weekend!

It's Back to School for all of us!

Yesterday, the kids got their school supply lists off of the school website and Sean took them to Target to pick out all of their school supplies. They came home so pumped and excited for school to begin. School starts August 18 th. I never remembering going to school this early. I'm good with it though cause I'm so tired of these three annoying words, "I'M BORED MOM".

Well, they won't be bored next week! Yay!

I'm also starting two classes and continuing my journey through nursing school. It is going to be slow getting there but I cannot wait. I got an A on my summer class and that just really got me encouraged and motivated.

I really can't wait to graduate and do this.

Well, it's that time. I can't believe this but my baby is starting pre-school. She is so excited, especially for her Tangled backpack and light up Sketcher tennis shoes. Funny story about that...I took her shoe shopping and we tried on these cute silver, sparkly converse, she put them on, smacked her foot as hard as she could to the ground(hoping to see lights start sparkly on the shoe). As soon as she saw the shoes didn't light up she was like, "nope, don't like 'em". It's all beginning.

We have done things a lot differently with Drew than with Reagan and Bailey. The circumstances have been different and also we are just way more laid back probably because of the experience we have with the other two and because she is our baby and yes, we can't help but spoil the little brat.

I love all my kids the same even though I've been accused of playing favorites.

She just knows how to make me melt. Example, I have been cracking down a little more on discipline with her and she looks at me with this sad face and shaky chin and says, "do you still love me?" Ahhhh!

In preparation for pre-school we have been practicing our abc's. I found these

Cheez-its with letters on them and she has to guess the letter, if she gets it right, she gets to eat it. It's fun and she feels like such a big girl.

School starts next week for me and the kids! Back to a routine, I can't wait!!!!

random ramblings...

I've seriously thought about creating a private blog for myself to sort of keep a journal of my life's journey. I type so much faster than I write. Even if I kept it private it would, in a weird way make me feel heard, I think? I'm an odd girl. I know.

I'm horrible at writing and the queen of run-on sentences. I just keep having thoughts and adding commas. My dad is a teacher so I know he reads these posts and cringes at my english. Anyway, I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. I'm about to embark on a missions trip to Haiti to go and work with an organization called, Danita's Children. Thanks to my dear friend Debra for the lead to this place.

I wasn't supposed to go on this trip or actually I think I was supposed to go I just didn't know it. I had a tugging in my heart to go since Sean first brought it up to me but I felt that I needed to stay home with the kids and at least have on parent home in case the other one died on the missions trip. I know, I'm so optimistic but really, I've never done anything like this before and it would just make for a sad story. I can hear it now, "the parents of three lovely children tragically died in a hurricane in Haiti while serving in a local orphanage." Ahhh!

What's wrong with me?? Logically, I just felt the smartest thing to do was to stay home and be that stability for the kids while Sean went off and experienced serving in a radical way.

I think this is where my trust in God ended and my own control set in. I knew the daring thing would be to just leave my kids in someone else's hands and go experience my faith like I've never done before but I just kept rationalizing my decision by saying to myself I was being responsible.

Well, I'm tired of being responsible. I want to let God take care of my kids and trust that He will do just that. They are His after all, right?

Well, the doors opened up for me last minute and there was a paid plane ticket just sitting there waiting for me and I knew right then, God was telling me...Go!

I'm nervous, that when I see these orphans my heart will break and I will want to save all of them. I have one of those hearts that thinks the impossible is possible if we just love big enough. It gets me into trouble some times. God knew I needed Sean in my life to bring me back down to reality. That's another area my control is obvious. I will need to trust God that He can care for the orphans there and I am there to be His hands and feet.

As a group we've been going through a 40 day study and fast. The book is called, A Call to Die, by David Nasser. I started off kinda of ho-hum about it but the past couple of days the Lord has really been preparing my heart. I'm excited! I can't wait to have my faith stretched and to do the things that scare me the most.

This morning I was reading about when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemene and he asked his disciples to just stay awake and watch while he prayed over what was about to happen to him on the cross. I mean, how scary for Jesus. He was about to be tortured on a cross and his best friends couldn't even stay awake with him to comfort him while he anguished over what was about to happen. Reading this again, I just felt like what selfish jerks these guys were! How could they do this and then when he was arrested in the Garden they all ran away, what??? (Matthew 26)

The Lord convicted me right there, Carly, how many times have I been there waiting for you to have communion with me and you have fallen asleep? Tons! I'm the jerk!

God is so gracious to me. He is so merciful too. I'm just reminded today that I am no better than the next person but God is perfect and wants me.

Wow! It's so cool to be in communion with Him. The times I've been into myself and "life" and just forgotten about my time with God, these have been the loneliest times in my life. I can't live without Him.

Ok, had to get that out!

*Tip for the day: Spend some time with God today! Let Him lead your steps and fill you up because nothing else in this world satisfies the soul like Christ does.

Sea World

We spent a couple days in San Diego for some family time. Our good friends, Mark and Erin met up with us at Sea World. Mark makes some of the medicine for Sea World, so he was able to get us "back stage" where a lot of the dolphins stay. This was the highlight of the day. The dolphins were like little puppies. They were showing off for us and wanting to play. We all loved this.

I love this!

My dear friend Erin.

Mark is one of Sean's best friends. Mark and Erin are going to go to Haiti with us in a couple of weeks and we all can't wait to see what God is going to do there.

It's like these dolphins were posing for the pictures. So sweet.

Swimming with dolphins is on my bucket list for sure.

We all got to feed them jello which helps keep them hydrated. That was so fun. They would just slide up on the side of the pool so we could pet them. I want a pet dolphin!

Mr. & Mrs.

Congratulations to my sister Katie and her new husband Justin. Mr. and Mrs. Evans, married on July 31, 2011. I am so excited to share the same wedding anniversary with one of my very best friends. I love you both!

My gorgeous sister.

All the Mullen girls. Love my sisters!!!!

Sean married these two lovebirds. After walking around the reception and talking to a few friends and cousins, we realized Sean had married four couples in that room. He is becoming a professional wedding officiant. He also married a girl from our old youth group the weekend before. Phew! He's great at it though, I must say. :)

This is now one of my all-time favorite pics. So sweet!

My sweet nephew Jordan.

The cousins had a great time together. We live too far away. It's so sad we don't get to see them more often.

I love Justin's silly facial expressions. He was cracking me up all night.

Dancing with the man of my dreams, celebrating 12 years of wedded bliss!

These boys got down all night long. Bailey earned the nick-name "White-chocholate" from Uncle Rudy. He can dance!

Love this!

Ry-Ry...best maid of honor ever! She worked her tail off making all the desserts for the wedding and so much more. She is such an awesome sissy!

Cousins...can you tell?

Drew was the flower girl and she totally bombed. She dropped her basket of rose petals and the end of the isle and wouldn't move an inch. She is such a diva! grrrr!

She's lucky she is so cute.

Congrats Katie and Justin! We all love you so much and your

wedding was the bomb!!!!