Our LA Story...

Ask and You Shall Receive...

2011-12-26T21:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Rhiannon,

Tonight, after we finished reading your new bible, you looked inside the front cover. Next to a picture of a cross John 3:16 was printed.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son. That whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life."

You were curious so I explained what it meant. I told you that God sent his son to earth to die for our sins and that if we believe in him and ask him into our heart we will live forever in heaven. Your response was, "I want to live in heaven forever with Jesus and God!"

I've asked you before if you wanted to pray and accept him into your heart and you always replied with a strict "No." This is such an important and life changing decision I never wanted you to feel forced- even if you waited until you were 90 to do it I wouldn't be any less proud than I am right now.

Your prayer was simple, "Dear Jesus, come into my heart. Amen" Oh, Sweet Girl, I hope someday soon you realize how important those words truly are. I know this is only the beginning of your journey of faith- and I know God has prepared you in advance for amazing things!!

I love you SO much and I am so so proud of you.

xoxox,

Mommy

"And Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart..."

2011-12-13T22:21:00.001-08:00

Dear Rhiannon,

As your parents your Daddy and I try very hard to help you understand the true meaning of Christmas. "The Birth of Jesus" may seem like a redundant phrase to most, but to us it is an event that changed history- and our lives forever. You have asked us many times if Christmas Eve is Jesus' REAL birthday-- it is so much more than that Sweet Girl, it's a celebration of Life. His, Ours, Yours. The amazing Eternal life he offered us through his birth and death. Thousands of years and countless generations later we rush around buying gifts and preparing meals, busying ourselves with errands, parties, and events- we forget how important it really is to stop and be amazed at this precious and incredible gift we have received.

You are an amazing reader now (and I'm not just bragging cause I'm biased! ;)) You fly through books and in no time you're on to the next. Tonight I thought it would be nice to have you read out of my bible for the first time- and not just any passage, but the story of the birth of Christ. As you read it you had many questions and comments ("Whats a flock?" "Bethlehem was where Jesus was born! I was born in Riverside!") As I sat the listening to your voice I felt so nostalgic. Will you remember this? Will it be as important of a moment to you as it was to me? Will you treasure these things in your heart and ponder them, as I have? You read until you couldn't keep your eyes open any more and it was so cute because every time you got to a new verse you would read the verse number: "Ten. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Eleven. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." I can't say I've ever been more proud of anything you've done. I hope this instills something in you that lasts your entire life, a thirst for heavenly knowledge and a hunger for spiritual understanding.

I will treasure this moment and ponder it in my heart forever.

I love you Sweet Girl.

Mommy

Summer 2011

2011-09-04T22:44:00.000-07:00

Hello September!

Here is another photo post!

Our summer has been so full of fun and sun- It's hard to think that Rhiannon will be starting preschool soon! We have been so blessed to have such amazing friends and family!

Daddy took us to our First Twins Game!! He loves his team and was so happy to share this experience with us! Buffy, Travis, and Grammy came too! It was such a blast!!

We visited the Annenburg Beach house with our friends two weeks in a row!

Ballet started again this week and Rhiannon moved up to Pre-Ballet! Every time we ask her if she would rather do sports so says "no"so in ballet she stays! =)

So happy to see what the fall brings!!

xoxo,

Sarah

Rhiannon is 4 1/2...

2011-08-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Rhiannon-

My how things change in a matter of months!

You are now 4 years and 6 months, where did the time go?

You are preparing to start preschool. Mommy is having a much harder time with this than you are. We went and saw your new school and you beamed for days afterward, recounting every detail to anyone who would listen. You can't wait- but mommy can!

These past six months have been challenging to say the least. Daddy went on another trip, we visited North Dakota, and the summers calendar has been stuffed full of fun trips and play dates with friends.

You never went through the "Terrible Twos" but, boy oh boy, the 4 to 4 1/2's have been terrible enough to make up for it! It's been very challenging trying to find the methods of discipline and accountability that work for you. You throw tantrums that would put "TERRIBLE" two year olds to shame. But my love for you is unconditional and the moment you apologize my heart aches because I know that I probably wasn't on my best behavior in the midst of the tantrum either. We're working on it and are hoping school helps!

We celebrated your "1/2" birthday with pancakes and Disneyland!

Daddy and I also bought you your backpack and lunchbox for school- You look so proud in this picture

You are so beautiful Rhiannon, inside and out. You are special, and smart, and I'm so happy that I get to be your Mommy!!

xoxo,

Mommy

Rhiannon's First Swim Lesson

2011-07-21T22:52:00.000-07:00

I am not the best blogger- life gets in the way and busyness takes over. It makes me sad but all I can do is try my hardest to document our amazing life more often so one day Rhiannon can look back and see how cute she was and how much fun she had!

As I said, this summer has been SO busy and is flying by! But I HAD to write a post about Rhiannon's first swimming lesson! I get so sad thinking about forgetting the little things she does or says and this is one thing I CAN NOT forget!

Nick and Rhi are total fish. Once they're in the water it's tough to get them out! But as hard as we try to teach her basic swim technique she will not learn from us- so we started swimming lessons at an amazing school here in West LA and she did SO good! She paddled and kicked with her little flippers on- Nick and I were so proud! ;)

xoxo,

Sarah

I Heart Faces: Slice of Life...

2011-03-27T11:56:00.001-07:00

I'm joining I heart faces again this week for their "Slice of Life" contest! Click the link below to check it out!

This is a slice of our life in Los Angeles... living so close to the beach makes this girl happy- and what makes her happy makes her Daddy and I happy too! =)

xoxo,

Sarah

I Heart Faces- Peoples Choice, Best Face From February

2011-03-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

This is my first entry for I Heart Faces and I'm so excited to join in the linky fun!

This is my sweet February baby- we tend to celebrate her birthday all month long and that means I have my camera with me at all times! I had a million pictures to sort through but this one is my favorite.

Can you tell how blessed we are!?

xoxo,

Sarah

Rhiannon's 4th Birthday Party- A Photo post!

2011-02-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

February 27th, 2011

Rhiannon's 4th Birthday- Theme: Olivia the Pig

xoxo,

Sarah

4 Years Old...

2011-02-22T20:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Rhiannon,

You are 4 today and I can't tell who is more excited between the two of us. You have the whole day planned out- which is very fitting to your personality. Things planned to a "T", everything has to be perfect, if anything happens that isn't a part of YOUR plan you get very upset. But it's helpful to me because you never let me forget the things I need to do and you make me accountable for the things I say- and I love that about you.

Today we are going to your favorite mexican restaurant for your favorite lunch (enchiladas and "orange rice") and we're going bowling (which you are SO good at!)

Thing's you love...

Your Daddy (somethings never change!)

Frozen Yogurt: Chocolate and Oreo flavored with cookie dough pieces and m & m's

Ballet, it's your favorite part of the week!

Painting and drawing, you are SO talented!

Wearing dresses, you hate when I make you wear pants- it's always a fight!

Babies, whenever there's one around you're in their face!

You love doing everything I do. You feel so left out when I go somewhere without you and you always have to have your hair similar to mine. I love when we walk out the door in matching outfits with matching hair. You love to copy me so much that You even copy my attitudes and behaviors towards others- I can only pray that I am always conscience of being kind and compassionate throughout the day and that I am acting in a way that is pleasing to God at all times. Like I said, you keep me accountable! =)

Things you are...

You're so girly and I hope that never changes.

Loving

Caring

Feisty!! =)

You are a planner! You really don't understand the concept of "future" at this age, but you are always asking me what the agenda is for today, tomorrow- next month!! Ha!

You have a heart for Jesus. You sing kid's praise songs at the top of your lungs with out any thought to who may be listening. You sing from your heart and mean every word. I love your fearless faith and it speaks to me everyday.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl. You will never know or understand the impact you've had on my life. You are more of a gift that I can ever imagine deserving.

I Love You,

Mommy

Top 5 Reasons I Know My Almost 4 Year Old is Ready for Preschool...

2011-02-05T21:43:00.000-08:00

1. My daughter says to me, "Mom, I want to go to school." 400 times EVERYDAY.

2. When I pretend to cry everytime she brings up the fact that she is, in fact, turning FOUR *sniffle, sniffle* in a couple weeks she yells at me, "BUT I HAVE TO TURN 4 CAUSE I NEED TO GO TO SCHOOL AND LEARN!"

3. I am beginning to crave Child-like conversation as opposed to ADULT conversation. There is no "baby talk" left in my daughters conversations AT ALL. Gone are the days when I would stand at the mailbox and wait for an hour just so I could "get the mail" and talk the postal workers ear off. Now I'm scouring the park for babies to "Ooo" and "Ahh" over to get my "fix."

4. Everytime we pass a school she says, 'Is THAT the school i'm going to tomorrow?"

5. She uses words like, "Actually" and "Totally;" and says things like, "I don't understand you, Mom." and "Well, maybe I'll just do it tomorrow instead."

6. When asked how old she is she promptly announces she is, "Three and Three quarters."

So I am now resigned to the fact that this sweet baby is growing up too quickly....

Now begin the Days of watching my Sweet "Baby" grow and change before my eyes...

Someone Pass me the Box of Tissues....

xoxo,

Sarah

Rhiannon answers questions about Mommy~

2011-01-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

I saw this on Amanda's Blog and had to do it- knowing MY girl this has to be hilarious!

1. What is something Mommy always says to you?

"Silly-Head!"

2. What makes Mommy happy?
"Something that makes you happy is when I tell you I love you."

3. What makes Mommy sad?
"When I don't say, 'I love you!"

4. How does Mommy make you laugh?
"When you make silly faces."

5. What was Mommy like as a child?

"Umm, a little boy." (I chimed in, "I WAS NOT a little BOY!") "You were like a mommy!"

6. How old is Mommy?
"24!"

7. How tall is Mommy?
"8 Months-Years Old" (Okkk... Lol)

8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?
"You like to go to Target with me!"

9. What does Mommy do when you're not around?
"She goes to work."

10. If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?
"From hiding from me- cause you're good at that." (I hid from her last week and made her cry because she couldn't find me!! Oops! #momfail)

11. What is Mommy really good at?
"You're good at doing Yoga!"

12. What is Mommy not very good at?
"You're not very good at cutting things up."

13. What does Mommy do for her job?
"She makes cookies." (I work at a bakery!)

14. What is Mommy's favorite food?
"Sandwiches!" (She's SO right!!!)

15. What makes you proud of Mommy?
"That you make me proud of you is when you rode a horse with me when we went to North Dakota."

16. If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?
"She would be Cinderella!"

17. What do you and Mommy do together?
"We go to Target together ALL THE TIME!" (This unfortunately is very accurate.)

18. How are you and Mommy the same?
"Cause we have the same hair!"

19. How are you and Mommy different?
"Cause we don't have the same nose."

20. How do you know Mommy loves you?
"Because you say you love me all the time!"

21. Where is Mommy's favorite place to go?
Target

xoxo,

Sarah

Merry Merry CHRISTmas!

2010-12-25T15:26:00.000-08:00

Retro Plaid Christmas Card

Create unique Christmas cards with Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Christmas is here already!?

2010-11-27T18:17:00.001-08:00

Where has the time gone? I always feel so bombarded when the holidays arrive. Don't get me wrong I am more than happy to sit in my home amongst the decorations, drinking hot cocoa, and watching Elf- but I start to panic as soon as November hits! Luckily, Christmas cards are never a stress for me! I LOVE putting them together, choosing the pictures, and licking the stamps- this year I have the opportunity to share about the gorgeous cards on Shutterfly! I am in love with all of their designs and can't wait to put ours together this year!

I usually do just a photo card but I think I'm going to change it up a bit this year and do a holiday card with our family picture on it!

Although these make me want to change mind! Haha

This one...

And THIS one!!!

This is the one I think we will choose though!

I'll post our final decision as soon as we send them out in the mail! I'm so excited to show you all!!

xoxox,

Sarah

Update!

2010-06-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

I'm such a bad blogger! But then again there's not much going on around here to blog about.

We went to the beach for the first time this summer yesterday! It was such a gorgeous day!]

Rhiannon drew her name in the sand! =)

Hope everyone's doing well!

xoxo,

Sarah

Me- A to Z!

2010-05-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

Megan at "It's a Wonderful Life" did this A to Z questionnaire and I thought it was cute and fun so I'm in!

Area Code: I live in (310) but my cell is still (951)!

Bed Size: We've had a Queen as long as we've been together but just bought a King about a month ago. I can NOT believe the difference! How did we ever survive without a King!?

Chore You Hate: I hate you DISHES!!!!!! Ugh. Especially because we don't have a dishwasher!

Dog's Name: No Dogs! Our 3 year old is enough!

Essential "Start Your Day" Item: Rhiannon saying, "Good MORNING Mommy!"

Favorite Color: Purple

Gold or Silver: I have always been a silver fan but I've been wearing a lot of gold lately!

Height: 5' 7"

Instruments You Play: Don't laugh- I used to play the saxaphone! Hahahaha

Job: Stay at Home Mommy!

Kids: Rhiannon, 3

Living Arrangements: By the Beach with the Hubs and the Kid!

Mom's Name: Marcy

Nickname: Mommy, Babe, Sarah-Su

Overnight Hospital Stay: When I was 12 weeks pregnant and when I gave birth>

Pet Peeve: When people chew ice in my ear, people who are just mean and rude for no reason, honking!

Quote From a Movie: "Dear God! Please don't let the invisible fire kill my friend!!!"

Righty or Lefty: Righty!

Siblings: Bethany and Joanna

Time You Wake Up: It varies- mostly around 9 when Rhi wakes up

Underwear: Yes, I wear them!

Veggie You Dislike: I love all vegetables! =) Especially Brussel Sprouts!

Ways/Reasons You Are Late: Nick, My mom and Joanna, Rhiannon! Lol I HATE being late!!

X-Ray's You've Had: No x-rays!

Yummy Food You've Made: The list would be too long- I'm pretty good if I do say so myself! ;)

Zoo Animals You Like: I feel like I live in a zoo- so I'll say Rhiannon! =)

xoxoxoxoxox,

Sarah

We're Married!

2009-04-02T18:15:00.001-07:00

So I haven't blogged much lately... Oops. But I had to post a few of my favorite photos of our wedding day. Our photographer Paige IS incredibly talented. I can't believe THESE are the photos we get to spend the rest of our lives looking at! Thank you Paige!

The day was SO AMAZING, and my mom keeps telling me I need to post all of the behind the scenes about the day so I don't forget (like I would ever forget all the things that went wrong, lol) But I'm scared if I DO write about it the post would remind my friends what a crazy-bridezilla they had to deal with all day saturday and in turn I wouldn't have any bridesmaids for my next wedding (totally joking!)

Here are some of my faves!

In our hotel room at the Mission Inn...

After the Wedding

My Nini-Bug

Love this...

And they lived Happily Ever After.... The End.

xoxo,

Sarah Foss =)

PS- Thanks to Carrie for amazing hair and Make-Up and Melissa for being my superwoman for the day! =)