Boutique

I have to get that picture of me off the top of the page. :) There, that's better.

This week is the MOPS boutique, the thing for which I plan for several months and the thing that is really my only responsibility as member of the MOPS steering team. Sooooo I've been real busy with that but am REALLY excited about this year's boutique. We've done more than ever to promote it and to get the best vendors possible. If you live in OC, listen to 95.9 The Fish on Tuesday or Wednesday night to hear our commercial!!!

And please come on Thursday if you're close!

december1boutique.blogspot.com

How I feel by this time in the day.

Today I had to cancel Lucy's participation in gymnastics class indefinitely. She throws a fit about her hair and about the leotard every time, often also throwing a fit in the car on the way. I let it go on way too long, because I hated to waste the money we'd paid up front. But today was one tantrum too many, and I called 20 minutes before her class to say she wouldn't be coming. We drove by so I could fill out the drop form. She was very sad, but she knows why she doesn't get to do it anymore. So disappointing!

Levi's party

We had family and a few friends over on Sunday for Levi's birthday. He received cars, cars, and more cars--and he couldn't have been happier. :)

Levi is 3

Happy birthday, sweet, silly, funny, cute, car-loving, smart, independent boy! We love you!

2011 Pictures

We got our family pictures today, and I love them! Here is one that didn't even make it onto the Christmas card:

And some really cute ones of the kids:

The pictures are from Old Town Orange--it was fun doing them there. 

I stayed up WAY too late tonight looking through the pictures, picking my favorites, creating different Christmas cards, and now blogging. I just love them!

Big transition

Recently, Jon was offered the opportunity to change jobs and become the marketing/business development/finances guy for our friend's growing company. After several months of prayer, discussion, and consideration, he gave his notice at Howard CDM--and now tomorrow is his last day! He has worked there for nearly 10 years, driving every day at least 80 miles round trip to Long Beach. But beginning next week, his commute to 4STEL Engineering will be so much better (to San Clemente). We are so excited about having more time together as a family, and Jon is super excited about working at 4STEL, helping the company grow even more.

I am so proud of and thankful for my husband, for how diligently he works for our family without complaint. Look at this wonderful write-up his company sent out today:

From: Sonya Rodriguez On Behalf Of Martin Howard
Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 2:03 PM
To: HCDM-All
Subject: Jon Varela's Farewell
Importance: High

All Staff:

As most of you know Jon Varela is leaving us and tomorrow will be his last day.

Jon joined us in 2002 when we started up a Wireless Company called Redpoint Wireless. Jon was our Los Angeles / Orange County Regional Manager. Jon excelled quickly and showed real leadership skills and dedication to our fledgling company. He was quickly promoted to General Manager in charge of our entire region which stretched from Sacramento to San Diego.

In 2006 when we sold Repoint Wireless,  Jon transitioned to Howard CDM as our Director of Marketing. Jon helped put a face on Howard CDM with revamping our website and marketing materials.  He’s the guy responsible for those great portraits everybody has in Outlook. Jon also transitioned into Business Development and helped to maintain our existing client relationships as well as developing new ones. Most recently Jon stepped into some messy projects left behind by others, turned them around and made them successful.

Jon is leaving us on a high note having completed all his project responsibilities and turning over all the communication and marketing materials intact and organized. He is leaving to assume a role as Marketing Director at a Solar Engineering Firm where he will have more time for his growing family and where undoubtedly he will be highly successful.

He leaves behind nine years of growth and development as a person and a wealth of friendships here at Howard CDM. Jon will always be welcome here at Howard CDM.

Join me this afternoon at EJ Malloy’s from 4:30 to 6pm for some cheer to send Jon on his way.

Thanks Jon for everything, 
Martin, Steve and William

Jonathan, I respect you and am thankful for you!

Pictures

I sat down to write the promised post and found I had no new pictures on the camera. So we just took these:

(That last one of Levi is him crying because he wanted me to stop taking pictures.)

Checking in

I'm still here! I'm busy with homeschooling (going well), work (fine), planning our MOPS boutique (December 1--planning is fun but I'll be glad when it's over), AWANA (great), and regular life. I will check back in this week with some pictures.