1 December

August 25, 2011

Oh, you know when you wake up to all your dumplings in one bed, it's gonna be a good day!


Good day it was, it started out with Cap'n Crunch (thanks mom!) and yogurt for the gluten free peeps. I love hearing Abbie ask for "Cap'n Crunch", I call it Captain Crunch, always have, probably always will.

They got a move today (Bambi) and there were tears. It is extremely hard to find a move that doesn't make these delicate little hearts sad. Movie days in the summer are rare around here, they don't come around too often.


My Bo :) I love that he sleeps with Jameson and sits by Eleanor during meals. He is so sweet and could quite possibly be my most favorite dog ever.


She's not quiet too often, and she's rarely alone. But today I caught a moment during the "big kids" movie, she was playing with the wooden kitchen.


I had help vacuuming, if that's what you call it. Doesn't her face say it all!

We lost a tooth today!! His first of many. I seriously cannot really comprehend what really happened. My BABY boy lost a tooth! That's big time. That little tooth has been loose for quite awhile, and there are three more loose behind it. I hope they are all out at the same time and he has a big open square in the front! He's growing up, almost a first grader and I can't wait to walk this path with him.

NC in pictures

kisses and tears goodbye, forgotten camera, red-eye flights, airport americanos, early morning carolina skies, more coffee, walmart (with a cat), tired crabby toddler, hot, hot and humid, laughing while trying to drive the u-haul, moving boxed in said heat and humidity, more walmart, sleeping in...kinda, getting ready in one bathroom like we did 10 years ago, target, more starbucks, late night nail painting and life talks, peanut M&M's, early morning flights, saying goodbye, more flights with tired crabby toddler, airport food, seeing my 4 loves again.

All in all, an amazing trip that I will treasure always!

1:16pm

A very typical Wednesday afternoon around here. Some of us sleep, some of us play and some of us work.

Easier than words

What we've been up to...

Teamwork

Papa's Day

Today we took the train into Los Angeles to have tacos and margaritas on Olvera Street. The train ride was lovely (we got to be together instead of caravaning in two cars), the food was yummy and the company was my favorite part. I am soaking up this last summer with my sis before her move to Nashville, I can't believe I just wrote that :( and spent the day with two of my most favorite guys. Happy father's day!

Summertime

We are knee-deep in summer over here, and it feels so good! The days are full, long and glorious. Yesterday the kids wore their bathing suits all day, had otterpops and we ate two out of three meals outside on the patio. There was mud, mega doses of mud. They ask to go outside first thing in the morning. It's almost as if summer is beckoning them. They can't not be outside. I take up my spot at the table out there with them, my coffee, camera and reading material in hand and that's where we spend most of our day. It is as it should be.

I think the sunshine and fresh air is doing wonders for my state of mind and overall well being. After being in a slump for awhile, I am seeing the light at then end of this dark tunnel. Bill helped me discover I have pmdd. Thanks honey! This was news to be, but it all made perfect sense. I had been feeling down and if I didn't know better I would have called myself depressed. I didn't feel like it or I just convinced myself that I shouldn't be. Afterall, I had a wonderful marriage, amazing husband, healthy happy kids, enough money, a nice house. Why was I feeling this way? I did seem to feel good a lot of the time, but when I didn't I felt bad. I did a bit of research and put myself on a strict regimen of vitamins and supplements specifically for the symptoms I was experiencing, and what'da ya know...I'm feeling much better! In his efforts to help me, Bill also gave me a little "prescription" to follow. He said I needed a hobby! I had plenty. Sewing, knitting, photography and other crafty things I like to dabble in. The problem is that all those but one take lots of preparation and time, something I don't have too much of. So he asked me to work more on photography. It is easier to do while taking care of 4 little kids, so he says! (If you don't include all the hours organizing, editing and uploading photos!) All of the time consuming steps can be done easier while kids are sleeping. So I told him as part of my "therapy" I would. I took a photoshop editing class and learned so much. Next up is more hard core photography and composition class. I am LOVING it! I always enjoyed it as a hobby, but now I am learning more and spending more time focused on it , I am so glad he made me do this. I am focused on becoming the best I can be so that I can photograph my families memories.

The days will continue to be full with more camping trips planned for next month, recitals, DIY kitchen facelift, even more popsicles and bathing suit days and swim lessons. I say bring it on!

Heavy Heart

Last night I learned of a local young soldier that died serving his country. He was 19 years old, and married only 5 months. I also learned of a sad, sick group of people who maybe would be at his funeral today protesting. I then learned about a wonderful group of people called Patriot Guard Riders who would be there to shelter and protect the soldier's family. I met one of them today. My heart is so heavy. It is hard to see the beauty and joy today, I'm looking at the world with tarnished glasses on my eyes. I pray for peace for Army Pfc Ramon Mora Jr's family and for the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace.



(We were at church today for our end of year party when his funeral mass was taking place. I wanted to take this picture to remember this, when I felt such sadness and gratitude in the same moment. Also, the flag flying at half mast.)
http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_18178535?source=most_viewed

Movie Night

Bill was having a "star party" at work (telescopes, cameras and astronomy related things) showing off some new programs they've been working on. So, since he won't be home until after midnight I thought the kids and I would have some fun of our own. We had pizza and movie night. We watched Sleeping Beauty, and from the blank stares on their faces, it was a big hit!

Today

-Pictures of these cuties I took today make me smile. I see a resemblance, yet they're so unique.

-Glad that we have two more wacky Wednesdays (Abbie's theology class, violin, and usually errands of some sort)

-I'm looking forward to some summer projects. I won't mention them all. That way I won't feel like a loser when I read this in the fall and realize I didn't do any of them. I am planning to paint our kitchen cabinets though.

-Super excited that Carly comes home in two days!! This will be our last carefree summer before she becomes a married woman. We have already planned lots of "Target Tuesdays" and Starbucks trips!

-We've celebrated lots of milestones lately...birthdays, first communions, mothers day. I have felt very full of gratitude!

Today I found Happiness...

- in spending time in the violin makers shop, getting my growing girl a new, bigger violin (she's already practiced 3 times today!)

- in dinner with my mom and the kids.

- in picking the brain of my new friend Kris who has 15 kids, ages 25 to almost 2. I left feeling happy, grateful, and relieved.

- in watching Jameson jump around again! He got another bee sting which kept him pretty quiet for a few day.

- in Eleanor wearing her first of many pairs of Salt Water Sandals.

Finding Happiness

This girl who spent some quiet time with her mama this morning. She is so sweet and funny. So grateful she's ours.

The "big kids" playing together this morning. I sat and listened to the sweet sound of them talking about how to build their town.

The rain that poured from the sky. I am grateful that our plans for the day were cancelled and all we have to do today is enjoy one another and this beautiful day.

Bill surprised me this morning with coffee. He had already left for work, but came back to bring me my precious americano. I love him.

These two were making bookmarks for family and friends. I should learn from them to be more generous.

I am feeling happy today. Happier than I have felt in awhile. I am slower, and more thoughtful. Working on making these habits that stick around.

Shook

I am reading this book tonight. On page 27 I begin to cry, my EXACT thoughts, feelings, emotions are written in this paragraph. It is the EXACT place I am at. I was shook to my core. This book is speaking to me. God is speaking to me.

"I wake to self-hatred. To the wrestle to get it all done, the relentless anxiety that I am failing. Always, the failing. I yell at children, fester with bitterness, forget doctor appointments, lose library books, live selfishly, skip prayer, complain, go to bed too late, neglect cleaning the toilets. I live tired. Afraid. Anxious. Weary. Years, I feel it in the veins, the pulsing of ruptured hopes. Would I ever be enough, find enough, do enough?"