Ten Things to Smile About; December 2013

Ten Things to Smile About: December 2013

Well, true to form I am way, way late on this post.  Again.  But December is so full of goodness for us it is impossible to move away from doing the good stuff to writing about the good stuff.  Any day of the week I'd rather be late to my blog than to miss enjoying life.  We are so blessed to have such a good and plentiful life.  Last month was so good it was hard to pick just ten things that were worthy of a smile.  Happy New Year!

Much to my dismay, I do enjoy how much the kids love the return of Arthur the Elf.   Their happiness does make me smile.

My sweet Athlete being recognized with high honors in his first trimester of middle school.

The beautiful Christmas cards we receive from friends and family.  I love, love, love Christmas cards and save them all.

An overnight in Santa Barbara for a business event.  It was a grueling drive home (5 1/2 hours!!) but it was so fun to see my close friends who I used to see every day in the office

Taking Bob to see Frozen on ladies night.  The cutest movie!


The start of basketball season for both of my boys.  It is a serious time commitment for Mr. Montoya and a lot of work for The Athlete but even I am surprised how much I love to watch basketball.  It's my favorite sport of the year!

Even after five years of fighting for a seat, hearing the same songs and seeing the same production at school I love the annual Christmas pageant.  Now that my first born is too old to be in it the hassle of it is a little less and I can cherish the opportunity just a little more.  I know I will be heartbroken when I don't "have" to go anymore. 

The safe arrival of Nana.  It is always the OFFICIAL start of Christmas when she's here

Touring model homes with my Mom and Bob.  It was fun to get inspiration from brand new, perfectly decorated spaces and someone sweet and sassy was ready to move in.

Seeing the Rose Parade floats up close as they were being built.  AMAZING!

 

Those polka dots were cranberries and blueberries.  All applied by hand!!

Thirty Days of Thankful: Part Three

The month is over and my heart continues to be full of thanks for all of the little, and not so little, things that fill our world.  November is always a special blessing to me.

11.21.13 - Day 21

Today I am thankful for my girls.  These women know all of my deepest secrets and love me anyway. They've been there for the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and are each such treasures to me.  I am deeply thankful for them and blessed to call them my dearest friends.

11.22.13 - Day 22

I am thankful for the gift of time.  The kind of time you need to take a deep breath and the time to enjoy cheap wine and pizza with friends simply because you have no other commitments.  This is a gift that should never be taken for granted.  You'll never know how special it is until you don't have it.  I'm so thankful!

11.23.13 - Day 23

Today I am wholeheartedly and deeply thankful for this wonderful little creature.  She is equal parts sassy and sweet, but most importantly she is healthy and thriving in the world.  This girl never makes parenting easy, but she always makes it worth it.  Bob for President!!!!

11.24.13 - Day 24

I am thankful for forgiveness.  I have tons of experience with saying "I'm sorry" and tomorrow will be no exception.  I am cranky and entirely unreasonable today, but I am thankful that they'll still love me when the sun rises again.  Everyone has THOSE days and today is mine.

11.25.13 - Day 25

I am thankful for a day with no lunchboxes, no homework and no pouting about bedtime.  'Tis the season for family!!

11.26.13 - Day 26

My heart is abundantly grateful for my amazing son.  He is a great student, a talented athlete and an exceptional human being.  I didn't think I was ready to be a Mom when he came along, but God knew better.  Every day of my life has been richer since this precious child entered the world.

11.27.13 - Day 27

I am thankful that today is my Friday and it's almost over.

11.28.13 - Day 28

Today I am thankful for the whole dang thing.  The beautiful Thanksgiving mass this morning, my sweet little helpers in the kitchen, a bountiful meal and a family walk to the beach for playtime.  We are deeply and beautifully blessed.  Happy Thanksgiving friends!

11.29.13 - Day 29

I am thankful that there's not one thing on our list that required me to go shopping in the middle of the night, trample anyone or curse my way through a parking lot.

11.30.13 - Day 30

I am thankful for this month that draws to mind our need to give Thanks in all that we do.  Our little Thankful Tree was overflowing when we took off the tags to make way for another tree today.  We have so, so much to be grateful for all year long and my family's hearts are well prepared for the beauty of Advent tomorrow.  I have been abundantly blessed and am deeply thankful all year long.

Thirty Days of Thankful: Part 2

The month is almost over and year after year this renews itself as my favorite, and saddest, month.  Intentionally counting blessings is it's own gift, but the occasion of Thanksgiving always makes me miss home and my family.  Perhaps a gift in itself and a needed reminder of the good things that launched me to where I am now.  I am perhaps more thankful for that than anything.


30 Days of Thankful 2013

Days 11 through 20

11.11.13 - Day 11

I am filled with awe and gratitude for our military and their families.  Happy Veteran's Day to so many heroes including my dear Dad.  You are loved and appreciated today and every day.

11.12.13 - Day 12

Tonight I am thankful for cotillion and how much my kids enjoy it.  It is such a blessing for them to have fun with their friends in a drama free space where manners are COOL!

11.13.13 - Day 13

If you heard the news this morning then maybe you heard the woman from the Philippines saying "we don't need money or cell phones or television.  We need food."  I am thankful for every banana in my kitchen that is slightly overripe, every chicken breast that I forgot to thaw {again} to bake for dinner and every other staple I thoughtlessly skip when looking for a meal.  Today I am most thankful for food.

11.14.14 - Day 14

I am thankful for the view from our front porch this afternoon.  God's art is my very favorite.

11.15.13 - Day 15

Tonight I am beyond thankful that we have no commitments until noon tomorrow. Awesome!

11.16.13 - Day 16

I am thankful for a cozy place to call home.

11.17.13 - Day 17

Today I am thankful to be from a good family.  Not a famous family, not a rich family, but a GOOD family.  A family that taught me the value of hard work, honesty and worship and gifted me with the freedom to love deeply and to give without hesitation.

11.18.13 - Day 18

I am thankful for my amazing husband.  13 years ago today I became Mrs. Montoya and it's been a crazy ride, but I wouldn't change a minute of it for anything in the world.  Happy Anniversary Mr. Montoya!  You are everything MY husband should be and then some.  I can't wait to see what's in store for us next.  Forever and ever.

11.19.13 - Day 19

Today I am thankful for my sweet husband filling up my car with gas so I didn't have to and for a Starbucks skinny peppermint latte.  Little things make a big difference on busy mornings.

11.20.13 - Day 20

I am thankful today, and every day, for my Nanny.  She was the world's strongest, kindest, most faith-filled, loving woman EVER.  She would have literally given you every item of clothing from her closet, every ounce of food in her kitchen and loaded it all into her car for you if you said you needed it.  And then she still would have called you when you got home to see if you needed anything.  Disappointing my Nanny is the only thing that ever truly broke my heart and when I pray I honestly believe that she is sitting next the Lord listening.  She was so good and so incredibly perfect and Heaven is a much more appropriate place for her, but I still miss her beautiful face every single day.  Lucky me to have her in my world for more than 30 years.

Ten Things: October

Fall is officially here and there is a crispness to everything that I adore.  Mulling spices are simmering on the stove and the pumpkins on the table make me smile every time I see them.  October was a great month and even when it seems we can't be more blessed; we are.

Ten Things to Smile About: October 2013

My Bob being named MVP following an especially rough soccer game.  She was delighted to replenish her calories in the candy store.

A gorgeous Friday night wedding at the beach.  I am beyond happy for my sweet friend and her handsome new husband.  Congratulations Troutmans!

Driving to work every day on Pacific Coast Highway instead of the freeway.  Following the deep blue sea from Dana Point to Newport Beach is truly a magical way to start the day.

Thursday morning carpool and preschool story time with my goddaughter.

The very first cotillion of the season.  Now we have two little charmers doing the cha cha!

Finding a great after school sitter/driver on Care.com.  She is a MAJOR help to our family and the kids love her.  Win!  Win!

Every single thing about this video.  The Seminole football helmet, the skateboard, the crash pad against the door.  They crack me up!!

The rainbow loom factory that the kids have started in our family room.  Please let us know if you'd like a bracelet.  Bob is quite the salesman!!!

The new NBC show on Monday nights, The Blacklist.  Holy heart stopper!

Halloween, of course.  Wayne Campbell, a la Wayne's World (ca. 1992) and Alice of Alice in Wonderland. They loved it which I why I loved it.  The end.

The last Tuesday of the month is when Emmy posts her Ten Things.  I can't bear to make time go any faster than it already is.  Sorry to be tardy to the party, Emmy!

Ten Things to Smile About: December 2012

The end of anything always makes me sad. I am not good at goodbyes. December and 2012 being over is hard to take, but my feelings of gratitude for good health and a happy family to move into the new year offset any sadness. We have big things in store this year. Mark my words.

Ten Things to Smile About: December 2012

That rascally elf, Arthur, returning to our home to give us some laughs and heighten the happy anticipation of Santa's arrival.

How everything just seems jollier in December. Reindeer antlers intended for the dogs cracked up all of us one afternoon for a long time.

Noel Night at our church. The Princess sang with the Cherubs Choir and it was angelic. I never take these moments for granted.

The return of basketball season. Go Aztecs!!!

How dang excited the kids were to welcome Nana and Pat for their holiday stay. This little boy was trying so hard to be patient. He could NOT wait to greet our guests!

  Christmas cards. We love Christmas cards and the Princess put her own unique spin on our display . . . {ahem} this year

The most precious friendly beast in the school Christmas pageant.  

 

Simplifying our giving a little and still having way more than enough to go around. Thanks to Emily at JDC we had great tags to accompany our four gifts for each child.

This dog on a bench in front of us during an outdoor organ concert in Balboa Park. I'm not sure that ever in my life can I look at this photo and not smile. He was just the coolest dude around that day.



May January give you millions of reasons to smile and hope for the year ahead.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Peaceful hearts

The Christmas season always fills my heart with a joy that is different than any other time of year.  There is a certain joy associated with the celebrations and giving from the heart and the opportunities to spend more time than usual than people that matter the most to me.  Those things always fill me with true warmth and happiness.  But this year feels even more significant.  I have not been centered lately on what's the most important and, always, God calls me back to remind me that everything that matters is right in front of me.

My angel boy is training to be an altar server at school as part of his fifth grade religious education curriculum.  I moved some meetings last week stay for a mass where he was serving.  I sat in the sanctuary for 45 minutes between the time he had to be there for preparation and when mass started.  I was just THERE in the house of the Lord with my son and his friends moving around to prepare for mass and it was lovely.  A quiet, stolen sliver of time in a sacred place during the busiest time of year was such a blessing for me.  And seeing the pride of my son serving the Lord . . . no words.  The framework of his service during advent just magnifies the sacredness of all of it.

Tomorrow night the Princess will sing at Noel Night with the other tiny songbirds in the Cherubs Choir.  I anticipate it fully and wholly and treasure that she is so excited to sing the songs of Christmas.  I do know that she is excited too to wear a choir robe and I find that absolutely charming.

The halls are decked.  I mean fully decked by my little sweet peas.  We can't eat at the dining room table because it is fully covered with our holiday village and faux snow.  Every single ornament we own is on the tree below the five foot mark and in the front.  And this year I am forcing myself to be totally OK with it.  The joy of my children and the gift of their love is worth more than every beautiful thing I can imagine.

Time here is never guaranteed and Santa will be a distant memory soon enough.  I will cherish every poorly placed ball and ceramic figure skater for much longer than I will remember wishing the mantle were perfectly adorned.

 

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

2 Corinthians 9:15

Back on Track

It's been a while.  I know.  Somewhere between Thanksgiving Day and New Year' Eve I officially entered overload and my blog has suffered right along with the grocery shopping and laundry.  Mrs. LP, please forgive me :)

There's never a dull moment in this house.  Regardless of the season.  Between my precious offspring, their charming Dad and the rock throwing dog (I promise there will be a post about this sometime soon) I can barely wedge in time for showers and hand cream. I've always blogged as a creative outlet and a way to stay connected.  Then along came Arthur and the pending arrival of Santa.  A welcomed houseguest.  The requisite holiday festivities.  And the job change.  Mine.  By choice.  There just wasn't time for one more thing.  Not one single thing.

Santa left hats for everyone!

But now we're norming, and I'm back.

I have a new job and I LOVE it.  A whole dang lot.    My last day in my former position was just two weeks ago and I can't even fathom why I stayed there for eight years.  It seems like it might have been three years too many.  My fond memories are very, very faint.

The Athlete and The Princess are still my precious offspring. They're so amazing.  Really amazing.  Just so smart and articulate.  And healthy and funny.  And seven and nine for only a few more weeks.  I am cherishing them as much as possible.  Not tolerating.  Cherishing.

Their Dad is still charming.  Really, really charming.  And gifted.  And good to me.  He's been so very supportive and patient with me in my job transition.  He is coaching two basketball teams again this season and he makes me so proud when I watch him with those boys.  He is such a strong and talented leader to them and a wonderful man.  When I pray I always say thank you for him first.  He is a gift.

More posts to follow.  One for sure about the rock throwing dog.  And the fashion show that is my new office and the trip to Rome I am taking in a few weeks.  Pictures of my beautiful kids for sure.  And a post about loss that's been in my heart.  And . . .  There's always so much.

So much to be thankful for.  So much to want to capture before it's gone.  The blog is a written catalog of our moments.  Like a photo album with tons of text.  Not ever to be forgotten.

Happy New Year.  It's good to be back.

The Adventures of Arthur

There are so many gimmicks attached the holidays and our family usually foregoes them. I try really hard to spend time talking with the kids about the joy of giving and the significance of the season being a time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. We certainly get caught up in Santa Claus and the festiveness that goes along with Christmas, but try not to go overboard.  There is one gimmick that got us and I am so glad.
My kids are seven and nine and have never had Elf on the Shelf. It seems like you need start this before your kids can even read and to do it for always. I missed the boat on it a long time ago and thought the opportunity had passed.  Then I saw the flux of ideas on Pinterest (of course) that show the Elf doing all kinds of wacky things and had to give in. The Athlete and The Princess are just on the cusp of being too big, but they have the best sense of wonder and enthusiasm that makes this perfect for them. We’re having such a good time this week with our new pal, Arthur and the added bonus of The Princess getting out of bed without being asked so she can search for Arthur is fan.tas.tic.  And hearing her say the word "hilarious" is pretty great, too.

I hope your days are merry and bright, too!

He came in for a crash landing and got stuck in the dining room chandelier

Using a holiday photo as a canvas to improve his art skills

He borrowed the dog’s reindeer ears for a dress up party with the Christmas bears



Ten Things - November 2011

I'm late to the party (notice a trend?) but I somehow feel like if I don't admit that another month went by then it won't really happen.  Not true.  I love joining Emmy to recount the months, every month.  Not matter how fast it went.  But this one hurt a little.  Way. Too. Fast.

Ten Things to Smile About: November

The car service chauffeur agreeing to drop off the kids at school on my way to the airport. They were thrilled!

My super slick laptop and my sweet husband who went out at midnight on Black Friday to get it for me.  We can Skype again!! Thank you, sweetheart!

A 2 year old, a 7 year old, an 11 year old, a {darling} 4 year old, another 7 year old, a 9 year old and a 10 year old cousin having the grandest time together.  This makes me smile bigger than most anything that has happened to me lately.  I am so in love with each of these kiddos for what makes them uniquely special and I especially love how much they love each other.

A {free} fancy dinner and seeing Blue Man Group with E and some fun colleagues.

Emily from Jones Design Company offering fantastic holiday printables that I am using like crazy. You're gonna love her as much as I do.  I'm tellin' ya . . .

Telling myself that perfect is overrated (and believing it!!) and ordering my Christmas cards while they were on sale for Black Friday.

Celebrating my eleventh wedding anniversary with E.  I feel so lucky to still be IN love with the father of my children.  Truly.

Getting started on some handmade gifts

Enjoying the loveliest  Thanksgiving that I can remember in a long time.  Table settings, place cards, candlelight and amazing company.  The evening absolutely, positively made up for us not being in Hawaii this year.

p.s.  Anyone that can prepare a meal  for 31 guests that is elegant, delicious and beautiful and still look this great is a hero to me. Love you, Aunt Linda!!

Beginning the celebration of Advent and sharing the joy of giving with my children.  We have so much and Advent is the perfect time to reinforce with them that our bounty must be shared.  It IS the most wonderful time of the year.