A good life

This week has been brutal.

I am in Las Vegas for a conference and I don't love Las Vegas. As a general rule, I get sick every time I spend more than two days in the desert. I am in the airport sucking on a cough drop and balancing tissue between my upper lip and my nostril. Pretty picture, no?

In the four days I've been here I have had 24 scheduled face to face meetings, as well as working until the wee hours on my regular workload back in the office. I have met some amazing people and had a lot of high-level, thought provoking conversations. That part is good. But, getting this involved in business always makes me a little melancholy because I feel like I'm choosing business over my family and I NEVER want that to be the case. I'm in perpetual scramble mode lately and I don't like it. This week gives me hope for better days ahead, but if I let things get the best of me (and I do) I just get sad. And then I remember . . .

My life is overflowing with beautiful and wonderful things. So much goodness. My happy thoughts for the week in no particular order.

The Princess has decided she prefers to be called "Bob" over her given name. That cracks me up, I read an email from her soccer coach this week and he referred to E as "Bob's Dad". Funny.




That quote reminds me of my Nanny. The love she gave me when she was here sees me through lots of sad days. It's comforting to still feel like I'm protected by her love.

Since I moved to California I've had a pile of bosses in the event industry. I saw three of them at this week's conference and they all hugged me tightly and asked authentically about my life. That feels really good. I've been blessed to work for some truly talented and extraordinary people.

Last weekend's concert date with E. He's so much fun to go out with.







A fun weekend ahead with E's family for a wedding. I love to get dressed up for any reason and I LOVE weddings.

Blueberry mojitos, Tory Burch wedges and Alex and Ani bracelets.

A fun project that I found on Pinterest (of course) and am super excited about the final product.

Being able to jump on a plane and be in my sweet children's bedrooms in less than two hours. I can't wait to see these faces. They carry me through every moment that is less than I want it to be.




A good life, indeed





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Ten Things: September 2012

Ten Things to Smile About: September 2012

Spending time with my giggly little nieces.  They always crack me up and they are so much fun to be around.

 

My first born entering the first year of sports for his school team.

This season is flag football and I think these boys couldn't be any cuter.  We play lots of sports around here but until now I couldn't understand how sweet it is to watch your child be a teammate to children he's literally grown up with.

 

 

I love #8!

 

 Soccer season starting for The Princess.  She is much more talented than she gives herself credit for, but all we're learning as we go.  She is having fun and we love to see her in action.

 

 

 

And isn't Neon Ninjas the cutest team name?!?!?

 

Spending quality time with girlfriends.  Lunch dates, shared dinners crammed between practice schedules, cupcakes and chats on the phone.  My family is EVERYTHING but man I love my girlfriends.  You know who you are.

 

An outdoor concert and night out with E.  We shared some drinks with friends before the show and had a great night.  I don't ever want to get so wrapped up in being a Mom that I forget that I was Mrs. first.

 

Showing The Princess that sometimes it's totally worth it to work your tail off.  She LOVES the transformation that is happening in her room.  It's a work in progress but she has total pride in what's hers and works on it a little every day.  Too cute!

 

 

 

Fall baseball season.

 

The Athlete will move up to a new age bracket this year and the pitcher's mound is ten feet further from home plate.  I'd be OK not to play the "extra" season but no one makes me love baseball like this kid.

 

 

 

Trader Joe's.

 

We're working hard to pack better lunches and eat dinner at home more.  That can't mean coq au vin for our family, but it does mean good, easy and (as) healthy (as possible).  They can't be beat for good, well-priced produce and easy to prepare meals.

 

Being Mom to the girliest, girly girl in the history of the world.  She loves mani/pedis, shiny lip gloss and sleeping in curlers.  I happen to find all of that totally irresistable.

 

 

 

Princess self-portrait

Seeing good grades and happy faces come home from school. Both of my angels have become avid readers and carry books with them when they're going to have down time. It's still early days, but I do love to see a folder full of 100% papers on Fridays.

 

Every day feels like a gift to me.  I am admittedly more gracious in receiving those gifts on certain days but I am constantly mindful of how beautiful every day is with healthy children and the life that E and I are sharing with them.  Ten Things each month is not enough, but it's a great place to start.

 

Emmy Mom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pinup Girl

Some people tease me about my serious obsession with Pinterest.  I'm OK with that.  Not only do I love the ideas that I get from other people I USE them.

I read tons of parenting articles that I wouldn't otherwise see.

There are great inspirational quotes that I use for myself and share with others.

The crafts and gifts that I pin I actually make.  OK not all of them (yet) but my Pinterest boards are seriously functional.  And that's the idea, right?

Some of my favorite things I've pinned recently are below.  I'm just overflowing with Pinspiration!

The sweetest, most fragrant, charming little housewarming gift.  I switched out the pot for a glass jar that was pinned for a different houswarming gift here.  PERFECT.

{via}



Super cute inspiration for The Princess' room redesign.  She's over the moon with this gallery wall.  I should probably start pinning less and get to painting!!

{via}


A load of great fall printables


{via}

There are a million great crockpot and easy recipes that I want to try.
Crockpot buffalo chicken??  yes, please!

 

 



{via}





and just good and simple inspiration

{via}

Need an idea for something?  I'm your "pinup" girl!

 

Flashback Friday

There's a sassy little miss that's getting lots of attention around here by default.  That must be the idea, I think.

She has a brother, though that is as precious and loved as ever.  This school year he seems suddenly very big and sophisticated.  He gets home from baseball practice a half hour after bedtime.  The same bedtime he's had since he was in first grade.  Then he stays up too late to read new books that his friends have recommended to him. It might be time to move on (for me) but we're in no hurry.

For me he will always be the sweet little gift from God that hung on his second grade teacher's every word.  He still loves bedtime prayers and thoughtful mass intentions.  The picture I carry of him in my heart looks mostly like this.  For my whole life.



First Holy Communion
May 2010

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.

~Rabindranath Tagore

Friendly Reminder

 There's an awful lot of fretting and disciplining that goes on around here.  Life at 1307 is most certainly NOT a free for all.  But with all the fretting and discipline there is an overwhelming abundance of love.

 



Dear Lord help me to remember every.single.day. that she will only be eight once and she may never EVER again swim in my bathtub with goggles on.  Remind me that I need to remind her that no one in the whole wide world will ever love her as much as I do.  Except you.

And Dear Lord, remind me that I can't just say it.  I must show her.  I must show her every day how deeply she is loved, respected and needed in our family.

 

Pouring my heart out with Shell over something that I want so badly and sometimes just need a friendly reminder.

From the bottom of my heart.

Poker Face

This one . . .

 

is going to break my heart.

The question is not "if" it will happen.  Unfortunately the questions are only around when it will happen and how much she will hurt herself in the process.

She is going to make my cry so much more than she will ever actually cry.  What gene is that?  And even more importantly, how do her Dad and I help her through?

We had a VERY serious conversation at our house tonight about being honest and saying things that could hurt other people without regard for their feelings or the consequences.  In the scheme of the whole wide world that seems pretty important.  She is only eight and I understand that there are limitations to her scope, but seriously {!!!!!} it was a big deal.  I absolutely know she got it.  Yet, there she sat.  Stone faced and silent. 

I took away television for six weeks.  That's not a typo.  No TV until Halloween.  And then she had to call her BFF's Mom to say she wasn't going to be able to come to her birthday party on Sunday.

"Hi Mrs. L.  It's the Princess.  I am sorry, but I can't come to BFFs birthday because I was dishonest."

Insert Charlie Brown talk track here, I only heard one side.

"Yes, I lost the privilege.  I am so sorry I won't be able to make it."

More Charlie Brown.  I need to get the recap.

"OK, bye."

That was it.  No quivering lip.  No crocodile tears.  No tantrums and begging.  No mad dash to the yard to cut flowers and say how sorry she was and that she desperately wanted to make things right.

Total poker face.

She finished her chores, brushed her teeth and went to bed. 

And here I sit aching for her.  I want to hold her and hear her say that she is sorry for her actions.  I want her to care about the world and herself as much as I care about her.  I want her beautiful little face to show something.  Anything.  Anything besides nothing.

I'm not a gambler, but I'll bet this is going to hurt a lot.

It's a privilege

September 11 is a sad day for the US. 

Everyone SHOULD be sad about the change that happened in our country that day and sad for all the families that lost someone special.  It is a day of solemn rememberance.  Remembering the tragedy of loss and the braveness of so many.

I cried in the car this morning reminding the kids that wearing red shirts to mass today wasn't a free dress pass - it was a privilege.  The Athlete understands a little about the signficance of 9/11.  He was especially focused on the passengers who diverted the flight that was headed for the pentagon.  His sister was clueless. She might be still.  I plan to talk to her about it again.  No one SHOULD ever forget.  They certainly don't have to cry everytime they recount the details (I'm a big ol' baby like that) but forgetting is not OK.  All of the children whose parents went to work that day and never came home won't ever forget.

Many blessings to those families that relive today every single day, not just once a year. And to all those who we lost that day; we will never forget.

Ten Things: August 2012

August was a month absolutely crammed full of things to smile about.  Birthdays, vacation and living the good life top the list.  As much as I don't want it to be over I know that we're lucky to have seen it and be able to spend September talking about.

Ten Things to Smile About: August 2012

An amazing family vacation in Yosemite National Park. It was, in fact, our fourth annual and it was the best yet. Horseback riding, hikes, miles and miles of biking. We loved it and I can honestly say that I enjoyed camping. No really. I liked it. A lot.

Cousins enjoying simple fun while we were on vacation.  I absolutely love that my best friend (who happens to be E's cousin) and I have kids the same age.  It is such a joy to watch them grow up together.  These crazies are truly a gift.

My Princess.  She informed me that she was moving to her summer home (aka a tent in the family room).  She moved her favorite books, her dolls and her art supplies into her tent summer home and slept there for a week.  I just love that girl.

Receiving the sweetest, most heartfelt birthday cards from both of my parents and one of my girlfriends.  I feel so very blessed to be so loved and am always especially grateful for a well timed card or words that speak right to my heart. 

Celebrating our goddaughter's 3rd birthday.  I don't love Chuck E Cheese but I do love this girl.  Happy Birthday, B!!!!

Cancelling a couple of trips and spending some much needed time at home.  A missing shoe was found, school supplies were purchased and organized BEFORE school and we went to the beach for the very first time this summer.  Aaaahhhhh . . . almost like we're normal.  Almost ; )

Using said down time to finally download all of our photos from Italy.  All 816 of them. 

Celebrating another birthday with my E

Great starts to second grade and fifth grade for my babies.  If I weren't there myself I wouldn't even believe it's true.

Pinterest projects ({slightly modified} for our teachers on the first day of school

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