Monday, August 26, 2013

Guardian Angel

Third grade and sixth grade happened at our house today.  My personal lack of clarity is contributing to my TOTAL freak out about my first born being in middle school, but they are not even phased.  They each came home delighted with their day for different reasons.  I am delighted for them.

The Athlete is mostly thrilled about his new iPad and having a locker.  Be still my heart




Bob is thrilled because she spent the afternoon at the beach with her classmates following a noon dismissal.  It makes perfect sense that her takeaway included play time! 

They were both assigned as Guardian Angels for new students to our small private school and both came home talking about their new friends.  I am so proud of both of their big hearts and great attitudes. 

Here's to all the sweet students who have another year of greatness on the horizon and a prayer for their guidance and protection.


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Sweet to be me

Today I turned 39. There was no parade or fanfare and I didn't even get a birthday cake. At 39 I don't expect a parade or any fanfare, but if I'm being honest I'm a little sad about the birthday cake. I really like birthday cake.

The thing about being me, though is that I can buy my own cake any day of the year that I want. And I can light candles (or not) and share it (or not). Because even though I love rich, creamy cake with sweet frosting there are a few things I love even more. And three of them are laying in bed with me loving me the best way they know how on my 39th birthday.

And with that I must say that it's awfully sweet to be me.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Seeking a second chance

We returned from our annual Yosemite vacation last night and I am renewed, refreshed and inspired.  Once again I have been blessed enough to receive more than I seek. 

 
I am hopeful to catch up on my blog to recount our time together with family and friends and to make up for other lost time.  I knew it before I left, but it's clearer than ever now that we are home.  I am wasting precious moments chasing things that don't matter.  It's time to get back on track. And back to the blog.  It's a gift to have the chance to start over.  If only everyone were so lucky . . .

Simple Math


5 tents
+
6 kids
+
9 adults
+
3 bear boxes
+
2 dozen squirrels
+
200 bees
_______________________

Vacation 

We were a party of 15 in the great outdoors and seriously some kind of crew.  At 11, our first born was the oldest kid and the tiniest camper was two.  The civilized world has never seen dirtier toes or stickier smiles.  There were a lot more marshmallows being served than vegetables and every adolescent squabble was solved with a bike ride.  It is exactly the way life should be.

 
These are the moments that add up to the moments of a lifetime.  It's a simple equation.
 

Friday, May 17, 2013

Flashback Friday

It's been about four thousand months since I did a Flashback Friday post, but we are dreaming of warm weather here and some down time.  V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N. is on our mind.

The little blonde cocoa bean in this photo turned four on this 2008 summer trip to Hawaii.  She just got braces on Wednesday and is turning nine this summer.  And time marches on . . .

 
 
Vacation: a period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need. 
~Author Unknown

Sunday, May 12, 2013

For my treasures

When I tell you that you're a gift to me, I mean it. Deep down, all the way through, I know that God had a plan for me that is still beyond my comprehension. When each of you came to Daddy and me I wasn't anxiously wishing for you. I've seen the despair and hurt that comes when there is a Mama with no baby and that wasn't me. I didn't even know that I needed you to become the person that God intended for me to be. I thought I was fine. But then everything changed.

My gratitude for you was immediate and intense. The gift of your life was, and never is, lost on me. I understand fully that I am better because of you. Every day. Every time I pray, I say thank you FOR you. But maybe not enough TO you.

My precious babies, thank you. Thank you for loving me so fully even when I fail you. Thank you for loving each other with a ferocity that only siblings can share. Thank you for your giant smiles, sharp minds and your love of dogs and sunshine. Thank you for taking out the trash, hanging up your back packs and being great readers. Thank you for being your unique and extraordinary selves.

My sensitive and gentle son, I thank you for the lesson that not every action must be so intense that it fractures the intended outcome. Thank you for your humility, your dark curly eyelashes and your giant heart. Thank you for treating your Dad like a hero and me like a Princess. Thank you for listening carefully when I am struggling to be good enough for you and can't articulate exactly what I want for you. Thank you for trying so hard to make me feel like I am not destroying your spirit when I am clumsy and cruel in my words to you.

My spirited and brilliant girl, thank you for your mischief and your wonder of the world. Thank you for reminding me that energy and curiosity need positive outlets and for never allowing me to be lazy about our time together. Thank you for giving me a dose of own medicine sometimes but then forgiving easily when I bare my soul and apologize for my lack of patience. Thank you for your sparkly blue eyes that see straight through me and your fierce hugs and wild laughter.

You are my treasures. You are a gift. Every bouquet of flowers, every card and breakfast on a tray is appreciated, but there is nothing that I want more than happiness and wellness for the two of you. Mother's Day is my honor.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Rarely Right

Southern California in the 21st century is a tough place to raise a family with peaceful hearts.  There really is just not a lot of time or space to breathe deeply, sigh and say "all is right with the world".

The highs are very high.

Mind blowing sunsets

Red carpet nights out

World class everything

It just rarely seems right.

Shopping at the right stores for the right food to give the kids the right fuel.  And, of course, they need the right fuel to give them an advantage in the right school with the right kids making the right choices.

The power and the stamina to make it through the days always feels like a gift, but I'm just never certain that it's right.

This morning, though is a different story.  It's so quiet.  So peaceful.

My girl and I were the first to rise and we made a recipe for breakfast cookies from Pinterest.  We did it right and they're good.

My guy is playing with Legos in the floor of the family room that is cleaner than usual.

Both dogs are lying in the slivers of morning sunshine on the floor.

The washing machine is running and the giant bouquet of stock that I bought at Costco is unbelievably fragrant and lovely.

Tomorrow morning will be an entirely different story, but today's it right.  It is a rare and beautiful treasure.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Phillipians 4:8


Sunday, February 3, 2013

Ten Things to Smile About: January 2013

January was fast and frantic and ended up with The Athlete suffering through the flu for a week. The perfect way to recap and remember the goodness is the very first Ten Things to Smile About for 2013. 

Ten Things to Smile About: January 2013


A weekend getaway to the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

 
 
 
Bedtime prayers with my sweet, sweet boy
 
 
 
Cleaning and refreshing our long neglected home.  2013 is a brand new year!
 
 Ziplining for the first time.  Amazing.
 

 
 
Costa Rica
 
 
 
 

Keeping up with the kids via email and FaceTime while i was out of the country.  There is definitely some upside to technology.
 
The zaniness that is of Bob
(formerly known as The Princess)
 


 
 
Basketball season
 
 
 
 The exteme beauty of where we live
 

 
My wee little cookie machine
 

 
 
The reminder to recall my Ten Things come from Emmy Mom. She always makes me smile, too.
  
  



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