Wow, What a Year!

Can you believe in a just a week we will be welcoming 2012! This year zoomed into full action early on and blasted right by us faster than a blink of an eye.
This year with the really busy schedule I completely forgot to plan Christmas Cards... Yes, I did get Tommy a Holiday Sweater and Annaleah a Holiday Dress, but we didn't get to get their photos taken this year-- I blinked and now it is the Day before Christmas. Next year, I promise to pencil it in (in November)!!
January held dental visits that were less than exciting. February took us to the Farm for Tommy's First Kindergarten Field Trip and onto the ice and Tommy was a real trooper all suited up for Hockey. March Our Little Lady turned 3, and is blooming into a beautiful Rose a little more each day. April brought showers of joy with my niece Lydia being born and Kindergarten Singing Programs and adventures to the park. May made sure flowers were beautiful for my sister, Sandy's Wedding. June flew me to visit one of my best friends in Washington, Tommy Graduated from Kindergarten and moved up to First Grade. July was filled with BBQ's, home made ice cream, swimming lessons, picnics, a visit to the LA Zoo and fireworks. August had back to school shopping, sleep overs, we got to visit my cousin Charity, and go to Lake Havasu, and a trip to the Circus. September became really busy starting up Tommy's third season of Soccer, becoming a Tiger Scout and a First Grader. October was filled with wonderful harvest activities, trips to the pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, and soccer games. November Tommy Magically Became 7!!! Where does the time go? We also visited with our cousins for Thanksgiving! December is now here and it is almost gone- but we have made the most of it, with a Sea World Trip, Holiday Parties, attending Ducks Games, Den Meetings, a visit to a radio station, Christmas shopping and trying to get everything done.
On top of all of that, 2011 brought play dates, birthday parties, pampering days, relaxation days, stressful days, baby showers, lunch breaks, new jobs, weddings, dinner with friends, new babies, first birthdays, and so much more!
We are so grateful to have all of you as our friends, and family! 2011 was busy, a little stressful, crazy but all around wonderful! I cannot believe how fast each year goes by, and I cannot wait to start all the chaos all over again!
Thank you for sharing our wild world with us, and thank you for being the best you can possibly be! We are so grateful to know each of you and have you as our universe!
We love you so much and wish you a warm and magical Holiday season, and ring in the new year with great wishes and dreams to be fulfilled in 2012!!!
xoxo

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Yes, I said it, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!! It sound's cliche, but I truly believe this is the best time of any year, the air is crisp and cool, the holiday music is playing so joyfully over the speakers in every store, at each gas station, in my house, and in my car. Decorations are put up nearly everywhere you look, trees that line the streets have lights twinkling on them, gingerbread houses and snowmen are festive icons next to Jesus and Santa Clause. Holiday Movies are on television, people seem to be so much nicer and happier as they rush around town looking for the special some one's perfect gift. I do believe this is the best time of the year, no other holiday can compare... Easter comes close, but I still have to say, Christmastime is the best!
Is it really the sights, sounds, tastes, smells and feeling of the Winter Holiday or is it the Celebration of our Saviors Birth?  Or is it a combination of the two? I do believe any baby, including our Savior Jesus, is something worth celebrating. Children are blessings, gifts from Heaven so each year a huge baby shower for Jesus is perfect, it helps us to remember that we are all children of God! I also believe this time of the year is most magical because there is not just Christmas that is celebrated, but there is Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, St. Nicholas Day, Bodhi Day, then New Years! It is a time of laughter, there are memories to be made, moments of reflection, gift giving, and just celebration!
One month of parties, social gatherings, church plays, carolers, Christmas lights, cookies, pies, honey baked ham, cards, heartfelt television specials, photographs, friends, family, one month is never long enough. On top of all this, Christmas is also about mythological characters, some of my favorites are Frosty, and Rudolph, Abominable Snowman, Winter Warlock, Jack Frost, Island of Misfit Toys, Ebenezer Scrooge, and who can forget my favorite The Grinch. I love all of these characters, Most people would just love the already lovable Frosty and Rudolph, but the rest seem to be villains or lost characters that don't like the season for whatever their reasoning, but I love them because they find their own meaning and like the Grinch his heart grew three sizes that day, he realized that Christmas is more than the toys, the dressings, and the cosmetic parts of the holiday, it was more. I know each year when I pull out my tree, dress up my house, and slowly fill gifts under my tree I know that Christmas is more than that, it is a feeling, a memory, a knowing that this is the best time of the year and to love everyone, there is a Tiny Tim in each of us holding on to the Magic you find in the season and trying to spread it as far as it will go!
I wish everyone a Wonderful Holiday Season, whatever you celebrate, just celebrate!

Give Thanks, There is a lot to be Greatful For.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that often gets overlooked, you have all of the imagination and wonder of Halloween, and the parties and splendor of Christmas, Thanksgiving is sitting right in the middle... it is one day out of the 365 days in the year where you plan a HUGE feast, grab a chocolate turkey from See's Candies, and say what you are most thankful for then after you have consumed as much food as you can handle, and possibly after a nap, or a football game you are off to fill your shopping carts on Black Friday. 

This year seemed as if it has been pushed aside and even forgotten, holiday music had been filling the air waves at least a week prior to Thanksgiving and the red and green decorations clutter the walls of the shops and malls around town. I feel so bad for the poor turkey that was sacrificed to be drenched in gravy and eaten so quickly without enjoying the season.

I wish the world would spend a little bit more time on Thanksgiving, maybe people might actually appriciate what they have or be a little bit more caring to the next guy. I understand retail needs to be updated at least a season in advance so items can be purchased and prepared, but give a little love to the turkey!!!

In our household every year in September I put out my "Happy Fall" placemats and pumpkin decorations, and I celebrate the weather changing and embrace the wonderful holiday moments to come. October I add jack-o-lanterns, candy corn, and my festive Halloween placemats so for a month I welcome the idea of a fun and free spirited holiday, and of course the first day of November out comes my "Give Thanks" placemats, and my corn o’copia, away go the jack-o-lanterns but the pumpkins still remain (you cannot have pumpkin pie without pumpkins) and I ask my children as often as possible throughout the month what they are most thankful for. Now children have many things they are thankful for, and to you or I it may seem silly, but to them it is quite serious... items like their favorite stuffed toy, or favorite coin, favorite moments at school or with friends, thankful for birthday parties, then you hear them start to sound really thoughtful: thankful for their mommy and daddy, and thankful for their best friends and cousins. Thanksgiving day arrives each year in our household, and we prepare a handful of delicious dishes to take up to my parents’ house, and each year my father hands me a chocolate turkey from See's Candies and I know I am thankful for my children, my family, my friends, and my Thanksgiving placemats that are a reminder to my children not to let this one day of the year pass without being truly thankful and knowing they are blessed. Fill your table with hearty food, special loved ones and most importantly thankful hearts.

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Halloween wraps fear in innocence,
As though it were a slightly sour sweet.
Let terror, then, be turned into a treat...
~Nicholas Gordon

Halloween is the time of year to head to the pumpkin patch, pick out the best pumpkin and carve it into a jack-o-lantern. It is a time when bobbing for apples is entertainment, a time to put on a costume and pretend to be something you are not. Some may think it is a time to be scary, but not at our house... it is a time to imagine you are the astronaut, the prima ballerina, and become your hero and transform dreams into a reality. It is a time for celebration, with parties and adventures with friends and family as you take your bright orange bucket out into the night and whisper "trick-or-treat" to friendly neighbors and explore gigantic spider webs and with your flickering flashlight find a cauldron filled with tasty delicious treats. Once your quest for candy has been mastered, you travel back to headquarters and sort out your treasures: chocolate, fruity, lollypops, and there may be the occasional "yucky" catch that makes its way to the trash can.

I love Halloween, and enjoy all of the many events we do for the holiday. I love watching my children's eye light up with delight when they pick out their costume, or the look of curiosity when they are traveling door to door for their favorite treats and taking their precious "loot" home and pick and choose what they like, or what they would like to trade each other. Moments, precious moments that make memories. These are some of the memories that make life worth living.

M&M Duels

Whenever I get a packet of M&M’s, I make it my duty to continue the strength and robustness of the sweet as a species. To this end, I hold M&M duels.

Taking two M&M’s between my thumb and forefinger, I apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them cracks and splinters. That one is the loser, and I eat the inferior one immediately. The winner continues to the next round.

I have found that, in general, the brown and red M&M’s are tougher, and the newer blue ones are genetically inferior. I have hypothesized that the blue M&M’s as a race cannot survive long in the intense theater of competition that is the modern candy and snack-food world.

Occasionally I will get a mutation, an M&M that is mis-shapen, or pointier, or flatter than the rest. Almost invariably this proves to be a weakness, but on very rare occasions it gives the candy extra strength. In this way, the species continues to adapt to its environment.

When I reach the end of the pack, I am left with one M&M, the strongest of the herd. Since it would make no sense to eat this one as well, I pack it neatly in an envelope and send it to M&M Mars, a Division of Mars, Inc., along with a 3×5 card reading, “Please use this M&M for breeding purposes.” This week they wrote back to thank me, and sent me a coupon for a free pound of M&M’s. I consider this grant money. I have set aside the weekend for a grand tournament.

From a field of hundreds, we will discover the true champion.

There can only be one.

Music, a Universal Language

I was driving around town and running errands and over the radio I the powerful sound of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture came over the radio. I have heard this song many times throughout my life and have performed it as well, but this version played by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra was brilliant! This particular piece usually has recorded cannons and recorded bells, but this time they brought out the artillary and the bright sound of the bells, instruments and explosions filled my car. Now this particular piece of music has no historical connection with the United States, however it is often heard on the fourth of July. It was an amazing way to gear up and start my day! I love the power of music!

Autumn

The crisp cool air, the leaves changing colors, the gentle transition from summer to winter. This is Autumn!
Oh how I love the magic that changes the season.

The harvest,
pumpkins, apples, corn
The Festivities,
halloween, thanksgiving, Tommys Birthday
The Magic,
The changing of leaves, the soft wind, the cool air.

Autumn is the time of year children head back to school, the marching band practices late into the night, its football season, soccer season, the smells of pumpkin pie, taste of apple cider, the time to choose the best pumpkin for carving, the choosing of the most impressive costume, the biggest feast of the year, family, friends and the feeling of love. Yes, there is something magical about this change of weather. Something delightful and calm about Autumn... you know it is all in preporation for the most giving and most carefree season of all, Christmas time.

Autumn is also fantastic for television! Sure there were some pretty great shows on during the summer... but I am so happy for what is prepared for television this Fall!!!

Yes, drinking hot chocolate by a warm fire as the wind blows all of the leaves around the yard and in the most comfy outfit is curled up on the couch watching everything from "Army Wives" to "White Collar" is where you will find me if I am not in the other 100 places I usually am this time of year. Thank goodness for the power to record television!
Some of my favorite television shows are back and I have added some new shows to my list of favorites!
Since I cannot tell you my complete favorite I decided to list them alphebetically, no bias here!
Bones... Castle... Criminal Minds... Desparate Housewives... Drop Dead Diva... Glee...
The Good Wife... Grey's Anatomy... House... Law and Order(all of them CI SVU... etc)... NCIS... Parenthood... Person of Interest... The Playboy Club... Psych... Revenge... Unforgetable... White Collar.
Just to name a few!

This is going to be a wonderful Autumn... I can feel it!

Serenity in the Chaos

I love, love, love to be busy... the more items penciled onto the calendar the better! I love taking Tommy to school in the morning, and stopping by the park to play on the swings with Annaleah, I love soccer games and practice, I love cub scout meetings and outings, I love sitting down coloring with Annaleah, reading books with Tommy and singing sweet lullaby's, I love shopping with Annaleah(she is a great little helper) I love putting puzzles together, I love driving city to city to get errands accomplished, I love racing around the house to clean, organize, dust, vacuum, and straighten up, I love visiting with my friends, and I love planning events, and making goodies for the soccer team and people! I love the feeling of being busy, the feeling of accomplishment, the desire to never be boring!

In all of the chaos, and with all of the running around I cherish and hold the quiet moments, the moments you can never "redo" like the night Tommy and I made a sleeping bag out of his blanket and laid on the floor staring out the window to the full moon, the small wishes he made under his breath to make sure I couldn't hear his unselfish thoughts. The snuggle bug moments that started out as laughing and being loud was quickly changed to quiet and curiosity as the nearby high school marching band practiced their field show. And the time Annaleah danced like she was auditioning for "Flash dance" in the living room and she was mighty proud of everything she did and was ready for a bath after because she "had to clean off the sweat bugs".

I hold dear the tiny glances my children give to me when they are overjoyed, confused, tired, and those super grumpy faces. The many different muscles they use to express so much without saying a word. Sure I can capture most on camera, but it is the random two second glance that says "mommy you need to know what I am thinking right this minute or I am going to burst into tears because you don't completely understand me right now."

I treasure the moments Annaleah looks up at me and randomly decides to apologize for something although she hasn't done anything wrong, and she still requires a hug and a kiss because she believes it will make me feel better. I prize each moment that Tommy decides to pop his seat belt, plant a kiss on my lips and jumps out of the car saying "mommy I am going to have a great day, you do too!"

These tiny moments, these sweet events that money cannot buy, and these transactions that are non-transferable are ALL MINE!!! No one can duplicate them, no one can take them away from me. I may love to be busy, but one thing I have a habit of doing is noticing the details. These details in my life collaborate and become my oasis, my laughing place, my serenity in the chaos.

Remember September 11th

Ten years ago today a devastating event shook our nation. An event so horrible it took the lives many and changed the lives of all!

In honor of those lost and our country the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts had a flag ceremony at a local church. Tommy was excited to present our colors and he stood there and saluted our country's flag. He was not born, nor could he possibly understand what our nation went through on that scary day, but he stood there in his cub scout uniform as tall as can be and he saluted the red, white and blue with pride.

Following the presentation of the flag they showed a slide show and if I wasn't already in tears from watching my little man in his uniform honoring our country, I was after the slide show.
I was proud to see Tommy recieve his first patch, a patch in honor of our country. I know Tommy is going to grow up so much and these moments are going to fly by! I cannot wait to watch him develop, grow and become a young man before my eyes.

A New Tiger to the Pack!

There is a new cub in the pack! It seems as if it was just yesterday that I brought home my 6 lb 2 oz, 19 in baby boy. He was a quiet, happy and snuggle-buggy baby. Today he is still a snuggle-bug (on his terms) and he is still happy, but he has grown into an intelligent, creative, adventurous, fun-loving, talkative, stubborn, funny, leader of the pack. He just started First Grade, and his third season of soccer and as if he wasn’t busy enough he is starting cub scouts! He is my new Tiger Cub!

We attended our first Pack Meeting on Tuesday night and they went over many fun activities that are coming up, Tommy was very excited about the “popcorn fundraiser” because he is able to sell something. He also was jazzed about the “Rocktober” event (Rocket event in October- the boys get to build and blast off their own Rockets) then Sunday is his first chance to earn a patch, after the church services on Sunday they will be having a “Remember 9/11” Ceremony and Tommy gets to participate in the presenting the colors. I am so excited we joined a busy pack. We will find out in the next few weeks what our Den number is and who the cubs are in our Den. I am excited to see him sport the Navy and Orange Uniform, attend meetings, collect awards, meet friends, grow and grow and grow!!!

I know he is standing at the start of this adventurous road, not really realizing what is yet to come, or how it is all supposed to lay out, but he is standing there excited to start and advance, grow and learn in so many ways! He is my Terrific Tiger!!!

back to school

BACK TO SCHOOL!

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. ~Sydney J. Harris

Hope everyone has a wonderful and successful school year!

The weather is still warm (it can still be really hot!), swim suits are still hanging to dry in the bathtub, and the sun still hovers in the evening sky next to the moon. The house is tidy, quiet, sometimes it feels as if time is standing still. It can only mean one thing, school is back in session. Tommy is a First Grader now. I am blown away, that time has gone by so fast. Seasons changed and the calendar was hardly empty, but it seems like it was only yesterday I brought home this 6lb 2oz 19in baby boy home. Now he is in first grade! The first week of school is still in progress and he is really enjoying being back to school. He goes to school dressed in his best clothes (his choice) he gets up early, and goes through the morning routine and gets in the car with the biggest smile in the world. His first day of school, Sept. 6th was a very long day, but he managed it really well. He was a happy camper all day at school and was on his best behavior after school we got ready for his first pack meeting. That is right; my big six year old is starting cub scouts!! Tommy is my terrific tiger cub! Between School, Scouts and his third season of Soccer he is a very busy boy! He is sooo excited to be busy! I am very excited for this school year and cannot wait to watch my little man grow leaps and bounds!

Who Needs Sleep??

It is the last week before school is back in session, what better way to squeeze adventures into these final days of chaos and madness than to have your best friend sleep over. Now, we all know slumber parties have nothing to do with sleep, they are about staying up as long as you can, eating as much junk food as possible, watching movies, building forts, stargazing, laughter, secrets and building friendships.
The boys did everything they could to stay awake and we popped popcorn, watched movies, their favorite was "Mars Needs Moms", and playing with as many toys as possible. Their imaginations ran wild as they built a train track and the cars invaded the express way, then they were attacked by the transformers. They built a fort out of bedclothes and told stories late into the night. The sound of whispers was interrupted only by laughter.
In the morning we fixed a breakfast for champions, delicious pancakes and eggs. After breakfast it was as if their play time had not been disturbed, the laughter and joyful playing continued on until little rumbly tummys were ready for lunch. We headed to McDonald's and they ate their happymeals and we headed on the road to take Myles home. We played at his house and enjoyed the pool then during the heat of the day we settled in to watch "Toy Story" and we hugged our friends and headed home. Just a few days left before school is back underway and we can say we have had an adventurous summer!! Now time to get into the groove and get ready fir school!!

Final weeks of Summer!

Summer is coming to a close, in a few short weeks school will be back in session. The days will start to get shorter, the weather will cool down, and book bags will take the place of swimsuits.
Since that is a few weeks away, that means we have a few weeks to jam pack all of the fun adventures we can onto the calendar! Fire up the BBQ, squeeze the last few drops of sunblock from the tube, sunbathe at the beach, pack a picnic, visit friends, ride your bike, enjoy a gigantic soft serve ice cream cone, explore, discover, and run wild and free, feel the sun kiss your nose and embrace the warmth before the cool breeze arrives and the pumpkins are ready to harvest.

Splish Splash!

Summer is a wonderful, relaxing and free time. But the fun and carefree feeling can fade fast if you or someone you know is not comfortable in or around water. Water safety is a HUGE part of summer, whether you are at the pool, on a boat or visiting the beach. This year I decided to sign Tommy and Annaleah up for Swim Classes. However this does not prevent accidents from occurring, but it gives them a better understanding of how to be safe in and around water. They started by practicing blowing bubbles, most small children hold their nose and take a deep breath, they often end up sucking in water instead of blowing out air. They also have learned to be comfortable in the water, if you are a wiggly worm you will not float. They are also learning how to swim, they are learning big arms, and gliding on the surface, retrieving objects and floating on their backs and back stroke, etc... I know they will be stronger swimmers than I am in no time, and with their knowledge of water safety and their confidence in the water I can watch from arms length rather than be afraid to let them go without me in the water. Make sure you are caught up on water safety and CPR this summer!!! Hope everyone is having a fun and safe Summer!

A Yankee Doodle Dandy Day!

Independence Day is a day for parades, BBQ's, picnics, home made ice cream, family reunions, political speeches and of course fireworks. It is a day of celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States.

"During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4 1776."

"In a remarkable coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe, the Fifth President of the United States, died on July 4, 1831. Calvin Coolidge, the Thirtieth President, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, was the only President to be born on Independence Day."



Tommy, Annaleah and I celebrated the day with dressing in our festive Red White and Blue and headed up to Oma's House, although my mom and dad were out of town- we visited Patsy, David and Jonathan and my friend Megan came over to enjoy swimming, pasta salad, independence day jello, corn on the cob, all American hamburgers and hotdogs and home made ice cream. Tommy and Annaleah helped putting the salt and ice over the can of ice cream to keep it cold as it turned the smooth cream into delicious ice cream. We wore our festive swim suits and jumped into the pool and splashed away the afternoon, and we took a nap in the sunshine and worked on our tans-however, I am still ghost white, maybe if I wear shorts the rest of the summer I might get a little bit of color. Plus, Sandy and Robert stopped by to say Hello. Last but not least, I love seeing the fire work display that sparkle and light up the night sky. What a wonderful celebration!



Many classic films played on television in honor of the day: Yankee Doodle Dandy, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Independence Day, 1776, Born on the Fourth of July, The Patriot, The Music Man(1962 version), Stars and Stripes Forever, To Kill a Mockingbird... the list goes on and on!

I love seeing all of the United states flags waving with pride, the 50 Stars that represent the states that sit in the blue rectangle that represents the Union, the 13 stripes that represent the thirteen original colonies that rebelled from the British Monarchy. Wave Old Glory Proud!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Day and I hope everyone enjoyed the festivities and was able to reflect on the history of the day and everything our country and founding fathers went through to get us to where we are today!

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Independence Day!

God Bless America!!!

The Simple Things in Life Make All the Difference

Breakfast on the patio, listening to the birds sing their morning song. Lazy days laying in the warm glow from the sun as a soft breeze passes over you. Sipping freshly brewed iced tea, and having a picnic at the park with sequels of joy fill the air as my children play merrily in the green grass. Making home-made popsicles from fresh juice or constructing an "ants on a log" snack with my little architect; "mommy, how about 3 black ants and 4 red ones". Trips to the museum, aquarium, the zoo, and to amusement parks. Splashing in the pool, running through the sprinklers and pretending to be mermaids, sharks, queens and kings. The smell of sunblock. Frozen grapes, fresh strawberries and the biggest watermelon you every laid eyes on. Corn on the cob, a juicy steak, and the smell of warm apple pie to share with great friends and family at a BBQ. Grabbing the camping gear, and taking a car trip to the great outdoors for a hike, to explore, and to rough it. To engage in campfire songs, scary ghost stories, and roasting marshmallows over a friendly fire and making sure not to burn them so your s'more comes out delicious and you want seconds, thirds. And opting not to sleep in the tent, rather under a star-filled sky and pointing out the constellations until you drift to sleep as if you are on cloud 9. To have watched the world through the viewfinder and collected moments of these times and preserving them forever.

Milestones...

Life. Life is a crazy thing, everything is measured. How tall are you? How old are you? How many years have you been in school? What time is it? How many miles apart are your friends houses?
Everything has a measurement: there are two semesters in a year of college, there are four quarters in a football game, seven continents, 12 inches in a foot, the alphabet has 26 letters, Fifty nifty United States, sixty minutes in an hour, and an infinite number of stars in the universe.
We can measure light, sound, height, weight, blood pressure, time, we measure everything in its own unique way.
During all of the chaos of numbers, symbols, and measurements we can get lost and go crazy so what do we do... we make milestones.
Tommy's kindergarten class has a fancy way of counting it starts off normal: 1, 2, 3, 4, and then they clap at number 5, normal again for 6, 7, 8, 9, and then out of nowhere all of the kindergarteners throw their hands in the air and say YAY! for number 10. The cycle repeats and every "5" (i.e. 5, 15, 25...) they clap and every "10" (i.e. 10, 20, 30...) they celebrate!
I feel that life is much like Tommy's kindergarten counting method. We go through our daily lives and "clap" for a milestone-winning a game or getting an award from school. Then we "YAY" with our hands in the air for grand milestones- Graduating High School/College, getting Married, having a baby and such.
Well today was a "Grand Milestone", Tommy lost tooth number 4... now I know that may not be very "grand" to most people, but having a child, and seeing that toothless grin and watching their little teeth come in and they learn to eat, and smile with their big grins, and when they lose their first tooth and how funny they look and how they have to reinvent how they eat because there is a big space that was helping bite off a piece of steak is now gone.
Enjoying each milestone, Finding out your pregnant, going through the 9 months and all of the doctor visits, the ultrasounds. Delivering your precious bundle of joy and watching every move they make. Watching them change everyday and grow in so many ways, watching them sit up, crawl, pull themselves up, walk, run, talk, play, interact with you, and other children their size. Just watch them develop and conquer each "YAY" milestone, and before you know it they will be standing in a cap and gown, at the alter, or in the delivery room ready to start the process all over again.
Life, no matter how you measure it... its a Grand Event!

OOOPS!!!

Now, this is what happens when you try to do EVERYTHING at once!
I decided to pile on as much of the clean folded laundry onto the already packed basket and with the Mountain Range of Laundry in my hands I grab the kids, my purse, my water, the mail and my phone. Now the kids can walk by themselves so that took some of the edge off... but walking from our car to our house and up the stairs my phone was wiggling itself out of my pullover's pocket... next thing you hear... CRASH, BOOM, BANG, SPLAT my phone broke free but to a damaging end. I went to pick up my faced down telephone, hoping with the protective cover still on it would have survived with minor damages. I flipped it over, hoping it was going to be alright... but no hope in the world was able to save what I saw...
So next time you are trying to be superman, just remember you are already supermom and it is okay to make multiple trips to the car to get what you need accomplished.

Celebrating Teachers

I think the reason Mothers Day and Teacher Appreciation Week are around the same time of year is because it is a time to show your love and appreciation to those who help grow the flowers of tomorrow. Teachers are extremely important and when you get a phenomenal teacher, like Tommy was got this year, it makes all the difference in the world. Mrs. D has got to be the BEST Kindergarten Teacher in the wold!! She is so wonderful with all of the children in the class. She has so much Patience and love for each child. Being a teacher, let alone a kindergarten teacher, is hard work and a challenge and she does it with ease. I am very delighted that Tommy was put into her class.
I strongly believe that teachers are important to our future and when a fabulous teacher gets a hold of the clay we call children and helps mold them to dream and potentially become something amazing I believe that is something worth celebrating! Teachers devote time, effort, energy and pure love into the children and Mrs. D does this with each and every child that walks through her class room doors.
Celebrate your teachers, Pre-School through Grad School with a little something for their class(school supplies) and make sure you say thank you.

Spring into action and celebrate Mom!!!

Spring time is not only amazing with all of the animals waking up from a long winters nap, making their way back to a warmer climate, or having nests come alive with new life, and flowers opening to the sun's kiss, bees buzzing, but it’s a beautiful time of year for weddings, it’s a perfect season for spring cleaning and taxes, a time for Celebrating Easter, Rejoicing Mother Earth, it’s a time to jump in puddles, roll in the grass, have a picnic, and Spring is the season to celebrate Mothers.

Mothers make the world go round; we dry tears with our sleeves, we are a shoulder to cry on, we are an open ear to hear what needs to be said, we have eyes that seem to see EVERYTHING, we kiss a boo-boo and magically it is all better, we are the warm hugs that keep you safe, we are the heroes that frighten the monsters under the bed, we sing the soft lullabies and make up the most daring adventurous bedtime stories, we make the coolest forts out of sheets, we are there to correct you when you are into mischief, we are a crutch when you need assistance, we are your motivation when you feel discouraged, we are your cheerleading team that never gives up on you no matter what the final score ends up being, we are beyond proud when you succeed, we are supportive and there to help you back up if you fail, and most importantly we are the GIGANTIC HEART that will love you to the moon and beyond.

I am one of the luckiest mothers in the world to have two beautiful and amazing children!!! They are growing up so fast and it doesn’t matter the good, bad or different they are my little luv bugs. I am also so fortunate to have sat on a rainbow and land in a pot of gold; I have the best girlfriends in the world that are also fabulous mothers!! I don’t know where I would be without them and they teach me so much!! I love them all and am impressed with them; they are so beautiful and amazing in so many ways. My mother is a very special woman, she is her own person, and there is no one in the world that is like her. She has her own way of doing things, and no matter what anyone says she is a wonderful Oma!!

If you have a spectacular mother, grandmother or great grandmother, or if you have fabulous girlfriends, beautiful sisters, amazing cousins and aunts that are mothers, celebrate them this weekend! They have traded sleep for dark circles, salon haircuts for a ponytail, long showers for quick ones, designer bags for diaper bags, they stay up late and get up early, help you on last minute projects the night before they are due, they did everything they can just for you! They are mothers!!!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of my MOMMYs!!! ::HUGS::

Welcome Lydia Grace

What a way to end April! My older sister, Rebecca, delivered her sixth baby at home on April 29thWelcome Lydia Grace! All of her older siblings already love her, and she is so beautiful.
Lydia is my parent's 8th Grandchild: Ethan(8), Tyra(6 almost 7), Tommy(6), Jeremy(5), Dinah(3), Annaleah(3), Chloe(almost 2) and now Lydia!!! Now Rebecca can relax this mothers day and enjoy with her six little love bugs and I am a happy Auntie to her six and a happy mommy to my two... now hopefully Debby and Sandy and all of our other siblings will continue to add to the lovely bunch of babies soon! Welcome Spring and Happy Mothers Day to all of the women who were crazy enough to have one or more children!!!

Where is My Map??

Life is exciting and adventurous and wonderful but also can be confusing and difficult and unpredictable.

I dreamed about being a nurse my whole life, and when I was studying for my MA I was so excited and ready to jump into the mix. I currently want to do that, but sometimes I am less ecstatic and ready to take on a different challenge. I love party planning, I love the organization and the planning that it takes to put on and host a party, I love paying attention to detail, and if I was to have an endless supply of funds- the party I would throw would be superb!!

I also love interior design shows, I love going into shops where they have home decor set up, and I love to rearrange the pillows on 'staged' beds, and changing vase' around on tables, I just love making things beautiful... and again, my intense attention to detail.

I deeply enjoy taking photos, however this can be in my blood because my grandfather is a wonderful photographer. I love how the light reacts to objects and I love capturing different moments and freezing them in time... yet again, my love for detail and perfection.

I have so many talents and favorite pastimes, I don't know which way I should go. I wish I had a map or at least a compass that would point me in the right direction. I feel so lost, I am not sure if I should go back to school, or if I should take what I already know and run with it. Or if I should do a few years in one profession and change career paths down the road. Why do I feel so lost?? Why do I feel like I am uncertain about a direction I should be taking?? Where do I go from here, how can I be the best example for my children to follow their dreams, if I don't know what mine is??

I often feel like I am walking around in the dark, I need a flashlight that points me in the direction I should be going.

Am I having a mid- 20's crisis?? I know some adventures are still ongoing, and have been fun as well as challenging such as having children, and they are amazing and truly educating to me and I have grown and I know I will continue to grow as a person as I teach them how to be the best people they can possibly be. I got married, I graduated High School as well as a College Trade School, I have worked in many industries and I believe I have truly learned many lessons. But I am soooo confused, and you would think that when you get older and wiser that you would have a clear vision on which path to take. Where is the Gigantic Directory that has the "you are here" sticker.

I am not the type of girl to peek in my Christmas gifts, and I had two surprise baby births, and I enjoy mystery and excitement, and surprise, but which path do I go down now?? And If I choose one and am not interested, can I still choose a U-turn??? Or will I be stuck in a choice forever??

Where is my map?!?!

Easter

I love Easter! The coloring and hunting of the eggs, the basket of goodies left behind by the Easter Bunny, The Easter Dresses and Suits!!! I loved this Easter so much!!! This year we started with a egg hunt at home, and the children discovering their baskets and the joy on their faces!!! Growing up celebrating the holidays is wonderful, but witnessing it through children's eyes, now that is more than a blessing, that is magic!!!


We then went to Grandpa and Oma's and had GGrandma's famous French toast- SOOOOO Delicious!!!! Then into our Easter best and off to church!! It isn't often we go to church, so when we do get to go we have a good time! It is fun to see old faces and hear the speakers, and just to remember what Easter is all about. It is also a special time to spend with family! After Church we went back to the house and had a Grand Easter Egg Hunt!! All of the eggs were found and we got to enjoy a big handful of plastic eggs filled with candy, and hard-boiled eggs that we colored the day before! And we had a Delicious Dinner, and a wonderful time just being with the family!!
This Easter was special also because it was Grandpa and Oma's 29th Wedding Anniversary!
Who could ask for anything more!!!

Has it really been four years?!?

WOW I just realized the last time I wrote on my blog was about four years ago!!! Well, if you feel like you missed anything, I have been keeping up with my family photo website... so check out: www.laparnesunshinephotos.shutterfly.com
Lots of great photos and journal entries-- I promise to keep up with my blog from now on!

Stop and Smell the Roses

After seven years without a phone, you think I would be jazzed to have one. At first I was, I was so excited to pass out a telephone number where anyone was able to reach me any time of the day. I was text happy and I was able to sit on the internet even in rush hour traffic just to check up on my Facebook notifications. It has been just shy of a year with my phone and it seems to be quiet. All if my friends have jobs and are super busy. Sure I am busy too... but I really miss coming home and checking the answering machine to hear all of the voices of friends and family that needed something or just missed me. I jump on the computer and there is nothing new on Facebook or my hotmail. Yes it is nice to have a phone whenever I get a flat tire, or am running late somewhere, or if I get lost. I know I am connected. But I just miss the days when technology wasn't at everybody's fingertips. I remember my first cell phone in High School, it was something you were able to dial a telephone number and you were able to text, the screen was green and black. I think the fanciest thing that you were able to do was play 'snake'. or how many remember the pager, lol now that was something-- and you had to wait to get to a telephone to call or respond. I think people were more focused with less technology in their power. Sure connecting and networking is important, but I bet you 10 years ago it was more personal, and people took the time to pick up a land-line to say 'how do you do'. I think its time for people to make time to stop and smell the roses, myself included. Turn off your cell phone for a day(its okay to use it in an emergency). Pick up the house phone and make a call to your grandparents, your parents, your siblings, your friends. Life flies by too fast to miss it, because you were too busy with work or school. put down your phone, pick up a good book, visit a library, don't be so rushed to sit in the drive-thru line, sit down in the restaurant, see a play, visit the zoo or museums, travel, sight see, have a picnic, make time for you as well as others, stop and smell the roses. You will benefit greatly!!!! ♥