happy weekend

AWANA Grand Prix this weekend.  Daddy helped the kids make their cars.  We've been sanding and painting... so exciting.  OK, I'm thinking that the making of the cars will be more fun than the actual event, but maybe I will be wrong.

Thanks to Big Papa for the use of his barn to construct our super cool cars!  Wait until you see how they are painted.  Woo-hoo...

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And I'm happy to report that after missing SIX days of school, Cole went back to school at the end of this week.  That's a lot of school days.  It's nice to be back to normal. 

Hope you have a not so normal weekend!

wine and thankfulness

A fun little treat for me... I was asked to come to a wine tasting and shoot some photos for Montoliva Winery.  If you live in the area, I highly recommend their Italian style wines and a trip to their vineyard/winery.

God has been so good to me and blessing my new photography business. I'm so thankful for all that has happened in the last couple years.  And also thankful for the support of the people I have met during this process.  I just wanted to say that :)

blue skies and fevers

This weekend was beautiful.  Just take a look...

And even though I've had a boy with a fever for the last six days, we decided to take advantage of the sunshine and fresh air.  One can only be cooped up for so long!!

Jerry was working, but my mom and I packed a lunch and the kids and headed over to our old school where we had the run of things.  Hiked a short nature trail, played soccer on the ball wall, basketball, froggie catch, four corners and "state testing" (a game we divised on a map painted on the playground.)  Then we came home and both of the boys napped.  Perfect.

Cole is missing his fifth day of school today!!  But I'm hopeful for tomorrow.  And I'm happy we've had a break from all the rain to get some fresh air.  I can feel the promise of Spring in the air... (shhhhhh.)

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One a side note, it feels good to be back here on my blog on a more regular basis.  Like a breath of fresh air :)

soccer mom

I'm constantly feeling like there's not enough time in the day.  Time just flies by right before my very eyes.  Many who have grown kids have told me that one day you will wake up and they will be grown.  Well, I don't feel that way (yet), but it does seem to be going by really fast.  An entire sports season went by without even one post from me about it.  Shame on the soccer mom. 

And I don't quite understand what the "put down" is about being a soccer mom.  I loved it!  So fun to go out there and cheer on my soccer star, Cole. 

He loved it, too...  I remember a time when he didn't love soccer, and we hadn't tried it since.  This venture into soccer was much more successful.  He was rather obsessed with making goals.  And running - this kid loves to run!  (proud mom, sorry about that ;)

Looking forward to another season of soccer, but right now I'm excited to be a baseball mom again (it just doesn't have the same ring, does it?)

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And as a side note, I realize that I missed a day in my "post every day of this week".  I started this post last night - does that count?

a poem for parents

In cleaning out my stuff (I save almost everything), I found this poem that was given to the parents at the beginning of preschool (who knows from which child.)  But I like it and it's a darn good reminder of things that I know I can sometimes forget in the day to day job of parenting.  I hope you enjoy it...

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To The Parents From Their Children

Don't spoil me- I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for.
I'm only testing you.

Don't be afraid to be firm with me.  I prefer it.
It makes me feel more secure.

Don't correct me in front of people if you can help it.
I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.

Don't be too upset when I say "I hate you".
It isn't you I hate but your power to thwart me.

Don't protect me from consequences.
I need to learn the painful way,  sometimes.

Don't take too much notice of my small ailments.
I am quite capable of trading on them.

Don't make rash promises.
Remember that I feel badly let down when promises are broken.

Don't forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like.
That is why I am not always accurate.

Don't tax my honesty too  much,
I am easily frightened into telling lies.

Don't be inconsistent.
That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.

Don't ever think it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me
and an honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm toward you.

Don't forget that I cannot thrive without lots of understanding love,
but I don't need to tell you that, do I?

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Wow, that's good stuff.  And now that I have it saved, I can throw one thing away!!  Woot!

sunshine!

Between the fog and rain and sickness, I needed this today. No, I know it's not Fall, but the sun was shinning today! Real sunshine. It was even a bit warmish.

Cole came home sick today. Another one down with this nasty cold/cough. But it didn't seem all that bad with the blue skies and the sun shinning. We even opened up a couple windows for a little bit. Ahhhh... do you hear that? That was my soul sighing.

lotsa lemons

We picked a lot of lemons at Great Grandma's house. Luke and I squeezed and squeezed. Mommy and Lukie time... we have a lot of that right now. Just have to make sure we turn our lemons into lemonade ;)

Makes my mouth water just looking at his lemonade, because I know how sour it was. But it sure is fun to make your own!

We need a lemon tree.

sick of sick

Poor guy got the flu. Then a few rainy days of being better and he got a cold. (Started by Grace and passed right on to Luke and myself.)

Did I mention the rain has been crazy!? I know, I'm a California girl, I guess... we're not used to so many back to back storms. I like the sunshine. I like a storm and then a few days of sun to revive. It's a pattern that makes me happy. Nonstop rain is not making me so happy.

I could learn a thing or two from my little man. Luke decided (between storms) to go out and get a little wet and make our world a brighter place. I enjoy looking out the window at his creation. Maybe tomorrow we'll go out and add a sun and maybe some flowers.

And here's what I've decided to do to break up my days a bit -- post here on my blog every day of this week. This is a bit crazy of me, I know. Don't fall over in your desk chair! I've gotten a bit relaxed here on my blog. My thinking was that I have so much I want and need to do that I should cut out the extras, don't spend so much time on things like a blog. But now it feels like coming here might add something that is needed; creativity, accomplishment, maybe clean the cobwebs from my rainy day brain, and the practice of setting a goal and getting to the other side of it. I know, I over think things. It's only a week... shouldn't be too hard.

Leave me a comment if you so desire :) Then I'll know I'm not talking to myself (although that wouldn't be anything new!)

craft hope update

Craft Hope has raised over $20,000. for Doctors Without Borders who are doing a good work in Haiti. How did they do this, you ask? Go to the Craft Hope Etsy shop where hundreds of people have donated homemade items. You can shop - score some fantastic stuff, and help the people in Haiti at the same time. It's amazing what we can accomplish together!

Where have I been? I'm not sure. Home sick with a cold that's making it's way through our house. I've been watching the rain fall. It's been a weird week. I'm ready for a fresh start (and some sunshine.) Doesn't look like that's happening anytime soon, though.
Have a blessed Sunday, friends. I'm off to drink some orange juice.

Haiti

Praying for the people of Haiti. The images coming from Haiti are terrible. Unspeakable. I tucked my kids into bed last night with a lump in my throat. Thankful for a roof over our heads, to sleep in warm beds with full stomachs.

There are many ways to help the people of Haiti. Craft Hope is working on some things, too. Check it out. Pray and kiss your loved ones.


What a wonderful God we have - he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4