Tuesday, September 30, 2014

11 Days of Fray

A lot can happen in 11 days.

For us it was a temporary move out, a temporary move in, a complete move out, and a complete move in. Phew! The work done at our apartment turned into a situation we didn't feel comfortable having the baby in so instead of moving back in we searched for a new place and moved in there.

Sounds so simple when I put it that way. GAH!

We ended up finding a 2 bed 2 bath place in corporate housing. I know. Doesn't 'corporate housing' sound awful? But guys, let me tell you something, I ain't complaining over reliable air, water, and gas. Plus everything is clean and Josh again has a room to work out in and I have a grocery store across the street. ACROSS THE STREET. Westwood for groceries? Forgetaboutit. If anything, this last year and a half has taught me that we are corporate housing peeps!

Anyway, I have a cold. As does the baby. I am a sucker for getting sick once the fray dies down. Pull it together girl. Ain't no time for a weakling. You've got boxes to unpack and a baby to take care of.

Got to go. Back to this. :p


Friday, September 19, 2014

Friday Favorites // And A Bit Of Reality

This week we had an impromptu staycation at my sisters house. Their timely vacation departure allowed us a safe (and cool!) place to stay while work was done at our place. I miss my littles, especially when I think of me and Noe Girl and that day we hung out under the beautiful trees at the park, the breeze brushing up against our faces and the shade from the beautiful trees shielding us from the worst of the sun.

Me and Noe Girl.


Web Favorites //

This is my current desktop picture. Download if you so please.

Someone at Google is a generous SOB! All the more reason for our love affair with them.

This is no joke. It can actually HEAL ITSELF. Sign me up Scottie!

To all my paper loving friends, this has happened.

Are YOU safe from a natural disaster? I certainly am not.

Josh has been waiting for this technology to take hold for years. Honey, here you go.

Fall + Camping + Northern California = Thumbs Up. Here's the way to do it.


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

A Symphony : 6 Months


I can't believe it. 6 months. 

We are more settled now, her and I. There has been a subtle yet constant shift occurring these last few months and it has brought us to a really sweet spot.  In the beginning I didn't trust myself. My instincts damaged from those first six weeks. So I doubted myself. 

But her and I have come to an understanding. I get her now. I can sense what it is before it comes to be and each time I get it right the doubt that filled me from the beginning slips off my shoulders. This is what I always dreamed motherhood was - two sounds working so synonymously together that you can't help but hear the symphony.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

9/11


I remember where I was that morning. I was nineteen and living at my parents home. It was early but the phone was ringing. Someone alluded to an attack. I went to the living room and turned on the TV. As I watched the plume of smoke from the first tower my mind went numb. Then the second plane hit the second tower. The buildings fell.

My mom can remember exactly what she was doing when Kennedy was assassinated. In vivid detail. I think everyone in that generation can. And I'm sure it is the same for this generation. We all have that moment etched into our minds forever.

My heart hurts for those whose lives were forever altered by that day. May our nation be reminded this year and every year to bind together, rather than apart; to put aside our differences and reach the core of mankind, which is good and generous, kind and loving, thoughtful and selfless.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

From My Point Of View


I don't deserve this life but I'm unequivocally thankful for it - and for the little life that fills it.

Monday, September 8, 2014

The Mom's Club

I'm in a thankful kind of place.

Today I got to spend a few hours with a bunch of moms at MOPS and it was refreshing and fun. It was your typical women's gathering consisting of food, laughter, sharing, and some crying.

I wasn't planning on leaving the baby in the childcare house so I wasn't prepared emotionally and I kinda freaked out. She did just fine though. What. The baby can survive without me for a few hours? :p

Anyway, I'm thankful for these women, most of whom I can't remember their names and yet still I already have a deep appreciation for them. The candid conversation. The acceptance.

I think the Mom's Club can bind you to strangers faster than any other club. More than the Ethnicity Club or the Socioeconomic Club, the Age Club or the Gender Club. Access is immediate and membership is forever.

drop off / reunion

Saturday, September 6, 2014

For her. For me. For him. For us.

I blinked and a month went by without my daily devotion.

I know that because my bookmark was still on August 6. I should have known. The more independent I get from the Lord the more dependent I become on my self will, my way, my stubbornness, my emotions.

It seemed that the devo today spoke directly to me.

Do everything in dependence of Me. The desire to act independently - apart from me - springs from the root of pride. Self- sufficiency is subtle, insinuating its way into your thoughts and actions without you realizing it. But apart from me, you can do nothing: that is nothing of eternal value. My deepest desire for you is that you learn to depend on me in every situation. I move heaven and earth to accomplish this purpose, but you must collaborate with me in this training. Teaching you would be simple if I negated your free will or overwhelmed you with my power. However, I love you too much to withdraw the godlike privilege I bestowed on you as my image-bearer. Use your freedom wisely, by relying on me constantly. Thus you enjoy my presence and peace. - Jesus Calling

Now, more than ever, it is important for me to be in God's word. For her. For me. For him. For us.


Friday, September 5, 2014

Friday Favorites

Noe Girl - the power to make or break your day. :p



Web Favorites / /

My dream charter school does lunch like the French.

I'm debating buying this and this. I don't need it but I NEED it. :)



Have a sweet weekend everyone. *kiss

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Cakes Turns 2!

Cole turned two while we were in Portland. Two!

I can't believe it. It feels like just yesterday I was holding my brand new little nephew in my arms. I can remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. It was in the afternoon and a small group of us were waiting to be let in the birthing room. When we were let in it was a hushed excitement and joyous anticipation. Aimee looked at me and asked if I wanted to hold him. I was overcome. The first one, what an honor! I started to move forward but before I could reach the bassinet my dad swooped in and picked him up. My moment..stolen! :p

It was love at first sight.

How time has flown. He has a wicked sense of humor and a large vocabulary. He can complete full sentences and can easily recall something that he did weeks prior. And while his favorite thing used to be eating, I would gander that coveted spot has been replaced by imaginary play and walking about. Here he is last weekend. Don't forget to turn up the sound.



He is no longer my Babycakes, just Cakes. And sometimes when he does something awfully wonderful, he's Sweet Cakes. Happy Birthday my little wonder. Auntie loves you this (arms reaching out as far as they can go) much!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Travelogue: Portland

I just realized it's Wednesday, instead of Monday. My heart skipped a beat.

Heeeeeey friends! We just returned from a long weekend in Portland. It was the first flight for the babes and she did great. She is a great traveler. And by great traveler I mean she can nap in the car and sleep in any house. As I write this she's down for her morning nap, like clockwork. Thumbs up!

Anyway, we trekked up to Oregon with Blane and Aimee & co. It was fun. When we are with them Josh and I do 50% more so it was quite the trip. :p

We pulled a Portland and rented a house through Airbnb. It was 2 bed 2 bath with a full kitchen + laundry. We did laundry every day, had a dishwasher to clean bottles, and a fridge to store milk. Golden.

We went to Multnomah Falls.

We ate lots of good food.

We played in the most beautiful parks.

We walked around the Oregon Zoo.

We also shopped, went to the largest independent used and new bookstore in the U.S., racked up the goods at the Nike Company Store, toured Lake Oswego, and enjoyed the Hoyt Arboretum

My pre conceived view of the city was not entirely what it was. Have you ever seen Portlandia? That's what I thought we were going into. Maybe a little eco conscious self righteousness? But instead we found the people to be so friendly, non judgmental and relaxed. What I'm saying is they still gave you a bag if you bought something and served your coffee in a to-go cup but lots of menu items were locally sourced and it was obvious everyone recycled.

Portland is also beautiful. Green Green Green! Trees everywhere! The air was so fresh. The city so well kept. The streets were clean. Even the zoo didn't smell like a zoo. It was a nice deviation from our traffic infested concrete jungle. Also, Oregon has no sales tax. Really fun whenever we bought something.

My most coveted memories included spending time with Cakes, Noe beating Josh and Blane into submission during that one car ride, spending nights laughing and talking with Blane and Aimee, and exploring the city with my husband and daughter.

It was a nice break as summer winds down and we begin to head into fall. 

Thankful for long weekends like these.