S U M M E R

VJCC Festival

I grew up going to our local VJCC (Venice Japanese Community Center) festival every summer and this past weekend my children participated in the Bon Odori dancing. My MIL brought out all her traditional outfits and hemmed them for the kids. Landon's happi coat was actually Josh's when he was little and danced at the same festival. 

My Sis knows the steps and hand motions for each song so she led the little ones around the circle while the Taiko drums played in the center.

A while back Sharon bought Emerson a book called Suki's Kimono. It's about a little girl who attends her local festival with her Obachan (grandmother), eats specials Japanese treats and wears a special outfit. Oh the pride she holds in her heritage! I'm hoping a bit of that influence was left on my children after this weekend, especially because Emerson keeps asking me if we are Chinese or Japanese. lol 

matane!

S U M M E R

Mother & Daughter

We have officially moved out of my parents and into the Green House. I call it that because it is green. lol Since we have been home it has been one nonstop party. Our life has dramatically changed and while most of it is good, it is an adjustment. So basically I'm just trying to stay ahead of the hour.

But the kids are loving the whirlwind. Sometime this past week E and I had an impromptu Mommy/Daughter Date. When I asked where she wanted to go/what treat she'd like to have, right away she said a donut and hot chocolate. So we sat and she enjoyed that while I enjoyed her.

She talked and I listened.

"Mother/Daughter relationships are complicated; so deeply woven from the beginning. And when they are off track it can feel like the weight of the world. And when you two are in-sync, nothing is more life giving...I do [these Mother/Daughter dates] for the love we've created and the love we're still constructing. Because it's gotta carry us through to the end. Her and I. Mother and Daughter. A forever thing."- thegraygang

Dad

A few days late but, in honor of Father's Day, a funny story.

My FIL is the owner/operator of a plumbing business. He is kindly doing all the plumbing for our new build. After going through the plumbing for the whole house with him and our architect we ended up in the master bath. I casually mentioned that I wanted two shower heads. To my surprise my FIL enthusiastically agreed, mentioning the "spa like" experience you'd have with having multiple jet streams for one person. Like this.

While that is a good idea, I really meant more of something like this. 

I stumbled over my words in trying to explain what I meant. Guys, YOU try explaining that to your Father-in-law. *face smack

Happy Father's Day dad!

S U M M E R

Yesterday at the supermarket, a man checked me out and I must say, after being asked if I was pregnant many times in the last few months, it was a welcomed reprieve.

I hesitate to tell you the age and obvious station of this man for fear it would dilute the significance but taking into account the number it did on my emotional needs he was basically Kobe Bryant in a suit.

Oh Game Day Kobe, I miss you.

The next generation is so lost.

I digress. 

Last night I realized that the reason I may be so chill about the life upheaval is because my neighbor smokes pot a lot and it's constantly coming through our bedroom window. All this time I've been attributing it to God!

Buutt, irregardless of who is responsible for my state of zen, guys, I've never smoked before and now I can say that I have! 

Yesterday I took my daughter and niece to Disneyland. This picture is an accurate depiction of their love for each other, their level of energy, and the amount of silliness that goes on between the two of them constantly. They are best friends and while wildly different, they accept one another, and also can usually work it out on their own. 

I loved having a sister so close in age, and while these girls aren't sisters technically, they do have many of the same benefits. 

Last night I had to ice my back and both of my knees. ha Grateful that I get to do things like this now that we are home. 

My devotions the other day said if we cling to Him what seems overwhelming won't be. Since we've been at my parents, what normally makes me anxious, hasn't. tired, hasn't. upset, hasn't. His life in me makes such a difference.

Also, summer has arrived and I'm here for it.

A weekend of fun but also a confirmation of our decision to return home.

Have a wonderful week y'all.