My Little Miracles

I am

2012-02-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

I believe these two pics tell you exactly who I am.....
I'm a mom, I'm fun, I'm oblivious, as I had NO idea these pics were taken!

I'm happy, and I'm hopeful, that better days will come and that I can beat anything life sends my way. That someday I might just figure out this whole parenting thing.

I'm young, at least I feel young, I'm full of moxy and a touch of sass, I'm full of smiles and tears, and friends and family.
And these are two of my favorite pics of me, Thanks to my Bestie Maile and her mad photography skillz!

A Hole in One

2012-01-31T20:37:00.000-08:00

Because the sun came right through the hole in the trees!

Swype Me

2012-01-29T21:54:00.000-08:00

Anyone use Swype on their smart phone? I was so excited that I was going to get this feature when I actually got my Droid, so excited in fact that I didn't even use it for a year.

But boy did I love that auto correct on my phone that would text, tweet, facebook or email out something that made NO sense what-so-ever. And you get the response of "huh?" Until you really look at it you really had no idea what the problem was.

So then a friend said "Just use Swype"

Oh sure! LOVE TO! It's so easy, just pick what you want to say put your finger on the first letter and move your finger to each letter and TA-DA!

Ohhhhh I just love it. Until....

I really believe that Swype reads your mind through your fingertip.

Meaning, I have a friend her name is Marie, she is the ultimate tree hugger, organic eating, recycling, friend of the Earth you could ever possibly know, and when I swype her name, it comes out "Nature"

I have a friend who has several girls and when she was telling me a story about them, my 1st thought was "What a BRAT" and I tried to type "Oh that is to bad" and it actually came out "Oh that is so brat"

Opps, tell me how you really feel. I used swype because it was supposed to be easier but now I am thinking it's a bigger pain, if I don't read my responses to everything with keen eyes, My fingers and swype might type out what my 1st thought was, which isn't always what I want to come out in text, tweet, email or facebook.

Do you use swype? Because I am starting to think this smart phone is smarter than I thought.

School Stupid

2012-01-24T20:52:00.000-08:00

Are you school stupid?

I sure am. I am pulling my hair out pouring over all the schools in my area.

Remember the days when you lived here and you went to that school which followed into this school and then dumped into that high school and you are all set!

Only deviation from that was a private school, then you could go to anyone you would like, as long as you wanted to pay the money and provide the transportation to get there.

If you wanted to go to a different public school you had to do all kinds of sheistering to adjust your address, borrow a friends, relatives or random open house to get your child into the school you wanted.

Now? Oh no, you can go to any school you want, whether it’s interoffice, interdistrict, school of choice, out of district. And there are a million schools to choose from. One school has a better lunch program, one has longer recess, one has after school provided to you by the district, another has a private after school care called a homework club. Then there is always the school where the boys and girls club is right next door. Not to mention that some don’t have a primary language of English, or they have ESL's in place. Then don’t even get me started on the Charter and Magna schools.

I logged onto the internet to look into what school I want my child to have the best chance at, as we all know not all schools are the same or even teach the same. Sure at the end of their school career they will (should) all learn the same thing, they will all know how to read, write and do math.

What school can they go through that will take them with the same kids from elementary all the way to High School graduation, versus a elementary school and then have to switch schools and friends and all that in either middle school or high school, some of the toughest times in a tween/teen’s growing up.

A school that will give them the best opportunities academically as well as athletically or artistically depending on what they are interested in. So tonight as the innocence is asleep in the other room, I will be scouring the internet and trying to find the best school for my boys to attend.

What’s most important to you when choosing your child’s school, or did you just pick the school that was closest to your house and in your district?

The Pacific Joy

2012-01-18T21:35:00.000-08:00

I long for the dampness that weighs heavy when I have a pressing and complex issue lying on my heart. I return to the beach. A place where the waves sing with sympathy and understanding. Where the sand welcomes me as it to say "I've missed you, welcome back". I draw in the sand, doodles that represent the turmoil of my mind. I hug my knees to my chest and I look out along that vast horizon. And suddenly my issue doesn't seem that big.

When triumph appears, I run to the beach, slide on that wetsuit and jump onto my board, letting the glistening sun blind me and the waves guide me. I feel the waves pump through me like the blood through my heart. I put my knee on my board and push down on the nose, duck diving through the crashing waves, feeling it's power wash over me. A Christening of the soul.

When tragedy strikes, the salt water soaks up my tears so that no one will notice. I inhale deeply and I smell the salt water like the first rain on the concrete. It fills my lungs and it pulsates through my heart and it fills me, completes me, makes me whole again, if only for a moment!

When I leave it pulls me back, it calls to me. It reminds me that one time when I was young it became a part of me in more ways than one. It reminds me that it will always be a part of me. It reminds me that no matter where I've been, where I am, or where I am going.... I will always come back to the Pacific Ocean, it's only a mere part of what gives me joy!

Tongues that Think

2012-01-17T21:23:00.000-08:00

In this house if we have Mouths that learn

We have tongues that think.

When asked this evening while coloring why Thomas' tongue was hanging out there

His reply "Because it's thinking"

Oh ok

So whenever he is thinking or constructing or well doing pretty much anything, that tongue is waggin' and he is "thinking".

Mouths that learn

2012-01-15T21:25:00.000-08:00

When the boys started talking and repeating things we said, my husband and I made a bet as to who would say the first cuss word and after whom. And I think I lost that bet the minute my oldest at about 18 months dropped something out of the high chair, looked over the edge and said "Shit"
Ok so I need to curb my frustration using more positive words. The fact that he used it in a correct way at 18 months was mind boggling.

So now comes the how do I explain to an 18 month old that he can't say that word because it's bad?
The answer....you don't, you just said "Hey don't use that word" To which he repeated time and time again for months. Reminding me over and over again that I lost that bet, love that!

Next child, next word....Idiot. While sitting at a make shift drive in movie in the parking lot of the local high school they couldn't figure out how to get everything working all at once, the sounds, the picture and the volume. After being told that when it got dark the movie would start, Christopher gets frustrated that the movie isn't coming on to which he shouts "Come on you idiot"

Of course we laugh, what were we supposed to do? We were thinking the same thing anyway.

So for months he called anyone and everyone an idiot. That, once again was all me, because I am a skilled driver and everyone around me is just an idiot, he would proceed to tell me the same thing I told him, "Don't say that word, it's a bad word"
To which my reply would be "Right, I won't say that anymore" And I wouldn't, at least until the next idiot cut me off.

Then they got into Toy Story, and they repeatedly would call people, like mom and dad among them, idiots, morons and stupid.

FAB-U-LOUS!

Sitting at a light in the car listening to the radio, sort of, mostly I was thinking about all I needed to get done and I hear my little one in the back "Shut Up and Drive" to which I immediately looked up at the light that was green and I thought, my kid just told me to shut up and drive. And I immediately said "Hey you don't say that, that's not nice" and he said "it's on the song mommy"

So now I am thinking, I might have lost the bet, but if anyone claims that it's my fault for the mouths on my boys, I'm calling BS, it's Toy Story and Rihanna that have taught my kids to have these mouths!

Stick a fork in me

2012-01-12T22:51:00.000-08:00

I am completely spent. 100% completely spent, stick a fork in me I'm done, I can take no more.

This adorable-I-just-got-my-hair-cut-and-she-put-gel-in-it little boy went from this epitome of cuteness

To this horrible, evilness of asthma stricken, hospital bound, pneumonia brewing, fluid in the lungs, non breathing, always coughing, can't catch his breath, fever blistering no sleep little baby I once held in my arms.

Even though he is not yet back to normal, he still has fluid in his lungs, he is still on a million different meds, he still has yet to go back to school as he can't walk down the street 4 houses without having an attack. But he is FINALLY able to sleep.

This picture he was sleeping sitting up next to me as that is the only way he could sleep without coughing his little lungs out.

But he is finally able to sleep. And I am just done. Not to mention my own medical issues that I am dealing with. I just want to hide in a hole for a year and sleep! Wake me when the world looks normal again please?

I don't know what I would do without my friends who were there to commiserate with me and help me cope!

Is it the weekend yet?

Is it too late for Gingerbread?

2012-01-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

Is it too late for Gingerbread houses?

We FINALLY got around to doing our Gingerbread houses.

Then of course they wanted to eat them....I looked at them and I said I don't think they are edible!

It's a good thing they don't read, because the box says "100% Edible" and I immediately said Yep....it says right here NOT Edible. Opps!

Are you kidding? Do you know what that amount of sugar would do to my kids? I think on the side of that box in the ingredients were Sugar and coloring, that's it.

And aside from watching Daddy's team lose in the wild card spot in OT, it's been rather lazy!

You're wearing that?

2012-01-05T07:54:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that when you hear that dreaded "You're not going to wear that are you?" You immediately look in the mirror and blink and say "Well no, I guess not" and then you stand and wonder "Why the hell not?"

You know you've said it...We all have either said it to our husband, best friend, or mother even....and God knows if you had a mother like mine and tried to dress like I did when I was 15 you heard it on more than one occasion.

But I had my first "You're not going to wear that moment", FROM MY HUSBAND!

I had on a pair of black leggings, they are tight, and I get I still have weight to lose despite the 30 lbs I lost in 2011, but it's not like I stuffed myself into them, I have tiny legs and not an overly huge butt. And I put on a nice red sweater, and was going to put on my Uggs. The sweater didn't completely cover my butt, but it went half way down and looked ok, at least to me. I turned and ran into a wall....

"You aren't going to wear those pants are you?" Husband says

"Umm, (looking in the mirror) no? No I guess not" I said
"Wait, why? Do they look bad?" I asked

"Uh, umm No, they don't look bad, but they just umm show off a lot don't you think?" he said

Turning this way and that looking in the mirror, thinking in my head, yeah I guess they do but not so much more than my pair of black skinny jeans I was going to wear instead.

I hung my head and said, I guess I will go change. I mean I don't want to look like an idiot or anything.

Seeing that I was decidedly unimpressed with the fact that I had to change, once I reappeared in the kitchen to finish preparations for Christmas dinner the husband tried to save himself by whispering "I mean I think they make you look hot, but you don't want to show that to everyone do you?"

"Well does it make me look hot or slutty and trashy?" I asked

"nothing like that" he replied

#FAIL

I will be 40 this year, of course I want to look hot, I don't want to be 18 again but dang I want to at least look good and impress!

So I did put on my jeans for the day but was still shocked that I actually got the "You're not going to wear that" especially if it made me look "hot"!

Resolution? Is that what they call it?

2012-01-04T21:28:00.000-08:00

I don't make resolutions, although that is what some people MAY call it.

What do I want to do this year? I want to be Fabulous and Forty.
No really, anyone who knows me knows that I ADORE my birthday, I am not one of those that say "oh it's just another day" or "uggh, don't remind me"

I didn't have a problem turning thirty, And I'm not going to have a problem turning Forty!

Especially when I have a huge smashing "Fabulous and Forty" birthday party in September. And you are all invited!

I am talking 5000 of my nearest and dearest! Ok well not that many, but still. I want all my friends and family to come and be fabulous with me.

I had two surgeries on my face, one in 2009 and then again in 2011 to remove cancer that left me self conscious about how I look and how others look at me. And you know what? I'm here, I'm alive, and I'm not going to worry about them, and after a lot of time, they don't actually look that bad.

I busted my butt and lost 30 lbs last year and hope to lose another 10 lbs before my birthday. Because I want to be that woman that my husband is proud to have on his arm, the woman who is so stunning that he just walks around and says "Yep, that's my wife, she's fabulous and forty"

I want to be healthy and live long enough to see my sons live their life. I want them to be proud of me, I want to be able to run with them at soccer practice, to practice Karate moves with them. And I want to be Fabulous!

So is it a resolution? If you wanted to call it that you could. For me I'm calling it a way of life! A life I can't wait to get busy living!

Change

2012-01-03T20:30:00.000-08:00

So I am in the bathroom this morning and this happens to be on the counter

Thomas: Look Mommy, money.
Me: Yes, but it's daddy's money so please leave it there.

(this avoids fighting between the two boys as each one wants it all)

Thomas: This is Daddy's money?
Me: Yes it is.
Thomas: WOW he sure does make a lot of money!

I couldn't help but laugh....ahhh to be a child again and not have any idea what the differece in value of a penny vs. a quarter.

2011 in Review

2011-12-28T11:11:00.000-08:00

Trying to read over each post from the last year and pick my favorites.....and only pick 1 from each month is so hard.

Some months have a couple of favorites, they were either fun to write, or a piece of me that I shared from the heart.

So Welcome to the very 1st edition of The Best of My Little Miracles, 2011

January
Some Things Never Fade a post written as a tribute to my father on what would have been his 71st birthday. The thing that never fades is a little girl's love for her dad.

And of course, one of those days when you feel beaten by parenthood, we all have them, I stopped to remember how Simply Simple it can really be.

February
In February I was feeling particuarily inspirational I wrote about my ordeal with losing a baby at 16 1/2 weeks in the 3rd person for what was once knows as The Red Dress Club.

I also wrote about how now that I have 2 sons, I want to raise them to be Men to be Proud Of making sure they have the morals and values that will see them through and and I hope I can accomplish that!

March
I wrote a personal piece, about a place that houses 20 years of my life. All my memories of growing up live in the House that Built Me

April
There isn't much I am not willing to share or admit to, and one of the things the people don't know about me is how I suffer from the worst case of "wanderlust" or what some people call the "flight" response, and I wrote about it in Make me a bird so I can fly away

May
May brings a difficult month for me, and as my oldest grows and more questions come, it's hard to know how to explain death and a year that marked the 15th anniversary of my brother's passing. I wrote about our discussion in He took it with him when he left.

June
A powerful memory that reminds me why I will always come back to the Pacific Ocean and to what I call home. Take me back

I also wrote about why I Hate Being a Mom

July
I was reminded that Weight.... It's not just a Girl thing, how boys can be just as affected by body image.

August
My very 1st vlog, it came about because of my experience at BlogHer, how everyone said "I thought you were blond" and I really am a blond, sort of.

I also wrote a touching little tale about what life was like for a little girl who lived in a canyon in Polliwog a Cracker

September
I wrote about who I am, and what it takes to make me who I am in Back Where I Come From.

October
MY SITS DAY!!! Enough Said!

November
A fun post of what it means to Make a Memory

It's not easy to catch me off guard, but my husband sure did with The Blind Side, a potrait of our engagement.

December
Since it's the month of gathering new things, I wrote a fun post about Hoarding and how Disney's Toy Story 3 taught me how to be a Hoarder, but I really think I learned it from my mom. Hoarding TS3 Style

Brought to you By Mama Kat and Natalie over and Mommy of a Monster

Not a single one

2011-12-27T21:46:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately I have to say, we did not take a single picture of this Christmas.

I know right??? No pics from our party Christmas Eve, not a single one of Christmas morning, none from Christmas dinner, none of Christmas night....not one. We were so busy watching our children have so much fun, listening to their laughter and seeing them tear open gift after gift.

So instead I will share a pic of me, I was 15 months old, my brother was 3, and was devastated that I was eating Santa's cookies and drinking his milk.

This is just a snapshot in time.....a memory that only exists in this photo. Until I received the best gift ever. Not only does this exist in this photo but also on video.....an old reel to reel of the silent type, my mom had it transferred to DVD.

So for Christmas, I had a special time of my life, when my mom was pregnant with me, until just after the Christmas in this photo put on a DVD, and I was so incredibly happy.

So while I don't have a single pic of my children and their Christmas, at least it is a time in their life they should remember.....and the DVD I have of people who are no longer with us, my dad, my grandparents and my brother, of a time I don't remember, and it is on DVD.

Thanks Mom!

I am a Storm

2011-12-20T21:12:00.000-08:00

Often times the teachers and Thomas' school will take what he says word for word and put it on paper when asked a question and then it gets sent home. We just found several of these as well as cards that were made this year that apparently we were missing.....

Need I say More?

Santa Visit will wait next year

2011-12-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

This year Christopher decided he would sit with Santa. Why is it that I fixed their hair to perfection and the time we had to wait to see Santa they managed to get it to stick up?

Oh and? Next year, I'll be waiting until December 24th to take them to see Santa, because I swear the minute we left Santa and they knew Santa had their little heart felt wishes....it was ON!
The rest of the weekend was a battle....parents vs. children. And that Elf thing? Yeah worked for the first 2 days! Now all they do is say "Hey Dude, don't bring brother any presents" but it doesn't help them behave!

These are a few of my most hated things....

2011-12-14T21:39:00.000-08:00

Ewww THAT is what we are eating for dinner?

UCK, AGAIN? Moooommmm we just had that. It's gross. I'm not eating it.

I am sure my mom heard that more often than she cared. I was/am THE Pickiest eater ever, and I wonder why my kids don't eat certain things.

My mom would make these awesome meals (well not to me) but my dad sure did love them, and most of the time my brother would choke them down without complaint, all but the veggies that is. He'd do anything to get out of eating his veggies. If our dog wasn't so loud at getting scraps under the table we would have been set, but mom had like bionic ears when it came to that!

I think my least favorite meal was anything with Tuna. OMG *belch* that makes me want to barf just thinking about it. She made some kind of tuna souffle with like egg in it or something that made it stink and it was fluffy. I think my mom called it Tuna Surprise.

Another one of my not so favorite....meat loaf. EEEW! Seriously, something is wrong when you combine eggs and crackers and meat! HORRID! And don't even get me started on the "chicken fish"

Let's see, beef stew, beef stroganoff, chicken noodle casserole, hamburgers, steak, liver and onions....I know it's amazing I even survived. I ate a lot of lunch apparently! PB&J?? GOOOOOD!

But get this....I loved Spam....go figure! My mom would make these rockin' spam sandwiches, why she had to go and ruin it by putting green peppers in it is beyond my knowledge.

But shredded spam, mix with cheese, put on halved french bread, bake for 15 min or so at 350...BOMB! I have no had one of those in ages!

I know, I know I won't eat a good home made pot pie but I'll eat spam? well not anymore, but when I was a kid I did. If it weren't for cereal, and PB&J sandwiches, I think my mom would have thought I was going to starve!

Christmas Spirit

2011-12-11T21:28:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year, the cooler weather, snuggle up in sweaters.

And the big jolly fat man is on his way.

The decorating has begun, there is no doubt that Christmas is upon us.

Another reason I know it's upon us? Because I can't get through a showing on the Polar Express without crying.

My children are still young enough to believe in the "magic" of Christmas. They are still in awe of the fact that a strange jolly fat man in red suit is going to fly down our chimney and leave them all the gifts they want. Like a leaf blower. And that "Dude" our elf on the shelf is reporting all the goings on.

When we forget to move him, and they ask why he's in the same spot, I told them that apparently he didn't have much to report in the way of good behavior or bad behavior if that's the case. And today Christopher says "How come Dude never comes in my room? I've been good, better than Brother, he should come in my room" So I told him to ask Dude if he would like to sit in his room tomorrow, and he did.

So tomorrow Dude will sit in Christopher's room, and it will be the last place they look for him I'm sure!

I still believe, in the magic of Christmas, in the spirt of Christmas, it's the light in the eyes of my boys that keeps that flame lit for me.

How about you? What's holiday magic for you?

Hoarding TS3 style

2011-12-05T21:30:00.000-08:00

I was watching Toy Story 3 the other day, and with the time of year it is, I have been going through all the boys toys and making piles to donate and pass on and such.

They walk through the piles and say "Why are you throwing out our toys mommy?"

"Well I'm not throwing them out but this is a baby toy and since you are not a baby anymore we want to pass it on to another baby that doesn't have any toys, that sounds good right?"

Never once do they worry about their toys not ever being played with again.

They shrug and run off to whatever else they are destroying the house with and off goes the toys to their new owners.

There are a few things they are reluctant to give up.....Christopher has one of those rain forest/nature sounds/music/hang on the side of the crib thing that is still on the edge of the bed and he won't give it up even when the battery is dying.

Thomas has....well he doesn't really have anything he won't pass on or give up, unless you try to take what he is currently playing with.

But I thought it was funny that Woody and Buzz and the gang were trying to teach my kids to hoard....yes let's put all the toys in the attic, because someday they will be brought down and played with by their kids.

Who does that? And then I remembered the Battleship game that my mom just brought out of hiding for a friend in the hospital to play. And then there was the old popcorn tin of Lego's that she brought out for the boys. Oh yes and let's not forget the little playskool like town that I played with when I was little, that both my boys have enjoyed.

*sigh*

Yes my mom is a Toy Story 3 type hoarder, she let all those toys convince her to put them in the attic so that when I have kids, they will have something to play with.

And don't get me wrong, I love it, the boys love it....but let's face it, I have enough junk already and the toys my kids play with? So not worth saving....in 2 weeks they will be so 27 seconds ago.

Just wait, my mom has yet to bring out the big guns......our old Star Wars Toys!!!!

What toys have you held on to or will you hold onto for your own children's children?

A New Law

2011-12-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

I learned a lot about child safety restraints living in Michigan, being closely involved with child safety seat monitoring and technicians and not having any children of my own, I joked a lot.

I joked that one of my besties children would be dragging their booster seats to their 1st school dance as their mother wouldn't allow them to be out of their restraints. And she always said the same thing "You just wait, your mind will change, and then I can say I told you so".

Well Kim, you can now tell me "I told you so"!

When I was a kid I remember being in this large blue contraption where this enormous padded bar came down over me and snapped into place. It was like being on a carnival ride. And I had to ride in it until I got to Kindergarten. *GASP* I was so happy to get rid of that thing.

Now? A New Law has been signed in California by Governor Brown, a new booster seat law, effective Jan 1, 2012. It requires children up until the age of 8 to be safely restrained in the back seat in a booster seat. Previously it was 6 year or 60 lbs. So while I was a tiny little tot of a child and couldn't wait to dispose of my carnival seat, the law now requires that you be 4 ft. 9 in or 8 years of age. My boys will be 8 years before they can dispose of their booster seats.

Let's hope that strict fines and penalties along with enforcement of this new law will help decrease the leading cause of death of children 4 - 12 years of age from auto accidents.

What do you think about the new law? How old should kids be before they ditch their boosters?

Adding to our Family

2011-11-29T17:47:00.000-08:00

The following pics may or may not have made the cut on our Christmas card,

And it only took some 300 pics to get a few decent ones.

But these two? Together? Trouble?

Are you really asking me that?

I might as well of had twins!

They are the best of friends and the worst of enemies, the encourage each other and tattle on each other, and they get into some of the worst trouble together!

They tell each other all their secrets,

So we decided to add to our family, yet another person to keep all their secrets....

Meet "DUDE" (yeah they are total So Cal Beach Boys) he is our Elf on the Shelf.

It will be interesting to see if their behavior adjusts accordingly while DUDE is staying with us.

Kissy Kissy

2011-11-22T21:42:00.000-08:00

It was picture day at school, and Christopher's first kiss was caught on camera!

Tell me this is not just precious?

We need to teach our daughters the difference

Between a man who flatters her and a man who compliments her.

A man who spends money on her and a man who invests in her.

A Man who view her as property and a man who views her properly

A Man who lusts after her and a man who loves her.

A Man who believes he is God's Gift to women

and a man who remembers a woman was God's gift to man

And then teach OUR SONS to be that kind of Man!

~Unknown

It is THAT kind of man that my husband is,

and it is THAT kind of man I hope to teach my sons to become.

I miss that the most....

2011-11-20T19:40:00.000-08:00

It was rainy and ugly all day today. And Rainy days are made for baking and making yummy goodness.

So this is my very first home made apple pie with fresh picked apples from a client's tree! I was at her house, admired her apple tree and I told her I missed the fall apple season the most in Michigan.

She invited me to pick as many as I like. Now if I only had the recipe for those amazing Apple Donuts! My mouth waters just thinking about it! If you are ever in Freeland, Mi....stop by Bayne's Apple Valley Farms in the fall and try their amazing donuts!

Now just add vanilla ice cream melting on top and you have the perfect Sunday dessert!

Thanksgiving Faith

2011-11-19T08:05:00.000-08:00

This is so amazing, and I am honored to be a part of this community as well as this "movement" so to speak.

I have met Jill at BlogHer after her panel and was just delighted with her sweetness and all around general goodness. She was one of those "must meet bloggers" while I was there. As I am not "star struck" since I live in So Cal and they are a dime a dozen, I am, however, blog struck by some of my most favorite bloggers.

While I am only just a face and someone I've tweeted with or commented on her blog or participated in her message boards, she is absolutely amazing and has completely restored my faith in my fellow bloggers as well as "neighbors". The saying really does ring true, "Blog Friends are Real Friends". Not to mention she is hilariously funny and I can't wait to read her book coming out soon. I've pre-ordered mine have you?

Anyway, I am fortunate enough to not have to struggle to put food on my table at Thanksgiving but I know there are so many that are. And while I wish that I could help everyone, I can't.....but Jill over at Scary Mommy did. And I read her post and "immediately said What can I do to help".

What she did is something indescribable. I read the "after post" so to speak, and the piece ABC did on it, and literally had tears in my eyes. (I'm a huge sap that way) I was wowed! And I was honored that I was able to participate, and I was amazed and thrilled that all these wonderful families were going to have a special Thanksgiving.

A Thanksgiving to be with family, friends and loved ones, to sit with full bellies and a warm heart and most importantly a renewed sense of faith in humanity.

If you missed it this year, I am sure there is still a way to help and if not, don't worry it'll be back next year and I'm sure better than ever!

The Blind Side

2011-11-16T22:04:00.000-08:00

The blind side.....it's not easy to catch me off guard, I'm a Virgo, it's in my blood to know everything that is going on! Yes I am that way! But the hubs did catch me off guard. The rain and cold almost ruined his plans!

We had our first date on the Santa Monica Pier, we walked and talked and walked some more, we got hot chocolate and talked and laughed and all that good stuff. It's where it all began. It would become kind of a tradition....hot chocolate on the Santa Monica Pier makes for a great night! So November...cold, rainy....he tells me he is taking me out for dinner to a quaint little restaurant in Santa Monica called Giraffe. Adorable little place, 5 course meal type place. I so didn't want to go....but I did, but I didn't! I was in training for work, spending all week away from home, sick as a dog! uggh....but once we got there is was really nice! The food was excellent. And we laughed at a lot of the people who where there! At least the rain let up!

So after we were done with dinner and for what I thought was on my way home, to go to bed and just sleep until Monday morning, he says "Hey we're right down the street from the pier, you want to go get some hot chocolate?" Not really, but okay I'll humor you, I didn't want to go to dinner and it ended up being really good and we had a good time. So then once we got there I was just going to have him run up to the place to get the hot chocolate while I stayed in the car. But once we got there I figured the ocean air would do me good....so out of the car we went....freezing cold to get some hot chocolate. And it was good, warmed me right up. We walked out to the end of the pier....almost NO ONE was there! We talked and listened to the waves and talked some more and before I could even turn around to say "I'm cold, can we go?" He was on one knee....my ring in hand....my ring is made of of 3 pieces, so with freezing cold hands, he had to make sure he didn't drop these tiny rings through the slats in the Santa Monica Pier, so someone would have gone swimming!

And on bended knee, the hubs asked if I would do him the honor and the pleasure of becoming his wife. And I was shocked! Did not expect THAT at all! And of course I said yes, we got all 3 rings on me....my special ring, he designed himself. And as blah as I felt and as cold as it was I think I skipped the whole way back to the car! And the rest.....is History!

Brought to you by Mama Kat and her world famous writer's workshop!

Longing for Spring

2011-11-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

When we were in Maui we saw some amazing flowers.

The colors were vibrant, beautiful and inviting.
As much as I love Fall, it made me not wait for Spring to come around again!

Or maybe just another vacation to Maui?

Photo courtesy of my BFF at Larsen's Photography

Either way, the flowers were almost mesmerizing!

Photo courtesy of my BFF at Larsen's Photography

Evidence

2011-11-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

The proof is in the puddin' as they say....

We went to Hawaii and while at the Luau the kids were playing so nicely.....
Well go on, see for yourself!

My BFF just so happen to have her camera rolling, and once she sent this to me I was just dying....we pretty much knew what happened, and of course Thomas said "He tripped, and I was helping him up"

Yeah right Bud! Now we have the proof!

Making Memories

2011-11-12T21:25:00.000-08:00

When I was little and it rained my mom and my brother and I made "memories". Those memories came in the form of chocolate chip cookies and home made bread.

Now I am not nearly the talented bread maker as my mom was....that is why I have a bread maker (that I never use)

But I do make some mean Chocolate Chip Cookies.....

And with my two little helpers......

We made some awesome "memories" on this cold and rainy night!

And they came out perfect!

And that is how we roll in our neck of the woods on a Rainy day!

Because....

2011-11-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

Because Life is short, and they stand proud.

Because this is their vow, their pledge, their Life.

Because they promise to do what it takes to make sure all is safe for us.

Because they leave their families, their friends and their life behind,

Because they sleep in streets, in cars, underwater, in boats and in tents without fear.

Because they live without all the comforts of home,

Because they put their mental well being at risk to protect the homeland.

Because Freedom isn't Free,

Because of all these things and more I extend my heartfelt gratitude to those members of the United States Armed Forces. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Coast Guard.

Veteran's Day is a day to give Thanks to those that provide the very Freedom in which I and my family enjoy.

So to all the Active, Inactive, members of the Reserves and their families.

THANK YOU! And Happy Veteran's Day.

Fall Back

2011-11-09T21:44:00.000-08:00

I have a love hate relationship with Fall. Being a CA Girl born and bred and moving to Missouri and then Michigan, I had the opportunity to see Fall colors and was amazed. But now that I'm back in CA, we don't really have those "colors" but we have a different sort of colors in these parts!

The early sunsets bring out some amazing colors, and in that case I Love Fall....

The Fall also brings about the Santa Ana winds, which I hate, because they bring breathing problems for my breathing challenged little one. And when he's miserable, so is Mommy!
But this fall has also brought on SCHOOL!! Which I love, and the kids seems to have a ton of fun with what they learn. And Grandma has bought some fantastic books for the boys which they are having a pile of fun with every night.

Thomas knows how to write his name and has known for quite a while, but now they are learning to recognize and write their letters in both upper and lower case, as well as their numbers!

As you can see Thomas is so proud of the letter he not only traced but the one he did on his own!

These books are from Lakeshore Learning. They have the most amazing toys! So much fun for learning! All you need is a white board marker that wipes off and you are set to go, and the book of course! =)

Even Christopher at 3 can do it, and he raises his arms in absolute bliss when he writes a letter, especially the ones that are in his name, which are a lot!

That's what fall looks like in these parts these days! So despite the downright COLD weather we've had, I'm ready for Thanksgiving, as I have a lot to be Thankful for!
And this year I think we may have a little Elf on the Shelf coming for a visit so that should be interesting to report on!

What comes with Fall in your neck of the woods. And anyone had success with their Elf?

Brought to you by Mama Kat

Nothing Parties like.....

2011-11-08T21:05:00.000-08:00

My niece turned 7 and had her party at the nearest bounce house!

And there is nothing in the world that parties like a bounce house birthday party....

And some of your girlfriends to share it with.

And 15 of your nearest and dearest to share it with?

Life doesn't get any better!

Suicide, Let's Talk

2011-11-07T21:36:00.000-08:00

There has been several teen suicides in my local area, and it's disturbing me.

Reading the articles in the papers, the responses from some of the psychologists in the school district and the superintendent of the school are almost laughable.

These are educated people and their responses are "It's complex" and "There were clearly issues outside of school". Does that help take the ease off the school district to provide some sort of counseling? Does it make the superintendent sleep better at night to say in a statement that it has nothing to do with the school? Maybe it doesn't, but don't shake it off, offer a solution. TALK about it!

This is becoming a real issue and it needs to be discussed. It needs to be talked about, in schools, in homes, among friends. I don't know why these young high schoolers took their own lives, and I won't pretend to know. And I don't think their needs to be blame placed anywhere. We need to help those that are left behind.

These kids were hurting, confused, feeling alone, possibly suffering from an undiagnosed mental health issue and somehow, someway, someone needs to make connections with these kids. I hope that I always have a strong connection with my sons, I hope that they never feel they can't come to me, I hope they never feel alone and backed into a corner so that their only way out is to take their life.

I pray that I never put over the top expectations on my sons to be star athletes, to be stellar students. If my sons are nothing but average, they will be over the top in my eyes, and I will love them no matter what. I hope that they always know how much their life is valued not only by me but others as well. I hope that if they suffer from a mental illness of any kind that I have the ability to realize this and get them help.

If you have tweens or teens, please, TALK to your child about suicide. Listen without judgement, and be supportive and prepared for a lot of emotions. Helps your child understand their emotions and allow them to FEEL those emotions. Make sure that they have the means to talk to someone, if not you, then someone.

I'm lazy

2011-11-02T22:13:00.000-07:00

A day in the life of Petey.....

*Yawn* Are you getting up already? It's only 7:15, and you'll be taking away my warmth. Now I'll have to at least sit up....annoyed. Why are you taking my picture? it's too early and I haven't even groomed. I save that for when you are going to bed at 11 pm or after until I incessantly lick and lick and lick AND lick! Until you kick me off the bed.

Now I'm freezing, so I'll sit here and cover up with myself until you are ready to snuggle again.

Oh you are going to work and won't be around all day? Fine, I'll move from the bed to the mini couch and snuggle up with Beeker the snowman. And I'll sleep, and sleep, and sleep.

And sleep some more!

That is a day in the life of my cat Petey, Literally! He's the laziest! But he's cute isn't he?

Visit MamaKat for some FAQ's and Drinks and some 8 sentence posts.

Halloween Fun

2011-11-01T21:13:00.000-07:00

Halloween definitely isn't what it used to be! But one thing that will always remain the same, little kids are so cute in their costumes!

Christopher was all smiles marching in his parade at school.

And Thomas was all kinds of tough as Iron Man!

My Nieces, the Vampiress' of the group, aren't they beautiful?

We had a little bit of everything....cats, and firemen and super hero's and mermaids and pirates!

And of course all things sugar to enjoy!!!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!

2011-10-31T22:16:00.000-07:00

It was time to pick the winners for my simply Simply Charmed and Godiva giveaways!!

I was super excited to have been a part of Friends You Love, even if I didn't get my BFF writing entry in, stay tuned though, it will post next week anyway.

A huge Thank you to everyone who participated in any and all of the Friends You Love events, and all the sponsors, especially Wines with Charm and Godiva Coffee.

Now without further Adieu I will share with you the winners.

*Drum Roll Please*

Using Random.org to select the winners

My Wines with Charm winner is #4 who is Susan

And my Godiva Coffee winner is Elena!

Congrats Ladies, enjoy!

I want my kids to have everything I didn't.

2011-10-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

You know how people always say "I want my kids to have everything that I didn't have", no matter what it was....food, toys, phones, you know, the usual.

I remember when I was a kid we never got the "good" cereal, we got the "good for you" cereal. You know, Cheerios, Wheaties, Oat Bran....those "good for you" cereals. I was thrilled and jumped for joy when Honey Nut Cheerios came out....FINALLY something with at least a LITTLE flavor.

We would beg my mom for the cereal, the Fruit Loops, the Apple Jacks....anything that would give us that rush of sugar in the morning. Come on, if parents can have coffee to wake up, shouldn't us kids have Corn Pops, or jeeze at least some frosted flakes? My best friend got Fruity Pebbles, I loved spending the night at her house, and when it came to breakfast she hated spending the night at my house!

We used to save up our money along with the neighbor kids and buy our own good cereal and meet for breakfast on Saturday mornings on the driveway and enjoy ourselves a nice huge bowl of good cereal. And it didn't matter if that cereal sat for weeks and was stale we still ate it.

Now I buy my children a mix of the good and good for you cereals. And I always say "I'm not going to buy any more cereal until you finish the boxes you have". And I went to the store tonight to get a mini pumpkin for Thomas for school and what did I come home with? 2 boxes of cereal. Why? Because Christopher told me this morning that the cereal I gave him was "chewy" and he didn't want it. What he really meant was it was stale.

So while I want my kids to have things I did not, and I want them to not have to eat tuna surprise souffle casserole, actually anything with tuna in it, and I want them to have to good cereals, dang those suckers are expensive!

And yet Sucker mommy bought two more boxes. BUT, in my defense I got them on sale, 2 for $5. And with that sale the good cereal is way cheaper than the good for you cereal.

They better appreciate it or I'm gonna be forced to feed them something with Tuna in it!

Paralyzed in fear

2011-10-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

Growing up in a small canyon we encountered a lot of wildlife. From the creepy crawlies to the deer on the hillside.

I can remember sleeping peacefully in my bed, hearing that shrill scream in the distance, bringing me around, my head telling me it was just my imagination. Another scream, my eyes wide open, my heart pounding so fast, moving slowly into my throat, paralyzing me. Several different volumes of yoot, yoot, yoot, one right after another. Another scream, followed by the short burst of yelps.

My palms would begin to sweat, my thoughts would run to "how fast can I get out of my bed into my mom and dad's room". There I would be safe, there they couldn't touch me. I would be able to go back to sleep.

Running as fast as I could, down the hall around the corner, leaping over the formica type tiles in the entryway to their bedroom. Hearing my father softly snoring made me feel better already. I would curl up at the foot of their bed so as not to disturb my mom and have to go back to my own room, where the screaming was.

I could cover my ears and try to go back to sleep. My mom always told me they were more afraid of me than I was of them. Be loud, stomp your feet, they would run away.

I even came face to face with the maker of the screaming noise when I heard my kittie fighting with something one night and I ran out to get him, and out of the bush came a coyote, and I chased that coyote right up the street until he ran fast and far. I saved my 1st born furry from certain death.

Today they are over abundant as we have pushed further and further into the hills and they run the streets like stray dogs, even in mid day.

And still to this day, the scream and yelps and yips and yoots of a pack of coyotes will still paralyze me in fear, it's such a creepy sound.

Don't forget I'm running a Godiva Coffee Giveaway and a Simply Charmed giveaway, go Enter both!

Godiva, it's not just for Chocolate.

2011-10-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love chocolate? And who makes the best chocolate? Why Godiva of course, and now they make the best.....coffee?.....who knew?

I am not a coffee fan, but Godiva sent me 2 bags of their best fall tasting coffee, Pumpkin Spice and Carmel Pecan Bark. Who doesn't love them some pumpkin this time of year? And in a coffee? It was perfect. Smooth, pumpkiney and all things fall. My mom was a fan of this one!

The Carmel Pecan Bark? You couldn't pair two better flavors together. I farmed this out to my besties who are coffee addicts and they couldn't get enough. Before I knew it they were tackling me trying to steal not only my coffee but my Coupons as well. I told them to get their own $2 off coupon, it's super easy to do!

Want your own bags? Well you are in luck, Godiva is happy to send 2 of my readers their very own bags of Pumpkin Spice and Carmel Pecan Bark.

Just tell me which flavor you can't wait to try and Godiva will send you your very own 2 bags!!

Godiva, it's not just for chocolate anymore!

I'll pick a winner on October 31st!!

Giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and up. No purchase necessary to enter. This giveaway ends 10/31/2011. I was given product to facilitate my review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don't want to grow up!

2011-10-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

Before we jet-setted off to Maui we took a little trip to see the Mouse....Mickey Mouse that is. Right smack in the middle of a heat wave not to mention, but we still had an awesome time.

I love the carousel, Thomas is a huge fan, he would spend all day on that sucker if he could!

Of course what's a trip to the Mouse's house without seeing the actual Mouse!
And because it was in the middle of their Halloween extravaganza, Thomas decided to get a nice little skeleton painted right on his cheek, he was sure proud of that!

Simply Charmed Giveaway

2011-10-24T21:06:00.000-07:00

Have you seen these fantastic magnetic wine charms? Everyone loves a little sass with their wine...or iced tea, whichever you are a fan of, heck you can even put them on a beer mug!

Simply Charmed is sponsoring a give away for Friends You Love for these great charms.

These are magnetic wine charms that go ON the glass. No more fumbling around with the charms around the stem.
The packaging for the charms is unique in that once you secure the charms to their backing, and slide them back in the package you can just stick them to your fridge, never losing them in your kitchen drawers again.

These make GREAT gifts. There is a charm for just about every season, reason, and occasion.
I have already made my list of who I am buying Christmas presents for, have you?!?

Mandatory Entry:
Visit Simply Charmed and tell me what your favorite Set is.

For Additonal Entries:
Like Simply Charmed on Facebook
Follow Simply Charmed on Twitter
Like My Little Miracles on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me thru GFC

Leave a seperate comment for each one you did, and I will chose a winner on Oct 30th!

Open to US Residents only, must be 18 or older to enter.

I can't wait to go back!

2011-10-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

We just got home this morning after a horrible start to a beautiful vacation!! I still need to write my post about just how horrible we were treated by Priceline. So stayed tuned for that so that you will know to NEVER book ANYTHING with Priceline.

But once we got started, there was no stopping us....
So while we were in Maui we did a little bit of everything....

We swam in the clear blue ocean.....

We chased and ran from waves, and tried to catch little fish racing on the shore line in a bucket.

We captained pirate ships and shot cannons to show our authority....

We visited the Maui Ocean Center and we pet underwater sea life with our friends!

We put flowers behind our ears so we looked like the locals....

We looked for sea turtles that are as big as the sun in some parts!

We hung out on the beach making sand castles until well into the afternoon....

We hulaed onstage at a Laua at sunset......

We saw beautiful waterfalls and ponds filled with Koi...

We hung out with our best friends and ate amazing foods....

We went to the highest point on Maui, the Haleakala Volcanic Crater which is 9,740 feet above sea level.

And at the end of the day we relaxed as a family and witnessed the most amazing sunsets....

And when all is said and done we passed out with our favorite lovey's to start another adventure tomorrow!

And we are now planning next year's trip!

It's My SITS Day!

2011-10-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's my SITS Day! I couldn't be more excited!
Welcome! Come in and stay a while. There is all kinds of fun to be had and found at My Little Miracles.
My name is Erin, and there are so many things that define who I am, but most important I am a mom to two beautiful miracle boys, children they said I'd never have.

These are my boys, Thomas, a frollicking 4 year old. And Christopher is my tireless 3 year old, and they are the light of my life!

My motto, Life Happens, so Live it, no regrets. I've lived a lot of life in a short amount of time.

From cancer survivor to loss, abuse survivor to divorce, addiction to happiness, you can find it all here, I'm kind of a been there done that, though I hate to admit it sometimes!

My friends and family know me best, but my life is an open book, and I'm willing to share any of my experiences, if it helps someone else, then it was all worth it.

I am a simply complex person, but so easy to know!

So thanks for visiting, and I hope you stick around a while, see what transpires in the life and times of My Little Miracles!

I'm also on Twitter and Facebook, come visit me there too!

I'm Not Blond

2011-10-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

I went to BlogHer this past August, and I was so excited to meet everyone that I have been tweeting with and reading their blogs and texting and those old friends I'd met and previous conferences. I walked around and would see familiar faces from twitter pics or blog pics and I would walk up and say "Hi so and so, I'm so glad I finally get to meet you" and they all looked at me strange....literally.

So I would respond with "I'm Erin, from My Little Miracles" and they would look at me and then look at my badge as to confirm it and then back at me and say "I thought you were a blond?"

Well yes, techinically I am. But as of late I was bored with that, I wanted something darker and a little more "mysterious" so to speak, and apparently it worked because no one recognized me.

So I needed to have some new potraits taken, so I now have a new profile/twitter/facebook pic. And I'm sure by next year at BlogHer in New York, it might change again, but I promise to update at least my twitter pic so everyone will know it's me!

Island Time is the Only time

2011-10-18T23:06:00.000-07:00

I know I've been very neglectful to my blog. But when you have a view like this? How can you not be just a tad neglectful?

And eating dinner seeing this? Makes me want to retire and move here!
Our first family vacation to Maui, and you won't believe the story that got us here! I have the WORST luck traveling, I'm a bad luck charm I am sure.

But now we are here and I'm sure you'll hear a ton about it in the coming week!

I'm a feature!

2011-10-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

Have you been to the One2One website? You should go and join!

They are a network of influential, socially connected women who ignite conversation and spread awareness about the brands they love.

And they wanted to feature me! How exciting is that?

So they asked the questions, I answered and now I'm featured.....

So go, check it out!

I'm a Feature!

Memories of the Photo Kind

2011-10-10T00:07:00.000-07:00

Some of my best memories have been captured on film, digital or otherwise.
A lot of my memories are with some of my besties,

the people I am closest with!

@TheBlueZoo, me and @QuesoBonito

Don't forget to join us this week Oct 9 -15 for the Besties photo contest!

Contestants can submit a a photo of themselves with their best friend to
kristin at onlyparentchronicles dot com
Submissions will be accepted 10/9 - 10/15.
Voting will occur 10/16 - 10/20 here

Best of all, Bare Escentuals has put together a fantastic prize pack for the winner!

So send your photos, you can't win if you don't enter!

Life is Good

2011-10-09T20:44:00.000-07:00

When you start a day as king of the highest hay bale

Or Top Dog on the Cool Bus
And end it with smashing open a giant dino pinata

Collecting AND eating a ton of candy

at your best friend's birthday party......

Life is Good!

Sock Hop Awesomeness

2011-10-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

Ok this I just had to repost, I love it.....But I am not going to write on it, just repost it.

"The sock hop is coming up! You think anyone is going to ask you?" Kristen said

"I don't know, do they even do that anymore? I mean or do we just all go and hang out?" I responded before I added "I mean in the school gym after school? And it's over by 6? How lame is that?"

"Well you never know, the guys might want to like make it a date or something" Kristen said

"hee hee I doubt it, but could you imagine me telling my mom, 'Hey mom, I'm going on a date'" I snickered

We went, as a group, after school to the lamest dance ever. Music was played, we started dancing after a few people were on the dance floor. They played upbeat, happenin' music that didn't require a "partner" to dance with. And then.....

Que Journey's "Open Arms"

Oh great....as we all exited the dance floor to stand on the sidelines and chat about who's cute and who's looking and who's wearing what.

Huddling together, we talked in hushed tones, that with no music would be like yelling. We cupped out hands to each other's ears as we whispered into each others ears.

I could see the look on their faces....."Oh please, not me" I thought

But I could see it in their faces.

"Hey Erin" Eric said

"Oh umm Hi, umm Eric" I said

"You want to dance?" He said

Oh great, what do I say? No? I mean that would make me look like a bitch or like I didn't think he was cute or like him even the slightest. But then if I say yes then I am so going to be made fun of by my friends.

"Sure, I, uh, I guess" I said

He grabbed my hand and walked me out onto the dance floor and my hand immediately started sweating, I hope he didn't realize that, even though his hand was warm to the touch.

I Leaned in and yelled in his ear "You know I have never really danced like this before"

He smiled

"Don't worry, we can fake it" he said.

A couple others on the dance floor so at least we weren't the complete center of attention

but he put his hand in mine and his arm akwardly around my waist and we just kind of swayed to the music while looking around nervously.

So now I come to you, with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love means to me
Open arms

And before I could get to uncomfortable the song ended and we parted and I went squeeing back to my friends and figured I would be made fun of and all I heard was "You are so lucky, he's so cute"

I felt like the belle of the ball because Eric asked me to dance and none of my other friends were asked. All that at a "lame sock hop"

Bye Summer, see you next year!

2011-10-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

The fall weather has definitely desended upon us today! But can you believe Summer lasted until October??
This past Sunday it was 84 degrees, and the perfect day for our last swim!! Now we wait a couple of weeks before heading off to Hawaii to swim.

The boys sure do love to swim, this year has been the best yet, with Thomas just up and swimming across the pool.

And Christopher practicing really hard to be just like his brother.

Even this little guy came out for the nice weather and a little nibble and watched the antics of the boys while swimming! Can you believe I got this pic from my cell phone, he was a brave little bunny!

What are Real Friends

2011-10-03T00:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 1st Monday in October, you know what that means? Yep, you guessed it. My first guest poster on the Friends You Love Monday Blog Hop.

Thank you so much Carolyn for guest posting for me today!

I have talked to Carolyn through twitter, and email, we had several things in common. When I was at my lowest point of some issues with my oldest son's schooling problems. We connected through email and she did give me some hope that I'm not the only one who has gone through this. I got to meet Carolyn at several blog conferences and we connected there as well. She writes over at This Talk Ain't Cheap.
I asked her what her thoughts were on friendship, blog friends, and what "real friends" means to her.
So please welcome Carolyn, and head on over to her place for more!

I cringe when I hear people say that online friends aren’t “real” friends. As bloggers we hear that all the time. We hear it even more so when we tell people we are on twitter. The looks I have gotten from real life friends and family is priceless. I cringe inside because I know they just don’t understand. How can I possibly be “friends” with someone I have never met?

I admit, I wondered the same thing before I started attending blogging conferences and started meeting my “friends” in real life. I was blown away.

I met my husband online. This was way before the days of facebook and twitter and putting digital photos online. If you didn’t have a scanner (I didn’t) then you were pretty much out of luck. We emailed. A lot. We got to know each other through our words long before we met in person. We already liked the people we were without ever meeting or seeing a photograph.

It’s the same with blogging… and twitter… and facebook. Although these day we are exposed to pictures of the entire family, we get to know each other through our words. The power of a word, a sentence, a paragraph speaks more than a “nice to meet you” does in real life. Online we take the time to really get to know people. We know their likes, their dislikes and we read about them in their own words, not through a filter. So, it doesn’t really come as a surprise when we meet them in real life and they are just as wonderful as we thought they were.

Some of my best friends I’ve met through blogging. Yes, they are real friends. They are some of the best women I know. I know them so much more intimately than I do many of my non-blogging friends. We’ve shared family problems, weight loss struggles, parenting hits and misses, and we developed a bond. We are mothers and writers and strong, supportive women.

Yes, my online friends are real. And they are amazing.

Today is the day.....

2011-10-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

Today is the 1st day of the Annual Friends You Love Blogging Event.

I am fortunate and honored to have been asked to participate. We have so many really exciting events going on all month long with some really fantastic sponsors!

one2onenetwork strives to be a well-respected resource to help educate and empower women and moms in business and in life utilizing the social web. We were so excited when they agreed to join us and sponsor the Kick-Off Twitter Party! We encourage you to visit them and maybe become a member yourself!

Earth to Alice is a fun and trendy company that creates custom-made. hand-crafted bags, totes, and jewlery boards from high quality and often recycled materials! Earth to Alice has also created their own Alice to Earth program that gives back to the community. Earth to Alice is excited to sponsor the World's Greatest BFF contest by offering a matching gift set of a tote and jewelry board to the winner and her BFF!

Our Scavenger Hunt partner is a family-owned business out of Columbus, Ohio. Trading Phrases creates beautiful designs using words, phrases, sayings, and memorable quotations from vinyl lettering. They even offer a custom design service to assist you in making a one of a kind statement on your walls. Our next partner seems to be a natural fit for and event celebrating women. Bare Escentuals is all about love, understanding, and community! They also encourage women to embrace who they are and to be a force of beauty. Our friends at Bare Escentuals have partnered with us to sponsor the Bestie Photo Contest and the Twitter Gala Twitter party at the end of the month!

We were first introduced to Eyedews by our very dear friend Surferwife. She waxed poetic about Eyedews seemingly magical ability to refresh and rejuvenate our undereyes. Our brilliant friends at Eyedews have generously provided 4 packages of 6 Eyedews to be given away randomly to Monday Friendship Blog Hop participants!

Cook-N-Shoupe, another great company introduced to us by SurferWife, has also offered to pitch in some 4-packs of their delicious, altitude-infused BBQ sauces to random Friends You Love participants! All you have to do is comment, tweet about, or participate in any of the Friends You Love events!
We all know Godiva makes AMAZING chocolate, but did you know they make coffee to die for, too? Our friends at Godiva have partnered up with all of the fabulous ladies of Friends You Love for 16 giveaway opportunities!

Our friends at Simply Charmed; Wines with Charm have also teamed up with the Friends You Love team! They will be offering 16 sample pack giveaways of their hand-made, magnetic wine charms throughout the month!

There are so many great ways to win with Friends You Love!

So head on over to Friends You Love and get started on all the fun!

Wasted on Fish and Gross Boxes

2011-09-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

I was so excited! My first trip, in a camper.....camping, with my uncle and cousins!

It was off to Lake Hemet, didn't matter where that was, we were in. an. RV!!!

A Place that I could actually like lay on a bed and chill while we were driving. What a concept! I know I'm easily amused!

I had been looking forward to this trip for SO long, I was so excited! My younger cousin, Kerry, had broken both her wrists and she had casts on both wrists, but she was a trooper and went anyway. And I think she beat up my older cousin Todd, her brother, at least once with those casts!

Three things I remember most about that whole trip...
1. we literally wore out the tape (yes a tape, shut up!) of Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett, we sang "Wasted away again in Margaritaville" more times than I can count.

2. Fishing. Yes I baited my own hook! And we had ourselves a little fishing contest, based on points. Trout was 3 points, blue gill were a point and bass, depending on the size could be worth 5 points. And guess who won that fishing contest? Yep! That would be ME! And I cleaned, gutted, cooked and ate my very 1st trout with my uncle's help! And just for the record, every time we went, I won that fishing contest. And Todd, if you ever read this, I can still kick your butt in a fishing contest, and someday I'm going to teach my sons to kick your butt in fishing too!

3. The Gross box. Gimmie a break we were young and goofy, what else would we call it?! So we got all stupid and silly and anytime you had to do anything gross, like fart or burp or whatever, into the gross box you went. Oh yeah and as you can tell I was ALL "GIRL"...hardly!! Needless to say it got used a LOT that weekend, and every weekend we went after that!

And now, if given the chance I can still kick some butt fishing, and I'll still bait my own hook, cuz I'm a "girl" like that. My cousin Kerry is literally all girl....and has all girls and is beautiful. My cousin Todd is successful with his own company and I'm gonna say he still can't fish! HA!

Now if we all lived a little closer together so we could take our own kids fishing together.

Look At Me!

2011-09-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

I saw this happy little guy on our hibiscus plant the other day and I just wanted him to look at me, they have such funky heads.

But he wouldn't look at me, so I pulled on the leaf a little bit and he turned away from me more!

Until I bugged him long enough he went all the way around and looked at me like "Would you LEAVE ME ALONE?"

But I did get my shot! =)

Baby Mine

2011-09-26T23:04:00.001-07:00

My sweet baby boy..... He's had a rough couple of days.....oh who am I kidding, it's going on 5 days now, Asthma Sucks! And this sweet little face, when he is crying because he can't breathe it breaks my heart. When he can't run with the other kids and then gets so upset I have to hold him to calm him down to get him to breathe, it rips me apart.

We had a convo the other day and I just had to share.....

Christopher: "Were you talking to me Mommy? When you said baby?"
Me: "Yes, baby I was, you are my baby aren't you?"
Christopher: "Yes"
Me: "You are my baby boy aren't you?"

Christopher: "What about Brother?"
Me: "Well he's my big boy, but you are my baby boy"
Christopher: "No, I daddy's baby boy"

Me: "Noooo, you are MY Baby Boy"
Christopher: "No, I Daddy's baby boy, you can have brother"

I laughed so hard, he gave his own brother away....thank God it was only to me!

But Christopher, just so you know....you will ALWAYS be MY Baby Boy, and I Love You for all your candidness, your shyness, your silliness, your cuddliness, but I HATE your Asthma!

It's my Party.....

2011-09-25T21:09:00.000-07:00

It was another weekend FULL of birthdays! Phew, September is a busy month! I Love that Christopher and I share a birthday in September.

Wyatt's birthday was all carnival style. There was sweets, and popcorn, cracker jack, hot dogs, nachos, chili dogs. WOW, anything you could find at a carnival...it was at this party.

Complete with a bounce house. Thomas loved bouncing with the birthday boy....even if he did have a hard time jumping, Thomas was all about helping him.

There was face painting, Thomas had a spider web on one side and a spider on the other. Christopher chose a boat, but then wanted a spider web on the other side to match his brother. I might as well of had twins!

So there was dinosaurs to conquer.....

Planes to fly and land safely! They are excited about plane rides these days since in a few weeks we'll all be on a plane to HAWAII!!!! (More about that later)

And what party isn't complete with a party bag? Well since this was a Carnival party.....the party bag consisted of a bowl with the child's name on it, filled with cotton candy, and then a GOLDFISH! Yes that is right, both my children now have the responsibility of their very own Goldfish. Thomas named his Doc and Christopher named his Max.

And Sunday was all about this gorgeous little girl, Quinney! I just adore her! She turned 4 and it was a nice quiet party, just family and close friends.

But she was so happy to finally be able to put her finger in the cake and say "it's my cake, I can do it"

Love these busy weekends with family and friends, they are so important in my life.

And speaking of friends.....Don't forget that coming up in just a few short weeks Friends You Love is coming around again.....so don't forget to check it out.

What did you do this weekend?

It's going to be a party!

2011-09-22T23:03:00.001-07:00

It's going to be a party! A Twitter party..... Have you RSVP'd? Go now and do so. I'll wait.

I'm really excited to be a part of this years Friends You Love annual event. It's a month long event that is going to celebrate the relationships we, as women, build and share with one another.

There is going to be a BFF Writing contest, a Blog Hop, A photo contest, a scavenger hunt and more. Think you have the best BFF? Come join us, tell us all about it, you would win some really fantastic prizes!

How can you get involved? I'm glad you asked, you can get started by RSVPing to the kick off twitter party, brought to you by One2OneNetwork

Follow Friends you Love on Twitter @FriendsYouLove to keep updated on all the events.
Don't forget to head over to the Friends You Love blog to see all the fabulous prizes and sponsors.

It's going to be a great month, so join in!

Back where I come From

2011-09-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

I am from sheets washed and dried on a clothes line, from hand washed windows the day before it rains, always.

I am from a quiet neighborhood nestled in a canyon, where everyone knows everyone on the street, and life happens after dinner and before the street lights come on.

I am from the reeds that grow and dance in the winds, they make perfect forts in the springtime. I am from the pond that gathers itself after the rains, where the polliwogs make their first appearance. I am from finding pleasure in the simple things, the toys that the Earth provided, and a good game of tag or baseball. I am from racing sticks down the gutters rushing with water when it rains.

I am from family dinners, together, the 4 of us around the dinner table where you had to be excused when you were done. I am from a nightly routine of my brother shaking his hand in yuckiness at eating his vegetables. I am from "if you don't eat it for dinner, you will get it for your next meal". I am from waste not want not.

I am from every holiday being celebrated, a BBQ for President's Day, a huge celebration for Christmas, I am from Family, spending time together!

From cousins by the dozens and when someone passes we will see them again, someday.

I am from baptism and Catholic school, prayers at night and a respect for our parents and each other. I am from standing next to your desk when a teacher/nun/priest entered the room and saying "Good Morning Sister Angela"

I’m from Southern California that extends to Chicago and back to Ireland and Russia. I am from corned beef and cabbage and green milk (don't ask) on St. Patrick's Day.

I am from singing "When it says Libby's Libby's Libby's on the lable lable lable, you will like it like it like it on your table table table" whenever we see or hear that name.

I am from death, more of it than I care to admit, grandma, father, grandpa all in 1 year at age 10. I am from losing my best friend and only sibling, TJ, to losing a step father who raised me over half my life. I am from cancer in more ways than one and I am from having faith and finding strength within myself and through my mom.

I am from a family that survives, I am from treasured photo albums my mom created over the years, with love, the only pictures of my family together, alive. I am from remnants of a loved life not forgotten, but a strength to carry on.

Lego my....

2011-09-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

We decided that this Sunday was a good day to get eaten by a lion!

We didn't go down with a fight....we struggled and made it difficult for him....

But not before engineering a train through a huge corn field......

Which we drove to the train station in our new fashionable Red cars....

This guy said he would lead us to safety.....

And we took a short cut over the Golden Gate Bridge...

And through the Vegas Strip.....

And we did all this and more at Legoland, California

Definitely a do over experience. The boys had so much fun, seeing all the legos, and riding all the rides. We were amazed at all the minitures and even the larger things they created out of these legos! We have Duplo's at our house, and leave the legos at Grandma's because if you have ever stepped on one of those you will curse the day they were ever made.....until you visit Legoland.

Cheers....to Friends

2011-09-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

In celebration of my birthday tomorrow, I am celebrating some of my besties that I spend most of my time with, texting, facebooking, blogging, tweeting, on the phone with and on the weekends.

We just spent last weekend at the park celebrating all of the September birthdays, there's a lot of us!
This is my sister in law Marie, most of you might know and recognize her from BlogHer, she came with me! I have known Marie since she was 10 and wearing fatigues! She is my source for all things Organic gardening. She makes some amazing things with the stuff from her garden!

Meredith and Jessie, my girls, I heart them, together they are a powerhouse of knowledge of all things GIRL! As Meredith has 3 and Jessie has 2. Meredith is my designer, she has given me so many fab ideas for home decor and she's an amazing photographer! Jessie is a designer of clothes for her girls, OMG you should see some of the stuff she makes, it's amazing!

This is one of my closest friends, I've known her since I was 10! Laura and I have been through a lot over the last 29 years! Yes that is right folks, tomorrow is my 39th birthday!! And that means I've known her for over 29 years. She got me into a lot of trouble! =) But no matter what, I know she's got my back!

Speaking of friends....please check out what's coming up on Friends You Love. A blog that celebrates friendships! The women closest to us are our biggest fans. With them we share our hopes and our fears. They are there for us in triumph and tradgedy. They celebrate our highs and are there to hold our hands through our lows. They help us to define the women we want to be. And I am honored to have been asked to contribute to this wonderful month long event! So head over there, check out what's coming up, like them on facebook and follow them on twitter!

It's all about the Pink

2011-09-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

I spent my Sunday attempting my first Maternity shoot. I'm so not a professional photographer, but that makes it sound all important like! =)

Good friend of mine is almost 32 weeks pregnant (at least she will be on my birthday, which is on Wednesday) and she's been on bedrest for a month now.

Doctors have given her limited mobility, and she allowed me to do some maternity shots for her. She has a thing for trains, so we went to a local train depot to grab this shot just as the train passed through.

I know she's TINY for being 32 weeks, with this shot I think we were debating which was bigger, her belly or her boobs!

She can't wait to meet her little one, Eden, and she already wants me to do the mommy and me shots as well as the announcement shots too!

And we aren't even done with the maternity!!! We have more we want to get but ran out of time!

How did you spend your Sunday?

Where Has the Time Gone?

2011-09-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

It's been 10 years,
And today I am just as speechless as I was the day it happen.

I have a bracelet that I bought that says 9-11/Never Forget

Thomas asked me "What's that for mommy?"

"9-11 Buddy, fortunately you don't remember it, but you'll learn about it in history books as you get older" I said

It's a day the world stood still. It's a time where being an American became just that much more important. A century stretching into a lifetime of remembering.

Remembering the violation, the heartache, and the disaster. The lives that meant so much. The children born missing a family member.

The heros. Those the helped, those that put their lives on the line. Even those that said a silent prayer at home. American's.....those are the heros.

And a Thanks to the FDNY, NYPD, USCG, USMC, USN, US ARMY, USAF, and their families, keep them in your thoughts and prayers as we all must remember Freedom isn't free!

I'm proud to be an American, and for our lifetime this will be the time, the question that everyone asks our generation "Do you remember what you were doing when you heard about the Twin Towers?"

I do remember, and I will Never Forget!

Hoarding the HK

2011-09-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

I have a couple Hello Kitty things....

They are placed around the house, in different places....

There's just a few here and there.....

I mean look, this one is sitting with a Vampire Kitty and an Erin Bear....it's not THAT bad...

Ok so I have a shelf in our family room that has a few HK things.....

Shut up, yes that is Hello Kitty Wine!

I also love the TN Titans.....can't you tell? Right there....you know, behind the Hello Kitty stuff....

And tell me how cute this is? A friend of mine at work found this for me and it's in the closet, HUSH it is too!

And so are these 3 bags of my HK stuff. But I seriously do NOT hoard Hello Kitty stuff.

It all has a purpose, IT DOES!!!

I use it for my friends little girls.....if they come over for a visit they almost never leave without something HK. Everyone should love HK, how cute is she?

Heard of LoungeFly? You MUST check them out, Some of that stuff is theirs and it totally rocks. I found out about them through a client at work, he's the grandfather or Uncle of the owner, (I can't remember) now if I could just get some stuff to review and give away on my blog, you all might become Hello Kitty Hoarders too! Errr I mean COLLECTORS, that is what I meant, Collectors, not hoaders!

You are Still my Baby

2011-09-06T02:25:00.000-07:00

When contractions started I was scared, it was too soon. But I was thrilled because I was miserable. Do you know how hard it was to chase after a 15 month old with you in my belly? Uggh, not fun!

So off to the hospital we went, at 9:30pm with mommy barfing all the way. Monitoring you, all signs were a go......

And this is how I first met you! Lying flat on my back on a gurney, after a C-Section they wheeled me through the NICU and I couldn't even hold you! My 2nd Miracle, my baby! I touched your hand briefly, and stroked your palm, I wanted you to know I was there. Only a moment, and they wheeled me away.

Your 1st year was a struggle, 1 hospital stay at 4 months, several trips to ER and countless doctor's appointments. And you made it, your 1st birthday came and went and you were still my baby, growing in leaps and bounds, despite the fact that you wouldn't walk until 18 months and you wouldn't talk to me despite how much I talked to you!

At age 2, you gave us more to worry about, you uttered only 4 words and the doctors mentioned the words no parent wants to hear "Autism". We took you in for testing, and to our relief it came back that you just didn't have much to say. I wanted so desperately to hear you say "Mommy" and "I Love you", that sweet voice to say those things and you would have me wrapped around your finger, not that you didn't already.

You grew in leaps and bounds, started a new school, a new teacher, and acquired a language development coach. You blossomed. Your sweetness was never in question. Your adorable little self, the one that loves his Froggie, his cloth diaper to sleep with, and anything sweet.

And now....on your 3rd birthday, you have more to say than you know how. You are still my baby, my 2nd little miracle. My heart swells with love and pride. You amaze me each day with what you learn, and you keep me laughing with your antics and your sayings.

You know your Jeeps and Corvettes, and tell me you can't wait to have your own. You give the softest, sweetest little kisses, just enough to say "I Love You Mommy"

I Love you into the depths of forever and with a fierceness you will never know.

Happy Birthday Baby Blue, I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this year!

Whirlwind Weekend

2011-09-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

It has been one whirl wind weekend for us, good thing we had 3 days to spend it in!

It was Birthday party weekend. So it was time for all the family to come out and spend the day celebrating Christopher! And let me tell you, he was super excited about it all!

Don't you just love drums? Oh the noise that they make, the pounding you can do on them, and the HOURS of endless fun their provide! Yeah Christopher loves his drum, Mommy and Daddy? Not so much!

He also got his 1st BIG WHEEL! Who does not love a big wheel? It's got lights and sounds and even an radio and a weather channel on it! Turn signals and a horn....what more can you ask for when you are 3? He was thrilled with it. But will tell you that he and Thomas fought over the BOX that it came in, Yes you read that right....THE BOX! I love how simple my sons are!

We got to meet Baby Kale. He made a surprise appearance just for Christopher's Party. As you can see we thrilled him right to sleep! Thomas fell in love with him and wanted to kiss and touch and hold him all the time and when he cried he wanted to know what was wrong. Later he told Daddy after seeing Kale, he would like a baby Brother, but Christopher was not impressed and said he would like an OLD brother but both agreed they would not like a baby sister. Well I hate to disappoint but they will get neither and have to do with their little cousin!

The rest of the weekend was spend at the pool with extended family! The kids had a great time swimming. Then it was BBQ time. It was an extention of Christopher's birthday feast.

Tequila Lime Chicken tacos, Carne Asada and Shrimp tacos, all the "fixin's" along with home made fresh pico de gallo made with pure Organic tomatoes from both my garden and Marie's garden.

As you can see the birthday boy had a spectacular weekend with more swimming Monday, now if I could just take the week off and spend it at the pool, I'd be a happy birthday girl, as mine comes up in just a few short weeks!! (Love my birthday!)

Polliog a Cracker

2011-08-31T21:29:00.000-07:00

Nestled in a canyon is a small community, just starting out, a new housing track, filled with kids of similar ages, it's growing and building. Within this mess of kids is a little girl, her eyes wide with excitement at everything.

"Who wants to go to the pond?" she asks

The replies come back as "All right", "Let's go", "good idea", "Race ya" and of course "Last one there is a rotten egg".

"I'll get the jars" she says as she races to the garage.

All the kids racing up the hill, completely out of breath and hoping there is actually some water in the pond. It dries up every year as spring fades into the warm summer. But in the Spring, that's the best time to go.

Up and over the dead end barrier all of them race, with only one care in the world, to not be last and be the rotten egg.

Slipping up the hillside in the soft dirt, sliding down the other side, and doing everything to avoid losing your shoe in the deep mud. The minute you hit the other side of that sloping hill, you are transported to another world.

A world of nature. You can smell the moss, mixed with the fresh air of spring. No houses can be seen, just rolling green hills that fade into Malibu Canyon. If you stand in one place long enough you can hear the gnats buzz by your ear. The girls wear pony tails so, like a horse, a swish of your head clears the gnats for a moment from your ears.

Alas, the pond. The murky water, still as the air, until you see a water spider slide across the top with ease to grab a tasty snack. The mosquitoes, that never bothered the kids, hovering over the surface of the water.

She moves ever so swiftly to the edge of the water, looking.....searching....
Her keen eyesight spotting exactly what she wants.

"Quick, gimmie a jar" the girl states

She slides down near the water, squats and gently lowers her jar into the water. Along with the muck, and dirty water, they flowed into the jar silently.

"I got em" she happily screams.

She covers her pickle jar with the cap that has holes poked in the top, and she peers in the side.

Her eyes a glow with fascination. There they are, a few with little tails, and some with the beginnings of legs. Precious Polliwogs.

They begin in the water, and grow, develop and change. Much like a baby in the womb. They emerge from the water fully developed and then they can sustain themselves on their surroundings.

Another successful trip to the pond. Her eyes dance across the water, searching for more. Her arms gently, yet securely, embracing her treasures from the pond. She'll keep them safe from the drying pond, from the birds and other creatures.

And when they become frogs she will remove them, name them, love them and set them free, back to the waters of the pond in the rainy season to start a new batch, because it's the water that gives the life of these ever changing polliwogs.

That little girl was me, time and time and time again. I hope to someday take my own sons to a pond to catch polliwogs.

This story was written for a memoir prompt at the red dress club but was one of my favorite memories and one of the most fun to write, I felt it deserved a 2nd post.

Miracles and Dreams really do come true

2011-08-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

Remember my Pure Bliss post a few weeks back?

No? How could you not remember this beautiful little guy? Born with Hypo-plastic Left Heart Syndrome.

Well I have had a lot of emails and tweets and facebook messages asking about him....

Look at that sweet little face. He underwent open heart surgery a week after his birth, and he soared to heights you could not imagine.

And now? This gorgeous little guy is off his feeding tube, he is off all monitors, he has one last IV line to come out.....

And he's GOING HOME!!!! Tomorrow is the Big day! Mommy is ready for him to be home. I can't wait to see him and give him a little love, even if I have to wait a few weeks to do it!

So it just goes to show, that A dream is a wish you make with your heart, and when you dream it, Miracles really do happen!

I just know he is going to be one little Hellion!!! hee hee

Older and Wiser

2011-08-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a whirlwind of fun, from growing up, to parties, to swimming and HOT HOT HOT!

Thomas had a blast at the park with Daddy, and he got some great shots of him, I am thinking this one is going on the wall! So glad we don't worry about taking our kids for potraits, we do our own and they come out so much better!

Now this brave little girl....you'd never know that hours before this pic was taken she broke her arm in her soccer game! Poor Serena, but she's a trooper and came to the birthday party anyway!

The kids had all kinds of fun in the dusk of the night, it finally started to cool down. They were happy to have been in the pool earlier that day! It was welcomed relief from 100 degree temps!

Christopher even had a smile or two to share as well.

Now these two clowns.....they are the reason for the weekend party! Both had their birthdays and we celebrated with swimming and BBQ and UFC, and fun, fun and more fun!

Sunday was spent at the pool all day, and Christopher was tooling all around the pool as long as he has his noodle. Tucked under his arm he navigates around the whole pool with no fear!

Now this one....He just all of a sudden decided to swim.....

Just took off and swam, the length of the pool....

Shallow end, deep end, it doesn't matter.....he was SWIMMING!!!

And along with now knowing how to swim, he has no fear now, and wanted Daddy to throw him all over the pool!

And that's how we roll in these parts for our overly hot weekend. We'll be looking for some welcome relief of cooler weather this coming up week!

Bacon Me Please

2011-08-24T22:35:00.000-07:00

I don't eat Bacon, I'm not a fan, I don't even eat turkey bacon....
So instead we'll prompt with the Hubs, his top 10 reasons why he believes Bacon is Awesome.

1. Salty Goodness, he absolutely loves his salt. The man won't eat salsa but he puts salt on his already salted tortilla chips. I am sure he would put bacon on his tortilla chips if it were offered.

2. It makes for a good base to home made biscuits and gravy! The boys won't eat bacon, but they love it when daddy makes his creamy gravy and home made biscuits.

3. Now these are his words and I quote "Fat is bad unless it's on bacon then it is gooooood"
#eww

4. Bacon makes any sandwich a sensation. It takes the place of mayo in his head.

5. He says what else cuts through that soap scum on your glass shower doors?

6. two words "bacon bits" on a salad since he uses no dressing

7. nothing tops a pizza better than canadian bacon

8. It's the #1 breakfast staple....wait, it is the ONLY breakfast staple. Forget eggs or cereal or toast, bahhh that's for sissies.

9. Because there is pork chops and apple sauce, and peanut butter and jelly...some things just go together....bacon....well it goes with EVERYTHING, including chocolate.

10. Add it to your fruit salad for a little added extra kick! Trust me...it works!

This was my husbands list, I have in no way endorsed this, supported this, nor do I like that nasty white fatty ICK on the side of bacon.

#nasty

Hope you enjoyed "prompting with the hubs"

Hummmm

2011-08-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

This was taken with a Nikon D80 DSLR right out on my patio with no editing, and I was amazed at how it came out.

We have about 5 or 6 hummingbirds that fight over possession of this feeder in our yard every night about dusk. It's amazing to watch them.

Simple Summer Sensation

2011-08-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

So apparently Blogger sucks, or Youtube sucks or internet explorer sucks, but it will NOT let me embed my video!

So I hope you all do not mind one more little click to see my fantabulous vlog on

How to make the simplest summer sensation of Yogurt Pie!

Easiest recipe in the world, two containers of your favorite yogurt, one container of cool whip, mix together put in graham cracker crust pie shell and freeze, take out about 20 minutes before you want to serve.
You can make it low fat but using all low fat products and you can even use the greek yogurt if you prefer.

Grow Me....

2011-08-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

Forgive the quality of the images, they are all from my cell phone.

I saw these beauties at my mother in law's house.....they are so spectacular up close, a hit of pink some yellow, just gorgeous!! I want some of my own!

This beauty can be found in my mom's back yard, she has the most amazing roses and they are so fragrant. These were at my aunts house, and they were so unique. The ones I have in my yard are just plain yellow!

Even the ones without the red, still are very unique.

And that is what I was gazing at this weekend in my neighborhood!

To the one....

2011-08-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

To the one that makes me laugh,

And the one that can make me cry,

To the one that is the best father,

To the one who knows how to frustrate me,

To the one who knows how to love me best,

To the one that completes my circle,

Happy Birthday!!!

We all Love you most!

A Blessing and some Clowns

2011-08-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

1st....an update since so many of you have asked and tweeted and sent prayers and good thoughts and positive energy.....

Little Kale (Which means Strength, my niece just recently told me) had his open heart surgery this morning, and came through with flying colors. Keep those good thoughts and prayers coming, as he has some healing to do so he can go home to Mommy, and then all will be right in the world.

And now on to Wordful Wednesday....
Look at these clowns......

One of my besties came out with her family from MI and while I was having fun at BlogHer she was holding my sick little 102 fevered baby. So they became instant buddies! Can you tell they were made for each other?

And since I can't get Amanda's button, aka Dumb Mom, to work..... Head over to her place too!

Pure Bliss

2011-08-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

Take 1 nervous mommy, pregnant with a son diagnosed with Hypo plastic left heart syndrome

15 hours of labor later, and one beautiful little boy is born.

Sweet as can be, adorable as ever....putting tiny footprints prints all over everyone's heart!

Breathing on his own, no oxygen needed, 1 side of his heart working for both until Surgery

Snoozing away, making his mommy just melt into him with Love.

FINALLY, Pure Bliss, Mommy holds son for the first time!

So please welcome into the world My grand-nephew, Kale Steven.....proof positive that Miracles, really do exist.

Parenting By Dummies

What I learned....

2011-08-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

This was my first year attending BlogHer, and a few things I learned.

1.) Don't expect anything, because expectations only lead to disappointments. Bonus is, out of all my expectations I had very few disappointments.

2.) No matter how comfortable your shoes, your flip flops, your wedges or your tennis shoes are...there is a lot of walking, a lot of standing around at parties, a lot of dancing and your feet will hurt!!!

3.) Jackets, sweaters, jackets, and more sweaters are a MUST if you are attending any sessions, because it's a dang meat locker in there!

4.) When they say eat, go to dinner, make dinner plans, all that stuff....yeah trust me, you don't have to pay for a single meal, there is food everywhere! In the expo, at the parties, at the invites only, there is A LOT of food! And always a huge variety!

5.) Sleep? What's that? There is just entirely too little time for sleep! I laid down for 2 minutes while dropping off swag and 2 HOURS later I woke up, I missed a ton of stuff!! WTH?

6.) Do not, I repeat do NOT get up at 6:30 am and run a 5K, spend 1/2 the day walking around the expo, the other 1/2 the day in sessions and then attend 2 different parties and dance for at least 2 hours straight and expect your legs to NOT feel like noodles the next day!

And because I like odd numbers.....and 7 happens to be my lucky number.....

7.) Don't always do all the talking, stop and listen, you might just learn a thing or two!

I can't wait for BlogHer'12, NYC Here I come! And this time I'm bringing reinforcements!

I really am Blond, sort of!

2011-08-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

My very 1st Vlog!!

Be kind! =)

I wonder....

2011-08-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

Another year crept up so quickly!

Hard to believe if he was still here, he'd be 41 today! And I wonder.....

I wonder all the things that will be left only there....In my mind, through my imagination,

I wonder.

Would he be happy. Would we still be close? Or would we be even closer?

Would he live nearby? Would he visit often and throw my kids around as the laughed joyfully screaming his name. Would they hear his truck pull up and go running to the gate screaming "Uncle Tom, Uncle Tom"

Would Thomas remind him like he reminds a lot of other people that he was named after his uncle. The uncle that lives among the stars, and he asks to visit him often. Would he be proud that Thomas carries his name?

Would he eventually have had children? What would their names be?

All this remains in my mind, right next to all the wonderful memories we made together as kids, teenagers and young stupid adults.

My brother....my loss of you has now become OUR loss of you.
Seeing how close my boys are, watching them play together, fight, make up and say "I'm sorry", I hope they never know the loss of each other. I still miss you so much it hurts!

Happy Birthday, know that not a day goes by that I don't think of you!

August 4th, 1970 - May 28, 1996

I'm not much of a poet anymore, but this fit right into Mama Kat's prompt of Loss

Just a little Guilt

2011-08-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow I am on my way to BLOGHER!!!! SQUEEE!!!

So excited, I wanted to go last year and I had to suffer through reading all the blogs and seeing all the pics of all these people that I wanted to meet, meeting each other.

I wasn't on twitter yet, so I wasn't tortured too much by that, BUT, this year? I am going!

I am packed....well almost....just a few things in the morning and I'm done!

But tell me I am not feeling just a tad guilty!

All the laundry is done, because I am feeling guilty for leaving the hubs at home in care of my two boys....errr I mean my boys in care of the hubs! So I would hate for him to need anything for any of them and have it not be clean and he would curse my name!

All the grocery shopping is done, because how much worse would I feel if I left them here to fend for themselves and have no food in the house. Even though they will go out for pizza most likely anyway!

The dishes are right at this moment drying in the dishwasher, and I will empty that tomorrow morning, so that the hubs can focus all his energies on the boys and not have to worry about a thing.

The birthday present that I bought for the party they are attending on Saturday is all packaged up pretty so all he has to do it put it in the car and go enjoy!

This isn't the 1st time I've left the 3 of them, and I know the hubs can handle it.....but this is for 4 days! 4 whole days, to myself and 3000 other bloggers, some of whom I call friends!

And I know that I will miss them and I will be glad to get home on Sunday and hug them and kiss them and roll around the floor with them and laugh and be silly.

I can't help but feel a tug at my heart strings, as lately it's been all about Daddy! When they hurt they want Daddy, when they are happy they want to tell Daddy! And now I'll be gone for 4 days! What happens now? Now they won't need me AT. ALL!

*sigh*

*tear*

Ok, I'm done.....guess what?

I'M GOING TO BLOGHER!!!!

How much can you hold?

2011-08-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

Remember what I did after surgery?

This is just a glimpse of just one wall of my bedroom. I couldn't be happier with it!

And the plate.....It says it all.....

I Never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me "Mommy"

And it could be more true, my boys are my whole world, I never in a million years knew how much my heart could love until they came!

What I don't know....

2011-07-31T22:07:00.000-07:00

There isn't much I know how to do....

I'm not crafty, I didn't pick up a single ounce of that gene from my mom.

I have no fashion sense, which is why I had a friend, Morgan, help me with my BlogHer '11 outfits.

Until now, I have had like 4 pairs of shoes....tennis shoes, black shoes, brown shoes and some sort of flip flop. And then Morgan happened and I have like a ton of different shoes and I keep looking for more! (My mom Thanks you Morgan haha) And if you have a chance to stop by her blog she has several posts on fashion and what not to wear to BlogHer '11

I have no makeup sense, I remembering begging my mom to let me wear eye liner, and I never ventured past that....much. So I'm pretty plain and simple, a little mascara and a little eye liner, if I remember, on a good day, you might even catch me with some lipstick or gloss on.

And I definitely do not know how to pack. So I'll be employing my mom to help me pack a week and a half's worth of clothes for 3 days. Good thing I don't have to fly, I'd have to check a 50 lb suitcase.

I also know that there will be at least ONE thing that I forget at home. It's a curse!

But one thing I do know? That although I am shy (to some extent) and nervous, there is only one me, and that is all I can be.

So the more I think about all these people I am going to meet, all the people I hope to meet, and all the people there, the more nervous and overwhelmed I get.

And I stop and think....all I can be is me.... who is "ME" you ask?

I'm Erin, a working mother of two miracle boys, the wife to one, a daughter and a friend. I'm friendly and confident in who I am. I am not afraid to share my faults. My life is an open book, there isn't anything I won't discuss with someone that I have gone through in my life if it helps someone else get through it in their life.

So I hope I get to meet all my mentors, all my twitter friends, and I Hope to learn....A LOT!
So if you see me, I may not walk right up and barge in and say "HI I'm Erin" but I will certainly try to put my fears aside and try!

Oh and I'll keep you posted how my 50 lb suitcase comes out!

The pencil mark upon the wall

2011-07-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

1.) He likes going to school, and doesn't cry when I leave him.

2.) He swims all by himself and doesn't mind the water in his ears

3.) He says thinks like "Well actually mommy"

4.) He runs and runs....never looks back to get approval from Mom.

5.) He's starting to be worried about his brother and his feelings.

6.) He doesn't freak out when his "bankie" has been left at school at night.

7.) The pencil mark on the wall is getting bigger and bigger

8.) He tells me he has an owie but that he didn't cry, but sucks in air when you come near it.

9.) He's becoming more and more interested in playing some sort of sport and not just parallel play

10.) He likes bugs and things that crawl and slither.

And all these things tell me that my 1st born baby is growing up. And I'm okay with that....mostly....sometimes.....ok probably not at all. But he will always be my 1st born baby, and he will always love his mommy, no matter how old he gets! (I hope)

Wouldn't it?

2011-07-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

I can't tell if this qualifies for wordFUL or wordLESS post.

But wouldn't it be nice if you could just know what they were saying or even thinking?

We went to the Long Beach Aquarium last weekend and Thomas was just enthralled with this little alcove where you could see a sting ray from beneath.
He was hollering for anyone that would listen.....

Would it be nice to know what his brain was processing?

And then there is Christopher...

I can't remember what he was so excited about, but Thomas looked at him like "What in the world?"

That's right Christopher.....just smile, it makes 'em wonder!

Somehow they understand each other, it's a brother thing!

Another Moment

2011-07-24T22:13:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love those "Proud Mommy Moments"?

Come on, you know what I mean. We all have them....

The "Bad Mommy Moment" when your child says while waiting in line at the grocery store

"Mommy, can I have that candy bar?"

And of course your reply is "Why no, why ever would you think you could have that?"

And they reply "Because you let me have one for dinner last night"

OUCH! #EpicFail

But there are those few times....when you hold your head a little higher, your shoulders are a little more square and you walk by saying "YEP, that's MY kid"

Yeah well I had one of those today!

We took my two little cuties to the Long Beach Aquarium today....

Once we were all done petting sharks, and feeding Lorikeets, and touching startfish and watching the antics of Sea Otters and Sea Lions it was time for lunch.

Normally we go out to eat and that is my boys excuse to have soda with their meal, yes my kids drink soda upon occassion, don't judge. It's also their excuse to have french fries with whatever they order.

So at the Yardhouse in Long Beach, when ordering they not only ordered Milk to drink but also Fruit to go with their meal!! YES!!!! Proud Mommy Moment all wrapped up in one.

And they did drink all their milk and ate all the fruit but the strawberries!

What's your Proud Mommy Moment? Or even your bad mommy moment?

The Simple Things

2011-07-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

Ok so I am cheating just a little bit, ssshhhh don't tell but I put up this post a while ago, but it fit perfectly into the prompt this week. And I couldn't resist!

"The Simple Things"

I remember, those tiny fingers, searching so endlessly for me, for mommy, as my oldest closed his eyes at night while nursing. Griping my fingers, I watched his little hand close over not only my fingers, but my heart as well. I watched him drift off to sleep, and I thought how all was right in the world, for that moment. It was simple.

I remember picking both of my boys up with then would fall, to comfort them, to pat their little diapered butt and kiss them, telling them it was okay to try again, mommy would always be here to pick them up and dust them off. It was simple.

I remember rocking my youngest to sleep at night, while he snuggled against me. I would breathe in so deeply soaking in the smell of motherhood. Feeling his breathing become long and slow, the moment when I knew he was asleep. I would sit for just one extra minute, loving all of it. It was simple.

Playing with my boys, laying on the floor, throwing them around, playing horsey, while they bounce cheerfully on my legs and say "Ride cowboy, ride". Hearing their giggling, their laughter, with me, with each other. Watching the pure joy in their eyes. It was simple.

When I feel beat by mommyhood, and I cry to myself that I am doing it all wrong. I remember to sit and reflect on all of these simple things. And I remember, I'm not a perfect mom, and my babies, my boys, really are simple. They are simply simple, it is me who makes it complex.

And tomorrow? Tomorrow is another day, and all my love is wrapped up in them, and it's just that simple!

This and That, don't mix!

2011-07-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

I love that my kids go to school. And I love that they DO things at school.

I learned that instead of just running out and getting them the cutest clothes that make them look so adorable, I am going to be running to the thrift store.

I put my kids in clothes that are just the cutest, and then all of a sudden I pick them up and they are unrecognizable. That shirt that had just a little bit of white on it that morning is now green, or purple, or some other color it wasn't that morning.

Now I don't mind that they come home all crazy colored, at least that means they have DONE something that day, something FUN, something exciting. They have touched and mixed, and painted and played and they are BUSY!

But can't they use materials that are washable? Paints that wash out of clothes? Or at least ask for a donation of some of dads old t-shirts to put on at cover alls?

Because these bright and beautiful clothes look so adorable on my babies....

But they do NOT mix with face paint like this, especially when it's hot and they are boys, they tend to wipe anything and everything on their pants and shirts!

It's off to the thrift store for school clothes for my boys!

What kind of condition do your kids clothes come back looking like from school?

What do you do post surgery?

2011-07-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Well Surgery went off without a hitch, Thank you to everyone who emailed and tweeted to make sure all was well. It really does mean a lot!

I remember waking up, seeing my husband and saying "I wanna go home". I felt fine, I wasn't even tired, or so I thought. I get home, my husband asked me if I was going to lay down, I said "I might lay down and watch TV" That was at 11, I started at channel 2 and made it to channel 9 and don't remember anything until 2pm!

So what does one do after surgery is over and you feel like your the ugliest person on the face of the earth you ask?

Why you go shopping of course, and you look at people and DARE them to just ask you "What the hell happened to your face?"

So despite how tired I have been since the surgery, I did some shopping for MORE fun outfits for BlogHer, and yet another pair of shoes! This is SO NOT me, seriously, ask anyone I know, I hate to shop and I am NOT a shoe person.

And what else do you do? You take your young sons to go see Winnie The Pooh and then out for dinner, once again daring someone to make a comment about your stitches. Which no one did, except my own kids!

And lastly what do you do after you have surgery? You decide to redo your bedroom!! That's right, repaint and redo. New pictures, new shelves, new paint color! All of it! My husband put up with all of it too. I have two walls painted and will finish the rest tomorrow.

What? We had to stop to go to friend's house for home made fried chicken! Ya gotta eat!

Then it's all about the decorating. Some pics, maybe some shelves, some sconces. It's going to be AMAZING, I can't wait to show you some pics. Squeee I'm so excited!

Now what would you do after surgery?

I have one of These!

2011-07-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

Ok because I am having a bad day. Well not really a "bad day" just a Blah day. I am going in for more surgery tomorrow. On my face. Which I am not thrilled about.....3 weeks before BlogHer! Tell me I am not going to be totally self conscious?

But that is why I employ (sort of) Morgan from The Little Hen House to dress me! So that makes me happy. Because if I can get some totally rockin' outfits that will take the emphasis off my face right? So anyone going to BlogHer don't mention my scars!

So back to my bad day, I am more nervous about this surgery than any other, and I don't know why.

So when I saw "What's your favorite joke" this one always cracks me up.....

A little boy and a little girl are playing together and the little boy says "I have 5 pennies"

And the little girl replies with "So? I have a dime"

Then the little boy looks around and he says "I have 6 marbles"

To which the little girl says "I have 12"

The little boys frowns, and then has that A-HA moment.

He pulls down his pants and points to his junk and says "I have one of THESE"

The little girl laughs and stands up and pulls her dress up and says,
"So? I have one of these, and with one of these, I can get as many of THOSE as I want!!"

And she stomped off proudly!

Ahhh so true, and it makes me laugh every time I Hear it! So a little shinning light to my otherwise blah day!

The perfect shot

2011-07-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

I am by no means a photographer,
But I am always looking for that perfect shot..... and I try really hard!

And I thought this sequence was pretty dang good!

And I caught just the right amount of splash!

And I thought that KC's form was rather good don't you? Only thing I am missing is her coming up out of the water with her arm in the air gold medal style!

It's not just a girl thing

2011-07-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

I have realized that when it comes to weight, it's not just a girl thing.

I have recently been on a "I'm eating healthy and by doing so I will lose weight" kick. And I am losing weight, and I am eating healthier, but it's not all about losing weight. It's about being healthy, and that is what it should only be about, and if I happen to lose some weight in the process then a bonus is to be had there.

I have realized that I need to watch what I say and do around my children, even if they are boys.

I don't want to be the 98 lb high school graduate that I once was. But I want to be healthy. I want my family to be healthy. I want my children to see me eating more fruits and vegetables and less junk food and candy. I hope that someday they will ask for grapes versus cookies, watermelon over a candy bar and even frozen yogurt over ice cream.

But I also know that body image is much more than "just a girl thing". I know that boys struggle with body image just as much as girls do. Society affects boys just as it does girls. Peer pressure is a very real thing among boys as it is girls.

But most importantly I don't want my boys to think that only tiny/skinny girls are worth their time and attention. I want them to value what's on the inside not what they see on the outside.

So I have been watching what I say when discussing my weight, and how often days I feel "fat" and how I look "huge" or a particular outfit makes me look like a "whale", I need to remember my boys are listening, and that they are learning and are so impressionable at such young ages of 3 and 4. It's not an easy thing, but I am working on it.

So when my boys come into my room in the morning and say "Ohhh I like your skirt mommy?" I need not ask "You don't think it makes me look fat?" Just to hear them say "No mommy, you look beautiful" as their father has taught them to say so preciously and honestly no matter what mommy asks.

And tomorrow, when one of my son's say to me "I like your shirt/shoes/pants/skirt" I will simply reply with "Thank you and I Love you for noticing".

VRRROOOOOM!

2011-07-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

This weekend we took the boys to see CARS 2. This would be Christopher's 1st real movie theater experience. So we decided to go all the way! We took them to El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. Right across the street from the Grauman's Chinese Theater. And wouldn't you know it, they found Donald Duck's foot prints?

They enjoyed VIP seating, which included popcorn and drinks and fun times after the movie! Christopher really enjoyed his 1st movie experience. He watched almost the whole movie without too much moving around.

Then it was over to the fun.....a McQueen made from Lego's, How would you like to put that together? Or take it apart for that matter?

Thomas got to head to the body shop and paint the car, which he proceeded to get all over the car, his shirt, his shoes, good thing it was all water based!

Thomas does like Mater....trying to life up his cheeks high enough to have big teeth like Mater!

And by the end of the day they finally met McQueen! Too bad it didn't talk to them like a KIT car!! I think they would have jumped out of their skin!

And Christopher Was thrilled to get his Finn Car, he hasn't put it down since.

After all that excitement they got to go meet this guy.....his name is Jack. And aside from the Ventura Co Fair they haven't seen a pic up close and personal. They fed him grapes and "pet" him.

There were horses there but they were hiding to try to stay away from the heat. But they were both so excited to see that pig!

It was a busy, fun filled weekend.

They loved Cars 2, it is a very cute movie. If you like James Bond movies, you will love Cars 2. But there are a lot of jokes that kids just wouldn't get, but they laugh anyway. But the kids were captured by the excitement and the characters.

Our next movie....Winnie the Pooh, my niece wants to see it but doesn't want to see it childless, and since her baby isn't due until August 8th, she's going to come out and see it with the boys!

What TO Wear BlogHer Edition

2011-07-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

Last time I had the edition of What not to wear - Salon Style

Today I am going to link you to my new fashion coordinator Morgan over at The Little Hen House! But it should be titled What TO wear to BlogHer! She's awesome, I heart her!

We all know I literally have no fashion sense. I worry about EVERYTHING. Will those capri's make me look shorter than I really am?

That shirt has to fit me on top and then doesn't fit anywhere else so now I look huge.

Those shoes don't even match anything are you sure they will go with what I am wearing?

Does this make me look fat? I look portly huh? I look squatty.....and on and on and on!

I've been branching out a LITTLE bit with the help of my mom. She totally put together my outfit that I wore to Bloggy Boot Camp back in March. But it so wasn't as cute as Morgan....or even Angie.....these two are A-Dorable! (Morgan on the Left and Angie on the right) Angie has to digs on the CUTEST accessories too!

So since I am going to BlogHer in less than a month, and Morgan so graciously offered to help my failing fashion sense. She put together the CUTEST outfits for affordable prices! I am so off to find a few of the items and I am not going to worry about it!!

So head over to Morgan's and see what she has in store for me for BlogHer....I will be totally in style and can focus on Squeeing with all my bloggy friends I've waited so long to meet and others I will be seeing again!!

It's an Obsession!

2011-07-06T22:18:00.000-07:00

My adorable little almost 3 year old, is just in love with Tangled.

When we first got this movie, he said he didn't want to watch it because the horsie looked mad, and he doesn't like mad horsies!

Now he knows what is going to happen before it happens. He will scream at me from across the house "MOMMY, your favorite part". And I look and it hasn't even happened yet, it's like 3 seconds later. Because I just love the part where Maximus shreds the Wanted poster of Flynn.

When someone gets hit with the fry pan, he says "Ow" and rubs his head. If you want to see an almost 3 year old sit still for more than 10 minutes, put mine in front of Tangled. And lately with how horrible his asthma has been, I'd prefer him to sit still!

It's an obsession! He asked if next time we go to Disneyland can he meet Tangled. I said sure you can! Will you let her hold you for a pic? Nope! But he still wants to meet her.

I don't mind his obsession because it is such an adorable movie. But I am thinking that watching that movie at least once a day I could play Rapunzel in the Broadway musical!

Just a Crescent

2011-07-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

This was the view from where we hiked up to watch the fireworks. So as the day slid into night and the moon made it's appearance....This is the amazing view we had!!

4th Rocks!

2011-07-04T22:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Indpendence Day!
We had a BUSY 3 day weekend. And it sure does show in the fact that my babes are sound asleep in their beds!

Don't you love BBQ's? And don't you love them even more when your neighbor offers up their pool to go swimming? That's what happened when we went to Auntie Re-Re's house for a BBQ. Thomas had a blast swimming with Auntie Re-Re.

As well as boating around with Uncle Q and Quincy.

And the second you add a little brother to the mix, the splashing begins!

After swimming all the kids were yards and yards away in hopeful anticipation of the fireworks Uncle Q was setting off....ssshhhh don't tell anyone! But they sure were excited to see that little paratrooper being shot out of a "canon" into the air and parachuting down to the ground!

After a few more simple ground firworks and an awesome dinner.....a small hike up the hill to see the whole valley and we watched the fireworks from there! It worked out perfect because we didn't hear the loud bangs from the fireworks which tend to bug those little ears!

And YAY for their hero Uncle Q who gave them their very first sparklers! They thought that was the coolest part of the whole evening!

And what a better way to spend the 4th, but on the beach with friends and family? After our huge BBQ the night before we all drug ourselves out to the beach. It was gorgeous! When we left home it was almost 80. We got to the beach and it was 70. We left the beach and it was 78 and when we got back home it was still 94!!!! The beach was definitely the best choice!

Ben and Quincy were digging for buried treasure...or crabs!

See? We found one....they were all over the beach, and the boys just thought those were the neatest things! Thomas wanted to bring about 4 of them home!

I was just thrilled to have a long weekend to share with friends and family but most importantly my Baby Boys!!

What did you do over the 4th? I hope everyone got some much needed rest and time with their family!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

2011-06-29T21:41:00.000-07:00

I have a ton of pet peeves. A lot of them are just simple and I can let them roll off my back.

But there are some that will just make me crawl a wall....

And my biggest one?

"Mommy? I would like some milk" small child says

"Ok dear, just a minute and I'll get you some" mommy says

"NO, get it NOW, I want it NOW" small child says

Mommy stops everything she is doing to bow down to her small child and get him/her milk

And now child knows that they are boss. They know that they can totally disrespect their parent no matter what the circumstance and mom isn't going to do anything.

I don't mind doing things for my children but not with an attitude like that.

My children are learning very early that it's not ok to disrespect mommy or daddy. Daddy is one of the biggest enforcers.

That is one thing that drives me absolutely NUTS! Parents that allow their children to walk all over them, totally disrespect them and basically spit on them and walk away.

I remember trying to disrespect my mom when I was younger and it didn't work, it bought me a one way ticket to my room or grounding or priviledges taken away. And when I was a teenager, it bought me a lovely night at home with the 'rents, which mom proceeded to make it a nightmare!

I am hoping that by teaching our children respect for us, not allowing them to be disrespectful towards us also teaches them they can't disrespect their teachers, grandparents, aunt's, uncles and some of my closest friends that we consider family.

The hubs makes it really clear that they are not to disrespect me or females in general, and hopefully in time they won't disrespect girls/girlfriends/women/wives.

So there, I stirred the pot....that's my biggest parenting pet peeve, what's yours?

Would have had this up last night but blogger sucks, I think it's time for a move to my own domain!!

Love this time of year

2011-06-28T21:33:00.001-07:00

I just love this time of year, even more so this year. We are so buzy but it's so worth it.

There are dancing shows to put on with friends,

Girlfriends to meet at BBQ's while playing with "boy toys"

1st Dodger games to take the boys too.

It was hot, but they had a good time all the same. How can you not with Dodger Dogs, Cracker Jacks, Ice cream and frozen malts??? Teaching the boys about planting their own food, and having them push the seeds in the soil.

We have sweet basil growing....

Our corn coming along just beautifully with our "scarecrow" Homer looking after it!
My squash is just smashing, will soon find it's way into my kitchen for cooking!

I've already made Plum jam.....

Tomorrow night will be Apricot Jam.....But tonight.....

This beautiful home made peach pie with stars cut out for a 4th of July party!

And before long, Peach Jam.

The boys planted cantaloupe, beans, zucchini, pumpkins and cauliflower! Can't wait for those to pop up.

What's your favorite thing about this time of year?

I hate being a Mom

2011-06-27T19:58:00.001-07:00

I hate it when my babies hurt.

I hate it when my babies cry.

I hate it when Christopher doesn't understand when I drop him off at his new school, that I will come back for him.

I hate that I cry about anything these days when it comes to them, even when they make me angry.

I hate that they will never be this age again.

I hate that this time will move so fast, and I'm afraid I might not remember.

I hate when Christopher is sick and can't breath, and I have to stand by and watch him suffer like a fish out of water until his meds kick in.

I hate that Thomas sometimes feels left out because he is the older brother and Christopher sometimes gets the attention.

I hate how hard it was to potty train Thomas, but what a cinch it was to potty train Christopher.

And I hate how they will never know how powerful their hold over me is....well maybe that's a good thing.

Who ever thought that a love so fierce could be created by someone so little, who ever thought that payment in little arms wrapped so tightly around my neck, little kisses, and words that say "I Love You Mommy" makes it all worthwhile. Little giggles, and smiles and wonderment in their eyes will always make me come back for more.

I really don't hate being a mom at all, it's the best "job" I've ever had, but I do hate how my heart breaks every day they get a little older. And how I cry at everything little thing!

Because Erin means Ireland

2011-06-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Erin go Bragh.....we've all heard it. But did you know what it means?
Did you know that it is Gaelic for "Ireland Forever"?

My ancestry is mainly Irish with a little Russian thrown in for flavor. My grandmother taught me some Russian that she knew when I was a kid, and I still to this day will still use some phrases. I wish I could have learned more Gaelic.

I've learned a lot about Ireland, at one low point in my life I even considered moving there.
The people are so friendly, the towns have a kinship you would never know as an outsider. But it doesn't take long before you are no longer a outsider.

The lush green mountainsides. The blue sea. A Country full of myths and legends.

I've always wanted to go, and have been offered a trip twice, and turned it down for what, at the time seemed like good reasons not to go. I know, STUPID!

Someday, I'd love to take two weeks and just go....1st class all the way. See what there is to see, meet people, take it all in, because it will be a once in a lifetime trip! And in that trip I'm going to get that Irish accent down pat!!

So in the mean time, I'll think about it, I'll attempt to save my pennies for it, and maybe by the time I retire I will be able to go. And I hope between now and then, it doesn't change much!

Where do you want to go?

I look like who?

2011-06-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

My Friend Morgan over at The Little Hen House came up with a great idea to compare yourself with your celebrity look a like.

There is only one person anyone has ever said I looked like and that is Natalie Wood. Must be the Russian in me and the brown eyes. I still don't see the resemblance, she's gorgeous. Maybe I don't have a celebrity look alike?

Who do you look like or have been told you look like? Head over to Morgan's and see who everyone else looks like!

Naps: A Help or Hindrance?

2011-06-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

Naps, a help or a hindrance?

I absolutely love naps. I always have. So relaxing and refreshing. After a busy morning to turn off the TV, grab a book, read a few pages and drift off into neverland for a short....or long nap. Wake up feeling refreshed and ready to fight the rest of the day.

From the moment my boys were born we established a napping routine with them. We never disrupted the routine. I would even wake Christopher from a nap so that he would nap again at the same time as Thomas' afternoon nap. We made sure we were home for nap time every day and every weekend, no matter what was going on.

Now I'm wondering if that was a help or a hindrance.

I don't push my children to the point of meltdown. It's frustrating for me, but also them as well. Their little brains don't function the way they should when they are tired.

My boys go to a school where they have a 2 hour "quiet time". Right after lunch, from 12:30 to 2:30 my boys relax, sleep, read.....whatever they do they have to be quiet.

The weekends come around and we put them in their rooms and they nap. And come bedtime, we put them in bed and that is the end of it, we don't have sleep problems, we don't have the "Just 5 more minutes please" or "Wait I need a glass of water"

But now they are almost 3 and 4, according to WebMd they need 10 - 12 hours a day. They go to bed at 8:30 and get up between 6:30 and 7. So they should be tired and need a nap but why does it have to interrupt everything we do?

We did Disney and they lasted until the end of the day before they crashed. We did Sea World and they lasted until the end of the day before needed a power nap.

When I tell my friends that both the boys still nap they say "You are so lucky"

But am I? Am I lucky that my day is interrupted and we can't some of the things we want to do? Or would I rather them not nap, but go to bed at 7:30? Then we have to be home by that time in order to avoid that 7pm meltdown.

I know, I should be counting my blessings that my boys still nap, and I am. But sometimes I wonder.......