Mama MIA

"Missing in Action" that is!

Oh boy. I don't know what is going on except that God has His own plans for how I spend my days. And blogging hasn't been at the top of the list. I've always loved blogging - keeping family and friends up to date with our family happenings. Sharing funny stories or maybe encouraging my fellow mommies by opening up my thoughts and feelings. I've always felt like this blog was a wonderful part of God's plan for my life - a piece of our life song to Him. I find such joy, comfort, strength, validation in the family blogs I follow. So when I don't have a chance to read them (much less write on my own!) for a while, I start to feel bad. A little guilty. A little disconnected. A little overwhelmed with "how I'm going to get back in the swing?". Especially when there is so much to catch up on. Finally today, I accepted the fact that "not blogging" doesn't mean "not living". It doesn't mean God isn't using me or working in our family. He's got big plans. I should know that by now. And while I love the days when life and blogging cooperate to create an easy-going, give-and-take relationship - a sort of codependence - I equally appreciate all the things that have hindered the blogging. Trips to the pool, coffee with girlfriends, vacation Bible school, painting the guest room, " SB potty-training" (it's twice the work and different goals - but so cute to see him on his elmo potty seat reading a book :) hehe), reading a new book, going to the movies, shopping at Ikea (okay maybe that was more stressful than enjoyable...how do you not get lost in there?)

And most recently a trip with my best-friend/sister to see my best-friend/cousin.

Of course I also got to see the cute little red-headed girl we all know and love.

But now - of course as soon as I'm content with not having time to blog...I have a moment. So I guess I'll pick up where we left off. :) Big stuff still to come...but this should tide you over. Here's a quick summary of some of the day-to-day joys of...

California...

We made ourselves at home...with coffee...

...and tea.

The perfect morning recipe.

Laguna Beach

Beach hair looks good on you baby.

Home is where the Starbucks is...wait...isn't that how it goes?

Deep concentration to beat "Ya-ya" (Leah.) ;)

Beach Buddies are the Best Buddies.

Dear playground covered in sand...

...you've ruined all other playgrounds for my son.

Pancake Breakfasts

Yummm

Shopping (better cause you're in California)

They have merry-go-rounds at this mall!? How fun!

Or not...

Inflatable Pool-Time

There's nothing like splashing around in an inflatable pool in the front yard. Making a mess.

Making new friends.

(very carefully that is)

assessing the situation...

Watch out!

Phew! That was a close one. Good thing he took that "lion taming" class at Gymboree.

(Yep...Jet's toes are still the cutest I've ever seen.)

Making something special for Aunt Kayleigh's birthday

And just...making memories.

It's was such a wonderful time. I loved all the "every-days" in between the "extraordinary" ones. Jet was spoiled beyond imagination and he loved everything about his visit. And so did we.

Coming up next...

Party People

If a vacation ever came close to feeling like one big party - it was this one. From the day we got there till the day before we left we were celebrating graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions (our SB family that is :) <3) and national holidays. It was a blast. We started off by celebrating this lovely high school graduate.

Graduating high school is such an exciting time. Facing a new chapter of your life - full of opportunity and freedom, choices and chances. So much to look forward to, and learn from. I loved the carefree nature of childhood. I look back fondly on the freedom of my high school days. But I have to say many of my greatest joys, most precious memories and most profound experiences all took place after I graduated. So congratulations sweet Claire! We are so proud of you and wish you wonderful days ahead.

And of course in Jet's mind - it was all for him. Every game, group-hug, song or sparkler would bring a smile to his face that said "yep. I'm glad you're excited about me being here as I am," as he'd clap with the rest of us. And why not? He's a pretty cool kid.

I mean...the ladies love him.

He even got his own special hawaiian lei at cousin Claire's graduation party.

The Big Kahuna.

And of course the Fourth of July party was not to be outdone. We celebrated our Freedom with the necessary 4 F's - family, friends, food and fireworks.

Jet (being the delightful 2 year old he is) opted out of the food, was selective with the friends, and completely rejected the fireworks.

But he still had a great time. :)

Mommy...is this my car?

And of course...who has time for food when you're secretly a super hero?

Shh...don't tell...

All the festivities (combined with the confidence he had through his secret identity and the meant-for-him license plate) made Jet brave enough to try and secure himself another girl-friend.

I think it worked. She looks charmed doesn't she?

Then during an attempt at a family photo...he and Daddy worked on charming Mommy....

...not quite what I was looking for...

That's more like it.

The evening ended with smiles on our faces...

and sparklers in our hands...

And we felt pretty super about it.

More to come... :)

Vacation

Tonight I took a bubble bath and read a magazine in the tub. Admittedly it was a June 2009 addition of Cookie Magazine that has sat in our bathroom for 3 years now (back when I had time to read parenting magazines ;) lol). And of course by "read" I really mean "skimmed", and by "bubble bath" I mean a few of Jet's leftover suds were still in the tub when I ran the water for me. But nevertheless...for 10 minutes I slipped into a carefree zen-like state.

Less than one article in...momma-hood called, and I was out and I can't complain...cause tucking this little guy in bed is the best job in the world.

And it was nice to relax for even 10 minutes. As a child, I never understood the phrase "We're gonna need a vacation from this vacation!"

I kinda do now.

Cause when you vacation big...you don't really do it to relax...you do it for the fun, the family time, the memories, the experience.

And we vacationed BIG.

Like venti-decaf-iced-mocha-big. Oh yeah. Big stuff.

Actually, our vacation was even bigger than that.

We arrived in sunny CA without a hitch, ready for everything we had planned, anxious for the fun to begin, wondering if it'd be everything we'd hoped it would be...

And after one day of the breeze, the beach, and the beautiful feeling we had from just being there together...

...we knew it was.

And we couldn't wait for the rest of it.