Mother's Day

We were fortunate to have my Dad, who had been in LA all week for work, in for the Mother's day weekend.  It was a gorgeous weekend and we took advantage of it by enjoying each other's company at home.  It was wonderful to be able to relax and just enjoy each other's company, rather than worry about packing, traffic, and nap times.

Saturday was spent mostly playing T-ball in the front yard and eating yummy food on the patio.  Josh had finished his last T-ball game on the Friday prior and we enjoyed the team party on Saturday evening.  It was great day.

Sunday we attended the early service and then headed to Panera for a Mother's day breakfast, yumm!  While eating the boys surprised me with a fun gift....a panini maker.  Michael and I have been wanting one ever since we feel in-love with the King's.  We definitely enjoying it and becoming more and more creative with our sandwiches.

Here are some family pictures, with little smiles, we took when we got home from Church...

Giving thanks

I daily look at my "Mom's Daily Family Planner" because it's where all our scheduled commitments go, and it's quite honestly the only way I can keep my head on straight.  Far too often on a Sunday evening as I reflect over the next week, I think, "Okay, this is going to be a busy week! *Deep breathe and then I remind myself to exhale*.  Today, Mother's day, I felt profoundly thankful and blessed as I looked down at my planner and saw the commitments for the coming week.  I feel so overwhelmed with just how many blessings fill my daily life and just how easily they can be overlooked and seen as just commitments.  I feel that today I should be honoring our Father, for providing and trusting me to take care of his beloved children, Josh and Carter.  Me, a sinner and a weak woman lost with out the guidance and comfort of our Father, as well as her soul mate and best friend, Michael.  I am just a woman promising my children the world, but am nothing unless I trust and know God has an amazing plan for them. I drop to my knees kind with thankfulness for His grace and love for my children and me.  Thank you, Lord, thank you!  I vow to continue to seek you and your word not only for myself, but for our children.

I can so easily fall into a state of nothingness when I forget that it's not about the Facebook status' or about other friends and their activities, but it's about knowing I am good enough in your eyes Lord.  I am worthy and beautiful in your eyes alone and for that I give thanks.  For Lord you are my comfort and my peace.  So today, on this Mother's day, I give you Lord thanks for the gifts and blessings in my life.

Look at these two beautiful boys...how could I not be thankful!  I absolutely love being a mother and take joy each day watching these boys smile and just be goofy.

Anthropologie

A little memory that is with me ever evening while filling those little tummies and warming hearts with yummy food, from a precious trip to see a wonderful friend and a trip to Anthropologie at the Chelsea Market in NYC....

Bathtime

One of the things Michael and I treasure the most about having two kids is watching them bond and grow together.  It warms my heart to watch Josh and Carter giggle and play.  Josh, as the big brother, has really enjoyed teaching Carter from time to time.  Bath time has proven to be one of those perfect times for teaching.    We have the foam letters that come in different colors and stick to walls/tub when wet.  Josh is such a great teacher, so gentle and patient with Carter when teaching him with the letters.

 Aren't they cute?!

Lent follow-up

Happy Blessed Easter!  He has Risen, he has Risen!!! 

In a previous post I had mentioned that I was going to try and either emit carbs or keep to a low-carb intake for Lent and I did. I did a great job, though it seemed that after reading many, many, so so many labels I noticed that I was more or less avoiding gluten, rather than carbs.  I can honestly say I kept my carbs pretty minimal, but carbs are in EVERTHING, and needless to say, your body needs them. Sooo HiHo HiHo, it's gluten-free I go!!! Like any change, it took some adjusting to, but I have really enjoyed life with out breads, chips, rice, wheat, potatoes, etc... There are a few things that I could not give up; like salad dressing (sorry, this momma needs salad dressing; does it help that i make my own?!), a pita chip here and there, BBQ sauce on my burger, but that's all I can think of.  There are so many options now in our grocery stores for gluten free foods that they make the adjustment pretty simple.  I have really enjoyed the fact that most online recipe sites feature a gluten-free section, and the recipes are really good.

I didn't lose the weight I was hoping, but I'm okay with that...I think!  The biggest change for me is that each and every day I feel GREAT.  Before, my body varied day to day, from one day feeling bloated, next feeling lethargic, then tired, and blah, and maybe, just maybe one day during the week I would wake up feeling good.  This is a different feeling than say, feeling rested.  I still don't know what that feeling is, but I'm okay with that.  I love the feeling that my body seems to be working properly and functioning smoothly.   I have more energy and feel better on my running days even. It's great! 

It's been so great that I'm sticking with it! 

Happy fishing

 

It was a beautiful day for fishing!  Mike and Josh headed up early to Big Bear Lake to fish with Uncle Vonn and Garret.  Josh has been super excited to go fishing with Uncle Vonn ever since Vonn bought him a new fishing pole for his birthday.  Josh has been practicing casting every chance he can get in the front yard in preparation of the real thing. Today they ventured off to do some real fishing.

Garret helping Josh bait his hook.

Silly boys!

Josh pulling in his fish…

One happy boy and the fish that he caught…

Bangs

There’s a little story behind my bangs:  I had traditionally been getting a gentle A-line hair cut that sits just below my chin.  It had been my absolute favorite haircut and found it easy to maintain and could just blow dry with a round brush in the morning…can you say, Per.fect!  Yep, that was until I overheard two friends that are married with no kids, discussing one of their recent haircuts (the same haircut mentioned above), when the question was asked, “Are you sure it doesn’t look too much like the Mom bob?” My head whipped around so fast I’m surprised it didn’t just keep going, and I’m sure my chin touched the floor.  “Say, WHAaat? Did I just hear that right?  The Mom bob! Uh.No. You. Didn’t!  I love that hair cut, and it looked super cute on her.  I, of course, did not say anything, just picked my chin up and took a minute to reflect in silence. 
After some reflection, I realized she could easily be right. *Sigh*  Who am to know what someone unlike myself, a mother ,would think of that haircut.  Needless to say, I will definitely still be cutting my hair in the gentle A-line and enjoy, no love, the hair style.  Right now though, I am growing my hair out, because it sounds like fun.  Kinda like the bangs!