Happy Mother's Day

Our Annual Mother's Day Tea

The two reasons why I love being a Mommy....

Taelor and Ethan

Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful, amazing and wonderful mommies in my life. You are all so special and deserve to relax and enjoy this special day honoring us woman as Moms, one of God's greatest gifts He can give.

I have this little book that sits on my night stand and I read it when I have a stressful day, the last few verses always remind me of why I am a mom.....

From Please Dear Lord make the Laundry go Away...

I fall asleep each night with a tear in my eye, for I know we've been blessed and not a day will go by without a thanks to the Lord, for "I am Mother", this feels me with joy, unlike any other.

Sure I have my days when I am tired and feel blue, but I will never resent my cute little two.

I've known in my heart, they will quickly outgrow me, so from one mom to the next I offer this plea...
Please see your child as a gift from above, and cherish each moment they fill you with love.
They look in your eyes with trust and with faith, for you are a hero that none can replace.
The cooking, the laundry, do seem to add up, but don't make these things make you miss them grow up.


Happy Mother's Day!

Disneyland

I love Disneyland and I love it even more now that I have kids. They get so excited when we go (or at least Taelor does, Ethan is still getting used to all the excitement). We have passes and it doesn't get old, it actually is perfect. Last weekend we went for a few hours and Taelor and Ethan got to see Princess Jasmine and Aladdin, Taelor was so excited. Each time we go we hit different rides, its usually only for a few hours but that is just enough for the kids! Can't wait to go back in a few weeks.

Love is....

When your kids tell you that you are the best mommy! I love hearing these words from my kiddos. Even on the days when I don't think I am doing my best, they both let me know they love me, it always reassures me that I am doing the best that I can.

Be nice

Really, there is a time and place for things to be said. If you don't have anything nice to say about someone, don't say it at all. Didn't we learn this when we were little kids. Maybe as adults and parents we should always practice what we teach and what we were taught.

Glad that I wasn't raised to disrespect others.

That's it, just needed to vent!!!!

My Grandpa

Today was a sad day for me, my Grandpa Richard passed away. Oh what an amazing life this man lived, he was 86 years old and he was so on fire for God and always looked forward to the day he got to be "at home" with Him. I am sure this morning my Mom, Grandma Nellie and cousin Josh were jumping for joy when they saw my Gramps. As much is it is sad to see him leave this life, I am at peace with the fact that I know he is free from pain and is so happy in heaven. His new life has just begun.

As a child you don't really get to know your grandparents for more than just your grandparents, someone who loves you and spoils you. It's not until you are older that you really get to take the time and get to know them. The past 5 or so years I can say I got to know my Grandpa and I enjoyed every moment of it. I loved listening to his World War II stories, how he got a purple heart, the tough things he saw. I got to hear the love stories of him and my Grandma and how he loved her so much. He told me stories about my mom and how much he loved her also. He was always happy to hear my voice when I called just to say hi. He was so handsome and always well dressed, even though most days he didn't have anywhere to go. He enjoyed spending his time reading his bible and listening to his Latin music. He was a true Man of God and I admire that about him.

I am sad to say that he is my last Grandparent. So please if you have Grandparents still living, enjoy them, talk to them, hear their stories, let them know you love them, take the time to go out of your way to pay them a visit. I wish I could have had just one more visit. Our Grandparents have lived a life that we can't even imagine, they are wise and have a life time of experiences. Take those moments to have them share with you, you will not regret it.

Mammoth

A few weeks ago we took a 4 day vacation to Mammoth and can I say it was heaven. Thanks to my sweet friends mom we were able to stay in such a cozy little condo that made us feel at home the minute we stepped in the door. My brother Jon is living up there for school right now so it was a great time to come visit him. We got to spend time with him and his girlfriend Jessica for a few days, it was lots of fun.

Saul's mom Sandie came with us and let me tell you I would pay for her to come on vacation with us always!!! The kids loved having Gamma there and that even meant Saul and I got to relax for the most part while we were there. It was the first time the kids have been in the snow and it was so much fun to see their faces light up. Ethan of course got a cough the day we got there so he was not much up for going out in the snow, actually he just preferred to be in the house in his jammies watching movies. Taelor LOVED the snow, she made snow angels and threw snow balls at Uncle Jon. Saul and I were even able to get a day of snowboarding in and I have to say after years of being on "retirement" due to being pregnant for 2 of the seasons, I wasn't too rusty, it was just like riding a bike. It was so nice to be on such a beautiful mountain with my hubby.

Mammoth is so beautiful and breathtaking, if you have never taken a trip up there, you should. The drive up there is quite boring but I have to say with 2 toddlers in the car and NO DVD player they did GREAT! Better than expected and I can say we will do a road trip again in the near future.

It was great being able to leave Orange County for a few days and get all bundled up for a few days, the weather was perfect and our time together was so memorable. I can't wait to go again, this will for sure be a trip we will want to take every year! Until next time Mammoth, we will miss your clean air and picture perfect views!

Pretend City

Fun pictures from our trip to Pretend City for Ethan's birthday. Every kid should at least enjoy this place at least once, it was so much fun. Kids get to use their imaginations on so many "real" world things, I felt like I was a kid again in this place. If only our "adult" lives were just like "Pretend City".

Happy 2nd Birthday Ethan

On March 4 my little boy turned 2 years old! Really was it 2 years ago that our family became a family of four. 2 years has gone by so fast and I officially feel like I do not have a baby anymore. We had such a fun filled weekend with our little boy. We went to Pretend City on his birthday and Disneyland with family on Friday. I wish I could be 2 again to have all this fun.

As I reflect on the past year my heart just melts on how much our little boy has grown. You are so precious Ethan, your smile and laugh is so contagious and always makes us laugh. You have a sweet nature about you, and you love to be loved on. You give the best kisses, as you would say "that's a good kiss", you are mischievous (as any 2 year old boy is), you have LOTS of energy, you crack us up with the funny things you say, you LOVE trash trucks and can imitate them quite well. You are always up to something, but your sister keeps you in check most times. You love your sister Taelor, even though she tries to boss you around. You do your own thing, you have strong qualities of being a leader. You enjoy running around, playing soccer, driving your cars around, building things, causing mischief, but most of all playing with your sister. You learned your ABC's and can count to 10, you have ears like a dog and are always asking "what was that noise". You are just downright ADORABLE!

Ethan, you are and always will be my little boy, I can really see why boys are truly attached to their moms. I can only pray for the wonderful things God has planned for your life, What ever it may be I know it will be good. You are so adorable and innocent with so much personality that makes me so happy to be your mom. I know weird to say, but, one day I know you will find the woman of your dreams and mom will not be the "woman" of your life anymore, it kind of makes me sad but I know in the future you will be the best man ever! I can only hope I raise you to be a gentlemen just like your daddy, to always put others first, to always stand up for what you believe in and to always be you! I love you my little man and I always will, just like you will always be my little boy no matter how old you are.

Love,

your Mommy

Trader Joes Brown Rice

I am not much of an instant rice girl, I like to make my own rice but I got a box of the Trader Joe's Brown frozen rice (on a recommendation from a friend), and I have to say it is pretty good and the best part is that it takes only 3 minutes! There are 3 bags per box and one bag is just enough for my family of four (remember my kids do not have big portions, nor do I). It is a little under $3. I don't use it all the time just when I need a quick meal and don't feel like waiting for over 20 min to cook rice. I suggest you try it! I will post other favorites since this is my favorite store to shop at!

The Shack by William P Young

This is one AMAZING book and I recommend this to everyone. I will tell you it is a pretty hard book to get through the first few chapters (emotionally) but the story that Mack tells when he meets God is so touching and leaves you looking at your own faith for more of God. That is all I will say, so please if you get the chance read this book. If you want to know more about this book go here.

One of my resolutions this year is to read at least 6 books, that could be nothing to some people or a lot to others but to me who has very little time to even blog or check emails or find time for myself that is a good amount for me. I hope I can get through more than 6 but we will see. I am already on my next book Dear John by Nicholas Sparks, only because the movie is coming out soon and I want to read it before I see it since its been on my nightstand now for 2 years. I hope everyone finds a great book they like and at least reads one this year.