reading matter.

this sumer i've jumped back into reading. not that i haven't read in the last few years, but i'd get really into a book, let it take over my life for 48 hours and then not read again for 2 months. this summer i've tried to be more balanced and pace myself. the boys are also older and a little more independent, which means i can read for longer than 5 minutes without an interruption. usually i don't pick up my book all day and after dinner i get a couple hours in.

so what have i been reading? well, like most young women (ok, i'm not that young) in the US, i read the entire twilight series. the series really drew me in and i read all four books in about 2 weeks. they are fun and easy to read. after that i read 'the host' also by stephanie meyer (twilight author) and really enjoyed it as well. not quite as easy to read (as it was written for adults, not youth) but a great story.

i just finished 'love walked in' by marisa de los santos which is a fun, sweet story about a thirty-something woman whose life changes in a beautiful way.

now i am reading 'nights of rain and stars' by maeve binchy. she wrote 'circle of friends' (remember that book/movie from about 12 years ago? it was minnie driver's first big role). it took me a while to get into it, but i've really enjoyed the story and the characters.

notice a trend here? yep, i like fun, happy stories. i can't handle anything too sad or violent. like has enough drama on it's own, i want my entertainment to be light and uplifting. so, what are you reading? anything fun i might enjoy??

sweet little girl.

today was a crazy day that didn't stop! we are still talking with the school staff to figure out the best placement for david. we'll have a meeting next thursday, so i'll keep you updated.
thanks for your insight and encouragement.
i am open to various possibilities and we'll see how things shape up.

i got to have coffee with my sweet friend, Jen and absolutely could not help taking pictures of little Gracie playing on the kitchen counter.


Isn't she darling?

friends.

thank you. your sweet comments, encouragement and prayers mean so much to me. i had such a hard time writing about my grandma. it feels so personal and i have been trying not to let the lump in my throat take over and turn me into a blubbering mess. my grandma passed away about half an hour after after i posted about her. we are so glad she won't be in any more pain and that she is home with her Savior. i can't begin to imagine how free and joyful she is now. ok, moving on before i fall apart...
yesterday was david's first day of school. i was nervous, but met with his teacher and LOVED her. she is amazing. and the staff working in the classroom? the best! the problem? david is tiny. he literally 20 pounds and about the size of an 18 month old or a small 2 year old. The rest of the kids tower over him and because they also have special needs, aren't particularly careful about not bumping into (or completely smooshing) him.

i arrived 20 minutes early to pick him up so i could observe the classroom a bit and felt confident that he must have a 1:1 aide with him at all times, just for safely, not to mention being included in activities. even with a 1:1 aide, i'm not sure i feel good about the placement. when he was in preschool, the kids towered over him. Now he is in a K, 1, 2 special day class and he is just so tiny. (did i mention how small he is??) So we are putting our heads together with the school staff and administration to try to figure out the best place for David--where he can be safe and be with his typical peers. i know some of you special needs moms out there face this same dilema. any advise??

i've got some fun, fun stuff to show you, so check back tomorrow. have a great wednesday!!

grief and hope.

my grandma is in the hospital and is close to the end. we drove down on saturday to say good-bye. my heart is heavy with anticipating her death.
tears have been flowing easily the last few days. we will miss her so, so much.she is an amazing woman. she loves her daughters, her grandkids and her great grandkids more than anything. And in return we all love her with our whole hearts. she is 93 and has led a good life. she isn't afraid of dying and she has no regrets. she is the kindest most wonderful grandma anyone could have.
she calls david her 'angel boy' and wears a necklace that says 'angel' everyday. she listens and gives good, solid advise. she never complains and is always concerned about inconveniencing others. before i had kids, i took her grocery shopping once a week. afterward we would go out for dinner and talk. i remember crying to her about breaking up with my boyfriend, sharing work frustrations and asking her all kinds of questions about her life.
her faith is solid and she anticipates meeting her Lord soon.
i know i will see her again, but in the meantime i will miss her so much.

inspiration for a monday.

tiny happy.first of all the name. darling! and her creations? even more inspiring and heart-warming.

we did a swap and look at these handmade bears she sent. so organic and charming.

she also included note cards and a handmade purse made with vintage fabric.
simple. beautiful. perfect.

get to know tiny happy here
and see her creations here.

Happy Monday!

let's play restaurant.

one of the cousins' camp activities was letting the kids take lunch orders for the adults.they felt very official with their clipboards and aprons.

checking boxes made it easier for some of the younger kiddos.

it was a highly inefficient and totally fun way to have lunch.

they took their jobs very seriously and eventually we got fed!!
And it was delicious!

kung fu

matty has been practicing his 'kung fu skills'. his words, not mine.
he's good.
really, really good.
try not to be intimidated.

i felt entitled...

it was my birthday so i felt entitled to make the boys sit for a couple pictures.a little closer together, now look at each other, put your arm around david, smile...
oh, see that pelican out there? wow, he is so big!
thanks for indulging me boys!

happy birthday, mommy!

today is the offical day, but, we've been celebrating all week, of course! matty made me a special lunch yesterday...and invited some of our friends over.
david has been making music all morning with the new electric keyboard nana & papa got him for his birthday last month.
and matty has been serenading me with beautiful songs like, twinkle, twinkle little star. *picture singing into the mic with a lot of banging on the keyboard.
i'm going to be lazy today (well as lazy as i can be!). tonight steve is taking me out for dinner. off to make another cup of coffee, and let the boys watch videos while i read my book. have a great tuesday. oh, and happy birthday, sis!!

inspiration for a monday.

little boys who want to play and run and jump and do 'kung fu' all day.

lindsey's flower brooches that seriously make a plain tank into an anthropologie masterpiece.

we are all about the ocean lately. we visited the long beach aquarium when we where down south last weekend. the boys loved it. we got them a video about the ocean and we bought 'shark week' for after they are in bed. the ocean is so incredible, mind-boggling and beautiful.

my brother got married last week and i arranged flowers for a family reception. it was so fun--i haven't done it in years and i want to do more. maybe i'll do a simple 'how-to-arrange flowers' post.

a sandy path leading to a shady tree. ahh, this is in carpinteria, one of my favorite spots to slow down and unwind. love, love it!

after we put the boys down in the evening, they usually play in their room for about 45 minutes. It's probably time to give up naps, but I DON'T WANT TO! Anyway, Matty always does cute things with his stuffed animals, like make little beds for them. Steve and I get a kick out of seeing Matty nurture his animals.

little painted hands from fun projects that grandma planned. i try to do a couple art projects with the boys every week--even if it's just watercolors or construction paper and glue. check out flip flops and applesauce for great ideas to connect with your kiddos.

other inspirations? my favorite jeans with the ratty hem, comfy espadrilles for $8 at target (i*love*target), a good book, sunshine on my face, lazy mornings with the boys (only 2 weeks till school starts, eeek) and a hot cup of coffee.

what's inspiring you today??

sister birthday

we had a sister overnighter last night in santa barbara and it was so, so good. i didn't take many pics, but when we got to anthropology, i started feeling more inspired.here's what i took with me into the dressing room.
i ended up with the brown sweater on the end.
i liked everything i tried on, but i have a really hard time justifying a tee shirt for $78--no matter how cute it is. the sweater was on sale for $39 and will be comfy for every day wear.
ahhh, maybe a quick nap before we keep shopping? this bed is calling to me.

up and down a few times, just to make sure we didn't miss anything.
the four of us outside causing a lot of commotion (seriously) with all the curly hair. people were pointing and staring. it was hilarious.

my arms were getting itchy to get back home and hold my boys. so good, to get away and so good to come back home.

something fun...

i've been playing and experimenting and coming up with a few new ideas.
here are a couple to show you plus they are on sale this weekend.

Two sterling hearts are hammered into a dome shape and layered together. The larger heart is about 1" wide and smaller heart has dots around the edge. Strung on 18" sterling ball chain with a cream freshwater pearl at the clasp. A sweet, handmade piece to wear everyday. Only $42 this weekend.

A cherry blossom is hand-stamped on a thick sterling tag and hammered for an organic look. This darling pendant is about 1" long and strung on 18" sterling ball chain with a cream freshwater pearl. Absolutely beautiful. Only $39, this weekend

They are in the little shop HERE.

deep breath

it feels like a monday, since we just got back from grandma & papa's house and i am jumping into a day full of to-do's. my head is full of ideas and projects and deadlines and my heart is full of thoughts and prayers for my sweet friend cara who was just diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma. pray for her, her husband and her two little girls--the youngest just one month old.
there is beauty in the everyday and joy in the suffering. deep breath.
tomorrow's tuesday, right?

withdrawls...

we've home been home for a bit and i am totally missing my sweet neices...this is clara, isn't she a doll? she wore that tiara all week. i think i need a girl...


ahhh, sprinkler play. filled with squeals of delight.


the sweetest eyes in the world.

OK, onto my outrageous to-do list! happy wednesday!!

making applesauce

we've spent the last few days at grandma & grandpa's house--enjoying cousins camp...
the first of many fun, memory making activities was applesauce.
grandpa anchored the apple peeler, corer, slicer, while the kids took turns spinning the handle.

some of the apples were eaten before the made it into the pan, but nobody minded!

we put all the apples in a big sauce pan with water covering the top and a little bit of sugar.

they simmered for a couple hours and then cooled off in the fridge.
so much fun, and yummy, too!

while the grandparents are the directors, some of the other aunties and I have been playing the roles of camp counselors and camp photographers. it's been crazy and fun and i'll probably torture you with more pics in the coming days!!