a total strike out = home run

Last Wednesday was one of those days.

I didn't sleep a wink since Jack was up all night screaming, "my boogers hurt!" Besides using the dirt devil to try to suck those things out, there wasn't anything for me to do but crawl into bed with him, rub his back, and sleep when I could in between his booger pain cries.

By the time he woke up for good, he managed to stir the other boys awake
at 5:40 a.m., which = one moody mama. Even my steaming cup of HAPPY didn't zap me out of my sleepy fog. That says something.

I had to cancel plans with a friend to go mini golfing with our littles. However, after a few hours of our kids jumping on sofas, fighting, and crying, I told the hubs, who was taking a vacation day, "we are outta here!" Strike #1.

So I designed a grand plan: Take the Coaster down to San Diego and walk around Sea Port Village. They don't call me "Camp Counselor Katie" around here for nothing. I can't sit still for long and I have this false sense of successful weekend day trips. That's not a good combination for a mama with littles.

Seemed easy enough, though. Oh, but not for our family. By the time we packed lunches and convinced unmotivated boys to use the bathroom, we barely allowed enough time to get to the station.

The whole way there I had a deep down gut feeling that was telling me, "go home now. It is not too late!"

But, I didn't. Strike #2.

So we quickly parked and jammed to get down to the Coaster in order to buy our tickets. Except, once we got there we only saw a ticket booth for Amtrak. Kevin had to ask someone where the Coaster booth was...tick tick tick.

We made a mad dash to the correct location. Rumor has it, that I could be heard mumbling, "I can't believe we are always late. I try to plan something fun for the family and now were barely going to make it...hurry up!"

Real nice, huh? Nothing like fun family days with a crazy mama leading the pack.

And then we heard, "last call!"

Just as Kev was in line to pay, the boys and I watched in disbelief as the Coaster left us in the dust. Strike #3.

Kev bounced back and was ready for plan B. Not me. I griped and pouted for a good 20 minutes. Immature? Yes. Inflexible? Yes. Just being honest? Yes.

However, we ended up driving down and it was all good. The kids had long forgotten about the promise of a train ride and embraced the opportunity for hanging with trusty old pals, Ben and Jerry...





chasing birds...





climbing trees and wrestling with cousins...







and riding the carousel...





Meanwhile, I desperately attempted to get one decent pic of the kids...







Can anyone tell me why it is so dang hard to get all 3 to look at the camera and stand still at the same time?!

Yes, the day started out with 3 strikes. But, 3 strikes = a home run for my guys.

Not bad my friends, not bad at all.

Thanksgiving Randoms

Remember this???



We started this as an attempt to curb the Christmas "I wants". Sadly, the "I wants" continued, but hopefully they were infused with thoughts of thanksgiving. Yeah, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with their thankfulness for everyday objects, but they are 7, 4, and 2. That's what their world is about. And if you look carefully, they were thankful for a few special people in their lives. Notice that Kev and I are missing from the list. Hmmm.....

We are bakers in this house. I love to bake and I love to eat my bake goods even more. However, this time we are sharing our yummies as an expression of our gratitude. It may seem like a insignificant gesture, but if you understood the extreme nature of my sweet tooth, you'd get it.

My friend, Greta (Lillyandthebrothers.blogspot.com), inspired me to bake pumpkin bread to share with our lovely friends and family. We've always done mini cranberry loaves and other goodies at Christmas, but I liked her idea of Thanksgiving goodies. Now, I'm no Greta. She makes her's from scratch and adds chocolate chips.

For me? We'll I'm adopting the mantra, "it's good enough." So I used Trader's Joe's mix...



And we're like the Little Red Hen in this casa. Those who help...get to enjoy...







Finishing touch? I Neatly wrapped each loaf in parchment paper and tied with a festive ribbon. And for an added Martha touch, I traced a card stock leaf on this scrap booking paper and had a cute card to boot!







Well, I don't know about you, but I need to keep my littles busy on Thanksgiving. They seem to have a case of the crazies when the grown ups are socializing and cooking. So this year, I am going to have them create turkey place mats. I borrowed the idea from a mag...



I'll post their creations in a few days.

We have an abundance to be grateful for, despite the fact that I've been grumbling all morning about my lack of sleep last night due to the colds we all have for the 2nd time in one month. Just keepin' it real.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Much love,
Katie

Back in the fall of 1994

There's nothing quite like being 16. And in the fall of 1994, I was thrilled with two things.

1. Cruising in my white Eclipse with friends, while blasting the Cranberries, on the way to football games on crisp Friday nights.

2. "Overtime" concerts that were put on by my church youth group program.

Each Friday night was just like the next. Except for one night when my friend, Erin, and I headed to "Overtime" after the game. As the band jammed inside, kids munched on juicy In-N-Out burgers and salty fries while mingling outside.


(Leaving the house the night I was about the meet Kevin)

It was then that I saw H-I-M. I saw this guy with a shaved head. I knew by how he was dressed in distressed Levi's with a flared bottom, funky cardigan over a white T, and Birkenstocks, that he was either an artist or musician. Being a drama girl, as in theatre, not just drama (although I was that too) I knew he was my type.

He was encircled by a group of people. His smile drew them in and his laugh was infectious. Others wanted to be near him. I did too.

I immediately asked Erin if she knew who THAT guy was. She nonchalantly replied, "yeah, that's Kevin Spencer."

With total disbelief, I gasped, "Noooo! That can't be Kevin Spencer!"

For the Kevin Spencer I remembered was from Potter Jr. High School. He had scruffy long hair and a rebellious reputation (in a junior high way) to go with it. When he'd walk by my group of friends on campus, we'd whisper, "there's Kevin Spencer. He's sooo bad."

So you can imagine my surprise when I discovered this guy I was salivating over was the Kevin Spencer.

I begged Erin to go over with me and talk to him. She casually asked, "so Kevin what have you been up to?" He smoothly replied, "just strumming my guitar."

For a moment, I heard angels singing and saw unicorns prancing over rainbows! I had always said I had 3 must have's in a boyfriend:

1. Musician

2. Shaved head (don't ask, it's just one of those things, you know?)

3. Good at math

But heck at that moment I didn't care about his math abilities! I just knew he was musical and had a shaved head. 2 out of 3 must have's would work. Turns out he's great at math.

As Erin talked with him, I stared. I then proceeded to stalk him for the rest of the night. Wherever he went, I was a good 15 feet behind. I could have been reported.

Then I went into super crazy stalker mode. I knew I had to find a clever way to get to know him. So a few friends and I started a guitar club.

Genius!

Of course we asked Kevin and some of his friends to join. Guitar club led to weekly night games on the weekends, and night games led to being asked out on our 1st date.

So on November 18th, 1994 I nervously picked up Kevin and we headed to Claim Jumper. You may think it was strange for me to drive. Yes, it sort of was. But, Kev was "alternative" and didn't believe we needed cars. When pressed about this a few dates later, I asked, "what are you going to do when you have kids and need to take them to soccer practice?" He simply replied, "well, we will all get on our bikes and go to practice."

Turns out that a lot of things have changed over the last 16 years. One of them is that we both have cars.

We had fun dating for two years in high school...dances, youth group, double dates, etc.



After high school, I truly didn't think we'd stay together. After all, how often do high school sweethearts last, right? But, we both went to college in San Diego and it kept on working.







With a few break ups lasting a day or two, we made it through. It just worked well. There was no magic formula. We were buds and wanted to make it work. On one clear, picture perfect day in Carlsbad, Kevin proposed. I found the box under a stack of my favorite homemade cookies. I have to admit that the control freak in me sort of (really) hacked the engagement, but Kevin did his best to throw in some surprises along the day. He rolls like that.



On November 20, 1999 I tightly, yet confidently clutched onto my both of my parents as they calmly led me down the aisle at Fallbrook Presbyterian Church...the very church where I swooned five years earlier on a cool fall evening as I stared at a tall, smiley, shaved head musician.





And to this day, I still love his shaved head, listening to him strum on his guitar, and watching him do math homework with our oldest son. Turns out my 3 must have's were right on target. God is good like that.

Happy 11th anniversary, Kev. As it is engraved on your band, I'm forever your ballad.

XOXO,
Your Wife

life is too short for beige walls

Woot! Woot! I did it.

Well, actually we did it. And my hubs deserves major props. Although he is about as handy as they come, he is DONE with house projects. Hence, we've hired help with the bathroom remodeling and other projects over the last 2 weeks.

However, there was one room left to tackle...the dreadful master bedroom.



If you read my last post, you know that I've had the most difficult time picking a color for an accent wall along with a neutral to replace the stark white walls. I was attempting to decide between a tropical ocean aqua and a funky granny smith apple green.

As a sign of my color fatigue, I didn't even bother to get a pint of each and sample them on the walls. I already had a dozen samples painted all over the room, I didn't see the point. Anyway, the colors were Martha and you never can go wrong with Martha. She is perfect, isn't she???

And sticking to democratic principle, I left the decision up to a vote and majority ruled.

Drum roll, please...







I L-O-V-E it.

Thanks for helping a color challenged girl out, friends!

And Martha, me likey your colors. They make me smile.








Don't get me wrong, I had "holy crap, I just put aqua on my wall!" moments.



But, that's why Miss Martha invented "Heath", so I can have some balance in my life. Okay, just in my master bedroom, but a girl can dream can't she???



Here are a few tips for surviving painting with kiddos at home:

1. Get them busy with something else.



2. Get them sleepy.



3. Clearly state that unless they are vomiting or bleeding from the head, that under no circumstances are they permitted in your room.

4. Let the hubs who is grumbling something along the lines of, "I can't believe you have talked me into painting our room today" and "are you sure this is the color you want?" pick the music.

I graciously suffered through his fav tunes for the sake of paint and it was worth it.

Now I just need to get rid of this thing...



and I'll be one happy girl.

color confusion

We've been in our home for over a year now. It has been well over 400 days at this point. A lot of remodeling and redecorating has taken place.

The boys' baby and toddler furniture has been replace by bunk beds.

The all too wrong carpet in the bathrooms is a thing of the past.

Pinkish tile...gone! Welcome bamboo flooring!

The 1996 oak cabinets have been painted a fresh white with farmhouse hardware.

The ghostly white fireplace has finally had a visit from Dr. 90210 for a refreshing facelift. Not really. It was our talented tile guy Mike and I heart him lately.

A lot.

And all the hospital stark white walls have vanished.

Well, almost...







I just can't figure out the right color for our master bedroom.

Dang!

Yeah, I've tried over two dozen color swatches to pick up colors in the quilt and nothing has struck me with lightening yet.





I'm now OVER IT. I'm at the WHATEVER phase. I am not kidding that if I walk into my room one more day and stare at the tried and failed colors on my wall, I'm going to lose it!

I originally wanted a green to pick up green like this...





But, I never found the one that was just right. It is either too minty, too yellow, or too green, which is odd since I am looking for a green paint, you know?

Then I started thinking, maybe I don't want green. Maybe green is just not in my cards. Maybe I think I want green, but really want aqua???





I really dig aqua. It's kinda my new thing. But, green has always been my favorite color. Hmmm.

So here's the deal. I'm thinkin' of doing an accent wall in a bold color and the other walls in a neutral. Can you help a color confused girl out?

What do you think?

Green or aqua?