memorial day 2011

Getting an invitation to spend the day with friends at Old Man's in San Clemente is totally my gig.

Getting up at 5:30 a.m. to guarentee a spot is so totally not my gig.

However, 8 years into this thing called parenthood, wez-a-gettin' smart.

Letting the kids sleep until the very last minute? Smart.

Eating breakfast on the road? Smart.

Packing our minivan (don't be jealous) the night before? Smart.



Bundling up in hoodies, boots, over pjs? Smart.





Don't be fooled non-Southern California peeps. It gets cold here. Especially during May grey.

However, this morning was unlike the rainy gloom we woke up to yesterday. Clear blue skies and crisp ocean air welcomed us with open arms.

We felt our hearts skip a beat in anticiapation of salty air, sandy toes, and wet babes taunting frothy ocean waves when we saw these and knew we were getting close.





Once the manly men showed us their potective strength by shelterering their ladies and kiddos, we happily kicked off our shoes, and waited for the warming sun to notify us of the time to change into our proper beach wear.







And friends, just so you know, here is proof that I practice what I preach about sun safety. Don't I have a glow about me???


If I was more vain, I'd at least get a spray tan. I'd also suck in my stomach and not glare at Kevin for taking my pic.

As a parent there is nothing that makes my heart swell with sweetness than to watch my children explore, create, and share in experiences with other littles that brings them pure joy.

















If this is a taste of what's to come this summer, I say, "bring it."

Speaking of taste... look at this one who convinced his dad that he could have a soda even though his mama is a "we don't give our kiddos soda kinda gal".






(admiring his new love)

I am grateful for blissful days like today. I am also grateful for the brave and selfless men and women who gave their lives so we can live in this great country where our freedom allows us the ability to create days such as this.



Much love,
Katie

affection

When Luke was 1st diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at 4, we went into hyper mode of doing everything possible to help him navigate the world more easily. I don't regret the time and effort spent shuffling him along with an 18 month old and newborn from therapy to therapy because it was beneficial for him.

However, I must admit that our world became Asperger's Syndrome.

Every book I read was about Asperger's Syndrome.

Every thing I researched was about Asperger's Syndrome.

Every extra minute that I had was dedicated to learning more about Asperger's Syndrome.

It was exhausting.

Despite the best intentions to help our son, I began to see Asperger's when I looked at my son instead of just seeing Luke.

Fast forward 4 years, we have ended most therapies. He has progressed so far that he is remarkably undisguished from his typical peers. He's always been mainstreamed in a regular classroom. He does not require an aide. He has made friends. And most of all, he is content and confident.

That said, Asperger's has not been erased.

Nor would we want it to be.

Luke is Luke. Asperger's or not, he is who he was made to be. No longer do I see him through an Asperger's filter.

I just see Luke.

Luke's Asperger's makes him very sensitive to touch. He is not one cuddle. Even as an infant, he preferred to not be held. Which is why it is so special when out of the blue he wanted to rest his sweet head on my lap during his brother's t-ball game. I rested my mama hand on his chest as I questioned whether or not he would instinctively remove it, but instead he embraced my affection and let me revel in the moment.


It is moments like this that make all the moments in the mommy trenches disappear.

Much love,
Katie
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it's a god thing

Good Morning Friends.

What's going on in your neck of the woods?

I am enjoying a hot cup of happy on my couch as I type and stare out and observe cloudy dark skies.

I don't know about your house, but we've had a lot of sickies this spring. We held strong through the winter, but my bragging about it must have cursed us because it has been one round after another over the last couple of months.

Jack (3) has been hit with it again. And any mama knows that a stuffy nosed kid equals an awake kid when the rest of the house is silent. Which means that mama is up too.

Ugh.

But such is life, right? We take the good with the bad and roll with it.

I've been thinking of hosting a link up on Sundays. It can be anything that God is doing in your life... a certain verse that has taught you something during the week, a photo that captured a special moment, a prayer request, etc. Really, it is open ended. For me, God uses everyday situations that relate to my faith to teach me something.

I am reposting a post from my old blog, God Moments for Moms. It was recently featured on Faith Blogs and I hope it finds you where ever you are in your spiritual life.

Please (pretty please!) come back next Sunday and link up to "it's a god thing". Have a wonderful Memorial Day. May we remember those who so bravely lost their lives for our freedom.

Much love,
Katie
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WAIT

We had just returned from swimming lessons and all 3 boys were impatiently begging me to do something with them. Luke (8) wanted help making something to eat, Charlie (4) wanted me to ride scooters, and Jack (3) wanted me to get a tennis racket down for him. Of course I was preoccupied with unpacking the wet towels out of the car and methodically sorting through the mail.

To be honest, I continued about my tasks and fended off the repeated requests as much as possible, until I heard a sudden crash in the garage. That's never a good sign.

I sprinted to the garage where my eyes fixated on 3 year old Jack who was standing by a few large storage boxes...



which had tumbled down and shattered glass and liquid from our festive Christmas globes. Did I mention the glitter? I have a fear of glitter. It gets everywhere. It is as invasive as termites and this was no exception.



Apparently he was unable to wait. By ignoring my request and forging ahead on his own, he was not only left without the desired outcome: the tennis racket, but he was also stuck with a load of brokenness.

I took a broom and asked him to leave the area so he wouldn't get hurt. I proceeded to clean up the glass and soak up the liquid. I did this because I love Jack and I know that as a 3 year old, he could not do so on his own. Certainly he would step on the glass and hurt himself in the process.

It reminds me of how we are with God at certain points of our lives. We keep saying, "God", "God", "God" just like how my boys persistently repeated my name.

"God, I want this."

"Wait," he says

"God, I want it now!"

"Wait," he says.

When we figure we know better and don't want to wait any longer, we do it on our own. Suddenly everything comes tumbling down and we are left with nothing but broken pieces.

And just like a loving mama (loving and somewhat frustrated-keeping it real) God doesn't give us the broom and say, "Good luck sweeping up the glass, Kid." Instead, he kneels down and cleans up the mess in order to keep us protected.

What are you trying to do on your own today? Are you secretly sneaking into the garage to climb on your own like Jack? I know there are many areas in my life that I try to do it on my own simply because God says, "Wait."

It is my desire to learn to wait and save myself from the pain of broken pieces.

palm springs

There is something to be said about getting away from it all.

The dishes.

The heaps of laundry.

The daily chores.

The driving to and from.

And yes, even the kids whom I love, love, love and the husband I love a ton too.

We mamas just need a break every once in awhile.

My break comes every May when my gal pals from high school days and I head out to Palm Springs. We stay at the same place and have our routine down to a science.

We leave early, keep our bags in the car, and use the pool until check in.

We now know that it is easier to wear our swim suits and cover ups on our way there than to change in the bathroom.



We lather ourselves in sunscreen. My friends know I'm the sunscreen police.


Taking use of the umbrella is a must, even if it means asking someone on the other side of the pool if they plan on using theirs, and then proceed to push and pull the dang thing back to our spot. Who knew those things were so heavy? Apparently not me.


We indulge in lifestyle and gossip mags.


Mojito anyone?


Yes, one for me please!

We forced our lazy, lounging selves up to our upgraded suite which we sweetly request each year when we remind them that we come out every year for our birthday celebration. Who can say no to that? They can't. We are hard core "suite" talkers.

Okay, that was way lame.

It just came to me and I typed it.

Um, debated about deleting it.

It is staying.

Welcome to my dorky tendnancies.

Check out our digs...



And this was on our dining table...



You know you're away on vacay when you take a real shower. Not a half shower. A real shower is when you get to wash your body and hair on the same day. I even went so far as to whip out the flat iron and make-up. Ohhh, it felt SO good.

I couldn't help but wish for the nerve to put wallpaper like this in my bathroom...


We embraced the warm desert air and strolled to dinner. As we waited outside for our table, we watched an adorable elderly couple sitting on the bench across from us.


Anyone else want to sit down and quiz couples like this on their life story? I desperately do. And for the record, you know you're old when you start wearing socks with sandals. Just keeping it real.

We were so full from our dinner that we went back to our suite and crashed. The girls fell asleep and I watched The Real Housewives of Orange County. Quality, television friends. I don't settle for anything but the best.

The best part of the trip wasn't all that we did, it was the not doing that took the cake. I slept in the next morning until 9:45. I don't think I've slept in that late since our pre-kid days. I didn't even feel like I needed my usual cup of happy. I had it anyway. My coffee is like my morning BFF and I didn't want to cause a riff.

We cruised down the street and found a hip cafe where we ordered breakfast and enjoyed eating in an amazing courtyard. Following breakfast, we visited several shops.





All I can say is that I am ready to craigslist all my furniture and begin a major do-over in my house.

Taking advantage of late check out meant that we had more time by the pool before heading home. I must give major props to my friend who drove us home through a wind and sand storm. She kept her cool. I thought we were going to die.

I'm a bit dramatic.

I'm wondering if you have had a chance to get away? Do you ever get to spend time with your favorite gals away from it all? If you have not, I highly recommend it. Let go of the mommy guilt. I am finally realizing 8 years into this mom gig that it is okay for me to take a little time for myself. When I feel refreshed, I function better as a mom. This in turn equals a very refreshed home.

Go for it mamas. You deserve it!

Much love,
Katie

real simple cliff notes

My mother-in-law gifts me a subscription to Real Simple every year.

The covers alone make me swoon.


Once the kids are tucked in bed, I curl up on our couch with my favorite blanket and begin my ritual.

1. I take out all the loose subscription forms.

2. Carefully, I thumb through the pages and mentally highlight what I'm looking forward to reading the most.

3. Reroute through it again and read all the short sections...fashion, make-up, etc.

4. Put the magazine away in my magazine basket.

5. Read the longer articles/stories throughout the week.

Bliss.

If you don't get Real Simple, I'm providing you the cliff notes. You're welcome. I've got your backs.

Um, can I just say I triple heart these colors 100 hundred times??? Do you see the words that warm any mother's heart...shatterproof...


And well, anything from Anthro has this chica at hello. Check out the vase with the flower. No real flowers needed. It is enough on it's own, don't you agree?


Two blogging mamas I know love birds. Greta and Betsi, I thought of you when I saw this yellow birdie candle.


Don't you just hate knowing which glass is yours? Unless you're my mom who always leaves her lipstick on the glass you might love the "my name is" thingy.


My kids and hubby knows that green is my most fave color of them all. Grass green especially. I'm not a chef, but this might provide some motivation.


What about you? Did you spot any thing that made your heart skip a beat?

Much love,
Katie

trophy for charlie

Charlie is big on presents, rewards, medals, or anything related to accomplishment. He is fiercely competitive even though he is 4.

There is some rumor floating around out there that my friends didn't want to play board games with me in high school because I was so competitive. It was all in good fun and the teasing was in jest, but the underlying fact of competitiveness was true.

While Charlie loves the social aspect of team sports, I must share that he is more of an observer at this point. He's the kid who is yelling from the field, "Mom is it time for the treat bag yet?"

Yesterday, we spent our day at the field. Charlie was thrilled and made it clear several times that it was NOT for a game, but for a trophy. After sitting on the field for a long time, they finally received their reward.








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Yes, Charlie, you hung in there until the end of the season. You earned your trophy my son. You listened carefully to your coach, followed instructions, and swung the bat like there's no tomorrow. Congratulations kiddo. We love you.

Much love,
Mommy