strawberry picking

If you've been reading here for a while, you know that I am big on traditions. Scary big. Drive my hubby a bit crazy big. BIG.

Every spring we gather the kids and meet up with our buds back from high school days to go strawberry picking in Carlsbad.









Over the years, we've lost shoes in mud, experienced tantrums, and had kids packed up to go home with stained faces and fingers.

This year was easier. The simple fact is that our kids are getting bigger. I don't know how I feel about it. The truth is that although everyone told me it would go fast, I didn't understand how fast they were talking about.

Although I don't miss pushing the stroller up the dirt hills or little feet too young to know that stomping on fresh strawberries results in very messy shoes, I certainly miss the sweetness of carrying a little one in the baby carrier close to my chest as we watch the other kids run, pick, and sneak some of the red goodness into their watering mouths when they think no one is watching.





But this is a new season. My baby is now 3. My other babies are 4 and 8. Time shifts and I'm trying to let my heart roll with it.

As the children searched for strawberries that glistened like rubies in the afternoon sunshine,



the grown ups basked in their joy and discovery.

Each little had a method.







Some quickly picked with random abandon. While others methodically scanned, compared, and selected.

I stood and observed as they sprinted through the sea of green speckled with red.







The smiles on their faces and giggles with each other summed the day up perfectly.

Fun.

Family.

Friends.

And it doesn't get much better than that.

Well, except for a stop here...



For a lil' something-something...







No, In-N-Out, thank you. Really. Thank you.

Much love,
Katie

I'm linking up at Heather's Life Made Lovely Monday. Come on over and visit!
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evidence

Here's all you need to know that I'm the real deal: There is no fluff with me. I've always said it like it is and been a straight shooter.

Life in this house is full of love, laughter, and blessings. I love fun and we try to spell out F-U-N in our everyday living.

But, don't misunderstand me. My children are not perfect. I am not perfect. We are all far from it.

Need evidence?

Case 1:

Crime: spastic, sassy talking eight year old.

Sentence:
-Loss of technological gadgets and computer for 24 hours.
-Evening "lock up" in room.
-Write "I will obey my Mom" over and over and over.



Sentence Appeal: I was called upstairs to find this...



Man, it is hard to stick to the consequences when kids do things like this. Especially from my oldest kiddo who loves me deep down, but is not one to express such emotive verbal expressions.

For the record, I held my ground even though I wanted to melt into a pile of mush and erase everything and turn back into fun mom.

Case 2:

Crime: tagging furniture

Weapon...



3 Year Old Suspect...



Sentence:
-time out

Case 3:

Crime: shattering mom's i-phone...



Suspect: the 3 year old stinker...AGAIN...



Sentence: Frustrated words masked by kindness, "I know it was an accident, but you need to be more careful next time." Trust me, I wanted to scream, "what in the world were you thinking?!"

Good news, the hubs was able to finally get them to replace it for FREE after asking 6 times.



I would have been afraid to ask for it to be replaced for free once let alone 6 times. Love that man.

Yeah, these days with littles are trying, but I would not choose to spend my days with anyone else.

Much love,
Katie

bueller...bueller...

What up blogging peeps?

How's your day going?

Mine is running smoothly so far. School for the kids, a lot of driving back and forth for different pick-ups, the gym, Henry's Market.

You know, the usual gig.

I just want to take a moment to let you know how much I truly appreciate you cruising along with me on the crazy ride of motherhood.

Occasionally when I write a post, I have the words from a Pink Floyd song floating through my head....

"Is there anybody out there?"

Yes, I was a Pink Floyd fan in High School. I even went to a concert in San Diego with my brother and his girlfriend and sat next to a guy who drank and smoked so much pot that he threw up all over the ground. I spent the rest of the concert with my feet up on my chair.

Nice.

Anyway, let me get to the point already. Sorry, I wander.

If you enjoy Minivan Diva, please consider becoming a follower. Not so that I can relish in a number of followers, but so that I know who is reading and supporting the posts. I want this to be a community for mamas (and dads). Please let me know who you are. : ) Here is a link to Casey's blog (love that girl). She explains how to do it with visuals.

Just look on the left hand side of the post. You'll see a bunch of beautiful people in boxes. Above the gorgeous gals (and a few rockin guys) you'll see "FOLLOW". Click on that. I use a google account. It is easy peasy. I promise.

I love you guys!!!

Katie

palm desert 2011

We just returned from a family vacation with my parents and my brother's family to Palm Desert. Although common sense tells me to share about the warm sun and fun times by the pool, what is on my heart is family.



Don't get me wrong, we did have fun. We swam, played mini-golf, crafted up a storm, and played in the activity center. We soaked up fun like a dried out sponge that has been abandoned in the sun for too long.






















Despite moments of ignoring "are we there yet?"



And tears, arguing, or don't take any more pictures of me Lady gestures, it was still about family.









Years from now, when my boys browse through their books (that I have not made), I want one word to echo through the walls of their hearts...family.



When I watched my children play with their cousins and share tender moments of affection with my parents, my heart swelled with emotion. I am so blessed to call them my family.



Much love,
Katie

P.S. Sorry i-phone, but your photo quality kinda sucks (you can tell which ones were i-phone). We're still friends, though.

the blues

I know this is blogland and all but I have to admit that I've been feeling a bit blue lately. I am usually a shade of green. Grass green. Happy green.



I'm not so much a yellow; I don't quite have the energy or pep for yellow. I'm not a fierce red either. However, you could definately say I'm green. When I think of green, a few things come to mind: cool (not as in rad), stable, and consistent. I stay at a steady speed without zig-zagging my emotions too far to the right or left.

But lately I'm blue.

There are some things weighing heavy on my heart. We are seeking answers to some big questions. The process of seeking and waiting and not always doing is not natural for me.

Blue. Moody, storm churning ocean blue.



And then we had a child in our community get hit by a car. You can read what happened HERE. He's 8. My oldest is 8. I don't even have the words.

Blue.

Carry on with daily tasks.

Blue.

Put a false smile on my face.

Blue.

Give the all too appropriate, "I'm great."

Blue.

But today...I felt glimpses of green today. It started out like all my other Tuesdays. I woke up, got everyone ready, rushed off to school, volunteered in the classroom, ran errands, went to the gym, and ended the to-do list with swim lessons.

I remember when I was at home with just Luke and the the days seemed to last forever. I long for those days now.

Forever sounds nice.

However, we came home from swim and as my boys played tennis out front with the hubs, my oldest came in and asked me to go for a lizard catching walk with him.

To be honest, I didn't want to go. I am fighting a nasty cold and I just wanted to put my feet up and chill. When I griped about not feeling well he asked, "can I get you an ice pack?"

This was a breakthrough for my boy with Asperger's! It was HUGE. To reflect on me not feeling well, feel empathetic, and offer to help me, was mind blowing. I was speechless. I know it may seem bizarre, but expressing such empathy does not come naturally to Aspie kiddos. It was such a tender moment; my boy wanting to take care of his mama.

It was enough to motivate me to get off the couch. As I slowly walked a few steps behind him, I observed him lizard hunt. I watched his hair bounce up and down with each step and listened to his theories on where the best lizard catching locations were. The rhythm of his flip flops tapping from his his heels to the ground matched the rhythm of green beginning to pump back through my veins, filling up my heart again.

I vividly saw myself pushing him in his stroller through our old neighborhood in San Clemente. I pictured myself pushing the back handle on his trike. And now he was guiding me on the lizard hunt. He was the leader. I was the follower.

Yep, I could feel the green. My heart was swelling up with it once again. Because no matter how blue our circumstances get, we always have the chance to find our true color.

Much love,
Katie

Linking up:

a child critically injured. please help.

Dear Friends,

A child in our community was critically injured when he was struck by a car. Please read his story:

On Wednesday April 27th, 8 year old Blake from Bonsall was out in the neighborhood with his parents and 3 brothers, 2, 3 ½ and 5. His 5 yr old brother Mason was chasing him on his scooter when Blake lost control down a hill. He was hit by an oncoming car and dragged 20 feet. His brother and parents witnessed the horror.
His father Richard dragged him out from underneath the car and held him until the paramedics came. Richard and Tiffany watched in agony while the paramedics tried to stabilize him. He was airlifted to Rady’s Children’s Hospital shortly after.
Blake is currently out of surgery from the broken femur and elbow, but in critical condition., semi-coma and a small hole in his brain to decrease the swelling. He has facial fractures and a punctured lung. Doctors are cautiously optimistic about brain damage. Only time will tell the extent of his brain injury.
The Cornish Family needs your prayers and financial assistance to get through the coming months and pay Blakes overwhelming medical bills. Please consider a donation of any amount, large or small, or gift cards for groceries, gas to get back and forth to San Diego, diapers for Brady whose only 2. One last request, please email this message to as many people as you know. Together, we can make something happen for Blake.
An account has been set up at Pacific Western Bank in Bonsall for Blake Cornish. You can also mail your donation or get well card to:
PO BOX 337, BONSALL, CA 92003

Please, please, please help this family. Skip your Starbucks this week and send something. Even $5 will help them. Also, please pray for him daily. I'll keep you updated.

Much love,
Katie

who said bran is boring?

You could say I have a thing for muffins.

With these I even feel like I'm doing something good for myself. Bran is good for the body, right?!

We'll just ignore the sugar.

I found this recipe from allrecipes.com. I love their site for two reasons:
1. fab recipes
2. they list nutritional information.

These bad boys have 167 calories and 7 grams of fat. Add some fruit or a protein smoothie and you have yourself a super yummy breakfast.

Ingredients:



1 1/2 wheat bran
1 c. buttermilk (I used low-fat)
1/2 veg oil
1 egg
2/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 tsp salt
1/2 c. raisins

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
Mix together wheat bran and buttermilk; let stand for 10 minutes.



Beat together oil, egg, sugar and vanilla and add to buttermilk/bran mixture. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into buttermilk mixture, until just blended.



Fold in raisins and spoon batter into prepared muffin tins.



Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.





Enjoy!

Much love,
Katie
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