Halloween 2014

Halloween 2014Queen Elsa, Princess Ana, Olaf, and our navy protector men!

And baby makes 5!

Yes, it's true baby Bris number 3 is due in May of 2014.  If the way I have been feeling is any indication on this child's personality, then I am petrified! I have been anything but a joy to be around with the mood swings (I made a waitress cry when our food took too long).  I am constantly nauseous, yet I am starving all the time (weird combination).  I could fall asleep with the snap of my fingers, which makes it interesting when you have a 6 and 3 year old that need your constant attention.  I can't seem to manage anything, including keeping the house clean or getting through our heaps of laundry.  As I hit my 13 week mark, things are starting to improve a bit.  I am hoping its uphill from here on out. Which means that I should probably say sorry and thank you now to Tommy, Mason, and Ellie for being patient and loving towards me, even though I have not always been the same with you all!!

I do not know if I am the only one to feel this way but its different your third time around.  The first time I was nervous, and excited, just sort of oblivious to what is really about to happen and how my world was about to be changed forever.  The second time I was just so excited and I could not wait to see how Mason and his new sibling would interact together.  I have been so set with out little family that I am having a hard time picturing what life will be like with this next baby in the mix.  It will be harder, that's for sure, but just how much harder?  I only have two hands, the perfect amount to hold when crossing the street, how will I manage with three little hands that need their mommys protection?  I'm scared.  I'm scared for the challenges, I'm scared for the sickness, I'm scared for the heartache that our children tend to give us.

I have just been focusing on all that I have been scared of and living in somewhat of a dark cloud.  I was finally able to see a little light coming through the clouds after I heard the baby's heartbeat.  All of a sudden, an image of the baby being placed on my chest came into my head and it made me feel calmer.  It doesn't matter how hard it will be.  It is all worth it.  I cannot imagine my life without Mitch and Claire.  They are my favorite people in the planet.  They are apart of me and have made me who I am today.   I want this for Mason and Elizabeth.  There is nothing in the world like a sibling and I thank God that I am able bless them with another one.I cannot wait to meet you baby Bris. I love you already!
xoxo

life in the fast lane

As I sit here on this beautiful October day and stare out to the ocean,  I can't help but think about where all the time has gone.  We have had a lot happen since our move to California.  Its hard to believe that it was only 2 years ago!  The kids are involved in all different activities- school, gymnastics, soccer, theatre class, music class, plus working in naptime, eating, park dates, the beach, the pool and finding time to hang out with our friends...our days are filled! and I know the older the kids get, the busier we will become! I find myself falling asleep every night before my head hits the pillow.

I feel so blessed to have so much going on in our lives and to have so many friends and family here and on the east who care about me.  As a result, I find that I spend quite a bit of time on my phone planning our filled days and checking in with everyone.  

There was an article published recently by a couple who works for Apple technology.  They have children and they limit their time with an iPad and iPhone to a maximum of 30 minutes a day.  Their reasoning?  They say that this technology is so new that we do not know what this will do to us in the long run.  Plus, it takes away from a major important part of brain development- playtime.  Children need hands on playtime.  They need to manipulate objects in our 3-d world and use their sight and smell to explore. Upon hearing this, I immediately let out a sigh of relief and thought, this is good.  My kids rarely use my phone or the iPod.  I mean maybe an hour a week is spent on it.  We are in the clear.  It wasn't until the next day that I started to think about the amount of time I spend on my phone.  Let me tell you- its way more than a mere 30 minutes.  So shouldn't I be concerned with myself?  And why am I actually spending so much time on my phone?  I find the rare time that I actually have time to myself (be it a doctors waiting room or in the line at the grocery store) I spend it checking my Instagram, Facebook, or sending texts.  I used to read a book or a magazine when I was looking to relax, but now I read about and look at others lives on Facebook.  I am not so sure that it is the best way to find calmness.  Not only do we not know what this technology will bring us in the long run, but I also don't want to spend my days looking at other peoples lives when my amazing life is passing by me super quickly.  My Mason is in first grade..  He was just born 2 days ago.  And my Ellie Belly is in preschool- how is that possible?!! Life is only going to get busier.  Its time I put the phone down.. 

As Ferris says "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." 

xo

k

The one and only "Grandfather"

We lost a great man today- my Grandfather.  The one man who didn't receive a cutesy Grandpop name because "Grandfather" was just too fitting.  He was a strong, proud man who worked hard every day of his life.  He was up before the sun- he spent hours cutting the grass and taming the fields on his property, organizing his office, and labeling every device in his house.
He was the rock for my mother (and our family) while going through the divorce.  I wish I could frame the look on his face when that barn house was all ready for us to move into.  He may have looked stern and hard but inside he had a heart of gold.  He lived for those phone calls from his 11 grandchildren, which would last at the most 2 minutes, but afterwards he would talk on and on about, it as if we had been on the phone for hours.
Thankfully, Grandfather will never be far away.  He managed to sneak his hardworking, OCD genes into Mason.  That boy will spend hours working on his homework (he doesn't get that from me, right Katie?!), he likes his room perfectly organized and in order, and when he doesn't like something- you know it.
Memories I will always treasure- visits with you in the den; the BEST Oreo cookies from your cookie jar; your smile around your great grandchildren; your sweet birthday cards; the day that I brought Lilly home; Christmas in the living room; and all of your stories from your past.
I am so thankful that you are where you wanted to be 5 years ago when your Ruthie left.  Give Missy and Miss Jean big hugs & kisses.  I love you.. and Thank you.

one of my all time favorite photos of RE and his love Ruthie

DIY Fun Tepee Tent

We had a fun time creating this little tent for Masons room.  When my siblings and I were growing up, our best friends, the Savages, had an amazing Tepee.  Mitch, Claire, and I always wanted one of our own. When I saw the post for one on Pinterest (I mean seriously, how addicting is Pinterest?!), I knew that I had to make one for myself... um, I mean, Mason and Ellie :)  We had a pair of curtain panels from Mason's old room that we were not using anymore so we used those for the sides.  Worked out perfectly since the colors still match his room decor :)

Different blankets, pillows, books and stuffed friends love cuddling in the tent.  My favorite is when I climb in and we all read books together.  Its snug but super cozy.  
Here is the instructions that we followed http://ana-white.com/2011/06/easy-kids-tent-reading-nook 
Hope you enjoyed :)
xo
K

Pleaseeee can I get it mom?!

We have all seen the scene before- A screaming child in Target with their death grip on the latest toy, while their mom pleads with them to let it go. How many times have I passed that and thought "gosh what a brat. I would never let My kid do that." Flash forward a couple years to me watching Mason as he is throwing a tantrum on the floor of Target because we are leaving without the candy bar...

At first when mason was little, around Ellie's age, I was able to let him carry the toy around until we got to the counter where I would be able to sneak it to the cashier and have her put it back while I distracted him.  We ran through this scene pretty smoothly for a couple of years until mason got onto our game. He just wanted those Thomas underwear so badly, he would not be able to live without the buzz lightyear doll, and god forbid we leave the store without that new curious George book.  

I think I got the idea for "the list" around his Christmas when he was 3. He began one of his requests at Target and I said why don't you add it to your Christmas list? He was so excited to make his list with EVERYTHING that he wanted that as soon as we got home, he " wrote" down all of his requests. It was a win win- he felt relieved to make his request concrete and we were relieved to leave the store with everyone happy.  

We follow this all year long- birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, groundhog day, fourth of July- now of course he doesn't get a gift every day of the year but the list making gets him distracted enough. 

By the end of the week he forgets about the list and most of the items on it. The ones he really remembers I know are the golden tickets so I make my own list for those special moments when a gift is deserved :)

I'm still in the clear with my Elle belle but I know the time will be here before I know it when passing off the toys to the cashier won't work, so the lists will begin for her too ;)

xxoo

k

Ps watch out aunt Claire...Mason has your address and knows where I keep the stamps! A special request list may be making its way to your mailbox!

Life is good

It has officially been one year since we moved to San Diego. In some ways I can't believe a whole year has passed, and in others I can't believe it has only been a year! We are so thankful for the friends that we have met that have so warmly welcomed us into their world. It has made the transition easier and enjoyable. We miss all of our family and friends so much, but these amazing SoCal days are making it hard to imagine living anywhere else but california. Now I know why people move west and never come back. I mean honestly, how can you get a better view than this on your morning run?

Stay tuned for our back and forth battle of where our "forever" home should be :)