When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemon Soap

My sweet friend Brandy always sends me a goodie for my birthday and this year it was a gift certificate for Bath & Body Works. I love to have delicious little soaps around the house and usually wait for their sale to stock up, so it was the perfect present. One of my favorites is the C.O. Bigelow Lemon Hand Wash, but it's crazy expensive so I was excited to get some with my gift card. But it was my lucky day because they were buy one, get one free! So thanks to Brandy, we are germ-free and smell of the delightful fresh scent of lemon. Ahhh, cleanses the hands and the soul. . .

Flowers for Jeannie

I've owned a CD with this song on it for a long time, but after losing Jeannie it always brings tears to my eyes. I miss her, I can still hear the sound of her voice and laugh in my head, I'm dreading the day that I won't be able to. Her number is still in my contact list on my cell, I can't bring myself to delete it. Bringing flowers to the cemetary is obviously more about us then her. But I like to think that we are honoring and celebrating her by doing it. The cemetary where she is buried is very old, and Todd and I just walked with the kids looking at all the memorial stones. Many were hand carved with birth and death dates just months apart, which broke my heart, some as early as 1809. Life is hard, it's beautiful, joyful and tragic all at the same time. It reminded me that even those of us who are seperated by generations all have the most important things in common. We are humans with God-given souls, we experience the incredible joy of birth and the intense grief of death. I guess the truth is that we aren't truly alive until we die.

Yesterdays

The flowers cut and brought inside

Black cars in a single line

Your family in suits and ties

And you're free

The ache that I feel inside

Is where the life has left your eyes

I'm alone for our last goodbye

But you're free

I remember you like yesterday

Yesterday

I still can't believe you're gone

I remember you like yesterday

Yesterday

And until I'm with you, I carry on

Adrift on your ocean floor

I feel weightless, numb and sore

A part of you and me is torn

You're free

I woke from a dream last night

I dreamt that you were by my side

Reminding me I still have life

In me

Every lament is a love song

Yesterday, Yesterday

I still can't believe you're gone

So long my friend, so long

Lyrics by Switchfoot

Birthday Boy

Dad said this is you saying "so big."

Happy 24th birthday Aaron! We love you and are so proud of the man you've become. Thanks for sealing the deal when I met your Dad, once you showed me the "wart family" on your foot at Subway I knew it was true love. I remember how cute you looked in your tux the day Dad and I got married, I remember the Star Wars years, camping trips, fishing trips, Disneyland. So many memories of you, time went so fast and sometimes I wish we could go back in time, knowing what I know now. But I suppose 10 years from now I will feel the same way, wishing I could go back and do things better. You are what every parent prays for and more. You have so many talents and gifts, continue to let God guide and direct you, He will be the one constant in this crazy life. Dad and I are always here for you, no matter what.

Ella says "I love you, happy birthday. When I see you I'm gonna give you a big hug AND a big kiss. I'm gonna surprise you and jump on you."

Dawson's just drooling, but I'm sure he wishes you a happy birthday.

If You're Lucky Enough to Have a Lake Cabin, You're Lucky Enough

My sweet friends spoiled me on my birthday. Diane and Richie hosted at the lake cabin, and Kel and D made a yummy dinner, which was the perfect gift all on it's own. They got me scrumptious chocolates and a gift certificate for a facial and pedicure, I can't wait to set a date to go relax at the spa. I am blessed to have such sweet girls in my life. We spent the day tubing, boating, eating, helping the kids fish, eating, swimming, and eating. Ahh, it was a perfect day. Dawson caught his first fish that day, and all 4 of us went tubing on the lake. The best part was just spending time with some of my favorite people.

Desperate Housewife

So today was just one of those days, I was feeling a bit like Cinderella, slaving away at endless chores. The morning started with a simple question, "why do you always do that?" "I'm ironing Daddy's clothes." "Why?" "So he looks nice for work." What I really wanted to say is "good question, why am I always doing this?!" Todd's an engineer for crying out loud, why doesn't he design a robot that can iron his shirts. The truth is I really love being a home-maker, most days. It was obvious this morning that we were in for it. The kids were at each other's throats from the get go, Dawson required a permanent spot on my hip, and Ella literally didn't touch a toy today, she found it more enjoyable to follow me around about 7 inches in front of or behind me. I thought it was fitting that part of last night's church service was about prayer, just talking to God during the day. Boy did I talk to Him a lot today, He may not have liked the things I had to say, but I sure talked. Things weren't all bad, I did get a chance to make cookies, play 6 rousing rounds of Perfection, participate in a tea party, and get the usual stuff done.

Here are a few pictures of some of my favorite tools-of-the-trade, and some pictures of things I'd be happy to never do again.

#1 - I hate ironing, I hate it, I hate it (hands on my hips for emphasis).

#2 - 7th Generation stuff is awesome. And the best part is it's affordable and a lot more accessible now. I don't have to go all the way to Huckleberry's to save the planet and our lungs from inhaled chemicals.

#3 - I adore my Kitchen Aide. I waited 10 years for that delightful piece of machinery, and it has been so good to me. A double batch of cookies and I don't even break a sweat.

#4 - Obviously, despite their occasional wickedness, the kids are the BEST part of my job.

Can I See Your I.D.?

I just wanted to say how thrilled I was when I got carded the other day buying beer to make bread. I could have hugged that cashier. Maybe the frizzy hair, 2 screaming kids and dazed "kill me now" look I usually have at the end of a grocery shopping trip is flattering after all. Lucky for me I can recreate that look any day.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for ICE CREAM!

Ice cream is one of man's greatest inventions. I have had a long love affair with the frozen confection, in fact more than 1 person has chosen the ice cream truck "song" ring tone to identify me when I call their cell phone (the circus theme song is another favorite choice for me - how rude). So when I heard that magical, tinkling tune coming down the street I literally ran to get Ella so she wouldn't miss it. An ice cream truck is a rare treat indeed around these parts, so it was doubly exciting. She lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw that van plastered with pictures of every ice cream and popsicle ever made. Ella picked the largest, most expensive one available, Dawson was content with a good ole banana popsicle. The sweetest part was watching Ella offer Dawson tastes of hers, she melts my heart sometimes. Her lips and tongue were blue for 2 days, now that's the mark of a great popsicle. What a way to chill out on a hot summer day.

My Boy

I realized I didn't really do an 18 month update about Dawson. I think it's a big milestone and he deserves a little shout out. Dawson, well, he's just delicious. I seriously thought I was going to bite him tonight after his bath. Todd laughs because I grit my teeth when I snuggle and kiss the kids, but I have to or I'd just eat their little faces. Dawson thinks it's hilarious that he knows how to walk backwards. He also walks on his tiptoes, then falls to his hands and knees on the floor in some sort of cage fighting stance. I love that he says "Ella" perfectly, exaggerating the tongue flicking action required for making the L sound. He knows lots of animal sounds and his body parts, and he can pick out almost anything you ask in a book. He is my super snuggler, my hip buddy, my # 1 fan. He has been a trooper through his little health issues and even though he isn't in the 95th percentile anymore (I miss my chunky boy), he is still strong, energetic and playful. He's 27 pounds and in the 74th percentile for height. His Daddy's long and lean genes are taking precedence (probably a good thing he didn't get the short and stout Italian genes from me). I love his protruding bottom lip that just begs for Mommy's kisses. He has been waking up and "singing" little songs in his crib and sometimes I actually video tape the monitor because the sounds he makes are so adorable. He loves to play with Ella, they are best buds and complete arch enemies all rolled into one. Dawson's a tough little rough-houser, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when he comes at me because I know he's gonna hurt me somehow. He loves to climb and has been trying to get into Ella's loft and, unfortunately, I found him climbing the pantry shelves. One of his newest fascinations is my clothing. He drags my little summer dresses or nighties around like Linus from Snoopy. He slips his hand under the back of my shirt and rubs my shoulder and back when I carry him on my hip. I could go on and on, there are so many little things about him that just make me so proud and so in love with him. I can't believe that 19 months ago that little person came out of me and into this world. What amazing strides they make in such a short time. God knew what I needed when he gave me my kids, I couldn't have picked them better myself.

Photography by Jessica Bleck.

Tag, You're It!

My friend Katy sent this to me, it's a fun little "get to know me" questionaire. Sorry it took me so long to get to this Katy! Here is a picture of Ella with her and hubby Ryan!

I've Been Tagged!
A little game called A to Z:
a- available?
No, but check back later. JK
b- best friend?
Kel, D, Stephy, Mom
c- cake or pie?
CUPcakes
d- drink of choice?
Coke, lots of crushed ice and a straw
e- essential thing used everyday?
Chapstick
f- favorite color?
Ocean blue and citrus/sage green
g- gummy bears or worms?
Bears
h- hometown growing up?
Big Bear Lake, CA
i- indulgence?
Chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, cheesecake, cupcakes, candy bars, popcorn, chips and dip. . .
j- January or February?
February - hello, Valentine's Day!
k- kids and names?
Aaron Thomas, Ella Grace, Dawson Michael
l- life...
is good:-)
m- marriage date?
December 2, 1995
n- number of siblings?
1, Stephy
o- oranges or apples?
Fuji apples
p- phobias?
Dawson rolling around in a vat of pnut butter, the kids getting hurt or kidnapped
q-quotes?
"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day." Abraham Lincoln
r- reason to smile?
My kids
s- season?
Spring and Summer
t- three top vacation spots?
Maui, Disneyland, WA/OR coast
u- unknown fact about me?
I'm pretty much an open book, I'll have to think about that one
v- vegetables you do not like?
Zucchini isn't a favorite, mushrooms (my sister will be proud to know they're growing on me as I get older)
w- worst habits?
Eating my boogers and cussing, just kidding - snacking at night
x- rays you have had?
Teeth, spine, hip
y- your favorite food?
Bean tacos, lasagne, dessert
z- Zodiac sign?

Livi's 4!

Happy GOLDEN birthday Olivia! We love you so much and think you are such a special girl. Wishing you a happy, happy day and a wonderful year being 4 and fabulous!

"Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters. . .

. . . many men have tried to split us up but no one can. Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister, and Lord help the sister who comes between me and my man!" My sister and I have performed this song from the classic movie "White Christmas" on many a VHS tape over the years. It's always been just her and I, Stephy and me. Even though we are less than 2 years apart, she is definitely the big sister. She has always taken care of me, bossed me around and watched out for me. She walked me to my classes for weeks my first year of high school, she sat with me on the bus and at the lunch table every day, she taught me how to go through the drive-thru bank window after I spent years being terrified of it. When she got her driver's license I would ride along with her and heckle strangers at the stop lights, then she would race away at the green light - or at least race away as fast as possible in her 1970's Honda Civic hatchback, (AKA White Hot Chili Pepper) would allow. We shared a room 75% of our life and the majority of our days growing up were spent outdoors make-believing in our own little world. Our "yard" was an endless sea of pine trees, we were raised in the mountains of California and were backed up to state land most of the time. We didn't had cable, just our wild and endless imaginations to keep us occupied. As we got older, Stephy became more private and I know it will come as a shock, but I never hit that stage. So I found my life's ambition was to antagonize and annoy her and rob her of every tiny bit of privacy she tried so desperately to get. She used to hang sheets up in our room to divide her space from mine. I bugged her, she bossed me. We are like night and day, and now that works for us, not against us. One of my all time favorite lines of Stephenie's is "just because I'm laughing doesn't mean it's funny." Man she used to get ticked at me. But the feeling was mutual. She used to hold me down and let spit drop out of her mouth onto my face. She plugged her ears when I would try to talk, so I'd spit on her. One time I went up to our second story bedroom and hung out the window as far as I could so I could throw her bras and undies in the big tree out back. As much as we annoyed each other, she truly was my best friend. I still have a little tape she recorded for me when we were in grade school. She wrote and sang and song called "Laura, You and Me." Priceless memories. You may be wondering why I am writing about my sis today. A couple of reasons actually. One is that when our friend Jeannie passed away, she left behind another dear friend of ours, her sister Susie. I have thought a lot about the loss that she is feeling, being without her sister and best friend, and it makes me appreciate Steph and the relationship we are blessed to have. She lives in the house behind me, both of our firstborn children were born on the same date, our wedding dates are 2 days apart. We are sisters, yes, but more importantly, we are friends of the heart and soul. The other reason is that today is National Sister's Day! Yes, this is actually true. My sister knows every "holiday", even National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day (which we obviously won't be celebrating in this house). So here's to you Steph, my first and best girlfriend.

. . . I almost forgot one of our most treasured skills as a duo, reciting "Big Trouble in Little China" verbatim. I think it's safe to say not everyone can do that (nor should they, it's an awfully stupid movie).