Happy Birthday Sis!

Today is my sisters birthday. Birthdays are a big deal to me. Anyone in my life should know that when it's your birthday...I want to do something special for you. Even if it means just hanging out. That's exactly what we did. We went to Chevy's on the River (crappy food) but great atmosphere and it was also about 80 degrees today. It was beautiful. I have no pictures that are post-able ( picture HER, in a big sombrero after being out and about all day) but we had a fun time. She's the strongest and most stubborn of us 3. She's the "older" but middle sister. She's the one who was born wise. Here's a picture of my sisters...at a time when things were the way we always thought they'd be...

Angela is on the left and Elena is on the right.This was such a fun night. I love them. They are amazing!
Happy Birthday Ang! I love you! So much!!

Finally...one night down!

It's been almost 7 years since my husband and I have had our bed to ourselves. We've been married for 7 years. Desiree slept with us for her first 3 years and right now the middle of our bed is occupied by Dominic, he will be 4 in August. There have been scattered nights here and there where they just happened to not wake up and wander into our room. Never have they gone to bed in our bed, they just end up there, eventually. I also, love it. I love to cuddle with my kids. To wake up and see their peaceful little faces in the middle of the night are moments I will never forget.

However, I also love cuddling with my husband. I also want to see what I will look like and feel like once I am not waking up all the time to readjust a child who is sleeping across the tops of our pillows. So we had to do some minor redecorating to get make sure that we set ourselves up for success. My man-boy gets up super early, he has zero period (school starts at 6:55 for him). He and Dominic share a room. So we bought bunk beds and Dominic is now sleeping in Desiree's room. So, Alexander can get up and get ready with out worrying about waking anyone up. 

The first two nights were miserable, there was so much of me ready to just give in and say "forget it, it's not worth it". Typical, crying, pleading "can I pleeeeaaaasssse cozy, mom?" ugh.. rip my heart out. Then last night it worked...and I am SO relieved. I woke up this morning and thought "NO WAY!" He did it, he slept through the night. 

So another milestone down. Another transition and it feels good. Of course, this is in no way the end of sleepless nights. And I know there will always be sleepless nights, thanks to my mom who says that once your a parent, you won't ever sleep again. ha ha 

Off to take my little guy out for the day and then for some promised Fro-yo. Yes, there was a little bribery involved. 

Skipping Church and Rocks...

Because I am training for a marathon, our Saturdays are cut short. I leave for a run around 9 or 10, come home and then have an ice bath and then shower...so it takes up about 4 hours of our day.
So that leaves Sunday for us to do something together as a family. Today I decided I wanted to make a real breakfast and then I wanted to take the kids on a river walk. I made breakfast -whole wheat french toast with blueberries, walnuts and maple syrup. Coffee (2 cups, thank you very much :)) and orange juice. Then we took off to meet some friends at Sutter's Landing. It was a beautiful, perfect day. Our kids threw rocks, jumped in puddles, chased trains and dodged rabbit chasing dogs. I wrestled with the idea of  skipping church, because I do believe that worship centers me for upcoming week.
But after moments like these...

I am centered. Refreshed. Connected to the Lord and my family. I hope you all (my 6 consistent readers, to whom I appreciate...but would love some comments XO) have a blessed week.

Damn, I feel like a woman!

I went to get my hair cut and colored today. It was fabulous! It had been pretty much a year since the last time. After my appt. my hair dresser, my niece and I went to the beauty supply, and this is my stash...

A boar bristle ceramic brush...my last brush like this is at least 10 years old. 

A giant curling iron...why not?? 

Some grown-up hair spray...I get tired of sharing hair spray with my man-boy. 

3 gorgeous spring nail colors...I had my daughter in mind when I picked out the turquoise...and, of course, they threw in a free set of lashes with those.

I'll post a picture of my new cut/color once I wash it and put my own spin on it. I do love it though and it feels so refreshing! 

Today was a GOOD Day!

My days have been long and at times difficult since our family tragedy (I am working on a post to fill you all in). I don't go many places or see many people other than those I am very, very close to. Yet, today felt normal...maybe the new normal. I woke up slow, thanks to my super, awesome husband who stayed late to take the kids to school. I baked today, too.  Dominic played in flour, salt and sugar and got ridiculously messy. The rain was beautiful and when the sun peeked out, I ran outside to see if I could see a rainbow...none today...but it was still fun looking. I got a call from a dear friend who invited me and the kids to go bowling. We had a great, fun time all three of my kids, whom all love bowling. I made dinner and left to the gym and worked it out there. I was happy today, I felt Joy all day. It's been the first time in a long time.
I, attribute this to the positive, healthy decisions I have made only within the last week. I decided I wanted peace and Joy again and  I went back to Church and joined a bible study group with one my best friends. Positive decisions = positive results. I hope you all had a beautiful day. I'd love to hear about your favorite moments, if you'd like to share.

Here's what I baked.

The recipe is  from Broke Ass Gourmet's blog. Try them, they are fabulous!

Saturday Morning Scene - I am SO DEFENSIVE!

After reading Kims blog. I thought I'd link up for the first time EVER. Thanks Katie for hosting!!

This is what were working on this morning. 

Two of my kids had the stomach flu within the last 3 weeks...and I am SCARED!

Have a great, healthy weekend all!

Coming back ...STRONG.

Since I have last posted so much has happened, which I can't fully discuss right now. Simply because it's too much and it's too hard to put into words. I am in a different space these days.

My husband works a lot! I feel like I am single mom right now. It's hard and I am tired. Thankfully yet sadly when my husband comes home from a 12 hour work day, he does the laundry and cleans up as much as possible...he's a hard working man and I have so much respect for him. I feel as if we haven't spent much time together in a while. I miss him. We need a weekend without the kids. Enter issue #2

Dominic is sick with the stomach flu. So the thought of my kids going anywhere, anytime soon is out of the question. My poor guy. I hate seeing him this way.

I also hate cleaning up the throw up. I pray he's better soon. I also pray that it doesn't spread around the house.

I am loving photos. It's only way to describe my next issue (#3). Which is what's going on with my man-boy...

Dear Parents...think LONG and HARD before you buy your child a cell phone ( I must say I did NOT buy him the first cell phone or any of the above, his dad did without my consent...UGH). The top phone is his latest indiscretion (he's been grounded from cell phones and any personal electronic device where he's allowed outside contact with that world out there). That will be dealt with today after school. YAY for me!

Yeah, I think once he graduates high school I will have enough to go into a resale business.

Anyhow, all the above along with my personal, intense family issues I was struggling. Yesterday was the first day of lent. I haven't been to church in a few months. I have been to their functions but I haven't heard the Word in a long time. I went on Ash Wednesday and I cried so hard. It felt so healthy, I felt lifted. It's what I needed. It's what I need. I typically do not give up anything for lent. I study and strengthen my relationship with God. I teach my children to do that also. With all my struggles, my marriage, my children, my family. I, for the first time, have given them all to God. That's why I cried. For this year, I have given up something. I have given up the control over my life. I am here to live by my faith.  With all this going on, I feel STRONG. Even in my weakest moments, I have God.