MAY!

May is my favorite month. Even though that's a bit self centered I'm sure I'm not the only one who loves their birthday month the best. The celebration of my life is not the only reason I love May. May means the arrival of longer days, strawberry season, and summer, just to name a few. 

Field trip to Hans Herr House (don't they look thrilled?), Jedi Lion (or "just a guy" he says), Rides on the four wheeler (with the appropriate head gear), date with my #3, boo boo kissing, kitty snuggles, swinging, and brothers building bridges.

April Out

April as month feels like a blur. I know it was there. I remember things that happened. But....was that April? I suppose it was.

My sweet sister in law Gina thought it would be fun to  take the girls to a hotel for her birthday. It was! We did the pool, got dressed up for dinner and went to the mall the next day. (look at my daughter's face in the dark restaurant photo)

Oh my girl. She had money to spend spend she did. Jewelry, flip flops and a mug for her brother (from Anthropologie no less) And then her photo faces. If you ever see a sweet pic of her I guarantee you there is a 4:1 ratio of silly faces to a normal face. Look closely above.

The calves escaped, before bed reading, sunset beauty,  Gina's official birthday and a new family addition (Airbender).

My Girls

16 years ago this September, I drove up a steep road in Estes Park, Colorado and I was totally freaked out. Due to all my other plans being totally wiped out like a sandcastle at high tide, I was going to spend roughly eight months in the Rocky Mountains at a Bible school. This is where I learned to stop saying "I will never." Like "I will never live outside of California" or "I will never go to a Christian school". The list continues but those were the first two. I didn't want to be there. Yet I knew I needed to be there. Long story short my life was flipped over and met my husband and I made the kind of friends that you dream about. We saw each other here and there, at weddings and when passing through the other respective state but life was moving on. Then one of us was hurting. Like gauze to a wound we gathered around her and each other to heal hearts and reforge our friendship tattered by distance. We decided then and there to not let crisis be the only reason see each other and agreed to get together once a year while taking turns at the hostess role. Somehow through all of our moving and grad school and babies we managed to do it even though we took a few years off. I amazed that we've been able to not only maintain but grow in our relationship mostly through email (over 1000, no exaggeration) and an occasional phone call.  These women are a gift, a balm to my soul and a joy in my life. They stretch and challenge me as well as encourage and love me.  Thank you ladies for staying in my life and for coming to me this year. xxoo

Dream sharing, coffee loving, hugs, favorite things exchange,  Internet video watching, and pretty mugs.

Reunion meal, great conversation, prime rib dinner, and Spangler brothers.

Suzanne, Tina, Me, Elicia, Laurie

*For the record that year in Colorado was full of amazing women. I can honestly say that each one touched my life in one way or another and ultimately for a good. I wish I could see more of my RC girls more often!

Returning home?

Even though I am nearly 36, I've been married for nearly 14 years, lived eastward for eight, and moved into a home that my husband and I built from the dream floor; it still feels odd to say I'm "going home" when I leave my parents house. California will always be home, and yet it's quite clear that I'm a grown up, building a life in my own home in PA. Home is truly where the heart is and my heart is spread wide.

It's always bittersweet to leave. That's the question people ask. "Were you sad to leave?" or "Were you ready to go?"  Yes and yes.  It's a very "you can't have your cake and eat it too" situation. I'm never ready to leave CA but I'm usually ready to get back to our space and routine. I want both.  (Insert foot stomping and whining.) Still, I'm thankful to have more than one place to call home when so many have no place at all. My life isn't perfect but compared to most of the world it's cake.

We returned and hit the ground running. Saturday night we went to see the play Esther. It was written and directed by my dear friend's mom and it was quite good. I had helped Rachel a bit with her part as the narrator (shown above) and it was fun to dip my toe into the world of theater again. 

Dennis took the kids fishing and Eden had success! Van and Eden have been dancing, but she wasn't keen on me capturing the moment. We have dogwoods! And I met a local gnome.

CA 2013 Part 2

Sprinklers, tubbies, poolside and pool-in lounging, childhood toys, pets, and walks on the canal.

Rides in the back of Grandpa's truck, blooming cactus, cottonwood trees, little pool for the littles, and the best Mexican food EVER  makes me a happy lady.

Easter Sunday, towel head fashions, cousin love, egg dyeing, buddies, filed trip to the Parker dam, poolside with pets, and sudden hair growth.

River reunion with friends I've know For-eva.

Visiting some of my favorite people (not all are that were visited are pictured! erin & scott, uncle jimmy!), eating long lost favorites and childhood memories...felix the cat clock!

Riding through the water for 30min straight, playing in the mud, holding chickens, seeing more loved ones, ball game with grandma Linda.

Exploring the world, fishing with Grandpa, blowing dandelions, more animals, riding a quad (aka little boy bliss).

Mountainous glory, fence climbing, Aunt Kathy's house with light show, grandma time, great grandma love and 5 generations (4 represented).

Going home.

CA 2013 Part 1

Two years ago I spent Christmas in the hometown with my side of the family. That was the last time I was here. Two years is too long. BUT...in those two years we've built a house. So there's that.  Being good stewards of our finances, etc. kept us away but then my brother decided to get married. So of course we had to come out.   Obviously I jest. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. He has married someone that is kind, beautiful, fun, smart and she loves Jesus. Granted I've only met her in person twice, but it was enough to see that she lives up to the praises that I've heard about her.  So we came and it was lovely. 

We stayed on the Berkeley Marina and were able to walk to a pier, a park and see the sailboats.

The rehearsal was Thursday evening at their home. This is where I actually got to meet the new sis and her family. Have I mentioned how great she is? Allow me to move on to her family. They are also the cat's meow. I mostly spoke to her mom and sisters but I loved them and wanted to bring them home. I suppose that would be kidnapping.  I'm so happy for my brother and that he not only has a wife that surpasses our hopes but in laws that will be a great support to them as they start their new life together.

Mexican theme as a companion to the carne asada. Always a home run.

Friday evening was the grand finale of our NorCal experience; the wedding. The ceremony took place on the patio of the Brazilian Room and the reception was inside. It was beautiful and I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Eden was the bubble girl, Jesse escorted Grandma Linda down the aisle.

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Maltby

What February has brought us thus far

Phone Photo Roundup

• Fun times catering with my sis N law 
• Fun food 
• Helped in Van's class on Valentine's day
• Valentine treats from Grandma and Grandpa
• Hair cut. It was getting quite poofy.
• Talks with my girl
• Serious pancake eating at the monthly firehouse breakfast. If they knew how much he ate they might have charged us.
• Tubby buddies.

Got together with some of our favorite people for a Valentine party. Kids decorated their bags, and exchanged Valentine's, played games, ate lunch, and ran around like crazy in the basement.