SCHOOL

IS IN SESSION.

Don't be late.  

Third and Sixth Grade.  

Horse Love

For Carissa's 7th Birthday she was given Cowgirl Boots and a promise of a horseback riding lesson.  We fulfilled that promise 10 days short of her 8th birthday - Whew - it was a close one!

 

Meet Trigger

 

Trigger is an American Quarter Horse (or so I am told) and was just about the most calm animal I have ever been around.  At the moment I took this picture it was just me and Trigger in the "dressage" area and I swear he was laughing at me.  I was so.out.of.place!!!!

 

Carissa was not!  She was in heaven.  She brushed the horse and picked his hooves.  She learned how to put the saddle on and led him through the stable.  She rode him around the arena and dang if she didn't just look like she belong there!  I was so happy to be able to make her dream come true. 

She has two more group lessons and then who knows after that?  It is not like being on a soccer team or taking your child to piano lessons.  This is serious business (and crazy expensive).  I mentioned to one lady that I was a first-timer and she said "I can tell, you are wearing white". 

Lord - help me. 

Trip Back to Arizona

Over Spring Break I decided that the girls and I should take a trip back to Arizona.  We planned on going for a week with Justin meeting us in the middle of it and then cramming each moment with as many people as we could. 

 

Saying Good-bye to Mt. Rainer and hello to Las Vegas meant traveling in flip flops with the promise of 80 degree weather when we stepped off the plane.  We weren't disappointed!

 

It was so nice when we first landed.  It felt comfortable to be back in familiar territory.  Although the desert is not my "peaceful oasis" it does feel natural to me there.  I wonder if I will ever feel that way about Washington?

The girls crashed during our 2 hour car ride from Vegas to Lake Havasu and it was quite boring in the car.  How easy it was to travel with them!!

We spent the first part of our trip with my parents and Grandpa.  It was a great weekend of chatting and catching up.  My mom got tickets to the musical "Bye Bye Birdie" which the girls loved, and my Grandpa treated us to a yummy Itailan dinner one night. 

My daughters never miss a chance to get fancy!

 

The second half of the trip was spent visiting friends and catching up with cousins.   The girls are getting to the age were it might not matter how far away you move, true friends will always be there.  I loved that I was able to show them that. 

What's a trip without a healthy game of bowling? This might have been one of the best day's on the trip, if I was comparing...  It was so relaxing to just spend the afternoon with Uncle Matt, Aunt Suzanne, and Lola.  Again, it really doesn't make a difference how long it's been - family (and good friends) stay the same! 

 A little bonding time with the oldest cousin and the youngest cousin and all the crazies in-between.

 

 Landon loves his Uncle Justin and I hope  know he loves me too.  Even if he really didn't want anything to do with me..

So after a full week of family, friends, and sun we flew back home.  Justin and I held our breathe, wondering how the girls would react.  But we heard nothing.  No one said "I Miss...", "I wish...", "What if...".  They just continued on. 

 

For that I am so grateful.  I feel like it translates into - Hey Lady, you might have moved us (again!) away from everyone we knew, but we are OK.  We know you and Daddy love us, God loves us, and we are cool.  So let go of the guilt.  - and you know what?  I think I will. 

A little Grace for Valentine's Day

February 14, 2006

 

 

I stare at this picture and I am able to transport myself back to this very moment.  It is after nap time and we are just playing on the living room floor.  You are both dressed in your Valentine's t-shirts that said something about being Dad's Superstar.  I think you both knew the day was special, even then.  Or maybe it was because I was just in a really good mood so it just spread to you.  Either way, it was just so easy.   

 

When you were both little there wasn't a lot of expectations.  I could cut up some bananas and give you some goldfish and you would mindlessly snack.  A notebook with a pen from my purse could keep you busy for 20 minutes.  I started to be able to predict your needs - and I could meet them. 

 

Fast forward 8 years.

 

I am pretty sure one of you doesn't like goldfish but I can never keep it straight.  Audrey is learning about segregation, Pearl Harbor, and Colonization but has to debate why she needs a shower at least every 48 hours.  Carissa has had a tooth hanging by a thread for over a month but is subtracting three digit numbers and creating her own math story problems for fun.

 

We talk... A LOT.  And sometimes it is not so easy anymore.

 

I have stopped trying to anticipate needs.  Now, with the two of you, I just never know.

It is Valentine's week and, true to form, there is love in the air.  Secret cards and presents are being constructed.  Pink and red are the colors of choice and I have been awestruck by one simple thing.

 

GRACE

 

The thing that made it so easy 8 years ago was I had no expectations.  You were babies and perfect and beautiful.  You were pure joy.  Somewhere along the lines I decided you needed to go, to do and be, to learn and reflect.  Shame on me. 

 

I have come to the conclusion that you will do all those things regardless if I push you.  I think you are both still SO beautiful and you are my JOY. 

 

So this Valentine's day I am offering GRACE to my girls. I am setting aside expectations and letting you be 10 and 7.  (The only thing I will predicting is your eye roll.)
 Happy Valentine's Day.

Love, Mom

 

 

We Danced...

our way right through December!

Carissa started taking Ballet in August. She is with a really tough teacher named Ms. Ann.  The lady doesn't mess around (I am even a little bit scared of her.) But I can't believe how much Carissa has learned and grown in her class. 

 She took an extra 2 months of Saturday classes to be part of the Nutcracker Production.  Performing in two scenes she wowed me with her gracefulness. 

 They had a show on Saturday and Sunday and sitting through that was one of the most enjoyable parts of this Christmas for me. 

 

Moving on to Audrey ~ who, have I mentioned, is in Jazz Company?  She performed over 10 times during December at multiple locations. This time was at the Seattle Center on the Winterfest stage.

 

 We couldn't help but take in some of the sights of the "Big City" while we were down there.  The whole town, to me, is just one big giant thing of coolness. 

 Can you see her on the big stage?  Look she is already performing with the Space Needle as her back drop!  Where to go from here?

 Her little group is so professional.  They just amazed me with their stage presence and how they, well, worked the crowd!! 

 A couple times I caught myself just grinning from ear to ear like a big goof.  (I had only seen the performance about 20 times!) 

 

It was an awesome way to spend the month.  So proud of my dancing girls!!

And we are done!

This was the first day of school...

 

And today was the last day of school.  I can't believe how much they have grown!!  My little stinkers are now 2nd and 5th graders!  Holy crap.

 

I can proudly say 9 months later they still love each other too!

 

 

Mother's Day 2013

I always feel silly making grand proclamations.  I tend to shy away from saying "I always" or "I will never".  Because someday I just might and I have felt what it tastes like to take those words back.  I am not a very definitive person and don't really take hard stances on much.  I try to see both sides.  I like to say I am reasonable. But the more Mothering I have been doing (all whooping 9 years of it) I can say a few things with utmost certainty. 

 

I will do ANYTHING to protect my girls.

Knowing they are NEAR me brings me joy.

I will NEVER stop loving them. 

They are my WORLD.

 

I want so much for them.  I like that they do well in school and they are kind.  I love that they care for each other and each one of our family members.  I know they are good at dance, and singing, and piano, and sports, and reading...I AM SO PROUD OF THEM.

 

I was spoiled this Mother's Day.  My girls took the time to really show me how much they love me and it was so special. 

 

 

 

I am the luckiest Mom.

Easter in a Flash

March was super eventful. So much family and Love!

 

 



 

SPRING BREAK 2013

Our Trip was spontaneous (of course!), with one day notice to hop in the car and drive to San Diego, but is was so worth it!!

 

We scored some free tickets to Legoland which we are so thankful for and the girls had a blast.

They took a driving test, flew a helicopter, steered a boat, and rode a horse.  All thoughts of them being to old for this stuff went right out the window.  They ate it up.

 



 

At one point I heard one of the girls say "Let's pretend we are Legos."

Hmm, not quite sure how that would play out...but OK.

 

 We tried to lock them up but that didn't last long.

 

They spotted this handsome devil and lost all sense of decency.

 

Oh - Daddy is in trouble!!

 



The rest of our trip was just spent relaxing and eating Yummy food.  I even had Lobster for the first time and LOVED IT.  Thank you Rocking Baja Lobster in Oceanside!

(See, Daddy is in trouble!)

 



There is nothing else like walking on the beach.  It is so relaxing. 

For the record this picture below is proof that I do listen (even if they say I don't!)

 



I am forever grateful for times like this.  When we are together and can just BE. 

 

We will be coming back soon to stand on the Moss covered rock at Shell Beach in La Jolla!