Familia

This summer has been wonderful. I feel I've really been savoring the moments. There have been some delightfully small moments of just hanging out doing nothing more than chatting it up with the kiddos and the hubster. And then there have been the big moments of seeing my parents and my sis/her fam whom I hadn't seen in over a year.

You never know how much you truly miss people until they are gone. I had forgotten the easy and comfortable conversation I have with people other than my kids and my husband. I've been trying to form new friendships here in Washington and with that comes a certain etiquette and a little shyness.

Having my extended family from California with us was just what I needed. Their visits added some more spice and extra flavor and also a release. There are different conversations you get to indulge in with a mom or sister. There are different laughs you get to experience too. And it's a break from the normal household family routine.

I was able to share our favorite ice cream parlor.

My sis and I bought similar hats.

The kids were their crazy kid selves.

I missed my extended family as soon as they drove out of the driveway. I can only hope we see them again before another year passes.

Feelin' the love

Pic is not mine. I found it on Google (source unknown) I'm feeling pretty grateful for so many things, but today the one thing sticking out is LOVE. I am grateful to have so many to love and have them love me back.

Wordless Wednesday: Ice Ice, Baby

Play along here.

Round me up another casserole!

I love, love, LOVE menu planning sites. I love that there are people out there generous enough to share their weekly eating habits with lazy folk like me. Right now my family is in Week 3 of this FRIGGIN' FANTASTIC 6 week meal plan. The dishes are healthy which is a MAJOR plus for me. And all meals have been super tasty. Thankfully my kids and hubby are adventurous eaters so they are willing to try whatever I put in front of them.

Last night we had the Sante Fe Casserole and it was yummy! I had leftovers for lunch today and it tasted even better. The recipe is so easy. I'll be adding this one to the list of "Try Agains" for sure.

Mindful Monday: Connection

Meditation is something I believe in strongly and yet so many times I let the practice fall to the wayside or I half-heartedly sit letting my mind wander.

This morning I woke up not wanting to get out of bed. The covers were too toasty, my body was too lazy and my mind wanted to hide instead of face the thoughts that eventually would lead me to action. Before I put both of my feet on the floor I told myself that I would not take care of the dog or the cat or the lunches or breakfast. Instead I would take care of me.

I grabbed my morning glass of water, chose the Connection Meditation from Fragrant Heart(a wonderful site for guided meditations), lit a candle, sat down and honored myself by allowing 10 minutes of connecting to just me before connecting to everyone else. It lead to a morning of being grateful, not rushing and amazingly some real focus. I tend to let time suckers/wasters enter my day when I don't have any real focus. So, being more focused is kind of a big deal for me. I'll take what I can get.

Sunday Stillness

We get very quiet on Sundays. There is no work. There is no school. There is no soccer. There is no baseball. We have large chunks of time to just BE and I love it. And I love that this is something we have been focusing on in Joy Up thanks to Hannah.

Today we took a walk to the creek and Spring is springing up all over the place. These pretty pink flowers are stealing the show. I don't know their name but they shall be called Pink Pleasure for now.

Snow Day!

We went to bed last night expecting a light dusting of snow, if that. What we woke up to was a Winter Wonderland of white. It was so beautiful and quiet. The kids had no school and the hubby worked from home. It was a nice mid-week surprise.

We hiked a little. The kids played. But, mostly we ooohed and ahhhed.

I LOVE

... persevering.

This scarf will not be abandoned. I am determined to finish all 88 inches of it (I have 50 now). It's been almost a year *blush* since I started the project and I must persevere!! So, I honor this Leap Day by not wasting the day. Off to more knitting I go!

I LOVE

... stickers!

I'm feeling nostalgic today so here's part of my old-skool collection from the 80's. Wow. I'm old.

I LOVE

... this man.

He's not perfect, but neither am I. We've not liked each other on more than one occasion, but love, well love has always been there. Every day he makes me nearly pee my pants from laughing so hard because he's that funny. He works hard for the money. He's smart. He wears glasses. And, oh yeah, he's pretty hot too.