Lazy Days and Summer Nights

Hubby and I had a few minutes the other day while the kiddos were occupied with Grandma and Grandpa at their cousin's house, so we drove the coast to go get coffee and enjoy the view. We drove by the area down at the end of the harbor and were breathtaken by the sailboats in the water. It was the Wednesday night sailboat races and the boats were incredibly close to shore. It reminded me of the other day at the beach as we were leaving we saw dolphins swimming and playing near the shore. It was beautiful. We didn't end up getting the coffee - we got to one side of town and it was foggy so we decided to turn back and enjoy the beautiful view back on the Westside - when we got to the coffee place here their espresso machine was broken. We ended up brewing our own at home later and I added Dreyer's Homemade Vanilla ice cream to mine : ) . It was a gorgeous drive nonetheless and Hubby and I had a wonderful time visiting together, just us.

San Diego City

It was beautiful. And peaceful. And relaxing. And wonderful. The marriage of my beautiful sweet cousin and her darling man. They'd dated for five years. Had met each other right around the same time Hubby and I had met and started dating. College sweethearts. And now they are off on their Carribbean honeymoon, hopefully having a splendid time.

Both the boys were in the wedding. Big Guy was the ring bearer, though he didn't actually hold the rings, I guess this is a tradition nowadays?! Anywho Little Guy was the flower girl escort and ended up being escorted down the aisle by Daddy a little behind the flower girl but no matter he was adorable, as was his big brother. Even better was the reception where Big Guy danced the night away with sweet little Flower Girl, also his cousin. He was the hit of the night and loved it.

The wedding was beautiful, on the cliffs of Point Loma, with the sun setting as the after wedding pictures were taken. Their vows were said with her shoulders shaking and her voice breaking, his huge smile on his face as he realized his dreams were coming true. With us witnesses by the wayside, two of the littlest ones not even aware of what was going on, one trying to run back and forth between Daddy taking pictures and Mommy sitting down on the front row, and the other desperately waiting for it to be over so he could climb the nearby trees. Mommy sat with her pretty dress and perfectly matched coral necklace and earrings and super cute Steve Madden shoes - the one expensive pair she now owns, wondering why the heck she bothered, but pleased that she felt put together.

The reception was amazing, poolside by the Mission Bay Harbor, socializing beside candlelit linen covered tables as we waited for the bridal party to arrive. We got there just before they opened the doors to escort the party inside as we drove around waiting for one very tired Little Guy to fall asleep. We carried the carseat in, sat him down at our table next to the bride and groom, and enjoyed a baby free evening for a few good hours. Big Guy took initiative as soon as the music started and asked Flower Girl to dance, and didn't stop until the music stopped. The best part, besides their dancing? Sam, are you listening? The chocolate fountain. Oh. My. Word. The Chocolate Fountain. Have you seen one? If not you should, you definently definently should. Flowing chocolate that doesn't even appear to be flowing but instead appears to be a solid statue of chocolate. Then you take in all the strawberries, the cream puffs, the chocolate chip cookies, next to it, and realize no, no, this is the real thing. Once the bride and groom dug in, it was over and guests were getting to know each other in line over seconds and thirds. It was delicious and worth the drive alone. But the wedding, right, that was worth it too. *grin*

The drive home ended up holding a wonderful visit with my very good friend and her brand new little two month old baby who was absolutely adorable with the biggest eyes and the sweetest face. Then on to my Grandma's place in Cayugos for a night in a house with a gorgeous view, a relaxing breakfast and lunch with the Indy 500 in between, and a short ride home. It was a great weekend. Love you guys and believe me, I miss you, too, but you have no idea how wonderful staying away from the computer so much is for me, and I know that you support me in doing the best for my family, so thank you for that. Leave your Flickr username in the comment section if you want me to set you up to be able to see more photos from the weekend.

The Boats, The Beaches, The Day

Just thought I'd drop a line from down here in San Diego. We're here for the wedding. The boys have their tuxes and the flower girl who is also my niece has her dress. I'm a little nervous about the whole ring bearer thing - he'll be carrying a pillow with no rings on it, handing it to the best man, sitting down with us - good for him, kind of strange though. I guess it's supposed to be symbolic? I'm trying not to be nosy or pushy. Then I picked out the little girl's dress trying to be helpful because I thought my sister who'd waited until a week before had forgotten about getting one. Hopefully the bride likes it. Ack. Nerves. Can't imagine the bride's. She was puking her guts out yesterday, and not from alcohol - she doesn't drink.

But enough nerves. It's been a beautiful ... day since we've been here, although it feels like a week. We drove up a looong drive on Wednesday, got here about 8pm, ate dinner and crawled into bed. Yesterday was spent getting manicures and pedicures and Hubby took the little guys in the pool. The rehearsal was in the afternoon which Little Guy slept through and Flower Girl wasn't here yet, so today we'll be winging it. The groom's parents have rented a beach house for the week so yesterday evening they hosted a rehearsal 'beach bbq' there, it was gorgeous and fun. Note to self, rent beach house instead of hotel whenever there are enough willing people. Today we'll just be getting dressed, making sure to have lunch beforehand, and arriving early enough for pictures. The boys are at breakfast and I need to be going to get ready for the day.

Amanda Belongs in Paris, I Belong in Rome

They're close right?

You Belong in Rome You're a big city girl with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian men well, German, but close enough- could life get any better? What City Do You Belong in?

10 Minutes

On this thing. Ah, the pull to stay on longer. Hubby's been taking the computer to work so I haven't had to think about it too much. I needed it today to look up maternity stores in San Jose for a friend and I who are going on a dress hunt to wear for her to wear to my cousin's wedding next week. I need to lay out my clothes for that and see if I "need" anything myself ; ) .

We've been doing really well. It's amazing how easy it is to get stuff done around the house when I don't have the computer sitting there calling my name giving me an out : ) and the time I spend with the boys - much needed. This past weekend we went to 'Bug Day' at Henry Cowell State Park and the kids had fun making bug necklaces and crafts. The redwood trees there were amazing. We went inside one to take a family picture and some stick or something hopped out, so I wasn't altogether sure it was a stick. We stayed out of that tree from then on. On Sunday we went to Wool Day at Wilder Ranch and got to learn all about how they shear the sheep, wash and card the wool, spin it into yarn and weave it. We biked there and picnicked in between the adventures. Hubby lassoed a saw horse, and the kids made huge bubbles with rope tied to two small sticks next to the old barn. A little gopher was poking his head out of his hole next to Big Guy while he sat on the grass weaving.

This week is a lazy week. I've been finding U-Pick farms around town and can't wait to take the kids to them. Strawberries are open now, but I just talked to a farm that mentioned cherry picking in a few weeks. That's something I haven't done, and I love cherries.

It seems in the last week that I have had ten minutes to myself, but sitting down here to type this out and being interrupted the five times that I have I wonder if I really have or if I'd just imagined it. Have a happy week everybody!

Awwww

I just got a moment to read all your comments on my 'Sick, Sick, Sick' post. You guys are too sweet. Thanks so much, I really appreciate all the well wishes and for you guys checking in on me. I'm still laughing at that last comment from Curator.

Happy Mother's Day

On for a 15 minute span, with only a minute to go so I just wanted to say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you wonderful Mommy's out there, and all the future Mommies to be ; ) . Hope it was a wonderful day full of all your favorite things!

Cold Turkey

The reasons I've been away are many and yet I don't really know if there is any reason at all.

I've been sick, yes, and s-l-o-w-l-y recovering. After a week of off and on and a word of advice from my oldest sister, the one who lives in Texas. I finally forced myself to take it easy and stopped rearranging my room and cleaning everything in sight just because I was home.

My 5 year old, soon to be 6 year old (Monday!), said to me after I asked him if he would want me to be gone all day and not be able to be with him all the time, "You're not with me all the time You're on the computer all day". Needless to say, the computer hasn't been touched since. I asked him if he noticed the next day and he says, yes only because Daddy took the computer. I was rescued in that Daddy had not in fact taken the computer and it was sitting right there, albeit closed and off the desk. Since then my living area has been completely rearranged to a much calmer space with the desk removed and my closet turned into an office with the door being replaced with a sheer curtain.

I've also had somewhat of a breakdown - not technically, but sobbing for an hour on the phone to my oldest sister, releasing all the pentup stress and worries of being here and not being home. There are a million good things I could mention but somehow things always seem to ccome at a price and this price is too high to pay. We'll be home soon, God willing.

I wish I had something more to offer than cold turkey - maybe some cranberry sauce with that? but I don't. I'm not really sure where things stand right now or where they will. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers either way - each one of you. I appreciate your love and prayers and thoughts as well.