People say things like this to me all the time, “everything will be alright” or “things will turn around for you guys soon” and usually I don’t believe them. But there are two women in my life who have amazing intuition , Courtney and my Mom. So when my Mom sent me an email that said “All is going to be well, I can feel it in my bones”, I believed her. I don’t think that all of our dreams are going to come true, but I do feel like there are good things in store for us. The main thing is that the tremendous stress I was feeling has been lifted and I actually feel lighter now.
We will be moving to my childhood home at the end of the month. I really can’t believe that we are moving again, but it is a good thing. The only bad part about this move is that we will only have one bathroom, the horror! Once we are all settled in, I plan to RELAX. I am going to focus on meeting each day with optimism and joy. I will not plan or plot our next move in life (learned that lesson, thank you 2009), I am just going to BE. And I also hope to bless those around me who are worried, hurting or stressed, as I have been blessed. So call me if you need a cupcake or a coffee date.
The next few weeks I will be consumed with painting, cleaning, packing and all the little things that require attention when you move, but I will be doing these things with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. I finally feel like myself again!
Taken is 2005 aka my favorite year ever.
I posted a ton of pictures from our recent trip to SB over on my Lulabelle blog. Here is the link for those of you who don’t subscribe to it.
Aaron at Haskell’s Beach | December 30, 2009 2:51pm
These are my HOMEGIRLS who I have known and loved almost my entire life. 
Whenever we get together, we spend 90% of our time laughing.
Back in 2002 we had a Christmas party with all of our kids and menfolk. Besides Me, Kelly, Courtney, Jenifer and Ursie, there was Maureen (Mo, who now lives in Oregon) and Emily (Who lives in the far off land of San Diego). I’m not sure why, but it took us 7ish years to have another one, but we finally did. Before I show you the pictures, please note that some of us may have just had a baby or twins in 2002, because some of us may be mad that I posted these photos! And also some of us may have been growing out our Dharma haircut, which would explain our unreasonably poofy hair. But it’s our history, so we shall proceed…
2002
2009
2002
2009
A few more…
I love this one because Madi and I were goofing off with each other and getting in trouble. Tween girls are so much fun when they don’t live with you! Hopefully we won’t wait another 7 years to have our next Christmas party.
Better late than never, right? We spent this Thanksgiving with my BFF Courtney and her family, let me introduce them to you…
Well obviously this is Courtney and I. Her hair is thicker than mine, I’m jealous.
Her Mom, Theresa es muy bonita.
Her Dad Tom, who is a super genius. No really, the man knows something about everything.
Her sister Krysten. Great hair and great skin, no fair.
Her punk little brother Tommy. I try to mess with him as much as possible because that’s what little brothers are for… right Justin?
The kiddos and Court again.
Grandpa, he and I like to meet up at the DMV from time to time.
Our hostess Mehlin (Theresa’s BFF/ Sister-friend) and her handsome son. This woman made the best Thanksgiving dinner ever. No really. Ever.
There was some ping pong action. Hey look, my kids!
The competition was fierce. Madison, always fashionable, with her color coordinated paddle.
And finally, some yummy baby goodness, which I am very thankful for.
Yes, that is me jumping off a sand hill under the pier. And yes, there is a small curly-haired child directly behind Riley who is being rescued by his Dad. And yes, this was an absolutely perfect moment.
This is the Mom I want my children to remember. The one who said yes without hesitation when they asked her to jump with them. I can still hear their laughter as we jumped again and again.
The thing is, even though I am only jumping a few feet in this photo, my heart is flying.
This movie looks absolutely gorgeous, I love the whole idea of exploring Mothers and babies in different cultures.
I took these foreva ago and never shared them. Better late than never. They are kinda funky and industrial, just how I like em’.
There is something so special about a creek when you are a child, it holds the promise of adventure and hidden treasures. Down the street from our house is a hidden creek that our kids spent the better part of Monday exploring. The bigger boys, and a few more from the neighborhood, took off into the wild, built a fort and tried to snag a few crawdads. Aaron helped the little ones and I on our own adventure.
And here is my contribution to your life today: This is a small inexpensive laundry hamper that you can purchase at Target. Throw all your sand toys in it, turn it sideways and shake out the sand! Please, hold your applause.
Aaron’s secret talent… sand designs.
So last night was the “soccer party extravaganza” for my two teams. Both teams have practiced alongside each other all season, so we decided to do one big party for all of the kids. Everything went perfectly, we ate pizza, handed out trophy’s and had yummy cupcakes for dessert (I made Jane’s famous Reese’s cupcakes and they were a huge hit). I don’t think I can adequately express how much I loved being connected to all of these little people, I really am going to miss seeing them each week. But one of my girls just happens to have her own fan page on Facebook! Lacy is an amazing little girl with an even more amazing story, from her fan page:
Lacy was institutionalized for nearly three years at a children’s sub acute facility. Her birth mother was mentally unable and unwilling to care for any of her eight children properly. Her adoptive parents, both respiratory therapists, fostered Lacy for a year and then adopted her right before her fourth birthday. When Lacy arrived at her new home two months prior to her third birthday she was unable to run, climb stairs, feed herself properly, etc. Lacy spent most of her days acting out emotionally and physically against herself and those around her. With great consistency and a lot of love, that part of her slowly faded away and the most amazing little girl blossomed. Lacy has worked through more issues than people ten times her age could ever imagine and continues to develop into the most incredible human being around. At times, her parents are convinced that she is a 35 yr old person stuck in a 4 yr old body. There is a lot of wisdom, insight and humor packed in such a little person.
Lacy’s fan page is called Lacy Says, her Mom uses it to chronicle the hilarious things Lacy says. Some of my favorites are:
After using an entire roll of tape on her fingers to, “create a force field of security” she decided to rip it all off telling us, “this is just freaking psychotic, man”
and
“So Dad is working for the next few days? That means I will have some alone time with you… and Dad won’t be around here telling me what to do – of course you will, so I will have to do stuff when you aren’t watching.”
and
Dad: Lacy, here is your water for soccer today. Lacy: “um, actually I will be taking Starbucks, thanks.”
You guys have to fan miss Lacy Lou so you to can read what Lacy Says! You can click on the links above or just type Lacy Says into the facebook search.
My picture with Owen was super blurry, but Kendra’s came out okay.
Lacy and I
