Category Archives: Parenting

Merry Christmas – 2015!

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The morning started off a little rough with our alarm going off at 6 a.m. We wrapped gifts, made coffee, and watched the news by our Christmas tree. Then 8 a.m. rolled around and it was time for this mama to take a nap. A half hour later, the kids were up and ready to open!

Stockings were first, which were pretty good this year if I don’t say so myself. Filled with hot wheels, candy, toothbrushes, pencils, Play-doh, stickers, books, and balls for Bryn. Then came the big presents from Santa: two pink Radio Flyer tricycles and one blue Max Tow Truck that can tow up to 200 lbs. Out of everything, I think Blake has played the game Trouble about four times and the girls have played non-stop store/chef with the fake fruits and veggies. Funny how gifts from Santa are always so needed but the simplest things pretty much always win.

Once my second nap was done for the day, we got up and met some of our favorite people at the park. It’s been chilly here in California, so we stayed for an hour and got back into our cars. I now feel like a cold is coming on but thank goodness for a Twinkie party on the couch with the kids while watching Hook to make me better! Merry Christmas to you all!










No Extra Money

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No problem.

I just paid a huge stack of bills, Mike’s at an interview, and I have to pick up our big guy from the pricey pre-school in a few minutes. So, two months ago, when we got the news that we’d be down to one income, I freaked out. How in the world are we going to survive?

We stuck together and had free (or really cheap) outings with the kids. We’ve explored new parks, like the one below in Laguna Beach, and got sandy at the beach the other day. A $1.99 pack of water balloons has been our best friend too!

We also redid a room for basically nothing to give it new life. The girls love it! And, made friends with Lizzy the Lizard in our backyard who always comes around when the kids are outside.

We read up on blogs, like Money Saving Mom, that offer great coupons and ways to save on just about everything (why am I obsessed with these free eBooks?).

And, we even went out on a date night to a Lakers/Clippers game because we bought the tickets awhile ago and decided to get away for a few hours. Note: Got on the Kiss Cam! (More for my memory than anything.)

I know that very soon this life of freaking out over pennies is almost over but I don’t want the things above to go away because of it. As Blake would say, “You get what you get.”





God It Feels Good To Be a Gangster

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*The only reason why I titled this post the way I did is because “Fired” just seemed too harsh. At the very least, Office Space rings a bell.

We are in a weird spot of losing a job, probably putting the house up for sale, cutting coupons, and stressing about buying a Red Bull.

The great thing is–we have the BEST kiddies. I still have my job, that I’m learning to love again. We have the ability to sit back for a moment and figure out what we want to do with our lives. I recently was told (while being hugged by a friend) that, “This was meant to be. You will be better in the long run.”

With these kids, who wouldn’t be ok?



Our Weekend

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Living in Southern California you don’t get a ton of the fall season. Turning of the leaves is kinda a random thing. The change in weather is barely worth talking about.

But for some reason this year is a little different. Am I jumping the gun? Maybe. But this past week was a perfectly chilly, fall-esque chatworthy time. We spent the weekend soaking it up with the sun peeking through the clouds.

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Annual ALS Walk-a-thon

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Donning our old walk t-shirts from 2009 and anything red or blue for the kids, we took off for our annual walk to support ALS. Ever since Blake was born, we have tried to skip the formal shotgun start and look forward to a relaxing stroll around the park. We anxiously look for Grandma’s picture along the path. We run and skip and dance. The “In Memory Of” placard is usually passed around from one back to another. We remember her.

It’s a fun, inspirational day that I always want to share with my kids.

Did you know? Between 5-10% of ALS cases are inherited.

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Blake Turns Five Years Old!

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Five years ago, this amazing boy of ours was born. He was all we had ever wanted and dreamed about. Once he was in my arms, I couldn’t get enough. I still can’t. He has changed me for the better as a person and has given me the greatest title in the world–Mama.

Blakey Boo, you have such a loving, sweet heart. Your ability to walk into any room and be everyone’s best friend is just plain awesome. You’re funny. You’re FULL of energy. You make life fun. You say words like “bisgusting” (disgusting). Your love for your sisters makes me smile. You love to show off your karate and robot/break dancing moves. You are super competitive and always need to be first. Your favorite things to do include playing with your cars and planes, riding your bike, playing any sport, taking pictures, helping out in the kitchen, and eating Lucky Charms.

Happy Five Years Blake!

For the actual big day, we brought in donut holes for B’s class and took him to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner. Gamma, Tia, and Uncle were there to help us celebrate!








Being a Mom

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It means being silly. Loving always. Forgiving. Toughest and best job of my life, right now.

If you’re a mom out there reading this, your child is the bestest there is. Just understand that every child isn’t exactly like yours and to embrace differences. The world is made of so many unique people and that’s what makes it great.

Photos courtesy of Photo Booth. :)

Back to School with Blake

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That time of year again to take a pic of your kid (minus the sign) before he heads off to school. Actually, we all kinda get excited about it. I drag B to the backyard for “natural” light like I know what I’m talking about. I drag him to the staircase because isn’t that where we took the same pic last year? I drag him to the front of the house because the front door is a great backdrop, right? Then he wants to take a pic of us. Oh wait–I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE READY TOO?! Yikes.

To the last year of preschool! All B wants to do is go to the big school with the pre-teen girls next door. Did I say yikes already?




Blake’s Week With K

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Sports camp for a week. Two trips to the trampoline place. One too many trips through the McDonald’s drive-thru. In between not sharing toys (those dumb Pokemon cards!) and arguing over who gets what car seat, I swear these kids told each other they were best friends every other minute.

Neat to see your kid make a friend!




It’s a Three Day Weekend with the Kids!

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Happy Memorial Day!

Even after not really having plans we still enjoyed a lot of playing outside in the backyard, going for a walk and memorable bike ride over “The Bridge”, scoring goals at what we thought was Blake’s last soccer game, buying a Bug Vacuum, building an awesome Lego spaceship, enjoying a delicious pizza made on the BBQ, icing a bruised ankle (not really enjoyed!), going to a friend’s Frozen birthday party, oh and a mandatory date night at Morton’s the Steakhouse.

It was busier than I thought!

After a really long day, I’m still so very thankful of this family of ours.