To Devre and Steve

Here is my wedding "speech" for my dear friend Devre and her husband-to-be Steve.

I met Devre almost 20 years ago in Mrs. DeAnda's Spanish 1 class at Buchanan (go bears!).  We were Clark Chieftains and Kastner Thunderbirds thrust together onto one campus.  Knowing that I had to make new friends in this new world, I (very uncharacteristically) introduced myself to the leggy blonde with kind eyes.  We became fast friends but by Senior Year we were inseparable.  We marched right into Mr. Stockton's office and convinced him that we need all of our classes together.  Even the distance can't keep us apart.  Last night our husbands (teehee) described us as far away friends that are very close.  true.

When my oldest son was a little over a year old (he's now six and a half), Dev and I took a trip to New York City.  We spent our time doing what we do best: shopping, eating and talking.... with a splash of wine.  We might have glanced at the Statue of Liberty too.  I will never forget feeling that the trip was a turning point in Devre's life.  (it certainly was in mine, I haven't had a shopping experience like that since then!) We talked for hours about what her future might hold and who her future might hold.  She mentioned her friend Steve and my ears perked up. I knew that there was an itch and I knew that she was going to scratch it.  love.


I have been waiting for this day, Devre's wedding day, since that trip to New York.  It was immediately obvious that these two were made for each other.  I've often described Steve as the male version of Devre.  They are two of the most genuine and endearing people I have ever met.  I am so happy and proud and tickled that they are making this lifelong commitment to one another. 

To Devre and Steve, may your love grow and bloom more and more as each year passes.  And!  For your wedding gift, we give you our second born...... Love you both.

"Take me home with you Uncle Steve."

naptime

Today I did something I have never done before.  I napped with Keith and Lauren.  Actually, I "napped" with Keith and Lauren because Keith mostly fooled around and woke me up the minute I started to nap drool (3 times).  Lauren napped hard in her brother's bed for almost 3 hours.

Usually naptime is devoted to laundry folding, toilet scrubbing, blog stalking, Real Housewife viewing, playroom tidying, general cleaning and other lovely devotionals.  Today I spent a full hour snuggling with my littles and actually shut my eyes for several minutes.

During that time, Patrick first panicked that we had left him (he was in the bathroom when we decided to nap) and then he wrote a book.  The book is called "My Family" and it is "Dedicated to my mom" (this is pretty much my dream thank you.)  The first page has a picture of me with pink high heels: Mom. The one I love. 

I think our weekend is complete. 

Happy 4-month Birthday to Lauren

No neck

Neck

Twitterpatted

I recently took an informal survey and discovered that 75% of the first grade boys are crushing A LOT.   I thought it was just Patrick but apparently there are several boys that are... girl crazy.  Really?  really. 

Patrick has his eye on two girls.  One will be his wife and the other his girlfriend.  Do you know the worst part for a mom?  The idea that these girls might reject him and break his heart. 

Here is our my Valentine's Day project, courtesy of Blonde Designs.   I didn't get the Fry Boxes finished... maybe next year. 

The Girls Lips and A Heart

The Boys Get A Mustache and A "From"

Have a great Valentine's Day!  We'll be celebrating with the traditional Heart Pizza! 

Untitled

Working Title: The ellipsis
Welcome to my identity crisis.... dramatic much?


This week I sent an email to 70 colleagues.  I wrote to let them know that I was not returning to my job as Executive Director of the organization I founded five years ago.  I wrote to let them know that after decades of pouring my heart and soul into the youth of California, it is time for me to focus on the kids that God holds me accountable for. 

Done. Defeated.  Happy. Sad. Relieved.  Torn. I will be honest, when I am alone with my thoughts, sometimes it feels like a loss.

I used to rule the world.....

But more often, it feels like this....  BLINK





The email was the culmination of 20 months of struggling and praying and pouting and discussing and finally giving in.  God opened my eyes to my opportunity, my personal mission.  The opportunity to be the best wife and mother possible.  To have the chance to change the world for the better. 

I know that there are a lot of excellent mothers out there who work full-time.  In fact, I would argue that I was a pretty excellent mother.  But our lifestyle is different for a lot of reasons that I won't go into.  Frankly, I wanted something different.  This is me, the me that I never suspected I would be.... ever.  I don't know you, you have to figure out you.

and today.... today I am the happiest I have been in years.

In all honesty, my identity is shaken.  What clothes should I buy?  Who are my friends? What do I do with my time? If I'm not rushed and crazed mom, what kind of mom am I?  So much of my life revolved around work.  Now what?

I'm not really sure.   We are still trying to figure it all out.  The best thing about this transition is the amount of time Kevin and I get to spend together.  We have lots of face-time to communicate and figure out what all of this means. 

This much is certain.  This is a great job.  This is a full-time job.  And I love it.

We may not have forever, but we have now.  Now makes a lasting impact on little lives.  Now always shapes tomorrow (even when we aren't paying attention or worse rushing through it).  Now is our hope.

So long....

Hello!