I am ready...

...to be sitting by the campfire, bundled up, eating marshmallows and sipping wine. Dumont is here and I am so glad that 99% of the packing and planning is finished. I would show you my list and check marks and scribbles but you might actually get a little nauseated. I do. Anyhoo. I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving holiday! See ya!

Burp Cloths for Jake

I love being an auntie. My youngest nephew was born just over a week ago and I still have yet to see him. I tried to go see him on Saturday but the fires prevented travel. I am hoping I get to see him tomorrow and am excited to gift him (and my sister) with these darn special burp cloths! I found this pattern on-line and was actually successful in executing it -- that's always a plus after all the cutting and sewing.

Similes

**Note** Before this wonderful little conversation, I used to be the "most beautiful mom in the world."

Sage: Mom, do you know how beautiful you are?
Me (smiling ... ready for the normal "most beautiful mom in the world," response): How beautiful?
Sage: As beautiful as a booger.

So ...

...this is what life is like when your kids stop taking naps. I always wondered when this day would come and what it would look like. Over the summer the late bed times (9 ... sometimes 10) weren't a problem. In the summer you don't eat dinner until 8 anyway, so 9 or 10 doesn't seem too bad. Then comes day-light-savings, otherwise known as -- moms going crazy with their kids in the house, in the dark from 5 until bed time : ) Anyways ... the naps were causing painful bedtime routines ... too many empty threats to "xy &z, if you don't ab&c RIGHT NOW!" So, no more naps for the girls. The day is a little longer. Although I have the kids watch a show for about 1 hr in the middle of the day so I can get a little break. But you wanna know something fabulous? It is 7:35 pm and the house is quiet and peaceful. I am thinking this is going to be o.k.

The Vote

Which might better be stated, The Historic Vote. Because it is, isn't it? Even while our economy spirals downward, people cheer for the hope that is to come with the newly elected president.

I voted today ... walked down the street to the grange hall. Got my sticker too. Used the sticker to get a free coffee at Starbucks : )

McCain's defeat speech: 2 Thumbs Up
Booing audience: 2 Thumbs Down

Waiting ... waiting for Obama to make his entrance ...

I am very impatient!

Rated R

I had my annual check-up today. I don't completely dread the pap-smear. Well, maybe I do. You'd think after having two kids ... well, I won't go x-rated, but you get the drift. ANYWAYS ... the funniest part was the paper towel "gown." Yeah -- after undressing, you get to put on two paper towel material pieces -- one looks barely like a shirt and the other one is just a big ole Brawny. Oh, and let's not forget the shirt looking one is completely open in the front to allow for the breast examination ... Do men have annual exams? Hmmmm ....

So ...

I am stoked about our "new" fridge. It is a hand-me-down from my aunt and Ryan's pretty sure it's a 90's model. The thing is huge! Double doors, tall and wide. And ... a bottle of wine fits in it standing upright -- cuz that's the most important thing -- the wine. Haha ... No seriously, I am enjoying that everything fits into this fridge with room to spare : )

Flock

Ryan set me up with Flock (flock.com).  If you are an organizer like me and would like to blog, FB, check email, check blogger, (do anything), from ONE location, you will LOVE it!  As always ... why have I gone so long without this gloriously efficient internet tool?

Couldn't Ditch the Boppy

So we have been doing some cleaning around the house and lots of stuff has made it to the thrift store.  Yesterday I brought a large load of give-aways and amongst it was my boppy -- which has lasted two kids, lots of late nights, spit-up and much more.  And I couldn't detach myself from it -- just yet.  This odd feeling of anxiety came over me at the thought of parting with the 3/4 doughnut shaped pillow (I had the cloud pattern).  So, I didn't part with it.  I'll find room somehwere to store it until I am ready to let go of it someday.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

My Parents ...

watched the girls for us on Monday. We brainstormed about what we should do with all of our free time (9 or so hours ...). Ventura was a thought ... but then I am a psycho list maker (and crosser-offer) and I would want to run errands to make the most of our trip, so we scratched Ventura. We ended up just staying local and it was amazing! We hung out at Coffee Connection for a bit, then rode bikes into Ojai for lunch, wandered around the arcade and then rode back home to catch up on some of our shows. The time went by so fast ... it always does. The best part was how relaxing the entire day was ... well ... until we picked up the kids and you know how all of that goes : )

Well ...

I'm sitting outside right now while the girls explore with their flash lights and I get to catch the last glimpse of a beautiful sunset.
I am contemplating running to the store to get some milk because we are out ... but that sounds like a lot of work right now, so I guess that's a no.
I can't even think of anything witty or interesting to blog about ... so this is more of a face book type entry ... bare with me through this dry season of blogging.

Fall Line ...

Okay, so I don't think Disney will be calling me to design their fall line for the Disney Princesses ... but I was pleased as punch with how these dresses turned out. Ariel had gone naked too long ... it was time to clothe her properly. And once Ariel had a new dress, then Cinderella wanted one too. Thank goodness they sew up pretty quickly -- all without a pattern even : )

Fun!

So I know it's not Halloween yet ... but ...

This is like a dream come true for Sage ... Ariel!!!

Fun play date with friends : )

"Kitty"
Sage, 4

I just love ...

...busy and adventure-filled days like these ones. Woke up early to watch the sunrise and go on a photo shoot with Ryan. (I know, sounds professional, huh dear?) Then was treated to lunch at the Emporium ... Mmmmmmmmmm. Then went on a hike with my girls. And to top it off, Ryan fed and put the girls to bed and I took a nap : ) I just love days like these.

Bible Stories

(During lunch at the kitchen table ...)

Me: Girls, what did you learn at church today?
Aspen: Mean dolphin, that was a mean dolphin
Me: A dolphin, huh?
Sage: We learned about Noah ... he didn't die in the whale ...
Me: Oh ... you mean you learned about Jonah and the whale?
Sage: Yeah ....
Aspen: Mean dolphin, mean dolphin.

Wander Pets

Sage: Dad, I know why they are called the "Wonder Pets."
Dad: Really?
Sage: Yeah, they are called that because they wander around everywhere.

I am a paradox

Okay ... so my reading list is ever so long and I am just now starting a book Ryan read 4 years ago, but nevertheless, it seems like the right timing. Brennan Manning (The Ragamuffin Gospel) honestly admits, "...I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe and I doubt, I hope and I get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad about feeling good, I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. I am trusting and suspicious. I am honest and I still play games. Aristotle said I am a rational animal; I say I am an angel with an incredible capacity for beer." Somehow I was comforted and scared by this honest statement.

Stuff Mart

Yesterday I reorganized my kitchen cabinets. Just because, you ask? Nope. I needed to make room for more stuff! As I was reorganizing I came across a cookbook I was given years ago (Dining on a Dime Cook Book). It actually has lots of wonderful tips on how to save money as a home manager, and it also included a chapter on the importance of de-cluttering your home. She says, "Get rid of the junk you don't need. Half of what you have piled on the floor, the bed, the counter tops, and on your furniture is either trash or something you don't need." Isn't that the truth? Even before reading that statement I was in a de-cluttering mood and now ... watch out STUFF - out you go! And all this stuff talk reminds me of that catchy tune from that Veggie Tales with Madame Blueberry .... yeah, you know which one I'm talking about -- it's like a rap tune or something.

Planes, trains, subways and much more ...

N.Y. City was amazing. Although overwhelming at first, we eventually fell in love with the crowded streets, mass mix of culture and amazing night-life. We toured most of the popular sites, but most enjoyed hanging out at Union Square until 2 a.m. our last night in the City.
The wedding was fun and emotional. Sage twirled until 11pm, never once getting dizzy. While putting her to bed at midnight, she complained, "Mom, my legs hurt." Yuh think?
Flight back to L.A. was long, esp. after only 3 hours sleep. Slept most of the day Saturday and then woke up with enough energy to do some laundry and pack for Hume Lake.
Camp was amazing! My parents were more than awesome with the girls which allowed Ryan and I to work together -- which was so so so so fun.
And now we are back ... and I am so enjoying this day without any agenda or time schedule. The house is a mess and I could care less. We are home and we have been blessed beyond measure over the past two weeks. God is good indeed.
Some day I'll post more pictures ... maybe.

Retirement

My dad retired from the L.A. City Fire Department just last month ... I love this picture -- so much emotion.