A Visit From Opa

So my dad tries to visit twice a year from Washington. Its always so nice to see him because we just don't get to enough. Every time we see him, we always say, "okay we'll come up and see you next" but that just never happens. At least he seems pretty understanding about it and says its easier for one to travel than for 4. So the bi-annual visits are usually in November -ish and March-ish. So we've been emailing for a while now trying to get his March visit nailed down and it just didn't look like it was going to happen. And then....one Thursday night, he emails me saying he can come that weekend and stay for a week if we're up for it...are you kidding, we're always up for it.

I didn't really have much of a relationship with my dad growing up...it was always just my mom. But as I've become older, married, a parent, and just an adult in general, I think I've come to accept my childhood for what it was...not perfect...and accept my parents for what they are...not perfect. I've realized I can have a relationship with both parents, and make it work, if that's what I really want. And it is. My dad is brutally honest, which I actually really respect even though his answers may not always be exactly what I'm looking for, and he's always up for anything. The last time he was down, Thanksgiving, we all got so sick that the trip was so wasted. I felt so unfulfilled by it and was really bummed that that was how I got to spend one of the only times I would see my dad for the year. However, we were both determined to have a better trip this time. So my dad got in late on a Tuesday after making the long drive from Washington and was able to stay all the way till Sunday.

It was a lot of fun this time around because Van is in that age where he is an incessant questioner. I really thought it would drive my dad a little crazy since my dad is the quintessential bachelor...but instead, he says he's actually missed the little booger's questions since he's been home in the quiet. They formed quite a bond and Van was very sad to see him go, as was I. I was bummed because again, I got sick, this time with a nasty cold/flu bug but luckily I was the only one who had it. I was determined to make it through the week doing the best I could and staying up as late as I could every night, but its just sucky having to be the sick one. My dad and I email a lot and are always in contact, but its really nice to just get to talk in person. I think for those that have always had their parents around, you may take it a little for granted. I have really learned to appreciate the small amounts of time I have with my dad. My mom is always here, we hang out at least every week, and I love having her so close. My dad I have to appreciate from a distance and just soak it all up when he's in close proximity. Here's some pics of him with the kids...

PS We took Ava away from breakfast to take some pics....note to self, never take the food away

PPS I wish we would've thought to take pics more than just the last day

Love,

me

10 years!!

So last month, Mike and I hit another huge milestone...the 10 year mark. Yep it has been 10 years since our first date...March 12, 1999. I had been thinking about it for a few months and wanted to make sure I remembered it without reminding Mike about it. You know, its no fun when you have to remind your husband about a special date to do something special...why not take it into your own hands, and make it special for the both of you.


So I never mentioned to him that it was coming up, nor did I mark it on the fridge calendar....I just pretended like it was any other day. I placed a special note in his car so when he left for work in the morning, he'd get it and be surprised. I even arranged for a secret babysitter to come and watch the kids. Well we got dressed up and enjoyed a quiet dinner at The Chart House in Dana Point. The view was beautiful and it was really nice to just be able to sit and relax and eat dinner without having to worry about the kids or bedtime or potty breaks.


Its so funny...I can remember everything that has happened between now and that first date in 1999, but it really does seem like eons ago. Sometimes we joke that we are just playing house and dress up because that's how we really feel....it doesn't always feel like we're the REAL adults here, with REAL kids, and a REAL mortgage. We still feel like we're those 2 teenagers from back then. I feel so blessed to be able to say that I love my husband more than I ever thought possible on that first night. I do believe that God gives us choices that lead us down certain paths in life...but I just can't imagine my life any other way...or with any other person. My date a few weeks ago was with the same man that I had the worst jitters over 10 years ago and I'm very lucky to be able to say he still makes me smile just the same. I love you babe and I hope God blesses us with another easy breezy 10 years...or if I'm being honest, and probably a little selfish, maybe another 50.


me

Yes Yes I know...I need to blog

Okay so everyone has been hounding me for what feels like forever now to blog again. It hasn't even been a month people...gosh its not like having 3 family birthdays in one month, an important anniversary with the hubby, an unplanned visit from Opa, a flu/cold that has and is still making its way through our family of 4 (round 2 for some), a little getaway with the hubby, trying to keep up a part time job, trying to keep the hampers empty as well as the dishwasher, and my daily desire to vacuum fulfilled...doesn't keep me busy enough. But noooo, one must blog monthly too...man the job of a stay at home mom is never ending.


So I have decided to do a few blog entries...today...well that's my goal anyway, we'll see how far I get. I just have lots of pictures and events that happened so in order for them all to get noticed, I must do them separately...I think.


Okay well we started off the month with little Ava's first birthday. Van's birthday is March 19th, yes I know I'm a horrible mom who didn't even do a seperate blog post for just Van's birthday (refer to paragraph 1 for my excuses), but anyways, the kids had so many parties it seemed neverending around here. Our initial plan was to just have one party for both kids and invite everyone....however our invite list seemed forever long so we made some changes. On Ava's birthday, we ended up at Lynn and Larry's for the actual cake and singing (cake was made by Van and I). I think Van was more excited about making the cake than Ava was eating it...which really surprised us. She will eat just about anything, but apparently cake is not on the top of her list. She wouldn't touch the thing with any of her fingers. Its was actually quite funny because she's really not very dainty but she was acting like the stickiness of the frosting was just too much to handle on her little fingertips...so she improvised and thought she would just lick it.





So that was celebration 1. Then the following weekend, we had the family (both sides) over for just some family fun for the kids birthdays...with what we thought was limited presents...man did our kids make out. Van was totally stoked because this birthday he got a new "big" (even bigger boy) bed and a real drumset...just his size. Ava was excited about everything...especially the paper. We did it super easy though, everyone wanted to pitch in so we actually ended up with a dinner and dessert that everyone contributed too...thanks guys, it was way easy on our budget. It was really nice to do something low-key. We all got to just enjoy the kids and eat and hang out. We tried ice cream sundaes this time around and Ava was still not touching it with other than her mouth...no fingers. This was celebration 2 for Ava, and 1 for Van.






Onto the next celebration...then the next weekend we did a party for just the kids and our friends and our friends w/ kids...but this one was supposed to be no gifts...but, of course, the kids got gifts. We rented a jump house that was actually a boxing ring, did cheap pizza, cake and again...kept it low key. This time around Ava got another "mini" cake...different party...same result...mouth only...no fingers. So this time around...I decided to just smash her face into it...why not enjoy it, right? But all in all, I think the kids had a great time. Ava bday celebrations 3, Van 2.








Now Van's actual birthday was the following week and we had planned to go to Disneyland to celebrate...but I had to ruin it and go and get sick...but more on that in a later post...Opa's visit.


Stay tuned....

Okay I found it...

#10 bought Sea World tickets on there for $30 a person...1/2 price

9 Reasons Why I Love Craigslist

1. Got our renters from there after posting our condo
2. Were able to find our current house from there after posting a listing about looking for a house...our current house wasn't even for rent at the time
3. My friends found renters there after I forced them to post their condo for rent
4. Found my current job from there, one where I have a great boss and work from home
5. Found my previous nanny job from there
6. Found my son's preschool from there
7. Found and bought my leather recliner in Ava's room there after our chair broke, only $40
8. Found my husband's drum set on there

and last but most recently...
9. listed and sold our used toddler bed for $10 less than we bought it for in 2 days

still looking for #10, I'm sure I already have it but have absentmindedly forgotten it

Lots of Action...

I feel like we'll have lots to talk about coming up. We have 2 kids birthdays this month, one husband's birthday this month, one very deserving and can't get here fast enough getaway with the husband this month...hmmm what else, oh yeah a wedding shower for Mike's brother and fiance, plus a personal shower at our house for her alone right after our getaway. Last weekend we had the highschool class from our church over for a classic "who dun it" night and it was a blast. We handed out characters and descriptions to all of the kids and they all came dressed "to the nines" if you know what I mean. They all had a great time...thanks to Greg and Amy for helping us be "servers". It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. We worked straight from 7am that morning making all of the finishing touches and still weren't ready when G&A knocked on our door at 530pm. Its one of those nights that when its over you're like...that's it, it went so fast and we put so much energy into it. But it was all worth it, we had a good time and so did the kids. I will add some pics later just for your enjoyment.

So we finally got around to taking our kids to take some new pictures last weekend. I know we're horrible, we are so not those parents that take their kids to the studios every 3-6 months. One, we can't afford to, and two, we're just lazy. We do however take lots of pics of the young 'uns and I try to get some printed now and then. Anyways, we knew it was time since Ava was turning 1 and had never been in a studio or taken any professional shots. Plus we've been getting some slack that the only big pics on our walls were Van Man, none of our little girl. Well we got the cd and were able to save them to our computer so here's a few for your enjoyment...

Hope you guys enjoy the pics. I should be back with lots more details as the month progresses.

me

Happy Birthday To You...

Its already been a year...almost an hour ago to be exact...little Ava Lynn came into our lives. She is full of life, usually full of food, and always a high maintenance girl. I'm sure Van remembers a day without her and maybe even yearns for it now and again, but we all love her to pieces and can't imagine a life without her. Here's to you little girl...enjoy your day!

Love, me