Happy Place

I'm in my happy place when I have my camera and take pictures of random plants, trees, people, or whatever is in my path. Enjoy my happy place...

I adore this picture. She doesn't.

Her reaction, "Ughhh Mom, she's right, I look so fat."

"Excuse me, who's right?"

"(insert name of friends here)" Yes friends, plural, not singular. Apparently 4th grade girls and their siblings will call ANYone ANYthing for the pure pleasure of seeing another person be miserable. I am sorta glad a friend was with me to hear Juliana tell me about this. She has a 2 year old boy, and 6 month old daughter. She can not relate quite yet, but she certainly helped me help Juliana in the moment.

Did I mention I adore this picture? I adore this girl.

I got a few pics of Kev yesterday, and even hubby too. I adore them, although there's just some thing, some times about Juliana I can't get enough of.

In a nutshell

Me workin'.

Him workin'.

She's sick.

He's coughing.

Me doin' my second "job" of putting together treasure DVD's.

Me doin' a ton of CASA work. Did I say "a ton"? Oh good, 'cause I am.

Him either staying home with sick kid or going away overnight for work.

We hate health insurance, or dropped coverage, and huge bills.

We're all sad for our neighbor who has thyroid cancer. She is 31 years old, a great woman, a great mother.

Trying to make plans for our annual trip.

Closing my eyes as I make summer camp arrangements.

Thoughtful Thurs.

I thought today after seeing this picture...

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE? How is it possible that those hands are so much bigger today than when this was taken? How is it possible that those bigger hands will become so much bigger?

I'll just hope that even when those hands get bigger, I can still hold 'em, and maybe even put out paint so they can paint with 'em too.

Mixed

I woke up this morning, and the first thought was, "Welcome April 9... YOU SUCK!" As the morning went on, I still stood upright, walked with one foot 'n front of the other, and managed to pretend it was a normal day. Nope, it's not. It's my annual day of feeling sorry for myself. It's the 10th year in a row that I relive my regrets. I relive how much I wish I said goodbye to my uncle. I relive the sobbing episodes realizing 2/3 of my paternal side of the family was gone in one day.

How did I make myself feel better? I ordered flowers to be sent to my aunt today. WHY? Well, because I know if I pick up the phone, we'll both cry together, or she won't even answer the phone because she's so distraught. I don't want either scenario, so I am being selfish by having the flowers delivered. I want her to know today hasn't gone by without recognition, yet without feeling the pain.

I swear every darn year that this will kinda sorta go away. Well, it does to an extent. Clearly I can still function. Of course I know that moving minute to minute is the only way to get through it. Arghhh, enough of the pity party. Just missing Grandma and Uncle Don today (and every day). Geeze, you'd think I lost my entire family due to a tragedy. Nope, I had 24 years with these two wonderful people. I just can't wrap my brain around loss, and hefty doses of regret that I couldn't be there to say goodbye, that's all.

Now, on to the sun-shiny-smiley-so-much-fun Spring Break...

The in-laws were here! Here we are at 9000 ft-ish overlooking Lake Tahoe. FUN and scary!!!

Probably not the most flattering picture of me, but I love this anyway... Juliana is taking a break after running around Golden Gate Park in SF.

Happy Easter! The hunt at church was a blast! Kev stopped to pick up the eggs he lost while running. This is really the only still shot I could get of him.

So, happy spring, happy April..... whoa, today is certainly full of mixed feelings.

Historical, I tell ya!

The last week of March 2012 will probably go down in history as one of the most relaxing, productive, and uneventful weeks in years. I wish I had a reason you all would understand, but I don't. It's simple.... it's just that one happy event, turned into a good day, then another good day, turned into a fun event. That rarely happens around here. I love this.

On a (well, I got this far in the post, and there is a huge explosion.... well, that was a blast.) ANYWAY, on a different note, enjoy some pics from the last week.

Jake's first birthday party! I do have some really adorable pictures, but since I don't have Jake's mommy's permission to post them, I am not. You're seriously missing out. :)

Juliana enjoying her new tween room. Daddy painted and painted and painted, then finally put on her new bedding and hung pictures she got for her 10th b'day.

I had to add this precious pic. That's really how the last week has been.

In-laws are somewhere in the sky right now heading to us. It'll be a great week of fun for all of us. Stay tuned.