Thinking About... Siblings. Growing up it was just me and my younger bro. We were tight. BFFs and always had each other's back. It was and still is a close relationship. 

Charlie, My son, is now 8 months old and I am seeing the Sis-Bro relationship unfold.  I love my children so much. 

I didn't know I could love more...then I married Mike....I didn't know I could love more...then I had Gigi...I didn't know I could love more...then I had Charlie...I didn't know I could love more and then I saw the relationship form between siblings and my heart sings, rejoices, overflows.

The beauty of relationship that God created is truly a wonderful truth to behold.

Love in action.

Watching... Mike and I got a redbox on Saturday and watched "Noah". It was good. I liked it, but it didn't rock my world. There was som beautiful cinematography, but it was of course very hollywood in the plot, but still it was fun to see the story come alive on screen.

Listening to... This song right here. Grounds me. Its my Anthem.

 

Thankful For... My Alma Mater. I went to one kick-ass school. No Contest. It's the best.  We had an alumni event this weekend at the San Luis Rey Misiion in Oceanside, CA. The surroundings were GORGEOUS...hello!! 

Mike and I both attended and met at Franciscan University. We grew into adults there, we were formed in our faith there, we expanded our minds there, we established friendships that will last forever there...it is and will be forever special to us. We are so grateful for all the gift this University has given us and will continue to give to so many for year and years and years...till the end of time ;)

What about you? What are you CURRENTLY up to?

   

Mommy Moments

Currently {Volume 5}

Thinking About... How Mike and I are going to raise our daughter to understand the beauty of her body the way God made it. The beauty of the inside of her.  The beauty of the one-of-a-kind girl that is Gigi Kent.  This weekend we saw Gigi perform at the fair with her dance class.  It was precious. She loves the stage. She loves the spotlight, and she was in heaven for that 1:30 that was hers to do her thing.  

BUT we also saw the rest of all the girls perform ages ranging from 3-16 and the older girls did a variance of dances from tap to hip-hop. I was shocked at the song choices (if you have to bleep out a bad word every few seconds, maybe it's not the best choice)...and shocked by the gyrating, booty shaking, twerking and shimmying that was going with these young girls.  Mike and I looked at each other and was like, "really?".  We were sad by the fact these sweet innocent girls are being exposed to music and body moves that we believe are inappropriate for their age.  

Also, the hair...the makeup...the fake eyelashes on a 5 year old, really?  I danced when I was REALLY little, but I settled into the athletics world...so this whole scene is new, different and very much out of our comfort zone and know-how.  I am just not aware of what the standard is for a dancer..what they need to perform, what is necessary and what is just NOT.  This all made me realize the challenge it is going to be to raise Gigi with a TRUE sense of awareness of who she is, what is appropriate and what is GOOD.  Mike and I both agreed after tonight we don't want her dancing like that...but what if she loves dancing? Do we force her not to or give in? It is going to be brutal.  Sex is just everywhere.  Lord help all parents and give us wisdom.

Watching... Gigi's face light up on the stage.  It is beautiful to see your child come alive and do well  at something they really enjoy.

Listening to... Hillsong's "Oceans" I know this song has been out for awhile now, but it took sometime for it to really resonate deeply in my heart. Now, I feel like every word from these lyrics are truly speaking to me and are very profound.




Thankful For... An eventful weekend with our little family.  We still had some set backs (Mike might have pink-eye and I had a horrible sore throat and sinus headache all weekend) but at least the kids this weekend were happy and healthy.  Some of our weekend adventures included: stuffing our faces with yummy Food Truck goodness, walks in the neighborhood, Red Box moxie rental, car washes, getting wet in the backyard, getting chores done, going to the county fair, playing carnival games, and watching Gigi perform. It was a good weekend.

What about you? What are you CURRENTLY up to?

   

Currently // {Volume 4}

Thinking About... The beauty of the ordinary. We had a very low-key weekend due to G being sick, so we really did not venture out much. There was nothing entirely exciting we did- just us at home.  Our lives are very busy...we jam pack a lot into our lives, so when weekends like this come around (it is not very often) I don't know what to do with myself. I was reminded this weekend, it's okay to just BE. So I tried to see the beauty around me and soak it in....snuggles during a movie, making fresh squeezed OJ, swinging outside, a comfortable and cozy home, our whole families overall good health, a handy husband, margaritas with friends...and oh so much more

Listening to... "I don't feel good, momma", "Can I snuggle with you?", "My head hurts"...all the mantras of a sick child. Poor girl, Gigi had a weird sick weekend. It all started with her first bee sting on Friday, which of course hurts and really bothered her- to then breaking out in a fever, throwing up on Saturday morning. Which all led to me taking her to urgent care, to make sure she didn't have an allergic reaction to the bee sting.  Of course it was just a fluke cold on top of her getting a bee sting, so there went 2.5 hours of our Saturday.  She rested, hydrated, watched movies, went outside occasionally, and we found all sorts of fun concoctions to put on her itchy bee sting. She was a trooper and is on the up and up, but the girl just went through the ringer. 

G and I at the park pre-bee sting.  Gigi killing time at urgent care, making a ride out of the doctors chair. G and I snuggling while cooping with her 103 fever.

Watching... This kid.....SMILE

He brings us so much JOY. Just watching him brought us all some solace during this sicko weekend. G was soothed just snuggling up next to him, and of course what would he do? Smile. Love him.

Thankful For... My daughter- even though G was sick which was sad, the positive was I got to spend a lot of one on one time with her.  I snuggled, kissed,comforted, and stroked her hair and loved every moment.  She never ceases to amaze us with her thoughtfulness and her wild and adventurous spirit. She is a go-getter, knows what she wants, and is a little sassafrass. She is such a sweet girl, especially when it comes to her brother. We are very blessed and honored to call her "Ours". Thank you Jesus for this amazing gift.

AND

We had a fun little preschool graduation day for our kids in the homeschool co-op on Thursday. We will probably continue it in the fall, but since it was the last class it was fun to make them feel special! Thanks for organizing and hosting this day Steph!

What about you? What are you CURRENTLY up to?

   

Currently {Volume 3}

Thinking About... Memorial Day Weekend gives me such a taste for Summer! I am so ready for grilling out, beach time, pool parties, Camp, spontaneous adventures and  ice cream dates. Even though I don't work anymore as a teacher, summer still promises magical and memorable moments and I can't wait!  We had a very summer-esque weekend- wedding, pizza, hosting out of town guests, baseball game and beach. I am ready to make summer a routine. 

Fun snap shots at our friend's wedding this weekend. This is me and Bro and the Charlie Boy...Char Char did not get the memo you were supposed to make a different face in each picture. Work on it Char.

This cute kid is my nephew, Cyrus... The. Coolest. Kid. I am affectionately called "Aunt  Cashie", Holla!

Listening to... "RUDE" By Magic.  It is dangerously catchy, bound to be a summer Jam for sure!

 

Watching... Mike and I are finally catching up on the current season of Game of Thrones and I am probably a little too excited that one of the more annoying main characters died..hehe

Thankful For... My Dad. We celebrated his birthday on Sunday by doing something very Americana for Memorial Day weekend--we went to a Baseball game- Go Padres!  It was a perfect, beautiful day and an extra miracle- the Padres won.  Love my Daddio. He gets me, I get him we are the same person- but well, different.  He makes all parties more fun.  He is thoughtful, organized, direct, bold, courageous, funny, sentimental, stubborn, sometimes inappropriate and occasionally drives me crazy, but most importantly very loved.  I admire and am so proud of his work and what he has accomplished in life (he is an architect).  He is an amazing Dad and I am so so honored to be his "princess"/daughter. I love you dad. I mean who wouldn't want to hang out with this amazing Papa....

What about you? What are you CURRENTLY up to? 

   

Currently // {Volume 2}

Thinking About...Our annual Girls weekend away trip.  Every year a group of us girl have a get-away weekend. It originally was a scrapbook weekend, but it has turned into craft, projects, chick flick galore, relax, do whatever you want weekend- which is great!  The important thing is that we are together enjoying each others company, letting ourselves relax and be refreshed.  I got some much needed projects done prepping for this week's Kreative::Craft Night (we are doing string art!) and had a fun little photo op sesh ;)  We stay at a CUTE renovated barn house in the rustic charming town of Julian, CA (about an hour away from San Diego) and the out-laying property is GORGEOUS!  Since Charlie Bear is still nursing I brought him along, so he was the Man of the House.

Reading...Still working on the same book (Viva Jacquelina! by L.A. Meyer). I am almost done with that series though, so was thinking of something new, maybe Game of Thrones. Any suggestions?

Listening to..."Do you want to build a snowman?....Let it Go...Love is an open door"............

GET. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD.

I am in a Love/Hate relationship with Frozen.

PLEASE!  Can anyone else relate????????????????? 

This is more like it!  Seriously all you mommas out there, be prepared to pee your pants! Please watch/listen to this!



 
Watching...The shows I love watching (ahem, without Mike) are Nashville (its over?!), Mr. Selfridge (on PBS) and Call the Mid-Wife (really behind though, have not even started the recently season...also on PBS)...Love them all. Any other recommendations? What are your without the husband favs?


Thankful For... 2 Things this week....

1. A good friend of mine (and mike!) got ordained a priest this weekend in the Archdiocese of Denver. We could not be there, but they had a live stream of it- which we watched...so that is me pointing at him...he was always easy to find with his shining bald head. Still love that I have a friend that is a priest....CRAZY AWESOME!

2. Another good friend of mine, Stephanie, had a Birfffffday the Friday of Girls weekend...so we made sure to make her feel really special.  Very blessed by her friendship, so it was an honor to love her up!  Extra bonus that we happen to be on this property for the weekend, I hyped up the whimsy/rustic decor for our dinner party and it turned out magical.  I mean the white barn in the background?! hello. 

Happy Birfffday Steph!

What about you? What are you CURRENTLY up to?

   

Currently // (Vol. 1)

So excited to post my first "Currently" in a link up hosted by a Mama Collective and Home Away from Home.  Welp, here it goes...

Thinking About... Mothers Day! Wow, it was a good one. I was able to sleep in, have bacon and coffee in bed (I hate all other breakfast food...I know it's a sin), and Mike made me a very thoughtful memory book... Once we got up and about we went to a local winery where  they were also having a craft fair...ummm heaven (wine and crafts!! It could not have been more perfect).   It was a beautiful day to enjoy the sunshine, the laughing of my children and contemplating what an honor it is to be a Parent. No seriously. Mike and I look at each other sometimes and just are in awe of our kids and how amazing they are.  Blessed, we are very blessed.

*wait, can you even handle the face Gigi is making in that picture? I mean, what is that? =)*

Reading... Viva Jacquelina! Which is the 10th book out of 11 in the Bloody Jack series.  I love it! My dad got me hooked on it because he discovered it and thought of me- since the main character is a strong, adventurous, sometimes bossy, spunky female lead character.  It is a fun easy read--I actually listen to books via audible.com-- and the gal who does the voices for this series is fabulous.  I enjoy reading easy, light-hearted, get caught up in the fun of it all books (dont judge if you might find this book in the juvenile young adult section).  This series comes highly recommended by both me and my daddio.

Listening to...  The new NeedtoBreathe album. Its Fantastic.  My Hubby loves to binge on albums when they first come out, so l i t e r a l l y we have been listening to this album non-stop. I don't mind though, it really is great! Even Gigi sings along. I am really encouraged how boldly christian they are in their lyrics.

Watching...  Scandal. Parenthood. Revenge.  These are Mike and I's current favorite shows  line-up that we enjoy watching together.  I think we might drop Revenge after this season- its a little to soap opera-y for me.  Scandal just had its 3rd season finale and it was a good one. Parenthood is a very relaxing tug on your heart show and we just eat it up- its fun to watch a show and truly relate with what is happening to the main characters.


Thankful For... The Hubs.  He is really supportive of the time I need for ME.  Even when he has a list a mile long of things he needs to do, he will just include the kids with him to give me a much needed break or time to work on blogging or whatever.  Here he is with the kids heading off to Home Depot. What a guy. ;) Also....he made me a very thoughtful Mothers Day gift- a memory book of pictures (he made!) of our journey from dating to family. I love it.

Hope you had a very blessed Mothers Day weekend!  

What about you? What are you CURRENTLY up to?

   

"Golfing" // Grandmas Wisdom

In light of Mothers Day weekend, I want to kick-off a series I would like to regularly feature on my blog..."Grandma's Wisdom"...to showcase her heart and genius in lessons on life. I hope she will touch your heart as much as she has impacted mine.


My Grandma is one smart cookie.  She has passed on to me more wisdom of how to live life... and live it to the fullest than any other person I know.  Today the kernel of wisdom I want to share with you is how to go "Golfing"....okay, before you tune me out and think I am crazy, read on...

 Let me begin with some background so you can understand and fully appreciate what I want to share.  My Gramps and often my dad and brother used to go golfing every Friday, it was their thing, something they all enjoyed doing together.  Well Grams having no traditional hobby, sport, activity that she could really enjoy with others felt a little left out, however she does LOVE to shop, bargain shop and find a "steal of a deal" (I definitely inherited that from her!...thanks Grams!) and it just so happens that us girls (me and my mom) love to shop too! So when the boys went golfing....Grams declared that the girls should also go "Golfing" too - our version (ahem...shopping!)- It's only fair right?! Why should the boys get all the fun of doing something together and the girls not just because they don't have an interest in a specific hobby....*I think shopping should be a hobby, granted a somewhat dangerous one on the wallet, but nonetheless a hobby.*

So the wisdom I have learned in this silly, but profound lesson is this....

It is important for women to get together and do something they enjoy doing together.  All too often I think we fall prey to never leaving the house because of the duties that tie us there...we always need an excuse, something "Important" to do in order for it to justify pulling us away.  It is easier for men *in my opinion* to get together because they are naturally involved in things that bring them together in a community- golfing, participating in a softball, bowling or soccer league, poker nights, meeting for happy hour drinks after work- you get the idea.  

But for women, it's not a natural thing to leave the house, justify the expense and make the effort to meet up with friends, but we probably need it the most!!  Adult conversation, wait what?! You mean we don't have to talk like we are 5?! We need community, we need to connect and we need to enjoy ourselves and let off some steam once in awhile....flat out WE NEED EACH OTHER!  

 Honestly "golfing" can be done on any budget or it does not have to involve money at all, just time, spending time on yourself and for yourself, is the real kicker...especially for moms *enter the mommy guilt*...just do it! All Mommies need time to recharge, refocus and be rejuvenated. And please, for the love of Pete, DON'T FEEL GUILTY about it!

 It is important for guys to have their "guy" time and ladies to have their "lady" time. We cannot give what we do not have, so we need to make sure we receive our happiness in our souls so that we can pass it down to the little ones we nurture everyday.   

The point is that all too often women do not take the time they need for themselves.  This is not a rant on the hubby's by any means, Mike practically pushes me out of the door whenever something comes up I am interested in, he is very supportive of this.  It is ME - I am my own worst enemy - I battle with myself to go out and DO something for myself or enjoy the company of others. 

It is hard to justify the means and time to do something for yourself, but it is soooo important to do it.  So thanks Grams, for being an example to me that "Golfing" is not just for the boys! So ladies...tee it up!  .........FOUR!!!!

Love you Grams! XOXO 

Happy Mothers Day!

Fairy Garden // DIY // QT time with my daughter

My daughter loves being such a girly girl.  Pink, ribbons, dress-up, princess and so on is her life.  She loves fairies too, so as a fun and basically free project we made a fairy garden.  My husband has been telling Gigi for sometime now that growing fairies come to her at night and make her grow, thats why she has gotten so big recently...duh?!  She of course is sold on that idea, so it came at a perfect time when I suggested that we make a home for them to visit when they come to see her.  She was IN TO IT, wow, if only I could bottle that enthusiasm up and channel it towards cleaning her room or eating her dinner, ah well. 

It was fun to have a project to work together on and spend only me and her time, since Charlie is always around and the needs of a baby are such that my attention is always on demand for him when he needs it, I fear she gets neglected. But she is a champ and is a very understanding, sweet girl.  It was fun to see her imagination come alive, and she thought of things I would not....she made sure there were blankets (leaves), pillows (flowers), and a broom to sweep up (a feather). 

It took very little effort and no money.  I already bought a miniature garden set a few years ago, I cut succulent clippings for the garden and we literally just walked around our yard collecting scraps of things here and there that would suit our (and the fairies) needs.  I also had a few left-over things from her fairy themed birthday party a few years ago- a few small bunting flags i made, moss, small flowers etc..

Here is the end result:

The happy little sprite =)

Linking up:

I Heart Nap Time- Link Party Palooza