We're in Day 2 and it's tougher than I thought

Chachi left for 5th Grade Outdoor Education yesterday. All the 5th graders take buses up to the Santa Cruz Mountains and study eco-systems and all kinds of stuff for a week. They leave Monday morning and come home Friday afternoon. We took her and all her stuff to school yesterday morning and saw the buses drive away.

My girls both have been to church camp before and I did cry when they both left in August but I thought I was more prepared for this trip than I actually was. As the buses pulled away from the school, I could feel that little ache in my stomach move into full fledged sadness grip heart. Other moms were crying and it started me tearing up but then I just knew if I started, I would be in a complete "ugly cry" mode and that isn't a good look for anyone to see. That cry is reserved for behind closed doors only so I sucked it up and went on my way.

Today is Day 2 and I will admit that I am missing Chachi terribly. I am missing her good morning greetings, hearing her voice through out the house and just her presence all the way around. Did I mention that yesterday was my darling husband's birthday? To say she was sorely missed, is an understatement.

The old adage that you don't know what you have until it's gone is so true. I would never trade my kids for anything but when one is missing, it's amazing how much it touches ever aspect of your life and is so noticeable right away. I hope she is having a good time and learning a lot. And I can't wait for this week to steam on by so I can see her and put my arms around her and kiss her camp covered, dirty little face.

This past weekend, the whole family went up to my sister's house for her 40th birthday. She had NO clue we were coming so it was fun to surprise her. My brother in law threw her a 70's themed party and can I tell you how fun it was! We had a blast getting dressed up to ring in her new decade. 

Here are some pictures from the party. Enjoy them with some Earth, Wind and Fire or KC and the Sunshine Band, will ya? 

Knitting - cross that off my list of things to learn to do

In September, I was able to go to my friend Ashley's house in Austin. It was a weekend full of friends, fun, bingo (you haven't lived until you've played BINGO with these ladies and called BINGO with Kim) and it was filled with knitting. 

I have always wanted to learn how to knit and several of my far away friends know how to knit so hearing about their projects and things over the years had made the desire even stronger. My dear friend, Jerusha, smiled kindly upon my knitless fingers and taught me how to knit that weekend. I plopped my happy little self in one of Ashley's rattan loungers next to Vanessa and Jerusha and knitted away my Saturday. It was delightful. I had a nice little project square going on until I got home. In one fail swoop, little Boops pulled my needles out and started unraveling my pink square. Stimey! I had to rip out every single stitch I had done in Austin and was left to fend for myself at casting on again. 

With some assistance from Knitting Help, which is an amazing site if you need videos and how to's, I was able to get back on track. It was a slow and painful process. I hold my yarn totally wrong, I'm sure of it. I was knitting, purling, and dropping stitches like no body's business. It was a fine little piece of work. I was getting to the end of the ball of yarn and decided to try a little something. I would knit a stitch, purl a couple and so on. Yeah, not so hot on the esthetics side of things. It doubled my stitches and made my square turn into some oblong funkadelic shape that I can't properly describe.

Because I love her and we have this on going running joke about a sweater I knitted her once (not really) and how she washed her car with my hard work, Deanna was the recipient of this little treasure. She says she is using it as a Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Cozy. At least it's got purpose. I am grateful there are no pictures of it anywhere on the net or anyplace else for that matter. 

I am on my second square and I must say, it's going really well. Much better than my initial stab at knitting. Even my husband is impressed. He was impressed with the first tragedy of a project I did too so I guess that's not saying much but he's supportive none the less and I love that about him. 

Even if you don't want to learn to knit, let me encourage you to try something or learn a skill you have always wanted to know. It's amazing how much fulfillment one gains from something so small. Knitting was in the top 3 of things I wanted to learn how to do before I die and I can cross it off thanks to Jerusha and her patience in teaching me. So, much thanks and big props going out to Jelly today. Love you and thanks for teaching me to knit. You have a convert to the core!

I love November 1st

I am not a big fan of Halloween. My kids dress up and trick or treat, we go to the pumpkin patch and carve pumpkins mostly because I enjoy seeing my kids' creativity in the carve and who doesn't like a pumpkin guts fight in the backyard? But I don't decorate the house or really celebrate it in any other way. I am always excited to see my kids in their costumes and full regalia because they are usually hilarious but I am doubly excited that November 1st is the next day. 

For our family, November 1st kicks off THE Holiday Season, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We start listening to Christmas music because waiting until December just doesn't give us enough time to hear our favorite tunes or to Rock Around the Christmas Tree with Peggy Lee. Can I tell you that today is the PERFECT November 1st? It's pouring rain outside, toasty in the house, and we have Christmas carols piping through the house. 

Our Christmas tree will go up the night before Thanksgiving.  After the last piece of turkey has been eaten and the pumpkin pie is nothing but a few crumbs of crust left in the dish, we can turn the lights on Thanksgiving night and sit in the living room together and enjoy the warm glow and sense of family togetherness that few other moments can capture on an annual basis. 

November means all the spooks and goblins are behind us. What lies before us in the coming months is the cozy glow of fireplaces, warm breads and cookies coming from the oven, and the overwhelming feeling of friendship and love that the holidays bring. I was sad to see summer go. I love warm weather and flip flops. But I am elated to feel the warmth of the spirit of love and generosity that abounds this time of year. Yes, it is November 1st and I am giddy as a child awaiting Christmas morning, waiting to see what this season has in store for us. 

These are a few of my favorite things...

Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kitten. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Barbara Streisand had it right when she sang that song. As a memory project in 5th grade, I had to learn all the words to that song and have loved it every since. Have you ever stopped to think of what are a few of your favorite things? I like to think that I am pretty in tune with myself and know what I like but I find new things to like everyday. But I thought maybe I'd share a few of MY favorite things. I may not present them quite as poetically as the song but hey, no one said I was a literary genius. 

I like the smell of my children when they wake up in the morning. I'm not talking about their breath that is so kickin' that I assume someone's teaching karate in their mouths, but the smell of their hair and nape of their neck. That smell that is uniquely theirs and kind of sleepy. 

I love grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup on cold days. The smell of yummy things baking in the oven that have cinnamon, nutmeg or spices all warm and delicious in them that has a fragrance that trickles through out the house while it's cooking. 

I love train wreck TV, especially on BBC America. BBC America Reveals is great for Wednesday night fodder. I also love another Brit, Chef Gordon Ramsey and his "Kitchen Nightmares" on Fox. Dancing with the Stars is also good for mindless TV watching. CSI but only the CSI on Thursday nights in Las Vegas, no Miami for me. I like any show that showcases out of the ordinary people or health situations on Discovery Health or TLC. TLC also has the Duggar family and their almost 18 children. Michelle Duggar has the patience of Job. I need a little more Michelle Duggar in MY life. 

I love toast with peanut butter and sugar. It's healthy, I know but it's delicious. My sister and I have been eating it since childhood and we both ate it for breakfast today. It's yummy. 

I love that I have family and friends that love and support me and my family. That they get the fact that I am crazy as a outhouse rat but love me anyway. Tomorrow is November 1st and November 1st is one of my MOST favorite days of the whole year. Why, you may ask. Well, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out! 

Take this cash and flush it

It's never fun to watch your money go down the toilet - literally. We live in a 60 year old house that has 60 year old pipes. These grandpa pipes sometimes get backed up. Every couple of years, we have to get the main drain snaked. Go ahead and say it because I know what you're thinking, good times... good times. I'm here to tell you it's not. 

We called the plumber and he can't come out until tomorrow morning. Good gollly Miss Molly! We can't flush the toilets, take showers or even brush our teeth with more than a trickle of water on. Unless this plumber dude shows up at O'dark thirty, this isn't going to end well for getting ready in the morning and the kids off to school. 

Love 'em or hate 'em: Product Reviews

I am a BuzzAgent and get to review products from time to time then I tell people if I liked it or didn't like it. I was just a part of 2 campaigns. One was Smuckers Uncrustables and the other was for Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant. 

I have to say, I liked the thought of being able to toss a sandwich from the freezer into the lunch box and not mess a knife but they went over like a lead balloon with my kids. The peanut butter was "weird" and they don't prefer jam on sandwiches so that was a strike right off the bat. They are easy. They look cool. The concept is great. But for my kids, they prefer a sandwich made by hand and is fresh. I can't say I blame them. I tried one and I am a PB&J girl but I wouldn't eat another one. No thanks.

On to Sweet Tomatoes. It's a salad bar on steroids, basically. The kids love to eat there. It's totally family friendly and fairly reasonably priced if your kids eat. If they are pickers or don't eat enough to stick in your eye, then I would pass because the amount they'd eat wouldn't offset the cost. 

Now on to a favorite topic of mine... COFFEE! I wait every holiday season for the Coffee-Mate creamers to come out. Peppermint mocha is #1 in this house and I drink it by the gallon from the moment it hits stores until January when it's all bought up and you can't find it anymore. Neither Safeway or Lucky's has it yet. There are spots for it on the shelves, just no creamer. I was in Lucky's today, surprise surprise - I'm at the grocery store every day, and lo and behold, it was like a light from Heaven came down and shined on the creamer case in the dairy isle. It wasn't Coffee-Mate but International Delights. A new flavor. Chocolate Mint Truffle. I usually don't prefer Int'l Delight because they are sweeter than Coffee-Mate but I bought it because I was impatiently waiting for the peppermint mocha. Can I tell you how good this stuff is? I made decaf coffee tonight to try it and man oh man, this stuff ROCKS! If you see it, buy it and try it. You won't regret it! 

Playing catch up

I have been reminded by several people that I haven't blogged in some time so here is a catch up post. The last week or two have been hectic as usual. To begin with, I was without a computer for a week. That was super neat. But I will say that I adore the Apple Store and I am a complete Apple devotee. My hard drive was going out and I was in a frantic state to save my data and couldn't. They not only saved it ALL, they changed out the hard drive and reinstalled everything and also some updated software I would have otherwise had to purchase - all for free. Hallelujah and thank you, Jesus for ProCare and Apple Care that saved me a small fortune on these repairs! We had Chachi's 10th birthday, I went to Austin for a mini vacation with girlfriends, my 35th birthday and our 12 year wedding anniversary. Soccer, soccer and more soccer. School, homework and more soccer. 

For the birthdays, we just did dinners this year. We have so much going on that it leaves little time for anything extra. For our anniversary, we went to Bing Crosby's for dinner. Can I tell you I love Bings more than chocolate? They have incredible food and amazing drinks! Plus, we got to spend some time without kids. We didn't stay out long because, well hey, there's not much hopping on a Sunday night at 6:30 PM. But we got a little time at least. 

My trip to Austin was a blast! I got to spend the weekend with friends I hadn't seen in a couple years even though my best friend didn't get to make it from Alabama because of last minute changes in her husband's work schedule. Boo. My lovely friend, Jerusha, taught me something that I've been wanting to learn for years. It's actually been one of those things I wanted to learn/do before I die. She taught me how to KNIT! Yes, I am a knitter now. I'm a terrible knitter but a knitter none the less. I'm going to work at getting better but until then, I shall work on my little square that will eventually be mailed to another friend of mine in Virginia, Deanna Raybourn. (please see the link to Deanna's blog on the right)

I decided I was tired of having a million Christmas CDs that I only listen to a few songs off each so I've begun the process of moving the songs I want from each into my iTunes program. I have been merrily listening to all my favorite Christmas music for days now. I am in bliss. I adore Christmas music and I am so ready for the holidays. The baking, decorating the tree, the whole feel of the season. Did I mention the baking? I can't wait to make pumpkin bread, Christmas cookies, and all kinds of goodies to enjoy and share. Plus, I get to teach the girls some recipes that I love to make. Good times... good times. 

Chachi is doing a Walk A Thon at school tomorrow to raise money for her 5th grade Outdoor Education program in November when the entire 5th grade goes to camp in the mountains and studies nature. It's a fantastic experience for them and they learn so much. I think an equal amount about nature and themselves. 

Anyway, I have got to scoot but I promise I won't wait so long to post again. I have lots of ideas for posts in the hopper so be on the look out! 

Sometimes I think I have *too much* to say

Are there ever times when you are speechless then other times you just have too much too say? Too much too say and not enough will power to realize you shouldn't say anything at all? Yesterday was one of those days for me. 

As you know, my girls play soccer. They are good at soccer. Which makes me expect a great deal from them, especially Chachi. I really push her hard. Harder than I should, I think. At her game yesterday, she was lagging. She has had a vicious cold all week and has been feeling like garbage the whole time. I should have cut her some slack, should have, but I didn't. I was riding her like a cowboy rides a bucking bronco - spurring her the entire first half. Watching her miss opportunities to make some plays really was frustrating me and instead of saying, "Hey there self, maybe she doesn't feel 100% so she doesn't have 100% to give," noooooo, I have to get down the field and holler at her and make her feel worse about her performance. After yesterday, I am a shoe in for the Mother of the Year award. 

I know good and well that I personally haven't been giving my 100% this week around the house. It looks like an atomic bomb went off and left havoc and chaos in trails all through the house. I too had this cold and I didn't feel like making the effort I should have so I didn't. I expected my husband to show me some grace and not ride me about what I wasn't doing because I didn't feel good. But I wasn't able to extend that same olive branch of grace to my child who wasn't shirking responsibility but playing a GAME of soccer, for enjoyment no less. As I sit here, I realize that I need to internalize that fact that we put her into soccer for her enjoyment, not ours. Even though it gives me extreme pleasure, enjoyment, pride and excitement to watch her, we do it for her, not for ourselves. 

The next step is obvious, I need to apologize to her after school and let her know that I was in the wrong. I shouldn't have said anything to her during the game. That's why she has a coach, to tell her what to do, and by me sitting on the sidelines and snapping at her doesn't help her game or her self esteem. She wasn't letting me down, and I need to tell her that. Yep, Mother of the Year... that's me. (insert eye roll here.) 

It just brings it out in me

The weather has cooled off here the last few days. It's been an unbearable 100*+ for weeks and now we'll be lucky if we push 80* today. I really am a warm weather girl. Going on vacation? Give me a beach and a margarita, thank you so much. I'd rather be in hot and humid than cold and wet any day. But seriously, the past few weeks were much too much.

So, with this cooler weather and my friend Jennifer Baker who inspired me to get in the kitchen to cook, I have been all about the cooking and making comfy food things. I decided this morning that I would go all out for dinner even though we have to be at 2 soccer fields at the same time and at 5:30 PM no less. I got out of the house early and got to the grocery store, came home and can I tell ya, my dinner is 99% finished already.

I made chicken in the crock pot, mashed sweet potatoes and garlic bread. Then I put together a Apple Crisp from a recipe my darling friend Debbie Turner gave me last Fall. Cooler weather draws me into the kitchen to make all kinds of breads, muffins and desserts that I can't make during the summer because it's too hot. I love how it makes the house smell, filling every nook and cranny with cinnamon and sweet apples. And the warmth from the oven radiates out of the kitchen and pours into the dining room as we're having dinner. 

It's going to be a, "Quick! Hurry up and eat!" kind of meal tonight but at least when the evening is coming to a close and soccer games are won and practices over, we can all come home to warm Apple Crisp and sleep well with full tummies. 

It's the Steel Magnolias and Lava Girls battling it out!

Saturday was the kick off to soccer season. (get it... kick off... soccer... never mind) It's been hotter than the face of the sun here and the weather didn't give in a bit for either game. Chachi played at 9 AM but by the end of the game at 10:20, we were sweating like crazy. Tiny played at 3 PM and by then, it had reached over 100*. But let me assure you that it didn't slow those girls down one single bit!

Chachi's team is the Steel Magnolias. Don't you love it? She got to kick off the first ball in her game, that was exciting. Her game was fantastic! She was out there, running her heart out. She played goalie the last quarter and did fabulous! She doesn't usually play that position but man, did she rock it! One thing I love about watching her play is she isn't afraid to go up against the bigger kids and she isn't afraid to take the shot. So many times, you'll see kids who will take the ball all the way down the field, they get to the goal and won't take the shot for a goal. They would rather not take the risk of missing it and failing to score. Chachi just goes all out and if she scores great, if not, at least she got out there and did her best and you better believe she will score next time! 

Tiny is on the Lava Girls! They are too cute for words. You see all these girls from the time they are itty bitty and running around the field in a little pack to actually understanding the game and making sweet moves on the field. Even though Tiny plays in the Under 8's, she's starting to play like she's in the older age group. There's strategy there and, man, has she improved since last year. She was out in front all the time and she scored a goal in the last half. It was a fun game to watch!

Chachi also had a game on Sunday with another league she is on locally. They are The Warriors and 99% of the kids in this league are Hispanic and can I tell you that the soccer they play is head and shoulders above what she played previous seasons. It's a whole other ball game. First of all, she plays on a team with all boys except her and another girl who is the coach's daughter. Most teams they will play this season will be mostly boys and these kids are MAINY when they're on the field! They all use their heads to field balls being thrown in or kicked down field. They are fast as lightening and have skills beyond belief! Chachi's game on Sunday was amazing to watch. These kids are so PASSIONATE about the game. They love soccer and they give 100% all the time. Chachi's coach complimented her saying that she plays harder than the boys because she wants to stay in the whole game and never complains and it's the boys who are always asking for breaks and to be taken out of the game to rest. 

All in all, this season is starting with a BANG! I love soccer season. I love watching my kids play the sport the love. I love seeing them excel and grow and get better with every game. Be ready for more soccer updates as the season progresses and if I can ever figure out how to post some video, I will try to post some clips from games! 

Product Review time!!!

I'm finally doing my first product review segment. First up, Nic's Sticks by OPI. I have to say, I love OPI polish. Love it. It lasts a long time, they have great colors, good price point. It's a wonderful product... usually. I belong to a group called SheSpeaks where I get to test drive products and say how I like them and share that info with others. I was chosen to try the Nic's Sticks. I hated it. It's basically nail polish in a tube. You click the bottom of the tube to release product onto a very wild bristled brush that puts polish all over your finger. If you click the tube too much, there's nowhere to put it unlike with a bottle, you just swipe the brush in the rim of the bottle to put the polish back into the bottle. This just gets gloppy and a mess. Next is the color. Didn't look like the bottle color at all and the polish itself was more plastic than polish. I know it's meant to be used in a pinch to touch up but I found myself touching up the polish more after application because that dang brush smooshes it everywhere. Very little control. I give it 2 thumbs down.

But let me tell you about my new favorite mascara. I love mascara and I have tried them all. From the $4 pink and green bottle Mabelline to $25 tubes from Prescriptives. I was out of mascara and in a pinch, I decided to try a tube that was on sale at Target. It was around $6 so if I didn't like it, no harm no foul, I wouldn't feel too terribly bad for tossing it away. What I picked up was Rimmel's Glam'eyes in Midnight Black. This stuff ROCKS! My lashes have never looked so good and that's saying a lot because I have puny lashes and it's difficult to get them to look decent let alone fabulous. I am a true fan and I will definitely be buying my fare share of this stuff to keep them in business for a long time!

Last, I would like to share my deep love for the Swiffer Sweeper Vac. I know I have shared this love with many but it has revolutionized my life. It cuts sweeping time in half. It vacuums up all the larger bits like a dust buster on the front of a Swiffer Sweeper. I have recommended it time and time again. I would like everyone to rush to your local Target or Wal-Mart and get yourself one. You won't regret it. I think if you go to their website, you can download a coupon. Do what you need to do but make one of the things you NEED to do is pick up a Swiifer Sweeper Vac. It's amazing! 

Aaaaannnnnnd... THEY'RE OFF!!!

Yesterday was the first day of school. I woke up feeling like it was too soon then once we got going (and I had some coffee), the excitement built and then whoosh... we were off to school with smiles and nervous anticipation on the girls' faces. Mei Mei and Papa both walked with us down to the school for the big moment. It was a gorgeous morning and it couldn't have gone smoother. 

First we dropped off Tiny who was so elated to see her friends that she hadn't seen over the summer. All the girls were jumping up and down in a Ring Around the Rosy fashion, just as you would expect 2nd grade girls to go. There was also much screaming and hugging all around. We left Tiny to line up with her class so we could go see Chachi off to her class. 

We got over to the upper grade blacktop and all the fifth graders were lining up before the bell rang. You could see they were happy to see one another but there was a sense of nerves you could almost feel radiating off of them. The expectations on them at the fifth grade level is immense and I think most of them knew it. But they were all standing in line, chit chatting and comparing summer activities but there was no jumping, screaming or hugging. But there was a lot of "playing it cool, calm and collected." Which made me chuckle because there was a group of girls standing just in front of the class and I KNOW they would have liked nothing more than to be holding hands and talking about how freaked that all actually were. 

We got to see them both off into class and then it was time to go. To leave them to their new environments and  Papa, Boobs and I headed off to Starbucks for a white mocha and bear claw. We walked home and stopped at the park. Boops got to go down the slide about a hundred times and ran himself until he was dead dog tired. All in all, it was a great morning and after school, we got rave reports about how their teachers were great and all the nerves seemed to be for not. 

First Day of School Blues

Me. Not them. We had a whirl wind of a day today. Chachi started Liga Latina tonight which is a predominately hispanic soccer team. Can I tell you how incredibly AWESOME this is going to be. First off, she's playing with 8 boys and 1 girl on her team. OK, there are 2 girls but one of them is her so I didn't count her. That rocks all in itself because it's going to give her so much confidence to play against the girls. Plus, she's so rough and tumble as it is, it'll be a total non issue as soon as she gets the hang of it. THEN, this is the best part... because it's mostly hispanics playing, there are some of the traditional foods there. Well, need I say more on that? Because you know I love Mexican food in unnatural ways. Then to have these things on a cart, roaming around... yes, sheer nirvana. I got my most favorite coconut popcicle from this one guy and I wanted to get corn on a stick but we had to scoot off to Chachi's other soccer practice for our local AYSO. They played a mock game with another team that practices at the same time. She was all over the place, making sweet plays. I can't wait to see how she does in season play after being taught by the Liga Latina coaches. They are amazing! But since most of the kids and coaches speak Spanish, all I want to know is where are uncles Juan and Cris when we need them? If I'm not careful, I fear I might order banana ice cream when I really just want to know what time practice is over. 

Tiny and Boops were along for the ride but they make their own fun wherever they go so it was good. And they got popcicles too so that's bonus for them. Tiny was taking weeds and making some dish and pretending she was Giada from the Food Network. It was too cute. She was talking like her and making her dish extra special with "premagan cheese". Yes, I meant to spell it that way. I spelled it like she said it so it is technically correct. Boops just ran around like a mad man, being taken in and completely fascinated with the dogs running around. Yeah, by the way, if I haven't mentioned it before, my son is totally taken with dogs. He loves them. Love in a complete and total unconditional kind of loving way.

Anyway, all this excitement tonight got us home late and we made a quick dinner so we could throw the girls in for showers and Boops in the bath to get ready for... drum roll please... the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL tomorrow! Dun dun dun... I thought I was so ready for them to go back and get back into the routine but all day today, I've had this nagging feeling that I flat out need more time. More time with them being little. Time is flying by in ways I never could have fathomed before children. It's like someone took my life, put it in a hourglass and turned it over. Before I knew it, half the sand had already poured with reckless abandon into the other side and I have no clue how to get any of it back into the top, where I want it to be. Where I want it to stay. 

It's kind of cliche I know, but Days of Our Lives has had it right all these years, Like time in an hourglass, so are the Days of Our Lives. I watched that drivel for years all through high school and the like and not once did the smooth voiced commentator stop and tell me, "Hey you, there, sitting on the couch, I'm not saying this for my personal benefit. You're going to want this information later on. Bank it, buddy." Not once. I will tell you that my parents *did* tell me, though. But I failed to listen, as it usually went when I was a teen. Man, I could kick myself for all the millions of times I should have listened to them when they told me the basic things like "time goes by fast, cherish it." "These moments will be gone before you know it." and "You won't be friends with all these folks forever. You move on and so do they." 

I say all this because I had the revelation tonight that this is the last day of summer of Chachi's last summer as an elementary school kid. This time next year, she'll be going to middle school. She won't be under my wing anymore. It will be her time to climb out on the edge of the nest and learn to fly a little on her own. Not that I think she's going to jump out of the nest and fly to Bermuda or something. (If you know her, you know that could be a possibility with her because that child can do anything she puts her mind to) But she will be preparing to move on to the next phase of her life. A step closer to all the things that come next. Out of the comfort and safety of elementary school and putting her foot into the door that leads to the real world. 

I laid with her for a long time tonight. Smelling her hair and holding her hand while chit chatting and enjoying being with her. I'm going to cherish those moments forever. I'm going to lock that snippet of time away in my heart and when I'm old and grey(er than I am now) I will recall that quiet moment we spent while she was still *little*. I've had a pit in my stomach since this morning and now I know it's a bad case of the First Day of School Blues. Where's Bo Diddley when you need a theme song played, hun? 

I miss my girls

It's the half way point in the girls' week at church camp. It seems like they've been gone an eternity. Yesterday, Tiny called me - collect - and said she just wanted to hear my voice. Go ahead and say awwww...., I'll wait. It was pretty sweet of her. I was choked up by the end of the call. 

Both girls are having a great time and enjoying all the activities. The camp theme this year is the Olympics. Chachi is on Team Japan and Tiny is on Team Italy. Apparently, Team Italy is in the lead for the games and currently gets to carry the torch through out the game field. Tiny said the team has let her carry it and that was VERY exciting! 

I leave for my business trip tomorrow to attend convention for Cookie Lee. I am really not looking as forward to it as I had been. I am missing my girls something fierce and I want to be home to pick them up from camp on Saturday. I want to hear all their stories and tales of having to find gummy worms in baked beans with just their faces! I want to hug and kiss them and snuggle them until they fall asleep Saturday night. But, alas, I won't get to do any of those things until Sunday. Siggghhhh. 

Boops is missing them too. If I ask him, "where are the girls?", he'll run to the front door and look to see if they're coming up the walk way. Or he runs to their room and knocks on the door. We're ALL missing our precious girls. We just aren't complete without them. 

Kevlar panties should be standard issue

You've heard the old statement that hospitals don't give out manuals when you have a baby. You have your baby, you get a day or two to rest then they send you home with your child to learn it all for yourself. Good and bad, you learn by experience all on your own. There's no way that anyone could make a parenting manual that would be accurate all the time because every child is an individual. I have 3 kids and if I was issued the same manual each time I gave birth, I would be a wreck not to mention confused most the time. They are all COMPLETELY different people. Right from birth, each had their own personality, needs, wants and way to convey it all. No manual could cover it for all people. 

What I did receive all three times is a diaper bag from some company pimping out their formula that includes a bag, some kind of blanket, formula samples and maybe a t-shirt or something. None of it is really used by me except the blankets that the girls have used for their baby dolls. I'd love to see the hospitals give out something useful for once. How about a pair of kevlar panties? 

Don't you think those would be 100% useful? Anyone who is a parent knows there are ups and downs to parenting on a daily basis. The little moments where you hear your child tell you they love you for the first time, when something sad happens in life and they come over to comfort you, they score a goal in their soccer game, just to name a few, are those moments that make being a parent an amazing experience. But what about those other moments? The non-warm fuzzy moments. I had one of those this morning. 

Both of my girls left for church camp this morning. They'll be gone all week at a camp in the Santa Cruz mountains. We spent a good portion of the day yesterday packing and getting them all dialed in for the trip. They both were excited to be going but I would be foolish to say the excitement was distributed equally between them. 

We went shopping yesterday in the late afternoon so we could spend some extra time with the girls before they left. Tiny had complained of a stomach ache for a good majority of the day. I knew it was nerves because it only seemed to flair up when the fact that the D-Day was closing in quickly. (D-Day being Departure Day.) So this morning, we had to be at the church at 7 AM. Yes, 7 AM, bright eyed and bushy tailed - ready to go. We pull up the the church, I put the car in park and from behind, I feel little arms thrown around my neck and sobs with tears warmly running down my neck. 

Through the sobs, my little Tiny says, "I'm going to miss you so much, Mom." OK, rip my guts out right now and stamp my heart on the concrete. My baby girl is already missing me. And I will freely admit that I was getting very misty yesterday putting the girls' clothes in their suitcases so I was already emotional about it. I was missing them already too. Anyway, I get out of the car and go to her passenger door, open it up and she flops into my arms and continues to cry. I had to hold back my own tears and tell her she'd be fine, she'll have a wonderful time, and all her friends were waiting for her to spend the week with them. She perked up enough to get out of the car and roll her suitcase that truly is bigger than she is, over to the bus to be loaded up. Let's note here that Chachi had already run off to the bus where her buddies were waiting for her to jump up and down and celebrate the pending departure from parents and all rules except the basic rules of common sense. 

We went on board the bus for Tiny to pick out her seat and get her travel bag settled in. Then it was time for Boops and I to leave the girls for their new adventures. I load up the baby, start the car and pull out of the parking lot. At that moment, I realize this would be the perfect time for a pair of kevlar panties. One of my favorite phrases is "put on your big girl panties and deal with it." What if those panties were kelvar? Don't you think those big girl panties could protect you from so much more as a parent? They could shield you from those times in life when you think you've taken all you can handle. Maybe a kevlar holster for your heart would be more useful. All I know is anything made out of kevlar can't be bad. 

It was tough for me today - I had to give up a little bit more of my children's dependance and let them forge onto more independence. I know when they get home, they won't be the same kids that left me this morning. They'll be the same in many ways but they will have spread their wings away from the safety of the nest. They will have grown as individuals. I love that they have these experiences but it also pains my heart just a little knowing they need me that much less and we are that much closer to them making their own way in this huge and sometime scary world. 

If anyone knows me at all, they know I am all about independence and doing things my own way. It's important to me to teach my kids how to be independent and I WANT them to be able to take on anything this life throws at them. But as a mom, I wish the moments when they are little and need us so much lasted just a little bit longer. 

Hang a sign around my neck because this snack shack is CLOSED

Yep, it's true. I am done nursing. Boops is almost 15 months old and I actually held out longer than I thought I would and honestly, I probably would have been done sooner but he wouldn't take any kind of formula or bottle so it was nursing or nothing. 

I would love to be able to sit here and say that I am overjoyed and relieved but I'm not. I'm a little sad. I'm going to miss our quiet times, just he and I, when he isn't squirming and running around but snuggling with me and letting me kiss his little hands and smelling his hair. It's a moment in time that draws a line in the sand between baby and toddlerhood. He's growing up and moving on. Moving on to climbing and running, digging in dirt and being 100% boy. Plus, when a kid can pull up your shirt to look for a snack all by himself - it's time. It's flat out T I M E. All is as it should be but that doesn't mean it doesn't sting a little bit. 

I'm going to Anaheim this weekend for business so I knew this day (or night as the case may be) was coming but just like everything else in life, it's here before you know it and then you're reminiscing about 5 years down the road in the blink of an eye. This also puts me on a path to a little freedom as well. My precious husband and I will be able to go out and stay out a little later on our date nights because I don't have to nurse Boops to sleep. (I hope my parents are taking special note here. :) )

So, go ahead and read the sign in big black letters- this snack shack is closed for business. 

On a side note, you have GOT to check out this YouTube. It's like nothing I've ever seen before. Simply amazing! Click on the Mind-blowing Waterfall 

It's over as soon as it began

If you had asked me before yesterday morning, I would have told you I was ready for my kids to go back to school. That I was looking forward to being back into the routine and getting the kids apart some so they aren't fighting all the time. I would have said something about the freedom to get some cleaning done around the house without playing referee all day. Being able to work and make phone calls uninterrupted. But then it hit me like a ton of bricks pressing on my chest and my tear ducts. This is Chachi's last summer as an elementary school kid.

I never thought of it like that before, being her last summer of "innocence." Her last summer of being little, in my eyes at least. Next summer is going to be different. She'll be preparing for middle school. That's a whole other beast in itself. But the distinction that lies between elementary school and middle school is huge. Like a chasm that separates the child from the tween. Next year, she'll be moving classes and having brunch AND lunch periods. I guess we all want our kids to grow up and stay little all at the same time but right now, the desire for her to stay little is overwhelming. 

With all that said about Chachi, I was also having the realization that Tiny will be in 3rd grade. That's the big time at their school. They move from the lower grade playground to the playground where 3rd - 5th graders play and it doesn't sound uber cool to someone who doesn't attend their school but 3rd grade also means they can play on Blue Heaven. Blue Heaven is a play structure for the upper grades ONLY and it is a big deal to those 3rd graders. To me, it's one more step to Tiny going on to the same fate as her sister, middle school. 

Last night at Tiny's soccer practice, another mom of a 5th grader at the kid's school and I were chatting about how we both are feeling this tug at our hearts and she says, "At least you have the baby still at home so it shouldn't be as hard as it will be for the rest of us who don't have any little ones at home." I thought about that comment for quite some time last night after we left practice. At first I thought, it was true, I do have one more child to go through their elementary school and I can look forward to doing all these experiences again. Then, a flood of memories came rushing back to my mind about when Chachi was small and I thought she'd be little forever and how her even being in 5th grade seemed like a lifetime away. And now it's here. 

The next thought was Boops will be in 5th grade before we know it. That is a sad thought to me. I am enjoying him being small so much. Much more than I think I enjoyed it with either of the girls because I didn't realize with them how fast it would go by. In my mind, I felt like they would stay small longer but as all parents know, they are born then they're 10 years old and in the 5th grade in the blink of an eye. Since I am getting all misty again, I will end my pity party but I hope you enjoy pictures of our camping trip in Lake Tahoe last weekend. 

A camping we will go, a camping we will go...

High ho the derry O, a camping we will go. Yes, it is true. We're going camping. In the woods. With a tent. In the dirt. And possibly without running water OR bathrooms. EEEK! We'll be gone all weekend in Lake Tahoe with my husband's cousin, his wife and their 3 kids. That is 6 kids total, from ages 9 to 14 months. Whew, it's going to be an experience! 

We went to Big 5 and bought all our gear. Well, most of our gear. The family, let's call them the P's, go camping a lot so they have the cooking equipment etc... But we ran that poor sales guy at Big 5 ragged. We got an 8 person tent so it should be plenty of room for our family. Let us not forget that we have the pack and play to put up in there! 

We're staying at a camp ground not far from the lake. From what I can see on the website, we should have an amazing view. I am really looking forward to getting out of town for a few days, spending time with the kids doing something completely new with them, being able to sit around with our extended family without distractions and the grind of daily life creeping into the schedule. We have 3 whole days to relax and recharge. 

I love Tahoe and the weather should be beautiful this weekend. The lake water will be downright chilly but I'm sure that won't stop the kids from going in and making the most of every moment alloted to them in that water! It's amazing to me that as adults, we get so put off by cold water or other surrounding conditions and allow that to impede the fun we could be having. Children seem to block out the cold, the circumstances, whatever is surrounding them that an adult would let hinder them. They go all out and just have a good time. I hope this weekend brings back some of that innocence for all of us and I am determined to go into the lake with my girls. I might only stay a few minutes but by gum, I'm going to dunk my head under and swim with them for a while. 

I can't wait to see how the kids do without all the common conveniences of home and how they really CAN survive a day without television, a Wii, or any other electronic device to babysit their minds. There's fun to be had in the world and I pray this trip stimulates their minds and shows them their imaginations are more fun than anything someone else can come up with. Rocks, sticks and a good imagination can make a camp site into a fortress. They become princesses and fight their way past the dragons to safety! We're going to let them try their hands at cooking dinner and helping out with pitching the tent. It's going to open them up to all new experiences. 

Life is full of moments that seem to be flying by at the speed of light. Just yesterday, it seems like Chachi was born and we were bringing her home for the first time. Now she's going into her last year of elementary school and that will be over before we know it and it's off to middle school. I want to grasp every moment we have left with my kids and hold them tight with both hands. Remembering all the smells, sounds and emotions related to each one so that when they're grown, I can pull them out and relive them. And I hope they take those memories with them too where ever they go so when they're far away at college or starting their own lives, they can take them out, call me and we can share those memories together, reminiscing about times like this when we went camping for the first time in Tahoe and all the funny things that happened on the trip. 

Look at me here, I'm getting all sappy and I actually started this post laughing at the thought of me being in dirt for 3 days! I have a ton to do today, including packing all my stuff, Boop's stuff and the food etc... so I should probably get started on it. I can't wait to post some pictures of us "roughing it" and I WILL have a picture made of me in the water. For posterity's sake, of course! 

In which I spend the day with Deanna Raybourn

I started my post with that title because my dear friend and award winning author, Deanna Raybourn, starts every post on her Blog A Go-Go with "In which..." (see links on the right side of this blog to check her out). 

Sunday, my amazing husband took my kids all day and sent me off on BART to spend the day in San Francisco with Deanna. She was here from Virginia for a literary conference and RITA awards ceremony. The RITAs are the Oscars of the literary world. I got to the San Francisco Marriott a little early so I was waiting in the lobby for her since she was coming in from breakfast with her editor. From across the waiting area, I see her in her smart brown dress and TO DIE FOR animal print stilettos, hair swept up, carrying an incredible bag and carrying a RITA!!! Yes, she WON a RITA for Silent in the Grave! She beat Nora Roberts in the category. Completely awesome!

At 10 AM, we got picked up by the car service, Green Limo Service, in a leather clad Prius. I have to admit, the Prius was very comfortable and roomier than I would have imagined and it had some serious get up and go! We went to Sebastopol for a luncheon/book signing and we had a driver that we were sure had driven for Nascar at some point or was in fact a stunt driver and was filming a scene while we were in the car. He darted in and out of traffic like we were Kermit in a video game of Frogger. 

The luncheon was at the Starlight Wine Bar and Restaurant in Sebastopol. Lunch was delicious and the company was delightful. I loved watching the women who were there to spend the afternoon with Deanna and have their books signed. She was a total rock star! Deanna read an excerpt from Silent in the Sanctuary, the second book in the series. She signed books, chit chatted and basically hypnotized us with the sheer glamour she exudes. 

We headed back to San Francisco about 3:15 PM and were able to do a little bit of shopping before we headed to dinner at Lori's Diner on Powell Street. We had fantastic conversation, laughed and had an all around wonderful time all over cheeseburgers and fries. 

I want to thank Deanna for ushering me around with her all day and letting me tag on her coat tails to her event. Deanna, Thanks for dinner and spending your entire last day in San Francisco with me. 

Here's a picture of Deanna with her RITA while she's signing books at the event. Isn't she completely gorgeous? So much beauty, talent and a genuinely wonderful person all in one package. 

Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!

Yesterday, we went to the San Francisco Zoo with 10 girls from my girl scout troop. Also in toe was Tiny, Boops and my dad. Thank goodness for dear ol dad who took care of the baby the entire time!

It was a fun day. We left around 9 AM and headed over with 6 kids in my car (3 of which 

were my own), we got the the zoo just as it opened at 10 AM. We didn't see everything, as I had hoped, but we saw a majority of the animals. 

The zoo as a whole was disappointing. I have

n't been to the SF Zoo since I was in 7th grade so we're talking almost 22 years ago. Gosh, that's a scary thought. But it is so run down and haggard looking. The exhibits weren't well maintained. The animals themselves looked sad and pitiful. One of the silver back gorillas just sat by the cold black cage door that leads them back to where they are housed at night. His face was sullen and lips down turned like a child when it's sad and sitting alone in the corner. It was heart wrenching. Hardly any of the animals were awake. They were in their enclosures but off to the side or in the rear sleeping so there really wasn't much to see. The most excitement we had, animal wise, was the polar bears who were JUST coming out into the enclosure for the morning and they strutted out, stretched their back legs far behind themselves and laid down. Rough life they lead, eh? Might I add that they laid down with their bottoms to the crowd so we didn't even really see them much. 

Several of the exhibits were closed such as the rain forest exhibit that was a phenomenal experience. That was a let down as well. We did ride the train and the carousel but at those prices, I am amazed they had as many riders as they did. $4 for the train ride that takes 2 laps around a very short track, lasting less than 5 minutes and the carousel that costs $2 and is even a shorter ride than the train. But it was Boop's first time to do both and he was too cute for words on both. 

After the zoo, we had lunch on Ocean Beach. The girls all had a blast running up the beach as the waves came in. They were looking for sand dollars that used to cover the beach but yesterday was not a good day for sand dollar hunting. There was an overabundance of crab shells, though. Some birds had a field day and a nice dinner leaving literally hundreds of crab head shells strewn about the beach. The highlight was a squishy and quite stinky dead jellyfish that had washed ashore. After much poking and prodding, the fascination was over and they moved on. I loved watching them just being 9 and 10 year old kids, with no cares in the world, enjoying the moment that was at hand. I got some good pictures, too. These are the moments great memories are made of. 

Speaking of memories to store away, I was driving home and started thinking of what I had to do when I arrived back home. I took the wrong exit and ended up having to drive almost to the Oakland Airport before there was an exit to turn around. Even at that, we had to drive through downtown Oakland to find the entrance back on. What a frustrating situation that I will be sure not to repeat. Despite the set back, we had already made up a bunch of time by cutting through city streets and getting back on the 101 by the Bay Bridge so we still beat one of the parents back to the house! Amazingly enough. 

I've added a few pictures from the day. I'll only post ones of my kids since this is my blog! I'm partial like that. :) 

He loves The Street

Sesame Street, that is. Boops really hasn't been exposed to children's television except for what's running in the background when he's running around the house. Those shows usually consist of Hannah Montana and Suite Life of Zack and Cody. Nothing he'd be interested in. 

When he got sick the other day, he was feeling puny. He actually was sitting on the couch with me, snuggling my side and being still. That's one way I knew he felt terrible. I decided to turn off the news and turn on something he might actually like. Sesame Street was on and as a kid's show, it's great because they still show some of the same clips I watched as a kid myself or clips that they showed when the girls were small so it lends itself to some nostalgia while being entertaining. He was mesmerized! 

A few minutes ago, I was checking my morning emails and he wandered off into the living room. Sesame Street was on out there but he was playing and running around so he hadn't paid it much mind when I was out there with him to watch it. He's 14 months old, he shouldn't want to watch it really. Anyway, I respond to an email then go look for him. He's nowhere to be found. I look in his usual hiding places. Not there. I physically walk into the living room and there he sits on the floor, scrunched up in the corner of the couch, fully engaged in Sesame Street! It was hilarious. 

We were at Hallmark the other day and saw some plush that he adored. He had 3 characters with him while we shopped around for yet another Webkinz for a birthday present. He had Grover (a personal favorite since childhood), Cookie Monster (THE favorite from childhood) and Big Bird (who's cool in his own right). Boops was kissing them and cuddling them, it was a darling scene. We go to leave and I decide to buy him one since he obviously ADORED these guys. They wanted $15 for one plush. I don't think so. 

The moment I took them all away and stuck them on the shelf was the moment I realized that we were moving into toddlerhood because the fit that ensued could have rivaled any 2 year old on it's worst day. Crying, screaming, flailing. It wasn't pretty. He's just started protesting in stores when we let him look at something - mostly to keep him quiet while we shop - then put it back when we leave the store. He never really cared or paid much attention but now he understands more and wants to keep what we give him to look at. 

I think I'll wait a week or so and see how long this Sesame Street love lasts. If it keeps going and he becomes more familiar with the show, maybe I just might have to swing back over to Hallmark and get my guy a Cookie Monster. I'm such a push over! 

A night out on the town

Tonight, we actually get an adult night out. We're going to dinner in San Francisco with another couple. I am sooo excited! It's in North Beach, which is one of my favorite places to eat and people watch. We're going to Mangarosa. Click the link if you want to drool on the screen! Apparently, the mojitos there are AMAZING and since those are my drink of choice (as long as they're made well) I can forsee at least 2 of these this evening.

We never go out for adult time. An occasional dinner or movie but probably 3 times in the last 14 months since Boops has been born. That's a pretty sad showing for date nights but hopefully tonight will make up for it a little bit. 

I want to say Happy Birthday to my sister in law, Tonya, and my nephew, Josiah! They are mother and son and share a birthday. Isn't that cool? I hope you have a fantastic day and blessed year. We love you guys!

Well, that's just SICK!

Boops is almost 14 months old and I am working very hard at getting him weaned. Every time we get close to closing down the snack shack, I get a mastitis and we're back to square one. I'm cutting out feedings one feeding at a time and the night feeding was one of the first to go. Who wants to get up in the middle of the night every night and if you keep feeding the baby at night, their body gets used to having a feeding then so their little time clock wakes them up for a snack. 

So, last night around midnight, Boops starts crying. My husband and I laid in bed going back and forth as to whether we should get up and let him nurse or could we be strong and allow him to cry it out and work through it on his own. We decide to let him cry it out and we were pretty proud of ourselves because we did. We lot him cry for about 5 minutes, which I know isn't a long time but for us, it's an eternity because he never has to cry that long before we RUSH in to save our poor little man. 

This morning, we slept in until almost 9 AM. That's unheard of for him but we had friends over last night and we were all up late so I figured he was recouping and charging his batteries. He has a Fisher-Price Rain Forest music player in his crib. He LOVES it. He'll wake up, push  the toucan and start up the music and waterfall sounds then lay back down and slowly wake up to these soothing sounds. 

I hear the music and let it play through a cycle then he is stirring so I go in to get him. He seems a little extra clingy and STINKY when I grab him. It wasn't a usual stinky either. (if you know what I mean.) I pull him back to look at him and there's pink all over his shoulder. What in the sam hill is that? I peer into the crib, yep, vomit. All over the sheets is dried pink puke. 

Immediately, the guilt sets in. What kind of mother am I? My son was crying out in the middle of the night for me and I didn't go rescue him!! Ugh, I should be taken out and flogged. As you can guess, I will NOT be letting him 'cry it out' again any time soon. If he cries again tonight, I will be in that room faster than Dale Earnhardt Jr. can get around the track in a Nascar race. 

Boops seems just fine now and shows no signs of feeling sick but the guilt will haunt me forever. I guess I can count my name being taken out of the running for Mother of the Year 2008. 

Unless you're training for the Olympics

Baby gates are a wonderful thing. They keep your children out of harm's way or protect things you don't want them to smash in one red hot second. We only have one in our house and it sits between the dining room and the kitchen. Now that Little Man can reach the knobs on the stove, it's time to leave it up all the time. 

Yesterday, though, I wish it hadn't been there. As anyone that has electronic devices knows, you have to charge them once in a while. My Blackberry was charging on the counter and I could hear Low Rider by War playing from my back room. (That's my husband's ring tone.) I ran in to get the phone before I lost the call. Bad choice. 

I hustle into the dining room, I make a break for the phone over the baby gate, hurdle style and WHAM-O... not so much. I did NOT make the jump. It was obvious to me that I wouldn't be making the 2008 Summer Olympic team for track and field. The jeans I had on did not give as much as I needed and let's face it, I probably could have been in running shorts and I still wouldn't have made it. If anyone wants to know, hardwood floors do not make for a soft landing what so ever and baby gates leave super sweet bruises. Next time, I'll just call him back. 

Speak now or forever hold your peace

I LOVE new products. Love them! I swear, I've tried every new flavor of gum at the check stand at Target, good or bad, I've chewed it. I bought the Swiffer Sweeper Vac when it was brand new and it impacted my cleaning routine and the happiness of my husband so much that I've told an amazing amount of people about it who bought it, and use it as much as I do. Anything that tastes good, will be of good use or will make my life easier... man I am THERE. 

So, I was watching Good Morning America today - which I do every morning - and they were talking about some websites you can join and you'll get to try out new products for free. Well, if that didn't spark my interest right away. I went online and signed up for www.shespeaks.com and also www.houseparty.com Houseparty is a site where you have a party at your house to showcase a product and shespeaks lets you try products and use word of mouth to spread the news on what you think. So cool! 

If you are in the market for super fantastic deals on name brand and high end designer clothes, there are 3 sites I am a member of. One is Rue La La (www.ruelala.com). They have deals on everything from clothes to hammocks to dishes and knives! Another is Gilt. Ugh, I love this site! They have designer clothes at a fraction of the price and they just had a major blow out where you got 90% off the prices. It was designer name dropping at it's best and uber cheap. (www.gilt.com) The last one is Haute Look. This site I have spent the least amount of time on but still amazing deals and cool clothes. (www.hautelook.com) All these sites are by invitation only which means that someone who is already a member has to invite you via email then you can join through that invitation. If you are interested in checking out any of these sites, you can email me your email and I will send you an invite.

I signed up for a campaign on Houseparty.com to hold a Fisher-Price party at my house in September. We'll see if I get accepted to do it but if I do, anyone who is in my area and wants to come, party on, my friend. And if you aren't, you WILL be hearing all about it here so be on the look out for details and the good, bad or AWESOME right here on A Little Bit of Heaven. 

How do you start a blog? THAT is the question.

This is the question I have asked numerous friends who are avid bloggers and writers. They all say the same thing... write about what you love and are passionate about. So, I guess I will! But since this is my first post, I'll tell a little bit of the basics about me. 

I am 34 years old, I have 3 beautiful kids - Chachi (9), Tiny (7) and Boops (1), I have a fantastic husband, we live in Northern California in a terrific little community that I grew up in... I know it all sounds serene and lovely but most the time it's down right chaotic but they're all funny and keep me on my toes. I'm a seudo-stay at home mom. I work from home selling jewelry through a direct marketing company. I've done it for a little over 6 years and I love it! 

I have friends all over the country and probably will talk a lot about them. If you have ever found yourself amongst one of the most hilarious group of women you ever met or maybe you've seen them in a restaurant - back in a corner someplace - belly laughing, being loud and whooping it up in general, then those are my friends. And I'm darn proud of it. 

I'll post about things I love. People I love. Super cool things I've discovered or I've been turned onto by my friends & family. And I may even through in the mundane dealings of day to day life with 3 kids. Pretty much anything and everything goes so here we go... we're off on this little journey called A Little Bit of Heaven!