Flashback Summer '14 So Cal

It's been so long now, that I think this should actually be called a flashback.

So, here we are, flashing back to the summer. 

In early July, we headed to Southern California to spend as much time as we could with as many friends as we could. 

It wasn't enough. I fear that it never will be.

The kids did pretty great on the drive down. Memories of crying as we drove up and down the 5 in previous years were fresh in our minds as we passed familiar landmarks. I suddenly keenly remembered taking Abby to Northern California as soon as we could after surgery. Some of those hours in the car were long. But this time, leaning on electronics made for some happy moments.

We actually headed to Palm Desert first, more on that later. And about two hours out from our destination, the kids got restless and Grant decided we needed to stop for ice cream at Mother Moo, our favorite old organic ice cream shop. There were many days when the kids have said, "I miss Mother Moo!" since we moved. I've wondered if they even remember what it is. But as soon as we got there, at 9pm, they knew exactly what to order (vanilla bean! double chocolate!) and so did we (mint chocolate chunk! salted caramel!). It got us through that final two hours....

We got to stay at our dear friend's home while they were away but got some good time with them before they left. Abby got to sleep upstairs with the sweetest God daughter  I've ever met and Ford got some tips on how to be a big boy from this cutie :

There was swimming....

Coloring at the homeschool table...

Donuts for breakfast...

Meeting new little boys for Fordy to hold hands with...

Reconnecting with old pals...

Meeting new little brothers...

Sharing Elsa love...

There was nose-picking and there were tears....

Trampoline jumping...

and "big girl" time...(i pray that she learns from them)...

...pizza time with the parents of kids that i went to preschool with...

and these crazies. i prayed for each one of them before they were born.

It's a bond that can never be broken - my love for them. Even from afar.

I'm so glad my kids know them.

And of course, 4th of July madness.

Happy late Independence Day, everyone! (wink).

Better late than never.

1290. air conditioning in the car

1291. a lovely place to stay

1292. generosity of our friends

1293. reconnecting effortlessly

1294. working out problems over text

Daisys

I can still remember canvasing my neighborhood with a Girl Scout cookie form in my hands, the dream of going to Disneyland on those sales never fulfilled. I remember the "bridge" ceremony at brownies and learning the Girl Scout creed. And now, the torch has been passed along! I lasted about two years -- let's see how far our girl takes this.

Abby's first Daisy meeting included 14 girls, every girl in both Kindergarten classes (those boys are still ruling the school). I love that she now knows (most likely) every girl who she might be in class with for her entire elementary school career. Small town at it's finest.

Learning and coloring in the creed :

Sitting in the friendship circle after singing Make New Friends (this hasn't changed!)...

And their second meeting allowed all the girls to wear their vests to school. The local CHP officer visited and even showed off their K9. Next month -- off to Apple Hill to make apple pie on site.

1286.  still getting the biggest hugs and kisses from fordy

1287. abby's hand holding

1288. impromptu hugging with each other

1289. "it's good we are together, Abby."

Five Years Ago Anniversary

It seems like about 2 years ago that I wrote this post, the one from almost exactly one year ago.

This year was much less eventful. So uneventful, even, that I didn't wake up with the memory of that day, five years ago, bouncing around in my brain.

The very dark morning in which we took our baby who'd been fasting for hours and drove her into the depths of a hospital parking garage, not exactly knowing when we'd leave there with her.

The minutes that felt like slow-motion where they took her away through those operating room doors. Away from us. But toward a surgeon with large hands who somehow, by the grace of almighty God used her small tools to operate on a heart the size of a walnut. The oddly peaceful and strange hours where we hid in our car, trying to sleep, away from the hospital smells and sounds. The "coincidence" of needing to pump and accidentally running into our surgeon who finished early declaring, "Yes. That was a very large hole. She's going to be doing much better now." And then, relief.  Fingers that couldn't text fast enough and call quick enough to spread the good news. The news I was secretly afraid we'd never hear.

And then this smile on day two post surgery...

And the long days of quick recovery that followed. Being discharged realizing that other babies in our room never would be. Those would spend all of their fleeting days in that hospital. An entirely new level of thankfulness spread over us then. And then leaving -- where Grandma and Grandpa back at our house sanitized the whole place. This guy looked like this -- and that was without an Ebola scare. :) Can you imagine if it was today? Hazmat suits would be at the ready.

And here we are currently -- awaiting the whistle for the Dolphin Dash at school. 

And to be honest, on the days when I want to ring her neck, I try and remember how hard I fought for her to live. And it puts things all back in perspective. 

1282. health

1283. not syringe-feeding her the breastmilk fat

1284. no crying during eating

1285. growing, running, sweating

Summer Dancing and Park-ing

Abby was a part of a recital this summer - we showcased those tap shoes we bought at the beginning of the year. I might be biased but I think these little cuties were the hit of the show. And Ford sat still the entire time. The day was a win!  I was so proud of her...

And Ford kept up his intense love of swinging and park-loving. 

Every chance he got (whenever Abby was at a playdate) he begged and begged. 

It was only my pleasure to oblige.

1278. cool nights

1279. tech stuff working flawlessly

1280. conquering fears

1281. sales at the right stores for Abby

Fading Summer Haze

As summer's glory is fading more and more each day (school schedule! early to bed!) I'm looking back with fond memories already.

Fordy getting comfy by the pool at the Country Club (thanks, Danielle for the invite) while devouring hot dogs and taking in the chlorine filled haze.

Sunsets like this....

While making first-time-ever-in-this-house s'mores...

And waiting for the perfect marshmallow to cook...

Worth the wait....

Crafts outside....

Our favorite tire swing....(how many kids can we fit on there?)

And playing in the freshly-delivered mulch....

It was a lovely summer.

And we were so thankful that we turned on the A/C a handful of times because of the positioning of our home. Lots of shade. So thankful. Cause it gets dang hot here. Truly. Now if I can just stay warm through the winter! 

1276. warm evenings and cool nights

1277. new mercies

1278. filtered water anytime

1279. learning to say no

First Time Ever, Soccer!

Soccer.

When we heard that a few of her preschool friends were signing up, we asked her if she wanted to do it. The World Cup frenzy was soon going on and although we didn't watch tons of it, we thought she knew (after practicing a few times) what she was in for.

But the first practice, a week before school started, was a little overwhelming.

She cried almost the entire first practice. 

And I was so surprised. 

This from the girl who jumped on a  waterski a summer ago and blew my mind with her courage and bravery. But somehow, this was a lot to take in.

So we did lots of hugging and shoving her back out there, hugging and wondering why it was so hard, and finally, the practice ended. Whew.

The coach was so wonderful with her. Taking her hand from time to time and doing drills "with" her and encouraging her along. I was so thankful for him. I've come to find out that Coach Chris is a single dad who's daughter is on our team. He gets 5 year old girls. Whew again. Prayer answered.

So, by the second practice, it was much less weepiness and much more "Okay, mom, I'll go but I'll miss you" -- and soon enough she was doing "butt kickers" to warm up (it was a form of bribery to say, "let's not be late! you don't wanna miss saying butt for the butt kickers!")

And she stood on a cone alone by practice number three.

And she ran and didn't prance like a pony.

And actually started to keep up.

And dribble.

And chat post-practice with pals.

And have to tell little brother that it wasn't yet his turn (next year!) "but look at my cool socks."

The first game was a bit tough at first. Daddy was out of town and this was the overall attitude that surfaced. It was based in fear again -- of the unknown of how it would all go. But God had it so that we had the game on the exact same part of the massive field where she practiced and her coach was the referee and all felt fairly normal. And there was no complaining about the uniform. Can you believe? Another answered prayer.

Soon it was pre-game huddle time.

And some grass picking for our sweet number 7.

I was expecting to have to have her sit with her team if she refused to play,

preparing myself for crying and not being "allowed to sit with us" since she committed to be a part of this adorable team.

But she played. The whole time.

And had an amazing throw in (her speciality seeing that she still runs away from the ball during the game - I'm afraid my offensive genes have mutated)...

And before I knew it, it was "2,4,6,8..." (how are they still doing the same cheer from 35 years ago?)

and the game was over.

Introducing....The Shakers! (smiling girl third from right)

And the best part of the game?

Nope, not the 5 to 2 win.

The snack pack she got afterward. Gummies, a Capri-Sun and cheddar bunnies.

Oh me. Oh my.

Next up : encouraging the eye of the tiger and kicking the ball into mommy's shins to build up some aggressive soccer skills. We'll keep you posted.

But for now : success = no tears. 

And that makes mama happy.

1272. grandma and papa coming to the game

1273. cheering and the soccer culture

1274. watching her grow

1275. getting a view into how to respond differently