Heavy Heart for a Child Gone Too Soon

I pulled up to my boys’ school this morning to see the flag flying at half mast.

The campus was busier than usual with parents walking their children onto campus instead of dropping them off at the drop-off zone.

I am sure their hearts and minds were at the same place that mine were…are.

Yesterday, the boys were sent home with a note stating that a schoolmate, a 1st grader, had passed away in a car accident when the car her mother was driving went into a nearby reservoir.

This event has been plastered all over the news…a mother under the influence driving her daughter, a man and another 5 year old child.

Her and the man escaped the submerged car.

The 2 girls had to be rescued by Border Patrol.

Neither girl survived.

It is heartbreaking to think of the short-lived life of those girls. One of whom both my boys know.

Parents held their children’s hands this morning as they walked them to their classes. Big hugs were shared as goodbyes were exchanged.

I am sure each of us parents had the same thought of holding their child in their protective arms and never letting go….protecting them from all that is bad in the world…protecting them from what we cannot control.

I hugged my kids tighter last night and kissed them a lot more than I already do.

My heart and prayers go out to these girls’ families.

 

Pin It

What I’ve Been Up To!

I was just realizing it has been a week since I last posted. For shame!

In my defense, though, it was a busy week last week.

With the boys back in school, I am focused on building MRS Photography in its new home of San Diego. I put the photography on hold while I focused on getting everyone settled in and now that everyone is, it was time to focus on what I love!

To start, I did a “model” call out in one a Facebook group that I am a part of.

I am SO beyond excited about the sessions and how ADORABLE these kids are that I want to share my favorites from last week!

I have always been fortunate to have jobs that I enjoy (well, except for one that ended up ending unpleasantly…but that’s another story and a unique experience), but nothing has been MORE rewarding and fulfilling than photography. Okay, other than motherhood, that is.

Thank you for letting me share what I have been up to and I hope these beautiful kids brought a smile to your face. A smile is a good way to start a Monday, isn’t it?

 

 

Pin It

Kidtoons–Free Ticket to Thomas Blue Mountain Mystery

This August, KidToons is presenting a new Thomas the Train movie…

Blue Mountain Mystery

When trouble strikes at the Blue Mountain Quarry, Thomas is sent to help his Narrow Gauge engine friends. While shunting and hauling, he discovers a little green engine hiding in the tunnels. Thomas is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery but discovering the truth is harder than he imagined! Will Thomas be able to help his new friend? Or will the little engine be sent away from Sodor forever? Find out in Thomas’ most mysterious adventure yet, a movie the whole family will love!

 If you have a train enthusiast in your house, then you are in for a treat because one family member can watch this movie for FREE! Click on this link to print a free ticket to watch Blue Mountain Mystery. (Please note that the ticket is only valid on weekends and is limited to one free ticket per family.)

Check to see if there is a KidToons location near you http://www.kidtoonfilms.com/theatrelocations2.html 

KidToons is also hosting a Blue Mountain Mystery Coloring Contest so be sure to stop by their website to download the coloring pages and enter your child.

Pin It

Five Question Friday

1. What is the funniest thing you saw on Facebook/twitter this week?
I have a friend that posts e-cards almost daily and this one I loved the most this week.

Another friend shared this yesterday

2. What is your favorite Olympic event?

It is definitely a tie between figure skating and gymnastics. Can’t get enough of either of those!

3. Do your kids to chores around the house? If so, what are they and how old are the children? Do they get paid for them?

My 9 year old is in charge of feeding the dog, picking up dog poop, and taking the trash out to the curb on trash day.

The 6 year old is in charge of cleaning up his toys. That chore alone can take all day. ;)

4. If you get bad service/food do you complain or keep quiet?

I used to not say anything, but as of a few months ago when I began to get tired of horrible service, I started speaking with managers or calling toll free numbers. I do, however, wait until after the meal to ensure that my meal wasn’t somehow wiped on someone’s butt cheek while in the kitchen…ya, I watch Dateline! :)

5. If you could pick ONE frivolous item for your home, what would it be? (massive room sized closet? swimming pool? greenhouse? etc...)

Does a new home count as ONE frivolous item because if it does, I’ll take that.

Pin It

Back to School

Yesterday marked the end of summer vacation. After 7 weeks of summer vacation, my boys walked into their school as a 1st grader and 4th grader. Sigh.

The night before, everything was prepared.

Lunchboxes…

New backpacks…

New Shoes…

These boys woke up early (I’m talking 6:30 early!) almost every day of summer. The first day of school, though, and they slept in! I woke Cody up at 8 and he refused to get out of bed. He kept telling me “sleeping is fun!”.

Once they were wide awake and dressed, they began to get excited for school!

When we went school shopping, Cody picked out an item all on his own.

The hat has been a daily accessory so he, of course, wanted to wear it to school. Doesn’t he look awesome!

They both had a great 1st day.

We walked into DJ’s class just a little late and when he walked in, the class yelled out his name. It was a bit heart warming considering we were only here for the last 3 months of school. It is wonderful to know we have found a school where everyone knows each other and the kids are all so friendly.

Cody walked into class and acted like he owned the place. Sportin’ his hat, he made his rounds to say hello to old friends and familiar teachers. He also made sure to say “see my hat”. :)

The first day of school is always such a mixed emotion for me. As much as I love their company, I begin to miss a little of “mommy” time. Then when they go back to school, the empty house makes me miss them. A lot.

Pin It

Summer Splashin’

It is the last week of summer vacation and the hottest week so far this summer. By hot, I mean 85. :)

My boys’ new pool came in last week so they have been out there every day cooling down.

Cody is infamous for his splash attacks on his swimming big brother.

This is his version of over the water swimming while standing and mimicking big brother.

How are you enjoying your kids’ summer vacation?

Pin It

Back from Vacation!

My boys and I had a restful vacation visiting with my family last week. We celebrated my beautiful niece’s first birthday and my knee got the much-needed rest it deserved.

We are now back from the heat and enjoying the 70+ degree San Diego weather while Fairfield is being taunted with close to 100 degree temps. Sorry, Northern California family. I wish I could share our cooler weather with you.

There are 2 weeks left until my boys go back to school. It is always so bittersweet for me. I am ready for them to go back to school, but at the same time I end up missing them when the house is eerily quiet during the day.

What have you been up to this summer?

Pin It

Too Old? Me? Maybe…

What happens when you mix a 38 3/4 year old me with a

?????

This happens…..

+

Good times I tell ya…good times!

Pin It

Five Question Friday

It is my older son’s birthday weekend so I am getting ready for a Safari birthday party. Can’t wait to share pictures with you. :)

In the meantime, here is today’s Five Question Friday. Want to join in? Feel free to answer the questions in the comments section or create a blog post and share it with us. :)

1. What do you keep a stock pile of?
My husband will be the first to tell you that I don’t really stockpile. He actually makes fun of me for it. If we are shopping and something is on sale for a really good price, I will grab one of the item and he will say “you sure love to stock up on good deals.” :)

2. If Ben & Jerry asked you to invent an ice cream, what would it be?
It would be my favorite creation that I get at Cold Stone Creamery – vanilla ice cream with Reese’s peanut butter cups, chocolate syrup and whip cream. I would call it the Peanut Butter Dream.

3. How do you blow off steam?
I am a crier so I usually cry if I am really frustrated. Then I will listen to music REALLY loud and that helps calm me.

4. What would you do if you had an hour to yourself anywhere within a ten mile radius of your home...no kids, no hubby, just you?
I would either get a relaxing massage or sit at the beach with a good book. I love having the beach so close to me! I never took advantage of it before, but now I love the calmness of it all.

5. When you were 16, what was your curfew in the summertime?
Curfew was around 10 pm – unless I was with my older brother then it was whenever he came home. :)

Pin It

Feels Good to be a Family Again!

When we found out my husband had a job offer in San Diego, we were sad that we had to say goodbye to family and friends and the place that was home for 4 years. I was worried about taking my boys away from some of their favorite people and how hard it may be on them.

But the most important factor for us was being able to have my husband home again. For the 4 years that we were in Northern California he travelled frequently and we hardly saw him. Last year alone, he was gone almost 30 weeks.

It was like being a single parent. Without the help from my family, I don’t think I would have been able to stay sane all the times he was gone.

A friend put it best when she said it must feel like the first year of marriage every time he comes back.

The boys loved their dad, but when he was around, I’m not quite sure they knew how to have him back. When he was home, it was for 2-3 days max and then he would be gone again.

We moved to San Diego on February 11th. This was the first year in a long time that he was home for Valentine’s Day. Go figure that I would end up with the stomach flu and spend my time hugging Mr. Porcelain instead of spending the time with my husband and boys. :)

My younger son’s birthday came, Mother’s Day came and now my older son’s birthday is next week.

I cannot tell you how happy I am to finally have my husband home for all these days that we used to spend without him.

It has taken some adjusting to having him home again and learning to split parenting and housework. I am used to just doing it on my own, that it took some while to even remember that there was someone else that could take the trash to the curb on Fridays! :)

I can even see a difference in my boys. They love having their dad around and are getting to know him again. I love watching them get excited about dad coming home every day after work and running to the door to greet him. I don’t think I will get tired of that.

DJ has someone he can talk to about video games (because I can just nod my head and say "really?” before he catches on that I have no idea what he is talking about). Cody is stuck to his dad and can’t wait for him to come home every day. Now, if only he would use his dad as a wrestling buddy instead of me!

Now that my family is back to always being together, we are “home"! 

 

Pin It

School’s Out For Summer…. A Visit to Balboa Park

My boys’ summer vacation officially began last Thursday!

For the first time since moving here, we checked out the free Museum Tuesdays at Balboa Park this last Tuesday.

Here is the schedule of museums each month:

First Tuesday
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
Centro Cultural de la Raza
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum (Not valid for Titanic exhibition or 3D films)

Second Tuesday
Museum of Photographic Arts
San Diego History Center
Veterans’ Museum and Memorial Center

Third Tuesday
San Diego Art Institute
Mingei International Museum
San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Man
Japanese Friendship Garden

Fourth Tuesday
San Diego Air & Space Museum (Not valid for special exhibitions)
San Diego Automotive Museum (Last admission 3:45pm)
San Diego Hall of Champions
SELECT House of Pacific Relations International Cottages

In the event you plan on taking advantage of free Tuesday and haven’t been there before, here are some tips that I learned from this visit-

• Get there before by about 9:30 to get parking  - we arrived a little after 10 am (when the museums open) and we circled for about 30 minutes before we found parking.
• It was CRAZY busy at Reuben H Fleet Science Center with field trip groups as well as other taking advantage of the free day. I’m not sure if arriving early will help with smaller crowds, but next time we are going to try to get there before they open. We left around 12 and crowds were still coming in.
• Bring lunch – the selections are slim yet pricey so pack a lunch to enjoy a picnic on the grass or a meal by the fountain

Next week, we will be hitting the San Diego History Center and Veterans’ Museum and Memorial Center. I plan on getting there early!

What are some of your favorite things to do during the summer?

Pin It

The Queen Bee Market–My First Shopping Experience

I recently discovered a craft show in San Diego that featured super cute and cool handmade items. I’m not talking your senior center type of craft items. Don’t get me wrong, I love attending all kinds of craft fairs, but the products all end up looking the same after awhile and the uniqueness just isn’t there.

The Queen Bee Market is different. It is like walking into an Etsy store if Etsy had a store. It is girly, frilly, flowery and OHMYGOSH so overwhelmingly full of cool stuff!

I circled all the tables soaking in the fun displays and equally fun products they displayed.

The second time around, I started filling my bag with goodies.

Sweet Funky Vintage made me wish I had a girl so I could dress her in their bright, adorable outfits.

While going through  basket of DIY Apron kits, I spotted some bags of scrap fabric. At only $4/bag, I couldn’t pass it up. I have no idea what I will make with them, but I was thinking that a patchwork little girl’s skirt might be fun to make.

I also scored these cool finds.

The turquoise item on top is a hair wrap from Little Penelope Lane. I don’t generally wear hair wraps, but I just couldn’t pass these up. She also had some with flowers. I am taking baby steps, though, and started with a simple wrap. ;)

From left to right:

• “Capture Joy” necklace from Little Pink Plum
• Green tags from Inspire Lovely – these will be used as party favor tags for an upcoming safari party
• Camera Pin from Crème De La Gems. This shop had SOOO many adorable items that I had to pull myself away from the table!
• “I Shoot People for a Living” and “photograpHER” pins from Little Pink Plum

Some close-ups of my goodies…

Part of the fun for me was also collecting business cards from each of the vendors. They were so unique and pretty.

I look forward to the next Queen Bee Market craft fair! I should start saving my money up now!

Pin It

Running and I are not Friends…

There was a time were I could lace up my tennis shoes, head out the door and run a mile without breaking into a sweat.

Well, those days are gone….

A couple of months ago, I decided that I was going to try the Couch to 5K and get myself running again.

A bad back, dead nerves from my neck on down, and asthma are a temporary damper to my hopes of joining the likes of Forrest Gump and running.

I will try again, I’m sure, but for now, I’m hanging up my running shoes . :/

Awhile back, I was reading something about Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred DVD. So I do what I usually do to see more reviews and checked Amazon out to see what folks have said about it.

Well...with 4.5 stars and 2,9995 reviews I decided that it was worth a shot. Target happens to sell the DVD for less than $10 so I went straight to Target and bought a copy.

When I read the DVD case I thought “cool, 20 minutes a day. EASY!”

Um….I was soooo wrong! About 10 minutes into the workout on the first day, I thought my legs were going to fall off and I felt like passing out. Seriously. Jillian Michaels is unforgiving. She chides you even through the video. Sure, I could have turned the DVD off, but something just made me want to prove myself to Jillian. Darn you Jillian Michaels for your motivation. ;)

The next morning, I could hardly walk up and down the stairs, but I forced myself to do the workout. I had to convince myself that it was only 20 minutes so DO IT…though it felt more like 2 hours of workout.

The third day was a break day. Mostly because the soreness in my legs made me walk like Frankenstein.

This morning, I woke up pain free and was excited to do the workout. It was a satisfying feeling to complete the workout without feeling like I wanted to roll up in a ball and cry! I know she mentioned in the video that after a few days it wouldn’t be so hard, but I thought she was lying!

I am determined to keep my new routine – waking up at 6 am to do the workout.

Can you check on me to make sure I am staying on track?

Pin It

Confidence Will Get You Anywhere

You know that feeling when you have so many hands lifting you up and supporting you and you feel like there is nothing you can’t do?

I think that is where Cody is in life right now.

When we left Suisun, he could recognize his numbers up to 20, knew his capital letters and could spell his name along with a few other letters and numbers.

We moved here in mid-February and Cody was not able to complete jigsaw puzzles, use scissors, hold a pencil using a tri-pod position, or read.

2 weeks ago on a Wednesday, his teacher sent home flashcards with the words “I, A, the, my, see” on them and asked me to have practice reading those words. I was shocked when I showed them to him and he read them. Sure, “I” and “A” are totally easy, but he also read “the”, “my” and “see”.

Very first time reading

I was anxious to go to school the next day to ask the teacher how long he had been working on reading those words. I was surprised when she said he had just started reading them on Monday!!!

It has been 3 weeks since he started trying and he is now reading 12 words!

What I love about this school is the support system that the kids provide for both my boys.

Cody’s teacher has figured out that Cody loves praise, cheering, and clapping when he does something correctly. I know this has motivated him to try so much harder in class.

It is not uncommon to walk down the hallways on the way to class without an endless amount of children calling out good mornings and hellos to either of my boys.

During recesses and lunch, Cody spends time with the “typical” classes. It is heartwarming when I see kids calling for him to play with them or making room for him at the lunch table.

DJ once told me that he saw Cody walking to the lunch table and heard a number of kids calling out for Cody to sit with them and moving over to make room. Cody decided upon a seat next to a couple of kids and the kids he did not sit beside grumbled and voiced their wishes that Cody would move to sit beside them.

It makes me cry at how wonderful the kids, their parents and teachers are to him.

They see what we see – CODY – and not Down Syndrome.

By his actions, personality and progress you can tell that these open arms have given him a confidence that he has never had before.

After just the first week of school, he was holding a pencil correctly (he previously wrote in a fist). Within the first month, he was completing floor puzzles and cutting with scissors.

The other day, I was amazed when he completed a 24 piece puzzle all by himself!

He continues to amaze me and I am thankful for all the cheerleaders in his life that encourage him to keep pushing to succeed.

Just a little bit of confidence in someone can make such a HUGE difference in that person’s life. I am indebted to those that have helped boost Cody’s confidence!

Pin It

Happy Mother’s Day - What Memory Will They Have?

Last week, I did a post on my photography blog about something that has been on my mind for awhile.

I am noticing that the older I get the more stories are real life.

Before, I could easily say “so and so’s friend’s parent passed away”. Now, it saddens me that I can name a lot of friends that have lost loved ones.

20 years ago, I knew nothing about Autism, but looking back can now realize which childhood friends and classmates show all the characteristics yet went undiagnosed all those years and were categorized as “different” by other children. Now, I can’t even count on 2 hands how many friends’ children have some form of autism.

Growing up, I saw kids with Down Syndrome and wondered about them. They were pushed aside in a classroom at the back of the school and a mystery to all. Now, I have a son with Down Syndrome that has opened my eyes to so many things I was ignorant and unopen to seeing.

The older I get, the closer things hit home.

When a friend messaged me a few months ago with some news. I was shocked and saddened.

She was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts.

She will fight it. She will get through it. She is just awesome like that.

It made me think.

In a loooooong time from now :), when my time with my boys has ended, what will they remember of me? What will they have to remember me by? What memories will they share with their kids?

Image from Homegrown Photography

I seriously dislike being in front of the camera. I feel insecure and a little uncomfortable (maybe that is why I opted to be a photographer and stand BEHIND the camera!  )

Every year, however, I make the effort to have a session with my family. Why? Because the older I get, the more precious I realize life is and I want to be sure my boys will always have something to remember me by.

A few years ago, I flipped through their baby scrapbook pages. They were filled with pictures of them with their dad, them with grandparents, them with our pets, them by themselves. What was missing? Them with ME!

Yes, there were pictures of me taken with them, but I opted to not scrapbook them because I didn’t like the way I looked.

I am cheating them of the memory of US by not including those pictures. The intimate pictures of us bonding while nursing. The pictures of comfort with them laying on my chest. If they don’t see those pictures, will they remember that it even happened?

For mother’s day, my message to you is this – step away from behind the camera and have someone capture you with your kids – playing, laughing, dancing, cuddling, holding hands.

Our kids don’t see the insecurities that we see within us. They only see MOM and nothing else but your presence matters.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there! Enjoy your special day with the ones you love!

Pin It

My Baby Boy is 6 Today

If I had a special power, it would be to keep my kids little for just a little longer. They grow so fast and even though I am blessed to be able to stay home with them, I still feel like I am missing so much of them growing up.

6 years ago today, one of the biggest blessings entered our lives.

6 years ago today, our hearts were forever opened to loving a child that society views as “imperfect” and we vowed to never turn our back on him or make him feel like he was nothing less than perfect.

6 years ago today, a baby they expected to be so tiny and fighting for life entered the world at almost 8 pounds, screaming and fighting.

Happy birthday our dear Cody!!!!

Here are 6 reasons I love you:

1. You can’t stay mad long and even in your stubbornness moments, you break down to give us a huge smile

2. You will stop whatever it is you are doing to get down and dance with your mommy!

3. There is just something about your serious look that I just love

4. You are a ball of sunshine that blesses everyone you meet

5. You are a carefree soul

6. You are as big a goofball as the rest of your family!
(I’m not sure why, but once we got to the pier and I told him to look at me, he would go all gangsta.)

Every year since they were born, my boys take a picture with this blue bear. I intend to do this until they are 18! :) Here he is in 2006 and now.

 

Special days call for special hair so today, he wore his hair in spikes.

Happy birthday our sweet, loving little boy! We are proud of the little dude you have become.

Pin It