Tatianna has a phenomenal spirit. Never once have a heard one corrective comment about her. Since her birth she has had “the light”. I have known about 2 or 3 other people in my life with this gift. They just emanate God’s love and they are the kind of people you want to be around because you feel like you can experience that kind of goodness by proximity. Tia’s has a love for Jesus beyond her years and is very introspective.

Knowing she was turning eight this year, I decided Patrick and I could sit down with her and walk her thought the tenants of her faith and invite her to officially become a Christian. The number “8” symbolizes new beginnings and I knew she was ready for this step. The week before her birthday she came to me with a treasure. She had created a large-scale compilation using construction paper of spiritual thoughts she had for HER children. Tia’s message was addressed to her future children and explained what she believes about her faith. It included an explanation of salvation, kindness and showcased every Bible verse she knew or found around the house. She kept coming and leaving again adding to it  when she thought of something. She flung open the door to our pending discussion so I seized the opportunity and Patrick and I had the privilege of walking her through the Sinner’s prayer.

The Bible teaches that baptism is in effect an “announcement” of the relationship you now have with Christ. As a new believer we planned to have Tia baptized at the next available opportunity. That was last Sunday in the ocean at Manhattan Beach. Tia prepared her own testimony, shared it with the large crowd and was submerged in the Pacific, we passed mini marshmallows as favors with the verse “Wash Me and I Shall be Whiter than Snow”-Psalm 51:7.

It was a glorious experience! I immediately welled up with tears when she re-emerged. My heart is full with gratefulness for her preciousness and delight for her beautiful heart. I’m so happy both sets of grandparents, our dear friends and family were there to witness this transformative event.

Today is the official start of summer! I think this is every kid’s favorite season. It might be my favorite too. Last year I had them in a free summer camp that their school offered. The hours were from 12-6 pm  (they only had to attend 3/5 days) and I liked that much better than the now 8am 2pm (5/5 days). It felt just like school trying to get everyone dressed, fed, snacks and lunches packed… . I decided to pull them out after a few days. 12 months ago I would probably have kept them in, but it is amazing how much maturing has transpired this past year. I am enjoying having them home ALL day:).

I have decided to make it a fun free for all, well sorta. I purchased each child their own thick curriculum book. It’s one of those fun all in one compilation workbooks. I got them one for their upcoming grade, one from Costco the other Target. While at Target I hit up the dollar section and grabbed a handful of thin workbooks that cover history, animals… they help students dissect the process of researching, processing and recording info.

We keep these books in the car so it doesn’t feel like school “sitting down” to work. They do a few sheets a day of language and math. At home I left out math flashcards and art supplies. That way they can pick them up and I remember to use them. They test each other with the flash cards-maybe Ethan will know his times tables too by summer’s end.They have already had a couple sleep overs. I figure now is the time to soak it all in.

Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary, when we got married in 2002 it was the first day of summer- thus the longest day of the year. Having the Summer Solstice in Malibu was a special treat that year. Patrick is planning for us to get massages tomorrow. We can both use it, we have both been a little stressed. Our short sale home we are in escrow in is taking forever- the occupants want to stay and are getting lots of extensions. I’m not good with waiting, I know this is a test!

Wait passionately for God, don’t leave the path Psalms 13:34

Mother’s Day marked a new and exciting privilege of getting to test drive our newly minted military I.D. cards. Growing up as an Army brat I received my own card at age 10, which was a big deal (I felt so grown-up)! However, when I came of age I lost my piggie-back privileges and could only go on base with a sponsor (my mom). Last month we busted out our cards and rolled right in, and I have been bustin’ that baby out every chance I can- the movies, Payless Shoes, IHOP, the Marriott!! I love a discount!

We headed to an exquisite Mother’s Day brunch followed by a walk around a Melrose Flea Market followed by a trip to The Grove. I tried to get a lovely picture outside the restaurant (while a Bravo cast member looked on) but my kids can be difficult picture takers, I gave up and settled on this one of them looking like gangsters!

My blogging lapse was due to all the end of school year festivities. As my children age I am really starting to feel that little ache of wanting another child. I’m totally kidding!!! I’m just soaking in all the moments I can with them, because the “days are short, but the years are long”. I’m so grateful that I can be present for all that I want to be part of-like my kid’s Jog-A-Thon. This was a new fundraiser/awareness campaign where the kids ran laps to earn money for their school and get active. They both rocked it, Tia did 23 laps and Ethan did 18! They both were jogging like they were serious athletes (Patrick and Tia go running on weekends). As a family we have embraced physical fitness and the kids are following suit.

Mr. EJ celebrated his 6th birthday (and Daddy did too) and his Kindergarden graduation-my baby is going to 1st grade! I love how he embraces books and learning. When he was younger I would try to read to him and he was not interested. Now he loves to read and is breaking the bank with new purchases I have a really hard time saying “no” to books!

Father’s day was lovely, we had a pretty typical Sunday. We almost always head over to Whole Foods after church.We love it there because there is something for everyone and there is no waiting or tipping. Afterward; we hit up R.E.I., World Market, Pink Berry, headed home for a water gun fight, then finished it off with Hawaiian Burgers at Islands- so good! I’m so grateful for my man, he has grown in his walk with the Lord this past year and is committed to the men’s group at our church. This devotion has transferred to his parenting and I’m so grateful.

I am one of those people who have to make a big deal out of every exciting milestone. My love language is gift giving so there is usually something tangible to accompany “big deals” in our family. For my kids this started in the womb. You may know that gender reveal parties are all the rage now. I like to think that I was ahead of that trend. For Tatianna’s reveal we had the doctor write the gender on a card that we opened two weeks later on Christmas morning. With Ethan, we did the same thing, but then took the unopened card to the baker and had them write the results on top of the cake which we took home and surprised ourselves. Each time we set up the video and did this in our home. The next day we did something fun with extended relatives so they could celebrate- it nearly always involves cupcakes! Now people are combining them in Gender Reveal Parties where a non-diagnostic ultrasound is done in home!

My husband will beg to differ on this but I think it is important that we celebrate how many years we have been together in addition to our wedding anniversary. April 11, 1997 marks our first date, so this month we went out to dinner at this cool place my sis recommended called Red Medicine.

They feature eclectic Vietnamese cuisine. The fare appeals to all your senses.  There were a few hiccups, but in whole it was an intriguing experience. We bounced over to Crustacean in Beverly Hills for dessert. We love the Pineapple Bread Budding. The foodie came out in me and I spontaneously asked for a drizzle of Coconut Rum on top. OUT OF CONTROL! It was soooooo gooooood!

What’s next to celebrate?! Yesterday was a Huge accomplishment for little Ethan. After 2,144 of him crying once or many more a day since he was born, he FINALLY went one whole day tear free!! AAAAAHHHHH, You have no idea how enormously major this is for us. We have been waiting and waiting for this!!!!!! So we shall mark the occasion with an after school excursion of his choice.

That’s how memories are made and remembered!

Tia’s actual Bday, the child in the middle is our friend.

     Most people have a favorite season of the year. I don’t. I love them all for different reasons. I most definitely prefer warm and sunny weather, however; each quarter has special significance. For our family, Spring is exciting because it’s Tatianna’s Birthday! She was born on Easter Sunday eight years ago. It’s shocking that I have a child this old! I am keenly aware of how fleeting these days and years are- and I am making it a priority to savor our time with our children. John 10:10 “I came that you may have LIFE and have it to the Fullest“! That we do indeed. My hubby loves adventure and spontaneity, he really brings that out in me. Our family is constantly exploring and enjoying. I wish I was my children sometimes! They have such great lives. I make sure they remember to be appreciative and Tia is great at saying “Thank you” for many things.

I was so thrilled to go back to the exact same house I stayed in at my yoga retreat last month and celebrate Tatianna’s birthday and Easter in Idyllwild. We had a blast, my family joined three others and reveled in lovely fellowship and food. It made my heart so happy to see the children playing in the outdoor forest for hours! Even my techie brothers were ensconced in wonder; traipsing around, taking in the mountainous landscape in our backyard! That night there was playing of Charades, Family Feud, and Legos before the kid’s’ tucked away in their bunk rooms. Best Sleepover Ever!

About to enjoy her marshmallow Peep S’more birthday “cake”

Easter Sunrise

We enjoyed a Gorgeous Easter Morning breakfast of protein powder enhanced pastel waffles, chicken sausage, and apple and strawberry toppings. The children made a “He is Risen” sign. After check out we hung around Idyllwild and visited the hub of town. We looked at an art gallery supplied by local artisans, picked up some South African Chai Tea (my go-to souvenir), sipped on some “pop” (You Tube Sweet Brown if you already haven’t, hilarity ensues), we even met with a real estate agent!

Tia reading the artist’s description, this was a cool piece about how the artist tracked her work based on her amount of tea drinking (the empty space was from her injury).

I loved this piece-i took it on my phone-its a little girl in a tree, it reminds me of Tia “in the womb”

Upon our return home; we got right back to business on our kid’s science fair projects! Even Ethan had one! Have I told you how much we love their school?-really we do! Tia dedicated her project to “Guppy” her late, beloved pet. Her hypothesis was “Can Medicine Heal My Fish?”-it did; for five more months!

To top it all off, my sweetness got student of the month for March!

We are loving life and counting our blessings, “name them one by one I Thess. 5:15

Look what Mr. EJ pulled out during Sunday School yesterday! Numero uno.