ALYSSA, KEENAN and DARIEN

ALYSSA, KEENAN and DARIEN
FAMILY MEMORIES

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

My ramblings...

So this has been a summer of lots of "pool fun" for us, but lots of stressful, "I don't know how to be a mom of three kids" and "I think I am losing it" summers also! I think I have had my fair share of shining moments but a lot of not so great ones too. Keeping everyone healthy and happy during the school year is tough enough, but even though summer is nice in that I don't have to get AJ up and ready every morning, she and Keenan are squabbling about something from morning til night. Don't misunderstand me here, they love each other like crazy, but man do they work each other's nerve and mine... most hours of the day! We are happy here in our two bedroom townhome but I can tell you it is not easy to provide the space that AJ sometimes needs away from the boys and that I need to separate them so I can have some peace. I am learning how to try to be in the moment with them and not be so concerned about all the housework and business emails I need to attend to, but it's hard sometimes...very hard! The balance of getting the "got-to's" done, playing with the kids, keeping up with clients, and trying to have time for us a couple and as individuals is dizzying! I want so much to be a good mom, a great mom really and to provide the things my kids need. This school year my goal is to just really love and encourage them and find creative ways to redirect the mischeivous energy they have!
I have had some difficulty with vertigo the past several months and honestly just in the past few days have I finally been feeling better. Nights are the worst as the dizzy feelings I experience are compounded with waking up to tend to one of the children's needs (ie...teething, potty training, sickness). This last month I have just been really wiped out and just plain old tired of everything that has to do with being a mom and I fear it has probably shown way too visibly way too often. I know there have been reasons for it, but it feels really good to be able to say that some of my strength for life and the adventures of mothering are returning. I am thankful to God that no one in our family has suffered anything close to being severe, but I definitely have not shown my best colors during this rough season. I am looking forward to leading a table of great women in our local Malibu MOPS group and eagerly anticipate a three week visit from my mom in early September. I hope to get into the routine of posting more regularly now that I am able to spend some quiet time on the computer instead of needing to lay down by 8:30 at night! We look forward to a great last few days of the Olympics as it has been a lot of fun to cheer on all the team USA athletes. Can't believe we will have a 2nd grader in just a week! Here's to a happy, healthy new school year for all!!!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

AJ's 7th Birthday!!!

AJ turned seven on July 20th! We had a really great Hannah Montana themed pool party for her with some of the girls from her class and some neighborhood friends as well. The guests enjoyed hotdogs and hamburgers grilled and served by Daddy who was quite the host! I took care of pool safety and a Pool Olympics game along with mingling with some of the parents who stayed on to keep an eye on the kiddos and relax by the pool as well! AJ was really excited about her special cake with a guitar shaped lipgloss and a picture of Hannah Montana's face too!





A highlight of the party was a skywriter airplane who wrote the word "PLAY" right above us in the sky not once, but three times! The girls thought that was so neat! It was a neat way for us to share with AJ how God blesses us in some really special, unexpected ways! I'll bet none of her other friends had skywriting performed for their party!




AJ showed off her wild child personality and all the girls seemed to enjoy themselves immensely! I can't imagine who she got such traits from! LOL! She received some nice gifts from her friends and family including a session of gymnastics classes from us! Her favorite new things are a Hannah Montana dress, Hannah Montana purse, Hannah Montana singing pen, a couple of diaries and some craft kits. She doesn't like Hannah or anything, right?! So, we felt like proud parents that day...we pulled off a great party in fancy Calabasas for like maybe $60...a far cry from the $600 it seems some of our friends will spend on their kids parties! Hey, if you got it...that's great, but we felt really good and so did she with our small but very fun backyard celebration!