Spring Break Part Two

Hard to believe that Spring Break is over and done with already!  I can honestly say this was probably the best Spring Break yet!  For being a staycation, it was jam packed with a great combination of play and rest! In addition to our girl's mani/pedi day and arboretum, the big littles visited grandma and grandpa one day to watch a movie, so Nessa and I baked cookies in our time alone.

She's almost a pro.  She likes to do everything on her own.  Everything.

That same night I sneaked away for a bible making session with my book club.  Awhile back I had made a Child Training bible that everyone loved but they knew they wouldn't make their own unless we carved out some time for it, which is exactly what we did.  It was a fun, but focused night together.

Thursday morning I surprised the kids with a trip to the canyon to horse back ride.  As of yet, this is something only Anjalene enjoys, but I thought it was the perfect time for Bubba to try it out too.  He loved it!

It was a gorgeous day to be out and it was so much fun to listen to them go on and on and on the car ride home!  That day continued with a spontaneous park day with some of our book club peeps.  I think at one point there were twenty-one kids.  And in the four hours we were there, no one tattled on anyone else the entire time. Victory!

Friday was the perfect kind of adventure that could only be orchestrated with my dearest BFF in the world. She showed up with Starbucks iced teas in hand and we were off on our last day trip of the week.  We headed to San Juan Capistrano Mission.  Such a rich history.  So much more fun with our families together!

We explored, listened to audio about all the different spots and then walked downtown for lunch.  The weather was a little on the cool side but perfectly pleasant to be out and about.  Towards the end of our time there, Nessa got a little attitude and all she wanted was a carrot, which she may have repeated about fifty times! So frustrating, that girl is sometimes!  She must be four or something!

The kids were dying to go to the beach but us moms weren't dying to take them.  We were cold.  Imagine them in their swimsuits splashing around in that freezing water?  We were too close not to set foot on the beautiful sand so we proceeded to San Onofre beach--pulled right up to the water practically and the kids frolicked in the waves. . .in their clothes.  Except for miss Nessa Bessa who proceeded to climb in the car and change once her jeans were wet.  She does not like wet clothes at all!

They had such a great time! I had such a great time watching! They changed into their bathing suits for the ride home--so what if we did it all backwards?  That was all part of the fun! They didn't even complain the entire Friday drive home--which meant a lot of traffic, but I would do it again in a heartbeat because the minute we got home, Lene hugged me and said, "I had the best time! Thanks Mom!" That right there is what it's all about, stepping out of your comfort zone and making memories.  I can not wait for our beach trips this summer.  I say I'm ready for weekly!

I think the best part of this trip was watching our ten year olds together.  Lene and Lo are a day apart and have been destined to be friends like their mamas.  In the fifth grade vernacular, BFF gets thrown around rather loosely.  One week it's with this person, the next it's with that one.  And sometimes it's hurtful that friendships can seemingly change in the blink of an eye.  So it's important that we  both stress to our girls the importance of longevity and investing in years of friendship before anyone earns that title.  They see us and know it's the real deal.  Real friends really do become family. The idea that they knew each other before they were even born is something only the two of them share and it is neat to watch it develop.  As many friends as they have at school, there's just something special about that friend that you consider family.

No one could really narrow down their favorite part about this Spring Break.  Neither could I.  That's what I call successful!

Happiness is in the Horses

Ever since I introduced Lene to our former janitor, Mr. John she had been dying to go to his house and meet his horses.  For over a year she would bring it up every time she saw him helping around the campus of her school.  And then the birthday dilemma happened.  ALL she wanted was to horseback ride and wouldn't you know the stables near us had no riding going on her birthday week!  What would I do?  Get creative, of course!

I picked up the phone to call Mr. John and his wife Gayle.  Did I mention that Gayle, was Little's teacher in first and second grade?  She was.  Amd yes, it has been a long time.  Reconnecting with Gayle was great we talked on the phone for an hour and she came up with a fun plan..  Since I had worked with her youngest daughter several years ago, why not surprise her with a reunion.  It was so thoughtful of her to do--a birthday ride for my birthday girl and a dinner to follow full of good conversation and fun times!

We didn't tell Lene where we were going, and she was SO surprised--it was such fun!  At first she was a little nervous to ride.  Truth be told, these horses looked big compared to some of the ones she had ridden before.  One was even a thoroughbred.  He was massive!  Eventually she conjured up her courage and she was off.  I am so happy her dream of riding on her birthday was fulfilled.  It couldn't have been more special or private or entertaining if I had tried to plan it as such!

Ernie is such a good daddy, he didn't mind that we were actually celebrating Lene's birthday on his special day.  Daddies like that are pretty fantastic in my eyes!  We ate, chatted, and sang Happy Birthday at the end of the festivities.  It was super fun.

Even this guy showed up after his long drive home from work.  I think he made his former teacher's night...seeing that it had been quite a little while and all.  I feel blessed to have reconnected with them and to have them back in my life.  All it took was a phone call and it is as if no time has passed at all. I'm even hoping to re-join the book club I had been a part of once upon a time ago before Ernie's work schedule completely interfered.  Happy day for my birthday loves.  That is what matters most!

Pismo Pacifies

For the first time ever, we rented a beach house.  It was probably my second favorite family trip of ALL time!  I'm not sure if anything could ever beat this.  After being rained out last November, and then Ernie's accident, this trip was long overdue!

Since the boys have taken to riding, Pismo seemed like the ideal place to vacation.  The beach was in our backyard which meant the quads were easily accessible for all day riding adventure!  We partnered up with one of our favorite families. . .to hang out, relax, feast and for fellowship.

 I was a little nervous on the way up, towing the trailer with all the motorcycles is not something I am used to. We had our walkie-talkies to communicate with Little and my brother who followed behind in our truck.  The trek was made easier as we neared Santa Maria and the conversation from the backseat just melted our hearts.  "God's nature is just so beautiful, can you believe He made this just for us to enjoy?  Those kind of moments I linger on and tuck away in my heart for the times when ugly moments bombard me. These are the things I want to remember.

The mom we shared the home with is one who God has placed in my life for a reason.  Our littles keep us on our toes and I look up to her for her intentionality and fun-nature that exudes from her.  She has this calmness about her and I loved having time to talk and just be. She is also a great problem solver.  When you forget your keys, you figure out a way.

 I also love one of the little nuggets of wisdom she imparted with me: eat first.  My morning looked so different today when I had worked out and eaten before the onslaught of the kids in the kitchen.  Who knew?

Praying before meals, sharing motorcycles, chatting it up and enjoying God's gift of such beauty surrounding us filled me up!   Sunday the girls went on a a little horse riding adventure.  C planned it because I'm not the adventure type usually.  However in my attempt to be fearless this year, I though, why not?  Lene, my horse lover, made me laugh as she told me before the ride began, "Mom, they can sense your fear.  Don't be nervous."  So, I really tried not to be and I did all right except when Salce wanted to trot.  Trotting was not in my comfort zone, as opposed to my daughter who was in the back with a guide who was teaching her how to stop and then trot to catch up.  The laughter and gasps in glee were kind of contagious--in between my nervousness, that is. . .

And I would have had more pictures like the teenagers we rode with IF I wasn't using both hands to hold on for dear life!  But even I must admit there is something about the view from upon the horse's back--through water and sand, through the forest and by the Clam pile that the Chumash left behind--(the only evidence there is that they did indeed travel the coast). I loved Lene Bean calling out to me the connection between the clams and her Rancho Days that week.  I loved the stream we crossed as she called out, "Mom, it's just like Bridge to Terabithia!"  I love that I was able to take the time to be fully present and aware of her, what she loves, what makes her happy, how she relates to the world she is living in.  I worried in the beginning that she would feel left out by the teenage girls, as she is at such an in between place.  But none of that mattered.  Her heart was full and she was so grateful to be there with me that day, and so happy to spend a weekend away with all of us.

Life continues to roll by at an extremely fast pace.  It is March.  Easter will follow, then school will soon be out for Summer.  I am filled with gratitude for Ernie's new job which affords us the time to do these types of things.  His accident was a blessing in disguise.  God knew what we needed to slow down, to be still and to reconnect together.  Having the boys: Little and Alan there--an extension of who we are.  Such a blessing that they want to be a part of us, still as the young men they are becoming. I'm choosing to believe they were motivated by our love for us and NOT the motorcycles.  A girl can dream, right? And as for the quads?  I gave it a shot--never got out of second gear, nor rode it alone--but I tried.  I'm good with that. That's all that matters, really.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:8