Mommy of Many®

For the 2nd year in a row, the girls and I celebrated the new year by having a day out together. It’s rare that we’re all together because Kateri has been away at school for the last 3 years. Now that the girls are older (except lil Gabi who’s learning to keep up) it’s nice to reserve a day where we can just enjoy each other’s company. Though, it’s hard to actually pull it off! We had to work around housesitting and petsitting schedules as well as the morning kayaking routine. Once we were all in the same house, it was hours more of trying to figure out where to go and who should wear what. There was a point where I wasn’t sure we were actually going to make it out the door. But we did! Then we all took a few big breaths, turned on some music and started our day.

First stop was Old Navy where one of the girls tried on pants and the others found the RockBand2.

After the pants issue was resolved, we headed to Old Town where some of our favorite memories and places are.

in front of Coyote Cafe where handmade tortillas can be bought

We’ve always loved seeing the people dressed in period costumes!

The girls making their way into the heart of Old Town where we wanted to stop for drinks

Anna and Maddi sharing a “margarita”

Gabi thinking it’s funny to try to sneak a sip of my margarita. Her plan was foiled.

There were lots of smiles and even some sisterly secrets

Kateri took the opportunity to teach Mariah a few Salsa steps

We left Old Town behind and went to Corvette Diner for some games and food

After their RockBand debut, they were excited to see that Guitar Hero was waiting for them in the game room

Ready for dinner

It was a fun day! I can’t believe that a whole year has gone by since our first Mom and Girls Day Out, but I’m looking forward to the next one!

They wore me out!

Now to think of where to take the boys!

Have a great day~

Day 1 of the new year ended on a good note. I was a little worried because the day, itself, was a little challenging. I took the 3 youngest kiddos to the grocery store with me to help get a few needed items. When we got back they helped me unload. We have a refrigerator in the garage and I keep extra milk, bread, eggs, etc. out there. While loading gallons of milk into the fridge, one fell out and busted open on the garage floor. Milk flew everywhere! I spent the next 1 1/2 hours removing and cleaning boxes, moving the refrigerator and cleaning under it and hosing down the driveway. ~sigh~ on a good note, the floor of the garage is cleaner than it ever thought it could be!

The rest of the day was spent putting away the Christmas decor and putting the regular decor back up. Then I started prepping for dinner and the men and boys went to a friend’s house for the football game. While I was working in the kitchen I saw someone walk up to my door. What a surprise! Two of Clay’s longtime friends who live in N. Cal. decided to surprise him (and all of us) by just showing up! I sent them over to where the guys were watching football. What a great surprise for everyone and what great friends!

We had a full house for dinner with all the kiddos home, my brother and the 2 surprise guests. It made for a really nice night! Over the years I’ve found that my house feels most joyful and peaceful when it’s filled with extra people. There’s nothing better than looking around and seeing people enjoying each other’s company! It made for a GREAT first day of the year!
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Today-Today is the 2nd annual Mom and Girls Day Out. Last year I took my 4 oldest girls (at 4yrs old, I didn’t think Gabi would mind being left at home) and we headed to San Clemente and Dana Point for the day. It was a great and memorable day. We’ve decided to make it an annual event and this year Gabi’s going with us. We haven’t decided where to go-back to San Clemente or stay here in San Diego and enjoy all it has to offer-but wherever we end up, I know it’s going to be a great day!

Have a great day~

On the last day of 2009 I got up and started the day as usual. I made the coffee, did the dishes, switched the laundry and took my shower. All the while I kept thinking about the year whose last moments I was living in. There were many changes that took place in our home and in our routine. The kids have all gotten bigger and grown in many ways-sports, schooling, attitude, etc.

Then I thought of all the people who have been a part of the year and who have stepped forward in so many ways that have touched and enhanced my life and the life of the kiddos. Wow! What a lucky M.O.M. I am! Anytime a specific need has arisen, someone comes into our lives to fill it.

So I put 2009 to rest with peaceful thoughts of the year.

Here’s 2010! There’s always so much pressure to have your resolution list ready and to wake up in the first moments of the new year ready to tackle them all. It always feels overwhelming. Yes, there are things I want to change and to do better in this new year. But I also want to keep doing a lot of things exactly the same. There are also things I want to get back to. Now that I’ve got a handle on working outside the house again, I want to find the time and energy to start recording the show again. I’m putting this as my #1 goal for the new year. So, more gym time can wait and so can all the other things we “normally” put on those resolution lists. I’m pushing for 2010 to be the start of “getting back to” the things I’ve loved doing.

Here’s to another year of watching our children grow and of learning the strategies that make each day as joyful and peaceful as possible!

Good morning 2010~