Brightside

california here i come. quick packing. allegiant air. delayed flight. reading march ensign. ipod. 70-80 degrees. girls pull up and honk. trader joes goodies on my seat- crackers, brie, diet pepsi, scotty licorice dogs, chocolate almonds, joejoes, toffee. getting tricked into getting feathered. tammy gimme glitz. pedicures at villagio. jason and devin watch the kids. fontana. beautiful home. sweet and sour chicken. eating slowly. mag on bed. long talks. puffy air mattress. sleeping in. caramel rolls. rancho cucamonga. shopping at victoria gardens. anthro. forever 21. outfit for addy. urban outfitters. flashlight rings. cherokee nation shorts. cool dudes. francheska's. pink berry. chilling out. naptime. water balloons. lizards. in a pickle baseball. patient mothers. clean mothers. loving mothers. chips and salsa. skyping. jason's potatoes. miley cyrus. newport. no bake turds. sandwiches. beach. long car rides. wind and sand. seashells. brave kiddos in the cold ocean. sweet dads. sassy sisters. soaking it in. reading. king taco. unlocked door. devins amazing building projects. jasons swift driving skillz. china town. bowing street performer. pinkberry again. dots cupcakes. rose bowl. pasadena. rad houses. frantic phone call. sunkissed face. finley and her pretties. little buddy crew. hazel kisses. chickfila. saying goodbye. waiting.  home again home again jiggity jig.

thank you chris for surprising me with such a marvelous trip! thank you jason and devin for watching the kids and giving up time with your wives! thank you rachel and eliza for being amazing hostesses and treating me like a queen! all of the driving, and pampering, and eating, and talking, and sunshine filled me up good!

YOU ARE ALL SUNSHINE FOR MY SOUL!!

Intervention

Sara, don't be mad at me.

I went to Insta Care and talked to one of the doctors there,

I asked him if he had any suggestions for something you can take,

just to help with your mood a little.

He said that there's this over-the-counter drug

that will do wonders.

Ummmmmm..... you did what?

(hands her bottle of pills)

***

What did I ever do to deserve him?

Sunshine, here I come.

Crying with Tess

Reading Tess of the D'Urbervilles during the climax of the longest winter of my life did not bode well for Sara.  But maybe, it just made my isolated shell of a spirit that much more romantic and embellished.  The ugly cry made its curtain call several times this week as I weathered through some crumbling matters, and this book only dotted the i's, and crossed the t's of my emotions.  The beginning to middle built slowly and beautifully, and I anticipated that the worst situation to the plot was past, until toward the end of the book all at once Thomas Hardy decided to make milk sour.  With flawed and human characters, I found my mind becoming frustrated with misunderstandings and lack of forgiveness... how apropos to life.  Tragic Tess was a strong woman, and yet so weak in her blinding love.  I'm so glad Nadia chose this as the first book for the bookclub, because I don't think I would have ever found it on my own.  I adore it when I know nothing about a book before I read it and I'm surprised with each page turn... books are so awesome... and enveloping... good thing I'm reading Jane Eyre next, that's not depressing AT ALL...(wink wink)  Actually it's one of my favorite stories, so I can't wait to dive in!

eating inspired by the book- wheat bagel with honey, havarti cheese, blueberries, milk

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{mr_twingo}

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{JaydeLee}

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read with me

My friend Nadia of la porte rouge started an online book club.  Our last reading was Tess of the D'Urbervilles written by Thomas Hardy.

HOW IT WORKS

.every month a book will be selected

.you would prepare a meal, dessert or drink that related to the book( up to your interpretation) and you can enjoy while reading!

.we would all post about the book on the same day

.the post could include photographs, artwork or music that made you think of the book.

.what you cooked/drank and why

.it can also include the cover of your version of the book!
 

***

I have a few chapters left and then I'm done.  Tomorrow I'll share about the book, it's been a pretty heavy read.  But for today, the first day of March, I'd like to profess my commitment to a month straight of journaling everyday.  I promise, it's really going to happen, come hell or high water, or steers, or glitter, or pizza, or mass hysteria.

 

Read with us!

The next book... Jane Eyre

Blush and Boxes

I think my mantle is officially the "family storefront" for the holiday's.  I love decorating it for each passing celebration of the seasons.  It's so fun to gather just the right items to portray the feeling we want in our home for that month... tonight I will take down Valentinesy love stuff and replace it with Easter... I'm hoping my springy vibes will usher in warmer weather.

 The boys had fun this year decorating their valentine boxes for school.  Addy was a little sad watching them work on everything since she has moved past all the juvenile preparations now that she's in junior high.  It's these weird milestones that really show me how fast time is flying by.

***

Landon found the most perfect box to make an XBOX 360 case to hold his valentines...

Chris helped with the finer details of course.  Doesn't it look real?!

 Oliver's box was all about simplicity!  And just as I imagined, his box meant to look like a moldy piece of cheese from out the children's book Diary of a Wimpy Kid, produced an epidemic within the classroom of the "cheese touch".  I helped with his class party this year and it was so fun to watch the kids excitedly pass out their valentines to eachother.  Check out his buddies birthday cake box, what a masterpiece:)  They ate yummy treats laced with sugar, played valentines bingo, and made candy airplanes.

Missing mountains and more...

In February we had a wonderful visit with Chris' family.

We sure do miss them and those majestic mountains!

Hang Time

We've been longing for our out of state family so much lately, and one our sisters is about to have a baby any second now (holla Cheri!) Even with a family as large as ours is, we still notice a void when someone is missing.  Whenever anyone comes into town, hang time together is savored where we can eat and talk and share advice with eachother... but mostly eat. This picture was taken right before we left for the airport to welcome home Caleb. 

 The cousins are already learning the fine art of a dance party... and just wait until that shiny disco ball is hung in our living room, then the funky times will really begin!!

 Love Tades rosey cheeks, shows he's really gettin' down.

 Ummmm, I promise my one year old does not have a mustache... and this dance move is entitled-
the airplane... or... the dance of questionable sobriety.

 Preciousness.