Curious Conversations

Cullen: Mommy...I've been lookin' up in da sky but I don't see any hands.

Me: What do you mean sweetie? Why would there be hands in the sky?

Cullen: Cuz of the song Mommy. "He's got da whole world in his hands" but I don't know who is holdin' it and I don't see any hands.

Me: Well, the song is about God and how he takes care of the whole world.

Cullen: {pause} and maybe a little bit about Jesus too?

Me: Yea, Jesus too.

Cullen: But do they have lots of hands so they can hold everybodies? And I still don't see any hands.

Me: Well it is kind of like using your imagination and thinking about a different way to see God. Like Mommy holds you if your sad or gives you big hugs when you are happy or holds your hand to keep you safe across the street, God is always holding us but we can't see him.

Cullen: {Pause} Oh. {Pause} I still bet God has really big hands. And it's probably some magic too.

Me: You are probably right buddy.

You Know You Are On a Blate When...

*Every event involves wine.





*Conversations that start with blog handles are totally normal.

*The gifts are perfect and thoughtful.

*Carbs and cheese are encouraged.



*You call your mom and tell her to get excited about her blate with Sue because blog friends are really pretty and awesome in real life too.

 *DSRL cameras are always out and on.

 *Instagraming is popular too (see a lot @laurenjeanallece)

 *You steal pictures from Lauren's camera and get to see a neat perspective of my family (and be in the pictures!)

*Four days fly by and lifelong friendships are confirmed.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend Lauren and Jenn!

We're Blating

Lauren and Jenn arrived to Monterey on Friday afternoon (and after a quick assertion that we are all real and not, in fact, serial killers) the weekend has been so fun: wine, food, wine, blog chats, pictures, food, playing with the boys, wine.

 We have one more day and then a full recap will follow.

Hope your weekend was great!

This Weekend 7 Years Ago...

I was 22, a brand new college graduate and on a plane from DC to Savannah to spend a few days with a boy named Kevin (that was probably the last time I ever said his full name) who just returned from a year long tour in Iraq.

We had been friends on and off for about 4 years and after a pretty long 'off' period we had begun emailing each other while he was deployed and I was in my last semester of college. I knew I had feelings for him, but of course was a bit confused by them considering I had hardly spent time with him in the previous two years. I thought I wanted to be his girlfriend, but I didn't know how living 8 hours away from each other would allow that. I was nervous because he was older than me and just returned from war while I was just trying to figure what I wanted to do with my post-college life. The biggest fear was that I didn't even know if I was going to Savannah because he wanted me to be his girlfriend, it might have just been a friendly visit. I actually remember spending hours with my girlfriends debating how I should greet him at the airport: hug? kiss? handshake? Polite nod? OmygodwhatifhethinkgsImahugeloser?

I got off the plane and walked out of the very small terminal and spotted a man who had become even more handsome since I last saw him. He was holding flowers and had a grin that melted my heart before I was even on the other side of security. He hugged me, kissed me, and held my hand all the way to his truck. 

We never even discussed being in an official relationship. From that moment on, we just were. 

And seven years later, I'd have it no other way.

Happy Weekend!

Currently...

Watching: 

Cullen has randomly become obsessed with shipwrecks. We had to go to the library yesterday afternoon to learn more about them. He promptly walked up to Ms Debbie and asked for help finding some books. Not only have I read The Sinking of the Titanic 3290840391283 times, but Ms Debbie pulled through with a 10 hour long DVD documentary about shipwrecks. It was made in 1984 and the main explorer guy has a mustache and wears a speedo while trolling over his maps. 

Thanks Ms. Debbie.

Reading: 

One of these next.

Disclaimer: I read The Notebook when I was 16 and not another Nicolas Sparks book since, but sometimes I feel like reading but not like thinking. This seemed like a good solution.

Purchasing: 

Things for The Blate with Lauren and Jenn which is happening in 2 days. Buy 'things' I mean 5 different types of cheese, Five!. Iamsoexcited.

Wishing: 

That my phone didn't take a bath in a spilled juice box on Tuesday morning.  

Listening to: 

Robert Earl Keen's Pandora station. It has been on the playing to my soul the past few days. All the right songs that take me to Bodega's patio on a sunny Auburn day with a cold Bud Light (instead of a phone full of apple juice). Go ahead and turn it on, you can thank me later. 

Wondering:

When having a basement became a number one priority on our DC house hunt. 

O no, wait. I know when that happened.

What is going on with you?

There Is A Lot of Love In My Life

The past few days have been really amazing. Do you ever have those moments when everything is normal, but truly wonderful? I am in that place right now. Maybe because I am solar powered and it has been sunny and 70 since Friday, or because I happen to have the cutest family around and some seriously supportive friends, but things are just good and I am so thankful for every moment.

Our weekend started Friday with Kev and I having a little breakfast date (the boys both have school Fridays and Kev's schedule is flexible. It is so nice to be able to have some one on one time with each other). Friday afternoon I took some maternity pictures for a beautiful family (you can see a sneak peek on my photography facebook page) and then it was off to Trenton's birthday party. 

Saturday afternoon we decided to have a big potluck beach bbq with our friends because it was just too nice to not be outside. Everyone brought a side dish to share and we stayed out at Del Monte Beach through the sunset.

 Classy people drink from the box.

 Once the sun started to set, it did get chilly, but thanks to Lauren and Dan, we had a fire going and hot dogs to roast.

 The youngest party goer, Maddie

 Does it get any better?

 Sunday morning we went to Church, let the kids run around on the playground afterwards then went out to lunch at Baja Cantina in Carmel Valley. We sat outside (are you following the theme here?) and just enjoyed each other's company. I'm telling you, the simple things had my heart soaring this weekend. After naps it was outside for some water play

then warm showers, yogurt popsicles and Thomas. 

 Monday Kev went into work for a few hours and the boys and I ran some errands. Then Kev was able to sneak in a round of golf, while I attempted some Valentine's themed pictures. 

We borrowed baby Charli for a few too.

 But here's what was really happening in between those quality shots.

And so our weekend came to a close but there is still so much to look forward to: the most epic blate ever starts Friday!

The Trouble With the Cup

Happy Weekend!