Things that make me happy....

1.) Photo's that are worth keeping for blackmail purposes! Also for times to act ridiculously silly. These are the ladies that I love, that I worked with at church working with/for the Youth. I truly have learned something amazing from each and everyone of them.
2. Happy kids, the beach, and floppy hats... love them all. These were taken at our beach day with Laura and Carrie . Both of them are fabulously hip intellectual mommas! And we went to the beach at the The Montage, quite possibly the best kept secret in the OC. It's gorgeous!

3. These little Playmobil people. I played with these as a kid. I saw this vintage set on ebay, and loved the Playmobil buggy, aren't they adorable? I'm not sure why, but these little "guys" make me really happy. I love to play with them with the kids. Check out the gal in the white pants & blue vest, I think she looks like me.
4. Gorgeous fresh flowers, sent by my client on a day when I really needed a pick me up!
5. Mr. Man.... who is positively nuts, I tell ya, to put up with me. I have been less than lovely to him this past weekend as I continue to live in my crumpled box. No wonder he looks pained in all our pictures (or maybe it's just this one, and the fact the sun is glaring right on him, you decide)

Randoms

We went to the Policeman's Rodeo (aka my annual donation, that I casually mention if I'm pulled over) on Saturday night with some friends. Very cool friends indeed. I totally want Nathan to grow up with this girl. She is so much fun to play with. Nathan looks like he is going to punch my lights out. And it looks like our sweet little friend is bracing for Nathan's wrath. Indeed, it's just that Nathan is trying to smile intently while showing off his "Lasso" (aka the drawstring from a pair of pants, that Nathan said.. "what's this?" and yanked it.... pulling it out) An older pic, (notice the Michael Jackson glove). A fun afternoon on the slip'n'slide turned into let's see how many buckets of water Skoopi can drink before she barfs. Make your guess in the comments section and I'll totally give you a prize if your right. Nathan all decked out for a day at the beach. Beach chair on his back, sunglasses and a character lunchbox that I swore I'd never buy because I hate all that character junk.... but my children, they are wearing me down. My latest Amy Tangerine inspired creation. This one is being shipped off to a friend who could use a bit of love!And my friend TK who is awesome, arranged for about 300 of her closest friends (and I'm not kidding, she is that popular and that awesome) to go to the Circus when it was in town. Here is Mr. Man and AK watching some high wire type act. It was my first trip to the circus!

The Party...

We had the kids birthday party last Saturday. So fun! I had this idea to do these invitations a long time ago...I thought it was funny. Anyway, Mr. Man brought me back that beautiful print from Paris on a recent trip. I loved it, and one day thought, why not put party hats on the people. So I did... printed off teeny tiny party hats, cut them out and pasted them on. I showed Mr. Man just smiled and rolled his eyes and said.. "No eiffell tower bouncehouse, I draw the line" Of course that made me wonder... do they make eiffell tower bouncehouses? (FYI, no not yet!)

So, I decided, the kids are 2 & 4, it's time they start pitching in. I gave them each a marker and some crazy Birthday Party catalog and told them to circle the party they want. Nathan went through the book and circled the cups from EVERY SINGLE party. Only cups.

I asked the kids what they wanted for the menu. AK said "Nan & Eeezz" (roughly translated to banana and cheese) Nathan wanted Chips, Fruit Roll ups and "colorful drinks" (ie red, orange, & grape sodas) . We decided to turn "chips" into nachos thus accomplishing Nathan & AK's request.

(a pic of the different plates and napkins)

I showed the kids the list of bouncehouses and they picked the dog. Nathan also asked for a Pinata filled with Lollipops. So we did. The Party went great. I ran out of time on some of the decor and goodie bags, because I was too busy planning for my surgery and then having meltdowns. I don't think anyone noticed.

At the end of the day, I caught this pic. That's Mr. Man & our neighbor having a blast in the bouncehouse.

A bit of blog housekeeping...

As I get a little more computer savvy... I just learned how to add a button that will actually send my posts to your email!! So, you can subscribe to my blog, rather than having to check here every so often.

If you want to join, just scroll allllllll the way to the bottom. See where it says "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom) " Click on that!!

Enjoy!

One Word, no explaining

Shamelessly stolen from my pal Carly.

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your hair? Straight
3. Work? yes
4. Your father? Daddy
5. Your favorite thing? Laughing
6. Your dream last night? Creepy
7. Your favorite drink? Caffeinated
8. Your dream car? Benz
9. The room you're in? Den
10. Your fears? Wrecks
11. What do you want to be in 10 years? Fabulous
12. Who did you hang out with last night? HBO
13. What you're not good at? Reality
14. Muffin? Blueberry
15. One of your wish list items? Furniture
16. Where you grew up? Beach
17. Last thing you did? Chatted
18. What are you wearing? Nordstroms
19. What aren't you wearing? Make up
20. Your pet? Several
21. Your computer? Dying
22. Your life? Promising
23. Your mood? Anxious
24. Missing? Friends
25. What are you thinking about right now? Redecorating
26. Your car/truck? Pilot
27. Your summer? Short:(
28. Your relationship status? W.I.P. (not RIP, WIP.. Work In Process)
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When is the last time you really laughed with meaning? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday
32. School? Done
33. Least favorite weather? Hot
34. Soup? Yum
35. Movie? Absolutely

Life inside my little square box.

I'm having surgery. It's a fact and it was scheduled for this morning, but was postponed at the last minute. It's a good move, healthwise. The doc wants a fancy schmancy specialists there to assist. I'm a complex medical wonder, so it's a good move on the docs part.

However... have you met me? Ahem.. I like things to be just "so". I like to be in control, I need it... Must have it. I like my life to be in the parameters of my comfort zone. So, you do not tell me that the event that I have been planning & preparing for is moved by two weeks.... without some major flip out.

And people... it was a MAJOR flipout. Mr. Man actually got the call and details from the doc , and I swear there was terror in his eyes as he relayed the news. I know he was fearing the inevitable. He kept giving me a few details and then paused.... "um... Wendy.. say something". I calmly responded with "Go ahead" and then when he was all done.... all hell broke loose inside my head. It was as if my very neat and tidy box just crumpled.

I believe I kept screaming "What do I do with 120lbs of dog food?" "I bought 7 gallons of milk" "We have every frozen meal option Trader Joes & Whole Foods offers... what happens now"

It took about an hour of hyperventilating, screaming, and some pacing to calm down. Then I had the aftershock flip out, which was quickly remedied by my pal reminding me she would tell blatant lies of my wit and charm at my funeral to get me to calm down.

Anyway.. good news. I have NOTHING, I mean NOTHING going on the next two weeks. How is that possible? I am not even sure what to do with myself. I think I'll have to spend the next week repairing my nice and tidy little box.

Our Anniversary....

Friday was our wedding anniversary and Mr. Man planned a fabulous night out. While out, we bumped into Nathans beloved PreSchool teacher who was at a dinner celebrating her upcoming nuptials. I mentioned it was our anniversary, and when she asked how long had we been married, I felt the words tumble out of my mouth... 12 years. And then I stood there dumbfounded, had it really been twelve years? It made me feel terribly old, and sent me into a small panic. Have I really been married 12 years?

We had a lovely night out, and it was fun to be out as just Mr. Man & Wendy, we left our Mommy & Daddy persona's at home. Our anniversary always reminds me that for our 10th anniversary we got the best present of all, and that was to bring AK home from the hospital. That would be pretty hard to top.... (*although *wink wink* nudge nudge* a sparkly ring might come close)

And because I was challenged to post this here on my blog, I have included a very G rated letter to Mr. Man (aka Russell) just like my birthday letters to the kids.

Dear Mr. Man,

The occasion for this letter is our twelve year anniversary. Writing out the year twelve makes me feel very old, and is very surreal. I reflected the entire day about the past twelve years of our lives together.

I remember the distinct moment we met and started talking. We talked until 6am the following morning. Oh man, I was so young when we met. A bit mature for my age, but still so young. I often remark that you must have seen a diamond in the rough, because I look back at my 18 year old self and cringe. You have always given me the space I needed to allow me to grow, stumble, and figure out my own path in life. Sometimes it was frustrating when you would encourage me to "make my own decision", but it was always worth it and the right thing to do.

You have been always been there with me, as a companion and teammate in every endeavor. You have encouraged 99% of my hare-brained ideas. You even donated the garage (your haven!) to my beloved Eurostroller.

When it came time to start family, you showed incredible patience. You watched all your friends become parents, and patiently waited until I was ready. I am incredibly grateful for that. Then as parents, you are more involved than I ever could have imagined. You are a natural father and I love watching you interact with the family.

There have been some challenges along the past twelve years, and you have always been there cheering for us as a couple and as a family. You do not cheer for the more popular view, nor for the easiest way out... you cheer for us. That is possibly one of your best qualities.

I love you. It's as simple as that. I hope to spend another twelve hundred or so years with you.

Wendy

And then also, because one of my favorite parts of August is the three festive days AK's birthday (9th), Our Anniversary (10th), and then my dear friend Steph's birthday (11th) Here is a birthday wish for my friend Steph, who has stood by me for the past 8 years and who I wish I could hang out with daily.... here's a pic of us starting our girls weekend adventure. Don't you think she looks like Keri Russell from Felicity around the eyes?

Two...

Taken this morning.... wearing a tutu that was a gift and an Amy Tangerine inspired Onesie with the number 2 on it.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Dear Amanda,

Our dear sweet baby girl, now you are two! It is unbelievable that you my darling girl are two. You scream like a toddler, and say NO with the enthusiasm of a toddler, but as I watched you tonight walk around in the same outfit you wore last summer, I had to remind myself... did this past year really happen? Oh yes.. yes it did. You started walking, and talking this year... not just little words, you were too smart for that, you bypassed single words, and went straight to phrases.

Early this year we sat in the doctors office discussing developmental milestones... you weren't walking or talking, and the doctor looked at the concern on our faces and smiled and said... "She's not behind, she's just got a bad case of princess syndrome. Every one does it all for her, she has the world on a string." And Amanda, you totally know what you want and how to get it. It is a talent that will serve you well in the future.

I think back to pregnancy and am overwhelmed with the love we have for your birthparents. We spent a lot of time with them, getting to know them, and getting to know you. Then we got a phone call you were trying to come early. The next two weeks were spent on pins and needles anxiously waiting your arrival, but wishing you would stay inside for just a bit longer.

You arrived, and we sat on the freeway in traffic knowing you were born and waiting for us. It was TORTUROUS! We saw your birthfamily first, and a nurse wheeled you in, and your birthmom handed you over to me. You were asleep and I promised right then and there you'd always have more shoes than your father and brother combined.

Then I handed you to your dad, who had to unwrap your blankets and count your fingers and toes! Once they were all accounted for, he rubbed noses with you and you wrapped your fingers around his declaring once and for all you were his daughter.

The next day was a whirlwind, and soon we were home with you. And the next year was a bigger whirlwind mostly involving lots of doctors and getting you to eat. You have overcome A LOT in two years. You and I spent a lot of late nights chatting over a warm bottle the first two years.

You are an amazing girl with an infectious laugh and zest for life. You think Skoopi is your horse and Nathan is your servant. You are tiny, but oh so mighty. In your two short years you have taught me so much about faith, and you have taught me to trust my insincts. I hope I can return the favor and teach you the same lessons.

Today we pause and give thanks for you, the lessons you've taught us, and your courageous birthparents.

We love you!

Mommy & Daddy