I know I often use this blog as a way of expressing my 

exasperations and frustrations with my son.

And I feel in a way that I should apologize to him because although he does

drive me absolutely bonkers at times he really is the sunshine in our home.

Countless times throughout the day he has the innate ability to make me pull my hair out and laugh-out-loud in the span of less than a minute. 

He is hilariously funny.

And so sweet.

He's the only kid in his First 5 class that spontaneously gives out hugs and kisses to everyone around him.

He has a sensitive spirit.

He loves his little friends.

He's a cuddle-bug.

He is my sweet, sweet boy

and I am blown away that God blessed me so much 

that I have been given the privilege of being his mother. 

Passed out after too much fun at the beach and a long bike ride home.

"Look Daddy, a sheep! BAAAA"

This is Landon's "cheese" face.
Cracks me up every time.

Loves him some Dad.
Picking apples together

Bushwhacking Through Life

While in Tahoe I took myself on a solo adventure.

Leaving the boys to fish I shouldered the enormous

camera and set off around this gorgeous alpine lake:

No one but our family was around and once far enough 

away from Chatty Charlie (a.k.a Richard Landon) I relished the sweet silence. 

Following a well-trodden path I leisurely walked to the far side of the lake.

And then played "echo" across the water with the boys on the other side. 

The second half of the trail seemed a bit less used, but hating to go back the way I came I set off to finish the full loop. About a quarter of the way through I noticed that big chunks of trail were "missing". Then around half-way I realized what my husband would have been able to tell me a quarter of a mile ago - I was following an animal path - not a man-made trail.

Oh well, the lake was small and I hate to go back and not finish the entire journey around., so I would just follow the waters edge until I got back to the boys.

Here I am thirty minutes into that plan:

If only I had though to pack a machete. 

Eventually I made it the entire way around the lake.

But the final score:

Manzanita trees - 1

Thorn bushes - 1

Gigantic boulders - 1

Anna - 0

Today my morning felt a bit like my alpine adventure.

Basically the day was kicking my ass,

and I was just bushwhacking my way through.

I woke up late.

Spilled my coffee.

Dropped an egg.

Put my son on time-out for the thirty-millionth time for hitting his mother.

Felt like failure because he still thinks hitting is funny.

Arrived late to First 5.

Discovered that all the other children knew today was "be sweet and kind to everyone day" and Landon was mixed up. He thought it was "whine, and hit, and throw tantrums day."

But I'm an adventurer.

And adventurers don't give up.

We plow though the thorns and tangles,

we pray for guidance along the way,

and we persevere.

And when we do

we eventurally find ourselves surrounded by the sweetest rewards. 

Like I did.

The day at the lake.

At least that's what I'm counting on 16.5 years from now when Chatty Charlie turns 18.
Someone please tell a scraped up girl it's true?!

Is there anything more lovely than sharing your most favorite things with your child:

The Sweetness of Home

Photo by Henry Song


We just returned from a wonderful trip to Lake Tahoe.
It was so nice to get out of town for a few days, see family
members, see real trees (palms really shouldn't be classified as trees),
spend some time hiking, throw in the fishing line, hit up the mini-golf course,
have an unexpected reunion, soak in a wood-burning hot tub, and just veg-out.

But, however much I enjoy traveling.
And I enjoy it ALOT.
I love coming back home.
It's so fun to get the mail.
Check out the veggie garden.
Greet my overly exuberant dog.
Sleep in my own bed.
Wear clean clothes. (RJ severely restricts my travel packing.)
And return to my blog buddies.

Thoughts on Running

Be warned - this post totally unedited stream of consciousness - 

Today I felt like a bit of a downer. 

Nothing was "clicking."

Even nap-time wasn't as refreshing as it usually is.

Instead the boy woke up while early and I was in a foul mood.

Then he did one too many "no-no's".

I snapped when he started scooping toilet water with his dinner spoon.

Then I felt guilty.

So I allowed him the luxury of his "Binkie" (blanket) outside of his crib and we watched a cartoon together. 

My foul mood had intensified to full-on bitchy by the time RJ got home.

Thankfully I made the right choice and handed him the boy, took the dog, and went out on a run.

Thirty minutes later I felt so much better.

But very nearly quickly spiraled downward by thinking

"Look at how good running is for you. It's good for the body and good for the mind. Why don't you run more regularly? Why this spastic two or three times a week business. You're a failure."

But I wouldn't let myself go there. 

I'm holding onto the good endorphins. 

I have such a love/hate relationship with running.

I LOVE it when I'm running regularly.

And I LOVE a really good run. One of those runs where you find your stride and feel amazing, rather than sore and out of breath, afterwards.

There is NOTHING like runners high. 

But I hate the first ten minutes.

And the burning lungs and shin splints. 

But the good FAR outweighs the bad. 

I think the my greatest accomplishment is finishing a full marathon. 

I'm more proud of that than finishing college.

(Let's be honest - a Speech Communications degree at 

Cal Poly wasn't exactly rocket science.)

So I wish I ran more often.

Like I did back in college.

At least three miles everyday no matter what.

(Except I was heavier in college than I am now. Explain that? and no Beer isn't the answer.)

Anyhoo, If I had to say that there is one think in my life I would like to work on it would be my inability to fully commit and follow-though with something.

I often leave projects half-finished or I get an idea but I don't follow through with it.

My running career is only one area where inability is evident.

When I did my Strength Finder testing one of my top five was "futuristic".

I love planning and ideas but I need to partner with someone 

who will help me finish things out. 

Maybe I need a running partner?

Actually I've been thinking of starting a running club. How great would it be to meet up with a bunch of friends a few times a week for a early morning run and possibly quick coffee.

I know there is a group in SLO that does this. 

See, another great idea....

They  call him Mr. Cheerio Man

He is never without his trusty Trader Joe's Honey Nut O's.

The sustain him in good times...

and bad.

He consumes an entire box all by himself every week.

Two adult serving sizes per day.

And he wonders why he still has cankles....

Ava says goodbye to her pacifier

T

Many of you are friends with Mandy and Eli - Ava's parents - so you've already seen this. But if you haven't you MUST WATCH.

Be prepared to laugh and cry simultaneously!

I finally finished late last night.

If you can  push through the first 1/3 -

all about boring financial business and 

big long Swedish names - the last 2/3s are worth it.

Landon's First Car Wash

Quite possibly the best video of Landon yet!

Sheets & Tables

Last week Landon and I build his very first fort.

Didn't you just love fort building as a kid?

Just give me a sheet and a table and I was a happy camper.

My sister and I could have hours of fort building fun.

It was so wonderful to create an imaginary space where you could be

anything in the world you wanted.

Or you could just escape the "real world" with a book

inside the hidden folds of a king-sized sheet. 

Feelin' Fresh

This weeks Farm Fresh challenge nearly didn't count.

Only because RJ was gone for three nights causing me to 

abandon my apron and nosh on popcorn and frozen yogurt for dinner

most nights. 

Here's what we ate:

Monday: popcorn and frozen yogurt

Tuesday: out to dinner in Santa Monica - just gals and babies!

Wednesday: gingery steak stir-fry

Thursday: church bought us dinner

Friday: out to Mexican with friends

Saturday: co-ed baby shower food

Sunday: Firestones in SLO (still drooling over my basket of fries)

As you can see I only cooked 1 night last week!

I'm not sure if this Farm Fresh thing is causing us to go out

to dinner  more, or if we really just go out that much. 

This week I am determined to do more cooking.

Plus, we're back on a strict budget after allowing ourselves

a bit more freedom over the summer. 

However, I didn't completely abandon the kitchen. 

One day I was feeling a bit stressed out

(i.e. impatient with my toddler)

so when he was napping I decided to make a chocolate cake.

But we had not eggs...

so I made Vegan Avocado Cake.

The chocolate cake part was awesome - super moist and chocolatey

but I didn't much care for the avocado frosting. So I used regular store-bought

frosting on the top and avo frosting on the sides. 

We also stripped the Meyer Lemon tree and juiced a bunch of fruit to

make lemonade all year long.

                                                      

Finally, Mel - here's the recipe for Orange & Beet salad.

I also add goat cheese.

Yum.

With many of my friends pregnant with baby number two (or three!) vehicular transportation has been a hot topic of conversation; mainly, how does one squish that many car seats (strollers, toys, diaper bags, the dog, etc.) into a automobile without A) spending a gazillion dollars on a huge SUV that sucks gas or B) driving the ever-so-shameful minivan?


I for one don't see what the big problem is. The solution is pretty simple - suck it up and get yourself a mom-mobile.


For the life of me I can't understand why so many women are so ashamed of the Mom Van. Personally I can't wait until we have a second child so I can justify buying one. They're awesome! Sliding doors, lots of space, dvd players, big trunk, and room for multiple children and adults (b/c how many 30+ year olds really like squishing themselves into the third seat of an SUV?!). 


But ask nearly any modern mother between the ages of 25-45 and she would rather show up to kindergarden pick-up in a spit-up stained tee-shirt than round the parking lot in a mini-van. Sweatpants and baby-fat are manageable, but the soccer mom image is too much to bear. 


However dear friends, allow me to remind you all of something: we're all just a few motor-skills away from being actual soccer moms. So stop denying it and embrace the mom-mobile. Allow yourself the freedom to indulge in the mother-role and all the wonderful things that come with it, mini-vans and all....but drawing the line at mom-jeans, please. 

Lover of Water

Much to our delight Landon is proving to be quite the water lover.

His new favorite place ever:

the fountain outside the mall.

I had to drag him home kicking, screaming and soaked!

Don't be fooled - these are screams of joy

Summer has FINALLY arrived her in Southern California

and we are loving us some sunshine.