sun sparkles

Happy Wednesday.

little joy moments from yesterday and today...

post nap backyard play. family laughter around the dinner table. bubble baths. making it to OT in normal clothes today for c and no melt downs. water fountain wonder. naps. kisses. giggles.

craving...
a run. chocolate chip cookies. and a nap.

enjoying...sunshine.

joy filled moments

i love how they love books. curled up with mouse and friends.

 

i'm not sure how to put to words what i'm feeling...how do you sum up these fleeting wrap around your heart moments?

lucas running over and reaching up 'mama'... arms wrapped around me in a big hug...i never want to let go moment. he always seems to know when i need a hug the most. he lays his head tucked in deep on my shoulder, dimple smile reaches his eyes and calms my heart.

caleb's hand wrapped tight and his nervous face as we toured a preschool potential for the fall this morning. me trying to hold back tears and trying to be brave for my scared little boy, while on the inside i was just as scared. i don't want them to grow up moment. my maybe crazy idea moment of...i'll start my own preschool because sending him away from me even for just two mornings a week seems too hard for him and me. is he ready? am i ready? i didn't know it would be this hard. will it be a good fit? praying for Grace and Wisdom in this hard decision. 

caleb's empathy. a "don't be sad mom" moment. my wise little owl. sometimes our hearts hurt bad, but that is okay. change can be hard. but that's how we grow.

playing at the park with friends moment. warm,  fresh, air and sunshine and feeling grateful for these simple things i get to do with them because i'm home with them each day.

pre-nap cuddles and giggles. heart filled up moment. their love. their laughter. my joys.

having to leave for work yesterday while they stilled napped and coming home and they are in bed, knowing i only missed 3 hrs and am only gone three evenings a week now doesn't take away the ache of missing them moments. of hearing stories of what they did and how they were when i come home- but work problems have been solved thanks to an amazing sup. and feeling better about that moment.

curled up on the couch watching a movie with the one that i love moment.

sneaking into little boy rooms and holding them close under the moon moments...listening to their sweet breaths, smelling their sweet scent, aching with love and wonder. heart bursting love moments.

the afternoon spread out before us today with warm sun, a light heart knowing i'll be home for dinner and baths and bedtime tuck ins. a content heart moment.

feeling pulled in many directions lately, dr. apts, traveling, having to set up another appointment for my sweet c, (ear nose and throat specialist for his breathing at night and bio med for his nutrition/sensory/allergy/asthma/muscle tone/concerns.) and wishing time would slow...missing our home days a little....holding the moments of kisses and laughter, wiping tears, hugging sadness away, little hands tucked in mine warm and safe, giggles, stories, breakfast table conversation, pre nap laughter and cuddles, backyard barefoot happy play, cuddles on the bed and reading, brother love wrapped up in it all and a mama's heart who feels so much love for her precious sons.

I Cherish these little moments with my boys.

wishing you, a joyful...Tuesday.

"We have to love until it hurts. It is not enough to say, "I love." We must put that love into a living action. And how do we do that? By giving until it hurts"
~Mother Teresa

"Joy comes to those who in a sense forget themselves and become totally aware of the other."
~Mother Teresa

"Joy is prayer; joy is strength, joy is love." ~Mother Teresa

"Be faithful in little things. Smile at one another. We must live beautifully" ~Mother Teresa.


for me...there is so much encouragement in prayer; in his Word; through family, with friends, in my husband and children. I am grateful for my joy-filled blessings.

lately.

lately....
we are soaking up sunshine. spending time gardening (d and lucas mostly). reading. playing. resting. enjoying lucas and all his words he's been spouting out lately as well as his little toddler running that is just beginning. smiling lots cause we have two little musicians in the making. relishing, just being a family.....

****warning: mind rant...please only read if you don't mind a mother's ramblings...
last week was an interesting week. my mom's friend has a little boy who is autistic (my mom taught him in kinder) anyway she has a blog which i read....found here (healing autism and adhd)  it was very insightful and full of information...my brain honestly went into overload...I then picked up this book at the library...healing the new childhood epidemics... in working with special needs kiddos, most who are autistic, this information has come my way before...special diets, supplements, not buying foods that contain artificial food dyes and coloring, etc...it is something we are looking into and researching (oh boy have i been reading and researching...like all last week; while the boys napped or after they went to bed) my head felt like it was going to explode! My mom told me to stop reading and take a break..which i did (mostly) this weekend...We now find ourselves here... we have an apt. at the end of april to meet and consult with a  bio-med doctor who specializes in helping those who have various needs (i.e asthma, allergies, sensory, etc)..for caleb we see a connection with his sensory processing difficulties, allergies, and asthma...It seems like it all goes back to the basics and one of the things being nutrition and making sure caleb's getting the right nutrients and perhaps needing extra supplements and being on the right vitamin...so...this has all been a little overwhelming but also I see yet another puzzle piece fitting together... Even though Caleb does eat healthy I see this as one more way to help him along with OT 3x a week (in a sensory gym with miss a and at home with miss p). I'm grateful for all OT has done and will continue to do this year and next. I am hoping figuring out if Caleb has certain needs when it comes to nutrition (whether it ends up being a diet of going wheat free/diary free, or just needing extra supplements to help his body or just being on the right vitamin) I am thankful for the resources I've found in this community (my mom's friend went to this dr. and it has made a huge difference for her son..i really am so grateful to have friends who i can trust and know caleb's only seeing the best of the best). I have new information just swimming around in my head and I'm trying to absorb it all. It is crazy honestly all the artificial food coloring and preservatives the government allows to be put in our food, hair products, lotions, etc. So yes...I have crossed over to the 'go green' way and while we aren't there all the way, I think slowly we are trying to make little changes in our family's life to eventually become more earth friendly for our boys. I think children who have allergies, asthma, adhd, autism, sensory processing disorder, etc...do have a sensitivity to the toxins in our environment whether that is food or products on the market that have un-natural ingredients, or even just what is in the air, etc. So, I've blabbed enough about this...we shall see what happens and I am hopeful we will find out more answers and helpful info through lab work and meeting with a doctor who specializes in bio-med....so go ahead and check out the blog or website or book if you're interested... :) because i'm not sure i made any sense whatsoever!!! i'll blame my bio-med research fog on that!! go ahead and ask if you have questions though :) i'm sure i probably sound crazy but don't worry, i have good resources and people who are on this journey and have paved the way so to speak for us! i'm very grateful for them and know God has placed them in our life for a reason ;)

other than my mind fog....which i'm impressed if you made it past the pictures at this point!!

this is my first week down to 3x a week of working and i'm pleased as punch!! I feel as though a weight has been lifted :)

running is still touch and go. last week was not a good running week but we ran five miles saturday so hopefully i'll be better about running this week! or at least do a Jillian's dvd with d a couple times. my belly is starting to lose muscle :/ , well, honestly i either need to sign up for a race at this point or get preggo!! lol...kidding...kinda.

i hope it warms up enough for a beach day with the boys soon!! loving all the spring colors that are starting to bloom. yellow daffidales in the backyard and pink blossoms on the trees. beauty makes my heart happy.

our backyard is starting to look alive again (thanks to d!) and i am hoping to post some more pictures from my camera soon :)

Hope you had a beautiful weekend and Happy Monday.

dancing in the morning light.

i love listening to their table talk. this morning it was over animal sounds...belly laughs filled up the room.

Adele is in Caleb's head...so he was singing her song this am...it turned into morning dancing...

good morning sweet sunshine.

via link  
love this. finding joy in the 'messy' moments. how beautiful and imperfect motherhood is; finding joy in those moments.

following our dance party early this morning and even after getting through C's home program (a hot brain sequence to fire him up/ sensory)  he still had a major melt down over getting dressed and leaving for OT. poor guy had a really rough night last night too. not sure what's going on as he seems slightly more off than usual. These very hard moments make my heart ache for him. God gives us the Grace we need for each day and moment. I try not to think ahead to school days and the challenges those days will bring for him. My heart hurts for him, that these little everyday things such as transitioning to getting dressed or transitioning to meal time or even the transition to leave the house (notice...all transitions) are so very hard and cause such a struggle for him, as well as us.  All we can do is simply take it one day at a time and to use our 'sensory' knowledge to help us and equip him to help him with his sensory struggles.  I'm grateful for the little moments where the sun shines through the windows and touches the boys' faces in a halo of warm light. I'm grateful I am able to be here to dance and laugh with them and watch them move their little hips and then fall to the floor in giggles. I love them and each moment with them fills up my heart with love spilled over. Every moment is worth it, just to be basked in their love and innocent childhood joy.

Happy Wednesday!!

i've posted a couple videos below for family to enjoy!! ....of the boys...one from our slo trip 'duck' adventure and one from a couple weeks ago of the boys just playing and having fun. enjoy :)

diaper dancing

lucas talking to the ducks.

moments from our weekend and then some...

from our weekend...

pismo beach walk.

i love their love. 

love this.

 beach walk at sunset.

 a morning of play. rainy day. no where to go. a favorite way to spend a morning.

 

d and i enjoyed a weekend just the two of us. i'm thankful we can do this every now and then. one night away makes a difference. we come back with more love to give. thanks for babysitting mom and dad ;) it was nice because we still saw the boys both days...we just had a 24 hour husband/wife escape. mommy and daddy were off duty for a day and it felt really good.

some favorite moments lately....
the boys and their play. brother language. rainy day. long beach walk at sunset with hubby (we haven't done that in sooo long and it was my most favorite part of the weekend for sure!) baking in the kitchen with little helpers. coming home on sunday to find nani and papa passed out on the couch...toys decorating the house...(yeah that was a highlight! lol. i wish i had snapped a picture!)....

2 Corinthians 12:9 My Grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
 my scripture verse of the week...yesterday i wasn't as patient as i wish i could have been with caleb while he was mid melt down and i've been somewhat grumpy and not as loving of a wife as i set out to be each day...and work...to be completely honest is just taking me down. there are some things happening at work that my sup is aware of but quite frankly are upsetting to me and i'm really just not sure how much longer i can last on this case :( i want to be tough and hang in there and i feel as though i have to...hard things don't mean i should give up, and really i can't... but they are upsetting me and as much as i pray about it, i'm struggling to just give myself over to God completely. this is why i am reminding myself as i pray...that God gives us strength through our weakness! So those moments I feel less than a perfect mother, or wife, or 'worker' are moments where I need to be surrendering my burdens to God so that he can use my weakness for His Glory. But it is hard! I want things to be going my way and well they def. haven't been since I started working on this case in jan. I always have a hard time with change! It is yet another area of weakness that I struggle with :) So while I am struggling a lot right now with work, and just the day to days of meeting Caleb's needs...I feel hopeful that things will get better! It is just a hard season right now....not to mention I may have skipped running the past two days...and well that is never a good thing especially after having such a good 5miler run on saturday!!

To end on something good, the boys are just filling up my days with sweetness lately in the way they play together and talk together and how they just are around each other. I can't get over their love and brother bond. Caleb amazes me daily with his tender love for Lucas and Lucas brings such peace and silliness to our family. They both are such spirits of love and laughter. I want to hold on to these moments forever. They bring me such complete joy. I love them so much and feel so blessed to be their mama.

and again.  

you boys are so loved. watching you two together and your brother love, it amazes me daily. to the moon and back sweet baby boys.

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

am so excited for two reasons...

first...this is my last 'work' friday! Starting next week I'll have Friday off and then after that I'll be down to just Monday/Wednesday/Thursday evenings for work. I'm just happy as a peach about that.

second....the pic below is where hubs and I will be this weekend ;) A weekend retreat to slo while nani and papa babysit. I think d and I both need this time together alone to reconnect and enjoy some quietness. I always love going back to slo because this is where we met and fell in love and I have so many happy college memories here ;) I love that we are only two hours away and have already created some wonderful family memories there with the boys. It truly is such a happy and peaceful place!


via image

last...a good friday read :) It is always good to remember these simple things we can do as mothers to cheerish our days at home with our little ones.

20 Motherhood Tips

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

 

via image

I just love this quote/song/phrase...don't you?

 

Love is

 via image
 Celebrating Love today.

in all forms.

brothers. sisters. wives. mothers. daughters. sons. fathers. husbands. girlfriends. boyfriends. cousins. friends. family.

 

May you feel love wrapped around you today, and everyday.

With love, from our family...to yours.

may your valentine's day be filled with sweetness and goodness!!

new beginnings.

from our morning....

casa de colores oh what a fun experience! i'm so thankful to be part of such a great MOMS club group for this very reason...there are always activities and trips and almost everything is free. Just an amazing group of moms who get together and leave each other inspired and supported. The owner of this adorable shop puts on music, circle time stories and songs, play, crafts, and even provides snacks for the kiddos. She is an educator and has a background with special needs children. You can just feel her joy and love of the little ones when you are around her. Bubbles and music were at the end. It was a blast and I was thankful we were finally able to go since it is usually on a day we have OT for Caleb. We haven't been able to go to our usual moms club stuff lately so I was excited to be back!!! I can't wait to go back with the boys ;) It was a colorful and happy place that brightened our morning.  

outside play pre-naps.

cozy for sure. i just love watching them play together, I am always entertained!

And so Lent has begun!

 

via image

 

Blessings.

 

sugar and spice.

 

 my cutie helper. valentine love for our loved ones far away.

warm sunshine and happy smiles at the park

oldie but a goodie (such kindred spirits)

Tuesday Tidbits.

let's start with the hard first:
work. it's bringing me down! i gave the everyday m-f 4-7 thing a fair try but it is just too much for me at this time. I've felt so guilty about having drop down to three days a week but after much prayer and talking with D, we feel it is just best for our family at this time; mostly for me and my health. I have 8 more days and then I'll be down to just working Monday/Wednesday/Thursday. The reason I've felt bad about it is because my work is short staff right now so no one else will be taking over Tuesday and Friday. But the scheduler is amazing and made me feel totally guilt free by saying it isn't my job to find someone and i've given her plenty of notice! (starting way back in jan) I'm relieved. I miss being home in the evening with my boys a lot. While I don't mind working a little bit to help relieve financial stress, working everyday in the evening and not having that family time (even though we are all together everyday for lunch and all weekend as a family) has been hard on me. It has also been challenging working with the same child everyday, but we're finding our ground and his aggressive behaviors are subsiding. Yesterday he was waiting for me at the window when I arrived, this is why it breaks my heart as I feel like I'm leaving the family hanging; even if I am not quiting!! Well, with all of C's needs right now I just need to be able to focus on that along with enjoying our family time. It is what keeps me sane and really I haven't felt totally 100% good since I started working everyday!! So let my work countdown begin ;)

the boys are feeling better and we're back to our normal routine of OT twice a week in MH for C. While I love this, it is really hard for him to transition back to getting dressed in the morning and getting in the car, and driving to therapy. This morning he melted down for almost an hour, but was totally happy and fine after therapy and miss A said she never would have know he was sick and didn't have OT last week! Well, I'm happy to hear that, I know doing the home program is probably what kept him okay. I'm thankful he's back doing therapy again because he needs it! As do I. Having a 30 minute break I admit is nice. Lucas and I have time alone together and I love that. In giving so much time and energy to Caleb, I feel thankful when I can focus on Lucas with one on one time too.

Teething. Lucas is getting his 'fang' tooth. I can feel the tooth and that would explain the biting and why he was hysterical going down for a nap today. That never happens! Boy loves his sleep. He also hasn't been eating much so I'm glad I figured out what's bothering him.

The good moments....
playing at the park in the sunshine. pre-nap giggles between brothers. sleeping through the night last night cause no one woke mom or dad up in the middle of the night! wahoo. (caleb's sleep has been slightly off lately and lucas wasn't feeling good-so one or the other was waking up at night).
diffusing peace and calming essential oils is one of favorite ways to relax now. running early in the mornings has been so refreshing and peaceful. looking forward to a weekend escape with hubby this weekend in slo while nani and papa babysit. spring is around the corner!. looking forward to our oregon visitors (grandma and auntie katie) next month!!

right now the windows are open, birds are chirping, boys are snoozing, and i'm feeling hopeful. bible study is tonight and that leaves me feeling refreshed all week :) coming home after bible study and watching bachelor with d also gives me something to look forward to while I work!

Happy Tuesday!!

*oh and if you get a chance check out Finding Joy  under my BLOG LOVE. I came across this blog yesterday and love it. The writer focuses her blog on FINDING JOY. Which is exactly we are talking about in bible study with our Philippians study. Finding Joy in the little, everyday things. She writes a lot about motherhood as well.

I also found the courage I needed to give my two weeks notice  officially for work to 3x a week instead of 5x, after praying all morning (not to mention the past couple months) about if it is something God is really calling me to do... after reading this post on prayer at Peace it All Together. I always find encouragement in her writing!

Hope the rest of your day is filled with sunshine and smiles.

hopeful monday

Hope Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune--without the words, And never stops at all...Dickinson... Feeling Hopeful today.... For a week full of possibilities after a much needed restful weekend that refreshed all of us....

i love how they play together; their language of smiles and laughs and hugs, even the frustrating moments of sibling fights. i love it all.

morning hair.

i love how little brother watches and does everything big brother does

(In home OT today) doing music therapy and bean bag throws (i'm glad we'll also be back to our OT with Miss A this week in MH after having to cancel last week due to sickness) I could not resist snapping a picture of the headphone/backpack get up. Sweet Caleb I love you.

 

this week I feel hopeful for valentine's day letters and water paintings that i'll be sealing up in red sticker-ed envelopes made with love from the hands of two little boys. I'm feeling excited for a care package send off with the help of little boys (mid way through our special outing lucas lost a shoe and almost lost himself in the clothing rack at target; then bit me cause he was mad..(a first by the way, we're learning to use our words/he may also be teething; but his mad screams at being picked up for running away makes me think it's probably just more of a word thing, which we're working on; hello toddlerhood) i was that disheveled mother at target this am. Stroller, wandering toddler, and well, caleb was the only one on board helping me with the special goods! it was quite an adventure.

moving on; it's Ash Wednesday this week and with that comes the reminder that we are preparing our hearts and filling them up with Hope in Christ this Easter season. Spring is around the corner too. Lots of things to Hope for and wait patiently for; in the meantime I'm glad I have some very cute distractions to tend to each day.

 

Psalm 37:7

Rest in the Lord and wait Patiently for Him.

 

 

what i'm loving this weekend.

i'm loving.... 

family walks  (in their pjs) and baking in the kitchen (see their little oatmeal cranberry muffins in their hands? and on lu's face?)

post nap kisses and long afternoon naps. ( both boys napped 3plus hours yesterday afternoon! sweetness)

early morning running (first time doing 5miles in a couple months and it felt pretty darn good! especially adding in a couple hills! slowly getting back on track with my runs)

discovering different ways of using my essential oils (lavender for sleep) diffusing peace and calming before naps lemon for fresh air and thieves to kill off germs

via image and more about essential oils here if you're interested @ simply essential mom  

 (*i'm trying something new for our family. I'm so sick of sickness and over the counter meds as well as prescribed medicine such as antibiotics (which don't get me started on antiobiotics! We have a love/hate relationship) and steroid breathing treatments...while this is something new I am trying for my family I am in no way advertising! I am simply sharing something that we are embarking on right now. I'll keep ya'll updated as our EO journey continues. I'm hopeful that it may have helpful solutions for our family. EO's have many different uses and we are starting out slowly and don't worry, we are researching and being safe about how we use them. But-if you have questions feel free to ask)

                                                          all purpose natural cleaner recipe

and lastly, green cleaning discoveries. I wish I had discovered this simple and easy environmental friendly cleaning solution years ago!!! Does it get any easier? Baking soda. Vinegar. and putting in a couple drops of my essential oils (lemon and thieves and lavender) and wallaaaa! SAFE and CHEAP (i had all the ingredients already in the house!) No longer am I worried about toxic cleaning solutions in our house plus I'm saving money by using things we already have. How great it feels to know that I'm no longer exposing the boys to toxic chemicals! I must admit I'm pretty gosh darn excited about this latest cleaning discovery of mine-and for all those who know me-you know how much I adore cleaning!! Let's just say dave has heard not much else this weekend ;)

So it has been a restful weekend. I'm officially out of last week's sickness funk and feeling hopeful. Caleb's cough is gone and lucas' nose is drying up-I don't want to speak too soon but after some much needed rest this weekend they seem to be on the mend (as for D, he caught their cold) but thankfully I'm still standing and just tending to my boys this weekend!

** Do you have any natural cleaning remedies or otherwise that work for your family? If so-please share! I'm interested to know :)

And please do excuse my rave about natural cleaning and EO's, sometimes my excitement just bubbles right on over and out everywhere!

Have I mentioned how much I love weekends? Family Time is my favorite. And so is Sunday morning church with two little boys. (most of the time!)My favorite moment today, was when C and L, both sat side by side on the church bench, quietly reading their bible story books (I found some great ones to add to our collection at the dollar store awhile back-go figure!) Lucas watches Caleb and then tries so hard to follow suit and it is just the sweetest. It was a heart melt moment for sure, especially since not every week is a good week. Most the time it feels like Lucas is squirmy the worm and Caleb is crabby the crab! bahaha. But when a friend who has five handsome little boys who are so well behaved tells me after church how well behaved our boys are and asks how we get Lucas to sit so good? Well, it kinda makes a mama's heart feel proud! Especially since I am constantly in awe of their family and how well behaved her boys are!! I love raising our little Catholic boys and pray over them daily as they grow that they may Love the Lord with all their heart! One last sweet moment I want to always remember; before church Caleb was signing the alleluia with his guitar. And then we heard him singing along at church (which he normally never does at church, only at home) Lucas was singing along too and kept holding his hands together every time we would say 'Amen'. Well, I just love it and I love their sweet childlike faith. They are so teachable at this age and I love how they soak up everything like a sponge! I pray we always fill them up with His Goodness! 

Hope you're having a good weekend as well!!

oldie but a goodie ;)

friday serenade

from our week.

 

i was serenaded this morning (caleb sang. lucas strummed). it made for a happy friday.

train rides around the house (i don't know where they come up with this stuff...stroller as a trailer and balloon as decoration?) 

 nature walk to target (stay close little brother)

 boy version of hugs and cuddles ;)

 

smoothie slurping and magazine reading moment.  

 just hanging. (pretend boat ride and stories read from the three year old)

 

good moments from the week.

lots of playtime with nowhere to go, no one to see. walks around the neighborhood. cuddles and kisses.

 

the harder moments...

another round of colds, breathing treatments for c (thankfully catching it earlier this time stopped it before he was on the cusp of not breathing well) short naps and long nights.  drippy, red rimmed noses, and inside playing rainy days.

 

well i think it is safe to safe as hard as i try not to be-i'm in my yearly february winter funk.

working everyday after having three days off last week has been an adjustment this week. i'm counting down till march when hopefully i'll be down to 3x a week instead of 5. i'm trying so hard to be okay with working 5x a week-but let's be honest here. i'm totally not!! bahaha. it feels like too much even if it is only a 3 hr session everyday. i've only ever worked two days a week since having the boys(4-7pm) and five days? well it is a lot for me! i'm just counting my days till march in all honesty. not that dave and the boys need me or anything, they are doing fine with their boy bonding time:)

 

i'm also hoping with the coming of spring colds will subside, although allergies hit us and allergy breathing troubles start up with caleb :(..

 

i'm thankful that although the boys have been sick we've had some relaxing home days. Not having OT this week brings its own challenges for caleb and his self regulation, but looking on the positive side it is nice to not have to rush our mornings.

 

i'm just feeling sort of blah!! but i'm trying and that's what matters right? :)

 

we've had plenty of really sweet and good moments this week, mixed in with...well, salty tears and what comes with bad colds...short naps and even longer nights!

 

i want my boys to be healthy again, in the meantime God is continuing to strengthen my patience with His Strength!

 

this has been my little mantra all week!! it helps me to remember that while everything feels so out of control in my life right now; the boys and their sickness, caleb and his sensory struggles, work challenges, even motherhood and being a wife, they've just been hard for me this week. really hard!! it's just been-one of those weeks. but I know that while I may feel completely out of control-that's all right! and that is how it should be so that I can hand over all my struggles and worries and lift them up to God. He's got everything under His Control and he's going to use all things for His Glory.

 

Romans 8:28

and we know that God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

 

Matthew 11:28

Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.

 

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.  

 

 Happy Weekend ;)

 

 

sweet surprises.

{both boys are sick.again.with colds.} and while I want to just curl up into a ball until all this sickness is over...I smile instead, cause I have the precious moments of Sunday to hold onto this week-Sunday, was perfect. We surprised my sister by taking the boys to slo so they could see her (she and my mom had a day planned in Solvang while their boys watched the Superbowl; but my mom took her on a lil slo detour without her realizing. It was the perfect surprise) I'm gonna carry Sunday with me all week :) It was just exactly what I needed! A little girl time with my mom and sis with the loves of my life (aka my boys). Here are pics from our day.

 Surprise!

lucas trying to launch himself into the duck pond. caleb trying to hold him back.

 

 nani trying to escape the ducks.

notice lu is having to be 'held' back from the ducks while c and auntie are at a very safe distance. lol

 let our slo adventure begin ;)

 (lucas prefers walking independently. aka. no hand hold.(see him trying to run off in the pic below?)

 i love brother hand holds.

 even more than brothers in blue jeans. (when did caleb's legs get so long and lean?)

 having two lil walkers/runners...so.much.fun.

 the fountain adventure.

 they are very interested in those pennies auntie is trying to find

 she ran out...so nani tried to sneak her hand in the cold water for some more! yeah, they were pretty fascinated with the whole penny in fountain thing in case you didn't notice the intent look on both their faces.

 the sun. the trees. the water. the mission. slo. sunday. family day. perfect bottle it up moment!

 oh the denims. love.

 i tell ya, lucas would have been swimming with those ducks if we had let him!

 

 caleb edged closer...but wouldn't let go of lu's hand...just to be sure that lucas didn't go diving with those ducks!

 c and his protector.

 oh ducks.

 until we see each other again slo. you will always remain one of my most favorite places to be with the ones I love.

 

gonna keep thinking joy-filled thoughts as we start out our week sick again.

 

 

funny thing is our orignal plans were to see my best friend and her family sunday (they live in slo) but then lucas had a cold-we didn't want to spread our germs! I was so bummed out that we decided let's just go to slo anyway-it evolved into a surprise meet up with my mom and sis. I'm ever so thankful an emergency meet up can happen in two hours if ever I need it! Which I so desperately did!!

It really wasn't the happiest of mondays being that i have two sick little guys! But it was a beautiful sunday. So here's hoping you had a beautiful weekend!!