Easter 08

No matter how hard I try to wake earlier than my kids so I can get ready, get stuff done, etc., it never happens. I got up before them this morning so I could get dressed and still have time for Easter morning festivities and an early church service. Well, my plan failed. Porter walked into my bathroom about 5 minutes after I was up. He was happy and when I asked him what today was he said "Easter Bunny!". Ah oh! He loves to help me pick out what I should wear (another ah oh!) so with some persuasion he picked out just the right Easter outfit:) Piper straggled in afterwards and then with Daddy up, too, we headed downstairs for Easter baskets and cinnamon rolls. Porter's Easter basket had a "Toy Story" theme and Piper's was "Tinkerbell". However, when she discovered Woody talked and Tinkerbell did not, she wanted Woody....and there began our day of grumpy, grouchy, fit-throwing children. Although, Piper finally warmed up to Tinkerbell, she wanted bacon with her cinnamon rolls which we did not have; she wanted Mommy to get her dressed and not Daddy; she fell and scraped her arm going into church and then did not want to go into church; then Porter did not want to go into church, so after much crying, the child care workers finally calmed them down and they were fine when we picked them up. Thank goodness, because we had a great service we got to actually sit completely thru! Back at my mom's for a yummy brunch that of course, the kids wanted nothing to do with, we finally made it home for NAPS! Piper maybe slept an hour and a half and Porter slept for about three and half hours! The naps helped temporarily...enough to eat a bit and hunt eggs in the basement (TOO cold outside!). But soon, the whining and crying over everything returned. On days like this I find myself thinking they will act this way every day and I will go crazy and have wild children that people stare at in restaurants. However, during our church service this morning, I was reminded that no matter what...I am to praise HIM in my circumstance. My God raised His Son from the dead, so isn't He powerful enough to give me strength and wisdom and patience and give my kids peace and a desire for obedience? Yes, He is! So, I look forward to another day tomorrow, come what may. His mercies are new every morning, right?

Spring has Sprung...at least for today!

Well, we finally have a taste of Spring here in the Midwest. How appropriate that today is the actual first day of Spring! We are used to the weather feeling "spring-like" around Valentine's day in Texas:) Not the case here! We've still been in the 40's and 50's for highs and it even snowed again last week--at least it didn't stick, though! Anyway, today is sunny and warm in the low 70's and so beautiful!! Tyler has been off since yesterday for a little mini Spring Break. The kids had "gymnastics camp" this morning, so he and I got some coffee and did some Easter shopping. After we picked up the kiddos, we headed to The Legends to run around. It's a great outdoor shopping/eating area that they love to run around in, throw pennies in the fountains, and see the dinosaurs at T-Rex cafe. Since it was so warm, we also promised them ice cream which they LOVED! They both wanted plain ole' chocolate and devoured every last bite with minimal messes to boot! After a very late and much needed nap for the little ones, we grilled some chicken outside and had a wonderful evening savoring our nice weather (because the word on the street is Easter Sunday is going to be COLD with a high of 41)! I bought Piper pants today to wear under her Easter dress. Ugh! So, now the kids are playing in a huge bubble bath after playing outside all afternoon getting nice and dirty. I've been missing these days...and look forward to another one before too long:)!!!

Portland

Ever since Allison and Israel were married 8 years ago, we've tried to make it out to Portland, Oregon once a year. We love that part of the country and these are some of my most favorite people on the planet! However, we haven't been in a year and a half...between moving, plane tickets for FOUR people, and memories of the fits Porter threw on our last Portland flight, we just haven't made it back to our home away from home. However, since Allison just had her baby girl, Eden, I had to go!! So, with Tyler watching the kids, I took an extended weekend trip all by myself. Although, I was 'helping' Allison with Isaac and new baby, Eden, the trip was so nice and relaxing for me...we always all have such a fun time together! We had our daily coffees from Starbucks (there is literally one on every block!) and/or Peet's Coffee; some yummy eating out; LOTS of shopping; and LOTS of laughing. For some reason, when we are together, we are the funniest people in the world:) We also celebrated Allison's 32nd birthday with her parents (whom I also adore!) at her favorite place, Claim Jumper's--yum! The weather was GREAT...sunny off and on, in the 50's which is way nicer than the freezing Kansas temps I'm so tired of! Plus, you can't beat the view...hills (real hills, folks!) on one side and snow capped mountains (again...real mountains!) on the other. Ahhhh...so nice. I always mourn when I leave and it gets harder each time, but the memories are well worth it. I thank God for my Aly and her beautiful family! We look forward to going back out as a family late in the summer!

So, after a tumultuous time getting back home...delayed flights and all day in a plane or airport, I'm back and man, did I miss my kids!!!!


Precious baby Eden snuggling and sleeping on Aunt Amy (who has a lazy eye in full effect - nice!)

With Isaac (and Muck and Lofty...Bob the Builders figures) at Cha Cha Cha's. I love this HILARIOUS, SWEET boy...

In Daddy's tie before school:)

Bathing the little beauty...

Israel, Isaac, and Allison at Claim Jumper's...

No more pacifier!

As I wrote in the journal I keep for the kids..."It's a miracle I didn't even pray for!" Yesterday afternoon, Porter misplaced the last pacifier we had (they've all managed to be left one place or another and Opie tagged one as his chew toy). Almost since birth, Porter has comforted himself with a pacifier (or "papi" as he calls it, and most recently "fafi"...who knows where that came from??). He especially "needs" it at night time and naps to drift off to sleep...or so I THOUGHT! Well, when we literally could not find the papi/fafi anywhere yesterday, I told him we lost his last one. I secretly called my mom who was coming over for dinner and asked her to pick up another at the store on the way here, but to be quiet about it and we would see how long he could go without. Well, to my amazement, all evening Porter was content with "We lost it" when he asked for it. The clincher was bedtime...he kind of whined a bit and asked for it a few times, but when I reminded him it was lost and he was a big boy who could sleep without it, he went to sleep and slept ALL night without waking! I was a little worried when Piper kept saying " But I still have my fingers" (which she sucks as her comfort and is another issue for another day), but Porter sailed through the night with flying colors! He's been great all day today including a nap and another bedtime. I truly am in awe! Why didn't I try this sooner. Oh, me of little faith! Yay, Porter, my big boy!

Brietzkes!

A while back, Julie told me their favorite comedian, Brian Regan, would be performing in KC and asked if we wanted to go with them. Well, of course--who doesn't need a night out with friends and a good laugh?!? Plus, Julie and Danny have 3 kids and our kids always love having play mates. So, last Friday night, they all came in for the weekend. We had such a great time...good food, kids all over the place, children's museum, our fun night out while "Nana" babysat. I think our kids especially hit it off...Piper never really has girl play mates and you could tell she was excited to have a buddy in Aly (3 years)...they shared toys and stuffed animals, sat in the big chair and read magazines together, etc. Too cute. Jake, their 5 year old, made them all giggle with his silliness and funny faces, too. Luke (11 months) is the BEST baby in the world--ah, how nice! So, we are still mourning their absence in our house...everyday Porter and Piper ask about one or all of their "friends" or "Rufa" (Aly's special stuffed kitty cat that Piper quickly fell in love with). We look forward to seeing the Brietzke clan again soon...here or there!

My Dallas girls...

I am overwhelmed with love and emotion for my friends. I miss you so much! God has truly been good in giving us some new friends and great neighbors here in Kansas, but it's just not the same yet (I haven't gone thru college, old boy friends, weddings, and babies with these folks:). As I heard from lots of you today and we emailed back and forth, I realized what a special, undeserving gift God has given me in each of you. I love to hear your stories about what God is teaching you, where He is bringing you, and how open you are to His calling. You all inspire me and encourage me. You are my heroes and I love you more than you'll ever know! As I am so far away and struggle with thoughts of feeling "left out", I know we will always live, LAUGH, and love together despite the miles between us. Thank you for being my friends!

A love affair with California...

I've heard people say how wonderful it is, but until I saw for myself, I never understood. First catching my breath were the mountains I flew over right before landing in Orange County. Driving to Tyler's resort where he was finishing his meeting, I knew I was driving through hills, but it was dark and I couldn't see clearly. The next morning, after staying the night in the nicest hotel I've ever been in, I drove down the road to get a Starbucks, and beheld the beauty...driving down a long strip bordering the ocean in Laguna Beach. The ocean on one side; huge, rising hills and cliffs on the other, with amazing homes perched in the side of them. The shops and cafes that lined the street were the cutest I've seen. It really was a scene from a movie!

Back at the resort, Tyler reserved me a massage in their spa. Again...the best ever! Afterward, with some friends from Kansas, we ate a wonderful lunch at a Cafe in Laguna, walked on the beach, and then headed out for San Diego.

A note...the people are SO friendly. You always hear of "southern hospitality", but these Californian's are SO nice!!!

In San Diego we drove through the trendy downtown, and later ate a nice dinner at Indigo Grill with our friends, Paul and Missy. All the food here is so fresh, healthy, and excellent! Love it!

We found out about some whale watching tours taking off from the bay, so we reserved one for Saturday morning. A must if you come to San Diego! We saw gray whales, dolphins, sea lions, and got a little history lesson on San Diego. The only drawback was the queasy cruise returning to the bay. The water was so choppy and about every other person on the boat was puking in a bag or looking green. They told us to look out on the horizon and let the wind blow in our face if we felt sick. None in our party lost their cookies, but we all felt a little sick for a while even after landing.

A highlight of the trip was walking in La Jolla with Tyler...leisurely, strolling in and out of shops, drinking coffee, walking on La Jolla Cove which is a beautiful, romantic beach where we watched the sun set.

Sunday was rainy, but we managed to find a cute little breakfast place called The Living Room where we had a great meal and coffee, then made our way to the Museum of Modern Art. Neither of us really "get" modern art, but at least we can say we've been:) We had to catch the Super Bowl, too, so later, we watched it in a little Mexican cantina in Old Town near our hotel. In the evening, we again walked the downtown area and had an ice cream cone at the Ghirardelli shop...cute, old fashioned ice cream, chocolate, and soda shop...yum!

I definitely see how this is one of the top places to live. We plan to bring the kids back with us soon to do all the stuff they will love...zoo, seaworld, etc. However, we've had a wonderful time on our little vacation, though. We haven't done anything like this since our pre-children state! So, bye-bye, California. It was nice to meet you and I look forward to seeing you again, soon!

For more pics, click here