We are just NOT perfect

My dad took this {spontaneous} family picture this summer.  We were down by the river, checking out the fishing and I just handed Dad my camera and he snapped this shot.  I absolutely loved it, so I enlarged it on canvas and placed in on my mantel.

There's only one problem....

....can you see it?

Take another look.

That's right, Jordan is wearing miss-matched shoes.

Great.

Don't Judge

See this sweet little guy?

For almost a year, he harassed and tortured our other sweet little kitty.

So, we gave him a new home--Grandma and Grandpa's home.

I still feel totally guilty taking our kitty away from our kids (right when they were in the middle of losing all their friends), not to mention forcing him on Grandpa who vowed he would never have another cat EVER again.

But, you know what? 

Miley is happy again.

And from what I hear, Peeta is happy too.

 

AND the best part...we still get to see the crazy little guy:)

Feeling Blue...and Yellow!

My favorite colors are pink and yellow.  Those have been my favorite colors since my kids have been old enough to ask me (which is quite boring to them, since their favorites change almost daily).  So, it was kind of surprising when I had to do a little shopping to furnish my new house that just about everything I picked out was BLUE.

Here is our front room.  The room that we had absolutely no furniture to put in.  The room that sent me to ikea for four miserable hours to try to find something to put in it without spending a fortune.  So, here is what I came up with;  a blue chair and a blue couch:)  Maybe it's blue because I hate ikea so much!!  Anyways, I am still waiting for the pictures to be hung and maybe an end table or two...or maybe even a big square coffee table....hmm.

This is the bath mat I fell in love with.  I went to Target THREE times trying to find towels to match!!  Finally, the last time I went, I took the rug with me to get the color right:)

After buying bathmats, I had to get a few decorations to match...at least I had to once I saw these:)

I think that is all of my BLUE stuff...for now anyways.

Top Ten

Top ten ways to keep your kids from being sad that you are moving

#10.  Takr them out for ice cream...multiple times.

 #9.  Let them play dress up with their cousins.

 

#8.  Take them on a hike (or two) to see a waterfall (or two).

 

#7.  Take them to a sandcastle competition.

 

#6.  Take them to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

 

#5.  Take them to the zoo.

 

#4.   Take them camping. 

 

#3.  Take them to the beach...or the lake...or anywhere where they can swim.

 

 #2.  Take them on their very first ferry ride.

 

 

#1. Take them to the most beautiful place in the world--Canada.

What Matters Most

When I was a teenager, the plan was to marry an American and run off to bigger and better things than little old BC, Canada.  Well, after 17+ years of that plan...I've decided it's time to come home--well, kind of home:)

About a year and a half ago, Mike and I had one of those "what do we want out of life?" conversations, and it ended in a decision; a decision to look for a job in WA.  We knew this idea wouldn't be popular with the kids, or any of our friends, so we kept it to ourselves...and plotted, and planned, and hoped, and prayed.

Here I am now, blogging from Washington...2 hours south of my hometown, and it is wonderful.  As much as we miss our friends, and the beach, and I'm sure once this 90 degree weather passes we'll be missing the weather too, we are grateful to be here. 

We are excited to see what this new adventure will hold for us!!

 Welcome to our new home!!

Gone Gone Gone

Every few hours I keep getting that feeling like I am supposed to pick someone up from something.  I then look around and realize all my kids are here...the ones that are supposed to be here.  Jordan has been at girls camp since Wednesday (it's Friday) and I just can't shake that feeling that something/someone is missing...and you know what?  That is because someone IS missing.  I really don't like this "kids going in all different directions" thing that happens as they get older.  All I can think about is how grateful I am that Jordan will be home tomorrow....that she's not gone for good.  I just miss her and love her and am so happy that she is part of our family.

And here's a song that I am obsessed with AND just happens to fit this post perfectly:)    

http://youtu.be/oozQ4yV__Vw

FEARLESS

"Fearless" was the word Kya's softball coach used to describe her.  Whether it was pitching, catching, playing with kids twice her size, or against a pitcher that was the fastest in the league, Kya was up for the challenge.  I can't believe she's my daughter...but I'll take credit for her anyways!!  We had a great run in All-Stars (winning the district, then losing regionals in game #3) .  I am glad her coach pushed for her to be on his team.

Then, she proved once again she was fearless when she finally got to get her ears pierced (she had to wait for softball season to be over).  She didn't even flinch:)

 

What We'll Miss Most

After TWELVE years of living in California, it will be bitter/sweet to leave.  We moved to Sunnyvale, CA with a 6 month old little blondy, and not much else.  

Jordan when we first moved to Cali

Our time has been wonderful...of course with many ups and downs, but still wonderful.  I'm sure just as Canada has always been a part of me, California will stay with me as well.  

The kiddos a couple weeks before moving to Los Angeles

As I think about all the things I am going to miss (the beaches, the weather, the schools, the sports...), I know the thing we will miss most is the friends we've made.  Everywhere we've lived (Sunnyvale, San Jose, Monterey & LA), we have always had amazing friends--friends I hope to have for life!!

The kiddos with just a few of the great friends they will be leaving behind:(