Life, Lately... Has Been Busy!

With the new year came a string of visitors that we have happily and excitedly welcomed into our home. With them came that sweet vibe and atmosphere that happens when friends and family fill your home. Laughter, stories, memories shared and memories made.

The first to visit came in late January. My very best friend, Angela. We've known each other now for nearly 15 years. College roommates, randomly paired up. We came from different states, different backgrounds, and different approaches to life. Angela, a sweet southern girl from South Carolina and me a bit of a firecracker from Miami. But somehow, despite these differences we clicked. Within that first night of knowing each other, sitting on Ange's dorm room bed and sharing our stories. (Well, mostly I shared. I talked. A lot.  Maybe too much. Angela was a bit more reserved than me.) But we did click and now, 15 years later, thousands of miles between us, with husbands and children and our own separate lives, we  are closer than ever. She's a part of my story. Weaved so intricately in and out of so many parts of my life that I'm certain it could never come undone.

This trip was a special one. A bit of an early birthday present for us both. Angela flew out, then together we drove to Temecula. This is southern California's wine country. Jared stayed at home with Emerson and Angela's husband held down the fort as well. And for two and a half days and two nights Angela and I talked. I mean we talked. Without having to hang up to tend to our children. Without having to stop to answer one of their questions or to get another snack from the fridge. Without pause, without interruption, we talked. On and on about whatever was on our minds. And we never ran out of things to say. In the morning, we lingered over hot coffee (More than one cup!). During the day, we drove through beautiful vineyards, stopping to sip their wines and enjoy their grounds. And at night, we went out for dinner, taking our time and enjoying every bite. It was a special trip and one where we found out that as adults and mothers, we have much more in common than we did as 19 year old kids so many years ago.

We tried to get a few good pictures of ourselves on our girl's weekend...

but as it is, neither of us knows how to be "normal" in front of the camera...

Angela: "I'm a little uncomfortable with this. Hmm... Let me think..."

Me: "I'm a little uncomfortable with this. Hmm... Let me pose..."

Finally a good one. Better together :)

About two weeks after Ange flew home, my Dad came to visit. This was a big move for my dad. He and my mom have been traveling the country in a camper or a motorhome for about 26 years now, preferring this way of travel over flying. (I can't blame them.) And although my mom has flown to the different places we've lived several times, my Dad held out for longer visits in the RV. But staying away from his grandbaby was too much for him to handle so he booked a flight and hopped on an airplane to LAX. He stayed for about a week and Emerson couldn't have been happier. She loves her Pop Pop. Much of his visit was spent with Emerson on his lap or with an eager toddler showing him all of her new tricks. We went to the beach, chasing waves and playing in the sand. For weeks after he left to go home, and even now, Emerson repeats his name when something jogs her memory. It was another special visit and one I know left Emerson feeling even more loved. 

Three days after my Dad flew home, one of my closest and dearest friends came with her family all the way from Key West. Abby, Derek, and Emerson's very first friend, Alise came to stay for a week and oh, the love and fun that filled that space of time! Abby is very special to me. We shared our first year as mothers together, living 17 miles from the comforts of town, we served as each other's social life, support system, and confidants. Our girls grew side by side and so did we. Within that year, she became one of the most important people in my little world and I am so very thankful to have had this week together. 

We packed a lot into 6 days. First up, a hike in Palos Verdes.

Then a visit to the beach. This was the first time any of them had been to the Pacific Coast, so it was a very special moment. I think Alise liked it :)

We also headed to the famous Santa Monica Pier to ride the carousal and brave the Ferris Wheel. Abby and I were only a little terrified of the height, but luckily it was an overcast day so we weren't able to see just how high up we were :)

I'm not sure why, but suddenly, I am unable to load pictures to this post! I've tried all of the troubleshooting tips Google has to offer and none are working. UGH! This poor post and these sweet pictures have been sitting in my draft file for two weeks now and I can't stand it anymore! So, in an attempt to maintain sanity,  I'm posting it unfinished. Just like in life, sometimes we have to accept that things don't always go as planned and move on. Sometimes things are left unfinished and that is okay. 

The rest of the Luman's visit was wonderful. A trip to the San Diego Zoo and a family photo shoot at the botanic gardens for Abby and her sweet family. (I was so nervous!) My mom's visit was great, of course. Emerson is still talking about the things they did together. 

I'm not happy about this whole pictures-not-posting situation, so distract myself I'm off to look up camping cabins in the San Bernardino Mountains. I have a certain almost two year old's birthday to plan. In the meantime, enjoy the memory montage of my sweet girl and her very first friend, Alise in their first year of life together. Luckily, these pictures loaded before all the troubles. 

May 2013

April 2013

March 2013

January 2013

September 2012 (I think)

July 2012 and their very first meeting...

And The Rains Came...

California has endured its driest winter in years. Our family has lived here now for 7 months and in that time it has barely sprinkled twice. So many have suffered through a crippling drought and deadly fires. People have prayed and begged for a release from the arid conditions, but still the rains wouldn't come.

On Wednesday, Emerson and I drove to the airport to pick my mom up. As we looked to the sky for airplanes, I could see that the clouds were starting to gather and to darken. Earlier that day, I read the weather report and it looked like we had a good chance of rain, but I've learned not to get my hopes up about that. When evening came, the sky had competely darkened to a deep grey. Clouds swirled and the wind began to strengthen. By nightfall, I knew we'd have rain as predicted and I was excited at the thought.

I woke at 1 AM to the sound of rain beating against our windows and a roaring wind tearing through our backyard. I love the rain. I was raised on the heavy winds and rains of summer thunderstorms in Florida. Lightening flashing through venetian blinds and the roll of thunder rattling windows and walls. But there was something about this storm that was unsettling to me and even a little scary. Maybe it was because it was my first California storm. Maybe it was because despite the rain and wind, there was absolutely no lightening and thunder. Maybe still, it was because Jared was far away in Virginia. I'm not sure, but I tossed and turned under blankets and the sounds of the storm for the rest of the night until the morning.

When we woke, the rain had lessened to a sprinkle. The sun shone through beads of water on our windows and the streets were overflowing with remnants of the night's downpour. Emerson was in awe of the rainy wonderland before us and we spent the rest of the day running through the rain, splashing in puddles, searching for earthworms and going for walks. When the rains came, we stayed indoors watching the rain, and finding things to keep us busy. I took a few pictures of my view from the inside and looked on as Emerson and her Mima made memories. The next three days were spent this way and when Jared returned on Saturday we still had another day of rainy weather to enjoy.

Our plants loved the rain...

Salvia and rosemary...

Strawberries...

Lavender and baby basil, making its way into the world...

Petunias and a flower whose name I can't remember :)

By late Sunday afternoon, the sun peaked out from the clouds and the the winds had calmed. We went on a long evening walk where we had to remind Emerson that we couldn't visit the park because it was too wet. "Raaiin. Wet!" She would say. She is still looking for worms to rescue and I think she misses looking through rain covered windows.

Today, the skies were clear and we made our way to the Botanic Gardens. It's one of my favorite places here and I knew it would be my mom's too. We followed Emerson as she lead the way through flowery paths and grassy fields and had a lovely time.

Today, many Californians are thankful for the rain. A break from the drought. I am too. And so happy to have seen the look on my daughter's face as she experienced one of the simplest joys of childhood. Happy Monday friends and family. I hope you have a wonderful week.