Happy Halloween!

This year was fun because Caleb could actually walk door to door and tricker treat. He was a Stegosaurus. "They eat plants and grass." He loves dinosaurs. Talks about them daily and likes to visit them at the Children's Museum. We went over to the Chandler's neighborhood along with the Odegaard's and started early, only having success at a few homes, but it was still very fun to see him participate! Kerry is in Haiti so he missed out on his first real Halloween, but that is okay. There is always next year!

Happy Halloween!

21 Years

Today I remember my mom who I lost to Ovarian Cancer 21 years ago. Being only 11, I went to school the next day because I was so excited about dressing up for Halloween. Crazy, I know. Maybe that was my way of denying what had happened the day before or maybe I wanted to find something joyful in the midst of my sorrow. I don't know.

I took Caleb to his first Halloween party today, all dressed up as a dinosaur. So cute. He loved being around the other kids and dancing. That boy can dance. I realize today and everyday how precious being a mother really is. How I can't take any day for granted because you never know when your time is up.

Its comforting for me to know that I get to experience what my mom got to experience with my sister and I. A truly precious gift of being a mom. We sign up willingly, never knowing what battles we may face or when our contract may come to an end. Make each day count.

I love and miss you mom. I am blessed to have spent 11 years with you.

Mom Break

After reading in parenting magazines again and again about how a break is needed from parenting once your child hits 2, I decided to treat myself for my 32nd birthday to a weekend away! At first, I wasn't sure if Kerry was up for it, but he quickly agreed to watching Caleb for the weekend. That was easy! I hadn't seen my BFF Julie since January, so I arranged a past due visit!

The airport drop off was tough. Most of the way there, Caleb needed to hold my hand in the car which only made saying goodbye harder. We both cried, but I knew it would be short term tears. I got in late Friday night, but woke up around 630 the next day. It was nice to just lay in bed and not have to attend to anyone. I almost wasn't sure what to do with myself! Julie and I got to spend a majority of the day shopping and dining. It was great. No kids. I miss that time with her. I do not miss spending nearly an hour in Naartjie while she decided what outfits to get for her girls, but that is my best friend and I love her for the indecisiveness! After church on Sunday we watched the girls play, had lunch and some down time before heading back out to dinner to one of my San Diego favorites, Miguel's. It was a girls night out, with her oldest daughter Ashlyn. She is great company. She talks and talks and talks some more, but what do you expect from a near 6 year old?

Early Monday I was off to the airport and my mom break was nearly over. I had talked to my boys everyday to check in and it seemed that Caleb wasn't missing me too much. He was having fun "Daddy time" and barely noticed I was gone! It sure was good to see him when they picked me up. I missed him, but I knew taking a few days off would be good for me, for him and for Daddy.