another stellar mommy moment

mood, listening to, last read: see below.

i forgot to blog about another K stellar mommy moment. i forgot the kid's wednesday envelope. he's standing in line and shouts out in front of all the other kids and their moms (we're talking about 80 stranger here), "Mom! YOU FORGOT MY ENVELOPE!" I just smiled, nodded my head, told him i'd bring it after class and thanked him for letting me know in front of everyone. the teacher laughed (the same teacher who busted me for his first homework assignment.) ahhh... i'll get this school thing down someday.

and breathe.......

mood: decompressed
listening to: baby einstein music
last read: emails

childcare kids present: ZERO!! although it has been my pleasure and honor to help some sistas out, i am so looking forward to the next hour. noah is at K, jack is napping, and i have 60 or so pages of the second vampire book waiting for me. i finally dug into it last night, getting through about 100 pages. i fell asleep with it on my face.

i forgot to blog that kimi and i met a half-celebrity (meaning she's a celebrity to those who know of her, but she became a celebrity on a primetime summer run reality competition show). we were at the pizza port in carlsbad (great place!) and we met Brandi from Oprah's Big Give. Here she is in action. She was an ex-beauty queen turned grand philanthropist who was one of the three finalists on the show. She actually did some work for the show here in our home town, helping out a special needs support group get some funding. i wasnt going to bother her, but kimi made me. she ended up being super nice and i felt like we could have kept talking with her if we wanted to. she was from somewhere not California, but her and one of the other finalists (Cameron) moved out to LA to do work out here. good peops man! good peops!

ok! off to read teenage vampire drama. you know you like it too.

Tales from the RCC Staff Daycare Center (that would be my house)

mood: good
listening to: So I Married an Axe Murderer dialog on our free VCR hooked up to our free TV (thanks amy!)
last read: kimi's blog where i noticed it has been three days since i blogged. oops

i have been watching kimi's kids most of the summer, and then im helping out a friend for the week before her official, bonafide daycare lady starts back up. so, i instantaneously became tiffany. i dont know how you do it girl! the biggest event is loading up the car to take noah to school. theres me, the double stroller filled and then 3 school agers walking with me. it's a sight!

the first morning i grossly underestimated the amount of time it would take me to unload 4 kids(two non-walkers) and i heard the warning bell ring while i was still a good 100 yards from his classroom. now, if you know me, you know I HATE to be late... and i mean, even a couple minutes. in college, i would rather not go than be late 5 minutes. so, i hear the warning bell and the exasperation sets in. im hollering at noah to hurry up. he's dawdling as any almost-5 year old would, and i run into him with the stroller. of course he collapses on the sidewalk in hysterics. i then continue to exasperate him by not giving any sympathy. instead, i sternly encourage him to get up, buck up, and get moving. we are hurrying (as fast as a 4 year old, 6 year old and a 28 year old pushing a graco duoglide can!). noah still crying the whole way down the path. we are almost to the lineup spot. i can see that his class hasnt gone in yet. THERE IS HOPE!. and then he stops to get a drink out of the fountain. OH NO HE DIDN'T! i forbid his drink. he tearfully yells, "I"M THIRSTY." my grown up reply "too bad." more hysterics. more exasperation as i tell him to stop and go to school. i rush through the gate, bark at him to hang up the backpack, and he is gets in line just in the knick of time.

i felt a slight glimmer of victory over time... until i realize what a HORRIBLE mothering moment that was. i mean really, a tardy slip wouldnt have been nearly bad as all those histrionics. for real!i'm pretty sure they threw away my PTA application. (j/k... me? pta? yeah right.) i then proceed to feel horribly guilty for the next three hours until i get to load up the preschool and pick him up. i gathered him in my arms. told him i was so sorry and that mommy was wrong, and the cutest little boy and world said, "it's okay mommy. i forgive you."

the spinning is slowing

mood: less frazzled
listening to: nichole nordeman
last read: celebrity baby names shower game

thursday night we had the mops dessert here at mi casa. 20ish women ranging from 26 to 75. we played a cherade/tabooish game. STRAIGHT COMEDY YO!

friday we went to the dmb concert. it was really sad. i cried kinda a lot for someone i don't personally know. they didnt do a tribute to leroi, but his absense was very apparent and the look of emotional exhaustion on the 4 remaining founders' faces was just heart breaking. it was incredible to see them express their sorrow and grief through their music. they started of the show with the song Bartender. they actually wrote a song a couple years ago about the minute or seconds surrounding a car accident called so damn lucky. they sung it last night and it was just so sad. one of the lines is "it's amazing what a minute can do." you could see the pain in their eyes. it gets me choked up right now--to watch 4 best friends grieve so publicly and artistically for their 5th. =( the musician they had as a stand in for leroi, in my opinion, did not go well with the rest of the band. he seemed too flashy. and he was really distracting. his performance made me realize just how amazing of a musician leroi was. and i just could not get over that in leroi's (who is a big, chill black softy of a man) with a tiny bald white beedy wannabe zen master (he was wearing some sort of asian robe and had a thin scragly long beard and no hair). i am sure he is amazing as well. it was just eerie to see him on the same stage with a sax/piccilo/flute in his hands playing leroi's parts. but kudos to the band for their show must go on mentality.

we got home around 130, only to wake up 5 hours later. im getting too old for this man! it was fun though.

this morning we had a post-birth baby shower for a friend. it was a small, but cozy group of ladies. lori made a fabulously yummy chocolate cheesecake. trevor stepped in as rockstar and watched our boys and lori's upstairs during the shower. he sure is a good guy.

now i am off to catch up on emails, catch up on mops registration and then it's off to church!

sad

mood: weelly weely sad
listening to: nada
last read: blog about leroi moore's passing

so if you know me at all, you know that my 3rd love is the Dave Matthews Band. (okay, maybe fifth or sixth) i got an email from a friend saying one of their members died on tuesday from complications stemming from injuries he had from an ATV accident in june. leroi moore played saxophone and a variety of other wind instruments for the band. he was one of the 5 founding members and he was talented beyond belief. his artistry brought an essence to the band. his absense will forever change DMB. apparently, there are still going on with their scheduled shows, one of which we will attend tomorrow evening. normally i am amped beyond sanity with the excitement of an upcoming DMB show. i really look forward to it 364 days a year, the other day actually being show-day. i am still excted about tomorrow, but there is definitely a morose overshadow. pray for the band & his family. and dont ride ATVs.

lukabella pics up

per my request, miss jenn has posted a couple of pics from the other jenn's wedding. follow the link on the right to view her photographic artistry. thanks jenn!

dots

i'm so excited to see all the dots. hello to all of you i don't know. my favorite stateside city logging in: ketchikan, alaska. and special shout out goes out to all the international hits! bounjour montreal! j'espere que vous aimez mon blog. (that's what 5 years of french got me)

weekend is half over.... wah!!!

COUNTDOWN TO DMB SHOW: 6 DAYS
mood: good
listening to: neighbors A/C unit and our sprinklers
last read: MOPS registration form

have a had a fun last couple of days. watched the Sturgess two on thursday and friday am. cj put dawn in my jet dry dispenser. i flushed it with about 3 gallons of water and alas, no bubbles.

thursday we went to noah's K orientation. it was CAH-RAZY to sit in his classroom. i cannot, absolutely cannot believe he is going to be a schoolaged kid. crazy. seems like it was just yesterday the pee stick had two lines....

thursday night i cooked dinner for the Sturgesses and then ate with them. we camped out until 930. good times. i used to always camp out, but that was pre-baby and pre-intown living. i think i shall resurrect it once the tot turns 2.

friday i took the 4 chitlins to erin's house for a quick coffee. i think i drove more than i stayed, but it was good to see her and the other bible study girls that showed up.

then noah and i headed out to seaworld. i wanted to spend some Q-time with him before he enters school-land. we had a blast. it was pretty warm for San Diego, but we just sat front row at all the shows and got splashed. noah thought it was a riot. we saw something like 6 shows. here's him with his "one" treat of the day: a big bag of cotton candy. he chomped on it literally all day and didnt finish it. good choice.



after the cirque de la mer show (which was absolutely cheap by the way. don't waste your time), we sat by the dolphin exhibit and just goofed off. there was some music playing and noah just jumped around, danced around, we did a photo shoot, and we just laughed and giggled. i had so much love for that little boy then. i soaked it all in. here's one picture that i like. i dont know why, but i think it's cool his head is the only thing in focus:



then we walked around some more until the Riptide show. now this show definitely had the most bang for its buck. these performers were pretty entertaining. noah and i sat in amazement while we busted-a-move. it was like Drumline meets So You Think You Can Dance meets Stick It with a rythmic gymnasitcs flair. so if that whole silver medal thing doesnt work out for shawn johnson, she should look into Sea World performing. i'm sure they pay like 10.25/hr or something!

Here's noah and i waiting for it to begin:
yes, that's me sunburned of course, even after 3 application of 50 spf sunscreen.

boohoo for me

mood: stuffy
listening to: noah's running around upstairs
last read: kelly's comment about my new layout


was a little tired yesterday, and then BOOM! out of nowhere i was sick at about 5pm. achey, stuffy, sore throat. i swabbed some zicam. i went to bed. missed 1/2 the gymnastics & swimming. woke up this morning feeling the same. zicamed again. doubled up on my juice plus. am hoping to be better tomorrow. trevor says he's getting sick too. phooey.

called noah's school, and dun-duh-nuh-na!!!! he got into AM. he's being team taught, not my favorite for K, but oh well. he is not in our friend's class, but that's ok i guess too. at least he got AM. we have orientation tomorrow at 130. CRAZY! my baby....

jack had his first lumpia yesterday. he enjoyed it. see:

Snapshots from Wedding & Events

mood: just peachy
listening to: nada
last read:list of available gift cards from credit card rewards


so, i don't know why this is underlined, but i can't figure out how to get it gone without losing all my pictures. bear with me.

the stretch of wedding events began on wednesday. we were supposed to go to glen ivy, but a couple b-maids bailed and the bride had loose ends to tie up. so instead i went out to orange county to help with what i could. i dropped the kids off with kimi and lori (thanks guys!!). first stop was the waxing parlor. got my eyebrows waxed by Roxy. she did a great job and gets a gold star for coming in extra special just for jenni. Roxy got mega burned in the crotch area by a scalding cup of coffee dumped on her by the Del Taco Drive Thru gal. boycott em if you have it in you. she will probably need plastic surgery. sad. ouch.

we ran errands & finished the petal cones:

this was one of my projects that took a lot longer than expected and was futile because no one used them. but they were pretty, so i guess not a total loss??



we then kidnapped the bride and took her to rip-roaring BJs in Brea. it was a wednesday night at 9. not the most eventful bachelorette evening, but it was fun nonetheless. jessica did bring some festive props which will not be posted on this blog!







i then drove home at 1am, got to bed at 230 and woke at 6 to pack for myself and the boys. traded the boys off with my father in law in corona and then was off to the flower making party. first i stopped and fueled up with bolthouse farms perfectly protein mocha cappuccino and a starbucks double shot with energy. too much caffeine and no real food had me dizzy by 12. a couple bottles of water and a sandwich did the trick.


jenni ordered like 400,000 roses. okay, maybe i'm exaggerating, but there was defintitely a farm somewhere with a huge bald spot! here are some pix:

The Groom helping to make the rose balls for the jr. bridesmaids to carry

The field of centerpieces, 36 in all.

Final bouquets: 5 bridesmaids and the bride's. Jenni's turned out pretty well. i was grateful for my bouquet making experience from another wedding i was in a couple years ago. without it, i think jenn's roses would have ended up on the floor. Our final product count was: 11 bouteniers, 4 mom/grandma mini-bouquets, 2 rose balls, 36 centerpieces, and 6 bouquets. woooooooo.

After the flower party, we went back to jenn's to get ready for the rehearsal & rehearsal dinner, which was at mimi's cafe in whittier. we presented jenni with a frame engraved with "friendship is priceless." corny, but sweet.

jenni and her bridal shower fauxqet courtesty of jessica.

we were in bed by 12, asleep by 1 and then up at 8 for the whirlwind. hair ladies arrived at 10.

self explanitory.

we all got our hair did and made up, and then we were off! we got to the park an hour late, but were on time for the wedding.

the aisle, pre-ceremony

pre wedding photos.


the mr. & mrs.

any of you upcoming brides/bridesmaids, i have two words for you: tide stick. this little tool saved us many a stain. the roses bled all over our and the bride's dresses. the little wand of magic took it right off and dried within minutes. thanks proctor & gamble.

that was amy. it was good to reconnect with her on this side of life (married and child raising.) we wondered out loud why we never really hung out before. i mean, we hung out corporately, but never really mano y mano. (i can't spell... i think i need more coffee)



chico = awesome band. check em out: CHICO



lukabella photography's super star and myself



the getaway car.

so, the best man was a little too tipsy to drive the couple away. so yours truely stepped up to the plate. my pleasure, really. i was a little worried about the little car igniting, as the groomsmen attached a steel trashcan lid to the back of the car. there were sparks. the funny part was me returning to jenni's house solo, in the just married car. good times.

hamming it up for the camera at the gift reception brunch.

c'est tout.

and the circus continues...

mood: rushed
listening to: baby einstein soundtrack
last read: directions on how to defrost with the new microwave

chicken defrosting. gonna make chicken stir-fry. made this really yummy boxed dry dinner yesterday from romano's macaroni grill. available at ralph's. we tried the basil one.


trevor was not a fan, but he ate it like a nice husband should. noah liked it, but did not like it when it came back up 2 hours later. trevor then said, "you don't need to make that again." noah's sick. jack's getting there. hopefully he won't puke. puking babies=scary.

47

the number of bobby pins to hold my updo for the wedding. more to come later. must go sleep after the nonstop 3 day marathon! GLAD to be home.

wedding prep day 1

in oc at jenni's house. she's getting hitched in a couple days. here with two other bridesmaids and a cutie patootie toddler. i walked into the house talking about bikini waxing, not knowing there was a man in the living room. nice way to make a first impression. wedding stress is palpable, but not overwhelming. looking forward to seeing jenn's masterpiece.

ok, gotta make sure bride sits and eats. peace out

Noah's blog

it's probably totally against all things secure and safe, but i started a blog for noah. i will ask him two questions each day and type his word for word response. it should be fun to look back at if i actually keep up on it.

i woke up feeling ill this morning (sore throat, achey, etc). my first thought, "seriously? whatever." i have a busy week with all the preparations for the wedding im in on friday. being sick is not at all on my list of things to do. but now zicam and as much rest as i can is. goodnight

Tag! Tiffany's it

Saw this concept on Kerry's blog... and even though she didn't tag me, I'm taking Kimi's tag.

TAGGED--answer the following questions

What were you doing TEN years ago..?
Just graduated High School, working at Ben & Jerry's to get some cash for my upcoming jaunt off to college. Dating random guys, including one I met "drag racing" my mom's Plymouth Sundance. Hah! Hanging a lot with Miss Mary (whom I miss). Making all kind of grand plans for my life.

What are 5 things on your to do list today..?
unpack, do the NY Times crossword when kids go down for nap, unload/load dishwasher, look for wedding shoes, write maid of honor speech

A Snack I enjoy..?
my latest "it" snack is the sweet maui onion chips that come in the lavender bag, and anything chocolate

What would I do if I was a millionaire..?
Send Noah to RCCS, get Trevor a Prius, visit mary every month, pay off the house, and fund an orphanage in Africa or a missionary there... oh and buy the Saeco Super Automatica Espresso Machine

Places I have Lived..?
Eureka(kimi--this is where I ate government cheese and day old fish), Santa Clara(moving on up...), San Jose, San Bernardino(and back down...), Brisbane-Australia and then a couple other cities.

I TAG YOU TIFFANY!!!!

monday?

mood: good
listening to: static from baby monitor
last read: text message about free monday movie at redbox


why is that the exact same morning you have to get up early for something is the exact same morning that your children sleep in? if i had typed this blog 4 hours ago, my mood would have been "annoyed," but i have a couple cups of coffee in my bloodstream, two out of three (i'm watching cherya's baby for the morning) charges are alseep, and i got some bible time in, so i am goood to go.

i am slightly irked at providence that of course i am in a wedding on friday, and of course in my late 20s i have a huge pimple along my jaw line. of course! anyone have any quick fix recommendations??

got noah registered for school this morning. they said they didnt have any a.m. slots left. i was disappointed. then i became "that mom" and asked to speak to someone who could help me increase the likelihood of getting him into a.m. K. i explained his need to still nap and that he would be on the youngish side (he'll be five in septemeber). she "made a note" and said she'd call me. so keep your fingers crossed and your prayers goin' that he'll get into a.m.


allison's coming over to get boxes. im excited to give away boxes. we have horded them for ten years, because we are always moving. not for long!!!!!

baby crying. gotta go

saturday

mood: foggy
listening to: crickets
last read: outgoing email to pr.

you like the new lay out?? that one's for you Kelly. let me know if the red has the same effect. i'm not married to the idea of this background, but i felt it was fitting given my url address.

beth moore conference was yesterday and this morning. i wasn't planning on going, but it worked out that i was able to attend. it was a good conference, but really paled in comparison to the one back in march... or was it may??? got some good nuggets out of it though. main thing: perseverance in the middle of a call. i'm currently in the middle of walking in obedience to a ministry call. i have a passion for the goal of this ministry, but can sometimes get worn out dealing with the peripheral tasks at hand. this weekend was a good reminder and encouragement to continue on in what I know He has called me to, striving toward that end goal.

it was good to hang with the girls. missed kimi though. jen and i had our first conflict resolution conversation as friends. nothing major. i feel like we have hit a new level =). cherya rocked the hospitality team. good grub. people were impressed. cherya dropped by in the evening to tour the house and drop off some stuff i left at her house. we chit chatted. i always feel blessed to have preschoolers after i talk with cherya about her brood. and am also thankful to NOT be 17 again. Holy Cow!

trevor watched our boys and the Clyborne cuties this am while we were at he conf. he was a trooper! he then went into the office. his office's deadline for 75% of their annual workload is due in 9 days. i have a feeling i won't be seeing much of him. which is a bummer, although--he did bring home a left over pizza from the office. so i didnt have to make dinner! if you know me at all, you know today was a red letter day if i didnt have to cook dinner.


gonna go see what kind of fuzzy show is on and then pass out in my bed, hoping to get in a few hours before that kid wails... i mean, until i get the privilege of nourishing my sweet baby boy.

friday

mood: jittery
listening to: quiet
last read: list of utilities that have been transfered over

had coffee at jen's this morning. it was comfortable. we haven't coffeed all summer, which has been a bummer. maybe i'll host in two weeks. maybe.

brought cj home with us so kimi and maya could have girl time for a few hours. cj's a good kid. those sturgess offspring are bonafide.

three boys are all napping. yay! i had way too much coffee this morning. 5 shots of espresso i think. yikes! and jen passed on the next two vampire books. yippee!

i am going to the beth moore conference tonight. yay! wasn't expecting to, but the hubby stepped up to the plate big time, which means i should as well.

allrighty then... off to read about romantic teenage vampire angst. ???? i surprise myself!