Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband, Ernie.  We were married 9 years ago today, at my grandmother's front yard, which is situated on the hill above our house which we built 7 years ago.   

Ern continues to inspire me to be more patient, more centered, and less emotional about the truly unimportant things in life.  He is continuing to help me accept things as they happen, and realize that everything will always work out.  "You should only try to control the things you know that you can control, and don't worry about all the other stuff."

He is everything I had hoped I would find in a life partner.  As each year passes, I find myself more in love and attracted to him than I was the year before.  

I love you Ern.  Thank you for the wonderful relaxing day, and thank you mom and dad for having Natalie at your house while we went out to lunch and spent the afternoon together.

Baseball, garden shed, and birthday

The last 2 weeks we have spent celebrating Natalie's 7th birthday on May 28th, going to a Cubs vs. Giants baseball game, and Ern building our "wish list item"; a garden shed (with the wonderful help from his dad, who stayed with us for a week to build it with him).

This week is Natalie's last week of school.  I have had a couple of days off, which is so nice.  I will have more time off in about a week, and look forward to spending some down time with Ernie and Natalie.

Life is good.

Our 7 year old!

Garden shed - waiting for paint, window boxes, and black shutters!

Cubs vs. Giants game on June 2, 2012

Eclipse photos

Photos I took of the eclipse on May 20, 2012:

Bottle girl

Last week, Natalie asked if she could have a juice bottle.  Ernie went and got one out of our recycling bin.  She then proceeded to draw a girl, cut her out, and tape her to the bottle.  Here is her final creation:

A little closer up picture of her:

Art day

I had this week off while Natalie was on a winter break from school.

Today was spent repairing the drip system in the yard, watering plants (we haven't had much rain this winter), and overall just enjoying the 70+ degree weather.  It was also a day where Natalie got to create some art.  First she "painted rocks" outside with her paintbrush and water.  We had lunch and made some crayons with her crayon maker.  While we waited for the crayons to melt, I asked her if she wanted to paint.  She said, "sure!"

I looked at her art easel, which is next to our island in our living room/kitchen (open concept), and realized that it was very low for her.  We had not adjusted it since she got it from my mom and dad for her 3rd birthday.  So, I raised the easel, and she proceeded to create her drawing for the day, while listening to Coldplay.

This is what she finished:

Rainbow of Hope

In every dark cloud there is a rainbow, waiting to brighten your day and remind you that life doesn't have to be difficult or hard.  Just remember that each day can sparkle and shimmer, if you allow it to!

Rain

We have not had much rain this winter here in N. California.  Perhaps Natalie's drawing will bring more rain to our region...

Remembering

Yesterday, I wanted to scan some photos that I had from my heart surgery in 1998.  I had assembled a binder which contained medical articles about the rare condition I had, all the cards I received while I was in the hospital, and photos that my family had taken while I was recovering in the hospital.  I couldn't find the binder anywhere.  I looked everywhere in the house.  Finally I remembered I put a box out in our garage that had been under our bed.  There!  I found it.


Pulling out the binder I looked at all the cards I had received.  I looked at the photos.  Sometimes it seems like it was just a year ago.  Looking back at the photos, I remembered that I hadn't even known Ern yet.  I was only 21!  14 years ago. 


 I pulled out 3 photos and scanned them:

April - My lifesaver, best friend, hero, living guardian angel.

My dad, mom, and grandma visiting with me during my recuperation.  My mom spent everyday with me at the hospital.  She slept on a fake leather pink chair in my room. And, I think my dad spent the days with me, but went back to mine and April's apartment to sleep, since there was no other place to sleep!   

My mom and dad the day I was able to go home (I spent 5 days in the hospital after my open heart surgery) 

Nature photos

A couple of weeks ago, April, Natalie, Mae, and I were in our backyard.  All of these yellow finches and bluebirds were coming to our fountain to drink water.  The bluebirds in particular were pretty neat to see; especially because there were about 7 at one time drinking from the fountain.  I wasn't able to catch all 7 in a photo, but managed to get one.

But, after looking at my photos on my camera, I thought this one was the greatest.  I caught one of the finches with both wings spread, getting ready to land.

Happy Anniversary

Dear Mom and Dad -

You have been such a wonderful influence over me.  Happy 38th anniversary.  Go for a drive, go out to dinner, and just enjoy the day together.  Love - Me.

Little Ms. Christmas

As with any child, Natalie loves the holidays.  She particularly likes to wear holiday attire.  She received two dresses from my grandma.  Last weekend was mine and April's birthday and she was so excited to get to wear her dress over to my mom and dad's house.  AND, she asked if she could wear the Christmas headband I bought for her a couple of days before.  Here she is...

All I Want for Christmas!

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth!!!

Recent trip

Here are some photos from our recent weekend trip to Mendocino.  We rented a house through VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals By Owner), and liked it a lot.  It was cozy, comfortable, and in a quiet location.  Best of all, we had nice weather when we were there!

Back of the house

Neat eagle carving at the top of the roof.

Front of the house

Living room

Kitchen

Ocean themed bedroom and Natalie loving it!

Our drive to Glass Beach in Fort Bragg

Ern and Natalie after collecting beach glass

Baby Mae in her sheep hat at the beach!

3 Jack-O-Lanterns in 1

Natalie's class went to a pumpkin farm last week and she got to pick out a pumpkin.  She picked out a small one, just the right size for her to carry home on the bus.

On Friday night, rather than carving the little pumpkin, she drew 3 different faces on the pumpkin, then topped it with cotton balls.

Here are her 3 Jack-O-Lanterns in 1:

Little Tails

This is a drawing that Natalie did this evening.  She said they are "Little Tails" and they live in the grass.

Halloween Kitty

Natalie drew this cat in her class a couple of weeks ago.  We have it posted on our fridge.

It's not a very scary cat is it?

In fact, it looks like a very sweet cat!!


HAPPY Halloween!

My Natalie

I have not posted for nearly a month.  Most of it came down to sitting there staring at the screen thinking I didn't really have much to share.  A lot of my reflections are done internally, so I guess I either have to feel like sharing, or find something worthy enough to write about.

The other day Natalie asked me to take a picture of one of our dogs Kahlua.  She wanted me to print out a photo of him and so that she could take it to her friend at school.  This picture is by far one of the most wonderful photos I think I have of Natalie.  I have a lot of wonderful photos of her, but this one for some reason really shows what a sweet girl she truly is.

Seeing her face so happy with Kahlua, and so excited to have a picture taken of herself with him, makes me so happy.  It got me thinking about how my life has progressed since a key event when I was 21.

As you recall, my first post to my blog outlined my accident I had when I was 21 years old.  It changed my outlook on life and daily events.  Sometimes it is hard to focus on positive things....things that sparkle.  So I've realized that all I have to do is look at this picture of Natalie and realize this:  existing the one thing that is most important.  Feeling connected to the organic things in life - love, earth, nature, family.  If you keep your focus on those things, then positive, happy things are bound to happen.

My painter hard at work

Natalie loves to paint.  She paints with watercolors at her easel my mom and dad gave her when she was 1 year old.  She also LOVES to paint with water.  Yes, water.  It's her creativity I guess.  Here she is "painting" the railing outside on this fine midday.

Homemade

Homemade strawberry pop tarts:

First Grade

Natalie's first day of 1st grade!