Living in Munchkinland

We did a quick beach trip this weekend with my mom and dad. They left early Friday, but we drove down late Friday evening. We didn't get on the road till 6:40pm and didn't get down to Port Aransas until almost ten. Sam fell asleep in the car, but Davis didn't. He never can. We all threw our stuff down in the condo and fell asleep. Saturday dawned with a beautiful silver ocean and clean, seaweed-free sand. Michael went for a five mile run and I made homemade scones and did pilates and then we packed up the beach bag and the cooler and headed for the beach. We set up our EZ up and our chairs and the kids grabbed their plastic boats and went to play in the water. Mom and Dad met us down on the beach and we had a great time, soaking up the sunshine and chatting. My parents took the kids on a walk and Michael and I stood in the water, talking and spinning out future plans. We had a picnic lunch and then bought ice cream from the ice cream truck. Michael went out boogi

Sometimes my days are emotionally exhausting. Yesterday was one of them. I poured out positive, calm, cheerful, desperately needed vibes all day- until my car got towed and the sun sent trickles of sweat down my inner thighs and the children looked at me to make it all better and I couldn't. I didn't have any more positive vibes left to give. So then I just held it all in so I wouldn't cry in front of the kids and carried on. I carried on through making dinner and reading aloud and putting the kids to bed. Then I let go and cried. After a few moments of self pity, I put on my softest pajamas and recharged on my chaise lounge with Survivor and Modern Family and some travel surfing. I snuck in to see the kids and kissed their soft, warm cheeks and brushed back their sweaty hair and marveled in who they were. I know that I have an amazing support system. Last night, my husband rushed home when he got off work at seven last night and gave me love and support and didn

Today is the first day of fall and we have spent the weekend celebrating that fact. We had a huge rain that we desperately needed on Friday and it brought a cold front with it. Saturday dawned bright and cool. We opened all the windows and Michael went for a brisk run before shutting himself in his office to study for a few hours while I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned the house. The kids went to visit my parents and they helped decorate their house for fall. I met them out at the food trailers for a delicious thai lunch and then finished cleaning the house while Mom and dad took the kids to Hobby Lobby for decor for our house. I have the best parents. We spent our afternoon building a diorama for Davis' class and working out which excursions we want to take on our spring break cruise. Despite all this domestic bliss, I was in a horrible rotten mood on Saturday. I couldn't get out of my funk all day. Luckily, our friends Anne and Jeff saved the day! They invited u

This is the reflection I gave yesterday as a lay leader at our wonderful San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. A few years ago, after I had children, I began to wonder what my purpose in life was. Why was I here? Was I a hedonist? Did I believe that we were only here for our own pleasure? I thought on this. I knew there was no clear, scientific answer, and that this was something I had to find my own solution for. I finally decided that I couldn’t live my life accepting that there was no rhyme or reason for my existence. I had children now, and I knew that I had to do something meaningful in my lifetime. There was so much destruction and fighting and hate and suffering all over the world. I decided that I would create meaning in my life. I would move forward with my life as though my purpose of life was to make the world around me a better place. I knew I could donate to charities with my money and time. I knew I could get political and protest and make a change.

We have had a very busy last few days. Last weekend, we had lunch out with my parents at a new oyster bar here in San Marcos. The atmosphere was great and the oysters were delicious. That evening, we celebrated Cheris' birthday by having her family over and hanging out. The kids loved spending time together and we laughed and chatted and ate and drank and laid around and it was a wonderful Saturday.. The next day we went to church and then hung out at my parents' house with my sister and nephew and grandparents for the afternoon. That evening we had friends over to grill and swim at the pool. We had thunderstorms during the afternoon, but the storms cleared in time for us to have fun by the pool. Monday evening was the first cub scouts meeting of the fall. Samuel attended his very first meeting and he was so excited! Davis fussed over him and helped him with his uniform and told him he would guide him through the whole process. Michael has left Davis' den and

The kids had their first week of school this week. It was a new school for both of them and they were both a bit nervous, but it went well. They really LOVE it so far and keep coming home with positive reviews each day. Homework so far seems appropriate for each and the look so cute in the uniforms.

We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Michael came home from Laredo a day early and so we were able to leave for the beach right after work on Friday. We did a caravan down there with our friends Anne and Jeff and their children. We stayed in 101 instead of our usual condo and it was really nice to spend some time downstairs. It is certainly convenient and so very beautiful. My sister and brother-in-law and my parents have done a great job decorating it. We had an early night Friday though we managed a pick up meal from Shell's and Michael and I did have a quick dip in the hot tub after the kids went down. Saturday we spent the whole day on the beach under the EZ up with our friends. The kids played all day and got along so well! They didn't have a single argument or fight the whole trip. We had a picnic on the beach and ice cream from the ice cream truck. It was wonderful. That evening we cooked and chatted and put the kids down late. Sunday we spent another day