Oprah

Dear Children,

I don't know when you will read this and what sort of people will influence the lives of America in that future date but I want to say a few words about Oprah. She has been on daytime television for the past 25 years. This year was her last season and while I was not a faithful viewer I always enjoyed what she had to say and her final episode was just incredible. Her message has always been a message I hope will hit you where you really live, deep inside you, a message I hope you will carry with you always.

YOU have the power to change you

YOU and you alone are responsible for your life

YOU are enough

YOU are worthy of happiness and

YOU have the power to change the world

Her show has always been about everyday people - or at least it communicated on a level that everyday people could get. She taught lessons to so many about so much. She helped in the way she knew how and did it with passion. 

People come and people go but special people, wise people, true people, people who are good and kind and generous - those are few and far between. Cherish those people when you find them, hold them close and love them dearly. Learn from them. Listen to them. Encourage them.

I hope your lives are full of these people. As these are the people you are to me and I hope you grow to show others this as well.

This post is not to say "be like Oprah" but rather be the amazing people that you are and reach out and change the world. You are each so exquisitely unique & wonderful. Embrace it!

I love you my wonderful children.

And I love Oprah too. 

This and that

We got our pool set up a few weekends ago. And as we were filling Willsie you tested out the water for us. Is it safe buddy?? Yes??? Thank you for doing such a service to your family.

BTW that toy dog swims. A swimming toy dog! What will they think of next.

My bro. I love him mucho. We had a great mothers day brunch at the park. I suggested a game of tag. Every person besides Wills was involved. Even my mom. It was HYSTERICAL. I almost peed my pants a few times. TMI you say? Eh - let's embrace it.

My Char Char. You are a doll. Life is never boring with you.

What the heck? That's what I said too!! He gets this from his dad. This is exactly how John sleeps.

Car shopping

Today my son you have grown into a man. 

A manboy.

A boy who is sort of becoming a man.

Ok, just my boy.

You are very into cars. I don't know if this is an outside influence or one of your own but either way I like it. I used to play a game with myself and would try and name every car I saw as my mom drove me down the street. I used to be quite good - but I was the only one judging so I guess that's not a fair statement but who cares. I like cars too.

Your love (today) are Mustang GTs and Shelbys. You asked me to see pictures of them online and I took you to Ford.com where you built the car you wanted from the bottom up and were SHOCKED by the $54,000 price tag. Muuuhahahaha. This was always my intention. I wanted a little "life lesson" action thrown in there. We had a discussion about savings due to my genius.....excuse me while I pat my own back. :)  You went back and forth and back and forth and back and forth between red with black stripes or black with red stripes. These are tough choices. Ones you must make on your own. 

It was a fun way to pass time and I love being involved. The days of sitting on the floor and playing trains with you seem to be fading. And while I could tear up if I wanted, I just choose to be in this moment with you and enjoy this new phase.

Here's to embracing the moment.

xo, Mom

talk to me

Dear lovely eldest children of mine,

I am blessed with children who talk to me. A lot. So much that I sometimes tune you out as background noise. That's horrible, I know. But I am working on remaining present in our conversations.

Here are some current daily topics:

Luke: Mom, do you see that car?
Allie: Yes, the Mustang?
Luke: Mustang GT. That's the kind of car I want. (figuring out which car is a major present time issue for you)
Allie: Great! You finally decided huh?
Luke: Yep. I definitely want a Mustang. Shelby's look cooler, they have these things that stick out, but I want a Mustang.
Allie: So cool!! Save your money!!

I can't believe how cliche I sound....mom's really can't help throwing in advice at all times.

Charlotte: Can we get a dog?
Allie: No
Charlotte: I really, really like poodles and huskies.
Allie: That's nice.
Charlotte: What about a water turtle?
Allie: Maybe
Charlotte: WHEN??
Allie: I don't know, talk to daddy.
Charlotte: But can we get a dog?
Allie: No! Honey, please....no dogs.
Charlotte: A cat?
Allie: Nope, still allergic.
Charlotte: I really, really want a dog.

(Love the matching outfit to dessert BTW)

"God, please give me patience. Give. Me. Patience." This is what I chant to myself. The animal discussion is an every day thing. I need to just break down and get a water turtle or something else. My reasoning on no pets? Another child to take care of when my hands are already full and overflowing. But I remember when I was 6 and talked about pets nonstop. Hard not to empathize and give in lovely girl. I hope you understand my reasoning some day.

I love you guys. Keep talking to me!!!

table envy

I got this idea from one of my fav boutique's blogs. Frances in Phoenix. I love that store. I love the candy store they also own 2 doors down. They have MY FAVORITE SALT CARMEL. I LOVE CARMEL. YES IT REQUIRES CAPITAL LETTERS. But I digress......(caramel is always an excuse to digress).

I love this floating floral arrangement idea!! Want it. Want it now. Brewing ideas to use it immediately.

Easter 2011

Oh Willsie. It was your first Easter and you were so so cute.

This hat was Luke's. I love when saving things works out.

My boys. Love, love, love

My Easter peeps. How I love you.

Check out these beautiful kids.

Thank you so much grandma Johnson for the dresses.

Thank you so much Grammy for the shoes & boys clothes. 

What a great Easter - as usual. My mom and Nana put together a fantastic day. We feasted all morning and then feasted some more at the James house that afternoon. All together if felt like Thanksgiving in Spring. Perfection.

Love you

Just thought I would let you know how much I love you. 

You still like to cuddle.

You still love legos.

You still adore your brother.

You are still the sweet boy you've always been.

Love you.

Spring Break AZ style part dos

On Sunday we went to Uncle Sam and Aunt Jyll's house. It was an idyllic afternoon.

This was one of our favorite trips to AZ.

Each day with visited with a different brother/sister and had such a blast.

We love you AZ Babbitts!!

Rolling in a pipe....nice

Ice cream in a swing.

I love how you just took off and we didn't really hear from you for about 3 hours Lucas. Way to be social!

John and his sister Angie (and our Wills) This is John's "smolder" muhahaha

Love this pic

John attempts to run on this pipe with his nieces and nephews. He ATE it shortly before this.

Wills with the ladies. Cousin ladies that is

Wills cousins Trevor and Isabel

 a

Yes. Wills is bigger. And 8 months younger. haha

Spring Break part uno

Dear children,

We had such an amazing vacation at Chateau Jen (aka Aunt Jen). She made us our favorite coffee drinks, cooked for us, chaffered us, acted as tour guide, took us to an amazing candy store and boutique and was in general her usual amazing hostess self. 

This series of pics was from my fav children's museum

Phoenix Children's Museum

Something about the orange on orange just got me.

And the hunk of burning love sitting on it.

Here the kids are racing PVC pipe & skateboard wheel cars down a track.

Everything about this museum is made from recycled goods - or so is their goal.

Aunt Jen, cousin Carter, and an epileptic looking ?? husband of mine

Cousin Ava playing the wrench xylophone

Our cousins playing in the "car wash" 

Amazing how this museum entertained 4-13 year olds

Ellie - how I love your eyes. And you. 

Check out the CDs hanging in the background. It was about 3 stories high and so so pretty

 This wall was covered in plastic pipes with suction running through it. 

You placed a scarf inside and it would climb the wall and shoot it out in one of the many openings. The children could have stayed here for hours.

Jen wanted pictorial proof that you had a good time Carter. Muuuhahaha. We caught you.

Thank you Babbitt children for giving up your rooms, time, toys, and space for us. We love you guys.

Aunt Jen, you are as John would say "the rockinest bomb."

xo

Lukisms

"I like birthday parties, Christmas and Easter more than anything" - Lucas