Do you ever feel like...

Being a stay at home mom has been an amazing blessing. I am in a place in my life where I am truly happy. 

As the start of preschool draws nearer for Avery it makes crystal clear how lucky it has been to be with my kids everyday. I've long forgotten the stress of being a working mom and now have new stress (ie: house chores and being on what can feel like 24 hour household lock down). 

I am very Type A and task oriented, I can let little things bother me until they become big things. One day, Jay spoke truth into my life. "Remember, being home is supposed to be fun?" With that statement everything changed. He was absolutely right.  I was having fun but I was letting small things dampen the brightness of the day. I resolved to chill out.  I like clean floors but they don't have to be mopped everyday. I made a chore chart that changed my life. I have organization now and a schedule that keeps my house on track and greatly reduced my stress. Throw in the meal plan I discovered and I actually have my household running well. But even with all this I still feel like I am dropping the ball. When I reflect on my day, I cringe at some things I said or did and smile at others. But sometimes when I reflect  on the day and review the hustle and bustle I will wonder if I actually spent any quality time with my kids. I was with them all day sure, but did we read books today? Nope. Was I on the floor wrestling? Nope. Did I play dress up with Avery or cuddle Brenner? Not really. 

Working so hard to get organized and check off errands, can I check off the most important box, true quality time with my kids?

I've been praying on this a lot. A Proverbs 31 wife, thats the life and marriage goal. Read it, it sounds exhausting lol. 

But seriously, how to get it all done and still have true high energy fun time with my kids? My solution, work harder and faster. Maybe get up before kids, not with the kids. What are other moms doing? I want my kids to remember me playing with them not dragging them from store to store or always cleaning. 

I have the ultimate luxury of time with my kids, it's up to me now to figure out the quality of that time. I want nothing but the best, even if I'm doing it all wrong. 

This photo makes me happy. Avery enjoying the majesty of what surrounds her. 

Avery: "Mommy, the ocean is waving to me!"

She hasn't quite figured out that waving to someone and ocean waves are different. 

"Sweet pea, I think the ocean is waving to you. Muah"

Here's Brenner being Brenner. My love. 

Gotta love Daddy. 

"I want to wear makeup like Mommy."

I can't believe I said yes to this. 

"No Mommy, not purple lips, pink lips."

Disney Day 2

Ask and you shall receive. Since our amazing day at Disneyland Avery has woken every morning with one question: "We go to Disneyland again?"

We loaded up the car on Wednesday morning and told Avery we were taking her to a surprise. As we pulled up at the parking structure she realized where we were. Holding her Buzz Lightyear doll tightly to her chest she began whispering to him, "Buzz we go to Disneyland." It was hilarious. 

The day was harder and hotter than our last visit but we had a blast. I feel that Jay's expression here pretty much sums up the day lol. 

I wanna wear cowboy boots

When Jay's dear friends moved to Texas he was completely bummed. Their motivation, to slow down in life and give their children a life where manners mattered, you played out front and jumped off of rope swings into cool lakes. 

I admired their bravery to leave the known and make a drastic change, I was actually envious. After they left Jay and I would occasionally talk about making the same move. 

We were so excited to visit. I had no idea what to expect. Austin was beautiful! Rolling hills, greenery everywhere, street lights hanging sideway from wires and friendly people. I loved it! 

I insisted on the purchase of one souvernior, a real deal Texan pair of cowboy boots. They may become my new wardrobe staple. 

How do I convince the hubby to relocate?? Hmmmm

We're literally in our pjs and boots. We had a blast, the husband thinks we are strange. 

Lone star state

The family vacay this year had us Texas bound. 

I reckon y'all come see it some time. Austin could do y'all some good. 

Get us outta here!

We are counting down the days. Our vacation couldn't get here fast enough and now it is upon us. I'm ready. 

Do I look ready to you?

While packing up the kids and a 6am flight out of LAX seems slightly overwhelming I am up to the task. It's time to break free of the routine and enjoy some wine and laughs with good friends. 

This visit is long overdue and I cannot wait to see the smile on my hubsand's face when he reunites with one of his closest friends. 

I've been teaching Avery to say "Hi y'all!" and "How y'all doing?" Oh, can I please come home with a southern drawl? And a killer pair of cowboy boots. 

I'm 100% born and raised in Cali, but I feel as if the mothership is calling me home. TX here we come!

Are there Filipino cowboys? And if so, can I turn Jay into one? Lol!! He would look pretty hot in a belt buckle and boots. 

Alone with my A

Today I had some alone time with my little girl. It was much needed and so much fun. She asked if Minnie Mouse could join us, normally I would respond no. After all, where would Brenner go? But since it was a "Girls Trip" it felt so good to say YES.

 How much she has changed and grown still surprises me. I love our conversations, and that she insisted Minnie ride in the car with a seat belt. "Mommy, Avery love Minnie. Minnie need to be safe." 

  We talked, we laughed, we tickled and we grocery shopped. It was an awesome 1 hour. On the ride home she insisted on holding my hand the entire drive.  It was an awkward position and a major shoulder stretch for me, but well worth it. I am so lucky to be this kid's Mommy. 

I love you Avery!!!

Awesomeness

7 years ago I met the man I wanted to marry. As we dated we dreamed about our life together. A home filled with love and laughter, Christmases to come, birthdays, and little feet running around our home. 

It was perfect to go to Disneyland on our anniversary, it was a realization of what we dreamt of 7 years ago, only better. We could never of predicted the nuances of our kids personalities or how we would grow. 

Jay started my day with flowers in a pitcher, not a vase as he doesn't know where I keep vases, the smile that put on my face and happiness it gave me is immeasurable. 

Avery and Brenner's wonderment at Disneyland and the fact that they had a blast until 10pm was amazing. Brenner's faves were Blasters, the Buzz Lightyear ride and Pirates of the Carribean. Avery loved Casey Jr. and meeting Minnie Mouse. 

The kids were crashed out on the ride home so Jay and I did a late night Taco Bell run. We majorly grubbed after the kids were in bed and then passed out ourselves. We couldn't of dreamed the magic of the day. Happy Anniversary to us!!!!!

You can see the wonder on Brenner's face. 

Avery kept hugging us and saying, "I'm so happy!"

Fam shot (waiting in line is the biggest D-land challenge)

Hubby shot

Gotta have a churro for the junk food junkie

A perfect ending. A hug, kiss and pic with Minnie 

You never know in life, but we know we have each other. Love you babes! 5 years whoop whoop! 

Are you on Instagram?...

If not, you should be. I love it! Connecting with friends, family and like minded people all over. My fave thing about IG, other than keeping up with friends and family is the #coasttocoastchallenge. If you're a female and you like fashion, I highly suggest you start following it. Every Tuesday and Thursday there is a fashion challenge. They notify you the night before and you can participate or not. Sometimes the challenges are not for me and sometimes they are spot on. But most importantly it inspires me in my wardrobe and forces me to think outside of the box with my clothes. I can be very redundant and it gives me fresh ideas. Also, it's connecting and encouraging women. If you love clothes give it a try. If I can do it anyone can!!

Here are some of the times I joined in:

Monochromatic 

LBD Little Black Dress

Sports Chic

Head wraps 

(I was a day late on this one)

A Day in the Life...

Memorial Day chillin

Truck driving

Dog bed playing

More car driving 

"Excuse me officer, is there a problem??"

Ice cream stealing 

Milk posing

Movie watching

Nacho eating

It's a good life :)

I love cousins

Avery and CoCo were too cute together