Lefty and Love

Wow. I am still thinking about that moment yesterday. The moment that Phil Mickelson wons the Masters. Did you see it? He took his last stroke on 18, the ball when in, he threw his hands up in the air with an unbelievable smile and then....he walked directly to his wife. He embraced her so quickly and hard and lovingly, she did not even get the chance to put her arms around him at first. He kept hugging her. And hugging her. And hugging her. Then she managed to get her arms out and embrace him back. They both shed tears together. Wow. I didn't know that my husband's interest in the Masters and golf in general would lead me to experience such a raw, emotional, completely overwhelming moment. A moment that our media often does not allow us to see or be part of.

I thought alot about this last night. The love between Phil (aka "Lefty") and his wife gave me goosebumps. He had played one hell of a round a golf, but also he had played it with such passion and emotion...just like the love he showed for his wife. Now of course I don't know them personally nor do I know the ins and outs of their marriage, but something that real can't be made up on the spot on live television. I am so tired of hearing about Tiger Woods, Jesse James, and any other celebrity that can't seem to stay faithful these days. Down here in Southern California, it's everywhere. Even the local news has to comment on the latest sighting of Sandra Bullock or whoever. Seriously? Leave these women, or men, whomever the victim is-- alone already. I would be more intrigued to see athletes and celebrities demonstrating loving acts than hearing how many women there were or what rehab someone is attending. (Sex rehab???? Seriously now. That is a completely different post!)

I already knew from my husband that Phil was a nice guy on the golf course and had a good reputation as a golfer and athlete. My admiration for a man I have never met grew tenfold yesterday in a matter of minutes.

Oh by the way---I have never sat and watched a golf tournament before yesterday. :-) (I think my husband is just a little proud of me..... :-)

Like a Good Bottle of Wine....

I've made that comparison so many times over the last eight weeks in our lives....just like a good bottle of wine, our marriage, our family, and our lives continue to get better with time. Don't get me wrong, we already had a great life, but with Carly's arrival our lives now somehow seem even more fulfilled. I do enjoy the occasional glass of wine, usually white though. I would much prefer a fruity "girlie" drink to slurp down, but wine (and lots of whining) are all we usually have around here. A week or so ago, we has friends over for dinner with their kids. We all watched a movie, ordered pizzas, lit a fire in the pit in the backyard and made smores. I asked Ryan to open a bottle of wine up. It was red wine and I was certain that it would take me forever to drink the cup. To my surprise, it was so good. After commenting to Ryan how much I liked that particular bottle, he said, "Of course you do, it's an expensive one!" Not thinking anything of it at the time, but realizing later that the bottle was 10 or more years old, just like our marriage. I enjoy being married so much. Just as I enjoyed that glass of wine, along with another (ha!) that night. :-)

I have always loved being married, but something different has happened in our marriage recently, or over the last few years. We have become partners. I love being a wife, mother, friend, teacher, sister, and daughter. I love my children so, so, so much. But I am IN love with my husband. I think it is important to remember that in our busy lives. The kids consume so much of our time and energy. By the time our husbands get a moment or two with us, we are tired, cranky, irritable, and just plain done. They need our attention too. Don't get me wrong, I still act tired and very irritable on a daily basis. But I am trying to cut the time down that these "bouts" with crankiness last. I want my children to know how much I love their father and that our love is the foundation for this family. If I just tell Ryan that I am feeling cranky, it is SO much better than when I just snap at him or in general. He doesn't exactly embrace my, "Honey, I am just really grumpy right now," but he does appreciate the heads up.

I feel so content with life. Just like I did when I sipped that delicious red wine (Robert Mondavi Private Selections). Just like that bottle, life just keeps getting better all the time!

This house...

This house is our home. It only stays clean for a few hours (if we are lucky) and constantly has noise in it--laughter, crying, shouting, playing, talking, strategizing, plotting, loving words. Our house is busy. Crazy. Like a circus at times really. Everyone talking at once. All at once. Well, except Carly who get her cries and screams in likewise. Lot of noise. We love it. Well okay, maybe every once in a while it is a bit much, but really, I don't know what to do with myself on those rare occasions that it is quiet. On any given day you might find this in our house...

A little bit of goofy!


Children ripping through their Easter treasures!


Children hunting for a MASSIVE amount of Easter eggs!


Marshmellows being roasted California style in our backyard!


Blanket forts taking up the whole family room!


A child dressed as a princess hiding out in her brother's room!

Blessings

I have mentioned this many times before, but we are truly blessed in our lives by incredible family, and friends that are family, that continually surround us every day. These are a few of Carly's "admirers'" I thought I got a picture of everyone but alas am missing a few...like my dear, awesome, incredible friend Courtney who came to visit me in the hospital and even brought me Valentine sugar cookies! My terrific, inspiring co-worker and friend Fran...she is the kind of person anyone would be lucky enough to work with and learn from. My beautiful friend Krista that is incredible at everything she does in life....she came to the house to see Carly and of course brought Dylan and Emma gifts too. When she pulled up, D and E were out playing with my mom. They asked Krista if she was here to see the new baby, to which she replied, "I am here to see you too!" Incredible! I also failed to get a picture of Carly with my Dad while he was here with my mom. He is the most amazing grandfather with patience beyond meaning. Dylan and Emma ADORE him! Below are pictures of more amazingly, incredible people that bless our family....




Carly with her godfather, Uncle Mike! We love our Uncle Mike!



Carly with my mom...truly as incredible as moms get. My friend Krista said if you look up the word "saint" the definition would be Sandy...my mom!



Carly with "Miss Kari" as D and E call her...a truly inspiring mom, friend, and person. We were blessed when we moved into our neighborhood three years ago and my children found another home away from home at her house.



Carly with Auntie Julie...the "bestest" friend anyone could EVER ask for. She is amazing, gifted, and loving beyond words.



Love. Need I say more?



Carly with Grammy "J"...Julie's mom, who continually loves my children as her own grandchildren. Julie's love and support are mirrored by her mother always.



Carly with one of her biggest fans, Zachy! He loved her from the moment he saw her. We love you Zachary!

Of course!

He adores her and of course she adores him!

Life with 3....

Am I tired? Of course.

Do I feel overwhelmed? Of course.

Can I get it all done? Of course not.

Do I think I can get it all done? Of course.

Am I loving every minute our sweet newborn cuddles up and sleeps on me? Of course.

Do I love watching how much Dylan and Emma love their new baby sister? Of course.

Has this child blessed us beyond anything we ever imagined? Of course.

Do I sometimes what to cover my ears running from all the whining, crying, and arguing? Of course.

Do I love my family more than anything? Of course.

Would I trade any of this for anything else? Of course not.

Is having a newborn a ton of work? Of course.

Is it all worth the snuggles? Of course.

Are Dylan and Emma the best of friends and worst of enemies? Of course.

Do they take care of eachother no matter what? Of course.

Does my heart overflow with love repeatedly? Of course!

Carly Elizabeth

More pictures to come soon.... :-)

Blast from the past....

Just thought I'd share this picture that my mom just emailed me of my sister and I when we were younger. I would guess that it was around 1982 with me being around 4 1/2 or 5 and my sister close to 2.




It made me think about how fast time truly does go by with our little ones. Now my parents are grandparents! After looking at this picture of me, I'm not sure if Dylan and Emma really look that much like me. :-)

We had a fun dinner with our neighbor friends tonight and let the kids stay up a little later than usual. They were great, until we got home of course. Isn't that how it always goes? :-) Emma was sobbing that, "I'm really not tired mommy!" Yeah right, we can tell! Just yesterday Emma and I were watching a cartoon together and she told me, "Mommy I like Curious George." Me: "Oh really, why?" Em: "He makes naughty choices sometimes just like me." I was laughing out loud.

Someday these memories of my kids will be a "blast from the past" as well, as they grow up so quickly right before my eyes. I hope I can always remember to cherish every moment, even the screaming and crying and tantrum filled ones, as much as I possibly can.