Spring Break

I'm exhausted after reading my calendar for the next three weeks. The kids and I will have a lot of fun. What are some things you will be doing? Check back to see our adventures from OC to SD to AZ!

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on
demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor and even volunteered to
help with the school jog-a-thon. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my kids’ red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the garage between laundry cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the
next 16 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy. If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't
broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and two pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Pick up your toys," and "Take your hands off your sister," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the cat.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container. If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the
bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my daughter hears my voice through the garage door. I think she wants her crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the floor.

Yours Always,
MOM...

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

Make A Wish

In January I started volunteering with MAW. I participated in the Walk for Wishes in April. In August I became a "Wish Granter" which is one of the coolest volunteer opportunities I've ever had. It's bittersweet because I know I have to grant wishes to kids who have a life threatening condition. No child should ever have to deal illness. I just had my first wish presentation on Saturday. Emma and her family are going to Walt Disney World. I have two other wish kids whose wishes have been approved and we are waiting to grant them. Next week I have to visit a wish kid at Children's Hospital LA where Kaili was treated for her vision problems and had surgery in May. I'm going to meet a little 5 year old whose battling brain cancer. My heart sinks every time I think about my wish kids. This is one very small thing I can do for a child. I guess it's the teacher in me to want to keep making a difference in children. I
cant wait for Brian to go through training so we can do this together and teach the importance of serving others to our two kids. In addition to monetary donations, MAW accepts donations for toys, games, gift cards, as we take icebreaker gifts to the wish kids during the wish interview. If this is something you would like to help with, please let me know. I know times are rough everywhere and most people who are in a position to give have places but MAW is a great organization if you are looking to help out somewhere.

Back on the Blogwagon

So after a two year break, I'm back to blogging. As if I need more things to do but I am hopeful that I will be able keep all our family happenings up to date along with the crafts and cakes I'm passionate about.

Some things in the works for our family are parties. Yes when am I not plan inf a party? My 35th birthday this year and my mom is throwing a Breakfast at Tiffany's party for me in January. Braden will have a Mickey Mouse 2nd birthday bash and a fun filled day at Disneyland.

Back on the Blogwagon