Time certainly is flying....

I know I haven't blogged in a few days. Really no reason, just didn't capture the weekend as I should have. Not much going on....High School Soccer is wrapped. Kids are both busy with their social lives, while Mom cleans out closets, donates clothes to charity..and continues to keep things organized. Today, while searching through pictures for Kali....I stumbled across these....Although they are about 6-7 years old, they amaze me. Time certainly does fly. Kali playing for AYSO U07

She still has those baby cheeks. Kris has no tattoo's......Sigh (8 years old. Sitting on the dock. Fishing..wearing bro's glasses and hat...PRICELESS)

When Kali and I would get pedicures, she'd normally mess hers up within the first hour or so....and I learned to smile it off...knowing the day would come...where'd she'd cherish, take care of, and totally understand the concept. I also remember when we'd get matching ones. Ohhh the days....Yesterday Kali and I both went for Mani-Pedi's with the gift card the team gave me, and it is so strange to see her choice of colors. Red on her fingers. Sitting across from me conversing with the girl....Those very same feet now fit in my shoes. My boots in my closet disappear, I know where they are....Time is flying.....Enjoy Mardi Gras everyone. I wish I knew more of the reason. I plan to learn a little more about it. I'm not the glitter glam girl, but I think the celebration part, watching people get together, with happy faces, and drinks to cheer make me smile the most. Bill and I are heading out of town Thur/Sun to Santa Barbara. Just the two of us. Our besties are meeting us there on Saturday. So you know... I WILL have pictures. I can't wait. For some reason, I've been waking up stressed, collapsing into bed, waking up with the worries all over again. Prayer is my coach. So I tend to get through. As I always have....Cheers everyone...BE SAFE, BE HAPPY. Love the one you're with. For they could be gone tomorrow.

P.S. Don't know if Kali checks my blog often, but you'd certainly know she will FREAK when she does see the one of her and bro...HAHAHA!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad.........44 Years

They met when they were 15 & 16. Got married. Had 2 daughters....Traveled a long road together thus far. I mailed them pictures of Kali and Tori...with a note expressing how good it feels to say the words "Parents". It's a word that is sometimes taken for granted. I'm glad they have eachother. Happy Anniversary !
I miss them. I am busy. They live far. I will soon have time to go visit. For now, I flood them with photo's and cards....Thank goodness we made it to Friday! Hope everyone has a great weekend...I know I am enjoying the Santa Ana Winds...There is something about a little bit of wind, with sunshine on your face....Be safe everyone....Be happy. For there are way harder things most people endure every single day. Think about it. Life is good. Play fair. Cheers!

Just another chilly day....

So yesterday's Valentine Events went as planned....sweet, fun and adorable. Kali's evening consisted of Gianni picking her up...and taking her to a rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean... where (I think his mom) had a little romantic table set up with candles...and a cute table cloth...as he presented her with Italian Food. He then asked her if she would officially be his "girlfriend"- She came home with sweet treats, and a super big grin on her face. She had to close her door on Kris and I because we were taunting her....LOL! Ohhh the laughter in our house last night....Silly fest. Memories in our "Life at Home" book. And for my fellow blog followers with children...you wait. This day will come to your house someday.....faster than you can imagine...
This application cracks me up. Especially the part -In 50 words or less...explain what "DO NOT TOUCH MY DAUGHTER MEANS". hahaha!!!!! All for fun. Gianni is a good guy...but stuff like this just cracks me up!!
Another beautiful picture today....Doesn't this just sum up Motherhood? No matter how giant you are. No matter what species you come from. Having a Mom to cuddle up to, or get some love from is just breathtaking.
Kris's Valentine girl "Liz-O" came over to spend the afternoon with him. After surprising her with delivered "succulents"...he had me take home a gift that arrived for her on the day it needed to. A vintage 1950's watch. I am bummed I forgot to take a picture of it first. And so I wrapped it. Mom style. After receiving a visit from my sister...and K & L deciding that Wings and a cold brew sounded pretty good too, we all headed over. Sat at a table with lots of laughter...lots of fun stories..lots of reminiscing...about life and childhood. Happy Humpday everyone!

This IS the SWEETEST Day....

Whether you have a Cupid Lover...or a partner to share this day with....LOVE is really the recipe that makes us get through. Hard days, easy days, silly days...and challenging days....It's LOVE that will ease some of the roughest moments. It might be a hug. It might be a text or phone call from someone that talks you through the moment....but remember, whoever you are out there...someone LOVES you. Enjoy this sweet day. Smile at a stranger. Help an elder. Smile at someone with a frown. You never know what they are going through.

My new flower heart that hangs in my living room. I decorated with pink lights, red strings..and anything hearts and love. I love Valentines Day!

My Rannuculus' bloomed such pretty red flowers. Perfect for the little vases I stash around my house. To be shared with cards sent by my parents...(Thank you Grandma & Papa) although they are 22 and soon 16...I still witness sweet smiles while they read your notes. Bill's sweet card to me this year. Fit us both so well.

Now....on to Gianni. "Gio" as we call him. Saturday afternoon I receive a text while at the salon....I can/will only share a brief description of what he wrote. I really want to type out everything he wrote...but I won't. This guy is beyond respectful and sweet. Well...he basically asked my permission to take Kali on their "1st" official date on Valentines Day. He is taking her somewhere special..and will have her home by 9pm. He is going to ask her to be his girlfriend. He said "I think it's the appropriate time I ask her, on this day...but would like your permission to do so". So of course...I responded. I always knew the day would come when a guy would fall for Kali. I guess at almost 16, these days approach...fast. And so the next chapter of raising a teen girl is here. He also has surprises planned tonight. He is quite the little planner. So stay tuned. You know me...I've requested all the back up. LOL!! Yesterday we finalized all the goodies she has for him. She baked him this cake. And cupcakes for her besties...

She bought him this HUGE bear, with a bag filled with framed pictures of them at Winter Formal and the last party they attended. Plus little cute candies...all things related to them. She also made a CD for his Jeep. She plans on that being left behind when he brings her home tonight. Oh soo cute! She also wrote him a very long card...(letter) and stuffed it in the bag. Hmmmm. What I would pay to read that! HAHA! Sigh....

And so today marks a very sweet day for many. It might mark a sad day for some singles, when they get so wrapped up in the hype of watching the flowers being delivered...the candy heart boxes...the cards flowing off the shelves..BUT remember...LOVE is a powerful word. Get out and go for a long walk and find love in the flowers that are blooming...Bill is at a Magic Clothing Show in Las Vegas for the week. He left Sunday. I miss him, yes. I could have went to Vegas, but it's not my thing. I made the best of it last year. But to spend the day of LOVE in a smokey casino, or walking a trade show...standing around with an awkward stance....spending my hard earned money on just "stuff"...I'd rather wait for him to come home. Do all the cute things I can for K & K and their little Valentines plans. Kris ordered the most adorable cacti in a heart dish, to be delivered by noon today...something so funky and cool for Liz-o...I love his creative side...

So....Kris and Kali have plans tonight...Mama will head to the gym...maybe get some retail therapy in...and know that I am LOVED. By my Cupid...by my friends, and family....I am LOVED. So for now I count down our date weekend in Santa Barbara next week! So excited. To get away with my best friend. My lover. My cupid. I love you Bill. I miss you more...
Until my next post....know I will be preppin' a teen girl for her first official date. With sweet Gianni...crossing fingers I get the skinny on the dinny! Ohhh booyyyyy- Happy Valentines Lovers.....

And...."It's a WRAP"...........JV Sunset League Champions! 2011-2012

And so....just like that...our JV Girls took the Championship win! The last week of League is exciting...yet a little sad. I do so much prep work between pasta parties, away games..and home games. All along keeping a teen girl transported back and forth to tutors, practices, studies...and a social life....And just like that....it comes to a wrap. Well...the soccer part.

Here's our #13 getting her kick on!

A shot with and for a header. She had 2 this season.

Get it girl!

Ready for a pass....

A Lady Griffin.

Right after her goal!

Header!

There you have JV LADY GRIFFINS 2011-2012-

Since Kindergarten. Almost 16. Cleats, gear, soccer balls, team. Has made her path.

And her Mom creates the fun. My thank you gifts to parents and families for hosting pasta parties....my little treat bags and letters to each girl. "It's the little things...."

Last game vs. Edison. For some of these girls, it's their last High School Soccer game.

Last pasta party.....

And I recruited my buddy for a glass of vino....

While they feasted on Pasta, Salads, Bread and Brownies.....

Always starving after practice....

Coaches gift to the girls...

My gift to the Coach.

On to dinner for the girls at California Pizza Kitchen....my buddies....and fellow Pasta Party helpers...

Of course I get there early to set up. Cindy always shows up to help too. Adding her sweet touches. Mac and Kee

I made little bags for each girl. As they arrive.

Partaaay!

Courtney and Gina doin' a joke banter. So funny.

Pizza, Salad...drinks, and more cupcakes....

More silliness....

I love # 13. So. Much. "These are the years"

As Kyla sings her favorite song by Adele. Melts my soul. Or should I say...Tears are shed.

And more tears shed after reading the card they presented me with. 2 gift cards, one for dinner and the other for a mani-pedi. The love in their notes will forever be in my memory of this season. I wrote them letters. In my letter I always mention the unforgettable moments. The moments that from the beginning when they make the team, whether they are great players or still working on their skills, and goals. They are a team. And the sportsmanship that forms in the few months they are together becomes something undescribable. You must see it. You must feel it. I certainly did. Unforgettable.

So there you have 3 teams made up of beautiful Lady Griffins. 2011-2012- Frosh Soph, Junior Varsity and Varsity. Coaches and assistants. They did it. Until our next adventure....Cheers!

Happy Friday and it's a beautiful one. Go out and get some sunshine today. And if you can't catch it during the day...Say goodbye to it while catching a Sunset. BE GOOD, WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER! XO!

Laughter, yes PLEASE....

The last couple of days have brought some interesting people in my path...vendors, reps, public rudeness...all things that come with a full moon. Yes, they are beautiful...yes I do love them. For their beauty. But the fierce energy that they sometimes omit can be brutal. So while I sit here and eat my peanut butter and honey sandwich for lunch, while scoping on Pinterest....I see this. I laughed so hard that tears came to my eyes. I can relate this statement to many events during the last couple of days. HAHAHAHA! I love it. Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Sure wish we would of had more rain. But I will take sunshine over rain anyday. Our last game of the season in 1 hour. We are currently in first place, and after today should be Sunset League Champions for JV in Los Al. I have dinner planned for all the girls and coach just after the game. Should be yummy. At California Pizza Kitchen -Seal Beach. I've made cute treats, nice little letters...and of course all that goes with celebrations....Cheers everyone! Be safe, be true, and NEVER EVER Litter! (Hope I don't offend any of my elders...but you must laugh at that!)

One more....

For those folks not that into animals. Especially dogs. Sorry to bore you. But this morning while logging into my office computer...first email was this, from Kris. It always makes me smile to see this little guy. Especially with his bling owl. So sweet. Talk about unconditional love. Hope everyone is enjoying their weeks thus far. We are on idle waiting for soccer game at 3pm and the rain. Which one will win, rain...or soccer? Hopefully soccer. Two more games of the season. What an awesome season it's been. Great playing, good sportsmanship....and lots of wins! Be safe in the rain...enjoy your favorite candle...or comfort food dinner...

Chillin' on Monday......

Well....it's Monnnndddaaayyy. What a beautiful weekend it was though. I caught some of the game yesterday...mostly chatted with friends, sampled on some amazing appetizers, while catching so many funny dog commercials. Oh my...! Got out in time to catch an amazing sunset... Driving to work this morning, I was so groggy. We are having trees trimmed today...so Bucksie came to work. This is his fav box. He loves it. It's set right next to Kris's desk. It's small, but fits him just right...so cute. Notice his little arm folded over the top. So cute. Well...it's gonna be another busy soccer week for us, and business, but we are alive, healthy..and able. Last week of High School Soccer stuff....
Supposed to get rain tomorrow...plan to bake that favorite savory dish tomorrow night...yum! I'm looking forward to wearing my rain boots. Ohhh the little things.... Cheers!

Sweet 16...Kate....

Kate's Sweet 16 celebrated with many friends last night at the Hyatt Water Front Resort in Huntington Beach. Cute invite, many friends, great night with dancing, photo booth, treats and lots of laughter!
Meanwhile....these two little birdies had their date too. I think it's official. Kali has a boyfriend. Gasp! Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather. It's the kind of weather that keeps Californian's here.....As for me, I'm doing my Sunday chores so I can stuff my face tomorrow while we watch the Commercial's...eh em...I mean the game! Haha. Enjoy everyone....drive careful and indulge on the yummy stuff!

Exactly.....

This week has been full. Very full. Just won our 3rd game for the week. Pasta party wrapped yesterday with one more for the season next week...and just like that....the season will come to an end. Yesterday, a friend Lisa Marie and I went to The Ellen Show. With 2 standby tickets...and not knowing how it all works...we went. We waited. We went from one line to another...from high hopes to little hopes. To be cut short with a mere 20 people in front of us. So we were given VIP tickets for a return date in May. We experienced how it works. We talked alot...we made a day of it. I rushed home to make our teams pasta party. (Pic's to follow)...with an early work morning today. I can't believe it's Thursday. The week flew by. Kali had a header goal today...with 2 assists to goal (one assist for Mackenzie's beautiful goal). It was a great week in Soccer for her. I love that. In this phase of the sport it becomes exhausting. Training, academics, social life and a full week of games and parties...sometimes she pauses when frustrated...wondering.."Do I want to continue"? And of course....I sit quiet. With a wince in my soul..."No....not now..., I think to myself". We've been chasing that ball since she was 5. No not nowww!!! But it's moments like today...and games earlier in the week. I tell her....It's not always easy Kali....It's hard work. And she's done an awesome job getting to where she is. I love it. It's almost Friday everyone. Do what you love..enjoy it with all your soul. Supposed to have some great sunshine this weekend! Groundhog see's 6 more weeks of WHAT winter? haha Cheers!