Happy Birthday Gaylord- Happy Birthday Maria- Happy Birthday Corey-Bear

Birthday celebrations in full swing yesterday---

Gaylord.  91.

Ninety one years old!
Ninety one years of roaming this Earth. Raising kids. Innovating your sharp witted mind.
Things may have slowed down a bit for you, but I know in your mind if you could, you certainly would.
Sipping good strong cocktails, with a mix of sarcasm.
Your heart has been broken this last week.
You miss your wife.
You miss your son.
You quietly sit and observe those around you.
You love your fireplace.
You love your outings to Norms.
You have a mind of an elephant.
Never forgetting the important things.
Your stories could captivate us for hours.
You've quieted a bit lately.
Who knows what's flowing through your soul.
Thank you for giving me the love of my life.

Happy 91st Birthday Gaylord!

Such a handsome man....

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Maria.

My best friend.  My rock of lessons.  The one that will rally us girls together, and keep us in check when we're unraveling. Both in spirit and sadness. 

The reminder of a "let's get a round of waters" when the wine just won't stop.

The lover of weekly gathering. 

The first to jump up and help.  

Anyone. 

Maria, when I first met you 10 years ago I never knew how much of an impact you'd have on me.  And on my family. 

In more ways than one. You are amazing.

To me. 

Always. 

Happy Birthday homegirl.  Cheers to many more all together!

Let's go back to Park Ave. and jump curbs.  LOL!  I know that still freaks you out, but it was a good laugh for both of us- boom

Love you,

STAHL as you call me.

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Corey Bear--

Corey is a long time friend of Kris' whom worked for us.
Became like a second son to us.
I sat next to him for years. Watching him navigate through young adult life.
Relationships.
Girls.
Breakups.
New loves.
Soon he'd move on to a new job.  A job that physically allowed so much hard work.
That hard work allowed him to buy his first home.
He's getting married in September.
I am honored to have watched you evolve into such a fine, fine man.
I still miss sitting next to you-

So there you have the first batch of May birthdays!

Hope everyone is back on schedule after sharing a beautiful Memorial weekend.

Love,

Lisa Lynn


"I hope your birthday gave you as much happiness as you give us"

Happy Chapter 22 Miss.Kali Mae

I brought you into this world fast. 

Super fast, and super quiet. 

Focused on my little prize.

The minute you were placed on my chest in a flurry of cries I knew I would protect you with every ounce of motherhood. I knew the little girl I was gifted was going to change my life.  For the best ways.  The memories I will always hold so close of sitting next to you.  In the car.  In bed chatting for hours.  Driving to and from fields. And sometimes in raising girls, challenging ways.  You've kept me on my toes.  You've made me question my skills as a mother, and yet many times patting myself for getting through all those days.  Those days of accomplishments.  Those days of wiping tears from frustration during those teen years, reminding you just how strong a woman can be.  Those days of remembering your worth.  Those days of loving me back even when I held a firm "No".

Do I still hold the "lamest" curfew?

For sure, yea?  LOL

You have made me so proud.  So proud, I've found myself boasting to strangers about this daughter we've raised.  

They say it takes an army to raise kids.  And yet with you I don't think it took an army at all.  I feel like you were born an old soul with a kindred sharp heart.  One that knows when to hold em, and also when to fold em.
Except those first weeks when you wailed alldayeveryday ----so much I wanted to fold ya up and stuff ya in the laundry basket. LOL.  kidding. but not really.  

You've been blessed/cursed with your mama's technique of handling bullshit.  Sometimes we aren't proud of speaking up, and yet other times it's worth the words to clarify when something doesn't seem right. #Prague.

I wish you a happy birthday Kali. I mostly wish you safety, good health, and the knowledge to remember that bad times don't last, and if today seems hard, just be grateful for tomorrow's to start all over. 

I drove myself to the hospital on this day 22 years ago.  At just after 1pm, after a stroll at the Farmers Market where I started to see "stars" (high blood pressure)-

Admitting, inducing and having you in less than 2 hours completely natural. 

Leaving the hospital the next day with a heart full of protection, love and a good saddle to buckle up for this 22 year ride.  Breastfeeding those first few weeks notched as the toughest pages to date. Goshdarndoozy.  But we made it to ONE year! 

I am so thankful for you. 

You've made me a better mom.

A better friend.

A better human. 

Chapter 22 looks so good.  Keep pushing through on all those goals. 

Love, wishes and lots of kisses on your cheeks. 

Mama Lisa

Celebrating So Much

I have so many pictures to share of our graduate.  One whom walked the podium to the sound of "Kailyn Stahl Cum Laude" with a Bachelor In Mass Communication. 

The timing just doesn't feel right with the sadness lingering in our family right now. 

I'll be back next week for more love. 

More good news, versus bad. 

More sunshine, versus these dark clouds.  Although yesterday and the day before felt so fitting for the sadness that lingers.

I hope you all have a beautiful Memorial Weekend.  I wish you all safe travels if you choose to leave town for a bit.  I wish you all moments together as a family.  Or sitting next to your friends.

I hope you remember to be grateful for the moments on this Earth that are good.  Because in a quick moment things can change.

One phone call.

One doctor visit.

One lab result.

One moment.

Just be kind.  And forgive.

May PEACE be with you friends.

I'm gonna wrap my lover in all the love my soul can weep. 

This Mama Lisa

Pray for us. 

xoxo

The Burden Of Life.

Rick Haller

April 4, 1950- May 21, 2018

The leader of the family.

The big brother. 

The lover.

The best husband, and most dedicated loving father. 

The devoted grandfather. 

The dynamic has changed.  But the love for him will carry on forever.

Doris, I have no words that will comfort you. Except you did all your loving heart could.

Dena and Craig, you were his everything.

Vicki, Bill, Joni and Sandra, you were his purpose to protect and guide. Most of all, love. 

I am sorry.

I wish I could help all the hearts. 

With a heavy heart,

Lisa

Don't Blink

Seems like yesterday we stood in the longest line of our lives to get into the stadium for high school graduation.  

Also boo-hoo'd all the way home after a long day of moving her into the dorms a couple months later.

THAT, I will never forget. 

Not the boo-hoo'n, but the fiasco that dorm administration put us through.

#guineapigs #hurryuptowait #hotterthanshit  #truckfullofbedbathandbeyond #sucker

So you humans out there preparing your student to head off to college, don't you worry, in a short time you'll be prepared to stand in more lines to celebrate the big day of graduation again!  

Only this time, you really pray hard they've got their hearts set straight on what they want in life!

I hope you all have a super good weekend.  

If you pray, please pray for the Haller family.  Pray for Bill. Pray for Vicki, Joni and Sandra. 

This heart wrenching reality of life, sickness, closure, peace and family comes true quicker than we ever want it to.  They need all the love.  All the peace.  All the answers.  

Personally I wish I could say more to Rick.  I wish I could wrap love and peace on all of them.

As always, wish I woulda. 

Because I coulda. 

"Seek peace and pursue it"

This Mama Lisa

Is It A Girl Thing?

Are you excited to watch the wedding this weekend? 

I am!

 I am so excited for Megan.  For many reasons, but the top because she's a California girl!  What about that beautiful hair of hers that is frizzy just like me so I can only emphasize more with her in the spot light-- even with hairdressers.  Just keepin that shiz tame. LOL!

Also, it seems she comes from some wonky roots.  (don't we all...)
Maybe 

The last time I watched any action there was when they laid Princess Diana to rest.

I can remember waking in the middle of the night, watching in complete awe, with tears streaming down my face for her family. Most importantly, her baby boys.

What about the nutty STEP sister?

I laugh every time I see her interview.

This joyous time for the royals, just proves that this world is full of imperfect families.

Humans.

Fathers.

Mothers.

Stepsisters?  Or is she just tryin' to cash in on some fame.  LOL!


Hope your humpday is goin' okay...

Keep pushing.

Keep swimming.

Keep tryin...

Or at least keep tryin' to find that balance.

Just don't be nutty like that stepsister.

Gawh.

Most of all, get up and make a difference, some way and some how.

Even if its' kindness.


xo

Leese

Love Is What We Hold Onto

So much going on you guys. 

So much.

We are sorting so many emotions.

So many "Why's"

And yet, we have so many things to be grateful for. 

She's gonna kill me you guys- The "Tomboy" has since "left the room"-  I will always cherish these memories of you racing Kali. 

#whitesunglasses

The phase of  "I don't want you to do my hair"

This little sweet pea.  So proud of you Kali.  Almost to the finish line!

I love you. 

Your mommy forever.

When The Stars Come Out

Mama Lisa

You guys, I beg you to make peace with those you know you need to. 

Tomorrow might not give you that chance.

Those Humans.

In the wicked world of social media it's rare that you find someone that really feels and seems genuine. 

I've been following Jed for years, most especially as he rode his bike around the world.  There's several things I love about him.  First, he's the most non-judgmental human I've followed on the big'ol internet.  So much phony out there.  

And in my humble opinion, it's the religious (or self proclaimed "Christian" ones)  The ones that praise all day and night, but still live a pretty slick corrupt sideways hypocritical life.  Not always following the rules, and leaning in to the word "forgive me" when they want a pick-me-up. Most usually on Sunday when they sit next to one another in church.  

None of my business, but I see it more around me these days, than ever.  Again, social media bringing out da-best-of-the-best! LOL!

Anyhow, he's one of my favorites.  

When I read this analogy of "Surfing" and this life, it made me sit back and reflect.

I love this.

LikeCommentSave

• jedidiahjenkinsI don't surf well. But I have surfed. And one thing I know about surfers is that they talk about surfing. A lot.
  .
  In some little way, I understand. I've caught a wave a few times, and felt that lifting, and there is nothing like it. It is the power of the entire ocean, pulled and pushed by the moon and storms and wind, picking you up. You. It is one of the best metaphors I've ever felt in my body.
  .
  In our lives, we have to do a bit of work. If you just get in the way of the waves of life, you will be tumbled like laundry. You have to put on that uncomfortable wet suit. Paddle through the foam and the muck of shore break. Get out beyond these messy waves.
  .
  Then, there is still work to do. You have to turn your board, with the swells now behind you. And you trust that your wave will come. And it's a bit of guess work. You see it coming, you paddle in spasms, and perhaps miss. It rolls under you and leaves you. Your arms are tired, but you turn your board around and paddle again, back to position.
  .
  But I promise you, even as someone who has only succeeded in this effort a few times... when you catch it, or it catches you (that's the paradox, I'm not sure which is which in life), it is a feeling like God's hand under you, supporting you. It is a feeling that has lead millions of people to an addiction to surfing. It's no hobby. It's no sport. It's love.
  .
  But I feel this metaphor everywhere. We have work to do in the callings of our lives. Paddling, wetsuits, cold water, getting through the muck. Then waiting and believing. And then, prepared and in position, the whole damn ocean lifts you and it's no longer you. The entire world that you stand on is moving, taking you somewhere. You're carried. And screaming with joy.

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Happy Mothers Day Weekend!

Hope your weekend is cozy---

May you finish the little goals you set forth. Even if it's just a new meal.  Or laundry.  Or that good book you've waited all week to read. 

Or just getting up and living.

A good friend texted me yesterday stuck in her dark alley.

Those days where the world seems so heavy.

You can do it. 

Because someone else has it way worse than you.

Happy Mother's Day to you women and MEN that have taken the biggest job of your life and still work through the recipe of parenting. 

Much love,

Lisa Lynn

Unfair Obstacles.

If you pray, please pray hard for Rick. 

 

Things are sliding in the most uncomfortable, unfair way. 

Pray for his wife. For their kids.

The feisty, strong, tough man fighting hard.  And very tired.

It sure seems to me that this horrible disease is knocking more people down than ever.

Maybe we just hear about it more. Maybe social media exposes it, so we dive in and see more. 

Maybe it's just this life.

Whatever it is, my wish to you is just live each day like it's your last.

Trust me, it's harder than just saying that.  I get it. 

I hustle and grind too. Most times forgetting to turn this frown over and just smile.

I found myself wiping tears away from my cheeks this morning listening to Frank Sinatra's
"My Way"

My Way

The words to this song resonate so deep to me.

I am so sorry Haller Family. 

Pray.  Please. 

And reach out to those you're holding a grudge against. 

Sometimes you won't get the chance to clear it later.

We have a few friends that surely live life to the fullest, and for that I will forever applaud you from the outside...because I would love to be just like you.

Keep being you.  YOU are amazing. 

Be kind. And forgive. 

Love,

This Mama Lisa

Bird Sandwich

We were at a Cinco De Mayo party on Saturday night and I left my phone in the boat.  Later that evening on our ride home, I opened a text from our friends to see this. 

LOVE!

True supporters of our boy.  

Thank you with all my heart for sending me this Lorie and Sean!

The birdie sandwich looks so so sweet!

"We're not here for a long time, just a good time!"

By Sean Ireland

Cheers! 

Happy Humpday!

This Mama Lisa

Glitter In The Air.....

Raise your hand if you are a mom of a graduating college student that didn't have professional or even semi-professional portraits done of your daughter whom is graduating with full honors, with TWO Stoles (did you know that's what those banners are called?)  and honor ropes?

{Hand raised super high}

And so....

*All praises and high-five Grant!

  

That's okay Kali...we can chalk this with the hundred other things this mom has flubbed in the almost 22 years you've roamed this earth.  

I can remember walking up these stairs with you the morning of our tour thinking all along just how far fetched it felt. Daughter leaving HOME for San Marcos, like..what?

Boy oh boy did you put my heart and mind in check. 

This is it for this chapter little one.

Toss glitter in the air, you've surely earned it. 

Welcome to student loan payback mania, and the observation of cost-of-living, and being frugal about living.  Remember not to spend more than you earn.  Credit cards will bite you in the ass if not used properly.  Life can be fair, and more times than not, seem and feel unfair. And that is okay, it is you that must make things right. 

People can bring the best out in you and in a hot second bring out the worst. 

Stay thirsty for your goals, and never settle for an answer you're not sure of. 

Ask again.

And again, if it's not clear.

Being lazy gets you no where. 

And quick.

Keep pushing honey because we are watching you soar. 

On Sunday when you texted me how exhausted you both were on your way back from Vegas at almost noon, and you had work at 6:00am, and a full week of work, along with this weekend coming...and traffic was awful....

My heart had love to toss back.  But deep down in my mama spirit, I thought..."Welcome to adulthood Kali" Welcome to leaving vacation spots a tad bit early so you can get home to prepare.  Welcome to long days of work to collapse and get up and do it all over again.

I know the tenacity that flows through your veins and those two papers you must write to finish off this week will in fact get done even though I know you're overwhelmed.. Which you and I both know will be tough, but YOU will complete it all with perfection like you always have.

(One is 10 pages, the other 6, and she's working full time...boom-holluuhhhh) 

I'm SO proud of you Kali.  

So so proud. 

Tossing glitter in the air from here.

I love you!

Mama

Here's your Kindergarten song. 

Can't hear these words enough. 

I truly hope you dance. Whenever. Forever. 

And please God, let me be here to watch. 

I Hope You Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance

I hope you dance (Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance (Where those years have gone?)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance (Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder?)

Sunshine And Salty Rims

I wish you a sweet weekend filled with yummy margarita's, laughter,  and most of all...

LOVE

Congrats to Madison, Mackenzie, Savannah, Cullen and all the other babies on graduation!  These college years blazed by.  Even when those first weeks and months crawled by like molasses in the winter, you did it.  I am proud of your strength.  Your dignity.  Your faith in what you set your heart to. Even when you partied like rockstars and sat in class the next day cockeyed.

Not naming, names...eh em. 

I am so so proud. 

Be safe friends.  Remember an Uber is a short button away. 

Go spread compliments.  Go spread kindness.

Remember, getting up and working hard is what makes rest and good times happen!

All the love and salt on your margarita's!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

This Mama Lisa