Some Random Pictures and A Hike

 Hey Mom - your granddaughter doesn't look like you or anything.....

 ....or maybe she's actually another clone of you???  All signs point to yes!

 If you were wondering where Tinkerbell has been, she's staying with me right now.  

 Uh....

 We  went on this hike....

 and saw some red trees....

 and honestly almost gave up about halfway through cause the hill was REALLY steep.....

 but..... this is the view from the top!

and the sun through a red tree.

So Caitlin wanted to quit hiking about halfway up, but I somehow managed to convince her to keep going.  It was so amazing to hear my little girl say "I'm so proud of myself for not giving up!" when we got to the top of the hike and saw that amazing view.  Afterwards we treated ourselves to burgers and fries (NOT fast food - real food!). What a great day!

It's Finally Summer

I feel like I should post something....but I really have nothing of consequence to say right now....

I'm so excited that it's summer....I'm gorging myself on summer fruit and reveling in my tank tops and flip flops.  Can't wait to spend some serious time at the beach - starting tomorrow!

I'm on the hunt for a new job....and have found a possibility that sounds promising.

Caitlin is arguing with every.single.little.thing I say to her.  But still cute as a button, of course.

Gavin is almost as big as me.  He's nine.  Yikes.  Still obsessed with Star Wars and Bruce Lee.

Esoterik Guitars is growing by leaps and bounds.....

....and I'm going to go have a nectarine right now.  See ya!

Biker gang.  

Another Caitlin and Gavin Tidbit

Caitlin: "Hey Mom, know what happens if you laugh forever?"

Me: "What?"

Caitlin:  "Your bones show."

Me:  "....oh!"

***

Caitlin has decided she no longer wants to be a "real firegirl" when she grows up - now she is going to be an artist.  Neither choice would surprise me.  Gavin is still wanting to design video games.

Also, Caitlin's new nickname is Angel Pie Deluxe.

Perception is Reality

These days it seems like my perception is off - in a bad way.

Instead of seeing my husband as the wonderful, loving, sweet, sexy man that he is, I have been looking at him like he's a business partner or roommate.  I know that this can happen when you've been together for a while, but I also know that the way that I look at things and people is ultimately up to me.  Time for a change.

Instead of appreciating my stepson for the hilarious, original, and creative kid that he is, I've been so frazzled by everything I have to do I find myself being overly stern and critical with him.  That has to stop.

Instead of seeing my daughter as the sweet, funny, smart, and independent girl that she is, I've been feeling like she's been a nuisance - her pleas for attention and playtime with me have been making me frustrated and short-tempered because I can't get the things done that I want to get done.  But you know what?  WHO CARES????  Who cares if the laundry doesn't get done right this second?  Who cares if the dishes sit for the night or the crumbs don't get vacuumed up?  Who cares if things fall into disarray, as long as my house is full of laughter and happiness?

I am shocked that I have allowed myself to become this apathetic about the people that I love and that I've allowed myself to take them for granted this much.  I am appalled at myself.

It seems I need to constantly remind myself how much of a blessing the people in my life are.  It seems I need to focus more on the good and make it known how much I appreciate all the blessings in my life.

Time to renew and refocus my perception.

***

Right now Caitlin is outside painting on her easel with watercolors... she just said to me "When I grow up maybe I'll be an artist."  Maybe she will.  I'm not happy about what it took for me to be home with her, but I am SO happy to be home with her.  I can't believe I ever thought daycare would be good enough.

Another Caitlin Tidbit

(a very small one)

Caitlin is prefacing almost every sentence with either "usually" or "at least" these days.  She's also starting to use my lines against me..... telling me the answer isn't going to change when I ask her a question more than once.  Smart girl!

Picture Post

 Testing out our new camera.....

 Montana de Oro

 My little artist.

 This guy was chillin' on my windshield. 

 Elephant seals at San Simeon.

 Driving up the coast for no reason at all.....

 Spirit Garden in Big Sur.

 Rock on.

 Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 2.27.11

 Stearns Wharf