Christmas in Ventura

There’s something extra charming about Christmas in a coastal city.   

Downtown Ventura Tree lighting and Caroling Parade 2009

This year Christmas really snuck up on me! Our Elf on a Shelf usually makes his first appearance  the day after Thanksgiving.  But this year he magically arrived sometime in mid December.   

This Sunday we are going to see Disney’s A Christmas Carol at the El Capitan Theatre.  Besides the movie, there is a short live action play and then afterward we get to tour the “behind the scenes” museum.  It should be a fun Christmas outing for the 6 of us.

All in a Row

Having four kids is sometimes a bit hectic, to say the least. They go to 4 different schools(Pre-school, Elementary, Jr High and High School). So, I drive, cook and clean more than the average mom. The noise level in the car and house score pretty high on the decibel charts. Sometimes I think they sound like a flock of angry ducks quacking away!

But twice a month there is serenity. Every other weekend we are a party of three. I find myself looking forward to these weekends for a number of reasons. First off, there is less noise. The house stays cleaner than normal. I am more at ease, I feel I have more patience. But, most importantly, Roman gets all of Mommy and Daddy's attention for two whole days!

Our weekend starts out with lazy mornings huddled in bed. We watch TV and snuggle. There is no "have to" on these weekends. We go with the flow. We take our time getting ready. I might go on a run while daddy and Roman work in the garden. Elmo and I try to plan the day, but we usually do half of what we plan and let the rest go. We like to eat lunch out while running errands together. We watch Football. We talk. Giggle. Play. And WE NAP.

Roman lives a charmed life. His little world consists of him, Mommy and Daddy. He isn't shuffled between two different houses. He doesn't have to ask when he will see Daddy next. Who gets him on what holiday. And for this I am proud. One of the greatest joys I have or will ever experience is raising our child with my husband.

Sunday evening comes all too quick. I usually make a nice dinner and we three sit around the table. We savor every bite because we know with each one - our peaceful weekend is coming to an end.

But as I serve dessert, I look around the table at the three empty chairs. Our family is not complete. I feel a part of us is missing.

It's Monday afternoon and I have just picked up the fourth child from school. Hanah is in the front seat singing to a song on the radio. Jonah is right behind me trying to share his day while Cali and Roman are playing Rock Paper, Scissors. It's loud. "What's for dinner?" "Hanah, change it back!" "Roman hit me!" I take a deep breath, reflecting on my quiet weekend. Then smile to myself and feel very lucky to have all four of my little ducklings back home and under my wing.

Obsessions

It's official. I am legally obsessed with Jillian Harris, this season's Bachelorette. I liked her on The Bachelor but not as much as Melissa Rycroft one of DCC Alumni(of course). However, I LOVE Jillian on The Bachelorette. I don't know that it is Jillian whom I love or her Stylist. See, I am obsessed with Jillian's wardrobe on the show. Every week, I scour Blogs and Fashion websites in search of her latest outfits from the show. Then I shop. Shop. SHOP. Until I can shop no more. Her style is simple. Girly. Me.

For instance, on the final Rose Episode she wore a very cute outfit on one of her final dates. Don't ask me which one. It was the outfit I was smitten by, not Kipton or Ed. Anyway, she wore a pair of white jeans, a bright yellow blouse with white pearls embellished on the neckline and HOT PINK PUMPS. Need I say more?! Gorgeous, Simple, Feminine! I am sold! White Pants - Check. Yellow Blouse - one trip to Anne Taylor -$19.99 on the sale rack - Check. Finally the shoes. Macy's - No. Though I do find a pair of Hot Pink wedges by L.A.M.B that are pretty darn cute and marked down to $52.00. But there is only one right shoe in a 7. No left in a 7. Darn. So, up and down the mall I go. No luck. I am sad. I go home and search the internet and looky what I found...I am not the only woman obsessed with Jillian's fashion, it turns out...
http://tightenyourbelt.blogspot.com/

But these are what I chose....

http://www.endless.com/dp/B00266PN1C/ref=asc_df_B00266PN1C860359?tag=endlesscj-20&linkCode=asn&creativeASIN=B00266PN1C

I kid you not. I ordered them at 2:45pm. $39.00 out the door, er I mean somewhere out in cyberspace. They were on my front door step the following morning by 10:00 am. Free Shipping! Go! Shop! Enjoy!

These are the small things that make me happy! When I get back from my girl's cruise. I will share my newest Bikini Love. Water Candy. Their website will be up shortly! Until then~ Cheers!

Faces of Summer

Buckle This!

My latest shopping obsession is a store, I had never heard about before my good friend Gina told me about it a few weeks ago. I was looking at her pics on FB and saw her wearing the cutest, yellow blouse. I asked her where in the world she got it.....BUCKLE! At first, I thought it was an online only store. So, I had spent the last few days "adding to my cart" before our "Booze, I mean Girl's Cruise(!!!)" at the end of the month. But after visiting the site daily, I realized Buckle was an actual store and I had two within an hour from me! So, I planned an excursion there just as soon as I got back from our family's 10 day trip to Utah. Well, was I in for a huge surprise when I went to the Layton Hills Mall (in Utah). As soon as I stepped out of Macy's low and behold the angels swooped down from heaven(trumpets in hand!) and there was a golden glow to my right...it was....could it be....BUCKLE! Look at what I got! PS. Sorry Gina - I couldn't resist the cute, yellow number, but didn't post a pic - so it's our little secret!

Why am I blogging when I have 100 things to do?

I have asked myself this question numerous times today. In between making meals for my 4 children, picking my 3 yr old up from his play date, walking the dogs with my step daughter, cutting coupons, ordering my 15 yr old's new cell phone, grocery shopping and trying to squeeze in more than one trip to the bathroom(does anyone know the secret to peeing faster?). To add to it, my family and I just got back from four dirt, er I mean FUN filled days of camping at a local beach. So, I am also unpacking, cleaning the RV, well you get my point.



Over my weekend camping, I brought a new book along. I really wasn't expecting to get a chance to read it. But thought I would make an attempt. Besides, wasn't that what women were supposed to do on a camping trip? Read some trashy novels? So, I bought Mommywood by the ever famous, ever controversial Ms. Tori Spelling. I read it in less than two days and loved it! A simple read about motherhood, being a wife, a career woman and all the oops's that come along the way. Even though I am not the daughter of a Television Mogul or didn't grow up in a mansion with it's own zip code, I have never stole another woman's husband and am not currently in the midst of a never ending feud with my crazy mom(more on my mom later) I still totally related to this book! And to Tori, herself. If she can write about everyday life as a woman and make it fun and readable, well so can I.



I have always been a writer - always loved it. I have so much to say and this was the last, little push I needed to inspire me to write about it. This is to be My own "thing", something that is not on my to do list, not scheduled, not a have to. I am going to blog whenever I want, about whatever I want, as much as I want. Will people follow it? I really don't care. I am not doing this for anyone other than myself. I will savor this time. MY time.



Well, I better go. We six leave for a two week trip to Utah on Sunday and you guessed it, I have a hundred things to do.