Mothers Day

I've never been a Mothers day person. Or, a Valentines person or any other "hallmark" holiday person. I love my birhday, Thanksgiving and our wedding anniversary. But..............Today...... was by far the best mothers day I've ever had. Possibly because I had zero expectations or possibly because Mark completly went out of his way. I guess it depends on how you look at it.

The Country Club had a huge brunch so the kids and I hung out until Mark got home. We then went to El Mirasol, my favorite, for delicious margaritas and food. We rounded out the night with a family game of Yahtzee and ICarly on Nickelodeon. I got awesome cards, great gifts and loving time with my family. Cards will forever be my favorite. The fact that someone takes the time to write something means the world to me. But......besides the cards I got some priceless gifts. Peyton's class made an adorable cook book that I will use even though he's afraid I won't. Drew made me a beautiful key chain and card demanding that I make her pancakes with syrup. That was awesome! She's a girl who knows what she wants. Mark gave me a gift certificate to the spa. Maybe it's a subtle hint he's tired of rubbing my back but I'm okay with that. I'm super excited to go! It's been a wonderful day enjoying being together as a family and seeing our kids be so excited to celebrate. Being a mom is so rewarding but nothing compares to that look or kiss from a child that just seals the deal.

Lunchtime Surprise

Just about everyday my coworkers and I sit and have lunch together in the office. As we're very happily eating our healthy french fries we here a loud rumble followed by a huge crash. Everyone freezes and looks at one another. Are we having an earthquake? Do we need to run? Then someone across the hall yells that Bills office is caving in. We all take off running, and honestly for two reasons. Is the building crumbling down and we're going to be smashed and of course, is Bill in his office and is he okay. Well, as the dust settles we realize that a car has just drove through the building, directly into Bills office and just about out into our hallway.

OH...........MY.............GOSH............

Panic starts. I grabbed the phone and called 911 while everyone else is trying to break into Bills office and make sure he wasn't in there. A scary time. Thankfully he left 10 minutes prior. It's amazing that even though I had nothing to do with it, I'm completely shaky and teary eyed as I'm talking to the dispatcher. I've lost my appetite and the fries go into the trash. Probably a good thing. :)

So, as it turns out the poor woman was actually across the parking lot at the bank and got flustered with the gas and break pedal. When she went to park she floored the gas instead of the break, and there you have it. She drove perfectly through our big glass window and didn't hit any of the outside structure. Thankfully, no serious injuries for anyone. Oddly enough she didn't seem to have a scratch although I did hear her say she thought she had glass in her mouth. I felt so bad for her knowing is was a huge accident. She was very shaken up.

In this picture it looks like a reflection but its the actual car sitting inside the office. The window shattered and fell out. She came from the direction the cop car is then did a sharp left into a different window. The rest is history. It was the kind of day that makes you remember how fast things can happen. I was so happy to come home and kiss my family.

Sunday

We have been lucky enough to start enjoying Sunday's as a family again. Marks new job has been better than we could have imagined. Today we got to visit with "Uncle" Scott and Rosa from San Pedro. I forgot my camera but we took some shots with my phone at the River. The kids were quite excited to pose w/ their new sunglasses we bought them and Rosa and I were happy to pose as Ben and Jerry. Drew is becoming quite the fashionista and doesn't hesitate to tell me if she feels a shirt is too boring or a dress has too many flowers. I'm really getting scared for her to grow up. She for sure thought she was hot stuff with those white sunglasses she picked out!It's so nice to have friends that you don't have to see all the time but know you can always pick up where you left off. We always have such a nice time visiting. Not to mention that the kids were so excited that Uncle Scott bought them ice cream after lunch at the Yard House. He knows how to win them over!

A Special Treat

Cookies. These aren't just any cookies, they are my favorite cookies. When I was a kid I was a junk food junkie. Now, I can do without any of it. It usually gives me a nausous sick feeling. But these, they are my fav. They come from Arvin, CA. A tiny town between Bakersfield and Tehachapi and you have to special order them. Usually these are the Valentines ones, that's why they are hearts. I have to give a special, loving, heartfelt THANK YOU to "Auntie Lori"! She knows how much I love these and she sent her husband, in the snow, uphill both ways,to pick them up for me and send them with my mom.... just because. Friends like that don't come often. Thank you Lori. We, (I), LOVE the cookies and Mark has to keep reminding me that they are for the whole family, like the box says. Really though....I know they are just for me. :)

Yum! So happy right now. It's the little things in life.

Something New

As most of you know Mark has left Jackalope Ranch and has moved on to another job. Yes, he was only there 3 months but it's safe to say, it was the worst 3 months of our lives. No exaggeration I promise. He has now moved on to a country club that has been the best thing we could have asked for. It's 2 miles from our house, he has time off and is usually home by 8:00 on the weekends not to mention 5:00 on the weekdays. Life is getting back to normal and we're so excited. They are so welcoming and really thrive on working together as a family and making sure your family gets to participate in the club activities. We've already gone to 5 different events at the club in the last 3 weeks.

Drew at the country club Easter party. They had Pony rides, jumpy houses and a HUGE egg hunt. 800 eggs that were gone in 7 minutes.

The Dinah Shore Golf Tournament which I can only find this pic. When we were leaving we decided to take some Monsters with us.

Mark had a 4 course wine pairing dinner and we got to bring home some of the wine. It was delicious but the next day I didn't feel so hot.

It's so nice that life is starting to feel normal again.

Hershberger Easter Party

Another annual Easter tradition is the Hershberger Easter party that consists of several families getting together for a traditional dinner of Carne Asada, an egg hunt for the kids and a lot of happy kids once the annual pictures are over. This is the 4th year that I can remember and I think the best yet. All the little ones knew exactly what to do and although they are slower than the older ones, they get all 10 eggs that are waiting for them. Mark was able to join us but he was the one behind the camera so unfortunately, he didn't make it in any pics.

Drew very excitely blowing bubbles.

Peyton going through his loot.

Easter Eggs

It's become a tradition that each year we get together with the Douheret's and dye our Easter eggs. This year we did a TON, thanks to Mark continuously boiling more and more. Thankfully, us adults have as much fun dying them as the kids. Egg dying has come a long way from when we were kids. You can take a wax crayon to them, tatoo them, glitter them, tye dye them or even make then look like Sponge Bob. Gone are the days of simple food coloring.

Blackjack

A few weeks ago Mark had some time off, which is a rarity these days, so what better way than to spend it than with good friends and a friendly game of Blackjack. We decided to make it fun and have everyone wear hats. The only one I could come up with was Peyton's beanie, but, it worked. We also each take turns dealing so with that comes the "official" dealer's visor. A Hot Commodity.

Jen and Christophe taking that scary shot! Eeekkk

Danielle was the big winner of the night! We'll get you next time Halloway.

Our group shot. Good times!

The Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland! We finally felt Drew was old enough to enjoy it and she totally did. She loved It's a Small World, hated the Snow White ride and was head over heels to see Tink. Did anyone ever realize how dark the Snow White ride is and how they never show Snow White until the very end? Peyton was big enough to ride Indiana Jones and that was his first time on big kid ride. I think it may be a while before he does it again. It rained a bit during the day which was perfect because it meant an empty park, no lines and a happy family. It doesn't get any better than that. By the way, yes, we are the dorky family that gets decked out in the Mickey gear to visit the happiest place on earth.

Drew meeting Rosetta and Tink. They both had to feel her hair. Drew wanted them to know how old she was.

A pic before the Tea Cups and After.....

2 tuckered out kids. What a fun day.

Drew's Off to Preschool

The time finally came. Drew wanted to go to school. She was ready but I didn't know how to let go of the comfort of Desiree. Desiree came into our lives 7 years ago. One afternoon when I was pregnant with Peyton, she opened her door to us as we stopped by to interview her. Only, when we left we felt she was interviewing us. We loved that about her. She took Peyton into her home and she loved him, cared for him and cared for us as a family. I could call her with any motherly question and she always had an answer. Many times she would diagnose Peyton with an illness and I'd smile and say okay but 2 days later I'd be at the pediatrician and sure enough, Desiree was spot on.

Then came Drew. I never looked back with her because I knew what good hands she was in. I didn't cry dropping her off at daycare the way I did Peyton. I didn't have too. Desiree was family now. But then Drew got a taste of preschool and she was smitten. She loved it. Of course all kids grow up and eventually go to school but it's hard to say goodbye to someone that you've cared so dearly about. Someone who was not only a second mother to my kids but to Mark and I as well.

Desiree, thank you for all that you did for us. We love you and could never thank you enough. I wish I had a picture of you and both kids but I know how much you hate goodbyes and we were never able to get one. We love you.