Dinner with Friends

In our crazy scheduled world, there seems to be no time for simply enjoying other people's company.  We so often run from one event to the next and forget that the meaning of life is not how many sports are kids are involved in, how many things we can volunteer for and how many hours we can work.  The true meaning is developing lasting relationships with people who make you better, support you through the ups and downs of life and become family, not just friends.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the year, my resolution this year is to create more moments like this, slowing down the schedule and making time to gather around the table with special people in our life.  Saturday night was our first attempt and what a night it was.

Babysitters were booked, the menu was planned and we spent 7 uninterrupted hours with some incredible friends.  I honestly cannot tell you all the topics that filled these 7 hours but I do know that I have not laughed that much in a long time.  I also know that no one wanted it to end, leading to me finally getting into bed at 2am.  It was wonderful.  And exactly what the hubby and I intended when began planning.  I cannot wait to do it again.

And thank goodness today is a holiday because this 35 year old cannot bounce back like she used to be able to.

The resolution is off to a good start and such a special reminder of what is really important in life.  

I am already looking forward to the next dinner.

And of course, it wouldn't be a holiday weekend without some great sales across the internet.  Piperlime has a great selection of new Spring pieces and is offering 25% off these items with code HAPPY from now until February 18th.  I have picked out some of my favorites below.

A Quick Glimpse

Yesterday we returned from four days in Los Olivos and I am just not ready to get back to "real life".  We had such an amazing time, which I will tell you all about, but here is just a quick glimpse from the iPhone.  More to come soon!

And I can't take credit for all of these.  Our friend takes some pretty fab photos so I stole them from his instagram (@mcclain922).  Thanks C for sharing!

A Reminder

This past weekend we went back to Santa Ynez for a dear friend's 35th birthday.  The entire weekend was a surprise and it brought together some of my favorite people that I do not have the luxury of seeing all the time.  In fact, it is embarrassing how long it has been.  Everyone brought their children and it not only allowed us to catch up but provided an opportunity for our children to become friends as well.  And who doesn't love when the husbands are friends?! It was an amazing reminder.

A reminder that these college friends are so important to me.  A reminder that they know more about me than a lot of people.  A reminder that even though our worlds get chaotic and crazy, it is important to make plans every now and then and allow ourselves to catch up with each other.

I have been blessed to have some pretty amazing friends from high school and college.  The unfortunate part is that not all of them live in Orange County and it takes a lot of planning to get to see each other.  We are all busy with our children, jobs, and simply, life.  Weddings made it pretty easy but now that most of us have tied the knot, it takes some additional effort.  

As I get older I am really starting to appreciate that my high school and college friends knew me prior to being "wife" and "mommy".  They know my life now but they also know where I came from.  They have see me at the very top and have also seen me hit the ground.  And they have been there to laugh and cry with me through everything.  It makes my heart happy when I get to see these people and also reminds me that perhaps the things I get stressed about are not worth the time and in the end, family and friends are all that really matters. 

Thank you M for planning such an amazing weekend for E.  Thank you also for including us and giving us all this opportunity to spend some time together.  It was amazing weekend and we cannot wait to come back.

And in other news, the hubby and I have fallen in love with the Santa Ynez Valley and are trying to figure out how we could possibly relocate.  To say we are obsessed is an understatement.  Who knows, perhaps this blog could one day be renamed "Juggling in Wine Country".

Life As We Know It: D.C Edition

Yesterday we got back from Washington, D.C and I am having a total vacation hangover.

It has been a while since I was on the East Coast (with the exception of NY) and I had forgotten how beautiful it is.
From running around Ashburn, VA to visiting the West Wing in the White House, each day brought so many fun memories for the family.  Our friends truly created an amazing trip for us.

Since I am just too tired to download all of our photos right now, here is what was captured on our iPhones.

Thank you SO MUCH to the B family for hosting us!  We miss you already!

Mommy, Power Ranger and Baby Jesus

This is Mommy and Power Ranger.

They are four.

They are married and have kissed once.

The Baby is named Baby Jesus.

They are going to their friend's wedding.

Power Ranger has a call with his cousins.

It is almost Baby Jesus' Birthday.

If you have any problems with the above, ask them.

They are the ones that told us the story.

On another note, Happy 34th Birthday Hubby!

The kids and I love you a TON and wish you many more amazing years to come!

XOXO

Words That Are Too Real

If I die young, bury me in satin

Lay me down on a, bed of roses

Sink me in the river, at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I've had, just enough time

This song has always creeped me out but recently, it has developed a new meaning for me.  Long time friends of my family lost their beautiful 25 year old daughter this week.  It is more than devastating.  I went back and forth on whether to blog about this but I said from the start, this was an honest blog about life, and right now, life took a major turn.  My heart breaks for their family and the loss that they feel.  I have cried numerous times for a mother losing her child.  You ask the question "why?", knowing you are never going to get an answer.  Death brings to light just how fragile we all are.

I did not write this to bring you all down, but to remind you that every moment with family and friends should be remembered.  Call your best friends.  Smile at your children.  Kiss your husband.  Tell your parents and siblings you love them.  No matter how many times we all hear this, we always seem to forget.  Unfortunately I have been reminded.

God Bless You MLS