Weekend Heaven

It was weekend heaven. Even better than that, it was long weekend heaven.

From Thursday to Sunday, it was all about family, photos and fun.

It was about being on the go and having the energy for it.

It was about rest at the right time and being okay with it.

It was about honest sharing and whole-hearted laughter.

It was about yummy food and heartwarming company.

It was about being adventurous and being in the moment.

It was about quality and quantity.

It was about the blessing of God and never forgetting the things he has done.

It was about my body keeping up with my mind throughout the whole time.

I will write more. I must write more just so I never forget all the things that made this weekend so heavenly.

Micro Mini Vacation

Thursday afternoon, I shut my computer down promptly at 4pm, threw some things into my overnight bag and Brie and I drove off to the desert for a mini micro vacation with my babies.

I can't get enough of them. Our Aurora is such a little cutie pie.

So sweet and happy. And her eyes, her eyes...

I was able to book the Westin in Rancho Mirage for under $100. Friday was perfect pool weather. 

It was so fun hearing their laughter, watching them play.

Check out was at 12pm which worked out well. By that time, the little ones were getting tired and everyone was getting hungry. 

After lunch, Aurora went down for a nap and Brie and I took Maximus for a ride on the wagon.

Our intention was to take Max to the neighborhood park.

Matt warned us that it was a bit of a walk, suggesting that we take the car. I thought he was underestimating my endurance. 

Turns out he knew what he knew what he was talking about. We had to turn around after several blocks. 

By the time we returned to the house, we were hot, sweaty, thirsty and tired. 

We kicked back, watching Toy Story as we dozed off and on, munching on homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Nothing makes me happier than being with my family.

A Wonderful Weekend

I feel so blessed. My second wonderful weekend in a row.

Friday was spent relaxing with a good magazine and a creamy mocha, getting my creative juices revved up.

Saturday was spent with Brie and my little family out in the Desert at the Riverside County Fair. We stopped at In-N-Out on the way for nourishment. For me it was a photo op because who doesn't love the light that is abundant in every In-N-Out restaurant.

Brie made a comment later on that I am always taking pictures. Made me wonder if I'm too over the top, but hey, I'm not asking anyone to pose, stop what they're doing or otherwise directing them for a shot. And I did stop once I got a few cute pictures.

The fair was sooooo much fun! Most of the time was spent at the children's ride area which made this little guy very happy.

Almost as happy as the cotton candy that he was able to talk me into buying him. That's what grandma's are for (with mommy's approval of course).

I did good at first walking around, but after three hours, I pretty much hit the wall. It brought the fun to an abrupt end. Fortunately the babies were tired, too, so I didn't feel quite so bad about being a party pooper.

Brie and I ended up driving straight home which was probably a good thing because the rest of the evening I spent recuperating. Much of the drive home was spent in happy silence broken every now and then as we remembered something happy from the hours before.

This morning, I woke feeling rested and ready to start the day. I didn't have anything on my calendar other than church so the day was mine to do as I pleased. Words cannot express how much I enjoyed the day.

I spent the morning reading my bible, puttering around the house, cleaning my room and then I went out to Old Town Orange, where I did some walking, enjoying the weather, working on my laptop at a local coffee shop, taking pictures while window shopping and eating lunch at a restaurant I never tried before.

I seriously wish I could rinse and repeat....over and over again because this weekend was wonderful.

My Kind of...

Last weekend was my kind of weekend. Practically perfect in every way. Even if it turned out a little different than I thought.

You see, the plan was to spend Saturday and Sunday at Laguna Beach with my cousin Arleen. Which is exactly what happened.

The weather on Saturday was in the upper 70's, lower 80's. Sunday the weather was a bit cooler, in the mid to lower 70's, but still beautiful. Just like the weatherman predicted.

The hotel was lovely. In a wonderful location, right on the beach, Mediterranean style, reminding me so much of Greece. We had an ocean view and I slept with the sliding glass door open with the sound of the waves lulling me to sleep. Just like Trip Advisor promised.

All our meals were so delicious. Lunch, dinner, breakfast and lunch all eaten outside within sight of the ocean.

We had planned to write, journal, take photos and we did just that, but we did more talking then anything else. I took five cameras with me and only took one out the whole weekend. I didn't even feel bad about it. I learned so much about my cousin. I learned of her love for her family and for our God. I learned of her strength and compassions. I learned of her hopes and dreams.

She encouraged me in ways she will never know.

It was my kind of weekend.

My Weekend

The weather report called for rain, but I anticipated sunshine.

It was a sure bet, when I knew that my little family from the desert were coming to visit.

It was the best visit yet. I was able to pick up Aurora something I haven't been able to do for months.

I finally got to sit with both the children on my grandma chair, though I didn't get one single picture of that event.

Went to the mall for a little change of scenery with Ashley and children.

Played sneaky grandma by having Max put together a puzzle near the sliding glass door so I could get some good light.

Oh, how I wish they lived so much closer.

Conversations with Max

Got a call from this little cutie pie yesterday.

The moment he started babbling away, I started to chuckle.

I know he had some very important things to say because he talked almost non-stop. Unfortunately, much of which I couldn't understand.

Not that it mattered because just to hear the sound of his sweet little voice was like music to my ears.

I love being a grandma.