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I'm working on getting out of my comfort zone more.  
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a few words about kids

The other day I was reading one of my favorite blogs, 71 toes.  I have been following this blog for a couple of years and I feel like I know Shawni and her 5 adorable kids.  Her blog is a recording of her day to day life.

I recently read a post about a motherhood from a retreat she went on.  She jotted down some key points from one of the speakers, and these points struck a chord with me.  Sometimes we see or hear things when we need to.  I felt like these words jumped out to me as a reminder.  The universe is amazing in the way it presents wisdom into our lives at the times when we need to hear it.  I wanted to share these words of wisdom for all you moms and dads out there, as I believe if it hit home with me then it might hit home with you as well.  Shawni's notes are in black and my comments are noted in green.  

Here they are:

• Children value themselves to the degree they feel valued.

• Of course we love our children and we assume they know that.  But there is a difference between being loved and feeling loved.  So true!

• You are a psychological mirror that your children use to build their identity.

• Be aware of giving technology more attention than we give our children.  Do our eyes light up when our children enter a room?  They should!  This one struck a chord with me as I am usually on the computer when Eli gets up in the morning (Zoe is still sleeping).  Sometimes I am frantically trying to get a post out and on those days I just give him a quick hug as I am typing away on the computer.  I was never really a computer person and since I have started blogging, I'm becoming more attached to the computer, and I'm not sure I like that.  I love blogging, but I also want to "be there and be present" with my kids more.  So, I have decided to blog when they are at school, before they get up, and after they go to sleep.  I don't want them to think the computer is more important then my time with them. 

• Sometimes as mothers we habitually attend to what is missing or what is wrong instead of building up the good stuff.  The speaker told a story of when she got so frustrated with her son for forgetting things and missing the bus.  She dropped him off at the school with all the weight of her lecture weighing him down.  As she was about to take off, her younger son rolled down the window and called out to his older brother: "I love you!"  Have you had days like this when you are frantically racing around trying to get the kids off to school.  You're cranky because they are slow to get going or are forgetting/losing things?  I have had mornings like this and I feel terrible after as I've sent my kids off to school feeling sad or angry.  That's really not a great way to start the day.  We have to sometimes remember that these are kids and they have only been on this earth for 12 or 7 years in my case.  We've had 40 years (in my case) to learn these things, lets give them a break and ease up a bit.  They are more important than the things they are losing or being late for, right?  

• Kids are such a work in progress...we should put ourselves in their shoes.  So true!  They are kids, and they're learning so much at all times.  Remember, they need time to play and just be kids.  Let's not rush them to be adults or over extend them so that they never know what "down time" is.  Kids need to get bored in order to get creative.  If they never sit and get quiet with themselves, then how are they going to learn about themselves.  My kids had plenty of downtime this summer, and there was plenty of complaining of being bored in the beginning, but by the end of the summer, they were following their bliss and creating and playing.  They figured it out!

• Find the goodness in each child and build that up.  Reinforce the good parts of the day and how they made you feel.  We all need positive feedback, right?  WOW, I so get this.  I love when I get a compliment and hear psotive feedback.  Think about how wonderful we feel when someone says a kind word, now think about how great our kids feel when their parent says something nice.  We mean the world to our kids, and hearing something nice with a smile attached can make all the difference in the world.  

• Compliment kids in front of the other kids...pray about how grateful you are for them with them at your side. This part comes naturally to me, and I know how much it means for kids to hear praise from other adults besides their parents. Some of my greatest compliments and the ones that really motivated me came from parents of my friends and from my teachers.  

• Undivided attention with each child is so important!  I so try and do this often.  I love the time I get with both Zoe, and Eli and I know it makes a difference to them.  Not having to compete with the other sibling and talk all they want about whatever they want and for however long, makes a HUGE difference in their day.  

• We are all encumbered and frazzled by so many things.  We need to be sure that we acknowledge that those sweet children are so much more important than a phone call, email, blog post, etc.  YES, YES, YES.  This is a great reminder.  We as parents in this technology driven society need to be reminded of this.  

Anyway, these words inspired me and I feel like they might inspire you as well.  

Kid's first day of school

Today is a bit bittersweet as the kids started school.  This summer totally flew by.  I'm sure all parents out there all say the same thing, but time goes too quickly for me at times. I wish I could slow it down so that each year was really like 10 years.  Wouldn’t that be great?  We had such a great lazy summer just relaxing and sleeping in, that I'm a bit sad to get back to the chaotic routine that the school year brings.  I know that once I get in the swing of things, it will all be good and fun.

Zoe starts 7th grade this year!  I have a 7^th grader!  I still can't get over that!  7th grade seems so grown up and its only 2 years away from high school.  Ok, so not ready for that. Zoe is super excited to start school, like over the top excited!  She’s totally like me in the sense that she was so organized (well a bit over organized) for day one.  She had her backpack filled to the brim with everything she could possibly need, and the cutest part, is that she was going over her checklist out loud this morning, just like I do before a trip.  I stopped and listened to her as she was reciting everything she needed, and laughed to myself because she picked up that habit from me.  The kid’s in her grade received their schedules yesterday, so friends were calling all day checking to see if they were in the same classes. It was so energizing and brought back happy memories for me. She is excited that she got a ton of classes with her friends and a great schedule overall.  

Eli starts 2nd grade this year. I honestly can't believe that as well. He got a male teacher named, Mr. Lescoe, and he was a bit nervous about it, as he has never had a male teacher before.  Zoe and I reminded him that some of our favorite teachers were male teachers, so that helped him a bit.  I think he equates a male teacher with being strict or something.  He is psyched that he is yet again with his best buddy, Oliver, (3 years in a row) so that helped him get a bit more excited.  He is also psyched that he finally gets his own desk with his very own supply kit!  That brought a smile to his face as we entered the classroom this morning. The simple things in life, right?  I tried to get a photo of him in front of his desk, but he was not going for it. I will try and get a photo when I pick him up today.  

Well, that’s all for now.  I'm sorry I haven’t posted on this blog for sometime. I’ve been super busy with my cooking blog, but plan on visiting and posting here more often with updates and thoughts.  Ok, I'm off to make the kid's favorite brownies for the first day of school celebration, and get my life and house organized again!

Ski week..

This is a snapshot of what we did over ski week.  As you can see from the photo's below, we did not do any skiing!

Eli decided to get dressed up, bow tie and all!

 This led to the kids creating a movie mystery about the disappearance of kids at a boarding school.  Eli played the strict headmaster.  See how serious Eli is as the headmaster?  Zoe played a bratty schoolgirl.

Our houseguest.

Ahhh, there is nothing sweeter than a boy and his dog.  Ahem, I mean to say a boy and his best friend's dog.  Yes, we are getting our dog fix in by babysitting Barkley.  Barkley is the dog we babysit when we need our dog fix.  He is little, cute, doesn't shed and is the easiest dog ever.  The perfect houseguest ;)

Eli is pleading, "mommy can we keep him?"

The weather was 78 degrees yesterday so Eli and I took Barkley on a 2-hour walk after school.  I think we wiped the little guy out as he came home and crashed on our couch the rest of the day.

Summer in January, oh yeah!!!

The weather reached the low 70's the other day so the kids and I decided to hit the pool.  As you can see, Eli was not holding back...

It was the perfect day and honestly we all felt like we were on a vacation.  I read Gone with the Wind while lounging in the pool chaise with the warm sun beating down on me. 

I know people are fearful of this warm weather pattern but this is a gift from mother earth.

She is telling us to get away from our screens and get outside and play.  

There is nothing to fear with the current blissful weather pattern.  

We have had a few hard years with the tough economy and the crazy snows and rains. 

We have gotten use to thinking that winters are suppose to be hard and bleak as well as life.

This is our repreive. 

This is the new winter, new life.

We will get our snow and rain but not in the excess that we have been experiencing years past.  

It will be enough but just enough to sustain and grow what we need.

Lets all stop fearing what is happening and instead go out and enjoy it.  

This is the year of miracles and change.

Stop holding onto the old ways of living and reflecting on how things are suppose to be and start inventing new ways of living.

Life is about change and variety.

We can all learn a bit from watching kids.  

They take life by the reigns and go for it.

Look at Eli as an example, he is jumping in feet first!

Give it a try!

Happy 2012

I took this photo last week on our family hike.

I love how the sun is setting and creating a lighted pathway.
A pathway to all that is...

You can also see the curvature of the earth.
Whenever I see the curve of the earth it makes me realize that we really are living on a planet in the middle of the galaxy.
It's pretty surreal when you actually think about it.
The universe is vast and yet were so small.

When I see the light reflecting on the water, I reflect on my life.  

I am so grateful for this earth and all the beauty that surrounds us.
I am grateful that were on this amazing planet that takes care of all of our needs.
It feeds us, provides us with water and protects us.

I am also grateful for:

 family and friends

love

 health

 abundance 

peace

life

Life is definitely chaotic at times and there are days when I am flustered, tired and asking the universe, why I am here.

What is my role, what am I suppose to do with my life?

Am I doing everything I signed up for?

I then hear that I am not here for one single purpose or one huge miraculous thing.  

I am here to be the light that shines.

The person that smiles and says hello to the stranger.

I am here to love and spread love.

For love is truly the key.

Everyone and everything needs love.

Trees, flowers, rocks, water, animals, family, friends and strangers, you name it, all need love.

Go out and give some love today and you will shine on the inside and out.

You will raise the vibration for everyone and everything.

Happy 2012.
May it bring you all the love and joy you seek.

A perfect way to start winter vacation...

It was 65 degrees and sunny, so the Grandy family decided to begin our vacation by taking a family hike (a 3 hour hike).  

We were craving the ocean so we decided to hike the Pirates Cove Trail.

 Here is the family starting out.  Happy, joyful and feeling blessed.

What this Holiday season really means...

I was in downtown SF the other day and noticed this homeless man walking in front of me.  He was carrying all that he owned and just walking with no real purpose, my heart went out to him.  I had a $20 bill burning a hole in my pocket and I had the impulse to give it to him.  Then I hesitated as this seemed like a rash thing to do.  I was prompted to look at my iPhone at that moment and the time was 11:11.  When you are prompted to look at a clock at 11:11, it's your guides saying hello and showing you that you are not alone.  I took this as a sign and walked up to the man and handed him that $20 and said a simple "Happy Holidays," and continued on.

The reason I am posting this is because I NOTICED HIM.  I noticed him and felt love for him as a fellow human being.  I didn't just walk on by him pretending that I didn't see him.  I realized that he is SOMEBODY and he has a purpose here just like us.  Can you imagine what it must be like, to be ignored all the time, to have no love or a warm place to call home?  

I guess what I am trying to say is this:

Be thankful for what you have

The love of family and friends

A warm house

Food to feed your family

Health

A Sunday in Point Reyes...

We went to Point Reyes today and I decided to capture the town and day in pictures.  I hope you enjoy them.

This picture captures Eli.  He is just one happy kid who looks at the world with wonder. 

I love capturing the pure joy he experiences in the little things like jumping up trying to catch a piece of string.  

 Brandt, my bother-in-law, is taking a photo of Eli, and I am taking a photo of them :)

Can you see the word HOPE in the windows?  That is one magnificent building.

 Baskets of fall veggies at Cowgirl Creamery.

 Old town, old car, priceless..

Produce in front of Toby's Feed Barn.  The asparagus looks divine!

Loved the inspirational messages on these coffee mugs.

Scary picture of Eli here, he looks like he has vampire teeth.  Look out Edward, there's a new vampire in town :)

Brothers and best buds.

 Doesn't this look like an add for a mini cooper?

 Surfs up!  Hang 10!

 Eli getting into his bug!

 My little model!   Take and old car, add a cute kid, and you have an amazing photo.

 Eli working the Fedora!

Old boat + beautiful kids = cool pic.

Happy kids!

You can't beat the shots you get in nature.  

Follow your bliss this week!

Feeling great!

 I am feeling 100% better than yesterday.  

Drinking my favorite kale and spinach smoothie.

I woke up at 5:00 this morning with a kick in my step.  

Had an amazing and challenging workout with my trainer.  

Hit two grocery stores this morning before the rush.  

Going to roast together these 2 veggies below and add some fresh pomegranates.   I will let you know how it turns out!  Update:  I roasted these last night and the dish was amazing.  I posted it here on my cooking blog. 

Saw this little guy at the grocery store and I just had to pick him up.  He was the last one there.  I am going to hide him till December 1st :) 

Picked up these beautiful wreathes as well at the grocery store.  I'll hang these on the 2 side windows next to my front door.

Going to make this yummy bundt cake tomorrow for Thanksgiving morning! 

 Can't wait to make some recipes from this magazine!

I'm off to do one of my favorite volunteer actives at Zoe's school, hot lunch!
Have a wonderful and blissful day!

Feeling frazzled..

Mmmm.  Doesn't this cupcake look delicious?  I tried a new recipe yesterday for my cooking blog and it was a sticky disaster.  Yes, this cupcake may look perfect, but this was the only one that turned out that way.  Let me just say that marshmallows and I don't go together.  For this recipe, I was attempting to use marshmallows as my frosting.  

Here is what the cupcakes looked like before they went in the oven.

Here is what they looked like after they came out.  I think I should of cut my marshmallows in half as they might of been to big for the cupcakes!  Oops!

This was one big, gloppy and sticky mess that was not fun to clean up.  We had to eat those cupcakes though as I was not going to put them to waste.   The cupcakes themselves were super yummy.  I will use definitely use that cake recipe again but with my cream cheese frosting.   Mmmmmmm, want one?  

 I have extras!   

I did have one success in the kitchen yesterday as these popovers I made turned out amazing!  I posted them on my cooking blog.  I am going to make dinner easy tonight and cook up one of our favorite pastas.

The chaos on my island is exactly how I feel right now, overwhelmed.  This time of year is bittersweet, it's a wonderful time to spend with loved ones and to share in the celebrations of the Holidays, but it's also a non-stop crazy time filled with parties, school obligations and not to mention endless trips to the grocery store.

That is it for today.  I am off to run yet another errand but first I think I need to organize and clean up my kitchen!  Have a great Monday :)