So much happening...

Where to begin and how to end? What to share and who to tell about?

Sugar Daddy is at the ER with our J-bug, she fell. I have been telling her for a couple weeks to STOP spinning in the living room. She probably will now... When I was 4, I fell into the corner of a TV. I can still just barely make out the scar on my forehead, about where hers will be.

This is the 3rd ER visit in 5 days. This is life with 4 kids. Well, at least, thanks to Facebook (and my constant updates to it)- my friends gave valuable feedback that resulted in a much better experience for my hubby and eldest middle girl. He took her to Millers (Long Beach Children's Memorial). I shall not bring anymore energy to the re-telling of my 8 hour ordeal with my 3 month old, M-cube, on Saturday OR the second 4 hour one on Monday.

This is hard. It sometimes totally sucks. (Love what Danielle LaPort says about a little commiseration)

Thank goodness for my Cuppow Lid. Now I can use my mason jar for all my favorite travelling beverages. Because I am always on the go and I never get enough sleep so my iced coffee cubes (original post on my inspiration from Pinterest is here) come in handy and this lid is the perfect way to keep it all contained. Now how do I keep a lid on my hot emotions?

Also been loving my coconut oil for skin that is dry from too much wetness. Does that even make sense?

Oh and we started "school" this week- our not back to school breakfast was a bit of a bust this time around, but my resourceful and smart 5th grader saved the day with a simple, no fuss alternative. Instead of building waffle houses the kids had Rice Krispies with blueberries and whipped cream.

Being a "mom" to 4 small human beings is the most challenging thing I have ever done.

The need for sanity (and yoga mom revolution yogini, Laura Jane) led me to a group on Facebook called the Abundance Game, which steered me to a fantastic little App on my Android called Wechat, and that has given  me such pleasure- being able to connect with amazing people. They have helped me see that I am stronger and more resilient every day. I am an effective leader and I inspire my children to become their most authentic selves and to love themselves and their community. I am a valuable part of my community and I enjoy close friendships with other women who are raising their children in our "tribe".

Oh yeah and did I mention I was peaceful and happy at the dentist where I had to go for a broken filling today? My dentist is the coolest, not so bad on the eyes, most patient, gentle and explanatory dental professional around. He's in Costa Mesa is you need him. Dr Eric Vanek.

Now for something totally cool. I got invited to a screening for mombloggers and am going to be joining 40 other bloggers for a PR campaign through the Circle of Moms network... It sounds totally amazing!

Being in the moment. Letting the now unfold. Focusing on the simple joys of the present draw for my attention and how to choose the actions that support peace, happiness and following our highest excitement. Recognizing that I attract my own reality.


And I'll wrap up this ramble with a little suggestion for family fun. Penny Pitching. It is such a wonderful feeling to share parts of our own childhood with our kids. This one really drew in the whole family. I snazzed it up a bit from what we did when I was a kid of course, we are homeschoolers after all!! We included tape, a ruler and several ways to "win"...

What makes a kid want to write?

My love of word wrangling was sparked by winning a writing contest in elementary school. I would love to see what sort of silliness I came up with that so impressed our principle (or was randomly pulled out of a stack of barely legible papers by 4th graders). Lately G-pie has been crafting tales of kitties and fireflies, guides of survival for big sisters and nighty-night novels for baby brothers.

Blogging allows me to write about what I love- my life as a homeschool mom, my growth as a yogini, my journey of self discovery through the connections in my community and things that occupy my mind. It has become a way for me to polish up my charming little life and capture it in words- share the beauty of being a family member, a friend and a follower of other language lovers.

Finding other bloggers who truly enjoy the craft, see loveliness in their lives and crave connection with the virtual universe is like joining together in a tapestry of threads that form an image of modern motherhood. Kindred spirits who spark the imaginations of their offspring, and model the behavior that those sweet little spirits ultimately emulate. Like my G-pie. She wants to be a writer. Or a scientist. Or a songwriter. Or an artist.

Whatever it is she decides to pursue as she goes out into the great big world, I am glad that right now she is inspired by me in some way, wanting to do what I do- and share in something I love. And I do love blogging.

Inspired by yet another blog hop...

It has become a quest of sorts...

Well this baby girl that I am cooking up in my offspring oven seems to want more pig flesh. Such comfort food for a former Texas girl, and today I was in need of comfort. After twisting my ankle and busting my back on a tiny toy I have been alternating ice, heat and movement to see if I can regain mobility that is a little less wobbly, waddling and woeful! I searched Yelp and after a stop at a place I limped right out of... I brought home the bacon. Well, carnitas, actually...

Recently I have been scouring North Orange County for the yummiest carnitas (see today's review on Yelp!) after being accosted by the smell emanating from a tiny taqueria next door to the Cherry on Top where G-pie enjoy monthly mommy/daughter dates. She happily ate her cold colorful concoction, but I was not satisfied with the creamy chocolate in my cup. I went next door where the smell was originating and discovered deliciousness (see that review here). Unfortunately we found that they weren't very consistent in delivering that delightful dish. And so began my quest.

Since I can't literally hop right now... I will blog hop!

A few of my favorite things...

Today the holidays are coming to a close at my house... we are un-decorating and as I place things in boxes to be stored until next year festive fun, I am reminded of how much the ornaments on our tree mean to me- they represent 15 years of sharing the season with Sugar Daddy.

Each of our children has added to the collection with their baby's first ornaments, salt dough creations and delicate handmade trinkets. One of my sisters-in-law has gotten them keepsakes to hang on our branches over the last decade and they will have a trove of treasures to start their own traditions. Certainly among my favorite things...

We are blessed to live in beautiful, sunny Southern California, and while I restore the simplicity of our household decor my littles are playing in the hose outside in their choice of bathing or birthday suit. Before they discovered this delight, they were driving me to distraction!! So many favorite things about this, I can't even list them all...

Lastly my new favorite actual thing (many thanks to my other sister-in-law) is my new teapot- pictured here with a few of my other favorite things.


I am blessed by an amazing family. In addition to the comfortable family unit I grew up with- my mom & dad and big brother- which has crafted my character, continually providing a place to explore the depths of human connection. My immediate family is a favorite, as well as my extended family: my thoughtful and huge-hearted mother-in-law, my husband's brother who is always making sure our families stay connected, my fatherly uncles-in-law, the aforementioned sisters I have added to my heart and the countless cousins who I am blessed to share seasonal celebrations with.

Family is one of my favorite "favorite things".

And don't even get me started on the fantastic friends who feel like family!

Today's post inspired by:

Sleepless in the OC

It's the last day of 2011. 4:20 in the morning and I am once again sleepless. Why do all my pregnancies include insomnia? Lack of sleep makes mama do silly things, unthinking things, short tempered things.

How is a peaceful pregnant parent supposed to prepare when she is so sleepy? Well, I do have some tips... having done this a few times before!

#1 Do yoga daily- really it helps a lot. Need an inexpensive, easy to use resource? Simple Everyday Prenatal Radiance There now you have no excuse!

#2 Go to bed early, it's ok you won't miss anything really important. Sugar Daddy has made a few jokes about how out 10 year old stays up later than me- but really, they have enjoyed some special bonding.

#3 Watch what you eat. I'm one of those, "Hey I am pregnant- give me my banana split" type ladies- but with age (and apparently mine is an "advanced maternal age" this go around) comes wisdom.

#4 Give in and get up. Make yourself useful, it is quiet in these early pre-dawn hours, and I can get lots of writing, reading, or just gazing at the Christmas tree lights done without the usual gaggle of giggling wiggle-bots.

#5 Write a blog post- and try not to use it to sort through all the things you wish you hadn't said or done out of sheer exhaustion that week.

#6 Be kind to yourself- knowing your limitations and boundaries is what makes you a super mom, not being able to "do it all".

#7 Stay hydrated during the day, I wake up thirsty so often- and then if I quench that thirst I wake up to pee repeatedly, so I try to get my water in all day.

#8 "...think about that tomorrow." Embrace your southern belle and be like Scarlett, don't let your mental machinations make you mopey.

#9 Start your own "night night routine"- this is sorta silly but I believe the little child in all of us still wants a story, a little song and to be tucked in by someone who loves us.

#10 Remember that in no time at all these middle of the night moments will include a sweet little soul- make space in your heart for him or her with affirmations. (See #1, Simple Everyday Prenatal Radiance includes a great list, and right now it's on sale for about a buck- download to your PC, Kindle, Nook and do that yoga- your body will thank you!)

Well half an hour later- still before dawn, do I roll off the couch and do my asanas, go to the kitchen and grab a cookie, or try to crawl back in my bed without waking any of it's occupants? Guess I should practice what I preach... I can always have the cookie with my morning coffee. Yes I still drink a cup of coffee in the morning, I do have 3 other kids who need me whether I got any sleep or not.

Powerful Fullness

Tonight- like most things is not at all what I expected or planned for. The moon is full and so were my hopes for an enlightening evening of mystical messages and metaphysical murmurings. Instead my daughter and I filled a bowl with water, sank a moonstone in it, lit a 3-wicked candle and blessed some of the herbs we had gathered. Simple, mundane tasks- although when shared with my newly interested offspring, it does make it just a little more special.

My dear friend, yoga teacher and future co-conspirator (http://ilaurajane.com/) wrote about sharing this evening with her daughter and my spirit played with them in the circle they drew. I inspired my own mother to begin a blog, she found something incredibly poignant and beautiful to share about her evening walk under the Full Moon tonight (http://magicalmymoments.blogspot.com/). I am thankful for both of their posts, their words so often fortify me in person, I am glad the rest of the world can share in discovering their special-ness.

Maybe for the new moon we will gather and peer into each other's mystical hearts...?  My own Harmony Angel reading tonight again called my attention to an unknown Leo who I seem to be ignoring... let loose your roar, oh lion of the stars- what are you trying to tell me!? Something big is about to happen... I am grateful for what is, the universe is exactly as it should be.

I leave you with my favorite participant in the Full Moon Blog-abration. Sometimes that star off in the corner of the sky catches your attention, with it's particularly sparkly sparkle...
Via Facebook comment:

I'm missing the moon bloggin' cause of my game... but you'll be pleased to know there is a full moon in Victorian London as well! about an hour ago ·  ·  1 person

Full Moon Blog-abration

Some friends and I were going to get together to share some magical, mystical moments- but the stars didn't align this full moon. So everyone is invited to share in the celebration! Many of us use different types of divination tools- cards, crystals, candles, stones, herbs, etc.

Tonight I will be doing my own Angel Card reading/ full moon meditation and blessing. I will blog in full glorious detail about it, and ask any of you who feel moved to share something, connecting us to this blessed harvest moon and each other as we transition into fall.

Please enter your blog information below - if you are on Facebook we are also connecting our notes through the virtual event I set up. Like this post and I will be sure you get linked in!

Tiggerific Tuesdays!!

Consider yourself pounced upon!!


Day 4 of the Meditation/ Parenting connection experiment. Didn't meditate Day 3. It was apparent, I was short tempered and caught up in aches and pains and third world problems.

Day 9 of the no 'poo process. Last night as I combed my messy tresses, I considered my impact upon people who are meeting me for the first time (and these occasions abound this week- Star Children, Unity Next Generation, Homeschool Community at large)- my hair is a sorry sight, but I really believe in this and if not now, WHEN?

Truly it is just another cause for creativity. Although it cracks me up- the rooster feathers in my hair. It's like putting a vase of roses on a counter filled with dirty dishes! But I will find a way to make it work, I will wear a style that supports who I am and how I show up in the world- dirty haired trend follower that I am.

So bounce on over to some of the other blog hoppers- check out the current list here http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=70736

What blog rings do you follow?