Today was the stuff of summer dreams. It was chalk full of fun, friends and easy going laid back activities. Melissa and I hang out a lot, typically at local parks or at her place. Our kids love each other, and we always have stuff to talk about or fun things to do, so its win win. But this morning, we decided to venture out with our friend Sara and her sweet daughter. So we set out for some sunshine and berry picking in Pescadaro. 

I am sure one of these years I will be able to sit down and do a post on how much I appreciate the men and fathers in my life-but today is not that day unfortunately haha! Still, I wanted to document Father's Day 2014 and how we celebrated it.

Last Father's Day was Lester's first official one, but because of his work schedule, we weren't able to be together, let alone spoil him. So this year we wanted to make sure we made our best effort at that! He was just coming off of a 24 hr shift, so I wanted to make sure that when he came through that door, he had breakfast and some fun things to come home to before we headed to church. So, I woke up at 6:00 to make him [and my Dad] cinnamon rolls from scratch. [I am night time/sleep in pregnant person so this in itself was a huge effort haha!] We also had some cards Addy and I have filled w/ gifts, coloring and other fun to go along with this. At church, we learned more about the importance and gift of fatherhood and how wonderful a blessing it is. The kids even made little treats/gifts for their Dads so that was fun. We came home and Lester got a good, long, uninterrupted nap after his long shift the day before. We had a nice big dinner and dessert as a family, and then he spent HIS special day building Addy a new sandbox. Because that is just the kind of husband and Dad my Lester is. Ya, that's right, what up!



I also would be remiss if I didn't take a beat to acknowledge my own Dad. Although I made sure there was ice in the house for his Pepsi the day before, and helped out with the basic cooking and cleaning, at the end of the day I didn't do as much as I probably should have for him. But still, he spent the day in true Father example mode by catering to my Mom who tried to make the day special for him, but was feeling quite sick. There is a quote by Elaine S. Dalton that says 

"The most important thing a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother. By the way you love her mother, you will teach your daughter about tenderness, loyalty, respect, compassion, and devotion. She will learn from your example what to expect from young men and what qualities to seek in a future spouse. You can show your daughter by the way you love and honor your wife that she should never settle for less. Your example will teach your daughter to value womanhood. You are showing her that she is a daughter of our Heavenly Father, who loves her....so how do you raise a girl? Love her Mother."

My Dad messes around a lot, and I often joke that people only wonder why I am the way I am until they meet my Dad-but as far as the above goes, there has never been any doubt in my mind that he loves, values and respects my Mom and that I should never settle for less then that myself. That has made all the difference, so I appreciate him for that-it helped me realize what a jackpot I hit when I got my sweet hubby.




I am grateful to all the Dad's in my life-especially Lester, my Dad and Lester's Dad for their constant presence and example in my life. I am happy to say I am living a life with fully involved, active men in my life and that I don't think my kids will ever have to experience going without that either, like my Dad and some other kids do. I am truly blessed, and I know it.

So Happy Father's Day to all you papa's and men out there-we love you and need you and appreciate all you do! 

So this post is more for my memory then anything else. Addy has been going through some kind of moody, hot then cold phase lately that isn't typical of her. Its hard to gage whether its more teething [she still has a cute fairly toothless grin with just 5], or an introduction into the terrible 2's. I suppose I thought there was a good chance that with her easy going personality we might be lucky enough to skip that phase-but I suppose that was a little naive. She is a kid, and its normal for her to get frustrated with things like only being able to communicate some of what she wants, or learn that just because you want something doesn't mean you always get it, even if you say your please and thank you.

I hope this doesn't sound like she is spoiled-she is far from it. I still can't get over what a happy, well behaved girl she is. She shares well, loves to play with about every other kid out there [whether they want to play with her or not haha], smiles at everyone and is just all around fun. Disciplining her is even hard bc for the most part she takes it so well-if she even hears the word time out, often times she will see herself to the corner herself and wait patiently till I come to explain to her what she's done wrong and have her apologize and give a hug. She LOVES to give kisses. She tells us often when she's ready for her nap or crib, and she loves her blanket and 'pwa' or pacifier, which she only gets when she's heading to sleep. She's smart-she can say/repeat every letter of the alphabet except W, she still loves books, picks up more words and actions then we'd like, and is a great helper. Lately, she has started singing which is hilarious to hear and watch. I love her dancing, especially when its the full body kind. Girls got moves! She loves music, all things Disney, going out, or 'side' as she calls it, chasing birds and playing in any kind of sand. She also loves all things water-swimming, beaches, bath time, etc. She loves most foods except ham of all things, but her favorite is blueberries and snitching chocolate chips from Grandma. She seems to trade off depending on the day or mood between who she wants comforting her when she is upset, which is interesting but fine-for example, yesterday it was all about Mommy, but today she was a little Daddy's girl. She is SUPER active and reckless [that part I don't love] and she loves Uncle Luke and thinks they are the same age and partners in crime. For the most part though she loves pretty much everyone and is good about sharing the love. Sitting here writing this is really giving me back the perspective I need-all things considered I know we are very, very blessed.



That's why the temper fits lately have been so surprising and out of the ordinary. As we are preparing for her little sister's debut in about a month, I find myself feeling torn in two directions-worried and feeling bad on the one hand that I won't be able to devote all my time and love to her like we are used to, and like she [and every kid] deserves. But also like I wish I could dedicate as much to this new girl as I've done for the last 22 or so months with Addy. But my husband, Mom and Rocio have assured me time and time again that despite what seems inevitable division, my love will multiply instead. I suppose that is another gift from God-a capacity to fit more love that you ever thought possible within you. I am sure they are right, and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of this girl to feel that multiplication.

Until then I will have to cherish the time that I do have to just baby Addy-to cuddle her, to bake with her, to kiss her, read to her and have her be my only little one. I know it is fleeting and it reminds me in the difficult temper fit terrible 2s or teething moments that even these are a blessing.

I am lucky enough to get to work with the Primary children's organization of my church. Its been fun getting to know the kids with all their fun unique personalities, and also learn from examples of all the awesome people I get to work with.