Today I was driving home from yet another series of errands and activities [some fun, some not] when I happened to glance at my gas gauge. I was shocked to see it teetering between the empty and red 'below' line-especially since I was in the middle of a high way. I was little worried, but thought no biggie, I'll just get off on the next exit. And of course, immediately after thinking this traffic came to a total and complete stop because of an accident way up ahead. As I sat there for about 15 minutes, the girls asleep in the back, I thought to myself "C'mon Julia-you know better then this! Such a little thing, but since I didn't do it then-now its a big thing and I'm running on empty. And who knows how long until I genuinely CAN NOT go any farther?" I was worried, trying to plan out what I'd do when the inevitable happened and I ran out-do I try to make it to a gas station, or get as close to the shoulder as possible in case I have to pull over? In the end, by some miracle, I made it to the gas station and was able to fill up and everything was just fine. 

But I as I pumped the gas in the empty car, I thought that right now, I wasn't just lucky gas wise-I've been running on empty for about 2 weeks now I think just life wise, and its finally starting to catch up. I think when you have so much good going on in your life, sometimes you forget to take a second to stop and re fuel-bc you don't want to miss out on anything in the process. But then you burn out and it makes for a worse situation then if you would've just stopped when you actually had the ability to CHOOSE to do so, rather then being forced to. 

Life has been so good lately that we haven't wanted to get back into a routine of some work and grind-but at the end of the day, bills have to be paid, chores have to be done, health has to be attended to and reality has to meet up with dreaming. And even though its hard at first, its actually not the worst system in the world when it comes down to it. I think I'm ready to stop having fireworks and cotton candy per say, and get back to some boring old routine classes, schedules, salads and soups. Not too much of it-but definitely some of it haha. 

I think its just been so long-years in fact [possibly even pre-Addy days]-that we've been able to just hang out and spend time doing fun things together without worrying about the clock. So, we've had more fun trips to different parts of the city, lots of delicious food [both at home and outside of it], a few visits with friends and family and a handful of fun outdoor 'adventures' as Addy likes to call them [all of which I will blog about shortly]. We've also begun to incorporate more of the typical appointments, lessons and studies back into it, which has been nice. Lester actually woke up at the crack of dawn the other day to sit down and do more studying now that the life gas gauge has been catching up with us. And I've been running around from make up swim, ballet, and art lessons, along with shopping [groceries and new stuff that fits the girls, bc they are both growing like weeds all of a sudden]. Part of me wishes we had spread it out over more time instead of just filling every day so full of fun stuff-for example, Addy has her first big ballet show, a cake decorating class and they both have swimming this weekend-all while Lester's at work. And then Sunday [the day of the show-who picked that date I ask you?!?!] is Father's Day as well. Its just crazy.

I guess my only point is really-take time to fill your gas gauge. Don't be running on empty-bc I'm learning what should've been an obvious thing to begin with now. Having a full tank isn't just for when things are tough or your having a hard time getting from point A to point B-its also for good times, when you want to have enough momentum to get you from each awesome thing to the next without wearing out and missing out. Bc that is almost where I'm at right now. If I can just make it through another awesome weekend, I am going to force myself to plan a boring, get things done, around here kind of day, so I'm ready for the next adventure. Until then, here are a few pictures of our last few-they've been worth it.




I thought in an effort to make things a bit quicker then usual, here's a list of the blog worthy things we've done since the last post. Been too busy making the memories and surviving life in general to do more then that! So here goes.

Things We've Done

-We checked out Mission Pie and the surrounding murals this area is famous for. Isla loved the elephants and Addy loved the Giants skeleton. And the pie itself was good-Lester loved it, I thought I could do better hahaha.




-Addy had her big ballet show, which we've been rehearsing and gearing up for about two months. In the end, she did GREAT for her age, and it was fun seeing her put the practice to work, and also seeing how she responded to the lights and stage. I think it was good for her socially to-we'll see how we feel around nutcracker season though haha.








-She also had a really fun cake decorating class. It was pretty basic, but again, she can lean towards the shy side in public, so I think things like this are good for getting her out of her comfort zone a little bit while still being fun and productive. She got to color the frosting, pipe and sprinkle hers and it was quite the girly finished product haha. 







-We hiked a great trail at Land's End in the city, which ended with a goregous bridge view and rock labrinyth, and rock towers on the beach at the end. It took a little longer then we thought, and I think alot of people thought we were crazy for doing it with the kiddos, but it was great to get the fresh air [since the kids had been sick] and spend sometime enjoying nature.











-As usual, we've tried alot of great food in the city. I already mentioned Mission Pie and Brenda's previously. And B Patisserie and Artiscault are still top 3 bakery wise for sure. We also enjoyed the Rebel muffin from Craftsmen & Wolves,  and Pizza from a great place in the city. I'm sure there was more but those were the highlights.







-We've spent quite a bit of time at the beach, be in on foggy days or nicer sunny ones. One of our favorites was meeting up for dinner w my family and just hangin for hours. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again-this is one of the best parts of living here and probably the one we'll miss the most. Being so close to my parents and some siblings, and to Lester's family has been and incredibly blessing for all of us.






-It was Lester's 4th Father's Day since our baby girls have entered the world. In true Lester fashion, he shared the day with Addy's recital and even got her flowers. We made him some paintings and pies the day before [which gave me a chance to try to do out do Mission Pies haha!] I thought we'd make bananas foster, then use the sauce for a caramel apple pie, and the banans themselves for a banana cream one. He liked it, and we liked showering/smothering him in love and affection haha. There aren't words to express how blessed we are to be part of his world. We love our 'Daddy', and our grateful for all the things are Dad's have done for us over the years.





-Life finally caught up with us and sent some sickness our way, which has meant a few non serious trips to the ER, lots of fluids, medicines, and tired days with sleepless nights [even though we let them sleep in their new sleeping bags, which they adore!]. But we know it could have been worse, and we feel glad that we have each other, family and friends to help and support us, and great health care. Isla got the worst of it and was feeling it pretty bad, but in the end it meant more one on one time with her which I think we both desperatly needed-so that was a blessings.






-Speaking of our sweet Isla girl, leaps and bounds people. She is now speaking in full sentences, making lots of jokes and teasing, climbing, running and dancing till the sun don't shine and bringing smiles to everyone she meets. She has so much personality, and her own opinions and ways of doing things. She started calling me 'Mamia' recently, on purpose, bc that is how she talked about things she feels affection for. I love it, and its one of the millions of little 'just her' things she does that I love. She has a love hate relationship with all things she deems 'scary'-she loves to talk about bugs, ghosts, monsters and things like that-she loves to play hide and seek from them-until they come to close, then she's for real about hiding from it haha. Her most used one is the 'giant pig monster'. She wants to do everything her sister does-and then change it to something else. She is still incredibly physically affectionate, especially with me, but also with Daddy and Addy. And Grandma, Grandpa, Lolo, Lola, Sam and Luke. They are her tribe, and she is loyal to them. She is amazing and we love every second we have with her. We are excited for some days to come that will be all about her, and to watch her grow, but we are enjoying having her be little for at least now.  Love our sweet Isla girl. 







-We've had a TON of whale sightings again this year. I mean, whether its close up, at the beach, or just driving down the street to our house, you can see about 6 different spouts going off intermedieatly.  So majestic and amazing-like my Mom said, its like fireworks on the ocean [hence the picture I stole from her]. Our favorite of course is seeing them breach. Beautiful creatures I tell you.




-Other then that, its been more lessons, studying, hikes and life. Throw in some dress up, coloring and backyard stuff and you have our life right now. Things are good!
















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The Pineda Family

The Pineda Family

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