Mended Little Hearts Charter Meeting

Our first meeting for Mended Little Hearts was a success. We had an awesome group and it was so nice to get to know other heart parents. I'm looking forward to many, many, many adventures with them in the future.

This was my main contribution--triple chocolate cupcakes with salted caramel filling. They were so, so, so good...and don't they look pretty. I want one right now.

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Helpers

Handymen.

Sous Chef.

Love my helpers.

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A big old winter-sissy.

I am such a winter-sissy.

The last few months have brought nothing but sun, but cue the rain every.single.day last week and I was crying foul. How dare it rain in winter and grump grump grump were pretty much the only topics of conversation. It's not as much not liking cold weather (although to be honest, I don't really like cold weather), it's more about being stuck in the house like caged animals. And while being a caged animal all by my lonesome sounds somewhat appealing, I was a caged animal with two beasts in boys clothing. They.were.insane all week long.

T's outdoor needs are physical. He NEEDS to run and play and get all of his energy out in order to function. If he doesn't get that outside time, I learned last week, he gets mean and grumpy and runs around in circles--literally--in our microscopic living room. And when he goes crazy, we all go crazy.

Evie's outdoor needs are emotional. He NEEDS to feel the cool air and sit in green grass. He smiles as soon as we walk out of our door, almost like he is breathing in happiness. If he doesn't get that outside time, I learned last week, he screams (with the voice that JUST returned) and cries and screams some more. And I can promise you, his voice has returned with more gusto than it ever had. It's exciting, and it's loud.

My outdoor needs are spiritual. I NEED to feel the warm sunshine on my face and the cool grass on my feet to remind me of who I am, why I'm here and what I'm doing. It's refreshing, rejuvenating and relaxing. An afternoon outside gives me gratitude for the beauty of the earth, and helps me feel close to its maker. If I don't get that outside time, I learned last week (as did my kids, and my husband), I get antsy and impatient, neither of which are becoming.

I recognize I don't have it bad. When I talk to my sister and she tells me it's snowing in Idaho I literally want to cry--for her and for Kai Kai. Our winters in Palo Alto are not that bad (read: not any bad) but by George it's still winter and by George I'm still sick of it.

So on this, the fantastic first day of Spring, I'd just like to give Winter a little shout out, "Peace Out." And to you, Miss Spring, welcome and we're glad you're back!

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window markers and a st. patty bday

One time, when James and I got married, my little sister wrote crazy comments all over the windows of our car with markers that promised would easily erase. 18 months later when we sold our car to a man from Yreka, I'm pretty sure a few of those comments were still faintly visible.

SO...when T-Man got these window markers for his birthday that claimed to clean with just a wet paper towel, I was skeptical. I'm happy to report that the window did wash totally clean and looks as good as new. But even if it hadn't, coloring on the sliding glass door kept him busy for almost an hour on a rainy day so it probably still would have been worth it.

We took the boys to the Arillaga Family Dining Hall as a special treat after Evie's doctors appointment. T walked in the building and said, "Oh. Wow. Nice. Is dis where Daddy wives (lives)? Talmage had two large helpings of chocolate froyo with marshmallows for dessert so he was in heaven.

Our little elf on St. Patricks Day. We celebrated with green eggs and ham in the morning, and then partied the rest of the day with our courtyard friends for Frankie's birthday.

The monster cupcakes for the monster party. Too too cute.

Talmage was so excited to wear a party hat. SO excited. He knew that it was his birthday party first, then Frankie's and then Remy's and although I thought he'd want it to be his birthday each time he was perfectly content to just sit back and enjoy the festivities. It was fun to watch him have such joy for his best little buddy.

Frankie Frank blowing out his candle.

Franklin's parents had a movie projector and set up Toy Story 3 for all the kids to watch. In the back you can see Evie's large noggin and if you look closely you'll see Talmage--wearing his shark helmet of course!!!

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a really really nice sunday

His hair was parted, his dress slacks ironed and under that sweater was the cutest little tie you ever did see because EVERETT WENT TO CHURCH TODAY! WOO-HOO!!! On Friday we were given the go-ahead from Evie's cardiologist to resume life outside our four walls, and oh what joyous news that was to my ears. I'll admit, I got a little teary-eyed a few times during Sunday school as we talked about the power of prayer and I watched my own little miracle play on the floor at my feet. Having all four of us at church was special and I felt very complete.

Before church...Evie was thrilled to be getting out of the house and Talmage was thrilled because I let him dribble his basketball to the car. He LOVES basketball lately--so my child! I not-so-secretly hope he's a 6'4" basketball star...and would also possibly love to have my own little basketball team of kids! We'll see--about both.

Jim drew pictures in Sacrament meeting to entertain Talmage. I was cracking up later as I looked at them--especially his self-portrait.

The proof that he looks nothing like that yucky picture he drew of himself! Hand-some! We went on a drive this evening to search for a rainbow and animals. We found this gorgeous park where you could see from San Jose to San Fran--gorgeous!

We saw lots of animals--bambi, coyotes, big birds and horses--but no rainbows. T was pretty stoked about the animals and wanted to go find Bambi's family. I told them they went home to have Sunday dinner together, which he thought was a pretty good thing to do.

We took a picture together at the look-out spot...

...but we left these under-dressed chickens in their carseats because it was colder than we thought it would be! PS--do you like T's helmet? He put it on this afternoon (probably hoping that if he was wearing a helmet I would let him go ride bikes even though it was Sunday) and it didn't come off until he was in bed tonight. Love that crazy kid!

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all mine

.love.my.boys.

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Great Papa and TuTu

Great Papa and TuTu road the bus from Sacramento to Stanford so that they could see the campus and we could go to lunch. It was so nice to see them both. We love them a lot, a lot!

Talmage was SO thrilled to see Great Papa. He actually asked to be moved from his seat at the end of the table to the seat directly next to Great Papa, which was super adorable. T really wanted Great Papa to come over to our house, but he had to catch the bus back to Sacramento and couldn't. It was heart-wrenching to see Talmage tear up and beg him to come over. Great Papa, T and I came up with a deal that seemed to ease his sadness--a trip to Great Papa's house next time we go to Sacramento. Talmage is super excited, and I think Great Papa is as well!

The restaurant was super nice, and Talmage did SO well. We kept telling him, "You must be 3 because you are acting really big!" He was very pleased! For dessert T and I split a chocolate gelato. Heaven.

Me and the little mister after we walked Great Papa and Tutu to the bus. What a fun afternoon we had with them. Come back again soon!

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