Solana Beach Heritage Museum

Today I was privileged to join Kaleb and his class to Solana Beach Heritage Museum.  We took a ten minute bus ride from his school to the museum where I got to experience Kaleb with his friends being a goofy, silly, nine year old.  It was really fun to see him in his element unafraid to be himself even if his momma was sitting a few seats away from him. At the museum the kids and I learned about the history of San Diego, specifically Solana Beach and what life was like in the 1900's and 1930's.  The kids were assigned different chores, Kaleb washed clothes, swept, and helped churn delicious home made ice cream.  Kaleb's favorite part of the field trip was playing Crockett outside with his friends.  My favorite part was spending time with him without any other sibling interruption. 

Disneyland Trip

We just returned from a mini vacation to Disneyland to celebrate Nathaniel's birthday.  We arrived at the Sheraton Sunday afternoon and spent the day in the pool.  The kids had a blast swimming with J.J.  Then we went to dinner at CPK (one of my favorite places!) and had yummy Cold Stone for desert.  The kids were filled with excitement and anticipation for our Dinsey Day ahead that they had a hard time going to sleep.

Monday morning bright and early (we arrived at Disneyland at 7:45) we headed to the magic kingdom for some family fun!  We got to count down for opening time.  

Highlights of the trip:  

Tickling Kaleb while riding the Matterhorn to get him to get his hands up during the big drops.  

Helping Kaleb overcome his fear of riding my all time favorite Disney ride Space Mountain.

Seeing Kaleb's fear face on the big screen at the end of the ride.

Olivia's face when she first saw the beautiful pink castle in Fantasy Land.

Spending time with each of our kids while standing in line.

Watching Olivia's face light up during the Fantasia show as she watched all the Princess dancing.

Realizing what great children we have.  There were no tantrums and really unbelievable no tears from 

Nathaniel.  We were there from 7:45 in the morning till 10:45 at night - amazing kid!

Space Mountain take off

The Van Niel boys

What a memorable and magical trip!

What I love about you - Nathaniel

 Just look at these pictures!  Do I need to say more?  OK I will anyway, just because I'm your momma and I adore every little bit of you my beautiful miracle baby boy, Nathaniel.  Here's just a short list:
1. beautiful, bright baby blue eyes
2. mile long eye lashes
3.  sandy blonde hair 
4. a smile that melts my heart
5. your tiny little body (at almost two i can still snuggle you like a baby)
6. your sense of curiosity
7. your ticklish toes
8. your playful nature
9. the way you say, "huggy" when you want a hug
10. the words you you make up "be by you" which we think means be careful
11. when you run up to my leg and hug it
12. the way you run around the house thinking everyone is playing chase with you
13. the way you run your hands around my chest to fall asleep
14. the way you love your sibblings
15. your new fascination with daddy, especially when you squeal in delight when he comes home.

Touch a Truck - Benefiting Max's Ring of Fire

We attended Touch a Truck today.  As we entered the high school where the event was taking place I could already feel myself getting chocked up.  Max was a little boy that attended the same elementary school as my oldest Kaleb.  He was a darling little boy who was battling an extremely rare cancer and by second grade Max lost the fight.  His death impacted so many in our community.  And although I only knew Max and his family in passing at school I have forever been touched by his light.  

Attending the event really got me thinking about so much.  The first thing that crossed my mind was the question of how on earth a parent could endure the pain of losing a child?  To me it's unfathomable and overwhelming to even imagine. The closest that I could relate to is Nathaniel's birth and just how that very instant I first saw his fragile tiny body being kept alive by so many machines I had been convinced that he was not going to make it.  And in some weird way I had at best prepared myself for it to happen.  Anytime, doctors came in to check on me or when the phone rang I had though I was ready.  But the reality was that if anything were to happen to my baby I would have lost a big piece of my heart.  Once that though left my mind I shifted to thinking how eternally grateful I was that he did make it.  That though he is small in size and may not like to eat (a huge battle for me) that he's still perfectly happy, healthy and totally perfect.  

Then of course it made feel guilty of the few (and I really mean few ) times I have gotten frustrated or impatient with my little ones.  How dare I get frustrated or impatient when I should be loving on and cherishing every single moment I have with them.  

So, as I walked around the school campus and experienced the vendors, the different cars, trucks and vehicles that were there I started promising to myself that even when I'm sleep deprived from feeding Nathaniel throughout the night, and even when he has thrown up for the 5th, or 6th time, or even when Olivia has accidents during the middle of the night,  or even when Kaleb doesn't "get" his homework to even then cherish my little ones.  To always remember every single day, every hour and every minute that my children are a gift from God.  That I am so lucky to have them.  That they are super precious to me!


Thank you Max for the light you have shined upon my light.  

Nathaniel was in pure heaven driving

Nathaniel honking the horn of a Hummer

Olivia thanking this gentleman for serving our country

Olivia driving the mini coupe

Beautiful classic car

Nathaniel taking a turn

Olivia driving the cement truck

What a fun time for the kids and enlightening time for me.  I love you my babies!