I came across this poem today while looking for inspiration for mamasurfs.com. This poem reminds me so much of our special little beachside bench that we’ve spent so many afternoons gazing out at the sea, people watching and just being together. It’s places like this that keep us grounded and connected to one another. It seems that no matter what is going on in our lives, what changes we are anticipating, what we’re working through or celebrating, there is always this bench to come to and just “be”. How lucky we are to have a secret little spot not so hidden amongst the chaos of a busy beach town!

Beach Chairs

Sitting on the beach chairs

watching the setting sun

holding hands and reminiscing

how it all begun

Sitting on the beach chairs

watching the ships out on the sea

holding hands and smiling

together we’re meant to be

Sitting on the beach chairs

watching people walking past

holding hands and knowing

that our love will always last

Sitting on the beach chairs

watching the waves along the shore

holding hands we realize

our love is stronger than before

Sitting on the beach chairs

watching the changing tide

holding hands with happiness

to be by each others side

-Joyce Ebrecht

It’s a boy!

Unlike the last visit he wasn’t very active today and spent the majority of the appointment sleeping on his belly. The doctor kept bouncing the ultrasound thing on Heather’s stomach to get him to move around and he barely budged at all. Hopefully that sound sleeping carries on after birth!

Here are the latest shots. He’s kind of in that awkward stage where he looks like a cross between a monkey and a starving ethiopian, but we still love him and can’t wait to watch him grow!

Even though he was still most of the time he still took the opportunity to show us his dancing moves again (almost looks like he’s doing a touchdown celebration!):

It’s funny how the older you get the more the simple things bring joy to your life. The fancy dinners, the new cars, the must-have gadgets, the latest gossip… they all seem to fade from memory quickly with little lasting benefit.

Whether it’s enjoying a drink over sunset, a barbeque at the park, a new hike, catching some waves with good friends, collecting shells, or feeding acorns and bread to happy little squirrels and chicks, just thinking back on the moments makes us smile and reaffirms you don’t need all that other stuff.

You have 24 hours in a day. Even if you spend 8 of them sleeping and 8 of them working, you’ve still got another 8 left to spare. Find the little things that bring a smile to your face and get out there and do at least one of them daily. If you can’t find the time it’s time to reorganize your priorities and get your life back on a healthy track. Figure out what’s important to you and cut out all that other crap.

I know a lot of you are thinking, “That’s easy for you to say you live in Hawaii!” But we used to live in California. Moving to Hawaii was a decision we had to make in the process of organizing our priorities. If you can’t do the things that make you happy in the place you live, it’s time to pack up your bags and find a new place to call home. Nothing is worth letting life’s best moments pass you by!

Here’s a collection of happy moments from our camping trips in California and Kauai:

Our little gummy was bouncing all over the place but never gave us a clear shot of the goods. We and two docs have thought we saw a “Tim” but then another doctor came in and said it looks like it’s a girl (good thing the baby doesn’t have an ego yet…). One more month and we’ll know for sure!

Here’s a video and a few photos to tie you over until our next appointment:

We took so many photos between our California road trip and Seth and Erin’s wedding that we had to leave a chunk of our files on a computer on the West Coast. We’re working out how to get these pictures so we can properly blog obout our fun road trip while back home but don’t know when that will happen. Here’s what we were up to in a nutshell:

Flew into San Jose and crashed at the Los Gatos house for the last time (it sold!!!)

Drove down to San Luis Obispo for Jaime and Steve’s wedding

Wedding rehearsal dinner that same night

WEDDING DAY! Complete with manicures and pedicures for the girls

Camping in Montana De Oro

Drove up to Big Sur and camped at Plastkett Creek

Continued our drive up the coast and were rained out

Drove to Santa Cruz and “camped” at the beach house

Drove to Carmel

Seth and Erin’s rehearsal Dinner

Seth and Erin’s Welcome Dinner/Indian Food Truck NIght

WEDDING!!!!

Drove to Vacaville for Memorial Day service and Connor’s 2nd birthday

FLEW HOME!

Fun but exhausting huh?

There is so much to write about from Seth and Erin’s beautiful Carmel Valley wedding that I don’t know where to start. The location (Holly Farms) was absolutely “them” with it’s twisted, magical paths that led you to new areas to discover, an eclectic decor that represents their well traveled and funky style, and just an all around fun atmosphere. The entire weekend was perfectly Seth and Erin down to the catered Indian Food truck, Bali dance videos, eggplant sandwich appetizers and a dance floor full of sweaty costumed family and friends. We have a bazillion photos to share but will start with just one to really set the tone….

Despite the throw up, split lip incident and blow out diapers I battled today at work I still love my job. I feel so very fortunate to have finally found a school Ohana and am desperately trying to remind myself of this today after such a challenging, tear filled (mine and the babes) afternoon of ups and down. Not only do our parents show us their appreciation with morning malasadas, afternoon cupcake surprises, donated materials and time in the classroom but we also have a formal Teacher Appreciation Week. Seriously how sick is that? It breaks down a little something like this:

Monday: Teacher breakfast buffet

Tuesday: Flower Day where each child brings a flower for their teacher to create a beautiful mixed bouquet. I especially loved this because it was as unique as each of their little personalities and who doesn’t love flowers?!

Wednesday: Teacher lunch buffet

Thursday: Teacher Favorite things basket

Friday: A surprise put on by the school director for all the teachers

Umm can you say SPOILED? Yeah, even on days like today I still feel pretty lucky. Not only do I get to work with a great group of women but I get to love on and snuggle five little ones who can’t ever seem to get enough kisses or tickles Not a bad gig….