Traveling Well

Hello There Beloved Reader

Please give me a minute while I dust off the cobwebs from this here bloggy poo. 

We hit the ground running as the school year wrapped up for my Fab 4. There was the usual end of the school year fanfare with graduations, concerts, award ceremonies, birthday parties etc...blah blah blah

And then it was time for the long awaited trip to the PNW.

This trip was like the trophy after a long tiring marathon that my Fab 4 earned this year as they transitioned from living in Redmond, Washington to Reno, Nevada.

We all couldn't wait to see sights like this...

Sigh.

The above photograph was taken at Cannon Beach where the classic 80's movie The Goonies was filmed.

So we of course had to take our own Goonies epic photograph.

Aren't my Goonies, I mean my Fab 4 so cute?

I read this quote shortly after we arrived home from our trip, it says;

"It is better to travel well, than to arrive."

Buddha

It resonates with me because often times I can just be all about getting somewhere instead of just enjoying the ride.

As any parent I'm sure can attest, you really do just want to get there sometimes when you've been stuck in a car for umpteen hours with kids.

But, when we arrived here, my friend who lives in Astoria Oregon said to me, 

"Don't Rush!" 

Her comment stopped my vacation pace in it's fast paced tracks, and I thought to myself... yea Don't Rush man, Er... Yer on Vacation Dammit !!

Breathe deep this view.

That is one, of the many things I appreciate about driving old VW's, is that they cause you to slow down and enjoy the view.

And what a great view I have.

My view on this trip was not only filled with beautiful scenery that the PNW always provides, but it was overflowing with the people that make any and all places on this earth worth the trip.

Cousin Alison, Cousin Jeananne and the whole Pellant crew,Vita, Tia Andre, Promise, Samantha, Niki, Jentry and her girls, Uncle John, Amoure and Kalie, Tasha, Papa Russ, Gramma B, and Great Gramma... that means YOU!!

From my oldest to my youngest...

To my middles in between ...

There was nothing but breath taking views on this trip.

We had a wonderful time in Portland, Astoria, and Medford Oregon, and then of course our old hometown of Redmond Washington and Seattle.  It was SO great to see family and friends and how life has changed over the course of this year in the PNW. There were memories made that I will treasure and I know my Fab 4 will too, as we head back into the busy months of the school year.
And I can't say thank you enough to all who made this trip so special; Cousin Alison, Cousin Jeananne and the whole Pellant crew,Vita, Tia Andre, Promise, Samantha, Niki, Jentry and her girls, Uncle John, Amoure and Kalie, Tasha, Papa Russ, Gramma B, and Great Gramma.
We love you all so much.  You made the PNW view that much grander. 

Coming To A Close

Hello There Beloved Reader. As we are wrapping up the school year over here I'm doing that thing that I do when I get all sentimental and stuff.
Are there anymore participants that would like to join me on this little journey down sentimental lane? O.k. grab a box of kleenex and let's go!

When we began the school year this year my Fab 4 were the "new kids" as we had just moved back from Seattle WA, to Reno NV. We started the year with one in H.S. two in Middle School and one in Elementary school. That's three schools full of strangers. And just so we are clear,   that's three drop offs and three pick ups  everyday.
The first few days of school in August were quite emotional for them all because they headed into the unknown without each other, and without  a single, solitary friend. Not one single person who knew them. When we moved to WA almost 5 years ago they were all at the same elementary school.  I believe with all my heart that was a gift from God. Emma was in 6th grade, Chloe in 4th, Solomon in 2nd and Isaiah had just started Kindergarten.
I was SO grateful at that time that even though no one else knew them, they had each other.
To be known is a treasure that cannot be overrated.
Coming back here though they were all spread out, and seemingly alone. I remember the first week, needles to say, there were lots of tears shed as they came home to describe a school environment that was quite different than the one they had known in Washington. We managed to push through to the sunny side of the street, and they all are stronger for it, but as the momma bear, I'm not gonna lie,  it was hard to watch sometimes.
There were some mornings that I felt just like it did when they let go with their teeny tiny hand and headed off to the big bad world of kindergarten. You know that moment when you hold your breath and once again trust that this life won't break them? I relied heavily upon this scripture;
"Fear not for I am with you even to the end of the age."
Even to High School. Even to Middle School. Even to the 4th grade.
My two "middles" as I call them, tugged at my heart strings more than any other.  They were the ones that wanted to stay in Washington. They were the ones who LOVED where we lived. They are the ones who are a tad bit more on the introverted side. And  They are the ones who shed the most tears that first week. I can honestly say they are my heroes.  I can' t even imagine starting middle school as the newbies.
When I read the quote below the other day it made me think of them.

“Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.”  Mary Anne Radmacher
For that is exactly what they did.  They kept getting up day after day and making their way through halls where no one called out there name or greeted them at the door. I'm beyond proud of them as you can clearly hear in my writing, but more than pride I feel grateful. They are their own people. I can't take credit for the behavior that they exhibit or who God created them to be. So, more than pride I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude.
Gratitude for  who they have been, who they will become  and  who they are.
Also I'm a tad bit excited and grateful that  SCHOOLS OUT!!! Let the fun summer memories begin.  

Spring Break 2014

Today marked the end of Spring Break for our camp and I have to say I'm a tad bit bummed.  I gotta tell ya, it has been so nice to have the extra time with my Fab 4.  We actually got two weeks for Spring Break this year. Can't I get a Whoop Whoop!! I enjoy hanging out with my Fab 4 so much. Sometimes I wonder why I share them with the rest of the world, ever?  I suppose it wouldn't be healthy if I did keep them all to myself, like the mom in Tangled. "Mother knows best listen to your Mumzy!"  Ha ha, that song just popped into my head right now.  Scurry.  (Insert emoticon with a straight face and eyes wide open) 00 - Before you go calling CPS know that I have in FACT, been sharing my kiddos and plan to continue sharing them, it's just sometimes when I look at them I think that mom in the Disney movie Tangled might have been on to something. I digress. For the first part of our Spring Break we traveled to Paradise, CA. where my Aunt Linda and Uncle Gene live.

The above pic was taken from their front porch. I haven't been there in years because it was a bit too far to travel from WA. but from NV it's only about a 3 hour drive and I plan on making it lots more in the future. It was a wonderful time with family and my eldest Spawn even did some recording with her band called  In Between Simple. If I knew how to share the songs here believe me, I would but alas... I am just not that tech savy. I need to figure that out, because I am their biggest fan.  Gotta promote ya know !

While I was there, I drank out of that mug up there. It belongs to my Aunt Linda and it was my favorite mug in her cupboard because of the saying on it. I prayed that prayer the entire time I was there and hope to pray it the rest of my life.  "Lord help me to see thing through Your eyes!" I really do wish it was possible to keep that perspective all the time. So often I get caught up in things that don't really matter.  Things that in comparison to eternity, the bigger picture, just won't even register on my radar. Oh, to be always seeing things through the eyes of Jesus. Speaking of seeing things through Jesus eyes, the tail end of our Spring Break I had the immense pleasure of taking my girls to a Joyce Meyer Conference in Sacramento. (More on this later)

As long as I live on this planet there will never, ever be a better place for me than in the House of God with all His thousands of kids praising him. I love, love, love to hear the people of God come together and give glory to the King of Kings. 

There truly is nothing greater, except maybe seeing your children praise the King with all their hearts, souls, and minds.

I can't get over how my girls have grown and right before my eyes turned into two of my most favorite young women to hang out with. I love to hear how they think and what their dreams are. My cup overflows with joy for the memories we were able to make over the past two weeks.  And as they headed back out into the world today, I thought of how fast the time is flying by. They only have 59 more days of this school year. That's just nutts!!  Why do I torture myself with thoughts like this.  It's a snowball, one finished Spring Break turns into their Graduation which then turns into a Wedding Day, and so on and so forth. When they all stepped out of the car this morning... I might have shed a tear like the day when they first went off to Kindergarden.  I'm not gonna lie, I think I did. But, hey I warned you... I'm a sentimental heart. I can't help myself.  The important thing to remember is that I didn't lock them in a tower ;)

A Hot Smokey Minute

It has been a HOT minute, a very HOT and SMOKEY minute since I have been here with you beloved reader.  But, here I am, and all I can think to talk about is how grateful I am that the smokey grey skies have cleared for a minute.

  Sheesh! I suppose that was one weather element I completely blocked out of my memory in regard to Nevada.   Forest fires in the summer= Grey skies and below healthy breathing standards. I'm pretty sure I blocked it out because it's traumatic! Also, don't forget I tend to be a bit on the dramatic side.

 
The grey skies I can handle and actually enjoy, but the smell of campfire smoke and canceled sporting events ... NOT SO MUCH!! The smoke filled skies sure do make for some awesome pics though wouldn't you agree?
So at least there's that :/
Aside from the silly weather topic and hundreds of acres of land being burned to a crisp, I really don't know what to tell you.  

Oh... I know...
The fact that summer is almost over. Can I get a big Whahhh Whaaahh I don't wanna!!   Let's recap this summer for the MoNoSco clan shall we;
School released in Washington June 22nd so there were lots of goodbyes, and last visits with besties before...
Noël and 4 kids and two dogs(The Giant was already in NV) move to Nevada June 25th.
We made a pit stop in one of my favorite places with some of favorite people.

Such a good looking gang up there in that pic. Does my heart good to see my kids with one of my soul sisters kids. It is truly a gift. 
It was a 14 hour car ride very uneventful except for how the Red Bulls toward the end of the trip were making this Momma a lil Cray Cray!! Those energy drinks really do a number on me.
 So, Kids and Dogs safely reunite with Our Giant and we spend the week out at David Walleys with the family. The pic below is me and my siblings. I'm there in the middle like it should be. Man, I really love my brothers and sisters.  I'm one blessed woman. 

We were in Beautiful Genoa Nevada.  If you have never been... put it on your places to go. It is a natural Hot Springs resort here in lil ole NV that is truly one of a kind.

Then Noël and the Giant fly back up to Washington to do phase 2 of the move and we all know where this story goes....

Broken Uhaul trailers can drive one or even TWO grown adults to have some crazy behavior. Our behavior in the above pic is just one example. It is also quickly becoming one of my all time favorite pics.
So even though we went bat shit crazy on that car ride home due to multiple break downs the story... It has a happy ending.


Finally arrive safely and have a big welcome back 4th of July bash with family and friends. 
And then begins the REAL fun that we had to cram into only 4 weeks time.

  Parties, visitors, Lake Days, Water Parks, Movies, Birthdays, more visitors, Virginia City,

 
sleep overs, More Birthdays, lots of BBQ'in , more visitors, and finally August rolls around and it's back to school ...
SAY  WHA???

That's right school started here in Nevada August 12th, and No they didn't take into account that the MoNoSco clan JUST got out of school... OR That we had just moved here.... OR That we weren't nearly even remotely ready to begin school.
My Fab 4 headed off to new schools like the champs they are.  Bringing light and joy in every room cause that's how we Do it!!   Don't even get this sentimenatal momma started on how she feels about having one High Schooler, Two Middle schoolers, and only ONE... ONLY ONE in Elementary school now!! SO not OKAY!!
And somewhere in between all of that madness we(I mean MY Giant) did a whole lotta this:

Yea he's pretty much a bad ass!!

So is the fella who got this ink ;)

And in case you were wondering I'm pretty much spending all my free time here,Marked Studios there, and everywhere like all moms, wives, women in general seem to manage life.

But it's all a part of this beautiful life that 

I'm feeling blessed to live.

I hope you had a wonderful summer and that you have a fantastic Labor Day weekend. 

All the hard work of the year can wait, go have some fun this weekend !

Thanks for stopping by.

Random Saturday Night Letters

Dear Summer 2012,
I will miss you. You were relaxing, mellow, and warm just the way a summer should be. With 41 dry days recorded here in the Seattle area, you were record breaking and  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Dear MY Giant, Could you please refrain from answering business calls when we are on a date. The world will go on if you don't answer, I promise. I love you and You're HOT!

Dear Bella,

Could you please remember to not get any cuter, and naughtier at the same time.

I really don't understand how this is possible, but somehow you have managed to dupe us all these past six years. Also is it really true that you need sunscreen while you are laying out like this?

Dear Blog Link Ups

I am sorry I have failed you.

I will try to stay more consistent in the future.

Please, don't quit me.

Dear Flowers that grow along the road side,

There are no words to describe to you

how grateful this native born desert girl is grateful

for you. You fill my heart with joy, my life with pleasure.

Dear Blackberries,

Do you even know how happy I am that I can walk outside my front door, on any given Saturday morning and put YOU in my pancakes.

Nom. Nom.

Dear Butterfly,

You landed on my hat the other day while I was just sitting there enjoying another beach day. 

You made me think of my favorite movie,

You've Got Mail.

Hat+Butterfly= Quote From My Favorite Movie.

Dear Fab 4, 

You are growing up way too fast.

Please stop that.

Thanks for still indulging your mother in silly games like "Who can blow the biggest bubble?"

And I LOVE YOU.

A Quote

I'd Like to Be as Good as My Dog thinks I am.

I am convinced that in my dogs eyes I can do wrong. They all love me unconditionally because I feed them, walk them, play ball with them and pet them. That's all they need to think

SHE IS GOOD.


As Rich as my kids think I'm.

I remember when my mom would say, "Do you think the money grows on trees?" There was a time that I thought it did. There was a moment when the rising cost of gas, a loaf of bread, and a gallon of milk meant nothing to me. Gone are the days. Still in my children's eyes...

I AM RICH.



And be as beautiful as my mother thinks I am.

This week when I was at bible study the ladies where talking about mothers day and of course about their own mothers. There were a couple of women who mentioned that the first thing to come out of their moms mouths, after not seeing them in a while was the fact that they had gained weight or what they were wearing. I spoke up and said, my mom is the complete opposite. She is the ultimate encourager. I jokingly said that it's like "Good job breathing, Good job walking, Good Job being YOU!" Every single time I am with her, I walk away feeling like a million bucks, and that I could conquer the world if I wanted to. Don't worry, I don't want to conquer the world. Don't know what I do with the world if I did conquer it, but that's a good question for another day. All that to say that in MY mothers eyes...

I AM BEAUTIFUL.

My next link up party for "Letters To My Pets" will be June 1st and will run a month long. Be sure to grab a button. Start writing your letter to your pets for the month of June :) and join me right back here in precisely 14 days.






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Happy Easter 2012

Life.

Is.

Beautiful.

Mother of 4

I cannot even begin to tell you the exhaustion that a mother of four feels everyday. Some days are better than others, but most days I find myself from sun up until sun down yawning.

“To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today”
- Anonymous

It comforts me to know that there are others out there who have survived this mothering gig. Not only survived, but thrived. Those of you who have gone before me, your smile is the light at the end of my very tired tunnel.

“The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day.”
- O. A. Battista


I liken somewhat this exhaustion to back in college when you never have a free moment. Not really. I mean Spring Break is just the exhale of a very long plight of work, study, work, study. And really, those that make the best students, the ones with the shining GPA's are ones that DON'T exhale come Spring Break. That nagging voice that says, even though you don't have homework, you could always be studying. It's kinda like that, only not really.

“If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”
- Abigail Van Buren


There is always something, or someone who is in need of you. And this is the part that really baffles me because, I am the mom who is pro independence. I'm NOT the mom who is wiping the butts of 5 year olds. NOPE! As soon as my kids could manage, even remotely the task at hand they were on their own. Might sound harsh, but that's how I roll!

“Parents need to fill a child’s bucket of self-esteem so high that the rest of the world can’t poke enough holes to drain it dry.”
- Alvin Price


Granted, I mean I don't make them go out and get a job once they hit double digits, but they certainly earn their keep around here. Especially that guy up there. It is mandatory that he pay me in hugs and kisses on a regular basis.

“Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.”
- C. Everett Koop

One of my favorite quotes from the movie Martian Child is when Joan Cuszak says to her brother in the movie and in real life, "The thing about kids is that they just keep coming at 'cha." No truer words. I am convinced that the person who said this famous quote was a parent, "If it's not one thing, it's another."


And for all the yawns, all the sleepless nights, all the hair-pulling moments, all the messes, there is nothing in the whole wide world that could make me want my life to be any different.

My children, My Fab 4, truly are my life's greatest work!