the little things

I have to share with you this little piece of heaven that came in the mail last week.

I'm not much of an internet shopper. In fact I think I can count on one hand the number of things that I've bought online that didn't come from Amazon or Ebay. I'm always a little leary about ordering things that I can't see for myself or try on or what have you. But I saw it on the View and then again on 20/20...so I ordered it.

I have to say that it totally lives up to the hype. Totally.

Thankful

I feel like the hugest weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I don't even think I realized how much it was on my mind until the doctor said "benign" and I immediately felt such a relief!

So the kids and I were in the car after school today and instead of going home I said "lets go fly a kite".

And we did. And it was so much fun!












It was a good day :)

relief

It was a cyst. A harmless cyst.

phew.

My dog, the anti lab

It was hot this weekend. Not warm. Hot. The thermometer in my car said it was 96 degrees when we got to the t-ball field and I couldn't help feeling like we must've left spring somewhere and picked up an early dose of summer. I'm not complaining, really, but that's only because it's supposed to cool down by midweek and a few days of hot is totally manageable.

So we did what lots of people do when it gets hot in the valley...we headed to the beach. But we tried something new.

The dog beach.

Now we go to the dog park pretty often and Oakley could pretty much take it or leave it. She doesn't really play with the other dogs. She usually just sticks by my side or runs around with the boys. But we keep going...mostly because we (humans) like to watch all of the other dogs play, and partly because I keep hoping maybe she'll learn something from them (like how to play fetch and how it requires bringing the ball back...not just running to it and then back again or not running at all).

I should also note that she's not a fan of water.

Why then, you might ask, would you take your dog to the dog beach which is by nature full of other dogs and water?

Cause it was fun!

Just maybe not for the uh, dog.

I tried to tell her that it was supposed to be fun...that some dogs actually enjoy it.



But after a wave surprised her she just watched in disgust from safer ground.



(I suppose it's a little like someone trying to convince me that rollercoasters are fun)


She hated the sand, the ocean, the other dogs sniffing her butt. I don't think she particularly liked the 45 minute drive or the bath she got when we got home.

In fact I think she hates me a little right now.

Luckily she's a dog, and she'll have forgiven me by breakfast tomorrow.

And I promised her that the next time we go to the dog beach we'll go dog less.

Personally, I love the beach.

and the hits just keep on coming

So, I'm just sitting here enjoying a quiet Saturday afternoon. The boys are at their grandparents doing yard work (which is basically their favorite pastime...and it tires them out- win win situation) so I'm reading my new book and really getting into the story and my cell phone rings.

It's Bridget.

One of my very closest friends in the world.

We're chit chatting light heartedly about nothing for a few minutes and suddenly the mood changes she says "I have to tell you something"

knot. stomach.

And the "something" she tells me is that she's getting deployed.

To Iraq.

(she's a reservist in the Navy)

Now I know that there are blogs about politics, about wars, and about certain presidents that suck and I really don't want this to be one of them.

But, I also really don't want Bridget to go to Iraq.

And I wish I didn't go see Stop Loss last night. Really regretting that decision right now.

And now I want to vomit.

Disneyland

Besides the fact that it took 4 attempts to get the IV in, everything went smoothly today. Once the IV was in, it stayed put. The lump is gone. They'll test it and I should have results by next week.

Onto a happier subject.

Here's a story in pictures of our wonderful trip to Disneyland/California Adeventure last week. We had a blast! It was the first time for the two littlest kids (Carlos and Emma...my cousins from Albuquerque), which made it a little more magical and special. They were in heaven.

Ya gotta start the day nice and clean!


Next stop, the hotel lobby...we're getting closer...


Kill time with your friends while you wait for the tram.



(shake that booty, Mckay!)

Short little ride from the hotel


Grab a buddy and in we go...


We made it!


Our tour guide showed us where to go first


along the way we said hi to some new friends.






and had fun with our old ones.












rode some rides






ate a bunch of junk food










and tried to stay hydrated







We watched some parades






and the Playhouse Disney show







and there's a slight chance someone took too many pictures






It was a much needed little vacation!!