Get Thee to Gap

And buy these shorts. It's been years since I've been able to find flattering, modest "girl shorts", so I've been slumming it in skirts and dude shorts, and feeling supremely lurpy as a result. I went to the Gap committed to find some capris and shorts that would be flattering. Ding ding ding! $22 each, I scored 3 pair in royal blue, khaki, and black. There was a pair in maroon, that I'm thinking seriously about going to back to get. Anyway. Go to The Gap. Buy these, and then thank me later.

Benjamin's Baseball Game

Tanning while "watching" the game. :)

Happy to be alive

Saturday we went to Benjamin, Jason's nephew's, baseball game. It was in Pleasant Hill, so it was a perfect excuse to drive past Domenico's and get a delicious sammie. I had the Parma Ham on Potato Rosemary with Grilled Eggplant, Tomato, Spring Greens, and Roasted Red Pepper Mayo. Jason had the Grilled Chicken Breast with Fresh Mozzarella and Balsamic Vinegar, Pesto Mayo, Lettuce and Tomato on Sweet Square. Truly delicious and amazing.

We made our way over to the baseball game just in time to see Benjamin hit a 3 run scoring triple. Hazen had a great time playing with the neices and nephews, I had a good time sleeping in the sun, and Jason enjoyed the Sammies. After the game, we headed home for naps and relaxing.

We're so excited for the time when Hazen is old enough to be in sports. I think that he'll be so good at it, and we're excited to cheer for our little athlete.

Vacation: Day 2

On Friday of our vacation we got a late start to the day. Once we showered, and were ready to walk out the door, it was nearly 12:30. We started off by going to Chevy's for lunch, as it's Jason's favorite place ever. I was incredibly disappointed in my meal, and actually had to send it back, but Jason loved his, which is the important thing, right? Hazen ate his weight in carbs, which I don't love, but at least he ate. After we went to Chevy's, we drove around Danville for a little while, and then made our way over to Walnut Creek. I wanted to do some shopping in Broadway Plaza, and the weather was perfect. We went to H&M, where I was able to find some fabulous deals. After that, we just walked around, until Hazen had the most epic meltdown to date. We decided to forego his naptime, which was a big fat mistake. When it came time to leave a fountain by H&M, he about lost it. 45 minutes of crying and whimpering later, he finally calmed down. It wasn't without people giving us many looks of concern- why weren't we doing anything to fix our child???

A cookie and 2 bottles of water from Starbucks later, he was just fine. We finished up our shopping, and went to Whole Foods to get a cake to take to Ken and David's house for dinner. Once we got there, Hazen was in full play mode! It always is a little stressful for me to take Hazen places that aren't inherently "child friendly", but he actually did a good job with not breaking anything! It cracks me up- Ken doesn't change his persona one bit- not even with babies. He's no nonsense, and to the point. It's hilarious though. David was down on the floor jumping around with Hazen and chasing him around the house. I love them! We had delicious Hamburgers for dinner, and enjoyed conversation out on the patio for a long time. By the time that Hazen was getting ready for bed, I was so tired and my eyes were so worn out that I could hardly see straight. It was a great day, and I was grateful for the opportunity to spend it with people that I love so much.

A Life-Changing Man

We could have gone anywhere for our school break, but we decided to go to California because of a very important celebration that was to be happening. My choir teacher from High School, Mr. Abrams was celebrating his 25th anniversary of teaching at San Ramon, and there was to be a celebratory concert and reception in his honor. I didn't know how I could possibly not go, as his influence in my life has been something that will stick with me forever.


It was just as wonderful as I could have hoped for. There were a few of the alumni that I graduated with, but most importantly, I was reminded at why Abram's is so amazing, talented, and why having him in my life in High School changed me the way that it did. Towards the end of the concert, he lined the Seniors up, and sat them down to teach them some "life lessons". These lessons so perfectly outlined the core values that are so intrinsic to the way I lead my life today.

-Take care of yourself. First impressions are vital. If you treat yourself like you like who you are, people will like you
-Don't procrastinate. When do you, things are apt to not be done to your full potential.
-When you do things, do them right. Your name is associated with your actions, and you need to honor and respect your name if you want people to respect you
-When you do things, and do a good job, be sure to take a good, long bow.

There were a few other things that he said that unfortunately can't remember right now, but I found myself with tears in my eyes as I listened to a man that I respect so immensely speak.

Friday night, we went to Ken and David's house for a BBQ. They had never met Hazen, and I wanted them to meet my greatest work. While we were there, I was so happy to be with people that I love so much. Ken pushed me SO HARD while I was in High School, but he saw the potential that I possessed, and he wouldn't let me rest until I achieved it. There were many tears that I shed because of him, but at the end of the day, the influence that he had on me is one that even 7 years later, I still feel just as strongly as I did the days that I sat in his classroom. He has shown me the importance of finding something that is important to you, and doing it. He illustrates what can happen when you find a job that you love, and that makes your life better. It reminded me WHY I work so hard at school. One day, being a NICU nurse is what is going to enrich my days, and I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful example of that in my life.

I am so grateful to have both Ken and David in my life. They are such wonderful men that I love dearly. I hope that everyone is as lucky as I've been to have such an incredible role-model in my intrinsic growing up years.

Leaving on A Jet Plane

For our "end of semester treat", I booked a flight for the family to go to Northern California. Finals finished on Wednesday, and on Thursday morning, we were on our way. Hazen has been on a few plane trips in his life, the most recent one a few months ago when he was sick. As he's getting older, I'm learning that I need more and more things to keep him entertained. So, before we got on the plane, I loaded a few episodes of "The Backyardigans" onto Jason's I-Pod, and hoped for the best. It was a total success!!! Other than the fact that Hazen didn't love keeping the headphones in his ears at all times, he loved watching the show. He also was very interested in the "SkyMall" magazine. I suppose we might have to look into some portable ear clippers for his next birthday. At the end of the flight, there were tons of people who commented to us at what a good boy he was on the plane. There wasn't a single cry that escaped him, and other than some serious laughter, he was silent the entire flight. Aren't I lucky to have such a good little boy?

Semester 1 Wrap Up

This semester was so many different things to me. Of course, it was a source of stress, but it was a highway to making so many new friends, an enticement to work hard, and most of all, a reminder of who I was. I am a smart, capable woman who can do things that she puts her mind to.

A week or two before finals, I was about ready to have a mental breakdown. I hadn't done as well on the previous two tests, and I KNEW the information backwards and forward, so I was on the verge of an anxiety attack. I wrote my A&P teacher an email outlining some of my concerns, and he responded with an email that I will have in my binder for the remainder of my schooling. Here are some excerpts:

"I am concerned that you have really put a lot of pressure on yourself to not just do well but to "ace" the class. I think you can "ace" the class but the pressure (and any others that you are dealing with) is what is making the difference. You need to let it go, as you do you will do well. You are very talented. You are also like me a bit too type A for your own good. I know telling you to not stress at finals is a bit like telling a fish it can't have any water...........(other stuff)....I appreciate having students like you that seem to care about learning not just what question am I putting on the test. You will be a great nurse!"

This email literally was the key to helping me snap out of the stress that I had. I was so grateful that he took the time to not only email me, but to talk to me and remind me of the potential that I have.

So, the Semester wrap-up:


Anatomy and Physiology: A-

Lifespan Human Psychology: A

Clinical Calculations: A

All in all; a success.

Naptime

Naptime is the best time of the day. Everyone in the house gets some quiet time, and I'm actually pretty intense about having the TV off, everyone out of the living room, and anyone who is home needs to be in their bedrooms enjoying the beauty that is naptime while it lasts. We don't open the front door, and I try to avoid answering my phone during this time. Hazen has gotten into a less than ideal habit lately, though. He will sleep for about 20 minutes in his crib, and then wakes up crying. I've learned that if I hold him on the couch or in our bed, though, he'll sleep for another 1.5-2 hours.

I kind of recognize that it is a HORRIBLE habit for him to get into, but at the same time, I am realizing that the days of him wanting to sleep with his Mama might be numbered, so with that in mind, I hold him, wrap his little arms around my neck, and utter a prayer of gratitude that I have been blessed with such a sweet little boy. One day, I'll look back on the moments of shared naps, and wish for them to return. Sometimes, when I need some comfort, the best possible thing to give me respite from the world is to tuck in for a little bit of slumber with my little boy. There, we can drift off to dream land together with no worries but how much we love one another.