Monday, August 31, 2009

Happy 40th

Hubby's 40th Birthday coincided with our trip to San Diego. Sadly, we could only spend the morning with him as our flight back to VA was an afternoon departure. On his birthday eve, we spent time decorating the hotel room, relaxing in the hotel jacuzzi, and going out for dessert at a favorite restaurant...Bucca Di Beppo. It was not how I originally envisioned celebrating his BIG 4-0, however, under the circumstances, I think it was marked in a memorable way.


Hotel Decorations

Opening Cards
Hubby and Little Man B

Daddy's Girl

Little Dude M

Crashed Moloko Men

She's Something Fierce!

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."

I came across this quote about 2o years ago and it truly resonates. Growing up as a military dependent and now being a military spouse, I have had the opportunity to meet some truly amazing individuals and families. It is never easy to pack up and move every three years as most often you are having to say "goodbye" to the friends you have made and more often than not, become part of the family.

Last summer as we departed our beloved Okinawa, we had to say "Sayonara" to some great neighbors, the Hardings. Todd and Erin, along with their kids Taryn and Ian, were extremely generous, hospitable, and just plain "Awesome." It was tough knowing the endless afternoons spent in the communal backyard, playing on the swing set, eating popsicles, hopping from house to house, and sipping Sangria and Beer would be a thing of the past. Treasured memories and promises of seeing one another in the future made the "goodbye" easier.
Proud to be Erin's friend

Fast forward to July 2009, we learn that Erin was hit by a drunk driver while on her bike. She sustained injuries to her hip, back and pelvis. Next thing we know, Erin, a tri-athelete, was going to be medevac'd to San Diego for further observations, surgeries, and rehabilitation. Todd and the kids quickly packed up the house and moved to San Diego within 12 days of Erin's accident. I must mention that a move to and from Okinawa is no easy task with two able bodied adults, however, under these circumstances it was an incredible amount of energy and effort expended on Todd's account!

With our trip to San Diego planned, I was so psyched that we would have the opportunity to see Erin and reconnect. Although, a hospital setting was not what either of us had imagined when we said goodbye last summer, it was such a blessing to have the opportunity to see her ALIVE after such a horrifying accident. As
Erin recuperates from six surgeries in 5+ weeks, Todd and the kids are trying to get settled into a "new" home and become familiar with a new city. Fortunately, San Diego is a great place to be relocated and I continue to pray that Erin will be able to join her family at home real soon!

The Moloko kids have LOVED Ms. Erin from day one. She is tough, strong and determined...their definition of FIERCE. She continually surprises those in the medical community with her perseverance and stamina. She is already up on her feet and learning to walk again. Amazing! When visiting Erin, she let the kids color on her back brace. They felt honored that they were the first and it was a "highlight" of our San Diego adventure.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Surprise!

Last Friday, I had the priviledge of surprising the Moloko munchkins. On the way home from picking up the Little Dudes from Bug Camp, I said "Kids, when we get home, pack your backpacks. We are going on a
roadtrip." The stunned looks from the munchkins were priceless along with their responses of "Are you serious?" and "Are you joking?"

Quickly the backpacks were packed and we were headed on our "road trip." The destination was an unknown and I was hoping to keep it a secret as long as I could. Our first stop was the hotel and then the next was to drop the car off at the airport. Immediately, the kids were thrilled to know a plane trip was part of the adventure, however, the 0530 departure the following morning was not celebrated, especially by me! As we were returning to the hotel, the munchkins were persistent with their inquiries as to where we were going. Italy, France, Nevada and Texas were mentioned and I gave no clues.

As we headed for the airport, they were excited and started inquiring as to whether it was one flight or if we had any connections. Once again, I diverted my answers. As we arrived at the gate, Big Sister quickly noted Los Angeles was where we were headed and the Little Dudes quickly asked about the 5 hour flight. Upon arrival in LA, we had less than 30 minutes to catch our connecting flight. When Big Sister determined San Diego was our destination, she was excited! Visiting the Hardings (dear old neighbors) and Legoland were the first two things she mentioned. On the plane as the flight attendant mentioned San Diego, Little Dude M was psyched. He too mentioned the Harding family! Little Man B kept covering his ears. He truly wanted it to be a surprise.

We arrived safely in San Diego, but, that was not the last of the surprises. Unbeknownst to the munchkins, Hubby was flying in to meet us from a three week business trip in Hawthorne, Nevada. Hubby has been traveling most of the summer and was going to be in San Diego on business, so, we decided to use some frequent flier miles and join him in San Diego for a mini-vacation. We caught up with Hubby waiting for the car rental shuttle. The kids were tickled and Hubby & I truly enjoyed planning and executing this adventure.


Sustenance

M-Man

B-Man

Lunch at Jack in the Box

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Mom will you take my picture?

Usually, when the words "Will you take my picture?" are uttered, I run for the camera. The munchkins are my favorite subjects and when they willingly ask for a photo, I oblige. However, I usually know that some costume, crazy expression, or prop will be in the picture too. I thought today's photo subjects were actually pretty creative.
Big Sister's homemade paper & twisty-tie glasses
Love how the frames match her eyes!


After dinner, Little Dude B disappeared and when he emerged, he was ready for his photoshoot.
Happy Lego Creator!
Note, the reflection on the table. Little Dude B pronounced this his "reflecting pool!"

Introducing Zile

About three weeks ago, I called Hubby over to see a tree frog crawling on our 2nd story deck door. I was amused by the little guy. He obviously was lost. Right? Or so I thought. It seems, my webbed little friend has taken up permanent residence on the deck. Every morning when I head outside to water the potted basil plant and my "Mother's Day Marigolds", I find him perched on a railing or hanging just inside the rim of the marigold pot. The munchkins look forward to seeing him and are crushed if he does not emerge. I have to admit, I am disappointed too!


Zile

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Too Quiet

This house is NEVER, let me repeat NEVER quiet when all three of the Moloko siblings are home. Big Sister is usually flitting about in perpetual motion, repeatedly singing the same song lyric, or carrying on a never-ending conversation. The Little Dudes are usually engaged in some Lego scenario or matchbox race with sound effects at one decibel level...LOUD.

The other morning there was this eerie quiet. I was in the kitchen and the usual white noise of lively children was not present. I decided to head upstairs to see exactly what the munchkins were doing. What I found tickled me so...

Light Bright Cube

Focused

Note hand placement & facial expressions...still taken by their "twin-ness"

Happy Siblings!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Flowered Landing

As we were emerging from an errand the other day, Big Sister jumped out of the car and was frantically running around the driveway. I was not certain what she was up to as she then said "Do you have your camera Mom? Oddly enough, I had my camera in my purse. She was trying to catch the beautiful specimen pictured below.


This colorful butterfly flitted around my neighbor's flower bed for quite some time. Luckily for me, it opened its wings just as I was snapping the photos.