Anniversary Reflection: 8 years and counting

8 years or 10 years depending on how you look at it.

Anniversary lattes. 

Many of you may know the story of how Mikey and I met. It was pretty much a whirlwind of excitement and childish joy. We both fell fast and hard. Both of us broke other hearts to be together. Seven months later we were engaged. It shocked me. He proposed on next to the cliffs on the beach on a rainy night. Unexpected. Perfect. Romantic. Very romantic by Mikey standards. He did good.

Fast forward and we have been married 8 years as of July 22^nd. Dating 10 years. In that time, we have lived in three homes and made three amazing kids. We have also traveled the world, worked hard at the office and with friendships. We may not have it all just right, but we strive to. We strive to be people first. Spouses second. And parents third. I wrote more about this philosophy here. Many disagree with that philosophy but so far it still serves us.

We celebrated our wedding anniversary with a date night out in Tahoe. These date nights aren't rare, but still cherished. On an anniversary night there is this inherent pressure to make it special. I wish that weren't the case. Mike has always hated “dates.” So early in our relationship, I would just say “Let’s go out dinner” or “Wanna grab a bite to eat” or some other very relaxed way of lets go out just the two of us, for food and company aka a date. This small change in the way I requested a “date” made a big difference and the evening much more successful. I have always wondered why this was the case. In the end, it really doesn't matter why, it matters that I figured out a small piece to the puzzle for a good evening, a good life. Keep it relaxed.

By the way, I am the furthest thing from relaxed. I am high strung. I am realizing how high strung I am more and more every day. Apparently, my normal speed is a 12. I think the scale is supposed to be a 10. Ooops.

Back on track here. Mike has learned about me too.  I’m not sure what tricks he has come up with to help us make each and every day better, but I know he must have his too.

The secret to marriage is not so simple. Anyone you ask will give you different answers. It is fascinating to ask this question to all types of people. Divorced people seem to have the strongest opinions on the matter. People married over 50 years tend to answer in a silly joking manor, rarely offering an actual tip. People in between usually rattle off a list or say something contrived like “A happy wife is a happy home.” Well what exactly does that mean? How do you keep a wife happy? For all the women I know, we are all pretty complex creatures. I wish men luck with that one.

I don’t have any wise words on the secret to a successful marriage. My reflection on the topic is more about celebrating the milestones. Enjoying the day together. Having excitement for the future together.

This week, Mikey and I are going to Portland for a mini vacation, just us. Our plan isn’t much. Lots of walking around the city. Good food. Sleeping in. Maybe a bike ride to one of Mike's favorite brewery. Exploring together. The good life.

Further in the future, we are thinking about a trip to Paris. Maybe for our 10 year wedding anniversary. A romantic place to explore. Just us. That sounds pretty wonderful. Definitely a day I would look forward to. Mike seems to be on board… exciting! 

Why does shopping feel good?

Right. Don’t you feel good while you’re shopping? It could be for food, Christmas presents, personal indulgences, anything. If feels good. Is that a conditioned response? My curiosity is peaked. 

Anyone study psychology in college and have any ideas on why we like to shop?

Here are a few of my recent purchases: 

• Tip from my friend Lori Ann... For Her by Narciso Rodriguez. The scent is nice and clean but sexy too. 
• Must have in my makeup bag: Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer with sunblock. Easy to use and it doesn't feel heavy. 
• The perfect eye shadow: White Peach by Trish McEvoy 

The Family Barn and Paper Puppets

Some of our good friends have a home in an amazing place called Martis Camp. It is truly a dream place. It is kind of like what The Truman Show would have created if they were creating a perfect mountain escape.

For me, the best part of Martis Camp is The Family Barn. It is literally a huge red barn. It is completely designed with the family in mind. It is decked out with a basketball court, bowling alley, art studio with a kiln for pottery, a movie theater, a game room, full dinning, lounge space and full locker rooms. Basically amazing. Simply amazing and every detail is thought out. Not to mention, you step outside to multiple swimming pools appropriate for every age child. It is RAD.

While we were in Tahoe, we got to hang out at the Family Barn with our friends. So fun to hang out with another family on vacation. The part I love most about this place, is it isn’t pretentious. Sure, it is nice and luxurious, but it is relaxed and casual. The day we went, the kids were making puppets in the art studio. Once again, so simple. Isn’t that what family fun is all about? You can do it too… anywhere!!! No Family Barn required. A kitchen table will do just fine. Your kids will LOVE it.

All you need:

• Brown paper bags
• Markers/Crayons
• Buttons
• String
• Glue
• Optional Items: Construction paper, fake flowers, jewels, scissors, sparkles… endless options

Adorable and definitely fun.  

Driving Adventure to Tahoe... a comedy of errors

Our drive to Lake Tahoe wasn't our first family road trip but it was certainly the longest we have taken and the first with baby Hannah. Boy was it an adventure! 

The day started with my wonderful morning glory husband hovering over me saying "It's 2:50. The alarm hasn't gone off yet but I'm ready." I rubbed my eyes and was like... okay. Here we go. So I brushed my teeth, double checked my list of last minute items to grab and started rounding up our sleeping kiddos. 

We were on the road and everyone was awake. That was not the plan. The plan was for them to slip right back into sleep. It took about an hour for them to all sink back into dream land. Then I followed (thank you Mikey). Around 5:30, I felt the car coming to a stop so I stirred. Mike was stopping at Starbucks. I get it, I TOTALLY get it. While Mike was in Starbucks each and every one of our darling sleeping children woke up. Woke up for the day. Bummer. 

Good news, everyone got to see this beautiful sunrise! And we had coffee. And pumpkin loaf. :-) 

Not long after morning snacks were finished we were in the middle of nowhere on the 395. Hadley puked. Big bummer. So we spent about a half hour cleaning her up in this glorious little pull off. 

The kids actually enjoyed the chance to run around in the dirt and breathe fresh air. It was a good break. Hadley felt better so we all hopped back into the car. 

And then we found out, the battery died. Yep. It died. We had left the lights on. We kept all the doors open when we were cleaning up. We had our cell phones plugged in to charge. We drained the battery. Bigger bummer. 

So glorious Lisa, in my Lululemon "mom attire," was flagging down trucks on the side of the 395. Thank God (for that moment, I really did believe in God) a nice family pulled over and happened to have jumper cables. They helped jump the car and we were on our way! Hoooray! 

Around 9:30 we arrived in Bishop, near Mammoth. We stopped at a great bakery that is like an institution in Bishop, Erick Schat's Bakery. It was awesome. We picked up some fresh pastries, another round of espresso for us and juice for the kids. I also got some fresh bread for dinner and fancy beef jerky for the drive. Mike had a conference call with a client at 10, so we headed over to a local park so the kids could run around. 

At the park, the typical kid negotiating commenced. Hadley wanted to watch the kids swimming in the pool and Harrison wanted to feed the ducks in the stream. Both totally cool options in different locations near bodies of water. No bueno. So just as one would predict, I was convincing Hadley to come to the stream and Harrison fell in. Yep. He fell into the f*cking stream! 

He was okay. All was fine. But really?!? Totally soaked kid, husband on the phone, and a 20 pound rolling baby. I totally had it under control. I was cool, calm and very collected. Sort of. Actually not at all. I could just feel my temperature rising. In the end, I figured it out and we all got back in the car even thought Mike was still on the phone. Not ideal, but I was done. I was fried and it was only 10:20 am. 

The rest of the trip was relatively calm. At some point we did realize we completely forgot our bakery goods at the bakery in Bishop. So no fancy beef jerky for us. We stopped about 65 more times to get gas, food, diaper changes and potty breaks. 

We arrived in Incline Village around 2. We made it. It was glorious. 

Conversation with a follower

Recent conversation I had with a follower via email follows. Cracks me up! So grateful someone is out there reading and enjoying. 

Kate Spade: Hello Darling Stationary Set 

Follower: Hello beautiful ! I so terribly miss my daily blog with my espresso in the morning - that's no fair - I am addicted now - I need my fix :) hug ! 

B & B: Hi my darling! I'm so sorry! I have some things to share but we were on vacation in Tahoe. I thought it would be lovely to write there but it was CRAZY with the kiddos! I will get back on the saddle promptly!! 

Follower: Have a great time :).... But come back fast - otherwise I will have no choice to reach for Irish coffee as a substitute - this might get ugly at 6 am 😘

Vacation is Over

Alright, lets just be real. The week after vacation SUCKS! 

Our little family just got back from an awesome 9 day trip to Lake Tahoe. It was amazing. The lake is so beautiful. The kids soaked up the sun, caught crawdads and swam. We spent time with family, friends and with each other. Lovely. Just lovely.

I thought I would have so much down time to relax, write, reflect and kind of re-center myself. Instead, the week was jam packed from early morning until wee hours of the night. All good. Exhausting. Not to mention the driving... yikes the driving... felt like it would never end! 

Anyway. Now here I am on Wednesday morning, the week after and I am in the blues. Work doesn't stop when I'm away, so it was (and is) all piled up. Stress. Yikes. 

This blog is for me. For me to have some sanity. Some me space. To hopefully share some of my sanity with others in a positive way. Today I am just spent. And I just got back from vacation. 

I promise myself, right here, right now: to slow down a bit. Here are some things I would love to share with you soon... 

• Driving Adventure to Tahoe... a comedy of errors 
• Family Fun at the Lake 
• Anniversary Reflection - 8 years and counting 
• The Family Barn and Paper Puppets 

In the meantime, please forgive me. Cut me some slack. I'm giving myself permission to just catch up a bit. 

Hugs to all. 

xoxo  

Casual Wine Night with Cheese Notes

Last night I hosted a very impromptu wine night. Some friends from the street joined me for some light nibbles and a glass of wine. Kids hung out and watched a movie. I didn't stress about their bedtime and just let them play and enjoy a summer evening. 

It was awesome. So simple. 

Getting caught up in the perfectly beautiful Pinterest life could be so easy. It could be paralyzing. Instead, I just opted for filling my cute nesting bowls with little snacks I had at the house. I did stop at the local market at pick up some cheese (notes below) and dark chocolate covered honeycomb. I cut it up the honeycomb into some manageable chunks to nibble on. Yum. I added some cute summer festive cocktail napkins for a bit of flair and color. 

Cheese Notes: 

• Parrano - Italian style cheese that is salty and kind of sweet. Total crowd pleaser. 
• Cypress Grove Cheese is basically amazing at all sorts of cheese. Last night I opted for for the Lamb Chopper which is a mild sheep milk cheese. Very easy to nibble on. They are probably most known for their Humbolt Fog variety which is absolutely fantastic with Raincoast Crisps crackers and drizzled with honey.