It's Summertime!.......

Kindergarten Graduation "Big K Day"

It's that oh so very exciting time of the year. One of my favorite times of the year. Yes, you guessed it, it's Summertime! Time for the lazy days of summer to carry us to fall. Time for loooong naps. Relaxing by friends pools, reading lots of books, board games, puzzles, crafts, shopping trips, beach days, going to the movies, and lots of red cups! Oh how I love the summertime!

The boy receiving his Kindergarten Diploma

Yesterday was the last day of school. I now have a first and a fifth grader. So hard to believe they have grown so much. But I'm not going to sit here and lament over the passing of years "like sands through the hour glass..." No, I'm not going to do that. I am however going to rejoice over the fact that I no longer have to wake early, cajole my kids out of bed, make lunches and try not to hit any children in the parking lot as I quickly do the curbside tuck-n-roll with my oh so limber kiddos in their weekdaily quest for an edumakation. Not me, no.

The boy and his diploma

Now it's time to plan. Or really, shoot from the hip. I have a few things planned as activities for my loving family but for the most part I'm going to grab the bull by the horns and enjoy the ride. Last summer sucked big-ol-you-fill-in-the-blanks. This summer has already started to show great improvement over last year. For starters the dreaded neighbors across the street appear to be moving out [insert sigh of relief here along with the requisite pomp and circumstance] and the general feeling of this summer is far more upbeat and positive than last years. We have a sleep study scheduled for the boy and hopefully we can start going in the right direction here. We've changed our diet and that seems to be helping a lot. I can almost pinpoint days in which he will have a seizure and sadly they don't seem as frightening as when they first hit. Yup, things are definitely looking a lot better than last year.

The girl on her last day of school

Today the kids and I slept in to a blessed 10am. I love summer. We just kicked back and enjoyed the day. We worked on our summer bridge and pretty much slacked after that. Made a vat 'o sauce which will help reduce my cooking time over the summer and still keep us in yummy dishes. I'll try to post my recipe later but that one is just a lot of a pinch of this and a palm full of that and let's not forget a glass of wine for me and a glass of wine for the sauce.... Yeah, it's that good.

Did someone say water balloon fight?

I'd love to give you my calendar for activities that are pending but really, I aint gots one. Summer should be about relaxed fun and that's what I have planned for the kids. That and some movies and a quick camp out (red cups may be involved). I know, sounds like fun, hu? OK. So I will be sure to log on here and tell you what we did just so you get an idea of what's out there for ya. Some may be free type things to do and some you may have to dust off the 'ol wallet in order to enjoy. Either way it hopefully will be entertaining. "Oh, by the by..." [spoken with a British accent] what are your plans for the summer? How do you plan on entertaining your little miracles from above?

See ya round like a donut!, SoCal Marisa

Farewell & Adieu

SoCal Marisa with her beautiful pink Cap

So I have officially Graduated from MOPS. What does that mean? Well, it means I have finished this “Academic” year and next year I will not have a preschooler to claim. My big boy will be a first grader and I will be just your normal and average mom. The MOPS organization does have a program called MOMSnext but it’s relatively new and there are only two churches somewhat (and I say that with a slight laugh) close by. Um, yeah, that’s not going to happen.

So yesterday I said goodbye to that season in my life where I was part of an organization of moms. A friend of mine recently asked me what I would miss most. I knew the answer to that question right off. I will miss the breakfasts with friends. Meeting for coffee. The MNO’s and scheduled play dates. I will miss seeing all those happy faces each week. Most importantly I will miss the connections.

As I was receiving my Graduation Certificate and being capped I said a few words. & I did my best at not crying and pushing on through the farewell. I’m sure I rambled on a lot. Some of those women sitting listen with baited breath on what I would say, I may never see again. If we do happen to run across each other in our daily life I’m sure I’ll be that person that makes them pause and think to themselves, Hmmmmm where do I know her from??? Others I may stop and chat with and get that warm fuzzy over MOPS memories and yet others I will see more often as we plan get togethers, and watch our children grow up together.

Other Marisa, Lori, Beth, SoCal Marisa, Mechelle, Michelle, & Tina. The best table a girl could ask for! I love you girls!!!

These 5 years I have been in MOPS have been the best most challenging and spiritually growing years of my life. I have met some amazing women. We have done some incredible things together. I have built some lasting friendships. This season of my life may be ending but I’m not just walking away from it empty handed. This season of my life is going to enrich my next season in life. I have so many things I want to do. I hear God whispering in my head on where he wants to lead me. I only hope I get it right and am able to follow where he leads.

This isn’t the end. It’s not Goodbye. You will see me again. Who knows for sure where though? I don’t want to say goodbye. Rather, farewell. Adieu. Or as my Granpa used to say "See ya round like a donut!" I love you and may God bless you until I see you next.

What did you do when the last of your kids went to school full time? When you were no longer a mother of a preschooler?

See ya round like a donut, SoCal Marisa

Book Review: 666 Park Avenue

Fun, Sassy, & Sexy!

666 Park Avenue: A Novel was so much fun to read. I read it cover to cover in two days. I could have finished it sooner but I didn’t start reading until late at night and had to take a sleep break but I picked up the book right away the next day. I have to say I haven’t been this excited over a paranormal book since Twilight or even Vampire Diaries and can’t wait for the next installment The Dark Glamour: A 666 Park Avenue Novel which according to amazon is not until August of this year. Come on August!

Jane Boyle’s character is funny in her thoughts. I chuckled a lot as she went through her day to day stuff. Aside from the whole having powers and being a witch thing I found I could related to her as she saw herself. As an awkward individual who wanted to be heard. Malcolm her lover and fiancé is just so very dashing with his sexyness and family secrets. Quite literally sweeping Jane off her feet at their first encounter and not letting her catch her breath for most of the book.

We travel from France to New York in the first few builder chapters and then the ball really gets rolling. Starting a new life and trying to figure out the whole witch business in secret Jane makes some new friends and grows in her own confidence.

There were a few areas of the book that I found to be a little confusing and that was with Malcolm’s whole family. They seemed to shift together and were hard for me to recognize with exception to Lynne and one or two others. However there were a few plot twists that I really didn’t see coming which excited me. The ending and climax of the book I did see one missed opportunity of gaining power during a fight scene in the mansion. The ending felt a little rushed for me but also was a great cliff hanger. This is why I can’t wait until August to see what Jane does next. All in all I really liked the book and how it flowed and I cannot wait to read the next installment! =-)

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

It's Nice Being Right!

Bubba at his Great Granma's house for Easter & Elena's Birthday Celebration

I know I am not the only one who enjoys being right especially when it comes to important issues regarding our children. Well today I was proven right. Correct. Sure. I love it when I'm right! Don't you?

Today we had our long awaited appointment with his Pediatric Neurologist and it's nice to know my suspicions are finally being recognised. Since Hayden's first seizure back in 2009 I have believed his seizures are sleep related. Prior to him having seizures when he didn't get a nap he would have a night terror that night. It was inevitable. Well the night terrors went away but the seizures started.

I journaled and I found his seizures always seemed to happen when he didn't get enough rest. But his Dr. said there really isn't any correlation. :-| um, really??? Well alrighty then. The seizures slowed and eventually stopped. We went almost a year and a half seizure free.

Then the kids got the flu and things changed. We were really busy with all of our activities. Soccer, School, Volunteering, not getting enough rest and not recuperating from the flu. It got so bad his seizures were almost a nightly occurrence. Then there is no sleep for the household. His seizures always hit him when he's sleeping. So, we purchased a baby monitor and listened for those strange guttural sounds he emits when seizing. I'll tell you what, it was like having a newborn all over again. What with the waking every few hours, and the panicked run across the hall. Our appointment was set but the earliest one we could get was a month away.

It was a viscous cycle. He was experiencing his seizures because he was exhausted but he couldn't get any sleep because of his seizures. The poor boy didn't have any good sleep and once his seizures returned they wouldn't let go of him. It became an almost nightly occurrence. He had headaches all the time. He couldn't concentrate on anything. He hated school because he couldn't focus. He wouldn't sit still because if he did he would fall asleep. It was too much for the poor guy. Everything was a challenge. I was exhausted. His dad was exhausted. Hayden was exhausted. Elena was the only one who got any sleep around here. Lucky girl!

An interesting tidbit of info; Whenever the boy would have a seizure we could always tell. The circles under his eyes would be red. Not black. Not brown. Red. He of course had headaches and on a few occasions he bit his tongue or urinated. Every single time he woke with no memory of his seizure but ached all over and was a super emotional cranky boy.

Suddenly and without warning (that's the way my brain works) it dawned on me, why don't we try Melatonin? To be honest I don't even remember what I was doing. Probably mundane things like showering or brushing my teeth. I thought to myself if it can help insomniacs get some rest maybe it can help the boy. So I called up his neuro and was given the green light to try the Melatonin and to keep our scheduled appointment so we could discuss. I found some 1mg Melatonin at GNC and was more than ready to begin. The first night we gave him some it was a new experience for him. A cherry flavored pill under his tongue that would slowly dissolve. A half hour later; miracle of miracles, HE YAWNED! There is one thing you should know about my boy, I have never seen  him yawn. Ever. That first night he slept like the dead. He didn't move for a solid 5 hours. Once he did move it was to get up and go potty, then back to bed.

For two weeks now he has been on Melatonin and seizure free! I cannot begin to tell you what a joy that is to say. It seems as though the Melatonin is working for him. So, today was our scheduled appointment. This appointment was long awaited. Long over due. When it got here let me tell you I would have run you over if you got in my way, I was getting my boy to that appointment for sure and no one was going to stop me. It's a good thing no one had to hu?! Sitting in the observation room and waiting for his Dr. to arrive didn't take long.

We went over his case history and brought Dr. up to speed on what's happened since the last we saw him. Discussed our current use of the Melatonin and us hopefully avoiding prescriptions if at all possible. We talked about the boys sleep schedule and what he ate and his daily activities. I really like his Dr. btw. After a short amount of time Dr. confirmed my thoughts this was a sleep related seizure. His trigger was exhaustion or lack of sleep. It really helped the boy was yawning (he didn't get his nap today.)

The meeting was a very good meeting and I'm glad we were able to strategize what to do with the boy in future. For now he wants to keep him on the Melatonin, it's working and there is no reason to change something if it's currently working. If in future it no longer works then we will increase his Melatonin. If that begins to fail then we will put him on Atavan. He said the pill is helpful for those with sleep disorders and can be an anti seizure med in some cases. So now I have to read up on Atavan so I know what we are getting into, if we go in that direction. He doesn't want to rule out Epilepsy just yet, he said the sleep disorder and the epilepsy can be dual problems. Let's just pray it isn't and that it's a simple case of when he's not rested he will seize. I make it sound so easy.

Well it's not going to be easy. Along with the Melatonin suggestion Dr. wants us to remove all stimulants at 5pm daily. No TV. No Music. No Playing. No Sodas. No Sugars. Start our bedtime routine a little earlier. He wants him to have his Melatonin by 7:30 and in bed by 8. We also talked about diet. While Hayden isn't a candidate for the Low Tyramine Headache Diet he did give me a thumbs up for The Mediterranean Diet we have used before. So I will be happily using that book and a different book called The MediterrAsian Way. I am contemplating another book purchase just so that I have menu planning down. That's always been my downfall and the main reason why we slip away from the Mediterranean diet as often as we do. Once I get my hands on a copy and if I like it I'll pass along the 411.

So for now everything is Status Quo. We have our marching orders regarding the boy and all of us will happily get with the program. I'm going to be doing a lot of reading in the very near future regarding the Atavan, Diets, How to naturally boost Melatonin and how exactly Melatonin works. Vitamins. Exercise. Rest. The whole shibang! I won't become an expert that's for sure but I am already an expert on the boy so who knows. I think the diet is going to be the hardest part though...Just kidding we love everything about the diet it's just easier to hit a drive thru. On the upside you guys will be getting my favorite recipes...well after I change them up to suit my taste buds. I did so enjoy this diet before and I even lost weight (they condone the drinking of wine and eating of bread too, in moderation of course.)  ;-)

Dear Reader, thanks so much for being there and being such a good support. Without your support and Gods strength in us, we would not have been able to survive this long!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

Easter Break

The days leading to Easter Break numbered with far too many remaining. Slowly, and I mean slowly, our Easter Break creeped closer. It seemed an eternity before we would have a weeks worth of days to sleep in and slack. Waiting, waiting, waiting for the ability to while away our time. To not have any pressing appointments. To be spent poolside. To go shopping. To hang with friends. To relax and enjoy our days.

Finally, Good Friday arrives which marks the half day of school beginning our Easter Break. We spend the afternoon leisurely enjoying a lunch of pizza at BJ's. Our next week is spent in a whirlwind of friends and family and most definitely slacking. Ending with our last day in Baptism of baby Olivia. Who could want for anything more?

With all of this I realize how really and truly blessed I am. I am blessed to be able to stay home with my children and spend the time with them. To raise them how we believe they need to be raised. To give them what they need and try to be the best parents possible.

Well our week of leisure is come to a close and my much spoiled children are more than ready to return to school. & believe me I'm more than ready to drop them off come Monday and Tuesday.  As we began this week I was heard to say I cannot wait for the lazy days of summer; now after this mini break with a few weeks left to summer I am reminded of the wonderful days ahead of me. I love my family and relish the many blessings God has given me. Lately there have been many positive changes in our life and I cannot wait to see what is in store for us.

Now, to get these kids bathed and in bed because tomorrow, oh wonderful tomorrow is Monday and with Monday comes school. With the march of a few more weeks we'll be enjoying our Summer Break. Ooooo lala. I can't wait!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

Tea Time & Missed Family

Brother & Sister

Brother & Sister The Early Years

What a glorious day for a Bridal Tea! Oh Ladies, the day was a beautiful day spent with wonderful women. We started out roughly when news of my Great Aunt Delia's passing reached us. She was a beautiful woman who had so much energy and love. She always had a smile on her face and a warm hug to share. She laughed and shared stories and could cook like no tomorrow! She shined with inner beauty. I am going to miss her terribly. That and her yummy Chile Verde! My Uncle Danny once got her recipe. He's going to have to share that with me. My Cousin Lynelle's Bridal Tea is something my Aunt Delia would have really enjoyed. And We felt her loving presence there for sure.

The hours before the tea were busy with activity. Months of planning culminated into a few hours of relaxed conversation with much loved family and friends. There are so many details to think of for a tea and how to do it on a budget. Sure! If I had unlimited funds or deep pockets that weren't empty I could have definitely gone all out. Sadly, no. I had to beg and borrow a lot of what we used in order to make this tea a success. I am so gratefully for my loving and supportive friends.

I ended up borrowing or purchasing what we needed. I traveled to friends houses to pick up card tables, linens, drink carafes  and the like. I found the 3 tier plate stands online on this site called Jaf Gifts. I purchased tea sets on ebay and wherever I could find them. I even borrowed sets from friends. Shabby Chic was the theme.

Little details throughout the house. For instance, I didn't want to buy baskets to put the tea's in for each table. So Elena and I made these cute little paper boxes out of a wedding theme stack I picked up at Michael's. That was a fun afternoon spent cutting and folding with my girl. Later we made flower pens for the games out of Gerbera Daisies (those instructions to follow a little later) and placed them in festive teacup planters filled with beans for pen stability. they looked so cute on the tables. I rolled the utensils in festive napkins and tied them with tole for each place setting. Stephanie put together cute little heart shaped cookie cutters and boxed up Hershey Kisses for favors and those were placed at each setting.

The day of the Tea with two cars loaded with food and necessaries Hubby and I drove the hoard to Fullerton for preparation. You see I bullied my Mother in Law Gayle into hosting it at her house. She gladly opened up her home and let me take over. But before she did she made her casa ready for the 30 or so women who were attending. She loves to garden and we were originally going to host outside but the weather was very indecisive. They spent many hours outside readying the yard for the woman invasion. It looked absolutely beautiful! Before you entered their front fence you were greeted by a heart shaped flower patch in honor of our special guest. Flower baskets and pots were loving placed all over. The kids tree house that is still under construction was put on hold so they could focus on the Bridal Tea. They just love me so!

Although we did have beautiful skies it was so cold and crisp it would have been very uncomfortably chilly outside. The men set up the tables outside before they escaped to the bowling alley then we made an 11th hour change and moved everything indoors. We are women, we do these things! It was a good thing though. Everyone was comfortable and if it got a little warm we cracked a window and the place cooled down right quick. We managed to get 7 tables inside with minimum furniture moving. There was plenty of room to move around too!

At 11am we began our prep and move. The seating set us back a little on time but we pulled it all off with a few minutes to spare. The stuff for sandwiches was prepared the night before but we waited to assemble the day of so they wouldn't get soggy and gross. My Girlfriend Gwen showed a little before 11am and went elbows deep in helping with a lot of the preliminary set up and last minute changes. Thinking through possible problems with me. 12pm pizza arrived and so did Gabriela & Little Rachel. After a quick lunch we jumped to work. Gabriela on sandwiches and Little Rachel helping me with tables and chairs. With 1pm approaching so did Andrea and she helped with table setting. Sarah was first guest in and promptly put to work with tier stacking for each table. Water was set to brew and cake and cupcakes placed and we were nearly ready for the Bride to Be to arrive.

Our Tea began at 2pm and women promptly arrived. We had informal seating in both rooms Grace was said and Tea was served. Tea Pots filled with hot water were delivered to each table and salad followed thanks to the help of Mary Ellen. A nice hum of conversation carried on throughout the tea. We played games, and ate those lovely little cupcakes Juli made while Lynelle opened her shower gifts. What a lovely afternoon!

Afterward before I knew it so many people helped with the tear down it happened almost in the blink of an eye. I am so blessed with so many helping hands! Dishes were done and all I have to do now is to get ready to go back and pack and pick everything up to return to its rightful owners. I just didn't have the energy to load the cars and unpack last night so we decided to put it off for today. Tomorrow I will start returning items.

Lynelle's Bridal Tea was a success! It felt so good to be able to do this for her. I even got a booking for one in the future! ;-) I had a great time planning but a better time spent in good company. I love my family and friends!

Bridal Tea Menu

Spring Salad with Strawberries
and a Raspberry Walnut Viniagrette

Open Faced Cucumber Sandwiches

Heart Shaped Egg Salad Sandwiches

Chicken Cranberry Sandwiches on Butter Croissant

Warm Scones with Devonshire Cream,
Lemon Curd & Strawberry Jam

Hand Dipped Oreo Truffels

Cream Puffs

Mini Yellow Cake Cupcakes topped with Strawberry Frosting

Various Teas

Lemon Water

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa

How long has it been?

So how long has it been Dear Reader? Too long! I have been so very busy with our schools benefit auction dinner, my cousins bridal shower, my daughters birthday party, room moming, the bachelorette, and of course the wedding. It is so very hard for me to believe that I have been away and uncommunicative in such a long time.

Well let me begin by telling you that we are now reading the benefit auction dinners bedtime story to it and are almost ready to call it lights out and then put it to bed for this year. All that remains is our post mortem. I like to think of the night as a great success. We naturally had a few glitches but our team works so smoothly together they were really just slight bumps in the road. We had a great turn out for all of our donations. Our Silent Auction was a success & so was our Live Auction. In my humble opinion (ha!) I think this was one of out best years in regards to stress levels. There was hardly any. I had a great time and wonder whats in store for next year! Oh man, did I say next year?!? Please don't tell the rest of the team!

Anyway, now I'm looking forward to other activities such as this weekends Bridal Shower for my seester. I wish I could show you all I a have done for it but she's reading this right now and I don't want her to see. plus I'm enjoying torturing her in this method. [he-he-he] when everything is said and done then I will post pictures and such but for now just know we are doing a Bridal Tea for her. Do you know how much goes into a Bridal Tea? Well good thing I've been to enough Tea Houses and Tea & Testimonies to know how to work through a few kinks. But just so you know "I got this!" haha channelling my inner George. "Si, se Puede!" the brown man clan rules!

And I digress. So I'm sitting here with one more thing checked off my long list of things to do and am so excited about the weeks ahead. Anyway, I just wanted to give a "status update" on where my life has been these days. I miss you guys! I can't wait til Saturday so I can upload all my pictures and blab away. Love you, mean it!

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa