Bad Nannies

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Kid Wisdom

IS IT POSSIBLE?

Something that has been plaguing me for a few weeks, now was so casually put into light, I can not help but share.

Do we actually believe that kids, have little wisdom?  I think for the most part that we as adults do.  I was sitting quietly at Starbucks the other morning, and as Everett got up to retrieve our drinks a lady sitting next to him asked, is that your son.  I quickly responded yes.  She went on to tell how well behaved and sweet he seemed.  I said thank you and thought to myself, he was a very sweet boy.   At this point I honestly can't remember how we got on the subject of wisdom but, she said I have always felt that teens especially are far more in tune with themselves and have so much wisdom.  

Before you go thinking I am full of it, here is the theory.  When we are young we have less to fill our minds. We think possibly clearer than we do as an adult. Now I understand you may disagree. Though as adults we have seen a lot, experienced a multitude of things.   The move down here has been such a struggle on my psyche and who I am.  Hollister and all the things I was involved in defined who I was.  

Now without those things to distract me, I am left pondering who  I am!  That's okay, I am good with that.  So with a new mission in life, I was reminded by my very intelligent Freshman. "Mom, maybe you should go back to school and finish your degree." Makes perfect sense to teen, because to them why would you go to school for five years and never use any of it?  It never was an option before but why not?  I have been blown away on so many occasions what teens and kids see and interpret and digest.  It amazes me how they soak so much up. 

 I have been encouraged, thought to think differently and challenged by so my kids. Causing us to see things in their eyes in that fresh perspective, that we somehow have lost along the way.  Thinking upon it now brings a smile to my face, because we think we are smarter because we are older and that just isn't the case all the time........

LA LIVING IS NOT SO UNUSUAL

If you would have told me I would be living in L.A. Even two years ago I would have laughed.

    Los Angeles was a place we visited often , but to live, never crossed my mind.  So here we are and wow was I wrong about a few things.  There are normal people here. No offense to the folks that lived here already but my first impression of Southern California was not fantastic.  

    After being here a year this week, I am delightfully surprised.  There is so much to offer and the people in the Industry are truly genuine and amazing.  Living in the Calabasas area, I am reminded of how most famous people just want to live simple lives. Acting is a job its not a lifestyle. It is how they make their living.  Its what they are gifted at. After all we are all given talents.  So living here puts a great, new perspective on the fact that we are all just people and we all have the same goals.  To live and be happy.

   What is different here is the fact that there is so much to offer.  With that though comes a price, we like to call traffic.  If you can find comfort and solitude in long car rides than this is the place for you. Maybe not really, but we are getting the hang of it.  As Pilot Season approaches, we shall see how the cookie crumbles.  I expect it to be good, going into our Sophomore year.   Either way we know that it is all in God's hands and he has a plan.

  So greetings form Sunny So Cal, and keep reading because it's bound to get interesting at some point!

A New Level Of Just Being A Mom

       Lets be honest when your kids are running around with goldfish and sippy cups the world seems a bit less confusing.  They smile and laugh and cry.  They run around with out realizing how much energy they sap out of you.  They are precious and loving and sassy and cute.  The concerns we have for them, is if they are getting enough veggies and sleep.  

Then along the way, somehow they evolve into the most amazing  nearly independent creatures.  How does this happen?  Was I prepared for teens?  Absolutely not!!!  I thought maybe, it would help being a young mother, and remembering High School all to well. Somehow its so different when you are talking about your own kids!  Who would have thought?  

 To be perfectly honest, I am blessed.  Even though my kids were under my wing longer than most, they have developed their very own personalities.  Its amazing to watch them leave my car every morning, and wonder to myself how will they handle that day and what challenges will they face?  Pressures and ideals thrown at them daily.  Its not easy and they handle it with stride. I often go to sleep wondering what kind of adults they will become.  

  Its fun to see them grow and tackle obstacles.  I wish I could say I know what I am doing but most of the time I don't.  All we can do is guide and nurture and share our own challenges and pray that they don't make the same mistakes as we once did.  Obviously they will have their share, of mistakes.  That is okay, I believe because we grow from that and become the people God designed for us to be.  

  As we forge ahead in this Journey, I can say that there are moments that cause me to stress and worry and then there are moments that simply take your breath away...........

Forever Friends

Forever Friends

       Ballet shoes and the sound of tulle brushing through the fresh pink Capezio tights. Laughter and giggles and pink permanent lipstick.  Year after year the lives change but the people and bond remains. These are the the beautiful treasures we carry through our lives.  It doesn't matter what we endure or what we see, those that are dear to us are always with us. Distance and space cannot tear a bond so great.  

       

       I feel incredibly sentimental lately. Maybe its because there is so much time during the Holidays to remind us of what really matters. Getting caught up in life and the crazy schedules that we have.  So this will probably be the last sentimental blog for a while.  Not with Pilot season, on the horizon. Well actually who am I kidding, it's me! That won't happen!  

       So as the hours pass and the days, I am reminded that life is a strange thing. The people and the moments that God chooses to beautifully place in our lives is so absolutely incredible.  We can never replace or try to even change the destiny that our lives take us.  The most wonderful thing is we don't have to, and they make us who we are.  We are truly blessed, even though we don't see these people every day they are part of who we are, immersed in our souls.  

    

    

Nothing that time or space can tear apart, we carry on through our lives with the strength and the passion that our Forever friends have given us. 

Cherished Blessings

    Our Christmas Story is no different than yours. The only difference this year for us, is that we were far away from our loved ones and it was somewhat bittersweet.  I could Blog about how wonderful and precious these moments are.  Truth is it was not as cozy as most Christmas years. I couldn't get into the Spirit as much this year. I have not quite put my finger on why, until now.

     I have no excuse, we are blessed beyond our means.  The shift from moving from a beautiful small town, to the city has been really difficult.  There is so much to be said for the support and closeness of dear friends.  As I reflect on that today I am so filled with beautiful memories.  I have those to hold onto.  I don't mean to sounds ungrateful for being here, and what we have accomplished in such little time.  The kids have had some amazing opportunities and have learned so much.

    What I will say is this.  Without the support and love that we had over the years, this would not be possible.  The experiences and the nurturing that we coveted through our younger years in Hollister.  My Mom has been a huge encouragement in reminding me, that I have the best of friends and amazing support.For these things, I am truly honored.  

   What God has in store here, He unfolds very slowly.  I also know that this Odyssey is not going to be met without resistance.  There are struggles and often times, I long to sit and enjoy a moment with Kristy  at lunch or sit in Kara's kitchen and watch her bake a beautiful cupcake.  So many friends that lifted and encouraged me daily. The funny part is when your surrounded and emerged in it you don't  see the amazingness of it all. As I write this I am crying.  These moments are so precious.  Gifts from God that I will never let go of.

     Christmas Eve service, I sat as we sang to God for the gift of His Son Jesus. My arms around my kids listening to them sing from their hearts.  Its then that I realized no matter where we are, our loved ones are with us, in our hearts in our laughter and in who we are.  So I say thank you to all of our dear friends that have been such an amazing part of our lives. May we always cherish what we have and thank God for our Blessings, everyone.

Commercial

    Everett was recently on set, in Disneyland for a commercial.  This was an excellent experience!  So much preparation went into this commercial, it gave me a new appreciation for the industry.  So much goes into a project.  Everett was thrilled to do a job for Disney.  On location there was so much time spent in the park.  One of the interesting things about Disney is the complete care that goes into their business.  There is never a person unattended or a magical secret discovered.  They take the magic of the Kingdom very seriously.  As the kids filmed they were not allowed in certain areas, in case they saw a character without their mask on.  The whole intention of the Disney motto, is to not take the magic away from the children.                                                                                                                 Growing up loving Disneyland, I appreciated this, because the magic was never taken, and the fun of the Park is still there.  Everett did three days of filming and had an experience of a lifetime! He rode the Matterhorn 9 times, each pass getting a different take.   At one point,  he wore a Go Pro to get the riders view.  It is fun to watch all of this take place and watch others stop and seem curious as to what is happening.

    While filming, Everett made friends and saw a side of the park he never had.  The commercial will Air on Disney Channel after Christmas!