Finding Balance

I'm back to working part-time again. I'm in the midst of finding a balance between work, home, kids, family. It's better to have more time for these two sweet boys. They are much happier when we're together, when they can be home after school with me.

Matthew is in the 6th grade and playing the trumpet for his second year. Zachary is testing for the Gate program next week and will join the school's Wrestling team once their season starts. They are doing great adjusting to being back in school.



I've found a little time for my photog and scrapping hobbies. I'm enjoying having "me" time again while they are in school to create. I'll add these little layouts to their scrapbooks this week. Some are inspired by magazine layouts, most are my own creations.










I've also found time to Volunteer at Children's Hospital. I have to say that it's one of the most rewarding uses of my time. I only Volunteer one day a week, but I look forward to it each time.

Finding balance in life...again

My first Blog post from the iPhone

This was another typical kinda relaxing..kinda boring Sunday. The best part about today was Chinese take out and a visit to inlaws. Kids are to bed early tonight as school is back in full swing. They enjoyed a little boy hike to the river, nerf guns included (to ward off any houdlems).

Looking forward to a busy week ahead.

Oh shoot....blogger does not yet have the capability to let you upload iPhone photos....an enhancement I need to request.

Happy Sunday! I'll be staying up to watch MadMen tonight :) one of my favorite shows.

Have a great week!
Reen

Last Weekend of Summer

Hi Friends,

Gosh it's been a busy summer and once again, my blog was sadly neglected. So sorry blogger friends and little blog.

I have missed my hobbies and doing the things I really enjoy during my leisure time. Updating this blog is just one of those things that I had to push aside due to other priorities. Mainly, work. I worked full time from May to August, filling in on the job share at Children's Hospital, while Brooke delivered a heatlhy little baby boy named Luke! I was happy to fill in and really got used to the routine of being at work everyday. Honestly, I miss it now that I'm back to part-time! I guess it is kind of nice to have some balance in my life again though. I'm blessed and thankful for my job and for this time I can be home as well.

My kiddows were troopers and ended up at a day camp for most of the 10 weeks they were off from school. They never once complained and rather enjoyed being with their "summer friends". They got to take a lot of outings to the waterpark, summer movies, archades. They loved it!

The kids are back to school now and I thought I'd take a moment to share some photos of our last weekend of summer at the lake!

I hope this post finds you and your family doing well.

Thanks for visiting me,
reen


Taking time for a Summer Hike above Bass Lake - Way of the Mono Trail is a short 30 minute hike above the lake. It's short enough for small kids and educational too. It has stops along the way with signs that detail the types of trees in the area. It also gives accounts of the Indian Life that once lived along the basin floor of what is now Bass Lake.


At the top of the Trail you can find a most gorgeous view of Bass Lake. This was taken at around 8:00 in the morning, so it was still a little bit dark and the sun was just rising over the lake. Gorgeous to watch!


A great trail to use for introducing kids to hiking. It's short enough that they don't lose interest. Long enough for them to learn about nature along the way. And pretty enough to make them want to go back again.


Our home away from home at the lake.

Disneyland - Calif. Summer Vacation '09 Day 1

Are we there yet???? Are we there yet????

4th of July @ Bass Lake with the Tadlocks

I so love our friends! We had so much fun with all 6 of our kids together. Good food, swimming, staying up and playing movie trivia. Thanks for the great July memories and thanks for the cake!

Matthew & Me

He's 11 now and it's a gawky age. He wants to know about puberty, sex, and even wants his own email address. Yet he still asks to be driven all the way across town to bum around at Toys R Us. It's a sweet moment in time, caught between becoming a teen and wanting to stay a little boy. I don't always know how to respond to the growing teen, but I do know how to love that sweet little boyish side. I guess I try to come from a place of love and understanding, no matter if he's carrying a stuffed animal one day or asking for a cell phone the next. He's still my little man and still love our walks together, I cherish those times when we can be together...just talking.
My Matthew....Growing all too fast!





Photos from San Joaquin River walk - Spring '09

What's been happening with Zak man?

Here's my long lost catch up post....it might take me a day or two to catch up so bare with me as I retrace my steps over the last few weeks/days :) This post is all about my little Zak man an what he's doing to keep me busy.....





April - 13, tiny man turned 9 this year! He was a total sweetheart and wanted an Easter Egg hunt for his birthday. That was an easy request to accommodate, we just combined our family Easter and Zak's party, hid a few eggs, wrapped a few gifts. Simple. He could not have been happier!

Photo: Zak (w/ new tennis racket still wrapped) Matthew, and cousin chad at Grandma Helen's for Easter/9th Birthday Party

Zak has taken up Freestyle Wrestling this year and gets plenty of exercise two nights a week. These are photos of him pinning his younger friend. It's all about strentgh and having fun! Although he's had his moments of wanting to quit, especially after pinning the "heavy weight", he's stuck with the sport all season. He finishes this week with a tounament, potluck, and swim party. He's had a really great season overall and has learned something about "not giving up" and "commitment". All good!








Zak at his 3grade Star Spangled Spring Concert. The most darling little "Yankee Doodle" performance, complete with hand gestures. I love his age and my little 9 year old Zak!

Trash to Treasure....

The $6 Estate Sale find....a little bit trashy...

From dirty and unwanted...



To Treasure! A new lampshade from Target and it's like new again! A great find for my bedside table.




I do love yard sales/estate sales. I hardly ever find real treasures, but this sure turned out to be one of my favorite deals.
Have a wonderful day!

Self-Portrait Sunday and a Scrapbook Page

Today was a day to stop and pause and realize how quickly my babies have turned into little boys. I'm sure that I'll blink my eyes and they'll be teenagers. Today, I just cherished them and stopped to remember how much they've grown, and how much they've helped me grow as a person.

Then & Now


Self-Portrait, Reen at 45

Reflecting on the years and embracing what is now and what is to come. Thankful heart.

Thanks for visiting me, have a wonderful day!

One Word.....Gratitude!

Finishing Touches - Bathroom Remodel

The remodel wouldn't be complete without some framed memories of the old bathroom. The kids are so embarrased to have these hanging up on their bathroom walls, so that means I've been a complete success, right?! They will remain until I get at least one "awe...how sweet" out of one of their teenage girlfriends someday ;)








This is the one and only smelly boy stuff I can get the kids to use! It rocks! Any deoderant that I can get boys to use rocks in my book!


Project complete.
Next project will either be a new master bathroom, new flooring throughout, or a new roof. Take your pick, they all need to be done eventually. We just need to get a few bids and agree on what we can handle both financially and dust-wise! ha!

Bathroom Remodel - After Pics

Sharing a few photos of our bathroom remodel. We're totally thrilled with the results!!

I'm using my new favorite color combination for the towels: burgandy and chocolate brown. I love these colors together right now.

I will need a couple of towel bars hung and some do-dads on the wall (my handyman is just a little hard to motivate right now as he's fighting a cold, so I'm cutting him some slack ;) ....anyway, those details will come together over the next week or so, could not wait to share. So here they are:








I could not be happier to be rid of that rusted old sink and that 80's tile!