Patience

Ryan and I were so lucky to get away this past weekend. We spent 3 days in Santa Paula and Ventura, CA; visiting with Pop Garcia, Micah and Kyle and of course the Saint Bonaventure 20th high school reunion. It was amazing to see Ryan and a large turn out of his high school buddies and their significant others. I had fun hearing about Ryan as a young adult. My favorite part of the evening was when we first walked in and were greeted with numerous people yelling "CHOOOCH", Ryan's fantastic nickname.

Not only did we have a blast at the reunion we had a great dinner with Ben and Casey Yoong and Kevin Zoll, pie at the Zoll Mansion (still amazed at the beauty of a pantry), we took in a matinee, and had some of the best funnel cake I have ever had at the Ventura County Fair. A great weekend....and of course this was waiting for us when we came home...

iFAMILY

One of our favorite activities is the Photo Booth option on my MacBook Pro. Almost everyday since Ryan got it for me, on Christmas Day 2009, I have taken a picture or ten. My favorite is capturing Brock and Sylas when they are just laying together after waking up, or when I am having quiet time with one of them while the other is still asleep.

My photo booth gallery is growing. These are just a few photos from my collection, but the best part is watching my babies change daily!

Leaving a Legacy

I am trying to capture the lives of Brock, 2, and Sylas, 8.5 months. We do so many things together and I want to capture them for their future, well really for my future. I am pretty sure this is the completion of our family. Two boys, our 8 year old boxer, Maya, my husband, Ryan and I. I am already holding onto their childhood, not wanting them to get any bigger. I love them all so much and thank God this is my life. 

I have decided that my goal in being a mom is to instill my 4 greatest values: GRATITUDE. faith. Love. legacy. If I can live with these four values and teach them why they are important to me and to them, I truly believe I have done my job as momma.

GRATITUDE. I am thankful everyday for waking up, for the sun shining (or here in the SF summer, the drippy fog), I am thankful for my family, my friends and my job. I am thankful for everything including what challenges me. It is in this gratitude that we can see just what we have and what we can give to others.

faith. Believe in yourself, believe in others, but most importantly, believe in God.

Love. Love yourself first and then loving others is easy. But no matter what share your love with hugs and kisses and telling those you love everyday just how important they are to you.

legacy. Leave lasting change. Leave a novel. Leave a cure. Leave an heir. Leave a legacy of something incredible. And perhaps it is not world re-known, but no matter what leave something that you are proud of.

Thanks for joining me on this exciting adventure. Life with the Garcia Brothers.