mis niños

On our walk this morning I took a different route than normal and came across this most adorable hispanic grandma. She was a petite little lady with short curly hair and was sporting a big grin on her face. She came right up to us and was admiring G. I was trying to get him to say "hola" and use his few spanish words that he has learned from Dora. He was shy and wanted to leave. When she heard me prompting G in spanish she asked if I spoke spanish. Before I knew it I'd said "Si" and she was off talking a mile a minute and I could barely keep up. I'm still reasonably good at making out spanish if its everyday conversational and she used her hands to help talk which made a huge difference. I nodded my head and did my best to throw in a few words  or horribly crafted phrases in Spanish here and there. All I know is that she couldn't get enough of G's curly hair and she was confused by my double stroller but only one kid. She kept asking, "¿Dos niños?", while pointing to the empty stroller seat. It made me a little sad because I often wonder about that empty seat. I didn't have to words to explain miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. I said them in English but I don't think she understood because she asked me about it one or two more times. That empty seat is in a way a painful reminder of the challenges we face, but I won't sell that stroller because its also a reminder of the hope I have in the future!

When I was praying this morning I was realizing that some of my trials in life aren't going to go away quickly. In fact, at least one of them will be a lifetime challenge. I realized as I prayed that patience for me is even more important (and lacking) than I realized. I really want to come to the point that I can embrace these challenges and see the good and blessings in them instead of those things that are lacking or those things I feel I've been cheated in this life.

I have a friend who has a son with autism. He is in his twenties. She commented the other day that while helping a friend shop for clothing she was placing some items over the changing room door to her friend. Soon after she started doing this her son started imitating her and starting throwing clothes over the door as well saying, "Try this," just as she was doing. Eventually he started chucking sale signs and what not. I really admired how this friend was so excited to tell me and how she seemed to find so much joy and laughter in that moment. I know that was only one moment, one glimpse into her reality and the past 20 or so years of her life with a child on the spectrum, but I have much to learn.

Before I had even met this friend others told me about her. She was enthusiastic and had a heart of gold. They felt that she was blessed with a son with autism because she was such an amazing woman. Every encounter we have had since meeting has proven that all true. The spirit of Christ shines bright in her eyes and she does have a heart of gold. She is patient, humble, kind, giving, creative, and willing. I have yet to find a way to embrace this defining characteristic of my life and truly see the joy and good in it instead of always first seeing the negative and then being humbled to recognize the good.

All of this for me is essential in no losing hope, in patiently waiting with faith in the future whatever it holds for G and his autism and for our other children. Amo a mis niños!

Creamy Dairy-free Fudgesicles

Since G has this problem going on and in order to appease both myself and G's appetite for all things creamy, cold, and chocolatey, I decided to attempt making fudge pops as an alternative to chocolate ice cream. I'm even considering putting them on ice and taking them with us to the ice cream parlor. I'm that desperate. Who wants to wake up to a disgusting mess the next day? Not him, not me! Well, recently I found a reasonably healthy recipe on Pinterest for fudgesicles so I gave them a try. I'm not too sold on them, but I sure will keep them around and change up the ratios of ingredients in the future. The real test, however, was how this dude liked them and I'd say he didn't have any problems with it at all!

Here's the recipe I followed and here is how I altered it:

Creamy Chocolate Fudge Pops

(makes 10-12 small pops)

• 4 tbsp cocoa powder (I used unsweetened, but you could use dark chocolate or some other type)
• 1 cup full-fat canned coconut milk (I only had low-fat so I used that, it was fine but I'd do full-fat next time)
• 2 medium, very-ripe bananas (200g)
• scant 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• sweetener of choice, to taste (stevia, agave, etc.) (I used agave, I think I'll try different sweetener next time)
• optional: feel free to add peanut butter! (I did! I figured I'd get some more protein and calories in there for the kid with the restricted diet)
• optional: what if you added in veggies like in a smoothie? spinach? I may have to try this. Gotta get them in that kid somehow!

Combine all items in a blender or food processor (I used my Ninja). I used dixie cups to make small fudge pops for G and then froze them for about 1 hour or so and then inserted popsicle sticks into them when they would stand up straight and then froze them for another hour or two until ready. The dixie cups pealed right off for me. G had more fun pretending it was a drum than eating it at first but once it was melting he couldn't keep it out of or around ( cue chocolatey Goatee) his mouth! 

Happy Summer!

My Kid is Lactose Intolerant

"Diarrhea, Diarrhea!"

There, I said it. I was trying to think of how to start this post, even tried coming up with some PC way of bringing up this topic but all that could come to my mind was the Diarrhea Song. Well, unfortunately for me any amount of respect I had from my mother I have now lost once she reads this post. 

So on that topic, we have been battling with this little problem for too long. I really want it gone because when G is finally ready to potty train it will be a NIGHTMARE!! I have to talk with the doctors more and probably take a sample. I don't want to do that, but the specialist said it should be addressed. My thoughts are it is either caused by dairy, tomatoes, or chocolate. We can get a solid poo out of the kid once in a while but it never lasts for more than a day or two. His diet is already so limited because he's a restrictive eater I don't want to take anything else out. We finally got him to eat pizza and I'd hate for that to be taken out since R and I love pizza. We tried a GFCF diet to help with it and saw some improvement but when we added gluten back in nothing changed so we have only kept out dairy products. G drinks rice milk exclusively. We stopped feeding him yogurt and have avoided cheese in his diet as well. The main problem is with ice cream. He loves it and we love it and you just can't say no to Prince Pucklers on a hot summer day! No way! And what about birthday parties? I can't make that sacrifice. If he was allergic maybe, but according to blood work done a year ago he has no milk allergy. We are assuming its an intolerance and I sure hope it doesn't stick around. Children with autism tend to consistently battle diarrhea. Some have opinions about leaky gut syndrome but I don't think that the research supports that. My doctor's take was that since I could get solid results from G on the BRAT diet (which I put him on when it was at its worst last summer and causing sores on his bum) that it was more of certain foods being the culprit. 

Any suggestions or experience with milk/lactose intolerances? How do you deal with having to avoid certain foods when you are dining out? Would/Do you give it up yourself for the sake of your child? 

bad mommy

The other day a dear friend posted a status update on Facebook about a mother and how she was talking/treating her children. It kind of hit a soft spot with me because I struggle at times to feel on top of the world and like I'm really getting this whole mothering thing and then other times I fail miserably. I guess I realized I could have been that mom. As soon as I read this friend's comment I thought back to my most recent moment of bad mommy experiences.

Recently, we invested in family bikes. I love riding around and we felt like it was a positive and realistic family activity with G's limitations and age. We have loved them. R has started biking to work and is determined to become a one-car family. I don't know about it. We'll see how he does during the long rainy winter. 

G and I have been riding around to our neighborhood parks and down on the river paths. It is so refreshing and fun! Two weeks ago we went on a ride that lasted a couple hours as we made a few different stops to play. It was fun, but by the end I was done. On our last stop I let him wade in the river with his shoes on. He wanted to so bad, but we hadn't come prepared and there was glass on the ground so I sacrificed his sneakers and let him wear them in the water. It was that good of a day that pretty much anything was okay because we were living it up! I think much of it was tied to this idealistic summer, the unforgettable summer I always dream of having each year, kind of like when it turns from summer to fall and you want to soak up those fleeting fall days and nights (only in Eugene its pretty much like fall during the summer so you get 4 months of fall weather!)

With each stop on our ride leaving and moving on became a little bit harder. Maybe each stop was just a little more fun for G and a little more exhausting for me, I don't know. We have our routine, our bag of tricks, that we use EVERY TIME + EVERYWHERE we go. It gets old, but at least with time and on most occasions he responds well. We give a few different warnings, sometimes one when we first get there if it is going to be a shorter than normal trip or different in any way, but always there is the "five more minutes then all done park," the "two more minutes then all done" and the "zero more minutes park". Even after those warnings our dialogue consists of "bye bye park" or "we'll come back soon" or "see you later park" or all of the above. This is not just isolated to parks, it includes any place that G loves or doesn't love for that matter (although the dialogue in the end would be more praiseworthy because he endured something he didn't want to so "Good job G! You did great! Thanks for waiting and being mommy's helper!" Something along those lines). None of this is innate within me. It was all taught by amazing intervention specialists who we would be lost without. Sometimes I forget the techniques and our days aren't as smooth or sometimes I let my frustration and temper get the best of me. 

Well sadly our picturesque day turned into a most unfortunate one. Getting back into the bike seat after wading in the river proved to be challenging! He did not want to end such a fun stop, but dinner time was approaching and I was ready to head on home. This was the farthest we had biked together and he had not napped that day. Eventually I was able to get him in the seat but it took running back after him as he escaped back into the river and carrying him to the bike up the hill, him crying and begging to stay. Typical toddler stuff probably. We finally got going again and he calmed down. I am sure I made many promises of returning, in fact, I recall saying we'd go get dad from work and come back. Oops I lied! We will go back someday, with dad so there are two of us to handle him. 

On the way back we had to pass "waterfall" outside of PF Chang's restaurant. Just a few days prior we stopped on a family bike ride and let G get out to walk around it and do his waterfall thing. He has a thing he does, the turning of the head, the angles, the sounds. I don't quite get it but someday I hope he can explain it. Well, today I didn't want to stop, however, G has this way of once he has done something a certain way he does it the same way every time and expects routines. Its good when you can control circumstances or when we want routines, but I don't want to have to stop and get him out of the bike seat for 5 minutes every time we pass "waterfall". I decided we could stop and admire it from our bike, but that wasn't good enough. When I informed him it was time to go he lost it. Kicking and screaming with all his might, I decided to ride on and ignore the behavior. It was very hard to ignore with him kicking my legs and back and the bike's balance becoming an issue. after 500 feet or so I abruptly stopped the bike and turned around. I regret what happened next and believe that it will forever be ingrained in my mind. I pointed my finger at him and told him he'd better stop. It didn't work and neither did my yelling and threats. In my frustration I resorted to what I would deem one of my most low points as a mother and human being. I wrapped my hand around his leg and dug my nails into his skin like I used to do to my sisters when we would fight as teenagers. It was cruel and it hurt him. I could see it in his eyes. It was one time in my life that I wished we hadn't gazed into each others eyes. It was horrifying. He seemed to submit to me in a terrifying way. What had I done? It is hard to admit this to the general mass, especially family and friends. My husband tried to console me telling me I'm doing my best or something, but is that really my best? I had hurt him. I had seen pain in his eyes. I knew it wasn't my best and I was horrified. 

Fast forward five days later and we went on a ride that passed by that same "waterfall". It is becoming such a common occurrence that any thought of succumbing to his desire is not realistic and my hope is that eventually he will accept that sometimes we stop and sometimes we don't. That has been the case with other obsessions usually the tantrums are done in a car where he can kick and scream and it doesn't physically involve me. Well, this ride five days later, I am happy to report went much better. I told him before we got to it that we would not stop on the way past but on our way back we would stop and look at it from the bike. He didn't get it but it is at least being vocalized. On the way back he knew we got to stop but the bike part he didn't get or didn't agree with. I walked him around the waterfall on the bike and then we said our goodbyes. He was upset. I remembered my tools this time and told him it sounded like he felt sad. I've been trying to help him realize what his emotions are and use words instead of scream. It didn't stop but he knew that kicking me wouldn't result in more waterfall so off we rode and singing a song to distract finally ended the tantrum once we made it through a couple of stoplights. 

Will he remember that day? I sure hope not for his sake and for mine. I want to help him to learn to remember the good and forget the bad. Somehow, some way I have to get to this point myself. Regardless, I will remember it (the bad) and hope to NEVER repeat it again. Needless to say I have become more consistent about seeking God's help to be more compassionate in those hard moments, something I had slacked at more recently. I wonder how I will look back on this time of our life together. I know there have been challenges, but it has been very rewarding too. My abilities as a mother have been stretched and I have been able to sacrifice and do more for G than I could have imagined. I have much more to learn though. Thankfully, despite my inadequacies and failings, the Lord has been there with us along the way and is taking sweet G into His hands and many miracles continue to happen. Goals that were established a few months ago are already accomplished. Hopefully the same can be said for me.

Now I Get It: Toddler Language

Remember this post here?

G has gone in and out of phases referring to Jengaba Jenaba. Well, the other day we were watching one of his favorite videos dutifully name "truck show" by Mr. G, he said Jenaba again. It finally dawned on me. He means "Jennifer"! One of the girls on the show is name Jennifer and he interpreted her name to be Jenaba. I had thought of Jennifer before but we don't know anyone named Jennifer. It took me a few months to figure that out, but finally did!

G's fav show right now "tractor show".

As for this great "truck show", I'm guessing we discovered it while searching "truck" on Netflix. It's called "All About Trucks". It is LAME!!! It must have been produced in the 90s and on a ZERO budget by a trucking family or something. Anyway, G absolutely loves it! He is obsessed with all things truck (and tractor now). He has now become equally obsessed with other equally lame videos in the "All About" collection-- Fire trucks and Old MacDonalds Farm. Why don't you try listening to the most monotone farmer talk about a cow's tets (really teats but the way this guy says it it sounds like a New Yorker's "eh"). Did that make sense? Probably not! Well, it seems every day at dinner when he requests a show (its how we distract him enough to get him to consume some amount of dinner) it is "Tractor Show" as G calls it. Well Farmer Joe seems to come on right about that same time I am enjoying my gourmet (right!) dinner and talks about how important it is to milk this cow twice a day everyday and you grab her tets... you get the idea. Fortunately I've become immune enough to find it more hilarious than anything else, needless to say we don't have company come for dinner much.

G's favorite tractor these days = a combine harvester. duh!

Don't you just love toddler talk and how they interpret language! What's you kiddo been saying these days?

Do you use Netflix Instant Watch? We have a Roku box and love Netflix for G and watching TV Series. I just finally got rid of the DVD portion of our Netflix. We were just so horrible about watching the DVD first off, let alone sending it back. We also love Hulu Plus for getting or TV show fixes. We don't have cable or even DTV reception. We got it in CA but I couldn't get any stations to come in for more than a second and haven't tried since moving here. Kind of a bummer because we're missing out on the Olympics. I tried to watch online but NBC is requiring that you have a contract with a cable provider basically. Lame I say, LAME!

Unforgettable Summer, Part 1

In Eugene, Oregon when the sun comes out, we go out! I mean technically we go outside even without the sun otherwise we'd be indoors for 9 months out of the year it seems. Everyone warned us of the long gloomy and wet season, but they promised absolutely gorgeous summers. Boy were they right! So far it hasn't gotten about the low 80s and it cools down at night. If its a cloudy/foggy morning you can start off with a light sweater and bundle up and it feels refreshing. Then jump into shorts for the afternoon. Since photos are way more exciting, here's our summer so far in Instagram photos...

One of our toughest days at church. We had to pull all the stops out before church even began.
We tried to help him adjust to the organ music that gets him screaming by showing up early but all that did
was require him to endure an extra 10 minutes of it during the prelude. NEVER AGAIN WILL WE ARRIVE MORE THAN A MINUTE OR TWO EARLY! In fact, we've considered having a plaque mounted on a bench and reserving it as our spot so we can just come in after the opening hymn and avoid the worst point of the meeting all together!

the Mister turned 32!
G loves birthdays - candles, singing "Happy Birthday!", cake + ice cream, and presents!

G with his sweet little friend I. We found them in his room with the door closed the other day.
I was worried for a second :)

Birthday fun! We went to dinner at BJ's and then had ice cream cake as requested by the birthday boy!

My parents came to visit. We hiked Spencer's Butte with them. G is slowly learning to tolerate the backpack.
We had to give him my iphone on the way down. It works for us so we can still enjoy doing things we prefer.

I miss my family, but I absolutely love that we are only 6 hours away!

These boys are going to be best buds 4-ever!

Hiking down Spencer's Butte I spotted what I thought was a great
photographic perspective. I'm no pro though and all I had was my iPhone.

Grandpa + Grandma O'Dell!!

Ocean Air! We absolutely love only living an hour from the coast. Just a day after my parents left town, my sister Michelle came to town with Ethan. 

During their stay there was a sunny day and so we headed to the beach.
Gavin absolutely loved having Ethan here and I think E had a good time too. He was so patient and fun with G.

This kid loves the water, cold or hot!

Aunt Chelle!

NAPS (at age three)

All children should nap! Seriously! G started giving up naps a month or so ago and those first two weeks were H-E-double hockey stick!! You get the picture. You've probably been there before. I finally adjusted thanks be to God and many prayers by friends and family in our behalf.

G's nap 6.5.2012 with his trusty semi-truck!

He still does nap on occasion, but it is NEVER in his bed. He won't even consider it. Its usually in the car or stroller (If I am in desperate need of a napping day I have been known to head to the mall or TJMaxx and stick him in that stroller with his pacifier and blanket. It has worked all but one time). Today he asked for his pacifier and blanket (he gets it for "quiet time" and so I obliged because i have way too much to accomplish today (duh, blogging!) and he moved from his bed to the couch to the newest landing place, my plastic lounge chair. It got quiet and then I realized he had settled in on the most uncomfortable place he could, in a very awkward position. Silly kid! It was sunny when he was chilling there, learning the joys of sunbathing from his mama. But if anyone knows Oregon, it still isn't summer here and well I think its starting to sprinkle. I can't bear to wake him though. He'll be a grump if I do. Hoping those dark clouds can resist the urge.

In other sleep news, G has been waking almost nightly as well since moving, sometimes a few times a night. When he started refusing naps he also started coming out of his room during the middle of the night and sleeping on the couch. Cute, but not practical for Ryan's early morning routine. It also wasn't safe because he could get into anything and everything or escape out or sliding glass door. Thanks to a little door handle cover he cannot escape from his room and it also seems to have put the kibosh on his nighttime waking/crying. I'm not holding my breath but I am extremely grateful to my Father in Heaven. Who knew a little plastic contraption that cost less than $2 could bring such peace, safety, and delight! He has gotten up a few times earlier than normal in the morning but as soon as he realizes he can't open the door he goes right back to bed. Heaven! 

mr. sandman

One thing we are loving about our new home is being much closer to the beach. Yes, the water is chilly, but not cold enough to keep us away from playing in it a bit. So far we have discovered very beautiful beaches both sandy and rocky.

Our most recent trip we went to Newport. It was a two hour drive and well worth it! We liked it much better than Florence, which is 1 hour away. This little man was meant for the sand! Many exciting memories will be made at these beaches.

This beach is going to be perfect for flying kites, which we didn't bring that trip. Next time!

jengaba: g's ramblings

G is a fan of music and earlier this week he was singing some of his favorite songs from preschool. One of the songs they sing is the good-bye song. I heard him naming off his school friends and then all of the sudden there was a new "friend". Meet "jengaba". Who is the "jengaba"? I have NO IDEA! G has been singing, "Good bye Jengaba, good bye Jengaba." Whenever I ask G who this mystery person is, he just laughs and says it more. So, I decided to find out more. I asked him if Jengaba is an animal or a person. He said, "animal". Then I asked if J is a boy or a girl. G said, "boy". That's about as far as I got for now. So we know that Jengaba is a boy! That's our first clue. On no now I have imagined I'm playing Blue's Clues. I need a break.

In addition to Jengaba, G has been coming up with some other odd names/phrases. His favorite is Bo-dingo-ding. He usually uses it when he's upset at me. I expanded on it the other day saying "mom-bo-dingo-ding". He thought it was hilarious! So then he said, "dad-bo-dingo-ding". And it was the beginning of our own secret language, although I fear most might figure it out pretty quick (I mean a 3 year old did).

Speaking of secret languages. Remember Pig Latin? Ya I never figured it out as a kid and my friends would speak it in front of me. I blame them for ALL of my insecurities. I just know they were gossiping about me every time! 

oregon life

Its been a while. Too long in fact. The time of "transitioning" is mostly gone (I think) and I think Oregon has begun to feel like home to me. Not "home, home" like the place I grew up, but the new home for our little family. The reason I feel this is because I finally feel homesick. I missed my mother this past week and when a new dear friend hugged me I imagined it was my mother embracing me and for now that hug will do. I am so glad that we moved away on our own. It isn't always easy but so far both Ryan and I have really seen the Lord's hand in our lives and we have grown tremendously! We are developing a really genuine and loving family of friends here. We feel richly blessed. Plus I absolutely know I'd have regretted not taking the chance and I'd always wonder what it'd be like to be on our own. I do miss my family dearly and I am ready for another trip home, but its only been just over a month. It feels like an eternity.

As for the rest of life here's what has been happening:

- G gave up naps, although I believe right at this moment he is crashed out on his bed, no pants and I just heard him cry out in his sleep "take off diaper". The no naps has been really rough. I'm adjusting and we have to get out of the house for a part of the day to survive. there has been sunny weather for a good part of May so that has helped! The clouds and rain returned this week though and its funny how quickly you can forget the sun exists and then when its sunny, how the doom and gloom exists.

- R is working hard! Like 10 hour days at work and then an hour or so of paperwork at home. He is determined and I'm trying to support him. I do get lonely, but I hope to adjust more. The greatest thing is his confidence and happiness levels at work. Yes, he still has patients that stump him, but he needs that to keep growing and keep humble. His greatest growth and opportunities from this job have come in spiritual ways. I can't explain how awesome it is to see him grow and how much I love hearing of his faith building experiences at work as he seeks the Lord's guidance with each and every patient. Its remarkable how the Lord really does hear and answer prayer.

- G and I are part of a Toddler + program in Eugene that is modeled after a special education preschool. It is preparing him for preschool in the fall without me. He continues to make progress and has had another of those overnight leaps in abilities. When those have occurred it is a clear indication to me of the Lord's love for him and his answers to prayer and hard work. They are true miracles!! With the refusal of naps, G started becoming more independent. He comes out of his room on his own which he WOULD NOT do and he is climbing all over furniture and jumping off all sorts of things and now will take on playgrounds and slides even though he still has some trepidation. He was a new kid overnight. I seriously asked, "Where did Gavin go?". You can imagine these advances brought good and bad. All of this and no naps was a whirlwind for me but I am ever so thankful that his brain continues to develop and connections are being made. The research says that Early Intervention works and that its key during these early years 0-3 while the brain is still developing and BOY HOWDY are they right!!

- The duplex is in a constant state of change, no surprise there! I'm on area rug #3 for the living room and I know R is more than ready to be done with that. As far as options that never even made it to our house we're on #?, I lost count. I'd finally order one to then have it not be in stock or then on backorder for months. It got frustrating. Then when some finally made it here the colors were not going to work or one had been laundered (wool) and the dyes were transferring to our clothes and skin. Not good, especially when the rug is over carpet.

- In the mormon church we are asked to serve in different areas of the church without pay. I was recently asked to be an advisor and teacher for the laurel class which is the 16-18 year old girls. That was only a month or so ago and then this past Sunday I became the 1st Counselor in the Young Women Presidency. I will still teach some, but more of my duties will be to specifically look after each individual girl in our church who is 14-15 years old. I was studying the responsibilities last night and making a list. I am excited to get to know these ladies and I hope I can be a positive example for them. I am very lacking in many qualities that would be good for this position, but I am hopeful that the Lord will teach me and help me to develop my abilities where I am weak. R has been very supportive of the time this is taking and the chance to get out and serve and be with these girls has already been a huge blessing to my life!

- We've already been to the beach a couple of times in Florence and Newport and it is absolutely beautiful and there are some great beaches! We are excited for a fun summer and fall! We hiked Spencer's Butte a couple weekends ago and that was really fun too! Beautiful, beautiful views to be had. G and I take lots of trips to the parks here and one of the most fun for us is actually Alton Baker Park. It is right along the Willamette River and is just gorgeous. No playgrounds, we just explore nature and spend lots of time watching the "waterfall" and throwing rocks (or toy tractors) in the "big river".

Throwing rocks at the "BIG RIVER". He's got quite the arm! Definitely a lefty too!

- I'm obsessed with Five Guys. I think we eat there every week and Ryan is a sweetheart for putting up with it. I want to venture out to local places but with G and his limitations we usually have to limit "eating adventures". With the warm weather coming I hope to have more picnics and get take out. We did that a lot last summer and would grab the food and head to a nearby park.

- Our church/ward (EUGENE 5th WARD) is absolutely the most friendly and kind ward ever! We aren't the only ones who feel this way about it either. It is contagious. I really feel like because of the kindness we have a true desire to pass it on and so it just keeps growing. Our bishop is a tender hearted man I can tell and he wants so very much for every individual and family to feel welcome, loved, and he does whatever he can to make sure that happens. He has offered so many things to help accommodate G and his needs and to help ease burdens on our family. I have been given a wonderful and loving visiting teacher who will be a lifetime friend I have no doubt. I have always wanted to have a mature example when I don't have my mother nearby and that is what this sister does for me. Her steady example and consistent little expressions of love for me have meant all the world to me. She too has a son with Autism, he is older, and I am so thankful for her perspective and her experience that I have to glean from.

- We had our first party at the duplex for cinco de mayo. I figured it was the one time the exterior of this gem would possibly blend right in to the fiesta! It was all very last minute but it turned out to be a wonderful evening! I think if it weren't for the kiddos us adults would have spent a few more hours chatting away, maybe even a communal sleepover (we do live in Eugene)? Kidding! Everyone pitched in with the food and that made it way more awesome (and easy). We've got some great new friends!

"Bohemian Mexican Picnic"

I had this great idea for a "bohemian mexican picnic". We sold all of our outdoor furniture before moving from CA so I had the thought to go crazy with blankets (thus the bohemian picnic vibe). I spent a couple nights staying up into the wee hours of the morning fringing mass amounts of tissue paper (not the kind for your bum) and strung it on twine to make it more festive out there. I was told it "made" the party. I sure hope so because it was a labor of love (or self-indulgence). Personally, I think it was the company of some great friends. I really hope we are all a part of each others lives for a long time to come!

We can't forget the food! Thanks to Annie's suggestion and mad skills we had delicious fish tacos. My favorite! Imagine gorgeous fruit kebobs, cilantro rice and spicy black beans, delicious mixed greens salad, blackberry lemonade and cucumber lemon water, and of course its not a party without chips and salsa! I spent way too many hours deciding on dessert since its not really an area of cooking/baking I've explored. I tried some blackberry pie bars from pinterest because I've made similar raspberry bars with great success and they turned out amazing. Even better they were 10x more delicious the next day. Don't you just love that when that happens! BTW, R and I both agreed that the blackberry pie bar recipe was better than the much loved Raspberry bar recipe. It was more pie crusty which we both love! Plus the raspberry bar recipe uses jam and its almost too sweet. The blackberry pie recipe actually had some lemon zest which complimented the berries very nicely!

Speaking of pinterest, I'm still obsessed. As of today I also hit 100 followers. So glad I finally did because now I am sure to become famous in the blogsphere by age 352. I hope I can live until then :). Are you still into pinterest or is it a dying flame for you? Or are you one of those who have yet to bite the hook?

That's it for now. I'll be back soon! I've missed this. I hope you have too!