California Dreamin'

All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey...I'd be safe and warm, If I was in LA....

These lyrics are ALL true and boy did we have some California Dreamin' on our trip!  It's been a long, frigid East Coast Winter and we couldn't wait to get out to the warm California sun.  The trip didn't disappoint either.  Not even a missed flight (never underestimate the NYC traffic!) and a middle of the night arrival in LA could rain on our sunny adventure!

We spent time with family, hitting 2 museums (the Skirball in LA and the Discovery Science Museum in Santa Ana), a production of the Sound of Music with Evan's mom, more family, Disneyland, the beach, friends and relaxing.  Everything was perfect!  Thanks to Alisa (shout out to you Alisa!!) we got into Disneyland for FREE!  It's so amazing to see Disneyland through your kids' eyes.  Wesley was finally tall enough to ride on most of the thrills and they loved all the magic of the park.  The ride home was just as expected with all three kids completely sacked out in the back seat, mouths hung open.  I'm so glad that we were able to have a break from our daily routines and head out West.  We were certainly safe and warm in LA!

***note:  Our trip was about 3 weeks ago, I'm just a little behind around here!

Smith Family: REJUVENATED!

Fun was had by all!

At last, a private meeting with Mickey!

"A dream is a wish your heart makes...."

Corona Del Mar Beach in the OC

Welcome Back ME!

Sorry for the hiatus, but the stars and planets have been out of alignment for me to be able to post, not for lack of content, so I'll try to catch up. Here are our latest Easter pics. The kids really didn't cooperate for THE Easter picture this year, but here is a hodgepodge of the day for your viewing enjoyment and it looks like the theme is "from the back" because no one wanted to pose for pictures. I really loved their outfits this year too, so maybe I'll stage another Easter Photo Shoot some day soon! Hope all your egg hunts were lovely! xoxo

Homemaking and making a home...

First of all, I don't take for granted my cushy life at all. I am grateful that I have a husband that allows me to stay home. I am grateful that I have a home. I am grateful.

This week I had an eye-opening experience. One that made me take a look back and give thanks again in my heart for all that I have.

The other night after the kids were snuggly tucked in their beds, I left Evan to watch the latest episode of MYTHBUSTERS and I went on a night milk run and sanity break. Of course, whenever I need to feel better about my day, a therapeutic shopping trip to the mother ship always makes me feel stellar! Feeling happy and fleeting around the store, I came across a very familiar face, one I see each morning between 7:55 and 8:06,  Sharon, the bus monitor who always greets Sophia by name and has her best safety interest at heart.  Then I realized Sharon was not shopping, but folding a mountain of towels.  I greeted her in my playful Liz way, saying, "Is that my Sharon?!"  She sheepishly looked up and said, "Sure is."  My inquisitive mind wanted to know, "Do you work here a lot?"  She replied, "5 days a week from 5:30-9:45pm."  My mind did a few calculations thinking she is the bus monitor from 7:30-4 and then works here for the duration of her day?  Only to collapse into bed at the end of the day, I'm sure.  I then started thinking who was the real homemaker here?  Was it me, shopping and trying to fill my home up with beautiful things to warm the walls and create interesting spaces for my family or was it Sharon who was working the majority of her waking hours to make ends meet and keep a roof over her kids' heads?  I have pondered this encounter so much this week and can't get her image out of my mind. 

All I want to say is God Bless you, Sharon! You are an amazing woman and I applaud you.