The Real Deal

Do you ever feel like you are lost? Not physically lost..but you know not sure where the old you is? I have been feeling that often lately. I thought it was because my house is a mess. Nothing new there. Because I fat.....nothing new there either! Because I am so busy.....nope not new! OK so you see the problem. If there is no new issue then where am I?

Funny it took a trip to my favorite thinking spot to figure it out. As I sat on the beach watching the waves I realized I had been slipping. Becoming a person I don't like. The girl who worries what others think about how she looks. Who is concerned about her messy house more then concerned for their friend who is ill. Who is insecure and unhappy. This is not the real me!

So, as I sat watching my son learn to surf I noticed a lady taking pictures of her son learning to surf. She had the grown-up version of my camera, with a butt kicking zoom lens! I walked over to ask her about her camera and lens. She said "here try my other lens see if you like it". Who does that? A $900 lens I feel the need to point out. Well I loved it and her. I visited with her awhile and was reminded of the old me. The one who liked who she was. The one who was generous with others.

It started me thinking about a few questions.

1. Who am I now?

2. Who do I want to be?

3. What made me forget in the first place?

I know that I am first and foremost, a child of God. I know that He loves me. This without a doubt I know. Then if God made me and thought I was good why do I not act that way? I am strong, healthy, smart, and sometimes even fun. I want to be more. I want to be less concerned with my fat and more concerned with my heart. I want to be the person who sees others in need and responds. I want to be the person who keeps my unkind thoughts to myself and one day to not have them at all! Why did I get so off track? Well frankly I struggle to be my authentic self here. I am not overly concerned with having a perfect house, car, clothes or furniture. That is not the norm here. I found myself getting in stuck in the mire. No more. Holly the cute picture taker helped me see that. Not through any conversation but rather just by watching her.

Now about the picture....Holly took this of me while I was gathering shells with Morgan and Trevor, my nephew. First I am always the one taking the pictures. Second in case you didn't notice...I am wearing a swimsuit. Third I am actually posting it. So try not to focus so much on how I look and instead look past that to what I am doing; enjoying my family! This is who I am. The real me. I am going to try to remember that more fully!

Chad Turns 12

My California boy learns to surf....showing how you can move the boy from the ocean but you can not take away his love of it!

This trip much time was spent with family

and the beauty of my first true love....

Huntington Beach!

We travel home early tomorrow morning. I just had to share this little preview. I have had many hours to reflect on my live and for whatever reason my brain works much better at the beach. I have gotten some perspective on my life and plan to write about it in the next few days.

Day At the Beach ( I Wish! but the lake will do)

This past Saturday we went to Pine View with our friends the Hadley's. They invited us to go boating. We all had a blast. The Hadley's are super fun to be around, with kids both our kids ages. So Corbin showed Chad how to water ski; then Chad tried. Chad gave it a few tries but was not able to get up on the ski's! He had a blast trying. Morgan decided that tubing would be way more fun. Plus she was able to go with her friend Katelynn. The two of them were hysterical together!! Both girls would scream at Sherm if he jumped over a wake. They just wanted a nice smooth ride! They were little granny's out there. The boys on the other hand wanted it faster and more wild!

What a great way to start summer!

Family Night

This last Monday we had a little outdoor family night. The kids and I ate yummy smores. Charlie used his mad skills to build the fire! Then informed me that he has never really liked smores. Who does not like Smores?? All this time and he hid it from me!I feel like I don't even know him!

Then the wind started blowing and sky got all dark and we got dumped on! It was so cool! I love summer thunder storms!

The tree was whipping, this picture really does not do it justice!

6 down and 2 to go

After a long season, the Dodgers were in a solid 2nd place. Tournament started and Chads team lost the first game, throwing them into the losers bracket. Not to worry..it was the shot they needed to battle back. Now with a 5 game streak they are playing for 1st place. They play tonight and if they win, again tomorrow. I think it is apparent that my boys are hot and tired. They both agree that 2nd place is really not that bad.
Oh by the way..Chad plays catcher, 2nd base, and center field. NOT PITCHER...not even one pitch in a real game. With tournament rules being what they are Charlie can not pitch his best pitchers tonight. He has to pitch #'s 3, 4, and 5! Start praying...Chad is #4. He is ready...certain he can seal the deal. I on the other hand am sick to my stomach.

Level 4

When we signed up for swimming I placed Morgan in level 3, one level above last year...but she is too good, so they moved her up to level 4. Its hard to believe she was nervous to swim just over a year ago. She is quite the swimmer these days. Floating skills..kick board skills...Morgan has skills all around!!


Back stroke? No problem! Breast stroke? Got it! Butterfly? Simple! Treading water? Well maybe in a few more lessons...

Home Run Derby

The one benefit of Charlie being on the baseball league board is KEYS!!! Keys to the lights, the pitching machine, and balls. So some friends of ours called and after the last game, 10pm we headed out for a little home run derby.



Sherman in his umpire uniform.
He still has it! Charlie had the most home runs!

Bryce was right behind Charlie in total runs..but he hit the house behind the fields so I would have to say he won!

Kade one of the boys Charlie coached on football was hitting!
Chad in full laker attire! He got under a couple and really hit them deep.

I think that Charlie has such a cool follow through stance. It was a good time for all. My friend Becky hit as well as me! I did not hit a home run, big suprise. Morgan hung out in the snack bar behind home plate watching in warmth and safety.