Good Morning

My dad came down to hang out this weekend and we spent a little time this morning at the beach playing hide and seek, tag and "sledding" down the dunes on a cardboard box. Playing with my family is one of my favorite things to do. Wyatt likes to pretend he is Spiderman in all pictures. At this point, he is hoping for a Spiderman birthday party in March. I guess I'm glad we've moved past a hyena party.

Pliers Save the Day

After a wonderful dentist appointment that included a growling tiger and remote control helicopter, we got home and I locked the keys in the car with Wyatt in his car seat. Garett's got the only other set of car keys and works a good 40 minutes away. Such a bummer. I tried not to panic and had Wyatt pop open the back window with his foot. It only opens about two inches but it was enough that he could pass me my iPhone through the crack. Thank goodness he was playing Angry Birds on the way home.

First I tried to talk him through unbuckling the car seat. We haven't worked on this before because, frankly, I've been happy that he can't get himself out of the seat by himself. He got the top of the buckle after only about five minutes and was proud of himself. The bottom buckle is much more difficult so we took a little break and then started working on it. "Pinch the buckle with both of your thumbs on the red button. Listen and feel for the click, then slide it down." I must have said this or a version of this 30 times. This was very frustrating for him.

Meanwhile I called AAA and they said it would be about 40 minutes. I then called 911 (I know, non-emergency, but 40 minutes felt like too long.) As I was on hold with 911, Wyatt asked me to go inside and get his pliers from his tool bench. I brought back a couple of screwdrivers and a wrench which he informed me would not work. I finally found the pliers and slipped them through the window crack to Wyatt while I was still on hold with 911. In under a minute, he opened the buckle using the pliers and the crisis was averted. AAA pulled up at this very moment and praised Wyatt for being a problem solver. The driver asked Wyatt if he'd like to start working with him and Wyatt beamed.

Wyatt's patience, persistence and creativity amaze me. I had exhausted my reserve of creativity but he kept thinking and eventually figured it out. I see the qualities that I love in Garett in three year old form in Wyatt. Wyatt's persistence sometimes shows up at moments when I wish it didn't but I am trusting that God will use this beautiful strength for His purposes during the course of Wyatt's life. I got a simple glimpse of that today and am thankful for my determined child.

Long Term Morro Bay Vacation

We're doing a big house project and my parents graciously offered their Morro Bay home to us during construction. We've been here for a week and still feel like we are on vacation. Being in Morro Bay feels so familiar and it seems like my to-do list is a lot smaller not living in my own home. We took several family bike rides over the weekend and Wyatt and I rode more today. Tonight when Garett got home from work we rode down to the pet store to get Ruby food. Bike riding is so much fun, almost as fun as being on the water.

Park #1 - A three minute big-wheel ride.

Park #2 - A ten minute big-wheel ride.

Beach and Dunes - A ten minute big-wheel ride.

The roof of the garage is ripped off and a bedroom and bathroom will be built on top. We're also pushing out a couple of walls a bit and putting the kitchen in new spot. It's probably going to take about four months. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to many bike rides and quick beach trips. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the home!

In the City

We spent almost a week in San Francisco after Christmas and enjoyed our time. Highlights include:

- First time staying in Noe Valley

- House of Air

- Ferry Building

- Public transportation

- Great food (Plow, Pakwan, La Boulange, Ike's, Humphrey Slocombe's Bourbon and Cornflakes ice cream )

- Heath Ceramics

- Parks (Golden Gate, Douglass)

- Wyatt riding his bike everywhere

- Phoenix Books

- Ringing in the new year with Josh

- A lot of walking

Wyatt is getting a lot more fun to travel with and he is usually up for an adventure. We found a few parks within walking distance of our apartment. Aside from being sick the whole time, it was good to explore a new part of town and spend time with my brother. I hope it's not too long before we can spend some time there again.

My two pirates.

Ferry Building

Nutella and banana bagel at Toast

Slide at Douglass Park

24th St

First Muni ride

Bike riding at Golden Gate Park.

The shark helmet was a hit.

Another park.

Merry Christmas

I couldn't imagine a more wonderful way to spend Christmas than playing on the beach with family. My dad and I even got to play catch. Happy birthday, Jesus.

Best Deal Ever

Last night we decided to get a Christmas tree. It's possible that we could have planned this out a bit better so that we could enjoy the tree for longer than two days. We drove past the tree lot in favor of a quick pozole dinner. As we cruised by the lot at 7:30 the lights were off and it was shut down. Because who is out buying a Christmas tree on the night of the 23rd? We are.

We ended up going to the pharmacy near our house and found a beautiful Douglas Fir with a stand marked down to $5. I think they may have paid us to take the tree. We had a good laugh as we hoisted the tree into the truck and decided this may be a new tradition - a $5 pharmacy tree the night before Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas!

Advent

Wyatt's been saying more funny things as he connects the dots in his little world. I find myself laughing nearly all the time and I much prefer laughing to crying. This morning he declared, "Santa drives a very unusual vehicle," and then told me all the details about the sled and the reindeer and the flying. I guess I can't disagree.

As we talk about Christmas and celebrating Jesus' birthday, he figured out that this may be an occasion for cake. This has exponentially increased interest in the season.

I gave in and we baked sugar cookies together this afternoon. After using "baking cookies" as a reward for over a week, I finally had to make good on my promise. We now have undecorated sugar cookies resting all over the kitchen counter and I suppose Garett will smile when he sees them. Maybe I can pawn off the decorating to Garett while I give a final tonight?

We are also learning how to think of others and not ourselves. This is a difficult concept for my 34 year old self and it's even more impossible for my 3 year old boy. One way we're practicing this is entering toy stores together and focusing on what might bring joy to our cousins rather than ourselves. It's sweet to see Wyatt's heart expand.

As I am tempted to pile up the calendar, I breathe deep and ask God for his peace during this notoriously busier time of year. Our families have given us the gift of "no gifts" this Christmas so this has relieved us of the constant focus on purchasing that thing that someone probably doesn't really need anyway. We get to share, instead, with those who probably need it more. For me, this is about using the resources and energy that God has blessed us with to do things that He cares about. I don't want to miss these opportunities.

Sometimes I compare myself with other families who do loads of crafty/homemaking things during this season. There is such beauty and creativity happening around the world but I find a way to make it about me. This turns the focus onto myself and what I do or don't do and how I may or may not be thwarting Wyatt's Christmas experience. It is ridiculous the thoughts that bounce around in my head and I am reminded of my deep need for a Savior.

Yes, a Savior. A Redeemer who rescues us from ourselves. I need that Savior more than ever.

Jalama Beach

Last week I had the joy of spending a night alone in a beautiful spot. Jalama Beach is a place I've been curious about so I reserved a tiny cabin perched out on the ocean and my parents graciously kept Wyatt for a sleepover. It's only an hour and a half drive and even that was peaceful just getting to be alone in the car. Jalama is, indeed, a special place, very remote and relatively untouched. The wind was intense but that did not prevent a very long walk on the beach.

This is content, relaxed me. I am noticing more and more how I need this time. It's time to be with God freely without a schedule and time to only care for myself. In these settings, I am more open with God and able to listen more intently. It reminds me how much I need Him and fuels a desire deep in my soul to know Him more. Proverbs 31:25 pressed into my heart deeper than before:

"She is clothed with strength and dignity;

She can laugh at the days to come."

I desire to laugh at the days to come rather than be driven by fear. I don't mean this in a head-in-the-sand kind of way. I am thinking about this as a lightness through life and a hope to live day by day and not borrow worry from tomorrow, next month or next year.

Cul-de-sac

We celebrated Halloween for a full week and the candy has proven handy for bringing about good behavior through bribery. Wyatt was a "dangerous velociraptor" and tried to only use his hands for kindness while wearing his costume. We carved pumpkins and Garett took Wyatt around the neighborhood while I taught my class.

We've been having a lot of fun in the front yard lately. It's nice for Wyatt and Ruby to run wild and everything is better once Garett is home from work. Wyatt is on the back end of three and it is starting to show. He's more boy than before and I see more of Garett in him each day.

And then he reminds me that he is, indeed, three.

Best.Birthday.In.A.Decade

First my title was Best.Birthday.Ever but there was my 20th birthday during college when my parents and grandparents got together and sent me a huge gift package filled with things like a digital camera, clothes, shoes and work-out gear. They sent 20 individually wrapped gifts and I felt very known and loved.

But this birthday was amazing from start to finish. I woke up to Wyatt at my bedside at 7:55 (his latest in quite some time) talking about a present in his trash can. I didn't think that a gift was in my future since Garett has been working so much. I didn't think a card was in my future. Garett found time to pick something up at the gallery with the special jewelry and wrote a sweet card. Then I took a walk up our hill with a good friend and our boys and dogs ran and ran and ran. It was a clear, warm morning with hardly a hint of wind. My heart was full. A pizza party at Wyatt's school came next and this could have been a downer (What, you don't think spending a birthday in a room full of three year olds sounds like fun?) but it wasn't. I got to know a few of the parents and Wyatt did not completely freak out when we left. I met a few friends from church for a bible study in the afternoon and one brought tasty cupcakes. Yum. Wyatt and I rushed home to find our aunt and uncle who stopped by for a spontaneous visit and my Uncle Sandy concocted one of his famous margaritas for me. We had a small bite to eat together and then Garett and I went out by ourselves to Novo for appetizers, drinks and dessert. We talked as we sat at my favorite table under the oak tree and sipped our delicious drinks. The money that came in a few envelopes in the mail earlier that day helped us feel a little less stressed about the bill than usual. I got several kind calls from dear friends and family near and far and it was good to hear the voices of so many that I love. I would have been a happy girl with just one of these special events but the sum total made it over-the-top.

We spent the weekend camping at Kirk Creek with clear skies and temperatures in the 80's. Wyatt didn't want to come home and I may have opted to stay a few more days if there were showers at the campground. We spent a lot of time at the beach and slept from about 8 until 7 each night. Now that I mention it, I'm not entirely sure why I don't feel more rested. I feel full after good time with my boys.

We explored several potential kayak fishing spots for Garett because we're headed back to Big Sur in a few weeks.

Mug of hot cocoa as big as his head? Check.

Our watch dog who did not alert us to the raccoons in our camp.

This is the most focus I've seen in Wyatt in a long time.

Joy

We spent Monday on the beach in Cayucos enjoying the warm weather and the free day. Wyatt's exuberance at the beach brings me great joy. I'm thankful for my boys and Ruby.

The World Wide Wrestling Federation Would Be Proud

It's been a long month around here. As I start this post I see that I've started but not completed four blog posts this month. This is a picture of life at this moment - a lot of starting but not a lot of completing.

May I vent? Wyatt is pushing harder and harder and I continue to find new ways to be his mom. This has included a lot more reading on the subject and firmer boundaries that come quicker than before. It has also included picking him up at 10am from preschool for hitting another child after discovering that the child being hit has been afraid to go to school. It has included bites, hits, and head butts. (In fact, one unfinished blog post was entitled this.) We are also experiencing spitting, "I hate you's", and 6am gallon of ice cream eating (and, no, it wasn't me). There has been a lot more praying, which I suppose is a bright spot in the whole thing.

To summarize, he is a full blown three year old and I desire to be the parent that God has created me to be. While I often don't know exactly what that looks like, I am trusting that my desire to honor God and experience his grace and love through it will sustain. My mom sent me a link this week that I feel compelled to pass along. I am very thankful to have a mom that does not pressure me to have a perfect child but rather encourages me to listen to and talk with God as I walk through it.

http://www.ccef.org/video/teaching-children-who-are-reluctant-change

I much prefer "children who are reluctant to change" to "strong-willed child" but either are apt. Coming to terms with this reality has been painful but honest. Recognizing the whole person that Wyatt is has given me the freedom to parent him in some different ways than before. Instead of feeling beat down and discouraged that he requires so much of me right now, I want to celebrate who he is and continue embracing my role as his mom.

Garett has been working quite a bit but we've been trying to go to various Happy Hour's around town when the mood strikes. Guiseppe's and The Neon Carrot were a delight (even if we were the only ones there with a three year old) and I appreciate that Garett is usually up for my whims (and doesn't mind the lack of planned dinner.) The highlight of (the end of) summer was joining the Elk's Lodge. We've swam, swam, swam for the past month and enjoyed every bit of it. We also built a lego structure to the ceiling. It's a robot, in case you can't tell. Another simple pleasure is a Peach Basil Smoothie made with late season Fairtime peaches. Yum.

The Neon Carrot

The Elk's Lodge

Tallest Lego Creation Ever

I'm voting for less head butts but at least I know Wyatt will have a promising career in the WWWF.

Patience

This afternoon Wyatt woke up from a long rest asking to make chocolate cupcakes. I obliged and we carefully added each ingredient together. As we stirred Wyatt said, "Mommy, I'm being really patient. I'm patient when we're making cupcakes because I do not want to get a consequence." Maybe we are on to something? I can hear myself now. "Let's pretend we're making cupcakes..."

This was last weekend when Wyatt got a cheetah face painting at the Italian street painting festival at the Mission downtown. He still loves wild and mysterious animals. And he continues to be a wild and mysterious animal.

The Fish That Will Not Be Named

A few weeks ago Garett caught an enormous, 47 inch, 32 pound fish. I would love to tell you all about it but it's super top secret and Garett might banish me from all things boat related if I give away his fishing spot. I will tell you that it was amazing eating and that I don't think I've ever seen Garett quite so proud and beaming. To top it off, my Midwestern foodie friend, Jenni, was able to shower Garett with interest in his moment of glory. About 45 pictures were taken and Garett still lights up like a Christmas tree when I pull out the pictures on my phone.

While I'm spotlighting Garett, I'd like to mention something else that is especially pleasant about him. I'm back to teaching. The first several weeks are always a mix of joy in getting back to what I love and exhaustion in all of the administrative details that pile up at the beginning of the semester. I am teaching on Monday and Tuesday nights from 7 - 10, in addition to my usual Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Last night as I headed to my Tuesday night class, I felt bad leaving Garett and Wyatt with no prospect of dinner in sight. Not to say that I am the usual dinner-preparer in our home, it's typically a team effort. But I knew Wyatt was tired after his day at preschool with no nap and I also knew that the fridge was nearly entirely empty. Sorry, honey.

But Garett is creative and committed to feeding Wyatt and himself well. He put together a fantastic pasta meal that I came home to enjoy after late class last night. Here's what I found: Whole grain fusilli pasta with asparagus, red and yellow tomatoes (from our garden), banana squash (from a friend's garden), chopped walnuts and a dash of olive oil and fresh herbs with shredded Asiago cheese on top. Delicious. I felt so cared for to come home to this tasty meal.

Here's Garett in his fishing glory.

A few friends visited in early August and the time together was beyond expectation. We played, rested, ate well and connected. To have time together without our kids was a great, great gift.

And I finally got to go paddleboarding again. My first attempt was in Santa Barbara in July and my balance was less than stellar to say the least. I could not stand on the board for more than about 5 seconds without crashing into the open ocean with flailing arms and legs just hoping to catch the board. It was not a pretty sight. This experience was easy and pleasant. The board was enormous. I don't think I could have tipped it over if I tried. Garett and Wyatt cheered me on from the side.

It's difficult for me to describe what it is about being on or in water that fills my soul but it does. Maybe it's the bit of adventure that I need? Or maybe it's experiencing close-up the beauty of God's creation? Or maybe it's using different muscles? Or maybe it's being all by myself in the quiet of the sea? All I know is that it is important and I intend to make time for it even when life feels full.

Ma-ahm

This week Wyatt started calling me mom instead of mommy and I can honestly say it is the first moment that I've been sad to see him growing up. I feel like all of the sudden I have a teenager on my hands when I hear the long, drawn out, two syllable, "Ma-ahm." Where did my three year old go and will he return?

Then he pees all over his clothes and needs my help to wipe his bottom. Oh, there he is.