the many shades of violet.

Pink Majesty in the Spring.

2012-02-09T22:21:00.000-08:00

Spring seems to be here. Was it even winter? Here in California we are in a severe drought. We finally had our first rainfall sometime in January and it was the first since October. It's been unseasonably warm, all winter, and while I usually celebrate the warmth of spring I wonder if such dryness will make our summers even more smoldering than they already are.

Even still, I am thankful for the longer days that are sneaking up on us. I see bits of growth in my yard here and there. When we first moved into our house nearly two years ago we planted a pink tulip tree along with three fruit (nectarine,apricot and plum) trees and a jacaranda. Last year none of our trees blossomed and I was convinced the nasty frost got to them.

Needless to say I was elated when I walked out side this week and found these beautiful little buds on our pink tulip tree, waiting just waiting to flourish into pink majesty; when she's ready, of course :)

Nearly all of my "free time" has been spent studying.

I am thankful Violet still takes a two hour nap otherwise I don't know what I would do. Graduate school is such a different experience for me, compared to undergraduate.

Six years ago all I wanted to do is get out of school so I packed my schedule 21 units in ONE semester WHILE working 25 hours a week. I'm not sure how I made it though with decent grades but I did.

Now, well it's quite different. I am taking 6 units, and taking my time. Absorbing, reading, studying, writing.

I love it. I love school.

I am etnerally thankful for the way things have worked out thus far. I am in class two days a week, and the rest I am able to be home with Violet,

I have a complete sense of peace knowing I am supposed to be where I am.

We've been keeping busy preparing for our spring/summer garden. Unfortunately our winter garden wasn't as prolific as last year. We planted late, and not from seed at that ( I have a thing with seedlings bought from the store). I think I have given up on planting carrots and brussel sprouts.

Winter gardens aren't nearly as fun anyway.

Violet helped me plant the seeds this year. I love showing her the good things of life. When we go to Aunt Ani's house to collect some eggs we thank the chickens. "Thank you chickens for the eggs, we promise to enjoy them."

She truly is is blossoming into such a sweet little girl. Yes, a little girl. I ask her if she will be my baby forever, and she replies, "No Mommy I'm a toddler forever ok?"

There is no rest when she is up, we are constantly on the go, whether we are painting, planting, building forts, cooking together.

It's so nice to have her by my side.

That's all for now. It's getting harder for me to spend time on blogger like I used to. I get insane amounts of guilt if I am doing anything but reading when the house is finally quiet. Except for yoga, there is always time for that.Leaving you with this sweet little video I found on tumblr. I have to find a cat as awesome as this one. Enjoy friends.

I'll be around

So Much Love.

2012-02-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

What a unique and special friendship we are starting to develop. Our lives wouldn't be as colorful with out her.

I'm planning to catch this little blog up to date with what has been going on the past month.

I love that we too, can change with the seasons.

Sit tight until then.

So much love,

Katheen&Violet

the almost first day of preschool

2012-01-27T09:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of our *almost first day of preschool. Let me start by prefacing that I am terrible at remembering dates. So much so, my inability to show up on the right day, or the right time for events has become a running joke with our circle of friends. In fact in 2011 I have missed our good friend's baby's first birthday party/moving away party, and showed up to a baby shower a day early. There are more, but I'll keep those to myself for the sake of saving face. :)

So, maybe it was no surprise to everyone when I showed up to a vacant classroom with my elated little preschool girl, who had cute little pigtails, saddle shoes and a backpack on.

Where are all my friends? Violet asked me. I got down on my knees, held her two little hands in mine and said, Mommy made a mistake. Preschool starts on a different day. And of all things Violet could have done in this situation, do you know what she did? She made sad puppy dog face. Yes. That's right. she stuck that bottom lip out, and cast her little doe eyes to the ground.

It broke my heart into 58 million pieces.

Let's go have a bagel, and then go to the park, I told her.

She perked up right away. Needless to say. We were at the park for a long time that day.

So if you are wondering what we are doing Thursday morning of next week. We will probably be taking this exact same picture, for the second time in a row.

go,go,go.

2012-01-23T17:51:00.000-08:00

I recently came across this video through a friend. It is worth 3:57 of your time.

It makes me long for late spring and early summer, where we would pack our little volkswagen and just go, go, go.

just a little bit.

2012-01-19T22:12:00.000-08:00

Wishing time wouldn't sail away so quickly.

Can we just stand still, just for a little bit longer?

The larger part of me, wants to be where we are forever; the quieter side is excited to see where the wind directs us next.

First stop: Preschool (!)

the face off of 2012

2012-01-14T20:39:00.000-08:00


happy, sad, asleep, goofy, stinky, and, constipated(?)

Happy weekend, friends.

my mantra for the moment.

2012-01-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

My mantra this week:

This is not the last hurrah before grad school, this is not the last hurrah before grad school.

quiet moments of 2011 (on film)

2012-01-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

Film reminds me of quiet and simple moments in life.

Where patience supersedes the perfectionist's need to review, edit, or take away.

I'll never argue with that kind of reminder.

The Answer My Friend.

2011-12-31T13:13:00.000-08:00

As we wrap up the holiday season, I sigh in relief. Though the magic, and warmth of all those family get togethers, the purchasing and wrapping and giving of presents, watching my little girl's face light up when we pick out and decorate our tree is something I tuck away in the corners of my heart; I can't seem to get rid of the ever-constant voice in my head that asks me, what I am I doing to give to others? Not just family or close friends, and not just once a year when the weather starts to change. How am I showing Violet there is more to life than her how to live selflessly

I was in Bakersfield with Jake and my sisters in law a day before Christmas Eve. We visited my favorite street of antique stores for some window shopping; mainly to get out of the house before the barrage of family came for the annual Bergen extravaganza. After we were done shopping we meandered down town for a bit.

I often find myself in this situation. Outside, with Violet, as Jake is decoding a construction site. I sat patiently waiting as Jake walked up and down the street in a pacing sort of manner like he usually does. Violet was being entertained by my sister in law's boyfriend so I let my mind wonder as it usually does: "I hope so-and-so like their present.Did I get my mom something?Oh-yah, Kelsey took care of it.Violet better freaking nap before the party, ugh.I want new bike to ride to school.Can I use my school loan to get the bike I want?Probably not." Out of the corner of my eye, across the street I saw a family of five pushing a shopping cart which seemed full of their minimal belongings. We all exchanged the usual words of condolence of their situation, and nothing more.

As we started to walk back to the car, the man who was with his family, pushing the shopping cart of belongings jaunted across the street meet up with us:
Excuse me, the man said
I'm not looking for a free hand out or nothing, but I just lost my job at the oil rig.
I'm so sorry, I reply
We just lost our house, and our car blew up. I'm not looking for a free handout, he reiterates as my eyes focus on him, then shift to his family across the street standing next to their shopping cart.
Do you know of any jobs? Or places that are hiring? he asks semi-hopefully.
I directed him to a non profit I used to work for when Jake and I lived in the area that would be able to give he and his family assistance.

We parted ways.

I felt sick.

We came back to our warm home, with food on the table, and family always at a close reach in times of need. Before bedtime time, I read Blowin' In the Wind a children's book synced with lyrics by Bob Dylan. I read and sang these lyrics over and over in my head:

How many years can some people exist,
before they're allowed to be free?
And how many times can a man turn his head,
and pretend that he just doesn't see?

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind,
the answer is blowing in the wind.

How many times must a man look up,
before he sees the sky?
And how many ears must one man have,
before he can hear people cry ?

I have thought about that man, and his family everyday since then.

I thought about all the things I could and maybe should have done to help him more. Why didn't I offer his family food? What if I invited him to our family dinner, and let them spend the night? Why didn't I give him money?

As I sit and reflect on 2011 and the prospect of 2012, I tell me myself I want to the that person that gives what she has and more. The person that quickly recognizes situations of need.

I realized later, that the things I need to change about my self are completely up to me. In 2012 I hope to get my hands dirty

Work from the base of who who I am

and most importantly smooth those rough edges.

May 2012 bring you joy, refinement and open eyes to the needs of others.

Toilet Talk.

2011-12-17T00:24:00.000-08:00

Violet has been announcing that she is not a baby anymore, that in fact, she is a toddler. I

kindly let her know that since she isn't a baby anymore, that we had to get rid of her diapers and only wear big girl underwear.

She agreed to this until she realized 20 minutes later she was mysteriously sitting in her own urine.

Come on!

I told her in my most uppity excited voice I could squeeze of clinched grin/smile

(urine on carpet is not desirable).

Let's use the potty!

I DON'T LIKE THE TOILET! she screamed

I picked her up and we ran to the toilet.

Let's just count to 10 and then we will be done, I told her.

I counted to 25. She counted with me.

After we counted, I changed her pants. She let me know that she wanted a diaper. I reminded her that toddlers don't use diapers.

She suddenly wanted to be a baby again.

For the next 4 hours I set the timer for every 15 minutes. And every 15 minutes I dragged Violet to the toilet.

Sometimes she'd day something cute like: Nope, not yet. Maybe next time. Other times she'd pretend like she pretend like she actually went.

Hear that mama? It's Poop. I did it!

Nothing. Nothing for 4 hours straight. Nothing 16 times I put her on the toilet. Nothing.

I put her down for a nap WITH a diaper.

She woke up from her nap fully loaded, her crib sheet was drenched, and her pants were completely soaked.

That's ok...Maybe next time Mama, she tells me.

A wedding in a Train Station.

2011-12-12T09:27:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to bed at 9:00 pm. Which is rare in my house. What is even more rare, is that as soon as my head hit the pillow I was asleep. No tug of war with the blanket, not adjusting my pillow 58 times, no getting up to check to see if Jake really locked the door like he said; I was out. On Saturday my brother and his beautiful new wife celebrated their love at the historic Union Station in downtown LA. We danced all night, we ate and drank to our hearts content, It was truly the most fun I have had in a long time.

It couldn't have been more perfect. The venue was built in 1935 and was fully loaded with art deco flair ( MY FAVORITE ) . Everything about this wedding was them. From the bow ties and suspenders, to the succulent flower arrangements, to the home-brewed beer to the veggie friendly meal. There was no doubt you were celebrating their love.

You truly can't go wrong in a bow tie and suspenders.

Violet was fabulous the whole night. I was worried that come 8:30 (her bed time) she would become unglued. I was wrong. She danced all night. We got home around 11:00 and she was still awake, and asking where her other "flow-der girls" were. There were repercussions the next day. Violet was the most cranky she has been in a long time. It was worth it.

Armenian dancing!

To many, many, many more years of happiness for Greg and Tracie!

everything else in between

2011-12-05T22:56:00.000-08:00

The winter days are shorter indeed.

We wake up and somewhere in between playing doctor to stuffed animals, eating pretend "shpa-netthi", going on a long bike ride pulling the baby trailer behind me, I quickly lose track of the day. Where did my day go?

And how have I managed to not talk to a single adult until 6:00 when Jake gets home?

Don't be confused. I am not complaining.

From the time I felt Violet's first little flutter of a kick in my belly I imagined having conversations with her.

I thought of all the funny things I thought she might say, singing songs together, dancing, and teaching her everything I know under the sun.

And now that day is here, I think: Is there anything better than this?

Sure, a LOT of days are harder than others. We have three first born children living under one roof. That's three people trying to boss each other around.

Tempers flair, tears are shed, and it seems like we are all trying to negotiate our way ( I'm not just talking about Violet. We ALL are hard headed in this family).

With graduate school starting again in January I am reminded even more, that this time in our lives in short.


I desperately absorb, the tempers, negotiations, tears, singing, dancing, laughing and everything in between. And even then, I can't imagine anything better.

shake on it.

2011-12-02T08:18:00.000-08:00

Violet: I want Joe's O's (Cheerios from Trader Joe's) for breakfast!

Me: I just made you oatmeal, we can have Joe's O's later.

note: why do most of our disagreements stem from oatmeal??

Violet: NO!! I WANT JOE'S O'S!

Me: When you finish your oatmeal I'll give you some Joe's O's, okay?

Violet: okay...

Me: Shake on it... (extending my hand to my two year old in agreement.)

Violet: Walks away shaking her entire body in agreement.

Me: ....

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-26T14:47:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving has come and passed.

In the quiet of the aftermath of giggling (and crying) kids, football playing on TV in the background, the sound of dishes being hand washed in the sink; I tried to remember the Thanksgivings before Jake and Violet.

I was surprised how hard I had to think.

I realized how much has changed, and how much things will continue to change.

I thought of the family members that once were, and all the new family that are now.

How one day, I'm going to be part of the were, and people I can't even imagine, will be part of the now.

And even though namesakes have come and gone, we're still family.

It doesn't get much better than that.

View Thanksgiving's past here and here.

2011-11-21T13:57:00.000-08:00

How nice would it be to have a family picture with ALL of us? These attempts were in hope to actually send out Christmas cards on time. (Dear gods of Thanksgiving, forgive me for bringing up your rival before your time has passed.)

There are about 150 of these shots trying to shoo Joe-Sam out of our picture.

Maybe we'll get it next year. I'm probably going to pick one to send out despite the apparent "abuse" to our animal.

And let's be honest, those perfectly posed pictures are pretty boring ;)

Enjoy your week, friends.

Fall 2011

2011-11-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome, Fall

You sure keep us on our toes.

2011-11-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

"I don't like sharing." she tells me.

"I understand", I respond

"Sharing can be difficult for everyone."

" I don't like oatmeal." she continues

"I'm sorry you don't like oatmeal, that is what I made for breakfast today. Tomorrow I will cook something else."

"I don't like something else", she reasons

"...And I don't like daddy, and I pushed Sophia!"

"I understand you are upset with Dad, no matter what he loves you. You did push Sophia. What happened when you pushed her?"

"I don't like TIME OUT!!"

2011-11-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

We all sat around Tim and Nikki's (and Chris) living room the morning after Jordan and Chanelle's wedding. There were many things to be discussed.

You know, the usual... DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN, type discussions.

Some how we got on the topic of what Violet and Sophia were going to be for Halloween. I was feeling pretty nervous about one upping our thing one and thing two creation last year.

Tim suggested Arsenal team members, denied.

I thought they could stereotypically dress like their dads.. anyone? No one.. Ok.

Then came John and Yoko Ono... We decided Sophia would have to be Yoko since she is the more Asian of the two.

It seemed awkward to execute, where would one find baby circle glasses?

Soy sauce and Sushi? Next.

BLUES BROTHERS? I thought this was epic, maybe next year.

In the end, we thought Charlie Brown and Snoopy was the best fit for these two peas in a pod.

We walked to the tea house, sat around, enjoyed each others company went home and made dinner.

Simple times are truly, the best of times.

finale of summer

2011-10-31T13:51:00.000-07:00

The warmth of summer nights have come to pass.
As much as I love the endless summer days, there is an internal clock inside of me that readies itself for autumn weather in California.
So before the fog rolls into the valley, we corralled all the best people we know had Le Diner en Blanc.

sangria at dusk

I couldn't decribe a more perfect way to say goodbye to summer. We decide to *try* make these family dinners happen as much as possible, rotating hosts, chefs and even themes

We were serrated by Chris and co with long forgotten 90's hits of our generation


Until next year summer, I can still feel your warmth on the cool nights.

the what-if's.

2011-10-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

Jake always wants to know, if he and I were on a marriage game show together (is there even such a thing?) would I be able to answer all the questions about him correctly.

We have this conversation about 4 times a year. It's pretty predictable. Jake asks me questions about himself he thinks I should know. I ask him questions about myself I think he should know. Sometimes he gets a question wrong, sometimes I do too.

You think we'd know all the little things about each other by now, but we aren't always that predictable. Maybe it's that we, as individuals and as a unit change.

I've been quiet the past couple of weeks or so. Not just on my blog, but I've noticed even at home, by myself I don't turn on music, I haven't had the same needs to be around people, I haven't been reading, or researching like I usually enjoy. I've been quiet. Trying to figure out what areas in my life that need change, and in what capacity.

Jake and I have been discussing at length what our future looks like; where we will live, what jobs we would like to pursue, when the right time is to start graduate school, where Violet will go to school, when we will have more kids, where we want to travel.

Any one that knows me well, knows that discussions of the what will be's and the what if's make me feel like my heart and brain are sinking into the bottom of my stomach.

There are too many factors into these decisions, and I can't seem to make everything fit together like a perfectly rounded math equation.

But that's not life is it?

Sometimes, we change. Sometimes the questions we thought we once had the answers to, aren't the correct answers any more.

And sometimes, the questions we ask our self are questions we never thought we would have to answer.

In all of this, I have to remind myself to BREATHE, and even...

to take some chances.

P.S. I've started to start a photo blog on tumblr The Many Shades and decided to take a tiny step back from here. I'll still be updating on blogger, but not as regularly (meaning weekly) as I have in the past. The photo blog will share some of the pictures I take through out the week with out my rambling. Feel free to join if you choose... and definitely come back here for my endless chatter. If you have a tumblr, please let me know, I'd love to follow along!

Kathleen

Wiebe Married.

2011-10-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

Many of you remember this sweet little marriage proposal with our long time friend Jordan, and Channelle. After 6 short months of planning their dream celebration their big day had finally come.

What made this day unique:

Everything, from the music, decor, attire, venue was them. They threw conventional wedding "guidelines" out the window and said, hey. forget what Martha Stewart said, let's make this day about us.

There is no other way a community of people can express it's love for one another by using their hands to help. Jordan and Channelle are not short of love.

Almost all the decorations were rented from a local second hand store, hanging lamps, random vintage collectibles as center pieces& rocking chair lounge. Not to mention a music recording "studio" to write and record your little diddly for the bride and groom

Nikki and I were asked to help coordinate the day of duties. We felt pretty important with our walkie talkies in hand.

The beautiful bride in her hand made gown made by her mother.

Violet and Sophia taking a break from their flower girl "duties".

Can't track down the bride and groom for a picture? Not to worry, There were life size cut outs for this type of situation. Here are my favorite from the night:

Jordan and Channelle opted out of having a wedding cake and had a doughnut bar instead. It was obviously much appreciated.

Dancing break with my love.

So glad to share this day with some of the best people I know.

Hardly Strictly

2011-10-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, we were one in a sea of 600,000 people at Golden Gate Park in San Fransisco to be part of Hardly Strictly Blue Grass.

It was well worth it.

a small garden update.

2011-09-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

I found this little sucker snacking away at my tomato plants. He was about the size of Jake's middle finger: the exact finger I gave him after he devoured almost our entire side yard.


He is a Manduca sexta, more commonly known as a horn worm. I am really trying to appreciate this creation, and think of him as the caterpillar from Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, but rather than turning into a beautiful butterfly, his cocoon transforms him into a nasty HUGE moth.

Go away caterpillar.

There are other, less invasive garden inhabitants I'd much rather marvel at.

the chickens are dead... and other things.

2011-09-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

My mom's oldest sister, Aunt Ani once a full forced city slicker, now lives down the street from us in a cozy 1 acre mock farm. Her latest adventure and further removal from "city life" was the purchase of two chicken (named Yin & Yang).

While, Jake and I live only blocks away, Aunt Ani's property is considered the "county" and our property is considered the "city". Jake and I have often thought of being rebels and getting chickens of our own until someone calls us in. But Ani beat us to the punch, so we decided to buy some chickens of our own and let them live with her.

Yin in Yang were in the business of making eggs, 2-3 a day to be exact. We were all very thankful for them, I no longer had to truck myself across town for farmed fresh-free range organic chickens (it's 20 minutes to the farmers market, and we live on the end of town were most of the Ag is produced.. go figure).

That's right. The chickens are dead. And no, we did not eat them.

A few weeks back while Ani was away on business, Jake and Violet went to let the chicken's roam free, and collect the fruit of their loin (does that even make sense?) . Jake noticed a chicken hawk hovering pretty low, eying Yin & Yang for dinner. Y & Y went bizerk and while in some sort of chicken frantic mania Mr. Chicken Hawk tried to actually swoop down and take one of the chickens away from it's comfy coop in Aunt Ani's yard. Thankfully Jake scared the hawk off and put them safely in the coop for the night.

That's not how the died. Obviously.

Only a few short weeks later (while Ani was home) two neighborhood dogs wandered into her yard while the chicken were roaming free, and let their natural hunting instincts get the best of Yin & Yang.

So, all that to say, Rest In Peace dear chickens.

There has been confusion with all the little cousins about where the chickens went. Some tears happened, some explaining had to be done...

Life on the farm isn't the same with out them.

Ani's Beautiful cut flower garden.

Fall is approaching, but not quickly. It was 100 degrees yesterday and I am fed up with the heat. I made a great soup two nights ago in hopes that the cool weather will get the memo.

Until then, we have been spending a fair amount of late nights with friends (when we can get a babysitter...) on their porch listening and making music.

These are some of the best people we know.

We are anticipating a lot of traveling next month. Both to San Diego and San Francisco, the travel bug has had the best of me, we have been stagnant too long and I am aching for some sort of adventure and much do vacation from the normalcy of life.

I hate being in a constant state of prospective living.

I often remind myself... be content where you are, be content where you are.

and for now...

I'm right here.

2011-09-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

A girl's best friend.

We couldn't have found a better match.

Good Boy.

We've had a complicated relationship with animals in the past (poor Parvo Pav)

Revisit it here & here

Don't be anything else..

2011-09-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

like mother like daughter?

Dear Violet,

Please always remember, that no matter what family member you resemble at any given stage in life. You are uniquely, you. You are not just a set of your mom's eye's or similar similar energy we both get from being in groups of people. You are more than your dad's coloring and inflatable zeal. You my sweet girl, are unparalleled to anything else on this earth. You are Violet, in boundless species of flora of the fields. I promise to not let the comparisons get in the way of you, being you.

Love, Mom

the world spins madly on.

2011-09-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

Days have quickly turned into weeks in our little pocket of the world. Months filled with events, there is hardly an open day on our calender. I often find myself caught in between wishing for some down time, and loving the lack of down time we have each week. I suppose somewhere in the middle would be nice. After all, those little moments where I catch my breath and enjoy the simplicity of Violet making a mess of her pasta is what sticks out most in my memory.

Jake's family came up for Violet's birthday weekend. We all mosied down to the school a couple blocks from my house. We threw the ball around for the dog, ran barefoot on the grass and I imagined the day I would walk Violet to school on her first day of kindergarten. The air was thick, but it didn't stop us from gallivanting on the jungle gym, or pumping our legs hard on the swing set. I miss those days of that kind of freedom.

We have had our fair shake at local playgrounds. And to our dismay, there wasn't a whole lot of interest. Until that day, when Violet waltzed up the stairs and threw herself down the tallest, windiest slide she could find. No forewarning or anything. Do you see her face of sheer thrill and utter fear? Thankfully Pop was at the end of the slide to catch her. She did this a couple of more times until she announced she was "scare-reded".

After many mock birthday songs, and candle-blowing out practice, when the day came, Violet was like an old pro. We all sang to her, and she stood proudly standing on her chair. A smile beaming from ear to ear. There couldn't have been a better moment in this two year old's life.

This is the sweet little kitchen set my father in law built for Violet. I can't seem to pull her away from it. My sister in law Hillary bought a bunch of mini pots and pans, and my Mom found a whole bag of toy food at a yard sale. Violet has picked up most of my mannerisms in the kitchen and pretty accurately imitates. She asks me, "Mama, whatchu wanta'eat?" "No. you can't have dat, I'll make you spaghetti." She tells me. I make sure to tell Violet, "It's not your job to be in the kitchen you know... You can do anything you want, like a doctor, a engineer, an artist. Anything". (I'm trying to show her there are no gender roles in this house) She stares at me blankly. My father in law pointed out that we aren't teaching Violet she belongs in the kitchen, we are teaching her hospitality through means of food. I felt better after that.

It seems to be wedding season. We have four wedding from now until December. And three out of four of them we are participating in.

My parents at my little sister before her wedding. Doesn't she look beautiful? My parents officially have empty nest syndrome. (My brother is getting married in December)

You never really quite know if your flower girl(s) or ring barer is going to make it down the isle. And in the end, who really cares. It's a novelty right? It's something cute for people to look at. Violet sure did make it down the isle, we even had to pry her off of the stage. My cousin, whose daughter was the other flower girl, reminded the girls to make sure they threw their peddles on the floor as they were walking down. Violet got to the front of the stage, and announced, "OH yah.." then took her basket and dumped the whole thing out on the front steps. Show stealer.

My sweet Flower girl.

The world spins madly on, and all we can do it try to keep up and enjoy every moment.

2 came too fast.

2011-08-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

Happy 2nd Birthday to my Sweet Flower.

Every day you show us a little more of who you are.

To many, many, many more years.

I'll give an update on her birthday weekend, as soon as I can.

Until then, help me reminisce on the past two years read this letter I wrote to Violet.

and view

here,here,here & here

The Many Shades of Jake's Facial Hair.

2011-08-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Paul Bunion meets Rabbi Bergen.

Wyatt Earp meets, Hells Angels meets, some yokel in Bakersfield.


Frenchmen, meets Stalin, meets European fencing master.

Which is your favorite look?

(My vote is #1)

A Story: For Kimia :)

2011-08-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

Little Violet, standing in line.

Last weekend while Jake was away Violet and I met some friends a local tea house. Nikki have met here ~~quite frequently~~ whenever we can with sans children, and significant others. It's usually here where I catch my breath, relish in the quiet, and enjoy my iced orange ginger mint tea (this tea is on my top 15 best things about life. no joke).

I was a little apprehensive to bring Violet to the tea house. In the back of my mind I pictured her ruining my little temple of solitude with screaming, dumping water, and the potential of having change her poopy diaper in the bathroom. I was, at the point in the weekend, a little run down and anticipating Jake's return.

Never the less we sat down in the big comfy chairs. People always look at you when you are in a public place with children. You can tell by their face they are either thinking a) what a darling (I've been watching a lot of Mad Men) little girl or b) when I have children I am definitely going to control them better than that lady.

Violet drank 3/4 of my tea, and then water after that. I told her, "If you want more water you have to stand in line and ask the woman at the counter" . I handed her the cup thinking she would hand it back to me and continue with her repeat 27 times in a row "Mama, mo' wad-er." She didn't. She stood in line, and waited like an adult would. And when it was her turn in line, she lifted the cup up with her tiny hands and said, " 'Cuse me, mo' wad-er pease?" We all roared with laughter and approval, who replaced my little baby with such an assertive little girl?

Yes, she did dump water all over the floor, and yes we did end up leaving because she suddenly became angry and screeched her fake squeal of a cry. None of the inconveniences mattered, I was glad that day to share my little temple of tea with my daughter, who is becoming her own every day.

Violet and Channelle (whom we call Chachi)

Being Present, Right Now.

2011-08-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It seems that life is pointing me in the direction of a blog break. Looking at my calender I realized that every weekend until the end of September is filled with things to do. My little sister is getting married (!), we have the bachlorette party, rehearsal dinner, violet's 2nd birthday, Jake is going on a man-only camping trip, backyard concerts, taking portrait pictures for family. There is so much to look forward to; I want to be fully present for the rest of the summer and thoroughly enjoy all the activities life has thrown my way.

Something happened to me last night. My dear friend Hollie, posted this article on her facebook wall. I immediately became sick to my stomach, a heaviness seeped through my body like I haven't felt in a very long time. Guilt. Guilt for constantly seeking more than what I have, guilt for spending more time on myself than others. I so desperately want to a conscious and simple life but so easily get wrapped up with frivolous things. Life is bigger than how we often live (especially in the United States). There is a world out there whose concerns AREN'T blogs, followers, nice clothes, pretty things.

Last night, I decided to rid myself of the unnecessary, to be thankful for everything that I have, to consciously live simple, to give myself to all that is GOOD, and to find ways to give to others first.

A little break to regroup is all I need.

Kathleen

Surviving The Heat.

2011-07-31T17:49:00.000-07:00

You don't sit still in Shafter. Even in 110 degree heat.

Target practicing (yes my target it Jake)

The lawn just HAD to be cut.

I haven't felt this hot since I was pregnant. A clingy toddler can help you remember that.

My hair in its natural state. Yikes.

As the sun started to set, we decided to take a bike ride through the almond and cherry orchards. We all excepted a wave of coolness that usually accompanies us through the water soaked crops. We were in no such luck, a cloud of thick, sticky, heavy water filled heat followed us on our 5 mile ride. The faster we went, the more I felt I was being swallowed by the damp air.

The heat of the valley. It wouldn't be home with out it.

87

2011-07-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Happy 87th Birthday Grandma

We all have looked to you for strength.

From your home in Syria

To the banks of the Jordan river

To a small town in California, skyping with your Grandson all the way in China.

You gave me my love for urban gardening.

You taught me how to be a good host. To make almost every Armenian meal I know and the
need to incessantly ask my guests if they are hungry.

And the ability to feed them even when they say they aren't.

You gave me the gift of resiliency, and thick skin when the tide of life comes in stronger than we think we can handle.

Happy Birthday Grandma, you're one of the reasons we are who we are, today.

read other posts about Grandma

When I was your age...

2011-07-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

I come from a long legacy of story telling.

To Armenians (and I'd say middle eastern people in general) story telling is one of the fundamental parts of their culture. My Grandpa passed the gift of story telling down to my Dad (also found here & here).

Now it's my turn to tell the stories from my childhood to Violet.

As on ode to the classic, "When I was your age we walked 17 miles to school in the snow, up hill, carrying 25 lb back packs..."

I figure this might be a good place to start.

Your Dad is embarrassing you? When I was your age my dad wore his shirt as a hat. And not just at the beach, any place that was over 80 degrees.

You want a new dress for a party you are going to? When I was your age, I would go to 1950's theme birthday parties in my acid wash hand-me-down jeans.

Your friends are making fun of you? When I was your age I didn't have any friends, I had to make fun of myself.

You're embarrassed at your Mom and Dad's outfits? When I was your age my parents were known for their impersonation of Sonny and Cher, IN DRAG.

Don't you complain to me about having too many chores young, lady. I cooked my parents meals and did the dishes after all before I was in preschool.

All of your friends are spending the summer at their beach houses in Malibu? When I was your age, my parents took us to a Mennonite farm on the East Coast for vacation. And they put us to work, so it wasn't even a vacation.

You're crying because Dad wont buy you a dog? When I was your age the only animals we were allowed to play with were pigeons in the park.

Oh the stories of my youth I'll get to tell. Acid washed jeans, and all.

caught.

2011-07-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

Someone waltzed into my closet, found the tallest (also: dustiest) shoes I own and paraded for as long as her ankles could handle. The picture is blurred, but oh so perfect.

Have a great week, friends.

Happy Anniversary, Back Yard.

2011-07-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

When we moved into our house nearly two years ago, we had no yard. Nothing. What stood behind our sliding glass door was a 2x3 slab of concrete, which was deemed the patio, and ground so rock hard it took five soakings, and three rounds of roto tilling, break it through. There was also random broken bits of conrete, which people had thrown INTO our yard buried over months and months of time. Not good for our roto tiller (yes we own one).

With Jake commuting four hours total to work, there wasn't much time to spend on the yard. Unless I got out there with the roto tiller. Which I often thought of strapping 10 week old violet into the moby and getting the job done while Jake was at work.

Not one of my better ideas.

We commissioned the help of many people. Good thing we have great friends.

We often continued with life as if we had a yard for entertaining.

Finally the day came to lay the sod. We had original plans to plant our grass from seed, but I really wanted to host a party for Violet's first birthday. Sod it was.

The final product ( queue in angelic sounds coming from heaven)

Satisfaction.

Even though Jake and I disagreed with about 85% how we wanted to landscape our yard (we've since found compromises, thank you very much). There was one thing we did agree on. We wanted a place to welcome our friends and family.

We wanted to spend warm summer days together, in our little piece of land, enjoying life as it is.

We wanted to produce so much fruit that we would have to give it away to our neighbors.

So far, so good. Happy 1 year anniversary, Back Yard.

zen kiting.

2011-07-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

That feeling you get when you let yourself float belly up in the ocean,
subjecting yourself to the waves and rhythm of the tide.

Peddling so hard on your bike you psychically can't make the bike go any faster.
Then standing up on the peddles, locking your knees and allowing the momentum to carry you as far as the bike will take you.

Looking out of the window of a plane, realizing you smaller than you really are, and simultaneously part of something bigger that you don't always understand.

I get those same flutters in my heart

When I fly a kite.

Or when I stand

On the edge of the world.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

We spent Saturday in Cayucos with some friends, beating the valley heat.

I'm happy to announce that Kim (comment #4, the number picked randomly by Jake)
is the "grad prize" winner of the Armenian Cucumber seeds :)

I'll be emailing you soon Kim, congrats!
I'm sure they will do great in that warm LA weather!

Armenian Summer Salad (and a mini giveaway. don't get used to it)

2011-07-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

If you haven't had the chance to eat an Armenian cucumber, it quite the treat.

Unlike an the common English cucumber it is not bitter (it's actually related to a melon),

and is always consumed with out having to take off the peel.

One of my favorite seasonal treats is the Armenian summer salad. Served fresh and chilled it can really hit the spot on any hot day.

cucumbers, tomatoes and onions all from my garden

2-3 Armenian cucumbers halved and cut into smallish quarters

1 red onion cut

2 tomato cut

olive oil to taste

balsamic vinegar ( not too much, it can get tart)

fresh lemon juice (about a quarter slice)

dried mint (mmm i like LOTS of it)

sea salt

pepper

Mix and chill for 30 minutes

If you want to try your hand at growing Armenian cucumbers (they do very well in hot areas with little to no maintenance) leave your email address in a comment and I will select a reader at random to send a package of seeds :)

Give away will end 12am Saturday July 9th

May You Stay....

2011-07-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

May God bless and keep you always, may all your wishes come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars, and climb on every rung

May you stay, forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

May you stay, forever young

May your hands always be busy, may your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation, when the wind of changes shift.

May your heart always be joyful

May your song always be sung

May you stay forever young

Forever young

May you stay forever young

To my sweet flower, I can't believe next month you will be two.

There is so much of the world we want to show you.

But just for right now,

it would be nice for you to stay

forever young .

July 1st, 2007

2011-07-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

On this day, four years ago...

I got ready with my nearest and dearest friends and family in the room I grew up in

Received well wishes.

Headed to the "chapel of love" with my posse.

Waited for the ceremony to start. Obviously showing zero signs of apprehension.

Experienced some firsts, and lasts.

Saw Jake's face for the first time that day.

Walked arm in arm with my partner to be.

Made some height adjustments.

Had our first kiss of equal proportions.

Felt at times, overwhelmed with organization.

Thinking, this is more than what we could ask for.

Loved that there were NO hesitations on the dance floor.

Got lost in a sea of Armenian dancing.

Had a whirlwind of fun. Literally.

Tuned out all the laughter, music, dancing, and let us, be us,

Happy fourth anniversary Jake.

To many more years of letting us, be us.

Goodbye little friend.

2011-06-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Pav,
We had you only for 10 short days. And for those 10 short days you quickly became part of our family. You were kind to our daughter and everyone that entered into our home. For a little over a week you were my little buddy. It was a tough decision to let you go Pav, parvo is a tough virus to kick and none of us saw it coming.

You had a good life little one, though it was short, you were loved.

It was just us the the mornings, I loved how you followed me around the garden, well before Violet woke up. You patiently waited by my side while I watered the side yard by hand. It's just not the same with out you.

I still think of you almost everyday, especially in those evenings I am alone outside wishing you were laying by feet.

Rest in peace little friend, thanks for being our first dog.

developing film part 2

2011-06-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

I made it a goal of mine to develop a roll of film at least once a month. I guess I need to make it one every other month, because the film can quietly get by sitting in my camera for 30+ days (or more). I really want to use film to help catch a glimpse of our every day life using only 1-2 clicks. With digital you have the ability to click, click,click away until you get it right. I'm hoping my little use of film refine my skills. Sometimes simplicity is the best policy, right?

About once a month I go on a frousin date (friend+plus cousin) with Nyrie. We have a favorite Pho spot that seems to be the restaurant less traveled. The food is authentic, piping hot, and bursting with flavor. The tables are less than full. It's become "our place"

Shopping days are not easy, mainly because my shopping list is complicated. Middle Eastern deli for tea, yerba mate, lebni, lahmajoun, persian cucumbers and Armenian string cheese. Farmers market for fruit, veggies and bread. Fresh and Easy for milk, cheese, eggs (sans growth hormones or chemicals) flour and all dried goods. If we choose to eat meat (mainly for meat for ethnic dishes) I buy it they day we are going to cook. Needless to say shopping days, are long days.

Jake's friend once wrote a song for me called "Armenian Queen". Some of the lyrics go, "She's an Armenian Queen, she likes to cook with butter much, she likes to dance with pinkies touch..." I sing it to Violet but I think to be politically correct I need to add in the Assyrian, German, Russian, Native American sides too.

What are the child labor laws again?

How nasty is this? I can't help but laugh every time I look at this picture. Every. Single. Time.

Just like her Dad.


Home made bread is the best kind.

Here's to many more film session, and a lot more life living.

Happy weekend, friends!

Road's End

2011-06-20T17:33:00.000-07:00

Saturday, we went on a mini hike with our dearest friends Tim, Nikki & Sophia. I thought I'd have Tim narrate the whole adventure, seeing as though, most recounts done by Tim nearly bring me to tears (of laughter people, no sad stories told from his mouth)
Enjoy!

****************
This is a lot of pressure. See, yesterday Kat called to tell me 3 things:
1) Tim, I will be sharing the pictures from our wonderful Saturday hike with you via dropbox this very day.
2) Tim, would you mind guest blogging and writing the words to accompany the pictures from our wonderful Saturday hike?
3) Tim, the sermon today at the little Mennonite church was really good and Jake will tell you more (he didn't).

This is quite the honor, I'd say.

Several weeks ago we started scheming up an out-of-town trip with some of our favorite companions; we wanted to camp on the beach for a couple of days. We have our favorite spots along the central coast, but we wanted to visit Big Sur, which we've barely explored. Apparently, part of the highway fell in the ocean, though, so it's pretty hard to get there. Side note: does it bother anyone that over 100 feet of asphalt fell into the Pacific ocean?

After more plans (we always have plans and dreams, don't we?), we downgraded for the sake of Little Ones. Or, at least for the sake of our own nerves, which I sometimes like to call my Little Ones. So, a day hike at Road's End it was. Road's End is the very end of highway 180. We wound all the way through Sequoia National Park and into Kings National Park just past Cedar Grove. It's no joke, folks, no joke. Bear country, and all that.

As the observant reader can see, here we are on the road, so we didn't quite make it to the end of the road (fear not, the road was not closed and if it had been, my fellow hikers would've tired of my endless rendition of "The Road's Closed" in my best Canadian accent). We stopped short by a couple of minutes to hike to Sheep's Creek Cascade, a part of Don Cecil trail. All said, we went about 4 miles. Jacob and I, as you can see, manned the baby backpacks with great vigor.

Halfway up the trail, we encountered the burnt woods. Lightning, or some force of man, torched the ground and a few trees. For being so destructive, it was really quite beautiful.

This was the only time Violet didn't enjoy being in the backpack. In the past: mixed reviews. On this day she wanted as much backpack as any of us could handle. On the way up the trail she pointed out objects she knows, only to have Jacob repeat their names back to her in German. She played us merry little tunes on her harmonica on the way down the trail. She thinks I'm hilarious when I trip (too much time with aunt Nikki). I love her like my own. Hope that's okay, Jake and Kat.

As I said, burnt and beautiful.

Well, hello there, ladies.

Family photo: 4 smiles, 5 pairs of eyes on the camera, 1 Tim's upper-inner (just trying to keep up with Papa Jack's upper-inner from the 80's in the previous post; it's a Dad thing).

To make up for my upper-inners sinfullly abrasive presence, I read Rilke at the top of the hike. The water drowned out most of it, but that's just as well, really. Poets are chasing the waters' timbre anyway.
"When you were children you had planted trees.
They've grown too huge for you to hold.
Yet wait,
for there are breezes... for there are spaces...."
Rainer Maria Rilke "O You Delicate Ones"

After the hike, we ate and le the girls do some stretching of their little legs (fate would have it that I measured Sophia's inseam last night: 8 inches. It's safe to assume that Violet's inseams take after her dad's and clock in somewhere north of 10 inches, for the time being). We packed up to leave, Jacob and I each requested one more stop. His was Grizzly Falls. The heavy snowfall this year has left the run-off in our neck of the woods impressive. From deep in the Monarch Wilderness, snow melts and flows from peaks over 11,000 feet high, running through back country and over each crevice, once dry, to fall some 75 feet in an awesome display of mist and power. Feeling small is what I need some days.

Violet was unsure of this new twist in the trip. She was the only one with her wits about her, really: "You guys! That's an absurd amount of water spilling over great heights with such force it could do us great bodily harm!" I imagined her yelling. The rest of us felt our primal unconscious bubble up into our awareness and run rampant across our faces as we crept closer and closer, with no care for our safety or dryness. Kathleen, she of The Many Shades fame, one-up'd us all and defiantly stood up to the spray, thumbs-up and all. I think we can all agree, she's pretty great. Jacob snapped the pictures, while Nikki and I each held Little Ones.

The next stop was to scope the canyon views, terribly majestic. Looking across to the burnt orange cliffs, lined with shades of glacial erosion, was like those stupid optical illusions so popular in the 90's. You know, the ones that demand optical yoga, focusing and unfocusing, in order to see some cheesy and simple image somehow spring up from chaotic lines. The towering canyonside was like that, but not as stupid. It made me dizzy, but I was comforted by the fact that there was no secret, hidden image. All that was, was.

I can still hear the water if I close my eyes, smell the fragrant pines. I still feel tiny from staring at giant peaks and falls.

Sacred moments where we all become Little Ones.

The Day of Dad.

2011-06-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you Dad for teaching me to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly in every capacity of life.

Thank you for loving Jake and I even when we act like crying little babies (both then and now)

Thank you Pop for raising such a great son. You taught him to work honestly, love wholly, and think outside of the box.

Thank you Jake for being my reason during those nights I went with no sleep. The days I thought I wasn't equipped to be a good Mom you didn't let me give up. You brought Violet to me for 3am feedings when you had to leave for work at 6am. You encourage me to pursue my dreams outside of the home, and never let me lose sight of them. You love our daughter endlessly, thank you, thank, you thank you.

Happy Father's Day.

newest family member.

2011-06-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

Dearest Pavlov,

Hello, and welcome to our family. May I call you Pav for short? How about Master P?

Just so you are aware, you are named after Ivan Pavlov "Father" of classical conditioning.

Don't worry, I wont be measuring how much you salivate when I ring a bell.

But I will get mad if you ruin our vegetable garden. Violet has a hard time keeping her little fingers from our tomatoes, so please don't follower her example.

It can get crazy here around Pav. I hope you can keep up.
We spend a lot of time out doors, so don't worry about feeling alone.

I hope to have you for years and years.

I hope to take you camping with us and on weekend beach trips.

I hope you can go for long evening walks with out pulling hard on the leash.

I want you to be a good friend to my daughter, and be kind to everyone that comes through our doors.

We want to grow old with you. To look back at your pictures of you when you were a puppy and remember what life was like when we first got you.

Welcome home Pavlov.

Oh, and don't tell anyone I checked to see if you were breathing the first night we brought you home.

It's something I just can't control.

Love,

Kathleen

what the warm months bring

2011-06-07T22:38:00.000-07:00

fragrant lavender for delicious tea.

a flourishing garden

warm nights spent at the local farmers market (p.s. it's my dream to have veggie booth there one day, more on that later)

poppies covering our landscape

slowly but surely, adding more to our blank canvas of a house. (next i need a vintage settee & more frames to expand)

does this really need a caption??

Weekends spent in Pop's shop.

Time with family and friends celebrating anything, and everything we can think of,

welcome summer

2011-06-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

hello summer.

you've always been my favorite.

something is in the water.

2011-05-31T15:58:00.000-07:00

As some of you may, or may not not know. Jake and I met in a bath tub in 1984 (read more detailed story here). Our Dad's were roommates in college and have stayed friends for over 30 years. There must have been something in the water; I'd almost swear that some how, secretively they arranged for us to get married, only to trick us into thinking it was our "choice".

We tried desperately tried to recreate this "courtship moment" with Violet and Jake's old roommate Mike's son Levi.

I guess you just can't force love can you?

I wouldn't trade it for the world.

2011-05-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Violet,

It's hard for me to say it out loud, let a lone type it... but in three short months you are going to be 2 years old. In each passing day, you have a new and special way of reminding me that you aren't my tiny little baby anymore. When I come and get you from your crib in the morning you greet me by saying, "Hi Mommy, I sept wahl" (I slept well), Daddy work?" I tell you that yes Dad is at work. Then you ask, "I see Daddy?" I respond, "Not yet, when he comes home from work you can see Daddy". You proceed to list all the people in our life you think are at work, "Ama (Grandma) work? Ganpa work? Kiki (Nikki) work? Oncle Geg (uncle greg) work?" This list goes on and on. It's a conversation that, with out fail, happens every-single-day. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

For breakfast almost every morning I make you a spinach, blueberry, banana & strawberry smoothie. you love to hear the noise of the blender. "VRROOOOOOOM!" you squeal with delight. I put the smoothie in a bowl and give you a spoon ( and open cup has proven to be a sad thing for my Persian rug). As you eat your smoothie you insist I sit in the empty chair next to you at the kitchen table, "Mama sit? Mama sit?" You ask me to sit in question form, but you really are telling me what to do as you point your finger down at the table over and over again until I do what you say. Together we eat our smoothies, and enjoy the freshness of the morning. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

After breakfast we go to the backyard to check and water our garden. I have to remind you not to pull on our almost ripe tomatoes which with out fail, results in me physically removing your from the garden boxes all together. You just can't help yourself . You also insist on wearing my garden shoes. I love watching you waddle around our garden pretending to do the things I do, examining plants, getting your plastic shovel & patting the soil with it. When I go to the side yard to water the corn you start to cry (every single time, like clock work) "Mama hoolt..." I hold you while I water the corn, cucumbers and watermelon by hand. You are getting heavy, so I crouch down, place you on my knee and continue watering. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Together we go back inside the house and you ask for music, "moosak? moosak?" I ask you what song you want to hear, you still love the "mama shong" (mama song) by Alela Diane, but lately love Baba An (Baraba Anne ) by the beach boys. However, the all time, number one requested shong (song) is Jason Mraz's I'm Yours, you call it the "No Mo' Shong" . I have no idea where you heard it to even recognize it, one day you just started singing it, I'm guessing you heard it in a store one day. It's not my favorite song, I try to make you like The Fleet Foxes but every time I play it you say, "moosak offffffff". For you I listen to Jason Mraz 10 times a day, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

If I let you go the whole day with out a nap, you'd do it. You don't stop, slow down, cuddle, or even at take a momentary break. You go from one activity to the next focusing whole heartedly at whatever you are doing. When I've had enough of chasing you around the house, I finally decide OK, it's nap time. You fight it, you throw your blanket out of the crib screaming and crying but after 10 minutes of this you quiet down and sleep. I wish I could sleep when you sleep too (those days are long gone, and I don't even really think they existed.) I am busy preparing dinner, doing laundry, and finding peanut butter in places I shouldn't find peanut butter. When you wake up, you talk to yourself for about 20 minutes. I can hear you from the living room naming everyone you know. Sometimes you talk to 'Fia (Sophia), "Hi 'Fia, NO! 'FIA! NO". When I pick you up from your crib, you forget how mad at me you were when I put you down for you nap. "HI Mommy!" Sometimes you tell me about your bowl movement you had in your sleep. "I poo poo" You tell me. "Thanks Violet". I reply. "It's niiiicccee", you retort. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

You eagerly wait for Dad to come home, but when he does walk through the door, you either A) act shy and hide from him, or B) see him, and run straight to the sliding glass door, waiting for him to take you outside to check the garden. or C) shout at the top of your lungs "BICYCLE!".

The three of us quickly eat dinner and head out the door for our nightly bicycle ride. After this we come home, and Dad gives you a bath. I can hear you from the kitchen naming your body parts, you ask dad to see his "boobies" which you often confuse with bellybutton. "I see Daddy's boobies? I see Daddy's boobies?" When Dad gets you out of the tub there is hardly any time to dry off, you dart your naked little body into the kitchen area to find me. "HI MOMMY! I NEKTIED"

We get your pjs on, gather together in the living room for a barrage of book reading, ending of course with Goodnight Moon. We take you to your room, you give Dad a kiss, you give me a kiss, we put you in your crib and walk toward the door. Right before the door shuts you say, "nigh Mommy, nigh Daddy, see you shewn" (soon).

You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I wouldn't trade you for the world.

Love,

Mom

keeping life simple.

2011-05-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

It all started with a make-shift badminton tournament .

Which mysteriously transformed to a bunch of people in their late 20's chanting "Cinderella, dressed in yellow..."


or even "teddy bear, teddy bear turn around"...

p.s. don't i look CRAZY in this picture? like I'm riding an invisible horse?

It was one of those weekends, indeed.

[An after dinner tradition]

2011-05-11T20:57:00.000-07:00

Just about every day around dusk our little family of three takes a 5 mile bike ride.


We stop every couple of miles to say hi to friends ( I wonder if old order mennonites go shirtless on bike rides? )

we anticipate, "what's coming next?"

mmm stuffed grape leaves.

I couldn't think of a better way, to end our day.

to you, oh mothers..

2011-05-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

whose "breaks" seem too good to be true...

but whose joy runs deep.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to my Mom.

And to all Moms whose presence still seem so fresh.

Thank you.

27

2011-05-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I turned 27.

Jake planned a wonderful birthday weekend in the Kings Canyon National Park(only 70 miles from our house!)

Although Yosemite is a must when visiting California, I'd say Kings Canyon is one of the state's best kept secrets.

On Saturday morning we woke up from our stay at the Wuksachi Lodge, had a huge breakfast, and set out to hike (with SNOW SHOES) to Tokopah Falls which is said to be a 1200 foot breathtaking waterfall .

Bellies full, and snow shoes in tow we were off to create new memories.

We knew there was fresh snow (6-10 feet in fact, but we didn't expect this)

Oops. that's the trail head. Buried.

We proceeded with caution, using our fancy ski poles (that's what I kept calling them) and evaluating every step. Fresh powder plus 60 degree weather = oops I fell and twisted my ankle because I stepped in a place where soft snow was melting and now I am stuck between two large rocks.

The view was spectacular.

Jake was getting annoyed with me because I wanted to stop every 10 minutes to take pictures. I told him he was the Rabbit and I was the Tortoise and he told me that the Tortoise wasn't slow because he stopped to take pictures.

Touché

*You want to know what Jake said at the end of the hike when he was reviewing my camera? "That's all the pictures you took? Really?"

HMMMMMM.

Since we had no trail to follow, we followed the river to stay on course. The sound of flowing water was with us the whole time. It's the kind of noise that is so loud to forces you to shut up and hum along to its tune.

This part of the hike we had to take off our snow shoes and scramble up this rock. It doesn't look very big but it was, on top of the fact that everything was slick and wet... scrambling up with your 7th grade snow boots made it a little difficult. Jake kept instructing me where I snow put my feet next... I kept telling him, "I'M NOT 6'2" I'd have to jump to get there.. and don't tell me what to do!!"

God bless everyone who can put up with us :)

With 1/3 of the hike left (this was a guess, we really had no way of knowing since we were off course of the trail) we were stuck on a bridge engulfed with melting snow. And when I say stuck, I mean it, we somehow shimmied on one side of the bridge sans snow shoes only to cause a miniature avalanche on the banks of the river. The other side of the bridge that brought us back to the fake trail was unsafe to cross, even to my husbands standards who told me that the local who informed us that it was not wise to do this hike this time of year due to REAL avalanches was full of it.

Right when we decided to turn around with out seeing the beautiful waterfall, the clouds rolled in, the winds came and my 7th grade snow boots busted open with a hole due to the pressure of the straps on the snow shoe case.

Needless to say, my feet were cold and wet on the hike back to our car.

The whole way back we talked about how we would come back and finish this hike when the snow was fully melted. We discussed how fun it would be to bring friends, and how easily accessible coming up here for the day would be. I normally HATE unfinished business. Leaving something, ANYTHING, half done usually induces poor sleep and angst until I am satisfied what I accomplished.

But that day, on my birthday, it was a different story. I was thankful to have such a wonderful person I called my partner, I was thankful for our beautiful daughter, for my family and my friends who are like my family.

I couldn't ask for anything more.

27 years has treated me well.

Business for Friday.

2011-04-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone!

This is strange for me to say, but I guested blogged a sweet little recipe via ohdeardrea, head on over to say hello and check out my recipe for tandoori naan pizza!

If you aren't already a fan of ohdeardrea, you will quickly fall in love. She has great style, a beautiful little girl, not to mention her dry sense of humor makes me laugh out loud, in the middle of the day, alone, in my house.

****************

It happens to be my birthday this weekend, Jake is coming home from work early to whisk me away for a surprise birthday trip.

By the way terrible at enjoying a surprise, I am absurdly proficient at asking so many questions until the "surpriser" gives in.

I'll be sure to fill you in with the details of our trip...surprise or not...

Cheers to the weekend, friends!

friday, saturday & sunday.

2011-04-24T20:20:00.000-07:00

Our Friday night was spent celebrating the engagement of our two friends Jordan and Channelle. It was by far one of the best surprise engagements I have ever been a part of and probably the best night out I have had since Violet was born.

We all met at Fresno's fabulous Fulton 55 to see the city's own Fierce Creatures.

The plan was, toward the near end of the set, Jordan would get up on stage and heroically his love for Channelle. After she of course, would tearfully say yes, the two would be escorted to the near by Iron Bird Lofts for a surprise party with all those near and dear to their heart.

Things couldn't gone better than they did. Nikki and I were front and center holding back tears, reminiscing of getting engaged to our husbands (apparently we are old veterans now) and trying TRYING not to give away the surprise.

We succeeded, and so did they.

Jordan and Channelle, ringing in their love by rocking out with the band, They're so cool.

See the video below and TELL me you don't get all warm and mushy inside.

I had to add this picture. This is the FIRST TIME Nikki and I have been out together AT NIGHT, past 12 AM, TOGETHER, since we had our babies. This night goes down in the books.

Saturday came too fast the next day, Jake and I decided to take much needed detoxifying hike not too far from our house.

Not to mention we needed to see the spring's wildflower selection before the heat dried them up.

Our hike didn't last very long. Violet's patience was low that day. It's amazing how we still have moments where we need to remind ourselves that life with children is DIFFERENT. Hikes may be cut short, but at least we were out there, a 1.5 mile hike is better is better than no hike at all. RIGHT? (by the way feel free to giggle and violet's crazy face in this picture)

the latter part of the trip took much longer than anticipated. Violet wanted to walk by herself. And really, who are we to stop her?

Easter Sunday was spent at my Aunts house. Violet has become an avid egg hunter. She even asked me later that day to hide eggs at our house. "mama? EGG? EGG? EGGGG??"

All the cousins under 5. Deran's face (the one with the tie) is priceless.

generation 1 with generation 4

love.

Au revoir weekend, you treated us well,

I think I'll take Monday to recuperate!

We will never forget

2011-04-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

Remembering 1.5 million Armenian brothers and sisters whose lives were taken.

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.”- William Saroyan

engagement & the beach

2011-04-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we took a lovely little day trip to the central coast to welcome my new sister Tracie into the family!

My brother (on the left, obviously) proposed that morning after they jumped off the pier, and took a morning hike.

Yes, you read it correctly, they jumped off the pier.

That will be two weddings in ONE year (my sister is engaged as well).

Ever wonder what it's like to travel with a toddler?

I'm probably the over prepared parent.

The views from Fresno to San Luis Obispo in the spring are g o r g e o u s.

We decided we couldn't leave with out spending sometime on the beach so on our way back home we took a slight detour. Violet, hasn't seen the sand since last august when we went to Hawaii.

The tide was perfect for exploring.

If I could, I would take every visible shell, rock and piece of drift wood home with me.

I always manage to become one with the sand. Whether I mean to or not.

Yah, this is a new thing... We're not quite sure what it's about.

On the ride home that night, I wondered if people at the beach were happier than everyone else.

I know we are all equally as human as beach dwellers, but there is something about spending time near the water that is so cleansing.

I think we could all, agree.

this week (via Instagram!)

2011-04-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

my sweet flower

this picture makes me feel like she will be in kindergarten soon, waiting against the fence for mom or dad to pick her up. slow. down. time.

fun at the park with ms. sophia

so happy to have dusty buns left overs for lunch. go local!

this is warm weather staple for us. Homemade tandoori naan Pizza. oh-so-good.

yup. she loved it. "my toes? my toes? pretty toes?" never thought I'd be that mom.

once a month "frousin" (friend that is a cousin) dates. we were in Phở food heaven

Around Auntie Ani's.

2011-04-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

My Aunt Ani (Ah-nee.. not "Annie") recently moved from San Fransisco to Fresno after a 35 year hiatus. She bought a charming old house on a good acre or so of land. After a lot of work, this old city has finally become home to her once again.

I win worst mother award because right after I snapped this picture, Violet flipped out of the hammock and SMACK, fell right on the dirt, belly up. Again, worst mother award.

We made up quickly after that.

It's good to have her back.

spring/summer projects 2011

2011-04-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

We have accumulated quite the list of things to accomplish around our house during the "warm season".

the list goes as follows:

~~1. plant summer garden.~~

Jake and I have been reading one magic square if you have a small space (even large to medium) to garden I highly recommend this book. It gives you great ideas on how to most effectively use your space while still getting the most out of your crops. We found out what plants do well next to each other and where to plant them, thus, the map.

We also planted corn, watermelon and more Armenian cucumbers along the side of our house, not to mention newly planted apricot, nectarine, plum and pomegranate trees.

So much to look forward to this summer, my salivary glands can hardly contain themselves :)

2. take out ugly white carpet and replace with wood.

our carpet is a mess and barely a year in existence. It has seen its fair share of stains the worst being the 4 foot long bbq sauce stain I contributed last summer. Jake has been bringing me home wood samples to choose from and we decided on a restored wood finish.

Source: beautifulpaper.tumblr.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

My kitchen is a similar grey, but we are keeping the tile and the carpet in the bedrooms. So long ugly white carpet!

3. Finish painting the interior of the house.

We currently have 4/8 walls painted in our living room/dining room/ kitchen area (its really one great room) because I like to change my mind. Jake refused to continue painting (who would blame him we have really tall walls) until I decided what exactly I wanted to do. I've mentioned this before but I have interior indecisiveness. However, I finally decided on something and I am NOT going back.

Source: gallery.apartmenttherapy.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

This is my inspiration.
I decided that it IS possible to have 3-4 different colors in a room, opposed to one monochromatic bland color. Especially since we are dealing with such a large space, I was afraid I would get worn out of the same color scheme.

here are some more pictures that inspired my color choice.

Source: wherethesidewalkbegins.blogspot.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Source: nicety.livejournal.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

I can't wait to reveal the end results! (and God bless poor Jake for letting me vocalize my 287 different ideas. HA)

4. Outside patio furniture.

I've always loved the idea of having big comfy patio furniture to fall asleep on on cool summer nights. I stumbled on this really simple idea, and really, there are never too many pallets on my end of town.

Source: vtwonen.nl via Kathleen on Pinterest

Stay tuned for our progress!

big girls don't...

2011-04-06T12:49:00.000-07:00

..sit in highchairs...

Bountiful Borscht

2011-04-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Bearded Bergen boys baring Bountiful Borscht

Featuring semi-authentic chin strapped (dear husband, please shave this off... NOW), straw hatted (?) Mennonites.

45 gallons of homemade borscht was made and consumed well before the end of the sale.

We all left with full bellies and happy hearts.

I'm pretty sure I could go a couple of days with out eating and be fine.

mmm fritters.

many asked why I wasn't dressed in the appropriate bonnet... mmm maybe next year :)

We'll see you next year MCC!

busy weekend ahead

2011-03-31T13:01:00.000-07:00

I had a conversation with a friend about how spring weather makes you feel like anything is possible. You're not restrained by the heat, or kept inside by the cold.

Spring brings new life in so many different ways.

Since the sun has been gracing us with its presence, we've had the chance to sit quietly in our backyard. Which helps me prepare for the hustle and bustle of the busy weekend ahead of us.

Jake's family coming into town for the MCC relief sale which is an annual auction/ food bizarre to help raise money to those who are in need around the world.

Even though I did not grow up Mennonite (although my dad has often threated joining the Mennonite Church as a political stance against war... all talk dad) since I grew up down the street from a Mennonite College, we always went to enjoy the food and the beautifully auctioned off quilts.

I can't help it, I picture quilt makers like this EVERY. TIME.

Jake is, however, ethnically Mennonite.

I guess if he was true to his roots he'd look something like this

Then again,

I'd look something like this...

Which makes Violet an...

Armennonite?

Anyway, Jake and his cousin John-Mark volunteered to make and run the Borscht booth this year, so starting to night we are slicing and dicing our way through cabbage, carrots, potatoes, celery and onions in hopes for happy bellies full of semi traditional Mennonite cuisine! ( they sell really good tacos too)

Back soon with pictures and details to follow!

sick & around the house.

2011-03-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

excuse the silence, violet has had a terrible cold so my time has been preoccupied. I haven't had much sleep in the past 2-3 days because she get's 4-5 times a night crying because she can't breathe.

poor sick flower.

Needless to say, we had a very quiet weekend taking time to snuggle sick babies, reorganize my pantry, and put a ceiling fan in violet room (this is a big deal, after a year and a half of using a wall night light).

On another note:

Our "To Do:" list for this spring/summer is getting increasingly longer and I think we may have to cut some projects from the list. Buying a new house was like trying to decorate with a blank canvas. Sometimes you just don't know where to start.

I've been slowly working on a large art display in the living room area. Here is my inspiring idea I keep on Pinterest.

Jake's Dad gave me a print of Andrew Wyeth's Christina's World. I had it framed and it looks fabulous. I am particularly sentimental about this painting because it was in my Grandparents breakfast nook growing up.

Arshiley Gorkey's The Artist and his Mother. I haven't found a good print of this yet. It's one of my all time favorites. Not just for cultural reasons.

I adore Kimia Kline's lovely paintings (such great movement and use of color). I have been eying a couple of them since I found her blog and plan to purchase a print for myself soon. Be sure to check out Kimia's blog too!

I want to collect and frame all the houses that are important to both Jake and I.

Ones we lived in, one's we didn't live in but generations before us did.

We have collectively thought of 7-8 houses found in places anywhere from Turkey, Paraguay, Burbank, West Virgina, San Fransisco all the way to Fresno.

It's tracking down those lost photos that may be difficult.

I'd also like to have someone (i'll pay you! any takers??) paint the pictures of the houses so we have a mix of photos and paintings.

Our first home together.

Jake's Opa's (former) house in Paraguay

My Grandma's old house, so many great memories here.

Have any great artists that inspire you? please do share? I have so many empty walls in my home!

Happy Monday everyone!

umm.. spring? are you there?

2011-03-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

This what is "spring" brought me today around 11:30.

Thanks Mother Nature.

Due to the unforeseen "spring" conditions we weren't able to go outside and release some pent up energy (is there such thing has toddler angst?)

For those who don't speak "Violet" she is asking me

1. to play the mama song (Alela Diane's Oh My Mama)

you can catch a few seconds of her trying to sing it too, so cute.

2. to sit down

3. to open and close the bbq tongs

Spring, you better get to "SPRINGING" soon before this mama loses her mind indoors!

Developing Film, Part 1

2011-03-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

I took a roll of fresh (ok semi fresh) film in to be developed today. I am pleasantly surprised to find a few gems, enjoy!

I call this , ode to the Mennonite Men's Chorus. Jake's family is Mennonite and I tease him that in old age he will join the Men's Chorus which he has yet to confirm or deny...

Uncle AP showing Violet the proper etiquette "tidiness"

gardening, our favorite pastime.

This is Jake's dad. We call him "Pop", actually everyone calls him Pop including people who are not related. Pop is a craftsmen, he makes furniture (like what he is sitting on in this picture, along with 90% of everything in our home) and an artist. Can't you tell?

This is our old kitchen in our first home (the green house).To the right was our breakfast nook with two large windows that over looked the city's park. To the left was the entry way to our laundry room which doubled for a place to put our refrigerator ( not for aesthetic reasons obviously, but for space reasons). Our laundry room had a door that led to the back yard which (again) for whatever reason people used as the front door. Oh, yah, I'm pregnant in this picture devouring a lime (with real fruit) popsicle.