you make me happy

this labor day bobby and i will celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary.  it's hard to believe that we've been married that long.  it really does get better and better every year.  maybe because we understand each other better.  or because we tolerate each other more.  or our communication is clear - ok we are still working on that.  or we value each other and our family so much that nothing else matters.

whatever it is, it has worked for 18 years.  i still love him and he still loves me.  he still makes me laugh - out loud.  he supports me and encourages me and believes in me.  he challenges me - in all ways.  he calls me out, but he also let's me be.  he hugs and kisses me.  he holds my hand. he dances with me.  he reminds me that adventure can be fun and safe.  he knows my limits and pushes me to go beyond them.  he respects me and the life we have built.  he honors his commitments. he is a man of integrity, compassion and strength.  he lights up my heart and my life.  he's all that and a bag of chips.

he makes me happy.

B&B from Gioconda Mitas on Vimeo.

have a lovely 3-day weekend.

he, he and she

he is starting his last year at cha, a school he has attended for 9 years.  he is big man on campus, literally. he has grown 6 1/2 inches over the last year.  he is starting his final year of swim team for our church next week.  he has mastered a few songs on the drums.  it's actually nice to hear him play.  he is adding volleyball to his sport list this year. he made a goal to try something new at school.  he is at a middle school retreat until tomorrow.

he is starting his first year of middle school.  he has his own locker (i hope he remembers the combination). he will have electives for the first time. he got to try out the new ipads in his class.  he will start wearing glasses in the next few weeks - after we order them.  he grew 3 and 3/4 inches over the last year. he refused to get his haircut any shorter. he enjoys watching the republican national convention and giving side comments. he is at a middle school retreat until tomorrow.

she is part of the lower school now.  she has lunch in the cafeteria and plays on the big yard.  she has her own desk. she loves her new grey high tops. she adores her teacher. she is greeted by every teacher, and a lot of students, as she makes her way up to class.  she is going to dinner with me and bobby tonight - her choice.  she gave me homework on the first day.

they are excited about the coming year.  they are having a hard time adjusting to the new schedule - we all are.  they are all at carpool together which makes it so much easier for me.  they love listening to the same songs in the car and sing out loud occasionally. they love going to the same school.

it's gonna be a great year.

a thousand words are worth a picture

i know you will find this hard to believe but last night at our back to school bbq i didn't take a single picture.

not one of me (nervously) speaking at the new parent orientation.

not one of me standing at the pto table getting parents to volunteer.

not one of my half eaten veggie burger because i was so busy talking to everyone.

not one of sofia hanging out with the first graders, 5th graders and 8th graders. she fits in anywhere.

not one of bobby talking to parents about charting the future and building our new school.

not one of andrew playing on the sports court with his friends and totally forgetting that this was a bbq so he didn't eat dinner until we got home. "oh yeah, i forgot to eat"

not one of jordan walking around with his friends as an 8th grader - his last year at our beloved cha.

not one of all of us sitting in the 8th grade meeting talking about graduation and washington, d.c and chapter presentation.  is this really happening?!

nope, not one picture.

but it was great to see everyone.  meet new parents.  see the excitement in (some) of the kids, and in all of the parents.  get started on some of the plans i've been working on over the summer.  

it really is going to be great year, filled with great memories.  looking forward to all of it.

goodbye summer... hello new school year.

you can do anything

Source: bubbyandbean.com via Gioconda on Pinterest

i will be repeating this to myself all year.

weekly menu: week 35

well it's here.  the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year.  2 more days and these kids will be at school for most of the day.  we spent the weekend getting ready. writing names in books, sharpening pencils, filling backpacks.  we have just a few more things to do, including haircuts and one more dr. appointment.

we'll enjoy these next two days together and be ready for what's to come.  bobby and i have compared our calendars, work, school and personal.  we have a very busy month coming up.  from day one we will be running at 100 mph.  hope we make it out alive.

making this week:

monday: milanese, arugula and tomato salad, bacon and corn hash

tuesday: back to school bbq

wednesday: pasta with turkey sausage

thursday: fish tacos, watermelon

friday: pizza

saturday: wedding

sunday: eat out

hope your week is a calm one.

manzanar

we left the valley on wednesday evening.  car packed stuffed with tents, suitcases, bikes and food.  we drove about 3 hours to independence, ca for the night.

the next morning we drove 10 minutes to manzanar.

bobby is a huge history buff and wanted to visit this site for research on a project.  we've driven by here before, but not since they opened the museum.  and it was something we wanted the kids to see.

i knew only the basic history of this place.  a "relocation camp" for japanese detainees during wwii.  i had no idea how emotional and gripping this visit would be.  imagining life here on a day to day basis.  families taken away from their homes and forced into barracks with no privacy.  families torn apart, lives lost, the emotion, confusion and fear must have been overwhelming.

this spot is now a national historical site with recreated areas like the mess hall, the barracks and japanese gardens.

 

a cemetary as well.

i was interested in reading more about the day to day life at manzanar.  so i am reading, farewell to manzanar.  it brought everything to life for me.  imagining the confusion of being taken away from their homes, leaving all that they worked for behind.  forced to live in harsh conditions but make the best of it.  the japanese attitude of honor and going along with it to do what was best for themselves and  the country. "shikata ga nai", it must be done, it cannot be helped.

i'm so glad we had a chance to stop and visit this place.  it was something that brought tears and made an impression on all of us.

around here

we are soaking up the last few days of summer vacation.
we are enjoying sleeping in and staying up late. (we're getting back on schedule this week though.)
i am giving my blog a lot of thought. hoping to redesign soon.
i am taking the pressure off.
i am running again.

we are excited to see this.
i am gearing up for a year of being pto president.

i just started my christmas wish list with this kit.
we are making jam this week with grandma.
we are ordering new beds for the boys' room.

i am reading this.
the kids are visiting the pediatrician and the optometrist.
the kids are getting new shoes and haircuts - both much needed.
school books are arriving.

i am so happy i saw this.
life is good.