Standing Up on My Own

I recently started taking up stand-up paddling boarding over the summer. Over Labor Day weekend, a couple girlfriends and I went on our first water adventure. I'm naturally clumsy and thought I wouldn't do well at this at all. Of course, I fell a few times but the rest of the group did too. After I realized I wasn't trying to impress anybody else, I just kept getting up on that board until our two hours were up. After that day, I was completely hooked that I impulsively bought a used board and paddle.

My second time going out was a sunset yoga paddle with a large group of paddlers. This time I didn't fall once. I started to consider myself a pro now. I met a great group of people who were also new to this sport. I felt so at ease with them that I didn't feel as out of place.

After watching several Laird Hamilton videos of stand-up paddle boarding, I started to convince myself that I could really do this. I looked up local SUP groups in the area even possible races. A friend of mine posted a local race called the Sandbridge Hei Hei. I watched last year's race online and saw that it was a fundraiser for a Fallen Hero. I figured if I didn't do well at this that at least my money went to a good cause. I signed up for what I thought was a fun 2-mile race for SUPers. Well, fun was definitely the operative word for my third time out in the ocean. (photo credit: Sandbridge Life)

Once I arrived to the beach, I looked around and realized I was competing with a whole 'anubba level'. I thought, "Holy Crap! What did I sign up for?!" Well, there was no backing out of this now. If I bought this board, I'm going to go out there and give it my best. Here I went out and didn't fall out there in the ocean. Although, the wind did push me out there which probably took me much longer than I should have been. After the race was over, some of the racers came up to me and couldn't believe I signed up for this race considering it was only my third time and most of the people there train for this. In my mind, I gave a little pat on my back and I was glad I did it. Maybe next year I wouldn't feel so awkward about it and I could wishfully call myself a semi-pro. We'll see. For now, I'm going to enjoy God's nature at its finest.

A New Fish-Eye Look

Yesterday, Adam and I explored stores off Laskin Road and came across the Freedom Surf Shop. I like looking for interesting new house items or creative art to put in our house. I was thinking about getting a fish tank but I like this alternative version of a fish tank. I know this isn't very kid-friendly but maybe I could have a sturdy top with a glass middle. I could make a wooden version top with a glass center. I just love this idea. It's so creative and an interesting talk-piece.

Then there were 4 little birdies

This morning we found the other two eggs hatched. The mama and daddy birds are guarding their little babies in the tree next to the bush. We are so excited to see new life on our yard. Life brings us new hope for great things.

Baby birds hatching in our front yard

This morning we saw one of the meadowlark baby birds hatch in our front yard. This is so beautiful. It's a perfect spring day to enjoy the meaning of life being born.

Bird's Nest

These beautiful eggs are in our front yard. We think they are Meadowlark birds because we see the mama bird in the nest and in the tree on our front yard. Our family just loves looking at these eggs. At the beginning of the week, she laid two eggs and now she has four eggs. It truly is spring time. We can't wait to see them hatch. I'll keep you updated for when they do.

The Wee hours of the night

Well, I'm sitting here not able to sleep. Fortunately, it's quiet and I'm completely awake due to an earlier nap that seems to mess me up for the rest of the day. Yet, I feel quite rested. I've discovered how watching Netflix takes over my life when I don't want to think about anything or 'do' anything for anyone.

I have a love-hate relationship with watching Netflix shows and movies. I go on a Netflix marathon watching TV shows I've never seen before. It somehow comforts me watching mind-numbing TV that often gives me more to think about how wonderful my life is (and that isn't sarcasm). I've watched "My So-Called Life", "United States of Tara", "Hot in Cleveland", "Drop Dead Diva", and now "Parenthood". I often ask myself if this time is wasted. I realize somedays it seems like it but I often multi-task such as baking something in the oven, cleaning, and laundry. This is when I debate whether being at home and watching these shows are silly. I could be that mom sitting at home eating bon-bons like the show "Married with Children". It's sad I know but not many of you know me and I rarely stay home. I'm usually up by 6:30 a.m. and out the door by 7:40 a.m. to take the kids to school.

When I was young teenager, I would watch television in my room by myself. My siblings would joke about how much useless TV trivia I knew and all the songs on the commercials. One day my mom passed by my room and said, "I know you. You can't fool me. There's always something going on up 'there'." So you ask, "What's going on up 'there'?" I guess it's all these crazy thoughts going on up 'there' - thoughts about life. I often analyze why anyone would write and direct shows about this - shows about dysfunction, tragedy, relationships that don't last, pain, suffering, etc. And I see this is the stuff we find fascinating and intriguing. In someway, we relate to it, so we're not alone or justify the wrongs we've ever done and regret. After I finally figure it out, I feel better about my life and the normalcy that goes with it.

Today, my 2nd daughter and I take a short nap together which never happens. And she tells me how much fun we had spending time together. Later I take her to her 2nd soccer practice where she makes a goal. I love watching her energy and the smiles on her face. And twice she stops playing to pick dandelions (aka weeds) for me. I just love her sweetness. I love watching this instead of watching Netflix.

A Valentine Strawberry Shortcake

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I baked this strawbery shortcake for Valentine's Day. I baked two layers of yellow cake and layered white chocolate pudding with fresh strawberries. I'm not much of a baker but this looks delicious. We're about to eat this delicious dessert. I love strawberry shortcake especially the one that's made at the Cheesecake Factory. Instead of paying a ton of money eating out, I decided I could make my own version.

Today has been a great day with my family. Gigi and I went to Muffins for Moms at her school. I met another mom who was pretty cool. Then Lana and I met up with my good friend, April, and chatted over some coffee till we met up with my hubby for a nice Valentine's lunch. The girls and I spent time together at home till our man came home. He cooked us a delicious Valentine's dinner. It has been a great day today. Happy Valentine's Day! Hope your day is full of lots of love.

Sour Cream Recipes

I found two recipes to use sour cream in baking. I baked this pound cake with sour cream and blueberry scones. I had no idea it would taste so good. I've gotten compliments on these and it tasted really good too. I'm not a great baker but if I have a good recipe it would seem like I am.
Blueberry Scones. I baked these for my daughter's tea party at preschool. She loved them and the class did too.

Living Life with Leya

I started blogging a long time ago and lost interest after my mother passed away almost a couple years ago. I found myself writing only on special occasions such as my wedding anniversary, my birthday, or my kids' birthdays. For some reason, I thought I needed to do write, at least, for those reasons. In a couple weeks, it will be the anniversary of my mother's passing and I seem to find the pain to be less and less. And I find living life more fulfilling.

This past holiday season I planned more holiday traditions such as the oceanfront holiday lights, Botanical Gardens holiday lights, Christmas Town, holiday ornament party, and decorating the house starting Thanksgiving day. I realized our family enjoyed being together more when the atmosphere appeared more elaborate and bright. Being the wife and mother of this family paved the way for how the rest of the family looked at our family traditions and remembering our holiday traditions. Planning these events made me feel excited about every Christmas for years to come, every family vacation we'd go on, every birthday party, and so forth.

I stopped reminiscing about all the memories and holidays my mother created for me. Of course, I take those in consideration when planning my own family's traditions and creating my own kids' memories as a family but I wouldn't feel that sad void of my mother not being there anymore. I cannot live in the past to keep her memory alive. I can only take those memories of her as a sweet sentiment and tribute to the family traditions I create today.

Raising a torch, lighting a candle, or putting my mother on a pedestal is only keeping her as an idol in my life. The pain of losing my mother was a combination of grief, mourning, and the void of her absence. Reminiscing only the good memories of her created a false idea of who she was my entire life - human. My existence has a great amount to do with my mother but I realized I needed to pave my own way. As my hourglass keeps sifting the sand, each stage of my life becomes more apparent to me and a new revelation of my youth becomes more profound.