Because I Have Two Hours to Write!

Beautiful matching outfits handmade by my "Aunt" Leslie of Rosebasket.

Beautiful matching outfits handmade by my “Aunt” Leslie of Rosebasket.
If you click on this image, it will take you to her handmade clothing website!

For the past four weeks my sister-in-law Jess has been visiting, and I’ve got to say, having someone visit you who loves to cook, care for children, and can slip seamlessly into your life is an amazing gift. This morning — juuuust as the kids and I were finishing an epic showdown that involved a lotlotlot of toothpaste — Jess said,

“Hey Becca, is there anything you’d like to do this morning? I can watch the kids.”

And within 10 minutes I had slipped out the back door and started speed-walking towards the library. Two hours to myself to write and think! I could scarcely believe it.

I even snapped ridiculous selfies on the way and sent them to Elliott, saying, “I’m on my way to the library to write! This is amazing!”

So let’s just take a moment to celebrate Jess and the awesomeness of having her with us for a whole month:

jess

Cooking AND baking are part of her daily routine, which means I’ve made about three dinners in the last month. Which is amazing. Stay and cook for us forever, Jess?

And anyway, here I am, in the library, writing to you. I thought I’d use this time for a few fun updates…

It’s only Wednesday, but in our household one big party starts today when Uncle David gets off the plane. This is Jess’s last week with us and so David (Elliott and Jess’s brother) and Emily (my sister) have decided to fly out and join us for a few days.

Em just got her ticket yesterday after a few days of deliberation, and Lena and I freaked out with happiness at the zoo, right in front of the lions, and took this photo for her:

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I think you couldn’t have happier smiles!

Speaking of the zoo, it was so much fun. I invited my new friend, Heather, and her two boys (who are exactly Lena and Gil’s ages) to come with us, and we wrangled children and tried to get a few words in edgewise and overall had a great time, I think. ;)

Last week, Heather and I also left all four of our kids with Jess (thank you, Jess!!!) so that we could slip away for a pedicure and quiet conversation in a little cafe. I’m thrilled to see friendships forming here in Coronado as our lives slowly take on shape:

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L: All four kids looking — if not smiling — at the camera is a major success!
R: Pumpkin spice latte date with a new, good friend.

On a more serious note… it’s happening. “Making room” is happening. We chose to live in Coronado and get this bigger house so we could fill it up to bursting with friends and family, and I rejoice every time I see someone take me up on it. Some friend or family member buy a plane ticket and send me their itinerary, some sweet neighbor show up on the doorstep with something yummy, some new friend bring their kids over and watch the house get wonderfully messy and laugh with me. Praise God. We have so far to go (what church will we go to? how will we offer our home to our church?), but these past few months have affirmed God’s blessing on our choice of neighborhood and home — even so, so far from family in D.C. — and my heart rejoices.

OK, back to fun updates. This past weekend, Jess took care of our kids while Elliott and I went on a 36-hour getaway to L.A.! (Remember my aspirations in this post? They’re happening!)

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L: You’re supposed to be able to see the Hollywood sign behind us…
R: Our favorite movie star.

I’ve always wanted to see Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and… maybe a few movie stars, too. Well, we saw all those things (probably including a couple stars because I realized we don’t watch enough TV to know who most people are), and — best of all — we had some time alone together. We went on long walks, lingered over delicious brunches, stayed at a bookstore as long as we wanted, slept in on Sunday morning, and overall celebrated being best friends and being married. It was just lovely. Thank you for taking me, Elliott!

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L: Just another $1.4 million car on the street!
R: All afternoon in a bookstore = our love language

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L: Reading in bed as long as we liked!
R: Beverly Hills Farmers Market for breakfast and bluegrass.

What else? My parents also visited recently, and one night they took us out to dinner and then to the Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado to see Les Miserables. Such an amazing production! If you’re local, the tickets are half off (and almost gone) on Halloween night. Jess, David, Emily, and I are going this Friday thanks to that deal.

My “little” cousins visited from L.A. while my parents were here. They are so good with Lena and Gil. I’m like… how did you guys learn to be so great with little kids? I was not like you when I was 12!

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Once upon a time Tyler and Ashley were my ring bearer and flower girl, and now look at them!

My mom also brought the kids this amazing play quilt that she made for Gil. All the animals fit into the pockets of the train cars, and the sun, moon, kite, and an airplane are removable with velcro. It even has little miniature dolls that look like Lena and Gil! Can you believe it? What an heirloom!

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And I just saw the kids and Jess across the library looking for me, so my time’s up! It was wonderful. Thanks for reading.

What are YOU looking forward to this week?

xoxo,

Becca

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15 Responses to Because I Have Two Hours to Write!

  1. Esther October 29, 2014 at 3:09 pm #

    The joy on your and Lena’s face is palpable.

    • Becca October 30, 2014 at 1:30 am #

      We were freaking-out excited!

  2. Meg October 29, 2014 at 3:23 pm #

    Wishing you a lot of fun in the next few days! And thanks so much for all these pictures and accounts of your life and of Jessica’s time with you. I love being able to picture you all!

    • Becca October 30, 2014 at 1:31 am #

      Wish you could be here too, Mom!

  3. eden October 29, 2014 at 5:21 pm #

    Wow, planning to have Jess as a live-in next year!

    • Becca October 30, 2014 at 1:29 am #

      You seriously should, Eden. She’s been the biggest gift.

  4. Courtney October 29, 2014 at 6:23 pm #

    What a sweet post! So glad to hear you are soaking up life in sunny California!

    • Becca October 30, 2014 at 1:31 am #

      I just wish posts like this didn’t take so long to put together! Ahh the days when I had two daily naps and could post every day…!

  5. Laura October 29, 2014 at 9:29 pm #

    So happy for you, and bravo on Jess for being an awesome sis-n-law. These are great pics! (Hilarious: afternoon in bookstore = love language!)

    • Becca October 30, 2014 at 1:32 am #

      I’ve been thinking about that bookstore since then, Laura, and realizing that I cannot remember the last time I had so much freedom to browse, read, and relax for as long as I wanted. And who knows when I will again? It was a gift!

  6. Abi October 29, 2014 at 10:25 pm #

    Love, love, love it!! :) So happy to see snippets of these happy times for you!
    This week I am looking forward to celebrating Halloween. As an elementary school teacher, I always look forward to seeing all of the kids dressed in costume (and dressing up myself)! What’s even better is that I have TWO munchkins of my own to dress up as well! Busy today making their costumes- can’t wait!

    • Becca October 30, 2014 at 1:30 am #

      Aww, I can’t wait to see pics! We are conflicted about how to celebrate because we don’t want a lot of candy in the house, but we live in a community with neighbors that are looking forward to seeing our kids trick-or-treating AND is really sweet for Halloween. Decisions, decisions…

      Can’t wait to see what Lucie and Gus look like for their first Halloween together!

  7. Traci October 30, 2014 at 1:03 am #

    Wonderful! The gift of time is the best kind of gift. I am looking forward to Halloween this weekend, of course. :]

    • Becca October 30, 2014 at 1:32 am #

      I can’t wait to see Halloween in our new neighborhood. I hope yours is very sweet and small-town cozy as well. :)

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