A few nights ago we got the kids to bed and were in the living room chatting. Most likely I was working, Adam was probably watching some surf contents and we were sharing a bottle of wine. We paused what we were doing and talked about how much change we have experience in just the last 15 months.

We bought a brand new family car, something I never imagined we would do. I love our little Mazda 5. We all fit comfortably and my last tank of gas got 27 miles a gallon. And I love how little it is. I know most people love big cars, but not me. Oh and we bought a new house...something I also never thought would happen on the coast.

 I went from tutoring and teaching 4/5 grade on Saturdays to working as an Education Specialist with Ocean Grove Charter School. I work "full-time" yet 75% percent of my work is done from home from the computer, a totally new concept for me. I spent a lot of my energy all day with my kids, Charlie's class, our friends, sports and activities so I am happy that work is something I do alone....with an adult beverage close by and Adam right next to me. Here is my little office in a corner of the playroom. It actually works quite well because there are days where I need to work during the day and the kids play along side me.

 And perhaps the craziest change is we have a bunch of kids. I wouldn't have it any other way, really. They are beautiful and full of life and I am on a lifelong journey to learn patience, acceptance, humor in hard moments, and finding the joy in small things. But damn....we made a lot a babies in just 5 years of marriage.

 So we have a house...a mortgage...a new car....I have a new job that requires more time that I have to give, and we have another baby......but what I have learned is that no matter what needs to be cleaned, cooked, paid, done....there is always, ALWAYS time to enjoy the small thrills in life....like a spontaneous dance party, a small family gathering, a quick walk around the block, a night out with friends, a few jumps on a trampoline, a nice morning at the beach, a serious giggle session with your kids......because in the end I will never look back and say: I wish I kept my house cleaner, worked more during the day, or did laundry faster.....but I will say I am happy I cherished the small moments throughout my day. And I am not sure that I would have known this had I not had these kids to teach me.

Alex turned 1....3 months ago

Alex turned one May 15th. I don't think I blogged about it. We had a casual family party at our house. Sadly my mom has had a rough go of things for the past 6 months and wasn't able to attend. Josh, Bethany, Kate, Evan, Adam's parents and nonnie Doreen all came for some outside play, dinner, and cupcakes. We had a great night.

 Alex was not quite walking when he turned 1. I think within a few weeks from his party he started his zombie walk. We spent hours outside our house on the street playing everyday. We play catch, hockey, baseball, kickball, soccer, basketball, and ride bikes. It seemed very normal that we would start our evening all outside.

Of course Aunt Kate went right to Alex. She has an incredible bond with each of my children but there is something very special about the way she loves Alex. Perhaps she feels a certain closeness since they are both third kids...

 So close to walking.....

 Charlie was in heaven. He is sporting his soccer shorts with his wet suit rash guard and ready for some street soccer.

 Naturally Kate was thrilled to have her grandma and great grandma to snuggle and read fancy nancy with.

We got Alex a water table for his birthday. Three kids and six years and this is my first water table. I love it. All three kids (and neighborhood kids) play with this all the time. Mud, leaves, water you name it....

 I made a seitan pot pie from scratch, a yummy kale salad and vegan cupcakes that were delish!

Alex enjoyed a chocolate cupcake in the loving arms of his daddy. 

We all are smitten by Alex. He came to us so incredibly happy. He is silly, loving, and smart. Although he can be frustrating lately since he is always talking, eating, and wanting to go outside....he melts my heart.

Grateful

I am grateful that our family has friends to hug and friends to share the wonders of life with. I am fortunate that I have wonderful friends whom I deeply care about. I can't imagine a better circle of friends for myself or my children. I am grateful that I can ask these friends to help watch either Kate or Charlie for an afternoon (or 3 days) and that not only will they do it but they will do it with love. And I am grateful that I can do the same for their children. It takes a village and I love my.

I am grateful we have mornings like these. Where the sun shines and we get to enjoy our breakfast and coffee together. Blissful mornings and evenings with all 5 of us may be few and far between but when we have them....when everyone is in a good mood and laughter fills our house I feel grateful.

I am grateful for Kate. She is a constant reminder what pure joy and raw emotions really look like when they are not covered up. She is so silly and real and loving yet strong-willed. She is a delight to be with until she is not, and even then I adore her.

And I am grateful for the relationship that Adam and I have foster and watched grow. I truly love him. We make each other laugh, support each other in times of stress, and perhaps most importantly right now in our busy lives we do our best to be selfless yet aware of what we need to stay balance, happy and healthy.

I am grateful that my sister and brother are such huge parts of my kids lives. My brother has watched Kate and Charlie weekly while I work, and my sister drops everything when she has a free moment to garden, play hide in seek, and just be present with my kids. I am also grateful that the grandparents help so often, but I don't have a picture to go with it :)

I will forever be in awe of the big brother Charlie has become. He loves Alex more than I could have ever imagined. He plays with him, cares for him, teaches him things, and their bond is incredible. Charlie also spent most of his summer playing so nicely with Kate. Nothing brings me more happiness than this.

And I am grateful that Alex is growing and developing so well. He has over 40 words and is starting to put two words together. He is signing less due to increased language but I am hitting the signs hard again because I think it is a mistake to stop signing once they start talking. He still can't say all that he thinks and feels but at 15 months he is at the perfect age to sign his emotions.

And I am grateful that Charlie has a great tennis community. He loves playing with his friends and he has two of the best coaches, plus a dad who will drop everything to hit balls with his son