My mom has been here for almost a month. It's been fun having her...lots of changes happening for everyone. The girls are thoroughly enjoying having my mom around. We're getting ready to move into our new home. The girls are helping my mom move with little things while I am at work and they're taking ownership with their stuff. They are loving the new home. They are very excited that the playground being right outside our door is a great thing and the pool is our "backyard" - you can see it from our patio. It is slowly coming into place...slowly but surely.
My sister, Sherry aka Grace came to visit also. She stayed for almost a week before she went back home to Portland. We loved having her around- was very sad when she left.
We just got back from our California trip. We went to see some cousins on my mom's side. The girls have never met that side of the family before and I thought it would be a blast for the girls to meet them, especially one of my cousin has 3 younger girls ages 6 (Maya), 8 (Jadyn) and 10 (Riana). 
We stayed with Bo and Sally with their 3 girls in their Spanish built home. The girls enjoyed spending time with the girls and they got to meet the rest of the family on Sunday and it was, overall, a really nice visit. We went to check out the beach on the PCH side and of course, the girls loved every minute of it. They didn't want to leave and wanted to stay and keep playing in the waves. We weren't really dressed for the beach (no suit nor extra clothes with us...I know, wasn't smart planning on my end...I mean, I packed the the suit but forgot to bring it with us when we did our beach drive) but despite the lack of planning, they had a great time. On our last day of our visit, we went over to Aunty Susie's home (Susie is my grandmother's only sister). We celebrated Jadyn and Callie's birthday early (they're both July babies) and swam in her beautiful pool in Beverly Glen. We got in on Friday and left on Monday since I had to be at work on Tuesday. It was a very quick visit and a long drive to California and back...but worth every moment of it. The girls were great travelers..I love how well traveled they are...even Callie who can't sit still for so long did awesome. I love California...wished I had more time so I could have visited some friends in LA...and in OC or even San Diego but like I said, it was a very quick visit with family. I was glad that I got some of my "beach time" - took whatever I could out of this trip which I thoroughly needed. 
I am learning how to be single again...trying to figure myself out...finding what works and doesn't. I am trying to find that balance of happiness within myself. I guess I lost myself along the way within the 10 year span I was married. Being single and just learning to not feel like I need to be heard constantly or have that need to feel like my emotions aren't being put into considerations has been a learning process. Being a divorcee, feeling like I am damage goods because of what I went through, has been difficult...but I am relearning to find all the good things that are in me. Focusing on trying to find the positives...and working on it. I want to continually put my girl's needs before me and realizing all the choices and actions I may make will definitey affect them. Life is all about growing and learning, especially from your past...and having to learn to let go is part of the learning process. I am looking forward to what God has for me...bumps along the way but it can only get better and I know it will only make me stronger.
I am enjoying my job...just lots of new things to learn. I can tell they like me alot and have told me many times how they are so happy to have me around...I guess, they've needed help for quite some time. So it's good to feel wanted and to belong somewhere...it's been a while to be feeling that!
