Mawwiage.

Yes, this blog is on wedding overload lately. 

Apologies.

My soon to be wed brother, Aaron came to visit. 

He brought his lovely fiance, Ashley with him, of course. 

Aaron and Ashley stopped in Pas-town for a hot dog at Dog Haus. I didn't tell the kids they were coming, so Josiah and Mae were really, really excited.

Josiah threw both toys he was holding and yelled
"UNCLE AARON! I'VE MISSED YOU!"

Yes, I actually cloned my brother and named him Josiah.

We drove out to Yucaipa the next day for a very important wedding planning step- the initial dress try on! Even if you don't find your exact dress, you know which direction to start moving in.

Ashley sorts through the many, many dresses.

I would have died to have this opportunity at four. Not only did she get to
help find a dress for Ashley, she got to try on flower girl dresses.

This one isn't on the table anymore so I'll post a pic of it.
Event the ones she didn't like looked amazing on her.

Mae looks scrumptious in a flower girl dress.

Another try-on that didn't work out. Still beautiful.

There you have it.
You'll have to wait to see what dress she ends up in- that's going to happen in July.

Hopefully it looks something like this:

Lamaze Breathing. Selah.

Do any of you moms find Lamaze breathing techniques helpful years after giving birth? I have found the breathing method helpful more times than I can count this week.

Cameron broke his hand. His fourth metacarpal in his right hand to be exact. I used lamaze breathing to help him (and myself after watching his fingers bending the wrong way).

After the kids decorated his cast. 

This gives me goosebumps when I look at it.

I employed the handy breathing strategy when Josiah started sounding like a smoker of 30 years in the doctor's office. The kid had something big to hack up. Our doctor, without looking up from writing a prescription for me for my ear infection and sore throat (that I've had for over a week) said, "He shouldn't go to school tomorrow." Alright.

Sick days. Not as great as he had hoped.

Dr. Fernand Lamaze, you are my hero! While I was working out at Pop Physique, I practiced a slow, deep approach. I made it through my work out without feeling like I was going to throw up. I focus on my butt looking more like this. 

Did you know that "cast claustrophobia" is a thing? Neither did I until last night! I came home to Cameron basically having a panic attack about his cast. He was seriously considering removing it himself. Again, more lamaze breathing for everyone involved. If you know my husband, you know he's an incredibly level headed, sweet, quiet dude. For the past 24 hours that has not been the case. He looks like a lost dog that has bad fleas. Poor guy. Pray for him.

Today has been nothing but driving and going and doing...and driving. I took Josiah back to school. I got stuff for dinner at Vons. I came home, cleaned, got Mae ready for the day. We went to Whole Foods to find anti-anxiety supplements and homeopathic remedies for Cameron's anxiety. I went to the juice bar. I needed me some kale juice. I dropped Cameron and Mae off at home, went back to get Josiah (it's his first minimum day for Back to School night). I come home, make lunch, tell Cameron not to dissolve his cast in a bucket of vinegar. I leave for physical therapy. I go to physical therapy where very sore parts of my body are given pressure point treatment. I DID SOME MAJOR LAMAZE BREATHING. I drove home (but missed my on ramp, had to back track through LA traffic). I finish some work for Josiah's teacher. Cameron is dealing with insurance and doctor's office approval. *HEE-HEE-WHO* REPEAT. I finally get the bright idea to ask the doctor's office to give Cameron something for the anxiety. They send a prescription to Target.  Cameron takes Josiah to capoeira and Mae to Target to get his meds. It's quiet.
*DEEP INHALE*
...then I'm off to Back-to-School night.

Tonight will be a good night to meditate on this wonderful reminder that God gives us:

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

Selah.

Wordless Wednesday: Earl's Birthday edition.

Earl is our Boxer dog. We've had him for about 4 years now and today we celebrate the day he graced the world with his presence! Here are a few of my favorite Earl pictures through the years.

Happy Birthday to a dog that is the epitome of loyalty, love, protection and goofiness. 

Vacation!

I took this right before we left last night. It's hard to leave Lone Pine when it looks like this.

Here are a few pictures of our vacation! It was a really nice time in the wilderness. There were many fish caught, rocks climbed and adventures had. These aren't in perfect order, but here are some of my favorite phone pics (I'll put up "real" camera pictures soon). 

My mom representing West Coast rap. 

Our motel sign. 

Outside the Totem Cafe.

The Merry Go Round restaurant sign lit up at night.

For the first time in 20 years of visiting Lone Pine, I really appreciated the old neon signs.

Another first- we visited Jake's Saloon in Lone Pine.
People still smoke in here. 

First visit to the mules and horses.

Daisy Mae & Mae.

Every year my Dad, Randy, Cameron and now Josiah
compete to see who can catch the first fish from Bishop Creek.
A 5 year old with some power bait won this year.

We had  candy cigarettes.

Josiah representing his heritage as a Yucaipian.

My mountain man. 

Idyllic. 

Cowgirl & fisherwoman.

Waiting for a bite.

It's hard to wait for a fish to bite.

Mae enjoys the quiet.

"This fish tastes like victory." - my 40 year old son.

Oh, yeah just another fish I caught.

Lunch at the cafe.

Creeper.

It was cool enough in the morning to have a fire.
 

On the porch of the cafe & general store.

Mae shows a mule some love.

Lauren and her horse, Robbie. He was sassy.

Josiah rides Tango to the mine.

Studly steed.

Our guide, Tess leads the way. Josiah takes a moment to pet my horse, Lorenzo.

Cardinal Mine: Once sold for a wagon full of whiskey.

There was a gorgeous rainbow at the top of the trail. 

Mae's turn on Tango.

Glowsticks!

The biggest fish! 

We loved to swim!

We visited the home of my parent's friend in Lone Pine. This was the view.
There was also really yummy wine and a cute Husky/collie mix.

Attack of the giant bug in Lone Pine! 

Hollywood Glamour in Lone Pine.

Josiah climbing.

Mae's ponies.

Alabama Hills

It's rough to be here.

My Mom belaying my Dad.

Waiting our turns.

ME! CLIMBING A FLIPPING ROCK! 

Josiah chows down on his organic vegan breakfast before a hike.

Rock rash.