Sometimes Going Away Makes You Realize How Great It Is To Come Back

Maliana ~


Well, my dear...November brought with it a couple weekends away for your dear old mom. It's actually the first time(s) that I've really left you with Daddy and went that far away for that long. You and I were both a little nervous, however it turned out to work really well for all of us.

The first was kind of a trial run where I went just a couple hours away to help a friend celebrate her birthday. Before I left, you and Daddy entertained me with some new tricks on your scooter and skateboard. You two are so silly...check out the video below.


Scooter and Skateboard Tricks!


While I was gone, you ended up spending the night with E at Joe and Tina's. You had a blast and did so well on my first night away from you both that I felt so much better. I got some cute texts from you while I was away and even a 'welcome home' picture when I returned. You are such a sweet and unique kid. I love you so very much.


It was such an unseasonably warm afternoon when I got home that you rode your bike along with me while I went running. You made it the whole way with minimal whining and we really enjoyed our time together! As usual, you had me cracking up with your antics as I ran.

and if you ever wondered how crazy us moms get when we
go out for the night...this is it. yes, she is tying the
guitarist's shoe #onceamomalwaysamom haha!

my sweet welcome home note

and a portrait of me!

After such a successful first trip away, I was feeling a tiny bit more prepared to head the farthest I've ever been from either you or Daddy on my own...San Francisco. You see...since I turned 40 back in September, I felt like I needed to kind of "reset" my life, do a little soul-searching, and re-evaluate who I want to be after 40. I used to do these kinds of exercises all the time when I was younger, but I haven't in so long. With all of that being said, I set off on my adventure and it became one of the best things I have chosen to do for myself in a long time. This time and space was very important for all of us. My trip not only gave you and Daddy some amazing bonding time, but reminded me how important it is for each of us to stretch our comfort zones from time to time and also how important it is to truly appreciate your own company because if you can do that, then you don't ever have to feel lonely, even when you're alone. I missed you all while I was away, but I never once felt lonely.


Here are some of the photos from my trip...

taking a double decker tour bus over the Golden Gate Bridge
(on the top of course, brrr!) and heading into Sausalito for a bit

riding a cable car

San Francisco architecture is one of a kind

one of, if not THE largest Chinatown(s) in the U.S.

just some of the interesting and friendly people I met
having lunch in the Mission District

at the top of Twin Peaks, overlooking downtown
San Francisco and the entire bay ~ gorgeous!

Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park

peace out! at the legendary corner of
Haight Ashbury

And while I was off and running, you were doing the same with Daddy...although I didn't get as many pictures as usual (Daddy isn't as much of a shutterbug as I am), take my word for it when I say that you had a blast!


along with miniature golfing, lots of one on one play time, dinner dates,
portraits of each other, and so much more; a visit to see your cousins was
also in order (I'm glad you get along so well with them!)

your portrait of Daddy - so cute!

and Daddy's of you - so sweet!

the notes you left for me, stuck to the countdown
calendar that I left for you to mark off each day
until I was back home with you again...

The day after I got home was a Monday and I took the day off work to decompress. I woke you up where you exclaimed, "Hi, Mom!" and gave me a huge hug when you opened your eyes. It was so great to see you in the flesh again and get to kiss those soft squishy cheeks of yours. Having an amazing family like you and Daddy makes coming home even more special.

oh, how I missed kissing those cheeks!!

I took advantage of my day off to also meet with your teacher, the school psychologist and your principal about some difficulties you've been having in school lately (stomach aches, problems concentrating, etc). Nothing huge, but definitely big enough to alert my mama bear instincts to stay ahead of things so your school environment stays safe and comfortable for you. On my way out, I realized that you were just starting lunch in the cafeteria, so I headed down there to say hi. I ended up staying and chatting with you (and some of your friends) during the whole lunch period. I'm glad I did too because there is some clique drama happening in your class and sometimes lunch and recess can be hard for you. Sure enough, something had happened just before I got there but I was so proud of what I saw when I arrived at your table. Evidently, you had removed yourself from another table (the one with all of the negativity) and instead had chosen to sit by yourself. Your table eventually filled up with other classmates and friends that were buying their lunch, but there were several minutes where it was just you before I arrived. It jerked my heartstrings at first when I found out what was happening, but then I became so unbelievably proud of how strong and brave you were to do the right thing, even if it meant you would stand alone for a while. Man. I don't think I had half of your courage and wisdom in the 2nd grade. It may be rough sometimes, but I am positive that exactly these kinds of situations are building character in you that some of your classmates could never dream of building in their whole life. Gah! You are a wonderful person, Mali. You truly amaze me. Every day. Never let those who wish to stir up drama keep you down...you are bigger, brighter, and more beloved than all of that. I am so very glad that I got to spend that time with you today.


The very next night and my first day back to work, we ended up going to a school skate party for the PTA. Not what I had planned but, when you became surprisingly devastated to learn that I had hoped we'd just stay home that night, I simply couldn't say no to you and those big elephant tears. It actually turned out to be exactly what we both needed that night. Who knew?


you not only were welcomed by smiling friends but also became
so excited to see your principal there as well...with all of the
ups and downs lately, this was an unexpectedly great evening
(L to R ~ Lily, Lucy, and you)

And here is just another random funny...you crack me up!

While we hadn't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet, Easton was already holding their annual tree lighting and parade just a few days later. It was slightly warmer weather and you were in an incredibly amazing mood, so talkative, bouncing around, and weaving through the crowds. Lao Lao and I had about as much fun watching you as we did watching the festivities. As usual, Easton is always so incredibly gorgeous this time of year.

ta dah! the tree is all lit ~ bring on Christmas!!

Lao Lao was so excited to see these dancing balls!

obligatory photo booth picture from Easton ~ of course!

Going right along with the Christmas theme, we also had some family pictures done at Target this year...in our new matching Christmas jammies!! All of the stares and double-takes as we strolled through the store in matching PJ's were worth it to see your smile and hear your laughter. I love our little family and the crazy, fun stuff we do together. As you dubbed us the other day..."we're the funny family!"

quick selfie while we sat waiting for our turn with the photographer

And here are some from a sneak peek of the actual photos from the shoot...pretty cute, if I do say so myself!

hahaha!

look at your adorable smile!

such innocence in your beautiful big brown eyes
(and that dimple!)

But, I am getting ahead of myself here so let's back up to the actual next holiday...Thanksgiving. You brought home some great, classic artwork from school. It was sweet, unique, and entertaining, all wrapped up in one. I always love your projects!

my favorite part?
"I am cool with my pets"

#hint #inthecrotch

As for the actual holiday, we relaxed until it was time to go to Joe and Tina's that night. The day before you had had a day of fun with Lao Lao and did all kinds of things, including making a gingerbread house. You brought it home and were so stoked to eat it, so on Thanksgiving morning, we lay in bed watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and chowed down on your gingerbread house. (Don't worry, I fed you something healthy beforehand!)

Then we went running (you rode your bike) on the trail to burn off some energy and get good and hungry for all of that turkey! It was a lot of fun to spend time with the Yersavich family, as usual. Uncle Joe has so many siblings so it is always a full house and you had a ball spending time with all of the big kids on the third floor of their new house. We barely saw you all evening but knew you were having fun.

picture of our questionably shaped cupcakes...
I'll leave that to your imagination but I
think the turkey in the middle has seen too much.

The Wilkinson family pushed their celebration back and ended up having it about 4 days later (that Sunday). Unfortunately, Daddy had to work for most of the gathering but was able to come later and heat up a plate. We didn't get the usual family pictures that we typically do that day...but I did manage to capture one of you with your beloved cousins before you all took off to play like crazy people.

A lot has happened to each and every one of us this year, some things good and some things not as good. But, in spite of it all, because of it all, and above all...if we sit and really think about it, we always have a lot to be thankful for in our lives.


I love you and Daddy so much, Mali.

Love,
Mama