claudia spent monday through saturday of last week having the time of her life at rock camp for girls L.A. and i mean literally the most fun, most encouraging, most empowering, most supportive, most enthusiastic, most amazing 6 days in her sweet little life. she was smitten immediately. i dropped her off at camp on monday morning hoping that she would have a good time, or at least not be miserable. i picked her up 8 hours later to not only the biggest smile i’ve ever seen on her face, but a different one than i’d ever seen. she actually seemed to stand a little taller and it was as if she had some little secret that the rest of us weren’t part of. i think it all just boiled down to copious amounts of fun and encouragement. i could go on and on, literally. i’ve been a walking billboard for this beautiful organization since monday evening when i picked her up. i just can’t say enough good stuff about everyone involved and everything my sweet girl took away from it. i think the most glorious gift these girls were given was freedom. freedom to let fear and embarrassment fall away. after seeing each of the bands perform their song at the camper showcase on saturday, i could really see it. the support and encouragement the girls are given in connection to expressing themselves through music, allowed them to go out on a stage at an actual rock venue on sunset blvd in los angeles california and just feel it and experience the unique fun that comes with playing live rock music. claudia, for one, has commented to me at least 3 different times while watching live rock show videos (Butch Walker, The Foo Fighters and Mumford and Sons) that they looked like they were having “so much fun”. when i saw her on that stage, i saw that fun on her own face. rock camp made that possible. i’m forever thankful for that moment.

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swimming

diving, tomfoolery, splash-fights, looking good, homemade burgers, goggles, movie-night, popcorn & gummy bears, little-big planet, books, storytme, giving hugs, getting hugs
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my first-born baby boy is now a full-on teenager. wow. it’s easy to say the typical things about how it seems like just yesterday that he was born, but when i think about it, it really doesn’t. i feel like he’s always been with me. i can barely remember a life without him. the moment i knew he existed i gave him all of my heart and that’s the way it’s been since. so, although i look back at his earlier days with overwhelming joy, i’m not saddened that he’s growing up. rather, i’m so impressed with the boy he is and i’m so excited to see the man that he’s becoming.

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get festive.

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