Are you a heavy sleeper?

I am. I swear that I could sleep through an earthquake. I obviously eventually wake up if my kids are crying in the night, but ask Chris, it is hard to wake me up. Last night I suddenly felt a little "Gabe" sleeping next to me. I woke up (kind of) suddenly and wondered why he was next to me and how he got there since he sleeps in a crib. I waited for a little while snuggling and then decided to take "him" back to his crib. I laid him down, went to the bathroom, and then came back to check on the kiddos before I went back to bed. I looked at Sofia's bed and freaked out when she wasn't there. Chris was still up downstairs, so I yelled for him in only the way I can when I am half way asleep still. He ran up, and I told him that Sofia was missing. He laughed when he looked in the crib and saw Sofia and Gabe sleep there soundly. What the heck... why did I think that Sofia was Gabe?? I know that most of you are probably thinking this is kind of a lame story, and it kind of is if you weren't there. I am just freaked out that I am so out of it when awoken that I didn't even know the difference between my kids. Scary. Any other heavy sleepers out there?

Southern Oregon

This last week, we took the kiddos down to Klamath Falls to visit the Becerras and then over to Central Point to see my padres. We had fun swimming, going to the temple, the discovery play place, running with my padre, eating, and then eating some more. Why do I always gain 3-4 pounds every time I come back from a trip? It is time to hit the pavement :). Here are a few pictures of the kiddos from our trip... more to come soon.

More Good Children's Music

"Catch the Moon" is a great CD for families. Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Mitchell sing all of the songs, and maybe I am a weird parent who likes good kid's music, but even I sincerely enjoy listening to this CD. There are even a couple of songs in Spanish that are really sweet. If you are in need of good music for car rides this summer, this would be a great pick!

Mamahood

Warning:Semi cheesy post ahead.

A few weeks ago, I was able to go with a couple of gals from church to listen to Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea) speak at U of O. It was such a great night, and hearing Greg talk about all of the work being done to help educate the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan was inspiring. One example that he gave that really touched me as a mom was when he was talking about how for $800, they were able to help a young woman become a nurses assistant (which translated to being her villages doctor), and after receiving her training, the village went from 9 women dying within a couple of years during child birth to 0 after she received her education. The night was great as a whole, and we went to Sushi afterward.. (which I officially have to say that I just don't really like :).

Now fast forward a couple of days. After hearing the lecture, I kept pondering what my role is in educating the world and other humanitarian work. I kept thinking about how fortunate I am and how I am not doing enough to help other people and how when much is given, much is expected. My mind kept rattling and I couldn't stop thinking about what I can do today to make a difference. To be quite honest, I was feeling a little down feeling like I am falling short of my potential.
That night after my kids went to sleep, I tip toed into their room to quietly watch them sleep for a minute, and all of a sudden as I stared at their sweet sleeping faces (aren't they just the sweetest when they are asleep?? :) I heard a voice that said: "You are doing enough right now." All of a sudden I had a moment of peace, as I realized that doing my best to nurture these sweet spirits and to help them grow as human beings is an amazing job. I have so many goals in life (going back for my masters.. traveling more, making a difference in the world and my community), and although I can do small things in my "spare time" to work on my dreams.. I am realizing that I can someday accomplish all of my dreams, but it may not all be in my timing, because the Lord knows best for me. I am excited for all that my future holds, but I don't want to get so caught up in thinking about what I'm not doing or what I want to do, that I don't take the time to savor the great point in life I am at right now. Life is exhausting but oh so sweet with our little family right now. Okay, cheesy post is officially over :).

The Hippie Chick

I have become really bad at blogging. Like, really really bad. Life is busy and something has to give, but I am back and better than ever my friends. So, last weekend I ran the hippie chick half Marathon with Wendy and Tonya. It was so so fun, and three days later, I can finally walk again :). I see more half marathons in my future, but unfortunately,I am not thinking that I will every try a marathon (sorry Tonya). My homegirl Marianne came to be my cheerleader since Chris was shooting a wedding all day, and I have to say that she made a great one. Hopefully I will still stay motivated to stay in shape now that this is over, but I do have Hood to Coast in August to look forward to.

Kara's thoughts on British Music :)

So, I have two random topics to discuss that have to do with music.. both sharing one common theme (even though they are fairly unrelated :). They both have something to do with British music.
Thought #1-Why does the United States produce bubble gum singers (obviously I am generalizing) like Brittney Spears, Jessica Simpson, and Miley Cyrus and the UK produces cool and soulful singers like: Joss Stone, Adele, Corrine Bailey Ray, and Amy Winehouse? I love the sounds of the UK girls with the orchestras behind them. These girls have pipes. It seems to me that we have such a large focus on appearance, and although I am sure that England has the same focus to an extent, it seems like really talented girls get noticed more. Seriously, there are thousands of girls all over the country who can sing better than Miley Cyrus. Has anyone noticed this trend too? Don't get me wrong, we as a country produce some amazing singers, but it just seems a lot harder for these people to be noticed if they aren't good looking... but this also does happen in the Uk.. to be demonstrated by my next point :).

Thought #2-So, to bounce off of my last point... I need to talk about the whole Susan Boyle, Britian's got talent thing. I am sure that most of you have seen the you tube video by now. I like most other people who watched the video, got choked up, but mainly for me, I think it was because I was sad. The words of the song she sang are emotional, and I couldn't help but thinking about her life in relation to the song. With that said, it took me a while to figure out why I continued to feel bothered by the clip and all of the publicity that it has received. I first of all realized the obvious like others that looks have nothing to do with talent. I have heard many people sing beautifully in my life who weren't super models themselves. I know that everyone was rooting for Susan as an underdog, but I am the only one who feels like making such a big deal out of it like "wow, the poor ugly lady really can sing" is almost demeaning and exploiting Susan Boyle? Once the media caught on that this would make a good story, they have gone nutso.. and I even heard one news anchor say,"When will the US find our Susan Boyle?" What in the heck does that even mean? Meanwhile, the Britain's got talent judges are soaking up publicity... and I don't know... I am just bugged by it all. Susan Boyle has talent, and she certainly deserves a break, but I am just tired of her being exploited and teased. Okay, before I keep repeating myself over and over again.. I will stop. I don't know if this will make sense to any one. Oh well, I am tired :). Good night.

Easter

Sofia's Easter dress was so cute. I'm sure I will get more pictures in that dress where you can see the detail more.

I wasn't going to include this snotty nosed pictured, but it is sweet.. and well.. Gabe usually does have a snotty nose.
Easter went a little something like this:
*Chris let me sleep in until 7:30. I never thought I would be overjoyed to sleep in until 7:30.
*Chill morning with easter bunny excitement and getting ready for church.
*Walking to church with mi familia and Marianne and George.
*Going to church.
*Walking home.
*Eating dinner with Kris and Dan.
Yep... a pretty low key Easter but nice.