Ambrosia Creative

We spent a little bit of time last Sunday visiting the botanical gardens at UNC Charlotte. It was absolutely gorgeous being surrounded by flora and fauna and being accompanied by my most favorite people in the world. I had been sick most of that weekend and was getting especially sick of being cooped up indoors while the weather was beach-like and California-like. My cold/illness/nasty bug let up just enough to get out and view some orchids, exotic succulents and peculiar plants. The boys loved the responsive ferns which are kind of like the plant version of fainting goats.

Can’t possibly be any happier to find Easter eggs filled with candy and money.

Can’t possibly be any more thrilled to stop for a photo.

As Kai would put it, Easter weekend was epic (his word du jour). Grandma Kirk visited from California earlier this week, followed by a visit from Lola and Lolo who went all out with eggs and Easter baskets for the kids…leaving meeeee off the hook this year – sigh of relief! We’re dealing with some fallout though between the boys, one of which was not on board with splitting the money finds 50/50, but such is life and its tough (tough!) lessons.

We’re starting our full week of spring break tomorrow, kicking it off by going hog wild at a playdate, then running errands at Target, and possibly finishing it up with a chocolate milk bender.

Keeping busy this month by playing in puddles…

…making art… {idea for dragon}

…and programming video games. His first!

I’ve been feeling especially anxious lately (haven’t we all) to preserve their innocence. Locking them in a protective bubble of safety sounds better and better each day. Can’t they hold hands, play hide-and-seek, and jump and play with abandon…forever? Kai is the opposite of me and gets horrified at the idea of an eternal youth. “But mom. I wouldn’t get to learn how to drive.” Good point son, good point. I sometimes forget that growing up is fun and has a lot of perks, too.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! And I want to say thank you so much for stopping by and reading this little blog and that I value every kind comment and email that comes my way. Sometimes, when the demands of life and family tug me in different directions, I always come back to reassessing the importance of blogging. But I think I’ve found a formula that works for now, so thank you for your feedback and words of encouragement!

2012 has been good to our family, with great health (no broken bones this year!), food to fill our stomachs, clothing on our backs, no fender benders (phew), and another year of watching my beautiful children grow. And I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this already, but back in California, both my job and Ryan’s felt the pinch (though death-grip is more accurate) of a sluggish economy. The past couple of years have been filled with challenges and a great deal of hard work and late nights, but just recently Ryan landed a new job that will relieve most if not all of the stresses we’ve been carrying for some time. My heart is so incredibly full from this unexpected opportunity.

So in the spirit of thanks and of giving, I thought this would be a good time to share some ways to give with a few of my favorite international aid organizations. If you’re not familiar with these causes, I invite you to check them out and possibly make a difference in someone’s life:

International Justice Mission (IJM)
IJM seeks to provide legal services for victims of abuse and disenfranchisement. The number and frequency of aggressors committing acts of rape and violence with impunity is absolutely horrifying. Proper legal representation isn’t an option for many women and children worldwide, but IJM is steadily building a presence internationally so that ultimately, perpetrators are sent behind bars.

Kiva
I’m sure you’ve already heard about Kiva! But I had to mention it because micro-financing can be so powerful in changing a business idea into a money-making enterprise that can lift a family out of poverty. You can loan as little as $25 to help an individual start their small business of a general store, bed and breakfast, dressmaking, etc.

Plan International
Sponsor a child in a developing country or contribute to Plan’s Because I Am a Girl campaign, which advocates education, opportunity, and gender equality for girls worldwide.