A little late, but worth the wait

It's been a few months since I've last written, last documented, last let my emotions fill a page. Life gets busy, days turn into weeks-weeks into days, and other happenings take importance over the simple pleasures of writing the story of my life, of our lives. 

In December, we had our family pictures taken for our Christmas Card at Eldorado Park in Long Beach. As always, it was "fun" to try and get all three kiddos to sit, smile and look at the camera all at the same exact time. At the time the pictures were taken, Giulietta  was 6 years, 2 months, Presley was 4 years, and Holden 1 year, 5 months. 

Tonight as I look back at the pictures, it's amazing to see how much my trio has changed and grown in the last four months. Longer hair, stretched out bodies and tanner skin are only the easily recognizable changes. Giulietta can read and dance, Presley tells us how it is and makes us laugh with her wit, and Holden says more words and rides his scooter. They grow too fast. I spend each day with them, almost every waking moment in fact, but they continue to grow, continue to change, continue to not allow me to keep them small forever. 

A Few More Days...An Outpouring of My Heart

So many women say, "When I was a little girl I dreamed..." You can use your imagination here and fill in the blank with whatever magical life altering moment you want to drum up. As much as I want to say this was and has been the story of my life, I can't! I honestly have no clue what I dreamed about when I was a little girl, but I'm pretty darn sure it wasn't anything pertaining to marriage, children, homes, jobs, or any other "grown-up" nonsense. I was a kid, I did kid things & thought kid things. And, to be quite honest, as much as I make it appear I have everything planned out perfectly, I actually don't!

The one place in my life that my Type A controlling personality doesn't take over is planning what the future holds. Sure I have dreams, goals, and desires. Yes...I believe in reaching for the stars. But, as hard as I work at achieving those ideals, I just go with the flow, see what life brings me, and walk this path of life doing things MY WAY. My path hasn't always been easy, there have been bumps and turns along the way and perhaps a few U-turns! But, isn't the truth that the things we work the hardest for in our lives the ones we actually truly value the most?

My husband, my best friend, my rock! It amazes me that after being together half our lives, we are able to keep that special spark ignited. No one seems to understand and put up the madness of me quite like Ryan does, and for that I'm thankful. He's the calm to my storm, the patience I swear I have but don't really, the reason behind the chaos I create, the teacher I need, and the unconditional love I am grateful for. He has taught me to go with it as much as I fight it, and to sit back and relax in order to enjoy the little things in life. He's given me six amazing years of marriage, 2 almost 3 beautiful children, and a promised future full of love as we grow old together.


My first-born, my GEM, my Big Sister! Giulietta made me a Momma, taught me how the love a Momma has for her child happens before birth, and has given me 4 years full of firsts. My sweet girl is a serious thinker who can be found contemplating much of what life has to offer, she follows instead of leads which quite frankly scares me because its so not my personality, and she is the BEST big sister anyone could ask for. She surprises me with her intelligence and ability to soak up the world around her almost daily, and she makes me yearn to see where her future leads her. She will make a significant impact on this world just the same as she has made one on my heart!


My wild child, my twin, my Little Sister! Presley is a ball of fire, just like her hair, packed full of so much personality. She has taught me to look at life in such a different way, to accept the things we cannot change, and to truly make time for the little things that really matter. She's the nurturing type, my little Momma in the making, and a lover of all things baby! I call her Mini because she is so tiny compared to Giulietta, yet her spirit and confidence make up where he stature may be lacking. She is the one I worry about the most, because my need for her to be close to me is so much deeper then anyone will ever know. And, as she continues to grow, I know my heart will break in beautiful bittersweet pieces as I slowly watch her walk her own path.


My number three, my something blue, my Boy! It certainly seems surreal that after nine months of having Baby Boy inside, I am a mere few days away from holding him in my arms and whispering his name out loud to him for the first time. Once again, our life as we know it will change. And, as much as I appear to be a pro at this Momma thing, I'm definitely a bit new and curious about the whole boy thing. From his physical body parts, to his supposed high energy level, to his "Momma's Boyness" I'm excited to be able to say I have a son, to see what my new role in life will bring, and snuggle my baby close to my chest as my salty tears of joy caress his soft skin. But, most of all I'm excited to see the bond he forms with his Daddy-O as the years pass.


Life is so precious, so delicate, so perfect in so many ways, and it can't be planned out when one is really living it to it's full potential. As my last few days of being pregnant unfold, I feel my baby boy's kicks the last few times inside of my torpedo shaped belly, and The Morad Four turns into the Morad Five I hope to be able to slow down time enough to truly be able to embrace this miracle of life that the Hubster and I have again created. And, now is the time that I dream!

I dream of the last push that leads to the moment the doctor places my naked Little Boy on my chest so I can count his 10 perfect fingers and 10 perfect toes. I dream about seeing the tears well in my sweet husbands eyes the first time he holds his Baby Boy. I dream of watching my 2 daughters walk into the hospital room to hold their new Baby Brother they've waited so long and so patiently for. I dream of taking our Baby Boy home from the hospital and into his new loving home. I dream of introducing our new bundle of joy to all our family, friends, and loved ones who have showed so much support to our family. I dream of mornings curled up on the couch with my three little loves next to me, and my one big one close by. And, I dream of a lifetime full of love,  happy memories and a path well traveled OUR WAY!


**A special Thank You to Marci Phee for taking the time & love to capture these beautiful pictures of my growing family! We love you and appreciate all you love, support and kindness!!**

Baby Morad #3 is...

Love,

 The Morad Four (soon to be Five)

A Heart Full of Thanks

All day I've been thinking about how I can express my thanks this year to all those whom fully deserve it. You see, it's almost been a year since I had that "Ah Ha" moment that I so desperately needed. That moment that has propelled me this past year to learn, grow, feel, love, and be thankful more. That moment that was changed me physically, mentally, and emotionally. And, now that I think back to the time before the great "Ah Ha," I am sadly reminded of how I failed to show much thanks and appreciation at all. So...here is my second chance, my do-over, my mistakes made right, my thanks spoken.



First and foremost, I am thankful for my family. The Morad Four pictured above, and the extended Hardy/Morad Family (minus a few), pictured below. These people are the best family members anyone can ask for. When I ask they answer, when I need they help, when I want they give, and when I love they love more. They are my everything, and my life would be so incomplete without each one of them in it.





I am thankful for the hubster! He's my rock. The one who keeps me standing, who challenges me daily, who loves me unconditionally. Its been a mere 13 years together, but each day still feels so new, so fun, so much more then what I had every dreamed. This man completes me, he gets how I work, he understands the idiosyncrasies that others don't, he listens & boy does he have a lot to listen to, he supports everything I put my mind to, and he loves me & the girls more then unconditionally.





I am thankful for being a Momma, and the time I am blessed to spend with my girls. Every minute I get to hold their hands, watch them smile, hear their giggles, and dry their tears is a minute that I embrace, and a minute I would never give up for a job, for more money, for anything! They are my best gift that I can every give, my best job well done, and my best contribution to this world. They are an extension of me, and I'm proud to say that I've done good!





I am thankful for my first born GEM. Giulietta is so sweet, smart, and full of love. She makes me laugh uncontrollably at times with her quirky personality, abnormally large vocabulary, and animated stories. My girl is a lover of peace making, question asking, and independence. G is a great thinker, always contemplating life and its adventures from a distance before jumping in and enjoying it!





I am thankful for THIS GIRL, the MINI, my second born rock star! Presley exudes so much energy, charm, and spirit. After first glance, anyone can see that her red hair and sparkling blue eyes give away her spitfire personality, but it's not until you REALLY know her that you can truly appreciate her charismatic personality. She is a natural born character always looking to make people around her smile and laugh. As wild, dangerous, and carefree as Presley seems, this girl is without a doubt my little koala who hangs tightly and contently on my hip.




I am thankful for sisters! This is a bond I have never truly felt, but can only imagine would be amazing to have. Everyday I watch them grow closer together, loving each other for their own uniqueness, and creating a bond that I am sure will never be broken. My heart smiles when I see them interact, share, and love each other the way they do!





I am thankful for my brother...the Uncle Kaka! He is such an amazing man who loves my girls as if they were his own. When they are around him their little faces are the brightest anyone will ever see. He never lets them done, treats them with utmost respect, and thinks about them when he doesn't really have to. He takes his job as "the god-father" with utmost respect, and he plays with them, teaches me, and helps them whenever they ask. He is always around, never missing a thing, and giving them the opportunity to create lifelong memories with him!





I am thankful for my girl's forever friends! The friends they are being raised with on a daily basis, the ones they can fight with one minute then snuggle up on the couch with the next, the friends they will experience many of their firsts with throughout their lives, the friends they will turn to when us parents are long gone.




I am thankful for my "other girls!" These ladies are my net that have been holding me out of the depths of the water for as long as I can remember. They listen, they laugh, they lecture, they question, they lend a helping hand, they create memories, they give support, and they show love. They have no idea how much every last one of them means to me, how much they have given me, and how much I truly appreciate them. I look forward to the time when we all are old & gray reminiscing about the good ole' days that we are experiencing now!





And...I'm thankful for ME! Does that sound too self centered? Oh well, it's the honest truth. I really am thankful to be ME again. For so long I was being the me that I saw in other peoples eyes, the one that I thought they needed me to be, when in fact that me wasn't really ME at all. I have worked hard at becoming the ME i have always thought myself to be and now that I'm here, my heart is smiling big!



And...I'm Thankful for YOU! The one who may or may not have been mentioned, the one who is taking the time & interest in my life, my family, my world!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Katie

Stop to Smell the Flowers

The saying "Stop to Smell the Roses," is a favorite of mine that I seem to hardly ever embrace. I'm one of those who likes to be on the go, who likes to have a plan and action, who feels at a loss and ultimately bored when staying shut in. Therefore, when I fill out my occupation I no longer write "stay at home mom," instead the blank gets filled with "always on the go mom." The fact of the matter is that I just can't keep my feet planted, they always want to run. I'm not sure why I'm this way, or what it is about me, but I just want my girls to experience everything, to be out in the world and soak up all it has to offer, to embrace this beautiful place because sadly we have so little time here and there is really so much to enjoy.

When I'm old and grey, I want my girls to remember the Mom I was when they were kidlets. The Mom who taught them how to smile and belly laugh, how to drink up the world around them, how to live life to the fullest, how to dance around the dining room singing at the top of their lungs, how to roll down the car windows and feel the warm sun glisten on their faces while their hair blows across their face, how to stop and smell the roses. The Mom I am right now.

So, on Saturday after a fun couple of hours at Legoland we took a spur of the moment trip at the Carlsbad flower field to do just that. We stopped, took two very tired and hungry girls to smell some very beautiful flowers.

I'm quite sure this will be an annual tradition of the Morad's for as long as our girls will go with us. Watching them stroll along the rows and rows of planted flowers, look in awe at the bright colors and beauty, and feeling them tug my hand so they could stop to smell one flower after another after another was by far one of my favorite moments thus far. If my heart could smile, it would be sporting a big grin for sure!