Where were we?

September 11, 2001. Mike and I lived in my parents ("finished") barn in California. I had a job at a hair salon, he with an Asphalt company. Neither of us had to be to work before 9am and usually slept in till the very last moment (no earlier than 830a lol). At around 7-730a I think, our phone started ringing and woke us up. No one ever called that early and we were even more surprised for it to be my mother in law in Tennessee. She asked if we were watching T.V. then encouraged us to turn it on to see the news. I don't remember any more conversation with her. We both just sat there in stunned silence. So much was happening and being reported, we couldn't tell what was Live and what was play back. For me it just kept feeling like we (USA) were being attacked over and over till I got my barrings. Once I understood better, I called my parents in the main house of our property to tell them what was going on. My younger sister Jenalyn answered, she'd been exercising and watching what was happening. I remember feeling she had no idea what was really happening, she wasn't worried at all and hadn't told my parents what she was seeing. More proof how confusing and shocking this all was. We made sure my parents were watching. By this time the Pentagon was hit and I was in real fear. Somewhere in this chaos, I called my childhood friend Holly who lived in Connecticut at the time, to see if she was ok since she worked in a high rise building and evacuating cause I didn't know what was happening. It just seemed these people were flying planes into everything and I was scared. Even though there were no reports of the West coast being hit, I felt an eminent threat. After the last plane went down in Pennsylvania, I didn't want to go to work. I assumed clients would be as stunned and sad as I was but when I called work they said I was still booked, some even calling to make sure that "I" would be there. I just couldn't believe I was going to work on such a day. I was numb. Of course it was the topic of every breath and feeling in every awkward silence. Like most people, once home, I was GLUED to the television for days/week. This was a declaration of war IN the United States, on our soil. It was the ultimate burst of our innocence and naive lives. I was heartbroken and tearful for every death. The innocent people and families effected on the airplanes, in the WTC's and Pentagon. I was very depressed and even now, 10 years later, it is still sad that this event happened.
If I have to find something to be grateful for, I can only say, I am glad we are aware or more aware of these threats in our lives... but that doesn't help those lost on 9/11/01.
Today I have watched and gone to the Internet to watch/read/hear the stories again. I am uplifted to hear from families who have been able to pick up the pieces and move forward. I am sad for the families who have struggled to heal. I hope the memorial and new WTC will stand for healing, hope and resistance from Evil for all the world. I will continue to try to do my part to make a difference in my small ways, to make the world a better place. I will start by educating my own children with my experiences, hoping they will be prepared to stand up for righteousness when they face adversity. I pray we and they will prevail. I hope any of you that are grieving will be comforted and given peace. God bless you.

Sleep update. Teeth adventures.

FYI. Due to recent attacks from allergy's and pure exhaustion from starting my new job + babies starting day care, Saturday night I actually got into bed at 930p to play words with friends and then free cell and WAS ASLEEP BY 10pm! I was so impressed. I couldn't even keep my eyes open and had to give in. Even then, I still didn't feel well enough to go to church and missed :(. It's ok, cause Cora Grace and I got to have some sick mommy and teething daughter time that was fantastic. :)

this is how she woke up from her nap. 'twisted' in her p.j.'s

then play time

last, waiting for daddy and evan to come back from church.

 In other sleeping news... I've been slipping back into 130a bedtimes and want to stop. I'm afraid it's an uphill battle for me. It's making me unhealthy and more susceptible to the allergies (besides the fact I eat horribly which doesn't help the matter). So wish me luck on that one.
Random other news. Today I had my first root canal ever with Dr. Mark Connolly of Three Rivers Family Dentistry. Let me tell you I was beeeeeeeeeeeeeyond NOT looking forward to this an was thankful for prayers and the blessing Michael gave me this morning before I left. I'm sure I don't need to explain why going to the dentist is nerve racking as most everyone has the same concerns. With that said, Mark, who is a friend as well, was AWESOME. He (and the staff) were excellent to me and for someone like myself who can be... irreverent at times, I really appreciated their calm understanding of how I felt, even though I'm sure I babbled on and on at times through my nerves. Now, I will not say it was completely painless cause yes it is sore now the numbing shots have worn off but the actual procedure was good. I dare say, 'relaxing'? Wow, I can't believe I just said that. Also for the first time ever, I agreed to have 'laughing gas'. That was a strange feeling but it did what it was supposed to, relax me. I don't know if I would use it again though because there were 2 times I started feeling a little nauseous, the second time, I didn't know if I would make it but they reacted quickly and I recovered quickly. Hallelujah! I am no fan of barfing, let me tell you. :) So, it's not the end, I have a little more work to finish with Mark as well as an oral surgeon but I am happy to say, I finally have a dentist here I trust and I am grateful for that (I've avoided the dentist for almost 9 years now!). Thank you Dr. Connolly and TRFD! :) (yes a plug and YES you should go. There are tv's on the ceiling for goodness sakes. I was thinking some of my friends would be happy being there all day if they just played Twilight movies while they cleaned her teeth lol).

"Home" again. smile.

Old/New boss :)

Some of the new faces to welcome you and make your appointments :).

Same ol' place. Ahhhh. :)

I'm back at Tangerine! OH HOW I LOVE IT! It is crazy how much I have missed my AVEDA products and especially the color line for my poor clients who put up with a Matrix inferior color for 3 years. I got back and saw old faces but mostly new faces. I'm impressed with my new co-workers skill and Mike and I love my boss Jim. He's owned Tangerine with 4 others since it's inception but recently bought out two of the owners who were ready to move on. That meant, I was ready to come back! Whoo hoo! :) Now I need to rebuild my book to be as busy as I once was, even though I only still work 2 - 3 days a week, I know I can do it and am excited.

Closing my Salon

So, in life, we change and grow a lot. For the past 3 years, myself and my family have enjoyed the blessings that came when I went out on my own to open "Lila's Chop Shop". Namely 2 blessings: Evan and Cora Grace. We feel so lucky to have had this time with them and the freedom to work my own schedule. With the kids growing and becoming more needy of my time, it has become difficult to run the Chop Shop the way I want and so another blessing has come my way...

I can't believe I've been on my own this long and I'm proud of what I've accomplished. While I'm definitely nervous about changing back to whence I came (I hope they will still like me?), there are many perks and blessings to moving on and closing my doors in a few weeks. Due to welcomed ownership restructuring, I will be returning to my previous salon, Tangerine! This has been many months in the making but it is finally time to transition. I have missed my beloved AVEDA products and cannot wait to use them and especially the color line again. This change gives an added boost to my creative morale. I appreciate the many years of loyalty to me since I moved to Middle Tennessee from California in 2002 and cannot wait to continue to do my best for you in the years to come. For the time being, any of you that see me for your hair (and FREE psychotherapy, he he he he), will continue to make appointments with me as it isn't yet announced I will be going there (to current staff). After August 18th, you can make all appointments with Tangerine Salon and Spa at 615-896-3302. My family and I are really looking forward to this change.

xo - Lila and Family

Date Night :)

Mike and I got to go to a friends wedding on Saturday night. Our friends Roxann and Spencer watched the kids, their trial run for watching them for 4 days when we go out of town for vacation this summer. As we rushed out the door to drop them off (literally), we realized this was a date! Whoo hoo! We really know we need to go out together more often (and want to) but we just don't ever go out without kids= we don't go out at all, lol. For me, I feel upset to leave them with a babysitter AGAIN after they already had a babysitter so I can work 2 days a week so this was... a treat. The wedding was at St. Paul's Episcopal church. I had never been to a wedding there since most of the weddings I'm invited to are Mormon. I have to say the church was very nice and the service was sweet. My friend Lauren used to work at Tangerine with me and thankfully we have continued to cross paths and stay friends. I am so happy for her. Her new husband has beat cancer in his young life and she came into it while he was in treatment, sticking by his side. A fairy tale you could say. She is a beautiful woman inside and out, I look forward to seeing and hearing how much more her dreams will come true. :) An added bonus to her wedding was the fact that my friend Loretta (also used to work at Tangerine) and her new husband I had yet to meet (they live in Virginia) would be her bridesmaid. I got a sneak meet at Target the night before but I got to have a great and more fulfilling visit with them at the wedding. Talk about being happy for someone.. that girl... I love you Loretta, I won't make you tear up with all the feelings I have about how happy I am for you again but you and Akim are definitely a match made in Heaven and I wish you all the happiness in your lives. Last but not least, as we were pulling up to the church we saw our friends Kyle and Amanda! Whoo Hoo! Now we knew it'd be a double date. ha ha ha. As most men I know, Mike was in no hurry to dress up and attend a wedding (even though he does love the bride as much as I do) but seeing Kyle was there changed the whole 'date' for me, I now know. :) So, thank you Kyle and Amanda for braving leaving your sweet baby at home to celebrate Lauren's wedding with us, it wouldn't have been near as fun. :)

I was able to enjoy Michael all to myself without having to change a diaper or kiss a boo boo but you know as soon as it was over I couldn't wait to get back to the babies. Thank you Olsen family for taking them on, we had a wonderful time and felt like 'us' again. I guess it is worth it to get another babysitter so we can spend some time alone or with other couples. :). I'll report back on whether that ever happens. ha ha ha.

Mr & Mrs



Loretta!



the "old" newlyweds: Loretta & Akim (married 6 months now!)

 

Kyle & Amanda

 

beautiful bride Lauren.

 

Mr & Mrs Jackson





38 pictures and stories?... OH MY!

a constant occurrence these days, a standing in her crib baby :)

playing in Evan's room. you can barely see Cora Grace in the sun soaked backdrop.

Lately, Evan is constantly aware if his shirts images and likes to tell everyone about them, here he is telling me, "19 Mommy, 19!".

Evan's IKEA wagon. We were playing with some cars on his floor when he says "Octagon!"I didn't know what he was talking about till he pointed out what he was talking about.. the nut on the wagon! What a crazy kid!? I am constantly amazed by what he see's, says and does (btw, it's not technically an octagon but I encouraged him that he was smart for looking for shapes everywhere).

"someone" loves Thomas.

I've got another reader. Whoo hoo!

Oh my, as soon as we had some warm weather, I didn't want to waste any time so I practically threw the poor kid outside in his diaper and his boots. He had the best time of his life, "shopping" in nature. lol.

I'm pretty sure this is Cora's first time touching grass....

... and I think she likes it. ha ha ha.

... maybe not. ha ha ha! She is soOOO adorable!! eeek!

Evan's beloved boots. Mom loves them cause they hose clean, Evan loves them cause they're cool.

He kept running up this rock and saying, "Up up up up up!"

Then ran back down saying/singing "Down down down down down". He does this when I'm driving and the hills go up and down too. I did NOT teach him this, it is something he has picked up on his own. Again, amazed.

words... anyone? I have none. eek. <3



I found these cocoons in our cedar trees and they were so beautiful I took many pictures. Just before posting this, I looked it up to find out that it is actually for a Bagworm and that it's actually a concern for landscaping as they hatch etc. I'm excited I learned something today about this. Now I need to remove these from my trees so they don't over take them. They have also attached to my weeping cherry so I'll start there with the removal process. Sad because they are really remarkable looking, don't you think?



This is sort of random but we got to play at a friends house and I thought it was funny that not only did we keep our babies behind a gate but also that C.G. is old enough and aware enough to get up on the gate like this and also come to where we are from across the room, just because she wants to be with us. Awww.

Here as you see, it got cold AGAIN!!! It had just Rain stormed the night before and brought a cold front with but I let Evan out anyway for the expressed purpose of trying to capture some mud puddle splashing. Here Evan is proudly pointing out a puddle. You would think he won an award. ha ha ha. He loves water and loves puddles now that I showed him he can jump in them and get a little dirty.

Mission accomplished
(though if i was a better photographer I probably would have known how to make this even better!)

This is our morning routine. I wake up to Cora crying out to please come get me, with a pitiful cry that Michael 'says' he doesn't hear (hmmm....). :). I make Cora's bottle and warm up some Ovaltine for Evan while getting him his gummy multivitamin. I usually get Cora first, change her diaper then take her to Evan's room (en route, Mike usually begins to wake up and help if I went straight to kids, he starts on bottle/ovaltine). Cora get's to play while I change Evan's diaper, hug them both and smother them with kisses, all the while Evan is asking for "Ovaltine?" over and over about 5-8 times before I actually let him have it. If Mike is still asleep but needs to be getting up, I bring the kids in our bed and plug their beverage of choice in. Usually I hold Cora and Mike cuddles Evan while they down their drinks. This particular morning Cora had not been feeling well and was a little zoned out but Evan was chipper. I decided to grab the camera to document their routine. I was glad I did.

Cause Cora Grace did this! She started trying to hold Evan's bottle up with her foot! LOL!. It was so funny and Evan calmly said, "No Cora, don't do that" to which she did... whatever she wanted.

She settled on this. Resting her leg on Evan's and instead of pushing her off, he just rubbed her leg sweetly.

And we all lived happily ever after. xoxo