Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Wordful Wednesday-trips to Los Angeles

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I drive into Los Angeles at least twice a month. Sometimes more. I always take my twins, and sometimes Garrett as well. Sometimes I go to really nice areas in Beverly Hills or Los Angeles. Sometimes to so-so neighborhoods in Santa Monica or LA.

Every trip is great for people watching, and for counting my blessings. I always come home feeling so lucky to live in a suburb.....to be out of the conjestion. To have more space and safety. To have a roof over my head and never have to worry about sleeping on the street.

I hope my boys see the difference and one day recognize their blessings too.









98 comments:

Muthering Heights said...

What an important reminder!

Upstatemamma said...

Such a valuable lesson!

More Than Words said...

Adorable little faces!!!

Sweet Serendipity said...

A blessing indeed. What sweet pics. I love the faces in the last one :D

LifeAtTheCircus.com said...

great reminder... I think of it often when I drive into Baltimore. Great post. Thanks!

Michelle said...

Our visitor from Germany was shocked by the difference between LA and San Diego. I dread having to go to LA.

Jennifer said...

Awesome WW Angie!

Momisodes said...

I'm sure it is indeed an eye opening experience for them.

They are adorable!

~Sandy~ said...

there are so many people out there that are less fortunate. great reminder. super cute pictures!!! happy ww :O)

Genny said...

Super cute!

Joining in for my first Wordful Wednesday. :)

Lindsay said...

Wow - I can't believe they have to have a sign on the sidewalk like that. We are so blessed!!

Staci said...

AWESOME pics! What a great life lesson.... Happy WW!

Brenda said...

So true, we need to expose our kids so that they realize what they have.

Sara Elizabeth said...

It is always nice to remind ourselves of how lucky and blessed we are. I believe your boys will too know. They may be too little now to really understand, but in retrospect they will think back on the things they saw and how they lived, and see how blessed they were/are.

Anonymous said...

Your little guys are just too cute!!

Thanks for hosting WW, I'd be lost without it!!

jenn said...

Great photos. I'm sure, with your help, your kids will realize their blessings. Sometimes it takes seeing the way others live to really appreciate it.

Daddydayone said...

Nice to see life lessons being taught, and how great full we all should be.

Kristina P. said...

Your kids are adorable! I haven't been to LA in years, but I grew up in Riverside.

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥.Erin.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said...

SO so cute :) I'm sure your boys will appreciate the difference and definitely recognize they are blessed.

Unknown said...

What a great reminder. Your babies are so cute. : ) Oh my goodness. ADORABLE to the max!

Unknown said...

Great photos Angie! I don't like congestion either but I sometimes miss the hustle and bustle of living in the city.

Carissa(GoodnCrazy) said...

Dude your twins look NOTHING like the the older boy? (Garrett?)

I agree, when living in NYC it was so strange to step over homeless ppl, and then it was EVEN stranger when it wasn't strange anymore to step over homeless ppl...

Did I ever tell you my story about a family on the train one time.. remind me some day..

and that list for you is started, it got kinda long and I keep finding more to add to it!

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

What a wonderful lesson to teach them!! And of course, and as always, cute pics!!

Jennifer said...

Great outing with a great lesson attached? You sound like an awesome mom! :-) I'm sure they are learning that already!

Kiki said...

An important lesson for all children to learn. We remind lil' D how blessed we are almost everyday. Beautiful photos of your boys. We visited LA back in 04 and I still have flashbacks of walking through the local parks and having to walk around displaced people. It was eye opening. Have a wonderful day and take care.
-Kiki

debi9kids said...

What a great lesson to teach... to get them to be thankful for the gifts God gave them.

Happy WW!

Rhonda said...

These lessons are so important!

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

Oh, yes. City living. About a month ago I was backing into our garage in the alley and I noticed a man was passed out behind our garbage cans. Literally passed out. I knew because I went to see if he was dead (so I could call for the police to take him away before he started to smell. I'm bad, I know!) and he reeked of alcohol. Maybe I should hang a sign on our garage that says, "No Sleeping".

Hazel said...

I love their smiles, and the reminder to be grateful for blessings. I'm joining Wordful Wednesday for the first time today. Now off to visit participants' entries. Thanks!

Casey's trio said...

You certainly have lots of terrain to explore out in the L.A. area. Glad you guys get to come back and appreciate the comforts of your home!

Unknown said...

Great shots. Happy WW :)

Sera said...

Ok, somehow this comment got posted on your remodeling post. Woops! Sorry...

Seriously. Could your kids BE any cuter? I remember thinking some of those same thoughts the first time I visited Hollywood. I thought it would be all glitz and glamor, but I'll never forget some of the things I saw. It's quite an eye opener, and it sounds like you are teaching your kids some really important lessons early on.

Mel Fraase said...

It's so important for them to see more than their backyard. Good for you!

Kimber said...

What a wonderful lesson to teach them. Love those uber cute faces.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

I agree that lessons like this are important, and I'm sure it does sink in at whatever level they're ready for. In fact, in the last pic, it looks like your little one on the left has already started to identify the need for action against injustice! Lovely photos!
Janice.

Megan said...

Great lesson!!

Such cuties!! =)

Jen said...

really!? There is a sign like that on the side walk? crazy.

Run DMT said...

Something we should all be reminded of every once in awhile. Thanks for the reminder. Love the pics of your boys!

Happy WW!

Buckeroomama said...

Cute pics of your boys. :)

Wow, they actually have a sign that says "No sleeping."

robin said...

Wow. So true.
And such great pix! What sweet faces! :)

Liz Mays said...

It's always nice to put our own lives in perspective. Good job, Mom!

Nina said...

I would say those are all blessings worth counting.

Kelly said...

I don't think I could ever live in a city either. I'm quite happy in a 'rural' area

carrhop said...

It is amazing how a small change in venue can make us more aware of the blessings in our lives. Your boys are just precious!

Blessings!

Dumb Mom said...

I know it's sad, but seeing that no sleeping sign makes me miss LA so much. Not because I'm dying to live in a place that requires no sleeping on the sidewalk signs, just because. Ahhhh, to life in Maryland:)

cat said...

Great lesson! They really have signs like that on the pavements? Sorry, I come from another spot in the world altogether.

Susan Holt Simpson said...

Can't believe they have to paint it on the sidewalk! Your son looks a little worried there...

Amy @ Six Flower Mom said...

A great lesson! A magical WW to you!

Kristin said...

No Sleeping, the kids must have asked a lot of questions with that one! My brother's name is Garrett too- its not a common one.

Sara said...

Wow! I had no idea they had signs like that in LA!? I'm sure my kids would have had a lot of questions, what a great lessen for yours!

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Very important to remember.

Such cute kids!!

Unknown said...

Very nice reminder. Cute smiles!

I've got unusual cows this week!!

Sherry at EX Marks the Spot

Hoosier Homemade said...

Such cute pics of your boys! Thanks for hosting!
~Liz

Amy said...

Your boys are so handsome. No sleeping. What??????

Ronda's Rants said...

It is nice to see a glimpse of other people's lives and see what is great about ours!
I love to go to see Miami...it is about as different as my life as can be!

Anonymous said...

The sad thing is that someone had to have slept there for them to post the sign...LOL Happy WW

Danyele Easterhaus said...

the no sleeping sign makes me sad...we do a homeless ministry and well, it just makes me sad. indiana is really starting to address the issue. sad. good work, tho, momma! way

ParentingPink said...

Very well said! We all need to remember such lessons! Btw, your boys are adorable! Happy WW!

Tina said...

i love the pics of your boys. they are so handsome, especially your eldest

Susan Cook said...

Great post. That's sad they need a sign like that. Your kids are adorable.

Jenni said...

They are such little dolls faces!

Kacey said...

I am sure the kiddos will be able to count thier blessings just like you, because you will be able to show them the way. Grattitude is such a wonderful trait.

On a lighter note...I'm thinking my kids spray painted that "No Sleeping" sign somewhere in my house and I just haven't found it yet.

April said...

i've never been there :-) how great to expose your boys to different things!

{krista} said...

What a great reminder. Thanks!

Leland's Mama said...

Great photos! I love the No Sleeping sign.

Cathy said...

that's so true--it's good to count your blessings!

Stacy Uncorked said...

What a great reminder - and your kids are absolutely adorable, of course! ;)

WW: Ribbit, Ribbit!

MyLinda said...

My kiddos saw a homeless person for the first time during our stay-cation last week when we visited a larger city nearby. It turned into a great conversation about how good our life is and to be thankful for what we have!

Kelly said...

Yeah, I have seen signs around all over the country, on benches in parks, etc that say, "No sleeping." One in Orlando even said "no laying horizontal!" LOL

Justine said...

It is so sad that there's actually a sign painted on the sidewalk not to sleep there :o (

Your boys are beautiful!

Justine :o )

HaB said...

I think that sometimes, since I live in the country, away from the hustle and bustle of a city, it is very EASY to forget those less fortunate of you, when you don't see it on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis.

Thank you for the gentle reminder to thankful for what I have. Even the little things in life. =)

Oh - and it looks like you are going to have some heart breakers on your hands in a few years!

Mom Knows Everything said...

What a wonderful lesson to teach your children. You have beautiful children!

Erin @ Furry Murray said...

Cute boys! I have a good friend who lives in L.A. and she loves it! That said...it was a great place to visit, but I LOVE my little, friendly, southern town!!

BookLady said...

Imagine, my daughter lives in LA! She attends USC, and I tell her all the time, "don't leave the campus!" LOL! And I kid you not, EVERY time I drive in LA, I get lost. Every. Single. Time.

Cascia Talbert said...

Cute kids! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Amy said...

This country girl could never live in a big city like that.

Night Owl Mama said...

theres something u don't see every day
YOur children are beautiful very handsome

Eleana said...

What an important experience for them!

Melissa ♥ Spoiled Mommy said...

Adorable!!!

TheAtticGirl said...

Wow, I didn't know they posted those on the sidewalks. I am so thankful that I have a roof over my head too!

Your boys are cuties!

http://atticgirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/wordless-wordful-wednesday-dont-climb.html

Marrdy said...

Such cute boys! And I think I forgot to tell you last week how awesome your remodel is!!

Melissa said...

Great post.... eye-opening!! Oh and GREAT pics.... oh and BTW- love, love, love your remodeling.... I think I might come visit... hee-hee :)

T Rex Mom said...

I'm such a small town girl - I probably could not even drive into LA without crashing into something. I will just have to live vicariously through you!

Colette S said...

I like this idea. Very valuable lessons and it's an adventure wrapped up in one.

Salty Incisor said...

I would love to go shopping in LA sometime like the districts where you can get good fabric or cool stuff. The textile capitol of the world!

scrappysue said...

that they have to even have that on the footpath - ugh!!!

Unknown said...

Adorable and blessed children. How lucky they are to have you! I heard a song once that said "a cardboard box, somebody lives there . . ." It's hard for most of us to envision not having a home.
Prayers to those who are less fortunate.
Happy Twirls

Cecilia said...

What a great reminder!!!! Cute kiddos!

Clark Captions said...

Angie! It has been forever since I have read any blogs! It is fun to see your new page. It looks great!

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

HI!!! Guess what? I downloaded Firefox last night, and now I can visit you again! Woo hoo!!

And I LOVE those faces. :)

Elisa @ Globetrotting in Heels said...

I hear you! I definitely prefer the suburbs to live in, once you have a family! So Manolo Blahnik and all the snobs can say "suburban" as an insult as many times as they like, I still consider myself really blessed to be able to decide when I'm in the mood for the hustle and bustle of the city and when I want to chill ;-)

Kathy B! said...

You have such beautiful children :)

And I know I shouldn't make light of this... but I'm considering having that "No sleeping" bit stenciled on my bed. Waaay too much traffic goes through there in the middle of the night for any real sleeping to take place...

Amanda said...

Cute pictures... and how weird is that? I have never seen such things painted on the ground!

Many blessings-
Amanda

Jenners said...

That is a good lesson to teach them!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

What a great post! I try really hard to remember to count my blessings & teach my kids to do the same.

Shannon said...

Living in the burbs of a big city will do that for you! I always feel the same way. I am blessed to have access to one of the greatest cities in the world and even more blessed to live outside of it. Great one!

CC said...

Adorable little men there!

Live.Love.Eat said...

They're getting so big. I am glad you are enjoying yourself out there and your house looks beautiful. I came by last night and read the posts going back to the last I visited and everything looks gorgeous. LOVE all the browns and the dining room. Ours is like that too, very neutral.