This past weekend, we were faced with a parenting challenge that I didn't expect to happen for at least a few more years. Parker was told something at school about the Internet and then he tried to find it himself once he was home. Luckily, his dad is VERY smart about Internet safety and prohibiting this kind of stuff from entering our home, that Parker's iPod blocked it from displaying the context of the website he tried to find. Unfortunately, the next day, when some friends were over, they tried it on another iPod that wasn't ours. And although our friends had the iPod set to 'strict' in the settings, they still saw something completely inappropriate. What they saw was NOT something you want your 8 year old boys to view...let alone the two 5 year old little brothers that were hanging out with them. Luckily, Parker took one glimpse and threw it on the ground...just as his brother was running up the stairs to tell mom and dad what the boys were looking at.
Since this moment, I've been reassured by many moms that it's normal for kids to be curious...for kids to do what the older kids at school are telling them to do. But, I feel like it's my job to educate my boys - between the right and wrong of the Internet and also what's appropriate for them. Since this moment, Brandon and I have talked with Parker about what happened and Parker agrees that if he'd known what was going to pop up on that iPod, he wouldn't have typed in those words to the Google search. He was embarrassed...sad...and just as upset as we were that it happened.
So, this morning, as my mind was considering whether to share this with the world, or not, I read 'the hands free momma' blog {something I haven't done for months} and it hit home on this very same topic.
Please read this and share her words with your kids.
http://www.handsfreemama.com/2016/02/08/words-we-cannot-afford-to-keep-from-our-children/
So, I wanted to make sure I shared it. YOU GUYS - we have GOT to keep our kids safe from the disturbing side of the Internet. Make sure you've got settings in place to keep your kids safe, not only from instances like we just had, but also from chat rooms, Internet bullying, etc. If you need help with this, let me know and I'll have Brandon write some instructions on this blog to help you.
Also, we need to educate our kiddos. They need to know what is safe. That we want them to be safe. That they can come to us with any questions they might have. They can tell us when they don't feel safe. Even if they think they will get in trouble, we will help them.
Now, I know our situation here was small in scale to what's out there. But, it scared me. Kids are smart. Older kids influence our young ones. And even older kids influence the kids older than ours. The Internet can be an awesome place to learn and explore, but it also puts some pretty awful, disturbing, and gross things at the fingertips of our kids.
Please take a moment to check your iPods, computers, and iPads, and phones. Take a few minutes and talk to your kids about Internet safety. Print off the Hands Free Momma's words and read them to your kids.
Parenting is hard enough....luckily we can do some things to make it easier on us and protect our kids.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Renewed Energy
Whew! Ya'll - a move to a new place can really zap the energy out of a girl. For me, it changed me a lot.
I mean, it's been 7 months since we moved and I am JUST NOW figuring all of this new out.
And, for some reason, today, I feel like writing.
Maybe it's because the kids are playing together quietly.
Maybe it's because our new little pup, went to hang out with grandma today. {More about our new pup in another post.}
Maybe it's because the sun is shining. {Can't tell you how much I love this.}
Maybe it's because my heart is feeling especially full right now. {I'll explain later.}
Maybe it's because we had one heck of a week last week. {Another day, my friends, another day.}
Maybe it's because we have Valentine's Day coming up and school parties this afternoon. {I LOVE the kid's Valentine's this year!}
Maybe it's because I finally caught up on the giant stack of mail laying next to my computer.
I'm not sure why today is the day, but here I am starting at this blank screen with so much to tell you but I can't figure out where to start. Maybe I'll figure it out by tomorrow.
For months I've struggled with this little blog of mine. Wondering if anyone ever even read it. Wondering if I should remove it. Wondering if it mattered.
But, my heart keeps telling me not to. To keep it around. It holds many memories for me. {Which sounds strange, but seriously, one of my favorite things to do is go back and read about all of the events that I thought worthy of writing about on this blog.}
And then, today, something fun happened. I logged into Blogger {for the first time in months} and looked at our 'stats' page. To my surprise, people were still reading. Still checking in. Still pinning recipes and birthday party ideas and other things. Just this week the blog had more than 4,000 views. I haven't written anything since November. I'm not sure why this surprised me, but it did.
4,000 views in one week may not seem like a lot to some of you seasoned bloggers, but my blog gets maybe 100 views a day. It surprised me that people were still wanting my meatball recipe and my whole wheat chocolate chip banana muffin recipe. People were still wanting ideas for a Wipeout birthday party and wanting to know how to make a Pop Rocks Valentine. People were still Googling 'how to help your child with speech delays' and 'Minecraft birthday ideas'.
The Internet is a crazy place, my friends. I have a love-hate relationship with it. I start reading and writing and I get sucked in. It takes me to a new place. Sometimes it's a good place and sometimes it's a not-so-good place. Like when I start comparing myself to every other mom on Facebook...that's not good. When I start shopping and I won't stop until I find the best deal on earth...not so good. When I pin and pin and pin, only to make myself feel bad for not cooking a huge, healthy dinner for my family every night.
But, this blog of mine. This is good. This makes me feel good. It's one of my happy places. Maybe it's even my therapist. My hobby. It's a treasure chest full of my memories. And, I feel like maybe it holds a piece of my future.
Going forward, this little corner of my life is getting some renewed energy. It may not make me famous or popular, but it's a part of me, and as long as I have access to it and a mind to think up new thoughts, I'm going to take advantage of it.
I'll keep you posted, but for now, I'm excited. Excited about all that I can write and share with my friends, family, and anyone else interested in what I have to say. I'm taking this renewed energy and running with it!
Happy {early} Valentine's Day!
I mean, it's been 7 months since we moved and I am JUST NOW figuring all of this new out.
And, for some reason, today, I feel like writing.
Maybe it's because the kids are playing together quietly.
Maybe it's because our new little pup, went to hang out with grandma today. {More about our new pup in another post.}
Maybe it's because the sun is shining. {Can't tell you how much I love this.}
Maybe it's because my heart is feeling especially full right now. {I'll explain later.}
Maybe it's because we had one heck of a week last week. {Another day, my friends, another day.}
Maybe it's because we have Valentine's Day coming up and school parties this afternoon. {I LOVE the kid's Valentine's this year!}
Maybe it's because I finally caught up on the giant stack of mail laying next to my computer.
I'm not sure why today is the day, but here I am starting at this blank screen with so much to tell you but I can't figure out where to start. Maybe I'll figure it out by tomorrow.
For months I've struggled with this little blog of mine. Wondering if anyone ever even read it. Wondering if I should remove it. Wondering if it mattered.
But, my heart keeps telling me not to. To keep it around. It holds many memories for me. {Which sounds strange, but seriously, one of my favorite things to do is go back and read about all of the events that I thought worthy of writing about on this blog.}
And then, today, something fun happened. I logged into Blogger {for the first time in months} and looked at our 'stats' page. To my surprise, people were still reading. Still checking in. Still pinning recipes and birthday party ideas and other things. Just this week the blog had more than 4,000 views. I haven't written anything since November. I'm not sure why this surprised me, but it did.
4,000 views in one week may not seem like a lot to some of you seasoned bloggers, but my blog gets maybe 100 views a day. It surprised me that people were still wanting my meatball recipe and my whole wheat chocolate chip banana muffin recipe. People were still wanting ideas for a Wipeout birthday party and wanting to know how to make a Pop Rocks Valentine. People were still Googling 'how to help your child with speech delays' and 'Minecraft birthday ideas'.
The Internet is a crazy place, my friends. I have a love-hate relationship with it. I start reading and writing and I get sucked in. It takes me to a new place. Sometimes it's a good place and sometimes it's a not-so-good place. Like when I start comparing myself to every other mom on Facebook...that's not good. When I start shopping and I won't stop until I find the best deal on earth...not so good. When I pin and pin and pin, only to make myself feel bad for not cooking a huge, healthy dinner for my family every night.
But, this blog of mine. This is good. This makes me feel good. It's one of my happy places. Maybe it's even my therapist. My hobby. It's a treasure chest full of my memories. And, I feel like maybe it holds a piece of my future.
Going forward, this little corner of my life is getting some renewed energy. It may not make me famous or popular, but it's a part of me, and as long as I have access to it and a mind to think up new thoughts, I'm going to take advantage of it.
I'll keep you posted, but for now, I'm excited. Excited about all that I can write and share with my friends, family, and anyone else interested in what I have to say. I'm taking this renewed energy and running with it!
Happy {early} Valentine's Day!
Friday, November 20, 2015
this is 5
Today is Andrew's big day.
Today, this guy turns 5.
For some reason, 5 seems so big. Like, how is it possible that my baby is 5.
He loves all things super hero's. He loves all things outside. He loves Minecraft (mostly because his big bro loves it). He loves school.
He's my big guy most of the time...but, sometimes I see a glimpse of my sweet baby boy.
And, it's hard to believe that this was happening 5 years ago. {easily the most scary day of my life}
Andrew surprised us the day he was born and he's kept us on our toes ever since. He's adventurous, outspoken, kind, and loving.
He's just perfect and I can't imagine a more awesome 5 year old kid.
Happy 5th birthday, sweet boy.
 |
| So handsome...I can't even handle it! |
For some reason, 5 seems so big. Like, how is it possible that my baby is 5.
He loves all things super hero's. He loves all things outside. He loves Minecraft (mostly because his big bro loves it). He loves school.
He's my big guy most of the time...but, sometimes I see a glimpse of my sweet baby boy.
And, it's hard to believe that this was happening 5 years ago. {easily the most scary day of my life}
Andrew surprised us the day he was born and he's kept us on our toes ever since. He's adventurous, outspoken, kind, and loving.
He's just perfect and I can't imagine a more awesome 5 year old kid.
 |
| Love this. |
Friday, October 30, 2015
October
As October starts to wind down, I'm starting to feel more relaxed....less stressed...I think it's the cooler weather, the calmer evenings, the less busy days and weekends. I love this month.
I love it so much that I'm actually sad that another year of October is over.
This one was a little different.
We are in a new place. With new traditions.
New schools with new school parties.
New places to wear costumes.
New Halloween decorations to place in new spots.
New people to share this time with.
I'm not gonna lie...yesterday during the school Halloween party when Parker's {award winning} Godzilla costume was mistaken for a dinosaur, when I looked in his mask and saw tears because the fan in the costume had fallen out and we couldn't figure out how to fix it, when he whispered to me that this was the worst Halloween ever....I felt like crying myself. When other lifelong buddies were taking pictures together...and we are missing ours. When everyone else knows what's going on and we feel lost. But, I didn't cry. I held it together and calmly told Parker that I would fix his costume after the school parade. He was sad and I couldn't help him. I told him that it was okay. That he still looked awesome. And, he made it through.
He ended up taking off his costume and enjoyed his class party...he actually had a great time after the parade and I was so glad to be there with him.
I keep telling myself that this one moment, was just that. Just one moment. And, we've had too many happy moments to count.
October has been good to us.
I turned another year older {25, again, you know}.
We ended a baseball season and two soccer seasons.
We celebrated 11 years of marriage...whew!
We have enjoyed spending time with new {and old} friends.
We've enjoyed cheering on the Royals.
Parker {despite the costume malfunction} is loving school and doing so well...Andrew is also and I forgot to mention that he loved his Halloween party! Brandon was with him while I helped out in Parker's class and {although it was a last minute decision} Andrew made the best ninja ever!
We are enjoying new 'fun' places to explore.
I am absolutely LOVING my time at home with my boys {and my nieces}. This has been my calling for quite some time now and I am so thankful to be able to have this time with my family.
Yep, as October winds down, I am reminded of just how blessed we are. This is the best part of my life...being a mom, a wife, and getting to share so many moments {the good and the not-so-good} with my family. Watching my boys adjust to a new place with new traditions has been amazing. They are simply amazing.
As November approaches, I am going to try and remind myself more often of these many blessings and be more thankful in my writing. Every day. It's a challenge, but one that I feel like I need to do again this year.
Until then, Happy Halloween you guys! Happy October!
I love it so much that I'm actually sad that another year of October is over.
This one was a little different.
We are in a new place. With new traditions.
New schools with new school parties.
New places to wear costumes.
New Halloween decorations to place in new spots.
New people to share this time with.
I'm not gonna lie...yesterday during the school Halloween party when Parker's {award winning} Godzilla costume was mistaken for a dinosaur, when I looked in his mask and saw tears because the fan in the costume had fallen out and we couldn't figure out how to fix it, when he whispered to me that this was the worst Halloween ever....I felt like crying myself. When other lifelong buddies were taking pictures together...and we are missing ours. When everyone else knows what's going on and we feel lost. But, I didn't cry. I held it together and calmly told Parker that I would fix his costume after the school parade. He was sad and I couldn't help him. I told him that it was okay. That he still looked awesome. And, he made it through.
He ended up taking off his costume and enjoyed his class party...he actually had a great time after the parade and I was so glad to be there with him.
I keep telling myself that this one moment, was just that. Just one moment. And, we've had too many happy moments to count.
October has been good to us.
I turned another year older {25, again, you know}.
We ended a baseball season and two soccer seasons.
We celebrated 11 years of marriage...whew!
We have enjoyed spending time with new {and old} friends.
We've enjoyed cheering on the Royals.
Parker {despite the costume malfunction} is loving school and doing so well...Andrew is also and I forgot to mention that he loved his Halloween party! Brandon was with him while I helped out in Parker's class and {although it was a last minute decision} Andrew made the best ninja ever!
We are enjoying new 'fun' places to explore.
I am absolutely LOVING my time at home with my boys {and my nieces}. This has been my calling for quite some time now and I am so thankful to be able to have this time with my family.
Yep, as October winds down, I am reminded of just how blessed we are. This is the best part of my life...being a mom, a wife, and getting to share so many moments {the good and the not-so-good} with my family. Watching my boys adjust to a new place with new traditions has been amazing. They are simply amazing.
As November approaches, I am going to try and remind myself more often of these many blessings and be more thankful in my writing. Every day. It's a challenge, but one that I feel like I need to do again this year.
Until then, Happy Halloween you guys! Happy October!
Sunday, September 20, 2015
this is 8
Today is one of my most very favorite days.
Playing Watching other people play Minecraft. What is this crazy phenomenon? That British guy...the airhead couple from Florida...the two year old who now has his own action figure at Target? Really?! Why didn't I jump on this?!
Today, this guy has a birthday.
This is what 8 looks like.
Riding his bike to school...
{I know he could probably do it on his own, but every morning and every afternoon we pack everyone up in the stroller and walk with Parker as he speeds ahead to school on his bike. I love it that he can do this...and that we get to do it with him. Along with our sweet neighbor friends!}
Playing soccer...
Eating us out of house and home...but I love soccer pictures.
No, seriously, I can not keep enough apples in this house. Today I bought 20. And, peanut butter...bread...cereal...milk...grapes...strawberries...you name it and this guy will eat it. All of it.
 |
| I only had a picture of him in a Minecraft shirt...I choose to not remember the hours spent on that game. |
Playing baseball...
Watching baseball...
Everything baseball!
Reading, reading, reading...
{Well, I don't actually have any pictures of him reading...usually it's at bed time and I'm too tired to think about photos at that point. But I like this picture. I wonder what Parker is thinking about in this one?!}
Playing kickball, playing cul-de-sac baseball, playing 'beach' kickball, wrestling his brother on the trampoline, riding his bike, playing catch, playing a pick-up game of football...fishing, canoeing, hiking...
Making friends. Parker keeps telling Andrew that our 'move' is the best thing ever. You get to make more friends! He will be mayor one day...
 |
| I found these 'selfies' on my phone today... |
Tall socks. To the dismay of his mother.
Helping his brother.
Still wanting his mom to snuggle him when he has a bad dream.
 |
| See what I mean about those socks. Ugh! Pick your battles, right?! |
And, learning how to 'talk back' to his mom.
Loving on his Bella.
 |
| And throw back hats. |
Going EVERYWHERE with his dad...no, seriously, these two are best buds.
The year of being 7 has been good to our guy. But, I think 8 holds a lot of promise too.
Happy birthday, Parker! I love everything that you are!
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Feeling Settled
Tonight I experienced something I haven't felt for a few months.
Tonight I felt at peace. I felt 'just right'.
I feel settled.
We moved in June. Duh, right?!
Well, since then, we've been going, going, going...enjoying summer, working on our home, raising two little boys, going on vacation, and just living life to the fullest. And, like it does every year, school started and it feels like I've just hit a concrete wall. You know the feeling. Bam! It's here. There's no turning back now.
And, with both boys going to new schools, this Momma's heart has been stretched to the limit this week.
But tonight I feel good.
This new place we're in. It's perfect.
Our neighbors are won-der-ful. You may know them?! If you do, you know that we are pretty darn lucky to have snagged a house in their cul-de-sac. Our kids have quickly become best buds and I am so thankful for their friendship and support throughout the summer!! We are family now, just so you know. Just don't involve Parker in any more 'building projects'....he doesn't need any more injuries! Ha!
And, let's not forget the other friends who now live close by who have quickly become my kid's best friends...and for all of us adults, it's like the past 10 years haven't changed us at all! {I love these friends!}
The schools. Ohhhhh, the schools. Well, most importantly, the teachers! Both boys have the sweetest teachers and every single staff member is extra sweet to this 'new' family. Not to mention the kids. I'm so thankful for the friends we knew before going in to this new school year. And, the boy's super awesome cuz, who just happens to be a 5th grader. What's more cool than walking home with an awesome 5th grader?!
Speaking of cousins...did you know that we are now closer to all of my nieces and nephews?! We get to see at least three cousins, daily, and I couldn't ask for anything more than the sweet girls that come over every day to play...or do homework...or watch movies. Sometimes it's like a circus around here, but I just adore all of the kids who come over every day. Life is definitely exciting!
Oh man, am I thankful for the kind families and kiddos that we've met through baseball, soccer, and Cub Scouts. Welcoming a 'new kid' onto your team or pack isn't always easy. And, tonight when Parker was having a dry spell in hits, I love how every kid on the bench cheered for him and as he walked up to bat, each coach pulled him aside and gave him a pep talk. Moments like this are reminders for my 'stretched too thin heart' that the boys are doing just fine and {still} have so many people looking out for them {even in this new town}.
Okay, so, tonight I laid down to read to {super sleepy} Andrew, and after a crazy night at the ballpark, where Andrew {accidentally} had sand thrown into his eyes...and after the mom of the boy who {didn't mean to} did it apologized like 50 times, and after a day where we {the neighbors who are like 'family'} walked Parker to school while he rode his bike, and I walked up to the school where the principal came over and chatted with us and even acknowledged Andrew by his name and told him good morning, and then I ran into a baseball mom who told me her son would be at Parker's birthday party, and then we spent the morning playing with one cousin only to pick another one up from school where we got to see our very best friend, Jayma...and not to mention we saw a little friend from the lake, and then when we dropped Andrew off at school in the car line for the first time and I felt like I wanted to burst in to tears because he is getting too big, only to get a wave from his new speech therapist as I was pulling out of line, which put my heart at ease, and then the girls and I had a quiet afternoon, leading to a cra-zy afternoon after school with all of the kids gathering at our house {Brandon came home to find me playing in the basement with 7 kiddos!}, and a night at the ball park, with new friends and grandparents and a very apologetic mom and a sad Andrew...leading me to the moment I was putting Andrew to bed...where I realized that we are settled. We are feeling settled.
And I want to write about it.
Whew.
I can't wait until I have time to share some photos. I can't wait to show you just how settled we are!
Tonight I felt at peace. I felt 'just right'.
I feel settled.
We moved in June. Duh, right?!
Well, since then, we've been going, going, going...enjoying summer, working on our home, raising two little boys, going on vacation, and just living life to the fullest. And, like it does every year, school started and it feels like I've just hit a concrete wall. You know the feeling. Bam! It's here. There's no turning back now.
And, with both boys going to new schools, this Momma's heart has been stretched to the limit this week.
But tonight I feel good.
This new place we're in. It's perfect.
Our neighbors are won-der-ful. You may know them?! If you do, you know that we are pretty darn lucky to have snagged a house in their cul-de-sac. Our kids have quickly become best buds and I am so thankful for their friendship and support throughout the summer!! We are family now, just so you know. Just don't involve Parker in any more 'building projects'....he doesn't need any more injuries! Ha!
And, let's not forget the other friends who now live close by who have quickly become my kid's best friends...and for all of us adults, it's like the past 10 years haven't changed us at all! {I love these friends!}
The schools. Ohhhhh, the schools. Well, most importantly, the teachers! Both boys have the sweetest teachers and every single staff member is extra sweet to this 'new' family. Not to mention the kids. I'm so thankful for the friends we knew before going in to this new school year. And, the boy's super awesome cuz, who just happens to be a 5th grader. What's more cool than walking home with an awesome 5th grader?!
Speaking of cousins...did you know that we are now closer to all of my nieces and nephews?! We get to see at least three cousins, daily, and I couldn't ask for anything more than the sweet girls that come over every day to play...or do homework...or watch movies. Sometimes it's like a circus around here, but I just adore all of the kids who come over every day. Life is definitely exciting!
Oh man, am I thankful for the kind families and kiddos that we've met through baseball, soccer, and Cub Scouts. Welcoming a 'new kid' onto your team or pack isn't always easy. And, tonight when Parker was having a dry spell in hits, I love how every kid on the bench cheered for him and as he walked up to bat, each coach pulled him aside and gave him a pep talk. Moments like this are reminders for my 'stretched too thin heart' that the boys are doing just fine and {still} have so many people looking out for them {even in this new town}.
Okay, so, tonight I laid down to read to {super sleepy} Andrew, and after a crazy night at the ballpark, where Andrew {accidentally} had sand thrown into his eyes...and after the mom of the boy who {didn't mean to} did it apologized like 50 times, and after a day where we {the neighbors who are like 'family'} walked Parker to school while he rode his bike, and I walked up to the school where the principal came over and chatted with us and even acknowledged Andrew by his name and told him good morning, and then I ran into a baseball mom who told me her son would be at Parker's birthday party, and then we spent the morning playing with one cousin only to pick another one up from school where we got to see our very best friend, Jayma...and not to mention we saw a little friend from the lake, and then when we dropped Andrew off at school in the car line for the first time and I felt like I wanted to burst in to tears because he is getting too big, only to get a wave from his new speech therapist as I was pulling out of line, which put my heart at ease, and then the girls and I had a quiet afternoon, leading to a cra-zy afternoon after school with all of the kids gathering at our house {Brandon came home to find me playing in the basement with 7 kiddos!}, and a night at the ball park, with new friends and grandparents and a very apologetic mom and a sad Andrew...leading me to the moment I was putting Andrew to bed...where I realized that we are settled. We are feeling settled.
And I want to write about it.
Whew.
I can't wait until I have time to share some photos. I can't wait to show you just how settled we are!
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
The 'Ultimate Smile' and Other News
Why, hello there old friend. It's been a while.
I've taken some time off from this friend of mine.
There have been many, many, many days in the past few months, where I've wanted to share a story or an event or even just some fun memories about our family, but I'm gonna be honest, it's been hard.
Not hard in a bad way, but hard because our family has had a lot of uncertainty these past few months. A lot of 'what-ifs' and a lot of 'maybes'. It's been hard for me to focus on much lately, other than just focusing on life...and the three most important people in my life.
But, the other night, Andrew (who is always giving us something fun to talk about), who was having a really hard time falling asleep, gave me something to write about...and it's a good lead into our 'other news'.
For a couple of weeks now, I've been promising my kiddos that 'if they slept in their own beds all night for 7 consecutive nights, I would take them to Chuck E Cheese.' Well...it's taking them a while to get to 7 nights. And, the other night, as Andrew would not fall asleep and the hour was approaching 11:00 pm, he came up to my bed and asked to snuggle me, and I said, "you know what?"
Andrew: "What, Mom?"
Me: "You know who I think is going to be the only one to get to go to Chuck E Cheese is?"
Andrew: "Who?!" {thinking it was him}
Me: "Well, she's the only one whose been staying in her bed lately....it's Bella."
I looked at Andrew's face and he cracked the biggest, most silly smile I've ever seen...then, he started cracking up.
And, so I told him, "Oh, Andrew, I love that smile of yours."
Andrew replied, "Well, Mom, this isn't any old smile...this is my ULTIMATE smile."
And, he couldn't wait to tell Parker this the next morning...and, he did finally go to sleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This past week has been the most intense week for us. I'm thinking that if our marriage survives this week, then we can survive anything. On top of gymnastics dress rehearsals and programs, multiple soccer games and practices, as well as aCub Scout overnight camp out (this was cancelled due to rain), and multiple work obligations, friends coming over, homework, helper days at preschool, board meetings, and everything else that happens in life, we actually SOLD our house!
It's true.
And, not only that, we also BOUGHT a new home! Yep, it's the one we wanted...we've been eying it for months and I am so so so so so happy that it has all worked out. {And, thankful for the new friends we've made in this process...}
I know all of you know that I carry a bittersweet heart about all of this moving mumbo jumbo {tears}, but I can't tell you how happy I am that we now know what and where we will be in six weeks.
You also have to know thatalmost every time I talk about this, I cry...like a baby. Like 10 times a day. Really...I cry at work, I cry when I drop the kids off at school, I cry when I'm doing the dishes, I cry during gymnastics performances, I cry picking kids up, having friends over, talking about the weather....you name it, I've cried all over it. Living in a small community for 10 years will do that to a girl.
But, then I smile....and let me tell you friends, this is my ultimate smile. I'm smiling because I know of the new adventures that are ahead for us. I know it's not all going to be easy {so, you Mommas out there that have moved your kids to a new town, please, please, please give me some advice!}, but {like I told the boys} no matter where we are, as long as we are together, we will be just fine. And, this is a super duper exciting time in our life!
#wecandohardthings
{Thanks for the most appropriate hash tag ever, to my friend who just moved her family to a new state.}
And...the best part is...the boys are really excited about this!
Whew! I know there's a gajillion other things I want to tell you, but that's about all I can handle for now. So, until next time {because, let's be honest here, I don't know when that's going to be}, I hope you have many 'ultimate' smiles...and some regular smiles too.
I've taken some time off from this friend of mine.
There have been many, many, many days in the past few months, where I've wanted to share a story or an event or even just some fun memories about our family, but I'm gonna be honest, it's been hard.
Not hard in a bad way, but hard because our family has had a lot of uncertainty these past few months. A lot of 'what-ifs' and a lot of 'maybes'. It's been hard for me to focus on much lately, other than just focusing on life...and the three most important people in my life.
But, the other night, Andrew (who is always giving us something fun to talk about), who was having a really hard time falling asleep, gave me something to write about...and it's a good lead into our 'other news'.
For a couple of weeks now, I've been promising my kiddos that 'if they slept in their own beds all night for 7 consecutive nights, I would take them to Chuck E Cheese.' Well...it's taking them a while to get to 7 nights. And, the other night, as Andrew would not fall asleep and the hour was approaching 11:00 pm, he came up to my bed and asked to snuggle me, and I said, "you know what?"
Andrew: "What, Mom?"
Me: "You know who I think is going to be the only one to get to go to Chuck E Cheese is?"
Andrew: "Who?!" {thinking it was him}
Me: "Well, she's the only one whose been staying in her bed lately....it's Bella."
I looked at Andrew's face and he cracked the biggest, most silly smile I've ever seen...then, he started cracking up.
And, so I told him, "Oh, Andrew, I love that smile of yours."
Andrew replied, "Well, Mom, this isn't any old smile...this is my ULTIMATE smile."
And, he couldn't wait to tell Parker this the next morning...and, he did finally go to sleep.
How I love that boy {and his brother too!}.
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This past week has been the most intense week for us. I'm thinking that if our marriage survives this week, then we can survive anything. On top of gymnastics dress rehearsals and programs, multiple soccer games and practices, as well as a
It's true.
And, not only that, we also BOUGHT a new home! Yep, it's the one we wanted...we've been eying it for months and I am so so so so so happy that it has all worked out. {And, thankful for the new friends we've made in this process...}
I know all of you know that I carry a bittersweet heart about all of this moving mumbo jumbo {tears}, but I can't tell you how happy I am that we now know what and where we will be in six weeks.
You also have to know that
But, then I smile....and let me tell you friends, this is my ultimate smile. I'm smiling because I know of the new adventures that are ahead for us. I know it's not all going to be easy {so, you Mommas out there that have moved your kids to a new town, please, please, please give me some advice!}, but {like I told the boys} no matter where we are, as long as we are together, we will be just fine. And, this is a super duper exciting time in our life!
#wecandohardthings
{Thanks for the most appropriate hash tag ever, to my friend who just moved her family to a new state.}
And...the best part is...the boys are really excited about this!
Whew! I know there's a gajillion other things I want to tell you, but that's about all I can handle for now. So, until next time {because, let's be honest here, I don't know when that's going to be}, I hope you have many 'ultimate' smiles...and some regular smiles too.
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