prayer

Here is Cale's prayer from tonight...

Jesus, a good day and help I sleep...and that I have breakfast tomorrow...and dinner...and a snack... and dinner. Amen

I think he really wants dinner tomorrow and lots of food! Why pray for the family or others when you can pray about food instead? That is SO Cale!

thirteen

Darren and I celebrated 13 years of marriage on Monday. Thirteen years. I feel old. Old and grateful. We have been together since we were 12 and 13 years old. I just did the math and that means we've been together for 21 years (minus a few short break-ups during the teenage years). Darren has been a part of my life for so long that I cannot remember my life without him in it. I love him and am so thankful that he chose me to do life with! Oh, it hasn't always been easy...we have weathered some really tough storms together, but I wouldn't change any of it for the world. In fact, WE are better and stronger because we've been through (and survived) the storms. My favorite quote from this year has been this:

Those who abandon ship the first time it enters a storm miss the calm beyond. And the rougher the storms weathered together, the deeper and stronger real love grows. -Ruth Graham Bell

We didn't do much on our anniversary. We just went to dinner at Kona Ranch and rented a movie ("The Informant"...it was so awful that we didn't even bother to watch all of it). The real anniversary celebration will be when we head to the lake house for 5 days/4 kid-free nights next week. I can't wait!!!! I also can't wait to see what the next 13 years will bring for me and this man I love. Here's to hoping the storms will be kept to a minimum....

Not only did I get a dozen gorgeous lilac colored roses for our anniversary, but I also got these three yellow roses as well. I love them all! Wish I had fresh flowers in my house year round, but I KNOW that's not going to happen!

see you soon

Photo borrowed from Uncle Lyn. Taken March 30 on grandpa's 89th birthday.

The past week has been surreal. My grandpa passed away early this morning after a week or two of not eating followed by an unconscious-like state. We've spent the week watching and waiting and it seemed so out of the blue. But it wasn't. It just felt that way to me even though I really did know better. In all honesty, it was a long time coming. He has slowly been slipping away for a long while. And even though I've been waiting for him to leave his earthly body behind for a long time, it was still shocking to be in the position of actually knowing the time had come.

However, this morning I can't help but feel so happy for him. He has been made new and healthy. He's fishing and gardening again. I can just imagine him pruning and watering his beautiful garden of flowers...with grandma by his side. Oh yes, he is no doubt with grandma again, right where he belongs and for that I am so thankful. I just know she was right there to greet him. What a beautiful reunion that must've been. I can just hear grandpa asking her for a "smooch!" He was always asking her for one all the years they were together. It never stopped. They were so in love and I am so excited that they get to be together again just four years after grandma passed away.

Thank you Lord for a peaceful ending to a beautiful life. And thank you for the promise of eternal life. Just knowing that I will see my grandpa again makes this such a blessing. Goodbye for now grandpa Coleman, I will see you soon.

Here are some pics that my uncle took (that I stole borrowed from him) at grandpa's last birthday on March 30 (he and I were just a day away from sharing a birthday and I loved that!). Grandpa turned 89 that day. We had a little party at the nursing home and had a good time. I'm so glad we celebrated his life that day, his last birthday on this side of heaven.

Cale was showing Papa Coleman his dinosaur face. Scary!

memorial day weekend

Everyone seems to be talking about what they did for Memorial weekend so I thought I'd share mine. This will be a post without pictures. Why? Well, because I spent the ENTIRE weekend without Darren and the boys (and no one wants to see a pic of just me :)). We were invited to Darren's brothers lake house and I opted to stay home. I like his brother and I like the lake but what I do not like is spending holidays on the lake! So, Darren told me that he could handle the boys if I wanted to have the weekend to myself. Much to my surprise (and probably his too!) I took him up on it and it was pure bliss! In fact, I need to start planning their next getaway. Seriously. It was good for my soul.

The boys left mid morning on Saturday and I immediately headed out for a full day of shopping with my mom. We did take lunch and dinner breaks so that my dad could have the luxury of taking us out! ;) It was great and I felt so free all weekend. I haven't felt that way in SO long.

I spent Sunday cleaning and doing laundry. While folding laundry I watched the movie It's Complicated and it was SO funny. I laughed out loud many times. I only got out to see my sister's new place and hit the fabric store (I just brought home my grandma's old sewing machine and that is a post for another day!). I stayed up way too late both nights (til 2 am) and slept in until noon both days too. Heaven.

I cleaned all day Monday and the boys got home around 5. I had three full days to myself. Would it be terrible if I said it was the best Memorial weekend of my life? It just may have been. I love my boys, but it was nice to have a weekend to do whatever I pleased with no one to answer to. And now that I know that my boys can survive without me, I just might have to do this more often!

It was good while it lasted, but I am glad that they made it back home safe and sound. Oh, apparently the boys had a great weekend too. I am constantly hearing stories about their lake getaway. I think Memorial Day 2010 was a good one for all...a very good one.

Summer is now on full swing. No sleeping in for me as Cale has early morning swimming lessons for the next week and a half. We've got baseball practice and games (and it is HOT here!!!) then next week we start camps. Connor has baseball camp next week then in two weeks Coby starts art camp. They are so excited. Hopefully that will fill their mornings and in the afternoons we are just going to have to swim. It is too hot to do anything else right now. The boys spent the entire day playing baseball indoors. It is really cute to watch, but it makes me a bit nervous (even though they use a small nerf ball). I thought is was particularly fitting that Coby named his team the Cheeseburgers! The boys does like to eat...and he LOVES him some cheeseburgers.

Well, I'd better get to bed, I've gotta get up bright and early for swimming lessons. Hopefully Cale won't be too ornery tomorrow. That boy, he really makes his swim teachers work for their money. He is always being a goober. I just know I have a class clown on my hands. I am already praying for his Pre-K teacher. She is in for it!

rebel

Our water plant had a huge pipe bust last weekend and we're under a water ban. We have barely enough water pressure for the toilet to fill back up after it's flushed and every time I get in for a shower I debate whether it's even worth the time it's going to take to wash my hair as it takes forever to rinse when there is only a trickle or two coming out. Anyway, with that said....this may or may not have happened today (which is the first day of summer break by the way!!!!)...

But, If it did happen, it would have gone like this...

ME: Coby, can you stand by daddy's car and make sure no one is driving by while I water the flowers real quick.

Coby: Are you going to be under arrest? Daddy is a police officer, is he going to take you to jail?

ME: No, I would just get a ticket. But these flowers really need to be watered or they'll die.

Coby loves flowers so with that said, he was all in! However, he nervously asked me every five seconds, Are you done yet mommy? Are you about done?

Just remember, this may or may not have happened at all. Certainly I would never subject my child to helping me water the flowers while we are under a water ban. No, I would never do that. That would be wrong, very wrong. Plus, I am a rule follower and expect my kids to be as well...unless my flowers are at risk that is. Maybe.

happy mother's day

First and foremost, Happy Mother's Day mom!!!!! You are the best mom a girl could ask for. Not only are you my mom, but as I've grown older, you've become a friend as well...the one I go to when advice is needed or my heart needs mending. Thanks for always being there for me no matter what and loving me even when loving me is a hard thing to do. I love you!!

I awoke to the most beautiful flowers in my kitchen this morning. (I should mention that I didn't wake up early since Darren took care of the kids breakfast needs after getting home from work this morning and I was able to sleep in...very late. It was heaven!) One by one, I went to thank my boys (who were each playing quietly in their own rooms) for my flowers. I just have to document what they each said because the way they each reacted is so true to each of their personalities.

First, I went into Coby's room.

Me: Thank you for the flowers Coby!

Coby: (huge smile spreads across his face) You'ne (he always says You'ne rather than you're) welcome mommy.

Me: They are so beautiful.

Coby: (bigger smile) Happy Mother's Day. I love you mommy!

Next came Connor...

Me: Thank you for the beautiful flowers Connor.

Connor: (confused look comes across his face) You're welcome...(insert LONG pause). Umm, did I really get you flowers?

Last, I went to Cale's room.

Me: Thank you for the flowers Cale.

Cale: You're welcome.

Me: Who got the flowers?

Cale: I did! (ha)

Then Cale came and wrapped his arms around me and gave me the biggest bear hug while saying, "This is what you get for Mother's Day...a nice hug!" And 30 seconds later, he hugged me again and said, "and then you get another nice Mother's Day hug!" And knowing Cale the hugs will continue all day long (along with a lot of arguing with me and time outs for him in between).

This is the first year that all three boys have been able to sign their name without help. I LOVE it that Cale was able to write his by himself.

I am spending the day at home with my boys while Darren sleeps (he worked until 7:30 this morning). Then, when D wakes up, he and the boys are taking me out to dinner. I'm thinking mexican food is in my future. Yummy!

Darren brought me this flower home on Monday just because. This is worth documenting because I have never got flowers from him twice in one week and likely never will again. It sure was nice while it lasted though!

how we've missed you FFF

We were thrilled to be able to spend a rare Friday night at home last night. We used to have family fun Friday every Friday night, but since Connor started baseball in March we have been spending every Friday night at the ball park. So, we were excited when we learned that there wouldn't be a game last night and we took advantage. We had tons of outdoor play, went to eat at our favorite Chinese food buffet followed by family Wii bowling and a movie. It was nice to spend a quiet evening together again. I love baseball games, but I'll be glad when we can have our family fun Fridays back on a regular basis!