first swim of the year

The boys and I had a great second day of summer break (I knew things could only look up after yesterday!).  The boys had a ball playing together this morning.  All THREE of them playing together rarely happens so I was thrilled when I heard all of them in Coby's room playing today.  I didn't dare venture into Coby's room to see what they were doing because I didn't dare interrupt this rare moment.  When they finally came out though I saw that both Coby and Cale were dressed in some of their Army get-up.  They told me that they'd been playing Army.  I don't know exactly how that is played, but I'm pretty sure it included several nerf guns and make-shift barricades (I've never seen so many pillows piled strategically placed around Coby's room).  

Sgt. Coby

Cale came out of Coby's room and was all business.  He walked into the living room and got out my weights and began to work out.  He lifted weights, did push-ups, sit-ups and sprints into the piano room.  Connor asked him what he was doing and he said, "Workin' out so I can win the war!"  ha  After lifting weights he came over to me and flexed.  He said, "Feel my muscles."  I did and then he felt them too and said, "Ahh, they're still squishy!" and from there he went back to lifting weights!  He is so funny.

Late this afternoon the boys and I loaded up and headed to mom and dad's for the boys first swim of the year. Darren had to work so I figured that would keep the boys and I entertained until dinner time and I was hoping to wear the boys out (apparently it didn't because they came home and played Army again and I didn't send them to bed until about 10:30.  I just couldn't send them to bed when they were having so much fun!).  

Of course I took swimming pics....

 Connor went back and forth between swimming and playing basketball

What a fun Saturday I had with my boys!  I can't wait to spend many more days in the pool with them this summer!

first day of summer break

Today was the first day of summer break and I must admit that it really didn't go so well.  We were at Connor's baseball game until 11:00 last night and the boys are used to going to bed by 9 pm at the latest so the morning started out with three tired boys.  Then, we spent the afternoon running errands.  It was really HOT which equaled a sweaty/cranky mommy and kids.  So by the end of our errands I was really at the end of my rope.  Apparently the boys noticed because this afternoon Connor looked at me and said, "Are you on your period today?"  I told him NO.  To which he replied that he sure would hate to see me when I was then!  And so it begins....

I'm thinking the first day of summer could've gone better.

here and now

This post is pretty random, but it's just some things that have been swirling around in my head lately. Sometimes in life it is so easy to focus on the negative, but recently I've just been thinking about how very blessed and happy I am. I just truly feel so fulfilled and content lately. I keep thinking to myself, WOW! EVERY single thing in my life (the good, the bad and the ugly) has led me right HERE to this very place. And what a beautiful place it is. I am so thankful for everything I've ever gone through because truly, I wouldn't be who I am today and I wouldn't appreciate all that I have today if my life had always been perfect. I have the most AMAZING husband, the marriage I've always dreamed of (please don't wake me up if I'm dreaming...the past year has been the BEST yet) and three precious boys (who yes, DRIVE ME CRAZY at times, but I'm always thankful to be their mommy!). Mostly though, right now, I am just so happy with where I am, where I've been and where I'm going. That's all. I just want to be able to look back on this next year and remember this season. It's too good to forget.

All pics with the boys were taken two weeks ago before school. They didn't really want their pics taken with mommy but I FORCED them (hence their lack of enthusiasm, plus it was EARLY!) :)

sidekick and spring

As I look back to this same time last year, I remember stressing out about whether or not to send Cale to all day Kindergarten or half-day the next school year. My heart (and Darren) told me I needed to choose half-day, so I did. I will never regret that decision (which is exactly what Darren said...he knows me SO well). Oh yes, many some days are very challenging and I may or may not question my decision, but deep down I know that this is a special time that I will always be grateful for. It's our last year to have one on one time together before "brothers" (as Cale calls them) get home from school. Make no mistake, Cale can be a complete stinker at times but most of the time it is short-lived and the next minute he is so very sweet. This little boy tells me he loves me out of the blue at least once per day. Over the past few days he's been making a heart out of his hands AS he tells me. I love this little fella so very much!!!

my little helper watering the flower pots

I've spent a lot of time working in the flower beds over the past few weeks. They needed to be weeded, the bushes needed trimming (Darren helped with that) and they needed new mulch and fresh flowers. I love the happy cheerful colors...they just scream spring to me. Here is one of the beds...

And lastly, I leave you with a picture I took of Ellie Mae today...not that I like her or anything. :) She is such a pretty girl!

16 months old

we got snow

We woke up to snow this morning. The boys had really hoped for a snow day, but no such luck!

Ellie wasn't sure at first, but once she finally left the porch she had a ball running circles in the snow (Ellie usually has a collar on, but girlfriend decided to chew hers up yesterday. I have NO idea how she got it off!)

Cale couldn't get home from school fast enough today. He told me that we needed to hurry home because the snow was already melting (he gets out at 10:30 and sadly it was already melting).

He dropped onto the ground as soon as he got out of the car. He made a few snow angels. It was precious!!!

He really wanted to help me shovel...

but he had a hard time with the big shovel....

so he pulled out his little garden shovel :)

He had a ball digging up snow and tossing it.

Cale was thrilled when Coby got home...

They threw snowballs at each other for a LONG time. There wasn't much snow left, but they sure did make the most of what we had! (Connor was out front playing basketball just like every other day.)

I'm not sure what was going on here, but I sure do love this boy!

I'm thankful the boys were able to enjoy at least a little bit of snow this winter. It was a fun day, but I'm ready for it to warm back up. Looks like I won't have to wait long, Wednesday's high is 62. We have the weirdest weather!

This is random, but such is my life...when I walked into the kitchen this morning I saw this note on top of the box of donuts (the boys love when Nina and Poppy are in charge of donuts at church because they always drop the leftovers off at our house).

Apparently Coby wanted to make sure he was getting the "sprinkled" donut. In fact, he told me that he might have to get up at 1 am to be sure that he'd get it. I assured him that wouldn't be necessary so I guess he opted for a note instead.

grumpy old man

Today was the 100th day of school. Cale dressed up as a 100 year old for the occasion. He played the part well...he was hunched over and grumpy which is pretty much how Cale acts even on a normal day (only kidding...sort of). He reminded me of my precious Grandpa who almost always wore a red plaid shirt, light colored jeans and glasses. Ah, it brought a smile to my face.

lucky lady

I have failed at keeping track of the boys' sweet sayings lately and I know I will regret it later. So I have to get this down while it's fresh on my mind....

I was on the phone yesterday and Cale walked in the room and said, "Mommy, Can you please report to my office?" His "office" being his bedroom. Coby had put together one of Cale's Lego sets and I needed to see it STAT.

Then tonight Coby was helping me pick up my bedroom and put clean sheets on my bed. I was just thinking about what a blessing Coby is to me when he looked at me with a grin and said, "I'm so lucky to have you!" I couldn't help but smile as I was JUST thinking the exact same thing about him.

As we decorated the Christmas tree (about a month ago) Coby looked at me and said, "Why don't you just sit down and let us do all the work...you just take it easy!" He is always wanting to take care of me and telling me to sit down and relax while he does the work. He is such a sweetheart and I know that he is going to be a wonderful husband one day. I just hope and pray that he will have an equally amazing wife because Coby deserves someone who will really appreciate him. He is a one of a kind boy that deserves the world!

I think about a year and a half ago I blogged that Connor informed me that he was going to start calling me mom, but to this day I am still Mommy and Darren is still Daddy! One day (probably sooner than I'd like) I know it will change, but I just wanted to remember that as this moment (at almost 12) he still calls us mommy and daddy....and I love it.

And last but not least, I want to remember that I got flowers from my main man a few days ago. There was no reason for him to get me flowers, he got them just because, which if you ask me made getting them all the more special!

I am a lucky lady indeed!!! I love my boys...all FOUR of them.