Santa and a Sleepover

Our favorite holiday is just days away... can't wait!! Seeing this magical time in children's spirits makes a mommy smile. I bottled the magic and took it up North, to the Polar Express again for round 3 last week. I scooped up Grandma Jana on our way for some extra parental hands and fun, then off we were toward Flagstaff. The boys and I were able to meet some of our dear friends there for some quick old time fun together. Benny was way more into it this year I thought. He examined the train coming in and stood right at the guard rope waving to everyone getting off the train as they came in before we got on. We got to sing Christmas Carols while sipping on hot chocolate and nibbling on soft cookies. Then we went all the way to "The North Pole" where Santa came on the train and gave all the kids a bell. The boys are certain this is the real Santa that comes on the train. He is a natural; real white beard and real big tummy. The boys are catching on this year! They told me that they know there's a lot of Santa's out there that aren't really Santa, they just dress up like him. So I said well he needs helpers so your right. That leaves us at our agreeance: The Santa at The North Pole is real. :)

No snow on this trip, but of course it came in as we left! We caught snow flurries driving back and made it a fun ride home. I also caught grandma's cold she had brought along on our trip. Shouldn't have shared the trail mix during the drive. I not only got some of her dried fruit but a nasty cough that has now taken over my larynx.

Which brings me to Stink's celebration in honor of my first born growing one year older. He is a bright 8 years old today. I threw a Christmas Slumber Party for him and his friends this year. We had so... much... fun!!! Some helping hands and I decorated the house with the Christmas season in mind and braced ourselves. 14 boys were included which is more testosterone than I have ever had to coordinate with. Just when I thought I was completely nuts this time, I realized how great boys are. They truly are. Now I have nothing to compare this to but it seems to me the more little boys, the merrier. I would like to say I am a great authority figure, but I think it was the games that held the faint peace together. The next day I found some great after party. The house smelt like grass and sweaty boys. Pizza cheese in the rug was the start, then toothpaste sludge on the wall. My slipper stuck to an area of the tile where I think some birthday punch found a landing spot. Then there's Benny who used the new nerf gun and decided that the hallway ceiling lamp was a great target. So as soon as all the guests leave in the am I hear a shatter and glass is everywhere. Can't go out without a bang, literally I guess. But it was all worth it... every ounce, serious. The cheese, paste and glass can be cleaned up in 10 minutes... but my sweet boy's birthday memories will last a lifetime. Stink told me something so-so special today. He says while we are outside, "Mom, everyday on my birthday it's so nice. It's beautiful." The ironic thing is that the last couple years it's been gloomy and rainy, but he's so happy it's in his mind and words "beautiful"... makes that mommy smile! Happy Birthday Love...

Turkey Time

We have had some fun moments surrounding our Thanksgiving Holiday this year. Benny had a "Tradition Feast" at school in his classroom before the couple day break. I had the pleasure and joy of helping out. The kids had all kinds of fruits and veggies at their desk settings. This was where I found out cranberries and even the jellied cranberry sauce were very undesirable with 2nd graders, surprise-surprise. I tried with the "it's like jello" persuasion but they all knew much better. The favorite was the warm apple cider and cinnamon stick that went so smoothly with the stories of Pilgrim days and the Mayflower read by the teacher. We all made pilgrim hats- the girls with white bonnets to symbolize the puritan days and the boys with their handsome tall hats and buckle.

My turkey this year was a unique birdy perfect for the super swamped mom. Stink had a tournament game the day I made a feast of our own. So it was go-go-go just like any other day. I was really craving a day of just relaxing with my boys having nothing at all to do but be silly around the house and cook. I think my turkey sensed my desire and cooperated from then on. I had 15 minutes to prep my main dinner dish. I mixed a quick concoction, gave it a good seasoned rub, stuffed it with my usual and threw some things around our turkey for a touch of beauty and flavor before it plopped in the oven. It was my best yet... would have never expected that! It was a great dinner my boys and family enjoyed. Benny got to break the wishbone with Great Grandpa... such a sweet moment. He won and wishes came true.

I am reminded this day and often of how thankful we are, and how beautiful life is. I have happy, healthy, and rowdy boys... the two sparkles of my eyes. I am thankful for the true happiness and joy they bring- the deep loving connection we all have. I am thankful for the sisterhood in my friends, the guidance of my family, the growth in my career, and the people and lessons learned along the ways. Thanks to all...

Dear Steve,

This may be your last letter from me. No tears, but I have a lot of thoughts as this day comes, what would be our 6th wedding anniversary and about 9 years of knowing you... but I am at a good place and things have come to a close of this delicate chapter. It is still so very astonishing to me how quick lives can forever be changed and your future takes a turn in a direction you thought and hoped it really wouldn't. What is even more astonishing is looking back... where I was one year ago. I have never faught so hard or gone through something so unbearably painful. It was the worst sting I've ever felt. The ache that lingers on even after you pray so hard for the hurting to go away sometime soon. So bad your not really sure if there will be a better. That's a horrible feeling I don't ever wish for anyone to go through, not even you. Now here I am.

I've seen that sting creep up in you now. How the tables have slowly been turning. I still feel like I know you just as well as I know myself, but even that will fade in due time. You still have a hard time looking at me in the face. I see every shade of bitterness in your eyes that try to avoid mine and feel it in your voice that still tries to manipulate me. You have heavy shoulders of shame. It's clear it's hard for you. Those quick decisions made by you out of ignorance and a lack of self control in a lustful world costs far too much than you thought you were going to have to pay. The lost friends you have... but even worse is the lost respect of many more. The hurtful but true words spoken to your face and the ones behind your back. The "what if" that will always be in the back of your mind. The reason for the tears our children shed because their home is broken, you selfish bastard. The "some-day" you will have to explain to the men I raise. The future time you will have to face as someone fills the shoes you couldn't. That's not very green grass for you, you know it. I think I would rather take my pain for one more round than deal with that. I was the best wife and mother I could possibly be when you had me... I can and do have closure on my end. Yours will always be.

I'm as happy as I can be in my life right now... amazed at the strength and endurance I possess. The stages of grief are over for me, the unneccesary ties cut, and memories now ditched between us. I'm out of that box you always kept me in... This obstacle hasn't changed me but has certainly changed the way I look at some things. I am still naive at times... it keeps me unique, sweet, and humerous. I'm still too trusting... but have learned it can be a beautiful thing in the hands of the right person. I am becoming wiser about the men I choose to be in my life... and will not settle for anything but the best in a partner. I'm so excited to see what life has in store for us from this point. My three wishes for you: faith, confidence and true happiness. Through whatever we've been through and will continue to go through, please remember... I will always be here for you as a friend and continue to be the best mother I can be to our boys.

Love,

Jennifer

"The Power of Promises"
by Lewis Smedes

Yes, somewhere people still make and keep promises. They choose not to quit when the going gets rough because they promised once to see it through. They stick to lost causes. They hold on to a love grown cold. They stay with poeple who have become pains in the neck. They still dare to make promises and care enough to keep the promises they make. I want to say to you that if you have a ship you will not desert, if you have people you will not forsake, if you have causes you will ot abandon, then you are like God. What a marvelous thing a promise is! When a person makes a promise, she reaches out into an unpredictable future and makes one thing predictable: she will be there even when being there costs her more than she wants to pay. When a person makes a promise, he stretches himself out into circumstances that no one can control and controls at least one thing: he will be there no matter what the circumstances turn out to be. With one simple word of promise, a person creates an island of certainty in a sea of uncertainty.

Spiced Pumpkin

Silly or not, I had to name a post after my favorite yankee candle that not only fills up my home with it's delicious smells but sets the mood for my favorite season: Fall. The air is cool and the sun is still shining bright, and outside is the sound of playing kids. Makes my heart go pitter-patter. Another gift this season brings is the fun Holiday of Halloween. There's a different thrill in the spooky fun our adrenaline brings in all the "scaries" towards the end of October. I caught the boys snuggled together in S. Stink's bed with the covers pulled to their chins snuggled together in the dark like twins in a bassinet. Eyes were wide open and glaring at the screen, watching ghost stories on TV... busted by mom in the crack of the door. So what else do I do but yell "rah!!" . It was twisted motherly fun that made them both scream.

There was no Disneyland this year or seasonal Schnepf's Farm visit at my house but here was our fun:

Pumpkin carving with Grandma, Uncles, baby B, and Auntie Jose. The boys were very different at their approach towards pumpkin carving this time around. Benny was very simple about his plans, determined to achieve them, and was decisive and patient about carrying them out. Stink chose the most complicated pumpkin carving design, did 5 minutes of work, and tried to get mom to finish the rest. They all turned out great, and in the name of fun.

Trick or treating was a night of friends, neighbor potluck food, conversation, great costumes, candy... and a butt rash. I won't disclose which boy this was but halfway through trick or treating I spot a funny walk and a facial grimace. "Mom, my butt hurts, really bad" says this dear boy. I watched as he tried to hide the funky face and keep up with the door to door but he broke down, and I carried home. My thanks goes to Desitin rapid relief for soothing a raw Halloween butt. This boy learned that night about the expense of wiping when he should, and doing a good job of it. At the end of the night when all was quiet and the sugar high has faded I got a "Mom, thank you so much for making my bottom all better." It was a Halloween save mom will always truly be remembered for.

Butterfly

A new day, a new life for us is what I would like to share in this post. It's so beautiful, really. People change, we all learn, and only some grow. We have had one giant load of change recently. It's been some wonderful modifications to us individually and as a family.

I decided to make a switch in my career, it's been a night and day difference... literally. No more night shifts for me, this girls gone day. I decided this was much needed over a summer vacation when my body got to experience a sleep routine at night... and got to feel the energy/clarity/rest that was lacking from the past year and a half of nights. Too hard to go back at that point.

Butterflies are... so symbolic. Meaning some of soul, love and a new beginning in life after being in a state of entrapment. I remember of such a time when butterflies didn't fly, what an omen that day. Though now in these times I swear my soul is still the same, with more love in my spirit... here is my beginning... here is our start.

I was deliberately wary about the change I put my much loved children through. This was the time though. We eased out of that hard fog we were amidst. We needed that familiarity of our old home and the all that went with our life there... and taking time to say the bye we needed. So here we are and moved into a new home- out of the fog and entering into our clarity, still strong together as ever! That's a loving family. And might I add still with the people and surroundings we value and cherish so deep in our lives, so lucky we are.

During that fog a good friend of mine gave me a gift that said "Just when the catepillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." Wink, wink. :)

Our Old Girl

Our dog... a piece of our family... my princess... Pursie, turned 13 this year! Stink asked how many years that is in "people age". When I said about 90 years old both Stink and Benny laughed as they looked at each other- whoa style. Yes, it has grown into a very respectful relationship.

I remember when my Mom brought her home, I was still in school and she was just a few years old. She clung to me and I adopted her... stole her right from my mother. She knew where she belonged though, with me! She was my girl. We would go on walks alone together, trips to the dog park and I remember the very spot behind my legs she would snuggle up to every night. I loved dressing her up in shirts and Halloween costumes. I remember her chewing fetish that was short lived, but ended after a very expensive pair of shoes were targeted.

She's still my girl. She watched me grow into a woman and have babies... been through it all with me. She loves Benny and Stink just as much as me... protected them as infants to now, and let them tug and drag her around during the process.

Now it's different, but our love is still the same and strong. Last year we almost lost her to a tooth infection. Her eyesight is now gone and she will no longer walk up the stairs... but she wags her tail just the same when I come home as she did when she was a pup.

We celebrated her birthday this year with presents, "Pursie" party hats and moist food with a lit candle in it- which she about singed her whiskers on not seeing the flame.

My sister came over for the day with a mechanical baby, a life-like baby project for school. Pursie sat next to the baby carrier like she did when the boys were tiny, right back to protecting. The baby started to cry and she got up sniffing the baby and stood tall right next to it. She may be blind, old, stinky, and not the best guard dog... but she certainly tried her best to fulfill her doggy duty.

We love her so much... we had a good life with her... and that girl is the most loyal thing I have ever met.

Family

First things first... I can't believe I haven't blogged in over two weeks. I'm so excited to type! I have been super busy with normal life stuff, extra stuff lately. I made some big decisions and changes to my daily routine and adjusting to them, so readers... hold tight and thank you for your patience.



I felt I needed to touch on family tonight. Family is so very important... and family is different to everyone. We can't choose them, and if we could, whoever made the rule would be more than famous. Don't laugh! But- I don't want to choose my family. The family that I have, I love. They aren't perfect... by any means. We all have flaws and imperfections, that's the beauty of difference. The real "pretty" is the lessons. We learn from what we see, what we go through, and what we don't.

It isn't family that makes or breaks us... it's us and the decisions we make for ourselves and how we want to live our lives. I am thankful for my family, realizing now more than ever how thankful I am. Dysfunction is in every home to some degree and we all have no rights to judge. There isn't such a thing as a perfect person or the perfect family, and usually the ones that get that label just have things a little more hidden than others... It's all generally there and the same, just do a little digging.

Which comes to why I am so thankful. I have my Faith. I have wonderful and wise grand-parents who are supportive and full of guidance. I have parents and some siblings who have lifestyles that I have learned from. I have the best of friends to share the life that I have made and chosen for myself. That is my family... that I love dearly. Family is what you make it to be. We can't change the cards we are dealt, nor should we want to! You can overcome anything, no excuses to be who you want to be. I grew up with the good and the bad just as everyone does with or without a family. This has tailored me to be someone I am proud of. Though I'm not perfect, it's made the perfect recipe for... me.

So Long, Summer...

If I could bottle up summer and taste it everyday on a long lunch break I would. Summer is a unique pace... one that we all need out of the year. It's a great combination mixed just right to relax. I don't know what I like best: laying out poolside in the toasty sun or not being awoken by the alarm clock. It might be right up there with not doing homework and shuffling around like the crazy soccer mom I am at times. What I do know is that this summer rocked! It was filled with lots of love, friends, family, and some great trips.

Aaron and I took the boys to California and spent some time in Del Mar with my family. We stayed at a beachfront hotel... which is the way to go with kids I soon found out. It made hauling all the food, chairs, toys and umbrella pretty darn easy. Benny and Stink discovered "skim boards" this trip. They are thin pieces of wood similar to a skateboard without wheels that you throw down as the oncoming beach waves go back... skimming across the thin water on the sand. Uncle J-man was a great teacher. Oceanside dinner, sunset watching, and an early morning run along the coast were just icing on this trip. We spent a day at Legoland and checked out the newly added water park. My Arizona boys weren't that excited about it being the water park pro's they are, but they sure enjoyed it... We all did, all about 8 hours of it. Aaron drove us home after our long Legoland day... he earned the daddy-ready stamp, I don't know what else does. I think he was a better trooper than the experienced I at this! I do have a souvenir I would have liked to leave CA without. The wreaking stench of old cooler water that leaked out in the back of the car... smells like something died, which is what I thought. Nothing the good ol' carpet cleaner can't take care of but you better bet this will remind me to cap that water spout at the bottom of the cooler next time!

The boys were spoiled with the beach and all of California's goodies this summer. They deserved it. They went for another week in CA with their Dad after we returned home. So I took advantage of the time I had to myself, which is scarce. Hello Banner PTO! Aaron and I took a trip together to his hometown and then to Table Rock Lake with his family... Beautiful. Warm. Romantic. A great time I would have not wanted to spend with anyone else but my love. It was hard to leave that, but easy to return to my much missed little blondies and our home sweet home we have together.

Our summer was also filled with a trip to the zoo, water parks, pool days, play dates, lazy days, and snuggle moments.

Benny Button also had a birthday! My baby turned 6... so we celebrated it 6 times... Well is what it felt like anyway. Once in Arizona with all of Benny's little friends... in California with family... and the day at Legoland. Happy Birthday again baby boy!!

Dear Summer:

Thank you for your warm days, warmer moments, and free spirit. Can't wait to visit you again next year!

xoxo

Happy 4th of July!!

Nothing like good friends and family on a warm sunny day and cool evening to celebrate the Holiday! Fireworks here, there,

and everywhere....

Lessons on a Father's Day

Here are my two angels in the works of helping our community from going hungry, participating in the Arizona Hunger Campaign. It's a project our church is participating in, so we pitched in this morning and filled up a large bag full of items much needed for those less fortunate. We are too fortunate... but very fortunate to be practicing hospitality. Another great lesson we are learning is opening doors for others, especially the ladies. I haven't had to open the car door for myself since teaching them this, so I think my little gentlemen got it.

Sunday service was unexpectedly touchy for me this morning on Father's Day. We talked about the sometimes underestimated and important role the Father or Father figure plays in a child's life: it's deeply impressionable. Which makes the job of a single Mother double time. This was when I almost broke into a sweat. Stink and Benny have a Dad, one who they love so very much... and look up to. This can be frightening to me with what my children had to go through and face this past year. This makes my job so much harder, but not an unachievable one by any means. It doesn't matter what it's been, it's what you do with it now. They will learn the value of a relationship, of a marriage, respect for themselves and others, and making wise life choices.

I have the best Father. He is making me the strong person I was meant to be, He always knew I could be. He's always been there for me whenever I needed Him and the sometimes when I forget I need Him... and despite my imperfections. He is my Peacemaker, Guider, and Healer. He is my Rock, and the Perfect Father. I am thankful He is in my life... but more thankful He is in my children's lives as well to help raise them into their full potential and be the best men they can possibly be. I'd say we are off to a good start. :)

Happy Father's Day!

Benny's Love Note

About a week-ish ago Benny runs up to me, hands me this paper, and runs off...







I opened it up and had developed teary eyes to go with my smile before I squeezed his breakfast bagel out of him. As if he had a choice in keeping me but, I'm glad to know that if he did, he would. I love you too Benny. Heres to keepers!!

Broken Heart

This must be the year for it. I must write though through all of this pain, I feel better than I ever have been about myself, and I can't explain how much I've grown... and learned. The bitter sweetness to free myself of that sick, 8 year dance I was so careful at maintaining. I took some time for myself, for just me... then for just my boys and I. It takes time, serious time. Realizing where I went wrong, and vowing to myself never to return to that place with another man... again. So many of you want to see me incredibly happy and tell me all the time how deserving I am of that... Thank You. Others can't read this blog anymore... too painful.

I have recognized my pattern in choosing men, and I have had quite the experience in dating them after my divorce. The alcoholic, the cheater, the married man, the work-a-holic, the liar. Remember that Nurse in me? That Nurse in me which makes me feel so good to fix things, to always make them right. Well, the only place that's good for is at my job... and that's where that is staying and going no further. It used to feel good to sacrifice all of me to try to make someone happy, even if that meant I didn't get what I needed out of life and relations. That was the old comfortable place of mine. I'm learning a new love for myself. I am still the giving, caring person I was who will do most anything for anyone I love and don't love... I will never change that. But- I've learned to get what I need in a real relationship and what I give in a relationship mirrored back at me. Anything less is goodbye.

Which comes to a special man that I want to write about... meet Aaron. I will never forget the moment I layed my eyes on that handsome man. We talked... for hours when we first met. The kind of conversation you crave and can't get enough of, something I never had with someone and always wanted. We dated for months... I can't tell you how happy this man made me in those months. I felt things for him I never felt with the person I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with. It's no wonder... this time someone gave to me in a relationship. He gives to her what I give to him. Telling me how beautiful I am inside and out, the time he wanted with me and spent, cooking with me, reading with me, dancing in my kitchen to DMB with me, the lunches he packed before work for me, the CD's he made, the cards and flowers... the so much intimacy. I felt so close, closer to him than anyone yet. It was a good feeling. He will forever have a solid chunk of my heart for that. I needed that. I got to a place where I knew exactly what I wanted, and deserved. I found that in him. He valued me. Through all this he wanted to make a commitment to me and then meet my boys... oh how they loved him. He was so good for us.

I'm sad to say we aren't together anymore. But it's not the end of my happiness. Just a great start... and what a terrific first boyfriend. He is truly an amazing person to me. So here he is... the memories of us. He deserves a spot on my blog for those forever footprints he left in my heart and soul. Thank you for everything you know you did for me and my boys... and all you didn't know you did. Thank you for showing me I can love again, I can trust again. I love you for the you, you were to me...

Summer Break Begins

We are off to a great start! The boys' last day of school was on Wednesday. I now have a future 1st and 2nd grader at home for 8 straight weeks. I am determined to keep them busy, busy enough to avoid them pounding the crap out of each other and every other morsel of brotherly love that occurs when they spend too much time together. They actually get along very well at times, and I am blessed when they have those close brother/friendship moments.

I decided to take them to the Phoenix Zoo for our grand entrance into the summer. So, Thursday morning we all got up at 6 and were ready and at the zoo at 7 am when they opened... which is the only way to do it in this heat. It was so nice because it wasn't crowded yet and the animals were all out enjoying the weather. This was the first time we were at the zoo and saw every animal out! We saw a jaguar up close... Benny only a couple feet away in awe of how big the kitty's teeth were.

We toured over to the children's area where Benny met a turkey... who loved him. There they were: turkey to turkey. Benny ran back and forth outside of the cage while the turkey mimicked him, not losing sight of him.

We walked over to see more exhibits and animals where we came across the spider monkey. I decided that if S. Stink were an animal, this is the animal he would be. We laughed about it but the arms, legs and skinniness of this animal was like a bunch of Stink's in one cage playing around.

We found a fun water pad area after a train ride tour, where the boys were able to go down a water slide and play in the splash zone before we headed home.

Another ending treat was feeding the ducks. I brought a loaf of aging bread along to share with our feathered friends. Little did I know. We not only had ducks, but we also had birds, turtles, and fish. They were eating out of our hands too!!

We certainly filled up the rest of our day post zoo. We had a wonderful lunch, some summer buzz-haircuts for the boys, and basketball practice. Somewhere in there I squeezed in the gym and Chik fil A's family night. So by the time we got home we were all over-whooped.... in a very good way. It was surely a great summer day together!

Mommy Facts Aloud

It was another great Mother's Day for me this year!! I will write it again... I am blessed. Just being with my boys is a gift in itself. I got many of them this year though. I received not 1 but 5 home-made cards with deep heartfelt 5 and 7 year old phrases, all cute and miss-spelled of course. Benny boy made a locket out of a painted match-box and yarn, completed with his picture in it. I was surprised with roses in the morning from my three boys, we went to church with my family and had a wonderful lunch where we got to spend some time with my mother. We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the pool relaxing and ended our day with my favorite... frozen yogurt. Benny had a "Muffins with Mom" event that only kindergartners get to host. Stink did it last year with me and made a lovely Mommy Facts page where honest answers were broad casted in the class... whether you liked it or not. So that's when the whole class got to hear that Mom "sleeps all day". Lovely. So I was thrilled to see what this year brought, so here it is:

This is Benny's mommy facts. Again, this year, the question of what mom does during the day was read aloud to class along with what I like to do for fun. So according to my Benny Boy I watch TV all day. Great! So sleeping and watching TV all day is what my boys think I do when they are at school... oh how nice that would be if it were true, if they only knew. So I am going to put my boys to work and use the Mothers Day coupons I received to take the trash out, wash the car, wash the dishes, put toys away, and get the mail. Then maybe I will get to watch some TV and sleep one of these days. :) Although I have to admit I didn't feel so embarrassed after hearing what another girl said about her mom. She put down that her favorite drink was soda, which what was on her paper. This honest kinder out loud says "But you like beer too mom!" Luckily it was loud in the room and only the surrounding ears heard.

Benny sang "Take me outta the bath tub" in take me out to the ball game tone with his class, so cute.

It was a wonderful day, not all that much different. I still scolded my kids for things and broke up brotherly fights. The difference that made it special is remembering how lucky I am to have great kids, and what a blessing it is to be a mother to them. Things are different for us now-adays and I don't have the time I used to with them being a single parent and the life that comes with that. But even though with that feeling of I can't give my kids what they need all the time, I still feel like a great mom... and I'm doing my very best.

Easter 2010

Yes, it's May and I am just getting around to blogging about our great Easter this year. I have been pleasantly "busy". :) So here it is, our Easter memories in May words:

Easter egg coloring was a complete out for Stink this year, but Benny was all in full hearted... and this year he got the whole Easter Egg coloring table to himself, he loved it, naturally!

The Easter Bunny was so thoughtful this year that the boys got a Derek Jeter action figure and toy American Baseball league caps in the Easter baskets along with the 1/2 ton of candy... we still have... now compiled into a treat bowl. This lingering bowl of candy (especially the chocolate parts) has caused me some serious guilty feelings at the gym.

Now comes my favorite part of Easter... church on Easter Sunday... magnificent as always. It's what it's all about!! Those ties on my boys may have come close though. They get more handsome every year. It's a rule... a tie on Easter Sunday's always, always.

After service we came home, I put a tender chicken dish in the oven for a slow bake and the boys and I went for our Easter Egg Hunt. We did it with the neighbors, house hopping style. It was so much fun to watch, and fun play for the kids. Stink scoped out the eggs at our house before to get some strategy down so of course he stole the majority of the eggs when it came time to hunt at the Carlson home.

We got home, had a wonderful dinner, the three of us... snuggled and prayed thanks for our day. Just another wonderful Sunday.

Hiking Season: Closed

The beauty, breeze and sun during the winter and spring seasons mixed in with great friends in this wonderful state of mine are just right for lots of things... but one in particular is hiking. I thoroughly enjoyed it this year as I discovered a super sweet spot fortunately close to my house. I went with some great girlfriends of mine where during our 5-6 mile hikes figured out is perfect for those good girly talks, and as a bonus adding some definition to our calves. I love my girlfriends, and I believe I have the best of them... good, solid, real relationships. Even with those great girls of mine that I didn't get to enjoy this with this time... just makes me excited for that opportunity this next season.

So, now to devour the wordage in the title of my blog posting, "closed". Yes, no more hikes for me/us this year. So a friend of mine and all of our boys went up for a short hike on a fun day of no school. S. Stink asks as he starts to become motionless in the back seat of the car drive headed to the mountain, "Mom, are there snakes out here?" In which I reply, " Yes of course, but they are hibernating honey." So then and there he makes it very clear he doesn't want to see one... at all, and becomes cautious but confident from moms reassurance. That starts our hike. We are headed in to our trail not even 5 minutes and ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch as us girls look over and 2 feet away from my friends foot was a coiled up rattlesnake "ch-ching" away ready to strike. So we scream in sync (as hard as we can) and I ran as fast as I think we both could. The boys turn around and look at their probably pale mothers with their wide eyes wondering what on this God made mountain was going on. Thankfully they were a smidgen ahead of us. That was certainly the end of that distance though... at least for Stink. He was glued to the hip of mom sorting through each bush on our path along the trail. That was another moment when I am thankful for my blackberry as I pulled up the list of what to do when bitten by a snake and the number for poison control... just in case. So that was enough, enough for me to say season closed.

It called for some yummy in the tummy thrifty ice cream for our scared little hikers... and by the pictures, I think they enjoyed it! I don't believe enough though to tag along with us Moms next time...