All he wants for Christmas...

is his two front teeth. Every time that Christmas tune comes on we get excited this year... I tell Benny that's his song... and he owns it.

This is what they really want:

Benny...

Sergeant Stink... (He made the dot, dot, dots at the end!) I would really like to think that he gets that from me, but he is just using it properly. I made my materialistic boy who likes "stuff" slim down his 2 page list. So I guess the dot-dots represent the other pages.

 

 

Meet Wayne Peppermint...

He is our elf on the shelf that arrived right before Thanksgiving. He wrote this:

Wayne Peppermint came to us last year from the Hallmark Store or really as the story goes from The North Pole as Santa's helper. He watches over the boys and if they are nice, flies to Santa every night and reports the behavior and what is on the Christmas wish lists. When he returns in the night he flies to a different place in the house. The boys wake up (very early) every morning to see where Wayne is. If he is in the same spot as the prior day, Wayne saw some naughty behavior and didn't report to Santa (or mom forgot to move him). He has found some creative spots this year... and he loves candy canes. The boys are allowed and encouraged to tell him anything they want, but one main rule is... he cannot be touched. He is ours to play with until Christmas Eve, where he goes back to The North Pole and that is where he stays... until next Thanksgiving.

Scarlet & The Studies

My Sergeant's big eye's were sunken in, he was hot and he was thirsty. He had output from a few uncomfortable areas making him look and weigh his bare minimum. I thought if a breeze came by he might drift away with it. So I held him close and swaddled him while we enjoyed some Christmas movies together in Mom's bed. I fed him homemade turkey noodle soup when the time was right and until then created some Gatorade popsicles and dipped him in a few oatmeal baths. This flu seemed pretty bad until I saw all of his make-up work that had to be finished from school. I think that was worse. As soon as my love was hydrated it was time to tackle this. I wasn't excited but gave him words of encouragement when I needed some myself. I felt like a teacher and a new mother not having any time for herself again. We did it though, with short breaks in between... and some help from Letty. That's our 8 pounds of love and joy, Scarlet.

Stink, in an obvious needed break got off the chair wearing nothing but his underwear, put Scarlet in his backpack and walked around the house like he was going to take her to school. Besides it being too cute she loved it. Then he propped her right up on the table where he wished she could just finish the rest of his tasks. I was about done with metaphors and similes at this point too.

Letty fits right in to our home. Her hair is confused and her nails get really long. Aside from that she is potty trained now and learning commands. She knows my tones and respects them. She can handle 12 hour shifts. Letty has tender eyes that reflect her intelligence and alter with her ears as she figures out her new world. She's spontaneous and full of life. She runs and jumps super fast. She looks for the moment when I sit so she can snuggle. She buries her head on my chest and I have a spot on hers where I kiss. She loves popcorn. She loves car rides. When I tell her we are going to get the babies she spins and up goes the ears. Letty loves Benny's smell and licks him like crazy. She chases the Sergeant and lays to watch sports with him... And now, helps him feel better when he really needs it. We love you girl.

Giving Thanks

Yes! My Christmas lights are up and the holiday cheer has spread itself all over my house and soul. You know I couldn't wait. You shouldn't ever have to break a sweat and need sunglasses as your decorating for Christmas, but I did. Before all of this though... we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Almost every day I like to cook, every Thanksgiving I love to cook and every so often at this time of year I like to throw down a column of Thanks. I am appreciative of all that I have, all that I don't have and whatever awaits ahead. So here it goes, and in no particular order:

This card I recieved in the mail... it made me cry

-My Faith
-My Children
-Our Health
-Coconut Pancakes
-The look with lost teeth
-Long Eyelashes
-Sharing someones last moment on this earth
-The innocent energy of a puppy
-Soft smiles
-Hard laughs
-Leggings
-My job...s
-Promotions!
-My mind
-Good books
-Spirit filled Pastors
-Hardworking Doctors
-Scrupulous Surgeons
-The dirty smell of my boys (I love it)
-Roller Skates
-Men, of all kinds
-Red bows
-Red Lips
-Birthdays
-Mountains
-Tears: of joy and pain
-A voice to sing
-Popcorn
-Teachers!!
-Coaches!
-My Kitchen
-Tough times
-Snuggles
-Movies with snuggles
-Kisses with snuggles
-Did I mention snuggles?
-Baby giggles
-Nice feet
-Rain
-Good Ears
-Acts of Kindness
-Sports Games
-Talks at the Table
-Focused Parents
-The smell of orange blossoms
-Technology
-When my boys run up and squeeze me
-My Peace
-Beauty, the inside type
-Girlfriends
-The feelings when you fall in love
-The honor roll
-Grandparents
-Sneezing
-Neighbors
-The USA
-Hardcore Fitness Instructors
-What I'm thinking as I look at my kids
-Every breath I take
-Every heart beat I'm granted
-You

I could go on and on. I'm also thankful for having the day before and the day of Thanksgiving off of work this year. The art of cooking for Thanksgiving is all about the preparation, I have learned. I baked pies and prepped casseroles plus marinated the turkey and chopped veggies as I made my house ready for company the day before. I also had the time to plan a Turkey Bowl for the little boys in the neighborhood- plus some.

Here they are, in teams:

and the big boys...

and mimosas over girl talk... Thanks Yella.

So we played football, we watched some great football... and I actually relaxed (thanks to my prep day) and even got to watch some special dance videos that reminded me of what I did in my younger days. We shared our Holiday with family & friends and I ended it with falling asleep, naturally, with my boys on the couch.

I am and feel truly Blessed...

The Blonde Daze are Oh-vah-ah!

Five years ago I pondered with the idea and went with something totally different. Two years ago I wanted to do it. Two weeks ago, I did it. My girlfriends have always told me it would look wonderful. Their advise, though taken to heart, got knocked away many times by a simple comment from a stranger on how lovely my platinum locks look. I wore it well, for many years... in different cuts, shades, and lengths. And yes, it was pretty... but I was ready. I was much passed the sweet comments. When I was really young I remember just wanting very long, super blonde and straight hair with my light eyes. I had it!

It's about that time of year when more dark heads are seen. That nudged me a bit. I saw it on some friends and that nudged me a smidgen more. Someone wrote down the place, stylist and price for me on a post-it of where to do the deed and there I had it. No turning back.

I was a little nervous here... when the Colorist was putting the primer on. I had my girlfriends there as photogs, support, and to keep me from running out of the double doors at Toni & Guy.

 Just when my eyes and I thought the primer was a dark enough look to adjust to every time the chair spun around to the mirror... she lathered on more with her brush. This is the true color that I asked for setting in now. I'm uneasy at this point and it looks like I'm praying and wondering what I'm doing. I remember thinking how in just a few quick hours my years of blonde is gone, like that! As I am in this state, my bestie is wearing a smile and chanting darker in my ear... that ear that didn't want to hear...

Here it is, wet and done

I walked out excited but not sure what I had done really. It just looked black to me, as someone said it would. I hurried home to whip some curls in and play with it before my babies got home. I reminded them in their lunch love note that day that they were coming home to a new haired mommy. I heard the garage and pitter-patter of shoes run to my locked door. They pounded and wanted in, wanting to see. I had a few last curls and a few minutes to brace myself for the great reveal.

And here it is and their faces:










Benny wouldn't kiss me. He asked me if my friend could take him to his baseball game today instead of me. My Sergeant's opinion was nicer, but not much. He informed me that he believes light eyes go with light hair and dark eyes go with dark hair. They examined me for a very long time. Then my friend took Benny to his game.

And here is my take:
I love it so darn much it makes me question what was I ever doing as a blonde. It's a gorgeous rich chocolate with a mysterious shimmer. It has the slightest hint of my sexy red. My eyes glow brighter. My high cheeks seem fuller. My skin looks smoother. It looks hot even in my hats. It makes me feel freshened up again. It's me. Still me. Another perk about being a woman: You can always change it up for a fun, new spice. Especially when your craving some difference. It is true what they say about woman and changing their hair. We wear and share our stories... we do.

































What does yours tell? Me? I am ready for a new chapter...

P.S.

I did it.

 

I love it.

 

 

More to come...

9 Hallowieners

Fall is here, and it's finally in the air too. The air that comes through my open door and mixes with my favorite scented candle as I cook, love on my children and enjoy my own peace in my home. I was absolutely thrilled to drag out my Halloween storage boxes from the garage and start dropping bits of this holiday all over.  Then it dawned on me as I moved to box two that I really got rid of a TON of stuff last year going through things. So what I thought in my mind was going to take up 1 day took up 1 very quick hour. I decorated light this year, but my heart is still the fullest of the spirit.

I decided to host and work in a Costume Halloween Party for the boys and their friends. Just when I thought I was borderline nuts I became so, so glad I did this. It was perfect. It was fun. And we are doing one every year. I had a great time planning and prepping for this. I made some mummy pizzas, mummy toes, Frankenstein cups, veggie eyeballs, rotten apple punch, and these monster fingers that took me hours carving creases into mozzarella cheese.

 

The spread was cute and between the high fiber muffins for the pizzas and then the punch I was beginning to get concerned with the amount of fiber and boys contained in my house in one evening. So I made sure to have some outside games planned in the cool breeze.

We started out welcoming all and playing pumpkin ball. I made up a few of these games and goodies from my noggin but some were with help from spoonful and moms who think dot com. Plus I always take a few inspiring ideas and then make it my own beautiful creation anyway. Every time the boys won a game they went on a ghoulish riddle treasure hunt for the prize... Stink's idea. Benny made sure we bobbed for apples and us three decided on sticking a pear in there to throw everyone off. We went to the school and played monster back stop where things got a little heated so back home we went for more. The boys' favorite game was murder, they played. Kind of like real life "clue" in a circle. After, we played Mr. Bones relay race and who's the best mummy out of teams and rolls of TP.

We caramelized our bobbed apples and then played creepy musical chairs. We ended the night with tears, scary stories by the fire and one seriously tuckered out mother.

Stink was pissed that he didn't win all of the games so he worked in a fit while the rest were by the fire. After some mommy coaching I told him that he should go out and scare everyone. So he pulled it together and put his morph suit back on, grabbed a flash-light and a better attitude. I returned to the fire to say Dayton was so upset and is in his room for the night. After a bit the pool turned off and the lights flickered. The boys screamed like girls, got up to look around and ran when they saw a little light in the corner (which was Stink and his dim flashlight). My third son gets scared easily and cried, so Benny stayed with him inside until the night was over. It was a hit and lots of fun for everyone.

I had my own dress up and added good times. I skipped the last couple years which was a shame... no more of that please.

I was a Robert Palmer girl from the famous addicted to love music video. I love videos and my 80's plus have loved that one since I was a little girl. I wanted to be her last year and the year before. My new dark hair made it pop. I worked the day of my festivity and end of shift things came up as they do. So I had 30 minutes to make myself up. I don't wear much makeup so I had some trouble with the eyes. I just brushed on some smokey colors and really red lips, pulled my hair back and tights up... whalah! It was a great night with a great friend... and more Fall Fun!!

Sergeant's Sprinkles

Yesterday marked the first day of Fall... I was so excited. I got up quite early, waiting for the doors of my gym to open and ran just over 5 miles. Then as I was springing curls in my hair for the Sergeant's game and sipping on cinnamon tea, singing,  I was thinking of how I am going to decorate my house today for the season... and light my favorite candle while I do it.  

The real Fall feeling only lasted hours that morning. I got to Stink's game and my shade umbrella couldn't be positioned right, so the sun rapidly warmed me. Warmed me to a sweat in S. Stink's jersey when I cheered his first tackle. As half-time approached so did an unpleasant dehydration headache. I realized at this moment I got a little too excited this morning and my Fall plans were premature. Between the dirty football team we were up against, nagging parents and crying kids my 5am perky flower feeling turned into a wilted flower one... in need of water and some rest. I crashed and burned at home after I told my Sergeant how well he did powering through that brutal game. This was a game that we lost but remembered the lesson. The lesson of integrity and doing what is right through true sportsmanship. If you have fun and do your best you always win according to Mom.

That helped Stink through the afternoon... it only took him so far though. As soon as he could tell Mom and brother were re-charged he had plans to win by score at something that day. So he said we were going to the park to play:

-Swings
-Hangin for Bait
-Tickle Monster
-Tag
-Football
-Soccer
-Backstop

And we needed to play all of them, and if we did he would make us Sundaes with sprinkles. So he got his grocery list ready and packed his backpack for the park.

I don't know where he got all of this energy from at this hour and on game day but we all went with it. I got a Hail Mary play (out of luck) and reminded him where he gets his legs from. He made his brother feel terrible and won at ALL of the games we played so he could feel better.

At least we got these out of the deal. Stink couldn't even finish his because he fell asleep after all of that on this non-Fall day. My sweet Benny and I snuggled and watched Jumanji as I rubbed his little sun-kissed cheeks with aloe vera. As for me and my candle... we will wait for cooler days.

Baby, I know

I fall in love with my children more everyday. As they change my hope is that I help them grow. My Sergeant is going through an odd tooth stage, currently. He has two very large front teeth with the surrounding teeth either being very small yet or just barely coming in. So the only meaning I found in this change was some laughter at the breakfast table this morning. We were seeing how many different faces we could get him to make accentuating this look. As you can see he doesn't mind this temporary style... He's having as much fun with it as we are watching it. 

 

 

This is my sweet Sergeant who is struggling a bit right now. My Sergeant who is strong and can bare a multitude of various things at once and still pop out a positive sentence in the midst. I've seen him crack a bit lately. He doesn't like to show that side to me... but when he does he's never ashamed and always comfortable as long as it doesn't affect his 'man of the house' label he thinks he's earned. He tells me today that the 4th grade is hard. His class environment is a little more disorganized than he likes or is used to. He is adjusting. He got that very nasty virus Benny and I shared... he got it the worst actually and gave me more than a few frightening airway scares. He is still recovering. He is practicing football hours every week. He is enduring physically. He still goes from house A to house B. He is persevering. He's being maxed out in every 9 year old area just about. Baby, I know. So I'm going into a protective mode with close and watchful eyes on my dear son. Stink says the classroom is getting better and I know personally the tiresome length of this viral illness will pass in time giving him more energy to focus everywhere else. If not, mom will need to do some adjusting that we discussed today. 

 

In the meanwhile here is Benny and I watching some of that physical endurance at Stink's football game. He has recovered the ball, intercepted and made a few tackles. So proud of that pickle. How I do love you honey.



My three boys and a couple of big teeth... ;)

 

 

And this super cute ring I found today. I surprised Benny with it after school to let him know I'm ready and so excited to see him in baseball... which starts this week!

Nurse Benny

Last year S. Stink was sick at the beginning of the school year. This year Benny took his turn to capture some back to school bugs, but brought them home to share. How sweet. It started in on me Friday... then yesterday, I felt it full blown as I awoke. My chest was warm, even more as I coughed and my whole body ached. It felt like every nerve in my body was on fire and about to burst through my eyeballs that were only halfway open. I didn't want to budge. I didn't. Benny took one look at me and knew exactly how I felt. He went to the kitchen and made my tea for me. Then he cooked me my oatmeal... with fresh blueberries even. Brought it all to me in my bed, took my temperature twice and layed with me. It was the best oatmeal I've had. It gave me enough energy to take DayQuil. Then as soon as that kicked in I was able to get myself together enough to pull out some homemade burritos I had frozen long ago. It was my emergency stash... the 5 minute lunch that didn't taste like it to the boys. My fever was broken and I started to get an antihistamine buzz to put me back to sleep for a nap. I woke up to this...

I didn't know if it was part of a febrile dream or the real deal. It was real. Benny cheeringly told me he had used all of the tape. He wouldn't say what for. I put my head back into the pillow and briefly braced myself for what my house must look like at this moment. I got up and it was fine and we still had a little tape left. Benny surely knew how to get me on the rise. I had to bribe him with an I-phone app to get that picture of his drawn-on face. Then he must have thought that I looked just lovely being ill, because he tried to make me into a zombie. By the end of the day I was equally sick of my bed and the cheesy movies that were on. I didn't want to leave the house but needed some fresh air. The boys got me to take them for yogurt. The car was disgustingly hot and I prayed I didn't see anyone there, but of course I did.

A half box of tissues, lots of water and many packets of theraflu later I am feeling better... Benny was okay after a few days of this crud too and I hope that Stink doesn't get it. I do know that my dear Benny made a great Nurse. He took care of me, showed me love, made me get up and made me smile.

I just adore the combination of this sweet story and my Sergeant's loving voice...

Our Color, Our New Baby

Its the color that when worn, I feel beautiful and confident. I wear it on my lips for that evening look. Sometimes I wear it underneath my clothes when I'm feeling a bit secretive and saucy. It's pretty on my toes. It makes my body look fabulous in a swim suit. It's the color of my work shoes which my mother thinks are hideous. But I love them.

It is the color of the bow I put on our new baby puppy to meet the boys as they arrived home from their first day of school. It was love, it was amazing. We all decided she looks beautiful in red as well, so we named her "Scarlet".

My mom found her on Sunday, my favorite day of the week. We have been researching dogs for some time and the boys and I were certain a small white Maltipoo or Maltese was the fit for us. Scarlet is small, but certainly not white... a deep blue-black and tan. She's everything perfect for us though. Funny how you plan and prepare for something you think you want and will do great with, then something comes along better than you can ever expect. That's our Scarlet. I don't even know exactly what she is, but what I do know is that it doesn't matter. We love her.

I try to take her everywhere with me. She licks and bites everything including noses, kid nipples, and the heels of my black boots... we are working on that. She was trying to drag the Sergeant around by his underpants this morning and bit his bum. Sometimes she is gassy. She is so super smart... already knows where to go potty (most times) and knows how to give kisses on command. She remembers things I tell her and listens. She eats pincher bugs and chases ants. She loves my boys... she adores me. She is super playful yet likes some space at times. I love that pure child-like play of hers... making innocent mistakes but just wanting to please the people she loves. She likes mirrors and stands up to big dogs. She plays in Benny's room at night and goes under Sergeant's bed when she hears thunder. She fits right in with us- she's a snuggler and likes to be held. She moans when your holding her and she's missed you. She smells so good. I can tell she is going to slow me down a bit, and that's okay.

She is sooo cute (especially in her bling red collar)... a perfect creation from above... love!


PS- had to add this picture in here... Mom's color rubbed off onto someone's choice of football cleats... almost cuter! ;)

Benny turns... 8!

Happy Birthday Love... it was most def a happy one, one of my favorites for you. My little men are getting so big and the parties seem to just get more fun the older they get. Benny woke up to a brand new, shiny bike in his favorite color... orange. It was the hardest color to find on a bike, but I was determined my sweet son was going to get what he wished for. Especially when one day leading up to his birthday he says, "Mom, it's okay if you can't get me an orange bike. There are other things that I like too." That just gave me an extra nudge in the tush to find the perfect one.

I let Ben-Tenny pick two good friends that were able to go spend two days and one night at a water park resort. Sergeant Stink and the party crew went early to decorate the room very special to welcome the next year of joy he is going to bring into my life, and others as well. I captured and adored the happy but gentle look on his face as we all yelled "surprise" when he opened the door to his friends and party scene. Benny doesn't tend to express his excitement in a 'wahoo' manner but with a soft smile and glow of appreciation in his eyes. That's how I know he's truly touched.

We went down a few super high water slides, tubed down the lazy river, and swam until we were hungry for pizza and cake...
The boys decided to wear the cake on every part of their faces before eating it. Then before eating it looked in the mirror to see who wears the best icing look. It was late night swimming across from our room playing marco-polo until the boys were literally wiped. Then all over again the next morning. It was kind of sad to pack up and go... we all had a darn blast.

It was the only party where I ever lounged in a bikini sipping on a drink watching and then actually playing with my Birthday Boy, his friends and my family... all with minimal mess to clean up. Just a little planning and packing involved. Surely beat those Chuck E Cheese and Peter Piper parties pleasing 15+ children and adults briefly in 3 hours (though they were still fun). This one took the birthday cake... for us all.

Love Note Day

It was a day that marked the end of the truest part of Summer for us. I said "bye" to my children with kisses, hugs, grabs, and my high pitched mommy-in-love voice. Then it hit me and I cried very unexpectedly as they drove off and all that was left was me... My boobs were sore so I know it was part hormones but mostly to blame on the fact that we just had another awesome summer break together- that I will cherish but will very much miss my boys, just being there and hanging out.

Then I pulled it together and tackled some things I won't miss too much. Sticky portions on the counter (and floor to match) and items placed in odd spots. Honestly, it wasn't all that bad. The boys are really helping out around the house- sometimes I have to ask a couple times but they are becoming more respectful and responsible with each summer.

My Sergeant told me this was the best summer, on a random day, just randomly with an honest tone and look to my eyes. He was right, the best so far. We didn't do anything super spectacular, but had the most spectacular moments as a family. We decided to find our summer love with each other and locally. We didn't even get to explore everything on my mental summer local list... there is so much to do here and the possibilities are positively endless when some thought is applied. The boys did request to extend the "summer fun box" project. I was told that just because school is starting doesn't mean the summer is over, so we must continue, and must share later.

The boys do get sick of each other towards the summer break's end, even though they are the best of friends. The fights are frequent, words get more creative and the house gets louder. Benny even said he didn't care if he saw his brother for the rest of his life during one of the last days... he said it with hesitation followed by a long dinner conversation hosted by mom.  

My house is now almost spotless clean, ready for the year and the first love note for the lunch boxes was already written. The kids are now back to school. I started to write about it last night but didn't quite make it... my boys interrupted me with a snuggle request and I fell fast asleep. Benny and I were in a simultaneous breathing rhythm as I held him and felt my Sergeant's nose air on my skin as he smelled his mom right to sleep. Put me to sleep, putting them to sleep... all the way until 5:40am today. Just in time to make pancakes and send those muffins off with my love to their next school-year adventure.

I may be a little delayed during the summer when it comes to some things... but the pace is right with the best reasons... us.

What a summer... <3