Monday Memorabilia



 

I scored some fun finds in the backpacks this morning... I am thoroughly relieved that Benny doesn't have plans to break his arm this year or ask for a monkey. This made for interesting thoughts expressed over breakfast, especially about flying elephants. I drew a picture of a flying elephant (in secret) before the kids left for school and stuck it in Benny's lunch for a good afternoon laugh today... I would show, but I'm too embarrassed to share the finished project. I do not have any gifted talents in that department. But what I will share is a few loving crush creations from some girlies down the street... made for the boys which I thought was cute, now anyways.

 

Then as I was making my rounds 'chore checking' before the little pickles were off to school. I found a sweet scene that touched my heart to make a genuine smile on my face. Their "guys" that they still play with sometimes in the bath. It looks like Letty even had some fun with a few toes on Hulk.

 

I know there will come a day when my babes don't play with toys in the tub, or even use their imaginations to come up with wonders about flying elephants, and the girls will be doing much more than coloring pictures for my men.

 

But today... I soaked it up to enshrine in my memory.



Chelly Beans in Texas

Every girl needs a friend to pray and play with... talk about the deep and the light thoughts... even after months of not doing so, pick right back up where things were left at. A friend to make you laugh so hard it takes you to a mutual silent stare where you cry and need to remind yourself to breathe, don't pee your pants. I needed a good dose of my Chelsea and with it being my Birthday, New Years right around the corner and all of the days off of work I had with my boys... we were headed to Texas to see her and her family.

We were all thrilled for our last minute getaway. There was just this 16 hour drive ahead of us, that's all. There wasn't much to look at along the grey and brown road trip so in addition to the movies and games, mom developed a weird Texas accent and Bieber Fever in the car when the hours added up. The boys thought it was quite amusing, and I was amusing my own self. I was tired from doing really nothing, my eyeballs hurt, and my body that felt like it was traveling at 80 mph during standstill was stuck in a kinked driver's position until the sweet lady at Nordstrom Spa massaged me straight again.

But I got to see my Chelly... and the boys got to play with their dear friend. The girls were silly girls and boys were rowdy boys. Totally worth it.

The Sergeant and Benny did some ice skating while mom had due girl talk over substandard Italian food.

There was this really neat hotel we all took a visit to together. The grandest part of it was an Ice Exhibit there, full of sculptures made entirely of ice in a 9 degree atmosphere. As if that wasn't enough, ice slides and snow tubing races were to follow.

On most every family vacation Sergeant Stink or I get sick... we take turns. It was my turn, I guess. I didn't just get sick though, I was super ill. Like I thought I could die for this particular twelve hours until the relief came from the IV fluid resuscitation and Zofran that was given. I spent the end of 2012 in the hospital with Chelly reflecting on the irony that of all our wild young excursions we took in high school now we end up in a place like this together... adult, mature, and due to nothing remotely exciting. We did make the most of it over sparkling water, squeezed in some more convos while we listened to others hack in the lobby.

Until Mom's speedy recovery... Benny and S Stink spent time with their friend over at Grandma Leslie's house that was decorated as a Winter Wonderland sprinkled with the love of little boys: nerf amo and fort messes. Thank you Grandma Leslie for taking such wonderful care of my muffins and helping me confirm a few things.

You are an amazing person with a heart of gold. Who plays the piano great and with true joy.

Who taught my Benny (that has always eyed pianos along with Mom) a precious song that day.

Who made me realize that we need keys and lessons in this cozy home of ours. I can't wait.

Thank you all... for a meaningful trip, Chelly and our friendship's blessings, and Texas. We will be back :)

Memorable Double Digits

I am 30 and my son is 10. Yeeksh.

It seems like just moments ago that little nugget was in my womb. Then I had one blessing after another to make it my most purposeful decade. It has made me see that some of the best things in the plan of life are unplanned, and not to your plans anyway. Try as you might to change your fate, but do this knowing you may miss some major blessings. I have enjoyed every ounce and taken in every lesson to learn the best way that I can with what I have been given. And I can't imagine my world without you and what you started, Sergeant Stink. Let's celebrate!

But first... I want to write that I love you, so much.

10 is a big one... so we honored it twice. Round one at a Cards game, and with Stink's best buddy, plus a couple feet of cotton candy to handle. Now, the Cardinals are not his favorite team, but no one could ever tell with the extreme support and unforgettable touch down faces. This was a game consisting of one of the rare Cardinal wins this season... good pick love!

Round two of course had something to do with football as well... Now, for a game of his own. All I had to do was buy the venue and food... Stink managed the rest, and very well. He came up with a plan, instructed on all of his invites which position was to be played and what color each player needed to wear. Mom made the rule to bring the flags. And he requested that I bring the timer. I later found out that this was to time the quarters as he stood out on the field with his playbook full of his made plays... with his own playing position as all time quarterback and running his party.

You are going to be something big someday honey. I only hope that this was your best Birthday yet, and made you feel as special as you are.

Now... I wasn't as thrilled about turning 30 as Stink was about turning 10. I really didn't dream that this age would ever bother me. Then it soon did. The sound of 3-0 seemed more intimidating after thinking about all of the things that could and did happen in those 30 years... which is a lot. Enough to make me dye my hair dark and feel slightly seasoned. I feel like in your 20's you think you get life when it's barely starting. You figure out who you are and what you want. The 30's are to embrace and enjoy that. I've decided I'm going to wear my 30's as well as this new dark hair of mine. I had a very memorable night to psyche me up for my continued adventures. It was 80's style and theme since I was born in 1982. I had my Madonna glove along with some others, and even shared one. It complimented my big hair, dark make-up and leg warmers. Saw a great comedian. Made lasting memories. Had so much fun.



 So scary as it sounded, 30 ended up looking and tasting... delicious. And it will just get better...

A Very Merry Christmas 2012

I made 4 different types of pancakes for my Christmas breakfast spread... lit the candles... turned on the season lights and music in my Christmas dress as I waited for my babies to walk through my door. I couldn't wait...

Santa came.

He wraps my presents in gold with a "J", Benny's in red with an "A", and my Sergeant's in green with a "D". Santa even brought Scarlet a present marked with her "S" in silver wrap. Great Grandma and Grandpa's was the brightest under the tree, in a brilliant hue of green with a G&G.

Mom got some bling-bling... which will always rise those big cheeks of mine and expose my many teeth, by the looks of me.

Benny got a surprise... and wasn't sure how he felt about that by the looks of him.

S. Stink got a phone... which was just what he wanted by the looks of him.

Letty got her own gingerbread man, that squawks and squeaks, which feels good by the looks of her.

Better than that was college funds that were started:

And even better than that is the best... the gifts that we already have. Those that don't hold a price for purchase. Each other... our happiness and health all together in the same place and all day to spend time with, just a plus. To look at each other and take it all in from old to young... snuggle it and watch silly Christmas movies with it. To cherish it, yet another year.

I wish you a Merry Christmas... sweet memories of your own... and in a heart so absolutely big you could burst! (No matter where you are on your path)