Jolly Saint Nicholas'

This is the first year the boys know the truth about Christmas. Or last years could have been and I was just made aware this year. At Easter the boys confessed. They found 2014 Christmas presents under my bed. Then the confession continued... as they told me they searched for stocking stuffers and found them in the closet and then a game system under my bedside table. This all took place at the dinner table when we discussed the focus and real meaning of Easter and it wasn't about an Easter bunny. 

So this year we focused on what Christmas is about. Family and giving to others. The boys made a list. This wasn't their typical one. This list had the names of others they would like to give to. I shared with them that I give our yearly story to others in cards, bake, host, make and purchase presents... for others. Spending precious time with cherished friends and family to make new memories and have laughs about old ones is also a gift of Christmas. 

I woke up, very early on Christmas morning as I always do. This was even after working multiple 12-13 hour back to back shifts. The excitement is that real. It was even still dark out. I awoke and started celebrating this birth of Jesus day. I put the music on and steeped fresh herbal leaves of Earl Grey in a steaming cup for the perfect tea as my babes lay fast asleep. I cooked gingerbread pancakes. The aroma and kitchen clatter woke my Sergeant, then Benny to quickly follow. They begged.... begged to open up gifts before Great Grandma and Grandpa came. We decided on opening up our family gifts together on this quiet Christmas morning first... including the stockings. Grandma Shari took the boys Christmas shopping to carry out their lists of giving. They were just as excited to see me open their gift to me as I was to see them open theirs. It wasn't much this year but like always, quality trumps quantity... the intangible included.  My jolly ole Saint Nicholas' filled my stocking with sweet, meaningful words. I thought maybe it could be another maltese in there but it was the best Christmas Card I have gotten yet. 

It reminded me that they are true boys/men... cramming in all the holidays they can to simplify. It made my heart so happy. What was next to best was the beautiful, fancy fragrance they knew I loved and wrapped up for mom. They always make me feel like a Queen, their Queen. 

Queenie got some goodies for her little Christmas Princes. This years big gift was a hoverboard for Stink and a Drone for Benny. The Sergeant picked up this balance thing on his board super quick. I had him learn in the house until he bumped into a wall. Benny flew his drone into a backyard so we decided the open park was the best place for practice. But first tea-time with Grandma and collegial gifts from Grandpa followed by a Christmas ham dinner was had. 

The Sergeant took an awful spill on the way to the park. It was a hoverboard fail. One that would have landed us in the ER on Christmas with a head injury if his helmet wasn't worn. Love my helmet rule and my precious, safe children. When he recovered the boys took it to the grass and perfected their skills as I pranced around with them smelling good. 

Our pooches got a great Christmas as well. They each had a spa day being pampered and fluffed to their softest. Ruby got a Christmas dress and ponytail. She wouldn't keep her pony in longer than 10 seconds. Crimson got a new bed and Scarlet a bone. The bone that the other two envied. One would steal it while the other two were fighting over it... a strategic plan that went on throughout the day. This gifted Christmas day. 

We ended it with my third son coming over who was here from Texas and spent the night with the boys. Mom had a cozy evening watching Christmas movies snuggling with her festive pooches. It was a little quiet this year and I felt the void of my Dad. I missed him but know he was looking over us having a beautiful Christmas remembering him in our hearts. 

It was another unforgettable Christmas at the Carlson home, our new Carlson home!! Our intangible Christmas gift...

Love.

A Teeny Big B-Day

Thirteen years ago I woke up and knew this was the day. The day I was going to be a parent. Every first time parent has some idea of what this parent-hood thing may be like, but you truly don't know until it happens to you. It is nothing but selfless love, the greatest that I have yet to know. A perfect body and soul in an imperfect world handed over to you to shape, shelter and nurture.  It's a big job... the most precious of jobs. Not always the easiest. So you grow it with the greatest love and attention you can. 

Sergeant Stink turned 13 today. It may sound a bit cliche but this time thing really goes by so fast. I found the most suiting card for my dear boy... and it looks like his brother did as well. 

We planned a fun filled day full of activities and friends. Being the quality time hoard I am, I told my Sergeant I really wanted a little something for just him and I in the morning. We decided to go on a Birthday run. On our run we spotted some horses and I pulled him to go look at them. A man came over to us and asked if we would like to feed them and of course we did. This wonderful neighbor came out and let my Birthday boy ride on her sweet horse, Jet. Jet was dark, gentle and quiet with healing eyes. After feeding him his tangelos my boy got to bare back ride on Jet. We brushed his body and rubbed his face as we looked at those healing eyes of his. It was an unforgettable birthday start. 

Then I was reminded at the end of our run that today I have a teenager and I set a new rule after a slug bug. You see, the slug bug game is fun when your children are little. As they get older the punch gets a bit stronger and it hurts. Today's sighting will leave a shoulder bruise so I kindly reminded my Sergeant that this game is no longer played with girls... especially Mom. We instead took our games to the racing track. Stink go-karted with his buddies then we were off to Krampus at the theaters. We took our party back to Seville where neighbors, snow-play, pasta and oreo ice cream cake awaited. 

It was a treat because the Sergeant's dear friend was in town and his mom just happens to be a dear friend of mine as well. Her mother creates a cookie decorating event each year for her kids and grandkids. It was so kind to be included in this special time on this special day. 

It reminds me that family and quality time with important moments who support you in life matter. You live life as though everything is a miracle, because it truly is. I am grateful everyday for my motherhood, my dear children and all of those sweet people who made this important day special for my loving son. Goodbye slug-bugs, hello teenage years! We welcomed you well today.

Column of Thanks

I must end the traditional Thanksgiving weekend with my traditional column of thanks, of course! It was a simple holiday for us as we have been battling a tossed around bacterial respiratory bug in our household. It manifested as pneumonia and bronchitis with everlasting fevers, night sweats, weight loss, so much fatigue, body and bone aches, the terrible coughing and multiple rounds of antibiotics through hospital and doctors visits, which has effected quite everything. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, you suck. Longest me and my baby have ever been down. As a mother, I would risk, all over again getting terribly ill to take care of my dear boy who needs his mother the most when he is sick. I was bound to catch something with the motherly nurse care I gave to him... but guess who reciprocated that when I couldn't? My dear boys... I don't know what I would do without them. My home, pooches and everyday business that a mother does to keep her home and schedules running smoothly has been a wreck and slowly getting caught up as I get better everyday. But those babies of mine are a huge help, and helped with what they could. Even snuggles... which are oh so important!

So here it goes in no particular order but the first shall be:

Health

Antibiotics

Doctors
Nurses

Surgeons... especially mine

My Faith

Employment

Ventilators

Medicine

Science

Evidence based practice

My patients... who teach me everyday

Being Humble

New Homes

Fab Realtors

Fab Mortgage Peeps

Children

My Maltie Baby

My Pooches

My Glam Girlfriends

Guy Friends too

Dancing

Boots

Red Lipstick

Pale Polish

Smooth Skin

Long Locks

Heels

Dresses

A Stove to cook on

An oven to bake

Sparkly Kitchens

Seasonal Decor

A Good Song

Coldplay

The peaks... and the valleys

The smell of orange blossoms

Pie
Loose leaf tea
Natural Remedies

Organic goodness

Bubble Baths

Good Lotion

Massages

Vino

Champs

A good time

Soldiers
Officers
Justice

My Country

A good speech

Quotes

A good laugh

A serious chick ;)

That fabulous morning adrenaline

External Beauty

Internal Beauty

Sunrise

Sunset

Lights

Cozy Christmas Trees

Movies

A good sweat

Swimming, oh I love it

Bikinis

Family, Family, Family

Home, and all the moments and memories it possesses 

Grandparents

Vacations

Books

Writing

Mavis Beacon and her lessons

Truth

Dads

Personal Angels

Beginnings

Endings

Everything in Between

Because... I am overly blessed. Today. Everyday. May I be reminded as I sit in terrible traffic that I have a wonderful job to drive to in a car that keeps me warm in winter months and cool in hot ones... even with music that bless my ears with amazing talent as I drive. That when I am frantic driving around from work to sports and juggling homework and the in between that my children are healthy, have the privilege to play sports and I have loving friends and fortunate jobs with the mind and will to coordinate it all. That my sweet Jesus looks out for me and my family today, everyday, and in every moment. 

I am thankful for you... because you are special and gorgeous. Made unique with a purpose, just as I.

This Thanksgiving I spent the day before with some of my favorite people (Gram, Gramps and boys) at my neighborly clubhouse at a beautiful dinner next to a cozy fireplace with so much love my heart could explode. As if that wasn't enough my cherished family of 3 people and 3 pooches spent the day loving on each other eating healthy delicious food watching football having quiet family moments in our new home together. I even took a nap. My goodness... nothing extravagant but oh so beautiful. 

We ran a 5K turkey trot... totally not my best but my Sergeant got first place. Football at the park with a bunch of 30ish boys. The babies set the table. Turkey, veggies, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and organic pear cider filled our bellies with moms sweet apple pie to follow. I love to cook and cook to love. It is a special time to love and to give thanks... for all that we have and all that we do. We... are blessed. Blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving.... xoxo

Writer's Corner is Created

Thanks to a hot and determined amazon search, my counter top has been regraced with the presence of the crystal Oleg Cassini ring holder: 

The same one that was sadly chucked to it's pieced death a mere few months ago in our very kitchen. That and our school mornings have since held together strong and flowed smoothly. 

To it's very left was a corner of the house I have eyed and slowly stewed of what to do with since we have moved in to our new place. I wanted it to be something special. Until I figured it out, the occupants contained of our piano that doesn't ever get played and a rocking chair that doesn't ever get used. The boys refuse to let me part with the very chair I rocked and consoled them in as babies... so that was moved to a more permanent location. Once that was done, the corner was looking quite pathetic and bare. It needed to be jazzed up with a bold purpose behind it. The purpose of something I enjoy doing next to my kitchen I love cooking in. I decided to make a writer's corner. 

A place in my new one where I can get into that focused zone as I let the stories of my heart and soul flow as they please to do so. The seating had to be just right and bright, with options of course. Storage for inspiration and various lighting were just as important. Drizzled with pictures of those I love from times so precious. I did it in one Saturday. I woke up, knew what I wanted to do with it... and I did it. I created that cozy writer's corner I was after, that my home and I needed. It's perfectly placed where I can catch my seasonal orange blossomed breeze as I write. Where many more stories of my journey shall continue to be shared. xoxo

Ruby Coconut

The boys and I used to see pictures of cute white fluffy Maltese dogs and always dreamt of having one. The ones that look so darn cute they look fake. As I look at our new baby, I can't believe we have one so precious of our own. Her eyes are the admired brown I love to see in eyes. She has hair, not fur that is as pure and soft as her sweet soul. Ruby's ears are slightly off white, like toasted coconut. This is how she got her middle name... my Ruby Coconut:

She's always so happy, full of life and wonder. She reminds me of a toddler and recently I have had quite the adventure down her curiosity lane. She gets naughty in corners. She was outside playing in a dark one for an extended length and I wanted to see what she was up to and who or what she might be playing with. She was caught teasing a scorpion until I got a hold of it. Then, she was the hunted one on a hot summer day. I had that feeling, the one you get like your being watched and I looked up and sure enough my Ruby Coconut who was frolicking around in the backyard had captured the attention of a circling hawk. As if hawks and scorpions weren't enough lessons for the both of us she tried swimming. I had just gotten in the pool and closed my eyes as I was floating about and heard a tiny something. Thank my dear Lord I turned around to see what that was and I found my little cotton ball trying to keep her head above water until I came to her rescue. She had no second thoughts about jumping. She just saw me get in and knew what she was after. I love her courage. She was maybe 4 pounds wet sitting at the side of the pool, plotting her next conquer. 

Since, my little Maltie Baby has mastered swimming quite the distance for her little legs, with a new respect for large bodies of water. She loves the water. It makes her crazy happy to have a touch of it on her fur and she acts as if it's liquid lighting on her, flying around when she wears it. 

Ruby Coconut is my little side kick... she loves the boys but she follows me around absolutely everywhere I go and gets excited for a good car ride. She has a spot near my shoulder where she likes to rest her head. She's an ear and face licker who isn't shy about her affection at all. She doesn't settle well yet unless she's in her house, she likes to be busy. She loves cooking with me... my little vegan pooch. I haven't found much she doesn't like, she's certainly a foodie. She loves fruit, veggies, herbs (even ginger) and of course coconut anything. I've never had to ask a vet for a list of foods a dog needs to stay away from until I had her, because she will try it all. She listens well... hates baths and brushings but endures them. 

She likes naps with her Maltie Mama who will of course get her own post when its time.  Its the sweetest sight when I spot them snoozing together. Scarlet cleans Ruby's face and eyes every day for her like another good mom of hers. 

Coconut snuggles the sick. I found this out when the boys were resting their back to school bugs away. I believe she was created for our family. She's a perfect fit for us and adds so much love and personality to our home. Just another large ounce of love that makes our house a home. I'm blessed to have all 3 pooches and this 3 pounds of risky pooch... my Ruby Coconut! 

Particularly Back to School... With a Shatter

The summer break came and went like a quick swim. No summer fun box... the boys grew out of that. We grew a little closer into our new community and home instead. It was our last summer with our best friends and we were fortunate enough to live around the corner from them, visiting at our leisure, joined in a summer soccer league and played at the country club with them on quiet weekend days. I brought some thrilling afternoon Mavis Beacon lessons back. Benny turned 11. We enjoyed our blessed summer pace, as always.

Then it was time. Time to head back to school. My Sergeant doesn't have to wear uniforms anymore! This brought on a shopping trip... the trip where I found out just how particular my mini he-me is. He's always had a pricey taste... and I can't deny his big brown deserving eyes that bat my way, so instead I drizzled him in his particularly expensive taste. Benny isn't there yet, I don't know if he ever will be with his simplicity. His shopping trip took 1/8 of what the Sergeant's did. Navy shirts and some fun socks were his simple requests. Done and done... with love until it came to school supplies and then I was about done shopping with Mr. Particular myself. The school supplies were dwindled and the aisles were too crowded for a cart during an off-hour at the store as my Sergeant pleaded why a certain accordion folder was needed. That was when I realized it was time to come home. 

When we came home the boys washed and folded their clothes, labeled and organized for their new school year. The first day was fabulous. I greeted that day with a sweet morning wake-up kiss and the smell of cooked breakfast. 
The Sergeant was about 5 minutes late his first day of Jr. High. The flow of traffic to the newly built school was in a disarray (it has since gotten better). So I told him that he clearly wasn't going to be the only one, and the perk is that always in the movies and shows the kid who shows up late the first day of school is always the hot commodity. This didn't really phase him, I think the first day nerves were over powering any comprehension. I surprisingly did better than I thought watching him walk up to the doors of High School Days. He was confident, prepared, happy and excited. His independence only made me smile and reflect some good mothering skills. 

Benny is now at the top of his Elementary School times... tackling the 6th grade with his familiar friends and amazing teachers. He trotted away wearing his favorite socks from Tilly's happy to reunite with friends at recess and sit right next to one of them in his new class. 

This mom couldn't wait to get home, deep clean from the wrath of summer and plan some much needed and near futured girl days. This year has distinctly been an adjustment for me. I took off some time from work to really get used to the first few weeks. I now have the boys in two different schools and we aren't around the convenient corner anymore. I know I just have to power through this last year to have my babes at the same school again. Between shuffling kids to school, sports and making sure their nutrition and sleep don't suffer, it's quite the juggling talent to nail. We had one morning straight from the pit of hell. 

Over the years, we as a family have identified a few tasks that need to be done the day before or it sets us behind and could potentially make us late for school. Those are lunch boxes and water bottles. They are challenging to find if we have even remembered them on top of filling them. Sometimes the boys slack and at other times it is just hard for them to remember with everything they have going on. Getting back into the swing of things, they had forgotten one morning. The Sergeant rushed out of the door for his bus and forgot his 1st hour project supplies that were due. Knowing that I needed to get this to him in the next 10 minutes by driving up to his school I realized Benny's lunch box and water bottle were M-I-A. It was found as I was tossing together a breakfast and trying to get out the door. I plopped some lunch in it and tossed it over the counter to him. At the same time my cherished crystal ring and bracelet holder caught the lunch bag and it went flying across the room, shattering all over the floor just missing Benny. As I stood there still in my bed time clothes and hadn't gotten a chance to even look in the mirror yet and instead, I sadly watched my ring holder lay in pieces, just as our morning had turned to shattered pieces. Then the dogs flew in and I had to hurry them away, clean up the mess and run my mess out of the door to the Sergeant. I collected that morning, pieced it back together and we all learned and snapped back into our swing of things following an after school family meeting I held. 

Since... we have had settled, smooth sailing starts without things flying across the room in the morning. I am on the hunt for a new holder... now that we have narrowed down our back to school routine and it is cleared safe. Let the school year begin!!

New Home, New Babies

Never settle. Life is too short to ever have something second best... so when you have found what you are looking for, you must go for it if its right. It was frustrating... a long six-ish months of house hunting. I had an idea of what I wanted, but nothing really ever seemed right all of the homes I toured. I still had faith that even though things weren't working out and when I wanted them to, that I wasn't going to take the next best thing... I wanted my best thing. So I patiently and impatiently at times waited. It was on a snow trip up north checking my late emails one morning and without enthusiasm opened up another monotonous house listing I knew I probably wouldn't like anyway. My first thoughts were that it wasn't in the area I wanted and it was very different. However, the more I read about the listing the more excited I had become and I couldn't wait to get home and view this property. I loved the first look and it just got better from there. It was small, yet classy, modern, open and just my cozy style. A perfect place for my boys veered off to our right. Then I walked into the kitchen where I knew it was mine. It was gorgeous and filled with sparkles all over from the quartz countertops to the backsplash. I can see the pool and mountains a short distance from there and the backyard was a perfect start and held a flight of possibilities for me to personalize to make it my very own. It has unique black river rocks around checkered concrete that symbolize peace and spiritual roundness in one's life. I felt like this wonderful place was made for me and more perfect than what I ever thought I wanted. I knew this was it and I cannot express how blessed I feel to be in it. 

Before I got into the home, I therapeutically painted and created spaces for my dear boys. Benny wanted a Packers room and my Sergeant a Texans one of course with his inspirational athlete, JJ Watt. They picked out their colors and fat head decals... I designed and surprised them!

I was excited to splash some bright colors to our family area looking from the kitchen. I sewed teal and coral red accent curtains and pillows to go with the white sectional and dark cabinetry for a pop and reminder of a cherished color. 

I enjoy being outside in the backyard grilling and when I have quiet afternoons or nights, relaxing in and by the pool. I found the most suiting furniture for us and our space for our lifestyle. The boys want turf... I want a few orange trees to smell their fragrant blossoms when the windows are open. I tell them Rome wasn't built in a day just as my Grandpa had told me... and know that in time there will be more to come as we have everything and more than we need now. However... we had a few new additions to our family and new home. 

Meet Ruby. 

My new neighbors had her and they knew that I have always wanted a snowy white Maltese.  So when theirs had a baby, she was ours!! Of course she came to us in a red bow! Ruby is the most pure love and life I have ever seen in 2.5 pounds and resembles a bunny or cotton ball. The boys adore her. I just can't get enough of her and love her so much. My neighbors are moving and they were looking for a place for Ruby's mom and asked if I would take her as well. I had a hard time of the thought at having 3 dogs... but didn't have the heart to split up mom and baby. 

Meet Crimson!

Crimson has some habits and manners we are working on but she is getting better with every week.  The Sergeant has already taught her commands! It has to be hard to leave your family that you love and move into a new home with a new dog and family. I am trying to understand and we love her very much. She is so happy to be with her baby, Ruby and I am happy they can spend their life together. They are both snuggle-pooches who like car rides so they fit right in with us and our Scarlet.

I must end that I am relieved I didn't settle, because I truly did get my best thing... not only that but more authentic love than I could have ever imagined in it. I feel overly blessed. Happy. Accomplished. So thankful for everything and every person and pooch.