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

Pizza Talk

The boys had some friends over for legos, a swim, wipeout II on the Wii, and a sleep-over. I would have loved to record the 8 and 9 year old dinner conversation that occured at my table as I laughed hysterically across the room listening, and choking on my veggie pizza at times.


"Do you have any arm-pit hair yet?"

"No, but I know this 13 year old, he has 1 hair under there."

"Oh, that's the awkward stage. All the way until your 19 your awkward. From 13 to 19."

**pause to talk about canteloupe, who thinks it's gross and grab another piece of pizza**

"We get to go to some water slides and spend the night there for brother's birthday."

"Oh, cool. Can I come?"

"Yeah, I got to go there with Jorgia. It was kind of a girls party, but it was fun."

"You went to a girls party?!"

**Mom intervened... "That's his girlfriend. The girls like D and think he's fun to be around."**

**chuckle, chuckle from the boys. Then D starts to expressively flex his bicept muscle and says "see" (like this will save him)**

"That's a puney one."

"Oh yeah, well I have a six pack."

"So do I, I think."

"My dad doesn't really have one, but look Ashton has like a two pack". ** All standing on their knees looking at eachother's stomachs... at the dinner table.**

"I have a four one." **pointing, counting at his stomach**


The kids have, at this point inhaled their last piece of pizza and climbed off their chairs as if it were a race because they made a group decision to go out for round two in the pool. They were so quick they didn't even bother to put on their suits but went in their underwear. And I, of course had to get a picture of the pool comroderey in the boxers. But I will spare them the embarassment of sharing in a post and keep it to myself and in their photo-albums and the parents who need a laugh... to remember how silly these boys are. I just love them.

Summer Start

Excuse me. I took a deep breath, dove into summer and just now surfaced to discuss it in a way I like. Plus my keyboard was out of service for a bit, forcing a lengthier than I'd like blog-pause. Glad to be back. The end of the school year is always hard on my children, especially my Sergeant. I've learned he needs his mom on that last day of school. He loves his hard working teachers and all of the school friends with memories of the mix that it's just too overwhelming at the thought of an end for him. There are less tears and only wells in his big eyes when I am by his side like this year, to remind my Sergeant of the wonderful summer we will have, with the people we love and will still get to see.

Here is a little summer tool we have come up with courtesy of pinterest and mom's noggin:

It's full of goodies at the very bottom. Stay tuned for the creation we are making... However, our summer doesn't come out of a box, this is just a neat way to spark some moments at home.

The break has been so good to us so far. My house is loud, a little dirtier, full of boys and a ton of lovin. Summer welcomes night swims, BBQ's, fun hair-cuts, late nights, stay-cations and sleep overs to name just a few. We have decided to park it in Arizona for this intersession and explore what our great State has to offer... there is SO much.

The boys did go on a short trip with their Dad and Mom got some time for herself. I did better with the separation from them this year, though I certainly missed the heck out of my dear muffins. I went through my bathroom and closet and for a girly girl- is a major project that takes some focus and dedication... I also went through all of my work uniforms with all the extra shifts I pulled. I planned a short excurtion with my some friends at the Talking Stick Resort before my babes returned home. It's a place I have wanted to stay at since I watched it being built. It was wonderful. A day at the pool and then a night with some people I love so dearly. We had a blast as you can see...

and... It's always a good time when you can see my sweet mint orbit!

My fun turned into a relaxing half day at the spa and then a nap (heavenly).


Thank you summer... your a tad too hot, but your slow pace and gift of quality time certainly make up for your scorch.  Let the exploring continue...

Mama Bear... loves her cubs, so dearly. My two cupcakes make a good little pair for a ripe mom. The Sergeant knows how to melt my heart just right and Benny keeps me on my toes. Just a little about each:

S. Stink gives me a gaze of love like no other with those big brown lashful eyes of his. He tells me the sweetest things I've almost ever heard to butter me up only for me to squeeze the pickle juice out of him. He's brought me otter pops when I've cried and even snipped the tops off so they are ready to eat. He opens doors sometimes and tries to make my tea. He tells me it's okay. He loves me.

Benny Buttons stops me in the busy rut of life and makes me listen. He warms my soul with all of the sensitivity he possesses. His tender personality softens our family and makes me more aware of the world around us. He totally makes me giggle. His hair drives me nuts, in a good way. He gives me a hand whenever I need it and always makes sure that my parenting skills are the latest and greatest. He shows me when it's not okay. He loves me.

Those boys make me feel irreplaceable and make it known... the greatest confidence. Those boys also made it the best Mother's Day I have had yet! The day before we went to the store to prepare for our Mother's Day Pizza I have decided we will make every year. As we were talking in the parking lot about what toppings to put on the pizza, Stink comes up with a brilliant idea. He tells me, "Since you call us Muffins and Pickles and Cupcakes why don't we just make all of those too. Then you won't have to make anything all day." So we did, we got all of those, then I prepared the pizza toppings in containers in the fridge all ready for the boys to put together the next day. We woke up and they made muffins without any help minus me turning the oven on. Benny certainly knows how to crack eggs well. I will admit I was concerned about crunchy muffins, but they nailed it.

They started the day gung ho style and said they were even doing the dishes, all day. Surprisingly we did make it to church without being late. I had plenty of time to get ready and the boys were the ones rushing for a change. The dishes didn't get done until after, then when the job was done and the depth of the dish work was realized... Stink happily let me know that I could just do the rest of the dishes tomorrow. It was the sweet and generous intention that counted to me though. Lunch was pretty much snacks and a jar of pickles on the counter... and oh my gosh I got to take a nap. It felt weird and I was a little disoriented when I woke up to the boys icing my almond cupcakes. The kitchen was a disaster, I almost stuck to the floor and the dishes were piled up in both compartments of the sink... but I surely felt the loves. We put on our roller skates and skated around the neighborhood together and saw some friends.

We ate pizza late. It was a combination of me partly not knowing how to time manage a day with a nap squeezed in and the fact that I ate too many delicious cupcakes. Benny thoroughly enjoyed putting the pizza together and Stink asked me if he really had to help. At this point Stink was tired, Benny persevered. At this point I was ready to take over, but I didn't. Instead I watched and clipped my toenails too short as I kept my mouth shut and told myself repeatedly that I will have my kitchen back tomorrow. Then, they read me stories in my bed. It was... a perfect day with my cute muffins, sweet cupcakes, sour pickles... making me all what I call them.

As much as they do for me, I would do absolutely anything for them... with a happy heart and a smile. I will work two jobs, almost go crazy fighting for them, manage around a bizarre schedule so they get to keep their peace, stay home because they need me, resist some change because they need familiarity, still go when I'm tired because they need consistency... all while cooking them dinner, have a dance with them, sing to them, read them stories and pray with them. Being a mother is a beautiful love like no other. They are my pride, my joy. It is the biggest dose of selflessness. Us moms know how to truly sacrifice. Sometimes we get hurt and build this high tolerance to pain without even knowing how tough we become. It is the hardest, yet most rewarding relationship I've ever known. It is my most favorite job in the world.

There is one thing that I hope my boys will learn from me and will live by when they are older. That is to be Faithful in all that you do. To the Lord, your work, your family and friends, but most of all to your own self. I love you two and thank you for making my day and my life so darn special. ;)

Mediocre Medium

I was so utterly full of whole wheat blueberry pancakes this morning that I even remorsefully eyed the morning's communion differently... as we talked about being still, content, a little less legalistic.  It can be hard to do. We like busy, it's certainly fun to be on the go. It can and does eventually catch up whether you see it, feel it, both or neither.


School, running club, running all over town, homework, soccer practice, plus games, football, mom's house, dad's house... then mixing in some sort of nutrition, family time, friendships, sleep. Hault!

I smelled it. It was too much, boys. Before soccer ended I felt it in the cranky attitudes, and saw it on the sleeping faces in the car. It was going to stop, at least at my house, anyway. I love to be the mom that does it freaking all... I try my hardest anyway. It's a tricky balance as a single parent and there are some things that we just have to alter now that my boys and I have different demands. If  we aren't respecting these higher demands- we are short with eachother, family time dwindles, we don't see our friends as much... all of the really, really, really important things fade. I will be the mom that notices them and saves them. Club Soccer was absolutely so much fun, but honestly too high of a demand for our demands. So... it's a break until Fall Football, at my house.

It's been so nice. We are working on attitudes, communicating... brushing our teeth twice daily, seriously. The boys have had time to play with their old friends again... we even met new ones. I can't tell you how good it was to have some of my neighbors over and hear my girlfriend's familiar snort after a couple glasses of vino. I even got to go out on a few dates.

This weekend my boys came home :) Their usual routine when they come home is to go straight to the kitchen and eat, strip off unimportant clothing, wipe out somewhere for talks/snuggles/kisses and poop somewhere between these things. My Sergeant told me how tired he has been, how he just wants to rest this Saturday afternoon. This of course had nothing to do with the recent NFL draft. So this weekend, we stayed put... we were still. I find that in those times the best memories are made. I see my children's unique personalities a bit more. I did two things I often don't get the chance to do: read uninteruppted chapters in my book and watch a full movie without falling asleep. Benny and Stink drug out toys that they haven't seen in a while and used their imaginations. We swam... and had our first night-swim (a favorite of ours). Well, the boys did anyway... still too chilly for mom to dip anything more than her feet in. We had a booksale today that we all pitched in for...

I'm even blessed to have this time to reflect... it's a work in progress to squeeze in all the things we still love and then have time for our very important, top priority relationships. We will find our happy medium! Sometimes less is more...

Hope

This house of mine is full of love... more than ever and sometimes feels like it's busting at the seams. I am so blessed. I love to share that atmosphere over delicious food and fun times. Especially like on days today... where celebration is... a must (just like ties on Easter Sunday).

We did share some lovely times today in this house full of love, with loved ones. I will say though that my internal aura was different for me. I am tired. I probably worked too much this week then stayed up too late cooking and preparing my home and baskets for the people I love. Benny woke up at 2am to shuffle through his Easter basket Mom made for him... then tried to wake up brother to tell him he had one too. At 5:30am I heard Benny at the back door awing at the shiny eggs he spotted. I had to stop him when I heard the screech of the wooden chair as he dragged it to the door to open the lock. He was really going all the way for it until Mom stopped him.

I started my day unintentionally cranky, stemming from lack of sleep. I did partially melt when I saw my muffins in their ties... wanted to eat them alive like I do every year, so handsome those boys are. It was a peaceful day. The boys played so hard. They metabolized all of their sugar they ingested and had the black feet to prove it. We decorated what I think was the best Easter eggs yet... We attached the egg's arms and hair with super glue. This opened a whole new world for Benny... he discovered something better than tape. I saw him reach for it when he thought no one was looking. Could have been disastrous.

Benny's:

Stink's:

More importantly than Easter Egg Hunts and candy is the story behind the celebration. My God sent his one and only Son to us. This Son walked the Earth created to share wisdom and unconditional love and write a story to guide us all. He went through shame and hatred and died the most tortuous death ever known to us... one so painful we cannot comprehend. What we can comprehend is the message. The message I heard today was that there has to be an insurrection before there can be a resurrection. All that we see is not all that there is, and is supported by something much Greater than ourselves. We all get to a place or have a moment where we lose hope. We do not know the plan for us or what is ahead. We can choose to let it go to the right Hands and have hope through obedience and patience... the sweetest surrender. Embrace the troubled times, it may be a part of your plan... pray through it, but certainly don't let go of your hope.

I sat with someone today who told me she had set up her life in an order she thought was right. She said she thought she had it all with her house and everything in it and all she had.... until all she had was lost. She realized that those things were simply things... and that stuff doesn't matter. What she was left with was herself and discovering deeper. How amazing.

Happy Easter... may you remember the story... and your own. Now mama bear wants to go read Peter Rabbit to her cupcakes... ;)