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!