A lot of this going on...

 We are currently living at the ball park.  Both boys are playing this year with Gabe in Coach Pit and Graedon in T-ball.  Gabe has improved so much since last year, and his games are so exciting to watch!  Last night he was 3 for 3 in batting with 4 RBIs!!  We are so proud of him!

 Getting a hit off of the first pitch!

 Graedon was pitcher's helper last night.  He did a great job, and he was having a good time as well!  So fun to have both of my boys involved and enjoying themselves!

Treat him well, Denver!

 Peyton Manning, #18 for the Indianapolis Colts for 14years!

I watched him in his rookie year play against the Chicago Bears, and I remember Chad telling me that he was supposed to be really good.

Wow, what an understatement!

He's an amazing football player, but more importantly for me, just a classy guy.

I don't know him personally, but I have always heard him speak with humility and humbleness.

Very rare in the entertainment business.

I wish him the best of luck in Denver, and officially join the ranks of being a Broncos fan!  

2 Mom Days

The past 2 days of my life should be labeled as "mom days."  You know those days...the ones where everything you do revolves around your kids, and I mean everything!  I was making Valentines for Gabe's school party, burnt my finger on a glue gun doing it, making rice krispie treats in the shape and color of pink hearts, etc.  Then both of my boys end up sick with fevers and bad coughs.  So, my nights have been filled with taking temps and kissing foreheads.  Ugh, mom days...yes, that is what I have been having.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I would never trade these days with my boys for anything.  Just saying, that these have been mom days at one of the higher levels here, but I love being able to be here for my boys!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day.  I was lucky enough to be at Gabe's Valentine's party at school and get to see all of the kids with their Valentine's.  Such a fun moment to see kids actually being sweet to one another and just excited to share fun notes and candy.  My highlight was having one of Gabe's little friends ask me for our phone number because he wants to call Gabe for a playdate!  I almost cried right there.  I want him to have good friends so bad.  He deserves it! 

I had to take the boys to the doctor yesterday.  Graedon has an ear infection, and Gabe has been having respiratory issues.  His cough sounds horrible.  Loved how Leslie described it..."He sounds like a man!"  It is bad.  So, here is my kitchen table and 5 prescriptions later.  They are already feeling better!

2012-A Rough Start

The start of my New Year has been a rocky one.  There has been some family drama, and I have had a few rough weeks, and honestly, things are still not okay.  I am just trying to adjust to a new "normal."  My marriage is stronger than ever, and I am so lucky to have such a supportive and loving husband.  I value family relationships so much, and I have such a heavy heart that things with my some of my extended family are so strained right now.  I pray that things will get easier, and maybe one day, even be resolved.  I am just taking things day-by-day and counting the blessings that I do have.  I just wanted to fill you in on why I have been absent, but I am ready to embark on making 2012 a better year going forward, and I want you to be a part of it with me!

I have been getting creative at my scrap desk, and I look forward to sharing some of that with you soon!  Lots of photos to take and edit, and stories to fill this blog.  Hello 2012-(just a month late)!  :)

Do the hustle (of the Christmas variety)

Oh my goodness...the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is here!!  This coming Sunday is Christmas, and I have yet to wrap one gift!  Wow!! 

We did enjoy a magical weekend on the Polar Express train ride, and then an overnight stay at Big Splash waterpark!  So fun!

I highly recommend taking your kids on this, at least once.  It will be a memory that will last a lifetime for them!

I hope you and your family are enjoying your holiday preparations!

5 days until Christmas!

December Already

happy, happy, happy December everyone!

Wow, I cannot believe it is already upon us...ready or not.

it is already crazy busy, and i can't seem to stay caught up due to a cold that entered last weekend.

Ralphie, our elf made his appearance already, and the boys are in love with him! 

Gabe wakes up every morning looking around the house trying to find him and to see what craziness he has been up to.

i can tell that Ralphie is going to be extra fun this year!

welcome December!

Gratitude for Today- I am grateful for my morning drive to school with Gabe.  It seems that this is his most talkative, and with Graedon still half asleep in the back, it feels like I have Gabe all to myself.  He says some of the cutest things, and I love to hear how his mind thinks.  Today, he was going to build a house on the island in the middle of a pond we drive by.  Oh, and he is so excited to buy the "Titanic" bundle at the Book Fair. 

I love this boy!  He's growing up so fast, so these small moments are what I want to remember most about him!  He's 8, with his gappy big boy teeth smile, his creative ways, with the most caring and sensitive heart I know!  What an amazing person he is! 

Apologies

grate·ful

1. warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful:

****

APOLOGIES

An apology can come in all sorts of shapes and styles, but the importance of one is monumental.

It is so evident when viewed from the innocence of my 5-year old.

He was purposefully kicked, and kicked hard on purpose according to witnesses at our Halloween party over the weekend.  He was upset because he was hurt, but he was more upset for the lack of an apology. All he could say through his tears was that she didn't even apologize.

Aww, break my heart that I wasn't outside to have righted that wrong.

"I'm sorry" means so much!

I am grateful that my boys know the importance of apologies, and I am lucky that my husband helps in showing the boys how important it is as well.

I am thankful for them as well as trying harder to be better at them myself!

Some Things to Be Grateful For

grate·ful

adjective

1. warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful

****

I have been seeing all sorts of "thankful" posts popping up on blogs and my Facebook Newsfeed, and I really like the idea to take them to express specifically what you are grateful for. 

I am going to try to keep up and post something daily here. 

I would love it if you would join me.

It doesn't have to be grand gestures or huge accomplishments, it can be the small and simple things that bring a smile to your face and make you appreciate what you have.

****

Dirty Dishes

Ugh, is one of the first words that comes to my mind when I see my sink full of dirty dishes.  Yes, we have a dishwasher, but I am not a fan.  I end up having to rewash so much of what comes out of that appliance, that handwashing is just easier. 

Does anyone like washing dishes?

Well, my first reaction would be, "NO!"

At second glance, I become humbled.

I have hot, running water to wash my dishes.

 They are dirty because we were able to eat off of them.  We are able to

have food and ways to prepare warm meals. 

We make it a priority to sit and have family meals together.

Wow....dirty dishes!  

Yes, I am grateful to have dirty dishes. 

Happy Halloween

I hope everyone has had a safe and fun Halloween!

I am loving my Sorcerer Mickey and Headless Horseman! 

(completely handmade this year!)