Cleaning and scrubbing will wait ’till tomorrow, but children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs! Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep. – Ruth Hamilton

Saturday, May 31, 2014

A New Place in our Journey

Life got really busy there and the excitement was high in our house.  We started Memorial Day weekend off with my family supporting me in running my first half marathon.  It was a hard 12 weeks of training and my husband supported me through the entire thing giving me all the time I needed to fulfill this goal of mine.  I took this journey with my friend Lindsey and couldn't have done it alone.
 I started the race with hundreds of other woman as we hit mile 3 I started to get really emotional when Mark surprised me with the kids waiting on the side holding signs.  What a great sight!  I thought he would only be at the half way mark and then the end... nope!  He had them placed throughout my race.

the boys surprised Avery and I with flowers.

Since starting my training, I envisioned my daughter crossing the finish with me.  I'm not sure why, but I think I figured it out when I saw her waiting for me-stretching and getting into a running position.  Since starting my training she has been begging to run.  The feeling of crossing with her was one I will remember.  My hope is to pass this lifestyle to her!


 
We immediately packed the car up and headed to the lake!  The kids were ready for some fun!


This picture was one of my favorite-my Aunt Sharon loves Oke-Doke Popcorn and it became a staple at the lake.

This summer is different.  There is no rushing out and getting back before naps.  In fact we didn't even get to the pool until 12:30.  We ate, swam and relaxed.



Then we took a slow ride home where they all napped.  It makes life much easier!
 
On Monday our real journey began.  We drove to St. Louis for Mack's central line to be removed.  We met up with my brother's family and enjoyed a night celebrating this amazing thing...I'm not going to lie and say there wasn't a lot of anxiety from Mark and I, but we tried to relax. 

Mark and I got up at 4:00 a.m. to make sure he took his medicine and then left the house a little before 6:00 a.m.  We got there and they moved him along.  He left us at 7:30 and we had him back with us by 8:00!

They scheduled an hour which made us a little nervous...

But instead he woke up as if wakening from a nap.

He was so great when we got home and bouncing off the walls, we had to get him out.  My mom suggested running to the zoo for a short while to walk around. 

It was the best idea!  We spent over 2 hours there.





And hit the train.  They sat in the back to say, "All Aboard!" over the speaker.


We put them back in the car and headed home!  What an experience.  We had built it up so much and in the end it was fine.  Our family has a lot of important people around us not doing well and I think that caused a lot of anxiety with Mack.  This little dude woke up and said, "Mommy, it feels so good with out my Tubbie!"
 
Our new place in our journey has begun...up next-life without tubbie!!!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

That's a Wrap

Our school year came to an end on Thursday and I couldn't be more ready!  We had a busy week leading up to a busy weekend.  First the kids got to play with a friend we haven't seen in a long time.  They played outside until dark and that's when it hit me-summer nights are upon us!
 
 
The next day we were invited to an event where the kids could go on a bounce house, get their face painted (which they never want to do) and fish.  They enjoyed the lake even though they didn't swim in it.  It amazes me how much they entertain each other. 

On Sunday we finally made it to the nursery where we were able to get EVERYTHING we needed for our garden.  The kids were very helpful picking out plants.


This year it was my goal to add more flowers to our yard.  I am not a flower person and have never been about potting plants.  I want to kids to appreciate gardening for the veggies and fruit, but also for the beauty in flowers.  They all picked unique flowers out and we shall see how everything holds up.

 
Then Thursday was here fast!  I have to leave before the kids get dressed so I love seeing pictures and sneaking peeks of them at school.  I got these adorable pictures of their last day of preschool.  Granted Avery still has one more year and Mack has two more, but it was their last year in the same classroom...at least until Mack comes to Kindergarten!



Our preschool won Preschool of the year.  That came with a bounce house on our playground, a balloon artist, and Shaved ice!
I love the kid in front of Mack-so annoyed with my picture taking.

Of course mommy was able to give the three of them a long time in the house by themselves and Lincoln had a blast!
 
Our first day off included relaxing in the morning and then heading to the park with Kalen and Miss Lindsey!



 
Up next Memorial Day weekend!!! 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Summer is here (starting tomorrow)!!! I haven't posted about Mack because honestly I feel like every time I do something happens. We have one more day of school left and then I will let myself get excited for the big event!
Mack had to postpone getting his tube out because of our last hospital stay. It was for the best because we want him to be healthy and there has been other health problems in our family. Tuesday Mack will finally get his tube out!  We will hopefully go into surgery in the morning and bring him home later that day. Our entire family is ready for this summer-it's going to be the best!



Happy summer break everyone!

A Sunday Funday

Mother's Day has always been a celebration of our moms and this year was no different, except it was a VERY special day for me as well!  Mark and the kids made my weekend amazing.  I got done with my long run on Saturday morning and was surprised with a pedi and mani with my daughter.  So off we went to spend time together.  She is such a fun girl to hang with and I'm so thankful to have a daughter.  She sat and got her nails and toes done all while telling the ladies how hard it is to have brothers. 

But I keep reminding her how boring our lives would be without our guys.  They warm our hearts everyday.

They all participated in a craft for the grandmothers-I'm missing Mack's picture of him holding a heart with his gorgeous smile.


We spent the day relaxing and then our family arrived.  The kids were so excited to share the gifts with Mum and Nanny.







We absolutely lucked out because my sister-in-law and brother were driving back from her sister's wedding and they decided to come join us as well.


The boys built me my new extended garden.  I have now planted: Brussels sprouts, lettuce, herbs, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and every kind of tomatoes.  Mark just planted sweet corn as well! AND our strawberries from last year are huge.

Of course we cooked a feast!




The entire day was spent outside.

Papa did what I don't enjoy...












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Greta is so fun!  She is dressed up and singing the ENTIRE song of frozen.  It seems to run in the family since we got the cutest video of Ireland doing it too!

Nanny was there as well and we are even more thrilled we got this time with her since our Papa H. has been sick and in the hospital.  I am glad we had her there with us before the bad hit.




 
It was more of a Sunday Funday.  I enjoyed myself so much this year and want it to be like this every year!  Mark you really our did yourself!