Sick Day

Riv is home sick with some kind of nasty flu-ish thing....

Poor Baby.

He has been so healthy this last year, so I suppose it is his turn on the sick wheel.

He wants me to be right next to him...

Guess I better enjoy that while it lasts.

I think as much as it stinks to have a sick kid, sitting here with him is such a gift.

Plus, I got a few minutes to do my nails...

I used those Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips, and it was a cinch!

I started looking through some old photos from the Family Blog.....big mistake.

Am I the only one who can't look at old photos without totally getting emotional???

Where has the time gone, and why did I not cherish it more while I was there in the present??

I suppose that is why getting older is a good thing.

Perspective.

Weren't they the cutest little duo?!

Justin has a birthday this weekend....he thinks he is getting old.
I happen to think he is just getting better (actually I KNOW he is getting better!)

Perspective.

He still wants to run races....He still wants a challenge....He still drives me nuts.
He is still my hero.

I hope you will take a minute to snuggle up with your kiddos or lover this weekend,
whether they are sick or not....
I was reminded this week, yet again, of just how short life can be.
I hate those reminders.

I need to do a better job of living and loving, and making every day count.
XO

That time we went to the swimmin' hole

A few weeks back, Justin begged me to set up a camping trip...
and I agreed that it would be great to get out and spend some "quality time" together
but reminded him that it is the middle of summer....in Texas.
We compromised on a one night trip to a state park just outside Austin, so if it was a total bust we wouldn't be out a bunch of money or travel time.
That, and they have great pizza at the Mellow Mushroom in Austin.
And great pizza can make all the difference sometimes.

So we made the reservation, and counted down the days.
Once Saturday came around we packed it all up (so much stuff to pack....)
and hit the road to McKinney Falls State Park.
The Upper and Lower Falls are the parks main attraction, and they are quite pretty.
BUT, upon closer inspection, in the summer they more closely resemble a slimy, stinky swimmin' hole.
Now before you go and judge me, you have to understand a few things.

#1 If there is any creepy tummy bug to be contracted from a water source, I will get it!  Trust me.
#2 I have watched too many episodes of Turtle Man to be happily wading in a cloudy murky pond of sorts without being paranoid about what is under the water.
#3 I am very smell sensitive....and getting my whole body in something that smells rather suspect is nearly impossible for me.

I did get in, and take a swim, with Justin and kids close behind me. We watched people jump from the rock ledge, and heard people squeal as something under the water was biting them....fish, turtles???
I lasted about 30 minutes and knew it was time to move on. On the swim back to the shore, a turtle popped up right in front of me to amp up my anxiety....oh, my.
I know I am a "spoiled valley girl", but I couldn't help but feeling so proud of myself for conquering my fear (temporarily), and setting a good example for my kids.
Paige was in tears about the whole thing, so I knew I needed to play along like I was loving it!
River loved every minute of it...he even jumped off the ledge with Justin into the water below.
Should I be nervous about this......

The Upper Falls

 

 

A quick picture with the kids.....but Justin always goes paparazzi style and takes about 20 more before I rip the camera out of his hands.

The Lower Falls....more user friendly....no slime.

Back at camp, we all enjoyed our turn in the new hammock.  It is a two person hammock, so it is actually comfy to share with a friend...or a brother!

I personally enjoyed a little time all by myself....but then the paparazzi took over.

River wanted to go off exploring, but a cautious Momma kept him close by.
Texas has too many creepy things out and about this time of year....snakes, scorpions, and tarantulas.

Cutest Daddy/Daughter shot ever.  Two peas in a pod for sure.

Always art to be made, wherever we go.

And we managed to squeeze in a family game of SORRY.
Paige won.

We headed over to the park as the sun was setting.  We wanted the kids to have some free time in a safer setting, where I didn't have to worry so much about their every step!

And then it was time to take one last hike to watch the sun go down.

There may or may not have been a Bobcat track on the trail....
I wasn't about to disagree with the 4 year old expert.

Mr. Turtle came up to check us out...

All in all it was a great time. 
I will spare you the details of how hot and uncomfortable it truly was....
but this is Texas.
And camping in Texas in the summer may not be for everyone....unless you have an air conditioned trailer.
But this is about making memories with our kids, and they had a blast.
I will be a hot, sweaty, stinky mess of a mom to make them happy....
and let's face it....it makes my husband pretty happy too.

We ended the trip with a morning swim at the Deep Eddy Pool in Austin (which is super cool and historic),
and lunch at the Mellow Mushroom. 
Till next time....

psst....anybody out there??

Excuse me while I clear away the cobwebs over here.....
It has been far too long, and to think I was doing so well in 2013 with my blogging....
tsk, tsk.

Well, the truth is that I have been working.
Actual working.
While getting paid.
Crazy, I know.
I started subbing at Riv's school, and I think they like me because I keep getting called back!
I am also going to be working there on staff next school year, since it will be Riv's last year in preschool.
I want to be there...and allow him to have experiences away from me.
(Just not too far away...)
It really is a magical little school, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it.
I won't be teaching at his age level, as they keep parents away from their children,
but I do see him in passing in the halls.
It is cute to see him out on the playground, without him knowing I am watching.

So, I have been a busy bee filling in for different teachers, and experiencing new things.
Yesterday I taught Art to all the classes, and let me tell you, it was a  full body workout!
I loved it!

Ok, enough about me....
I will give you a Justin update.
So, as you know he has been training to go to the Phase II selection for the Combat Rescue Officer job, and he was supposed to leave this week.
That isn't happening.
Long story short, he fractured a small bone in his wrist, which caused a domino effect of problems for him.  The swelling in his hand, wrist and forearm was so severe that it completely cut off the circulation in his hand for a time, and he had to be rushed in an ambulance from the main base over to the Veterans Hospital to prep for possible amputation, because his hand was essentially dying.
(This is not a fun phone call to receive, FYI.)
 It was a horrible experience, but ultimately was just a good wake up call for Justin to take it easy.  He did not lose a hand, or even a finger, but we sure got a good scare.
(Sorry to my family for the roller coaster ride of texts and phone calls.)
So, what this meant was that he would not be medically cleared to participate in this selection.
You simply cannot do push-ups on a wrist that can't be bent, let alone hundreds of push-ups and pull-ups.

We were depressed.
I was angry.
We got over it.
He has another shot at this in October, so we are looking at this as an opportunity to train for 6 more months, after he heals properly. It also means we have to wait 6 more months....and Justin is sure feeling his age these days.  All those Ultramarathons seem to be catching up to him (mainly knees and hips), and he has to work so much harder than his 23 year old competition!

Other than little bump in the road, everything is great.
Paige and Riv are both signed up for soccer, and it starts this Saturday, which will be FUN.
At the very least, it will be FUNNY.
More on that later.....

If you are still reading.....
you are the best.


LOVE YOU!!!!

aging

Aging....
it is such a love-hate thing.
On one hand, I love that I am not nursing 24/7
I am not leaking through my t-shirts
I am not that uncertain new Mom.

On the other hand, I miss those quiet snuggles, watching my baby breathe
I miss picking out their cute little outfits
I miss not having wrinkles or saggy areas.

But you can't have one without the other.
I will take my aging skin and self for the knowledge I gained from those precious baby years.
I will take these new stolen moments, where I spy on them through my bedroom window, and watch them as they chit chat....
I will breathe, and know that these moments are fleeting, and they will be the ones I will miss in a few years.

I will be 31 in less that 2 weeks....so expect a few posts about reflection, and deep thoughts...
and a few about frivolous things for good measure.
I always manage some Sephora purchases around this time of year!

I think aging is breathtakingly beautiful and painful.
It's just about taking it ALL...
the good
the bad
the ugly
and the unexpected.
I have so many wonderful examples around me of how to do just that...
and I am all ears.

See you soon....
with some shopping bags! (hopefully)

#250

250 posts deserves something....
so imagine me doing a cheer...
Gimmie a 2----2!
Gimmie a 5---5!
Gimmie a 0---0!

Can you tell I wasn't a cheerleader??

Anyway, I kind of can't believe I have posted that many things...
Or also that I haven't posted more...because you know I have
LOTS to say....
BUT, I am just happy you guys are still coming back to see what I'm blogging!
THANK YOU!!!
Here's to many many more posts!

So, in the spirit of milestones, I wanted to share an idea with you...
I love the idea of scrap-booking...but not necessarily the time it takes
to plan out a page, or the cost involved to make your ideas a reality.
I do however like the idea of time-capsuling....if you will.

I have a few journals/time-capsules/notebooks where I collect things and keep them safe.
I have been Journal-ing  for a very long time...
and kind of die when I read what was on my mind back in 1996
But, I am so glad I have that to read and see how I handled certain situations in my life...
Like when I found out my parents were divorcing....

Like when my heart was broken over a relationship....
or when I saw a rainbow...

I wrote it down
So I would remember.

And journal-ing  doesn't have to be so serious either.
I do it now to remember, but also
so I can show the kids when they are teenyboppers...
-what was "IN"
-what was "FASHION"
So I can FEEL like I am supermom...
although the kids baby books are half filled-out
and they are 6 and 4years old!

So, here goes....

This is MY time-capsule where I paste/tape/attach things that I love...

magazine clippings
quotes
recipes
pictures
dreams
etc.

Here is a book where I keep my favorite Kid-Art....
It is hard to choose since it is a daily thing around here and at school, but I just can't keep everything.
And this is my compromise for now.
It is a book that has clear plastic sleeves instead of pages, so I just slip them in, and can put more than one in each slot...
win-win!

And here is a journal I started for Paige before she was even born.

I felt like there were going to be so many things I wanted to tell her along the way, and if I could just write them down somewhere a few times a year, then I would feel at peace if something were to happen to me....or her Dad.....
MORBID, I know.....
And, she is tough when it comes having serious chats now, and I know things will only get tougher as she gets older....so I figured if she could see how much her Dad and I  loved her and wanted her to know THINGS...and she could read them when she was older then maybe....just maybe it would be a tool to help her.
Justin has also written Paige and River "Just-In-Case" letters so that they would KNOW he thought the world of them and wants them to know how much he loves them, etc.
Maybe it's the military life that makes us think this way, or maybe it was reading The Last Lecture...
whatever the reason, I believe in capturing the moment and putting it in some kind of time-capsule
for you
for your kids.

So get out the scissors and glue and get to it!
XO 

How do you keep track, write down, and remember??

Signing Off....til' 2013

Keeping it brief....

I still don't have much to say that I think can adequately express my feelings surrounding the recent events in CT, so I won't even go there.  I am holding my children tight, cherishing EVERY moment, and making this holiday so much more for them, and for Justin and I.  We will hunker down, and watch movies, play games, snuggle, craft, and enjoy a few fireside nights together.  

We are beyond thankful for this life we have together, and feel immensely blessed to be supported by loving family and friends, wherever we may be.  Our children have amazing teachers who we are certain could not be any more perfect, and we are thankful for the job Justin has that provides for our family.  

This picture was taken on our way to River's Nativity Pageant yesterday by the paparazzi (Justin).

We were moved to tears as one boy in River's class was reunited with his Father, who had just returned home from Afghanistan, and surprised everyone.  What an amazing thing to behold! 

I am truly moved by the sacrifices that our military families make, and am honored to be among them.  Another amazing sight was our little man, dressed as a donkey in the manger scene, singing his heart out and hands-down the loudest voice in the group.  We giggled when we realized that kid who was BELTING out "Away In A Manger" was ours.  What a gift!

Merry Christmas Hot Mommys.

I love you.

XO, A

My Birfday

So, for the BIG 3-0 I wanted to just party all night
dance on tables
get crazy
go to a rave (do people still do that??)



But none of that happened, so I had a glow stick party
in the bathroom with a 4, 5, and 6 year old!
Pretty much cooler than any table dancing I could have done.

AND, we got to hold a brand spanking new baby boy
It does NOT get any better than that!


Our sweet friends, the Seprish Family, invited us over to celebrate.
Mind you, Laura just birthed a baby, and was still down to host a party.
This woman is absolutely the best.
She is an amazing woman, mom, spouse, and friend.
And I am one lucky girl.
She even got me a Red Velvet cake...
from COSTCO.
Be still my Red Velvet loving heart.
It was worth every last bite!!!


So, it was the best kind of birthday,
surrounded by friends and my own little family..
Lots of sweet cards and thoughtful gifts,
I am so happy to kiss my 20's goodbye.
I will take a snuggle from my kids over a hangover any day.


I didn't do so hot on my 30 before 30 resolutions,
but what I am figuring out is enjoying the ride
is so much better than scheduling life to fit in to my
grand plans.

So here's to another year,
a few more gray hairs and wrinkles,
but an abundance to be grateful
and thankful for in my life.
xo, A