Happy Birthday Archer

Happy Birthday to my sweet, crazy, bossy six year old! 

Is it possible that you're six? Or so ridiculously handsome? Or SO long legged? It seems unreal to me. 

I can remember very clearly holding you for the first time (and saying out loud that you looked just like Perpaw). You were a good baby. You didn't cry all the time (like your brother). You grew so fast and now suddenly you're a big boy. 

My sweet boy. I love how generous you can be (when you want to be). I love that you are so helpful and try so hard to make others happy. You're such a sensitive kid who is aware of others feelings. I love that you still like snuggles and aren't too big for hugs and kisses before school.

 

I love your silly self. You never cease to entertain me. You're quick witted and never miss a joke. You have the funniest faces I've ever seen. 

 

You've put us through quite a roller coaster already, but I can't wait to see what life is going gift us with in the future. Thank you for loving me and being mine. 

Love Momma. <3

End of Summer

It's the last Saturday night of Summer break and I've been reminiscing about my time off of work. 

The last weekend in May my boys, mom, and niece and nephew went to a baby shower and got to see family we haven't in a while.

The first weekend in June was my 10 year class reunion. Five of the nineteen people I graduated with showed up. We still had tons of fun and definitely shouldn't wait 10 years to do it again.

Three days after the reunion, my little family went to Colorado. It was a bit of a hectic trip to plan, pack, load, and drive the first leg of the trip by myself, but I had some help from family that made it easier. We had SO much fun. The food was great, the boys loved being outdoors and walking around. The weather was fantastic, I'm missing the river cooled air for sure this week. And the hot tub on the deck of our cabin was pretty great too.

We spent 5 days away and came home to hot weather. The following week Chance left for work. They boys and I drove up that weekend to see him and take food for him and the guys at work. We stopped to have dinner and a playdate with my sweet friend and her kiddos. Archer still says he and Lyvi are getting married. Aimes was too busy following Archer to play with Foster, but I know when they're bigger they'll be best friends. 

Chance's next days off were my family reunion. We hit a slight bump in the road that day when my almost brand new galaxy broke. :( Then we headed down to Quartz Mountain and spent 5 days with my really awesome family. The weather was great, it wasn't the hottest place on earth, like it usually is and we had a lot of fun. 

I snapped this shot of Chance and Foster, who immediately upon walking into the kitchen demanded to take a "bap" in the "bink." I'm not sure if he heard someone say it or saw pictures, but it's definitely a family tradition to take a bath in the stainless steal sinks when your little. Anyway, this is something I'll cherish.

The last few weeks of June and early weeks of July were a little more relaxed and less chaotic. The only thing we really had planned was a trip to NYC, just Chance and I. Archer was so upset that he was being left, then when I called he was too busy to talk to me. Foster asked to "go 'om" when he talked to me, which was sweet and he ran up for hugs as soon as we got back. I definitely missed them, but the time alone was so refreshing and I LOVE New York City. I would go every year if I could afford it. 

The last few days of July and the first few days of August I went to my classroom and helped with enrollment. Got my desk where I wanted it, saw my schedule, and got all geared up for the new school year.

I'll post more in-depth vacation posts soon, I just wanted to get something up to remember my summer as a whole.

It was one of the best I can remember. It never got too hot, we got plenty of rain and my boys loved playing in it when it wasn't storming. It was a great balance between spending quality down time at home watching Harry Potter with Archer and snuggling with Foster and getting out and staying busy.

I'm going to miss my boys so much and the chaos of being the only caregiver two weeks a month really wears me down, but knowing I can look forward to next summer makes it all worth it. I can only hope it was as great as this one.

Last Day of Pre-Kindergarten

Today was Archer's last day of pre-kindergarten.

He started school in August 2012. After the teacher I had planned to chose left before school started, I decided to go with a brand new, first year teacher hoping that her freshness and newness would be a bigger factor than inexperience.

I could not have made a better choice. His teacher just loved him and treated him (and all of his classmates) just like they were her own children. When he started having some medical issues she was concerned and when we were admitted to the hospital she came to see him, bringing her husband and some toys. To this day, he still talks about her husband coming to see him.

He finished pre-k, started kindergarten, and after much soul searching I started him in Kindergarten in the fall. He was still 4 at the start of school. We thought he was ready. After daily notes home and a few calls from his teacher, we decided he wasn't ready in the end. He was struggling with some of the basic skills, but more than that he wasn't emotionally/behaviorally ready to sit in a class and focus on what he needed to do without the play time and the naps.

I was kind of worried about sending him back to pre-k and worried that his teacher might have been sick of him. When I text her what I had decided, she said "You're putting him in my class right?" Instant relief. His second year of pre-k has been great. He's dying to know how to read, he's so interested in learning.


The impact this teacher has had on our lives has been monumental and I will be forever grateful.

Make up!

I recently joined a co-op, thinking I would buy lots of kids stuff, and found a really great deal on an Urban Decay Naked palette and some makeup brushes.

I spent some time playing today. Quite a lot of time actually, but next time it will take less to figure out what goes where and what colors to shade with, etc. I would not wear this much makeup on a daily basis, but for nights out, it might be fun.

After I took this, I realized this was uneven so I fixed it, but didn't get a better pic.

Thankful Day 16

Archer went to pre-kindergarten this year. I was ready for it, then I wasn't, some days I'm still not and wish he could stay home with me. I think he feels the same way. I think we both know it's better for him to spend time at school so we don't make each other crazy. :)

But today I had Thanksgiving dinner with him at school. Well, he ate (a little) and I sat with him. It was fun and I am so thankful for the chance to do that. Thankful for the time with him. It was so surreal to me to watch this little guy carrying his lunch tray in a cafeteria. I just knew he would need help or wouldn't remember what to do, but he did such a good job. I was proud and sad at the same time. He really didn't need my help.

He's going to get his own day, but really, I'm so thankful for the memories we made today.

Thankful Day 15

Last night I told Chance I was starving for hot wings and he immediately suggested I go to the store and get stuff to make them. Instead I suggested we have them for dinner tonight.

I had tried hot wings before, but they didn't play a major role in my life until Chance met his friend Jeremiah. It was a kind of fate thing I think. Chance didn't really have any friends and Jeremiah had just moved to Oklahoma with his girlfriend and found a construction job with Chance and my dad. They really clicked at work, and like usual I had to push Chance to have a friend. (He's not good at it, he knows it)

After we hung out for the first time, it was set. He and his girlfriend lived close enough that we could spend time with them fairly often. They were close to our age and she had a daughter so they weren't into partying like most people our age. We had a lot of fun. And some craziness.

But that was 2006 and six years later I still miss the good old days. I messaged Jeremiah the other night, first on how to make the hot sauce and then to tell him that we missed him. He came to visit this past winter and we visited him last spring. Maybe we'll get to go up this summer, doubtful but I'm not giving up hope. :)

So today, I'm feeling a little sentimental and am very thankful Chance met him and the fun times we had together. Thankful for friends.

Thankful Day 14

I've talked a lot about my mom's family. That's mostly because I spent most of my time with them. My dad's mom lived in New Mexico until I was 9 or 10 and his siblings were all scattered too.

My dad's dad and my step-grandma were close and I have lots of memories in their cafe. Working there one summer was my very first job and it was actually really enjoyable. It felt good to do something productive and spend time with my family as well.

I also have lots of uncles on my dad's side as well. My dad's older brother has a son my age and so has always been pretty involved in my life. We went on our first real family vacation with them and I still laugh at the pictures.

Even though I spent a lot more time with my mom's family, I still love and appreciate my dad's family too. Today I'm thankful for them. Happy Birthday Uncle Rick!

Thankful Day 13

This is going to seem really silly, but today I'm thankful for Facebook. I warned you.

But all those cousins I talked about? Well only a few live nearby. The rest range from an hour away to 20 hours away, but I still am able to keep up with their lives, interact with them, and feel even a little bit of those old days because of Facebook. One cousin (who is like an uncle)'s ex wife is one of my biggest fans on facebook and I love her just as much now as I did as a child.

I also met this really awesome group of women when I was pregnant with Archer and I've been able to not only keep up with them, but develop a true friendship with so many of them. I don't question sharing my life with them because we have been friends for nearly 5 years now. I've met several and would love to meet all of them. I have constant companions, all I need is an internet connection.

So thanks Mark, for stealing the idea from those Winklevosses.

Thankful Day 12

As a result of all those aunts and uncles, I'm so very blessed with a huge extended family and lots of cousins.

I can remember having holidays at my Nanny and Poppy's house. There would be at least 25 people packed into this tiny house, but I never remember feeling like it was too small. It was home.

These cousins would pile in from all over the state and we would play for several days until everyone had to go to work. I will never forget Thanksgiving and Christmas with them.

So I'm thankful, not only for the memories but for the people and the love as well.

Thankful Day 11

Today I am thankful or the many aunts and uncles God has given me.

I grew up with amazing grandparents, but I also had their siblings as well. My Nanny had 4 brothers who were all like extra grandfathers and the two aunts I had were exactly the same. Recently the final of my Nanny's living sibling passed away and it was such bittersweet news. Sad because he was no longer here with us, but so glorious because he was reunited with his parents and siblings.

He was an amazing man, I've never met a single person who didn't love him deeply. He could always be counted on for an excellent story and a smile. And more than all of that, he married the sweetest woman a man could ask for. She cared for him to the very end, after 4 battles with cancer and I'm so blessed to have her in my life too.

These people set an amazing example for my mothers sisters. I grew up with two extra houses, I was always welcome, and accepted their invitations frequently. I even had my own key for years (until I lost it eek!).

So today, I'm so very thankful for my aunts and uncles.

Thankful Day 10

Today I'm thankful for my Nanny and Poppy. I grew up living a quarter mile from my grandparents and they have made a lasting impression on my life.

While my mom worked, I went to their house instead of day care. I was spoiled, taught manners and politeness, I learned how to read and write before school, l learned how to use a computer and I learned what unconditional love was.

I miss my Nanny so much. I'm sad that she can't be here to snuggle my babies, to listen to Archer's silly stories and just be a part of our lives. But I'm so grateful she taught me how to love and set the example for how I should treat my children. We sing her songs all the time and I know a part of her will always be with me.

Today is my Poppy's 73 birthday and I'm so grateful he's still with us. I'm grateful he's still healthy and able to spend his Sundays with us.

Thankful Day 9

Today,  as I help my husband prepare Thanksgiving dinner to share with his family I'm thankful for that which the pilgrims were thankful for, abundance. We don't have much right now, but we have so much more than many others and I wanted to take a moment to recognize that.

Archer tried to tell me the other day that he was just starving so I sat down with him and explained what starving really meant. I told him about little boys who go to bed with empty tummies because their mommy can't buy food for them and I think it nearly broke both of our hearts. I'm SO thankful that my boys have enough, more than enough, but enough. I cannot imagine sending them to bed hungry or seeing their hungry little faces all day.

Today I'm humbled at the thought and so thankful that my children are provided for and taken care of so that they don't have to know what it means to go without.

Give thanks, literally (Day 8)

I received an email from Shutterfly today asking me to promote their newest holiday card program and as soon as I saw what it was I didn't hesitate. This is an AMAZING idea and I urge everyone to participate!

What do you need to do? Follow this link to Shutterfly's facebook page and create a card saying THANKS to our troops.

Everyone has someone they know and care about in the military, but many in the military are away from their loved ones this holiday season. A great way to show your thanks and appreciation is to send them a card with kind words and a photo of your family.

I am so thankful for the freedoms in this great country and my thanks goes to the men and women serving it.

Thankful Day 7

Today I'm thankful for...

The hide button on facebook. Wow. People are just full of doom and gloom today. My mom and I thought it was a little funny that people were acting as though this was a scene from The Hunger Games.

There are some people who were truly saddened by President Obama's win, my friend the coal miner's wife, but for everyone else, it's going to be ok. It really isn't going to become a communist state. We'll survive.

Thankful Day 6

Today is election day! So many things to be thankful for, but today I'm thankful for the privilege of voting. In this country men and women are allowed to do something that so many world citizens are denied, choose those who lead us. We have the power to choose.

I'm thankful to all the women (and men) who risked their lives, families and reputations to get women the vote. I'm thankful for the minorities who fought to gain the right to vote and make this nation a better place to be.

I'm thankful that God chose America for me to live in, there's no place I'd rather be.

Thankful Day 5

Today I'm thankful for...SLEEP.  My goodness this baby of mine. He spoiled me in his first few weeks sleeping long periods of time at night but for the past two weeks he's been off and it's making mommy insane. And a little bit dumb. I don't do well on no sleep. :)

Today, when I was being a little grouchy, my husband sent me back to bed after taking the 4 year old to school. He let me sleep until I woke up on my own at 11:30. It was still only 8 hours of sleep, but it was amazing compared to the 4 I had been getting.

Thankful Day 4

Today, on my sister in law's 30th birthday (Happy Birthday!!) I'm thankful for having amazing in laws.

My husband and I have been married for 6.5 years and together for 11.5 total. We grew up together. His parents and siblings have never once treated me like anything other than family. I've never felt less than a daughter or sister when around them.

I hear others commenting about their terrible in laws but I can honestly say I have been blessed with a truly loving family and second set of parents. Thanks Iamses!

Thankful Day 3

I jokingly posted on facebook that nothing makes a woman want to kill her husband more than listening to him snore while she's up taking care of a baby. It's semi true. ;)

But in all honesty, today I'm so very thankful for my husband. He is my rock, my partner in life, love and parenting. We have been opposites from day one, but have grown to be each other's complement instead. He is my other half, my soulmate.

I'm thankful for what he does to provide for our family, both financially and emotionally. I'm thankful for the major sacrifices he makes to ensure we have what we need to survive. And I'm thankful for the little things he does every day to make sure I'm taken care of.

Thank you husband, in case you didn't realize it I appreciate you more than you know.

Our matching "soulmate" tattoo

Thankful Day 2

Today I am thankful for perspective. I've posted about my attitude and perspective more than once, hey this is MY blog after all. :) I consider myself and very open minded person. I roll with the punches and try to find the silver lining in everything. I try to find perspective in every situation.

It can be very difficult at times to see the silver lining or the lesson to be learned from a hard situation, but it's always there. I believe that God is teaching me something and I try to find out what that lesson might be. Even in the hardest of moments, I know that God won't put me through something I can't handle, it is HIS will and I just need to follow where he leads.

Thankful Day 1

I started out doing this on my Facebook page, but I think I'll move it to my blog instead. It allows me to elaborate a little more.

Today I'm thankful for waking up. It's so important to just be thankful for every day that we are given, the time we get with our families and the time they are given with us.

With the impending election coming up and all the bickering and bitterness between everyone, I would just like everyone to stop and be thankful for waking up today. You've been given one more day. It could be so much worse.