Tuesday 10

Thankfully I had this pretty much finished during naptime today because, well, parenting is not fun sometimes and I am exhausted mentally.

1. I just love this picture of our B3 with his daddy on their way out on a date. He is so excited!

2. This girl has moves like her mother. Bless her heart.


3. Britton came across a picture of Ryan and me, from about 11 years ago, when we were dating. He couldn't believe it was us. I still think he's doubtful.

4. We are planning for a camping trip and the house is abuzz with excitement, even though we have yet to really make any plans except to say that we're going. Gracelyn has never been a fan any of the times we have gone so this should be interesting.

5. Blaine edited this picture of him preparing for a date with his dad. He is so funny.

6. Gracie was very proud of the job her dad did on her doll's hair.

7. Ryan and I went on a date Saturday. We went to Macaroni Grill, then to the Scout store, then to get ice cream. We really know how to have fun. I totally forgot to take pictures but Brandon desperately wanted to take a picture of us last night before the banquet.

8. Blaine is absolutely loving using the letters that he's learning to spell random 4-5 letter words. He calls it his "letter game." When in doubt, he always guesses "f" or "a". It's pretty cute.

9. I planned on finished these last 2 later but my attention span is severely lacking, mainly from a stressful day of parenting. My great friend Sarah passed this quote along to me tonight.
It's easier to raise disciplined children then to fix broken adults. It was very encouraging to me.

Scout Celebration!

Tonight was the annual Cub Scout banquet. It's a party/graduation for the cubs and, most importantly, the crossover to boy scouts for the oldest boys. Brandon will be there next year, his final year in cub scouts. I will be a basketcase. I cry every year as the Webelos 2 walk up the stairs, over and back down in the ceremonial crossover.

Ryan, the denmaster, giving Brandon his achievements.

Webelos 1, a great group of boys!

Ryan realized he was still sporting his TIGER denmaster patch, 3 years ago!

Best buds, Jackson and Brandon with their door prizes. Shocker! They got the same thing!

We are SO SO SO proud of this boy! We love him bunches!

 In the meantime, we will enjoy his last year of cubs. We just love Brandon.

What I'm LOVING Wednesday!

The WEATHER! The 70˚ weather. in February.

Brandon had baseball practice this evening so the littles and I ventured to the park. Blaine told me on the way that "today is a perfect day for a park." I agree.

The boys played so well together, it was awesome to see.

they really were best friends today, Blaine even looking out for Britton with a bully.

 

 rock wall!

She loved the spiral slide!

Caught them while taking a quick drink rest.

Today was so.much.fun! A day that we ALL needed. Gracelyn is old enough to do things without total assistance but still let me tag along, the boys had a blast together and the weather was divine!

Brandon also had a great practice! He can't wait for April, their first tournament!

Tuesday something.

1. I had a mom/Brandon date this evening! We went to the library, his request, then to Braums to get ice cream. I love this boy.
I have to brag on him. The lady in front of us dropped all of her coins from her purse and, without me saying a word, Brandon handed me his cone and began picking up her change for her. It was a very proud moment for me (and his dad later when I told him) of witnessing my son serving others.

2. I plan meals for 2 weeks at a time because I loathe going to the grocery store. I don't plan the days and meals, just enough meals for 14 days. I make a lot of recipes from Pinterest but I planned the next 2 weeks of meals strictly from Pinterest. I am excited, however, my family, even though they have liked nearly every one that I have made, is always skeptical.

3. Blaine's artwork for class made it into the Winner's Circle, the bulletin board by the Office!!

4. The moms of several of Gracelyn's friends have told me that their daughters insist on a say in what they will and will not wear. Gracelyn doesn't ever say anything to me about the clothes I pick out, however she does request shoes. Shoes that I wouldn't necessarily select for the appointed outfit. Gracelyn graced her dad with this presence.

5. We got a signup for BlastBall for Britton and a couple days later we got a call from Brandon's baseball coach. They start practice tomorrow! Britton will play BlastBall and Blaine soccer this Spring, then Brandon will start baseball and Blaine starts T-Ball. Summer will be here soon and in full swing (pun intended.)

6. Speaking of BlastBall, Ryan and I are taking bets on if Britton will actually get into it. He doesn't do much when he gets in front of people. We've asked him if he wants to play and he says yes but we don't think he realizes there will be fans, facing him.

7. Gracelyn has a follow-up speech eval Thursday. The therapist called and asked how she was doing. They want to see her to see if she qualifies for therapy. She says several words but doesn't put them together.


Have a blessed week!

Movie Madness

This weekend was full of movies! The kids love movies because they don't get to watch too much TV and we love movies with them because they are huge snugglers.
We viewed a Lego movie, chosen by Brandon, The Incredibles, chosen by Britton. Cinderella, a favorite of Gracelyn's and Aladdin, selected by Blaine.

B2 and Dad

"Rella!" (Cinderella.)

she's very plugged in.

The Incredibles movie just isn't complete without costume.

Thankful Thursday

* I am thankful for a wonderful day, one of the best days I've had in awhile! Yesterday was my very long-awaited corneal specialist appointment! I use an exclamation mark because I was very much looking forward to this appointment. The last couple of weeks have been torture when it comes to seeing and basically even existing. My eyes were burning, itching, gritty, throbbing, oh and incredibly sensitive to light. Ryan and I were very nervous about what the doc would say about the status and future of my eyes. While he said my eyes were in a very serious state of awful, the damage is NOT irreversible! Praise God! So he put silicon plugs in all 4 tear ducts and needs to see me monthly. We are so thankful for a caring knowledgeable doctor that we can put the fate of my vision in his hands.

* I am thankful for a no activity night to veg out with the kiddos on the couch and watch and laugh hysterically at Wipeout. I crack up at the kids cracking up.

* This is one from Brandon that he told me over supper... He is thankful that our neighbors love Berkley, our Black Lab, as much as we do. They give him treats and love on him while Brandon is at school.

* Blaine is thankful that after a week of cold and fog he could go outside for recess today. (I am certain the teachers were thankful too.)

* Britton is thankful for Legos and Gracelyn said food is what she is thankful for today.

It's gotta start somewhere! Have a great weekend!

Tuesday 10, maybe~ Valentine Edition

1. I surprised my fam with dessert (chocolate cake bites) first tonight before homemade pizza. They were giddy, to say the least.

2. This girl had her second haircut today and her first cake bite. She was unsure of the cake bite as it sat on her plate and she wasn't a fan of messy fingers, BUT she quickly realized its deliciousness.

3. attempt at a group pic...

4. another

5. the best out of many...

6. The BEST card courtesy of my Blaine. He has been telling me about a surprise he made for me for a week. I couldn't wait to open it.

Happy Valentines Day!

our (crazy) week in pictures...

date with Gracie to a cupcakery sneak peek!

movie night, presenting Lion King

beautiful flower from Britton and Blaine, who insisted it be in water.

never a dull moment.

Gracelyn loves for us to wears our aprons, all.the.time.

Date night with Blaine! Following the ice cream, he said he was "so cold he couldn't shake."

G taunteing Blaine with his Boston cap and his sword.

Britton insisted on carrying all of this into church for CDO. I took most after I took the picture, he was sweet but I couldn't allow it.

awful picture. Opening Valentine cards from Mimi and Pappy!

Thursday night at Scouts, Ryan, the leader organized a mock backpack trial. The boys were responsible for packing their packs as if they were going camping, packing the essentials so that they would survive. It was funny to watch, they packed away from each other so as not to give any ideas to the other. Brandon really did a great job. Ryan just knew that Brandon would need his help on things but he forgot how many times I have been camping. I helped a little, mostly with giving him permission to get his camping knife that is kept in our safe and snacks for the "trip."

ready to go! Ryan said that Brandon was very well packed!

Carrying on with the camping theme, Friday was show-n-tell in Blaine's class. He asked if he could take his backpack to show and tell about. Ryan asked him on the way to school what he was going to tell the class about. His response, "I don't know." So Blaine-like. The teacher told me after school that he told them what you put in it for camping. Our kids have camping fever right now.

Gracelyn wanted in on the action.

Dad and Brandon date to see Star Wars 3D!

Thankful Thursday

I thank God several times a day for what I have been blessed with and I am sincere. Still, I've been quite down with all that's going on with me healthwise. The book I am reading Body out of Balance is great for me and has helped me understand my feelings and symptoms of the syndrome. I am (very slowly) learning how to deal with things.

*Today I'm thankful for a new doctor I went to yesterday. He was kind, listened through my sobs and tackled some issues and also put a call into my rheumatologist to make certain nothing he would prescribe would interfere.

*I am thankful for a husband that lets me cry but then, being a problem solver, he figures out a solution to the issue at hand.

* I am thankful for the health of my kids and special time with them. Their laughter and smiles are contagious! We have movie night every "free" evening and the kids rotate turns picking out a flick.

* I am thankful for a lunch/shopping date with my best friend Saturday! A definite highlight of my week!

Happy Week!

Tuesday 10, on Wednesday

This was all written out last night but our internet was sketchy, then pictures "disappeared." It's always something.

1. I am expecting a call from DHS tomorrow when the school takes one look at Brandon. The kids were playing outside in the unusually warm temps today and Brandon got clocked in the eye with the baseball. He was so tough about it and came back outside telling me "on the bright side, it's only the lower part of my eye." It looks awful but I just had to smile at his positivity.

2. Blaine has been making up jokes a lot these days. His most recent and also his favorite...
Q: Why did the honeybee get married?
A: Because he found his honey.
So clever. That's our Blaine.

3. Britton and his great buddy Cayson apparently have been talking birthday parties/gifts at CDO. Cayson's mom told me about the gifts, rockets and spaceports and Britton told me tonight that he wants a Power Rangers party (he doesn't even watch them) while Cayson wants a Police themed party. At least C's is in April, Britton has 10 months left to wait and apparently for me to plan.

4. Tonight, while having a rousing good time watching Wipeout and folding laundry, this is what happened, complete with British accents.

so dapper.

5. And so as not to be shown up by her bros...

6. I am participating in a Beth Moore Bible study at church-James Mercy Triumphs, over the next several weeks. I am enjoying it greatly, the lessons and the quiet time with God have been so good for me.

7. Last night, on a whim, I began going through all the junk in the master bath. I basically had taken it over and decided it was time to share. In high school I was a cheerleader and a huge girly-girl growing up so I had/have lots of ribbons and clips. I handed down my box of clips and ribbons to my girl.

There are actually a lot more but this box latches, while the other big one that I have doesn't, and since she carries this around, it's the best for her. She is so excited about her purple box!

8. Blaine's class visited the pet store Monday and now he wants a snake. Brandon, who previously begged for a snake, broke it to his little bro that dad has a no reptiles rule. I concur with that rule.

9. Britton is now his dad's boy since watching some show about bears on National Geographic. He has asked nightly to watch the show again.

10. I got my hair done Friday. The girl asked, while parting my hair for coloring, what had been going on. Apparently the amount of grey hair, (yes, ahhhh!) was out of control. not really surprised after the happenings over last few weeks.

So here is to a start of stress free living, yeah right, Let's start with less stress, maybe. Or we'll just keep moving the appointments up!

Have a super week!