Breaking free

After 6 days of being housebound ...

 we finally broke free today!  

Where did we go you ask?  None other than Grammy and Papa's of course!  :)  Grammy invited us over and this mommy jumped all over it!  The walls were beginning to close in on us.  

We love going to grammy and papa's!  We go often, weekly really. Tonight as we were driving home I thought about how much I enjoy being in the company of my mom and my dad.  I will never outgrow the need to be close to them.

My dad always asks me how things are going and I know he is truly interested in my answers.  He sometimes fills me in on what's going on in the world, and keeps me up to date on political issues, some of which I am aware of and others to which I am clueless... it's in those moments that I realize I should probably watch a little less Dora and a little more Fox news...let's be honest here,  he is probably thinking the same thing in his head.  :)  One thing is for sure, whether I have Dora brain or am a Fox news buff, I know that I know that I KNOW my dad loves me just the same!

 

My mom is always so sweet to make us dinner and is usually waiting on the needs of my littles at the same time so I can grab even a few moments of couch time.  :)  We often find a cozy spot and chat together about your everyday girl news and life in general.  I seriously can't imagine raising my children without my own mom to look to for advice.  

I swear I need my parents every bit as much as I did when I was little, just in different ways I guess.  Their approval, support and love for me has always been appreciated but as I age I truly realize just how very important it really is~      

OY~

So, we are STILL housebound.  It's killing me people.  But it's necessary so we are making it happen.  Monday night was rough.  Collin was up all. night. long.  and complaining of an earache.  That was the first time he had made mention that his ear even hurt at all.  I made a call to the dr first thing Tuesday morning and got him in to see her.  She took a look in his right ear and said "oh OUCH".  She then proceeded to explain that his ear was "so infected the ear drum looked as if it may rupture".  Uh did I just hear her correctly?!  Yes, yes I did.  Poor buddy.  She put him on a 10 day antibiotic and sent us on our way.  We may be finally coming out of the "fever zone" after 6 days.  Poor guy.  This is only the second ear infection he has ever had.  I hate when my kiddos are sick.  Praying we are on the mend~

Housebound

We have been stuck inside since Friday night.  Collin woke up with a fever and has been sick with a cold.  BOO!  I would have to imagine that he picked it up at school.  My bet is it came from the girl whose mother had to ask "was she coughing uncontrollably today?"  Ugh if you had to ask a question like that she probably should have just stayed home.

Anywho, we have been housebound, but trying to keep busy...

 He actually did this unprompted.  I love his exaggerated "dotted" i.    We are working on a simple dot rather than a beach ball sized circle.  :)

Germs, germs go away...

And soon there will be three

My brother and his wife are days away from meeting their first child.  I think about them often throughout each day.  I pray for their baby and for a safe delivery.  I simply can! not! wait! to meet this bundle.  Auntie Meg~ sounds sweet don't you think?!  I'm excited to hold and snuggle this precious babe.  Can't wait to finally hear whether it's a boy or a girl... then the real shopping can begin!  :)

I'm excited, so very, very excited, to begin my role as Auntie Meg.  Yes, I'm excited for myself, and for my kids and for my whole family as we welcome new life.  But most of all I am spilling over with joy for Michael and Andi...

Michael and Andi,
We are now only days away, no longer counting months or even weeks really, we are down to days!  My heart thumps as I anticipate what is about to happen in your lives, for I know just how much joy this child will bring.  Here I sit in front of my computer, fingers pounding at keys in an attempt to eloquently explain how truly breathtaking an experience parenting will be.  I type, I delete...

Truth be told it's something that can't be explained, this kind of love, therefore I won't even try.  But trust me, it will be fully understood the moment you lay eyes on your newborn babe.  I'll come to meet your sweet child, and we won't even have to exchange words, I'll hug you tight and my momma heart will be saying to yours "I told you so"...

Your dreams and aspirations will no longer be your own, but rather everything you do will be with your child's best interest in mind.   It's a love like you can't begin to imagine,  the greatest that there is, aside from the love God has for you.  You'll be in awe of how God paints a picture of his love for you, using your child as his paintbrush.  Breathtakingly beautiful~

You'll strive to be the very best parent you can be.  You'll yearn for perfection in a way like never before.  No doubt you will sometimes fail, because earthly perfection is unattainable.  If you're like me, you'll even shed tears over your perceived "shortcomings" as a parent.  Don't let those moments defeat you, rather allow them to bring you to your knees, calling on the one and only PERFECT Father remembering always that HE chose YOU!  He breathed life into this child with you in mind.  Humbling, I know, but also very true.  You were chosen and he doesn't make mistakes.  Follow God's direction, allowing Him to be the light which navigates you through the winding roads of parenthood, all the while keeping in mind that this child was his before it was yours.  If your eyes are focused on him, he'll lead, he promised...

My heart began this post in an attempt at giving you a glimpse of the beauty that awaits you.  Words fail me, they simply aren't enough.  You have to live it to truly understand.  And again I am reminded that you are only days away...

Just! days! away!   

Seems as if there is only one thing left to say...welcome to parenthood, I've been waiting for you!  :)

Sweet spice

This child is the most beautiful little girl I know.  

She is as precious as they come.

Sweet and tender and hilariously funny.

But sweet mercy, should you cross her she will come after you, guns blazin~

Our gentle giant.  :)

Today I decided to take a few moments to myself and make an attempt at watching a show on tv.  Rarely happens when my children are awake.  I situated both kids in separate rooms making sure they each had themselves busy.  

I barely kicked my feet up when Madelyn came marchin in.

"I want gum"

"No Madelyn we aren't having gum right now."

"But I WANT it"

"No, not right now"

"But I WAAAAAAAANT GUUUUUUUUUM"

She then proceeds to allow herself to fall prey to a two year old tantrum.  I can't help but smirk.  Rude, I know, but seriously she looks hilarious.  She notices I am not reacting to her desperate pleas for the pink bubble and she literally comes at me WWF style, like jumping from the ropes, you're going DOWN, style.
See dude mid air?

It would seem this would be the perfect opportunity for me to mother her, you know, with a time out or something.

  I digress.

I break out into hysterics. 

I can't help myself.

She is flinging her body wrestle mania style onto mine and is LIVID.    

Why am I laughing?

So not funny.

And yet it is.

Don't worry, she got her time out, and I got a good laugh.

Sometimes you have to laugh, or you might just cry instead.

Ladies Man

Today as I drove Collin to school we enjoyed a little one on one chat time.  He is just the sweetest thing and was in a particularly tender mood today.
Sweet sentiments like "I like your earrings mommy" and   "I love you mommy" kept flowing freely from the backseat.  Dripping in sweetness I tell ya!

We said our goodbyes and I headed back home to spend some time with our Mady girl.  Collin has been calling her Mady lately, sounded so strange at first because we never call her that, but it's starting to stick along with her other nicknames.  Sweet dolly~

Anywho, we headed back to school a bit early because it was my day to read to the class.  I had asked Collin what book I should read.  His reply "Oh mommy I don't want to choose, since it's your special day I think I will let you choose."  I told you he was particularly sweet today~

We walked in and I was promptly greeted by the most adorable blonde haired blue eyed doll name Katie (who we lovingly refer to as Katie bug at home).  She marched right over and joyfully exclaimed "Collin is my BEST friend".  I smiled and told her that we hear about her so often at home.  I was interrupted by the brunette beauty Kylie who had marched herself right over and said "Uh no Collin is MY best friend".  They then proceeded to sit on either side of him for carpet time.  After suiting up for departure, Kylie threw her arms around him and said "I love you Collin" and then planted a kiss on his forehead.  I giggled to myself.  Not to be outdone, Katie followed suit and showered him with the exact same love.  Collin's smile couldn't have been any bigger.

But seriously what's not to love?  Just look at this face!

I phoned his dad and informed him that we have quite the ladies man.  He assured me that he had the same problem in preschool...

Have mercy~

You're Special

Today was "special person" day at Collin's school.  He could choose anyone he wanted.  When I noticed this great day on the calendar I mentioned it to Collin explaining that he "could choose anyone he wanted".  I secretly hoped he would choose me and I know his daddy had the same hopes.  Apparently we wished on the same stinkin star because neither of our wishes came true...

Collin bug chose his Nana.  :)

He chose her first and stayed true to his decision over the next few weeks to come.  I know she felt honored, I mean who wouldn't be?!

 Don't let his teary eyes fool you, he was VERY excited about this day!  Just prior to our photo shoot Collin tripped over a truck and got a very teeny scratch on his toe that threatened to ruin his day.  

Duh~rama!  :)

Anyway, Madelyn kept asking "are you ok buddy" and then she just went in for the comfort hug and kiss~

Collin said he had a great day.  

He also shared that 

"Nana said this was her best day ever because she was so happy that I chose her to come with me!"

You're one special lady Nana!!  :)
I'm happy that you could spend the day with our favorite boy~

Duckie

Collin was sent home with the class mascot "Duckie" for the weekend.  He was instructed to care for him and include a few sentences in the class Duckie book along with a picture.

Collin took this job seriously~

He cuddled him...

Posed for various pictures throughout the house...

And even showed Duckie the snow...

In Collin's own words...

"Duckie loves Collin.  He is so sweet and cute.  I love you Duckie.  Thank you for coming to my house.  Have fun at our other friend's house.  I will always love you Duckie." 

Love,

Collin

Until next time Duckie~

Happy Birthday to me!

Yesterday was my birthday.

It's been 33 years since I made my grand entrance.  :)

I felt very loved yesterday, I always feel loved, but yesterday I felt especially loved!  

The morning started off early with a call from dad.  He always tries to be the first to wish me a happy birthday.  He always wins and I love that he wants to be first in line to begin handin out the birthday love!!  Mom is always a close second and called not long after he did and sweet Gabs wasn't too far behind her.  Michael and Andi called me together on speaker phone from work, seriously how very sweet is that?!  They even made two attempts.  Can you feel the love?  The sweetest thing is that I was going to see each and every one of these peeps (minus Gabs) after dinner for dessert.  But they didn't let time stand in their way and my heart was very full!  Sometimes it's the little things that speak the loudest~  

Madelyn showered me with a hundred precious 

"happy birthday momma"s in her adorable little voice.  

Collin made sure to get his fair share in too.

Ryan took care of the kids and the house while I read a book in bed.  Always a treat!  

My phone jingled all day with text messages from the people I love and my facebook page was overflowing with well wishes.

I am blessed to be loved by so many wonderful people.

I was spoiled with many wonderful gifts, totally spoiled rotten...

All of them so very lovely~

but none quite as precious as these two beauties who are, hands down, the greatest gifts I will ever be given...

Big girls sleep in big girl beds

We have a big girl in our house!!

Yep our sweet Madelyn is officially in her big girl bed.

And boy is she ever proud!!

Yesterday was the big day!

We went to the store and let her pick out special sheets~

totally gaudy Dora sheets. 

But the girl thinks they are fantab and as far as she is concerned they are made with gold so who am I to judge?!

I still haven't decided on a comforter, not so sure I can go the gaudy route, we'll have to meet in the middle.  :)

Both babes helped daddy take down the crib where they both spent many a nights.  Bittersweet let me tell ya~

Bedtime routine complete~ check

Jammies, nigh-night, and thumb~ check

Big girl smiles~ check

Sweet dreams my love~

She slept like an angel and came down at 8:00 exclaiming

"It's a sunny day so I can get out of muh big girl bed"

Precious child we love you to pieces.

Funny how things change as you grow older.  In many years past I remember wanting the perfect New Year's Eve outfit, making spectacular plans to be at the most happening place with my besties and bringing in the new year with a bang...

I still bring in the new year with a bang, but things look a little different now a days.  :)

My New Year's outfit consisted of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt along with matching hat.  The happening party destination was at GG's house for dinner.  And let it be noted that I was in bed well before midnight!

It was glorious.  Simply glorious because there is no other place that I would rather be than with my beautiful babes.  I will celebrate each New Year's Eve with these two beauties until they are old enough to want to do otherwise.  They make my life every kind of lovely~

May we share a lifetime of celebrations together!!