We had a SUPER week!

You can't let an event like the Superbowl come and go in your city without getting in on the action. We chose to go downtown on Monday evening. We knew we wanted to avoid weekends and decided that we would probably miss a lot of "out of towners" by going early in the week. From reports I've heard from friends, that was an excellent choice. We waited in line to get into the convention center for about 10 minutes, but that is the longest we waited for anything.

Carson kicked this ball 30 times during the course of the night. He enjoyed the NFL Experience a lot!! As he was getting ready to go through the obstacle course/training camp for the 3rd time, Delaney heard an announcement that sounded something like this, "At this time the Colts cheerleaders will be signing autographs on the event stage." Her eyes lit up and she gave me the "please can we go?" look. As you can imagine, we high tailed it over to the event stage, where we were the 9th people in a line that grew to probably 50 by the time it was moving. She was able to get 4 cheerleaders signatures on a poster. She was thrilled!!

And, one more picture of my little kicker. Selfishly, I hope he plays a position where he gets to tackle people....kickers and quarterbacks seem so "pretty boy"-ish. I want my boy to be TOUGH.

My life on the hamster wheel

Ever feel like you do the same think day after day, somehow expecting different results? I'm going to guess every mom is answering a loud "Yes!" I feel like that's the kind of week I've had, same thing every day, same results. Delaney hates to get ready for school, so it's the same fight every morning. I love to sleep, but hate to go to bed, so I'm grumpy every morning. Carson is tired after school, and thus whiny. I won't complain for Matt. :)

However, I managed to have a different result after a few workouts. I felt refreshed instead of ready to fall over. I think I broke through the "I'm working out because I have to" and moved into "I'm working out because I want to." I'd love to see some of those results physically instead of just mentally. I'll get there, I know!!

Update after week 3 is: I've almost made it to Seymour, Indiana.

Death gets in the way....

You've heard people say, "Oh, life just got in the way this week." Unfortunately, death got in the way of our normal life. We received a phone call last Saturday evening informing us that our 72 year old next door neighbor had been tragically killed in a car accident on her way home from a funeral in Seymour. That same accident sent her 74 year old husband (of 51 years) to the ICU at Methodist Hospital in critical condition. Try explaining that to an over-analyzing 7 year old. Our life was turned upside down. We told the kids, cried, and then put them in bed. Carson (typical boy style) fell right to sleep and we didn't hear from him again till morning. Delaney, on the other hand, was still awake at 11p. Shortly after that, we set up a bed on our floor for her where she camped out the rest of the night. We all slept in about 45 minutes stretches, then I'd hear us all moving around, restlessly trying to find a comfortable spot. Occassionally unable to find that comfortable spot and thus huffing and puffing around for a while not wanting to ask if anyone was awake, but hoping someone else would notice and speak. I talked to Delaney a few times during the night, but mostly just, "Are you okay?" "Yes."
The next morning we headed to church, where I finally let the flood gates down and ugly cried for a while. I was stuck in the middle of the row and couldn't figure out how to escape without causing a huge scene, so I tried to hold it in, but that only made it worse. Then, I looked over to see that Matt's eyes weren't exactly dry...then I really lost it!
The next few days were very scary for our neighbor in ICU. He was unresponsive, they ran more tests, couldn't find anything wrong, and decided to do some exploratory surgery to find the issue. Turns out there were internal injuries that weren't showing up on their scans. After those were fixed, his health really started to turn around. Our last update was that he was sitting on the edge of the bed doing exercises and being moved to a normal room soon. Then, he is headed to a rehabilitation center, and finally, to his son's house.
That leaves a dark, empty house next to us. I have a hard time looking out the window. It makes me sad for so many reasons. All the things we never said to them or did for them that we can never change. I guess I'm sad for missed opportunities. I'm sad for him, that after 51 years of marriage he must go this route alone. I'm sad that Delaney still isn't dealing with death well. She hasn't slept an entire night since we told her. Friday night was probably the worst because we took her to the calling. We both felt like it was the right choice. We explained beforehand that her body would be there, but that everything we loved about her was in Heaven. She was such a God honoring Proverbs 31 woman! Phenomenal example for me to follow (and I never told her that). Carson hid behind me the entire time and Delaney just looked like she could burst into tears. She withdrew a lot afterwards, but set up camp in our room again for the night.
Finally, on Saturday she went with me to take care of the cats. We are honored (seriously) to be taking care of their cats for the time being. Those cats were her babies, so I hug them tight!! I never knew cleaning a litterbox could be therapeutic, but it is!! (sorry, I digress, as I'm sure I have a lot, but I'm just trying to get my thoughts out of my head) Delaney went with me to check on the cats. That means we walk all through the house, feed them, love on them, clean the litterbox, accidentally let one out and chase it through the snowy yard in boots with heels to catch him and put him back in so he doesn't freeze. Delaney looked around the house a lot, and that is when she started to open up. The questions came free flowing, some I could answer, and some I couldn't. No one can. I gave her opinions, backed up by facts, and cried some with her. I think it was really a healing process. Who knew cats could heal a heart.
I know that I can't go back and do all the things I never did, but somehow, bringing in the mail and snuggling with a cat makes me feel like I'm doing something. I know that their family may never know how much I needed this opportunity, but it has really helped me to grieve.
Pray for our neighbor, that his emotional wounds can heal as quickly as his physical wounds. He knows that one day he will spend eternity with his love, but he is questioning why he didn't get to go with her this time. I think, after 51 years of marriage, I'd question that too.

I'm on my way....

Well folks (I write as if someone other than my sister is reading this....HA), I have made it past mile marker 84 on this endeavor. That is well past Franklin, but not quite to the outlet mall. I feel as if I should include some photos of myself with the nasty hair band half pony tail, sweaty face, and workout clothes. Instead, I'll save you all the visual and just let you read about my progress.

Journey....

In 2011, my sister had a word for the year. I decided to borrow this idea for 2012.

My word is: JOURNEY.

"A journey may be long or short, but it must start at the very spot one finds oneself." Jim Stovall

My first journey began tonight.

I am a "list maker" that desperately needs to mark off items that are finished. Matt says I write "make a list" at the top of the list just so I can cross something off right away. Maybe so, but nonetheless, that's how I function and feel success.

My first, and probably hardest (at least physically speaking), journey for 2012 is to walk to Florida. WHAT?!? Has she lost her mind?!? No, my goal for 2012 is to keep track of my miles walked/ran (so far I am at 2.20). My goal is to walk my family to Florida for 2013. Matt has agreed that we can go to whatever beach I walk to. If I make it 686.4 miles, then we will find ourselves in Jacksonsville, Florida next year. However, I'd rather go farther south....let's say St Petersburg. It's only 840.5 miles (measured as the crow flies, as that is definitely how I run!!).

I promise to update you on my JOURNEY and share more journeys with you.

It's Independence Day

Wow, what a weekend! We arrived in Madison on Friday afternoon (with our 8 month old niece traveling with us....that was FUN, seriously!!). Our first goal was to set up our sleeping quarters knowing that we wouldn't get back there till well after bedtime. Matt blew up 3 air mattresses and put sheets on all the beds while I gave Ainsley a bottle. Then we headed off to a cookout and to watch the parade. Matt's cousin Chelsea was in the parade, so the highlight of the evening was to yell at her until she looked like she'd like the pavement to open up and swallow her (secretly, I'm sure she was thrilled with the attention though). As planned, we arrived "home" dirty and tired. After a quick shower for the kids, they were in bed and Shannon and I were off to the store.

Saturday daytime was lovely.....super hot, sticky, and full of whiny kids. But, we did manage to find some fun even with the heat. I made pancakes for everyone for breakfast, then the 4 of us walked downtown to find some coffee. We found a yummy coffeehouse and then decided to walk to the fountain to enjoy it, little did we know that there was a wonderful farmer's market set up around the fountain. So, after purchasing some cinnamon rolls from the Amish for breakfast Sunday and a cute little water bottle holder for me and Delaney, we roamed downtown for a while dodging in and out of the heat in some cute little antique/crafty shops. After a sweaty walk to the river we decided to have a nice quiet lunch at the house and then lay down for a while and read while Matt ran to the store to buy some flipflops (he'd already broke 2 pairs in the 24 hours we'd been there!). After a short rest, Matt came home and we walked downtown again (luckily it's only a few blocks!!) to see Shrek Forever After and enjoy some ice cream. After a lovely dinner of anything we could make after raiding my father-in-law's garden (fried potatoes and onions, coleslaw, and hot dogs....those weren't growing, don't worry), we headed down to the river for the fireworks.

Carson went equipped with an "ipod" and huge earphones and he did a great job. He was being contrary about having his picture taken, he really wasn't trying to block out that much noise. The fireworks weren't as loud as I remembered them being, so he even ventured out from under the protection of the tent to watch some of them.

Sunday morning found us with one TIRED girl. She slept through all of us getting up, Matt tearing down everyone else's bed and packing most of it up, and me packing up bags. She finally moved around 10 o'clock. We loaded up the van and headed down to the river for the day, well, after enjoying some yummy cinnamon rolls!

It was a super steamy day, but we had a blast. We watched the airshow, notice the plane coming out from under the bridge that was right in front of us. Both of the kids (and the adults) enjoyed that trick. Then we went to find some "fair food" for lunch. Yum ~ fried veggies!!

Did I mention it was hot out???

The day ended perfect with boat racing and rock skipping/throwing. Matt throws a rock up on the same ledge every summer, so we watch while he takes his few warm up shots and then nails it. This year, Carson was trying to join in the fun....some day, it will happen.

Thanks to Grandpa opening up his home to us again, we had an awesome 4th of July weekend. Wonderful memories were made and the kids are already planning for next year.

I blinked....

.....and somewhere, in the middle of my eyes being closed, my baby boy turned into this handsome little prince charming. I feel so blessed that God gave me a boy. I had NO idea what I would do with a son, coming from a house of girls, but there is a very special bond between a momma and her son. Don't get me wrong, there are still some boyish things I don't understand, but I firmly believe I never will!! I do love that there are hot wheels in my house, that I can find nerf gun "bullets" everywhere I look, and that sweet sweaty boy smell (yes, I'm aware that it won't be sweet in a few years!!) that he has when he comes in from playing outside.

Delaney was named after a sweet song that states, "She's growing up too fast for me, asking lots of questions, some I know the answers too and some I'm looking for suggestions." I never thought I'd say that, but she is growing up too fast. She reads very well, she writes in her journal daily, and she is becoming very artistic. She still loves to be tucked in at night and have her back tickled. She is wonderful at entertaining herself (and actually prefers to be alone). She is absolutely gorgeous (okay, maybe I'm biased on that one). She is wise far beyond her years and I love her more each day. I am SO lucky to be the mother of this amazing little girl!

Why I Love the Beginning of Summer Break

The end of an exciting school year and really noticing the growth that has occured

Successful finishes of a very hard year (on both mom and child)

Cosmos and birdbaths that I can see from my kitchen windows

Free snapdragons from greenhouse workers that know a sparkle in a 4 year old boy's eyes is far more important than a profit

Window boxes filling up with color

Dirty, sweaty little boys at campfires

The excitement on this little girl's face when she's talking to and swimming with her grandpa

Lazy Sunday afternoons in a hammock

A gorgeous garden growing

Having time to create because there is no homework, no concrete bedtime, and no stressed out momma stifling it because of the mess it's making

A Week to Remember (Part 1)

I'll be honest, I dreaded this week for days before it happened. What were we going to do? All 4 of us at home, little resources to go do anything fun, and it would be this way for a whole week? I was sure someone wouldn't make it through the week alive....and, to be honest, I feared it might be me! So, I started off the week by getting a pedicure. I had been given a gift card to an nice salon nearby and decided that I would use it to get "pretty feet."

We decided after picking Delaney up from school on Friday that a trip to the Y for some open swim time was in order. We had a blast for over an hour in the pool. That was a fun way to kick off our week!

The kids have wanted to sleep in Carson's bunk beds since the day they went up, but we won't let them on school nights and the one time Delaney tried before she gave up b/c Matt told her she had to follow Carson's rules in Carson's room and he wouldn't let her stay up and read b/c he wanted the light turned off. But, this time, they stayed put and they both slept. Luckily Car sleeps up in the top bunk b/c Delaney usually is hanging out of her normal twin bed.

Saturday was a birthday bash for my nephews....great family time, good Mexican food, and the yummiest homemade cupcakes and ice cream!!! Go Cara!!

Sunday we went to church and then cleaned out Delaney's closet. That might not sound like fun to most people, but I had a blast. I love clothes and shoes and having a daughter that also loves clothes and shoes makes my heart smile! She tried on all the clothes I layed out without whining, she even made silly remarks about what didn't fit or what she didn't like. It was a wonderful mommy-daughter afternoon.

Monday was supposed to be my jammie day, but Matt had a great idea to go work out before lunch.....grrr him and his great ideas. We had a great workout though and I felt better all day b/c of it! Then, we watched Ainsley for the afternoon. Seeing Carson with her desperately made me want to have another baby...then I started to remember the sleepless nights and how far we've come....never mind, we'll just borrow our neice and nephews instead!

Tuesday's agenda included Incredible Pizza Company with Grandma Teri and a sleepover for the kids at Grandma's house (yeah Mommy and Daddy!!!). Matt and I had a great time spending a gift card I'd been given for Christmas on a yummy dinner. The kids also had a great time staying up late at Grandma's house and watching Uncle Darrell on TV.

Breakfast with Barbie

A friend of mine emailed a few weeks ago to give me some very important information.....there was a breakfast with Barbie scheduled at a local beauty college. For a very reasonable price Delaney could have waffles, get a manicure, a make up application, and an "up-do." What mother of a princess wouldn't jump at that opportunity?!? Matt went to buy her a ticket while we were all at school and then I waited to tell her till the night before so we didn't have to be questioned about it for an entire week. She had a GREAT time, even though she played the "shy" girl role all morning. Manicure ~ pink and purple

Barbie applying her make up
And the gorgeous up do!

"Practically" there

I have not abandoned this blog, though it does seem that way. Life takes such twists and turns that lately I've just been holding onto the edge of my seat and hoping I'm still in it when the ride slows down. Matt went "back to school" last fall. He started a 6 month EMT class that met every Monday and Thursday from 6pm to 10pm and required hours of clinical work in Emergency rooms and on ambulances. Right before his class began, basketball season started with cheer practice for me at least twice a week and games on the days where there wasn't practice. Needless to say, that made us a house where we passed each other coming and going and there were days that Matt didn't get to see the kids at all.

Basketball season ended in February and I regained some normalcy in my schedule. However, February took us on a new path through a thick forest with no path cut before us. We are still trying to find the clearing at the end of the woods and some days seem darker and the animals preying on us seem to be louder, but we are holding firm to what we know is true...God sees the clearing at the end of our path and He is waiting for us. We must only keep pressing on, knowing that all is perfect in His timing.

Do not be worried about us, nothing that major is going on around here....we are all healthy and our children are cluelessly happy. All they know is that daddy is home all of the time now and that sure is exciting! Carson has an afternoon playmate and Matt has a helper for the yardwork. However, no one pays you for playing with your children, that is where the unfortunate scary part comes to play. My Valentine's Day present was that Matt had lost his job. I still enjoyed my PF Changs, knowing it would be our last "nice" meal for a while. :-)

However, just this past Monday, Matt's 6 months of hard work paid off and we were able to attend his graduation ceremony. He graduated 3rd in his class and his teacher jokingly pointed out that he kept her spelling in check (for those of you who really know Matt, that won't shock you!). Only the state written test stands between him and a whole new crop of job opportunities. I am not worried about that test and am fairly confident he isn't either.

Here are some pictures from the graduation.....does he look shocked to be holding that certificate?? I had faith in him all along....I'm proud of you honey!!

Disney

You know that feeling...you go on vacation, you come home feeling totally unrested and a little frazzled. Then, while trying to catch up with work, laundry, more work, life, and a little more work, you can't find the time to post pictures of your vacation. Then, a few weeks has passed and you think, wow, no one really cares now....well, whether you care of you don't, you are getting some highlights from the best vacation ever!

Upon our arrival at the happiest place on earth...or at least the airport!

Look at those kids loving each other....vacation makes everybody nicer :-)

Racing cars at the Downtown Disney Lego store...now that was fun!

The Lion King show.....by far Carson's favorite activity that required him to sit still!

Two of the cutest boys I've ever seen!

One of the craft stations at Epcot

Even though Carson was coming down with the flu, he was still adorable in the pictures!

Riding the Buzz game one last time.....we are too competitive of a family, so we could have riden that one 50 times to try to out do each others scores!

Hmmm....think it was humid there??? Look at those curls!

tidbits of September

We took a Saturday to clean out the garage. Car was a HUGE helper! I'm kind of embarassed by the mess behind him, but I promise it doesn't look that bad now.

Delaney and I rewarded ourselves for a month of Kindergarten behind us and went to get pedicures. She did an awesome job sitting still. The super sweet lady put little daisies on a few of her piggies and fingers too!

This was the creative game the kids invented...zoom the cars across the shelves and into the box. It's pretty cute to watch them starting to work together to create different things to do with their toys.

This was the AWESOME duck cake at Shannon's shower. Jess's friend Sandy made it and it was just as delicious as it was adorable!

Obviously delicious as my sweets/chocolate connoisseur isn't letting a drop go to waste.

Delaney wanted to take a picture of us, so we let her...it actually turned out kind of cute!

And, finally, the beautiful roses left from Shannon's shower....nothing super special, I just thought they were pretty!!