Late last week I received news that a high school classmate's two and a half month old daughter passed away unexpectedly. As I read the news about this tragic event, my stomach tightened and I felt nauseas. Why do things like this happen? Why to this classmate? She had just, six months ago, buried her brother after his incredible fight with cancer.
As our family is facing a few medical unknowns, I felt that this event was one of those that reminds me to hug my babies and my husband as tightly as I can for as long as I can. I never know when it will be the last time.
I left work Friday with an intentional attitude. Intentionally focused on the joys of life. Intentionally focused on the beautiful moments, the perfect sounds, and the adorable smiles that are a part of my world.
And so I began to make notes about the things I intentionally noticed...
the voices in my life - the sound of two brothers laughing together and arguing with one another in the span of five minutes time...
a mama bird swooping into the birdhouse to sit on her eggs...
dogs running through the backyard, tongues hanging out and tails wagging as though life couldn't get any better (FYI - life for our dogs can't get any better - they are absolutely spoiled rotten)...
the sound of kid shovels digging in the sandbox and the imaginative conversation that is being had about what they are building...
full bellies after a yummy home-cooked meal...
rose bushes in bloom...
a partner in life who can make the weight of the world lift from my shoulders with one handsome smile...
a partner in life who works hard for his family...
the privilege we have to both have jobs we enjoy...
two functioning cars...
an old, full of character home that sat empty for so long now alive with laughing, bickering, singing, pretending little boys...
a gentle breeze that makes the 81 degree heat with 80+% humidity feel bearable...
blueberry bushes...
piping hot coffee...
father/son time watching a movie, playing in the backyard, and being his shadow as he works around the house on projects...
clean sheets...
polite words from the 4.5 year old to his brother offering to share his toys...
a sweet kiss from a snotty-nosed 2.5 year old...
a game of I-Spy in the car on the way to spend the day in the mountains...
the smell of the early morning fog and mist at 3400 feet above sea level while looking out over the north GA mountains...
the toning of muscles as we hiked a 2 mile trail to see a waterfall...
the silence on the car ride home as two little boys slept...
holding hands with RA...
the warmth of the sun...
a sweet smile and wave from an elderly gentleman eating alone at Waffle House as he noticed our two little boys...
a kind stranger in the grocery store parking lot who saw me with my hands full as I loaded groceries and a child into the car and offered to take the buggy back to the buggy corral for me...
two little boys who snuggled up to me and talked about their day as they were tucked into bed...
the gentle rhythm of the tick-tock mantle clock...
Notice and appreciate the small things in life. Intentionally notice and voice your appreciation for those things.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
A Day In The Life - Spring 2017
I've read Julia's blog for a few years now and always wanted to participate in her Day In The Life roundup, but never got around to it. So this year I set a goal to participate each quarter. :-)
RA (husband) is 36
H (mommy) is 31
RF (oldest son) is 4.5
E (youngest son) is 2.5
Gracie (boxer/lab/retriever mix fur baby) is 9.5
Gus and Daisy (beagle fur-babies) are 1
I chose to document Saturday, April 8, 2017. I knew it would be a fun day for the boys as we traveled to Nana's house for a local spring festival.
6:36 AM --- RF is awake, which means I am too.
6:47 AM --- RF eating breakfast with RA (was already awake when RF and I woke up) while I jump into the shower.
6:55 AM --- I'm out of the shower and find E wandering through our bedroom hunting his mama.
7:18 AM --- Mama is ready to get on the road; pack the bags in the car.
7:20 AM --- I had planned to change the boys clothes (out of PJs and into real clothes) before we start our drive, but decide to wait until we get to Nana's house. Traveling in PJs is more comfortable and it's early.
7:24 AM --- The car is packed, boys are strapped into their car seats, Gracie is in the back of the SUV, and we are headed to Nana's house. Nana's house = heaven on earth for RF and E. :-)
7:25 AM --- DVD player is not working. Crap. We begin our drive anyway with conversation about what we see outside and begin listening to some music on the radio.
7:36 AM --- Drive to Nana's is fairly scenic for the first 45 minutes or so and the boys are enjoying telling me (i.e. yelling at the top of their lungs) every time they see a cow/horse/goat/sheep/any barnyard animal.
7:45 AM --- Sister calls on her way to work. Just to chat.
8:23 AM --- "Are we there yet, mama?" Only about 30 more minutes to go and I'm proud to say that listening to the music on the radio and our conversations lasted almost a full hour. Boys are becoming antsy, so Mama pulls over and tries one more time to get the DVD player to work and voilà it's working. A few episodes of Paw Patrol will hold them over for the next 30 minutes until we get to Nana's. Mama continues to enjoy a coffee on the drive south.
8:58 AM --- Not quite to Nanas house yet. Spring Break traffic. RF is in a grumpy mood. Called Nana to ask her to make some biscuits so that RF could eat when he gets there because he is "absolutely starving."
9:08 AM --- I realize I forgot the two chairs to take to the hot air balloon festival tonight. Ugh. A trip to Wal-Mart on a Saturday is in my future.
9:10 AM --- Finally! Getting off the interstate at the exit to Nana's town.
9:13 AM --- RA texted to say he saw a opossum in the yard, alive, at 9:00 this morning. I text him back that I thought they were nocturnal. He responds that they are and it is highly unusual and it can be an indication of the opossum being rabid. Ugh. I remind him to keep the puppies AWAY.
9:21 AM --- YAY! We made it to Nana's house and the boys are going crazy - they love, love, love their Nana and Babu. They immediately head to the sand box after saying their hellos and thanking Babu for fixing one of their Hess trucks.
9:52 AM --- Getting ready to head to the annual Dogwood Festival. Trying to get real clothes on the kids.
10:05 AM --- Kids are dressed and we are about to head out for some festival fun. Double check my car to be sure we have an extra set of underwear and pants for E in case we have any accidents. Having two kids potty-trained is awesome. Seriously - no diapers in the house --- PRAISE.
10:16 AM --- Leaving Nana's house and headed downtown to enjoy the festivities.
10:20 AM --- Stop by a yard sale on our way to the festival. RF finds a metal boat decorated in red, white, and blue. He tells us it's the 'American Ship.' E finds a Thomas the Train toy. Nana obliges and buys both items for the boys.
10:35 AM --- Heading downtown towards the festival.
11:10 AM --- Ran in to an old high school friend. Stopped to chat for a few minutes before heading over to watch the dog jump and wandering through all of the booths.
12:07 PM --- Leaving the festival and stop by McDonald's to grab a quick lunch for the kids before heading back to Nana's. I can tell E is exhausted from all the fun.
12:24 PM --- Home for lunch. Kids eat and then run outside to play in Nana's backyard. I have a turkey sandwich and peruse social media for a few minutes.
12:56 PM --- Head outside with the kids and spend some time enjoying the warm sunshine.
1:10 PM --- It's clear E needs a nap. I grab him to go lay down and he makes it clear that he's not happy about having to go inside to rest.
1:24 PM --- E is asleep, Nana and RF are hanging out in the backyard. Mama is going to veg on the couch and binge watch HGTV (since we don't have cable at home, I have to get my Fixer Upper fix when we go to Nana's house).
2:56 PM --- OMG. Did I just veg on the sofa, uninterrupted, for an hour and a half?
2:58 PM --- RF brings me a rock in the shape of a heart and says its for me because he loves me so much. Says he and Nana are going to paint it for me. :-)
3:05 PM --- I know I should get up, but being lazy feels so good...
3:18 PM --- E is awake, so it really is time for me to come back to the land of the living.
3:37 PM --- Nana asks RF to go check mail.
3:41 PM --- Swinging in the sunshine - listening to the kids play and the birds chirp - I love spring.
4:45 PM --- Remember that trip to Walmart I mentioned earlier? Headed there now. Say a prayer that I come out unscathed.
5:18 PM --- Home from Walmart. Time for a quick dinner before heading to the Hot Air Balloon Festival at the local fairgrounds.
5:43 PM --- Everyone is finished eating, so I start getting RF and E dressed to head out.
5:53 PM --- Ready to go!
6:12 PM --- Arrive at the Hot Air Balloon Festival and find a spot to park our blanket, chairs, and bag.
6:28 PM --- RF and E spot the kid zone. Fork out $20 for them to have unlimited playtime on the inflatable slides and obstacle courses.
7:21 PM --- First Port-A-Potty experience with a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Cringe.
8:01 PM --- "You're the best mommy - thank you for bringing us here." --- RF
8:09 PM --- Temper tantrum #1 from RF.
8:14 PM --- Temper tantrum #2 from RF.
8:28 PM --- Time to go. No nap for RF today has him all out of sorts.
8:38 PM --- Loaded up and ready to head home.
8:47 PM --- Home. Quick change into pajamas, light snack, and sip of milk before bed for RF and E.
9:13 PM --- Everyone headed to bed. Mama stays up to work on this post/check social media/catch up on the news/peruse Pinterest.
10:28 PM --- Lights out!
It must have been a fun and tiring day because RF slept until 6:54 Sunday morning, which is late for him, and E slept in until 8:54!
First DITL = success!
RA (husband) is 36
H (mommy) is 31
RF (oldest son) is 4.5
E (youngest son) is 2.5
Gracie (boxer/lab/retriever mix fur baby) is 9.5
Gus and Daisy (beagle fur-babies) are 1
I chose to document Saturday, April 8, 2017. I knew it would be a fun day for the boys as we traveled to Nana's house for a local spring festival.
6:36 AM --- RF is awake, which means I am too.
6:47 AM --- RF eating breakfast with RA (was already awake when RF and I woke up) while I jump into the shower.
6:55 AM --- I'm out of the shower and find E wandering through our bedroom hunting his mama.
7:18 AM --- Mama is ready to get on the road; pack the bags in the car.
Short trip - only a few bags.
7:20 AM --- I had planned to change the boys clothes (out of PJs and into real clothes) before we start our drive, but decide to wait until we get to Nana's house. Traveling in PJs is more comfortable and it's early.
7:24 AM --- The car is packed, boys are strapped into their car seats, Gracie is in the back of the SUV, and we are headed to Nana's house. Nana's house = heaven on earth for RF and E. :-)
"Let's go, mama!"
7:25 AM --- DVD player is not working. Crap. We begin our drive anyway with conversation about what we see outside and begin listening to some music on the radio.
7:36 AM --- Drive to Nana's is fairly scenic for the first 45 minutes or so and the boys are enjoying telling me (i.e. yelling at the top of their lungs) every time they see a cow/horse/goat/sheep/any barnyard animal.
7:45 AM --- Sister calls on her way to work. Just to chat.
8:23 AM --- "Are we there yet, mama?" Only about 30 more minutes to go and I'm proud to say that listening to the music on the radio and our conversations lasted almost a full hour. Boys are becoming antsy, so Mama pulls over and tries one more time to get the DVD player to work and voilà it's working. A few episodes of Paw Patrol will hold them over for the next 30 minutes until we get to Nana's. Mama continues to enjoy a coffee on the drive south.
My addiction...a hot cup of strong coffee...
8:58 AM --- Not quite to Nanas house yet. Spring Break traffic. RF is in a grumpy mood. Called Nana to ask her to make some biscuits so that RF could eat when he gets there because he is "absolutely starving."
9:08 AM --- I realize I forgot the two chairs to take to the hot air balloon festival tonight. Ugh. A trip to Wal-Mart on a Saturday is in my future.
9:10 AM --- Finally! Getting off the interstate at the exit to Nana's town.
9:13 AM --- RA texted to say he saw a opossum in the yard, alive, at 9:00 this morning. I text him back that I thought they were nocturnal. He responds that they are and it is highly unusual and it can be an indication of the opossum being rabid. Ugh. I remind him to keep the puppies AWAY.
9:21 AM --- YAY! We made it to Nana's house and the boys are going crazy - they love, love, love their Nana and Babu. They immediately head to the sand box after saying their hellos and thanking Babu for fixing one of their Hess trucks.
Sneaking into Nana's backyard with Gracie...
"Babu fixed it, mama!"
Yep - straight to the sandbox...
9:52 AM --- Getting ready to head to the annual Dogwood Festival. Trying to get real clothes on the kids.
E is dressed and wandering around the back yard with Gracie...
10:05 AM --- Kids are dressed and we are about to head out for some festival fun. Double check my car to be sure we have an extra set of underwear and pants for E in case we have any accidents. Having two kids potty-trained is awesome. Seriously - no diapers in the house --- PRAISE.
10:16 AM --- Leaving Nana's house and headed downtown to enjoy the festivities.
10:20 AM --- Stop by a yard sale on our way to the festival. RF finds a metal boat decorated in red, white, and blue. He tells us it's the 'American Ship.' E finds a Thomas the Train toy. Nana obliges and buys both items for the boys.
"The American Ship"
10:35 AM --- Heading downtown towards the festival.
LOVE the downtown area in Nana's town...
Everyone's kid has a 2 foot tall stuffed Curious George, right?
Taking a coloring break...
Dog jump!
RF said, "Mama - can you believe it? I'm as big as this tire!"
E enjoying a few minutes on the tractors at the local tractor dealership...
12:07 PM --- Leaving the festival and stop by McDonald's to grab a quick lunch for the kids before heading back to Nana's. I can tell E is exhausted from all the fun.
12:24 PM --- Home for lunch. Kids eat and then run outside to play in Nana's backyard. I have a turkey sandwich and peruse social media for a few minutes.
12:56 PM --- Head outside with the kids and spend some time enjoying the warm sunshine.
So many pretty flowers in Nana's back yard...
Nana took one of the turtles out of the pond for E to see...
1:10 PM --- It's clear E needs a nap. I grab him to go lay down and he makes it clear that he's not happy about having to go inside to rest.
1:24 PM --- E is asleep, Nana and RF are hanging out in the backyard. Mama is going to veg on the couch and binge watch HGTV (since we don't have cable at home, I have to get my Fixer Upper fix when we go to Nana's house).
2:56 PM --- OMG. Did I just veg on the sofa, uninterrupted, for an hour and a half?
2:58 PM --- RF brings me a rock in the shape of a heart and says its for me because he loves me so much. Says he and Nana are going to paint it for me. :-)
3:05 PM --- I know I should get up, but being lazy feels so good...
3:18 PM --- E is awake, so it really is time for me to come back to the land of the living.
3:37 PM --- Nana asks RF to go check mail.
Checking the mail for Nana...
3:41 PM --- Swinging in the sunshine - listening to the kids play and the birds chirp - I love spring.
E decides that his Curious George family needs to swing...
4:45 PM --- Remember that trip to Walmart I mentioned earlier? Headed there now. Say a prayer that I come out unscathed.
5:18 PM --- Home from Walmart. Time for a quick dinner before heading to the Hot Air Balloon Festival at the local fairgrounds.
5:43 PM --- Everyone is finished eating, so I start getting RF and E dressed to head out.
5:53 PM --- Ready to go!
6:12 PM --- Arrive at the Hot Air Balloon Festival and find a spot to park our blanket, chairs, and bag.
My sweet boys...
RF was amazed by the balloons...
6:28 PM --- RF and E spot the kid zone. Fork out $20 for them to have unlimited playtime on the inflatable slides and obstacle courses.
E is a daredevil...
Moving through the obstacle course alongside 7 and 8 year olds...
7:21 PM --- First Port-A-Potty experience with a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Cringe.
8:01 PM --- "You're the best mommy - thank you for bringing us here." --- RF
Watching the balloons inflate...
Silly face selfie with E...
Silly face selfie with RF...
Balloons at sunset...
8:09 PM --- Temper tantrum #1 from RF.
8:14 PM --- Temper tantrum #2 from RF.
8:28 PM --- Time to go. No nap for RF today has him all out of sorts.
See ya next year, hot air balloons!
8:38 PM --- Loaded up and ready to head home.
8:47 PM --- Home. Quick change into pajamas, light snack, and sip of milk before bed for RF and E.
9:13 PM --- Everyone headed to bed. Mama stays up to work on this post/check social media/catch up on the news/peruse Pinterest.
10:28 PM --- Lights out!
It must have been a fun and tiring day because RF slept until 6:54 Sunday morning, which is late for him, and E slept in until 8:54!
First DITL = success!
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