In Our Hearts Forever

Hello everyone! It has been a long time! I am trying to get my brain back in blogger mode, but I would like to take this week to tell you about a very special person that is no longer with us, but will always be in our hearts. Her name was Barbara J. Haynes ( aka Mom & Gramma B). She was my mother in law and I loved her dearly for so many reasons. Of course I love her for raising the wonderful man I get to spend the rest of my life with- and trust me that was a hard job, but she did it with an unconditional love that is to be admired. She was affectionate, gentle, caring, loving, intelligent, opinionated, and as Ben and I like to say she was sugar and spice and spice and vinager! I will always have great memories of times we had with her and regret that there were not more of them. The boys will miss her telling them all the stories about daddy when he was a boy and all the trouble he got into. Nothing made them laugh more! And I know we will all miss the loving mother and grandmother she was to us. Good-bye for now, Mom. You are in our hearts forever! We love you.

First Day of School!

Well, we did it! We made it through the summer and are now entering the world of early rising and frantic schedules. The first day was easy. Excitement got them up and ready in no time and we made it to school with time to spare! I love the first day of school! Handsome boys in their favorite clothes, squeaky clean sneakers, new lunch boxes that haven't started to smell yet, and smiling faces at the door telling you to hurry up or they are going to be late for school! Ahhh, bliss! I know it will all change when the excitement wears off, but for now I will bask in sweet victory and enjoy my first kid free day in three months! These are the first day pictures from last year and today! Wow, 2nd & 3rd grade! I am such a proud mama!

Boys will be boys!

I wasn't sure what to blog about this week until our pastor gave me an idea! He was talking about wives and mothers and what a typical day in the life of a mother looks like. So, I decided to make a mental list of things I say to my boys in a typical day. Take today for example. Before we even made it to lunch time I had said to them "no using knives while I'm in the shower!" and " You can't climb a tree with a saw in your hand! and "Be careful with that staple gun you could shoot your brothers eye out! Something tells me we are not living a typical life! And perhaps I'm not your typical mom! But at the end of the day I will thank God for protecting them another day and giving me the priviledge to be their mother. This picture was taken on another day when I said to them "Did you really dump the whole bottle of bubbles in the tub?" I guess the moral of the story is, the next time you hear yourself saying something like "Farting at the table is not funny!" just remember this wonderful season in life is so short. I better go check on those little rascals right now!

Memory Lane

My girlfriend Jessica had her baby girl. I went to the hospital yesterday to see her and she is sooo beautiful! Holding a newborn is just good for the soul. It reminded me of the moment I met each of my boys. That picture is as clear in my mind today as it was the day they were born. And now one of them is a teenager! My sweet little blue eyed, six pound baby boy with jet black hair standing up on his head is now my sweet 15 year old that shaves and wants to drive the car! Wow, does time fly when you are having fun! When they were in diapers I thought they would never grow up and then they potty trained and someone hit the fast forward button! Don't forget to enjoy the ride! Thanks for coming down memory lane with me!

We're Back!

Wow! What a great trip! So many highlights I'm not sure I'll be able to get them all in. We visited with Ben's mom, hung out with my brother and his family, went boogie boarding in Oceanside, braved Legoland, stuffed our brains with knowledge at the Science museum, roasted marshmallows, had charactures of the boys drawn in their undies, and the list goes on! I love vacation! Although, besides all the mounds of laundry it is good to be home! There is something very special about sleeping in your own bed! Seriously though, I think I may need a few more washing machines if I don't want to be doing laundry for an eternity! Have a good week everyone!

San Diego, Here We Come!

We are getting ready for our big trip to San Diego! Unfortunately, all these have to come with us. Ben and I just finished filling all our "pill packs" for the trip. It's a bummer Lyme doesn't take a vacation! I think I might need a vacation from getting ready for this vacation! Meds, check. Clothes washed, check. Find someone to feed the cat, check. Clean the car out, check. Load the car up, check. Bring my sanity, Oh, crap I can't find that! Maybe I'll just leave that behind this time instead of my toothbrush! Well, it looks like we are ready for San Diego. The question is "Is San Diego ready for us"? Have a sunshiny day everybody!

Quote of the Day!

I know this is my weekly blog, but I thought I would put in a "Quote of the Day" because God only knows when my life will be organized enough to post everyday like I promised in the beginning! I think I must have been dreamin'! Anyway, Spencer was a bit grumpy when he got up and when I asked him if he got up on the wrong side of the bed he looked at me confused and said, "No, I got up on the left side like I always do!" The look on his face said, "Is there a wrong side"? So cute! It's always a good day when it starts with a good laugh with your kids.
Have you laughed with your kids today? If not, I highly recommend it! Old picture, but thought it was appropriate for laugh factor! Yes, those are diapers, AKA "Super Hero Helmets"! Have a great week everybody!