Thank Heavens

I have been busy! I have lost 20 lbs. in 5 weeks, and I am training for the KC half marathon.

Dig a Little Deeper

Last Thursday, my Mom and Mike treated Joseph and I to a night at the K. I love the new stadium, and find myself dreaming of making Royals' baseball a summer tradition for Joseph and Charlotte in the coming years.


I love the back of Mike's shirt. In fact, everyone needs a shirt to remind us all to Dig a Little Deeper.

Joe has been to T-Bones games. But he was younger, and this ball field is ginormous compared to Community America ball park. Don't misunderstand, I still love T-Bones' games, but the K carries a whole different nostalgia.

Nothing cuter than a little boy in Converse sneakers!

Glove at the ready?!?

Just like the giant hot dog, egg roll and taquito at T-Bones' games, Joe is not particularly fond of adults in mascot costumes. Total hysterics, even when Slugger was at least 100 feet away.

This picture is not a good indicator, but Joe absolutely devoured his hot dog, and ...

slammed his ice cream.

Proud of his 'stache


Maybe it's the dork in me, but I love Converse sneakers even for myself.




Not sure why he is pointing, but you can start to see the loopy expression on his face.

Whooping and hollerin' even though the Royals lost to the White Sox. Talk about team spirit.

Just keep the mascots far, far away!

THE END

Playing Hookie

Saturday, June 27th I left work early (if you call a 10 hour day early!?!) to make an appearance at my sister's high school graduation party. David also worked that day, but he brought the kids out before work so they could be a part of the festivities.

Here is my youngest, sweet, eternally optimistic sister Mackenzie. Initially, the thought of Mackenzie graduating didn't mean too much to me, but then I realized how much more time I would get to spend with her. She has helped out immensly with the kids, and I love to call her up and invite her over to eat dinner and just hang out. Growing up I lived with my Mom and two sisters, and although we sometimes fought like wild banshees I have missed the times we used to share together. Those are stories for another time.
So before I arrived these pictures of Charlotte and my Mom were taken by my Aunt Sherri. Charlotte's dress is from Target. I hesitated to buy it because, she didn't necessarily need a new dress, but my gut told me I would regret not buying it. Let me rephrase that, I would regret not dressing her in this sweet little ensemble. Some of you may be rolling your eyes right now.

But when I saw these pictures, my heart swelled, burst, and ached all at the same time. I have never seen such a radiant, glowing baby. I just want to hover over and protect her from all of the hurt in the world. Charlotte's personality is adventurous and innocently mischievous at the same time. Yes, I said innocently mischievous. The girl will pull all of my pots and pans out of the cabinet, or dig into the bathroom trash (just once) and look up at you with big blue eyes and smile while crinkling her little nose. In which I respond, "oh you silly little girl" as I scoop her up in my arms and eat her yummy baby cheeks.

I could ramble on and on and on about the joy I derive from watching Charlotte, but I must save some rambling for future posts. I will post pics of Joe at the Royals later today.

Mud Baths and Beyond

Another random, infrequent post. I am not even sure what to say. David and I each have an independent project in the works, which will be announced at later dates. Something I feel we both needed to be true to ourselves and stay sane. Since the beginning of June, I wake up before the kids to get "things" done. Then when the kids wake up, the day begins. We don't go many places, daytime is the time Joe and David spend together, so their day is typically spent in the yard. And Charlotte's nap schedule often keeps me close to home. The girl takes two naps a day, and if I am obsessive about anything it is ensuring my children get plenty of sleep. Sleep = brain maturation. Oh yah, and sleep = a happy disposition.

This was Monday at lunch time. We will probably do more of the same today. I am going to make an Oven Fried Chicken, blanch some green beans (I love crunchy, bright green beans) and sweet potato fries. Now that I am thinking about it, I want to whip up some sun chai tea, and have David break out the vintage picnic table. It's not too hot under the shade tree. Let's not forget watermelon for dessert. I have really had some hankerings for summer fruit, especially watermelon and cherries.



As for this character, he amazes me everyday. He is not a baby anymore. He is a little boy. And might I add, he has my tempermant, this I am sure. Joe loves playing outside, which I love, but sometimes it is hard for me to keep up on household obligations when I stay outside with him. We received his preschool supply list, and info to begin the school year. Oh I can't wait! They even have a parents group that sounds very involved throughout the year. Monthly field trips, a holiday program, a float in the high school homecoming parade, and I can even bake homemade treats for his birthday. It is all so nostalgic! Joe is also very excited about the Bonner Springs library opening July 12th. He asks to drive by it when we leave the house, and then remarks how he can't wait for his school and the library to open. Amazing, it is a true honest to goodness person, with likes, dislikes, fears and triumphs that God allowed us to create and nurture.

Now, I must tend to my kitchen, summer tea and daughter's dirty diaper. Stay cool peeps!

Blueberry Pancakes for my Blues Eyes

May 30th

A fashionably late post. May 30th was the long anticipated Campout and Walk for Life in honor of my uncle Mel who left this earth a little over one year ago. I had a link posted in my sidebar for quite some time, and will repost another link once information is posted about the 2010 event. A lot could be said about that night so I will only say a little - you could lose yourself in my babbling. Plus, I wasn't sure how to document and interpret the night, so here it goes.

Ever since Nano and Uncle Mel passed away, anytime something of nature catches my eye to make me pause or look twice, I feel the presence of my loved ones with me. As I walked by this burning candle nailed to a post in the pitch black parking lot, I paused. I even came back to it several times, trying to capture just the right photograph to convey how this candle made me feel. It was late at night or early in the morning, the church grounds were fairly full of tents and campers. The festivities of the night had ended and most were quiet. Here in this dark quiet was a lone, amber glowing cross, which emitted the smell of incense. I thought of my uncle Mel, and about how whenever he was around I felt a sense that everything would be okay, (also that I need to just lighten up sometimes). Since I couldn't park myself at the base of the pole for fear of looking like an idiot, I clung to that image all night.

I probably only slept for two hours that night (hence no pictures of me at this event). My mind was racing. My stupid work alarm on my phone woke me up from a much needed slumber that I would not return to. When I saw the time on my phone, my first thought was I must go look at the sky. I was not dissappointed, the heavens were open for all to see. And again, there was that enveloping hope that everything will be alright. Thank you Nano and Uncle Mel for beginning that day in that way. We miss you both with all of our hearts.

the Garage Sale

I have always thought that a garage sale would be too much work. But in my frenzied obsession to declutter our house, a garage sale became quite alluring. David may scratch his head with this statement, but I really enjoyed working together as a family. The kids were well behaved and socialized well with our shoppers. I just felt a sense of accomplishment for our little family. I failed to mention, (heehehehee) that unfortunately I had to work Saturday, so my sister Mackenzie came over to help David with the kids and the sale. As far as garage sales are concerned, we were quite successful.
It seemed like shopping was ebb and flow, so I took pics during downtime. I love taking pictures outside, because, the majority of the time I don't have to use a flash.

Like almost all little boys, Joe loves to dig in the dirt. He looks for a specific type of rock, and collects a handful - then he calls them his "eggs". Then he becomes quite protective of them for the rest of the day.

This amber hued mirror, that had been hiding in one of our sheds, caught my eye. I liked the rosy hue it would cast in the reflection.