Real Quick

Brad hasn't been counting. Out of the blue yesterday he counted up to 11! So random, but yea Brad.

Last night as I was putting Cole to bed, he wanted to say a special prayer. Do you know who for? He wanted to pray for my grandpas that are in Heaven. I love his little heart with all of mine.

Carried Away

Ok - the countdown is on! Here is my to do list. I think I might be in over my head but totally do-able right? I've already briefed the boys that this week is serious and I will expect them to keep their toys upstairs. I think they understood and will comply to this request.

*Do all laundry AND put away. This will be a milestone because I don't think all the clothes have been put away since....... June 1st. It's my least favorite chore ever.
*Dust the whole house
*Clean all the bathrooms
*Change litter box
*Mop floors by hand
*Take Mike Victor to Boise to get fixed
*Detail clean the bathrooms
*Detail clean the kitchen
*Find the floor of the office and file all the paperwork. This hasn't been done since.... June 1st. Get it ready for our house guest to stay while we're in Hawaii.
*Vacuum (no problem there) and Steam Clean the entire house
*Tackle the boys rooms and organize the toys
*Make grocery list and shop
*Prepare special meals in advance
*Bathe the dogs
*Clean the windows
*Brush the spiderwebs off the front door
*Clean out the car, detail
*Paint fingernails and toenails, maybe a nice facial mask
*Lose 10 pounds and fit into old clothes
*Take care of all MOPS planning through October


All of this is to be done between meetings, soccer practices, Bible Study, haircuts, school, and nightly plans. Totally do-able. Honey, please overlook some details if it doesn't ALL get taken care of..... especially the 10 pounds part. I'll try to adjust you to reality slowly. Now, if anyone catches me on the computer in the next week, please recite this list to me.

Meet Bluebell

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? She's finally here. Meet the newest member of our family, Bluebell. I've named her that because she's blue and ever since Amy Garrison told me about BlueBell Ice Cream's latest flavor Candy Jar, I can't get it out of my head. (inquiring minds: it's full of all different kinds of crushed candy bars. CAN YOU IMAGINE?!?!)

Bluebell is my 7th Anniversary gift from Keith. Typically men should shy away from appliances as anniversary gifts, but this is an exception. She's perfect. I think Dysons should make their way into every home in America. If I ran the world, it would be standard issue. They'll be like televisions and computers... you watch. They'll catch on. I got to test run my friend's vacuum, but it did not prepare me for today. I love her. She's light, easy to handle, not very loud, good at her job, and leave the prettiest little vacuum tracks.

If I were rich all of you would be looking at your next Christmas present, but.... I'm not. It's the thought that counts right? To those of you who have been telling me to get on the bandwagon sooner, I'm sorry. You were right. Wendy, my heart aches for you a little more today. You'll be reunited soon ((hugs))

Undeserving

I have the greatest friends. I wish I was articulate enough to compose the most touching letter to each and every one of you. I have been beyond blessed in the girlfriend department and I truly treasure time with you all.

I USE to have these two friends by the name of Erin and Ashley. I say "use to" because I'm not sure what my status is to them after this morning. They volunteered to help out with MOPS this morning and were in the infant classroom. I peeked my head over and there were NINE babies screaming all at once. They are supermoms, but there's really only so much human ears can take. I kid you not Erin was bottle feeding two different children and changing a diaper all at the same time. Ashley was bouncing a crying infant in her arms and with her leg rocking a bouncy seat. And with all those tears came runny noses. I think we lost count in the nose wiping department. AND THEN - they stayed and helped me clean up! Pretty great, huh?

They helped me out because they have big hearts. I appreciate it more than words and I'm sorry for the constant ringing in your ears for the rest of the day. It would be a very depressing life without my military family here in Idaho. Thanks again. Please answer the phone when I call you later this afternoon!

NNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

This is what was screaming inside my head when I found this:





Thanks Brad. That trick couldn't wait till Daddy gets home? Now what do I do??? Move the guest bedroom upstairs by myself, somehow block the stairs in case he tries this in the middle of the night??? Watch out world, there's no stopping him now.

I.T.D.M.Y.C.I.D.K.W.W.

In other words: If this doesn't make you cry, I don't know what will.

Emotionally, this has been a rough summer. Keith has been gone almost 4 months and the boys have been missing him like crazy. If ever there was a dream Daddy, it would be Keith. He's the greatest mixture of fun, crazy, stability, honesty, caring, mentoring, and patience. Since he's been gone, Keith has sent packages, presents, postcards. He calls daily and talks with the boys. Keith has tried to do everything in his powers to keep in touch with them. Reminding Cole and Brad of his love for his two little buds.




However, I think the best gift has been a book he wrote for the boys. It's affectionately known as "Daddy's Book" around here. With a little help from Shutterfly, Keith's book is full of pictures and stories of what he's been doing. He explains to their little hearts why he had to leave. He details his trip and captions the pictures highlighting all the important parts (read:BUGS).







We read it everyday. I wish you could hear how excited Cole and Brad get as we go through page after page. I wish you could see the devotion in their eyes looking at pictures of Keith. I wish their daddy was home... soon. Keith, on behalf of your kids, thank you for this book. You're a good daddy and we love you more than words.

Reality Check

Today was a reality check. Boise Botanical Gardens hosted a Mad Hatter's Tea Party. GREAT! That sounds like fun. Alice in Wonderland is a fun movie, the boys will like it. So we drive out to Boise, pay to get in, grab our tickets and head to the Mad Hat Making Tables. This set the tone for the rest of the day....

Reality Check - I have boys. Boys that are obsessed with getting dirty, boys that have the attention span of a fly, boys that can't sit to watch a movie unless strapped in a car seat, boys that don't like to sit and color or work on anything crafty. Ashley and I crafted.. the boys looked for bugs.







They amused me and my efforts to do different things and I love them with all my heart. I promise... next year I won't forget Bug Day.