January // 2017

Well, I have finally made it into 2017. Yes, if you are following in real time, it is actually April 2018. So I got a little behind, whatever. I choose to look at these as reminiscing.

Jan 2017. This is a normal image I receive when I have put the little to bed and crawled in bed around 11... 10..  ok 7:30, on a cold Tuesday evening. The hubs and the boy have found tickets and ventured out to a Hog basketball game. They love it. I loathe basketball, unless, of course, one of the boys is playing, so I am perfectly ok with it. This also means the boy is getting juiced up on some cotton candy or something else very good for him!

January also means additional time off school after the holiday break. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my kids and I LOVE being a SAHM but two and a half weeks can drive anyone bonkers. Especially when my kids think I am the party planner and have to fill every moment of their break with something exciting. Eyeroll. I know, I do this to myself.

So with that, and several days prior of house cleaning and organizing, we are off to High Rise to burn some of that energy!

Our best friends, who now live in Chicago, spend a few days of their break with us. It is always so fun to see them and for the boys to get to hang out. I really love this time!

Goobers.

This one got lost in the mix from a December trip with his cousins but I couldn't help but post it because it makes me giggle.

His face at the end is my fav!!

And yes, Grady was there too!

These four! And that momma, loves her too! It is so fun to do this life with these friends. Even if we are currently many, many miles apart!

Later that evening the boys decided to put on a rock show!

Who knows what their future holds?!?!

Morning Legos! These two are such good buddies!

And playing with the dog.

I don't think Dane is capable of looking at the camera... and Cooper has to give me a silly face... every.time.

Double silly. Goodness me, I love these two!

Actually these four! Chaz and Grady are buds! He just loves the littles so much and and SO good with them!

The blur of pure joy!!

There he is! Like an elusive unicorn, this one!

My fav!!

I have zero explanation for these.

I wanted in! It had been a long rainy and cold day stuck inside with these boys but they were awesome!

D "Hey mom, let's pretend we are sleeping"  2ish out of 5 isn't bad.

The other two ran away.

Along with Batman, they will take over the world!

These kids are something awesome! I just hate when they have to leave... Oh, and their parents aren't so bad themselves but we suck at getting pictures of adults!

Oh and you know, when you are suppose to go back to school but it keeps getting cancelled because there is a touch, no seriously the littlest bit and we are closed down, of winter weather.. This will be fun they say!

Before we sent them on their way to a really wintery Chicago, we hung out for the morning and grabbed up Jack J for some more playtime.

This is the 45 seconds of "snow time" he thought would be fun. He is a summer kid like his momma!

And this one was straight worn out from the 2++ weeks of going strong. Rest, little one!

My hubs, always the good Samaritan. He will stop to help anyone, including these people who ran out of gas or had a flat tire on this hill, I can't remember. Did I mention we are in the minivan? Yeah, neither here nor there but if you see a minivan stop to help, don't assume we can't! If it has the hubs inside, you will be taken care of!

When the big brother is with friends, this one gets to pick our lunch spot and he picked Olive Garden.. and he got to sit by the fire. Life is good for this little one!

Parents have a game night, kiddos end up in our bed watching movies!

The things I find on my phone. This is a mix of game night and Snapchat... which equals epicness.

I believe we just proved this on 100%

And I can't even with this. BAHAHAHA!

Yep, you sure did!

Some night result in the kids putting on a show, I remember doing this as a kid so I just kinda grin and bear it. They are usually pretty good but some can be a little painful. This night was magic, which is one of my favs.

He was not overly impressed

But then he was asked to be the assistant. Don't ask about the boy not having a shirt. I am not sure why this is a thing but it seems to be the case with most boys. No need for shirts!

Now he thinks it is cool!

And now he has to sit and watch.

They are so much fun. Time please slow down and let me enjoy these moments more!

And then there are nights momma needs to get out of the house and enjoy a little Bunco with the ladies of the neighborhood! Good times!

And this little cutie became my buddy and good luck charm!

I went home with the crown. Winning!

This boy and his dog. To bad pits are such vicious creatures and should never be allowed around kids. Eyeroll.

Family movie night means my bed is solidly packed. 💓💓

Some evenings involve friends just hanging out and teaching you how to dab. Dane was clearly confused but at least he knows how to salute!

Keep trying, Jack!!

Yes! Or at least a little better!

I don't know. I just don't even know. I do know they had shorts tucked up under there!

And then this happened... nope, not a dog on my legs and me pinned to the bed... well, that did happen here but it isn't what I am talking about. It started with an earache and then a sore throat... and then, Monday morning of MLK, you know, when the kids are out of school, well, I woke up feeling about like a truck hit me PARKED on me. I am not one to go to the doc but my ear hurt terribly, I couldn't swallow without winching and I was running fever. I told the hubs he was going to need to drive me. Doc took one look at me and said "strep" What? Are you sure??? I mean, I did feel worse than I had in ages but seriously, contagious for days... DAYS. Can't hug or even be in the same room with my kids. Ugh to the ugh. She also told me my throat and face were the color of my Razorback red sweatshirt. Oh mercy. To bed I go. Hubs, you are up!

Nothing like soup from the soup cups from my momma's house! I inherited these many years ago and they are so good for my soul.

While in bed, there was something on FB about posting a picture from High School and now.. SO there ya go. This made me feel a little better.

More bed. More TV. More dog who won't leave my side.

After a few days I was feeling a little better but I still needed to stay pretty clear of the boys as I was still running fever. I texted the hubs, as this was really our only form of communication while I was sick, and asked about Chaz's spelling words.

Ummmmmmmm. Crickets.

Send him in. I got this.

Sometimes you forget what you own every week. Don't get me wrong, the hubs was a CHAMP while I was sick and is always helpful and involved but again, I forget some things I do that I don't even tell him about.. Spelling words being one of them. Maybe I do tell him, maybe he just avoids this one. I can't say I blame him. 

He got a little jealous and wanted to come in my room for a bit and tell me all about his week. I welcomed it. I missed him. And it wrecked me that I couldn't hug him.

But he sure tried!!

I am pretty sure he told me so much, so much that couldn't possibly fit into a week. But I listened and loved all of it!

Moms just don't have time to be sick. Ugh. 

Day 5 of sickness. Fever broke but I still feel pretty crappy. This is not for the weak. I have had flu, two babies and all kinds of colds/stuff but this, this sucked BAD!!

Finally, no fever and feeling ok. This means I get some snuggle time with my boys!!

I love when the big teaches the little. It really warms my heart!

You know what else ALWAYS makes me feel better, no matter what?!? Yep, the car wash. Always has, always will.

And sometimes the hubs leaves the ladder in the hallway after changing the filters and said ladder becomes part of a Hot Wheels experiment in the front bathroom. Guilty face!

She is an equal opportunity lover. AND if you are on "her" couch, she will get as close as possible to you!

This kid is just happy to be alive! He still can't look AT the camera but he is happy!!

There we go! Success!!

One of my favorite weeks. Although we (and our school) try to teach kindness ALL the time, I love that this gives the kiddos specific things to do. Note: the hearts and peace signs are special by Chaz. Love that kid!!

The Friday of Kindness Week the kids showed all the signs they made throughout the week. It was really a special sight to see. This school is awesome and so are all the kids!

That is Chaz's right there in the middle. Helping a neighbor. Of course, he is like his Daddy!

And then this. This is what we say traveling down a busy street in Fayetteville. Maybe you have seen something like this but I haven't. All I could say was "oh, nothing good can come from this... "

Want a close up? Here ya go! I mean, WHAT?!?!? I did get a video but remember this is now actually 2018 so I can't find it. Anyway, this dude drove up I49 (you know, going a good 70 mph) it was cray. I just knew I was about to witness some major tragedy but nope, or at least by the time we exited, it was all still in tack. I am still floored.

This kid.

So much of my heart on one couch.

Yes. Good choices are good!!

I love getting pictures of the nugget from his teachers! He is SUCH a good boy and his teachers love him. It really warms this momma's heart!

Now onto the funnies.

What is this? Is it a pantry? A homeless camp? Hording of a young one? Nope, just the nonsense that is under my kid's bed. And he is my clean one!! To be fair, he hoards paper like a crazy man and under his bed is this nonsense but everywhere else, he is pretty clean and tidy!

Weird things happen in this house. Weird but proud moments. What is this? Well, the National Anthem was on T.V. so... They are awesome.

This.is.epic. I don't care who you are!

So have you ever been to Target... or WM... or any store for that matter with a hubs and two kids? This is my life. No really, this is a real picture from MY life. I heard the hubs and the boy giggling a few aisles over. OMG. Stop. Fix it. *as she quickly walks away pretending she is shopping alone*

Sometimes you happen upon a VERY bad split screen. Try.not.to.laugh.

Not tequila but Mexican beer but yes... so many days.

Some days have more hustle than others.

This would be one of those days! I didn't even see it until the next morning or I would have gone for that extra step. Opportunity missed.

So we play that license plate game in our fam. Chaz has a sheet in the car where he keeps track. I am not able to share the ones I see without him, his rules. BUT when you see this, you HAVE to take a picture. Isn't this more rare than Alaska or Hawaii (both of which he has spotted!) ???

And then you have to google a map so he understands.

I love this SO much!

You just have to be honest. Some days.

And this! Anyone???

And sometimes is it dentist day and you see this on the TV. Yep, sharks. Which in normal setting is pretty ok. I like this stuff but at the dentist? And why do you think I have a picture? Because the dentist (and his awesome wife) are our friends... and she is in charge of the channel selection in the am. "Why??" is the text she received.

Amen. So many amens.