Oh summer, where have you gone?  Just another couple of months zipping by.  Time disappears.  It happens all the time.  Quite the problem, actually.  I'm told...by people that have kids older than mine, that this is what happens.  That it gets worse.  The days pass even faster once the kids get older.  Life gets even crazier.  Time keeps disappearing and well, you basically NEVER find it again. 

I suppose this is where that phrase, "stop and smell the roses" would be relevant.  The roses being my sweet little babies and my husband and our (too small) home and our health and all that good stuff.  And so I'm trying to not freak out over the little things....the basement remodel being on hold for about the 100th time, the dying flower baskets hanging by my front door that I just can't keep alive for the life of me, the extreme lack of vacation time I have left for the remainder of 2013 because my little "roses" were sick non-stop for the first 4 months of the year.  As a co-worker of mine said (and her kids are grown), "Some years are good, some years are not so good.  Some days are good and some are not.  You just do what you have to do to get through it."  And it's refreshing to know that we're all challenged by this life but we push ahead and march on.  That these little things that I worry about now are rather meaningless in the big picture...because what I do have is so much GREATER.  My healthy kids, my hubby who makes me so happy and has given me the world, a house that keeps us warm and safe, an abundance of family and friends.  I think it's nice to take a deep breath....and to step back and really look at it all.  And to push aside all of those things that we think we want or need right at this moment.  To see that we have everything we need and we're heading in the right direction.

Maybe it's why I love this song so much.....and I love love Jack Johnson anyway.  But this song I SUPER LOVE.....

I got you!! 

Regardless, life is busy and my babies keep growing.  They are so much fun to be around.  Both just celebrated half birthdays (Marley was 3 1/2 on July 11th and Jax was 18 months old on June 6th).  Here's some of the latest.....

My Miss Marley.  She's OBSESSED with Spider-Man and that is a huge understatement.  We have Spider-Man jammies and boy Spider-Man undies.  She has recently requested a Spider-Man bed and a Spider-Man bike.  Oy vey!  According to Marley, she loves him because he saves people and jumps off tall buildings.  I'm ok with that as long as she doesn't go jumping off tall buildings.  Well, unless she has a parachute or something.  She's just really into the whole super hero thing and I suppose it's just another phase.  One of many.  She loves being outside, loves being in the pool, and is completely FEARLESS.  It has been really interesting to see her develop into the person she is....a little talker with a huge vocabulary.  And she always seems to NEED to tell me something when I get on the phone.  I told her the other day that if she needs to interrupt me, she needs to ask politely.  So her newest favorite thing to say is, "Ummmm.  Mama.  Excuse me.  I have a question. (while holding her hand in the air)"  She cracks me up!  If you've seen pictures of her lately, you've seen the hair!  It's growing!  And it's curly!  About time...

And my little Jaxie...aka Roni, aka Buddy, aka Brother, aka Roni-tron (as Marley calls him...or poopy butt).  A man of many names!  He's so sweet and sensitive and just oozes hugs and kisses and love.  Ack!  I just can't get enough of him!  Always getting beat up by his sister.  Just learning to fight back.  King of the pouty sad lip.  Still loves his bottle and I'm letting him keep it...so take that BabyCenter and all of your timelines for everything.  He's tall and skinny and stubborn with WHITE BLONDE hair and chocolate brown eyes.  Crazy little boy!  Wants to do EVERYTHING his sister does and that includes going potty on the potty chair, eating gum (?!), pushing babies around in mini shopping carts, and having dance parties.  Marley says, "Dance it up, buddy!"  And they're off to her bedroom to turn on the tunes and rock out.  Jax is more of a stomper than a dancer, but I suppose we have time to work on his dancing skills!

It's a happy life with these two.  So much excitement always!  Hope you all are enjoying your summer and taking time to enjoy the little things.  It's easy to get swept away by all the nonsense...I know.  But take some time to be thankful for what you DO have.

XO!
Stevie 

To Everything There Is A Season...

I’m feeling stuck somewhere between extreme sadness, wanting to burst into an uncontrollable sob and heart-melting happiness that is a result of “just being” with my babies as they do their thing.  It’s a numb feeling that sometimes overcomes me and then a simple, “here’s the pan (plan)..” from Marley that makes me stop and FEEL again.  Our lives, and everyone else’s, keep whizzing by….and it hurts me that we have to “keep living” as Trav’s brother sits in a hospital room, losing his fight against brain cancer…but what else are we to do?  Our kids are bringing us joy in a time when we otherwise wouldn’t have much to smile about. 

But we do, despite all that is going on, have so much to be happy for!  Our little miss had her 1^st day of Cub Club at Blessed Trinity today.  We’ve talked about it over the course of the last week, and we talked about her new school A LOT this weekend.  And last night, she was so excited for her BIG DAY!  I packed her a cute little lunch and set out her outfit.  Where does the time go????  She makes my heart so happy!

Today we dropped Roni off at Robin’s (side note:  my sister nicknamed Jax when he was little.  Jax-a-roni.  And then it was shortened to Roni.  For the past 8 months or so, it’s pretty much how Marley and Travis refer to him…and sometimes me.  Just goes to prove it doesn’t matter what you name your kid…they’ll get a nickname one way or another).  Marley waved good-bye to her brother and we drove to Blessed Trinity.  Did the normal check-in, paperwork, all that jazz.  Got her stuff situated in her “locker”. 

As we headed in the room and I said good-bye, she kind of hung by my side…nervous little thing.  I’m sitting here worrying about her as I type this, but I know she will have a good day!  They were going down to the art room to tie dye shirts and then outside for some fun on the playground!  4:30pm cannot come soon enough…so excited to go scoop up my little miss and hear all about her fun day!  I can't help but think of how fast time is moving.  This seems like yesterday...

And it just goes to show…life really does go on.  Amidst all the sadness and heartbreak, life continues.  Our kids keep growing and infusing our lives with unconditional love.  Thank God for them.  They are the bright lights in our otherwise dreary place right now. 

Wishing you all a fabulous week and fingers crossed we get some sunshine!  I need it!!

XO!

Stevie

Oy vey!

My hubby and I are planning a trip to Florida in October.  Like a trip for the whole family.  Kids and all.  We’re driving.  From Minnesota.  To Florida.  Sounds amazing, huh?  Yea, I didn’t think so…

But really, we are going to take the kids to Florida in October.  However, my kids have been cling-ons lately.  Like glued to my legs, directly underfoot at all times, screaming “mama” at the top of their lungs…nut jobs.  Every time I sit down by myself, say, to enjoy a cup of morning coffee for 3 minutes (preferably while it’s still “morning” and the coffee is still hot), I have kids crawling all over me…yelling in my ear, licking my face, asking me for this or that…all while my hubby sits on the other couch in peace, watching sports, not realizing the chaos that is going on in my lap, on my couch. 

Which brings me to last night.  I told Marley that mama is going to Florida alone.  Well, maybe I’ll bring Trav.  But alone would be nice too!  I suppose it doesn’t matter either way because I’m going to lose my mind before October anyway…

And such is life with kids.  Funny how you can simultaneously revel at their awesomeness and want to lock their awesomeness in a closet so you can drink a glass of wine in silence.  (throws hands in air…)

Well, this turned out to be little more than a pointless vent session.  Apologies, my friends!  My hubby is working out of town until Friday this week and then I’m spending the weekend in Faribault with the kids so that he can make some more substantial progress on our basement remodel.  Looks like I have the next 5 days or so alone with my little nut jobs.  I’m going to suck it up and make the best of it!  Or rather, I’ll look forward to a weekend of wine drinking and hanging out with my sister…and perhaps her nut jobs will keep my nut jobs occupied!  Now, there’s a plan!!!

Happy Week to you all!  XO!      

Happy Mother's Day!

I am your mommy.  And you are my BABIES.  And I will love you and fight for you and live and die for you….forever and ever and ever.  Blessed.  That is what I am.  I could never in a million years have imagined my heart so full of love for these 2 tiny bodies of sweetness. 

This is it folks.  Right here.  These days.  This is what life is all about.  And it’s a good life, indeed!

Happy Mama’s Day to all of you!

Weekends should be longer...yes?!

Funny how we can worry and worry and worry about our kids so much and then they totally surprise you and you’re left wondering why you wasted all that time worrying…

Marley marched in to the Cub Club room for her test run on Friday.  She walked right in, lovey in hand, and sat down at a table where 5 other kids her age were working on art projects.  The director asked me for my phone number, confirmed whether or not Marley has food allergies, and said, “Don’t worry, she’ll be so busy she won’t even realize you’re gone.”  And Marley never looked back at me.  No goodbye smooch, no hesitating to be left there alone, nothing….she just sat down and started making friends.  It was the first time I really felt it…felt her growing away from me a bit.  And felt a sadness that we had gotten here so fast. 

Little Miss has quite the obsession with Spider-Man these days.  And that hair.  Oh.  What will I do with it??

When I picked her up, she was sitting at a teeny little lunch table with about 8 other kids.  They were all laughing and talking and Marley ran to me when she saw me.  Then we walked back to the cubby where she had left all her stuff and the director told me about her time there that morning.  She said Marley pushed her lovey aside about 5 minutes after I left.  She described her as very social…said she made friends instantly, was not shy to talk to the other kids and ask questions and participate in circle time.  Then she said, “She’s ready for this.”  Yep, I knew it.  And I was proud of my little baby girl for being such a good person…

Now that the test run is out of the way and we feel confident that it is the right move for her, we’re left with sorting out the details.  Much easier than the worrying part!  Ahhhh!

On Saturday I took the kids to my cousin’s baby shower in Faribault while Travis worked.  It was so fun to see all my mom’s sisters and a few of my cousins that I only run into once a year (if that)!  My grandma had not met Jax yet…so I snapped a photo of the little man trying to smooch her on the cheek.  Two of my mom’s sisters and my grandma mentioned something about Jax’s mouth/lips resembling my grandpa…and that made me happy!  He was a handsome man and if my little Jaxie has some of his features I’ll consider that a blessing!!

Grandma Mahagnoul and Jax!

 

I got my baby fix on Sunday!  Yipee!  The whole fam drove down to Zak and Sam’s house to visit baby Blakely!  Of course, the kids are too little to really get into “meeting” their new cousin….but that’s alright!  I was quite content to hold her for 2 hours.  She was snuggled up so perfectly on my tummy.  Makes me want another one.  Right.  Now!  But wait, I will….we have to get Marley a little closer to kindergarten before we can fully embark on that adventure!  For now, I’ll soak up all the cuddles with Miss Blakely.  She’s perfect!!

Life with 3.....la vida loca!  Give me another year or so and I'll be ready to do it again!  Because who wouldn't want another one of those 2 I already have.  Come on cuteness!!