moments

Tis' the season for shiny, brand spankin' new black cleats, stinky socks, and dirt covered boys.

I love every moment of it. 

Charlie (6) and Jack (5) are both playing T-ball together this year. One team makes for one happy mama. Same practice, same game schedule, and time to practice playing with each other and not against each other like they may or may not do at home. 

Seeing them out there in their uniforms makes them so official as big kids. 

Don't even get me started.

I'm weepy about seeing my two youngest babes like that. They may be more interested in playing around than playing the game, but that's what I love about T-ball. Actually, they played hard and I was proud. You know, the mama's heart bursting at the seams kind of proud. 

I'm a sucker for moments.

 

When spiked fevers and green snot seized the house, we relied on what we had in stock. In our casa it's rocks and minerals.

Which turned into a rock and mineral store. This teacher mama loves natural learning moments. Charlie wasn't messing around in his pricing. Who needs a lemonade stand anyway? That's so 1985.

Lady is starting to adjust. Our sweet girl is needing a lot of love and reassurance that we are the real deal. A good hairstyle makes all of girls feel better, right? Good thinking, Charlie. Now she just needs a mani and pedi for an extra self esteem boost.

Oh, and for the record I live with boys. Lots of them.

Further evidence...

I hope you have a fabulous week, friends. Enjoy the moments.

Much love,
Katie

repairing broken hearts

When Kevin called me while I was teaching, I knew it was not good.

I knew he had an appointment with our vet because our sweet Rascal was sick.

Cancer.

He told me that it was cancer and that Rascal had 1 month to live.

I fought back tears throughout the day as I taught my 1st graders. When I got home, I sobbed throughout the night.

We didn't share the news with Charlie and Jack. However, Luke is 10 and he knew something wasn't right. He could see how sick Rascal was and he observed our sadness.

His relationship with Rascal was unique and his heartbreak was tangible.

The night before we put Rascal down, he plopped down on the carpet with the boys while we were having a "sleep over" and movie night. He knew. It was such a sad, yet beautiful moment for us.

For the last 6 weeks our house has been too quiet. The sound of paws on the wood floors and clanking of the dog collar were terribly missed.

We knew it was time to start looking for our next dog. In comes Lab Rescuers of San Diego. They rescue labs from high kill shelters and find forever homes for these sweet dogs.

Shortly after beginning our search, we found Lady. She was given up by a family who could not keep her because they were moving. Then she was adopted from the shelter, but brought back because the owner's little dog could not adjust to a new dog in the house.

The poor girl was given up twice.

Now this loving, docile girl has her forever home.

And a forever spot in our hearts.

Much love,
Katie

the time i slept through valentine's morning

There is something about taking a muscle relaxer right before midnight the day before Valentine's Day.

It means that you sleep through your kids' morning Valentine's celebration.

Wait, I take that back.

You wake up at 2:00 a.m. to dig through holiday tubs in the freezing cold garage to find the Valentine's Day mailboxes and put treats inside.

After that, you crash on the couch.

When you hear your excited children race downstairs, you briefly wake up and mumble to your husband, "get the camera!"

And then you return to your comatose state.

Heart shaped pancakes for breakfast you ask?

Nope.

And they survived.

Photos taken by the hubs instead of myself?

I survived.

Instead, I woke up and realized that it was past 9:00 a.m. I overcame my sense of mom guilt and disappointment of missing the kids open their gifts by realizing that my sweet husband possibly gave me the best Valentine's Day gift ever.

Sleep. 

Hope you had a day full of love, kisses, and hugs.

Source: Uploaded by user via Katie on Pinterest

Much love,
Katie

making the most of it

We were supposed to be up in Lake Arrowhead this weekend. However, sickness and a massive snowstorm interfered with our plans for fun. A crazy cop killer on the loose didn't help either.

My visions of snowball fights, sledding, and 1st time snowboarding for my boys were dashed and left me in a pool of disappointment.

These kind of experiences are my nirvana. I don't need fancy island get-aways at this point in our lives (although I'm thankful for them). I'm happy with our short trips to the mountains or Palm Desert. That is a significant bonus of living in So. Cal. We have the beach, mountains, and desert at our disposal. I don't take it for granted.

It takes my mood a while to shift when plans are changed. However, I came around and decided that we were going to thrive this weekend no matter what.

Disneyland is a quick fix for me.

It is my happy place. The other peeps in my fam enjoy it too.

 (after waiting a year, Charlie was finally tall enough for Indiana Jones)

Although, I think I am a closeted Disney fanatic, you won't catch me sporting a Mickey Mouse lanyard or license plate, but trust me, that love for Disney is screaming to be released.

I'll show restraint. Yes, I will.

When the euphoria of Disney wears off and the exhaustion of walking all day hits you like a freight train, you savor the next sleepy morning of coffee sipping and peaceful Lego building.

And, well, some not so peaceful brotherly love.

As the sun starts to shy away and you greet friends with pizza, garlic bread, and bagged salad because they are so super chill and realize that spending time together take precedence over fancy food, you know your life is good.

Source: Uploaded by user via Katie on Pinterest

Much love,
Katie

Linking up here.