Time can stand still

Yesterday was a much needed day. The girls had the day off and is was just a good day. Do you ever get one of those days where you think, yes! this is what I have been waiting for! That was me yesterday. All the years of crying, fighting, trying to teach right from wrong, they all came together yesterday and it was perfect. We made breakfast together, and Bryan was home for this one. How can a day go wrong when you start with pancakes, chocolate chips and whipped cream?
We played outside, did crafts, decorated the house, laughed, danced, and enjoyed the day.
Last night was spent carving pumpkins with some friends. It was a welcomed evening with friends, family, and of course food.
I went to bed with crabby, tired, dirty kids. But oh so thankful.

Perspective

I was having a bad day Monday. And not the "I burnt the toast" kind of bad day. I was the "I missed getting into an amazing nursing school by .2 points" bad day. The "I just found out my one true friend is moving away" bad day. I wanted to hide in bed and cry all day. But I didn't. I got up. Yelled too much at the kids to get ready for school. Got impatient with Reid too many times. Was crabby at Bryan.

After the kids were in bed, I was sitting on the couch having a pity party. "Poor me...all I want is to get out of this darn house before I go crazy" pity party.

And then Bryan walked in the door. "Do not let the kids go outside by themselves anymore". Apparently, just down the road, there was an attempted abduction. A family we know. By a truck I see drive by here. All. The. Time. 

And my mama heart broke. Those feelings that I knew were consuming that mother right then flooded me and I broke down in tears. I knew those feelings too well. When Hana was a few months old, someone who had been harassing me at the pool ended up grabbing her out of her stroller and ran off with her. My heart broke in a million pieces. The story obviously has a happy ending, but those few moments of sheer terror never leave a mother.

Perspective. 

This day that I had spent feeling sorry for myself should have been spent being more thankful I have a family. I have kids. Who are healthy and alive. I have an incredibly amazing husband who adores me and we are still madly in love after 12 years. 

Heavenly Father always has a way of making things just perfect for us. Most of the time, we have a plan all mapped out for us, and usually turns out He has a different plan. A better plan. Its hard for us to see His way  when we think our way is best. Its hard to just "give it all to Him". 

There is a song I adore called Perspective...."Perspective is a lovely atmosphere....at old sorrows I can smile, it just takes a while."

In the grand scheme of things, our kids will fight, some days we will be stuck in the house, I may not get into the school I wanted, not everything will go our way. We will look back one day and think, well of course His plan was better for me. But for now, we have to remember what is important. 

My kids are home safe and sound at night. My husband has a job. We live in a house. I am crazy in love.

Running...

Once again, I am running for those who can not. Muscular Dystrophy plays a big role in my family. We have seen its devastating affects on my 14 year old cousin, and seen some triumphant winning battles in my 24 year old cousin. I am running for awareness, support, and the goal to one day have a cure. Please check out my page and help me! Even $1 counts!

http://www.parentprojectmd.org/site/TR/Events/RunforourSons2010Design?px=1220441&pg=personal&fr_id=2420

Bryan

We found some pictures the other day that I could swear was Reid, 30 years ago. Knowing he looks just like Bryan did only means he is going to be one handsome man.

Bryan

Bubba

This kid. Every day is something new with him. I love seeing him grow and become such a true little boy. A few tidbits into our life lately...
His nickname from Bryan since he was born is Bubba. And now that he is into golf, watching and playing, he is obsessed with Bubba Watson...proclaiming his excitement that they have the same name. He has a toy car that is the General Lee from Dukes of Hazard. But, he knows it as Bubba's car. My little Bubba is freakishly amazing at golf too.
His new words to use all the time...actually and accident. And its with everything. "I like red. Actually, my favorite color is yellow." Or telling me something was done on accident. "Mom, on accident I drank all my milk/spilled my food/ ate a cookie/...." Last week when the girls went back to school I asked him what he wants to do now that its just he and I again. He told me "I want to fart. Actually, I want to go to Publix and get a cookie." Yep, that's my boy. And I wouldn't trade him for anything.

School 2012

How did this summer go so fast? It was a wonderful one. We didn't do much, just spent a lot of time as a family. I was really sad to see it end. Really sad. My kids are growing too fast.

Chloe- 2nd grade, Mrs Bo (only the BEST 2nd grade teacher, ever. Hands down)

Hana- 5th (yes, 5th) grade, Mrs. Grissom

Maddison- 4th grade, Mrs. Ward (Hana's teacher last year!) and Mr. Cardaci

Chloe

I never thought the day would come that Chloe would want her hair cut...

last days of summer

Golfing one night with kids. It was great. I had just finished pouring rain so the place was empty. Reid has some serious mad skills. He beat us all. Had some hole-in-ones that were crazy and none of us could have ever even thought of making. Golf pro right here. 

 Ice cream afterwards while watching old Disney cartoons...best.

Sisters

The girls all had opportunities to go away this summer. Hana and Maddison went with Bryan's mom and sister to north Florida for two weeks. They came home and Chloe went with her to West Palm Beach for 5 days. Longest they have ever been away from each other. It was so good for all of them in so many ways. We picked Chloe up at the LDS temple in Orlando on Saturday. I love the picture below of them reuniting and talking about their time apart.

Birthday getaway

I always look forward to my birthday getaway that Bryan plans. He never disappoints. Although nothing can top last year (Hawaii) this was great. I was in the middle of finals, so it was not long, but relaxing and far enough away that we felt we were away!

This pool was on the "top" level...in the middle of the pool, a clear bottom. It was like a bridge over a pool below so the people swimming below could see the ones swimming above!

 Studying at the pool...perfect view.

 Our view from the 27th floor.

 Always working

 Morning study sesh...couldn't be better

4th of July

We have a special spot we always go to watch fireworks. This year was perfect. Not too hot and a cool breeze from the lake.Kids were happy. We were together as a family!

 Playing tag while waiting...

May/June Birthdays

Maddison turned 9!

 Reid turned 3! And, he let everyone know. Below, we surprised him with decorations and Super Hero party!

 Batman, Superman, and Spiderman cupcakes. This boy was in heaven!

 Chloe turned 7!

Mother's Day tea party

No one does Mother's Day quite like Chloe's teacher Mrs. Alderman!

Disney Race Weekend

In January I had the privilege of running the Disney 5k. I was going to do the 1/2 marathon, but had some health issues and was advised not to.I had just been diagnosed with Celiac and my body was a little distressed. But, I got to run the 5k with Reid! I ran in honor of my cousin Zachary and in memory of his brother Jeremy, both who have/had Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. I ran with a group call Run for our Sons, who supports those affected by MD. It was amazing. Just running in a race is great, but running for someone gives you an even greater push to get it done. It was a very emotional time. I ended up finishing 32 minutes pushing a stroller. The pictures below are a little out of order....Reid fell asleep 4 minutes before the start. I guess getting up at 3am was a little tiring. 

The finish

 Sunrise over Epcot

 Mile 2...traffic jam at all the photo ops...and no, this is not my time, I started last, about 30 minutes after the first runner left.

 The starting line

 Other Run for our Sons runners

 I need these running shoes!

 Dad and Mark came in for the race weekend. Mark ran the 1/2 marathon. I can not wait until next year to run the 5k and 1/2 with him! We had a blast goofy golfing. Reid was a natural!