Join me, will you?

My head is spinning from all that has been going on during this vacation, (supposed to be actually on one but staying home now and enjoying having Sean here for a stretch,) and part of it has been heavy on my heart. I haven't mentioned it up til now because it wasn't really my story to tell and it involves a family member whose permission I needed before mentioning it. She has given me her blessing now in hopes that you all will come together with us to pray.

Sean's mom Louraine found out while we were in Florida that she has breast cancer. Her biopsy was done the day before we left and she really felt like since there was no family history of breast cancer that she would get a call while we were there saying that all was fine. Instead she got word that it was cancer and for the rest of the week she was helping my father-in-law make appointments for all kinds of visits. The Summer plans all changed. Everything shifted.

While we were with her in Florida it was a sweet time. She took extra pictures and seemed to take it all in without complaint. She isn't a worrier, (I don't get people like that! Ha) and she kept saying that she had hoped it wouldn't be cancer so that it wouldn't end up dictating what the whole family would do and dictate all of her life for a long time. If you've been touched by any kind of illness, though, you know that it will. Not necessarily in our worst-feared ways but it does change things. She is aware of what may be coming-which, to be clear, we aren't sure of other than that it was confirmed that she will have a mastectomy since the cells surrounding the mass were also cancerous-she isn't sure about chemo or radiation yet. We will know more in coming weeks.

We've had lots of fun plans this week that changed and now there are other things instead. That's okay. We went to a Rough Riders game tonight and the nap strike my kids pulled today couldn't come on a better day. not. But that's okay too. We took Ty and Charlie and left Joy with a sitter so we're not completely crazy. Instead of the 60 degree Colorado weather on the 4th that we were looking forward to we'll likely be frying beside the pool at my sister-in-law's Flower Mound house instead. Again, that's okay. The kids are healthy and sleeping tonight and all else, my friends, is small stuff.

We're seeing good friends this week and sitting out in the backyard a lot. We're celebrating the holiday counting our blessings. We are both close to our families. They have been instrumental in our kids' lives and we are so thankful to live close to my family and Sean's family. So bear with me. It's a busy time. And what I'm lacking in blog updates I'll make up to you in pictures. I'm taking a lot of them. I'm trying to figure out how to be a good wife to my not-usually-as-worrisome husband who is worried about his momma. Join me in praying for Louraine, would you?

I know you will. Y'all rock.

Dreaming of a giveaway?

Last night I had a dream that I was at youth camp as an adult. Not like I was a youth worker but like I was in a teenager's body but my age and with my real life back home. It was confusing. I couldn't figure out why nobody else caught on to my stories about my kids and how much I missed my husband and figure out that I was actually a 31 year-old trapped in some weird world at summer camp. No one seemed to think it was odd but me. Ah dreams. I'd like to be dreaming on one of the platform beds like I slept on at camp (really, crazy dreams aren't always bad, are they?) I've had one where I gave birth to a donkey and then panicked when it was time to nurse. I've flown on magic carpets more than once and been chased by pom-poms.

I have a gift people.

Enough about that. Let's do a giveaway, shall we? (Me?) (I?) Hop over to my giveaways page to win these.

Cleaning, Cheering, and Cooking

Ty's Aunt Amy gave him his own Dustbuster. My oh my he is in heaven.

When I come across a little dust or dirt I tell him we need to get the Dustbuster and he takes over. Soon I'll be free of all household chores!
He inspects it often to make sure it's legit. It is. It really works. He loves cleaning and organizing. Neither thing comes from me.
More baseball game pictures. Here he is with Popeye waiting for the game to start.
My nephew Henry and my brother Graham. Graham caught a ball during batting practice and Henry was so proud!
This is my favorite picture of him maybe ever. He was so excited and the game was one of those moments when you can see your kid's brain in overdrive in the best possible way. He was taking it all in, having fun with his family, cheering, and just being himself...(dancing, clapping, eating candy, you know, his TRUE self.)

And finally, the cooking portion of the post: Soon I'm hosting another giveaway and what I'm giving away is so cute and so practical you'll want it for sure. It is cooking related. My clues are:

It comes in multiple sizes

It serves an actual purpose

But it is its own fashion statement.

Guesses?

One word captions

Righteous





Yum





Yeeeeaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh





Sweet





Huh





Pose





Happiness


It's been a fun mini vacation with my family this week while Sean has been on his trip. He comes home tomorrow so we will go home and tell him about the fun things we've done.

Ty has had an especially good time this trip. He loved his first Texas Rangers game. It was great fun for me to take him since I have so many memories of going to games as a kid/teenager. Graham (my brother,) caught a ball during batting practice and since his son soon took it over Ty kept asking me for a ball. I bought him a mini baseball for the bargain price of $4 without asking how much the regular real ones cost. $4? Really? Really? It's the size of a big gumball. I also bought him a Rangers cap and ice cream, Diet Coke (for me), water (him) and hot dog (me). I spent approximately $300 dollars.

Almost. Okay it felt like that much.

In other news, Max was up most of the night throwing up which means that at 6:45 this morning when I woke up I found it all and put him outside. Turns out it's nothing to worry about. Turns out like all labs he eats whatever he can find, edible or not. Turns out Irish Spring soap doesn't sit well in his stomach...at least when he eats the whole bar. The whole bar as in that's how I found it this morning.

You're welcome.

Ducks where are you?

My brother and his son with my big kids looking for ducks to feed. I was holding Joy while taking the picture (miracle). I'm at Nattie's because we are all going to the Ranger game tomorrow. Should be fun!

last week in pictures

Good to be home

Here are a few pics...I'll get to all of them in the next few days. I'm so tired. I'm so happy to be home.

WE ARE ALL so happy to be home and judging from my 8:00 bedtime last night, (but I could have gone to bed much earlier,) I'm not fully caught up yet. The kids liked to wake up in the 5:00am area while we were there and we shared a bedroom...which means it was a rough week sleep-wise for this sleep-lovin' mama. It's been a busy few days following our flight home with fun family stuff but I'm so happy to just be in my house. I'm a horrible wife-I forgot to get gifts for my dad, (Popeye,) and Sean because I was so focussed on the trip. I know, horrible. Forgive me, guys. I know they understand...

Basically today is about unpacking, soaking up time with Sean and Joy, and sleep. Did I mention I'm tired? I can't wait!