{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

iPhone

I am a true believer in my iPhone. I have not upgraded from an iPhone 4 to the 4s YET. Depending on the next release I may even wait it out. I would like to through this shout out to my wonderful husband that did make it possible for me to upgrade from the 3g to the 4. He may or may not have waited in line at 6 in the morning to get me one. I love that man!
Back to the matter at hand.
Looking forward to the next iPhone generation has me pondering what the next cool thing they will be adding to the phone. Then I stubbled on this article.

iPhone 5: Every iphone Accesory You Own Just Became Obsolete

You have my attention.

It's not that I have a lot of gadgets for my iPhone.... but yeah... I've spent a good chunk of change on the little extras that are avaliable.

Oh technology. Our love hate dance continues.

Book log

Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins

**** Four out of five stars

For sure one of those girl books. Great summer beach day read. Completely honest, it made me cry, giggle and shake the book to make the character pay attention (never works, but I try).

{Spoiler} Who looses a dog, falls in love with a priest and watches their parents go through a separation?! Let alone getting tipsy and tell the church congregation your love for a priest!

Catch of the Day was a great read.

Show and Share

With three boys we are always looking for cool boy stuff to do. No pink here!

So Samual lost his second tooth. Louis already has two teeth gone. With that in mind.... I found some really cool tooth fairy ideas!!!

I wish I would have seen this a day or two ago, maybe next time!

Two for Twosday

Two for Twosday: two thoughts/ updates/ photos/ something that I don't want to forget or am flat out oober excited about.

1. My Hildebrandt family is moving into their new home on the coast. I could not be more excited for them! They deserve this move more than anyone I know. I miss them so very much and wish that I could be closer. BUT NOW... when I visit them... it will be at the beach!

2. Rian woke up this morning and said, "There are no elephants". They went home and they didn't eat us. I think he is on an elephant kick :)

When I grow up

You checking out at the grocery store. In your head your mentally going through your check list. The teller rings you up an you swipe your card. Trip to grocery store, done.
"I'm sorry ma'm your card was declined."
Shoot.
You know there is money in there, so you try it again.
The lady behind you starts sighing loudly.
You think to yourself, seriously this has never happened to you before lady.
"I'm sorry it didn't go through ma'm. Do you have a different card?"
Shoot!
You have always avoided credit cards but are beating yourself up right now. You never carry checks anymore, who does. Cash! You have cash!
BUT you don't have enough for everything.
You explain this to the teller. You dart instructing him to remove different things to see what the balance goes to.
The lady behind you is now aping her foot and making snide comments.
Like you don't see the line that's building up because of this.
Finally, you get to an amount that you can pay with cash.
The lady behind you also notices and starts pushing her way up to the teller.
You grab your cart and head to the car.

STOP.

When I grow up. I want to be the person behind someone that has these troubles. Cause we've all been there. Regardless of what loud sigh lady wants you to think. I want to some day be able to say, it's on me. This is my dream!!!! If they want to repay all I want to say is, share the love.

I was behind a lady at the grocery store today that couldn't fine her card. She had to do the awkward, taking things out of the cart that weren't necessary. I WISH, I could have given them the card and said, It's on me.
The lady behind me was hemming and hawing.
Instead the lady in front turned and apologized to me for taking so long.
This is what we have become. We are so busy that if you can't find you card and you are buying food for your family you feel you have to apologize to those around you.

I can't wait to grow up : )

I did this one on a VERY small scale and it was a little different... but it made my... day, week, month, year!
I was in the drive-thru at Starbucks. I was paying for my drink and I asked to pay for the lady's order behind me.
The barista looked so surprised. She asked if I knew them. No, I had no idea who it was. To be honest it could have been a dude.I don't know. She asked why I was doing this. All I could come up with was, you never know what someone is going through. Maybe it will make her day. The barista asked if she should tell the person anything. Being that Easter was on Sunday, all I came up with was, "Happy Easter".

When I grow up I want to make that simple life problem better for someone, cause you really never know.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

31 THINGS | DAY TWENTY-NINE

Smell

SMELLS:
Coconut lemongrass (Scentsy), fresh brewed coffee, clean baby, Gain Apple Mango Tango (laundry detergent), ocean breeze, sheets that were dried in the sun, pro racing gasoline, camp fires, Armani cologne for men, sweet honeysuckle and orange peel (body wash), Cider, lumber, and the shampoo/hair products that my hair dresser uses.


MEMORIES:
 I remember how much as a little kid my Mom would read to me and she always smelled of coffee. It was wonderful. She would sip on her coffee and read Laura Ingles Wilder.

I remember my Grandma always smelling of honeysuckle. She had the most amazing garden all the time growing. In the front of her house were beautiful vines of honeysuckle, Gramps thought it looked terrible.

Whenever I smell fresh lavender I of Teri, an amazing mentor I had as a teenager. She took us to a lavender garden. That smell always makes me think of the goofy things that she did with us and for us. It also makes me think of a perfume that she got me for my birthday, Spring by Origins. MMmmMM I love that smell and can’t find it anywhere.

NOW DAYS:
I love to wear Velocity, by Mary Kay and Heat by Beyoncé. When I go to pick up the boys the staff always tell me they love being able to smell my perfume on the boys. That makes me smile, because it’s from my hugs.

31 THINGS | DAY TWENTY-EIGHT

Drink

Drink, please!

I can’t tell you how exciting I get to go out for a drink with friends. When I say go out for a drink that means coffee with my hubby, happy hour with my girls, or ICEEs with our boys. It’s a simple way of getting together and chatting over a drink that brings a smile to my face.

*Tea- I was a stereotypical little girl when it came to tea parties. I had a little doll tea set that I LOVED putting tea in. On special occasions Mom would let me have a mug of tea, with a splash of milk and a spoon of sugar. Now I get to host the tea party for three little boys. They are still young enough to want to do that kind of thing. I don’t know how much longer it’s going to last though.

*Coffee- My go to drink. I love coffee. I’m from the NW who out there doesn’t like coffee. It wouldn’t matter what time of day it is Mom would always have a pot brewed or be in the process of making a fresh pot. There have been countless family gatherings where we would all be sitting around chatting with a cup of coffee. Gramps always used his ‘thimble’ cup. My husband and I love to chat over a cup of coffee, at Starbucks or at home. We recently got to go cupping in Tennessee. Cupping, think wine tasting only coffee beans. It was a great experience. It was one of the things on my bucket list.

*Beer - Again from the NW, I grew up with a large amount of Micro-breweries around. I’m learning to know what I do and don’t like. I know I do not like IPAs, strong hoppy taste or VERY dark beer. Red beer is something that I am really into right now. We have a local restaurant that my co-workers and I go to often. They have over 100 beers on tap. It’s amazing!

*Wine- I have come to really enjoy a good glass of wine at the end of the day. I like sweet wines, Moscato d'Asti is my favorite. Something that I want to add to my bucket list is go wine tasting.

Learning my likes and dislikes with different drinks, really does make me feel like I am growing up. To know that I can answer with a no or yes, makes me feel… empowered. I know it’s silly, it’s only a drink. It’s sometimes the simple things.

Show and share

With three boys we are always looking for cool boy stuff to do. No pink here!

This is such a cool blog! Rebecca has some crazy cool ideas on her site.
The one that she posted today is perfect for us this summer!

Summer Reading Log

Check her out! I cannot wait to put these together for the boys!

Two for Twosday

Two for Twosday: two thoughts/ updates/ photos/ something that I don't want to forget or am flat out oober excited about.

1. Waiting to hear back from the doctor's office.

2. The ice cream maker is out in full force! Summer time is here!!! Last night we made Blueberry ice cream!

31 THINGS | DAY TWENTY-SEVEN

Hobby

What fills my time outside of work and family… when does that happen? It’s a rarity that Josh and I need to make happen for ourselves.


 Read- I have a terrible habit of finding new books every day and adding to the list of books to read. The very bookworm of me wants very badly to get into a book group. To be able to discuss the books that we are reading. I love listening to books on my iPhone and reading them on my Nook.

 Crafting- Making art with my hands is the best feeling in the world. I love to be able to take something in one form and mold it into something completely different. I really like being able to do crafts with my kids. To see what they make is such a great feeling.

 Scrapbooking- I wish I would make more time for this.

 Photography- I love taking pictures. My new ‘thing’ is playing with the pictures that I do take. Instagram is my favorite play app on my phone right now. It has different filters that are so much fun to play with. I really want to get more into this.

 Watch Baseball- It’s not too often that I get to sit and watch a game. It’s really hard for me to think about baseball and not think about my Gramps. Sometimes I try to avoid the sport just so I won’t have to deal with the emotions that it brings up.

 Zumba- I love getting out there and shaking my tail feather. It’s working out, getting sweaty and dancing. What gurl doesn’t like to dance?!

 Listen to music- The moment when you find a song to match your mood. I love that feeling. I love being able to pick out different instruments in the music. The way it can move you.

 Tan- 12 minutes of un-erupted me time.

31 THINGS | DAY TWENTY-SIX

Covet

I covet a home.

I covet a home that we can all go back to. A home that when our boys move out to college they come home to do laundry at. When our boys grow up and start families of their own, I want them to be able to come home. I want to be able to show my grandchildren where their Daddy learned how to tie his shoes.

I covet being able to decorate our home. I want to paint our walls any color even if it is white. To be able to make that choice and know that it was how we wanted it. I want to make upgrades to our home.

I covet having a backyard. I want a backyard where the boys can run. A backyard that has a picnic table where we can have all our family over. A yard that we can put a swing set up in. I want to see the boys building their own little fort. I want to see a tire swing that they get sick on from spinning around on.

I covet being able to scream at the top of my lungs and have no neighbors hear me. I want to be able to roam around in the back yard and not be able to see anything but land.

I covet being able to plant our own flowers and garden. I want to know that they won’t be uprooted. I
want to be able to make a layout of where what plant should grow for years to come.

I covet the responsibilities that a home requires. The planning and searching for one. The upkeep. The work.

I covet a place to start our family’s memories.

I covet a home of our own.

31 THINGS | DAY TWENTY-FIVE

Outside

I grew up outside.

My brothers and I were always playing on the swing set, in the field, shooting BB guns, building sand castles at the Oregon Coast, pulling weeds, feeding animals, being chased by animals, building forts, going camping in the National Forest, going trot fishing in the Clackamas River, Snowboarding down Mt. Hood, foraging for river clovers, biking to McIver park, we had picnics in the Gorge, playing basketball and baseball at the park and sooo much more.

I knew that land. I knew the outdoors

I’m raising children in the Midwest now. The outdoors are different here. Here when I am outside I sneeze. Here in the outdoors you get ticks.
I am learning this land. I am learning the outdoors here.
My sons, husband and I play on the playground, run in the corn fields, shoot BB guns, pull weeds sometimes confused with plants, we go camping, we go cat fishing, we go sledding down ‘hills’, we go mushroom hunting, we play t-ball at the park. We are teaching our children to appreciate the hunting and game that is outdoors.

I love that I am able to learn the outdoors with our children.

The outdoors here is much different than back home. Sometimes it’s so hot you can’t breathe. Sometimes all you wish is for the rain so that you can go play outside. Sometimes you can’t stop hoping that the snow will stop.

We’re raising our children to grow up outside.

31 THINGS | DAY TWENTY-FOUR

Relationship

Wife.

Mother.

Sister.

Daughter.

Friend.

Niece.

Aunt.

Faith. Hope. Love.

It is what it is.

Always there, even if it’s been a while.

Sometimes you need a little wine with that.

Being able to understand what ‘a day’ is without me having to tell you.

Living for today.

Ups and downs. Ending and beginning. Beginning and ending. Ins and outs.

Arguments.

Tears and smiles.

Late-night phone calls that last hours.

Coffee dates.

Missing you.

Baseball.

31 THINGS | DAY TWENTY-THREE

Write


I text.

I write statues updates.

I tweet.

I write blog entries.

I write emails.

I journal.

I don’t get to write as passionately as I would like too.

I’ve always loved to write. I write in journals. I write stories. I write papers. I LOVED having papers to write in school. In college is when I really started to journal though. It’s given me peace to be able to write down the good, the bad, the things you want to forget and the things you don’t want to forget.

My family has my Grandma’s journal that she kept since the late 1920s. It is pure magic to be able to see the world at that time through her eyes. To read her writing in the midst of such a part of our history is amazing. I don’t know that Grandma thought then that it would be such a gift to her grandchildren but it has been.

Writing to me is the ability to free your soul on paper. No judgment. Just pureness. It’s the ability to take off the load that you carry and leave it on paper. I get so much joy when I write. When I read it and can hear my voice in a piece that is magic to me.

{this moment}

I'm a few days late on this one...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

31 THINGS | DAY TWENTY-TWO

Spot

I am at peace.


I smell the freshness of it.

I am set on the right path.

In this spot I feel whole.

Life can get you pulled in so many different directions. Coming to this spot makes me collected and feel like all the pieces are back together in the right places. I feel all my thoughts put into the correct order, instead of being all jumbled up.

I am cleansed.

I remember all the different parts of my life that have been celebrated here. Feeling all those moments come together: a child with all my family, a teenager with friends, a college student with roommates, a quiet moment for me, a wife with my husband, a mother with my children.

The coolness of the sand and water on my feet means never wearing shoes here.

Celebrating accomplishments and disappointments, this place has always been a constant.

In this spot the sun makes the most magnificent colors.

Critters are always stirring here and there.

The stars shine brighter than any other place.

In every season it beacons to be visited, showing the beauty that it holds.

It’s creator a pure artist.

I live for the moment that I get to go to this spot. It calls to me constantly. I yearn to spend my days there.

My spot is Rockaway Beach on the Oregon coast.

31 THINGS | DAY TWENTY-ONE

Think

I think about change, how to make all my roles be one, one me. I get bogged down by it all though. I’m a wife. I’m a mom. I’m a daughter. I’m a sister. I’m a friend. Every day I wake up getting ready to help one of those roles. Sometimes I feel like there is no me in there.


I think about how my life is not where I thought it would be. I think about how much better it is that my life is where it’s at instead. I think about what I should, could, would be doing if this and that weren’t one way or the other. Then I realize there is no room for that kind of thinking.

I think about the changes that I want to make and how to get us there. it’s not just me that those changes affect. The choices that I make affect five people and a famous dog. I wonder if I am doing the absolute best for all of them all the time.

I think about my husband, the life that he choose, to live with me, the life of being a husband and a father all at once. I wonder if I am always being the best wife that I can be for him. I think about how lost I would be without him.

I think about how Samual, Louis and Rian put a smile on my face. I think about how Samual enjoys learning about animals. I think about how Louis calls our dog, our famous dog. I think about how Rian would wear Woody’s hat all day if we let him. I think about how fast they are growing up.

I think about our finances. Most people do.

I think about how much art frees me.

I think about how much I yearn for more reading time. I passionately seek more knowledge, fiction or not. That’s one of the changes that I need, going back to school to get more knowledge.

I think about living each day to its fullest. I can’t go back in time and even if I could I want to be where I am. I want to live this day to the most.

I think about coffee, birds, the moon and the stars, the sun, the ocean, kissing my hubby after work, sand between your toes, riding a bike, county fairs, snuggling with my babies, swimming, how much I want to put my hair up, tattoos, God, why God wasn’t first on my list, bills, and how much I love writing run on sentences in list form.

31 THINGS | DAY TWENTY

Carry

Some girls like shoes. Some like accessories. Me, I like purses.


I remember going into my Gram’s closet and seeing all the different colors, different styles, different purses for different occasions. When she was ‘over’ a purse the girl cousins would get it.

I love that purses have their own way of making a statement.

I go through fazes. Sometimes I want a loud purse. Sometimes I want a quiet non-seen purse.

Whatever it is that I carry with me has to be able to hold a ton of stuff.

I have three boys. Come on!

When I dump my purse out this is what I see…

Buzz Lightyear (Toys Story), Gum, Hairband, Chap stick, Little notebook for the boys to write in, Powder, Keys personal and work, iPhone, Ear-buds, Nook, Wallet, Sunglasses, Glasses, Wipes, Pull ups, Pen G2 Pilot, Lotion, Hand sanitizer, Migraine pills, Lightning McQueen (Cars), Cherri-Os, Sam’s glasses,

When I’m not carrying around my Momma purse, all I really carry is my debit card, I.D. and my iPhone. That sometimes makes me feel so naked, not having to pack stuff around.

As the boys get older I’m sure I’ll get to use those cute tiny purses again. For now, bring on the big bags!

Show and Share

With three boys we are always looking for cool boy stuff to do. No pink here!


Sum-sum-summer TIME!!! I love getting new ideas and this gal has got some good ones!
 
75 activities
 
ALSO! iMOM has an eight week summer plan. You get an email every week with cool ideas. Reasonable ideas at that.
 
Week One

Two for Twosday

Two for Twosday: two thoughts/ updates/ photos/ something that I don't want to forget or am flat out oober excited about.

1. I'm seriously digging the class that I am taking from Ali Edwards. Is is okay that I have crush on her amazing work?!

2. It's sooo hot outside! I want to do more activities outside, but it's yucky hot.

31 THINGS | DAY NINETEEN

Listen

I listen to thunderstorms. It calms me.


I listen to rain. It cleans me.

I listen to crashing waves. It makes me feel whole.

I listen to books on my iPhone. It’s an addiction for me.

I listen to Pandora. One of my favorite channels that I have put together plays Norah Jones, Jack Johnson, Colbie Caillat and Adele.

I listen to my music from my iTunes account.

I listen to my boys, thankful for their little voices. Sometimes it’s hard to listen to all three at the same time. I think that’s what you call Mommy hearing.

I listen to Cooper our dog bark at the mailwomen, so annoying.

I listen to Josh tell me about his day. I need to work on listening better to him. I get so overwhelmed with the three boys talking to me and the dog barking that I lose his voice in the commotion.

I listen to our dryer. It’s always running.

I listen to coffee dripping into the pot. Listen to the steam whoosh out of it.

I listen for coughing or sneezing. The boys have allergies and I need to know when to put Louis on the nebulizer if he gets too bad.

I listen for little footsteps in the middle of the night.

I listen for the sky to quiet, the moon rising.

I listen to my husband’s heartbeat. It puts me to sleep.

31 THINGS | DAY EIGHTEEN

Shoes

As a kid I remember only ever wearing jelly shoes. They were these plastic sandals that came in every color and style. My personal favorite was the silver. The covered your foot and had a strap that fastened around your ankle. They made your feet STINK, especially when you were playing at the park.

As I got older I realized that of the three women in my family, my feet are the largest. As in the longest, I have my Gramps' very narrow foot. My Mom and older sister have smaller feet than I do. This used to really bother me, a lot. I would only wear shoes that made my feet look smaller. I would NEVER let anyone look at my feet. Socks were always a must. The thought of getting a pedicure, no, just no, that would never happen.

I visited some friends that lived in Hawaii. They taught me the custom of taking my shoes off before going into a home. I was terrified. Until I realized… it didn’t matter. Feet are feet. I bought my first pair of slippers aka flip-flops. My feet were free and happy.

For many years after that I lived at the beach. I lived in slippers, until I moved to the Midwest. My shoe collection consisted of entirely slippers when I moved out to the Midwest. I went through a few winters before I finally gave in and got shoes.

Now I have an overabundance of shoes. Shoes are in the basement, shoes in the closet, and shoes in the hall closet. I have short ones, tall ones, flat ones, black ones, brown ones and green ones. I have different styles of Zumba shoes, tennis shoes, boots, Cowboy boots, gladiator sandals, slippers. The list goes on and on.

I always have this goal of going through my shoes and giving some away. It never happens though. I am constantly buying new slippers.

My current favorite shoes:
-My wedding sandals (in picture). They are gladiator, shell-esk.
-Slippers. Zebra print with hot pink strap.
-Brown Cowboy boots.
-Criss cross full Crocs


To be honest though, I’d rather not wear any shoes. I mean a public restroom, yes, wear shoes. At home or in the back yard, no, I don’t want to wear shoes. I like the feel of grass on my feet. I like to feel the hardwood floors that we have in our home. I like to look at my toes with nail polish and know that I have come a long way.

Shh...

Saturday's your the best!

31 THINGS | DAY SEVENTEEN

Technology

I email. I text. I blog. I Facebook. I Tweet. I Skype.
I love technology.
I like new gadgets.
I work with technology. I play with technology.
I have an iPhone, Nook and laptop.
I have an addiction to my iPhone and my Nook.
I LOVE to listen to books on my iPhone and read on my Nook.
I recently bought a wireless e-printer.
I have multiple email accounts, personal and work.
I text friends and family. I prefer that over talking on the phone. Josh is very opposite.
I blog about life. I like connecting that way with family that is far away.
I Facebook to keep up with friends and family. It’s an easy way to share pictures.
I Tweet Instagram pictures often. I follow more than I tweet.
I Skype at work all day. It’s a second form of communication in our office.
I work with computers, servers, printers, cabling, and gadgets all day. Sometimes when I do get home technology is the last thing that I want to play with.
I am connected all the time. Sometimes that is too much.

31 THINGS | DAY SIXTEEN

Uniform

Let’s be real for a second. I hate my body. I always have. Clothes are my cover up. Summer and hotness makes it so uncomfortable for me cause… it’s hot, less cover up opportunity. Fall I LOVE, big sweaters, jeans, thanx.
After having three boys things aren’t the way they were. Not that it was great before pregnancy but it’s just different now. Growing up my family joked that I had birthing hips. I do. Apparently women these days don’t have hips! Joking about my hips is how I cop with it. Often when it comes up in conversation I say I wish I could put on my resume that I have birthing hips.
I live in jeans. I am most comfortable in jeans. They cover me. I’m 5’8” so finding jeans that are long enough in my size is like finding a needle in a hay stack. This makes me hate my body even more! Jeans should not be this difficult to find but they are.
I’ll be bold; I’m 27 and a size 6 in juniors, same size since 8th grade. I’m not skinny in the world’s eye. I’m… average maybe a touch fluffy (that’s my new favorite definition word).
I tend to hide myself in cardigans paired with a t-shirt with a tank top underneath. I love to layer things, hiding more me more beneath clothes.
I have a tendency to go for neutral colors… and the same style of clothes. Often my friends see me picking out the exact same clothes out at the store in a different neutral color. This probably explains why I tend to say I can’t find anything to wear, if I have the same shirt in black, gray and green.
I have an abundance of Cardinals shirts in my wardrobe. I’m not sad about that though. There are a lot of games that I have to wear my gear for. Go RED BIRDS!!! It also adds a fourth color to my clothes, red!
I try to keep my wardrobe in-style. Let’s face it though, this girl has hips and skinny jeans look ridiculous on me. The more “mature” I get the more I try to expand on my adult, work attire. For now I keep what keeps me comfy and confident. A combination that is often daunting to pair.

Camp Opportunity

Come be a counselor!

www.campokc.org

Since 1980, Camp Opportunity has provided abused and neglected children with a week of one-on-one attention and interaction with caring individuals. We are a non-profit organization, made completely of volunteers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children under the care of social services.

May's photos

Photo a day

May roundup

What I'm eating:
Vitamin water zero Glow

What I'm wearing:
Jeans and a top

My last Nook/iTunes/Audible purchase:
Friday Nights by Joanna Trollope

What I need to do today:
pack for camping this weekend

What the kids are doing:
Samual and Louis are at summer school. Rian is at daycare.

How I'm feeling:
TGIF

What I'm listening to:
The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

Words to describe May:
Smiley, Congratulations

noteworthy:
Graduation, St. Louis, college degree, Mother’s Day, Soccer, T-ball

What reading/learning did I do this month?
So I have had this goal for a while now to read Gone with the Wind. It was one of my grandma’s favorite books and let’s face it a classic. I bought the book and it just felt… daunting to read. Well I finally finished reading it. It was very good. I can see why it is both Gram’s favorite and a classic.

What entertainment did I watch/listen to this month?
​We took the boys to see The Avengers. IT WAS AWESOME! At one point I looked over and Rian was just in awe of the Hulk. Then I looked over at Josh and realized that they were making the same faces. Great movie! We are for sure going to buy it when it comes out on DVD.

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?
​The family went on a vacation together. We had a great time. We went to St. Louis. They have some pretty amazing things to go visit. We took the boys to the Zoo, The City Museum, The Arch, Busch Stadium to a Cardinals game, and the Science Museum. We had an absolute blast. The boys loved going swimming.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
​For Mother’s day, my brothers and I got out Momma a Nook! She totally deserves it.!!! She has had to put up with a lot from us, maybe not so much me : )
My boys did so much to spoil me on my special day; Flowers, breakfast, sleeping in, cards, a handmade necklace. I am a very special lady.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
​Moonshine. It wasn’t so much special as it was unusual.
​
What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
​Sinuses are acting up and we are passing a cough around right now. I have heard from my doctor (more on that later).

What were my accomplishments this month?
​I got Josh up to Graceland to get his diploma. He and I have very different views on the fact that he has graduated. I am so proud of him!

What were my downers this month?
​I bought the wrong scrapbooking covers for my book. I know I know it’s really not that big of a deal. BUT that is a great thing too!

What new things new things did I try?
​When we went to the City Museum in St. Louis they had doctor fish. You had to put your hand in the water and let them eat away any boo-boos that you had. gross. But I did it.

How did I do on my goals for the month?
​very good. I made little scrapbooks for the boys to take with them on the road and they loved them. Not only Did the craft go over really well. But at every stop that we had we didn’t have to get a souvenir we got postcards and put them in the little book that they had.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.