Two for Twosday

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

1. The boys had mustache day at school... can I tell you how excited I was for this! The boys thought that it was the best thing since sliced bread. AND I got to see what kind of mustache kids the boys are. Samual is a curly Q handle bar mustache boy. Louis is a Mario mustache boy. Rian who doesn't go to school with Sam and Lou yet wanted to play too. Rian is a goatee/mustache boy. I've learned so much.

2. Had the pleasure of grilling out with some very important friends. Love spending time with this family they are truly a blessing to us all.

{this moment}

{this moment} -  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.

Gramps

Today is September 28, 2013.

In 1787 the newly completed US Constitution was voted on by the US Congress to be sent to the state legislatures for approval.

In 1867 Toronto became the capital of Ontario.

In 1892 the first night game for American football took place.

In 1924 the first round the world flight was completed.

In 1919 my hero was born.

My Grandpa Pete.

Halloween 2006

There are so many amazing stories and memories that all of our family has of him.
His stories about Missouri. His passion for baseball. His quite laugh that he hid with his finger. His delight in discovering what any construction site was working on. His love/hate relationship with animals. His zeal for vegetable gardens. This list could go on and on and on. There are times where I really do want to jot them all down. Oh the stories that come to mind.

There are so many things that remind me of him everyday. This man that was there for my brothers, sister and I when our father was not. This man that was there for so many. So strong in his silent ways.

I read this poem about three months ago. It hit me so hard I had to write it down. Gramps served in the US Navy. He never boasted about his time, never talked too much about it. His 21 gun salute sounded off in Oregon.

"Final Inspection"
By, Sgt Joshua Helterbran

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and 
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny 
that wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier.
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."


Gramps, we know you have your place in heaven. Happy birthday!

True

I'm joining in on Lisa-Jo baker's 'Five Minute Friday'.
The rules are pretty simple. One word. Five minutes of writing. No editing.

Truth. I had popcorn for lunch yesterday. Straight up movie theater butter, in the microwave, popcorn. There weren't any kids around, meaning I actually had more than five pieces before it was all gone. No movies. Just popcorn.

Truth. I dislike the way popcorn feels on my fingers. That's a lie. I dislike how lots of foods feel in my hands. I live in the Midwest you know what's big out here, BBQ. Take for instance BBQ wings, okay, first there is the mess of the dripping sauce that is now sticky not just all over your fingers but on your face too! Then you have to awkwardly nibble around a bone, while your hair is getting smothered in sauce as well. Long hair problem 101.

Truth. I have a horrible relationship with food.

Truth. It started when I was young, 10. I dressed up in a new outfit that I was so proud of and a family member told me how big (not in a grown up way) I looked. It went down hill from there. That same person started pointing out how much I ate at buffets (example one as to why I HATE buffets).

Truth. I battle with weight, my figure, my looks. Every. Single. Day.

Truth. In middle school I was disgusted with myself that I hit triple digits on the scale.

Truth. In high school is when it was the worst for me. I bounced from 110 to 115. I'm not short not tall but at 5'8", the doctors started asking questions. That made me so ashamed.

Truth. When I think of me as an adult, I would have never guessed that I would still allow myself to be haunted by this but in truth I am. I have a better idea of when to mentally shake myself to stop. I do not allow myself to own a scale. I've made healthier choices, lifestyle and am proud... most days, of where I am.

Truth. Life leaves scars. Maybe, just maybe we shouldn't hide them. Maybe we should be unapologetically proud of them. Each and every scar. Maybe we should let the truth of them shine.


Truth. I have been debating if I should erase this whole thing and give a cute little post instead... BE BRAVE!

Show and Share School Days

Three boys plus one craft loving Momma... let's see what we get into!

Okay, I have to admit. I do not have a craft a roo for you all today. We have been celebrating birthdays and our anniversary. Not to say that crafting hasn't been going on!

What have we been working on you ask... well school stuff. That's right I give the boys "homework" from me. Why, because I believe that learning doesn't stop at school.

These are some of the sites that I've been collecting work from.

Numbers-  Coloring Squared. They have different options to choose from like color by number, addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, rounding, etc. Great pictures to choose from like ANGRY BIRDS! Yeah that is sort of a big hit right now.

Reading- How Does She? They are one of my favorite sites ever! Right now they have a great list of age appropriate books up for readers. One thing that I've learned is that if the first two pages are too tricky, grab a different book. You want them challenged but not discouraged. We ask the boys to read for at least 30 minutes at home, together, alone, a mix of it. Just read!

Journal- Yep, the boys keep a journal too. I give them a topic and they write, draw, cut out and paste on that topic. There are great ideas out there, we like keeping it simple, favorite food, make up a superhero, bedroom.

Spelling- Every week the boys come home with spelling words to work on. We like to have them write the words a certain amount of times. They also can try dressing the words up too.

Those are the main spots that we hit on. Pinterest has been a great tool to find different worksheets.

So here's to school days and all the work that comes along with them!

Anniversary Two for Twosday

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

First bouquet of flowers Josh gave me, 2010.

Today our two year wedding anniversary! Whoop whooop!!! We were blessed to be able to celebrate over the weekend at a very swanky spa hotel. All together, oooooooo- ahhhhhh. When people asked how long we had been married we meekly answered, only two years. The thing is we have had some obstacles thrown our way. I am proud of our two years that have been full of beauty, perfection, difficulty, happiness, anger, yelling, whispering and ever mix of emotion in between. Through all of those perfectly hard times my best friend was by my side and I by his. So yes world, we have 'only' been married two years and I wouldn't trade them in for anything. 

We were so very blessed to have Hawelywood Films capture our special day. Matt at Hawleywood Films put this BEAUTIFUL montage together for our wedding.

First couple picture. 2010

2013

 

First house

Mom said YES! April 2011

9-24-2011

Then by Brad Paisley 

I remember trying not to stare

The night that I first met you

You had me mezmorized

And three weeks later

In the front porch light

Taking 45 minutes to kiss goodnight

I hadn't told you yet

I thought I loved you then

Now you're my whole life

Now you're my whole world

I just can't believe

The way I feel about you girl

Like a river meets the sea

Stronger than its ever been

We've come so far since that day

And I thought I loved you then

I remember taking you back

To right where I first met you

You were so surprised

There were people around

But I didn't care

I got down on one knee right there

And once again

I thought I loved you then

Now you're my whole life

Now you're my whole world

I just can't believe

The way I feel about you girl

Like a river meets the sea

Stronger than its ever been

We've come so far since that day

And I thought I loved you then

I can just see you

With a baby on the way

I can just see you

When your hair is turning grey

What I can't see

Is how I'm ever gonna love you more

But I've said that before

Now you're my whole life

Now you're my whole world

I just can't believe

The way I feel about you girl

We'll look back someday

At this moment that we're in

And I'll look at you and say

And I thought I loved you then

And I thought I loved you then

9-20-2013

And I thought I loved you then.

I love you Josh to the moon and back,

to infinity and beyond,

forever and ever.

A

{this moment}

{this moment} -  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.