Mommy Time Out!

This past week was Spring Break. Russ was in Utah exploring practice opportunities and I was here with the boys. My friend Katie and I decided to take our boys (she has three and I have two) to Chicago to see Shedd Aquarium and the Science Museum. The places were fantastic, but my four year-old wasn't!! I have never seen Cole so defiant. He wouldn't even look at me, so listening was out of the question. He wouldn't walk by me, do what I asked him to do, or listen to a word I said. I was so frustrated that I started crying at the aquarium. The next day he was a little better, but he still was not listening like he should. I kept thinking to myself, "This is now what I signed up for!" and hoping it wasn't a foreshadowing of how Cole will be as a teenager. It was a rough couple of days. Then, the next day I took the boys to visit their cousins in Minnesota for two days. We went to a fun park and to a fun toy store with a carousel and unique toys. We were having a great time, but the second day Cole decided to bite his cousin in the back to see how he would react. It was the last straw -- I put the boys in the car and went home right then. Russ got home late that night. I was so glad to have him home and to have a little help. We have put the boys on "Boot Camp" and hoping that their behavior will improve.

Friday I had a day to myself. It was fantastic and much needed after the week I had had. I got my hair done, followed by lunch by myself and a good book (Eclipse) and I didn't even have to worry about cutting food or spills. It was lovely! Then I got a pedicure, got stuff for Easter baskets, bought new running shoes, and went to the scrapbook store. I seriously loved every minute of it and didn't miss the boys once! Not that I didn't think about them, but I needed a break!! I'm so thankful for Russ for taking care of the boys, cleaning up the house and even fixing the table while I was gone. I think having a little time to myself is something I will have to do more often, not just when it's associated with my mental breakdown!!

At the aquarium -- checking out the amazing creatures!


Pretending to be penguins and playing (this is where my crying began after Cole was so rude to me and Garrett ran off and I couldn't find him)


Mirror maze -- the boys loved it!


This is how the whole trip was -- me yelling and chasing the boys while they aren't listening - looks fun, huh!


With the cousins at the toy store (it had llamas too!)

Happy 9th Anniversary, Russ

Nine years -- I can't believe it's been that long, and yet I can't remember my life without Russ. I never thought that our life together would take us to Virginia, then to Iowa, and who know where next, but I'm so glad that we were able to experience all of those things together.

Russ is such an amazing husband and takes such good care of me. He puts up with my moodiness (which is saying a lot!), lifts me up when I am down, gives me confidence when I don't have any, loves my silliness and imperfections, doesn't think my fetishes are all that crazy anymore, is the best father to our two little boys, works so hard to provide for our family and to secure a good future for us. I love that he is a dreamer and dreams big. I love his hands and how they work hard and hold me softly. I love the sparkle in his blue eyes when he's excited. I love his passion for fishing and hunting and being in the mountains. I love the way he fits perfectly with my family and loves them like his own. I love to see him with our boys - laughing, playing, wrestling, hugging, loving.

I look forward to many, many more years with you, Russ. I'm excited for the next chapter of our lives and the adventures that awaits us. Happy Anniversary! I LOVE YOU!

Cole turns 4!

Cole had a pirate birthday -- Aaarrgghh Matey! Cole's two little friends, Hunter and Cael, came for the fun. We had pizza for dinner with pirate drinks (shark's blood and pirate's ale). After dinner the boys decorated telescopes to help them on their treasure hunt. The boys loved the treasure hunt and ran from clue to clue until they found the treasure -- a bag of gold goodies, a sword, eye patch, skull and cross bones necklace, and a ring pop. The evening wrapped up with cake and ice cream and more of the boys playing. It was a lot of sugar filled fun!!

Cole is such a fun little (or not so little) guy. He has a great imagination (you should hear the way he talks to his trains!), he loves preschool and his "preschool friends", he is reading the "I Am Sam" series and surprises me with new words he knows every day (he is great at sounding them out!), he can hear a candy wrapper being opened if it is within an ear shot and will exclaim "What have you got there?" and ask to have some, he is fascinated with money and putting it in his football bank, he sleeps with as many stuffed animnals that he can fit on his bed which usually means he has a tiny sliver of bed to sleep on, he loves to tease Garrett and know how to push his buttons (and mom and dad's for that matter!), he loves to cuddle and have "mommy and daddy time". He is such a great son and we are so happy to have him as our oldest. We love you, Cole!!

Our little pirate family


Blowing out the candles (he left one for his friend Hunter to blow out -- too sweet!)


The treasure...


And James... what would Cole's birthday be without a Thomas Train? He told us his favorite present was James -- I could've saved a lot of money and worry if I'd known that!!