happy birthday

Dear Dinoboy,

It's your sixth birthday today. I am having a difficult time reconciling that to myself.

You were the one who first made me an aunt. You taught me what it was to love other people's children like my own. And you were the first one to melt my heart with your spoken word. You will always be the one who cracks me up.

You have become such a boy. You love Star Wars and dinosaurs and Legos and guns. You love to run and jump and play. You are expressive and always have a story to tell. I don't think a week has gone by since you learned to speak that you haven't made me laugh out loud. Your heart is tender and sensitive yet you are as sarcastic as they come. It is a unique blend that makes you oh-so-special. You are an amazing big brother as you continue to honor your little brother's life. You are a fabulous cousin. You are loving and protective (not to mention, a little antagonistic). The Cutie looks up to you and copies your every move. I know you find it annoying now, but someday you will see the compliment in it. You are a very special boy and I can't wait to see what the Lord has for you in the years to come.

Happy Birthday.

I love you,

Aunt D.

Oh the growth!

This morning, I took Dirty Jobs and the Cutie to our local indoor playground.  I had such a precious morning just watching the two of them.  I don't know if I have mentioned that I have been so lucky to work with Dirty Jobs as his habilitation worker.  What that means is that in addition to having this sweet guy in our lives as a dear family friend, I also get to work with him one on one a few times a week.  I have been doing this since August.

Well, today as I watched the two of them romp and play in the playland, it hit me.  That little guy has grown so much.  Not just in height (which he has) and not even in language (which he has), but just in all around maturity.  I was able to see today that the additional language he has acquired has given the world such a beautiful gift.  The gift of his personality.  That little guy just loves life and he loves to share it with those around him.  He is full of life and excitement to discover something new.  He runs at life full speed ahead.  But, just recently, he has also become aware of life's dangers.  And he exercises restraint.  Yesterday he heard me knock at the door and unlocked it.  His mom told him to stop when he tried to open it.  And you know what, he let go of the door and walked away.  Just a few months ago, he would have rushed to open it and bolted out at the first opportunity.  

I have enjoyed these past 6 months with him and look forward to the coming months with great anticipation.  He has made huge progress on each of his goals in the past months.  I am so excited to see him blow these new goals out of the water this coming year.  

Thank you Racer for entrusting me with one of your most precious gifts.  

And thank you Dirty Jobs for teaching me so much about life.  

I love you guys!

With Many Thanks:

Today officially kicks off the beginning of my Thanksgiving cooking. And I am so excited! I am have some new recipes that I am really excited about making. But, more than that, I love having people in our home. I love the food and the fun and most importantly, the love that goes into all of us being together. Now, don't get me wrong, there is always the potential for a healthy dose of social awkwardness (like in all areas of my life...), but I just love me some busy family time.

Some things I am thankful for this season, and always:

• We have a family member coming tomorrow who has been unable to celebrate with us for about 4 years. We are so excited to have the whole family together this year!
• The love of a God who pursues me even when I am too distracted to notice.
• The love of a husband who loves me even more today than he did 6 years ago when he asked me to be his wife.
• A little girl who wants to hug and kiss her baby and lifts my shirt to do so, often. She brings a smile to my face every day.
• Family and friends who love me no matter how much I dork it up...
• When my belly rubs up against something as I try to squeeze through a small space, reminding me of the life growing inside of me.
• This recipe.
• Our friend and roomate has come to join our family. We are so happy that she is here!
  
• In three weeks, I will be in a cold state celebrating life and marriage and the birth of our Savior with family I haven't seen in over a year!

Happy Thanksgiving.
May it be a day filled with friends, family, food and fun.

And please join me as I pray for those who do not look forward to the holidays...

A Blogworthy Day

You know how I said I couldn't find anything to blog about?? Well, today happened and that quickly changed. The Racer and I took Dirty Job, the Cutie and Skater Tot to the drive thru car wash. I know, I am a barrel of fun. But, the kids wanted to go somewhere and my car desperately needed a wash. So we get there and I don't have any cash. The Racer saved the day with $6. The whole time all three kids are chanting, "Car Wash, Car Wash!" I pop the car in neutral and take my foot off the brake. We are rolling along. We continue to roll all the way through the car wash bay. The Racer and I are both yelling, "Why is it going through? Why isn't it stopping?" The kids are wondering what happens next. Well, we roll out the other side of the car wash and keep on going. Why am I still rolling?? Oh, I actually put it in drive, not neutral. Oops.

The laughing begins from us. The screams come from the back. They are very upset that we didn't do the car wash.

So, I try to high tail it back into the bay so I can get some of that $6. car wash actually on my car. As I am zooming around, another car pulls in front of me and proceeds to watch as our $6 washes the invisible car in the bay. He then puts his money in and is sitting there for a record amount of time. We are looking at the time realizing we have to pick up What Not to Wear from school in 15 minutes and we are still sitting there. And yes, the kids are still yelling in the back about the injustice of it all. Finally the guy in the car in front is waving me on. Um, I'm sorry. I can't actually pass you, this is a one lane car wash... The Racer finally talks some sense into me and says he may want me to come to his car. So, I get out and walk up to him. Long story short, his car is stuck and the conveyor belts are not pulling him through. All I could think was, put it in drive, you should sail right through... He wants me to go inside and alert them to his situation. So, I am backing out of the car wash, ever so carefully as to not hit my mirrors. BAM. I hit some mystery construction object that was on the ground. In addition to the kids screams about still not getting a car wash, now the Racer is laughing so hard she is crying. Maybe a little hyperventilating.

It was the kind of day that makes me laugh everytime I think about it.

I eventually drove the kids to another car wash and had only minimal difficulty. Dirty Job has long since fallen asleep, the Cutie was mesmerized, and Skater Tot was screaming his head off. When we got out, he couldn't stop talking about the soap and the water.

G-L-A-M-O-R-OUS. Sing it with me...

We don't do Fall in these parts.

After today, this is very clear to me. I wish I had a picture of our adventure to the pumpkin patch. Bff and I took the freak show to the pumpkin patch today. It was one of those where you walk out into the field and pick your pumpkin. Slim pickens being that we waited until Oct 27. But, the kids didn't really care.

So I give them the big rule, "Only pick a pumpkin that you can carry, because we can't carry it for you." Dirty Jobs immediately picks up a large pumpkin and stumbles his way through the rest of the pumpkin patch. This worked out well for me, because it gave me an advantage in keeping up with him on the rough terrain. Dinoboy and What Not to Wear are in a contest as to who can find the more perfect pumpkin. Cutie mostly screamed at everyone because she couldn't keep up.
5 of the 6 of us were wearing flip flops with one wearing crocs. Two kids are in pajamas and the rest of us are in shorts. Clearly, we were wearing our best fall gear to tackle the pumpkin fields. But, have I mentioned that we live on the surface of the sun? And even on Oct 27, it is still shorts and flip flops weather.

Everyone found a pumpkin that they liked. In the meantime, Bff began itching from the field grass, Cutie lost her shoes in the shuffle and got little stickers in her feet and the biggest two were sure that we all knew that their pumpkins were the very best.

It was a super fun time in which many memories were made.

This is the good stuff.

a random update

As you read in the previous post, I was out of town last week. So rather than an all too lengthy post, I thought I would give you a quick update instead.

You're welcome.

• So many thanks to the Racer for offering to keep the Cutie for a whole week while we were away. Even more thanks for loving her while we were gone. Your family is precious and so generous to welcome her to be a part of it. And so many thanks for the encouragement in getting her off the binky. This has been a huge sigh of relief in our home!
• This is one special girl I have. She pretty much potty trained herself and decided she was done with the binky. Apparently, lazy parenting can pay off if your child has the right personality :)
• As for the above, I am totally kidding. I know that she just has one of those personalities where she won't even consider doing something until it is her own idea. I wonder where she gets that from...
• The training we were at last week allows my husband and I to begin teaching a really wonderful curriculum to other couples at marriage retreats through our military branch. We were blessed to attend such retreat as participants, and are very excited to be given the opportunity to teach it to others.
• My bff is really amazing. She has had to face life in ways that I hope no one else ever has to. Yet, she still has enough grace and love to share with the many around her. She is beautiful inside and out.
• Just when I was starting to feel as though I have a handle on my two new, part-time commitments, I will begin working part time at our state fair this week. That along with some new developments should send me back into the state of overwhelmed. But, it's ok, because I may get some extra time with the bff this month.
• As last, but possibly the most important, is a fashion update. In case you were needing an outfit to wear to your local fair this year, the Cutie has a suggestion:

In case you can't quite make out what you are seeing, she is wearing some really colorful tights, her pink croc-like shoes, her bathing suit (of course), and a hoodie for warmth.
It's quite possibly her most memorable ensemble to date. We were turning lots of heads.

I hope I left you with a smile.

Did somebody say birthday??

To celebrate my birthday this year, my husband gave me a most unselfish gift. He sent me and a few friends to a resort for a little weekend getaway. He rented the hotel room and then we were able to plan whatever we wanted to do from there. It was a blast.

Friday evening, we packed up the Bff's car, picked up the Racer and were on our way. We found some grown up tunes...the children's cds were banished. That's right, we were giddy with freedom! We checked into the hotel room and change our clothes. Then it was off to dinner. We settled in for a dinner of no high chairs where we ate this salad:
It really didn't have a fighting chance.

We drove around looking for some delicious dessert worthy of birthday celebration. We decided on a place that the Racer had previously eaten some most delicious chocolateness. We got there and they no longer carried her dessert. The other desserts we ordered were mediocre at best. This caused the Racer to announce, "Carraba's, you are DEAD to me," as we drove out of the parking lot. I have no idea where WNTW gets her flair for the drama.

Saturday began with a shower. A shower in which no one tried to peek in or leave the bathroom door open allowing all the steam to escape. The luxuries were endless, I tell you. My sister in law met us and we headed out for massages. All of us but the Bff. She has an aversion to the touching. I had a most interesting massage where the masseuse instructed me to blow the excess air "out my feet". I was unable to do so. But, all the while I was thinking of that Thai Crunch Salad. I know, I have a problem. So, we headed back to CPK for some more delicious salad. After much grown up conversation in which no one screamed, bucked or refused to sit in their seat, we decided to head to a mall and walk around free from all the afore mentioned fun. Then it was off to Sprinkles for some cupcake heaven. I didn't even get a picture of those. If you are familiar with my love of Sprinkles, you will know be pleased to know that they did not disappoint.

This is where we hit an impasse. High on cupcakes and frosting we could not formulate a plan for the evening. After stumbling around the city for a while, we finally decided on some karaoke.
The Racer and I were sent in to assess the situation. One listen to the white guys rapping and we gave it the all clear. After much deliberation, we finally decided on a song that all four of us knew. About 2 hours in, two other girls sang our song and we had to make a new choice. Oh, the injustice. We decided on Pat Benetar's Hit Me With Your Best Shot. Here is a sweet picture, complete with air guitar.
As you can tell, it was a blast.

In all this fun, I almost forgot to mention that I got my haircut as a gift from my sister in law. When he first cut those bangs, I thought, "What have I done???" But, I love it and so did everyone else. At least that's what they tell me...


Many thanks to Major Hunk for a very special birthday celebration. He is clearly the man for me. He loves me with a passion and takes amazing care of our family. He speaks my love languages loud and clear and I love him so. Thanks for the fun birthday memories.

Random Pictures

Firstly, I have to tell you, moving is exhausting! Even the baby doll neeed a break!

This was my car on the way to Baby Blues birthday celebration. The balloon release was beautiful, but getting there was comical.

This was an example of the delicious and healthy food options at the fair we went to on our vacation. Really? Chicken on a Krispy Kreme??

Dirty Jobs shirt says: Stud Muffin seeks Cupcake.

Cutie's shirt says: Little Miss Cupcake.

A perfect match? I think so.

These are a couple of pics of our kids doing life together.

I have a feeling I will being seeing this much in my future.

(That's a phone tucked into her shoulder.)

I love this one because it shows the ironies that are my girl. Those are her high heels that she put on to go help Daddy work on the truck.

Uncovering

Last year in August, at our Rest Retreat, Cpt Mom had picked up some coordinating pj's for the freakshow. What Not To Wear and Cpl Cutie had pink ones and Dinoboy and Dirty Job had red and brown ones. They didn't have matching pj's in Baby Blues' size. We thought it'd be fun to have a freakshow picture taken at the local portrait studio...we just need to find some coordinating colors for Baby Blues.

Fast forward a few months to around Christmastime. No freakshow picture, but Cpt Mom and I spotted some coordinating digs for the little guy, so we could get our act together and get the picture.

One of our many bazillion questions following Baby Blues' passing had been did we ever get one single picture of all the freaks. And I searched a little, and Cpt searched a little, and I'm pretty sure that bff searched some, too. And there was no picture to be found. How could this have happened? Why did we not have one picture of the freaky five between the 3 moms? To say it hurt my heart is an understatement. There are no words for the regret.

A few weeks back, while helping Cpt pack, we had to face those pjs. We could NEVER have the kids picture taken in them now, and yet she couldn't ever think of getting rid of them. It was such a somber moment for me. A moment where I saw the importance of cherishing every moment, wishing for time to slow down and better yet, go back. I was so sad that we had missed the opportunity and would never be able to get it back. Devastating.

This evening, I was over at Cpt's helping her pack some more, and I was clearing off her pony wall...you know, one of those places that are a "catch all." I found gold there this evening. Gold in the form of a Chuck E Cheese black and white low resolution picture of all five freaks. At first glance I only saw the 4 older kids, but when I really looked, I saw the sacred gift that this piece of paper was...a one of a kind, never to be had again picture memory of our children together. The dark hair of Dinoboy contrasted with all the blondies, Baby Blues sweet face sleeping, nobody looking at the camera, raw joy from the excitement that is a pizza playland. My heart burst in two different ways. For the joy that was the discovery. The overwhelming feeling of God's mercy in the find. That we did, indeed, capture the very best part of our jobs as moms...our precious children, doing life together.

On the other hand was the heartbreak of knowing this is the only one. There will never be another freakshow picture that will have all 5 kids. The reminder that my heart will always ache over that fact. That he will not have his day of retribution towards the hovering bigger kids as all the others did. That I cannot love on him again this side of heaven.

For this moment, I am choosing to rejoice in the treasure. I choose to kiss the picture a hundred times and cut it out, frame it, and let it be the first picture I hang in my home. Because each one of these freaks is someone to celebrate!

Home

The big move is happenin tomorrow...

We have had quite the challenging week. Hubs and I each got sick at different times, slowing down many productive things we wanted to do. In fact, we are moving in tomorrow with nothing on our list completed.

The fact that I cannot cross anything off of my imaginary list sent me into an internal rage today, which quickly turned into an external whinefest. Until I really stood for a moment and thought about it.

The Lord has blessed us with a house! And more importantly, He has blessed me with an amazing husband, fantastic children, and friends who have gone above and beyond in their acts of kindness (really, they have blown me away). So if the flooring never gets finished, and the walls never get a second coat of paint in the bedroom, does that change the fact that we are beyond blessed? And when it comes down to it, would I rather have my to do list done, or have relationships flourishing?

Thank you, Lord, for some much-needed perspective this evening! May the words I speak come from a heart that is overflowing with gratitude from all of your extravagent blessings.

reflection

A precious life was celebrated today. She was a wife, a mom, a teacher and a friend. She will always be Ms Mary to me. We worked together. She was a teacher's aide in my classroom and in my team teacher's classroom for years. No matter how long we worked together, she refused to call me anything but "Mrs." my last name. No matter that she was 25 years my senior.

Ms Mary's life touched the lives of so many through her huge extended family and her 25 years of teaching. The things that stand out to me the most are her faith in a God who never left her, even when she was widowed at a young age. The same faith that made her strong and unafraid when the doctor discovered the cancer that had ravaged her body. The same God who walked with her when she traveled from chemo straight back to school because she didn't want to leave "her kids". And the same God that she came to me and asked me to pray to when the days were hard. We would stand in my classroom before or after school, holds hands, and pray to the One who never left her side. I am so thankful for these precious memories.

He was there with her when she took her last breath. He is there with her today as she worships Him without earthly limits. And, I know, that Ms Mary was able to leave this earth confident that He stood ready to comfort her family during this time.

My life is better for having known her. And I am not the only one.

I hope my life can reflect God as brightly as hers did.

Movin' On Up

We we aren't going to the east side, but it's a catchy phrase that takes me back.

Anyway, the Racer mentioned that we may both be moving. It appears as though both the cryingmoms families will be purchasing their first homes. At the same time. Maybe even in the same week.

That is right. I think we have bought ourselves a house. I am still in a little denial about what it all means.

Without planning, both families began house-hunting around the same time.

Picture the Racer and I, strolling through homes enjoying the views and sipping our diet sodas.

Now, take that picture, and throw it out of your brain.

Instead, picture the Racer and I meeting up just about everyday while our hubbys worked. We saw countless houses and we did marvel at the wonders. Such as: pink ceiling fans, baby blue blinds, mirrored walls, etc. And these are just the homes we decided to purchase. There were also slime pools and giant murals and the granite countertop of certain death. Now, don't forget to insert our kids running around and a fair amount of wailing. (In all fairness, most of the homes we looked at were during school hours, so it was my child doing almost all of the wailing, for sure.)

So, as in standard operating procedure here at the cryingmoms, we are about to step into a new realm of chaos. We should be closing around the same time. Maybe even the same week. That may not sound like a big deal to some of you, but we are each other's free labor. And, we have most of the same friends. And we go to the same church. So, basically, if you know us personally, and have a knack for packing, painting, babysitting or have a truck...you may want to run for cover :) You can't say we didn't warn you.

Some Memories

I remember when Cpt's bff was pregnant with Baby Blues. I remember talking to him as if he was a her until she found out she was expecting a boy. I would always rub her belly and talk to him, because I wanted him to know my voice. She is not touchy feely, but in her generous amount of grace allowed me the privilege.

I remember her sharing his name with me. I told her that if they were wrong, and she had a girl, that I would be getting pregnant so I could use his cool name.

I remember going to the hospital when he was born. I got to go into the nursery to hold him as his momma was still recovering. I kissed him and got to share a few private words with him. My ovaries were achin then! He looked like his big brother and he was everything that is right with the world.

I remember the first Sunday he was at church. I was extremely unwilling to share him with anybody. I held him and stared, and frankly missed most of the message. My friend had had a difficult pregnancy, but he was worth every moment of it.

I remember his baby shower - it was after he was born. I remember laughter and hugs and more ovary aches. This little boy had stolen his way into my heart. I remember thinking about all the fun that was to be had by the freak show.

I remember visiting him in the hospital when he was admitted shortly after he was born. I can't remember why he was there, but I remember he left with the need to be on Nutramagen, the world's most expensive formula. His sweet head had an IV in it, and I got to hold, kiss, and feed that cutie. I remember a tired momma and daddy lovin on their little man.

That's all the memories I can write today. My heart misses that sweet face.

Baby Blues

This post title just came to me. I wasn't even sure what it meant. But, as I typed it, it brought with it so many meanings.

The most obvious to me is that our family is so sad over the loss of this precious baby.
Baby Blues.

Baby Boy's trademark color was blue. It looked amazing on him.
Baby Blues.

He had deep blue eyes. When his mama spoke at his service, she described them as eyes that cut straight to her soul.
Baby Blues.

His eyes were big and wide set and competed only with his two giant dimples for your attention.
Baby Blues.






Life has taken on such a weird pace. It is like the world has stopped turning, yet, spins out of control all at the same time.

I should probably explain. This baby is my nephew. He is the son of my very best friend and sister to me. She and I have a connection that I couldn't even begin to explain. We have spent many years like one. Before we were married, our names rolled off the tongue as one. So much so that when our pastor extended her wedding invitation to our church family, he announced it as the wedding of "her name and my name", completely leaving out her future husband. Amidst the uproar, he said, "I knew I was going to do that! I even practiced so I wouldn't do that." You will often catch us speaking of "our kids", including the other's children in that title. And when they found out that they would be having another boy, she said, "I am so glad. Because the Cutie will always be "my girl". You will often hear one of us refer to "my boys and my girl" as if they are siblings.

I loved that little boy as if he were my own. I stayed up with him nights when the colic was bad and his mom and dad needed some sleep. I looked ahead to the days when he would have a little cousin who he could make up silly games for like his brother and Cpl Cutie did for him. And I often joked, "Don't worry Baby Boy, you will grow and your day of retribution will come." Fully expecting that he would grow into a feisty toddler who would give his talkative brother and bossy cousin a run for their money.

I can't believe he is gone. I wish I had held him more. I wish I had prayed over him more. And I wish I could walk into a room one more time and see those big baby blues pleading with me to pick him up.

God, I don't know Your plan in this. I trust in knowing that You have one.
Thank you for the honor of loving him. Thank you for the memories. May they never fade. Thank you for Your unashamed love for this family. It is palpable.

Now Introducing...

the little ones who bring us great joy and many silly tales.

What Not to Wear, Corporal Cutie and Dirty Jobs

What Not to Wear was really representin' this day. Note the one pant leg tucked into the pink cowboy boot.

I love these kids and their friendship. It brings my heart much joy.



Due to circumstances of the past couple of weeks, the Racer and I haven't spent much time together and our kids hadn't gotten together for their very regular playtimes. On Saturday, they stopped by our house and we had a reunion of sorts. It was all too adorable when What Not to Wear and Cpl Cutie went running to each other, squealing, arms wide open and embraced. They have a flair for the dramatic, ya know. Dirty Jobs wanted in on it and came running full force toward them. Then in typical boy fashion, he blew right by them and headed straight for the playroom. It brought some much needed smiles to this mama's face.

Buddies

They've been friends since birth. They've bathed together, played together, celebrated holidays together. They've been in the same church classes, library classes and kickball teams. Being that they are full time kindergarten students now, these best friends have realized they are boy and girl, instead of inseparable. We went to his 6th birthday party a few weeks back, and I was so sad to see that their lives are somewhat different now. They don't get to see each other as much, and with school (they don't attend the same school), they have developed new friendships and different recess games to play. Slowly, so much of their lives are changing, and with that change, there is an expectation of growing apart.

Maybe someday, but today is not that day.

connection

To my very core, I am a relational girl. I like to cultivate relationships and connect with friends. I feel it is a strong point in my life. But, I had a conversation with someone today that got me thinking. I converse, I talk, but do I really connect? How much of what I say is of any real value? How much is, "How are you? Oh, fine. And you?"

During Major Hunk's deployment, I made new connections and lost some. I connected with other women who were going through similar life experiences. Their friendships were invaluable to me. I also, at times, found myself living on the edge. I was living overwhelmed, everyday. One more life stress could have sent me tumbling over the side. During this time, it was more difficult to cultivate some of my relationships. There were strains.

Now that life has begun to take on a familiar pace again, I find myself reflecting. Do I really know what is going on in the lives of my friends? I know the surface things...the daily ins and outs of their momdom. But, do I ask the right questions? Do I really ask and then listen to how their marriages are? Do I follow up with them when they share struggles? Have I asked about the good things happening in their lives today? I am afraid the answer is not often enough. Just because they haven't brought it up doesn't mean that everything is just dandy.

I had a conversation with a friend recently about just this. I felt as though I had really disconnected with her. Her response to me was that she didn't feel that way at all and was surprised to hear that I did. This is exactly the point. We don't even realize we have disconnected. When was the last time we had a conversation about something personal in either one of our lives? It happens while we are busy living our lives.

I am so grateful to serve a God who gives us many chances. He loves me enough to show me the disconnect and to convict me to do something about it. Go out and share something with a friend today. Share something important and be vulnerable. She may be desperate for a connection today. It is risky, but it will be worth it.

Here come the BRIDES

Jenn hosted a wedding dress challenge of sorts. So, with our deep love of all things wedding, Cpt Mom and I were eager to join in the fun. We decided to wear our dresses doing something we sometimes get to do together - errands and such. It was fun.

Here we are before leaving. It was cold and rainy, but we took off our jackets and posed pretty.

Here I am stuffing all the material into the truck. Which reminded me of my wedding day when I had to do that in my husband's much smaller truck.

Here's Captain about to hop in. She had a hoop skirt!!!

It really freaks guys out for you to show up at Lowe's in wedding gowns. I think I saw a guy run out of the store screaming when he spotted us.

I was talking during the snapping of this picture (big surprise there), but I have to include it because it is where we spend many an afternoon...the play area of Chick-Fil-A.

Shopping for some barftastic shoes at Ross.

You knew we'd go somewhere for a sweet fix!!! This custard place is so yum, and the owner wants her mommies group to have a wedding dress party now. Way to go, Jenn, for inspiring women everywhere!

Cpt's "formal" picture.

My posed pic.

Three cheers for fitting in our dresses. These would not have fit us one year ago!!!

Precious

Have I ever mentioned how much Corporal Cutie and Dirty Job's friendship warms my heart? They are the best of friends. And they have become absolutely adorable to watch. Seeing this petite little girl and tall, rough boy embrace is heart-melting.

This afternoon while we were at the Racer's house, Dirty Job woke up from a nap. My Cutie raced up stairs to greet him. He was tired and not thrilled about being awake (I know the feeling, brother). She announced, "My Dirty Job awake." (Obviously she used his real name, we don't walk around calling each other by psuedo-names.) But, I digress. It was absolutely precious.

I am now typing away to the sound of them playing the sneezing game. Which, if you haven't ever played, goes something like this. We take turns pretending to sneeze. And, in case you were wonering, it is absolutely hilarious. If you are 2 & 3, that is.

The Racer...

She Rocks!! That's all.

She is an amazing friend who humbles me with her selfless loving and giving spirit.

I really could go on but I won't because it would make her uncomfortable.

I love you, friend. Thanks for being just who you are!

PS And her Deadliest Catch - he rocks too!