Our Friday night......

Went to school on Friday to eat lunch with this guy.  Silly, silly boys.

Wocka Wocka

The boys started archery yesterday.  Afterwards, we went to the park to enjoy the sun that finally decided to come out.  This particular park has exercise equipment for parents to use while their kids play.

So, our "no ipads/no itouches during the week rule" has been the best thing I've ever done.  Ever.  It has allowed us to limit their play time and force them to do other stuff during the week.  And they know they can't ask for them or they lose another day.  Ahhhhh! 

They are so excited when Friday rolls around and they get them back.  So sad to say that this is what our Friday night looked like.  We really know how to rock it!! :)

Nature Box....

I found a deal on Groupon a while back for a 3 month subscription to Naturebox.  I've been curious to try it so I decided to give it a whirl.  I just got my first box and am excited to try the snacks out.  Anyone use this and like it?

5 healthy snacks.  If you do use them, which snacks are your favorite?

Using allowance money at the bookstore.  Cooper is really into Goosebumps these days.....

I went to get coffee yesterday morning and stumbled on this neat glass made from recycled glass.  I prefer glass over using plastic so I was excited to find this!

Happy Hump Day!!

Food and Friends

I've been out of the habit of making my weekly menu.  Why?  Life runs much smoother when I have a plan.  I made these meatballs and they turned out pretty good.  Have any good recipes that you just love that you want to share?

We have had some pretty great weather the last week or so.  I absolutely LOVE spring!!

My little monkey boy chilling after school.......waiting on brother to get out of math class.

Dinner with my big.

Our Saturday night tradition is church and then our favorite Mexican restaurant.  These 2 are queso buddies!

I went to Abilene yesterday to teach my first oil class.  To say I was nervous is a huge understatement.  Remember how I said I hate public speaking?  Remember how I said that I'm not an eyes-on-me girl?  Yea, well that all went out the window yesterday as I shared our story about Young Living oils to some really sweet ladies.  It was great though!

With one of my college roommates, Jama.  Who is expecting her 2nd little boy any day now!

Another sweet friend from college- Sharina.  These sweet girls have been such an encouragement the last couple of years!

Wishes

The last couple of weeks have been emotionally hard for me.  The boys both celebrated a birthday.....which means they are another year further away from the last time they saw Jason.  I think back to what they looked like when he died.  They were so small.  The have grown and changed so much in the last 2.5 years.  I can't even begin to tell you how sick it makes me that he's missing it all.

On Sunday night (Cooper's birthday) we were all at the kitchen table.  He got up to get something from the refrigerator and said "if I had 2 wishes.......the first one would be to ask for dad back......"

I never heard what the second wish was.

It's those comments that just about kill me.  The reality of it.  The fact that those words roll off his tongue so easily now and in an odd way it actually feels normal to hear. It is our normal now.  Gosh darn it....I so wish it wasn't.

The rest of the conversation was a blur for me.  My mind was racing and I was trying so hard to stuff those tears in and not let them come out.  I was lost in my own mind while my body was smiling and nodding and trying it's best to not react to what he had just said.

That night I crawled into bed and replayed that conversation in my head.  I finally had the chance to let it all out.  This seems so unfair.  Why do my boys have to live life without their dad?  Why?  I'll be honest.....this is something that I can't let myself dwell on.  Sure, it's always in the back of my mind but I can't let myself focus on it.  The reality of it is sickening and maddening and almost makes me crazy.

My goal is to always be honest in my grief.  I do this not only for myself and for my boys one day (that will hopefully read this) but also for those of you that read this. I know that many of you share this blog with others that have experienced a loss.  I need to keep it real.  Yes, I know that God is in control and I know that He makes no mistakes.  But I also need to say that there are days when I want to stomp up and down and yell that this is stupid and that I'm pissed.  Today is that kind of day for me.

Could you please pray for my precious boys.  I need God to fill that gap in their hearts.  I beg that they never get bitter or are filled with anger.  I ask that they always turn to Him in their time of sadness.

Thank you, friends!

Happy 8th Birthday, Monkey Boy!

This little guy turned 8 on Sunday.  His favorite part?  No more car seat.

He looks so small sitting in this big seat......I've seen him in a car seat now for the last 8 years.

At the river house.  Acting like a silly boy.  No words needed.

These two have such a love/hate relationship...

On our last day of Spring Break last week, we stopped off to visit my friend from college.  We took the boys to a trampoline place and they had fun riding the mechanical bull.

With Hunter.  Sure wish we lived closer so our boys could grow up together.

The boys got mini- Ipads for their birthdays.  They have loved playing with them all week.

However, in an attempt to keep them from becoming addicted and playing them all day.....we have decided to have a "weekend only" rule.  They are not happy about this but I know it's the only way I can keep a good handle on their playing time.  They get them back on Friday after school and have to turn them in on Sunday night before bed.  Anyone else do this with their kids?

Last week, Hudson had an ortho appt and he earned a free ice cream.....and brother got one too cuz he was tagging along.  And his lip sure was hanging down low when he thought only Hudson got one.

So we are back to reality, back to school today, I'm trying to catch up on laundry, stuff around the house, plan our weekly menu which includes a sugar detox (okay not really but this family has consumed WAY too much over the last 10 days between 2 birthdays and special treats over Spring Break).  It was a great break but I'm thankful for a routine again.

River house Fun

Jason's family has a house down on the Guadalupe River.  We have some great memories of going there.  I actually haven't been since Jason died.

Tuesday was absolutely beautiful so we spent the entire day playing on the river.  The boys had fun exploring and finding "treasures."

This is literally in their backyard.  Amazing.

Someone saw this picture and said it's like his daddy was shining down on him.

Such a big guy!

Serving up some river snacks....

Wonder what they were saying to each other?

Taking a break to make some paper airplanes.

And working on our Legos......

Getting crafty with Maya (Jason's sister)

Playing games....

Hey big guy.

Arranging our treasures in a line.....

The 3 amigos.

Getting the fire pit ready.

Ending our last night with Smore's .

Thanks for inviting us Cece!!

Had a great week!

Spring break!!

Spring break has officially started!! Got a mani....

...and a pedi. 

Boys and I headed south for the week. Sweet boy had to stay home and work. 

Gotta love the Kroger card....and getting .50 off per gallon. Woo-hoo!!

First stop: the river house. Love it here.