It's the 'boy' in him.

Last night Lee and Layton had a 'boys night.'
It was dinner, (at McDonalds) a couple of hours at nickle wonderland, and Iron Man 2.

I came home after a night with the girls, to a very excited little boy ready to tall me ALL about the movie.
(Yeah, I'm thinking that I may not even have to see it now.)

All morning he has been running room to room in his camo pj's, with his iron man mask on 'pretending' to catch the bad guys.
He just recently assured me 'not to worry.'
"I'm taking care of it mommy."
Of course I play along and 'sigh' in total relief, and because of my reaction, I get a quick hug from the super-hero himself.
He then dashes off and continues on his adventure.

I sit back, and take it all in.
I just love this kid, AND his imagination.
It's moments like these that I enjoy the most.
It's moments like these that I'm really going to miss 10 years from now.

Diagnosis.

We had an ordeal this week.
Now, normally I would drag out the entire story (because I'm a female, and that's what we do)
but instead, I will attempt to make a 'long story short' because I have told it so many times that I am honestly, sick of hearing myself explain it.

Tuesday:
Kaylee tells me she has a 'bump' on her foot that itches.
I look. It doesn't look serious so, I tell her to 'suck it up' and she'll be fine.

Wednesday:
Kaylee tells me that her 'bump' is bigger, and that there are now more 'bumps' and they all itch.
I look. It looks a little more serious, so I call the doctor.
The nurse on the line has me 'explain' what it looks like in great detail,  then proceeds to tell me not to 'freak out' but she thinks that Kaylee might have SCABIES.
(I then FREAK OUT, and shudder at the thought.)
We get worked in and head to see the doctor.
She examines her, and THANK GOD, assures me that it is NOT scabies.
(Yeah, I wanted to hug her.)
She thinks it's just a few nasty bug bites and not to worry.
Benedryl should do the trick.

Thursday:
I come home from work to find Kaylee completely covered in a rash.
It's on her legs, arms, feet, hands, stomach, back, AND her face.
She itches, and she's miserable.
Lee figures it's just a reaction to the bite.
(I figure that it's a disease, and she's going to die in her sleep.)
We give her more benedryl, and tuck her in. PRAYING that in the morning, (she'll be alive) and they'll be gone.

Friday:
NOT gone.
I go to work.
Lee takes her to the doctor.
I call him on my break.
He's picking up a script.
I ask him what it was.
He simply says: Poison oak.

Poison oak? Seriously?
WONDERFUL.

So, yeah. at least we FINALLY know WHAT has been bothering her all week.

All I can say is: after what this poor kid has been through the last 4 days... I think she has for sure earned herself an ice cream cone when she's feeling a little better.

10 YEARS ago, today.

Lee and I started dating.

Feels kinda weird to say that. 10 YEARS.
Pretty crazy that we've 'put up' with each other for this long.
I'm so thankful for that.
I've experienced some of the greatest things with this guy, and I'm grateful.
Although he knows how to 'push my buttons' (as well as me pushing his) and the fact that he can TOTALLY irritate me sometimes, I wouldn't trade the feelings I have for this man, for the WORLD.

We're good together. The perfect fit.
We keep each other in line, and work AWESOME as a team.
(Not to brag or anything.)
We have learned to listen, bend, and change in some ways.
We have learned that marriage is 'hard-work' but so worth it.
The things that we've been through, the joy AND the heartache has formed a bond between us that is truly un-breakable.
It feels good to be married to your best friend, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

So, Happy 10 years baby, I love you.

Now, go take out the trash. (:

The digger.

Well, Bentlee has recently discovered that he can DIG, and boy does he LOVE it.
He loves it so much that he won't stop.
No matter how many times Lee 'beats' him for it.
Now, normally I'd say that he's a pretty smart dog but the last few days have made me stop to ponder the thought.
He just doesn't seem to 'get' that he can't win here.
I have a feeling though.
A feeling that he'll be 'figuring it out' very quickly.
Because, we are purchasing an electric fence, and that sucker is going in ASAP.

Home.

Yesterday, Karen asked me how things were going and what I was feeling about the new house.
Today, I realized the answer to that question:
It's 'feeling' like home.

The kids have become comfortable.
I am starting to notice toys making it out of bedrooms, and have even found a few stuck between the couch cushions.
Shoes are no longer placed neatly in the shoe bin but instead they are in a heaping pile next to it.
The laundry basket was stuffed full this morning as well as the dishwasher full of dirty dishes.
Bentlee's muddy paw-prints were all over the utility room floor, as well as his beloved stuffed animals that he now drags outside through his doggy-door then drags back inside once they have been drenched by the rain.
I could go on, but I think you get the drift.

I have spent the entire day doing the following:
-I picked up toys strewn throughout the house.
-Cleaned mirrors.
-Scrubbed toilets.
-Dusted EVERYTHING.
-Washed, dryed, folded, hung, and put away FOUR loads of laundry (and still have TWO loads to go.)
-Started the dishwasher, then unloaded it.
-Mopped floors
-Vacuumed
-Cut Layton's hair.
-Trimmed Kaylee's hair.
-Got kids in the shower.
-Made a pasta salad to go with dinner.
-Cleaned the kitchen and took out the garbage, and the recycling.

So, yeah. It's for sure feeling more 'normal' around here.
Now that all the un-packing has happened and the fun decorating is done.
The up-keep begins.

Adjusting.

So, we were a little worried about how the cat would react to the new place.
We decided that we'd bring her over last, in fear that she'd be a miserable wreck.
I figured she's wander and 'meow' annoyingly for hours.
Yeah well, she has had no problem what-so-ever with the transition.
She's cuddled up by her favorite window, and sleeping soundly as I type.
I guess that'll teach me not to 'sweat the small stuff.'

Ready.

Can I just express something?
THIS.WEATHER.TOTALLY.SUCKS.
I'm ready for sunshine, and flip-flops.
I'm ready for tank-tops, and riding in my car with my sun-roof open.
I'm ready to wear my sun shades daily, and hang out at the pool.
I'm ready for BBQ's and spending time with friends & family.
I'm ready for fruit smoothies, and tan lines, and cleaning my house with the windows open in the morning.
I'm ready for the smell of fresh-cut grass when I walk outside.
I'm ready to feel the heat of the sunshine on my skin.
I'm ready for trips to the beach, and actually being able to 'dress' like I'm going to the beach.
I'm ready for the kids to be out of school, and the freedom to go as we please with no time restrictions.
I'm ready to watch them play with their sidewalk chalk outside.
Ready for them to be able to ride their bikes, and play with their friends while me and Becca hang out in lawn chairs.
I'm so READY for my favorite season.
Come out SUMMER... wherever you are.

Mello-Yellow.

Lately, I have been noticing a slight obsession with yellow things.
I am so 'in' to ANYTHING yellow right now.
Nail polish, tanks, earrings, bracelets, socks, shoes, p.j'.s, yep, even undies.
It makes me want to go shopping. Seriously.
Not exactly sure why I am just now realizing that I LOVE this color. But, I do.
Maybe because it reminds me of Sunshine? Who knows.
I just feel HAPPY when I'm wearing it.
I have this feeling that my closet might be looking a bit 'brighter' in the summer months ahead.
Hmm... the things that amuse me.

The move.

Well, this week has been consumed with packing, lifting, moving, unpacking, and organizing.
We started on Monday, and it will conclude today.
THANK.YOU.GOD.
Not only have we been overwhelmed with the constant, non-stop trips back and forth, I have somehow managed to come down with a horrible chest cold, which also came with a nasty sore throat.
OH.JOY.
This morning. I have NO voice.
Lee might really benefit from that.
Anyhoo, after today we will be officially MOVED.
It's been a long time coming, and we're absolutely THRILLED.

Mom's day.

As everyone knows. Things are a little nuts around here.
We've been working night and day for awhile now trying to get everything ready for the big move.
So, of course we're tired.
My 'secret' plan was sleeping IN on Mothers day. I'm not a morning person in general, so especially when I'm exhausted... it sounded even more perfect.
Instead? I wake up to this:

The kids are in the kitchen.
Clanking dishes together.
Opening and closing the fridge.
Fighting with each other, but trying to "whisper" while they do it.
I look at the clock. It's 7AM.

I doze back off to sleep.
I awake again to Kaylee in a panic, and her screaming at Layton for getting water all over the bathroom floor.
I look at the clock. It's 7:10AM.

I stumble out of bed, walk into the bathroom, and discover that there is an 'ocean' in there.
I closed my eyes. Took a DEEEEEP breath, and bit my tongue.

I look at Kaylee. She's on the verge of tears and she says:
"Mommy. I was just trying to help you. We made you breakfast, and I was trying to give Layton his shower, but now you just have this mess to clean up!" She then shrugs her shoulders and whispers: "Happy Mother's day."

I just leaned over, gave her a hug, and told her thank you.

After the bathroom was salvaged.
They gave me my "homemade" mothers day pictures, and my bowl of strawberries, and orange slices.

Then?
Lee walks into the kitchen half asleep, and says:
"Did you guys just wake up? Happy mother's day baby."

Oddly enough, it was a perfect morning.

Homeowners.

Just got back from signing papers for the new house.
It's official. It's ours. :]

The Kroc rocks.

We took some time out today to try out the Kroc center.
Everytime we drive by the kids ask when we can go.
So today, when Becca asked us to join her and Tirzah, we went.
I didn't swim this time. I knew I'd want to capture those moments in pictures.
Here are my favorites...

The FOUR month-mark.

Yes, I am still updating about my weight.
What month-mark will I stop on? Who knows.
Probably at goal.
This month though has been an interesting one.
I almost didn't weigh-in at all because of the lack of good eating habits that I have been showing lately.
I knew it was bound to be a gain. Wrong.
To my shock. I hop on the scale, and... 3 lbs down.
Hmmm....
Maybe it's because we've been so freakin' busy the past 4 weeks?
All this running around has helped I guess?
Well, you won't find me complaining.