What day is it?

I can't keep my days straight and it's driving me crazy. Every day of my life feels like Friday, or the weekend. The only thing I can think of is that I'm so used to the kids being away from me on weekends only, that it's trowing me off when they are with their Dad during the week.

No kids = Weekend. I'm not used to this summer business!

Fireworks

The last few years we've avoided the crowds at the park for the 4th of July. We usually get together with family & friends at my Mom's, BBQ, do sparklers and fountains in the road and watch big fireworks from what ever parks we can see from there.

 Last night we stood on our back porch and watched fireworks from a near by park. Tonight, another park had them but the huge trees in our neighborhood blocked the view in the front yard. So we hopped in the car and started driving toward them.

I had forgotten how truly amazing fireworks are up close. I'm going to try and make sure we get the full affect every year and make sure we start heading to the park again to enjoy them.

Thankful Thursday

Among the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• Random surprises
• Sprinklers
• Calls from my babies to say goodnight & sweet dreams
• Getting off work early
• Nice neighbors
• Magnets
• Fluffy Pillows
• Fresh chives
• Popsicles
• Train rides

Talk about good timing...

I picked up Jackson for our family night (we are doing it on Thursdays instead of Wed. while the kids are at their Dad's for the summer) Ashleigh is camping with her school. This is her third camping trip already this summer! Lucky girl.

Jackson and I decided on shakes and the park. We went to Riverton park since it's on of our favorites. We got the picnic blanket out of the trunk and were headed to a shady spot when my phone rang. It was my cousin, Gary, from California. Not only is he in town right now but he was AT THAT PARK and saw us drive in! What an amazing coincidence!!! We joined him at the picnic tables. Not only was he there with his four kids but two of our other cousins and my Aunt. It was wonderful!

Button bracelets

Every time Ashleigh wears her button bracelet she gets complements on it. People keep asking where she got it from. We decided to start making them to sell. We sold our first one today!

Thankful Thursday

Among the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• The feel of sunshine on my skin
• Wind Chimes
• Cooking with ingredients from my own garden
• Snuggling up with my kids and watching movies
• A/C in my car
• Jackson's sense of humor
• Lego's
• The remote controls for the fans in our bedrooms
• Mint & Snapdragons
• When you go to the store and what you need is on sale

A Fun Day

Ashleigh is at a girls camp this week so it's just Jackson and I for the day. I happened to have Thursday off this week so I picked him up last night rather just spending a few hours together after work.

We stayed up late watching movies, laughing and being silly. Woke up this morning and cooked breakfast together. Then went out shopping for some additions to our garden, including flowers. We grabbed some lunch then came home and planted. Later, we ate diner out on the deck and enjoyed the evening. Jackson told me, "this is a perfect day". So sweet.

It's been a beautiful day outside and extra nice to spend my day off with my little man. He has been such a gentleman too.  All please and thank you's. He's opened the door of the car for me a couple times and even pulled out my chair at lunch. I love my boy.

Our little Garden

strawberries, herbs & flowers

herbs, tomatoes & flowers

lettuce, leeks, carrots & flowers

I miss my kids

The kids are at their Dad's for the summer. I talk to them every night. Every Thursday we go out for a family date night for a couple hours. We spend some of the weekends together. But I still miss them like crazy.

I miss seeing their beautiful faces every day. I miss their smiles, their voices, and especially their laugh. I miss hugging them. I miss reading together every night. I miss saying prayers together and tucking them in every night. I miss Ashleigh asking my advise on the latest drama between her friends. I miss talking to her, even when when she asks me those "embarrassing" questions about growing up, because I know she feels comfortable talking to me about anything. I miss Jackson always wanting to talk, hang out and play board games & cards. I miss us eating together as a family every night and talking about our day. I miss drawing chalk pictures together in the driveway and sharing all the little things that happen throughout the day.

Does it make me nuts when the house is a mess?... of course. Does it get on my last nerve when they are cranky and fight with each other?... sometimes. But would I trade that for the spotless, quiet house I have now?... In a heartbeat.

I want them to have a close relationship with their Dad. I'm glad they are spending time together but do I hate it that they are gone for the summer?... Absolutely.

Thankful Thursday

Among the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• The camera on my cell phone
• Ashleigh & her love of buttons
• Rings
• Sushi
• Flashlights
• Pink nail polish
• Jackson's giggle
• Homemade science experiments
• Food coloring
• My carpet cleaner

Buttons

My Ashleigh loves buttons, almost unusually so. As we walked through the shops at Gardner Village a few days ago we had to check out every little accessory that involved a button of any kind. We had tons of fun but that got me thinking about making our own accessories.  I have tons of buttons so I made her a button bracelet! Turned out cute for what I had on hand. She loves it.

Graduation!

My beautiful baby girl graduated from Elementary school today. This has been a really tough year between school work and pre-teen drama and she finished wonderfully. She earned extra certificates for Physical Education & Safety Patrol. Before I know it, It will be High School graduation!!!!  Both kids ended up with good report cards and Jackson is quite the reader this year. I'm so proud of both of them.

The Ashleigh's & Mr. Olson

Ashleigh, Alex, Ashley & Kylee

Alex, Ashleigh, Kylee

Alex, Ashleigh & Aubree

Jackson had a wonderful teacher this year.

Jackson & Ms Draper

Thankful Thursday

Among the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• My Mother
• My kids and that they talk to me about everything
• Laughing uncontrollably
• Air Conditioning
• Everlasting Gobstoppers
• Iced Tea
• Birds chirping outside my window in the morning
• Sleeping in on the weekend
• The mountain views from my house
• Summer

Family Night

Every Wednesday is our family night. Tonight we went out for ice cream. We have discovered how dangerous it is to have a Baskin Robins RIGHT down the street. And after 29 years of my life... I finally like ice cream (i know, it's shocking... still don't like pizza though so don't get too excited lol).

After ice cream we rode bikes... kind of. Jackson is still getting the hang of the 2 wheel thing.  He crashed a ton but he's such a trooper, no tears just toughed it out and got right back on. Great night. I love my babies.