A case of the Mondays

Ugh, the first day following the weekend. The dreaded start to the work week. The "I'm tired, I don't want to go to school today mom!" The only day I honestly wish we could skip...Ah yes, Monday.

Let me sum up my day-

Feeling Blue

Sad. Missed. Hurt. Blue.

I can't help but feel this way today. I have tried to pull myself through and climb my way out but today, it's difficult. I guess we all have those days where the sun is blocked behind the clouds...or the smile is hidden behind the tears. I don't want to feel this way, but I do. I think anyone in my shoes would feel this way...

I have an amazing family which I love so very much. I am the oldest of four kids and the first born daughter to my amazing parents. There is a large age gap between myself and my youngest brother, but I have always felt close to my siblings, especially my sister. My mom is one of my best friends in the whole world...I don't know what I would do without her. Ever since I moved out, got married and started a family, I have never felt disconnected from them...until today.

Family photos should be just that...FAMILY photos. At first when my mom said that they were getting family photos done, it didn't bother me. I didn't really think about it, let it process and sink in. It didn't hit me until today that those family photos didn't include me. After I started to think about it, the more it became real. My family was getting professional "family" photos done and I wasn't invited to take part in them. I guess they figure I have "my own family" now...and I don't fit in to theirs.

So I went on to feel sorry for myself. It pretty much turned my whole weekend upside down. Here was this important event happening without one key person. Me. Photos aren't something that can talk, and explain their meaning. Photos are lifetime memories that tell their own story. Memories of love, happiness, milestones...and family. Photos last forever and I'm pretty sure the sad, missed and hurt feelings will last as long as those "family" photos will.

Happy Notes!

Hello Friends! It's a beautiful day and the perfect day to reflect on some happy notes!

T's Happy Notes Part 2 -

M&M's - The highlight of my day! He makes me smile, laugh and comes up with the craziest stories of random things he's done throughout the day. He always has so much energy and it's contagious to those around him! His carefree spirit, sweet little onry face, wild imagination and heart of gold make him one of a kind! I love that little boy so, so much and I couldn't imagine my life without him...I love you boo!

Pictures - Today I came across some pictures from the past...pictures full of wonderful memories! Dance team, old friends, high school and some other random times. These pictures brought back so many happy, fun, crazy amazing times from my carefree life as a teenager. They took me back to a period in my life when I thought I was invincible...and clueless to the real life!  I had a great time laughing at myself while drinking a glass of wine! The only thing that could have been better was sharing it with an old friend!

Husband - I love you! Thank you for mowing the lawn, thank you for killing the bees (and the ants), thank you for making dinner, thank you for going grocery shopping, thank you for keeping the kids home on your days off, thank you for always telling me I'm beautiful (even when I disagree with you) and  thank you for working so hard everyday to give us the life we have! You're the BEST!

Happy Hump Day friends!  CHEERS!

One for the record books

When I heard it, I told myself "I'll believe it when I see it!" Well, I saw it. It happened. It's only April and we have had our first 80 degree weather day here in the Pacific NW. It was a gorgeous weekend filled with all things outside...and it was amazing!!

On Saturday, M&M's and his best buddy hung out at the park for a solid 3 hours, rode bikes, played basketball, soccer, played with trains and built tracks and barely took time out of their busy day to actually sit down and eat lunch and dinner! Kit Kat spent the day at his friends house playing super soakers, basketball, and video games while Almond Joy enjoyed her first real outdoor experience where she wasn't bundled from head to toe in all things fleece! She wore her first summer outfit and loved sitting in her exersaucer in the driveway in the shade. It was such a nice day, couldn't imagine anything better.

Until Sunday came.

9 am, and it was already 60+ degrees outside. Blue skies, bright sunshine, not a cloud to be seen. Got ready for our day, spent a little time inside doing the dishes and cleaning up before venturing outside to the warmth that awaited us! Another day spent almost entirely outside! Our neighbors have two kiddos one the same age as M&M's and another about a year older than Almond Joy. It was so nice chatting with them and watching the kids play. They played for hours. More bike riding, coloring with sidewalk chalk, playing basketball, soccer, riding scooters, power wheels, picking flowers, and playing hide-n-go seek. As the days progressed into evening, our neighbors decided to throw an impromptu BBQ and invited us over! We had a lovely evening getting to know them better, meeting their friends and family and just laughing, eating and having fun! When it cooled off some we walked over to the high school softball field for a spontaneous game of kickball! All the kids, the parents, anyone who wanted to play, got to play! NO rules, just fun. Oh my goodness, it was a blast! It was such a success that we are already waiting for the next nice weekend to plan it again! Good. Fun. Times.

How was your weekend? Hopefully you got to do something spontaneous and fun!

Prayers needed

Family, friends, bloggers, strangers, anyone else out there who is reading this, your prayers and love are need right now. There are two young girls, both students who attend the school I work at, who are very ill and they need all the support and prayers they can get! They are in critical condition at the Children's Hospital here in town with a serious case of E-coli. They are both in Kidney failure and on dialysis. One of them has a pre-existing medical condition and it is affecting her far more. She is on a ventilator, getting oxygen to help her lungs rest so that she can save energy to fight. She is having seizures and they are worried she may be suffering brain damage. I am asking you, please, please add these two to your prayer list. They are so young and they don't deserve this. We need them to heal and recover quickly...they are deeply missed.

Bailey and Vanessa, I believe in you! I want you two to know how many people there are praying for you, sending best wishes for a fast and full recovery, and tell you how much we miss you! I am so sorry that you're having to go through this but I know that both of you are fighters and you can beat this!! I read your journals everyday and could not imagine as a parent myself, what your parents are going through. I send my love to you and your families and I hope to see you back very soon!! Everyone at school cant wait to see you back too...it will be like a celebration!!  Hang in there girls...YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Thank you for keeping them in your prayers! Your support means so much to not only them, but to myself as well! THANK YOU!

Welcome Baby Caleb!

HE'S HERE!!! Baby Caleb arrived at 12:16pm weighing in at 7lbs. 9 oz and 20inches long.  He has a head full of red hair and he is just the cutest thing!! I can't wait to hold him and kiss his cute little cheeks this weekend!!

Best Friend - I am so, so, so happy for you and so proud of you!! I can't believe that your little man is here! I'm sorry I can't be with you at the hospital today but just know that I am thinking about you and I am sending my love and congratulations to you!! Muah!♥

Welcome to the world, baby Caleb!! We are so happy you are here. Can't wait to watch you grow! :)

Cheers! Today is a great day!