currently

sitting in my office (which is a small desk in my crowded master bedroom) with a space heater blowing continuously at my feet.

getting ready to make the school pickup run

feeling filled up after going to bible study this morning.  i will look back at this time and see many blessings (quite honestly, i see many already.)  one of them, is being able to go to bible study.  not only engaging in the word, but doing so with a great group of women (and a few men joining us for our current study). 

avoiding housework and meal prep at all costs

loving this show.  i was up till 1:00 last night (not one of my wisest choices albeit) watching missed episodes.

excited for Friday night basketball.  mac's team is rocking it this year

smiling when i remember Charlie's words of wisdom yesterday.

2015 - my one little word

I've been doing one little word for a couple years now.  If I recall correctly, I started in 2012 as I knew it would be a year faced with challenges as my Dad was fighting cancer.  I'm not one that really ponders or thinks too hard about what my word should be, it seems to pop up in my head or is just obvious for the current stage of life I'm in.  So I was not surprised when a few weeks ago, when I was thinking about what my word for 2015 should be, FEARLESS jumped out at me and I knew that this was my word.














FEARLESS:  without fear, bold or brave, intrepid

I want to grow this year and be fearless in doing so.

I want to be fearless in taking on challenges and not be afraid of the them.

I want this to be the year I stretch and make changes to what has become status quo.

I want to redefine failure to have a positive connotation vs negative.  Failure is not bad, why have I made it so that it is? I will work on changing the message in my head for it to mean you took a risk and this is what I learned vs the negative message that I usually give myself.

Do you choose a word for the year?

A year later

It has been nearly a year since I posted on this blog and wow how a lot has changed in that year.

We Moved!  We sold our house last summer and moved to smallville usa…and we LOVE it.  I think i might be able to say that for the first time I feel like we live in a community.  A community that is made of all the facets of our life, our church, our neighborhood and our schools.  The boys have adjusted amazingly well.  The first week as we settled into school and the routine and the newness of it all was rough, especially for Charlie. After that first week though it was almost too easy.  The boys have made some great new friends and did fantastic in school.  Really we couldn’t ask for any better.

Mac has ‘graduated’ middle school in May, which means…duh duh duh…that’s right my first baby will be a FRESHMAN in high school.  CRAZY!!!  he has surpassed me in height, which really is probably not a major feat because lets be honest, 'i’m short.  However he just keeps growing.  I swear he is eye level with Jay. 

Charlie is officially heading to third grade after completing a very successful 2nd grade.  So so proud of him and his hard work this year.  He’s still actively playing sports with basketball and baseball on his schedule this past year.  He’s hoping that lacrosse will become a thing in our new community.  His only request for his birthday was you guessed it, lacrosse sticks and a net.  In the fall, he will play tackle foot ball.  I’m not sure how this momma’s overprotective heart feels about that, but we’ll try it out.  In addition, Charlie had his first communion.  Such a special day in his life and for us his parents. 

 

Now that we are heading into our third week of summer, it feels like we are settling into our summer routine.  The first few week was rocky but it’s turning around and this week i was reminded that oh yes…i love summer, i think you are my favorite season of them all.

Strawberry Pickin

For years, I have wanted to take the boys strawberry pickin and each time I brought up the idea it was met with little enthusiasm.  On the first day of summer break, I didn’t ask, I told the crew to load up the car and we were heading out to the country.  :)

Needless to say the boys had a BLAST and we are planning on going back to pick blackberries in late June or July when they are ready.  I’m already dreaming about the blackberry cobbler we’ll be making with those. 

We went to Gieringer’s Orchard and it was such a great place.  It didn’t feel commercialized but like a real farm (because it is :)).

By the way, the berries were fantastic!

      

round here

So since this ol blog hasn’t been updated since Spring Break there is quite a bit of updating to do.

1.  Yeah…this guy turned 8.  He requested frosted brownies for his birthday treat.

 

 

2.  School is out for Summer.  For this momma, I think the start of summer is harder than the start of the school year.  It’s just another sign that time is moving too fast and these boys of mine are growing fast.  It’s rare for Mac to show so much emotion, but this is pure joy that summer has started…or he’s telling me to quit taking pictures.  :)

 

2.  Baseball…hello Baseball.  As a fan baseball is my least favorite sport, but as a Mom it’s my favorite.  Love love love watching these two.  The best is when it is beautiful outside.  Very few things in life better than your kids ballgame (imho)

3.  Addicted…to ice coffee. Can’t get enough.  Trying my own home brew, using Pioneer Woman’s recipe but in love with Starbucks of course.  At least its cheaper than my usual froo froo drink.

4.  For Sale…our house.  We have literally been talking for years about selling our house and heading for the country and we are actually trying to make it happen.  While I feel good that we have made it this far, now that it is on the market, can you say “hello stress”   I need to imprint some great quotes I’ve seen about worry and stress…and how lame it is (basically)  i would plaster them on my walls but maybe not the best thing while we’re showing the house.

5.  Nana and Grandpa Camp 2013 is this week and let’s just say I’m missing my boys.  While a break is always nice, I can’t wait to get them back this weekend.

Spring Break

Grab some coffee…you are about to read a book about our little road trip or you can just skip this blog post.  :)              

The boys were on spring break last week so we decided to partake in a little road trip.  We headed to OKC to watch a OKC thunders game.  We got to OKC got checked into our hotel and walked to the arena to watch the game.  I will be honest that I am not a NBA fan.  My boys don’t necessarily watch a lot of NBA but as much as we know and spend time watching college basketball, it naturally lends itself that my boys would be interested in NBA.  Also it doesn’t hurt that they’ve spent some time playing NBA 2K whatever on the good ol XBOX.  We all had a blast at the game.  Let me tell you it felt like I was at a show.  Music and what not playing the entire length of the game, a sold out crowd.  I sat next to an older gentleman who basically told me his life story in a nutshell.  He was born during the war and was adopted by an older couple who lived on a farm in a small town Oklahoma.  He was the star athlete at his high school and still holds many of the records.  He played baseball at OSU where he met his wife, no kids, holds season tickets to OU and OSU athletic events as well as the Thunder  and really I could go on (like what his favorite restaurants are).  I love meeting people from the older generation that are so giving of their stories.  This man exuded pure joy...i need to work on that in my own life.

Thursday morning we headed out to the botanical gardens just a block or two from our hotel.  This was really more like a tropical garden.  Just to walk in the heat and see the beautiful color so life giving.  They had a neat playground outside of the museum that both boys enjoyed. 

We headed to Bricktown where we took a look at the facilities where Houston Astros double A team plays.  Had lunch at this little joint then headed to Norman, OK.

Our intent was to check out the OU campus.  Needless to say we did a drive by and due to lack of interest by all parties we decided to head towards Arkansas and Mac assured us that OU was no longer on his list of potential colleges.  Really…i had no idea that it was ever on his list.   I can’t really explain it. but it felt like Salina, KS.  Other than having a huge football stadium it was just kind of ehh.

On our way to Arkansas we stopped at the Citizen Potawatomie Nation Cultural Center in Shawnee.   Charlie is obsessed with Indians.  He has loved the Little House series and asks tons of questions about Indians.  The museum was so nicely put together and we all enjoyed it. 

And finally we made it to Arkansas.  This guy wanted to run up the drive…

While we were in Arkansas we took part in good food (as always), rest and relaxation (I finished 3 books) and lots of outdoor play (hiking and four wheelers.)  Ken’s nephew brought this little toy…Um.  so much fun!  It took every ounce of bravery I have to get on this thing and to let my kids on it, and it was an AWESOME ride.  This beast can go on land and water. At one point I looked down and the speedometersaid we were going ~ 50 mph. 

 

And well that pretty much sums up our little adventure. We had such a great time just being with each other.  I.m so thankful that we were able to get away for a couple of days and just be.

I am currently loving….

 

Gingham…i have this shirt in green and black.  Would love to add purple to my closet as well. 

This new to us recipe. So easy, so good…it just really doesn’t get much better than that.  We had these twice in the last 3 days.  Yum, Yum!

ecloths…have you heard of them.  I hate cleaning and will invest in any product that might make the job easier or more fun ( wait, is that even possible?)  I made my first order a week or so ago and i’m gonna go out on a limb and say these are seriously a game changer.  My first order included the window cleaning pack, bathroom cloth and stainless steel cloth. 

This video.  I watched this video late one night and seriously laughed so hard I was crying.  I shared with my boys but they didn’t seem to find the humor in it,  they were laughing at me laughing.  Although if i’m being honest, i just rewatched it and it’s not as funny as it was the first time i watched it. 

February

And with that February is over.  It never fails that come this time every year, I’m beyond craving Spring.  We probably have 10 inches of snow on the ground today (as result of the last 2 snow storms) and all I want to do is fill my house with tulips and candles with the scents to represent spring, maybe even do a little decorating for Sprint.  Oh what I wouldn’t give to be on a beach with my toes in the sand…just feeling the hot sun.  I tell you these feelings get stronger and stronger each year. 

So with all the snow we’ve had the last two weeks, we’ve spent a lot of time indoors and we are all itchin’ to get out of the house.

To recap Febuary:

Hello Zac Brown Band concert @ Sprint Center…one of the best times ever.  I knew a few of Zac’s songs prior to the concert and liked them, but now Super Fan am I.  I love live music and realize we need to incorporate that into our life more often.

Charlie finished up his basketball season.  He had such a good little team.  When I say good, I don’t necessarily mean talent, although they were talented, but overall they exhibited really good sportsmanship.  Most of them passing the ball (which is kind of an oddity with 7 and 8 year olds) and congratulating each other for a job well done.  They had their end of season celebration last Sunday, and KC Wolf came and spoke to the kids.  As much as Charlie loves mascots, I was excited to see what he had to say.  KC wolf shared a little bit about his job and what it’s like to be a professional mascot (can you imagine?) and he also shared his personal testimony and his relationship with Christ.  It was a great way to end the basketball season.

We have one more weekend of basketball for Mac and then we will transition to baseball.  I think we are all looking forward to the transition but with the weather we’ve been having the thought of mid March doubleheaders is making me a little nervous.

So I’ve mentioned the snow…um yeah…we’ve seen our share of it in the last two weeks.  This week, we got about 8 inches, last week we got about 10- 12 inches.  Unfortunately all of the snow won’t put much of a dent in the drought we’ve been having but at this point I think most people will/are happy with any thing they can get.

A couple of weekends ago, we headed to Ft. Scott to visit Alicia and Giacomo.  Loved Loved Loved our afternoon together.  I’m so inspired by their story and really their bravery.  Alicia met Giacomo when she was in Italy studying abroad her junior year of college.  After her graduation, she headed back to Italy, they got married and they have lived their until January.  In January they flew back to the States, for good to settle into life here in America.  I admire and respect them so much and can’t wait to spend more time with them.

And so March comes in like a lion…looking forward to a good one and sending happy thoughts to mother nature that she’ll decide to mix in some sun and maybe warmer temps to balance the gray and cold. 

January recap

How is it that we are into our final week of January?  How is that yesterdayy was 70 + degrees outside today it rained and was about 40 and we are supposed to get snow tonight/morning?  Why is it that I did not go for a run yesterday or this morning?  Why so many questions to start this post?

If I could sum up the month of January, I would sum it up in that it has felt calm and somewhat relaxed.  Although we have been busy, and really who isn’t busy,  January always feels like a welcome reprieve after the holiday rush. 

Our month has been full of basketball, basketball and more basketball.  It’s a very good thing I like basketball.  Mac has played in a tournament every weekend since Christmas and Charlie’s games started the first week of January.  Charlie is playing in the Upwards program again and I can’t say enough good things about it.  He is really enjoying it and we are enjoying watching him play. 

In addition Mac went to his first school dance as did Charlie (80;s theme.) 

 

Martha and Ken came for a visit.

I’m obsessed with project life, wrapping up 2012 and starting 2013.  I love that this project can be what YOU want it to be and the system is flexible enough that you can make it simple or more ‘advanced’.  I’ve done a little bit of both.   If anything it’s a good way to get pictures off the computer and into an album.  I think I’m going to go with the seafoam edition this year, but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

My oldest is obsessed with Ramen noodles,  if we let him he probably could survive off of ramen noodles and sunflower seeds.

Mac took the SAT on Saturday at Rockhurst high school.  As result of his MAP scores he was eligible to participate in a program that Duke offers.  He didn’t think it was too bad…i’m interested to get his scores back. 

When your oldest son tells you that we have to make this recipe, you run to the store to get the ingredients.  These brownies were a fail, I suppose we should have been cautious since the recipe was in sports illustrated.  Ha Ha!

christmas 2012

Happy New Years Eve!  It is with much sadness that I realize the holiday season is coming to an end.  Why is it that this point in time every year makes my heart hurt just a little?  We are having a rip roaring new year’s eve.  I have been in my jammies all day, we are having a taco bell feast for dinner and bets are on the table as to who will make it to midnight. :)

christmas was different this year…my dad’s absence was and is overwhelming at times.  That being said, i tried my best to be present…to be thankful for this wonderful life, this wonderful season.

we decided to do lignts on the outside of our house.  charlie has been asking for years and this year we finally bit the bullet and went for it.

We trimmed the tree. I thought seriously long and hard about getting a real tree this year, but opted not to.  Maybe next year.  Of course with trimming the tree comes a large hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.

we celebrated Christmas with the Thompson a little earlier this year but as usual it was a grand time.  mac was one of the narrators for the play, and charlie was a wise man.  there is talk about bringing back the talent show next year for the next generation…that could be interesting.  :)

once again we opted to build a gingerbread house.  i take the easy way out.  this house was pretty much assembled, we only had to decorate it.  I think our decorating skills are getting better and better each year. we incorporated some firsts into our traditions this year and due to their success, i hope we are able to incorporate them into our yearly tradition.  we attended the nutcracker at the kaufman center for the peforming arts.  this was our boys first experience with the fine arts and it was well received.

  

we also attended midnight mass at the cathedral.  the cathedral was beautifully yet simply decorated.  the music before and during the mass was beautiful.  I’m so happy we started our christmas celebration by attending this service and focusing on the reason we have this season.

  

we got home from mass and the boys had no problem getting to sleep.

Santa arrived

Christmas day we woke up about 6:30 and savored the arrival of Santa and just being with each other.  We had brunch for my mom, niece and nephew.  Later we went to Lawrence and spent the afternoon with some of the Thompson clan.

And with that Christmas day was over.  We spent time with my side of the family on  Thursday and Friday.  Many good times catching up and then traipsing all over Kansas City to entertain the kids.  Trying to go Fritz’s at Crown Center with 20 people on the Friday after Christmas may not have been the smartest idea but we made it work.  :)

Reflection

nearly a week a go, another school tragedy took place in our country.  unfathomable events, little children and teachers and administrators impacted.  i honestly feel like i’m still processing what happened friday…so sad.  friday i attended charlie’s school assembly and all i could think about was newtown, and those families, friends a community impacted by unexplainable evil.

there is a movement across the nation to do 26 acts of kindness…are you in?  this week, my family will be participating…will you?

also, passing along this article.  we must continue to pray for these families, the community our nation really…

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2012/12/pray-for-this-priest/

embracing the camera

might just be me, but when i look through childhood pics there just aren’t that many of my mom or to be honest either of my parents.  there are the typical posed pictures at the holidays, maybe a birthday, but not that many of normal day life of us as a family. 

i’ve read many a story about how important it is to get in the picture but man, for me it’s hard.  i just really don’t like pictures of me.  yet, it’s more important for my boys to have pics and memories of me being in the picture. 

these pictures were taken at Thanksgiving (i know behind much) and while it’s somewhat posed, i love it.

i thought it would be fun to share some of the pics taken in an effort to get this one….love these boys, love being their momma.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was spent at our house with us and my mom.  My brother bailed at the last minute and with much trepidation I faced thanksgiving day.  Wednesday night I prayed that I would ‘choosejoy’.  That I would focus on the good things about this day vs what I was missing.  Jay and I cooked the feast and I think we had a good time preparing the feast.  I had the sides, he cooked the meat.  Our menu:

Pork Roast

Sweet potatoes

Mashed potatoes and gravy

Rolls

Green bean casserole

Dessert

Pumpkin pie and homemade whipped cream

Brownies

All in all I’d give us 4 out of 5 stars.  Everything was fantastic, except the mashed potatoes.  Something just wasn’t right with them.   I’m not sure how you mess up mashed potatoes but I’m here to tell you that it can be done. The pie was homemade if you call homemade being a store bought crust and following the recipe on the libby’s can of pumpkin.  It might be the best pumpkin pie I’ve ever had.  Homemade whipped cream…I mean really why wouldn’t you?  So super simple and so good.  Brownies were made since Charlie does not like pumpkin pie.

I convinced the fam to take some pictures.

 

Later that evening Mac and I headed to the plaza for the lighting ceremony.  This was our first experience.  I’ll be honest, I think I enjoyed ‘getting out’ as I did the actual lighting ceremony, but I would do it again, hopefully with the whole family next time.

Friday morning after my work out, I headed out to do a little black Friday shopping.  I selfishly did some shopping for myself and picked up a few items for gifts.  Later Friday morning we headed out to Arkansas where I honestly spent the rest of the weekend, drinking coffee, reading, sleeping, eating more than I should (like red velvet cheese cake…unreal.)