lost in books

1.  3 more nights until the twins come home

Holy hell it has been a LONG summer without these two around.  It has been a bit relaxing, a whole lot easier and at times incredibly hard.  I have been trying to lose myself in books and remind myself that these two crazies are having a blast in Chicago.....but come on....I still need their crazy butts home.  They make our house full of laughter and lot of fun.  They keep us on our toes and make our family complete.  I know that they are happy but yeah -- I would still like them back.

Jack wants them back too but loves doing FaceTime.

2. Pizza
My intensity was off the hook yesterday.  I think it was a combination of the boys being gone and good old fashion hormones.  (The night before I made brownies for dinner).

Anyways, I have been craving pizza for weeks but not pulling the trigger on ordering.  Yesterday Mike insisted that we order pizza and boy did it hit the spot.

3. My sister
Even as I typed out the title of number 3, tears welled up in my eyes and started to stream down my face.  She has really been on my mind a lot these past few months.  I am in desperate need of some catch up time with her.

I am constantly giving myself pep talks and reminders to find peace with these new paths and this life without my sister and my friend.  Man -- it's hard.

 4. The routine
This summer our routine has usually been me waking up with Jack and Rouzer putting him to bed.  When the boys come home next week I am not sure how the routine will start to change.  I hope to get back into the gym a few mornings a week and with school starting next week our mornings will be wild again.  As for now...this is a pretty sweet routine.

5. Evening walk with Micah and Jude
Monday night I went over to give dinner to Mandy & Luke and I noticed that their house was melting down.  Mandy lost her grandma the night before and with the daycare at her house for a few weeks you... could tell they wanted to just breathe for a second.  I decided to take Micah and Jude on a walk to give the adults 30 minutes to just BE. 

I took the boys over to the old spot where we took the twins to watch the trucks pass by before I proceeded around the block.  I was a sweaty mess when I got home.  Holy -- pushing these two boys who are heavier than Jack in a normal stroller (not jogging) was a WORKOUT.  Micah talked to me the entire way and I was glad that I could spend a few moments with these sweet boys.

the days

A brief rundown of the days....

Friday.  

My boss didn't schedule me for Friday and I decided to let the mistake slip by.  I didn't have a sitter for Jack so taking off work worked out great.  That morning I was able to get a bit of house work done in the and then we headed to the YMCA to swim with Ashley and her girls.  I haven't been able to catch up with them for awhile and it was fabulous to get some sun and enjoy the pool.  On my way to the south side I realized that I need to make a quick stop at Amy's new house.  SOOOOO glad that I stopped by.  First of all, her new house is beautiful.  Second, I was able to spend some time with Miss Charlotte.  This little one is a fire cracker and goes a million miles a minute.  Amy is the absolute best with her.  I left her house inspired (as I always do) and looking forward to our next playdate....hopefully in the near future.

Jack fell asleep on the long trek back to the north side so instead of immediately pulling him out of the car we let him sleep for a few more minutes and decided to head out for the evening.  We stopped at Jo-Ann's, ate out for dinner and then made a quick stop at Cabellas.  It was a full day.

Saturday.

I had an entire day free with nothing planned so earlier in the week I asked Kelly if Jack and I could come up to South Bend.  It has been 3 years (yes--that is embarrassing) since I have been up and LOTS of life has happened.  Once we got there we all hopped into my van and headed to St. Joseph, Michigan.  This place was packed. PACKED.  We had a great time at the beach, splash pad and eventually sitting down for dinner.  It was nice to be able to catch up on the trip in the car when little ears were not listening to all of our gossip.  She is a reminder that life happens quickly and to spend time doing the things that you love.  

Sunday.
After a long trip back with a screaming one year old I was looking forward to sleeping in on Sunday. To my surprise Mike made me breakfast in bed and almost immediately we decided to head out for a hike.  It was HOT this weekend so we were grateful to get to the park early.  SBJ did great in his carrier and we were able to enjoy a new trail and get the day started off on a good foot.  The shade also provided great protection from the sun so overall the heat wasn't too bad.

After the hike Jack took a nap while I made a quick trip to Kroger.  Mike stayed back to grill steaks for lunch and chicken for the upcoming week.  That afternoon we made a short trip to the pool and then dinner at my parents.  We were both exhausted from the weekend. That night we both fell asleep quickly (after watching Big Brother of course).

Monday.
I was supposed to have CPR with Shelby today.  We have taken the class together for years now and we have had this scheduled for months.  Well, we both showed up and immediately got asked to leave since we didn't bring CPR books.  What?!  This clearly is a new policy.  Regardless, it worked out.  Since Jack was at the neighbors (daycare is STILL closed) I decided to beast some stuff out today.  I mowed the lawn, purchased chicken feed, made a trip to Target, went on a 4 mile run, and after this post I will be organizing the house, doing laundry and cooking dinner for the neighbors.  It's been a great great day.

It's a boring read

1. Babysitters this week

We are slowly (let me emphasize SLOWLY) getting to a new daycare for SBJ.  This week our new place has been closed and it looks like it could be closed again next week.  This has been unplanned and not fun to deal with but so far....it has worked out pretty smoothly. 

2. Fixed my shoes this morning

My mom always said to us, "I haven't bought anything new for myself in years."  As a teenager I completely underestimated the truth in this statement. It didn't take me long to figure out that this was not only 100% true ...but years could actually mean YEARS.  When it was just me and the twins I literally did not buy much of anything.  I can remember buying new jeans at the time and how excited I was...and I still own them.  The past few years with Rouzer have been much better.  Don't get me wrong, we still don't frequent the shops BUT at least I have been able to update my wardrobe for the most part.  We also go on tons of wonderful trips and eat out every now and then. 

To get to the point -- my shoes are starting to break down.  I recently bought a new pair of running/workout shoes but my intention is to keep them for my workouts.  These pair got moved from my workout shoes to my work shoes.  Anyways, they had a hole breaking through and this morning I sat down and fixed them.  YAY!! Now I can wear my comfortable gym shoes to work.  

3. Date Night

On Monday Mike text me and requested that we have a date night soon.  He didn't want to do anything physical and preferred to sit down and enjoy a meal.  We decided to hit up bonefish since we had a gift card.  We shared bang-bang shrimp and had a drink.  After we left we decided to go to grab sushi for dinner.  Good food and drinks AND Doug watched Jack for the evening for FREE.

4. One last surgery -- Success!

My mom has had 6 surgeries in 26 months.  Yikes!  Well yesterday she had her last surgery (hopefully forever) and it went successful.  She is home, recovering, and when I talked to her this morning -- eating watermelon.

5. Working appliances

How can I not be grateful for a washing machine, dryer, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, garbage disposal.  Holy moly these small things get used every.single.day. and make my life so much easier.



Lake George Part III

1. Life on vacation

Here are some more pictures from the week we were on vacation. I think that my favorite part of vacation with the boys is that I can actually feel life slow down.  I have the entire day to sit, play, relax and enjoy life with my family.  I watch them learn and grow.  In the hustle and bustle of every day life I have a million other things pulling my attention.  And though I know it is important to sit down and play board games -- I am still required to do dishes, mow the lawn, fold laundry, prepare meals, vacuum carpets.....you know....all the normal day to day stuff.  On vacation my task is to sit and enjoy. Period.  The goals of the day include trying new things and creating new adventures.  The hope is to go to bed exhausted and wake up with an energized soul.

2. Fishing

On this trip I learned that Cameron, Owen and Mike LOVE fishing....and I really don't.  On the last day that we were there I finally went out with the boys to fish.  Cameron had been asking me all week.  I will admit -- I loved watching their little personalities shine BUT I did not love baking in the sun and being patient. 

To be honest, we didn't have to be too patient.  We found a spot where the boys were catching fish left and right. 

Regardless -- I will leave the fishing up to the rest of my family.

The boys playing catch in the evening.

 3. The trip home
Mike and I drove through the night so I am grateful that we made it home safely.  It is a bitch of time for the adults but overall it is MUCH easier with the three boys to just knock it out.  Once we got into town we dropped off all three boys at my parents house and then headed straight to our beds for a few extra hours of sleep.  Somehow, once I woke up, I mustered energy to do loads and loads of laundry and completely unpack before we crashed for the night.  It took me until Tuesday morning (right now) to fully recover from my exhaustion.




4. New car battery
On Sunday afternoon we decided to hit up the Lukach pool and the van wouldn't start.  We jumped the van and realized quickly that something was wrong.  Yesterday Mike took the van and got the battery replaced. It was "dead-dead."  I am insanely grateful that the van didn't die on us during the trip...in the middle of the night.  Holy we were lucky.




5. A break from family vacations
I hope that I have articulated how much I love taking vacations with my littles.  It's hard but it's wonderful. That being said -- I am happy that we have nothing planned in the near future.  In the last 10 months we have done a lot LOT of traveling.  We have driven to the Outerbanks, NYC, and Lake George.  We have also flown to San Diego and Mike and I took a short trip to the Bahamas.  We have also done weekend trips to Cleveland and Columbus.  




On our "to-do" list is an October trip but to be honest...right now I am looking forward to taking a travel break and just being at home. 

Lake George Part II

I have a few extra minutes to myself so I decided to put down my book and jot down a few words before the two boats come back filled with family.  Right this second Jack is down for a nap (FINALLY) and Lauren and I are sitting on the deck chatting.  Here is a quick 5 for the past few days.

1. Beautiful weather

It has been a few perfect days.  It has been warm and sunny.  We have had tons of lake time and all of our skin is a bit sun kissed.  We have almost gone through an entire bottle of 50 spf sun screen.

 2. Jack is taking a nap -- trying.
I started this post but I had to put it down almost immediately.  Let me tell you a little bit about Jack's sleeping...he doesn't.  Last night he slept six hours.  For the most part, he is a champ and in good spirits.  He is acting like he is at his senior spring break.  He wants to be the life of the party AND wants to be the first up and last to sleep.  At this moment he is up in our steamy, hot room trying to take apart his pack and play.  I am hopeful that he doesn't actually get out -- but that is just hope.  I can hear him right above me making lots of noise.  yikes.  ****Once I got to the end of the post, I needed to update -- Jack is up.***

 3. My book
Kara suggested this book to me the last time I saw her and so I swung by her office last week to pick it up.  Holy moly I am OBSESSED. I am going to make sure that all of my coworkers read this one and I might even purchase one for myself.  This man writes with so much insight.  It is a quick read and I am almost done...not wanting it to end.

I took this picture last night because I was able to sit out and read -- all by myself.  After snapping this photo and opening the book my oldest opened the door and started asking questions.  I didn't get any pages read but instead Owen and I sat and enjoyed some moments together. 

 My first "favorite line" from this book was from this page.  I couldn't highlight or underline since I am borrowing the book -- I also can't take photos of hundreds of pages.

"A word meant something only between people, and life's meaning, its virtue, had something to do with the depth of the relationships we form."



4. Owen
This little personality is HUGE.  He absolutely thinks that he is 16 years old with the rest of the teenagers.  He thinks that he is the best of the best.  He is the smartest, the bravest....the absolute best. And I am not going to lie...I think that he is one of the best too.   So far is favorite part of the trip is going tubing --oh and ask him he will say, "I went faster than everyone else, right?"  His competitive nature is down in his bones.  When I observe him I realize that this is the drive that the successful talk about and I don't feel equipped to manage it successfully.  I hope that I am able to nurture him the correct way so he can use his competitiveness to his advantage and not his downfall.



5. Cameron

My sweet child is a ball full of life.  Yesterday he begged, pleaded, cried to go on the hike up the mountain.  This was the same hike I did the other day and I thought FOR SURE that they would opt out in the middle/beginning of the trek.  I was wrong.  This child was literally turning white in front of me from exhaustion, heat and dehydration. Our game plan from the beginning of the trek was that no one would get any piggy back rides during the hike but once we got close to the top I started getting scared.   I insisted we turn back around (lied and said we were at the top) and then I gave him a piggy back ride for most of the way down.



I was ill prepared for the hike.  Though I made them wear hats -- I didn't bring enough water and I didn't apply andy sunscreen.



So in conclusion, Cameron was a beast.  Not only that -- yesterday he went on the TUBE.  What?!!  he was terrified a few days ago but today he found the courage to get in the water.

**AND Owen was attacking the mountain like crazy too.  My kids are super impressive**

Lake George Part I

I have been thinking about posting for most of the day and now that I am finally sitting down to post I am EXHAUSTED.  It has been a full few days.  Here are some of the highlights.  I am grateful for so much but as you know....it's pretty easy to follow along with the photos.

The view from the Lake House.

1. The drive

I was not looking forward to our 13 hour drive to NY.  At. All.  We ended up stopping in Cleveland and staying with Dennis on Friday night.  Though we didn't get much sleep this stop worked out great!  We had a great quick visit, a huge breakfast in the morning and we were on the road by 730am.  Once we got into the Adirondack area we decided to take the scenic route.  It was beautiful.  

This was a much better trip with all three boys than I anticipated.  Of course Jack melted down...don't judge...we flipped his car seat...and after that he did much better.  Oh~and yes, we STILL use bottles.

The absolute best part of the trip -- Mike and I listened to podcasts and we were able to sit down and have adult conversations.  We talked about race, sexuality, raising children...the list goes on.  I remember that when I was falling in love with Mike this was one of the things that I absolutely loved.  We were able to sit down and talk and talk.  We are able to compare notes, trade ideas, and divulge into serious topics.  Having three little ones at our feet means that most of our conversations revolve around small things such as what we are cooking for dinner and who is taking the kids to the bus stop.  This week (not just the car trip) we have been able to sit and talk with each other.  Wow.

2. The location

It was a super long trip and I had absolutely no faith that the energy in the car would be worth the hassle.  I was wrong.  This place is amazing.  The water is crystal clear.  We are in a cove near the top of the lake and it is peaceful, quiet and easy.  I am obsessed with this place.

3. Tubing
This afternoon we all piled into the boats and went tubing.  Owen absolutely loved it and I loved watching him.  His smile was from ear to ear and he was in heaven.  He always wanted to go faster and could not get enough.  Cameron on the other hand was a mess.  He was crying before he even got on the boat.  He did not want to try and had tears rolling down his face once Owen entered the water. On the flip side of things he was loving all of the fishing and caught a huge fish later in the afternoon. I don't have a picture of it tonight but will try to post it later in the week.

4. Hiking up a mountain
Essentially right outside the front door we are able to get on some hiking paths and go straight up the mountain.  This afternoon when the twins went fishing with Mark and Rick the rest of the kids went on a hike.  As you can tell, Jack eventually passed out.  It was an insanely steep climb and I am WAY out of shape.

Some of the view from our climb.

5. The helpers
Holy moly we have so many people helping us be successful this week and let me tell you -- it is awesome.  Every time we turn around someone is offering to take Jack, play with the twins, or keep us company down on at the Lake.  The high school boys are the absolute best.  They take the boys on kayak, play frisbee in the yard, and are keeping them continually entertained.  So. So. Grateful.

Lots of stuff TO DO

1. My day OFF
I am so happy that I took the day off yesterday.  I am having more and more of a hard time coming into work at CHN.  It is a pretty easy, posh job but I am so bored that I want to poke myself in the eye.  Today I decided to make a list of things to do while I am at work so I am not 100% miserable.


Anyways, my day off was great.  Jack and I went to the gym, picked up a book from Kara, and hung out all day.  When Mike got home we ran some more errands and hit up a few stores I have been interested in checking out.  It was just what I needed.  AND super glad that I didn't have to sit at work all day long.

Jack REFUSED to eat in his high chair.  So I ate my salad standing and he ate his PB & J standing.  SO. STUBBORN.

When he wears his pink shirt, he gets lots of "girl" references.

2. Sharon's spin class
I am (and have been for awhile) in LOVE with Sharon's classes at Lifetime.  If I could -- I would take every single one of her classes.  She is serious.  I was able to do spin yesterday and it KICKED MY ASS.  I am going to ask my boss if I can start getting Wednesdays off so I can go to the gym. No joke. 


3. The upcoming trip
Tomorrow, after work, our plan was to jump into the car and start our vacation. 


So here is an update:  I work all day today and leave straight from work to get boys from Greg.  If everything goes smoothly I should be home at 8pm. Nothing has been packed (except beach towels) so my plan is to pack EVERYTHING tonight.  And have it all ready for tomorrow.


Tomorrow morning I have to leave the house at 7am to get the boys to Laurie's and get to work by 8.  I work all day and then I will pick them up from Laurie's and hopefully be home by 515.  Mike also works all day on Friday and will probably not be done until around 4 or 415 (hopefully).  Once he gets home he will take Nash and be back home around the same time as us. 


He will pack the car while I make a quick dinner and finish the last minute cooler, ext.  Soooo....who knows what time we will get on the road.  This morning I was a bit stressed but I gave myself a pep talk and my new mantra is "it will all get done."

4. Our travels
Yesterday on FaceTime Cameron and I were talking about our upcoming trip and how we were going to a Lake.  Not Lake Michigan. BUT he said, "Lake Michigan looks like the ocean, but it's not."


It was a small comment but it reminded me that my kids have seen the ocean.  Two of them. And that we do these trips so they learn, they grow...they have experiences and their world is BIG and not small.  Grateful that we are able to go on these travels.


5. Two DIFFERENT boys
As time goes on the twins are growing into themselves.  They are starting to like different things and are actually doing different activities. Last week, in Chicago, Owen did another race.  This time he ran 4 miles!  He was exhausted and loved it.  Cameron cheered him on from the sidelines and loved that too. 


In Chicago they also did an art camp.  Though they both had a great time -- Cameron wanted to sign up again, Owen decided to pass. 

Shelves

1. The bathroom is FINISHED!

Almost.  Mike completed the shelves this weekend and the bathroom is almost complete.  The last thing that we are doing is framing 1 or 2 old newspapers from WWII.  But custom framing is way too expensive for my wallet right now so I have a feeling that won't get done until the end of the month.  I tried to snap some quick pictures this morning before I left for work but SBJ was at my toes so these were the only two that turned out.  I love the new bathroom and want to redo the entire house!

2. Lazy weekend
This weekend we tried to do almost nothing.  I will admit --  it got pretty boring -- but overall it was nice to sit inside and not worry about getting out of our pajamas.  Jack is currently obsessed with being with me at all times AND reading books.  He is saying tons of new words and loves to give kisses.

3. TWO books

Because all of the laziness that surrounded the weekend...I was able to finish two books.  One was an insanely long book, The Goldfinch, and one was insanely short.  Regardless -- glad that I was able to get in some much loved reading time.

4.  Jack loves to swing

We made multiple trips to the nearby playground this weekend.  Hopefully by the end of the summer we will have the swings up in our yard but it actually worked out well to make the short walk.  He could swing for hours.

5. Tomorrow OFF
At the last minute I found out that I could have tomorrow off.  I jumped at the opportunity.  Don't get me wrong -- I have a pretty spectacular job BUT having the day off with SBJ and free to do errands in the middle of the week sounds pretty wonderful.