Mike

I am not sure how to start this post.  I miss the boys like crazy and I am not ok with them being in Chicago for so long.  I try to look at their time away from me as a "summer cap" but I want to be honest -- holy shit this has been a looooong three weeks.  I know that the boys enjoy their time in Chicago.  They play tons of video games, go to fun places like Navy Pier, and spend lots of time with family.   That being said -- I still want them home.

Only a few more days until I have my boys back home and the five of us will be together again.  I wish that I could elaborate a bit more about the "real" in this life but I need to think of the end game, keep a good face, and carry on to the best of my ability.  Anyways--I felt that I needed to put these feelings out there....thank you for listening.... On to the post.

1. Three day weekend

Today is Monday, July 4th.  For the most part we have had an easy, relaxing three day weekend.   I have been able to read some of my book, Rouzer finished the bathroom shelves, and I got lots of random cleaning/organizing completed.  It's nice to just have an extra break.  

2. Peanut butter spoon
One night for dinner I pulled out the glorious peanut butter spoon. I am not sure who likes peanut butter more -- me or SBJ.

3. Mike's new bow
I wish I had a picture to accompany this post.  Mike's bow broke on Thursday or Friday so we decided to go ahead and purchase his new bow.  He has been wanting this bow for a few months and we had even started setting aside money to make the purchase.  Since his original bow was out for repair.. having him without his hobby/stress relief/my sanity for a month sounded miserable.  He shoots almost every single night.  Grateful that he has found something that he enjoys and grateful that we were able to make the purchase.

4. Mike's support
While I am at it....I will just keep talking about Mike.

I was having a rough afternoon yesterday.  It is a known fact in our house that around day 3 without the twins I don't do very well.  I just get a bit more serious and a tad intense.  I usually keep it together and plug forward but yesterday it all came to a head.  The weight and reality of it all had me in tears.  Lots of them. Mike, in his normal, amazing strength and love for me -- helped calm my soul.  He picked up all the lose ends of the day as I floated around trying to hide myself in a book.  It worked.  I was able to calm down, breathe, and give myself a pep talk.

This is a small example of how he takes care of me.  How he allows me to be me.  I don't have to change or transform into someone for him.  Though I am not at my best he figures out ways to hold me up and carry me throughout the rest of the day.  Grateful for his love.

5. Couch armchairs
It's the little things...right....

Our couch has these amazing arms on it that allows cups to sit on them and not fall off.  The couch is a hand-me-down (obviously) from my parents.  It is this huge couch that all five us can sit on and I personally think that it is extremely comfortable.  But to the point....my coffee is sitting next to me, on the arm rest, with no fear of it falling off.

I decided to take a last minute picture so you can understand :)

6. Heidi's inspiration
After work on Friday I conquered a small fear and got into Lake Maxinhall to swim with Heidi.  First, let me say, she is a beast.  She kicked my ass and after I left...SHE SWAM MORE.  It was refreshing and fun to try something new.  It also made me extremely nervous about the sprint tri and how I need to actually workout in order to train.  Grateful that she encourages me to at least TRI.  hahaha....see what I did there.

Super Nice

1. Applause Card

On Friday Jack was kicked out of daycare so I had to leave work insanely early.  My coworkers are fabulous so after I had most of my patients checked in...they took over.  Though I left the office before 11 I was still able to earn an Applause card.  We get these little notes all of the time but this one was great (since I didn't even do much) so I needed to share.  I left after checking her in (so really -- Shelby did all of the meds) AND I am obsessed with how she described me.  

2. Jack was not kicked out of daycare...today.

This dude has had some major diarrhea since starting his most recent antibiotic.  On Friday he was kicked out (LONG story) and my blood was boiling almost all day.  He is back today and I have had no calls to pick him up.  Yay!!  That being said, we also let Amber know that we are starting a new daycare when we get back from vacation in a few weeks.  It is time for a change!  

 

3. Amber

This will probably be the last time that she makes the list, but I am grateful for Amber's role in our family the past three years.  Looking forward to the change but it was still a rough morning having the conversation with her.

4. Bathroom shelves

I haven't shown any updates to our bathroom because Mike and I have been dragging our feet on completing the shelves.  We finally got it together and we are now in the process of making the shelves to complete the master bathroom update.  Here is a picture of Jack and I checking out while at Menards this weekend.  ....ironically we had to take the entire purchase back.  BUT at least he enjoyed himself.

5. One week down

It has been over one full week without my boys being home.  I am anxious to give them huge bear hugs, listen to their long winded stories, and laugh at all of their very ill timed jokes.

Jealous

I think that I should start out by saying that you might be jealous of our day yesterday.  It was pretty freaking fabulous.

1. Morning Ride

Somehow we turned almost our entire day into a date which started at 830am.  We had Sara come over to sit for Jack while we rode to Fort Ben for a picnic.  Once we were there we were able to explore a bit more before heading back home  showers.  The ride itself was rough for me but Mike was a beast on the hills and felt great. It was the absolute PERFECT way to start the day.  There was not a cloud in the sky, the weather was perfect and we got a workout done in the morning.  I truly wish every day could start like this.

 2. Beer Stop
After we got home and finished with our showers we made a quick stop at Blind Owl for a beer.  We didn't have much time but we also didn't want to show up at the Dalai Lama super early.  It was a great little pit stop.

3. The Holiness
A quick side note...when I studied in Rome in high school I was able to see the Pope at his vacation home.  It was one of the coolest (if not THE coolest) thing that I have experienced in my life.  I am not catholic and at the time I did not know much, if anything, about the faith and yet the experience left me in awe.  When I saw that the Dalai Lama was in town I knew that this experience could be just as amazing.  Mike agreed.  Though seeing the Dalai Lama was nothing like seeing the Pope in his summer home I was still in awe.  I learned a TON over the course of the weekend...history, compassion, religion, happiness...the list goes on.  I could sit and listen and learn for hours.  It was cool.  Very glad that we went.

4. Party #1
After we got home from the Dalai Lama we quickly changed and headed to the Harris going away party.  I have a lot of feelings on this that I could spew all over the page...but I will spare you.  This was the only tough part of the day and it was tough.  Some of the highlights -- I was able to hug Erin's sweet babies one last time for a few months, Jack still loves the pool, and I ate some really good food.  We were not there for long before we headed back home to change for the evening.

 5. Party #2, ToneTone
While we were riding in the morning we remembered that we had a party to go to that evening.  We started scrambling to find another sitter and I was very surprised how easily it all worked out.  After we got back home from the pool we changed AGAIN and headed out to Tony & Robin's house.  I haven't seen them since the last 4th of July party so it was good to catch up.  Tony worked at North with Mike but they have been good friend's since college.  I had Tony take our picture next to the food because we both MEALED.  Tony is the best cook that we know and his parents also bring in food for the event. So. So. Yummy.

We got home around 11pm and I headed straight to bed.  Though we had to drop some cash on babysitters it was absolutely worth it.  This was by far the best date day that we have had in awhile.

the CAVS

Instead of doing anything productive like working out, laundry, picking up the house, changing sheets, applying to a jobs.....I decided to sit, drink a glass of prosecco and update the blog.  You know -- all of the important stuff.

1. The electricity is back on.  AGAIN. 

Last night we had a bunch of storms and our electricity went out at 3am.  Amber's power was also out so daycare was closed.  We had already arranged for Mike to stay home with SBJ since he has been having fevers so it all worked out well.  After the craziness of my morning at work Mike and Jack came to East to pick up his prescription.  It makes me so happy to show him off to everyone in the office and to see Mike during the middle of the day.  I don't usually work on Thursday's so I didn't know most of the patients but he still made the rounds throughout the office.  

This picture below was snapped while we were at the bank downstairs.  Jack was all smiles at the time but around my coworkers he was serious and not giving in to them--at all.  Grateful the the electricity was only out for about 12 hours this time around AND that we of course have wonderful neighbors who look out for us.  Grateful that I was able to see SBJ at work and that he was able to start a new medicine.  **I also want to note--Mike was dressed very similar to Jack today.  He loves to be matchy, matchy twins**

This morning we were playing as the sun rose.  Yes--our corner of toys is usually a disaster that does NOT get played with.The flash makes it look REALLY bright.

2. The pool
I left work an hour early today so I could take Jack to the pool.  Mike (who does a wonderful job) said, "I don't want to be a stay at home dad until the boys are 13."  I must say -- I am in love with the Lifetime Pool.  As mentioned over and over in this blog...I would take the twins there a LOT when they were younger and to say that I miss the old days is an understatement.

But -- back to today -- Jack has been HATING the water.  When we first arrived he was whining every where I took him and basically waddled his little self over to the door.  Eventually we just sat and watched people play in the pool.  This got him interested.  He eventually decided to try...slowly....AND SUCCESS.  He was in heaven.  We stayed for over an hour and we played the entire time.  I was beaming ear to ear.  NOW -- hopefully his new love of water transfers to bath time experiences.

Don't mind our ridiculousness -- this is the real life -- that must be documented.

 3. THE CAVS WON.
I have said it a few times this week BUT I wish that they could win every week.  Rouzer is from Cleveland and he had the best Monday that he has had in YEARS because the Cavs won.  Overall he has just had a great week.  And so though I don't really care who wins what in the world of professional basketball -- I am super glad the the Cavs won.

4.  The new bedtime routine
We have been trying a new routine out.  I firmly believe that kids do so. much. better. with a routine.  Basically we have failed at that with Jack.  I mean, overall he had the same routine but now 4 months ago we needed to get rid of his bottles...and that just seems like an overwhelming task.  Now we have started a new routine of bottle (yes--still a fail), brushing teeth, reading books, and then just straight to bed.  Yikes--he still screams bloody murder like you killed his best friend -- but it's getting shorter. I don't remember doing this with the twins.  I think that they just cried, I just let them, and then that was that.  Trying to get to that place this time around.

5.  My champaign glass
I am not trying to "find" things to write out -- but I have an obsession with my champaign glasses.  Like I honestly feel that everyone should drink bubbles out of these glasses.  They are not allowed in the dishwasher which sucks but you know...the wonderful thinness of the stem in your hands makes me happy. hahaha....I know. Lame.

Little League

1. Our little league coach

We just completed another successful season of little league.  Mike coached again this year and our team did great.  During the last game both boys had a few great hits and LOTS of fun.  Grateful for such a wonderful family man and fabulous dad.

 2. The Harris kids
I am grateful the past few weeks I have been able to hang out with Sawyer and Eloise.  They have come to the last two baseball games--and though they keep me on my toes they also make my heart happy to see how wonderful they are doing.  ......They also keep Jack entertained some of the time.

Mike is holding jack while he is coaching.

Cameron & Owen's fan club

3. Greg
In the past few years Greg and I have worked hard to get along and co-parent. I am grateful that we have a relatively smooth relationship and put the kids first.

4. Friday Night
The boys were home this weekend for their Tball game but they will now be in Chicago for 3 weeks!!  We decided to take them to Books & Brews and spend the night out.  The place was filled with games and everyone had a blast.  The boys are both in the middle of a growth spurt right now (They have each grown a full inch in the past month).  They are growing and changing and when I don't see them for a week it is always heart warming to have their sweet arms around me.  These next three weeks will be a challenge.

5. Saturday night in Cincy

After the game Mike and I dropped Jack off with my parents, the twins headed to Chicago and Mike and I headed to Cincinnati for a wedding.  We had so much fun dancing all night. It was great to get out of the house, do something different, and spend time with each other.  I was also able to meet more of his college friends and their wives. Cheers to a good night.

I just needed to add this picture of SBJ.  He fell asleep on a walk last week while drinking his bottle and holding onto Nash.  Love. It.

Electricity

Our electricity has been out for almost 24 hours.  In hours like this....it is easy to find LOTS of things that make you grateful.


1. I never had to use a flash light
Since we are in the heat of the summer....it is light for a long time. 


2.  My husband created a game plan
The whole power outage fiasco started while I was at work.  My husband made a game plan and we tackled the evening beautifully.  His crockpot meal (yes...he makes dinner every night) was brought to my parents, I picked up Jack, and we ate dinner with in an air-condition haven.  Complete with cold glasses of wine.


3. Paschal's generator
THANKFULLY our neighbors are absolutely awesome.  Absolutely awesome.  They gave us a cord from their generator which kept our meat freezer running.


4.  Free food at work
yes...this made the list...
Today at work I had free breakfast AND free lunch.  When you don't want to open your fridge door -- free food is pretty awesome.


5. The power is back ON.
It was 23 hours but we have power back on.  So get excited -- now I can do laundry, dishes....all of those fun chores that I missed out on last night. 


But no really -- thank you Rouzer for figuring it all out for us.

Catch UP

Lots has happened that makes me happy...because lots ALWAYS happens.  Every day I think about things that I want to jot down on the "Quick 5" and usually I just lose the motivation to sit down at my computer every day to jot it all down.  

So today I am going to catch up on the past few weeks because there are some things (that have accompanying pictures) that I think I need to put out in the universe.

1. Friends

I find myself pretty luck that I have ladies in my life who will figure out ways to be "THERE."  This time I wasn't the one who needed the support (but don't get me wrong...I always need support) BUT it was awesome to be able to come together and love on someone else.  Proud to be in the ranks with this group of women.

Oh--and Amy cut Jack's nails because this is something that I CLEARLY fail at with all of my boys.

 2.  Shelby
Along the same line of friendship -- I am so grateful for Shelby in my life.  Our friendship has grown, changed and evolved throughout the years.  I truly would be a lost, mess of a person without her guidance.  She makes me laugh, she keeps me honest, she is really a bit crazy, and she makes me happy.  She has taught me, by example, that the most important thing to do is to SHOW UP for people.  I feel honored and blessed that she is my friend and walks this life by my side -- with cocktail in hand.

3. Kick Ball
At the last minute Kara asked us to join her for kickball.  They need a guy AND girl sub.  Mike is already in love with the league so I decided that I would also join for the night.

Kick ball is a little out of my comfort zone. My hand, eye, ball, foot....all of that....coordination is a bit off.  I am pleased to say that I did ok (not the best or the worst) and that I even made it on base.  TWICE.  What?!!!

After the game we joined everyone for dinner and drinks.  It was a great night out and I look forward to being subs again!!

4. Catch Up
This year I will be struggling with the boys gone for almost the entire summer.  I usually last well for about 3 days and then I start to freak.  Well it will be weeks before I see their sweet little faces.  And as always, Cameron will tell me, "Mom--I grew in Chicago."  booo..  Anyways, my goal is to get shit done around the house.  To catch up a little bit on life. 


5. Postcards
Every trip Mike and I take together we send each other a postcard.  We have a jar filled with postcards from all of our adventures.  We started this on our very first trip together -- Chicago.  So far all of the post cards have made it home and we usually remember to get the postcards out in the mail before we get home.  I love this little tradition in our lives.