Project 365 {2013} - Day 212

Smack dab in the middle of my crew is the gal who made my life possible this summer! 

 

Before school even got out in May, I was already sweating how I was going to survive this summer. I knew Justin would be traveling, all the girls would be out of school and I would have to be at work everyday. My friend Jaime, who we love to bits and watched the Littles during the school year, was taking the summer off to spend time with her family. My mom was taking care of my sweet grandparents. And my mom-in-law, Jody, had a busy summer welcoming new grandbabies and having company in town. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to swing things flying solo.

That's when one of our most favorite people, Shea Speidel, stepped in! She came over three or four days a week all summer to keep the girls busy and happy. I never had to feel bad walking out the door, because the girls were always so excited to see her on the days she was with them. She helped them cross wishes off of their summer bucket list, like having a lemonade stand and going to Brain Freeze. She took them swimming, went on walks to visit Bob the Duck at the lake. They did crafts and snuggled. Shea even treated them to their first real mani-pedi experience at the nail salon! 

 

She has officially earned her place in my inner-circle. She has seen my house repeatedly looking like wreck, put up with my kids through some bad tantrums; not to mention she got herself to my house every morning to make getting out the door more smooth and always did the dishes!

 

As a parent, seeing someone go above and beyond to be sweet to your kids and going out of their way to make your life easier, means so much. I am beyond grateful for Shea and feel so blessed that she shared her summer with us. We love you Shea!!

Project 365 {2013} - Day 211

Yesterday my friend, Kathleen, took the girls shopping to get them out of the house while her daughter, Shea, was watching them. One of the stops, just for fun, was to PetSmart to check out all the animals. When I came home from work Maryn came flying down the stairs and could not wait to tell me all about this mouse she had seen and how much she wished she could have him and how she wished she could name him Horatio. (Don't ask, I have no idea where she came up with that one!)

 

When I thought of pets I may own someday, rodents were never anywhere on the list. People pay to have those little fellas, ahem, how shall we say... "taken care of". However, in my mind I wasn't the biggest obstacle. Justin is not a pet guy or an animal lover. He has never had a pet in his life. To him it is a complete mystery why people would pay money to have animals living in their house. As a result, in our married life, the biggest foray we have ever taken into the world of pet ownership has been goldfish. (Which the girls have informed me are the most boring pets ever.) So when Maryn was telling me how it would be a good opportunity to show her Daddy and I she was responsible and how she had enough money to pay for him and all the accessories herself, all I could say was "You need to talk to your Dad about this."

 

I wasn't thrilled about the idea of a mouse. But besides Justin's distaste for animals, dog ownership didn't seem realistic or kind since we are never home and it would have to be kenneled all day. Maryn is allergic to cats. It seems really mean to lock a bird with wings in a cage. And reptiles...no way, no how! Maryn said "Mom, I am tired of being the only kid I know with no pets." She had a point, especially considering she has wanted to be a Veterinarian since she was three-years-old. What kind of parents are we if we never let her have a pet? I felt my heart kind of soften on the whole mouse thing...maybe it could be cute?

 

 I decided that the best way for her to plead her case was by arming herself with information. So I loaded all the girls back in the van and headed back to PetSmart. I wanted Maryn to price out everything she would need to actually make this dream a reality. She dutifully went about the critter aisle writing down descriptions and prices of habitats, bedding, food, toys, etc... When we came home she worked all the information and numbers out on a sheet of paper. Showing how much money she had and how much she would need to earn for monthly maintenance. She even drew a picture of Horatio the Mouse.

 

I told her she did a good job. But not to get her hopes up.

 

When Justin came home, Maryn cornered him and laid it all out. About how badly she wanted him and how she could take care of him and pay for him. Justin barely fought it at all. His response was "Maryn, I think you are very responsible and would do a good job at taking care of a pet. Let's you and I go back to PetSmart after dinner and we can look at him together and make sure all your estimates are correct and then we will talk about making a decision."

 

Long story short, one ecstatic little girl came home last night. Justin had given her the okay to come back today to get her first pet of her very own. He even said he would buy her a hamster ball for him if she took good care of him the first week.

 

If fatherhood hasn't softened Justin Dee Young then I don't know what has! I was shocked! He totally went outside his wants to make his girl happy. It made another soft spot in my heart for him and made me love him all the more. And well, Horatio is kind of cute...in a rodent kind of way!

Project 365 {2013} - Day 210

What I love about my friends is that I can roll up completely unannounced, just to drop off some cucumbers, and end up staying for well over an hour, chatting and taking part in an impromptu s'mores roast. Where everyone's kids are sticky with marshmallow and covered in freshly cut grass clippings and no one is bothered by it. Nothing a good bath can't wash away when the fun is over.

 

I love that my kids practically spring out of the van, almost before the tires have even stopped rolling, at the suggestion we stay to hang out; like a flash of lightning off to play and be free. I love that I can say "We weren't planning on staying and the kids don't even have shoes on!" and the response is "Who cares?! Mine don't either! It's summer, let them run barefoot!"

 

I love that there is always an extra camp chair hanging around to park my derriere in. I love that my kids can get dirty, be sweaty, breathe fresh air and be in good company. I love that we can be having a holes in your jeans, ponytail or still sweaty from a workout kinda day and there is not a moment of embarrassment or hesitation to be seen.

 

It is just completely natural and relaxed.

 

And I love it.

Project 365 {2013} - Day 209

 

Standing in the kitchen, slicing cucumbers fresh from my sweet neighbor's garden, enjoying the citrus smell soaking into my skin as I squeezed juice from lemons and being strangely reminded of dyeing Easter eggs as I measured vinegar. Dashes of salt, pinches of sugar. Relaxing as the sounds of Ben Howard's "Old Pine" filtered through the computer speakers, transporting me to another place. Anticipating the summery char on the grilled chicken and refreshing cucumber salad for dinner. Enjoying the idea that all of my family, after a long month of fragmented togetherness, were all under one roof. Lulu wandered into the kitchen and I picked her up and we slow danced as I told her how I was so sure that God had made her just right.

I live for these moments.

Just minutes later cacophony broke out in the living room and the moment passed. Everyone was sent to their rooms for some "alone time". As I came back downstairs from making sure everyone made it to their rooms without killing each other, I took in what was before me. The house that I had spent four and a half hours cleaning the day before had been completely destroyed. After I recovered from the initial annoyance of my peace and hard work being disturbed, I mentally shrugged it off and decided to not let it negate the goodness I had just experienced. 

That's just the way life is.

If we never had those moments where we had to mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually push through, we would never fully understand or appreciate the good that does come into our lives. I had a moment of gratitude for those experiences I have had in my life. Ones that lifted and strengthened me and also the ones that have crushed my heart and soul. Because they have all given me perspective, which I have decided is one of life's most precious gifts.

Project 365 {2013} - Day 208

After a long week of working and single parenting for me and a grinding schedule and drive home from Orlando for Justin, we had the opportunity to close the day out together and with some good friends at their lake house. From our perch on the front of the boat, Justin and I watched the sun recede behind the hills surrounding Lake Arrowhead. The pink light rippling towards us on the water, as if the sun was blowing us one last kiss. 

I took my hair out of its ponytail, enjoying the feeling of the wind blowing through it, tossing it about. As I breathed clean air into my lungs, I looked over and saw the view breathing life back into Justin's tired body. I even loved the evening chill as it made the fine, blonde hairs on my arm stand on end and the spray of water as the boat circled for a downed skiier.

I couldn't help but think that this is the way life was meant to be lived. Aware and grateful for all the details that make it beautiful.

Project 365 {2013} - Day 207

Fridays take it out of me and today was no exception. But the silver lining is that by the time I get off of work, I am ready to just surrender any to-do's and collapse with my Little Women for a snuggle fest. It is definitely a highlight of my week!

Project 365 {2013} - Day 206

Devyn's real birthday is tomorrow, but Laura's son, Lincoln's birthday is today. So we decided it would be fun to do a little joint, family party with the two of them at the same time. We loaded up the kids and headed to Pizza 3.14 and let the kids run with wild abandon and fists full of tokens. They declared it "The best party ever!!"

I could hardly believe, amidst the chaos of trying to capture the moment, that my sweet Devyn Ryan is three years old. She was such an unexpected surprise when she came to our family and has been a blessing to all of us ever since. I simply can not imagine our world without her sense of humor, her infectious grin and sweet sense of innocence. I love her so very much and am beyond grateful to have her in my life!