A Texas Spring Break

Our spring break trip to Texas started off rocky with a van that wouldn't start, an insane amount of traffic between Louisville and Memphis, a severe thunderstorm with 60 mph winds in Arkansas, pulling an all night drive to make it easier on the kids and then discovering Lauren so sick she required medical attention when we finally arrived 19 hours later. But we made the best of sunny skies, warm temperatures and time together. After a shot of antibiotic and two days of medication, Lauren improved enough to enjoy getting out with us.

San Angelo doesn't have a lot to offer but it does have a sweet little river front, a few unique restaurants and military artifacts that fascinated Ty. Of course, anything Taylor finds interesting impresses Ty.

The dogs loved having the kids around and nightly walks to the dog park were a treat for all of us at sunset. I think simple moments bring the most joy.

We realized Lauren and Taylor will be in their third house in their third state together on their one year anniversary this June. Taylor has one additional address and state under his belt that didn't include Lauren. Shew! Army life isn't for sissies.

When I lived in San Antonio a few hundred years ago, the spring arrival of Bluebonnets was always a welcomed sight. Wildflowers grow all along the state's highways and we were not the only ones who pulled over to take photos in patches of Bluebonnets. My family believes I am crazy none the less, as demonstrated by the following video my son-in-law created while my daughters recorded and encouraged him. They are all brats.

On our way back home we stopped in Fort Worth to visit with my friend Erin whom I have not seen in years. In fact, the last time I was in Texas I brought Makenna with me to stay at Erin's and experience the American Girl Store in Dallas. She was Ty's age. Erin and I have been friends for 30 years. Time flies.......

Twenty-Two

I think we will stop advertising her age now because it is aging me! The beautiful baby who first made me a mother has turned twenty two years old. Time flies when you are having fun. She is ambitious, passionate, hilarious, sarcastic and a rambunctious addition to family dinners when we are fortunate enough to have her over. She lives forty five minutes away now and keeps both a full time job and a relationship with Jake. Our baby has grown up.

We had intended to take birthday photos last night when she came for dinner but she has a sinus infection and a self described, "leaking face" so she got a pass.

Each of my kids' birthdays leave me a bit nostalgic, therefore, I read through previous posts I have written about them on their birthdays and Erin's birth story might be my favorite. The link to her nineteenth post is here.

Happy birthday Erin Gabrielle! 

Catching Leprechauns

We went to Grandma's house and didn't bring any toys. After scavenging through Grandma's junk drawer for entertainment, a  Leprechaun trap was created.

Ty made them each an official license to trap leprechauns "I am (allowed) to make traps"

At one point research was done to determine if leprechauns can read and then there was a debate as to whether or not they can read English. 

video explanation 

The plan was almost foolproof.

 video result

Oh Ty

Ty is one of kind. He is such a serious little guy who says the most hysterical things but has no idea just how funny he is. This week he came home from school pretty upset about his best friend getting a boyfriend because she will no longer play Power Rangers on the playground. Ty stewed about this off and on throughout the afternoon and evening until he ultimately decided he would dress up, wear a cool watch and try to impress his friend. Some push-ups with one arm behind his back took place too. He was pumped up and ready to claim his friend back Friday morning.

His plan back fired. This note came from a different little girl in his class and as he told me about it, he said, "now I have to hide at recess!" First grade is a little more dramatic than I anticipated!

Saturday morning I took him with me to an appointment and then off to see a friend in the hospital. We then grabbed a sweet treat at Panera where Ty informed me my eggs smelled a lot better than the ones at school. When they have omelets for lunch, "they smell like wet dog but taste pretty good." I don't think marketing is in his future because he is just too direct and brutally honest.

Erin's boyfriend Jake has been encouraging Ty to eat more so he can get stronger and be better able to wrestle when Jake visits. We are grateful for Jake's efforts as our little man is honestly too little for his age. Friday night, Ty ate five grilled chicken wings which is a hearty portion for our busy guy so he called to tell Jake. Not only did he tell him about dinner but he also talked about his upcoming birthday party in July. Ty has grand plans for his birthday this year and apparently February isn't too early to start planning. Jake reminded Ty they share the same birthday and Ty enthusiastically invited Jake to join him for a combined Ninja themed birthday celebration. Jake might be just as excited as Ty.

He has had some money in his wallet for several months and this past week decided he needed a marble run. Every day, without fail he wanted to go to the store for a marble run. I finally used Amazon because weekday visits to a toy store are never on my agenda and when we got home Saturday, the marble run was waiting. He is already impressing me with his creations. 

The Broken Way

"Trust Him in all this brokenness. It is a gift."

I have slowly been working my way through Ann Voskamp's latest book, The Broken Way. She writes poetically, with beautiful language I need to savor in order to fully absorb. Her perspective about growing and changing through difficult seasons is timely.

This year has not been off to an easy start. We have weathered a lot of storms as a family and alongside friends. I kept trying to be a Pollyanna of sorts, looking only at the positive and seeking simple blessings each time I felt overwhelmed. I have a journal full of notations about baby giggles, bubbles on a February afternoon, walks with friends, Makenna's surgical recovery, Ty's endless chatter and many more. But the truth of the matter is, as much as I only wanted to focus on those daily gifts, the reality is that I am being broken.

The broken journey will mold me and grow me and rather than dig my head in the sand, I need to embrace the pain too. There aren't enough bubbles in February to eliminate the pain of watching a friend make her own funeral arrangements. I can't take away the angst a child feels. I can't fathom how a young friend of Erin's can endure a double mastectomy and we are all supposed to be okay with that. Toss in a few broken appliances and a friendly visit from our local fire department for a smoldering water heater and I was literally shaking last night. Enough is enough. This is hard. This season is difficult and I need to be honest about that.

I finally told my bible study partner I couldn't continue working through the book of Job. It has always been the one book in the bible I have wrestled with and this season wasn't leaving me feeling very gracious toward my quiet time. God is big enough to take my critical questioning but it wasn't productive or helpful. I became the whiny child pointing out how unfair Job's story is rather than seeking the deeper meaning and growth. The truth is I saw my friend in Job and I want to fix this for her. I have no such power and the control freak in me isn't managing that well.

My plate is full, my heart is heavy and my body aches. I don't have a quick fix but I do have hope that there is a purpose for these challenges. I know I don't have to look far to see how much worse it can be and that has always been my go-to mantra for coping but I sense God wants me to be in this moment right now. Yes it is difficult and yes I want to fix it all but all I can really do is lean on Him and allow him to carry me for a bit. I am trying to be too many things for too many people and falling short anyway.

"Be patient with God's patient work in you."

Surprise!

Tuesday night a friend of Lauren's stopped in under the guise he needed to speak with me about a situation at his work. I was cleaning the kitchen when he walked through the front door and then I heard a voice that sounded just like Lauren's. Makenna looked up and burst into tears. I stayed frozen in the kitchen convinced my mind was playing tricks on me. When I finally rounded the corner, I saw Makenna crying in Lauren's arms and still couldn't trust my eyes. Lauren was home and I was shocked. She had been planning this trip for a few weeks but told no one except Taylor and Spencer. About the time it registered she was really here, she was off again to go surprise Erin.

The next day, all my little ones were also surprised to see Lauren. She has been popping up in places all over town surprising friends and family. When I asked her why she didn't tell me she was coming, she said it was because I would have told her not to make the sixteen hour drive alone. She is right. I don't like the idea of her on the road alone. But she is here and I love it.

I went grocery shopping for all of Lauren's favorite foods and planned everyone's favorite dinner Saturday night. We had Thanksgiving for Valentine's Day and it was perfect despite having to replace our three year old oven on Friday. The new one was installed a few hours before our feast so Greg got to smoke a turkey and even the most particular kids were impressed.

Our Valentine's were celebrated, loved and together.

In other news, Lauren and Taylor rescued a couple brothers in Texas. Meet Cheech and Chong, our grand-pups. Rumor has it they are as well behaved as Layla. Also, I am not yet taking kindly to being called Grandma and have insisted Mi-Mi is about the extent of what I will tolerate at this point in time.

Kate started campaigning this morning for a girls day at the outlet stores. Sister has had money burning a hole in her pocket since Christmas. All the girls met for shopping and ice cream because they are all always ready for time together and bargain shopping. It was the perfect way to spend a gorgeous 60 degree day in February.

And while we were out, Greg surprised Ty with a matinée of the new Lego Batman movie. Our little Batman was pretty excited, to say the least.

It has been a whirlwind week around here and the weekend could not have been more perfect.

Ninja 101

Greg is on vacation this week. We usually tackle a project around the house when Greg takes time off but this wasn't supposed to be a working vacation. However, Ty had plans.

Our little ninja is thrilled with the results. It was an afternoon well spent.

The Weekend Review

Erin and Jake came over for dinner Saturday. Before they left, Erin rummaged through the cabinets looking for a snack. Ty leaned over and whispered to Jake, "Erin always steals from us".

Makenna and I drug Ty to our favorite thrift stores. He brought a book and informed us he would be reading and ignoring us. His plan was perfect for all involved. However, he did score an awesome shark for 77 cents, which was not exactly what he aimed to purchase. The tooth fairy isn't interested in inflation so his $1 wasn't going to buy a video game, much to his dismay.

Greg and I slipped away to join friends for lunch Sunday and then I was able to visit my friend in the hospital for a few hours. Friends should fill every weekend.

Erin gave me an hour massage for Christmas and I used it Saturday morning. It was incredible.  And then Greg and I took Ty to play indoor putt-putt. The course was glow in the dark. It was a fun little date. On Sunday he completed Valentines for his classmates. He cannot wait to share treats with his friends.