Toddlers.

Brotherhood.

It's days like this that I need to look at this picture and remind myself of how very short this toddler stage really, really is.  Today, however, it feels like it may never end.

Starting first thing this morning with the following:

"Mom!  Don't call the ambulance!  I not hurt, I just crazy!!!!!  OKAY??????"  exclaimed by Moo all while scaling the back of the couch.  He is TWO.  Two.  We are so two today.

How do you suppose one responds to THAT?!?!  I have yet to decide.  Needless to say, I didn't call the ambulance.

Why this obsession with the ambulance?  I'm not sure.  Maybe he's still reliving our trip to children's from the dog bite.  The one that resulted in stitches in the palm of his hand and many, many, many two-year-old conversations revolving around drs., hospitals, sick, hurt, and more ambulance-hospital-talk-type-stuff.  Back it up to stitches.  Moo couldn't even say stitches.  So, all week long he's ask me to check his "*itches"  Yep.  Insert the b.  How do you not giggle at THAT?  WE have since corrected him and done everything to not laugh hysterically when he mentions them.  That and kick ourselves for not getting it on video.

So back to the ambulance obsession.  It's all we can focus on.

We continue with our day.  All of which has included a head first dive into a matchbox car, resulting in splitting the skin between upper lip and nose, a head first dive into the step all while running away from HEHO who, according to Moo is, "being MEAN mama, and he being a BUG!"  ***The split however did NOT result in a trip to Children's for some *itches.  Just a lot of tears about "I don't wanna go to the hospital!  Don't call the ambulance."

The day has been filled with "please walk, Moo. . .you need to slow down please, are YOU being a GOOD listener?  Moo, walk please, Moo, you're going to get a bad owie!!!  Please sweetie, you must sit still for just a moment, maybe it's time for you to lay down and relax a little bit, YES. ..a nap!  We should take a nap!  Please don't hit your b-ollie.  Moo, please keep your hands to yourself.  Hands are for hugging, not hitting.  No, you don't have to sleep. . . yes, you can just look at books and have a little chill time.  You're not tired?  Okay.  Let's watch some show."

Yep.

That lasted all of 25 minutes.  Both littles pulled a complete and full-fledged Nap Boycott today.  So we snuggle and relish in days like these.  The days I'm BLESSED enough to be at home with them.  These perfect, toddler filled, catch-'em-if-ya-can, wonderful, joy. . .followed by just a bit of stress. . .filled days.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.  This teaching thing truly gives me the best of BOTH worlds.  Even though I have said many times over the past decade+ of teaching that August is really just one long Sunday night. . . even on a day like today. . .I just need it to SLOW DOWN.  Please.
I continue to beg Father Time. . . please, just slow it down.  I know that I tell friends frequently that you and I are NOT on speaking terms, Father Time. . .but please.  Let me just be still with these toddlers and love on them every moment I can.


Oh, and the phone is ringing!  Moo:  "I'll get it!  I'll get it!  I'll get it". . . .really?  Does he even know how to answer the phone?

Please, slow down.  I pray. . . slow it down and keep my littles and the boy safe.  xo

LOVE This Day!!!

July 25th.  I love EVERYTHING about this day!  It's the day we became a family.  It's a day that I had dreamed about, planned for, and lived for.  

The day itself was beyond perfect. . . a picture perfect HOT summer day filled with joy, friends, love, family, and precious moments.  The boy walked me down the aisle, promises were made, candles were lit, flowers were breathtaking, we celebrated life and held dear the ones who weren't able to join us.  We served our guests communion, we were joined by the most dear angels on earth to celebrate with us, we ate, we drank, and we were filled with The Spirit who joined us in blessing this day.    We danced the night away.  Everything was just as it should have been and all was, and still is, well with the world.  Love is amazing.  Wow.  Beyond blessed, still.

Love!

Joy!

The boy, who for months stated "WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!  I'm TOO excited to sleep!!!!!"

I wouldn't change a thing.  xo

**Photos courtesy the beautiful Em of M Photography.  Amazing.

The Boy and His Dog.

What is it about a boy and his dog?  It's this unspeakable bond of fun, understanding, love, rough-housing, wrestling, and snuggles.  We have been blessed with all of the above from our awesome dog Wrigley.  

He's my dog and I'm his boy.

And so today, I just need a moment.  A moment to hold on to what I so loved about this dog.  As a single mom for 10 years, this is the last link to THAT life.  I don't ever want THAT life back, but of the wonderful things that came out of that life, this dog was one of them.  He was my reason for my feet to hit the floor on the weekends when the boy was away.  That howl, those big brown eyes, and floopy ears, this buddy who needed to be walked, fed, snuggled, and played with.  And that is exactly what I did.  The boy knew in his heart that this dog was HIS and his alone, but he had no clue to the therapy, healing, annoyance, and love that was gifted to me unconditionally while he was away.  

Sweet pup

I need a moment.  I don't do good-byes. . . .I actually don't even enjoy the "see-ya-laters!"  A piece of my heart is broken today as I say my "see ya when we get there" to our precious Wrigley.  And more than ever, I hope the good Lord has a boat for ya to ride on, a pig's ear for you to hide in His couch, and a big lap for you to enjoy.

Love ya Riggs.

xo

Until we meet again, Wrigley.
Thank you for being the most loyal and loved dog on the block. xo