Bangs won

I had full intentions of doing a jumprope post, full of adorable videos of Hope jumpin' her little heart out, but I can't get any of my videos to upload. I will have to investigate all that when I have time, which will probably be never. 

So I thought I would just throw a few cute pictures of the kids on here, and one of my new 'do. If you follow me on IG then all this is old news. 

Blogging sure seems to be a thing of the past, doesn't it? Most people I used to follow don't really keep up, and I've noticed I don't receive many comments anymore.

But never fear grandparents, I'm still here, and I will continue to give you updates on the offspring.

And the new do' because it was either times for bangs or Botox. Bangs won.

Living life

I used to be a diligent blogger. 

USED TO BE. 

I know my family looks forward to the updates, I know they want to see what's going on in our lives, but I just can't keep up these days. 

My days are filled with work, homework, dinners, running practice, small group, clean up, attempted laundry, and somewhere in there family time. 

I suppose I could stay up really late and blog, but we all know what a diva I am if I don't get enough sleep. Ain't nobody got time for that. 

I guess I'm just saying, hang in there with me. I'm going to try my best to blog once a week, but we all know it may be once a month. 

I guess I'm just busy living life, not blogging it. 

Here's a family photo to tide you over....

A glimpse at my summer

I remember when nothing could keep the kids out of the water. 

Five degrees and blue lips? NOT A PROBLEM! 

But that was then.....

And this is now.

We finally headed down to the pool and the kids were pumped! That was until they stuck their toes in the water, and then it was all, HOLY MOLY MOM! THIS IS REALLY COLD!

Now you know there is really only one way to handle water like that, and that's to JUMP IN AND EXPERIENCE HEART FAILURE. Or at least that was what I told them, not that I would do such a crazy thing. Hope was the first to be brave and take it like a boss.

But Pierce was cautious...

Lots of contemplating

And him-hawing around.

But finally, and I might add, regrettably on his end, he took the plunge.

After that he was content to play OUTSIDE the water.

 Hope lasted a lot longer than her brother, but eventually they both ended up outside the water.

And I watched them playfully fight, until it of course turned into a real fight.

And that's when I got a glimpse of my summer.

Only three days until I say, KIDS STOP FIGHTING at least 648 times a day. And I can't wait.

Good things do happen when you camp

So the last time that Paul took Pierce backpacking, was all the way back in 2013. It was an awful, traumatic experience, where they were eaten up by some sort of deer mites. WELL AT LEAST IT WAS TRAUMATIC FOR ME. 

I decided at that time, NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS WHEN YOU CAMP. 

After that experience of being eaten alive, and hiking 2.5 miles in the dark, I was sure Pierce would never agree to going again. 

Uh, no. 

Like someone who goes back to their stupid ex, my son was ready and willing to go backpacking again. 

It took a while, but finally another trip was planned. This time though it was going to be a group trip, five boys and four men. And I would imagine a whole lot of stink. 

This time around they went to the Red River Gorge, in Slade Kentucky. Here's a fun little fact about the Gorge, people die their each year. THAT'S A SONG TO A MOM'S EARS. But Paul should be proud of me, I only gave one small lecture this time around.

"Please don't let him stand near a ledge."

I'm betting he did, but what I don't know won't kill me I guess.

Actually as soon as Pierce walked through the door back home he let me know he climbed up ledges. It's as though they enjoy upsetting me.

That upsetting news was quickly followed by, "I didn't miss you at all! I was too busy to even think about you!"

 I acted appalled, but it actually made me happy. I was happy he had such a great time.

Paul told me that he never complained a single time.

He said he played really hard

Held his weight, and worked really hard.

Proof of that.

I'm happy he's home, didn't fall off a cliff, or get eaten alive.

I'm also happy for these men who invest in their sons and give them memories they will never forget. I must also now admit, as long as I'm the one not going, good things do happen when you camp.

Back in session

We received word Monday around 4:30 that sent moms jumping and kids crying. 

SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION. 

As of today, our mountain top experience is over, and it's back to reality. 

We had an unexpected week off, and honestly it's been great. I like to carry on like it's horrible, but it's not. Just tough being stuck indoors.

If you were to ask Pierce and Hope what their favorite part of the week was, they would tell you all the extra time with their dad. They think their dad is the best thing ever, and proof is some pictures I took of them the other day while they were listening to Paul tell stories.

 They think he's hilarious! And they hang on to every word he says...

 He is their favorite.

We spent our last free day at the movies with our friends. Brittany and the boys met us, and of course Emaline! This was Emie's first movie, and she did GREAT! If you are looking for an inspirational feel good movie, check out McFarland USA.

Thankful for the unexpected time with my kids, but let's get this show on the road and finish this year out!

Surrender to the snow

I guess the snow buzz began sometime last week, all sorts of conversations that went something like this: Hey, we are supposed to get like 15 inches of snow! And then everyone would nod in agreement, you know if we get that much snow, this place will shut.down. 

We were already scheduled to be off of school Monday, but I woke up early out of sheer snow excitement! 

I tiptoed to the window and with slow morning eyes I slowly adjusted and realized my eyes were not deceiving me, we had REAL SNOW. As opposed to fake snow. You know what I mean though, not Boston level snow, but a good snow for Kentucky. 

It didn't take long before we were piling the kids up in layers and sending them on their way to play. 

Little wild monkeys in snow.

The snow was coming down at a good pace

So who knows, maybe we would get 15 inches?

This one here, well he thought the snow was so deep that he could do a cannon ball. OH MY WORD. I snapped a picture right as he landed, and you know hit his hiney on concrete.

PIERCE! What are you doing honey? This isn't water!!

Lesson learned.

Moving on.

 The first day wasn't very good sledding snow, but it was good climb up on the hill snow.

 They have played on this pile every. single. day.

Can't blame them, it's pretty fun.

I honestly thought we were going to get through this winter without a significant snowfall.

Yeah, I was wrong.

 As of today we've had the entire week off.

And we don't let the kids just have the fun, we've played too.

But the fun only lasts so long before the pain sets in, and we move back inside like sane people. (And for the record we ended up with 10 inches of snow on Monday)

 And they are calling for more snow/ice tonight, so maybe off next week too?

I will take my cue from my son and just surrender myself to whatever is to come. But send wine please.