Wordless Superhero Wednesday

 

Park Play

I took the entire week off that Tonya died. I really couldn't have cared less that I was completely out of days from maternity leave from when I had Landry. I needed that week to process things, work on the service, and just shut myself in my room when I needed to. Heck, I still need that! I was terrified about going back to work. Was I ready to go back? Could I handle it? I didn't really have a choice, I had to. So the night before, I did what always make me feel like life is good, we packed up the family with the boys' bikes and headed to the park. 

We fed those ducks like pros. Cam's got quite an arm. Too bad those ducks are totally ignoring our stale bread.

I've discovered something about ALL three of my children. They absolutely love being outside. When they were babies, they could be having a level 5 screaming fit and if I walked outside, it was if angels were outside and the crying suddenly and magically stopped.

Landry is no different. Sister loves the outdoors.



And there was all kinds of love going on. Oh please Lord, let them like each other this much forever!



I mean it's true love if you kiss toes.

Landry is quite the conesseiur of the swings. Good thing because our baby swing at home had to be put up finally. It was making audible groaning noises from this adorable chunky monkey.

Swing + #1 man in her life = Bliss in the life of Landry Kate.



My children might have inherited my eye shape but I'm so grateful that they inherited their daddy's blue eyes.

It seems weird that life goes on normal after such a horrible thing as death. But it's the fact that life goes on that is keeping me going.

My other medicine is being with my nieces as much as possible.  These smiles are medicine.

And Campbell trying to squeeze his ba-donka-donk into Landry's Bumbo makes for good entertainment too.

 

 It's amazing how fresh air and tossing a child frisbee can make you smile.

 

There's this great distraction right now that's helping me through this difficult time. Her name rhymes with Landry Kate. 

And I think Billy Joel wrote the song about her...She's got a way about her. 

It's been such a rough road of recovery with grieving the loss of my sister. I'm just so thankful that she was able to meet all my children and that I have such a great relationship with her beautiful girls. There are days that are rougher than others but at the end of the day, I keep reminding myself that all you need is

LOVE...

Wanna come out to play?

In Texas, we know that our winter lasts about 4-6 weeks. It's a blessing and a curse. Don't get me wrong. I love me a nice cold snow and watching the snowflakes dance to the ground while I'm all wrapped up, Snuggie style with my boys. But after a couple of days of it, I'm over it and snow is only fun when you don't have to get out in it. Shovel driveways? Ummm...no thanks. 

So we heard our "Arctic blast" was a-comin' and so I enforced my mama rules...no TV, no playing inside because next week it was going to get cooooooold. Anyone else feel frightened when they hear themselves sound like their own mother?

There's a mix of guilt and satisfaction that comes along with telling my boys to go outside and play. The guilt pulls at my heartstrings when I hear, "Come push me on the swings, Mommy." And believe me, my arms can testify to plenty of swing pushin' going on in this backyard. But then I want my boys to feel independent enough to play outside in our backyard without me. They have a playground and each other...that was more than I had most days playing outside. When I see them giggling and playing outside it warms my heart that they love playing with each other and can entertain themselves.

 
For the record, the idea behind Toy Story where toys play and come alive when you leave the room was part of my reality at the age of 6. Why didn't I get that written at the age of 6 so I could be rich is beyond me. I played with toys out of obligation because I hadn't played with them in a long time and I thought I was hurting their feelings by not playing with them. It was people pleasing at its finest but rather more appropriately named inanimate pleasing.

So in an effort to not hurt our brand new scooter's feelings that we just got from Santa, we took it for a stroll...

 
And we even picked up a little two-on-one basketball game.

Cam has got some b-ball skills...ain't gonna lie. It must be that 6'4" Kentucky basketball blood he's got.

And I brought back my 8th grade b-ball skills and that's just about how ridiculous I looked out there.

 
 I loved this day. I loved how we got to play like we were kids again and that our kids interacting with us playing and not just watching. I hope that my hips stay in place as long as they can so I can have more days just like this one.

I'd say by these pictures of my big kid husband that I'm not alone in this thought. And we'll keep playing until they are too embarrassed.

"Today"

My sister's recent diagnosis has really put things into perspective for me in more ways than one. The sound of my boys' laughter makes my heart smile even more than it did before. Time with girlfriends to "getaway" are cherished and I soak up every minute. And when I hug Justin, I can feel both of us holding on longer. People cutting me off in traffic and our air conditioner going out on the hottest day of the year, really make me stop in my tracks, and think if it's really worth my energy to get upset.

Right now, I can't get enough of family time. I just soak it up like a sponge. It's a good thing that I'm off this summer because I'm really needed this time to process all of this and focus on my family. I know that school is right around the corner, but for now I'm grateful for "today" and all that it holds.

"Today" he smiled. It truly melts me everytime. Is there anything better? Actually, yes, the giggle that goes with it. It's just the cherry on top. 

"Today" I noticed the sweat that fell down their brows and made their hair look like they just took a bath and it made me so grateful that they are healthy boys who love to run around and be kids.

"Today" I saw through their eyes. Everything was exciting, everything was special…just like they are to me.

"Today" I'm reminded that I married a true partner in parenting whom I love more than I could ever say. And even if it stings a little, I love that they're more into to daddy right now than mama. Can you blame them? He's way more fun than me.

"Today" though,  mama's not too bad either.

"Today" I'm taken back by how much they've grown. How is that they've grown so fast right in front of my eyes and in pictures like these, they look years older? And just like that boyhood comes in without knocking and asking my permission.

So "today" is my favorite day. I think I'll have another favorite day again today.