Lazy Day.

We're on round two of strep throat in our home (not to mention my ear infection).  Jude has had it twice and poor little guy has been miserable.  We decided we had enough of the indoors, especially since we're supposed to have tons of rain soon, so we headed outdoors Saturday.  We kept the germs contained to our own backyard and since we were confined to that vicinity we decided to make the best of it and get some much needed yard work done.  We put on shorts and tanks and headed out to find ourselves dashing inside for jeans and hoodies.  Brrrrrr.  What is wrong with this weather lately?

Anyways, we had a good day despite the circumstances.  As expected, it's pouring down rain today and doesn't look like it's going to stop this week so I guess that means it's time to get some much needed organizing done before school is out in two weeks.  I long for those lazy summer days with my babies.  Just a little while longer.

We planted 37 of these in our hard rocky Oklahoma dirt.

It was so easy to find simple beauty in our own backyard.  I just had to open my eyes to see it.

And then sit back and take it all in.

I'm not exactly sure what this tree is in our backyard.  I barely made a "B" in horticulture in college, but I love the little heart shapes leaves.

The blue skies that day reminded me of driving west through New Mexico and Arizona.  They were so vibrant and the clouds were so plump and perfect.

I shed these puppies, as well as my hoodie, after being outside for a while and shoveling that hard, rocky Oklahoma soil.  Then I got a sunburn.

Who am I kidding...EVERYTHING about this boy melts me.

and this boy too.

He works so hard for us and we appreciate everything he does.  He's a gem.

Thank goodness for him....

And this little girl?  Well, let me just tell you about her.  She's the best.  Sometimes I strive to be more like her.  She's my sweet sweet girl and I'm so glad to be her mama.

She loves her brother so much and I'm also thankful for that.

(photo by daddy)

Apparently, they were hunting buffalo and roasting it on an open fire.  Poor Mr. Buffalo.

The day would not have been complete without its own soundtrack.

Can't forget the pooch either...she's a big part of our familia.

So, there ya have.  It was a beautiful day.  We made our own fun, sick or not.  I'm so thankful for these guys and the pooch too.

Is it summer yet?

Nope.  Afraid not.  Most people would be thrilled to have a 67 degree day in January.  I was not thrilled (ok, I was) however I did take advantage of it.  It's a tease and makes me long for summer that much more.  Also, the fact that it's supposed to snow and be freezing this week is torturous.  Anyways, be positive right?  You don't want to hear me rant and rave about that anymore so I'll tell ya what we did do.  The Mr. and I sat outside on the porch swing and talked about future plans for the front yard and back yard.  We talked about our garden.  We talked about him selling his 65 (sorry honey, I do listen, I just forgot) BMW and our hopes of finding a vintage camper perfect for our brood.  I spent the afternoon barefoot or in flip flops.  As soon as we hit a constant temp of 55 degrees, the flip flops come out for good.  But what we mostly did was watch these two together on a beautiful sunny day.  I'm so glad they have each other and are best friends, although they wouldn't admit it.

He always has to monkey around.  She tries so hard to please her mama.

Ok, so she fell prey and couldn't resist.  Nobody's perfect.

This picture completely sums these two up.  "Jude, listen to mama and quit monkeying around."

Wait for it, wait for it....

Awww....that's better.

They love each other these two monkeys :)

I just love that hazy afternoon sunlight...pure bliss.  I wish I could wrap it up and give it as a gift.  Seriously.

We cant forget our other baby.

Oh, and if you're in the market for a vintage BMW, there's quite the cult following for these, then look no further....your dream car awaits you.

Don't worry, he'll be ok.  There are support groups for these kind of losses.  Besides, he has me :)

Dreaming of...

Photo Source: Butterfly Foodie

Winter and I only get along for so long.  The short days, the cold, the wet slushy mucky snow could never comeback and I would.  be.  fine.  just.  fine.

But, seasons come and go so in the meantime I'm dreaming of summer, planning our garden, looking at vintage travel trailers, and imaging all the photos I'll be taking in the warm summer light.

My little B is sick with the flu and I'm counting the days until we all get it.  Fortunately, we caught it quick so the Tamiflu is working.  We've all been a little run down lately, but we'll keep on trucking and dream of summer.  Oh how I absolutely LOVE and adore summer!

Have a happy Sunday!  We're sanitizing and washing hands like crazy over here.  This morning Bella looked at us with droopy eyes and little pout and said "I just wish I could have a hug".  I couldn't resist.  After all, it's just the flu ;)

A Note.

Some days as parents we get notes from the teacher that make our hearts full...

"Bella's card made my heart smile. I am so proud of her - I'm happy to know she likes being with me. She is such a quick learner - very perceptive and hard working. I wish I had a class full of Bellas!!"

-Mrs. Panchoo

Today was one of those days.

Random lala from vacation

These are from the last night. We had dinner on a pirate ship. I love the picture of Jude where he looks half awake. He was.

Vacation Highlights

Jude and Bella eating and liking alligator (thanks to uncle James)

Jude scarfing up fish and my husband trying raw oysters (yuck...also thanks to James aka "rufus")

Watching Bella snorkel and bring back shell after shell after shell, expressing the beauty of even the broken ones.

Jude running down the board walk everyday and jumping out of his flip flops into the sand down to the water.

Tristan holding his babies in the ocean and jumping waves with them.

Night walks on the beach, catching little crabs with flashlights in hand.

Eating at Schooners.

Bushwhackers.

Night swims in the pool.

A king size bed.

Grilling veggies, brats and chicken with peanut sauce.

The cool breeze coming off the ocean.

A mother daughter trip to Alvin's Island.

Father daughter and son trips to Thomas Donuts.

Watching my brave little girl take on the jellies...she was not afraid of them this year...they did not stop her from enjoying the seawater.

Our last night there eating key lime pie and watching shark week on discovery realizing that we were a bunch of idiots for getting in the water and vowing to never do so again, until next year.

Thank goodness for the beach. Thank goodness for my amazing husband. Thank goodness for good friends. Thank goodness for our beautiful children. Thank goodness for time with all of them.

Peace and infinite XO's.



















"