Life is Fragile

Yesterday was a rollercoaster kind of day. The kids were fighting and grumpy all.day.long. I had a spouse event that was crazy, stressful and wonderful all at the same time. Then, I found out that my cousin lost his four month old baby. I came home and went straight to bed.

In times like this, I realize just how fragile life is. In a matter of seconds, your life can change forever. As I went to bed, I walked in each of my kids rooms and stood over their beds thinking about how blessed I was  to have one more day with them.

I know my cousin will see his son again some day, but my heart is hurting for their loss and the road they must now walk. No one should have to experience losing a child. I am sick with grief, as is my whole family.

In memory of little Ollie.....please don't take one day with your children or loved ones for granted.

~S



Saturday Deal!!!

My friend told me about a website:

KidsBowlFree.com: Kids Bowl Free All Summer Long!

www.kidsbowlfree.com

Sign your children up for 2 free games of bowling all summer long.

Wow! Such a good deal. Up to four adults can sign up to for a one time (per family) fee of $25. Once you sign up, you can print the coupons immediately to use the same day. We are going today! Enjoy :)

~S

Antique Find!

On vacation, we stopped in Washington at this fruit stand that was also a three story antique shop. Matt found a few cool things (retro Coleman Lanterns), but later at another store, I found this old towel rack. Instantly I had a vision in my head of what I could do with it and I convinced Matt that I had to have it!

We got home and I bought some candles and Matt picked up rope and hooks. This is the finished project. I.Love.It.  I think I will actually light them on special occasions. The room looks better now considering that  it had no light fixture at all (the builder did not put one in this room!?). ~S

MIA

I have been out of blogging for a while due to both girls being ill, then going on vacation. Stress always makes my LS worse. It was a stressful ten days and I was so grateful for friends that stepped in to take the older kids when needed, offers to bring in meals and anything else we needed. Ashlin cried the entire hour she was getting her IV-I was spent to say the least. So to all those that helped...Muuuuaahhhhh!!!!

Our vacation got off to a rocky start, but ended fabulous! My only complaint was that when camping, I did not have my bidet, or a shower that was very convenient, which makes LS worse for me. So I was pretty uncomfortable. Not to mention I had one of the worst splits of my life on my bottom. I had to miss out on some activities because of the pain (horseback riding to name one). Oh well, you just have to go on with life and get over it.

Matt and I went back to work today and I'm trying to get used to working both jobs with the kids and all their friends over here. LOL. I am super excited for summer tho and all it brings.

I have been making plans with friends on M,Tues., S and Sunday which is fun. Today I went to work, hung out with a friend and tomorrow I am going to a friend's house then out to dinner with one of my friends that just found out she is pregnant-we need to celebrate!!!

I am excited for our annual anniversary trip that is in a few short weeks. Every July we go to Cannon Beach to Stephanie Inn without the kids to relax and reconnect. After the last few weeks we had, we need it!

I have been reflecting on life a lot lately and I really am in a happy place right now. I love both my jobs, the flexibility I have to work when I want and how much I want, my kids are growing up and I have met a few new friends which I am delighted about. I have also decided to only have positive friends in my life that bring me joy, not stress.

I have friendships that are easy going, don't require much thought and others that are more work. But when a friend takes and takes, makes promises they can't keep and is just not there...what is the point?! I am blessed with many friends, some that I have had for many, many years and I decided to focus on and enrich those instead of putting myself out there for someone who is not interested. I am sad about it, but frankly over it.

I'm sure all of you can relate at some level. I tend to be a very giving person and sometimes people can take advantage of that :(

I hope you all have a great week!!!!  ~S

SICK!!! :(

Maddie has a terrible case of the flu. I worry about her because she is six and only 45 pounds. When she can't hold fluids down, I get nervous that she will get dehydrated. She has been very ill with body aches and can't keep anything down. After being up all night cleaning up barf and running a bath, today I finally went to the store while Matt was at work to get her some staples (applesauce, Pedialite, crackers and soda to calm her belly).

I started to feel sick myself and needless to say, now have a temperature of 104. Yikes. Hoping my body waits to start vomiting until after Matt gets home. Luckily, I had a few friends offer to bring a meal, go to the store (although I decided to go myself and one even dropped off movies for her to watch :)

I am hoping this passes quickly as we have vacation plans in the very near future :(

Work has been interesting. My schedule is (work in the office for an hour on M, W, T and F) and then come home and work for around 3-5 hours a day. Not bad, but if you count in the driving time to get to Lake Oswego and back..it takes up at least half the day. I have also maintained my volunteer schedule which means that at the moment, Matt and I don't have any days off together. However, on Friday, I go into the office and don't come home and work since I have all weekend to do it-so we can at least hang out for half a day on Friday :)

My schedule is about to get busier with teaching a writing class (starting on the 21st). It will add another two hours a day to my schedule. Hopefully I will get in a routine soon.

I have made sure to still plan stuff with friends tho and overall have been happy about the way my life is going. Just a bit harder to fit everything in :) I am also grateful that I can take Ashlin to the office on Monday and Matt is with the kids the other days-no daycare!

I hope you are all enjoying the weather!!! HaPpY SuMmEr~S