Weekend away.

This past weekend, Tyler and I drove 6 hours north to Okoboji, where his best friend from childhood was getting married.

We packed and loaded the car within an hour...
We had peace and quiet and actual CONVERSATIONS (and naps)...
We stayed out late and slept in...
We rode roller coasters...

We didn't have any fun at all.  :)

Have I mentioned how thankful I am for parents that actually WANT to spend time with their grand babies?  As we were walking out the door to leave, I thanked my Mom for staying with them and she replied, "no... thank YOU!"

I love it so much.

Adam (the groom) has been Tyler's best friend since 5th grade, so being back on their old stomping grounds in Okoboji was tons of fun, and I lost count of the hilarious stories they told about the trouble they got in during their summers there.

On top of Tyler being a groomsmen, I was also asked to be their photographer, which was great!  For 6 summers straight, Adam worked the roller coaster at Arnold's Park, so he had this idea for a wedding party shot.  They would stop the roller coaster underneath this sign, and I would stand below to take the picture... sounds easy enough.  What he failed to mention to me, was how I would have to climb the cat walk next to the roller coaster (way up high), then step ACROSS the tracks, in order to get the shot.

It was worth it.  But if you know me at all, you know this was a HUUUGE stretch for me... I am terrified of heights!

It was a very unique wedding... the romantic ceremony on a boat, this roller coaster shot, and a lot of fun details throughout.  Except for this one groomsmen who kept hitting on me throughout the day..... ;)

The weekend went by lightning quick, but we loved every second away, as well as the hugs and kisses we got from the boys as we pulled in the driveway Sunday evening.

"MOMMMMYYYYYY!!!  DADDDDDYYYYY!!!  WE MISSED YOU!"... it never gets old.

Jumping back in.

There's so many things to say here.  So much to catch up on, that the thought of starting up again is almost suffocating.  Stepping back from blogging the past few months and reevaluating the reason behind this platform has been refreshing.

Realizing that more often than not, I was writing for others instead of myself has been eye opening.

And even more importantly, the Lord working on my heart in some deep and hard ways has been challenging.  Realizing that my life is like a fuel tank, and there's a reason we need to rest each night, and also a reason why we need to recharge at the beginning of the day has helped me become more aware of my constant need for the Lord.

Through all of this refining and waiting, I have been in some sort of a daze and all the while, my boys have truly grown up right before my eyes, while I was unaware of it.  Just in the last week or so, Cohen has clinged to his big brother in a way I haven't noticed before.  When he's scared, he reaches for Jaxon.  When he has a question, he asks his brother.  I was told at the gym that the two of them are inseparable and only play with each other.

While I'm so thankful for their friendship and relationship, part of me is already missing when I was their go-to, instead of each other.  Mama is feeling a little bit left out, I guess!

What are some other things that I want to remember?

How Cohen has morphed into a big boy so quickly... getting rid of his binky, potty training himself in 2 days (seriously!), riding and pedaling his big boy bike, and upgrading to a toddler bed and out of his crib.  The crib is still up, waiting to be filled... hint hint Mr. Keith :)

The 3 days Tyler and I spent child-free in Lake of the Ozarks... we celebrated 8 YEARS of marriage!  There are not enough words to thank my parents for watching our boys... it was truly refreshing!

The fun summer we've had despite all the sad... full of lots of time at the swimming pool, days in our backyard and picnics at the park, bike rides, road trips, vacations with family, and we still have another month left.  :)  I'm also SO thankful for the cooler summer this year... last weekend we were in sweatshirts sitting on our deck!  Gorgeous.

Jaxon's dismissal of trains and his obsession with legos and Batman, especially if the two of those things are combined!  I've found myself encouraging him to play with his trains again... I never thought I'd miss the sound of Thomas the blue engine, but surprisingly enough, I do.  Sweet boy.

The way I continue to feel when I see old pictures of myself, even from a year ago after I had already made some progress!  I've been pretty faithful and consistent, still going to the gym 2-4 times a week, and am overall just thankful for the gift of health and my new lifestyle.

My deep deep deep love for my husband, and how our relationship has only grown through this trial and dry season of our lives.  In the last few years, he has really stepped into this role of "protector" for me.  I have seen the way he way he defends me and continues to put his family first and I really couldn't be more grateful for him... now, to do a better job of showing it.  :)

I'm ready to jump back into blogging, holding nothing back.  I'm sure I've lost a few friends along the way, but here I go again.

I love looking back through the archives of this "online diary", and don't want to lose my chance at continuing to fill the folders with memories.  Life continues to blow by me at crazy speeds, and if I'm not careful, I'm going to miss it.

Tidbits.

- Wedding shower preparations for my Sister are in full force around my house, so I'm sorry for the lack of blogging lately.  I know we all go through phases that blogging takes the back seat, and that's the case for me right now.
{ps, sneak peek of the shower coming on Saturday!}

- We are still adjusting to Tyler's new schedule, but days like today that we were able to get out of the house and do something fun as a family was great.  We went to DeAnna Farmstead, which is free Monday-Thursday.  Can't beat free.

- We joined a gym last month and I am so happy to be finding my groove again with the elliptical machine.  They also offer many different classes, my favorite of course is Zumba.  And why not -- burning around 800 calories in an hour that goes by lightning quick.  I love it!

- A week ago we finally found the nerve to cut Cohen's hair for the first time.  It was way past due, but I could not come to terms with how different I knew he was going to look.  Luckily, he's still as cute as ever.

- I made cinnamon roll pancakes recently for some guests, and ohmygoodness, they were amazing.  We decided this would be a trademark for staying overnight at our house... being treated to these yummy things for breakfast.

- I am borrowing a sewing machine from my sister in law as I prepare to sew my sisters wedding programs.  I'm so excited to get started, but a little nervous as well since I am not quite sure how to run this thing... ha!

- We are still enjoying our summer together {and all that entails} but I am SO over the heat.  This week we are expected to have another couple 100 degree days... I cannot wait for fall!

- We have spent a lot of time with my friend Andrea and her son Benton recently.  Jaxon and Benton are almost the same age and play SO well together.  Added bonus that I get to spend time with his beautiful momma!  She's a great friend to me and I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her better.

- The flu/influenza hit our house pretty severely over the weekend while we had my Step-FIL in town.  So far, just my boys have had it, and I'm praying it stays that way.  With the shower coming up this weekend, I cannot afford to get sick, nor can my hubby, who is keeping Jaxon back home while Cohen and I travel.

- Just hours before the virus hit Jaxon full-force, he attended his first Royals game!  Such a fun experience for him, and because the facility is so family-friendly, he didn't get bored or antsy at all.  They got home at 10pm and he was still wide awake and excited to tell me all about the "baseball game".

- I'm constantly on the hunt for fun things to do with Jaxon, and came across a suggestion to get some water balls for him.  The original idea of these is to use them for home decorating or in substitute for water in a vase of flowers, but kids and adults love to play with them as well.  {just be careful because they cannot eat them} I ordered 10 packs for $7 off Amazon and it was money well spent, as Jaxon loves playing with them.  They start out as tiny little balls and within 4 hours grow to marble size.  So fun!

- Cohen has been waking up from his afternoon nap with red blotches all over his face.  It goes away within a couple hours of waking up, but I find it strange that it's only after one nap {not at bedtime or his morning nap} and goes away fairly quickly.  I've washed/changed his sheets, and have closely monitored what he has ate for lunch {in case it's an allergy}.  It doesn't seem to bother him, so if it continues I'll take him to the doctor but I just thought I'd ask here as well.  Any thoughts?

- That wraps up our past couple of weeks!

In my head.

i had a fun weekend with a surprise visit from my sister!  it was the perfect amount of work and play, with a little grey's anatomy rerun thrown in.

did you hear about the big debate about some people in california trying to implement a law against circumcision until the age of 18?  absolutely crazy... it's fine if you're against circumcision, but seriously, do what's best for your family and leave it alone. i just don't get it.

i won a giveaway on a blog today... a gorgeous quilt!  i can't wait to share it with y'all when i receive it. 

jaxon started swimming lessons today.  i hope it will help calm some of my nightmares...seriously.

i am over this heat. and over my house not being able to vent the heat properly. after living in texas, i feel like this is the summer that will.not.end.

i go in phases with my love affair with pinterest. sometimes i wish there wasn't a "re-pin" option, i just get tired of seeing the same image so many times. 

my husband started a new schedule, working 1pm until ...well, it's supposed to be 10pm, but it's usually closer to midnight.  nights are so lonely and it's an adjustment having him home in the morning now.

i've been busy around the house and am excited to share the updates with you!

i finally upgraded to an iPhone 4. in white. i'm in love!

cohen has officially been an "outside baby" longer than he was an "inside baby".  haha, sorry i just had to use that silly term. time is flying by.

next week the boys and i are headed on another mini-vacation with my parents.  leah, part of me wishes you weren't on maternity leave because i would be calling you. 

happy monday! 

Vacation.

Most people go on vacation to a tropical island, or Colorado, or Alaska.  As for me...  I went to Iowa.

I spent a week at my inlaws house... spending time with extended family, having bonfires, canoeing down a couple rivers {love!!}, watching the boys play, and just relaxing.  I always know I'm away from home when there's dirty clothes all over the bedroom floor I'm staying in.  I'm OCD about my own house but when I'm away.... yeah, I'm away.

The last part of our vacation was spent camping.  In July.  In the Midwest.  It was so incredibly hot that the majority of our time was spent talking about how hot it was.  My Dad and Aunt surprised us with a couple boat rentals on Saturday so thankfully we spent a good chunk of the day on the water, but seriously... I'm pretty sure that July camping date was chosen in the middle of a Minnesota winter when everyone was dreaming of a warm summer.  Overall it was a lot of fun, we had lots of laughs, deep conversations, and it was great to let our kids all play together with their family/friends they don't see often.

Also?  I've never been so thankful for a/c and a shower in my life.

It was a very low-key vacation, but exactly what the doctor ordered.

Sweet summer time.

I've never liked summer.

In fact, all of my life it has been my least favorite season.

I had to pick up my sister's jaw of the ground a couple weeks ago when I told her that I was actually really enjoying it this year. Being outside, soaking up the sun, watching my boys play, water and spray parks, backyard swimming pools, walks in the morning & evening, frozen popsicles after a hot day... love love love!

Kansas rang in the first day of summer with the most amazing weather... low 70's and just a slight breeze. That evening was the perfect opportunity to take Cohen on his first wagon ride with his brother, since he's a big boy now and all. This is another one of those picture-perfect-moments I had really been looking forward to ever since we got this wagon from Nana for Christmas, and I am so glad it lived up to my high expectations. Unfortunately I forgot my actual camera, so iPhone pictures will have to do.

Reminds me of that song... "these are the moments, I thank God that I'm alive..."

This is yet another thing that has changed me since being a Mom. Seeing my boys happy and having fun outside makes me happy as well... I can only imagine it will get more and more fun the older they get and the more memories we make.

"Summer time, and the living is easy..."

My week in pictures.

literally, right next door to our house, is a little cute park! to say we've spent a lot of time there would be an understatement... it's perfect!

a little sneak-peek at the project i'm working on for our playroom

cohen's first "bike" ride

this needs to win an award for cutest swim suit ever... found at babyGap of course :)

took the boys to Deanna Rose here in KC one morning with some girls from church. such a fun outing, and it's FREE! (monday-thursday)

also attended a playgroup with my SIL... lots of fun!

{the girl is my niece, Brynn, who is 6 weeks younger than Jaxon}

jax loves that cohen is old enough to stand & "play" with him now... so fun!

such a big boy...

cohen woke up with a bad rash a few days ago and we still haven't determined if it was an allergic reaction to the amoxicillan he was on for his ear infection, or if he got into something the night before while he was sitting outside with me as i picked weeds. unfortunately my boys both inherited mommy's VERY sensitive skin!

we have spent lots of time with my brother and his wife, and their kids. jaxon LOVES playing with his cousins, and thanks to their pool purchase, i foresee us swimming there a lot this summer! :)

We are headed to my parents house for the next couple days, while my hubby works some long hours at work. Looking forward to spending some time there... and the best part? It's only 2 hours away, not 12-13+ :)

Happy Thursday!