To host or not to host…that is the question!?

After days like today I realize that I probably need to change my negative nelly tune on hosting.

For those of you who don't know me, hosting events and gatherings isn't really my favorite thing.

And that may be putting it a bit too mildly.

I liken hosting with getting a tooth pulled, or dragging your screaming children through the quiet section in the library.

I wish that I felt differently.

Watching my sister organize an event and pull it off with ease and grace all the while with a smile on her face has always left me shaking my head…

I mean, seriously, how can cooking, and cleaning (oh the cleaning!), stressing about the smell in the bathroom be synonymous with the word FUN?! 

But after experiencing an afternoon like I did today I can honestly say that I am starting to come around. 

Yes, the cleaning wasn't fun, and no, I didn't enjoy figuring out why I couldn't get the toilet to stop smelling faintly of urine no matter how many bleach wipes I used (I think this is part of having boys?!) 

I did, however, really enjoy seeing everyone who was there.

All in all, I'd say today was a success.

Thanks to everyone who could make it! 

I promise the next time I decide to 'host' I'll make sure it happens with much more notice!

Until that day comes, though, these fun shots will have to suffice.

 'Squeeeee!'

Kitties and toddlers have always been a favorite of mine!

Water fight!

Ty and his 'bionic' arm…he was triple bagged and toweled up and no water touched the cast!!

Judging by that smile, I'd say the day was a HUGE

Success for him!

Someone didn't like getting all wet!

Water baseball!

Hold them CLOSE

Sometimes I struggle with what to post.

How do I know that what I am writing isn't adversely affecting my family or friends?

The truth is, 

I don't know.

I have come to terms with the fact that I may never know how this blog affects them, 

or that it may be years before the repercussions of my writing comes back to bite me or someone I love in the ass. 

Tonight I am sad, and there is just no other way to describe it.

I found out that one of my best friends in the whole world is going through something that I wish that no other person on this planet would have to experience.

Her loss is profound and gut- wrenching.

The kind of loss that stabs you in the gut and says,

"You think you got this thing called life?! 

Well, you don't..

you have NO IDEA how awful it can feel!"

While talking to her this evening and trying my damnedest not to cry and instead comfort her,

I again realized that life is short.

We need to remember that these days we have aren't unlimited,

they are numbered.

All the while, all I want to do,

need to do…

is hold my loved ones close and remind them that I love them more than anything.

So friends, family, I am asking you…

begging you,

please hold those you love tighter this evening

and remember that although they may be stressing you out now

that they are a part of your heart,

hold them close and remind them that they are loved because honestly, that's really all we have/ need when it comes down to it.

To be loved,

and to love.

Bubbles

Isn't it amazing how one little bubble wand can transform an ordinary day into an extraordinary one? 

We were having a tough morning of chores and bickering when Ty coaxed me outside to see what he was up to…

actually, his exact words were…

"MOM! Come see what I'm doing….

NOW, MOM!" (when I didn't immediately stop folding the clothes..)

This simple little childhood treasure transformed my mood from sour-puss to lighthearted joy.

Thank you, Ty, for helping your mama remember that there are more important things in life than to stress about all the cleaning that has to be done! 

I needed that reminder today.

When Life Gives You Kitties, Just Say 'Meow'

Those of you who have followed my blog posts the past few years know what a typical spring day on our farm looks like…

Kids,

surrounded by little puffy fur balls

who speak in squeaks and meows

and who become so tame that the guys in the shop get upset because they are always underfoot.

Tonight I spent a little extra time at school before I ventured home…

When I pulled into the driveway, these are the scenes and images that I stumbled upon...

I've said it before and I'm sure that I'll say it again..

these days with my children are long, but these years they are, oh, so short.

There isn't an ounce of me that doesn't realize that I will miss these moments in five to ten years.

I know that I'm going to look back at these silly, happy, everyday times with my kids and wish like hell that I could have them back.

There isn't much that I can do to stop the passage of time other than to snap away on my camera and smile..

and remember that I am incredibly lucky

to witness and be apart of these mundane, everyday moments like this with my kids.