has Spring Sprung??

With a few days of spring weather, we decided to start out baskets and off to Walmart we went to get the supplies. The boys picked out some flowering plants, and we put their baskets together. Who knew, boys + dirt = FUN!!!  
Been experimenting with warmer weather recipes too - made 7layer dip (6layers in our version), and some different salads.  Just can't WAIT to haul out the bbq for more than one day at a time!

MemoryMen

We were very blessed to be given Grandpa's chair. This chair holds a lot of memories for the boys, and they were thrilled to have it at our home now.  Chace even told me it still smells like "our BigGuy" (it does).  This chair was a place to have man time with Grandpa - reading stories, watching tv and eating snacks, cuddling ....I am thankful to have this chair to help them remember and honor their wonderful Grandpa :)

Hoppy Bunny Day

The boys had a blast hunting for easter eggs in our house...at 6 FREAKING AM!! haha....but I had a cup of coffee already on the go, so it wasn't too painful . Here I thought I was being clever in my hiding technique, but alas , those lil stinkers found every single one. *sigh* maybe next year I'll end up getting some eggs for myself.
The long weekend was absolutely beautiful - the weather was super and we spent most of it outside, from sun up to sun down!  I love being home with my guys !!

2wks

so today marks 2 weeks since my world was ruined. I don't know how else to describe it.  I would never wish a tenth of this pain on ANYone.  2 weeks ago I got "The" phone call. The call, that even though you know in the depth of your soul it's the worst news possible, you still try to pray rationalize and bargain with God that it isn't. 
Daddy...I will never know all that I have questions for. I will also never stop missing you with every beat of my heart. You were my one true friend in this world and I'm not sure I'll ever not feel lost.  I still find myself picking up the phone to tell you about the boys' latest goofy mishap, or wanting to tell you how I was so proud I changed the oil in mom's car all by myself.  I just can't seem to accept that the most loving, kind, caring, loyal man I have ever know is gone.
I came with Mom to view you, I know you probably are mad that we did, you never wanted us to see you anything but strong.  Oh Daddy, my heart ached, for at that very moment I realized for the first time in my 31yrs, I had finally seen you at rest.  I am so sorry you worked and worried and carried so much with you.
I feel you with me, but I still wish for you here, to hug and hold your hand, and tell you I'm proud of the man you are, proud to be your daughter.  I hope you know that.  Even more, I hope you are finally at rest, and with your dad. I know how much losing Gramps took out of you. Now I know firsthand, and it hurts everyday.
You are, and will always be, my first love, my best friend, and my real life superhero. I love you my Daddy.

Daddy

It is incomprehensible to me that it has been a week in this world without you. One week ago at this very moment, I spoke to you on the phone, and for the rest of my days will never forgive myself for not saying something....more. You didn't sound quite right, and I just chalked it up to you being tired. 
Daddy, you are, and always will be, the first true love of my life. You laughed with me, cried with me, joked around with me, hugged me (the bestest by the way), read with me, pinky swore with me. ....the list goes on , miles and miles forever. 
I can't even come up with the words to describe all you mean to me. best friend. that's just the tip of the iceberg.  You are an amazing man, and as much as my heart aches, I am comforted to hear those sentiments from so many others.
Daddy, you inspire me, as you did in life, to reach my potential, to strive for the best I can be.  I only wish I was able to believe in myself half as much as you always told me you did. 
I love you...forever and ever. Every day of my 31 years you saved me, just by my knowing I could call and hear your voice.  For the rest of the days of my life I know you'll save me, by being in my heart and soul. The boys miss you, and are happy you are with Gramps now. Me too. I am relieved you don't have to stress, work, or worry anymore Daddy. 
Thankyou for the gift of you. I couldn't ask for a better Daddy, partner for Mom, or Friend.
Pinky swear Daddy - us 3Stooges will make you proud........................FISH ON!!

Chef Adentures...

One of my favorite things about being a Mom is experimenting in the kitchen - having kids gives me the excuse to be messy :) The boys and I have been picking 1 new recipe a week and testing it. So far there has only been one that none of us really liked - so out of 12 recipes, that's pretty awesome odds! Today's Parent magazine has a lot of nifty ideas in it - all family based, and most of them aimed with the busy working parents in mind - 30 min. dishes, now that's a treat at the end of a long busy day!  The 1st one we tried was Broccoli Strudel - it's made with phyllo pastry, and the filling is brocolli, goat cheese, and red peppers. Simple and easy..both boys LOVED it!

Anything on a stick gets my guys excited LOL...so we have been experimenting with a lot of bbq-type dinners. Steak, salmon, chicken, even tofu! we throw a few hunks of veggies on there, and it's a meal :)

one night we tried Turkey meatballs ...healthier than beef, and the kids had fun trying to form the balls...NONE of them turned out round, but what the heck, it was a blast :)

TACOS!! A 3Stooges favorite! We put anything and everthing in there - these ones were some more lean ground turkey, with all the fixings...we've had salmon, chicken, tofu, beef, steak, and most recently, cheese and bean filled tacos. YUM

a fun surprise while making apple pie for dessert - this apple was in the shape of a heart, I couldn't bring myself to cut it up, so we used it as a stamper for some craft projects. Way too cute!

Miniman, after his second helping of the broccoli strudel:)

 chicken shishkabobs

Prince, chowing down on the beef sticks :)

sign of success!!

I'm happy the boys both are willing to try new things and both have fun in the kitchen with me, coming up with random ideas, and recipes sometimes created on the fly!!

Happy HeartDay

As much as I disagree with the commercial propoganda of Valentine's Day, I fully agree with an opportunity to spoil my 2 Loves :) All week the 3 of us have been battling a horrible cough, fevers, and sleepless nights, but I wanted to make sure MyMen got to partake in their class festivities, so I was on standby in case they needed picking up early (yes, Cole did!!).  Both boys were thrilled with all of their valentines goodies from their classmates, and it was fun helping them print out all the names for theirs to hand out too. I think the best part of being a parent is reliving your childhood through your own kids - I must admit, I get just as excited and caught up in all the fun, as they do!  Now to survive Easter ...............