Bird Nest

Today, as I busily worked, I happened to glance out the window and saw something that brought a smile to my face. It was a little bird working to build her nest in the tree right outside my office window. I was on a conference call, but managed to grab my camera because it was such a sweet sight that I wanted to document it (although the picture just looks like a bunch of tree leaves). I watched that bird, building her nest, and it warmed my heart. It gave me perspective on my own life, which at this moment, is greatly needed.

You see, there are always challenges in life. Some we bring on ourselves, others are forces on us, like being laid off. I think with Chris' job path taking him to Virginia for six weeks, it will allow Cole and I to bond (more) and for me to have my patience tested, to call on friends and family for relief, but most of all to be supportive to Chris. To be unselfish. To see what he is sacrificing to keep food on our table and bills paid. He is sacrificing being away from his family, from his things, from his routine. How selfish I have been during his time of transition, his venture into the unknown. Six weeks will come and go and we'll be back together before we know it. The lawn will get mowed, the dogs will get walked, dinner will be made, school drop offs will be handled, and FUN will be had. And I'll read this blog entry when the weeks feel like months and when I don't think I can handle another moment and know that this too shall pass.

And then what? Well, we'll have new challenges. New possibilities. New opportunities. I love you Mr. Wonderful and I'm thankful that things always seem to work out - one way or another and that you selflessly do what needs to be done for our family, for our nest.

Sleep Over

We decided to have a Kids Camp Night on Saturday. Hopefully the start of a new tradition over Memorial Weekend. We invited a few of Cole's best pals (Sofia, Julian, and Shane) to come play and sleep over. We set up our big two-cabin tent and loaded it with tons of blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and toys. Grandma brought up the fire pit, Chris got the BBQ ready, kids arrived, and the fun began. We grilled just in time because as we ate dinner, the rain came and boy did it pour. Our poor tent didn't like it, and was quickly wet inside so we pulled all the stuff out and continued our festivies inside. The weather may have put a damper on the tent, but not our spirits. It was everyone's FIRST sleep over.

After much running around and playing in Cole's indoor play tent, we quieted them down in the living room and watched Flushed Away. We made it through the movie (well, Shane and I didn't) but Chris woke us up and we set up sleep headquarters in Cole's room. Little Julian decided he didn't want to stay so he called his dad who quickly arrived to tuck him in his own bed. And after about 45 minutes of little giggles and whispers, the house fell silent.

Four year olds are just the sweetest things to watch. The way they interact with each other, the funny, random things they say. It was a night to remember.

No Mickey for Us

Last weekend we made our way to Orlando. I had a work conference and Mr. Wonderful and Cole tagged along for some fun. Cole got to put to use his new swimming skills in the hotel pool and what a fish he is.

Dad and Cole went to Kennedy Space Center. Both had a blast....

I was able to join them on the outing to Gatorland! It was amazing. We even got to hook up with Uncle Brian for dinner one night in Coco Beach. Brian and Chris spent their pay checks at Ron Jon Suft Shop. What a treat!

We even got to walk over to Universal Studio's City Walk. It was a fabulous trip.

But, we do have to report that Soft Bunny has gone missing. We realized he was left on the plane between the seats. We've filed missing persons report with the Orlando airport and are still waiting to hear from Southwest Airlines if he is in lost and found. Sweet Soft Bunny. He's been with Cole since birth, survived the attack of a bored dog (Estes - bad girl), lost an eye in the process, underwent surgery by Grandma, and was gently given back to Cole as his sweet "one eyed" soft bunny. We hope we find him.

Funny Faces

We've definitely had some fun over the past two weeks.

Some highlights include:

• Special Mother's Day activities put on by Cole's class at school
• Celebrated Michael's 5th Birthday (not just with a party, but with bowling and milkshakes)
• Graduated from swim lessons earning his own wristband so he can go down the slide by himself - what a great little swimmer
• Went on a family trip to Orlando (see next entry)

Funny face at Michael's B-day

Milkshakes before the BIG party

Bowling before the BIG party

Funny faces with friends at school (Sophia and Alexandria)

Some Tub Fun!

Look at those big eyes.

Belated Mother's Day

I was too tired to post yesterday and I'm not big on holidays like Valentine's, Father's Day, Mother's day, St. Patrick's Day, etc....When it comes to moms it shouldn't just be one day to say how thankful we are for them. I hope I show and tell my mom throughout the year just how important she is to me.

I got this out of a book Cole made me at school. I thought it was worth sharing:

Mom-isms: Those Little Things Your Mom Always Said

A little birdie told me! A little soap and water never hurt anybody. Close the door! Were you born in a barn? Do you think we're made of money? Don't make me stop this car! I said..No running in the house! Don't put that thing your mouth! You don't know where it's been! Go to your room and think about what you did. Do you want a spanking? How many times do I have to tell you? If I have to come in there.... Do you want something to cry about? I'm going to give you till the count of three....Look at me when I am talking to you. Do you think that money grows on trees? What part of "NO" don't you understand? Wait till your father finds out! Didn't you know all mothers have eyes in the back of their head! How was your day? Let me kiss it and make it better!What kind of cake do you want for your birthday? It's your special day! I am so proud of you! Goodnight sweetheart. I love you.

I know my mom said all of these to me and I've said about all of them to Cole. Love you mama mi soma sia (that's a Cole word)....

Playground Tour

Yesterday, I picked Cole up early from school and we rode our bikes for a Tour de Playgrounds of Broomfield. Our adventure lastest about two hours, 3.5 miles on the bike, and six playgrounds. We were both tired, hot, and thirsty by the time we arrived back home. I forgot to take a picture at one of them, darn it. But, according to Cole, I'm so awesome!

Angels

More on the Nilla front as Cole tries to understand what happened exactly and why she isn't coming back. He has been asking if Nilla is coming back to which we say no, that she is in doggie heaven. Well, on the way down to Grandma's on Saturday, he said to me,

" I miss Nilla."

"I know baby, but she's in doggie heaven"

"Well, how did she get there"

It's probably not appropriate to go into the literal meaning behind that question, like that it was the third hardest decision in Chris' life to date or the details about our trip the vets office. And as my eyes teared up, I said,

"The angels came and got her."

"How did they get her up there."

"They have wings and flew her up to heaven."

I can just picture the image in his mind being that of a John Travolta look alike (the one where he played an angel) carrying and flying Nilla up in the sky.

I've been feeling very sensitive lately and I'm not pms-ing. I don't get it. It's little things too, like the message Michelle left me last week, or Mr. Wonderful's comment about my "sophisticated" outfit, or my mom asking if I put paper down in my flower garden before putting the mulch down, or maybe it's that the world goes on and I'm still grieving for Beans and that makes me sad. Everyones lives including my own continue moving but in my heart, it seems like it should all stop and everyone should grieve for Nilla. It's a funny thing, death...sorrow...sadness. It's left me feeling a bit empty and lost....

Time heals all wounds.

Trouble

This dog named Smokey is trouble, trouble, trouble, but oh so cute. He is a runner and took off yesterday afternoon when Cole accidentially let him out the front door. We hopped in the car and finally found him the park, but the trick is getting him to come to us. It ended up working out and only took about 10 minutes, but, what a little stinker.

He loves Estes and Estes loves him. They play with the stuffed squirrel, the ropes, wrestle together and did I mention that he loves to be loved. I mean, he is an absolute sap for snuggles. He is learning the ropes of the Velez household and so are we (like don't leave the trash down)....

Here's to more adventures......