Instagram friday

Picnik

Did you guys hear that picnik is closing? I am sad. I used it sometimes but unfortunately not enough to warrant a membership. However, they are offering all the premium features for free from now until they shut down in April so I've been having lots of fun making up these fun collages. You should give it a try!



This is a random selection of photos I've uploaded to blogger since I've started my blog (you can pull photos from facebook, picasa, flickr to work with on picnik).

Its so funny to look back on some of them...you can tell I really have a limited selection of topics that I blog about! :o)

Things that are making me happy today

1. My photos:



2. Balloons and cookies:

You know you are having a trying day when you have to text your husband "bring home cookies". And then it's awesome when he delivers. With sprinkles. And a balloon.

3. The concentration of a little boy hard at work:

4. Watching my boys play outside.

And that is all. We are home sick today and staying inside because of the weather!

Survival mode...it's finally Friday!

Happy Friday...we made it!! Hurray!

I feel like I am 100% in survival mode this week. Am I the only one? The crummy weather for sure has to have something to do with it. Michael and I have been trying to get out of the house but it's been cold and driving even in a little snow makes me super nervous. Also, I am sooo tired already of getting all of Michael's winter gear on him before leaving the house. Who's with me on that one? I feel so bad even complaining about it all because really...it's been a great winter and I need to remember that.

Now that I'm done complaining (sorry!)....stay warm out there this weekend!

Missing my baby today

I'm missing my baby today.
Today would have been Trace's 8th month birthday.
Can you even believe it? I know I can't.
I wish he was here.

(Trace's last day with us)

(3 months old)

We love you, Trace.

Playtime is serious business

Michael has been taking playtime very seriously around here. I found him two little Lightning McQueen cars (keen-cars, he calls them) and his favorite thing to do is trying to fit them into other vehicles. His favorite mode of transportation for his cars is the little people airplane (because McQueen rides in an airplane in Cars 2) and our Mack truck car transporter (because McQueen also does that in the movie) but he obviously isn't opposed to them riding on the pirate ship also. He hasn't watched the movie a lot of times but we have some Cars books that we read from time to time and he likes to examine the pictures and then replicate the scene in his own playing. I think it is really silly and I am always wondering what is going on in that little mind of his.

He holds the little car in his hand 24 hours a day. Yes, even when he is sleeping.

We've also been having some confusion because he loves his McQueen car (keen-car) and also he loves The Lion King (which he calls keen-a-movie (but movie is like moo-ee)). ?? His language takes a little creative interpretation but he's gotten to the point where if I say something that is not what he means he can say no and then try and say it again more clearly. Really, it's a wonder we even get along as well as we do (kidding).

Also, our new Lion King movie has sing-a-long mode....score. When I was in 6th grade I had the whole soundtrack to the movie memorized and I still do. LOVE IT!!

Friday

Happy Friday!

Ordinary Days and Working Again

It seems to me now that January is here we've really fallen into a pattern of our ordinary days. Ordinary days where we just stay inside, make blanket nests, and eat bananas.

....and eat more bananas. We go through lots of them.

This week was my second being back at work and its been going fine. It is familiar to me and I missed seeing all my students and colleagues. The biggest change is finding all the energy to be motivating and exciting for my students. I've also been missing my downtime during my leave when Michael had childcare two days a week. I'm so thankful I had the time to just be reflective and do nothing however...I think it is time to start getting in a better routine around here.



This week also marked three months since we've lost Trace. I hate even typing that...it seems like so much longer in my mind. The concept of time is really doing a doozy on my spirit these days. The thought of a new year ahead of me to get through seems like too much. 12 whole months, 52 long weeks, 365 new mornings...its a lot. I'm not really sure how to deal with it other than just trying to find positive things in today, in this hour, and in this moment.


(image via pinterest)

A little sunshine

I have been loving these sunny days lately. It is causing my spirit to think it's March or April when really....there is is still a lot of winter left to be had. I'm not alone in this, right? January is depressing but the sunshine is helping to make it a little better.

Sunlight blazes through our front door every late afternoon and you have to shield your eyes when you walk past. I love it...if only I could curl up on the rug and soak it in for hours just like my silly cat. That would be the life.



I'm linking up today at sweet shot tuesday over at m3b....come join the fun!

Friday phone dump (vacation edition)

I'm trying to do a better job of sharing my iphone photos (iphone-tography, if you will) so hopefully I can make this a weekly thing.

Florida

I'm trying to put all my Florida pictures in one post so brace yourselves. I've been continually trying to weed through my vacation photos and I think these are all my favorites. Hopefully it brings a little sunshine to your day, even though it is supposed to be a record-breaker today in Iowa with temps of 60 degrees (crazy!).

Our only family picture from the trip...the timer went off as Scott was trying to zip up Michael's fly. At least we're together?

My favorite day was when we did a little family of three trip to nearby Seaside, Florida. It is the town where the movie "The Truman Show" was filmed and it is such a cute town. We walked, got coffee, walked on the beach...it was awesome.


Truman Show house.

It was nice every day we were there and we made sure we got lots of beach time. The water was cold but wasn't too bad once you got in. Michael loved the sand and being able to run outside.

We went on the trip with my husband's side of the family (his parents, brother and sister's families) and his aunt's condo was our main base of operation although we each also had our own condos. Scott's aunt's condo was right on the beach and it was so awesome.

It was a great trip and I can't wait to go back again soon. I was so worried about going and being gone from home at Christmas but once we were there, there were no worries. It was very relaxing and nice to reconnect with Scott and spend lots of time with our son and other family together. I think the hardest part has been coming home and realizing that I need to keep trudging on with my real life. It is hard to stay positive especially now that is seems like there is little on the horizon to look forward to. I am trying to do some things that I can work towards and keep me motivated daily, so hopefully I will keep you updated.

Happy Thursday.