Carts. Kyle. Thunder cuddles before bed.

Project 365 * 4
Day 606

52 Kind Things

     The other day when I was at the grocery store, I really did not want to take my cart to the little shopping cart return. It was so far away. I was exhausted. It had been a long day. I just wanted to leave it in the parking lot for someone else to take care of. But I didn't. Instead I returned my cart, and another person's cart. It was super little. I know. But super little kind things are still kind.

52 People I Love

     This week, I've been thinking a lot about my friend, Kyle. He's just been on my mind. He is the sweetest guy. I met him working at Starbucks. He was the kind of guy who would cover shifts for another person no matter what. You could always call Kyle to cover a shift, and he'd be there. He was always very bright and cheery with everyone, and he loved to help people out.

     Every now and then I get a message from him on Facebook. He checks in. Asks how I'm doing. Stuff like that. But then there's this: I'll say something to him like, "yeah, I'm kind of worried about starting work again." And he'll say back to me, "Chris, you'll do awesome! You're such an amazing person!" That's what I love most about Kyle. He's kind, he's encouraging, and he cares. He's also dependable, and he loves to help people out. I'm so glad to call Kyle my friend.



     Thankful for Sundays. Thankful for family dinners. Thankful for ice cream and cookies scarfed down by four little ones. Thankful for the rain. Even thankful for the thunder. It gave me a chance to cuddle with my girl for a few minutes before bed. Thankful for the day off tomorrow. Thankful for a day spent well with all my loves.

"And now, my friends, it is time for sleep..."

Project 365 * 4
Day 605

     Every time I read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, to Tobin, he gets all upset and antsy when I get to the last page. Whenever I read, "and now, my friends, it is time for sleep, so we will sleep with our pet, Zeep," he knows. He knows it's time for bed. I used to hate bedtime as a child as well. I would often lay in bed thinking, "I have to sleep for eight hours. A whole eight hours?!" Now I lay in bed thinking, "if I fall asleep right now, I will only have five hours."

     I'm thinking there might be quite a few sleep related posts over the next few weeks. Because honestly, when I wake up in the morning, I find myself counting down the hours until I can crawl into bed again. Thankful for time to sleep. Thankful that I got a lot done today. Thankful I get to stay home all day tomorrow and Monday. Looking forward to some lazy days.

Sweet Jesus. It's Friday.

Project 365 * 4
Day 604

     My back hurts. My head hurts. I'm so tired, I feel like I might vomit. Not gonna lie...my first week back to work kicked my ass. I am so thankful for time to sleep. I'm thankful for the weekend. I'm thankful for no more meetings. I'm thankful to have three whole days to spend with my loves. Maybe they'll take pity on me and sleep in tomorrow.

My thoughts exactly, Addy B. 

I'm gonna make this short and sweet...

Project 365 * 4
Day 603

     I am just reeeeeal thankful it's time to sleep. Finally. Finally. 

Sheriff Cowgirl. Sleepy Boy.

Project 365 * 4
Day 602

Casey and Addy B last night. So sweet. 

Addy calls this look, "sheriff cowgirl."

My sleepy boy saying, "night," to me. 

     Thankful for my sheriff cowgirl. Thankful for sleepy boy. Thankful for their hugs and kisses when I get home from work. Thankful for the amount of time we spend just holding each other. It's nice to have time to miss each other. Makes us more thankful for the time we have together.

Busy day. Busier night.

Project 365 * 4
Day 601

     Thankful for four little busy ones. Thankful for books read in pajamas. Thankful for "just one more sip of water." Thankful for goodnight kisses from the sweetest somebodies I've ever known.

First Day of Work.

Project 365 * 4
Day 600

     Today was my official first day of work. It went well, and I really like all the people I'm going to be working with. It was so strange though. I was in meetings all day long. It sounds so weird to say that. I was in meetings all day long? For the past four years, my days have consisted of babies. And all things baby related.

     The best part of my day was getting off work and picking up my babes. Tobin was so happy to see me. He hugged me for a few minutes, kissed me over and over, touched my face, and smiled. Best. Greeting. Ever. Adelyn was a little preoccupied with her new Jessie doll. She hasn't put it down since her birthday yesterday.

     Thankful for a great first day. Thankful for a great first homecoming. Thankful that coming home from work everyday will be so incredibly sweet. I'm thankful my sister will be taking care of my babies when I can't. It makes going back to work not so tough. Thankful my mom came out today to help out with the kids. I'm so happy to call my mom and sister, family. And my very best friends.

Happy Birthday, Addy B!

Project 365 * 4
Day 599

52 Kind Things

     I was leaving Wegman's the other day when I came across a firefighter's safety vest in the parking lot. I had seen the engine to station 4 parked there earlier, so I decided to pick it up and return it to the station. It's always a good thing to be kind to the firefighters!

52 People I Love

     My cousin, Bryan, came to Adelyn's birthday party today. I wasn't expecting him, but I'm so glad he came. We hardly ever get to talk or hang out anymore, but when we do, I realize how much I miss him. I love my cousins. Some of my best childhood memories include Bryan, and his siblings, Steven, Lauren, and David. We would laugh so hard every time we got together. And we were always making up silly games. Those were my favorites. Games that made absolutely no sense at all. But they were the best.

     The thing I love about Bryan is his kind and gentle heart. You might think he's a total tough guy to look at him. But he is so sweet. Kind and loving and humble. I always have a great time talking with him. I miss him, and I love him.

 

     We had the best party for my Addy B today! She wanted a, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, party. It was super hard to try and find things on theme with that movie, but we made it work. And I think it turned out absolutely awesome. We are so blessed to have the most amazing family. Our girl was truly blessed today. She was today, and she is everyday. As is everyone who is a part of our family. We all take care of each other. All the time. It's such a comfort to know that my family is always there for us. Thankful for an awesome last day at home as a stay at home mom. Thankful for the best birthday party for our girl. Addy said it best, "it was stupendous!"

Addy in the giant spaghetti tornado! That's her favorite part of that movie. 

We made spaghetti out of ribbon, meatballs out of brown balloons, and hung plastic food in there as well. Also, Matt brought down a small fan to make the tornado blow. We were proud of it! And Adelyn loved it. 

Food dropped down from the tornado onto our tables. 

More food dropped down from the tornado. 

A super fun meatball game. 

I was so proud of these cupcakes. I colored the icing with tumeric to make the spaghetti icing. And food coloring free maraschino cherries as meatballs.