Treasures

Day 11...........your most treasured item
The thought of treasuring material things above the essential needs that the Lord provides, is disappointing.....JK, I totally treasure my phone. We all have those certain things we treasure. Some may be superficial, unecessary, distracting, or habitual....but, you can't get around it. I have a few "special things" but if I was being honest and had to choose one, it would be my phone. Its sad.

Memories

Day 10.....your favorite memory
Really? What did I say about having a "favorite?" Pretty much every cherished memory I have evokes the same feeling....adoration. What a great feeling. Like, the memory of my parents dancing or kissing. Both Kevin and Kristen coming home and taking me to get icecream or going for joy rides. My Dad taking me out on dates. Our family going on Sunday drives together. Or, watching from our apartments in Hawaii for my mom to walk home from school and we'd go running to meet her. We adored her and couldn't wait to hear about her day. Life started when Mom got home.

I Heart Tunes!

Day 9...................A picture of your favorite band or artist
There is no way I can choose a favorite.....anything! I can never make a decision about ONE thing over another, it gives me a panic attack. My answer would always be,"it depends..." So, I just checked out my music list on itunes and picked the two bands/artists that I had the most music from, at this time. Music does amazing things to me. I love all kinds of music, mostly Rock/Alternative and Singer/Songwriter. I dislike it when I find a great song and later hear it being overplayed on the radio....I feel betrayed cause I tend to think nobody appreciates it like me. I have my "special" playlists for different times. One that I listen to with Blake in the car, one while Im cleaning, sleeping, getting ready in the morning, on my drive to work, just chill'in, or when Im taking a bath, etc. It's all different and good!
Augustana

Nelly (what can I say, the dude knows people...)

It's Crazy...Right?

Day 8...........someone you do the craziest things with
That would be my BFF, Liz. The first day I met her she tackled me. She would hide in my shower and wait til we got home to scare us. We had a fort in her moms closet....UNDER THE GROUND! We would roll up next to men in BMW's downtown Seattle and ask for Grey Poupon. Hmmm, what else? We once wanted to go somewhere and her mom said, "not until you pick up the house," so we threw everything we could into the broken dishwasher. Skinny dipping, toilet papering, cheating in Science, rummaging through the school dumpster to get teacher edition textbooks, Night at the Roxbury bumping Grooms and their Dads (no matter how drunk or old they were), calling Ryan out of class and skipping school, so many crazy things....but all worth it. Not all of it was "fun" crazy... She was with me when I realized I was pregnant with Blake and when all my babies were born. She picked me up when I rolled my car. She has taken me/stayed with me at the ER when I had migranes (during the most awkward times/places). She made many trips with me to Utah (including taking me to see my mom when she was sick), and has been crazy in love with me and my family....so much that I feel confident she would help me move a dead body, no questions asked:) We truly have been through some crazy times together and I love her for every one of them.

Mom

Day 7.....Someone you're missing
I know Im not following the exact order of postings. I have a hard time with conformity and it's Mother's Day so this one fits. Mom's are incomparable people. I miss my Mom so much that it almost makes me feel hopeless because there is nobody who loves me like my mom does. Even with all my family, great friends, and own children, sometimes l feel so lonely without her. It breaks my heart even more knowing that my boys won't get to experience life with her. I guess they get a good piece of her through me because I find myself doing and saying things that she did. It's funny because now, as a mom, I can totally see what she meant, where she was coming from, and why she did the things she did. It's helpful because I know how it felt as a kid so now I know I can relate to my boys. You know how when you're little (and actually up until she died I felt the same way) you think their life revolves around you......your life is their life and there is no separation? Well, now I know....it's not true. It just goes to show that moms have a special way of making you feel that vital. Not saying that my life doesn't revolve heavily around the boys, but as parents we DO have our own life and they will someday be off becoming the people they need to be as well. Quite the conundrum..???
Speaking of their own life....I told the boys that the way you treat your Mom is a good indication on how you will treat your wife. So, if you want someone worth any salt (Cooper-"why salt?"), you better know how to work for it. Blake got up this morning and got me the new Starbucks coconut frappuccino and a redbox movie. The little boys helped Dad make an awesome dinner.....Steak, baked potato, fresh veggie salad, grilled shrimp and lobster tail. For dessert, peanut butter cream pie:) And, they all cleaned up! Only Curt can come out on Mother's Day smelling like roses...the boys were like, "Dad this is soooo good, you are the best!" I can't win...he's too good. Cooper made me the cutest picture and card. It said, "most of I love is your presheashin to me" He's right, I DO appreciate him! Im a lucky Mom, blessed with 3 spirited boys.

Gut Hurt....Laughing!

Day 6......Someone who can always make you laugh
My sister, Kristen, can make me laugh so hard I literally have to hold my crotch so I don't pee my pants. Or, I am on the floor rolling around. Sound awkward? Well, it is. Bailey cannot stand it when we get on one of our kicks. I don't know how, when, or why it happens, but we play off of each other and think it's funny. We must be on the same wave length...gots tuh be! It's always been like that and it's truly unique. Bailey has threatened us, mocked us, and even pretended she didn't know us. I think she'd choose to walk through a dark alley downtown Compton rather than be witness to us. Her words, "oh geez, here come the donkeys...Guuuyyys, stop it" C'mon Billy, lighten up:) haha

Yes, this is us laughing so hard on the four wheeler that we had to stop on account of not being able to see where we were going...impressive, I know.

Trading Places...

Day 5...a picture of someone you would like to trade places with
"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes."-Jack Handy.
I honestly don't have anyone I could say I hate...but, there are people whose behaviors annoy me and I may think less of them for one reason, or another. Having said that, I would change places with the people that I think I can't stand. I would definitely have a different perspective and you never know what one actually goes through on a daily basis to be the person they are. We are all on different paths and come from different schemas.

All in a Night...

Day 4...A picture of your night
My weeknights consist of getting home from work, preparing/cleaning up dinner (sometimes this doesn't happen til 8pm), taking kids to/from practice, going to baseball and basketball games, making sure kids have clean clothes/things for school, reading with boys, giving hugs and kisses (Cooper always yells, "MOM! Come give hug and kiss!!"). If Im lucky...I will take a bath with water that is so hot that I pass out. Not to mention the "special" nights where you can add class for me, church group, appointments, errands, and whatnot!! It's a wonderful life....only because I don't have two seconds to think otherwise.

BriLLiAnT!!!

Day 3....the cast of your favorite TV show
Modern Family, of course. And, that is a huge compliment considering there are many great ones that I have been dedicated to on Netflix. Each character on MF is absolutely fantastic. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside right now just thinking of getting to watch it. Im in love with Phil Dunphey....Yo!

Mi Papi

29....the person I have been closest to, the longest
My Dad is sharp-witted, wise, interesting, and REAL! Sometimes it's hard for me to fathom the unconditional love, acceptance, and joy he provides for me. Even when I know there were/are times where I tested his faith in me (not intentionally, it just happens:) Just thinking about all the moments and time that we have shared, makes me realize how much of him has influenced my life. Im such a lucky gal. I was starting to mention some of the "special" things I remember, but got an anxiety attack because I can't tell which ones are more important. Just know that everything that only a daddy can provide for his daughter, my Dad has done for me.

30 day picture challenge....

I need to print out my blog into a scrapbook SOON, so I need to try and sum it up the next 30 days. This Summer will be the start of a new "next three years," since thats about as much blogging I do to fill up an album:)
Day 1.....A picture of yourself and 10 things

-- Im impulsive and nothing is ever "for sure"
-- Everything that happens (good or bad) SHOULD have happened....because, IT DID! It's called reality.
-- Id rather go to a funeral rather than a wedding. (Im not happy someone died, just to clarify)
-- I have never broken a bone in my body. I really don't think it's because I sit idly by either.
-- If I had a dollar for every time I ironed a shirt.....I'd have $2
-- Its super cool having 3 boys. I secretly want to have a girl, just to meet her and see what she would be like....but that could be accomplished within the first 5 years of her life. What would I do with the rest?
-- In this lifetime, 2/3 of my boys will only know my Mom from stories and pictures.....and that makes me sad because they would love her, and she would get a kick out of them.
-- I love movies...and music....
-- People who make me laugh are so invaluable....especially the ones who get my funnyness.
-- Ive lived in 5 different states....ranging from cold (Alaska) to warm (Hawaii). I've Never been out of the country though.

Serious?!

It's nearly May! The boys were covered in snow from their walk home and school is like a block away. Mom making it home in time to pick up her kids....FAIL! It didn't occur to me there would be a blizzard. I wanna puke. This shouldn't be a surprise to me considering the week it's been. Baseball should be fun tomorrow (sarcasm). Hey, not all blog posts are uplifting. Can you tell that weather has a significant affect on me? (so do kids singing in church, but that's not the point) If I lived in Hawaii, I'd be delighful all the time......just say'in.

This is a promising, sweet, Springy picture I took......3 days ago!!!

Brothers...

Today is Coops birthday. I experienced a moment this morning that, as a Mom, is unsurpassed. I first hear Chase go into Coopers room and say, "Give me a hug Coop, Happy Birthday! You're 7 dude!." Then while Cooper is getting his baseball clothes on, Blake laid on his floor and said, "Cooper, I remember when you were born, buddy...." and continued to tell him the story. Just their voices, conversation, and unfeigned appreciation for each other brought tears to my eyes. I don't know if you realize, but this is a tender moment for me because usually all I hear is "stop hitting me in the nuts jerkface!" or "you're such a baby, you never have to do anything around here!" and "Why did you do that you little freak!" Not to mention the flying baseballs in the house, constant wrestling, and bright red, welted backs. So, the serenity of the situation is truly significant:) I actually can appreciate the latter because THEY ARE BOYS and I love having them. Lately, I have been noticing what a different world it is with girls. Between the drama from the girls in my classroom to friends' girls and my nieces....it's crazy! It is comforting to know that no matter what, these guys are brothers and will always have each other.

Play Ball!

If this little dude isn't the cutest thing ever in a baseball uniform and catchers gear.....I don't know what is! This is Coops first game of real baseball! He's a natural.....you know, screw'in off on the bench when his teams up to bat, tackling the runner when he passes him at shortstop, knocking on his/teammates cup, laughing at each others shenanigans .....that kind of natural.


Cooper and Cousin Po

Man In Tights!

I used to make up dances all the time when I was little. Having three boys, there's not much drama....so, when Cooper was doing the Men In Tights routine, I was cracking up. Is he not the cutest thing ever! He even has my tights on and wants me to bring a Robin Hood outfit from school. I could eat him up.....but i wont.

Ir