It's not swagger... I'm just sore!

 

My boys are constantly moaning and groaning and telling me their back and legs hurt... I have no idea where they get it from!

 

No idea...

 

Weeeelllll..... Maybe I have a little idea.....

 

Ok, it's me!

 

Sore is the new me!

 

Having kids kinda puts yourself on hold. No time to work on improving YOU! For almost seven years my "workout" has been my boys. Non stop cleaning up, up and down the stairs, making food, never sitting down, etc. However, in late March I decided that I wanted a workout for me! So, Shaun and I took the plunge and joined crossfit...

 

It's intense!

 

But we are hooked!

 

Thankfully everyone is so wonderful and they welcomed us right in! Yesterday, for Memorial Day, we did a WOD (workout of the day) called "The Murph." It was in honor of Lt. Michael Murphy who was killed serving our country. It was a mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 air squats, and finish with another mile run. But, seeing as how that would have killed me, I did half of the pull ups, push ups, and squats. Some hard core crossfitters did the whole WOD with 30-45lbs vests on (the typical weight of the gear that Michael would have worn)!

 

I also love the fact that our boys enjoy being there! They can chill and watch tv/play video games or ride their scooters outside and play hide and go seek. They love swinging on the rings or trying to see how fast they can row. Dodge ball was a big hit with my boys too!

 

some of the kids that come and entertain my kids!

Blake trying to row!

Mother's Day

Shaun worked the three days leading up to Mother's Day. He left early Thursday morning to make it to the "box" for a 5am workout and then we didn't see him again till Sunday morning around 9am! My one request for Mother's Day was a clean house. Sooooo... That meant I got to do it! Took three days and there was lots of re-cleaning but, it got done (well, other than unloading the dishwasher but, I had to leave something for Shaun to do with the boys). I put on a movie for the boys so I could get ready for church. During that time Shaun got home and when I came downstairs I was greeted with...

...cards...

...flowers...

...and presents!

 

They made the morning very special for me! In the pretty wrapping were crossfit shoes and our boxes tank top. I also ordered myself an Origami Owl locket last week! Yes, I'm spoiled! After church we went to lunch and then headed home to relax. Blake napped and the rest of us watched a movie. The boys wanted to throw all the cushions and pillows on the floor and this, of course, lead to more cleaning that I missed. So, I put the boys to work...

Isaac vacuumed one couch and found lots of treasures...

...and Parker did the other!

Then all was peaceful!

 

Thanks for my special day boys!

February, March, April...

Just so that you will forgive me for not blogging in... well... ummmm... FOREVER... I'm starting off with a real winner... The boys doing their cross eyed look! Are you still mad at me or are you laughing too hard!?

 

~~~~~~~

 

I sat down to blog last month and as I placed my fingers on the keyboard to type, I couldn't remember the name of my blog. Every homeschool user name and password flashed in my head as well as my email address. Not to mention my most recently used site, MY web page! :) However, "Higginstrio" was not on the brain. By the time I remembered it, I was over it. I knew there would be way too much to catch up on and was already overwhelmed just thinking about it!

 

But, I hear there have been some requests (Uncle Manny) that I get back into it! Some of our school year adventures are coming to an end (how is that possible?) so I'm hoping it will free up some time!

 

Sooooo, here's to preserving some of our memories from the first half of 2014!

 

Valentine's/Present's Day weekend we headed to JawBone with the family! The cousins love each other and played in the dirt the entire time!

 

More from JawBone!

 

The following weekend I was in San Diego on a Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) retreat. BSF has been in my life since Isaac was 10 months. No words can describe how much it means to me. This year I became a leader and I now have the support of 40+ women each week encouraging me and walking through life with me. I then in return get to encourage my small group of 15 women! The children's program is absolutely amazing! Isaac graduates from the day program this week and I get choked up just thinking about it! BSF is an international Bible study that focuses on one book of the Bible each year. Look 'em up on line and find a group near you!!!!!!

My third weekend in a row out of town took us to Glamis! The only way this was possible is because it was pouring back home, which cancelled baseball and we were free to go. It only sprinkled in the desert. The boys love being dropped off at the top of a dune! They wander forever!

This was our last trip with the rhino. We have traded it in for a sand rail... Next season's trips will be a lot faster and way more comfortable for the three boys in the back seat! Stay tuned... ;)

 

Aaaaaaaand Glamis carries over into writing assignments!

Parker and Isaac w/ their game balls!

Baseball season... Oh baseball season! Six days a week from the middle of February all the way until play offs weekend, which is still yet to come... This is Parker's first year playing and he LOVES it just as much as Isaac! However, I think Blake is the most serious about the sport! I typically lose him during the games and find him in the dugout with the team. You know, trying on helmets and choosing which bat he's going to hit with. Thankful he can't play for two more years though... Life will be really crazy then!

 

I mentioned "my" web page... Check out www.canigetahoothoot.origamiowl.com

This is MY new girlie adventure! I've been working non stop since I quit teaching but, I'm finally getting paid again!!! I now don't have to use "Shaun's money" to buy him presents nor do I have to feel bad for little, random impulse buys. I'm loving helping men pick out personal jewelry for their ladies and having Girl's Night Out jewelry bars! This custom jewelry is my new version of scrapbooking and I love it!

 

See, even as I sit here and blog I'm enjoying my owl coffee. AND the only reason I have down time to blog is because I have two pink eyes. Otherwise I would be at baseball snack bar duty! Ok, moving on...

 

Isaac's school had a field trip to LEGOLAND and, of course, we went. The big boys had a blast but, poor Blake was sick and had a bad fever. It wasn't until we left the park that evening that we were able to get him some medicine. Oh how we felt so bad for him!

 

 

We spent spring break in Arizona! Sadly, Blake and Isaac, my nephews and sister, and Julie's two boys got pink eye! It spreads fast and it is wicked! Crazy that my mom and I have it now (a whole month later)!

Ummmm..... Can we get some sweet little girls in this mix, please!?

While we were there Isaac lost his first tooth. It was loose for three months and it finally fell out, literally just fell out by his tongue touching it. He lost his second tooth last week (which was only loose a third of the time) but, that's a whole separate blog!

 

Introducing our newest family, Crossfit Evermore!

Sore is the new me! However, it has been way too long since I've been physically active (besides chasing the boys around) and I love feeling the affects daily! We are slowly starting to eat better and seeing the results of our hard work is worth it! The boys love going to the box (aka: the gym) and playing with friends and cheering us on!

Easter Saturday at Ammah and Papa's house! I'm thankful that Ammah gave the boys an Easter... I have been so far off my game lately! Egg hunts, Easter baskets, lots of food and candy, and a water gun fight! Oh, and you can't forget about Bessy the Cow? ;)

 

On Easter Sunday we headed to the station after church. But first, can I just quickly add that I had all three boys in the service with me that morning and we didn't get kicked out!?!

It was so hot that day so I didn't put candy in the eggs for the hunt. I just told the boys to find as many as they can and we would get the goodies after. Isaac and Parker are so competitive so empty eggs are still worth it! However, Blake picked up one, shook it, and then looked at me in disgust! He threw it on the ground and ran to another one. After shaking it and finding the same horrible, empty results, he threw it down and asked, "Where's the chocolate?" From then on and could care less.

 

Last week my parents were in town to see my brother's tennis team play in a tournament in San Diego. They came back to our house for the weekend and watched the boys so I could have a girl's night (Shaun had to work)!

 

~~~~~~~

 

Am I done yet?!? This is taking me forever! Here's some randomness to leave you with...

 

Blake at ANOTHER baseball practice...

 

Big boy hair cut that caused the biggest meltdown that I have ever seen!!!! 

(I think I really like this shirt on him!)

And if I was in instagram I would label this #latergram

This was back in January but I just need it recorded. Isaac loved his first ever, upside down rollercoaster!

 

Because you can never be too prepared!

We love the sand!

 

And the newest adventure... Still a work in progress. We haven't had the time to officially start but, we're hoping for next week!

January14

 This pretty much sums up January!

 

Here, in SoCal, it was beach weather!

 

So, instead of just taking a day trip, we went for several days. Shaun had just passed a big test at work and needed some time to relax. And, the boys needed to spend some time with daddy since he had been studying or at work training so much.

 

Silverstrand on Coronado Island has become one of our favorite places!

 

Enjoying the sunset!

 

My California sand boys!

 

We dropped the back hatch of the trailer and it was nothing but sand! Awwww...

 

Dig a hole and jump over or in it! Too much fun!

My Middle Man

This little guy is 42 pounds of love! He is sweet from the inside out. He draws attention wherever he goes and everyone wants to be his buddy! He is so easy going, laughs at everything, and can make some of the silliest faces. Some things that I don't understand about him would be 1. He loves to photo bomb other peoples pictures but, he is the first to put on a sour face when I ask him to smile for a picture. Really!? You'll jump in a picture not meant for you but you get mad when I actually want you in it? 2. He loooooves getting new clothes! Like a lot! However, I can't ever get him to wear anything! Explain that one little man?!

 

He has always gone into classes without any problem... He's been the least clingy and enjoys being around other people. However, in November he started having a really hard time going to his Bible study class and staying the whole time. The preschool director has had to come and get me because he gets sad and just wants to go home. His class is mainly girls (which typically isn't a problem because he luuuvs girls) but, for times that he needs a bro, there just isn't one. The solution: At the young age of four, he is now going to big church with us. He has agreed to go to his class during the Bible study time but, he then comes with us instead of staying for second hour. He does so well too!

 

Nothing holds him back. He's a go getter and doesn't have to try. However, if he is unable to do something, he shrugs and moves on... No big deal.

 

If you take this kid shopping and you tell him he can pick out anything he wants... I can guarantee he'll chose some type of weapon. Mr. Parker is ALWAYS armed and dangerous!

 

He blows me away with how he keeps up with the big kids. Seriously, he fits in with the six, seven, and eight year olds!

 

He loves that his eyes have turned green..B because green is his favorite color! However, I don't think his skin has a chance at turning anything but white! At least he can blame daddy for that one and not me!

 

I told him that he will make a good daddy someday because he is patient. He then let me know that he'll probably have two girls! Good buddy, you'll definitely need patients with girls!

 

He's always wanting to make a deal with me when I ask him to do something... You know the "What's in it for me?" kind of deals. I thought maybe his negotiating skills would mean he'll be a lawyer someday but, he told me he wants to be an inventor.

 

This little guy is easy to love and I'm so glad I get to call him mine!

He wanted to match for church!

Adventure #1

So, I think I'm ready to give back my first new adventure of 2014!

 

Parker started the excitement on Monday and Isaac and Blake joined in today.

 

It was so time consuming and sudden that I didn't even have time to wash my face or change from my pj pants to my yoga pants!

 

This adventure has a name... 

 

What's it called you ask?!

 

Gastroenteritis!

 

How does it start?!

 

By hearing one of your kids say those eight horrible words...

 

"Mommy, I think I'm going to throw up!"

 

Yes, gastroenteritis is a fancy way of saying, the stomach flu!

 

 

I spent some time trying to read about this enemy that has entered our home but, it left me feeling even more sick to my stomach! Yuck!

 

 

Not exactly sure how Parker got it but he threw up 12 times on Monday. He was such a champ. The only time he really complained was in the evening when we told him he couldn't have a hotdog.

 

Yesterday we took it slow while he continued to gain his strength back!

 

And then today came...

 

At 4:30am I heard Blake crying, "Mommy, yook it. Yook in me bed!"

 

I immediately knew he had thrown up. We got him cleaned up and then Shaun had him till he left for work at 6:30.

 

I was wondering how I was going to do school with Isaac when trying to take care of a sickie and a recovering sickie but, Isaac woke up at seven vomiting.

 

While helping Isaac over the toilet I knew it was going to be a movie, bucket holding, laundry washing kind of day!

 

I cleaned up messes that I'll never wish on anyone... However, I'll spare this from being a TMI post.

 

Blake unleashed his insides about eight times before noon and then one last time before bed.

 

However, Isaac made it a complete pukefest! From seven in the morning to eight at night... He couldn't keep anything down! He was skin and bones and asked me if he was going to loose too much weight. Poor guy usually freaks out when he throws up but, by the end of the day he was so used to it that he wouldn't even tell me when he was doing it.

 

I looked back at a blog post from September 2008. I titled it "Trials of Parenthood" and stated that it was my "most draining, exhausting, and emotionally challenging day of motherhood to date." Isaac was ten months and sick. I compare that day to today and realize how trivial it was. Then, I had one kid and Shaun was home helping. Today, I had three kids and Shaun was at work! It's amazing how each "trial" makes you stronger. I'll admit, I did have two cups of coffee today. However, I accredit the success and completion of the day to my friends that were lifting the boys and me up in prayer! Knowing I had support gave me the strength to press on and quit gagging!  

 

I love my little men and it was a joy serving them today!

 

Isaac spent the entire day on the couch!

Parker on Monday. Blake wanted to take care of him, which is probably why he got sick!

And even though he's smiling and eating, he was really sick. He just wouldn't stop asking for water and crackers so I let him eat, drink, and throw up!



Saying good-bye to 2013

We were truly blessed in 2013 and I'm looking forward to the new adventures in 2014!