Thoughts

About ten minutes after I wrote my last post, I found out that one of my former classmates passed away in an accident.

Since then, his death has consumed my thoughts.

It's weird. I haven't talked to him in over ten years. But at one point I was friends with him and his then girlfriend (who eventually became his wife).

I think about his wife. He left the house and she assumed he would come back unharmed. They were together for a long time. I am sure that they were planning their future and imagining life with the other person there. A constant presence.

I often fear the worst. If Steve doesn't come home when he says he will then I get a sick feeling in my stomach. If I leave him or the girls for any extended period of time then I worry that something bad will happen to them. I am haunted by the idea that Steve or the girls will leave my life.

I am not sure what this post does. It certainly doesn't bring him back, nor does it bring any peace to those that need it. I didn't know him in his adult life, but in adolescence, he was a good and kind person. I have happy memories of my interactions with him.

This day has reminded me that I need to live in the moment. It reminds me that I need to verbalize the love that I have for those around me. It makes me aware that nothing is forever and that the future is not guaranteed.

It makes me say, "I love you" more. It makes me pause. It makes me hug for one second longer. It makes me give affection without limits.

So, to Steve, Lucy, and Caroline: I love you more than I could ever express. You make my life worth living, and your love has made me a better person.

So True

Saw this quote today in something I was reading and couldn't help but apply it to nearly every area of my life: family, professional, financial, etc.

The more you complain, the more you find things to complain about. The more you give thanks, the more you find things to be thankful for. -Anonymous

Here's to a wonderful Sunday morning of drinking coffee and spending time with the fam.

Hockey

Today we headed to the local hockey rink to support one of our favorite babysitters, Caitlin. As usual, the girls LOVED seeing the "big girls" and watching them play.

Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Our team lost in overtime, but everyone had a great time.

Lazy Mornings

My favorite part of weekends is the time period from 7 am to 10 am. We do very little, and most of our time is spent in PJs drinking juice (coffee for adults) and eating cheerios.

Sometimes we accessorize:

We snuggle often:

And we make up for a week of too much rushing and not enough just being together.

*Note: I've been trying to overcome my unwillingness to have my picture taken. Simply put, I am vain. If I am unshowered or don't look my best, I usually prefer to stay behind the camera. But I read an interesting article recently that reminded me that when I am old and gray and want to reminisce or when my kids want to look back at their childhood memories, we will want to see all of us together. Because then, just like now, my kids won't care about my imperfections - the bad smile with double chins and bedhead with no makeup. They will see their mom, and I will remember what life was really like - bags under the eyes, carrying the extra ten pounds, and loving life still.

This child ...

This child makes me laugh.

On a totally related note, this child may be the death of me. But I love her to pieces.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lucy asked me to be her valentine. How could I say no to a face like that?

Then the sister love-fest began:

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Sledding

The ladies were VERY excited to go outside the first day it snowed.

I tried to get a photo op while in the house because I didn't want to bring my camera outside where it would inevitably get dropped in the snow. The children were so excited that it was physically impossible for them to sit still ... or stop wrestling and giving each other headlocks. I guess what I'm trying to say is: sorry for the blurry pictures!

So

Snowed In

Snow Day Fashion:

This kid loves to be in front of the camera:

The Secret to Perfect Pictures

Want to get your kids to look at the camera and smile big like the picture below?

Here's the secret: just let one of them smack the other one in the face. Apparently this is hilarious to both of our girls.

And then let them wrestle. This somehow creates smiles all around?

Thanks, Tammy!

Thank you to Tammy for our awesome shirts and clips!

Paparazzi Breakfast

Most people don't have to be photographed during breakfast, so I apologize to Lucy and Caroline - I couldn't help myself. They were happy (and making a mess) with their Cheerios, and I wanted to document it.

These last two weeks have been nuts, and I feel like I have spent very little time with the girls. I love basketball and I enjoy coaching, but I can't say that I will be sad to have more time in the afternoons and evenings to spend at home.

About 50% success rate with the milk making it into her mouth

Very entertained by her sister

The obligatory "here is Boog being a slug" photo