Coming Out of It

I have been in the biggest funk. The past two weeks have not been easy. We've stayed busy and done a few fun things definitely blog worthy but it felt like I had hit a wall. Being stuck on a wall of pity and depression was not a pretty place to be so I just stayed away from blogging (and a few other things). Part of me wishes I had taken the time to document 'the down' and the other part of me is glad I wont ever have to read those moods again.

There is nothing like family to give you a boost and yesterday was my boost. It was such a good day. A shot in the arm kind of day. We spent the whole day with family we don't get together with often enough (my dad's side) and it was just what the doctor ordered.

About half of us ended up inside the pool swimming while the other half sat outside in the shade talking waiting to have pizza at the hometown dive that everyone has to eat at when they visit. I had a good time going back and forth, flitting from spot to spot. No surprise that I liked knowing what was going on and being said at both locations, ha. I'm so glad my dad (in the blue polo) made the drive over. He never stays long enough but I try to remind myself that some time together is better than no time at all.

This baby boy is a fish! He loves the water and the only way we can keep him out of it and off the baby slide is to stuff him full of food or wrap him in a towel and not let go. Is this cheesy smile not the cutest ever? He is so fun right now. Exhausting but fun. He needs a post of his own about all the antics he pulls. One year olds are busy little people!

While we were at pizza, we found out that my aunt and uncle's house was flooded from irrigation water basically pouring right in the front door. The whole group went out to their house and went to work. What a mess but blessing to have so many men and teenage boys around to help get the water bailed out of the house. They ended up having to rip the carpet and pad up, there was no way to save it. Huge, huge mess.

{Cousins Jodie and Marjean, sister Jill, sister in law Heidi, brother Kyle with his sideways eyes (too funny) and Milo}

While the men worked the women did what we do best, talked, talked and talked some more. Milo and Kyle did help a ton, I made them stop for a photo. I should have stopped all the men but I didn't want to push my luck and make anyone grumpy. Brother and husband have to comply.
My little guys were in heaven wrestling to their hearts content. My nephews and cousin that are older teenagers egged them on and no way were Nathan or Dane going to stop or give in. All sorts of manuevers were taught and even Preston wanted in on the action. He eventually flopped right on top of Dane getting in on the wresting fun. Not sure how I'm going to handle all this wrestling but I'm going to have to learn. Just a couple days ago when I demanded the boys stop wrestling all over the living room while yelling as I cooked dinner. Nathan stopped and said, 'Mom, it's what we do. We're boys and we can't stop!'. Help me!

Two cute nieces! Kate and Madison are the only girl nieces I have. With Kat they make up the only 3 girl grankids on that side of our family. Dang cute girls if I do say so myself! Kate was bawling when they were getting ready to leave and I told her I'd show her a cute photo of her and Madi so she could quite crying. It worked, she loved it too!

The kids were pushed to their limit and were so, so good. Once Reed could barely stand to keep his eyes open I put him in the stroller and gave him this old ball and he stayed happy until we made it home. I barely even saw Kathryn, she was hanging with the older girl cousins getting some girl time in, checking out a beautiful horse (her words), playing tetherball, going on walks and just plain having a good time.

They were the filthiest little kids and they had to have a shower before bed even though we were getting home just before 10pm (unheard of for me to be so relaxed, they are ususally in bed before 8!). Once I said they had to shower, Nathan started crying for his bed and didn't want to be clean, he was begging to 'just go to bed'. Pretty funny because he is the biggest staller around here at bedtime. I love building these memories for them. They love their cousins.

(Dane had preschool graduation in the morning. Post up soon, he was an adorable little graduate!)