racin'

Anyone who has ever been in scouts knows the importance placed on Pinewood Derby race season. It's intense and can get very competitive. Boys and their dads (and moms) will spend countless hours whittling away on that block of wood. Sawing, sanding. Carefully painting with meticulously chosen colors. Then ask that carefully calculated question: to add weight, or not add weight? Then after all those steps, placing the handcrafted car onto a scale for that moment, wondering if you'll have to make last minute adjustments.

Then the much anticipated moment of all...let's race.

Caleb's very own design: green car "#3"

We may be friends, but once the car's on the track, we're competitors. Fight for the finish.

Intense stuff, I'm telling you!

Victory is sweet (literally, we celebrated with ice cream)!! Caleb won first place in his den and will go to the finals next month. He broke a record with a speedy 2.5699 seconds! We couldn't be more proud of him :)

 Race fans...are you ready?!

Have a lovely week!

a little country walk

Earlier this week, when we found out the weather was going to give us spectacular 60-70 degree temperatures, we decided we needed to take advantage. Just in case this was only a glimpse into spring...not the real deal yet.

One of my friends lives out in the country, and she had this awesome idea to take a walk, enjoy the sunshine, feed some goats. How can you pass that up? I mean goats eat anything, right?

Then there were baby goats.

The kids had so much fun. We found out these particular goats eat well. We tossed them bread, tortillas, taco shells, cinnamon rolls, garlic bread and more.

We'll be back.

It was nice to get some fresh air, take in the scenery. Can't wait until we see more greenery. Spring is definitely my favorite season. All the newness, the rebirth. It's breathtaking.

For now, we'll enjoy what we have. Living in this moment.

Good journeys ahead. Much to look forward to.

(thank you Chelsea, Luigi, and Ben...for being such great hosts :)


"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields...Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness.” 
― Mary Oliver

a hospital overnighter and never-ending winter

This week ice and snow decided that we hadn't lived it up yet his winter. Georgia was all "hey, we aren't a southern state or anything." And since we all know that wintry mixes don't like sarcasm, we got hit pretty good. Tuesday, I spent the night at the hospital because I may be a born and raised Kansan, but Georgia acts all dare-devil with hills and no snow plows. Let me just say a stretcher is not meant to be slept on overnight-they're a mode of transport, people. But that's enough from me, I'm grateful yadda yadda. 

What am I really grateful for? A day off, and being home with these smiling kiddos. They've been taking advantage of snow days and decided to romp in it today. 

There's nothing like a snow day as a kid. It's pure magical wonderland.

As an adult, you start seeing the magical wonderland through their eyes, and raising your hot cocoa cup to it, because it's in those moments that you really appreciate. Forget the slick roads, and supermarket madness. Pure joy is underneath it all.

Spring will be well on its way before too long (we hope), so kick back and let yourself love this. Right here...these moments.

Speaking of...Happy Love Day to you all tomorrow. I want to send you each a box of chalky hearts with "thinking of you" all over them. Because I am.

Xoxo

refocus

Last week had its moments. Moments of pulling out hair, moments of frenzied chaos. Then it all comes to a point where you know the balance needs tipped in the other direction. Like a really good weekend to make us feel renewed, reenergized and ready for another go.

Friday was the annual Blue & Gold banquet, a perfect moment to celebrate Caleb's scouting achievements.

We are so very proud of him.

Aunt Jess and Charlie came down for a weekend visit. Moments filled with laughs, cuddles and quality sister time. And Charlie time :)

Sunday was filled with sunshine. Getting out, soaking up the warmth, breathing in fresh air. The moment when we push a giant "refresh" button.

I hope to always remember to put life in perspective. That it won't always be chaotic and noisy, instead there will be moments of calm and quiet. I think sometimes I get caught up in how fast life can go by and I want to do all I can to linger and enjoy what we have. My parents used to say I dawdled. I guess I still do, and get frustrated when I am forced to walk fast or run. Here's to a new week...and new focus. 

Totally won't mention we kicked off the week with the sick bug this morning...oh well, cheers anyway!