The Joy's of Boys

I hope I get voted 'Cool Mother of the Year' for jumping off the bunk beds with my Boys.

Oh....the Joy's!

Veterans Day November 11th

 The morning started with the annual Mesa Veterans Day Parade.

I wore the hat that my Boyfriend's Dad bought me :)

 Little Bear held his flag and lounged in the chair....until he found the love of his life which will be pictured below.

 We were greeted by some vintage planes.

 Bug waved his flag proudly.

 and bear found the love of his life...

and shared a jacket with here

(TISH)

 I kept a baby warm, 

so I was in heaven.

 some more planes came by to buzz us.

 I bet this boyscout was thrilled to sit behind a gun like that.

 (I don't even want to know the price of that monster bike)

 I was saluted by some very special Vietnam Vets.

This helicopter was shot down several times, then brought back to the states to be restored.

We celebrated at the local vet center, where I read the names of honor.

I think even one of Santa's helpers showed up

I was supported by my boys and a wonderful family who loves me :)

Prayer

It seems to be the only thing that works right now. 

After a long day with lots of stressors I had decided that I was DONE.  Done with everything and I wasn't going to do anything today!  (even though I want to go to church).  Life seemed so overwhelming I wanted to cry...but after some journaling, prayer that said "Please let me sleep well, and wake well rested in the morning."

and I did....

Ready to conquor another day.

Oh Sleep...

 Please come quickly tonight....

I am so tired

It has been a long day.

Constitution Day!

Conflicting Emotions 

It was quite a wonderful day until the evening dinner event.

I don't usually do well with the presentation of the colors.

It hurts.

I could feel myself slipping...

Thank goodness there was a hand for me go grab a hold of.

Safety...

A hand that brought me back to the world of the living.

...Not the Dead

The Moments You Wish for but can't plan

Taking a road-trip on a whim,

and driving with the windows down listening to Boston.

Blowing Dandelion Seeds

Bear swinging on the exact same tire swing, that I swung on as a kid.

capturing the light

and the tongue of a cute little Bug!

or the way a child looks at the bottom of a slide.

or the kitty they found at the park.

(every other mother there yelled at their kids 'Don't touch the CAT!')

...but we did

...and they loved it.

I'm pretty sure the cat did too since he was purring the whole time!

Watching my little bear Sleep warm and safe.

Eating home-made ice cream straight from the hand cranked ice cream maker that probably came across the plains with the Mormon Pioneers

(don't know for a fact, but would probably put money on it if I were a bettin' gal)

It's a tradition at family gatherings.

Grandma-Great always fills it extra full so that after the air is whipped in,

every one grabs a spoon and takes a taste (or 3 or 4) before the men finish whipping again.

A wonderful couple

aka my brother and his beautiful wife.

Mid flip

Bear just Chillin' out at the park.

Then climbing.

and snugging, while Bug plays in the dirt by the tree.

aww....

This is one of the reasons I love to be a mom.

....and don't forget visiting Grandma at the Congressman's Office.

Grandma's always have treats :)

Sharing 1 shake between the 4 of us.

Picking Elderberries.

sour, but fun.

carefully picking them off one by one.

and enjoying the spoils

Sitting on the same steps with my kids where I played

"No Bears are out Tonight"

Feeding the horses.

and flying back to Grandma's house using our magic wings!

aka huge leafs.

We have been having a fun time.

With Grandma....Every thing is an Adventure.

And lovin' every minute of it.
These are the moments you can't plan.  Just wait and let them come.
it's been fun