Dear Hard Knock Life...

You aren't easy, are you life?

You come with trials and tribulations, you come with good times and bad. The trick is getting through the storm and dancing in the rain.

This week has been full of ups and downs. Maybe just downs. So the goal has been to continue to stay positive. As I say, head down, mouth closed, smile on my face. And let me tell you...this is hard. But here's what I've learned in the process.

I've learned that keeping my mouth shut causes me to get some serious built up tension, which causes me to be able to run faster than normal (bonus!).

I've learned that keeping my mouth shut gives people an impression of maturity and 

Professionalism, when really..the thoughts I'm not putting a voice to are from that.

I've learned that keeping my mouth shut has kept others from getting their feelings hurt.

I've learned that keeping my mouth shut has also shut down any drama.

I've learned that keeping my mouth shut has made me feel proud - like I actually deserved a star or something.

I've learned that i like to get my way, and when I don't - It pisses me off.

I've learned that when all else fails - a good run and one glass of wine is like a cure-all. 

Most importantly...I've learned what I've known since my childhood: if I can't say something nice, I shouldn't say anything at all.

Dear Papa Hans

Today is your birthday, September 10. Happy Birthday In heaven Papa Hans! I know to some it may seem strange I call you Papa Hans, considering I never got to meet you. But in our house, you are so regularly remembered, it seems as though I know you very well. Your memory lives on very strongly in your kids.

Your birthday is always a special day for me, as it reminds me where my amazing husband got most of his fabulous qualities. He loves to talk about you, telling hunting stories or farm stories. Most of his favorite memories with you lie on a Mountain in MT. Your birthday also reminds me of where my kids got their signature ears, just like yours. Their signature eyes...

Today we celebrate you. We celebrate your work ethic that you taught your kids,  and will be passed on to your grand kids. We celebrate your love of the outdoors, your of hunting. We celebrate you spending the week on the mountain with the Mr, randomly placing elk around him as if it were a game of cat and mouse. He laughed about what you might be thinking.  We celebrate your kind heart that you passed on to your kids. We celebrate you. 

I know this day is hard for your kids, their hearts ache because they miss you. I try to let my heart sing and encourage the Mr to let his sing too, remembering you are with us daily. Even though you don't get to join in on playing with the nuggets, they know you and you know them. Our nuggets love to talk about you, discussing stories with Daddy. They love to send balloons to heaven, and make small trinkets in your memory. 

You are a true legacy, something all hope to accomplish In their lifetime. You didn't even have to try, you became a legacy just by being...you. 

So today, Papa Hans, we celebrate you on your birthday in heaven. We know you're feasting on a big Steak and doing all things you love. Here on earth, we'll think about you and a smile will fill our faces. 

Love,

J

Dear Kindergartener

Dear Kindergartener,

It's your first day today! Wow, where have the last 5 years gone? Our tummies were all filled with butterflies as we set the alarms last night and anxiously awaited the school bus this morning.

Watching you so proud in your new clothes, with your backpack that weighs twice as much you, it was a moment of awe.

Your brother staring intently at you as you walked onto the big yellow cheesewagon, waving bye-bye as if you were off to college.

Our hearts were filled with pride this morning as we watched our baby step into her first day of school. We are bursting with how excited we are for your future.

Love always,

Mama



Adventures

Oh what fun we had this weekend on our little adventure to Priest Lake.

We rolled into camp Friday afternoon just in time to cook up some of Ryan's delicious pulled pork in the dutch oven and then meander down to the beach for a little paddleboarding and swimming. Unfortunately the lovely Nugget #2 decided to run full-bore into the water and immediately attempt a to drown himself. Mama rushed in after him and pulled him out of the water, don't worry, but it was enough to give me a small heart attack and scare him into sitting his bum on the beach for the rest of the evening.

After a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad interesting night in the tent with the 4 of us, we busted down to the beach in the morning to spend some time in the water. Paddleboards, sandy mouths, and canoe adventures were fun for all. We didn't even mind the rain.

After some beach time, the nuggets needed a rester, so Uncle Mooley & Mama took Nugget #2 on a car-ride while the rest of the crew kept the tents in order. We finished off our day that afternoon with a crazy adventure up the mountain to the natural rock waterslide. The drive up the mountain was trecherous to say the least. The hike in was an easy 2 miler and the waterslides were amazing.  To say I won parent of the year would be an understatement...putting T on my lap and heading down the rock slide on a black garbage bag was probably not the smartest move I've made in a while. We splooshed into the pool at the bottom in a big way and the water was an easy 20 degrees. T was pissed very angry about the cold water, but she quickly decided it was the best part of her day. THRILLSEEKER!

We had some late-night spaghetti and headed to bed for a night of sleeping like angry, naughty gnomes who don't know how to close their eyes babies.

We woke up to rain this morning so finished off the trip with one last paddle before packing up and heading home. We had another wonderful time in the woods.

I don't like to say never, but I'm pretty sure we will never take 2 nuggets camping in a tent again. If we are going to get crazy with our adventures all day, we need some better sleep at night.

Happy 5 to Miss T

Dear Miss T,

You are 5.  Oh how I remember the 103 degree day you were born. You came into this world such a princess, and continue to be one at 5.

You talk like an adult, you read books like a college kid, you color like Picasso, and you sing like an angel.

Your heart bursts with care, concern, and kindness.

You argue like a lawyer, you yell like a 2 year old (sometimes), and you hug like your Daddy.

You, girl, have got it goin' on.

Your brain works amazing wonders, you heart fills with love for all humans and animals. You have a connection with God that I envy.

You amaze us each and every day, and we love you more than anything.

Love,
Mama & Daddy

Dear Jax, 15 Months

Dear Jax,

You are 15 months old now. You are officially out of the baby world and in to the toddler world. And boy, are we feeling it.

Your Daddy calls you "Wreck it Ralph." You have a tendency to turn our house into quite the mess in just a small amount of time.  You are so different from you older sister, sometimes it is hard for us to fathom. For instance, you love books, but instead of reading them - you thrown them over your shoulder and watch them pile up on the floor behind you. You love crayons, markers, pencils, but instead of coloring a picture - you enjoy you coloring on the floor, table, walls, and your face. You love all of your trains, trucks, and other automobiles, but instead of playing with them - you love to place them strategically about the house so as to ensure someone steps on them.

Your Daddy told me a story about when he was a little boy. A teacher told him "You're not a bad kid, it's just bad decisions that you make." I have to wonder if you learned a few tricks from your Daddy. Don't get me wrong nugget, we love every bit of this "wreck it" stage that you are in. We laugh silently when you trash the house, as we know this is your way of learning and showing your creativity. We know you don't do this to destroy the house, but rather because your budding brain is so excited to see what will happen next! We know that you get excited to break things so that you can fix them. Maybe you'll be a Mr. Fix-It when you get older?

You also love to give "kisses." These kisses will need some work before you get into the dating world, or you might be in trouble. You tend to give open mouth kisses, which are adorable, but we are always a little headshy as you are also going through a little stage of biting. Sometimes I wonder if you're going to chomp down when I ask you for a kiss.

You love when Daddy says "I. Love. You." and points to his eyes, heart, and you. You mimic him as best you can and try so hard to say the words with him. For you it's more like "I. lello. ooo." Your Daddy's heart melts into a puddle every time you do this.

You are fascinated with all things engine. The tractor across the road going "plup plup plup" has you so excited. You shout "OOOOOO" and point with giant blue eyes.

You love to pick on your sister. You are teaching her patience, and helping with her tendency to like things neat and tidy. She loves you more than anything, and without each other, the two of you are just a tad lost.

Jax, we are loving every minute of your crazy toddler life. Thank you for filling our days with fun, excitement, and interesting art.

Love always,
Mama

15 Month Nuggets