Sweet!

Rhoslyn was giving mom kisses the other day and told me that her heart was bursting because she just loved me so much and loved giving me kisses.

She can be such a sweetheart.

Humble and Kind

As I heard Tim McGraw's "Humble and Kind" song this morning it reminding me of two Saturday's ago when my family and I were sitting at Mcdonalds for Breakfast before going house hunting.

There was a man laying his head on the table with a black garbage bag at his side.  Rhoslyn asked why he was laying his head down.  My response "I don't think he has a home and he probably wanted to come into a place where it's nice and warm so he can rest a little bit."

As we were eating our breakfast a dad walked into Mcdonalds and started heading towards our direction when he saw the man and told his kids, "Nope, we aren't going this way" and headed back towards the front.  It saddened me that someone could be so arrogant.  Haven't you ever been in a tough place?  Maybe my husband and I are sensitive to this because he has lost his job and we have had to somehow make ends me with very little pay from unemployment more then once.  We don't know the hurt and sorrow of living homeless, but we have been in tough places before... just like so many others.

We didn't know his story.  We didn't know why he was homeless, but we did know that we wanted to buy him breakfast and leave some extra cash in his meal bag.  We wanted to make sure that he got at least one warm meal that day and enough money to cover two more meals.  

When we left, I turned to the man and told him to have a nice day and smiled at him.  I left with a tear in my eye.  We talked to the kids about how we bought him breakfast and gave him some extra cash because for some reason, he doesn't have a home to live in.  We live in a small town and we do not see homeless people in our area.  However, we want our kids to grow up to be "Humble and Kind."  When they see someone in need, to help them out and be kind.  

You never know what someone is struggling with.

Always stay humble and kind.

Rest in Peace Maddie

A few weeks ago we put our kitty to sleep.  This is the first pet loss we have dealt with as a family.  This was also the first time Rhoslyn really dealt with a loss as well.  The last time we had a loved one pass away, she was too little to understand.

We had been talking for awhile that it was going to be time to put the cat down.  Her approximate age was 15. 

She had arthritis and they also thought she had cataracts.  She could only groom her paws and legs.  And you dare not too her back end because it was too painful.  She was barely eating and most of what she ate she threw back up.  Her quality of life just wasn't good.

As sad as it sounds, we decided to just get it done and over with.  We talked to the kids and how she was going to heaven.  Alex understood and Rhoslyn wasn't sure what to think.

It wasn't until about 4 days later that Rhoslyn had a meltdown about kitty not being home.  She wanted her to come back.  I think it had finally sunk in that kitty would never be home again.  The next day while riding in the car with daddy, Rhoslyn asked if we could take the shot back so Maddie could not be dead anymore.  

It was a hard week.  It was hard to see her favorite place to lay downstairs (which was the recliner).  It was hard not to see her food dish and cat box in the basement. 

Time heals and we are feeling better about it.  Billy and I had the hardest time with it because she was out first pet together.  We had her for 12 years.  She will always be our baby.

I am sure she is still being feisty and sassy even in Heaven.

Rest in Peace Maddie.  We miss you.

Fellar Cake Bake

Alex and Bill were part of the Fellar Cake Bake for Cub Scouts again this year.  The theme was Games.  It could be video games, board games, etc.

There were many ideas thrown out about what kind of cake to make.  However, the winning idea was a Checkers Board!

The cool thing about the Fellar Cake Bake is that the boys are in charge of doing everything.  They get to work together, come up with ideas, and create their masterpiece.  

This year, they even ventured into using Fondant.  The cake turned out awesome!  They won Judges Choice which was the same as last year. 

Cancun, Mexico

Bill and I had a fabulous trip to Cancun, Mexico for our 10 year anniversary.  For the last year, we had been talking about doing a cruise or resort.  We finally decided to just splurge and do it!  So glad we did.  We had a great time and we are already looking forward to going back again (hopefully in a couple of years and maybe with the kids).

Unfortunately, we did not have the best weather.  However, we didn't let that ruin our trip.  We had 2 really good sunny days.  The other days were a mixture of clouds, rain and wind.  It was still warm enough to sit on the beach and soak up the sights of the ocean.

We stayed at a great resort.  Although we aren't sure we would go back to the same one.  I think we would like to try Cabo or a different area of Mexico.  The resort staff were awesome.  They were very kind and helpful during our trip.  Our favorite person Caesar who waited on us for drinks while we parked our butts on the beach!  He had a great sense of humor and made sure we were drinking plenty!  

While at the resort we enjoyed two shows.  A magic show with a man who actually performs in Vegas and a Light Show (it was supposed to be a fire show, but it was raining).  Both were fantastic! We were going to venture outside of the resort and possibly go on an excursion, but the weather was so iffy.  

We had a crazy driver on our way from the Airport to the Resort.  We pretty much thought we were going to die! :) When we arrived at the resort we were taking upstairs to the preferred club area where we were offered a drink while we checked in.  They brought our bags to our rooms for us so we didn't have to lug them to our room.  They even brought us a bottle of sparkling wine (which we both thought was gross, but it's the though that counts) and a plate of apples.

Every night the resort would "turn down."  They would come to our room, get our bed ready for us, leave chocolates, a card about the next days weather, have the lights on dim, remote on the bed, and would have relaxation music on.  It was a nice little surprise!

One thing we enjoyed about our stay was that room service was include in our stay.  So, the first night we just got room service for dinner because we were exhausted from traveling.  It was perfect.

We also had a mini bar which was included.  So they filled it daily and left us M&M's and a small can of pringles.

It was my first time being by the ocean and I loved it.  We mostly just sat by the ocean during the day and took it all in.  It was great for relaxing.  We swam in the ocean.  I was a bit skeptic with this... didn't want to step on anything that I shouldn't step on.  We found a Star fish on our last day and some other fish in the water.  You could see a lot more fish, etc when the water was calm.

Sellers would walk on the beach (only when it was nice out) and sell items.  I bought a Handmade Mexican Blanket and love it.  It's beautiful.  It was fun just to see how the atmosphere is in Mexico. For our first experience out of the country, it was a great!  We are both looking forward to going back again and being more adventurous the next time we go.  This vacation was all about relaxation.  The next time it will be more about adventures. :) 

Kindergarten Rocks

I love love love that Rhoslyn is now in Kindergarten!  She is one smart cookie and it is so awesome to see how much she loves school.

Just today we sat down to read some books.  She brings home paper books that her teacher prints off. She read the book to me.  Then we looked over her library books.  One of the books she brought home was a biscuit book.  I started reading and pointed to sight words that she may know.  I pointed to every word I read.  Before I knew it, she was reading the book!  We were able to video chat with daddy and she read the entire book to him!  I pointed to the words while she read.  She only needed help on a couple of words.  It is just amazing.

She talks about things she is learning and what they do in there class.  I just love it.  I love that she loves school.

I think Level 1 reading books will be on her Christmas list this year!

Alex

Dear Alex,

Thank you for being such a kind and caring young boy.  You have overcome so many "battles" the last four years.  I look at you and think, how are you just 7 years old?  You act like such a young man already. 

Thank you for helping me when daddy isn't home.  I appreciate your help in the mornings and the fact that you have become so independent.  As hard as it is for mom sometimes, I am proud of you for doing things on your own (like making yourself breakfast and helping make your lunch).

On Friday you brought tears to my eyes when I saw how you looked after your sister on the school field trip.  You took her hand and walked with her when she was falling behind because she was tired and cold.  You let her sit next to you so she could rest her head on your shoulder.  You put your arm around her to comfort her and keep her warm in the cold air.  You volunteered to be her partner during an activity.  You knew she needed you on Friday, and you were there for her.  You make your mom and dad so proud.

You were the first to raise your hand to volunteer for a demonstration.  Something you never would have done two years ago.  You raised your hand to answer questions and talked in front of your peers. You shared your knowledge and facts of animals.  

Thank you for being so well behaved at school.  Your teachers always have such great things to say about you.  They appreciate that you follow the directions and get your work done on time.  

You are going to be such a wonderful husband and daddy someday.  As hard as it is to see you continue to grow up, mom and dad really enjoy watching it.