Little Moments

I went to a VTC a couple of weeks ago that completely shook our world...in a good way. Daddy is coming home. The downside to that news is that my volunteer position has been at full-speed since then with very little breathing room. So, I've been trying to capture a couple of those little moments that remind me of what is most important. Like, field trips for this guy:



and watching him ask the director of the pumpkin patch if he can pick the green gourd instead of a pumpkin because "it's so ugly it's cute" and then walking so proudly back to the tractor ride with his choice.

And being able to spend that field trip with this kid:



who was so so so proud of being on a field trip with the "big kids" and his behavior showed that he could handle it.

And watching this one catch an afternoon snooze in Daddy's chair:



because he feels close to Daddy there (it's his number one location for napping).

With President Obama's announcement Friday, I rejoiced and, at the same time, threw my hands in the air and admitted defeat in the battle to remind our families that the FRG and the command team are the number one resource for information on return timelines (Obama's timeline differing from command's). And this weekend, I turned it all off and made the choice to burrow down with my two littles and spend some quality time with what is most important.

Like birthdays for a certain 7 year old



who is so proud of the lanyard and attachments that he got from his treasure box from Tooey



and will now proudly tell you that he has a compass so he won't get lost in the house.

And while much of my day was filled with the frustrations of dogs needing to visit the vet and tires going completely flat on the way to a meeting, I took pleasure in the simple act of watching my boy proudly select his own birthday cake because Mama lost the time that day slotted for baking. And so we dined on hot-pink, Star Wars birthday cake



I read a quote recently that said, "A lot of parents will do anything for their kids except let them be themselves." I took that to heart and knew I did the right thing with his cake choice once I saw this smile:



We spent more quality time together this weekend...ignoring the rest of the world and its craziness. We played with new toys



and found out how fun shrinky dinks can be.





We read books





and Liam read me one all on his own.

We built Legos



and played.



And when I was asked to build, play, color, read...I'm proud to say that I said "Yes!" way more than "No" this weekend....giving time to tending those little moments that create big memories and happy families.

We ended the weekend with a birthday party for both boys that turned out to be exactly what we needed...relaxing for Mama and super fun for the littles.



The people who ran the place took care of everything...giving me time to enjoy the company of other mothers and sit back and watch my boys enjoy themselves. Instead of the craziness that could have been hosting a double birthday party on my own, they gave me the freedom to sit back and capture some little moments like this:



Yep...that's my boy sitting proudly on his own at what he called the "head table" because that is where birthday boys sit. I would have hated to miss that moment in time.

We are all tucked in and ready for the week ahead. We have a lot going on again but the goal is going to appreciate these moments and not let them pass us by. Because...in the end...this is life right here...these boys. And nothing could be better.