InstaFriday

I don't even know where to begin explaining what happened this last week.
Our dog died.
We went to the beach.
Fireworks happened.
We used lots of sunscreen.
The boys swam lots of laps.
I ignored my house completely.
Let's be honest, that was really the last TWO weeks.
But who's counting right?

Stu and I heading out on date night. We totally were both wearing pink.

Our yellow dog. {miss him so much}

I still feel this way.

This was my "feel better" mani. Love OPI.

The boys were having a particularly rough morning after telling them Turbo died, so I threw the schedule out the window. It was a good move.

Yeah...

See that? S M I L E S.

They are forever brothers.

Me and my boys.

Aren't they cute?

I.LOVE.FIREWORKS.

Stuart's brother took us out on his boat AND let the boys drive. He's much braver than I.

I love them so much it hurts.

The night before we headed home, Moose's antler came off. THE WORLD ALMOST ENDED.

Our friends were in the hospital having their first baby and so we got to watch their fur baby. It was bittersweet.

Bobbleheads.

A diagonal stripe and toes that match my shoes.

And this came in the mail...

Stuart and I...and Tucker. 

Happy Friday y'all!

Goodbyes are hard

This is not a post that I expected to be writing.

At least not right now.

Early last Sunday morning we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Turbo.

It has been so incredibly hard.

Saturday night Stuart and I went on a date and met up with his friend from high school that was in town for a family reunion. We had a fun time and got home about 11:30 pm.
We immediately noticed that Turbo did not run to greet us.
No biggie.
He was probably hiding because he got in the trash.
Chuckle chuckle.
We chatted with the sitter for a minute and say thank you and good bye.
It was then that we noticed that Turbo was not hiding (in our room usually) but laying in the hallway.
Stuart headed upstairs to find whatever it was that Turbo has gotten into.
Nothing.
But Turbo didn't really move.
He would sit up on his front paws and kinda drag his rear end then plop back down.
Strange.
After several attempts to get Turbo to come to us, we knew something was wrong.
Stuart carried him downstairs (not an easy feat with a 90 pound dog) and we started assessing problems.
He wasn't really moving his back legs.
He wasn't wagging his tail.
He was breathing really, really hard.
He looked miserable.
So I busted out my trusty Google machine and searched for paralsis with heavy breathing.
NOT GOOD.
Stuart decided to call our SIL (who is our go-to for all things canine) (mind you it's about 1 am by this point).
She talked us thru some things and it became more clear that something was terribly, horribly wrong.
We decided to call the vet and they said to bring him in right away.
Stuart and I knew, just knew this was going to be the end.
I carried his pillow to Stuart's truck and he gingerly placed Turbo inside.
I couldn't say goodbye.
Just couldn't.
I wept.
Big 'ole fat, hot tears.
Stuart came home about 4:30 am.
With no Turbo.
The vet said that there were a number of things that could have caused the rapid paralisis that Turbo was having.
All were bad and difficult to treat.
All were difficult to diagnose.
The best option was really to let him go.
Gah.
I hate even writing that.
But y'all, saying goodbye to Turbo was so not the hardest part.
Nope.
The hardest part was having to get up two hours later and explain to the boys why their dog wasn't here anymore.
Turbo was all they had ever known.
He loved them fiercely and let them do just about anything to him.
While they know that Turbo is in heaven (yes, we are choosing to believe that),
they don't understand why he's gone.
So we've been talking abut death and heaven.
A lot.
I mean every day.
And every time we pray at night, Tucker asks God to make sure Turbo gets some extra beef jerky or a bone or to swim in the lake.
And every time he says those prayers I cry.
I know that we'll get happier (insert vacation over the 4th of July)
but good-golly are we sad right now.
And that's ok.
Because we loved Turbo.
And miss him.

InstaFriday

Y'all, today I'm going to win mother of the year.
AND I'm going to be the boy's favorite parent for one fleeting day.
Why?
The Lego Store is coming to San Antonio and it's having a grand opening party this weekend, complete with a master builder.
We got postcards in the mail inviting us to come and help the master builder build an 8 foot R2D2.
So, being the rule breaker that I am (not) I am pulling the boys out of school early (eek!) and taking them to the opening early.
They don't know.
It's gonna be good y'all!
Now, on to our past week...

My sister-in-law introduced me to these life savers and they really are. I mean, G E N I U S.

Monthly co-op!

I did my nails while Stu was searching for a specific radio for his grandma. I kinda like it. :)

We spent over 3 hours organizing the Legos into same color boxes. It was a beast to do, but will make building so much easier.

This is my current favorite baby scent. And even though my boys are babies, I make them use it.

Yellow dog.

Apple trees. Of course.

I laugh and get scared every time I look outside. Who doesn't keep their bleached deer skulls in a basketball goal?

Tucker sent this picture to his sweet Hannah after soccer practice.

Then Tyson had to join in.

Last soccer practice!

Me.

I've been reciting this verse all day long for the past several days.

I love the crossed feet while he does homework.

Y'all, I left this mess out, overnight. It was a BIG deal for me.

Happy Friday!

InstaFriday

Today is Battle of Flowers.
Never heard of it?
Yeah, me neither till we moved to San Antonio and found out it's a city holiday.
Oh and so the boys don't have school either.
Grr.
Regardless, we'll carry on and I *might* be nice and let the boys get a small Lego set at Target this morning.
Because everyone needs to go to Target for something, right?!

I can push my nose all the way down, can you?

Daddy/Mommy.

One mailbox. Lisa Leonard. Honest Co. Too much goodness!

Finished She Reads Truth | Prayer in the Bible. (and Hosea just started!) 

We have a program at church called Agape Trail that helps transition 5th graders (Bibleland) to 6th grade (Student Ministries). I remember being a mentor 12 years ago and this year we were blessed to be a part of my niece's "corral." This particular evening was the reveal service where we all gathered to show her who has been praying for her and sending her encouragement over the past year. The service ended with her parents washing her feet. Such a beautiful night and beautiful niece!

After Agape Trail, we proceeded to my SIL's house. Tucker ended up stuck in a tree and Tyson took his shirt off to be like the older boys. (sorry for the poor, pixelated quality!)

Tucker: It's our house with me and daddy and Tyson playing video games and the bedroom upstairs and the UFO.

Alrighty then.

 I totally stole this picture from @thenester!

Oh May 4th, why you gotta be so mean?

4 MAJOR events.

4 DIFFERENT cities.

I admit: I LOVE FOOD.

Soccer practice. These kids make me laugh.

So this little guy has been hanging around our neighborhood for over two weeks. Stuart has stopped a few times to try and pick him up and he finally came to him Wednesday night. He's a nice looking guy but barks non-stop and would not leave our dog alone. Unfortunately we had to call Animal Control because we couldn't keep him but we also couldn't watch him suffer outside alone. I did post pics to fb and Stuart posted an add on Craigslist to try and find his owners, but no luck. :(

Yes, "ammo" is on my grocery list.

Green chevron wrapping paper at Target Dollar Spot? {swoon} 

We totally said yes to the random tree trimmers that knocked on our door last night asking if we needed any services. 

But look! The tree isn't touching the house anymore!

That's it folks! Happy Friday!