lovely little life.

 most afternoons, we all start to get antsy if james hasn't arrived home by five. last week, the boys couldn't sit still or focus on one task or toy so i pulled out the markers, which had been put away a few months ago.

once james arrived home, i escaped upstairs to shower and have a few minutes to myself. when i got back downstairs, the boys were covered in ink.

i figured out why they get so excited when papa's in charge.

and remembered why i put the markers had been put up.

 i admit, there's quite a few things i do as a parent that i swore i would never do before i was a parent. for example, let my kids eat fast food and play with my cell phone in public.

then, there's things i do that just plain out shock me - and make me laugh - like buy tank tops, otherwise known as wife beaters around here, then dress my 18 month old in one and take him to a sports bar for dinner.

 as the mama of two boys, i often get asked if we will go for a third and try to "get that girl." at this point, i'm a boy mama. loud, tough, non-stop action is what i'm used to.

however, i am enjoying hanging out with my little friend ari. her mom is a friend and has moved in to the neighborhood. ari's been stopping by to hang with the boys occasionally. last week, while the boys were napping, she came over so her mom could get some work done.

we baked sugar cookies, did spin art, made bead necklaces and decorated the sugar cookies. for two hours, she hung out in my kitchen and quietly kept herself occupied.

now, when people ask if i want a girl, i have an answer. i'm pretty sure a baby girl would get lost in the chaos around here.

 saturday morning, the boys and i went with ari and her mom to red top mountain. we've been there countless times but just discovered a new jewel - the beach at red top mountain. lane had no idea it was just a snippet of the old dirty lake and some man-placed sand. he ran to that water so fast and declared the day a success before our adventure even started.

evan, on the other hand, enjoyed himself for about 30 minutes - until he got tired, hot and sticky with sand. while lane spent two hours swimming, splashing, and scooping sand, evan spent that time in my lap.

 saturday evening, my parents came over to hang with the boys so james and i could go out for an anniversary dinner. as soon as we sat down at our very tiny table, we heard the couple beside us. the slightly intoxicated woman was insisting on a fight with her significant other. we heard voices raises, hands slammed and a few naughty words.

most couples might be upset to share their anniversary dinner with someone like that. not us. as soon as they left, james and i both got giddy. we felt like the luckiest couple in the world to get to see something that silly.


there's a lot i could say about my husband and our marriage but i'll keep it simple. we just get each other. 
we've been married for 7 years. i feel  lucky to have him every single day. he's an accomplished man with lots to be proud of but if he ever doubts his self worth i hope he knows that his love changed me and made my life better in every way. for that i am forever grateful.

and, last but definitely not least, we are knee deep in our kitchen remodel. my stove, microwave and counters and cabinets are gone. half the floor has to be replaced. all of the items that normally belong in a kitchen are packed in boxes in our dining room. there's been lots of paper plates and take out. so, if things are quiet on the blog for a while just know it is because things are kind of crazy here.

it is a mess right now but i know it is going to be just lovely when it is complete.