{insert broken heart}

Not to leave his request without solution he then told me

“mommy, we probby buy one at the store!”

{IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM}

I caught B singing an original of his to his audience of two. His puppy love’s Indy and Maggie didn’t seem all that interested in his performance but he didn’t seem too concerned!

My favorite part? The pause shortly into the show to pray!

Well, that space currently looks like this:

After water found it’s way back in a couple of weeks ago, we had no other choice. My parents came one morning and helped us strip both this room and our downstairs bathroom. Doesn’t quite have the same feel does it?

Ugh!

On the bright side, we’ll get to start from scratch in the design of this room!

On the less-than-bright side, we have plans to trench out around the majority of our house, repair it, and cover it in pitch during the driest (and most likely hottest) part of the summer this year so as to make SURE we have addressed all water issues! Any volunteers?!

Not only did he pick out his own outfit from shirt to shoes (mind you it was 30 degrees outside), he also struck this pose all on his own when I asked him if I could take a picture.

Strangest thing.

B was being a boy one night as he jumped off the couch. He then took off for the other room but was tripped up a bit along the way by the paws of his doggie love, Maggie (my parent’s dog).  Neither were a big deal. Like, not just not a big deal…they were nothing. But as he returned from the other room seconds later, he was limping. Dramatic limping.

Though I knew that something (likely discomfort) had triggered his altered gait, I was almost certain it didn’t continue because of it. I will confess that my giggles were less than appropriate (insensitive if he really was hurt, encouraging if he was seeking attention). But, I’ve never claimed to be queen of appropriate. As for the insensitive…other than the limp, he expressed no sign of pain. As for the giggles…well, I struggle with such things. And it was REALLY funny!

Fast forward to the next morning. B attempts to get out of bed and cries the moment his leg bears any weight. NOT NORMAL. He also resists his leg straightening fully. This continues throughout the morning and I am extremely concerned. Even pulling out tricks of the trade learned during my pediatric rotation, specifically using play to distract him or trying to trick him into doing things he seemed hesitant to do produced no different results. B was unwavering in his act, reassuring me all the more it wasn’t just an act. I work quickly to get myself ready and take him in to let his Daddy take a look at things. K suggests we get some imaging done and we make him an appointment…breaks had mostly been ruled out but we wanted to make sure we weren’t missing anything, especially in the hips because hip stuff + kids typically equals bad news bears!

B is a champ!!!

Thankfully, the images showed nothing abnormal and B was back to walking by the next morning. He was sooooo happy. He even said, “Look mommy, i can run!”

So, we’re thinking maybe it was a bit of a hyper-extension issue. Either way…we’re glad we’ve survived the first x-ray! And with no broken bones to boot!

It’s food and tractors, nature, hay rides, talking trees and blue skies, guns, glowsticks, tents and bows, friends and family…they’re one in the same!

Borrowing words directly from the invitation, it’s a gathering of friends and family in memory of my cousin Rick.

A time to celebrate life, enjoy nature, eat good food, and enjoy family and friends.

And that we do. And it’s one of my favorites.

Well, here, let me show you around…

I’ve missed you!

but Grandma convinced him to give the pony a try….

and after several laps of death grip on Grandma’s shirt…

he admitted he enjoyed it and even asked to go again!

Now, he’s your everyday cowboy. Or something like that!

Thank you K for going alone at watching our LIO* so I could go. You’re my kind of wonderful.

When I got inside last night, I made my way downstairs and sat at the other end of the couch, facing K. He asked how my night was and I told him it was great, but not nearly as fun as our little anniversary date to the same restaurant (by the name St. Louis Bread Co. in Missouri…which is weird, don’t you think?).  Remember…

We decided to keep it low-key. A nice quiet trip to pick up dessert and a warm drink as our anniversary is in the smack-dab middle of winter. So, Bread Co. it was. We pulled in, made our way inside, and found a little table in a quiet section (really, we were some of the only ones in there…the whole place was quiet), and waited for our drinks to cool down. A few other people trickled in and it was becoming apparent a small gathering was about to take place. No biggie.

Until the bagpiper joined the party.

No joke.

He stood right beside our table and played for whatever convention was now gathering in the coffee shop of choice.

And have you ever sat right next to a playing bagpipe?

They’re nice. And LOUD.

And weird.

*Little Injured One…that’s another story for another day.