Feathering The Nest

April 15th is here.

As I eagerly await the return of my hubby, I begin to prepare.

I want his homecoming, or re-entry as I call it, to be sweet.

peaceful.

happy.

(yeah, right)

Ok, well... it will most likely be loud.

chaotic.

overwhelming.

But to ease his transition I have done a few things.

~ clean & organize the house.

(believe me, no small task after being neglected for, ahem, awhile)

~ do ALL of the dishes

(again, if you only knew... we probably wouldn't be friends anymore)

~ make our bed

~ finish, fold & put away the mother lode of laundry     

~ try & keep the children happy today

~ and last, but definitely not least, primp

paint toenails

spritz, spray, fluff, pouf

Yes, I even went as far as buying a 
ginormous curling iron 
so I can be 
bouncin' & (mis)behavin'

However, one small little problem.

Wha...?

Are you kidding me?

I guess he'll have to settle for curly hair & straight eyelashes.

oh well.

Can't Wait to Have you Home Babe.
XoxoxOXoxO

It Takes Two

What Would Nacho
*Be*
Without Esqueleto?

And Fred without Barney?

What would Napoleon
*Do*
without Pedro?

It would be like
Ernie without Bert...

I'm so glad I don't have to

*Be*
without you...
or
*Do*
this alone.

We Are A Dynamic Duo.
Happy To Have You Back!

Thank You For Being A Friend

I didn't think it was possible to look like
THIS
the last week of tax season

However,
when
THIS
shows up on your porch
* brooke had no idea that I had been on the hunt for a delicious peanut butter treat at Walgreens earlier that day (while waiting for Valerie's ear infection meds) and had come up empty handed.

and then
THIS
shows up on your porch
* i kid you not... Venetia made triple chocolate brownies & had them overnighted to me (across the country)... i may have been delirious, but i swear they were still warm when i opened the package.

which led to
THIS
happy moment.

I think
THIS
pretty much sums it up.

Thank You
for being a
Friend

Images to Make You (me) Happy

It is Sunday night...
the 2nd to last week of tax season...
we are ALL feeling the effects...
sleepless nights
tears
fights
meltdowns
heavy sighs
Time for a Pick Me Up...

The Little Chic(k) That Could

The first week of another
LOOOOONG tax season is always,
well,
rough.
I am in mourning.
I miss my husband.
After all, I got spoiled having him (mostly) around for the last couple of months.
I really dig this guy & like being with him.
A LOT.
The kids pick up on my moody blues & it is not fun.
No, not fun at all.
So here we are...
coming to the end of week 1.
Time to give myself a pep talk, make a choice & press forward.

I know I CAN.
by the way, additional pep talks
always welcome.
only 69 days to go...

Spring Break Fever Part I (in the beginning)

Well, in case you didn't know, my husband is a
tax accountant.
Every year when Spring Break comes, poor Mike is in the heat of tax season.
He is such a good provider and hard worker (we appreciate you).
For years the kids & I would stay home, while it seemed like everyone else was hitting the road for adventure.
And during that week, we were lucky if we got to see Mike for a few minutes here and there...
IF we were lucky.
Then one year it dawned on me...

No Husband Home + Kids Off School For A Week (at the end of a long tax season) = total misery

and I realized...
We Don't Have To Stay Home!

* I am capable
* I am a good driver (NO tickets in 20+ years)
* My children are excellent car travelers
* Family within driving distance
* Utah in the spring, with the possibility of SNOW!
* 12 short hours on the road ... fun for the whole family

So, we made our first SOLO trip to Utah when Courtney was 9 months old (5 years ago)... and we've never looked back.
My heart beats a little bit faster just thinking about it...
The thrill of the open road.

Finding my way and conquering my fear of getting lost, despite my lack of an internal compass or any sense of direction (and with a bit of help from Mr. Garmin)

Enjoying our time in the car, talking, laughing, listening to some great tunes, watching movies, playing video games, coloring & SNACKING (worth it in and of itself for a snackmaster like me)

In the past 5 years the kids & I have made the trip a good 6-8 times and with the exception of a couple of disastrous drives (a post for another day), it has been a true joy.

I love to be able to get away from the hustle & bustle... I love that my children enjoy each others' company... I love strengthening bonds with family... I love Utah... I love having time with my children for a whole week and not having to share them with the entire neighborhood

and, although we all miss Mike terribly, the reunion is so very sweet.

To Be Continued...

April 15th

If I can make it 4 more hours, I will have survived another TAX season... with a little help from my friend. (thanks Karen!!!)

It is a true testament to the importance of my husband in our family as I see the effects of his absence on each of our children. We have had a lot of this...

and this...

And there were times when I just wanted to...



Still somehow, with what little time he had, he found ways to love us. Like staying up late with Jon (15) & McKay (13) to watch Rush Hour (for the 11th time), even though I know he was exhausted. Or waiting until I fell asleep & going to the grocery store at 11:30 pm on a Saturday night, as he knew I was too overwhelmed to make a grocery list. Or letting our 3 little ones (5, 3, 1) ride in his car out of our driveway every morning jamming to the music, even though he was always in a hurry & it takes 15 long minutes to load & unload everyone. His kind acts sustained us.

I love & appreciate this guy.

Can't wait to have you back !!!