Unconditional Love

I have waited to write this post because I couldn't even get through the title with out many tears, so many tears that my vision was literally impaired. So I waited because, time heals, right? I am not so sure. Time makes the heartache less painful but time has not yet made the emptiness or sadness go away.

On Monday, September 9th we put of Collie, Missy, of nine years down. It was a day that I knew was coming over the past year, due to deteriorating health. It was a  day I dreaded and put off until I knew I had to. I am so thankful that we, as pet owners, are given the option to put our pets down in such a peaceful way. But at the same time, when you make that final decision, whether it is the right decision or not, there is this tiny (feels huge at times) feelings of guilt. Guilt that I let my dog down and guilt that I didn't try everything I could.  Deep down I know I did but  . . .

For those of you who were luck enough to know Missy know what a perfect family dog she was. She had the temperament of an angel, so sweet & gentle, and to top that she loved everyone. Well not everyone, she did hate a few cars that drive by & did not like trucks or people she didn't know too close to our house. She was very protective of the kids. I felt so much more safe when I had her outside with the kids. I would get annoyed at her barking when these trucks or cars would go by, now I find myself missing it. Maybe not the annoying part, but the safety part, the reassurance that I knew she was truly looking out for Wylie, Kasey and Tori (even their friends).

What I wish now was that I would have taken pictures of me with Missy, after all, I was her momma.  The kids made sure they got pictures with her the weekend prior but when they asked me I just redirected them because I wasn't feeling strong enough and every time I hugged Missy I lost it. Yes, I cried with the kids, but I controlled myself a little. I tried not to do the "ugly cry" in front of them.  I ugly cry enough when I am alone. I must have said a dozen times in the last few weeks, "why do we do this to ourselves? get pets only to know that we will have to say good bye." Well, the answer is easy. They are truly there to give us unconditional love. To be so happy to see you when you come home whether you have been gone for 5 minutes or all day, their excitement when you are lazily petting their head, they don't care, still so happy to get that half ass pet. They are there to, in the dead of a sleep when you call their name, wake up and come running not even knowing what for. They trust you completely. It's true love.

I can not imagine growing up with out the love of a pet and getting to love one back. I am thankful that I can give that gift to my kids. They love BIG and that makes me happy! xoxo

~It's My Life

Do I know a baseball fanatic? Of course I do.

I am packing for Colorado when I see the Hudson Patch's post, the title reads Do you know a baseball fanatic? I click on it to find out more because of course I know a baseball fanatic, Wylie! The rest of the article reads as follows:

A once-in-a-lifetime experience was recently donated to Smilebk by a local business who supports our big ideas. We're going to keep all the specifics a bit of a mystery, but here's what you need to know:

WHAT: Exclusive baseball experience

AGE: Must be between the ages of 8 and 15, with one adult present

LOCATION: Downtown Minneapolis, MN

WHEN: Saturday, September 7, 2013 from 3:00pm-9:00pm

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: The participant ABSOLUTELY MUST be an avid baseball fanatic, NO EXCEPTIONS. 

At this point I realize I need to write up a little something about Wylie. This will be easy because I truly believe that he loves baseball like no other kid I know and he is a HUGE Twins fan. I put no thought into what this experience/prize would be because anything baseball is a prize at our house! So I stop packing and sit down and write about Wylie. 

Dear Smilebk,

My 9 year old son, Wylie, is the biggest baseball fanatic there is. We have known this since he was 2 years old and would get the bat and ball out to play at all hours of the day, in between diaper changes naked, at rest stops on long road trip and everything. He has watched the Twins his whole life, choosing to watch them over any disney or nick show. Wylie knows all the Twins players, a lot of stats and the leagues info.  He wakes up in the morning and turns the tv to either the late night game that he dvr'd  the night before or sports center to find out who won or lost the games. He tried out for the 9 year old select team in Hudson this year and made it! YES for him, more baseball. He played three to six days a week depending on if he had a tournament and still on his days off would ask, "how many days til baseball?" He plays ball any chance he can get and if he can't play it, he watches it. The season came to an end and he asked, "how old am I when I can play baseball everyday?" He LOVES this sport and thankfully it is something he is good at too!! Life is good when you have a kid who loves baseball!!! If Wylie were rewarded this random act of kindness, we as a family would certainly pay it forward!! 

Thank you

JoLynn Baumer ( wylie's Mom)

I truly didn't think of this essay again until I am driving up the mountains to Vail, Colorado when I get an email that says, I'm from Smilebk with some fantastic news for your baseball fanatic, Wylie!!!  I check my phone to see if I have reception in the mountains, luckily I had one bar so I called to get the news. When she started to explain what Wylie had won, my heart was racing, I knew this would definitely be a night he will never forget. How lucky is he? And how lucky am I that I get to experience it with him? This is what he won! 

Now comes the hard part. I had to wait until I got home (3 more days) to tell Wylie about this. You all know, patience is not my strongest quality. I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my trip in Colorado and then got home and told Wylie. He was excited and then the brainstorming started on what we will wear and what he wants autographed (he decided on a MLB baseball).  The day comes and I pick him up at school early and we head to Target Field. We shop at the Twins Store, buy a few things and head to meet the people of Smilebk, the people who put the contest out there! Took some pictures with them by the golden glove and moved on to meet the main man, who took Wylie down to the field for batting practice. He got to sit on the field for nearly two hours and watch batting practice while all the players are down there walking by them, signing autographs, patting his hat and chatting with him! How cool is that?? He got the autographs of: Tony Oliva, Josh Willingham, Brian Dozier, Trevor Plouffe, Scott Diamond, Cole De Vries and Chris Colabello.  His favorite autograph was Tony Oliva's and Josh Willingham! He really wanted Justin Morneau, but he was traded the week before. Bummer. We stayed and watched the game. His favorite playing Twin, Josh Willingham had two home runs, including the game winning home run in the bottom of the 8th! It was a great night and we made lots of memories! 

On the field with the Twins for their batting practice

Autograph by Tony Oliva

Autograph by Josh Willingham 

His autographed ball- "that was awesome, Mom!" ~ Wylie 

A night that neither of us will forget. I love that this kid loves sports & baseball so much. Looking forward to cheering him on and supporting him through out his playing years. I am so lucky!! 

~ It's My Life

First day of school

How could it be we are ready to start another school year? Didn't we just celebrate the last day of school??? Every year seems to go a little faster and get a little busier... I like the busier part because we are doing things we love & watching the kids do things they love!

This year starts the beginning of a new era for me. All three of my kids will be in school all day. Yes, years ago I would dream of this day when I had 3 kids at home for years. Shame on me (although I know that's normal). What I wouldn't give to have all my kids back at home with me.

The 2013-2014 school year, all three kids at EP Rock Elementary School. We love it there. The teachers are great and we ready for another great year!

Wylie is starting 4th grade and has Mrs. Swanson for a teacher. He has a group of friends in his class, including his closest friend Jack.

Kasey is a third grader now and is really excited. She has Mrs. Skoyen and we are both happy with that. Wylie had her last year and we like her a lot! Kasey did not get any of her close friends in her class but she is always excited to meet new kids and is my kid who LOVES school.

Tori, my baby, is starting kindergarten this year. What? Could this be? It be. She is excited to be a big kid like Wylie & Kasey. Although she is comfortable at the school she is always a little leery to start something new. She has Mrs. Sexe for a teacher! We could not be more thankful! She will most definitely take the best care of my babe. Tori knew about 5 or so kids in her class which made it a lot easier! Her first day was great, no tears! Too bad I can't say the same. 

I know this will be a great year and I am going to cherish having them all together in the same school for a few years!  Thankful for our teachers who help make letting my kids go a little easier because I know they are all in good hands. Here's to a new year, cheers!!

~It's My Life 

Time for a little road trippin'

This years summer vacation takes us Panama City Beach, Florida. It is approximately 1,350 miles from Hudson and 24 hours, if we didn't stop. We made it in about 30 hours, stopping to sleep for about 4 hours some place in Alabama. Our family LOVES road trips. Half of the excitement is packing the car and getting our "activities" ready. Thankful for these inseparable days.... Here we go! 

We arrived at our condo with lots of energy and ready to go swimming and play in the ocean. But not before we head to the balcony to check out of view. I would have like to spend more than a half of a second to take it all in but before I could realize it, the kids had their suits on and were ready to go. 

Our view for 8 nights! 

How could I make these cute faces any longer?!

We spent the next 8 days and 8 nights doing as much as we could yet doing as little as we could, does that make sense? We spent time on our boat adventuring around the bays looking for dolphins and sea life. We fished but didn't have much luck and/or patience. The kids had their first snorkeling lesson, given to them by Dad. We went on an airboat looking for alligators, went to Gulf World Marine Park (which was awesome),  saw a movie (Despicable Me Two)  on a rainy day and saw a magic show on our last night! The in between times we spent together swimming at the pools, playing in the ocean, building sand castles, playing charades in the hot tub, making up games, playing cribbage etc. It is these times I treasure most. How lucky we are to get that time together, uninterrupted time as a family. 

 Oh, and I can't forget souvenir shopping! We (the kids) shop all week looking for their perfect souvenir to bring home. They take this part of our trip VERY seriously!

We were already planning our next summer's road trip on the way home from this trip. It is something we look forward to each year. Our plan is summer of 2014- Colorado! We are heading out West! 

Until then we will cherish these memories we made. I love my family. 

~ It's My Life 

Kasey is 8!

Kasey is 8! Again, the same of generic line of "where has the time gone?" comes to mind. There is a reason this has been used over time. IT IS TRUE. "where has the time gone???  I can still remember the day she was born and we didn't know if she was a boy or girl. My midwife asked, "what do you think it is?" and immediately I said, "a boy!" Because I assumed I would have all boy. Cause what the heck would I do if I got a girly girl??!!?? And then she said, "IT'S A GIRL!" I was SO happy! She isn't a girly girl and she is not sporty, she a perfect right in between easy going kid. I love her more than words can say!

She loves art. So an art party it was. Full of color & messes! Just perfect for Kasey.  It was so much fun to have her friends come over and express themselves while listening to the radio singing away.  I always thought, what would I do with a kid if they didn't love sports?? Well, answer is, that you learn too to love what it is that they love. I absolutely LOVED this party. One of my favorites for sure. We made Owl oil canvas' and duct tape purses. Both projects the kids embraced and made it "their own."

Birthdays are a day that my kids look forward too all year and nothing makes me happier than to see them get a day that is all about them! She felt very special! 

~It's My Life