Is It Tuesday?

Seriously?  Is it Tuesday already?  It's like I took a nap on Saturday and woke up to Tuesday.  From our wonderful Chicago family visiting, to Tulsa Homeless Outreach,  to getting a cast off, to getting a sinus infection under control, I can see why Tuesday snuck up on me. 

It's not totally a bad thing.  Being busy with the right thing has it's perks.  Spending time with family.  Perk.  Serving the homeless. Perk.  Getting a cast off. Perk.  Sinus infection.  Uh...non perk.

I'll spare you from the play by play of the family weekend, but let's just say 7 kids ages 8, 7, 5, 5, and THREE 2 year olds makes for a lot of crazy fun!  Go ahead.  Let your imagination run wild with that one.  If you can think of it, it probably happened within our two days together.

As for the Tulsa Homeless Outreach.  AH-MAY-ZING!!!  So many volunteers showed up this time.  People making unlimited snow cones, people playing music, multiple cars serving up sack lunches, crates and crates of water being distributed (so much so that I came home with one leftover for next month), and toiletries.  It was heartwarming to meet up with Dwayne, Ron, Amy, and a few others we have grown to love personally.

Dwayne told me on Sunday that his whole life people have always told him to get lost.  In fact, at 14 years of age, his mother told him to go.  There was a whole story to that, but Dwayne is missing most of his teeth so catching the whole story was a bit difficult.  Nonetheless, his birthday is July 27th.  He'll be 54.  I can't wait to bring him a cake and some balloons.  More than anything I want him to know that when I said, "You are loved and cherished, you just haven't met the right ones to show you that yet,"  that he knows I mean it.  Despite the amount of spit that lands on my arm while listening to him, or the dirt caked all over his arms and hands, or how rough he looks, or even how bad he smells of alcohol (even though he swears he doesn't drink anymore), he is still worthy of relationships and love.  He loves telling stories, and I love listening to them.  At least the parts I can understand!

I'll be updating what we are focusing on for July's outreach.  The overwhelming request from those on the streets was SHORTS!  So, needless to say, I'm going to be asking for the shorts off your butts!  

In other Torres news, a certain little princess got her cast off yesterday! This is her last pic with that pink bad boy right before it was sawed off her pretty little arm...

 

She did so great getting it off. One thing I wasn't prepared for was the weakness in her arm coming across as soreness.  As soon as the tech took the cast off and walked out, the tears came.  She was scared about how her arm was feeling.  Thankfully, the ortho saw a great report in the Xray.  Her elbow was healing nicely and no cast needed. 

We walked out with temporary removable splint for wearing when riding bikes or scooters, but other than that, nothing is needed.  We've been swimming 2 days in a row and she's getting more and more confident with using her right arm.  She still has not fully extended her arm, but we're believing over the next few weeks that will happen.  She's made great progress just in the last 24 hours.

We really appreciate all the prayers and support from everyone.  It means a lot to our family and to Little Miss.  Love you all!

Big Ouchies

Menu Monday will be tomorrow.  

Have you ever had a weekend that you wished was over?  Weird, huh?  I prayed for Monday to come and I'm so ready to get it going today.

I bet you're wondering why.  I mean, who really wants Monday to come over a weekend?  But, I tell you what, we had a rough one.

Friday night I ran to Aldi.  Usually Little Miss goes wherever I go, but I encouraged her to stay home and play with her new friend, Lilly.  So I left and Little Miss grabbed her scooter to play with her friend.  I go to the store and get home about and hour later.

As I was unloading groceries, Little Miss walks in crying and I knew something was wrong.  She told me she fell off her scooter and her arm was hurting.  Come to find out, she had fallen off her scooter an hour earlier.  Right after I left she hit a bump and flew off.  Steven went to get her. She cried for a bit and then said she wanted to play.  Fast forward and hour and she was still in pain and her elbow was swollen.

I threw her in the car and headed to an after hours.  Two hours later we walk out with a sling and inconclusive X-rays.  Poor thing has been in pain ever since.  So this morning we are headed to an orthopedic specialist to get some answers.

Meanwhile, Chubby Cheekers has a throat that looks like whipped cream exploded on his tonsils so he's off to the doctor with Daddy.  I mean, we're really utilizing that health insurance plan.

Honestly, we're thankful for doctors.  Thankful for healthcare coverage, but more thankful that God has this in control.  I do not know how to do life without relying on His Holy power.  More thankful for a church that has taught our children how to pray and believe for their own health and healing. 

Just look at this little thang.  Ten o'clock at night still hanging at the after hours and she's smiling.  Poor thing was in pain, but said nothing.  Not even when the doctor was asking.  She would just tense up during the mobility testing.  That's the only way I knew she was hurting.  This girl is tough as nails. I love her to pieces. 

So if you'll say a little prayer for my tough as nails girl while we get some answers for her and hopefully some relief from her pain.  Nothing worse than watching those you love hurt. 

Little Miss Turns 5!

Like all parents, I remember this as if it were yesterday...

 

{Little Miss @ 2 months...Little Man at 2 years}

Look how little they were.  Look at Little man.  So proud to hold her hand.  Since she was born, he knew she was something special.  She's the spice to our life, but also the sweetness in this crazy world of boys.  She gives the best kisses and cuddles like nobody else.  She is as girly as they come, with a flare of tomboy.  Give her a princess dress and a mud puddle and she is a happy little thing.

It seemed like I blinked and we were celebrating her turning one. 

 

 Then TWO...

 

Then THREE...

 

Then FOUR...

 

I can recall the time I actually thought to myself, Five. When she turns five, she will be old.

She's now five.  Whaaaaa!  She isn't really old, but reminiscing through these photos certainly reminds me that my time with her is precious.  Our lives really are but a mist.  Children allow us to see that more readily.

 

Little Miss, you are turning into a beautiful little girl.  You've lost your baby face, but we see it.  You will always be our little girl.  You will always be loved and protected by all the boys in your life.  You will always be our princess.  You are bold and strong and determined and funny and spunky.  We love your laugh when you get really tickled and all the random things you say.  You are you and that's what we love.  We can't wait to see how you continue to grow and take ownership of your place in this world.  We know it will be nothing less than bold.  We love you!

Love, 

Mom, Dad, Little Man, and Chubby Cheekers

 

My Party or Her Party

It's getting close to Birthday Season around here.  Eight birthdays in the course of 3 months constitutes Birthday Season.  First up is my niece.  I won't even tell you how old she will be because it makes me feel old.  She's early next month.  A week later we celebrate Little Miss' life.  She will be five.  She has an opinion.  She wants a princess party.  I want a cute Pinterest party.

I've spent most of the evening baking and consuming chocolate chip cookies pinning pumpkin party ideas.  She has a Fall birthday after all.  There are so many fun things to do with a pumpkin party. Seriously, how fun would this be?

 

And this...

 

And decorations like this...

 

and this...

Wait, you say.  It's her party. Not my party.  But what about Cinderella?  There was a pumpkin in that movie.  Maybe I could spin it that way.  OR, Or, or, maybe I could make it a Fall Fairy Party with pumpkins.  Who am I kidding?  I'm going to have to run all this by the Princess herself and see what happens.  Worst case scenario, I'll just throw a Fall Festival Party.  I can't just go wasting good pins now, can I? 

No, no I can't.  That would be a crime.

Another One Bites the Dust

Chunky Monkey and Little Miss take on the high dive...

I have no idea who that crazy person is screaming.  Someone should tell her to put a sock in it!  However, I'm guessing she was having a Proud Mama Moment.  Yep, I'll cut her some slack.

Whew!

20 plus hours in a car over three days is exhausting. If you have stopped by waiting for new reads, I am so sorry. The start to summer has been fun and full of activities. I promise to give you some updates this week.  Including a menu for two weeks. A menu full of detox friendly foods for two weeks. Soooo, if you are joining the 14 Day Challenge you can see my menu and see if it will help you.

For now, I'll leave you with one of my favorite pics from my weekend.

It's not everyday I get to spend 3 days with my princess.  Although I missed my boys, it was nice to spend focused time on her. She is precious.  Just precious.  God put a lot of work into her.  A beautiful, hilarious, spunky little girl.

Tiny Dancer

Little Miss had her first event that brought out the family.  Her very first dance recital.  She looked so beautiful.  Moments like this make me so thankful for the little beauty in my life.  So much of my day is surrounded by balls, action figures, sports, bombing noises, dirt, wrestling, and tackles.  It is nice to have a day where I get to see my princess dress up.

Although the whole dance recital process is long and drawn out, looking at her made it worth it.  She had her moment to shine. Her moment where all the attention was focused on her.  Below is a pic of her at rehearsal before taking the stage. I just wanted a quick pic and she posed for me.  Nope, she wasn't in her element at all.  Who am I kidding?  She thought she was Queen Bee.

  

Besides her opportunity to dance on the big stage and lights, Little Miss was most excited about receiving flowers.  After the show she kept asking where her flowers were.  I guess she's watched Barbie and the Nutcracker one too many times because she thought Daddy and Grammy were going to throw flowers to her on the stage.  I felt bad that I didn't prepare her better.  She was disappointed.  Disappointed until she saw the two bouquets of flowers.  All hope was restored in Daddy and Grammy.

Little Miss was also excited to dance with her friend, Lilli.  Lilli's mom and I have known each other for a long time.  She has two precious girls and Little Miss LOVES spending time with them.  As you can tell from the pic below.

I promise she is not putting her friend in a headlock.  That's just the kind of hug she knows after hanging out with her brothers and boy cousins.  I guess I should teach her proper girl hugging techniques before she attends school next year.

A Weekend of Firsts

We partied all weekend long.  Seriously.  All. Weekend. Long.  Three birthday parties and one baby shower all crammed into one weekend.  It was busy, but it was fun.  

Friday night Little Man had his very first sleepover party with friends.  We're those weirdo kind of parents who will only allow our children to sleep over at select homes.  It was a big deal to allow Little Man to stay the night with someone other than family.  Thankfully, his first sleep over invitation came from his former baby sitter.  She kept him for me while I was still working.  We developed a great friendship and our boys have grown up together.  Another little guy is Little Man's BFF.  They have been friends since birth.  Literally, Little Man was born and three weeks later we were back at the hospital visiting our friends who delivered their boy.  I was so thankful, Melinda sent us pics throughout the night.  

I missed that guy.  Little Man's sister, however, was pumped to sleep up in his bed.  She couldn't brush her teeth fast enough so she could climb up in the big 'ol loft bed.  She's a hoot.

Speaking of Little Miss, she attended her very first princess party designed just for girls.  This is the first party she was invited to that was solely for her.  Slowly, she is forming her own friendships.  Steven got to take her while I was at my precious neighbor's baby shower.  The pictures I got to see made my heart smile. Little Miss was in her element with some special little ladies.  I am so thankful for opportunities such as this.

Even though the weekend was crazy busy, it was so fun to watch the kids get to experience their firsts.

Two Wheelin'

Little Miss has always been my little daredevil.  Last weekend she began to show interest in removing her training wheels.  I was heading out the door to meet my friend, Erica for a run.  As we were coming up my street, I see a little tiny thing on a little tiny bike without training wheels.  Her daddy running behind her.

Within the five minutes it took me to meet up with Erica, stretch, and begin the run up the street, Steven had popped off those training wheels and had her riding her bike.  I was such a proud mama.  She is so my Annie Oakley.

Any thing you can do I can do better.

I can do anything better than you.

Not only was I was proud of Little Miss' bravery getting on that bike, but I was proud of the man I married. He taught Little Man how to ride his bike, and he took the same interest in teaching Little Miss to ride hers.  The only exception was the delicacy he demonstrated to her while he was instructing.  Gosh, I love that man.  He knows how to push her, but also knows when to stop.  He gives her the right amount of encouragement in a way that is so special to her. He calls her his little Honey Bear.  Just as Erica and I were about to round the corner off my street, and I heard him say, "Good job, Honey Bear!"  Not one bit ashamed of such a mushy gushy name.  He is such a great father to a little girl.  

If you are thinking, "Isn't she a bit big for that bike?"  You are right!  The bike is too small for her.  We've kept that bike so she can touch the ground with ease.  Here in the next few weeks, we will be on the hunt for a 'new to her' bike.  Keep your eyes peeled for a 16 inch Hello Kitty or other cutie pie girlie bike.  We'll need one!

More Than I Love You

On rare occasions do I get one on one time with the kids.  A couple of days ago Little Miss and I were headed to meet her brother and Daddy.  Chubby Cheekers was at home with his favorite aunt.  As we were driving she was super quiet.  I usually bask in the light of silence in the car.  So much of my life is consumed with kids who know no volume control when speaking, especially in the car.  I so wanted to not break the silence, but we only had a short time together.  Just us.  It was my chance.

So I asked, "Mama, whatcha thinking about back there?"

"I'm thinking about you Mommy."

I was a bit surprised, "Me?  What about me?"

"That I love you."

My heart was melting.  My only precious little girl was just sitting as far back in the car as one can sit, just thinking about her love for me.  What a precious love.

It was my time to tell her more than "I love you" back to her.

I looked in my rear view mirror and said, "Mama, I love you.  I love how you dance and perform in the room when you think no one is watching.  I love when you get so tickled you have a big belly laugh.  I love how you love meeting new friends and talking with them.  I love that you want to cuddle.  I love when you make sure a belly button is on every person you draw because your belly button is so important to you.  I love you."

When I was finished, I looked back in the mirror and she had the biggest smile.  Then she said, "Mommy, that makes me so happy."

That hit me hard.  How many times have I let moments pass by without recognizing how special she is to me?  In a world full of boys, she is my sunshine and sparkle.  I will be more conscience with all my kids to tell them what makes them special and what I love about them.  It just so happens my little princess taught me the lesson.  I love her to pieces.