True Colors

February break came at the perfect time this year; the sun came out, the weather warmed a bit and the kids had so much fun on play dates.  

We got outside, we went out for lunch, visited friends and Brooke even had a sleepover with her cousin.  

Of course with that came germs and so the last few days have been a little, um, trying?  I keep reminding myself that they're not throwing up, so it could be worse!! I also remind myself that they're only little once and even though 24-48 hours with one sick kid, let alone 2, seems like an eternity, they will get better, the house will get cleaned and life will resume as normal, hopefully sooner than later! 

For now it's been cuddling, wiping noses, drying tears, watching Trolls on repeat, and trying to get them to eat something other than popsicles, pudding and jello.  Thank goodness for Blue Hawaiian Punch that hides the flavor of Advil so well.   

I was able to sneak in a quick 20 minutes to shower and get dressed yesterday and then Bradley was up.  The only way I was able to make the bed was when they watched Trolls, but even then he climbed back up the stairs and said, "Mommmm cuddle pweeease."  It's pretty hard to resist that request.  

I've been listening to him whine, "Mommy I so sad," which I think he means sick, but he's probably said that over 100 times, no joke.  

We watched so much TV the last few days my mind is mush, but what else can you do when they're this little and don't feel well?  

Motherhood is a funny thing; we yearn for time away, to not be clung to, hung on, snotty noses wiped on....and yet as soon as we are away, it takes all of us not to rush right back and have them in our arms.

I so badly miss when they were little at times, and yet I love the ages that they are at.  However, I catch myself daydreaming of when they're a little bigger and all of the fun traveling, exciting activities and grown up kid stuff we'll endure.

We watched the movie Collateral Beauty Sunday night, after the kids went to bed and we were just exhausted.  The fire was going and we sat there in silence, taking in the movie.  Love. Time. Death.  It was quite a bit heavier than I anticipated, and yet it was just what we needed to watch.  We're never promised tomorrow and love certainly does make this world go around.  And death? It's a sure thing, it's just that we don't know when.  

So as hard or trying as some days can be, and boy there can be some doozies!  Just take time and reflect on what brings you joy; what good is in your life and what are you excited about tomorrow?

I was writing in my Style Boss Happiness Planner that I earned with stella & dot and every day you're to write down what you're excited about.  Well, the days where I had a date night planned or a fun play date with the kids, those were easy to see what I was excited about!  

But what about on a Monday where one has a fever of 101 and the other is coughing and just not quite herself?  What can I possibly be excited about??  And that is where my mental attitude needed to shift. I needed to start looking for something to be excited about every day, especially the normal mundane Mondays, because that's what life is mostly made up of.  The fancy date nights and super fun play dates are not the every day.  That's what makes them so exciting.  I realize that I can be excited that I get to be the one taking care of these sick babes and I don't have to call in to anyone and explain my absence. 

I get to make homemade 'magic healing soup' for us on a whim.

I get to see my husband in the middle of the day to feed him a quick lunch.

I get to give my babes my (mostly) undivided attention and have no other work I "have to do."

I get to love on them, bathe them, read them stories, cuddle them, and love them. 

I get to be their mommy. 

That alone should excite me every stinking day.

As we tried to get Brooke to eat her breakfast and Bradley sat crying in his chair and then crying on the couch, "I'm so sad," Joe and I wished each other good luck.  He's got his end of the month today, which means his early night of 5pm will not be happening and he'll probably be lucky to get home before 11.  He knows I'll be a single spouse for the day into the night, again.  I woke up with a runny nose and sore throat myself, so I could use a little luck.  Hopefully some rest, tea and fresh juices will kick it. 

He then sent me a song after he dropped Brooke at preschool.

If you haven't watched Trolls, I'm not sure what you're waiting for. Don't wait to have kids, just go rent it yourself!!  My favorite part is this one and I tear up every time I see it.  

My favorite quote, 

"Happiness isn’t something you put inside, it’s already there. Sometimes you just need someone to help you find it."

Happy Tuesday sweet friends!

Top 5 Favorite Movies

My favorite movies! This wasn't too tough because I'm not someone who can read or watch something over and over and over again.  However, these five movies will capture my attention, if I'm placed in front of a TV with them on.  Here we go!

5.

I think it's something about Joe and him being Italian; this movie comes on and we are done for.  Either we will be late to where we are supposed to be going or we will stay up far too late watching it.  It's a classic and the actors are the best. 

"What am I funny to you? Funny like a clown?"

4.

I adore Reese (Sweet Home Alabama is a close one here as well!) But I think I will forever love that the idea of a beautiful blonde bombshell can make a difference in the world.  I also love how optimistic and happy she is throughout the whole thing.  And? I really wanted her dog.  I got a Chi-pin instead and she's enough for me!

3.

I almost forgot about this one! I asked Joe to name my top five faves and he reminded me of this gem.  I did go to the theater 3x to see it. I am pretty sure my HS boyfriend went with me at least twice...either way, I was a HUGE Leo fan and this movie just made my entire HS career better LOL

No really, I loved it. My sister and I would watch it on the VHS tapes and we wouldn't want to pop in the second video because that's when we would start to ball our eyes out.
Why didn't you move over and let him climb up with you Rose?? I would have never let him just sit in the water and die.  I'm still bitter...

2.  

This is probably on every girl's top five list.  I mean really, is there a better story than this?
I think no.

Noah. Allie.  Everything about this the house, the water, the storyline...it's a tearjerker and yet, I dreamed I would one day find a love like that.  I'm one of the lucky few who found it.  I also think it's such a good reminder to follow your heart, your dreams and always listen to yourself.  If she stayed with the other guy to make her parents happy, what kind of life is that?  We cannot do things simply to please our parents.  I firmly believe that parents should unconditionally love their children; we don't have to agree with what children may say or do, but you never stop talking to or loving your kid.  And if they do? Their loss.  Atta girl Allie!

1.

I watched this movie before I was really allowed to watch "R" rated movies.  My mom considered it not too bad, as long as she fast-foward some scenes and had me close my eyes.  I literally laugh thinking about it, but I totally get it.  It really was a cute love story and shows that anything is possible and that your situation doesn't have to be permanent.  I also learned that love can really change people.  Either way, I was beyond ecstatic when I walked into shops on Rodeo Dr in 2011 and pretended to tell people, "Big mistake. Big. Huuuuuge." I really just joked around with Joe, but to say that I shopped in Beverly Hills---bucket list--check!  I love that she has a complete Cinderella story and I'm a total romantic at heart.