Mama of 2 P's in a Pod

It is almost October. We are rolling into one of my favorite times of the year. Ok, let's be honest, I find something I like about every time of the year, but fall is always so restful. The weather change, the clothing required, hoodies, comfy pants, snuggling under a blanket around a bonfire. I love it. The apple smells, the pumpkin smells, the warm soups, the crunch of leaves that are so beautiful its a shame to see them fall. I love Halloween, and kiddos in cute costumes. Wow, I sound all mushy and mom like. Weird. Maybe it is the weather today. So much nicer than the ball of humidity we walked around in yesterday. I don't mind heat, but that whole humidity that makes your lungs feel like they can pop, I don't find anything favorite in that. I am avoiding my homework tonight. I have to write about an article I found and how it relates to the every so boring textbook we have for the class. I found an article on the BBC, one of the only resources I can use. I am not fe...

I am very blessed to have spent this summer home with our girls. We have had some great times, and it usually carries over to great family time. Lots of softball, but lots of swimming, fun with friends, fun with family and most of all, lots of time to snuggle. We've had some lazy days, which are very much needed. And we have had days where we busted our behinds from sun up to sun down. So much to be thankful for. We have had some tough lessons this summer too. A toxic situation with a family member turned nasty. That has since put Kris and I over the edge and no second chances will be given. This person is not worth any more words. Relief. Done. Big P starts middle school in 3 weeks! What?! It seems like yesterday she was walking through the doors of her elementary school for the first time. Time so flies when you have kids of your own. I am excited for her though. There are so many new opportunities coming her way. New friends, new academic challenges, as she was one of 52 7th...

It is now the time of summer where things are winding down while other things are just getting started. This softball season is getting ready to end. Big P has her last tourney in Nebraska next weekend. Little P may not be on hand as she had her tonsils and stuff out last week. Thankfully Kris is home one of the days as it falls between his shift days, but a good family friend will have Little P on the second day so I can cheer Big P on. Little P has two more tournaments, one in a couple of weeks which is State and not too far of a drive in KC. The other is World Series which is four hours away and of course Kris can not take off, the fire captains usually take all summer, so the other guys are kind of screwed. Kind of annoying but he did try. So the P's and I will have a girls trip. Two trips, back to back, just me and a P or two. Should be fun! Big P is in a tough spot for softball. She has a late December birthday which falls right before the age deadline and usually puts her ...

Summer break is here. I am so glad it is. It has been a very good break for the girls and I so far. Kris has been home as much as he can. He is trying to find a good balance between work and home. So far, so good. It is a good thing to be home this summer, and I appreciate the hard work he puts in so that can happen. I am watching some kiddos off and on and working on a freelance project, so that helps too. Softball season is in full swing. Both girls are enjoying their new teams and new experiences. Both girls are also enjoying the summer break of being home more and enjoying time together. I love this feeling. I hope it is the beginning of a better journey for us all. I am a little sad to think about big P going to middle school in August. Such a big change, but a needed one. She has to grow. Little P will be in 6th grade. Sigh...time does need to slow down some. Please. Lots of projects to do around the house. Spent a little time being lazy and on here today. Gotta get up and ...

So here we are! Softball season is in full swing. P2 started her season last weekend with her new team. P1 starts her's this weekend with her new team. Unfortunately, they are in tournaments at the same time in two places. Fortunately though, this doesn't seem to be a repeat for the rest of the season. In fact, one weekend, they will be in the same tournament! Does not mean the same ball park, but little steps are much improvement. Both are thriving with their new coaches, trainers and teammates. And I am very impressed with their growth as well as their coaches' organization. I have the summer already mapped out. Scary! But super exciting! P2 played her old team for the championship. Her new team took 2nd while they took 1st. While she was disappointed in wanting to do better, but she played her butt off! 11 stolen bases, 7 RBI's including two singles turned doubles and three singles. I think she wanted to prove something but she did, to all of us who have been...

Oh Spring Break, how I love thee. It was a crazy start, with lots of kiddos coming to and fro as we helped out friends who needed some childcare. It worked out, big P's best friend and his little brother got to hang out with us for like 12 hours. It was pretty fun hearing him say, "Miss Liz we had breakfast, lunch AND dinner with you guys." The end of the week, we literally Netflix binged and rested. My girls are seeing their upcoming softball schedule, and while they're excited, they knew this might be some of our last times to be "lazy" and snuggle endlessly. I may regret some of this laziness tomorrow morning when those alarms for school go off. Until then, I am enjoying the snuggles, especially with little P, who has been very little lately. I think it is easy to forget she is only 10, and while she acts "grown", she isn't. Kris has an interview this morning, for a job I am sure he is the perfect fit for. I am trying to not be overly opti...

Hear that sound? Me neither. Ok so there are sounds, coffee being made, people chatting, random Starbucks music, you get the idea. But I am by myself most of the day. Minus the break for lunch. But the girls and their classmates are spending the day at an orchestra workshop. Tomorrow, they will show off what they've learned in a huge concert hall here in KSU. So for the 7 hours I have to entertain myself, I am spending a majority of them here at the fancy little Starbucks across the street. I may change things up a bit and find a mom and pop place for the afternoon, if I can't check into our hotel room early. But it is nice to be alone to my own thoughts. Not that I mind my P time, but sometimes, my own time is amazing.  I wish it wasn't 21 degrees out. I would go run. But I am not feeling it. The cold wind in my lungs brings up the fun cough I had over Christmas break. So, no running on campus.  I've spent the last 2 hours organizing my pictures on my Mac. I rea...