Happy Birthday, "Doss" / "Joshwa"

Josh turned 26!

We helped him celebrate at Joey B's! 

Cole got "Doss" a balloon to celebrate. 

However, Cole did most of the balloon celebrating.

Cole also found himself at the bar for the first time.

...and he tried his hand at the video poker machine.  (not really, don't call DCFS)

Josh-wa is very loved. 

Happy Birthday, Josh!

Self Awareness

Closing in on thirty, I have spent a lot of time thinking about "who I am" and learning about that.  As a momma, I have found a new level of confidence and self awareness. 

I am Cole's mom.

I am Derek's wife.

I am a friend who wishes she had more time to give to gal-pals.  I have found my friendship groove for now though. AND, I am eternally grateful for times that I get to unwind, debrief, and commune with girlfriends.

I am a daughter and sister and I wish my family was closer in distance.  I am brought to tears with my gratitude for this family.  There are no words... 

I am a hard worker and I have a job that fills me up - - and wears me down many days. 

I am a home-body.  I love to be home and nesting, relaxing, spending quality time with my boys.

I get too anxious about stuff.  I need to unwind, be mindful, live in the present, etc.  I am a work in progress.

I know that 'who I am' can change.

Cole is becoming aware of himself too.  

He can make silly faces.

He can argue and assert his wants and needs. 

like requesting PBJ for every meal.  doesn't always work out - but he's learning to ask for what he wants.

He is learning how to potty.

 He is learning how to use manners to get things he wants 

PBJ is more likely when request is "May I have a PBJ please, Mommy?"

He is learning to be flexible.

and try new things for dinner - - with lots of encouragment from Mommy & Daddy

He is learning about his family.

 talking about his grandparents when they are not around.

He is learning that his family loves him like CrAzY

and he is learning to show his love through hugs, kisses, strokes, and words of love and comfort

if Mommy is showing signs of stress, he rubs my back and tells me "it be okay"

He's also learning things about himself like....

spitting is funny, 

silly faces make people laugh,

being silly is fun.

I've got his back.

I am his mom.

I love him.

Little Mister Mischief

In the upper shelves of Cole's closet you will find the "good" books. These are gifts from family and friends, books from Mommy's childhood, and the special, nice, books that we don't want torn up. These are the books that I "control," (Cole laughs in the face of my need for control) the ones we read at bedtime or when Cole has a special book request.

I guess Cole has been eying these.  I guess he is pretty clever too.

Here is the face of success.  And, here is the face of a little boy who got "busted" and is trying to "cute" his way out of trouble.

Lucky for Cole, this mama loves creative problem solving. I can only imagine where this creativity will take us.

the Sillies

In this photo, you can find:

~House shoes that are about 2 sizes too small

~an Easter Basket "hat"

~Mardi Gras beads

~A speedy trike ridin' fool

~Christmas PJ's in February

~The lack of matching Christmas PJ pants

~Lots of fun-lovin' silliness! 

We love sillies!

Winter at the Wineries

Derek and I planned a day at the wineries with Erica and Todd.

Cole got to visit with Na and G for the night. Cole and I have a meeting place to get him to Na's house...in the ghetto of Sauget, near the strip clubs. In the middle of day I don't worry too much. :)

Cole loves to get in the front seat and "push buttons."

Cole loves Na-time.  There is always lots of book reading, playing, and plenty of snuggling.  

Have I mentioned how lucky in love this boy is?!

St. Genevieve is far away...and the wineries are in the middle of nowhere as far as I can tell.

That makes for lots of pretty, country scenery.

Middle of Nowhere, Missouri features:

Donkeys (Asses if your Nasty)

&

One-Lane Bridges

First Stop - Cave Vineyards

Neat!  The wine was good and the ambiance very cool.  This would be great in the heat of summertime to stay cool!

Next stop - Crown Valley Winery

I can only imagine how pretty this is when it's green out.  The grounds are very beautiful and we could see both Elk and Bison on the distance.   

We met "our future selves" later in the day at Charleville.  They called Crown Valley "the Walmart of wine" and I can agree.  It felt 'corporate.'

I do have love any establishment with a DD promotion! 

Crown Valley had a cute gift shop with lots of nice goodies.  However, I was a little disturbed to see bison burger for sale after seeing the amazing animals grazing the grounds. ;- /

  :

Our third and final stop of the day was Charleville.  My favorite!

What's not to love about a place where you have to wait for traffic (real-live-cowboy traffic, that is) and you are greeted by the friendliest, gator-riding dog!

Charleville offers wine and great microbrew selections.  We all opted for the Half-Wit-Wheat.  Yum.  We got glasses first and then opted for a growler.  A couple of growlers also made it home with us!

We also met "our future selves" at Charleville.  Two couples, forty years into their marriages, old school values, wine and beer loving, and easy to talk to.  I think we all enjoyed visiting with them.

This place was gorgeous.  We will be back!  That porch is calling me.  And I think the growlers have been calling Derek.

We wound up the night with (very salty) Mexican food.  

It was a really great day with wonderful friends.  We can't wait to do it again!