When One Door Closes Another Opens...

(pictures taken today from Papa's phone)
Friday was my last day in the working world for I'm not sure how long. It was a very weird feeling to walk out the doors of where I had spent a ridiculous amount of time over the last 4 1/2 years, knowing it would be the last time. Its all still kind of processing in my head right now and I don't think I'll truly know how I feel about it all until I've been home with the boys for a little while. But it is a good feeling to be sitting here Sunday evening, knowing I do not have to get up in the morning and go to an office, stressing about the well being of Brady. Now I can just stress about the well being of Brady while we are at home. That was slightly sarcastic. But I know this is what I need to be doing right now, what is best for our family and I know as much as it will benefit the boys, it will be a true gift to me to get this time with my boys, time I will never ever have again with them.

Total 180

I thought I'd earn lots of brownie points from Blake and be a super cool mom if I actually let him ride the carousel. As we went around and around I was soooo pleased with myself, seeing the smile a mile long on Blake's face. It was such a great feeling seeing how much happiness this was bringing him. As we went around I thought, yup, best idea ever, thank you very much.
Ha! Cue the carousel stopping and me trying to get Blake off the ride. Complete.Utter.Meltdown. I'm talking throwing his body on the floor, screaming at the top of his lungs meltdown. Then I was that mom, the one everyone stares at like, get control of your child lady. Worst.idea.ever.

Priceless Photo

So I had to share my favorite picture Brad snapped to document their "guys only" day. They were at the Frisco City Hall and it was past nap time. Brady has a look on his face like why the heck am I still awake and I am NOT amused. Blake is like Weeeee! This is Fun!!! I never want to leave!

Reasons #100 and 101 Why I Love My Husband...

I have a confession. Sometimes I tend to think the worst outcome of a situation will take place. Take for instance the time I got mono. It was ninth grade and I was shopping at Prestonwood Mall (ah, memories) with one of my besties, Kristin. I started feeling super weak and literally had to sit down on a bench every few minutes because I didn't have the energy to walk. I think Kristin was ready to stop being my friend at that moment she was so annoyed. So I get home and am feeling worse and worse and started running a high fever. Well it also happened to be that time of the month, so as I was getting some "supplies" I glanced at the pamphlet in the box and read that using tampons can lead to Toxic Shock Syndrome. Immediately I was convinced this is what I had and was surely dying, but was too embarrassed to tell my parents this is what I was dying from. Turns out not TSS, just mono, albeit a really bad case of it. And then there is every time Brad stays out late after hockey. Most of the time I'll stay sleeping, but if I happen to wake up and look at the clock and it says 1 or 2am and there is no Bradley, I immediately panic he is dead in a ditch. See, I wasn't lying. I tend to think the worst. Brad on the other hand is one of the most logical thinkers I know. He is always very quick to reassure me of the facts and throw his always positive spin on things. Like when after a year of trying to conceive, with one miscarriage and one bad set of test results, I was left thinking we'd never have a baby. But Brad was always there to reassure me and remind me to not always think the worst. I SO love him for that. And then today. The boys' school was closed for a teacher in service day and Brad had off for President's Day since he is lucky enough to work for a bank. I was convinced I needed to take off work, because certainly Brad would not want to stay home with the boys all day. Alone. Or be able to handle it. Without being stressed to the max. I thought the worst. But he had an awesome day with the boys and the boys loved spending quality time with their dad. I also got a few pictures emailed to me at work to let me know how things were going. And the boys even got to go on a field trip to City Hall in downtown Frisco and get the new registration for my car. What an amazing dad to our boys. I SO love him for that.

Our day in pictures...

So its been entirely too long since I've posted, especially of pics of the boys. I just feel like lately there isn't nearly enough time in the day and also been dealing with more sickness in our house. Me staying at home can not come soon enough!! I haven't taken out our camera in weeks, but did manage to at least snap two pictures today of the boys with Brad's phone.

Blake playing outside... we went to the park across the street and he demanded on taking a soccer ball, volleyball AND football. He LOVES his sports!

And here is a picture of Brady man at dinner tonight. Our last weekend to take advantage of my comp card! Brady kept pointing at the ribs on my plate and whining, so I finally caved and gave him one. He LOVED it. I told him he was making his Uncle Adam proud. Not sure what his hair was doing?

Turning My Frown Upside Down

What is going on people? This weather is CRAZY! And the snow is still coming down! I can't remember school ever being closed FOUR days in a row. Brad seems to think the movie, The Day After Tomorrow is playing out in real life. I certainly hope that isn't the case. I haven't stepped foot outside since Monday when I briefly made it out to the store with Brady. Going a little stir crazy, but I've decided instead of listing the negatives and complaining about the sick kiddos and being confined inside, I'll list the things I am thankful for in the midst of this arctic blast.

• I've gotten to spend the last 5 days at home with Brady, the last 4 days with the entire fam. That is some definite snuggle time I've gotten with all the guys in my life. Love that.
• Lazy days. With two sick kiddos, we have stayed in our pj's all day long and watched a lot of movies. Well, Blake really wants to watch Shrek over and over. At least Brad finally downloaded the other 3 Shreks, so there is some variety.
• Being stuck at home getting to make chocolate chip pancakes with Blake.
  
• While this weather sure is burdensome, it is also REALLY pretty to look at. From the warmth of my heated home. THANKFUL for that!
• I've gotten a glimpse at my life as stay at home mom, which I am thankful for. I am hoping it won't quite be like this with two horribly sick kids and not being able to leave the house. BUT I'll tell you what I've loved about staying home with my boys...witnessing their entire day. There is so much I haven't even realized I miss by being at work all day, five days a week. Like I got so excited that Brady started saying "Darce" (for Darcy, our dog). I ran to tell Brad, who was like, yeah, he's been saying that for a week now. *let down* But the greatness is I've gotten to teach Brady other words this week and be the FIRST to hear them. I most certainly am thankful I will be here to teach my boys and witness their everything...the good the bad and all the in between of their day.
  

My Sick Doodle

Brady has been improving, thank goodness, but is still obviously not feeling well. Proved yesterday when after he had already had a two hour nap, he ended up falling asleep sitting up.
We will get through this, we will get through this...These two sweet boys of mine definitely help make it easier.

UGH.

To sum it up in one word that is how I feel. The entire Jones family is at home today, from the big ice storm we had over night. Our driveway literally has two inches of ice on it. Then mid morning out of no where Blake started running a fever...just under 103. Called the doctor, who was thankfully working in this mess and Brad braved the elements to take Blakers in. Diagnosis...FLU. Yes, FLU. One kid with RSV, the other with FLU. I keep repeating the word because I'm like seriously?! The doctor said we need to keep the boys apart from each other. Which is oh so possible in our HUMONGOUS house. Did you catch the sarcasm there? I just keep repeating to Brad, we will get through this, we will get through this. Maybe soon I'll start believing it...
PLEASE do not let Blake get RSV and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not let Brady get the Flu.
Here is my poor sick monkey.