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Saturday, April 16, 2011

A Decade

Dear Bryce and Jarron-
A decade. 10 years. 120 months. 4,380 days.
Such big numbers, and yet it seems like it has gone by so fast. Ten years is such a huge milestone. You grow and change so much in ten years. You've gone from tiny, little babies who needed us for everything.

To amazing young men who are confident and strong.

In the past ten years, I've watched you crawl, then walk, and run. Now I sit in the stands at basketball games in awe of your talent and grace. I watch you on the sidelines at football games running down the field effortlessly throwing passes and defending your goal line. I'm proud, of course. But a small part of me is sad, a small part of me misses those little boys that needed to hold my hand to walk steady.
But the biggest part of me is thankful. Thankful to have you both in my life. Thankful to have had the privilege of raising you for the past ten years. Thankful for boys that care for others and open doors for women. Thankful for boys that sit patiently with their little brothers playing Lego's or Nintendo. Thankful for boys who rush over to help a neighbor in need.
Thankful for the everyday moments we've had with you for the past 4,380 days.
The next decade will be one with so many changes for you both-the teenage years-high school, driver's licenses {yikes}, dating {double yikes}, choosing a college, and so many other challenges. I hope that you always remember you are not alone in this walk. Your Dad and I are standing beside you, there to offer a hand to hold you steady, just like we did when you were small.
I can already see the amazing men you are going to be someday and that makes me more proud than words could ever say.
Happy birthday Bryceasaurus and Jarron-Bear!
I love you with all of my heart.
Love,
Your Momma

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Ten on Tuesday

1. It's that time of year again. Awana Grand Prix! Time for hours of sanding, priming and painting. And then hours of waiting to put your car on the top of a long ramp to see if all of the sanding and weighting and tweaking paid off.
We had a crew there again this year, practically took up a whole section of bleachers. There was our family, my brother James and his family, and Chuck's brother Don and his family. And of course, we all only have boys. That's a LOT of little boys.
My nephews all had very cool cars-Andrew and Zachary had UK themed cars (naturally) and Blaze had a miniature replica of the Deloreon from the Back to the Future movies! This year we were really hoping to win for speed.
The boys spent a lot time lining the cars up:
And in the end everyone got a blue ribbon! Yay! One of our boys, even won 3rd place in the speed category  {Jarron}. Chuck is convinced he's got the speed thing all figured out now. My favorite comment of the day was from Blaze who said, "The best trophy of all is just having fun." Such a happy , positive kid, that Blaze!

2. The weather this weekend was amazing! It was so nice to dust off the kids' bikes and get outside. It was not nice to hear the oldest kid say, "Hey mom, look at this cool trick I can do, I can ride without pedaling, I just need to build up some speed first...."
Sigh.
Spring = trips to Urgent Care for the Lakes boys.


3. I think it might be a sign that you need a vacation when you start each morning wondering what your life would have been like if you had become an insurance adjuster instead of a marketer. {No offense to insurance adjusters-that just happened to be the other job offer I had coming out of college.}
I really need a vacation.

4. This little Moose is a camera hog. The minute the camera comes out you hear "Cheeeeeeesssseeee" from his general vicinity. It's pretty cute.
And so is he...

5. A little update on the costume situation for Bryce's play. I caved. Sort of. I bought him a "costume" leather jacket, under the condition that he wear it on Halloween as well. We'll see how that turns out. I still need to come up for a jailbird costume but I have a plan...stay tuned!

6. Bryce and I had quite an interesting conversation in the car on the way home from costume shopping.
B: So, I've decided to be President when I'm older.
Me: Hmnnn...really?
B: Yes, my big idea for getting votes is to build bridges over trains. So people don't have to wait for them anymore. You know how much Dad hates waiting for trains. {He really does, we have two sets of tracks near our house-it's very annoying.} People will love it.
Me: That's an interesting idea.
B: Also, shorter school days-that one's for the kids.
Me: Kids aren't allowed to vote and I'm not sure how the parents will feel about that.
B: That's ok, I have more for them. How much was gas in the old days?
Me: Huh? What do you mean?
B: You know...back when you started driving? How much was gas?
Me: {A little annoyed} $0.99 a gallon but that wasn't the old days.
B: {Ignoring me} I'll make gas $0.99 a gallon. I'm going to be an awesome President.
Me: {Still offended by the old days comment} I guess so.
Bryce Lakes for President 2041.

7. The best part about spring days? Hanging out in the backyard doing nothing but playing a little catch....
giving the swingset a workout...
and acting a little cRazY!


8. I took three of the kids on a walk this weekend. When I told Jack-Jack it was time to start heading home {the Moose was starting into full on melt down territory and wanted "Naddy NOW"}, he started pouted a little bit and said, "But, Mom, we were having such a fantastic journey!"
Ha. We were walking around our neighborhood-I love that in my 6 year old's eyes that is a "fantastic journey". I wish I could see things like that more often.

9. So I'm working on this post on my lunch break {yup, I'm blogging on my lunch break, I'm a super nerd} and I'm eating a Raspberry Cheesecake Temptations Jell-O cup. Can I just say it's one of the yummiest things I've had in a long time? So, so good. They are kind of pricey though. {I got mine for free by signing up with Kraft First Taste.}
10. Sorry about all of the pictures in this post! I've already taken more pictures in April than I did the entire month of February!