My Special Day: Mom and Dad All to Myself

There are moments when life catches you off guard. Typically we just go about our day. We wake up, we busy ourselves with our to-do lists and then it's time for bed. There are days when we take a step back, we understand the reality of how fast time is passing. When I look at my oldest daughter, she reminds me of how fast time is slipping by. I find myself in those moments becoming very sad, but then I realize how much of a blessing the moment I'm experiencing is. I don't allow myself to dwell on the sadness of time passing but rather enjoy my little girl for who she is. 

Abby is a caring, loving, passionate girl. She is an amazing big sister and a great example to her siblings. Giving her a date-day was exciting because of how much she blesses others. We look to her for so much. Taking a day to show her how thankful we are was something we couldn't wait to do.

As the oldest of four, these date-days are a pretty big deal. From the moment we told her it was her turn she was counting down the days. 

She chose to go see "Brave" on opening day, have lunch at Red Robin, and do a little shopping. We had such a good time just enjoying our oldest girl. We were able to focus completely on her and what she likes for the afternoon. I can't tell you how important dates-days are, especially for larger families. 

A recap of our day Instagram style.

Love you Abby girl!

How Boys Do

Only having a sister growing up, I knew absolutely nothing about little boys. I remember holding Jonathan for the first time and thinking, "I'm not sure what to do with this handsome little love." It took only a few seconds for me to be smitten. There is something so special about my little boys and they completely have my heart. 

I have learned so much from them and I feel like they teach me something new everyday. 

I have to remind myself all the time that they are boys and that they have different needs. I'm grateful to have a husband who is constantly reminding me of what those needs are. One of them is wrestling, I had a hard time adjusting to this one. It's loud, rambunctious, and someone always ends up getting hurt, but I have learned how much they need it. I have come to see their intense need to beat the crap out of each other as cute. They're just like little puppies wanting to play. 

We introduced Legos into our home for the first time last week. I was thinking, "This will be great, something constructive for them to do that will distract them from beating each other up for a little while." They do love the Legos, and it holds their attention, "For a little while." But, for these boys it will always come back to the basics... dog pile.

I love these boys, and seriously, how cute are their new teeny tiny boxers!?!

HUSBAND + DATE + ULTA = BAD IDEA

Going to Ulta with your husband is never a good idea. 

They just don't understand. 

They just don't get it.

"$19.99 for hairspray? Can't you find something cheaper?"

"No. I need this one."

I'm typically the "buy it and don't tell," type. But we live far away from stores big city folk take for granted. So on this particular night the opportunity became available for me to pick up some much needed essentials. One problem, I was on a date with my love. 

Ulta is right next door to a bike store. I thought, perfect, he can keep himself occupied with lots of things with wheels and he won't be lurking behind me as I look at all the awesome new products I just might need! 

I was in the hairspray isle and I heard it. "Linsey." What?! How could he be done that quickly? I thought I at least had twenty minutes. My basket isn't even that full yet. "Hi, babe, what happened, I thought you were checking out the bike store?" 

"Yup, I pretty much saw what they had to offer." 

"Oh."

Great, now I found myself shopping for overpriced hair essentials with my bald (by choice) husband. 

I was still good though, he was looking around and wasn't paying attention to the prices below the products... yet. I was doing my best to just move it along and not really bring up conversation about the task that was at hand. "So what was your favorite bike over there? What were you thinking for dinner? You look really handsome tonight!" I would of rather been self-absorbed with all the glorious concoctions in front of me and daydream of how they are going to make me look gorgeous, but now my priority in my present situation had changed. Distract the husband was on the forefront of my mind. 

Then I felt something change. His patience started to get the best of him. I'm sure his growling stomach wasn't helping the situation. He started to notice his surroundings in greater detail. I was seeing him start to stare at price tags. Oh goodness! Then I heard him from the next isle over, "What!? $64.99 for a curling iron?"

I stayed quiet. I didn't point out that, in fact, it wasn't a curling iron, and it actually was top of the line.  I held back the need to correct him for the sake of keeping my secret, a secret.  I also made sure the rest of my treasures where covering up that same curling iron waver he had noticed, so it wasn't obvious that it was in my basket.

Now he was curious. Now he wanted to know what I was buying. And now I knew it was time to go. 

What was I going to do with him at checkout?

He's too involved, he's too curious, I made a big mistake in taking as long as I did and letting his patience get the best of him. Now the cat was out of the bag. 

He had huge smirk on his face and he wasn't going to leave my side without seeing exactly what I was buying and how much I was spending. When he heard the total, he just laughed. He quietly turned around all dramatic like and let out the biggest noiseless laugh I have ever seen. 

"What is in that stuff that you would pay $33 for jar of it, whale tusks?"

I then unveiled to him the reality of the situation. "I've been doing this for years honey, I've just never taken you along."

"You can never get mad at me again for buying books."

"Deal."

California Adventure: Part II Disneyland

We came up with this plan somewhere in Utah, we were going to get as many pictures with status as we could. It all started with Bud and Mom. We didn't do as well as we had planned, but here are a few. 

I guess we have a thing for bears. Can you spot Britty?

The Jedi training academy was definitely a highlight. They all got picked to be padawans, so it couldn't of worked out more perfectly. 

The boys patiently waiting, hoping they will be chosen.

This guy was so amazing. He even wiped Matty's nose, I'm not kidding. 

Learning to fight like a Jedi.

Matty was so hilarious. They brought him back up to fight a second time because he was so funny.

They all walked away with a certificate. Officially they are all Jedi Knights!

Another highlight was seeing the kids meet all the characters and filling up their signature books. All the characters are so skilled in getting the signatures just perfect, and through a tiny little whole.  They are in perfect character the whole time, so impressive. 

Matty checking to make sure Cinderella wasn't a phony. 

Okay, he's smitten.

Way too much fun!

Disney is seriously the cleanest park I've ever been to.

A trip we will never forget! 

I can't wait to go back!