Happy Halloween!!!

 

I did it because I can.

 

I did it because in my ideal world, we would all focus on how we are alike, instead of how we are different. Perhaps we could then see that, really, deep down, we all want the same things for ourselves are for our children.

 

On the outside, my babies look different. But on the inside, they are bonded eternally by a  brotherhood I wish everyone could see first-hand. They are the loves of my life, and I pray that we all leave this place a better world for everyone's babies to inhabit.

 

And, if I'm honest, I did it because I think my ideas are really, really funny. I, for one, cracked up at just the thought, and I almost peed my pants when the costumes were actually on.

 

This is one for the Smith Family History Books.

 

Happy, happy, happy Halloween! 

 

Pumpkin Patchin' It

Fall is here. Pumpkins must be had.

 

So we headed out to the orchard with friends and, of course, babies in tow, and we picked way too many pumpkins, snapped way too many pictures, and wiped up way too many boogers. It's true - waaaaayyyyyyyyy too many boogers.

 

But it was beautiful, and the boys loved eating their apples picked straight from the tree, so a few boogers can be managed.

 

 

 

Catch-Up

I've been in a funk. I don't know if it's the typical "the weather has quickly changed and there is now no denying that summer has left us" funk, or the occassional "what happened to my life and who am I" sort of funk. Nonetheless, I have been funktified, and I realized it was time for a little reflection. A moment to look back on the past four months of all things Smith to regain some perspective.

 

 'Cause the thing is, I am living the very life I have fantasized about. That deserves a little shout out, if you know what I mean. These babies, this husband, our home, our family, and our friends - this is the stuff dreams are made of.  And the dream has played out big these last four months.

 

Summer began with a pool - in the backyard - that was mostly played in naked. Not us. Them. Hours and hours and hours in the pool.

 

 

And then there were birthdays to celebrate. The Big 1 and the Big 2, and I may or may not have teared up a bit while our closest family and friends sang Happy Birthday to my beautiful baby boys. I had said we were going to keep the shin-dig small, but I lied. There was nothing small about it.

 

 

My sister and family stayed for a whole week in July - BEST. WEEK. EVER. We joined our besties at the annual Fourth of July Parade then chowed done on Trevor's BBQ ribs and put on our very own mini-firework show.

 

 

And sometimes, we just hung out. Mama and her boys. Summer vacation ROCKS.

 

We joined the Smiths from the west side for a little Thomas the Train adventure. Nico and Noah literally enjoyed every minute of our train ride. Every minute. And while there is always chaos involved in the wrangling of four little boys, sometimes a little chaos does a body good.

 

 

We then boarded a plane a flew across the country, all in the name of the beach. The boys travelled like champions (minus the whole Nico-throwing-up-on-mom-twenty-minutes-before-landing episode). We joined my mom on her annual vacation to Long Boat Key with family. We swam and ate and swam and ate - a recipe for a perfect vacation. The boys played with cousins, grandma let us have a couple of date nights, and we visited a local aquarium where the sharks, manatees and sea turtles were the talk of the town. Family vacations rock my world.

 

And then we hung out some more. Because we could.

 

My brother came into town and we did a little partying at the County Fair. Noah rode a pony, Nico drove a firetruck, and we consumed corn dogs and elephant ears. It was perfection. 

 

Then it was time to celebrate mom's retirement. After 42 year of teaching, she packed up her classroom and began her well-deserved freedom. We threw a little surprise party, she cried and cried and cried, and we celebrated all things Delia, just as it should be.

 

And then school started, but I was in denial, so I hung to every chance to do things like have popsicles. Lots and lots of popsicles.

And we planted a tree. A brand new tree in our front yard to replace the dead one. Dirt and shovels are clearly a boy's best friend.

 

And then there was New Mexico just a couple of weeks ago. We packed up the boys, brought along grandma, and joined Oma, Opa, Great Grandma Jean, Gavin, Tiffany, Wyatt and Dillon to experience Albuquereque's Balloon Fiesta. There was Old Town...

 

 

...time with cousins...

 

...and BALLOONS. Magical, magical balloons! This was not an easy trip - boys didn't sleep well, plane rides were a bit of a disaster, and exhaustion was only met with a raging stomach flu as soon as we got home. But the BALLOONS! The balloons - thousands of them in the sky - and the boys' complete and total awe of them, made every second worth it.

 

 

 Look at this beautifully blessed life. This life of opportunities and experiences and memories. This life of family and friends and health and happiness.

 

Funk, be gone. There is so much to be thankful for.

 

 

ONE

My dear baby boy...

Your mama is a week late in writing this letter. The whole fam-damily came into town and just left today so we have been partying hard, celebrating you and your big brother. A year and a week ago today, you entered this world at 12:52 p.m. I had waited for the day of your arrival so cautiously, and to finally see you, hold you, kiss you and hug you was mind-boggling. I fell in love, immediately and completely. You were better than I ever imagined, and every day you continue to amaze me. I watch you when you aren't looking, little one, and I am enamored with all things Noah. Enamored, entranced and addicted.

Over the past year, I have watched in awe as you have become so independent, so fearless, and so full of joy. You entertain yourself endlessly, you have no issue scaling a bookshelf or a BBQ grill or a twisty slide, and your smile is so charming that I am pretty sure that when you enter your teenage years, I am going to have to put a deadbolt on the outside of your door (and for the record, I will do it). You exude happiness, my boy, and we find it contagious. You love your puppies and kitties, a cold dip in the pool, swinging and sliding and climbing, and eating. Eating might just be your passion, only to be topped by laughing with your brother. You adore him and he adores you. That is my favorite part of all things mama.

As I watch you become exactly who you are supposed to be, I can only hope that you will always know how much your papa and I love you and adore you. We hope you chase your dreams with the same independence, fearlessness and joy we see in you today, and we will remind you every day that you are our living dream come true. 

Happy Belated First Birthday, my love.

I love you bigger than all the mountains and deeper than all the seas.

Your mama