Summer Fun!!

I've been spending quite a bit of time, on Pinterest lately. Mostly because I need some ideas, for Danny's birthday party. Between, if you have any ideas, please leave me a little message. :) Anyway, I've been hunting on Pinterest. But like with most things on Pinterest, I got a little distracted last night. And found this beauty!

Seriously amazing! Now if only we had a deck like that. We could make this amazing transformation! Could you just imagine? I'd NEVER get my sons to come inside again!! Heck I'd never want to go inside either! This is just so fun! A slide, sandbox, chalkboard, fun playhouse....and a great entertaining deck for Mom and Dad! :) Such a great inspiration!!

♥Rach♥

For Our Winged Friends

I don't think it's a shock, I'm not very crafty. I try. But I'm just not. Even with all my education. You know, I was supposed to go into the field of education. But well, you know. Life happens. I'm getting off topic here....

It's been so hot here. Been in the 90s for weeks! And the boys are dying to do all kinds of crazy things outside. They've hunted lizards for weeks! Literally, no lizard is safe in our yard!! They all end up in a jar. With 2 boys poking them. Staring at them. Just being curious.

Bugs get the same treatment. I find Mikey digging in the yard. And Danny standing there, with another jar. Ya, no jar is safe in our home. I do make sure, to poke holes in all the tops. I'm trying to save the creatures here. :)

With Mike being gone, fighting the wild fires, I'm all the kids have. So I've been trying extra hard. To be a good momma. We go on daily "nature walks." Early in the morning. It's the only time it's cool out. And in the evening, we head to the park. So they can play with their friends. But around the house, I'm a little at a loss. What can we do?

I found a fun project. That involves a Slinky, birdseed, and birds. Even I can manage this one! I bought all the supplies yesterday. And today, during the "peak heat hours," we're going to create some wonderful things. For our winged friends. :)

What are some of your "go-to" activities to do with your kids? Especially in the heat. We live in the desert. For about 5 months out of the year, it's tough to be outside, between 9AM and 7PM. I'd really like to hear some great ideas. I know my sons would appreciate it too!

♥Rach♥

Who Would Have Thought?

Mike and I, have been looking for some DIY projects to tackle. Outside. For our boys. They are very curious, and active. My boys, are totally the typical "boy." Their days include chasing our dog, hunting lizards, and digging in the yard. Nightly baths, are not optional in our home.

We have a nice playset for them. That they love! I tell you, I've got 2 little monkeys here. :) But we're always looking for something new. Something to keep the boys active. And to keep their sense of exploring going on.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this. On I Heart Naptime. Which happens to be one of my favorite blogs! Who would have thought? A tire...into a sandbox. :)

We happen to have a friend, who has a Ranch. And I'm tempted to call him, and ask him if he has any old tires. I think this would be a fun project to tackle with the boys. Something that they've helped their daddy build.

♥Rach♥

Bad News

I should have known. When I saw the news yesterday. And there was another fire. Mike is heading up to the fire. He should be there no later than 9AM today. I feel so bad for the people up there. They are already evacuating the area.

But we miss Mike. It's been weeks since we've seen him. Mikey asks about Mike every single day. And I feel just like him. I can't wait until Mike is safe at home. But we know, as a firefighting family, that sacrifices have to be made. And we're OK with that. Because we know, Daddy is doing good work.

We just ask that everyone keeps Mike and all the firefighters in your prayers. They need all the support they can get. We love them all. And we hope that they are able to get their work done quickly and safely. Because they all have families who are waiting for them at home.

♥Rach♥

Ugly Animals!

I'm pretty sure, my boys and I are hooked on PBS' Nature Show. It's amazing. And the boys honestly enjoy watching all the animals. I'm always learning something interesting. It's just a "Win-Win Situation."

This week was about the world's ugliest animals. Which of course, my boys were so into! This pig thing, Mikey wants one. What the heck?! I'm sure Spot wouldn't enjoy this guy.

Let's just say, I'm happy these animals are on TV. And not anywhere near me. :) Oh, and we're super excited! Mike is supposed to be coming home, sometime Tuesday. I'm so excited! He's been gone for what feels like forever! I can't wait until our family is back together again. :)

♥Rach♥

Cars 2 Date

I'm not even going to lie. I had a blast with my boys today! I just wish that Mike was around. To be part of our "Family Date." The boys had a great time. But I also knew, they were missing their daddy. I was too!

We started out our adventure with a late lunch. Pizza at the mall. Nothing too special. But we had a blast. Mikey just loves the pizza at our mall. Is it funny that he asks for it often? We don't have it very often. But he will ask me for it more than he asks for toys. Yes, I know my son is funny!

But after lunch, we got to see Cars 2. Mikey was cracking up. He laughed so hard, he made me laugh. I enjoyed the movie, just because he was having so much fun. Danny slept through part of the movie. He watched the more exciting part at the end. He really seemed to "get it." I'm so glad the boys enjoyed their movie.

And after the movie, we went out and had a fun dinner. The boys giggled and laughed. We shared lots of yummy finger foods. It was just a lot of Family Fun! Just what we needed. It's so tough when Mike is gone. We're so proud of him and the work he does. But we miss him so much when he's gone.

On the way home, I thought both boys had fallen asleep. I was quietly singing with the radio. When I heard Mikey. "Mommy tank you. We have so mush fun! I wuv you." It melted my heart. I teared up. My boys mean so much to me! I'm so glad that we had a fun day out!

♥Rach♥

Echo the Elephant

Earlier tonight, the boys and I watched a story about Echo the Elephant. Made me cry like a big 'ol baby! Not even lying. It was part of PBS Nature. Honestly, must see TV! Now more than ever, I wish I could buy this movie.

The boys were so thrilled with all the elephants. They just loved watching them play together. And just all the interaction. Mikey was showing Danny how elephants walk around. They were just cracking up.

I was completely interested in the story line. I'm not even going to lie. It was completely an amazing evening. I was so tempted to call my local PBS channel. Just to give a donation. So I could get the DVD for our family.

Instead, I'm going to search on ebay. Hopefully I find it there. For much cheaper than the $250 that PBS was asking for. But it was definitely a fun night. And I'm looking forward to watching much more of this type of TV with my boys!

♥Rach♥

Welcome to Our Family Danny!

Mikey has a new baby brother! Daniel (Danny) waited for his Daddy to come home! Mike was able to come home for a week. And he arrived early on July 14th. The night before, I had begun having some fierce contractions. And I labored well into the morning of July 15th. But it was all worth it. Just to meet our little man! Danny we love you so much. Our family was definitely not complete without you. I see an entire lifetime of fun ahead for our family! But for now, I'm going to be spending lots of time with my boys!

♥Rach♥

Crying Like a Big Baby

I've been really down today. I just can't shake it. And I don't know why I'm feeling this way. I'm thinking, It's because Mike is away fighting the wildfire in CO. And I'm due later this month. I miss Mike so much. It feels like he's been gone for months.

Poor Danny. I hope his daddy doesn't miss his birth. He went north a few weeks ago. I was so stressed out. But he had to fight this fire. Now, he's in CO. Maybe Mike might get to come home just for a few days. Or Danny can wait a few more. Or maybe, I'm just dreaming.

My parents are in LA. That's where I'm originally from. And my in-laws live 4 hours north of here. But I have great friends. I just miss my husband. My in-laws are supposed to be planning to come down here and stay with us for a while. My FIL has agreed to watch Mikey when I go into labor. And my MIL is going to be with me at the hospital. My parents are going to come after Danny gets here. Because last time, they didn't get to spend a whole lot of time with Mikey. We're trying something new here.

But I'm still sad. The gloomy and stormy weather we've been having in the afternoon/evenings/nights isn't helping either. But there's not much you can do about that. I've been crying at commercials, pictures, songs. I'm a little emotional these days. But right now, I'm going to go snuggle up with my napping boy. I feel like I need a nap too!

♥Rach♥

He's Not Coming Home

About a week ago, we thought Mike would be coming home. Instead, his team is headed to CO. To help with that fire. I'm really starting to freak out! I'm less than a month away from my due date. And it looks like Mike won't make it home before Danny is born.

Worst of all, my in-laws can't come until July 20th. I'm praying that my boy stays put until then. And my parents are visiting my sister in GA for the long holiday weekend. An extended week. Because my sister just had my niece! Yesterday! Little Madelyn Grace is a sweety pie! I wish I could be there too.

But my parents will be coming after Danny is born. I'm so excited! Maybe they will bring my little sister and her darling family. :) But I'm still scared and nervous. We have great friends here. But it's not the same without our families. Especially Mike. I hope it all works out. Because I want Mike to be here for Danny's birth. :)

♥Rach♥

2 vs 1

Lately, I've been stressing a little bit. About going from 1 little boy, to 2. You know, this is a big adjustment. I was almost in a panic by this time during my 1st pregnancy. But we had a ton of support! And I did OK. Mostly because of Mike.

Now, I'm really stressed out. 2 little boys. Am I in over my head? Fine time to think about that. I'm a nut! Mike keeps telling me to just breathe. That it's going to be OK. I know he's right. But I also know it's going to be a little challenging.

For one, we're definitely not going to sleep. That's not new. All new parents lose tons of sleep! My worry is whether or not we are going to have enough time with each of our kids. You know, will Mikey feel neglected? Will we pay enough attention to the baby? I always feel like parents don't take the same amount of pictures of 2nd and 3rd babies. They forget to document all those things that they did with their 1st baby.

I want to be a good mom. But most of all, I want for my kids to feel loved. To feel special. And know that we love them so very much! I just hope I'm ready for everything in our future.

♥Rach♥

Around the Town

I LOVE Mike dearly. And I love that he's a fireman. But I just couldn't go with another Fireman themed room. Mikey's room is adorable! I really love it. But I wanted something different for Danny (he's already got a nickname!) I want some jungle animals. Mike wanted fire trucks. And we settled on this crib set with all sorts of cars, trains, and boats.

It's called "Around the Town." And we paid about $250 for everything. Including the mobile, some pictures, and the curtains. :)



Mikey already loves it! We got it in a few days ago. And I set it all up that night. The next morning when I was making breakfast, I found him sitting in his brother's room. Pointing to all the different pictures. He started to tell me what everything was. So cute!

That was Mike and I's compromise. I really like it. Mike painted the room a green to match the little trees. And it really makes the bedding pop. It's such a difference from our Fire Engine room.

If you didn't know, Mike picked out everything in Mikey's room. And we've decided to try once more after Danny is born. I'm hoping for a little girl to spoil. :) And Mike has said that I get to pick everything out for her!

In case you're wondering why we didn't just use Mikey's crib and bedding, like my mom is. We bought him the crib that grows into a toddler bed. Which he's using right now. And the bedding, it grows with it too. We just had to buy a few things. I really like this company. That's what we went with on Danny's too!

♥Rach♥

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy...I Got Love in My Tummy

And I was right! We're having a baby boy! Finally our little guy decided to cooperate with us. At our last appointment, we couldn't find out if we were having a boy or girl. He just didn't want to let us know! But this time around, our little guy cooperated a bit more. :)

We have a name picked out. Daniel. No middle name yet. We're working on that. You know, since it's official that we're having another little man. :) In case you're wondering, it's Daniel is after Mike's brother. He passed away a few years ago. And we just wanted to honor him.

We have just about 15 weeks to wait for our little man now. I really need to get moving on our nursery. Oh the nursery...that's a whole other story for another blog. But we are so excited about having another son!

♥Rach♥