the start of something big

 yes, people, that's snow. in late march. so not cool.

the dumpster's here.  and what a sight it is...  after a very much anticipated wait, we finally got our permit to close in our screened-in porch!  we're knocking out the wall you see in the last picture and enclosing the rest.  adding a storage bench that will double as a window seat along the back wall, some built-in bookcases, and a cozy rug.  

i am someone who needs to wake up and come down to a clean kitchen and have enough time to unload the dishwasher before the day actually gets going.  right now, our only play area for the boys is down in the basement.  or dungeon, as i sometimes call it, especially on spring days when it's blizzarding outside. (thank you, kansas weather)  so as soon as we come down, we have to have breakfast on the table. and after breakfast is finished, we must get to playing!  which means, on days where it's just me, the dirty dishes pile up in the sink because the dishwasher hasn't been unloaded, i have no motivation to unload it, and then the whole day just unravels.  all because i couldn't have a clean and empty sink.  so i'm being a bit dramatic, but it's mostly true.  i feel like having this room is going to solve all my problems.  it's right off of the kitchen, where i'll be able to see the boys, there will be windows and daylight all around, and i just may be able to enjoy my own breakfast while they play!  hallelujah!

the framing guy is already at work, the boys are enthralled, and bryan and i are so excited.  now all i have to do is convince bryan that the big purple oar doesn't really belong in our dining room.

a new duo

bone

 thugs

'n harmony.

boo ya.

happy birthday, bryan!

just a few reasons to celebrate...

1. finn

2. liam

3. even though he's 33 today, he doesn't look a day over 25 and has the heart of a boy

4. knows what i'm thinking with just a look, sometimes even without that

5. finishes my sandwiches

6. has the same good taste in just about everything as me. (he doesn't appreciate text as art, something i can live with)

7. loves being outside

8. loves to cook

9. loves being with his boys

10. is seriously the best father to our boys

11. usually even better

12. will attack a rooster if it comes at/attempts to charge the guys (my parents live on a farm with chickens and evil roosters)

13. would love to learn how to fix up old cars someday

14. will eat pretty much anything you put in front of him

15. olives (sorry, zach) and black licorice excluded

16. is told every day by patients that he should have been an OB

17. and still smiles and laughs as if it's the first time he's heard it

18. gets hit on by older women (i mean like 70s and up) on a regular basis

19. had worn contacts/glasses since he was in 2nd grade until recently when he got lasik.  one of the most exciting days of his life.

20. doesn't prefer to eat carrots alone

21. by alone, i mean without hummus or ranch, not by himself

22. loves music, all kinds, no country.

23. has a soft spot for the chili peppers (seriously, who doesn't?)

24. sometimes pretends he's a ninja

25. loves working night shift and sleeping during the day

26. especially when it's raining outside

27. is taking me to italy

28. gets excited about the blood and guts in his everyday work life

29. doesn't so much get excited about the crazies

30. wore hiking boots on our first date - who knew i'd end up marrying that kind of guy?

31. is really good at constructive criticism when it comes to my work, but usually loves all of it.

32. smiles when he's running half marathons

33. is a completely different person before his cup of coffee in the morning (someone who probably wouldn't smile and run at the same time.

happy birthday, babe!

il mio passaporto

if i was actually achieving my new year's resolutions in a timely manner, i would write a bit of this post in italian.  number 3 on my list: learn enough italian for our trip.  we're going to italy!!  bryan and i, for 10 days, rome. florence. and venice.  can't believe i haven't already written about it, considering it's been booked for about a month now.  i was only reminded i hadn't when i got this in the mail:

it's not my first, i've actually had two already in my short life.  this is my third and will be until 2021.  my first was for a trip to paris i took with my mom in high school.  best vacation i've ever had.  then i had to renew when i turned 18 for another trip back to paris in college.  (i love paris in the springtime, i love paris in the fall...)  then we went to thailand after we got married and didn't have time to change my maiden name to married, so just took my marriage certificate along and had no issues.  so fast forward to now, when i FINALLY need my passport again!! apparently, you're not allowed to smile; hence, the exasperated look on my face that also looks like i've been fake-tanning.  but we're going, at the end of may, and i can't wait.  we've been watching rick steves (nerd alert) on hulu and have bought an instant immersion italian kit.  hopefully, we'll be able to find the pasta, pizza, and gelato.  after that, i really don't need to know anything else.

the scene tonight

freshly bathed, blankies in hand, pacifiers firmly in place, piper the elephant and bao the monkey by their sides.  all tucked in.  seriously adorable.