Bob says.....

Bob says the theme of the blog for the last 9 months is, MAX. Yup, he says all my posts are about Max, Max, Max, Max, and....................Max.

Well, ....................not today.

The older kids were gone all weekend, over in Twin Falls visiting Clint and Amy for a day, then to the McBride's for the annual Tea Party Robert's family throws for the kids every year. Because of Bob's health, we had to stay back at the homestead. It was a quiet, uneventful weekend, which was a blissfully welcomed change from the chaos our Saturdays usually bring, and although we missed the chilluns', and the rocking Hollywood Tea Party.....I must admit, the quality time with Bob was, well, refreshing.

It's amazing how our busy lives pull us in so many directions. Sometimes it feels as if Bob and I are business partners, working pretty soundly together running our little McBride family corporation. Although we're happy doing so, it seems like more often than not.... Bob and I, as a couple, get lost in that shuffle.


After this weekend, with all our uninterrupted conversations, pleasant dinners at restaurants of our choice, ya, like NOT Burger King, staying up late, snackin' and watching movies, I felt like we were dating again, and I realized how much I missed my boyfriend, Bob.

Promises were made, promises to be better, better at taking time for each other. Better at placing "date night" on the priority list, and even, at least twice a year, getting away from ALL the grind and going somewhere, just the two of us.

Ya, YOU promised, boyfriend Bob

.....and this girl's gonna hold ya to it!

(P.S. Max accompanied us every where we went....all weekend long. Yes, the littlest side kick was still here, but I did a fabulous job not to mention him in this post. Well, almost.)

Day 5

Day 5 produced one grumpy, tired, impatient mama.

Day 5 brought fighting, sad, irritable kids.

Day 5 delivered restless legs and a near anxiety attack for the one in the cage.

Day 5 rendered a flat tire.

Day 5 presented Max, filling the inside of my shoe with an enormous amount of puke.

Day 5 cultivated the realization that my much anticipated Logan Lady reunion, planned for over a year, in marvelous Monterey CA....for me, wasn't happenin'.

Day 5 provided the understanding that he would be home bound for three weeks with an open wound, hooked to a wound vac, IV antibiotics, and a daily visit (for his sake) from one HOT home health care nurse.

Day 5 brought a lot of whining, moaning, growling and complainin' to the "support system." (Sorry y'all.)

Finally, Day 5 devised a Simon Burch, overwhelmingly sad moment when the kids paused in the parking lot, jumping wildly, little arms a flappin', a sign to their dad, who stood alone in the window of the 5th floor lobby, blowing kisses, and waving "good bye."

Yup, past their bed time, three bawling kids, one sleeping baby, and an exhausted, teary eyed mama reluctantly climbed into the car and drove away begrudgingly, once again, without him.

Day 5 of Bob in medical lock down, in desperation for freedom outside poorly decorated, pastel painted walls......is OVER. Fortunately for us, it went down with the sun. Mal said there had to be a silver lining somewhere, and today, day 6.......this girl's determined to find it.

Thank you friends, family, and even jubilant baby Max, for gifting us "light moments"...... on a day full of heavies.

From Collages

Mr. Max's first love......tub time.

takin' off

From Max

Mr. Max is up on all fours, rockin' away. Back and forth, forward and back...baby boy's gearing for take off. He's quick to fall flat on his belly and scoot himself backwards around a room. Yup, there's a whole lot of reversing going on, but so far, nothing in the forward range.

On a completely unrelated note, Max was given a new nickname by the boys in Bob's church class. They swear Max has an uncanny resemblance to Dewey, the youngest character on the television series, Malcolm in the Middle. I've never seen the show, so I had to Google the kid.

I have one thing to say about that.

Holy Dewey!

And if they ever need someone to play Dewey's younger self, well .......we've got their man!

l.o.v.e.

From Collages

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in." -Morrie Schwartz

Amen, Morrie Schwartz. As I sat with the kids yesterday cutting, coloring, and pasting hearts, I thought about the enormous, heart pumpin' love I feel for them, their dad, and even my dear friends and family. I decided then and there to try this month, in simple ways, to show, sprinkle, shower and spread......the love.....to those around me, because in the midst of my busy, mostly chaotic, every day life, spreading love just hasn't been on the "to do" list, or nowhere near it for that matter. So, it's settled. Spreading love has advanced to the top and TRUE efforts are going to be made because believe me, I know all too well, love is just a word.............. UNLESS WE GIVE IT MEANING.

sunny bliss

Apparently Mr. G-hog did NOT see his shadow. That's some good news, and I'll take it. Boy could I use an early spring and then it's just a jump, skip, and hopefully small baby step, away from..........................

sunny bliss and perfect summer days like this!

From boating 2010