I was making dinner tonight and pulled out our colander to drain some pasta. I noticed that our 10 year old colander (one of the old school, green ones) was looking really old.

It’s not the first time I have thought that recently. We have been married almost 10 years, we have been in our house for almost 10 years, our mattress is almost 10 years old, our carpet, and all our stuff – nearing 10 years.

We need a new mattress…I don’t even look forward to my own bed anymore because I am sore every morning from the mattress. Our living room carpet is NASTY! Between the dogs, the kids and the parties — it’s GOT to GO! (And we will NOT make the same mistake twice — no more carpet for us!).

For some reason, I am shocked that our things have only lasted 10 years (or less). It doesn’t seem like that much time has passed. ‘Things’ only last so long….and another recent reminder…people only last ‘so long’, too.

My recent, very unexpected, trip to Connecticut was a rude & sad awakening that things could change within seconds. People say it all the time, right?

Enjoy the time you have.
Don’t ever assume anything.
Be grateful for the family & friends in your life.
Don’t take people for granted.

One Saturday night, you might be celebrating a milestone birthday….

And then you might get a phone call on Sunday morning with news you NEVER expected…

I don’t even know what to say or write. I have been home for almost a week now, and I still feel so heartbroken.

Going back to our colander — I was also reminded that I, too, am getting old(er). I have SO many gray hairs these days. It seemed ok when it was just one or two, every now and then…but now I have ‘a lot’. I try not to let it bother me — but really, I don’t like it one bit.

I am sorry this isn’t one of my normal, feel-good, oh-so-happy posts. Sometimes a girl just has to say what’s on her mind.

We will replace our mattress (soon!), we will find new flooring that we like, and I am sure they still sell the 1970′s green colanders at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Unfortunately, people are not replaced. We are left with memories & photos of time spent together.

Sweet Cousin Warren – you will not be forgotten but you WILL be greatly missed. 💛

Thanks to the AWESOME Youth Auction at our church, we bid on and WON babysitting time from 4 of the High School girls.

Since “Guy” was in town, we took advantage of a Double Date night. The Godfather (super yummy Italian food restaurant) and a few games of pool.

After an eventful Saturday morning – chores and excitement…..

(AJ wore my heels and pretended to be Mommy…while Nicholas begged him not to go to work)

We headed to Chuck-e-Cheese for our neighbors birthday party.

These two boys sure are fun to hang out with…

Lately, it seems like they have gotten SO much easier – especially on the weekend (during the week, it’s still challenging since I get home from work and it’s a mad dash to eat, bathe, read and get them to bed). I love that we get to relax on Saturday mornings, cook a hot breakfast and stay in jammies a little too long.

After church on Sunday, we decided to hike Cowles Mountain as a family. The weather is amazingly beautiful here today and the mountain just reopened after being closed for a few months.

While on the mountain, we were warned that a SNAKE was headed towards our ‘lunch spot’ (pictured above). I nearly burst into tears. I was TERRIFIED! We made it out of the spot alive (barely) and then continued up the Mt (against my will). I felt like I was in prison! As soon as AJ got tired, I volunteered to take him down. Unfortunately, we both fell on the way down. I twisted my ankle and AJ hit a patch of rocks. We made it to the bottom w/o any snakes sightings – thankfully, but my ankle is sore now :/

Fort LaGreca is in full use this afternoon An improvised rope swing was born and I am sure they are setting up traps for ‘bad guy’ out there, too.

Our weekend is nearly over….another one for the history books. May in San Diego sure is lovely.

Throughout the school year, different ‘after school’ programs are offered. Nicholas has been doing Soccer Shots for nearly the whole school year (Thursdays). Recently, he came to us and said he wanted to do a Dance class. Joe wasn’t too sure about it — but Nicholas really wanted to try, so we signed him up for that (Wednesdays: it turns out that he REALLY likes it!) And on Mondays he goes to Art Smarts.

The first week was FLOWERS (his art is pictured above).

Then they drew/painted houses.

This past week, he painted an iguana (above). He was really proud Joe & I both love it.

I am SO glad we can sign him up for these extra little programs. He seems to really like it all. It’s fun to encourage him in all these different areas. Yes, Joe, even dance (from the recent ‘Disney Dance Afternoon’ video I posted on fb, you can see that our boys need a bit of help when it comes to ‘moves’)

Little LaGreca turned the BIG 3 last weekend. And let me tell you, I have never seen ANYONE more excited to have a birthday.

He is ALL about monster trucks right now – and of course, Grandma D heard about it. She found FOUR awesome monster trucks – Iron Man is AJ’s favorite.

We spent the morning/early afternoon at the park with family & friends!

The BEST part of the WHOLE day was right after we sang “happy birthday” to Anthony. He was SO excited — he yelled “I MADE IT!! I MADE IT!!” He made everyone laugh, that is for sure.

Both of our boys are also VERY much into Legos. AJ got some FUN sets for his birthday. Monster Truck Rally set for Auntie Dani & ‘Meal’. We got him a BIG helicopter set. And he got a few other little sets, too. This kid MADE out!!

There are so many wonderful things about this boy. He is SO darn cute. He is REALLY polite (for a 3 year old) — he is always the first to say ‘Bless you’ when a he hears a sneeze. If you get hurt and say “ouch” – he is the first one to the scene saying “Are you ok?” He is still an amazing Eater – in fact, he has been know to ask for more the one helping of SALAD! He enjoys being a little brother – loves his big brother to death. His facial expressions are so awesome. His smile will light up ANY room. He is friendly to nearly everyone.

Happy 3rd Birthday Anthony Joseph. So glad YOU MADE IT!!

I work at a really cool place. They certainly don’t have to put all the effort into a day like this — but they do. Our HR team really is great.

The kids all got their own badge. They got a REALLY cute t-shirt and a Peregrine bag full of stuff. They did Zumba. They went on a scavenger hunt for stickers (walking tour of our office, test floor, etc). They had breakfast, snack and lunch. They got to play kick ball in a big empty carpeted room. And they decorated a frame for a picture.

I didn’t get a whole lot of work done today but it was fun to have all the ‘mini-me’s at the office. It was a great game to match the child with the parent

It was a ‘work day’ like no other – that is for sure!