weekend

This past weekend was... nice. I was able to accomplish many things. I was able to surround myself with wonderful people. I was able to look inward and learn more about myself. Quick recap:LOVE: When cutting up these veggies, Joel asked if he could eat some tomatoes and cucumbers. I told him they were for a church dinner. His response, "Jesus cucumbers. Jesus tomatoes". I love that he associates Jesus with church, even if his comment is a little off. Love his innocence.
DO NOT LOVE: Cutting up 4 pints of grape tomatoes that are the size of dimes. Nor cutting up onions; they made me cry.

LOVE: Cleaning my house on a regular basis. May sound strange that I love doing this, but I am a neat freak and NEED my house to be orderly. I feel so accomplished afterward.
DO NOT LOVE: Having to use the bathroom RIGHT after scrubbing the toilet. Weird, but it irritates me when I have to use the toilet I just cleaned (and may rub it down with a lysol wipe after).

LOVE: Being able to get out and walk with people that I dearly care for. Love that things fell perfectly into place to give me the chance to participate. LOVE that I got to spend some quality time with my friend Amy.
DO NOT LOVE: Why I had the opportunity to participate in this event; the circumstances surrounding this event are heartbreaking.

LOVE: Coming home to see my little crazies with their noses pressed against the glass, smiles on their faces. Love that they light up when they see me after I have been away.
DO NOT LOVE: The fact that I have not cleaned that window for about 2 years and will not be able to clean it for many more to come; they are always dirtying it up.

LOVE: Being able to go to the temple for dear friends, especially dear friends that are like family. Love that her entire family considers me an adopted family member. Love her colors, love her style.
DO NOT LOVE: That I can't continuously plan my own wedding; that MY day has come and gone (but I do love my marriage).

LOVE: Swings. Period.
DO NOT LOVE: That I am an adult and cannot always be carefree nor can I always act like a child.

LOVE: Cherries, the color red, and sweet treats. That made this dessert extra delicious. Love that my mom found a new gluten-free recipe to try out for me.
DO NOT LOVE: That I cannot just eat a ginormous piece of cherry cheesecake or cherry pie or, well, nearly any dessert. I try to remind myself that I am skinnier and healthier for it...

LOVE: That my boys enjoy coloring and art. Love that they show interest in something that I have a passion for. And I love that they keep the crayons on the paper.
DO NOT LOVE: Lucas eats crayons. Ugh.

slide

30 seconds ending in pure hilarity. My child is "special"
In regards to Robert's comment ("Aww, you got your feet under you. Dang it"): Lucas was getting a leg
stuck underneath himself, resulting in him launching off the slide and landing on his back. Also hilarious.

fountain

Some days, Momma just needs to drive somewhere "far away". Friday took us to Fountain Hills where we walked, fed the ducks, watched the fountain, and played on the playground. I wish this place were a little closer...
You have NO idea the pride I get from this last image. Yes... that is my child.

as of late

We have been trying to get out as much as possible. Mom is getting "cabin fever". The boys are getting antsy. Dad is getting home earlier from work. Walks. The park. Whatever it takes (wishing we had a backyard). Winter often feels like solitary confinement; we don't do well without sunlight. Oddly enough, I am wishing for the blazing hot summer. I can't wait to get into the pool...

The first thing Joel says to Robert when he gets home from work is "duckies".
I am SO okay with daily trips to the park to feed the ducks.

:)

This is mainly for Staci T.:

I made a new post! (bet that made you smile)

For everyone else, I promise I will post soon. With pictures. Just busy with. . . well. . . life.

light

Let me shed some light. A decision has been made in our family; one that was made EQUALLY by me and Robert. It was a difficult decision. But it was a decision that had to be made. Robert has dropped out of EVMCO (East Valley Mormon Choral Organization). I don't blame him. He doesn't blame me. Our family comes first. And lately we have needed more focus on our family. If you have problems with our decision or feel that I am to blame, please keep it to yourself. I already feel horrible enough that this decision had to be made in the first place. Sorry if you do not agree with our decision, but it is OURS alone to make.

work

Yup. It has been a while. Nope. I don't feel too guilty. I have been working to finalize the last few aspects of my business. Opened a business account today at the credit union. Saving and filing every receipt. Formulating and printing a multitude of documents. Strangely, each new step gives me a sense of accomplishment. I am doing this on my own, with my own money (though many have helped me with structure more than I can ever repay). IT. FEELS. AMAZING.
The boys? They are good. Just being little silly heads. Entertaining themselves. Learning so many new things. Defining their personalities day by day.
The husband? He is good. Just working like crazy. Trying to figure out the next step for our journey. Dreading student loans to get a Master's (there may be no other choice). Still singing with EVMCO.
Two biggest things (that pertain to ME and not really the family):
I GOT MY CAMERA. Finally. Earned it on my own. And I love the heck out of it.
I AM GOING TO VEGAS. Professional photography convention. 4 days with my awesome friend Angie.

Since I haven't pulled the point 'n shoot out for anything other than taking pictures of my children sleeping awkwardly (speaking of which, Lucas actually fell ASLEEP on the changing table. twice. in one night), I will leave you with a couple of our photos that are on my photography website.

I swallowed a watermelon seed. And it grew...

bittersweet

This day has been... bittersweet. Today was the day that my dear friend laid her sweet baby to rest. I had the opportunity to attend the short yet tender service that was held in her honor. I will not - I cannot - describe the experience of being there; it breaks my heart just to think back to a few hours earlier today. And, as is with all things in life, we cannot dwell on the past; we must continue to move forward.
I will tell you that this entire experience has changed my perspective on so many things. I hug my babies a little bit more. I don't get as frustrated or short with them. I appreciate each jab and kick from the little one within me. I don't get as annoyed or wearied by him. Our time here is just too short to take for granted.

Ella, I will always remember you, even though I never had the opportunity to meet you.

life

Our lives have been more or less the same as always the past few weeks; lack of school can give life a monotonous feel. The boys have been giving us a run for our money, though. Lucas grows increasingly mischievous day by day. His antics are beginning to wear a little thin... I can only take so many new "skills" in one day. Such as the skill of climbing on top of the changing table in the middle of the night. Or the skill of jumping off the changing table when caught. Or the skill of taking all of the baby wipes out of the container, shredding them to minuscule pieces, then shoving them back into the container. Or the skill of banging the sippy cup "just right" to allow the milk to freely flow all over mom's couch. Ps. These awesome life skills were mastered in a single day. Joel has been more aggressive? violent? abusive? I hate to use such words, but there is no nice way to describe it. Blatantly hitting or smacking us. Banging toys against Lucas's head (luckily, the kid has a ridiculously hard head). Throwing things with all his strength. I don't see the potential for a bully; just average 2 yr old behavior. But tiring none the less. Besides, Robert and I are bigger. Does he really think he is going to win? Luckily all of this rough play makes for sound sleeping... sometimes smack dab in the middle of lunch...

This last picture was caught in mid jump. So glad he has courage...

With an increase of aggressiveness, Joel has shown an increase of love. He will say "I love you" without being prompted. It is always heartwarming to hear those three little words pop out of his mouth without any warning. And he gives the best hugs and kisses, too. See... it balances...

christmas

I finally have the time, energy, and desire to blog about Christmas and similarly related material. As a Christmas present, Robert's parents' took the ENTIRE Root family to Zoo Lights (well, those of us that were in AZ for Christmas). CRAZINESS. Knowing my poor little ones would freeze, I bought both boys matching beanies and bear mittens. Of course, it wasn't cold enough for them the night we went. I put them on anyway (just because I am in love with the mittens). The boys enjoyed the lights; Joel dropped his jaw at one point. Later that evening, we unwrapped our Christmas pajamas. ASU jammies for everyone! I love my jammies; I wear them every chance I get. I would even wear them to church if that were permissible. Christmas Day was spent with both families - opening gifts and eating delicious food. Biggest surprise: Robert bought the rights for my photography trade name. Most stressful thing: trying to put together Lucas's new toddler bed . Sweetest moment: finding Lucas in Joel's toddler bed, curled up next to Joel. Since Christmas, Joel and Lucas have wound up in the same bed together every night.
And no, it is not how it looks. My angle was weird; Joel's hand is on Lucas's LEG.

For the last few weeks, I have alluded to a big project that was taking a lot of time and focus. Well, finally, I am finished with said project and able to show you. It is my photography site (that I completely designed). Check it out!

And if you are on Facebook, feel free to "like" my page.