I'm back! Well, kind of......

I'm back physically, but not so much mentally yet.

It's hard to leave a view like this and jump right back into life in Minnesota.

My trip was wonderful. The weather wasn't perfect, but compared to what was waiting for me in MN, I wasn't complaining. Becky and I spent time exploring, relaxing and soaking up the sun as much as we could.

This was the view from our hotel room. I could get use to waking up to this everyday. The only thing(s) missing was a barking dog wanting to be let out, 3 kids in the living room making morning time noises and a husband rolling out of bed to make sure the kids aren't into too much trouble.


I love the beach. The sand is powder white and using the words Becky said when we first walked on the beach, "it's like flour." Soft on the feet and easy to sink into as you lay down and close your eyes.

Of course we did some shopping and in our trek, we found the Captain Morgan statue and for those who know us well........ 'Our' drink is Capt'n Cokes, just ask our husbands........

We spent Valentines day enjoying a nice steak dinner and each other's company.

Sometimes I look at a picture and can't believe I was able to be someplace so beautiful. I don't know what 'normal' life is for someone that lives here year round. Do people actually work in Florida? I don't know how they can.....

I'm a beach babe. Beside hearing my children laugh, there's nothing better than laying on the beach under the warm sun reading a good book.

Becky has been my friend for 12 years. She knows me. She's watched me grow up, fall in love, fall out of love, fall back in love, get married, and have children. She's been my teammate, confidant, travel companion, and best friend. I don't think we've ever had a fight and I don't think we ever will.

Sigh.... What a view huh? I think the most memorable moment from the trip was when we landed in MN and I looked at Becky and we gave each other a look saying " Welcome home. Maybe we should have stayed one more day?"

PS. Thanks to our hubby's who took care of the children while we were away and didn't lose anyone. We are thankful that they appreciate what we do when we aren't around and are grateful that we get the 'green light' to take our own fishing/hunting trip.

What a kid!

Michele and I are so proud of our kids...all 3 of them. Emma and her gymnastics, remarkable coloring ability and caring personality. Logan and his Alphabet, "Old McDonald", counting to 11, and gentle disposition. And especially Tyler this week....

We got an email from Tyler's Band Director at school with the great news that he'd been selected for the UMD - Junior High Honor Band - 1 of only 3 6th graders from Monticello to be chosen. When I called him yesterday to congratulate him, he also shared that he was picked as the "Student of the Month" by his teachers. I'm amazed at how balanced he is and how driven a 12 year old must be in order to play basketball competitively, make the A Honor Roll and be selected from 550 of his peers to be in the UMD Honor Band.

To be honest, I don't know much about it. Remember, I'm just a "dumb jock" - but I certainly will learn more..... Tyler, we Love you Man. We are so Proud of you. We just want to stand on a mountain and tell the world about our great kid. Keep it up.

Mr. Mom

As of now at 3:30 on Monday, Logan is napping, Emma is doing a Floor Puzzle, Gunner is policing the neighborhood from the porch and I just got off the phone with Brent up in Bemidji. Our wives, Becky and Michele, are probably ankle deep in the Gulf of Mexico - no doubt enjoying themselves in the Florida sun and hoping that their last day away miraculously lengthens.

Brent and I just spent a few minutes going over the respective happenings of Single Parenting w/o Mom. All is well, although it has been no small task to keep the children occupied.

Brent told off a trip to Gander Mountain in which the boys ran through the spaces between displays, taking a mundane joy and stretching it 10+ minutes. I shared that a trip to the arcade, basketball tourney in Buffalo, and terrorizing my buddy Todd's house have been a few of the things that I've tried to do in order to break up our days at home without or "event planner."

Aren't Moms wonderful? - Ever really sit back and try to grasp all that a good Mom does for a family ? - Menu planning and preparation, clothing consultant and laundry wrangler, referee/Commander-in-Chief, morale specialist, dr./nurse, and the list goes on.......   

We miss Michele. But we've done very well in her absence. I have been wiped out at days end but it feels good. Daily phone calls, checking in for 5 minutes, has softened the blow for me being Mr. Mom. I'm proud of what the kids and I have been able to accomplish and I hope that Michele and Becky have been able to cut loose and enjoy themselves - they deserve it. They're Moms.

THEY'LL BE HOME TOMORROW! (Unless Fla. was just too nice to them.)

Leaving on a jet plane........

Well, the time has come for my annual hunting trip with my best pal Becky. We are in search of the almighty beach and sunshine. Yes, we are leaving behind our families and the snow...but we are hopefully coming back a little refreshed and ready to survive the rest of winter. I have learned a few things over the past week about myself........

1. I have the hardest time trying to decide what I want to wear 2-3 days from now. Which means, that I am an over packer.

2. Being that I don't know what I want to wear translates into me not packing until the last possible moment which means as of 10:30pm, I just finished packing for my trip. (we leave at 6:40am)

3. Everyone kept asking me if I was excited for my vacation. My honest answer was "No, I really haven't had time to think about it." I've mentioned it many times in conversations with other but the overall excitement of going somewhere new hasn't hit me yet. I guess I will answer that question better tomorrow night when I'm there!

4. I am taking this trip to get some 'me time' and attempt to slow down my brain and body for a few days. I will miss my children and husband but- I will guarantee that every time I see a Mom with her kids, I will wish my children were there with me. Every time I see a couple holding hands, I will wish Kirby was there with me. With these kinds of thoughts it will be tough to just STOP-and think of only myself. I am considering making a rule with Becky that we can't talk about our children or husbands... Any bets on if that would happen? :)

So, here's to a good time and nice weather! Becky and I are renting a car and will travel to whatever part of the state that has sunshine and warm temps! :)

A HONOR ROLL!

Tyler did very well this last quarter at school and received all A's or A-'s.
We are very proud of him!
Good Job TYLER!

Missing Momma

Michele has been given an opportunity to work some overtime in Hutchinson for the next few weeks. In an sometimes uncomfortable way, other people's misfortune provides Michele's company with a purpose. Some of you may have heard but a technology plant has had to lay off over a thousand workers and the state has sent in Central MN Jobs and Training to help "soften the blow". The extra money will be nice for us and help our savings recover from an epidemic of Car issues. The time Michele will spend away will remind us just how much we appreciate her.

 She left on Monday night (2nd) and I haven't misplaced any kids yet. We've all somehow managed to be fed and entertained but are hoping to see her for a bit this evening before she heads back for Round 2 (Thurs. - Sat.)

 Michele has posted before about being mindful of how difficult the job market is for folks right now. In this I'm reminded that unanswered prayers aren't really that - God is listening and will watch over us. Perhaps a Job Change wasn't in our best interests last fall after all? So, here we are on more cold winter nights, looking forward to our time with Mommy because it won't be long until she high tails it for Florida for a few days of R&R.... one more chance for us to learn that absence makes the heart grow fonder. We miss you dear.

More basketball clips!

This weekend we traveled down to the town of Annandale to watch Tyler. They did very well and won by a margin of 20+ points for both of the games they played. I was able to video Tyler shooting some free throws....... Enjoy!

Pretty smooth......

Left that one a little short... :)