It's been a little crazy around here

Life has been moving at a crazy fast speed lately.

Dog, kids, job, housework is enough to make me fall into bed each night almost immediately after I tuck the kids into their beds. Wade usually wakes me up when he gets home from work so we can chat for a bit, then  I'm out again.

Three loads of laundry waiting to be folded. garbage that needs to be taken out, emails that need to be sent, plane tickets to buy, arrangements to be made, our trip to Iowa in September cancelled, toys that need to be picked up, phone calls, phone calls, and more phone calls. I feel like I've glared at my kids so much recently, giving them that, "STOP FIGHTING AND PLEASE JUST BE QUIET!" look way too many times than I care to admit. Tonight, the kids and I had potatoes and applesauce for supper. Not my finest cooking.

On Thursday, Jasper and I will be heading back to Iowa for my Grandma Froehle's memorial service. She passed away last Sunday and it feels so strange to be getting together with all of my extended family without her there. Her obituary can be found here. She suffered from Alzheimer's for several years, so it was hard to watch her decline. In a way, we've all said good-bye in our own way so many times already.  Like the first time she didn't remember who I was. Or another time when she asked over and over if I was married and had kids. Of course, Grandma, I've got two beautiful little ones, with a smile each time. It's a tough road when a loved one has Alzheimer's - one I really don't care go through again.

Her four children, David, Roger, Janice, and Danny

Grandma and some of the grandkids

Grandma with her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taken several years ago

This post sounds so sad! But I'm doing okay, I think we all are. Like I said, we've all had years to let go, and the Grandma Froehle that I knew growing up was gone a long time ago. So, this weekend will be more of a celebration of her life, now that she's in Heaven!

My 6 year old (not so) little girl

Unbelievable, but true. Reese is now six! Words can't describe how proud I am of this little girl. I watch her turning more and more into a young lady everyday. It's scary, but amazing. She lays on the couch and reads books all by herself. She takes the dog outside to go to the bathroom. She knows when I'm frustrated and swoops in to entertain/distract Jasper. She draws me pictures on a daily basis. I take for granted how well behaved, thoughtful, and kind she is. When I look at this picture of her below, it makes me feel like I'm doing something right. I'd love for Reese to have a sister someday, but if she's my only daughter, I'll be perfectly content.

Reese and Henley. Unlike her brothers, she's always so photogenic!

Grandma flew down and surprised her as a birthday clown!

After blowing out the 6 candles on her mint ice cream cake.

If Jasper wasn't always worried about EATING, this might have been a good picture.

The BEST big sister ever. I can tell she's getting older, because our tastes in clothes are changing. She used to always like whatever I liked. Recently, she picked out this shirt. I wasn't crazy about it and kept suggesting other choices. I finally gave in, but had a glimpse us 10 years from now at Abercrombie or something...

On the balance beam at gymnastics class.  She loves it!

Reese and Grandma :)

The Monroe Ladies 

This Weekend

...we've been swimming with sweet friends.

...we've been dressing like cattle to get free food.

...the kid's have been watching cartoons.

...and I've been working.

(Quick note about that, since I know I've mentioned it a couple of times on the blog. I was looking for a little side job just for fun, and long story short, in April I was hired/selected to be the publisher of my area for a website called Hulafrog.com. It's a super new company, started in New Jersey (right down the street from my girl, Christina). So far its been fantastic! I was warned that it would be a lot. And it is. But it's pushing beyond my comfort zone. Pushing me past what I thought my sleep requirements were. So, check it out! No need for you to subscribe to the newsletter, unless you want to know what awesome, fun things there are for kids down here in Florida. Which would be quite the drive for most of you!)

He's always love Wade more...

Daddy's got his bags pack, ready to head out to Chicago for Nick's bachelor party and the kids were giving him hugs good bye. (Look how ridiculously happy he is. Not even a hint of sadness that he's leaving us for 3 days...)

"Aww, you guys look cute! Let me take your picture!"

 "Darn, that one was blurry. Plus, Beckett wasn't smiling. Honey, look at me and smile!!!!"

"Come on, buddy. At least try to look happy for just one picture."

Please?? You'd look so cute with Daddy!

*sigh*  Not gonna happen.