One hundred, thirty thousand and forty fun

"Jacki, today was really special to me. Thank-you!"- Austin.

And indeed, today was a special day. This week we were invited to go trick or treating early (beat the system so to speak) at Zach's work in one of the dorm rooms (Zach works at a college). It was a dress rehearsal of sorts for Sunday, the real Halloween.

I think I've said this before, but everyday I fall more in love with these boys. Today, all dressed up in their costumes (pictures after sunday!), they were absolutely precious. Every little thing they said and did just made me laugh. Wyatt with his grumpy little face, Austin with his jokes and voice, and William's whole outfit did me in everytime.

Tonight, we got to trick or treat, decorate cookies and the boys entered a coloring contest. The coloring contest was Austin's favorite. He was sure that whoever was judging the contest was watching his every move and he was getting points for every little thing. Drawing fast. Coloring hard. Using the just the right colors. And he's also quite sure that the prize is an airplane...

And it was when we got back to our car, after all of the excitement, that Austin told me that today was really special to him. Such a simple thing to say and so powerful, really. It literally made my heart melt. Such a sweetheart.

We got home, showered and bathed and I put the three of them to bed. Austin told me just before I left his room, "Jacki... I really did have one hundred, thirty thousand and forty fun tonight!"

And hearing things like those makes everything worth it and definitely makes for a special day.

I love my life, and I feel like I am pretty lucky to be able to say that.

Saturdays are the best days

Years ago, I could never pinpoint my favorite day. I knew for sure it wasn't Mondays. Now I can say, without question, that Saturdays are my favorite of days. Every other Saturday, we get our boys back. I miss them as soon as they are gone and I am always so happy to see them. I always tell them "It is so nice to have noise here again!"

They always laugh. But it's true. Our home is quiet without my three little noise makers. Without them tinkering with their toys or clobbering each other (because that's what little boys do) or making bigger messes than I ever knew was possible, our house is nearly silent.

I've heard a time or two "I don't know how you put up with all of the noise!" I put up with the noise, because it is much better than the alternative.

On most Saturdays, Zach doesn't work. We can have uniterrupted family time. And we do. Like this Saturday, we took William and Wyatt to what we think was their first movie. Despicable Me. It was touch and go at first, loud noises and dark rooms are typically frightening (especially to the youngest (and biggest scaredy cat)). But sitting on our laps and cuddling did the trip.

I have terrified that William had to much to drink and wouldn't let me know he had to go to the bathroom and go "code 1" all over me. Fortunately it went the opposite way. Approximately every 10 minutes, he took a bathroom break for a total of 9 bathroom breaks. I counted. 

After the movie, we went shopping for their Halloween costumes. I'm witholding the results until they can be accompanied by pictures. Needless to say, they all look adorable. Or excuse me... super cool.

Hope everyone is well!

Jacki