What a week!

 So..... we made it to February!  It has been a hard week.  Monday started out with a vet appointment for Burke to check and see what is going on with him.  He had an abdominal ultrasound done and a urine sample to figure out why his water intake is greater than the typical consumption along with his constant restlessness during the nights.  The vet is thinking it might be Cushing's syndrome.  We still haven't heard the results from the ultrasound but his urine sample came back normal.  They had to shave his belly area for the ultrasound.  Needless to say, he needed (and deserved) extra cuddles on Monday night. ;)

I got to see my littlest love on Wednesday night for dinner, and he appropriately rocked a shirt that Zander, Maddox and Henry have all worn in their earlier years.  I enjoyed the extra time with my sister and her kids that evening.  It is always fun to see the cousins together.  It is always a lot of work too with these four busy kiddos!  Linds and I wonder when the day will come that we can just sit and enjoy a conversation while the kids play without requiring maternal interventions! haha

Friday was Career Day at school.  We had a lawyer, a vet and a missionary for the day! I always love when the boys pick something that can be easily represented with the clothing in their closets! haha

Friday was a hard day.  One of my sister's closest friends since childhood passed away unexpectedly last week of a heart condition.  At the age of 35, her three young children and husband are grieving the absence of a mother and wife.  It has been incredibly hard to comprehend how this could happen to someone so young and someone that means so much to so many.  She was always a constant friend to my sister, and I have many fond memories with her at wedding and baby showers, girls' nights at our house growing up and at sporting events where my sister and her friends would gather.  I offered to drive Linds to the funeral back home on Friday afternoon.  While it was such a difficult day, I enjoyed the time I had with my sister and was thankful to show my support to Katie's family.  If you are reading this, please pray for their family.  Pray for the upcoming days, weeks, months and years as they will undoubtedly notice her absence as nothing can replace the love and presence of a mother.  In true "sweaty sister" fashion, we went for a run when we got back into town (dad, it was in Linds' neighborhood, I promise).  It was a way to put all our emotions on the pavement after a very tough day.  I am so thankful for my friendship with my sister and our ability to grab a run when needed and share a drink afterwards (even if that beverage is an iced cold water)!

Considering the events of the past few weeks with the death of our two neighbors and now the sudden death of one of Lindsey's friends, it's made me want to soak up the time with my boys even more.  I took the opportunity to cuddle with my youngest during rest time yesterday.  He has the most kissable cheeks and has an optimism that is second to none! God, I pray you protect my babies.  I pray that you provide them a long life filled with positive memories of their childhood with the presence of their extended family members at all important milestones.  

This weekend, we also fit in our second week of basketball games of the season.  While the season started a month ago, due to winter weather, this was only the second time that the boys were able to play actual games against opponents.  Grannie came to visit for the games.  The boys also had Grandpa and Grammy in the stands cheering them on!  It is equally entertaining to watch Coach Boomer with Zack as his assistant coach wrangle the five and six year olds up and down the court!

Finally, this past weekend, I was able to head back home for one whole afternoon and evening to see one of my best friends, Liz.  I don't believe we have been able to spend time together just the two of us without our children and husbands included since we became moms!  We were able to see "Redeeming Love" in the theaters (based off the book we read in college).  We ate a yummy dinner and went back to her mom's house for an evening of catching up into the wee hours of the morning!  While I might be tired this week, it was so good to talk to someone that has known you for half your life and understands exactly what you are going through since we have hit many milestones (engagements, weddings, births) at the same time!  We are already planning to make this happen more than once a decade! haha!