Ahhhh...let's relax...a little

I can't tell you how "secretly" relieved I was to find out that our baseball/softball games were cancelled today. My eldest was too ;-) You know why we're relieved? Since moving to our new home this spring we've had something scheduled EVERY weekend since our arrival. I'm not joking! Family celebrations, visitors, bbq's, games, practices, weekend weddings, etc. It is great to be busy, but a it can be a sigh of relief to have "time on your hands" too. 

So, this morning I'm not gulping down my coffee to rush out the door. My eldest is painting next to me while I write. The middle one is watching Scooby Doo happily in his mismatched pj's and my youngest is still sleeping. Joyous!

SLSK

Celebrating death with life

So, Eric and I have had a "rough" 18 months. We've both lost parents under different circumstances within a three month time span. Some people don't have close relationships with their parents and I must say that we can't relate. In essence, Eric and I lost our best friends when his father and my mother passed away. Some say that it will get easier with time, but I say that somedays it gets harder. Although the "sting" subsides...the loss will always remain.
In the midst of our grief, there is much joy and celebration to enjoy. In fact, Eric's family started a golf outing to honor his father, Greg. This Memorial Day weekend marked the 2nd annual event with 94 golfers in tow. Not only that, but we had family and friends alike decend upon our small town in Iowa which made for a weekend full of laughter, tears and fantastic memories. 

The weekend consisted of a community band event, the golf outing, a large family dinner and dance as well as time in the hotel pool with the little ones...I think we counted 40 kids at one point. I am sure we missed a few ;-) 

Many thanks and kudos go out to Eric's sister and husband as they were the driving force behind this event. Without their direction...we'd be sitting in Iowa starting at each other.
So, although we've lost two precious souls in our lives, Eric and I agree that we are grateful for what we have...three beautiful children, a good job and a roof over our heads. The rest of the details are just perks!

Any yes...that is the Pope's hat on Eric's head while I am wearing bunny ears. No party is a good party unless it is a themed party. This year's theme was "hat" party!

What REALLY needs to get done?

So, it is another wild and crazy Friday night at the Kraus' house! After a very long week full of kids' activities, Eric's work events and "life" I have found myself wanting nothing more than to watch a "chic flick" by myself...in the most comfortable jammy pants I own and not talk to anyone, but...

There are the evening's dinner dishes calling my name...maybe even a few (or more) things left over from yesterday...making the task a little more daunting. And laundry...always laundry. My cousin, Michelle, stated in an email several months ago that "laundry is the gift that keeps on giving". She is a genius ;-)

In my house laundry is a chore that haunts me when I sleep and when I am awake. I can NEVER get on top of it! I swear, Eric's stuff alone takes up three to four loads weekly. (Mental pic...the man is 6'8'' and over 299 lbs...you can only imagine how big his clothes are ...therefore...they take up a lot of space in the washer;-)) Plus I should sort out the paperwork (school notes, bills, cards to mail out, etc). It goes on and on...right?

I have a wonderful husband who helps me out whenever I ask...which the "asking" can drive you nuts on the wrong days, but nonetheless he is willing to help put the kids to bed, help with homework, put away dishes, etc. I have heard horror stories from other mothers that make me grateful he is a hands on Dad. So, why is it I feel like I am fighting an uphill battle daily to get it all done...not just the chores, but enriching my children's lives with the simple pleasures of coloring with them, reading to them and holding them?

I know our society has raised the stakes of the "perfect" family. The "perfectly" decorated home. The "perfectly" decorated children and the "perfectly" decorated marriage. It is a game that I could get caught up in and sometimes I find myself on the verge of jumping in with two feet, but then reality hits...no way...who's got the time? I can barely get a shower some days!?!

So it is with great pleasure that I am announcing...jammy pants here I come...when does the movie start?

Night!