Cooking 101: Blaylock Style

After graduating, Israel has decided to serve a 2 year mission for our church.

And he is very excited about this.

So, as we wait for his paperwork that tells us where he's going, I thought it was time to get this darling boy ready to leave home. And since Noah is only a year behind him, I thought he should join us as well.

So, last night we began cooking lessons.

Yes.

Cooking Lessons.

BLAYLOCK STYLE

Unless you have had the rare opportunity of being in the kitchen with these two, it's hard to explain what that means.

I figured a safe first lesson was baked chicken and mashed potatoes.

Safe? Yes!

Boring? NO!

These two are so different. Noah is EXACT and PRECISE in all that he does, and Israel is just determined to be done. 

In the end, we had yummy chicken.

And the potatoes? Well...they were yummy.

Interesting.....but yummy.

Of course Noah had to put his stamp on it!

Needless to say, it was the most fun I've had in the kitchen for a long time.

As I watched these two and listened to them, I got a bit emotional.

They truly love each other. 

And they ENJOY each other.

I'm realizing that our moments with the two of them will be changing soon and it feels like a REALLY big pill to swallow. 

They are not the same without the other. 

So although these coming changes are tough,

I'm excited for what the future brings for both of them.

I sure love these boys.

I'll Catch Up One Day

I have some amazing friends.

You know the ones.....

the ones who are on top of EVERYTHING.

They are organized and somehow they manage to accomplish literally one million things in one day.

And then there's me.

I really don't think I will catch up with life.

Mainly because I don't think it's possible.

So, instead I have to just keep truckin' along.

Well, remember her?

 (Read my post on her) 

My Friend "K"

She sent me something in the mail today that put it all in perspective.

I laughed so hard.

And I've been laughing ever since.

So, here's to all those who also love the 

WOOSHING sounds

that fill their crazy lives.

Thank you "K".

You understand me so well.

We truly are kindred spirits.

Kindred spirits whose lives are full of 

WOOSHING sounds!

Oh The Places He'll Go...

This has been a big week for our family. Another milestone, another change.

Israel Blaylock graduated.

And our life has once again changed.

This is how I remember Israel from when I first met him. 

He was charming, witty and full of life.

I would sit up at night and look through his "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" books and we would laugh as we looked at all the crazy stuff in that book. 

That will always be one of my favorite memories 

of my time with him.

There are many memories with Israel that are priceless.

He has been my buddy, my friend, my quiet cheerleader and someone I have always admired.

He is good, through and through.

I have had the incredible blessing of sharing his life and watching him grow over the years. Although he has changed over the years, in many things he has never wavered.

He is a loyal friend to all.

He is compassionate and cares deeply about others.

He quietly observes the world around him, but boldly 

goes about doing good.

He doesn't need the limelight, he doesn't need attention or praise.

He just quietly goes about his business and does his very best.

Just like every parent who had a child graduate this year, 

I am excited about his future.

I am excited about his potential.

And I know he will become something great.

So, Israel, thank you.

Thank you for making the choice to love me.

Thank you for always knowing exactly when I needed your support and help, and for quietly giving it in powerful ways.

Thank you for the example you are to your siblings, and for the strength you are to your parents.

We all love you.

We are all proud of you.

And we will all be behind you, cheering you along the whole way.

I love you.

Simply Sunday: A Happy Life

Wow! It's been a long time since I've been on here.

This morning, I was sitting here in my peaceful, quiet home and I started thinking about my crazy life over the past months. I feel like I have had to fight to find those peaceful moments to just pause, think and regroup. No one said having a big family was simple and easy, but it is so worth it.

Just a bit ago, Lucy was snuggling on my lap and she looked up at me and said, "You make me happy." She then squeezed my neck tight and said, "We have a happy life, right mom?"

Such a simple question, yet it has made me think of so many things. 

And the one thing that stands out the most is that, 

YES.....we have a happy life.

We have a crazy and chaotic life.

We have a life filled with challenges that can be tricky.

We lots of people who live in this house, who all have their own individual trials.

But, yes.

I do believe we have a happy life.

And I believe we have a happy life because we have each other.

We have a home full of cute little people who make decisions every day to find happiness.

They choose to be happy.

As I watch them do this, it makes me very proud of them.

Am I happy?

Yes.

I am.

I have a happy life because of them.