7 Years

It’s April 30th. Today is rainy and cloudy. I asked the girls what they knew of this date. Maya didn’t know and Callie knew it was about Bops. I also asked them if they remembered much about what happened 7 years ago. Maya didn’t (except that she was only 1) and Callie remembered that she was at the dentist. 

I only remember glimpses…moments…a lot of the details are muddled or just gone. 

We just left the cemetery. We brought Bops’ favorite treats. 

Callie tried the Diet Coke. Her assessment was that it wasn’t terrible and basically tasted like chocolate sparkling water.

We are going to a movie with Boom later today. We will bring the treats and get popcorn. We will enjoy being together. We will miss my dad and be sad about all the time lost.

But we will also be grateful for the all time we had. 

Love you Dad. 

A Picture Update

Hi all. It’s been another week. I’m pretty tired…so I don’t have much. Here are the pics:

Headstands and sunshine 

Callie’s show choir performance:

Work from home + no school day today:

Tomorrow is April 30th. That’s 7 years since my dad died. By this time each of the past 6 years I have had a post planned…written, re-written, pictures put together, etc. 

I don’t have that this year. This April has been tough (minus a very amazing 40th birthday) and my mental and emotional capacity for reflection and remembrance  has just not been there.

So I’m not sure what or if or when I’ll post tomorrow. Just know that it seems impossible that it has been 7 years but also like it was lifetimes ago. 

And also that I have said the past few years that maybe I’ll get a gratitude tattoo when I’m 40, and am in the very early planning process if that idea…

Take care.

Timehop Tuesday

It’s an epic one today…my dad threw my mom a surprise 40th birthday in 1995!

40th Birthday Wrap-Up!

Hi all! On my birthday 13 years ago, we found out we were having a baby. And on April 25th, 2009 we started this blog! So happy birthday Baby Goose!

Now on to my birthday yesterday…it was magical. Chris told me to be ready to “do something with the girls” at 9:30. So I was seated on the couch and proceeded to do homemade Wordle (Birthdle!) to guess my gifts.

First up, it was NAILS (yay for manis/pedis with the girls!), then PADDLE BOARDS (so excited for taking them to the lake this summer), then BRUNCH.

Guys…brunch was a SURPRISE PARTY. 

I was gobsmacked! It was amazing! So many family members and friends showed up big time, and I’m so grateful. It feels like a dream.  They couldn't all fit in one photo for a selfie!

My wonderful husband planned this event before surgery, and pulled it off without a hitch only 5 days post-surgery! I was so surprised and just cried while hugging everyone. Brunch was delicious and the presents I got were all so personal and thoughtful.  I set up most of them on our dining room table to have a peaceful puzzle oasis!

Later in the afternoon we headed over to my mom’s for birthday celebration #2! My mom and the girls had picked out and wrapped 40 things for me. It was so fun to unwrap them all. 

Then we ate homemade delicious peanut butter cup ice cream cake. YUM!

Again, thanks to everyone who made my big day special. The 40s are staring out pretty sweet! For some brief video from yesterday, click here.

Weekend Wrap-Up: 40!!!

Hey all! It’s my 40th birthday today and it has been amazing and I need some time to process all the wonderful things and messages and SURPRISES before I can blog about it.

As for yesterday, it was warm and steamy and pretty chill...crafting and basketball and chores.

This morning I woke up and did birthday yoga and went on a windy walk!


And then all the birthday fun ensued. So…come back tomorrow (on this blog’s 13th birthday!) for the full story. In the meantime, just know I’m so grateful for all the love and messages today!! 

A Picture Update: Happy Birthday Auntie Hanna!

First up, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE HANNA!!! 

We love you and hope you had a great day! 

This has been a tough week. Chris had his 2nd hernia surgery on Tuesday. The recovery has been harder. But we are making it. Here are some pics from the week:

Maya and Luna- 2 best buds

A calm run on surgery day, 11K+ steps by 9am, and ready for surgery!

Wednesday- recovery day (mostly in the living room) and homework on the bed

A lovely day on Thursday

And basketball camp for Maya!

While we were at the hospital for Chris’ surgery, I got some sad news from my mom.  Sweet Iris had not been feeling well so she had exploratory surgery on Tuesday. They found a large inoperable tumor, so she had to be put down. 

She will be very missed by all of us, but we are grateful she is not feeling any more pain. 

So all in all, a tough week. We will spend the weekend at home, with Chris continuing to work on recovery. Oh, and I turn 40 on Sunday!

Timehop Tuesday

This was quite a pic from 2 years ago…when we were just about a month into Covid.

It’s a good lesson for all of us now as well.

Chris’ surgery is today around 12:30. We’re a bit nervous. But we have lots of support and know what to expect this time around.

I’ll leave you with these two cuties!

Weekend Wrap-Up: The Happy Easter Edition!

First off, Happy Easter!!

We had a nice weekend and now I wish I had a weekend to recover from the weekend.

Yesterday was just a day to get things done!  Luna held that stick in her mouth the entire 1 mile walk we did in the morning.  Such a weirdo.  And then I made deviled eggs.

Last night some mysterious Easter treats appeared in the bushes out front (thanks neighbors!) and the Easter Bunny came.

Easter Sunday started out lovely and then got a bit rough.  

We decided to come back and try the yearly picture later in the day (see more successful pic at the start of the post). Sometimes you are crabby, even on Easter morning. 

We went to Boom’s house and watched church online.

And then all the girls played Bingo with Boom and got their Easter baskets!


It was a fun morning with the first round of cousins! 

After some rest time this afternoon, the Gosselin crew came over to our house.  There was mimosas, egg hunting, breakfast for dinner and play time!

All in all, it was a lovely day!

Keep Chris in your thoughts and prayers this week...he goes in in for a 2nd hernia surgery on Tuesday.  His first one was back in November, so at least we know what to expect!

A Picture Update

Hey everybody!  Happy Friday! We had a pretty typical week.  The weather was really nice on Monday, so we took advantage of that.

Then it was crappy most of the rest of the week...but Maya won a monthly drawing at our dentist, so she and Chris went to pick up her prize...this HUGE bunny! It was quite a process to narrow down a name, but ultimately Biscuit the Bunny was chosen.

The girls were off today and Chris and I worked from home. After work we dyed eggs!

And finally, just a couple other random pics from the week:

Have a good weekend!  

Timehop Tuesday

Spring in Minnesota is WILD!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Hey all.  Happy Sunday! We had a nice weekend.

Yesterday morning Chris and I were still up north.  It was finally clear out, so I got to see the beautiful sunrise over the lake during my early morning walk.

Then we got updates from Boom...the girls were doing great and the cousins and Auntie Yoda brought over donuts!

Chris and I ordered in breakfast and I finished my puzzle.  

We headed home, and continued to get amazing cousin photo updates on our way back!

We got all the girls back and enjoyed the rest of the day playing outside as much as we could!

The girls even came on a 2.5 mile run/bike ride with me. 

This morning Callie made herself bacon (and hash browns) for breakfast and Maya played quietly.  

Then we went to lunch with Auntie Hanna, Uncle Dan, Mitchell and Isla, and got to go meet Hanna's sister's family's chickens!

This afternoon has been quiet...and I'm mentally preparing for one more quarter of the school year.  We got this.

Have a lovely week!