A Day in Time

It’s February and it’s been a very up and down winter this year with the weather. A lot more clouds and cold and rain so when we got a rare day where all of us were home (from school and work) AND it was warm and sunny we knew we couldn’t waste it.

Little Elm lake and park is our favorite outdoor place to take the boys. There’s a beautiful lake beach, a cool park, ducks to feed, walking trail and more. While the trip wasn’t without whining and arguments between boys, it was still a very enjoyable day.

We tossed the football and kicked the soccer ball around, walked the trail, took pictures to humor me, and got some good exercise in. Afterward, we tried a new-to-us diner called Leo’s and then dragged the boys to the grocery store.

The older the boys get, and boy are they growing up fast, the more I treasure these family days. I realize that I’m going to wake up one day and my boys are going to be in college, or moved out and living their adult lives, and these will be just distant memories. Although I’m not the absolute best at soaking up each little moment with them, I am fully aware that they’re going to be grown men before I know it and I must enjoy it while I have it – this elusive thing called childhood.

If anything comes across online from my blogs and social media I hope it’s how much I love my family. I want to be known for my love. I’m not the most loving and outgoing person to the people around me – I admit it. I’m a total introvert, I’m hard to impress, but when it comes to my core unit, my boys and husband, I hope my love is evident to them in their memories and in their lives.

The World Has You

My kids are going back to school tomorrow. Each summer with them goes faster than the one before. I love my boys and want the world for them. Sadly, the world I’m handing over to them is pretty broken and messed up. Even with the broken world that they’re inheriting, they will walk in it a shining light.

They’re kind boys, brilliant, respectful, and dedicated to their studies and music. They’re normal, too, and will mess up and make mistakes but that is what being human is all about – making missteps and learning from our mess-ups. Adam and I will always love them, support them, encourage them, and accept them. It’s a love like no other. And I feel much better about the future of the world with them in it.

I can’t wait to see where life takes them, or where they take life. I long for nothing more than that they chase their dreams and are kind while doing it. So, here’s to a great sophomore, 7th grade, and 5th-grade year to my boys!

Cozy Crocheted Socks

I wanted a super simple project. Something that worked up quickly and yet was a functional, wearable piece. After searching YouTube for patterns, going through a few, I found the one I wanted to try. Benat Quickie Slippers, which you can find by clicking here.

A couple of important notes about this pattern

You’ll need a size 8/L hook

A chunky yarn (I just used a worsted weight but used two skeins in one to make a chunkier yarn)

You’ll want to measure the sock against your foot as you go. And I recommend making it a bit snug to your foot as, at least in my case, the slipper sock will stretch a bit.

I also recommend not using white yarn, as it’ll show dirt quickly. ha! I used that color because it was the only one I had two skeins of the same color. I really need to build up my yarn stash, Y’all!

I would say this pattern took me about 2 or fewer hours to complete. I didn’t keep close track of the time, so it might be quicker or slower for you. It also depends on how quickly you crochet.

I’ve worked a couple of other slipper patterns and this one is my favorite. It whips up fast and wasn’t confusing. If you are a bit confused by the written pattern, you can find the video tutorial here.

I would say it’s an easy pattern, a newbie friendly slipper to whip up on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I really enjoyed it and plan to make it in other colors. Although it’s hot as the dickens in Texas, it’ll be fall before I know it, and you can never have too many cozy socks to wear when the leaves start falling from the trees, and the crisp air blows in.

If you try this pattern, do let me know! Tag me on Instagram with #sincerelynell and I’d love to check out your socks!

An Evening Walk

One of my favorite parts of motherhood is our evening walks together to the ponds in our neighborhood. It may sound silly but there’s something so sweet and sacred about our time together out in nature, moving our bones, and talking.

It’s one of my favorite memories of being a kid. My mom would take me and my brother on walks often. I hope my boys enjoy walks with their own children one day.

A Morning in the Life

Maple biscuit company

This is a little “morning in the life of” post, instead of day in the life of, as all the excitement happened in the morning. It’s now 2pm and we’re all settled in for the day, far away from the extremely hot outside, and errands, back to playing, and relaxing.

So we started the day off taking my in-laws to the Maple Biscuit Company for breakfast for my mother-in-laws birthday. It was new to us, and a fun little joint. It was a nice visit and great food. Can’t beat that.

My oldest sons phone died on him, so we took him to the phone store, and swapped it out for another older iPhone of ours. Luckily we had another one to use. While Adam and Nick did that, Zane, Dash, and I went to the pet store nearby. But not before a picture in front of the massive Aloe plant!

The boys love going to the pet store and looking at all the pets available for purchase and adoption. They especially were taken by all the sweet guinea pigs. Adam doesn’t want anymore pets or I would have for sure bought one or two for them. We’ve not had a pig in over a year now and we miss them. All of us except daddy. Party pooper. ha!

I love their heart for animals. They’re such gentle, loving boys – especially when it comes to the animal kingdom. Boys after my own heart. I’ve always been an animal lover. Glad I passed that along to them.

After the pet store and the phone store we made our way back up near our neighborhood for haircuts, the chiropractor, and groceries. All the boys, including Adam, got haircuts. It took a good hour to get everyone done. Adam got his back popped but I ended up passing this time as the chiropractor only had machines this time as her hand was hurt and she couldn’t manually manipulate your back and neck. I hate machines, so even though I needed it, I decided I’d get it another day.

By the time we got to the store we were pretty spent, plus, the 100 degree heat had zapped the energy out of us but we still managed to be nice to one another, be patient, and get through the store fast.

It was quite the productive morning. And pretty enjoyable, too, which is always a plus. ha!

And just look at my beautiful family! I don’t know how I was lucky enough to have such a wonderful family of men, but I’m so grateful for them.

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