Happy 5th Birthday sweet Maverick!!!

Tonight, I'm sitting on airplane thinking about life and what it all means. So cliche, right?  I know....however, last week I lost a friend and she was too young to pass so I've been in a state of shock, reflection and appreciation.
I am shocked because she's gone and I just don't believe that yet. Andrea would be 38 years old this coming Sunday. We are 6 weeks a part. She was my first friend besides my sister. My first sleepover was at Andrea's house. Her mom introduced to me to soap operas and I eventually scheduled my college classes around Days of Lives thanks to Kathy and Andrea! We would watch the Miss America pageant at her house and talk about who spoke well, who had the silliest talent or just laugh at the whole thing. I'm shocked to think she isn't here to watch her two sons grow up or to meet my children. I'm shocked when I think about the family and friends she left behind and if she knew how much she was loved. I'm shocked knowing i will never hear her infectious laugh again and that breaks my heart.

The past few weeks I've been reflecting on life more my life and what is important. I'm the first to admit I get upset about a lot of little things but they are important to me however, I'm beginning to realize it's a lot of time wasted in the grand scheme of things.
Does my husband not put the toilet seat down, talk too loud or screw up here and there....YES!! Do my kids run around like crazy people YES!! But, is it worth yelling at them? Probably not. Is it worth fighting with my husband over half the stuff we fight about? Probably not. How do i change that? I'm not sure but I realize how short life is and how very precious this time is with my family.
They are happy, healthy, kind and loving little humans. Mike is a kind, loving and good man. I need to tell myself to take a chill pill more often, not worry about the house being spotless, everything in it's place and enjoy the moments more because they are fleeting.

I've also been appreciative to my family and friends during this time. So many have stepped up to offer to help with kids and just give me and my sister a hug. It's so very much appreciated.
After spending a couple days in Tyler, my hometown, I also realized how appreciative I was to be surrounded by the amazing friends I had growing up. Robyn and I were so lucky and blessed and seeing Tyler and the friends brought back so many memories. The memories I will hold close to my heart forever.

And I will keep Andrea alive in my heart.
She was a beautiful soul with so much love, positivity, humor and heart. I can't turn back time but if I could, I would have made more of an effort to visit, to call or write a letter and I can say with certainty I will make more of an effort in my daily life to take the time....write a quick letter, smile at a stranger, hug my children even more ( they may cringe) and tell those I love how much they mean to me.

Rest in Peach Sweet Andrea.
I'll love you forever.

Best Friends

These two make me laugh every single day! Don't get me wrong, they also drive me to my breaking point but for the oat part, lots of laughs. One of my favorite things to do is honestly just watch them interact. They have their own little language- verbally and "looks". They also fight hard but when finally hurts the other they both are beside themselves with tears because the thought of hurting one another actually is horrid to them. 

Tonight they helped me make "candy corn shots" for our 9th Annual Halloween party coming up this Friday. Don't judge... They were excited to be in the kitchen helping mommy stir, pour, etc.

The "littles" are growing too fast!!! 

Some Christmas Pictures 2013

                                       Naomi and Nash at Maverick's Preschool Christmas Play!

                                                   Posting with Santa at the Preschool

                                                              Disneyland 2013

                                     Nash looking oh so cute at his class Christmas party

Bye Bye Baby Weight

Happy New Year 2014!!! I'm excited for this year and the upcoming events like going to NYC to my brother in law's wedding!! I am also excited to say on this blog that I've lost 30pounds this past year. Yep! It was time for the baby weight to go and I'm feeling so great!! I've got about 10 more pounds to go before I make it to my "goal weight".  Mike and I have made fitness a part of our daily lives as well as the kids. Maverick and Naomi are excited to go the gym (Studio Sweat) and we enjoy a family hike or run on Sunday mornings. Maverick now asks if something is healthy but that doesn't mean he will eat it; at least he's asking. The boys have conversations about eating their fruit and veggies so they can grow big and strong like daddy!!!
And Naomi, well, she eats everything and loves her fruits and veggies.
When the kids go to the gym they grab the 1pound weights and attempt some bicep curls or show off their planking skills!
This has been a process and I've taken it slow because I want it to stick and never go back to that chunky girl I was after...even if it was due to having babies. No excuses. The Morrill's are living a healthy lifestyle and eating clean!!!

Maverick is potty training and 1st playdate

Hey Guys,

So much for my weekly posts. Sorry! Summa Summa Summatime is keeping me busy.
We've been having a blast this summer. This is our first summer in about 4 years we have not taken a family vacation. Now, Mike and I left for 4 days to Cabo to celebrate our 10 year anniversary back in June but as for the kids...it's called a stay cation!!! And you know what, we are making it one heck of a good summer.
Beach, camps, drive in movies, playdates, BBQ's and swimming every day!

So more on summer later but I wanted to give Maverick a shout out because today marks Day 8 of potty training and wearing big boy pants!! I'm so proud of him and how well he's adjusted. Sure, there's been a few accidents here and there but honestly, he's been a rock star much like his big brother Nash.

This morning after I took his night diaper off and put on his new big boy undies he says to me, "oh now that feels betta". So stinking cute. He does have "pee pee candy" like Nash did and it has been helping him remember to make it to the bathroom. Sometimes he tells me he went but when I check he hadn't actually gone but he expects his "pee pee candy" so I've got to be on top of that one.

Last Friday was another big moment for Maverick.  Our friend, Courtney has a 3 year old, Dominic, who Maverick nicknamed, Domers. Well, she asked if Mav could come over and play (without ME!) and I was nervous but let him go. I'm telling you when he waved goodbye to me as they drove away with that precious smile I almost broke down in tears! He had the sweetest and most excited smile on his face and I was so proud of him for being brave going with Courtney and Dominic AND not only leaving but staying for 3 hours!!

What was even cuter was his big brother, Nash, missing him so much. Nash was not used to Maverick leaving; it's always the other way around. Nash had a hard time at first asking, "When is Mav coming home? It's been 2 hours do you think we should get Mav?" I finally asked Nash, do you miss your brother and Nash very sweetly replied, "I miss him a lot." Melted my heart.

The next morning Maverick informed us all that he wanted a sleepover at Dom's house next time. Hmmm...he may think he's ready but I know this mommy is NOT ready!!!

I'm loving every moment with my kids this summer and don't want school to start yet. This has been the best summer staycation thus far!!!

xo
K

Nash lost his 5th tooth...oh and he's done with 1st grade tomorrow

Holy Wow! What a crazy month. It's been super busy but what's new?
I've been very busy with end of the year activities in terms of Nash's class. I have been the room mom along with another mom this year. Nash's teacher, Mrs. Breisch, expects a lot and I wanted to bring my A game this entire year. Who cares if I'm super busy...I want to be involved in my children's school.

So, long story short, I've been crying all week over the most random things. For example, Mike and I were running late on Monday so Mike decided to drop Nash off instead of park and walk in with him. On the rare occasions I drop off I pull up to the curb and literally drop Nash off at school. Well, on Monday, Mike pulled into the parking lot and let Nash out of the car and the kicker was that Nash had to walk across the street by himself (crossing guards were there). I panicked...surprise!!!
Nash made it across the street just fine however, as we pulled away and he kept walking by himself into school my eyes welled with tears. At first I was so overwhelmed with the fact I was crying I didn't understand why I was crying. It wasn't until I could find my voice to tell Mike that I was crying because our little Nash Potatoes is growing up and I've enjoyed 1st grade SOOOOOOO much. It's been a pleasure watching, listening and participating in Nash's growth not even academically but emotional as well. His teacher has truly been a gift. We have all adored her.

In fact, Nash loves Mrs. Bresich so much that he came home today bound and determined to lose his 5th loose tooth before school lets out tomorrow because, "Mrs. Breisch wants to see my toothless smile."
So, I was shocked hours later while tucking Nash into bed he allows me to PULL his bottom right tooth OUT OF HIS MOUTH!!! I was shocked but honestly, it was so much fun and I hope I got some extra Mom points.

I'm hosting an end of the year party at our house tomorrow. Nash's now (almost) 3rd grade buddies will all be over to help him celebrate the end  of the year. It's truly been an amazing year and I just want to warn you all...I'm going to CRY a lot..

I promise....

I, Karyn Morrill, promise to blog 2x a week if you promise to start reading it again. PLEASE!!!!
I, Karyn Morrill, promise to provide funny stories about our crazy family's daily lives. It's worth it.


PLEASE!!! Start reading again!!!

Naomi Kate is 16 months old May 28,2013

Seriously? She's 16 months old? Wow! Look at our little beauty. She brightens every day and I'm excited to see her each morning in her crib. She greets me with this big smile and joy in her eyes.
I acknowledge this has been a very hard year since having her and adjusting two having 3 children but I don't ever want Nay to read these blogs and think we don't love her so much. Naomi was a gift from God as were all my children but she was given to us for a reason. We needed this little sassy creature to keep us on our toys and help teach the boys to get excited when she wears new girlie shoes!!

16 months later, we are still tickled pink!!

Love you Naomi Kate Morrill

xo

I'm 35 years old! This is me. Who am I these days?

Well, Nash might tell you I'm his mom, I weight 121 pounds (I wish) and I like to check my messages and I love him to the moon and back 8,000 times.

Maverick might tell you I'm his mommy and I take him to costco!

And lil miss Naomi would hug me and should "MOOMMMYYY"

Mike might tell you I'm his wife of almost 10 years ( not sure if he's happy about that-ha) I'm also wildly hot tempered and can go from 0-60 at a drop of a hat. And I hope he would say he appreciates what I do for our family and business.

What would I say? 

This is what I would say today about me at 35 years old....

I am strong, funny and working to be in the best shape of my life. I'm also feeling anxious at how fast the babies are growing up and if I'm balancing work and being a mother fairly.

There's a lot more I could say but I wanted to keep this one simple. I am a work in progress and I don't always make it through the day without yelling or shouting at Mike or the kids, cursing under my breath about an employee, or forgetting to pay a bill but at the end of the day when I'm tucking my children into bed I have the courage to admit my mistakes, say I'm sorry and ALWAYS tell them I love them to the moon and back 8,000 times and that God lives in our hearts. 

I love you Mike, Nash, Maverick and Naomi Kate so much my heart feels like it will explode sometimes. 

xo,

Mommy

I love these kids...and this crazy life

Hello!! it's been a while...and I'm not even going to talk about how it's been so long since I've blogged and basically over the past 2 years I've been horrible at documenting the Morrill Family.
What I will say is this:

I did not want to look back on the almost 2 years and be disappointed in my overwhelmed attitude
I did want my kids to read how tough the past year has been but with positivity
I realized I missed blogging and how important it has been in our family when Nash said, "Mommy, when are we getting a new blog book to read for bedtime stories?"
I have been Overwhelmed, depressed, exhausted, grateful, appreciative, blessed, loved, energized and beyond happy all the same time this past year
Each one of my children are so unique and own my heart. They truly are gifts from God and we are blessed he gave us these three crazy rug rats!!!

This is my promise to Nash, Maverick and Naomi--I promise to start writing more "bedtime stories" for you to read this year. I promise to say prayers with you every night, cuddle and sing and when I leave the room I will always say, "don't let the bed bugs bite..."
I promise when Mommy and Daddy argue or fight, we will always apologize to each other, love one another and respect each other. And most importantly, we will always love you to the moon and back plus infinity.

Tonight, I'm writing down one word that currently best describes our family, each child and my husband....have fun!!!

Family:     LOUD

Mike:        LOUD

Nash:       LOUD

Mav:       LOUDER

Naomi:    LOUDEST


xoxo

Nasher's

Goodness! Nash is so active and so busy!! He's at the top of his 1st grade class, baseball, piano, tutoring with Mrs. Jody, swim starts this week and basketball starts in June. Oh! And we are looking into a hip hop class for him because he loves dancing...and he's good at it.
So, what happens last Monday? He and Maverick are running around outside like wild animals while I"m inside with Naomi trying to talk to the electrician who stopped by to give me some information when I hear Nash scream. Now, I've always been honest on this blog and even though it's been a while since I've been on here I'm not  going to stop now. I opened the sliding glass door and yelled at Nash, "NASH! What is wrong with you?" I thought he was just yelling at his brother or whatever...then he says with sobs, "MOOOOMMMMYY" OH CRAP!
He's holding his arm and saying it hurts so bad. I usher the electrician out and let the littles run wild while I get ice on Nash's wrist asap. Nash cries for almost 30minutes and his wrist swells instantly. I know it's "something".
In fact, I text Mike asking him to hurry home from his spin class to help out with the littles because Nash is not letting me leave his side!
Well, Mike gets home and says "he's just got a sprain." I"m thinking NO but don't argue.
The next morning, I'm looking at Nash's wrist and seeing that it's still swollen and he cries when I touch it in the same spot I'm thinking this is more than bruising or even a sprain. But, maybe Mike is right? Hey! It happens every once in a while!
So Mike buys a brace for Nash and sends him off to school. When Nash gets home from school and says, "Mom, can I just go watch my baseball team and cheer them on?" The fact he's not begging to play says something. Nash LOVES to play in his games and doesn't miss the chance.
Guess what? One of the boys father on Nash's team just so happens to be an Orthopedic Surgeon!!! He looks at it and says in a matter of a minute says Nash has a broken wrist!!!

Two days later, x-rays and lots of icing I'm at the doctor's office with Nash watching him get his wrist casted! What color did Nash chose for his arm? ORANGE!!!!

Nash has been a trooper. Mike and I are so proud of him. His one "moment" was the first night laying in bed and everything is itching he says to me with tears, "Mommy, 24 days is a long time to wear this thing." I kissed him and then agreed it was a long time however, I was going to make him a very cool "scratcher" and Mike also bought him a special sharpie to take with him to school for all of his friends to sign it.

So, Nash was the first to break a bone out of our kids. Honestly, Mike and I were so sure it would be Maverick until recently when Naomi started climbing EVERYTHING. Nope! Nash is the winner!!!

I love my little guy so much! He's so brave, strong and sweet. Love you Nashers!!

Oh!! And this past Saturday, he was awarded the game ball after the baseball game because he showed up, helped coach, cheered his teammates on and that is a true athlete. Great coaching Mike!!!