De La

Burke named the black Chevy, "De La..." 

Get it? 
De La CRUZE?

He's clever like that!

Porter fixed a few things on De La and Burke had the windshield replaced yesterday.

We are waiting on the title and then handing De La over to Tyler and Rian.

It will be a great second vehicle for them.

I'm grateful that she will still be able to help family!

Last night, as in most all nights, this one was waiting for me.

Sometimes I wonder if we need TWO California King beds put up next to each other in order to fit the kids and dogs who all want to lay with us at night.

Ryker is almost my height and just spoons right up against me. 

He plays on his phone while playing with my hair or pulling the hair on my arms (completely mindlessly).

Stella and Gus lay on the bed because he's on it.

Cooper (who is taller than me now) was laying at my feet because Burke climbed in bed first to get his spot.

It's comical, really.

Some nights he falls asleep on me and Burke has to wake him up to put him in his own bed.

He'll be eleven next month.

I'm holding on to his ten year old self for sure.

 

Faces of Muffin Man

This boy, though!

Muffin loves his Gigi.

He is our ONE grandbaby who likes Gigi slightly more than Papa.

He is constantly hungry (hangry).

However, when I wear him and we walk around and I give him a thousand kisses... he loves it!

He loves his mama.

His sister.

His feet.

His tongue.

He's still got ALL of his red hair he's had since birth.

Love this six month old Muffin!!

 

Crying In The Car

 This morning as I was leaving the house, I heard Ryker running to the front door.

He hadn't hugged me yet.

I squeezed him, told him I love him, and walked to my car.

Then I proceeded to text Burke, "Literally crying in my car. Current status."

I am so grateful God made me a mom.

Also, Kaya tries to go to school with him every single morning. 

Vera

Several years ago, Becky Beck introduced me to Vera Bradley bags.

They are darling and functional and amazing.

She bought me a wallet with a long strap.

I used the heck right out of that thing!!

Until it broke.

Like, unfixable broken.

I went on to the Amazon and bought myself a new one!!

It doesn't have the long strap that Becky Beck made sure I had, but it's darling and functional and not yet completely worn out!

 

More Hoops & Sundaze

Ryker played Saturday night.

I was glad he was feeling better and able to play.

He was home sick from school on Thursday and Friday.

He played great!

Yesterday, Rian & Tyler came over and so did Bubba & Suzanne.

Play-do, coloring, makeup & hair...

Shenanigans with Bubba and the younger boys.

They love when he comes over!

Baby-wearing.

It's what I do!!

Bubba & Aria made pancakes for Ryker and Suzanne.

I was so glad I caught this picture.

 

Hoops & Hearts

Coop had a basketball game Wednesday night, after speed and agility, and in the midst of Ryker's basketball practice.

Wednesdays are currently quite busy for us at our house.

I was looking forward to Cooper having a busy Wednesday.

His first love broke up with him Monday night.

Heart broken.

My mama heart broke for him.

First loves are so hard to lose.

He'll be 15 this month, but that doesn't make it hurt less.

Tuesday morning, before school, he handed me his phone and walked out of his room.

On the phone was the text that broke his heart.

I went into his room where he was on his bed, sobbing.

I just held him.

Basketball and hanging with his boys was just what he needed.

He left it all on the court!!

Burke and Ryker came right after Ryker's practice.

I love these pictures.

Burke misses cuddles with the boys.

I am the one who gets the snuggles nowadays.

So, I made sure to take a picture for his Dad heart.

Wednesday night, Cooper climbed in bed with me and watched TikToks while Ryker laid on the other side of me, asleep on my chest (he wasn't feeling good).

When Burke came to bed and woke them up to go to their beds, I thanked him for allowing me to be their bonus mom.

 

Girl Time

Yesterday, I had my hair done.

Whilst there, Papa got some girl time with Kehlani and Delilah until Gigi got home.

I've never wanted my hair appointment to hurry up and get over so bad!

We soak up our girl time.

Wearing babies is what I do!!

This front carrier is life for this Gigi!!

It allows me to spend time with the older ones while I am still taking care of the babes when I'm by myself.

(Papa had to take Uncle Coop to speed and agility)

Delilah is getting SO mobile!

She is SO big!

Kehlani and I made "cookies for Santa" with Play-do!!!

She is the most imaginative girlie ever.

Delilah "drove" the Bronco whilst eating graham crackers and yelling at the dogs.

This guy, though.

When I walked in, he was holding Delilah (who is obsessed with Papa) and coloring with Lani.

They had some yogurt and spoke Spanish with each other.

That whole, "It's never too late to live happily ever after..."

It's true.