The sun is warm, and the flowers are blooming. The blue skies and dew soaked green grass , totally play with my heart strings.

But can I let you in on a little secret?

May is my favorite because I LOVE being spoiled.

And in May I am always so spoiled that it is ridiculous.

It all starts with this weekend. I get to have an afternoon/evening date with my love. The best part?

It’s a date just because.

Just because he loves me.

Sunday is Mother’s Day. I love Mother’s Day. Because I love being spoiled. And my family has a track record of being really good at spoiling me on that day. I am not even ashamed.

The next weekend is particularly special this year because our good friends randomly offered to take our kids off our hands for an e.n.t.i.r.e. weekend.

Let’s just take a moment for that to soak in.

I get giddy just thinking of it.

One whole weekend of staying up late. Sleeping in. Coming and going as we please. Eating out. Eating in. Quiet. I have already had SO much fun dreaming about and anticipating the weekend. Sigh. Michael and I have never had a stay-cation before. Nor have we ever spent more than one night {together} away from the kids. And we get two! It is like a dream come true. I am thinking Steak dinners.

That following week is my little man’s birthday. I am trying not to think about the fact that he is going to be SIX! That alone makes this Mama a bit weepy. I am in denial but can’t help be excited with him. He has been waiting ALL year to be six. To be six to him, is the greatest thing ever. We are going to throw him a huge monster big party, and then when it is all over I will drown myself in leftover cake and cruise online for baby boy clothes for nostalgia sake.

Then.

Drumroll Please.

It’s MY BIRTHDAY.

I am sorry. I cant help it. I just love my birthday. This weekend it is on a Saturday which is perfect! We are going to Stillwater for the day to roam and play. My absolute favorite. I love day adventures with my family. Especially ones that include photo opportunities { guilt free since it is my birthday and they ALL have to participate! } , warm weather, cute towns,  and a lunch out!

The loveliness of May flows over to June because the first week of June marks the 9th year Michael and I have been married. How awesome is that? Our “stay-cation” will really be our celebration. But I am sure we will find other ways to celebrate the day low key. I am thinking more Steak.

Also our anniversary is the kids last day of school, and that is just fantastic!

So if you spot me doing, “The May Happy Dance.” You will know why.

It’s that time again.

Sun kissed Hair.

Dirty toes.

Skinned knees.

My favorite time of the year made extra special with my favorite kids.

I forgot to post this beauty the other day.

She has been picking it up every chance she can get.

She really is an artist true .

A couple of weeks ago the two of us went on a Mommy Daughter date. She needed some summer clothes, and I needed some time with my girl.

The highlight of the night was watching her rock out in the changing room at Old Navy to some groovy number. That girl has NO shame.

And she wouldn’t stop talking. She is like her Mama. Give her the opportunity and she will pour out her heart.

I dont know how we got to this place in life so quickly. Seems like yesterday that she was chasing the chicks in our front yard in Paraguay. In only a diaper and a toothless grin.

Now.

Just Look at her.

How.Did. She. Grow. Up. So. Fast?

…it has hit me how fast life goes…

We moved into this house three months ago, and it feels like just yesterday that we were surrounded by boxes in complete disbelief that this was our new house.

I still have moments that I stop and see the beauty that is our home and am overcome with thankfulness. I know I need to post more photos, but nothing is really finished still. I have a feeling that it will always be a “work in progress”. I also am bi-polar when it comes to design and color- it is so much fun that I have my own home to play with. I am so thankful that Michael puts up with my never ending to-do list, and has for the most part catered to all my whims and dreams.

Our yard is amazing. Every time I drive by our home, or walk to the mailbox I am struck with how cool it really is. The kids love to play outside. They just have so much freedom and space. They always come in absolutely filthy-it is the best! We are just starting to discover how much work a big yard is. I have almost given up on my idea of a veggie garden this year. I am still going to clear the space for it- but to be honest with myself, I dont know if I  have the time to upkeep it this year. It makes me sad, but it is SO hard for me to find the time to get outside to just work on the space…

But it could be just because I spend two and a half hours a day in the car driving the kids to school and back. That is 12.5 hours a week. It is so tiring. BUT. They are done with school in six weeks- so my taxi days are almost over! I can not wait for their last day! It is going to be so nice to have them home again with me all day for the summer. I have plans to be at the beach as much as we can be. Also our Brazil family will be here all of July-and a bit into August and I am nearly peeing my pants with excitement!

I am still running- my discipline and dedication in this area has literally shocked me. I don’t know this version of myself. But I like her. It has been a struggle to find a running schedule that fits into my family’s lifestyle- and it still isn’t perfect, actually my schedule is pretty random but for now has been working out ok. I try to run three times a week, and  I have ditched Lili and the stroller for my runs if I can – i am seeing more progress without the two of them. And now that I have eaten all of the left over easter candy, I may start to see more progress elsewhere!

Running has given me a boost of energy, and I am loving it! The other day I was outside with Bean chasing her all over the yard. And I didn’t lose my breath. And I didnt want to sit back down after 30 seconds. It was amazing and so much fun!

Lili is in a not so fun stage of wills. She is the spunkiest by far of my three children, and really gives me a run for my money. I have a feeling that she is just the younger version of myself. We have a lot of work to do! She is sugar and spice, and I adore both sides of her.

Meanwhile Bella and Caleb are loving school, and doing great. It has been so much fun to see the two of them learning and growing. It is interesting being their mama at this stage. They are so different from each other, and it has been great to get to know who they are and becoming. I love them so much.

How did I get so lucky to have such an amazing family?

Four weeks ago I began C25K.

And I am happy to say that I am still pressing on. I have done week 2 twice now, and am going to be starting week 3 for the second time tomorrow. This process has been a lot more difficult than I could have ever imagined.

But I am in it to complete it. To complete it well. And if I stay at week three for the next month, that is ok. Because I am doing this for me. I am finally at the point where my lungs don’t burn when I run, but man my legs- they scream after 2.5 minutes.

One foot in front of the other…

I’m not sure I will ever LOVE running. But I do love the feeling of accomplishment when I come home after a run. Challenging myself is rather a new concept for me to swallow, but the reward is so sweet. I think that I am officially addicted.

This season I am in is truly bittersweet.

Discovering oneself. To be honest with oneself. To push oneself …

It is a lot to sift through…

I am discovering a side of Cari long forgotten.

The side that fights. That nitty gritty side- that knocks down all obstacles. The determined, strong side that keeps going when it just seems impossible…

to put one foot in front of the other…

This isn’t just about me running.

It is about me running after the person I was designed to be.

To let my heart be stirred. To be on fire. To be moved.

Somedays the best days are hanging out in the woods.

Hand in hand.

Since when did she start calling me Mom?

The past few weeks Bean’s vocabulary has exploded, along with her ability to communicate her emotions and ideas more effectively. It is the cutest thing, but I can’t help but be a little sad that my baby bean is slipping away.

Lately we have been coming to battles over clothing. She is my first child who has ever had a strong opinion on fashion. Oddly enough most days I love her choices, except when it is 40 degrees outside and she insists on wearing shorts and a tank top. Silly Lili.

She loves to pray. Especially if you are sick and hurting. She lays her little hands on you, and says” Jesus, thank you for making { mama} all better. In Jesus name. Amen.”  If you ask her who made her pretty she says shyly, ” Jesus did Mama. Jesus.”

Sometimes I will call her a princess and she will say, ” I not princess, silly Mama. I LiliBean! “

Whenever she sees something she loves and wants she will say, ” I det that my birfday. That my birfday.” She could be referring to a house, a car, a dog, a food, or a toy. Her upcoming birthday has many expectations this year!

Her best friends are her So.fee, Ellieee, and Liza. She talks about her friends all the time. I love to see her interaction with all of them. Sometimes she is sweet with them, and sometimes she is a little stinker.

If I ever ask her to do something she doesnt want to do, she will say, ” I too bisy that Mama. I too bisy.” As if that is a reasonable excuse to disobey!

Her favorite phrase is, ” I did that yesterday.” Yesterday can mean 10 mins ago. Tomorrow, or last year!

I love that she can now tattle on her brother and sister. Because of this, they have been less manipulative with her, and the house has been a little more peaceful. She on the other hand loves to manipulate them, so I have been having to correct her more on being loving and kind. Her response: “well…”

She is still my little spitfire. And I love her. I love the fire in her. Her being able to talk has tamed that flame a little bit, but I hope it doesn’t ever completely disappear.