My champ!

It's been a much nicer change of pace around here....

in fact, some pretty damn good moments-

from watching the movie "Mr. Mom" with Michael Keaton yesterday morning with the kids, which by the way is just funny

then watching in memory of one of my absolute favorites since the days of Mork and Mindy, Robin Williams, we watched "Mrs. Doubtfire"

and once again, lots of laughter!

In fact, the day just got better for the most part when Ty and I used a bunch of fresh veggies our neighbor had given us from his farm to make homemade chili in the crockpot

Now for some reason I have always been intimidated by making Chili, probably made it once.... don't know why- it was so easy and so delicious

everyone ate it (even Ty, despite his first negative impression and words about it, that's kind of how he is- bark first, then realizes, hmm pretty good, in fact amazing!

Then today, he came and snuggled me in bed as Brian was getting ready for work, and despite some crazy anxiety OCD stuff, he simply just sat and stared outside, obsessed with waiting for the mail...

now I used to worry about this, waiting, for hours for one particular point in the day, maybe someone coming home, or leaving, whatever

now as long as he's "not bothering" others as he typically might be in this kind of situation, well then he can stare out the windows for hours - fine by me.

The alternative wouldn't probably be a good one!

And of course I"m speaking from experience!

So, after mail came and what he was hoping for arrived, his mood shifted to joy and excitement for our camping trip to the beach coming up

And Sarah and I got to bake zucchini muffins with some of the left over zucchini from the box the neighbor gave me, and well.... cooking, baking, watching movies with the kids

I even heard Ty yesterday, when he, Megan and I were out front altogether (which in of itself is quite amazing)

But I hear Ty's sweet voice say to Megan "Megan, do you want to pet Gretchen?"

Don't know who was more shocked, Megan or myself..... but yeah that's the little boy I know is in there... That's the little boy that I will continue to help and fight with every ounce of my being, to help him when he struggles, and life gets in his way, and to continue to love him always, even when it's a hard day for him.

Because I know, even when it's tough, he truly just wants to be happy and loved-

it's nice to see him happy- and we love him unconditionally with all of our hearts..... He is a fighter, and a champ!