Have your cake...

The other night I got to go out on the town with my sister. No kids, just the girls. We went to a friend's house for a party. I'm so not the type of person who "goes out" much...so it was really nice to get out of the house for awhile. Even though I do always feel a bit naked without a diaper bag and a couple of kids pulling on my legs. ;) My hubby, who is one heck of a guy, stayed home with the kids. He works hard for the money, but comes home and continues working to be a present and loving husband and father.

I'm so blessed to be married to a man who knows and appreciates what I do at home all day with the kids, and makes efforts to help me relax and have time to myself. More often than not he walks in the door from work and says "hey, babe, what do you need right now?" My answer a lot of times is "no one calling my name!" ;) So the other night when I got a night out, I came home to find this: cheesecake and coffee waiting for me. I love how thoughtful he is. Even though he had been home and probably stressed, he was still thinking of ways to show me love. No, he's not for rent. ;)

Of Sisters and Sharing Bathrooms

This weekend I've been able to hang out with some of the greatest girls ever. My sisters. I blogged recently about how siblings can drive their mother crazy. Mom, looking at these pretty faces, can I get an amen? ;) 
I'm sure she would be first in line to wring our necks at times.
Our house was tons of fun growing up, but occasionally could be deemed "cat fight central". What do you expect with five girls sharing a bathroom? I say five girls...but my brother definitely knew how to take up his fair share of bathroom time. He still does. ;) (Good luck to my soon to be sister in law.) But, as ridiculous as we have been in the past, and most likely will be in the future, these girls are some of my best friends. 


















 



 

We love to make each other laugh till we cry. I have four shoulders I know I can cry on at any time. As much as we try to keep each other straight...we're first in line to look out for each other, too. I'd say sharing a bathroom was a small price to pay for the blessing of having them in my life. Now which one of you borrowed my shirt and didn't give it back? ;)

51 days...

...till Spring that is. I'm trying really hard to be happy about more snow, for my kids sake. I'm determined to focus on the good things, like this is one less snow until Spring is here. The kids are pretty cute though when they get so excited about the snow, trying to peek out the windows at it. Cuteness always makes me happy.



Another positive thing I'm focusing on is that all this snow has to make Spring that much prettier. As muddy as my yard is, at least it's getting well watered I guess. I'm no green thumb, so I could be wrong, but makes sense in my mind. Flowers and green things make me happy. Oh, and the sun. I haven't seen that in awhile.



Another thing about snow that makes me happy, is it keeps the kids occupied for about 5 minutes. Five minutes of uninterrupted standing and staring out the window, right next to each other, without fighting. Do you know what I can DO with 5 minutes? I can go to the bathroom. I can get dressed, or I can eat something. Or if I'm really quick I can take a shower. So, yeah, I guess there is a few reasons to be happy about snow. But don't tell anybody. I have an image to keep up. ;)

Bird Nerd

Ok, I think I've officially become a nerd. I bought a bird feeder. (Not sure if that makes me a nerd or not, but it kinda feels like it somehow) But I did it for my kids...sort of. For some reason, they both freak out when they see birds, in a good way. The highlight of Tirzah's summer last year was the seagulls at the beach, and Merrick gets really mad if I don't hold him up so he can see the birds out our back window.

So Saturday we noticed a whole flock (I suppose?) of Blue Jays, Cardinals, and a few woodpeckers out our back door. They were really pretty, and I caught myself thinking "so this is why people watch birds". Anyway, we decided that these guys needed some food, in hopes they might stick around a bit. So the "bird foods" as Merrick calls it is up in the tree out back...we'll see if the birds will eat my cooking. My kids sure won't. ;)

Check out more shots at Trendy Treehouse and Sweet Shot

Because we're worth it.

I've been learning so much lately. So much I'm not really sure how to put it into words. It's still  in the "floating around in my head" stage, ya know? The stage where you're trying to live by it, but you're not used to this new habit yet. I'm trying to make new habits, but some old ones are hard to break in the process of those new, better-for-your-soul habits.One habit in particular I'm trying to break is the life-long habit of being way critical of myself...in every way, and learning to realize that loving God and the people around me is way more time-worthy than obsessing over things about myself I don't like and letting it ruin my attitude.

It's not an excuse to be lazy, but it's the realization that I don't have to be perfect. Perfection is not gonna happen, but I'll be the best I can be with God's help. I know I can't make changes on my own. Seriously, only God is going to help me break a cycle that I don't want to see my kids have to deal with, and particularly my daughter. We women are so critical of so much about ourselves. I want her to see the beauty God has given her, and to be comfortable in that. She's worth it. I'm learning that I am, too.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. / Matthew 13:44-45

Frenemies

My kids really love each other. I promise. And I really love them, and wouldn't trade them for anything. Consider that my disclaimer before I launch into this detailed description of why siblings have an unhealthy effect on their mothers. ;)

1). The more the merrier? The more the messier. You'd think common sense would tell you that adding one child to your already one child would double the mess. Nope. For some reason a mathmetician would need to figure out for me, the mess seems to triple. Those babies know how to trash a house. Take away all their toys, and they would probably just peel the paint off the walls. In other news, we are really interested in adoption...so would adding another one increase the mess by eight times? Or twenty-five? Like I said...mathematician.

2.) Little siblings = big pain in the butt. Don't get me wrong, I'm from a family of six children. Wouldn't change a thing about my growing up...except my five siblings. Kidding, kidding.They are some of my best friends...but there were times when I was younger, and yesterday, when I weighed the consequences of jail time vs. what I really want to do to my younger siblings. We all survived; I have the scars to show for it. But all kidding aside, big families are awesome. Just not for the faint of heart, or the lovers of quiet. (Meh, quiet is overrated anyway.) And we are kind of like a pack of wolves...you mess with one you have 5 angry siblings to deal with. It has it's perks. ;)

3.) Tattling. 'Nough said. I do not like hearing who stole whose chicken nugget or that Tirzah smells like poop or the clinical explanation for why exactly it is that Merrick's life depends on having that particular item that is in Tirzah's little fingers. (Trust me...you'd have better luck extracting yourself from the jaws of an alligator than getting that toy from her, son. Just move on) I usually calmly (as in while I pull out my hair) take said toy and throw it into the black hole of "your sibling is more important than that toy", and so are my eardrums. In all seriousness (is seriousness ever the case on this blog?) I want them to learn that people are more important than things, so if that toy is more important than your little sister, kiss it goodbye kiddo. Jesus did not say, "Love your neighbor as yourself until he takes your baby doll. Then, you can pull his hair until he screams." I do think He said "peace, be still." But so far that just hasn't work for me.







But, man, they're so stinkin cute. Even if I have lost most of the hearing in my left ear, and can't feel my right big toe after stepping on the plastic chick-fil-a cow they were just fighting over.
























 

Check out more shots at The Paper Mama.

(That last shot is my pick for this week.)

So Good.

When it's dark and it's cold
And I can't feel my soul
You are so good...

When the world has gone gray
And the rain's here to stay
You are still good...

So with every breath I take in
I'll tell You I am grateful again
And the storm my swell
Even then it's well, and You are good...

I'll sing You a love song
It's all that I have
To tell You I'm grateful
For holding my life in Your Hands... / Nichole Nordeman

We had a bit of ice this morning. It coated everything in a bit of sparkle. It's no Spring, but it seemed to add a bit of color to my surroundings. Sometimes there is so much beauty in the waiting...

Check out more shots at YouCapture. The theme this week was circles...out of which box I strayed far and did bokeh circles. ;)

Celebratory Happy Meal

I'm sure I've said many times that we've all been sick recently. Can you tell I'm an awful sick person? I never get sick, so when I do I'm a whiner.

I got the flu late Wednesday night, and will always remember that night as the night I nearly died puking. I seriously thought I was going to die on the bathroom floor, and no one would know. My hubs slept through the whole thing. No, I wasn't bitter or anything. ;)

Thankfully I lived, and also apparently diluted the flu for the rest of the family...who each had it progressively lighter. What are Moms for right? ;) Anytime guys. Thankfully we are doing better now, and in honor of eating again after three days of saltines and water we all had McD's. I think I ate enough to make up for those three days. Glad to be feeling better, and hoping the germs will give us a break for a little bit.

Check out more shots at Trendy Treehouse, and Sweet Shot

(The last shot is my pick for the week.)

Thank You

Recently the germ-fest of 2011 ran through our house. We all had the sniffles, the coughs, the sore throats, and the general grouchies. Who wants to waste energy being friendly when your throat is on fire and you can't breath through your nose, right?

I've been trying to work on this myself, and teach my kids while I'm at it, to be kind to people no matter how you are feeling. (I think the only possible exemption may be while in labor, that's a whole different level there ;). One of the "sick nights" Billy got us Chinese food and a funny movie. I think laughter really is some of the best medicine. Plus it's a lot easier to say please and thank you with a belly full of General Tso's chicken.

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness 

will find life, righteousness, and honor. / Proverbs 21:21

Check out more shots at Lisa's Chaos

The View from Here.

Saturday mornings mean different things for different people. When you're young they often mean sleeping in and being lazy.

When you're older, and have kids of your own, sleeping in is so 3 years ago (which would be before Merrick was born). At least for everyone at the same time. We have to sleep in shifts around here.

I recently told someone that I think it's sooo funny how my kids like to wake me up screaming/crying/pounding on the walls. I can't wait until my kids are teenagers, who want to sleep the day away. I will have my revenge. ;) I've thought up many a way to wake them in that sleep-deprived stupor of mine.

But in all seriousness, if that's even possible at an early hour on a Saturday morning, I love these kids. I love this season of our lives where we are short on sleep, but long on awesome memories. Even if they are a little foggy since I seriously need a nap already.

Check out more shots at The Paper Mama

(The first shot is my pick for this week)

Before?

I barely remember before there were these two heads in the tub on a Saturday night. I can't picture my life without them in it. Even though sometimes I secretly accuse them of making my life utter chaos. (Which is probably a bit true, in my defense. But its chaos of the best kind.)

Trying to think back, those 3 years ago, feels like looking through a fog. I feel like they've always been here. Always running around leaving a trail of toys and laughter, splashing water and their toothy little grins all over the bathroom, and making my heart explode every day with this chance to love 2 people so much. (No, I'm not crying...I just have something in my eye. Or I'm sleep deprived and can't breathe through my nose. Which is totally their fault too, bless their little germ-carrying hearts)

Some days its hard. They are fussy, they fight, I'm fussy and I fight back. But then I sneak in their rooms while they are sleeping. And my word...those little eyelashes splayed on their baby cheeks are enough to make me die of some kind of sentimental attack. Their little fists holding tight to blankies and bears, stuffed kitty cats and plastic trains. One day these things will be memories, and not my present. So forgive me this rambling sentiment today. I want to remember this time with them every way I can.

















 

Bubbly

For once, I'm kind of short on words. I've been so busy getting these "touchable" bubbles off of absolutely everything in the house. So I really don't have much to say about them. But the kids are cute playing with them. Shoot, the kids are cute even when they are getting on my nerves. ;)

While they are lots of fun, they are kind of not lots of fun to clean up. I keep finding bubbles stuck in weird places. Like up on a wall, in the closet, on my head, etc. :) I found these in the check out line at Old Navy. They totally sucked me in with all that junk they have sitting there. I think they purposefully take a long time to check you out so you just grab something and buy it out of sheer boredom.

(that is not one of my kids, but he's still pretty cute) I think I am now aware of why mom told me not to blow bubbles in the house growing up. But in my defense, those bubbles just left a little soapy spot. These are the bubbles that keep on giving. They do make for some fun shots, though.

Not kidding, one of them just floated past my nose as I was typing this. I mean, where has that thing been hiding for 2 days? The kids keep asking to blow bubbles, and I keep wanting to "lose" them...but they look at me and they have these big eyes and they're blue and...so we blow more bubbles. And I clean up more sticky touchable bubble goop. But hey, I guess it's better than having to watch Robin Hood for the 816th time today. ;)

Check out more shots at Sweet Shot, Perceptive Perspectives, and Trendy Treehouse.

(That last shot is my pick for this week)

Young Tomatoes

My grandma used to plant tomato seedlings in tin cans from tomato sauce & puree & crushed tomatoes she got from the Italian restaurant by her house, but she always soaked the labels off first. I don't want them to be anxious about the future, she said. It's not healthy. / Story People

While this quote is meant to be funny. (I've recently fallen in love with Story People.) I'm seriously taking it serious when it comes to my kids. I want them to grow up without a label (stuck on by me or anyone else), to be themselves, and enjoy every minute of it. They are far too stubborn for me to tell them who to be anyway...and I think God has them figured out just right. ;)

Spidey Sense & Resolutions

I remember playing dress-up as a kid. We had lots of old hand-me-down skirts and dresses, big church lady hats, and even chaps and cowboy hats. I was always more on the imagination side of playing dress-up. My little brother, however, infuriatingly had to have the entire ensemble before we could play anything.

I am not sure yet about my kids. Merrick has just recently started playing imaginary games. Occasionally I've even been forced to speak to his toys, in lieu of actually speaking with him. (How dare I speak directly to his highness, right?) It's funny to watch him play, since he's not embarrassed yet when I catch him, and doesn't care if I see him discussing where to eat lunch with a plastic horse.













The other night he wanted to dress up in his Spiderman costume. All was well and good until Spiderman went rogue. He stopped using his powers (?) for good and started using them to terrify his sister. No injuries were sustained, but I think Spiderman needs to resolve to fight evil instead of sisters. But, as much fun as they were having I think this year I want to resolve (as opposed to resolutions as I am) to spend more time in that imaginary world playing with my kids. I might, however, be embarrassed if Billy came home and caught me talking to a plastic horse. ;)

Check out more shots at The Paper Mama

(The first shot is my pick for this week)

Grow Up

I'm not usually one to be really sappy or sentimental about things. Especially if everyone else is doing it. I feel wierdly awkward when everyone is remembering how it was. I suppose that probably something else besides the snow-phobia that I may need counseling for. ;) (I was secretly looking back through old photos from January last year, though. And good grief my hubby is a hottie. But I'll leave that off this blog post cuz it's probably TMI.)

A lot of people have done blog posts about remembering 2010. I was fighting it tooth and nail, because I figured you guys already heard my rambling then, why would you want to hear it now? ;) You may want some new material. Which there is plenty of, rest assured. (I found this old shot of Tirzah, too from the spring. Goodness girl, stop growing. You'll be making me pay for a wedding before I know it. Didn't I just get married, like, yesterday, myself?)

Don't get me wrong...2010 was a good year. I've learned and grown, as a wife and photographer. I've grown as a mom, too. This little guy has made me a much more loving, but somehow tougher, person. Speaking of tough, I don't even get embarrassed anymore when he yells "I have to poop!" in public places. Pssshhh. Whatevs.

(And speaking of this little guy, I found this shot of him mid-summer. He has grown so much! And by grown, I totally am referring only to his hair and his vocabulary. He still weighs the same, but he certainly can tell me what is "not neccessawy". Which he did not hear from me. I only say sarcastic things while my kids are sleeping.)
















So, I think I did manage to do my own version of a "remember that time..." post in honor of what was a great 365 days with my peeps. Who knows, maybe I'm finally growing up, myself? Nah...;)

New Year, New [Ear] Drums

Merrick got a drum set for Christmas. *I heard the collective gasp of mothers all around the country*. Yes, our house just got even louder. I am trying to be supportive, but ohmuhears.

He is actually pretty "good" at it. He uses the foot pedal, hits the drums, and makes up songs all at the same time. Better than I could do...I don't always multi-task very well.

One of the things I want to do this New Year is get a few lessons for him. I am not expecting him to be a child prodigy or anything (I mean, duh, he already is...;) but would like to see if this is the year that I find a creative outlet for his boundless energy.

Billy is always saying Merrick has the hair for this particular musical instrument. So maybe one day, when he's a rich and famous drummer, people will leave me alone about getting my kid a hair cut. ;)

 Check out more shots at Trendy Treehouse, Sweet Shot Tuesday, 

and Perceptive Perspectives (The last shot is my pick for this week)