Sunday, July 17, 2011

Magic Eight Ball? Will I ever get better at blogging?


LOOKS DOUBTFUL

I am a bad, really bad blogger.
Here is how Summer went down.




Family & Friends...







FUN...




Fourth of July...







Paige and Claire's Scooby Doo Party


We had a scavenger hunt to solve the mystery
"case of the missing birthday cake"
turns out a ghost had taken it.





We miss all of our Family and Friends. Till next time.



Friday, June 10, 2011

Summer with...

Olivia the Outstanding



Claire the Charmer


Paige the Precocious



Aaron the Amusing


Ben the Beloved


The girls will come barreling home in a few minutes and we can't wait to have a full and fun summer. Monday we will head out west to be with our family. We are all so excited!!


Sunday, May 8, 2011

Cheese and Whine

Let's face it. This Mother thing is not for the faint. I have always dreamed and planned on being a mom. When asked "what are your plans for the future." My answer was- "I will be married and I will stay at home!" In my mind I saw nearly perfect obedient children, with their hair always combed neatly, dressed in outfits with accessories. I saw myself helping with homework, while preparing gourmet meals. Everyone had smiles and manners. Pretty sure I was showered, and had on some real clothes too.

My reality is pretty much run by the stress of living up to that dream. Keeping things in order, trying to live up to what seems like an impossibility. I live in this world where saying put your shoes away means slip them on and take them off somewhere else. Hang up your coat, means put it on the nearest door knob. Brush your teeth means wet the toothbrush so when mom checks to make sure we did it, she thinks we did! Cleaning your room means putting the clothes under the bed. Asking if piano has been practiced is met with eye rolls. Good grief, what have I done wrong!?! They turned out just like me!

This is what my mom meant when she said. "You just wait- One day you will have children of your own." Did she plan this? How did she know?

I am so tired! Will I survive? Will they?

Yesterday I yelled at my kids. Then I sat in my room on the floor and cried. I said a little prayer, then I wiped my tears and went back to the hardest job in the world. Thankfully they took me back. They are teaching me so much about who I am, my expectations, and what I need to work on. The list is long my friends.

And while everything is not like my dreams, each smiling face, carefree laugh, and free spirit give me the fullest heart a mother could ever ask for.

Happy Mothers Day!



To my Mother, who I love, miss and appreciate even more than before. Thank-you for the love and support you have given me over the years.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Ben is One


We Love him...



Thursday, April 28, 2011

Before and After

This is the boys room.
small
cramped
dresser in the closet
shoes behind closet door
furniture along every wall
makes me crazy


The Challenge.

Aaron's needs:
cars
big bed

My needs:
must make me stop pulling my hair out

Final results:
we both win




Friday, April 15, 2011

House Guests

Visits from family always equals fun. We loved having Todd's parents here for two weeks this month. I am not sure who enjoyed it more the kids or me!







We miss you already

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Turning Three


Before the dust could even settle from all the Narnia Madness my thoughts were turned to a little blue engine, and the number 3. Plans were much less elaborate, however there seemed to be everything there that a three year old boy could ever want. He was pleased with his small gathering.

Birthday morning he discovered this downstairs. We hardly saw him the rest of the day.


Grandpa made a Birthday Feast! Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green beans. It was great!


His Cake


Enjoying every bite!



His buddies Ari and Cal



Aaron is turning into such a sweet little boy. He adores his sisters. I see a very close bond between he and Olivia. She is so patient with him, playing with him and reading to him whenever I ask or even just because she wants to. He is a good big brother. Sharing with Ben but he is also quick to show Ben his place. He finally potty trained in February! Thank the good Lord! One thing I didn't expect though is that my bathroom would smell like a urinal. ICK! I can't stand it and end up with a bucket of pine sol, a sponge and rubber gloves, scrubbing it down. Sadly it would seem this needs to be a frequent thing. I suppose I should show the girls how it's done. (Evil laugh).
A few things I have learned from Aaron...

When nature calls, you've got to answer!


One can not assume sleep is occurring just because it is quiet!


If you need to shop, then pony up a buck for the horsey ride. We must ride the carousel at the mall!

Thanks for all the laughs and lessons you have taught me sweet boy!