my loves | personal

Posted on May 14, 2012

Last week was tough. Three super sick kids spaced out over six LONG days at home dealing with high fevers, puke, sore throats, arguments over who gets to pick the movie, etc. So moving into Mother’s Day all I really wanted was one huge BREAK from my kids. But we had things to do at church and family to visit and just a whole long list for the day ahead of us. At 3:30pm when we were just getting home and our day was already way off schedule (things at church took WAY longer thane expected which bumped everything back) I was ready to call our other plans quits. Gray was crabby and not feeling 100% yet, we had skipped naps which was not the best idea and the part of the day that I actually wanted to do seemed impossible. But as we pulled into the driveway, Chris convinced me that we could still do it all and so we changed clothes and headed out. All I had really wanted to do yesterday (aside from getting my break) was to take Chris and Bailey to Sylvan Springs Park where I had taken Gray and Parker over spring break back in March. I wanted to show Chris this enchanted place because I want to spend lots of time there this summer. So we got out there around 4pm and had just a little bit of time before we knew we had to head back for dinner. But that little bit of time was all I needed. I needed to watch my kids play and laugh and I needed to sit next to my husband and soak it all in. 30 minutes was all I got yesterday and it was perfect!

Sometimes that’s all you need I think. I had dreams about having the entire day to myself but it was good to spend time with family… really good. And at the end of a busy day at the end of a long week I had just enough time to be reminded how much I love my family! And I think that’s what Mother’s Day is really all about. It’s about being a MOM. So you make sacrifices and you do things for other people and you balance a busy schedule and you get your kids ready for the day and you take care of things you committed to and then, in just 30 minutes time, you play with your kids and remember why you do it all day in and day out.

My Mother’s Day wasn’t perfect but it was the perfect day to be a mom, if that makes any sense!

I have this quote hanging in my kitchen from HERE and I’ve been told it’s a bit melodramatic but I don’t think it is. I think it’s perfect. It says, “It is very simple, she thought. You get up, you go, you do, you see, you put one foot in front of the other and along the way you do your very best to enjoy it.”

I think that’s the beauty of being a mom. No day is perfect all the way through. At least I haven’t had one! HA! And some days just downright suck! But you do it all again and again because even on the worst days your kids make you smile or laugh or remind you just how much you love your imperfect life!

I hope all of you moms and soon-to-be moms had a fantastic day yesterday! Chris gave me the one gift I asked for… he took a few shots of me which each of my kids! These shots are not perfect but MAN do I love them! Thanks C!

The girls turned the camera on us and ONE was in focus! HA! Not the best shot but Chris and I are so rarely in photos together I treasure this one also!

Welcome to the new week!

the tooth fairy | part one | personal

Posted on May 1, 2012

A couple of weeks ago Bailey got her first loose tooth which was a BIG deal in this house! I am not exaggerating when I tell you that this kid has been praying since the first kid lost a tooth last year in Kindergarten that she would lose a tooth and QUICK! She didn’t talk about it all the time or anything but sometimes she would add it to our morning prayers and other times she would casually mention that she’d prayed about it again which make me realize just how much she was thinking about it!

I was a SLOW developer and I remember praying for my period so I totally get it! HA! If she only knew she had so much more to wait for as she gets older! Especially if she’s anything like me!

Anyway, so this morning she was wiggling and wiggling and it was SO loose! Then it started bleeding a little so I knew it was close. The front part of the root was still pretty attached so I told her to keep pushing it back to see if she could get it out. She was standing in front of the mirror working so hard when she looked at me and asked if I would just YANK it out! SO I grabbed a tissue, grabbed that tooth, twisted and pulled! It popped right out and she didn’t even wince! After a quick rinse with some cool water I kind of panicked because the hole was SO big! I was so worried I’d pulled it too early so I grabbed my neighbor, Kelly, to come look at it (Bailey was excited to show her girls anyway!) and she said it was ok!

The funniest part is how emotional I was over that little tooth! When your identity was wrapped up in having three under three for so long I think it’s hard to accept that you have big kids now. Or at least it is for me. Those days were SO long and now I feel like I blinked and the years are gone! How in the world does that happen?

SO here is Bails and her first missing tooth!

She asked me to take her to school (she usually rides with Kelly and her girls) because she wanted me to be there when she told her teacher! Oh how that made my mommy heart happy! So we went in, her awesome teacher made a big deal out of it which was perfect, she got to put her tooth in the tooth necklace and I took a quit photo of her in front of the lost tooth wall! This was just about the best day in her life!

This is a HORRIBLE photo b/c it was late and dark when I shot it but here is the little pocket we bought for teeth and this is the note she wrote the tooth fairy…

“Dear tooth fairy, this is a very special tooth. it is my first tooth to lose and I am very excited and I hope you like my tooth.”

Is that not the cutest thing in the entire world? Man I love that kid!

I’ll let you know tomorrow what the tooth fairy surprised her with!

my girls and the yellow umbrella | personal

Posted on April 30, 2012

I came across these shots from spring break back in March and it was like the clouds parting on a rainy day to let the sunshine in! Spring break started out SO rough with LICE and then Chris leaving for five days (after our annual argument about how much time he spends doing soccer and yaddah yaddah yaddah) but then I pulled up my big girl pants and decided to have fun regardless of the mounds of lice laundry and being alone with the kids. And you know what? Once I changed my attitude and perspective on the situation we had a blast! A BLAST! We had adventures every day, explored and just laughed so much! It slipped by so quickly that coming across these today made me smile. I love being a mom so much, even on the really rough days when I want to run FAR away, and all the shots from spring break remind me of that.

These specific shots were not planned. I am certainly not the super cool photog mom that plans elaborate sessions with her own kids. I am actually the exact opposite. And I totally envy the women that can do that. Like her and her and her. I would love to have photos of my kids that look like that! I just never have it in me. So these happened because this umbrella had just come in the mail from Urban Outfitters and was in the car still. We were at Forrest Park heading to the Mammoth exhibit at The History Museum when we passed this little area with gorgeous white (weeds) wildflowers. Gray was asleep so we were just driving around anyway when I decided to pull over and let the girls run around with the umbrella. They were having a blast so I got out and brought my camera. Their outfits weren’t planned, their hair wasn’t done, it was late afternoon after a long day of playing, it took just a few minutes (because Gray was asleep in the car) and yet I totally love these. They make me smile. And they SO represent my girls right now. Bailey wanting to make up poses and fake smile for the camera with me trying to make her laugh so I can get her genuine smile. Letting her sister take a turn without protest because she is (mostly) an incredible big sister. Parker moving so fast I can barely keep up! Dancing and singing and jumping and twirling. My sweet, kind, thoughtful and spirited little girl who will do everything to not look at the camera! I could go on and on about how much I love these girls God gave me. The two biggest surprises in my life! Man I love them!

today | personal

Posted on April 26, 2012

Yesterday I made one of those impossible to do lists that never get done. But at 12:30am I crossed the last damn thing off. It was awesome.

I wish I could say I woke up today with nothing to do but I went ahead and made another massive list. There’s no way this one will get done though. And that’s ok.

I’ve been running. A little. My goal is at least a mile four times a week. Or every day I’m not shooting or have the kids. I’ve made it twice this week and that’s good because the other two days I was shooting. The weather is so beautiful I should have just run forever but I hit 1.37 miles, was at my door and stopped. I need new running music to keep me motivated. I also need new running shoes.  I also need to do MORE than just a few miles every week. I need to learn more about what to eat (my frozen pizza lunch was NOT so good for my waistline!) and I’m sure I need to add weights in. But who has the time? Or energy? At least I sweat today right?

Now I need to shower.

Oh and I’m four days off Mnt. Dew. I think it’s mental for me more than anything so every morning I’m still going to QT and instead of getting my soda, I’m getting an iced tea. When it’s gone I’m switching to water. And more water. So far I’m not missing it because I still get my fountain cup!

We’ve hit a financial low. My trip to KC hit at the same time our insurance kicked in through Chris and his paycheck got severely cut. It also came during a month I had a lot of bartered sessions or auction wins or charity events and little money coming in. It’s been a while since I’ve been this nervous about money and while I hate that feeling, I’m finding myself working harder to remember that God knows what we need. Just yesterday a deposit check came in and helped up over a little hump. God is good and money sucks.

Speaking of relying on God, I read THIS post today and it was awesome. It made me smile. And kind of reminded me of myself. I’m starting to be thankful to God for all the small things and praying He has all the big stuff worked out for us. It’s also got me listening to THIS song (on iTunes not this exact version) and THIS one literally on repeat right now. And loud. I listen to them (and sing) really loud. Trying not to be scared about where the money is coming from. Trying to forget how stressful it is to live this way. Praying I made the right decision to put so much pressure on us financially by quitting my other job. Singing, working and looking out the window thanking God that I’m sitting in my own home, that we own, doing what I love. The best things are the scariest sometimes right?

I have a few sessions to blog about, but for today, how about just a peek?

I’m meeting two of my best friends and their kids at C’s game today. It’s gorgeous outside, we’re picnicking with friends while watching Chris coach and letting the kids run wild for a couple of hours. It’s going to be awesome. There are so many times this year that I’m so thankful I’m a coaches wife. This is one of the first years I can say that without wincing. My kids are growing up watching some amazing athletes almost daily. They see that athletics are a part of our life. They see what it means to be tough. They’re outside all the time. I love that. And I love that I get to share it with friends.

Thursday is my best night of TV and it’s like opening a pack of Starburst. You want to eat just one and save the rest for tomorrow and the next day (thank you DVR) but at midnight you’re laying in bed feeling bad you ate them all in one night! Does that make sense? I love TV and tonight is my favorite night!

Ok, I’m down to an hour left without kiddos so I need to scoot. I have a picnic to pack, the kitchen needs a bit of help and while I should shower I might wait until after the game since I’m just going to get dusty sitting out there anyway. Sorry to anyone sitting right next to me! Sorry to ramble… working from home now has given me so much more quiet/thinking/contemplative time. It’s good but it means my brain just needs to dump occasionally. And if I save this all up for Chris when he finally gets home after a 14 hour day his eyes glaze over and I lose him. So you guys get it today! HA!

The day we invented trampoline basketball | personal

Posted on April 19, 2012

Yesterday Bailey came up with an idea that the rest of the kids (mine plus our neighbors) implemented with my help and it totally revolutionized our backyard play time! Seriously, if you have a trampoline that you’ve taken the net off of because you don’t truly care about your kids safety AND you’ve placed it next to your deck so that your small children can climb up, precariously balance on the railing before jumping all the way down this is the PERFECT game for you!

You know I’m kidding right?

I mean, we don’t have a net anymore b/c it broke and we never replaced it. Oh and it IS right next to our deck. Ok. AND we taught them that they can jump off the deck ONLY if one of us is with them. Chris and I both grew up with trampolines so I think we might be a little casual with our safety protocols but DAMN our kids have fun! HA!

Oh Parker. She was pouting because someone took the ball. This kid will be my undoing! She’s so darn cute and so so funny and OH SO dramatic! The teenage years will be tough!

Of course she was a crazy happy kid the second she got a ball!

Then it was dinner time, Bailey got to go to a friend’s first grade musical at a different school so I treated Gray and PJ to a popsicle outside for dessert.

This shot cracks me up because at first all I saw was the dirt on his cheek until WOAH is he sucking HARD on that thing! HA! Do you see his neck?

Then while we were sucking the life out of our popsicles Daddy got home. When I casually mentioned our awesome invention, well, take a look…

I mean, seriously! He was WAY more excited than the kids! Like REALLY REALLY excited! Do you love Gray’s little face back there? Oh my boys. They kill me!

 

bits of our everyday | personal

Posted on April 17, 2012

As promised here are some of our recent everyday moments…

We had an awesome trip to the zoo last month with our best friends (the MacBrydes), our favorites neighbors (the Storck’s), my parents and my sister+nieces! I think we had nine kids with us maybe? It was supposed to rain so we had the place to ourselves! It was perfection.

For about a week all Parker would wear was white. It was hysterical. And SO frustrating from a laundry perspective! Luckily the phase didn’t last long!

Gray was so proud this winter that he could put his coat on all by himself! His teachers at school taught him the “preschool flip”!

It’s been beautiful lately but in early March we had temps in the 80′s so we broke out the hose early…. hose+trampoline is the best!

This still makes me laugh! My kids get up early (because they go to bed early) and usually I stay in bed until about 7am but when Parker came into my room all dressed and playing the guitar it forced me to get up to grab the camera. When I found her again she was standing in the kitchen in a patch of light from the back door just staring out at the rising sun. I love this shot of her.

There were so many others fun shots from our night at Bailey’s First Grade Musical but this one is SO my kids right now! Gray being mad, Bailey smiling like I asked and Parker being, well, Parker, and totally cracking me up. Kelly was outside so I asked her to come help get smiles out of grumpy Gray and he would NOT break! So she tried tickling him and it might be hard to tell but he’s trying hard to still be mad! Ugh! Three can be such a frustrating age! I swear that kid has more mood swings than any woman I know!

I now swear by the Listerine technique! Douse hair in the hard core orange Listerine and put on a shower cap for 2 hours. Pretend like your house doesn’t smell as if someone has a nasty mouth disease. Douse hair in vinegar, wrap hair in saran wrap, put back on shower cap and leave on for 30 minutes. Comb out hair and then shower. You can even put the Listerine in a spray bottle to spray couches, carpet, etc. It really works!

I never got a good shot of my own kids at one of C’s first home games but I love this shot of Kelsey! One of my favorite spring activities is meeting Angie and the kids up at the field to eat dinner and watch the Daddies coach!

The week of Easter brought LOTS and LOTS of talk at home about Jesus. It was the first year we really dove into the true meaning of the week. Every night we would read from multiple Bibles about what exactly was happening on “this” day so long ago. On Good Friday, before school, we read the story of Jesus being crucified from our two favorite children’s Bibles and talked a lot about how He died for our sins. Then I remembered the idea my friend Adriane had… to use a permanent marker and put a little cross on our hands to remind us all day what Good Friday is all about. Parker asked to add in a little heart which was actually totally perfect! Bailey was upset the next day that hers was faded and I think the idea really did work to remind ALL of us about what was so important!

Have you guys seen the new girl legos? I know there is some controversy about them but my kids, all three of them, love them. They play Legos almost every morning before school. When I came in that morning and saw that Parker had her girl taking photos of animals I totally cracked up!

Parker leaves toys doing random things all over the house. I should make an album of all the shots like this I have!

Not the best photo… I ran out of the house as they were leaving because I forgot to get a shot of them so they just turned around for me… and that soda can makes me want to scream… BUT… look at Chris and Grayson. Don’t they look exactly alike? I love that!

I’ve been taking a photo ALMOST every day since January and I am LOVING this project still. One day I’m going to be SO glad I did this… more than I already am!

 

down down baby | personal

Posted on April 16, 2012

Last week I taught Bailey a new-to-her hand clap. I’m sure you’ve all heard it and I think it actually came from Sesame Street, at least that’s where I remember learning it as a kid.

“Down down baby, down by the roller coaster. Sweet sweet baby, momma never let you go. Shimmy shimmy cocoa pop, shimmy shimmy pow! Shimmy shimmy cocoa pop, shimmy shimmy pow! Grandma grandma, sick in bed, called the doctor and the doctor said… let’s get the rhythm of the head, ding dong. Let’s get the rhythm of the head, ding dong….”

Am I the only one that remembers this?

Anyway, there is a part that goes, “Let’s get the rhythm of the HOT DOG…” and you’re supposed to put your hands on your hips and swivel them around in a circle. As I was teaching Bailey I was laughing so hard watching her move her hips! But THEN it got even funnier when we taught Parker! And then our neighbors, Emma and Riley! And actually you can do this in a big circle all clapping hands together but the girls don’t totally get the hand clapping part, they just like all the moves and the song.

SO yesterday when they were singing it OVER and OVER and OVER in our backyard I went out to snap some shots and hands down the ones that make me smile the most are the HOTDOG ones (you have to say it like HOOOOOOOOTDOG)! They just crack me up!

Oh it’s the little things right? HA!

I love having such good friends right across the street!

KELLY… when did Emma get so dang tall? And God? When is Bailey going to GROW? She is the shortest kid in her grade I think!

Happy Monday!

ps… I’m still keeping up with my “everyday” project! I need to blog some recent ones soon!

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