Hard days and some perspective

I'm actually having kind of a hard day. First, I woke up with a migraine. Thankfully I was able to take some medication, so it has largely dissipated, but the meds always take about an hour to work and meanwhile I feel very nauseous and drowsy. So during that time, the kids were running wild and basically undid all the housework I had accomplished this week (amazing how kids are so efficient when it comes to undoing tons of work!) Furthermore, we are having an alternating nap schedule today which is not working out for this tired mama. So far no two kids have napped at the same time. So I'm feeling tired and irritated. We have church tonight which I'm not really looking forward to because the kids will not be well rested, so their behavior will be questionable. 

Anyway, I'm just feeling grumpy. 

But, I have to tell you about a good friend of mine who is able to give me perspective on these bad days that I occasionally have. This experience she and her husband went through recently is something I could not imagine going through myself. No one does. And yet, she has managed to write it down and I believe her story will inspire many people. In large ways and small. Today, I think of her and baby Samuel, and I am going to put forth the effort to appreciate this day. Even if it is tricky. Even if I would rather go back to bed and let my kids watch t.v. for the rest of the day. ('Cause that's exactly what I feel like doing.) I am going to kiss my kids and love them a little more deeply. For Beth and David. For Samuel.

You can read their story starting here with part I. 

p*h*f*r*

*pretty*

Outside it's wet wet wet. We have had some crazy summer storms this week and now it's just so soggy and muggy outside I could scream! I just can't stand humidity. I am a Pacific Northwest girl, for pete's sake! Yes, I'm more or less used to the rain. But I just don't do humidity. And I am ready for a little sunshine. It looks like we are going to get some this weekend, finally!

Mike was so right about waiting to take out the patio furniture. (Sorry honey.) I insisted we do it last weekend, when we had about 12 hours of sun. Now, my desperately-needing-to-be-refinished patio furniture looks even more pathetic. Hopefully this weekend it will dry out enough to stain? I don't know, we shall see.

Still, the market flowers look kind of pretty, in a whimsical way, out there. Just hanging out in the rain :)

 *happy*

All three kids are napping and I have time to breathe, and to blog! That makes me happy. I wish someone were here to take a picture of me happily typing away at my computer with my coffee sitting next to me. Oh, and me listening to the Piano Guys.

But no, that's okay. You'll see some pics of me in a minute. Vain me :)

*funny*

Warm Bodies. 

Random, but seriously - such a good movie. Mike and I both enjoyed it alot. And no, we are not "into" zombies. Not at all. And though we like many of the same movies, generally speaking the two of us reach for different genres if we are the ones picking. So it's funny that we both really enjoyed Warm Bodies. As a friend pointed out on facebook, "Given your discordant tastes in cinema, it's not at all surprising that you should find consensus in a zombie flick." So true.

*real*

My husband likes it when I wear green. I don't own that much green. But it's his favorite color, so he says he likes it when I wear it. 

Does your spouse have a favorite color on you? Is it a color you like to wear or not so much?

Also, I have been enjoying my clothes more since I have lost some weight. I'm not quite ready to do my "weight loss post" quite yet, but I am proud to say that the Weight Watchers program has been very fun and effective for me. I've lost 21lbs since February. It feels good, I have more energy, and I don't feel like I'm depriving myself. I have about 4lbs before I get to my "goal weight" at which point I will qualify to become a lifetime member. Exciting stuff. Not being someone who has ever done anything like this before, I was hesitant about it. But I have learned a lot and although I don't expect to be the same weight for the rest of my life (we'd like to have more babies :) ...at least now I know I can lose a few pounds when I need to! I'm grateful to my friend Aubri for helping me out and answering all my questions about the program :)

Well, time to enjoy the rest of this nap time I have left. I am glad I am ALL CAUGHT UP on laundry now, so I don't have to fold anything. I can just lay down and relax. Maybe play a few silly games on my phone. 

I hope you all have a lovely rest of your week. Cheers!

Have fun checking out some everyday contentment over at *Like Mother, Like Daughter.*

big boy

Me is 20+8

Some pictures first, then some thoughts.

bday cards. Have I mentioned how I love cards? 

We are both 28 now! 

On Sunday, my actual birthday, we just went out to dinner with my little fam. Then we had some pie over at my in laws. They got me a hand mixer which I've been wanting. Yay!

Now, someone teach me how to make soup. 

 This was from Friday, when me and a few friends got together for dinner and drinks. Yummmm. I got bbq chicken (delish!) and a martini. Good food and fun conversation!

 Me and my awesome children! This was after dinner on Sunday.

Flowers from the market. It's nice that my husband passes through Pike Place on his way to and from work now!! 

Yikes! 28. Seriously?? If you are older than me, I hear you thinking, "Oh, come on now - you're still just a 20 something!" And maybe, if you are younger than me, you're thinking, "You're practically 30!!" All I keep thinking is: "I have been married for 5 years and have 3 kids and a house and a religion and a handsome husband and...well I have been blessed so much! Who cares how old I am!?!"

Okay, I also think about how I'm almost 30 and yes, that's just freaky.

But, no 28 isn't any kind of milestone to turn. I do remember getting married at 23 and thinking about being 28 one day. My sister in law -who I've always looked up to since I met her- is five years older than me, so I remember thinking about that. She also, by this time, had 3 kids. So it's funny. I made it to this point but it's been ever so much harder than I imagined. Having babies that is. I used to be so very naive about parenthood. I never dreamed breastfeeding would be so hard, for example. Or that I would be constantly tired, or that a person could be all-cuddled-out by the end of the day (meaning, I just need some personal space sometimes! :) But, as you already know, I never knew I could be so blessed either. I never knew that I could fall asleep at night exhausted, yes, but overcome with love and life within these walls.

At 28 I feel like I've learned some hard lessons. Mostly about relationships. Even though I'm still not as restrained as I'd like to be sometimes, at least I've learned a few things about how much people are willing to tolerate from you. That it takes a lot of love to really convince anyone of anything. Long suffering. Love is long suffering. Love covers a multitude of sins. Perhaps what I've really just started to learn though is what love is and what it looks like. It looks nothing like what is described in songs on the radio. It's not even the butterflies I used to get in my tummy every time I saw Mike when we were dating, or the tingles I got when we had our first kiss. That's all fine and good - but love looks more like the patience and kindness Mike showed me during the first 3 months of our marriage that I spent hunched over the toilet thr001111o,7l*ooooowing up from morning sickness. It's the pain I endured to get the hang of breastfeeding even though I was cracked and bleeding for weeks. It's the forgiveness I sometimes grudgingly offer to my husband even when I don't feel like forgiving him for some small trivial thing that I allowed myself to get upset over. It's him getting up at 5 with the baby even though he has to work in the morning, or me constantly folding his socks and underwear (and only complaining about it on occasion :o)02 I've learned to stretch myself. Both physically (stretch marks galore!) and mentally. Again, the word long suffering means so much more to me know! Also this concept of fortitude. It's crazy how much fortitude you need in this life. Anyway, you get what I'm saying. Or maybe you don't. I'm not sure why my thoughts drifted all over the place. :)

Hm. I guess turning 28 is a big milestone for me after all! I am slowly but surely figured out this life thing out! So, when will I actually Grow up? Who knows. Maybe I have. I just don't want to come up with a new blog title :)

quick takes

-1-

 This week on facebook I demonstrated in pictures, just how busy my son is. And how he is a baby mountain goat.

Here he is this morning, as I was trying to photograph his new amber necklace.

He's so proud of himself.

I appreciated all the mom's of little boys who commented on my pictures. All their thoughts made me smile. Here's to having little explorers and causes of mini heart attacks!

-2-

If you happen to notice that lamp shade is different from the pictures I posted this week, you are right. I purchased it last night. No joke, it cost me 1.97.

not too shabby?
 

-3-

Another thing I spent doing on Facebook this week was having a mini-breakdown/crisis over the state of the laundry in this house. More accurately, the state of my attitude about doing laundry. It's just got me down and I think something must be done. A schedule? Purging clothes we don't wear that much? Being more careful about what we throw into the hampers (like wearing stuff more than once if possible) I don't know, something. 'Cause I'm sick of this chore. Of course, it may just be that I need to change my attitude about it....

I appreciated all the commiserating that went on through those posts though. Thanks , it's good to know I'm not alone while carrying out this never ending chore.

I die a little inside every time I have to fold a load of Mike's undershirts. Totally my least favorite thing to fold. Favorite thing to fold? Towels, of course!

-4-

Mike always sends me videos of these guys. The Piano Guys. They are so cool. This is one video Mike did NOT send me, but I love it. 

Spend some time browsing their videos. They are quite nice.

 

-5-

I mentioned the amber necklace thing. This little lad has been having a difficult time with teething and it's making him a much harder baby. So when we went to the hospital for a doctor's visit (our family doc works out of the new hospital, which is literally 4 minutes from our house) I went into the impossibly cute gift store and bought an amber necklace for Michael. So far, I can't tell if it's made a difference. I sort of think it has, but it's not like night and day or anything. I'm thinking of getting one for myself for my headaches, but we'll see, they're not really that cheap.

-6-

Gearing up for BBQ season over here. I wish this rain would stop long enough for us to pull out the patio furniture! It will be so fun once we get everything out there, and that way we can do some grilling! My father in law is re-doing his deck so we'll probably spend some time at their house grilling this summer too :o) or at least, I hope so.

-7-

This weekend is my BIRTHDAY. And yes, I'm going to party it up.

 You know me. ;)

Well, I'm off to finish the morning routine and heading to a playdate. Thank goodness it's Friday!

the Playset

Here, to take you back, this is what it looked like in April, before Mike and his dad took out three overgrown laurrel bushes. 

Then, it looked like this:

Mike had to level the ground a little more (I helped a little)

It was a muddy mess.

But then, after a few weeks the weather dried out a little and Mike had a load of wood chips delivered.

I used to think woodchips were the worst thing ever, but these wood chips are actually pretty nice. They seem like good quality, they smell nice, and definitely look nice. Of course, over time I'm sure I will grow to hate them again as they will likely be strewn about all over the lawn. Oh well, for now I am happy with them.

 When I got back from my trip, Mike had already gotten the chips wheel-barrowed into the back yard (the dump truck left them in the front driveway) and had started to put the set together! I was pleasantly suprised!

Papa came over to help, and baby Michael always wanted in on the action.

Getting the stuff sorted out and what not

This is what our basement looked like for a few days!

Working together. Grateful for dad's help!

Mike also got a little help from his brother and friend Elliott 

Again, Mikey wanting to help!

After about 3 days of work (on the actual playset) it was finished! 

And now we have a wonderful backyard toy to enjoy this summer and many summers to come!

Thanks everyone for helping out! 

              -Love, a grateful mommy, and three happy kids.

Friday Quick Takes

-1-

The kids always jump on daddy the minute he walks in the door. Sometimes even before I can steal a kiss! Observe:

Wrestle mania! I love it. I'm so grateful for such an involved partner in this whole parenting thing. I just don't do the wrestling thing very well. So, yay for great dad's! Speaking of that....Father's Day is this Sunday, yikes! I hope I can make it special for him this year. Mother's Day was pretty nice so I'll have to top that! What are your plans for Sunday?

-2-

Louisa pointed out the other day this guy outside our window! Isn't he handsome? 

-3-

I am excited to start reading this book, "Teaching in your Tiara. A homeschooling book for the rest of us." Since Mike and I became Amazon Prime members this month, I actually get to borrow it for FREE! I mean, from all the stellar reviews of this book I feel like supporting this wonderful mother and blogger. If nothing else, I will definitely spread around my reviews if I like it - which I'm expecting to! 

-4-

Speaking of homeschooling, I'm getting pretty excited to start Louisa with preschool curriculum this fall. We are planning on starting with the Seton program. Louisa is more than ready - she is eager to learn!!! This summer we are doing lots of reading, practicing letters, and arts & crafts. But I do think she is ready for some more structured learning. 

-5-

This whole week I've been recovering from my long drive over the weekend. Today was lovely because I was able to take a two hour nap with my baby! I really needed it. Earlier, I was feeling like the day was just kicking my butt. Now we are 1/2 hr from bedtime and I don't think I could have made it this long without that stellar nap!

-6-

My husband sent me this article about toddler tantrums. Such good insights. Josie is in tantrum land at 2 1/2 so it's good for us to read up on a little child psychology to help us in the tough moments of parenting her. Though I don't agree with this line very much, "“It is hard to spend all day with a 2-year-old, and they don’t really want to spend all day with you anyway.” - I do like much of what the rest of the article says. 

photo credit to my hubs. Michael is growing (doesn't he look huge??) and I am shrinking - woop!

-7-

I am getting close to my goal weight (I am using the Weight Watchers program) I've lost 18lbs so far but still have 8lbs to go, then if I do what they call "maintenance" for a period of time I will become a lifetime member! I hope I can lose these last 8. It's definitely been harder in the last 4 weeks than it was for the first 12. Quite a bit more work, but I believe I can do it. I just have to stick to the plan, make sure I take walks, eat breakfast, and drink more water! Oh and I just adjusted my points down since I am nursing Michael less frequently (sniff sniff) so that should also help. Thanks to my friend Aubri for pointing out that I needed to do that! ;) 

One of these days when we can afford it I'd like to sign up for a gym membership. There is a nice gym here that is new and looks like it has a crazy nice "kids' club" so I've got my eye on that. But right now the budget is stretched pretty thin (ha) so I'll have to wait a bit longer. 

Alright - time to put the chillen's to bed. I hope you all have a beautiful weekend (it's supposed to be lovely in our neck of the woods. High 70's and lots of sun!) 

Caio!

Weekend getaway Part II -Bridal shower and getting lost in farm country

(Might as well keep blogging. Girls are asleep. Michael is playing at my feet)

The reason I planned this trip was actually because Mike's brother is getting married next month, and his fiance was having a bridal shower out in a little town that is about 4 hours from our house. I decided to make it a longer trip instead of driving out there and driving back. That is why I stayed with my friend and then just drove down on Sunday for the shower. The story of getting there is sort of eventful.

Apparently GPS doesn't work that well around there.

Yeah. I got to where the farm was supposed to be according to my phone (after the directions told me to "drive 6 miles" down a gravel road!) but then there was nothing there. Nothing. I thought, oh great. The houses out there are 1/2 mile to miles apart from each other and so I wasn't sure what to do next. I ended up driving around for a while (like 30 minutes) completely freaked out because, if my GPS didn't work, and I didn't have cell phone coverage...then I was doomed to be lost for hours and my baby was screaming at this point and I had to pee....!

 Anyways, eventually, after stopping at two houses (one with a protective, barking dog) I was able to find the place. It was this beautiful farm with sheep and rope swings and a huge combine. I loved being out there. Though I did ask Joanne's sister....so where's the Target?? She laughed and replied, "Kayleen, you wouldn't survive out here very long!" :) She's probably right.

Lou drew her a picture. I love how she calls her "JOYanne"

But the shower was very sweet and fun, despite Michael continuing with his fussiness. I had to take him outside a few times to just give him some fresh air and to distract him from himself. He enjoyed "playing" with the kitties.

Here I am with the bride-to-be!

And the very fussy man, of course.

Driving back up north, through beautiful farm country. The drive back up was not quite so harrowing. I just enjoyed to view and Michael slept. Since I went to school out in this direction, the drive was quite nostalgic for me.

Well, there you go, there's part two. I think I'll save my visit with Renee for part three. It totally deserves it's own blog post. : )