Friday Randomness

It's rainy and cool here today, which is so rare for Texas. Actually, this entire summer has been super mild so far. We've reached high 90's for several days, but haven't seen 100 yet--what's up with that?! And the night's have still been gorgeous--as in, you could actually take a walk or sit outside and feel a beautiful breeze. Normally, it's 97 degrees and humid still at 8:00pm, so this has been such a nice, refreshing break!

A little Friday randomness for you...

Is it normal to find your 2 year old like this? Sitting in your sink, pumping the soap bottle and happily saying "bubbles! bubbles!"? Do all 2 year olds behave like this?

Brooke and I started a fun little project that is teaching her how to sew by hand. I am the worst seamstress ever, but I do know basic skills and want her to learn. A while ago, one of my sisters got her a kit to make a little princess doll. We started on it and it will be fun for her to have the finished product with the satisfaction that she made it!

We have not been to the library enough this year, but we finally went the other day. I can't believe I have a child going into second grade that is loving the books I did when I was that age! She's started into the American Girl series and reads a little at night before bed, just like her Mommy used to do.

Books are too boring for him when you can climb and stand on windowsills. Have I mentioned this child climbs on  everything and jumps off of everything?! He has no fear whatsoever, something he did not get from me. I'm a scaredy cat.

I love finding my childhood classics to read to my kids! Do you guys remember any of these?

Someone started sleeping in a big boy bed this week, but it didn't go over too well at first. At not even 2.5, he's my youngest by far to be in a bed. I usually don't let them out of the crib until after 3, but it just felt like it was time. Not to mention the small fact that he was taking off his diaper in his crib and peeing out through the slats. So yeah, there was that.

After hugs and snuggles from daddy...

...All was well! His little feet did come pattering down the stairs at about 4am yelling "GUYS! IT'S DARK! GUYS! IT'S DARK!" A few snuggles later, he was tucked back in by daddy and has done great ever since.

Speaking of books, remember Corduroy? That was a favorite for sure. The corduroy bear that quotes the whole story in the cutest voice ever has resurfaced recently and they will sit and play it over and over. Quiet time abounds.

 And speaking of quiet time, them laying there together, her reading to him, amidst their toy "House" (because obviously that's not a mess) was the sweetest thing ever. 

Have you seen the newest style? Diaper and a blow up Dollar Tree lifejacket. You're welcome. When you catch on, you have Nathan to thank for setting the newest trend.

Happy Friday!

Quiet Spring on the Blog

I have immensely enjoyed spring this year--more than any other year that I can remember. In warmer climates, seasons run together, the changes blurred by the almost constant warmth. I haven't experienced a Northern spring in several years, and while most of it was cold and rainy, it finally warmed up the last few weeks I was there and was absolutely gorgeous. New York City is always warmer than Upstate where I grew up, so the trees were exploding with gorgeous pink and white blossoms and everything was a vibrant green.

I also love spring because it is a time of new beginnings, new life, new beauty all around us. In the midst of trying to soak it all in, we are moving (to our own house, yay!) and the next few weeks will be very busy as we pack, clean, host a garage sale, throw away a ton of stuff, and hopefully actually find a house to live in! Thankfully, we have a sweet lady in church who will be letting us stay temporarily in her house until we can purchase and close on our own home. Although we aren't fans of moving twice, we didn't have the option of going month to month on our lease, so we need to be out at the end of the month.

Possibly the biggest blessing of all is that my sister Mary is here to help me with the huge job of doing all of this. So, this blog will be quiet for a while as I focus on finishing up school ( we have a week left!) and moving. I will post as time allows, but mostly I'll be focusing on getting it all done in time!

 Enjoy your spring, friends!

Routines, Love and Orderliness

 I am the last girl to have a set schedule, but I love a good routine. Some people thrive on schedules, but I just can't do it. I've tried. Our church is busy and we're often out pretty late, so our day starts at a different time each day, depending on the time we got to bed the night before. The daily routine is the same, it's just not always done at the same time.

 This week we settled back into a routine after Christmas vacation, and it felt good. I've been sick for over 3 weeks now, but I finally have an antibiotic in me that is kicking a bad sinus infection.  In fact, today was the first day in 3 weeks that I didn't have a headache and need to take ibuprofen to function. Besides a lot of blowing my nose and a scratchy voice, I'm starting to feel normal! The kids have had coughs and colds on and off, but they seem to be on the mend as well.

 Brooklynne jumped back into school without missing a beat, which I wasn't expecting but was very thankful for! We learned which letters need "help" when they stand end of words, and now we're working on silent "e" at the end of words. She grasps concepts very quickly, something she did not inherit from me. I'm thinking her Nonnie and daddy get the credit for that one. In Math she's adding simple number problems and couting by 10's. All very exciting to me!

Nathan turned 10 months, is pulling himself up and starting to walk along furniture. Funny thing is, he still doesn't officially crawl. He can scoot around super fast, and he gets up on his knees and tries to crawl but isn't quite there yet. He can also climb the stairs, something I'm not really ready to start dealing with yet. Where did the time go?!

Despite a few weeks of sickness, there is still plenty of lovin' going on around here, as usual. Sometimes I feel like my heart might explode when I see spontaneous hugs, kisses and smiles and hear the laughter that always accompanies it. It blesses my soul.

The first week of the New Year has been amazing. I'm working on reading through my Bible in 90 days and it's been life changing already! I read while I feed Nathan, while Brookie writes or reads during school, and yes, even in the bathroom. Basically I'm reading every spare minute I get to meet my quota of 12-16 chapters a day. It's been really, really good for me. Also, tonight we purchased totes of various sizes to help me in my organizing campaign. I want to simplify and make my house as practical as possible to keep neat and tidy. I realize with 3 kids it isn't possible 24/7. but as long as everything has a place, it makes clean up that much easier. I'm excited about pleasing the Lord in the area of orderliness in my home, since he is a God of order.

 Hope you all are settling into your routine, as well. and enjoying this New Year!

Let the Balloon Touch the Ground

Did you ever play the game "don't let the balloon touch the ground" as a kid? It was our favorite. Now I'm playing it every day as a Mom, only they are real life balloons. One is housework, one is laundry, one is child training, one is schooling, one is cooking, music practice, meal planning, grocery shopping, daily devotions, exercise... etc, etc, etc.

 Keeping them all up in the air is a daunting task. It's a good day if I'm keeping 3 or 4 up at the same time. Most days, I'm prioritizing what needs to be done and what can wait. School can't wait, kids can't wait, hubby can't wait. No matter what, those are always my first priority.
 Sometimes, I purposely let some fall so I can pick up the neglected ones and keep those afloat for a little while. It's all about balance and finding the middle ground. Too many times I'm out of breath, arms flailing,  running like a crazy person all over the room. My constant battle is to learn what is important that day and go with it, despite the feelings of failure in other areas. The balloon might be small, wrinkly and dusty by the time I pick it up and toss it in the air again, but at least I know it won't be on the ground forever.

 Find what is important today and go with it. Sometimes there are days when I don't spend much time with the kids because I cannot stand my house looking like it does for one more minute. Other days, I'm the fun Mom and we go places and do kid stuff. I've always known that I couldn't do it all, but now I'm learning to be ok with it.

This weekend has been good. I'm preparing for family to visit, so I'm working on de-cluttering (we hated when my dad said that, and now look at me) each closet and room. This project has been going on for a few months, because, well, that's how long it takes with 3 kids who need attention every day. All 2,640 square feet of my house is never, ever clean at once. Maybe someday I'll get there, when my kids are grown and I have a lot more time, but I'll never stop trying! :)

For now, I have decided to prioritize and let some balloons touch the ground, for my own sanity. It feels good.

The One's That Didn't Make It

I take a lot of pictures. My husband would probably argue too many pictures, but I like to have our lives well documented. :) Of course, maybe a 10th of the pictures I take make it on the blog, so I wanted to post a few that "didn't make it" for a very random picture post.

 PS--The common theme of these pictures is "Nathan", because even when I try to sneak a picture of the older 2 they usually end up running away. He is my only subject who will sit still!

Loving his swing

He's 2 months old, but he still loves to cuddle with Mommy

 Cutest sleeping position 

Anna spoiled Brookie and bought her a manicure

Sparkly Purple

It was a blast having my sister and our "cousins" come to visit. Known as cousins because we grew up together and are like family.

Sing for Anna! :)

Singing together around the piano

Yes, he loves to be held

You guys have no music and no words and I don't know the song...how am I supposed to sing?!

Sing into the mic Pat...

A crazy night and round of "awkward family photos"...

 (We were laughing so hard at these pictures that we had tears streaming down our faces. Those are the BEST times :)

He gets lots of hugs

Who doesn't love a chubby naked baby? :)

Kisses for baby

Baby Chub

I hope you all are having a great week! I hope to be back to normal posting schedules soon :)