Not snacking

MJ decided not to eat her lunch today. So, I said, "Okay, but no snacks and don't ask for anything else if you get hungry."

MJ: "Okay Mom, I won't."

She just walked in with her hands outstretched and I asked what was on them. She said cinnamon roll stuff (I'd made Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread for breakfast.) I gave her a questioning look.

MJ: I'm not hungry, Mom; I just wanted to eat something. There's a difference.

Oh, really?

I guess that was her way of getting around what I'd said earlier about not snacking since she didn't finish her lunch. :) 

Pray for Stellan

Little Squirt

I took these photos of J in this cute sleeper from my friend Dacia and her daughter Isabel. It's hard to believe how much he's changed lately. He turned 7 weeks old yesterday. He hasn't outgrown anything yet, but he is getting close. He's much bigger than the girls were at this age. He's such a sweet boy. I'm so proud to be the momma to a son. 

Little Piggie

My Aunt Janie sent this adorable outfit to Jayten. It has this little nursery rhyme on it, "To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, home again, home again, jiggity jig!"

How cute is that?!

Artist at work

Here are some more photos from drawing with the new sidewalk chalk. It has since rained and we have a fresh canvas now. Unfortunately the weather has turned cold again.

MJ said she was drawing a cocoon. (I hope I spelled that right!) They had been learning about monarch butterflies in school so she was telling me about the life cycle of them. I can't believe all the stuff they are learning in school. 

Some thoughts about Motherhood

Motherhood is the GREATEST and the HARDEST job I have had/will have. (Those of you who are mothers are probably nodding in agreement. Those of you who have yet to become mothers-please don't let this scare you-remember I said greatest before hardest.) 

There are some days like last Thursday when the weather was so great that I said "phewey" to my "to do" list and spent some much needed time outside with my kids. Then, there are days like this Monday, where I just had to get bookwork done and became so frustrated, impatient and downright annoyed at my children. I was in tears almost all day from the overwhelming feeling. I felt like I couldn't sit down for more than 30 seconds before having to break up a fight, get someone off the counter, feed someone, clean up a mess, take care of bathroom business, etc. It was literally like that ALL DAY LONG. And with E not napping every day anymore and J not on a regular nap schedule there was no break from it. There are days where I start my day off with quiet time with God, my exercise bike and a decent breakfast. The rest of the day goes smoothly and we all have fun together. Then there are days where nothing seems to work right and I let them watch way more TV than I'd like to admit because it's the only way to have a minute to do anything else. And while I want to be a better wife and mother all the time, I know that I can't/won't ever be the perfect wife or mother. Along with struggling just to get through the day, I also had to struggle with that reality.

So many thoughts have been going through my mind lately. I've been praying for many people (our friends and family, as well as friends from the blog world) who are experiencing some really sad/scary things right now. Sick children, lost jobs, far bigger worries than I have right now. So in the big picture of it all, we are really blessed and I have spent many days/nights thanking God for his blessings. 

But, after reading a few recent posts on "being real" I realized I want to be real and transparent too. I am imperfect, living with an imperfect husband and imperfect children in an imperfect world. Some days I wonder how we will survive the toddler/preschool years, but then night falls and I get to sleep and wake up to another day and a clean slate. 

So, if you're still with me, thanks. I started this blog for friends and family so we could keep in touch with those far away. It's also my online journal/scrapbook when I get behind on the real scrapbooks (which I am right now). And I've hesitated about posting things other just cute photos of the kids, but again I have to be real. This is who I am. I'm a writer. I process things this way, by writing, by talking, so please indulge me a little every now and then. 

I promise to add some more photos next time. :)

And even though Monday was one of those HARDEST days as a Mom, these last two days have been better and ultimately through it all, I'm thankful that God blessed me with the GREATEST job of all.

Prayer request

If you are so moved, please pray for Baby Stellan who is back in the hospital with the same heart condition he had in the womb. 

Click here for updates.

Emma Move It

Yesterday afternoon/evening we went to the wedding of Josh's cousin. The girls had a blast at the dance. They were thrilled when this song started to play. It was toward the end of the evening so E was getting tired. In fact, we left right after this song played. Emma was even funnier early in the evening. They were both on the dance floor almost all night long. 

MJ Move it

Just a few pics of J in his snow outfit from my folks. We found it on sale at the Carter's Outlet when they were visiting.

Today's "To Do" List

Today my "to do" list included

laundry

cleaning up the house

taking a shower (don't laugh, you have to schedule it when you have small children)

working on tax stuff

Instead I...

Went outside with the kiddos. We brushed the horse and I walked MJ around on her. E sat on her briefly, which is a huge step as she is scared of animals. 

I also examined our fence full of tumble weeds from this winter's windstorms

and the girls and I took the rakes to the weeds

to try to clear them out. I'm ready for spring weather, but we have a lot of yard work to get to!

I also held my baby boy in my arms while he slept and 

watched my girls create more chalk masterpieces.

Took Mr. J (MJ's nickname for him) outside with us. It was another gorgeous day. 

I feel fortunate we live in the country, but one drawback is the lack of sidewalks. No real place to get out and walk, so we just cruised the patio. 

So much for that "to do" list. I guess there's always tomorrow! :)

Wednesday

It was a beautiful spring day here: the thermometer in my car read 62 degrees! The gals I work with on the magazine brought by lunch today-Olive Garden-yum! They also brought Jayten some new duds and the girls sidewalk chalk. It was so nice of them to think of us. The girls and I spent the afternoon coloring on the patio, then we took MJ to ballet and E, J and I went across the street to the playground. We spent all 45 minutes on the swings. Nice and relaxing for both of us. It was great to be able to enjoy the fresh air.

I have so much to be thankful for!

Kelly's Korner: Let's Give Him some PRAISE

6 weeks old!

Jayten is six weeks old today! He's starting to smile, although I haven't caught any on camera yet. He's also holding his head up a lot more. He weighs more than 10 lbs. now and just keeps growing. The girls continue to be helpful and just adore their little brother. 

Playdoh-need I say more?

First tooth

Mackenzie lost her first tooth on March 6. It had been loose for about two weeks and we were sitting together in the living room visiting when she said, "My tooth just fell out!" She was so excited about it. I was glad she didn't swallow it! The one right next to it was loose as well. She took her tooth to show and tell on Tuesday. Unfortunately it fell out of the bag and she lost it before the tooth fairy could arrive. She didn't seem too upset. Last week at the dentist, they wrapped a piece of floss around the other one and she pulled it out. The permanent teeth were already coming in behind. She still has that one though. She doesn't seem to concerned about the tooth fairy coming and I'm not going to push it. She has the second saved in a little treasure chest the dentist gave her. 

bath

Jayten has take several baths, but screamed for most of them. He still doesn't really like them, but a I got a few photos of him when he wasn't too upset. He doesn't like being on his back for diaper changes or baths. I think I need to try putting him in his little baby tub and see if that helps.