Life Lessons....

We interrupt this regularly scheduled post for a touchy-feely-what the heck is she talking about-life lesson. Necessary? It must be. I don't want to write it, but I feel like I must. Eric and I have been taking some classes at our church off for awhile now. We took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University- twice actually. Eric just finished the Courageous for Men series while I have been taking Courageous for Families. If you haven't seen Courageous, you should. A-MA-ZING. Just get a box of tissues first because it's a cryer. We love the classes and the people we meet.

Click the link below to catch a scene from Courageous.....
http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/screenplay/vi3459357721/

We have been talking about gratitude and blessings. It's so easy to get caught up in all the "if only's" in our life or the "when we have ____" things will be better (yeah, so guilty. Daily I say that about the "Tanque Verde House" as our future home will now be known as).  I know how blessed we are. I am so grateful for our family, our dogs, our friends, our house (even though it's like living in a shoebox, I am still grateful for the roof our heads), our cars (yes, even the truck), our church, Eric's job etc. But then I really think. Like, stop surfing Pinterest thinking- heavy right? I am so thankful that I have parents that I respect. Parents that growing up, I watched work hard for us, no matter what. My Dad had two jobs (granted 2 really cool jobs- being a fighter pilot and all) and my mom was ALWAYS home for us after school with snacks ready and for awhile, she taught child birth classes (much cooler when I was pregnant than when I was a teenager- always fun when you open a closet and a linen uterus falls on your face) and then later on, she was writing- which she still does now. They taught us how to respect everyone and told us we had to work for what we wanted. They never portrayed the attitude that 'society owed it to us'. If there was a problem, we were taught to evaluate it by breaking it down and finding the root of the problem, not automatically assuming it was someone else's fault.

I am so grateful for that. Our kids will learn these lessons as well. They will learn what hard work means and how to be responsible people. I am so happy that I am married to someone who feels the same. Eric works so hard to provide for his family. He goes to work at 5:30 am and gets home about 5:00 pm. Because he is a hard worker, he sometimes has side jobs he needs to do to make sure our budget works. The kids often ask me where daddy is, and I tell him he's at work and when they say, as they always do, "Again! Why?", they know the answer and lately Delaney has been answering it for me. She says, "He's at work cuz he lubs us and works hard to make sure we can eat". She knows that her daddy won't let her down. What an awesome feeling!

Another lesson that is a little tougher to swallow is "Love your neighbor". I am so great at this one. There are certain people that I just don't love... I want to, but they just make  it so difficult. When things get difficult, I often just freak out. I start yelling and turning red and ultimately the evening ends with Swiss Rolls, chocolate milk and a headache. But not anymore. If anything, the lessons that God is laying before us, is one of patience and empathy. I know now that when problems arise, we need to look within at what we are doing and how to make it better for our family. And have the empathy for the other person and pray that they can find a way to have some peace.  Having that Trust is hard, but is something that we are willing to practice.  I know this post is all over the place and I'm sorry for that.

I think about our life right now and when I feel stressed, I think about one of my best friends. She is a single mom of two kids, no dad in the picture, she works FULL TIME, takes care of her house, her car, drives her kids to soccer practice, takes them to the fair, doesn't have cable, doesn't go shopping or go out all the time, she does what she does, for her kids. She appreciates her family, budgets her money and shows her kids how to act. I admire that. I admire someone who will do anything to make a better life for her family.

I love that about Eric. I love that about my parents. I know that when our kids grow up, they will feel that way. I may not work outside the house, but I work my boo-tay off cleaning, organizing, playing, cooking, etc. I remember that about my mom  and I am a better mom and wife because of her. I want that kind of stuff to be ingrained in my kids. Furthermore, I want Brody to see that Eric does the baths.... he helps out and that makes him Da Man. Just sayin'. I will always be there for my kids, I will understand the line between "being their friend" and being their mom- that line seems to be getting smaller these days as I look around. It's so important to us to show the kids how important THEY are- and we do that by providing for them no matter what the cost.


Now back to the regular scheduled post................ *exhale*

The Little Things

I know that usually it's the little things that mean the most, and I totally agree. However, today it's the little things that are irritating the crap out me. My intention was to start the major organization, overhaul of the house today. See, I want the house in "ready to move" order. No, we are not moving, but I SO WANT TO! In my head, I have a vision of what it means to be ready to move, but I have quite a few days left in November, so that's a topic for a later post. The little things around the house drive me crazy. The little pieces that don't seem to ever stay in their home, the random piles, stuff on the counter.... oh my gosh, it gives me hives just thinking about it.
Here are a few areas in my house right now that need an overhaul:

Ok well my kitchen doesn't always look like this, but right now it does and it's driving me crazy!

The backyard: the kids have so much stuff out there, it's insane- and EVERYWHERE. It looks like the dollar store threw up all over- minus the big stuff, which is mostly turned over. Needs to change people!

This one kills me- this is the top of the fridge. Yes, that's Santa and Mrs Claus.

And that's Goof Off ^^

What the heck?

This is right next to the fridge- there is just crap all over.

Yeah, this one isn't small- this is our "Harry Potter closet". It is our ONLY closet, besides the ones in the bedrooms. No kidding- NO STORAGE in this stupid house. This is a major project that needs to be taken care of yesterday.

But you see.... these little things that are driving me crazy and are needed to be taken care of, were over shadowed by other little things. Little things that made today, great.

We started the day off with a cozy, rainy, gloomy looking morning, which I happen to LOVE. We went to church and had an awesome service. Honoring our veterans and learning about God's grace is not a bad way to start your morning. I do have to say though, that church was overflowing with BRAND new babies. Seriously, they were invading and I was having a hard time standing my ground (you know: NOT having any more kids), plus the girl next to us had a brand new, adorable baby boy and I think she was as skinny as Delaney- God was really testing me on my grace in that moment. Just sayin'. After church, we went to have breakfast at my parent's house where we played with the keyboard (I rocked Amazing Grace and The Star Spangled Banner) and then watched the kids dance to a Led Zeppelin RECORD, yes that's right, vinyl y'all!

When we got home, the kids went to sleep, I went to Kohl's with my mom for some shopping and when I got home, it was still cloudy, the kids were just getting up, I read the new US Weekly and watched my man, Brian Urlacher, kick some Lion butt.

(That's not Brian Urlacher, but that was the final score:)

 Delaney played with her babies, Brody played with his trains, they played with each other and the dogs were right there in the middle of it.

So you see, even though I have all these little things hanging over my head right now, I know that I

was supposed to ignore those today and be grateful for the little moments that I had with my family today. What a nice Sunday!

Btw... those irritating little things, WILL be taken care of soon!

To the lady.....

To the lady at Michael's who told me she wants to be a stay at home mom and do nothing all day and go shopping whenever I want:

Yes, I stay home with my kids. I understand this is a privilege and I don't take it for granted. This decision is also a sacrifice on our behalf. One income=less money. For the record, I DO NOT do nothing all day. I am the dishwasher (multiple times a day), the janitor, the pooper scooper, the chef (again multiple times a day), the laundromat, the organizer, the chauffeur, the tear drier, the encourager, the nurse, the maid, the dipaer changer, the potty trainer,  just to name a few of my jobs. I work my butt off keeping up with the kids, dogs and the finances. I run errands, make phone calls, cut coupons to save us money, and am constantly figuring out ways to spend less money. I teach my kids respect, love and responsibility. My work day, does NOT end at 5:00. I don't get a day off. I don't go shopping for pleasure with the kids (believe me) and btw, weren't YOU at Michael's at the SAME time as me? So you were shopping in the middle of the week in the middle of the morning too. Weird.

Do I get to sit down and watch TV? Yeah sometimes- don't you get a lunch break? When you have kids that are 18 months apart, or even 5 years  apart, whatever it may be, I hope you get the opportunity to stay home with your kids and you remember the comment you made to me this morning. Let's see how much 'nothing' you do.

Sincerely,

The Stay at Home Mom

**End of rant**

Some strange stuff....

Since becoming a mom, I have noticed things that I had never noticed before. Strange things. Unsettling things. Amazing things. And some things I chose to ignore BK (before kids).

It's strange that:

there is some kind of button on all the toilets in the house that sends out a signal to both the kids and Eric. Instantly, I sit, the button is triggered and "Mommy" or "Nicole" is yelled.

silence is more terrifying than screaming.

the kids don't listen to anything I say, but can repeat what I whispered to someone on the phone.

there is also a button on the inside of my eyelids that no doctor has diagnosed that wakes up both of the kids the second my eyes are closed.

sweat pants aren't sexy to some people.

It's unsettling:

to listen to your daughter have an adult conversation with a baby because that's how she heard you talk. Oops.

to smell sheets to see if there was an accident during the night that may have dried (not in your bed, duh)

to say put the poop down, over and over and over and over.

to eat your words, over and over and over

Omg look at those thighs... this was right before he started walking- before the storm:)

It's amazing:

to watch your son and daughter read all the letters and say all the sounds of the alphabet.

to watch your daughter write her name for the first time.

to see all the random people say hello to you son and daughter (by name) at church while they are racing into their classrooms.

to go into their rooms at night, right before you go to bed, and tuck them in one last time.

that they love you so much.

that you are the example that they look up to.

to watch them grow everyday.

when they tell you, "Good night, I lub you, sweet dreams".

They were so little!

Holy 2 year old batman

Holy crap. My son has gone freaking crazy! He has jumped, with both feet, from the high dive, into the terrible twos. Our poor Christmas tree has taken a huge beating and the poor baby Jesus from the Little People Nativity scene has been abused beyond belief. He won't stop throwing things- tonight it was his whole plate. Holy moly....

How can he be so cute and cuddly one minute and then crazy the next????

Now they are in bed and Eric and I are enjoying a nice fire and peace and quiet.

I Confess.

I have said many times that my life is totally different than what I expected. I have learned to eat my words. A LOT. When I was young, my mom was a stay at home mom. She made it look easy. The house was clean. Dinner was always on the table, with place mats, napkins, water, etc. Dinner dishes were finished and we would sit down and watch TV together. She would do our laundry- and I would complain. Seriously, I would complain!! I would get annoyed if it was wrinkled or if she just threw it on my bed! What the hell was wrong with me (she started making me do my own)? 

Anyway.... I always thought to myself that wen I was a mom: #1 I would work #2 I would be on top of the house and all the wifey/motherly stuff.

Well, I quit my job and I SUCK as a stay at home mom. I am ashamed to admit this, but I used to think that being a stay at home mom was the easiest job ever. I really didn't think that it was hard to keep the house clean, the laundry caught up, dinner on the table etc. I believe that God ha His hand in my decision to stay home and my inability to keep up with.... life. He wanted to show me the truth. He wants me to know how lucky I was to have a mom who stayed home and did what she did. He wants me to step up.... I think.

So, I am confessing this awful, awful truth. Yes, I completely took my mother for granted, Yes, I totally thought that being a stay at home mom was easy. Yes, I "knew" that I would be able to be a perfect stay at home mom.

Okay....there it is. My confession. I feel better (Ok Lord, I have learned my lesson, I am ready to dive into the laundry again).


*Disclaimer: I am grateful that I get to stay home with my kids. I just want to be better at it.

PS Thanks for your help all weekend mom!

Three

My little girl is three. THREE! How did that happen? I can close my eyes and picture the day that she was born.... I was so tired and in so much pain, but I still remember the moment they put that pissed off little baby on my chest. Man was she mad.... and she was mad for awhile (should have known then what was to come).  I remember bringing her home from the hospital and looking at her in her bassinet and thinking, "Holy crap. We made her. She is mine. What the hell do I do now?" I truly remember those moments like they were yesterday.

Now she is a little girl. A little girl who is in a dance class now and tells me what she wants to wear. A little girl who can melt my heart one second and spitting fire the next. She is so freaking stubborn, it is unreal. She loves to run and slide. She loves babies (both real and fake) and still loves Micky Mouse. She is not a quiet, calm child by any means, but I love her to pieces.

I think back to the last 3 years and how different our life is now that we have her ( and now Brody). It has flown by.

Happy 3rd birthday Munchie!!! We love your guts more than you know!

Bunch of Stuff

This last week was a blur. We were so busy getting ready for the wedding, plus I was getting ready for the massive wedding cake:) Here are some pictures from last week:







Delaney at the rehearsal

Aunt D and her flower girl

Delaney and Granddaddy

The Bride and Groom

Brody was there too:)

Delaney rockin the mic

My new bro-in-law and sis

Brody man and Granddaddy

I think we are in trouble someday.... soon


Friday night we went to the elementary school that our nephews go to (which is the one I went to) for their fall festival. It was so fun! The kids had a blast!

The kids

Delaney running through the hay maze

Brody rocking out

Brody playing games

Eric got me a Roomba for our anniversary and this is what I see now when it's running:

Baby dragon catching a ride

At the studio I work at, Canyon Fitness, they are offering a dance class for 2-5 years olds! So....Delaney is going to start taking dance classes. We went to an Open House on Saturday and Delaney did pretty good! She is not suh a fan of following directions (shocker) so we shall see!!

Next post....the wedding!

A Little "WT" Never Hurts:)

Last Monday, yes Labor  Day, we had big plans to go to Mt. Lemmon, but due to the family day disaster, we opted out of that plan for fear of a repeat. So, we went to Home Depot. That's the same right? Anyhow, Eric is almost done with this AWESOME project that he has been working on for me (love that he is so handy), and we had to buy some finishing touches. As we were leaving, hot dogs sounded super yummy, so we sat down at the Moon Dog trailer and had some lunch. The funny thing is, it was the best behaved our kids have ever been while eating some place other than home. So random! Brody loved watching the cars and trucks go by.

Delaney

Having some lunch

Such a boy

Photo op the The Home Depot....Classic

Now that Delaney is potty trained (Hallelujah) she really likes all her new big girl chonies (yes that's what we call them) She has all kinds.... Ariel, Minnie, Kai-Lan.

Now, when we are at home, this is what she looks like:

Yes, those are pink gardening boots with purple chonies, a green shirt, and stickers on her legs.

Same day....but she found her Kai-Lan chonies so she had to wear those instead.

Such a cute booty.