chilly tractor ride

Zander has been begging for snow all Winter.  Unfortunately, we don't get it much down here in Georgia.  Fortunately, we are from Kentucky so we do get chances to see the good white stuff on occasions when we visit.

This past weekend we were all excited to see the snow. 

It was actually too wet to go out and play in it but not too wet to go for a tractor ride with Grandy.

hide and seek

I have felt your many thoughts and prayers since the last post.  Thanks also to my wonderful friends and family that emailed me to check on me!  My mood is much better.  The kids are still as rambunctious and well,  typical 2 & 3 year olds, but my patience sees to be much better.  I've decided that my house is gonna look like a preschool circus and trips to go anywhere are going to be an adventure.....and I might as well try to handle it the best I can.

We'll see what mood I'm in by the end of the week...

Anyhoo....

Here is one of my favorite moments from yesterday.  Zan and Kaya were having a blast playing Hide and Seek.  The don't really have the premise of the game down pat (since they yell at me from their favorite hiding place, "Mom we are hiding in the kitchen closet".)  But they sure giggle and have a great time when I find them.  

How could I say "No" to a good game of Hide and Seek to this face?

those terrible twos

Okay, dear pals out there......no one cautioned me about this.

I heard tales of warning about the late night feedings, the lack of sleep, the fun night life coming to an end.

And I certainly had more than my fair share of sympathetic faces and questioning looks when I was pregnant with a baby while carrying a 6 month old. (Having kids 13 1/2 months apart definitely raised some eyebrows).

But I had no clue. NOT ONE STINKING CLUE!

When I first became a mom I'll admit...I wondered about the warnings. I was perhaps a little smug about how perfect and wonderful it was to have babies.

Now all of you that warned me and told me how hard motherhood really is are taking a nice, long, chuckle.

I now realize I must just be a baby person. The newborn stages were bliss. How I long to nurse my child every 3 hours, have them awaken me in the middle of the night just to be fed and held, and poop 12 times a day. I had the patience of a saint for that job.

Oh the perfect mother I was then must have taken a vacation.

I just don't even know how to describe it. I feel like I chase my hours and kids all day. I keep running out of time but don't get anything significant accomplished. Having a 2 and 3 year old is HARD. You would think since I have always taught, babysat, and dealt with kids I would be a pro. Heck, I used to work at a preschool and thought it was a dream job. My favorite room was the 2-3 year old room. It was a breeze to watch 7-8 of those kids at a time. I also remember parents asking me for advice for their kids that were stubborn or wouldn't listen. And I would say, "Oh they are really good here. You just have to be patient...it is actually developmentally appropriate."
If someone told me that now (especially a young 20-something in college) I would probably punch her in the face.
Either I've really gotten old and lost my patience or it is a totally different story when it is your own kids.

I've read the strategies, made a discipline plan, scheduled fun activities......but, I'm exhausted. Each day I think, I'm gonna post this "moment" for my family and blogging buddies. Then I'm so darn tired I fall asleep or drink a glass of wine.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my kiddos. There are times they make me laugh so hard I can't stand it. There are also moments that they are so stinking cute that I think I should just squeeze them and hug & kiss them to pieces. But there are times that I want to......I just won't type what I sometimes think I could do to my precious kids :).

I am hanging in there. I know this too shall pass. Time will fly by and I'll be wishing for the days that Kaya would screech and wail instead of nap & Zander would decide to talk about his penis in the middle of the grocery store. Until then, say a prayer for me or at least send me a bottle of wine.

delivering valentines

crafty valentine card

I once saw where you could take an old deck of playing cards to make "Queen of Hearts" valentines.  I went with that idea to make the following valentines for Matt and all of the grandparents.  I inserted the great hand of cards inside each card.  It is especially funny to us because anytime the kids want to do something they will say to us,  "That sounds like a great deal."

after the storm

May God give you...

For every storm a rainbow,  for every tear a smile,  for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial.  ---Irish Blessing---

the hardest thing about being a mom

Motherhood is hard.  You go through a lot and have many different emotions.  It is hard to do so much,  love so much,  hurt so much.

Especially when your little ones are sick.  I am sick of us all being sick.  It seems to be never-ending.  After the first 3 years of great health,  no major issues,  we just can't get out of the clenches of the nasty sick bugs floating around.  Zander has pneumonia again.  I know it isn't as threatening as it was in the past......but still pneumonia.  It sounds scary,  even though he is getting better, and until he gets the all clear this mom will be one nervous woman.  

Oh I know it will get better,  woe is me,  but it is draining.  Draining my mind,  body, and soul...  I honestly don't know how mom's with chronicilly ill kids do it.  Next time I see one I need to buy her flowers, lunch, or something.  

So I better be off again.  A little boy wants me to hold him and read some books.  I hope to catch up with you guys soon.....just thought I'd let you know we are here......I haven't disappeared!

yep, I'm getting older

Last week,  my hubby and I took our first trip alone in years.  For his birthday we went to his favorite place-Las Vegas.  

I remember the first time I went to Vegas.  I was thrilled by the sites,  the colorful demeanor of the people,  the novelty of it all.  I couldn't get enough and couldn't contain my excitement.  We walked everywhere and I found the strip fascinating.  We even walked almost an hour to get cheap margaritas.

That was then.

Now...

I get annoyed that there is construction going on and there are so many people handing out stuff to sell.  I say to Matt,  "Is this walk to the restaurant more than 15 minutes?"  By the time we eat and get back I'm saying,  "Oh get me inside away from these crazies."

I don't think I've ever felt older.  
But besides feeling (and I guess actually getting) older.....one thing didn't change.  How much I enjoy being with Matt.  This trip helped me remember how funny he is,  how kind and thoughtful he can be, and why I used to want to spend every minute together.  It was nice to be best friends and lovers again,  not just Zander and Kaya's mom & dad.  

happy birthday Matt!

feel better soon cupcakes

The first day after the kids' doctor's diagnosis,  I felt so terrible for them.  They were so weak and helpless.  So I thought I should make them some cupcakes and should have a get-well-soon party.  That was Day 1 of staying at home sick.....not sure I'm that nice now on Day 6.  

We did have fun, however.   The kids even enjoying decorating some too.

Here is their finished products....not too shabby, I say!

beat the sickness blues bath

To ease our stay inside for days-sickness blues, I prepared an extra special bath for the kids. I just added a couple of drops of blue food coloring to the water in my tub and gave them bubbles to blow. The warm water made Zander's chest feel better and the blue water & bubbles lifted all three of our spirits.

free at last

Yesterday I was reorganizing the playroom for the 50th time (because I just can't get it exactly how I want it) and heard the kids in the living room yelling, "Free at Last. Free at last."

I walked into the room and noticed Oprah was on and the speech by Martin Luther King Jr. was being aired. Zander looked up at me and said, "Who is that man mama? I like him." I guess charismatic people touch everyone.....through the ages. The show then moved to a clip of Barack Obama and Zander said, "Barack Obama, he's my favorite." Kaya started clapping and they both were jumping up and down saying "Free at Last!" again.

Of course I teared up, immediately pressed record on the remote, and tried to capture the moment again on camera. But the moment was fleeting. I'm glad I got to see it when I did. To have a two and three year old understand something important was happening and showing compassion truly touched my heart. I really don't tell them my political opinions or anything about government at this age just the importance of everyone being treated kindly.

I'm glad I got to see the glimpse of kindness and compassion. Happy Inagauration Day to you all!

living by hope

Living with Hope

Optimism and hope are radically different attitudes. Optimism is the expectation that things-the weather, human relationships, the economy, the political situation, and so on-will get better. Hope is the trust that God will fulfill God's promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom. The optimist speaks about concrete changes in the future. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands.

All the great spiritual leaders in history were people of hope. Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Mary, Jesus, Rumi, Gandhi, and Dorothy Day all lived with a promise in their hearts that guided them toward the future without the need to know exactly what it would look like. Let's live with hope. --Henri J.B. Nouwen

I received this inspirational message in my inbox today and realized it couldn't come at a better time.

I think of myself as an optimist.  Always trying to plan to make things better for the future.  The problem is that I get frustrated when things don't go exactly according to plan.  Travel plans change,  unexpected playdates occur,  daily chores have to be done,  little ones get sick (Kaya has an ear infection & respiratory infection and Zander has pneumonia now).  My first instinct when things don't go according to my schedule is to blame myself and question how I could have arranged our time and events better. 

I think God is having a grand old chuckle now.  He's probably glad I'm figuring it out.....I'm not really the one in charge here.  So as I struggle to let go of my desire to control the world.....let me live by hope.

crafty invites

There aren't many things I love more than hosting parties.....(hmmm....could that be a future career choice) especially baby showers.

I love the planning,  the hosting, and I really enjoy making the invitations.  Here are some I made for a baby "sprinkle" brunch that I'm hosting next month.

Each invitation is different but this one is my favorite (I sent it to mommy-to-be).

what a ride!

A few weeks ago we traveled to Texas to celebrate Matt's grandma,  Granny Annie,  on her 90th birthday.  The kids had lots of fun with her too!

The most fun was the ride around the park.  Kaya insisted on pushing Granny Annie around.  Of course, later on,  Zander had to have a try.  They pushed her around the little park and at times was flying!  When Zander pushed,  Kaya sat in Granny Annie's lap and they all had a blast.

I hope the kids always remember that fun day and wild ride with Granny Annie.

WARNING.....don't swallow baby powder

Tonight as I was putting Zander to bed,  we struggled to get his pajama drawer open and closed (because his dear mommy has not emptied the drawer of his too small pajamas yet).  So I said, "Zander,  tomorrow you and mommy need to clean out this drawer."

Of course,  that statement was followed with "But mom,  don't get rid of all of my favorite ones."

So I told him we would go through and find the ones too small and give to another boy that doesn't have as many pajamas.  Then I remembered the upcoming arrival of my nephew (yippee...I can't wait until May to spoil him rotten) and said, "Maybe we can bag them up and save them for your new cousin,  the baby Uncle Michael and Aunt Teri are having."

And that is when the discussion about babies began.

"Is the baby in Aunt Tee-Tee's belly, mom?"

"Yes,  it is in her belly until it grows enough to come out."

"Well, maybe the next time Aunt Tee-Tee visits I can get in her belly and talk to my baby cousin."

"Well, you can't get in her belly, Zander.  Just her baby."

"So how does the baby get in there, mom?" (This is when I thought,  am I really discussing this with my 3-year old).

So I just answered, "Well,  when a man and woman decide to have a baby, the baby grows inside the mommy's tummy."  Hoping this was the end of the explanation.....I was not prepared for the next statement from Zander.

"Mom,  I think Aunt Tee-Tee must have swallowed some baby powder and that is how she got the baby in her belly."

You know,  that does seem to make more sense than the whole stork story.

some of my favorite christmas photos

I know.......I promised Christmas pictures a couple of weeks ago.  I have tried to quickly pick out my favorites tonight but there are so many.  Here are a very small sample of the moments I loved so much about the Christmas season.

I'll share all of them with the friends and family (mainly grandparents) later on with my snapfish or photobucket accounts.  I haven't blogged for a while because I'm just enjoying every minute of my life.

We've had so much going on lately.  Of course,  we loved our Kentucky visits,  Christmas day, and our New Year's Dip-dip-dip-dip Dip it in it party.  We also had a fantastic time going to Texas to surprise Granny Annie for her 90th birthday,  our visit to see Bob the Builder,  and our first gymnastic lesson.  

In the midst of all of these fun activities I've also tried to put our house back into some kind of order and have a more "structured" preschool curriculum with the kids.  Yes,  life is busy.  I've thought many times.....maybe I should blog about this.  And,  maybe I will.  But until then I'm perfectly content enjoying my fabulously busy, fabulously enriching life.  

just checking out the tree

happy birthday jesus

Here are the mangers we made and also their birthday party for Jesus!

jingle bells