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Oh So Holly Holiday

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Unforgettable...

Like so many times since May 26th, my most 'recent' blog post, I've let too many moments pass me by.

Amazing moments.  Funny moments.  Bittersweet moments. 

Unforgettable moments.

There are also so many moments that I forget why I walked downstairs, can't find my car keys in my pocket, and start a conversation just in time to forget what I meant to say.  For this reason, among others, I've decide that these moments deserve a hard-copied version...one that will not fade in the pile covering my to-do lists.  

I need a reminder on my most joyful of days and a refresher on my so-so days of

just how fleeting this time with my little girls truly is....

It really is quite amazing.  We've had a crazy, busy, awesome 6 months since I last posted.

Things have changed.  The girls have grown in so many ways.  We've had great days, long days, tiring days...all memory-filled and amazing in some way...

... and we've learned SO much more about what it takes to be great parents. 

A job that's continuing...everyday. 

So, with that, I write....

And I'll write.
 And it'll be so, so awesome to look back someday and share with our family
all of the amazing reasons, memories, and feelings
that contributed to the moments. 

"Your little hand wrapped around my finger.  And it's so quiet in the world tonight.  Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming.  So, I'll tuck you in and turn on your favorite night-light. 
To you, everything is funny.  You've got nothing to regret. 
I'd give all I have honey, if you could stay like that. 
Oh Darlin' don't you every grow up, don't you every grow up, just stay this little. 
Oh Darlin' don't you every grow up, don't you every grow up...It could stay this simple."

-Never Grow Up, Taylor Swift

Here Goes Nothin'.....

...but I'll be happy with a little something.

The back of my mind has been busy...lots of ideas and dreams, and I've finally decided to act on it. 

I'm excited...and absolutely clueless.

I've always loved dipping my hands into anything creative.

I grew up having more craftdates than playdates with friends.

I've enjoyed giving scrapbooks to others and have had the honor of creating wedding jewelry.

But this, my latest craft-loving activity, has proven to be my favorite...and for good reason.

I have two indispensible 'guinea pigs' for all of my creations.

Inspired by them...

 and made for others just like them.

So, with the encouragement of others, along with my own dreaming, excitement, and "What-have-I-got-to-lose?" attitude, I'm cluelessly stepping into the 'business world'...
hoping to clean off my kitchen table and sewing desk a bit. 

And hoping to get my creations into the hands of others.    

My Etsy and Twitter accounts are in the works...hopefully a successful first step on a fun adventure.

Battle Picking and Thinking Too Hard

It's been one of those weeks where my motherhood has been tested, challenged, and tried to the core

(or at least, that's how some moments have felt). 

Maybe not quite that dramatic, but my always-overanalytical mind has been doing what it's so good (unfortunately) at these last few days, and I'm exhausted!

Both lovely children of  mine have apparently schemed together in hopes of giving me a good run for my money these last few days. 

If one is not hitting another while slyly grinning at me, then the other is shrieking at the top of her lungs, only because I've asked her to use her inside voice....something my former students usually responded to; not so much the case with an almost-19 month old. 

As frustrating as their actions have been lately, I've been "reassured" that their behaviors are 'normal' and 'just a phase'...hmmm....not very helpful advice at the moment (even though I may pass the same on someday:)!

I worry so much about using every moment as a teachable one, afraid that if I don't react, or do react wrong that it will somehow shape or misshape my two darlings.  I'm always questioning myself and wondering if I've done or left unsaid, something that has caused their behaviors. 

Perhaps it's my own thinking,

rather than the girls, that is wearing me out...?!!

So, I've challenged myself (since challenge seems to be the theme this week), to let some 'things' go. 

I have to learn to laugh some things off, react in a consistent way, and still show 'em who's boss (as my own Mom so eloquently puts it!)! 

So now, if I can just master these challenges and get the laundry put away,

I'll be good as gold silver!

Tales From the Church Pew & Other Good Things...

Like the laundry during Spring Break, I've fallen behind on blogging.  

One would think that during a 'break',

catching up on household duties would be easy to do.

I'd rather cram the laundry duty into my already busy work-day during any free moment I have. 

Speaking of Spring Break, it came...and went.  Fast. 

 Like it always has for our 'teacher' family.

But that's okay because summer is right around the {long, uphill} corner.

And plus, spring break was full of good things.

Good things like...

Visiting Great-Grandparents,

Playing beauty shop,

Enjoying the 'spring' weather,

Riding (in one way or another) in the stroller,

Keeping a close eye on Ben,

and

Just loungin' around.

But, perhaps the most important moment of our week together happened in the church pew.

I'm sure our family was rated at about a 5 out of 10 for 'our' behavior during the service that Sunday. 

As the pews emptied, we stayed behind to sweep up our Goldfish crumbs and crayon halves followed by scraping the stickers off the floor. 

Then, with our arms full of treat bags, jackets, and wiggly kids,

the woman who had been sitting a few rows behind us

 politely walked by smiling.

As if she knew in that moment the exact words that we needed to hear,

she sweetly reminded us,

"Someday you'll miss this."

And we will....
along with all of the good, good things that come with
raising two little girls.

I Can Hardly Wait...

...but secretly, I can. 

From the time we brought our two little bundles home from the hospital in 2007 and again in 2009,

 I've caught myself saying many...too many times...

"I can't wait until (insert important milestone in child's life)."

I've always been one to look forward to the future in hopes of what it will bring.

I've also found this to, unfortunately, rush away very important things happening now. 

And I've promised myself, several times, that I would start trying to slow things down instead of wishing away the 'now moments'. 

But, I couldn't help myself today.

After Brynn's short nap this afternoon, we spent a little time together,

like we usually do...folding laundry crafting.

She has quickly, and thankfully adopted a love for doing anything

artsy and craftsy

(which makes this mommy very happy, proud, and excited).

But... it happened again today. 

I found myself saying,

"I can't wait until we can pick out projects to make together."

But, for now, we're both stay content with her practicing her cutting by snipping away at my fabric and ribbon scraps and modeling the products of mommy's naptime break. 

(Seriously, Mom. Are you going to make me try another one of these things on?)

Dear Minnesota...Please Melt Our Snowman!

Yesterday...

no snow pants,

dripping gutters,

dry driveway

doing 'spring' things

Today...

snow pants,

coated trees,

slushy gutters,

doing 'winter' things

It's so close we can almost feel it...spring, that is.

For that reason, we only built 'half' of a snowman because we know how

quickly

he is going to melt...!

The Best Tool on My Belt...

Over the years, I've acquired many tools. 

Some, I've been given. 

Some, I created out of necessity.

Patience...

Trust...

Caution...

Faith...

Composure...

Persistence...

Perserverance...

Humility...

They've all come in handy at one time or another.

But, the best tool I've been blessed with didn't become part of the collection until just a few short years ago. 
One that was never explained to me...

and if it had been, I wouldn't have understood.

  A tool that has been used with me and on me,

but only recently became mine.

Something I love to use daily, if I get the opportunity...and I usually do.

A tool that I used before I even knew I had it.

One that gives me much peace, and equal frustration....doubt, and confidence.

Because I don this tool, it puts me in a very lucky 'rank' in our world.

One that I will never have to live without again.

The best tool on my belt....my mommy instinct. 

Can You Mash Potatoes...Can You Eat Them Hot?

It took planning.

It took coordinating and a watchful eye on the stove.

Not to mention, an actual thought about tonight's supper before 4:00 pm.

Water was boiling, potatoes were peeled, grilled cheeses were browning (blackening) and kids were sitting....finally.

Potatoes went in....boiling....all mouths eating...potty flushing.

Plates were cleaned...two diapers changed...table washed....toys back out....

potatoes done and mashed quickly. 

Cooling on the back burner in the hot kettle. 

Kids read to....last diapers changed...everyone tucked in...loud thud. 

Hot, mashed, potatoes on the kitchen floor...guilty looking brown-eyed dog repeatedly licking his most-likely burned tongue. 

Thinking to myself....laugh?....cry?....or just wonder if it was worth it?! 

Fishing for Ice Cream Cones

Just shy of 8:00am and I've already been fishing for plastic ice cream cones...

...out of the toilet.  

Not something I had done in a while and a reaffirmation about the 'no toys in the bathroom' rule  ;)

The bathroom has become a real congregating place lately. 

Cleaning, singing, washing, waiting, cheering, smiling.... 

Once in a while, I'm catching strange looks being thrown my way, but I don't mind...my enthusiasm is all for good GREAT reasons! 

The sticker charts are doing the trick for Brynn (so far). 

She's exceeding my expectations and putting way more stickers on than I thought she would! 

She's already earned a few "presents" for her stickers...very high quality presents (loving the dollar section!), I might add.

Quality enough to produce masterpieces....

...priceless ones that will be added to the "baby book" collection of memories. 

(I am absolutely enthralled by the way her little mind makes her fingers concentrate so hard to create marks that go much beyond the fast, wild, "I'm Done!" kind of scribbles!)

Let the potty luck continue.....

On My Table Today...

...I have a potty chair and Christmas decorations. 

Not related in any way, but maybe eventually they will be...?

The only reason, for now, is because the table is the center of the house where all things random find their resting place.

As far as the potty chair goes....Brynn has finally decided it's time....words that are (or will be) music to my ears and also, a little stretch of my imagination.  One of her friends that plays here each day has taken the next step and I'm really hoping that his eagerness, quickly, becomes Brynn's. 
But, for now, the {clean} potty chair on my table is there for anyone who will use it!

I'm slightly annoyed with myself that I've accumulated a Christmas decoration pile that still needs to be put away.  As I do every year, and mostly out of laziness and sadness in having to take down "Christmas", I left a few things up that represented winter, and not just Christmas. 
But, after a stretch of spring-like days and definite spring fever, it is time....
kind of like potty chair time. 

Slow-Bake...No-Bake....?

....or Turn-On-The-Oven-and-Bake???

A day late, and a few degrees short....that's how today has panned out. 

Arriving back to the 'arctic chill'

(or so it seems to those who have spend the last 4 days basking in the 'sunny & 80's') has proven to be more of a shock than I imagined. 

My initial thought as I left the sunny elevation, passed through the thick blanket of clouds, and then descended into gray skies and dirty cars.....How bad could it be?  I mean really, I was just here four days ago, changing diapers, begging for a quiet naptime, and planning my 'day late' Valentine's Day treats. 

Four days, typically, doesn't bring about much of a difference from one day to the next in this household. 

Unless, of course, you have been kidless, snowless, carefree, and drinking wine among palms. 

I missed my kids & hubby like crazy....

But definitely could've used a day to unwind from my unwinding!

And those 'day late' Valentine's Day treats....yeah....that was the moment when I realized my mind was still somewhere between here and Phoenix. 

Trying to accomplish some treat-baking during naptime, I, like usual, overbaked my first batch of V-day treats.  Quickly and again, like usual, I switched off the oven and grabbed the cupcakes before they turned any darker shade of brown.

Batch #2 then went in.  I kept setting the timer for a few minutes and would check....and check.....and check again....and recheck....and couldn't figure out why these cookies were still not done.  

(Don't worry, it's not like this checking...rechecking....went on for an hour...
....it was only about 35 minutes)

Lesson:  Plan a day of unwinding after any type of vacation before returning to the 'full' duties of mommyhood.......
...and make sure the oven's on. 

 

"C'mon Evybody, Let's Poop"...

...as one two-year-old so eloquently put it. 

(*TMI Warning*)

Have you ever had one of those days where all you can smell is poop? 

Where the scent lingers in your nostrils, and just won't escape...even with a fragrant lunch on the stove?

Yeah, me too.

In fact, it happens quite often 'round these parts. 

With six out of six kids in diapers, several (or on some lucky days, most) of the daily diapers are bound to be filled with it. 

So, I've decided (with the help and perspective of a two-year-old) that if you're going to deal with poop all day, you might as well make a party out of it. 

Similar to making lemonade out of lemons....but not really. 

As many of our family members know, Brynn often has a 'hard' time pooping, but is always persistent in her trying.  So much, in fact, that today, as she assumed her usual position, she muttered to her friends,

"C'mon evybody, let's poop." 

Hey, if I was going to spend a lot of time doing one particular thing,

I might want friends to keep me company too. 

No Shortage of Trouble, Just Caffeine

Well, Happy Monday to you too, Ben! 

A discovery I made after hauling the kids downstairs...not to mention, having just cleaned up the kitchen (including the floor) after breakfast. 

Don't feel too sorry for me though, it's not like there were two days' worth of old coffee grounds on the top of the garbage or anything... 

There were only 1 1/2 days' worth. 

I wouldn't have expected myself to remember at 9:30 last night that I didn't have enough of a coffee supply left to get me through my typical morning. 

I think that post-it note reminder was also somewhere in the heap. 

(Is there a coffee delivery service?  I'm not even kidding...what a great gig that would be! Takers?)

Ready or Not....Here It Is

The timing couldn't be more perfect. After all, it is 2:48 am. 

The restless two-year-old is finally back to sleep and now at the foot of our bed (on the floor, that is...her preference these days).  The feverish and croupy fifteen-month-old is back in her bed (for the 3rd time) after being Tylenoled up and rocked a bit.  And, the tired mom is getting ready to hop back into her now cold side of the bed. 

Or not. 

I'm sitting on the couch, wide awake, and typing a first blog entry for this new endeavor I've been considering in the back of my busy brain. 

For a while now, I've been venting documenting my weekly (who am I kidding...they're daily) occurrences...pitfalls... incidences... adventures....(call them what you will) on Facebook. 

Since the wonderfully addicting, but amazing social media site is pretty crucial for one's survival (especially someone who socializes with two-year-olds all day), I hold those friends in the highest regard. 

So, for those who have 'liked' or commented on the humor of my adventures of mommyhood that I am so often posting about, thank you for tempting me to blog about it. 

After all, laughter is the best medicine...even at someone else's expense (.....kidding!). 

So, if my adventures (whether short, long, funny, sad, or disgusting) can bring laughter, a sense of relief or a feeling of relatedness (that is a word, I looked it up), then that is good enough for this mommy.

Most of all, I hope these {memories} will make me smile a few years down the road when my kids are 'too cool' to be entertaining their parents!