Made Me Smile Monday

{a snapshot from my week. with or without words. something exciting. something ordinary. something special. something silly. just something. that made me smile this week. a memory to brighten my day. to make me smile again. even though it's MONDAY!}

Just a little pleased with herself!

Call me Desperate and Biased but her first little ponytails made me smile.

 Such a cute little pumpkin she is!

What made you smile recently?? I'd love to hear about it!

Happy (almost) Spring Monday to You!

Just Life

(nothing newsy! just boring ramblings.....You've been warned!)

  Two big boys are off to school. Two little boys are at the breakfast table "enjoying" breakfast (in a whiny, "my eggs are too hot and there's not enough cream on my bagel," sort of way.) Round 2 is brewing in the coffee pot. Round 1 is already down but not doing the trick.
 

  If I had had a little warning about the "I pooped in my underwear" announcement at 5 a.m. I may have gone to bed earlier. I drug myself out of bed, collecting clean underwear and clothes on the way to the bathroom, expecting the worst. Quite thankful I am that it was really not a big deal, 5 minutes and a couple of baby wipes later he was back in bed, but it's just not my favorite way to start a day.

  A few cheerful "chirps" are starting to come from baby girl's room. And now we've moved on from the whiny-s to goofiness at the breakfast table. Soon the eggs will be gone and the full court basketball game will resume in the living room.

  Me? I'm still in my pj's (probably only happens about 3 times a year) basking in the fact that there is NOTHING screaming at me to be done today. Ok, maybe I have a bit of selective hearing on that one. I'm pretty sure if a did a short investigation I could find a toilet that might need attention or a closet that could be organized but (sticks fingers in ears and hums loudly) I can't heeeeeaa--r you!! It's been a calmer week here than I can remember since, um, Thanksgiving?? probably. We've had several weekends away which always turn into a week long project of packing and collecting followed by laundry mountains and "catching up." Beyond that and the birthday celebrations I can't even remember what all has kept me stepping but I do know that this idea of deciding what to do with a whole day is a foreign one to me!!

my most recent culinary experiment-- verdict? -- undecided.

  
 The big bold 48* at the bottom of my computer screen and the prediction to add 10 or more degrees to that later today makes me consider things like a trip to the park. But that would probably require a change to the previously mentioned pj's status so........we'll see. I am hoping to run the sewing machine for awhile (I'll get a post up on that eventually) and there is a 20 plus lb. turkey thawing in the fridge. Probably ought to pay some attention to him. The cookie box is down to a lonely half dozen. I imagine some boys around here will find that disturbing...... it doesn't look like boredom will have a chance to take over.

 But a half hour to sit on the couch and post while the sun beams through the window and my mind is not racing with "I should really be....." has been most relaxing!!

  Here's wishing you a wonderful Thursday even if it's not as low key as mine. If you're in my local area, enjoy the taste of springiness!

Made Me Smile Monday

{a snapshot from my week. with or without words. something exciting. something ordinary. something special. something silly. just something. that made me smile this week. a memory to brighten my day. to make me smile again. even though it's MONDAY!}


A little boy and his Hero (a.k.a. very patient Daddy).....

.....off for a couple of days together on the road.

(please understand, this does NOT mean it makes me smile when my husband leaves me for a couple of days. it makes me smile to see how full of excitement that little boys eyes were. and it makes me smile that my boys have such a good Daddy. just so we're clear on that =)

Laundry Room Makeover--Cheater Version

I thought by now there would definitely be new projects to post about, but due to lack of

funding.

And distraction by other projects

(more on that later)

New before and after pictures are sadly missing from my camera.
 So today you're getting the special family treatment, a back door pass.

 We don't have an attached garage so we use the back door in an effort to save the beige carpet inside the front door. This tiny room is home to the laundry as well.  This room is a grand example of  the strange way things were done in this house. This was obviously a porch at one time, the window behind the washer, it provides a rather unwelcome view into the downstairs bathroom. Lovely. And that cabinet on the wall is super cute but so impractical. If you are not at least 6 ft. tall don't store anything you actually use in it 'cause you won't be able to reach it. Eventually I think it needs to come down and be hung somewhere  decorative with the doors left open. I love the finish inside!


My boys are really good about taking shoes off when they come in but I new we needed a system to keep us from developing Mt. Shoemore out there. I was inspired to try this soon after we moved in and it's working perfectly!

I bought this shelf at a yard sale for a buck or two. At the time I was picturing it in the toy room with books, games or DVDs stacked on it. But I had know idea we'd be getting a full wall of built in bookshelves with our toy room, so no need for that. There are 4 sections and 4 boys. That works out well. 99% of the time the little girl is still carried in and out so she doesn't need a space yet. I'm thinking that one day she my need one like this just for her though.  Compartments for pink, yellow, brown and silver?? or maybe one for flip flops, boots, sneakers and dress shoes......=)

The floor in here was ugly,old, broken linoleum. I had this large rug that I had been storing for a long time.  I'm not a pack rat and most things do  not survive unused in my house so long as this did, but  somehow this managed to survive not just the years, but 4, yes I said FOUR, moves. It was just the thing for here. It was the perfect width to slide the one edge just under the washer and dryer. I did a little fancy cut work on the one end around the door frame and with a few heavy duty staples it's "installed." I love that it's a very short, tight carpet, almost like indoor outdoor carpet. I keep my straw broom out here and in a few seconds I can sweep out what little feet drug in.

Another oddity! The washer does not fit in front of the hook ups, so I am left with this  corner with pipes and hoses exposed. I stuck this cabinet in to try to hide it a little. The cabinet was also a $2 yard sale find (covered with a can of spray paint of coarse!) It makes a great place to store laundry supplies, small tools etc.  The rest of my "odd corner" provides space to keep my giant bucket for making laundry soap and a small hamper for people (or more specifically, person, aka Mom)  who are too lazy to carry dirty laundry upstairs that will just be carried back down soon. The hubs says one day he will put  a nice big laundry tub in there for me. Now that would be great!! I never would have thought I even wanted one of those, but now that I had one for a year and a half I'm pretty sure I need one! And a place to wash dirty hands and faces right inside the door would be ideal too.

So that's what you'll find if you come to my  back door. Although I may have staged the photos just a bit, or a the very least chosen to take them within 30 seconds of when I finished cleaning out there. From here you head into the kitchen which you've already seen....but you might as well stay for a cup of coffee while your here!!

Made Me Smile Monday

{a snapshot from my week. with or without words. something exciting. something ordinary. something special. something silly. just something. that made me smile this week. a memory to brighten my day. to make me smile again. even though it's MONDAY!}

Class of 1995.

Reconnecting.

There is just nothing like high school friends. These girls are still

some of my best friends.

Honest. Challenging. Understanding. Caring. Busy.

We've married 5 of the best men in the world (who also happen to get along quite well)

and together we mother a total of 25 small people.

Once a year we spend a weekend together and it's always a highlight!

A weekend of late nights and plenty interruptions

but always inspiring!

....and a couple of bonus shots of the weekend.....

It takes a LOT of food.

There is always somebody to play with!

What happens when mommy's are busy chatting and kids want to run in and out.

Cheaper by the Dozen! =)

Happy Monday to All!

Choosing to See

It doesn't come as a surprise to most of you that being a Mommy is not an easy job. Oh sure there are the days, when it's cold and rainy outside, that we get to stay inside all day (in our pj's if we want too) while the rest of the world trudges through the elements to "go to work." There are times when our "job"  is to rock a sweet cuddly baby. And there ARE countless rewards in this job that are worth so much more than any paycheck.

But there are also days (most of them actually) when we are expected to be chief organizer, scheduler, educator, dietitian, nurse, maid service, disciplinarian, transportation coordinator, counselor and judge. And that's just the morning! :) We are on call 24/7. We never walk out the door on Friday with the promise of not having to deal with _______  again until Monday morning. And to top it all off, this "job" comes with a bit of pressure, we are training little people here. We are responsible to equip them for life as an adult in the real world. We are not just accountable for what we tell them, we are also quite likely to find our own actions imitated and repeated, good or bad. Just a LITTLE bit of pressure going on here!

I have to admit that sometimes it would be nice to go to bed at night knowing I could stay there, warm and cozy, until the alarm rings. Sometimes it's frustrating when the house that I spent all day cleaning is in shambles by the next morning. Once in a while it would be nice to go out for lunch with the girls without having to coordinate a mini circus of babysitters and bus stops. And there's nothing like having to cook dinner (for the littles) before you go out for dinner (with that handsome guy they call your husband, but whom you've barely spoken a full sentence to in a week without being interrupted.)

Yes, this Mommy stuff is NOT for the faint of heart but it is truly one of the best gifts ever given to me. And it is just that, a GIFT. I was reminded of this recently as I connected with a sweet friend, whose arms still ache with emptiness. I did nothing to deserve it.  I have not completed special training. I don't have a paper that says I'm qualified to do this. But I have been trusted with the greatest responsibility ever. I know this in my heart, but sometimes my weary  body needs to be reminded.  It's so easy to get caught up in the "this is just how life works" mentality. "Lots of people have kids." "Kids make messes and press limits." "I just need to get my exhausted self through till bedtime."  "That's just how it works." And let me just say here that I'm not here to make you feel guilty if you've had for having those thoughts. We've all been there, but we can't stay there.

I am challenged and inspired to see the blessings in my life through the challenges. Every part of life has good things and bad. Where is MY focus?? Do I CHOOSE to see the good or get lost in the tough?? Some days it's hard to see much of anything  through these sleepy eyes and sticky messes but I have a choice to make!! And sometimes I need a sweet friend who is kind enough to remind me how immeasurably blessed I am!

I asked him out...

...On a date. A real date. Just the two of us. And he's not even my husband! Gasp! I know you're shocked, but he was just so good looking, so charming, so friendly. I couldn't resist. And so non-demanding, such low expectations he had. All he ask for was an ice cream cone. But only  blue ice cream will do. Who can resist a man who is realistic and yet knows what he wants??


He said "yes" and off we went, just the two of us. I offered to drive. I figure if you're brassy enough to ask a guy out you might as well go the whole nine yards. Oh, it may have had a little something to do with him not having a license. Maybe.


He was a little confused by my ideas for this date but he patiently agreed to accompany me to the grocery store too. When the grocery list was checked off (and the wallet drained. Seriously, that place is dangerous!) We headed to my new favorite place. At least when ice cream is in the plan. (I have personally treated a family of 7 to ice cream here for about $10. Some pretty tasty good ice cream at that. And yes, everyone got there own except the baby girl, she helped out wherever she could!)

And good ice cream aside, you even get to step on a cow on your way in. It's a highlight I tell you!

But alas, there was no blue ice cream. Green will have to do! 

Coffee Toffee chip for me, Thanks!

 See, I told you he was handsome and charming! 

We had a lovely time!

But we set the camera on the wrong settings. Grrr. Sorry for the blur! 

But after all that anticipation,  he declared himself "done" after just one bite. Silly boy!

(We brought the rest home to share with Daddy.)

You see, during our grocery run, somebody spotted these...

...and we NEEDED them, BAD!

So we struck a little deal, the boy and I. I  buy the band-aids for you and you wear them on your thumb

To BED.

(I find $2.43 to cure a thumb sucker to be a great bargain!)

And from that moment on, the promised ice cream was no longer important. 

It was all about the "Angwy Burds band-aids."

  And it's working like a charm!! Yippee!!

But it really wasn't about the ice cream in the beginning. It was about spending time, one on one with my little man and we came home with his little "love tank" re-stocked. That's what it's all about!