Mama look!

Levi has been in front of the camera many, many times in his short little life.  He has grown quite fond of the spotlight.

Mama look!

Mama look!

Mama look!

Mama look!

Mama look!

I love my job!

When boys become men.

I love it when I get a glimpse of what my boys might be like as men.  Several days ago, they got the idea to workout.  They set up a circuit and planned out the times for each exercise.  Asher had everything coordinated perfectly.  It is fun to imagine 10 years from now when they are teenagers and hope that they still want to workout together.  Here are the pics...

This is the set up.  Not too sure what we have going on here but they knew just what they were doing.  (Notice Levi on the ground with a 5 pound weight dangling above his head.  Yeah, I noticed that too.)

Go Zaddy!

Now this little guy I still want to see as my little baby boy.  Not even close to a man yet.

Well....Maybe he's closer than I think.  He asked me to take a picture of his silly face.

Note*  The pictures were in "honest form."  So no judging my Saturday afternoon house.  It stays like that until Monday.  If you make a surprise visit on the weekend, don't say that you weren't warned.

I wanted to say that I am in the process of creating a "series" of sorts on easy steps to a do-able more natural way of living.  I am hoping to list the steps we have taken (and are still planning on taking) to a whole-health way of life.  This means I will discuss everything from food to flowers and cleaning to compost.  Please be patient with me while I decide where to begin.  I want to provide you with the best and most reliable information that I can find.  Once you understand the reasons behind doing some of the things we do, you might just be inspired to take on a few small changes of your own!  I am not an expert by any means but I am passionate and determined so I have learned a few things along the way.  We still have a LONG way to go to be where I would like us to be.  Striving is part of the journey!  So I hope to begin soon!  -Little Wife 

You might be a mom of boys when...

you carry Hot Wheels in your purse.

there is an acceptance of weird smells and an avoidance of knowing the source.

there are always bits of metal and random pieces of trash that show up in the laundry.

you have ever said, "Do I smell smoke?"

you know more about knives than you ever cared to know. 

the question, "Can I get on the roof?" doesn't shock you.

there is giggling coming from the bathroom and you know it's best to stay away.

you closely inspect your toothbrush before you use it. 

you have learned not to look directly at or inhale near dirty underwear.

there is a no wrestling in the living room policy enforced in your home.

your 8-year-old has asked, in all seriousness, "Can I drive?"

you check the oven and the grill for action figures, candles or sticks before you turn them on.

you have ever had to say, "Do not touch that!  It is dead."

the weeds in your alley have been removed by a machete and a samurai sword.

there are arrows stored under your bed.


any electronic gadget that breaks is immediately given over to the discection team.

fist fights are the solution to a problem, not the beginning of one. 

you frequently get the question, "Can we cut this up?" 

you would save money by purchasing tennis shoes in bulk. 

you no longer have to deal with anything gross because your sons are delighted to do it for you.

you always have an audience when changing a poopy diaper because...

poop is always entertaining.

And finally...

you have more love, sweet hugs and messy kisses than you know what to do with and your heart is happy and full! 

Our thanks to the following sponsors...Our husbands!

In continuing with our weekend's activities, during Friday night's dinner my MIL pulled out a letter from SIL Sara's husband, Brad.  When she read it we found that Brad had planned a little something special for us but that we would not know what it was until the next morning.  We were told to be ready by 9:30am with more instructions to follow.  We, being girls, were very taken with the romance of it all.  It was quite exciting to talk about what it could be and what he had planned.  We went from horseback riding to professional portraits.  We had no idea.

This is us on Saturday morning having no idea. 
Rachelle: Hmmmm, I really hope it involves some type of chocolate.
Sara: Did I eat fondue twice yesterday?
Molly: What is that flashy thing?!
Amanda:  Like totally, what?

As we followed our second set of directions, we were taken to a massage studio!  See how excited the girls are!  (Thanks Brad.)  Now my history with massage is not good.  I have only had it done twice and I was preggo both times.  It's hard to be comfortable when you are preggo.  I will say that this massage has changed my mind about the whole industry.  It was so relaxing that I was afraid I might drool.

After the massage the lady at the front desk handed us a third envelope!  More surprises! 

Brad had purchased cupcakes and coffee for four at this wonderful shop down the street from the massage studio.

This is us before the cupcake coma set in.

Can we have a moment of silence please?

Shhhhhhhh.

SHHHHHHHHHH!

We had to shake it off quickly because IKEA was our next adventure!!!

We had to survey the damage.  It was not pretty.

We are hoping our husbands think this is cute.  We love you husbands!

And while NOBODY will think this is cute, my MIL insisted we get a going away pic of the end of our weekend.  This is reality people.  We still did our paparazzi stance just in case.  If you could see a bit further down, we all had one foot in front of the other to create an elongated line of the leg.  What's that you say?  Our legs are the least of our troubles in that picture?  Well you know what?  We had a wonderful time and we are not about to let a bad picture spoil it!

Here's to us ladies!  And here's to next year!

Have you ever...

Been awakened by the sweet sounds of Ode to Joy on the recorder?

Been cuddled by your big brother?

Entertained a crowd with just your hair?

Or, made your mommy so very happy by bringing her coffee in the morning. 

I love snow days!

In my 20's...

In my 20's, my baby weight came off quickly after I finished breast-feeding. 

In my 30's, not so much. 

In my 20's, I still felt cute in my jeans.

In my 30's, I am just trying to avoid mom-jeans. 

In my 20's, it did not hurt to get out of bed in the morning.

In my 30's, what in the heck is up with that?  I just slept.  Shouldn't I feel vibrant and ready to face the day.  Instead I feel like I slept in a suitcase.

In my 20's, I still held out hope that one day I would play volleyball again. 

In my 30's and after 4 children, I will spare you the details of my jumping/bladder issues. 

In my 20's, I never questioned wearing a pony-tail, shorts or giant hoop earrings. 

In my 30's, I am wishing to hurry and get to the mu mu stage so I don't have to wonder what is appropriate anymore. 

In my 20's, I would stay up way too late and sleep in as long as I could.

In my 30's, well, not much has changed there. 

In my 20's, I dealt with self-confidence issues and insecurities because I didn't really "know myself."

In my 30's, I figured out that "knowing yourself" is overrated and that if I were to quit changing and growing, I would be soooo boring!

In my 20's I had great big dreams for my life.

In my 30's, I realize that I am not living life for myself and pray that whatever I  do will be to His glory.  After all, my Abba knows the desires of my heart. 

In my 20's, I just knew I could take on the world all by myself.

In my 30's, I know how much I need the support of my friends and loved ones.  (Oh, and the only reason I would take on the world now would be to protect my babies.  I'm vicious!)

In my 20's, I never imagined being in my 30's would be so great!

In my 30's, I cannot imagine being 40!!!!!  

Just a little shout-out to my sisters in the 30-something club! 

Our theme song.

I'm done

Just so you know, I'm done living a lie. I am done pretending. I am done acting like everything is fine. It's not fine. But it's okay. I'm not talking about life, marriage or motherhood. I am talking about my home. Commercials always show the neatly dressed moms Swiffering immaculate homes and picking up modest amounts of dirt from under a couch in a formal living area. I don't think they make Swiffers big enough for our dirt.
Other commercials depict the prim and proper soccer moms with hands on hips shaking their heads at the group of grass-stained kids or the dog tracking mud onto the stark, white carpet. Are they kidding? I would turn into crazy, scary mom with eyes bulging and hair askew. I would yell at the kids or kick at the dog to get him out the door. Then I would fall into a blubbering mess whispering, "Why doesn't anyone listen? Doesn't anyone care about me?"
I've decided to break down the stereo-type. We stay-at-home moms aren't perfect or even half that most of the time. We are normal people who get overwhelmed and who just want peace in our homes. I want to stop the mad dash to try to make my house look presentable when the doorbell rings. Who cares if the UPS guy sees the pile of laundry on my couch. Is he going to think I am a bad person because I still have my jammies on at noon? Maybe. But I think it's because we as women have perpetuated the mad cycle of comparisons. It's time we let our true living situations shine through. We need to give each other the grace to be messy in the midst of our child-rearing.
I will start. I am ripping off the band-aid. Here are pictures of my house. these have not been altered. There has been no pre-cleaning to make my mess more acceptable. I want you all to see the realness and beauty (hmmmm)of my life.

Ready... Please don't judge me... I really love a clean organized home... forget it... here it goes...

Not too bad, right? Just some homeschool stuff.

This is my desk. This is my junk.

This is the sunroom/mudroom. It is always like this. It is a catch-all.

The guest bathroom. It is ready for someone to be grossed out in. And yes, there are probably underwear in there somewhere.

This might be just a little shameful. Yep, it's a lot shameful. Not because it is there but because it has been there for a week.

Here is the livingroom. We do most of our living here. It's always a mess. If you came in for the close-up you would see lots of particles on the carpet. Who can vacuum with all of that laundry there?

Antique shelf with pretties and a bunch of Wii paraphernalia. Nice.

Oh the joy of a flat surface near the primary exit. Just dump your things here. They will stay there FOREVER!


But you know what? I will not look back when my babies are grown and say, "I just didn't spend enough time with them." No way. I sit on the floor with my baby and play all day! We all do. We go outside. We ride bikes. We cook. And sometimes, we clean. I do love those days when it all comes together and my house looks like a dream. But they are few and it's okay. I would much rather be caught up in this...


Just check out the fangs. I love it!

I hope you have been encouraged and I hope some of you can let go a little. I hope some of you are like me. But even if you are not I pray that you are encouraged in the areas that you struggle. If you are one of those who don't struggle, please come to my house. I have a few problems we can work on together!

So much laundry!!!!!!!!!

So from under a pile of laundry I write. At least it smells good and keeps me warm. There are worse things than having a huge pile of unfolded laundry slowly taking over the couch. Like discovering last minute that you forgot to get milk therefore could not make the cornbread to go with the beans. Yep, that was my doing. I discovered this as my husband called to say he would be very late getting home. So no hope for a run to the store. He suggested Schlotzsky's(because he is a doll and he loves me and he hates to see me cry.) I accepted. So much for nice cold-weather beans. We will have them tomorrow because I went to Braum's tonight for milk. And would't you know it, I found other things to buy! (I really wanted ice cream but thanks to P90X I have mucho motivation for not eating sweets. It's called PAIN! And I will not waste my physical suffering on goodies.) Braum's sells fancy cheeses. I got a Spanish sheep's milk cheese and a Havarti. I think I might try the Pioneer Woman's Fancy Mac this week.

Our day was a regular one. Oh, except for writing the biggest check I have ever written. We had to pay our property taxes, out of our own account. *Gulp!* It was sad. It doesn't seem as painful when it comes out of your escrow. But as we (the kids and I) went about running small errands this evening I realized how sick I was of being in the house. So I made a quick turn to the coffee shop for a dark roast (no cream or sugar like a real man!)and proceeded to drive around town with our minivan's DVD player on for the kids. The baby was quiet and I was happily sipping my coffee. I must thank coffee for making me a better mother. Okay...maybe not better...just more tolerable.
My daughter really broke my heart today. She has such a soft spot for animals. She saw the abused animal commercial on TV. You know the one with Sarah Mclachlan singing sadly in the background? That one. And that little dolly just started weeping. She couldn't stop. She then got her kitty shirt that has the word AMERICA on it. She took a marker and wrote above: Help the animals in...So now she has a homemade shirt that says Help the animals in America. And at the bottom it says PLEASE. So stinkin' cute. So for my daughter's sake, petition to have that awful commercial removed!!!! Just kidding, be kind to animals, or at least help the American ones.

Fancy Mac: