Happy Memorial Day

I'm grateful for all our loved ones who have passed on.

I hope you all have a memorable day.

Poor girl only has spiderman to play with.

School's Out for the Summa.

I need a shower about ten times a day from sweating.

I want to live in my swim suit.

I'd rather plant flowers than cook or clean.

I'm ready at a moments notice to go play... anywhere.

It is officially summer.

I taught our last day of Joy School.  We are sad to be done, but we sure went out with a bang.  We did a little grad. party that was so fun.  I'll have to post those soon.  I love this little group of sweet cheeks.

 Last day... the 21st! Every now and then I had to give Benny a little job to make him feel like a big boy.

Bring on the summer adventures!

Shine On!

Mission simplify is going well.  It really is helping me refill my love bucket.  Kam has noticed, and I know my kiddos love having more of my undivided attention.  I've been inspired from a few friends this week also through messages and conversations.  Balance is hard in life, but i'll never regret if I put my family first.  They are only babies for such a short time, so I need to just put some things on hold and breath them in.  I was reminded this week that life is long.  I'll have time to do some of my other goals a bit later, but right now being a mom is my calling.  This is my time.

 

For Mother's Day last week I enjoyed being home with my three little clones.  They look so alike in this picture.

I walked upstairs to the boys room Sunday morning to this.  I love my handsome boys.  I got a cute new diaper bag (mine was literally falling apart.  They had my favorite fruits and soda. all ready for me.

It is nice to be so loved.  Even though being a mom is exhausting, and quite often I get mauled by all of them, it is worth their unconditional love.  They love me right now.  I am the center of their universe.  It is my job to teach them how to be kind and live well.  That is a big job, and I'm grateful to have it.

Here are my boys in their new ties.  Thank you Rachel for making them!

Claire's expressions crack me up.  It is so easy to get her to smile and talk and laugh.  She is full of life.

I have the best, most fulfilling job in the world.  Even though somedays I break down and need to recharge, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Picture taken by Jake...He LOVES taking pictures.

I'm grateful for my partner in it all. 

Life is good.  Shine on.  Here is my little thumbsucker.

First things First

I know most posts give me the the facade of looking like I've got this whole mommy, life thing figured out.  We'll the truth is I'm pretty far from it, and I don't usually post when I'm stressed, hormonal, or a little discouraged with myself.  Based on the lack of posts recently, can you tell how I've been?  I love people who love me even when I'm a basket case.  Turn back now if you'd rather not discuss the elephant in every mom's room.  I know we all like to appear to have it all together.  Even when we all go out for a play date we like to discuss the things we all have figured out.  Truthfully there are times when I'm just hanging on.  There it is!  I wrote it!  Poor Kam is usually the only one who hears me vent about the madness.  He loves me even when I'm a basket case.  I love that man.
 
Claire is teething, Benny is peeing his pants (potty training), and Jake just wants some intellectual stimulation.  Also, Kam has been a couple hours later than expected each night.  Every minute he's late the madness rises in the kitchen, till I just give up on waiting and prepping for Kam, and throw all three kids in the tub to get them ready for bed.    Now I know why moms need each other.  Just talking to a friend helps me see that I'm not in this alone.  When Kam got home from work the other day, Claire was in bed and the boys were jumping on the trampoline in their jammies.  I just sat on our porch and stared ahead.  I couldn't say anything because I knew that would break the dam of tears building.  We sat in silence for a while and listened to the boys while Kam finished his dinner.  Kam has become quite good and reading me and knowing when to give me a little time.  Finally I spilled...

 I just feel like I can't do it all.  I can't make a nice dinner, hold Claire, keep the boys happy, keep the house clean, do the laundry, do my calling, serve other people, take care of myself, do my hobbies, teach my children, and get enough sleep. 

Needless to say, I felt much better after opening the floodgates.  Kam hugged me and said, "I know you can't do all that... NObody can."  He said that I'm too hard on myself, and it is time for me to simplify.

I know there are ups and downs. I know I'll probably be over this in a week and I'll be ready to roll again, but today I'm going to take his advice.  This week's responsibilities are as follows...
put my kiddos and my hub first, and don't stress if everything else is a little less than perfect.  If Claire needs held, hold her (even if something else needs to be cleaned, cooked, etc....)  If Benny needs some snuggle time, take the time.  If Jake needs me, stop and play a few games with him. 
The people we call family should always come first.

Speaking of family, I miss my momma.  She believes in me, and overlooks all my weaknesses.  Maybe that's why the last couple weeks have been hard.  I've missed my parents.  They left us around a couple weeks ago. 

I just love my dad.  He's fun with my boys, and I love listening to what he's been thinking about lately, whether it be a book he's read, his life, or his opinions.  I'm always entertained by our conversations. 

My parents had a fun road trip, and we were lucky enough to get them for their midway resting stop.  We convinced them to stay longer, and we wished they didn't have to leave when they did.  We had a ball.  It ended too soon.

We weren't expecting them till the Friday 27th (my birthday).  But I was surprised when they said they were coming in Thursday.  Come to find out, Kam had a little birthday bonfire planned for me, and he asked them to get here a little sooner.  That man knows me.  There is nothing I love more than playing and talking outside till the stars come out.

We roasted hot dogs, ate smores, and had delicious cake and ice cream.  Then we talked and laughed, and busted out the guitar.

Birthday morning we headed over to the Crystal Bridges Museum. 

Fuzzy fam pict.

My favorite part of their visit was then being able to see Jake's T-Ball game.

Obviously this was Jakey boy's favorite also.  When he came up to bat, he had to make sure Grammy was watching before he hit.  His best hit was right after my mom yelled, "Hit it out of the park Jake!"

Jake showed off his two-wheel riding skills. a couple months ago we took off the training wheels.

Saturday evening, Kam and I got a little romantic evening to ourselves while my parents watched the kids.  It was our six year anniversary.  I can't believe it's been six!  Time sure flies when your in love and raising babies (madness and all)!

This is what we came home to.  The boys were sleeping, and Claire was chatting it up with her grandparents.

We went on a little Sunday stroll to the Compton Trails (gorgeous).  My dad couldn't resist rolling down the hill with the boys.  Their trip wouldn't be complete without a little injury.  It seems like whenever Jake and grandpa get together there is some minor head gouge.  Past ones include a golf ball and a four wheeler.

No wonder the last week's been hard, I miss my amazing parents!

I love this little smiley lady.

Don't let my dad's expression fool ya, he was having a great time.

We feed the killer ducks and Lake Bella Vista.  They were literally attacking us for our bread.

Here is my almost three-year old.  We unfortunately said goodbye to those curly locks the other day.

My parents bought my boys a little joint birthday trampoline.  It has truly been a hit.  They've loved it everyday.

Last time my parent's visited it was for Claire's birth, and we went the Mr. McGarrah's farm for pumpkin picking.  This time it was strawberries.

Sunshine and strawberries is my idea of a great day.  I think Claire agrees.

My mom and I spent the afternoon making freezer jam.  We've been enjoying it ever since.  Thanks mom.

Grammy is the queen at sneaking babies yumminess.

We miss you mom and dad.  Jake didn't stop saying that for days after you left.  He'd say, "I wish Grammy and Grandpa were still here!"

Having my mom around helps me remember what special little souls should always be put first.   Life is good.