Tarred

I'm tarred. Meaning tired. Like so tired that I must pronounce it slow and with a southern drawl along with shuffling around in my pjs with hideous bedhead. Tarred, I say.

Spring break is coming to an end, and so are the colds and runny noses. All three of my boys had a bedtime snack at 11:15 pm last night. Needless to say, yesterday was a very. long. day.

Then, just before bed I read this post over at Faith Lifts. Was that for me?

It's also my Dad's birthday today. If you didn't know this, I am a Daddy's Girl. I still crawl up onto his lap. He still always comes to my rescue (car troubles especially... thanks, Dad!) I will always remember when, as just a little girl, he would rock me to sleep singing his coffee-breathed off key lullaby Tu Ra Lura.

This is one of my favorite pictures of him, from a couple years ago at an air show. He got to ride in this plane (a Stearman bi-plane, I remember!) The pilot even flew him over his house. He looked so awesome in it.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I'm There! Au Revoir!

The Crazy Hip Blog Mamas are asking where you'd like to be today. I honestly think if hubby and I were given the choice to go anywhere we wanted right now, we'd be on the next flight to Paris. And we'd only go if we could take the kids with us!



We honeymooned there, and are familiar with the surroundings. What an amazing country to introduce to our children- we hope someday.

There are times we'll breathe in the fall air, or a cool breeze, and reminisce about our holiday in Pair-ee.

And after this week... it's just been a long week... I'd love to be there!

You Could Win A Dyson!?

Corrected!

You know I love my Dyson! There is nothing like it! I mean, the hose- why didn't anyone tell me about this sooner? You can have the vacuum at the top of the stairs and clean all the way down the whole flight without ever having to move the vacuum!! And the cord! Ah, the cord! I can plug it in at one end of my house and clean the entire downstairs without having to use another outlet! And emptying the canister- oh my goodness! You just pull a trigger release and the bottom opens up and empties right into your garbage can. Wow.

So here's a chance to win a Dyson Slim Vacuum from 5 Minutes For Mom. You read that right. They are in the big time now!

To win, pop over to 5 Minutes For Mom and enter by April 4th!!

Updated to add: Hubby emailed me after seeing this post. Here's his message: For the record, I'd recommend that you keep the Dyson at the BOTTOM of the stairs and vacuum up, not at the top going down. I'm pretty sure that if you didn't have it tied down up there it's coming down after you.

Thanks, Hon!

Heroes

Noah & Carter, arguing as they played today:

C: I am from Star Wars!

N: No, you came out of the Bible.

C: No I didn't, I am the guy from Star Wars.

N: I saw you come out of the Bible. Or maybe I dreamed it.


Speaking of all things Jedi, have you seen the United State's Postal Service website lately? You betcha my boys are hoping one of these mailboxes come to our town!

Urban Baby Love

Did you know that Urban Baby Runway now carries Nest slings? And also a ton of other great, cute stuff. From BabyLegs to cool t-shirts, Gray stays pretty hip from head to toe. We even won this awesome blanket- the softest ever!- from the UBR blog.

No, I am not getting paid or any bonus treats for this link-full post. I do get to show off my cutie patootie, though. Look at him!


Yesterday he modeled the latest must-have shoes (RileyRoos available you-know-where) along with his on-sale-now hoody and a black layering tee that you can't see here, but you know you need.

Adorable clothes still don't stop them from growing up so fast. If anyone has the secret, please let me know.

And She Knits

The carnival this week over at the Crazy Hip Blog today is to share our hobbies. The one main hobby that I am most devoted to is knitting.

About 2 1/2 years ago I decided to take a knitting class offered at our local knitting shop where, by the way, I told hubby to look for me if I ever come up missing. If only I could be a tiny mouse and snuggle up among the lucious yarns and make my home there!

Anyway...

My aunt had visited and she is a jewelry maker, gardener, avid reader, and skilled knitter. I find that even though I did not grow up around Aunt Susie, I am alot like her. I think I wanted to be even more like her. So, I promptly signed up for a beginner knitting class (we learned to knit a square and do different patterns and cables, which then led me to make many, many scarves!) Next, I took a scarf & hat class. I've knitted off & on ever since. Most recently I am quite proud of knitting my first sweater.

I find that I am getting better at reading patterns and attempting harder projects. I started a knitting journal this year to chronicle the journey.

You will find works in progress in just about any room of our house. I fill baskets, bags, and even have a hope chest completely packed with needles in every size, books, and yarns of all kinds.

My favorite time to knit is really any free moment. I love to knit outside while the kids are playing. The weather lately has been perfect for this. I love to knit by the window in the winter, watching the snow fall. When a good movie is on. Late at night. Early morning. In the car (while hubby drives.) Anywhere, anytime really.

I often let a particular yarn inspire me to make something. Sometimes I'll find a pattern or muse first. Knitting truly relaxes me and gives me a quiet sense of achievement and accomplishment, and another step toward being that Proverbs 31 woman.

With every stitch, I observe my hands. They are hands that prepare. That make better, and that wipe away tears. Hands that correct, that protect. Hands that serve. Hands that create. That praise. Hands that grasp, and also that let go. Hands that give. And that receive. Hands with promise. Hands with purpose. Hands with life. Hands that love.

Be.

"Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, 'who am I to be so brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?'

Actually, who are we not to be?

You are a child of God: Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
~Marianne Williamson

I was reminded of this utterly inspiring quote, taken from a speech of Nelson Mandela's, as I watched Akeelah and The Bee. It will make you want to be what you are meant to be, make you want to do great things, and if you already want to do great things, it will fire you up even more!

A Girl And Her Handbag

Updated!

Well we can't go on showing our shoes without sharing our handbags, too! What do you carry? A diaper bag or purse- or both? Big or little? Fancy or Frugal?


I prefer something that doesn't look like a diaper bag, but can fit anything and everything from books to diapers to yarn & knitting needles.

Recently I was shopping around for a large, hip, hobo-style bag. In a fun color or print. I just couldn't find anything I liked!

So, I went to my very talented and hip best friend Ashlee... hinting around to see if she had any left-over material from her awesome sling fabrics. Looky looky what she made me!

If you just have to have one of these fabulous Nest bags, be sure to check in to the Nest website to see when they become available! And if you'd like to play along and tell us about your handbag, please link your post in Mr. Linky below.

*Updated to add- the totes are now available at Nest- and they are gorgeous!!!*

Word.

I peeked in on Noah & Carter as they were supposed to be napping. I found Noah sitting in the rocking chair with his little bible opened.

"I'm reading the Bible to Carter."

"Oh, which story?" I asked.

"God."

We're Old School Like That

So Ashlee and I cooked up a plan all week to escape from Mom Duty last night. We didn't care what we did or where we went. Just needed a little break.

So we went bowling. And on the way we hoped that there were open lanes. But then we got to thinking that the lanes are probably not so hopping at 6:30 pm on a Friday night. The place was empty and Ashlee was way better than she let on with her cute green bowling shoes and strikes and spares and shtuff.

My form in this picture probably explains why I didn't even break 100! She won the 1st game and I won the second- barely. But it was good times. We thought about roller skating next- but that might be a bit risky if we were to get injured and then having to take care of the little ones and all. I've been down that road before. The things that become too dangerous now that we're moms!

We even stopped by Barnes & Noble since we had only been out a little over an hour by the time we were done bowling! I remembered Friday nights in highschool hanging out at Barnes & Noble near the art books and music magazines. We snatched up copies of the new Mothering and then browsed the children's section. Oh, and the food books, too.

And we were gone just a couple hours, but it was good. And we missed our guys. And it was just what I needed.

I'm Glad I'm The Mom

I got to bed too late again last night, trying to squeeze in knitting & a movie with hubby, finishing up laundry, doing dishes, cleaning up from our day. Finally I rested upon my pillow around midnight. Sometime after that I am comforting a stuffy-nosed baby, soothing him back to sleep.

Then around 4 am I hear loud whispering coming from the bathroom. Carter's on the potty and has lots to tell me. He didn't quite make it in time and needs some cleaning up... I help him out and decide his underwear can just go in the garbage and a bath is needed. We quietly draw a warm bath and I gather up some toys for him to play with. I explain that accidents happen sometimes. It's ok.

I am so glad I am the mom, as I just don't see hubby being this gentle in the middle of the night. (Honestly Carter would still be sitting on the potty if it was all up to Daddy. It takes a lot more than a whisper to wake him up!)

I feel grateful for the little middle of the night time I had with Carter. I was blessed by the look of relief in his eyes when he saw me tend to his need, telling him it was ok and that accidents happen. I could see, in his big brown eyes, that he knows his Mommy loves him.

It's also rare to get complete uninterrupted one-on-one time with each of my little guys, so even if it was 4 AM, I didn't care.

I got my middle man back to bed and I tried to go back to sleep myself. Just wasn't happening. I got up, did some knitting, laundry, and pilates. I enjoyed the quiet house as everyone else was sleeping. Already a great start to my day. I got to see the night turn into morning. Quite beautiful.

Musically Memed

There's a fun tag going around to post your current favorite 7 songs and some people are linking them to MP3s or youtube. I'm going the youtube route, so will only list the songs I could find there with the exception of #7...

1. Phantom Limb, The Shins
2. Satellite, Guster (and this band rocks at going green!)
3. Word Of God Speak, MercyMe
4. Mushaboom, Feist
5. Chicago, Sufjan Stevens
6. Ocean Floor, Audio Adrenaline
7. live worship, Eric Shawn (you get a sample of the songs... I like them all... he's my brother-in-law...buy the CD!)

That was fun! Thanks to Ladybug Picnic for the tag! The first three people to play along can consider themselves tagged- let me know in the comments and I'll post it here.

Little Things

The sssssssssst. That sound a match makes after I've blown out the flame, then run it under water to make sure it's fully out. You know that sound? I love that sound.

We watched Stranger Than Fiction last night and that movie left us feeling thankful and grateful for life. The big things. The little things.

How marvelous that we get to live this day! Did you know you can decide what kind of day you will have today? What a shame not to live it to the fullest!


See who else is being thankful today at Raising Contentment...

She's Hip, She's Random, & She Wears The Baby!

This week at the Carnival of Crazy Hip Mamas, there was a surprise topic. It's a fun one! If you've noticed way down on my sidebar you can click on the Crazy Hip Blog Mamas "random site" and go to a random blog that is part of the Crazy Hip Mamas. Who doesn't love a crazy hip mama? And you know you need just one more blog to read, am I right?

So guess who I just randomly stumbled upon? Fina'Drea ... I immediately see Philippians 1:9-11 at the top of her blog and scroll down to see a beautiful mom wearing her beautiful baby in a beautiful sling! Hello! I am just now finding you? I can't wait to read more.

Wordless Wednesday: Movie Star

Don't I look neat? Like a moooovie star. (his words!)

Story Time

Stories over breakfast with Carter...

Once upon a time Carter went deep into the forest. He found some wild carrots and they were scrumptious. Here is where he met a good dinosaur friend. They found a bad guy and Carter used his lightsaber and the dinosaur friend used his sharp teeth that chops off foots and nails. And Carter lightsabered the bad guy in the neck. The end.

And

A bad guy snucked into our house and got into my special snacks and made a mess! (Upon explaining why there were crumbs all over the floor...)

Who Doesn't Love Shoes?

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. -Frieda Norris

Alright, it's Monday once again and it's time to share. This week's photo tag is Show Us Your Shoes. What shoes can't you live without?


So many people commented on how much they loved their Crocs. I'll admit it took me a while to finally buy my 1st pair, and I have to say that's all I wear now! Still searching for a green pair! (Size 8, hint hint) If you're playing along, please put the link to your post in Mr. Linky below.

*Updated! I found a pair of Primas in lime! I am just praying that they don't email me and tell me they are out of stock!!

It Doesn't Come With Rainbows

Updated below...

We busily cleaned out our garage last weekend, kinda "nesting" for our new car. We weren't sure when we'd be able to get the one we want, but Monday morning we got a call about a great deal on our car- the exact one we wanted, equipped with everything we wanted as well! I am officially no longer a Minivan Mom! Please don't hate! ; )

We only allow ourselves to have one car payment and Hubby's car is paid off next month. We got an amazing too-good-to-be-true (but it was true) deal on this car. Blessed. Yes.

If you've seen the commercials, then you'll understand why Noah asked if ours came with a rainbow, too.

Ok, since you all want to see it... here's a picture. We LOVE it! It has been so fun driving it around this weekend! We can't wait for our trip to Colorado in June!

Somewhat Famous

While my mom was at the hospital waiting for my new niece to be born, a young couple came into the waiting room with a newborn baby. She said the mom seemed to recognize her right away... from my blog... namely this crazy bathing suit in the snow post! Hi Jen! Your new baby is too precious! Congrats!

And in case you missed it, here's the video (the best I could do) of my dogs in sweaters...

Dogs In Sweaters

Tonight The Planet's Funniest Animals on Animal Planet (airing around 6 or 7 pm our time) will have a cute clip of our first dogs wearing sweaters. (I mentioned this quite a while back...) That show actually makes Gray crack up laughing... so tivo it and watch if you like! When you see two cute miniature pinscher puppies rolling around the floor in sweaters, you can say, hey I kinda know them! And I may be in the clip, too. I don't know how much they're going to show.

Jake & Dobie were our first babies before our human ones came along. Unfortunately after Gray came, they had "had enough" and started destroying our home... we tried very hard to make things work- even doggy diapers!- but in the end we made the difficult choice to give them to someone that could live more peacefully with them. We have heard updates from the Min Pin Rescue group that helped place them in their new home (they were able to stay together!) and it's wonderful to know they are being cared for and loved the way they should be. And probably won't be made to wear those sweaters anymore.