Greetings from Crazyville

Chugga-Chugga...Choo-Choo...

2013-05-19T14:09:00.000-04:00

The boy LOVES his trains! I mean...he'll take off your arm if you dare to touch his trains! Plus, you'll get to witness a pure uber-duber, super-ultra melt down in the process! And don't get me started about the aftermath of having a big brother who thoroughly enjoys loading said trains into his dump trucks!

Oh. My. Word!

It's not pretty, y'all!

So...all day, every day, you'll find Mr. Levi lining up his trains. If you venture into our house, you're likely to find at least five trains (usually more) lined up ever-so nicely...perfectly straight rows made by perfectly paired trains created by a sweet little one-year old.

Granted, there are instances where these trains cause feet to hurt as we stumble across the floor stepping on one locomotive after another. Numerous times throughout the day I clean up said trains only to have them redistributed across the floor. As much as the mess drives me a wee bit loco, I will greatly miss these days. The time goes by so quickly. Now to embrace these moments...the beauty of childhood.

Just A Swingin'...

2013-04-24T10:39:00.001-04:00

As the warm air returns, we all venture outside...breathing in fresh air and soaking up rays.

The kids immediately start running in every direction.

A little one calls out, "Mommy, I want to swing! Please, can I swing?!"

Such a divine, yet simplistic way to enjoy life.

The joy of nature is overwhelming.

The birds are chirping.

The breeze is refreshing.

A young child declares "Look, mommy! The grass is green! I didn't know the grass was green."

The smallest things don't go unnoticed.

Their laughter fills the air. It's contagious!

Could it get any better than this? I think not!

*One day Merisa will despise me for sharing that lovely picture of her! That seems to be the reaction of many when I grab my camera! I might need to find other kids to chase around and photograph since mine seem to be annoyed by the Mama-razzi! (See above image of all three for further evidence!)

Let It Snow | Everyday Moments No. 5

2013-03-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

The weather in our neck of the woods is anything but "normal." We go from one extreme to the other in a matter of ~~days~~ ~~hours~~ seconds...and I'm NOT exaggerating, y'all! Well, for the most part anyway. To add to the drama, we've often been told of approaching storms and winds, and instead we see sun and 85 degrees. No joke! I just never know what to expect around here.

So when the meteorologist declared that a "SNOW STORM" was heading our direction last week, we welcomed it with open arms. Not because I like the fluffy white stuff...in fact, I rather despise it due to its marriage with freezing temperatures..., but more because we just haven't seen much snow this year. Yes, it's been quite cold. Down right bone-chilling, really, but no snow. If it's going to be frigid outside, it might as well snow. At least the scenery would be pleasing to the eye.

When school was cancelled due to 7"+ of snow appearing overnight, we all headed outdoors! Some because we had to...and some because it sounded like fun! To my surprise, it was actually quite warm...well, as warm as one would expect during this time of year.

It's the first snow the boys have really seen, and the baby (and yes, I still to refer to him as a baby as I will continue to do so well into his 30s) was quite beside himself. Not sure if he should love this fluffy stuff that covered his playground or if he should cry while running for some warmth and shelter.

At one point, I peered over my shoulder and caught the boys looking quite suspicious. The look in their eyes just said it all (see photo of the two above for evidence)! Two peas in a pod. "Hey, bro. Whatcha doin'? Sounds good. Don't let mommy see. She told us to stay out of the mud. Just this one time. She'll never know. We'll just hide the mud and worms in our boots. She'll never see it there."

And why do my kids find it necessary to immediately do a face-plant into the snow? What is it that draws them in like a mosquito to a bug zapper? Those tendencies send up flashing signals reminding me to add the movie "The Christmas Story" to my never-let-the-children-watch-before-they're-legal-to-drive list. I'm pretty certain one of them would be more than eager to double-dog dare the other to stick their tongue to a frozen pole in the middle of winter. It would not end well.

Overall, we had a blast as we enjoyed some fort-building, snow throwing, and downhill sledding fun! Seeing how the temps were expected to rise in a few days (and they did), we thought it's now or never! Spring is just around the corner, right?!

*Once again, I'm taking part of a blog circle that is showcasing some talented women and their art reflecting on their everyday moments. So continue on to Christine's blog and say hello. You won't be disappointed! Enjoy!

Click here to continue on your journey with the amazing Everyday Moments blog circle by visiting Christine!

Those Two Little Words...

2013-03-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Seriously, I must have fallen off the blogging bandwagon. Not intentionally, but more so due to the fact that I have no idea where time has gone...or where it is going! Someone please grab hold of father time's horses and slow them down 'cause this girl can't keep up!

And since my Project Life album has become a mere figment of my imagination, I want to pick up on blogging our everyday life. Ya know, that way the kids will have some solid concrete evidence to use against me one day....and I know they will 'cause that's what I would do!

In current news, Levi has learned a new word and is even using it correctly. Pure genius, I say! What is this magical word you ask? Well, "uh-oh", of course. Granted, this may be more of a phrase than a word, but who's calling the grammar police?

So give me a moment, and I'll share with you a few instances where he's shared this new means of communicating with the rest of the world.

1. Levi is currently learning to point to various facial features when prompted by a word like this...

Levi, where's your eye?

He quickly points to his eye (which almost results in a trip to the ER seeing how he practically wedges his chubby little finger all the way through to his optic nerve).

Levi, where's your ear?

He furrows his brow thinking "Man, that one's tricky." Then, he giggles and grabs his entire ear...and hair.

Levi, where's your nose?

To which he gladly responds by touching the tip of his nose. His finger slowly gravitates towards the middle of his nose where it lands oh so nicely inside a nostril. Once there for a moment, he gently removes his finger from said nostril and eagerly declares while staring at the tip of his finger...

"UH-OH"

Yep, there's a bit of problem, son.

2. While on the phone (and I'm sure the phone call was quite important as it ~~always~~ sometimes is), I notice our youngest has managed to remove both his pants and diaper. Of course, he thinks this is the way life should be lived and decides he must prance around the house all the while squealing at the top of his lungs. Me, being the best mommy to ever live, laughs with amusement 'cause nothing cuter than a squealing neckid baby.

Remember, I am on the phone so I'm trying to stay poised and calm so the person on the other end doesn't think I'm a complete lunatic. (And hopefully, they don't read this blog for my cover may be blown.)

As he runs from room to room with pure joy, I decide that it's best to end my phone conversation and capture the little one before anything happens. All of the sudden, I hear a sweet little voice utter the infamous words...
"UH-OH"! Knowing that he's standing in the bathroom, my mind begins to frantically wonder about the countless possibilities as to why he'd say "uh-oh." As I approached the said toddler, I see him staring down at the floor.

Once again, he squeals as the words "uh-oh" roll off his lips. He looks up at me with a slight smirk as if to say "I'm the cutest baby to ever live! I'd never do anything wrong!".

I look down at the floor where he'd been standing, and sure enough, he relieved himself...without wearing a diaper...AGAIN! Yep, I'd say "UH-OH", too!

3. And lastly...at least, I can say he truly understands the meaning of the word (or phrase)...UH-OH! Now the question remains as to what his next word should be. Suggestions are welcomed...and encouraged!

The Greatest Show On Earth...

2013-02-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to chaperon my daughter's class to the circus. Now I'm not quite sure why I volunteered to go considering how the circus and I don't exactly see eye to eye. (In case you missed it, see this post and this post for reference.) Is there really that much difference between the circus and 4-H? Sure, at a 4-H event, you don't see prancing tigers and talented elephants and daredevils dangling from a rope 100 feet in the air by only their TOES, but in my mind, there are A LOT of similarities.
(~~Okay~~, ~~actually~~, ~~well,~~ I must admit...they have nothing in common but being able to unleash the frantic side of Lianna...and it's not pretty, y'all!)

So...The day started out pretty "normal" as in the kind of normal we see around here. To everyone else, it may seem a bit like pure CHAOS. Anyway...Once Merisa and I arrived at her school, her entire class along with five other classes loaded the buses that were anxiously waiting our arrival. Granted, I've had the pleasure of traveling via those big yellow contraptions many, MANY times in the past thanks to my coaching endeavours, but I must have grown since then! Those bus seats seemed a thousand times smaller than I remembered, which is not so good for someone who has a bad case of claustrophobia.

As I paused and wiped my brow that was now profusely sweating from fear, I noticed that the other adults on the bus were perfectly and utterly FINE! In attempt to keep myself from becoming an outcast yet again, I told myself "You'll live! The emergency exit is within reach. It'll be okay since you're sitting on the aisle way. Everything will go smoothly."

Except I wasn't actually sitting in the aisle way. So there's that.

In attempt to keep this post somewhat less than a mile long, I have decided to end this portion of the discussion. No one wants to hear about my INSANE phobia of riding in a vehicle while others are driving. It's bad, y'all. Just ask my husband! I'm pretty sure he'll request a sedative the next time we go on a family vacation...and that's for me so I won't drive everyone mad with my fears of hitting other cars or driving off the road or not being in the right line at the right time or...

Back to the main point. We arrived at the circus with what seemed like a BAZILLION other buses! Once we were seated, everyone anxiously waited for the circus to begin. Everyone except...me. My stomach was already in a tizzy, and I was pretty certain the stress of watching stunt after stunt would do nothing to calm down my nerves.

Yep, I was right!

Mind you, I was sitting next to my daughter and her friends. Seeing how she recently transferred to this school, most of her classmates I had never met up until this point. And everyone knows how important it is to make a "good" first impression.

As I peered towards the three rings of fun, I noticed a rather LARGE ramp that seemed to go nowhere. What would be the point of that? A ramp must be connected to something. It IS the circus, but seriously, we're not talking about the X Games. Surely, they must still be setting up the stage. Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Lianna. Wishful thinking!

So...

The announcer came over the loud speaker sharing his words of wisdom. As he began introducing the first act, engines started revving in the distance. Then, dirt bikes entered the arena, and it appeared that the drivers were young...as in, young enough to still be wearing diapers! Okay, I'm sure they were a bit older, but you get my drift.

They circled the ring over and over. I thought to myself "That's interesting. They're just going to drive in circles. Man, there was no reason to get all worked up. Everyone's going to play it safe...for the kids."

Obviously, I didn't get the memo.

I glanced over my shoulder and that lovely RAMP once again caught my eye. The light bulbs started flashing and sirens started screaming!

Surely, not! No. Never. They wouldn't do that!

Oh, yes, they would!

Those little boys (who would be incredibly furious if they read this and were actually middle-aged men) headed for the much awaited RAMP! My heart started pumping out of control. My palms began to sweat. My stomach dislodged and moved its way to my mouth. I tried to swallow, but I was having a difficult time breathing.

And then, it happened.

The first bike made its way up the ramp, floated in the air approximately 100 feet and landed on the mat on the other side of the arena! And if that wasn't bad enough, the next biker dared the same feat only it was much too simple for him. He added a lovely little handstand on top of the handle bars while the bike endured some "air time!"

Seriously?!

Where were their mothers? Did they sneak out and practice these maneuvers while no one was watching? Oh. My. Word!

And they just kept going, and going, and going... It went on for what seemed like a lifetime. One stunt after another. Each rider performing a trick a little more death-defying than the one before him.

I was on edge. Gasping with each movement. Praying every time someone rode up that ramp. Shouting "Please, you really don't want to do that. Do you?"

Guess I didn't scream loud enough 'cause they kept on their ~~merry~~ life-threatening way!

In the midst of my despair, I glanced at my daughter assuming she would need to be comforted from the terror. To my surprise (actually, I should've known), she was not frantic, but rather calm instead. I could barely breathe and was certain that I might pass out at any moment, and there she was (along with the rest of the audience) with no worry in sight.

Were they watching the same show that I was? Did they not see how incredibly dangerous those stunts were? Someone could crash at any time. They could miss the mat. I could go on and on, but merely writing this story is making me gasp for air.

So my shrills and screams as each bike left the ramp in hope to make it to the far-far away mat did not impress my daughter. Nor did my never-ending array of frightened jumps and nervous shouts of "Be careful! You don't want to do that! Where's the safety net?"

When I asked my ever-so brave daughter if she was frightened, she gave me one of those "Seriously, mom?" looks like any tween girl would do. "Of course not, mom. Why would I be?", she shared with disgust as her friends sitting nearby chuckled to themselves.

Well, because. Because, that's why!

Yep, that first impression...the one that's so important...didn't quite go as planned. Instead of being the "cool mom" or the "fun mom", I'm the "crazy-lady-that-screams-way-too-much-and-freaks-out-about-everything" mom. I was the next spectacle to take center stage.

I'm THAT mom!

AGAIN!

*And that was just the first act! Don't get me started about the lady dangling from a bar using only her TOES all the while a man riding on a motorcycle spins them in circles! Oh, did I mention they were way up in the air without a net?! Nerves of steel I do not have!

**Sorry, I would share pictures of the insane stunt(s), but I was shaking so badly the last thing I thought to do was go for the camera! Please accept my deepest apologies.

Not What We Were Expecting...

2013-01-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

As the holidays quickly approached, we were all quite excited...especially those who attend school. Two weeks at home with no where to be (minus the Christmas gatherings, of course) seemed like a lifetime. I'm not sure who was more excited...the student, the teacher, or the stay-at-home mama!

So the first day of break began with the mister having a bit of a "cold"...or so we thought. We made it to two of our mere SEVEN gatherings before we knew that this little "cold" was anything but. As the kids grew ever-excited about the approaching visit from that fluffy little man with a white beard and red coat, something was growing in our house...and it wasn't going to be pretty!

Christmas morning came and was welcomed by fevers and chills. The bouncy little children full of happiness and delight were merely a figment of our imagination. Visions of Tylenol and Motrin were now dancing in our heads.

The flu is a beautiful entity (insert sarcasm here). One that we were able to share as a family. Those who get sick together, stay together...which mostly happens 'cause no one wants within ten feet of those ailing bodies!

We were a truly wonderful sight, y'all!

As a youngin' and I were cared for by the mister, the other two kiddos were whisked away in order to be quarantined from this wretched virus. The youngest did manage catch the flu in his own unique way, which was truly a blessing. No fever for him...just A LOT of sleeping and feeling yucky.

So most of the much-awaited gifts from Santa remained unopened and under the tree on Christmas day. Our daughter was able to unwrap her gifts before she and her brother were moved into quarantine. It was a nice (and brief) moment that we shared with her...one-on-one.

A few days after Christmas, Logan was finally feeling a bit better. Poor kid...look at his bloodshot eyes thanks to the wonderful fever!

And as I took down the Christmas decorations this past week (hey, at least they came down before APRIL!), Logan became quite upset. He was/is convinced that Christmas hasn't come yet...that jolly ol' Saint Nick has yet to make an appearance...that baby Jesus hasn't had his birthday. Yep, the little guy missed it all.

Thankfully, we were able to share some of "Logan's Christmas" with our daughter while she was kept away from the sickies...thanks to a handy little device. One reason to love technology!

FINALLY...after being separated for what seems like a lifetime, Levi returned home! We were able to celebrate with the little man and enjoy our time together about a week after the nasty bug hit our home!

It may be difficult to imagine, but catching this illness was a blessing in disguise. We were able to share Christmas with each of our children during their own special time. It wasn't a one-day Christmas event as a family, but rather an extended week of holiday cheer and togetherness. Each child got to have a little individual time with us as we cherished the moment. No, it wasn't perfect, but it was special.

Needless to say, we did not make it to our SEVEN Christmas gatherings. Instead, we were able to spend some quality (and some not so pretty) time together as a family. The vacation from school and work may not have gone as planned, but no one can say that it wasn't memorable! It will truly be the Christmas to remember.

I am quite thankful to say that we all made it through the illness with flying colors. We have our health, our love, and our togetherness. What more could we ask for? Granted, there were moments when I was extremely nervous as I watched a little boy's temperature soar to 103+. As the flu took hold of his body, he laid motionless on the couch for 24 hours, which was SO not him! It can be quite scary when little ones get sick.

As I reflect on the past two weeks (much of which is a dense, hazy fog), I am reminded about the true meaning of Christmas.

It's not about the gifts or having everything go as planned. Nor is about capturing the perfect family image under the tree. Christmas is remembering the gift of Jesus. We are truly blessed!

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. - Luke 1:35

From Magic Erasers To Baby Godzillas...

2012-12-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Since I've somehow managed to take a bit of a blogging break, I thought I'd catch up on a few random happenings. This break was mostly due in part to my inability to tell time...or at least be able to keep track of it! I'm having an incredibly difficult time with the thought that 2013 is less than two weeks away! Seriously...I was just getting started on my New Year Resolution's for 2012! Who am I fooling...I'm still working on the ones set back in 1985! And this folks is why I never actually set resolutions...aside from the one time that I blogged my resolution for all the world to see! Guess I won't be doing that again.

Anyway, here's a peak into what's been going on around here.

1. Logan spent some time on this special bench (aka: Time Out Chair)

for sharing his artwork in places like this:

His lovely work can also be seen on numerous other walls throughout the house. It's his own little exhibit hall. Please call to schedule your own personal showing. Autographs will be available at the end of the tour.

And this is why we have stock in those fabulous Magic Erasers.

2. Levi has a new trick much to his brother's delight. He's stacking instead of destroying! See, Logan's block-made towers tend to stay up just a wee bit longer since baby Godzilla is no longer on the loose!

3. During school, Merisa's class was asked to give a synonym for the word "mistake". Merisa responded with the obvious answer..."boys!" I can't imagine where she gets it from...No, sir!

4. Our little boys think the world functions much better during 2nd shift. That is, up at night, and sleep during the day. Who am I fooling? When it comes to sleep, they give the Cullens a run for their money. These boys no longer require sleep...none at all! They must be sneaking some sort of energy booster while I'm not looking. Maybe they're just loaded with an entire warehouse of Energizer batteries. Who knows? I will say that the lack of sleep is causing havoc on the older inhabitants of this home. It's a wonder that I haven't ran to the store in my mismatched jammies with my hair in side ponytail straight from the '80s all the while thinking I was fully dressed and polished. Oh, wait...I did! And it's possible that it was a little worse than what I'm disclosing.

This may explain why I'm in complete and utter shock that Christmas is only a few days away! Don't get me started on where the last 5 years went!

However, the lack of sleep sometimes catches up with the wee little lads during dinner time.

5. Finally, Logan is becoming more cooperative when it comes to taking pictures. Granted, this is the face that he often shares...

Guess I should tell him not to force the smile so much!

Everyday Moments | No. 2

2012-12-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Shocking. Heart-breaking. Unfathomable.

The tragedy that occurred yesterday is difficult to grasp. Innocent lives were lost. Families are mourning. Countless tears are being shed.

As the news poured in, I kept thinking it was all a dream. This really couldn't be happening, right?

How could it be possible?

For some, the day began with little minds yearning to know what Santa might bring. Beautifully wrapped presents were under the tree awaiting for the special day to arrive. Time of togetherness filled with love and laughter was just around the corner.

Then, it happened.

In a blink of an eye everything changed.

I can't even imagine what they endured. Those brave, beautiful, wonderful souls.

There are no words.

Only tears.

As I try to process the event as it unfolds, I'm taking a moment to reflect. A moment to hug, to laugh, to cherish those special times that I tend to take for granted.

I'll embrace the gooey kisses.

I'll look at the world through their eyes. Find the beauty in everything.

I won't hesitate to share just one more hug when time doesn't allow.

Life is precious. Life is sacred. Life is meant to be lived.

As I swoop up my children and squeeze them ever so tightly, my prayers go out to each and every family and friend that was affected by yesterday's tragedy. To those incredibly brave teachers, staff and students, my heart and prayers are with all of you.

The innocence of youth.

The world is an amazing place.

Beauty abounds. Life is simple. Life is now.

May they stay forever young.

Once again, I'm taking part in a blog circle that is sharing special moments captured through photography. Click here to continue on this photographic journey by visiting Kristin's blog.

Images can speak louder than words.

And The Winner Is...

2012-11-23T23:15:00.000-05:00

As promised, we took a bit of a break from the Black Friday whirlwind and had our own little crazy deal! We held a drawing in order to pick a winner in my very 1st GIVEAWAY! Although a certain little girl really had her eyes set on this lovely toy, I think she had a lot of fun helping with the drawing.

Thanks to all of you took the time to enter the giveaway! It's been quite the conversation around here, and we couldn't wait to find out who the lucky winner was going to be!

Here is how the winner was chosen....

Yep, names were drawn out of a good ol' hat! Pretty clever, huh?!

And the WINNER is.....

KIMBERLY!

Congratulations, Kimberly! Please shoot me an email so I can arrange for you to receive your prize...an exciting remote control helicopter from Xenon Project!!

*And Happy Thanksgiving!!! I'm incredibly thankful for all that we've been given! We are truly blessed! Hope that everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! I'm still getting over the fact that it's the holiday season once again! Where has the time gone?!

A Major Milestone and a GIVEAWAY!

2012-11-16T10:49:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I totally messed up! I had it all planned to make a special announcement and a fun little giveaway in honor of my 100th post. Well, guess what? I missed it! Does that suprise you? Probably not. So, instead, this is going to be a "special announcement and a fun little giveaway" for my 101st post! Just had to be different!

And what's the special announcement? It's not really that special other than this is my 101th post!!!! Ta-da! I've actually committed to something, which may be more amazing than the fact that I share my homestead with chickens! Cute little, fluffy little, sweet little CHICKENS! And I'm totally only referring to the ones that I brought home...not those other life-threatening rascals! Case in point... (Although I'm softening a bit and finding a place for the other birds as long as they don't ruffle the feathers of my sweeties!)

Where was I?

Oh, yeah...

Welcome to my ~~100th~~ 101st post! I'd like to thank the Academy, and the supporters, and the green grass, and the...

So in honor of this milestone, I'd like to give you, loyal readers, a token of my appreciation. Sadly, this is only open to those living in the good ol' USA. Can't ship it internationally. Sorry! Please note that this is totally out of character for me, but when the opportunity arose, I couldn't pass on it. I feel like there should be flashing lights and streamers coming down from the ceiling as I make this reveal.

Wait for it... Wait for it...

Nothing, I know. Just thought I'd check.

Am I completely corny? Oh, you have no idea (or maybe you do.).

But honestly, I do have something fun to giveaway. Without further ado, I'd like to share with you the item that's up for grabs! Something that would make for a wonderful gift for that special little someone in your life. Or even that big guy who refuses to grow up. Okay, this is totally something I'd like, but I wasn't going to tell you that.

Yep, I'm giving away a remote control helicopter! My kids are going to be so jealous! We LOVE remote control anything around here. The kids love them. I love them. It's just a happy little place!

So if you're wanting to get your hands on this helicopter from Xenon Project, please enter the giveaway by leaving a lovely comment. Check out their website, too. They have a ton of remote control toys that would make for great gifts. And with Christmas just around the corner, what better time to have a giveaway? It could make your shopping just a little bit easier! You can thank me later!

Go ahead and look through Xenon Project.com and admire their fun toys! I know you want one, too!

Oh, remember to leave me a comment below so I know you want entered in this giveaway. You have until Thanksgiving Day to enter. Then, on BLACK FRIDAY, I'll reveal the lucky winner! I just LOVE Black Friday, and this makes it even better!

*Disclaimer: I am not an affiliate of Xenon Project nor am I being compensated for this in any way. And I so just wrote "confiscated", and at the last minute realized that word is totally not the same as compensated! It's a wonder really!

Everyday Moments | No. 1

2012-11-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

I have yet another confession to make. No, I did not burn down the house while making macaroni and cheese. No, I did not drive the van through the front of the garage...or at least not yet.

Rather, my passion for photography is growing exponentially! I'm in love with images that showcase the natural and simple joys of life. Ya know, the everyday moments that sometimes get overlooked. Throughout the past year, photographing life...especially through the eyes of my children...has become my outlet. It's a way to freeze time forever. Kids grow so quickly, and photography has a way of capturing a single moment and stopping time indefinitely (or at least until a wild dog reaps havoc on my SD cards and hard drive!)

I have SO much to learn in terms of photography, and maybe one day I'll have it mastered! I'm not crossing my fingers, though. This might prove to be more difficult than passing Organic Chemistry during my college years.

In my endeavour to learn more about photography, I've become part of a blog circle. A few of us women (moms and photographers) have joined together to share our everyday moments. A glimpse into our lives...a moment that's frozen in time.

This group is full of some astounding photographers! They give me inspiration, and I wanted to share their talents with all of you. If you follow our circle, you'll venture through nine other posts that showcase the everyday lives of wonderful photographers. The circle should lead you back here...ya know, like a circle! Crazy, huh?!

I'll start off by sharing a few of my attempts of capturing the simple things...the everyday moments.

A sleeping child. A time when you sit in awe and wonder, which may be overcome by a pure sense of exhaustion as you drift off to sleep next to the child. Or so I've heard.

The above photo was taken while he was actually sleeping. I KNOW! When does he ever sleep? Light source: Cell phone! Those little devices are just full of endless possibilities!

And sometimes this boy slows down just long enough for me to sneak up and grab a quick shot!

And let me preface the following image...NO ONE was hurt in the process of capturing this moment. He was merely saddened by the fact that he is too young to gallivant around with a marker. How will he ever exhibit his Picasso-like talents with his mama interfering? Anyway, it was just a brief instance where he was pouty, and my camera was already in use. Yes, I missed the focus a bit, but I couldn't resist sharing!

So why don't you sit back and relax? Click on through the blog circle and enjoy some beautiful artwork created by some wonderful photographers. Continue on this little journey by linking to Kim's blog. You can thank me later! Seriously, she is an amazing infant and child photographer...able to capture life as it truly is. Wonderfully beautiful, really!

You can find her blog here.

*If you're a lover of art or an inspiring photographer, follow through the Everyday Moments blog circle and show some love. You'll be glad you did.

The Importance Of Following Directions...

2012-11-07T11:50:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I did my American duty by voting. No, this post is not going to be about my political views, but rather about my ability to follow directions. I'm learning a lot about myself through blogging! Writing everyday occurrences out for all the world to see makes me look at my life a little more clearly. Or at least that's my excuse.

So I ventured out to the my friendly precinct in order to submit my votes. I stood in a line that made me feel like I was at an amusement park...or a Rascal Flatts concert. Something about me standing in lines...it always leads to some sort of crazy moment. Remember my journey into 4-H this summer? Enough said. (If you missed this sad but true event, you can read about it here and here.)

Anyway, the line was long...extremely long! After waiting for about 30 minutes, I reached the check-in point where I needed to show my ID and sign the "paper"...only the lady couldn't find me in their "your allowed to vote here" book! Really? Why doesn't this surprise me? We went back and forth for a bit to the point where she told me I needed to vote somewhere else. Not sure where since I had a governmental document telling me to vote HERE.

After searching her entire book, she realized she was looking under the wrong name. Of course! Then, my beloved name was found, and I was almost cleared to vote. Just needed to sign my name. I grabbed a pen out of my purse (germaphobe...sharing a pen with the entire county...not happening!) As I began to sign my name, she declares STOP! Is that blue ink? Yeah, I guess so. The helpful lady pointed out that I needed to use a BLACK pen or the government wouldn't accept it. Okay?! So I slowly reached for THAT pen...the one everyone else was using. Instead of reaching for the hand sanitizer in my purse and rapidly soaking the pen with its antibacterial wonder, I decided to sign my name and drench my hands in the sanitizer once I was finished.

Did I get stares? Of course, but who knows if it was for this reason or for the fact that I was told I was at the wrong precinct. Dumb city girl!

So I preceded and moved on to the second line where I waited another 20 minutes. Then, the nice gentleman got me set-up in the voting box and away I went. However, I must have some sort of test anxiety 'cause I looked at all the options and went blank. Not because I didn't know who I wanted to vote for...nope. Mostly because that machine FREAKS ME OUT! I don't get it. Everything looks like a jumbled mess. I see the options, but yet I can't tell what goes where. Do you push this button or that button? Where are the directions? Directions...ahhh!

By some miracle, I made it through my ballot. I checked it once, twice, three times. Everything was in order. The fog had been lifted. I hit the final button..."Confirm Vote". I looked for the lady to say I was done. She nodded, and I moved on...only to hear her proclaim "Mam! Mam!"

Now what?

You forgot to push the RED button to confirm your votes!

Really? How did miss the bright RED FLASHING button?!

Should I be sharing this with the entire world? Probably not. I'm sure I'm the only person who has trouble with those well thoughtout and extremely user friendly devices. How did Steve Jobs not get his hands on those machines, anyway?

So there ya have it. Another adventure where a lack of following directions has caused havoc. Kids...please listen to your teachers! READ THE DIRECTIONS FIRST!

Side note: I'm nearing my 100th post! How in the world did I actually commit to this whole blogging thing...I do not know! In order to celebrate this accomplishment (which has yet to happen so maybe it won't), I'm planning a little giveaway. It will happen within the next week. I won't give you too much info, but it is something that would make for a great gift for the little kiddos in your life. Maybe even the big ones would like it, too! Stay tuned!

A Book, A Pizza, And A Name...

2012-11-03T14:24:00.000-04:00

At one point in my life, I did not know if I would ever have children. Not because of the numerous reasons you might think, either. Mostly because of that little known book entitled "What To Expect When You're Expecting." I remember receiving said book as a gift, opening to the first page, and gasping for air due to my level of shock! SERIOUSLY! What sane person would put their body through such torture? It's completely INSANE! Unimaginable, really.

Okay, so I'm a bit of a paranoid freak and tend worry about all of the "what ifs" so this may have been the root of the problem!

I also might mention that I have an incredible and uncontrollable fear of...doctors...and hospitals...and needles...and... I'll stop now since I'm starting to sweat from the anxiety of mentioning those dreaded words. Funny part is that I went to college to be a...ummmm...doctor! Joke was on me! I was convinced that I just needed to expose myself to the world of medicine and my fears would be gone. FOUR years and a bachelor's degree later that problem was still as strong as ever...if not worse! Guessing having a fear of needles and being a physician would be difficult to juggle.

So I walked away from the medical world, but my love is still there. I google every condition known to man and fill myself with countless bits of information that I can absorb from anyone who has medical knowledge. Let me say, however, that the information I've gained through the years has not helped my anxiety. Not one bit. Quite the opposite actually. I pass out with a drop of a hat, but I won't go into that now. Trust me...there are many, many stories I could share about self-induced fainting. I'm kind of a pro.

And I must have a problem with being distracted easily 'cause this is not what I was intending to write so...

Back to my point.

Children.

I made it through that horrendous book and managed to calm myself long enough to have children.

Maybe it's the road we walked. Problems with carrying a pregnancy to term...losing one baby after another for unknown reasons.

It's not the road I imagined, but it has made me more appreciative of what I have. Children are a blessing. Period. They may color your couch from top to bottom with a bright green marker, but it doesn't matter. They may dump every inch of water out of the bath tub and onto the floor, but it doesn't matter. They may deposit an ice cube in the middle of the table onto their brand new school pictures instead of putting the ice in the sink, but it doesn't matter. They may rearrange ALL of your furniture and utilize every blanket that you own in order to create the world's best "spooky house" in the middle of your living room, but it DOES matter!

It is part of being a child.

The innocence of youth.

The ability to find beauty in everything.

The imagination of a child is monumental. Breathtaking, really.

So when my children make comments that are purely innocent, I smile. I laugh. I learn.

I relish in the moment and want to share it with everyone I know.

So...I am.

On our way home, I stopped to pick up pizza for our Friday night dinner. Logan was THRILLED about eating pizza and decided he couldn't wait to get home before sinking his teeth into the yummy "p-zza". So he was given a slice. He, then, asked for a breadstick. He's a boy and ~~likes~~ LOVES to eat.

As I handed him the breadstick, I said "Logan, here's your breadstick."

He replied, "Hey!"

I said, "Hey, what?!" expecting him to say I didn't give him the right breadstick.

It was apparent that he was completely suprised by something, but I didn't know what. Maybe he saw a dinosaur or a tractor or...a house.

His response was a little unexpected.

With a small shrill in his voice, he declared "Hey, Mommy. You know me NAME! YOU KNOW ME NAME!"

I just smiled and, then, laughed from joy! I love these kids! They make my heart melt!

*Note: Maybe he's starting to realize that is took us almost 24 hours after birth to name him. Surely, he can't remember that, right?

Our Playroom Revealed {Sort of}

2012-10-26T13:14:00.000-04:00

Here's the thing...when we moved to this house, I was uberly excited at the thought of having a PLAYROOM! A place for all of the toys to call home...other than the middle of our living room. No more scrambling to clean up 3,249 dolls and tractors so that the our visitors are welcomed to a (very loosely used form of this word) somewhat "organized" home! No more stepping on little cars in the middle of the night and holding your breath while you die in pain so that you do not wake up a sleeping child from your screams. No more pushing toys on to the floor just so you can find a place to sit on not-so-inviting couch.

So, yes, I was ECSTATIC to have a PLAYROOM! More so than the kids, for this I am sure.

However, I was hitting a bit of a wall when it came to choosing a paint color that would work. As you may remember, it started off a lovely shade of poo green. Then, with my great ability to pick out paint colors, I chose the wonderful color of pee yellow to paint over the said green. Yes, the room looked like the kids had been decorating with a dirty diaper or two. Sorry, for the analogy, but it's the truth!

Fast forward to this spring when I became in LOVE with the color orange. Actually, I have a hidden obsession with orange although you may never know it...unless you're Levi. Poor kid is dressed in orange pretty much EVERY day! Though, I will say that he looks rather smashing in beautiful shades orange and blue.

Anyway, my point...I finished painting the room some time before summer, but then that was it. The top half of the walls were stark neckid. As Merisa said, "They're screaming 'PAINT ME'". I was at some sort of standstill and couldn't decide what to do with the upper portion of the walls. I wanted something funky...something bright. But what?

Then, the other day it came to me. I thought about painting this design, but decided that would take way more time that I had. See, the boys were sleeping, which means I have a small window of opportunity.

So I grabbed some scrapbooking paper (which I already had) and sliced the sheets into triangles. I made 6 triangles per 12 x 12 sheet of paper, which means I ended up cutting quite a bit of paper in order to trim out the entire room.

I adhered the triangles in a pattern on the walls with...umm...not the best choice...scrapbooking adhesive. Hey, it's what was available. Don't judge. Also, don't try this at home 'cause it won't last! I recommend spray adhesive or something similar so that the triangles do not come falling down like snowflakes while you're playing in said room. (Yes, I'm currently working on updating this portion of my design.)

Anyway, here's the finished project. Well, almost finished. I still have something I need to add to one of the walls. Just haven't gotten there, yet.

Oh, the framed artwork and sculptures on the shelf are courtesy of a future Monet...Miss Merisa. Seriously, that girl has talent! She's very abstract with her art, and I love it!!!

There ya have it! A bit of our playroom revealed! The curtains are circa Goodwill 2012, and the walls display custom artwork. Could it get any better?

*Disclaimer: My dreams of a toy-free living room have been shattered! The toys have a stupendous ability to migrate to EVERY room of our house in a matter of seconds. Seriously, it's mind-bending!

Not In Kansas Anymore...

2012-10-15T11:56:00.001-04:00

Look! The corn doesn't stand a chance!

This past weekend the weather decided to take a drastic turn, which is completely normal around here. For some reason, the temperatures warmed up quite a bit, but it wasn't as simple as that. Oh, no! With temperature changes we can expect crazy, wild, tornado-like winds...and I'm NOT exaggerating...too much, anyway.

If you live in an area that is fortunate enough to have a tree or two or even a building of any size, be extremely thankful! See, a "windy day" in the city is NOTHING compared to the tornadic activity caused by the wind gusts out here in the flat land! Seriously, think F5 TORNADO that never ends!

From time to time, I'm pretty certain I've seen the Wicked Witch of West hover around our house followed by little voices singing "We welcome you to Munchkin Land." I just need to find those ruby slippers! (And right now as my husband reads this...if he does...he is falling off of his chair laughing hysterically as he reflects on the one time I rode my bike in his presence. Enough said!)

*Note: Please ignore the crude quality of the following pictures. They were taken with my phone. Plus, I wasn't really thinking about composition...I was just going with the moment and enjoying the craziness! And yes, I've been bitten by the photography bug so I cringe at the thought of posting these images. Oh, well!

Anyway, the weekend started off with a small tornado that hit inside of the house. This is why I refrain from buying cereal. Then, there's the issue of wanting a box of Lucky Charms with only marshmallow pieces.

When the wind came with a vengeance, we decided to go outside. Okay, not really, but who could stay inside with warm spring-like temperatures? So I tied cinder blocks to the kids' shoes, and we braved the elements. No, I didn't really use cinder blocks. I couldn't find any.

While outside trying to dodge wind speeds of 356 mph, the boys played like little boys...in the dirt.

Then, they ventured to bike riding. I, on the other hand, didn't want the Wicked Witch theme music to fill the air so I decided not to join in the bike riding fun.

Even little Levi got in on the action...although he's not big enough to reach the pedals. And yes, the bike is pink. Why buy a new bike when you already have one? Paint can fix anything!

Trying to overcome the headwind while riding bikes became a daunting task. So they decided toy cars and shopping carts would be a much better choice.

And if big brother thinks its entertaining, so should little brother.

Now the question remains...Did he fall over from the wind or did he just give up on fighting its mighty force?

And wouldn't ya know it? The wind blew out our power for a bit...right at supper time! Really? What do you feed three hungry children that does not require heating? PB & J...you might say. Well, only 1/3 of our kiddos will even think about eating gooey sandwich! The other 2/3 opted for Gold Fish crackers, of course!

Thankfully, the power was restored before extreme hunger hit. Although, it was a bit entertaining watching everyone fumble around in the dark. Thank goodness for flashlights and candles!

What Does That Mean...

2012-10-02T16:24:00.000-04:00

What an infectious smile!!!

As I was fulfilling my motherly duty of making lunch, Logan decided it was quite important that I help him with a particular game. I paused while assembling the bread and cheese in order to pay attention to the said little boy and his game.

As Logan demanded, I came to his aide. I tried to maneuver a small figure through the obstacles and over a mountain of bricks. I fumbled around a bit realizing soon I would be of no help to this spunky three year old.

In the midst of my concentration, an extremely hungry boy yelled out "Me hungry, mama! ME HUNGRY!"

I sat down the game and got back to my routine of making some sort of meal out of bread and cheese. Aww...the beauty of a cheese toasty. Yes, this IS the correct name for a toasted sandwich made out of bread and cheese.

Completely appalled that I couldn't juggle both lunch making and game playing, the said boy declared that I needed to gain some multi-tasking abilities. Okay, these weren't his exact words, but this was my interpretation as he played some exhilarating game of Charades that entailed shouting, gasping and shrills of disbelief towards my inability to make him a sandwich while hopping through some never-ending maze on his hand-held game.

I turned to our young man and calmly explained "You'll have to WAIT a moment. I need to make lunch. Then, I can help you with your game."

His feeling of shock filled the room as he gasped and looked at me in disbelief questioning the words that I uttered.

I repeated myself saying "Just give me a minute. Please WAIT one second."

His brow furrowed. Then, he paused and innocently looked up at me.

With uncertainty he replied, "WAIT? What does that mean, mommy?"

If I only knew, son. If I only knew!

*So if you're an inspirational blogger/writer, which I clearly am not, you could take that last statement and run with it. I mean, seriously, can't you imagine where that could go? I saw a bit of myself in Logan as he responded. I've often questioned the Lord above with "You want me to do what? Wait! What exactly does that mean?". I seriously have no patience. Thanks for the reminder. Kids always know how to say it bluntly.

**Are all kids like this? I mean, really...wise beyond their years!

Our Little Treasures...

2012-10-01T16:53:00.004-04:00

These pictures make me smile! You want to know why? Well, of course you do. If not, just humor me!

It's a simple moment in time when special memories were made. A instance that went by so quickly, yet is forever frozen in time.

They are embracing the company of one another. They are creating. They are learning. They are simply being children. Their love for life abounds.

Our little treasures!

Granted, there are days when I wonder if I'll make it through in one piece. Times when the chaos causes my mind to whirl out of control. I walk around like a zombie lost in a dense fog with no direction.

Then, moments like this occur, and I praise God for all of the little blessings. The special memories that are made each and every day. The countless hugs and gooey kisses that are shared by these little people.

To see life through their eyes would be magnificent.

Their insurmountable courage could take you over the tallest mountains and across the largest oceans.

They see a world full of endless possibilities.

Their excitement for sidewalk chalk and bicycle rides is contagious.

They have a zest for life, which I hope they never lose.

Life is simple. Life is now. Life is worth living.

Thank you for helping me to remember the simple things.

From Excess To Fears...

2012-09-25T08:30:00.000-04:00

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I'm not sure how this has happened, but...no, it's not what you're thinking...I've been READING! Seriously! Me, the person who got her first and only progress report during her sophomore year of high school for boycotting the book "The Tale of Two Cities", is actually CHOOSING to read a real book! Or should I say bookS...as in more than one! Yes, I've been reading quite a bit, and I have no idea why. It's just one of those things that seemed like a whim, but completely right all at the same time.

You might ask what am I currently reading. Okay, humor me! You probably don't care, but I'm going to go on and on anyway! Remember, following directions...NOT my thing!

After finishing...yes, I said FINISHING...the last book in the Hunger Games series, I really wanted to find another book to read. Man, who would've thought that reading could be so fun?! If only I'd known this...gasp, cough, gasp...15+ years ago...I could have saved myself some humility as I trembled while holding the freshly processed progress report sent to my home in order to explain my unruly behavior in English class. Granted, I was WAY more distraught about the failing grade than my parents were. Yep, I was always hard on myself when it came to grades. B+ in Calculus...UNACCEPTABLE!

That was then. This is now.

I've actually made a 180 turn and fallen in love with books! B.O.O.K.S! This may be more unbelievable than the fact that this {almost} city girl has become a chicken-raisin', country-lovin' fool! Okay, not exactly, but you get the point.

Anyway, I recently felt compelled to read 7 by Jen Hatmaker. I'd review the book for ya, but seeing how I'm new to this whole reading thing, I'm guessing my critique on the book won't live up to what others have to say.

However, I will inform you that it's quite the thought-provoking book with a side of serious sarcasm. I LOVE me some sarcasm, especially when it comes to child rearing! Jen addresses some of the things most Americans take for granted, and she really makes you think twice before throwing away unwanted food or buying yet one more article of clothing just because it's cute.

I would highly recommend checking out 7 from your local library or if you want, from me! Yep, if want to borrow my copy, I'd be more than willing to share. The message is great. I had a hard time putting it down. Plus, Jen's wit is so refreshing...for me anyway! There were times I caught myself laughing out loud. Seriously...ask Merisa. My kids are quite used to my abnormal behavior, but they never hesitate to point it out to me. Ya know, in case I didn't notice their embarrassment of once again being reminded that I am their mother.

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When I finished 7, I immediately picked up the next book calling my name. What book was that? Oh, I'll tell ya. It was What Women Fear by Angie Smith. Please do not confuse this with the turn of the century film "What Women Want" starring Mel Gibson. So. NOT. Even. Relatively. Close!

Anyway, I really think this book was written just for me. I was bawling my eyes out during the first two chapters. The next couple of chapters I had a HUGE sense of relief and felt like God was talking to me through Angie. Things were all starting to make sense. I am not alone. Other people actually see the world like I do. It was so refreshing and made me see things in a different light.

I wish I could review this book in a way that made you jump up immediately and start reading it, but alas, book reviews should be left to the professionals (as should lawn care). But I will say that if you are struggling with perfectionism, guilt, anxiety, grief or feeling out of control, you might just want to pick up this book. However, I didn't start reading it because I thought I needed to overcome my fears. In fact, I didn't think I had any real fears other than towards the occasional spider or my friendly doctor. For some reason, it just seemed like a good read, and it has totally lived up to its expectations.

Angie writes in a way that makes you feel like she's speaking directly to you. She has struggled and isn't afraid to share her story. She doesn't try to change who she is, but rather to understand God's role in her life. Everyone (I'm assuming not just women, but men, too) struggles with some sort of fear. For some of us, there are a multitude of fears and not just one. I would share with you all of my fears, but that may take up more space than all of the internet could provide! (Yes, chickens are on that list! Although I have befriended a few of them.)

So there ya have it. The TWO books I recently finished. How did this happen? One may never know. I guess when you're up with a certain little someone until the wee hours of the night (read: crack of dawn), you must find something to keep yourself awake! So how exactly do you wear out a child that seems to have no need for sleep? That is the question.

Rewinding Time | One Year Ago

2012-09-12T08:18:00.000-04:00

One year ago, I scrambled, chased, danced, jumped, jigged, and laughed trying to take a group picture of my wild bunch. By some miracle, the above image was captured. I knew it would be a difficult task, but I greatly underestimated the will-power of my children. For remaining in one spot for any amount of time wasn't in their vocabulary nor was it something they felt compelled to learn. Let me say they were not shy about expressing their opinions...each and every one of them!

Logan enjoyed giving me looks that could...umm...no easy way of saying this...have you crying for mercy.

Levi decided that screaming was necessary the moment I placed him in Merisa's arms. At some point, I shoved a binky into his mouth, which was the first and last time he ever surrendered to a plastic chew toy.

Merisa was a great poser, as always. However, she succumbed to the chaos and couldn't stop laughing. With one boy sending shrills of distress that could be heard by everyone within a 50 mile radius while the other boy bounced up and down as if he recently consumed an entire bag of sugar, who could blame her for being amused?

I know I was.

That moment sealed the deal. I would never, ever in a bazillion, catrillion years try to wrangle my children off to a photography studio in order to capture their milestones on film (or SD card). No, sir. The kids had way too much fun watching their insane mother try to corral three spunky children all the while juggling a camera that she had no idea how to use. Did the blurry images come from my quick as lightening children or my inability to grasp the concepts of aperture and shutter speed? One will never know. This is a test...please keep your answers to yourself. (Insert sarcasm here.)

Anyway, here were are...one year later. Without sounding like a broken record, where has the time gone? It didn't even hit me how much they've changed until I uploaded these pictures and placed them side by side. The tears are flowing. Flowing, I say! The rivers are forming in our backyard as we speak...I better buy a boat.

So here they are in the same pose as a they were one year ago. The task of capturing this image was even more difficult than last year...who would've thought?! TWO boys off and running makes for an interesting game of cat and mouse. Trying to maintain their attention was...well...it wasn't easy. There were way too many distractions! Good thing they're cute! Am I right or am I right?

In case you would like a side-by-side comparison so you don't have to keep scrolling, here ya go. You're welcome! Grab your tissues 'cause it's shocking! Seriously...go...NOW!

2011

2012

Where did my babies go? They're so grown up. I could go on and on about how they've changed, but I'll save that for another occasion. Enjoy life. It goes by so quickly.

*And yes, Merisa's tongue is sticking out in the recent picture. It was her own way of expressing how she felt about the whole scenario. "Another picture? Seriously, mom!"

Lawn Mowing | Leave It To The Professionals

2012-09-05T10:22:00.002-04:00

Up until recently, I thought that mowing the lawn was a simple task. Turn on the mower and go. Straight lines that showcase the lawn's beauty was a no-brainer. Just follow the path and viola ...a perfectly landscaped yard similar to the above picture.

Well, that may be the case for everyone except ME! Note to self: Leave it to the professionals.

See whoever mowed that lawn actually knew what they were doing...and I. DO. NOT.

Let me explain...

The weather has been a tad bit "off" this summer. No rain for three months means dead, crunchy, brittle grass since June. Welcome late-August, and the rain hit like every spectator during the Super Bowl was showcasing their rain dance moves. Hence, the lawn mower has been brought back among the living.

Thanks to my very observant eye, it became aware to me that our lawn was in need of a trim. I thought I'd be a loving wife and tend to the yard all by myself. Okay, it's not a yard when you live out here where the cows wonder free. More like a small section of "the plains", but you get the point. I thought "Self, this should be an easy task. Mowing the lawn is something you've done your whole life."

Note: Do not try this at home for mowing the lawn may prove to be a bit...difficult.

So I ventured outdoors to unleash the mower. I climbed into the seat, gazed at the knobs while thinking "I can SO do this", and tried to start the engine. Well, it didn't start on the first attempt, but believe it or not, I wiggle a few buttons here and there, and the motor started running! Woot. WOOT!

Then, I looked down at my feet and noticed there weren't any pedals or any sort of brake. Okay, so how do I make this thing move, and most importantly, stop? I spotted a contraption that resembled an Atari game controller. Flashbacks to the days of Centipede were running threw my head. I grew up in the era of video games...I've SO got this!

As I drove away, I was as proud as a child who just lost their first tooth. Off I zoomed thinking "Man, my husband is going to be so thankful!"

Well, that thought lasted all of two seconds as my life flashed before my eyes!

I felt like I was on a wild roller coaster that was never given the "all clear" by the roller coaster approval people. Or maybe on some random episode of "Punk'd". I kept looking for Ashton Kutcher to run out from behind our barn and yell "You've just been punked!" Sadly, no one was there to save me from the wretched beast. And I'm sure if someone were there to witness this disastrous incident, I would've been seen across the web thanks to camera phones and YouTube.

Somehow, I managed to cut a pattern into our yard that included everything but a straight line. I zipped and zoomed in every possible direction like a cat who had just inhaled the lovely aromas of catnip. I felt as if I might be launched into the air high above the clouds thanks to this uncontrollable contraption. Pretty darn certain that staying on a wild bronco would've been a doable task in comparison.

And who wanted a yard full of trees and other mowing obstacles? And who keeps planting 596 trees every spring? This mad woman needs to stop! Who cares about a beautiful scenery when your faced with a life or death situation? Trying to mow around a tree is next to impossible seeing how I almost lost an eye due in part to straggly branch and my inability to make the insane mower move in a circular direction.

Zero-turn mower...I think not.

Maybe this operator should enroll in a lawn mowing course the next time she ventures to help with outdoor maintenance. Yeah, I'm pretty certain aliens will be touching down in our backyard thanks to the crop circles that seemed to form in our now not-so-meticulous lawn.

It's not a pretty sight, y'all.

As for my husband being thankful about my escapade, you'll have to ask him about that.

*Disclaimer: I'd LOVE to show you a picture of my failed accomplishment, but alas, I'm too doggone ashamed. I so thought mowing the lawn was an simple task. The joke was on me.

Fascinating Facts Friday | The Little {Almost} Black Dress

2012-08-24T10:38:00.000-04:00

Okay, some of these facts aren't exactly "fascinating"...more like humiliating...but that doesn't start with a "F". And it's all about themes, people.

1. I spotted an amazing deal on some dresses. Not that I'm exactly a dress-wearin' type of girl, but a good deal is a good deal. Plus, buying clothing for myself never seems to happen. Those clothes that were purchased three babies ago are no longer working so something had to be done.

When the long awaited package containing the beautiful new clothing arrived, I scurried off in excitement and snatched up the box. I eagerly donned a new dress feeling oh-so human-like again. It was a great day! Or so I thought. In walked our daughter who pointed out my new dress. Next words to leave her lips were "You're having another baby, aren't you? I can SO tell!" Ummmm....that dress is so going in the trash! The moment was ruined!

2. Since our youngest was born, I've TRIED to start an exercise regiment. Ya know, it's the healthy thing to do. Okay, I'm so not a healthy person or instances like the one above wouldn't occur. I did, however, commit myself to at least enduring a few crunches in the morning. Two problems. One, I have MAJOR commitment issues. Two, laying on the ground and thinking one might be able to do this unnoticed is merely a dream. Anyone who dares to encompass the floor is really trying to set-up a giant obstacle course for two little boys. Yeah, those sit-ups are so not happening.

3. There has been two moments in my life when I was actually sort of, but not really, athletic. Once when I was involved in gymnastics, which somehow seemed to improve my running skills to the point where teachers/coaches were trying to fail me in certain classes if I didn't agree to join track. That tacit was definitely working. So you want me to run for your team. Sure, I'll be responsible and join for I know that adults are wise and know what is best...said NO TEENAGER EVER!

Then, there was that one time in collage when I started a workout regiment that involved lifting...can you believe it... actual weights. Sure, I started out just lifting the bar without any weights, but as some point I graduated to 10 pounds of added weight. Yep, watch out. I'm a major power house! However, after such workouts climbing the stairs back to our dorm room was more difficult than giving birth. Seriously, my legs were like jello, and each step seemed to be a mile high. So workouts just aren't my thing. And then there's that whole commitment issue...

4. I follow a wonderful blog by Rebecca at Simple As That. Her photos are absolutely amazing! Just gorgeous, truly gorgeous. Anyway, she holds linky parties on Sundays where you can submit photos that display the simple things in life. Well, for some unknown reason, she chose one of my photos and featured it along with a few others this past Sunday! I felt like a kid in a candy store when I saw our little man's chubby feet pull up on her blog! So if you're an avid photography lover, check out her blog. There is a lot of inspiration over there. Plus, she has other amazing posts, tutorials, etc. (I wanted to point out that whenever you see text in my posts that is colored, it is a link. Just in case you were wondering! So click here and here if you want to see what photo was featured.)

5. I'm getting close to my 100th post, y'all! Oh, my! I can't believe I've actually stuck with this whole blogging thing. So I'm trying to come up with something exciting to either write about or maybe even give away, but I have no idea what. That's probably not surprising, though. So if you have anything you'd like to know or any suggestions, please share! Okay, so maybe you could care less about this milestone, but I'm one of those stay-at-home-moms (SAHM) whose daily activities rotate around locating the child with the smelly bottom and convincing a casual dumpster-diver that snacks are NOT found in the trash can!

*Linking up with Sunday Snapshot. Check out Stefanie's blog for some great photog inspiration!

Project Life {Week 21 & 22}

2012-08-21T16:23:00.003-04:00

Don't fall off your chairs, y'all, when I say that I'm STILL chugging along with Project Life! I can hardly believe it myself. I have serious commitment issues, in case you haven't noticed! I've even been spotted walking out of the house donning a wardrobe that consists of a pajama top and jean shorts. Can't even follow through in the whole "getting dressed for the day" idea. Maybe I just have a problem with following directions. I'm not sure.

Anyway, I decided to back track a bit and share some pages from when school let out and the summer officially started around here. Plus, I'm not completely caught up on PL (about a month behind) so showing you the past week's layout wouldn't actually be possible. And I had to find pages that wouldn't get me turned over to the authorities for bad parenting. So there's that.

What you're about to see may seem odd...not the people in the pictures, but rather the random one and half page layout. Typically, I stick to two pages, but not this time. I tried to limit myself to one page for one week so that I could catch up more quickly. Then, I realized I missed some important aspects...like journaling...so I added the half page. The lazy way out for sure. Maybe I just needed some directions...

So below you'll find the first week of summer followed by the second week, which consisted of our first family of five vacation. Since I already blogged about that (you can read it here), I'll skip repeating myself. Although I'm told that I do that often.

Granted, these pages were put together quite quickly a few weeks ago so they're not very exciting. Oh, well. The purpose is to document life and not for it to take over your life, right?

Week 21 Full Layout:

Left Side:

Right Side (Design H):

Week 22 Full Layout:

Right Side:

Left Side (Design H):

*Note: I probably totally messed up on the week numbers. Since I have no one else to compare with, I had to count it out by hand on the calendar. I only had to count it ~~four~~ ~~five~~ twenty times before I came up with a consistent number! Seriously, what's wrong with me? Okay, don't answer that!

**Linking up with Jess at The Mom Creative.

Three For Three...

2012-08-13T08:10:00.000-04:00

This little guy is about to turn another year older! We've just perfected the whole "How old are you?" thing, and now he needs to learn to say THREE! He's going to be so confused!

Trying not to sound like a broken record, I'll refrain from saying "Where has the time gone?" See that...I was still able to a say it without exactly saying it. Sneaky, huh? Okay, not really.

He's the child who first welcomed us into the world of raising boys. Let me say he's been anything but quiet about it. He's a little spitfire full of spunk and energy served with a side of love and compassion. We never know what his next move is going to be. NEVER!

He loves life, and we love watching him explore the world around him...even if we're completely exhausted by the end of the day. The Energizer bunny has nothing on this kid. That's okay, though. I'll catch up on sleep in about...18 years. Just don't expect me to remember to buy milk at the store. I'd make a "to-do" list, but I can't seem to find the list that tells me to make a list. Sleep deprivation is just a myth, right?

Anyway, we love this little boy! He's such a blessing. He sees life through a different colored lens than most others do, and we just love that about him! This sweet, caring boy full of curiosity and wonder sure does make the world go 'round.

Happy Birthday to our little man!

I'll leave you with a brief insight into the daily life of this youngin'...a recent "Loganism" you might say (or you might not).

*Logan's 576th bath of the day was nearing completion, and this is so NOT an exaggeration! If you've ever raised a boy, you know what I mean.

As the water was draining out of the tub, he began to question "Water go down tat hole?" Impressed by the observation made by this busy two-year old, I replied, "Yes. The water goes down the drain. Down that hole." He acknowledged by saying "OHHHH!", and I thought that was the end of the matter.

However...Logan, then, buried his head in his hands and started sobbing. Hysterical, unbearable, uncontrollable SOBBING! Ya know, like he just lost his best friend...or blankie...kind of weeping. Worried that he somehow got hurt, I asked him what was wrong.

As he cried out in pure desperation, he declared, "I'll miss tat water! I'LL MISS TAT WATER!"

Well, that's a new one.

*Disclaimer: This boy needs a serious haircut, I know. Let me say that it might be easier to clip the claws on a wild mountain lion than to trim this boy's hair. You're more than welcomed to try, though!

A New Form Of Body Art...

2012-08-12T13:39:00.000-04:00

The adventures in 4-H continue...although this has nothing to do with 4-H and more to do with wonderful family time. Beautiful, loving, memorable family time.

We traveled to the State Fair and decided to make a mini-family vacation out of the deal. For some reason, our kids LOVE staying at hotels...aka: the "Big House." Not sure why, but both the older children refer to hotels in the same manner. I, for one, am not a fan of "Big Houses". Have you seen the documentaries? Enough said.

At some point during our trip, a certain someone, who shall remain nameless, noticed my recent attempts to cover myself in a new form of body art. I would venture into the tattooing world, but my ability to faint at a drop of a needle keeps me from doing so. Instead, I decided that multiple bruises across every inch of my arms and legs was a much better option. Sure, bruising probably hurts more than tattooing, but...okay, I've got nothing.

So the question arose..."How did you get so many bruises?"

Well, me being me...which is a saying that has always baffled me. I mean, who else would I be other than myself. Okay, I've always dreamt of becoming the next Mary Lou Retton, but alas, three children later, I'm thinking this might not be a possibility. Alright, I knew my dream wasn't a reality a long time ago. Ya know, it's the only time in my life when I've actually been too tall for something. It's okay that I can't reach the top shelf in the cereal isle, but gymnastics...I'd be booed off the beam!

Back to my point...the origination of the bruising. I responded to the question by stating the facts.

"Haven't you heard me walk through the house surrounded by a constant 'Ouch! UGH! Crud. My toe! OUCH! My toe! Where did that come from? OUCHHHHH! I need a band-aid. AHHHHHH! Don't worry. I'll be okay.'"

Yep, things have a tendency to jump out in front of me. Seriously! I live in a neverending maze of booby-traps. So maybe I'm a bit lacking in the grace department...maybe.

Hoping for some sympathy, I listen for the response from the unnamed person. Do you want to know what that was? Of course you do. Why else would you still be reading this. Ready to be enlightened...

With a lot of care and loving support, I hear the following words echo through the room...

"So you walk like you DRIVE!"

Really?

Guess I probably sat myself up for that one.

*Note: The above photo showcases a sketch done by dear Merisa. If I ever become brave, that butterfly is a tattoo I'd love to have! Especially since it was drawn by our daughter. Couldn't get any more special than that!

Pitter Patter Of Little Feet...

2012-08-10T23:26:00.001-04:00

Seriously. Is there anything more precious than chubby baby feet and a sweet little baby bum? I think not!

It saddens me to think there will be a time when we will no longer hear the pitter patter of little feet running across the floor. A time when we will no longer need to sweep up a crying child moments after falling on his bum.

However, I do look forward to where those little feet will travel...down the road they've yet to discover.

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. ~ Robert Frost

*Linking up with Sunday Snapshot and Rebecca at Simple As That.