Behind

I have pictures....I have posts.... I have recipes.... I also have a lack of time.

I'm grateful on a long weekend to get caught up on many things.

Including snuggling the ones I love and eating and making mountains of treats to give to sweet friends and neighbors.

First Snow

We had our first big snow back and of course everyone wanted to play in it.

Kyah seriously LOVES snow.  She was soaked by the time they came in, but she was so happy.

She rolled in it, threw it, ate it and wore it.

Kyah with the take down on Jaxon, they both got their first lesson in "white washes." 

It was so fun to watch them run around.

Originally they set out to make a snow man, but then that didn't work out when the kids started kicking and karate chopping it, so then they played King of the Castle with the biggest snow ball.

This Boy

May be going through one of the best phases of his whole life.

He is such an amazing kid and I am so lucky to be his Momma.

He is trying so hard - which is so cute to watch.

He's doing great in school and at home.

I love to listen to him read - and not just "See Dick Run" books, but close to a 3rd grade level.

He is making goals and really trying to achieve them.

And he is so lovely lately - he seriously makes my heart melt and gives new meaning to the phrase

"My Cup Runneth Over."

What a joy my little man is, he is growing up right before me, I look at him and I can remember holding him as a baby and see glimpses of him as an adult.

I am so incredibly proud of you Jax and I am so grateful I get to witness you thrive and flourish.

I love you buddy, a million gazillion cheesecakes!

Real Life Mom Moments (RLMM)

Have you ever while standing in line, waiting in traffic or washing dishes (anywhere really) just let you mind wander?  I'm not talking about going over your to-do list, but a mini "pause" if you will. 

More often than not, when I have these moments, I find myself thinking about some funny or completely random thing my kids have done or said, and even occasionally what I've done as a Mom that can at a more rational moment make me shake my head and laugh at myself.

Because I am admittedly not fantastic at writing these moments down in a journal and because I figure you might enjoy laughing at me to, I'm going to start jotting them down here as

Real Life Mom Moments.

So, feel free is you ever see RLMM in the post title to skip on by in case you

don't dig my parent/kid rambling.

For instance just last night I had a moment with Jax that clearly illustrates why
 I am the best Mom in the World!

It's bedtime and Colby and I are tucking the kids in bed, I can't for the life of me tell you how/what conversation brought up Jaxon saying that he was going to die before I did, but regardless, that's what he said.  I quickly informed him that it just wasn't going to work like that and he would most definitely be burying me and not the other way around.  (Please keep in mind that this was a done with giggles and very playful tones and not nearly as morbid as typing it out sounds.)  I told him that I loved him too much for that too happen and I would probably die of a heart break if it did.  Then as we joked more I told him that he'd either have to have me live with him so he could take care of me or that he'd put me in a home and he'd have to come read me stories and visit me.  Again he had been laughing and joking about this the whole time.  Then after my last comeback of something along the lines of "Just don't forget about me and leave me there..." or something like that, Jaxon says that his eyes hurt and he starts crying.

Yup that's right I make my kids cry before bed - awesome!
In rush the hugs, kisses and reassurance and prayers that I don't completely screw up my kid.
Luckily for all of us kids are amazing and don't hold it against you when you try to totally give them nightmares when you thought you were kidding.
How sick is it, that after the guilt passed I just thought of how cute and sweet it is that he would actually be sad when I'm old and that way?

Around and Through

This was the scene in my front room the other night as I worked on dinner.

Jaxon and Colby each with one of Jaxon's shoes and Kyah with the lace up page of her quiet book.

The lesson for the evening?  Shoe Tieing 101.

I have purposely put off giving my kids tie shoes for one main reason - it's more work for the parent...but your kids can't stay in velcro forever.  We bought these shoes for Jax at the beginning of school and we've been tieing them every morning, but never again.

After a little time and a little practice - Jaxon can now tie his own shoes.

Colby does a great job at being willing to teach the kids.

As a Mom/wife these are moments when I love to peek my head in, maybe snap a picture or two and quietly walk back into the kitchen with a big smile on my face.

Jax is so proud of himself!  He is still having a little bit of trouble with the double knot part, but he's getting there.  Way to go buddy!  (Thanks honey!)

Say Cheese!

  So we tried to be a little more casual for our family pictures this year.  I did not go buy everyone new outfits and I did not spend serious money on a photographer.  The husband was so proud.  Since we had just spent SERIOUS money on clothes and a photographer in April of this year, we didn't feel it was necessary to do it again.  The only clothing item bought, was my green cardigan, which was half off - for $13.50 and the photos were taken by our fabulous friend Kami, who is building her portfolio.

So, what do you think?

Take your vote for the wall centerpiece....

#1

#2

 #3 

 #4

#5 in Color or Black and White?

Kids Pics

I'm not sure that words can adequately express how much I love these children or how much I truly appreciate Kami for capturing good pictures of my monkeys.

I just can't believe how big they are!

I am constantly in awe of the wonder that is motherhood.  Most of the time I'm decently positive I'll screw them up beyond recognition, but there are moments when I have hope that things will be okay.

I am grateful that these two are mine forever!