Find the comfort in the discomfort

 You know I've really been trying hard this year to step out of my comfort zone.  While I think I've definitely had some success in the field; I still need work.  Why is it so hard to do the right thing?  Sometimes I end up talking myself out of it.  Why is it so hard to do the right thing when it is so uncomfortable?  I'm working on finding the comfort in the discomfort.

 My beautiful neighbor lost her battle with cancer this year.  I know I did not know her as long as some of her other friends and family but she made quite an impact on me. I don't like being in awkward situations. I suppose no one really likes being in an awkward situation...  But being a stay-at-home mom and being at my house while she was right next door battling her cancer it made it hard to avoid certain situations.

 In the last year she was in so much pain and frustrated by her ailments.  Honestly I just wanted to keep everything on the surface not let my guard down.  When I would see her and listen to her I would think to myself I'm going to pray for her later....  But then there was a stirring in my heart and I prayed with her on the spot.  It was awkward, I stumbled, I mumbled... I don't even really remember what I said.  It was definitely out of my comfort zone.  When I heard her crying out in her house and I was just outside in my driveway I wanted to ignore it.  I mean what business is it of mine?  But that stirring in my heart came again...

 When there's a stirring in your heart or a thought pops into your head that's uncomfortable, that you know is going to be awkward, that you might think someone else can deal with that ...  I encourage you not to ignore it; you are in that situation for a reason. Own it.

Instead of saying I'll pray for you.... pray for them on the spot right then and there. It's kind of life-changing and awesome.  If you see someone left their lights on.  Knock on the door and tell them; they'll appreciate it.  If your husband leaves his socks on the floor for the 10 millionth time... be grateful you have a husband... and pick up the socks and put them in the hamper!

Naps

Sometimes you have those AMAZING naps.... the kind that don't last very long, you almost are unaware you've even slept... you wake up feeling refreshed and bursting with new energy... Your mood is suddenly lightened and you can take on any task!

And then sometimes you have those necessary, but hard naps. The kind that lasts too long. Your body feels as if it has been hit by a truck. Your muscles ache and cramp. Your head is in a bit of a fog. You can't recall the CRAZY dreams you just had... but you know you were weirded out by them when you first came too. You think what day is it?! Where am I?

Yea... I just had one of the latter variety.... Yikes... its been a while.

exhausted

I drove to the wrong field for t-ball and didn't have enough time to make it across town to the right field. Ceej was wearing flip-flops anyway so it was pointless to go.

Let's go camping! Of course Mommy's in charge of packing all the kids bags and their belongings, and getting all the groceries and planning every meal we'll need on the camping trip. Don't forget cash and firewood. If you don't place the bags by the door on the way out, Miss M's bag won't make it to the campsite!

Bubba's bday is coming up. Make sure you call and reserve the pavilion. Get the paperwork in and check on time. Don't forget the invites and planning what we'll eat and who to invite and the party favors and present!

Where's my phone... what did I do with it? The last I remember was Bubba HAVING to show the neighbors a pic on my phone and then putting it on the back of my car.... CRAP.

What day is it? Seriously? Cause every day is the same... at least when its summer time it feels that way.

Have I brushed my teeth today? I think I did... I know the kids did... did I even put on deodorant?

Oh thank goodness Miss M is taking a nap... do I do my workout now... or just browse Facebook a minute.... Or do I just take a nap too....

Can I have candy? Can you make Kool-aid? Can I have fruit snacks? I'm too tired to pick up. My foot hurts I need a band-aid. The neighbors went to Adventureland I want to!! You NEVER let us do anything fun.

Mom where are my glasses? Mom, what's for dinner? Mom I want to wear my new clothes why haven't you washed these yet? Mom, you really need to clean the floor.

YAY!!! Daddy's home!!! Daddy Daddy Daddy!!!

Living the good life

So I have a funny story... I'm sure most of you moms out there will appreciate it. We have recently gotten some new neighbors across the street. Very nice people who happen to have twins (a boy and girl) Ceej's age. Ceej I'm pretty sure is over the moon about this. Miss M is still wondering who they are and Bubba is coming right along playing with them as well. But Ceej, he is my social butterfly who will say hello to just about anyone that will give him the time of day! He wants to go over there to play or invite them over here to play all the time!

Well a couple of weekends ago JDub decided to borrow my dad's Jeep for the weekend. He and my dad have tricked it out and it looks pretty sharp. Well the wife was out of town for the weekend and came home late Sunday night. Her kids came running out to "greet" her and while the mom was hoping for a "Hi Mom we missed you!" scenario... instead she was greeted with a "the neighbors got a JEEP!!!" LOL. Too funny.

My devotional had a few bible verses for me and this one seems to stick with me today...

Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. -Philippians 2:15 MSG

Ah "the good life". I'm glad the Message version said glimpse here. It makes me feel a little better about myself. And it seems a little more achievable as well. There are plenty of glimpses of the good life and happy times in my day. There are of course chances of seeing me becoming unglued and yelling at my children and not have enough patience as well. But thank you God for your grace and understanding. You know that we can't be perfect people and that we constantly need to lean into You.

Here's to a glimpse of good living. I pray you'll see some in my life and in yours as well.

Crocodile party

When I asked Ceej what he wanted for his birthday cake this year he said "A CROCODILE!!" I was like really? Are you sure?! He stuck to his guns and was very adamant... so I went searching on Pinterest to see what I could find... I initially found some but ended up making it up as I went along. See I don't have a huge freezer... and I made all this from 1 9x13 cake pan.

It was just a regular cake mix... and I used store bought frosting to "dirty ice" the cake. Then I made my own buttercream/marshmallow creme frosting at the end. I saved some white but used green dye on the rest. Then I used m&m's for his toenails and scales along his back (and his eyes too).

Crickey!!! It's a croc cake!

I decided to go with simplified goodie bags... The croc just couldn't keep away!

I wanted to come up with something to put in the goodie bags and I saw so many things about slime... so I tried out the whole borax and glitter glue... my first batch was better than the 2nd one... but the kids had fun with it either way. I really wanted to try one that wasn't so toxic... but I already had Borax on hand...

When I was looking for supplies at Michael's I came across that cool Kinetic sand! The kids were loving it so I bought some along with some mini crocs and alligators to play in it for the party.

Ceej was able to bring a homemade snack for his birthday (an unusual occurrence now-a-days with allergies and what-not...) So I made these cute croc nutter butters. I found them from pinterest! I didn't have the white heart sprinkles the original post called for... so I just dipped their mouths in some sprinkles I had on hand.

We had his party out at a campsite! I really wanted to do some kind of obstacle course... but I was/am exhausted from all the birthday craziness... so we just had fun with the sand and slime and the rocks at the campsite too :)

My Little Pony Birthday Party

Oh my goodness I have been meaning to post this for a while... but yea April is CRAZY people.... at least in my life. 3 birthdays in 3 weeks is just too much...

In my last post you saw how to make your own pony shirts.... DIY pony shirts

Well I went ahead and made a few more for family attending the party :)

fluttershy. this was the last one i made.
 i think i progressively got better the more i did!

twilight sparkle

apple jack 

We also had some fun activities for the party!

Fluttershy's egg hunt

I took some yarn and wrapped a piece of scotch tape around the end (to make it easier to get in the froot loop) and the kids had a blast. They were eating along the way too :)

I found these pop out/stand up ponies at JoAnn Fabrics. Each came with their own markers to color.

No pony party is complete without cupcakes! They are Pinkie Pie's favorite!

  

we set out an old school MLP blanket and had some story time while the eggs were being hidden.

Of course I didn't take near enough pictures... I had ponies all over the place... but forgot to take snapshots of them! if you look closely you can see some of the little cupcakes Bubba and I decorated and put up as well...

I'd say everyone had a fabulous day... here's a small recap...

1. pinkie pie's make your own froot loop necklaces

2. rarity's coloring station

3. twilight sparkle and spike's reading nook

4. fluttershy's egg hunt

5. apple jack's snacks 

I had an optional rainbow dash's egg race... but for a 2 year old that was a bit much. Maybe if you were going to have a MLP party for an older girl. I tell you what I had so much fun planning it!!! I'll be a little sad when she doesn't like the ponies anymore :(

Gearing up for a My Little Pony party!

I don't know who likes My Little Pony's more... me... or the kids?! It's just such a cute show. I even took the "which my little pony are you" quiz and turns out I'm Pinkie Pie! (which happens to be Miss M's favorite!)

My Little Pony Quiz

After some thought I decided to go with a My Little Pony party for Miss M. I'm still figuring out a few things... but here are some cute shirts the boys and I made!

put a little paint on a toothbrush and flick it!

Of course Bubba is "too cool" to wear his shirt... he's going to save it for her birthday party.... But oh well. He did have fun painting. Ceej on the other hand could care less what people think of him (which is kind of awesome) and he wore it to school already! Oh the days of innocence are already dwindling...... It makes me a little sad. Bubba said "I don't want anyone to make fun of me because it's a pony shirt..."

I'm thinking of just doing cupcakes b/c well Pinkie Pie just loves cupcakes... and since her bday is on Easter this year we are doing an Easter egg hunt. The girl is only 2... not gonna go too crazy.

Houston, we have a problem....

So I know the first step in having a problem... is to admit it... so here it is... I have a clothes problem... almost an "I feel like I'm watching an episode of Hoarders" clothes problem....

There is a vanity under here somewhere....

these drawers are deeeep

I have over half of the closet and that's still not enough...

This is my "linen closet" (only one shelf has sheets)

So I admit it!? But now what? I do get rid of clothes.... I do... not all the time, but I literally threw out underwear and socks that were falling apart.... I did give some clothes to goodwill too... and I just gave all of my maternity clothes away! (even gave Miss M's clothes away too!) My drawers and closets are still overflowing...

Here comes the but.......

I live in Iowa....... Right now IT IS FREEZING. I mean it said 0 degrees on my dash this morning taking the boys to school. This means I need cuddle duds... Don't know what cuddle duds are?! Then you must live somewhere warm... how nice for you! And with cuddle duds I need a variety of pants to wear.... I have 3 pairs of jeans that fit me... that's NOT alot... I feel like I almost need one more pair.

I live in Iowa.... it also gets really freaking hot here too!? When you stay home with kids you want to be outside with them... so you need lots of shorts and tank tops... 

I work out... 7 days a week pretty much... and while I do laundry all the time, my laundry is usually the last to get done. I sweat like a beast too... I know its gross (and THANKS A LOT DAD... its totally your fault that I sweat so much) but its true. There is no re-wearing workout clothes... they are done after a workout from me! Sometimes its cold when I work out... so I wear pants... or capris and then sometimes its hot so I need shorts... and sports bras... and athletic socks... etc.

I am a stay-at-home-mom. So sometimes I wear my pajamas ALL DAY. Yea I said it... sometimes I don't "get dressed". I literally take my kids to school (and pick them up) in comfy pants... (I totally thought I would NEVER be that mom... haha... Never say NEVER!!). Being at home all day can make for an expensive electric bill! We keep the thermostat at 68 degrees... That's not very warm. I wear a lot of layers and hooded sweatshirts... (I'm pretty sure I have about 9 sweatshirts.... that's probably a bit too much...)

I like to dress up........ I do on occasion get dressed up. I usually dress up for church. When I have my MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schooler's) meetings I will dress up for them as well. I have several leggings and cute dresses... And I like to wear them even in winter which means I might need some leg warmers and sweaters to go with them!? I like to accessorize with scarves too.

I bought these 5 dresses for $10.50.... but do I have room for them in my closet... not so much.

I have several clothes I NEVER wear. Okay... so here's my predicament. I have so many clothes I don't ever actually wear, but they fit me just fine. When I worked.... it was in an office setting, which required a business casual attire. Several slacks, suits, button-up shirts... that sort of thing. When I "dress up" right now, I tend to wear dresses.... NOT suits... but they still fit?! There will probably be a time down the road when I won't have any children home with me... and I'll have to get a job (ugh I don't even want to think about that!!). I don't really know what kind of job it will be, and I might need all of those clothes?! Why get rid of clothes that fit me fine?

Should I get those vacuum seal bags and just bag them up and put them in storage?! That way they aren't taking up space in my closet... but they will still be there? I also don't really put my clothes away when the seasons change... Do people do that? My sweaters and sweatshirts are usually in that linen closet year-round. Would it make more sense to put them away? But I still need sweatshirts in summer when it gets cool at night. Not to mention again I live in Iowa. One year it snowed on St. Patrick's Day... the year before it was 70 degrees out?! It's hard to know when you put your clothes away when the temperature can change so much from week to week!?

So I really think I should just have JDub find us a new huge house that has enough room for several dressers and nightstands and a ginormous walk-in closet. I mean we have 1 dresser (that we share)... and that vanity and closet. That's all the storage I get?!