A few more

 
A few more from our park trip yesterday. Ever notice how much better you can feel with just a little fresh air? It turns grumpy, sleepy babies into giggling, jumping bursts of happiness. It works on grumpy Mama's too. How quickly piles of laundry and to-do lists get forgotten when the rays of sun hit your face. The sound of my children's laughter as they dance through the bright blades of grass.

bliss. motherhood. happiness.

Successful Day

We had presents, a half eaten before frosted cake, and lots of handmade goodies. Add a few endless smiles, and it was a successful, happy day!

Be Mine

I gently wrap my finger around one of his curly, locks of hair. Reveling in the beauty & softness. I always wanted curls like these. Holding him tight, I wonder how I ever lived without these children. How I ever drew a single breath without thinking of them. That life, almost a distant memory in eight short years. I had no idea how much I could love before them. How open my heart would be for each & every one. Little fingers that hold onto my hand & heart.

Little bits of my heart for all to see. As with all joy, sometimes pain, a struggle. The struggle that makes it all worth it- fighting for happiness, perfection, joy. They came into this world through pain-pain and blood. I'd gladly do it over, ten fold for each. Loving them, means giving more than I think I have in me, at times. Finding each time that I have more than I thought to give. A total unrelenting, giving up of the "I" and becoming "we".  Be my friend. Be my advocate. Be my nurse, my playmate, my confidant, my protector. My Mother. Security, happiness, love, my everything. Be Perfect. Be Whole. Be Strong.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in @ Soulemama.

Fall Harvest

We were celebrating these wonderful kids of mine over the weekend, with a fall harvest birthday party. What could be better for November? We had hot soups, warm homemade breads, yummy veggies and lots of goodies-apple pie, and my favorite banana cinnamon cake. The best part for me was, a [then] six & seven year old decided on the theme. Classic, fun & so something this mama wanted to plan. It was a nice, little gathering of close family & friends. The kids had a great day and so did their mama.

This year was so different than last. Over the weekend, I realized just how thankful I am for so many things. Last year was the sickest, most difficult year in the history of our family. Right around this time we had already had numerous ER, doctor and urgent care visits, with more sick days than I can even say. I was a tired, drained mama, just trying to pull everything together and keep up some happy spirits among us. While we haven't hit winter yet {prime sick time}, I am so grateful for the past few months of relative health & happiness we've enjoyed. Autumn has been so wonderful this year! I'm feeling re-energized & so very happy. Happy Birthday kids! Thank you for making my life so full of love & laughter-you're the best!

Days Passing

Some days, are hard. Like, really, really hard. With a gang of children in the house, things get loud, laundry piles up, toys pile up, and arguments, ehh... erupt {sometimes often}. There is always a dish to wash {usually 20+} or clothes to fold. There is never a moment where we  think: there, now everything is done. There is always something to do. Sometimes I let that "something" take on too much power and it starts to overwhelm me. I get cranky, I cry, I pout, I go on marathon hat knitting sessions to block it out. I think today isn't goings so well, maybe I should go back to bed & try again tomorrow. While the idea is nice, the reality is, that's never an option. It's life- that's what it all comes down too. It isn't always pretty.

It's in those kinda days,  I really have to think about the good times! The times when no one is thinking about homework, speech therapy, laundry, the muddy dog that's waiting to be bathed. The moments where you catch a genuine smile dance across a childs face, hear them giggling together in play, teaching each other, or find a book they have been writing and illustrating that makes you smile. These are the moments that really matter! There are far more good times than bad. There is far more happiness than bickering. There is alotta love in our family. Sometimes I just need to remind myself. A quick reminder that tomorrow will come. Nothing lasts forever, good or bad. Take a deep breathe & smile!

Fifteen Years

This weeks marks fifteen years together with my husband, and seven married. That's A LONG time! I met him when I was 15, so I have known him an equal time, as not known him. Next year, I'll have spent more of my life with him than without. {15 years with, 15 years without. crazy}

So much has changed for us in those fifteen years. When we met, we were just kids-high school sweethearts, naive and ready to take on the world together! I kinda feel like I grew up with Mike. All the important things I've gone through have been with him.We met in high school,  spent our college years together, started having babies, bought a house, and now we spend our time making our house a home.

There have been lots of ups & downs. Like, when we spent 2 months eating toast in college. Or,when I was raising two little one's at home, and he worked 80+ hour weeks. Only home long enough to catch a little sleep & kiss us before heading back to work. We were broke college kids together, without a car and living in crappy campus apartments with hand me down everything, and we thought we were living the life!. I look back of those days with such a sense of love & respect. We didn't have much, but we've always had each other, and that's what matters.

There have been so many great moments for us too. The day I graduated and thought, this is it. Our life together can start now. I'll never forget becoming a mother, our very first baby & looking over at his proud, smiling face. The moment he became not just a boy, but a father.  A father to OUR child. The day we purchased our home together, all giggly, excited and scared--feeling like we were officially grown ups now {which is really quite silly because we already had one child, and another one cooking}.

Most of all I enjoy the things that happen every year- Christmas morning, pumpkin picking at the patch, watching him rock my babies to sleep, the way he always tries to get out of helping plant the garden, then digs every single hole because I do it the "foolish" way. I love him quirks & all!

I can't wait to see what the next fifteen years brings for us!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

-Join in @ soulemama

Apple Picking

We were able to squeeze in a trip to an apple farm, in between colds, cranky kids & rain here. I'm so so happy we did! It will officially be added to of list of family traditions in October. The kids had a great time, we came home with more yummy apples that I know what to do with {118!} , and we spent family time together.  The day was filled with lots of giggles, smiles, and well.. apples galore. I can't believe it's taken me thirty years to go pick apples. Seriously? What did our parents do with us as kids?

On the menu this week: apple pie, apple mash, apple cobbler, some applesauce to store for the upcoming winter, and apple ice cream. {with the recipe from the Jeni's splendid ice cream book. I'll share more on that later this week}

I'm so glad to welcome October! It's one of my favorite months filled with trips to the pumpkin patch, birthdays, craft shows, crispy air and the autumn leaves blanketing everything. I'm totally a fall girl & the apple picking trip has me all excited for the following month!

We've been enjoying..

Lots & lots of  yummy homemade breads

Peach Lemon-aid = so good!

Best Homemade Peach Cobbler Ever... yes, ever!

The many faces of this silly little boy