Pumpkin Patch Kids

I love fall, and I know that comes as no shock to those of you who know me. One of my favorite things about fall is visiting the pumpkin patch. You can clearly see that on my blog from last year, the year before, and the year before was our first visit but I didn't post about it (until 2008). I seem to post about previous pumpkin patch visits right along with a description from the current year's visit. So in keeping with tradition, here ya go!

The big sis leading little sis in the wagon as they pick out pumpkins!

Trying to get one picture of all four smiling and looking at the camera....HA! Impossible!

She is so sweet to me obeying my "pose" request!


My two are the ones in the orange and white shirt. That was one tall haystack!




Giant Slide...WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!


Too cute not to post!

Wow, she looked at the camera! Doesn't she look like Brownie's twin?

Thinking about which pumpkin to pick....

Just being her Brownie self!

Haystack slide!

Not sure what's going on here, but she looked cute (and I think she looks so old, relatively speaking of course)!

Yes, that's the giant slide in the background, but my four kiddos are up front. Bug is in the green car, Brownie (waving) is in the yellow car, and Peach and Boushka are sharing the orange car!

These are the moments I live for. Every bad thing is erased when I see this sweetness!

More wagon rides!

Bug likes driving the train.

And Peach was so sweet to share her car with the Boushka, who can be kind of territorial. So I know Peach was doing this out of the kindness of her own heart!

HA! I just loved this one!

And we're back to where we started.

It was such a fun family day and I'm so blessed to have spent it with my them all!

Hey Nurses!!!

I'm calling all nurses/health professionals to stop by and fill me in on some info. I know several of you in my personal life, and I know there are some of you who read my blog. In the end, I don't care how you contact me, but please.... CONTACT ME WITH INFORMATION I'm desperately seeking.

For several years I have been interested in going back to school to become a nurse. Of course I'd love to be out on the floor the first day with my BSN under my belt, but with four kids, one on the way, a house, and a part-time job....yeah, it's not gonna happen like that. Eventually, I'd love to get this done, but it's not in my immediate future.

Anyway, I'm thinking about going the LPN/ADN route. Oddly enough, there is no ADN program closer than 45 miles away. There is an LPN program available just down the street, but I think I want more than an LPN to start with.

Or do I?

This is where you all come in with your great advice. If you can answer any of my questions or offer any advice that may have not even crossed my mind yet, I would greatly appreciate it!

And now for the questions:

Is there much difference (in terms of real-life) between an ADN and an LPN?

I don't want to work in a nursing home or in mental health. Should I for sure go the ADN route (I hear that LPN's get lots of nursing home offers)?

I do want to work in a hospital (think babies, L&D, postpartum, possibly ICU--probably not the ER). Same questions, is this LPN friendly?

I'd also be okay working in a doc's office--just filling you in on that one!

That should do it for now. I'm sure there are many more questions, but anything you have to offer will help! If you'd rather email me, please feel free to (or leave me a comment with your email address and I'll email you). Thanks a bunch!

Lara

Tuesday's List

What's new, I'm running a little late? I haven't done Tuesday's list in a little while, but this one seems pretty easy--and I'm quite knowledgeable on the subject!


These are the shows that show up on my DVR (because I put them there). Some of them are just flat out Hi-Larious because they are very much a comedic commentary on real life. The Middle happens to be a great example of such. It makes your version of lazy parenting look not so bad!


Modern Family is part of ABC's Wednesday line-up. I also love this show. I haven't seen an episode yet that hasn't had me laughing out loud! I love the comedy!

Cougar Town is still entertaining, but not as much as it was last year. I'm going to keep watching it and make sure it gets back up to par!

Teen Mom is something I watch on DVR because.... well, I don't have a good reason. I guess I get sucked into the drama. Amber drives me nuts--she's so dang immature and full of drama--which actually I can't stand. I think Caitlynn and Tyler have an amazing story and I can't stand the way Caitlynn's mom treats her. I just want to jump in and give Caitlynn the hug she so desperately seeks. For where those two kiddos come from, I think they have amazing insight into their lives and why they chose adoption. And as I'm sitting here typing this, I see a commercial for a new season of 16 & Pregnant. Guessing that'll be on my list as well!





I'm a bit of an HGTV junkie, but House Hunters is certainly my favorite (see my posts concerning Show us where you live). Is there anything better than getting sneak peeks into other people's houses? Yes, in my spare time, I constantly design and redesign the layout of my dream house! Oh, that was TMI.... sorry!

Food Network is a lot like HGTV in the sense that I can pretty much watch anything on that channel. My favorites include Sandra, Paula, Rachel, DDD, and The Neely's. But I've seen glimpses of a few others I could totally watch. I'm a junkie and I'm okay with that!

Yes, I watch this. No, I don't care what you think about it. People criticize them, but they seem to have it together more than many people. Their kids seem well-adjusted and they seem to be very loving and kind. They are a bit religious for my taste, but that's their right. I certainly don't judge them for it, just as I'd hope they wouldn't judge me for my love of dancing around in my living room (they are against dancing--not sure about all the details here). It's just nice to see something that's not trashy. But of course...

... I balance that out with trash tv. This is my trashy show. They are all a bit spoiled, but they are entertaining! At least Caroline seems to have good sense. Theresa cracks me up (and I like that she has 4 girls). Jacqueline is nice and has a good heart, but she needed a bit of a backbone--I've seen glimpses of it in season 2. Dina--well, I'm sad she left. She seemed pretty normal (relatively speaking). And let's not forget about Danielle. She's just nuts. She's totally full of herself and completely psycho. In season one I felt a little bad for her, but I have done a 180. What 50 year old woman does the things she does? Seriously?

Well, that about sums it up. I don't get to watch these all the time, but that's what I love about DVR-- you can watch them (almost) whenever. As long as you don't get too far behind, you can watch your shows without interruption and without commercials!

In case you haven't heard

I swear the only people who read my blog are family and friends I talk with everyday and/or am friends with on facebook. That being said, I believe everybody who reads this blog already knows the wonderful news I'm about to share, but just in case there are any lurkers out there (and if there are, please delurk so I can say hi) I'm here to fill you in.

Last Thursday in the mad morning rush, I was standing on the stairs with Boushka in my arms. My older kiddos were at the top of our stairs and I was trying to talk to them about.... something, I don't remember what exactly. As I attempted my step down off of the stairs, I actually fell down the stairs. I thought I was on the bottom stair stepping onto the floor, but it turns out I was a few stairs up and I lost my step on the way down.

The floor right at the foot of our stairs is hard wood. It's the only hardwood in our whole house (however, we do have other hard surfaces, namely tile) and I happened to crash land on it with a baby in my arms. Luckily, my "mommy" side took control and I immediately cupped my babies head so she didn't suffer from the impact. In the meantime I managed to contort my body in some manner where I hit the right side of my belly on the floor. I really don't know how this happened because other than that spot on my belly, it was my left side that took the impact. I can still feel the soreness on my left thigh and hip.

After sitting there for about one minute (trying not to cry) trying to comprehend what just happened, I got up and made sure everything was okay with Boushka. I sat down on our couch and almost immediately started feeling crampy in my belly. I tried to think nothing of it, but it kept on. I called my husband to see if he thought I should call the doctor ( he's the one I call when I'm trying to figure out if I'm overreacting). He said if I kept feeling crampy to give the doc a call. Well, 4-5 hours later I was still feeling crampy (not to mention awfully sore).

I amazingly got straight through to the nurse who went ahead and scheduled me for a sono the next day since I said I was cramping. I asked her if this would take the place of my sono scheduled for 10/6 (my 20 week/healthy baby/gender sono)-- she said yes. While I was a little concerned about the baby and me (I honestly thought we were both okay since there's so much stuff between the outside and the baby), I have to admit that I was extremely excited to know if we were carrying a boy or girl. And this was going to happen 5 days earlier than we thought.

So we headed to our sono the next day and we got a great report. Everything they check is where it belongs, looks healthy/normal and appears to be functioning properly. Then, we were able to get a "between the legs" look and I knew immediately what we were looking at. There were three lines--which if you don't know means GIRL!

We are having a baby girl. She's healthy. I didn't appear to have any consequences from all of the cramping (that eventually quit about 48 hours after the fall). She didn't appear to have suffered any harm from the fall. All was good with the world.We left feeling relieved, happy and blessed.

You know, I get a lot of talk from people about prom dresses, boyfriends, the teen years, weddings, blah, blah, blah. But I am being completely honest when I say that I feel nothing but complete joy thinking about my 5 girls. Apparently, somebody somewhere, God, or maybe just mother nature thinks we raise girls well. I guess Matt and I have "girl" stamped across our forehead. To have had 5 pregnancies, in 5 years, result in 5 girls is just wild. And don't worry, I'm not stupid. I grew up with a sister and I know how it can get. But I also know how it can end up. There is nobody in the world like my sister--and to think that my girls will have that times 4 is just beyond anything that I ever could have imagined.

Sure there is a part of me that would love to have a boy-- but it's not because that means anything other than the fact that it would be different (and I'd have a really good reason to shop). It's not because I want a football player, trips to the ER, a "mama's boy," or anything else that many people think of when they hear there will be a baby boy. I would simply like to experience raising a boy--it would just be different. And that's not to say that any 5 of my girls have the exact same personality. They are all different from each other--just as a 6th child, boy or girl, would be different from the rest.

So that's my news. You're all filled in now. And if anybody would like to send a shirt my way that reads,
"Yes, they're all mine! Yes, this one (with an arrow pointing to my belly) is a girl, too! Yes, I consider myself completely blessed! No, Daddy isn't disappointed--he's beyond ecstatic! No, I don't want to hear your opinion--chances are I've already heard it!"
ummmm.... please do so ASAP.

Soon those questions will start and I know that it will get to me. It's not the fact that they want to know if it's a girl, but it's what usually follows that questions that gets me all fired up. If I have to hear one more person ask if "Daddy was disappointed" (or something to that effect), I'm really not sure what I'll do. Their ignorance of what a joy it is to raise girls is not what really gets me upset, but it's the fact that they ask these "daddy disappointed" questions right in front of my (very smart) girls. Why is it that so many people think 5 beautiful, healthy, intelligent girls is such a bad thing? My mind can't even think in that way, so I have a really hard time trying to figure out their way of thinking.

And I'm wondering... do moms of boys get these same gender specific, (sometimes unintentionally) rude comments? Any moms of many boys out there--please tell me if you get lots of stares from people who then ask, "oh, I bet you were hoping for a girl, huh?" Or something similar. Just curious!

Thanks be to God for another wonderful blessing!

Hello Birthday Girl!

My sweet Brownie, I can't even find the words to tell you how much I adore you. I've adored you from the very start. I remember all the times throughout our history together where I've snuggled you, kissed your beautiful cheeks, held your hand, checked on you at night, let you pour in some ingredient while baking, watched "Arfur" with you and I almost want to cry.

I don't want to cry because I am sad, but because I never knew that something I had never known, felt, kissed, or held just four short years ago could drastically change my life. I don't think I will ever forget the moments when we began to know each other. And everyday, I truly enjoy discovering just who this sweet little Brownie is!

Thank you for all of the endless entertainment you are always providing. One of my favorite things about you is your sense of creativity--especially when it comes to clothes. You fancy yourself a builder, artist and blanket layer-outer (you love deciding how the blankets on your bed will look each day), but you are certainly at one of your bests when you are putting an outfit together. You love dresses, shoes, purses, bows/headbands/clips. There is hardly a day that goes by in which you don't ask me to "put this" in your hair. God most certainly blessed me with a girly girl and I love it--I love you!

You also love to pose. I don't think anybody ever explained the concept of posing to you, but you sure do come by it naturally. The pictures below are some of my favorites of you posing...

Nobody ever taught you this pose--I swear. But somehow you just knew it!

You built this structure on the first day of school this year; when I wanted to take a picture of it, you proudly posed right by it!

And when others are not paying attention to all of my "Hey girls, look at mommy!" calls, here you are looking right at me with a bright smile on your face. Just fantastic!!!

Brownie-

Thank your for allowing me to enjoy your childhood with you. Not a day passes by where I wish I was off at work missing all of the wonderful kisses and hugs, songs you sing or questions you ask (no matter how bizarre). I am so blessed to watch you grow up right before my very eyes. I hope your 5th year will be as exciting as this one has been. And one little piece of advice mommy has to offer you: It's okay to be a year behind Peach. Enjoy being a year younger and never wish the time away. It is passing us by every second of everyday!

Happy Birthday to the most adorable 4 year old I know!! Mommy loves you (this much) forever!

-Mama

Show us Where you Live-Dining Rooms

This week we are showing dining rooms. Until recently this room

was a playroom/catchall room. It resembled nothing of a dining room because really, we don't need a formal dining room. But now that the girls are getting into school and we have lots of family/friends over during the fall months (holidays and birthdays), we decided it'd be nice to not only have extra seating (for parties and such) but also to have a place where the girls can work on school work. At this age, it's really just a clean space (where we don't really ever eat, hence why it's usually clean) where they can practice writing letters and coloring. Plus, it opens up to our living room (as you can see in this photo)


That tiny sliver of a room you can see to the left of that door is our living room. Our couch sits on the back wall looking directly into this room, so I can sit there or play with the other kids in there while my big girls work.
Yeah, I can't lie. I was also tired of seeing a bunch of toy clutter in my front room (that's also right off our front door). I would much rather see a clean place with pretty pictures and decorations. And decorate I did (at least the table). This is my centerpiece (I guess this is what I'll call it) for fall. The Blessings sign was an impulse buy while at Hobby Lobby with my husband. I know that detail seems insignificant, but I just wanted the record to show that my husband came to Hobby Lobby with me one Friday evening.

This is a few from the bay windows area. To the right is an old stereo from my Mema's house. I used to listen to a bunch of old 60's music (on actual records) on this thing during my summers at Mema's! Yes, I thought I was so cool doing this. I digress...

Anyway, on either side of the two-toned beige wall you can see the real dining room--aka our breakfast nook. But this is where all the action happens. I would love to knock that beige wall down, but that is actually one of the four walls where our 1/2 bathroom is. So, that won't work!

And this is a shot of our magic place. You'll have to excuse the cowboy/picnic theme. This isn't actually anything I usually have up; it was how I decorated the table for my daughter's 5th birthday a few weeks ago. It's actually still looking like this minus the balloons and the red and white checkered table cloth.

We do actually have 8 chairs to this bad boy--that was the main selling feature for us since our family (when we bought this set) was already up to 6. Now it's up to 7. It's hard to believe that we could really only seat one extra person at our table if all kids were in real chairs and not highchairs. CRAZY!

In the years to come, I hope I can add a china closet/hutch to my formal room. I know there are some family pieces (from both sides) I'd love to put in there. Plus, I want one with tons of storage below so that I can have a place to tuck away all of my place mats (and other dining room stuff of course).

See you next week when we do kitchens (?)

Losses and Gains

There are so many things that I've never experienced during pregnancy that I am now experiencing with this pregnancy. Some may say this means I am finally having my boy; I just say that it means I'm a little annoyed with the new, though temporary, me.

There is the one good thing--my hair seems a little fuller and wavier; I can handle that! But as far as the annoyances go, the heartburn and crying can cease soon, please!

The heartburn has actually been A LOT better ever since I was put on prevacid. But my mood has just been depressing today.

I have shed too many tears and my eyes are just a little swollen. There were some things thrown my way today (which I'll get to eventually, just keep reading) that were somewhat unexpected, and also sad! Add to that several small children who have constant needs, and one in particular who decided that because she missed both naps over the weekend she was big enough to skip nap today. Yes, this would be Miss Boushka. Instead of napping for 2.5-3 hours, she literally screamed/whined all that time. It wasn't until my second attempt to give her milk that she finally decided she'd had enough of her fit throwing.

Needless to say, I have cried several times today--sometimes it was for a reason and sometimes it felt like there was no good reason. By the time dinner time rolled around I was emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and therefore physically drained. I had no desire to cook, and cooking is my thing--I love it. Since I'm never a cry for no reason type of person, pregnancy, I'm blaming today's mood on you.

Out of all the mess that was today, my husband did suggest that we sit down and discuss where I see myself 5 years from now and 10 years from now (bless him for being there for me when I've been a little less than deserving of his affection lately). I don't know about you all, but it seems as if that big life goal oriented person has withered away over the years since becoming a mom. Most days I'm lucky if I can think what the next day has in store so I can make sure I am prepared. So when he asked me to think about these big life goals, it took some thinking (really only the details needed to be worked out, I already knew the big picture). I know where I see myself, but the path to get there can be a little murky.

Ever since I got my masters in education, I have wanted to do something in the health field. I know that I want to work with babies or in OB, or I could even consider working more office-type hours, say in a gp office. Having 5 kids all 5 and under can make this goal a bit more difficult to obtain than I'd like, but I do believe it can be done.

So after our discussion tonight, I've decided to get the ball rolling. I have my first few steps planned out, now all I have to do is put them into action. But I've gotta say, I wish I would have had this whole thing figured out 10 years ago. Sure would make life much easier right now, but I know I got my teaching license and masters degree for a reason. After all, it has provided me with several teaching opportunities that I have enjoyed, but none more than my job at the museum (and now I'm getting to the point you've been just dying to know about already, HA!).

Of all teacher-related jobs I've had post-college, I must say that none can compare to the one I will no longer be doing. It was seriously the best of both worlds--I was still able to do what I love, but I didn't have to deal with all of the non-teaching related things that all teachers rather not deal with (parent phone calls, student discipline, less than supportive administration, etc...).

Although I'd love to end up back at the museum when my schedule is more friendly, I can see the light I wasn't seeing earlier today. I truly believe that this event happened for a reason, and I also believe that when one door closes another one opens. So, instead of continuing to mull over how I could have made my personal/mommy schedule and job jive, I have decided that I should do something more constructive. So move on, I shall. See the doors opening, I shall. Achieve my next big life goal, I shall.

I don't know the path I will go, or where it is exactly that I'll end up. But I do know that I'll have the support I need from my family and the will to survive these next 5-10 years as mother, wife, teacher (still working online) and student!

But I'm warning you now, if you continue to read this blog beware that I may become crazier as my schedule fills up. I'm just sayin'...

Update and more

I think it's been quite a while since I last posted a pregnancy update-- when was it? 11 weeks maybe?

How Far Along: 18 weeks exactly

Total Weight Gain: I quite checking at home and looking at the doc's office once I got to 5 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, and I started needing them four weeks ago. God bless the secret belly fit---is that what they're called? I heart them, regardless!

Best Moment this week: I swear I could feel 2 strong kicks (not at the same time) this week. I've had some major tummy troubles, so I really don't know for sure!

Gender: We find out in 10 days--it's not like I'm counting. I may just decide to hide it form you all! HA HA HA HA

Movement: See above!

Food Craving: Salad! Greek salad at home with fresh romaine, grape tomatoes, a little onion, alotta kalamata olives and some cucumbers. Of course, I toss all of this with Paul Newman's oil based Caesar dressing!

What I miss: Working on my feet all day and being able to move at the end of the day.

Sleep:Groggy in the morning. This past week I spent every other day extremely exhausted. I would wake up and spend any free second trying (sometimes unsuccessfully) not to nod off!

What I am looking forward to: For people to stop looking at my belly trying to figure out if that's a belly made by beer or baby. Seriously people, I see you look there and then back at my eyes while talking about your crazy, pregnant daughter who lives with you--(eyes peer at my belly)--and how she only has one more month--(eyes on my belly again, oop now they're back at my eyes)--and you think maybe you'll just make it without pulling your hair out! Yes, Starbucks lady, I saw you doing the belly/eyes thing all conversation long!

Belly Button: In all four of my previous pregnancies my bb remained an innie. I'm guessing it'll do the same this time around.

Stretch Marks: Geez, not yet. Of course, I have old ones from a certain second pregnancy with my 9 pounder (all of my others have been 7, 7.1 and 7.2)

Symptoms: Hunger at odd hours, extreme thirst, extra tired, extra EXTRA tummy issues (I was put on some antacid medsbecause of my complaining about what I think is heartburn--I've never had it until this pregnancy)!

And now on to our weekend! We had a busy, yet very fun weekend!

We started off yesterday with our local fall festival--I love this! Crafts galore, greasy food (I had a Philly and fries), bounce house, kid train, fudge, dips, etc, etc.! The older two girls, my mom and I all went Saturday morning, but we had to practically run through it in order to make it to Peach's soccer game.

She played half of her game in spitting rain and then there was that one little flash of lightening. Automatic SHOW OVER! They don't play around (is that because our society is a little sue happy--I'm betting so). In all fairness though, that one tiny flash did initiate a heavy downpour--which I would be none to happy sitting in with three little gals who were needing a nap!

So we headed home and relaxed (I cleaned) a little before my niece and nephew stopped by for a few hours while their mommy went to a wedding. These two cuties are right in the middle of my brood. Peach just turned 5, Brownie is 4 next week, Miss Z (my niece) is 3 1/2, Bug will be 3 next month, Boushka is 17 mos and Mr. G (my nephew) will turn one on Brownie's birthday next week. It works out great as far as playmates go, but once we get those three, three-ish year olds together it is loud (somewhat controlled) chaos! But they are such fun kids and I know they all just love playing together! It's fun to watch how different my kiddos can be once they are all together--of course some kids just never change--mainly Peach who takes the two cousins in under her mothering wing.

We ate pizza, played, read stories, and ordered a few time outs- no major offenses, just some misdemeanors! HA! When the two cousins left I already had half of mine down for the night, but of course the older two were not about to miss out on any goodbyes! But they headed to bed shortly thereafter because they had been promised a trip back to the fall festival for all of the outside stuff (bounce house, train, pony rides, roasted corn) since we had to miss it yesterday.

So we woke up this morning, and I headed out the door back to the festival with Peach and Brownie. We hit up the bounce house, the train, a magic show, fried and roasted food, homemade root beer, pony rides, pumpkin bowling, and more crafts.

Here they are enjoying the train ride together!

We once again had to head out rather quickly in order to make it to a soccer game! I didn't have my "camera" (you know I mean phone here, but it just sounds odd to say "I didn't have my phone to take pictures with") with me at the soccer game, so I didn't get any pictures today :(

I didn't even have my video recorder, but I can tell you that my Peach has got some talent! We tell her to "be aggressive" (not towards the other kiddos, but to get after the ball) and boy does that girl take it to heart! She's so calm and reserved most of the time, so it's really neat to see her charge after the ball.

We did a little grocery shopping after the game and I came home to get some drawers organized! Not only is the season switching, but Boushka's clothes have been needing to be replaced with the next size up. I don't know how you all do it, but this takes a good afternoon at my house (and that's to do two girls). So after I go our Rice Baked Chicken on to cook (gosh I love that meal), I headed upstairs to reorganize Bug and Boushka's clothes. Thankfully, my mom gave us an old dresser so that each girl can have 4/5 drawers to herself; prior to this second dresser I was trying to get all of their clothes into a not-very-spacious 4 1/4 drawer dresser (the 1/4 drawer is just a really tiny top drawer). But now they have all of their own clothes in their own dressers, but they still share a closet. Luckily, these are spacious enough and there's no problem sharing. In the midst of this reorganizing, I also rearranged the room. I didn't snap any photos with my phone (there I said it, I guess it's not so weird), but I do like how it turned out.

After a few loads of laundry and a few more of donations, I am left with a rather clean house right now. The random spurts of energy that I get every other day have really helped out this house. Last week I got our bedroom and bathroom organized and clean, our closet cleaned (okay, just my stuff), I dusted the whole house (almost), got the big girls' room cleaned, upstairs vacuumed (these chores happen rarely, so this is quite the victory for me), our fall decorations put out, and tons of vacuuming downstairs. As of right now, all I'm left with is this:

1) A picnic towel that the girls dined on tonight needs to be cleaned off and put away,

2) those white pad things by the towel are some diaper pads I need to add to our (empty) stash we keep on the main level,

3) a load of blues (despite the fact that I just did a load of blues yesterday, I swear I don't know where these clothes come from sometimes) that need to be washed,

4) and three bags of donation stuff that needs to be dropped off at Goodwill!

And that, my friends, is all this tired mama has to get done before I hit the hay. Well, I guess those donation bags will still be sitting there in the morning since I'm not headed to Goodwill at 11:18 pm on a Sunday night! HA!

Show us Your Life-- Master Bedroom

So I'm a little late with my post for Show us your life on Kelly's Korner, but I still wanted to post. I'm a habitual House Hunters viewer and I can't lie--- I love looking at houses. I love getting decorating ideas, but more importantly I like to see the efficient use of space.

I missed last week's living room pictures, but I did manage to get the master bedroom pictures taken and uploaded-- so here ya go. Enjoy; especially if you're as snoopy as I am!

*And until I can purchase an awesome camera (anything better than my iPhone), you will continue to see pictures that aren't very clear. Sorry :(

When I was about 8 months pregnant with my second baby, I decided that it was high time we buy a bedroom set. So thankfully, my husband agreed with my nesting instincts and we've had this set for four years now. You can't see it very well here, but it is all in Merlot finish. We have the two nightstands, the bed, the dresser/mirror and the armoire. We usually have a great comforter on our bed that matches the artwork seen below, but we leave it off for a couple of months during the summer because of the heat. Judging by the weather lately, I think it may be time to add it back.

This is just another shot of some bed and the dresser.

A more close up picture of the dresser

This is what you see in the reflection. It's a little collage of photos from two years ago. I'm pathetic and haven't filled in more black and white pictures. You can see the spots where I've left the model photos in ---yes I need to replace them!

These are a few of the things I keep on the dresser. Love the little figurine, my Kansas Rain candle, and my precious photos of the babes a week after Brownie was born.

You can see in the picture below that I do have pictures of my other kiddos on top of the armoire. There is a picture of 1 week old Bug with me and a picture of 1 week old Boushka with me. Peach and Brownie are loving on each other in another picture, and our Best Man's toast is framed in the big black frame.

Ummmm..... please ignore the laundry hampers to the right of our armoire.

Thanks for stopping by!

22 Year Old Girl Self vs Me: the Mom

When my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child, we created a list of things that we would NEVER do as parents. I'm sure many of you may have not actually written out a list, but I bet a few of you uttered words such as " I'll never do that when I'm a parent!"

I remember Matt had something on his list that sounded something like this:
I will never save petty things of my child's.

I of course asked him what this meant. He replied that for example, he would never save a tissue that our child blew his or her nose into; and then he made me promise to {never} do the same. I thought this was a bit extreme, but I automatically had visions of me saving the first hand prints {okay all papers/clay/etc that my kid stamped his or her hand on}, the hospital menu from the day I delivered the baby, the candle from her first birthday cake, etc. I didn't think I could ever part with several items--and this my friends, is the first memory I have of being a mom instead of a 22 year old college girl.

Until this point, my only thoughts concerned me and the responsibility that {I felt} had been placed on me. I thought about all the doctor appointments, money, my future with work; but I never really put much thought into what it would really be like to be a mom. That, at the time, was the furthest thing from my mind. {In case you didn't know, we started our family with a surprise}.

My 22 year old college girl self was concerned with grading papers, being on time with my 45 minute daily commute, finding food for the evening between three jobs, and my hair, of course! I was that person who didn't think kids were in my future, especially my immediate future. I can even remember being in a sandwich shop {in between those three jobs} months before I was pregnant where a bunch of young kids came trotting in with their mom. I just looked at them {kind of like they were a freak show} and thought Good God, that will NEVER be me! {HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA--That's God laughing at my plans, in case you were wondering. You should see the circus we put on when we go anywhere these days. Tons of questions. Tons of stares. Lots of smiles. And so far, no purposefully rude people.}

I wasn't the most sensitive soul at that point in my life; I was a typical self-centered 22 year old. But hey, at least I kept my opinions to myself. You know, opinions like:

Geeze, who would let their kids scream in the store like that?

I'm never going to let my hair/make up/clothes go just because I have kids.

Soccer mom Shmoccer mom!

And of course my all time favorite {which happens to have been number one on both Matt's and my Things We'll Never do As Parents list....

Drive a minivan!

And now nearly 6 years later, I point at that young girl and laugh {yes, with the same judgemental attitude I had back then-- just to be fair, you know}. I wish that mom in the sandwich shop would have pointed to me back then and said Just you wait. This is going to be your life someday {no I would not have believed her. Yes, I would've laughed, but not to her face}.

I was proud of 22 year old girl self for thinking I would do it differently. I would finally be that mom who had it all {of course, this was IF I ever became a mom} figured out. No fast food for my kids. No bad hair days for me. Perfect clothes on perfectly cleaned bodies for all of us. And certainly no minivan.

And at that moment when I began actually thinking about what it would be like to be a mom {yes, I'm sure most of you did this prior to becoming pregnant, but I've always done things in the wrong order} while making out my list, it was as if my 22 year old girl self dropped off the face of the planet and this new mother-type person began to emerge.

In these moments, my thoughts shifted from my hair and schedule to thoughts about this baby.

How would she go to college? Do I have the patience she deserves from a mother? How much tv can she watch and when? Is breastfeeding really the best option? What's the difference between this car seat and that one? How will I ever let go of her hand when she goes to school?

I know this seems outlandish {for me to be picturing her first day of school}, but I swear to you I did. Maybe some of you moms can understand that one. Either way, these were my new concerns. And I was proud to have taken on these new concerns. I felt like all of a sudden I had been given the biggest purpose ever in this life: to make sure this child arrives safely into my arms and has all the opportunities I can provide her with. But it didn't really sink in all the way. It took several years for it all to sink in {and it probably still is}.

All of those things I swore I'd never do, wear, think, or say have been done, worn, thought and said; but it was all out of love!

That time when I left my daughter at home instead of taking her to Target {this was the assigned punishment for my fashionista Brownie at one point in her life} was done because I love her. I want to teach her actions have consequences because I love her and I don't want her to have a sense of entitlement when she is a teenager {or an adult for that matter}.

That time Those times when I've worn my KU t-shirts, sweats, flip-flops or left the house without makeup on and my hair a mess is because I was devoting my time to other matters--matter's like dressing and feeding my kiddos, cleaning up puke, brushing their hair or simply giving much needed cuddles.

Anyway, you get the picture. I was pretty much the perfect mom....
until I had kids. That's when I became a real mom. Someone who does things she thought she'd never do simply because she loves her kids and only wants the best for them.

So, look out all you 22 year old girls who think you've got it all figured out. I'll see you in line at the mall {I'll be that pale-faced, hair up, baggy t-shirt and jeans wearing worn out mom changing a poopy diaper while one of my other kiddos is going down the slide the wrong way, and another one is chasing her other sister saying "The monst-uh is toming to det you!") with your cute skinny jeans on, makeup done, hair perfect; then I'll feel this urge to tell you Just you wait!

And maybe, someday when you're at home with a sick child perusing the web, you'll come across this post and you'll...

...Nah, that would be way to awesome to ever actually happen!

I'm Sick and Ranting

Because I'm sick and in a bad mood...

Okay, really I'm not in that bad of a mood. I mean, I have four healthy and gorgeous girls, a baby brewing, a healthy husband and a rather clean/organized house. What more could a girl ask for, right? Actually, I really am sick and it's making me frustrated and I'm asking for a break! Mother Nature, please cut me some slack!!!!

It's the darn ragweed that lurks in every corner of this area that has me feeling like an 18 wheeler drove over me and filled me with snot {how's that imagery workin' for ya?}. The way I've been reacting to it, you'd think I have it growing throughout my house. Constant sneezing, nose blowing, itchy throat, watery/itchy eyes during the day and it gets worse at night. I've been taking Zyrtec {which used to work} ever since I hit the second trimester, but now it doesn't seem to phase these allergies.

As soon as my heads hits the pillow, my sinuses feel like they're going to explode. The pain has been keeping me up nearly all night long. I'll doze off for about 10 minutes and then wake up to a dried out throat and pounding pain in my head and jaw. Yes, this happens all night long.

I finally caved and called the doctor today because I could tell it was spreading into my chest. Sure enough, I'm hacking away now and it is so darn painful. Luckily, the doc sent an Rx for an antibiotic which I got earlier today. I'm hoping that it clears up the yucky sinus infection and also takes care of anything that may be trying to brew in my chest.

Really, I'll give just about anything to get some good sleep tonight. Prayers! Good vibes! Please! This mama needs some beauty rest {no really, the beauty part is needed as much as the sleep part. Have you seen what my face looks like when it's swollen, rubbed red and otherwise pale. Not to mention that I can't wear make up. It's just scary. So if any of you see me in the next... well, until it freezes--please accept my apologies}.

Anyway at the top of this post I said, "because I'm sick and in a bad mood..." and now I'll finally get to my point. I'm really just using my current state of Blech to rationalize the BI**H fest I'm about to throw. So if you're not in the mood for one of my pregnancy and sick induced rants, please cease all reading activity now! THANKS!

This has irritated me for the longest time. I may even have blogged about it on here before. But that just shows you how irritating I find this {very minor, I realize this fact} issue. You ready for it?

As if McDonald's doesn't give us enough to complain about, what with their lack of nutritious food, why do they insist on sticking to their sexist ways? It drives me mad when I pull up to the drive-thru box {twice a year out of dire necessity} and order a Happy Meal and the voice says "Is this for a boy or a girl?"

Really, McDonald's? Really? Are you still stuck in 1955 when all girls supposedly played with dolls and all boys supposedly played with trucks/male action figures? Can't you just phrase the questions "Would you like the doll or the truck?" Why do you have to portray your ignorance to the world around you even more by asking "girl or boy?"

You don't even ask if I want the "girl or boy toy." Nooooooooo, you have to ask if I have a girl or a boy, thus totally rendering the choice of the toy to your discretion. I'm the parent. I've got some degrees that don't come from the How to Fry Fries School of Crappy Food. For God's sake, let me make the decision about what toy my kid wants regardless of her sex. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And because I know I have inquisitive {yes, I'm referring to all four of you} readers, you are probably asking, Well, have you ever taken your concerns to the manager?

And let me tell you the answer good readers, YES! Yes, of course I have tried to school the unschoolable! I have tried to explain that just because I have a daughter doesn't mean I should automatically be given the doll toy. I explained how sexist that is. I explained that if they still want to remain behind the times when Elvis was King and margarine {YUCK!} ruled the dinner table, then they could at least ask me if I wanted the girl or boy toy? I explained how utterly ridiculous it is that in the 21st century I have to put up with this nonsense. And guess what?

They {McDonald's} didn't get it. My explaining was apparently over their understanding. It was as if I was speaking a totally different language {and actually, in this case I kind of was}.

Okay, there! It's done. You and I can both move on now. I don't like being Negative Nelly, and I realize this is a very minor issue. It's like a really {bad} pet peeve. It's not anything that is going to affect me or my family in any dramatic way. It is really just a {crazy, absurd, stupid} minor annoyance that I only fume over for about 5 minutes twice a year.

Let me know if any of you find this irritating. I surely can't be the only one who is annoyed by this {right?}. And if any of you try to take your concerns to the manager, let me know how that goes! Please! I'm curious.

Once Upon a TIme...

...this lady had four hooligan children {hooligans is a term of endearment with this woman}. It was the last day of the {first} school week. On this particularly glorious morning, her eldest hooligan was celebrating her 5th birthday with crowns, songs, stories, and {of course her favorite school-approved, birthday treat} Jello at preschool.








Whilst the eldest of the four daughters sat on her preschool throne, mama hooligan decided to take the other three hooligans to a park. They only had a few moments to spend frolicking in the sunshine and beautiful weather {thank you cold front and rain} before they needed to pick up the eldest hooligan from preschool.

Seeing that there was plenty of sunshine, the mother hooligan decided pictures were a must. And this is what she got:


Mama hooligan thought this was quite a funny snapshot {and she wants to remember this moment for, hmmm..... EVER}. It captures sweet beauty in her eyes.





Then suddenly, the hooligans decided to give mama hooligan a little love. So they agreed to pose as asked.

Really, these little hooligans are quite lovely. As you can see here, they posed so nicely for mama hooligan on their {official} first day of school.

And each little hooligan smiled as if she were smiling for God Himself.

But back to our story---

The four ladies ceased the park festivities when it was time to pick up the birthday princess. They came home only to pamper the birthday girl until she {mama hooligan} just couldn't take it anymore. The night's festivities ended with cake, family, friends, gifts, hugs, kisses, and laughter.

Yes, we had a great end to our first week of school. And we had a blast celebrating the anniversary of our firstborn {and I think our firstborn had a blast as well}!