Girl Time

Thankful:
Today I got to have a girls day.  Daddy watched all the kids and  I went to lunch with my wonderful mother-in-law, 2 sister-in-laws and Cousin-in-law.  We had a fantastic lunch complete with Bloody Mary's and Mimosa's.  We then went to the much anticipated release of Breaking Dawn part 1.  We had a great time and it was a long over due treat for me to get out of the house and have some quality time with 4 of my favorite girls.  I feel so blessed to have such strong, loving and supportive women in my life.  Now, I just have to wait for November of 2012 to see part 2.  Hope I get to have another girls day before then.

Pod Cast

Gratitude Day 18:
I love to go to church.  I am ashamed to say, it rarely ever happens.  Our favorite church is 40 minutes away and the two younger kiddos never make it through nursery and I always end up sitting in the mothers room watching the service on the tv.  I miss going to church.  I LOVE that way I feel when I walk out the doors after a service.  Refreshed, revived, and inspired to make a difference in the world.  Tonight, I was checking out our churches web page and I realized that they now have a pod cast for every sermon!  Yippy, so excited.
So, today I am so very thankful for the Internet it (amongst a million other things) allows me to still get my Sunday sermon in my home.  I will listen nightly after the kids go to bed and catch up on all things I have missed.  I know that it is not really the same as attending church, but I hope God will still be proud that I can be inspired, refreshed and humbled at his teachings, even if they are in my own home through a pod cast.

You can check out me favorite church at the link below.
www.tvcweb.com

I took this picture when I was with Kyle at 6th grade camp.  I think the sun looks amazing.

Early Traditions

Gratitude Day 17:
I lOVE the Christmas season and the magic that accompanies it.  The smell of pine, the music, the hustle and bustle, decorated houses and the celebration of the birth of our savior.    When I was little it was so exciting to decorate the Christmas tree and trim our home with wreaths, stuffed Santa's and lights (I am still a kid in this department).  We started early this year (I needed a "little" Christmas Now).  We decorated our tree and I have my Christmas village illuminating my kitchen on my bulk head.  I love how excited the little boys get about decorating the tree.   I love watching them carefully pull every ornament out of the box, gaze at it, and fill with joy over the memories.   Noah and Colton had a great time carefully placing our ornaments on the tree (mostly at the bottom, stacked on top of one another).  Kyle even humored me and hung a few, Miss May sat at the foot of the tree watching her brothers and Daddy added our little angel to the top.  It was perfect.  We listened to Christmas music and had a fun family night.
Tonight I am thankful for family traditions.  I savor these moments.  I am thankful my hubby humors me and allows me to put our tree up WAY to early.  I am thankful my Kyle will (pretend) to enjoy things that are important to me.  I am thankful that my little boys still harvest the excitement of the season.  I am thankful for my littlest peanut who I hope will enjoy decorating the tree with me long into her adulthood.  Most of all, I am thankful for the birth of our savior who gives us a reason to celebrate the season and savior early traditions.

Noodle concentrating on hanging this one just right.

I love how serious he is.

Kyle hard at work.

Daddy making sure the angel is just right
p.s. still in his hunting attire 

I wanted a picture with the kids.  We took many shots, this was the best LOL 

Our finished tree.  I had to go back after the little ones went to bed and move a "few" around, little hands can only reach so high.  I think she is pretty and proud my family gets to make such wonderful memories together. 

My Mommy

Gratitude Day 15:
Yes, I am 33 and I still call her that.  Today I am grateful for my Mommy.  I can not even begin to imagine where I would be with out her.  Plainly said, she is my very best friend.  I am so blessed that my Mom and I have always had an amazing relationship.  As a child she was my protector, playmate and role model.  As a teenager she was my shoulder to cry on, biggest cheerleader and defender.  As an adult, she is my dearest, closet friend and my hero.  My Mother has always supported me (even in times she knew I was wrong) wiped my tears and had my back.  I remember when Kyle was born and they placed him on my chest (she of course was there in the room for his birth), I had a wave of emotion that washed over my that made me understand the love that my Mother had for me.  Her love has always been tender, supportive, encouraging and unconditional.  She knows me at my best and loves me at my worst.  Now, as a mother of a daughter, I can only dream to have the relationship with my Jenna like the one I have with my Mom.  We spend at least 4 days a week together and talk on the phone at least 2 times a day.  She knows when to give advice and understands when to sit silent, in my eyes she is the worlds most perfect mother.  I love you Mom.  I think you are a perfect example of all things right in this world and I hope I can be as good of a Mommy to my children as you have been to me!  Thank you God for giving me the most amazing mother.

Three generations 

Me and my 2 favorite girls.

My "Perfect" Body

Gratitude Day 13:
Do you ever look at old pictures and think WOW I use to look like that?  My waist was so tiny, my legs so fit and athletic, my "top" a little higher, and my hips a little narrower.   I have never been obsessed with my weight, nor have I limited my diet to omit the things I really love to lose a few pounds (we only live once, and I am sorry but I do like sweets).  I do not exercise regularly (wish I could, no time).  We do eat pretty healthy and I am not a snacker.  I do miss those days when I had the body of an 18 year old, skinny, fit and wrinkle free.  Time has changed and aged me.  I always thought when I was young that I would struggle with getting older.  Humbly, I admit that  today when I look in the mirror I see a far more perfect body than the one I had 14 years ago.  My body has served me well.  It is a temple to my soul.  One that has grown, respects, believes and surrenders to my Father in heaven.  It has conceived, grown and birthed 4 beautiful children.  My "top" is a little lower from nurturing my babies.  My wrinkles are a testament to "graceful" aging.  My arms allow me to hug my children and my husband.  My feet carry me out of bed and through my day.  My legs ache from chasing my kids.  I have proudly earned my momma hips and baby belly and my lips savior sweet kisses from those I love.
Today I will be thankful that the Lord has blessed me with a perfect body. One that carries me through my day, allows me to chase and snuggle my children, love my husband and shelter my soul.  Thanks be to God.  I am made in his image and will be grateful for the way he made me.

This is me 35.5 weeks pregnant with Jenna. I am so glad I did this as I do not have photographs of me pregnant with the other kids.  I think I will love to look back on these many years from now and remember how beautiful and amazing pregnancy was.

I took these myself, which was a little difficult.   It does make me a little sad knowing that my days of this amazing experience has passed.  I will cherish my memories of feeling my little baby's move in my womb and will never forget how amazing it was to hold my newborns for the 1st time.  I secretly wish I could have more.

How amazing God is for giving me the ability to be a mother. 

Movie Night

Gratitude Day 12:
Today I am thankful for a little movie night with my Kyle.  Little ones are asleep and John is snoozing on the couch.  Kyle and I enjoying a little us time.  Thanks Bear for not being to cool to share a movie with your mom!

I Am a Hero!

Gratitude Day 9 & 10:  (two days in one, read below to see why)
  I sat down last night to write my daily post and Noah began frantically screaming in his room. When I got to him, he was sobbing and shaking.  He had watched a show earlier in the night called River Monsters that scared him a bit.  (see this is what happens when I take a shower) Anyway, the poor little guy was so upset I climbed up into his bed with him to calm him down.  He insisted I stay and I agreed.  I was a little annoyed at first, because bed time is my personal time to unwind, blog, watch tv, ect.   As I laid there in his bed with him, I realized how long it had been that I had done that.  Immediately, I was in heaven.  Here is my big, strong, independent 6 year old, and he needed me.  I laid with him and rubbed his little head and kissed his little nose and told him story's.  We giggled (quietly, we did not want to wake Colton) and snuggled.  It amazes me how sometimes we are in such a hurry that we miss the opportunity's to be our kids hero.  With me next to him, Noah felt 100% safe, protected and at ease.  What a powerful gift to be able to comfort my son in such an amazing way.  I could have told him to just "knock it off" and go to sleep, shut the door and walked out.  I am so glad I did not.  He needed me and I needed that precious time with him to remind myself to slow down.  The rest of the world can wait, last night I was superwomen chasing away a monster and being a hero to my little Noah.

I love you Noah and I hope I can always be your hero!

   

My Little Things

Gratitude Day 8:
Today is my list of the little things that make this girl happy, things I don't want to live with out.
Chapstik, Coffee, Warm Baths, Naps (for me), Red wine, My Memory Foam Pillow, Down Comforters, Sweat Pants, Hoodys, Fox News, The Real Housewives, Sliding Doors on My Mini Van, Screen Doors, Moisturizer, Leave in Conditioner, My Cameras, Jenna's Angel Care Monitor, Flip Flops, My Computer, Q Tips, My Electric Tooth Brush, Pasta, Comfy Jeans, Tank Tops, Water (I drink a lot), Lemons, Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt Chips & Tangy Taffee.
I know these are little things, but worthy of recognizing as they make my life a little extra special.

Sticks & Bricks

Gratitude Day 7:
What makes a house a home?  Is it the the wall paper, a beautiful floor, pictures and pretty things, or is the family that lives with in its walls, seeking shelter from the world?  I think our home is a living breathing structure that is just as much a part of us, as we are of it.  Let me back up and tell you a little history of our home.  Almost 8 years ago, we discovered our little bungalow.  John and I were dating, he had just graduated from Western Michigan University and was living with his parents.  I was a single Mom living with my parents and raising Kyle.  John decided he was ready to move out on his own and began house hunting.  I helped him locate properties that he might be interested in and we began to go to open houses and pursue private showings with a realtor.  We went thorough many homes, some big and beautiful, some some small and not so nice.  One afternoon while out driving around we came across a little private Dr., that neither of us had ever noticed before.  At the end of the private road was a cute little ranch on nearly 2 acres that sparked our interest.  We contacted the realtor and got a private showing.  I will never forget that day because when we walked into the little ranch home on the private Dr., I fell in love.  I am not sure why. It really was nothing special.  The floors were ugly the kitchen was a mess and the bathroom was way to small.  But, from my first step into the home I knew and felt in my heart this was the place I wanted to raise my family and love my husband. (I was pretty optimistic as we were only dating at this time, I have always been a dreamer.) When we left, I told John how much I loved it, and I think he could see the excitement in my eyes.  Much to my dismay, he told me he hated and this was definitely not the house for him.  I was disappointed and decided I was done helping him look for houses after all, we were only dating. (dreamer disappeared  for a sec, little crabby when I don't get my way.)  A couple of months had gone by and I had all but forgotten about the cute little house on the private dr.  One December night, John came and picked Kyle and I up from my parents house, blind folded me and told me he had a surprise.  Away we went in his truck he drove around and around town (he was trying to through me off).  Eventually, we arrived at our secret destination and I got out of the car, John removed my blind fold, and I was standing in the front yard of the little ranch that I fell in love with a couple of months before.  He had purchased the house and kept it a secret!  What a stinker.  He handed me the keys and we went inside.  It was just as I remembered.  Perfect.  From that day on we started the remodeling and complete overhaul of his new house.   The entire kitchen was ripped out, wall taken down, all rooms were repainted, re carpeted, and stripped down the drywall.  In fact, the only original thing we left untouched was the tile in the laundry room.  It was definitely a labor of love.  After 3 months of day in and day out hard work, John finally moved in.  The bedrooms and big bathroom were finished but the rest of the house.... yikes still needed work.  Anyway, that was almost 8 years ago and I think it is still a work in progress.  John proposed to me in April of 04' (I will tell you that amazing story another time) and married on August of 04'.  Kyle and I moved in the day after the wedding and his house became our home that very day.  I think if our home could talk, oh the stories it would tell.  It sees us at our best, at our worst and all things in between.  It harbors our tears and savors or joys.  I walked through it's doors with 3 new beautiful babies.  The carpet has cushioned many falls and protected the knees of new crawlers.  The wood floor has scratches to bear from match box cars and babies in walkers.  The walls are dented and covered with finger prints.   Handles are missing and a window is cracked.  Our front porch chair  has served as a seat to the world.  Our yard has served as a play ground for my children. We have laid in the grass and stared at the clouds and raked all the leaves and sat under the trees.  Our home is more than sticks and bricks it is our shelter and shield from the world.
Today I am thankful  for our perfect bungalow on the private dr.  It is as much a part of us as we are of it.  I am sure someday we will move on to a new home (p.s. it's way to small), and we will make a new house our home.  It is my prayer that no matter where we are, our home will always be filled with love, a safe place to grow, where my children fell protected and they are encouraged and nurtured.  A place they can return at any age knowing they will be protected from the world.  Thank you God, for our home.

The "master" suite.  Jenna shares our room with us now, so it looks a little different with a crib in it.

Kyle's little palace

Noah and Colton share a room.  I LOVE how close they are and I think they would miss each other terribly if we gave them separate rooms.

These pics are about 2 years old, so the boys no longer have a crib and toddler bed, they moved onto bunk beds .

Probably my most favorite room in the house I LOVE my screen porch!

Many of meals have been made here.

The center of our home, the family room.

This house had zero landscaping when we moved in.  Not one bush, flower, rock or window box.  I just love the front yard now, so warm and inviting.

HOME SWEET HOME, MY RETREAT FROM THE WORLD!

My Career

Gratitude Day 6:
When I was in grade school, we were asked to write a paper about what we wanted to be when we grow up.  Most kids wanted to be Dr's, or Teachers, or Lawyers, things like that.  I will never forget my teachers response when I told her, "I want to be a Mom!"  She told me, "no, you have to pick a career, a real job."  I remember thinking a "real" job?  What a strange thing to say to an impressionable child.  To me, even at that age being a Mom was more than a job or a career, it was a life long commitment, and in my opinion the most important "job" on the planet.  Anyway, I think I wrote a paper about being a veterinarian even though that was something I never had any intention of ever doing.  Many years later, in careers class, we had to select a few potential jobs that we might want to pursue.  Again, I found myself in this same situation instructed that I had to pick a "real" job. (really?)   When it came time to fill out applications for collage, I was even more confused.  I was suppose to go to some big fancy school, spend 1000's of dollars to earn a degree in some field that I did not really care about.   Even as a very small child my motherly instincts were strong and I always knew my calling in life was to be a mother.  I did go to collage for 3 years and worked many jobs during that time.  I never completed collage as I got pregnant for my Kyle and dropped out.  Now I know that you might be thinking that I am a bit small minded.  I assure you, I am not.  I have many girlfriends and family members that went to collage and have great careers and are still amazing mothers.  I think they are great and I admire them, I have no idea how they do it!  I think if I had to raise my children, maintain our home and work outside the home, I would lose my mind!  It just was not for me.  I believe that all women should be independent and capable of taking care of themselves and I worked many great jobs before I took my "position" as a stay at home mom.  When I met John, I was so blessed because his ideal wife would be a homemaker and primary care giver to his children.  How lucky we are to have found each other.  I do not pass judgement on the women I love that work and mommy, and nor do I think my children will be better adjusted, smarter or kinder than theirs.  It's just what works for us.  Truth is, when their kids are grown and out of the house, they will all still have great jobs, while I will probably be waiting tables. Who knows, maybe I will go back to collage.

So today, I am thankful for my job.  My position as a wife and homemaker, mother to my children and "assistant" to my husband.  I am over worked & underpaid.  Yet so rich in blessings that no amount of money could drag me away from this career.

My heart!

Soft Landings

Gratitude Day 5:
Ohh how my boys fill my days with excitement.  Boys crack me up, they are so different then girls.  As a mother of only boys (before Jenna was born) I would chat with my girlfriends who had only daughters about the things my boys would do.  They would often stare in shock and nearly fall off their chairs laughing at my stories.  Like, one day I told Colton NOT to pee in the tube while he was taking a bath, "why?"  "It's gross!"  So, what does he do?  Pees in a cup while in the tub and dumps it over the side on to the floor.  Then there was the day I discovered Noah's booger collection in a Dora the Explorer book with a booger placed perfectly on every page right in the middle of her forehead.  Recently, I caught them out back on the swing set sliding down the slide on a sled into a pile of 2x4's.  At any given time you could stop over at our house and find at least one if not all 3 boys running around in their underwear. (why is that anyway, I would never want to sit around in my roos).   I finally had to enforce a law if you want to eat at my table, you must be wearing pants.  They must own at least 20 plastic guns, 10 swords, and have stolen all my plastic knives from my kitchen.  A while back, they thought it would be funny to bring a snake INTO my home and show me in the living room what they had found.  I was nursing Jenna and screamed so loud I think the neighbors heard me.  Noah dropped the snake on the floor and it slithered half way across the kitchen before anyone picked it up.  I have scooped frogs and worms out of my washing machine,  "re" caught over 30 firefly's in their bedroom after they decided it would be more fun to watch them fly around the room as opposed to watching them in a jar, and have super glued more toys back together that I can count.  Being a mother of 3 boys keeps me on my toes.  I never know what to expect when I empty pants pockets, clean under beds or while unloading back packs.   Ask Colton what it is like to live in our home he will tell you, "There is never a dull moment." (wonder where he heard that?)  Truth is, my boys have taught me how to be free, fun loving, adventurous and brave.  I love that everyday brings a new experience for me to laugh at, even if it is gross.  Boys will be boys and I am so thankful for that.  Who knew that I would love to play swords, climb trees and wrestle WWF style.  Praise God for boys!  I love their adventurous spirit and unending desire to discover and catch the world around them.
Tonight  Noah and Colton had a little extra energy to burn and decided that flying off the couch would be a good way to wind down. (really?) Anyway,  they assembled all the pillows on the floor to provide a soft landing, and away they jumped and jumped and jumped.  Jenna and I watched from the recliner as they worked up a sweat.  (she thought the flying Sheely brothers were a perfect circus).  Thankfully, after about a half hour they were pooped and ready to settle down for the night.  It was fun watching them have such a blast while doing something so simple.  I wish adults were more like them, I think the world would be a better place.   I hope my boys never lose their ambition to enjoy the simple things in life.  I will nurture their sense of adventure and encourage them to jump at new things, and pray that all of their landings are soft.

This little monkey can fly!

I think Colton was trying to kick Noah off the couch.

Colton's turn.

Higher this time.

Miss May and I watching the circus
p.s. Colton took this picture, not bad for a 4 year old.

See underwear!

Hidden Treasures

Gratitude Day 4:

My children are rather spoiled by Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and of course us.  At Christmas and their Birthdays, they receive more gifts than any children should own in a lifetime.  We have made it a habit in our home before a Birthday or Holiday, to go through their toys and select some to give away to other children (to make room for the new ones).  I feel it is very important for them to understand that most children do not have as many "things" as they do.  I find great joy and pride watching them carefully go through their used items selecting toys to be donated.  Lately, they will come out of their rooms with things they no longer play with and ask me if we can give it away to some one in need.  I am so proud and encouraged that they are inspired to give to those around them.  We have a neighbor that is in her 60's, lives alone and does not have family.  Almost every night, we make her a plate of leftovers for the boys to take her.  They have gotten so use to this habit that often times at the dinner table they will ask me to set aside a portion for her.  They absolutely LOVE to take her food and many times they will argue about who gets to carry the plate.  I am so grateful for their desire to help others.
I spent most of the day today going through some of their old stuff, trying to organize my home (full time job).  We packed up a couple of bags and Colton (the other 2 were at school) was proud to have an organized room with all his belongings in place.  In this process we found a tube of glow sticks that we had put away a couple of months ago and Colton was thrilled to say the least.  He could not wait for Noah to get home to show him the hidden treasure he had discovered.  They waited all night for it to get dark, cracked open the tube and the fun began.  We made necklaces, bracelets, earrings and sunglasses.  Had a dance party in the dark with our magic glow sticks, until we were all out of breath.  We laughed and acted silly.  I love it when a simple forgotten hidden treasure can transform an evening into a memory that I will cherish.  I love my boys, they are generous, kind, fun and creative, filling my life with laughter and unending love.  Thanks boys for the dance party, I think I might be sore tomorrow!

How cute is this?

Crazy dancing made for some neat pics 

They were not thrilled when I turned the light on, but I needed a pic with there faces. 

Our perfect imperfections

Gratitude Day 3:
Our home is always in constant chaos.  Many times through out the day, I feel like throwing my hands up in dispare at the never ending messes.  There is always dishes to wash, laundry to fold, toys to pick up and vacuuming to be done.  Dinner dishes cover my table, the boys are running through the kitchen shooting cap guns like wild Indians, Jenna is bouncing of my trim in her walker and the living room carpet can not be seen under all the Lego's.  Truth is, this is us.  We are crazy!  Crazy in love, crazy in fun, crazy in perfection of being imperfect.  I would never trade the multiple messes and mountains of laundry for anything in the world.  So, today I am thankful for my chaos.  The constant laughter of my children as they run through the kitchen, a barking dog who only wants to be part of the fun, Lego towers, a messy table and sink full of dishes, the laundry will wait till tomorrow and the trim can always be repainted.  As for today, I am going to play, snuggle and love my family for being absolutely perfect!

"Mom," "can we have a Tupperware dish?" me... "sure just one"
I think they meant they only wanted one left in the cupboard when they were done. 

"Can we play in the leaf pile?" me... "sure just don't scatter them all over as we just cleaned them  up."
at least they did not scatter them over the whole 2 acre yard 

I wised up on this one, glitter outside only 

me... "Can you please just hold still for one second so I can get just 1 good picture?"
colton... "Sure after I pick this booger."
At least they all were smiling 

Grass stains and goofy smiles.....perfect

The 2 best guitar players I know (after daddy of course)

Love the blue lips from a licorice stick 

These kids had ZERO chance with parents like these!
Halloween 2010
Shot Gun Wedding 

See, the poor dog just wants in!

How I feel somedays


I LOVE MY FAMILY !!!

Chubby Belly & Chunky Theighs

I am so jealous of her eyes.  I think they stare straight into my soul.

Day 2 of Gratitude:
Today I am thankful for my baby in a diaper.  Of all the adorable outfits she has, her in her diaper is by far my favorite.  There is something so pure and innocent about a little one in just their duds.  Under all those pretty cloths, is something far more beautiful.  Her perfect little rolls, chunky thighs and long crooked toes.  She is always so fascinated with herself when she is stripped down to her diaper.  She loves to slap her belly and giggles with delight at the sound her diaper makes when she pulls on it.  I love to photograph her in her most "natural" state they are memories that I want to capture and cherish.  Before I know it, she will have moved on to her Barbie undies and her little baby body will be but a memory.  So today, I will be thankful for my diapered beauty,  kiss her belly while she giggles, play "this little piggy" 1000 times and soak up every second of her perfection.

So fascinated with her diaper 

I just love this shot, I am so in love 

slap, slap.......giggle, gigle 

Pretty toes, super wide feet, just like me