Beyond Bliss

I don't even have words to describe the extent that my heart overflows. There is so much good stuff going on in this family of mine. I think it has something to do with the stages of life we are in. With the girls (the babies) being 4, we are able experience great adventures together. Jack is growing and maturing everyday and I think he even appreciates this old family of his every now and then. And I must give credit where credit is due, God is whispering in B's and my ear that it is time to spend serious time together and teach these children what they need to know. All these factors are creating one spectacular family experience!

This is where you'll find us most nights. On the stoop with an ice cream treat from our local seasonal ice cream shop. Playing with butterflies.

Delighting in the arrival of Mama's favorite late spring gift.

Loving each other and the time we get to spend together.

Even the pups are feelin' the love, even if they have to enjoy it behind glass.

We are blessed to be getting a Memorial Day visit from our favorite cousins. We can share some stoop love! Can't wait!

WW: The Splendors of Childhood...

and the insane joy of experiencing it again through our kids.

Mama's Day at Preschool

What an emotional wreck I have been lately. I cry at the drop of the hat. You can only imagine the state I was in when I watched my baby girls sing, recite poetry and dance all in my honor. Really, though, the honor is mine. I am beyond honored to be the mother of 4 incredible human beings.

I'm not sure what God saw in me to give me such an honor but I couldn't be happier about it.

I know I make mistakes and so often I wish I could do better, but my greatest hope is that these kids know how very much I love them.

My big guy was at school and wasn't available for this shot. I will rectify that on Sunday. Thank you for my beautiful gifts and big huge hugs. I feel like a princess this mother's day. You kids make me beyond happy!!

Last Week's Theme: Celebratin' the Boo

A birthday and huge store opening all in a week's time = lots of girly fun! It all started with a sisters trip to the spa. Boo picked the place. She did some research online and found a spot that sounded great. It wasn't so great. It was not a luxury type spa, you know, the kind you hope for for a frivolous birthday experience. It was the more therapeutic sort that caters toward women seeking women. Fret not, we made the most of it with lots of giggles, a chat in the napping nook, finished off with a claustrophobic herbal wrap and a nice massage. Sometimes laughter is the best therapy!

We then headed to a yummy french bistro for wine and a croque monsieur. More chatting, more giggles. After lunch, we stopped by Sophia, the store my sister opened with a good friend. The girls there had the nicest little birthday party set up. Too sweet!

We went home for a veg-session and then got dressed for the night.

Here is the birthday girl in her new vintage Chanel blazer. Lovely.

Good friends, good food, good fun.

4 days later, I headed back to the city for the store opening party. I didn't take any pics that night. If you are my Facebook friend, you can see photos there. I am over the moon for my little sis. Sophia is fabulous! These girls worked so hard and the opening was a huge success. If you are ever in Chicago, you must check them out (Sophia on Oak Street). It is a mix of vintage and new. There are treasures beyond comprehension in the store. Kudos ladies and a super huge congrats!!!

Swelling with Pride

This boy showed incredible courage and strength and his mother can hardly contain herself.

We signed up for a taekwondo tournament not having any idea what that would entail. All we knew is that Sam's favorite person, Master Yu, asked him to be a member of his team. As it turned out, Sam would have to do his orange belt form and break 2 boards in front of hundreds of people. As soon as my newly minted 6 year old found out what was expected of him, he did what any newly minted 6 year old would do, he completely melted down. He sobbed and begged to go home. If I know one thing about my sweet Sam, it's that when he has decided he is not going to do something, he is absolutely NOT going to do it. I could say nothing to convince him so I told him that we could leave as soon as he went and told Master Yu...by himself. He begged me to do it but I told him that it was his responsibility alone.  

I don't know what Master Yu said or did but I didn't see my boy for the next couple of hours. He sat down on the floor with his team and decided that he would stay and compete. He got up...alone...in front of two hundred people and did what he needed to do. He was nervous and needed a little help but he did it. He earned 18 points for his Earth team and a trophy and medal for himself. 


It was all I could do to keep from bursting into tears of pride and love. He fought his fear and didn't let it get the best of him. I can't say that I would have been able to do that at 6 years old, or 16 for that matter.

I promised him that if he cheered on his team and completed his competition, we would get celebratory ice cream. Boy, did that twist cone with sprinkles taste good...especially with the medal around his neck.

No Real Subject

How sad is that? I have been away so long that I can't even think of a proper title for this post. I'm hoping this is like riding a bike, it will all come back to me. 

So I was in the city with my sweet sis last weekend. She gave me a whole lot of grief for the contents of this blog of late. I believe the direct quote was "It's snowing glitter?? What the bleep is that????" She was harsh but appropriately so. I have had a few people tell me that they come by and are disappointed at my lack of content. Just the push and encouragement I needed....I hope.

Much is going on around here. Most importantly, it is my baby boy's 6th birthday today. We have so many celebrations planned. They will still be going on 2 weeks from now. Today started with a Dunkin' Donuts run and will continue with a boys' trip to the barber (always a good time), a run by Toys R Us,  followed by a pick up of our good buddies for lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe. Not too bad for celebration number one on your 6th birthday.

In other exciting yet scary news, we are going to attempt to sell our house. Sources say that the market is picking up so hopefully it won't take a million months to sell. I have never done this before let alone with 4 kids and 2 dogs so wish me luck...I'm gonna need it! Why are we choosing to move in a hideous real estate market, you might be wondering? Because we are busting at the seams over here and while it may be near impossible to sell, it is heaven for the buyer....which we hope to be very soon.

Due to the listing of the house, the Nook had to be disassembled.  This is what it used to look like...on a good day. Today it looks like this:

The general public would probably prefer a gym to a crafty nook. I wish this gym was as exciting to me. Can't say that I have used it one time. But this is all for the greater good so I am fine with it.

Here is what I have left. One drawer of fabric, a bit of yarn and my machine. Sorting through my mess was liberating. I donated A LOT of yarn and fabric and while it was hard to see how much I had spent, I was relieved to accept and move on. AND I haven't bought a single craft item since. I think I may be cured of my hoarding tendencies...knock on wood.

Still so much more to report. I will be back soon....I promise!

25 Days of Giving and Decking the Halls

Day 2: No photos. We bought and delivered 2 bags full of baby food for the girls' preschool to distribute to babies in need. Woo hoo for day number 2!!

On a side note, I just have to mention that this exercises is really powerful. I panicked a bit after I hit the publish button yesterday. For a split second I wondered why I had committed to what felt like a huge feat. And if I fail I will be so disappointed in myself. And then...I remembered that I have to leave the Negative Nelly voice behind and step out in faith. I have to trust that my desire to make a difference and God's desire to have us make a difference is more than enough to get us through 25 days. Since that realization I find myself coming up with all kinds of new giving ideas. There is truly no shortage of options and most take no more than a few minutes to complete. I am grateful for this challenge and I am being transformed already.

Decking Our Halls....and loving every minute!

My goodness are we full of the Christmas spirit this year. After feeling pretty glum last year, this Mama is ready to Christmas with a vengeance. We even got our tree up and decorated Thanksgiving weekend. Now that is a miracle!!

We're Baa-aaack

And I am overjoyed to report that our week at Disney was more than I could have imagined. Magic is the only word to describe it. For me, it held as much magic as it did 20 years ago...maybe a little more because I got to see through the eyes of my children. There is so much to share but first I have to unpack our suitcases and get a little sleep. I can't wait to tell you all about it!

My Little Martial Artist

One of the perks of putting the girlies in morning class is that I get to spend some quality time with my little guy. I love that he and I get to hang together without interruption and I think he does too.

One of the things we just started doing is Tae Kwon Do. Well, he participates and I get to be the goofy mom watching on the sidelines, beaming at every accomplishment.

This sport is right up his alley being that it is very disciplined and goal oriented and let's be honest, if it involves kicking, punching and general pugilism, he's in!

In other news, we are taking a little family vaca. We leave halloween day and get to stay for a whole week. My brother and sister in law and their 2 kids and my mom are joining us. Here is a picture of our countdown calendars. 

Can you guess where we're going??

Today's Serious Gratitude

I worked ridiculously hard to get Sam and the girls' school schedules coordinated. I was pretty sure that Sam would be put into PM kindergarten so I was first in line to sign the girls up for PM preschool  (not that I needed to worry, no one wants PM preschool anyway). Now, 3 weeks into the school year, I realize why no one wants PM preschool. It stinks! PM kindergarten is great. Sam is not napping anymore and we have time for lessons and homework in the morning which we both love. By the time lunch is over, Sam is ready to head off to class. Bliss. The girls on the other hand are exhausted and come home from school cranky and overtired. Mom is running from one school to the next and that short hour and 45 minutes alone goes by far too fast to get anything accomplished.

The good news? The girls' preschool teachers teach a morning 3s class and a set of triplets never showed up. My girls started AM preschool this morning and I am over the moon! Sammy gets a little one on one time with mom (and dad on Fridays). He is starting Tae Kwon Do on Monday and wednesday mornings next week. Life is good, God is good. I am so grateful that my ill-fated plan was easily remedied.

Summer Recap Volume 2: The Fair

Oh my, just looking at these photos make me wish I could rewind... replay. This was another magical time for us. My sister in law, Jaysi, and her 2 boys came to stay for a full week. We were on the run trying to pack in memories and adventures. This was tops in my book.

Our little town hosts a fair every summer. It is small and manageable and so much fun for all!

There are rides for the little kiddos and rides for the big one. Imagine having a fair that is full of all of your middle school buddies. Meeting that girl you have had your eye on and riding the ferris wheel with her. Not that my big boy would share all of that with me but I can only imagine what those long days at the fair involved.

That is what the magical memories of childhood are made of. Riding your first roller coaster with your best cousin by your side.


And remote control car races. Come on....doesn't get any better!

Summer Recap Volume 1: The Beach

School starts tomorrow. I am not ready...at all. Jack is off to a brand new school, same district but the new middle school has been completed. I am so excited for him. I am hoping that all the hard work he did last year will continue. Fall baseball begins tonight. Nothing like jumping in with both feet!

Sammy is off the kindergarten tomorrow. I can't even discuss that. I am NOT ready. He is more than ready but his poor mommy can't handle these kids growing up so fast. My girl friend pointed out why this is so hard for me yesterday. I am terrified to start this school ball rolling because it is a slippery slope. You send them off to kindergarten and when you turn around, they are teenagers. I know everyone says that but it really is true (*sniff, sniff*).

Before we can jump into the present, I have to recap the summer. It was magical and wonderous. We had adventure after adventure. Our week in Michigan was definitely a highlight!

My littles are growing up a mile a minute. They jumped on the jetski and didn't want to get off.

I even convinced my my mother in law to go for a ride. The real ride came when she finally relented and let her son drive her. It was a blast!!

Grandpa and girlies.

This is what hard work at the beach looks like. Our men were quite proud.

Babies in the sand...doens't get any better in my opinion!

This was my preferred way to spend the day. I was even brought a frosty adult beverage a few times. Perfection.

Anyone who has spent summertime in Michigan knows that ice cream on a near daily basis is a must. Diet? What diet?

Boys.

Girls.

BLISS!

Family

For years now, a good part of my family has been half the country away in Phoenix. It has been really hard for all of us to be so far apart. We have missed spending holidays together and watching each other's children grow up.

A few weeks ago, my brother and his lovely wife moved their family back to the Midwest. It is not my backyard but they are within driving distance which makes visiting much easier.

Just a few days after moving into their beautiful new house, my brave brother and sister-in-law hosted the 6 of us and my mom.

I was so wonderful to be near each other. The kids are over the moon to be closer to their cousins.

We are so very excited to spend more quality time with Ry and Jay and Luke and Finn.

If you ask me, there is nothing in the world more important than family.

Now if we could get Mom a little closer this way, life would be...well, nearly perfect. I love you all dearly!