Christmas Crazyness 2014

Christmas is such a special time for us now... before kids, it was just another time to spend too much money, and I couldn't wait to see what my husband got me, it was all about presents... NOW...I get such joy out of seeing Christmas bring magic to my boys.  I love seeing how excited they get and how much there eyes light up about Christmas... the way that they count down the days until Christmas and how they almost don't sleep on Christmas Eve because they are so excited! 

This year, Kyle and I didn't do gifts, we instead let the kids do shopping for one another.  I took the boys to the sports store and they picked out a machete, roasting stick, and some sweatshirts with a tractor on one and Seahawks on another for their daddy (they actually know us very well) and when Kyle took them to the store, they found me some nail polish, a frying pan, garden clogs and a garden magazine... we thought it was so fun, and I think that we will always do something like that... I kind of showed us that they pay attention to more then we thought...

Christmas is a very busy time of year for us, and we still aren't done celebrating.  We had 6 Christmas's in 5 days... Last Saturday was the only day that we didn't have something going on and we just sat at home and played, organized,  and took down Christmas in our house.  I hadn't done laundry in 6 days and I ended up with 8 loads of laundry that I did all day yesterday, we took a load to the goodwill, and returned some things to the store that were duplicates.  Whew... starting to gain back some control on schedules, and chores. 

We are so lucky to have so many loving family members that we get to spend the holidays with.  Although it is hectic, crazy, loud, and exhausting, I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.  I am enjoying this because I know that someday, we wont be going to grandparents and great grandparents homes, and my kids might be off in other states or I will be sharing them with their girlfriends or wives families, and I am okay with that because I know that its just part of them growing up, but as for right now, I am enjoying this crazy time knowing that it wont always be like this.  I have always loved Christmas, but I love it even more now!  Christmas magic in your kids eyes is priceless!!!

Luke LOVES tools!!

 

I Should Have Been A Farmer!!

In a previous life, I think I was a farmer... I love having my chickens and more baby chicks are in the near future!  I want Turkeys next and someday, when we have more land, I was goats and cows!!  I love it!!  I have really enjoyed growing my garden and harvesting for the winter, and the kids really enjoy it too, which is always a plus :). Every year I am learning and improving this little hobby farm we have going.  I LOVE having my chickens!!!  They are the ugliest, most prehistoric looking things, but they have a face that only a mama could love :)  There are two of them... I call them "the twins"... well, there about to go chop-chop in the pot!!  Little brats got nasty, and they weren't ever super social, but man, they have started to irritate me... those little beaks are sharp!!  The kids still chase them all over and carry them around, and most of them are as sweet as can be. 

Next project; I am figuring out how to grow mealworms for the chickies... they love them, and I just found out that you can "raise" worms in a Rubbermaid container and they multiply like crazy... it might sound weird and yucky, but I have boys, remember, and bugs, worms and buggers don't phase me!!  We might turn it into a science project? :)

I would LOVE 10-20 acres to turn into a little homestead... grow my own food, raise our animals, make my own soap, collect rainwater, pee in an outhouse... you know, all that hippy homestead stuff!!  I bet I could do it, and really enjoy it.  Ahhh... maybe someday, but for now, chickens it is!!!

Spoiled little ladies... they were coming after me because I had warm oatmeal for them... they know what the pot looks like :)

NO-NO-NO-NO!!!

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!  That's Luke's favorite word...

Luke, are you ready for breakfast - NO!
Luke, do you want to color - NO!
Luke, you need to pick up your dirty clothes - NO!
Luke, please let the dog out - NO!
Luke, we are going to Starbucks, do you want a chocolate milk or apple juice - NO!
Go get me your shoes because we need to take Blake to school - NO!
Lucas, get off that bike and get in the car - NO!
Luke, time for the shower - I DONT WANT TO!
Screaming fit at the grocery store because I didn't give him a balloon (he has never gotten one)
Mom, Lucas bit me!!  - drew blood on Blake (Blake kind of had it coming)
Then he'll do a 180...

"Mama, I love you"  Mama, can I have kisses?"  Mama, Your my best Mama ever"  Mama, your so cute"

This little boy is sure testing my patients lately, and its been hard not to just argue back and get in a yelling fight with a 2 year old... sounds pathetic, but there are so many times that I just want to yell right back at him, but I have seen how engaging in this battle just fuels his fire.  He spends a lot of time in timeout, and dealing with the consequences of his desire to say "no" all the time...

At the Starbucks drive-through and I ask him what he would like, and he yells "no" at me.  So, I ask Blake what he wants (an apple juice) so I got Blake his apple Juice and didn't get Luke anything.  I don't know if that was the right choice... maybe I should have asked him differently, or gave him another chance, but his yelling is something that I do not tolerate nor will I reward it.  Let the screaming fit begin!!  He bawled the whole way home, he tried to take Blake's juice, and then he refused to get out of the car.  So... I left him in there.  I could see him the entire time, and watched him just sit in there and cry... about 10 minutes went by, and he got out of the truck and came in... told me that he was sorry and asked if we could go back and get him a juice.  I told him no, but next time we go, and I ask you what you want there, you should use a nice voice and tell me what you want instead of yelling at me...then Blake shared his juice with Luke :)

Luke is such a sweet boy...at times, but the little darling can sure test me.  I know that he will learn eventually, but goodness gracious he can make my blood boil.  He is stubborn, defiant, bold, aggressive and confident... He also has a tender heart, a gentle touch and the sweetest smile.  how can all these characteristics be one boy?... Oh, yes... he is only 2 :) HAHA  Let the games begin!!!

5 Years With Dr. Oltman!

We had Blake's 5 year appointment yesterday, although his birthday was a couple months ago, his Dr. is kind of hard to get into for Well Child Check-Ups.  If he's sick, its not that big of a deal, but the Well-Child appointments are always a little further out.  I knew that too, I just spaced and when I went to make the appointment, I was like...whoops!!! 

Anyways, he is worth the wait.  Dr Oltman with Pediatrics NW is amazing and my boys love him.  We drive all the way into Tacoma to see him, but like I said, I make the trip because I trust him, and because of his heart condition, I like to have everyone in the same network, and also like that his cardiologist is right across the courtyard from his Pediatrician. 

Blake didn't go to school yesterday because, like I said, I didn't have many options on appointment times, but he had fun hanging out with me instead.  We dropped Luke off at Grandma Tammy's house to play, and we were at the Dr.'s by 8:30.  We went through the appointment and this kids is doing great.  Growing steadily in the 50%'s  :)  I wonder if he's going to be little all his life or if he will just spurt up one day?  humnmn hopefully he's taller then Kyle and I!!!  Dr Oltman told Blake that he remembered meeting him the very first time after his surgery and how small he was.  He told him that he was so happy to see how hes growing and how healthy he is... he said "Blake, your like a little superman"  Blake just beamed ear to ear with the biggest smile!  Like I said.. AMAZING doctor... and he's pretty easy on the eyes as well ;)

The Dr. is right across the street from Tacoma General and Merry Bridge, and we have a soft spot for their pancakes!  Ate them so many mornings while Blake was there... funny how cafeteria food and the smell of Purell hand sanitizer can bring back so many memories!  I talked to him about how he was taken care of there and how all the Doctors and nurses worked together to help him, and we even sat in the same spot in the cafeteria that Kyle and I sat at everyday when we were there.  When we were outside, I pointed out the corner window where his room was.  He thought it was pretty neat that we were in the same place that fixed his heart 5 years ago.  It was fun to take a little walk down memory lane and it really put into perspective how far he has come.  You would never know that he had the crazy start that he did, but he's so much stronger because of it!!!

So Much To Be Thankful For!!!

I haven't made much time for blogging lately, and I have really been feeling like there is a little something missing, and I am pretty sure that its that I haven't taken time to really reflect on our days.  We have been so busy...good busy, but never the less, still have some pretty full schedules.  Things are always crazy in our family from September through the end of the year, and then we get a few months to breath, but instead of running around like chickens with our heads cut off, I am really trying to focus on making our days memorable and not just going through the motions.

This thanksgiving was spent with Kyles side of the family (we switch off every year) and it was a lot of fun, and the Seahawks won...YAY!!! The boys did great, especially for not having a nap, and the food was as yummy as always.  I started off the day on my own... Early in the morning, right at sunrise, Kona and I took a drive out to Browns Point Park.  The 27th wasn't just Thanksgiving, it was also Dawn's birthday.  Gosh, I miss her.  Every day, I think of her, and the fact that he birthday was on Thanksgiving this year really made me appreciate my life and my health, and the time I have with my family, as she reminds me that you never know how long you have and how important it is to treasure, and enjoy life everyday!  It was a gorgeous morning... windy, but bright and sunny.  Kona and I went and took a walk by the lighthouse and brought Auntie some flowers... it made me feel good to visit her... although there isn't an actual place that she was laid to rest, I feel her the most at the lighthouse... one of her favorite places :)

With Thanksgiving, also come a 4 day weekend!!  We spent the first day organizing the garage and getting the Christmas lights out.  I took a load to the dump and we took some stuff to the Goodwill... then on Saturday, we went down to Watson's Nursery in Puyallup... they have a couple Reindeer :)  They are behind a chain-link fence, and weren't very active, but we were the first ones there that morning, so the kids had them all to themselves, and they thought it was pretty cool that Santa let his Reindeer come down for a visit before their big trip :)

I also realized how thankful and LUCKY I am to still have my 9 chickens because the little girls are pretty brainless... It was freezing cold outside, I mean, I think it was more snow then rain, and the little hens are running around outside like its nothing.  Normally, when it rains, they stay in their coop or covered run, but you would have thought it was summer and they were just playing in the sprinkler.  So we had some chickens that were wet all the way through to their skin, and it was getting dark...and down into the 20's.  Now, they probably would have been fine...heaven knows that chickens have been around way before man, but I felt bad for them.  I plugged in their heat lamp, and I made them some nice hot oatmeal... Yes, I cooked them hot food and gave them warm water in their feeder... needless to say, they survived... haha spoiled little ladies!

 

The rest of the weekends until Christmas are going to be very busy... sometimes even probably a little overwhelming, but hey... at least I have family that wants to spend time with us, and being overwhelmed with so much love and fellowship is much better then the alternative :)

And... this is how Grandpa Monty hangs his Christmas lights... The boys thought it was pretty awesome :)

Oh, Happy Days!!

Things have been pretty quiet out here on the home front.  We seem to have a pretty good routine going now, and things are SOOO much better now that we aren't fighting Luke over preschool... so much more peaceful!  The wet and cold have definitely put a damper on outdoor fun, but with rambunctious little ones, we have been doing our best to keep busy boys entertained.  We have been doing some crafts at home, and frequently have visited the pool, and we have been going to the indoor play areas in the malls.  Not to mention, visits to grandma and grandpas houses :) 

Play date and finger painting!!

I am so excited that Christmas is coming!!  It's my favorite time of year, and it always has been, but its so much more magical now that we have kids.  They are so excited!!  We even put up the tree today (the only Christmas decoration that's not in the attic) ornaments will wait for daddy... hoping that I can talk him into getting them down tonight??

Santa's Reindeer showed up for a little visit...

I LOVE CHRISTMAS

 

Oh, and I have been organizing the house like crazy and putting a ton of things on craigs list... a few bites, but haven't sold as much as I would like... trying to clean things out and get ready for the holidays... and get rid of the clutter!! I should just lower the prices... just trying to get rid of it all!!!  We should have had a garage sale this summer!! 

Food and Memories

Isn't amazing how a recipe can bring back someone's memory, or just make you smile when you taste it? It just brings so many things back.  Food has always been a big part of our family, and it seems like everyone has their specialty.  I think that I am going to make a cook book, like a real one.  It will probably take years, but hey, I think its worth it... especially if I can master Grandpa Rays pie crust!!

My mom is probably the best cook that I know.  I don't believe that I have ever eaten anything of hers that I didn't like, but my absolute favorite are these amazing pork chops that she makes... I have tried, but I have never been able to get it just right.  She flours and fries, and then bakes them.  She pours this sweet glaze over them... usually some type of homemade jam that didn't set right.  Its this wonderful combination of sweet and salty meat that just falls off the bone and melts in your mouth... yummy!  Always accompanied by mashed potatos!!

Besides the BBQ salmon that my dad makes with his special sauce, he also is to blame for this crazy obsession I have with popcorn.  When I was little, we would have movie nights, like every Friday, and we would cook popcorn (the old fashioned way in a pan with oil) and then he would top it with candy.  Anything that he could find...M&M's, cut up snickers bars, butterfingers... anything.  then he would put it back in the microwave and melt it all over the popcorn and mix it up.  It was so fun... in fact, I still do it :)  Oh, how it drives my husband crazy when the kids and me are going at it like vultures, and all he wants is Jonny's seasoning's on it...  but now, I am making the same memories with my boys :)

I just made my Grandma Jumps peanut butter cookies for Grandpa Ray... they are so good, and a really old recipe... made with Crisco :)  I remember making them with her when I was young, and its one thing that I can make that tastes EXACTLY as I remember... and I always think of her when I make them.

Okay, and this might seem a little weird, but I swear that its good... My Grandma Howard puts cabbage in her jello molds.  Don't knock it until you try it, its really good!!

I married into a family that also makes some amazing food!  Grandma Kay makes the BEST ham soup that has ever graced this earth... I am not kidding, so good!  Grandpa Ray has perfected the apple pie.  Its a perfectly flaky crust (also Crisco) and perfectly cooked apples... my mouth is watering!! 

Monty makes the best ribs that I have ever had, and it takes a lot of time and effort, but its worth it, and we all rave about them!!

Aunt Dawn made the best Mac and Cheese in the world.  It never tasted the same, and she always used different cheeses and sometimes it was spicy and sometimes it had chicken in it, but it was always so good, and she always made it for me... as I got older, we would get together andhave a bowl of her amazing pasta with a glass of wine.  The best memories :)

There are so many amazing recipes... pancakes from Alabama, seafood dips, stews, breads, jams, cookies, hamburgers... all with amazing memories.  I remember the words that were spoken over sharing this food with loved ones, and I remember smiling and laughing, and I even remember messing up.  My dad always snuck me the tail piece of the salmon because he knew how much I hated to pick out the bones , and I will never forget making ice cream sundaes with my Grandpa Howard... special memories are tied to food and I am glad that my boys like to help in the kitchen.  Blake likes his PB&J sandwiches piled high with 3 pieces of bread and then cut into triangles... I hope that someday, he looks back and remembers that I did that for him, and gets a special feeling from it.

Right now, Kyle is at a hockey game, and I am home alone, kids are sleeping, and guess what... I made popcorn!!  Guess I should get started on my cookbook!!

A Better ME!!

A while back, I had a crazy-hard day that really made me look into the choices that I was making about "ME" and what was best for my well being.  After really looking into it, I realized that I was giving 100% to my family and my home and not taking care of me at all.  Now I wasn't going to do a 180* turn and ignore my family, but I needed to find a balance, and so my process improvement plan was put into effect...

I have decided to give myself a little bit of a break and to have some realistic expectations.  I was unhappy with my weight, but I cant expect to lose 20 LBS in a month, especially when I am running around with a couple crazy boys and there is no way I can schedule an exact time to get on the treadmill or to expect that I am never going to eat McDonalds french fries again... HELLO its real life, and for some reason I had some crazy expectation of myself and I was setting myself up to be disappointed.  Since my "regroup" I have been well on my way to my weight loss goal, and I have realized that exercise isn't just on my treadmill... its taking the kids on a bike ride, and playing tag with them in the backyard.  AND.... if I happen to get a couple treadmill sessions in a week, I am a happy girl :)

I also felt like I was always playing "catch-up" with housework and meal planning.  I got organized.  HUGE...I am talking HUGE clean up with the kids toys, kids clothes, and also my closet.  If you haven't played with it for months, you do not need to keep it in the bottom of the bin taking up space, and I am tired of stepping on toys, or the kids not being able to find something because its lost in the sea of bottomless toys! Also, if I haven't worn it in years, I don't need it sitting in my closet anymore screaming at me because I know that my body doesn't now, nor will it ever fit in certain clothes again... getting realistic!!  and I am excited to say that those size 12's and 14's have vacated the premises, and all prom dresses have been donated!

I do have interests and they are valuable, I just needed to get the kids involved in them too so that I could do more of it.  I LOVE my garden, and the kids really got into it too... and guess what... if the kids grow it, they will eat it!!  they were more adventurous then they have ever been, and we had a very successful harvest this year.  We grew food for us that I froze and canned, and we will be able to enjoy all winter; we also grew food for the chickens.  All in all, a huge success, and I love to be barefoot and in my garden.  I would have to say, that its one of my favorite places of all time, and its a bummer that the weather has turned, but I still have some stuff growing that we get to pay a little attention to :)

Biggest "Baby" Reds ever!!

Date nights were few and far between, but are SOOO appreciated.  We tried something new, and it turned out to be something that really made a difference.  We make sure that we plan something that we never have done before, and we get a room overnight.  We completely check out!!  We go and eat where we want, we lay in bed and watch movies, we don't have to make the bed, and we tend to really enjoy cocktail hour!!  But, hey, its aloud because we aren't driving!!  We have gone with friends and also by ourselves, and both have been really fun times, and really refreshes us as a couple and rejuvenates us, and gets us back to 100% so that we can be the best parents possible!  Obviously, its not going to be financially feasible to go away every time we have a date night, but we are going to try as much as possible :) and the kids LOVE spending time with Grandma and Grandpa!

Adventura in Woodinville before wine tasting!!

Ipic Theaters at Redmond Town Center... best movie experience ever!

So, its safe to say that we have made some pretty significant changes, and we realized the rut that we were getting into.  I am a lucky woman with my health and a wonderful family.  I really cant complain about anything, but I will always try everyday to make the best of all situations.  I am going to keep myself physically and mentally healthy so that I can give the very best to my children, because they deserve that.   I know everyday isn't going to be perfect, and that its not always going to go as planned, and there are going to still be days that are overwhelming, but I am finding the beauty in life's imperfections, and I am taking advantage of every opportunity to also take care of myself and my husband so we can give the very best to our family. 

The Blood, Sweat, and Tears of Preschool...

Oh... what to do, what to do... So, Luke has been in preschool for 7 weeks now.  He goes 2 days a week 3 hours a day. 

Now, I know that transition from staying home with Mama all day to going to school can be bumpy, but should it be this bumpy???  Maybe "Bumpy" is an understatement.  I now refrain from telling Luke the night before that he will be going to school the next day because he will be up all night crying about it...all night, and that means no sleep for him or me and doesn't help him have a good day at school.  When he realizes in the morning that he will be going to school that day, the hysterics start... screaming, hiding, throwing himself on the floor, kicking, refusing to brush teeth, refusing to get in the car, cries the entire time I walk Blake through his school to drop him off at his class.  He screams the 10 minutes from Blake's school to his school yelling "don't leave me", he gags because he screams so hard and then he clings to me and I have to rip him off me and hand him to his teacher.  and now... I am completely exhausted, and broken because I feel like I am putting him through hell.

I get in the car and just cry... It breaks my heart and I feel like I am putting him through more then I should, but I also feel like we have committed to this, and if I pull back now, am I sending the wrong message?  Now, he is only 2 1/2.  I thought he was ready, and this is the same wonderful preschool that Blake went to, so he knows the place and loves the teachers, and he is a pretty independent child... he is also determined and very stubborn.  I thought that this would be a good way to get him playing with other kiddos (other then his brother) and have a break from me, and also learn a bit, but I wasn't really concerned about that... just wanted to get him playing with other kids, and get him a little more socialized. 

What does my mother's intuition tell me? ... well, if I put all my emotion aside, I still feel like he's just not ready.  My heart, my instinct, my overall gut feeling is that I should pull him, and try again next year.  I almost feel like I am making him feel less confident, if that makes any sense??  I started writing this blog not really sure about what we were going to do, but after writing out all my thoughts and getting it organized; I feel like I have just made my decision.  I don't even enjoy my free time.  I go home and I just feel guilty.  I will probably let all this marinate for a few more days since its the last day until next Tuesday before he has to go again, but I think today might be his last day.  I am just starting to think that its not worth the blood, sweat and tears (literally) when he is so young and doesn't really have to be there yet.  I might be doing more harm then good??  I don't know... ugh!!


All I know is that he doesn't smile like this at all on school days... I like to see him smile :)

Blake is 5!!!!!!

There are 5 candles on his cake... he is taking treats to school to celebrate...he is excited... he is 5 today...
Where did the time go??  Can you believe that the little man that made us parents has hit this milestone?  I cant... That means that in 10 years, we will be teaching him how to drive, and then college... family... oh dear, I know that I am getting way ahead of myself, but I just cant believe that he's 5.  I remember the day that Blake was born down to every little single detail.  I remember that the hospital gown that I was wearing was light blue with green and pink triangles on it.  I remember the smell of the hospital room, and I remember that my toes were a fresh shade of red... painted the day before.  I remember the heartache of having him taken away and not being able to hold him and I remember how tough he looked despite everything that they told us was wrong.  I remember thinking that he looked like a little linebacker... especially because he was almost 10lbs!! 

The past 5 years have taken us on so many journeys... we have grown as a family and we have been blessed with a growing boy that has so much love to share.  Blake has a tender heart and a general concern for all... he is a giver and a helper.  His love for people is going to take him far... he was kept on this earth for a very special reason, and his mark on this world is going to be extraordinary!

Fun Facts About Blake:

He puts syrup and ketchup on his waffles
Blake is very touchy-feely.  Loves to hold hands!
Loves Batman...
He takes quarters out of my wallet and puts them in his piggy bank (he thinks I don't know)
The National Anthem is his favorite song.
His favorite movie right now is Frozen ...Yes, he sings all the songs.
He has taught Luke how to pee in the yard.
Blake loves showers... he sits on the floor in the shower and plays with batman toys... he will do it until the hot water runs out.
He just recently told Luke that dead people ride in ambulances.  (thank you elementary school)
Blake has stuffed animals that he refers to as "friends" and he talks to them and sleeps with them.
His favorite food is cheese and pineapple pizza.
He loves to dig in the dirt and help in the garden... he kisses chickens and hugs rabbits.
5 out of 7 days a week, I wake up and hes laying next to me... sometime in the middle of the night, he sneaks in :)
Blake has a new best friend named Kannon, and thinks that his girlfriend is Cheyenne Ponsler :)
He loves to be outside and run in the yard, he has a blood curdling scream that he does for no reason, and he decided that he is big enough to do the monkey bars on his own...
He is a collector... we find little knick-knacks in his nightstand.
He makes us laugh all the time :)
Blake is an amazing boy who loves to learn, loves to laugh and loves to love... he is such a wonderful boy :)

Happy Birthday to the boy who made us parents, 5 years ago today... slow down little man, I am trying to keep up!!!