Spoken Gems

While playing outside
Me: "Saffryn show me how fast you can run! Run to that tree!!!"
S: "umm maybe in a minute. I'm kinda outta shape."

A few minutes later after running to the tree
S: putting her hand on her side pretending to breath heavy, "I'm a bad shape momma. I'm a bad shape."

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Colt was sleeping in his carseat when we got home from running errands so I kept him in it and put it on the living room floor. After a bit he started to stir.
S: "Momma he is waking up!!!"
She runs to him. Puts her face right up next to his and says,
"Merry Christmas Colt!!!"

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After getting everyone dressed for the day
S: "Mom, now we are the dressed family!"

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After begging me to go on a walk all day we went for an afternoon walk. After several tantrums during the walk...
Me: "fun walk" (might have been a tad sarcastic...I know that is terrible but sometimes we have to add a tiny bit of humor into our day to stay sane)
S: in the most whiny voice imaginable, "NO. This was a BAD walk."
Me: laughing, "why?"
S: whiny voice continues "Because I is being difficult."
Me: laughing even more. "Okay now you know the problem so fix it!" Not sure how that comment was going to go over.
S: normal voice, "okay momma".
Finishes our walk without another tantrum. Lol...what?!?!

I was cleaning the kitchen while the kiddos are playing in the living room,
S: yelling to me from living room, "Mom what is this black thing?"
Me: "I don't know!"
S: still yelling, "Mom really what is it?"
Me: "I don't know. Is it plastic?"
S: "Mom you better come see this black thing."
Me: "really? Can I finish cleaning? Can you bring it to me?"
S: "MOM! Come see this black thing."
Me: "okay okay."
Walks into living room to find Crash had an accident on the floor. So glad she didn't bring it to me! Hahaha!!!

K-State

These are a bit old, but enjoy anyway!























This was before the first home football game back the beginning of September. As you can see Colt was still very little and jaundice!!! I'm sure you also noticed Pierce was completely over taking pictures!

Well we all love K-State and are so proud of how great our football team is doing this year! KSU Wildcats. KSU Wildcats. Kkkkkk Ssssss Uuuuuu Wildcats!




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Alone

I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by moms these last 4 years (almost 3 years with Saffryn and 9 months of pregnancy). Some moms have older kids, some have children the same age as mine and some have younger children (meaning their firstborn is the same age as my youngest). This has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. And let me tell you why!

Picture this scene.

You are at the park with your kids. You see this gorgeous mom who is incredibly put together. You get a chance to talk with her and she is super nice. It is obvious she adores being a mom. She just gushes about every positive achievement. When it is time to leave she calls her perfectly dressed kids. They come the first time. They all hold hands and easily get in the car. As they drive away you imagine her coming home to her perfectly clean house. She will spend the afternoon baking while her kids sleep for hours on end. She will have dinner ready for husband. They will all sit down quietly to eat and discuss their day. Her children don't make a mess intentionally, they don't scream or fight. After dinner they all read stories together and the kids willingly go to bed and sleep all night.

You then call your kids to leave. One is covered in mud because they somehow managed to find the one source of water in the whole state. The other one screams and throws themself on the ground because they don't want to leave. Your arms are full of kids and their crap as you try to leave this embarrassing scene as quickly as you can. On the way home the one kid is still screaming from having to leave...or some other reason, it is hard to tell when one tantrum ends and the other begins. The other child falls asleep so you know they won't be taking a nap when they get home. Your house is less than impeccable. There will be no baking and dinner (if you want to call what you have thrown together dinner) will be late. The kids don't eat but manage to make a huge mess, while being so loud you can't get a word out to your sweet hubby. Bedtime is a struggle as usual. Let's cross our fingers for sleeping through the night.

Phew. Then you lay your head down and wonder why it is so hard for you. Am I doing something wrong? You remember that awesome mom from the park and feel worse. If she can do it so easily, then why can't I???

Okay maybe that story was over dramatized (lol...or maybe not). But you get my point. Over the last 4 years I have felt that way. I have been around those awesome moms. And you know what? God has given me the chance to meet them a second time and go deeper. Then the same 2 things come out of her mouth, just like every other mom I get to connect with.

Thing 1: I struggle with something parenting related. It could be (and not limited to) sleeping, eating, potty training, obedience, balance, clean house, connecting with spouse, etc...

Thing 2: why is it so easy for everyone else???

Yup even that put together mom feels like it is easier for everyone else. She even asks frazzled little me for advice! Say what?!?!

And this is the whole point of this post (sorry it took me so long to get here):

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!

Maybe you will not struggle with the exact same things, maybe you are going through period where things are flowing more smoothly, or maybe you are going through a stretch of chaos. But either way you are not alone.

Let me be the first to say it is hard. Really, it is hard for me. I don't have all the answers. Lots of times my children are the ones throwing the huge and embarrassing fit.

But let's not sweep that under the rug. Let's embrace it and talk about it. Why? Because if we are left feeling alone and discouraged we begin to listen to those little lies. You know those little lies: "you are a bad mom. Your children are exceptionally bad and disobedient. It IS just you. It doesn't get easier." Then we will believe them. Then we begin to become lethargic, discouraged, angry or any combination. We could resent ourselves, our children, our spouse or other moms. Let's not! Let's stop the lies!

Now don't get me wrong, I want us to gush over achievements! I want us to love the little things! I just don't want to be fake about the hard things. I want it to be okay to talk about challenges because at some point during you parenting years you will struggle with something! And how great would it be to have another mom come along side of you and say, "You are NOT alone! You are still a good mom! Your kids are awesome...they are just being kids." If we hide our struggles we won't ever get to experience that.

Okay this is a long (and potentially weird) and random post. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. It is tough being a momma! I will always be as honest as I can about my experiences. This is intentional! I am so thankful for all the sweet mommas God has put in my life. ALL of you. When you get real with me it encourages me so much! It helps me be a better mom! Truly it does! So thanks!!!

You are NOT alone! It is hard for all of us! But I know you wouldn't trade it for anything because I wouldn't either!!!




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Respond Take 2

While on a date with your husband, how exactly do you respond to the waiter VERY enthusiastically congratulating you on your pregnancy (7 weeks AFTER you have given birth)???

Do you run out of the restaurant crying? No, but I sure felt like doing that. Do you gently (or not so gently) correct him? Well I probably should have done that. But I was too embarrassed! I would then have to live with the very awkward realization that he has said out loud that my stomach is less than desirable. Do you order 2 croutons and some water then run 5 miles? Ha! I was hungry...so no. Instead I mumbled a "thanks" with my head down and silently begged him not to ask any more questions and look around for a big hole to crawl into. I then realize I can't order the alcoholic drinks I was planning to. The first ones in almost a year...darn! I mean I could have but I didn't want to answer anymore awful questions. Gah!!!

So the moral of the story is: NEVER ASSUME A WOMAN IS PREGNANT!!!

It is not a real confidence booster if you are in fact NOT pregnant.

The worst part (besides no longer being able to even pretend to impress your husband) was the guy was so nice. He was so sincere and friendly. How can you be angry with someone so nice? Ya...you can't. And somehow that makes me feel worse and even more embarrassed.

So that my friends is what having 3 under 3 looks like. I will be kicking off my new work out routine TODAY!!! Haha


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Goodbye Water

It is that time of year where we say goodbye to water and hello to rice in the table!

Welcome Fall!

Adventures With Three

Here is a little sneak peak of what life looks like with 3 littles! Be warned it is a long sneak peek. Sorry!!!

Colt wasn't seeming like himself today. He was a bit fussy and wouldn't let me put him down. He would dose in my arms but as soon as I put him down he would wake up screaming. I had a feeling his tummy was bothering him and kept trying to burp him. No luck.

So while Saffryn and Pierce were eating at the table and after my oh so nutritious lunch of beef jerky and grape tomatoes (the kids got the last of the bread for their sandwiches and the fruit. Moms always come last. Lol) I was up putting things away while holding Colt.

Suddenly he has the hugest burp ever. It sounded like it should have come from a full grown man and not my 5 week old! Awesome! Tummy problem solved! 5 seconds later he has the hugest spit up ever. It gets all over me, the floor and of course himself. There is no getting around this one, he HAS to have a bath.

So I put Colt on a blanket on the living room floor. He is so happy now! Poor fella. Back to the kitchen to clean up the floor. Then to the bathroom to clean me up and get his tub. Saffryn realizes something "exciting" is going on and abandons her lunch. She joins me in the bathroom. "Can I help mom? Can I?" hmm.. I truly don't see any way she can help."You can watch."

Typically I think bathing a small baby is a 2 person job, but considering another set of adult hands were not going to magically appear that leaves me to do it. I try to get organized because I won't have the luxury of asking another adult to get something if I forget. I grab a towel, diaper, clothes, wash cloth, soap and clean blanket.

Pierce is now screaming because he got left at the table by himself. Ok...I better take care of him. Drop items off by a now sleepy and happy Colt. Get Pierce all cleaned up and set him off to play. Go and get the tub filled with warm water while keeping an eye on the kids who have found baby brother on the floor.

Go get baby brother and items. Put the towel on the counter and open it so it will be ready. Saffyn runs and gets her stool so she can help. Pierce runs to get the other stool so he isn't left out. Both stand as close to me as humanly possible! LOL!

Manage to clean Colt up by myself while keeping little helpful hands at bay! Yeah!!! Drain the water and put Colt on the towel. Pick him up and he has he hugest pee ever. What is with this kid and the LARGE quantities of grossness today?!?! Pee is now all over the floor. Two kids are all over the place and I have a cold naked baby. Oh did I forget to mention Crash? He is also right behind me getting into everything. Gah!

Okay first thing I decide I need to cloth this baby before ANYTHING else comes out of his body. His clean towel is no longer clean so I ask Saffryn to run and get me a clean one! Thank goodness she does!

We all head to the living room to get him dressed. Pierce feels the need to point out every body part on Colt. Saffryn is trying to help me towel him off! Finally manage to get him dressed. So glad he was so happy, that made this so much easier!

Realize it is after 12:30 and Pierce needs to go down for a nap. Oops...first I need to clean up the floor. The troops follow me in and we do a clean up of the floor. Colt stays in the living room happy as can be! I need to have a burp like that!!!

I Gather a wondering Pierce and get him to his room. Change his diaper, put on his shirt and turn on his music. Saffryn comes running in, "Mom, Colt had another spit." "Okay. Don't touch it. I will be right there. Just sing to him." She runs off. I pray she doesn't sit on him or something. I get Pierce in his crib.

I go see Colt. I thankfully see no spit up! He is however fussing a bit. Give him his binky and he is out cold! I take a quick picture of him looking so so cute! That is a 3 month outfit by the way...just sayin.



Take him to his swing in my room (he is really funny about the swing. More about that in another post).

Phew...2 down 1 to go!

Long story short Saffryn has been having a hard time adjusting to everything. She has started acting out during nap time to get attention. So after discussing this with my MIL and Dan I decided to spend some of nap time giving her special time. Kind of stinks for me (okay, who am I kidding, it TOTALLY stinks for me. That cuts my quiet time in half and pretty much ensures I will not get a nap. But I remind myself that in 5 years I won't care if I had naps or not, but I will cherish time spent with my daughter and be so glad I took time out to meet her needs).

So now it is special time with Saffryn. We play a new memory game I got just for her. Disney princess memory game...fun! She is really good at it, too! Thirty minutes later we clean up the game and head to her room for her new "special story time" otherwise known as books on tape. I get her all set up with her book and cd going and remind her of the new rules: she can listen to the story as many times as she wants, she can read other books and/or she can play with her animals (no I don't even mention the word sleep anymore.). When bunny wakes up she can come and get me.

Leave room and take a deep breath! Ahhh!!! A tiny break! (until either someone wakes up, or Saffryn leaves her room before bunny wakes up and needs redirection). Well lunch hasn't been cleaned up yet, bath stuff hasn't been cleaned up yet and Crash needs to be let out. But you know what...I decide to blog about my day instead! Dishes can wait, but I don't want a memory to slip away unrecorded!!!

So that is my super long sneak peak of about a two hour period of time at my house. Can we say CRAZY?!?!

Haha! Life is certainly an adventure with 3 young children, but I am glad we get to have these adventures together!


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Respond

How exactly do you respond to your toddler saying, "Today was a fun day!" when in actually the last several hours have been some of the most unpleasant hours spent together in recent memory?!?!

Hmm...well I guess you suck it up, give her some grace and forgive her, find a picture of the two of you that makes you smile and remember all of the great qualities God has given her.





I guess that is how you respond.

Oh and jump for joy when the hubby comes home!!!


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