Peace

Do you ever have those nights when you can't sleep because you can't stop thinking about something that is stressing you out? Then you wake up in the morning and realize it really isn't that big a deal? Well, that happened to me last night. I was stressing out about Hunter's birthday. I just got myself all worried because I don't have time to get ready for it. I couldn't figure out: When I was going to go get him his present? When would I make his cake? We are having his party here on Sunday, and I was all worried because my house is a mess. I had some other things running through my head non-birthday related, but they were all pretty silly (now in the light of day). Once I finally went to sleep, and woke up this morning, I realized that I could handle it with just a little bit of maneuvering...this is really not that challenging. I mean, our party on Sunday is just family and close friends...none of whom care if my house is a mess. The cake will not take very long (my sister in law is making cake pops and I am just responsible for some simple cupcakes for Sunday and a little cake just for our family of 4 on Thursday), and I got everything else taken care of this afternoon...I just had to leave work a couple hours early (which I will make up when the boys are in bed - I have a project that can easily be done from home). Bottom line - in the light of day, the things that seem to be SUCH a big deal in the middle of the night are actually not such a big deal after all.

It just got me thinking about life. Some of the things that we get so worked up about in our daily lives, that really stress us out and may even cause heartache...will all seem like NOTHING in about a year from now. Even those things that really upset us, like economic uncertainty, parenting struggles and worries about family issues. Unless they are life-threatening, within a years time, those things will be a distant memory (if even that). Just something I wanted to put out there, and to try to keep in mind myself as I try to not stress about things that are not TRULY important. Make sense?

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

In my mind, the operative word in that Bible verse is "thanksgiving." In other words, when we focus on what we are grateful for, suddenly we are filled with peace. Hopefully, you share the belief that I hold, that the peace actually flows directly from God's heart to my own. But if you dont believe that, you can at least agree that the principle holds true...that gratitude breeds gratitude, and when we focus on the good in our lives, suddenly we find ourselves much more contented and peaceful.

Wedding Extravaganza

This past weekend (on 9/10/11) I was blessed and honored to participate in the wedding of my dear friends, Brianna and John.  It was just the most beautiful wedding, with the most beautiful bride (and bridesmaids ha!) So, below are some of the pictures of the months leading up to, and including the wedding.  We had a bridal shower, bachelorette party, couples shower (which I missed because I was sick) and of course the rehearsal dinner and wedding.  It was a full schedule of super-fun activities, and I couldn't be more thankful to have been a part of it.   Unfortunately I don't have any good pics of the bride in her gown, but I have plenty in her party dress that she put on after the reception and before the after party.

The wedding was in Springfield, and was supposed to be outdoors, unfortunately it started POURING rain just about the time the wedding was supposed to start, so the (extremely calm) bride waited while the guests and flowers and everything were moved inside.  The ceremony took place inside (I don't have pictures of that because I was obviously a little busy) and was absolutely PERFECT.  Then we had a great time at the reception, and headed downtown to a bar/club/lounge place that had been reserved just for us.  So we partied down, and danced the night away.  It was a perfect weekend!

Congratulations to the happy couple.  And now, the photos...

7/17/11 - Bridal shower (held at my parents' home).  It was a kitchen shower, thus the apron and kitchen appliances.  This was a great girly celebration! My hair looks a bit rough in this picture.  Ah well, what can you do? 

8/19/11 - we headed up to St. Louis for the bachelorette party.  This was a weekend full of eating, dancing, shopping and relaxing!

9/9/11 - The wedding rehearsal: My mom performed the ceremony, which was beautiful, of course. Although the ceremony did not end up outside, the rehearsal was out there.  Check out this happy couple :)

9/10/11 - The MAIN EVENT.  This was the Carriage House on the property.  The ceremony actually ended up being right here in front of the fireplace.  They brought in all her BEAUTIFUL flowers, and just decked this out.  It was dripping with Hydrangeas, pink roses and other flowers.  It was perfect.

Carriage House, before the rain began. 

The happy couple.  Look at him looking at her. AWWWW... 

This was at the after party, in the cigar lounge. And, of course, we had to take a picture with Winston Churchill.  No night is complete without him. (WHAT?) 

 The bride and her amazing maid of honor.

And...for your viewing pleasure, we did a little "soul train" thing, and this is me breaking it down.  Justin is super impressed.

Labor Day Adventures

So, here are some pictures from our weekend.  I really want to keep up a blog, but by the end of the day I have trouble putting thoughts together.  So, a PHOTO MONTAGE...

Friday Night: Benny started off the weekend by hitting me in the eye with a hammer.  This pic doesn't do the black-eye justice.  It is a LEGIT SHINER.

Saturday Morning: I took the boys with me to the mall while Justin mowed the lawn.  First we went to the Farmer's market, where we bought vegetables and some chocolate chip cookies.  Later, at home, I offered Justin one of the cookies and he said "no, thanks" to which Hunter piped in "It's OK Daddy, they are good for you, we got them at the Farmer's Market."  No idea where he got that.  Anyway...this photo is the boys in the play area at the mall after I wrangled them in Dillards while trying to get a bra to go with my bridesmaid dress for next weekend.  I am not sure why they are the ones who get the reward for that experience, but I guess that is life.

After Hunter's nap, Uncle Ray took him to the Train Buseum.  They are very good buddies, and had a great time. Here they are watching the model train, which would have kept Hunter's interest for ever, had he gotten the chance.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...Benny enjoys his first after-nap snack in his booster seat.  No more high chairs in this house!

Then he went for a little swing.  He is so funny.  The higher and faster you push him, the more relaxed he gets.  This is his "sleepy" pose. Love that boy.

I took the boys to the lake on Sunday afternoon so we could spend Monday there while Justin worked the fields at the farm.  Benny just couldn't wait for the bacon to be ready on Monday morning.  This was his pose for a VERY long time.  He really likes to eat.

Monday morning, it was a lot cooler than I expected.  I guess I forgot what cool weather felt like.  I had only packed shorts for the boys.  So...I got into the dressers there at the lake and found some long socks that I put on each of them.  They worked pretty well to keep those legs warm, and Hunter enjoyed the added bonus of sliding across the kitchen floor.

Fun on the porch.

After a nice boat-ride and a freezing cold swim at the dock (Mother of the Year Award right here) we put on dry clothes, and ate lunch while watching Andy Griffith.

When we got home from the Lake, the boys had to RACE to the bath.  Note that they both still have their sandals on.  That is because they had been playing outside like this for about 20 minutes before coming in for their bath. I am aware that I am raising Hillbillies, so it is not necessary to tell me.

Labor Day at the Reese's...ALWAYS an adventure.

Tanzania

That was pretty shallow. I realize that last nonsensical post was totally shallow, and completely pointless. Whatever.

If you know me, you know I am not a shallow person. If you know me WELL (yikes) you know what my weaknesses are, and that I have many (let's not list them here, thanks) but being shallow is not one of them. I think that is why it is funny when I pretend to obsess about the use of a room in my way-too-big house. This is a First World "problem" and frankly not even a problem at all. I know that, you know that, that is why it is funny to be silly about it. I had some heavier stuff weighing on my mind at the time and needed some comic relief, that is all. Also, I find my jokes uproariously funny, and I needed a laugh.
So, this is hopefully a little less shallow subject matter.

 I think we, as Americans, generally have it better than our neighbors in less-developed parts of the world. That point is hard to argue with. We have access to clean water, and even if you are the poorest of the poor, you CAN get healthcare to save your life. Let's put aside the discussion of healthcare in this country, that is a separate issue, but whatever you think of that, this is a FACT: if you show up at any ER in the country, they are obligated to treat you and stabilize you regardless of ability to pay. This is better than under-developed nations who have literally NO healthcare where people die of illnesses that are easily curable.

That being said, there is a song that I find very comforting and which really speaks to me. It is called Tanzania by Alli Rogers. I'll copy/paste the lyrics below so you can read them (edit-copy/paste hates me on my iPad, just gonna put the link below) but I want to talk about two parts of the message of this song. The song explains the beginning of the day for a mother in Tanzania, living in a dirt-floor shack, sending her son to school without shoes, and the thoughts in her head. Then it switches the scene to an average mother in middle-class America, sending her daughter off to school to contend with "mean girls." Both of these women have similar thoughts: Someday I will wake in a world where the challenges of my life will be a distant memory.

I have a point (this time)...

It's hard to be a mother (or father) and it's hard to be a woman (or man) EVERYWHERE. Sometimes, I think, we get too caught up in comparisons. I often don't give myself the freedom to experience the pains in my life because I have the thought running through my head "other people have it so much worse than me." While this might be true: my struggles are not comparable to anyone else's, and if it WERE a contest I would probably lose (as would you, seeing as you are reading a blog on a computer in a comfortable home). However, I have experienced some pretty darn tough stuff, I have suffered unimaginable loss and had days that I thought would never end. Just like the woman in Tanzania. We have that in common. It is not productive, or reasonable to compare. What is productive and reasonable is to show compassion to all people, in Tanzania, Chattanooga, or in your own skin, recognizing that we are all in this together and we all are ultimately seeking the same thing: a day when whatever suffering we are living or witnessing will END forever. That, my friends, is the promise of heaven, which is what I cling to when times get a bit - shall we say - "hairy"

In the darkest times of my life, I do two things: meditate on scripture (usually Psalm 23) and listen to songs like this that give me hope in a future that is better than today. And, my friends, the future IS better than today. You can bet on it.
http://www.lyricsmania.com/tanzania_lyrics_alli_rogers.html

Space

So, today I am going to talk to you about space. I have been thinking, and its time to finally bite the bullet and go back to school. I have decided I would like to be an astronaut. I would enjoy nothing more than to board a spaceship and fly to the moon. Gather me some moon dust.

What? What's that you say? You need perfect vision to be an astronaut? You need to be ultra-super-smart? It's kinda a one-in-a-million shot?

Wait...What? They CANCELLED THE SPACE PROGRAM!?!?

Doggonit...I guess my dreams are shattered.

What am I talking about? Well I am actually wanting to talk about space, like as in the efficient use of space in my home. I just thought I might get your attention with the space shuttle/astronaut/going back to school (what kind of schooling would you need to be an astronaut anyway? a degree in aeronautical engineering? will accounting work?)...Oh, I digressed again.

I spent the morning corralling my little ones on a crazy outing with the sole intent of getting a bra to go with the dress I am wearing in my dear friend's wedding next weekend, so I am feeling a little bit goofy.

Maybe I need a nap.

Oh, what was I talking about? Oh yeah, space.

OK, here is the deal. We live in a home that is definitely too large for us. We do NOT need this much space. I really love this home, though and have been thinking of ways we can use the space better for our family. It got me to thinking, why the heck do we have a room fully devoted to being an "office" but do not really have a true "play room?" To make matters even weirder, the office is downstairs, so I have put a little desk upstairs in my dining room so that I can do my desk-related stuff within earshot of the boys sleeping rooms. And, I am not much of a basement person, I would rather be up here.

I am thinking about converting the office into a play room, and putting this really big table we have sitting in a storage room (it was an old dining room table one of Justin's grandpas found in a barn or something) that has one bench seat with it. So, if I get rid of our huge desk that we don't use, put the table up against the wall with the bench, I can make a place for the boys to do art, and when they are older - homework. Also, we can put their toys in that room, and I can send them downstairs to play. Obviously they are a little young now, but I could get a little nanny-cam so I could watch them.

Anyway, I think I am going to do it. And I will chronicle the amazing transformation here on my blog. You must know, however, that things like this take me about 30x longer than they take the average person because I over-think the whole thing AND I don't have that much time to devote to it, what between updating my facebook status with pictures of my black eye (did you see that? Benny Boo hit me in the face with a toy hammer just mere days after I gushed about him here on the blog and how much joy he brings my life - I have since sold him to the circus), chasing around my kids, and studying for my degree in aeronautical engineering.

Also, I would like to challenge you to look around your home and see if you are really using the space efficiently. I mean, do you have both a breakfast nook and a dining room but almost NEVER use the dining room, but feel like you have a better use for that room? Do your kids have separate rooms, but no play room, and maybe it would make more sense to bunk them in together so that their toys can move OUT of the living room? Do you have no idea what I am talking about?

OK, that was like 5 minutes of your life you are never getting back.

Joy

When I think of the word JOY, this is the first face that comes into my mind...

My sweet second child, Benny Boo. This kid has been giggling and smiling, pretty much since Day 1. When I was pregnant with Ben, I wondered, "will I ever love anyone as much as I love Hunter?" I knew that I would, but it was so hard for me to visualize. The truth is, YES, I DO love Ben as much as Hunter, but I love him differently. He holds a completely separate place in my heart, and brings me joy in a whole new way. It is hard to explain unless you have experienced it, but it is true that a parent's love is exponential, and unending.

Since my last post was about Hunter, I thought I should probably give Benny Boo his own post too. Suffice it to say that Benny is the sweetest, cuddliest, happiest and most contented baby I know (unless he is teething or sick...different story) and brought more JOY into my life than I ever could have imagined.

He also loves to CLIMB, and Justin and I joke often that he will be the one we end up in the ER with the most often as he grows up (you know...with broken bones and the like). Of course, I HOPE this doesn't happen, but I think it probably will. He is most contented when moving fast, spinning around in circles, falling down, going down slides, jumping in the pool, etc. He doesn't seem to notice that he is still too young for most of these activities!! Gives me a heart attack!

Benny also LOVES music! He loves to play the piano, tries to play Grampie's trumpet, and will dance and clap his hands to any kind of music - the louder the better. Justin likes to listen to classic rock when driving around town, and this is definitely Benny's favorite as well. Pretty much, if there is a party-and it takes place before 7pm-he is THERE! After 7pm, and he will catcha in the AM.

Boy-Genius

Hunter started preschool last week, and so far he really loves it! The reason I made the decision to send him to preschool at Grow To Know, at our church this year? I am crazy! Not really, the real reason is I felt he was ready for more structure, and more formalized learning. The kid is scary-smart and soaks up all new information like a sponge. Grow to Know is a great environment for him to be in because it is at our church, so he is familiar with the room but also because they are very focused on positive reinforcement, and play-learning.

I am very happy that we chose to do this. Only problem is, it adds an extra stop to my already-pretty-hectic mornings, and evenings.

Here is a picture of him on his very first day. Very excited!

Lately he has been blowing me away! We had 3 particularly crazy conversations lately that show just how smart this kid is.

1. The Mouse

There was a dead mouse in our mousetrap, and naturally I started squealing and running around trying to decide what to do about it (duh...pick it up) I am not what you might call a "true country girl" but living in the country sometimes requires me to, shall we say "MAN UP!" and just take care of business. Well in this particular instance, I opted for freaking out instead. Sounded good at the time.

So here is what happened:

Me: *squeal squeal* "Hunter dont go over there!!" {runs into the kitchen to find something - who knows what}

Hunter: "Mom, its just a mouse in a mouse trap - stop freaking out, you just need to pick it up and throw it in the woods"

Me: *still squealing* {dials the phone}

Hunter: "Mommy, let me talk to Daddy"

Me: {hands phone to Hunter}

Hunter: "Daddy - Mommy is freaking out, she just needs to throw it in the woods"

After we got Justin up to speed, he was lauging so hard he was crying, and told me to pick it up by the trap with some tongs and just throw it in the outside trash. I agreed to do that, but pretty much squealed the whole time, while Justin and Hunter talked on the phone and laughed at me.


2. The Solar System:

The other morning, Hunter said "Mommy, let's talk about the Solar System"

Me: "Ok, buddy, what do you want to tell me about the solar system?"

Him: "Well, the solar system is good because it has lots of planets"

Me: "Oh, well, what planet do we live on?"

Him: "We live on planet Earf"

Me: "That is right. What about the sun? Is the sun a really big star?"

Him: "Hmm...the sun is the star that is really close to us, all the other stars are far away"

...later that evening

Me: Hey buddy, do you know the names of the planets

Him: No

Me: Well, I am not sure either, lets see - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Venus, Saturn...

Him: You forgot Jupiter

Me: oh.

3. Metamorphosis:

We were playing with this app on my ipad that has a bunch of different things going on, including a catapillar that climbs up this tree branch, makes a cocoon and comes out a butterfly.

Hunter: Mommy - what is that worm doing?

Me: That is called Metamorphosis

Hunter: Meta-morfla -sis?

Me: Yeah, that is when a caterpillar goes to sleep in a cocoon and when it wakes up it is a butterfly.

Hunter: oh, ok.

*hours later after his nap*

Me: Hey, Hunter, Do you remember what Metamorphosis is?

Hunter: yeah. Metamorphosis is when a caterpillar sleeps in a cocoon, then it is a butterfly, and that is called Metamorphosis.

And now he officially knows everything I know about science

In other news: we are NOWHERE NEAR potty training, and he will be 3 in about 2 weeks.

you win some, you lose some.