To Catch Up

It's just been a while, and in order to catch up a bit I thought I would have an explosion of pictures, taken over the last several months, all in one post.  Ready?

Sweetness!

 They absolutely adore one another.

 Luke and Eli's school had a sock hop.  Eli didn't stand like a statue this time, at least, but he didn't exactly sing either.

 Luke jammed out.  I had the best time listening to him sing, "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" and "Yakkety Yak" for weeks before the performance.  So cute!

 Judah is turning into a big boy.  He loves being roughed up.

 I can assure you this lasted long enough for me to snap the picture, but I know that I will love this moment forever.

 We spent spring break in Camilla with the cousins.  They all got quiet, and I got a pleasant surprise when I went to make sure there wasn't any mayhem brewing. 

Working together.

 Rae was the only one who wanted to stop and cheese for me.

 Luke, Eli and David had so much fun playing together.  David even spent the night with us.

 Judah is slowly walking more, but climbing is not a newly learned skill.  He's been a pro at that for a while.

 This is how he prefers to watch t.v.

 Baby Einstein is his (and Mama's) favorite show.  No matter what kind of day he's having, he'll be happy when it's on, at home or in the car.

 We are really enjoying the incredible weather.  Contrary to how it appears, Kris is not as garishly white as this picture makes him seem.  Not one of us can claim "bronze god" status (ever), but neither do we all have vitamin D deficiencies, as this picture would lead you to believe. He's probably going to fuss at me for putting this picture on here.



We have been running around lots lately.  I'm hoping things will slow down soon so we can just enjoy being together "as a whole family", as Luke requested this morning.  And maybe I won't have to catch up for the past three months in one post.

For a Good Mommy Laugh

You know how you get on the computer to "check your blog real quick" and thirty minutes later realize that you've been sucked into a infinite, black vortex of links to peoples blogs that you've never heard of and will never meet?  You know, it's the same reason I don't allow myself to get on Facebook unless I have at least an hour of my life that I'm okay with never getting back because I know good and well I will end up gawking at the pictures people should have never had the nerve to put on their wall in the first place.  Well, I did that today.  The vortex of links, that is.  But I got a good laugh out of what I found and thought I would share. 

http://teresastrasser.com/blog/2011/03/why-im-jealous-of-your-baby/

Enjoy!

Pretty Woman

I was getting dressed for church last week and asked Luke if he thought I looked pretty.  His response? 

"Mmmm...yeah, I guess.  Do you have any brighter lipstick?"

Should I assume it has anything to do with his really pretty, blonde teacher who wears red lipstick most days?

Luke Rides a Bike

The Kitchen Is Closed (Almost)

I've been working on weaning Judah for the past month or so, hanging on to those last morning and evening feedings just for cuddling purposes.  With some baby-free vacations coming up quickly (Judah doesn't know yet, so don't spill the beans.), I figured I needed to finish the job before leaving him with Grandma for a week for three very important reasons: 

1. Somehow I doubt she would appreciate me leaving him with her while he still expects someone to take their shirt off for him twice a day.
2. I have no interest in taking a breast pump on a cruise.  Been there, done that, not signing up for it again.
3. Judah has only been eating on one side for a while now, and while being lopsided in full clothing isn't so bad, it's a little tricky to camouflage in a bikini. 

So, with the exception of the moments when he wants to double check that the tank is indeed empty, I am officially finished nursing Judah. 

Sigh. 

Who Says Men Aren't Observant?

A conversation with my boys after picking them up from school today...

Luke: So, Mama, where did that shirt come from?
Eli: Yeah, is it new?
Me: I've had it for a long time, I just don't wear it that much.  Do you like it?
Eli: Yeah!
Luke: Yeah, it looks like it would be perfect for Valentine's Day!

I felt like I had just been hanging out with my girl friends.  How funny!

Messy

My friend came over for lunch last week while the big boys were in school and Judah napped so we could celebrate her birthday.  She commented, "Your house is so clean every time I come over.  I can't even keep up in our house and it's just the two of us." 

Ummm...of course it was clean.  I knew she was coming over. 

At pretty much any other given moment, this is what my house looks like:

So often I feel like people have the idea that because I almost always have a smile on my face that I "have it all together".  What does that even mean?  Children are messy.  I am messy. Family is messy. Relationships are messy.  Life is messy. NOBODY has it all together.  Some of us are just better at pretending and hiding than others.   

Perfection looks like Jesus.  Period.  When I start comparing my life to anyone else's, I become dissatisfied. I want the things they have while they're wanting what I have.  I wish I could do the work that she does while she just wants to stay home.  I try to mimic his personality while he's trying to be someone else entirely.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain." (1Tim. 6:6)  Everybody gains something when I keep my eyes on Jesus.  I will be the very best version of me when I don't try to be like anyone else but Him. I know this, and yet, I forget.  And the messiness starts to bother me.  

I have to keep reminding myself that if I didn't have the "messy" I wouldn't have the children, the family, the relationships, the life.  What fun is that?