My little pretties

I was forced to play Mommy for the millionth time with Haley. I was being the daughter and was told to go to sleep. In order to cause my "mom" the most stress I proceeded to ask for everything under the sun and whine a lot. Then I took pictures of all the kids from my perch on the bed. The bear Haley is holding is Moses or Elizabeth. This day it's Elizabeth.
Here's my cutie pie prince. He is playing with his new toothbrush. I am a super cool mom lol. I picked up a LEGO toothbrush from the Dollar General that actually has a LEGO guy inside. Totally a whole 'nother post but who in the world actually gets out of the Dollar General without something for the kids???
Sweet Paisley. I love her. She stood for about 10 seconds yesterday. *sigh* they grow so fast.

I love my husband

I am such a blessed woman. This morning I got to spend with my amazing husband. I am so grateful for the freedom he has owning his own business. We ran errands and had lunch in an unusually peaceful manner. Going to Panera Bread, my favorite restaurant, was bittersweet without Haley begging for a bagel and Haven throwing a fit b/c he doesn't want a sandwich. Of course, Paisley made up for the missing drama by choking on a piece of apple. So back to my husband. I seriously don't think that I could be married to a more intelligent man. You can literally ask him any question and he has an answer! How is that possible?? I have trouble remembering who won the Civil War (*blush*). Usually people are knowledgeable in specific areas but his knowledge is far reaching. Which is a very good thing when you homeschool your kiddos. I have no problem teaching the basics and later math, grammar and the art of shopping. However, teaching my little Einsteins about history and real world, get you somewhere in life topics leaves me feeling a tad underqualified. I suppose God did know what he was doing when he led Michael and I to Angelo State on athletic scholarships.

HOLY COW! I just looked at my calendar and realized tomorrow is our 9th anniversary. I did know it was sometime very soon but I have completely lost track of what day of the month and week it is. Well this is such a timely post. Hmmm, where was I 9 years ago. I know we were in San Saba preparing for the wedding. We had a "Fish Fry" for our rehersal...oh come on doesn't everyone have a fish fry with a keg for their wedding rehersal dinner??? A city girl marrying a small town football hero, it's what dreams are made of. LOL. Did I say hero? Well that would be a slight exaggeration, but at 6'3" 250lbs (now much lighter) he was the "big man on campus". The wedding was beautiful and simple but, alas, it was not perfect. I will forever and ever mourn one teeny tiny aspect of our ceremony. Don't laugh. When Brother Jack said "I present to you Mr & Mrs Michael Beck" (or however they say it) NO ONE CLAPPED!! The music started and we walked down the aisle. I know Michael will roll his eyes at me writing this. He has heard it so many times. I can't help it though. I feel like in some way it means something...like perhaps the attendees were confused?? or too overcome with joy?? or our marriage is not worth celebrating?? Okay so I know none of those are true, but every girl wants a perfect wedding. It's a good thing that how you marry is absolutely no indication to what the marriage will be like. I only wish there were more marriages like the one I have. We agree on "almost" everything, we have a very healthy sex life (**gasp**) (thanks Ed Young), and I allow Michael to lead our family. Naturally, we argue, however, I prefer to call them "intense discussions". Life is good. Very very good. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with him and making lots more babies!

My house is so QUIET!

(written Monday August 20th but forgot to publish)

I have 3 perfect (lol. this is a blog which can also be a dream world) children. This week my 2 oldest are visiting Granny, leaving me alone with my baby. I am always excited at the idea of having loads of free time but then reality sets in and I realize I don't know how to function with just 1 kid. Example, I went to the post office today and you'd thought I was a retard! (again this is a blog, my blog, so speaking in politically correct terms is not a requirement). I told the guy, after apologizing for having him tape up and address my packages, that without 3 children making noises I wasn't able to think straight. So let go back and describe what last night was like when we got home.



*insert sound of crickets chirping*



We had left the dogs at mom's house for an extra night b/c Paisley was screaming so bad on the way home. So no dogs and minus 2 children. It was a wonderful feeling to at least have my furry babies home. I mean how does someone live without tripping over, yelling at or picking up after dogs?? I guess this experience is teaching me that I am someone who thrives under pressure. When there isn't constant stimulus I retreat to doing nothing. Good to know. So here it is 6:30 and I am typing. I have made dinner though.



I really really miss my Haley and Haven. They bring so much joy to my day...and a few other emotions ;)

Tagged

Thanks for the tag, Britt! I feel loved. I, unfortunately, don't know anyone else who blogs so I fear this will not progress past me.

The Rules:
1. Post the rules
2. List 8 random facts or habits about yourself.
3. If you are tagged, then you must Post the rules and list 8 random facts or habits about yourself.
4. After you post, tag people and let them know they must read your blog for the rules.

1) I love, love, love to vacuum. We (my brother Chris who is also obsessed) blame our Dad fully for this mutated gene. It has so overtaken my cerebral cortex that I am unable to go to other people's houses without literally having an anxiety attack (thank God for Rescue Remedy!!).
2) I cannot get enough of birth. I love giving birth and reading birth stories. Thinking of going into labor gets me excited even as I type this. Of course I need to clarify that not all births interest me. I am a homebirth freak (:D) so those and any other natural ones I gravitate towards.
3) I eat sweets daily. Brownies, cookies, chocolate, cake, candy.... It's pitifully disgusting.
4) I serve my husband and submit to him as the Bible commands...I am a work in progress.
5) I am lazy (when I am not vacuuming). I could sit at the computer and junk food without much bribeing.
6) I have been a student for 25 years straight (**blush**). My current projects are a Doctor of Naturopathy and La Leche League leadership. Both ***should*** be completed by the end of the year ( ;) this can be edited).
7) I sweat all the time and I am just going to say it since my children and husband not so lovingly tell me, I have random hairs on my chinny chin chin.
8) I struggle with being content and as God showed me yesterday, pride as well.

Have a great week.
Tag Your it: I don't know anyone that blogs besides Brittani, LOL!

My big girl

Haley is such a mama in training. Here she is trying to do schoolwork and take care of Paisley. This is one time when I did not ask her to care for Paisley but I think she finds much joy in using her maternal skills. Not a bad thing to master multi-tasking early!!

Doesn't Paisley look so cute?? She was in the middle of a huge fit. I know it's mean but I just love to watch her face contort as she gets mad or frustrated. Of course it's really fun to go comfort her at this time also ;)

Why do I only write on bad days?

Perhaps this is a cathartic place for me. I seem to only be compelled to post when I want to scream at the top of my lungs while pulling my hair out...wait to pull my own hair would inflict pain on myself and to be very honest (with myself) I want to inflict pain on anyone but myself. However, as I write my wrath has come to an end. I feel that calm inside that should have always been there if I knew how to control my emotions better. No matter how intelligent I become I still seem to forget the obvious. When I am in a bad mood it makes the kids in a bad mood which then puts me in a worse mood ....

You know what, no more dirty post today. I want to talk about my happy experience. After reading Sarah's blog (In the midst of it) I learned all about "Roomtime". What a simple, often dreamed about concept. Day 1 was 20 minutes and went fantastic. They would have lasted longer but I wanted it to end on a high note. Today was Day 2 and it lasted 25 minutes. I stopped it at that point because Haven likes to eat and eat and then complain/yell "my body hurts" over and over. It takes lots of babying for me to convince him he just needs to poop and it will be all better. I am happy that I have established the beginning of a good routine. OH!! and I also made a chore chart (okay so it's really like the 10th chart I've made but I'm actually using this one)!! It is working great, the kids are participating, and I am setting good habits up for them. A wave of nostalgia just came over me...

When Chris and Lucas and I were little our mom and step dad had us on the right track-and thank God for that! We had weekly family meetings (someone took even Minutes) where at the end we drew chores. There was a weekly and a daily bowl. We'd pick 1 weekly chore and 2 daily, iirc. Let's see if I can remember all of them:
Weekly
1)Kitchen Clean up (the dreaded chore)
2)Bathroom Clean
3)
4)
5)
Daily
1)Kitchen Sweep
2)Bathroom Mirrors
3)Trash
4)Vacuum
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
Well I have failed miserably in that memory game. Hopefully, Chris can help me out via comment :)

I am joyfully (Phillipians 2:14, Col 3:23) going to go clean up my messy house now.

I feel so much better now!!!

I am very frustrated

Anger
Frustration
Doubt
Fear
Chaos
Yelling
Ticking Time Bomb
Headache
Red
Pain
Cry
Why?

God
Love
Peace
Calm
Content
Awake
Alive
Joy
Center
Rainbow
Family
Friends
How?

"What's that?? I can't hear you!"

That was me today at the playgroup at Britt's. It's hard enough to get a word in when it's just me and Britt but today there was a lot of kid noise + 3 other moms. Overall it was a very successful playgroup with only minor injuries. I mean seriously, tell me of a playgroup with 8 kids and no hitting, pinching, biting, or yelling. Those don't exist. So when I can count the infractions on one hand it's a success. Again I was blown away by my brothers creative artistry. He made an amazing end table that would easily sell for $300+ in a store and a bookshelf was in the works. Britt had me laughing hysterically at her description of Chris' dream to build a hidden compartment for his coin collection. You know the "$30" collection he wants to hide from potential theives. (I put $30 in quotes so Chris would know that I was merely repeating his beautiful wife's words and that I would in no way belittle his prized possession) LMBO!!

There is so much to write, my brain is feeling fuzzy. My friend April left today. She came to shadow Michael in his practice. It is good to know that we do know a few wise people who are interested in learning from our mistakes and potential avoiding a lot of bad crap (that sounds so harsh)! April came to the playgroup today and enjoyed it immensely. If only she could convince her husband to move to Texas. I was pleasantly surprised to come home to a Thank You gift she had left in our guest room. It was a beautiful pitcher from Crate and Barrel. Ironically enough, one almost identical to the new one Brittani had sitting on her cabinet today. I was sad to see April go and I pray we will see each other again soon.

I would love to go watch a movie now so writing about my horrible time in mommy hell will not happen tonight. I will leave you with some words to make you go "poor girl".... sand, eyes, screaming, poop, baby freaking, dinner burning.... Good night.

Big Brother

No, I'm not playing favorites...although Haley did get on my very bad side this evening...I just really love this picture. Haven loves his little sister so much. It brings me such joy to watch how he interacts with Paisley, albeit 80% of the time he is sitting on her. Moments like these make those not too fun ones bearable.