deserve equal enthusiasm

My hubby called me today to connect and tell me about his day. He sounded giddy. What he said to me sums up something I love about him.

He said:

"guess who got to ride in a learjet and got free Subway!"

Obviously it was him:)

But, what I took away from his statement was how he expressed each event, the learjet ride and the free subway sandwich, with equal enthusiasm. This is one of the things I love about him. He delights in the big moments and the simple things in life.

I hope I am like that too.

be careful mommy

Today I had to run into the store and my mom stayed in the car.

The store was underconstruction.

Quint yelled after me "mommy be careful the store is broken!"

He was right, it did look broken.

It was so kind, caring, and protective.

It was so simple.

I love when I get a glimpse of life threw the lenses of my little men.

Are you running out of words?

BK and I apart right now because of life circumstances. It is a huge bummer, but I love chatting on the phone at night. I love filling BK in on our day, and hearing every detail of BK's day. We chat on for an hour sometimes two. It is not a substitute for being in person, but it is fun. Last night though, I was feeling quiet. BK actually asked me on the phone, "are you running out of words?" I paused. I could not believe it, but it was true. I was running out of words. I am not sure how, maybe it is being pregnant....but I have less words. It made me a little worried.
But, tonight I was back in full force! I had loads of words for BK.
It was funny that I had a loss of words in the first place:)

Bleach on the pants.

My day was going great. We had done 4 loads of laundry, made muffins, went out for a jog, and the boys were taking a nap. I felt so great and accomplished. Note: I do not feel this efficient everyday! BK offered to get the last load of laundry out and carry it over for me. I was jazzed. Carrying the big basket is my least favorite part. He unloaded a few remaining dirty clothes that did not make the cut in this round of laundry and noticed there was bleach on his nice new dress pants and his green army socks. Ahhhhh! How could I have been so clumsy. I was in such a hurry getting the the bleach/ detergent back to our apartment, i just threw it in the basket with the few left over dirty clothes.

AHHHH.

This is when being detail-orientated would be a bonus. This is something I have been trying to work on, but obviously I am not to rock star level yet. I was very anal about making sure their were no drips of detergent and cleaning of the lid before putting it back on, but I guess I neglected to clean off the bleach.

Well, their goes $30 down the drain. Now BK needs new dress pants....and a bit got on one of my treasured new sundresses....so sad. I think I will just wear it anyways, its just a mommy dress, I am usually dirty within 5 minutes of getting dressed so I am not throwing it away!

So, if you see me in a long coral sundress with some bleach spots on the bottom, don't point them out, just know I know they are there and I treasure my new clothes too much to let a few spots remove them from my wardrobe!

Here is my warning:

Be very careful with your bleach while doing your wash this week. Or you could be then next one throwing out brand new pants and wearing a dress with new spots:)

My laundry Basket

My mom loves laundry. I don't know if it is the process or the smell of clean clothes but she never complained about it. She even offers to help with it when I come home to visit.

I have never liked it. It just feels like it is never-ending.

I am not sure why, but today when I looked at the huge pile I did not see it with my normal loathing

I saw it in a new light.

My attention was drawn to BK's t-shirt and basketball shorts. I remembered when BK and I were first married and how I loved having boy clothes mixed in with my girl clothes. I remembered how it reminded me we were a pair, we do everything together even our clothes hang out in the laundry basket together.

Then, my eyes wondered to baby socks, Lightning Mcqueen unders, and footie pajamas. Wet sheets from when Quint had an accident this week.

All the sudden it hit me. I think i know why my mom loves laundry. It is a history of our week. It shows who is a part of our team. When I look at all these dirty clothes I see a history.

I see the big man and little men in my life.

I am reminded of my life as a mom, a wife, and all that encompasses.

I see the life stages we are in,

BK's school clothes (but not dress up clothes yet!)

I see my mommy sundresses, sweats, and jeans. I am in love with my full-time mommy dress code.

I see stinky unders from little potty training accidents, t-shirts with spaghetti on them, and baby socks.

Now I think I know why my mom loves laundry. She loves being a mom, she was really good at it, and I could see how laundry reminds her of all the good, and crazy in her week.

Don't worry mom, when we come to visit this summer we will bring a lot of laundry!

It literally hit me in the face

The boys were a little sicky today. We didn't stray very far from home so when BK got home early we were all a bit edgy. BK offered to do bedtime so I could go for a jog. What a fabulous hubby. It sounded amazing. It was sunset, with a warm breeze, and for a moment I dreamed about jogging away to my ipod. But, I couldn't do it. I could not desert BK during bedtime. Russell was actually sleeping and Quint was getting ready but something in me said don't go. Not even 5 minutes later Russell woke up crying. I went in to get him and as I stepped out of the bedroom it happened.

He threw up all over me.

It literally hit me in the face, I couldn't open one of my eyes. I stood there shell shocked till the second round when I realized I should probably get off the carpet. If Gary (our landlord) asks when we move what is that stain on the carpet I will proudly state it is my youngest child's throw up:) BK was a saint and got most of it out while I tried to hose Russell and myself off in the bath.

GO TEAM:)

Having throw up dripping down your shirt is extremely gross, but one of the things I like about life is that it is messy, and I feel it is rising through those challenges that define us. I hope I easily rise above an little throw up and cranky, sick babies; because on this journey of parenting I am sure this is just the beginning of the challenge.

I hope BK and I can always rise to whatever is "thrown" at us on this journey, even if it does literally hit us in the face:)

Need to be more type A

It is one of my goals to be more type A. I know the type A people do have their own issues but they are so on task and efficient. The only times in my life when I have even come close to being a type A person I had a very strict schedule, distinct goals, and only me to worry about. I am working on what this would look like in my current life stage which does not lend itself to efficiency or a strict schedule.

This will be an on going battle for me since I don't know what type I am but it is far from "A". As I define how this looks I will try to keep you updated. A type A person would definitely follow through on that statement so we will see how I do:)

ahhhhhh and AHHHHHH!

Bedtime is crazy. It is my least favorite time of the day, because everyone is a bit cranky (including momma) and it usually requires me to use my patience reserves. Every night there are a few moments where I feel like "AHHHHH!!!" I am not going to make it to 8 pm. Tonight was not the exception. in the past hour or two I have stepped on multiple small toys and each time I feel like screaming "AHHHHH" It really hurts. Even as I sit down to write this blog update I sat on a toy which was on the chair "AHHHHH". My motivation is growing to pick up, and am sure I will before the night is over, but I always feel there is a calm that settles on the house as I put the last child in bed. I just love to enjoy it for a bit. I am not complaining about my day, because it is rock star, playing with the boys all day is fabulous, but by bedtime I am spent. I have built my last block tower, made my last snack, changed my last diaper. I am ready to recharge for tomorrow.

So, as the last one crawls into bed, and I close their bedroom door I have a different kind a "ahhhhhh" moment. It is the same word, with a very different vibe.

I like to just lay on the floor (if i can find a spot) and breath. Releasing all the craziness of the day.

jumping for joy

I mentioned I have been having a rough two months, well the big reason is I am pregnant:) I finally am feeling better and we hit the 12 week milestone this weekend. BK and I have been excited for some time now, but we waited to tell the boys till we knew we were 12 weeks. Today we told Quint and Russell. I think Russell is a little young to get it, but we when we told Quint this is how it transpired.

Momma: Quint remember how you asked me if there was a baby in my belly? (our friend was pregnant a few months ago so Quint was curious if I had a baby too....) Back then I told him not now but maybe someday:)

Quint: Yes

Momma: Well guess what? God put a baby in mommy's belly

Quint: Baby in there? (touching my belly)

Momma: Yes!

Quint: (Ran around in circles doing a happy dance!) Then said " I want it to come out now"

Momma: Oh, the baby can't come out yet, the baby is too small. The baby will come out after summer.

Quint: "After summer?" (standing there processing) "Hummm..... (then pointed to the belly) "baby in there Yay!"

More happy dance:)

I wish I had it on video. Bummer.

Teacher

Quint was playing play dough. He was learning how to hold the scissors. I showed him how and then he said

"thank you for teaching me mommy". I love these moments when he is so perfect and polite. I said "your welcome, I love teaching you". He then said "you my teacher mommy?"

I paused taken back by the question. I like to think of our family in terms of a team where BK and I are the head coaches. Guiding the boys in this game of life. But, a coach, also teaches skills, and the more I thought about it, my day is full of teaching.

After this realization, I responded "yes, I am your teacher"

Quint replied to me "thank you for being my teacher mommy"

Melt my heart.

Hibernating

We have been hibernating for the past month. Sickness, winter, and other circumstances has kept us home. I a running about a week and a half behind on everything so blogging has fallen off the agenda. With the beginning of March, the hope of spring, and a fairly healthy house I hope to be back in action. I am slowly catching up, mailing birthday cards for last week's birthdays, paying bills that are hopefully on time, and cleaning the neglected areas of our house.

WISH ME LUCK!

I should have worn socks

Today I got in the car and the gas light was on. Super. Everyone has had this moment...can I make it or should I stop? I have and the experience of running out of gas and it is not pleasant so I decided it was best not to put it off.

We pulled into the gas station and I began to pump the gas. As I was standing there I realized it was freezing out. The wind was blowing right through me, and in my rush I was not wearing a hat or gloves. I started bouncing to get my blood moving, and I looked down and realized, I probably should have worn socks.

I don't like socks. I my perfect world I would only wear them for the occasional run, but besides that I would wear flip flops and cute flats. Despite it being the dead of winter, I was wearing cute flats which I have decided was a poor choice today.

Someday I may be blessed enough to live where no socks are appropriate year round, but I need to face it, it is not now. Tomorrow I vow to live in the reality that it is below freezing outside, and I will wear socks.

Its 6:47 AM

Our house is bopping with two little men running around with buckets on their heads. Full of life and giggles, it is a great way to enjoy the morning. Next time your morning is dragging, grab a box or bucket and run around for a minute, I bet it will brighten your day!

Russell and animal sounds

Today Russell and I were reading a book about different animals. He began imitating the sounds. I would say Duck says "quack quack" and he would say "quack quack!!" I was so jazzed. He could do cluck cluck for chicken, baaa baaa for lamb and maaa maaa for goat.

These milestones, little moments make me just step back and remember how awesome it is to be a momma.

YAY RUSSELL!!!!!

He is still working on Oink Oink...that must be a funny sound!