Three Kids, Three Birthdays

So, I have this neat little thing, that I like to call my magic 3. I have 3 children and all of their birthday's fall within a month and 2 days of each other.  Their birthdays are 10, 11 and 12. I've always thought that was a little special as well.  My daughter turned 12 on the 10th of March, and she decided on a small sleepover, followed by taking her shopping. And, that she did. My feet hurt afterwards, but she had fun and it made it worth it.  Of course, being the pre teen she is, she decided she didn't want me to take photos of everything.  And, so I respectfully followed behind her. You know, us mama bears can be embarrassing and all.

Ethan turned 8 on the 11th. My sweet boy doesn't have any close friends and so we took him out with the family to an arcade, lazer tag and bumper cars.  He picked Waffle House for his lunch date and he received a few gifts.

The story behind this Five Nights at Freddy's Cake? Well, he requested a home made cake. I tried to warn the poor fella, that his mother is not a cake connoisseur. I mean, cupcakes are my thing. I can make a cute cupcake. Cakes? No. Just, NO.  So I had this all planned out, and then I went to write his name in red cookie icing that I had left over from Christmas.  Well, it spilled. To my horror, I was left to improvise. So what's a mom to do?  I had to make Freddy a little morbid.  Luckily for me, he was impressed.

My sweet middle child? He also broke his arm. Or should I say, one of his friends broke his arm. Boys...(sigh).

Danny, turned 1 on the 12th and same scenario. I literally don't know anyone here, and I opted out of a 1st birthday celebration after my parents declined to come out.  We aren't too fancy anyway, so he doesn't know any better.  He enjoyed a giant cupcake and opened some presents.

Danny also received his first haircut at a really cute kids place. I am a fan :)

I literally can't believe a year has come and gone. A year.  Wait, yes, yes I can believe it.  It has been a very long year for me. Perhaps I will get into that another time.  There really is just so much going on these days that it's hard to keep track of everything.

One thing I know for sure is that I love my three amazing children, more than anything.

Oh time, be still.

Let me watch the weeds feed the garden that turns into long tall flowers and a forest of tall strong trees.

Be blessed, dear readers!

Photos and Life

It's been a while, as usual.  So much has gone on, yet so little time to actually type things out.  I wish I could find a way to blog from the tablet, it would make blog life much easier.

Expect MAJOR DIY renovation updates within the next few months.  I am converting a garage into a bedroom, painting my kitchen cabinets white, along with a list of other things that I can't wait to reveal. This should be good.  I finally took more photos of my children, so I'll share those.  Danny is now 10 months old, he's still in his DOC BAND, and I am loving the results!

Only two more weeks left and then it's a thing of the past.  He has 3 teeth, crawls and drools on everything. MiMi broke her wrist skating with a friend, and Ethan, well, he's a typical little almost 8 year old boy. He loves gaming and getting dirty.

(12 in March)

 (8 in April)

Baby's First Easter...10 months at time of photo.

Broken Wrist

Danny visited Kure Beach for all of 10 minutes.

I some how still find time to put on makeup when I leave the house.

My little Doc Band baby

Ethan continually gets A honor roll, and acts shy for a photo op

But, he still likes transformers..

 Danny tries to get into everything.

Danny's first snow was at a Cranial Technologies 

appointment - Stephen held him so I could snap a photo.

Stephen and I have yet to kill each other.

The kids stay busy, and I stay sane.  With Stephen's firefight schedule, most nights I am alone while he works.  The truth is, it's a good day if I actually put on my makeup or take my hair out of a bun. I'm sure the days I get done up, Stephen appreciates it, because the rest of the time I'm rocking the "tired mama bags under the eyes".  We went ahead and bought this shed, and we are waiting on the company to contact us to build it on site.

They told us it could take up to 3 weeks. Once that's done, we can move all the garage contents into it and begin on the garage room conversion and I can share with you all a cheap way to do it on a budget. Wish us luck!

Happy 10th Birthday, MiMi..

March 10th, 2015
 

Ten years ago, I was 22.  I was recovering from what I still say was the worst physical pain of my life.  I am ashamed to admit that after a failed 23 hour labor that ended in a c section, I was so out of it emotionally and physically that I couldn't be the mom I wanted to be.  I barely saw my first child that day.

   When I saw her for the first time (which would be hours later)  I was so in love, but so very tired.   The nurses kept her away  much of the night and I just wanted to go home.  The first few sleepless nights were unlike anything I had ever experienced.   How did I go from so much energy and working two full time jobs to suddenly being a stay at home mom with a newborn who was without a doubt the hardest new "job" to me?  When I told my family I was okay - I lied - I was in tears daily.  I was more in love than ever before and I would kill for my baby, but  I was just so alone and exhausted.  

 

 Things did eventually get easier.  Did I say that? They don't get easier, you just learn to let go a little and it's a new kind of challenge.  I sit here an can't believe it's been ten years and suddenly I yearn to hold that baby again.   I ache to tell the old me it will be okay - "Stop worrying mama.  It will be okay - you'll see".

   We get so worried as new parents that we miss the joy in things.  Is this perhaps me in the next ten years telling my current self, I'll be okay?  Maybe.  One things for certain - I am glad at 21, that I made the decision to keep the best thing that's ever happened to me.  And by that last line, you may take that as you're probably thinking, and maybe at a later date, when my children are older, I will elaborate more without fear of them stumbling upon my blog.  But just know this:  God is good. God was with me, and God made sure I made the right decision.  I love you MiMi, I am so blessed to be your mother!

Winter time randoms..

A whole lot of busy this way - of course. I wonder how my readers are doing this holiday season.  I'm sure if you're anything like me, you're working, scrambling to keep your kids up to speed and rushing to get in your Christmas shopping/photos/decorating etc...

Wellllll, I got SOME things done. Or, should I say, I put a small dent in some things.  Let's take a peek:

I took my kids Christmas picture. On a whim. Literally, I picked them up from school had them take a quick shower, get dressed and rush to take a couple photos (because I never know when my next day off will be).

(Below: MiMi's dress was an overpriced Justice dress, Ethan's shirt & tie came for a whopping $10 at Wal Mart).

To cut Justice some slack, it's a beautiful dress, but truthfully the rewards program for Justice is pointless, the J bucks can never be used with sales and you really only save 10% more. I miss the days of Gymboree :(

And then we got a little crafty...

(Below: A pinterest fav: The snowman fridge.  We made ours with construction paper and wrapping paper).

I wanted to buy a real tree this year, but my hours have literally been cut in half at work during the holiday and I decided other things were more important, and so old fabulous faux made her return - her lights don't work this year, but that's okay...

I know she's not really something brag worthy, but my kids decorated her and so it's gorgeous to me :) Maybe we'll try and find a tree topper bow tutorial *haha*.

I also went ahead and printed the kids Christmas Cards.  Pottery Barn Kids sent me a  free code to get some of their cards.  They have an exclusive line with Tiny Prints - How cool?!  They are adorable, and excuse the fact that my mobile photo isn't that clear, this card is beautiful in person. They had gorgeous designs, but this was my favorite:

And then I also ordered some of another design I fell in love with from one of my favorites to visit, my trusted and never disappoints:  Shutterfly :)

The only thing I am not too fond of when it comes to printing via Shutterfly or Tiny Prints, is the fact they put a log on the back of the cards.  I mean, I don't like the idea that I pay for something to advertise the business to family & friends.  Then again, there is a hallmark logo on the back of Hallmark cards. (thinks...nevermind..carry on) ;)  The cards are beautiful, why not let everyone know who does that great work so they can do them themselves. And come to think of it - you can literally always find a coupon code online for both Shutterfly & Tiny Prints.

The kids and I even decorated holiday cupcakes:

That same night, MiMi & I made lasagna..I think she was saying "it's all mine":

One of my favorite holiday traditions with my kids is to let them pick out a yearly ornament.  It's cheap & a fun thing for them to do.  These beauties were $1.97 at Wal Mart. PRECIOUS:)

Oh, and I turned 32, somewhere in the mix *haha* my sister cut my hair for my birthday. I can't wait for it to grow back out, but I like it:)

My, "I'm getting older face":

I did Christmas smart this year, by shopping a little at a time. I would like to say I am officially done with the kids and didn't break bank. - Too much anyway.  Hopefully the next time I post it won't be months later.  Enjoy the holidays lovelies!! <3 p="">