FAMILY FOTO FUN

We just had our pictures taken by this AMAZING photographer. Really, she is so talented and my breath is constantly taken away by her work... check out her blog. Its loaded with photos and stories of her life as a mom... Thanks Shawni!!!

So here are just a FEW of my favorites...

Check out B's pose -- too funny!

About this point in the gig, one of our kiddos began to have a melt-down... probably not who you would expect. Since this child no longer wanted pictures and would no longer smile, we had to get creative...

(not staged, promise)

(ok -- nobody smile -- really)

I know, I know... this photo speaks volumns!

What is she ever going to do when she realizes the world DOESN'T revolve around her??

Project time

You see, these niches have been taunting me since the day we moved in. Daring me to find something original, clever and stylish to do with them. I pass them every day, threatening to put an end to their incessant mocking. But those were empty threats. And my niches knew it. They knew I planned poorly and usually had a preschooler next to me all day long. Those contemptuous niches also were very aware that I have zero skill in decorating.

I decided to shut them up. Seal them to be exact. I figured if I painted them, it would buy me time to figure out how to properly dress them up. It would get them off my back.

I know better. Really I do.

It should have been a quick job. Two hours tops. It should have gone smoothly. But, despite lessons I supposedly learned, I decided to conquer my wall niches with my 3 year old companion by my side.

And my niches heckled me. The whole time.

All taped up and ready to go, I began to smudge my caulking along the tape line and naturally, B had to help. (now for those of you who don’t know the caulking trick for painting smudge- free lines, email me, I’ll fill you in) B actually was quite helpful, smudging the lower parts while I did the top parts. I was pretty impressed we made it through the caulking without a major mishap and began to clean up the caulking mess.

My niches scoffed at my arrogance while I stepped to the sink to wash my hands. Just as I turned to scoop up B to wash her up, she says, “Mommy, I got it in my hair.” (that would be CAULKING -- EVERYWHERE in her hair)

I could practically hear the sarcastic laughter of my niches as I hauled B off to her first shower of the day.

Cleaned up and ready to paint, B was eager to make sure I let her paint the “down low parts”.

Which I did. For a while.

After a couple smudges outside the safety of the blue tape, it was time for her to stop “helping” and go paint her own things. I set her up at the table… covered her in an old shirt and left the happy toddler to her imagination, while I painted only a few feet away.

I should have known something was up when it was quiet. I found this.

I dodged the sharp jeers from my niches as I marched B to the bathroom for her second shower.

Thankfully, all the excitement wore her out, leaving her content to cuddle up with her “bear” and watch Sleeping Beauty. I was able to finish my painting my niches and temporarily quiet their taunts – nevermind the project had taken the whole day.

Here's the (semi) finished project

Close up of the line -- just super proud of it. NO SMUDGES! Take that you infernal niche!

 

Now, if only I can figure out what to put into them!! Any ideas?

Go ahead. Just take a guess...

Tell me what these two pictures have in common. Can you guess?

Take a look at the first picture a little closer -- see the collender?

Well, Saturday this lovely collender had been used for cleaning out our beautiful, but slimey, fish bowl. Then, carelessly set aside to be sterilized later. I know, its pretty gross, but I didn't have a lot of options for cleaning the mess, so I justified that I would personally sterilize it later.

Sunday night came and the collender still sat on the counter -- looking clean, but riddled with fish excrement and other germs. J, being the sweet, helpful boy he is, made some Mac -N- Cheese for dinner last night. And, when it came time to drain the noodles? Well, of course he would use the one on the counter -- close to him. And it did look clean afterall.

When did our family find out about it? This morning. AFTER, we had eaten (and probably digested) fish leftovers.

Slimey, nasty, disgusting fish leftovers. Yup, we ate it.

Now I know in some countries, that may be considered a delicacy. But in this house, it is pretty much considered NASTY! Bleggghhh!

We just don't have a lot of luck with fish. Maybe we should stop keeping them in the kitchen.

Before the sun...

All my children have taken turns waking early in the morning. Early as in "thedeadarestillsleepingandsoshouldyoube" kind of early. R has been found before dawn in the neighbors yard, petting a kitty. J has awakened us (and the neighbors) before light to see if he could play -- or eat. S would wander the house, and T would wake up to play with trains. But I have to say, B wins the prize for creativity.

We have found her singing to the puppy several mornings abour 3 or 4. She will sometimes play in her bed with her princesses, making up stories for them. But last night, or should I say this morning, was the best reason for being awake I have ever heard from a three year old.

At 4:00 AM B wakes me up, wearing her Cinderella dress and holding a box of cereal. She was so wide awake and so innocent looking, I couldn't help smiling inside when I saw her. But firmly (or at least my best effort) I told her it was still sleeping time. Her face contorted a little as she tried not to cry. Her lip quivered, just barely, and she said in her most sincere, heartfelt, non-whining voice, "But Cinderella would like some cereal from her mother (aka: step-mother)"

Really, what's a mom to do?

Home

It seems I am constantly learning new lessons from this recent move we made and I truly don’t mean to belabor the issue. It is just that, in many ways, I feel like it has been one of the hardest things I have had to do. I have focused on how difficult it has been for the children (and it has been hard on the whole family), but in truth, it has been SO hard for me. Everything familiar is gone. And even though we have had a roof overhead, it has been hard for me to find “home” in our new location.


Similar to our Heavenly Home, our earthly home is a place where things are familiar and comfortable. A place where a person feel safe. Home is the place I always long to be, no matter what kind of excitement lies around the corner. Home is where the world stops at the door and comfort, only, enters. And even in all the chaos of life, that comfort seems to pulsate from my walls.

Home is the place where my heart beats a little stronger.

It occurred to me today that I have resisted those feelings of home. Our family has been showered with the goodness of new friends and new ward members. And yet, I have failed to see the hand of God in their actions. I have failed to recognize the true source of that feeling of “home” and resisted that feeling of comfort it provides.

As I sat in church today, I looked around me at our new ward family and realized that the Dear Lord has been sending people into our life to help us. And these wonderful people, whom I barely know, are His servants and our new family. My mind raced through the VERY brief history we have had in this ward and played images of outstretched hands of many people. From goodie drop-offs to tender notes of love, our home has been blessed and touched.

I was overwhelmed with the feeling that Heavenly Father is very aware of who I am. He knows exactly what I need and He knows my heart. I was reminded that He has tenderly guided every footstep in my life. He gently brought me into the arms of a loving, caring man who would take care of me. He thoughtfully sent me children who would make me stretch as an individual and teach me things I never knew I needed to know. He carefully planned where he wanted me, so that I could do the most growing. So I could become the person He needs me to be. He has affectionately placed me where I need to be.

I watched the faces of those around me and felt warmth overwhelm me as I realized I am home. And even though I did not know everyone, I felt a warm connection between each one. I realized that the true source of that feeling of “being home” is Heavenly Father. And, if I allow it to burn within me, I will feel at home no matter where I am.

Today, my heart beats a little stronger because I know I am home.