October Overview (because I'm *that* lame)

Well, this month just flew by, didn't it?

It seems like October just started (possibly because the wonderful "October weather" I love so much finally showed up this week) and now it's almost over! How did that happen... and where was I!?

The second weekend of October I had the privilege of attending Women Of Faith in Portland with my mother in law, sister in laws (more commonly known as "my sisters"), my brother in law's girlfriend (you follow?) and another friend (related now through the initiation that was hanging out with all of us for the weekend and living to tell about it).

It. Was. Wonderful! I loved every minute of it. It was my first time attending and lemme tell ya, if you ever have a chance to go (and you're a woman) GO! You will NOT regret it. I promise.

While I was kickin' it with my girlies, my husband was at his parent's house (sans his Mom, she was with me, remember?). Him and his Dad held down the fort with our kids and they had a weekend of camping. In the driveway. They were planning on taking the kids camping (away from home) that weekend, but something came up at work and Jeff couldn't take Friday off like he had planned, so they ended up camping at home. They made a campfire and roasted marshmallows. They slept out in the camper in their sleeping bags. They laid on the floor of the living room and watched the stars through the skylights. They had a wonderful time and I am SO blessed to have a husband who encourages me to go and do things knowing not only will him and the kids survive while I'm gone, but they'll all have an awesome time.

The next weekend the five of us (hubby, kids and I) travelled up to Portland to visit our great friends who just had a new baby girl. It was wonderful getting to see them (and meet their precious baby, Raegan). Renee (another bestie) flew down to Portland from Alaska that week (to also meet the baby) so it was double the fun that weekend! Good for the soul, I tell ya, real good.

This last weekend was filled with card games at Jeff's parents' house, chopping and stacking firewood, church, and raking leaves. Good times with the family, that's for sure.

During the weeks we've had homework and soccer and I've been trying to keep everything together in my head (you know, who has gym on what days, when library books are due, what papers I'm supposed to correct and which ones I'm just supposed to sign - they don't make it easy, folks, they sure don't). I'm loving this life though. Feeling unbelievably blessed to have such a wonderful family.

How is your October going?

Do-Over

This morning was one of those kind of mornings.

The kind where everyone around me wishes they, well, weren't.

The kind where I hear my own tone of voice, my own harsh words, my own impatience, and just wish I could change it, but for some reason I feel incapable of that seemingly impossible task.

I'm not overly tired. I do not have a tough schedule today that I am unprepared for. I was not up all night with littles.

I do not have an excuse.

However, I realized that...

I have not been in the Word.

I have not spent much time in prayer lately.

Even though my life is not particularly difficult (thisveryminute) it feels difficult because I feel disconnected from Him. When my relationship with Him is suffering (because of me, it's never because of Him) every relationship I'm in suffers.

So, after apologizing to my family (via the drive down the driveway to the bus stop, and an email to my husband) I'm calling a do-over.

Starting fresh with forgiveness.

Because after all, wasn't that His whole purpose from the beginning? We all need Him and we all need His forgiveness.

We all need a do-over.

Being Female

I love being a woman.

I love crying at commercials for no apparent reason. I love feeling guilty over *everything*. I love worrying (when my kids are the ripe-old-ages of 8, 7, and 3) that they might not choose to live as respectful, responsible adults who work hard and love the Lord. I love constantly criticizing my body, even things that I have no power to change (unless I had $10,000 and a good surgeon laying around). I love that I'm only 30 and already I forget what I was going to get in the time it takes me to walk across the house. I love feeling like I should be contributing financially to our household, but realizing that it's not really possible (but again, still feeling guilty). I love not being taken seriously when I'm talking to someone on the phone about our mortgage or something else of equal importance (no, you do not need to talk to my husband).

I love being a woman.

I love the memories I have of each of my babies kicking me from the inside and the amazing wonder of it all. I love that I can cry and I don't really need a reason. I love that I get to greet each of my kids with a smile every day when they get off the school bus. I love that I can trust the Lord (He knows my heart) and fully trust Him with my children and their futures. I love that as I fold my family's articles of clothing in the middle of the day I get to say a prayer for them and their day individually. I love that I don't regret not being around for each of my kids' (many!) milestones and that I have the priveledge of remembering vividly each "first." I love having a husband whose arms fit around me just so and whose hands hold my heart. I love that when I look at my body I see wrinkles from laughing so hard so often and stretch marks from growing three beautiful babies.

I love being a woman.

Wordless Wednesday

*Might Have* Monday

I might have fallen so in love with my new gadget (the BodyBugg) I got this past week that I would totally marry it (you know, if I weren't already married. Minor details.).

I might have dyed my hair ala "box method" a couple of days ago. Carter looked at me (right when I was getting started) then back at the box and says, "Um, Mom... Even if your hair ends up the exact color as this girl's, you're still not going to look anything like her." Thank you very much, son.

I might have fed my kids cereal for breakfast before church yesterday (sans milk - what? we were out...). Followed by McDonalds after church for lunch. Followed by pizza for dinner. I know. Not winning.

I might have been a little disappointed when I woke up this morning and realized that it was a weekday... beings that I forgot to pack lunches or even get backpacks and lunch boxes out from under the pile of crap in the back of the suburban from last Thursday when I threw them all back there but since the weather is FINALLY showing signs of fall, I'm still happy - on a Monday! Monumental, I tell you!

What might you guys have done lately???

New(est) Addiction

It's going to be bad, you guys... Real bad.

I'm not going to get laundry done ever again I know, NOT new information. I hope I still have time to bathe my kids...

I've been introduced to PINTEREST.

Where I've found stuff that makes me choke on my coffee, like these:

 

And great crafty ideas like these:

Anyway, amidst this new found LOVE, I'm realizing that my time is precious (hello!? I NEED Pinterest!) and:

So, try it out. It's addicting though. REALLY addicting. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Honesty is the *best* policy? Really?

We've always taught our kids the importance of being honest. Even if it means there are consequences (the consequences for lying will ALWAYS be harsher than being honest about something you've done wrong) - but can I be honest? Sometimes I wish we didn't stress this quite so much... For example:

When I was working out to a circuit training video, Jack looks at the people on the video and then back at me and says, "Are you doing what they're doing, Mommy?"

While trying to see the computer screen through the sweat dripping in my eyes I reply, "Yup."

"Well, it sure doesn't look the same..."

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And then this morning while I was painting my toenails:

"It's okay, Mommy, you just need a little more practice... then they will look good."

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Now that I think about it, I'm wondering if we should just change our "Honesty Policy" to:

 "Silence. Give it a shot once in a while."