Imperfect

On the outset my life looks perfect. Right?

A wonderful husband who loves and respects me. Three beautiful children, in some people's ideal order, two boys and a girl.

We are surrounded by "stuff," have a nice home, plenty of food to eat and probably too many clothes to wear.

I can take decent pictures and write nice words and post them here and you can see my "perfect" little family.

But what you don't see is what I choose not to share here.

We are not perfect. I am not perfect.

Lately these imperfections are being analyzed and looked at through a loupe. They are more evident than they have ever been, even to the untrained eye.

There are things I do not share here because I feel they are too personal for this forum. I've made a conscious decision not to delve into certain topics in my life HERE because even though it's part of my life, I don't necessarily want to make it part of yours.

Some things lay heavy on my mind and heart right now. Physical things, mental things, emotional things. And today I feel the need to mention it.

And life, well sometimes... it's just HARD.

I know it doesn't look like that for me. I know it looks like I have it easy and compared to many in this world I do. I know that.

But right now, in these times of my life it's not that easy for ME. Where I am. Who I am.

So, just know that I try my best to be the Elaine that you see here, almost daily. The one I show you. But today and maybe even for a while, I'm a little different, a little "off" as they say. And I'm certainly not "perfect", especially not right now.

You Capture - Spring

Spring means blooming and friends and tree-lined rivers and feet in the water and wildflowers and sleeping angel babies.

Yep, that's what THIS Spring means to me.

WW - Home

I went to bed at 7:52 p.m. last night.

Although I did not fall asleep right away. I watched some Glee, which if you ask me there was a little too much Kristen Chenoweth and a show with no "Rachel" is just wrong. But hey, not my show so...

I think the long walk and weekend of girl time REALLY caught up with me. You know, around 7:53 after I laid my tired body down...

Also, have I mentioned what a FABULOUS husband I have? Not lately? Okay, then I will.

When ne picked me up at the airport he told me all the laundry was done. He'd mopped both the kitchen and living room (our L.R. is huge and all tiled), plus he had a plan for dinner and my car was washed. And the boys had fresh hair cuts.

He really is THE. BEST.

And because he's so wonderful he let me go here to be with friends. He made it so that I could have time away to be rejuvenated. (just look at that water so Clear and Fresh!)


Sometimes I wonder how I got to have him and no one else. But it doesn't matter, he's mine forever and that's all that does.

Time away is always good and needed. But home is certainly where my heart is...

I've Returned...

...to home and to blogging.

My weekend was wonderful, relaxing, hilarious and a little painful (I'll explain) and just a beautiful, fun time with good friends.

There's a lot to say and many pictures to post. But some will have to wait because frankly, I'm adjusting back to reality now that my MIL and BIL are gone and Tim is back to work. Oh yeah, and I'm a Mom, so I'm back to work too!

Before I left yesterday I thanked Christy for allowing me the chance to have 3 days without changing any diapers. I love her.

On Saturday I walked/ran (almost) 8 miles - MOSTLY walked - with Thea at my side and the conversation was so great that the 2 hours and 20 minutes went by way faster than I thought. All the while the other girls training for the 1/2 marathon in San Diego in June, did their training. It was so cool.

Later that afternoon as we sat basking in THIS view...



...Thea said, "I don't remember the last time I just sat in a chair." Me neither girl, but now we do!

These are some fabulous women that I could never say enough about.

Back Row: Kirsten, Tiffany, Me, Amanda
Front Row: Thea, Heather, Lisa, Christy

I'm so glad that I got to join them this weekend...



While gone I realized that I've somehow injured my Achilles tendon on my right foot. I'm just upset because after reading about it I came to the conclusion I need to rest it before I keep pushing myself. Phooey.

But that's okay, once it's better I'll get back to running and I know I'll have the support I need from this wonderful community I am part of. And that is so wonderful, just like my weekend was...

Fated

Tim and I met at a Catholic student retreat that included a few colleges in the area. I didn't arrive until Saturday morning because I had to work Friday night and if I'd been scheduled on Saturday, I proably wouldn't have gone. Tim almost didn't come to the retreat at all.

If either of those details had actually happened we probably never would have met. I believe we were meant to be there, together, at the same time.

It's almost too much for me to contemplate...

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This weekend I travel to Texas, not to visit family who is there, but to spend time and bond with some of my blogging sisters. Christy is graciously hosting us and gifting us with time to be together face to face, not just through our computer screens.

I believe I was meant to start blogging 3 and half years ago so that these women could become a part of my life.

Tomorrow I will meet six woman in real life for the first time and I am willing to bet they will mean even more to me once this weekend is over.

It's already almost too much for me to think about.

Although I will miss my family (especially my sweet baby girl who I will be away from for the first time) I need this weekend. My soul needs this weekend.

I'll be back on Monday but I'm sure I'll be "checking in" while hanging out in the Hill Country.

I hope you enjoy your weekend just as much as I plan to make the most of mine...

Nine "Laffy" Tid-Bits

I discovered BlogTrotting when Maria from Bored Mommy posted about her hometown, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Here is my post about the city where we currently live. And if you are new to my blog - WELCOME!

When my husband first came to me in the Spring of last year and said there was a good possibility we were moving to Lafayette, Louisiana I was a little dumbstruck. And then I said, "Where?" I had to look it up on the map to see exactly where it was within the state. And for your information, it kinda sits in the corner of the "L" that makes up this small but powerfully spicy state. Lafayette has grown in the last few years as many people moved here after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The main industries here are petroleum and natural gas (which Tim's job is affiliated with) and health care.

Here are NINE things I've learned about and experienced since we moved here last Summer. And of course I have to start with the food.

FOOD (and drink)

This is CAJUN country. They like their food stuffed, boiled, fried and SPICY. We are currently in the midst of crawfish season (typically March - June) and ate our fair share last weekend. Crawfish boils can become quite the party and get together and our friend even D.J.ed for one last weekend!

(the spread at our neighbors house last Saturday)

This town has a TON of restaurants for it's size. You can have gumbo, po' boys, and most any kind of seafood you'd want. And even the pizza at our favorite pizza place, Dean-O's, is Cajun inspired. This is also the home of the "plate lunch" and boy, do they pile it on!

And you can drive up to the daiquiri bars pretty much any time of the day and leave with your favorite flavored spirit. No lie (okay, they may not open 'til 10 a.m. or so...).

Close to Tabasco

In relation to the first one, you'd never know that the one and ONLY Tabasco plant that supplies the ENTIRE world with the little bottles of hot sauce is just 25 minutes from here. I didn't before I lived here. Avery Island is the home of Mr. MkIlhenney's original sauce. And next to that are the Jungle Gardens, which we've already visited twice since we've lived here.


Southern Hospitality

I hesitate to say this but we've met more people in our neighborhood here in 9 months than we met in 5 years where we used to live. Our neighbors have given me clothes for Baby K, hosted an egg hunt for the boys, taken The B Man to the circus and hosted us for a craw fish boil (see above). Not to mention people wave all the time while driving and are just more courteous on the roads (for the most part). There's something to be said for Southern Hospitality.

Foliage

I think even if you just toss it outside and then ignore it, it will grow here. There are two seasons here - Hot&Sticky and Coolish, although we did have a colder than usual winter this year. Camellias bloom in the Winter, Azaleas and a slew of other things, in the Spring. The snap dragons are gorgeous and of course this is Live Oak country with the moss in the trees and everything is just so pretty here right now.


French and Catholic Culture

After exile in the 1780's from what is now Nova Scotia in Canada (formerly knows as Acadie), French Speaking Canadians migrated to this area. They left because they were Catholic and would not pledge allegiance to the Anglican Church of England. And to this day this region is steeped in Catholicism. This area is know known as Acadiana (pronounced Uh-kay-dee-anna). The photograph below is of The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist near downtown.


Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is a HUGE deal here. There are 3 weekends of parades and on actual Mardi Gras most people take off from work and school is closed. We only went to one parade and the boys loaded up on beads and each got a stuffed animal thrown at them as well. They have a whole system for setting up the parade route (which is the same for each one) and many of the trees and power lines along the street are "decorated" with beads all year long. Oh and have you ever heard of King Cake? If not, I'm sorry. Delicious. (it's a traditional Mardi Gras ring-shaped cake made of dough and fruit filling).


University of Louisiana/Ragin' Cajuns

I was happy to learn that there is a University here. In a way it reminds me of the town where I went to college because of it. It's not a HUGE school but it's enough to keep the town "young", you know? The campus is quite beautiful in areas and very "Southern" as well. As a matter of fact it is the only university in the country with its own swamp/alligator habitat. You heard it here folks!

(photo credit HERE)

Closer to the beach

We love the panhandle coast of Florida and we are now only about 6 hours away from the gorgeous blue water and white sandy beaches that call my name. Plus I've heard that there are some lovely beaches in Alabama as well, which is even closer and we'll certainly have to check those out eventually. We are off to the beach in early June this year! Can't wait!!



Festivals!

Lafayette has many festivals including Festival International de Louisiane which happens to be this coming weekend! It features music and art from over 20 different countries and of course LOTS of yummy food! There are also local crawfish festivals (who would have guessed!) and Festival Acadiens in October, which we missed last year since I'd JUST had a baby!

And there's my list!

We've been here for a little over nine months now and have settled in quite nicely in our new city. Thanks for stopping by to learn more and if you are ever plan to come to Lafayette drop me a line and I'll buy you the best beignet in town. Don't EVEN get me started on the pastries...

WW - My Path

Sometimes I wonder what if? What if I'd taken a different path. But then I follow after this little guy and marvel at him and his brother and sister and realize I'm walking the path that was always meant for me...

It Was Kind of a Crazy Day

I left the gym tonight while it was dark and immediately hit the power lock. I looked in the back seat just to make sure I hadn't locked someone in with me, instead of locked them out (paranoid much?). And that's when I started laughing at the idea that anyone else could even FIT in my backseat.

We're talking about a CR-V that's crammed with a booster and two car seats. No one over 7 years old is gettin' back there. At least not comfortably.

Today was kind of a crazy day so I just wanted to make sure it hadn't gotten any crazier with someone back there wanting to steal my wallet. Which probably wasn't in the car anyway since it's been in the diaper bag and two different purses in the last week. I honestly don't know for sure where it is as I type this.

The morning started with me almost crying over spilled milk. You know, an entire bowl of little boy's cereal on the freshly mopped-by-my-husband floor (yes my husband mops and NO, I do NOT take it for granted).

Then after frantically showering and getting ready so I could register the cereal-spilling toddler for "summer school," I did so and then hurried on to an eye doctor appointment only to find out that they can't see me because they do not deal in my antiquated hard contact lenses (and I was ticked because I told the person on the phone that that is what I wear...). So while the baby spilled an entire thing of Dum-Dums on the floor they found me one of only TWO eye doctors in town that still orders this type of contact (gas perm if you're interested) and proceeded to ask why I don't get Lasik (no thank you, do not want a laser near my eyes).

Various other little mishaps took place. You know, even more things spilled, baby poop on my hands (multiple times), etc, etc.

But at the end of the day my husband told me to go on to the gym and take the time to take care of myself. He's awesome like that.

And since it was just me in the car on the way home (well, me and the three car seats and a pack of diapers and a stroller and Godonlyknowswhatelse) I drove on home to thank my husband for letting me get some exercise, have some 'me' time and just generally feel better.

P.S. Ran for 8 minutes straight! Yay!

P.P.S. Baby already outgrew the baby carrier thingy so now when she falls asleep on the way to Target (her favorite store, wink, wink) I have to actually get her out of the seat. Not so fun.

P.P.P.S. See photo below of the state of the back seat when Tim changed out the car seats. That really messy part? Yeah, that would be where the toddler sits. Go figure.

I Kinda Wanted to Name This Post "She Sucks" But That Sounds Bad.

Katie Boo-sie Boo-sie Boo (my latest nickname for her) likes the paci.

See, neither of the boys were pacifier kids so this isn't something that I'm accustomed to.

And yes, it has it's advantages, like being able to stick in in her mouth while she's playing on a blanket outside knowing that with it inserted she cannot put grass and clover in her mouth and then later spit it out (that didn't really happen. Okay, maybe it did...)

But I'm also already worried that it will be hard to give up someday. I myself was a thumb-sucker and I was an ancient EIGHT years old before I gave that up. I remember that I had a special "blankie" that I rubbed while I pacified myself and that I would look for it when I got home from school every day. I used to think back on that and say to myself, "oh my, how stupid," but now I have kids and well, not so stupid anymore.

But I digress.

Baby K uses the paci mostly to settle before naps and bedtime. She usually drops it out or we take it out of her mouth before she lays down to sleep. BUT, lately I've been giving it to her just randomly when she fusses, etc. And there have a been a couple of times that I've laid her down with it in her mouth (shhh, don't tell).

I kinda feel like her "dealer." he he.

Anyway, I wonder if any of you have any tips for me. Should we try to quit the paci now or wait until later? I know she's only a mere 6.5 months old but I'm not interested in fighting the good fight to get rid of it later if I can nip in the bud now. Plus, as I mentioned, I have ZERO experience with this previously so I need y'all to weigh-in.

So, lay it on me. Give me your paci advice. Stat.

Any and all is appreciated...

I Couldn't See...

We've been walking around the neighborhood almost every night with the kids in the last few weeks. Most of the time The B Man rides his too little for him "Thomas" bike while the baby and Little G go in the wagon. Some nights B doesn't want to ride so in that case he and G go in the bike trailer, which also functions as a 'stroller', and baby goes in the regular stroller.

Tonight Tim was late getting home from work so I took the kids by myself, which meant that B HAD to ride his bike and I had to pull the two littles in the wagon. Oh yeah, that's yet ANOTHER way they ride (not comfortable with G and K riding together next to each other in bike trailer yet...).

So anywho... Obviously B can go faster on his bike than I can walking and pulling close to 50 pounds in the wagon (G is weighing in at 31.8 and K at almost 17). He has a tendency to get TOO far ahead and tonight it was WAY too far. I could barely see him and we were coming up to the end of the residential street that then goes out onto a VERY busy street where the speed limit is 45mph and well frankly, it scares the ever lovin' c.r.a.p outta me.

Now before I go any further with this story, know that we have a little "routine" on these walks. The sidewalk he rides on does "dead end" before the busy street and B knows to stop there and turn around.

However. Tonight there was a family out in their yard and the mother could see B better than I could (I was a good 400-500 ft behind him) and she started running after him but he kept going. I panicked because I thought maybe something had happened where he couldn't control his bike and since she had a better view than me I just wasn't sure what was going on. I dropped the wagon handle (on the right-hand sidewalk, other kids were fine) and started running and yelling his name. And he STILL kept going.

In that moment. THAT moment, I truly felt THE MOST helpless that I've EVER felt as a parent. If he were headed to that busy street, I couldn't get there in time to stop him. I don't think the other woman could have either. And not only helpless but THE most petrified too.

And then? He stopped, right at the end of the sidewalk, like he ALWAYS does.

She didn't know our routine.

I couldn't see.

It was scary.

Once it was all over we both cried (him more so than me). He thought he was "in trouble" but I tried my best to explain that the other lady didn't know and I couldn't see. I wanted him to know that he did nothing wrong except just go too far ahead.

He'll be staying closer to me now.

How will I ever be able to let him leave home?

I have no idea...

You Capture - Fresh

"It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us. " - Dickens

WW - Look Alikes

I think my two youngest children kinda look alike. You?
(even the hair. hee hee.)

The Soundtrack of My Life

It's the little boy laughter that echoes throughout the cavernous living room.

It's the music from the exer-saucer as baby's hand smacks down. Is it something from the Baroque period? I'm not sure.

It's the swish of the washer and the tumble of the dryer.

It's the beeping of the microwave and the ice maker dropping a few cubes.

It's the pull of a dining chair across the tile kitchen floor.

It's the little stirrings and cries as baby wakes.

It's Justin Roberts and the Wicked soundtrack and songs from Glee while driving in the car.

It's Tom & Jerry and Max & Ruby.

It's the question for some milk or water to drink.

It's the garage door humming on it's way up as Daddy pulls into the driveway.

It's the prayer before dinner "Bless us O Lord..."

It's the water rushing into the bath tub where my babies get clean.

It's the baby girl breathing as she relaxes into, and falls asleep in my arms.

It's the whisper of "I love you" from my husband.

It's the t.v. in the background while my fingers type.

It's the silence of my bedroom as I lay down to decompress and prepare to wake and hear it all again tomorrow.

Oh and lately it's the boys, singing a little Guns N Roses...

On Smocked Dresses and Free Address Labels and Moving

No, we are NOT moving again. It's just that I still talk about the "big move" and things related to it quite a bit so it's in the title of this post. K? K.

Actually, it's been over nine months since we moved and things are going well. Of course it has it's "pros" and "cons" just like anything. I do like the smaller town feel at times and we've already made some pretty good friends here but on the flip side having to find a baby sitter is "for the birds" and good Chinese food around here? Yeah, that doesn't exist. I'm contemplating moving my MIL here but she's not going for it. Oh and I need her for the babysitting, not the Chinese food. That is unless she knows how to make a really good Sesame Chicken...

It's hard to believe that's it's been almost a year since we first came here to check out the town (it was on Mother's Day weekend last year). To think we've almost been through every season here just kinda blows my mind.

Also, did you know that smocked dresses are VERY popular here? Yeah, I didn't either until I moved here. Maybe it's a Southern thing?? I think they are cute but never thought that much about them before moving here and seeing a ton of them in a local baby boutique. Yes, very popular. Our neighbor has given us a few hand-me-downs from her Granddaughter and the other day she gave me a darling smocked jumper with light green eyelette fabric and cute pink embroidered flowers. Baby K wore it to church yesterday and it's SO sweet on her. More smocking may be in our future (her Christening dress also had it...).

Plus we've lived here long enough now to have accumulated 5 bajillion of those pre-addressed return labels from various charities. In which I have a couple of questions about...


1.) Wouldn't they need LESS money from me if they didn't waste so much money producing those and sending them out to people?

2.) And why do they always have MY name on them? Do they feel like it's easier to play on the emotions of a woman than a man?

2.) And wouldn't they need EVEN MORE LESS money from me if they didn't also send note pads and cards with stickers to seal the cards and NICKELS (last time I checked those are actual money) and calendars and mini dream catchers? (please tell me I'm not the only one who got one of those?)?

I mean, I know I'm no rocket scientist or anything but I'm kinda right on this, right?

Anyway, it's a Monday and I didn't start my laundry until late yesterday so I better scoot.

See you on twitter or FB. You know, in between loads.

P.S. The boys washed my car this weekend and the baby's still cute. But you probably already knew that last part...


XOXO

PSF - Time To Play

I had the idea to get something for the boys to play with out in the backyard. A "dual" birthday gift that would come in between their two birthdays (but for the time of year factor, MUCH closer to The B Man's, since Little G's isn't until mid-May).

So, we went to the local toy store (and when I say local, I mean locally owned and operated, not the one with the giraffe) and bought a good old-fashioned swing set. No, it's not that fancy but it's similar to what I had HOURS of fun on as a little girl so it's ALL. GOOD.


Tim spent ALL evening putting it together last night. Oh! And I helped hold the teeter-totter part while he screwed it on. Aren't I awesome? ;). (really, HE is...)

The first thing the boys did this morning was run out to see that it was finished. It was.

And now someone is "chomping at the bit" to get out there and SLIDE! But I won't let him yet because it's a little chilly and the whole thing is wet from the overnight dew.


He may break me soon though. It is a beautiful day and I could always dry the slide off with a towel.

Honestly, I can't wait for my boys to play on this together and even the little girl someday too (I may have to replace one of the swings with a baby one for now...). Like I said, I had one similar but I usually had to play on it alone, unless a friend came over, because my brothers were so much older and weren't into swinging or sliding any more.

So yes, this swing set is just as much of a gift to me as it is to them.

It's the little things...




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