Past Post Parade - August

I started this idea because I like to peek into your archives and I personally think it's great fun to go back and read other bloggers previous posts.

So here's how it goes: Link up to a post from August of last year or August of any previous year, depending on how long you've been blogging.

If you haven't been blogging for a year yet then just go back as far as you want and link up to something older. It's so easy to link up because your post is already written!

Sometimes it's hard for me to pick one because I get caught up reading MY old stuff, just to see what was going on in my life at that time. And then I forget why I was even searching through... Anyway, I promise you'll have fun going through your older posts too!

So, link away my bloggy friends and enjoy this month's Past Post Parade! And don't forget to visit each other's posts too so that you can see what everyone else was up to last year or the year before that or the year before that...

And here, we go, I'll start! My post from last year at this time. Let's just say, well.... I was VERY pregnant!....

And I think it's going to rain today...

....but you really never know until the clouds are right over us and I start to hear the "tat tat tat" on the roof of the screened-in porch.

We have no plans today, except maybe a quick trip to the grocery store. Between rain clouds, hopefully.

I like "no plans" because then I don't have to worry about when Baby K "has" to get up and go somewhere. I really dislike waking a napping baby. But sometimes I have to.

I also don't like "no plans" because I feel like we need to be doing something. But really, we don't...

So, here I sit, savoring my coffee, while sitting on the sofa in my p.j.s and watching Little G play with his favorite toys while Baby K sleeps in.

I'm already looking forward to the holiday weekend. But I'm also pensive about the fact that this is the 5 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which GREATLY affected many of our friends here just a few short years ago.

Some lost property, some lost relatives. Some lost both.

I can FEEL how this time of the year is hard for them, every year.

Part of the reason I look forward to the weekend is that we are contemplating a trip to New Orleans. I've never been and I also feel the need to support and celebrate it. And honestly, I'm also just itchin' to get out of town.

So yes, it may rain a little today and as it does, I will think of and pray for those who are still hurting and wish peace for my friends...


P.S. I'm going to do Past Post Parade again tomorrow and I would LOVE it if you would link up with a post of yours from last year at this time (or even 2 or 3 years ago!). And if you haven't been blogging that long it can be ANY past post that you like. So go on and peruse your archives and then come back here tomorrow and join the fun! Now, I gotta go find an 'old' post myself...

I'll Take the Good and the Bad

Some days I have time with my children where I want to cry "UNCLE!!!" really loudly and put a sign out in the front yard that says FREE KID(S) (you know, depending on how many are bugging me at the time).

Some days I have time with my children where I am overwhelmed at how much I love them and how much joy and laughter they bring into my life and my breath is literally taken away at the fact that "these are my children" while my heart bursts out of my chest.
(nice run-on, huh?)

Most days...

I have a smattering of both.

On Wednesday Little G LOST IT because I was trying to get him to help me clean up the box of markers he just spilled all over the floor and he continually refused. He kept telling me that he didn't know "how" to clean up (that's his new thing now whenever we ask him to help clean up toys, etc.) and I finally sent him to his room. Of course once I did that his meltdown escalated into SUPER TODDLER THREE YEAR OLD CRAZY TANTRUM. Also known as a "sign-out-in-the-front-yard" moment.

But then later that morning (after the 'storm' had passed...) I was helping Little G change from his p.j.s into his clothes for the day and I started to think about how his now little-boy-body was once inside mine. All of it. His 10 fingers and his 10 toes and his big noggin' and his arms and legs. And his VERY tickle-able belly -the one I was currently tickling while his laughter echoed into our big, tiled living room and landed on my heart.

As he laid his bare chest across my knees I touched the freckle birthmark on his back, remembering that it's always been there, since the day he was put into my arms. And it has always sort of reminded me that he is mine.

This is also known as a "heart bursts out of my chest" moment.
I know that parenting is much like anything else in this life, whereas there are things we wish were not a part of it and then there are things that make us want to reproduce until we hit menopause.

And some may say that the not so good moments should go away completely but I'm gonna have to go with 'no' on that one because even those have something to teach and give us. (although many times I'm not sure what. pick up the d.a.m.n. markers for gosh sakes!!!)

(I do not cuss in front of my children. usually.)
So bring it on my kid-lets! All or your "sign in the front yard" and "heart-bursting" moments.

I'm Ready For 'Em!!!

(i think...) (especially since pre-school starts soon...)

You Capture - Get Outside

A little trip to the zoo and a ride on the zoo train with "Mother Bear"...

and some play time at the playground there as well.

Checking out the animals (the ones that weren't hiding in their 'houses' anyway...)

The clouds were pretty.

Some time playing by the 'sprinkler ball' in the yard.

And a butterfly that was nice enough to pose for me.

We did Get Outside. But we got back inside pretty fast too.

Air conditioning just feels so much better these days...

WW - The Perfect Family Portrait

I'm not sure why I'm considering spending a decent amount of money on family portraits in a few weeks.

The B Man did a fine job capturing our beautiful family himself.



I mean it is quite possible that if we actually got together to take a photo that Tim would be clandestinely grabbing my boob and The B Man would attempt to strangle his little brother. With one hand. I'm going to work REALLY hard NOT to step on the baby though...

On an artistic note, aren't our "flower" hands cute?

Yep, this is definitely one for the fridge. archives. blog.

It's All Too Fast

We cleaned out closets today.

Tim dropped off a bunch of stuff earlier this afternoon that we donated and now, sitting in the kitchen and living room, are several 'baby' things that are out the door. Tomorrow.

Of course it's bittersweet to load up these things, including bouncy seats, play mats and boxes (2 huge diaper boxes full) of clothes that already do not fit my daughter.

You know, the one that was born like...uh... yesterday?

Yeah, that one.

I've purchased the materials to hand make invitations for her first birthday party which is only about 5 weeks away.

This is crazy talk people.

She's attempting to stand on her own and seems to believe that every drawer, cabinet, shelf, container and toilet is HERS to open, dismantle and put her hands in.

Just gotta love the whole toilet thing. I'm thinking either plumbing or physics may be in her future. It's a tad too early to tell really...

Anyway, while my MIL was here this past week she got to see first-hand how 'toddler-fied' Baby K really is these days. And by my lack of baby-proofing, it's possible that I am in denial.

She's also quite demanding and although she's only speaking just a few actual words right now, we can usually tell what she's "saying" when she hollers and bellows at us. And for some reason we'll let her go on for a bit before we meet her needs. We kinda think it's amusing. Her? Not so much.

All this to say, I feel like life is moving at warp speed right now.

Baby K's first birthday soon. (oh and all that other stuff I just said up there)
Little G starts back to his pre-school in 2 weeks.
The B Man starts week 3 of First grade tomorrow.

And? There is Halloween candy in my grocery store.

It's all too fast.

Next thing you know she'll be ready to give up the pacifier...


Yeah, and about that...

I've Done VERY Little to Support the Sugar Industry These Last Three Months and Zumba is My New Best Friend

When I was a little girl I was pretty chunky.

I always had to have the biggest soccer shorts and sometimes even those didn't fit me. But I still wore them. Ugh. I was the 'biggest' girl in dance class (not the tallest, but widest) and I was teased a lot. One time while riding my bike in the school parking lot, past the kids waiting for their parents to pick them up, one said, "Oh look! There goes the bus!" (meaning me).

I remember my third grade school photo vividly. The one where I had approximately 2.5 chins and a tropical print button-down shirt (don't ask, it was the '80's) that was workin' overtime, if you know what I mean. Oh and the long, side pony-tails and the too-small-for-my-face glasses did nothing to make me look more svelte.

I remember being at the pool during the summers seeing the girls with long, thin legs and wishing that I could be like that. Just for one day. Or maybe a week. And I recall yelling at my mother one time, blaming her for always feeding me fattening foods, while I cried my eyes out at the dining room table.

When I was in middle school I was determined to NOT look so chubby and so in the 7th grade I started NOT eating. I would eat one meal a day. NOT a good idea. But I lost weight! I'm not sure how my Mother let me get away with this but I did it and I thought I looked good! (I did but I didn't, you know?) I was in NO way anorexic but I was certainly not healthy. Then I got hungry and finally started eating again and by that time I'd lost the 'baby weight' and gone through puberty so my body was just different anyway.

All this to say I've NEVER been completely happy with my body. Of course I look back now on my high school days and cannot EVEN believe I thought I was fat or whatever else.

Now I'm 35, my body has carried and given birth to three babies and I've found an eating and exercising lifestyle that works for me (see LONG title of post).

I'll never be the 'thinnest' lady around. It's just not in the genes. I still look at some of the Moms at the pool and know I won't have a body just like that. Ever. But now I know that's okay. And I know I can be at a healthy weight and look good for ME (and for my man and even my kids!).

As of this morning I'd lost the 20 pounds I set out to lose,which puts me at the weight I was the day I found out I was pregnant with Baby K. But I'm not ready to stop. I would like to lose about 8 to 10 more pounds and I believe I can.

These days my "biggest" problem is that many of my clothes don't even fit. As in they are TOO big.

Aw bummer, I guess it's about time to go shopping...



*I could show the ones from the back but I still have some 'back fat' to get rid of. Next time, k? ;)

You Capture - In The Kitchen (and the bathroom)

I do a lot of things in the kitchen.

Besides cooking.

Although I do that too. And bake. mmmm... baking...
{sorry, easily side-tracked by thoughts of baked goods.}

I also read, blog, feed children, go through mail, and various other things.

Such as.

Craft.

I found this idea and I just HAD to do it.

Sometimes I find ideas and go, "Ah, I bet I could do that!" and then I well, never actually do do that.

You've been there, right?

This time.

Different story. Completely.

I did it! In The Kitchen.

At the kitchen table actually. (it's seen a lot of craftin' 'action')

And?

I love it SO MUCH.

It now hangs in the kids' bathroom where it goes perfectly with the decor (and the kids - he he).

God bless crafting. In The Kitchen.

WW - I Will Keep Trying...

I just wanted one picture of the three of them together.

Well, I guess I should say one decent picture...









Which of these bloopers is YOUR favorite??

I won't tell you mine but I bet you can guess...

p.s. better luck next time, huh?

I Gots Questions

Were the "Pet Shop Boys" boys that actually worked at a pet shop together?

What's up with the price of gas always having that 9/10 on the sign? If the gas is 2.59 9/10 a gallon why not just make it 2.60 a gallon?

Why do they put plastic on the organic broccoli?

What hurts worse? Eyebrow waxing or a tattoo? I wouldn't know since I've never done either!

Why does the foil on the formula container not pull back AT ALL when you pull the little tab? Can't they fix that? It's Two Thousand and Ten.

Why can't I beat that one friend of mine on WWF no matter how hard I try?

Speaking of games, who came up with Chutes & Ladders? I don't like them.

Why did God invent mosquitoes? WHY?!?!

Whatever happened to my watch?

Why did I not have any baby wipes in the car the other day when Baby K decided to poop during school pick up time?

How come toddlers find SO MUCH enjoyment in peeling the paper off of all the crayons?

Who ever actually killed two birds with one stone?

And whatever happened to Jeff? (this is a family inside joke but you are welcome to answer it if you know...)

M.I.A.

I spent quite a lot of time away from my family this weekend.

No, I didn't go anywhere besides some places here in town, but for most of Saturday and some time on Sunday, I was away from Tim and the kids.

On Saturday I used my "spa day" gift certificate that Tim gave me for my birthday back in March.

Facial, massage, lunch, pedicure, manicure, hair shampoo & style and make-up application. It was a good day. I met some really nice ladies who took care of and pampered me. It was lovely and much needed.

That evening we went out with some friends from Tim's work so the baby-sitter put my kids to bed.

On Sunday I wasn't feeling so well (may or may not have been related to my evening out. Ahem.) and then that afternoon I went to see Eat, Pray, Love with my mom friends and then out to dinner while we discussed the book and movie.

It was a full weekend of me doing things without them.

I know it's not that big of a deal, but for some reason I came home last night feeling guilty. I felt like I made Tim (who works SO hard during the week) do my primary "job" all weekend too. And don't get me wrong, he was AWESOME about it. He even cleaned and did laundry and kept the kitchen clean the whole weekend. And he absolutely has nothing to do with making me feel "guilty".

Except maybe in just doing all those things. I think I partly felt (still feel?) that way because I felt like he already had enough to do just taking care of the kids (including a teething baby!) that he didn't need to do all that extra stuff.

Do I appreciate it? Of course I do. And I try not to take if for granted. I told him a million times over how much I thankful and blessed I am to have him as my partner.

And I missed him and my kids this weekend. It's like I was so close, yet so far away.

Today is Monday and the first full week of school for The B Man.

My MIL arrives today for a visit and Tim has a full week of work ahead of him, including a short business trip.

I plan to spend a lot of time with my kids and as much as I can with my husband and enjoy my MIL while she's here.

I know I need time to myself, we all do. But I think maybe it needs to be spread out a little more next time.

I don't like the feeling of missing my family when I'm just right here.

The B Man Goes Back To School & A Giveaway!

****GIVEAWAY CLOSED - WINNER IS GRACE OF FORMERLY GRACIE****


The B Man started school yesterday.

First grade.

FIRST GRADE!!!

Okay, I know it's not THAT big of a deal to be in the first grade but he is my first child to go to full-time school and each grade is new and exciting! Each year he just seems to get bigger and wiser. This morning there was no complaining or anything of the sort. He ate breakfast, put on his uniform outfit, made sure he had everything and Tim took him off to school.

Like A BIG boy. *sigh*

He's still my precious baby though. Always will be!

Yesterday I met his teacher and I really liked her. Although our meeting was brief, her classroom was beautifully organized and she just seemed so fabulous. And, I ran into his Kindergarten teacher that morning, walking her dog (she lives one street up from us!) and I told her who his teacher was and she said I was going to love her. So...

Anyway, I know he was excited to go and part of that excitement always comes from getting his school supplies.

Last week I received a "goody bag" of school items from Staples, including some of their "green items" made from recycled materials as well as some notebooks and folders from their new "Do Something" line, which encourages kids to get involved in volunteer projects around their community, including school supply drives.

The boys favorite items included were a pencil shapener - "It's Green!" and a calculator that looks like a little dude playing soccer. It has "feet" that help it stand up and everything. The B Man kept doing "calculations" on it and adding numbers over and over. He thought that is was really cool and even took it in the car several times to "play" with!

Hey, the kid was kinda doing math, in the Summer. Works for me!

And since Back to School is still around the corner for many, it's wonderful that Staples is kind enough to offer one of you a $25 gift card and help out with the Back to School shopping that you need to do!

If you'd like to win just leave a comment telling me who you are sending off to school this year and what they are most excited for when going back.

For a second entry simply tweet about this giveaway and leave a separate comment saying you did so.

Giveaway ends next Friday, August 20 when a winner will be picked via random.org.

Good Luck and happy Back to School-ing!




*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary good bag of supplies from Staples through Mom Select but no other compensation for this post. The opinions and comments here are my own. Staples is offering one of my readers a gift card through Mom Select.

You Capture - Every Day Things

Or in this case, things I see Every Day.

As I wandered around my house wondering what "every day" things to capture I realized that one of my favorite aspects about our rental is the fact that I've put my own stamp on it with the pretty items that I like and have in this house that make it our HOME, for now.

And so, I captured those.

Every day things that make my every day beautiful.

p.s. most of these were taken of things in our bedroom and that makes me happy...

(an antique mirror in the hallway, given to us from my MIL)

(various hat boxes and a round 'train case' that sit next to my dresser - and there are real "old lady" hats in these, I used to collect them...)

(a starfish above the two mirrors in our bathroom area. I had to have one of these to remind me of the our vacation since they were all over the house we stayed in)

(a couple of the "antique", small jewelry boxes I own. Also used to collect these)

(an original painting, by none other, than my Mother. It hangs by my side of the bed. I kinda really love it.)

(pics of mah behbehs on the "new to us" old dresser I recently purchased)

(tassels on the beside lamp, aren't they fun?)

WW - I Saw an Old Friend Today...

... although if I called him "old" he'd probably be angry with me.

(He turns 50 in a week and half... shhh...I personally think he's in his prime. Meanwhile, he's trying to ignore this milestone...)

He comes to town often for business and I used to work with his lovely wife, who I ADORE, and we chatted on FB the other night and decided dinner was a fabulous idea.

Me, the kids, Tim and our friend. Dinner (and dessert...shhh...)

His presence in my life tonight reminded me how long it's been since we had seen them.

And how the passage of time sometimes just isn't fair.

But who said life was 'fair', right?

And then as I was perusing "old" pictures - you know, from some months ago, I sat marveling at how quickly my children are growing.

I can't stop time. I know that.

But I couldn't help but feel somewhat heavy in my heart, knowing that tomorrow just adds another day to their life, another lost tooth, another inch higher, another pair of shoes needed.

There are days that I wish for them to be more independent or older or less 'needy'.

But for some reason our friend and the picture perusal and my mind all told me to stop wishing such things.

I've decided NOW is time to live in the moment and remember that these days will soon be but a memory.

Live for the NOW, Elaine.

Do it.

(Kay, Kay - as I call her these days - and me, 12-21-09)

In Control?

As I was driving back from picking up The B Man's school supplies the other day, it struck me.

"Tim would never do this."

And I don't mean that in a negative or mean or bitter way.

I just mean he wouldn't.

School supplies are my 'job'.

Partly because I don't work so, uh yeah. HELLO! Very much a part of my duties in the family.

And also, because he DOES work. A LOT. And part of his job?

Is not to have to worry about stuff like that.

At all.

We have a pretty 'traditional' set up here in our household (not to say that he does not help because he SO does) and that works for us.

I also realized that another PART of the reason that I do things like school supplies and MOST of the grocery shopping and clothes shopping and all that...

Is because I'm kind of a control freak.

And I don't mean that in a mean or negative or bitter way.

I just AM.

There are MANY things that I like done my way.

I even like the dishwasher loaded in a certain fashion.

Each type of utensil together. Big plates at the front, little plates at back...

You get the picture.

And you better tri-fold the towels or there could be a minor breakdown, depending on the time of the month.

(okay, maybe it's not that bad... but it's probably a good idea to just do it 'right', k?)

The other day Tim started a load of laundry without using the sorter on wheels (which is MY way of doing it - gather all items from all hampers, sort them in the main sorter and THEN get started).

I thought I might blow a gasket.

How could he do it that way??

His point was that it didn't matter how it was started, just that is WAS started!

Okay I get that but...

Anyway, this is just a little self discovery I've learned lately.

I've also learned that some things?

You just have to let go.

If Tim had offered to go buy the school supplies.

Well, I probably would have let him.

But he'd better have bought the right scissors and crayons and composition book or...

Let's just say for now, it's best that I did it...

So what about you?

Do you like to be in control or are you okay with letting others do things their way and letting go of stuff?

Just curious.

(which translates to please tell me I am not alone. I know I can't control you, but still, help a sister out here...)


P.S. For all those of you who commented on my S.O.S. post, thank you. It took about a week but we did CIO and Baby K is now sleeping through the night with no bottle at "bleepity-bleep too early" a.m. YAY! And WAHOO!!!


P.P.S. I am MUCH more well rested...