Mom, my boogers look like...

So today my kids and I had a pretty fabulous day. Full of fun laughter and music.

It was a day for the calender. :)

My oldest reminded me today how much he was like me and that I really am wrong when I say he gets his attitude from his dad. No it definitely comes from me.

But more today I realized how a child's brain works. So completely out of the box.

My son parker, (who has a mind and personality all his own) is all boy. He loves gross things, slimy things.  Worms, mud, bugs, creepy crawlies. God was definitely testing my abilities to be a boys mom when he gave me him. :)

He also gets the biggest kick out of bodily functions. He's the first one to yell I tooted, and crack up when we say it stinks. (As I said a personality all of his own)

Well we have been working on the no nose picking the last few weeks. Trying to encourage tissues and less....fingers... bleh.

Tonight while in the car, he was apparently picking his nose. And informed me in the front seat...

"Mom, my boogers look like Ramen noodles!"

Oh. My. Gosh. Can I say ew enough. Ha

After going through the speech of, "please don't pick your nose Parker and DEFINITELY don't eat it, it is NOT ramen" I had to laugh at the realization that I came to.

How do children see things?
How differently they can see objects and the world.

I always say my biggest fear in life is that Parker has zero fear of anything. He sees everything as exciting, as nothing to back away from.

My son sees no reason to fear the stranger he says hello to in walmart as he offers them a bite of his cookie. He is truly one in a million.

Tonight I realized that his brain works in ways I myself as his mother will most likely never understand. And that's ok.

He's all his own.

I was given the gift of getting to raise this amazing, spontaneous and fearless little boy.

There will be times I will probably have to hold my breath when he gets older when one of his fearless stunts takes my mommy breath away.

My children teach me things everyday and the amazing fact is that today... I learned from something as disgusting as boogers. :)

Picky eaters...

My 4 year old Kyden is an incredibly picky eater. And I mean an INCREDIBLY picky eater.
I more often than not hear "I hate that" before he's even tried it.

One thing the child will not eat no matter what is onions. So tonight I was experimenting with some pork ribs and sautéed them in an onion butter sauce. Delish. This was Kyden

K- "Mommy what is this."

(minor white lie)
Me- "it's butter baby."
* looks at it suspiciously*
K- "ok."

5 mins later

K-"mmmm mommy this is soooo good!"

Me- "I'm so glad you like it. I've got a secret for you."

K-"what?"

Me- "That's butter."

K- "yeah. I know." *smacking big bite*

Me- "And onions."

*stops chewing looks incredibly freaked out and literally spits it out*

(slightly annoyed)
Me- "now why did you just do that?"

K- "it's not so good anymore mommy. It was ok at first but the onions made me want to make bubbles." (what he calls throwing up)

Yeah right. Teaches me to tell the truth...😣

Enjoy! :)

No that's not a baby in my belly...

I remember hearing stories all around of women getting confused as being pregnant when they arent.
I also remember feeling humiliated for both parties.
But I could find shocked humor in the story because well... it wasn't me who said it or me who received it.

I couldn't imagine that it happened to often. I mean come on who gets mistaken for pregnant if they aren't? I've never really had it mistaken for me and I've never mistaken someone as being pregnant.

I had someone ask me if I was pregnant once when my oldest was 6 months old. I was offended. But two days later I found out I was. I shoved it off as they had a feeling haha.

As most mommas know when you grow a human inside of you its common to gain weight. To develop a pooch. And to never get rid of it.

After my daughter was born in October, I had grown a total of 3 humans inside me. Quite an accomplishment if you ask me ;)

Between 3 babies in 4 years and just the fact that I'm almost 30, my body doesn't bounce back like it used to.

Mid December I had my first ever moment of being questioned "is it a boy or a girl this time?"

I had my husband, both boys and my 2 month old daughter with me and sadly I think that was even more humiliating.

It was a sweet elderly lady who meant no harm and was sincerely wanted to spread congratulations.  But at that moment I didn't find her sweet, adorable and I certainly wasn't fining humor in it either.

It took my husband reassuring me over and over and me being extremely self insecure for a couple weeks.

I have grown three humans.  I have the body that some may look at and find less than perfect.  But I brought 3 perfect creations into this world and for that I see myself as beautiful.

But note to all.  Never assume a woman is pregnant don't even mention it unless she is obviously about to pop or has told you herself that she is.  ;)

Boys are superheroes mommy

I came across a Facebook post from a year ago of my oldest boy who was 3 at the time showing his brilliant personality and thought I'd share! :)

On the way to aunt bees tonight while on the highway the boys see a cement truck...

"mommy a robot!" They scream together.

"wow you're right! So cool!" - Me

Kyden then goes on to explain about robots.

"they have band aids in their doors and they save people and put out fires and and fix cars..."

"so robots are kinda like super heroes then?" - Me

"yeah mommy! Like me and brother and daddy! But you're not a super hero mommy..."

Ouch right? Haha
Wait for it...

"hey I'm kind of a super hero! I'm super mommy!" - Me

"no mom you CAN'T be a super hero you're just a girl. Super heroes are boys like me, parker, daddy and Opa."

*tongue in cheek*

"really now? I guess we need to watch some wonder woman." - Me

"who?"

"ok how about storm from xmen!" -Me

"uhhhhhh...."

Wow.. This comic book character nerd of a mom has a big F stamped on her head. Lol

Hope this put a smile on your face today like it did mine! :)

Happiness in a dream

Children.
They are a gift. A gift you love, protect and make sacrifices for.

Being a mother is never a right. It is a privilege. A privilege to carry them, protect them, love them, teach them to respect and show care and to give up your own dreams to make sure theirs take form.

Being a father isn't based on what's YOURS. Or what you control. It is based on what you are willing to do for your children, change for your children, to be there for your children and how you love your children. Your children are not given to you to control. They are given to you to raise and show how to live a better life than even you do yourself. To care for others and to have a loving heart.

A parent always wants better for their children than they had for themselves.

I grew up in a home where my parents would tell me
"you can be anything you want to be"
"Fairytales do exist prince charming is out there"
"I love you as big as the sky and only Jesus loves you more"

Needless to say I had a pretty amazing childhood. But still my desire for my children is for theirs to be BETTER.

I want my children to reach for the stars and know that they are never out of their reach.

If my daughter wants to be a lawyer, you bet I'll buckle up and stand beside her study the terms and help her soar. Her mind is going to be something worth reckoning with.

If my oldest boy wants to be a famous athlete I will stand on the sidelines at every game and cheer him on win or lose because he will always be a winner to me.

If my youngest son wants to be a musician. I will stand backstage and watch my boy shine. His presence demands attention.

If they want to work in call centers, in a box factory, as a bus driver I will ask them daily about the things that made them smile.

I have three dreams. Yes, three.

My children's dreams.

What they hope for and wish for.

What they will work for and achieve.

Not a single thing will be out of their reach because mommy will always be standing behind them, reminding them how incredibly remarkable they are.

No matter how big or how small their dreams, my children will be phenomenal.

Because all I want for them is one thing.

Their happiness.

2015 you showed me something more

2015. What can I say about you? I really am having bittersweet emotions about you now.

You started off with a blessing of finding out I was pregnant. That was pretty amazing.

Then swiftly after gave us a trial that was extensive, intense and quite frankly. Long.
Daniel's injury followed by multiple complications with my pregnancy leading to a car accident. Making me doubt my abilities as a wife and a mother.

But in those moments you gave us the visual emotional and physical evidence of amazing friends that we have. From being blessed financially, emotionally, with food, childcare, parties to celebrate baby Kass (even though at times i struggled to celebrate my pregnancy myself), baby items, easter baskets, maternity clothes, baby clothes, items to sell in a garage sale, rides, visits, even just the willingness to want to help or even the desire if they were unable.

And for me what many of our friends gave me was space.
Thank you for that.

By August I was ready for you to leave 2015.

I felt out of place and pretty useless at 32 weeks pregnant being unable to work, or drive. Feeling overwhelmed with another litter of puppies (no more by the way, she's fixed ;))

My own insecurities caused great issues in my relationship with my husband. I was angry at you 2015...

Then came October.  I went into labor two days before my scheduled c section. And I was blessed with a beautiful gift. My baby girl.
For her I will be eternally grateful to you 2015.

You can leave now. Don't worry I will never forget you. For as many amazing moments, terrible moments and moments that you opened my eyes to the beautiful people around me. I have learned. I promise I will remember you fondly.

I do hope 2016 and I enjoy our time together more though! ;)

Was it a wasted day?

Today I had a good day with my kids. And I mean a seriously good day.

I noticed yesterday those don't happen very often...

I remember when I was younger and I told people I wanted to have all my kids before I was thirty because I wanted to be that mom that got down on the ground and made mud pies with her kids. Danced in the rain with her kids. Made cookies with her kids.

Then I became a mom...

Everything became harder than I ever expected it to. How you can go from an almost completely clean kitchen to an overwhelming disaster in a matter of an hour is beyond me. Or how no matter how many loads of laundry you do the mountain just keeps growing. And why dear God why did you bless me with a house that had white carpet. (Note that I said had).

Becoming a mom has become a lot less mothering my children and more about cleaning up after them.

My boys go out in the backyard to play and I stay in to try to tackle that unfolded pile of clothes on the love seat. Sorry boys no bike riding today. I can't go out front with you.

Yesterday I was sitting playing candy land with them and noticed myself getting frustrated with my three year old parker, for taking to long to take his turn. Didn't he know I wanted to get the living room cleaned up?
While we played I couldn't stop thinking about cleaning the living room to surprise my husband. I needed to at some point go through their clothes and get rid of the too smalls because their closet is overflowing. Those toys that are pouring out of their closet, I need to get to those too. Oh and I've been needing to bleach the shower.
I caught myself looking at my three year old utterly exasperated and saying
"if you do not sit down and play the game you will NOT BE playing the game. I have things to do son!"

Way. To. Go. Mom.

At that moment I realized that I do not devote my time with my children to them. Or even me.
I couldn't remember the last time spending time with my kids was just me spending time with them, enjoying them, playing with them...

Then I felt guilty. What happened to the fun mom from my plan. The one that wanted her children to always feel secure. The one that her kids would look back on and say my mom was the most incredible mom in the world and I knew she was always there for me.
What happened to the mom who wanted to dance in the rain with her kids or go out and get all muddy?

What happened to that mom?

She had three kids.
Three beautiful babies who deserve her attention to be 100% every now and then.
She has a house that doesn't want people to see a mess. 
She has a husband she wants to think she has it all under control.
She has children who make messes. :) that one is a real shocker.

So today I played with my kids.  We tickled and played hide and seek.  Ate chips and slim jims. And drank sweet tea.

My living room need picked up, clothes need rotated, dishes need loaded. But right now I put my kids to bed. I hear them in there giggling watching a movie and I feel peace. My house is a mess but my children are laughing :)

A completely wasted day :)
Is what most would view it.
To me?
It's one of the fullest I've had in a long time.