Another creative Sunday project!

Idea from pinterest I got a way back that I wanted my oldest to paint me. He drew it quickly then let it sit for a few months. I kept warning him that if he didn't finish it that I would. Today I did. Of coarse he said, "I was going to do it tomorrow." I still let him sign it too.

Boys party theme has been chosen!

And yes I made this!

10 years!

Tomorrow marks the 10th Anniversary of the beginning of this blog. It's crazy to think I have had it for that long. When I started I hadn't a clue as to what I was doing (still really don't). There weren't a whole lot of blogs around yet and I was just wanting some place to post some thoughts, however dumb and mundane they may have been. I also wasn't very consistent, only have 2 posts my first year. But it was a start, and I would have not believed anyone at that time who told me I would still be doing it 10 years later. 

Already playing peek a boo!

Postpartum weight loss update!

I try to not make this a weight loss blog. Gosh there are so many out there. But right now it is a part of what's going on in my life. It has been a relatively slow process but I am super happy about how far I have come thus far. I have lost 25 pounds and I am 8-9 pounds under pre-pregnancy weight (before Heston and Ridlee). I continue to do interval training and WW. I have followed it every day and never even get close to using all my bonus points. I am still going and hoping to lose around 10-15 more. 
Here are some updated pics. Sorry about the dirty mirror. 
Gun Show!

Saying goodbye.

This week has had a lot of ups and downs. Monday school started and the trips to drop off the kids in the morning has been more complicated than what I had anticipated due to the complexity of Bentonville's traffic. And I had envisioned it being pretty difficult. I didn't take the same route twice this week. None were really any better than the others.  Monday a good friend and strong Christian woman from our church was put in ICU for a blood clot to the heart. Tuesday she passed away. Connie was an amazing woman and mother of 5. The rest of the week everyone was left in shock at how sudden she passed and how out of nowhere it happened. You really never know when your time is due. As a mother it is even scarier to know at any moment I could leave my children. Yesterday was her funeral and my birthday. I celebrated a very important life, even if it wasn't my own. I can't tell you how touching it was to see so many at her funeral. There was barely any standing room at all. She had touched so many lives. Her children were so strong and brave. I pray my children would be as well if put in their position. I also hope to touch just a percentage of the people that she touched in her life. If I die having done that, then I will have lived a whole, full life. So part of the ups for this week is not just in celebrating what an amazing woman she was but how I want to try more and more to be that Christ like woman who is a servant leader for others. 

Back to school!

The first day was as difficult as I imagined it. Left house at 6:58 and got back around 8:15. Ryker, the only child I didn't have to take, took the wrong back pack and I ended up having to go by his school anyways. Gosh Bentonville, why does your traffic have to stink so bad!

15 years!

This past Thursday marked a huge milestone in our marriage. The blessing of 15 years. Hard to believe it's been 15 years. That also means we have been together 17 years next month. That's right at half our lives. I am the first to admit our marriage has had some huge stumbles. That first year alone was a doozy. We were the closest to calling it quits about 6 years in. But we stuck through it... even went to several sessions for marriage counseling at the University of Arkansas. So no I am not a hypocrite when I recommend others to do the same. It did wonders for us. Another huge boost was finding our church that year. I cannot tell you enough the huge blessing these people have been in our lives. They are family and have been for the past 9+ years. As some know we live at least 2.5 hours away from both our parents. That means we can't just drop the kiddos off for a date night. However, our kiddos have some amazing step in grandparents from our church. Ms. Cathy and Mr. Dale have done so much for our family over the years. They are also our Sunday school teachers for our couples class. They have been the best example of what a Godly marriage and what Servant Leadership is. I can only hope to be a 10th of the blessing that they are to others. They watched our kiddos Friday night. The older 4 stayed the night while we got Ridlee after going to the movies and dinner. It was the first movie I have seen since before she was born. The kids of course had a blast and are already asking when the next time is.  I cannot fathom my life without my husband. I am glad we stuck through all those hard times. We both had a lot of growing up to do seeing how we married so young. But I feel we are more in love today than when we first married. Our lives will always be busy and on the go. With 5 children that will never change. Even when they are all out of the home we will then start the phase of grandparenting. Chaos will always be synonymous with our life. And that is ok. 

Look whose 7 months today!

Time is sure flying by with this lady! Too fast if you ask me. Slow down already. 

Nearing that time again...

I just read and article about back to school and it equated this time as a parent's Independence day. Even as a mother of 5, I do not feel this way, nor will I ever. The first day of school to me is as daunting as a looming incarceration date (well at least to what I can imagine, never been incarcerated...knock on wood!). There are several reasons for this...

1. Our kids go to school in another district 15-20 minutes away, due to where my husband teaches. This means that there is no bus route for them available and Steven and I have to share car pooling detail. And this also equates to very early rise schedules and I love sleep a lot more than most people.

2. Somewhat included with number 1, all of our older 3 go to 3 different schools all on staggered schedules. Meaning we have to finagle dropping them off and picking them up in a way that is indicative of an art form. Child number 4 goes to a preK but can be dropped off and picked up at non-specific times.

3. I get spoiled in the summers having my husband home. I love coming home from work and having my family here. I know the kids are well cared for and I don't worry about what's happening in their day. My work schedule is very flexible, which I love. Ridlee will be staying with a nanny/babysitter while I work so I can be with her pretty much anytime I am not working. And it will be in our home. I still worry about her though because with Steven if she doesn't sleep or gets fussy, he is usually the second best (me being first) to get her happy. I worry a babysitter can get worn out with her. Note: our babysitter is wonderful, no reason to complain. This is just an inside worry of mine generally.

4. I just worry. While schools are generally safe and I have no specific complaints of where my children attend, I cannot help but worry about health, safety, and general environment. Honestly I would homeschool in a heart beat if my kids weren't already heavily involved in stuff in their schools. Gage is diving huge into cross country and would be devastated if he couldn't do that.

So come August 18th I just grin and bare it and drive them to their destinations. I cringe inside the moment they get out of the car. I think about them throughout my days. I enjoy every day off from school they get and secretly wish for snow days, but regret them when summer comes around and is exceedingly short. This summer went by far too fast, but I knew it would.

I really don't know how parents sent their kids off to school to live for months and months back when. They grow up too fast as it is. I guess this is just maybe one of those things that make me rather "different".