Friday, November 30, 2012

These Hooks Make Me Happy!

 
This house has a long closet in the laundry room
that I really wanted to turn into a drop zone/mud room,
since it is easily accessed from the garage.
 
The best part is, that it has doors so whenever the kids mess up my "organization"
I can just shut the door.
Score.
 
This is how we made it work for our family.
(Sorry the pictures aren't the best but space was tight so I am practically sitting on the utility tub to take these.)
 
 The Hubs hung three inexpensive wood strips from Ikea for a total of 15 hooks, at Hobbit/kid height.
This was much cheaper than buying individual hooks and Ikea had the best price
 (which I don't remember because I bought them 6 months ago.).
 There is an existing coat rack higher at adult height for our coats or laundry that needs to dry a bit more.
 The bins are left over from a bookshelf from Costco.  Each kid, plus mom, has one for their shoes.
In the back, we have two laundry baskets squeezed in there.
One for colors and one for whites.
 
I love this kind of stuff and the kids don't seem to mind either.
I am a total dork, and I don't care!
 
I will post in the future about how I keep track (or try to keep track) of 5 kids papers...
 
Anyone else love a good organization project?
Share, please.


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Best Big Brother Ever!

I was trying to get the turkey in the oven for Thanksgiving
when Julia begged me to help put ponytails in her doll's hair.
No one was around...except Porter.
"Um, Porter.  Can you come help Julia do her doll's hair?" I ask.
Porter looks around for someone else and replies, "Uh, okay."
He walks over, awkwardly picks up a ponytail holder and less than confidently says,
"You want me to put this thing in her hair?"

And he did.

BEST BIG BROTHER EVER!


Monday, November 26, 2012

My Baby is 3!




  I can't believe it! Our baby is three!
  I love looking back at pictures and believe it or not, I am a little sad knowing that our family is complete
and that Maryn is no longer a baby.
 
  Maryn is so strong and has overcome so much.
She is so happy and resilent and nothing seems to stop her.
God has his hand on this girl.
Her smile can light up a room and her voice (the nice one) is so sweet to listen to.
Maryn is so smart and beautiful and she has taught me so much.
 
She taught me how to risk and love with everything I have even when our future together was uncertain.
She taught me how to fight for her when she needed me too.
She taught us, our other children, and our family and friends that love and committment have nothing to do with biology.
She taught me how to better serve the families and individuals I treat with special needs.
She showed me what my incredible husband is capable of.
She showed me the love in my children's hearts for others.
 
And because of Maryn, we were led to another love of our life, Julia!
Wow!  This kid has accomplished quite a bit in just few short years.
Watch out world!
Here comes Maryn. 
 
Here are a few pictures to enjoy of our sweet girl.
The first time the Hubs and I held her at the hospital!
The 1st Christmas together after only 3 days was so special!
 
The 1st smile.
This was taken in the hospital.  She is only 3 weeks old.
 
I can't believe how small she was.
 
This is her 1st birthday with cake and also as a Turkey!
 
 
Her 2nd Birthday!
 
And now, three years old and growing strong!
Her laugh makes me so very happy.
 
Happy Birthday to my Sweet Maryn!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Pilgrim Hat Name Card Holder: DIY

I hope that you all had a great Thanksgiving!
I am so thankful to have children and a husband who will still hold my hand.
I am thankful to still have a Dad to hug.
I am thankful for a sister, sister and brother-in-laws who love our kids.
I am thankful for our health and home and safety.
I am also, so thankful for the support and love of many friends and family.
I am thankful for God, and so much more.

I am also thankful for fun activities
that keep the kids busy while I cook so...
 
Here are a few photos of our homemade Pilgrim hat name card holders.
1) Start with Keebler Fudge Stripe cookies, chocolate side up.
 2) Melt chocolate chips in the microwave.
 3) Dip marshmallows into the chocolate using a toothpick and place it on top of the cookie.
4) Put a little dab of yellow icing on the base of the marshmallow to form a "buckle."

 5) Enlist a cute kid to trace out, cut , and color a hand print in a turkey fashion
and add your guest's name.
 6) Tape the turkey onto the top of the pilgrim hat and
there you have it!
Best part is that you can gobble them up for dessert.
 
I hope that you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
 


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

I Have My MBA

I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off.
What mom hasn't done that lately?
Whether I am at work, home, at my kids' schools, or out with friends
it all comes back to one thing.
I am a Mom.
A while back, Leah came in after watching one of those cheesy yet catchy
commercials for an online degree program and said,
"Hey Mom, why don't you get your degree?"
I was a little irked as I replied, "Leah, my dear, I do have my degree."
We went on to discuss the details of my bachelors program in occupational therapy,
so the misunderstanding was resolved.
Then she wanted to know if I wanted to go get my Masters degree.
"No," was my response.
  Seriously, my mind is already overwhelmed with educating the children in my care at the moment,
all the while keeping them fed, clothed, and alive.
Also, in my field, I have some other interests and continuing education courses that
I'd rather invest in so that I enhance my clinical skills so that I can provide better care.
I forgot about that conversation until last night.
I was trying to make a special breakfast for the kids
since they are off school and I'd be at work when they woke up.
My mind was filled with things about each kid.
I found myself thinking,
I am a professional mom at this point.
That doesn't mean that I am
always good at it
(Lord knows I am a mess sometimes!)
but I am in this up to my neck and
I am committed.
We all are.
Heck! This week, I survived taking all five kids to the orthodontist while filling out
paperwork in a small office, not the waiting room,
for 45 minutes of the hour long appointment.
Also agreeing to pay them large sums of money, whereas the orthodontist proceeded to give me a concerned
 look and say, "Please tell me you are babysitting?"
Nice.
We also had 6 kids sleeping at our home Friday night and 7 kids
 (including one who beganvomiting) on Saturday night.
And I can't forget Saturday, when my alarm on my phone reminded me at 5:20 that
 Porter had a 3rd grade Bible retreat (that also was a Potluck)
that started at 5:30!
Of course, we had forgotten all about it and had a friend on his way over for a sleepover.
The hubs and I kicked into high gear and then called in a pizza for carry out,
washed some strawberries, called the kid's mom to get permission to take him too, and barked orders at Porter to get
his Bible and get in the car.
We were there by 6:10 and didn't miss a thing.
Thank God.
This week has been beating me down a bit
but we're good.  We made it and I am thankful.
Sometimes I flew off the handle, didn't hug enough,
and barked orders,
but I did some things right too.
I can't always forget that and
sometimes I need a little pep talk too.
So in the spirit of that, I have decided that I do have my MBA...
in motherhood.
Sometimes, I'm a mom with a Major Bad Attidude
or I feel like my Mind will Blow at Anytime.

And sometimes, just sometimes, every once in a blue moon
 this Mama's a Bad A$$!
What have you done right or survived lately?
You rock!
Consider this your pep talk too!

Tell me all about it my fellow MBA's.
;)
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful to be a Mom.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Good Buys

No, I have not started my Christmas shopping.
I have, however, made a few good buys.
Here are two of my newest favorite things.
 
I have wanted new pj's for a long time but couldn't find the "perfect ones."
Well, honestly, I found a lot of "perfect ones" but never at the "perfect price" until...
Costco!
$18.99 for these SUPER soft and just a bit fuzzy dream pajamas.
I love the gray and pink together.
They had 4 different patterns and colors.
Run out and get you some.

 
And then, Marshalls came to our town!
I went in to browse for some stockings and found this cutie.
 I couldn't resist this adorable little mouse...
 and his even more adorable price!
 
Anyone else find some unexpected new loves out there lately?
Please share?


Friday, November 16, 2012

I Used it All Up

Josie strikes again...

At cheer practice, Josie rushed off to the bathroom.  
She even kept chanting cheers as she did her business.
Then she started a strange conversation with me.

Josie: I used up all of my poop today Mom.

Me: What??

Josie: I used up all of my poop today so you need to feed me more food, seriously.
I love poop.

Me: Why??

Josie: It's brown, Mom, and brown is my favorite color.

Later, when I told her father (whom I blame for all of her gross tendencies) this disturbing story
she interjected,
"Brown really isn't my favorite color.
I just like poop."

Then she smiled and ran off to put on some glittery lip gloss.

What is wrong with that kid?