Quiet days at home

The kids and I have been home a lot. A lot. You'd think saying that, my house would be clean and laundry would be kept up. It's not. It's quite the opposite. I find that the more we're home, the more the house is a disaster, but the less I care. They have fun though, and I'm happy. We're home.
We had a big wind storm last week and a huge limb fell off the tree. Made me so sad, so we brought it inside. It's bee like a new little play station, so now I'm kinda happy it fell.

I started reading a book by Priscilla Shyer (?) and she talks so much about living in the present. I love that. It's been my prayer lately. Not to be wanting to fast forward Eden's late night sleep routines or wanting to move past Micah's naughtiness lately, just being. Just living right here, right now and enjoying it. I think that's why we've been home so much lately too. Just being.

Eden's itch to paint is back, this time she has a new muse. See it? It's her little beetle that she found outside. I so admire her.

I just love this picture. It's like Mike's little fan club. Those are our quiet days at home. Made up of little memories that are so precious. Now if only Micah would stop asking to go to Target.

No bon bon eating here

My blogging absence last month was uncalled for. It was. I love knowing that I'm keeping track of the little things my kids do and say as well as what I'm learning as a mom. It never stops, them or me. Like last week, Eden, who is mildly obsessed with the christmas story, asked if she could eat at "We Three Kings", which is really "Burger King". Cute. I love those little tidbits.

Anyway, back to the last month:

We celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. It was wonderful. My mom drove in from out of town, we went out, she put the kids to bed. We enjoyed each other, and I can't believe we've been married seven years. So blessed, sometime I'll have to share our love story, it's pretty incredible.

I think every day it was over seventy degrees, the kids played with their little kiddy pool. It occupied them for hours. Usually by the end of the day it was full of sand, dirt, grass clippings, and rocks, but they still had fun.

Cuddling. Eden. and anyone willing. Eden's sleep issues still seem unresolved to me, but I've been letting her fall asleep next to me nearly every night. You should see her face when I tell her she can. It lights up. Despite the lack of sleep, her attitude is outstanding. Last night, she read and cuddled Micah and read him a book. Made up the words and everything. So cute.

I love projects, they're kinda my livelihood. I bought this little piece at a rummage sale at the beginning of summer. It was half primed white, and just dingy. I spray painted it green, sanded it, and then stained it. I think it turned out so cute. And, my first shopping trip to Hobby Lobby landed me all the knobs at fifty percent off. The best part, I did it while watching the kids play in the pool, couple hours tops.

Put Eden in dance class. It's just through the park & rec. dept., but she loves it. We had to get special permission too because she's not yet four and it's a four year old class. Thankfully, she loves it and follows directions better than some of the other four year olds.

Admiring little things. I love taking a step back or usually taking a seat to just admire. It's the moments when I put down what I'm doing, and just be that I learn the most and count my blessings. I wish I did it more.

Stenciled one wall of the kitchen and repainted the entire kitchen. We painted the kitchen "swiss coffee", a shade of white. I tell everyone that the color was "mental institution" before. It was crusty, buttery, yellowy, but not quite. It looks so fresh now.
And my stencil, I love that too, I planned on doing more, but Mike thought it could be too much going on. Another thing that we did in the kitchen was switch out all the outlets and switches to white from ivory, that made a huge difference. Also, the little light above the sink was a florescent garage style light, so I did a little rewiring and put in a little pendant light. Much better.

That's what I was doing when I wasn't blogging. See, no bon bon eating here.

Just to clarify

On my post Monday night, I remember writing something about how Micah tries to hide his excitement. It's a hard thing to describe in words. I have a feeling that happiness is something that most kids don't try to hide regularly. So tonight I come with proof.

But first, my favorite part of the zoo on Micah's birthday was watching the elephants spray water and throw dirt. Never seen it before. I love it when I get to experience something new at 29 years old.

Here's my proof. On the train. The beginning of hiding happiness.
He's bursting at the seams inside with joy, I just know it. But he won't show it.

Still won't show it.

Ripped apart with joy. I love it!

I think those may be the biggest smiles I've ever seen on my boy.

The joy is still overflowing.

And we're back to serious.
That's my proof, just wanted to clarify.

And, I do need to give a special shout out to Eden.
We talked so much in advance how this was Micah's special day and he would get presents and probably a lot of attention, but that's okay.

We talked about how we'd be happy for him and just be so kind to him.

Truth is, she was amazing. She was thrilled for him, and so kind. She shined, see it?

So happy for him, all day.
This girl is amazing.
Good night!

Dear Micah

Dear Micah,

Two year ago from this very moment, I was trying to convince your daddy that you'd make your entrance soon. He didn't believe me until 2 a.m., then he knew you were coming. Seems so ironic that we were watching the Michael Jackson movie "This Is It", and it really was it, you were coming.

I remember holding you for the first time thinking how I had no clue how to mother a boy. You've taught me, and I love every single part of it. You love it when we build train tracks together, roll around on the floor or when I yell when we're being silly. To you, the louder someone is, the funnier they are. Loud music is the greatest thing in the world to you and you can pick out the beat in a second. I don't think I've ever seen such a little person have as much rhythm as you.

There's no denying your love of lawn tractors. I loved it today when the neighbor gave you a ride on his, you were trying to hide your excitement, but I could tell inside, you were beyond thrilled. It reminded me of when you were walking into church this last Sunday. You looked like you could've been four instead of turning two, and I could tell inside you were thrilled, and you were loving life.

Lately, I find that I can't take my eye off of you for a minute. You go out the door, color on walls, get eggs out of the refrigerator, or carry a chair up to the counter to get a snack, you keep me on my toes.

I truly love and adore your spirit. You're feisty, yet you have this tenderness about you that is absolutely beautiful. You make things work for yourself and you love independence. You're wild about life, and you truly sing like no one is listening.

You have such a sweet spot for Eden, and I love the relationship that you guys have. It's always in my prayers that you guys will be best friends as you grow.
Micah, I never dreamed two years ago that you would be all that you are. Even tonight, you just came up to me out of the blue, gave me a kiss, and went back to play. That is what I love about you. Follow your heart like that your whole life and love Jesus, Micah, and you will be great.
I love you so much and more and more and more and so thankful God chose me to be your mommy.
You're beautiful,
Love mommy

My Micah

There usually isn't a day that goes by where Micah and I have a friendly banter over "my Micah". He's convinced he's his own and I'm convinced he's mine. Either way, he's almost two. I remember his birth like it was yesterday, yet I think of all that memories that we've made and the span of two years then makes sense to me.

 We had a little family celebration this weekend to celebrate. It's funny, Micah was quiet and reserved, just with family. Eden helped him open his presents and gave appropriate comments and did most of the talking, most of the day. 

I think he was in heaven with his new little model atv and his little digger. He's obsessed with cars, trucks, anything that moves mechanically, and he's so darling.

He's all boy, but he still copies his sister and puts his baby fox in his shirt and pretends he has a baby in his tummy and will steal her dress up shoes any chance he can get.

Micah's table manners have a long way to go, but his forgiveness skills are out of this world. I love that, and I'd pick that over table manners any day. He loves to play alone, and usually is always busy at his little train table.

His speech is out of this world. My favorites right now are flipflops, to which he says "flick-flacks" and lipstick, "sick-sick". Micah loves music and loves to move. I've noticed lately that when I have music on he does his best to sing, it doesn't matter that he doesn't know the words. I think that's another thing that's my favorite right now.

I keep thinking that I should order another "foxy" as we'd be in crisis mode if that thing ever got lost. He's so attached, and today I finally convinced him that his baby needed a bath. 

I think Micah is the sweetest thing, so sensitive, yet so wild. 

And almost two.

Whew!