Whew!

This has been quite the week. I don't think I've ever had my patience tested like I have this week. It's hard when things have to get done, we don't have a tidy house, but I can't let it go to filth. Hard to believe, isn't it? that a little person this darling could test my patience.

As a stay at home mom, I find my self-worth constantly challenged. I love what I do, and I know that it's what right for my family. When the days are hard, the big picture is so blurry to me.

But when I have a moment of peace, I know the big picture. The big picture for our family is confident, strong, God-loving kids. Kids who have an example to follow and little ones that are encouraged to practice kindness at every corner.

I have a scrappy little piece of paper hanging on my fridge that I think of nearly every day. It's ripped out the back of a Real Simple magazine from years ago, it says, "Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind." (Henry James)

So, I am reminded. When Micah poops for the sixth time in a day, Eden gets sassy, there's four loads of laundry unfolded, food is on the floor, and sippy's are spilling on the carpet, I will remember the big picture. I will remember kindness and God's love, and I will be the example to follow.

P.S. I only have two more little details until Eden's room is complete. Hallelujah! It's gorgeous, and I'll be sharing it soon.

Our week, in a flash

This is the quick version.

Ready?

Eden being a "fairy", only a moment before tripping on a rug and smacking her face into our bottom stair. It was pretty terrible, but after some clean up and snuggles, she was good as new.

A dance party, the funniest part is when Micah tries to jump. It's hilarious. This was about an hour before Micah locked himself in our bedroom. Locked as in no-key locked. Prying off the door moulding and jamming a screw driver in the door later, we were good as new.

Hooray for moving the last box out of our bedroom, Micah thought so too. Took long enough, huh?

Eden got her ears pierced. Sike! She pretends. She clips little barrettes on her ears or on her hair near her ears and walks around like, well, like she has her ears pierced.

This picture makes me laugh. Micah and Eden meeting Santa. Look at that Santa. Micah was sleeping, I was having a good laugh, Eden's being cute. HA!

We did a little Christmasy thing in our little town. Eden was the first in line to bat the pinata. I still love all those "first" moments.

We took the kids down to Candy Cane Lane tonight. Christmas lights galore. On the car ride down though, they held hands. Love it.

My loves, all of 'em, on Candy Cane Lane. We lasted about fifteen minutes in the cold. Figures, but hot chocolate in sippy cups, down blankets, gaudy lights, it really doesn't get any better. Golly, I have a cute husband. 

That was our week.

Fun.

Keeping it real

I feel like there are two kinds of people: those who read blogs, and those who don't. I read blogs.

The inspiration, ideas, and knowledge is vast in the world of blogging, but so are a lot of other icky things. I have a reading list of blogs, some that I make the time to read and love, and others that I read when I want to just read.

Today I read a blog just to read and found myself constantly comparing myself afterwards. My parenting, my mothering, you name it. It didn't feel good. 

I'm not a big-time blogger, and that's fine by me. I started this whole thing to keep track of my memories. To jot on a whim and share with family who's far away (but they don't read it). 

When I compare myself to some super moms whose blogs I read, I realize there are a lot of things I'm not: I'm not a mega-party planner with the cutest party that would make anyone envious,

I'm not organized, my house is never clean, I'm never caught up on laundry, my counters are rarely de-cluttered. I don't have my kids involved with groups of activities and I don't adore playgroups. 

My kids rarely match and they don't have the cutest clothes. We aren't always hugging and loving on each other and we get mad, and yes, I yell.

Whew! But after realizing my negativity, I realized there are a lot of things I am: I am always there for my husband and kids, I'm always doing a project though they're everywhere and that's why it's always a mess, and I love truly knowing my kids. 

I know that Eden truly needs to be held and cuddled during the day and that Micah loves to have his feet smelled. 

I know that Eden adores art and treasures little material things most like little notes on cute paper. 

I know that Micah is obsessed with saying "Bbbbbbbbeee" and thinks he saying bird and is so proud of himself.

I know that Eden loves to work on "school" and is so eager and teachable to learn.

I know that Micah seeks out danger and loves to get a rise by doing crazy stunts.

I know that yesterday was so crazy, but there was no one in the world (besides Mike) who could've been there for my kids.

I know I'm a good mom, not perfect, by any means, but I'm trying my darndest to please Jesus by raising my kids for Him.

I'm not fancy, and we don't do crazy cool things. We have so much fun though.

So much fun that I miss them like crazy when they nap and I love being needed by them.

Nothing fancy, just simple, deep love.

That's me, being real.

Right this minute

...life couldn't be any sweeter.

Christmas picture attempt #1

Our day started out exciting, snow on the ground and falling all around.

We did a little Christmas shopping, we all do best in short bursts.

Then, quickly got dressed before lunch for an impromptu photo shoot.

 Micah liked his pretend cupcake:)

 I had a hard time, so you know there's no sugarcoating around here. I tried to use the beautiful natural lighting, but get so frustrated with the fuzz and blur.

 Eden's pretty easy for pictures. I love this one, it captures her beautifully. She's so photogenic, but she's also three.

 Micah had a crazy fit because he was mad at his tie. Poor guy, he's such a doll though.

 See, one of them is always blurry. I feel like for the next several years, our pictures will probably always have one blurry figure. That's okay, I'll embrace it (and put said blurry child back where they need to be placed for the picture).

 One day, I will have the picture that I dream up.

 For now though, I'll love the ones I have.

 And I thought I had it this time.

 My final attempt was turning Micah's rocker around so that he couldn't  escape. He didn't like it.

 And he showed it.

 And showed it some to Eden.

Now I have to muster up the energy to do it again tomorrow, goodnight.

Our favorite memory

We went around the table tonight and each shared our favorite memory of the weekend. 

We all shared the same one.

Friday night, Mike went and got our tree after the kids went to bed. We put on the lights together and talked about how happy we were that we were doing it this way. The kids could wake up in the morning and ooh and ahh at the tree and then we could all decorate together.

I love these memories. 

I feel like the picture above looks staged, it's not. They really are that cute, and I feel like I should pinch myself to make sure that's my little family.

I love how excited Eden gets at lights on anyone's house, and the whole tree indoors with lights on is taking Micah by surprise.

Christmas with them is so cool. 

It's like it's new all over again to me too.

Definitely.
These are my favorite memories from the weekend.

Random

Obsessing over: what color to make Eden's room, what projects to chip away at each night, and how to ever get enough sleep

Working on: repairing the walls in Eden's room, a lampshade project, christmas gift ideas, paper and thread garlands, and a mini bunting

Thinking about: how I can't wait to sit down and chat with Mike, how time management affects my kids,  how I need to put more effort into friendships

Anticipating: the weekend, getting our Christmas tree, finishing the major project of Eden's room that I started today, Christmas, seeing family, seeing tomorrow through my kids' eyes

Listening to: Star, star by Swell Season. The whole Swell Season is amazing, it'll change your mood, in a good, pensive way.

Drinking: water

Wishing: to be the person I know I can be, "shine"(listen to the shine, shine song), to be the best wife ever, to show my fun side more