{reality check}

For all you moms out there who like to pretend that you have everything together, we need to chat. We all know that you really don't and it doesn't help you in any way to pretend that everything is peachy. Tell it like it is. Raising kids is tough and most days I don't want to do it anymore. My husband has been getting this text alot lately "I quit!". No pretending coming from this camp...most days I don't even like my kids. Now don't send over child services, my kids are very well taken care of despite my sanity. I'm just saying, please stop pretending that you run a tight ship - that your kids are well behaved all the time, that you always have healthy meals prepared, that your house is organized and spotless, that your favorite time isn't nap time, that you never yell at your kids, never do things you wish you could take back the next minute, always greet your husband with a smile and a kiss...it's not helping anyone.

Now I am off to nap - while the kitchen needs cleaned, laundry folded, dog walked, bed made and toys put away.

{in the nick of time}

Last night, we had some free time and decided to lower Paisley's bed. It was time, we were bored (right!) and we love tearing down baby beds! Well, thank the Lord we did because this is what she did during nap today. And, I only knew this was happening because she was celebrating and I heard her over the monitor. If she would have done this yesterday, well...let's not think about that!

wow! - her mis-matched polka-dots are even worse in a picture!! :)

{flash beagle?}

I think this is a cross between Tinkerbell and Flash Beagle. Let's just say the girl knows how to accessorize. :)

{snakes...an update}

Remember this?

Let's just say, it's not really working as good as someone had planned. :)


I think the birds are thinking that the fake snake might be good for business.

{number SIX}

Paisley girl - you now have ear infection numero 6 since December. That has landed us an appointment with the ENT. You hate oral meds and have become an expert at not taking it. Every time I find a new way to get you to take it, you are always one step ahead of me and waiting to show me that I will fail. Here's hoping you are getting enough in your little body to fight the infection. And, seriously...you now weigh over 19 pounds. We (well mostly mom) can't carry you in your carrier much longer. STOP GROWING! Because soon, very soon, I will have to be disciplining you too, and I don't think I have time! :)

{he sleeps with dolls}

This baby, not the cute big boy, but the weird looking one with nasty hair, naked with a razorback bib - well that baby was mine when I was a wee one. And Brady has taken a liking to it. This is how I found him last night when I went to cover him up for the night. I can't explain why he likes this baby and I certainly can't explain the pj's...I think dad was in charge of wardrobe last night. And this baby used to have a crying box but it has disappeared. :)

{Easter 2011}

We had a great Easter. The rain, floods, dark skies, thunder, lightning, tornadoes, all seemed very timely to me around Easter. A good time to be stuck inside with family (as annoying as that was at times) remembering the REAL reason we celebrate Easter.

Do you all think Paisley's outfit is wet?!? Do you all think Nana's window is dirty from little mouths and hands?
Oh, and these 3...enough said.

This is the oldest 5 that live in AR. Let's just say, we are busy...and most of the time saying NO....we say that alot!

The kids got fishing poles for Easter along with new Storybook Bibles.

They like the bibles, but the poles....well, they are way cooler. :) Who actually needs a pond, lately they are everywhere you look!

Our motley crew before church.

Hope you all had a great Easter!

{random Ramblings}

This is what Paige looks like after she "makes her hair pretty". It drives me nuts when she does this because I like order and symmetrical things. This is neither.

Paisley is now 7 months old. She sits by herself and can get to a sitting position by herself and is quite good at it. Not much else has changed besides that over the last month. She's still cute, still has chubby cheeks, and has blue eyes to die for.

And battle scars. Battle with the pavement. Pavement won.

{future}

Not a good picture, I look tired...seriously, I am - but I want my children to know that vanity did not keep me from having my picture taken with them. So, Paisley....here you go.

{a new Phase}

"We" have entered a new phase/season in our lives and I am not sure I am physically or emotionally ready. Carter had his first T-ball game last night and he did great...so stink'n cute to see him run the bases and hit the ball. :) With 9 kids all within a 4 year span, we have begun a new phase that involves school events, sporting events, performances, church choir, etc. Lots of tears will be shed as we do a lot of "firsts" and a lot of laughs will be had at their expense. And I L.O.V.E. that the cousins and the adults get to experience this all together.

Seat belts on, because we are approaching the fast lane!


These 2, first born children of siblings, have a special bond that we their parents will never understand. God ALWAYS knows what He is up to. And we get to enjoy every minute of it.

{missed Turkey and Easter eggs}

Dane went Turkey hunting (remember the practice at the safari?) and we went Easter egg hunting. We both experienced cold weather, both had strategies set but only part of us came home winners. Below are the winners...the loser, well he shot one, it fell over, rolled down a hill and then got up and ran away. Makes me laugh everytime! Better luck next time babe!

{first ride}

{why are the Turkey's riled up?}

The answer - because my husband took his turkey call when we visited the safari with Paige's preschool class. I would like to say I couldn't believe it, but that would not be honest. Here are some pictures from our trip. I couldn't post some of the really good ones because I don't like to post other kids, that are not family, without permission. Family is totally another story. :)

I love this one. This is second nature to her. I told them to stop feeding the big one. He was M.E.A.N.

{mom, baby Jesus again!}

With 3 kids all age 4 and under, it is hard to get quality time alone with them. And, my certain little boy would rather spend his time with his daddy. Well, who could blame him, I would too!

I had him alone in the car yesterday while running some errands and he randomly asks me to sing "baby Jesus". Hearing him say baby Jesus isn't out of the norm, but the song request was because I had NO idea what he was talking about. I asked him to sing a little bit for me and it was at the point that my heart melted and I lost all focus on what we were doing (or where we were supposed to be!) :) To hear your 2 year old boy sing Jesus Loves Me is quite frankly the sweetest thing espcially when I usually hear him say things like "poopy diaper, mom you have a poopy diaper!" I realize that I rarely "hear" him say or sing anything because he is constantly having to compete with older sister who is VERY outspoken and loves to sing!

So, it was a sweet, nice change on so many levels! :)

Picture from Paige's birthday party. She wouldn't pose for me so Brady did. :)

{moments like these}

It is days like today when being a parent feels more like a job and not a fun one. Paige had a couple of cavities that needed filled. This was her second trip in because they wanted to do them in 2 visits - bottom first then top. Things went AWESOME on her first visit. Things went SOUTH on her second visit. We started out good, calm and relaxed and then it spiraled out of control. She got mad because her mouth was numb and there was no settling her down. Dr. R (which is wonderful!) asked me if I wanted him to continue because she was going to scream the entire time - not a hurt scream but an angry one! I said, go ahead, the screaming won't bother me because she will not come back to do this again! I listened to her scream and cry from the lobby. And I am just glad there weren't a lot of young children present! :) As this cutie pie's mom, I knew she would be fine and would be her normal self very soon after she was done. And she was - ready to go home, get some food and watch Toy Story with dad.

And yes, we take the Ipad everywhere!! :)

{Impact}

Nana and I took Carter, Paige and Brady to see Team Impact at Bentonville FBC. The kids enjoyed it and I cringed most of the time. Wow!

{Perspective}

You should always have that someone in your life that puts things in perspective for you. When life gets complicated, when you get exhausted, when you get down, when you think you are failing in ALL parts of your life. You need a mentor that has been there, done that and can now tell you from the other side what is truly important and you believe them for the walk that they have been on. Here was the turning point for me yesterday (and I am recording this as a reminder to me!) text message I received.... "You are not whining! It's big stuff. Perspective! Here is some for you! You can't do everything! I know you know that. But your kids need you right now. They won't always need you like they do right now! Stay in the game with them!" Why the pic you say - well, no post is worth reading without a picture and I LOVE this one!

Here's hoping you find perspective today! :)

Thanks MOM!

{dreaming}

Wishin' I was...

Knee deep in the water somewhere

got the blue sky, breeze and it don't seem fair

the only worry in the world

is the tide gonna reach my chair.

Note - pics of Paige from 9/2007. Boy how time flies!

{this sweet thing}

This sweet thing and her mommy are very tired because she has another ear infection (this makes number 4) and also a ruptured ear drum. Poor baby!

{happy Friday}

We ventured over to Fun City this morning to meet some of our friends for some crazy play (aka wear the kids out and then rush home for naps!). Have a great weekend!

Bailey, Kennedy and Brady in the ice cream truck. I am not kidding when I say they put around 15 tokens in this machine. It was still going when we left!

No pictures of Paige and Carter, I think they were running around putting tokens in machines and then not finishing the games....just assuming. :) And Molly was there too, but she wanted no pictures taken of her.