Memorial Weekend. . .SPLASH!

Well, I had hoped to have a relaxing loooong weekend at the lake over Memorial weekend, but we were hit, and hit hard. . .by a stomach bug! Tan was struck first on Tuesday night, when we had been at the ballpark no more than 10 minutes, and she throws up all over me, and herself! Thank goodness for sweet friends nearby that helped me get cleaned up enough to walk back to the car. I stayed home with her on Wednesday, and then TJ was struck down on Friday! But, by Friday night, as kids go. . .he was eating dinner and bouncing around. So, we decided to head down to the lake Saturday. Lots of fun in the sun, boat rides, and jetski adventures! But for some reason, this is the only pic I took of the day. . .nothing more relaxing than a hammock!


Until dinner. . .TJ sat down at the table with his plate, and then threw up everywhere! So, we quickly ate dinner, and promptly headed home, stopping by Kroger to pick up some Dramamine! He seemed much better by Sunday, and after Thomas and Tristan returned from church, we headed back to the lake for some more fun. Took a few more pics on Sunday!


Tristan was unusually quiet most of the day, and had been so super good that I joked about him feeling ok. We were getting ready to ride on the boat when Tristan suddenly threw up all over the dock. I could tell he wasn't feeling good, so he stayed at the house with Papa while we took a quick ride. When I came back, I knew he was sick. . .

He didn't eat anything the rest of the day, and we had to fight him to drink a drop of anything! But, Aunt Lyda had told him he could spend the night with her, so he was bound and determined to do so. . .and he did! Monday morning everyone was back and ready for one last day! All of the kids went tubing with Daddy. Tan didn't understand why she wasn't on the boat, so she didn't last long. Tristan was next, but wasn't feeling it either. And after quite a bit of coaxing, TJ finally went. . .and LOVED it!


We got home early Monday evening, and just for good measure, Tanner threw up on the kitchen floor as soon as we walked in the door! Thankfully that was the last of it! We are so grateful that the bug has left, but we are ever more grateful to the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to fight for our freedom and the freedoms of others. And a huge THANK YOU to the service men and women who protect us today!

Two Peas in a Pod

I just LOVE this picture below, and had to share! Last night we were grilling out hot dogs, and the kids were playing outside. Tristan started mixing his dirt with water and we have lovely RED dirt around here, so I asked him to come let me take his shirt off. He held up his arms and I wrestled the shirt off of his sweaty little arms. When I turned around to put in on the back of the chair, Tanner was headed my way with her shirt pulled up and grunting for me to take off hers too. I love how close they are. . .so sweet!

You Is CRAZY!

So, I've been know to suffer from the occasional "Mommy-Brain" syndrome. And lately, it seems to be effecting my driving. . .thankfully not necessarily how I drive, more where I drive. A few weeks ago, I was thinking about going to TJ's school for his program the next day. I was driving home, and drove completely passed the turn into our neighborhood. A few yards past, Tristan says "Mommy, where you goin'?" Yes, it's sad when my 3 year old knows where we are supposed to be going and completely calls me out! I just said, "Oops, I guess I'm crazy!" He laughed and said, "You so silly, Mommy."

Well, yesterday I was driving home again. This time, I got off an exit early (Don't ask me why. . .I don't have a reason that I can explain. . .but please, I'm fine. . .don't tell anyone ok?!).

Tristan: "Mommy, why you gettin' off here?"

Me: (Realizing I'm not on my exit) "I don't know! I guess I'm crazy!"

Tristan: (Laughing) "You crazy. . .AGAIN, Mommy?!"

Me: "Yes, I guess so!"

Tristan: "I gonna tell Daddy you is crazy!"

Me: (Laughing) "Ok."

Tristan: "And, I fink he's gonna yike it!"

Not really sure what that says about me. . .or Daddy! Thank goodness it's almost Memorial Weekend. . .a nice LONG break (well, break is a bit strong of a word. . .at least I won't be driving home for a few days)! Definitely in need of a little R&R at the lake! Happy Memorial Day all!

Sugar & Spice, Snips & Snails...What are Mommy's Made of?

Mother's Day is coming up Sunday, and it got me thinking about all of the sappy things I see about Motherhood. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom. . .it is the absolute best thing in life and what God has called me to do, but folks I'm about the truth. . .and Motherhood isn't always made of sugar & spice or even snips & snails and puppy dog tails! However, it is what we make of it and how we view those moments (sometimes even few and far between moments) that make being a mother worth everything!

Children make life interesting, full of twists and turns that change from one minute to the next. We mothers have to adapt to every situation, quickly and effectively. Like earlier this week, one minute I was cleaning up an entire bathroom full of poop (not that you need details, but from the tub, to the floor, to the toilet seat covered in poop); to the next minute cleaning up throw-up (from a different child and neither was actually ill) in the living room.

We must also be patient; very patient. Like when you (or possibly I) have the strongest willed 3 year old on the planet. . .who is also already proving to be pretty sneaky as well! Like the other day I was getting dressed for work, and Tristan took Tanner into his room and closed the door. Yes, I know, bad from the get go. So, I finished putting on my pants. . .still no shirt on, but knowing Mayhem, I knew that I needed to check on them ASAP. I was yelling (in a nice tone) "Tanner, Tristan. . .what are you guys doing?" the whole way to the room. When I opened the door, they both stopped in their tracks and looked up at me.

Me: "Tristan, what are you guys up to?"

Tristan: "Nuffin Mommy. We just pwayin' and sittin'."

Me: "Umm Hmmm, ok." (Yea, right!)

Tristan: "Can you get outta here, pweeze?"

Me: (At least he said please, right?!) "Let me finish getting TJ's clothes out, and I will."

When I walk out of the room, before my feet step off of the carpet, Tristan says: "OK Tanna, now we can get it!"

I turned back around and said: "Get what?"

Tristan just smiled and sat back down and said, "Nuffin!"



We mother's, whether licensed or not, tend to play nurse, doctor, and dentist on some occasions as well. The dental skills come in handy when your kiddos start loosing their teeth. Except, my skills didn't come in. I don't deal with teeth. . .other than making sure they are brushed. If they are loose, I don't really care to see them. I'll play the cute fairy that delivers the dough after they're out! Like this week, TJ pulled 3 teeth in 3 days. He looks like a jack-o-lanern! Sorry kids, you're on your own with the teeth!


And Vacations: they're a relaxing and fun family experience, right? Like when one of your children screams the entire 7 hour drive (I'm not naming names. . .TRISTAN). Or when you go to Disney, and you're 12 weeks pregnant and still throwing up every day, but put on your happy face because it's the "Happiest place on Earth!"

Thank goodness God knew how to make a "Mommy Brain!" Because thankfully, we are able to put the craziness that Motherhood brings into the far back distant fog part of our brains. And He knows, we Mom's love and cherish THOSE moments. Those moments like on a Monday afternoon, after working an 8 hour (day) job, picking up the kids from daycare, and driving 30 minutes home that all you need is for your strong-willed 3 year old to say "Mommy, I missed you today. I lub you, Mommy." And he says it, at exactly the right moment and without being prompted. Or moments when you really need to be getting ready for work, but your 18 month old is sitting in your lap, with her head on your chest watching Little Einstien's and not moving a muscle. . .so sweet. Or, when you go to watch a program for your oldest, and when you visit his classroom afterwards, he runs up and hugs you for a really long time and is truly happy and overjoyed that you are there. Those are the moments a Mommy lives for, cherishes, and remembers. . .always.


Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mommies! Our job IS the greatest blessing. . .don't forget that on those crazy upside down days, and always take time to cherish those precious moments!