So Fresh, and So Clean Clean

A New Mayhem Story:

Last night Mayhem had a total of 3 baths...all within a span of about 30 minutes time. First bath, he pooped in the tub. And, this is after we had already changed a stinky diaper first! This has become a habit. We have tried everything to keep him from pooping in the tub...other than just not bathing him at all! So, he was moved to the other bathroom and finished with a shower for bath #2. Immediately after getting out of said shower, we ate dinner. Yes, I know...our own fault! We should've given him baths #1 and #2 after dinner, but we like to do extra work at the end of a long day...and long week for that matter! During dinner, Mayhem rubbed all things into his skin, hair, even eyebrows. We weren't tempting the bath-time poop again, so on to shower #3!

Then, this morning, I guess he assumed he didn't get clean enough last night, I found him with a box of wipes...rubbing himself clean...hair and all!

I LOVE Mayhem, but he makes me tired!

Circus and Dedication

Those 2 words aren't usually said in the same context...I guess, unless you are a clown! But, this weekend we did them both! Saturday, KK & Papa took us to the circus in Columbus. It was so much fun, and the boys really enjoyed the show (and so did I)!









Sunday we had Tanner's Baby Dedication at Church. It was so funny, because Tanner cried the entire time...and she never cries!!! But, it was definitely memorable and we were so blessed to spend time with our family after the service.





And, a special thank you to Nana for making Tanner's gorgeous dress!

Mayhem, Sweetness, and the Princess

Well, I've got it...I've officially figured out the best way to describe Tristan in all of his glory! Meet "Mayhem!"



I absolutely love those commercials, and the other day it just hit me...that's my Tristan! He is absolutely hilarious, a total mess, and quite hard to control:


This was after about an hour of trying to get him to stay in his bed! Not sure if this is a "win" for me, or for him?! (And, yes those are Christmas pj's in February!)

After this getting out of bed fighting has gotten progressively worse over the last few nights, TJ said he would sleep with Tristan to help him feel better! Sweetest.BIG.brother.ever. And, sweetest.son.ever.



And, Princess Tanner is growing up so fast! She is already 4 months old and is such a doll. We are really enjoying her!

My Loves

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, which I'm not a huge fan of, really. I mean, why do we need a day to show and tell those that we love how we feel about them? We should do that every day...theoretically, anyway! My mind is somewhere else today, worrying with things that I cannot control, or fix, or really even understand. Yet, I feel the need to express TODAY how blessed I feel to have such wonderful loves in my life.


I love this man. Those dimples. And, the amazing way he loves me and our wild bunch of kiddos.



TJ. I love these eyes. And, his magical imagination and playful spirit.



Tristan. I'm partial to dimples...and I love these too...and that fiery, feisty, stubborn temperament...hopefully one day it'll get you somewhere other than time-out!



Tanner. I love this infectious smile - it lights up a room. And her extremely pleasant, happy, go-with-the-flow disposition.




I am so very thankful that God has given me these precious blessings in my life. They all bring me so much joy and teach me new things about myself and make me want to be a better mother, wife, and friend. Happy Love Day!

And the Cherry on Top...

of our Sickness Sundae:




Now, I have pink eye!!! Surely this is the cherry on top, right?!

January Blues

This month has seriously been the longest.month.ever. I can't believe it is finally January 31st...and I'm hoping tomorrow brings a better, healthier February to our family. We're still battling illnesses, taking multiple trips to the Dr's office, and staying up all night with babies. But today I was reminded by mom that the Lord never gives us more than we can handle, and that "this too shall pass."

Hold on. Seriously. The daycare is calling...

That is where I was yesterday, but today it is February...and I'm still there...we still have sickness running ramped through our family. The daycare was calling to say that Tanner was running a 101.4 degree fever. So, I left my office, called the Dr.'s office and took her in. And, she has RSV. My poor, sweet, little girl. We've been up for about 4 days now, or at least it feels like we haven't slept at all. But, our precious little girl just smiles. So, again today, I'm going to remember healthier, more sleep-filled times. She has seriously spoiled us...she has been sleeping through the night since she was about 8 weeks old. And, since I'm still behind, this will be a 3 for 1 post.




Get well soon sweet princess!

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV)

Eventually, Maybe, Hopefully...

To be perfectly honest, I'm tired; well, tired doesn't fully encompass my state of being right now...let's try exhausted, and maybe if it's in italics it will somewhat get my point across! I know women are biologically designed to be multi-taskers, and most of the time, I feel like I handle this gift fairly well. But right now, today, I don't feel like I am coping. I'm not complaining...I asked for this, and I'm grateful for these kiddos, but I'm just trying a refreshingly honest approach to writing about motherhood. Within the last week and a half, my oldest precious baby, TJ, turned 7; our youngest infected us with the stomach virus which first started with her, traveled to me, then to Tristan; Tristan began pulling at his ears, so on to the Dr. since I had to take off work anyway...double ear infection and strep throat; better check the baby since we are already there...double ear infection and thank the good Lord, no strep; sinus infection for me; antibiotics for all 3 of us and did I mention how fun and easy it is to give antibiotics to a 3 month old?; fast forward to Friday, TJ gets hit with the stomach bug...up all night until 4 a.m. every.thrity.minutes. Oh wait, did I also mention how antibiotics mess with a baby's bowel system and I have 2 on antibiotics. I've never seen so much poop, dirty laundry, and throw up in all my life!

All of this throwing up, rushing around, rarely eating a warm meal...I should be skinny. Why am I not skinny? Oh, I think I vaguely remember swinging by McDonald's at 7pm on my way home twice last week when Thomas had away basketball games. And, I somewhat remember using my right hand to scarf down a Big Mac, while nursing a baby using my left arm, and I'm sure I was using the assistance of my big toe to pick up something off of the floor for my needy middle child.

Mental note: Need to choose Subway, not McD's!

I feel so overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done at home and even at work that I'm on multi-task overload, so today I choose to remember Christmas. The precious excited little faces on Christmas morning, the beautiful Christmas Cantata Service at Church, and fun time spent with family. Maybe I'll eventually get caught up...in everything...but until then I shall sink back and reminisce:

Christmas Eve Dinner








Leaving food for Santa and his reindeer:





In Christmas PJ's ready to be nestled all snug in their beds:



Christmas Morning Smiles: