10 Random Facts Friday

I do these every friday b/c so much happens in our week not important enough for me to devote a whole blog post about, but important enough to be noted ;)

1. Richard's job has slowed down considerably over the last few months, and this last month has been the worst any job for him as ever been. We struggle with how much to hold out on this new company that is promising, or look for a new job. But through it all God has been incredible good to us. He has provided for us in ways that didn't even expect. And although we still may not come out in the black (which is the first time ever for us) this month, we are doing a lot better than originally thought b/c of gifts we have received or unexpected work that has come in! So we end another week grateful to God for bringing us through this phase of life and sustaining us, and most importantly thankful that family time and love doesn't cost money ;)

2. Because Richard has been home more we have gotten to spend some fun time with him unexpectedly so we went to the splash park for the first time. I expect to be there a lot this summer b/c it's free and the kids love it!!!!

3. The other night my boys put an entire roll of toilet paper in the bathtub. While I'm cleaning up all their toys thinking how nice it was they were playing so well in the bathtub - I go in to find it completely shredded. I mean tiny pieces running all through the bath water. Like I can't even describe it to you! All over the place!!!! It was gross and nasty and took for ever to drain b/c it kept getting stuck in the drain. They were freaking out it kept sticking to them! Boy - what a mess!!!!

4. Also on weds Richard didn't go into work until like 6pm, so we had all day. And a very good friend of ours took some pictures of us at the park. It was awesome! She had never done it before - but she did an amazing job! I'm having fun editing them and looking through them. Can't wait to update our frames, blog and pictures for family members with it!!!!

5. Many of you have heard - but there is a major fire burning right outside of Fort Collins. This is my first experience with Wild fires especially so close. but it is unbelievable. They are also saying this fire could burn into the fall b/c there are so many hot spots and stuff. crazy!!!! The days were pretty smokey around here - but I feel bad even complaining about that b/c so many other's lives have been affected so much worse - with houses being burned, being evacuated for almost a week now and not knowing the status on their belongings! Craziness!!! Probably the only negative thing about living in a dry area - lots of fires!

I took these pictures on Sunday last weekend! not professional by any means - but I had never seen anything like it!

6. One of the days I went to Chick Fil A with a friend b/c I had a coupon for free cookies. And I only got the cookies and an iced tea (should I feel bad about taking advantage of that??!?!!) We went there b/c the smoke was pretty bad that day - and the boys played for about 2 hours and my friend and I just talked the whole time - it was very refreshing!

7. I'm finding more than ever - So many people view life thinking that someone else's life or situation or job, or church or friends are better than their own. And that person they think that about is thinking the same thing about their friend! I'm committed to enjoying my own life and making the best of it - without looking at other's and wishing i had their situation!!!!

8. It's really hard for me not to get upset at Landon's very poor napping skills!!!! But seriously - he has so much personality and cuteness who can blame him for wanting to be up with mom all day long!!!!

9. I bought $1 buckets for the boys and they only lasted 5 days- they are so cracked and broken - what a joke!!!!

10. I posted this on FB earlier too - but every tuesday and Friday the trash man comes to pick up our dumpster trash in the apartment complex. And every morning our boys go running out and watch him! So cute! even in the freezing cold they did it! They love the trash truck!

The Explanation of our Surprise!

Sometimes I think our family is Crazy and the things we put our kids through - but then I'm thankful we do it, and it's always worth it.
You see - we have great friends back in PA who were getting married. Our relationship goes quite a few years back with the Bride, and really she is one of the best girls I know! I had the opportunity to invest in her life throughout her last high school years, and then she decided to attend the college right in PA where we were. So our relationship just grew more and more. She loved our kids so much (which is always a way into my heart) and I watched her walk with God grow through ups and downs of college and everything else. And then she started dating an awesome guy who we loved just as much! They got engaged -and we were so happy for them until we realized we would be in CO for the big event and probably wouldn't be able to attend; then we were sad. She wanted to the boys to be in the wedding, and I very very regretfully had to say "no" because in our eyes there was no way we could do a trip like that.

Then someone contacted me shortly before the wedding and, knowing how much it would mean to the bride to have us there, offered to pay for our plan tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for the entire family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What?!?!?!! Who does that!!?!?!!?! We were floored, amazed and all together thankful!!!! (how do you say thank you for such a gift as that??!!?) Long story short, we finally got tickets and made arrangements and had it all planned out. We were going to surprise the bride and groom at the rehearsal and the boys would probably still be in the wedding (since she never found a replacement).  I couldn't talk about it so that I wouldn't ruin the surprise.
B/c of the times of tickets and getting off of work, we were only going to be in town a total of 48 hours (which is insane) so we couldn't see anyone who was not associated with the wedding. That made us sad not to be able to see all our friends, but that was life. We were just thankful we could see this wonderful union of this great couple!!!!

Itinerary:
Thursday
2:00pm leave our house, drive one hour to airport, park our car in economy lot
5:20 supposedly take off in airplane. but it was delayed so it was later than that
Friday
12:15 am Arrive in Laguardia Airport, NYC, get picked up by Sandy's cousin and drive 2 and half hours to Scranton PA area. Although we got a little turned around in the city
3:30am finally arrive at Richard's sister's house and crash
7:15AM boys wide awake ready to play with their cousins. (how do they do this, they didn't really sleep at all on the plane, traveled and got in late! and still up, which with the time change was way earlier for them. I dont' get it!!!!)
4:30pm Surprise the Bride and Groom at the rehearsal. Bribe boys with M&M's to walk down the aisle with an adorable sign stating "here comes the Bride". They did great. PHEW!!!!!

This was right after the surprise!!! :)

6:30pm rehearsal dinner. Kids climbing all over the place, on us, asking for cheese, and chocolate and really just managing them and avoiding any major meltdowns. ;)
8:30pm, in bed finally, resting hopefully for the wedding.
Saturday
6:45am - boys wide awake ready to play with the cousins. again! Why don't they sleep in a little bit!!!??!?!

One of their cousins! They look so  much alike!!!!

11:45AM show up for wedding. Bribe boys once again with M&M's to walk down the aisle! they did it and my mother's heart was just bursting with pride for them, and thought they were the cutest thing in the entire world! I'm biased, but they really were cute!

Terrible blurry picture! But still so cute!!!

2:00 pm receptions. meltdown for bridal party pictures. too bad! :( I really wanted them to have good pictures with the boys. but i guess I can only expect so much cooperation from them on such a difficult trip!
4:15pm - finally finished with all wedding stuff. Breathe a deep deep breath of relief that we accomplished what we traveled so far for!
Happy as ever to see this wonderful couple be joined in marriage. The wedding ceremony was so Christ honoring. and it was all just beautiful.
Didn't get any pictures of the couple or the boys with them. But hope to be able to see some from the photographers. (they are friends of ours, so maybe they can let us see some :) )
5:30pm spend some time with friends and cousins for dinner and enjoy catching up with each other

The boys loved playing with eachother, I loved catching up with my
sis-in-law. And it was wonderful to stay with them!!!

Sunday
4:00am leave my sister-in-laws house and drive 2 and half hours to airport

6:20AM - get to Laguardia airport with no problems whatsoever!
8:20am - flight leaves and we're on our way back home
10:35 AM land in Denver. Thankfully boys slept about 2 hours in the flight which literally saved us! I don't think Richard and I had enough energy to deal with them crawling all over us and entertaining them for 4 hours since we were so tired.

11:00 am leaving the airport in our car
12:00 PM made it home, sleep for 2 hours, go to bed before 9:30pm and sleep the entire night! phew! we were tired.

I also didn't mention - A dear dear friend of mine from Boston made the drive out to the wedding. (she knows the bride and her family). We have been dear friends since like Kindergarten. And though I have moved in a million different places, and hardly ever lived close to her, we have made huge efforts to always be in contact and try to see each other. She has taken so many trip to meet up with me wherever I am. I love that we have stayed close. I love her friendship. I love that she is so thoughtful and cares for me. She challenges me, she encourages me, she's honest with me. All the things that real friends are for each other. I love our talks that we have. She is an amazing friend and it was wonderful to be able to spend some time with her on this trip!!!

Now we are back and refreshed and ready to start life here again. When we got back to the car I said to richard "it doesn't even really feel like we left". :) It was a very fast trip! But I would do it all over again in a heart beat to see that wonderful couple!!!

Words of Wisdom from my MOM!

Sometimes I think I'm not doing a good enough job - ever feel like that? you compare your mothering skills to other mothers and wonder if you're doing enough, or the right thing. You think "oh I should do that" or "I need to be like that mom".
One area that I always feel bad about is rocking my kids before bed! I don't know about you but it seems like I'm the only mother in the world that just cannot wait to lay them down, and get my kids into bed as soon as I can! sometimes I feel bad about that and think, oh I should rock them more or read for longer etc.
But then I remembered - just about every day my kids wake up from naps (they wake up at different times) and spend at least 10 min each just sitting with me cuddling and slowly waking up!
That's my "cuddle' time with my kids! Then it got me thinking. -
We need to stop trying to compare ourselves to what other's do! Just be the mom you're going to be. Love your children with your whole heart! Show them the love (in your own way), and love them deeply. It will look different in every family dynamic.
One thing my mom said when my firstborn was just a tiny baby is "you're the only mother he has ever known, so everything you do is perfect to him" (at least until he's 13, right?!)  I have told many other new moms this! And I remind myself of it daily!
I truly believe that most moms are trying their best, doing what they know is best, and loving their kids the best they know how. We all battle selfishness! but we all are battling it and aware of the pull it has on us!
So step back!

ENJOY your kids, LOVE your kids!

and relax about what others do or think!!!!

10 Random Fact Friday

1. For mother's day I got all creative and Crafty! Right before our huge family vacation I decided to do this project with a friend. and last minute I called a friend and asked if she could help me. I am so thankful I asked for her help on so many levels. I am NOT CRAFTY or CREATIVE in the least, therefore I have no supplies, she had thought through the process, had supplies and 4 adult hands with 4 painted little boys hands was a good idea!!!

Finished Product drying in the sun! It was a big hit! But now
I set the bar too high :)

2. i wish i could explain to people what a goofy personality Landon has when he's around just his family. This picture sorta portrays that. ;)

 3. Sometimes a family outing to Old Town for Ice Cream is just what the doctor prescribed.

 4. Most of our days are spent outside and they love it. (although I think i say that every post)

 5. Last Saturday we went to a park! It was like 65% humidity which is insane for here! but we still enjoyed a park date with Daddy

 6. Richard is  a really good father!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and his boys adore him!!!

 7. This was taken Monday evening after our big memorial day shindigs.  He never falls alseep in his carseat around town - but this day he was wiped out!!!!

 8. We went to the pool for the first time this summer and it went great! Boys loved it! and I had a great time with my friend

9. I wish there was a way to be completely honest about our lives and people would get the right idea and not just read into things. Lately I've gotten from a few people two different sides. Either they think my life and family are amazing and they are jealous - or when I write about struggles I'm told I'm too negative. Weird! I guess that's why I write for me and my family and my outlet! :) to everyone - know that my life is normal, not glamorous, hard at times, and great at times. That's life - probably just like yours :) (btw - some friends have been so encouraging about my blog too, so it's all good!!!)

10. I'm so glad the month of May is overwith. That took so long! WE did a lot in this month and our bank account shows it! :) June - here we come!!!!

Wedding in Colorado Springs

This weekend was packed full of family time, friend time, and picnics, sunny weather, and weddings.  i dont' think we could not have asked for a better combination of things to go on this weekend. But it's late tonight and I'm feeling very uninspired so this will probably be short. It always seems I think of the best things to write during the day when the kids are up or there's stuff to do and then at night when I have a chance I just want to lay down and veg! (is anyone else out there like this??!?!)

Saturday started off with a nice 5 + mile run, then plenty of family time at a park (which I'm sure I'll post pictures of that some day soon) then a drive down to Denver

We stayed overnight with Richard's brother and his family. We always love going down there and the kids play great together.
Sunday we had a wedding to go to in Colorado springs. We left our boys in Denver with their Aunt and Uncle and cousins to go to their church and Richard and I took a drive down for the wedding. You could not have asked for a more perfect venue, weather, or friends to enjoy a nice Sunday wedding with. It was such a relaxing and fun atmosphere, beautiful and so fun. We just really enjoyed ourselves.

Now I will admit, most of this is probably

due to the fact that we didn't have 2 little boys

to chase around all day in a weird situation

that was hard and tiresome.

 We actually had real long conversations with our friends

and enjoyed each other's company so much.

Richard and I made a day of it. And after the wedding we took a drive through Garden of the gods. it was absolutely amazing and these pictures do not do it justice at all! It was amazing and I hear there is a 10mile race there every year that I will definitely put on my bucket list of races to do in Colorado. 

It was a wonderful day - and we enjoyed ourselves so much. We were relaxed, enjoying being on a whole day date together and it was refreshing.

I don't usually post pictures of scenery much but it was amazing. Although now I remember why i don't do it that much - it never does it justice! But still - I was in heaven all day that day, with the sunshine, friends, wonderful husband . . . 

Some of our new friends! A dear dear couple - part of our "lifegroup"
We have really grown to love them
They are new christians and their desire to
search out God's word and learn
is infectious!
We love them to death!

I was more than ready to see my boys (who apparently could've cared less if i was there or not, but either way) I loved their hugs and kisses and was refreshed to face a week with them again.

Because my life is this exciting . . .

So in light of Yesterday's post - I thought I would show you all how exciting my life really is. You know, I strive to keep a clean house, and it takes work. But I also have 2 boys in a tiny apartment. I know it's good for them to have fun and play and make a mess. But then - it turns into this . . .

It all started when we left our stroller in Illinois and my parents had to mail it to us - which by the way, would've probably  been cheaper to buy a new one! UGH!

We got it in this box - and Richard went to open it one day before work, realized it was full of packing peanuts and said he didn't have time, so he'll have to take it out later, making sure I didn't need it that day. 

Carson of course saw them and thought they were so cool. So shortly after Daddy left for work, he starts getting a few of them out. He is such a sweet guy, and makes sure to ask me if this is ok. I figure - what's the harm, let them have fun. so I let him work at trying to get a few out here and there. And he is loving it!

 Then he figures out how to take the tape off, and I start to realize the little bit of a mess I allowed to happen. But never in my WILDEST dreams did I imagine what came next!

Look at how excited he was! How can you say no to that smile?!?!

 Slowly more and more packing peanuts starting coming out. I thought, surely, there isn't that many more. all the while Carson is laughing so much and getting a kick out of it!

 Eventually - his room was covered 2 inches deep in packing peanuts. A sea of Packing Peanuts. OH. MY. GOODNESS.!!!!! Why in the world did they put so many in those boxes?

 he was literally in Heaven!!!!! This is him jumping off his bed onto a pile of them. He was swimming, rolling, jumping for a while in his bedroom.

 He was just so excited.

Needless to say - I spent over a half hour picking them all up by hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a mess! I told Carson that he had to help me clean it up before he made the mess. So the entire time I'm reminding this precious 3 year old that he said he would help me, and keeping his mind on track. A few times he was getting impatient and kept saying "this is taking a long time". (and i will even admit that all my cool mommy awards were taken away with the frustration of cleaning them all up!)

Yeah! I know Carson. I hope you had fun playing in them. Because this is not fun for either of us now!

We filled 2 huge boxes of packing peanuts! And putting him to bed that night we were still finding them! What a mess!

See don't you all want to be a stay at home mom - cleaning up these messes??!!???!!!????

Note to self - think of other ways for the boys to have fun!

What's life about??!!!?

Lately I've been in social situations where I feel very inferior and "stupid" for lack of a better word. You see, never before in my life as a mom, have I been around so many different women/moms who either have never had kids, work while mothering, or have grown kids and now work, travel, volunteer. And lately most of my acquaintances fall within those characteristics. I love having diversity. But I wonder if they think my life is boring, or that I don't really have a personality or i  really am just probably making things up in my head about what they think of me. It's gotten me to really think, and really evaluate things. I've always LOVED being a mother and thrive on staying home with them. Since I quit working I've never had one inkling of a desire to go back. Sure days are long and hard, and I'm frustrated way more than I need to/should be. But I have no desire to be out of the house working for someone else. I know that God has called me to this lifestyle b/c he has given me the grace to do it, and the joy that can only come from him. This is something that Richard and I are convinced about - "that i, the mother, should stay with them and teach my young children, and guide them". It's what we feel is right for our family. (I know there are a million other situations and families so no judgement to anyone, juts strictly talking about for my family alone)

But more than ever within the last week I've felt like I have nothing to add to conversations, I've not had that many experiences or traveled to amazing places, or run a thousand races setting records, or gotten some sort of  fancy job that is good. A year ago, I would never have dreamed that these insecurities would be here, and now they are. I don't know what to do with them. It's weird! I in no way am saying that I want to change my life, or that I'm not happy, but I feel a little insecure lately when I say I just stay at home with my boys, or that we don't really do much besides parks, and daily normal activities. No gym membership or classes to go to, no toddler whatever class, no amazing trips. Just simple living in a tiny apartment with absolutely no amenities. I feel insecure and it's weird! I don't know what to do or say to people b/c I feel like I have nothing interesting to say about my days.

In talking with Richard about this new feeling that confused me he spoke words of wisdom! First of all - it's a lie that I haven't experienced much - I grew up overseas, I traveled on a soccer team, I have moved a bazillion times, I speak two languages and because of that have had great jobs and interesting jobs, I've just moved across the country with my family and thrived!  And besides that - I have a higher calling - I'm content in my life serving my God. Sure, Richard's job is not anything to write home about and really doesn't pay much so we live SUPER simply! But we are growing in seeing how God provides for us! we are happy, we are serving a church and God ultimately. We are striving daily to show others God's love and that completely satisfies us. We are raising children to hopefully one day understand about this God who loved them enough to send his only son to pay for their sins. I get the privilege of showing them that love through my love daily in the mundane! Our lives look boring to some - but we are satisfied and content! WE may not take these huge vacations or even do cool things - but we are a happy family desiring with all our heart to Love God and Love Others in everything we do!

And in this my friends - I find comfort

No matter what other's think of my life

no matter what insecurities I feel

I'm happy serving this Awesome God who 

called me to this job - motherhood.

I am blessed beyond measure! I have a great husband who 

provides and serves and loves his family, and follows God.

I pray that I will hold onto these truths and speak it to myself

when those insecure or feelings of non-importance try to creep in.

And then to top it all off - I get to see these smiling faces all day long!