Country Girl with City Girl Fears?!

I would like to think I am a country girl.... I grew up in the country and always had high expectations from my dad to get down to business and work hard. I never feared getting dirty, doing chores, marching around at my dad's hog farm with the glorious sights and smells of manure. I can side-step roadkill and consider the smell of pigs and cows "fresh air". However.... when it comes to rodents, I am as squeamish as any city-folk would be. I despise mice, snakes, rats, anything that slithers or darts here and there to find it's next crevice to be harbored in.

This afternoon I went out to the garage to put a few paints of coat on some things for Sienna's new room. I grabbed everything I needed, opened the large garage door and plopped myself down on the garage floor, just where it meets the driveway. I look up and see a snake, a garder snake, (or gardener, or garden....whatever, you get the point) had gotten squished underneath our garage door. Silly fella wasn't smart enough to jump in front of the sensor to avoid it's death. I was pleased to find that I had "caught" it, but am not going to lie and tell you I didn't squeal just a bit and high-tail it into the house with hopes of taking a cellphone pic and calling my husband to ask him if I stab it with a fork or whatnot... As I get back into the garage and head back to my scaly friend, I see his nasty spliced tongue sticking out at me and his body starts to recoil (I am seriously squirming in my seat as I type this!! YUUUCK!) Oh don't you worry--- he was just half-way squished and managed to slither back into our garage amongst our pile of who-knows-what-or-where-it-goes items stashed against the side of the garage. I am too chicken to peel everything away to catch the rascal and stab him with a fork (just kidding... I couldn't even get the nerve to touch it with a pole!). So, my husband will be pleased to know that this scaly friend will be waiting for him when he gets back in town. Hopefully, the snake will not invade the house in the process. I would move out PRONTO.


Anyways, as I was painting, I was thinking about God's creation and his amazing creativity. There are a few animals/insects that I just DON'T GET what He was thinking when he created them.... I guess I can ask Him someday... He probably has a really good answer... or maybe it is just to show his sense of humor.

For example: I don't know if I will ever understand the purpose of flies and mosquitoes.. or
This?!?!...

Or this...



But people probably wonder the same thing when they see these
...

Just a few Pet Peeves...

We all have them right?

Here are just a few of mine :)

*You have prepared a weekly menu and feel on top of the game, until it's dinner time and you realize you forgot the key ingredient at the store.

*Waiting for my dog as she paces all over God's green Earth to find the perfect place to piddle or drop a load. Like really? You've got all the land a dog could dream of and it's THAT hard to choose, huh?

*Being reprimanded at Meijer (and other stores with crazy return policies) for too many returns without a receipt. Okay... if I can't remember to take my keys out of the car before locking it, forget to put the trash out on the right days or to promptly switch the wet laundry into the dryer, and I occasionally forget to brush my daughter's teeth until she is already asleep-- chances are digging the receipt for a $3.00 item out from under my car seat isn't going to strike me as something that's really urgent. Sooo... they can keep their little message in their system that I have been warned about it... it probably won't help.

*Waking up 5 or 10 minutes before your alarm/child. Grrr... bad start to a perfectly good day!

*Every time my dog drinks water from her dish she leaves the great flood behind for each of us to walk through with our socks on.

*Baking a coffee cake for a get together, you know- the bundt-pan type that you pray over before flipping because you know the potential for disaster if it doesn't come out clean... only to flip it and find out- yes it is indeed a disaster. Just close your eyes while you eat, folks.

*Getting home from being out ALL day... when you finally look in the mirror you realize you have to absolutely, completely different earrings on. Thanks friends for not telling me ;)

*As SOON as you sit down for the evening, our dog starts pacing by the door like she suddenly has to go out to go to the bathroom NOW. Umm... if it's up to me... you can wait. Good thing my husband has a good heart :)

*Scratching the bottom of a pan with a fork, making that ear-piercing sound.

*Waking up to find yourself asleep on the couch...realizing you have to wash your face and brush your teeth before climbing into bed, an abrupt interruption to perfectly good night's sleep!

*How the house gets messy while I take a few blinks... for real... I don't get it.

*The way our dog stares at my husband everywhere he goes and starts whining if she can't see him. She is his stalker and it aggravates me!

Okay, sadly there are probably many more... but these popped into my mind. Share with me your pet peeves. Please tell me I am not alone?!

Random Ramblings for today :)

Hello Friends :)

Can I just share with you that I am loving this week :) This is the first of three weeks that Justin has a break from school! YAHOOO!! It's been fun. Of course, he has lawns to mow, a fishing trip planned, little projects to work on, time to spend with some of his students, etc.- but I feel like a happier woman having him home with us more! I feel refreshed! Many days he is working until Sienna's bedtime which leaves this mama worn out! But, he is working so hard to provide for us and for that I am so thankful. He never complains...

It is just wonderful for him to have a more flexible schedule. So far we have squeezed in a visit to the pumpkin patch and some extra family time. We are working through our "Fall Break To Do List" which includes fun memories we want to make with Sienna, but also some crunch time preparing for baby boy's arrival. I have officially hit the 8 month mark! It seems I felt the need to kick it into gear when I hit that mark. :) Still lots to do... but we are getting ready for this little guy. We are both convinced he is going to be a crazy one! He is incredibly active. Sometimes it feels like he is just going to reach out and grab my hand or perform a little gymnastics routine with all his rolling about. I have been telling Justin, "I wish you could be pregnant sometime in your life..." haha Fat chance of that happening... but honestly- it is so hard to describe the feeling of a squirmy baby inside your belly... constantly!

Sienna is getting more vocal about this little guy, too. She now says things like "baby brother" and "big sister" or "hi baby" while patting my ginormous belly. She lifts up her shirt and says, "Sienna's baby" and also wants to see "daddy's baby" ... so there is still a little fogginess in her understanding... but adorable nonetheless. I washed our little guy's bedding and she was excited to snuggle up with "baby's blankets". We have painted her room and gotten her mattress and bedding put together... but still need to put together or paint some of the bigger furniture before having her sleep in her bed. She LOVES her new bed and still gets excited and gasps when she walks in and sees it. She squeals, "new bed" and insists that I sit with her on it. I will post pictures of her room when it is actually done. I am anxious to finish it! I feel like there are many unfinished projects around here! Hoping to knock them out in the new few weeks :)

I am also feeling encouraged as our mom's group (MOTTTS) has started up again. It is a great way to get out of the house with childcare taken care of to get together with other mamas seeking guidance in this whole parenting thing!! Right now we are reading "Shepherding a Child's Heart" and I am seeing how this is going to be very applicable as my little sweetpea is showing more of an opinion about many things :) I am excited to learn more about understanding her and learning to discipline her in love, just as our Father does with us. Justin and I are also doing a weekly book study on relationships with lots of other great individuals and couples. Then, to top it off, a group of us girls are sitting under the teaching of the wise, and hilariously passionate Beth Moore :) Our study on Esther has gotten me back into The Word in a good way. All of these things are stretching me out of my comfort zone to be more intentional, relational, and grounded while building some pretty neat friendships!! :) I'm excited to see what God has in store!

Until next time! Hopefully I can get some pictures up here soon.... but someone seriously needs to ground me from taking pictures (or atleast uplaoding them) until I get some printed!!! It's been a good 14 months since I have printed pictures. Uhh... that thought makes me SICK!

I was listening to music the other day while I was cleaning and was thrilled when this song popped up to the playlist.

Isn't it amazing how a song can bring you back to a specific place, a time in your life, or memories with particular friends? I love music for that reason and so many others. For example... country music often brings me back to summer in highschool...cruising in my Jeep with the windows down. Jock Jams takes me way back to my AAU basketball days with us 10-year old girls jam-packed into a van feeling on top of the world singing, "We will we will ROCK YOU!". I am sure you could name of few songs that take you back to a place...

This song reminds me of a day 4 years ago when I walked down the long, grassy isle to my man :) I couldn't see him through all my tears, but I heard later he cried, too. I wouldn't have ever known it because I was a bawling mess, hanging on to my dad's arm. By far one of the most amazing days of my life. Picture perfect weather, loved ones, my love, my life, waiting at the end of the isle.




I LOVE this song for lots of different reasons. # 1) Dave Barnes and Stephen Speaks were played a lot in my college dorm room or in the car because their love-struck lyrics were perfect for my mushy heart. I still love hearing the simple, acoustic songs from these two guys. #2) The lyrics are amazing! The tremendous thing about a marriage is that you get to share everything (yes, even the small bathroom sink in the morning!)

One thing that amazes me is how much I look forward to him coming home in the evening. The time of sharing our day.... sometimes the low points, but also rejoicing in the small things (a smooth day at work, a good deal on groceries, a new mowing job, a small bow sale, Sienna's newest accomplishments, etc.) I am SO grateful I have Justin to share these with. More importantly knowing that in my darkest hours, I have an incredible man that loves me despite all those things. He sees me at my worst and loves me regardless. He loves me with no make-up on and in a ridiculously mismatched outfit, he loves me when I lock my keys in my car and he has to spend his entire lunch hour and more coming to bail me out, but also when I am in a crabby mood and can't explain why, when I complain 24/7 about our ridiculous dog (did I say that?!, when I leave a lights on or forget to flush. He still loves me when I have completely procrastinated with dinner and then frantically try to figure out what to make after he walks in the door. He loves me even though I am ridiculously indecisive and ask him to decide what I should order at a restaurant (seriously... what an annoying habit!) I am blessed with a forgiving, loving, handsome, hard-working, selfless husband who is a tremendous father and provider for our family. So blessed. So blessed.

Can I just start over?!?

Ever have the days where you would love to just back the train up and start over... yep, my day was today! Sure, there have been bad days before, silly mistakes, traffic jams, fits from a 19 month old, super unproductive days, forgetful mama type of stuff... but rarely do I feel like I have a day where EVERYTHING goes wrong!

Bear with me as I vent... ;) I had some errands to run today so we got around in decent time today and I planned to stop at 3 different places, I had my lists and mental map of my stops. On my way there, I realize I forgot to bring a snack for Sienna. I don't know about any of you moms out there, but I can't shop if Sienna doesn't have a snack. She would enjoy eating ALL day, however she has a pretty regular snack time and I sometime plan around it because helps me accomplish things with a few less interruptions. So Forgetful Mama makes mistake numero uno.

Our first stop to Kohls went really well, got the things I needed and Little Miss was well-behaved! I'm feeling good at this point!! When I walk out to the car I start sweating as I am digging through my purse looking for my keys. Yep, you guessed it. This is the second time, in 4 months I have locked my keys in the car. Although the first time my child was IN it! Yeah, hold the calls to CPS, please. That's a story for another day, but it WAS the hottest day of the summer (go figure) but luckily my mom came to the rescue in about 15 minutes. I earned The Worst Parent of the Year Award that day. I could blame it on "pregnancy brain" but that's just a crock... I'm just an airhead sometimes. Forgetful Mama mistake #2.

Anyways, Justin is working in Elkhart, my parents are in Chicago, Ashley is on a play-date, and my sad pair of spare keys are dangling in the kitchen. Sweeeeet. I march my pregnant-self back into Kohls with my girly starting to put on a show (you know... the one where their legs go limp and you end up dragging them because they refuse to stand...) for the customers. After calling Justin and Ashley, I ask Customer Service what they advise... So I found my options.

Option #1: Call the police although they won't send someone to unlock it unless a child is locked in the car Been there done that... where were the police 4 months ago?!

Option #2: Call a locksmith, although they will charge at least $50 to come out.

Option #3: Call a cab to take me to get my spare keys so I can drive back and get my car. Although I won't have a car seat for Sienna and I don't think Kohls provides babysitting services.

Option #4: Call my husband again and admit that I'm an idiot again and ask him to come save me.

Option 4 seemed like the least expensive (at least out of the pocket book, maybe not for the ego :) So I called my calm, forgiving husband who said he could drive nearly 45 minutes to come pick my up over his lunch. He reassured me it was okay and he'd call when he was there.

So, Sienna and I walked over to Quiznos for an unplanned lunch out while we waited. Sienna proceeds to tell the lady at the cash register "Mommy lock keys in car." Awesome. Out of the mouths of babes. After lunch, we walked back over to Pet Smart to look at the animals. Justin called and I told him we were at Pet Smart. He said, "Oh great, I'm just pulling in." We walk outside and I get this sick feeling as I don't see his truck.

I didn't tell him which shopping plaza we were at!!!!!!!!

Justin made a safe assumption that I was at the plaza closest to our house with Kohls, Pet Smart, and Quiznos... but why would I go there?! I was at the one across town! So he drives an extra 20 minutes to come get us there.

At this point, Sienna is walking around saying, "Poopy." And any passerby could guess what sort of gift she left in her drawers. The diaper bag is locked in the car. She kept asking if I was tired and I explained that I was just having a bad day. She would say. "Love you. Kissy Mama? Mama bad day..."

When Justin comes and unlocks the car, I get Sienna cleaned up and promise to make just one last stop, even though we are well into her naptime, but I figured I made the trip out and I am going to get what I need, doggonit!

Sienna is in the cart, digging in my purse and finds leftover chips from lunch. She takes one and starts eating it. Then, she starts coughing and choking, so I throw everything down, rip her out of the cart and stick my fingers in her throat. Then, of course, she pukes up what she ate... because what else would you expect on a day like this?! Luckily it was a small mess, easy clean-up and could have been a lot more (considering what this girl eats!!). Then, I realized they had NOTHING on my list. Everything I went in for was sold out... probably because it was a sale item towards the end of sale week. BUT STILL........... I just wanted to run out of the store and start my whole day over!

Anyways...... if you are still reading by now, I give you serious props... fortunately my loooong, drawn-out saga is over. Hopefully :) Just thankful my hubby loves me... a forgetful airhead like me :) He's amazing!

It Won't Be Like This for Long...

Let me just start by saying that I have been extremely sentimental and sappy lately. Many times I tear up for no apparent reason, other than the fact that my baby is growing to be a big girl (and pregnancy hormones I guess!) That alone is reason enough, right??

I mean seriously... she looks like a teenager with car keys here!

I was running the other day and Darius Rucker's song "It Won't Be Like This for Long". I bought this song off of Itunes 2 years ago for Justin for his first Father's Day. The song came on and I have heard it many times and it's one of my favs, but I pressed repeat and listened to it at least 3 times in a row before giving Mr. Rucker a break and moving to the next song.

So, there I am running, crying (not sobbing... but you get the picture!) thinking about my little girl. A part of me would do anything to push the pause button on life (even though we are anticipating a special arrival from a very special little boy :) to soak up EVERYTHING about this stage of Sienna's life. She is a hoot, plain and simple. Everyday I find myself amazed and absolutely head over heels in love with her. So many times lately Justin or I find ourselves randomly saying, "I just LOVE her!!" The feeling is indescribable. She is honestly more than I could have ever dreamed of in a million years, as cliche as it sounds, this mama means every word. She is lovey, cuddly, smart as a whip, cute as a button (see for yourself), and goofy with quite the sense of humor!

I think often times as parents, when things are hard with our kids, it is easy to think, "Oh it will be so fun when they can fill in the blank. It is nothing done intentionally, but it often anticipates the next phase without taking in the moments where you are at. And sometimes those moments where we are at are much easier to be wished away than to accept that "it won't be like this for long" and that it shall, too, pass. I can quite honestly say, I would be okay if Sienna were this age forever :) I have found myself saying so much, "I don't want her to grow up!!"
She always asks to read to Macy... so here she is showing her the pictures (upside down... but we won't tell!)


On the flip side, with 10 weeks to go before our baby boy gets here, this song also reminds me of the bare-bone amount of sleep that you get during those first few weeks (or months!), the exhaustion, the emotions, the struggles of "figuring it all out". I know that I am going to need to remind myself daily (scratch that-- maybe hourly) that "it won't be like this for long". And instead soak up the chaos and the craziness that will eventually lessen until shortly we find ourselves as empty-nesters...

To be honest, there are days I wake up scared silly about the adjustment. However, there are also so many nights where I am sitting there feeling his little elbows, feet, and knees moving across my belly where I am just dying to hold this little guy in my arms and see his sweet face... to have some snuggle time with this little life that is so precious. One thing that makes me anxious for the change is I want Sienna to feel incredibly, without-a-doubt, absolutely loved and special. I want her to feel like our special girl, important and cared for. I fear being inadequate for the job, whether that being a mother of two or a wife to a tremendously amazing man!

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." -2 Corinthians 12:9

Wow- aren't you thankful that's the case? He's got our backs during our darkest, hardest days. Days where we feel completely inadequate for the task at hand.

Well, I better wipe these tears and get my little gal going for the day. :) Thanks for reading, friends.

FALL? Is that YOU?!?

Fall makes me think of hoodies and jeans. soups. crockpot meals. apple cider. snuggling on the couch with a blanket. walks outside. campfires. soccer. hats. amazing sunsets. leaves. so much more.

I am so excited with today's weather! I hear hot weather is back on the forecast for next week... but I can C.E.L.E.B.R.A.T.E while it's here, right?

Can I just tell you I am SO excited for this long weekend? Tonight is the first night all week where Justin will be home right after school. I am doing a little happy dance! So excited for some good family time this weekend. He is playing in an Alumni Soccer Game at Bethel this weekend which is always fun to spend some time with the soccer wives (and now babies!) Long gone are the days of sitting, watching, and chatting... hello to the days of chasing kiddos and carrying on a completely interrupted conversation :). I'm looking forward to it since there will be lots of little soccer star off-spring to play with!

Did I mention, I just watched the CUTEST little soccer player (2nd to my hubby ;)...) last night?! Check him out in his gear. I'm a proud aunt. He's a soccer boy in the making.

Or he may just be a photographer for sporting events?! During his game he was taking pictures of family members taking pictures of him.. :) Gotta love it.

Here's our little soccer girl. Making her daddy proud sporting Puma gear and little Nike's from "Boppa" (Grandpa Smith). Looking like quite the athlete.

Cole was excited to see "Baby Nenna" at his game and even rubbed her bald head for good luck.


Switching gears, we tried Sienna in undies a few days because she is showing interest in going on the potty and despises having a dirty diaper. She makes a scrunchy face and says "Change diaper?" IMMEDIATELY after going. I know that I need to be gung-ho on the Potty Train if I want it to work. I will get there soon, but I realize potty training takes SO much time. Staying home, setting timers, lots of laundry, crazy amount of celebrating the small dribbles that DO make it into the potty. So, we will get there... when her AND I are ready. Anywho- here is what I found the day that we were working on her going on the potty....mind you this was 4 soaking wet pairs of undies later, 2 soiled diapers (because we ran out of clean underwear), and a measly 2 accidental drops of potty into the toilet. She comes to me and says "Bear go on potty chair". Low and behold the poor fuzzy guy is shoved INTO her potty chair. Awesome. Fortunately for everyone, especially Bear, there was no potty in the chair.






Last picture for today... I promise.
This picture is from a few weeks ago when we took Sienna on a walk in her wagon. She LOVES it. We told her to say "cheese" and she did. Hmmm.. maybe we won't have her say "cheese" for pictures? Hilarious. I laugh outloud when I see this picture! Any of you scholars know Mercer Mayer's books. Is it just me or does this picture remind you of the critter in the books? (Click on it for a close-up) It may be the toothy grin, the big eyes showing through the glasses, or her kissable cheeks. I just have to laugh. I love her.