The Contents Of My Purse

This is my purse.

I had to clean it out this morning.

I found:

1 wallet, stuffed with coins

3 Christmas presents, ready for delivery

1 headband that changes color in the sun

God only knows how many pieces of paper

Violet's new wallet, containing only a plastic toy

my current cross-stitch project, my sunglasses, and Nina's extra glasses case.

And a close up to prove that it is a cross-stitch project and not a random plastic bag.

4 nail files, 3 packs of gum, 2 hand sanitizers, 1 pack of kleenex, random medicine and my inhaler

The remnants of the tampon box that exploded in my car (wish I could make that one up)

Two pocket knives (doesn't everyone?)

5 pens, 1 permanent marker, 1 Rudolph nose, 1 jingle bell from the dog's collar, 1 calculator, and a hair clip

2 playing cards and a broken honey stick

and a tampon angel from a friend.

I have two thoughts:

No wonder my back hurts.

I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

What's in your purse?

Project 365: Weeks 31 & 32

Day 210/365:  The view from my end...

No photos please!

Day 211/365: My new favorite things

Found the purse on clearance, and discovered Wendys new wild berry tea.  Fabulous day.




Day 212/365:  Why I love my man

He takes a herd of girls to the bathroom.




Day 213/365: Bubbles in the morning

Day 214/365: The beauty of Gods creation

Day 215/365:  Waiting to wave at the tourists

We have one of the last running narrow gauge railroads in our town.  And the girls LOVE to wave at the tourists as they roll on by.






Day 216/365:  First Family Bike Ride

Our girls have struggled with learning to ride bikes.  It has been extremely frustrating.  So we had our local shop take all the pedals off their bikes, and lo and behold, no more tears!  Brilliant!




Day 217/365:  First day of school

My students are the cutest!




Day 218/365:  Geography object lesson

We were learning the difference between a map and a globe, and just how difficult that transition is!




Day 219/365:  Science lesson

I let Kat document our science lesson in our backyard.




Day 220/365:  The friend of Violet

Every insect is her new friend.  Including this one.  Can you see him/her?




Day 221/365:  Coach

Not sure what is cuter, my hubby coaching 2nd graders, or the 2nd graders.




Day 222/365:  Newest Recruit

Day 223/365:  Princess Attire

Yes, I let her wear this out in public.  Her self-confidence is more important than my mommy image.

Project 365: Week Something.... 30 Perhaps?

I have not done a Project 365 Post in two months. 


*hangs head in shame*


Rather than try to lump 475 bazillion photos together in one ginormous post to catch up, I am giving myself some grace and starting fresh from here.  Sometimes we can all use a little more grace and a little less self-inflicted perfectionism. 


And, with that being said, here is my week(ish) in photos:



Day 203/365: Bar D Time!

Last Sunday was this amazing young ladys 13th birthday.  She decided, for her birthday, that we were all going to go to the Bar D.  Our evening at the Bar D is going to be a whole nother post, but I thought I would drop this precious shot in here.

Just a bunch of kids being kids. 

Day 204/365: Sisterhood

We got to watch a precious pumpkin this week.  And my girls took to her like she was their own little sister. 

Day 205/365: The New Cooler

Got it on clearance for $9.99, thanks to my smart-shopping friend Jill.  And Madi decided it made a fabulous boat.

Day 206/365:  The Birthday Girl

All day, Madi talked about getting to open her birthday presents.  And then Mom made her take a photo first.  Sheesh!

Day 207/365:  Hmm...

As I put on my F*cebook:

Teaching responsibility or free slave labor... You be the judge!

Day 208/365:  Buddies for life


Madi especially took to the little pumpkin we had this week.  She took it upon herself to instruct LP in all things important, including but not limited to sunglasses and bubbles. 

Day 209/365: Fancy Feet

I discovered, much to my chagrin, that it was less expensive to take Madi and two of her little friends to the spa on Saturday morning for pedicures than it was to have a birthday party.  Big sister went too, and a fabulous time was had by all!  Don't you love these cute little toes?

Suzie Homemaker Fail

I have accomplished nothing in the last 3 1/2 hours. 


My children slept that long.  Please don't hate me.


I took the opportunity to read blogs.  And fill my Amazon wish list with new books for my kindle (hint hint Handsome Realtor Man).  And fill my cheap random crap Oriental Trading shopping cart with bribery rewards and other such nonsense for school time.


And do nothing.


This morning, total Proverbs 31 woman.


That is, after the kids and I got up.  At 9.  Please don't hate me.  We totally wore them out with the random trip of chaos this weekend (more on that tomorrow), so we were all exhausted.


But, this morning, I unpacked from the trip, got caught up on the laundry, helped the kids sort their toys and books into Keep, Give Away, and Toss piles (Love that my children willingly and joyfully give their possessions away.  Disturbed that the toys seem to be procreating of their own volition.), and found more treasures for my china cabinet.  Oh yeah, I haven't mentioned the china cabinet yet, have I?


When my dad came home from Vietnam, he decided to go to college on the GI bill down in a little town called Durango.  Needing a job, he began working at a little furniture shop on Main called Wilson's Furniture.  Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became, over time, a second set of parents for my dad.  They provided much wisdom and support over the years. 


The first piece of furniture my mom and dad purchased for my grandparents was from Wilson's.  It was a beautiful dark wood and glass china cabinet.  I don't remember my grandmas house without that cabinet.  It always held the good dishes, the fancy cups, the cake topper from their 50th wedding anniversary.  Memories. 


I can close my eyes and picture where it was in this house.  I have never known my life at her house without it.


After my grandma passed away, my dad, aunts, and uncles have slowly been going through her house.  Sorting, separating, divvying up.  It has been hard, emotional work.  When my dad asked me if I would like her cabinet, there was no way I could say no.


The beautiful cabinet, with so many memories, now proudly sits in my living room.  My own good china, purchased by my parents when I was a baby, is proudly displayed on the top shelf.  My grandmas tea cups, and that precious cake topper, is now on the second.  I am eager to fill it with our familys treasures. 


But now, the children have awoken from their marathon nap, Handsome Realtor Man is home for a few hours before his softball game, dinner needs fixing (gotta love leftovers), and I must redeem myself for these last few hours. 


But, sometimes, its good to fail. 

True Story Tuesday: Playing Hotel

I was the manager.

They were the maids.

I wonder how long I can keep this up?

Go see Rachel & Mr Daddy for more TST fun!

A Longer Than Intended Absence

I officially apologize to all of blogdom for my absence.  Apparently, G*ogle became so despondent over my absence that it shut down Blogger for a few days.  I had no idea that my lack of blogging could bring down an international powerhouse.  I am both humbled and honored.  And I promise to never unintenionally cause such trauma to my friends again. 



Ok, seriously.  My last day of full-time, paid employment was on Friday, April 29th.  Since then, I have spent my days lounging on the couch, reading trashy romance novels and eating bon bons.  Because isnt that what all SAHMs do? 



Ha.  Dont I know better.



I have, in no particular order:

• deep cleaned the bathrooms
• deep cleaned the bedrooms
• deep cleaned the kitchen, living room, hallways, entryway, and laundry room
• purged our house of unneccessary stuff (a truck AND an SUV full, to be exact)
• discovered that my husband has 62 dress shirts (yes, I counted)
• discovered that my husband had the same number of coats as ALL of our children combined
• successfully convinced said husband to donate coats to the local shelter
• kept up on the laundry for more than 2 days for the first time in my married life
• taken the girls to the park
• taken the girls to Walmart
• taken the girls to the mall
• taken the girls to the park
• taken the girls to get coffee
• taken the girls to the grocery store
• taken the girls to the park
• taken the girls to playdates with friends
• taken the girls to visit Grandpa & Grandma at the office
• taken the girls to the park
• taken the girls on a walk
• played with my new mixer
• made brownies from scratch (first time ever)
• promised no less than 4 sewing projects for the girls
• answered the what are we doing today question no less than 3 times per day
• tried to coordinate a 7 and 8 year olds baseball team snack schedule
• tried to keep said 7 and 8 year olds from having a sword fight with metal bats in the dugout
• watched the 30 and 40 year olds consider having a sword fight with metal bats in the big boys dugout
• tried to plant my garden umpteen times, only to be thwarted by snow.  In May.
• reveled in the marvelous wonder that is nap time.

In short, I have been insanely busy, but also having insane amounts of fun.  The girls make me laugh daily, I get kisses and snuggles consistently, and my heart is full. 



I am grateful to all of you for sticking around, but I needed time to just be a mama again.  Remember what that is like.  Laugh at Violet as she realizes, again, that Mommy is staying home to play with her all day, and proceeds to do the happy dance.  Revel in the fact that we can go to the park in the middle of the day.  Watch Madi cover herself and the entire kitchen in flour as she helps me cook.  Snuggle Kat when her tummy hurts.  Cook a dinner that takes longer than 15 minutes to prepare. 



Seriously, I could spend all day, every day cleaning my house and NEVER be done.  That is just a fact of life with children.  But I have missed the contact, encouragement, and comraderie of my friends.  I am trying to find a balance.  Thanks for being patient during the process.

Project 365: Week 14 & 15

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!!!

Day 91/365:  Mama's helper, part one

Day 92/365: Mama's helper, part two

Day 93/365: Fashion Statement, part 1

Day 94/365: Fashion Statement, part 2

Day 95/365: Fashion Statement, part 3

Day 96/365: The humiliation of forced bib-wearing can be overwhelming

Day 97/365: Nutritious, organic breakfast, anyone?

Day 98/365: Real men rock color change hair clips.  On their back pockets.

Yes, I took a photo of my husband's rear.  And posted it. 

Day 99/365: My new toy ... still naked though

Day 100/365: When Grandma & Pepe come home from France...

Day 101/365: Three little butterflies

Day 102/365: The team mascots