What a Beautiful Mess

Instead of trying to rewrite this... I thought I would just share what I posted on my personal Facebook page last night....

"I had an epiphany today.... My life is a beautiful mess. A messy, imperfect, completely disorganized, BUT absolutely beautiful mess. I am always so concerned about keeping things clean, keeping things organized and allowing my OCD to take over when the kids get dirty or make messes... But I pushed all that aside today, ignored the mound of laundry in my bathroom, the stacks of dishes in the sink, and I enjoyed my family. My beautiful, messy family."


Seriously. Do you know how hard it is for me to just sit down and play in the floor with my kids when there is laundry piling up in my bathroom, the kids' playroom is an absolute disaster area, and I've got a list a mile long to accomplish? It physically makes me nauseous just thinking about it. I'm pushing myself to an uncomfortable level, I'm allowing the dust to settle and I'm not allowing myself to obsess over the little details. This time in my life, when my babies are just that..... babies, I have to enjoy this time, I have to savor the sweet hugs, the slobbery kisses, the mismatched tea parties, the crazy dress up clothes, and whatever else my children happen to love that day. I have to be in the moment, savor every last moment of babyhood, toddlerhood and childhood my little ones have.

That's my short post for the day, I'm really trying to make more time to sit down and work on my blog whenever I can, but it just isn't happening here lately! Please pray for my sweet hubby, he's had a weekend full of phone calls and text messages from work, so although he's been off he's feeling like he's been working on his two days off. God Bless!

And.... Did I mention that my sweet boy turned 8 months old?!?!?!

Another Long Overdue Update!

We finally have our new computer and printer set up... thank goodness! I've been waiting and waiting to get some file folder games and such printed for Tot School! I've found so many wonderful goodies for Boogie, and I'm sure the sweet girl I will be babysitting starting in August (we'll call her Miss V) will enjoy them as well!

It's been a great month for our family, Bubby turned 7 months (and we are creeping up to month 8!), he now has 5 teeth cut through with 3 more trying to break through (that's loads of fun...), and he is figuring out how to get around without crawling! Boogie is her normal, ornery self of course, we took her to a Radio Disney event, it wasn't what we expected but she had fun nonetheless! We even took the kids on a little trip to Gatlinburg, it was Bubby's first vacation and trip to the aquarium! And.... J bought his first motorcycle! I may actually have my car to myself again! YAY!

As for me, I am slowly updating my wardrobe... which is AWESOME. I haven't bought myself new (or new to me) clothes in a long time.... and maternity clothes DO NOT count lol! I bought one new outfit from Old Navy, and the price KILLED me, so the rest have come from consignment stores (both online and in person!) I ordered several things from Thredup.com, they have children's, junior's, women's and plus size women's clothing for GREAT prices! (If you use that link above, you will receive $10 credit on your first order!) I have also signed up to be an Origami Owl consultant, I will post more about that in a separate post later... but let's just say that this company is AWESOME and it was started by a 14 year old young lady!

Now... how about a picture update?

This is J's Nanny, she has been in and out of the hospital. She is doing much better now, but please keep praying for her!

Our big guy is eating so well! He's had lots of different vegetables, fruits, and even some meats! Yay Baby Led Weaning!

My Bubby and I at the fireworks!

He was super excited.... can't you tell?

Boogie really enjoyed playing before the fireworks.... however we ended up leaving shortly after they started because they scared her :(

8 months old!

My failed attempt at a sibling photo.... this was the BEST out of the bunch lol

We got all of Nanny's grandkids who have children together and took a big photo of all of them, along with individual pics of the grandkids with their babies... I am not going to post the other family members out of respect for them and their privacy ;-)

Took a trip to the aquarium....

Bubby stayed asleep through most of it!

Excuse my red complexion... it was HOT.

Boogie dressed up as Sofia the First for a Radio Disney Jr Event!

We had a tea party :)

J's new toy!

So... Bubby is in this picture too... Breastfeed without Fear ladies! 

She thoroughly enjoyed our tea party :)

Origami Owl Takeout Menu - I'm so excited to tell you more!

He's a little excited...

A Year of New Beginnings. Hello 2013!

Here we are! It's officially 2013 and we have a lot of news to share! If you are an old reader then you may have read many entries about my beloved Flint Monsters. The Flint Monsters are 5 beautiful children that I have loved on since the oldest was 3 when I was in high school! Their mother, Janelle is my closest friend, she has been there through high school break ups, emotional rollercoasters in my teenage life, marriage, life changes, and she was even there for both of my children's births and has taken on the roll (along with her hubby) as godparent to my sweet kiddos. My dear friend is getting ready to embark on a grand adventure all the way across the country to Washington, she's following God's calling to be part of an amazing ministry and she needs your help! They can use prayers first and foremost, but they are also looking for donations to help fund their mission to start a Celebrate Recovery ministry as part of Restoration Ministries. Donations can be accepted online via their website HERE or you can mail a check to:

Restoration Ministries

PMB 1202

11700 Mukilteo Speedway suite 201

Mukilteo, WA 98275

Memo Line: Nathan and Janelle

But like I said, more important is that they receive prayers for safety on their journey to their new home, prayers for encouragement, strength, and that they can reach many people through their ministry who need the amazing program, Celebrate Recovery.

We are going to miss the Flint's so much, but I cannot tell you how excited I am for them. This is something they've talked about doing (going into ministries) since I met them almost 10 years ago. Their family has been a major part of my life.. heck, they ARE my family. Not only are they going on this incredible mission but they are also blessing us by allowing us to rent their home. So in April we will be moving out of this apartment and into a home. A real home without  neighbors attached above, below, or beside us... a real home with a yard that we can watch our children run around and play... a real home where we can live and grow and play without worrying how our lives are affecting those living around us. We will have wonderful neighbors (aka Janelle's parents who are honorary grandparents to our children) and we are within walking distance to a great park and library. Can you believe it? We can't! We're looking forward to seeing where God leads both of our families, and doing everything in our power to ensure that our children still "see" and spend time with their godparents and "godsiblings"... whether that's by snail mail, facebook, blogging, or maybe skype! 

We love you Flint Family. Thank you for blessing us throughout the years and sharing in some of our most memorable moments... our lives wouldn't be the same without you in it! 

Consider It Pure Joy...

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4


God must have known I would need this verse today... I've started receiving daily devotionals via email from Proverbs 31 Ministries . I discovered their wallpapers and found one that I really loved and put it on my laptop, and it happened to have that verse on it. Ok, God! There's a lot going on in our life as a family right now, mainly concerning J's career and position he is in now. It's hard to consider what we're facing pure joy, but as He is making it clear... I should, because through this trial we will come out more mature and complete! 

Beyond the trials of J's employment I must say that life is grand! I am cherishing these sweet newborn moments with Bubby, he's growing so fast and if I blink too long he'll be grown before I know it. It's amazing how already my relationship with my daughter and my son are so different. I love them equally and wholeheartedly, but there's something special about a mother/daughter and a mother/son relationship. Boogie and I have had two years of bonding, she is my sunshine, she is the light of my life. I adore her sweet little voice, her happy giggles when J comes home from work, and although I'm not sure how to handle it, I love that she is a full-fledged girly girl. Bubby is still developing his personality, but he is an absolute delight. He is starting to focus on my face when I talk to him and he just coo's and ah's at me. I love it! I don't get to cuddle him nearly as much as I got to cuddle Boogie in the beginning, but those sweet moments when I do... oh he just melts my heart. So... no matter what we face, these two little ones are absolute blessings. 

I've been baking cupcakes for two of the youngest Flint Monsters (they turn THREE tomorrow!) and while they were baking Bubby was a little fussy, so I picked him held him close and I sang to him and danced to the music we had playing in the kitchen. And as I was dancing with him I thought about how in no time I would be doing this again with him on his wedding day... I know that is a long time from now, but at the same time it's going to be here within a blink of an eye. 

The point of my rambling? I'm going to find joy where there seems to be none... I'm going to cherish these moments despite the stress of life outside our family bubble. God is with me through it all, no matter how rough things seem!

Worst Blogger EVER!

I really should be posting more... but I'm enjoying spending time with my children so much that I just haven't gotten around to it... AND I cleaned the ENTIRE house today. Yea. With two kids, all by myself. I was super proud of myself! :-p

Anyways, Bubby is officially 3 weeks old as of yesterday, time is just flying by! He is already rolling from tummy to back (I thought it was a fluke... but he is consistently doing it!), making eye contact and following our voices. Time is already going by way too fast, Boogie will be 2 next week and Bubby will be a month old. Oy! Here are some pictures of what we've been doing this past week...

Lots of snuggles, sleepy smiles, and naps!

We decorated a Gingerbread Man for G is for Gingerbread Day (next year we're MAKING real gingerbread men!)

Tummy time.... or sometimes nap time!

Lots of smooching...

Danced the night away in twirly Christmas dresses...

Took walks on cool not so normal December days... seriously though... it's not cold enough to be December!

We made Polar Express snacks for P is for Polar Express Day

Had our first bath... he loved it!

And enjoyed time as a family... even if Boogie wasn't thrilled about having her picture made!