Good Morning Devon

Hello sweet husband,

I am sad that you are out of town, again.

Here is what we did to fill the time yesterday and keep our minds off of the fact that you would not be reuniting with us at the end of the day :(

First, we picked up yo' mama and then we went to the Seattle Aquarium!

Joe and Lucy were very excited! Lucy can't quite say "aquarium" so we called it the fishy zoo, which confused her because she was then expecting to see bears and monkeys. But once we got that all cleared up, the aquarium was a perfect adventure!

Max was wide eyed and very interested! He seemed to wave and reach out to the fish :)

I got to take home this jellyfish...

and there was a little incident with an octopus!

And after the aquarium, we spent some time on the waterfront, but it was kind of cold, and apparently Joseph doesn't care for standing on docks (who knew?).

Then we ate dinner at Johnny Rockets. Lucy had some french fries with her ketchup :)

And here are the babies this morning- I'm covering your morning shift for you!

Come home soon! I really don't like it when you are away, but thanks for working so hard and for funding our fun!

Just a Thought...

Being a mom is really hard work.

It is more difficult that I could ever imagine.

And like anything that you put effort into- and by "effort" I mean your heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears- it is hard not to look at your work at the end of the day and wonder, Am I doing this right? And by "wonder" I mean worry, obsess, self-doubt, and lose sleep over.

And not only do I wonder if I am doing this whole gig correctly, but I also wonder if I am doing it as well as ______________ (insert a seemingly perfect mother's name here). How is she able to pull off motherhood so gracefully, when I can barely fit in a shower for myself?

I recently found comfort/inspiration from a blogger who I pretend to know Cjane @ http://blog.cjanerun.com

In context, her words are about being a woman in general, not specifically about being a mom, but I liked it:

She isn't less than, or more than, the next woman or man. She is her own entity which becomes cheapened when compared to others. When following the promptings inside of her soul to do whatever is important for her own life plan she simply has no equal.

Do you like it?

What has inspired you lately?

Fortunate Misfortune

Yesterday Max climbed onto our sofa, reached over to our side table, grabbed our lamp, and broke it!

I had bought this lamp at a garage sale about, oh, nine years ago, and to say that I am bummed that I now have to go shop for a replacement would be a

LIE.

What else can I get Max to break!?!?!?!?

Always trying to be resourceful, I thought that maybe we could use the broken lampshade to help keep Lucy from scratching her face.

Arty Cardis

I made it to Old Navy last night, and here was my best find:

ARTY CARDIS!

Not only is it fun to say ARTY CARDIS, but they are cute, light-weight sweaters on sale for $15!

They were pretty picked over in the store, so I only bought a plain white one.

Not very arty at all!

I might have to check out a different Old Navy this afternoon.

Saturday, Oh Saturday

I'd like today to be different.

I've been home with kids and without a husband all week, and I just have a little itch for things to be different today.

I'd like to change it up a bit.

I'd like to paint my nails a pretty color.

I'd like to bake some muffins.

I'd like to go on a date with my husband tonight and take a purse that only fits my wallet. No diapers, snacks or toys.

I'd like for Lucy to only change her clothes once.

I'd like to clean the house and have it stay clean.

I do believe that my ideas have just turned to wishes.

I wish that Lucy would stop scratching her beautiful face.

I wish that I wouldn't have to repeat myself to the kids today. Not even once.

I wish that Max would only poop while Devon is on diaper duty.

I'd like to shop for Easter basket stuff for the kids and then check "Easter baskets" off my to-do list.

I'd like to go see what the Modelquins at Old Navy are doing these days.

I'd like to run 4 miles, since I slept through the group run this morning at 7:30.

I'd like for time to stand still for a while, because today Max is 11 months old. I just can't bear the thought of him turning 1 year old in exactly 1 month.

Last night we took the kids to the mall to play at "the boats" and a stranger asked me if Max's father is Asian. I answered no, but I was quite happy about this inquiry! I've been told a few times that I look part-Asian, so I must assume that something about Max looks like me! The stranger said that it is his eyes- the way that they crease at the outside corners.

Once, when I was little, I was using the bathroom at church, and some girls didn't know that I was in there, and one of them said, "Annie has a face like a China doll." She didn't say it nicely, and my feelings were hurt that she was talking about me behind my back. Now I think it is funny, but I wish that I would have busted out of the bathroom stall and used some Kung Fu!

"Going Out"

When I was in the fourth grade, a boy named Aaron asked me to "go out" with him. Or maybe he asked me to "go" with him, and, actually, he didn't ask me himself- a boy named Leighton asked me if I would "go" or "go out" with Aaron.

My answer was yes, and just like that, I had my first boyfriend!

Aaron and I didn't speak at all during our 4 day courtship. Nope, not even one word was exchanged! No, it wasn't the most fulfilling relationship that I've ever had, but I must admit that it wasn't the worst relationship I've ever had either!

I don't remember which of us initiated the break-up after 4 days, and what I really mean is did I send a girl to Aaron to give the bad news, or did he send Leighton back to me to do the dirty work? No damage was done to my 10 year old heart, and eventually Aaron and I resumed our verbal communication.

What I remember most about this experience is trying to explain it to my parents.

I think it went something like this:

them: Where are you and Aaron going?

me: Nowhere! We aren't going anywhere!

them: Then why do you call it "going out"?

me: I don't know!

them: So, you are going steady?

me: I don't know! No one calls it that! We are just going together.

them: Going where?

me: Nowhere!

them: Well, just so we are clear, you aren't going anywhere with a boy until you are 16 (which was a rule that stuck).

me: UGH! We aren't going anywhere! We are just going out!

(SKIP FORWARD 20 YEARS)

Joseph got a phone call from a girl yesterday (maybe his first phone call ever. Wait- definitely his first phone call ever!). With a look of confusion, he took the phone down to his room, and though I was trying my very best to eavesdrop from the top of the stairs, Lucy chose this moment to say, "Mommy! Watch me sing!" She proceeded to sing at the top of her lungs, and I couldn't hear Joe's side of the phone conversation at all. "Wow, Lucy, that was really great!"

Joe came back upstairs less than a minute later and said, "Uh, she said that Sara wants me to go out with her." His face was lit up like a light bulb!

"Wow! Do you think that Sara knows?"

"Yes, I could hear her giggling in the background. So, I am supposed to meet her after school tomorrow to go out. I guess we will go to Zeek's Pizza."

"Um, no, I don't think that you are actually going anywhere. First of all, you don't have any money, and second, that would be a date, and you are far too young to go on a date." (I actually used my fingers to list off my 2 points- am I a mom or what??).

"Then why did she call it 'going out' if we aren't supposed to go anywhere?"

"I don't know- that is just what it is called."

He agreed, I think, or he was just a bit shocked about the total significance of the phone call that he didn't know what else to do but follow my lead. So, I seized my opportunity!

"Joe, 'going out' means that she wants you to be her boyfriend- she likes you- and please remember to be kind to her and remember that she is a daughter and sister, so treat her how you'd like Lucy to be treated by a boy. And I think that you are too young to be kissing, don't you agree?..."

I'm confident that he tuned me out after "she likes you," though he continued to nod as if he was listening, all while his face was beaming and his smile was wider than I've ever seen.

Oh boy.

He couldn't wait to tell his dad. He couldn't wait to tell his friends. I am anxiously waiting to hear about his day at school. Joe told me that he and Sara just say hello to each other occasionally, so I am imagining (or perhaps hoping for) a relationship similar to mine with Aaron. Innocence, folks! I am hoping for innocence!

Max took his first steps this morning, and Joe has his first girlfriend. How did I get here?

Our Weekend Visitors

Once upon a time, Andrea and I would get together and do all of our favorite things that we love to do together- shop, eat, shop, drink, shop, pedicure... girlfriend stuff!

MY OH MY, how times have changed!

Now our visits are filled with being mommies together!

Sure, some shopping, dining and pampering would have been absolutely fabulous,

but who would have taken care of our 5 children????

It was wonderful to see Andrea, as always, and I was so happy to introduce her to the newest man in my life, Max.

Our girls played together, and they quickly bonded over a shared love of princesses! They were very excited to watch Princess and the Frog, and we thought it was super cute to see them all lined up (Max is only in this picture for effect, but Joe stayed and watched most of the movie with the girlies).

The kids were very busy all weekend.
They played dress-up...

and doctor, and dolls...

and looked at books,

all while Max tried to keep up and take part in the action.

And they even did a little of this:

And in true Andrea fashion, she did not arrive empty handed- she brought me a bottle of homemade Kahlua! Though her visit was too short, the Kahlua has brought happiness all week long :)

Someday we will once again get to spend a day together window shopping in Anthropologie, shopping the sales at Gap, perusing through Pottery Barn, all with iced coffee drinks in hand, and only stopping to eat lunch at The Cheesecake Factory...

And on that day, I'll bet that we will express how we miss the days when our kids were little and were overjoyed by the simple pleasures in life, like jelly beans!

So Many Blogs, So Little Time

Whenever Devon and I get hooked on a TV show, we begin to call the fictional characters our "friends." We like these people, we spend time with these people, we laugh at their jokes... See? They are our friends. You probably know some of our friends, like Will and Grace, Lily and Marshall, Dexter and Rita (just kidding, we aren't friends with serial killers). True, our friends don't know us, but we think that they'd like us.

Anyway, I have friends online too (I am still referring to complete strangers as "friends"), and when Devon can see that I am deeply interested in whatever my laptop is showing me, I don't even have to explain that I am catching up with friends- he knows what I am doing.

Sometimes my blogger "friends" have special giveaways, and I have started to enter as many giveaways as I can (my odds of winning can only get better, right?).

And I even commented on a stranger's blog today. I told her that she makes me laugh. Wow, that sort of felt like a confession, and now I feel a bit silly... Fortunately, I have real blogger friends too, who I actually know and they know me. I LOVE my real blogger friends out there-- love love love you all! Okay, I feel better now.

I'd like you to meet some of my new friends- http://www.younghouselove.com/ Some moms from Stroller Strides introduced me to them, and they are fabulous!

Who are your blogger "friends"?

A Little Bit of This and That

I've been keeping my camera close at hand, just in case something funny, or cute, or interesting happened, so that I would have something to blog about, complete with photos. But, alas, nothing out of the ordinary has sparked inspiration, so all that I have to share is a bit of this and that.

Personally, I don't understand the appeal of Elmo. Don't call me a hater, I'm just saying... I don't get it. But Max gets it!

One day last week, Lucy insisted that Max stay with her in their bedroom because she was playing "school" with him. She read to him, and he was unaware that he was part of her game, but nonetheless, he was a good little student.

One of my Craigslist projects involved selling Lucy's Ikea Hemnes daybed and buying this little vintage twin bed. It was Robin's Egg Blue, but I painted it Ballet Slipper Pink, and Lucy loves it.

Joe missed 3 days of school last week because he was sick. It was nothing that a little chicken noodle soup, Gatorade, and a Lego magazine couldn't cure, so he is better now. I hate to get behind on my 5th grade homework- uh, I mean his homework.

Have I mentioned that Bubs gives great hugs?

See?!

So, Lucy's final Sports Sampler class is this Friday, and though it is completely entertaining, and she enjoys going, this photo kinda describes her commitment to sports. She is rolling on a basketball when she was clearly supposed to be doing whatever the rest of the kids were doing. That's my girl!

The past two weekends, I've had minor panic attacks while trying to both prepare the house for visiting Realtors and prepare the family for a day of killing time. Last Saturday we enjoyed a nice, long Mexican lunch, and I was overjoyed that Lucy and Joe both ate all of their food! Lucy once told Joe, "It makes me so happy, Joe, to see you eat so well!" Hmm, wonder where she learned to say that!

Max is in the habit of taking his socks off every time that we are in the car. I looked back yesterday as we were running errands, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of his tootsies. If my feet were that cute, I'd pull my socks off too :)

Did you know that The Princess and The Frog came out on DVD today? We wasted no time in buying it, and Lucy watched the entire movie with this smile on her face-

Last week I happened to notice that Conan O'Brien was going to go on tour, and I happened to be feeling impulsive, and I happened to find pretty good tickets for the show, and I happened to make my husband's day, because we happen to love Conan, and the show now happens to be sold out. Can't wait to see him!

And, finally, a little video of my growing babies for my parents who don't get to see them often enough. Can you tell that Max is a little scared of the toy?? (I've never posted a video before- did it work??)

Alright folks, that is all I've got!

I'm Baaaaaaack!

I know, I know, it has been a while. My dad called me this afternoon and asked, "So, what's up with your blog??" I figured that I should give an update in case anyone else misses me :)

Lucy took this picture!

The past three weeks have been a bit out of routine for our family- Joe had a week out of school (mid-winter break- were there mid-winter breaks when I was in school?), and then Devon went on an all-expense paid trip to Maui without me (it is true what "they" say- life isn't fair), which we don't really need to talk about, and then the kids had ear infections, and then Devon took a week-long "stay-cation". But now everyone is healthy and back to the grind as usual.

I'd become quite committed to my Craigslist addiction and my house-redecorate project, working toward my "Big Reveal," but my plans all came to a halt because...

Notice anything new?? A little FOR SALE sign!

We aren't certain of our plans from here, but we are excited to figure it out! We really like Issaquah, and we don't want to switch Joe's school, so we'd like to stay in this area/neighborhood. However, I'd like to take this opportunity to send up a prayer, God, I ask that someday Devon will get a transfer/promotion to California, because I miss my mama! It doesn't even have to be a promotion- just a transfer would be fine! And it doesn't even have to be northern California- just anywhere within a driving distance of my family! Amen!

The kids are all doing really well. Joe started baseball this week, and he is on the Reds this year. He is really excited to be playing again and to sharpen his skills, throwin' heat on the mound!

Lucy... ah, Lucy. My girl is so silly. She dresses herself now, and she has found her drawer of sundresses from last summer, and she insists on wearing them, even though it is still fairly cold outside. When I am able to dress her in anything other than a sundress, she says, "But mom, I don't look beautiful!" And when I ask her to go change into something warmer, she returns with another sundress. It can be very difficult to negotiate with a princess!

I bought this dress at a consignment store today for $3.50! I love a good find!

Max is 10 1/2 months already. My baby is getting so big! His nickname that has stuck the longest is "Bubs," and it was actually initiated by Lucy! He is a busy, busy boy, and he is happy and sweet, and he gives great hugs and super wet kisses :)

And just because I really appreciate a bad picture, check this one out!

Max's outfit is also a consignment store treasure found this morning :)

I must introduce our new sofa! My objective was to seat more bodies, and as you can see, SUCCESS! Plenty of space for the whole family!

Okay, that is probably enough blogging for now- baby steps, right?

OH!! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!!!

I love you, and I hope your birthday was a fantastic day :)