Rainy June Pic Update

It has been the rainiest June to date here in New Jersey. This mama is running out of ideas on how to keep little active boys busy on rainy days. So, the first few days of July have been a blessing! Sunny, hot and humid. Finally, feels like summer! Although it has been a slow start to the summer, it has been nice to just relax and not have an agenda. My kids are definitely happier just being home and going with the flow. We try to take advantage of the sunny days we have and make the best of the rainy ones. Hopefully, the sun is here to stay!!

On another note, the boys are continuing to grow like weeds. Quick boy update, so I don't forget these precious little moments.

Jake
     Jake.. you are very excited about kindergarten next year. I can see that you needs to be stimulated more and more the older you get. Your mind is just non-stop. It amazes me. You really love to learn and are the most content when playing board games, doing "homework", or active outside. You don't do well with too much TV or Wii. It seems to bring out a very grumpy, discontent little boy. Jake you are super into learning letters and making and reading words recently. Noticing signs and listening to mommy and daddy spell things... then smarty pants tells us what we just said! You are sometimes a little too rough with your brothers and we are constantly working on self control. However, there are more and more moments where I see your true love for your brothers and my heart just melts. You continue to be hysterical! Making Daddy and I laugh every day. You love playing golf with Daddy and played your first nine holes recently with Daddy and Uncle Mike. Your also my weather buddy, we both love checking the weather first thing in the morning. You love using the word awkward. You rarely use it correctly, so it cracks us up! Sweetest thing about my Jakers right now... You are my water baby! We could stay in the pool all day together... I also love how you prefer Mommy to put him to bed because you like my back scratches! I love your friendly, out-going personality and creative mind, constantly coming up with games and amazing ideas! Love you biggest!
Feet: Size 12
Clothes: 5T or 6T

Will
     Willy Nilly. You seem to gain more personality day by day. You just love being a ham bone. Your favorite thing is to laugh and make others laugh. If we are out to dinner, YOU are my biggest worry. Not because of your manners because you have the best manners! But, because you are SO loud. I am amazed that people always think you are the quiet one in public, because at home or anywhere you are comfortable you are a roaring lion. Your laugh and smile are completely contagious. You have gained a bit of a lazy side, that although drives me nuts... also makes me laugh. I'll say," Will bring your clothes to the hamper please." And you'll respond," Eh, baby do it." Meaning... Kev should do it. Where do you get this stuff? You have gained a love for the water this summer and now jump off the diving board. You are also a," big boy," now. We are using the potty occasionally and thinking about moving you to your big boy bed. You continue to be a little shy in new environments, but warm up quickly. You love dancing, super hero's (your favorite is joker?) , Wii, swimming, the beach and anything involving your brothers. You have the most generous heart and are always willing to share. You make a really cute mean face. Your a phone guy... you like calling people and would stay on the phone all day. Most of the time people don't know what your saying, but you don't seem to care. You also love baths, especially with food coloring in them. Your favorite is blue! I am trying desperately to get you to learn your colors. You can match them, but have a hard time identifying them. Knowing you, you probably really know them and you're just pulling my chain. You see a chiropractor once a week now and are the best patient! it has completely cured your constipation! YAY for Will! Favorite Will thing right now... How you play with Kevin. You are so sweet and gentle with him. Your sense of humor is endless and never ceases to amaze. Lastly, you are my little snuggle buddy. You always love being held, rocked and sung too. Even at two and half, you would let me rock you to sleep. Love you Willy Nilly!
Feet: Size 9
Clothes: 3T

Kevin
   You have become quite the spunky little one. Two years old is quickly approaching and it shows in your behavior. All of a sudden out right refusing to sit in your high chair. After about a two week stand down... meaning I would not let you eat until you sat in it.. three meals a day.. lots of tantrums... your back to sitting in it. Phew! You love running and being chased. You come up to us and make the cutest tickle sound and try tickling us. I love that. You don't say yes. Instead you make a cute affirmation sound instead. It's adorable. Your hair has turned blond and I think you look an awful lot like Uncle Mike now. You say, "thank you Mommy," for everything. You are very good in the car and love car trips! You could play cars all day. You are an eater. You eat everything, and you eat it ALL! I am afraid to see you as a teenager. You love to play super heros with your brothers and try so hard to keep up! You are totally obsessed with puppies. You sleep with two stuffed puppies, screech when they walk by or are on TV and call every animal you see a puppy. You also call cars and trucks, "truckie." You love your brothers very much, but don't take anything! You are a little toughy when you need to be. Favorite Kevy moments... when you snuggle. How you LOVE Your Daddy so much. Your stubbornness, because even when your mad you are so stinkin' cute. Your littleness. You may be my last baby (Only God knows) so I am savoring these little moments with you every day.
Feet: 5.5
Clothes: 24M or 18M

Here is a picture update of our adventures so far this summer.  



Anything

I am reading a book called, Anything. It is about surrendering your life to what God has planned and letting go of your anxieties and worries and most importantly control. This is hard for me because I am a natural planner. I like to plan. It relieves my worries and makes me feel in control. When in reality.. I am not. Nor do I want to be. This book has been helping me tremendously and has allowed me to try and lean more on God and less on my own, "plans." His plans have always been more than I could ever have imagined, why would I want to do anything less??

Ephesians 3:20 ^"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..."

Here are a few recent pictures of the business of having three busy, curious and fun boys. Lately, there are a lot of table manners being learned, sibling squabbles being worked out and superhero sightings! It can definitely be overwhelming at times, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

My Grad

We are wrapping up the school year around here and I couldn't have more mixed emotions. I'm normally someone who looks forward to summer for the open days that it brings. However, this year my Jakers graduated from preschool!!I ...just...can't...believe it. Seriously. I don't know where the time has gone? I am left with sadness that time has past so quickly. Joy that I was blessed to have spent as much time with him as possible. Pride for the boy he has become. Anxiety for the future as my little boy goes off to kindergarten. As they sang their graduation songs Friday night, all I could think about was how lucky I am. Lucky to be his mommy. How did we get so lucky to have these sweet boys?? Thank you God. Jake's teachers are so thoughtful about the songs they choose and there is definitely a message within the program each time. This time, being that it was graduation, they used the song," Can't get away," as the closing song. It was perfect and really spoke to my anxiety and eased my heart. Here are the beautiful lyrics I watched my boy belt out on stage. Congrats Jake! Daddy and I adore you.

Can't Get Away

I am an arrow, I am a rocket
I am a river and nothing can stop it
Cause You are the target and You are the atmosphere
You are the ocean that keeps pulling me, You're pulling me here

[Chorus:]
And I, can't get away, can't get away
Can't get away, can't get away
I can't get away, can't get away...I keep running into You
[repeat]

I am a beggar, You are the table
I am so helpless, God You are so able
And when I get turned around You change my direction
You're so perfect, I'm so broken, here You come with arms wide open
Chasing after me down every road
You're always waiting there

[Chorus]

Even when I close my eyes, I can't help but see
There's no place that I can hide, You're such a part of me
I can't get away cause I keep running into You
I can't get away...

Oveflowing

As I sat in the waiting room of a doctor's office tonight, I scanned a,"Good Housekeeping," magazine. The magazine was filled with advertisements, recipes, home tips and articles written about inspiring women. Women who do it all. Women who have interests and hobbies that make them happy. I put the magazine down after feeling too overwhelmed while reading it. I feel that a lot lately. Overwhelmed by the messages to women these days. Overwhelmed by what we are, "supposed to be." I just can't read it some days.

I have a whole lot of life going on in my house these days. Three very busy little boys who need my love,  care and attention all day long. A hard working husband who also needs me daily and whom I want to support. A house that somehow gets dirty the second after I clean it. A body that somehow continues to age, even though in my mind I am still twenty years old. A calendar that continues to fill up, despite my desires for us to be home and together as much as possible. And hungry belly's that never seem to stop feeling hunger! It just never ends. Blessings are overflowing in my life... I am not complaining, trust me! It just gets to be too much sometimes... I am tying so hard to daily refocus on what really matters most. My faith, My family, My home.

Although the world would have me believe that this is ridiculous. We live in a ME world. The world would have me believe that I need to have it all and still look beautiful everyday. I need to have weekly girl nights, date nights and daily work out sessions. Everyone is so afraid to, "lose themselves." I am sorry... how do these ladies in the magazines do it?? I am happy if I have showered most days! A successful day to me is when I have showered, put clothes on, played with my kids, taught them a thing or two, cleaned the house, made a nice meal, then spend some time with my kids and husband before bedtime where we say our prayers and read the bible. This makes me feel happy. This is what is important right now. I feel frustrated that the world makes me think this isn't enough. I feel frustrated that some days, I even question it? Yes, sometimes I work out... yes, sometimes I have girl nights... even date nights... sure. But, it is impossible to do it ALL and do it all well. I want to be the best wife and mom I can be while I am lucky to be alive. I want to live for Jesus and be the best version of myself as often as possible. This does not always allow me time for facials, fancy drinks and hours of exercise. If it is in my plan to live a long life... which I hope it is. I am sure I will have time for all of that... but for now, it's just me the mom and wife. Yes, I will do it in Jo fashion and not," lose myself," I am myself... I am a friend, sister, mom, wife and yes a home maker and proud to be one! It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it is mine. I am a lover of life and I am in love with mine and feel blessed to have it. I am happy with who I am . Stop judging me magazine lady!

Mothers Day in more ways than one

I had a wonderful Mother's day today thanks to my sweet husband and boys. I woke to four smiling faces handing me heart shaped chocolate chip pancakes and wishing me happy mothers day. What could be better? I ate them and then actually went back to sleep! Amazing. It was a beautiful day and all I wanted was to be outside with the boys. I wanted to play and work on the screened in porch. Jon got us pizza for lunch and take out for dinner. So, no cooking for Mama! Again, amazing. I have so much to be thankful for. I truly do. It is hard to believe that there once was a day where someone did not call me mom. I have grown so accustom to it, that I take it for granted. I love being a mother more than I could have ever imagined. I am grateful for my desire to be with them as much possible. I am thankful to God for showing me what gifts they are on a daily basis. My boys are teaching me so much about myself and the world! Love, love, love you boys. I am grateful for a husband who shows me love in such a simple, thoughtful and personal way! Love you hunny!

After a perfect day, I then made the mistake of signing on to Facebook. As I looked at the pictures of ladies with their moms, it hit me. I am so happy for everyone who has a mother to celebrate. Although, I must admit it hit me hard tonight. That's just how grief works. It hits you like a Mac truck! Missing mom big time right now. Just feeling sorry for myself I guess. Not something I allow myself to do because it feels completely crummy and foreign. However, I am wishing I could have been with her today. I know she would have just loved watching my boys play with each other. It's crazy how I can have all these feelings lay dormant in my heart and a silly song on the radio, picture in a book or a blow of the wind can just bring them right out! Feeling the need to focus on the bright side of the road for a minute as I know God would have me do...

Job 5:11
The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Psalm 88:9
my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to you.

 

Here are a few pictures updates from the week to keep me focused on all the blessings I have in my life! Help me Lord to continue to focus on the silver lining and stop yearning for the Gold. I know the Gold is yet to come.

Took the boys to a play place just to get some good ol' fun. Yes... I may pay for this when they get sick in a few days... but it was SO worth it!!

Watching a kickboxing class. I try and dress them alike when I take them somewhere busy! Helps!

Kev wore the batman cape the whole time. Love.

Will played the piano for probably twenty minutes.

Beautiful Abs from Jake's view. Abs was in for the weekend! So great to see her and her belly!

Jake got a hold of my IPOD touch... oh this boy has my heart!

Again from Jake's view. Willy always the comedian.

Mommel, Abby and Jake worked together on a tree fort sign. Love what they came up with! Jake and Ben, a neighbor, came up with the age limits. Interesting how their younger siblings are all under three? hehe.

 

 

Quick Fixes

I have been on an organizing kick lately. I think all the rain and lack of outside play is getting to me! There are a few areas in the house that I've been putting off for some time now and they need attention. So, here is a wee taste of what I have been up to lately in between playing with the boys and keeping up the house. Love organizing and love labels!

 

GAME CABINET

BEFORE



AFTER

 KIDS CUPS CABINET

BEFORE

 AFTER

 LANDING AREA/DESK AREA

BEFORE

Already emptied but you can see my old labels

The random stuff I didn't find a place for or didn't belong

 

AFTER

My NEXT Project: Pantry... My new pantry is totally awkward because it is incredibly deep but narrow. SO, I need to get creative on this one.

I've got the bins but they don't match and the system I have set up is NOT working...