Life without my man

Right now Paul is in Cleveland, OH for manager's training.  He has been gone since Sunday.  I am handling his absence a little bit better then I have in the past.  For the most part.  Maybe not. :-)

I think the worst day we have had (so far) was Monday.  Skipping naps is never a good idea -- your kids will act like the devil.  Why does that always surprise me?  On top of that, I kind of forgot that Paul was gone, so by the time 6:00 came I was waiting for him to come home only to realize he wouldn't be!  Ugh.  We tried to FaceTime Paul that night, but it wasn't really working out, so that made all of us feel even WORSE!  I finally decided we all needed to go to bed early.  No one complained.

Thankfully we are over such a depressing day and have had fun since then!  Yesterday we made a pretty tree with multi-colored leaves out of construction paper and put it on the window.  We also made hand turkeys for the window!  They are so adorable.  I have a feeling Zoe will make more today now that she knows how.

 

Zoe also drew some other pictures that I thought were ADORABLE!  I have a feeling she is going to be an amazing artist like her daddy and uncles.  She amazes me with some of the pictures she draws already at 3!

 

 

Here is Zoe's "angry face" she drew last night.  She cracks me up!  I love how she drew the teeth. :-)  Isn't that cute?

 

 

This is a picture of Papa Shu and me.  Of course when she told me that I got a little teary eyed because I miss my family so much!  I think I need to frame this one.  It is so special to me.

 

I have a lot of respect for military and railroad families.  Any family that has to go without their husband/dad!  It is not easy. 

 

Oh, Paul will be back tomorrow night!  He gets in really late so the kids will have a spend the night with their Gram and then I will book a room down in Great Falls for us.  I am so excited to see him, and I know the kids are anxious too!  Zoe talks about missing him all day, everyday.  We are so ready for him to be home where he belongs!

Unbelievable!

This month is just FLYING by and I have not had a chance to make my Christmas project!  Every time I have a chance to spray paint my frame it starts to snow.  Every. Single. Time.  But I am DETERMINED to make it today!  The sun is shining and I need to do something crafty!  So I'm hoping to have pictures soon, ok Aunt Vicki? =)  I know it will look great as soon as I get it all done!

Paul has been working long hours at work for the past 2-3 months.  The paychecks have been nice, especially since it's the holiday season, but we sure do miss him.  It makes me anxious for a family vacation so we can get out of here for a little while!

Zoe is almost a pro in the potty training department.  She only has two problems. 

1. She cannot go potty without her potty seat.  The toilet by itself still freaks her out and she can't allow herself to relaz enough to go.

2. She refuses to poop on the toilet.  I don't know what I need to do to make her realize that she does not do that anymore!

She is such a funny kid!  She is saying funnier things all the time.  For example, Paul was playing with the kids last night and hit Zoe in the face with a pillow.  She says, "Ow. You hitta me inna the eyeballs."  She's hilarious!

Now that Max is mobile he is so much more fun!  It changed his personality dramatically.  One day last week he decided out of nowhere that it was time for him to walk and he has been doing it ever since.  Zoe and Max are the dynamic duo now and get into so much more mischief.  For example, they found a Kleenex box and emptied the WHOLE thing.  When I asked what they were doing they both gave me blank stares.  Then out of nowhere Zoe said, "Baby sneezed."  They are the best of friends!  I love it!

Titus is a great baby -- till 9:00 at night when he chooses to scream till 2:00 in the morning.  Although, Paul may have discovered something that helps him sleep because the past couple nights have been wonderful!  We have made it where he is snuggled in his bed with blankets and he will only wake up once to eat as long as he snuggled up to where he can't move.  He's also doing great when it comes to tummy time -- my other kids HATED being on their belly.  Being on his belly helps him fall asleep immediately, though I don't feel comfortable with him on his tummy all the time.  He still has dark hair too. =)  It's crazy.

Well I have a lot to do -- including my craft!  Until next time..

And the winner is...

 

Tonight I will be doing a version of this!  Thank you to everyone who voted!  I couldn't have done it without you all! =)

I have a problem..

I need help in deciding what kind of wreath to make for Christmas this year!  What is your favorite of these pictures?

 

 

Source: opulentcottage.typepad.com via Grace on Pinterest

 

Christmas framed skates

 

 

Source: babyrabies.com via Grace on Pinterest

 

Santa Tulle Wreath

 

 

Source: creativelychristy.blogspot.com via Grace on Pinterest

 

Framed Christmas ornaments

 

 

Source: kiflieslevendula.blogspot.com via Grace on Pinterest

 

Toilet paper roll wreath

(I'm serious!)

 

 

Source: blowoutparty.com via Grace on Pinterest

 

Peppermint candy wreath

 

 

Source: eddieross.com via Grace on Pinterest

 

Wreath of Christmas balls

How do you do it?!

Yesterday Paul and I went on a "date" before church and we got to talking..  We talked about who we are; Paul is very laid back yet at the same time, when he does get in the mood, he is like his dad and can go-go-go and get a bunch of projects done in a matter of hours.  He is a very hard worker -- it shows with how well he does in school and at his job!

What about me?  What am I like?

Paul says that my mind is constantly going.  I look at a project -- like my bathroom -- and think of what I could use to organize my space and how to make it look it's best!  I go out and buy organizer bins, different containers to hold hair clips or cotton balls in and get super stoked!  I get home and.. well, my items stay in the Walmart bag for a week.  Or two.

Basically I'm constantly thinking about what I can do, find new recipes, try my hand at crafting and then never finish it.  I'm a procrastinator.  Plain and simple.

So my question of the day is this -- HOW DO YOU MOTHERS DO IT??

How do you keep a clean house, read a book, pick up a crafting hobby, while being a mother?  Is it really possible?  When did it ::click:: with you and you became super mom?  Hmm?

Leave your answers in a comment below ::OR:: email me by clicking HERE!  If you have an interesting answer, I'll post it here ::you will maintain anonymous:: and add my own commentary.

Merry Christmas!

I've got the itch

Here recently I have seen so many blogs of amazing moms who somehow find the time to be crafty.  They see something they like and they make it themselves.  All it takes is a little craft glue and 2x4s.  I have seen blinds, shelves, picture frames, and old chairs be turned into something amazing..

I want to do that!!

Thanks for the inspiration ladies!  There are so many things I have planned for my home.  One of them being hanging my husband's art in different kinds of frames!  I just haven't found the frames I'm looking for yet.. I'll know what it is when I find it..

Another thing.. I need to find the time.

 How do you find the time when you have babies?

I feel like I need to write a list or something!

Where to begin?

It seems like it has been so long since I've posted I don't know where to begin!  This past week has seemed a little crazy- some good.. and some not so good..

But we are going to reflect on the good because in the end- that's all that matters!

On Wednesday I had our first Tabitha Society service.  For those of you who don't know what that is, and I'm sure there's more who don't than do, Tabitha Society is a group for women to make crafts and volunteer around the community.  In previous Tabitha Societies that I have been in we have made quilts, raised money for less fortunate, sent care packages to orphanages in other countries, etc.  I am really excited for what we're going to do!  Our first task will be to make scrapbook Christmas cards for the senior citizens who are in the care center.  I'm anxious for the blessings God will bestow on all of us ladies.

On Thursday I was able to get most of the laundry done.  As you can see in this picture, my folding buddy was slacking on the job..

Isn't she just the cutest?  We had a WIC appointment today and she is 11.4 lbs and 21 inches long!  The lady said they hope for that at 3 months- and Zoe isn't even 2 months yet!  That's my girl!  She is so good.  I'm so thankful for a healthy baby.

While she had her morning nap I got my kitchen and bathroom CLEAN!  Wow!  I was amazed at the oomph I had to get it done, and that I was able to get it done!  Thanks Zoebelle!  When she did wake up I "wore" her while making pasta salad.  It was fun.

Speaking of baby wearing, I recently read this article and felt like sharing.

The practice of wearing your baby close to your body in a soft carrier is known as babywearing. Parents who wear their babies report happier babies and tidier houses, because their babies are soothed and they have two free hands to get things done. Here are four reasons to wear your baby:

1. Less crying. A scientific study of almost 100 mom-baby pairs found that babies who spent more time in carriers cried 43% less than babies who spent more time out-of-arms.
2. More learning. While the caregiver is bustling about, the baby is busy absorbing and learning from his ever-changing environment. The baby sees, hears, and smells the world, and experiences the caregiver's reactions to it. All this stimulation helps the brain develop.
3. More comforting. The heartbeat, motion, breathing rhythms, and voice of the caregiver all remind baby of life inside the womb.
4. Stronger attachment. In an experimental study at Columbia University, more babies who were worn by their mothers in soft baby carriers developed secure attachments to their mothers than babies who were carried in infant seats.

BabyFit

I have noticed that Zoe doesn't like it all the time, but it does help sometimes, and I get things done if she's awake and just wants to be held.. and I can't stand to hear her cry. :)

Well, there you go!  Until the next time I write..

My attempt at a birth announcement