Growing Up

I turn the big 3-0 in less than six months. It should be no surprise that I love my birthday, it's the celebration of my most favorite thing in the whole wide world... me!

I think 30 is going to be awesome, at least all of my friends who have already entered that stage of life seem to agree that it definitely kicks 20's ass and I had some pretty good times in my 20's, especially my late 20's. I really think that I'm one of those people that gets better with age, like I'm growing into my personality. Or maybe I just care a whole lot less than I used to, who knows.

I feel like life is getting better. I worked a whole lot through college, met cool people, met some not so cool people, and then rushed to graduate right before marriage. Then finding a job, then getting pregnant, building a house, more jobs, being financially broke, losing people we love, and then having a second kid, being a little less financially broke, and finally starting to get our shit together. That's pretty much makes up a nine year marathon from age 20-29.

It's nice to be on this side. Secure in myself, finding friends that I actually like, raising children, being married for longer than not, having people like me for me, and not really giving a damn about those who don't. I guess I'm just saying that my 29 year old self could make a really awesome "It Gets Better" video for my sixteen year old self. I never knew that watching my two babies sleeping could ever bring me more joy than a shopping spree at Nordstrom or a few bottles of wine.

That is the best.

Oh, and I'm still learning things! Just a few weeks ago I cooked using the outside grill for the first time. That's a very big thing. My husband keeps trying to teach me how to mow the lawn. No way, sir. Not going to happen. I can't be all that independent yet, but who knows once I turn 30!

I still have a few things left on my 30 under 30 list that I really need to take care of, including learning how to surf, get sewing lessons, a random acts of kindness day, and decorate a fancy cake.

I intend to squeeze every bit of goodness left of my 20's and I hope you'll stay along for the ride.

Have a little faith

Wow, the last month has been a tumultuous time for us. To recap, we went on a super nice vacation to California where we spent time at the beach, played at Disneyland, ventured through Yosemite, explored San Francisco, and discovered the amazing views along the coast.

Then we came home and I lost my job two days later.

That sucked. But as much as it sucked, it was a blessing. I hated that job. If ever there was a place that sucked the very life from its employees, it would be there. The timing, obviously, wasn't great. But even among the emotional distress, I never once panicked that we would not survive. Even through the tears, failing never was an option.

God has impeccable timing. I was unemployed for a total of two days. In those two days I was able to resolve a lot in my heart, including my desires. I realized that as much as I would LOVE to stay home with my children full time, I am able to bring so much more to our family by working. My children are thriving in the preschool program they are in, and God has given me peace with that.

The timing allowed for me to take three weeks off from working. It was the most glorious three weeks of my life. I had been running on steam for the longest time with less and less sleep and more and more stress, it was so nice to just breathe. I slept, watched television in the middle of the day, sat on the couch and ate as much ice cream in my underwear as I wanted, and did whatever I wanted to do whenever I wanted. I needed that "me" time.

Our family went away to visit my parents for six glorious days in Virginia. We did so much. We loved so much.

I am thankful that I lost my job. I am thankful for my faith in God that pulled me out of the dark times, and there were definitely dark times. My mind is so capable of the very ugly, ugly, ugly. I am thankful for the friends who texted inspiration and kind words when I needed it, laughed with me, and celebrated with me. I am thankful for my husband who stood by me and encouraged me and who loves me.

I am thankful for my new job that I started this week. I am happy. AND I'm so thankful for that.

one, two, three, FOUR!

My first born turned FOUR yesterday. The amusement and joy of watching a child grow into their own person is the most amazing and awesome experience of a lifetime. In four short years, this kid has completely captivated my heart and consumes my soul with love.
WOW, four.
Here's the obligatory "mom blogger" info:
Height: 37.5"
Weight: 28lbs.
Likes: Nutella sandwiches, cars, airplanes, "daddy's cars" (a.k.a. Ford Mustangs), playing outside, splashing at the pool and splash parks, fruit snacks, ice cream sandwiches, taking walks in our neighborhood, play hide and seek.
Dislikes: Getting dirty, sitting still, washing his hair.
Favorite food: Nutella sandwiches
Favorite movie: Cars 2
Favorite toy: "daddy's car"
Best buddies: Chris, Grayson, Chase, Leah.

Dear Nolan,

Happy birthday, buddy! Mommy and daddy are so proud of you and love you with our whole heart for your whole life. Your presence in our house is a blessing, and it's an honor to parent you. You light up a room whenever you enter. Everyone talks about how friendly you are, always saying "hi" and smiling. Those big brown eyes welcome strangers and friends wherever you go.
You definitely have your own personality, and are very determined to do things on your terms. (I don't know where you could have possibly gotten that from!) You like what you like and you do what you want without apologizing for it. I love your confidence! I pray that you'll always listen to yourself and do what is right, so obey your mama now. :)
Getting you to do what I need you to do is sometimes a challenge, like sitting down for dinner. I still can't believe a child of mine can refuse to eat! But then again, you did wake up yesterday morning and asked where your presents were. That pretty much erased any doubt I might have had.
You're in preschool now! You can count and spell, and quote memory versus and your little mind amazes me. You love your sister, always giving her hugs, and sometimes I even catch you sharing your toys with her! I hope that friendship never fades you two always remain close.
Mommy and daddy are very excited what this year has in store for us as we get ready for KINDERGARTEN. Oh my, heart!
I love more than words can say.
xoxo,
Mama

Phone Favorites

The Doctor Reverend and Little Missus were here for a few days to fulfill their role as "Papaw and Mamaw." The kids had a blast. We did SO much. No sir, not a single stone unturned during their five day visit. Of course, it's never long enough. So much we have to look forward to next time! That meant getting everyone acclimated back to their schedule mid-week, which wasn't too hard.

I am anxious for the weekend and a chance to be still for a little bit, just at home. (Yay, naked Sunday! Err, well, maybe not, who does that? ::nervous laugh::)

I hope if I get some time I'll be able to finally make the photobook I have attempted to do about a frillion times before my laptop officially bites the dust. We shall see. Happy Friday!

Home

Sitting at a kitchen table with a hot plate of pasta and talking over a television playing an animated movie in the background. Surrounded by laughter and an unspoken gentle familiarness where everything and nothing seems to matter. We pass a bowl of cut strawberries and heaping spoons of cool whip and try to forget that these moments are so limited. In the moment, this is home.

Our little family unit may be a few thousand miles apart but we’re as tight knit as can be. Growing up all we had was family, especially in the church, it always seemed unfairly that it was “us” and then “them.” It was hard to be the subjects of other people’s sin, a point that still leaves bitterness and anger stinging in my gut. We grew in, into each other, into a rather unique pack, if you will.

I always thought that we lived an incredibly dramatic life. But the more I think about it, it’s more like a really, really, really dark comedy. The kind that makes you sort of squirm and a little bit uncomfortable but still makes you feel more braver and stronger than before.

BTW, in my head, Ellen Page plays me.

Our pack is always safe. No fake fronts, no fake smiles, no expectations. And there is love. So, so, so, so much love. I hope my children have those memories. I don’t care if they remember what they did, or what presents they got, I want them to remember how they felt.

So having my family here in my house is absolutely the best thing ever. I am 100 percent whole because I can’t possible feel more at home and at peace than when they are close. Leaving is never easier. In the eight years we’ve lived a part it’s never not hurt me to my very core.

Empty chairs at my table, empty bedrooms, empty house…

Empty heart.

Toy Cabinet

For weeks I have been trolling craigslist looking for an affordable buffet/sideboard/dresser option to put in my living room to stow away loose toys and puzzle pieces. I'm on a pretty limited budget, so when most everything in my area was coming in at around $400+ I started to work on coming to terms that maybe that dream was meant to die. A slow. painful. death.

One day I was trying to kill the last 15 minutes of work clicking through the antiques section and I saw this baby and instantly fell in love AND, it was only $100. I sent a quick reply to the seller gitty with excitment and anxious that it might not be available afterall and that the universe was just pulling a terrible joke on me... again.

But it WAS available. So I made plans with the seller to pick it up on the weekend and this baby was mine!

When I got it home and examined it my heart started to sink when I realized that it wasn't exactly in the best condition. The legs practically crumbled off and several pieces of the wood had chipped off. At first I was angry at myself for getting blinded and not inspecting it further, but I figured I'd give it a shot.

The first thing I had to do was basically rebuild the legs with wood filler and glue. It worked surprisingly well. After that I filled in the chipped and broken pieces with wood filler and sanded her down before painting. It took about two coats of paint that I had left over from my bathroom renovation. Then I used some bronze acrylic paint and filled in the carved accents.

I may eventually distress it a bit, but I kinda love the color. This picture really doesn't do the nice vintage green color justice. I know it's not perfect, but I don't think it's bad for my first try at fixing up furniture, do you?

I know it will get lots of love once we fill those bottom drawers and the three inside the doors with treasures from my 4 year old and 1 year old. I'm very happy with the way it came out and can't wait to take on my next project.



Weekend

Saturday sucked. From the moment we rose from the bed to the evening we just couldn't get it right. I snapped at Brian about the dog and we argued off and on about a series of things that were so unimportant that I've since forgotten what they were. We tried our best to forge through the day, each saying we'd start the day over around noon but we couldn't shake the weird unfamiliar fog between us.

I felt so consumed by bitterness, it ate my stomach and behind my eyes. We just couldn't get it right. I know I apologized a million times and him the same. We went to bed anxious for a new day to begin.

Sunday was different. A do-over. A relief. I kept the kids home with me while Brian went to church since Leah was still recovering from Hand, Foot and Mouth, and we ran errands and visited an old friend and then got ready for a special date night that we had planned weeks before. The sitter came to watch the kids and we ran off in our fancy clothes for dinner at Kirby's.

We got to spend a few hours talking and stuffing our faces with our favorite foods. We talked about the future, about our dreams, and about happiness. It was my favorite everything. We both ordered non-steak dinners at an expensive steak restaurant and we laughed at the irony.

I admired my man in his blue sweater and khaki's for the amazing partner he is, and despite all of the ways that I fail him, he still loves me. He puts up with me, all of me, which is a lot to handle. And he makes me feel beautiful, absolutely beautiful. He tells me so every. single. day.

Yep, he's a keeper.

We left the restaurant with just enough room in our bellies for dessert and stopped by the Cheesecake Factory for a take-out sugar fix. (Chocolate, and it was AH-MAZING.)

Then we got home and sat ourselves in on the couch in our date night clothes after kissing the babies goodnight and watched the last bit of the Olympics while sharing a fork. I love my husband because he always gives me the last bite.

Saturday was good.

But there are no pictures because we kept our phones put away and captured the evening in memories focused on each other. And I remember it just as it was, perfect.