Made My Day

I have a few other posts to catch up on, but this one is just too funny!

Ed traveled to Dallas for work this week and drove back in last night. He called me when he was about an hour from home (as I was getting ready to put the kids to bed) and told me to jump in the shower and get dressed, my mom was on her way over and we were going out - to his friend, Brad's birthday get together - HERE.

If you know me, you know I'm not all that good at spontaneity. I want to be. But, I'm a planner. That's just the way God made me. For better or worse. My husband knows this about me, but he also gets a kick out of throwing me off my game. Unfortunately, I didn't react as I would like to ... something about, "what?" "Its going to be late and I don't get to sleep in" "I can't be ready in an hour" yada yada yada. But, I agreed. Especially since my mom was already on her way.


I put the kids to bed and in the midst of nursing and rocking Jace, I realized that I totally missed the boat. Don't I love it when my husband plans dates? Don't I love it even more when he lines up the childcare? Don't I love it when he surprises me? Sheesh. This was GOOD! I called him back and apologized (gosh, I hate that!) and told him I was excited. I hopped in the shower and miraculously was ready by the time he got home.

We went to Sammy's Place, which is a B.A.R in Houston ... like show-your-ID-and-pay-a-cover-charge-at-the-door BAR ... and let's just say its been a REALLY REALLY long time since I've been to a bar. The bar scene just isn't my gig these days. I felt a little out of place and honestly, a little old.


But, the night was saved. There was a live band - the Spazmatics. As Brad described them, Devo meets Revenge of the Nerds. They were indeed geeks and freaks, but I have to say they put on a pretty good show. They play mostly 80s music ... and who can resist that? We had a great time.


At the end of the night (for us anyway!), Ed went to the restroom and a young guy approached me.


He wanted to know if Ed was my boyfriend!!!! I was so shocked, I just flashed my ring. Guess not too many 38-year-old-been-married-nearly-13-years-with-4-kids hang around the bar scene. Turns out, this adorable little guy was 24. That's my little brothers' age! Eek! But, I was beyond flattered. And, excited. I mean, what woman wouldn't want to be hit on by a guy 14 years younger who is floored she's 38 and has 4 kids! Made my night. My week for that matter. You just can't beat a little ego boost! Even if it was in a bar.

Happy Birthday, Little Miss!

I can't believe its been four whole years since Jadyn made her debut! Her birth was by far my best. She was my first homebirth. My easiest labor. And an easy delivery. Jordan was 4 and Jake was a few days shy of 3 when she was born. They don't remember life pre-Jadyn. But, I do. And I can say with a whole lot of certainty that life was just plain boring before her big, bright personality came to entertain the world!

She is highly social, fiercly independent, creative, unique and wonderful!

I love 4th Birthdays. I can now see that this particular birthday marks a changing point in my kids. Some people hate the terrible two's. For us, age 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 has always been the challenging time. So, the 4th birthday comes in as a new start. A new level of maturity that makes the kids easier to enjoy. A new level of independence that makes life a little easier. As my friend, Amy says for kids like Jadyn, 'the maturity to handle their great big personality!' So true!

Since Jadyn and Jake's birthdays are so close (11 days apart), we are having a joint party on Sunday. An art party since they both love arts/crafts. Can't wait - it will be lots of fun!

Happy Birthday, Jadey-bade! I love you more than you will ever know.

Sustala Boys Firsts

**Let me preface this post (for those that don't already know) by saying that my kids tend to be late bloomers in the gross motor department. It must be something we do/don't do to/for/with them!?! Who knows!

Jace, although 9 months old, isn't crawling. Not unusual in our family. In fact, if he WERE crawling by now, THAT would be unusual. Our kids have all been late crawlers and walkers. Our earliest walker was 14 months!

Anyway, I say all that because Jace pulled himself up to stand for the first time yesterday! Totally weird and surprising ... not to mention, OUT OF SEQUENCE! I'm telling you, this child forgot to read the manual! Little stinker wouldn't do it for the camera. Of course. Its like their own little tiny form of control or something.

While we're on the subject of Jace and firsts, we've had a heck of a time trying to get that boy to eat solids. It started out great ... but came to a screaching halt with our little ER vomiting trip. I could tell you everything we've tried, but trust me when I say, it was EVERYTHING! Turns out, he's just like his big sister. Jadyn never ate a bite of baby food. If it was mashed or pureed, you could forget it. Seems she's passed that on to Jace - and just like his sister, he will ONLY eat if he can pick it up and put it in his own mouth. You put a spoon in front of him and all you get are pierced lips! Totally comical. Here's a pic of his first do-it-yourself carrot meal. I just love this stage! They are so stinkin' cute how messy they get! He had carrots mashed all over him. Now, isn't that ironic?




And, for the other boy ... my little chicken-boy, Jake FINALLY (!!!!!!) learned to ride a bike without training wheels yesterday! I know, I KNOW! He's nearly 7 ... but what can I say? This is just HOW he is! The deal is he wanted a bigger bike and I told him he wasn't getting one til he could ride without training wheels. So, feel free to laugh at how funny he looks on that little bike! And, while you're at it, you might as well get a chuckle out of his goofy socks. Picky kid, that's all I can tell you!

Meet Max

We bought our first family 'pet' today. The kids are beyond excited and we had a blast picking him out and all his necessities! He's a beautiful Betta! The kids named him Max, which I think is funny, but hey, this is their gig.

I love the look on Jadyn's face in this picture ... too cute!

Kreativ Blogger ... who? me?

My SIL, Stacey, was sweet enough to give me this award ... even though I'm not exactly creative! But, hey, its an award and I'll TAKE IT!

ThAnKs, StAcE!

The bonus is that I get to pass the award along as well! How fun!

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The Rules:

List 7 things that you love and then pass the award on to 7 people.

7 Things I love:

1. My wonderful, AMAZING man & our beautiful kids

2. Playing Games

3. Crafts

4. Homeschooling

5. Being organized

6. Reading

7. Family and Friends

I doubt there are any surprises on the list! I should do a list of 7 things I love that might surprise you. Or 7 things I love that you don't already know about! Hmm ... maybe someone will send me an award for that one. LOL!

And ... ~The Kreativ Blogger~ award goes to ...

1. Ericka - my Dallas-turned-Houston friend!! Funny stories about her cutie kids as well as honest and open thoughts on life!

2. Heather - long time friend and fellow homeschool momma. I love seeing pictures of her boys and reading about all their fun times!

3. Mandy - one of my favorite people in Iowa and fellow homeschool momma. I miss you!! More funny kid stories!

4. Beth - I'm lucky enough to be her SIL {and friend} She's amazing.

5. Shea - new blog friend!! Our boys play soccer together. Love your blog, Shea!

6. Pastor Lori - our children's pastor (and friend) in Iowa - she has an amazing heart for kids & ministry.

7. Ashley - I'm a total stalker of your blog - never commenting, but I love it and your beautiful kids!

My Theme Song

I got this video on Facebook from my girlfriend, Nonie. We used to have weekly visits to Chic-Fil-A ... man, I miss those ... it was like therapy! I also got this from Pastor Lori - she said it made her think of me. Ha! I guess all my complaining about there being no free-standing Chic-Fil-A's in Des Moines was heard loud and clear!
So, I've decided that this should be my theme song! LOL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsJHqstPuNo&feature=channel_page

And, just in case you haven't seen Tim Hawkin's work before, check this out ... I think this is his best work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM6uqj0_jQc

Fishing With Grandpa!

Ed's dad took Jacob fishing today. This was the first time Jakey got to go without his daddy. What an awesome experience and wonderful memories! He was on cloud 9. He had to get up at 4:45 this morning to go meet Grandpa, but his feet hit the floor running. This past weekend, Ed bought Jake his first real fishing pole (not a kid pole) so Jake was thrilled to use it! They went to Lake Livingston and he caught 8 bass - and reeled them all in by himself. His biggest weighed in around 3 lbs. Not bad!

Here are some pictures of their fun ... including one exhausted boy on the ride back! Notice he won't touch the fish! That's my boy!

Go Fly a Kite!

I know I've been totally MIA in blogosphere. Sorry about that. Always hoping to do better!

I've missed it!!

Lots going on around here, as you can imagine. I have to say, though, that having 4 kids has been a lot of fun. It is busy - really busy - the first year with any baby always is - and we decided to add to that fun with two moves as well. But, I am enjoying it. And, now that Jace is 9 months old, things are beginning to settle down a bit. He's gotten himself into a predictable routine and is quite the social little man. He LOVES to go. Anywhere. He's the happiest in public and around people. DEFINITELY got that from his dad! lol. Although my mom says I was a social bug as a little one. Apparently, I exchanged my personality somewhere along the way!

Anyway, in addition to the busyness and goings-on of everyday life, I've been working on being better at noticing the "interruptions" of all the little people (don't tell Jake I said that) as appointments to be WITH them. Of course, I'm literally with them all the time, but I mean, really be WITH them ... in the moment ... enjoying and noticing their (never-ending list of) questions, ideas, interests, etc. And, stopping to say "YES!" when they ask me if I want to color, read a book, play a game or watch them do something. I'm trying to remember that there will be plenty of time to wash clothes, clean bathrooms, scrub floors, play on the computer and watch the news. But these days to see a caterpillar or butterfly through their eyes or play Sorry or Chess or Parcheesi or Life (for the 4,000th time) or re-read the same book 10,000 times are limited.

So, my house doesn't look the way it did in days past. And, I'm (becoming) OK with that. Its clean "enough" for now. I knew God had brought me a looong way on Friday. The older 3 kids were playing outside during Jace's naptime. Jake asked if he could get the kite out. I joined them and had a BLAST flying a kite with my kids. When I walked back into the house a while later and realized all I had "missed" doing during the coveted nap time, I smiled. I didn't MISS anything for a change! It feels good to know that the small steps are turning into progress! And, my kids are reaping the benefits.

I've gotten back into making cards and hair bows, which keeps me sane! I don't have a lot of time to devote to it, but I enjoy the minutes I get! One of my favorite things in our new house is that, even though Ed was looking forward to having a study for him, he has graciously allowed me to turn it into a craft room! (a mess of one at the moment!)

I made the girls hairbows for soccer - soccer ball ribbon with Jake's team colors. Go Great White Hungry Vicious Sharks! (now that's a team name, isn't it?) Our coach from last season has returned to help coach this season and he's hilarious. He nicknames all the kids - Jake's is the 'mad scientist' because of the way he analyzes the game. He doesn't have the most impressive skills, but he does have one heck of a grasp on the mental aspect of the game. Those of you who know him aren't surprised! Spending Saturdays at soccer games are really fun for us. As silly as it sounds, its one of those little things Ed and I both dreamed of and looked forward to before having kids. It always makes me smile when I recognize the way God gives us the desires of our hearts.

Obviously there is not time (mine or yours!) to write about everything to the point of "catching up" - so I'll just post some random pics of late and call it good!! Having fun in the back of Granpa's truckWhat a cute boy - playing with the food boxes at our favorite place!Grandpa and Jace

Jace loves his sippy cupMy beautiful girls ...