Unexpected Emotion

As you all know, I am frantically running around this week trying to work on my Spring Break TO DO list! I'm happy to announce that I've put a pretty big dent in the list - it feels so good to be getting organized! I've also done a few things that were not on the list!

However, something happened that I didn't expect when I was sorting through all my kids clothes for a Mom2Mom Sale...

I used to be pretty good about going through the kids clothes on a regular basis, and sorting them. Well, they each have their own bin of clothes I wanted to keep (ya know, in case I have another one!) Except, I opened the bins and thought 'Why do I really need to keep all this? It's just taking up space and is going to just sit here...might as well let someone else enjoy it.' So first I went through my son's bin and kept a few items and sorted the rest to sell.

What I didn't expect was the emotion of going through my daughter's bin. Most of my son's clothes were passed down, so it didn't have much sentimental value. But my daughters: I remember when and where I bought outfits while I was pregnant or who got it for us as a gift...re-living the emotions of a first time pregnancy. I felt the tinge with some of my son's stuff, but it really hit me with Faith's stuff. And realizing that I probably am done having kids made it a little harder. I decided to let Faith keep her little premie outfits for her dolls, and I set aside all their firsts: first church outfit, the first day home outfit, first christmas, etc. I'm not one to keep things, and I'm not a pack rat by any means, but I couldn't part with these things. Her little hospital hats especially choked me up, cause they were so tiny and we kept them on her for awhile from her bruising after they tried to suction her. And Caleb's first baby shoes - I can't believe he was EVER tiny!

There I was, in the middle of my basement, surrounded by baby clothes, sobbing like a fool. I'll never have little babies like that again.

What about some of you? Please tell me I'm not the only who gets emotional about their kids growing up. Have you ever had an unexpected emotion from discovering something from your child's infanthood?

Featured on Better After - again!

Seriously, I'm so giddy about it.

I LOVE the BetterAfter blog - it's amazing.

And I'm featured again for my bedroom mural makeover.

CHECK IT OUT.

The MOTHER of To-Do Lists!

The last 48 hours of my life has been crazy - and totally consumed with Preschool work. The craft I chose for our Easter party took a little longer than I anticipated to prep, so I was up til 4am cutting out paper and putting things together! Not to mention I am getting sick, so NOT a good combination! 

Well, my mind has been mush and even though our party today was awesome, and I know tomorrow's will be too, I'm SOOOO looking forward to Spring Break!!!

I can't believe I'm even thinking about taking so much on right now, but I have a lot of projects I'd like to complete while on break. Likely enough to keep me busy EVERY DAY, but it would be so worth it to get it all accomplished! Even just getting a few things done would be great. I sat down to write out some things I wanted to do, and couldn't believe what came out. In no particular order:

1. Lock myself in my room and plan the rest of my preschool year
2. Clean out the laundry room
3. Clean/organize Scrapbook room
4. Put up shelves in back room
5. Re-organize basement shelves
6. Sort baby clothes & toys for Mom2Mom Sale
7. Schedule a Mom2Mom Sale
8. Clean room. Really clean.
9. Catch up on laundry
10. Build Caleb's bed
11. Re-finish table and chairs
12. Clean up stuff for Craig's List
13. Clean up front and back yard
14. Get some sleep

My list keeps getting bigger and bigger each day....and this is on top of a girl's night, and lunch with old friends, Saturday @ my parents for Easter, spending time doing the stage for Easter Sunday, and traveling next weekend to Indiana!!!

Okay, someone tell me - I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!

One Big Dude

My daughter's first day of preschool back in September was tough enough. Watching you first baby go to school, solidifying the fact that they're not your baby anymore, is heart breaking. (Even if I was her preschool teacher.)

Well, my son has been so envious that he doesn't get to go to school. We kept telling him that he had to be potty trained before he could go to school. Then, he potty trained a few months ago, and I didn't know what to tell him anymore. Then it dawned on me that I could actually put him in the other class than his sister and it would save me money paying a sitter those days if someone could watch Faith for the next two months. Well, the day I had the epiphany it all fell into place: someone volunteered to watch Faith for me, and Caleb was able to start preschool on Tuesday!

I may have been more excited than him. He's been wanting to go to school for so long. He was so giddy the entire morning getting ready. And because my camera crapped out on me last week, I thought I missed the kodak moment from it, but it's usable:

My little dude is becoming one big dude! Now it's official: My babies are growing too fast!!! I'm not ready for it, but I'm so glad Caleb is finally able to join in preschool like his sissy. Now, I've got both my kids in class with me!

Excuse me while I grab a tissue and sob my eyes out now...

Dining room makeover: PART 1

Y'all remember a few weeks ago I was dreaming about dining rooms. 

Well, I knew it would be awhile before I had the time/budget/weather to work on it, so daydreaming was all I could do. 

However, yesterday I got quite bored and stir crazy (the day before I was super sick and didn't leave the couch ALL DAY - ick.) so I decided to paint the dining room wall. I know, weird thing to do when bored, but I had the itch.

I've been wanting to do it - I used the left over paint from my bedroom mini makeover.

I was worried the dark color would make my already tiny dining room space look even smaller, but actually....quite the opposite happened!!!

The dark wall gave the space some depth and really made the black and white photo pop! My camera got screwed up (even worse than normal) so the camera and lighting are terrible, but here's the picture for Step 1 of my dining room makeover:

BEFORE:

(an old picture from when my kids were in highchairs)

AFTER:

Ugh - I'm so mad at my camera....but I promise it looks GREAT!

Top 10 Reasons I love being a GIRL

You probably don't want to know where the inspiration for this post came from. But, I will tell you anyway (it's MY blog, remember?) - My period this month was horrendous. I always think it's lame when women call into work because of cramps, but I seriously considered it this time. They've gotten progressively worse over the last few months (I'm blaming it on stress). You may be thinking, TMI, but stay with me....I promise I'm going somewhere.

I was curled up in a ball, whining and asking the hubs if he would kindly shoot me in the ovaries, when I realized that even through all that, I would never trade being a girl for anything. Ever.

I love being a girl. Here are a few reasons why being a girl rocks:

10. Periods - Okay, this might seem counterproductive after when I just wrote above, but think about it. We have the ability to use this sacred time of the month to our advantage (doesn't mean we should, just that we can). I get more massages from the hubs, he's more sensitive, and I have a perfectly valid excuse to be a b*#$% and consume as much chocolate as I see fit. Plus, we get out of doing a lot because of cramps.

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9. Make-Up - If you're a guy, and you're ugly - sorry about your luck. You're screwed. But us girls have the ability to mask our flaws with make-up. I refuse to leave the house without putting my face on first (you can all thank me later for that), and I feel very blessed to be able to do so. Plus, I loooove lip gloss!

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8. High Heels - I wouldn't classify myself as a 'shoe girl' - I don't own a lot of shoes, and most days my shoes are pretty run-of-the-mill practical. But I LOVE a great high heel. They have the ability to make me feel sexier, skinnier, taller, and more confident. That's a pretty talented shoe right there!

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7. Purses - I also wouldn't say I'm a 'bag girl' either. I've had the same purse for years. But, we have an excuse to carry all our crap with us wherever we go, and always be prepared. If guys did this, well....they wouldn't get away with it.

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6. Dresses - No better way to instantly and easily feel feminine than to slip on a dress. I love flowing summer dresses. My favorite.

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5. Emotions - We women can wear our emotions on our sleeves and not get made fun of. We can cry through a sappy movie without turning in our 'man card' and no man could cry his way out of a speeding ticket!

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4. Girl Talk - You know, that blubbering jibberish that takes places, saying nothing at all, but knowing exactly what we mean. It's essential to every woman.

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3. Wearing men's clothes - We can wear our guys' stuff and be called sexy (and it's so comfy!). It doesn't go the other way around.

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2. Double Standards - Okay, I might agree that it's not fair, but since it goes in my favor, I won't put up a fight! Many more women have gotten promotions, free stuff, sugar daddy's, compliments, and hand-outs simply for being women. I'm not ashamed to admit I've used this card in my favor a time or two. Or three. =]

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(I know this is an opposing double standard, but I thought it was too funny!)

1. Life span - Face the facts: Us fabulous women live longer. Perhaps because we are so fabulous:

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There are other reasons I love being a girl, but I'll stop there. I wanna hear what you come up with!

Catch Up

After my princess turned 4 last week, we had a CRAZY week!!! It's still going crazy, but I just wanted to take a quick second to update you on what's been going on:

1. This week the weather has been beautiful here in Michigan! Faith got a lot of use out of her new bike, because we went to the park a few times after school to enjoy the sunshine....she went from hesitant rider to pro in no time!

2. This weekend was the annual youth rally our church puts on called Illuminate. I had the privilege of helping set up the stage and leading worship on Friday night. Had a great time, but it consumed A LOT of my time this week!

3. For those of you that remember my ranting post about my brother from awhile back, it's time for an update. Shortly after that post, my brother went to jail for breaking probation and was there until Friday (roughly 5 months). The good news is, I think prayers have been answered and my brother, the one I remember and love, is home. It's the longest he's been sober since high school, and he looks great! He came to see me sing on Friday night, and it was really really good to see him. I pray this is the time away he needed to get back on the right track and use that as an opportunity for a second chance!

4. I'm juggling a lot right now: financially, emotionally, and schedule-wise, which is why I haven't been able to keep up with the blogging. But hopefully I will get a breather sometime soon! Thanks for stickin' with me anyway, you guys rock!