labor of pride

I spent a good part of my weekend washing windows.  It's a time consuming, tedious, labor intensive job that is totally and utterly worth it to me.  It always starts here...

Always.  I love this room in my house.  It's a three season porch and we spend a lot of time out here in the spring and fall.  Yesterday I started the task of sweeping and de-ladybugging which led me window washing.  Once I start in there, I cannot stop!  The colors outside become so vivid, the view so clear, it's like a drug...on I go throughout the house, cleaning windows.  About 3 hours in I always think, "Why the heck did I start this?"

I know the answer.

It's pride.  Many of you know, well let's be honest, all of you know {I doubt I've picked up any new readers} that we've been working on our house for a ba-gillion years.  Our initial timeline for home improvements fell by the wayside a LONG time ago.  Let's just say that our house needed new paint, a new front porch floor, and a new roof about 5 years ago.  Roof....check.  Paint....1/2 check.  New front porch floor....ummmm....scheduled for this spring?  So, basically, our house looks pretty dumpy from the outside.  Most people, who know us, know that we're working on it.  For those who don't know us....I just want them to see how freakin' clean my windows are!  Because how many scurveballs do you know who take the time to wash their windows?

Right?   Right.

So that's my motivation.  That, and it's so much easier to see Spring's beautiful show through spotless glass.

a first {and probably last} attempt...

...for a while anyway!

style baby!

random

I've decided that once a month I'm going to write a random post.

Just some thrown together stuff.

Deep thoughts maybe.

Maybe not.

And, today's the day...lucky you!


On my bookshelf right now.....

10 Conversations You Need To Have With Your Child by Schmuley Boteach
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

My new favorite chocolaty snack...

This is yummy!  First introduced to me by my sister Karen {thank you very much} several months ago and then re-introduced to me by Super Target who started carrying it and placed it in a location where I saw it and was reminded of it's goodness!

My most recent Rescued Junk purchase...

An old drawer makes a perfect trophy shelf!  And only $16!  I love it....Chris thinks I'm crazy but puts up with me anyway.

My most recent children's book purchase....

An oldie but a goodie!  Miss Suzy and her house in the "tip, tip, top of a tall oak tree" is an old favorite I couldn't wait to share with Eden!  Loved the story and the pictures then...love them even more today!

My FAVORITE Disney purchase....

These silhouettes were only $8 per child and it was AMAZING how talented this little old woman was who cut these.  If you've been to Disney I'm sure you've seen these, but I'm still so impressed with the talent these people possess.  The kids sat in a chair across from this woman who eyeballed them and snipped away simultaneously while she created each silhouette.  And they look like my children!  I love them and will cherish them till the day I die!  I'm still trying to find the perfect spot for them...

How's that for random?  Happy Friday!

nine

The final birthday of 2012 {well, for the kids anyway}.  We obviously had poor family planning!  Three birthdays starting Feb. 5th and ending March 7th....every year.  My first born bringing up the rear....every year.  How unfair is that?

He was quick to point out to me that I was "on top of it" for Eden and Ty's birthdays, but seem to have lost interest in his.  Ouch.  True, I'm a bit worn out come March 7th but I have not lost interest!  Not in this sweet boy!

Being the oldest, his baby, baby pics were taken on a film camera.  So, I have zero little baby pics to share.  {except his 9 mos. picture because I have the disc from that shoot}  Even his 1st birthday was shot on film.  Oh well, he is the only one with an actual album, so he should feel special about that!

9 mos.

I honestly don't know where the time has gone.  A total cliche statement, but really he was this little dragon yesterday....

2

2

2

I couldn't wait to meet Colin.  We knew he was a "he" before he came.  He had a name.  He just wouldn't come, and so I made him come...we induced...and boy does this child have a birth story!  

My first lesson in the life of a Mom...you cannot control everything!  And, my second lesson...your heart just grows and grows and expands... to sizes that you never dreamed possible!

big moments!  {2...but 3 in a few weeks!}             

3

4

                                                                                     

the force is strong with  this one!

5

                                                                                 

kindergarten t-ball

6

another BIG moment!

7

a BIG mess after LHF daycamp

L.O.V.E this kid!

8

And now... with a heart three times bigger than I ever knew was possible {and still stretching}.

9!  a whole new year!

For each year these kids tack on, I can still see this one's brand new, little eyes searching my face.  I cannot believe 9 years has passed.  How he's grown...how I've grown.  And I know that very first night I met him won't be the last time he keeps me up into the wee hours of the morning {like tonight, for instance}.  He's still teaching me how to be a Mom...the good, the bad, and the ugly...and I'm so grateful.

Happy Birthday, Colin!  I love you!

{just a little side note...he was actually born on the 7th, but so late it was almost the 8th so this post is still technically on time :) }