Category: being a wife

joy to the…

5 Comments

It wasn’t supposed to rain yesterday and we didn’t have any big plans so I proposed that we take some Christmas card photos in the backyard.

Easy enough.

Gather branches that have fallen from the Douglas Firs, write a little something on the outdoor chalkboard, and throw in a little vintage red.

joy to the world

Oh, and how about some globes?! Yes, perfect!

Joy to the world!

Get on the trikes.

Move a little closer.

Lorelai, stop looking at your brother.

Reece, stop making funny faces.

Fine.

Everybody look at somebody else and make a funny face.

We look happy, but I had just stepped in the middle of his parenting. It’s all starting to go downhill.

The kids wanted to take more photos…meaning, they wanted to use the camera.

Lorelai took some of the boys.

Reece took some of the girls.

And, then the joy was gone.

It lasted all of five minutes.

We may have gotten one good family shot.

home is…a gold star for effort.

he’s my hero

4 Comments

Ya’ll.

Yeah. Ya’ll.

Well, after more than one glass of wine I get a “Southern Drawl”. Some might call it a slur, but I like to call it a drawl.

So, ya’ll…

My husband impresses me daily.

I don’t write specifically about him because this blog is mine, not his.

His business is his, not mine.

So, I mention him, but don’t necessarily write about him.

Anyway, I have to tonight because he told me an awesome story.

He flies for work.

No, he’s not a pilot, but he is on an airplane every week. Multiple times (and thanks to this we get perks like flying first class to Maui).

Anyway, he was on a flight home today…flying first class…which he deserves for how much he travels.

During one of the announcements the flight attendant mentioned that you could add a donation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month to your purchase of a snack or beverage.

In first class, you don’t purchase snacks or beverage.

Towards the end of the flight, Ryan asked one of the flight attendants about the donations. She said that people rarely make donations and that none had been made on the flight.

Ryan told her that he would like to make one.

She told him he could make a $1 or $5 donation.

He said, “I’d like to make a $50 donation.”

She burst into tears.

Someone she was close to was battling breast cancer.

Another flight attendant also knew someone fighting breast cancer.

And, the passenger next to Ryan knew someone fighting cancer.

Soon, one of the flight attendants walked by Ryan and said, “He’s the hero on this flight.”

“Oh, I’m no hero,” replied Ryan.

He just did what he felt was right.

I know him. He was going to make that $50 donation whether the whole flight had made donations or not.

That’s just who he is.

I love that man, and I am so blessed that he is mine.

home is…being blessed by the people in your life.

one foot in front of the other

3 Comments

I was feeling a little out of sorts this morning.

I’ve been itching to start my exercise routine up once again.

I want to be able to run 4-6 miles three times a week.

My plan was to get started this week, but I was frustrated with rain (I don’t run in the rain) and sick kids (which means no gym childcare).

Then the sun came out this morning.

I hit the pavement with Lorelai and the BOB.

Fresh air.

Blue sky.

Quiet.

I needed it.

I walked for over an hour.

I took occasional photos of the beautiful fall colors.

I let my mind go blank and just focused on what was in front of me.

It’s been months since I have exercised regularly.

Oh, who am I kidding?

It’s been months since I have exercised. Period.

I’m feeling it.

In my mood.

In my body.

I’m not going to go into why I stopped, but I know I want to get started again.

It felt good to put one foot in front of the other.

I am hoping we get another dry day tomorrow so I can do it again.

It felt fabulous.

So, I’m going to have to find a way to fit it all in.

All the things that make me feel good.

Exercise.

Thrifting.

Creating.

They make me a better person.

A better wife.

A better mom.

A better friend.

A better ME.

home is…hitting the pavement.

vulnerable

11 Comments

Don’t let the craftiness and thrifting goodness fool you.

I’m feeling completely vulnerable right now.

I’m just good at keeping appearances up.

I’ve been sick for three weeks. It started with a cold that turned into a sinus infection that is now a deep cough that I just can’t shake.I’ve been sick more than I can remember.Actually, the last time I remember getting sick this frequently was when I was a pre-teen. I had appendicitis, tonsillitis, and mono within just a couple years of each other. In the last year, I’ve had walking pneumonia, shingles, and this darn sinus infection.

I’m exhausted.

And, I’m vulnerable.

I feel like I am being attacked by my kids. Daily.

One won’t go to bed. Or, stay in bed. Or, obey.

One won’t go pee on the potty, Or, wear the clothes I pick for her. Or, let anybody but Mommy do anything.

I love my kids more than anything in the world, but being their mommy right now is very hard.

I get angry and resentful. I snap or use a not so nice tone of voice.

And, then I end up saying, “I’m sorry.”

I wish I didn’t have to say, “I’m sorry.”

I wish I just wouldn’t snap.

I wish I just wouldn’t us a not so nice tone of voice.

I feel like I am failing at my job.

So, I craft.

I thrift.

I do projects around the house.

Because I’m good at it. And, doing something I am good at makes me feel less vulnerable.

I get a rush of adrenaline when I am doing it.

It feeds my soul.

But, the laundry doesn’t get done.

And, the dishes are in the sink.

And, phone calls for doctors appointments don’t get made.

And, there’s nothing ready for dinner.

And, I haven’t worked out in months.

And, then there’s my husband, who I also love more than anything in the world. He is so good to me and the kids and works his butt off to provide for us. He is an amazing father and husband.

He travels for work almost every week which leaves me as a single parent on the average of 2-4 nights a week. The kids and I have our routine down and it has gotten a lot easier as they have gotten older.

However, I’m so exhausted from battling my kids, trying to be a good mom, and trying to feed my own soul, that I have NO energy left for my husband when he is home.

I get angry and resentful. I don’t feel like being intimate. I snap or use a not so nice tone of voice.

And, then I end up saying, “I’m sorry.”

I wish I didn’t have to say, “I’m sorry.”

I wish I just wouldn’t snap.

I wish I just had the desire and energy to be intimate..

I wish I just wouldn’t us a not so nice tone of voice.

I feel like I am being judged for not being a good enough wife. Partner. Mother.

And, I feel like I am failing at my job.

My job right now is to be a mother and a wife.

And, I feel like I am failing at both.

So, I craft.

And, I go thrifting.

Because it is what I am good at.

It’s what I get positive feedback for.

People say…

  • You find the greatest stuff.
  • You are so creative.
  • You are amazing.
  • How do you have time for all of this?

The fact of the matter is…I’m not sure I do.

If I spend my time doing what makes me feel good it seems that I fail at my job.

SEEMS.

I told you. I am feeling vulnerable.

Maybe I’m not failing.

Maybe it just SEEMS that way.

FEELS that way.

No matter what. It hurts.

It’s hard.

I want to be the best I can be at my job.

I really just want to be a good mom and wife.

About being a mother, I want to hear…YOU ARE AMAZING.

About being a wife, I want to hear…YOU ARE AMAZING.

{And, back to that dream I had the other night…}

It wasn’t about the bloggers at all.

It was about my family.

When I read other blogs written by other moms and wives…I know I am not alone.

I also know my feelings of vulnerability will be acknowledged by other moms and wives who read my blog.

I just feel like I am failing with my family.

Is it really possible to be a good mom and wife and still do the other things I am good at?

The things that feed my soul.

Do I really have time to do it all?

home is…don’t let appearances fool you.

tired…oh, and a giveaway

8 Comments

It’s been a long stretch of traveling for Ryan.

He’s tired.

I’m tired.

This stretch of travel has put him away 11 out of 15 days.

He’ll come home for one day, and then the kids and I leave on a road trip for a family wedding.

Lorelai and Reece are flower girl and ring bearer along with my sisters daughter, Sasha.

My mom is flying out to Portland to help me drive to Northern Idaho.

Ryan is staying in Portland to spend time with some friends who are visiting from the Boise area.

He will meet us in Northern Idaho sometime next week…at least that is the plan.

I’m looking forward to some celebrating, playtime, and fun with my extended family.

And, I’m hoping to come back home re-energized to end the summer…we still have a lot of our summer list left to accomplish!

photos from {m}iphone

and, a giveaway…

Who wants a mason jar pendant light?

I’m giving away the one I made for the tutorial.

To enter answer the following question as a comment below:

What do you do to re-energize?

Deadline is Thursday, August 2nd at 9pm Pacific.

Winner will be announced on Friday, August 3rd!

home is…looking forward to a road trip.

working on it

3 Comments

So, I said it in my about page…I’m a procrastinator.

Yep, still don’t have our summer list done.

Actually, the list is done, but the display is not…and I’ve got to have it all ready for a blog post, right?

We have already crossed two items off the list…

5th annual playgroup birthday celebration

The first year (when all of our oldest turned one), it was 30 adults and 15 kids.

This year we had 26 adults and 26 kids (with one more due this month)!

One of the families lives on 5 awesome acres near wine country, apple orchards, and berry farms.

They graciously hosted the crew and it was fabulous!

Lala found this jumprope…

…and wouldn’t let it go.

And, we lucked out with June weather here in the Pacific Northwest…sunny and in the 70’s!

Bobo had a great time playing with some of his buddies and ran all over the place until he got blisters from his Batman Crocs!

It’s always fun to get the dad’s together with all of the kids.

The dad’s play with the kids, and , after 5 years, I think they know everybody’s name!

They all looked relaxed.

She finally played with the other kids after following me around for almost 2 hours.

Isn’t this outhouse awesome?!

We did it all potluck…the kids love the homemade cupcakes!

We sang Happy Birthday.

The kids shared their cupcakes with me.

This hammock was a hit with all the kids…Lala even wanted me to change her diaper on it!

I gave it a try and decided we need to get one for our backyard!

pool

Today we “officially” went to the pool.

Bobo had gone in a couple of times before his swim lessons, but today we packed a lunch, brought our beach towels, and all had our swimsuits on!

The kids has a blast!

So did I!

Actually, I didn’t sit around.

I got in the pool, went down the water slide multiple times, and left feeling like I had been on a mini vacation.

Sometimes, the easiest way to take care of kids is to act like one yourself!

colton+cadence

I made a fun graduation gift inspired by the theme of the graduation party we went to over the weekend.

I’m thinking about making more to put in the shop…so check it out later this week!

home is…working on our summer list.

still having fun

1 Comment

So, let me tell you, you don’t want to get shingles.

Thankfully, I think I have a mild case.

However, I think the fact that they are on my head and neck make it a bit more painful.

And, it’s not really fun going to your kids preschool field trip with what looks like a big old hickey on your neck.

I’ve spared you all from the photos.

I think I posted a couple on Instagram (maybe Facebook), but otherwise I’ve tried to stay on the “down low”.

Anyway, Ryan really stepped in once he returned from business travel last week (after also helping out when his mom was here for a week).

He took the little guy to school on Friday and then Lala and I went to the Mother’s Day Tea at the preschool.

He’s a little tea pot…

The 4’s…

I’m not sure if he even sang…

Oooooh, he did sing…just missed the hand movements on this one.

Pulling it all together…

for the BIG finish!!!

{by the way, he and the cutie next to him were partners for the play and held hands all they way through their “Chicken Little” skit}

What else have we done?

Set up an outdoor bed for the kids to rest in…and play with the iPhone’s and iPad.

Real men play with pink iPads.

Letting Ryan deal out the discipline…Lala wasn’t thrilled about timeout.

Watched while Ryan played with the kids at the playground.

They are both capable of so many new things on a playground.

He couldn’t do this alone last summer.

And, she just wants to keep up with him.

And, I’ve just let them goof off while I sit and watch in the backyard.

Now, I am off to bed.

I hope to have a Spring yard and garden tour up on the blog by then end of the week!

Also, I gave the teachers their gifts at the Mothers Day Tea…they loved them!

home is…still having fun while I am on the mend.

making a list…

3 Comments

Checking it twice…

This morning I am making a list of all the things I need (want) to get done before Christmas!

We had a wonderful time in Colorado despite the fact that the majority of us were sick the entire time.

I lost my voice the day after we got there and didn’t get it back until the day after we left.

Oh well.

I wanted a “do 0ver”, but the most  important thing was spending time with family and that is what we did.

The kids played, we saw deer and elk, and there was even a 10 minute snowstorm the night before we left!

So, now we are moving on…

Our lights are up outside.

I just ordered our holiday cards.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

home is…going home and coming home.