A Fuzzodles Party

Did I even spell that correctly?  Fuzzoodles?  Fuzzodles?  What?

Fuzzoodles

I didn't understand how Fuzzoodles were a new concept.  To me, they were big fuzzy pipe cleaners.  The kind you can buy 20 for about three bucks, but fuzzier.

  The little girls had fun with the extras that came with the kit like the purses, shoes, and eyes.

 And the mom's had fun playing like kids.   

I'll call them... cute.

This scene of Ethan playing with them lasted for about seven minutes.  Then he was begging me to run around and play.  I'm pretty sure that if we were at home without all the friends and commotion, he would have lasted about twelve minutes.

Then the fuzzoodles would have become laser guided bullets followed by the words "POW!!!!".

They're so soft.

Food!  Look at those hungry little boys who needed to recharge their batteries.

Adult Temper Tantrums- I want cupcake sprinkles.

How do adults show they are having a temper tantrum? 


Some people shut down, either internally shown by not speaking or showing emotionally.  Some shut down physically by quietly resorting to their homes and sitting in a dark room wearing the same sweatpants until even the dog won't sniff them.  Many men throw their emotions deeper into their work, striving to be a "better provider" by working harder, faster, stronger by focusing on the task at hand.  However, some men go to the bar or their buddies garage for a beer after dinner.

Ladies exercise their temper tantrums in either a constructive or destructive way.  Constructive as in "I WILL HAVE A PERFECT HOME TODAY" and ignore all else until their floors sparkle and the drapes are vacuumed.  Destructive would be "I'm worth these $80 shoes even though my cell phone is about to be shut off and my credit card bill is past due."

My temper tantrums range in motion and season.  Mostly, I start projects.  I will not fix dinner until my hall closet makes any organized professional glean with jealousy.  I go through every box and bag making sure all of the extra toothbrushes are in the correct ziploc bag and my soap bars and perfectly stacked.  Wait.  I'm not the only one who stocks up on toothbrushes when they go on sale, right?   I scrub down my dining room table and chairs with hot water, soap, degreaser, and an SOS pad.  One time I got a blister from scrubbing so hard.  I'm a freak about clean floors, so getting on my hands and knees all Cinderella style doesn't constitute any sort of meltdown, it's just Crystal being Crystal.

Today, however, was a crying day.  I'm tired.  This season in life is hard.  I don't want to sound all complainy but by golly, not every day is puppy tails and cupcake sprinkles.  I'm in a bit of survival mode.  The idea of adding on anything more than what I have now is a scary thought to me.  I run from commitment.  Run far far away.  I do not want to be in charge of or accountable to anything other than the day right infront of me.  And I prioritize like crazy.

My priorities:
Protein for breakfast.  Aka: my kids are getting sick of eggs.  Smoothies are helpful.  And nice fattening tablespoons of peanut butter on toast is helpful as well.  My kids last longer if they get a big healthy dose of protien in them first thing in the morning.  Full fat milk is more filling as well. 

God.  We read and memorize scripture every. single. day.  I have note cards taped all over my dining room walls with "happy" scripture like "He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7".  Secretly, this momma needs to hear it more than the kiddos.  Right now I lean heavily on "Believe on the Lord Jesus Crhsit and you will be saved. Act 16:31". 

Dear Lord, I am a dead weight on You right now.  Therefore, I could use some savin' right about now.  P.S. Thank you for the hidden chocolate chips in the back of the cabinet.  I know You got my back.  It's our secret.  Amen.

Quiet Time- Dear dear small children.  Please understand that we have quiet time not only for you to rest your toes, elbows, and lips but because it's only 1:30 and mommy needs Tylenol.  So let's play the quiet game so we can tell God thank you for all the nice things we can think of while momma lays down on the couch so she can catch her breath and make it to bed time.  Amen.

I'm sure any other woman would say "Uh, what about laundry and dishes?  PRIORITIES!"  Yes, I bounce back and forth between the two all. day. long.  I get frusterated with washing the "super cool cup with the sparkles and dolphins" for the THIRD time that day, so I go pair up socks.  Then my socks get to the point where they are missing their mate but I refuse to throw the lone sock away because I know I will find it's missing friend the next laundry go-around and will throw my hands up and say "I knew I'd find this stupid sock!  Where were you last week?  Your brother was looking for you!" and go back to washing milk chunks out of the sippy cup that was pushed under the bed so far it was nearly against the wall (and how does it get there?!?).

I just needed a nap.  Some help.  A little support.  I needed a wise old owl to say "You're doing the best that you can.  Your children will not grow up to be horrible people because you had cold cereal for dinner again."

It's just a season.  Everything is just a season.  None of this will be forever.  Forever, is actually the reward.  I'm so glad I know Christ.  So so so so glad.  I'm so glad that I can keep my senses and realize that the baby will not be nursing for forever, that Ernest will learn how to put on a zip up his own coat, and that Ethan will use his strong sense of will power for the greater good. 

And I know that tomorrow they will wake up smiling at me and say "Hi mom!  I'm hungry."

Precious in His sight

Ernest walked up to Kendall's step dad, laid his head on his leg, and stood there in 'hug position' for a solid five minutes.   His step dad had recieved a lung transplant February of 2010 and when this picture was taken, he was having a hard time breathing.

How do children know these things?  It brings tears to my eyes the thought of such grace, mercy, and unconditional love that children posess.  Why can't grown ups be as merciful?  Or merrily kind enough to put a hand on one's shoulder when in need?  What happens between toddler and adult?

Every day, my kids wake up with smiles.  They look to me like I'm God right hand man.  Most nights I go to bed thinking of what I did wrong, what I could do better, or how I can fix things in the morning (parenting and life alike).

Lord, help me to show Your unrelenting love to others.  The kind that can only come from You.

I needed to rest my eyes

All I wanted to do was rest my eyes for ten minutes.  The baby was asleep, Kendall was home and could keep an eye on the boys, it was the weekend, doesn't everyone want to relax on the weekend?

Mom lays down on the couch and look at what happens.

A dog pile occurs on my face.

Ernest is wearing a winter coat and a diaper with nothing else.  And now he is sitting on my face along with Ethan yelling "Let's get mom!"

Thank you Kendall for reaching for the camera instead of saying "Come on kids, let's give mom some quiet time on the couch."  Thanks.

Why are my kids so slobbery?  They should come with a paper towel dispenser attatched to them somewhere.  Ernest clearly has no idea how much he weighs. I'm simply trying to be sure the kid doesn't roll off and put another goose egg on his forehead.

For Pete's sake. This is just ridiculous.

My best picture ever.  I got up and hid in the bedroom after this picture.

Just like children, grown ups need 'quiet time' every so often too!

Eleanor's First Oatmeal, Round #1

Every time I put a fork to my mouth, a set of (nearly) six month old eyes watches, intent on burning a hole through my forhead in hopes of having a bite.  This baby wants oh-so-badly to try some new tastes on her palet.  However, by the looks of these pictures, maybe she isn't so sure.



Here we go, she was fired up and ready for action.

First taste-

Second try-

I think this look says it all.

"Mom, let's just stick with the good stuff, mmkay?"