A Broken Wing

 

I guess it was bound to happen eventually, right?  Isn't breaking a bone sort of like a "Rite of Passage"?

Well, it all happened after our neighbors down the road moved away and left their giant trampoline behind.  I think I was just as excited to try it out as the kiddies.  It was only the second time they had headed off to bounce when my little toughie here, came down and landed funny on his arm.  Daddy and Grandpa heard the SNAP right away and then saw the dreaded deformity near his elbow.  Amazingly, this guy did not scream and cry.  He whimpered a little and said "ow, ow, ow" and that was that.  We spent the rest of the day in the ER mending the broken wing... a fractured ulna, which pushed the radius out of socket and stretched nerves.  No surgery required as of yet.  We go back in a couple weeks for more x-rays and the cast (right now just a splint keeping those little "green sticks" all together). 

I have to say the entire day I was cool as a cucumber.  This is completely due to the fact that my little man here was SO brave.  He had to lie in hospital bed for nearly 8 HOURS (with no food or drink) before they could take him back to fix the arm (reason being, they had to put him under general anesthesia and he could have anything in the belly).  I don't recall him complaining at all unless we moved the arm.  Daddy sat by his bedside and held it in place the entire time.  

I think, being the middle child and all, he was probably eating up the undivided attention!  And it got me thinking, this may be the first (and last) time this guy gets his Mama and Daddy all to himself for 8 whole hours.  So, I tried to soak it up.  Really, a blessing in disguise for a sandwiched kid :)

btw, isn't this just the prettiest version of this song you ever heard? 

Happy Birthday Angel Girl!

 

Hooray!  We made it through the first year... you are definitely a "spirited" little soul Avi and while our first year has had it's ups and downs, I couldn't imagine for one second having a life without my precious girl.  This is the girl I dreamed of my ENTIRE life and I finally got her!!  We couldn't be more in love with you Avi... Happy 1st Birthday Princess!!

 

A carrot cake for our little spring chick!   Not homemade, but certainly organic ;)

 

A little lick on the tip of her finger...

 

The whole hand is much more appropriate!

And the #1 reason I love my one year old baby girl...

1.  You are a true GIRL!  And boy did I need a little girliness in the house.  From the time you were born, I have felt like I have a little friend by my side... a little bitty soul sista!  I hope we always have this connection.  I love you with all my heart baby girl.

One year ago, a newborn baby... and now you are walking!  I wish I could stop time from this point on, (ok maybe from 18 months on).  

Easter Bunny Visits the Wild West!

 

Beautiful package from the Bunny

 

Mama and her darling girl!

 

Cousins!  The three muskateers here had a ball...

 

Look at this feast~ Sweet Potatoes, Deviled Eggs, Fruit Salad, Homemade Beans, BBQ Pulled Pork and Quinoa Salad... all organic, homemade and delicious!

 

Eggs hide in all sorts of mysterious places...

 

Little Cousin Jadyn joined the hunt.  It was wonderful seeing extended family and lucky for us they are around the whole month!

 

Nice to see someone still doing well in this recession ;)

 

Oh look!  The Bunny put on quite the hunt this year.  Grandma Ann and Grandpa Ran's entire backyard was an Easter paradise, eggs everywhere, presents hanging in the trees and secret GIANT eggs for all sweet little bunnies.

 

How could I leave out three of my favorite girls in the whole wide world.  I used to pretend my dear Cousin Kristin was my big Sis. growing up.  She really was like a sister to me and took me everywhere.  We were so blessed to have Kristin and her three girls (Lindsay and Sierra here) at Easter this year.  They are all amazing girls!

 

Ok, not at my house, because we live in the Arctic, BUT in some places it is Spring!  Just had to capture these gorgeous desert blooms

 

More backyard paradise...

 

Grandma Ann and Grandpa Ran with their little bunny :)

Secret Life of a Stay Home Mama...

 

When the Daddy comes home from a long day in the business world and asks "what'd you guys do all day?"  well, here ya go.  We made LOTS of messes, had an array of healthy snacks, changed diapers and washed, washed, washed.  The best thing of all about our days is something I could never get a picture of... it's watching these little people interact with each other, all of the snuggles and funny things they say.  Those are the most important things that fill my day and those things make being a stay home mama all worth it.

 

Just another mess in paradise ;)

 

One of the many moments I am about to fish something small and hazardous out of the mouths of babes...

 

I LOVE whoever invented Legos.  They keep these little hands busy for hours on end!

Mama, Look Sunshine!

See how happy my little birdies are in the beautiful warm sun with all of the lovely green foliage surrounding them?  I heart the Valley.  This was our spring break escape and boy did we ever soak up every last drop!

Give Me The Meaning!

Challenges make life interesting, however, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. 
- Mark Twain

I love this one.  I feel like lately life has thrown me a series of valuable lessons in super sonic speed succession.  I guess all I can say is thank you?


Pics. coming soon... camera cord temporarily vanished. 

Calgon Take Me....

AWAY.
Far, far away.
The baby won't stop screaming (she's sick), the house is a wreck, I have a stack of bills I haven't paid in like, a month...
I just told my middlest..."if you stick your fingers in your mouth again I'm going to chop them off"
nice Mama, huh?
He's FOUR years old, why is he still sucking and chewing on everything?  It's not like he was weaned too soon (15 months to be exact) or has been abused.  I'm tired of him always smelling like drool.

We just enjoyed a mini (very mini) Spring Break trip to the Valley of the Sun :)
It wasn't what I would call a vacay, since it was completely exhausting, still it was nice to warm up a little and see the boys play outside.  And the shopping, oh the glorious shopping :)
I will post a few pictures soon...

The real break that I've been dreaming of is a date with my hubs.  I would love to have one night and pretend like it's the old days, ya know?  We'd get dressed up, have a fancy dinner, go out dancing... just have a whole night just for each other... no interruptions.  I can't imagine anything more refreshing at this moment.

Happy Spring Everyone!!!

~Disclaimer~

I just wanted to mention that theres nothing wrong with a little "me" time now and again ;)
While I don't need a fancy spa vacay to be fully rejuvenated, a trip alone to the grocery store can work miracles.  Yesterday I perused the aisles of my local natural food store a.l.o.n.e. and let me tell you it was amazing.  I stopped, I smelled, I tasted, I went back for seconds, I read labels, asked questions, smiled, pondered.  It was really quite lovely.
Some days a full-time nanny sounds heavenly, that's where my new found perspective comes in handy.  But ladies, seriously never feel guilty about taking a breather.  A friend last night told me how her hubs had left with the kiddies for the day and instead of getting things done around the house, she had taken a three hour nap!  Then read a book for an hour!  I know, how dare she take a break from her sleep deprived state when she could've been cleaning something or cooking something or folding something.  She felt bad about the whole afternoon and I told her not to feel bad one single bit!  That may have been the last long nap she gets for the next 18 YEARS!  Mamas, we are only human... which is why I am typing this and not delving into my daily chores.
Have a beautiful Sunday :)

A New Perspective

This week I have felt the effects of being a stay at home mama to three little birds... maybe it is the continuous flow of snow we seem to have, maybe the shortened days of school due to the weather and parent/teacher conferences,  maybe the  financial stresses we are facing right now, feeling in limbo, not knowing where or when the wind will blow us in a new direction.  I had a tiny bit of a meltdown last night.  Spring break is coming, you know, and it's not feeling very spring-like out and unfortunately we aren't able to head anywhere warm due to various frustrating factors.  I began going to a place I dislike most of all...feeling sorry for myself, being truly ungrateful for the many blessings I have been given in this life.  That is when I was lead to my friend Karen's blog... worryfreemom.  Sounds lovely, huh?  NO WORRIES!  Enjoying this amazing time I have with my little birdies.  Karen wrote so beautifully how society makes us believe we deserve and need ME time, maybe more than we do.  It makes us feel jipped if we don't get it.  She went on to say something that made so much sense to me... what if God needed more "me" time, what about our friends and loved ones?  What if they pulled away right when we needed them the most?  When I'm older and my little fledglings have left the nest, will I wish I would have had more "me" time or more quality time with my most precious treasures?
I have gained a new perspective.  No more pouting for me.  I have a life that is wonderful, rich in love and good health.  I have the best hubs on earth!  I mean it!  What kind of guy loves to help out around the house, plays endlessly with his kiddies and incredibly motivated in his career AND is a hottie to boot?  Sorry ladies, he's all mine :)  Sometimes we need a little pity party and then we get the tears out and realize... IT'S A BEAUTIFUL LIFE!  I need to cherish these sweet times with my babies for as long as I can.

Quote of the Day

Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. 

~Eleanor Roosevelt 

I think this is one of the biggest lessons I have had to learn.  Maybe it's just part of growing up.  For the longest time I felt like a puppet, like every move I made I was making either for someone or to go against someone.  Not until my late 20's early 30's-ish did I really start to become aware that this is MY life (instead of just yelling in a teenagery way... "IT'S MY LIFE!!!!!).  Call me a late bloomer :)  But, oh is it freeing when you realize you make your own life and if you really listen, your intuition will never lead you astray.  

Why couldn't I have had this kind of "aha" moment in high-school?

Split Pea For You

So, last night we made a delicious pot of split pea.  Split pea soup is one of those things that looks and smells quite disgusting... sort like cheese, but eating it is a whole 'nother story.  I love making this soup because the peas cook so fast, it tastes good and it's basically baby food ready :)

Split Pea Soup
1 lb. split peas rinsed
2 quarts homemade chicken stock (look back in Nov. for directions)
1 bunch chopped carrots
3 stalks chopped celery
1 small or 1/2 large chopped onion
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups chopped organic ham

Now put the peas in your stock and cover and simmer.  Get them a little soft (45min. to 1 hour) and then I add my veggies and ham.  Simmer another 1-2 hours depending on your peas.  Add a little sea salt and ground black pepper to taste and you've got it!  I like it with a good sourdough bread and some really good pasture butter or homemade butter and a tall glass of raw milk!

Presentation

School all of a sudden is starting to get a little tougher. D's class just finished up a week long project of preparing individual presentations. Felt like a month really. But alas,we finished. He took it very seriously and was not afraid one bit to get up and do his thing. Title: SCORPIONS!

Everybody had to do a visual. No generic posters allowed. It just so happened that I had the perfect Anthro container on hand. So we did a shadow box with a nice little desert scene and Sory let us borrow his big black scorpion. They have that kind in the desert, right?

Sory's been begging for homework of his very own. Title: TARANTULAS!

On a side note, I just realized D's shirt looks filthy!  That is SNOW, not dirt or lunch all you Grandmas ;)

Miss Mischief

A very quiet morning. How do you do it with three little birds you ask? SIMPLE. I ignore them ;) One is somewhere playing on his Nintendo DSI, another with glazed eyes staring at Pooh. And the baby? Oh yes, the BABY! Come out, come out, wherever you are!

Yep, I see you.

GOTCHA! And don't fall for the innocent little face. See that big bruise on the forehead? Yep, from previous mischief.

Oh, but how can you resist!

Cajun Country

So it was a girls week and we were headed to Louisiana.  Home of the best food on earth, friendliest people and celebrations galore.  My only regret is that I didn't take more pictures.  What was I thinking??  I'm obviously not a picture taker.  I get so wrapped up in whatever I'm doing, I honestly forget until other people start whipping out their cameras.  I could've taken a million great photos of our journey and my beautiful family, but no, instead just three :(  Miss Aviana in full Mardi Gras spirit!

My darling cousin Jandy and I after just waking up, hence the messy, sleepy, just rolled out of bed look I'm sporting.  I hadn't seen her since she was pregnant with the cutie on her hip!  (His name is Ben, by the way).  So wonderful to catch up with her and reminisce about our summers as wild and crazy girls.

My little Bros!  Willy Philly was in for a visit at the same time and my littlest Bro Taylor with the dark hair.  My Dad on the other side of me.  It was great to see them all.  And of course they ate up my little Miss. Wonderful trip with wonderful people.  And why on earth don't I have pictures of them all???

Cajun Country Continued...

One thing I did get a picture of... THE ARCHITECTURE!  And the enthusiasm these people have.  It's contagious really.  I LOVE southern homes and loved how everyone had decorated so beautifully for Mardi and Super Bowl.

I really want a front door like this.  Isn't that gorgeous?

WHO DAT BABY?  The Saints Dat's Who!!!!!  OK, I couldn't resist.  I heard this so much while there it was like it became a part of me.  Ingrained in my memory forever ;)  It was definitely special being there to see the Saints victory.  Louisiana deserved it and the people went wild.  Yelling up and down the street, fireworks, beads.  I can't even remember how many pieces of cake I had that night!

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

Our oldest is seven today! I can't believe it, but at the same time I still feel like he's older than seven. There are so many reasons why I love this guy. Here are my top seven:

1. D is very practical. When I explain a decision we've made, he gets it. This makes things SO easy. Of course there are times when he plays lawyer with me and argues miniscule points, but I love this too because he gets very creative with his reasoning.

2. D is a true friend to all. This is the one thing all of his teachers have always said. He is kind to everyone, respectful, welcoming.

3. He's going somewhere. D has always had plans for his future, where he will live, what he will do. I have no doubt in my mind he will accomplish much!

4. He's a health nut :) Loves his raw milk. It's usually pretty easy to get him to eat something if he knows it's good for him.

5. D is a great brother/babysitter. He gives his used toys to Sory all the time (which Sory loves), plays with Avi and carries her around the house for me when I need to get things done. He's so sweet with his little sister.

6. He always does his best work. When completing a homework assignment, he really takes the time to write neatly and turn in a good paper. I admire this about him since I'm sometimes a "just get it done" kind of girl.

7. And last, but not least... D is a great conversationalist... meaning he listens, asks questions, doesn't just do all the talking, which is even a challenge for many adults I know!

Happy Birthday to you Darlin'!!! We are so blessed to have you as a part of our family. You have taught me as much as I've taught you. WE LOVE YOU DILLY DOO!