Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Q is for Quickly

When I became a mother, I was given the advice to savor every moment because it would pass too quickly. I heard it and it was just one of those things that went in one ear and right out the other... you know how that goes.

Mothering the really young is HARD, and sometimes the days seem like they go on forever... you're just praying you can make it to bedtime... but then you look back and realize that months - years even - have passed. Somewhere in the monotony of those long days - time passes and those kids grow up.

The reality of this has hit me a time or two over the last 22 months - but nothing hit me as hard as hearing the words that James would be graduating out of his mother's day out program after next school year. Ya'll, my baby will start preschool in the fall of 2013! That just breaks my momma heart!

While I know it's not a huge deal - it'll still only be 2 days a week or possibly 3... but it's in a different building and there is just such a difference in the programming. It makes me sit here and think about how not very long ago... he looked like this...






It's truly amazing, isn't it? I guess the older YOU get - the faster time goes in general. It's crazy to me the changes he has gone through since that photo was taken - I mean a completely dependent little newborn is now a toddler running through the house with some definite opinions on how things should be done!

I'm shocked how fast it has happened too - all while I've been just trying to make it through the daily struggles.

Then look at this guy... who is another crazy toddler tornado running through my house, but just 16 months ago - looked like this...





Mind blowing, isn't it?

At this very moment - they are destroying my living room... literally blanketing it with toys, couch pillows, and little boy giggles. My how time flies, it will seem like an eternity and a blink of the eye - and I'll be dropping them off at Kindergarten and 1st grade... oiy. Be still my Momma heart.

Well, just like that - we've got an all out duel over a toy... so I'd better go referee... is it bedtime yet?!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Photo 366 - Week 4




Are you ready for week 4? I know some of you are trying to NOT use iPhone photos, but that's typically all I have near me unless it's planned... so that's mainly what mine are. We're just not very exciting people... but here we go...


January 22 - We had some severe weather tear through our area, so we had to wake the boys up around 10PM to go shelter in our half bathroom. 2 adults, 2 babies, and a dog all in a half bathroom... good times. They did pretty well though, considering... and we were all in bed by midnight.


January 23 - Tyler has been having some trouble with napping - so he wasn't sleeping while James was - instead her decided to sit on the potty. The potty happened to be sitting on top of a book, but he couldn't figure out why it was hard to get the book out while sitting on top of it. HA! (I wrote a pretty amazing post about him this week - you should check it out.)


January 24 - I've been working with the boys on eating with utensils, but also trying to teach them that when they are done... they should pick up any food and put it on their plate with their fork. Breakfast is typically a lot of finger foods around here because Mommy isn't quite ready for all that is involved in utensil eating. Anyway, this morning - I was working on loading the dishwasher or something and looked over to find this. James was finished with breakfast and had put all of his french toast stick pieces in his cup holder. I got a giggle out of that.


January 25 - I was taking dinner to a lovely family that had a new baby on Thursday, so here is a photo of their dessert. I haven't posted the recipe for these Brown Sugar Blondies yet, but it will be on Momma Hawk Cooks soon! I also took them Chicken Spaghetti and Green Bean Bundles. (My chicken spaghetti recipe is much different than most that are floating around these days - and I think it's WAY better)


January 26 - The boys had school today, and they love it so much. We're usually the first family there for drop off (sometimes last for pick up too - oops) but the boys just literally jump out of the stroller and run into the class. They never look back anymore... no tears, no fuss. They are super excited to see me when I get back to pick them up though!


January 27 - This photo pretty much sums up the days around here right now - we've got LOTS of fighting over toys and pretty much anything. It just started this week, but we've been waiting for Tyler to take up the slack. For the longest time - James would steal anything Tyler had... and it wasn't a big deal - Tyler would just get something else. Now, he's fighting back - so Mommy does a lot of refereeing with toys. (and hats)

I've got a link up of my own on Fridays for anyone that would like to join in - it takes a look at our Chronos and Kairos moments. I've done it for two weeks, and would love to have some folks join in with me. Here is where it all began... Week 1 AND Week 2


January 28 - This is just funny to me - Tyler is 6 months younger than James but his feet are a size and a half larger. They are so much longer. In general, Tyler is longer and leaner than James - but when standing side by side - it's hard to tell. James was about a half inch taller at their last appointments... but he doesn't quite stand as straight as Tyler - so it looks like Ty is taller. Anyway - the proof is right there - Mr. Big Foot in full effect.

Want to join in with us? Go to the link at the top and start taking a photo a day!! As you can see - I go for real life photos - which means that all I've got are Instagram photos for the most part. I am going for realism... and besides when I use the real camera - that deserves it's own post in my mind. HA!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Chronos and Kairos - Week 2

I'm back to give you some insights into our week... I will do better next week to get these posted on Thursday nights so that you might be able to link up with us.

This week was really not too exciting for us in terms of getting out. Tyler has been recovering from a monster diaper rash - so we stuck close to home for the most part and just played... and tried to rest. I'm not sure why it is, but my kids are just not on a "normal" nap schedule for their age... so our lives are still a bit off from the rest of the world of toddlers.

Chronos moments: (real time)
- Tyler having a horrible diaper rash and literally spending a whole day unable to walk
- The helpless feeling you have when your baby is in pain and there isn't anything you can do to instantly fix it
- The boys have started fighting over toys this week (good times)
- Food being thrown all over the floor
- Not making it to Bible study because of the diaper rash mentioned before
- Finding out that every other study week - there is extended time on the childcare so the Moms can go enjoy lunch together... knowing that there is ZERO chance of the boys being able to deal with that.
- Wishing that the boys didn't nap at 10AM... and did afternoon naps like most of the other kids their age.
- Losing my cool more that once with the boys during the week

Kairos moments: (God's time)
- Being able to comfort Tyler while he was hurting
- Snuggling with both of the boys one-on-one at least once during the week
- Watching my little men run into MDO and not look back - knowing that they enjoy it
- Picking up those boys from MDO and seeing how excited they are to have me come back
- Watching the boys light up at a commercial for a learning program we are planning to get them for James' birthday
- Just trying to be grateful that the boys get a decent nap - no matter what time it is.
- Knowing that even though I lose my cool with the boys - they are forgiving and are open to my apologies

I'd love to hear some of your moments from this week...


Thursday, January 26, 2012

Tyler Was There


Sometimes the bizarre (supernatural) way that our family came together takes me by surprise. I still, to this day will stop and think about it from time to time. (on the rare second that I get a moment to myself) As I was sitting there thinking about it - some of you went on the journey with us... some are joining in more recently... but through a good portion of the craziness - Tyler was there.

What do I mean by that? Let me show you.

January 2010:
- we were finishing our home study for our adoption agency - by the end of the month - Tyler was there

February 2010: (I will be doing another post on these topics)
- met our first birth mother, and fell in love - Tyler was there
- went to the hospital for the birth of that baby girl, ended up not becoming our daughter - Tyler was there
- went back to work a few days after having left for maternity leave - Tyler was there
- spent a good part of the month grieving for that lost baby - Tyler was there

March 2010:
- got a call from our second birth mother, even through apprehension... met her - Tyler was there
- met with our birth mother a few times - Tyler was there
- exchanged all of the stuff we bought for the little girl and bought stuff for our baby boy - Tyler was there
- had some SERIOUS health scares and issues with John, spending 5 days in the hospital - Tyler was there

April 2010:
- went to the hospital for the birth of our son, James - Tyler was there
- spend the first few hours of James life getting to know him - Tyler was there
- almost passed out feeding James his first bottle - Tyler was there
- saw James' birth mother in the hospital after the delivery, looked very sick - Tyler was there
- signed all the adoption papers to bring James home 2 days after his birth - Tyler was there
- middle of the night on our first night as parents...

We found out Tyler was coming!

Crazy to think about all of those emotional roller coaster moments that Tyler was present for that we didn't even know he was there for... isn't that amazing?! Can you see a little bit of why I wasn't able to tell that I was having morning/afternoon/night sickness... I thought it was just stress! Oh, the Lord is a funny funny man.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Menu Planning

I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but over Christmas - we got an iPad, and upon the recommendation of a friend - I downloaded the Menu Planner App. This has literally changed my life! I don't have to keep notepads or anything around anymore - and I can plan until my heart is full.


It is so easy to add recipes or food items - you can do it either way, then look at a calendar with all of your meal plans right there on the screen. You can keep a recipe book, as well as import recipes from most of the popular recipe websites out there. (Food Network, Pilsbury, Taste of Home, Clean Eating, and many more) You will want to edit the recipes slightly when you import them - but it is super easy. The only thing that would make me love it more right now would be if they would develop the ability to import recipes from blogs.



Once you've planned your menu, you can then go into another portion of the program and make your grocery list. With a couple of clicks of a button - you can pull in the entire list of things needed for your menu plan recipes for whatever time frame you'd like to do your shopping for. You can then take things off of the list if you don't need them this trip - or add in other items as needed. Once you've got the list ready, you can export it to your email and print it for your shopping trip.


I've made it my goal to have all of our meals planned and my shopping list ready for Thursday mornings - as soon as I drop the boys off at school... I head to the store. I enjoy grocery shopping entirely too much - but that's beside the point - this app has made my least favorite part of the process even easier. I enjoy the cooking and prepping recipes - but the planning and preparing shopping lists stresses me out. I'd love to hear your tips and tricks on menu planning...

Monday, January 23, 2012

P is for Perspective

There is so much in life that is different for each of us based on our own life's course and our perspective on the situation. Take pregnancy for instance... some love it because their experience is magical and doesn't involve being sick for 36+ weeks - others hate it because of the aforementioned illness and swelling that is nothing short of being absolutely ridiculous! 

As we were driving to MOPS last week, we passed a church that had about 200 tiny little crosses in their lawn. I didn't notice it on the way, but on the way home - I saw the sign. Each cross was representing an aborted baby in our area. This got me thinking.

We all have our own thoughts and opinions on abortion and if it's something you'd consider for yourself - those things are based on various different points within your life's perspective. Politics, Ethics, Morality, Spirituality, Circumstance, or even just plain Choice. This post isn't about debating those issues.

This post is about my own perspective... when I saw each of those crosses - a name in my life crossed my mind. John. James. Joshua. Gabriella. Carl. Tiffany. Addison. David. Tristan. Stephanie. (I'm sure there are others) Each of those names is a person in close relationship with my family and/or me... each one is adopted. Each one could have instead been a cross on that lawn.

Can you imagine? It is hard for me to fathom the choice that the ladies that would become these birth mother's had to make, but I thank God for everything they endured for these people. It takes on a whole different meaning when your own child's name is on that list though.

I remember sitting in the doctor's office in September 2009 hearing the words and knowing in my heart that our journey through infertility treatments was over... there was nothing else those doctors could try that would give us any more hope. I remember thinking that it didn't matter to me if I carried the baby myself or if someone else did it, but one way or another - I would be a mother. On the flip side of that, I couldn't imagine carrying a baby knowing that I wouldn't parent that child. My own perspective prevented me from understanding that decision - or how someone could make that choice.

I'm grateful that things like that are outside of my understanding, but that God has a plan and holds the birth mother's hand through it all. I'm grateful for her wisdom beyond her years to know that there is a life out there for her child even if she isn't in it everyday. I'm grateful for people like Sara, Cindy and Susan who work at New Life Pregnancy Center in Texas that minister to so many of these ladies and help them make the choices and plans that best bring God's glory to the lives of these babies.

Finally, I'm grateful for God allowing me to understand that motherhood isn't about carrying the baby - it's about pouring your love and heart into the life of the child you are given to raise. Of course my perspective has changed on this several times, but no matter what - I am beyond words grateful that the lives of my husband and son are a part of my family instead of being a cross on a church lawn somewhere.

There are so many families out there waiting for their hearts and lives to be filled with babies of their own - and I wish that more ladies would have the education and courage to be able to help give those children they are carrying a chance to fill those hearts and families. I'm not writing this today to judge anyone that has made a different choice - I'm just hoping that if one person out there might read this and know the difference that adoption has made for me... they might change their perspective and fill a mother's arms who is waiting for her baby.

I know it's incredibly difficult and painful... but I'm here to tell you that it can work. We view James' birth mother as a part of our family and would love to have her involved with us as much as she wants to be. We didn't start out with that perspective on the situation - but we grew and learned how that relationship could work, and can't imagine anything different.

Everyday we live changes us in ways we may never know. You see things. You experience things. You read things. You decide things. All of these things change your perspective a little bit - and mold you into the person you are this very moment. I for one am glad that I can look at that display and see so much in those crosses - I'm sad for the ones that are planted on that lawn today, but at the same time... I'm beyond grateful for the ones that aren't there.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Project 366 - Week 2 & 3




Due to the cooties that took over the house last week...  I didn't get to post my photos. So here is two weeks worth to get us caught up to date.


January 8 - Working on keeping up with the boys' memory calendars. I'm already anticipating having a great time next year comparing the day from 1 year before... I sincerely hope that next January 8 we aren't talking about stomach viruses.






January 9 - These two are going to be the death of me. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've said "sit down" when they are in a chair or on the couch. Tyler is the more stubborn of the two boys as you can see from this picture.


January 10 - My little, Tyler looking so incredibly big. Playing and turning over a chair to sit in it "his" way.


January 11 - I got an AMAZING deal on Groupon... I got an hour massage for $29, but I had $20 in credit on the site for it being my first order... so I got an hour massage for $9!! SCORE!


January 12 - Picking my men up from Mother's Day Out. James doesn't nap at school... so I usually bring him straight home and put him in bed. Tyler on the other hand is the best napper in the class... so we just hang out until James gets a little rest.





January 13 - When John got home from work, he put one of the boys Christmas presents together for them. We've got stock in Little People at this point... we've got one of just about everything!


January 14 - The first of the stomach virus surfacing here. We had been up all night with Tyler being sick every half hour... so we all were looking rough, but this just looks so sad - he wanted to badly to feel better and play with his brother.


January 15 - My little men playing, looking so happy to see their Momma for the first time in the day. I was deathly ill and had been in bed up until about 12:30.


January 16 - I was still feeling gross, so John stayed home with us and James was THRILLED. He loves waking up and having his Daddy come get him from bed. You are always greeted with a smile like this when entering his room. :-) 
 

January 17 - James was WIPED out after MOPS. It's a fairly good drive home from our group, and he was a mess when I got him from his class... so by the time I got him home and gave him some lunch - he was DONE! 





January 18 - James is enjoying his dinner in this photo. We've had about 4 successful dinners this week... they are doing so well eating with their fork, and even trying new things. It makes my Momma heart so full to have them eat something that I've prepared for them.


January 19 - This little stinker is playing with the fireplace... he likes to lick it, chew on the edge of the brick, climb on it, and scratch his toys across it... 


January 20 - I just love this boy... that smile, that heart, that spirit. He's growing up so much right now... picking up new words, minding, and trying new foods. It's amazing! 


January 21 - Rub a Dub Dub... Two Boys in the Tub! It was bath night, and I just thought this photo was cute since they rarely are both looking at me when I want them to be. Bath nights are a splish splashin' good time in our house. There is water everywhere!

Friday, January 20, 2012

She Gets Me

I rarely get a minute to sit and read something, but this morning - I found myself in the lazy boy while the boys were sitting and drinking their milk watching Lazy Town on Sprout... and I had a minute. I opened Facebook on my iPhone and there was an article recommended by 5 of my friends - so I figured that I needed to read it. I am SO glad I did! You need to go read it here - then come back...

I can't even tell you the number of times that I've had people tell me the same thing, "enjoy it - it goes so quickly!" My reaction - depending on the moment - is either a wish that I could sucker punch them in the throat OR a quick reflection of how much time has already gone by.

One thing is for sure - motherhood is a mine field. We've all heard the stories of what a mine field is like - where you're scared to take a step in any direction because you might trigger an explosion... oh yeah, that's exactly what my days are like. Do I move one step to the left and cause a toddler fit or do I step to the right and let them do what they want even though it might end in tears from a fall or accident?

One thing is for sure, most days - I too am just simply counting down the minutes until John gets home... or bedtime. It's a marathon that you can't truly prepare yourself for... and my marathon is different from most. I've got two of these boogers 6 months apart... so we're sort of in a never ending myriad of developmental issues. When one begins... I've pretty much got to get them both through it before we can move on. We can't really go out in public right now because I can't possibly keep them both safe and inline by myself. We just aren't the typical family.

A trip to the doctor's office creates a spectacle that I, myself, am not even prepared for. We walk in and the questions start from everyone in the waiting room... are they twins? No. They're 6 months apart. One is adopted.

Then it begins again - oh, what a blessing... you are so lucky. Yes, I know that - I really do... but it's not easy. I'm exhausted and pushed to my limits 90% of the day. I love these boys with everything I've got... but typical parenting advice doesn't exactly work here. If you've got one child, or they are separated by a year or two - your life is different from mine. Twin parents have a slight inkling of what this is like... but these kids work together to drive me completely nuts!

The author's concepts of time being in - Chronos: is time that we live in AND Kairos: God's time. This is where I find complete brilliance. Chronos is where you're standing in the middle of Target while your child is having a fit, and you're wishing that you were invisible. (or that you could beam them out and into their bed immediately!) Kairos is when things calm down, they've got their head on your shoulder - and you're just there listening to them breathe. (Why doesn't that time last forever?)

So this had me thinking... maybe it's time to sit down once a week and chronicle these Chronos and Kairos moments. Just to be able to look back and laugh at the craziness of real time - and the beauty of the supernatural. Who wants to join me?





Grab the image and join in... then link back to your post at the bottom of this one. You don't have to be a mother to have these moments - I think as women - we ALL have them!

Chronos Moments:
* Going to pick up James at MOPS to hear him crying from several rooms away
* Picking up Tyler from MOPS to find that I had only put extra pants in his bag - and that's the day he decided to spray "tee tee" all over everything he was wearing - so he was literally in the extra pants and his jacket... nothing else.
* Picking up the boys from MDO to hear that James only took a 5 minute nap the entire time
* Tyler reducing James to tears by hitting him in the head repeatedly with a puzzle piece
* Having to sleep on the twin bed in Tyler's room so that he would get some sleep
* Having about 5 more things on the "to do" list when it's time to go pick up the boys from school
* The 3 or so solid days of stomach virus plague that hit our house last weekend

Kairos Moments:
* Snuggling with Tyler to put him to bed
* Every single smile that James flashes my way... it's the happiest melt my heart smile on the planet!
* Seeing both of the boys light up when they spot me in the doorway of their classroom at school
* Being able to comfort a sick baby just by being there with him
* Finally seeing both boys start to catch on with using their fork
* Preparing 2 successful meals for the whole family (trying to get away from baby meal vs parent meal)

Next week, I'll try to have more - this is all I could come up with since I just got the idea today. What are your Chronos and Kairos moments from this week? Link back and let me know!




Friday, January 13, 2012

Need Some Pretty?

I'm hosting a sample sale on some of my Stella & Dot items that are going out of stock. I try not to talk about Stella & Dot too much on my blog or anywhere else - because I don't want to be obnoxious... but wanted to bring these fabulous deals to you.

The proceeds from this sale are going directly toward renewing my stylist license for the year and my website - so that I can continue to sell. I'd love to take anything above that and buy some new samples to share with folks at my parties.

Additionally, I would LOVE to host a party for you and your friends if you're within a couple hours of Memphis. It's super easy, and all you have to do is invite some friends and provide a snack or two! Drop me an email if you're interested - I'd love to help you earn some free jewelry!

I've sold a few of the items from the original sale date - so I'm only including the items that are left. I do highly recommend you check out the sale section of my website though, and also check out the new collection for spring 2012!

If you find something here you are interested in - leave a comment with "SOLD", the name of the item, and your paypal email address for me to send you an invoice. I'll be billing the price of the item plus a $5 shipping charge. You can email me the paypal address directly if you'd feel more comfortable with doing it that way.


Carnival Necklace can be worn long or short - a lovely chunky piece that would be great in every season! Originally sold for $198 - Sample for $75


Carnival Bracelets - set of 3 bracelets that stretch to fit - Originally sold for $37 - Sample for $19!







Chameleon Earrings - $15 - You can buy charms to add color and versatility to these earrings!


Audrey Cluster Necklace - Original $98 - Sample $50 - Vintage-textured chain with faceted glass champagne stones and brown and ivory pearls. 39" length with 2" extender.

Bridgette Bauble Necklace - Originally $69 - Sample $35 - A vintage textured chain accented with intricately faceted stones set in pave petal caps. 38" length with a 2" extender. Lobster Clasp closure. This style looks amazing when layered together with the Audrey Cluster Necklace! There is an Audrey Cluster Bracelet that I had in the sample sale that sold already - but can be purchased here for a complete look!




Camilla Necklace - Originally $158 - sample $75 - A refreshing statement of bold glass, wood, Czech crystal, and dyed jade beads. Approximately 18" length with two ring extender. Toggle closure.





Rachel Necklace - Originally $89 - Sample $45 - Freshwater pearls, crystal quartz, glass beads and silver plated rings combine in this day-to-night piece. 31" length when worn alone, or use the included grosgrain ribbon tie closure to wear as a double strand necklace.

  
Little Dottie Necklace (Girls Line) - Originally $29 - Sample $15 - Colorful beads accented with a sparkly pave ball and daisy flower. 10" of beads, with 15" of ribbon each side. Blue ribbon tie closure. Lead & nickel safe.








Tatum Necklace (Girls Line) - Originally $29 - Sample $15 - A pretty chiffon flower adorns this strand of lavender and transluscent beads tied with a feminine silver bow. Flower unclips from necklace to be worn as barrette. 8 3/4" of beads, 15" of ribbon each side. Self-tie closure. Lead & nickel safe.

 
Baby Pave Hoop Earrings - Originally $34 - Sample $16 with the Pearl Dangles included - Simply elegant. Each and every pave crystal is hand set. A perfect pairing with the Fresh Water Pearl Dangles - the dangles slip on or off for two very different looks with one pair of earrings! Measures approximately ½” inner diameter with sterling silver post backing. 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Christmas #3

Our third and final Christmas celebration... We started out the week with cousins and a special pop show!



















Spent some time playing with our Aunts, and more time with cousins...






Worked on a family puzzle...



Opened some gifts...









Took off into hiding with one of our stocking stuffers...













And two weeks later - we were headed home with lots of new toys and even more memories.