Finally!!!

I never, ever, EVER thought I'd see this day...and I'm not exaggerating here. I think my girls are potty trained, and that means no more diapers for us!!! We've been a diaper family for the past 6 years. And one of those years all four of our kids were in diapers! I've been putting off the potty training because the thought of training 2 at one time was overwhelming for me. Last Sunday the girls realized that they were still in the 2 year old class at church. They have to be out of diapers to be in the 3 year old class. This motivated them to want to wear the big girl underwear that Auntie Emy gave them for their 3rd birthday in November. They've worked hard all week, and I think they'll be ready to go to the big girl class tomorrow morning. What a great award for their efforts! Now, is there a potty training award for mommies?

Mommy...What can I doooooooo?

My kids haven't been able to play outside since Thanksgiving because of a nasty storm that hit the Pacific Northwest. I've been trying to keep them busy indoors. Yesterday we ventured out and had doughnuts. It's amazing what a little trip like that can do. I think it was refreshing for all of us!

I've been looking for things to do with the kids indoors. I've had my eye on these fun projects:

• Make a couple of Story Time Baskets
• Make Felt Play Food and Felt Valentine Cookies
• Prepare Storybook Muffin Tins for the littles to enjoy at lunchtime.

Just Keepin' It Real...

Behold, the cabinet underneath my kitchen sink!

Blogging is an interesting thing. I've enjoyed using it to journal our family's life. My husband is going to make a hard copy one of these days so we can have it to cherish in book form. Won't that be fun?

I also enjoy "blog surfing" to peek into the lives of others and see what's going on in their homes. One of the things I've realized about blogging, is that people do it for different reasons. I find myself drawn to blogs that present life in a positive light. I feel the same way about visiting with my friends face-to-face. I much prefer visiting with friends who don't gripe and complain about their husbands and children, but encourage me spiritually. None of us are perfect or live in perfect homes, but getting together to chat about all the negative things going on in our lives does nothing to improve matters.

Another thing about blogging is that it's very easy to post what you want people to know about your life. I choose to write about the positive things that go on in my home. I realize it gives the impression that I have it all together as a mom. But the truth is, I don't! And that's not what I set out to do when I post here on my blog. When I look back on my years as mom, I want to remember the good times. I want to remember my kids doing craft projects with me, not the fact that almost everything I do with them backfires on me when they start arguing about paint colors, or who gets to sit on the stools, or who gets the pink sprinkles, etc. Just so you know my kids do fight. They argue all the time. They gripe, complain, hang onto me and whine, throw themselves on the floor and cry, and I do get upset. I also lack organizational skills, and the evidence around my home haunts me daily. I just don't want to focus on all of that here on my blog. Writing about it would only remind me of it later.

Last night I told my friend, Jenny, that I would post a few pictures here to confirm that I don't have it all together. :) So, without further adieu, here's the proof.

Enjoy...

Here's my sewing stuff. I know I'm really going to embarrass myself here. Not only do you see an unorganized mess, but there are 3-4 unfinished sewing projects stashed in that corner...

One of my kitchen counters...

My pantry closet--no rhyme or reason to the placement of anything in here...

My purse--not such a mess, but, I confess, that's bribery candy you see in there...

My bathroom cabinet...

My kids' closet...

Our boots and coats by the back door....

And here's the biggie. I saved the best for last...my bedroom closet and this morning's laundry. I was so tempted to straighten up the closet before taking this picture, but I restrained myself. As I took this picture, I asked myself,

Does it always look this bad?

So, there you have it! It's kind of refreshing to post pictures of my closets. Now I feel motivated to do something about the mess!

Great Grandma's Vintage Floursack Towels

Awhile ago my mom sent me my Great Grandma's apron. I just received her vintage floursack towels in the mail from my little sister!

I think this one's my favorite, since I'm partial to green and red.

I love the rick rack on this one!

Aren't they fun?

I Did It!

photo: Marthastewart.com

It wasn't much, but I did it...I had company for dinner! And it happened in the best way possible. On Wednesday, a friend of mine came over for a visit with her children. We gabbed all afternoon and lost track of time. My husband came home from school and mentioned that she would get stuck in traffic if she didn't hang around for another hour or so. There was only one thing for her to do...stay for dinner! We heated up leftovers, and the kids ate corndogs (thanks for the idea, Danielle!)

I know this seems like a terrible way to begin my want-to-have-dinner-guests venture (leftovers and corndogs!), but because it was totally unexpected, I didn't have time to stress about it all day. I see it as a great beginning. It was very simple, and my kids did great. Thank you all for your great advice!

Go Figure!

As I read to my kids tonight, I chuckled when I read of Laura Ingalls refusing to wear her corset to bed at night...

"What your figure will be, goodness knows," Ma warned her. "When I was married, your Pa could span my waist with his two hands."

Is that even possible?

(I know some of you are trying this right now)

This encouraged my heart today...

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

-William Cowper

A Reluctant Entertainer

We don't entertain often. I find it difficult to entertain dinner guests with young children. It's not that I don't enjoy having people over. I do! It's because dinnertime has always been a battle in our home. Breakfast and lunch don't seem to be a problem. Breakfast and lunch foods are, for the most part, kid-friendly. But oh, those yucky dinner foods!

When we have family visit from out of town, I'm always reminded of how pleasant it can be to sit and linger and visit over a home-cooked meal. Grandmas, grandpas and aunts don't seem to mind an occasional squabble or tantrum, but what about friends and neighbors?

I love visiting 4 Reluctant Entertainers. This lady is amazing! She makes entertaining seem fun and extremely doable. I've heard people say this season will pass and I'll be able to entertain when my kids are a bit older. True...it would be easier, but sometimes I think my kids are missing out on the joys of sharing our home with others. Maybe I can set small goals for myself. I can have company over once a month, or invite a family with small children, or just make something kid-friendly for the kids and "yucky food" for the adults to avoid the infamous squabbles. Any thoughts on entertaining with young children?

The Nice Snow Plow Man

I don't know what else to title this post, because I'm very thankful for the nice man who drove the snow plow through this afternoon.

My husband, Phil, went back to school today. As most of you know, we've had more than our fair share of snow this year. I would gladly give any or all of it to those of you who envy us. While Phil was out, the snow plow came through and did our side of the street 3 times, creating an enormous 4 1/2 foot berm right in front of our driveway. Phil always goes out right after the plow comes through in order to shovel that hard and packed-down snow. If you wait too long, it's nearly impossible to move. So, I put on my boots and gloves and headed out the door to find the snow shovel. By this time all of my neighbors were outside trying to remove the snow from their driveways, as well, and many of them commented that I seemed to have more snow in my driveway than any of them...hmmm...imagine that.

I jabbed the snow shovel into the berm and the snow didn't budge. I wanted to cry, thinking that it would take me forever to move that snow, and I had 2 sick kids inside the house. I chiseled away at the pile for a few minutes and then prayed and asked God to do something...anything. I didn't want to leave it for Phil, because by the time he got home, the snow would have been worse.

Then the most amazing thing happened. The snow plow drove by, but on the other side of the street. He had gone the distance of about 2 houses before he stopped, backed up diagonally past my house, moved forward, and then pushed his blade through the berm in my driveway. I don't know if I looked pathetic out there or what! I do know how to shovel snow. Maybe he realized that I had an incredible amount to shovel. I'm not sure what he thought, but I thanked him and then thanked God for His provision. It still took me about an hour to shovel out what was left, but I'm thankful for his help, nonetheless.

Six

I never imagined this would be so difficult. My oldest turned six today. Six seems so old. He's officially out of the preschool stage, and that's all I've ever known as a mommy. I'm treading new waters here.

Every time I looked at him today something inside me hurt, and I had to ask myself,

"When did he grow up? He looks like such a big boy right now."

Somebody tell me this gets easier...