On The (Currently) Challenging Child

I’m relatively new to this whole parenting gig, but I think I've been around long enough to know that when you have multiple children they like to take turns being the “challenge.”  It’s some sort of hilarious game of tag to them.  “You’re it!  No, you’re it!  Now it’s your turn!”  That’s been our experience, at least.  Thankfully, though, it seems rare that all the children are challenging at the same time.  (Thank you, Jesus!) 

Currently, Kaiah is my tricky kid (although Elijah and his mouth are in a close 2nd!).  And while I shouldn't be surprised (she IS 2 after all ), I’ll admit that it has caught me a little off guard.  It’s like we went from sweet baby to terrorist 2-year-old overnight.  Granted, there are many pleasant points throughout our days, but at least during this season, she is just plain tough to parent.  There are the many “me do it” moments, swings and misses in my direction, monumental meltdowns, and plenty of pouting (always accompanied with crossed arms, a hanging head, and a factual “it not fair!”). 

I’m grateful for the wisdom and experience to know that this, too, is just a phase.  But more so?  I’m thankful for the new starts each day and God’s grace when clearly my mothering just isn't measuring up. 



PS  We ARE eating this week, but I just haven't had a chance to post MPM in a while.  I've been buuuusssyyyy, yo's!  A good busy, but the kind that makes you wish you had 4 extra hours in a day.  And a nanny.  And an assistant.  And a cleaning lady.  And a cook.  And a chauffeur.  Alas, we're getting by and taking it day by day.  Soon I'll have my feet under me again and be back to my {more frequent} blogging.  Pinky swear.

These girls have been on a gymnastics/cheerleading kick lately.  And it’s pretty much the.cutest.thing.ever when they dress in their too small (albeit, matching!) leotards and put on performances. 

    

MPM

Hey, friends!  Just popping in with a quick hello!  These weeks after a holiday just tend to fly right by.  I’m just now getting together a meal plan for the week and am going to do my grocery shopping tonight. Blah.  So, here’s what I’m feeding the circus this week.

Monday: We had Easter leftover…probably along with the rest of America.

Tuesday: We’re finally having the Balsamic Vinegar Chicken and let me tell you – it smells WONDERFUL!  Even my sis-in-law asked if she could stay for dinner when she came to pick up the baby! :)

Wednesday: Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Thursday: Baked Penne

Friday:  We’re grilling for the first time this season! Brats and sweet potatoes, it is!

Saturday: Birthday Party for a friend – the kids are being shipped off to the grandparents!  I.can.not.wait!

Of course, I haven’t had the time to download our pics from the weekend, but here is just a quick sneak peak at our Easter Festivities.

I just love my little bunnies!

Happy Monday, friends!

Interwebz

People just continue to amaze me. Here are a couple videos I’m digging (& perhaps playing over and over and over again!) this week.

(Thanks to Ann for sharing this one!)

 

 

And you’d better believe that we’re doing this. 

Happy Thursday, friends! 

Finish The Sentence!

Today I’m linking up with Holly & Jake for a rousing game of “Finish The Sentence…”

1. If calories didn't count, I would eat... An ENTIRE pan of brownies (the gooey-er, the better) and all the marshmallows out of a box of Lucky Charms.  Not joking.  I curse you, stupid sweet tooth.  And for what it’s worth, I’ve also been known to lick the frosting off of cupcakes and eat Nutella with a spoon.
2. On my Prom night.... Our pre-dance dinner was drive-thru in a limo.  Keeping it classy. 
3. When I go to the store, I always buy... onions. Because, clearly, if we were to have an emergency, onions could sustain us.  “Here kids!  Have an onion!”
4. Family functions typically... leave my family circus looking like a freak show.  Inevitably, people puke, kids scream, I yell, and my husband falls asleep watching sports. I just know that when we leave, everyone else takes a collective sigh of relief!
5. I think my blog readers... are awesome.  I mean, who doesn’t love their mom, dad, and grandma? Just kidding.  Kind of.  Honestly, I consider you all some of my best friends…even though we might not even personally know each other!  For you to keep coming back here, not knowing if or when I will post next, keeping up with our circus, and leaving me nothing but uplifting, kind comments?  It truly warms my {lonely} heart.
6. I'd much rather be..... getting a paycheck than cutting coupons, stressing about money, and NOT shopping.  Just keeping it real…
7. I have an obsession with.... shaving my legs, Pinterest, picking my kids’ noses, eggs for breakfast, party supplies, the Duggars, my crockpot, the photography industry (although I have NO desire to become a “real” photographer!), Target T-shirts, workout clothes (ok, ALL clothes), softball (shout-out to my Central Dutch!), staying organized, my (dying!) Keurig, (using parenthesis), and my children. Uh. I guess taking awkward selfies ranks up there too.

8. My work friends.... are ages 7, 5, 4, 2, and 2 months.
9. When I created my Facebook account.... my little brother had to walk me through it and assure me that it was, in fact, way cooler than my beloved MySpace.  MyWhaaa?
10. My least favorite word is... moist.
11. I really don't remember.... what I don’t remember.  I remember pretty much everything, y’all. The shirt I was wearing for 3rd grade class pictures?  Yep!  The name of my best friend’s neighbor’s dog?  You bet!  The birth weights of all my children?  Of course! 
12. Justin Bieber.... is NOT good enough for Beezus.  I mean, Selena Gomez.
I’d LOVE for you to play along!  Just head on over to Holly’s blog to link up!  Oh, and if you do play, would you mind leaving me a comment, so I can be sure to check it out?  Thanks, yo’s!

hellllloooo!

As you may have guessed, I was on spring break last week.  Well, “on” might be a little misleading, as we never did leave our little town, but still!  J and the big kids were on a break from school and if I can’t have a real  vacation away from here to someplace warm, then a week at home with just my people is the next best thing.  We had a blast hanging out, watching movies, playing games, doing projects, going to the gym, and getting out on other little adventures. 

So while the ol blogity blog has been quiet, this house certainly has NOT. Amidst the quickly accumulating mess, mass amounts of laundry, and dirty floors, this last week afforded us LOTS of blessings and my heart is full to the max – much like our couch.

  

Thankfully this we are being eased back into the school/work routine, as this is a pretty low-key week for us.  Aside from a little Easter prep and a to-do list longer than my right leg, our evenings are mostly free.  And since we just kind of played dinner by ear all last week, I am kind of looking forward to getting back into the swing of things…and not stressing about what I’m feeding all these little mouths.   Here’s what’s on our menu…

Monday: Spaghetti & garlic bread

Tuesday: Baked Potato Soup

Wednesday: Bubble Up Enchiladas

Thursday: Roasted Garlic Pasta

Friday: Balsamic Vinegar Chicken with Tomatoes

Saturday: 3rd Annual March Madness Party with dear friends!

What’s for dinner at your house this week?

Talking with KT

Just popping in with a not-so-quick video of my most favorite 2-year-old.  She is pure hilarity these days and is proving to be quite the sass, too. We have many me v. her moments during the day, but I’m happy to report myself victorious in the majority of those.  I do occasionally let her after her way because sometimes she’s just too cute for a fight.  Enjoy this glimpse of my littlest girl.