It's Just Preschool... Right?

We have been on a journey around here lately... o.k., more than one. But the one I am stressing about right now is the preschool journey. Which one? Which type? How much can we afford? What is important? How do I judge them against each other? Blah, blah, blah.... My mind is officially muddled and I seem to be incapable of making any decision much less the right one. I have made charts, talked it over with hubby and my parents and my friends,... We are getting closer to a decision, I think. Who would have thought this decision would be SO TOUGH?!?!

I am talking more about this journey over here today. Any words of wisdom/encouragement are much appreciated. Maybe you can help me clear the fog so that the perfect preschool path becomes clear... 'cuz right now it is clear as mud!

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Full

My days are full. Work, laundry, dishes, cooking, playdates, planning, stories, puzzles, errands, sewing...

My mind is full. Marriage, motherhood, should I work more, what preschool, am I doing enough, am I doing too much, ...
My arms are full. Lucas, Caden, Hadley, Hubby. My loves, my heart.
My heart is full.
My life is full.

And yet, I sometimes feel so lonely and even a bit empty. Am I the only one?

I am entering a hard season. Reflective. Longing.
I am trying to make life the best possible for all my boys, and myself too.
I am trying to love fully, making that the task that truly fills my days.

Yes, life is full and sometimes really hard. But also really great. And full.



P.S.~ I am sorry for my bloggy-slackerness of late. I will try to get better. I am trying to keep my priorities straight, and keep sleep as one of my priorities. :)




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Lucky Number Seven

My baby is seven months old today!! And becoming less and less "baby" by the day. He is starting to crawl and pull up and demand his way. How did that happen?! And although I am by NO means wishing the days away (this is probably my last baby so I want the cherish each moment and each stage), I am hoping that month seven will be the lucky one. Lucky... as in, the month we learn to fall asleep without nursing, sleep through most of the night, be content away from mom for more than 5min... You get the idea. :) I do LOVE the cuddles and tender moments. I love that he tries to chew on my cheeks and my chin and pulls me close to him as if he never wants us to part. I may want a few moments to myself, but mostly the feeling is mutual! I don't want the spirit of these days to end. I am cherishing these moments where Caden is never happier than cuddled up with Mama. I know this won't last forever.

So, my little CLB, my "chubber-chubs," "muncher-munch," "little monkey"... I LOVE YOU! I will sacrifice time alone to have you close anyday! I am one lucky mom!

Day 2- Aug '08

1 month- Sept. '08

2 months- Oct. '08

3 months- Nov. '08

4 months- Dec. '08

5 months- Jan. '09

6 months- Feb. '09

7 months- Mar. '09and one to grow on... (isn't he just so stinkin' cute!!)

For more Wordful Wednesday, visit Angie @ Seven Clown Circus

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Soak in the Sun

We just got home from Florida tonight, and after another long day of traveling (not nearly as chaotic as last time) this Mama is ready for bed! But, I did want to share a few of my favorite shots from our week in the sun. I would love to share more about our trip soon, but for now I gotta get some sleep. I have to work in the morning! :) I hope you enjoy the pics. Try to feel the warm rays of sunshine and the 60degree temps... I know I am!

Lucas playing in the sand with Mimi (my mom)- that is one sand-lovin' boy (just like his Mama!) Caden actually loved the sand too. He just sat in it and let it run through his hands.

A walk on the beach with Pa (my dad)- my boys adore their Pa, and the feeling is quite mutual!

Me and the boys at the AirForce Armament Museum- Lucas loved seeing all the different airplanes, especially the ones his Pa used to fly.

Lucas pulling Caden in the wagon- Caden LOVED the wagon and didn't want to get out. And Lucas thought he was the coolest, pulling his little brother around the yard- SUPER CUTE!!

I buried both boys in the sand, and as you can see, they both loved it!! That's my boys!!A sunset walk- precious time with Pa!Looking for shells with Mimi- a beach tradition

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Limits, positive thoughts and a gay intervention

What are "the things Farrah needs according to Google"?

I saw this fun meme on my friend Kim's blog and my curiosity got the better of me. I just had to try it. The results are freakin' hilarious!!
Google your name and "needs" in quotes and see what comes up. I am not making these up, y'all. This is truly what the Google-gods have spoken. You gotta try it for yourself. Here are mine:

1. Farrah needs life saving surgery (Farrah Fawcet did, but I don't. Not that I know of....)
2. Farrah needs to pick up and run far away. (oh, so true some days...)
3. Farrah needs money to keep her piece going on. (I don't know what my "piece" is, but some money to help me go on would be nice!)
4. Farrah needs to cowboy up and set some damn limits. (I swear that is what Google said... how does Google know about my margin issues?)
5. Farrah needs positive thoughts and words, not negative nonsense. (Amen!!)
6. Farrah needs a real man that's going to treat her with respect and honor. (I think Hubby does pretty well at this already, most of the time! :) )
7. Farrah needs to grow a backbone. (Probably true...)
8. Farrah needs to distance herself from these losers. (Not any of you of course... I am not sure what losers I need distance from but I'm sure there are some out there.)
9. Farrah needs to find a bathroom. (Actually, I'm good for the moment.)
10. Farrah needs a gay intervention. ( Again, I swear it said that!! LOL!! I didn't think my fashion choices were that bad!)

If you succumb to the curiosity, comment here and let me know what your results were. I am off to try it with Hubby's name. Maybe his results will be equally enlightening! :)


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Puppy Love Slings

Here's proof that sling lovin' is not just for babies... puppies love it too! Lucas has always loved to carry his little puppy or his truck or whatever in his little doll sling. I love that he thinks wearing someone/something in the sling is a sign of affection- that it is the natural outflow of a desire to have that thing close and to nurture it. He's right! And I love that he "gets" that.

My Beagle pup Hadley has always loved to be held. It could be because I truly babied him when he was a puppy. It was healing for me to have something to nurture after my first son died. But that has left me with a very mommy-lovin' pup. I don't really wear him in the sling. But every now and then, I like to put him in just for fun. Believe it or not I have sold a few for people to use for their dogs. I can't say that I blame them... it is cozy! :)

So here you have it.... puppies in slings!! Gotta love it!!

Happy Wordful Wednesday!
For more WW fun, visit Angie at Seven Clown Circus.




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Weary Travelers

My boys and I are in Florida!! Hooray!! It is nice to be here with my parents and my sister and have a little respite from the brutal Chicago winter weather. And while I am super glad to be here, the getting here was a bit rough. Maybe it was the delayed flights or missed connections or the lost bags that made the day so long and exhausting. Or it was the MAJOR poop blowout at 30,000ft and turbulent flight with a frightened toddler (and Mama) and sitting in the bulkhead seats so we couldn't have our bags with snacks and entertainment and diapers/change of clothes to deal with the poop now covering EVERYTHING!! It could have been trying to get my bag out of the overhead to deal with said poop with Caden in the sling and Lucas crying that it is too loud and he just wants to land and dropping my bag on the head of the unfortunate man sitting next to us. Maybe the exhausting part was running with boys and stroller and bags through Dallas airport to try and make our connection and Lucas almost getting left on the train to the next terminal because he was not holding onto the stroller like I asked him and the doors closed crazy-fast! (Had a kind lady not held the door open with her foot and gently shoved Lucas out the door, he would have been well on his was to Terminal D without me.) Oh, well.... put it all together and you have one exhausted mama and two exhausted boys. Lucas even fell asleep watching a DVD on our second flight (which was turbulance and poop-free, thank heavens!!) . That is just how tired we all were.

But now we are here... and ready to soak in the sun!! This mama needs a little beach therapy.


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