Quote of the Week #7

I feel that now a days there is too much stress on woman to look a certain way. They should be a size 0 with perfectly sculpted abs. They should have beautiful flawless makeup which shows no imperfection at all. Their hair should be curled to perfection without a hair out of place.

I think that it is all a bunch of added stress put on woman and little girls. I also feel as if it doesn't allow them to be who they really are. It makes them be who the world wants us to be which is not fair to them.

I take a look at my daughters who love to play in the mud and chase our chickens which may or may not be a tad bit mean but hey we live only once and realize they are so amazing. They are the most beautiful when they have their hair out of place with grass stuck in it from them playing and exploring.

They are two totally different kids. Special K likes to pick up bugs and scare her siblings with them. She likes making messes and exploring the outdoors. Special K is shy and scared of new experiences. SJ likes to play with barbies and dress up. She loves to dance and sing. SJ will talk to anyone and tells wonderful stories about fairies.

They are beautiful in their own ways.

They are beautiful in their flaws.

They are beautiful for who they are.

They are beautiful for the things they will do.

They are beautiful when they smile.

They are beautiful when they laugh.

They are beautiful for being kids.

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If I Could...

I have been tagged by Katie at Growing Up KaterTot to participate in the "If I Could..." meme. This meme was started by Jocelyn at The Reading Residence as a way to share the daydreams which appear into your head as you go about you day. 

I want to start off by saying that I am so thankful for the things God has given me. I also love to think about what I would do if I had all the money in the world. 

If I could live anywhere...

      I am such a Kansas girl but I would probably live in the countryside. I don't really have a specific place or country in mind but one that isn't too hot, has beautiful hills, a creek, and lots of room for my kids to play. 

If I could have any home...

      I would have a beautiful old Farm house which has been updated and remodeled. It would have a wrap around porch and a small pool. We would have an open kitchen with tons of counter space with an island that even had a cooktop on it. Our house would have enough rooms that each kid could have their own. We would have a clawfoot tub that was as old as the house. I would have a place where I could do my arts and crafts as well as a huge garage so my husband could work on his cars and bikes. I have never thought about this can you tell?!?!

If I could have any garden/yard...

      My yard would be HUGE!!! It would be big enough for the kids to roam and play. I would have a vegetable garden and a small orchard with fruit trees so that we could provide for ourselves. My husband would like to have a place where he has rabbits, chickens, pigs, and cows. Like I said I am such a Kansas girl. 

If I could be on a holiday/vacation now...

      I would go visit my best friend in Northern Ireland. I know that may seem kinda boring cause it is usually rainy and cold there but I have never been (yet) and I would love to see where she grew up. Plus I just want to spend time with her. I miss her face! 

If I could have any job...

       Right now I just want to be a stay at home mom. I know that it isn't something which is possible at this point in our life but I am hoping someday I would be able to be a stay at home mom and not have to have a job.

If I could have any talent...

       I would have amazing photography skills. I am working on my skills but I have always been so engrossed by it. I want to learn so much about the angels and different techniques amazing photographers use to make beautiful pictures. Or I would be an out of control krumper. Yup that would be it...a dope krumper. Hahahaha could you see that? 

If I could live any day again...

       I am not sure what day I would live again. Maybe my wedding day, the birth of my children even though it was painful, or a day I had with my mom before she was sick. 

If I could have any superpower...

      Shoot I already have a superpower. Don't all moms have one? Just kidding but I would be able to think about something and it would appear. I would use it for good not evil. I would give to the poor and less fortunate than myself. I would help wonderful organizations. 

Here are my nominees for "If I could..." meme. Don't worry if you don't want to participate there is no problem! Let me know if you do join so I can read it! 

The Joy of Five

Reflections From Me

Go Geek Mom

Monkey and Mouse Our Colourful Life

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Mom Confessions

Alright I have a confession to make....

I am the worst cook in the ENTIRE WORLD!!!! 

There I said it and it's out there for everyone to know! Here are my reasons why.....

1.) All I know how to do is make tacos, spaghetti, quesadillas, and tator tot casserole. 

2.) I have made more burned meals than I have successful ones. 

3.) My husband won't even let me know whether the meal is edible. He just slowly eats it. 

4.) I forget steps in recipes or mix them up. 

5.) I am one awesome sandwich maker that's for sure!!! Just ask SJ she will tell you that her Momma can make one mean sandwich. D3's favorite food is Grilled Cheese...that should say it all there!

6.) I would rather buy a pizza than make one and it is soooo simple to make one!  

7.) I get distracted by someone or something and let things cook for too long....hence the burnt meals. 

8.) I have the knife skills of a troll....do trolls have knife skills? 

9.) I have caught the cutting board on fire. Don't ask how or why I did it....it just happened. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! 

10.) My husband is a much better cook so I think I make myself worse so he would do it more....hasn't happened yet though. 

Gosh I am such a hot mess! 

I am learning to be better at cooking. I make more crock pot meals than I used to but that is okay. Pinterest is helping me come up with new ideas. I found a ravioli lasagna, taco cupcakes, baked spaghetti (in a crock pot), a beautiful honey lime fruit salad, and a few others. Look out for those recipes in a blog post it will be coming to a computer near you... 

Before you leave let me know about whether you are just of a hot mess in the kitchen as I am or if you are a 5 star chef....they have those right? See I don't even know about these kind of things. 

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The Chronicles of Kindergarten

It has come....the evil word has hit....not just school but KINDERGARTEN!!!!

Does this business ever get easier?!?

A Journey in Speech Therapy

D3 has had a rough time with his speech for a while. He started speech therapy last year around this time which I have seen a great improvement in his vocabulary. If you want to read more about where his journey started read What Did He Say?!?!

I have been so focused on his speech that I haven't noticed how smart he is and the things he has learned. I was able to see all of that this week. D3 had a screening for his preschool. I was a little confused as to why he would have to do that because he already has an IEP.



When we got there they were running a tad bit behind so D3 and I had to sit for a little while. He was a good little trooper while we were there. I had a notebook with some pens and highlighters in my bag so he just sat there and colored until it was his turn

Fortunately for us we did not have too wait long!

He went inside this small room that is used for Sunday school since his preschool is in a church. He sat in this little blue chair while I sat behind him in a green arm chair.

His teacher proceeded to go through 4 test. She asked him to count as high as he could. He clear as day said ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, FIVE! Okay okay we need to work on some of his numbers but hey he got 8 out of 10 right! For a lil guy who couldn't even say nine last year we have made some significant progress.

The next three test he had were all timed. His teacher explained that she did not think he would get all the answers 100% right or any of them for that matter.

The first test he did was that he had to identify the number which he saw in the book that she had. She flipped over the first page and demonstrated for him what she wanted him to do. He quickly got the hang of it. The first number he saw was a one which he could identify quickly as well as the next three numbers. He then saw the number 18.....EEEKKK that's a big number. He just looks at her and shrugs his shoulders and says "Me No Know!" She told him that was fine because it was a BIG number. When he got a few more numbers in the teens he told her that it was a ONE and a TWO when it was 12. He is so stinking cute!

The third test he had to complete was to point which bunch of dots had more in it than the others. My little man only got two wrong! How stinking smart is that kid!!! Some of those were so hard for a 3 year old.

The final test D3 completed was counting all the dots which were on the page. Oh boy where there a lot! He looked at the page and said WHOA! It was actually quite cute and made me as well as his teacher giggle! She demonstrated for him what he needed to do then allowed him to get started. He only had 30 seconds to do this test. I am not sure how long he had for the others but it seemed like a lot longer. He started counting the dots in the top row then went down the border then across the bottom row and then followed in a creative pattern. His teacher let him know that he was the first one to count the dots in that way. She also told him she was proud of him because she heard him say some numbers in the teens.

I guess all the counting has done some good!

When it was time to go D3 ran up to his teacher and gave her a huge hug!!!

This brought tears to my eyes. He has made me so proud with how much he has learned in the short amount of time. His speech has doubled in that short time. I still have to pinch myself to remind myself how far he has come.

He is really an amazing little boy.

He makes me smile at how well he has done.

Have you had a moment when your child made you smile and cry at the same time? Have they surprised you at how much they knew? Leave me a comment and tell me all about it!

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Interview with a PreSchooler

Last week I had sat down SJ while D3 was taking a nap or supposed to be taking a nap and asked her 15 questions before kindergarten. I thought why not do the same for him since he is going to preschool again this year.  

Let me tell you coming up with some questions for D3 was hard! I even had to ask for help from friends. 

Back 2 School

I have been dreading SJ going to Kindergarten. I don't know how I am going to deal with her being gone ALL day long. However it is a milestone that I am more than proud of her for reaching. 

SJ and I had some mother daughter time going through her school supply list. We even went to Walmart just the two of us. She loves when she gets Momma time because it doesn't happen as often as she would like. That is something I am working harder on for not just her but all the kids. 

A Playdoh Alternative: Cloud Dough

SJ and D3 have always liked to play with messy things. I on the other hand do not like being the one who cleans up the mess. I am trying very hard how to come up with new ways to hone in on their creativity. I was able to find the recipe for fizzing cloud dough from Powerful Mothering on Pinterest the other day.

It is perfect for us since everything I used was already in my cabinet. 

1 cup of flour

1 cup of baking soda

1/4 cup of vegetable oil

Food coloring

Now I did it a little different than the recipe I found for a few reasons...my kids can't agree on one color between them. If I allowed SJ to choose everything would be pink and sparkly. D3 would have everything blue. Special K would probably have it be purple or black....depends on her day. Also I decided to not color it completely so my kids could search for the different colors that are within the dough. 

All I did was mix the baking soda and flour together then added the oil. When I added the oil I used my hands to mix everything and pinch the oil that bunched together. I then added drops of pink, purple, green, and blue food coloring directly to the dough. If you have the powder dye you could use that instead. If you want the dough to be all one color you would then add the coloring to the oil before mixing. 

After everything was mixed together I separated the cloud dough into two boxes. I don't have a sensory box for them which would have totally worked better. It was just something I have never put on my list of things to purchase. It will be now! There was one for SJ and one for D3...K was at her moms so she didn't get to join in the fun. 

I gave them each a tablespoon and some Playdoh molds then let them go to town!

SJ did a very good job about keeping the cloud dough in the box. She really liked using the PlayDoh molds for stamps and didn't care to get too messy with her hands.


D3 wasn't so good about keeping the cloud dough in the box....you can't tell in this picture but he got it all over his legs and the ground. Good thing I was thinking for once and had them do it on the tile so it would be easier to clean up! Yay for this momma!!! He loved putting his hands in it and squishing it.

When it was time to clean up I brought out white vinegar and poured it on their cloud dough. I explained to them that the fizzing which occurred was a chemical reaction. They could honestly care less and just wanted to play with it. However D3 did want me to keep putting the vinegar all over his cloud dough. I didn't get a picture of the reaction due to my hand being all doughy and not wanting to make a mess on my phone.

I will be making this again for the kids. Next time I will make two different batches. One for each kid. I will also make the dough completely one color instead of speckled. They didn't really care about the color specks and would of enjoyed it all one color.

Over all this sensory activity taught the kids different textures, a chemical reaction, and allowed them to be artistic. It was also edible if Bug happen to get some in his mouth! It was an A in my book!!!

Do you guys have any sensory activities that you particularly like for your kiddos? If so leave me a comment and let me know about it!


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Vanishing Twin Syndrome - The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Vanishing Twin Syndrome....you don't hear that term quite often. I had never heard about it until the doctor told me what had happened.

I was about 9 weeks pregnant with D3 when we had our first sonogram. I was so excited to see his little heartbeat. I don't know what it was but I felt like I just had to make sure there was a heartbeat going on. Maybe it was because SJ was so young (6 months old) that I thought my body was playing evil tricks on me. 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

I have always enjoyed going to baseball games whether they are little kids t-ball or major leagues. I even asked to go to a minor league game for my birthday when I was in grade school. It was one of my favorite birthdays prior to having my kids. These birthdays are the bomb.com if I do say so!

Interview with a Kindergartener

I sat down with SJ this evening to talk to her a little bit about school starting in a week and a half. Did I really just type that?!? 

I decided to do this because I want to see how much she changes during her 9 months in Kindergarten. I am planning on asking her the extact same questions in May. I am also going to ask them every year. I will just change Kindergarten to 1st grade, 2nd grade, and so on so forth! I think this is an awesome thing to do at the beginning of the school year until they move out....I will change the questions a little bit when they hit Middle School and High School. Well honestly I might leave some just to see their answers. 

Here are SJ's answers to my questions....

1.) What are you most excited about Kindergarten?

          Seeing different teachers....like Mrs B.

2.) What are you most scared about?

            If monsters are real and if they are going to crawl under my bed.

3.) What do you want to be when you grow up? 

             A ballet teacher

4.) What do you want to learn in school this year? 

              Um about nutcrackers 

5.) What do you like about being old enough to go to Kindergarten? 

               That I had a birthday 

6.) If everyone in school was an animal which one would you be? Why? 

                A duck because it can swim and do whatever it wants to do.

7.) Favorite color? 

                PINK

8.) What do you hope is in your lunch box everyday? 

                A sandwich with no mayonnaise 

9.) What are you going to miss most while you are at school? 

                Mrs G....(her preschool teacher)

10.) Favorite movie? 

                 HOME

11.) Favorite food? 

                 Noodles

12.) Who is your best friend? 

                 Chloe...you knew that one Momma

13.) If you can change anything about school what would it be? 

                  I like school the way it is. 

14.) If you had three wishes for school what would the be?

                   That everything was pretty

                   That there was a lot of stuffed animals

                   That I was a ballerina 

15.) If you could change your name what would it be? 

                    Juliette because it's pretty! 

Do you have any questions you ask your lil one every year before school starts? If so add a comment below! 

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Quote of the Week #4

I remember being 22 and not having a care in the world! All I had to do was finish my degree and work so I could pay my rent. I didn't have any little humans pulling at my pants to give them some milk or kiss a boo boo. Those days were super easy! But was all the partying and not caring worth it? Probably not....

Being a parent is the hardest work I have ever done. You don't get rewards or prizes for the work you have done. If you do it probably comes in the form of a dirty diaper. You aren't recognized for the late nights and early mornings because you are expected to "work" those hours. 

There are so many days when I would like to throw in the towel because the baby has been up since 3 am or the 7 year old continues to give me attitude.

The worrying about whether I am making new the most epic mistake of the year, scared that something is going to happen to my babies, or even the times when I want to pull my hair out because I have listened to the same gosh darn movie for the thousandth time is totally worth the hugs I get at bed time. It makes the kisses seem sweeter. It is something I wouldn't change for all the money in the world. 

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Miracle 360 Cup

Bug is HORRIBLE about biting, poking, and tearing holes in his cup. I have so many stains on my furniture and carpet due to his darn cup leaking!

I don't know why I keep buying the same gosh darn lid and cup. I probably do it because I know he will use the cup. Sometimes it is just not worth fighting the 16 mo old child. You all know exactly what I am talking about. Plus I have the cup which these type of lids go to in like every single color of the stinking rainbow because of this vampire child. 

Well the hubby went and bought Bug a new type of cup. I thought he was crazy when he came home with this thing.

Extracurricular Activities Yes? No?

There is always a debate about whether or not you should put your kids in extracurricular activities. I have been thinking a lot about this recently. I am all for putting them in those activities and I have done so with my children. SJ is starting her second year of dance which she adores! Both D3 and SJ will be starting fall soccer soon. This will be the first year for both of them and they are super excited! I believe that they will benefit from these activities. I also know that I have benefited from being in extracurricular activities. I was lucky enough to have part of my college education paid for because I could shoot a basketball and kick a soccer ball. I will be forever grateful to my parents for putting me in those activities growing up.

A Tragedy That No Parent Wants to Deal With

I write this post with a heavy heart. Not because I am any way related or know this family but because it hurts my Mommy heart.

Sunday, August 2nd the world lost a little boy due to an accident at a baseball game in Wichita Kansas during the National Baseball Congress World Series. He was struck accidentally on the head on Saturday during a game by a practice swing while he was retrieving a bat. He was rushed to the hospital where he fought for his life. 

Alice is NOT in Wonderland

I remember it clearly....I drove into our driveway and all I see is this little brown hutch. It was dark out so I had thought it was a cabinet or a desk or something my husband was going to fix up.

Oh boy was I WRONG!!!

I got SJ out of the van and was carrying Bug and his carrier into the house when I hear those deadly words. 

"Momma it's a BUNNY!!!!"

What the!!! I thought she was joking but NOPE! There was a little white rabbit sitting in this little brown rabbit hutch. 

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Last week we received SJ's paperwork for Kindergarten. I almost cried! I am not kidding! I seriously had tears well up in my eyes because I realized how big she is getting.

This was SJ's 1st day of preschool last year and I cried leaving her.

Quote of the Week #3

Since my journey as a mom began I have always known that I would never know what would come out of their mouth. There are some days I worry if they will say the wrong thing to the wrong person. I have been pretty lucky that people who know my kids know that they are being silly when they are telling stories.

My quote this week isn't one from a book or a movie. It is one straight out my babes mouth. 

I was at work this week and received a text message from my husband that said this quote. I was like "What?!?" and all he told me was "Your daughter"

That totally explains it all....

SJ is my 5 year old. She is the one who says random off the wall things such as "If we didn't have bones we would be floppy." 

She also said that we should cook bunnies for the poor family in the same conversation. 

I'm not sure where she comes up with this other than me telling her to be thankful for what we have because there are a lot of people who have less than we do. I could go on and on about her but I will save it for another post! 

I hope this weeks quote gave you a giggle as it did me!

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10 Things You Didn't Know About Me

Thank you to Katie from Growing Up KaterTot for tagging me for "10 Things You Didn't Know About Me". I am really enjoying getting to know other bloggers and learn about their adventures. 

So this is how it works.....
The Rules:
Link back to the blogger who nominated you & answer her ten questions.
Add the badge (below) to your post.
Write your own ten questions & tag ten bloggers to do the same.
Simple as pie right.....

Here are Katie's Questions
1) Do you have kids? How old are they? I have 4 kids. My oldest daughter is 7, my middle daughter is 5, my older son is 3, and my youngest son is 1. 
2) What is your favorite day of the week? Any day that I don't have to go to work and am able to spend it with my kiddos is my favorite. Those don't happen very often but they are usually on Saturday. 
3) What's the last vacation you took? A real vacation?!? That would be two years ago when we went to visit my family in Colorado. My husband and I spent a weekend in Kansas City this June but I don't really count that as a vacation.
4) Would you ever go sky diving? Somedays I think I would. Other days I am way too scared to do it. So I guess it would happen to depend on the day. 
5) Describe the prefect evening at home. I think a perfect night at home would be a pizza and movie night. We would all enjoy watching a movie with the lights off while lounging on blankets with our pillows all fluffed up. There would be bunches of snacks that I very rarely let my kids eat. We have had one of those nights and SJ ended up with a stomach ache because she ate to many Oreos. It was probably still the best day even though SJ's tummy hurt. 
6) Do you have any pets? Do I have any pets....oh goodness do we have any pets. I have a dog, 3 turtles, a fish, 2 rabbits, and 6 chickens. Well I guess one of the rabbits isn't a "pet" and neither are the chickens because my husband has them for food reasons. I still get attached to them. 
7) What is your favorite holiday? Christmas would have to be my favorite. My family has always had amazing traditions that I love keeping with my children. 
8) What is your favorite non alcoholic beverage? Vanilla Dr. Pepper is my all time FAVORITE. I have recently been addicted to making my own drink mix with the strawberry syrup at the fountain with Mt. Dew. Or a Ice Green Tea with Peach. Okay so I don't really have just one.  
9) What's your favorite thing about blogging? Getting to connect with all sort of different people. I have been welcomed with open arms from all of you other bloggers that it has been pretty awesome!
10) Dress or skirt? Both? Depends on what I am doing....I really like long maxi skirts but then again I really love maxi dresses. 

My Questions for You: 
1.) How many siblings do you have? 
2.) How did you meet your significant other?
3.) What is your favorite season of the year?
4.) Would you rather eat your favorite food every day for the rest of your life or drink your favorite drink? 
5.) Do you like salty food or sweet food?
6.) What different countries have you traveled to?
7.) What book are you currently reading?
8.) What did you want to be when you grew up?
9.) What is your favorite movie?
10.)  Heels or Flats?

Those I tag are......

Go Geek Mom
mylittlecheekymonkey
Reflections From Me
Days in Bed
Get Out Mama
The Joy of 5
Domesticated Momster
Monkey and Mouse
Emma's Mamma
Guilty Chocoholic Mama
Let me know if you all decide to participate so that I can read your answers!