TGIF!!

Why is the week leading up to a long weekend SO. LONG? Wow. Nothing big planned around our house for the weekend: yardwork, washing cars (IF it ever stops raining...not likely), painting Isabelle's room, and a little birthday celebration for Isabelle on Sunday. Her big party (10 eight year olds in our house for a sleepover! Gah.) is next weekend, so this is our warm-up.

I leave you with a fun picture of Hudson, who was fooling around last weekend with this basket on his head. He thought it was hilarious! Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

Happy day!

After months of waiting, my new iPhone is here! Joy and rapture! It's like having another child, but without all the pain and sleepless nights.

Happy Birthday, Isabelle!

Happy 8th Birthday to my sweet, smart, beautiful baby girl. I love you, Isabelle!

Can't talk now, Flanders

Life is too busy to update. Just pray for our sanity. See, even Hudson agrees....

This One's For You, Jack

The Cool Cat

The cool cat,

is just standing there.

The cool cat,

doesn't even glare.

The cool cat,

thinks he's so hot.

The cool cat.

doesn't give a snot.

The cool cat,

doesn't listen in class.

The cool cat,

thinks he's better than the rest.

The cool cat,

really has no friends.

The cool cat,

smokes after school.

The cool cat,

left his family.

The cool cat,

is a player.

The cool cat,

has no prayers.

The cool cat,

has no savers.

The cool cat,

is one tough dude.

But really...

The cool cat,

is one big fool.

~ Jasmine Aira

Friday Mish-Mash

Wrapping up the week and heading into the weekend from hell. Todd is scheduled to be at a soccer licensing class for the next three days, which leaves me alone with the kids. Hmm. Not good. Weekends are about getting things done. Not gonna get much done dragging three kids around without someone running the perimeter.

Tonight I'm taking Isabelle to watch her friends in a production of The Wizard of Oz, and Huddy and Soph have a babysitter coming over. Tomorrow I need to go to my hair appointment which I've already rescheduled twice due to schedule conflicts, so I have another babysitter coming over. Sunday I have to actually coach (COACH!) Isabelle's soccer team against the toughest team they've played to date and, you got it, need another babysitter. Notice a theme? I do. Money leaving my pocket. I am going to put it out there right now, being a single parents sucks. (Unless you have a teenager. In which case, send them my way as they can probably make some money off me this weekend.)

Got the proofs this week from the family photos we took last month. LOVE them. Kelly Chandler is marvelous and I really can't recommend her enough. This is the third time she's done our photos, and obviously won't be the last. Check out her website to see all her fabulous work. www.kellychandler.com





You want a good laugh? Check this out. Funniest damn thing I saw all week.

Peace! (And Go Monsters! Make Coach Shannon proud!)

Mother's Day 2010

May is a crazy month in our house; Todd's birthday, Mother's Day, Isabelle's birthday, and our anniversary. I'm not sure who thought packing all this in one month was a good idea, but it's not. This weekend we celebrated Mother's Day in a very quiet fashion, and anyone that's been in our house knows that quiet is not something that usually occurs. The weather was gorgeous - sunny and 70 degrees - so it was determined whatever we did would take place outside. We ultimately decided upon the zoo, and headed out early that morning along with all 5 million other people in Seattle to Woodland Park. Joking aside, it really wasn't that busy and the day was awesome. Kids had fun and ultimately, as a mom, that's my goal.

Someone said to me this morning (when looking at our family pictures), "wow, three kids? Ten years ago, I couldn't have imagined." Yeah, well, me either. So many times we've been told by people we know, "I can't believe you guys even had kids, never mind three!" or "Once Isabelle was born, we didn't think you'd have more." Most of these comments come from family, and we're not sure if we should be offended or not. Honestly, Todd and I never sat down and drew out a map of where life would take us. I guess in a lot of ways we're very fly by the seat of our pants type people. All that really mattered to us was that whatever we did, we did it together. We felt whatever challenge was placed before us, God knew we could handle. Or whatever victory or celebration was his was of saying "job well done, you two!" Our kids are really no exception. Each day brings challenges, and each day brings joy. Almost daily we get told, "I don't know how you two do it with three kids." I'm not always sure what "it" is, but I know what they're saying. And honestly, some days I'm not sure how we do "it" either. Mostly with a lot of laughter, a heavy dose of head shaking, some yelling, lots of hugs...but mostly laughter. You laugh when shit is falling apart entirely, when you just hope there are pieces left to pick up afterwards, and you laugh when you look around and realize how much God has blessed you when you see the faces of your three smiling children looking back at you.

These are my smiling faces!

Isabelle always wanted a sister. I'm not sure she realized she'd get a "Sophia" instead.

Master Hudson? Couldn't imagine life without him.



If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden. ~ Claudia Ghandi