Attitude really is everything....

Daylight savings time started out pretty stinky, and I mean that in a very literal sense. After waking several times during the night to soothe a spoiled Riston back to sleep, I begged Kirk to get him at 5:45 on Sunday morning...the day we were all going to "enjoy" an extra hour of sleep and yadda, yadda, yadda. In the baby monitor I hear Kirk say, "oh sh*t, Bro, really, gross, oh this is wrong, seriously, really, uh, oooh, you have got to be kidding me, REALLY?" Riston is equally as displeased by the situation and I-having no real idea what is going on am steamed as well. I head downstairs ready to stomp and yell....but am overcome by the stink I get walking into Riston's room. So it's 6:00 am and now the crib is stripped, the changing pad is stripped, Bro is in the bathtub and the washing machine is filling. I hear Maya and and Adalae in their room. "Daddy, Mama, eggies, pleasy, pleasy, you make me eggies for bweakfast?" Sure thing Adalae, eggs it is. What? No eggs in the fridge, ummmmm, there goes plans for just about every other hot meal that she would go for.....Kirk heads to D&W....it is now 6:20 (are they open yet?). Must have been, he returns with Starbucks (yeah:)) and eggs. Well at this point, Riston is fresh, the bathroom is soaked, thanks to the Riston Tsunami and breakfast is underway, my head is pounding and my eyes are stinging from being tired. Carrying on...eat, clean up, switch laundry, play, naptime is almost here.....just keep going, just keep going. 8:45 naptime, yahoo! Riston goes down, the girls settle into a movie that I couldn't keep my eyes open to watch if I tried and Kirk and I zonk out for a good hour.....kinda, in between reffing the usual petty arguments. Well, this could only last so long, and the unusual run of quiet has me wondering why.....and the few winks of shut eye give me just enough energy to care why....ahhh, the girls found the trail mix bag and are raiding the chocolate. (Smart girls)- Too bad they managed to leave several on the couch, which left a huge chocolate stain.....Riston wakes up, all h*ll breaks loose....again. Kirk is off to the grocery store again....for the usual weekend trip and I am left with a stain, a stage V clinger baby, a mountain of laundry and a house that looks like a tornado went through it, It all came down to this moment. I'm not gonna lie, I wondered if flipping the cushion would work....I abandoned this idea fairly soon, and then thought about being mad and emotional, but this was still the weekend darnit and I was going to turn this around.....So I called mom. My conversation went like this, "Today is really hard, really, really hard. Do you think you could help?"....or something like that, that resulted in her showing up with her steam cleaner, a present for me and an attitude adjustment for me. This was big for 2 reasons.....I am bad, and I mean really bad at asking for help and in the face of a really crummy situation- going on maybe 5 hours of sleep, I pulled it together. End result, I made friends with my Soft Scrub with Bleach and went on a major cleaning binge, all the really nitty gritty areas, mom got rid of the stain and a few other carpet, upholstery blemishes, laundry got finished, and partly folded, and grocery shopping was finished. On top of all that I finished my 2010 family picture order, that I havn't been able to finish in a month and got a step closer to those Christmas cards. Overall, I don't really need, nor want a pat on the back, I know woman have been doing this for ages, (overcoming major sleep deprivation, working, maintaining a household, raising children, etc), but on this particular Sunday, I proved to myself that it is much easier and so much more productive to not give into the, "Oh woe is me's," instead, rolling up your sleeves, taking a deep breath and maintaining perspective was what counted. Oh and a little help from Mama:) Thanks to all the mama's out there who understand this post. Attitude really is everything.

goodnight summer...

I love summer, sultry, steamy days- bring em on. You will not hear me complain about it being "too hot" or "too humid" I love it and this was a fantastic summer. Alas, someone new has caught my eye, beckoned me over and cloaked my sunkissed shoulders with a fuzzy, hoodie and worn jeans. Summer days lay behind us and the promise of fall football, apple orchards, pumpkins, and harvest are on the horizon. I welcome you fall. Kirk and I are back in school. Maya started Young Fives and LOVES it and the babies began their new daycare and have transitioned very well. Life is full and busy and despite my love affair with summer, things are really good for my family right now and finding the enjoyment in each and every new day and experience is a pleasure.

Summer Time and The Livin's Easy....

My Pretties. 6 years ago all I wanted were hydrangea's...

I'm at peace. I wake up each day and make my babies breakfast...like a real breakfast, pancakes from batter...not a box. We walk in the early morning when it is crisp and cool to the Farmer's Market to pick up fresh produce to use for our lunches, dinners and snacks.

Fresh red, yellow, orange peppers, cuc's, and diced cheddar cheese with herb chicken tortellini's

Orange Creamsicle Bar


I garden. (holy crap- who am I?) We all rest in the afternoon, the phone get's un-plugged and the AC goes on, the whole house is still. We play at the park, visit the pool, enjoy dinner with friends, take a trip to another town, visit family or walk for ice cream. The kids go to bed a little later and sleep in a little longer. Kirk and I watch movies, talk, read, or blog:) I am fortunate to be so busy, because it makes me appreciate this precious time so much more.


Sweet Summer. Time stands still. Life is Good.

Happy Anniversary!

We were married on May 29, 2004 and had ...oh this is cheesy "The time of our life" in a beautiful, "Dirty Dancing"esque wedding and reception overlooking White Lake. In the 6 years that followed, our lives have been blessed. I love you dearly. Thank-you so much for our beautiful babies and life together:)

Me and my babes: Maya, 4- Beanie, 2- Bro...new


Daddy and the girls.
I love you honey, Happy Anniversary! Jen

Higher Education

Spartan Alum and Two Future Spartans- Bro- stop with the judging. One day you will sit in the student section and act stupid too. Maya, make mama proud and become a Spartan cheerleader one day:)

One day, Beans, you too will walk these sidewalks in East Lansing.

Maya and Adalae: Future Pioneers, Go East!

ten really great sounds...or words or phrases

In no real, particular order...
1. The sound of a baby belly laughing.
2. The very first time you hear your baby crying.
3. "I'm Sorry."
4. you've been accepted.
5. "I love you."- or any kid derivative of this phrase
6. stillness- nothingness
7. chaos and laughter
8. a baby or child deep breathing as they slip into sleep in your arms.
9. your favorite music playing, in your favorite establishment, with your favorite drink and your favorite person.
10. "thank-you."

Owwie Potion and some random thoughts...

Owwie Potion...
Spring has sprung and with it so have the number of "owwies" in my classroom and at home. I developed a secret potion that my students and lil sweeties and I concoct that makes them go away. Amazing, truly amazing and a reason why I love young children so much that a make believe potion with ingredients that include just time, love and attention can solve any ailment. It also makes me wish that I had an "Owwie Potion" for the school budget cuts as well as pretty much the entire economical crisis that is putting our families and friends in a very difficult position. It is very hard to watch family and friends struggle and worry about continuing to provide for their families. I prefer to stay out of work discussion and constant rumors, but it is getting more and more contentious my the day.

Speaking of contention...a few random thoughts
Most people have their own way of dealing with negativity. I prefer to ignore it, well after I have progressed through my stages of anger. Stage One: Power walks with a poor sap who is forced to listen to my ranting. Thank-you to those who do this for me, you are special. Stage Two: Clean the house...really thoroughly, so thank-you also to those who piss me off, you are also special and actually serve a good purpose. (Perhaps someone should call me and tell me how to raise my strong willed child, that could elicit some strong, needed cleaning) Stage Three: Lament to those in my inner core, and yes, at this point solicit the needed kudo's, pat's on the back and "it could be so much worse and you are completely right, and perhaps...just perhaps you could see this perspective...." speeches from some of the best friends ever. Ahhh, woosah, now I am able to ignore the drama. And you know, mostly, with the exception of the BIG owwies, it is ALL just drama. So many better and productive things to focus on in life than drama....and if it does happen, because it does....thank-you wise person who told me that it is only a problem if you can't think of one conceivable, livable solution...even if it involves hard work. How often will that happen?