Flourishing

A few weeks back I entered a contest to win a spot at a women's retreat called Flourish, hosted by one of my favorite bloggers, Emily Anderson.  You should know that I really never win anything.  Like ever.  So entering was a bit of a joke.  But, I have wanted to go and since I have a baby arriving in February, I thought if I was going to enter to win a spot, now was the time to do it.

I won.

I really couldn't believe it.  I was pretty much freaking out when I won.  Because, like I said, I never win anything.

After freaking out, and after realizing that my bff, Erin, couldn't go with me and I would be going alone, I got pretty nervous.  To make it worse, I agreed to ride with someone I had only known on the internet.  I was pretty sure I was crazy.  Going alone and riding with someone I had never met are both pretty far out of my comfort zone.

Explaining to people exactly what Flourish is or was is pretty tough.  I mean, it is a retreat, for women, put on by a couple of awesome ladies, one of whom is a rockin' awesome blogger.  Just like the word retreat implies, it is a time to get away, to take time to be in charge of only yourself and to be recharged and renewed.  We really did have time to just connect with God, connect with other women and be pampered and taken care of.  I didn't wash any dishes, fix any meals, clean anyone's room, wipe anyone else's rear end, put anyone to bed or hear anyone fighting.  It was beautiful.  Instead, I watched the sunrise, worshipped under the stars, ate delicious food that someone else prepared, got a massage,  spent time with the Lord, and got to know some amazing women.  It was wonderful.  And it was exactly what I needed.

I can't stress enough how great I think this retreat is.  If you have ever thought about going to something like this or even to Flourish itself, you must go.  I won my spot, but I will be going again as soon as I can after having the baby.  And, I don't think it is important to go with someone you know.  You will have just as much fun and get just as much out of it going alone.

I am so thankful that I was able to go.  I am thankful for the hearts of the women who are the vision behind Flourish.  I am thankful that I got out of my comfort zone and did something I would not normally do.   I am beyond thankful for the people who made it possible for me to go from KK and Emily who gave away the ticket, to my mom and mother-in-law who watched my kiddos and my hubby who worked his tail off while I was gone and had the house sparlking clean when I got home.

If you are looking for a great time with great gals and a chance to grow spiritually, Flourish is where it's at!

Summer Recap

I don't think I've blogged in like a million years.  Now that I am coming out of the fog of nausea and nausea medication, I hope to be a little more consistent.  I thought I would start by letting you in on how I did completing our summer bucket list.  I can sum it up for you in one word.

Terrible.

Seriously, I think I need to make a fall list so that I can redeem myself.  Besides my obvious all day sickness issue, I also loathe summer time.  I have tried to keep my hatred to myself more this summer because honestly, it hasn't been that hot this year in OK.  We had a bit of a break after the last two years of crazy heat.  Still, 95 at the playground with no shade is still pretty unbearable.

Anyway, here is what we actually did this summer.

The first thing on my list, make playdoh, I actually did accomplish.  The only problem, it was a terrible recipe.  I thought I would try a new pinterest recipe.  BAD IDEA.  If you have a recipe that works, you should probably stick with it, rather than try a new one.  I just didn't have it in me to take pics of the major failure that was homemade playdoh.

Sidewalk paint, however, was a huge hit.  I really should make it more often.  Turns out, I don't just have tons of cornstarch on hand.  If I did, we would totally make this again and again.

We also managed to make it to the lake one time.  Jason's work schedule this summer prohibited a second trip, but we did have a great time over Memorial Day.

We went swimming at grandma's, had multiple cookouts, watched fireworks, made LOTS of art projects for Dad, ate at Top That Pizza, went to the Aquarium, and made it to an event at our library.

Things that weren't on our list but that we did include swimming in the kiddie pool in our backyard, take walks to our neighborhood park,  park visits with friends, started Isabelle's prek year in homeschool, and spent lots of time with family.

Now here's the part where you realize all that I missed.  No ice cream from the ice cream man, no picnics, or visits to dad's work.  No homemade bubbles, or ice cream in a bag or even rice krispie treats.  We didn't fly kites or catch fireflies (which I don't even think exist in our neighborhood), and we certainly didn't make our own tshirts or even fluffy stuff for that matter.  No edible finger paints, homemade lollipops. or nature scavenger hunts.  Nope, we did none of that.  I had a great list and great intentions, but I really dropped the ball.

So, fall bucket list it is.  And since I am going to blog more often, you can actually expect to see my list next week!

Snuggles

There are so many things I want to remember about my children.  Things that are insignificant enough that I would probably forget them over time but funny or special enough that I should take time to write them down.  Bedtime snuggles with Isabelle is probably one of those things.

at one of our bowling outings 

Every night we go through a bedtime routine with our kiddos.  It isn't perfect and perhaps we are doing it all wrong, but it is our routine.  Part of that routine involves putting Isabelle to bed in our bed until Molly falls asleep in their room.  Every night, Isabelle has the same requests.  She wants our door left open, to sleep on Dad's pillow, use the sheet only, have the radio on, have a nightlight, and then a song and a story (which you are required to make up).  It is a lengthy routine, but if followed, usually means she will go right to sleep. However, sometimes she asks me to stay and "snuggle up" with her.

A couple of nights ago she asked and I responded like I normally do and told her no.  I am usually worn out by bedtime and I just want the kids to go to sleep so I can have a little bit of time with Jason before we go to sleep.  As soon as I told her no, I felt a little tug on my heart to snuggle up despite the fact that I was tired and worn out and just wanted some time to decompress.

I laid down with her for not even five minutes and while I was snuggling,  realized that there is probably not that much time left of her asking me to snuggle with her.  Pretty soon she will be too old and too cool to snuggle with her momma and I will be the one asking her to, "please, pretty please, snuggle up with me." Kind of depressing, really.

So for now, I am going to snuggle up, and cuddle and give extra hugs and kisses because really, whether want it to or not, the time is quickly approaching where they will stop asking.

Things people ask you when you announce you're pregnant

I should say, "Things people ask you when you announce you're pregnant with your fourth."  I am pretty sure no one asked me these things when we announced we were pregnant with our first.

1.  "Do you know what causes that?"  or sometimes, "You do know what causes that, right?"
Is there a right answer to this question??  Um, obviously we do.  Should I say, "I like what causes it," or better, "No, what?"  This question irritates me.

2.  "Was this planned?"
Well, first, I'm not sure how this is anyone's business, nor do I see how it matters whether or not it was planned.  The fact remains I am pregnant so does it really matter if it was a surprise or not?

3.  "Is this your last?"
I'll just answer this now.  Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  Unless we change our minds.  Or adopt.  So maybe, or maybe not.

4.  "Are you guys crazy?"  This is always said in a voice that suggests only totally crazy weirdos would ever dare to have four kids.
Well, I don't think we are crazy.  There are four kids in my family, Jason's mom is one of four, so it seems clear, we aren't the only ones to ever have four kids.  And, my kids are pretty great, so it isn't as if my kids have been a deterrent to having more kids.

5.  "How does Jason feel about this?"
I like how this question implies I somehow "tricked" him into getting me pregnant.  Jason is excited and so am I.  It may not have been in our exact timing (after all, I was trying to train for a half marathon), but we are still excited!

I don't know how other pregnant moms feel, but in my opinion there are better questions to ask.

Here are a few.

"How are you feeling?"
"When are you due?"
"What do you think you're having?"
"Will you find out what you are having?"
"Any weird cravings yet?"

Those all seem like perfectly reasonable questions to ask.  But like I said, that is just my opinion.

And in case you are wondering, I am 8 weeks, due in the very beginning of February, feeling pretty miserable, thinking it is a boy, for sure finding out, and not craving anything!  Happy Friday!

Randomness

My life is pretty scattered right now.  It is no surprise my blog is the same.  Here is some of our randomness.

1.  Funny things the girls have said lately.....

Isabelle:  Dad, here be sure to take my picture of the hobo stick.  (pogo stick)

Molly:  Mom, Grammy called this (talking about dinner) supper.
Me:  Some people call dinner, supper.
Molly:  I'll just call it spaghetti. (looking at me like I'm nuts)

During a discussion about lightning and why it is dangerous to play in the rain if there is lightning.
Isabelle:  How can lightning hit you if it doesn't have any arms or hands?
(after trying to explain about electricity)
Isabelle:  I know a lot about electricity.  (long pause)  I know a lot about everything.

2.  Our summer bucket list is proving that once again, nothing gets done around here without a list.  So far we have made sidewalk chalk, gone on a boat ride, set up the backyard pool, played in the sprinkler, gone swimming at Grammy's and gotten snow cones.  I put pick berries on the list by total accident.  We will NOT be picking berries this year.  It is hot, it is far away, and while the berries are good, I can get them much cheaper from the grocery store after you figure in gas from my house to the berry farm!

3.  Lawson started saying, "mama" yesterday.  I don't think he is referring to me, but at least he is making the sounds!  And on a somewhat related note, both, occupational and speech therapy are going very well.

4.  I've posted a couple of things about modesty, specifically bikinis, on facebook recently.  I love how none of the moms/dads/teens that post bikini picks have commented on my links/statuses.  I still don't understand how anyone thinks skimpy bikinis are appropriate much less that it is okay to post pictures on the internet (where any weirdo can see them)!

5.  We are seriously considering selling our house.  What I can't get my brain around is how I would ever keep my house "show ready" with three kids.  And it's not like you can stuff everything in a closet, because, people LOOK IN THE CLOSETS.  Tell me, how do people with kids ever sell their house?

6.  Saturday is going to be such a fun day!  We are headed to OKC to visit Jason's aunt who we haven't seen since I was pregnant with Lawson.  And if that wasn't exciting enough, we will also get to see some friends who just moved back to OK from Michigan.  It is going to be a great day full of family and friends!

What have you been up to?

Update on 2013 Goals

I think it is important to look over my goals once in awhile to make sure I stay on track. Here's how I'm doing so far this year.

First, lose weight.

Well, I certainly have lost weight since January but right now I'm in a bit of a slump. I am running, have completed two 5k's and one 10k and plan to complete a 15k and a half marathon in the fall.  Whether or not I lose more weight, I am for sure healthier and in better shape than I was in January.  And 15lbs weight loss is nothing to be ashamed of!

Second, complete three days of school a week with the girls.

I didn't start off strong in this area but currently Isabelle and I are doing five days of school a week.  I realized that while Isabelle has a strong desire to learn, Molly does not.  Molly is about movement.  So, for now, the focus is on Isabelle.  Molly does some of the work with us like Bible and art and some science, but I am not forcing her to do anything at this point.

The next goal was a monthly character trait!

Hahaha!  I wish!  The fact of the matter is, we are working on about a million things each day.  The girls are always being taught about being obedient and sharing, and being kind and telling the truth.  Picking one a month seemed silly after a bit.  We have a weekly memory verse and that is about all I am going to commit to at this point.  Maybe it will be easier when they are older.

My goal to earn money to buy a camera is also laughable at this point.  If I earn money, it is not going to a camera!  It is going to bills, bills and more bills!  I am not complaining, but this year has been the year of medical bills for our family and we would like to get those suckers paid off.

My next goal was to learn to care more about what God thinks than what others think.

This is a work in progress at this point.  It honestly may be something that I have to work on for awhile.

Second to last goal was to read more.

I have for sure accomplished this goal!  I have read some pretty amazing books so far this year.  Among them, Kisses from Katie, The Hiding Place, and Evidence Not Seen.  All must reads in my opinion.  I have read some fiction also, but nothing mind blowing!  In total, I have read 13 books so far this year!

My last goal was to stop being so hard on myself.

I think that running is helping me a lot in this area.  Things I never thought I could do, like run 10 miles, I am doing.  Having some extra confidence is sure nice!  And while parenting is still the area where I am the hardest on myself, I am trying to give myself some grace when I feel like the worst mom ever.

So, there you go.  How are you doing on your goals?  Remember, that rereading and measuring your goals is one of the best ways to ensure they happen!

Pictures from Our Trip Part Two

Here are a few more pictures from our trip to the lake.  

Lawson wanted to drive the boat!

Captain Lawson

Molly at Ha Ha Tonka

Trying to get a group picture is near impossible

Look!  The girls are getting along and smiling!  

This is what it looks like when Molly and Isabelle go fishing.

Jason caught quite a few fish while we were there.  This was not the largest but I think it was the first!

Again, group pics aren't always super easy, but this was the best of the trip!

I love my family and I love having time to get away together and do family things.