The time has finally come!

It's official!
We no longer have babies on the house.
The other thing that we don't have in the house, for the first time in 8 years, is a crib!!
Check 'em out!

And here is their bunk bed!  As you can see, the top AND ladder are missing.  And they may be missing for a l-o-n-g time.  Or at least until they can control themselves and obey.  Yeah, a l-o-n-g time.  But then again, maybe it won't be so long because the bedding for the top is super cute.

Here they are laying in their bed for the first time!  They look so big in it!  It is a full size because I wanted to make sure that they had plenty of room, but they still sleep right next to one another and like it that way.

And here are my BIG girls.  I can't believe how old they look here.  Gosh they are delicious!!

The girls have been pretty good about staying in their beds.  Okay, maybe not pretty good, but at least they are sneaky enough to not get caught!  Not a good statement to be made about such cute little girlies!

Fatter, Dumber and Crazier

(I know dumber isn't a word and I really don't like the way it looks written out, but it does describe my current state!)


Fatter:
I am so blessed with the greatest friends.  Really.  I cherish them, value them and love them and tell people all the time that I have the most amazing friends.  They are all also beautiful.  Really.  I seriously don't have an ugly friend.  Now that I think about it, that's kinda weird.  Anyway, I'm digressing - They are all beautiful, smart, Godly, wives, mothers and friends.  So what does that have to do with the title of this?  Thanks for asking me and keeping me on task.  They also are amazing cooks.  They watch cooking shows, love PWC and always bring amazing dishes to potlucks.  And they also have been bringing over meals for us.  Good meals.  With desserts. Yummy desserts.  Very yummy desserts. 
So, here I am stuck in bed, bored, unable to exercise and really unable to do anything outside of my oh-so-exciting hourly walks to the other side of the house.  And on these very exciting walks, I walk past the kitchen.  And remember that there is yummy food brought by perfect, beautiful friends (who are all also thin and able to exercise -WITCHES!).  And so I indulge.  Therefore may possibly be undoing all the hard work that I, along with the help of my plastic surgeon, have done to this body.  I may see lipo in my future.  And maybe a Brazilian butt lift.  I can see how the plastic surgery thing could become addictive!

Dumber:
With all this extra time on my hands and Vicodin in my system, I have been watching a lot of television.  A LOT.  Yesterday I watched 4 hours of Bridezilla.  And was decidedly dumber for doing so.  I have, however, found a show that made me laugh so hard, I had to turn the channel and take another Vicodin because my stomach hurt so bad from all the laughing.  Have y'all seen Flipping Out?  Dude, this guy is...crazy!!
Which brings me to my next point...

Crazier:
I'm not really a sit around kinda girl.  I think that this is the longest that I have been in the house without anywhere to go or anything to do since...  Yeah, I'm going to be crazier than I was before.  Frightening.  And speaking of frightening, since I can't watch anything that makes me laugh (because laughing SERIOUSLY hurts) I'm stuck watching murder, mystery shows.  And thought to myself last night:  "What if being home and together so much, J finally can't take anymore of my insanity (and my begging him to wash my hair every day!!) and kills me while I'm sleeping?  Then blames it on an overdose of Vicodin!"  See...crazier!!

THE surgery

Well, I did it.  After years of talking about it, researching it, dreaming about it, thinking about it and most importantly praying about it, I finally went through with it.  Abdominoplasty.  Also known as a tummy tuck!

I've never had surgery before.  I've never been 'under" anesthesia.  Outside of having babies, I've never been in the hospital. 

I'm the girl that doesn't go to the doctor, doesn't take anything heavier than motrin (and that's how J can tell I'm really in pain and not just being a drama queen!) and hates to be sick.  I'm the girl that when I go to fill out paper work at the doctors office, I fly right through it because I have no medical issues to discuss.  And let's not forget that I am the same girl that went through not 1, but 2 ECVs because I was so petrified of the idea of a C-section.  And let me tell you, THAT was painful.  Very, very painful.

So when I told J that I really wanted to do this, he knew I was serious.  So we prayed about it and things just kinda fell in place.

J happened to have a huge chunk of time off (totally unexpected) and the surgeon that I wanted (whom was booked through to September) happen to get a cancellation, so yeah it all happened kinda fast.

And that was probably a good thing.

The week leading up to the surgery I kept super busy getting things organized for the time that I would OOC (out of commission) so that I wouldn't have much time to over think things.  There was a lot to get organized with school starting, finding people to sub my classes and just the general running of the Mad house with the 4 monkeys that live here.

When I woke up Wednesday morning - surgery day - I was pretty nervous.  J and I didn't say much on the ride to the hospital or while we were there.  I had done all my pre-admission stuff the day before and signed, like, 5,000 papers - 4,999 of which had the word death in bold letters.  As they were prepping me for surgery I made him pray with me a couple of times.I was so nervous that I was crying when my surgeon came in to talk to me.  Yep, I was a total mess.

UNTIL, my anesthesia kicked in.  That was about 8:45am.  I didn't wake up until 4:45pm.  Apparently I am a lightweight.

I woke up sore, but not terribly in pain.  I had an overnight stay at the surgery center and I am so glad I did.  I was the only one there, had my own nurse and best part yet - had a pain pump that I could control.  Seriously, if I got treated that well after childbirth, perhaps I would have had more children!

Yeah, so now I'm home and all things considering, I feel really good.  I have drains that J empties out for me and he said they look great and when I go in on Tuesday for my first post-op visit, my Dr. will probably take them out.  When I walk, it is a little hunched over, but each day even that has gotten better.  I really am surprised at how great I feel 3 days after surgery.  Yay!  Thank you Jesus!!

Everyone here is doing really great too.  J is holding down the fort, the kids are happy and playing, and our great friends are bringing us meals!

I have peeked at my stomach and think it looks WAY better that I imagined it would!  So far, so good!!

After reading this you will be glad I only had 10 minutes!

I have ten minutes to blog, so I will randomly tell you the top ten things on my mind right now. Mercy, are you in for a treat…

1. I’m still recovering from last week. I taught 11 classes, so worked 11 hours. Actually it wasn’t even 11 hours because some of those classes were only 30 minutes. Anyway, teaching that much confirmed what I’ve known all along – I NEVER want to work a full time job. Or part time for that matter. 11 hours was more than enough. Especially with four little Darlings home for the summer. Now, I may change my mind once I see that paycheck!

2. I’m currently reading, “How to have a new kid by Friday” and am on Wednesday. I will supposedly have a new kid in two days. Hmmm…if the meltdown that I had over the behavior of my children this morning is any indication of how we are progressing, I have serious doubts that this is working. Maybe they meant that a new child will be joining our house in two days…

3. I got a ticket last week at UTSA. I was there on a mission with my step-mom and while I have been am known for creating my own parking spaces, this time I parked in the garage I was told visitors are supposed to park in. And I got a ticket. Which is fascinating (LOVEY!) because when I make my own parking space, I never get tickets… Anyway, the ticket was $100!! So I get on the website to appeal the ticket and I see that the consequences of not paying the ticket are: 1. hold on transcripts, 2. hold on my grades, 3. hold on financial aid, 4. suspension of parking privileges OR… denial of graduation!! I just might take my chances.

4. The girls are taking their first dance class. Look how cute they are.

They LOVE it! So cute right?
WELL, this is likely to not only be their first dance class, but also their last! Unfortunate for them they are in jeopardy of being kicked out of their class. ((SIGH)) Really. Apparently they are disruptive and the entire class has had to be rearranged due to their behavior. This is so disturbing to me. People, I really did have it under control when I only had 2 children. Those twinkies – kill.me. Naughty. Then they say, with THE cutest little face, “I sawee I hab bad behaybor, mommy.” Melts me every time.

5. The “bad behaybor” is why I am petrified about putting them in the new bunk beds that we just got for the shishers! That and I’m not ready to acknowledge that we will no longer have a crib in the house! Seriously, we have had a crib in the house for the past 8 years of our 9 year marriage!! Deep breath.

6. Oh, by the by, we celebrated our 9 year anniversary last week. Cuh-ray-zee. I think I will write more about that another day. Maybe.

7. Speaking of plastic surgery – Oh, we weren’t? Well, we are now! I am thinking about having it. Have a consultation appointment for the beginning of August. There are many stipulations to this whole deal, so it may not even happen. I just wanted to give a heads up because…lately I have been running into friends that I haven’t seen in a while and all of a sudden…BAM! Wow, it’s so good to see you…and your new friends! Obviously they have had some girls join their team who weren’t there before. What do you say? How do you act? Do you acknowledge? Ignore? What I do is try hard not to stare. So, I’m giving y’all the heads up. Mine may, or may not, be easily noticed depending on what I have done. I know, frightening…

8. I taught yoga at my Crossfit gym last week. I was so nervous because I wasn’t sure that anyone would come. These people are hard core. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when 18 people showed up! We packed the house. I committed to teaching 8 free classes for the month of July, but they are already asking if I will keep teaching. How cool is that! We’ll see. Right now, things are on hold pending “PS”!

9. I’m running my first night trail run this Friday and very nervous. I haven’t run anything over 5ish miles (and only ran that ONCE!) in a couple of months. There will be burgers, salad and beer at the finish line. Food motivates me. Significantly.

10. For the past 2 weeks, I have stayed on top of the laundry. There has been almost none waiting for me in the laundry basket. I may have arrived. Nah…

Another sign that times are changing

I went out of town a couple of weeks ago and while I was gone, J said that when he went to get the twins from nap time he saw this:

Both sisters in the same bed!  Mercy.  I guess I should be surprised that it took so long!  We were thinking that it may only be a one time event, but alas NOT!  At this point they actually won't sleep alone.  Apparently, they like sleeping cramped together in the same bed.

Well, I wanted to know how they got from crib to crib, so I asked Ella to show me how they do it.  Here is her demo:

And viola!

Needless to say, we are on the hunt for new beds.  I guess it is time, afterall, they are 3!!  If only I could decide - bunk, captain, twin, full...  I need time to make big decisions.  What?  I've had 3 years!

Crazy, my little twinkies are 3!!  Ahhhhhhh....

Friday Night Ramblings...

What a week!

Earlier in the week we had another animal drama.  Caleb had been playing with Hammy Hamster Mad and put him in his cage before he left to play laser tag with some of his friends.  While he put Hammy in the cage, he failed to put the lid back on OR put the cage back up on it's high shelf.  About an hour after Caleb had been gone, Luke comes running to tell his Daddy that he told Titan Dog Mad to get his head out of the hamsters cage, but Titan wouldn't listen to him.  By the time J got in there the hamster was very wet and no longer alive.

UGH.

We had told Caleb numerous times that he needed to keep Hammy's lid on and keep his cage high, but you know...he's 8.  Needless to say that while we are all about 'real life consequences' we felt really bad for both Hammy and Caleb.  Caleb took it really hard.

So, off we went to buy yet another hamster. 

I know, most of you probably think that:  1. we are nuts - on so many levels 2.  this poor hamster really has no chance and 3. Titan is a murdering, savage beast and we should fear for the safety of our children around him.  You may be right one 1, 2 or all 3 accounts.  3 is probably the most far fetched, but if we are missing any children...  That joke was poor in taste.

But, let's blame it on Hurricane Alex.  That's what I'm blaming most things on these days.

Alex has brought a lot of rain to my little town and rain decidedly makes me lazy and tired.  I've stayed on top of the 'normal' duties around here, but despite having a lot of time on my hands I didn't do anything I didn't have to do.  I'm thankful for the rain - my grass really needed it.  And I'm thankful that my husband has been home almost all week to help with the kids and, oh, bring me breakfast in bed.

'Cause that's how he rolls!

Speaking of Joseph, he worked his first shift as a third year ER resident yesterday.  Can I get a woot, woot!  Gosh time is flying by.  This time next year we will...um, yeah, who knows what we will be doing.  J thinks that he wants to go on to fellowship.  I personally think that he needs to find an "Addicted to School Anonymous" group to join.  Seriously, there are times where he talks about going to seminary.  HUH?!(Sigh)  Good thing that I love that man and am willing to follow him to the end of the earth.

Have I mentioned lately that I really love teaching classes at the gym.  Love.it.  My students are inspiring and I love watching them get stronger and push themselves past what they think they are capable of doing.  I'm teaching 4 days a week right now - 2 trekking classes and 2 yoga classes- and I am having a blast.  Kinda feel guilty that I'm getting paid to do something that I love.  The money isn't a ton, but is so helpful for the 'extra's' around here. 

Well, I'm off to bed.  My workout this morning still has me feeling tired.  If you want a good butt kicking, do this sometime:

For Time

50 Box jump, 24 inch box
50 Jumping pull-ups
50 Kettlebell swings, 1 pood
Walking Lunge, 50 steps
50 Knees to elbows
50 Push press, 45 pounds
50 Back extensions
50 Wall ball shots, 20 pound ball
50 Burpees
50 Double unders

Cheers!

I never dreamed I would be a zoo keeper

While Joseph and I were dating, I talked about getting a dog.  All.the.time.  He promised that after we got married, we would get one.  Now that I think about it, we never really talked about having kids...but, mercy, did we talk about getting a dog.

So we get married, move to Minot and start the hunt for a dog.  A couple of months after our move and once we were settled in, we got Titan Dog Mad.  And that same week found out we were pregnant with Caleb.  How's that for timing?!

I don't know if it is because Caleb has grown up with Titan or if it is just in his temperament, but he loves animals.  Loves them.  No, seriously, LOVES them.  He studies them, reads about them and watches shows about them.  Hence the reason we have had a dog, turtle, lizard, fish, gerbil and most recently acquired a kitten.  If I would allow it, we would also have a ferret, monkey, bird, tiger, mouse, killer whale, chinchilla, rabbit, rat and iguana.  Did I mention he loves animals?

So you can imagine the drama that came while we were on our way home from our beach trip this weekend and we got a call from our house sitter telling us that Titan Dog Mad knocked over Rascal Gerbil Mad's cage and killed him.  Poor child was devastated.

For approximately 5 minutes until I suggested that he get a new one at the pet store.  Rascal Gerbil Mad suddenly became a thing of the past and he started begging for both a ferret and chinchilla.

We agreed on a hamster. 

Today, he and Daddy went and got Hammy the Hamster Mad.  This dude is huge.  Apparently he is still a baby and was the smallest one there.  Frightening.

He's cute and we all love him.  Especially Titan Dog Mad and Pretty Kitty Mad.

Welcome to my jungle:

My little animals.

This one makes me laugh!  Anyone for a game of chase:

I think they like each other:

Say cheese and smile:

This girl likes her shoes!

This is my girl Lily Kate.  And she LOVES shoes.  Hers, mine and even Daddy's!

Visit with Hannah

My SIL, Hannah, came from Alaska for a visit last month. We hadn't seen her in a while, so it was really great to visit with her. While she was here we went down to the River for lunch and here are some pictures from our afternoon.

Joseph and Hannah.  Can you tell their related?!

Sister, sister

Daddy and Ella

We're still here!

First let me warn you that I am in a coma induced by too many Oreo's, so if this post makes no sense...blame it on the sugar.

Hello my little blog. I do think of you often. The problem is not that I have too little to say. I have so much to talk about and out of a fear of sounding wordy, confused, disorganized, over-commited, non-committal, crazy and oh - MYSELF, I've neglected writing. My other big issue is that I have so much catching up to do that I wasn't sure where to start.

So I'm not sold that I'm going to try to catch up. I may or may not back post, I may or may not catch up. Who knows? But for now I'm just jumping.right.on.in. Ready or not...

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Caleb turned 8 yesterday and we had his partay this weekend. (I do have his birthday letter somewhere on this computer...) I cannot believe that I have an 8 year old. Mercy, time is flying by. That kid cracks me up! All his birthday presents involved toys for his animals OR gift cards to pet stores. His best present was given to him by his mama and daddy, his new little kitten Marble! Now, anyone who knows me knows I HATE CATS.

Okay, like I tell the kids, hate is a strong word. Maybe I don't hate them. But, I am definitely afraid of them. And I definitely don't like them. At.all.

But, Marble is different. She isn't a cat. She is this cute little furry kitten. Who totally makes me laugh and who is so cuddly!

So, yes, Marble joined our zoo house. And to say that Caleb is in love with her is an understatement. He cries out of nowhere and when I ask what's wrong he says, "I'm just so happy. I love Marble so much. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me!"

Makes the whole fact that we are having a hard time litter training her worth it. Almost.

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Joseph has been working 2 days a week for the past 3 weeks and it really has been fabulous! I'm wondering where he could find a job with these hours?

It has been a great thing, too, because I have been working a lot lately. And I really like it. There are two of us that teach yoga at my gym and the other instructor has been out of town a lot this month, so I have been subbing her classes. And then I picked up a Trekking class too. Love it!

Seriously having fun and getting paid for it. Can't beat that!

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I've been doing the Zone for about 7 weeks or so and this is the week of reckoning! I'm remeasuring and recalculating my body fat. I can't wait. I know, bizarre that I'm really looking forward to this...? I've lost 12 pounds and am seeing a number on the scale that I haven't seen in, oh I dunno, 10 plus years!! I'm healthier and stronger now than I have ever been. It's only taken me 3 years to get here. Better late than never, right?!

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The boys have been home from school for almost a month now and I really love having them home. Don't get me wrong, there are days where I'm losing it and I'm convinced someone is going to call CPS on me. Lucky for the kids their Daddy has been home a lot so the calls to CPS have been minimal.

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The twins took swim lessons this month and are convinced they know how to swim. They don't. taking them to the pool is frightening.

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We are going to the beach this weekend and I'm oh-so-excited. We rented a beach house with 2 other families that we love and it is going to be so much fun!! Between us there are 12 kids, between the ages of 2 and 11. The house has beach access, a pool and enough room for all of us..hopefully! Both of the families that are going with us are amazing and fun and we all laugh a lot together. Oh, and one of our friends surfs, so I'm looking forward to learning how.

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Alrighty, I think that is all for now. My blog needs some new pictures and a face lift, so since my man is working tonight and my boys are in Houston with their Nana I may take advantage of the girls going to bed early and work on my blog. Maybe...

Happy Birthday Lily Kate & Ella!

(Actual picture from their party)

Lily Kate, you turn 3 today!! Even though I know that’s not old, right now it seems ancient. You, my little girl, are something else. You talk all the time, love to help me and are quite dramatic. As I was telling the babysitter that you fell yesterday and hurt yourself, you heard me telling the story and ran into the kitchen to very dramatically fall to the ground right in front of us. Seriously, you have quite the flair for drama. You are also the little mama around here. When you are following me around the house fussing about nothing, I will distract you by telling you to go and tell the brothers they need to clean their room. Oh, mercy, you forget all about your mini-drama, immediately go into “little mama mode” and run to crack your whip. You make me laugh! Often and hard!

Katie, Kate – I love you little one. I love your gorgeous smile, the way you whisper when you want to tell me something really important and I love listening to you pray. Nothing brings me more joy than your love to pray. I pray that you never lose your love of praying to God and that you know at an early age that He will never leave you and will always love you. I also pray that you know how loved you are by your family, especially your mama.

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Happy birthday Ella! Sister, you crack me up. I was telling you the other day that you’re going to turn three and be a “big girl”! You said, “No! I baby!” You, seriously, have no plans of being anything other than my baby. You put up a brave front and act like you’re all tough, but your bark is way bigger than your bite. Gracie, you are currently obsessed with dora, dinosaurs and ME! Oh, mercy, you love your mama. You also love to twirl this lock of hair, while at the same time sucking your fingers. When you are watching a show and you get scared, you put your blankie over your eyes. SO, very, adorable!

Gracie, Grace – I adore you child. When I look at your little face, my heart swells with love. I love how content you are to sit in my lap and talk to me. I love that in your little world, everything is made better with a fruit snack. You are quite addicted to them. I love that whenever we are in the car, your window has to be “up” (which really means down and you refuse to call it anything other than “up”) and you like the radio loud. Very loud. Sweet Ella, I pray that you know, personally and passionately, Jesus to be your friend and your Savior. I pray that you are so filled and secure by God’s love that you never need any one else to love you. I also pray that you know how adored you are by your family, especially your mama.

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Holy God, please shower these girls with contentment, joy, respect, kindness, peace, and love. Fill their cups with those attributes so that they spill over on to everyone they meet. Father, please let them feel so loved by you and their earthly Daddy that they never feel the need to look for love. Please fill them with purpose and let them find that meaning and purpose at an early age. I pray that their lives glorify you and make you smile. Thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for them. And for me. I love you Father. Amen.

My little oaks

While looking at old blog posts and listening to hymns today, I sobbed. My kids are getting so big.

Caleb has beautiful cursive, is bright, thoughtful, loves animals and has a strong moral compass. He asks BIG questions. Things I have never even thought about before. While discussing evolution and the different theories he says, “So if their theory is that we evolve, what will we evolve into next?” Um, right? What will we evolve into next? Of course, I have no answers for him other than my standard, “Let’s ask Daddy when he gets home.” That child keeps me on my toes and some days can be mentally exhausting, but I can’t imagine life without him.

Luke, mercy, that child is something. His eyes melt my heart. He is so happy-go-lucky, simple, generous, funny and happy. He loves Caleb and so wants to be big like him. He definitely has the “middle child” thing going on where he likes to point out all the ways that he is either different or better than someone else. He has such a simple heart, loves to tell his sisters about God and has such an excitement for life. Lukie is the child that will have me frustrated beyond belief in second and in the next laughing…hard!

Oh, and then my sweet little sisters. Gosh, how I love them. Tomorrow is their big birthday. They have NO idea. I’ll wait until Saturday morning, the day of their party, to decorate their room. They are so funny, I have no idea if the decorated room when they wake to will scare them or make them happy? They are so fragile at times. SO girlie.

I was telling some friends the other day that Motherhood has really defined the word “bittersweet” for me. Tomorrow is another bittersweet moment. My baby girls turn 3. Gosh. Three. Wow.

Sweet Savior,
I don’t know why you chose me, with all my faults, as mama to these amazing, gorgeous children, but thank you. I’m a mess most of the time. And I can’t hide it from you or from these little lovies. Yet, you all still love me. I know I don’t deserve that love and am so humbled by it. Thank you for my little people. My heart is overwhelmed with thanks. Please, Lord, continue to grow these little oaks strong. Firmly rooted in your Word and love. And may they always know that I love them with all that I am. And that is also how I love you, Sweet Savior.

Apparently I'm not dramatic enough for Tai Chi...

after reading this lengthy post, you make the call...)

I've named the past week, "Out of my comfort zone week." It seemed all week I was being asked to do something that was outside of my comfort level or where I felt out of control.

And I really, really, really don't like feeling out of control. Apparently God forgot that last week.

For the past couple of months I knew that my first "out of my comfort zone" moment was coming. And as I do with most things that make me nervous, overwhelmed or scared I put it on the back burner and decided that I would deal with it as it came. Never a good idea.

I was asked to come and speak to the program directors and deans of Love's residency program. It wasn't just his program director, it was all the residency PD's. The topic that they asked me to speak on was the stress in residency from the prospective of a spouse. Something I know ALL about. They also wanted ideas of things that they could do to help Resident Spouses cope with this stress.

Um, how 'bout give them resident's a 40 hour work week?

Realistic ideas, I should clarify.

They wanted me to give a Power Point presentation and then take some questions afterwards. Um, I don't know how to give briefings to anyone OR how to even use Power Point much less make slides! Um, hello, ask me to give a talk on how to get melted crayon out of clothes and I may be there. But, definitely not with PP slides.

This is also the point where I would like to tell you that I did take Speech in high school. And did not do well. Something about chewing gum and twirling hair while speaking. Oh, and this may have had something to do with it as well. I actually gave this as a speech. There were more lyrics, but you get the point. And no, I am not lying.

So now that you have the background, you can see why I was having some bad flashbacks right up to giving my briefing. Oh, and I was sick and up the night before with a sick child. When it rains, it pours.

Yep, that was an out of my comfort zone moment.

My other one occurred this weekend. It, too, I have known about for months. But seriously, people, I have so much going on that if it isn't happening today I am really good at shelving it at the back of my mind to make room for the craziness of this moment.

Anyway, I went to a Body Flow training weekend. I think I told y'all about it. I didn't know if I would like it or not. It isn't traditional yoga and is run by a fitness group that gets on my nerves, but the gym was paying for me to go (knowing full well in advance that I may or may not teach it in the end) so I decided to give it a try. Body Flow is a combination of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates. I could seriously write a book on the events of this weekend, but for your sake (and mine - I really don't want to relive it!) I will keep this short. (Or as short as I know how to keep anything...)

I suck at Tai Chi. Bad. Really, really, really bad. And because I have the worst luck in the whole wide world (or because God wants me to learn something - hmmm, go figure) I was chosen to teach a choreographed tai chi opening to the group. And it was bad. Really, really, really, really, really, really bad. And the trainer told me so. In not so kind words. In front of the whole group. And I cried. In front of the whole group.

Yeah, definitely not a comfort zone moment.

In my defense (because apparently I still need to defend myself!) I only had 10 hours to learn the choreography and needed to sleep somewhere in those 10 hours and I had never even seen tai chi until that day. SOOOO out of my zone.

Um, yeah, so I had to have a come to Jesus moment and remind myself of who/what defines my self worth. And then I got to teach yoga standing poses in front of the group and apparently redeemed myself to the group and trainer. Her wording choice was...interesting and went something like this:

"Can I be brutally honest? (Because you held back during my tai chi feedback?!) That person yesterday, I hope I never see her again. I don't know what that was yesterday. It was frightening. This was much, much, much better. A thousand times better than yesterday. It was fantastic. Yesterday was awful. After yesterday I was praying to God that I was right and you could teach. I'm so glad I was right."

Seriously, do you like how it's all about her? There were more words in there, but you get the gist.

Needless to say, I told our group exercise coordinator that I just don't think that Body Flow is for me. I love traditional yoga (shocking that I did much better when teaching something I KNOW!!!) Breathe and let go...

(Exhale) Okay, I'm centered. So, yeah, those were a few of my out of my comfort zone moments. Anytime you are reading my blog thinking, "Oh, she has it all together and does everything, blah, blah, blah..." Just remember, I suck at tai chi (and for the sake of honesty I'm really suck at math too). And I don't know that I have every used the word "suck" ever on my blog and if I have it has definitely not been this many times!

OH, and you will be relieved to know that after much digging, I have found all the words to that terrible speech I gave back in high school. This ought to give you a glimpse of the kind of student I was:

Do your boobs hang low?

Do they wobble to and fro?

Can you tie them in a knot?

Can you tie them in a bow?

Can you throw them o'er your shoulder

Like a bag that has a boulder?

Do your boobs hang low?

Do your boobs sit high?

Do they point up to the sky?

Do they wrinkle when they're cold?

Do they turn on every guy?

Do you wave them at your lover?

Do they run and look for cover?

Do your boobs sit high?

Do your boobs flop wide?

Do they flap from side to side?

Do they wave in the breeze

From the slightest little tease?

Do they pop from your brassiere?

When you drive, do they like to steer?

Do your boobs flop wide?

Do your boobs expand?

When you spend a couple grand?

Do they falsely fill your blouse?

Make you master of the house?

Do you flash them every way?

Just like Pammy A.?

Do your boobs expand?

Imagine all that while I'm chewing gum and twirling my hair. THAT is frightening.

BTW - I really am an introvert stuck in an extrovert's body. And as an introvert, I don't like to speak in front of groups of people. And while I'm thinking of it, I'm also a homebody, stuck in the body of a busybody. I really need to let these inner selves out more often...

Rub-a-dub-dub...

Three Mads in a tub!
Bath time is wet'n'wild time around here. And when three little Mads want to take a bubble bath together, that only means one thing: a VERY, very wet bathroom floor!

They look all sweet and serene don't they? HA! Don't let them fool you.

I love this picture...look at Lukie in the background. Naughty.

Gracie Grace

That's one of our nickname's for Ella, Gracie Grace. This little girlie is something else. While we have never told her that she is the baby of the family, she somehow knows it and certainly acts like it! Ella loves me to hold her. There are times she holds me so tight, I think she is going to choke me! Oh, this little Diva loves her mama. Loves me.

We cut Ella's hair last month and at first I wasn't sure I loved it. But, now I am sure I do! It so matches her personality.


Doesn't it fit her cute little face? Gosh I love this little girl. She is cut from the same mold as Luke. (Joseph and I both think it's amazing how each sister is so much like a brother.) Ella is easy going, loves to watch TV, easily distracted, absentminded, loves animals and bubbles, and is always the last one up from the table. Always.

Ella loves Dora and the Land Before Time dinosaurs. She shares this love with her big brother, Lukie. My heart melts looking at the above picture - Ella just got up from nap with bed head, her pink/purple tutu on and is sitting on Luke's lap watching TV with him.

Ella Grace, you make us laugh and are such a joy!

Lily Kate

This girl makes me laugh. She is such the little mama to everyone in the house. Her Daddy and I included!

If there is anyone sad or crying, Lily Kate is the first one on the scene ready to console. She'll kiss you (even when you don't want a kiss!) bring you your favorite Lovey, or run and get a snack. She apparently has caught onto the fact that I use food to distract! LK has the most adorable nurturing personality. With that said, she also is under the impression that she is second in command right behind me. She loves to boss her siblings around and can often be heard getting after anyone who is breaking the rules. Her favorite subject to boss, her twin of course. But her brothers are a very close second! That girl has even be known to tell her Daddy to get out of the street "right now".

Lily also loves to clean and help out around the house. And we totally take advantage of her. Shamelessly. I pray that this little attribute sticks around - at least until she moves out of my house. It is especially lovely since my boys have z-e-r-o desire to clean house.

Lily Kate and Caleb are my kids that love dressing up. Lily loves all things princess:

Isn't she delicious?!

But, don't forget that this sweet girl also has brothers! She can hang if she needs to.


And this girl loves to have her picture taken:



Lily is like her big brother Caleb is so many ways it's uncanny. They both love to talk to me. Constantly. They are both stubborn, smart and love to figure out how things work. Both are very dramatic and not easily distracted. Definintely cut from the same mold!

Lily Kate, we love you and can't believe you will be 3 next month!

My favorite kinda blog post

My life in bullet points:

• I was supposed to run a half marathon this weekend. Supposed to. In other words, didn't. I was so not ready to run 7 miles, much less 13.1. I really wanted to do one last run with my fav runner but between the fact that I didn't train, hubby's schedule sucked and I will be gone the next two weekends - I decided at the last minute I couldn't do it. Bummer.
• I have officially joined the 21st century. I now text. And have a phone with a touch screen. Gosh, I'm fancy. Next thing you know, I will have a twitter account. (snicker) Not likely.
• This weekend I did make a few more dresses for the girls. 6 to be exact. I'm getting faster and almost have it down to a science. I have gotten a lot of compliments on my dresses and a few people have said they would pay me to make dresses for them. Um, I politely said no. Ghetto seamstress I am, real seamstress I am not.
• Speaking of me working, I got a job! The YMCA hired me!! I will be taking over a yoga class at the end of May and next weekend I am getting certified to teach Body Flow. It will be a 2 and a half day certification that sounds exhausting. I'm blessed that my mama will be flying in to take care of my kiddo's while I go.
• I also filled out an application and sent in a resume for a job instructing group exercise classes at a corporate fitness gym. My friend works for the company and they really want to hire me to teach! The money is amazing! More than my hubby makes an hour! Exciting stuff.
• Of course, my first job is mama and wife! And in case I have never told you, I am married to a man that never wants me to work. He is supportive of my endeavor, however. He makes me laugh though...he's a little worried about my "career" getting more attention than him. That silly man makes me laugh! I would hardly call this a "career". Seriously, we are talking like 2 hours a week. Boy, could you imagine if I told him that I was going back to school to become a rocket scientist? Luck for him that's not likely to happen...
• Have I told you what I am obsessed with lately? This. I am really in need of an intervention. My boys, however, think I am very cool. Especially since I have made it to world 8! (Just pretend you're impressed.)
• So, next weekend I will be doing this Flow cert. and then the following weekend I am going to the Mind, Body, Fitness Conference in Dallas to get Level 3 and Anatomy & Alignment certifications. It's a 4 day conference, that is going to be exhausting, but where I will get two more certifications. My SIL is coming from Alaska to take care of the kids so that I can go. I have good kin folk, don't I?
• Well, I need to get to bed. Hey, I have a very important meeting on Thursday - if you think about it, will you pray for me? Thanks! I'll fill you in soon.
  
  

A glimpse of what is to come...

My boys are growing up. WAY too fast. Way, way, too fast. As evidence by the following conversation:

Caleb: I like Jayden at school.
Me: Oh yeah, what do you like about her?
Caleb: She's hot!

WHHHHAAATTT??!!??!! You're seven! What do you know about "hot" girls??

That conversation was only days after this conversation:

Me: Luke, you are so cute. Did you know that?
Luke: Yeah. The girls at school think I'm cute.
Me: How do you know?
Luke: I just looked at their faces and I could tell.

(This is a picture of the boys giving me the "force." If I didn't have boys, I probably would never know what that means...)

A mad adventure with food coloring, vinegar, eggs and 4 kids!

Our annual easter egg dyeing was extra interesting special this year because it is the first year that the girls got to participate! They loved it and true to form Lily Kate was extra careful not to get messy and was quite particular about the color of her eggs. Ella, on the other hand, made a mess and wanted to eat the gross vinegar water.

Dyeing eggs with 2 two year olds is an adventure.

The boys were very creative this year with their color choice and decorating. Here are some pictures of our evening:

He is Risen!

Happy Easter!
Love, The Mad Kids