Book Recommendation

I had no idea that when I stepped out of working during the day and staying home with the kids full time… that I would be beyond busy!  I don’t know what we are doing but holy wow!  I can’t find a moment! 

I don’t know what I thought would be different – I guess I thought I would have more time.  LOL!  I know!  You can laugh at me!  That was totally crazy thinking! 

One day I did have a moment, during nap time, and I got on my kindle and I started searching for a book.  Not just any book.  I wanted a mom book.  A book to help me with all these duties that come with being a stay at home mom.  The title of this book spoke to me.. The Heart of Simplicity: Foundations for Christian Homemaking 

All I can say is – read it!  Read it!  Read it!

I’m only about 3 or 4 chapters into the book – because apparently I still am working on this time management and I am not very good at taking my quiet time.  : )  But I am a huge fan of it and I want to tell every single mom out there to read it!   

I’m even highlighting in it!  I never highlight!!  Two quotes that I highlighted…

“Marriage-center, not child-centered, moms usually exert the greatest influence on their children for Christ and his kingdom.  This means that your weekends away with your husband, alone, might influence your children more than all your teaching and discipline combined.  Your children are watching, and it gives them great joy and security to see their parents loving each other.”

I so needed that!  I always hesitate and feel guilt whenever Jesse and I go away.  Right now Jesse wants to go away for a long weekend – and I keep pushing it off and off and off.  Ugh!!  I don’t want to leave the kids.  Plus I do not like asking people to watch our kids.  Even grandparents.  I get anxiety when I have to ask them to watch the kids.  I know.  stupid.  Grandparents love to have their grandkids.  I’ll keep reading this quote and I’ll book our trip away!!  I will.  After the holiday.  : ) 

“Being a mother requires much sacrifice; there is no other profession that takes more physical, emotional and mental strength than that of being a wife and mother.” 

I know some of you will not agree with the above.  But I really like that quote!  : )  That three year old, Mallory, has required more physical, emotional & mental strength from me then I ever thought was possible!  If I thought the three year old was tough, the one year old, Maxwell – much more physical, emotional and mental strength!!

Okay one more quote and then I’ll stop.

“Did you ever think that you never had an anger problem until you had children?”

I told a friend one time, that I never swore… until I had kids!  Swear words fly out of my mouth now!  It is the strangest thing!   

Okay I’m done telling you moms to read this book!  : )  (Let me know if you do read it though!)

One last quote to leave you with, sorry can’t stop…

“Busy lives do not lead to more productive people.  We hardly have a chance to grow or enjoy family if we are constantly dealing with commitments.  Busy days turn into a badge of courage or, worse, idols in our lives.”

A New Cousin!

My little brother, Adam, had a baby!!  Little baby boy!!  Named after himself!  Baby was born very early Monday morning.  I had planned on going to see them Monday night – however.. SNOW STORM!  Big surprise, huh?!  So I couldn’t get to them.  My brother kept sending me texts about how snuggle he was!  He is not nice!

Tuesday morning came – sun is shining and it is not snowing!  I’m outta here!  Going to see a baby!  Mallory was just as excited as me!  The day before she kept looking out the windows telling me the roads looked good we could go see her new cousin now!  : )

When we got there – she wanted to see him and she did want to hold him.  Is that face of… I think I want another little brother/sister?  I can’t tell…

Sorry I was so excited about this little man I left my camera in manual mode and didn’t even think about it – so we have washed out pictures.  Trust me!  He is beyond adorable!  Beyond snuggly!

Adam & Monica were hungry and Monica thought she wanted to try a little walk down to get some lunch so they left me and Adam’s buddy in charge of little AJ.  AJ was camped out in Adam’s buddy arms and they were having a good little snuggle/get to know each other moment!  While the kids drove cars all over Monica’s bed.

Mallory actually drove the cars under the blankets and then left them there.  I found them when I went to sit on her bed one last time to gaze at that sweet boy before I left.

He is beyond cute and super snuggly!

Snow Snow Snow GO AWAY!

It just won’t stop.  One day we got 7”… I know because I was outside attempting to shovel it and the neighbor was out with the yard stick measuring it and we were yelling back forth!  Then they rescued me with their snow blower!  (ours broke – good timing, huh!?)

Couple days later 3”

Couple more days later 3” more!  STOP!

These pictures are from I don’t know when… maybe the 7” snowfall.  Yes because it was warmer then.  Actually I think it is snowing in these pictures!  Look at me, so much snow lately I can’t keep track.

Last year at this time… um… we were blessed with grass & 80 degree weather!!  Dang blog!  I would of never knew that if I didn’t go back the other night to see what we were doing last year at this time.  I found pictures of us playing outside in t-shirts!! 

Mallory talks a lot lately for “when it is summer” she’ll say… “Mom, when it is summer we can wear flip flops.”  “Mom, when it is summer we go barefoot out in the grass.”  “Mom, when it is summer we can water the flowers.”

And now we are back down to really cold temps!!  Spring will come… right… right… right…