January 31

January 30

The first day back to reality. I'm tired. #dislike

But I suppose it was better then this day last year. I still remember the caption I posted on Facebook:

Crying baby, cool dishes, crappy weather, and cat faces. In pen.

Cat faces. They're naughty. lol

And hey, silver lining--all the dishes are still in one piece a year later. *knocks on wood*

January 29: Snow Days...

Snow day #3 this week, #7 total. Made Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes with rainbow frosting, watched movies, did chores, played, made soup, & tried to survive another day at home...

January 28

"Why is Toby so small but he's so good??"  {Garrett, regarding Toby's Wii samurai sword fighting skills.} He's like a ninja. You blink and you're toast. He was beating everyone!! 

Also, Eva has started hugging her siblings... Melt. My. Heart. 

January 27

January 26: Fruit Smoothies

Fruit smoothie = frozen bananas + frozen strawberries + can coconut milk + chia seeds + honey

I'm generally not a fruit person {give me a salad any day}, or a breakfast person for that matter {coffee isn't breakfast??}, but these fruit smoothies we've been whipping up in the morning have successfully filled both those voids for me in a very delicious way! Because the fruit is frozen and the coconut milk is rich and fatty, they come out delectably creamy and smooth. The kids have been loving them and ask for them now, too {shhh... don't tell them that it's in fact a very healthy breakfast!}. 

I know I've only scratched the tip of the iceberg that is yummy smoothie combinations, so I'm excited to try other recipes. What are your favorite smoothie combinations?? Do tell!!

January 25: What I'll Miss Most

I think what I'll miss most about having a little baby in the house…

more then their wide, black eyes when they first open them after birth, 

more then their tiny fingers and toes that get bigger each month, 

more then that first sweet smile, 

more then the excitement with each milestone accomplished, 

more then the angelic glow upon them as they sleep, 

more then my heart melting at the first utterance of "mama!"

more then those first wobbly steps, 

more then their miniature, white, chicklet teeth, 

more then their infectious laughter and ticklish tummies, 

...is holding their tiny, warm body in my arms. Snuggling, needing a hug, or being rocked to sleep. They fit so perfectly in the crook of my arm; their little head nestles into my shoulder like a puzzle piece that fits just right. For a small moment of time, it's like we're still together as one. We sway together, back and forth, slow dancing in the kitchen. We rock together, to and fro, drifting off at nap time. Her head on my shoulder and my head on hers, I feel her warm little body in my arms and our hearts beat together in unison like they did long ago. I forget, for a moment, that more then a year has past. I forget, for a moment, that another year will pass, and another, and she won't be my little baby anymore.

January 24

January 23

January 22

January 21

I was more productive today then I have been in months. Picture the Energizer Bunny. Que Alicia Keys and "This Girl is on Fire!" I felt like I was nesting, but with the added perk of not toting around a ginormous belly that turns on stove burners and adds an extra twenty pounds to an already labored run up and down the stairs. We're planning on having some friends over this weekend, and I actually managed to clean the bathroom today. Ahead of time. I sorta thought it might be a better idea then quick scrubbing it down in a panic about 20 minutes before their arrival, while also trying to finish dinner, referee sibling conflict, and nurse the baby. 

Now, before you start to get all jealous and think I'm Martha Stewart over here or something, I just want to let you know that the last time that particular bathroom was cleaned was on the 24th. 

Of December. 

And it's a toss-up, because it might be clean now, but it certainly won't be still come this weekend. Maybe I'll still go with 20 minutes before…

P.S. I bet you're singing "This Girl is on Fire!!! This girl is on fiiiiyyyaaaaaaaaahh!" haha

January 20

January 18: Brown Sugar is Not Breakfast

We have apples, bananas, cereal, pretzels, craisins, and the like that the kids can grab for a snack when they wake up. I noticed there were a couple bowls missing from the dishwasher this morning, so I asked Clayton what he and Toby had for a snack this morning. Guess what he said? A bowl of brown sugar. 

A. BOWL. Of. Brown. Sugar.

This. Is. Not. FOOD.

Or a snack, or even a treat. 

Who eats A BOWL OF SUGAR FOR A SNACK?? The boy with seven cavities, that's who. I thought we were past this, so I was a little frustrated... At least he told me, and he didn't add food coloring to it this time. What to do with him...

January 17: Simple Whole Grain Crumble Topping

I have a simple, whole grain crumble topping standby that makes cobblers or crisps come out perfect each time. It doesn't matter what fruit I put underneath, I use the same crumble topping. 

Simple Whole Grain Crumble Topping

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup {1 stick} butter, melted

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl until butter is fully incorporated. Spoon evenly over fresh fruit {pictured above are thinly sliced apples & crasins}. If the fruit is on the sour or bitter side, you might want to add some extra sugar to it. Bake at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes.

January 16

2013

January 15: A Year in the Life of Me

Today marks the day that I posted my very first #adayinthelifeofme picture on Facebook last year. I cannot believe that a year has gone by already, but what's more, I cannot believe that I actually managed to stick with something, consistently, for a year. Can there just be a round of applause for that, please??? For the undisciplined, inconsistent soul that I am, this is quite the accomplishment.

But this is where it starts to get a little weird. Do you know where you were, or what you did on January 15th last year? For most people it would have to be a day of great significance to stand out in their mind as a specific memory. It seems, though, that if you put together a photo collage, you remember, as well. I remember where I was and what I did on a random, ordinary day in January last year:

Lots of snuggles with my almost two-month-old. The middles played Play-doh and jumped off chairs because we were cooped up inside, while I drank coffee, fed the baby, and folded laundry. I was also obsessed with buffalo chicken at that point and made it often, including that night for dinner. Ruby also let me braid her hair for the first time ever. She was 4, so that was a big deal {for me, at least!}.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so there's an 8,000 word essay right there about that day. Pictures convey so much more then words ever could, and they have the power to transform the mundane into something beautiful. The ordinary into timeless, vivid memories. Just like I remember that cold, mid-January day last year, I remember all the rest. The pictures bring back countless memories of the days in which they're contained. 

Looking back over the highlights of our year in the beautiful photo book that my husband made for me, I was moved to tears as the weight and significance of the myriad of pictures sunk in. What started out as just a fun way to use my new photo collage app has become so much more. 

This is my life. 

My moments. 

My time. 

A photo-journal of my life on a daily basis, laid out in the form of a book. I can literally flip back through the days of the last year as I flip the pages. Those are my babies, who have grown up so much. Those are my tasks, my messes, my struggles, my victories. Books I've read, music I've heard, podcasts I've listened to. Meals I've cooked, recipes I've tried. Moments I've celebrated, people I've loved. Things I've valued, choices I've made. 

A day in the life of me has now officially become a year in the life of me. If there's a disciplined bone in my body, a year in the life of me will become two, then three, then ten. More memories, more changes, more photos, more choices. All the days of our lives add up, faster it seems as we age, to become years, then decades, then a better part of a century. 

Source

Our choices add up just the same. We go through life and we make our choices, and then our choices make us. Who you are is the end result of all the choices you've made up to this point. What you do with your life today will impact the next year, and the next fifty. How will you choose to invest your time, talent, and treasure today? 

Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

{Psalm 90:12}

January 14

January 13

"Inspiration comes from hearing God's Word; motivation grows by discussing God's Word; transformation occurs when you study it for yourself." 

~Chip Ingram

January 12

January 11: Sat-er-dey

Saturday {Sat-er-dey} --noun

1. The seventh day of the week, following Friday. 

2. Morning cartoons, movies, long showers, home cooked meals, warm fire, naps, cozy slippers, family time, good music, cup of coffee {or two}, no agenda, cuddles, snuggles, & playtime.

I cannot believe the crazy weather this week that went from -40 with the wind chill on Monday to a high of 52 degrees here today. That's a NINETY DEGREE flux in SIX DAYS. Needless to say, it's not feeling so Christmasy anymore, so I finally let the Christmas music go. I made a linear move to "Some Nights Radio" by Fun, thus maintaining the level of obnoxiousness we've all grown accustomed to. :) Seriously though, it's a great station, and I have it customized to my liking. If you're looking to put an extra pep in your step or groove in your move, this is the place to start, people.

January 10

January 9: Christmas-y?

As for the Christmas music, I can't help it. I know it is now January. But there's lots of snow on the ground. And it's cold. And Christmas break just ended. Today. And Christmas music is just so fun and happy and joyous. And I still feel Christmasy. Is that a word? Christmas-y? 

My husband, however, does not feel the same. If he never hears another Glee song ever, ever again, it would be too soon, for the love. Maybe he should start a support group for those who have been traumatized by excessive exposure to holiday cheer. Would you join? ;) It could be called Scrooges Anonymous. But I guess I just totally outed him, so it would have to be Scrooges Anonymous & Ben. One must admit {even one that enjoys Glee songs}, however, that although their voices are great, the holiday cheer brought forth by the Glee cast can be a special form of obnoxious. But I love it. Clearly. :)

January 8

January 7

January 6: Record Lows

We achieved some record lows today in temperature, wind chill, parenting, sibling rivalry, productivity, and patience. We did not do well being cooped up... And I think we all caught a glimpse of the Abominable Snowmommy, a truly frightening sight. Yikes... Here's hoping for better weather, or at least better attitudes and choices, tomorrow!

January 5

January 4

January 3

January 2

January 1

December 31