The Ultimate Career

When I was young, I was told that someday I would get MARRIED and have KIDS of my own.

 I would be a MOM!

Then, I started babysitting and realized I didn't WANT kids of my own all because I didn't LIKE babysitting the snotty ones. That mindset actually stuck around for a very long time.

But, then life and college happened and I met my HUSBAND (Love at first date. I was too busy thinking about not settling down in Washington to really notice him at first. So the love didn't happen at first site. It happened on the first date...well, the realization that this guy was REALLY something cool.)

We got MARRIED!

It was such a wonderful and treasured day. 

Married life was everything I thought it would be.... EXHILARATING, FULFILLING, PERFECT!

 Then one day, MOTHER'S DAY happened and it became very clear to me the REALITY of motherhood was not far off. I was excited and ready (or so I thought) to be a mother. (Honestly, I was tired of working and wanted an excuse to have a more fulfilling job...Motherhood).

Did anyone mention that in order to be a mom you had to go through pregnancy first? Oh how I thought it would be fun....

I suppose it prepares you a little for whats to come (both the good and the tough)....

This beautiful baby entered our lives. Our sweet little SAMUEL. My journey of being a mom had truly begun. These were the most challenging, exhausting, emotional, tender, sweet, precious times that I had ever experienced. 

The question I ask myself was ....NOW WHAT?!?

 I didn't know much of anything except from what I had read in books and from other advice. Most of what I learned from my first child was the realization that one must embrace the journey and learn as you go. No matter how much you try to follow the advice of everyone else, the real task is learning to following the God given gift of your own motherly instinct. I learned that I must do what I feel is best for me, my children, and my family. 

Samuel has been an absolute joy! Almost three years have past and I get to enjoy cheese towers...

watching him learn and LOVE to learn. It's a pleasure being his mom!

Then one day we decided to have another...

Do you see those eyes....yup, they were as tired (if not more) as they looked. If I thought pregnancy was tough the first time around, I didn't realize what it would be like with a  TODDLER!

But...

It was just as rewarding with our second child. 

We welcomed ETHAN into our home! And, boy has he been a joy.

 And....he continues to crack us up with his large adorable smiles and cute giggles. 

My children have brought much JOY (and lots of experiences that try my patience). I have been blessed to experience motherhood and all that comes with it. Like they say, the hardest things in life are the most rewarding and character building. 

I have come across a quote that I have really come to appreciate. I may not be a professional in the work force making grand achievements but I know for a fact that I have the ULTIMATE CAREER. 

“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career. ” 

C.S. Lewis

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

February Adventures

Pinterest

So, I decided to go on to Pinterest and look for some crafty ideas to do with Samuel. It came down to a can of shaving cream, some messy hands and a creative mind. We had fun making train tracks in the foam and drawing silly pictures. It was a lot of fun.

Thomas Sleeps?

Even the greatest of engines have to sleep at some point. 

Valentines Cookies

This year we made a batch of valentines cookies but this time I let Samuel get a little creative. Can you guess what this is?............What? You didn't guess GARBAGE TRUCK? 

I also learned a new decorating technique at a ladies church activity. It was quite fun.

Cold Park Days

Who says you can't go to the park in February even though you freeze your bum off while doing so. A little sun comes out and us Washingtonians HAVE to go outside to soak up our vitamin D. We went to a park next to Kyan's work so that he could join up with us. 

Date Night

We decided it was time to go have a little fun with just the two of us. We got a babysitter, drove to Seattle and enjoyed a wonderful evening. We got dinner and then enjoyed a walked down to the Pier to ride on the Seattle Great Wheel. It was a great night full of spontaneous fun.

Blocks & Diggers

If you didn't know this already then you should know now that you can't build with blocks without your diggers nearby. I mean, come on, it's a given right?! I love this boy of mine. He loves building and creating. He's not one to build simply to tear down. He is all about his creations. I love that.

Open Your Mouth Wide!

Samuel had his first dentist appointment. I tried to talk it up a few days prior so that he would be really excited about visiting the dentist. IT WORKED! He loved it. 

He had no problem with the Dental Hygienist working in his mouth. It helped that he could watch a show. He LOVES watching shows probably because I don't let him watch many. But hey, whatever keeps a young kid happy at the dentist. He even got to pick TWO toys because he was so good. :) 

Ethan was great during our visit. Though, he didn't seem quite as excited for Samuel's new experience as his Mommy. :)

January 2013

SUNDAY DINNERS

We like to go over to my parents for Sunday dinners. I love that we live so close to them that this can be a regular thing. Ethan seems to be the highlight of the evening. I agree, isn't he cute! :)

RANDOM PICTURES

We were hanging out on the couch having a lazy day. I figured while we were all huddled together that I should try and take a picture of us three. It didn't quite work out as I hoped but they captured a cute little moment. Samuel got a kick out of seeing himself in the front facing camera. Goofy boy.

HAIR CUT TIME

Samuel was starting to look a bit unkept so I figured it was time. I was a little nervous because this was the first time attempting to cut Samuel's hair since having the baby. I didn't want to be halfway done with his hair and have the baby demand my attention. Luckily, Ethan was great and Samuel did really well. He had a good time. Can't you tell!?! :)

MY CONCERT PIANIST

I hope that some day he will learn to love playing the piano like I do.

JANUARY HIKING
Once Saturday in January, the sun decided to shine and with that we decided to go on a hike. We figured if we bundled up it would be a lot of fun. Well, it was a lot of fun but it only lasted 20 minutes max. Ethan was cold and decided he wanted to nurse 10 minutes into the hike (even though I had nursed him just before leaving the house to go hiking) and Kyan had forgotten a hat. So....he used my scarf. I guess the month of January isn't the best for hiking. But, we were hopeful.

JUST SOME CUTE PICTURES