Holden came home the other day proud that he earned a shining star award in school.

H: Mom I am going to get a shining star from my teacher for being good in school.
M: Really?
H: Yep, I'm going to get it because I was ANNOYING somebody!
M: are you sure you don't mean ignoring somebody?
H: oh yeah that's it. Ig-nor-ing somebody.

never ending possibilities

I am so pleased with how my frame project turned out! What do you think? I bought these frames several years ago from my beloved Pottery Barn, but had not really ever used them. They were originally black and just too "heavy" on the walls. So they sat in my little "possibility pile" in the basement. I try not to let anything sit in that pile too long. If I can't find a way to re purpose something it moves on the Goodwill. I had spent way to much money on these to not find a new way to love them. I sprayed them, sanded and antiqued them the same way I did my side table a few months ago. Soon I may need a Antiquers Anonymous 12 step program-there could be worst addictions but my house may start to look strange with everything sanded and glazed. Although it would cover up chunks missing out of the base boards quite nicely(I love boys).

click on picture to get a better look :)

oh happy moment...maybe day...it's still early

I wasn't to sure I was going to be able to get super happy this weekend. Toddy is in Las Vegas and well...a weekend alone is never a good thing. We just have more fun when Todd is here, but I am giddy at the moment. The mail man finally delivered the prints I have been so patiently waiting for. Can anyone say adorable? These are watercolors I spied on The Nester's blog and just had to have for myself. Seriously cute, simple and affordable-the only original art I can have. Check out L.Herbert Designs (finally figured out how to link!)and get yourself something special.(I'll post more this week on the frames I created for my little treasures)

Good Morning Gabby

trying to find what works part 2: sometimes i don't answer the phone

You may already know this about me, but sometimes I have a hard time answering the phone. I realize many people think stay at home moms have nothing better to do than chit chat, and sometimes you know what-that is exactly what I choose to do. BUT I have found that in this crazy little life I get about ONE choice a day that is all MY OWN and sometimes I just can't choose the phone. Sometimes I want to read the new Better Homes and Garden, sometimes I want to eat lunch sitting down and sometimes I want to finally get the flowers I purchased in the morning into a vase by 9 at night. At times I wish I was the person who could talk on the phone, grocery shop and discipline their kids all at the same time, but I am not. I am the person who needs a break, tries endlessly to be as efficient as possible, who starts dreaming about bed time at 3 in the afternoon, and who can't talk on the phone while her house is melting down.

So I am sorry for not answering when you call, it is not because I don't love you. It is only because I am busy putting wet clothes in the dryer, while thinking about how I need to empty the dishwasher and start dinner, trying not to forget what I meant to write down on my Costco list and yelling at my oldest to comb his hair before the bus, reminding my middle that the "penis pocket" goes in front(you know-on underwear) and suggesting to the baby that he will not waste away if he has to wait just 30 more seconds for his bottle. I will try my hardest to call you back, although likely not today because the Pottery Barn catalog just arrived in the mail.

Good Morning Gabby!

trying to find what works

Life is feeling a little bit like this top picture lately. I wander around the house asking myself how I can get everything done and still have time to make silly faces at the baby? Are toned thighs really that important? What would happen if I stopped washing my hair? Who the heck came up with three meals a day anyways?

Clearly the effects of having three kids has finally hit me. Now what I am going to do? I really like clear plastic containers. Maybe I can put all the messy parts of life in their own little storage tray, stick a label on it and call it figured out. Oh it's not that easy...darn.

a blog I love

Just wanted to share with you a blog that I love. If this woman lived in Des Moines I would stalk her-you know what I mean!

http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/

what's in a name

It is no secret that my husband is not a fan of pregnancy. He is crazy about the baby that appears but the nine months prior he worries, he stresses and ....well bellies that thump and bump just don't turn him on. He squirmed when asked to feel a kick, nearly passed out at the ultrasound, and the "name game" made him want to find the nearest bridge(I don't want to tell you what he was like in the delivery room).

As all you mommies know, the name game is a long and tedious process. There are lists to make and books to browse, TVshows(for mine even soap operas) and previous class lists to study and consider. Write it down on paper, say it out loud in the shower, emotionally sit with it.
When our third nugget was cookin Todd announced he was in charge of the name game. Ok sassy, I thought, you see how easy it is to do this.

After some frustrating tries he cheated and wrangled two of his favorite customers, Jacky and Gina, into the name game. They discussed and rated top choices. There were even late night emails traded back and forth(leave it to my husband to take it to a new level). By the time we reached the hospital he had it all figured out. I saw the baby-definitely Harrison. Nope-Todd had emotionally "sat with it" and it was certainly Sloan.

Sloan: little warrior;fighter
Christian: after Todd's closest friend Lance Kristian
Reed: my Grandmother Gregorich's maiden name, part of my middle name as well

p.s. I am happy to be playing the game for a name with Becca. she is pregnant with a little girl :)

p.s.s Thank you Jacky and Gina for holding Toddy's hand!!

brothers

Asher Joseph is four. We celebrated his birthday at Chuck E. Cheese this weekend with a few of his very most favorite people. It is just an honor to be this little guys mom. He is a wonderful brother and friend. He is so full of joy and has a wonderful sense of humor. One of the many things I love about Asher is he knows exactly what he wants and never strays from it. It makes him very easy to please and it makes my job as mom much easier.
Seeing these two play along side each other and together warms my heart. For all the time they argue(which is a lot of the time), they will always be each others best friend, biggest fan, and most likely greatest confidants.