There are some things that I have surrendered to in motherhood: never having the weekend off, interrupted sleep, abrupt goodbyes to your best friends on the telephone, speed shopping at the mall, doing laundry every day, cleaning toilets(almost) every day, ponytails and sharing all your chocolate treats.
But there is one thing I am unwilling to do as a mother and that is boy proof my house. This is much different than baby proofing the house as that is about safely which is very important. Boy proofing would be not having decorative pillows on your couch because they are thrown on the ground every 5 seconds and used as ammunition against a sibling. Boy proofing would be not having a single lamp(surely not one made of glass) because a shoe may go flying across the room. Boy proofing would not allow a single plant in your house because the dirt in the pot would end up being used for a geological dig.
I was sitting in "my spot" the other morning when Asher came over and proceeded to poke a hole in my square storage ottoman with his plastic sword. Well....thank you very much Mr. Asher. I am now on the hunt for a round decorative tray to place on said ottoman and turn it into a side table. I WILL NOT surrender my spot, my love of flowers, or my decorating goals for any of you little rascals. Ends up that I like the room better now. I moved my green chest into the ottomans place to use it as a coffee table, put a fresh arrangement of flowers on it(has been there three days-how long will it take to be karate chopped off?)and now "my spot" is even cozier than before. HA!

major gripe

As if holes in the knees of every pair of jeans isn't enough

sunshine

The weather has been awful here lately, but today is sunny before what is supposed to be a snowy/rainy/cold weekend. A visit to the Easter Bunny with these two happy guys this afternoon at least made my heart warm even if the rest of me isn't. Won't we all be feeling better when spring ACTUALLY arrives.

promise not to tell

I am a secret country music fan. I've had an on again off again love affair with country for years. It started after I moved to a small rodeo town in northern California. I was certain I wanted a little hillbilly life in the dusty mountains(this was long before I was certain I was going to marry the alternative rock musician, but after my Grateful Dead faze), but came to find out I just didn't have what it takes-bottom line was Wranglers were a requirement.

Recently I caught myself giggling while driving down the road listening to the latest country tunes with lyrics like-"there ain't nothin like the sound of a cooler sloshing on the bed of your truck" or "you don't look a day over fast cars and freedom" and "It's two bare feet on the dashboard, young love and an old Ford, cheap shades and a tattoo and a Yoo hoo on the floor board." How can this music not make you feel good? It instantly transforms you back to simpler days, all your first loves, hot summer nights, old friends, and the ever important-beer, cheap wine and hard liquor. For a short time this winter I was soo deep into country I was considering the name Wyatt for baby #3.

Well, all I have is a secret love of the music and in the end I kinda did marry a cowboy of sorts. His horse is a truck, the long dusty trail is the road, and camping out under the stars is a truck stop. When I started dating Todd he loved tight jeans and he still wears cowboy boots when we go out. He dreams of adventures in the wild west together-via a Peterbilt and several stops to deliver loads. It may not be the romantic backdrop of the dusty mountains, but it's mine and I love it.

I heart my laundry room

It truly is a bit of a sickness-this organizing thing. Once you have the bug it is just hard to stop, especially this time of year. Here are a few of my favorites at the moment that have made my life easier. I love these over the door shoe pocket thingamajiggies. I have one here in my laundry room that has mainly become my summer/dog stuff organizer and I have one in the coat closet down the hall that holds the kids hats, gloves and warm winter things that will soon become the sandal and croc organizer. Anyways, this is total clutter control and I love it.

Becca suggested these wall pockets and I think they rock! I clearly have one more to hang(although I am no hurry as #3 is not allowed to grow up that fast), but this system right at the back door has been a crazy mom saver. The boys have plenty of hooks for everything and I can use it as well for the bag I grab just heading out the door(extra clothes and such). They love having their own little organizer for school and although this year it has not been essential, next year I think it will be a fabulous system to have in place because I really don't need to go insane.

The BIG(and only getting bigger )Reveal

My mom says she NEEDS to see me pregnant-so here I am in all my chubby glory. Nearly 30 weeks and we are starting to anxiously await his arrival. I have been working on his room, stressing over how to dress him in the summer(always had Fall babies) and really enjoying all his kicks and wiggles-as I know this is my last time being pregnant. Enjoy mom. Wish you were here to feel this little guy do somersaults, but can't wait to see you holding him in June.

*this is the one and only picture you will see of me in this state as I do not need any more witnesses to my puffy face and butt*

drum roll please...

WE ARE DONE!! all the interior painting is finished and we are breathing a big sigh of relief. The final touch was a new Foyer light expertly hung by my adoring husband(I can say that because I was not here when all this took place-more than likely he was cursing-possibly at me-for taking on this project). So for the remainder of the month I will be working on baby's room. And if it ever warms up we will start with outside projects. Ah...the joys of home ownership.