.

Worth sharing.

2012-01-26T12:13:00.000-08:00

{click titles for links}

1. Book we're reading:

Real Marriage: the Truth about Sex, Friendship, and Life Together.

Tyler's co-worker actually recommended it. I think it is rather cute to think that two grown men discussed a book about marriage with each other. Written by a Christian pastor and his wife. I love a good husband/wife book-club together. Books can be such an awesome segue into meaningful discussion and insight into your marriage. If you have a husband sweet enough to participate, chances are your marriage is a success anyways. Right?! Don't let the hype fool you: marriage can get better and better with time: i'm still learning that in amazement...eight years and almost four kids deep!

We are aiming to read a chapter or two a week and discuss on date night.

2. Hilarious and poignant article:
Don't Carpe Diem.
My favorite part: the author's distinction between Chronos vs Kairos Time. If that isn't just the best dangnabbit truest observation of all time...read it!

Piggy-backed to it from this cute blog (thanks Anne!)

3. The many faces of Ellie Jane.

The infinite work of progress.

2012-01-24T20:54:00.000-08:00

Last night I may or may not have referred

to my children as the spawn of satan.

Not to their faces of course. I am, after all, a good and emotionally balanced mother who saves all accusations of demonic possession for tear-filled rants to my mother over the phone. Duh..
Her telephone timing was impeccable, as Tyler can attest when he was able to hand over the phone quickly as he saw me unraveling after a disastrous family night. Here! Talk to you mother....

I think it is safe to assume it was a poorly executed day. She kindly reminded me that every first day back after a vacation is always doomed for failure. It just is. I will have to keep that in mind, because the guilt was all consuming that evening as I collapsed on the sofa in tears and thought: I can't even hold it together for one lousy day - the very FIRST day back from a 36 hour hiatus in which I missed them terribly. Mom also generously testified that after spending 36 hours tending to these 'spawn', both she and my Dad could agree that yes indeed: we have our hands full. Wonderfully, blessedly, entertainingly full.

But FULL.

There are just days when they seem to conspire against you.

{Yes, examine closer and you will see: oh how cute! The baby is playing with an electrical outlet!}

Days when they kick/scream/claw/bite/fight through

every attempt you make to create a decent existence for them.

As Lily pouted through her 5 minute piano practice session,

and London tore her worksheet to pieces instead of tracing her letter 'm's

and both complained about the fresh pineapple served with their homemade and rather expensive organic scrambled eggs

and Ellie Jane ripped off her new shoes for the 19th time in the grocery store

leaving us re-combing aisle seven looking for her socks

And all three colored with markers all over their freshly painted bookcases

After they stole the gum out of my purse

and the pens

and the checkbook

and the credit cards

and my iphone

and then filmed me with said phone

threatening them with extinction if they didn't sit in their car-seats

and remain silent for the rest of the ride home

During which we listened to the latest chapter of Chronicles of Narnia

which we checked out from the library

where they emptied every plastic toy bin out on the floor

of the children's story-time room

and where Ellie was discovered standing on the computer keyboard

on top of the computer desk

before I forced her back into the stroller

when we promptly exited

All

three

wailing

the entire

way

out.

Yes, yesterday was no good.

But redemption is often serendipitous in its arrival.

As today a fort was built.

Where they happily listened to stories.

And giggled. Because no matter how naughty they may behave...

there are always giggles.

These faces continually remind me to dust myself off,
have a good laugh, and as my Dad always says:

"Keep pluggin' away."

Back in action.

2012-01-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

It is week thirty for this babe in the belly.

I can't believe how fast it has gone by.

I can't believe how eternal it also seems.

Our weekend was great.

Food, sleep, food, sleep, movies, sleep, food.

Just enough to make me miss the munchkins and gain an appreciation for a life of productivity.

It doesn't take much for me to get stir-crazy. Three days does the trick.

The Spa...oh glory be The Spa!!!!

How do I let such lengthy intervals stretch between visits? Why is it that over the course of six months I can manage to justify seventy-five dollars in the clearance craft bin at Micheal's on spools of ribbon I'll never bother utilizing and yet adamantly refuse myself a luxury that rejuvenates not only my calloused heels but my very. soul. ?

Genius hubs booked two separate treatments on two separate days so I was allowed full, undisturbed access for forty eight hours. I would return just to sip more lemon cucumber water and re-serve myself the pistachio almond cranberry nut mixture.

Which got me thinking: expectant women should labor in spas. Check in, get a massage, soak your feet, change into a fluffy robe, lie down in a dimly lit room on a plush velvet sofa propped up on pillows watching a high def slideshow of the French countryside in a misty rainstorm while being serenaded by wind pipes and spanish guitar melodies, deliver child.

Sounds easy to me.

Consequently, I will refuse to believe we have ever attained a suitable benchmark for women's rights until this is included as a regular insurance benefit {sans higher premium...this is how the very vehicles of humanity should be covered}.

{Room service: Banana bread French Toast anyone?!!!!!}

And I will end with a message....

Dear Tyler,

It was perfect.

Thank you.

Sorry about crying that night in the bathroom after the massage.

Massages release emotion, did you know that?

Here's to many more awesome island breakfast buffets in the future. {Inside joke, sorry.}

You

make

love

life.

Forever and eva,

Living the dream.

2012-01-19T22:24:00.000-08:00

{What is it about a man and manual labor?! Rarr.}

He surprised me with the perfect gift for Christmas.

A STAY-CATION.

A weekend retreat booked at a local hotel, spa treatments, and arrangements made for the Grandparents to watch the hooligans. We leave tomorrow, and I couldn't be more excited and relieved to get away for a solid three days of sleep. Smart man, this husband of mine. He knows just what the doctor ordered before we welcome baby four into our chaotic den: time together and alone!

I hope I never overlook how lucky I am to be matched so well to this guy. He gets my weirdity. That is the best part of a life lived together...working through all of that weirdity together.

And weirdity isn't even a real word.

We enjoyed a quiet dinner out together this New Year's Eve. I pulled out my handy dandy wide ruled spiral notepad and began jotting notes, suggesting we come up with goals together for the new year (how fun!?! Right?! Party at the Haack table!). He gave his usual oh-my-poor-embarrassing-wife-living-in-the-Ice-Age-still-writing-things-on-actual-paper sigh and signature here-we-go-again-why-don't-you-just-tell-me-what-my-goals-should-be-so-I-don't-answer-incorrectly-and-this-can-be-done-quickly smile and graciously appeased.

We came up with a few good ones. Personal, financial, parenting. When the topic turned to our marriage, I suggested we both request one thing each of us could regularly do to make life a little easier for the other. Simple. Just one thing.

My turn:

"You could pick up your clothes off the floor on your side of the bed. That would be the one thing that would be pleasantly helpful to my day. See! Simple! Okay, that felt better. You're turn."

His expression turned thoughtful as he warmly smiled, suddenly seeming more eager to engage in our New Year's therapy session. He leaned in, tilting his head and whispered sweetly...

"I know what would really help make my life easier...You could pick up my clothes off the floor on my side of the bed. That would be the the one thing that would be pleasantly helpful to my day."

touche.

Once again illustrating what I've known all along: we were made for each other.

Happy weekend!

Stick it to the man.

2012-01-17T20:18:00.000-08:00

Winter night at our house.

Anyone want to clean the kitchen?

Mmmmmmmm.

I will not be cleaning. Nor shall the husband tonight.

I am sticking it to the man. Forget schedules! Screw Productivity!

Tonight all I can think about is sandwiching two warm peanut butter cookies between a thick slice of homemade chocolate cake, drizzling it in melted marshmallow cream, hot fudge, and topping it all off with a krispy kreme donut.

Craving a bit much?

I can't help it!

I'm trying hard to be good. Attempting to beat my previous pregnancy weight record by at least a couple of pounds. Oh it would be so nice to deliver an eight pound child and NOT have thirty five pounds to go! I must somehow channel those insatiable cravings into something more suitable like....blueberries.

l.a.m.e.

Doesn't it feel good to lose a little control every now and then?

I mean, come on!...who wants to be around a scheduled cleaning nazi obsessed with day planners and to-do lists, whose naughtiest splurges consist of fresh berries and an online spree to Zappos? Surely I can do better than that!

I remember the time I walked into a group of women and confessed that I had just eaten four glazed Krispy Kreme donuts. The shock and silence that followed was palpable, but was completely secondary to my own stunned reaction at their horrified gazes. Seriously, you mean you guys have never done that? I thought everybody did that. But instead of cowering in shame I couldn't ignore the sudden urge I had to strip down, batter my naked limbs, deep fry myself in a barrel of butter and roll through a life-size pan of powdered sugar while eating yet another donut.

That's right: FOUR! AND NOW FIVE!

Make it SIXXXXX!

SEVENNNNNN!!!

OOOOOGEY

BOOOOOGEY

BOOOOOOOOO!

I could watch as each one ran away screaming in a panic while trying desperately to avoid the flicks of frosting shooting from my fingers.

That's right, you heard me:

I said Four donuts.

You uptight bunch of calorie counting freaks.

What exactly does any of this have to do with the fact that my house isn't clean and I've posted a bunch of pictures of my handsome husband being attacked by our rowdy girls?

Not much,

Other than:

1. To lose a little control can be a good thing.

2. I am really craving a Krispy Kreme donut right about now.

This marks the end.

2012-01-16T17:36:00.000-08:00

Lily's birthday bash marked the end of the official Haack girl {back-to-back-with Christmas sandwiched in between- worst-family-planning-system-ever} birthday season.

It also, I soon discovered, marked the end of my patience.

It's no coincidence that I am choosing today to post pictures, hoping she'll instead remember these happy memories instead of the fury unleashed on this ordinary Monday afternoon when I found greasy lip gloss stains on every article of clothing and nail polish stains on the carpet.

Who, i ask you, is the moron who manufactures little girls' lip gloss to have some sort of detergent resistant mineral oil that forever destroys any piece of fabric that it comes in contact with?

Who, I ask you?

You may respond with: who is the mother who allows her children to flagrantly gloss and polish themselves silly - completely unsupervised?

To which I can only respond that I police this house like a gestapo madwoman bent on the complete eradication of all childhood cosmetic gaiety. Does this sound a bit harsh? A bit over-the-top? Possibly. But it is, without question, the inevitable result of ninety-seven thousand hours spent in a laundry room soaking tee shirts and scrubbing carpets. When the girls so much as take a bathroom break I sweep through their bedrooms, gutting every small article of aggravating luxury and stuff them into a safely labeled and locked container. Containers are swiftly hidden away with the intention of discovery reserved only for moments when I'm feeling unusually generous and playful.

But I tell you, I could hide these trinkets on the planet Jupiter and this Lily child will somehow manage to build a viable spaceship of legos and hair ribbon traveling faster than the speed of light, only to return and smear a vat of jelly glitter all over her freshly laundered bedroom duvet.

Today as I screamed the moment I saw London covered to her elbows in purple nail polish, Lily responded quickly with,

Mom, you're yelling.

You're yelling.

That's right I'm yelling!!!!!!

So much for the integrity of a New Year's Resolution...which I asked them to help me keep. (Girls, Mom is going to try and not yell anymore, and I need your help to remind me.) Bad. idea.

Look at that cute face, making her birthday wish.

As long as it has nothing to do with her kindergarten crush 'boyfriend', I hope it comes true.

Oh yeah, and as long as it won't involve anymore makeup:

it will really help with that rather difficult resolution I'm determined to keep.

{no matter how many times I miserably fail.}

Ice Cream.

2012-01-13T10:13:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom, can I have some ass cweam?

Sure, you grab the sprinkles and chocolate syrup,

I'll grab the ass cream.

London's voice occasionally has this New Jersey meets The Bronx twang to it. It makes for some memorable phrases. This one is the record-worthy sentence of our morning.

Happy weekend!

Becoming.

2012-01-11T20:34:00.000-08:00

{Rub a dub dub, three - soon to be four!?! - girls in the tub}

Today my eldest climbed into bed with me in the dark, wee hours of the morning. She was too excited to succumb to slumber for long...

Happy Birthday Lu-bug, I sure love you, I whispered and snuggled her in close to me. I love the lack of resistance produced by a drowsy morning, the busyness of her day not yet increasing the space between us. I am so lucky you're my daughter, you big SIX year old...

I love you Mommy, and I'm SO lucky you're my Mom.

I hugged her tighter as my heart did its usual cascade of dribbling, aching emotion in response to her sweet words and raspy voice. Oh child, if only you knew. You barely hit the jackpot with me, a mere even return on investment at best. But me? I hit the lottery. The supremo jumbo bit fat outta of this world ka-ching ching the day I got you.

I'm a huge crier now. So much more so than in my earlier days. Engagement parties: wipe a sentimental tear. Weddings: bring the tissues. Baby births/announcements: get a mop. Two mops.

When I have the privilege of witnessing such events in other's lives, I can't help but sob into Tyler's shirt sleeve mumbling things like,

"It's just .so. beautiful.

Do they even know?!! DO THEY EVEN REALIZE?!!?

{At this point it becomes more of a wailing sob, insert hefty nose blow as I stand at attention and strike my fist high into the air. I'm prepared to give an impromptu speech until Tyler forces me back into my seat and reminds me that this is the reason we don't have friends. Only obligatory family wedding invitations for us...and don't even think about allowing me in a delivery room unless you're prepared to hear my ballad rendition of Echoing Green's "This is the Story of Our Lives..."}

Do they comprehend the magnitude of this day, of this moment?!!!

How this will change everything forever?!!"

I used to find it mildly annoying to hear women talking about motherhood. Blah blah blah...enough with the birth stories! The labor saga! The epiphanies! Newsflash: this has been going on for thousands of years. Snooze fest: your story has been told like...yeah, a billion times. You're like a weird club I'm second guessing joining due to all of these frequent public displays of emotion and verbal exchanges centered around your cervix and 'sleep solutions'. Shudder....

I also clung firm to the notion that motherhood would not solely define me. I would not be that woman who couldn't carry a conversation beyond diaper brands or playdates. No sirreee...not me. Motherhood would not swallow this vixen, this master of her own destiny, only to later chew me up and spit me out as an empty-nester left aimlessly frequenting nail salons and Kohls sales as I try to rebuild some semblance of an individual existence. Not I! Take that motherhood...just try and catch me! I will keep you at a distance as I outwit your cunningly invasive, soul-sucking title.

But, six years ago today a little girl named Lily Tyler made her entrance...

And the world changed.

And i surrendered.

{Happily.}

{Happy Birthday Lu-bug, I owe ya big time.}

Drumroll please....

2012-01-10T19:58:00.000-08:00

One more recap of BEFORE:

DURING:

Curtains still not finished. And I have a bench to add that I've been painting.

Oh well, it's now or never!

Here is our.....

AFTER!!!:

I like to think of it as summer in a children's nursery. The girls seem to spend a lot of time in it now, which makes me smile.

Hints.

2012-01-09T19:29:00.000-08:00

Oh the suspense is fun, isn't it?!!!

Yesterday was our BEFORE.

Today shall be calling our "During"

And tomorrow, you shall see our "AFTER"!!!

Don't get too excited. The manufactured suspense is more of a procrastination technique rather than an attempt to do justice to the finished product. Curtains still unfinished.

With that said, I must discuss my passion/obsession for design.

Design of my own household that is. And oh if I had an unlimited budget the things I could create...the things you would witness! But I must say, it is the very budget that makes it fun. A challenge. Every bit of our house has gradually been molded into a place that is livable, a place more functional. And hopefully, a space more lovable. And though hardly flashy or fancy or expensive, it warms the soul to know you've done something yourself.

I am very interested in Psychology. In fact, in my early college days my declared major was Interior Design with a minor in Psychology. I mentioned it in passing one day to a design professor, worried about the potential incompatibility. She brightly exclaimed,

"Of course! Design IS psychology."

That has always stuck with me. Perfectly said.
Design is psychology.

A home that tickles your fancy is about so much more than impressing a neighbor. In fact, your tastes are most likely to differ in such a way that your neighbor wouldn't even like your space. I don't expect someone else to fawn over my newest crafted creations... and by the same token I think they could hardly anticipate the way I am slowly dying inside every time I enter their home and encounter a plasma television screen mounted as wall art. To each their own...to each their own.

I don't obsess about paint color or fabric because I really care what my friends will think, although their approval always brings a smile. Decorating and design are about so much more than silly women (or men) shopping TJ Maxx in an attempt to mask bad eating habits or disintegrating marriages. We are simply human creatures carving out our pockets of the universe.... little birds building little nests. I want rooms that I want to be in. I want rooms that my children will want to be in.

If our home, our daily dwelling, can feel just a bit luxurious to their hearts...

a soft place to land on a weary day...

an ordered and thoughtful place to surrender...

then I've done my job.

I love creating home.

See you tomorrow!!

Is the yellow freaking. you. out.?

It should, it is awesome.

BEFORES.

2012-01-08T21:00:00.000-08:00

Tyler and I arrived home late one night after my students' Christmas piano recital.

I walked into a bathroom to find it COVERED in water. AAAAAAAA!

We cursed to ourselves and slopped up the mess with every towel we owned.

It wasn't until the next day that I realized the full extent of the damage.

I entered our guest bedroom and my foot sunk deep into a carpet of slush.

It was soaked through. DOUBLE AAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Turns out, the bathroom that backs up to this room allowed all the water to flow under the baseboards into the bedroom, destroying half of the floor.

Oh. the. joy.

Just in time for Christmas?!!!

Here are the BEFORES of our room of concrete (the girls were mesmerized by the bare hardness of it all, and kept inviting friends in to see our "Big Cement Room!)

Bleh.

Excited to see the transformation!?!!

Check back tomorrow!

{Don't you just hate me? I hate waiting. But i would like to see if i can finish the curtains before posting all the pics. Cross your fingers....}

Christmas album and top three favorites.

2012-01-06T17:44:00.000-08:00

As you can see below,

Christmas was nothing short of spectacular.

A fitting celebration to a year so full of family, health, and blessings.

In all honesty, it feels a bit overwhelming to contemplate it all.

To be so fortunate leaves me with an intense mixture of emotions ranging from gratitude to complete perplexity and inadequacy for what I have.

And although the gifts were marvelous, the food divine, the activities abundant:

it was the people who made it feel fullest. All these peeps made our 2011 worth remembering.

A few top personal favorites (in no particular order):

1. Laura Ingall's Christmas Story night: My mom had us come to the house for an evening reading of one of my favorite Christmas stories: Little House on the Prairie 'Mr Edwards meets Santa Claus'. We ate chili and sang carols by the fire and my Mom read the kids the story of the poor pioneer girls who displayed a profound amount of appreciation for the simplest gifts of tin cups, flour cakes, and a precious penny. I remember feeling dumbfounded as a child when I first encountered the story as I devoured the entire Little House collection. A measly tin cup?! A lousy penny!?! A flour cake?!!!! Those poor pitiful suckers, how could they be so grateful?!

It was a fitting lesson for an amply spoiled child.

Then to the grandkids' surprise, Gamma presented each with a stocking filled with their own tin cups, cakes, and pennies. My family makes fun of me for loving the story so much but really: it is perfect and captures the real spirit of Christmas! You can find the story here.

2. Finnan boy receiving his precious obsessively loved new tractor from Santa. After opening our own Santa gifts with the girls at home, we rushed up to my parents to witness the display. In his shiny gold toed cow-boy boots (courtesy of Uncle Jacob and Auntie Erica), the Finn-meister did not disappoint.

3. Christmas Dinner at Poppa Don & Nonna's. In our pajamas no less! Sigh...Nonna knows just what a girl needs after a host of Christmas chaos. To be well-fed and not have to dress my children up after all the mayhem is the best part of all, such a relaxing way to soak in the holiday. We eat like kings dressed as paupers. This is American tradition at its finest I tell you!

{the fancy bubbly in fancy glasses was of course the highlight of the evening for the girls:

Nonna knows them well}

It was a Christmas for the record-books!

Looking forward to many more to come!!

The End.

Baby dolls.

2012-01-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

This is my real live baby doll.

In a real live baby-doll stroller.

A cheap hunk of plastic intended for no more than 7 ounces worth of weight?

Yep. Yep. Yep.

Well, my baby doll doesn't seem to mind. In fact, she sits contently as her sisters stroll her through the corridors of our home. As evidenced in the photos, this is a typical day in our household. Mismatched pajamas, scraggly hair, and a baby at the center. In fact, I'm surprised this photo doesn't have London in the corner in time-out for yet again slobbering and quasi-suffocating her sister with kisses. London! Stop constantly picking up Ellie! She can walk by herself! Quit squeezing her! Quit kissing her! Quit licking her! Quit whispering in her ear! Quit twirling her around! Quit giggling so loudly 2 centimeters from her face!

Seriously, our only problem in this household is OVERenthusiasm for this littlest sibling.

I worried when I found out I was pregnant: we're going to have to postpone the long talked about and anticipated Disneyland trip of February 2012..how am i gonna break this to the girls?. February is fast approaching, but no Disneyland this year. It just doesn't work for pregnant women waddling in their week 30+.

Plus hospital bills must replace hotel bills.

And then I thought of these girls stomping through the house, merry on their way and learning to love and mother each other. What greater way to teach your child to love and serve and step outside of themselves than with a real. live. babydoll?! Who needs Disneyland after all?!!

I remember lamenting my lack of a cool vehicle to drive in my teens. The most common response from my father was this:

"Well, if I trade in Larissa, Mallory, and Forrest...we could probably afford to get you whatever car you like. What do you think?"

You slimey little weasel...I would think....always having to 'center' things....oh look at me i'm rachel's dad and i have all the proper perspective on what really matters in life!...blah blah blah...i need a toyota tacoma and i need one now....

It looks like this April it will be our Ellie Jane who is up next to learn the art of loving outside of herself: a peer, an equal, a sibling. There's nothing quite like it.

Unplugged, but back soon.

2012-01-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

I've taken a small hiatus. Oh how lovely it has been. Tyler took a solid 12 days off from work, and it was grand to simply enjoy our time together as a little family. So much has gone down, most of it completely wonderful and Christmasy and fun - but part of me wants to just leave it in the past and move into the new year. I know I've done the holidays justice when I am so sick of it all by the end that I welcome a house stripped of ornamental frivolity. Back to basics indeed.

But this family record must go on, and hence albums will be posted shortly.

Plus we've been busy at work re-doing a playroom for our girls.

Our guest room flooded terribly a few weeks ago and provided the perfect {insert mild sarcasm} opportunity for new flooring.

Here's a hint: it's my favorite:

WHITE.

If only my entire house could have white wood floors! I think I would die of pure contentment.

Stay tuned, before/after pictures coming.

And it's pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself.

To Santa, Love Lily.

2011-12-24T20:25:00.000-08:00

As dictated to our babysitter while Tyler and I were out to dinner the other night...

" Dear Santa,
I would like the following: Hello Kitty Sewing Machine, Bratz, Earrings, Motorcycle, Pixie Dust, ears pierced. Thank you! I love you Santa! Hope you eat the cookies and the milk they are good. We have reindeer food. Please Santa sign in please. Tell me you're real because my best friends say you don't exist.

Love,
Lily "

Have you checked out the Portable North Pole ? Free personalized Santa video message for your little ones. I wish I had found it and posted the link sooner. Lily and London watched Santa speak to each of them tonight before tucking into bed, messages filled with personal details and all! I really think it was more magical for us to watch their little faces. Honestly, Tyler and I had to try to keep from crying while we watched their reactions.

Christmas is especially awesome this time around. I know I say it all the time but really: children are the most wonderful wonder of wonders.

Love to you all and

best wishes for

a Very Merry Christmas!

Recipe Two: Wanna Cookie?

2011-12-23T08:29:00.000-08:00

These are simply the best sugar cookies on record.

Really. They are like the homemade, fluffy, soft, delectable version of those generic sugar cookies you find in the bakery department covered in high fructose corn syrup neon frosting.

You know those cookies?

They're the ones you take in your cart to the back corner of Walmart and devour at the end of a bad day while reading the tabloid magazines you're too cheap to purchase and too hypocritical to admit you love.

(What? You don't do that?)

{Don't worry: hands are scrubbed clean and counter thoroughly cleansed, disinfected, and dried before any dough touches the surface. Wouldn't want you gagging at this point if you were delivered a batch.}

{Love this face she's been making lately...}

{Awesome cookie, London. 14,000:1 sprinkles/cookie ratio.}

Thanks to Aunt Nellie! This recipe comes from her home, where many of my earliest baking memories come from....

Aunt Nellie's Sugar Cookies

{This makes a big batch, half the recipe if you're not planning on sharing}

3 cubes butter - softened

1 1/3 cups shortening

2 1/4 cups sugar

4 eggs

4 tsp. milk

4 tsp. vanilla

8 cups flour

6 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

First combine all wet ingredients. Cream together until well blended. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add flour mixture to cream mixture and mix until dough forms. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight*.

Roll, cut, and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes

*We don't always refrigerate our dough before baking. It won't make a difference in your end product, but will make the dough easier to cut and work with.

Two gifts for you!: Recipe 1

2011-12-21T13:57:00.000-08:00

This is what the neighbors will be receiving for Christmas. We have a good street. I need to make sure I send a peace-offering annually to reconcile the lawn damage or landscape rock confiscation attributable to my children in search of treasures. Oh yeah, and for all the as-of-yet-undiscovered times Lily has shown up half dressed on people's doorsteps 'just to chat'.

It has been a family Christmas favorite for years. Remember the old Jolly Rancher Fire sticks? Why did they ever do away with those?!! I used to love sucking on them and molding them to the roof of my mouth pretending I had a retainer.

These taste just like the real thing, only better in my opinion.

And it is EASY SQUEEZY PEEZY.

An affordable, do-able gift that is easily mass produced.

Plus the kids LOVE it,
because they get to BREAK it.

I love the jagged red pieces of different shapes and sizes.

Throw 'em in a Mason jar, tie a ribbon, and you're done!

Plus, your house will smell all kinds of amazing and cinnamon-ish.

Cinnamon Hard Candy

3 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup water

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon or Peppermint Oil*

Red or Green food coloring*

Combine sugar, syrup and water. Bring to boil.

Boil until candy thermometer reaches 300 degrees (hard crack stage).

Remove from heat, stir in oil and food coloring but keep face away from mixture as the odor is very strong (but WONDERFUL).

Poor into a greased baking sheet.

Cool, crack, and store!

*You can make cinnamon/red candy or green/peppermint candy. Or you could half the batch and do a little of each...or you could double the batch and do one of each...or you could quadruple the batch and do TWO of each...or you could use apple flavoring or spearmint flavoring or strawberry flavoring or...or! or! or!...ok fine. Got a little carried away there.

Our

Yummiest Sugar Cookie Recipe Ever

up next tomorrow!

enjoy.

It was a Party.

2011-12-20T07:29:00.000-08:00

Would you like to see the details of Miss London's Big 4th Birthday Bash?

You can't name your daughter London without

one day having a Tea Party.

And you can't have a Tea Party without Hats.

Lundy girl and I hit up the local thrift stores and bought out every dingy hat in sight.

Grabbed some 60% off sparkly Christmas foliage at the craft store...

And after a solid evening spent with a glue gun and channeling our inner Lady Gaga....

Party Hats were created! (Which doubled as party favors)

What little girl do you know who doesn't love a fancy hat?

Each girl arrived and first selected a hat...

Got their nails done...

And took part in a glamorous photo shoot.

{The set - wrapping paper makes a good CHEAP backdrop}

And yes, it is fun to be this insane. Why do I put myself through such madness?

Because, just look at these darling guests!:

Isn't this just hilarious and splendid?

During lunch, each girl selected from an assortment of Pink and Purple Teas

(all flavored steamed milk dyed pink or purple)

What a good Dad.

Honestly, I will give my girls the following solemn question to ask a potential future spouse.

This. is. Serious.

"Boyfriend, are you prepared to possibly have four daughters plus a house full of fifteen little girls and brew them a selection of pink teas while peeling the crusts off of their heart shaped peanut butter sandwiches?"

If the answer is No.....run run run!

It takes a REAL man to put up with such frills.
(and a follow-up much deserved 'man night' watching the game with fellow males to fully detox)

How lucky we are to have this one special guy in our house is not lost on us ladies.
We sure love him so.

We had excellent additional help too:

My good friend Jamee is responsible for printing the adorable menus and signs for the party.

Thanks Jamee!!!

As you can see, I think Miss London and her little friends had a grand time.

Tyler and I plopped on the couch after the party and fell asleep tangled in each other's limbs as our girls played around us on the floor with all the presents and devoured leftover cupcakes.

To be surrounded by girls is pretty special.

And we sure love our Lundy girl....so much.

Happy Birthday you four-year-old wonderful little stinker.

Christmas accessories.

2011-12-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

Party in the Works.

2011-12-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

{Party hint....}

It is the eve of the Unicorn Tea Party for Miss London.

The one she has been asking about since oh....September 2nd-ish.

"Mom, how miny daze till my Uni-Cowrn Tea Poddy?"

(How many days till my Unicorn Tea Party?)

"47, sweetheart."

"Aaaaawwwwww!"

It felt good this morning to say it:

"Tomorrow!"

I remember when I was around 8 or so, I went solo to visit some relatives in Utah for a few days. I tugged my suitcase along with me and as I opened it to unpack for my stay I discovered a book my Mom had tucked inside as a goodbye present, a sweet note penned within the cover.

It was a book of Tea Parties.

Garden Tea Parties,

Stuffed Animal Tea Parties,

Rainy Day Tea Parties....

I remember frequently turning the pages of that book in complete mesmerized rapture and longing.

Life should just be a tea-party.

What could be better?!!

A Unicorn Tea-Party perhaps?

Little Girls

are

meant

to be celebrated.

Can't wait....

Get your Christmas on.

2011-12-12T17:21:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or does it seem completely insane that Christmas is less than two weeks away?

Tyler thinks I'm a big Christmas Crazypants to begin the holidays around November 15-ish. But I tell you, there is so much to be done! If I don't start in advance I end up really being a Christmas Crazypants, and we're not talking the baking festive sweater donning Target shopping jolly merry holiday tune listening kind. We're talking about him finding an entranced woman plastered in powdered sugar demonically swaying back and forth while aligning tinsel symmetrically on each tree branch, mumbling a jumble of incoherent lines from Carol of the Bells and Amazon online advertisements...

.....Christmas is here bringing good cheer 49.95 plus free shipping if your order before Tuesday have your self a very very very Merry Christmas five set collection comes with velvet slippers their joyful tone to every home ding dong dong ding dong Bong......

It's ugly. Real ugly.

When you think about it, there is just too much to do. Gift lists, shopping, spending, wrapping, decorating, tree trimming, light hanging, baking, delivering, piano recitals, church activities, family gatherings, work parties....the list goes on and on and on. And all this in a mere 25 days? I try not to get too sucked in. All I really want for Christmas is some time at home, a few baked goods in the oven, and a Christmas movie tucked in cozy with the family. How did it get so crazy?

{Church Christmas Breakfast}

We did make a list last night at an impromptu family counsel. It seems that every year there is a plethora of ideas marinating in my mind. New traditions I'd like to begin. Memories I hope to make. I am glad that Christmas is creeping up too quickly this year for me to really obsess...no fancy agendas pre-printed on laminated ornamental cardstock this time (phew). We scribbled a quick list of what each of us would like to do before the big day arrives. Our family celebration of the season begins now with the following requests:

Lily: 12 Days of Christmas Countdown Chain (simple paper construction chain where we do something little each night to celebrate till Christmas: family bowling in our hallway, Mom & girls Barbie time, Oreos and Milk before bed, etc.)

London: Hot Cocoa and Christmas lights tour. Always a good one.

Tyler: Angel Tree shopping. Each year we pick from a tree and go shop for the items for the little boys/girls we've selected. I always try to get girls the same ages as my own. Makes it more special for us (and sad..and happy...and sad).

Rae: Family Christmas Movie Night. (Home Alone anyone? It's a classic!)

Ellie Jane: Candy Canes. Endless supply from the Christmas tree.

(reading under the tree: now that's what I call Christmas.}

We will work these into the schedule in the coming days. In the mean-time, I will breath deeply, finish my Christmas shopping/wrapping, and enjoy the munchkins under our tree.

After all, regardless of the increasing pace of the season each year, I have found that it is the the reflection on Christ and our life's greatest blessings that still make this a very merry holiday indeed.

Mother Earth.

2011-12-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

I hope for snow in December. But in the absence of it, I can still appreciate that in NV the cold blue sky stretches endlessly with a crisp freshness to it. The clear air feels cleansing. The kids needed out, and the day was pleasantly mild so we headed to where our neighborhood ends and the 'desert meets the hills'. They explored to their heart's content. It's amazing what children find interesting. The curiosity is infectious and fun.

Ellie Jane mostly kept slipping and falling down in tears while trying to keep up with her big sisters.

As I watched them roam and explore, I once again thanked my lucky stars that there are days like this. Simple ones that turn somewhat cantankerous and remind me that I need to let them be free. I love removing the boundaries that sometimes make our life feel stuffy or monotonous.

Shortly after having Lily, I remember remarking to a sibling, "I can't believe I am her mother. Like our Mom...you know, our MOM? M-O-M....the very center of our childhood...the voice of our early existence....the ultimate presence....the source....the mother flipping earth kind of mother......?!!! I am that to someone now? I am that person to her. The person who for good or bad will be the single-handed greatest influence."

And I liked that baby so darn much it made me shudder to think of failing her. And then came more babies, and more love, and more awe. And I still sometimes shudder. I am the source. I am the voice. I am the influence.

It is such a privilege, it is exciting, it is exhausting.

The summation of our existence largely lay in the small things. The hair brushing and bathing, the cooking and cleaning, the stories and laughter....and yes, the sometimes shouting and screaming and crying.

I wonder what their memories will be....

I wonder which ones will take hold strongest. As they grow and make their journey through life I wonder what it will be when they say to each other, "Remember when Mom........?"

What will my imprint be?

If my sincerest prayers are answered, although they may remember the frantic mannerisms of their mother keeping up with the hectic pace of life....I hope most that they will remember how much I smiled. How happy the foundation of this experience has been. I hope the memories will feel warm, even on the coldest days.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

2011-12-08T10:20:00.000-08:00

Lily : "I don't like Carlee! I can't go to school!!! She is just RUINING! MY! LIFE!"

Mom: "What? Why do you say that Lu, what is going on?"

Lily: "She's ruining it! she's RUINING! EVERYTHING!!!"

Mom: "Why?!"

Lily: "Cuz she's messin' with my boyfriend."

London: "Lulee....what if you jus kish (KISS) Jackson and then Daa daaaaaa daaa daaaaa (sounding out the wedding march tune)????!!!!!!"

Lily and London: ROLLING LAUGHTER, SILLY SNORTS, ENDLESS GIGGLES......

..................................................................

Messing. with. my. boyfriend.?

Honestly, I am speechless.

And we know it takes a heckofva lot to do that.

Most information of this nature is given to me second-hand through Auntie Sarah, who takes Lily out for a pedicure and returns with dirty details of Lily's confessions during a foot-scrub. Through the mixture of utter shock/laughter/adoration/horror, she agrees emphatically:
I. am. doomed.

Home-school anyone?

Trimming the Tree.

2011-12-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

Rae's Randoms

2011-12-03T18:34:00.000-08:00

Today the big girls are away with Tyler is Cali for the day, attending Great Grandpa Don's 90th birthday. Hooray for GGDon! But like an idiot, I accidentally scheduled my rehearsal for my piano students' upcoming recital today. Too much prep had gone into it to cancel, so I stayed home with Ellie Belle. Now I've had approximately 12 hours of semi-alone time! The house is clean, laundry is washing, I've eaten a King Size Kit Kat Bar and left over donuts from the rehearsal, took a nap, feel really barfy (seriously...gross...what was I thinking?!! I know what I was thinking: Freeeeedom!! I'm going to eat donuts and a Kit Kat!), and now I am ready for my offspring and husband to return so we can decorate our Christmas tree.

Which leads me to Rae's random blogging:

*While on the topic of barfy, it is unfortunate that you can't undo the damage done. I thought about making myself a salad to somehow cleanse the gut-bomb gurgling in my innards. Then I thought donuts+chocolate+lettuce = eeeewwwwww.

*Vintage is overdone. I've come to this conclusion over a period of months perusing too many design magazines and blogs. I'm all for re-purposing and trying to console yourself with the amount of garbage in your life, but I like to keep the wise words from a friend in mind: "There is a fine line between decorating with an antique here and there and your house just looking creepy." Amen sista.

*One child is soooo easy. Why didn't I know this when I had only one child?! Today with Ellie was practically like a day at the spa, only with a cute fat chubby num num to nibble on and squeeze while soaking in the bubble bath.

*Speaking of one child, I think I've also become a better and better mother with each child, only I have less and less time. I can only assume the trade-off should mean something for the theories of birth order.

*I've been fascinated by some amazing debates between top-notch Christian apologists and their top-notch atheist counterparts. Just listened to this one here. I got all my bathrooms spotless while listening. Imagine that! I am an in-the-closet-lover-of-all-things-religion-and-philosophy. Well not entirely in the closet, and those who know me best would probably say I see nothing very closeted about your interests. I have mentioned a few things here and there. I am thinking about doing a series on the ol' blog, something along the lines of 'what a random Mormon American stay-at-home-mother housewife thinks about the following....". But then I figured the title was boring enough.

*Especially in love with Tyler as of late. Isn't it wonderful when that happens? I always love the guy but it is amazedaze what a little date can do. I married the most perfect man for me...and I have no idea how that happened.

*I was asked to speak in Church last Sunday. The topic was the following: Children.
I believe in Children! No apologies.

*I might just try a salad in a minute.

*Reviewed last year's New Year's resolutions and am proud to report I pretty much accomplished none. of. them.

*It's birthday season around here for us. Ellie - November. London - December. Lils - January. I just gear up and go hard core. London will be having a "Uni-Cowrn tea potty" this year (unicorn tea party). I am excited. Anything for that face. And anything for a little girl who says 'uni-cowrn' like she does.

*Great Uncle 'Whyan" (Ryan) in from Africa and delivering his annual gift to the girls: My Little Ponies. I love that he scours thrift stores and Walmart in search of the most 'sparkly' ones. It is his way of repaying an old debt. When we were kids, he once convinced me to flush my Megan doll (she was the girl who tended the ponies -remember?!) down the toilet when we were playing with my forbidden pony village together. He promised it would be fun to watch her swim 'round and round'. Like the foolish four year old I was, I agreed and watched her going....going....gone forever!!?? He was never forgiven...until now.

*Best appetizer ever alert. My mother-in-law introduced me to this gem. Melt brie cheese and a few tablespoons of fresh pesto together. Slice fresh baguettes and dip away. MMMMMmmmmmmmmm.

Lily loves it so much she requested that Nonna provide her own supply at Thanksgiving. Nonna kindly obliged and had a special package made just for Lily to take home. It has been happily devoured at lunchtime in this household. Anyone wonder why I get so fat by the time of delivery when I'm pregnant? Such a mystery.

*Did you notice the ol' holiday centerpiece switch-a-roo on my kitchen table?! How do ya like them apples?

The end.

Baby it's cold outside.....

2011-12-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

We're staying in.

Forecast is all kinds of chills with no thrills.

Plus I've calculated the average cost of me exiting our home...

$50.

No bueno.

McDonalds, Old Navy sale, library fee, doctor appointment, Starbucks, piano books....

Where does the money go?!!

(Well, for starters: McDonalds, Old Navy sales, library fees, doctor appointments, Starbucks, and piano books)

Seriously, it seems that each time we leave this house our checking account is deducted at least that amount. I left the house yesterday for a trip to the library and to grab groceries at Walmart. We ended up eating in the ghetto McDonalds inside of Walmart. Oh how I despise Walmart...I hate the parking lot, I hate the people driving insanely through the parking lot (all humanity is lost once you enter its boundaries), I hate the color scheme, I hate their produce selection and shriveled avocados, I hate that they price match and therefore leave me no choice but to shop there..but most of all I hate myself when I consciously feed my children grain-fed corn inflated saturated fats and nutrient absent meals accompanied by cheap China toys with Ellie stuffed into a sticky gray plastic highchair I can only assume is plastered with remnants of fecal matter.

...and I paid $15 to do it.

After eating, we began shopping. I put a bushel of bananas in the cart, looked around at the hoards of people pushing through the aisles (humanity is still lost even inside of the store), and decided....forget it.

I put the bananas back and congratulated myself on the fact that I had just loaded my children into the car and had driven all the way to Walmart just so we could eat inside of their Happy Place and leave without the milk and eggs we were out of. What a productive day.

Today we will NOT be leaving the house....that is until date night tonight when Tyler and I can brave the grocery scene together (and I assume we will do so with a couple of McFlurries). What is McDonald's slogan again? Oh yes,

I'm. lovin'. it.

All I want for Christmas is... April.

2011-12-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

{Tahoe summer repost '11}

Doesn't that pic look so summery and warm?

Not a good thing to pine for warm weather at the very advent of a long and cold winter.

I am just excited for that time...the time again when I can have a new baby at my hip and my children surrounding me and feel like the road of childbirth is behind me.

When Tyler and I can find our new normal and rediscover each other after another pregnancy and child and breastfeeding and the whole schabang. I love that time. A new wonderful person has been added to the brood and I can reconnect best with the hubby I've missed. When we can plan a brief escape and do something active and fun in the great outdoors.

Can you tell I'm tired today?

So, so tired. Motherhood is non-stop ya'll.

The weight of life is so good and so heavy and so real.

We're in this deep, reeaaally deep.

It seems Tyler and I fantasize about sleep more than anything lately.

We plot our next dream vacation...

first let's just solidly s.l.e.e.p. for three days....then get to biz-nezzzzz (wink)

A long vacation somewhere on a warm beach.

Someday....

For now, Lils has a cold. London wants breakfast. And Ellie just pooped. It smells all kinds of wonderful as she's running through the house spreading her signature aroma. Mmmmmmmmmm!

Oh yeah, and I'm about to head in for a morning pregnant weigh-in before I try to squeeze my thighs into something wearable. Glamorous I tell you, this life I lead!

The Sweet Life Presents: Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T11:07:00.000-08:00

The Sweet Life Presents: Thanksgiving Part 1

2011-11-26T08:44:00.000-08:00

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Tyler: "What the heck is the Macy's parade?"

"It's what girls watch on Thanksgiving."

(football? bleh.)

"Hey Mom!...

"When is Santa going to come?"

Getting restless.....losing patience....

Until....

I shink I shee shomething!!!!....

("I think I see something!")

Can it be?!!!

SANTA!!!!

Hiiiiiii Santaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

What could be better than a Christmas tree in your house during the holidays?

Children.

The List to end all Lists: You won't want to read this.

2011-11-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, as I gutted the massive amounts of paper in our office closet , I came across a list I had written years before. I can only assume I was having a bad day... therapeutic gratitude lists usually stem from those don't they? Or who knows, maybe it was a really good day I wanted to capture...

It made me smile to read it, and I want to immortalize it on this family record of ours so I can always glance back and remember the myriad of big and small things to be thankful for.

My Lily

My Husband

My health

My body

My home

My Family

My extended family

Sun

Rainy Summer days

Painted toenails

Lily's wrinkled nose smile

Tyler's excited hand rubby thing

Sense and Sensibility

England

History

Books

Clean Carpet

Feeling cozy

Clean, white socks

Laughing with Sarah

Best Friends

My Mom

My successes
and a few of my failures

My job

My freedom

My energy

My faith

Bubble baths w/ candles

Diet Dr. Pepper

chocolate

baking

Autumn Days

holidays

yoga (even though I don't do it)

Ty & I's friendship

Humor

Mary Kay Skincare

Clean bathrooms

Security

My dad

My backyard in the summer

Lake Tahoe

Study Abroad

The future

Lily's personality

Tyler's personality

My personality!

the farm

memories

each of my sibs

computers

trashy magazines

candy

crying and feeling better after

clean cars

my dollhouse

my sense of style

happiness

the ability to DO things

a good perspective

cartoons

disneyland and disney movies

feeling good

the ability to have children

Lily

lily

Sunday afternoons

quiet spiritual moments

lily's bedtime songs

reading to lily

bathing lily

my passion

Tyler's passion

being different

canopy beds

Hawaii

far off places

knowing that i will go to far off places!

pasta

BBQ's in summer

dinner on the porch

neighborhood walks

cows

heaters/air conditioners

leather car interiors

the mall

Macy's home department

Mac eyeshadow

lori's cooking

lily kisses

lily buns

lily loving her baby doll

family's love for lily

encouragement

Ryan

Saved by the Bell

Oprah

The journey of life

old people that still love each other

flowers flowers flowers

streams

rivers

bottled water

Country Garden restaurant

Spiced Iced Tea

Manogue

Nevada

California fruit stands

summer mornings

Satsuma orange tealight oil

massages

date nights

dressing up

hair

my eyebrows

Tyler's eyes

education

CS Lewis books

And then the list ends....

Would you believe

I can still add so. much. more.?

You don't want to read anymore I'm sure...but I will conclude with the three biggest categories that must be mentioned....can't believe life gets better than the above...but it does:

London

Lundy buns

Lundy smiles

Lundy's chipped tooth

her hugs

ooooh her hugs again!

the way she speaks

her 'wittle' words

the way she says, um um um um Mom....

her imagination

her dramatics

her squishy face

her 4am nightly visits to our bed

the experience of falling in love with her

over and over

Ellie Jane

her toofers

her giggle

her trailing me throughout the house

begging me to hold her

how she loves to be read to

bathing her

how she hates getting dressed

her belly

her kisses

her eyes
her bend towards adventure
her cheerful
sunshiny
self

Baby buns #4

the list is coming

will

long

Have A Wonderful Thanksgiving all!!

Wishing you a list of your own as looooong as your heart's desire!!

Rae

Gratitude on the Menu, and these:

2011-11-21T08:21:00.000-08:00

This week, I am taking pause. I am committing to shut-out the areas of my psyche that make no contribution in a creating a grateful heart. I'm silencing my cynic, my critic, my skeptic, my doubter, my hater, my inner drama maker. Or at least I'm going to try reeeeeallly hard too. Because nothing is more cleansing to the soul than a hearty dose of simple gratitude. For how wonderful it feels, you'd think I'd do this more often!

My duties for Thanksgiving include a few side dishes and an appetizer. I love to try new things, so here's what I'll be working on these next couple of days:

Beekman Boy's Buttermilk Cornbread Dressing with Sausage

Click here.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts w/ Bacon, Cranberries, and Pine Nuts

(I am modifying the linked recipe, I love me some bacon and pine nuts!)

Click here.

The most requested salsa I've ever made:

Fresh Avocado Corn Salsa

Click here.

Here's to an excellent Thanksgiving kick-off!

Book Friday.

2011-11-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

The wind is blowing insanely outside. I loved hearing it last night. I alternate between mildly irrational fear hearing its power against the windows and a sense of complete security and comfort knowing I'm comfy in my bed with my babes safely snug under our roof. Apparently others in the city aren't feeling so safe, a fire has broken out and Lily is intently watching the morning news with me. Hope all turns out well soon...

Amy and I held our second official book-club meeting. I enjoy the simplicity of a one-on-one book club. However, Nae was invited to join because we know she has a secret penchant for dork-fests as well. It's more subtle, harder to detect: but she is a sappy romantic at heart. Plus it's more of an excuse to get together, because life somehow manages to move at lightning speed and although we are now all in the same city we end up going months without seeing each other.

We enjoyed lunch and discussion of Tess of the D'Ubervilles. Good classic. Innocence, rape, love, wrath, redemption, retribution, and an ending I didn't expect.

Up next: Orange is the New Black.

I'm also going to try and pick up another book I've had my eye on: Radical Homemakers.

The approaching cold brings a new itch to read. Tyler has picked up his kindle more during the evenings, the television is on less, and my girls are catching the fever too: at the library last week I found Lily at the help-desk waiting for assistance.

"Lu, what are you doing?!"

"Asking the library lady how to read."

Awww, isn't that cute and sad? Lily is always grabbing large chapter books from the junior section because of their interesting covers. I try to explain to her that she knows almost all of her letter sounds and each day as she goes to kindergarten and has reading time at home with Mom/Dad she is learning to read. However, it serves as a reminder that I don't plan on waiting around for the school system to kick-start her education...we're starting these:

100 Easy Lessons to Teach your Child to Read.

I remember doing these lessons with my Mom. Many of my questions about education are directed to her, when she points me to this/that book and tells me stories of school district meetings during my younger days. I smile now looking back and imagining her as a young Mom with me, enthusiastically obsessing over my future as much as I do now with my own girls.

Smart women, I hope to raise a few of them. Wish me luck. It's ridiculously daunting and I'm under-qualified for the task at hand.

Have a great weekend, we are off to enjoy the best kind of Friday: slow, cozy at home, and full of books.

little BIG questions.

2011-11-16T08:36:00.000-08:00

{Lils and her buddy}

Lily loves to have our "five minute" talk every night before going to bed. It's another one of her brilliant stall-tactics. Stories, scripture, prayer, kiss, hug, brush teeth, glass of water, one more hug, one more kiss, i forgot-to-go-potty, i-want-to-eat-my-vegetables-from-dinner-now, i'm-scared-of-mummies, one more kiss, one more hug.....and now our five minute talk. So smart, this kid.

I allow it for a two reasons. First, it is so fun to lay with her in bed one on one and discuss the day snuggled close to her round little face and lispy voice as she confesses her days worth of naughty deeds (Mom, i okay like...don't get mad at me...but i kinda schneaked your gum outta your purse. It's in the piano drawer but i ate it all...i am sho sho shorry). Second, it is a tradition I hope will become so ingrained that she will find herself at the ripe age of 16 confessing crimes much more intricate in detail only to find herself chained to the bed next morning with a note that reads:

Dear Lu,

Loved our five minute talk last night.

Like I promised, you can tell Mommy anything.

Oh yes...about the chains...they will be unlocked when

you are twenty-five and Mommy and Daddy have

made our final decisions regarding a future husband.

Breakfast will be delivered at 9, I made eggs: your favorite!

Loves,

Mommy

For now, the chat is mostly filled in a question and answer format.

Mom, why do we have boogers?
To help catch bad things that would get in our nose.

What are all the planets?
There are too many to name sis, this is a big universe. And truthfully, I can't even remember the ones in our own solar system. And...I don't know exactly what a solar system is.

Are there people on them?
Maybe, nobody can tell for sure...

Why do boys have weenies*?
Ask Daddy.

Why are there germs?
Um, well...they are small forms of life that serve some sort of purpose...um....some to do good things...and some to...kill humans?...next question please...

Why do I like Jackson? Like in my head...how did it get there?
Because God hates your parents.

*(We refer to the differential parts of the male/female anatomy with our own special words. I challenge the child experts on this topic. They say teach your child the accurate terminology. I would then like to ask them what a parent is supposed to do when their child goes through the ever-pervasive-potty-humor-phase when the absolute pinnacle of comedic genius involves calling their sibling a 'weeniebum' or suggesting we name our new baby 'foofy' while browsing books at the library. What am I supposed to do when the librarian instead hears them giggling the word "penis-butt" or referring to our unborn babe as 'vagina'? Our library membership is already hanging by a thread due to late fees...don't ask me to lose my only free weekly venture during these strenuous winter months!)

My mind is frequently boggled with the magnitude of questions this little mind processes. Seriously, how does this kid come up with some of this stuff? Tyler has peeked in before, heard a question and stated: I am so glad you are the one answering those.

Oh don't worry darling, I've referred some of the best ones onto to you.

So many.

2011-11-14T20:03:00.000-08:00

"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,

when you are discouraged thinking all is lost...

count your many blessings

name them one by one

and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."
- Johnson Oatman Jr.

My greatest blessing...

And the BEST photographer to capture them.

THANK YOU so much Eden, you have given us such a timeless treasure.

Our growing family looks forward to many more times with you to come!!

-Rae

All photos courtesy of Edenrosephotography.com

First comes love...

2011-11-12T15:36:00.000-08:00

Then came marriage.....

And now.....

A sweet baby in a baby carriage!!!

And judging by those photos above, this is gonna be one C.U.T.E. baby.

..................................................................................

The only thing better than finding out you're unexpectedly pregnant

when

your

sister

calls

few

weeks

later

to inform you

of her own pregnancy as well!!!!

{In fact, I'm slightly anxious for the future newborn hearing screening for both unborn babes: my screaming-with-absolute-shock-and-pure-joy may have done minor damage}

Congrats Sarah and Chris!!!!

We get to be fat together!!!

I get to be an Auntie to another wonderful baby!

I hope you have A GIRL!!!

.....................................................................................

And is it just me, or does this blog seem to have a lot of 'announcements' up in da hizzie?

It's a......

2011-11-10T22:46:00.000-08:00

Summer '11

It was during our July vacation at Tahoe when the panic set it.

Ooopsey.....

I looked at my chubby infant and thought....no way. No flipping way. I just had a baby. Like literally, this latest babe emerged from my innards yesterday...i swear!...oh shizniz...

I basically ruined the relaxation of the rest of the trip by coaxing Tyler to return back to the store for one more test. I know it's early so let's keep on checking. I really think I might be pregnant.

There is no way, he'd say. You're acting too crazy lately...I'm betting the old P is going to show up within the hour.

The not-knowing was the most torturous. I can handle anything, as long as I just know.

Then it came to me as I was sitting on the beach. A name.

A boy's name.

It was lovely and hearty and exactly what I could envision for my son.

My son....?!!!!

I looked over at Tyler and said,

"Ya know, I think I could actually be really okay with this. I could be genuinely, immediately stoked. You realize this could be our boy? I want to name him {insert awesome name}. What do you think?

He sat looking out at the water under the blanket of warm sunshine and smiled, I like it.

Instantly, visions of vintage Davy Crockett posters adorning a boy's bedroom flashed through my mind. The Boy Scout motto. Little boy hair cuts and ballgames...all of it. This could be just perfect. Regardless of the {entirely too close} proximity of my last pregnancy, and the fact that I despise most courses of action in which my hands haven't been directly and consciously molding/shaping/obsessively planning....this is just dandy. We've always wanted four. Better now than later! And if we get our boy, wham bam thank you ma'am: kitchen closed. This uterus has had it! We're done!

It all made so much sense, lying there on the beach.

So.....

You

Can

Imagine

complete

and

utterly

humbling

surprise

the

day

found

out

we're

having

Another GIRL!!!!!

{More thoughts to come...but believe me when i say...as ironic as it may seem....we couldn't be happier.

Life is so good. And funny.}

Announcement coming! Announcement coming!!!

2011-11-09T20:29:00.000-08:00

Want to know what we're adding to this little threesome?!

Boy or Girl? Brother or Sister?

Hhmmmm.....

Check back soon.

Album Time!

2011-11-08T14:24:00.000-08:00

Remember the theme inspiration?

You can see London's first birthday inspiration here.

Lily Lu's party was pre-blog/pre camera days. It was Bubble Gum girl themed. One day I will scan/post.

I grabbed $13 worth of fabric at the store......

And taaaa daaaa! This is what we came up with:

Cupcake bar:

To spare myself from an emotional meltdown, I baked a batch a day for a few days. Sure made a difference. No crazed, overwhelming cupcake making displays from me this year: victory!!!

Ellie, do you like your cupcakes?

We like you.

Delightful guests...

Cute babies.....

Ellie and Zozo shared a birthday song and cupcake together. Poor Zoe was sick on her official birthday, just three weeks earlier. Read about Zoe here. Can't believe it's been a year!

Ellie dug in.

We've been practicing for this event for around 3 months now.

Zoe was much more dainty...

Presents!

And by the end, we had a very sleepy birthday girl who needed to say her goodbyes and take a nap...

Ellie Jane,
The day you were given to us was a blessed day. You are our little magical princess queen baby doll and we LOVE YOU forever.

Happy Birthday.

The apple doesn't fall too far...

2011-11-05T17:55:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Ellie Boo's first birthday today! I can't believe it, just one year ago I waddled myself into the hospital, so excited to meet her and glad to shed an instant 7-10 pounds and sleep on my back again. So many gifts, all in one day...

Pictures to come, I'm not in the mood to crop/edit just yet, but know this: you won't wanna miss it!

.............................................................

Tonight I want to upload some photos that have been sitting in the archives for too long, but are oh so post worthy.

Lily Lu goes to Mini Miner Camp.

{It's an annual event the cheerleaders host: cute little girls come and after a week of practice everyone performs at the big football game.}

I once took my toe-headed little five year-old sister Mallory to Mini Miner Camp when I was a cheerleader, oh she was so scrumptious!

I blinked twice and suddenly it is Mallory bringing my five year-old to camp. Seriously?!!

I am not old.

And talk about scrumptious! Here was my offspring's grand debut:

There she is!!!!

Just look at that smile!!

Oh yeah! Oh yeah! Go lily! Go lily!

It's ya birthday, it's ya birthday.....

Der...oy...oh boy...a bit of your mother's rhythm there....

It's okay, take it from me: remaining one count offbeat helps you stand out: in a good way!

{And don't forget the hot pink shoelaces....hollaaaaa spirit fingers!}

Tuck your thumbs...chin up....

suck in...

arms straight....

remain tight....

and wham bam thank you MA'AM!

Woot woot!

I will not be a crazy cheer Mom.

Bedhead

2011-11-03T20:42:00.000-07:00

{scrunchie-just-woke-up-face. And just like cellulite on bumcheeks, it's only cute on a baby. So unfair.}

It's Thursday night. Kids are in bed, Tyler gone to a church meeting and basketball night. The house is quiet and I'm surveying the dinner/cupcake-making damage. It ain't pretty.

But the wind is howling outside, and hard rain has started pattering the windows.

It might turn to snow soon, our first little dusting: so grand!

I peeked in to check on Ellie in her bed. She wasn't yet asleep, but sat whispering in her gibberish. Oh my land I could melt hearing that little voice. I stole her from bed for a minute and rocked her and sang a lullaby or two. She smiled and giggled and nuzzled into my neck. These are the moments, oh yes these. are. the. moments.

I wonder how I will find my center once my babies grow and I can no longer envelope them in my arms and softly sing and visit with their eyes in the stillness of our home (and on a cold winter night, even better). The silence at the end of a long day seems to scream with meaning, shifting my often turbulent soul into balance. This matters.They have been my most sacred glimpses in life, how will I let go? What could possibly replace them?

You know, even once they're grown adults, with enough tranquilizer and a hefty dose of ambien I could manage to drug them into submission, swaddle them soundly in the trunk of my car and transport them back home to the rocking chair where they belong.

I'm sure of it.

On the list....

2011-11-03T08:32:00.000-07:00

For Christmas this year, I am trying to not be the uber-nazi Mom who only allows her children lame wooden blocks because of their vintage aesthetic appeal when all they really wanted were colorful kitschy Bratz dolls. I really am. But I HATE Bratz dolls. Almost as much as I hate Hannah Montana figurines. And any and all life-size Barbie paraphernalia. And Hello Kitty toy sets: I find it flat out offensive how much they cost for the cheapest manufactured garbage straight from Japan's anus. I make sure to scoff and huff loudly every time I turn a toy over to check the price tag when my girls beg me to take them into the Hello Kitty store. It's the mega-bribe of a trip to the mall. If you behave, you can go to the Hello Kitty store and buy a $2 piece of the tasteless plastic lead filled gum representative of the loss of manufacturing and production in the United States. But you have to be reeaaally good.

Hmmmm, a bit passionate much about this? ME?!

I'm trying to balance the Santa-wish list a bit. And simplify. Just a few things, but good things. I lobby the girls here and there, selecting things I would like them to own and then showing them online. Look girls?!! Doesn't this look fun?!! Most of the time they heartily agree and beg to have it added to the list of what they want for Christmas. Chaching! And for balance, I've made sure to add in the ridiculous Stompeez slippers and Fab Snaps they jump up and down squealing for while watching Saturday morning infomercials in between cartoons. Just $17.95 plus shipping and handling, call now! Stompeeeeeez!!

Here is one brand I love: Schleich

They create the most realistic animal and fantasy figurines and my girls LOVE the few we've collected so far. I was surprised to see how much they played with them. Toys R Us recently had a 'buy one get one 50% off' so I stocked up. I felt positively giddy over the Baby African Safari Animal collection. And I almost went crazy and bought the entire dragon collection for my nephew Finn.

I love their quality. I love that they are educational but the kids would never guess it. I love knowing that I enjoy the purchase and will not curse myself every time we clean up the playroom and survey the mass of complete junk lying all over the floors.

If only I could get them to pay me for this type of advertising. Now that would make for a Merry Christmas.

Goodbye Hello

2011-11-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

This little found sheep...

Lost her Bo Peep!

And I'll tell you where to find her...

Look for the witch

that little snitch!

Wagging her green pumpkin behind her.

I lost a bit of my enthusiasm for Halloween costumes this year. I've quickly learned Halloween is not the hill to die on. After hours of preparation or sewing and endless anticipation of some darling costume I've spent gaggles of cash on, it all disintegrates the moment one child decides they don't like the way a certain seam or collar "itches" or "feels sticky" or "looks like a boy!". We spend the last moments before trick-or-treating begins screaming from the bathroom in a cloud of hairspray and glitter, just before taking the notorious 'kid crying in their costume' picture. No thank you. I'm done with that.

Early this month Lily decided she wanted a re-do of Little Bo Peep (see last time here - my babies!). Given that everything else she had previously pleaded for from the Halloween store was some skankified version of a pirate, I was thrilled.

However, last minute she decided to be a witch. (See last time of that one here - my babies!). Okay, whatever you say!

But be warned and weapon-up ladies, I am prepared to battle over Christmas dresses.

And did you notice this amazedaze pumpkin carving job?!!

It's my abstract interpretation of the depths of Halloween horror. Just a big hole. Deep. Isn't it? I just put my hands on the solid pumpkin, closed my eyes and just allowed myself to feeeEEeel.

I went within to my most terrified moments of watching 60 minutes presentation on Charles Manson.

HeEEEeelter SkeeeEElllter,

then I began carving.

And this is what I ended up with.

Okay kidding, the carved witch inside fell through, and we ran out of candles and this giant red monstrosity had to do.

Goodbye Halloween.....Hello Thanksgiving!!

(and minor amounts of Christmas music!)

Control.

2011-10-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

Our Sunday was a bit of a surprise. What began as an ordinary Sabbath day with intentions of peace, worship, rest, and family unexpectedly turned. I felt on top of the day as the morning began, we had a few hours before church began and I folded the last bits of clothing from summer that were to be boxed away. The piles were neatly stacked and labeled, ready for the attic.

Then.

climbed.

into.

the.

attic.

What happened next can only be described as a maniacal frenzy, a burst of the most premature nesting instinct that has hit our home in a long time. Tyler arrived home from church meetings expecting to pick me and the girls up pressed and primped. What he instead encountered was the wrath of the organizational monster, the deranged gaze of a woman knee deep in boxes and fiberglass and indignation.

Tyler said nothing, he knew well enough that nothing would be able to withstand this momentum. Not even God, The Ten Commandments, or any talk of a Sabbath Day. The woman was crazy. The fury spread like wildfire, and swept through every closet and cabinet. Linens, sewing materials, household utilities, decorations, clothing, shoes: all of it purged purged purged. The office that had so long been a source of unfinished aggravation was focused on. Come to think of it, anything that had ever been a source of aggravation or even the mildest irritation was addressed with direct and merciless attention.

Broken curtains were repaired. The unfinished corner painted. Pictures framed. Bulletin boards hung.

Three trips to Goodwill and approximately 8 hours later, a garage was full of neatly assembled containers. The office stood looking fresh and workable, the floors on our bedroom closet rediscovered. My fabrics were finally folded and color coordinated in my new sewing cabinet. I established a space to house all the birthday wrapping paper and supplies that had been stuffed for too long in my hall cupboard of shame.....

and

felt

tired

and

yet

much

better.

A few things have been aggravating me of late. And I find when there are circumstances in my life in which I have no control, I tend to refocus my energy on the myriad of smaller things I can control. Control what you can control...I tell myself. If it be finances or family relations or just the realities of life, I can channel the pent-up energy to do something. And if that means reclassifying our home library according to the dewy decimal system, then so be it. I justify this psychosis by titling it the 'conscious creation of my home', my best reality.

My good friend's little 18 month-old daughter was recently diagnosed with leukemia. My heart sank when I heard the news. The shock hit hard, and has since settled into quiet and somewhat tormented introspection. I can't help but hurt for my friend, and shudder at the truth that life - any life - can change in an instant. Your perfectly darling child, the center of your world and object of your heart's most earnest prayerful desires, can still fall ill. Your pleas and attempts at safety and control can never prevent everything. She was just over playing with my girls two weeks ago! What was a month of Halloween goodies and treats and costume preparation has morphed into chemotherapy and heartache. It haunts me and makes me feel so helpless. And yet her mother is so strong, and hopeful. We all are. We have good reason to be so.

It serves as another solemn reminder of how silly my own daily problems may seem. Life, if but for a moment, shifts into its rightful perspective.

And so I'll keep praying, and continue cleaning.

Funny People.

2011-10-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

We're heading back for our last day at our favorite Pumpkin Patch:

Andelin Family Farm (our good friends).

It's become quite the hit of the area. And I think it is so well done we decided to buy a family pass for the month so the girls could continue visits to the storytime barn, the hay maze, the puppet shows, and to see and feed all the animals. The llamas are my favorite. Their teeth are so dorky and lovable. It was well worth the price, and yet I still finding myself overspending on all of Natalie's assorted homemade jams and goodies.

Lily is on break for a month - hooray!

Yesterday I found myself remembering how lucky I am to spend my days with these peeps.

{The Corn shed, where the kids can sit and scoop and play in all the kernels. How fun is that?!}

What could be better than spending your time with the people you love most?

As exhausting as it can be to care for children, gosh it feels full.

And I don't think I've ever smiled or laughed so frequently throughout my day in my entire existence.

For example, yesterday as I brushed the girls hair as they lined up on their bathroom stools selecting hair accessories, the following conversation began:

London: "Mom! I don't got boogas in my nose, Lulee has boogas in her nose."

Lily: "Yeah, well you've puked before!"

London (looking down shamefully in admittance): "Yeah, I did las night*."

(Last night is London's extremely broad term for last night/last month/last year/last half decade. She hasn't been sick for months.)

Mom: "Girls, Lily has allergies and London is feeling good today."

Lily sighs and puts her hand to her forehead: "Mom, it's just complicated."

Where else do you get such fabulously inane conversation?!! We spend such a huge portion of our day discussing things that make absolutely no sense: purple monsters are nicer than green monsters and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance while playing hide 'n' seek and marrying Justin Bieber and Daddy and Mommy at the same time. I love it.

Or later, as I dropped Lu off at school and noticed she was having difficulty lifting her backpack.

"Lu! Get back here! What do you have in your backpack?!"

It was stuffed to the brim, with what I thought was her fluffy jacket.

Guilty look.

I pull out:

1. An entire Costco bulk plastic container of almonds.

2. Our GLASS cookie jar, FILLED with sugar cookies.

3. A container of Pillsbury frosting.

4. A set of sprinkles.

5. Her American Girl catalog.

Nice try Lily. Homegirl had a party in a bag.

I wonder what her teacher would have thought of me as Lily brought it into class, but given that I showed up last Friday with my maternity dress on inside-out, I don't think she would have been too surprised at my lack of attention.

I find it frustrating and hilarious at the same time, all the moves this kid pulls on a regular basis.

It seems I'm always laugh-scolding, if there is such a thing. (I think most would just term that ineffective discipline)

And ya never know what shenanigans they'll pull next.

I'm so lucky I'm here to ~~almost~~ catch them all.

Oktoberfest Presents:

2011-10-26T21:16:00.000-07:00

A success.

I think London's face says it all.

I am Rae, and I enjoy scaring children.

{On Halloween}

{And if you think I'm cruel, you should know that titling the narrative told by Grim-Reaper-Daniel a "scary" story is akin to calling Mother Goose rhymes satanic folklore. I think the scariest part involved the word 'coyote'. It doesn't take much to spook this child. BooOOOOOOooooHHHAAaaaaaAAAAA!!!}

Just a taste....

2011-10-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

Eden (check her out here) just sent a sneak preview of our photo session.

Can you see why I love her?!!

Can't wait for the rest!

Itching Fashionistas

2011-10-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

Bedtime pajama selections:

A bit bunchy for my preference

But fashion before comfort? Ladies, you make a momma proud.

One night as we read stories, Lily threw her Fancy Nancy Book down in dismay.

{dismay is a fancy word for consternation. Consternation is a fancy word for distress.

If you do not read Fancy Nancy books, I cannot help you.}

Why don't I have fancy clothes like THAT?!!!

Excuse me Miss Priss, what exactly is your wardrobe - chopped liver?!!! Do you understand the time and money and giggling and dancing-in-one-spot-jumping-up-and-down-begging-pouting-bargaining-pleading with Daddy-to-please-hand-over-the-credit-card-just-one-more-time that comprise your own ensembles?!!!

I looked closer at Nancy's outfits.

Hmmmm, that is a lot of ribbon.

Ruffles. Patterns, poodles, fluff.

Oh my!!!

As winter settles in and the darkness pervades our day, I just might try my hand at sewing.

I've seen too many sewing blogs to not feel inspired. I do own a good sewing machine, I should get it out.

I have a few Fancy Nancified ideas of my own to add.

And if I have a little precious diva (diva is a fancy word for Lily/London) willing to sport it, why not?!

Conference.

2011-10-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

{Dancing Queen}

I had Lily's parent/teacher conference this week.

I arrived neatly trimmed, showered and motherly looking. Notepad in hand. Really, I was attempting to look like I'm up to the challenge, but even more-so to distinguish Lily as anything but ordinary. Isn't that what all parents try to do in some way?: try to get the teacher to realize that our child, this child, is so soo unimaginably special. Even if all the other children are legitimately so soo unimaginably special too.

I feel that way in an OBGYN office or heading in to deliver a baby.

I would like to give the following speech:

Attention Distinguished Doctors, Noble nurses, and Honorable staff,

Your work is greatly appreciated.

I know that this is just another run of the mill, ordinary day in your work week.

You have lives, schedules, families, friends, relationships, headaches, and stresses of your own.

But today, right now, for this patient:

I need to you act like your mother-freaking life depends on this visit.

That every ounce of your own hope and happiness hang in the balance, dangling in the unknown expanse of the consequences resulting from this child, this very day.

This baby is not my baby, this is YOUR baby.

So act like it.

Thank you so much. The end.

I'm working through an adapted final draft version to be delivered to all future school teachers as well.

Lily's teacher is great. The conference was dandy.

"Mrs. Haack, Lily is doing very well. As you can see from the progress report she is coming along beautifully academically. You'll notice the only areas I marked for improvement were in the social department. She's has a penchant for tattling and is a bit of a chatty-kathy."

"Oh my goodness that really surprises me, but come to think of it there was this one time that we asked her to tell us about her day at school and after she went on for twenty minutes we had to say good gracious Lu that sounded like a fun day but in our heads we were thinking man this kid can sure go on and on and on and this particular day was of interest because I remember my husband got home late that day and we were attempting to discuss a business meeting he works for a concrete fabrication company as their division manager and oversees the development of lift stations so naturally we were discussing that even though I don't really care for discussion of concrete as you can imagine but business ideas do get me churning with creativity, speaking of creativity i would love to help with the halloween costume party i am really excited i was thinking that lily would like to be little bo peep even though she already was little bo peep years ago who am i to stop her from requesting it a second time around and at least it spares me from having to buy another costume so i was thinking she could bring her baby sister as a sheep but if we can't bring her actual sister i have a few darling stuffed animal lambs that were purchased at Build-A-Bear with her Nonna, Nonna is always spoiling those girls silly just like last week when she took them up to Virginia city and they rode the train and had so much fun and came home with buckets of candy...

anyhoo i'm not really sure where she gets it but i'll be sure to speak to her about getting her chattiness under control."

Inspiration and Photo Session!

2011-10-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

I had to hurry up and post something new to get that last post moving into the archive section at the pleading requests of my siblings. Too much Rachel! I stopped reading the moment I read the word 'thigh'. EEEEeeeeeew. Gross. Shoot me now. I just vomited in my mouth.

Okay fine. ExxxccUusse me for being open and honest, which I hope you always will be with me, kids. At least you know who you can come to when you encounter your own problems with prenatal flatulence!! You should be thanking me!

I really think that between this blog and my laissez-faire displays of breastfeeding at my parent's house, my brothers are permanently damaged. I'm so. sorry. Point taken. I'm going to get a handle on this.

Onto today's post!:

.........................................................................

Inspiration!

So here is the book I have selected as Ellie's first birthday celebration inspiration:

Minor confession: I picked up the book and thought instantly "Ah hah! This is it!" because I misread the title as CHARMelia. The first word that comes to mind to describe Ellie-boo is "charm", so hooray!

Wait, not so fast. Oops. Chamelia. As in a chameleon named Chamelia. Got it.

But as I read on I realized it was still just perfect.

It's all about little Chamelia, who always wants to stand out from the crowd and not blend in as chameleons are famous for doing. Chamelia is her own spectacular little person, a diva extraordinaire!

However, sometimes she tries a little too hard, and gets herself into trouble.

Then one blessed day, Chamelia realizes she already stands out on her own merit. No fancy antics needed. She is special just. the. way. she. is.

I love it because I think being the youngest of three sisters might leave Ellie-belle feeling a little last place at times. Hand-me-downs might get-'er-down on occasion. And she'll want to find her niche. Or so I would imagine.

But just by virtue of being Miss Elliotte Jane Haack the First she stands out enough. And always will! Ain't nobody gonna stand in the way of her sparkle.

Not even two older sisters.

................................................................................

Photo session!

This is my fave photographer in town: Eden Rose.

She is nothing short of creatively spectacular and has such a wonderful grasp on natural lighting (in my oh-so-humble-amateur-i-have-no-real-clue-about-photography-but-can-spot-a-good-pic-when-i-see-one opinion).

Just look at one of her latest newborn pics!

Darling.

I had her do Ellie's newborn shoot, which in turn gave us a Christmas card that had multiple people asking if I had copied an Anne Gedde's print. Um no. That really and truly was my baby. Boo yeah shocka!

{Christmas card 2010}

front

back

So IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when I got an unexpected email from Eden telling me she follows my blog and wanted to offer a special photo shoot for my girls!

After expressing my sincere apologies (it's just what I find myself doing anytime someone mentions reading my blog) I replied,

GET OUTTA TOWN YOU ARE LIKE MY FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER EVER AND YOU ARE SUPER IN DEMAND AND NOW YOU ARE SERIOUSLY OFFERING ME A SHOOT???!!!!

i think I'm going to faint.

YES! YES! YES!

I couldn't believe my luck!

I will be shopping this week for outfits.

Hooray! Stay tuned, and check out her stuff!

edenrosephotography.com

Don't let me blog lonely AND past 9pm

2011-10-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

It's 9:30pm Saturday night and my two oldest are watching the second episode of Hannah Montana on Netflix (long naps today, and i have no legitimate excuse for allowing Hannah Montana. They also still steal Ellie's binkies and I don't take them away if it means ten minutes...or thirty...or three hours of silence. Sue me.}.

Hubs is {yet again} out of town, and since I find myself lonely and unable to use the only workable television in the house, I've chosen instead to be wildly productive and peruse blogs and update myself enough on facebook to feel mildly suicidal. Is it just me that this affects so?

{Backyard explorations: Ellie edition}

I can't complain about Tyler's business trips. They haven't been nearly as frequent as they were with the last pregnancy. Plus he has a job, a job that he loves no less. And in this economy, that means we are about as lucky as can be. But this month he happens to be gone two weeks out of the entire month. BBBblllleeeeh.

Oh yes, speaking of husbands and inappropriate late night revelations, I forgot to mention the sweetest bit of advice he gave me during that last motherly meltdown.

I think you need more sex....

Sigh, if only I had a dime for every time a man suggested such a solution...we wouldn't need husbands with jobs at all, now would we? How sweet of you darling, of course! Why didn't i think of that?

Oh yes, I know! Because in the spare moments that I do get time to steal myself away from the constant pull of raising our offspring and over-caffeinate myself enough to be able to climb into the cozy confines of our sheets without entering an instant coma so that I can actually nuzzle your hotness...., the second I so much as shift an article of clothing on my body in chimes the freak internal 'sports commentator' dialogue voicing alternately between the likes of John Madden and Al Micheals.

Whooooa! Would you look at those thighs!! She's pulling out all the BIG stops now....

John, in all your years of broadcasting have you ever seen anything like this?

Knowing her history I might have guessed this maneuver, but in order to win somebody is going to have to address this serious problem with lighting....

The whiteness....the whiteness of it all....John, it's blinding!

shut up shut up shut up shut up.

And if it that's not the issue, it's that I have forgotten to take my daily dosage of Tums/Beano to silence the squelching of my squished intestines.Wrong type of moaning.

Was that just your stomach making that weird gurgling noise?

Nooo. No!
I was just smelling your neck...
MMMmmmmmm. MMMmmmm.

It didn't really sound like that.

What? huh?! MMmmmmmmmm

MMmmmmmmmm

Mmmmmmmm

shut up shut up shut up.

In other awesomely pathetic information that MUST. BE. SHARED.

Ever used a Neti-pot?????

Oh my flipping lanta it is to die for. A sinus rinse, who knew?!!! The wonders! My allergies almost instantly improved, my nose cavities moisturized! I beg you, please get one. You will not regret it.

So let's see,

Kids in total control of Netflix past 9pm

I'm alone on a Saturday night

Perusing sister's best friend's mother in-law's daughter's wedding album on Facebook

Blogging about my (way too somebody please stop her i will never think of her the same) personal life

and lack of self esteem and control over gastrointestinal region

While recommending Neti-pots for sinus health

Yep, that about covers it for tonight.

Here's wishing you a happy weekend!

Motherhood.

2011-10-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

A little ambitious for only 14 weeks, wouldn't you say?

Okay fine, I'm not sucking in.

Truth be told, I could have given you this shot last May right after finishing lunch.

The belly is

15% not sucking in

15% residual traces of previous pregnancy

25% Taco Bell soft tacos smothered in hot sauce

10% squeamishly bloated intestines (refer back to tacos)

35% baby

I could just die when I look at my children's faces. Honestly, I wonder if there will ever come a day that I don't feel that intense tug on my heartstrings every time I watch Lily run up to her classroom as I drop her off in the morning. Her ponytail bobbing back and forth and the backpack that envelopes seventy five percent of her perfect little girl frame. Last week as I volunteered to help in her class, I sorted through papers and put them into the corresponding folders. I came across hers and felt a giddy warmth of the same strand I would feel whenever I would hear the name "Tyler" as a teenage girl. I'm hopelessly in love and obsessed. The way she writes her name. Her love of multiple colors. It's bizarre and strange and I'm completely biased as I arrange the papers alphabetically. Lily's is the best. Simply the best.

She challenges me daily. If there ever was an expectation set about my motherhood experience, this child was sent to redirect it. She's made it clear from birth she is her own person, and no amount of motherly controlling shenanigans on my part is going to hamper this spirit. The scary part for me lies in balancing this relationship. She needs direction, discipline, and explanations daily. But like a horse, she can smell fear, and I just know she senses my occasional intimidation with her almost astounding level of smarts and charm and humor. I dread the day she realizes she is smarter than me: which I am guessing, at her rate, will happen around the time she turns twelve.

And Lundy girl, don't even get me started. I'm as wrapped up in her enchantments as she is with Disney's Tangled. And oh boy is she developing the widest spectrum of emotions. Dances and twirls and giggles can almost instantly (and without warning) dissolve into the most dramatic heap of sobs and screams. Tyler and I just look at each other in stupor. This child is crrraaaazy. My favorite of late are her verbal tirades, when she unleashes all angst with her wide almond eyes and jumbled vocabulary. I just want to grab her little face and mush my cheeks into hers. They are so mushy and good, and now framed by the most adorable A-line bob EVER. Did you notice?! She alternates between love and pure hatred for this new hair-cut. But mostly hatred, which makes me feel guilty for chopping the longer locks that I'm sure assisted her in identifying confidently as the actual, literal Rapunzel. It was a selfish Mom move on my part. I just wanted that gloriously little round face properly framed so I can stare at it and gush. She has her Daddy and I wrapped around her chubby finger. She still loves to snuggle and cuddle with me, a complete lovebug, and I am clinging desperately to the hope that this just might remain a permanent inclination of hers. Right now, as I type this, she is playing 'piano lessons' by herself in the other room. From what I can interpret, she is both the teacher and the student. I hear her exclaiming "Good job! Now try da udder sing!". Poor girl, with Lily at school she is all by her lonesome, but with her imagination it's never been too much of a struggle.

Ellie Jane jane jane. This little stinker. I can't even fathom that she is walking. Her first birthday is coming up and I spent the other night at Barnes and Noble, combing through every book on the shelves, until I finally found the one that will serve as my inspiration for her first birthday party. I like each of my girls to have a book that is "theirs". Somehow representative of their life, or personality, etc. I will reveal it later! It is cute as can be, just like my Ellie girl. Every morning, between exactly 6:45 and 7am, she wakes up and stands in her crib and begins calling out "Hiiiiiiiiii! hhhhhiiiiiii" to me. Her crib is in our room, about three feet away from where I sleep. We're real hippies like that. Co-sleeping and breastfeeding on demand and nudity and the whole shabang with our babies. They're either going to end up wonderfully secure in their adulthood or in repressed memory therapy. We'll see. The gamble is worth it, because aside from the misery of being pulled from my deep slumber, it is so fun to turn to the side and see her beaming little face smiling at me and ready to begin the day exploring. Her explorations have become quite expansive. I have frequently ended up calling for her throughout the house for a good five minutes before I find her: sometimes playing happily in my closet and sometimes splashing in a toilet. Just this morning we had a massive tug of war over a razor she had retrieved from under my bathroom sink. Luckily, it had a cap on it, but still! I was surprised at the amount of fight she put up for it. But a quick swoop up and a tickle on her fat belly still fixes about anything. I love this stage.

But make no mistake, this love and adoration doesn't exactly erase the plain and simple fact that this world we live in can be so, sooo difficult. Motherhood has stretched me to lengths of which I didn't realize I would stretch. Just the other day I had quite the meltdown. I locked the three of them in the backyard and allowed myself a good cry. The day had been one of nothing but whines and complaints, little fights and constant spills. It was miserably circular and I was running on extremely low fuel. By the time London dumped an entire glass of milk on Lily, I reached my breaking point. I cried to my mother, and later to Tyler when he saved me and took me to dinner for my regularly craved Vietnamese spring rolls. I was honest about my feelings. As shameful or guilt-inducing as they were, I felt no need to deny that I was feeling very much (at that point) disenchanted with my existence. This is hard... I cried. I wasn't ready for this....I feel trapped right now....I've never been very good at stuffing emotion. I think it is probably a good thing. No resentment build-up here! Denial has never been my go-to coping mechanism. I just explode on occasion and, for me at least, it seems to speed up the healing process. A few sweet and simple words from Tyler brought immediate comfort, namely when he said Remember Rae, we've been through this before, most of this is the hormones talking. Lol. It's a fact. Damn hormones! But sometimes, it isn't hormones. It's legitimate, damn truth. And that is when we know we need to change up things a bit. Re-assess and re-assign and re-organize. What I took from this meltdown was simply that I needed more sleep. And a get-away weekend with Tyler where we can just lie in bed and eat room service for three days. It's now on the calendar. Hallelujah! The next day I felt refreshed, and the day was miraculously charming. I found myself at multiple times throughout the day smiling internally at the blessings of my life and felt a renewed vigor to tackle the hard things. I think God has a hand in that. Uh oh, Rachel is really losing it....better send in some angels. Or something like that.

It's a crazy, beautiful ride around here. So grateful for it!