Excuse me...

I am out of control with the home\re-decorating\cleaning and organizing posts.  It's just that I am HOME.  I have the time, and the ENERGY to do these little projects that make my home even better!!!  It's so fantastic I can barely stand it! 

So today, we went to Target.  You know Target, right?  It's that magical mecca where all your dreams can come true because 1.) everything is relatively inexpensive, and 2.) almost everything is pretty!!  :)  Today our goal was to get the loft area upstairs into some sort of order.  I HATE clutter.  No, really, I can't stand for things to just be sitting around with no purpose.  I like my house in order.  It's my HOME.  It's a special place to me.  I want it to feel that way to anyone who may enter.  So the loft upstairs is mostly the kids' domain.  The upstairs has their bedrooms, a bathroom, and the loft.  The kids have free reign up there so I want it to be as cheerful and fun as possible.  We have the chalkboards on the walls, and then their toys are up there.  I like it to still look neat though.  I like it to be such that when they clean up, they know where to put everything and can get it back to the peaceful place it was before they started.  I found these closet maid shelf storage things.  They are CUTE and they have these colorful fabric drawers you can put in:



Lily's framed artwork:

Artwork from both kids line the main hallway upstairs....



It's fun being a homeowner, but "they" are right when they say that "a home is never done".  We have lived here since December of 2006 and still....it is a work in progress!!  I LOVE this work though, let me tell ya!

:)

SAHM?

Today is my first official day at HOME.  No more leaving the house to go to work. The kids and I plan on filling the rest of our summer days with exercise, swimming, trips to the library, taking care of the house, cooking, etc.  It's funny because a couple times when I have told people of my decision to stay home they say "well, what are you going to do all day?".  It is as if some people think that women who choose to stay home are choosing NOT to work.  It is actually not like that at all.

If you are truly being a stay at home mom, you are choosing to be a home MAKER.  Making the home is actually quite hard work.  You are the front line person there for your kids at all time, you are the one cleaning and cooking and grocery shopping, running errands, doing homework, taking the kids to their activities, etc. etc.  It is not a passive choice of work, by any means.  If you take it seriously and believe in it as your true work---you work harder than you did when you were at a paying job.  Without a doubt.

I am one who takes this seriously.  I have the week scheduled on my dry erase board.  Chores and activities listed out so I can't forget what I need to take care of throughout the week.  I have researched what free activities are available in town, and am ready to get the kids involved.  I have volunteering opportunities set up as well.  This is a life choice, and it is one that makes a difference in my life, and the lives of my kids.  I take it seriously because it is IMPORTANT.

Part of my transition has involved cleaning and reorganizing my "office".  My home is now my true domain so I wanted to do some purging and re-organizing this weekend to make it the most efficient domain possible.  We had tossed around the idea of getting a pantry installed for extra storage.  When we priced it out, it was roughly $1000 to do a pantry with our current type of cabinets.  Pantries are cool, don't get me wrong, but I can think of SO many better ways to spend $1000.  Hence, I found what I think it a much more modern, fun, way to add extra storage and it only cost $59. 

The thing I like about this is that I am able to display my cute canisters, have my bar ware out and displayed, and have easy access to the other appliances I have on the shelves.  This actually freed up two FULL cabinets.  It's a wonderful, inexpensive way to add some storage. It really only works if you have some extra wall space, which we do.  Actually made my kitchen feel BIGGER if you can believe that.



Also did a little shelf in the bathroom.  Again, freed up a lot of cabinet space in the bathroom and made it easier for the kids to locate TOILET paper!!  :)

These are little things, but they make me happy!! 

This past weekend we celebrated Addie and Grace's fifth birthday.  Gosh how time flies.  I SO love watching the 3 girls growing up together.  They just love each other so much.  It's awesome.  Almost like they are all sisters. 

Beauties!

:)



Things that are making me so happy today.....

• Sunshine.  It is a beautiful day.
• TREATS!  People brought some in to work today!
• My husband is home safely from Seattle
• Knowing I will be spending Monday with my kids
• My pooches.  They are sweet little balls of chaos.
• Feeling as though I am living deliberately
• NFL is BACK!  Oh my, the JOY!
• Love.  Love is so fulfilling
• These People:

Purpose.

The purpose of life is a life of purpose.  Every day when I take my exercise classes, I stare at this quote on the wall in front of me.  It is such a simple little statement, but nothing could be more honest. 

In the recent months I have been feeling like I wasn’t on the correct career path.  Not that banking in itself is not a good path , it is just that I know it is not MY path.  I was happy to have a job, be working, socializing etc.  Then I started realizing how much I was missing with my kids.  

Being a working mom changes your dynamic with your children.  It changes the quantity and the quality of the time you get with them.  If you work a 9-5 job, the odds are you can’t pick them up after school.  You can’t volunteer in the classroom, or volunteer for field day.  In the summer, they have to spend all day in daycare, or enjoying their summer with others.  NONE of this makes anyone a BAD parent.  I do understand why mothers work.  I just feel like it is not the path that is right for me. 

I remember being 20 years old, in college.  My parents were getting on my butt about why I couldn’t settle on a major.  In that moment I flat out told them that school didn’t really matter to me because I just wanted to be a mom.  It’s true.  My 20 year old self knew.  My 20 year old self was authentic. 

I graduated college, I got my degree, I was keenly aware of how much that education of mine cost.  As I grew up, got married, had kids, etc. etc.  My awareness\guilt about that college degree really molded how I made decisions.  I felt guilty that it cost so much and I felt like I wasn’t using that degree.  Hence, I worked full time.  I took long breaks with each kid, but ultimately I went back to work.  

The problem is, the real me would rather be at home.  I LOVE cooking meals, I LOVE cleaning our home, I LOVE being there for my kids 100% of the time.  In this world, and all its chaos—I need to be the first person my kids see when they are done with school.  I NEED to be answering their questions, addressing their concerns, talking about their days with them over a snack.  THAT is MY calling.  That is my JOB.  THAT is my PURPOSE.

Hence, my last day of out-of-home work will be August 2^nd.   I will miss my co-workers so very much, but I am so giddy in the possibilities of my domestic life.  I am so excited to be able to volunteer in their classes, and in the community.  I can’t wait to be that stable force and to build my daily routine around being the parent that I live to be. 

Thankful to be getting back to my authentic self and thankful that I have a spouse who is fully supportive.  Life is SO short.  Anything less just won’t do.  J

Happy EIGHTH Birthday, Aidan Hamilton!

My Dear Son,

  I need to start this birthday letter out with a little apology.  You have been on this earth since 2003 but it wasn’t until this year, 2011, that I thought to write annual birthday letters to my children.  For that, I am sorry!  Don’t worry though, it will certainly be a tradition going forward.

This year you are turning 8 years old.  It’s astonishing how fast our time together has passed.  Since you were born, all I really wanted was to be able to freeze time, freeze moments, freeze your giggles, and your goofy sentiments.  You were my first born, my first miracle-my angelic son.  When I saw you for the first time, I knew for sure you were absolutely the most beautiful child that was ever born.  You were healthy and bright, and calm.  You were the fulfillment of everything I had ever dreamed.  All I wanted in life was to marry an amazing man (your daddy—wow does he fit that bill), and then have babies, and then live happily ever after.   You see, son, I am a romantic.  I believe in love and beauty and romance.  I believe that the true “wealth” in life, comes from those things.  I never lose faith in them. 

You know what is so great about that?  YOU are a romantic too.  Even in kindergarten you fell in love.  Puppy love- innocently following the little girl around the playground.   You aren’t the kind of boy who teases or terrorizes the girl you adore (believe me though, most boys your age do).  Oh no, you are the one who tells her she “is the most beautiful girl”.   You sit beside her and then you come home and tell us all about it.  I love this about you.  I love how your heart is so open.  Your open heart will make for beautiful relationships in your future.  I know that it will also mean some heartbreak for you, too.  This will be so very difficult for me to watch. 

You see, my desire to protect you is very, very intense.   Because of your gentle nature and your soft heart,   I always worry for you.  I worry that people will hurt you, and I worry that they will try to change you.  I don’t want the ugliness of the world to ever change that magical heart of yours.  I always pray that your heart will remain pure and that you will never lose sight of all the beautiful treasures of the world. 

I see you relishing that beauty every, single day.   You get such a thrill watching your plants grow and flower.  You notice when I color my hair or get my toenails done.  You are the first one to point out a particularly gorgeous sunset.  You are a constant observer of the world, and you seem to truly appreciate natural wonder. 

I secretly hope you will decide to be a veterinarian someday.  Okay, it’s not a secret.  It’s just that when I watch you with animals, it is such magic.  You have this calming effect on them.  They rest their heads in your hands, and they look into your eyes, and that is all they need.  Your soul was made for comforting animals.  You truly have a gift. 

Aidan, I can’t even put into words how very proud we are of you.  You are such a treasure to us.  Your kindness, compassion, silliness and love have made our lives so rich.  I love watching you grow and change.  I love hearing what you think about the world.   I hope that you always know that daddy and I have your back.   We are so lucky to have YOU as our son- YOU with the golden heart, YOU with the angelic soul.



We love you more than you could ever know.

Love,

Mama

Vacation 2011

Oh how I LOVE vacation.  The freedom, the adventures, the quality time--it is all so essential.  I love making these memories with my kids.  This year, we did a road trip to Asheville and then on down to Hilton Head. We traveled with Misti, Matt and the girls.  It was so fantastic. 

I was initially concerned about the drive down because since Jason had already been down there for business, I was driving down alone with the kids.  I was caravaning with Misti and Matt, but still, I was driving the whole time.  Turns out, this was a piece of cake.  My kids were fantastic.  They watched movies, played video games, never complained.  In fact, they hardly made a peep.  I had to check in on them periodically to make sure they were still in the car with me!  :) 

Heading out:

 Heading into Asheville area--just gorgeous

We stayed in Asheville for the first couple of nights.  Asheville is beautiful.  I could move there in a heartbeat. The green mountains, the fun, quirky, city.  Really nice.  We had a ball "camping" there.  We stayed in cabins for those first two nights.  Misti was roughing it more than she ever has, and I think she liked it!

 Campground has a pool!

 :)

Downtown Asheville

Swinging on our cabin's porch swing

Misti and I up on Mt. Pisgah.  Driving up there was terrifying, but the view was worth it!

Aidan on Mt. Pisgah!

lily!

Reflection falls....Aidan had to pee here.  See next picture.  There were no bathrooms to be found.  So, yes, he sat in the reflection pool.  Kind of funny to see their faces.

Then it was on to Hilton Head.  Gosh, I love that place.  The ocean, the sand, the warm sun.  It is beautiful.  We had such a relaxing, lovely, time.  Ready to go back!!  As you can see, we spent 98% of our time in the pool.  There were 3 to choose from, so it was fabulous. 

 On the beach at night.....

My love, in his Jimmy Buffet like shirt, and I. 

Our last stop was Nashville.  We wanted to take the kids to see where we got married.  Opryland suffered severe damage in the Nashville floods.  You wouldn't know it though, it was just as beautiful as we remembered.  Coolest thing was that there was a wedding going on, right in the same spot where we were married.  Made me even more nostalgic!  Was nice to share that with the kids.

Cascades....inside Opryland.  So gorgeous!

Getting their country on....

Kids and I in front of the fun water fountain 

Aidan was mesmerized!

That gazebo in the background is where we got married.  Couldn't get any closer because the wedding party hadn't cleared out. 

 Our family.....started here.  :)

:)

Vacation=Priceless.