The Boys Are Back in Town

My boys are back home. They were only gone for about 36 hours, not TOO long; just enough to be missed and give me a break. They went to visit the multitude of grandparents that live a few hours north of us. I'm glad Husband took the boys, they haven't visited with those grandparents for a few months. I had to stay and babysit, and that's okay. I had a chance to relax, to watch a movie, to get some sewing done, to fold clothes once instead of multiple times before I put them away. I had a chance to get the house looking better (not as good as I could - I was lazy). I had a chance to just be me. I loved my break, but I love my boys more. It feels good to have them all home. I love that I am back to hugs and cuddles. I love that they want me. I love that this house has life in it once more instead of being so quiet.

Sidewalk Art

When we visit our Alma Matar (down the street), we usually go in the back way (it's faster when we walk). I noticed this sidewalk art around Sept. 11th.

Ps. 118:8 - It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. (NASB).

It's still there. It's interesting. It's in an out of the way corridor, one very few people ever go and I wonder why they chose this place. I wonder a lot about this particular writing; what made them decide to do this, why did they chose that verse, how old were they when this happened, and the list goes on.

It was on my mind, so I thought I'd share.

1950's Housewife

Today was a 50's themed bridal shower for my sister-friend. I got the idea for the theme from my cousins. It turned out nice, there were about 12 people who showed up (counting us). Very family oriented. The best part was seeing those who chose to dress up.

Back when I started planning this several weeks ago, I thought it would be easy to dress up for the shower. I planned on wearing a button-up shirt, skirt, and apron with pearls. Well, Thursday I tried on the skirt I was thinking of and it didn't fit like it did when I bought it. Turns out I didn't have an outfit, and I was throwing the party. Friday I decided I would make a skirt, a simple one. I looked up tutorials online for simple skirts and circle skirts. The circle skirt was big in the 50's, but you need a zipper and I wasn't in the mood for that effort. I decided to do a simple gathered skirt, two rectangles for the front and the back and a rectangle for the waistband. Easy. Things are always easy until I do them. I measured my waist and how long I wanted the skirt. I did everything right, except I didn't think when I cut out the front and back rectangles. They were 26 in. (length) by 53ish in. (width). Now, had I been thinking, one of these rectangles would have been plenty for my skirt; I didn't need two. I wasn't thinking and I went ahead and began sewing. I even made sure there were no raw seems (every now and again I decided I want to do this). Then came time to attach the waistband. There was so much material I couldn't gather the skirt. My basting stitch broke and I didn't care. I knew it wouldn't work to try and sew all those gathers. I decided to do a box pleat (a tutorial I had seen explained them). This worked like a charm. I'm glad to say it wasn't difficult, just time consuming because it's one of those things that have to be exact, you don't wing it. So, when all was said and done, it took 3-3 1/2 hours, but the skirt is awesome. I love it and I felt very 1950's housewife making it the night before.

TERRIBLE picture of myself, so look at the skirt.

Front

Pleats

Closure (upper left)

Back

Tuesday

Early morning (G was up at 5, H at 5:20, and J at 6). Okay day until nap time. Lack of sleep last night and at nap time made for a grumpy me since 3ish. I hate these days.

Edited to add: This evening has been better. My sister-friend came over and watched the boys while I walk/jogged (mostly walked) 2 miles. It was good to go exercise and it was good to be away from the boys for a bit (something that happens very rarely). I'm so glad today is ending in a good way.

Sunday's over...Monday is here

The weekend is over. It's back to work (of sorts). I find it funny how it feels like work never ends for me, and it doesn't, but with Husband working weekends normal ideas of time don't seem to apply to our family. The break comes during the week when he's home and can wrestle with the boys. Small moments of sanity for me wrapped up in the chaos of running and wrestling.

I'm struggling with life right now; with my ability to complete the tasks I need to and wanting to do what I want (without much success). I know we make time for what is important, and I'm trying. I don't feel like I'm succeeding much. Right now "I'm trying" is going to have to be enough...

The boys are growing so quickly. H loves to play and read. He wants attention constantly. One of his favorite ways to play is pretending. He makes friends with every kid he meets. G is a Mama's boy. He wants to be held and watch before jumping in and playing. He loves to climb and jump. J is more outgoing (though he has been clingy lately). He willing gives toys to his brothers and S, which is nice to see.

Embrace the Camera

It's been so long since I've done embrace the camera. I've been taking the pictures, but not posting them. Then again, I haven't been posting much lately. Here are a few from yesterday, including one of Husband and J that I love!

Husband and H

G and I

J and Husband

J and I

Linking up with the Anderson Crew.

Blog your heart

Stephanie, from Just me, My Soldier and our 4 little chicks, posted a challenge today to blog your heart. She mentioned a post by Ali Edwards that I happened to read this morning. So, here is my attempt at blogging from my heart.

Life has been a struggle lately. I find that with Husband's new shift (that he started in July) things still haven't settled into the routine that they were before the change, and it's frustrating. He had Sunday's off and now he doesn't. I think this has been one of the most difficult parts of the change.

The boys are growing and changing daily. The twins still don't say much, but they like to surprise me with a new word about once a week and they jabber a lot, especially when it's time to lay down for nap/bed.

H is stubborn (only to be surpassed by J, not sure what I'm going to do with that one in the future). I love him. He is very obviously his father's child (and I love that too). He's all boy. We butt heads a lot. I've been doing better about working on that, but the lack of sleep due to sick babies over the weekend brought me back to our starting point. I just have to remember, tell then make. No yelling, no threats, no questions - tell, then make!

I've been terrible about journaling, blogging, being creative for the last month. I want to. I think about it. Nothing happens. Part of that is me being tired (what will I do if we have more kids?) and part of that is a lack of time. One thing Husband and I need to work on is giving me time away from the kids (or the kids not in my space when I am in the dining room being crafty). I need a break and I don't feel like I'm getting any.

I started babysitting S again (she's such a cutie). I think there was a little adjustment on both our parts. It's hard for her to be the only one at home and then come here with the three boys. Thankfully she's an easy baby and she's doing great. They all love to be together and I love to watch them interact.

Well, I think that's it. I could babble-type forever. Life right now is hectic and tiring. My house is a disaster (except for the boys' room) and I get dinner "made" most nights. I'm glad I'm not working outside of the home right now. I can only imagine how much more tired/frustrated/etc. I would be.

Aspargus

I love asparagus. I know I'm strange, but I do. It's been on sale lately, and that means we've been having it more often; I've also been finding new ways to cook it. My favorite thus far has been baking it after tossing it with some olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lots of parmesan cheese. So yummy!

A few days back I also found a recipe for baked parmesan tomatoes. I had to make it, and I bought all of the ingredients, but it took me a few days to get it done. These tomatoes are AMAZING! It's like a cheese pizza without the crust, but you don't miss the crust (and that's coming from a carb loving girl who never says no to bread). Absolutely wonderful.

Baking goodies

A delicious, "healthy" dinner

I love....

I love that the weather is cooling off again. It means that my boys can play outside more. More than that, I love the J loves to pick dandelions. He picks the yellow flowers, tries to blow them (he knows something is supposed to happen), and gives them to me (which is the sweetest part). He's not even 2 and he's picking flowers for me. I hope this phase never stops!