Crusty Boogers

I just found a stash of crusted boogers under the arm of the couch.

I have bananas in my hair.

:: Note to self; Find out what foods are good for conditioning hair masques, feed them to the babies. Two birds, one stone..::

I did the math the other day;
I make an average of 33 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a week.
I am glamorous.

...This month marks 6 months that I have been working from home. I opened a childcare and am now able to stay home with my little monsters plus a handful of others. This month also starts the final year of my twenties... not that it's relevant to this blog entry... but... maybe it is.

What a whirlwind it has been.
I'm not going to lie... 6 months ago I was losing my mind a little, trying to adjust to this new lifestyle.

:: flashback to fetal position and psychotic laughter ::

I think I've got it down now. In fact... It's a little worrisome JUST how comfortable I actually am.  I live and breath tiny humans. Meals, learning, naps, HELL even diapers are on schedule.

It's all about perspective;
Cheerios spilt on the ground?... You just saved on dog food.
Everyone decides to climb out of bed for the first 30 minutes of nap?... Consider your cardio complete.
Refuse to the lunch I just made for you?... Time for nap, my meal is ready.

Perspective.
Is my baby screaming like a wild banshee?..... OR is he exercising his future vocal genius?
I choose to keep hope alive.

:: Side note; Do NOT be like me and now google what a "Wild Banshee" is. Terrifying. ::

 

:: Side note II; I know you will anyway... Rebel. ::

 

 

Crawdad feasts and rainy day drives

So, Kirk has decided we are putting on an annual "Corned Beef and Crawdad Feast."
A little oakie?... indeed.

I'm not a big fan of either, but I am certainly a fan of sunshine, friends, feasts and beer.

I had no idea that you could do this, but Kirk's buddies had crawdads shipped overnight from New Orleans.

:: Only the fanciest in the Coleman house. (pinkies up!) ::

 



All of this was just a tad barbaric for me to participate in, but I do see the beauty. I mean... these guys were straight-up high on excitement as they sorted threw the live little crustaceans. Betting on which crawdad could kick the others ass (none of which actually happened)... posing the food for me to make sure I documented... and finally cracking through their masterpieces late into the night, happy as all hell.

It was quite entertaining.

 

 

The weather was great and the sun came through the clouds just long enough to finish out the festivities.

The next day was cold and rainy and perfect for having zero plans. We drove away half a tank of gas with nowhere to be. I surely took advantage of that fact... "Stop here, babe! Stop here!" It felt so good to just slow life down for the day, side by side with my other half. Perfection.

:: stand by for the rainy day slideshow ::

 

:: the end ::

Ode to Valentines Day

I am not super big on Valentines Day. I don't have anything against celebrating it, I just don't agree with waiting all year to show love on a single day. And then, any lack of effort that day gets you a one way ticket to the dog house.

No thanks. I'll pass on that. Skip the day and beat the crowds and escalated prices. Celebrate it a different day, or ALL OF THE DAYS!

...I just don't want to celebrate it on February 14th... because I'm a rebel.

:: ...and its my buddy Thomas' birthday. Holla! ::

Last night we were able to get out of the house for our first date night since Johnny was born. All three kids were in good hands and we ran out the door before Grandma Kim could change her mind. It was beautiful. We cleaned up nice and spent the evening not being "Mom" and "Dad." Instead we were husband and wife, reminiscing on our special moments, sneaking kisses and throwing back some much needed beers.

A little restless, I spent the night creepily staring at the back of Kirk's sleeping head.

I kept thinking how lucky we are. Everyone goes through life jumping from polaroid to polaroid of moments, experiences and encounters. We mark that time in our life, let go, and then jump to the next. Each leading us in a new direction.

Kirk and I found each other at exactly the right moment. What started out as a friendship quickly turned into so much more. Instead of jumping to the next polaroid we realized what we had and just held on to each other. We stayed in that moment. We still stay in that moment. And all of the sudden all of the polaroids before us just fade away. The ups and downs of the past don't matter anymore because they got us right here.

So, we celebrate all the time. Because we are SO damn lucky.

I stopped creepily staring at the back of Kirk's head and closed my eyes cuddled next to my other half. #TeamColeman

(Wedding photos by Weddings By Sunnyside)

 

 

 

Flashbacks

It's been about three weeks since Johnny's delivery. Life is beautiful, full of shits and giggles. Shits from the baby... exhausted (semi-psychotic) giggles from Kirk and me.

I was once told that mothers have this natural born gift to forget the hard times of birth. They forget the pain of labor and the exhaustion of the sleepless nights. They forget that for the first few months they are a slave to hourly feedings, burpings, rockings, walkings and diaper changings of the new little bundle. They forget that simple things like showering and taking trips to the bathroom by yourself take strategic planning. They forget that... most of the time... they cry for no reason other than to strengthen their future rock star voices.

It's true. We do that. It's all coming back to me now. Greasy haired flashbacks of seven years ago go racing through my mind.

Then the little bundle FINALLY falls asleep on your chest and about twenty seconds later you realize it is because the built up gas he has been crying about has escaped his tiny body... and left its mark through his clothes and all over your shirt... for the second time that day. And its worth it. It's all worth it.

My favorite things:
How his little lips and his natural scowl look just like his daddy's baby pictures.
How Harper obsessively tells me he loves him and insists on brushing his hair.
How when he cries, Jace walks straight over to him and soothes him until he goes to sleep. No questions asked.
How his little legs kick with excitement in the water of his bath.

:: (swoon).... and instantly it's all worth it again ::

 

 

In honor of our sanity, Kirk has used his spare time in the last few weeks to build us a garage getaway; equipped with a bar, lounge and music stage. All was made from donated or recycled materials, by the way. I'm extremely impressed... and slightly turned on.

 

:: (...as my sister in law gags) Love you Ash! ::

 

 

 

Harper brought home this Woody doll. This doll had Kirk and me giggling the entire day.

 

:: Yes, we are 12...and three quarters ::

 

"Daddy, I want to show Grandma my Woody!"

"My Woody is dancing!"

Well played, Pixar... Well played.

 



 

Anyway, the boys have been rocking that stage, a few friends have already graced the stage... and I... am looking forward to sitting at that bar.

 



New Year: Organization Station

It's a new year!
Lets get our diet and exercise resolutions in order!

:: I think I just felt all my friends and family rolling their eyes ::

Ok. So, that stuff isn't really my focus.

This year is full of changes and new adventures, though. Between our two boys with two different schedules, our new little bundle arriving very shortly and diving into entrepreneurship with multiple new career starts, I've been at a loss for where to start and how to get a good grip on all of this. 

Start out the year with the right focus.

 

Kind of like starting off each day with clean clothes, a fresh cup of coffee and a thirst for inspiration.

 

:: ...as I hypocritically type this in my pajamas. Fine, Kirk's shirt because my pajamas don't fit anymore. ::

 

THE POINT IS, the effort is there!

 

So, I did a little search on Etsy for a planner to at least get my schedule in order. I found the greatest little shop for exactly what I was looking for. It's called ninjandninj. When I wrote the shop owner, Jenna Dempsy, with questions she was super friendly and helpful. SOLD!

 

:: getting all warm and fuzzy knowing these new planners came with some badass energy ::

 

2016 Weekly Planner:

Monthly Calendars with optional tabs

Weekly Calendars

Notes Pages

Fun Stickers

 

 

12-Month Financial Planner:

Budgeting Goals and Advice

Budgeting Tools and Organization

Meal Plan Organization

Contacts

Notes Sections

More Stickers

 

 

There's more in there too. I would definitely go check out her shop if you are looking for some organizational help for the year.

 

I'm slightly obsessed. It's a brand new year. Her options are adorable.

 

... and her card says I don't have to wear pants... so...

 

 

Loving this.

So inspired.

 

 

 

Shop Info.

Click the logo below and check it out!