I vow to never eat another Whopper again.

OK.

So.

I never intended to take a bloggy break these last two weeks. But things happen. And for the past two weeks EVERYTHING in life has been happening at school.  These end of school days are a hazy mixture of field trips, field days, assemblies, parties, special lunches, volunteer recognition, you name it.  It all happens in May. I think they pack it so tight that there is nothing but SWEET RELIEF when it's over.

Until they are home for three days and the constant fighting makes you drive to back school just to see if anyone is there to take them from you.

Or, is that just me?

My kids have a total of 3 hours left of 4th grade and 1st grade. 

*bittersweet*

Anyway, that is NOT what this post is about.  This post is about HOW NOT TO BE A LOSER like me.

Yesterday after school my kids came home like they always do. STARVED. TO. DEATH.  And because I'm awesome, I turned on the oven to preheat some chicken nuggets.  It's a good thing I was standing there because about one minute later the oven window lit up like a Christmas tree.

Hmm?

That's odd.

I took a peek inside to find shooting sparks and flames.  The heating coil had caught on fire.  I turned off the oven but the flames didn't go away.  They got worse.

Commence panic and the wild throwing of baking soda.

The flames STILL did not stop.

So I doused it with water.  And when that didn't work I started throwing corn starch.  Cause I'm smart like that.

(add three screaming kids and you've got yourself a par-ty)

Finally.  Finally it stopped flaming and the fire died down.  When I looked closely at the damage I found that the heating coil had melted and broken apart.  I could be wrong, but I didn't think a HEATING COIL could melt apart??  I mean, isn't that it's job to get really really really hot and NOT melt? 

Anyway, it did.

Once it cooled down I started to clean the mess.  YUCK.  It was so bad.  The drawer under the oven got the brunt of all the nasty goo.  As I was cleaning that out I had a major revelation.

Did you know that drawer can come off so you can clean the floor underneath your oven?

Who knew!?!?

Well, probably all of you.  Or at least the ones who passed 7th grade Home Ec.  If I had passed, I totally would have known that.  But since the teacher was a bigfatmeaniehead who hated me and thought it would be fun to torment me.  I didn't learn it.

Oh well.

But what I did learn is that people are disgusting.  I swept up all the hair and dust and groddy stuff that has been living under my oven for the past 10 years.

GRRRRROOOOSSSS!

I vow to never eat another Whopper candy again.

I also vow to keep my oven clean.  Which should be the true moral of this story.

And I plan on learning that lesson real well as I sit in a restaurant tonight.

*glee*

May means...

school countdown.

a million field trips.

uniforms hanging to dry.

unmade beds.

cereal nights.

packed school schedules.

art shows.

baseball equipment everywhere.

dirty dishes.

quick hair.

messy playrooms.

May means life.

Facing the Giants.

This weekend we played in a very COLD baseball tournament.  There were four teams in our division all with pretty good records.  The teams we face in tournaments are so different from our team.  The other teams are ALL-STAR teams with hand selected players from different towns.  Our team is a group of boys that have played together for many years and will hopefully feed into the High School program in a few years.

The major difference is that the other teams are always packed with HUGE boys.  Boy-men, really.  We faced some 10 year old boys this weekend that were the same size as a small man.  The main thing that comes with size is the ability to hit to the fence. 

Hit after hit after hit.

Our boys held on tight in the first game.  I hate to say we lost because of two bad umpire decisions.  But yeah.  We lost that game due to two bad calls.  This game was a nail-biter.  The score went back and forth the whole time.  The Pirate boys played a great game and they should all be proud of their efforts.

We went on to lose the next three games.  Although we were all disappointed in the outcome, there are so many lessons in losing.

You never quit.

You never give up.

You never stop hustling.

You never stop giving everything you have.

You always stand with your team.

You stick together through the good and bad.

You cheer each other's victories.

You stay true to who you are.

You shake hands and congratulate the winners.

You leave everything on that field.

You stand united.

Isn't that just like life?  You have victories and losses.  You succeed and fail.

BUT YOU NEVER STOP.

Our boys picked themselves back up in the semi-final game and played their hearts out.  They didn't give up.  They faced their GIANT and made us proud.  They walked off that field heartbroken, but strong and united.  They proved to each other that they all deserve to be there.  They all had success in that last game.  They all dug deep and committed to see it through to the end.

I don't know about you, but that's how I want to live my life.

Every single moment.

Giving everything I have.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks...

WOW! 

This week was a complete blur! The first week of the baseball/softball season and it was busy for the coach and his support team (me).

Tuesday night, Zeb had his first game. This is his second year to play in the competitive division of his age group.  He (usually) plays second base and pitcher.  He lives for baseball, just like his daddy.  He wears Skip's high school and college number...16. 

The season opener was a success!  The Pirates won 10-3.

Thursday night, Langley had her first softball game. This is her first season of coach pitch. Sadly, the game got rained out in the bottom of the first inning.

(By the way, I have a crush on the man in pink.)

Saturday, we hit the road for a two-day baseball tournament. It should be a fun weekend!

I will be back on Monday for some riveting content.

Or, maybe not.

My brains might be fried from sunshine, high fructose corn syrup, and baseball.

"Happy Other's Day!" (Wit age 2.5)

Well, I hope all you mommies out there feel honored and rewarded after Sunday! Actually I hope you feel that way everyday. I hope your family confirmed that the work you are doing to raise your children is hard work.

Valuable work.

Worthy of a calling work.

Blessed work.

But if they didn't, you have my permission to spend the better part of this year reminding them yourself.

Amen?

Sorry I am late in wishing each of you dear sisters "Happy Other's Day".

The reason I am late is because this is how my "Other's Day" went down.

The toilet.

Literally. 

Early Saturday afternoon I felt the gurgles, which quickly progressed into painful cramping. One thing led to another and I spent Sunday on the throne of mercy.

Is that TMI?

Anyway, watching my family leave for church and a special lunch (MY SPECIAL LUNCH) really made me an emotional basketcase.  I was depressed and sick and honestly, smelly.  No one hugged on me.  They looked at me from the doorway and then ran as fast as they could the other direction.

Sadness.

Loneliness.

I wished for a relaxing day, a "day off" if you will.  But this isn't what I hoped for.  It was torture.

Anyway, I did do something quasi-enjoyable with all my alone time.  I read a book.  I haven't read a book in FOREVER.  It was awesome.  Other than the fact that I felt like I was going to die, it turned out not-so-horrible.

I have been wanting to read this book for a long time.  It was perfect for a sick-stuck-in-bed day.  Lots of intrigue, murder, mystery, revenge and plot twists.  I would recommend it.  There are some questionable parts related to some, who am I kidding, most of the characters but it's nothing that you haven't seen if you own a TV.  And since this is 2011, pretty much everyone I know has a TV.  You have probably faced some of these storylines.

Honestly, it wasn't the worst day I have ever had.  And if you took out the severe cramping and all the whatnot it would probably rank right up there as the perfect way to spend "Other's Day".

How about you?  How did you spend your special day?

I promise I won't be jealous if it happened to include yummy food and sweet children who actually hugged you without plugging their noses.

I pinky swear.

Mother's Day Giveaway...WINNER!!!!

Thank you all for entering my giveaway this week!! You made my day with your comments and encouragement!

Not just of me, but you all loved on my friend Jeannette. Thank you for taking a peek at her amazing merchandise. I have several of her creations in my home. I just love pretty things!

And she knows pretty.

So without further ado...

Drumroll please, Bob.



Here are all the names of those of you who graciously entered.

I was going to use Random.org to chose the winner, but why would I with this cute thing hanging on my leg all day?

The names are in my favorite mug that says, LOVE. Which is how I feel about all my friends that live in the computer.

He takes his work very seriously.

And the winner is...

CONGRATULATIONS BRENDA!!!

A real-life friend! Contact Jeannette, or chase her down in the carpool line to order your MOTHER'S DAY gift!

Happy Thursday!!

**the fine print**
no toddler was hurt in the making of this giveaway. I know he is on the counter, but that's where he always is. He has only fallen twice and both times he was fine. The giveaway results were verified by a sick seven year old on the couch. I asked her if any cheating was involved in the drawing and she said, "huh?" So there you have it. Giveaway results deemed legit. I know you are wondering if there is any chance Brenda will default on this giveaway so a second winner will be chosen. Not a chance, she deserves it and I hope she picks something awesome. So if you want anything you will have to order it yourself. I, in no way work for too cute designs and recieve no financial reimbursement for this drawing. I, do however, what to eat her cute stuff up with a spoon. I can't get enough!  The team at SNOTANDKISSES would like to thank each of you for entering.  Also to remind you to watch that youtube video of Bob.  Thankyouverymuch.

Where HE met me.

As a mom I try my hardest to make my kids' lives easy, or at least easier.

I know which shirt they like to wear the most and I try my dangdest to make sure it's always clean when they need it.

I know what school lunches they like and which they don't. Again, I try to stay on top of it so they have a lunch they like to eat.

I know that they are just plain starved when they get home from school and I try to have a hearty snack ready to fill their bellies.

I know who likes chocolate milk and who likes Sunny D and try to have both in stock.

I know which shoes they will wear with their favorite shirt so I have them ready by the door in the morning.

I know they both shower in the morning so I try to stagger their schedules so they can both have plenty of hot water.

ETC. ETC. ETC.

The things that can be made easy for them, I try my hardest to see that it is.  I know there are plenty of things that they have to walk through on their own.  They face struggles, failures and just plain hard things.  There are things I can fix and things I can't. 

And shouldn't.

As they grow, I hope they (ahem...start to) appreciate the things I made easier for them simply because I love them.

Today, I got to witness first hand that same love for me through my Father.

I had to make a trip to the Big City with Wit just to run in 3 places.  The driving time was longer than my actual errands.  I absolutely DREAD running errands with a two year old who is constantly running away from me at break neck speed.  There isn't a device here on Earth that contains that child.  A simple thing like running errands is like pulling all my arm hair out one by one.

Anyone?  Anyone?

My first stop was Hobby Lobby.  I just needed 9 visors for our softball team.  I should have known that God would have showed up at the Hobby Lobby.  It's practically church.  Closed on Sundays with Christian music piped over the intercom.  It's a close second to the real thing.

But, I digress.

I needed 9 black visors.  I walked straight to that aisle with blinders over my eyes.  Heaven help me through all the cute stuff.  In the aisle, guess how many black visors they had in stock?  Nine.  I was in and out in 3 minutes. 

I know!

Next stop was a sporting good's store for 13 pairs of pink tie-dye socks.  After dragging the toddler out of the car and deeming the store too cluttered for a stroller, we walked straight to the sock display.  Guess how many pink tie-dye socks they had in stock.  Thirteen.  Again, we were in the store just a few short minutes and on our way to our last errand that had a drive-thru.

Driving home, I was smiling at the fact that each store had EXACTLY the amount that I needed.  Then it hit me that God did that for me.  God took something that I was dreading and made it easy. 

Just for me. 

Just because He could.

Just like I do (or try to do) every day with my kids.

God, in his merciful fatherly tenderness, loved on me today.  He reminded me that I am the apple of HIS eye. 

His beloved daughter.

It's such a small thing really.  But it meant the world to me.  The things He can make easy, He does.  There are things He can't.  There are things and choices that I have to walk through and struggle with.  There are times of failure, times of stress.  Times of agony, times of pain.  Times of loss, times of heartache.

But the things He can make easy, He does.

Simply because He is a proud daddy.


***************************
Don't forget to enter my MOTHER'S DAY giveaway!!  Ends THURSDAY, MAY 5 at noon.

This is the moment I have been waiting for all day.

One o'clock.

Naptime.

The BIG salad.

"Friends" on Tivo.

Putting my feet up.

Thirty minutes.

Renewal.

*****************************************

If you haven't entered my MOTHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY...what are you waiting for?  Winner chosen Thursday at noon! 

Right before the BIG salad!

Confessions of a mother and a GIVEAWAY!!!!

I have two confessions to make regarding Mother's Day. Both of which I am not super proud of, but hey. It's real life, baby.

1. Every year I buy my own Mother's Day gift in advance. In other words, I go shopping and spend too much then feel the need to justify it by calling it my Mother's Day gift. But in fairness it's usually something that I need. So that makes it all better.

Last year I coveted this...

So I bought it.

Showed it to Skip and said "Happy Mother's Day to me!"

Yeah. I know it's a rolling cooler (yawn). But I have a deep obsession for bags of any kind. And I like picnics. There you have it.

I already have my gift for this year.  I bet you are dying to know what I chose but that will have to wait!

2.  Now this is the confession that I am cringing at while I type.  On the actual day of the big celebration, I don't really want to be "on duty".   A mommy rarely gets time off.

***cringe***

If you are still here, let me explain.  We always go to a restaurant with Skip's family after church.  There are 20+ of us and we usually sit at one big table.  I still have a toddler that needs A LOT of attention at mealtime so Skip and I are usually down on one end with most of the little kids.  Not that I don't love my kiddos, I just want Mother's Day to be a day off.   I don't want to cut food, wipe noses, referee any fights, or make a dozen trips to the salad bar.  I just want to sit down and stay down.

(Do you still like me?)

(I hope so)

Last year I shared this with my mom and she offered to help.  She kept my kids for the day while Skip and I went out to celebrate his mom.  Guess where we sat?  THE MIDDLE.  With the grown ups.  It was awesome.  Totally selfish, but totally awesome!

After lunch I took an amazing nap and then went out (sans kids) to celebrate my mom and grannie.

I was so relaxed that day AND I gave my mom the best Mother's Day gift...time with her precious grandchildren.

See.  Maybe I'm not so selfish after all.

If you are anything like me, you jump at the chance to treat yourself to what you really want on Mother's Day.

Peace.

Quiet.

Nap.

A rolling cooler.

I would love to offer each one of you a day filled with peace and quiet and yummy naps.  I can't do that.  I would love to buy all of you a rolling cooler.  Can't do that either. 

But I can offer you something else you might really want...

A giveaway! 

A special treat from one of my real-life, super talented friends.  Who also happens to be a hero of mine!  She's a rockstar mom.

Jeannette at TOO CUTE designs is offering one of my lucky readers a TWENTY DOLLAR gift certificate to spend in her Etsy store.  She has lots of goodies for sale, or you can place a custom order.

Just look at some of her amazing MOM gifts.

This Mom Power tee shirt is fantastically fun.

I really love that you can choose your own fabrics and colors.

Grandmas, you can enter too!

Jeannette's talent doesn't stop there.  Her bags are ONE OF A KIND and fabulous.  Twenty dollars would go a long way towards this one.

Or this one.

Oh, somebody stop me!

Here is a custom nursing cape for the brand new momma!  I had one of these for nursing in public.  One word... LIFESAVER!

To make working in the kitchen fun, you NEED a beautiful apron.  I love mine and have it monogrammed.

Yummy!

I will give you three ways to enter this AMAZING giveaway!  Three entries possible!!

1.  Visit TOO CUTE designs by Jeannette on Etsy and come back here to tell me how you will spend the $20.

2.  Become a "follower" of this blog, or if you already are tell me.

3.  "Like" TOO CUTE designs by Jeannette on fb, or if you already do tell me.

Giveaway is open until NOON on THURSDAY, MAY 5th.  I will notify winner via email!

Now, do you want to see my Mother's Day present this year?

I thought so.

Not nearly as lame as a rolling cooler.

Happy Mother's Day to me.