Happy Mother's Day!

First of all, Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, mothers-to-be, grandmothers and women in general!

Zoey and Mommy
May 2011

Mother's Day is a fun day and a special day for all Mothers. My whole world changed when I found out I was pregnant and it changed again the first time I held my daughter, Zoey. Everything I do or think about is through a new filter, through a mom's eyes. This is a holiday that celebrate what my blog is all about. All of the small things that happen, seeing Zoey grow up, our family adventures, the challenges I do for myself, it is all worth it because I can share it with Zoey and my family.

Zoey and Mommy
August 2009
Coming come from the hospital after she was born.

Our adventures are all different and special because of how Zoey experiences them. To her, the smallest step is a big adventure. That is why I am here. I want to make our walks become hikes across the country. I want to make building blocks become building skyscrapers. I want to make cooking dinner become a fun and glorious event. I want to challenge her, support her, teach her, and most importantly love her.

These are my tales from a mother. I'm no one special. I'm just a ordinary wife and mother that enjoys watching my family grow. I make mistakes just like everyone else. But I love God and I love my family and I think I have an amazing life. Thank you for reading and letting me share my tales.

Weekly Gratitude

This week I am thankful for...

...Friendships that last a lifetime. This is Dana, I've known her since I was 4. We got to visit her and her family this past weekend. It was a real treat, especially since it was the first time we met her son, Drake (2 months).

...That new baby smell. I had a great time holding and playing with Drake. And though newborns often make people rethink having kids (or more kids), but I loved it and can't wait until we can have another baby. 

...Zoey doing well with baby Drake. Zoey does well with babies, but Drake is the youngest she has been able to play with. I think she did really great and will make a great big sister when the day comes. She would hold his hand and put his pacifier back in his mouth and was overall very gentle. In the picture she is playing with his vibrating seat. I think this is hilarious because her big cousins use to play with her in hers all the time when she was smaller. It's cool to see her becoming the big kid now.

...A girl who doesn't mind getting dirty. We went to the lake and Zoey immediately went to the water (her favorite play toy). She picked up pond scum and went yucky and would then burst out laughing. It was great because I was laughing as hard as she was.

...Four-wheelers. I haven't been on a four wheeler since high school and I had a blast! Zoey even went around with me. I'm also thankful for how brave and adventurous she is, it allows us to do all kinds of cool things with her.

...Creamy cocoa butter and shea body wash. I found this last week and fell in love with it. I only got it because it smelled okay and was the only scent with 50% more in the bottle. But the first time I used it I was immediately transfered back to the beach on those relaxing days when you can smell the salt on the waves and feel your skin getting warm. It is the most relaxing body wash I have found.

...keeping my old toys. This is a doll that my Daddy got me when I was little. It makes my heart feel very full when I see Zoey enjoying some of the same things that I did when I was a kid. 

...Stephen and Zoey. I love that Stephen lets Zoey help him like he does. I love this picture of them washing the car together. It makes me feel so happy.

...My sweet kitty Laz.

...My silly kitty Creampuff.

A Soapy Adventure

After Stephen got home from work yesterday, he decided it would be a good idea to wash the car. I definitely wasn't going to argue with that! Zoey even wanted to help. So I got to start dinner and clean up a bit in silence, a very nice rarity. But I was very curious how things were going outside. So I go check it out...

It was so cute! Zoey was really helping. Of course she loves doing anything associated with Daddy or water. Stephen said she helped make the soapy water, which she also love to continue playing in. She was even helping to scrub. She would scrub a little, then go get more water and scrub some more. She would even stop every so often to make sure Daddy was cleaning it right. She was adorable.

This one is my favorite. 

My Little Artist and My Kitties

Yesterday afternoon I was working on painting some Mother's Day gifts when Zoey got up from her nap. I didn't put it all up yet because 1. They were still drying and, 2. I wasn't really done yet so I was hoping to finish later. So when Zoey runs out of her room from her nap, where do you think she goes? Yep, right to the paint. I quickly move all of the projects I was working on and realize Zoey is ready to paint too.

My Little Artist.
Zoey is very intently creating a masterpiece.

I figure, why not? She does great with finger paints, she learned how to use a paintbrush with watercolors, so the next step up is acrylic, right? Well, it went really well! She used the paintbrush and was very seriously creating a masterpiece. Of course eventually she began to use fingers and make hand prints, but it all washes off (skin at least). It was all set up on my craft table, so I didn't care if it got painted on. She got a little on her shirt that I can't get out, but that isn't really a big deal at all.

The most important thing...she had a blast! And she created a very cool picture. It could probably be sold in a museum for hundreds of dollars with people talking about the composition of color, etc. I could always say I had an original. Okay, so probably won't happen, but she had fun and that's all that matters.

A picture is worth a thousand words...
this picture is worth a thousand laughs!

The best (worst?) part was when we found her in the paint again after dinner. (Remember I said I wanted to work on it later? That would have been after she went to sleep.) Anyway, I couldn't be mad. I was laughing way to hard for that. It was perfect too because Stephen was like, she is too quiet I bet she is in your paint again. He would be 100% right. She made herself a masterpiece! And then it was bath time...

And just because, I wanted to share pictures of my kitties. They are very sweet and do great with Zoey. Pets really do make you feel better no matter what:

Lazarus

Creampuff

Day 4: A Place to Put Your Feet Up

This day has my name on it! I grew up in a house that was never spotless because we were too busy living in it. I wanted my house to be the same way. I believe it is. Friends are always welcome and they know they don't have to look a certain way or act a certain way while they are here. They are friends and friends are our family so that is how I treat them. My mom always told me this: if you come to see my house, make an appointment, if you come to see me, drop in anytime. I really like that. My house is pretty much never spotless, but it is clean. There will always be toys on the floor, book lying around and projects half done, but that is our life and I love it! Our house may not always be super clean, but it is always filled with love!

Today's Martha challenge was to clean the microwave. I've been waiting for this one to pop up, and dreading it. This is my least favorite, non-daily chore in the kitchen. I always think I will keep it up and clean as the mess happens, but that never happens. I'm doing good to do that on the open counter tops. I actually debated about skipping this challenge with the excuse that today is the last day I have to get a weeks worth of things packed to go visit my parents in FL. Then, I decided that would just be cheating myself, so I did it. I will say the lemon juice idea helped a lot...put lemon slices (or I used juice) in a bowl of water and heat it for 3 minutes. It really did help the particles come off more easily. I was actually impressed at how quickly and efficiently I was able to finish this project. I am almost embarrassed to put up the before pictures, but I am quite proud to put up the after pictures.

Before: If it isn't obvious, the microwave is within arms
reach of the chair Zoey eats and helps me bake in.

After: Wow, I can see my reflection!

Before: Yucky!

After: Wow, I didn't know it could look that good!

*Note: The challenge is associated with Joyful Mothering from the book 31 Days to Clean by Sarah Mae.