In Case You Were Wondering...

Raya still loves the pool...

and still loves dumping water on her head...

which is good because it makes for some fun pictures :).

We had a full weekend of family, friends, and some good food on the grill.

(I love to feed my family all natural, healthy meals -  until there are grilled hot dogs involved)

(then all bets are off)

(I actually think the best part about baseball games are the hot dogs)

(wow, that's an embarrassing fact that I probably should not share)

Annnnyway, I'm off for now to feed the little guy...

Be back later! Hope you're weekend was wonderful!

Oh Happy Day...

I just love 3 day weekends, don't you?

We're just going to hang out this weekend...

run some errands...

take a family trip to the grocery...

maybe get some stuff done around the house...

 

be together...

try out some new recipes...it is officially swimsuit season, why not bake a cake, sister?

Kinley will probably grow a new curl or 2...

  

get the girls hair cut...

I'll most likely do some kissin' on Lincoln's little feet...

We'll push some toys around out back in our 90 degree weather...

run through the sprinkler...

and maybe we'll even head to the pool for a bit...you think the pool is ready for us this year :)??

So that's about it, nothing huge going on...just going to enjoy being with my people.

Hope you all have a great looonnng weekend!

You Were Right, Friends...

 It's a bond like no other...

a love like I've never known...

a connection I can not explain...

and I am 100% wrapped around this little boy's finger...

a son, a gift, a joy.

You were right - the bond between a mama and her son is one of a kind :).

(I am not a fan of being in front of the camera at all, but my savvy (almost) 7yr old Ella took these pics, and I want to remember these moments :). She loves exploring with my camera. Not bad, eh?)

You're Not The Only One Who...

tends to the kids around the clock...

only has the time and energy some mornings to throw on a sweat shirt and tie her hair back in a knot...

checks her email in the preschool pick up line...

chases bad dreams away in the middle of the night...

checks them all before going to bed yourself...

and who only thinks she remembers what a full nights sleep is...

You're not the only one who...

isn't sure where she fits in sometimes...

wonders what the other moms think...

is unsure what to share and what not to share...

wonders who she can trust...

and who can't seem to get out of the house much by herself.

You're not the only one who...

can barely see over the laundry pile...

wonders how on earth the dishes are piled up again...

thinks twice before picking up the toys since they will be back out in mere minutes...

considers going to the bathroom as time to herself...

and who views grocery shopping at 11pm as your "me time."

You're not the only one who...

is struggling to find time to have a quiet time...

feels that these little loves push you to seek Him more...

sometimes feel like you've lost yourself in the trenches of mommyhood...

is learning that you haven't lost yourself as much as found yourself through this calling...

and who feels blessed to be as tired as you are...

You're not the only one who...

feels pulled in a 1000 directions...

wants to bottle the smell of her new baby...

loves when her kids laugh as hard as they can...

and thinks there is no better feeling than having all those little arms hug your neck.

You're not the only one who...

loses her cool with her kids...

sometimes laughs at what they're doing when you really should be correcting them...

has to often remind herself that God is in every detail of mothering - the big and the small, even the mundane and the redundant...

thinks if you could, you'd be fired some days :)...

spends time watching her babies sleep rather than doing house work...

feels overwhelmed when you realize how much you love them...

and who is constantly asking the Lord to teach you how to be a mom that will make a difference in these little lives.

You're not the only one...

at least that's what I keep telling myself :).

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

Summer...

at least in our backyard it is...

the sprinkler made it's debut this weekend...

 

The girls had a blast!

Kinley and Raya said they were SO excited about the "frinkler"...

  

but when they realized how cold the water was, they stayed on the swings instead :)...

It was just good to get outside and soak up some sun...it makes everyone a little happier :).

Hope you all had a great weekend!

In The Morning...

Things can get a little busy.

I assume that is true for almost everyone.

Before I reached the I-am-going-to-never-get-this-baby-out part of my pregnancy, I was rather organized. But at 9 months pregnant I thought of getting things prepared ahead of time, but then I thought of sleeping, and sleep won.

And just for the record, sleep usually always wins.  Sleep is wonderful. Sleep is a gift. Sleep is my friend.

(a friend that has basically abandoned me right now, but that's not the point.)

The patience issue I'm having could be helped if I get back in gear and get back to getting things ready the night before. If I don't get things ready ahead of time, things get a little wild in the morning, clothes can not be found, I'm flustered, and kids are running around in their underwear 2 minutes before we need to leave the house.

And people wonder why we're always late.

So I lay their clothes out the night before...in birth order. I know, I can't help myself, I always organize the kids in the order they arrived. Call me crazy if you must.

The living room becomes a fitting room - just like the ones in the store, only much bigger and with better lighting. Oh, and to date, I've never been escorted out of this one, so that's a plus.

I fill cups and pack Ella's lunch - her strawberries, sandwich, and yogurt are ready to just be popped into her lunchbox.

 

I also pack my diaper bag the night before as well - diapers, wipes, makeup, snacks, extra clothes, the kitchen sink. You name it, I have it in there.

So we're off for the morning, and it did indeed go smoother than in weeks past!

And now, I will reward myself with a Mocha Frappuccino Light. Just saying it makes me smile.

Have a great Friday, friends!!

Patience...

I need to get a little more.

I'm just a tad sleep deprived. And for that reason, I've been a little less than patient. I somehow suckered myself into believing that I would be some kind of superwoman after I had the babe and get everything back to normal promptly while changing diapers, nursing, and cleaning the house at the same time.

I don't know what happened, friends. The super powers and cape never showed up. Maybe it went to the wrong address??

I've been a little snippy with the girls. I've had a few nights when I put them all in bed and sit down and think, "I was a crappy mom today...there's no other way to say it." You've been there, right? You know the nights when you want to go back up to their room, wake them up, and tell them you're sorry for the way you acted? I hate that feeling.

I've been convicted of it lately, and really realizing that not only do I not like how "impatient" looks on me, but I'm flat out setting a bad example when I'm short tempered. These kids, pick up everything. I read this verse somewhere in relation to how you react to your kids...

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

I can't stop thinking of that when I'm feeling close to losing it with the girls.

For laughs, let me give you an example. I might have mentioned before that one of our 5yr olds is quite the talker...and by talker I mean, she asks a million questions. Especially when I'm in the middle of something or trying to think and I've asked her to be quiet. It goes something like this...

Me: Reese, please be quiet just for a minute...
Reese: But Mom I need to tell you something...
Me: No you don't...
Reese: But I really need to tell you...
Me: You really don't...
Reese: But I dooooo...plleeaasse...moooooommmm...
Me: What is it, Reese?
Reese: Um, um, um, um, um, um...how tall are you?

(Please excuse me while I bang my head against the wall.)

(Deep breath in, a calm and loving response back to that spunky little love.)

It's funny, I get mad at them for not listening sometimes, but  how many times does the Lord wish I would stop talking and just listen? Probably more times than I'd care to admit.

They are little, they are sweet, they are good little girls, and they are doing the best they can - as is their mama. Again, life is not an emergency. The world isn't going to end if the laundry doesn't get put away.

I think we'd all be a little less stressed out if we weren't trying to do a million things at once...or maybe I'm the only one who does that. I am a multi-tasker, but I have found that I am more likely to snap at someone when I'm trying to concentrate on 10 things instead of 1.

Maybe I just need to slow things down a bit.

The Lord is and has been more than patient with me, the least I could do is try to be more patient with them. So I'm trying. And  I'm putting that verse on my fridge so I can re-read it over and over.

(In case you're wondering I'm at the fridge a lot cause all my...uh...diet foods are in there. Oh who am I kidding, it's because there are Twix in the freezer. Moving on.)

So today I tackle this patience thing again as I work my way through each new day of motherhood. Hopefully today, with His help, and maybe the help of some sweet caffeine from Starbucks, I will do a little better :).

The View From Here

I CAN'T believe he'll be 4 weeks tomorrow!

Sheesh, time flies, doesn't it!?

Mom's Moves: 5 Indescribably Ways To Impress Your Family

Well, maybe not yours, but these things impress ours. And by ours, I mean, the kiddos.

Even though I am a self proclaimed home body, I have been known to say, "I'd rather be crazy in public than crazy at home." It may make no sense to anyone but me, but it's true. When the kids start climbing the walls at home, I get them out to burn off energy at the park, running errands, or you guessed it, Target.

Although my outings have decreased a bit as I adjust to my new entourage of 6. Don't worry though, I'll get back in the game...you know, at some point.

So today, along with some other mama's, I'm going to share 5 things that my family loves to do. Keep in mind that my growing crew can get expensive to take places, so I impress them a lot at home - but here are some of our favorite things to do...

1. We run errands. You name it, we've been there. I find that the more I venture out with them, the easier it gets, and the better they behave over time. I get stuff done, and it makes them feel like we've done something. Everyone wins.

The 8 of us went to Lowe's this weekend to pick up some stuff, we put a whole new meaning to the logo, "Let's Build Something Together."...

(I was there too...behind the camera...with my little man strapped to me)

2. I buy those little plaster...ornament...craft thingys from Hobby Lobby. They are like $1 a piece and the girls LOVE them. I mean really love them. I lay some paper down, give them some paint and presto, mama has some time to get things done around the house. Or check blogs. Whatever you fancy.

3. Once a week or so we do desserts, and we do them well. The kids favorites are sundaes. Sprinkles, fudge, whip cream, you can't go wrong.

Why hello there empty but blissful calories. Good to see you.

4. We take the kids on 1 on 1 outings. This is always so very special to them. It doesn't have to be anything super fun or amazing, they just like getting some time alone with mom or dad. So when one of us has to make a quick trip to the store we take whoever is next in line...it's always a fun little trip.

5. And by far the best way to impress around here is...a surprise. We plan something ahead of time, load them in the car, and make them guess all the way to our location :). It can be a trip to the fountains, a picnic in the park, or dairy queen for a summer treat...whatever it is, if it's a surprise, it's a really big deal.

So there ya have it...those are some of our favorite things to do - some of the tricks up our sleeves...some of the ways we stay sane by showing them a good time :).

Hope you all had a great weekend!

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Our Neighbors Know Us Well...

Have I ever mentioned that we love our neighbors? Well, we do. They've embraced our growing crew since the day we moved in just shy of a year ago, we really are blessed to have them.

So anyway, they brought over some gifts for Lincoln the other day, one of which proves how well they know us (me)...

I know, isn't that hilarious??

(shhh...don't tell Lincoln that there are 5 other little stars around here too, we'll ease him into that as he grows.)

(although he might already have a clue since they all act like little mothers and want to hold him ALL the time)

I just thought it was to cute not to share :).

Well, I'm off to feed that little star now, and then maybe...possibly...hopefully get some housework done.

Hope you all had a great week!

A New Normal?

Sure, I've found it.

I don't know what day it is...

or which laundry basket is clean or dirty...

or if the dishwasher has been run...

But that's normal, right?

I might have started carrying smelling salts in my purse for those people who ask if Lincoln is my first...

instead of strangers saying "hi" when we pass by they say, "whoa"...

and when Eric picked up chick-fil-a on the way home from work the other night he might of asked me, "would it just be cheaper to buy the party platter??"

But that's normal, right?

I might have had my shirt on backwards yesterday...

and I might not have realized till I was in the preschool drop off line...

and I may or may not have thought of how hard it would be to secretly turn it around while still in the car...

But that's normal, right?

I don't really have plans for dinner...

or a time that I can actually get to the store...

or a time that I can get out of the house at all for that matter...

But that's normal, right?

I might be serving a lot of cereal...

the girls might have eaten Trader Joes mac and cheese 3 times this week...

and a common meal right now for me might be goldfish, a half eaten nutri grain bar, and the mac and cheese that is left on the girls plates...

But that's normal, right?

Sure, my hair hasn't been blown dry since April...

I vaguely remember what a flat iron is...

and my make-up isn't...wait, whats that?

But that's normal, right?

Target isn't as easy as before now that 2 2yr olds have been set free from the stroller and can now make it all the way back to womens shoes in 5 seconds flat...

it's possible that by the time we get to the back of the store I think, "wait, what am I here for again? Why did we come here??"...

and it's also possible that I left without the main thing I went in for...

But that's normal, right?

I feel a little crazy...overwhelmed...but oh so blessed...

there is a new little guy sitting in front of me that has won my heart just like his sisters did...

and even though it's a little chaotic, foggy, and messy right now, I'd do it again...and again...and again :).

But that's normal...right?.

Same Savvy Blog, Different Title?

 It's time, don't ya think? Our sweet Lincoln needs a manly spot around this savvy place :).

 I've been tossing some ideas around in my head for a sub-title, but then I get side tracked by...well...this delicious little thing...

Siigghh. The cheeks...his little hands...all the blue...I'm in love. It's not obvious is it :)??

In case you haven't noticed, mission "wrap mommy around Lincoln's tiny finger" has been completed.

Annnyway...

We need to add him to the title of the 'ol blog, and I need your help...plleeaasse :).

Savvy Little Women...

...and one little man

...and little Lincoln

...and ...help me out!!

I could use some ideas, what do you think?

Hope you had a fantastic weekend!!

Oh Boy...

this Mothers Day looks a little different than last years :)...

So, so thankful for all 6 of these little loves that make me a mama.

Hope you all have a fabulous day and a relaxing weekend! Happy Mothers Day, dear friends!

I Don't Deserve It

I rock Lincoln in the middle of the night in the rocker that was handed down to me from my mom, and listen to him eat and make all his little noises. I love the dim light, the peacefulness of the wee morning hours, and the quiet time I get to sit and soak in his newness.

I don't deserve it.

6am rolls around and its time to get back up and start the day. The girls shuffle down the stairs as I pack Ella's lunch and fill sippy cups. The dishes are piled high, the floors need to be mopped, and there are 3 laundry baskets filled with lots of little clothes that need to be washed and folded. Another full day of raising kiddos is under way.

I don't deserve it.

The girls are busy, loud, and full of energy...I have yet to figure out where all that energy comes from and how I could get a dose of it. They wear me out, sometimes push me to my limit, and fill my life with non stop action. The days are full right up till they lay their pretty little heads on their pillows to go to sleep. I'm tired, sometimes the days are long, but I'm thankful, and humbled that this chaos fills my hours.

Because I don't deserve it.

I have had many moments lately when I look at all of them and think, "How will I ever raise them all the way the Lord wants me to? How will I ever succeed at this? Will they look back one day and say I was a strong mother who raised them right? Am I even qualified to do this!?"

But I quickly remember that I don't have to do this mom thing alone, God never asked me to. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. He will show me the way, and He will light my path.

I don't deserve that either.

He has a plan that's bigger than mine. He see's my strengths, weaknesses, insecurities, and faults. He looks at my heart, my intentions - the good and the bad, and still loves me. He is the only one who truly knows Kate, the real Kate, the Kate who no one else knows. He knows what I can handle and what I can't on this road of motherhood.

He will guide me as I guide them, teach me as I teach them, and love me as I love them.

It humbles me to my core, because again, I don't deserve that.

So tonight at 2am when my eyes are heavy during a feeding, when the girls are running circles around me, when I can't remember if I brushed my teeth or not, when mac and cheese is flying across the table, and when someone says, "wow, you have your hands full!". I will give thanks, because He has blessed me beyond measure with a life that is full of sweet, sweet chaos.

A crazy, busy, loud, but sweet life that I definitely don't deserve.

Makes me want to spend all day squeezing these little gifts that He's entrusted to us :).

Getting Peed On, And Other Signs That You Might Have Just Given Birth

You got peed on at 4am this morning, and may or may not have forgotten to change your shirt before returning to bed.

There are tiny baby diapers in every room of the house.

You have thought of naming your emotional state after a roller coaster.

You got peed on in the Dr's office...and then pooped on...and then spit up on.

You've tried on your pre-pregnancy pants 3 times even though you know that at 14 days post delivery they just ain't gonna fit.

The "track pants" that you grew so fond of during your pregnancy are still a big part or your wardrobe.

You've actually thought of how you could "dress those track pants up a little."

You cry when you think of how undeserving you are that God entrusted this little guy to you.

And then you cry again because you caught yourself saying something bad about your body after He used it to carry 6 little loves.

You find yourself talking to the hostess at Bob Evans about pumping and milk production.

At night you roll over on your belly and quickly change positions because you "can't lay like that when you're pregnant!!"...and then you remember you're not pregnant anymore.

Your husband comes in the room an hour after you say you're going to put the baby to bed in his crib, only to find you asleep with the baby asleep on your chest.

Your 2yr olds suddenly look SO old.

You are really, really tired. But oddly enough, you have more energy than you did when you were pregnant.

There is nothing you'd rather do than smell his sweet little head.

Putting your hair back in a knot without drying it is now your new look. It's a miracle that you even showered in the 1st place.

The first week was a little rocky, but now that you're starting to find a new normal, you're starting to reach the stage when you think, "maybe I could do this again...and again...and again!"

You're husband sort of thinks you're crazy when you say that.

(and so does the general public)

Lansinoh cream? Yes, please. And keep it comin'.

You are hearing little grunts and squeals while typing this.

You got peed on in the fitting room at Kohls...twice.


There are spare breast pads in every purse, bag, pocket, room, and car.

You all the sudden get what people were talking about when they said, "there is just something about the bond between a mama and her little boy..."

You are experiencing a new love that you don't know how you lived without.

(that last one is the best one :))

What did I miss??

A Little Sweetness For Your Monday

Our house has been semi taken over by germs this weekend. C-section recovery was fun, but strep throat and the flu have given me a swift kick back in to full-time-mom-mode. Lincoln and I haven't caught anything so far, knock on wood...please pray that we don't!

I'm having trouble forming a full thought cause this weekend has kind of wiped me out, but I did make time to get a little video of the babe and thought I'd share some Lincoln sweetness with the rest of ya :)...


lincoln from Kate on Vimeo.


Those little sneezes...and his little noises...isn't he just the cutest!?

Ahem.

I'm partial, I know :).

Hope you all had a great weekend!!