A promise of a jeweled crown on days like these

~Only the START to my day

Mr. Spaghetti artist~

A day like many days, another frantic day of stay at home Mommyhood that seems to tear me in a million different directions. I find comfort in a promise I can't seem to find the exact words, but words close enough. In all these deeds I do from day to day that can be unnoticed by the human eye, someone is keeping track, someone knows. It's a day that I must drive both kids to school for preschool drop off, and reload crabby baby to pick him up again..oh and run to the bank, car wash (screaming baby does not like big scary car wash..), rummage through Walmart to get supplies to make a snack for Dad's night at preschool tonight..all while throwing m & m's at baby to keep him quiet and seated in stroller through store..A day when I melt my gooey concoction to create a "nice treat" to bring in for Dad's night, the kind that is sticky and I spill corn syrup all over myself and the floor. I toss marshmallows down at baby to keep him at bay, away from my hot, sticky, chocolaty mess. The floor is so sticky, I clean my foot and parts of it with a Clorox wipe..that's right I gave myself a partial sponge bath with a Clorox wipe! Oh..and baby has gotten stool and is standing at my sink playing in my chocolaty gooey mixing bowl filled with water..he is now all wet and it's time to reload into car to get 4 year old brother! Quick change shirts and throw in the car..and he throws up on me- guessing a result of too many m & m's in Walmart and the marshmallows? A day when I've shuffled kids from here to there, the baby has smeared spaghetti all in his hair and all over himself. I've been barfed on while rushing back into the car again, been screamed at in the car by an overly tired baby, hurried, spilled all kinds of substances on myself and my just cleaned house. A day I've been putting in 'overtime', the only adult in the house (who's patient enough to handle all of this coming unraveled at once), HE is watching, HE is smiling down, HE is crafting that crown or jewels or whatever the promise is my Mother claims is to be true! I know I've heard it before too..earning your crown in Heaven. I have combed my concordance for 20 min. now looking for that exact verse, frankly because I know I don't have more time allotted to keep looking before it..screaming baby will emerge...and he's awake now before I'm even done. I will find that verse! But until then, I found this, and this makes me smile when my tears of frustration and feelings of under appreciated-ness seem to surpass any other thought....

Matt 6:18b

"but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will REWARD you."

6:19

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth (hiring a Nanny on days like this!!!;)

20 "But store up for yourselves TREASURES in Heaven...21 "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Sun Lover

Always a sun lover am I...a person who blossoms in warm, sunny conditions. My feet ache in the winter time for freedom in flip flops. Winter time sure proves a struggle, still adjusting from sunny days everyday and a consistent and modest winter, desert climate of Vegas. I get so homesick this time of year of our home of 4 years. Yet today, I was sitting in my kitchen and the sun was blaring through the back door and side windows onto the floor. This area of my kitchen has become my favorite area in the house. Whoever ordered the plans for this house, I've noticed among the other styles of our home on the street, ours is one of the only ones with this "bay window like" feature on the back of the house. I have come to realize, this has to be an extra gift just for me. I actually get so desperate for summer sun, I lay on my kitchen floor in the sunshine that illuminates through these windows! I close my eyes and can hear those palms swishing in the wind. This might be enough to get me to spring like temperatures, flip flops, and some family bbqs. Don't forget the planting of flowers, love that too. Taking the boys outside to run in the yard and hit up the t ball of course. Please spring, come soon! ~ your loving warm weathered friend, Steph~

Snowdays...the strangest things go down on snowdays!

Mr. Frank- the snowman created by one Daddy & Parker

( he shops Old Navy apparently)

I turn around from washing dishes to find I have a naked window washer!

After his loving Father tries to explain we don't wash windows naked, we don't want Mommy & Daddy to go to jail over exposing the neighbors, the cabana boy decides to cover himself with the dishtowel and run off...


the product of dipping one's binkie into a pile of ketchup, over, and over, and over...

dip into ketchup...eat..dip into ketchup...eat..

Growing into bigger things..but still holdin' fast to those blankies!

The blankie family..Lotus (front and center), Dotus & Frotus

sickie Parker taking it easy..

Trying on Daddy's shoes..2 different kinds!

only 12 more years until I can fit in these big ol' shoes!

Some more memorable moments for me watching my little dudes. So ready to "step into Dad's shoes"...well not exactly, but yet, still needy enough to cling to soft, cozy blankies that have been there along the way since babyhood.

Sure..drive your monster trucks on me in church

As much as my boys continue to grow up and their interest in man things increases by the day, I have to say I really enjoy special moments with them. Like today in church, both of them driving their little toy monster trucks all over me and my sweater, boots and even head at one point. I'm glad they know they have the kind of Mom that wouldn't scoff at such behavior, I welcome it and have come to enjoy it. Everyone always says "they grow up so fast, and to enjoy this time.." well I have to say the more Parker grows up, the more I enjoy him. The most amazing thoughts come into his mind and bursts of love these days. He greets me with open armed hugs and tells me sweet things unexpectedly. One day a few weeks ago I had a miserable cold and was driving him home from preschool. I tell him I love you Parker randomly, all the time and he repeats it back to me. On this particular day after he said he loved me he added "and when you are sick, I will love you even more!" Absolutely heart melting, no prompting..just from the bottom of his little 4 year old heart. More than anything, I want my boys to know how much I truly love them and always will no matter what choices they make in life, or don't make. I am so thankful for these 2 little men to raise, to cuddle with, race cars with, talk about their boogers and to share love with.

A glimpse of God direction

I love it when God reveals his plan. Ever have one of those moments where it dawns on you..or something falls into place, the right opportunity, or reasoning behind why a door so long ago may have closed? Sometimes we seem to get an immediate answer to things, sometimes we don't and always wonder, and sometimes we get resolution to those things even years later. I am trying to say, I get it God..an answer from years ago, resolve and contentedness and even joy about your plan. You made me..to be wife to him, to be Mother to these 2..to live THIS life, in this place and in THIS way. A brilliant and mighty God you are...

Bubbles & Boo Baie`

The Jackster himself has mastered the world "bubble" during bath time. Although it sounds a bit french, Boo Baie`is how it comes out from the mouth of this babe. I love watching him imitate his older brother and repeat new words...bear, downstairs, Dada, Mama, Carker (Parker), car, chooch (train), food, drink, Nana...just a few.

He has learned the art of climbing all too soon. Caught him not only on top of a kitchen chair, but then the kitchen TABLE itself the other day! Frequently he stands a top the coffee table declaring my wooden chest his baby domain from where he shouts his baby wants and desires...and it's only the beginning. This kiddo is all boy, rough and tumble all the way.