Adventures with farms and ice cream

Today the kids and I loaded up for some "mommy and me" fun. We headed over to Brenham to visit a local farmer who sells organic meats. Our grocery budget allowed us to only buy pastured eggs. The meats are just too expensive. But, I love these eggs. They seem to taste so much better than the ones I can find at the store. And really since I pay three times as much for them...they should be better for us!!!!

Sam put on his overalls and "work" boots for the trip. It's a long way to the farm though. He and Reagan watched a movie in the truck while we traveled. Once we got thre, they were thrilled to see all the animals and meet the "farmer."

When we finished it was about 15 till 11. I knew that the Blue Bell Creamery did tours during weekdays and we were close enough to try and make the 11:00 tour. We hurried and made it just in time! Both kids did great. Sam was especially good with listening and following my instructions. He's getting to be such a big kid.

We got to watch a short film. Thankfully, a VERY short film. I was very nervous about how long I could keep Reagan entertained during that!!! We also got to tour the factory. Ok, tour is a very loose sense of the word. We looked at three rooms, but we did get to see them making homemade vanilla (our favorite!!). It was interesting to see how all of the machines worked.

At the end of the tour we got to sample some ice cream. I got a rainbow sherbert and mint chocolate chip. I thought that Sam might like all the rainbow colors and maybe sherbert is a little better for you than full-fat ice cream. But no. He quickly figured out which one was best and proudly declared to the room that he would be eating the mint chocolate chip. Reagan was just in heaven getting to share with us!

On the way back home, I let the kids eat PB&J in the car. This was a horribly messy idea, but they loved it. Once home we cleaned up and napped.

I've been waking Sam up early from nap to help with evening routines. So, an hour later we were all up and headed to the park. We met Madison and her dad there and played for two very fast hours.

As we were leaving the park, Sam yelled out to Maddie. "I have something for you." He had found a stick that was apparently the treasure of the moment and he asked Jared to break it in half for Maddie and him. This moment started off so sweet. Sharing what's yours (I guess...) with a friend. Then at just the right moment...

"wait, Maddie. I need the bigger one." Sam made sure that he had the bigger of the two pieces of stick.

Today we...

...went to the grocery store and save 20 dollars using coupons.
...hit Walmart to score some laundry detergent for cheap. Ok, this was maybe the low point!
...went to Lowes to buy rakes for the kids to use on the yard. Sam's excitement was too much!
...cleaned the house
...did the laundry
...weeded the garden
...kissed lots of boo boos
...played in the playroom
...decided not to take a nap
...weeeded the garden
...ate dinner with dad who got to come home at 6! Yeah!
...bathed two kids
...had adult conversation

What a great day!

Private

Well, I feel a little bipolar making my blog private again. This time I am leaving it private.

Moment of total honesty ahead.

I just discovered a blog where someone who knows my family was writing some very personal and altogether awful things. I get that not everyone loves my family. That's ok. Writing horrible things about us in a public forum...not ok.

So, I have been reminded of how public this blog really is. I don't want everyone in creation having access to pictures of my kids or reading about our struggles and joys as a family.

And I need to remember that being kind to others is the right thing to do. I need to be careful of how I talk and how I allow my children to talk (ok....Sam...Reagan is still working on putting two words together!!!:)

New Beginnings

How come new beginnings in the Lord always seem to come with tests? Oh yeah, the prunning of the bad stuff.

I'm believing today that God is great and His plan is better. It's better when things are going smoothly and it's better when things are getting rough.

In all things, we will give God praise.

Potty and pacifier

I walk into the front bathroom to find both children trying to stand on the potty. Already this is not a good situation.

I pick up Reagan. Her hands are wet. I assume she's been playing in the potty.

Sam says "No, mama she was not in the potty."

I smile with relief.

Sam says "But her paci was."

"I pee pee Mama and I get some on the seat. So, I clean it off, but the pacy fell in the potty. Don't worry Mama I washed it off. See."

He then shows me how he took the paci, climbs up to the sink, and rinsed it off.

What a thoughtful big brother he is!

Run to CJane

I love blogs.

I love to read. Blogs allow me to read some great stuff in a short period of time.

This is crucial when you are mostly reading when clients no-show appointments or between putting kids to sleep and passing out yourself.

I've been reading CJane and I love it. It's a thought creating kind of blog. Every day I snuggle up to my computer and I invite CJane on in for a moment.

Today she writes some wonderful stuff. I love her thoughts on womanhood...to me it's a beautiful summary of all things woman.

Don't walk...run on over to CJane Blog so that you can partake in this wonder. Be forwarned though...it's not for the weak. It will cause you to think. It might cause you to question. Like I said, it's the best kind of writing I know. I love it.

(I've added a button to my blog to help you find it)

31

In my head I am stuck at 28. When someone asks me my age, I immediately think "I'm 28." I have no idea how this happened, but it's true. In my imaginary world I will always be 28. But in the real world...the one with wrinkles and mineral based make up...I'm 31.

I am 31.

Wow and weird. Birthdays are times of reflection and I love to reflect. So, here's my life recap.

At 31 I feel like I am getting older. Like...I FEEL like I am getting older. I have wrinkles on my face, my hands look older, my butt is not in the right place and I've breastfed two babies which should tell you that nothing is in the right place anymore. I've been pregnant 4 times and carried two babies to term. My body feels tired at times and I think I know why.

At the same time I feel stronger. I feel more secure. Gone are the days of wondering who I am. Now, I know. I'm not sure that I always like that person, but at least I know who she is. I feel more confident. I have wonderful friendships with women that I talk to almost daily and some that I go months without talking to. I've become secure enough to end friendships that are not healthy and explore new ones.

I've grown to understand that some of the best things in life come from the most ugly circumstances. I've learned not to expect everything to work out.

I am a mother, but this is not my highest calling. I'm starting to get that now. Understanding that motherhood is not the "be all, end all" has helped me be a better mother. I love Sam and Reagan with all that I am.

I live in Texas. We talk about guns. A week or so ago a friend asked me if I could really shoot someone who might be trying to break into my home. My response was to ask if my babies were home. In her hypothetical situation she said yes. Without hesitation...yes...I would shoot someone. I would shoot someone; I would attempt to stop a moving bus; I would give my life. Literally, I would die for my children. Sobering to think about, but honest and real. Having children has given me a great understanding of God's love for me. No, motherhood is not my highest calling, but I feel so blessed to be called mom.

I am a wife. I once thought that I couldn't be a wife. The first time I tried it I let pride get in the way of choosing a husband. I had a legal certificate for marriage, but I didn't have a husband. My marriage to Scott has been healing for me in many ways, not the least of which is allowing me to move past the place of defining myself by my past. Scott encourages me to have the confidence to be bold and he challenges me to be authentic.

Sam planned a birthday party for me on Sunday. He was so excited and it was by far my happiest to date.

And I'm happy to report that my candles didn't set off the fire alarm. Here's hoping I have the same luck with 32.