Friday's "little things"

A couple treasures I found that have made me incredibly happy...

1. Watching my green boy run zig zags across the schoolyard in my direction
2. My blue boy's inability to do anything without his hands full of cars

3. Receiving a surprise wrestling pounce from my men

4. Mint green nail polish

5. Lime Cilantro Brown Rice with Pineapple

6. Green boy playing with my curls
7. Mr.Wilson making up words to a song
8. Dried Mangoes
9. Watching the light bulb go on in my students eyes
10. Receiving an early Valentine

Find some of your own treasures and

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

snow....or no snow.

It was 60 degrees outside today.
The last time I enjoyed Christmas with NO SNOW was when I was a little girl living in California. 

This holiday with no snow is throwing me off my Christmas game.....if there is such a thing.

But I pulled myself together today and (in my rain boots) bought everything I need to fill this house with the smells of Christmas.

So now, I will be in the world of baking - gingerbread, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, Christmas cookies for Santa, oh....and don't forget the cinnamon rolls....you can't have Christmas morning without cinnamon rolls! 

Well, at least in my house.

Snow or no snow....this is going to be a great Christmas!

Mr. Wilson and I took our little men out and about tonight delivering little Christmas surprises.

It is so much fun to see the surprise and joy you can bring to someone (stranger or friend) just by letting them know you are thinking of them this holiday season.

My green boy put it perfectly when on our way home, he exclaimed...
"We just made their night! Boy, that was so much fun!"

We came home empty handed, with our hearts completely full.

Christmas Joy...

I've got a 'to-do' list that emulates the 5 inch wide Children's Dictionary sitting on my green boy's lap.

There is so much to do and even more to catch up on.
And I can't seem to keep up.

I decided to start whittling away my Christmas 'to-do' list months and months ago so that I could enjoy the season and not be scrambling around to keep up with the disappearing days of December.

Unfortunately, I'm still feeling increasingly uneasy with each day marked off the advent calendar.

A few days ago, I was running around the house desperately trying to get some things checked off my list when my little blue boy fell apart at the seams. In reality, the ugly meltdown only looked like a great big road block to accomplishing my goals for the day.

Then, with his head buried in the tear soaked carpet, he pointed his chubby finger into the carpet fibers and said "Mommy, here".

I knew in that moment, what he really wanted.
So....I put down my armfuls of cleaning supplies and sat down next to him.
He didn't look up, but I put my hand on his back and just sat with him.
Somehow that was enough.

In that moment, I felt a peace and calm wash over me.

I realized that in-spite of my endless daily lists and constant plans, what was most important was to let go of the schedule and just be. To feel peace and comfort in the moment together.

Those feelings are what this season is really about.

We should be feeling peace and comfort as we approach the day we celebrate the coming of our Savior to this Earth to atone and sacrifice His life for each of us.

In that exact spirit, we have started some new traditions for this little Wilson family. We have begun a seasonal project to shine the light of Christ....the light of love, appreciation, and service into the lives of those among us.

We have started with small things such as these:

- drawing a picture, writing a note of thanks, and leaving homemade cookies for the garbage man
(he LOVED that....and wrote back!)

- carrying candy canes and baggies of cookies with notes of thanks in our bag and giving them to those who serve us and often go unnoticed.
i.e. the gas station attendant, the janitor who cleans the bathroom stalls, the fun ladies at the gym who play with the boys while I work out, the man who fills my up water bottle during spin class, the disabled boy who bags my groceries, the parking garage attendant....etc.
The list goes on and on!


- cooking dinner for a new Mom or just a busy Mom, like myself, who would appreciate a little break.


- buying a couple balloons and handing them to someone who looks like they might need a smile.


- Bringing a plate of cookies and a note of thanks to the firestation


- tape a few quarters on the vending machine or soda machine with a note 


- hold the door for someone

It has been such a joy to serve those around us...in small and simple ways.
It has been an even greater joy to watch my little boys learn about thinking of others, serving others, and loving others...Just as their Savior, Jesus Christ would do.

 Even though we are ALL overloaded with constant lists of things to accomplish....there is a more important reason for the season.
Go spread some Christmas Joy...

What I love to call mine...

There was cause for a celebration this week as a certain Mr. Somebody turned 2.
I kept myself pretty busy getting a Jeep cake prepared for this little man, but it made it all worth it when he called out "Jeep" with excitement upon his first view of the cake.
(even though it didn't turn out how I planned and I was afraid he wouldn't be able to recognize it.)

 

I get to celebrate my little miracle boys every single day, but when their birthdays roll around there is an extra special amount of love and gratitude in my heart at the privilege I have of being able to love and squeeze them here on this Earth.

Even though his Birthday was a day full of crying and fit throwing - and I was lucky enough to catch the one smile of the day on film - I wouldn't change anything.

These little men have changed me for the better and I'm so happy I get to call them mine.

Candy Coma

Good Morning and welcome to November my lovelies.
I hope you all had some fun on your Hallows Eve...we sure did!

I couldn't wait to get those superhero leggings on my little men and I enjoyed every minute of it!

Here they are in their super glory...
my blue boy as Robin.

my green boy as Batman.

What a pair....

Watching over the night.

You can find the tutorial for their capes HERE.

handsomness...

We're doing much better over here now.

The sick craziness has passed.

Whew!

Just wanted to drench you with some serious amounts of handsomeness to start your day.

(are those blue eyes turning green or is it just me?)

Enjoy every little moment you are given today!

We will be doing the same.

Welcome Fall! ... the Corn Festival

As you all are now aware, after my letter to Summer, I am a BIG lover of fall! 

Part of Welcoming Fall in my area is celebrating at the Corn Festival! 

It's a quaint little festival full of tractors and tractor pulls, barn animals, hand dipped corn dogs, funnel cakes, antiques, face painting, fresh kettle corn, balloon animals, and well....I think you get the idea.

They have everything our little boys LOVE and I get a good dose of beautiful antiques, fresh fall air, and that kettle corn...well, it's a weakness of mine.

Here are a few beautiful sights I caught while I hobbled around with my crutches....yes, it was quite the sight.

Fun barrel train ride for the littlies...

And the most beautiful sights of all...

my blue boy

nephew #1

my green boy

nephew #2

nephew #3

What are YOU doing to welcome FALL?

I made it + surgical "little things"

Yesterday morning I found myself, a nervous wreck, in a hospital gown and blue bonnet waiting for the anesthesiologist to put my 'no worries' medicine into my IV. 

I don't remember anything after the nurses began pushing my bed around the corner. 

After that, it was all over...I was out! 

I awoke to an upset stomach and a very large and swollen knee wrapped in bandages. The pain was intense so we worked on managing that and then I got to go home. 

The next few days will be tough, but I've got my pain pills with me at all times.

I'll be working on a few project while my movement is minimal and will be sharing them with you soon!

I hope you are having a really GREAT weekend....

I want to leave you with a couple 'little things' I have been cherishing the last 48 hours.

- the hot pink zinnias Mr.Wilson and my handsome green boy picked for me from my garden to enjoy at my bedside.

 source

- fresh peaches and vanilla bean ice cream from my Popsicle

- yummy dinner from a sister

- thoughtful phone calls and emails

- kisses from my blue boy and green boy

 - waking up from anesthesia to Mr.Wilson's blue eyes

- helpful hands

- My Momsi's good care for me and my handsome little men

- a really great doctor I can trust

Finish up your weekend by searching and treasuring the moments of sunshine in your life.

See you on Monday!!!

Dear Summer

Dear Ohioan Summer, 

I've sure enjoyed you. 

Yes... you've been so unbearably hot and sticky that we couldn't always go outside to enjoy you to the fullest. 

You've also made my baby swell up like a balloon more times than I can count with your plethora of mosquito bites, but we've loved you anyway.

We've loved your beautiful sounds, brights colors, and fresh produce.

We've loved your surprise refreshing rainstorms and long nights of freedom.

We've loved our time at the lake, camping with friends among the trees, and running through the sprinklers until our bellies grumbled.

 

Summer, to us you are a time to celebrate family...meet new additions and strengthen bonds.

You're a time to laugh, cry, kiss fresh owies and wipe away the sweat from rough playing faces.

Your a time for dripping ice cream, hot cement and grilled everything!

But, my Dear Ohioan Summer, I'm itching for your to go.

Yes, it's true. 

I'm starting to get ready for Fall.

I don't know how I can so easily say goodbye to your forgiving schedule and afternoons spent picking fresh cucumbers and cilantro from my garden.

I'm so sorry, Summer, but I'm ready to watch the leaves turn, carve (and hopefully win) our annual pumpkin contest, and make, smell, and eat pumpkin and cinnamon flavored everything!

I'm excited to spend the afternoons teaching music with the windows open, feeling the crisp, cool breeze flow through my studio. 

I'm ready for the order and responsibility of a school schedule.

I want to bring home delicious apple cider and fall asleep to the glow of Christmas lights outside my window.

Now Summer, I've never written a letter to you (only Spring and Winter) because it's hasn't been that long since I've appreciated you, but I do now. 

Yes, I have grown to love you in all your muggy glory.

And if I stop and think for a second, 

I know I will be begging you to return sooner than I think - 

when our house is buried in snow and our noses are dripping, so in the meantime .... 

 I am going to enjoy the last couple weeks I have of you and treasure all the beauty you bring.

Thank you for bringing me joy, cultivating friendships and making memories.

You really are pretty great!

Love, ME

Have a GREAT weekend!

Color Sorting Game

I have a fun little game to share with you today that I threw together before I headed off on vacation with my

little men.

One of my readers, Peas in a Pod, answered my plea for help with fun and creative ideas to help my little men with the hours of traveling planned in their future. 

She lead me HERE.

Thank you Peas in a Pod!

Here is my froggie version of Color Sorting...
I grabbed a package of jelly frogs for little hands to squish

One package of 8 tiny Tupperware cups (I only used 6)
Then I cut circles out of coordinating colored construction paper and taped it on the bottom of each cup.

Then, we sorted ...
who doesn't LOVE sweet chubby baby hands?!?!  

YUM!

Until everyone was in their place.

Then for our FAVORITE part ....
we let all the frogs jump out and started all over again!

"little things" cupcakes

I'm beginning to see the light peek through the end of this flu tunnel and I couldn't be happier ...

Here is my favorite moment of the day thanks to Mr. Wilson and his surprise cupcakes! 

My little crew of men have been so good to me while I've been out of commission,
but I'm pretty sure they are ready for the clean clothes to appear in their drawers and meals to start rolling in again ...
soon, my sweet men, so soon.

Preparations ...

I'm beginning my preparations to fly to Colorado for a Wilson family reunion ...
a much needed escape to enjoy family we don't see nearly enough!

It will also give me a chance to get to know AND win over my 5 other nieces and nephews
(which to them means a strange woman will be kissing and squishing them every chance she gets)...

I don't have any pictures of their cute faces to share, but I will be solving that dilemma come reunion time!

I will be flying solo with my green boy and blue boys on the plane.

I know the 3 of us can swing it, but I do have one worry ...

I'll be flying with my 18 month old blue boy who cherishes his personal space and doesn't sleep unless he's alone!

As we all know, an airplane ride is anything BUT condusive to the sort of atmosphere that will please this handsome man!

I'm planning to bring a bag full of pre-wrapped trinkets and things to keep him busy unwrapping and playing, LOTS of food
(this guy can eat any of you under the table ... no jokes!)
and a dvd player just for kicks
(we don't watch many movies).

I'm still in need of some suggestions ... any creative and exciting things to do to help him through the experience while not destroying the trip for every other passenger on the plane?

I'll be checking the comments to this post often to take in ALL of your suggestions ...
Don't be shy ... I'm so excited to hear what you have to say!

"little things" I never knew

I never knew how my life would change when I became a Mother.

I never knew the worry or the sleepless nights.

I never knew the self sacrifice and self-less attitude required.

I never knew the weight of responsibility I know now.

But, even knowing everything I know now
(and with so much more to learn!)...
I wouldn't DREAM of changing anything!

Some of my newest readers may not know that I have a condition which prevents me from being able to carry babies in my belly safely to a viable term ... I have learned that my belly is a very volatile place to be.

All the fear, grief, sorrow, pain and emotional mess that accompanies this complication is part of who I am ...

but I have learned so much from all that has come from those scary experiences and have been given two amazing and incredibly handsome miracle boys that bless my every moment ...
and ten other nieces and nephews who put the cherries on top of those moments.

I wish I could have told my younger self to get ready because there was going to be lots of tough times,
but out of those tough times would come 2 little men that would light up my life forever and 10 gorgeous little people who would help those little men change me for the better.

The top of my "little things" list today is ...
being able to fill up on some time with all of those beautiful little people this summer!

If you had the chance, what would YOU tell your younger self?
Whats on the top of YOUR "little things" list today?

Put your answers in the comments ... I would LOVE to hear what you have to say!