Happy 14th Birthday Matt!!

I'm a day late on this, but just HAD to honor my son Matt for his birthday!  He turned 14 yesterday and he is the most special young man!  From the moment he was born, he stood out in the crowd.  He was born with respiratory issues and had to stay in the NICU for 10 days. At 9lbs 9 oz, he was the biggest baby in the NICU, but the nurses and Drs told me he was the sickest.  The first time I saw him, he had tubes and wires going in and out of him and a ventilator was breathing for him.  I was not prepared at all for just how sick he looked. He had an eye patch on and the nurses told me it was to keep him from getting over stimulated and his vitals stable. My dad was with me and we just stared at him, arms around each other, in silent sadness for the reality of the situation.  Then my dad pointed something out that gave us a smile and some hope!  Matthew's eye patch was slid up slightly and he was peering out beneath it scanning the room just a intently as he could....at that moment Dad said "He's tough. He's going to be just fine".

10 days later we brought Matthew home and he has continued doing things his own way ever since. That peering out from beneath the eye patch has been the theme of his existence as he always marches to the beat of his own drum, and does things his own way!  His strong willed personality which made raising him as a young child a challenge is also what saved his life as a new born, and I embrace it every day!!

I am so proud of the young man he has become and can't wait to see what he has in store for us next!!

Thought I'd never say Thursday

So, I'm starting a new series, for lack of a better term, of things I say as a mother of five boys that I thought would never leave my mouth.  This happens to me frequently.  I say something, then realize how hilarious it sounds!  Why not share them?!

1.) Don't bite the dishwasher.

2.) Don't lick the dishwasher (yes, my twins have some weird obsession with the dishwasher)

3.) Did someone poop somewhere?

4.) Don't drum on your brother.

5.) Did somebody just run into the house?! ( my teenagers had friends over and had engaged in a nerf gun war...seriously, someone ran into the house...the walls shook!)

6.) Why did you get into the tub with your clothes on?!

7.) Your underwear goes UNDER your pants.

8.) Why is there a chalk picture of a penis on my driveway?! (See #5)

9.) Don't let the dog lick your fingers!  He licks his butt, which means his butt is on your hands now! (Two year old looks at hands in horror.)

10.) Did you just stand to potty?  (Reply was a big smile and "Yes!  Just like Dada!!)

Feel free to share any Motherhood antics that will make us giggle...I'd love to read them and confirm I'm not the only one!

Perfect Day at the Park

Yesterday, my parents, David, Matt, the twins and I went to the park for some fun and a picnic, and it was absolutely perfect!!  We went to the same park my mom used to take David and Matt for bike rides and it was so fun listening to them reminisce about their times with their grandparents!  Those moments are so precious, and I'm so grateful my teenagers realize this and cherish the memories!

David brought his girlfriend, and she was such a good sport hanging out with us old folks and toddlers for the afternoon.

Matt lost in the playground puzzle.

The twins can't get enough swinging!  Mimi and Papaw are happy to oblige.

Bubble gun....so FUN!

Even Matt got into the bubble blowing action!

David teasing Momma about my fear of heights...seriously, doesn't this slide look deadly?! 

A Lil Business to Tend to

Hello all!  I have been busy beefing up the inventory in my shop...the favorite part about my "job"!  Have I told you how much I LOVE working from home and being my own boss slinging paint!?  Seriously, best decision ever!


So, here are a couple of items I've listed in my Etsy shop today....

I love painting my Mason jars...I get a little nervous because you just never know if the paint is going to go on smoothly or if the colors will be how you imagined.  I ended up adoring these! 

See them here

Ivory pedestal chalk board.  These have become an unexpected hit...I'm guessing because you don't see them anywhere else....FUN!

See it here

Thanks for indulging me in my show and tell!  ;-)

My Father

I'm saying right now, that I won't get through this without crying...my Dad is truly the most amazing man I know. Daughters say this all the time, I know, but every fiber of my being means it. 
Not a day has passed that he hasn't put his family first, no questions asked. Ever.  And this doesn't just apply to my mom and us girls. If you are family, and you need any kind of help, you get it.
My dad works harder than anyone I know and always has. I mean, this man almost got arrested driving to work in a snow storm during a state of emergency. That being said, when he left work, he left work, and it was full focus on his family once he walked through the front door.  He didn't miss a game, violin recital, a prom...anything that's important to us is important to him! 
I have learned so much from my father throughout the years, and I continue to every day! 
I love you, Dad!!

Getting Ready for the Danville Handmade Market

So, I've been spending most of my week getting ready for the Danville Handmade Market, and today has been a whirlwind!  No matter how much I plan ahead, there's always last minute stuff I decide I just "have" to do.  I'm so excited, though, because it's going to be a beautiful day meting beautiful people with my beautiful husband by my side!! I'm still a newbie at these craft shows, so I'm hoping to also learn a lot along the way...

Here is a peek at my organized chaos that has been my week.

Everyone wish me luck, and if your are in the Indianpolis area, come say hi to me on the square in Danville!!!

I Have Made Fire!!

Remember that part of the movie Castaway when Tom Hanks made fire for the first time?  This was me when I checked out my vegetable garden today...

This is our first time ever trying to grow vegetables and I am now the proud Momma of  a green pepper!

And  few tomatoes!!

I had no idea what I was doing or what to expect, but we at least have a start...so anyone wanna come over for some homemade salsa?!