please don't drive with your bass loud. and other miscellanies.

Miscellanies. Updates. Truth about music volume in vehicles. And motherhood encouragement.

1.  Two weeks ago Samuel would go to bed easily. We'd say goodnight, tuck him in, pull up his John Deere blanket and leave him in his room, sound asleep, until about 9.5 hours later when he'd awake. Refreshed. Cheerful. Healthy. Until last Tuesday when someone decided to drive down our street at 10:30 at night with their bass loud enough to rattle windows on our home thus waking peaceful Samuel up and causing him to scream in terror.  And yes, now, he has hardly slept at all since.

2. That obnoxiously loud bass driver has probably long forgot about the thrill of going deaf with extra loud bass and subwoofers as he drove down our street on Tuesday. But, me? Nope. Night after night with an awake child makes me remember the insensitive move of driving through a residential neighborhood without concern. The things we do? They make a difference in people's lives. In fact, I want my cheerful, well-rested, not afraid of loud noises coming from cars, Samuel back. *** edited to add: last night was the first night Samuel slept all night long since Tuesday. Thank goodness.

3. My 20 {more} Motherhood Tips article was featured on the Blogher main site - Tips for Motherhood. I'm honored that they decided to feature it over there. If I could add another tip -- it would be -- ha -- teaching my kids to not drive residential streets with loud bass and that extremely large amounts of caffeine are allowed if you are only getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night.

4. Speaking of Blogher -- I was blessed to write, review, and be a part of the Capri Sun Super V review and giveaway -- it's for a $1000 Visa Giftcard {Seriously -that would be a blessing!}. My kids loved those juice and veggie {yes, veggie} pouches. Post will be live at 8am CT so make sure to enter! And listen to my Brennan's super fun vlog about the veggies in the drinks.

5. You know, I should have just sent my daughter Hannah and sister Abby out to deal with that driver. After all they make a really good Thor and Captain America. ;) {pic below is a walmart instagram in the aisles exclusive}

6. I've been working on my ebook and another 10 Days of Intentional Mothering Series. Are there any topics you're interested in? If you haven't seen my first 10 Days Series click -- Day One:Awake.

7. I'm also working on finalizing my homeschool plans for this year. It's crazy picking out curriculum for kids from toddlerhood to my {gasp} junior in highschool. It truly does just seem like that it was just yesterday that I was picking out {and over buying} my Hannah's kindergarten curriculum. And, sigh, now we're onto all this advanced stuff that seemed so so so far away. Embrace today. They truly do grow. Very fast.

8. I've had some requests to print out pictures and articles to be used for MOPS groups, Bible Studies, and more. Please feel free {just please drop me a note a let me know}. And, grin, I speak as well....so if you're ever interested I'd love to send you my speaker bio and topics. Which include things like - Living a "Loving the Little Things" Life, Joyful Motherhood, and Intentional Motherhood in a Busy World.

9. Today is my Elijah Nathaniel's 5th Birthday. That precocious boy {which inspired a yet unpublished Dear Mom of a Spirited Child letter} is certainly a dear to me. He's funny, loving, and just an amazing and awesome addition to our family. I'm so blessed by him and am just completely grateful to be his mother. Look at that face - that angelic I never get into anything but really do face. I love him.

10. Motherhood takes patience. And energy. And lots of coffee. And good friends to call to listen to you. And remembering that an almost three year old who doesn't sleep at night anymore will someday grow big. And lots of love.

Remember that this Monday.

And please, please, please....always keep your bass down. :)

Linking with my lovely friend {who was also featured in Blogher -- read Being a Mom and Starting a Side-Gig} Carissa over at lowercase letters.

sweet sixteen

My oldest, my once little, but now almost grown, sweet Hannah turns sixteen today. I know it's cliche, but I really do wonder where the time has gone. I remember turning sixteen, and honestly, it feels as if it was just yesterday. And, yet, now today, my lovely picture taking photographer daughter is celebrating that milestone  sixteenth birthday.

photo taken by Madeline Hunt

It makes me ponder those sixteen years where I've been called mom. It's this tension of not wanting her {or her siblings} to grow up and yet and the same time being so thrilled to walk beside them as they do. Yes, thrilled. I remember when they were young telling them {over and over} that the world will tell them that these teenage years are years of conflict, and battle, and thinking your parents are dumb - and yet - our story, your story, doesn't have to follow that pattern. In fact, also from being young, I would tell my children {and still do tell them} how I'm excited to journey with them through those years and how they can be wonderful despite the ups and downs.

little Hannah

I love {most days} having teenagers in my house. They can be so full of life, with opportunity everywhere, and it can be an honor to walk the path with them. Culture is trying to rip them from our homes - it tells them that parents aren't intelligent {look at most cartoons/television shows/books, or that we must fight a great deal, and more. But, here's the deal, just as I must fight to be attentive in my littles lives I must equally fight {and pray} for my teenagers. They deserve respect in a world that tends to look down on them and calls them "trouble" or "up to no good" and so on. It's a fight for their hearts, and of sitting up late, and bending a knee in prayer, and talking, or listening, and admitting one's wrong, and being willing to cut some strings, but also willing to enforce rules, and of still saying I love you even in those stressful times.

chloe and hannah 2003

So with that, my dear Hannah Nicole, I want to wish you a Happy 16th Birthday. You know I can't even type those words without getting just a tad teary. It wasn't that long ago when I would rock you asleep in the chair, or we'd play dollhouse, or walk to the store to get a chocolate dipped cone {wait we still can do that -- hmm} or you'd ask me to read your just one more story at bedtime. I remember the excitement on your face as the plane took of when we flew to California, and the joy with which you wandered around the ocean when we lived in San Diego. You were a fighter {Still are} - I saw that grow in the time when Dad went through cancer treatment and then again when Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

You are a beautiful addition in my life. I don't know what I thought those sixteen years would be like when they placed you in my arms at 11 pm on June 3, 1996, but I can tell you I never thought that they would go this fast or that I would be so blessed and honored to have you call me mom.

newborn Hannah and me {with my very large hair} June 1996

So today, on your sweet sixteen, I celebrate you. I love you with all my heart and am forever blessed to have you share this walk on this earth with me. I like you as well - who you've become, and how you love the Lord, and the goals and aspirations that you've set. You're pretty amazing. I'm thankful for all you do for this family, and the laughter that you bring, and the creativity that you bless us with. I'm grateful for your willingness to help, and how you're an amazing big sister, and a wonderful daughter. Hannah, I love you and am thankful for you. So grateful - so remember that deeply - that you are forever loved.

Happy 16th Birthday Hannah!

I love you forever.
~mom

****

to wish Hannah a Happy 16th Birthday and to visit her blog simply click Hannah Nicole/Aspire

a llama llama red pajama favorite things birthday

I have a {little} secret.
Today is my birthday.
I figured you all would figure it out
so rather than hiding the advance in age
I'm putting it out there.
And, lol, I'm somewhere between 30 and 40
{closer to the latter}
but still feel young. So young. :)

<br /> <br /> <a href="http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/search/label/friday%20favorite%20things"><img vspace="none" hspace="none" alt="friday favorite things | finding joy" src="http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt255/ElvishAuthoress/fridayfavoritethings.png" /></a>

these are a few of my favorite birthday present things

Llama Llama Red Pajama

was the name of the play

we took the kids to see as a birthday present for me

{yes, that's a present for me -- love getting to do stuff with them}

that's Samuel waiting {in awe} before the show 

the perfect lighting

in the Stages Theater Building

was ideal for snapping some sweet pics 

of those theater-attending kids of mine.

puma shoes

on Samuel 

who, of course, wore pajamas to a show about pajamas and bedtime

pumas + pajamas = adorable

two brothers

standing on the stairs

or sitting on the stairs.

Samuel

I just love love love

LOVE

the series of pictures of Samuel.

with the yellow school bus behind him

and the sweet look on his adorable face.

daughters who volunteer as ushers 

I think their siblings were in awe of the stylish purple vests

and, of course, the flashlight.

Which, by the way, we have no working flash lights 

EVER

in our house because of curious little boys.

Caleb

again not many words needed to describe why 

I LOVE this picture.

Gracie girl

standing on the stairs

looking beautiful

{and yes, I tried to get her to smile}

Elijah

{had to put this up even though he's blurry}

who thought he was so cool trying to go up the stairs.

I have another series 

{blurry as well}

where that explorer of mine was at the top of those stairs. ;)

the "spiky" plant

this picture makes me laugh

Caleb is so serious and Elijah seems so freaked out 

by the plants behind him.

What a face!

Caleb and his friend Seth

who was in the play as the awesome

Joey Llama.

We think Seth is amazing

{here's his blog -- sjskogerboe.wordpress.com }

as is his real life mamma, my friend Amy

who makes those wonderful Legacy Bracelets.

innocent eyes

of my curious four year old

{the one that ran up the stairs}

aren't they crazy blue?
Though, he's probably trying to figure out how
to get to the top of the stairs again.

I'm off to celebrate my birthday

with all of those blessings above

{and probably a free coffee from Caribou}

here's one last picture of Samuel

to end one of my favorite friday favorite things -- ever!

Want to join? Simply write your own favorite things post {or link to a favorite post/picture}, grab the button, and link below. Try to visit those around you and build community. Blessings to you! Off to eat gluten free birthday cake!

little girl grown up

She sits next to me in the car, touching the screen on her ipod, her hair pulled back into a bun. I glance at her, and watch her as she gets out to teach a ballet class, and my heart wells with pride.

She's growing up. The little girl who would sit in my arms begging for me to read her a story now is now just a shadow. A memory.

Today is that sweet little one grown up's 14th birthday.

It was 14 years ago today, at 11:59 pm that Chloe Laurella was born. Right as a day was ending, just on time, and early for the next day. Her birth was balm for my soul, for my family. She was born seven days after my grandmother, Laurella, died. And Chloe, she was hope and healing for us all.

Now, she's grown. Beautiful.

Motherhood is so bittersweet. In one moment they're tiny, little babes and the next almost grown. Let my eyes be awake, be aware, for all the moments, the glorious in the everyday.

Happy 14th Birthday Chloe Laurella. You are loved. So loved.

BAM turns eight.

My Brennan is eight today.

He's my firstborn son.

My boy.

And he's growing up.

When he was born there was no facebook

or twitter

or blogging - at least for me.

I didn't know we'd walk through cancer

or Celiac disease

or that he'd be the oldest of four brothers.

I am blessed by him.

By his unquenchable desire to learn more about the Lord.

By his love of maps and drawing.

He is a leader.

He teaches his brothers.

He models behavior.

He makes us laugh.

And makes life fun.

He is my son.

And I am proud to be his mother.

I am so grateful that the Lord saw that I could be his mom.

To hold his hand, to hear his prayers, to tuck him in goodnight.

To encourage him.

He's growing up.

It seems like it was just yesterday that he raced through the yard.

Time moves.

Fast.

Just look, look at my little boy years ago.

You know,  he'll always be my little boy.

Happy Eighth Birthday Brennan Alexander.

I love you.

I love you forever.

Thank you for the joy , for the you, that you bring to our lives.

~mom

Dear Samuel

 
Today you turn two. Actually, at 3:14 this afternoon you will "officially" be a two year old. I remember that day two years ago so well -- the excitement, the worry, the trust as I had to let go of fears, and the prayers. Oh yes, I remember the prayers.

Thank you for Samuel. Thank you for Samuel. Thank you for Samuel.

With each contraction I would sing in my head those words. Over and over and over. Until the point where tears rolled down my face.

Thank you for Samuel. Thank you for Samuel. Thank you for Samuel.

Then you were born. And in that moment of utter exhaustion I began to pass out -- as things closed in I held you tight -- wouldn't put your little body down. Just like now, for you I have prayed. God has heard.

Thank you for Samuel.

Samuel, you are a fighter. You are a warrior. In these two years that I have had the honor to be your mother I have seen the strength that the Lord has given you. You impress me.

I love you more than my typed words could ever say. I love your smile, and your big head, and your floppy hair, and how you say, "me goo-ten fwee" (me gluten free), how you are brave, and how you cuddle, and how you play, and when you pray at the table with us. I love your laugh, and your little body running around our home, and when you want to read books with me.

God knew we needed you in our lives.

Thank you for Samuel. Thank you for Samuel.

Thank you.

Happy Second Birthday Samuel Josiah.

I love you forever.
I like you for always.
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

~mom

{the i like you poem is from the story Love you Forever by Robert Munsch}