Juggle This...

Sometimes you just have to know when to give up, chalk it up to a bad day and have a glass of wine. Sometimes there's just not much else to do. I tried crying for a bit. That didn't do much good. Next was whining and moping- fun for NO one and not the least bit productive. So I sucked it up, picked up my babies with a smile on my face and headed into Wal-Mart. At 5:30. A week before Christmas. In the customer service department. Was I glutton for punishment? Maybe. But it's not like I can just run into Wal-Mart after my coffee and morning workout... (Ahhh, a girl can dream, can't she?!) So- long story but as I was leaving an hour later I decided I will not be using the site to store service ever. Again. Ever.
I called ahead and told the hubby he needed to have a glass of wine waiting for me and- if he really wanted a happy wife- a bubble bath. I wiped the dust off my books on the nightstand (that I can NEVER stay awake to read) and hopped in the tub (with the 38 bath toys and 12 Barbies.) The book I grabbed happened to be Tina Fey's Bossypants. Do I think it was a coincidence that I turned to the chapter entitled 'Juggle This?' Not quite!
Sometimes I can get through the week feeling fairly accomplished- everyone was fed, clothed, happy, fairly kind to another, we laughed a few times, got to bed on time on few nights, I was on time to work at least once, and maybe- if I'm REALLY lucky- I cooked and meal or two AND got some laundry done (but not put away- duh.) Sometimes at work I feel like I did ok- taught my kids a thing or two and made a difference here or there. But sometimes I feel like I suck. I feel like I can't do anything well because I've got too much going on. But this is my reality. I can't change it. I just have to keep telling myself that I've got this. Is every day going to be good? No. Am I going to screw up sometimes? For sure. But at the end of the day, life is good, I am blessed, and tomorrow is a new day!

This crazy, hectic, messy life...

I'm exhausted. My workout today was tough and long. The lady that cleans our house is coming tomorrow and it was a wreck. We ate McDonald's for dinner. Gregg's at a work dinner. Did I mention I'm exhausted...

What could've been one heck of a rough evening has turned into anything but...

As we were cleaning the playroom tonight we ran across some old books- I got to listen to Connor read some of his favorite old stories to Cowen and it was the most precious thing! He- in his true little teacher fashion- would stop and explain the story along the way. Cowen would just laugh and loved every second! Then little momma Brynn helped Cowen take a shower, at just the right temperature, taking special care not to get water in his eyes! ;)

As Cowen was helping me hang up laundry later, he said "I helped you Mommy, that's because I'm special! I'm special because I have Lilly Kate in my heart." No clue how any of that relates to each other but I don't really care!! It is so special to know he still thinks about her and feels her with us too!

Now as I sit here listening to the them laugh as they play on the computer together, I just can't help but smile! So thankful for this crazy, hectic, messy life... And the moments of joy I discover in the midst of it all!

And the Winner is...

Wilbur from the Honeybees Class!

Cowen's preschool, Woodland Academy, does a special fundraiser every year- Pennies for Pumpkins. Each class decorates a pumpkin and people can vote on their favorite pumpkin with donations. The money goes to a charity, Hannah's HOPE, whose mission is to Help Others Pay Expenses while their children are fighting cancer.  The kids have fun and learn about being the 'hands and feet of Jesus.' Good stuff! :)

Why Wilbur, you might ask?? Why yes, Cowen's preschool class IS reading Charlotte's Web! :) Cowen LOVES it! He will tell you exactly when they met Charlotte- "Chapter 5 on Tuesday!" It is the cutest thing! Woodland is an incredible place and SUCH a blessing to our family!

Conferences, carpools, costumes, & carnivals!

We have had a busy week at the Eide house! Whoever decided parent teacher conferences should be during Halloween week obviously does not have children- exhausting! But we sure did make the most of it. The good news is we had a great time carving pumpkins, going to Brynn's school carnival, and hanging out with friends...

 Connor and his creeper pumpkin... No clue what it is- something from one of his video games! ;)

 Brynn is loving all things Greek Mythology-related so she made a trident... I think?! ;)

Cowen has the most sensitive sense of smell EVER! He had to go in the other room while Daddy carved his Super Man pumpkin because he was gagging! (The final products looked great- Daddy always does an awesome job... but mom of the year here forget to get a picture. Geez.)

The sad news is I have come to the realization that I have big kids. Like for real. I didn't even get pictures of them before they headed out to trick or treat with their friends. : (  I know thy had way more fun with their friends and of course I'm so glad but-and I'd never thought I'd say this-but I miss the days of dragging little ones all over creation to squeeze in all the Halloween fun there is to be had...
Besides missing the big kids we had a perfect Halloween! We hung out in our 'hood with our favorite neighbors and some great friends. Captain America Cowen had a blast running around with his buddies! Afterwards, we brought the party back to our house and had a ball!

 (Holly took this one of Cowen when she was in town! Thank you, Lala!)

 

Brynn was Annabeth from her favorite book series- Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Connor was an Angry Bird again this year but again- mom of the year didn't get a picture. Honestly don't think he was too disappointed though! ;)

 

In the past, Halloween has been rough for me because it's the day we found out Lilly Kate was sick. This year I was determined to make it a good day. As I was reading a Halloween story to my students on Wednesday, someone decided to pop in and say hello! ;)  Made. My. Day!!!!

A Perfect Plan...

I never know when it's coming. But the reminders come. Sometimes it's a song, a flower, or Cowen's laughter... Sometimes it's nothing at all. The emptiness is just there. Like a lump in my throat I can't swallow. It doesn't happen very often. But definitely more this time of year...

Four years ago we walked into that ultrasound room without a care in the world... The kids were with us, debating on what the babies would be. They were both hoping for boys- Connor was definitely not ready for two more sisters and I think Brynn was pretty comfortable being the princess! But I remember telling them "No matter what we find out, God has a perfect plan for our family." I have played that moment over and over and over in my head... And I believe it now more than ever.

As much as I miss her, as much as it hurts- I never question why. Not ever. Of course I miss Lilly Kate more than I can put into words and I wish things could've been different but I know- as sure as I know anything- she is where she's meant to be. She's in our laughter, in our tears, in our JOYS. Lilly Kate changed me- she changed our family. A part of her lives on in each us... The way Cowen, that little healer of broken hearts, can brighten a room... the way Connor and Brynn look at their little brother with those adoring eyes... The way we love each other. It's because of her.

Her time with us- no matter how short- were some of the most precious moments of my life. I thank God every day for Lilly Kate and am so thankful for what she has brought to our lives. We miss you, precious angel...

Fall Fun...

We have had a BUSY fall! So busy that I haven't posted a THING since school started... not even our Disney trip! Going to try to catch up a little...

 

Fall has kept us busy- football, soccer, pumpkin picking, and visits from Lala! We are busy, busy but are loving it all!

Happy Birthday, sweet Brynnie!

Nine years ago today we were blessed with our "tiny little package of happy"who makes me laugh, challenges me, and fills my heart with her joyful spirit! Happy Birthday, Brynnie Boo Boo! We love you!

 

 

 

 

Aruba

Our story began fifteen years ago at Goldie’s Patio Grill with a batch of coleslaw. Yes, coleslaw. Making coleslaw was one of my duties at work that I hated so Gregg stepped up and delivered ‘the’ line- “You know, I don’t do this for just anybody.”  Yep… Romantic, I know. And that was just the beginning!  Now here we are- 15 years, 4 kids, and 1 red-bone coonhound later!

Our journey didn’t begin like most… I will never forget the first time I saw Gregg holding Connor. I looked up and saw Connor's butt in one hand and his head in the other… I panicked. What are we doing?! He doesn’t even know how to hold a baby, I’m 19, we’re both in school, we’re not married… WHAT ARE WE DOING?! Well, we figured it out. (We definitely didn’t do it on our own- there were many hands jumping in to help!)  We worked and stayed in school- switching cars with Connor in the backseat in between classes and all. Gregg's constant commitment to his family, his character, and his love for us makes me fall more in love with him each day...

These past 10 years have brought more love and joy than I could have ever imagined my heart could hold. Yes- it was an unconventional beginning. Everything hasn’t always been perfect, and it’s not always been easy, but I wouldn’t change a thing… not one. J

We got to celebrate our special day with a trip to ARUBA! We had an incredibly relaxing time!!! We ate, laid on the beach, walked on the beach, napped, and ate some more! Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful or relaxing place to spend our tenth anniversary!      

 

 

 

 

                             

 

Lazy days at the lake...

Sometimes life just gets so darn busy. It's so easy to get caught up in the chaos of every day life and I sometimes need a reminder to slow down and enjoy the journey! ;) The lake is a perfect place for us to just relax and spend time with each other.

The kids love to fish... although they don't touch the bait OR the fish! Neither do I! It makes lots more work for Grandma and Papa, but I don't think they mind! ;)  Cowen likes to catch his fish "again" so before we take it off the hook, we have to drop it in the water so he can reel it in over and over again! He is becoming quite the fisherman... he has perfected the art of telling 'fishing stories!'

"My fish was THIS big!"

Happy Birthday, Papa Mike!

Whether he's making pancakes, giving out papa-sicles, or taking the kids fishing, Papa Mike always has a way of making the small moments into special memories! Happy Birthday, Papa!!! We love you SO much!