Love.

Did I ever tell you I have sweet kids-- don't get me wrong, they are not perfect- they can be ornery at times (sometimes it feels like 99% of the time) - but, deep down they are really good-hearted, sweet, loving children.

We, unlike some parents, haven't made our children go to church and learn the 10 commandments- or the story of the Good Samaritan.  We have been known to say "inappropriate"  words in front of them, and we have allowed other people around them that have not been good for them.

But- that is sometimes part of life- we live and learn together, as a family. 

However, the one thing we have been really good at in this little family of ours is LOVE. We love each other all of the time, we take time to hug, we take time to snuggle, we go on "dates," we create together, we play together, we learn together.  We love when the storms of life rage in, and we love when the sailing is smooth--  We love when we're tired, and we love when we're hurting- we love. 

Love is the most important thing in raising a family- and though, it's hard to show that love all of the time- when other aspects of your life are not "perfect," -- it still is vital.  Seems easy enough right?  You don't need a college education, or to sign your kids up for 100 activities and lessons.  You don't need to send them to a private school for Harvard-bound children-  as long as you take the time to show your child that you love them. 

I would do anything for my kids- anything- I would change my whole world, to make it a better place for them.  I have.  I stopped pursuing a career to be with them, I've taken people out of my life that I knew were not good for them.  And, I do not regret any of those things even the slightest bit.

Because, when all is said and done- I won't say that I did it perfectly- but, I will say I gave it my all. 

7-year-itch

So, Kyle and I are coming up on our 7 year anniversary-

Yep, it's that time of the marriage when one of us gets the "itch"

So--do you think it would be me or Kyle?

Kyle has been working out a lot lately--sometimes even twice a day.  Me--not so much.
Kyle's lost over 70lbs and is starting to feel sexy again....me--not so much.

What have I been doing-- I have been trying to run a "surprise" business and manage two not-so-baby-babies and 3 pitbulls. (crazy, I know!)

I call it a 'surprise,' business because I didn't expect to have my own business- never planned for it-- it just happened while doing something I loved.  Now it has turned into something that is ALL AROUND us--literally.

Kyle's always been the one with the drive to have his own business and has done well doing his own Marketing Consulting stuff.  And, thankfully with his business knowledge, he's helped me stumble through the dark worlds of creating and selling product.

So...you see...I have no time to get ''itchy."

But...guess what--it is me-- I have the 7-year-itch.

Well, really I have had the itch for a few years now--but, it seems to be getting worse.

I have talked to my doctor about it, and she can't seem to help me--so she sent me to a specialist, who also couldn't figure out how to help me.  I am a lost cause, I guess.

I feel bad-- I really do... for Kyle and a little bit me.

I just can't help it--I just get so itchy.....

It's not ALL of the time.

But, the itch is definitely at it's itchiest when Kyle is near me for long periods of time.

Like for instance, last night-- Kyle wanted to hug on me in the kitchen-- just hug on me, and show me some love.

And it wasn't but 10 minutes later--that I noticed how "itchy" I was feeling-- my mind was definitely somewhere else.

So then, later that night- I tried to make it better- by trying to snuggle in bed with Kyle.  It was nice and cozy for a little bit, when I couldn't even concentrate any more-- I was so "ITCHY"

I had to get up and move-- because I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I mean my skin was red and hives were starting to form. :(

Literally, Kyle's skin touching mine even the slightest bit (especially when he's been working out a lot) makes me itch uncontrollably.

:)

There is no age-old "7-yr-itch" in our marriage--just on my skin. :0)

I am happy to report, that we are still happily married and I love him more than when we got married.  In 7 years we have learned a lot of things about one another and have been faced with lots of ups and downs like most marriages.  But, we've learned to lean on each other- we've learned when to push and when to back off-- we've learned each others' strengths and weaknesses.  We've learned how to work together to create our own little family- even if that means adopting 3 pitbulls.

The biggest thing we've learned is-- marriage is work- but it's worth every ounce of work you put into it.  Sure, we still fight- we are real.  But, we are passionate about being together- and for that reason there is no kind of itch that can tear us apart.

It's been a long time

So, it's been a long while-- since I have updated this lil blog!!
Don't think I haven't been busy though-- life has gotten pretty crazy!

Alexis started Kindergarten, lost her first tooth and played her first season of soccer!
Jaxen has gone from Buzz Lightyear to Bumblebee and now to Superman.  He is everchanging-- and it is hard for me to keep up with him!

Kyle has gone back to his former company, and will continue his company on the side-- he didn't want to at first, but they gave him an offer he couldn't refuse.  We are glad to be back under company insurance ;)

I can't believe we are 1/3 of the way thru Alexis' first year of school and winter is almost here.  Don't get me wrong, I am excited--but it amazes me how fast time flies. 

She is doing great in school, loves it--and wants to go every single day.  She has gotten a yellow light once, the whole year-for kicking a boy who took her spot.  I had to laugh, b/c he probably deserved it- (no, I didn't laugh in front of her, and I did give her a good talking to-- but, still)

Of course, she lost her tooth just days before her first official school pictures--on a Sunday night.  Luckily, her school pictures turned out beautifully!!  The tooth had been wiggly for days and days--and she was doing her best to eat as many apples as she could to get it out of there.  Finally, it just came out--no tears or anything.  The tooth fairy left her a card and $2. 

The next day at school- she was told by a kid that there was no tooth fairy, and a tooth fairy wouldn't leave her a card!  (I am guessing this is the kid she kicked ;) )

Since, then she decided it was a good idea to cut all of her hair off--and go for a short Kit Kittredge haircut.  She loves it--and I love it--since there are no more tears at brushing it.

Both kids have grown out of their clothes--and I feel like I could fill up a salvation army store w/ the stuff they've grown out of just this year!

For more school news-- Alexis took a throat drop to school w/ her--the non-mentholated- halls breezers ones.  More like candy than medicine.  She thought it would be nice to share--so she did.  I got a call from the school nurse later on, saying any kind of throat drop, even if there  is no medicine in it-is not allowed in the school.   Oops-- who'd have thought my kid would be the Kindergarten drug dealer. 

Jaxen and I are enjoying our time together--and are trying to get out while the weather is still nice.  We've gone to the zoo, met daddy for lunch--and run errands. I am pretty sure the post office knows him by name!

He is also helping me take care of the new puppy, Felicity.  We thought Riley needed a furry friend--and Jaxen loves having 2 puppies to play with. 

OF course, ever since October both kids have begun picking things out of catalogs and commercials to add to their Christmas list.  But, this year I thought it would be a good idea to have them narrow their list down to 3 things.  We shall see how this goes!

Me?  I am staying super busy with the Scrapbooking Blog and the Pink by Design Stamps.  I now have 16 stamp sets out--and that are being sold at my online store and at a few brick and mortar stores and OhMyCrafts.com  Our dining room is slowly becoming my crafting area-- since we are going to be doing some remodeling downstairs after the water we got in the basement this summer!

Phew-- I know I missed a lot of fun stories---but, I just wanted to give you a quick "catch-up"

The Black Hole of Technology

So, in this day and age we can stay connected to our friends and family and a simple click of our phone.  We can call, text, twitter or facebook them.  We can write on their virtual wall, to tell them we are thinking of them, when we don't have the time to call or see them in person.

Although, this convenience is nice- it comes at a cost.  The cost varies on how much you rely on "virtual" interactions versus "in-person" interactions.  I personally love the idea of being able to text a friend during nap time when I am trying to be quiet- or facebooking someone who sleeps different hours that I do... but, when those virtual interactions take over the real interactions you could be having with those around you--it stops being a good thing, and becomes a hindrance.

I am guilty of overloading on virtual connections, as much as the next girl.  I have gotten caught up in Family Feud :), and I have even started this blog to give some insight to our family life.  I love having facebook and email access on my phone- and at times, only connect via phone.

Today, this is exactly what became a big, "whoopsie," for me.... I was laying the kids down for a nap, and thought I would catch up on some reading.  I got distracted, and checked my fb via phone.  I remembered that  a friend I went to elementary school, was being induced to have a baby today....so, I thought I would quickly write something on her wall.  (all via my fb page on my phone)

Well, my phone has the handy dandy little feature, that fills in words for you after a couple letters...It used to be called t9 on older phones--not sure what the name of the feature is now...maybe, auto-predict or something.

Anyways, I wanted to type: "Thinking about you, wondering if baby girl is here yet."
However--as I read what I wrote, posted on her wall-- I quickly realized my phone filled in the wrong word...and it said...on her wall...for everyone to read...
"Thinking about you, wondering if baby Hitler is here yet."

Yep.  I called her baby, Hitler in front of the entire FB world.  Well, the phone is nice for some facebook features, and not others.  One that does not work via phone, is DELETE.  Oh, no.  I raced to my nearest computer--and pulled up facebook...to delete and rewrite this message correctly.  I literally, ran down the stairs, to eliminate this awful message.  I also sent her a message letting her know, what happened, in case she got notifications in her email account....whew.

One thoughtful remark, turned into a horrible thing...in a matter of seconds....because of technology, and our "need" for it.  Too often, we forget that in having this vast amount of technology, that we are also giving up little pieces of ourselves.  Our time, our attention, our privacy, our sanity...

Don't get me wrong, I am not one to point fingers with this double-sided sword we created, or call anyone out on this black hole we have jumped into....but, since it is the internet...and the kids are all asleep--I will get on my soapbox.... and.... laugh at myself. 

It's Official

So, as of today, 2 things are official.  I know, you are excited aren't you??

The first thing is: My kids are to the age, where they are going to fight with one another.  Gone are the days of peaceful playing, and sweet gestures.  Oh, I still get those sometimes, but they are interlaced with screams and pinches :).  So, as I learn to gauge when I should step in, and when I should let them work it out--I realized the other officialdom.  (Didn't think that was a word, did you?)

The 2nd is, that I am becoming my parents.  Today, as I stepped in one of those "bickering," moments-- I felt at my wit's end.  They had been at each other for 2 days straight, and I was going crazy (to put it mildly).

So, I did what anyone would do, in my situation...I told them I was tired of them fighting, and that they had to hug until, they wanted to be nice to each other.  Hmmmm..wherever did I get that from?

Oh, yes...I remember many a time, that I had to hug a sibling after fighting with them.

Was it a just punishment?  It didn't kill us, though we were secretly pinching and hugging each other as tight as possible....out of love of course.

Does it work?  Probably not--(Sorry, mom and dad)...I think it just frustrates the kids more, because they do not want to hug each other. You can't force someone to "like" each other.  Because afterall, that is what it is about.  We kids, and my kids love each other--they just have to learn to get along.  Sometimes that takes a year or two--sometimes, 25 or 30.

I made the kids hug today, simply because I just didn't know what else to do. I wanted them to get along, and I felt as if I had tried everything else.  I was going to "make" them get along, whether they liked it or not ;).

So, as I stood there telling them to hug, my 3 year old son, looked at me as if I was crazy.  Maybe I was.  He didn't understand the punishment, and his sister was all too willing to hug him....which made him even more wary.  He didn't even try to get close enough for her to wrap her arms around him.  Instead, he asked for a spanking.  I had to laugh, and I didn't spank him.  He must have thought, that since I was so serious, this must be the worst punishment in the whole entire world!

So, we had a discussion- and I hope that they understood this very important lesson:  When they fight, momma isn't happy, and when momma isn't happy--ain't nobody happy.  Or something like that.

All things aside, I think I have it pretty good--Look, how sweet they are together....

I have been having so much fun with my Pink Cricut website, I haven't written anything in awhile on here.  That is not to stay the kids and I haven't busy, busy, busy--and enjoying our Spring.  I just have to prioritize.

As a mother, I have learned that other mother's priorities are not the same as mine.  That does not make them wrong, or me right--it just makes us different mothers.  And, I am of the theory, that if we are trying to be a good mom--then we are good moms.  Children (for the most part) are given to their perfect parent...,.not a PERFECT parent--but the perfect parent for them.  All kids are different, and all kids need different styles of parents.

I struggle with this idea a lot...almost daily.  I struggle with trying to be the PERFECT mom- and I worry that I fall short all of the time in my role as a mother. If I read 2 books a day to my kids, I would wish that I had read 3.  If I took them to the park once a week, I would wish for 3x a week....and so, on.  I am never perfect, in my own eyes.  So, I have to remind myself over and over again--that I am perfect for my kids.  They are healthy, smart, loved, well-behaved...and perfect for me.

They challenge me, they are patient with me, they love me unconditionally.

The same goes with other parents we may run into, in our busy lives...we may think they should be at every school function- when they are not.  We might think they don't spend enough time with their kids.  But, we don't know their story, we don't know their struggles or what goes on behind closed doors.  They may be doing their best--and that is EXACTLY what their kids need.

So, I will try to love on my kids a little more everyday- I know that I won't stop worrying about falling short-- But, I will do the best I can, and hope the same for every child out there.

Lovin' Life

Here we are--at a very FUN stage in our kids lives.  We enjoyed them at babies, and sometimes long for those days back, when their coos and smiles were new...but we are SO ready for this stage.  We took the kids to the Farmer's Market yesterday- where theyenjoyed themselves almost as much as we did.  Then we played a little catch in the yard--and then we took them fishing!

Yes, it's crazy- Fishing wouldn't be my first choice of things to do.  But, when it comes out our kids, I want them to try everything-- to have a taste of everything- to experience life at it's fullest.  So, I took my PINK fishing pole (that my sweet husband bought for me), and NEVER fished with it.  :) I was too busy working wtih the kids and their Transformer and Tinker Bell poles.  Sure they got bored, after awhile--and started to play with our dog.  Sure, Jaxen wouldn't touch the worm....And, they were never quiet enough to really be "real" fishermen--but, I enjoyed every moment of this experience.

I told Alexis at one point--that we were trying to catch our lunch--and in the olden days that is what we would have had to do to eat.  She was a little nervous--til I reminded her that I packed us a picnic.  :)

We took a break and cooked hot dogs and brats at the park- where the kids found several little caterpillars.  Again, I was in awe as they watched this little guy inch around the table.  They were amazed by his movements and his legs.  I love watching them discover the world.  I love being a part of their discovery. 

These are amazing days for all of us!  We are enjoying each and every single one!  I wake up in the morning--and I think how wonderful our lives are.  I think of how sweet, and fun our family is....and I am happy all over.  I might not catch up on laundry....ever.  I might not ever have clean floors.  I might not ever be fully rested.  But, who cares about that, when there is a world to discover with our babies.  :)

PS.  My husband is the one who gives me the strength to be the mom I want to be.  Not only does he work hard so I can be home, he buys me pink fishing poles so I feel special along with the kids, he puts the worm on the hook so my kids won't see that it disgusts me, he lets me sleep in on the weekends and always has a latte waiting for me, he comes downstairs to help with the dishes after he has gone to bed.  He shows me he loves me and that I am important and makes me feel like the love of his life--all while being a great dad.  I am a lucky, lucky girl.