Summary Saturday: Project 365, Week 22

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Theme Thursday - Flowering

This week's theme is flowering -- a theme that I am more than able to participate in! And before you ask, I didn't grow all of these - just the top and bottom ones! The others were taken at the local Arboretum, one of our favorite places to go!








*This is the yellow rose I used for my BSM - obviously this one was taken first!

To see more gorgeous flowers, make sure to check out what everyone else has over at Stacy's!

Wordless Wednesday: Taking the Road Less Travelled

There is lots more Wordless Wednesday here and here!

Today

So this morning I woke up and was NOT in a very good mood. Too little sleep = not a very happy Maggie.

So I was doing what any mature tired person would do and was stomping around as I went about getting ready for my day.

And because I am a creature of habit, I turned on The Today Show to see what Matt was up to. I LOVE Matt Lauer. I do not, however, love Meredith Vieira. Oh Katie, why did you have to leave? But Meredith wasn't there today, so crisis averted.

And what do I see on TV, but a story about a limbless boy talking about how 'anything is possible'.

And NOTHING makes you feel like more of a jerk for stomping around that you had to get out of bed than a story like that.

So then I was mad that their heartwarming story about the limbless boy ruined my bad mood. Seriously - WHAT is the matter with me?!

Best Shot Monday - There's A Yellow Rose...

...but it isn't in Texas!

I grew this one all by myself!

For more BSM, head to Tracey's!

Photo Contest: The Kid In You

I was reading blogs this afternoon and Colleen has a great shot up. It turns out that 5 Minutes for Mom is having a photo contest. The challenge? To submit a photo that reveals the spirit of childhood.

And what says childhood better than a messy finger painting session?!

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom to see the other great submissions. And hurry - if you have the perfect image, you can enter until June 2nd at noon! And I promise not to be too upset with you if you beat me...

Two Whole Years

Bennett,

Today you're two. And when I look back at you last year on your birthday, I can hardly believe how much you've grown up. You have most certainly transitioned from a baby to a full fleged toddler.

You are indpenedent and love to do things yourself - from washing the dishes to fastening your car seat straps, you are positively horrified if you don't get to at least help with the process. You love to do what the big boys are doing, and your big brother loves you so much that he is (almost) always more than happy to let you join in. The two of you are built in best friends, and you seem to love each other more every day.

You can run and jump and climb like a pro - and, as everyone notices, you are ALL BOY. You are rough and tumble, loud, and active. But you are never to busy for a hug or a kiss. And you still love to cuddle and be held. There are some days that I think my arms might break off from carrying you around, but one glance at you running to join in with the big kids and it's easy to see that the days of you wanting to be held will be over soon.

You love to go to gym class, and can tell where we're going as soon as we start to pull into the parking lot. You love to go to the park and the playground, as long as Garrett, Jacob and Ben are going to be there too. You are easy going, but quick point out (often loudly) when you don't like something. You love to ride bikes, go for runs, and sing and dance to Funky Mama...the Fire Song is your current favorite, and we listen to it no less than 16 times a day. You love to jump on the trampoline, feed the ducks, and read books.

There are days that are challenging and that I tell you I might just sell you on e-bay, which you tend to find absolutely hilarious. Apparently you are well aware of the fact that you won't be going anywhere. You are learning to test your limits and define who you are, which is both completely maddening and magical to watch at the same time.

There is no one I would rather spend my days with than you and your brother. I can't wait for all the things that the next year will bring. You make me melt, keep me busy, and remind me how joyful all the little things can be. I love you to pieces.

Summary Saturday: Project 365, Week 21

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A Tale of Woe

Right now we are in the blissful, wonderful hours of the day that I like to refer to as heaven on earth the napping hours.




Except there is a problem.




One of the hellions children is awake. As in, he has decided against taking a nap today. Cue sobbing from me, while cowering in the corner. Nap time is a lot less blissful when not all children are asleep during it. However we have reached somewhat of a compromise. He is upstairs in his room being (mostly) quiet, and I am pretending that he really is sleeping. I think that in the end we are both coming out ahead. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself.







*abrupt subject change*







Now, who wants to see some seriously awesome dance skills? No, not mine. But check this out anyway...seriously, isn't this one of the finest displays of coordination and rhythm you've ever seen?

Wordless Wednesday: Full Bloom

Find more Wordless Wednesday posts here!

Losing It

I pride myself on being an organized person. Other words to describe me? Neat, orderly. And some other things, but lets stick to the subject at hand.

So anyway, organization.

I am organized. Everything has a place, and it more or less stays there. When there is clutter around, it makes me all twitchy (is that even a word?) and anxious.

Which is why I have NO explanation what-so-ever for the current state of things. On the table there is: carpet cleaner, four days worth of mail, two glasses, my purse, the coupon file, three diapers, a handheld game, and my gym bag. Ack! Just thinking about it is starting to make me nuts. But not nuts enough to deal with it...yet...I'm a little tired, and not yet motivated to put things away.

In the last few days I feel like I must be losing my mind. Not only is the sight of clutter making me twitch, but I can't seem to remember anything either. Luckily I am attached to my calendar like glue, because if I weren't I would never get anywhere I was supposed to be! I have also, in the last 48 hours, managed to dump both a cup of marinara sauce and an entire glass of red wine onto my cream color carpet. And then I got the pleasure of cleaning the carpets. Good times.

So, dear internets, tell me that it isn't just me....and that everyone begins to lose their mind every once and a while. Right?

Best Shot Monday - Queen for a Day

We adore spending time with Jacob, Ben and Sarah - or, as we like to call them, SJB. Between Sarah and I we have four very 'boyish' boys. There is always much wrestling and fun to be had. But we also love to see Jessica and Julie Kate. Poor little Julie Kate is the only girl, but she is certainly treated like the queen she is, from the moment of her arrival.

For more Best Shots, head to Tracey's!

Summary Saturday: Project 365, Week 20

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So this is what it feels like...

p>

I'm in school. Again. When I graduated from high school, I went to college and got a bachelor's degree in nursing. And then I was a nurse. Which was great. But I wanted something different. So I left nursing, and I went back to school to finish my medical school requirements. And I can say with complete honesty that I had no idea when I started what it was going to be like. I can also say that it was one of the best decisions I've ever made - it isn't always the most fun, but I am so happy I did it.

And now I remember why.

After all of your wonderful well wishes for my interview, for which I couldn't have been more thankful, I'm in. A Master of Arts in Bioethics, and a guaranteed seat in their medical class the following year. And as shocking as it may seem, that has rendered me completely speechless. Speechless, and thrilled in a way that no words can describe.

So how does one celebrate, when they've managed to make their dreams come true? Well, I'll be studying for my biochemistry final.

See, I told you it wasn't always very fun.

Theme Thursday - Sunshine

"Just living is not enough....

One must have sunshine,

freedom,

and a little flower."

~Hans Christian Anderson


For more sunshine to brighten your day, check out what everyone else has over at Stacy's!

Love is...

Today was a particularly patience-testing morning. It all started out well, but after repeating myself a million and one times, I was starting to get a bit frustrated. And I have a feeling that both boys were getting tired of hearing my say the same things over. And over. AND OVER.

And then lunch was finished and nap time - sweet, beautiful nap time - was here. And as we all prepared to head upstairs, Garrett gave me the biggest possible hug. And then said, "Do you know what love is? It's when you hug someone and squeeze them so tight, because they make your heart so full. And when you squeeze them, they can feel your heart love them."

And you know what?

That's exactly what love is.

Best Shot Monday - Dew Drops

Apparently I only have two subjects - flowers and kids. I am working on taking pictures of other things, but when it comes time to select my best shot from the last week, it is nearly always one of these two that ends up getting picked.

My best shot:




For a variety of amazing shots, head to Tracey's and see what everyone else has for Best Shot Monday!

Summary Saturday Sunday: Project 365, Week 19

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Theme Thursday - Fun

This week's theme is fun - yay! Who doesn't love fun?! I certainly do!

Here a few pictures that represent fun from Tuesday. The fact that we can be outside and play without coats and snow is the most fun of all...


The neighbors have a trampoline, and since all the big kids are at school all day, we have free reign over the jumping!


Although I don't have a picture of it, Bennett's favorite thing to do is have me hold him and then jump as high as I can. Sounds safe, no? My favorite thing to do is flips, but there aren't any pictures of those. Too bad - you should all be impressed that I can do those withouth killing myself!


And we love playing at the park. And what's not to love about being able to wrestle around with your friends and NOT get into trouble for it? Watching little boys is seriously like watching bear cubs paw at and roll around with each other.





Now head run right over to Stacy's to see what other FUN things people have been up to. Because everyone knows that anything is more fun if you RUN rather than WALK to do it.