It's not raining in Arizona

It is storming out right now. Rainy, windy, cold, gray, absolutely miserable. I need the sunshine people. I was telling Brian how badly I wanted sunshine and he told me to go to Arizona and see my Grandma, he was dead serious, not being sarcastic.

So I'm going to Arizona! 

All by myself, sans kids. What?! I'm hoping my friend Erin will join me and we can have a fabulous little girls weekend in Zona. I booked my tickets yesterday so it's official. In a month I will be laying by the pool in 90 degree weather, yay!! I will be gone for 4 days, 3 nights so it's the longest I've left both girls. The crazy part is I'm not having anxiety about it. I know it's because they will be with their Dad and that is incredibly comforting for me. They love him and he's got the whole Dad thing down pat. I know I will miss them like crazy though.

 Yesterday Bria went to preschool, after a week long break due to her sickness. It was nice to get some stuff done while she was in school, although I think Reese was bored.

 I was in a cleaning mood yesterday so I got out some rainy day activities for the girls to keep them busy. Bria's favorite game is what she calls the fizzy game: baking soda and colored vinegar.

It takes intense concentration ;)

Last night we had an impromptu Peter Pan and PJ night with Bennett and Weston. They came over after B's T-ball practice and the girls were thrilled.

Today we have no plans and since it's absolutely hideous outside I'm thinking I will need to brainstorm more rainy day activities, to pinterest I go!

I will leave you with this adorable photo to get you through the day:

Pigtail cuteness!

Just skip it

Shortly after I wrote the last post I caught the dreaded virus. I don't want to go into details because chances are, you have had it too and you don't need to hear my account of it.
I will just say that for the next 4 days Brian took care of his girls like no husband/father ever has. He held hair back while girls puked and cleaned up messes and did a monumental amount of laundry.

Fortunately this little girl did not get quite as sick as Bria and I

Now that we are recovered (my appetite has still not returned and the nausea is still there, sooo annoying) we are going to get our Spring on.
Yesterday we went to our friends house for an Easter egg hunt and the kids had such a good time running all over outside and jumping on the trampoline. I have a few pictures of that but my friend Amanda is the photographer of our little group so I'll get more from her.

All the adorable kiddos appeasing their Moms and letting us snap 100 photos while they look directly into the sun

Goofy faces! I love how the boys are looking at Bria and Presleigh like they are crazy, too funny!

Finding eggs

The egg hunt is on!

Me and Reese...and really just a picture of their gorgeous property...perfect for egg hunting

I know what you're thinking, "Is this picture real?!" It totally is, it is totally real and totally adorable...totally.

She also found an egg back there

My baby girls and me (I have red hair!)

They each got a healthy amount of eggs and had an absolute blast. Then Brian lit off some rockets which the kids loved, particularly the part where it sailed down slowly with a parachute and they would all run after it. And of course, Brian was like a little kid all giddy with excitement to shoot his rocket off...did that sound dirty? It wasn't meant to, I'm just natural at it ;)

Today was kind of a catch up day for me since last week I was out of commission. I scheduled doctors and dentist appointments, returned books at the library, got new books at the library, bought the girls' Easter dresses & shoes, fed the ducks at the park, and filed away bills and such. All this with only half a cup of coffee...my sickness last week might have cured my little coffee addiction, I'm just not feeling the coffee like I use to.
Now I need to finish laundry, well finish is a funny word when it comes to laundry since it's never finished. But I need to catch up on it, you understand.

Dear Mom who feels like giving up

I ran across a blog and when I read her post it brought me to tears. I wanted to share some of it with you because so eloquently put into words how I am feeling and I loved how motivating she is. 

Don't quit.

I know it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and that it really doesn't matter if the dishes are done or that no one really cares that you stayed up till 2 am folding laundry or that you are just overlooked. I know you sit in the car and put your head on the steering wheel and the tears roll down at times. I know that sometimes you just want to throw in the towel and whisper (or scream) that you've had enough of all of this. I know. I know because I have felt that way.

I remember sitting in the bathroom behind the door with my head in my hands thinking that I couldn't do this motherhood thing anymore and that I really didn't matter or make a difference and that I would never ever catch up on laundry - which, by the way, I've never really caught up on. And because I've felt that way I'm writing today to tell you that you, right now, matter more than you might ever realize.

You, and your life, your voice, your giving of self, and all of that matters.

Motherhood doesn't look anything like I imagined when I was young. Motherhood doesn't look like those pinterest boards full of birthday ideas with perfect fondant cakes and party favors that take three hours to make. Those moments are there. But seriously, listen to me, those things don't make a mother. Those things, while they are beautiful, they don't really matter in the life journey. Do you know what matters? You. Right now, reading these words, who is about to give of herself for her family.

Do you realize what an amazing impact you are leaving? Don't tell me about all the times you've messed up. I've got them as well. But do you remember all the times where you have done well? Or the times when you've been there? Sitting up at one am rocking a toddler with a bad dream. Making dinner out of a pantry that is bare. Giving up on something you need so that your child can get what they need. Helping with math. Reading a story. Folding those clothes. Making lunches. Teaching. Listening to their stories. Being silly. Laughing. Holding the puke bucket. Wiping faces. Putting art on the wall. Watching them sleep.
Those are the moments in life that you are blessed to live.

So you may feel like you want to quit. Don't. Pick up the motherhood towel right now and instead tell yourself you can do this today. You can. You can for your family. Don't look at how Sally is mothering, or what the facebook status states, or the pinterest picture of the perfect mother. You are the perfect mother for your children today. Do not let the world qualify your motherhood. There is no price tag large enough that would ever illustrate the true value of motherhood. You are an amazing gift to your family.

I believe in you.

What are you waiting for? You can do this, sweet mother.

You totally can.

You can read the whole thing here if you want.

Cough barf

Alright, so.
Here we are, mid March. Just plugging along.
I'm daydreaming of a place that is sunny and warm, maybe there is some sand under my toes and definitely a cold drink in my hand. I have nowhere I have to be so I can lay there and be lazy as long as I want.
Then I wake from my day dream and hear a seal barking in my house. Only it's not a seal, it's my baby Reese with croup.
Cool. Is it just me or is this the absolute worst cold/sickness season ever?
Oh and then at 5:44 am Bria came in our room and barfed. And continues to barf.
Brian just left for work and I'm not 100% sure how I am going to take care of 2 sick kids.
Let's pretend they aren't sick and look at some pictures where they are feeling great...

Bria and Bristol doing hair and make up

Sisters are just the best

Kisses

Big hugs

I'm gonna go chug some coffee and get ready for an invigorating day!

When you are bored...

...just whip out the mini iPad and take funny pictures.

 If anything, you will at least laugh while looking at them, and then in a moment of weakness you will post them for all to see.
We joined the Jones' and got an iPad. It's a mini and she is pretty cute. I'm not using it as much as I thought I was, probably because Brian is. I just use it for games, like Bingo and Family Feud. I'm not good at either one but at least I have fun trying.
One evening last week we were playing and Bria started doing my hair while Reese put makeup on me. I was in heaven and it totally reminded me of how we use to do my Mom's hair. I had Brian snap a quick picture, again with the iPad.

 It doesn't take the best pictures but it captures the moment and that is what matters.

And here is another current favorite game to play:

8 is Great!

This stud turned 8, can't believe it!

My nephew, Porter (Schuyler and Jaime's youngest), turned 8 and got baptized. It was surreal thinking this was their last to get baptized and that their "baby" is 8. Crazy.

The baptism was great and afterwards we headed to their house to celebrate. It was packed and that's how we like it, lots of family and lots of love!

Reese making herself comfortable in between Yaya and Papa

 Abby is the rock star that the little girls look up to, Bria would not let her leave her side.

Bria with her Aunt Abby

 My cousin Brett and his wife Jen just moved to Newport (over by the coast) a few months ago so it's fun to have them be able to come to family stuff now. They have 3 little kids and their middle girl, Jozalynn is 5 and loved Abby too.
I felt like we only had one child the entire night because Bria was off playing with the big kids and what's nice is I totally trust them with her. Another perk to a big family and kids getting older.

Baby Jax and Grandma Anna!

Jaidyn approves of the delicious dessert (by the way I about fell off my chair when I saw Jaidyn's hair, she is gorgeous and looks so old now!! Ahh!)

My cousin Brett with their youngest and my youngest :)

Cousin loves!

Usually when we head down we stay the night, but we were lazy and didn't want to pack all the stuff necessary for two kids. If you don't have kids you are thinking, come on, it's not that hard. Pack some clothes and call it good.
Oh my friend, you are wrong. First you need to pack more than one set of clothes, in case disaster strikes. Also, you must have blankies and their lovey at the time. Bria's changes daily, Reese's is an adorable dolly. Then a sound machine, toiletries, swim suits, more diapers since you'll be staying longer, more wipes, an extra set of clothes for yourself in case disaster strikes, sippy cups, children's medicine in case disaster strikes in the middle of the night, their favorite pillow, a night light, an emergency kit in case disaster strikes, snacks to feed an army, finger nail clippers, their favorite toys to help keep them busy, cleaning stuff to clean up the mess they will inevitably make at the house you are staying at, ear plugs (this one is for you to help sleep), batteries, wine (also for you), and a camera to capture the very busy weekend.
Also, you have to make sure and leave room in the car for the kids.
Anyway, we decided to just head home around 7 pm...which naturally turned into 8 pm. Reese fell asleep right away, awesome! At 8:41 pm Reese wakes up and screams bloody murder while Bria yells at her. I sing songs to help and then end up curling in the fetal position and plugging my ears.
This apparently works because both girls quiet down.
Reese falls asleep at 9:05 pm and Bria falls asleep at 9:12 pm. We pull into our garage at 9:13 pm. Of course, 'cuz that's how it is with kids.
We got the kids in bed and Reese proceeded to have a tough time sleeping, I think she was overtired. So the jury is still out on whether or not it's better to stay the night or just drive home. Ultimately it feels damn good to sleep in your own bed and sleeping well supersedes most things.

Also, I'm glad I'm in this crazy thing called parenthood with my BFF. Aside from his natural charisma, he's hilarious and keeps me laughing through the hair-pulling times. I got a good one!

Make snack time fun

I feel like I'm kind of behind on blogging so I will attempt to catch up with all we have been up to.
I've been making an attempt each day to get out of my SAHM (stay at home mom) funk and make sure to do fun things with the girls. For snack time one day I put some water in a little play pitcher and had Bria pour her and Reese water in little play tea cups. They were thrilled. I put their apples and yogurt covered raisins on tea party plates and let them go to town. It was a successful snack.

I was trying to capture snack time and the girls were less than thrilled with my attempts to get them to smile

 That picture also shows Reese's full on sassy attitude. And Bria's sweet innocence.

We have been thoroughly enjoying all of Bria's birthday presents lately. Each day she has a new favorite.

A 3-D castle, super cool!

Uncle Nate came up to visit and the girls absolutely adore him. Bria talked his ear off and Reese cuddled with him. It was impressive that she went to him when she woke up from her nap, that's her crankiest time these days and she usually just wants me or Brian but she cuddled up on his shoulder right away.

Watching the airplane take flight. 

I have more posts including Porter's birthday/baptism that we went down to Albany for! I will get caught up, I'm determined to.