This was going to be a serious post.......

But I changed my mind. I have some truly funny kid stories that I must discuss. If you have read very much of my blog you know that my kids are my world -and there is no better humor than kid humor. Today was Sydney's birthday. Sydney has been talking about her 6th birthday for 364 days, but the talk increased ten-fold a couple of months ago. It increased so much and she asked me so often "how many more day til my birthday" that when we were "Snowed in and stressed out" I helped her make a Birthday Chain. We did pink links for the number of days until her actual birthday and then purple links for the number of days until her party. It took a good hour out of snow day number 8 and served it's purpose well. Whenever she asked me how many days I made her go count her links. Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate her birthday. Before we went out to dinner I allowed Syd to open a quick present. It was a new outfit to wear to school - I let her open it early so I could wash it. Harper saw Syd's new outfit and said "where's mine?" "Well Harper it's sissy's birthday, you don't need a new shirt." Harper was excited about going out to eat too, but was a little disappointed when Sydney got to have the whole entire gynormous Chocolate Mess right in front of her complete with a candle and the birthday song. She quickly asked "when is it my birfday?" "July 16th sweetie...a few more months". We put everyone to bed, we all slept great (except when the earthquake woke us up) and they woke up to 2 birthday presents at Sydney's spot at the breakfast table. Harper oohed and ahhed appropriately and then said "do I det a birfday pwesent?" "well honey it's not your birthday. Your birthday is July 16th" After taking Sydney to school we came home to play. Harper said "wanna tolor" (color). "Sure". She picked out a Hello Kitty coloring book to which I said, "ooohhh this is Syd's favorite. We should color her a birthday picture." Harper was appropriately supportive of this idea, but asked in the middle of our coloring, ever so nonchalantly, "when is my birfday again?" "It's in July. It's a few months away." After some errand running I put Harper down for her nap. I told her it was very important to go to sleep quickly so we could get up and go have cupcakes at Sydney's school for Syd's birthday!" to which she replied "yay yay yay tuptates....for my birfday?" "not quite princess. A few more months." While in my bedroom wrapping up a few Pampered Chef details I heard Harper over the monitor singing herself to sleep. Her song went a little something like this "Happy Birfday to me......Happy Birfday to me......I don't know what July is..... Happy Birfday to me." Sadly, for Harper, the celebration is not over. We still have 2 separate parties on March 12th....she'll really be playing the "poor pitiful me" card by the 13th.

So while at school having chocolate cupcakes with the class (and let me just take this time to give a shout out to the teachers - you are all truly amazing!) The conversation at Table 1 went something like this :

Camden: "hey have you seen that movie Diarrhea of a Wimpy Kid?"

Me: "no"

Abbe: "Hey I had diarrhea once"

Camden: "Yeah me too. Why would they make a whole movie about a kid with diarrhea?"

Abbe: "I don't know, but when I had diarrhea it was so really bad and it smelled so gross!"

Me: trying desperately to stifle a gag

These 5 year olds were completely unaffected by the fact that they were discussing their own bowel movements with one another over a chocolate dessert.... vo....mit

Tonight trying to get through the killer hour by myself again with Harper skating on thin ice:

Me: "Harper why do I have to yell at you to make you do what I ask? Why don't you do what I ask the first time? Do you want me to spank you?"

Harper: with the cutest grin you have ever seen "I don't know mommy, but did I tell you that I hurt my finger, my pants are wet because I peed and that 8 is my favorite number?" Why do I think I sound like Charlie Brown's teacher to her???????

This is what it's about

This is not my first post about pride. I discussed pride early in the fall when I saw a picture of my husband and his brother, Wes, after Wes had killed a deer.

This post is about the pride I feel for my children. Did you ever see that look of pride on your parents' faces and kind of think they were crazy? I am that mom. Sydney thinks I'm a complete nut. I cry at everything all the time.... especially when it comes to my babies growing up. It's bittersweet. I love that my babies are getting so big...and I hate it at the same time. But this is what parenting is about: It's about tough times that you think you'll never see the end of and about the times that you just want to relive over and over...and over again. Here are some things that I am proud of as I sit here tonight:

Remington, your current new trick is that you are trying desperately to roll over. It will be the last time I see one of my babies roll over for the first time. You, also, have recently started really smiling at me. That kind of smile that says "Hey - I know you. You're my mommy and I feel safe with you." It.is.precious.

I love the "firsts" of life. I can't wait to see the look of pride on your own face when you do something that you know you should be proud of.

Harper.....sweet, sweet Harper. You are the class clown, forever doing things that I should get on to you for (passing gas at the dinner table), but you are hilarious and, if you can do such things with grace and a touch of humor, you definitely accomplish it. One minute you are trying to get away with something you know is not right, and the next minute you are busting into the bathroom while yelling "MOMMYYYYY....I jus wuv you SO SO much and I need a hug from you NOW!!" You can make me laugh and cry within moments of each other. (Sidenote: I am not proud of you for passing gas at the dinner table - I am proud of your spirit, your wild and crazy, funny spirit).

Sydney.....Just when I think my "Sydney pride-o-meter" has reached it's top level, you go and do something that makes it find a new top. One of my favorite things about you is that I believe you are a very well rounded individual. You are smart, funny and talented in many ways.

1) Talented musically: Today you came home with a CD of a song you are learning for the end of the year program. There was a note that said, "Sydney - verse 2". You have a solo - your 3rd in your short 6 years of life. The lyrics are about being beautiful on the inside. It's 3 lines. I could not get through the first without tearing up. It is a very fitting song. You are beyond beautiful on the inside. You have a spirit of love, kindness and peace that is truly inspiring. Those 3 lines will be beautifully sung by you because you illustrate them so well. I cannot wait to hear you sing it at your program - all I can say is that the Kleenex industry will be very, very lucky that day.

2) Intelligent and Talented in your ability to write: Today you received the "Principal's Pick" award for a writing assignment you had completed a few weeks ago. I saw that assignment. I am amazed at how well you write. I hope you love it like I do. Your name was called out over the intercom for the first time all year. I can picture you walking down to the office to pick up your special pencil, head held high and knowing that you were being recognized for something you had written so beautifully. Oh to be a fly on the wall.....

3) Talented Physically and extremely well-mannered: Tonight you had karate and I marveled at your maturity. I watched you listen to your teacher, say "yes ma'am" and do what was asked of you the first time. You were quiet and treated your teacher with respect. Plus, your front kick was, by far, the best in the class...you even beat out the boys (totally in my opinion, but that counts, right?) You are becoming this amazing young lady with goals, dreams and opinions. I'm proud of you Sydney Reese. I love you and I'm proud of you. Keep it up.

I can't imagine being more proud of any of my children, but I bet in the years to come my "Pride-O-Meter" continues to soar to new heights.

These kids, the laughter, the spark they have, the firsts.....the pride - This....is what it's all about.

Love you

A piece of this amazing life

I have the most amazing life. I really do. Sure, I have my ups and downs, but all in all....things are great. Right now, I can think of a million things to be depressed about. So many people going through so many tough times. In fact, today on my way home from my mom's house I was having some pretty yucky thoughts. I was thinking of all the people I know who are struggling in one way or another. I thought everyone was asleep. I was deep in thought, near tears when I caught the eye of Sydney in my rear view mirror. There was a song on with a great beat. She started a head bob.... bounce, bounce, bounce. I reciprocated....bounce, bounce, bounce. She flashed the sign language sign for "I love you" as she added a shoulder roll to her head bob.... bounce, bounce, roll, roll, roll. I reciprocated....bounce, bounce, roll, roll, roll. Then came the hair swing and imaginary mike with the occasional "raise the roof" hand gesture. I reciprocated with the exact same hip and stellar dance moves. We had to remain super quiet as to not awake the rest of the car, but we silently giggled, winked at each other and had our own quiet dance party while passing motorists tried to get out of the crazy dancing lady's way.....and at the end of our dance party (right about the time I decided I was going to need an ice pack later) I thought - in all the drama, trauma and craziness, I love this little piece of my amazing life.

Sydney, this post is dedicated to you....my most amazing back seat dance partner.

Lord, when the negative tries to take over...help me get my dance on - because it always seems to make everything better.

Thirty Four

I feel like I should post something on this, the eve of my 34th birthday. Several years ago when I was in college I had my life planned out - I was supposed to be married, have children, own a personal training studio, vacation to the beach every year, stay at 120lbs. and 15% body fat no matter what and have already been to Europe. I'm married. I have children. I've worked at a personal training studio or two. I went to the beach once. I have weighed 120lbs. at 15 % body fat at least once in my life.

I did a little reflecting tonight, a little inventory of where I am as opposed to where I thought I would be. The truth is there are a lot of things I have not accomplished that I probably never will. There are a lot of things I have not accomplished that I still might. The question is this: Does my life excite me? Am I happy? Would I trade this, what I have, for anything. This should be easy answers, right? Yes, Yes and No...... But it's not always so easy.

Question #1: "Does my life excite me?" I don't think this requires some huge explanation. The answer is no. I'm a mommy. I do mommy things. I clean house, I do laundry, I play school, I read children's books, I change diapers, I sing the itsy bitsy spider, I nurse my baby, I referee arguments, I cook meals, I fetch pacifiers, I locate loveys, I help with homework, I transport to school, karate and storytime at the library, I go to the grocery store, I kiss away owies, I take kids to the doctor, I tuck them in at night. I'm a mom - Day to day it's not exciting. The big picture, however, is thrilling. And there are a few very exciting singular events along the way:

Potty training (we had a HUGE success today)

First steps

First words

The first time they smile at you, I mean really smile...at you....because they know you are the mommy

All the firsts.....now that is pretty exciting.

Question #2: "Am I happy?" This should be an easy answer. Of course I'm happy. My kids keep me laughing, my husband is the greatest, I stay home and I mommy.....but I would be lying if I said that there are days when I wonder "what if......" Most of the time it's because I felt like the day was an epic failure, but somedays I can have a pretty good day and think "what if I was that 120lb. girl who owned a personal training studio, had no strings and could travel at the drop of a hat.....what if......"

Well....what if - the answer is this: 3 great masterpieces, works of God's art, would not be in my life, that's what.

Question #3: "Would I trade it?" Not for all the riches in the world. What I have found out in 33 years is that in any life there are ups and downs, highs and lows, riches and rags. No matter what life brings me, based on the day, I'm going to do one of two things:

1) Embrace it and give thanks for it, no matter what or

2) Complain about it, say I don't deserve it and ask why.

What is my hope for my next year? That I have more embracing and less complaining; that every day I see those 3 insanely gorgeous faces I think to myself "how can I make sure they know they are God's gift to me?" ; that I don't just see the silver lining and the rainbow, but that I also look for the pot of gold; that I see God in every moment of every second of every minute of every day and that I point him out to my babies every.single.time.

I'm a realist with big dreams and high hopes. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I will continue to have days that are failures, but what I hope is that with each passing year I garner just a tad more wisdom and a smidgeon more acceptance of me.

Lord, thank you for another year and all the wonderful blessings of this year. Thank you for loving me through my failures and helping me see the excitement of my life. Help me to emulate You as a parent. Help me to love those babies through their faults and weaknesses and celebrate with them their strengths. Help me foster in them hope, dreams, love and acceptance of themselves. We are, after all, made in Your image. Help me know it, live it and teach it to my children. Help me to see them as the works of art that they are, precious works of art created by Your loving hand, especially for me.

Amen.

What a difference a day makes

How beautiful is this????? This was our amazing sunrise this morning. I see the sun come up every morning because my children wake up at the crack of dawn. This was an especially beautiful sunrise and I thought you all should see it. You know how 2 days ago I was at the end of my rope - this incredible sunrise gave me a warm fuzzy - it was kind of like the answer:

Hey Courtney, it's God....yes I'm here, yes I will lengthen your rope and yes you are forgiven for snapping at your children. Now go hug those kids and teach them about Me, My love and My salvation.

Enjoy!

Never underestimate the power of human contact

So....my last several posts have been about snow. If you are sick of snow talk hit "next blog" now. Obviously, you all know that I am beyond OVER the snow. I'm over snow, snow activities, snow days, snow day activities and the color white, in general. In the past when we have been snowed in, my husband has been home and so there's the thought that we could get out when we had too. There were a couple of different aspects to this snowfall.

1) It was our 3rd this winter

2) Twenty four inches fell in about 8 hours time

3) Aaron was out of town

4) I discovered we do not own a snow shovel.

The snow hit late Tuesday night. Wednesday morning was spent staring out the window in disbelief at the record snow fall. By Thursday the excitement of snow days was over for everyone involved. Thursday afternoon I realized that I.was.trapped. The snow was so deep my garage door would not open, there was a drift in front of my front door that stood close to 3 feet tall. I began to hyperventilate. The kids conversations turned to shrill screaming, arguing over everything, tattling. The walls were closing in. I broke out in a cold sweat. How long would it take for all this snow to melt? Sure, it was supposed to be in the 40s by Saturday, but we're talking 2 feet of snow! (In hindsight, I realize I might have been over reacting a wee bit, but in the moment it seemed like a very real fear). I knew the snow would be having a serious melt down soon and I also knew the Arrant family would be too.

Friday morning I got word that my parents were coming to help me deal with my children and help me dig out of my driveway. I literally teared up when I got the text. I had no idea how important adult conversation is to me and how desperate I was for adult contact. My kids are my world, but let's face it - we mommies need other mommies....and sometimes we need our own mommy.

My parents arrived. My dad and I shoveled my driveway together. My mom and I stayed up and chatted and watched T.V. We didn't have deep meaningful conversations where we solved all the worlds problems, but we were together. It was nice. Hopefully, tomorrow we can get out. We need to make a trip to Wal-Mart and we have a family birthday party to attend. I will appreciate the sunshine tomorrow. I will make eye contact and smile at other people I come in contact with. I will appreciate adult conversation and I think I'll be a better mommy.

Dear Lord:

The snowfall was beyond beautiful. From a certain angle it looked like my yard was covered in diamonds because of the incredible rays of sun shining down on it. Thank you for the ability to see the beauty of it. Forgive me for taking for granted my precious children and snapping at them when I'm at the end of my rope. Lord, I ask you to lengthen my rope on those days. Most of all, Lord, thank you for my mom and dad, who sensed my panic and came to my rescue. I pray that Aaron and I are that same kind of mom and dad today, tomorrow and 30 years from now.

Amen

Snowed In....Stressed Out

Where do I begin? Do I talk about our first snow storm - the one that brought 2 inches of snow and 2 snow days or maybe I should discuss the second bout of snow that brought around 1/2 inch of ice followed by 4 inches of snow and further brought 4 snow days....No, I'll cut to the chase and discuss Snowstorm #3 which brought 24 inches of snow and drifts close to 4 feet tall in my back yard. Here's the positive part of snowmagedon '11

1) I witnessed record breaking snow

2) It was so deep that we couldn't play in it so it has stayed BEAUTIFUL in my yard

3) It's supposed to be gone and in the 60's by next week

4).....I got nothing else

So I've heard talk of cabin fever. I've even thought that I had cabin fever before...until now. I am going crazy. Aaron is out of town. He is in sunny California for 2 weeks (insert ugly comments full of jealousy here). I am out of snow day activities. Had I known we were going to have TEN snow days this year, I wouldn't have made the first 6 so darn special. Now my kids want every snow day to be extra special full of 943 activities, chocolate chip pancakes, brownies, cookies, popcorn and movie, snow ice cream, painting, building forts, playing chase, etc. etc. etc. The past two snow days I have totally flaked as "cool snow day mommy". I.Am.Done. I'm done with snow, I'm done being forced to come up with 943 snow day activities. As we speak, I cannot leave my house - literally....the Grand Caravan does not drive over 3 foot snow drifts at the end of my driveway created by the snow plows. I am claustrophobic, I didn't hit the store because, get this, the weathermen called for 3-4inches (a far cry from the 24" we received), I'm almost out of diapers, I have had no adult face to face contact in 3 days (I like my peeps....I like to SEE them). My mom was supposed to come be an extra set of hands this weekend and she can't get here. My children have become delirious having constant conversations about poop, butts, underarm tooting and other disgusting things that ladies should not discuss.

In conclusion - If I do not get out of this house soon my children are going to find me in the fetal position hiding in the closet mumbling things that make no sense. My kids need to run, I need to have an adult conversation - I think we'll all get along a lot better once we are out of this house.

Are you there, God? It's me, Courtney.....and I need OUT! Peace and Love - Amen!

Snow Days!

I will never forget when I was growing up the excitement that the possibility of snow brought. We would watch the sky, wonder when it was coming, speculate on when we would find out the age old question.... would we or would't we have school the next day. Mom would be sure the alarm radio was set to KARV, the local station, so that she would know immediately when she woke up if she could let us sleep or if we needed to get up and start getting ready for school. Living in the South, snow days were few and far between so the excitement in the air was like static electricity! Ah the memories...... cocoa and toast for breakfast, sledding, getting pelted with snow balls by my brother - sweet, sweet memories from childhood.

Now, I'm the mommy. We will have our 5th snow day this winter tomorrow and probably our 6th the next day. I am trying my hardest to create sweet, sweet memories for my kids, but I am quickly running out of ideas!!!! We have painted, made tents, played charades, made homemade play dough, made salt dough creations, baked cookies, baked brownies, made hot chocolate, sat by the fireplace with all electronics off pretending our power went out, played outside, made snow ice cream, brought buckets of snow inside, made a miniature snowman in our living room, painted the snow outside, went sledding, played board games, played school.... and the list goes on and on. I pray that 20 years from now my kids are sitting in their living room, blogging about their perfect snow day memories from childhood and thinking about the next snow day memory they will create with their own children. At the end of these snow days I am mentally exhausted, but this is the part of parenthood I love......creating these amazing memories.....

Happy Snow Day 2011!!!