For the love of Oatmeal...

The fantasy goes something like this:

I wake up at 6am...no alarm needed...
I just love mornings.
I have time to get ready, have some coffee...
I fix the boys something warm and wonderful for breakfast.
I fix their lunches...
bento style...with adorable little strawberry mice
(have you seen those? so darn cute)
The boys wake to the smell of deliciousness coming from the kitchen...
they get dressed, and come to breakfast...
where they leisurely eat (and compliment the chef)
We have plenty of time to brush teeth, fix hair, and put shoes on.
No rushing.
Heck...they even have time to read
or watch a little tv before we have to leave at 7:30.

The reality:
(at least this morning)

Colin wakes me up at 6:50ish...
I have a kicking headache.
I remember I want to try making stovetop oatmeal.
I quick measure the water in the pot and put it on the stove.
I hurry and throw clothes on...
take some Excedrin...
and attempt to make some coffee.
My coffee pot decides for the hundredth time to not work right.
I wake the boys.
Colten comes out to the kitchen to inform me,
he needs a sweatshirt,
and he hates the pants I picked out for him.
I cut up some strawberries for the oatmeal.
I do the same with a banana.
I grind some flaxseed in my old coffee grinder...
which I pray doesn't make the flax taste like coffee.
The boys make their way into the kitchen at 7:15.
Jack doesn't want oatmeal...he wants leftover pancakes.
I nuke the pancakes.
Cole wants to try the oatmeal, but would like pancakes too.
I nuke more pancakes.
I scoop oatmeal into bowls....it's now 7:20.
The boys love the different toppings
and go to the table with bowls full of strawberries,
bananas, honey, brown sugar, & raisins...
Causing Jack to decides he needs oatmeal now too
7:25.
It dawns on me I haven't packed lunches.
(Good grief)
I shove some food into their lunchboxes.
I do pack strawberries...
but sadly, just in tupperware...
no mini-chocolate chip faces and almond sliver ears...
7:28.
Colten is in full on panic because he's going to be "late"...
Jack is still eating.
Colten realizes he forgot to fix his hair and really panics.
Jared announces he will be the only one late.
(like it's a contest and he needs to be the winner)
Jack is still eating.
We finally rush out the door at 7:35ish.
rush.
oh.
and now my kitchen is a complete disaster.Mornings.
They elude me.
I must find some sort of balance between my love of sleep...
and my desire to make the boys bacon for breakfast.
(ooooh....bacon)
Have I mentioned I'm not a morning person?


*One question.
Flaxseed.
Does one store that in the ...Fridge? Freezer? Pantry?
and the leftover ground flaxseed?
Mysterious...but tasty...especially on oatmeal.

Forgot to post this yesterday...

Last week when we got our quarter inch of snow,
and our snowday...
Tara emailed me some photos of the snow in Canada...
which suffice it to say had us beat.
Snow up to the rooftops...
Which made my boys jealous...
and they were quick to announce they wanted to "move to Canada!"

Jack "I want to move to Canada! They have SNOW...and Canadian bacon!"
Colten "What's Canadian bacon again?"
Jack "Its like the same thing as ham, but it's flimsy"
Colten "hmmm....flimsy ham.....sounds good"

So.
Snow and flimsy ham.
Two very good reasons to move anywhere I think...

Esther and I are going to be doing a little blog project,
because I really need a second blog...
I'm such a good blogger...
errr...yeah...right...
(read that because I'm crazy)

Anyway...it's sort of an ode to NieNie and the 3191mornings/afternoons/miles apart blog(s)...
Actually when the 3191 morning blog started I thought it was brilliant,and wanted to do something similar...but never quite made it happen.
When I saw Stephanie's blog and it said she was doing it with a friend in Germany...
I thought hmm...I have a very best friend there...
Of course my Essie said heck-to-the-yes before I could even say
what do you think about this.
I love Es.

We made e2e
Which hopefully it will be less about my ramblings...
and more about our photos...
(giving me a good opportunity to work on mine)
Glimpses into our lives
which were once across the street...
and now are across the ocean...
but still connected.
♥
I think it will be kind of neat.
And at the same time I kind of get to do the 365 project....
minus 12....
which will become minus more, because that's how I roll.
I'm so excited!

Ok. I'm off to scrap.
(*gasp!* I know...)

After a snowday and a "cold"-day off of school last Thursday and Friday
this morning came much too soon...
I would like to buy another snowday please.
The cold,
not so much...
brr-rr-rrr...

What have we been up to?
Saturday:
was Jared's last session of ODP (for winter)
instead of being in Little Rock,
which frankly is a trek all by itself,
it was in Fort Smith.
Like 4 and a half hours away,
minus stops...
and you can ask Colin,
I'm worse than the boys with "stops"...
:)
So we got up at 6:30am on Saturday morning...
and got home around midnight:30....
Whew.
I of course forgot my camera.
(Shocking...I know)

Had I remembered it,
I would have taken photos of:

*Jared playing. He looked great. Of course just about every time he had a nice assist, or tackle the coaches that were rating the boys were looking at the other field.
Go figure.
I'll have to take some flip footage of him playing this spring...
I know you're suppose to think your kid is good, but he is a really good player...I swear to it.

*Our umpteen trips to Starbucks...
including Jared's new love affair with shaken black iced tea lemonades...
I've created a monster.
He had 3. I guess there is no question why he didn't sleep in the car on the way home, eh?

*The littles with their blankets and coats over their heads to block the glare on the gamesboys in the car...

*The littles shooting on the rebounder in the gym...

*Jack laying on the indoor turf playing gameboy...oblivious to all around him.

*Jared wearing his sweats, hanging past his butt of course, sanuks, shorts, tshirt, and hoodie.
He was a hot mess...(did I mention it was coooooold)

*lunch at Panera (I miss Panera)

*Our brief potty stop at HobbyLobby...."MOM! No looking at stuff!!!"

*dinner at Arbys (I miss Arbys)

*probably my new boots...because they're so cute.

Yesterday:
was a lazy Sunday...
Well, not completely lazy...we un-Christmased the house.
Which is way less fun than Christmasing it.
Now it feels like we have way less "stuff" around us...which is kind of nice.
and
We watched football, and a movie.
low. key.

Today:
Monday. I'm cleaning. So exciting...
Jared has soccer.
Coley has a dentist appointment...
and I'm making baked potato soup for dinner.
yum.

That's all I've got today...
xox

ps. SNOW DAY!

Jared has a request and asked me to post it on my blog...
(see J, sometimes your mom having a blog is a good thing)

he would love if you would go here
and take a survey for his science fair project.
(I also linked it to the right on the sidebar)

he says
Thank you!

***thank you friends! he's had a great response!

lalala...
It's Wednesday?
Is it spring break yet?!?
I think I should resolve to be a better morning person...
but I'm not sure you can become that...aren't you just sort of pre-set?

insert Office quote here... alright, don't mind if I do...

Michael:
I’m an early bird and a night owl. So I’m wise and I have worms.

I am not good with mornings.
I totally snapped at Jared yesterday, and had to apologize after school.
My favorite was "yeah, you totally cussed and screeched at me"
ummm...
Hello my name is teenage-exaggerator.
I was snatchy though, so I said sorry...
because that's what I do.
Kinder gentler me you know.
I did not cuss...
and screeched?!?...whatever....I do not screech.
much.

Cole's birthday is coming up and I can not think of anything to get the boy.
Add to that is the fact he will only say he "wants to move" for his birthday...
yes.
to move.
Colin of course thinks I placed this lovely gem in his mind...
which I didn't.
Thank you very much.
Remember...
green rainbow resolution #2...
"I want to be more supportive of my husband's career...even if that means staying here"
However,
it's mildly amusing to me that Colten has taken over my plight.
No...I mean...It's not at all amusing...
it's horribly naughty...
and
I still don't know what to get him for his birthday.

someone won't let the poor child move...
on his birthday...
I won't mention any names.
Sup-por-tive that's meeee....

What other randomness do I have?
It's way chilly cold here.
My pipes are doing their very best at trying hard to freeze.
The boys are holding out hope that they won't have school the rest of the week...
The weather had said 2-4 inches...
I think that's been downgraded to a light dusting...
You never know though...it's Arkansas...anything is possible.
Any. Thing.

And because I know you're all sick of me only talking about a certain amazing
chocolate-fountain...
(hyphenated to one word)
I shall refrain.
Even if it does cascade delicious chocolate like a waterfall.
I will not mention it...
Even if chocolate covered strawberries might be my favorite thing ever...
I won't dwell ...

oh.....

what is this photo of?Hello gorgeous Frye boots on my feet.
You do not produce chocolate
but
I adore you the same.
Let's instead dwell on my boots.

My new boots and my new lens were two of my favorite presents this Christmas.
I returned my lens though...
so we will just focus on the boots now.

Actually truth be told,
I pretty much had decided not to focus on photography after Christmas...
for a multitude of reasons,
most involving my frustration with everyone else having great equipment,
and me not.
(sad pitty party for one please)
then I read this quote...

“We were taught that the most important thing a young photographer can do is learn how to see. It wasn't about the equipment we were using. I don’t remember being taught any technique. A camera was only a box that recorded an image.” -Annie Leibovitz

and perhaps.
just perhaps...
I will take a few photos in 2010.
with my little camera.
and it's little lens.

while wearing some pretty fabulous boots I might add...
xox

Colten went with me tonight to Hobby Lobby
only because I was going to Barnes and Noble after
and he wanted a book.
Leaving Hobby Lobby:
Me
"See that was fun!"
Coley
"Mom...we spent 30 minutes in there and you didn't even get anything...I would hardly call that fun"
Me
"It's good practice for you...when you're married your wife might want to spend time in stores just looking ...while you hold her purse"
Coley
(sigh) "Well I hope it's a European handbag"

My one little word for 2010: Chocolate fountain.
wait...
that's two words.

so this morning went better than anticipated.
which means after school may not go well...
overtired.
grumpy.
hungry.
did I mention tired?
and that's just going to be me...
can you imagine the boys?!?
yikes.

I have a house that is extremely messy.
Like three boys home for two weeks messy...
so I suppose I should go clean it.
my one little word for 2010 is not going to be procrastinate...
although,
at least that's one little word that I might really be able to embrace...

We should get jerseys cause we make a good team
But yours would look better than mine,
cause you're outta my league
And I know that it's so cliche to tell you that everyday
I spend with you is the new best day of my life
...
And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know you're more to me than what I know how to say
You're OK with the way this is going to be
This is going to be the best thing we've ever seen
If anyone can make me a better person you could
All I gotta say is I must've done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must've done something right
I must've done something right

(Relient K)
...

so...
somethings I'd like to improve/learn/work-on/do this year...
also known as New Years Resolutions...

*and please note, I like to make these lists, but I'm not so much a pressure-ones-self type of girl, so it's a laid back list...please don't yell at me next January if I've not completed even half of it.
Because trust me, I won't.

Esther quote:
resolutions.
should be happy colored pen filled squares of FUN
not pressure...

I would like to learn to knit.

I would like to learn to sew.

I want to scrapbook more...at least once a week.

I want my photos printed. caught up. and in albums.

I want to work on my organization.

(specifically in regards to menu planning, preparation and grocery shopping...ick. I'm bad at this)

I want to take a vacation with my family.

(*a vacation that doesn't constitute staying in a hotel for soccer or baseball)

I'd like to work on getting in better shape.

(cliche, but true-che)

I want to read more...1-2 books a month sounds like a reasonable goal.

I want to draw some.

I want to be more present in the now, and focus less on the future.

I would like to work on being friendlier...even when I don't feel like it...but without being fake.

(is that possible? sometimes I come off as being "not nice"...I know....shocking huh?)

happy colored typewritten lines of FUN...
here is to 2010.
Cheers!

ps. the chocolate fountain...really
best.
thing.
ever.
I'm just saying...

pps. I can not believe school starts tomorrow. Tomorrow morning is going to be brutal.

Not in his ear...

I actually have two New Years Eve videos to post...
(someone might be enjoying their little flip a little too much)
however, it's taken a ridiculous amount of time for this one to load...
so the one of us toasting the new year will have to wait.

clearly I have boys because I felt the need to repeat the same thing
over
and over
and over again...
duh.
I'm a dork, what can I say.

hopefully I'll have some fondue fundo pictures up soon...
and a list of my resolutions for the year...
you've got to make some right?
I actually love a new year...
a new chance to set goals even if I'm horrible at keeping them.
It's sort of like that elusive Monday when I'm dieting...
ohhhh Well...
I still enjoy the idea of new start...
and a continuum of traditions into yet another year...

Oh... and I just love what my friend Tara wrote on her blog:
(Hopefully she forgives me for "borrowing" it)

May 2010 bring you much love,joy and happiness & most especially the peace that comes from knowing Jesus. I have many things to work on this year, as always. Life is wonderful and there is nothing better than learning, growing & changing yourself.

so perfect. and true.

it's new years eve...

which means it's FUN-do night!
food on sticks...
what is not to love?!?
♥
we are huge fans of this fondue tradition.

enjoy your evening friends...
xox

Hey 2009 you were pretty cool....

January:In January a certain boy turned 10...
the night of his birthday
we received some ice...aka the ice storm '09so we played lots of games...and missed lots of school.
(there were no complaints from the boys, even with no tv)

February:(our cable was back on in time for the SuperBowl)
so.
we watched football
we made music...
and we loved each other just a bit...
March:my tiny babyturned 8...and you all know by now...
eight is great! we played more games...made some art...played a little basketball...and even made a snowman
April:some of us played a LOT of baseball... some of us watched a LOT of baseball...and we all celebrated Easter
May:we went to Ohio with Colin...
he went to work...we went to play...we played soccer...and more baseball...
June:
school ended
and
we were still playing baseball...
July:we went to the lake for a few days...
some of us ran a race... others of us were still playing baseball...

August:
we started school...
(9th, 5th, and 3rd)
we played soccer...
and celebrated 12 years of marriage...

September:we got expanders in our mouf...
we saw the RedBirds play in Memphis...
and we celebrated Jared turning 15.

October:we played lots of soccer...
we went to homecoming...and we played dress-up....
November:we played some more soccer...
we saw my parents, Gabby, Mike, and Ev...December:
we decorated... we attempted ChristmasValentine card photos... and we cheered for our Cavs...and of course we celebrated Christmas
(as you can see from the post below)

2009 wasn't particularly eventful...
no big trips
no moves ;)

and if 2010 turns out to be just as uneventful,
but is filled with soccer, baseball, art, music, and celebrations of another year...
well,
that will do just fine.

We've been having fun...
and now...
I'm paying for it with this never-ending-pile-of-laundry...
like whoa.
I'm planning on leaving the house today though...
with the boys...
who haven't left the sofa much since their fabulous parents
gifted them with a playstation3.
gosh we're nice.
(possibly not very smart, but very nice)
I think an outing might be a good thing.

***I'll try and post some of these photos on facebook later individually, but it just wasn't going to happen on the blog...waaay too many.

Playstations are exciting....

here is the reaction to the present from us.
total surprise.
they didn't ask for it.

few things to note:

notice the beginning
this is why colin doesn't take many photos or video of things...
(when I first watched it I thought for sure he'd missed the whole thing)
erin's laugh cracks me up
and
so does coley saying "why did you DO THAT?"...too cute.
(he couldn't figure out why we spent so much)
also.
I wrapped it 3 times...hence the unwrap, unwrap, unwrap happening...
ok...here you go

We hope you have a very merry & joyful Christmas.

Lots of love.

e.

xoxoxoxoxox