Remembering our Intentions

First of all, I relocated back to my old blog address so that I can have all of my posts in one location. I created the new blog because I was getting annoyed with spam comments about enlarging your penis and whatnot. I changed some of my settings here so that should not be a problem anymore. Lately, the kids and I have really enjoyed looking back at old videos and pictures. I have been trying to upload some videos to youtube so we can keep the best ones in order there and not lose them in the abyss that is my pc. I like reading old posts and realize that blogging is totally worth it. Even if I tire of it sometimes, keeping those memories alive is so awesome.

"We write to taste life twice." - Anais Nin
This goes for taking photos and videos as well!

And onto this post and what has been on my mind lately.

I just want to say my kids are being real asswipes lately and I'm going insane!

Also,...

I suck at consistency. I need reminders. Reminders to slow down, reminders to eat right, reminders of what matters. I need a slow pace to life so I do not forget. Quitting gymnastics has allowed this for me and my family.

What matters?

Cloth diapers and hanging clothes on the line. Real meals and time spent with friends and family. Making my bed, not driving for an entire day (or two or three), letting my kids help with dishes and laundry because I have the time. Reading my pile of "to be read" books. Time to journal, time to reflect.

Food is always the hardest. I read about what percentage of income Americans spend on groceries and how we should spend more...I do not think spending 30% of our income on local organic would provide us with enough food. I should have had less kids you say? Too late. Anyway, we will do our best and maybe figure it out. Probably we will all be rail thin in a few weeks!

 Here are a few pictures from Father's Day.

Taven helped Grandpa make a platform to go between his skate ramps.

 Mirek pushing Daddy.

 We made Grandpa a bird house for the beach house.

 My Mom gave us her old bed and so we gave the girls our old bed and they gave their toddler beds to the boys. So now everyone is excited to hang out in their rooms. Unfortunately, this also means they are staking out their territory.

 My husband is a huge soccer fan so we have been watching the World Cup a lot. He is also from Nigeria so we had a little party when they played. They did not play well...

 Taven skates every day.

Well this was kind of a ramble but I just wanted to post something and let everyone know how much my kids are frustrating me. I'm trying to come up with some answer to help them get along, help them listen, and to stop myself from yelling. WHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

Beer and deep breaths. Beer and deep breaths. Beer and deep breaths.

22nd day of 100+ temps

So what did we do on the 22nd day of 100+ degree temps? Stayed inside! I haven't had much to blog about because we haven't been doing much. I've been getting ready for "preschool" and the kids have been doing the same ole' same ole'. They do love to dress up as if it IS cold outside. Without shirts of course.

Bingo.

Lots of puzzles.

Blocks.

Art.

And books, of course.

Not too exciting, but our lives aren't sometimes. However, it's getting a little old. Today, on this 23rd day of 100+ temps we, the bravest of all souls, are going on a nature walk!....where there is a creek....and shade. We are starting to develop nature deficit disorder and are patiently waiting the cooler days of late fall. PLEASE, hurry up! I've had enough living in the moment for now.

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember. Thanks Soulemama.

An Outdoor Attic

I was over at my parents last week and we went digging in their detached garage attic. We found a lot of goodies, but unfortunately some were in pretty bad shape. The Texas heat is brutal. It was especially brutal to my childhood book collection. Here is some of what we found!

I also found a lot of letters that family and friends wrote to me while I was at Girl Scout camp. Here is one from my Grandpa.

We also found this old toy cradle of my sister's.

And this play crib with an escape ladder?

Hair, arggh!

Anybody have any ideas what to do with this hair? I don't wash it much. I try to brush it out, but that is REALLY hard. I could brush it for three hours and not be done. My husband doesn't know much about hair and all of his family lives in Nigeria and Germany. It's just me. A white girl with dreadlocks, lol. I've thought about letting the girls hair lock up, but I'd rather not....for now.

Texas Style

I should've poured in another beer...or two.

Attn! Markers are not lipstick!

I don't know how many times I have to tell her.

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember. Thanks Soulemama

Learning

Style

I love letting my kids dress themselves. Less work for me and they have a much better sense of style. This pic also shows how Eaden cut Naia's hair on the right side of her head. Classic.

My favorite picture

I don't know why I love this picture, but I do. It was my profile picture until my mom said it looks like I stole someone's black child and ran away with it (this is my son and my husband is from Nigeria). Anyway, I love this picture. I look so happy and peaceful and my son just looks like he wants to run.

Poor bird

The girls and I were looking at this baby bluejay that fell out of its nest into our yard. We scared it and it started hopping away fast. Unfortunately, it hopped through a hole in the fence and the neighbor's dog killed it within about 5 seconds. Its poor parents witnessed the event. Well, the girls learned a little lesson about life and death...city style...Now Eaden's talking about how butterflies kill and eat tiny puppies. Maybe we need a few more lessons.