Moving My Blog

If you are one of the lovely folks who reads my blog, you will need to go here from now on. I've decided to blog in a new location!

Weeds

At our house a flower is a flower. Even if the plant that is producing a flower happens to be a weed, we still enjoy the flower and let it live. Jackson enjoys picking them and bringing them in for his Mama, and I enjoy the pleasant surprise of a flower being given to me from my son.

Today, my nephews came over for the day. While they and Jackson were playing Batman in the back yard, my weeds with flowers were subjected to many vicious slashes and chops with their swords. Bummer.

From inside I heard a very upset Jackson telling his cousins to 'stop killing his Mommy's flowers!'

What a sweet boy.

High Five to Single Parents!

Seriously, how do they do it? I've only been without my husband for 4 days, and I am soooo ready to get John back home! I didn't even go one day without visiting family. I knew that while John was on this trip I would have a new found appreciation for single parents. I had a moment at dinner that surely arises in every household; a child refusing to eat dinner. After a near meltdown--for Jackson and me--the thought crossed my mind to just let him get his way so that I could have a peaceful meal and put an end to the madness. But, that was a quickly passing thought. Instead, I decided to persevere through this tantrum and convince Jackson that he does like the meal I made. He ended up eating it with some bribery involving chocolate chip cookies.

Bribery is ok, right?

The Ripe Old Age of 5 Months

Over the course of just 4 days, Archer has grown so much. He started taking naps longer than 20 minutes! He actually let me lay him down for an hour or more! This was amazing. Arch also dozed off a few times with my Aunts. He has hardly ever fallen asleep without me.

And now for the food news. Archer LOVES food. I let him try green beans, spinach, banana, apple, and watermelon. He loved all of it. I was so excited for him.

My Archer is growing so fast, in 3 days he will be 5 months!

My Hiatus

I just got back from a 4 day reunion with my extended family that came from Louisiana and other parts of Indiana. We all stayed at my mom's house, which has been the tradition since my grandmother was the matriarch of the house. The house is on the lake, and is large enough to cram a few families in to stay for a few days. Playing on the lake with my crazy family is one of my fondest memories and most favorite things to do. We ski, we swim, we throw each other off of wave runners ... fun is had by all.

Another activity that my family enjoys is a good debate. I sometimes participate, but it's usually a discussion that involves my Uncle Irwin, Uncle Bill, Aunt Peggy, and my cousin Kevin. You would think that after all these years they have already said all there is to say about their opinion on abortion or war or WHATEVER, but they have not. These debates will go on until the end of time! Sitting down to listen to them is another one of my favorite things.

This year was a little more hectic than prior reunions; we had a FULL house! To give you an idea of the insanity I just endured, I will list off who stayed in the house and where. My mom and her husband stayed in her bedroom, my brother slept on a blow up mattress in the sun room by the deck, an Aunt and Uncle stayed in my brother's old room, my cousin and his girlfriend stayed in the living room, John, Jackson, Archer, and I stayed in the front porch area on another blow up mattress, and upstairs in my old room were my cousin and his wife with 2 little ones, and my other Aunt and Uncle. Oh my GOD was it crazy! But, it was fun and wonderful to see how the family has grown.

Now, I am back home getting our lives back to normal. John is on a business trip and won't be home until Friday. So, I'm trying to keep busy and sane with my boys before he returns. I am going to attempt to get groceries soon. That should be a good time ... or really stressful! I could wait for other family members nearby to get off of work to watch Jackson while I shop, but we are out of so many necessities, that I can't wait.

For Your Enjoyment

I haven't posted in a while. Not really sure why, I've had lots of totally fun stuff happening. I just haven't felt like pausing to document them, I guess. So here are photos I have saved from the past few weeks. I don't plan on doing a whole lot of blogging in the next month because I will be having way too much fun, so I will be posting pictures periodically for your enjoyment!

The 3 amigos, Archer, Jackson, and Lionel Richie.

My boys.

Contemplating ...

Mr. I Only Lick the Salt From the Shells of the Peanuts.

Pure Jackson, no sugar or artificial sweeteners added.

It looks like a "no no", but actually this girl initiated the boxing, and my sweet Jackson held back his rough side for this lovely lady. What a guy!

Archer's favorite thing to do with Daddy, DANCE!

Sleepy Cottage Cheese Butt.

Happy 4 (oh my goodness gracious I can't believe it) Months

I'm a bit late on this post. We have had quite a bit going on lately, and I totally missed out on posting on the day of this amazing milestone.

Anyway, hooray for 'The Arch'--as he's known around here--you are a big boy! It's been in the last 2 weeks that he has surprised me everyday with how much he changes. He's not my little newborn anymore. It's awesome to see him grow, but a little sad to see his baby days race by so quickly.

Craft Show Was a Success!

Thank you to everyone that came to the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange! This event was wonderful. We met a lot of great patrons as well as vendors. Thank you to those that gave us compliments on our products, that was much appreciated!

You can get to my Etsy shop with the link on the right side margin or by the link below. Make sure to bookmark us and check back periodically--new inventory is on the way!!

www.mamakates.etsy.com

Dress Up!

Well, I am pulling things together at the last minute, once again. John's cousin Danny and his lovely lady are due to have a new baby girl in August (I think), so I made a dress for the baby shower gift. The baby shower is Saturday, so this gift may be a bit late, but I'm not too worried about it. Here are the results from a "hard" day of work and not changing out of my pajama pants! (You might notice a certain someone we all know modeling this beautiful dress for me!)

May I Just Say?

As my foot is pretty well into the doorway of stay-at-home mommery, I can say with certainty backed up by 4 months experience that I love my life. Today I successfully took care of my boys + 2 of my nephews. While it was great--we played out in the back yard in the morning, took a walk with the neighbor and her 2 wonderful sons, and played in the sprinkler in the afternoon--I am exhausted! So, while laying with "I don't sleep without my mama 2 inches away" Archer, I had a chance to reflect on the day. Yeah, I'm tired, but really, WHO CARES? I don't have some difficult job to get up early for in the morning. And I must say I also don't have the stressful things that weigh upon your mind when you have a job that isn't so great--this is a major plus. And while taking care of 2 boys all day is work, I absolutely love it. I am truly blessed.

P.S. Have you seen anything cuter?

Very Cool Things

Today has been one of those more memorable/eventful days. Archer is rolling over like a champion all of the sudden. Yesterday he started attempting rolling from his back to his belly, and today he conquered that feat! He has made diaper changing almost impossible, and he loves it. He also has learned to roll the other way--from belly to back. All this within 24 hours. Amazing!

Another totally wonderful thing was the fact that both of my boys allowed me to get some weeding in the garden done today. I've been over a few times to get some gardening done, but it usually ends up with me taking care of the boys instead. Not today! Archer fell asleep and Jackson amused himself with bubbles and digging for snail shells in part of the garden for a good half hour.

More good news! I got my tags in the mail today! So, I will be adding those to the pieces I will be taking to the craft show.

Yay for productive days!

Time is flying

So, I've been busting my behind to get stuff ready for the upcoming craft show, and just remembered I will also be vending at a local baby fair. So, hopefully I will be ready for this baby fair. (Actually, it would be lovely if I weren't ready for it because that would mean I sold out of my stuff at the craft show! Good problems to have.)

Anyway, this is my first effort to get the info out about the baby fair. It will be awesome! If you don't believe me, check out the events and vendors in the day's agenda.

If you are a parent, you should go!

From my new phone!