Feeling Motivated

Let me set the scene... According to the electric meat thermometer sitting on my porch it's 74 degrees (a shout-out to my husband for not putting it up, lol). There's a cool breeze disturbing the wind chimes, an occasional rooster squawk, and a dusty old wicker rocking chair calling my name. I LOVE these moments. I cherish the peace and quiet as much as I enjoy little boy giggles. Both boys are napping at the SAME TIME...something I strive for everyday but rarely get. Here's proof:

 P.S. Samuel got a haircut right before nap. We do own and usually wear shirts!

My hands itch for all the things I am neglecting to accomplish at this moment, but my soul overrides and I take in this beautiful day God has granted me. I want to post my Spring/Summer goals so that my readers may remind me and therefore encourage me to accomplish what I have set out to do. So here goes:

1. Thin out my Irises. Plant Rose, Hibiscus, and Geranium. Pull weeds (eeeck). 
1. Let Samuel play in the dirt
2. Let Samuel plant his own "something"
3. Maybe I can teach weed pulling as a "fun" activity... You are welcome to drop your kids off at my house for weed pulling parties. I will be happy to feed them a nutritious lunch and supply gallons of water.
2. Continue to train for my FIRST 5k run. Cotton Row Run is at the end of May. I am supposed to run 3x a week and cross train 3x a week.
1. The "just had a baby" excuse is over
2. Both boys enjoy riding in their inline expensive rather nice stroller, so I have NO excuse.
3. Tim is also training. 
1. A good encourager 
2. A wonderful opportunity to spend time with my hubby!
3. Wash, dry, fold, AND put away laundry all in one day each week
4. Sell our Honda Pilot. Buy something that carries kids (with cash). Of course this would mean we'd be completely DEBT FREE!
5. Spend 2 hours each week making homespun Cards.
1. Let Samuel go to town with his own paint and crayons
2. David may observe :)
6. Paint the kitchen
1. Let Tim do trim. There are a few too many green splotches to count on the boys ceiling. 
7. Finish the boys room
1. I know they could care less, but I want to display those newborn hand prints by my friend Aubrey .
2. I also have giant safari animals... that's cool boy stuff right?!
8. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you Oh Lord! (whether I'm wearing the "wife", "mother," or "friend" hat.)

8 goals and 4 months.

Chuckling to myself

Irony is a funny thing. It sneaks up on you at the most unexpected times! I checked my email this afternoon during a painting break(pictures to come soon). I signed up for one of those "what to expect when your child is ## months old" when Samuel was born. Most of the time I hit delete after a few sentences, but something caught my eye and a burning curiosity drew my mouse pointer over and clicked before I could stop myself.

Are you ready for a baby? it asked.  

Well how interesting, I mused, seeing as I am balancing my 2nd child on my lap and ignoring the 20 month old as he runs rampant around the house...

 Now WAIT it doesn't stop there. It had a quiz and so of course I had to take it. It was essential that I determine if I was ready to have David or if I needed to inform God to please take him back b/c the internet quiz said I wasn't ready for another child yet... I got 5 out of 7 questions correct and was informed: 
      You're almost there -- but before you throw caution to the wind, you should brush up on a few body basics. Start by checking out 20 things to do before you start trying and 10 things HE should do before you start trying.


Oops! ;)

March Madness @ the Metcalfes

We took off with a bang this month by heading to Memphis to visit my family. David needed to be introduced to everyone and I wanted to catch up with aging grandparents. Samuel had the privilege of visiting his first Children's Museum and played till he dropped! Here he is with my cousin Ginny ( 5 years old) as they explored!

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Next, we celebrated Mackenzie's birthday. With a gourmet cake by her older sister, Imy, and bubbling punch by her great grandmother, Momor, she celebrated in style!!

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Finally, we took St. Patrick's Day by storm and donned our Green and headed to Downtown Huntsville for a parade.

Samuel was fascinated with the fire engines and animals he saw. David enjoyed the parade from the comfort of the stroller and napped through all the excitement!

Tick Tock the Clock Strikes Back

I love being able to get rid of the afternoon energy outside with light to spare, I do NOT, however, enjoy the change in bedtime! I have been creative ALL WEEK trying to change Samuel to his normal 8:00 p.m. shut-eye! Tonight I resolved to avoid whiny attitude and allowed one toy to accompany him to bed. He chose a car (no surprise there) and I sat listening to tinkering and vrooming noises.

It actually worked.

I have to say I'm a little shocked. There were no complaints, no water breaks, no re-tucking in.... I won't hold my breathe for a repeat tomorrow evening, but this mommy can hope!

My Faithful Followers

I may not have 4 children yet, but I do know something about NO personal space! I realized this morning that no matter where I go (at home) there is always someone or something to trip over!! 

Let' start with Anya...

My silky smooth purring machine predates children AND husband. Rescued from the jaws of several retired tigers (I'm serious about that) she has enjoyed the life of ease these past 5 years. This also means she was queen at one time. She has never actually been "dethroned," just slightly ignored as the family head count expands. She spends her days running from small preying hands while sneaking in TLC(be it kitchen counter or pillow-top love).

And then there is Dakota...

Also rescued from a shelter, this Husky/Greyhound mix is an attention grabber...of sorts. He uses his size to take down small unsuspecting children to dispense slobbery kisses at any given moment. At the same time he always has one eye on who may be lingering in the kitchen, typical dog! He has a knack of squeezing between the oven and me, the sink and me, the changing table and me, the closet and me, the door and me...  Oh yeah have I mentioned he HAS to have 24/7 attention and stays at your feet CONSTANTLY?!?!

And then there's Samuel...

My curious toddler of 20 months is knee deep in pushing his limits. His curiosity sends him in 50 directions at once and his stubborn will allows at least  51 tantrums a day. I love peeking around the corner to see him engrossed in bulldozing cars and puzzle pieces. On the other hand, when he is tired of entertaining himself he and Dakota take turns nipping at my lower extremities. Thankfully my picky eater has a buddy system. IF he doesn't want to eat it then to the floor it goes! Dirt and half chewed food are just what the dog ordered.

And last BUT not least is David...

Obviously this fellow isn't quite mobile yet, but he is quite vocal! At 4 months, David seems content to blow bubbles and explore every wrinkle in his hands and feet.  He also wants to be held and planted smack dab in the middle of the war zone action.  How dare we all leave the room he occupies without toting him along. I believe his verbal skills are developing RIGHT ON TARGET!

As I attempted to put up laundry this morning I saw a pattern emerging. I tripped over kid, dog, cat, dog, toys, kid, kid, cat, dog, toys... well you get the point I think!

TO GRAPHIC FOR PICTURES

It seems I have relented to my many fans! ;) I will keep posting musings of my perfect children...

To start things off, I just spent 2 miserably wonderful days in bed with a 103+ fever, aches,  and sore throat. Though I DID appreciate the rest I was ready for my boys to come home from being spoiled loved by Grandmother and Papa. I soaked up their giggles, tears, and hugs this evening with a renewed sense of purpose. Bath time arrived with excitement. I have already started plopping both boys in at once and love to observe their interaction. As routine goes I scrub up Lil Chubbs (aka David), feed and put him in bed whilest Samuel drenches everything in and around the tub. It literally takes 1 minute FLAT to walk to the boys room, lay down David and return to the bathroom. Do you know where I am going with this??? 
This short absence was all the time it took for Samuel  to deposit 2 little presents in the tub. This is the first time he has ever done the deed in the tub and was clearly upset. Salty fat tears ran down his cheeks and once he saw his rescuer, he threw up his arms in a GET ME OUT OF HERE stance. Once he was on the "other side" he looked at me with all seriousness he could muster and said uh-oh! I was left to clean up the mess while Samuel looked on and repeated his phrase. Our tub is squeaky clean now and Daddy has a video on his phone... heeheehee!