Project 52:19 | Untraveled

Project 52:19

Motherhood is:

UNTRAVELED.

Every mother ventures on new journeys 

loaded with unforeseen circumstances. 

Sometimes it's a sprint and sometimes a marathon.

But whether trivial or profound

it is an adventure full of lasting memories.

Oh, boy! Selling your home is no small feat, but selling your home with small inhabitants that wreck the place on a regular basis is sure to be an accomplishment. In fact, I have now come to believe that any mother who pulls off such a task should receive a LARGE trophy. Actually, I would just settle for a pedicure and massage. 

But seriously, it's exhausting!

So we headed to Missouri to house hunt last week (hence the late post). On the morning we were set to meet our realtor we actually got an offer on our house! It came from the couple I've referenced before from Springfield. It is the craziest story. This couple is moving from Springfield, attended Evangel University and is now coming to work at SAGU. It's almost like our story in reverse! They loved our home but needed to sell theirs first. So I looked up their home to see if we would even be interested and discovered that the realtor listing their house was our very realtor in Springfield! This was unbelievable!

Two weeks after they saw our home they had a contract on theirs and made us the offer. It seemed perfect. I wish I could say that this story had a fairy tale ending, but we were unable to come to an agreement with them on a contract. Also, we didn't find a house we loved during our short hunt. 

So it sort of feels like we are back at square one. 

In the end I know we will look back in awe of God's perfect timing.  

Until then I await the dreaded one hour notice for the next home showing. Let's see how many more times I can clean and buff this house to perfection in 60 minutes!?
Pedi? Please!

Project 52:18 | Unwavering

Project 52:18

Motherhood is:

UNWAVERING.

For little hands and feet 

depend on us to have

steadfast devotion and 

tireless determination. 

And surely we pray

that these same virtues will soon 

prove evident in their little 

and all too soon 

grown-up lives.

This girl has been on a bubble blowing kick and her determination to create the biggest, baddest bubble is steadfast! She discovered that if she hunkered in the corner of our porch the wind would not hinder her bubble making. 

Finally, after much concentration her prized bubble would take flight. Then, she would carefully catch it with her wand and kindly allow her little brother to pop the beastly vessel. Only to retreat back to her cranny and begin the relentless process again.

I love her unwavering perseverance!

Project 52:17 | Birthdays

Project 52:17

Motherhood is:

BIRTHDAYS

and celebrations.

A time to reflect 

on trials and triumphs

and milestones met

throughout the blessed year.

Happy Birthday, Child.

-Elam-

-Elam Louie-

-Louie-

 This sweet face answers to all of the above and then some.

 

It's hard to believe he turns ONE today. Time flies by so quickly! Everyone says it and always will, but it's true. Where did the year go?

He made this week exciting and officially began walking. I see a few bumps and bruises in his future, but he is steadily becoming quite confident. It won't be long until he holds his own with big sister!

A Sock Monkey birthday party is in store and the cakes are almost conquered. (I love it that mommy gets to choose the theme for the 1st birthday!) 

It's bound to be a fun-packed weekend! 

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!

Project 52:16 | Bribery

Project 52:16

Motherhood is:

BRIBERY
Sometimes.
On rare, desperate occasions
an extra incentive
is fitting and proper.
Sometimes. 

Alright, I have written this post over and over. I really wanted to share a story about the time I bribed Sadie to listen during dance class. (She had earned "time-out" in class the previous week. I proclaim she takes after her father!)
But that story must wait for another day, another post.

So the story behind my picture . . .

My realtor recommended I leave notes and a plate of cookies around the house for our home showings. She really did!  At first, I thought she was joking. She swears she has seen this . . . this BRIBERY work! I figure it's worth a shot and a tad bit fun, too.
If you can't read the smaller note on Elam's bulletin board it says,
"Please buy this house so we can move closer to Granna and Pop. Love, S & E"  

**Note: We had our first home showing today. They loved our home and it is top of their list. They absolutely adored the notes we left and ate a few cookies, too! No offer has been made yet, but no matter what happens, the story behind our prospective buyer is absolutely crazy. We live in such a small world! 

It too, must wait for another day, another post. 

Have a wonderful week!

 
 

Project 52:15 | Revealing

Project 52:15

Motherhood is:

REVEALING

imperfections & unveiling failures.

Pinterest projects unfinished & shelved,

nails unmanicured & blogging Betrayed.

In the end our children just want us

playing, singing, reading.

~ Unconcerned with looks or talent ~

They want mommy.

Revealed.

 I know. I know. It LOOKS like we had the most miserable Easter ever. We really didn't. I promise. Actually, I giggle every time I look at this photo! Did my children really give me these looks?!? Part of me resisted posting a picture depicting my children as less than photogenic, but motherhood is real, raw and revealed. We all have these pictures. Right?

As I previously disclosed, capturing a photo of Sadie is most difficult. Easter proved no different. She decided it was super cool and funny to CROSS HER EYES for almost every photo that morning! Where does she get this?? Elam looks equally distressed. 

So here's to my 2012 Easter photos!

 Take Two! A big ole' grin from Elam (typical) and a blurry cross-eyed Sadie (classic).

Take . . .  Twenty! It really is possible to capture a beautiful grin from this girl. 

She IS a sweetheart! And a funny one, too.

Well, I broke my unspoken blog rules this week . . . and it feels good.

Until next week  . . . be blessed and real.

Project 52:14 | Blooming

Project 52:14

Motherhood is:

Blooming.
Every season is a season of change,
but Springtime brings the most beautiful blooms.
Take time to sit amongst, treasure &
walk in the beauty of this season.
It passes so quickly.
And so it is also true with our children.
Watch them bloom.

2012 accounts for our fourth Springtime in Texas. I'm ashamed to admit it is our first venture, and most likely our last, into the Bluebonnets. The Bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas. Although it is illegal to mow or pick any of these beauties you are expected to crush a few every spring just to get that annual picture. So we finally did. Actually, we found a spot already flattened by someone following the tradition therefore sparing a few flowers.

And just like flowers our children grow and change so quickly. This picture really depicts their personalities well. Elam is my lovable, huggable bundle of smiles. He's starting to jabber like he's carrying on a big conversation.  He wants to walk so bad, but hasn't mustered up enough bravery . . . yet. I anticipate I will have a "walker" by my next post.  He surely is a charming and handsome fellow.

Sadie studies everything and loves to learn. Getting a picture with a smile and those big blues looking at the camera is 1 in every 50 snapshots. I've come to the conclusion that it's not her personality. Yet, she will be the first to greet you with a very kind compliment and smile - just don't get out the camera! Sadie is quite keen. She doesn't understand why they are called Bluebonnets because they actually look purple. I have to admit it is a pretty good question and I tell her all the time that God gave her a good mind, good eyes and good ears.  He surely did.

I say all this to say what you already know. Times goes by quickly. And if we aren't careful, we forget to watch the Bluebonnets multiply and miss the opportunity to sit down and enjoy their beauty.

Our children are like Bluebonnets.

Project 52:13 | Going

Project 52:13

Motherhood is:

Going.
Sorting, Packing, Boxing, Selling, Moving.
Going.

I knew it would happen at some point and it happened last week. I just didn't have my blog post ready and I didn't even have the energy to stress over it. I have lots of excuses. None that really matter, but they are still excuses. Hopefully it will be a long while before I fall behind again. Hopefully.

In preparation to place our house on the market I enlisted a lot of help. My mother came for a short weekend. We washed all my blinds, windows and screens, made an Easter cake, touched up the walls and woodwork - after finally finding the right paint and dyed Easter eggs. (We had to squeeze in the kid activities!) It may not sound like a whole lot, but we busted our tails all weekend! Thank you, mother!

Then, my mother-in-law came the following week so I could pull off a garage sale. I'm still surprised we made almost $400.00! I am not sure if I am more excited about the money or having the STUFF out of our house. I don't stay up on garage sale trends, but was shocked that my Friday sale was much busier than Saturday. Those that showed up on Saturday were guaranteed a great bargain and everything I had left went to a friend who is selling it to support a summer missions trip. I couldn't be happier!

And now it is done! All of the junk I was ready to depart with is gone and our house is officially on the market.  A huge weight has been lifted!

Now to just keep the house clean . . . all the time. Ha! And to finish filing taxes and . . .
Anyway, have a wonderful Easter weekend!