Lovely Flowers....

"Lovely flowers are the smiles of God's goodness."

I want to slow down and enjoy the beauty of....each moment. Especially as I am with my children. The funny things they say and do. Their interesting, profoundly simple thoughts they share with me. Maybe you find this too, ( I hope I'm not the only one) that I get so busy, or preoccupied with all the "daily happenings" that I don't allow them to share and talk with me. I am beginining to realize that I will never have these beautiful thoughts and moments back. I am afraid that sometimes my impatience stifles their creative thought and their desire to share it with me. I just need to stop and smell the roses...my sweet little petals.

Mommy Myth #3 Enjoy them (your kids) now, because you'll never get them back, like this....TRUE. :(

Living the Dream...

What dreams do you have? If you could do anything...what would it be? Dreams are funny things? How many times have you changed your mind on what your "ultimate dream" would be? My 7 year old has changed her "dreams" about 7 times in the past 7 weeks, if not more. Seriously though, I've been thinking a lot about this. Exploring my mind and heart and hoping for guidance. Is it selfish to dream? Is is realistic? Is it possible? Wishful thinking? I mean, at 30 my dreams of Rock Stardom (Ha! Ha!) have certainly morphed into something completely different. That is so far away from what I want today, it's laughable! Dreams change and evolve and get "checked" or "erased" off the list. As a teenager, my dream was to "go to the mission field." I think I really just wanted to travel. Which I did. I know it definately shaped my outlook on life, but that's another subject altogether.

At 19, I think I stopped dreaming for a while, then maybe at 20/21, my dream was to get married, which I did. Then it was to have kids, which I did. All Three. But now, it's hard to "dream". I can't seem to quite put a finger on my identity, out side of "wife" and "mom" to actually "Dream". There is definately this part of me that wants to dream, in fact, I don't think It's about dreaming, but the process of learning to allow myself to dream.

As I play the role of wife and mother, I think my dreaming is in that context. And I am okay with that, it's not just about me anymore. It's about us. Here's what I know I DON'T want in life:
For everything to stay exactly as it is now. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, I love my husband, etc...but I have this deep inner prodding that life can be so much MORE. We just accept that this is the way it has to be. This " Daily Grind".

Matt & I used to say we'd like a job where we are paid to just snuggle all day on the couch. Still sounds good. But maybe this silly and simple kidding is really at the heart of what I want out of life. To spend quality time with each other, doing something we both want to do together. A "joint venture". Often I think we feel we are definately on the same mission, but just going about it seperately. Okay, you do your thing, I'll do mine, and we'll meet up again at 8:30pm when the kids go to bed. Ha! (And then we'll snuggle) I think I am tired of this. We need to get back to basics...snuggling and getting paid for it.

Seriously though, we are really in process of allowing ourselves to dream. It's a bit scary. What if what we want to do, or what we think God is leading us to, isn't really what he wants us to do? Or, What if this "dream" finally comes to realization, and it's not really what we wanted in the first place? How does this dream accompish God's purpose for our lives, or is it purely selfish? Maybe our dreams are really set deep within us by God, to be used by God, but we squash it down with all of these fears. What if we totally fail? (Again?)

Or Worse...What if we NEVER dreamed?

I MADE MY BED!

Stop Everything! Sit down, well if you're reading this you probably already are, but anyway...I have accomplished an AMAZING feat this week! I made my bed. Not just today, but, every-single-day this week. You may not think this is a very large accomplishment--but in my mommy book it's HUGE!

As a home school family, we try to get the kids to have certain responsibilities around the house: Make bed, pick up room, get dressed, pick up toys etc...most of these "chores" are part of our morning routine, the goal being having them done by 9am, and get on with our day. It can take 15 minutes to 2 hours for the girls to get these things done. Hip Mama ain't very happy when the 2 hours have gone by and nothing is finished. However, I have come to the realization, it's really my fault...I get distracted, I don't set a very good example, and this needs to change. So I am trying to change. One-Day-at-a-Time. Really.

I have come to the conclusion, that for some of us, our homes are a reflection of how we feel on the inside, and if my inside looks anything like what my bedroom looked like about a week ago, Houston, we have a problem. Aside from the fact that I feel like I am being a good example to my kiddos this week, I also feel sooooooooooooooo much better about myself, and don't feel as guilty for sitting down at 8:15pm to vedge on the couch.

Thanks to some motivation through the Fly Lady website, my house has been much cleaner and calmer overall. I have more time for myself, my kids, and my hip hubby. Hip hubby is happier too...needless to say, hip mama doesn't want to spend quite as much time in the "sanctuary" of her bedroom, when chaos reigns and the powers that be leave clothing, toys and a whole host of who knows what else deposited in said "sanctuary."

Here's to a New Challenge....sticking with the program. Anyone want to join me?

Horse Stuff...

If you didn't know already, the kids and I enjoy visiting my mom, peggy at the farm she works/lives at....and if you didn't know I have two hip mama's that I love, now you know. Anyway, we visited the farm this week and I got some cute pictures of Miles, who insisted that he have a riding lesson too...and he has his balance and really enjoys being around all of the animals. Matt keeps telling him that if he catches one of the chickens he can bring it home...thankfully he hasn't yet, but he's come close. How cute is he? BTW he is getting quite the head of Curly Red Locks. He is so Yummy.

Equally yummy, are the girls and I got a few better pictures of them with Sammy. Sammy is a horse....a very very small horse. The girls practice their grooming and horsemanship on Sammy & Velvet (the pony Miles is on). Yea! for Home School....this is one of our favorite activities during the week.

Blogging!

You all know already that I am Very Very new to blogging, and last night, or should I say yesterday morning, I found myself up all hours playing around with new templates...and the like. It takes a lot of time to set all of this up. Who Knew? Outlet or Time Waster? Anywhooo...I paid dearly for my night owl prowling today....ugh! I liked the flower template, but I didn't like the look of the column....layout. So be patient with me.

Fruits & Veggies

I know as parents it can be hard to get your family to eat all of those fruits & veggies...and in the past 5 or 6 years, having been deeply involved in the health and fitness industry through our gym, I am now so much more aware of the connection between nutrition and disease.

When I was a much newer mom, I was struggling to keep my kids from having to go to the Doctor, and I was failing miserably, even though I was feeding the girls well, Quinn still seemed to be in the Dr.'s office every other month for ear infections. When Ella came along, it was ridiculous...every month we were in there. My friend had introduced me to Juice Plus, and it wasn't until I was ready to pull my hair out because of Dr. visit after Dr. visit and ear infection after ear infection, that I finally succombed to her gentle prodding to try JP.

17 different fruits and veggies in a capsule, gummy, or chewable...what the ? These little gummies have totally changed my family's health. Do my children get the odd runny nose or flu, of course. But I can't tell you the last time we had to go to the Dr. other than for well visits. It was really a blessing when we went for almost a year with out health insurance. (However, it doesn't save you from an active 2 year old who needed to go to the ER twice for stitches!) And mom's if you are irregular...need I say more?...wonderful stuff.

Anyway, if you are at all interested in this little gem of a product, check out my website on the reccommended links and have a peek. I also am available for you and your friends if you'd like to have a Workshop (FREE) in your home and learn more about healthy eating and all that good stuff. I love to share with other moms my story and simple ways of making their family just a little healthier.

To Your Health.

Web Reviews...Check these out....

This is a new one for me...but I am finding more and more of you moms have heard of this website. I highly reccommend this website if you are looking for a routine. If you are looking for something to help keep you on track with your household duties and you are feeling overwhelmed...or you find you are spending all day Saturday or Sunday Cleaning and picking up...instead of enjoying your family time...then take a look at this easy program. It's FREE! There are a ton of great ideas and routines. The authors of the site give us ideas on how to "KEEP HOUSE" in very practical ways, through personal experience, step by step instructions, an understanding of REAL LIFE, and a VERY LARGE dose of cheesy humor. Check it out, it seems to be working for me.

Menus4Moms is also a great website for those of you who are bored of the same ole' meals week in and out. Whether it is one reciepe you are looking for or a Menu for the next couple of weeks and a pre-made shopping list, this is for you. I have used this for the past year off and on. There are a lot of great resources on this website, including a sister site for home school families. It's just great.

http://www.starfall.com/ is a great site is for VERY early elementary/preschool children. Both of the girls enjoy it, and I usually have Quinn working with Ella on this site, just to mix things up a bit, rather than just doing seat work all day.

Of course, Matt Loves http://www.wikipedia.org/ We recently had a question regarding a business term, and it was very throrough. So, if you'd like find out about something, wikipedia is a good source to check stuff out.


Please also check out my reccommended Blogs....including Journey for the Heart....this is the story of my cousin James who past away over a year ago at the age of 13. Your heart will be blessed. My Aunt is an amazing writer and has shared her book about James, narrated by her. http://www.journeyfortheheart.com/





Enjoy

Recent Days

O. K., So I can't believe it's been more than a week since my last blog...it's actually not a lack of things to "blog" about, it's a lack of having the time to sit down and write all of the things that I am actually thinking. It's like a never ending blogroll in my mind.

I am currently working on something about our dreams. Balancing the daily grind, and the dreams and desires set deep within our hearts and souls. I would love your thoughts and comments on the subject....

Also, "Mommy Myths"...for example, in a recent discussion with a new mom, I was lamenting the fact that all new moms have this crazy idea that they WILL actually need 15 diapers, 6 outfits, 5 bottles, a HUGE bag to put it all in, and 2 extra blankets, etc...all for a two hour trip to the mall. Oh, I forgot, these shopping cart padding cover thingies, a definate "can't live without" item. Mommies, I know this is how you think, on kiddo #1. However, by Kiddo #3, you are now at the opposite end of the spectrum. "Did I remember the wipes, I know I brought them. Oh, crap, I forgot a diaper..." As we scramble around in our food encrusted mini-vans (that we swore we would NEVER be caught dead driving), searching each nook and cranny we finally find a zip-lock with a mere 3 not-so-wet wipes left, hopeful we can make those few wipes last on this "mother-load" and pick off the crumbs on the diaper found under the back seat of our "well-loved" family vehicle.

I would love to hear some of your thoughts on "Mommy Myths"...I'd like to compile some funny things...maybe some of you moms could give me some ideas to think about.

Please let me know you are at least reading...I'd love to know who it coming and peeking.

Thanks,
Autumn

The 8

8 Things I'm Passionate About:

1. my kids
2. missions work
3. being real
4. spending my life "living" not working to "live"
5. my relationship with God
6. moving to the country
7. yummy food
8. snuggling with my hubby

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
1. RV trip for a year
2. Go with my husband to Europe & other places I traveled when I was younger
3. Have a Farm/Bed & Breakfast
4. Learn how to ride a horse well...and jump.
5. Learn another language
6. Write a book
7. Go skiing/snowboarding with hubby soon
8. Shopping and See a play in New York City

8 Things I Say Often:
1. Stop hitting your sisters
2. Ew, that's gross!
3. Stop saying "butt, butt"
4. I love you
5. I love you, too
6. If you do that one more time, I'll...
7. Settle down
8. GET IN Bed...Stay in Bed

8 TV Shows I've Recently Watched:

1. Horse babies
2. Oprah
3. House
4. FoX News
5. CNBC
6. The Millionaire Matchmaker
7. Make me a Supermodel
8. Inside Eventing

8 Songs I Could Listen To Over and Over (in no particular order and off the top of my head): I tend to listen to CD's over and over but....and I am terrible with names of songs and stuff.

1. jack johnson "in between dreams"
2. U2 Rattle & Hum
3. Carole King "tapestry"
4. James taylor "greatest hits"
5. Kids Absolute Modern worship
6. Matisyahu
7. More Various U2
8. Classic Rock (Dirt Rock) Ha!


8 Things That Attract Me To My Friends:
1. Honesty
2. Loyalty
3. Kindness
4. Love their spouse but honest with the struggle of marriage...willing to work at it.
5. Being Real....
6. Like to have fun & laugh.
7. Communicate
8. Willing to tell me something even if I don't want to hear it. (is that honesty again?)

8 Things I've Learned (or been reminded of) This Past Year:

1. Anyone can change.
2. My husband & Kids are the people I need to "be there" for most.
3. I am a happier, better mother & wife, if I take time to take care of "Me".
4. God is faithful.
5. Be content...but
6. Keep dreaming...
7. The more time I spend with my husband the more time I enjoy spending with my husband.
8. I need a cleaning person (FULL_TIME)

8 People I Think Should Do "8":

1. Matt
2. Roxanne
3. Jeri Lynn
4. Mom 1
5. Mom 2
6. Quinny
7. Nichole
8. Na Na

What a Fun Day!

What a fun day! We went to the farm again today. We had a great time. I am now much more comfortable with the surroundings and allowing the kids a little "free reign". I was able to ride today, and try to build my confidence back up after taking a pretty hard fall shortly before Christmas, and I wasn't too distracted by the kids...at least until Miles started throwing sand at the girls... they got over it, and all had a great time.

Quinn and Ella were excited to meet a new horse at the farm "Beau Tie", he was really cute. Both of the girls had a lesson today and did very well, Quinn is working on her "Jumping Position", trotting and actually did some "posting" for the first time. She was so excited! (Posting is basically standing in the stirrups and sitting down...up, down, up, down while trotting.) Ella did a little trotting but still is working on balance and guiding and stopping the horse.

Just being outside and around the animals is great, Quinn even decided to help clean stalls, all by her self. She has big plans for our future farm. :) I told her to talk to God about that one. From her mouth to God's ears.

On another note, Miles is so funny, his new comment is "Mommy, you so pre-sus (precious)" you have to hear him! So, I asked him if he is pre-cious, he said, "Nooo, (laughing at me like I am asking the most RIDICULOUS question) I'm COO-WOOL. Seriously where does he get this stuff? I love it. I love my kiddos.

Update on the Job Sitch...

Thank You Jesus...He still has a J-O-B! And a great meeting with his boss....so I am so entirely releaved! And I think he is too. It help to open some communication with the Boss....which was badly needed and with Matt & I too. :)

Bye for now!