Scout's Room Project

Scout asked to redecorate her room to update it into a "big girl" room now that she is 7.  We started the project this week...

Here are some before shots...

I purposely left it just as messy as it gets so I could really feel accomplished when this whole thing is done!

We have now removed everything from her room so we can scrap the popcorn off the ceiling and paint.

Chad has spent the past few days on that project.  The ceiling is now scraped and painted.  We will start the wall painting tomorrow night. 

I'll update with more pictures as we finish!  Big Girl Diva Rock Star room here we come!

Happy Father's Day

Just a quick message to wish all the dads out there a wonderful Father's Day!  I have been blessed to have an incredible father and an amazing father for my children.

I hope that everyone takes a moment to honor the father figures in their lives today.  A father does not have to be by blood alone...it takes much more to be the man that earns to the title of Dad. 

Thank you Chad for being such a wonderful father to our babies.  They both love you so much.  I love to watch you with our kids and see the joy that you bring them every day. 

And to my own Daddy...you are my mentor and friend as well as my father.  I am so lucky to have been able to look to you for advice, assistance and love.  You have given me wings while always giving me a soft place to fall.  My children think the world of you and I am so happy that we are close so they have the opportunity to learn from you as well.  Thank you for all that you do and thank you for showing me how to be a better person.  I love you!

(And thank you for always eating my food...no matter what a flop it turns out to be!  It is supposed to be a banana cream pie!)

Lola Comes Home!

Our new baby came home this weekend!

She is just too adorable for words!  Scout and Truman love her completely and I am pretty much head over heals too!

Trying to fight the evil hose!

Phog is warming up to her.  He is a little overwhelmed by her energy!

I'm so happy to add our little Lola to the family.  Now if she will sleep through the night...I will love her even more!  I feel like I have a newborn again!

My newest baby!

Our new puppy came for a visit last night!  She is right at 7 weeks now so she should be able to come home to stay in about a week or two.

She has already gotten bigger!  Of course "big" is relative when you are talking about a dog that will only weigh between 10 and 12 pounds!  She is full of energy and loved playing with Scout and Truman.  Phog (our golden) wasn't too interested yet but he did stand guard over her for several minutes.

We have decided to name her Lola.  If I would have had another daughter I would have named her Lola...so I think it fits!  And "whatever Lola wants, Lola gets!"

This is her sister...she is a bit smaller and a little more tentative than Lola.  Her current owners call her Wine because she has a little whimper when she gets lonely.  Our dog was called Cheese...get it?  Wine and Cheese?  Yea, I like Lola better too!

I can't wait for her to come home permanently!  And yes...I do plan to buy her clothes and carry her around with me.  It is my right as a small dog owner and a mommy at heart.  I currently have no plans for a dog purse but don't hold me to that.

Pool Time

We got a little pool for Truman since he absolutely loves the water.  He had a blast playing with his sister who decided that the pool was the perfect size for 2!

Look at that devilish grin!  He was so excited!

Phog the dog watched over them...I think he was hoping for a drink!  Do I have the cutest kids or what?

My Awesome Family

My niece Kennedy graduated from middle school and it gave us the opportunity to hang out as a family...and me the opportunity to take a few pictures to share!

 My brother, Andy.  My oldest niece Tori (now a sophomore in college!).  My cousin's wife Lindsay (mommy of Everleigh Rae).  Tori has been helping us with Scout this year and we cannot thank her enough!  We are so lucky to have her around and Scout just adores her.  And my brother is a goofball, I know!

Aunt Kimmy and Truman--he is typically past from woman to woman during our family get togethers...you can tell how much it bothers him!  He loves Aunt Kimmy!

Kennedy (the graduate) and Chloe--my beautiful nieces.  I can't believe how fast they are growing up!  I was in high school when Kennedy was born!

First Trip to the Farmer's Market!

Enjoyed a rainy trip to the Farmer's Market this morning...

We didn't stay long because of the rain and cold but Scout was able to get her honey sticks and mommy got spinach.  We also picked up a mini pie (which are just too darn cute) and ate the first Saturday scones of the summer!  Truman had a blast just watching people.

Mother's Day

Being a mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  My children are amazing and make me a better person.  I am so lucky that I was chosen to be their mommy and every day I thank God that they are mine. 

Today my daughter and son (with some help from Daddy!) spoiled me rotten.  I got to sleep in and then had breakfast in bed.  After a lazy morning I got to take a NAP!  Scout got me a new toaster and Truman got me new scissors for my kitchen and fudge!  Chad of course got me the puppy!  (I wish she was old enough to be with us!)  Chad and Scout made a delicious cake and then we went to my mom's house to celebrate with the other moms in the family.  My mom, sister and sister-in-law kept up the spoiling theme and the guys did a great job making a yummy dinner.

Before I had kids I was always so amazed by my sister and sister-in-law.  I could not understand how they did it.  I loved their kids like crazy and was happy to just be the aunt.  They have raised incredible kids and I am so lucky to have them as role models.

My sister-in-law Kim taught me a love of cooking.  She also has given so much of herself to me and my family.  She is an amazingly strong woman and her determination is inspiring. 

My sister has her hands full.  As a single mom I am always amazed by everything that she does.  She has shown me that anything is possible.  She is not afraid to fail and puts herself out there in so many ways.  She doesn't care what other people think about her...which is something that I am struggling to learn.  I can't say enough about my sister...she really is just an incredible woman.

My mom.  Wow.  I don't even know where to start.  My mom is my bestfriend.  She is the person I can turn to with any problem big or small.  She is my rock.  She always knows what to say and to this day is able to "heal the boo-boos" even though when the boo-boos are more then a simple scrapped knee these days.  She takes amazing care of my children and they love her so much.  Her advice it thoughtful and although she will some times stick her nose in things she always does it out of love.  She taught me how to be strong.  She taught me how to stick up for myself.  She always gave me the freedom to figure things out in my own way.  I always say that I didn't move away from Lawrence because my mom wouldn't let me...but the truth is I just didn't want to be away from her.  She is a beautiful person, inside and out.  Thank you Mom...you can never really know how much I appreciate you and all that you have done.

I always tell people that my "mama bear" came out the first time Scout was placed in my arms.  But I think it starts before that.  When you know that you child is growing inside you and it is your job to protect them your whole world changes.  Scout made me a mom and has dealt with my learning curve!  She is a genuinely caring person.  Her heart is gigantic and she always is thinking about others.  She has an incredible sense of humor and can make me laugh all day.  She is stubborn and dramatic and silly.  She is smart, so smart but has no clue.  She lights up a room and steals the show.  I love her so much and I am so happy that I have a little girl who is a little bit too much like me!

Truman is an angel.  His smile is contagious.  He has an laugh that make everyone laugh with him.  He is determined and tough as nails.  He has these incredible eyes that really "see" things.  He looks into you as much as at you.  He is all boy but has a sensitivity that is hard to describe.  He hasn't had the easiest life so far.  But you would never know it.  He just keeps going and smiling.  I was so thrilled to find out I was having another baby.  After everything I went through with Scout I really didn't think it was ever going to happen.  I spent a lot of extra time with him during the pregnancy...being on best rest that long does that!  We talked a lot and I sang to him and rubbed my tummy.  We were so in sync by the time he was born that he was like an extension of me.  He is a mama's boy for sure.  No matter what the future holds, Truman is going to face it with grace.  He has taught me so much in the short amount of time he has been with me.  I think sometimes that is why God sent him to me...to remind me to slow down, appreciate the little things, celebrate life every day, and learn patience in the difficult moments.  Tru is a champion in my eyes.

And now the day is almost over...I am tired (even with all the extra sleep!) but full of happiness.  Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.  You are amazing people.  Your children are blessed to have you.  Thank you, thank you!

My Mother's Day Present

Chad took me to see my potential Mother's Day present this evening...

How cute is she????

She is a mix between a Havanese and a Yorkie (the hybrid puppy name is Havashire).  And she is only 3 weeks old right now.  A guy Chad works with's dog decided to make a baby with the neighbor's dog...oops.  They were both full bred and they instead made this squishy little girl.  Right now she is almost all black with a brown tummy and a tiny dot of white on her toe.

This is her sister...who is also available!  (Scout wants us to get both of course!)

They are still so new that they are tummy scooting and barely have their eyes open.  That is mommy next to them.  She was such a good mommy.  Her babies were never out of her site but she was also great with us holding them...even as strangers.  She was protective but never got mean.

So now I have to decide if we are actually going to get one.  We have so much going on in our lives right now...but at the same time this is the type of dog that I have always wanted.  The whole situation is perfect because it isn't coming from a store (puppy mills), or a breeder (super expensive).  We have always thought our next dog would come from the shelter but the mommy is actually an abandoned dog.  The dogs will be between 9 and 12 pounds full grown.  Phog, our Golden, is suprisingly good with little dogs.  Our neighbors have one that is a minature Yorkie and they actually play together.  Phog the 120 pound dog and Katie the 3 pound dog...and Katie usually wins! :)

Help!  What do I do?  Do I take the leap and get the puppy?  Do I think rationally and not ad another thing to my already complicated life? 

I'm going to sleep on it. 

I wish I could snuggle that little body to help me make my choice...

Day at Henry's Plant Farm

We have an annual tradition of heading to Henry's Plant Farm each spring.  If you have never been to Henry's you MUST go.  It is a wonderful place with incredible flowers and the people are so nice and helpful.  We always have a wonderful time.  Last year Tru was too little to really appreciate it last year but he had a ball this time around.

He was super excited that they had wagons.

He wasn't as sure about the corn bath...he thought it was a little weird and we found corn in some interesting places later!

Scout on the other hand dove right in.  Again, corn tends to travel home with us.

Scout took a trip on a saw horse...

While Truman spent some quality time with a barn cat.

Scout posed "happily" by a goat.  They also have donkeys, pigs, llamas, peacocks, cattle and an adorable, yet weird looking, dog.  Truman prefered the cat.

Mommo and Boppo also went on the trip.  Look--Boppo is actually looking at the FLOWERS.  Oh yeah, that is what we came for!

Aunt Mimi also joined the group and she had an actual "plan" for the garden...plan?  What is this you speak of?

It was a perfect day and now we have to plant all those dang plants we bought.  I like the shopping part.

Crazy Hair Day

Scout had "crazy hair day" at school...she chose green hair with side buns...

She complemented her hair with a green outfit in her favorite color--electric green.

And of course, as big sisters tend to do...she added a little extra green to Truman's hair too.

OK...fine...you win...

In honor of the whole point of this damn blog I am posting the picture of me with Scout's beauty make-over. 

This was right before she covered by entire face with blush...I didn't get a picture of that one-darn!

My new cousin!

My cousin Tim and his wife Lindsay added a new member to our family on Thursday.

Introducing Everleigh Rae Shumate!

She is a cutie and we are all already head over heals!

Even Truman!  He got a little jealous when Boppo (my dad) was holding her today but in general I see future best buddies waiting to happen.  Scout of course now wants me to have another baby!

Cats!

The bank I work for sponsored the Lied Center production of Cats! this year.  Scout, Chad and I headed to the theater for a special night...

Scout was super excited because we have been reading her the T.S. Elliot poems since she was a baby.  Mommy on the other hand had seen the performance before...and once is enough when it comes to Cats! but I was happy to share the love of theater with my little girl.

2 1/2 hours later (not that I was keeping track!) and with the songs stuck in all of our heads we went backstage to meet a couple of the members of the cast.  Scout was pretty star struck.  We got all of the kiddos together for a photo.

Scout now wants to be an actress when she grows up...along with a singer and a vet with an animal rescue in her backyard.  Before she just wanted to rescue dogs and now, you guessed it, she is added cats to the mix!

Easter Bunny!

We had the Easter Bunny visit the bank this weekend.  So far Truman doesn't seem scared of the crazy things we subject our children too like Santa and giant walking rabbits...

We had a great time and Scout and Truman got to get some eggs and a little bunny snuggle time.

I swear he looks like he is thinking "what the heck is THAT" in this picture...but he actually gave him a big grin right before this shot was taken.  My stupid camera takes way too long to actually get the shot and I seem to miss the good ones. 

Perspective...

The one thing about everything that has happened this year is that I have learned about perspective.

For example...a few years ago a KU loss like today would have put me in a funk for weeks.  I would have been mad and yelled and thrown things at the TV.  I would have cried a little maybe.

But now? 

I get to enjoy the moments of watching the game in bed with my daughter.  Giggling and holding hands and jumping up and down.  I get to think about how great it was to spend most of the game just hanging out with her and flipping back in forth between the game and iCarly.  When we lost Scout had a few tears...but they were the innocent tears of feeling bad for "her Jayhawks" not because of some bad call or missed opportunity.  Then I went downstairs to see Truman waking up from his nap in his Daddy's arms.  Chad held him the entire game so he too didn't get to yell and throw things.  Truman stretched his little arms up and wrinkled his face in that adorable baby way of waking up.  He popped his eyes open and saw me and gave a huge grin.  Completely oblivious to the fact that anything in the world could possible be wrong because he got to wake up to see his Mommy.

Perspective is a good thing. 

Rock Chalk.

Brother and Sister Time

Truman adores Scout.  And Scout is pretty much over the moon about her brother.  Occasionally I catch a moment that just makes me smile.  A moment where I realize how blessed they are to have a sibling.  A moment where I realize that no matter what they have each other.  It is usually something simple.

 

Truman loves to be near Scout and Scout usually insists on it.

 

Even when playing Wii!