The Crafts

Isn't it just like Iowa...tease us with 90 degree temps, swimming pools and air conditioners...ice cream sundaes, sun dresses and sun tinted skin... And then two days later we get the privilege of digging back out sweat pants, slippers, bulky sweatshirts and hot cocoa. Sigh. I lived in my clearance rack Birkenstocks this week.  Kate enjoyed them too, while CJ rocked the men's size 13 ISU shoes. Yes, that is a GIGANTIC Iowa State sign on the wall back there. Matt's birthday gift to himself awhile back. Many moons ago during graduate school my friend, Fletcher, and I used to say to ourselves, "You never know what or who is around the corner." The line was probably more often then not in reference to a man. Our own Prince Charming. But the same applies to our life still today. What will Iowa weather bring us next week? How many more babies will each of us be blessed with? Will I ever run a sub 1:48 half marathon? Will my daughters skip the teenager drama and inste...

Slurps and burps and messy faces Clean the dishes, go through the paces Silly faces, goofy grins Tickle feet and clean-up chins Wash the clothes and bake some pie Time for bed, they always cry Lovely, smart these things are true Lived and loved another day through

I've got the song, "Yesterday," running through my head. Remember the smiling, happy faces I shared with you yesterday? Well, they looked like this... Kate looks more crazy than happy in that photo, but I assure you, she was having a good time. Yesterday. Today's faces look a bit more like this... This picture is from a month ago. We didn't play outside in winter gear today. No way! We were out in shorts and swimsuits...again! And maybe being 'out' was part of our problem. You know those days when it feels like your kids have multiplied.  Right under your nose you went from one or two or three sweetie pies to twelve uncontrollable children? You try to start lunch but all twelve kids have an 'I need' meltdown at the exact same time. You buy them popsicles to celebrate warm temps only to be reward with a one-on-one, hair-pulling, hearing loss induced fight? The kids beg for you to drag a toy out only to throw it on the ground and beg for a diffe...

This picture sums up CJ's entire day... . I doubt it is possible for me to describe this little girl's excitement for today. She has been outside since 8:00 a.m. And when I pulled her, kicking and screaming, into the house for a nap at 2:00...well, let's just say all the neighbors heard. Her day began like this...  Wet clothes, water logged diaper bulging out, hose in hand and smile on her face. And when her favorite person in the entire world came home from preschool... well, let's just say the giggles ran non-stop.  Until nap time, of course. Remember CJ isn't a fan of slowing down.  CJ laughed and giggled and chuckled and screeched almost every minute she was in the pool or running through the sprinkler or playing with finger paints. Aye, the finger paints. A thorn in my side. Neither girl was excited about my plans to hose off the paint so I tossed them into the tub for a goooooood scrubbing. And like every other super fun water event, our time ended ...

We are having one of those days. One of those super, duper fantastic, lovely days. And today's fabulousness comes off an extra fantastic weekend. Wow! You can tell I got some sun this weekend. Why do I get freckles in my thirties but not when I was a kid. You know, the time in your life when freckles are considered cute? The girls and I are watching Pocahontas with a big bowl of buttery popcorn. The kind of popcorn you pop in pan not in a bag. Something about the pan kind seems more natural, more homey. Our day started outside riding bikes, drawing hop-scotches, blowing bubbles. Until, that is, the dark clouds rolled in, announcing their presence with big claps of thunder. So we wait indoors for the skies to clear. The house smells great with the doors and windows wide open. It smells like rain and buttered popcorn and relaxation. All these flowers may have you wondering... Are they from your yard, Sarah? Why yes, they are...in my dreams. I've tried to plant tulip bulb...

When I was a kid I remember making those silly coupon books for Mother's Day. It was usually something we were forced to make in Sunday School and then present to our mom after class. **This coupon is good for one free kiss.** Hmm...do I usually sell kisses? Four years ago I never thought of Mother's Day as anything but a day for my mom and grandmothers. But now, somehow, someway, the world thinks I am responsible enough to be a mother and I'm now to be celebrated. Each morning my girls wake and look for their mother. And that mother is me!? They need me for everything. They know I will be there for them no matter what. Even if I am sick, or tired, or sick and tired. They need me. On those hard, monotonous days I would rather be anything but a mother. Yet at the end of those difficult days I thank the Lord that I am their mother. The world is made of millions of mothers. Women who sacrifice sleep for snuggles. Women who work double shifts in order to feed their...

Sunny is my favorite type of sky. Today was supposed to be a rainy day...I think. I watch the weather once a week at most. I remember the rainy forecasts because I know I'll have to plan for indoor activities. Always a bummer. But somehow the sun broke free of the supposed rainy clouds. We took full advantage of it. I look at those sweet, bubble blowing lips and I just want to kiss them. And those stinky, dirty feet; they are just begging to be tickled...after a good washing, of course. Silliness is a favorite. I love the silliness of kids (most of the time). My girls have a goofy thing about putting cups atop their heads, over their eyes and on their ears. Do your kids do that, too? I usually do it with them. Thankfully I am always the one with the camera! Outdoor games are a favorite. Our garage is tiny. Like teeny, tiny. I'm not even sure a modern day car would fit in it...even if we cleaned out all the toys, bikes, scooters, balls, etc. That is what you get wi...