Family night

Friday nights are our family nights....we watch movies, play games, go out to eat, go bowling, whatever our hearts (and budget) desire. Last night we all went bowling. We haven't been bowling as a family.....well, ever! The kids have gone to bowling birthday parties but we've never gone all 6 of us. And it was Eli's first time going REAL bowling.....wii bowling does NOT count!

The line-up of bowling balls for our family. Notice the bright pink one (for Abby), the orange one (for Joey) and the brighter green one (for Noah). Gotta get those favorite colors out there!

Abby did what her mom always used to do.....drop the ball onto the lane.

Quite the form, Joey!

Eli loved using the ramp. He tried going without it once....we didn't think the ball was going to make it to the other end! But Eli was quite the trooper. He had to do everything himself -- go figure! He would pick the ball up by himself, lift it onto the ramp by himself, and push it down the ramp by himself.

Good job, Noah!!!

The kids were very impressed by Daddy's bowling technique. But when they tried the "leg crossed behind" thing, they fell over.

Sometimes the wait between turns can get a bit loooooong.....so you need to make your own fun! Turns out that playing chase around the bowling balls is great fun! Who knew?!?!

We ended the evening with a little bit of attitude but that's to be expected. Eli did NOT want anyone else using "his ball"!

We all ended the evening wanting to do this again. Lots of fun, MANY laughs, and all 4 kids did better than Mommy. Maybe I should use bumpers next time!

Imagination

Kids amaze me with their imaginations. I mean, take a look at this:



Just looks like a bunch of cushions and pillows and.....well.....a mess, doesn't it?!?! But to my boys it is a super amazing spaceship with all the cool controls and weapons to protect themselves. See???

I have many different creations scattered around the house at the moment.....there are energy boosters made out of pillows and a big wheel, a shrinking ray that resembles a foam bat sticking out of a cloth bin, an invisible grow ray (just in case you shrink something you weren't supposed to), and many other things I haven't fully learned about yet. And, as a mom, when you see this.....

it completely warms your heart. Brothers working together to have fun. I don't even care about the "mess" they're making because it can all be put away but they are making memories that will last a lifetime.

The pity party is OVER!

Yes, it's true. I hate to admit it but the last couple weeks I have been throwing an exclusive, only-for-me-in-my-head pity party. See, Jeff started a new job a few weeks ago which we were all ecstatic about. However, that means he takes the only working vehicle we have and leaves me at home with nothing. I've been without wheels before and it really wasn't bad. But that was in the fall of the year when you could still go outside and not freeze.

I had grand ideas of bundling Eli up and taking him outside for walks everyday in the stroller. After all, he loves stroller rides. I found out quickly that, yes, he loves stroller rides but not when it's freezing cold outside! The last day I took him out he cried the last stretch of the way home because he was cold. I felt horrible!

So a few days ago I had a heart-to-heart conversation with myself. I know you're probably thinking "is that even possible?" Well, for me it is and it has been life changing. I realized that I need a schedule. I can't operate everyday on a "fly by the seat of my pants" whim. I wish I could.....but I can't. My mom is probably saying "finally, she's taking my advice!"

I also realized how much I need other people in my life. I need women to have coffee with, playdates at my house, Eli needs to play with other kids his own age. I can't do the everyday stuff on my own all the time. This week I have already had 2 playdates at my house and they were wonderful!!! If you ever want to come over and play, please let me know!!!

I know I've been away from my blog for awhile again but blogging is now part of my new schedule....so you should be seeing much more from me on a regular basis. And the next "party" I have, will not be a pity party!!!!

Celebrate good times, c'mon!!!

We have had lots of celebrate around our house this past weekend. Eli turned 3 years old, we celebrated Jeff's birthday (early) with my parents, and we celebrated Jeff's new job!!! Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us and with us over the last several months. God is good!!! He had his first day today and it went better than we could have imagined.

"Happy Birthday to you....."

1, 2, 3, BLOW! And again! And again!

Aw....sibling love for the birthday boy.

A birthday muffin at the mall

You can do it! Just..a..little...further....

Gotcha!
Hiding from Mommy under the "tree" with Daddy.
My little...ahem, big...monkey boy.
Whee!!!!
Fun! A place just for me -- because my brothers and sister can't fit! Mwhahaha!
Happy Birthday, precious boy. We love you so much!!!

Look who's 3!!!

Happy Birthday my precious BIG boy! We're off to have some birthday fun. More pictures to follow.

A boy and his pet

This is what I came down the stairs to see this morning before getting ready for church. Eli loves loves LOVES our cat, Oreo. And this is one of the first times she has cuddled up with him. She must know his birthday is tomorrow!

Depression SUCKS!

There is no other word that sums it up better than that. I have dealt with my own depression and I have watched my husband battle the "terrible monster" as well.

This morning I heard about a good friend of our family, "D", who lost his battle with depression (suicide) last night.

The first question is always "What was he thinking?!?!?!". But the truth is that he wasn't thinking rationally....you can't when you're struggling.

The part that gives me chills, causes me to hit my knees in thankfullness for my family but in grief for his family, is that his story mirrors Jeff's story. My family could have had this same outcome. Let me explain.....

Jeff has struggled with depression for years....but there was such a stigma attached to it that no one wanted to think it was happening to them. I mean only "crazy" people take anti-depressants and only "insane" people are hospitalized, right?!?! WRONG! Anyway, I digress. 2 years ago, Jeff had lost a job and had gotten so incredibly immersed in the game "World of Warcraft" that he felt suicide was his only option.

Thankfully, he told me what he had been planning (he had it all set up) and I was able to get him some help.

BUT I NEVER SAW IT COMING!!!

When you're in such severe depression you believe you are doing what's best for everyone. As I battled post-partum depression, I thought it would have been best for my kids that I leave (move away) and allow them to get a "better" mom. It made complete sense to me. I was seeing a therapist 2 times a week at this point so I never acted on it because we talked in depth about it. But it was an intense feeling.

I am praying for everyone struggling with depression and those watching loved ones struggle. Please know you are not alone. Reach out. PLEASE! Email me if you feel you have no one else. I've been there. I understand. No judgements.