Crazy Love.

I feel like life has be a little bit crazy lately. One thing after the other, never being able to keep up with daily tasks... you know, typical Mom life.  Like that mountain of laundry in the corner of my room that has been haunting me for days...

I was talking to my good friend Lindsy about this the other day (basically venting to her) And it turns out, she has been feeling this very same way. It felt so good to talk with her and realize I'm not the only one who feels this way sometimes.

 So you mean this is a normal Mom thing? and I'm not alone when I feel like pulling my hair out at the end of the day after feeling like a crazy person for having to repeat myself over and over again?! You mean, I'm not the only one who hates cleaning something that 5 mins later just gets messed up again (especially my couch) You mean other Mom's may also get annoyed with never having a clean kitchen sink and just when when it is nice and shiny clean, another dish gets thrown into it?! (yeah I get that's what a sink is for... but it just looks so pretty and makes me feel so accomplished when there is nothing in it!)

So I guess what I'm getting at is, it's nice to have friends and other Mom's to relate with, to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way sometimes, to know this is totally normal and all apart of the journey of Motherhood.

I know I have it pretty good, and things could be a lot worst. At least I have a sink with running hot water right?  but I also know It's OK for me to feel this way sometimes because its totally normal. It's a think I have come to call crazy love. Even though things are a a bit crazy with little ones, I love them so much and wouldn't have it another way.

I know that one day I am probably going to miss this crazy stage of life. This stage while the kids are still so young and innocent. I'm just going to take it a day at a time, one foot in front of the other. Enjoying the little things through all the mess. Because if i think of it this way, at least my kids are happy and healthy enough to be making the mess...  So I say, bring on that mess;)

 

Love Your Own Story.

Well we got dressed for the pool and ended up at the park instead.
I'm sitting here watching the boys try and capture "fire ants" as they call them, Gibby is avoiding the grass if at all possible and I had the thought to blog about how I have been feeling lately.

Which in all honesty, is kinda embarrassing...
Sooo here we go.

Life right now feels kinda crazy/hard.
It's been one thing after another.
Trying to keep up with all the cleaning that has to be done every. single. day.
Figure out meals three times a day... keeping the boys from constantly fighting over the same stinkin toy and wondering if they will ever grasps the concept of the golden rule.
Having to repeat myself over and over again and getting so frustrated because they just won't listen.

Gibby waking up in the middle of the night and not going back to sleep until 430 in the morning, (teething sucks.)

Trying to figure out the next step in our life..

The list goes on and on.
Life right now is just plain crazy.

And on top of that, you have all these other distractions like social media to add with your crazy life. Which for some reason, I have been getting extremely annoyed with.

There is so much stuff on there that just doesn't matter and it's so easy to get sucked into sometimes.

I had a friend do a 30 day Instagram free challenge which honestly I have thought about doing plenty of times.

Evan and I started the year off by doing a two week break from ALL social media.

Which in our opinion, ended up being the best way to start off the new year.

During this "social media fast" we were able to focus more on our present life, spend more uninterrupted time together as a family and use our "spare time" to read or work on other hobbies we had been neglecting.

We often talk about how we wish we could just run way from it all, own a cute little house in the country to raise our children in and just become farmers.

Don't get me wrong, there are also a lot of positive things I like about social media... like; building good meaningful relationships, staying connected with family and friends, lifting one another and inspiring positive change.

These things I like and are the reasons that keep me going back and feel somewhat tied to social media.

It's just so easy to compare your weaknesses to others strengths when were are feeling down and not really like ourself.

So what someone else's house looks cleaner than yours at the moment, or their kid is always dressed nice, so what someone else is better at doing something that you're just not good at (I'm sure on the  flipped side, there are things you are better at that they wish they could be good a too.) Whatever the comparison may be, just stop it. Don't go there. 

Life isn't a race...
life isn't a competition or a beauty pageant.
It just isn't. So why make it that way?.

Life is a journey we are all going through together.
We should be helping lift each another instead of pointing out each others flaws.
Everyone deserves to be loved and to succeed too.
No one better than another.

So stop comparing.

We should be more focused on seeing the good in the world and in other people because there is so much beauty to be discovered.

Everyone's story is beautiful.
Focus more on writing your own story, rather than being so caught up in what someone else is doing or may think.
Be proud for your differences, they are what make you, you no matter what anyone else may say or do.

Be happy, be proud, but most importantly,
BE YOU.

That being said, I think a "social media detox" is just the thing we need right now.

xoXox

A More Happy Beautiful Me.

 ~ As they grow, I grow. And the more I grow, the more I know.

The more I know, the more I accept I will never be perfect.

I make at least a million mistakes a day...

But when I learn from them, instead of getting discouraged from them.

I form a more happy beautiful me. ~

Little Sunshine

Hey Gibs, you're really cute. Thanks for picking me to be your Mama!!! xox

In just 3 months, miss Gibson will be turning one... One?!. One.
I always dreamt of having a little girl and still can't believe she is here.
Her older brothers are so sweet with her, and adore her so very much.
Since she was born, I have sung "You Are My Sunshine" to her.
It has since become her song and rings nothing but truth.
She really is a little ball of sunshine - always happy and full of life.
I can't go anywhere without her brightening up someones day- just by catching their attention with her bright smiling face.
Her smile really is contagious.
I Love you Gibby Gibson!

                             .................>>>.................

"You Are My Sunshine"

You are my sunshine, my little sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.

           
  xoXox

Happy Mommy Magazine

The wee one's and I were featured in this months issue of  Happy Mommy Magazine! I answered the question on "How do you celebrate motherhood during the holidays when things get busy and hectic?" Go check em out!

 

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." -Angela Schwindt

 

The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children.
Jessica Lange
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/motherhood.html#ZrMCcbVTcfcm55Fx.99

xoXox

The Cold Hard Truth.

I've been working on a list of "cold hard facts" (that's what I decided to call them) about my life. things I don't really like to dwell on or talk about. I strive for perfection. I like to make things look and appear beautiful, so it's hard to share the not so beautiful things. The things people really don't talk about. The reality of how life REALLY is.

I started this list a couple months back and have been hesitant to share until I read this post my sister in law shared. Then it gave me some encouragement that maybe I really should share this post.

So here it is, the REAL deal.

-I started this blog with the hopes of reaching and inspiring as many people as I can.
-I like perfection but also get bored of the details.
-Jovi, at 2 1/2 still sleeps in a crib because after I switched Nixon into a toddler bed he stopped napping. And I NEED nap time.
-I use to do a lot more crafts and learning games with the boys but since Gibson was born I hardly find the time to do them.
-We eat pizza a lot.
-I'm constantly putting the boys into time out. They can be so naughty sometimes!
-I love the idea of eating raw/clean/healthy but would never give up the other foods I like to do so.
-If  Gibby wakes up during the night, she then sleeps in our bed.
-Nixon is so hard to get to sleep at night. I have to lay by him in our bed until he falls a sleep then move him to his bed. otherwise he's up all night with us until Ev and I go to sleep. He says his bed is too cold and his room is scary? I'm not sure why. Probably just an excuse to get to sleep with Mom & Dad.
-I love making "pretty food" and presenting them in a "pretty way" but hardly ever have time or money to do so.
-I use oils and prefer holistic care but on the other hand I had an epidural with all three children and can't image going natural. (I admire those who can)
-I find the words "green" "self sustaining" "solar" "eco" all amusing but also lovethe convenience of plastic bags and paper plates.
-I dream about living outside of Utah but don't think I could bare living far away from family.
-I'm excited to start making our own family traditions.
-After having Gibby, I feel like I somewhat lost myself and found meditating very helpful.(I have my friend Weslie to thank for that xox:))  I think I'm finally starting to feel more like me again.
-I had my heart broken pretty bad before I met Evan which made it hard for me to trust another person with my heart. The first couple years of our marriage was pretty hard. But after working together and seeking outside help I can now say I have never been so deeply in love with the man I am now. He was meant for me and I was meant for him.
-I hate doing dishes but I love vacuuming.
-I rather watch a movie at home snuggled up on the couch because I always get so cold in movie theaters.
-Sometimes I forget to brush the boys teeth before bed.
-I let Nixon eat ice cream for breakfast the other morning (oops) But then he ate a pretty good healthy lunch so I feel like it helped balance is out.;)
-I use to paint my nails/toes every week but now its every 1-2 months or whenever I find time.
-The only time I'll make a special effort to clean the house is if I know someone is coming over.
-I've thought about deleting this post 4 times now.

Well there it is, my list of not so talked about real life things that I may or may not be posting... no? yes? no? maybe?......no? YES!

"Your children don't need perfect, they need you."

Now I'm going to go heat up some leftovers, build a fire, put the kids in their jammies and hopefully watch a Christmas movie with them then wait for babe to get home... that is if I can talk them out of watching Phineas and Ferb or The Aquabat Supershow.

xoXox

Finding the right balance.

How to find the right balance between social life and family life?

This is a question I ask myself almost everyday. I like the instant access we have right at our finger tips, the ability we have to quickly connect to others through our phones. But on the other hand, I also hate it. 

Social media can be sooo distracting from our day to day lives if we are not careful. Just today I got soaked into watching Vine videos and before I knew it 30 mins had past. What a waste! It makes me sick to think of all the other things I could have done in that 30 mins.

Time is so precious and there are moments going by that sometimes we miss out on because we are so caught up on what everyone ELSE is doing with their lives. What happened to the days when in order to contact someone you had to CALL them on the phone. Not text or facebook but actually Call. Don't get me wrong, I love the convenience of sending a text, but also it feels like we are loosing the real connection we use to have with people; plus you feel like you have to be tied to your phone all the time. It becomes the first thing you see when you wake up and the last thing you see as you go to bed. What are we doing? Kind of annoying. 

Sometimes ill stick my phone in a drawer just so I don't get distracted by it when i'm trying to get something done. I still leave the sound on though, just incase babe or my family need to get a hold of me. Sometimes its just nice to take a break from the rest of the world.

I've gone periods without using any social media and im not going to lie, it felt pretty good. I've also gone days where I spend a lot of time connecting with people and reading about their lives which i also find fun and enjoy. So where is the balance?

It's funny to think about the times when we only had a home phone and when you would leave the house the phone stayed at home, it didn't come with you. It's crazy how the times have changed and keep changing.

I don't know that I really know the right answer to all this craziness, I guess what it comes down to is you are the balance you create.

Photo's by Tracy Layne Photography

xoXox

Gibson's Birth Story Video

Photo Credit: Chantelle Fowlks

Videographer Dan Fowlks Cypress Rock Productions
Click here and like his facebook page!


Thanks so much to my Sister and Brother in law for capturing this special moment for our little family.
They did such an amazing job at capturing the moment without taking away from the moment.
Thanks again!
This will forever be a treasure. <3
xoXox

To my Wife.

I figure it’s about time that I guest post on my loves blog and give her a few sentences of praise for all the amazing things she does.  If you have not gotten to know Tayli yet, you should know she is the most amazing person that I have ever met.  She cares only for others, puts herself last, in fact as the oldest of eight children this has been a lifelong practice for her.

 For the majority of our marriage we have been on a journey to find our path, we are artists and being so helps us feel a bit justified for blowing in the wind as we do.  I have spent many long days working to take care of my family to come home and find a loving wife waiting for me.  Our home encourages creativity, we love to find joy in the arrangement of things, (since we know nothing is ever created but more so arranged) I love it, it makes me happy to be home.

 Two days ago marked the birth of our third child, little Gibson Jade. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful daughter, all my kids seem to get the best traits from Tay so I’m sure she will too.  We are excited to have baby Gibson home, Tay is doing well, and everyone is healthy and happy.

One of my most favorite persons in the world once said, "We live on a spaceship called earth". If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be floating through the galaxy, this is it, pretty amazing right? Gibson Jade Stowers, you made it to earth, it’s a pretty awesome world filled with wonderful people who you will love to meet.  We are excited to have you join our family. I’m sure your life will be quite an adventure, and you won’t have to expect less. 

Love, Babe.

35 Weeks

With my other two pregnancies, I never was one to take maternity pics or even take month to month pics of my growing belly. 

I was almost against it.

But now I'm kind of regretting it...

  

It would have been fun to see the difference between my other 2 pregnancies and compare them to this one.

  

If we have more children after this one I'm sure I'll track it like I've done with this one. 

Or maybe I won't... 

We'll see.

So 35 weeks down... and 5 more to go! I'm hoping for more like 3 weeks... but we will see when she decides to make an appearance.

I'm down to my weekly check ups. The doc said her measurements and heart rate looks great! 

I'm getting nervous-excited-anxious for this little girl to come into our lives! 

I already feel so blessed and privileged that I get to be her Mama. 

Photo's by Skyler Sorensen

Thanks again Brother!

xoXox

30 Weeks

On Monday, I hit my 30 week mark. And can I just say, this pregnancy is going by super fast and slow all at the same time.

I really can't believe I'm 30 weeks already! What??

And and on the other hand, I'm like - geez baby girl, hurry up and get here already!

I think my family and friends would agree with me on this.

I'm getting so excited to see how the boys will react to their new baby sister.

I'm sure they will make the best big brothers ever.

Every time we see a baby, Nixon, in his cute little voice will say, "awwwww I wish we had one of those!"

And Jovi likes to point out every baby he see's and says "Baby!" Sometimes they are even bigger than he is. Haha.

I have my next appointment next week and before we know it, I'm down to my 2 week visits, Wahoo! 

Little Gibson will be here before we know it!

xoXox