Wow what a week...

Well, last week was a week of fun, sun, relaxing and a bit of the flu...but I will get to that explination later. We were heading up north for my niece's birthday party on June 28th and then would be heading back up to the same area for the 4th so the kids and I decided to just stay up north all week and save $100 in gasoline. It will probably take me all week to catch up with blogging to share all the great pics, but better to keep you in suspense, right?

The week started with a Big Bash for a Little Lady.

What a cute little birthday girl.
and here she is in the pool...which she shared with her cousins and big sister...and even this sinkerface.

And here is me on my little vacation with an armful of cuties. Who says you can't still pick up two little hotties when you are 30? ha!

My little happiness

This girl just makes me smile...

She's cheezy...She's giggly...

And she's also got an attitude. Hmmm...wonder who she gets that from?

Hope she will make you smile today too!

THIRTY...hitting hard

Here I am, 29 years ago. And today...same crooked teeth (that I typically don't point out). Same thin blonde hair that I don't even bother to put a barrett in. Same chub on the arms...but don't have an excuse but laziness for that. Really today is just overall depressing for me. I could really try and suck it up and be the happy go lucky person I use to be. I could try and pretend that the thought of turning 30 didn't hit me like a ton of bricks about 5:00 yesterday. I think I just have way too much going on in my life right now to be able to mentally take turning 30 as something that is easy to do. I don't even think the 30 is what the problem is obviously, but of course you start to take a look at your life and everything turns into this big pivotol moment in your life and mine is not where I really want it to be.

Somewhere in the midst of momyhood, I have lost that central piece of myself that is able to just relax and have a good time. Not saying that this doesn't happen every now and then...but how can you still carry all the responsibility that goes along with parenthood and still be able to maintain the balance of your life that makes everything work?

The to-do list this week is so overwhelming I am thinking maybe if I ignore it, it will just magically go away. I am struggling. How do you keep everything going including yourself and still try and find time for anything fun, let alone just time to think. I feel like I have created too much structure and therefore cannot relax enough to enjoy the day to day without knowing exactly how that day is going to actually fall. Some days I feel organized and content and other days I feel like throwing my hands in the air and locking myself in the bedroom...except for the fact that my 3 1/2 year old would take full advantage of my absense and my 1 1/2 year old would probably just stand at the door and cry.

Soooo, I will do what most moms probably do everyday. I will take a deep breathe, try to capture those precious moments that happen in the little things we or our children do, I will try to be the best mommy that I can be, I will accomplish those items around the house that stare at me and seem to scream out at times, I will make some crucial work phone calls when I get a few moments of silence and then maybe...possibly...somewhere...in the midst of the day I can take another deep breathe and realize how truly blessed I am.

The Up Close and Personal Series by LSH...

This is an abstract photo collection from THE best 3 year old photographer I know. Keep your hands and arms inside the Biplane.

Show a wheel dude.

Ready for take off.

Ohhh...

Peek a boo...I see you.

Throwback Thursday...One Year Ago

One Year minus 2 days ago...wow, what a difference.

I think Lilly has now grown into those cheeks!
And Lucas and daddy used to have short hair!
Still a couple of cuties though, what a difference a year can make...too bad I still look the same. Time for a sassy short hair cut don't you think?

Our Hero

I seem to be late in blogging, but hope everyone had a good Father's Day weekend!

We celebrated our Amazing Hero with a simple day at home in the sun.

Lucas ADORES his daddy.And can you tell who has who wrapped around their finger?
I just wanted to say what an amazing father Tim is. Every reason I fell in love with him is the reason he is such an incredible dad. He loves to do anything and everything with them and is a huge help when he is home. He works very hard to provide for us and we are truly thankful that we have been blessed with such a Super Hero.

The Zoo

Headed out to the zoo with some friends on Thursday! It was a hot one but the kids had a great time...I think they actually did more chasing of eachother than looking at animals, but whatever wears them out, right?

These were the monkeys at the zoo.
Hmmm...do you think they didn't want their picture taken?

Amy and Sydney who treated us to our zoo day! Thanks!!

Tambi the 7,200lb. elephant saying hello!

And we got an extra special treat to get our picture taken with Tambi b/c we have secret in's with the elephant keeper! Thanks Nikki!! Gotta love the zoo.

Back to Life...Back to Reality

Well, if the lyrics don't pop up in your head once you read the title...well you are just too young. I got back yesterday from Neocon and it is definitely back to reality pretty quickly. I woke up this morning at 4:50am to Lucas calling out, "Mom! Can we go outside to play yet?" I was really hoping maybe he was dreaming and wasn't truly wide awake but I heard him talking quietly to himself for about the next 1/2 hour before he decided he was truly ready to start his day...I was not. The kids were pretty cute when I pulled in the drive, Lilly was REALLY excited to see me and was full of hugs. Thanks to Tim's mom for coming down and helping out! It is really nice when you are away and don't have to worry about your kids being well taken care of!

This is the one and only picture I got this year. We were down a few good women, but had a great time seeing all the new product and catching up with the industry.

I also think I caught up with my waist line, I did eat alot of good food in the midst of 52 hours, but seriously I think I left 5 pounds skinnier...really need to get on that diet/work-out plan asap. Why is it so much easier said than done?

My painters...

Both of our kids LOVE to paint. But it can get messy...
Brush painting turns into finger/hand/body painting. But it all washes off so straight to the tub we go. I think Lilly is going to be an artist. She also does this often with food such as applesauce, oatmeal, and yogurt. We try to let the creativity flow...but usually end it when it is starting to cover her head.

Throwback Thursday...Hotties

Next week I am headed up to NeoCon again. It is an Interior Design Trade Show at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Lots of great new product to see, amazing showrooms to walk, and restaurants to be wined and dined at by our favorite reps!

This is "the girls" two years ago. I also went out with these girls + 3 last night to see Sex in the City. I had never watched the show before due to lack of cable but I would have to say the movie was very good. If you laugh and cry it has to be good right? Have you seen any good movies lately?

Yummmm!

First corn on the cob outside on the deck! Yummm!

I guess you only need those front 8 in order to eat corn on the cob!
This is about the only vegetable Lucas eats (without a fight)...guess we need to fix corn on the cob at least once a week this summer!! Have you had your corn fix yet?

Years ago...

Found some old pics of us and thought I would share now that I have a scanner!

Here is Tim when he was little, what a cutie!! Can you see the curls under the hat? Need to get Lucas into something fun this summer...should probably get in on that now!

Here is me about Lilly's age...And I wonder where Lilly gets her chapstick fetish? She LOVES to rub chapstick all over her face...(and has even gotten ahold of Tim's deoderant). Nice! Hasn't gotten into any lipstick yet but I am sure that isn't too far away!

So, do you think our kids look like us?

5 Random Things...

So I have been tagged by DesignHerMomma to share 5 random things about myself. Seems like my life is in limbo at the moment so maybe this is a good challenge.

1. I lost 25 pounds last year, have kept it off pretty easily but need to lose another 25 and am struggling to get motivated and really do it. I could use a GOOD diet buddy/motivator...the last one I had convinced me to forget it and just eat whatever I wanted for awhile (you know who you are, and it is all your fault).

2. I am still in the midst of planting my garden. It is a rather large plot and I am just hoping I can actually keep up with it this year. I was hoping maybe the kids would be into it a little more. This has turned out to be KINDA true but I already had two casualties, one by a 3 year old foot and one by a 3 year old wacking it with a shovel.

3. I had a great experience on my knees last week (not what you are thinking). Check out my friends similar experience here...my colors were apple green and white.

4. I just figured out how to make the best and easiest Strawberry Dacquiri with my new blender that I got for Mothers Day so if you are in the neighborhood please stop by and we can blend it up!

5. I have begun to realize that in the midst of having children I have lost a piece of myself. I think becoming a mommy all the sudden your focus on life can get easily out of whack. So much attention goes to your children and mommys tend to get put last on the list. It is easy to get burnt out b/c you aren't spending the time rejuvenating yourself and the relationships around you. I strongly urge all of you who are feeling a little disconnect with either you or someone close to you, to try and bridge that gap. Take some time (away from children) and reconnect, laugh and just enjoy yourself or eachother. I failed to do this, hopefully it isn't too late.

Now I get to tag 6 more! So, here you go fellow bloggers...get random!

Jamie, Steph, Melanie, Kelley, Amy & Tricia

Spring Cleaning...

Well, this weekend I stayed home and did some much needed spring cleaning. Here is a list of some things I accomplished:
Cleaned Carpet spots...including stupid cat who is going to get thrown out soon
Tried to spot clean sofa...just need to give up and buy a new one
Dusted areas that probably only get dusted twice a year...yes it was thick
Dusted all the regular areas...(this doesn't happen very often either)
Cleaned base boards...or really that little area between the base boards and carpet that seems to collect anything and everything...especially doggy and kitty hair
Reorganized linen closet, hall closet and front closet
Cleaned off the top of our armoire which had somehow become a catch all to many things...including an inch of dust. There was also a years (or more) worth of "important" papers sitting on top that needed filing into the overstuffed filing cabinet that hides inside our master closet. That accomplishment felt great for some reason...I think b/c you lay in bed and tend to stare at all the stuff and it soons becomes something you dread doing.
Scrubbed bathrooms from top to bottom
Went through Lilly's closet which contains tubs and tubs of baby clothes/stuff. Got rid of a few tubs worth to both a church charity and a friend...well they are awaiting delivery.

What I didn't get to yet:
Wash windows...this really wasn't even on my list.
Reorganize Kitchen cabinets...this includes getting rid of stuff that is probably expired and maybe digging out those mashed potatoes/rice boxes that are in the back and never get eaten...Anybody else have those misc items that you forget you had?
Cleaning kitchen cabinets (with that special orange glow wood cleaner stuff)
Cleaning inside and outside of fridge
Actually hanging my kitchen decor that has been staring at me since November or so when our kitchen was painted...so sad that I am not inspired to do this.

So basically as you can see the Kitchen was last on the list b/c it was the most daunting. I think this weekend I will finish up with that and then by that time there will already be a thin layer of dust on everything, hair will have begun to collect in that little crevice again, all the floors will need vaccumed, handprints will appear on all the clean mirrors and walls and life will become normal again. Well, at least 90% of the house was clean for 24 hours. What more can you ask for?? A maid perhaps? :)

Beginning of Lake Season

Well, this weekend Tim took the kids up to his parents and began a summer of what I am sure will be many trips up to the lake.

Lilly was more interested in sand than the water.
It was cold...but I guess kids don't mind so much!

First boat ride of the season and she didn't want to sit still...so picture a drunk trying to walk on a moving boat and that is probably what Lilly looked like!

As you can see so much fun in the sun can make you sleepy...

doesn't happen too often at this age so you just have to enjoy those moments when they do occur. Too cute. I will blog later about what I did this weekend...not quite so much fun in the sun but I do have a clean house to show for it...well I did.

36 hour adventure

So about last night around 8:30 I arrived home from a 36 hour adventure. This wonderful carpet company whom one of my favorite girlfriends (and original interior design mentor) now works for, took me and my beautiful work associates on a Carpet Mill tour in Dalton, GA. The trip started out and ended a little rough as you can read about here. But overall it was a great little getaway filled with many things. First we stopped to see how Carpet tile was made which was very cool. Then we were off to check into our accomodations which I have to say if you are ever planning on staying in Chatanooga I would definitely stay here...well without children that is. Very quaint little B&B right downtown. This was my very own room...along with Yes...that is a jacuzzi tub and Yes...I did jump in.
After we checked in we got to go to this great Glass Studio and actually blew our own glass christmas ornaments. Of course I forgot my camera in my room so you can check out some pics both here, and I am sure here. After that it was out for dinner with their carpet designers and then off to the mill the next day. At the mill we were filled with knowledge about Nylon yarns, tufting machines, dying vats, backing, and so much more. (It is a very interesting process even if you don't spec carpet everyday). We even got to eat lunch with the President of the company before we took off. After a 2hour delay out I would have to say we were exhausted. We realized we never got a pic of us girls, but weren't really up for posing at the airport. So I did find some pics from last year that I had to post b/c we are just all so cute! :)

Thanks for a great time Christi! And don't worry we'll keep spec'n!

My little baby mama

Two at once?
Oh Miss Lilly is really getting into her baby dolls. It is Oh too cute. This week I taught her how to wrap them up all snuggly like I use to do to her...oh so sad my baby is soooo big!!

Let's get Real...

So I decided that my blogs are going to start getting a little more "real" here at Hess Happenings. B/c I am sure if you are a frequent (or non-frequent) stopper-byer of the blog that I tend to probably make everything look "just dandy" here in the land of Hess. I know most of you know that that is far from reality but I figured I might as well start sharing some of the bad along with the good.

One good example that I was reminded of after reading my friends blog was last week at the grocery store. Now I will blame a bit of this on myself since it was nearing lunch time and my kids were not up to feeling 100% healthy yet, but it was Lucas' turn to bring snacks to school the next day and we were literally running in to pick up 5 things.

At first I thought things were going well. We parked right next to a GREEN car cart. Lucas was sooooo excited and actually wanted Lilly to sit next to him...(just don't touch his wheel). We headed for the produce department and grabbed the weekly must-have fruit items then headed to the cookie isle to grab some Teddy Grahams to go with the Go-gurts we already had so Lucas would have snacks for school. That's when things turned very ugly very fast.

As soon as I threw them in the cart Lucas asked if he could have some...now I don't know about you, but typically I could care less if we open up the box of crackers/snacks at the store while shopping before we actually "pay" for them. It always gets paid for, they still get thier money and everyone is happy right? (If you happen to disagree with this please feel free to leave a comment). But I am honestly not sure how any mom with two children who has to buy a cartload of groceries does NOT do that.

But that day was different, it was our last item of 5 and all we had to do was check-out which was 15' away. So I told Lucas No and explained that we were done and were going to check-out and I would open them when we got in the car. For some reason I think Lucas stopped listening after I said the word No...hmmm. He then proceeded to beg and plead for some cookies as I continue to say no and push the cart the 15' to the self-check out. Lilly now catches on that there is food in the cart and now she wants some too. So they are both trying to turn around and beg and plead and whine (not quietly) through the little window in the back of the car. In the meantime Lucas doesn't want Lilly to lean on him while she is trying to turn around in a moving vehicle cart and Lucas keeps yelling "Don't push me Lilly!" and then head butts her head with his. We are now 5' from the scanner machine and the self-check out lady sees my 3 year old beating my 1 year old with his own head and is just staring at me with big eyes and says "Oh My!" So I pull up and grab Lilly out who is now crying b/c her big brother hurt her, console her for a minute while Lucas continues to beg and plead for food (again NOT quietly). I get Lilly calmed down and put her in the regular part of the cart and then decide to try and explain to Lucas that he is in trouble for hitting his sister and is definitely NOT getting any cookies. As he screams some still I hold him down and strap him into the car for time-out.

So now he is screaming even louder for me to "Let me out!" and I take calmly scan my 2 items and across the scanner, then of course the others have to be "weighed"...figures. The self-check out lady is trying to help by offering my crying children stickers...Really lady? I didn't bother to say anything to her b/c I know she was only trying to help but do you really give a kid stickers who just hit his sister? I also didn't even look aound at what I am sure was the entire store looking at me...whether out of pity or thinking I was a horrible mother. I was just trying to keep myself calm and collected which I think I pulled off rather well. We exited the store with Lucas still trying to catch his breath from crying so hard. Lilly was content with the keys she had taken from my purse. We made it home and they were fed and put to bed.

Honestly, I have always struggled with those public occurances b/c it is not as easy as sitting them in timeout or sending them to their room. I would tend to give in at church b/c I figure its better than causing a big scene. When shopping, I can take Lucas and put him in the cart if he starts running off but that doesn't mean he doesn't try to climb out! (Scary!) Typically shopping experiences go pretty well, and typically I have my kids when running errands like these. I would have to say this was the worst experience yet. So if you have a magic solution to discipline in public places please let me know. Otherwise we will hopefully move past the terrifying threes soon enough and survive the neccessary shopping adventures with two children in tow.

Can you feel the love?

Happy Birthother Day

Well, yesterday was not only Mother's Day but it was also Tim's birthday, so we got to celebrate double! Plans for putt-putt and a picnic were kinda ruined with the rainy weather, but we got over it with movies, popcorn and cake!

So cute with their daddy.
Then Lilly decided that she wanted to be just like mommy and wear my sweater.

It was actually the first time she has tried to put on my clothes, definitely cute. She is growing up WAY too fast. I am a pretty lucky mom with too adorable and healthy children. I hope you had a good Mothers Day too!

God through a 3 year old...

Lucas had said some of the most interesting God spoken thoughts lately and I thought I would share them with you;

We were getting off 465 onto 38th St and were stuck in Construction.

I said to Lucas: Do you see all the Construction Trucks?

Lucas: Yeah, what are they doing?

Me: They are making the road bigger.

Lucas: For Jesus?

Me: Well...no, not for Jesus, but so more cars are able to drive on the road.

Lucas: So that God can watch all the cars drive?

Me: Yes, so God can watch all the cars drive.

A few days later Tim and Lucas were taping up a box and they had one of those tape guns that you use for packing. Pointing to the wording (SHUR-TAPE) on the tape gun

Lucas says to Tim: Dad, do you know what this says?
Tim: No, what does it say?
Lucas: It says "Jesus is Alive!"
_______________________
A few nights ago we were saying bedtime prayers;
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
The angels watch me through the night, until I wake in morning light.
God bless mommy and daddy, my sister Lilly, Wrigley, Oliver....(etc...rest of family), and at the end he said "And God bless my buddy Neil and all my toys".

I think God is working through Lucas with those little reminders that He is always around and is everywhere you look, even in things like Construction and tape. :)

Fast paced

Well, here are some pictures I got of our dogwoods (at least I think they are dogwoods) before the flowers blew off at the end of last week. They were in full bloom for about a week and then in the midst of two days the petals covered our drive and yard. We pulled in on Thursday and Lucas' says, "Mommy, is it snowing?" I hope we are definitely done with snow, but it is Indiana so I'm not going to promise anything.

It was a good weekend. Tim ran the Mini Marathon on Saturday- We are very proud of him! Then as if that wasn't enough, on Sunday he decided to conquer to prarie grass that had grown in our front yard. It really wasn't bothering us too much but I am sure our neighbors appreciate it. Lucas got to help daddy mow the back yard and Lilly and I raked up the remains of the prarie (well...she would at least clap for me everytime I got the grass into the bag!)

Bit of a Bug

We have had a bit of a bug this week. Now Mama has it and everything has gone down hill. I'm tired, I'm exhausted, I can't breathe, and not sleeping well due to my own caughing and caughing children and Lucas who seems to sleep talk/cry/scream alot when he has a fever.

Fortuantely, the house is actually pretty clean, the laundry got done yesterday, and luckily all my work was done on Wednesday. So what will today consist of? Hopefully nothing...well maybe a doctor visit.