Can you take it?! Those cheeks are too much!!!
Apparently I need to take more pictures of the boys. :)1. Homemade tacos. Like I mentioned before, my mom is a great cook. We never ate anything that wasn't from scratch. At least of the good things. Rolls, pancakes, TACOS!!! And it sounds funny to say they are homemade, but when you make your own seasoning and fry your tortillas, that to me is so much more homemade than using crunchy taco shells. And so much more delicious. Try it.
2. At home hair cuts. I secretly, or actually not so secretly hate doing this. But I am glad that I am able to do it for my boys and they can get the haircut I want them to have. And I can be as picky as I need to be. And it's free.
3. Thanksgiving break. I am happy that we can sleep in tomorrow knowing Jackson doesn't have school.
4. Little Ellie. She was so sick this morning. Not a fever, but something was wrong. She woke up, super sweaty, and went straight to my bed for another 2 hours. And it's not like she woke up early. Try 10am. (We were up later last night decorating the tree). But she was so tired and sick that it made me feel so sad for her. Little Ellie just so helpless. So, I'm grateful for her and that she is fine. :)
5. The way my kids make me laugh. By far, some of my hardest laughs come from things my kids say. Today, Noah was playing the Wii and didn't want to let Jackson play. He did not want to lose. But that's too bad. We share. So then Noah said in the most pathetic little voice, "No mom, the wii isn't always about losing. It's about winning." I was ignoring him because he was not in the mood to share, but Jackson replied with, "No Noah. It's not about winning either. It's about playing together and having fun." So, I laugh at the honesty of my 4 year old and that to him, it is about winning. And that to my 5 year old, who I seriously think is 30, it's about enjoying the game. Although he is quite possibly the BIGGEST trash talked there is. I love my kids.
1. The tree is up. So thankful that is done.
2. The weather was nice enough to take my kids to the park today. It felt nice to go for a walk and get some park time in before it's too late!! I'm grateful for the small things that make my kids so happy.
3. A safe neighborhood. Anyone that knows anything about me knows I am extremely scared of home invasion. It has never happened to me, but it terrifies me. 911 knows me too well. Where we live is so safe and I am so thankful for that when Jason has to work through the night. Most of the time I can fall asleep and stay asleep. (It helps that one of my neighbors NEVER goes to bed. That makes me feel watched over). :)
4. My parents. They bought their plane tickets for Christmas and I am SO excited to have family here. It makes the holidays so fun and special. And getting to do it in my home is even better. I love having our own traditions and memories. Can't wait to have so much family here. . . no matter how cramped and crazy it gets.
5. Ben. My brother in law. He is a great cook and I can't wait for him to come and make me some PIE!!! I actually think pie is sick, but Ben has a gift. :) So glad you're in Louisville so you guys can come to our house for Christmas.
I remember when this talk was given. I remember when I wore a second earring on one ear. I remember taking it out. I know now that I do regret having pierced my ears more than once. What he said was true. I remember thinking it was such a powerful and direct talk. It helped me better myself then as a young adult. And now as a mother, it has so much more depth and meaning. This is a talk I want to refer back to for the rest of my life.
Your Greatest Challenge, Mothers
1. A long nap on Jackson's bed. I love taking naps in the boys room. Don't ask me why.
2. Jocelyn. We got to talk for a long time tonight on the phone because we both had our husbands around to take care of kids. And I got to order some yummy new Scentsy stuff. Yummy. Plus, it was just so nice talking with my sister. I wonder if we will ever all get to live by each other???!!!! I hope so. At least we have Christmas!!! :)
3. My visiting teacher. To be honest, I don't love visiting teachers. I'm active and I promise to call when I need something. But mine are genuine and thoughtful. I'm lucky. Elizabeth just showed up with a treat and brightened my day. She is a good person. And example. I need to do my V.T!!!!!
4. Carson. Everything about him makes me feel happy and full. He is the highlight of my life right now. I mean, all my kids are, but Carson has such an innocence and sweetness that only babies have. I can't imagine my life without him!!!!!! Sometimes I forget he is even there because of how simple his needs are. There's something to be said about non-talking children!!! :)
5. I'm grateful Ellie loves to help me in the kitchen. Most of the time it drives me up the wall, but I told myself long ago that I want to teach her how to love the kitchen and learn to cook so she would love it when she is older. I didn't know how to cook much at all when I got married. Just the basics. My mom is such an amazing cook that there was never any need for me in the kitchen . . .and I am pretty sure I never wanted to be helping. But that is not the case with me and my Ellie. I have a limited amount to teach her and she wants to learn. So for now, we are having fun with it. :)
I am getting seriously lazy as my month progresses. The weekends are hard for me I guess.
1. Date night. Jason and I went to dinner at the Common Grill and it was heavenly. I had to undo the button on my pants in the car, but totally worth it! :)
2. Movies. There isn't much more I love than going to dinner and a movie. We tried to go see The Blind Side. SOLD OUT!!! Two nights in a row. Super annoying. So before Jason could seriously oppose, I quickly bought tickets to New Moon. He thought it was the lamest movie in the world, and I really enjoyed it. Hello Jacob!! He really grew up. :) Mmmmmmm!!!!
3. Farah. Again. Of course.
4. Delysm. I swear that is the best cough medicine. I KNOW it is a suppressant, but I would rather my kids get some sleep. And it has the approval from my husband.
5. A little boy that is growing up. I'm not particularly happy he is growing up, but he lost his first tooth and it was such an exciting event for the Smythe home yesterday morning. Jackson was brushing his teeth in the morning and he came running into me where I was changing Carson, GLEAMING that his tooth fell out. All he could talk about was going to bed so the Tooth Fairy would come. And she did. (Jason asked me if I had 2 quarters. LOL!!! Luckily for Jackson the Tooth Fairy had something better in mind. Two quarters?????)
