The illusion of a perfect Mother's Day

From your first mother's day you have this illusion of what mother's day will be like, you know, what it's "suppose to look like". I mean it's your day, it should be perfect.

It's sleeping in late....

being woken by your perfectly groomed children with a gorgeous breakfast in bed...

 it's flowers....

and homemade crafts/cards (that let's be honest... require more than dad to come up with.... thank you teachers for helping out on Mother's Day! There is a reason mother's day is in May and not June like Father's Day!)

Well, guess what?? It doesn't ALWAYS go down like that, yes it's a day that you get a little extra attention and some homemade crafts that you'll save forever... but let's face it. You are still a mom and life is still very real.

Here is my "perfect" mother's day. 

At 4:50 this morning the electricity goes out which for whatever reason wakes me from my tossing & turning peaceful sleep.  I decide instead of fighting it I'm going to get up and read the new book I downloaded last night on my kindle.... "Score, me time!" take it when I can get it.  Not 10 minutes later Pate is screaming because he can't see anything.  I go up and get him trying to hurry before he wakes Kailee, though it's too late. We all come back down the stairs and I so lovingly ask yell to Reed that he should get up and join us.... I mean, it's Mother's Day if I have to be up with the kids while Pate cries because he can't watch his morning cartoons then he's not sleeping either.

Both kids and I cuddle on the couch (i.e. Kailee and I were laying together and Pate decided he needed to come lay on top of us) while Reed sits comfy in his recliner.  Due to the lack of electricity we opt for cold cereal for breakfast, though it was brought to me while I sat on the couch. #stillnocoffee  We are in the "dark" for about 2 hours, during that time I am smacked in the eye with Mr. Potato Head as well as attacked by Spider Man, all within 5 minutes.

Eventually the lights came back on and the coffee was flowing!  #ThankYouBabyJesusForCoffee!  I decided I was going to go on a quick run and Kailee wanted to join me. (After she put a flower in her hair and coordinating outfit on, of course!)  Well, my run turned into less than 1 mile with lots of walking.  But we did it together.

I got gifts, which included homemade crafts (a book) and learned I'm as fun as a puppy, which I don't know about you all but I can't think of ANYTHING more fun than a puppy. Yup, that's me. :D

I am also as smart as "me" (i.e. Kailee) and as awesome as an Eagle- again very awesome! Yup, I'm pretty badass, just ask Kailee. 

When I was younger my mom used to tell Kristin and I "don't get me anything, just dust, clean the bathroom, etc".  Of course, we thought that was dumb and would buy her something she didn't really need or want anyway.  Well, I get it mom, sorry for not just dusting the house for you or running the vacuum. I just want someone to clean my house!  I tried it this morning too, I asked both kids to go upstairs and just make their beds.  Much to my surprise they both ran upstairs.  Now, after a few minutes I figured Pate was just playing but assumed (since she is a good girl) Kailee had made her bed.  Well, I was wrong..... Pate came down the stairs like this (note the inside out pants)

As he quickly ran back upstairs I reminded him he was making his bed..... a few minutes later he came back down. 

 After he left these on the floor in the kitchen I decided to go up and see what damage he had done upstairs

Apparently he tried on more than the two outfits I saw and never once looked at his beds..... 

Knowing what a perfect child Kailee is I peeked in her room to see her perfectly made bed..... 

 Yup, neither one of them listened, and made their rooms look worse than it had been when I asked. Oh well...

My day didn't go as most would dream the perfect Mother's Day is but so far as been full of cuddles, giggles, tears, highs, lows and hugs... and I wouldn't have it ANY other way.... except now I'm off for a nap!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!!! Hope your days are filled with all the real moments that you never expected but wouldn't trade for the world!  

To anyone else it's junk

To anyone besides us this just looks like an ordinary hutch with "stuff" in it... but every time I pass it I smile. The stuff in here doesn't cost much but it's priceless.... 

I won't explain it all but here are some of my favorite things....  (don't mind the dust!)

Some of our old books (we have more but they in other locations);

• The top three were given to me by my grandma Petie & have my Uncle Buck's elementary handwriting in them. 
• The fourth one down has a copyright of 1887 and belong to my great-great-aunt (if I remember correctly) 
• "I Buried Billy" was written by Reed's great-great-great (I think I got that right?!?!) uncle. Billy the Kid was a close family friend to Reed's family. 

A picture of my mom from high school, with a picture of my aunt & uncle as kids in the background.  The glass is one my dad bought when we lived in Germany and it just reminds me of him.

Here is my dad when he was in 8th grade when he lived in Libya (Africa).  Funny story, this horse belong to his best friend's dad..... fast forward 30+ years & a world away and one of my good friends from college asked me if my dad's name was Bill.  I said yes, turns out it was his dad was the best friend!! Small world!

The candle sticks were made by Reed's grandad.

My great grandfather worked for the US Postal Service (on horseback), this was one of his saddle bags.

My father-in-law & grandfather-in-law were masters in the shop, with a passion for wood working and this plane belong to Reed's grandad.

These next two aren't technically in the hutch but they are my favorite possessions!  

Every since I was little I wanted this Jim Beam bottle from my grandad, he always just said "someday". Well, turns out that someday was on my wedding day!  It sits on shelf in the living room and every time I see it I think about my grandad.  I sure do miss that man.

This pocket watch was something I also thought belonged to me from a young age sense of entitlement???, it set on a shelf in our living room growing up.  It belong to my great grandfather Alexander Procurat.  On my 19th birthday my dad gave this to me along with a detailed letter (which I keep in a safe place) of the story of how grandfather came to America from Poland. It was one of the only things he came to the US with.

Like I said, to anyone else it's all just stuff, but there is a story behind everything and all these "things" hold a special memory. 

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know this post is a day late but after New Years Eve and yesterday.... I am pretending today is January first!

2013, where did you go? I feel like the last 1/2 of 2013 just flew by. Time to reflect (requirement of bloggers.... though being that I only blogged 10 times in 2013 I don't consider myself a blogger anymore. #fail)

Be prepared for a ton of pictures! 

 In December of 2012 we lost Reed's dad... it was decided (for several reasons) to wait until the end of Jan to have his memorial.  While it was so sad to say our final goodbyes the service was amazing and a great tribute to his years here on earth.  While we all cried and hugged each other tight, we also laughed and loved.  We were able to spend time with family and friends who we rarely see and for that I am thankful!!

Pate and Reina having fun on the piano 

I went out to Dudley's shop with my camera to capture it "just as he left it".

Everyone needs 13+ saws, right? 

 Happy 2nd Birthday to Payton!

March was a busy one! We once again were forced to say goodbye to a loved one.  Reed's grandma (Bam) passed away the first week in March (just five days before we were headed to NM).  Reed flew home early to attend her funeral, while the kids and I came days later for Traci's wedding.  Despite the fact that we were all still grieving the loss of those in Heaven, we had a magnificent time in Las Cruces.  We were able to see friends and spend more time with family. The wedding was perfect and the bride was gorgeous! 

Reed and Bam (taken in Jan)

My MIL sewing the wedding date into one of Dudley's shirts that would
then be sewn into Traci's dress. I love this picture!

family pictures in the orchards 

waiting for his duties to begin

I think these two make the cutest Flower Girl & Ring Bearer 

I was honored to be asked to read at the wedding

Tuttle Sisters! 

In May my newest niece Meda Grayson was born! At the end of the month Kailee and I traveled to TN to meet her and celebrate McKenna's 4th birthday!  I did a lot of baby holding! 

Seeing these two play makes my heart full 

Kailee spent a full MONTH at Mammaw's house! She had the time of her life (they both did) and was busy the entire time! I am so happy she'll have these summer memories forever, though I'm not sure I can do 4 weeks next summer.  How about 2?  Over the 4th Liz and Tres came to KY for some good old Kentucky fun! Liz and I surprised Tres & Reed with their late birthday present and we made them jump out of a plane!!!

Catching lighting bugs at Mammaw's! 

They survived! 

Jim Beam

LOVE THIS GIRL!!!! 

This cowboy melts my heart

Both my cowboys

We spent the first weekend in August in Texas with Liz & Tres and enjoyed the XIT Rodeo! At the end of August MoMo came and we spent the weekend shooting skeet and enjoying KC. 

Don't mess with my MIL, she's a good shot. 

#ShamlessPlugTime We have two little models in our family.  The kids are in the catalog & online for The Fort Western! They had fun having their pictures and it gave me an excuse to be the crazy photographer mom.... and we all got paid for it! It's a win-win really!  http://www.fortwestern.com/girls-western-wear/      http://www.fortwestern.com/boys-western-wear/

In October I had my ten year high school reunion, LCHS c/o 2003.  I am so glad I went, I had the best weekend with friends and Amanda was so gracious to let me stay with her!! 

Friend and I 

The three Amigos 

Aunt Kristin and Mammaw threw Kailee Rae a surprise party! She loved it.  We were in Kentucky for my great aunt Chris's 100th birthday party! It was awesome getting to celebrate it with her and seeing family!  

Cousin shots! We missed a generation of cousins but they were there too.

Aileen (96), Merle (90) and Aunt Chris (100)

Being around my cousins makes me so happy.  I am so proud of the men they have all become!
We are missing 3 of the other cousins

Next generation cousins
(again, missing my 3 nephews in this.... one day!)

My beautiful sister and mom 

Porcelain Doll, Wreck It Ralph, and Fix It Felix 

Thanksgiving with Mammaw!

Christmas with the Tuttles

I love my family!

Our 2013 Christmas Card

Front 

Back

What do I want in 2014? Resolutions/commitments/things I'm excited for/whatever you call them

• Feed my family better (twist on lose weight/eat healthy), I want to do a better job at planning out our meals so it doesn't feel so thrown together an last minute.  Last minute= unhealthy choices! 
• Continue to pray out loud with my kids, focusing on bedtime prayers. 
• In 2013 we started saying grace before every meal as a family and now I catch Kailee doing it even when she is eating a snack or quick lunch without us and Pate reminds us if we start to forget. #success 
• Take a trip, just the four of us (we always take our vacations to see extended family- not that we don't LOVE you all... but it's time to have a getaway with just us). 
• Kids to Disney World, we've been planning on taking them for years but "life gets in the way".
• Journal (hopefully daily I'll be happy with once a week! ) I used to keep a journal but haven't in years. 
• Day one= done
• Start running again!, I've started and stopped more times then I'd like to remember.... it's time to start and not stop. 
• Ride!!! I have 160 acres to do it on and four horses (well the pony doesn't count but you get the drift) to choose from.  I can count on two hands how many times I saddled up in 2013! 
• Go to Texas and hold the newest niece to our family!!! Miss Cuddle Puddle Tuttle/Peanut! ;-) 
• Plan a trip to NM to just relax and see family/friends, with nothing on the agenda but that. (I haven't told Reed about this plan yet)