Well, I am proud to update that "Walls Family Fun Week" has been a success!! And, I am not tired or stressed or ready to kill my kids!! I have actually had a really great week with them. We have done almost everything on our list and the week is not even over yet. Kenzie even looked at me at one point and said, "Thanks mom, this has been awesome....I got to eat pizza, go swimming, rent a movie...." That made it all worth it....to know that my kids are actually aware that I am trying to make this week special and to get a thank you was awesome!
I am still not at all ready for school to start back up but I am at least accepting the fact....My kids are just awesome and I am so thankful for each one of them and how unique and special they each are. I hope that we will always be a super close family and my kids will always know how much their mom & dad really love them and thank God for them.
Well, I better get back to the kids....we are in the middle of that "playdate with our friends" that I promised at the beginning of the week.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Too Soon for School!!!
As you can see, our family had some fun watching the Hannah Montana 3-D movie last night. I love it when the kids get so into something and have so much fun! They have been anticipating this movie for like the last month. And, I think they really enjoyed themselves....actually, I think Matt had the most fun!!'
Anyway, I am trying to squeeze as much "fun" into the next week as possible. The movie last night was a great start. I am so totally bummed that my kids are starting back to school in a week. I actually like having my kids home with me....I know, I know....many of you moms think I am out of my mind. Trust me, I have some friends that are counting down the days and cannot wait for their kids to go back to school. I guess I am just alittle strange, but I actually get kinda sad when school starts back up. I guess I know that each new year only means that they are getting older and more mature...which is kinda hard for me to swallow sometimes.
So, I am going to try to make the last week of summer super fun...I am thinking a trip to Stevie B's pizza buffet, a trip to the local playground, a playdate or two with some friends, swimming at their grandparent's pool, playing more family soccer games, a movie night complete with popcorn and a lot of chocolate.....The list could go on but we will have to see how energized I am by mid-week. I mean, it sounds like a great idea to plan a week of fun for the kids but I have to wait and see how I hold up. Man, I sound old......
Friday, July 25, 2008
Being the Best
I think I had one of my first "proud momma" moments recently....Kenzie is playing soccer this year and she LOVES to play. She is so motivated and wants to be the best player out there. Well, she did pretty good at tryouts and I can really tell that she has improved from last year. Of course, as the first game is approaching, I can feel myself trying to push her to practice and become a really awesome player. I even got her a soccer goal for the backyard and I am headed out tomorrow to get her some cleats. We played a little family soccer game tonight in the backyard and I caught myself saying...."Keep going Kenzie....Don't give up...Push harder....Kick Micah in the shin" - (Just kidding).
But in all this soccer hype that I am creating, I seem to have forgotten one little important thing- She is only 6 years old!!!! And it does not matter at all how "awesome" she is out there or how many goals she scores (they don't even keep score in her league), all that matters is that she has the best time ever and enjoys every moment she is on the field. I NEVER want to be one of "those" moms that is on the sideline yelling and screaming at not only my kids but every other kid & parent out there. I just want to be the mom that is yelling out words of encouragement and cheering them on to be the best they can and reminding them to always have fun!! So, I am very glad that I have learned this lesson very early in my kids lives and hopefully, I will remember it with each new sport and each new endeavor they take on. I want my kids to be the best at what they do, but I want them to always be having a good time while they are doing it!!
But in all this soccer hype that I am creating, I seem to have forgotten one little important thing- She is only 6 years old!!!! And it does not matter at all how "awesome" she is out there or how many goals she scores (they don't even keep score in her league), all that matters is that she has the best time ever and enjoys every moment she is on the field. I NEVER want to be one of "those" moms that is on the sideline yelling and screaming at not only my kids but every other kid & parent out there. I just want to be the mom that is yelling out words of encouragement and cheering them on to be the best they can and reminding them to always have fun!! So, I am very glad that I have learned this lesson very early in my kids lives and hopefully, I will remember it with each new sport and each new endeavor they take on. I want my kids to be the best at what they do, but I want them to always be having a good time while they are doing it!!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
One of "those" days
Well, Matt informed me that I have not been doing a good job of keeping my blog updated. My response to him was that I am sure the 2 people that actually read it are not that disappointed. I am sure you can tell that comment was soaked in sarcasm. I am finally back to blog because I have had one of "those" days and I need to use my blog as a way to vent - so, readers, beware!!
It is funny because my day has not actually been that bad. It started with a trip to Walmart (with 3 of my kids) - which I know sounds like a really dumb idea to most people, but the trip went suprisingly well. It was pretty uneventful, except for when Kassidy decided to grab a whole container of strawberries out of the back of the shopping cart and dump them out...I turned around to find her covered in strawberry drool, with most of a large strawberry stuffed in her mouth.
But, once I got home, it just seemed like everything (and everybody) was getting on my last nerve. I can't really pinpoint what exactly pushed me over the edge, but I am sure Brody's constant whining for a snack and Kassidy's need to pull anything and everything out of my kitchen cabinets was not helping the situation. I was trying to actually cook supper (those of you that know me are probably in shock right now) and the kids were just being kids, but for some reason, today I let it get to me. Then, when supper was finally over, everyone jetted out of the kitchen to go watch tv and play on the computer and I was left to clean up all the mess and do all the dishes. Which, on any other day, probably would not have been such a big deal, but today, it made my blood boil!!
So, I went and put my running shoes on and hit the pavement. For me, that is the absolute best thing I can do when I am at my breaking point. It always makes me feel better and I always come home feeling so refreshed and usually with a whole new perspective on the situation. I ended up running four miles, and that alone makes me feel like I accomplished something really good today. Exercise is definitely the best medicine for me!!
It is funny because my day has not actually been that bad. It started with a trip to Walmart (with 3 of my kids) - which I know sounds like a really dumb idea to most people, but the trip went suprisingly well. It was pretty uneventful, except for when Kassidy decided to grab a whole container of strawberries out of the back of the shopping cart and dump them out...I turned around to find her covered in strawberry drool, with most of a large strawberry stuffed in her mouth.
But, once I got home, it just seemed like everything (and everybody) was getting on my last nerve. I can't really pinpoint what exactly pushed me over the edge, but I am sure Brody's constant whining for a snack and Kassidy's need to pull anything and everything out of my kitchen cabinets was not helping the situation. I was trying to actually cook supper (those of you that know me are probably in shock right now) and the kids were just being kids, but for some reason, today I let it get to me. Then, when supper was finally over, everyone jetted out of the kitchen to go watch tv and play on the computer and I was left to clean up all the mess and do all the dishes. Which, on any other day, probably would not have been such a big deal, but today, it made my blood boil!!
So, I went and put my running shoes on and hit the pavement. For me, that is the absolute best thing I can do when I am at my breaking point. It always makes me feel better and I always come home feeling so refreshed and usually with a whole new perspective on the situation. I ended up running four miles, and that alone makes me feel like I accomplished something really good today. Exercise is definitely the best medicine for me!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Real Determination
Brody LOVES to work puzzles. For those of you that know Brody, it is very unusual for him to be still for more than 5 or 10 minutes. But, for some reason, he will sit still and work very patiently on a box of puzzles for a very long time. Recentlly, he got hurt and we took him to Target and told him he could pick out whatever he wanted in the toy section...he picked a $2 puzzle. Trust me, I am not complaining about his "cheap" choice, but it just proved to us that he really has a passion for working puzzles.
Today, he begged me to let him work a 100 piece puzzle. I knew it would be alittle too hard for him, but he was so set on doing it, that I gave it to him and told him to "go for it!" Well, he asked Micah & Kenzie to help, but they would not give him the time of day. So, after he shed a few tears, he got motivated and decided he would do it all by himself. After about thirty minutes (and only about 6 or 7 pieces successfully put together), he fell asleep at the kitchen table. He had worked so hard, that he fell asleep trying to figure it out. I was actually kinda proud - talk about some real determination. Way to go, Brody-man!!
Friday, June 20, 2008
My messy little munchkins
I have recently come to the conclusion that my house may never really be clean until all my kids are in college. It truly baffles me how it is nearly impossible to keep my house straightened up during the day. I seriously feel like I spend all day going from room to room picking up toys, clothes, books....I feel like I will spend an hour focusing on the living room and when I am finished and it looks all nice & clean, I will go to the kitchen and it looks like a tornado hit it!! So, I will spend an hour working on the kitchen, only to go back to the living room and find it totally trashed. It seriously feels like a never-ending battle.
Sometimes, I feel like I must just be lazy or so terribly unorganized, but even on the days when I feel like I give it my all, the housework still seems to get out of control. I just don't see how other moms do it. I hate to admit this, but I love to stop by someone's house and see that it is a little messy or cluttered....it makes me feel like maybe I am normal and not every mom is able to stay on top on all the things that need to be done each day.
I am constantly trying to tell myself that I need to just chill, and not always be focused on the mess. I need to enjoy my kids and let them be kids...which means there will be toys everywhere and crushed crackers all over my carpet. I know that one day I will have a very clean (and very quiet) house...but I will only be sad & lonely - totally wishing that my kids were still running around making the biggest mess ever!! So, hopefully, I can learn to relax a little more & try to find joy in the chaos. Kids will be kids and mine are awesome & I love them - mess and all!!
Sometimes, I feel like I must just be lazy or so terribly unorganized, but even on the days when I feel like I give it my all, the housework still seems to get out of control. I just don't see how other moms do it. I hate to admit this, but I love to stop by someone's house and see that it is a little messy or cluttered....it makes me feel like maybe I am normal and not every mom is able to stay on top on all the things that need to be done each day.
I am constantly trying to tell myself that I need to just chill, and not always be focused on the mess. I need to enjoy my kids and let them be kids...which means there will be toys everywhere and crushed crackers all over my carpet. I know that one day I will have a very clean (and very quiet) house...but I will only be sad & lonely - totally wishing that my kids were still running around making the biggest mess ever!! So, hopefully, I can learn to relax a little more & try to find joy in the chaos. Kids will be kids and mine are awesome & I love them - mess and all!!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Family Portraits
Tonight we took our family portraits for the church directory. It went surprisingly well....I know I have blogged before about how I am really trying to "chill" when it comes to taking pictures. And I think that approach actually helped the situation tonight. I went into it not expecting anything....I just asked the kids to smile and stand still long enough for the guy to snap one or two pics and they did great.
It did get a little interesting when it was time to take the enitre Walls family portrait. I think there were like 16 of us (eight of those kids)....All I know is that I got my hair pulled two or three times and my necklace was almost ripped off my neck a couple times. It was funny because the guy snapped a pic and then said, "Well, that may have worked but the baby in the back had a handful of the lady in the middle's hair." And, at one point, Matt said, "What is this wet stuff all over my arms??".....I was like, "Who knows....Kassidy probably spit on you." A few minutes later, we came to the conclusion that she had went pee-pee on Matt during the photo shoot. I am glad he did not realize it until after the pics were done...he may have been too grossed out to keep smiling!!
What really stands out in my mind from the whole experience, is that by the time we left, the photographer knew Brody by his first name. You can probably figure out why. He kept hearing us say...."No, Brody, stand up straight...Put your hands by your side, Brody....Get your finger out of your nose, Brody" After about 3 minutes, the photographer just starting addressing Brody on a first name basis - he just took it upon himself to start trying to keep Brody focused and smiling. But, in the end, the pics were better than expected and I was actually impressed with how good Brody (and all the other kids) did tonight. But, I still hate taking "portraits" and I plan to continue to avoid picture studios for as long as I possibly can!
It did get a little interesting when it was time to take the enitre Walls family portrait. I think there were like 16 of us (eight of those kids)....All I know is that I got my hair pulled two or three times and my necklace was almost ripped off my neck a couple times. It was funny because the guy snapped a pic and then said, "Well, that may have worked but the baby in the back had a handful of the lady in the middle's hair." And, at one point, Matt said, "What is this wet stuff all over my arms??".....I was like, "Who knows....Kassidy probably spit on you." A few minutes later, we came to the conclusion that she had went pee-pee on Matt during the photo shoot. I am glad he did not realize it until after the pics were done...he may have been too grossed out to keep smiling!!
What really stands out in my mind from the whole experience, is that by the time we left, the photographer knew Brody by his first name. You can probably figure out why. He kept hearing us say...."No, Brody, stand up straight...Put your hands by your side, Brody....Get your finger out of your nose, Brody" After about 3 minutes, the photographer just starting addressing Brody on a first name basis - he just took it upon himself to start trying to keep Brody focused and smiling. But, in the end, the pics were better than expected and I was actually impressed with how good Brody (and all the other kids) did tonight. But, I still hate taking "portraits" and I plan to continue to avoid picture studios for as long as I possibly can!
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