Real Life

Looking back on my posts, I've noticed that I often show special occassions... and rightfully so. But there's a lot of life that happens inbetween. Here's a tribute to our precious ordinary, I treasure it all the same.

Count it all joy...

love,

J

Some of my latest finds at the store that have made my best new products list!

1st, for those busy days/nights when I still want to cook real wholesome food but with minimal prep.

2nd how have I lived without this for the past 8 1/2 years, yup... Cooper's that old.
Still haven't found a product to make dirty dishes disapper. And this is after 2 other loads. They got away from me this weekend, other stuff was just more important.
Now I understand all those sappy commericals that talk about the kitchen table being the center of family life. It's used for 3 meals and 3 snacks (who knew toddlers ate sooooo often), art projects, school, correspondence, Bible reading, storage and so much more! And always has to be well dressed for each holiday and special occasion. This is actually quite clean.
This is only 1 week's worth of excess coats and clothes that accumulated in the mighty minivan, there are a few costumes mixed in too!

The latest roll playing adventure, joining Cooper in his barking requests. Cooper's pretty stoked that he has some back up, and B's trying to convince me that he should be able to go outside whenever he wants (despite the time of day or amount of clothing he's wearing) if he woofs.

My retreat... part fun, part guilt that I want to make sure my family had some well-preserved memories. I am encouraged by a new favorite quote: The better we tell our stories, the better we want to live them.
Very cute, I mean scary, growls accompanied the mastering of his new monstor feet! "They're BBBBIIIIIGGGG" he kept exclaiming!
ANOTHER clean up from the pups. Thankfully, the humans in our family have avoided "the funk" so far, but our dogs haven't been so lucky. Thank goodness M came home from his trip to help with the second cleaning of the weekend!

A last attempt to expend excess energy before the wind down routine started. I look at it as an exercise tool. To B it's a launching pad to fun fun fun!
The left overs from a relatively successful garage sale. Thrift store consignments, here I come. Now it should only take me about 10 weeks vs 20 to list it all! This is what happens when you don't go through all your boxes until 8 years, 3 moves and 1 baby later.
Cooper was so proud of himself that he finally tackled his "no tip" dog dish stand. That'll teach me to drag my feet next time he's hungry.
Jammy time! He thinks these turn him into a duck for some strange reason.
One of B's favorite creations, a sugar cube penguin habitat. Had to take some great pictures to relieve myself of the guilt over not saving it. I already have a drawer full of projects and he's barely 2!