It's Time to Speak Your Mind, Let me Hear Your Voice! And, a New Post Series!

Happy Monday, ya'll!!

That sounds a lot more cheerful than I feel. I wish I loved waking up to Arctic-like temperatures, but alas, I have no Eskimo in my ancestry, so I'm 100% wimp when the temps dip.  Coaxing the boys out of their state of hibernation this morning with an enticing announcement that the supreme gift of education awaits was also an epic fail.  For a moment I contemplated running outside to scoop up a bucket of snow to see what kind of effects that might have on their life of cozy comfort.  But, Charlie was there to save me from wind burn and frost bite, "Don't go out there, Mommy, it's DAY-n-gerous!" My two year old is a wise beyond his years.

Speaking of motivation....

I took a few days off from the blog over the holidays, and during that time I gave some serious thought as to how to continue writing here at this little cyber spot.  Part of me wanted to just keep it simple, and go back to writing only about our family life, and another part of me couldn't resist the thought of venturing out and trying my hand at writing a serious of posts focused on a particular topic.  I know, this is a mayor importanté decisión.

After about 4 minutes of uninterrupted thought (thanks to my supremely stealth closet hiding skills), I came to the conclusion that:

1.  I NEED you!  

It's time to speak your mind, people! Tell me what you want to know! What should I write about?? What should I not write about (I can't promise I won't, but feel free to speak your mind, anyway-way).  PLEASE, drop me an e-mail, pour forth your ideas in the comments, or shout it out on Facebook. I'm here, and I'm ready to write for YOU!!

2.  I NEED to be inspired!  

To keep running, that is.  17 weeks into pregnancy #6 and, well, let's just say that running feels a bit like doing Dance Party 2 in a bowl of Jello-O (that was not meant to sound kinky).  It feels awkward, it always does.  So, starting in February, I'll be hosting a weekend link-up called, "Heart & Sole" Saturdays, where running bloggers can link up anything and everything about running. I'm hoping their stories will keep me inspired to keep going until June and beyond! Stay tuned!

3.  I NEED to share!

Finally, (are you still here?? need more coffee??) beginning next week, I'll begin sharing a series of posts called Motivate Me Monday.  I've really been inspired and motivated by many bloggers over the past few years to do everything from cook with coconut oil and paint my living room a different color, to pray more for my husband and embrace precious time being silly with my kids. It's the small things done over and over that eventually stick and become habit.  Good habits, I think, make us happier, healthier people.  I promise that MMM posts will NOT include the following:

1. How to replace your daily/weekly brew (or, insert beverage of choice) with healthier green drinks, because I'm not interested in cruel, unusual and untested (not to mention unreasonable) ideas.

2.  How to scale back your shoe collection.  NO hypocrisy allowed here. That's a rule.

3.  How to de-stress your life with yoga.  Um, hello, please see #1.  I promise to offend you with my crazy belief Jesus as the ultimate source of peace before I throw up some video tutorial on the downward dog (it's the only pose name I can ever remember, so there ya go).

With that little three-point disclaimer, I hope you'll meet me here every Monday for something big or something small, and walk away feeling a little more motivated, a little more inspired to take steps toward a life of happy health.

Well, that's about as close to a blogging infomercial as I can get, minus the annoying music.  I still haven't figured out how to greet you some tunes when you get here, which might be a nice touch, no? Ann Voskamp's melody has me crying before I even read her posts.  But, I don't want to make you cry. Today's soundtrack here would be "Ice, Ice Baby."

I'm off to play professor....

Have a lovely day (stay warm)!!

Sweet Little Sympathy Cravings & A Maternity Edition of WIWS

Happy Sunday!!  I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend! The temperatures took a hard dip this weekend, so we're all hibernating from the cold, curled up cozy today for food, football and naps (glorious!).

Speaking of food, is it just my children, or are yours in a 24/7 relationship with the kitchen too?? It seems that no matter how much I cook, I can't reach the top of their hungry little tanks!  Is it the weather? Are they all going through a monumental growth spurt? Or, are they simply having sympathetic pregnancy cravings (is that possible)?? When the boys shuffle into the Catina and casually ask for chicken fried steak and kale chips in the middle of the afternoon, I have to wonder what's up! They shamelessly pour forth their requests as if being affirmed is even a remote possibility.  Then, they see the when hell freezes over look on my face, and resort to dog piling in the pantry to see who can come up with the last box of raisins or the remains of a stale box of Cheerios.

Charlie's by far the cutest player in this game. He's on an enchilada kick. Every morning for breakfast this week, he's pushed away the pancakes with a grin and a very polite "No fank you" and asked for "chinch-iladas" instead.  What can I do but relish for a moment in his sweetness....then push the plate of pancakes back under his nose??!!

I hope that someone is craving donuts tomorrow, because traditionally we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany with "kings crowns" a.k.a homemade cake donuts dunked in frosting and topped with jewels (sprinkles). Mmmmmm!!!

It's been a while since I've linked up with the wonderful ladies at Fine Linen and Purple for What I Wore Sunday. Now that I've survived the first trimester (17 weeks, yippee!!) of nausea and exhaustion, and am feeling a bit more human, I'm a little less camera shy.  Baby is growing, and peeking out at the world, so I've packed up most of my pre-pregnancy clothing and made room for my maternity wardrobe.  Here's what I assembled today:

CARDIGAN: The Buckle

TANK: Target

SKIRT:  Old Navy

BOOTIES:  Shoe Carnival

JEWELRY: Stella & Dot, Premier, Francesca's

More fashion fun here!

13 Photos of 2013

At the end of every year, I always enjoy sitting down with the boys and scrolling through some of our family highlights on the blog from the past twelve months.  We're always surprised at how much we've accomplished and how much we've all grown (especially the boys!).  

Today I'm linking up with Dwija at House Unseen, Life Unscripted for her 13 Photos of 2013 event.  

Happy New Year, Everyone!!

13. The chicken coop project

12.  Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

11. George's 1st Holy Communion

10. Celebrating Memorial Day slip-n-slide style

9.  Collin Klein Passing Academy

8. Summer baseball season

 7. Saying good-bye to Stella

6. Summer harvest adventures part I and the continued story in part II

 5. Beginning the homeschool year in our new home, in a new town.

4. Letting go - Benedict's first day at St. Joseph Ost Catholic School

3.  A fantastic football season

2. A weekend getaway with my man to vail

1. Our growing family! Getting ready to welcome #6 in June!

- AND - 

The Most Popular Post of the Year:

 Mama's thoughts on raising a crew of boys

Most Requested/Pinned Recipe:

Easy Overnight Caramel Rolls

 Top Health/Fitness Post

Tips on Running Your First Marathon

Most Popular Faith/Homeschool Post

The Power of Words - A Lesson from Proverbs for Kids

My Break From Blogging Brings Happy to the Heart - Christmas Highlights 2013

A little over a week's time has passed since I've sat down to blog.  In between diaper duties, close calls with the Christmas tree, refereeing wrestling matches and a few mild meltdowns, ideas for different posts have meandered through my mind these past few days, but those thoughts just couldn't pull me away from life in the present.  How could any post compete with snuggling on the couch with kiddos, reading Charlie just one more book by a sparkling fire, baking the favorites we savor but once a year, singing my favorite Christmas songs till my hear's content while tackling a sink constantly overflowing with dishes, delivering gifts to neighbors, greeting the UPS man every day (we always get to be friends during the holidays!), and crouching down by the nativity in the evening quiet to savor just a few more moments with my Lord.

I hope that you, too, were able to spend the past few days doing all of the things you love, living richly in the present moment, savoring life....and that's why I knew you woulnd't miss anything here....here doesn't matter - there, your very own place in life does.

This morning I'm up early, long before the bandits arise from their burrows, just so I can spend a few minutes editing all of the photos I've taken (so far) this Christmas.  Unfortunately, my camera has taken some serious "accidental" falls over the past few months and it's showing it's wear and tear in the pics. Time to get it fixed! Looking beyond the fuzzies....I hope you'll see what I see!!

Smiling faces full of surprise...

A proud brother anxiously waiting for his specially chosen gift (a basketball for big brother Ben!) to be opened.

The anticipation of what's inside as paper is torn back layer by layer. No gift bags this year. There's something about tearing the paper that heightens their excitement even more.

The prensentation of the presents.  Show and tell is a must!

Unexpected expressions of joy.

I LOVE to watch our children's faces as they open their gifts, smiles forever imbedded in my memory.

 Growing up fast, but big guy grins still can't be held back.

 Unbelievable believed.

Love for littleness.  There's such a sweetness in their fresh little fingers all warm and chubby, manipulating the pieces with patience until they get it "just right."

 Father and son spend some bonding time over...

 Simple gifts.

Savoring sweets for brunch, something we all look forward to after gifts are revealed.

The Christmas morning Ebelskiver tradition continues.

Days before His birthday, they watch out the window, hoping with great hope for a white Christmas!

Brothers out burnin' off the Jelly Belly stocking stuffer with some sledding!

 A beautiful new blessing to celebrate....patiently waiting until June to hold.

Posing for a few family pics with my parents.  Doesn't my mom look amazing? Thank you for your continued prayers for her. She is doing great!

 Grandkids contain their wiggles while standing with Gran and Grandpa.

 Dapper dude.

The saddest little face you'll every see of a boy holding a candy cane (!).

 What to my wondering eyes should appear??

Four crazy cousins doing stunts, oh dear!

Ham and Beans!

 Accidental matching - I couldn't plan it if I tried.

 Cute curls of the sweetest girl, Miss Peyton enjoys a treat from Uncle Donut.

It wouldn't be Christmas vacation without a "let's gang up on Dad" wrestling match.

Gathering 'round the table for a competetive game of cards - is there any other way to play?

Nothin' but love for the two Steve's.

Scott, his amazing wife Stephanie and their precious daughter, Phebe.  If you haven't met my brother, Scott, yet, you must check out last year's Christmas episode!

 Garrett (one of those ca-razy cousins), Uncle donut and his beautiful wife, Julie.

Gran and the girls, Lauryn and Camryn. They may look innocent, but when it comes to cards, they're fierce!

Cards are always more exciting when you have a princess to advise.

Is there anything better than cuddling up with a warm squishy baby?? Not for Gran! Phebe received approximately 800 hugs and 492 kisses during our two day visit.  She is definitely loved!

The crew is up, and running, and I hear the kitchen calling! 

Happy New Year's Eve, Friends!