Family Under the Weather

Last weekend Bruce was sick. He is a big baby when he's sick, and he'll admit to that. By Wednesday Dawson had it. Today Dylan and I have the sniffles and the hallmark signs of that dreaded cold. I always wonder 3 things when colds hit our house...

1. How is it that kids are just so resilient? They might have runny, stuffy noses, fevers and coughing fits, but they can still run around the house at mach 2 with their hair on fire!

2. On the other hand, when Bruce is sick he believes he should be able to sit in his la-z-boy and watch tv and not be bothered, if you look at him the wrong way he complains that he's feeling so terrible and just wants to be able to sit in peace for a little while... what the heck? Seriously, if the kids don't  stop when they are sick do you really think they're going to stop just because you're sick?

3. Which leads me to this, when I am sick life goes on as usual. Moms don't get sick days. But how come whenever I am sick it seems as though the kids are even more wound up? Do they have a 6th sense that tells them Mom just isn't on top of her game today?  Let the good times roll! Oh and pass the kleenex please!

Mommy Ramblings

I don't know any other stay-at-home Moms. I really thought I might be the only CRAZY one out there! I've been asked a million times why I chose this life, why I chose to live on one income, why the "sacrifice", why I chose to spend my whole life running after kids. I've been asked not just why I do it, but how I do it every. single. day. 

The truth? Some days I don't know the answer myself. Some days it is so utterly and completely chaotic around here that I don't know which way is up. Some days I feel envious of Bruce; some days I wish I could trade places with him... other days I am glad I don't have to.

I love that I have the power to fix booboos with just a kiss, that little people still want to sit with Mom and read books, that they want to snuggle and be loved all day! I love that their world is so simple and innocent and we try to keep it that way for as long as possible. I think you can learn a lot from kids if you take the time to see the world through their eyes.

eclectic living room design by los angeles interior designer Fluegge Interior Design, Inc.

There's just something I love about this room, while I can't quite put my finger on it I know that I would love to have this room in my house.  Isn't funny how you can fall in love with a room and not even know why? It's not really my style... or is it?

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY DYLAN!

You're 4... already?! How did that happen?

Boys are meant for kisses and hugs

For watching rainbows and catching bugs

For sharing all of your favorite things

For books to read and songs to sing.

Industrial Chic

I have a soft spot in my heart for old things. Bruce always laughs when I say this because he is much older than me.

I love old houses, the character they exude. Our house has no real charm, it's a boxy,
split-entry built in the late 1970's. Nothing to set it apart from the other prefab split-entry houses built. They all kind of look the same. I've tried to add character to the place, a loft or a farmhouse it will never be, and sometimes I struggle with the idea of adding certain pieces that have history and charm because they don't exactly "fit in".


I am drawn to vintage pieces, pieces with character and a story behind them.

Like this:

and this:

source: Restoration Hardware

source: Restoration Hardware

source: Restoration Hardware

I'm quite take with the industrial salvage look. I think it's a culmination of the raw, masculine edges, and the sense of history. My decor is decidely more masculine, afterall I am outnumbered by the testosterone in this house!

2

Happy Birthday Dawson!

I can't quite believe you're 2... seems like just yesterday I was in labor for 12 hours (and angry because they told me the second child would come faster than the first... and you weren't exactly holding up your end of the bargain!) It seems like just yesterday I was up most of the night with you, nursing, and rocking, and singing- I know you fell asleep inspite of my singing, not because of it!

And here it is your second birthday! Already... You amaze me everyday little man! 2 is such a fun age, the curiousity abounds! ( so sometimes it's more fun for you than me, but that's OK... I love to see you happy!)

You still refer to yourself as the baby a lot of the time, and while you're growing up faster than I could imagine it's OK with me if you want to stay little! 

"Let Them Be Little"

[Originally written and sung by Billy Dean]

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand

Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute

How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink

Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while

Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day

Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle

Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch

I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes

Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see

Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while

Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day

Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle

Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around

It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while

Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day

Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle

Oh just let them be little

Let them be little

Love you baby boy!

xoxo

Mommy

Home Sweet Home

Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest.

--Henry Van Dyke

As much as I love to travel, I am a homebody, always have been. I feel most comfortable when I am in my own space, surrounded by the people and things that mean the most to me. My house may not be perfect, but it is my home sweet home.

I used to watch those real estate shows and wonder why anyone would cry over moving from a house, it is just wood and beams, walls cannot talk (thank goodness for that). You take your possessions with you, you bring your memories along.

As I think I have mentioned before, this house was supposed to be a brief layover to a bigger plan, we intended to flip it quick and move on. 5 years and 2 kids later... we're still here. We still talk about the eventuality of moving on, building a new house, (which will be beautiful- because Bruce has guarenteed me I can have ALL the things I wish for "in the next house" hmmm....) but for now it seems this is home.

I never believed I would grow attatched to this house, considering my ill feelings towards moving into it. Seems though, that pouring your heart and soul {and hard-earned $$$$$} into a house, celebrating holidays, watching your children grow up; take their first steps, ride their first bikes, marking their heights on the door frame, and watching not only the house transform but lives transform within, turns the wood and beams into memories and dreams. Love gathers here in our home. Our next house will be home too, but I believe we will miss this home, and maybe even shed a tear or two. We are all here together, we make memories here everyday- that is what makes a house a home.

"Where we love is home.
Home is where our feet may leave
but not our hearts."
--Oliver Wendell Holmes