Giving thanks.

Today and every day, I have so much to be thankful for.  My family and I are healthy and happy and I have an amazing support system of family and friends. But hands down, these 4 boys are God's greatest gifts to me.  They're my world.  And I thank Him every day for blessing me with them.  

The most wonderful time of the year.

I almost forgot how much I love this time of year here in FL.  Last year I was too busy with 2 little babies to spend much time outside with Brennan.  I would usually sit on the screened porch and watch him run around the backyard while I rocked a baby. 

But this year?  We're spending so.much.time outside.  I love it.  If I have things i need to accomplish inside the house, I let the boys play in their sand table on the back porch while I fold laundry or do dishes.  That's the beautiful thing about a screened porch that's right off the kitchen and sitting area.  They're closer to me and I have a better view of them there than I do when they're in the family room/play room or their bedrooms.

Once I've accomplished what I need to do, we all venture out into the backyard.  It's so much fun to watch them run around and dig in the dirt together.  We play in the sand or kick the ball around and just enjoy the fresh air.  My favorite part of the day is in the evening when the temperature starts to dip enough to need sweatshirts.  It reminds me of Michigan and makes it feel a little more like Fall.

Christmas cards.

I've been playing around with Christmas card designs for the past few days and I'm having so.much.fun.  Of course, loving our family photos helps a ton, but I really love to design cards.  I'm not all that great at it, but I have a ton of fun with it and that's all that matters! 

So here are my top 2 faves so far.  I don't think I'm totally done playing yet though...

Family photos {November 2012}.

Who's ready to be overloaded with photos???

I've been talking about our recent family session for WEEKS.  First I showed you some sneak peaks of our outfits, a craft project, and a picture of my photografriend taking a picture of Brennan.  Big.Fat.Tease.  Then gave the link to Lisa's blog for her sneak peak.  But she was right when she said she could've picked all of them to blog.  They're that good.  And I'm not partial at all.  Clearly.

 

Fireside chats.

I'm feeling jumbled.  Just plain off .

I honestly think it's just the rat race of life lately.  I run and run and run all day long and can never seem to catch up with life and just feel this uncontrollable urge to DO ALL THE THINGS and at the same time I just want to sleep for hours and hours and hours.

A trip to the therapist is certainly in order.  But I must say that this weekend, while completely bat.shit.crazy, was a breath of fresh air.

My high school bestie, Lorryn, and her hubby and sweet daughter were in Orlando for vacation and stayed with us last night before they left to head back to the cold, cold North.  While the kids were awake, it was of course chaos.  That's just a given with 4 kids under 4 ... 3 of them being 15 months and younger.

But after the kids went to bed, the guys built a fire in the pit in the backyard and we sat around the fire with a bottle of wine (or 3) and just relaxed.  Between inappropriate humor, talking about life with kids, and dreaming about the future, it was so nice to be with old friends.  Soothing for the soul and just what the doctor ordered for my frazzled nerves.

MonkeyFace Racing {Brennan's Race Car Birthday Party}.

So we had another birthday party at our house a few weeks ago ... or a month ago.  Whatever.  I'm a little behind.  Oh, and as always, forgive the terrible photography.  My house is full of light and I have a crappy camera and I have no idea how to make the 2 be friendly.  

Brennan turned 3 years old and decided on a "racing car" theme for his party, so I ran with it!  

As usual, I designed the invitation myself.  I created a "MonkeyFace Racing" logo (Brennan's nickname is MonkeyFace ... I have no idea why) and made my own little spin on a pit pass.  Lots of fun and Brennan thought it was the coolest.  

We hung up some "Welcome Race Fans" and "Gase Raceway" signs outside.  Brian stopped at the auto parts store and grabbed a few empty boxes that they were willing to part with, and we sat them outside next to Brennan's PowerWheels car, along with an empty gas can, some hose, and a few other car-ish things.  Cute little way to set the mood for the party.

In this moment.

Today was one of those days that just seemed like it would never end.  

I have 2394723 things on my to-do list and just can't seem to cross off even ONE.  As soon as I clean up one mess, another appears.  I try to sit down to work on school work and someone starts screaming.  I try to do some laundry and someone is wrapped around my leg begging for something.  Everyone is sick and some are teething and others are just ... needy.  I just feel like there isn't enough of me to go around.  

And after several days of doing everything for everyone except for myself, I just can't do it anymore.  I call Brian at 4:30 and tell him it's time to come home before I lose it.  I know my breaking point now, and I'm almost there.  I just need 5 minutes to myself.  That's all.  5 minutes.