Day 5: Little Things

A writing memoir prompt series by Ann Dee Ellis that I found through the C. Jane Kendrick blog. I'll be trying my hand at these 8 minute memoirs because I miss writing, and I need something relatively productive to use my brainpower for that doesn't involve the ABCs or 123s. #momlife #poundit

That look on Rigg's face when he knows he's being naughty.

Reese asking for a hug lately, wrapping her arms tight around me and tickling my back while we hug.

Memories of watching Harry Potter movies with my siblings around Christmas time.

Treats from my visit teachers even when I completely forget about our appointments.

Riggs busting a move to Justin Timberlake.

Reese smiling so cute when I get excited about her pooping on the toilet. 

Riggs waddling around with his bottle before bedtime.

Halo top ice cream after kids are in bed.

Buns doing the dishes, even if was just because he was rectifying an argument.

A clean living room.

Making a fall and winter bucket list.

Holding Reese's hand.

Kissing Riggs juicy cheeks.  Those real big suction cup kisses. Like 20 of them.  In a row.

Protein hot chocolate.

Making plans for a magical summer.

Reading Harry Potter books in the fall.

My 3rd grade class I student taught.  Faith.  She was my favorite student.

Back tickles from Buns.

It really is the little things that make life so beautiful!

Day 4: Adventure

A writing memoir prompt series by Ann Dee Ellis that I found through the C. Jane Kendrick blog. I'll be trying my hand at these 8 minute memoirs because I miss writing, and I need something relatively productive to use my brainpower for that doesn't involve the ABCs or 123s. #momlife #poundit

{Winter 2015}

Can I be completely honest?  This one has me started out a little sadder than usual.  Nostalgic maybe?  I'm not really sure.  I feel like in my head I have a lot of thoughts about going on adventures.  A lot of plans put on the back burner.  A lot of things I dream to do one day.  Mostly with my family.  Some just with my Buns.  Some are more grandiose than others.  But  a lot of them consist of seemingly simple things.  A lot of nature.  

I like need to have access to the beauty of nature.  I love beaches.  I love cool sand in between my toes.  I love warm sand in the heat of the middle of the day in July.  I like looking out into the vastness of the ocean.  It makes me feel really calm and peaceful.

I love retreating up into the mountain for hikes, camping, bonfires, or just to drive.  I love the crispness of fall up Provo Canyon.  I love seeing the tops of the mountains beginning to get dusted with snow.  I love summers in the canyon.  I love all the beauty of the mountains.  I just love it.

I miss Tennessee.  I miss the country.  I miss rolling hills and Southern charm.  I miss deep woods and winding roads that go forever.  I miss the cool, refreshing, perfect falls of TN.  I think I just miss home.  I miss my parents.  I miss them so much it hurts lately.  I have been longing for my family to be together.  My entire family.  It's been too long.  Too long for my heart.

I think adventures seem crazy to think about right now because we're trying to navigate the adventure that is life right now.  I know, I know...a little too cheesy for me even as I type it out.  But I would be lying if I said things didn't feel a little completely unsettling right now.  

I'm so excited for my babe.  He just got accepted to Rocky Mountain University of Healthcare Professionals Physical Therapy Program here in Provo!  Seriously so proud of him.  Looking like maybe we'll end up here in Provo for the next few years...heck, maybe we'll be here in Utah for good.  

Again, I'd be lying if that wasn't completely and totally unnerving.

*Heavy sigh*

I guess that's the adventure I've been most thinking about.  Is the adventure of the next 5 years and where it will take our family.  It's exciting, scary, intimidating, confusing, and mostly amazing.  

Okay, I don't want to think about it anymore.

On a lighter note, I'd love to adventure to England and see all sorts of Harry Potter film locations.

Day 3: Billboards

A writing memoir prompt series by Ann Dee Ellis that I found through the C. Jane Kendrick blog. I'll be trying my hand at these 8 minute memoirs because I miss writing, and I need something relatively productive to use my brainpower for that doesn't involve the ABCs or 123s. #momlife #poundit

I don't really notice billboards anymore.  I can't even remember the last time I took notice to what a billboard said.  

I take that back. 

On the way to Salt Lake City a few weeks ago, I did see a billboard I'd never noticed before.  It was a huge one of the SLC Temple.  The steeple of the temple with Moroni on top poking from the top of the billboard extending past the typical rectangular border.  

Nice headquarters, nice.

Other than that I mostly remember staring at billboards during road trips trying to find words that started with whatever letter of the alphabet I was on in the alphabet game.  You know...the one where you go through every letter of the alphabet and find a word that starts with that letter on billboards, signs, license plates, semi trucks...

Classic.

Growing up it was with my 3 younger siblings.  Road tripping to the beach or to visit family.  Grandma and Grandpa Dickerson.  Grandpa Wunnenberg and Aunt LouAnn.  Virginia Beach.  Williamsburg.  I miss those road trips.  I miss VA sometimes.  I miss childhood.  My grandma recently passed away.  She and my grandpa lived in Norfolk.  Their house was awesome.

Horseshoes in the backyard.  The creaky swing.  I remember swinging as high as I could to peek over their high fence.  Sneaking into their dog Quincey's area to cuddle him.  That was before he got crazy.  The creepy lady of the sea statue as you go down their stairs.  Uncle Kyle's bowling pins and streamers.  Hashbrowns for breakfast from Grandpa.  Don't go near the cereal.  Expiration date 10 years prior.  Sometimes the candy jar had fresh candy in it.  Sometimes it had candy from 3 Christmases prior.  The room upstairs with toys and videos to watch.   The waterbed.

I wish I could have gone to her funeral.  Being far away from family is really hard sometimes.  The more my littles grow up the more I realize how much I want family in their life.

I can't wait to take our kids on more road trips.  They can make their own memories from the billboards on the way to wherever we go adventuring.

Day 2: I Don't Remember

A writing memoir prompt series by Ann Dee Ellis that I found through the C. Jane Kendrick blog. I'll be trying my hand at these 8 minute memoirs because I miss writing, and I need something relatively productive to use my brainpower for that doesn't involve the ABCs or 123s. #momlife #poundit

Doctors' check-ups for my babes. Ever. #reschedulethatbizz

Why I thought it would be a good idea to get pumpkin granola that I eat like candy.

Rigg's birth very well. So sad.

Friends' birthdays until Facebook alerts me the day of. *Sigh*

To wash my face before bed every night.

Sunscreen.

TWO water bottles for the kids. Only remember one. Never goes over well.

My belt for back squats.

What happened after the 3rd episode of Blacklist last night.

The no-bake chocolate peanut butter recipe anymore. Gonna have to look it up stat.

Why I volunteered to be a Primary substitute.

Why I try to take the kids out to do fun things. 

Why anyone wears jeans anymore. Ever. This is not a dramatization.

"Gratefuls" and Affirmations

I have been keeping an ongoing journal of things I'm grateful for and positive affirmations.  I take a few minutes every day or every other day or once a week depending on my level of dedication haha to write down a page of "gratefuls" and affirmations.  Some from today's entry:

I'm grateful for my knowledge of a higher power.  That there is a God.

I'm grateful for music that inspires and uplifts.  Mat Kearney will always have my young heart.

I'm grateful for my lover boy who is enduring and enjoying life with me to the end.

I'm grateful for my health.  For my strong frame.  For a newfound attitude of finishing what I start. 

I'm grateful for Rigg's bucktooth grin and snuggly disposition that soothes my spirit.
He is my angel boy.  He is my constant reminder of what truly matters most.

I'm grateful for a social media community that shares goodness and inspires people to do and be their best.

{Riggs 12 months old}

I will remember this season of life is short.

I will let go of negativity and embrace hope.

I will nurture my faith and not my fears.

I will love without boundaries.

I will use my hands to serve.

I will unplug when with the people I love.

I will open and close each day with an honest conversation with God.

I will laugh hard and often.

Journaling these things as often as possible has brought light in my life.  It cures any bad mood.  It lifts my spirits when they need to be lifted.  Give it a try!

Favorite Things

Lots of snuggling goes on in the corner of this couch.  And climbing.  And wrestling.  And snacking.  And hitting.  And jumping.  And laughing.  And crying. Today I'm grateful for this couch that creates a platform for those memories.  Reese has been into Lilo & Stitch lately, so we usually watch half of it in the morning together when Riggs is taking his morning nap.  Then Riggs wakes up, and we get kicked off the couch because he's been claiming his territory in the corner of it lately. Seriously.  He hangs out in that corner all the time.  It's hilarious.

Favorite things of my babes lately:

//Reese// Lilo & Stitch, climbing to the top of playgrounds, racing Daddy, wrestling Riggs, strawberries, greek yogurt, coloring in her princess coloring book, counting everything, the number 8, sorting shapes, the song from Aladdin that the genie sings, Tiana from Princess and the frog, Lionhart children's book, and fish.

//Riggs// Super Simple Songs from youtube, dancing, jumping, wrestling Reese, climbing into Reese's bed, tickle time, peaches, oatmeal with peanut butter, building blocks, digging in the dirt, jumping on the couch, reading books, animal sounds (lion is his specialty), and chasing Reese.

One More Time

Every weekday, we wake up, take Daddy to work and head off to the gym.  We check out the fish in the fish tank on the way in because they're the exact same set up as in Finding Nemo.  We find Nemo and Dory, label their colors, and I pretend like I'm in the fish tank by going on the other side and making a fish face.  Cracks them up.  5 seconds of mommy fame, check.  

Then we play on the empty indoor playground for about 15 minutes.  Reese climbs to the top, Riggs wears out the slide, I chase them a time or two, and shadow Riggs as he runs around popping breakfast in his mouth every chance I get.  The kid only eats on the move.  *Eye roll*  Then I tell Reese one more time to the top and it's time to go get a sticker at daycare.  Yes, I take my kids to the gym daycare.  I do me, you do you.

Reese runs to daycare, opens the door, and all the workers are like "Reese!"  They love her.  Or so they say! Lol  Riggs is a bit of a harder sell on the daycare sitch.  He's a tad clingy these days, and I kind of love it/kind of hate it.  I walk him in, ease him in, and then run off when he's not looking.  Works like a charm.

We have a pretty set routine, you know?  But then I started second guessing how much routine I like for myself and the kids.  Am I crippling them because they have such a set schedule?  I hope that doesn't sound obnoxious, but I genuinely started second guessing how I choose to be a mom and what works for me.  Does that ever happen to you?  I hate feeling that way!  No one likes feeling like they're not doing things the way they should be done.  But then I had some serious self reflection with the Man Upstairs.  I read some talks by some of my favorite men. 

Tomorrow the Lord Will do Wonders among You

And just like that, I felt a whole lot better.  Love me some uplifting talks y'all.

Never Lose Faith

Reese has been pulling books out like a mad woman lately and reading them to herself.  It's pretty dang cute.  Today we woke up, ate a quick breakfast, dropped Buns off at work, played at the playground, came home, gave Riggs a nap, read lots of book, watched a couple Sophia the Firsts, Riggs woke up, Reese and Riggs played, and now they're down for the count.

Motherhood is a lot of routine.  It can get tough some days.  But for the most part, I find a lot of happiness in routine.  I do like to switch things up every now and again.  But there's something about the reliability of a routine.  The kids know it and can count on it.  I know it and can count on it.  It keeps our day flowing and helps me not go crazy with cabin fever haha.  Especially since most of our good friends have flown the coop.  

I feel like we're entering a new phase of life right now, and it's a little strange to be honest.  We're in serious limbo.  I've referenced it a lot on my posts recently, but it's definitely what the talk of the town is for Bun and I lately.  We're trying to get our groove back, and find a norm.  We just try to focus on the present day, enjoying our babies and each other, and not get too tangled up in what the future holds. 

Juicy & Sloppy

The uncertainty of where we'll be in a year is a little unsettling sometimes, but we're over here just trying to keep it real in the present.  Sometimes I can't believe I have two kids right now.  Two kids while Buns was going to school.  What were we thinking?  And then almost immediately I'm like, we weren't thinking!  But good thing we weren't thinking because then we wouldn't have these two beautiful babies at our fingertips.  These two precious little humans that make us laugh so hard.  These two crazy tinies that keep us on our toes and let us give them juicy, sloppy kisses.  Riggs especially is down for the juicy, sloppy kisses.  I'll take 'em while I can get 'em! Before long he'll be turning the other cheek to my big, fat momma kisses.  Or maybe he won't.  I hope he never stop letting me give him kisses.

Today we went swimming.  Even if we just go for a half hour, it's a great way for us to get out of the house and for them to get some energy out.  Reese especially loves the pool.  She's so independent these days.  She'll go down the slide over and over and over again.  Absolutely giddy about it each time.  I love that the littlest things make her so happy.  She also likes the buckets that fall from the top of the playground.  She'll watch them, waiting anxiously for them to splash on her head.  Cracks her up when she gets hit by the water!  Speaking of water, she also has been interested in the potty lately.  She's always telling me when she's going pee-pee and poo-poo.  And she's constantly irritated by her diapers.  What does this mean you ask?  Oh I think you know.

And this momma is NOT ready for it.

Sunday Funday

This morning started off really awesome.  Breakfast with the fambam, chillin', a little Prince of Egypt action that Reese calls the "Ribbit Movie" because of the scene when Moses sends the frogs to the city.  Riggs went down for his morning nap.

Slept for like a half hour.

Not good y'all.  We have church at one, and he usually sleeps for a couple hours in the morning.  So by the time church came around we were trying to get ready and keep Riggs at bay, but it was useless.  I called it.  We put him down for a nap, and Todd took Reese to church.  

I folded clothes, did the dishes, cleaned the toilet, and made dinner.  I had my own kind of church today, and I'm not gonna lie it was refreshing.  I got to listen to April's LDS Women's Conference that I never got to watch, and I felt empowered and renewed.  I came away with new personal goals and a vision for our family that I feel so good about.  I felt a purpose that I hadn't felt in a while.  

I felt close to my Heavenly Father. 

Then Riggs woke up, and it was back to the grind.  But I sure did hug that kid tight when he woke up.  Now the kids are asleep, and Buns and I are laughing about how emotionally involved we are with all the characters in Blue Bloods.

Good Stuff: He Asks Us to Be His Hands

Rapunzel and Neglectful Parenting

Reese has been super into brushing my hair and her hair lately, and I LOVE IT.  Today she did it for like 10 minutes.  I feel like I'm cheating the system somehow.  This morning we watched our friends' kiddos while they went to the temple, and they have the sweetest little newborn baby girl.  It always blows my mind how little they start out!  Time flies by so fast!

Riggs was diggin' the animals at the library the other day.  That's about the only thing that keeps him at bay when we go.  All he wants to do is pull the books off shelves.  Honestly this age is the worst for the library.  I would avoid it at all costs.  Lol.  I try to get in and out when we go.  Grab some news books and out the door!  I actually lost Riggs in the library the day I took these pics.  I was all casually looking around at first, then I could feel the panic attack coming, then I starting running, then I told the librarian I lost my son, then she told the security guards, then like 5 moms starting helping me look, then I starting yelling RIGGS...in the library, then I was ugly crying, then 3 minutes later he comes waddling out of one of the children's library aisles, then I hugged him, then I darted out of the library, then I cursed all the Blue Bloods I'd been watching, and then we went home and all took a loooong nap. #momfail #neglectfulparenting #imstillrecoveringfromit 

Butt-Slapping Fun

{oldie but a goodie}

It's been so long since I've done some sort of update on the blog of what our family's up to, and I miss writing on here.  I need to write more.  Life has been so hectic, whenever I have down time, I want to lie on the couch with my hubby and watch Blue Bloods.  LOL.  But I need a space again that I can write down the happenings of our family, organize my thoughts, and share what's on my mind and in my heart.

As opposed to catching everything up which I feel like is always my hesitation with getting back on here because I feel like I'm so behind, I don't even know where to begin!  So we're gonna cut all that hooplah out and just start with the present...

Reese and Riggs are sleeping like bumps on a log right now.  Riggs' second nap and Reese's every now and again nap have been beautifully coinciding which makes for a happy momma.  Usually during their naps....can I be honest?  Usually I head straight for the couch and peruse social media sites for a solid chunk of it.  But my brain lately has been on overload social media, and I'm missing finding ways to connect with myself and finding quiet time away from screens.  (As I'm sitting here writing on a computer...HAHA...but this doesn't count because it's journaling, right? That's what I'm going with.)  I need some uplift and more purpose in my life these days.  So maybe I'll find it as I take 10-15 a day to talk about my little fambam.

Buns should be home from work really soon, and I'll probably get cut off from writing this to make him some yummy grub.  I used to hate making him food (and sometimes I still do), but now it actually brings me this huge satisfaction.  If he was left to his own devices I'm sure he would eventually learn how to make a decent meal, but there would be a major learning curve until that could happen.  Anyways, I'll probably make him a banana cream pie smoothie to hold him over until a bigger more "heavy" (his words) meal can be made.  He loves banana cream pie.  I love that he loves banana cream pie.  Is that weird?  Does anyone else have weird things that they love about their husbands that make no sense at all?  Maybe it's because it's comforting that I can rely on the fact that he loves banana creme pie.  I just know him like that.  But his mom knows that about him too.  So maybe it's weird.  Okay wow, I haven't been at this blogging thing in forever, sooooo YEAH.  

Weird things are coming out.

Once the kids wake up, Buns and I will head to the gym to workout.  We just starting doing this again about a week ago, and it is one of my favorite (okay it is my favorite) times of the day.  I get to sweat with my sweaty hubby. We laugh, we try new lifts, we compete, we slap each other's butts, and we make fun of each other.  It's really the best.  It does kind of make my days go slower though haha because I'm so anxious to get to the gym and slap his butt. #sorrynotsorrymomandmotherinlaw #hesgotagreatbutt #whatsagirltodo

My favorite things about today are that our swamp cooler is working better than it has been in this scorching 3-digit degree heat we're suffering.  Maybe one day when we have AC, I'll want the summer to drag on, but for now, I'm over here like

GIMME ALL THE SNOW.

I also love that Riggs and Reese are starting to be best buddies.  Reese is SO funny with Riggs.  When he's awake from his nap, she pops her head up at me and gasps, "Oh Riggy Rigg, wake up!!"  Then she sprints her little body (usually while looking at her feet which has ended disastrously lately) to his room, opens the door, and says sweetly, "Ohhh Riggy."  Like he's the light of her life.  Haha.  Such a drama queen.  I have no idea where she gets that from...

Riggs just walks around swinging his little arms back and forth with his chubby little thighs hanging out.  Diaper butts are in full force around here, as we're usually naked when we're at home.  The kids atleast.  Or maybe me too....

JK!  I really need to get back in the groove of blogging.  Weird things, weird things.

When the kids get up in the morning, we take Buns to work.  He's working for his brother's landscaping business during this gap year before PT school. (Fingers crossed for him, we just started applying!! Woohoo!)  So we drop him off at the "unit".  Storage unit that is.  Where he picks up the truck and machinery for his manly-man duties of the day.  (**heavy swoon**)  He gives me a kiss.  He gives Reese a kiss.  He gives Riggs a kiss.  He loves his babies.  And I love that he loves his babies.  We love babies.  Maybe we should have another baby.

Maybe not.  Oh dear.  Too soon.

Anyways.  So he kisses us all, and we wave goodbye and start counting the minutes till he gets home.  This is not an exaggeration.  I seriously can't wait till he gets home every single day.  Best part of the day.  Aside from slapping his butt at the gym.

Speaking of butts.  He just got home!!!

Journaling 10.12.15

This post is gonna be a little interesting because I don't really know what exactly I want to write about, but I know I want to take a hot second to record a little bit of our lives lately.  I haven't journaled like AT ALL since Riggs was born, and I hate that.  For those of you that know me well, you know that my memory isn't the most reliable, so I've always loved to keep a journal.  It's fun for me to go back and relive memories.

The past 6 months has been a whirlwind.  An absolute whirlwind.  So much change.  But surprisingly it's been wonderful.  Really hard sometimes.  But really awesome too.  Todd and I decided to go on a bit of an adventure over the summer.  We decided he would take the opportunity to go work for a company called Vivint selling home automation systems in Columbia, SC.  When we were deciding to go, it was March, and I was 6 months pregnant with Riggs, which meant that if we DID decide to go, Riggs would be born in Columbia, SC!  And I would be 7.5 months pregnant when we made the move.  What the?!  After a lot of prayer and weighing pros and cons, we decided it was where we should be for the summer!  We were a little nervous (okay a LOT nervous) but also excited for something new and different.

Once we actually packed up and moved to South Carolina, it was a bit of an initial shock to our system.  Todd was gone a lot, Reese was emotional, going through an intense tantrum phase, I was emotional, thinking about having another baby and how I would balance everything, yadayadayada...Todd's job was hard.  He had to work hard to learn the ins and outs of selling, and it really took over all of his time.  But he buckled down and really worked his behind off.  I was so proud of him.  Day in and day out, he went out to work such a mentally taxing job, and I was so proud of his determination and work ethic.  He is such a powerhouse when it comes to diligence and accomplishing goals.

We were blessed to be surrounded by super awesome, fun, positive people while we were there though, and I couldn't have asked for a better group of girlfriends to help pass the time with.  Lots and lots of time.  I grew to love them all in such a tremendous way.  

Finally we got in the groove of things, and of course right when that happenned, it was time for Rigg's to come!  On June 15th, our baby boy, Riggins Todd Barrett, was born.  From the second he was put into my arms, I felt like a spot in our family was filled that I didn't even really realize was missing.  He has been a very special edition to our family, and I couldn't be more grateful for his sweetness and disposition.  He is my angel boy.

Adjusting to two kids was don't get me wrong tough on some days, and I don't think anyone is ever ready for the initial major sleep-deprivation, but it's like I said...Riggs really did fill this spot in our home that we didn't realize was missing.  It was like we had never known life without him.

It's kind of funny me saying that because I remember so vividly with Reese feeling so bugged (I don't think that's exactly the right word but we'll go with it) when I thought of people who had told me that once she was born, it would be like you couldn't remember life without her.  Once she was born, I used to think, WAIT A SECOND.....I definitely DO remember what life was like without her.  I was free!!! Hahaha,  But with Riggs it was a little different.  I feel like he has solidified by role as a mother, and I'm so grateful for this slow but steady transformation that is motherhood.  It's a selfless, consuming role, and I find myself thinking of my mom in such a different light than I ever did before.  So much gratitude.  Gratitude and respect for her coming out the yin-yang!!

Every new paragraph of this post so far, I'm like what should I talk about next??  There's so much I keep thinking to share, but really don't even know where to begin!  So I guess I'll talk about my Reese-a-Roni because she's been on my mind a lot lately.

Reese is such an independent little lady.  She likes to do things herself, and if they're not done the way she wants them done, she lets you know.  She likes her space.  Don't get up in her grill folks.  It doesn't leave a good first impression.  But there's a sweetness to her that most people don't get to see initially.  Every once in a while, she'll walk up next to me, and hug my leg, pressing her little face into my thigh and squeezing tight.  It lasts for just a few seconds, but they are the most precious moments for me.  Those hugs come totally unsolicited and are about as genuine as hugs come.  She has her own personality.  Her very own personality, and I love every bit of who she is.  Even though my kids are so little and have yet to talk or really be able to express their needs or wants...I see so clearly parts of their personality that are unique to them.  Qualities that I feel will always be a part of who they are.

I've been really loving mothering lately.  I have a complex about it actually.  That sounds so weird, but I feel weird sometimes saying how much I love being a mom of two.  I feel like when people ask, I should reply with an exhausted response that it's insane and crazy but worth it.  Don't get me wrong.  There are frustrating times for sure.  There are times when they're both freaking out at the same time and times that they drive me crazy, but there are mostly really, really, really good times.