The rocking chair that rocked

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I spent my nap time furiously cleaning our living room. It never gets cleaned very well and it is our main hub, besides the kitchen table, and that is just a whole nother' nightmere.

I got to the rocking chair and really looked at it for the first time in a couple years and thought, "gross”. That is it. Just plain nasty.

 I think my mom cleaned it once after I had a baby.

 I woke up from a nap and she casually mentioned she cleaned the chair like she hadn't been vomiting in her mouth the whole time. I mean... this thing had spit-up cakes and milk drips on every square inch of it. I took a steak knife to the crap that was built up around the spindles. As I scraped away I started thinking about people with beautiful homes and beautiful things and how their houses were always pristine on TV and in the magazines.

What was wrong with me? Wait. No. What is wrong with these KIDS?
This rocking chair was a gift. Brand new when we had our first little one. A beautiful chair, delivered from the NICE furniture store in town. It felt so luxurious as I rocked my first baby in that chair. Now the oatmeal cushions are stained (what was I thinking when I picked that color, so naive) the walnut stain is half-there, half running for its life. Where did my beautiful chair go and who left me with this burp rag?

Then I thought about all the babies rocked here. All the forts that have been tucked under the foot stool. All of the songs sung, all of the prayers said, and stinky blankets snuggles. The houses in my mind don't get the kind of traffic we do. We have to use our things and hang on to them for life because we live on one income and we want dad to actually be able to sit in the house he bought.

Kids don't care about what kind of stuff we have in our house. A used bunk bed and a $1000 bunk bed with matching comforters sleeps the same to them. A beat up rocking chair and a new, made-to-order, rocking chair, rocks the same. I have to remind myself of that a lot. I hope my daughters will enjoy the gift of this hand-me-down rocker some day when their little ones come, with all the memories imbedded in it. Maybe we will re-purpose the cushions before that happens... the memories might smell sweeter!

Reminding myself of the beauty in the filth, the joy in the busyness, the sweetness in the chaos.

Camping

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It is so fresh in my mind I just have to write it down.

Cousins.

We camped next door to a family that had two boys ages 6 and 4. What are the chances? It was like a bike park, secret hideout, baseball game all rolled into one spot. Our boys were having so much fun they called those two neighbor boys their cousins the whole time. They must only equate that level of fun to their cousins.

Up at 6:00 a.m.: "Can we go over to our cousins"

Jack to Spence: "Do you want to bring some juice boxes over to our cousins"

In front of the boys' parents: "Can our cousins check out the inside of our cabin?"

Weird, awkward smile. "They play with their cousins a lot." 

"Oh, and yes our kids don't go to school we are going to homeschool. What was that? You are a teacher? Oh...both of you are teachers? How interesting."

No. The parents were awesome. They came over for a campfire every night and we let our boys (and ragamuffin daughter who was always close behind) run wild until they dropped into bed at night dirty and sticking to each other by the smore leftovers on their cheeks.

We biked, swam, built fires, played games, check out cool bridges and boats, skipped rocks, sat in lawn chairs (my personal favorite). 

We didn't give anyone a bath, but to my credit I did go through a whole pack of baby wipes. Sorry pool cleaner man. I really am. That has to be the hardest job in the world keeping that pool clean.

We ate three meals together every day. One of my dreams coming true.

I read three chapters of Naya Nuki to my boys. A book my mom read to us. I am becoming my mom. Another one of my dreams coming true.

No one got sick.

No one got hurt... too bad. Okay, well, we didn't go to the hospital. Some of those bike falls had the drama of a hospital visit.

We camped in a cabin. It had a bathroom and mini fridge. Not really what we thought of ourselves as. In our minds Justin and I see ourselves on the front of a REI magazine with a tent in the background while we cook up a big "campers breakfast" in our highly fashionable matching North Face clothes. With four kids, five and under, we barely survived 3 nights in a cabin. We ate a lot of cereal and had a hard time getting a fire started. I wore the same black yoga pants for three days. Just the thought of a staying in a tent makes me nauseous. 

Items worth remembering:

1.     Our "noticer", Jack, had a very hard time noticing the people in front of him while biking. Note: To pray fervently for drivers training and a focused mind for that boy. 

2.     Hannah really started walking in our beautiful cabin.

3.     All four kids slept in the same room. I came home and promptly moved the girls into the same room.

4.     Justin and I fought. When we loaded, when we unloaded. We got annoyed at each other and had expectations that the other one didn't meet. It wasn't always perfect, but the Lord continues to work on us both. Thank goodness for Christ and his grace.

Yes, Jack has his shirt on backwards. Why not?

  

 It wouldn't be a proper family photo without a weird face and someone crying.

Why I can't blog

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Lets see... my last post was in April. Yup, that’s about right. I think we have been going non-stop since then, without a minute to spare. I guess I just thought I better wipe up the child who was screaming from the potty and then set that one down to break up a fight and then purposely leave those two in their room for extra long so I could stop the baby from re-eating her lunch off the floor. By the time night came I had no brain cells left to type anything that made any sense. I think the only thing I could eek out was to tell my sisters on our weight loss Facebook page that I was, indeed, still... fat.

The last four months have been filled with so many great memories that I had to force myself to make the time to write them down so I can remember them. Just a few of the highlights:

• Summer and being outside
• New baby nieces 
• Spencer excepting Jesus into his heart
• Getting chickens and kittens (starting our farm as the boys told their dad)
• Planting our garden, buying a rototiller and putting the smack down on that baby
• Hannah receiving "mucho" (a word gift to my children from my bilingual hubby) lovin' from her siblings
• Camping
• The bed jumping heard round' the world (Abigail knocking her teeth into her nasal cavity). This is really true and it happens to tons of kids OKAY!
• Kids learning to swim underwater and ride without training wheels (basically equivalent to a diploma in the eyes of a five year old)
• Book club summer start up because we can't stand waiting a whole year to get together
• School (two kindergartners) our schedule and chores
• God reteaching me and teaching me to be more like him (1,000 post possibilities here)

I want to hold on to every second of those precious moments and remember just a few of those really hard times. Hopefully, there will be more posts in the future...but there might not. There is just no telling, around here, what is going to get accomplished in a day.

Six Years

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A beautiful Family.

A loving, supportive husband.

Health.

Great in-laws.

Joy.

We spent the day thanking God for all he has given us over the past six years. We sat together and thought about what we had imagined our family would look like six years ago and what it currently DOES look like. We remembered what we have come through and what God has delivered us from. It was a great day of remembering, thankfulness, contentment and peace. 

What an awesome God we serve.

Lovin’ Lent

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I just love Lent. 

I don't know what it is exactly, but forty days to prepare for the greatest celebration in our Christian faith... it is overwhelming. Good grief...I am not even pregnant this year and I have already cried twice just getting my supplies together. Sacrifice, Repentance, Forgiveness. Those words and Christ’s story are overflowing into every corner of this house.

What do we have to offer the King? I just keep asking myself this question over and over…like breathing.

I LONG for so much during lent. I long for more of Christ, for my kids to soak in mass amounts of God's word. I want them to see and understand the Great Story. I want them to understand how their faith fits together. I want them to understand that we CELEBRATE our faith and take time to enjoy it.

Forty days to throw off this world and put on more of Christ. To flood our minds with the life us Christ.  Why? So we have more appreciation for what he did for us on that Cross. So we are prepared for Easter Sunday. So our hearts can truly be grateful for what sacrifice was made on our behalf.

Thank you Jesus!

I will be posting some of our Lenten activities later, but here are a few from last year.

13 Things I Want To Say To The Hubs on Valentine's Day

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Just gonna do it! Tell him I’ll smoke that cigar on Valentine ’s Day.

Since Valentine's Day is only two weeks away I have been trying to think of something different I can do for The Hubs. He loves to go on a date so we will always do that, but how can I let him know he is in the "AMAZING husband"  category?

I am not a verbally abusive in any way with my compliments. Sometimes I have to be squeezed so hard to say something flattering, having a baby might be easier. Sadly, I know my Hubs likes a good pat on the back on a regular basis and I STILL let them out so sparingly. 

My challenge to myself is to "break out the rain" of compliments to my Hubs for Valentines just to really let him know what a stud he is.

13 Things I should say to my Hubs

1. You Rock. Plan and simple. You are fun to be around and I enjoy your company so much. I would do us all over again.

2. I love who you have become. God has changed you to reflect his image more than the day we said I do and that is a lovely sight to see every morning.

3. You can do it. Whatever you want to do... Do it... because you will  be amazing at it.

4. I would be sad and lonely without you. You spice things up around here.

5. You are sexy. I know you are very aware of that fact and probably don't need your mere wife affirming this quality in you, but you are not the only one who thinks it... I think it too.

6. I like partying with you. I really don't ever want to do anything without you. I would choose you to explore any city , to try any new food, to listen to music in the park, anything fun... I want to do it with you.

7. You have great ideas. I never want to make up my mind about anything until I talk to you. When you have told me what you think everything makes more sense (and there are less tears...thank goodness).

8. It is okay that you are not perfect. Thank you for loving me when I am imperfect. Thank you for helping me see Christ.

9. I am sorry... first. I should say it more... before you can.

10. You are amazing. I love the chances I get to brag about you. 

11. I love sporting your name. I still get excited sending back a wedding invite and writing Mr. and Mrs. Justin Bartlett. It is a honor to be associated with you.

12. I can't wait. I can't wait for you to get home, for our next night out, for the next card game, for all the "next's" to come. I know they will be better with you.

13. I will do something you really want to do. That one thing that you have been trying to peer pressure me into forever. To smoke a cigar with you, go to that "one" movie, or sit in your office with you for 3 hours. I will do that with you.

I also needed to revisit my Valentine thoughts from last year and amp up my prayers for my hubby.

Sisters

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Tonight I am unpacking a bag of clothes my sister borrowed for a trip. It makes me think two things: Number one...I am glad I own some clothes that are cute enough to borrow (miracles still do happen). Sadly, I am just realizing it was a pregnant sister who was doing the borrowing, but I am refusing to spend too much time on that fact. Except to say that I am blushing right now and feeling a little more motivated to ease up on the chips and dip.

ANYWAY…Number two…I love having sisters and having them nearby.

I remember when I first got married and it seemed so lonely on Sunday mornings getting ready for church. What? My husband didn't want to sit on the toilet as I combed my hair? My sisters and I used to go from closet to closet, cram in the bathroom to do our makeup, and sit on toilet, floor or wherever just to chat. It was such a treat and I never really appreciated it until I didn't experience it anymore.

It really just makes me want to be a sister to more people because I love it so much. I want others to experience that joy, especially if they don’t have a sister or do, but not close by. I will drop a new book off to a sister, a magazine I saw with something in it I know they are interested in, a new pair of ankle books or message them a quote I know they would love.

Sisters  tell me my house smells like poop, that I need a haircut, or encourage me to lose that last 10 pounds. Life is so easy with them because I know they love me and would trip over themselves to help me.

I have a few ladies that our turning into sisters-from-another-mother. I love reaching that place with ladies where you don’t worry if your child screams the whole time they are at their house, because their child did last week at your house. Letting them see you with no makeup on and your husband’s pajama pants and knowing they like you better because of it!

Women are pure joy. I love the time I get to spend laughing and sharing life with these special ladies God has put in my life. I hope I can be the same encourager to them as they are to me!

I couldn't find a picture of just the ladies, but I guess the guys in this pic are alright too!

Fits and Failures

Pin It We started another book club/ bible study last week. I am absolutely, head-over-heels, in love with these ladies. We laughed so hard about jean jumpers and homeschooling and still managed to shared some serious mothering/wife struggles. It is the perfect blend. This is why I have to tell my husband not to worry if it is midnight and I am still not home.

Our book for the week "Give them Grace" by Elyse Fitzpatrick is resonating so deeply with me. I am a doer by nature. I like to get the job done, see results and check it off my list. I want to do that with my children too. Fed. Check. Clothed. Check. Taught about Jesus. Check. Verse memorized. Check. Going to Heaven. Check. Okay, now I can take a deep breath and relax. I did what I was supposed too.

However, as I read this book I am reminded why God gave us these beautiful children, to point them to the unmerited love of our Savior.  There is nothing I can do or they can do that would deserve this love. My job is to simply tell them the story of Jesus' love for us and pray with all my strength they will be drawn into it like I am.

The fits and disobedience are not a result of the good (or bad job) that I am doing, but a sign of their need to know Christ. A cry to experience his love and need to know Him and please Him. When I read this verse I could truly rest: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the (boy or girl) who takes refuge in him!" (Ps. 34:8). I point my children to Christ. That is my job and my calling as a mother and daughter of the King. No amount of disobedience or bad days can change the promises of our Lord.

  Everyday is an opportunity to share the Story.

A picture of Abigail having a fit in her crib. A reminder that I sin and have fits and God continues to offer me his love and grace. Thank you Jesus.

The Hubs

Pin It The Devil Eyes. I tried to talk myself through it, pull myself together, but when my hubs walked threw that door they unexpectedly greeted him.

The Crazy Eyes. Devil Eyes. You know, the kind of look when your eyebrows are trying to slick back your hair. The one where you are sure your eyes are just watering for no reason. The look of your last brain cell, that you had been hanging on to so tightly, just slipped out your mesh strainer of  a brain.

He knew right away. He lovingly sat me down at the table and stroked my hair in an aggressive pat only a man can pull off.

"I am taking the kids on Friday so you can get some work done."

Eyebrows lowering.

 I love that man. 

I am sitting here in a quiet, clean house for one night. I crossed some biggies off my to-do list and I feel like I can breath again.

No two year old pooping on the floor. No four year old stabbing his brothers eye out. No oatmeal in the ears or kids in snowsuits that have to pee. No wiping, feeding, crying, or correcting. Parenting makes cleaning your house and doing your taxes for 10 hours seem like a vacation.

I got rid of the piles, the dust, the clutter and a few scary things that I wasn't sure about.

God knew what he was doing when he created the hubby and wife combo.

Thanking God for husbands today. No matter who they are or what they do or don't do. They add their own special touch to each home.

Now...trying to think of something special I can do for him...

Preschool Age Chore Packs

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I just revisited our chore packs yesterday. The kids were getting sick of the same old chores and wanting to expand their expertise in household cleaning. Of course, I graciously complied and came up with the most awesomely, fun, surprise new chores. The waited for me with their hands outstretched and eyes closed on the couch. Seriously... chores are just that much fun at our house. However, don't get all stressed out about the overwhelming amount of obedience and joy in our house because, sadly, the chores ended with much crying and one child complaining about being outside by himself. Whoa... I wasn't expecting it to go down like that.

However, I am happy to report the chores are still a hit, the children have forgotten the tears and can't wait for tomorrow! 

This is how we do it at the Bartlett house. Chore Packs. I found them on a blog and thought they would work great for us and they have, for almost a year now. I took pictures of all their chores, printed them in wallet size prints on my home printer. Then I put them in old school wallet picture holders ( I don't even know what you call them). I attached pictures with binder rings and hung a string around to put over their head. I put their picture in the first slot so they can find their pack easily. I found everything in the office section at Walmart.

Here is our chore list for the new year. 

Spencer (age 4):

• Get Dressed
• Brush Teeth
• Make Bed
• Pick Up Room
• Wipe Down Toilets
• Empty Trash
• Pick up Living Room Floor
• Fill the Diaper Basket
• Shovel the Sidewalk

Jack (age 3):

• Get Dressed
• Brush Teeth
• Make Bed
• Pick Up Room
• Scrub Toilets
• Straighten Shoes
• Vacuum Living Room
• Wash Kitchen Table
• Shovel Sidewalk

Honestly, I am going to make on for Abigail too (almost 2) because she wants to be included so badly. I don't get all stressed out about the job being done perfectly. I, mostly, do it because it helps get us going in the morning, helps keep the house from a total melt-down, helps get the boys moving and burning some energy. 

Here are some examples of the pictures I take to slip in there. Nothing fancy. It just needs to be something to jog their memory. They usually memorize them so quickly that in a week or two they don't even wear the chore pack anymore.

Empty Trash

Brush Teeth

Get Dressed

Fill diaper basket

Pick up room

Shovel sidewalk (Spencer did this all by himself...isn't that amazing?)

Here are some that I took out from last time ( I will save these and rotate them in later):

Water Plant

Empty Silverware

I have been waiting to do this since the first of the year. I didn't get around to it until now, but I wished I did it earlier. It just helps our morning go so much smoother. The first week or too it takes a lot of work on my part to show them how to do a new chore, but after that... it totally pays off!

Christmas

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Oh my goodness... this blog. It has been in the back of my mind since we received our little Hannah gift, but that has were it has stayed. My mom once told me that we all have our own number. She meant the number of kids it takes for us to stand back and say, "Whoa... I can never leave my house again". The number that after you hit it you think you have reached your max and you will never again be able to shower, go the bathroom, or sleep. Again. Ever. Number four was my number. The good news about hitting your number is that she said a few more don't seem like a big deal after that. After our new "number" we have been on permanent lock down and I am loving it. Life has been simplified to the barest of bones and my expectations can finally take a brief rest. 

Now this blog is a special treat, my hobby and late night, can't sleep therapy. I hope time will make it self more readily available in the future so that my children will be able to read this and find some sweet memories, advice and wisdom here. At this point in life anything is a small victory.

Then here we go... a few Christmas time memories:

New Year party with the Riveras and Powells.

Spencer's favorite Christmas gift from Nana and Papa Bartlett. Our "Sure Shot" man.

Nana and sweet Hannah

Papa reading the boys and cousin Patience their new hunting book

A"once a year attempt at craftiness" our Christmas wreath snowman!

Great Nana cuddling Hannah

Papa Horses sang Hannah to sleep

The lovebirds

Nana Horses and James (Maria and John's newest) in Nana's coveted "lap spot"

Daddy and Abba in a cuddle only he can pull off

Holding My Sweetness. I think we got out the that chair a few times over Christmas... maybe.

Dad and Elijah in a heated game of Settlers. It was probably their third game and 1:00 in the morning.