The Best Worst Day

Today has been...well truly there are no words. I have cleaned, planned for the next week, crafted, played with my boys and read many books to them. I even have chicken soup slowly, comfortingly, bubbling away in the crock pot. It's been a mostly productive day except...

My twins have not stopped screaming since four o'clock this morning.

So all these projects are half finished. Normally, I would have had a full blown melt down by now. I have snapped a couple of times, Bear Bear resided in time out for most of the morning, and I took five minutes to myself this afternoon to drink a cup of coffee and check Facebook, all the while my boys were fussing in the living room.

A couple of things have happened to make this day the day it has been. I managed to get rid of some large items in my home yesterday which has gotten me excited and hopeful about my home again (it's been a while). I planned the upcoming week which helps me feel less lost. And the next two things go hand in hand.

For a while it has been hard for me to really appreciate the time I have with my boys. The twins are at a difficult stage and Bear Bear is at an even more difficult stage (can you say terrible twos?). Sometimes I feel like I can't keep up and that I'm not doing right by my children. It eats away at you. Now I know I'm a good mom. That doesn't mean that I am impervious to mom guilt and scathing thoughts to myself. I beat myself up all the time and my children bear the brunt of that negativity.


I have had an idea rolling around in my head that I would try to turn my thinking around to a more positive outlook. I decided I would start with Bear Bear. Ever since the twins came home he has been the best big brother, but he has been acting out towards me and Barry. He is desperate for our attention and we give it when we can but for him he needs constant reassurance of our love since he tends to get into trouble roughly every 32 seconds. I decided I would start just by giving him a big smile every time he came into the room or every time I caught him glancing my way. If he did something good I would praise him and I would take the time to touch him as I passed him, even if it was just a gentle pat on the head. I decided on this course of action about two weeks ago and despite its incredible simplicity, I haven't done it.

Today, two things came across my Facebook feed. Barry's aunt posted about one of her friend's baby who is in the NICU and she included a picture. And we heard of a tragic miscarriage that aunt's daughter went through yesterday. I don't know the details because I didn't ask, I still can't handle anything bad regarding babies. But these two devastating events hit me hard today.

After seeing these posts I went and snuggled with each of my children and made them the promise that I would try harder. I promised that I would smile more, I would praise more, I would enjoy each day more. It has been a rewarding experience.

Today has been a horrible day. Two teething babies and a toddler on the rampage but I am proud of myself. I am calm. I am happy. Have no doubt, I'm frustrated as hell but I am taking it all in stride rather than taking it out on my kids.

So I challenge you to a very simple endeavor.

Smile. More.

If you need to quantify it, smile three times tomorrow for no reason. Smile at the person at the drive through window, say thank you and mean it. Smile at your pet. Smile at the blue of the sky, the wind messing up your hair, the ridiculous comment your friend made. Smile at your babies and your spouse. It will change your world.

 

 

Smile!

-Ri

Our 4th of July

 This 4th of July was AWESOME!!! 

Usually we don't do much for the holidays. We hole up and stay home for the most part. Barry's family is about an hour away from us and the way to them is always traffic filled so unless it is a holiday like Christmas, we tend to just stay home.

Not this time bucko!

Barry's Uncle Dennis asked us to come by Aunt LaDonna's beach house and spend the 4th with them. His family is not known for their planning, usually we get a call the day of asking why we aren't hanging out with the rest of the family :) At first I was like "Really? We're going to drive an hour and a half to the beach...on a 4th of July weekend where the 4th falls on a Friday? Have you lost yo' damn mind?!" 

I'm so very glad we went.

Bear Bear, Corbin, and Emma

Nana with Nathaniel, Papa with William, and Aunt LaDonna

Nana making William giggle

Bear Bear, Nana, Papa and Barry

Bear Bear with William

Papa with Bear Bear

Papa with Bear Bear

Aunt LaDonna with Nathaniel, Robbie with William

My awesome contribution to the noms :)

Papa and Bear Bear

Scott, Robbie with William, they were like two peas in a pod. So cute.

Seriously, the fireworks.

 

 

We had a blast with the family! 

Also, the fireworks...omg the fireworks! Not only did Barry's family have their very own arsenal of highly dangerous explosives (seriously, not a sparkler to be found. Go big or go home) but it seemed like everyone on the beach was putting on their very own fireworks show. I mean BIG fireworks. They started at sundown and when we left near midnight they were still going strong. 

Not too shabby for the twins' first 4th of July!

-Ri

Patriotic 4th of July Mason Jars

 Hello everyone!

I found this super cute 4th of July lantern set on Pinterest and I just had to try it out. 

Original Pin: Addicted2DIY- Patriotic Mason Jar Lanterns

I'll start by saying that there is nothing particularly difficult about this project, it just has a lot of steps. 

What You'll Need:

1-Quart Sized Mason Jar

2-Pint Sized Mason Jars

Rubbing Alcohol

Paper Towels

Star Stickers - Small foil and Large Foam

Gentle Paper Tape

Scissors

White Spray Paint

Blue Spray Paint

Red Spray Paint

Needle

1. Wipe down your mason jars with some rubbing alcohol and let dry. I believe this helps the paint to stick by getting rid of the oily residue left behind by your hands. I have no evidence for this ...I could be totally making it up :)

2. Stick the little sticker stars on the jars randomly. Make sure to leave space for the big stars later. You don't need a whole lot of the little stars.

3. Spray paint all the jars white. You could do two coats, and if you have the time you probably should. I would much rather do two light coats than one heavy coat but I was pressed for time.

4. Let the jars dry completely. I let mine dry overnight (nap time only lasts so long, I ran out of time). 

5. Use the blue tape to create stripes on the pint jars. The top of the top strip will be a little difficult to lay straight. Place the foam stars on the quart jar.

6. This is important! Paint the jars white again! This way, if there is any bleed through the tape it will be white instead of red or blue. The white paint will make a seal around the tape to make sure no bleed happens. You can skip this step if you don't care about clean lines.

7. Paint the pint jars red. Paint the quart jar blue. Let dry. My blue came out a little cracked because I didn't shake the can long enough. You can't see the defects at all when it is lit.

8. Remove blue tape from red jars. Use a needle to lift the edges of the stars from all jars. Remove stars. 

9. Grab a glass of wine, cram a tea light in each jar and congratulate yourself for being awesome. :)

I love my jars and I can't wait to use them every year!! 

-ri