this is love

this is love
our successful grains

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Traintastic

 

THE RICE'S TOOK THE TRAIN.....






TO A TRAIN SHOW......






AND BOUGHT THEIR FIRST FAMILY TRAIN SET....






THEN WENT HOME AND PUT IT TOGETHER WHILE WATCHING "THE POLAR EXPRESS' (obviously)





Gabriel didn't make a peep the whole day we were out, and I didn't throw up on the light rail.  It was a SUCCESS! 

Our Rice grains are growing beautifully in smalltimore.   And now we're addicted to trains (thanks to Tim's awesome idea).   We had a blast! 





Friday, December 5, 2014

Perspective from a "seasoned" mom...

Lately, I've been losing my mind.  No, no, I've lost it.  You know why.... it's when they teethe, have tummy issues, and a cold with fever all at the same time.  Why would they not, right?  Sometimes Gabriel will take a 15 minute nap AND go to bed at 11pm the same day.  Winning!  Not.

My real estate work is actually saving me.  I almost said "work is saving me", but all stay at home mothers know that they are working hard for zero dollars..group hug to those who aren't getting paid! ;) Anyway, I've been working outside the home more lately, and it's keeping me sane; relatively.  I was in my office two days ago talking to a friend who is a mother of 5 kids. But not just a mother of five; an awesome mother of five.  That's TOUGH!  I mean, one kid was hard!  I mentioned the goings on of my sleep deprivation and the reasons why; complaining basically.  And in her sweetest voice she says to me, "I know it's hard.  But you know, little people, little problems.  Big people, big problems".   Hello. 

What I actually heard was this:  You think right now that your 4 year old talks too much and at an extremely high volume.  But one day, when she's 16, she may not want to talk to you at all.  Be thankful for her sweet little loud voice.  You think right now it's tough getting little to no sleep at night, tending to a crying baby in the crib next to you.  But one day you will not sleep at night because you may not know where he is..he hasn't come home yet from hanging out with his friends.  At least right now, you know he's home safe next to you.  Be thankful for this time. 

In the midst of the craze, I feel like my problems are big.  I'm stressed, sleep deprived, and haven't had a normal meal in a few days.  I'm living off of coffee and cough drops.  But, PERSPECTIVE IS KEY.  "little people, little problems".  WOW, so true to be reminded of this.  See, this mother of 5 has kids from 11-25 years old.  She's experienced all the problems at each age.  She knows!  So, for right now, I'm going to be thankful and happy that Sophia LOVES talking to me and that I know Gabriel is safe and sound at home with me, even if he's not sleeping, ;).

THANK YOU, KAREN!  You had no idea that your words came at the perfect time.