lately

It's been awhile since I've done a "lately" post, so excuse the photo dump!

SidMo and her new "sunnies"

Minnie Pearl, Buddy Bob & Rudie - looking like prisoners!

Who is this big kid and where's my little baby Sidney?

RJ approves of the windows down!

Sidney & her Pops

Endless sea of fishing stuff

Cutest baby kittens EVER!

Karate Sid

RJ's first boat ride!

Again with the fishing stuff

Getting a picture of the two of them together is getting near impossible!

Unless I catch them off-guard!

Our family of four according to the four-year-old

Sweetest smiley-est baby ever

Rhealen spotted her sister! 

Those eyes, that curl. 

Sidney's two most favorite boys in the world

Again with the eyes and curl. You're killing me, Rhealen Jo! 

Lake time

Trying to beat the heat! 

Flashback Friday

I haven't been swimming at the lake in almost two years, which by my standards (and love for the lake), is INSANE. I totally plan on rectifying that situation this weekend.

It's Memorial Day - go outside, play with your kids, eat lots of good food, spend time being lazy, have a campfire, put the kids to bed, drink a little, stay up late, sleep in and do it all over again. The kick-off for summer 2012 is here, baby! Y'all enjoy those three days! 

Because I F@%$!&G Love Movies!

A few months ago, I saw a post by Adam, also known as Avitable, or as I like to to call him The Guy Who Gets Real Creative With His Balls Around the Holidays. Anyway, I saw this post about movies and I was inspired. Isn't that the way it always goes?

He saw a post somewhere else, then he did his own thing.

I saw his post somewhere else, now I'm doing my own thing.

Get it?

So without further ado, here are some reasons I love movies. (Clicking on the link will take you either to a video clip or the movie's IMDB info - if you'd like to be creative and guess which movie is which, leave me a comment below. And be sure to let me know if you do a similar post on your own site!)

Because you can die, too, for all I care.

Because it's not a space shuttle launch, it's sex.

Because I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.

Because  if you tell anyone about this, especially your brothers, I'll beat the shit out of you.

Because face it, girls, I'm older and I have more insurance. 

Because I'd like to get my hands on her "ample nacelles," if you pardon the engineering parlance...

Because I tell the swamp donkey to sock it before I give her a trunky in the tradesman's entrance and have her lick me yarbles!

Because you're a virgin who can't drive.

Because I never miss. 

Because this is my happy face. 

Because I could shoot you in the middle of Mardi Gras, and they couldn't touch me. 

Because I am sick to death of this whole center of the universe, holier than thou, nothing is ever enough. Oh, how I've suffered, nobody understands me. Somebody fix me a drink and hand me a Nebutol, worn out Scarlett O'Hara... thang!

Because there's nothing wrong with my face! I got character!

Because this is a house of learned doctors.

Because I'm not Josie Grossie anymore!

Because this is one doodle that can be un-did, Homeskillet.

Because a mental mind-fuck can be nice.

Because it's called a lance, hello!

Because he's gonna be very popular.

Because God, I just wish I could get it back.

Because I'm not afraid to hurt your feelings.

Because that's my boat.

Because it's not everyday you find a girl who'll flash someone to get you out of detention.

Because why don't you make like a tree and get the fuck outta here.

Because last week he wanted to marry her; now he wants to have her committed.

Because cragged salt like a sailor's stubble! Flip the switch and let the cauldron bubble!

Because I'm a cross-dressing homosexual pacifist with a spot on my lung.


This post was a lot of fun (and months in the making) so expect some more down the road! 

These Kids (A Journey into Free-Writing)

There's these kids, and they're my kids. And they run around wild and crazy and free. There's not a lot of material surrounding them, but instead love and light. Are these their memories? Will they remember piles of bodies in the floor laughing or racing trips around the house? Will they remember the weekly get-togethers and the playdates and the little things?

My kids are young and so much is ahead, but I look at them and feel my heart swell. They've got so much going for them, so much love and friendship in their future. There's deep history rooted beneath them, generations of traditions and stories to hear and share. They've got labels across their foreheads, but they are so much more than that already. They are bred of the mountains, raised by a mother with an ocean for a heart, a father with the strength of a lion. They have parents and grand-parents, great grand-parents and cousins, uncles and aunts, friends. They have fields to run in and creeks to cross. There is so much life bubbling up out their little bodies.

My mind races to the future, looking for ways to spread their stories around. I want them to be a part of this area, this history; a part of these people. I want them to feel loved and hopeful, bound by the family they belong to but free of our past mistakes. I want them to have honor, pride, civility. I want them to get scarred kneecaps and dirty toes, spend hours outside exploring and look to the stars in amazement. I want this fairy-filled existence for them rooted in the "here and now". I want it all, all for them.

My kids, these kids, so much in them I want to help them find, to know themselves better than they know anyone. To feel bonded as sisters, woven from the same cloth and torn from my heart in two pieces. I have love for them, hope for them. I hold them in my heart, covered by the shield of "mother" and protected from the darkness. I edge them towards the light, pushing them to spread their wings.

They are so young yet. I have days and years but minutes left. Many hours will pass before they leave me and still they are already gone. They started leaving me the moment they began to breathe in this world, pink bodies finally separated from mine. Each day has been has been a step to that moment. The moment they are grown and gone, independent from my heart but always in my soul.

I want so much, have so many dreams for them. If they could but see in my head and heart, they'd have a world unto themselves made perfect by my desires. These kids, my kids. My girls, my little women, my warriors. My babies among babies, the sun rises and sets in their blue eyes. This life has so much to see and give, even if they only stand still. Even if they never leave. They will find home here always, home within themselves, home always in one another.

--


This is what free-writing looks like; rough at the start but tied together in the end. Incoherent thoughts trying to be coherent on paper. I highly recommend free-writing as a way to clear your mind and say what's on your heart. It's not the easiest thing, but the results will surprise you. 

Flashback Friday

Before volleyball or basketball or football games, we all used to pile up and go eat at the Red Stone. I would always order the grilled chicken sandwich with bacon, mayo and lettuce only and tator tots. Cassie would always get a cheeseburger steak and fries; she'd always leave one bite of her steak left, which Dobby couldn't help but always eat, no matter how full she was.

I miss the "old" Red Stone. I miss high school (this part about high school, not the whole school part, mind you) - and I miss those grilled chicken sandwiches.

Ah, memories. 

A List of Wishes & Wants

--I have the strongest urge to clean my house, top to bottom. Lately, with all of life's busy busy making us rush around, our house has fallen into that land of "straight" but not "clean". I want it, need it clean. To do so, I'm going to have to get someone to watch the girls for a day. An entire day just to clean. And Justin needs to be gone. I'll have to see if I can work that out somehow soon because the mess is really getting to me; and that's saying something! If I think something needs to be cleaned, chances are it needed to be cleaned a long time ago!

-- I want to start getting up in the mornings...early. I am a sleeper, believe me. I could sleep my life away and be perfectly content doing so. Getting up in the mornings is such a pain, and nine times out of ten, I'm running late. I want to get my inner clock on a schedule; up early in the morning before anyone else. An hour or so of "me" time sounds lovely, and if I have to get up earlier to get that time, then so be it.

--See also: I need a coffee machine.

--I am so eager for Rhealen to start walking! I know, I know - I shouldn't wish away this precious "baby" time that she still has left before her first birthday comes and goes. But life just gets so much more enjoyable, so much more fun the older the girls get. I want Rhealen to run around outside with her sister. To take little trips with us exploring and toddling about. I want to hear her speak and see her go, to help set her off on her journey. These past eleven months have been amazing, and I could not would not ask for a better little girl. But I'm still so excited to see her grow! In just three short weeks, she'll be ONE! It's all downhill/uphill from here.

--I love my Kindle and would not trade it for the world, but I've got to buy the next two books in the 50 Shades series in paperback. I'm a lot like my dear cousin Dobby in that respect; once I start a collection of books, they all have to match (e-reader, paperback, hardback) - this silly little books series is so much fun to read; and even though I hate the term "mommy porn", I can't help but follow the trend and read along.

--See also: I need some good book suggestions for the summer!

What are your wishes and wants? I'd love to hear! 

Our Beach Vacation

I keep forgetting to talk about the beach - I made such a fuss about being SO EXCITED to go on our first family vacation! ever! to the beach! you'd think I'd be more inclined to talk about it and photo-dump every post.

Truth is, I only had my phone for pictures. Justin and I both forgot to pack our cameras, and I didn't stop and get a disposable like I said I would. So IG ruled the day when it came to documenting our trip. (And I stole a couple photos from my wonderful sister-in-law, too!)

This post is image heavy but I wanted to get it all out in post! So here goes...

Top 10 Tuesday

My top 10 reasons for loving Norman Reedus as much as I do.

#10 - He's jaw-dropping handsome.
#9 - He deeply appreciates his fans and communicates with them daily.
#8 -  He's smoking hot.
#7 - He's authentic and real. I've never seen him play a character where it felt like he was faking it.
#6 - He's wicked sexy.
#5 - He's looks to be a loyal friend and wonderful father.
#4 - Did I mention how smoking hot he is?
#3 - He's covered in tattoos, smokes and rides motorcylces. Bad boy fantasy fulfilled.
#2 - He's too beautiful for words.
#1 - He's pretty much just sex on legs.

Amen.

Maybe I can convince my mother to follow along with me in my obsession now that there's this picture floating around.

(Yes, I know it's yet another post about Norman Reedus - wasn't it just last week I was gushing about him? If you think it's a bit much, you should see my Tumblr. It's 98% NR stuff! This is just a new feature I wanted to start up on Tuesdays and what better way to get started than to keep talking about my fangirl ways?!) 

New to Me Music

Let's jam, Monday. 

Flashback Friday

July 2008. That moment when Miranda came trotting up the sidewalk at work one fine summer day to show me her ring! That crazy old boy she loves finally asked her to marry him; and tomorrow they'll say their vows surrounded by family, friends and more love than they know.

I'm so excited/honored to be by her side tomorrow; she's been my crazy best friend since middle school. We have more inside jokes and embarrassing stories than we'll ever admit! We've been on wild trips to the beach, driven our parents crazy, stalked boys, played ball, laughed, cried, and done it all. Together.

I love you, Miranda! Congratulations on your wedding day. Don't be surprised if tomorrow just becomes another wild and crazy day for us to look back on and laugh about! 

I say "like" and "soundtrack" way too much, but I really did like this soundtrack.

You know how sometimes you get excited about seeing a movie, but then it's kind of a total letdown? But you don't feel so bad about wasting nearly two hours of your life because at least you got to see a little bit of action and listen to a pretty rad soundtrack.

Enter: The Lucky One.

Zac Efron just isn't my cup of tea. And Nicholas Sparks movies are pretty unbelievable and unrealistic. I liked some of his earlier stuff (A Walk to Remember and The Notebook) but the past few years I've really lost interest in his books/movies (Dear John, The Last Song, etc.)

So, yeah, The Lucky One is a "meh" movie. It's alright. Nothing spectacular. Nothing I'd really sit down and watch again. That is unless I really was in the mood to listen to the soundtrack.

Because the soundtrack? Oh my god, the soundtrack. Yeah, it's that good.

My favorite pick?

I know Dobby had a favorite and Cassie told me her favorite (sorry I can't remember girls!) but I think we all walked away liking at least one of the songs.

From the soundtrack. Did I mention it's the soundtrack? Yeah, The Lucky One soundtrack.

Go buy it. Now.


Soundtrack. 

When It Hits You, Then It Hits You

I could complain about how he drives me crazy, how his nagging and nit-picking push me to the brink of sanity. I could whine that he's unfair sometimes, inflexible. He doesn't know how to roll with the changes or fall into a new routine easily. He's so different from me sometimes, we're like two opposite puzzle pieces trying to make it work together.

I could say he's grumpy and moody. He has a way of crawling under my skin like no one else. He can push every button I've got and make me cry in two minutes. He can annoy me. Hurt my feelings. Make me want to tear my hair out.

But I love him. And he's here with me.

It shouldn't take someone else's loss to remind me that what I have is precious. And fleeting. And it can all disappear at any given second.

A girl I went to school with lost her husband yesterday. She is pregnant with their first child, a daughter.

My heart breaks for those deeply affected by this loss. I am but a distant member of this community, and it has rocked me to my core.

Today, and hopefully every day hereafter, I promise to love him a little more. My wonderful husband, who for all his faults, is a good man. My best friend and the absolute love of my life. Today, I'm going to squeeze all of my loved ones a little tighter. 

{11 months}

Yesterday our little ballerina babe turned 11 months - we're just one month away from that big first birthday!

I've got so much more to say about her, but not enough hours in the day today to do so. Catching back up with reality has not been so fun, and there's so much more to do before things get back to a state of "normal".

At least when it comes to Rhealen Jo, some things stay the same. She's happy, healthy, full of laughter and surprise. It's only a matter of days now (it seems) before we think she'll start walking - she's pulling herself up onto everything and walking around furniture like it's no big deal at all.

She loved the beach. LOVED it. Ate more sand than she could stand, played in the waves and enjoyed every minute of sunshine. But more on that later.

Life is good and life is busy. And our 11 month old just makes every day more and more enjoyable.

You are so loved, our little mischievous explorer RJ. 

We Made It!

After nearly seven in hours in the car, we finally made it to North Carolina early this morning (sometime around 4AM) - the kids did awesome! Even though it makes for a rough morning, driving at night is the way to go with littles.

The girls slept the entire way. Justin drove, and I managed to sneak in a two hour nap just before we got here. There's so much less traffic at night, and it's just the easiest way to do it all-around. I highly recommend traveling at night if you're going long distances with kids. Best idea we've had in a long time!

Today we're hitting up the beach (about 30 minutes away from where we're staying) and hanging out with Matt & Fanny. They were nice enough to let us crash here at their house, which is way easier than holing up in a hotel with the girls. We've got room to sprawl out and good family to keep us company!

Feel free to follow along our travels with me on Twitter (@mommaruthsays) or on Instagram (username: mommaruthsays) - yay for the beach, vacation, family and our first official trip as a family of four!

Don't Bother Telling Me to Grow Up: My First Declaration of Love for Norman Reedus

I don't think I've mentioned this here on the blog yet, so I'm just going to get it out there.

Completely random and pointless, but I feel like you need to be kept abreast of all my current obsessions. Because I know y'all live to read about that sort of thing, right? Right.

I have a deep, unwavering and newfound love for Norman Reedus. There, I said it. I'm obsessed. Just like those teenage girls falling over their feet for One Direction.

Norman Reedus is my One Direction.

It all started with the Walking Dead. Justin got into that show after watching season one on Netflix. I watched a few episodes but didn't really think much of it. Then, it just sort of grew on me. Now, we watch it religiously.

And from that show stemmed my love for Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus' character, obviously) - and now, I spend too many minutes hours days looking through the archives of Tumblr and Google images just staring at this beautiful creature.

(source)

Let's face it, you can't NOT love him. And if you happen to not love him, well then, just move along. You and I can't be friends, sorry.

Night before last, a good buddy let me borrow The Boondock Saints - and now my life is complete.

I want to consume every movie, show, thing he's ever done - the good, bad and ugly. Because as long as Norman Reedus plays a part in it, it can't be all bad.

I think I've watched Lady Gaga's "Judas" video about 10,000 times now. It's not my favorite song, but hey, I'll give you one guess who's in it.

And I'm desperately trying to find some sort of convention within a 500-mile radius of me where NR will be speaking. Just so I can be a total fangirl and *maybe* someday get a picture with/of/near him. Any of him. All of him.

Yes, my husband is aware of my obsession. And while he may not understand, at least I've got his approval. As long as we get to keep watching The Walking Dead non-stop.

Yes, please. This scene here?

My god. I have a secret hope for Daryl + Carol. Justin thinks I'm crazy for seeing anything happening with these two. But I see it. It will happen. Sooner or later.

So, there you have it. My unabashed, completely ridiculous lovefest for Norman Reedus. Yes, I'm a twenty-three year old married mother-of-two. But I can still crush on celebrities like I'm 12 years old.

AND LOVING IT.