Pushing Through, Looking for the Love

Tender moments between these two remind me what it's all really about -- in the midst of tantrums and bloody noses and deafening screams...there are these little blips of love. 

I am hopeful that underneath all this sibling squabbling there are relationships forming -- loving, holy, unyielding bonds of love forming between sisters and brothers and brothers and sisters.  

This is a very loud moment in our lives -- a five-month-old who has found his raging cry-voice. A one-year-old who has decided tantrums are the "it" thing and who uses his hands to slap, scratch and pull hair. A nearly three-year-old who is so stubborn, she'd cut off her nose to spite her face. And a six-year-old with a diva attitude to rival that of a sixteen-year-old. 

It all makes for lots of tears and struggles, and honestly, it's just not a very fun place. That's not to say all days are hard; honestly, the majority of days are pretty good. Not always great, but moderately good and manageable, and with a family this large, that's all a momma can ask for. 

So I'm treasuring the moments of peace and tenderness. I know this time is short and precious, but it's also loud as hell and makes me want to pull my hair out. 

50/50

You May Want to (Read) This: The Worst Day Of My Life Is Now New York’s Hottest Tourist Attraction

"I think now of every war memorial I ever yawned through on a class trip, how someone else’s past horror was my vacant diversion and maybe I learned something but I didn't feel anything. Everyone should have a museum dedicated to the worst day of their life and be forced to attend it with a bunch of tourists from Denmark. Annotated divorce papers blown up and mounted, interactive exhibits detailing how your mom’s last round of chemo didn't take, souvenir T-shirts emblazoned with your best friend’s last words before the car crash. And you should have to see for yourself how little your pain matters to a family of five who need to get some food before the kids melt down. Or maybe worse, watch it be co-opted by people who want, for whatever reason, to feel that connection so acutely."

>>Read the whole piece HERE. 

(source)

Currently

Memorial Day ice-cream with our big three tots!

Loving: Summer is officially here, and I am *so* excited >> now it's officially time for late nights spent running around the yard, catching fireflies, roasting marshmallows, swimming at the lake, and bright, warm days! My heart belongs to the fall season, but summer is a close second (remind me of this when I'm whining from the sweltering heat come mid-July!)  

Cooking: Every weekend I make our traditional breakfast hash; it's become a staple of our weekends, and so far, we've not even begun to get burnt out (see previous Currently post for recipe, if you'd like!) >> I've also been trying different desserts using the plethora of fresh fruit from this season: strawberries have become the #1 fruit of our house! When they're not being gobbled whole fresh out of the bin, I've been using them on cakes and ice-creams. 

Anticipating: Rhealen Jo will be 3 on June 6th, so we're busy planning her little birthday party! We've been talking with her about presents and cake and teaching her how many fingers to hold up when someone asks her how old she is. It's the sweetest!  

Listening to: "Fancy"//Iggy Azalea (as if you didn't already know)  

Working on: Our yard: little by little we're adding some outdoors pieces to our yard. The creek that runs in front of our house is, by far, the greatest thing about our property (just ask our girls!) but there's so much more I'd like to do in our yard. I have no green thumb AT ALL, but I do love my bird-feeders. Eventually I dream about building a little deck over part of the creek, setting up an outdoors movie projector system, and maybe even adding a water wheel! Oh, and a koi pond. And a pergola! (Obviously my "wants" don't match my "budget")  

Crafting: I've been practicing on my hand-stitching techniques after *years* of telling myself I was going to get started >> I am so very, very amateur at it, but I love it! I bought a whole new bunch of supplies this past weekend at Michael's, and I try to spend a little time in the evenings to work on it. It's fun, stress-relieving, and lately, even Sidney has been working on pieces with me. Best thing I've done for myself in a long time! 

Currently series inspired by Danielle.

New to Me Music

This isn't really "new" to me, because like the majority of y'all out there (I hope) I've been singing along to this for weeks. 

In the car (sans kids) LOUD AS CAN BE. In the shower OFF KEY AS CAN BE. At work AS QUIETLY AS CAN BE. 

It's just that good. 

I GG Y

I GG Y

(So good....)

And in terms of this video: could not be more perfect! Clueless, I die! 

You May Want to (Buy) This: Diamond Candles

How incredibly cool are these candles?! They'd make for an awesome gift for your bridal party (or any party, really) to surprise the special ladies in your life. Inside these amazingly pretty candles is a ring worth anywhere from $10 to $5,000 (!!)

And yes, if one of my lady friends happened to find a ring worth $5,000, I'd be totally jealous...but really happy for them, too!

source

Find more information about Diamond Candles HERE! and follow them on IG HERE!

**This is a new series I'll be sharing sporadically to feature things I find online that you may want to buy, read, wear, eat, etc..these are not affiliate links or sponsored posts, just things I genuinely wanted to share**

Five on Friday

There are some "new to me" blogs featured this week; if you ever have a post you think I should check out, please leave me the link in the comments or find me on Twitter (@mommaruthsays) >> enjoy! 

"My Mirrors: Thoughts On Being a Mama"//Sometimes Sweet
"What a gift these two boys have given me, in simply existing. What a gift to be their mama and to be able to grow right alongside of them, as they learn how to be children and I learn how to be a parent; to be able to see myself more clearly and in turn strive to be better, better, better every single day."

"Made at Home: Rosemary Petal Scrub"//Hello, Mr. Rabbit

"Real Life: One Year in New York"//V Mac + Cheese
(this is officially my favorite NYC post ever; I want to pack up all four kids and Justin and move, like now!)

"How to Be an Asshole Blogger in 5 Easy Steps"//It's a Dog Lick Baby World
"Bonus Step 6: Assume that all of your readers are idiots. Constantly remind them of the most mundane details about your life, like your hair color or the nationality of your spouse. Also, give your readers tips and recipes for difficult tasks like boiling eggs and reading labels on food items. Where would we be without this priceless information??"

"Random Thoughts on Diets and Exercise"//Poobou
"I think that in order to successfully lose weight, you have to find the delicate balance between two factors:
1. A diet that works for your body.
2. A diet that works for your brain."

Mighty, Little RJ*

 What I wouldn't give to spend ten minutes inside this little gal's head >> she is quite the talker these days! 

Justin made the comment he'd like to know all the things she doesn't say -- but I don't think she ever has a thought to cross her mind that doesn't leave her lips! 

She has a million and one questions a day, repeats herself unnecessarily, and can drive a good preacher to cuss with her pestering. But that little voice is so sweet, it's hard to stay too mad at her for too long. 

When babies are teeny, you dream of them being able to talk to you, if for no other reason than to tell you when they're hurting >> Rhealen tells you everything: when she's hungry, when she's tired, when she wants something, when she poops, when her siblings are being naughty. The girl tells all! 

 It's so exciting to think she'll be turning three in just a few short weeks >> these past three years have flown by, and while she's hasn't grown that much in stature, her brain (and heart) sure have grown by leaps and bounds. She amazes me daily with that intelligent (and sassy) little mouth! 

Trouble Doubled {R+J}

These two, my little blonde bombshells, are quite the pair >> they are trouble doubled, fire and gasoline, push and pull. One starts the other going, and then they're off together, loud little voices and big footed stomps through the house. 

They are always into something together. They are always fighting over the same thing. They are always laughing at each other. Being the middle two and only nineteen months apart seems to serve them well. Jaxon is almost as big as Rhealen, and I get the feeling if things continue as they are, he'll be bigger than her by the end of the summer. He is a bruiser in demeanor and strength; she is burly in personality and spunk. Her heart matches his head, if that makes any sense :) 

I love this duo, as trying as they are, and I'm so glad they're partners in crime. At least they're never in trouble alone! 

WoW

Five on Friday

Another week, another great group of posts >> enjoy!

"Dance Like Juvenile Hipsters Aren't Watching"//Maria Melee
"How dare this little bitch judge me for my joyful, albeit uncoordinated bouncing? Then I thought about her age, and the fact that she wasn’t dancing at all. She was 17 or 18. Maybe her feet are still heavy and the eyes behind her were too much. Or maybe she is just a juvenile hipster a-hole."

"#everyBODYisflawless"//Gabifresh
"I wanted to show that 1) we are not competing to be the Top Dog in our niche--we are supportive of each other and are all working toward the same goal: body positivity and inclusivity. And 2) you don't have to be a certain size to claim your flawlessness. Fat is not a flaw."

"Cloud Sailing"//Katie's Pencil Box

"Throw WAY WAY Back Thursday"//The Bloggess

"Working Mom Guilt"//Daisy, Just Daisy
"On a deeper level, I want her to know that while I love my job, I love her more and I think about her and what she is doing all day long. When she goes to bed her Dad and I talk about how awesome she is, and her pictures cover my desk and my phone screen. Her daily reports from daycare make my day, reading about what she did and what she loved, and I wish somehow I could be there doing it all with her while also being at work."

Spring Photos '14

After a few weekends of bad weather and then busy last-minute plans, we finally got ourselves together and got our photos taken! Stephanie, our resident family photographer, came down and chased us around our yard and little church next door, and we got some decent shots. 

I say "decent" because my two of my children, who need not be named as evidenced below, are so not into having their picture taken. To capture a smile from them on camera is akin to capturing photos of bigfoot -- it doesn't happen, and when it does, it's probably a conspiracy behind camera. 

But nevertheless, this is our family, our six pack, as we live and breathe and in total 100% honesty, flaws and all. At least we have some photos to look back on, and laugh about, for years to come. 

'Til next time! 

And my favorite family photo of the day, even though RJ has her eyes half-closed and Jaxon looks mad as hell and poor Toby isn't even aware of what's going on. 

Still my favorite, my family in a nutshell!

And from last spring to this spring -- Justin hates doing these "walk away" corny shots, but I love them, especially now that I have two to compare side-by-side. 

Five on Friday

Here they are, folks, my five favorite posts from the past week >> enjoy!

In no particular order...

1--"The Turn Around"//Girls Gone Child
"I knew it was coming. I knew that one day my son, and then daughters, would wake up and roll their eyes at the mere sight of me, too. I knew that one day I would also be the worst. I just didn't know how soon, how sudden, and how completely off guard it would take me."

2--"road trip activity basket for a toddler"//Flora & Fauna

3--"Dating Yourself (+10 Cheap and Easy Ideas)"//The Clueless Girl's Guide
"We don't have to shower ourselves with grand gestures or elaborate gifts... sometimes something so small can make such a difference. Sometimes we have to supply our own sunshine in life."

4--"cosmically oprhaned"//Kendra May
"Truly without my religion I would be cosmically orphaned, lost in this vast universe without purpose, love, direction, and true joy. God is good."

5--"Motherhood Mondays: What If You Can't Have a Baby?"//A Cup of Jo


Have a great weekend, folks!