Capturing Crazy

What is wrong with my dog? This is what she looks like 23 hours out of every day.

I am horrified to think that someday she may die and I may not know it until she starts to stink. Wait, I can't use that to be my guide, because she is horribly stinky now! I guess when she doesn't arise for her morning grub, I will know that the dark angel has visited.

Dark angel..

little munchkin, full of mischief.

Sadie showing me her toe owie. I know she should have shoes on, but I was just trying to be chill, ya know. Sometimes you just have to be a little crazy and not make you kids wear shoes. That is also why she wore this dress two days in a row. Mom was being chill-who cares!?

Notice also Sadie's scooter. She has a passion for bikes and is collecting them like, well, like I collect purses.

Running the gauntlet on bike #2 (Sadie)

Big smile and bike #3

Uh-oh, Luke is going to be mad, you knocked over the cone..

Sophie lives!!

Sadie decided that Sophie looked hungry so she rode over to give her some imaginary food. I think it may have been something really yummy because Sophie really licked it up.

Summer feet. I just spent $$ to get my floors cleaned by Stanley Steamer and this is what I get, summer feet. I guess that is what I get for being super chill.

Change of wheels number 4 for Sadie.

Sophie on the move and looking fine....

My crazy son trying to mow the grass under the tramp without moving the tramp.

Hey, it was worth a try.

Luke loves to throw things. All things. This time it was a ball. Throwing a ball at his "girlfriend", Haley. So crazy.

Luke, Luke, Haley and Sadie.

Super cute and not so crazy for a little second.

Crazy is my life. You know it if you read my blog for even 2 seconds. I captured a few of the crazies that make up my crazy life.

I would love to suspend all other seasons except for Fall. It is the BEST time of year. I love it so much and have enjoyed many a afternoon with my children outside the last few weeks. So grateful for the changing leaves, the milder temperatures, and a reason to make soup. I am also enjoying my new found obsession... canning. Just like the old folks do. I heat up that old steamer, peel me some fruit, toss in some sugar and PRESTO!! I am a freakin canning rock star. (see older post for my beautiful canned pears and yes, I think I may soon be a professional canner because I am so good)

Proud of my pears

Seriously.. I might be the next Martha Stewart.

Do not even kid yourself, I have mad canning skills.

For real, I am a total amateur and that is why I photographed these beauties to prove to my mom that my enormously talented and domestic sister (stupid, stupid sara) is not the only one deserving of her love.

So here is to you, mom. I didn't blow up the house or scald my eyelashes off. I produced a variety of bottled pear that is only for those who believe and have faith in me.

Pretty much I will be the only one eating them.

Breathe..

My main squeeze who still makes my heart beat a little quicker when I see him.

(Maybe it is because I am scared he will see the most recent purchase..)

It is great to be a partner with such a wonderful and gentle man.

How did I get a shot of Maddie? Miracles occur.  

I love this girl and am amazed at her gifts and potential for good.

Look at that face.  The face of a happy and loving young man.

That is a fierce pose.  Almost frightening how good it is. 

And did you notice the shirt.. I get my handsome from my dad

He is workin' it.

Sophie and Sadie playing Barbies

Do not kid yourself.. this is the most adorable thing ever.

Ohh... life takes it out of you on somedays.  But, then I get a hug from Sadie or a lick from Sophie. Tanner asks about my day and asks if he could help me with anything.  Luke says a prayer and blesses our TV's and toys.  Todd holds my hand.  Maddie gives a smile.

I am grateful for these souls who are mine and who help me to breathe when life gets hard.  I love you all and could not imagine a better family than my own.  I am so blessed and needed to say so... 

Sadie rocks 2 wheels (or 4 wheels, as it were)

Decided to buy Ms Sadie Grace a two wheeler because every since Luke took his training wheels off, that seems to be all we get done.. riding bikes, all day long. In fact, it was so beautiful yesterday that me and Luke went on a ride around our neighborhood. Just me and him. It was so awesome and he thoroughly enjoyed having me all to himself, doing the thing that he loves most. And of course, I loved watching him do his thing. He really is a cute child with a wonderfully endearing personality. But, just like all of us (especially me) he has glitches in his day (or glitches of personality). Today, as I was building Sadie's bike (that's right-I freakin' rock with the screwdrivers and wrenches), Luke was allowing the jealousy monster to rear it's head. He was totally bugged that Sadie's new bike had a bunch of "extras" that his didn't have-like tassels and a basket. But the thing that bothered him the most was it came with one of those cute little dinger bell thingies.

Luke: "Hey, that is so not faiw (fair). She gets all good stuff and I get nufing (nothing)!"

Me: "You know what? I don't really appreciate all of the mean things you are saying about Sadie's new bike."

Luke: "Well, I don't weally appreciate that she got a honkew (honker) fingie (thingie) and I didn't!"

Funniest thing you will EVER see

INITIAL INTERVIEW OF THE SMARTEST MAN IN AMERICA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZKXAFqdlC4

REMIX-

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=YEvNS5TzvwM

Check out both of these links-HOLD ON FOR SOME SERIOUS FUNNY! I could watch both every day. I want to make the remix my ring tone.

He is just too much...

Exhibit 1

Luke and Tanner were jumping on the trampoline, having fun, being boys.

Then there was high-pitched screaming.

Now... Luke is all boy, except when it comes to his scream. It was a loud, very ticked off, very traumatic feminine-type scream.

I shuffled to the rescue, already weary from all of the "fires" I put out as Firefighter Mom..

Me: "What happened??"

Luke tried to tell me, but he was "no speaky english". I think it may have been some dialect of english, but Tanner had to translate for me.

Tanner: "I accidentally scratched his back as we were jumping."

Me: "Scratched his back with what?"

Tanner: "My toenail."

Ooooo... that is nasty. Have you seen a 14 year old football players toes?? I hurriedly donned gloves and a mask (kidding) and peroxided the toe gash. All was well, until I decided that it would be a good idea to put a bandaid on it. Seriously, I make my own life hell sometimes. Of course, I put the bandaid on in such a way that whenever Luke moved, it pulled his skin, thus causing the aforementioned girl-screams and much drama. So, another brilliant idea... I will pull the bandaid off. Big mistake... the bandaid drama lasted several hours.

So as Luke was saying his prayers that night this trauma was on his mind.

Luke: "Hefney Fader, tanks for da day, tanks for our food, tanks for our tramp to jump, please bwess Tanno not to nail me in da back again...."

Gotta love it. Everytime they go to the tramp now I have to warn Tanner not to nail Luke's back.

Exhibit 2

While standing in the midst of his toy room with the equivalent of $50,000 worth of toys Luke asks when I will ever buy him any new toys.

Me: "Look around. You already have too much crap!"

Luke: "But I want more crap than this!"

Luke has issues

Today Luke wanted to ride his bike. It was a glorious fall day and the rest of the house was quiet.  So I picked up my copy of Mockingjay and my will to live (Diet Coke) and decided to relax outside and watch him ride.  Seemed easy enough. 

This is how it went down.

Me: Luke you have to have tennis shoes on to ride your bike, you can' t wear your flip flops.

Luke: I don't have tennis shoes.

Me: Tennis shoes are like your Sketchers.

Luke: No, Sketchers are not tennis shoes.

Me: Yes, the are.

Luke: No they are not for tennis.

Me: Fine wear your flip flops.

(The flip flops are an issue because they are 2 sizes too big, but he "had to have them" because they had Ben 10 on them)

We proceed to the sidewalk.  Luke gets on his bike, I sit down (I think for the first time today). Luke pedals 2 yards and then his shoe falls off and he almost crashes.

Luke: Why did you tell me to wear my flip flops?

Me: So sorry sweet child, why don't you get some tennis shoes, I mean, your sketchers on.

Luke goes in to the house and comes out with his Tow Mater shoes.  He can't seem to find his sketchers.  Cool.  Whatever.

Put the shoes on.  Luke gets back up on his bike.  Pedals, maybe 4 yards his time.  

Luke: My toe owie hurts in these shoes. I can't wear them.  (really fun whiney voice)

Me: You'll be OK won't you? (really fun whiney voice)

Luke: No.  You need to get a bandaid for my toe.

Me: Will you ride your bike for a long time if I get you a bandaid?

Luke: Yes.

I get up, slightly annoyed, get a couple of bandaids.  Bandage the toe.  Put Tow Mater back on.

Luke mounts his bike again. Rides for about 60 seconds, enough time for me to open my Diet Coke and find my place in my book.

Luke: The bandaids are falling off and it still hurts.

Me: (finding this whole adventure slightly funny at this point) Should we get a sock to cover the bandaids?

Luke agrees and we take off the shoes, rebandage the toe, put on socks and Tow maters. He is riding again in 3 minutes.

I take a sip of Diet Coke.  It is a glorious day.  Peace and quiet. Then Luke talks.

Luke: Um, mom.  The sock is squishing my toe and I don't want to wear the Tow Maters with socks. I will go find my Sketchers.

Me: Super.

Luke finds his Sketchers, puts them on.  I open my book and he starts his ride.  It truly was worth the effort to get him properly shoed and bandaged.  I am absorbed in my story.  I am escaping for a moment.  

Luke: Mom, I need to pooh.

Moment over.