A Picnic in the Park for Mother's Day

This isn't a post about our stellar day (although when it was all said and done it was a pretty darn good one!)

On the other hand, this post tonight is one that I have to let out.

I have to be real..

to admit (mostly to myself)…

that sometimes this motherhood gig really gets the best of me.

I wish I could say that I wake up every morning with a big ol' smile plastered to my face and greet my happy, non- fighting children with a nutritious and fulfilling breakfast.

This, however, is not often our reality.

There are many mornings where I'm not smiling...

because the weight of all that has to be done is crushing me. 

And if I'm being honest, I can get pretty cranky about that endless to-do list along with the never ending….

'mom, I need..'

'mom, can you find..'

'MOM! He's being MEAN..'

'But Mom! I don't wanna!' 

'Mom, mom, mom!' 

I remember my mom telling me many times throughout my growing up years, 

'You'll understand when you have kids..' 

Back then, those words didn't have much meaning to me and were often met with an eye roll.

I must be an adult now because those words really ring true and hold more wisdom than I ever thought they could.

This parenting gig isn't an easy job, in fact, I truly believe it's the hardest job I'll ever have.

Everyday, these beautiful kids of mine make me smile, but they also make me cringe, scold, lecture, shake my head, cry, and laugh almost equally as much.

I guess what they say is true…

Being a parent is the hardest job you'll ever love.

On that note, I have to say…

Thank you mom for everything you have done for me and for all the wisdom you bestowed upon me to help me through the tough days. 

Happy Mothers Day!

I love you! 

Couldn't make this stuff up if I tried!

It's a good life.

I don't always appreciate it,

and sometimes I feel completely overwhelmed and smothered by it,

but then days like today happen and I remember.

I remember why I am here.

Why it's important to smile,

frown,

laugh,

cry,

yell, 

roll my eyes,

and thank God for giving me this crazy, amazing journey of mine.

From the moment my feet skimmed the carpet as I crawled out of bed this morning, I knew that today would be a little different than all the rest.  

Today, I can honestly say that I lived life a little more.

There is no possible way that I could make this stuff up. 

It was an eventful day to say the least (and I don't have photos of every single moment of it, because, honestly, who has time for that?!) 

Our first beautiful May day in 2016 involved ...

kitties getting rides in strollers, 

goats running away while mama chased them down and 'walked' them home,

a hike up Hallaway Hill to take in a breathtaking view,

toes dipped into freezing cold lake water,

sand castles built with cousins,

skipping rocks, 

feeding hungry calves,

jumping off enormous sand piles,

losing {expensive} shoes left on the back of the car,

and finding said shoes as mom drove extremely slowly down the highway in pursuit of the speedy buggers (they were located a couple of miles away from each other on the highway…grrr!) 

and finally loving up on an adorably snuggly kitty cat named Izzy.

Have I mentioned that we have an interestingly fun, crazy life here on the farm?! 

because,

we do!

I am so grateful that I get to call this wild ride…life! 

Pacesetter 2016

Both Madi and Tanner's basketball teams participated in the Pacesetter region 6 basketball tournament for the first time yesterday. 

It was another busy day of ballin'. 

There was smiles, tears, and laughter in between the dribbling, passing, and shooting.

Both teams learned a lot and had a successful day in the gym. 

The 5th grade boys took consolation champs and will participate in the state MIT tourney in June.

The 4th grade girls had a great showing and took 4th and went out on a good note for the year. 

We are truly a basketball family and have had a great season, but I would be lying if I didn't say that I am kind of excited to move on to a new sport season…

one that involves the outdoors, fast pitches, tinging baseball bats and sunflower seeds…

I can't wait for baseball/ softball! 

Spring makes us S.M.I.L.E.

Who's children are these?! 

Anyone out there want to claim these two adorably crazy little stinkers?! 

Anyone!? 

I heard a knock at the front door this evening followed by a little voice squealing..

"MOM! Come here!" 

Somehow, I just knew that this was going to be a moment when I'd want to have my camera so I grabbed it quick before I headed out to see what kind of shenanigans these two had gotten into this time. 

They didn't disappoint.

Seriously, it takes a special kind of creative genius to decide to color your face with sidewalk chalk!

Apparently these two are pretty special and decided this was a fabulous idea!

Why not?!

All I could do was laugh

and remember

that this was their childhood, 

they were having fun, 

and having chalk on your face didn't really hurt anything…

right??

A few minutes after witnessing these colorfully fun moments…

I got to be there for a whole new level of farm kid fun…

goat races!

Watch out world…

Here come Billy,

Lily,

and Millie!

Happy Sunny Spring!

We are a crazy, happy bunch now that the sun is out and shining!