Note to self...

I am a mother, therefore, I am a student. I learn more each day than I learned some semesters in college. Though the content may not be as deep and difficult, it's incredibly applicable and necessary for smooth living. I must start taking notes for myself and anyone who wants to learn from my misfortunes.

1. Leaving baby powder in a location that Graham can get to is catastrophic for the toy bench. I no longer need to paint it white.

2. Brownies are not as appealing after you change a nasty dirty diaper.

3. "Sidewalk" chalk is apparently an alias.  It's true name is brick chalk, green pepper plant chalk, window chalk, toy chalk, skin chalk, ball chalk, and little brother chalk.

4. Lunging back and forth across the yard with your toddler will make it difficult to walk the next day.

5. Your kids WILL find ways to make coincidental occurrences throw you off. (i.e. Graham will get a stomach virus the same day you first let him down a sippy cup of vitamin D milk. You will think he has an allergy or intolerance instead of a bug because kids are just good like that.)

6. You need to call and inform all the toy makers that kids really aren't in to all the bright colored junk, they really just want black controllers with gray buttons.

7. Weaning a baby can be easy as 1-2-3 or nearly impossible. They will either quit before you're ready or not want to stop when you're over it.

8. Cameras and other non-waterproof items have a strong affinity to kiddie pools.

9. The cutest shag rugs WILL make the most annoying fuzz balls show up EVERYWHERE in your home.

10. Doctors should charge less when they inadvertently tell you that your child is not sick, simply being a brat. Trust your instincts, it'll save you a $25.00 co-pay.

The lessons continue.

Girly Smurf

I found out last week that I am mistaken to think I gave birth to two precious little boys in the past three years. I was told multiple times last week that I had a beautiful baby girl, and then, while playing outside with the boys last week I turned around to find that I had a Smurf for a child. I guess these things happen when you are too lazy/chicken to cut your 11 month old's hair and when your 3 year old has free reign with sidewalk chalk.

The Stupid Police

Just to clear things up, I'm not verbally downgrading our hardworking brave police force. Let me explain. When you become a parent, you adopt a new language. I don't mean that I had to cut out all my cursing and dirty jokes since neither have really been a part of my daily language. I'm referring to all the words that I use that don't seem acceptable for children to vocalize. Some may argue that if a 3 year old can't say it, then I shouldn't be able to say it. Well, I kind of get your point, but there are a lot of things that adults can do that kids shouldn't.

I also know that the Bible urges us to keep our language wholesome (Eph 4:29), which seems to be a daily chore for me when it comes to a certain word. Stupid.  When something irritates me? Stupid. Something isn't working correctly? Stupid. Dinner burned? Stupid.  Getting a family stomach bug? Really STUPID. I don't even go as far as to call other people stupid (usually, we all have our days), but it simply feels good to say it and helps me relieve tension. Ok, so it really is just me choosing to not have self control, but nonetheless, I like the word stupid.

We all know that when we have children, we really give birth to baby parrots. We can't wait for them to start talking and after they do we fear what may come out of their mouths. I know I do anyway. I have an overly talkative munchkin who repeats EVERYTHING he hears. This makes Parker sometimes out-of-control hilarious. Other times, Parker's words have made me want to put my tail between my legs and run. Shortly after he turned two, he began to call things stupid. Well, it was kind of obvious where he picked this one up at. Not that I think it is that bad, but since children (and some adults) don't know when and when not to say things, I was concerned he would get in trouble with his new word. I imagined him calling his preschool teacher stupid when she asked him to sit down. I decided to add the word stupid to the "we don't say..." list.

Parker is still at the age where he thinks that if he can't do something, then no one can do that certain something. Though he is partially right on this particular instance, he's still learning that different people have different guidelines and that life isn't fair. (This is a lesson that continues through life for all of us, I believe.) Anyway, Parker is the official Stupid Police. Every time the no-no word comes out of my mouth, or any one else's for that matter, you can expect a "we don't say stupid" to immediately come from Parker. And I'm serious that you have only about a nanosecond to correct yourself before the Stupid Police slaps those handcuffs on you. He takes his responsibility serious. He'll correct you faster than those parking meter cops in downtown Charleston. And don't think you can say it quietly. He hears the word stupid at any decibel. He can be intensely watching a movie or even be in another room playing with his cars when I slip. I naively think I've gotten away with it or even haven't realized I've said it and "WE DON'T SAY STUPID" comes ringing from his direction. There was even an instance (or two) when I was upset about something and his annoying "we don't say stupid" evoked a childish response from me. I looked right back at him and said, "Stupid. Stupid. Stupid."  What a great lesson I taught him that day.

I'm not perfect, and my precious little man is helping me learn to only say those things that would be
"helpful for building others up." Like I've said before, Parker has been placed in my life for many reasons and teaching me to be more like Christ is definitely one of them. Keep up your hard work, Stupid Police.

Ephesians 4:29- Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.


*The Stupid Police has a really cool pantless uniform and fire-enhanced accessory.

Hey Mommy

Hey mommy. Hey mommy. Hey mommy. HEY MOMMY. Hey mommy. OK, you get my point. This is apparently the quote of the day. I've heard it no less than 152 times. I'm not complaining. Well, maybe just a little. I love being home with my children, but today I wish that Parker's stuffed animals were alive to talk to him. I'm out of words.

Most Improved

Like I've said before, I love and am very thankful for my house. However, it is still the epitome of a first home. We don't plan on being in this house more than a few years so we are trying to think of it as an investment and not put more into it than we think we are going to get out of it. Everyone knows that the money of a house is in its kitchen. That, my friend, is why we got such a good deal on this place. Its kitchen was like walking into a green hole. Green disgusting hole. I'm not kidding when I say that there was four inch hunter green plastic tile that went five feet up each wall of the kitchen. It literally took days of scraping and prying to get those mothers off. My point is, to say the kitchen needed a facelift would be an understatement, and we're not in the place to put new flooring, countertops, and cabinets in at this time. We made a lot of changes when we moved in but it was so plain. While working on the dining room, I got a little carried away and moved my motivation for pretty into the kitchen. Though hardly a gourmet kitchen, my favorite room of the house is now functional and much easier on the eyes. This will do just fine for now. It's called home improvement anyway, not home perfection. Right? Here's some before and after shots.

Prepare yourself for the nasty.

Ahhh, much better.

Besides being ugly, the cabinets were in good shape.

Do you see the endless amount of green tile? I still have nightmares about it.

And after some much needed (cheap) love...

Want to talk about a deal? I got this chair from Mountain Mission thrift store for $7.00. Thanks God for staple guns and removable seat cushions.

Though it may not be the prettiest, fanciest, or nicest quality kitchen you've ever seen, you have to admit it needs some award for most improved.

My Big Baby Boy

Precious Parker,

I still can't believe how much love I have gained since your birth. You have made me change more than I ever expected, and have given me more pleasure than I ever thought possible in your 3 short years on this earth. You are the funniest kid I have ever met. Seriously hilarious. Despite your slightly destructive nature, you show more compassion than any other 3 year old I know. You are always telling me how much you love me and are the first person to ask me if I am ok when my face "looks sad" to you. Though your stubbornness has caused intense frustration in me, your determination and creativity make me so proud. You love to learn and are willing to appease me when I want you to memorize something to show you off. You are cute beyond words with your highlighted-looking hair, big green eyes, and ornery little smile. I love your sweet face. I can still remember how happy I was to hold you in the hospital after you were born. I was in awe that your daddy and I had been given you. It seems like yesterday I was strapping you in the car seat to bring you home wondering if I would be a good mommy. We've taught each other so much. You and I...we're a team. I love you baby boy. 

-Mommy

My big boy turned three on Saturday, so here's few (too many) pictures to show how we celebrated.

Ok, so if you know me at all, you know I am REALLY not into character-themed birthdays and REALLY REALLY not into anything car related. I still can't believe people call NASCAR a sport. Anyway, for Parker's birthday I decided to have a movie night with just a few of his friends. I let him pick any movie he wanted thinking he'd say Madagascar, but he busted out with Cars as his selection. Not only did I let him have his way and watch a two hour movie with eight other two to six year olds, I actually bought a few Cars decorative party items. It was beyond tacky, but Parker loved it. And yes, I even let my dining room table sport a plastic tablecloth, one of my pet peeves. I snapped this picture before I finished setting up. Check out the hot banner. You know you love it.

For lunch, we headed to Quaker Stake and Lube with Nana, Poppy, Aunt Sarah, MeMaw and PaPaw. I felt so redneck, but once again, my son totally enjoyed himself with huge race cars looming over his head.

 

We opened presents and then let him play a few games in their game room. In true Parker style, he picked the basketball game first.

Next, he raced with Daddy. We couldn't get him to keep his hands on the wheel. We had better clear up that problem before he turns 16.

Not sure who's enjoying this more.

With Memaw and PaPaw.

Biker Chick? Um, no.

Presents with Nana and Poppy. He got exactly what he asked for: a zebra, a red truck, balloons, and a ball.

Studs.

This is what they brought him since it was his birthday. Needless to say, we all shared.

Being festive.

Three boys and a girl. Don't you love when dads get forced to carry around the cute diaper bags? David is a trooper, he never seems to mind.

Hanging out with PawPaw before his party.

Licking the beaters. Who didn't love doing this as a child?

Simple and yummy. Parker said he wanted red cake with white frosting. This gave me a perfect opportunity to make one of my favorites, red velvet with cream cheese frosting. Martha's recipe is AMAZING.

Checking out his new viewmaster.

All the kids started arriving around 5:00. You would have thought I was running a daycare. The parents dropped off their kids and ran out the door. Most used the opportunity to go on a date and have kid-free time. I think I'm the fellow-parent-of-the-year for having a kid-only party. It was a challenge, but fun nonetheless.

David set up a movie projector and we watched the show on the wall. The screen was ginormous. Not sure if the kids or David appreciated the size more. I've decided that the next time I have a movie night, if ever, I will override my child's wishes and play the shortest movie ever. Good times. Thank you everyone who came and made the day special for my little P.

Happy birthday, Parker David Dunn. You are one loved little guy. Your daddy and I can't wait to see what year three has to bring!

Dunn Dining

Though being redone on a tight budget and lacking completion, I am loving my new dining room. It makes me happy. Maybe I'll start eating in here more often.

Here is the sad start. I cringe remembering the vast change that needed to take place. From the lovely orange chair cushions to the brassiness of the light fixture, there was so much wrong going on in this room when we bought the house. Don't mind the hunter green tile on the kitchen walls in the background; that will be another post. 

Finally, some beauty. The newly painted buffet really fits well. I would like to find a rug eventually, but bare floor is good for now.

My attempt at a random collage.  I'm still trying to decide if it works, but overall I think I like the concept and I'm sure I will make changes as I find new stuff and take new pictures.

I could not for the life of me find the curtains I wanted for the right price. I thought a faux silk in white would be perfect for the room, but I couldn't find any for less than $200 (for 4) that were the 92 inch length. No thanks. I take my second choice: white cotton canvas from West Elm. Twenty-nine bucks a piece, thank you very much.

There is a park that David and I have been going to since we were dating. I swear if you add up all our walking and jogging, we've completed at least 100 marathons there. The other day, Parker and I  were taking a stroll at our favorite park and Parker snatched up some sticks like he normally does. However, this time the sticks were a tree branch remnant that looked like it should go in my house. I like this decor because it reminds me of a special place to my family. Do you think I should leave the branch natural color or spray paint them a darker brown? You can always say ditch them as a third option-I won't get my feelings hurt. (Probably won't listen, though.)

I stole this next idea from a really nifty blog, Twig and Thistle. Next thing I know, I see it get attention in Better Homes and Gardens and by Young House Love. I love how spray painting them all the same color gives the different shapes and sizes a cohesiveness. I'm excited to go get some pretty flowers to jazz them up.

These pretty little mirrors seemed perfect for my space, so I grabbed two from target and was thrilled with how they looked. I was thinking I needed something darker for the walls, but I think the white looks just fine.

This last little corner is my dilemma. I can't decide whether I want to find a cute old chair and reupholster it, or if I want to find a cabinet/shelving unit to display dishes and such. Thoughts?

Ecstatic to be semi-finished with this room. For now.