A morning in the life of a stay-at-home BLOG

Pretty typical morning at the Carroll home. it's 11:19 and so far I have:

• Said some prayers
• Fed Micah three times
• Changed 5 diapers
• Fed Jack 3 times (he's a big eater!)
• Fed Jacey once
• Reminded Jacey of her chores
• cleaned out a closet
• cleaned out the room I am going to paint today
• took pictures
• edited pictures
• checked Facebook (of course)
• Updated blog

Now I have to get myself and the kiddos dressed so we can take Micah to the doc to get his shots. :( Poor baby! Then I have got to paint this room and get Jacey and Jack's rooms switched. We have guests coming in this week and I need to get this room done!!

Here is some pictures from this morning...

Star Wars "Mans" having a war on top of a Bible

The room I am painting this afternoon

Little Micah blissfully asleep unaware of the pain that awaits him later in the day!

The windows I will hang with pictures in them after I paint the room

Micah learned to bat at his toys this morning!!!

Jacey in a daze watching "John and Kate plus 8." She loves TLC like her mom!

None of your BLOGness (or My 3 things...but I have to use BLOG in the title!)

3 JOYS*

my family, my friends, The Light House

3 FEARS*losing someone I love, HEIGHTS, seeing someone I love suffer

3 GOALS* lose the lababy weight!, redecorate my daughter's room this week, plan the homeschooling curriculum

3 OBSESSIONS* my blog, diet coke, facebook flair (just kidding) I am more obsessed with Jesus than flair!

3 SURPRISING FACTS* Every time I say "never" God always makes me try! (Examples: being a Pastor's Wife, speaking in public, leading worship, homeschooling, having three kids!), I lived in Germany, I am actually an introvert I just hide it well in public!

3 PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER*Facebook, The Light House,Target

3PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME REGULARLY*Dawn, Josh, Jacquie

3 OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT*Cheesecake Factory, Hacienda, Home

3 PLACES I'D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW* Ummmm, tht's EASY! Vacation! Vacation!! Vacation!!! Or shopping...

3 PEOPLE I TALK TO ON A REGULAR BASIS*Jacey, Jackson, and Micah!

3 TV SHOWS I'D WATCH OVER AND OVER* Alias, So you think you can dance, Project Runway

3 MOVIES I'D WATCH OVER AND OVER* Sense and Sensibility, 13 going on 30, Father of the Bride (1 and 2)

3 THINGS THAT DEFINE YOU* Motherhood, Christianity, Creativity

3 FAVORITE SONGS RIGHT NOW* Jesus, Messiah by Chris Tomlin, Fence Riders by Jimmy Needham, and anything my husband sings

3 THINGS YOU WOULD DO IF YOU HAD MORE TIME AND ENERGY* Write a book, start a Christian theatre company, work out more

3 THINGS THAT FRUSTERATE YOU*

My children fighting, when people say mean things and act like they are joking, that everytime I clean it is dirty again in 2 seconds

3 FAVORITE HOBBIES* Decorating, buying "Shabby Chic" things, Doing things on the computer

3 DEEP THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF*

Serve God better, Not do anything based on feelings, Love more

3 SUPERFICIAL THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF*

Lose the pregnancy weight, take better care of my feet!, turn the clock back 10 years!!!(only in my looks, I'll keep everything else the way it is!

3 INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE*

My kids, My friend Sue, My husband

3 DREAMS YET TO BE LIVED OUT*

Seeing the church grow to everything we hope it will be, Writing a fiction novel, Having a Christian theatre for outreach!

3 GOALS THIS YEAR*

Again with the pregnancy weight!, Be a better Mother, Form healthier habits for me and my family

3 THINGS YOUR GOING TO DO TODAY*

Go to church, try to convince my hubby to buy me that awesome chair off Craigslist, start painting daughter's room

Blog came out my nose!!!

The other Sunday we were driving to church and I was drinking my obsession, diet coke. We were listening to a Christian cd and my son asked if the song was about Jesus. I told him yes it was.
He then replied, "I love Jesus!"
"Aww," I thought. He's finally getting it!
Then he added, "He's cute!!!"

Unfortunately, he said it just as I was taking a large sip of soda, which I proceeded to choke on and spit all over my husband's sermon notes!! SO then of course my husband held the soggy sermon notes up for the congregation to see and told them the story!

(Picture: A break from performing "The Necklace" in Bermuda )

So you think you can BLOG

This is beautiful!

Blogs will by blogs

My son wanted a snack. He asked for Graham Crappers. 'nuff said.

A BLOG's Life

Alright...here's another post about Jackson. His four year old mind just kills me!
Here's a conversation from yesterday...

Jack-"Mama, I'm finking about what my favorite bug is."

Me-"What's you favorite bug Jack?"

Jack-"Not a lady bug, they are too girly!"

Me-"Okay, what about a butterfly?"

Jack-"Naaaah, too flyeeeee." (he starts stressing his eee's as if we are having a serious conversation)

Me- "How about a Bumblebee?"

Jack- "No too Stingeeeey!" (good point)

Me-"An ant?"

Jack-"No too Biteeeeey."

Me-"A spider???"

Jack-"Nah, too spider webeeeey."

Me-"A slug??????"

Jack-"No, too slimeeeeey."

Me- "A beetle????????"

Jack- "Nope, too suck your blood out!" (what has he been watching?!?!!?)

So I start racking my brain for any type of cute bug...

Me-"Okay, how about a Roly Poly or a caterpillar???!!!?"

Jack- "Naaaaah, too BORING!"

(My guess is he doesn't like bugs all that much.)

Cheese BLOGS

So, I am a bad mom...little Micah was up most of the night fussing, so when the morning came I felt like I hadn't had any sleep at all! I did not want to get out of bed. Jackson got up and came to my room to ask me to help him. (He needs a cartoon, breakfast, and juice every morning like clockwork.)
I told him that mommy was so sleepy and could you please give her a few minutes.
He said okay and went back upstairs.
Well about an hour later this is what I found! He got his own breakfast apparently! :)

Blogging in the moment

(warning:it's 1:30 am and I am introspective)

I was chatting with a friend on Facebook and we had both listed all the things that are keeping us busy and it made me think of this key ring I ran across on Etsy.

Jeanskipper Etsy Store

My husband and I were having an extremely difficult week. We were sleep deprived because of the new baby, my husband was close to burn out due to the demands of a full-time job, growing family, and pastoring a church, and then one after another things started falling a part around us. It honestly seemed hopeless, like all the work we were putting into accomplishing our dreams might fail. As I was surfing thru Etsy enjoying looking at the amazing talents people have I ran across this key ring and it really spoke to me. "Enjoy the journey."

It reminded me that I am on a journey and it's one that is going by so fast. If I spend the precious moments I have wishing for something different or better I am going to miss the amazing things happening right now! Sometimes it can be easy to get overwhelmed by thoughts of the war, or the economy, or the bills piling up. The kids can get frustrating on days when the bickering never ends, the baby won't stop crying, and there's always a new need to be met or question to be answered. Yet, I know in the years to come I will long for one more chance to experience this precious time in my life. I'll wish I could hear my four-year old mess up all his words, and my 7 year old sing and dance in the backyard. I'll forget the fact that on most days I don't have time to shower and remember the positive things that mattered so much. So if in a few years the annoying things are going to fade away, maybe I should let them go right now and enjoy the gift of today! I choose to see busyness as living life!

The one thing I know for sure about life is that it's not easy. The ups and downs can be overwhelming at times...enjoy the journey, it's the only one you have.

(By the way before anyone gets worried...everything worked out. God is always faithful to His promises.)

James 4:14

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

Baby Blogbber

I love chubby babies. It's probably because all my children started out verrry large. Jackson was 10 lbs at birth. Jacey was 21 lbs at 3 months! Little Micah is already almost 14 lbs at 7 weeks!
There are some upsides and downsides to chubby babies.
Upsides:
They are so cute!
Downsides:
They out grow clothes weekly
Upsides:
You get toned armed muscles from carrying them around
Downside:
You have to carry them around
Upsides:
The dimply thighs
Downsides:
You can't use the jolly jumper because by the time they can hold their heads up they are past the weight restriction.
Upsides:
They are SO cute!
Downsides:
The cheese...if you haven't been lucky enough to have a chubby baby of your own I'll spare you the gory details of the "cheese."

BLOGmusement

Jacey and Mommy 2001

So we went to Elitch Gardens amusement park yesterday with our church, The Light House. It was a great day in many ways. We immediately ended up splitting into 3 groups. The older kids who ditched there parents and ran straight to the water park, the singles and parents (the one's whose kids ditched them and were happy for a few free moments with other adults)who went to the rollercoasters and had a great time fellowshipping, and then the parents with little kids who ran all over (soaking wet from 20 rides down Shipwreck Falls) the park toting sunscreen, snacks, giants cups of soda, and 7 stuffed animals that the kids had won! My husband and I made up the last group....

Yesterday I realized how much my life had changed. No longer was I a young and free girl racing to get on as many rollercoasters as possible. Nor was I a single who could spend the time laughing with my friends and making sure my make-up still looked good. On the contrary, yesterday I was pretty much a disaster! It was 90 degrees outside and I had to wear jeans due to the fact that I am nowhere near fitting in my "pre-pregnancy clothes". After the first water ride I spent the entire day wet, wrinkled, and I am pretty sure with mascara running down my cheeks! I didn't have chance to ride any of my favorites rides, but I have noticed they make me sick now anyway!

Yet in my book it was still a perfect day! Watching the joy on my kids faces, hearing them scream experiencing the adrenaline rush of racing through the sky for the first time. I even enjoyed hearing my daughter scream true screams of fear because I knew she had hit a new milestone and this was all part of her growing up! I definately enjoyed sitting next to my four year-old son as he clung to me. "Do you have me mommy?" Of course I did! As safe as I know those rides are I clung to him as tightly as he clung to me!

Some of the best moments of the day were:

Watching my four-year old throw a bean bag at cans and actaully knock them over when the highschoolers next to him couldn't. He won three prizes yesterday on the grown-up games!

The bond I felt with my husband knowing how much we both enjoyed this time with our kids.

Hearing them squeel as we all got soaking wet!

My son repeatedly saying the word "horrible, horrible, horrible" when one of the rides suddenly started racing backwards!

Seeing that my daughter truly can sing and dance all day and not tire of it! She entertained us through the lines with Disney songs:)

My baby's face when I returned home and he was so happy to be with me again even at 8weeks, he knew I was gone. :)

I am glad life isn't all about me anymore!

Male Pattern BLOGness

As I have been reminiscing back to the last 7 years with Jacey I ran across a funny story in annals of my mind.
I was thinking back to when she was three and Christmas was around the corner. She was excited. We were talking about Santa and presents, but then in the front seat the conversation wandered to another topic. My hubby started talking about the fact that his hair had recently begun thinning.
Jacey got all upset in the backseat.
"I don't want you to go bald!" She cried.

I tried to comfort her. I told her that Daddy wouldn't lose all his hair and that he would still be very handsome.

She then got another idea. One that made her very excited!

"I know I'll ask Santa to bring daddy a wig for Christmas!"

(My husband is gonna kill me when he reads this :) )

BLOGger King and the Incredible Honk

I took my kids to Burger King today and of course my son is always excited to see what toy he will be getting. (He is a tad "toy" obsessed!)

As we pulled thru the drive thru he yelled "Look mom Incredible Honk!" (You know the big green man from the 80's t.v. show?)

As soon as I handed him his bag he ripped into his new "Incredible Honk" toy.

"Moooom," he said warily, "Why is he maked?"

My daughter Jacey answered, "he's not naked Jack, he's wearing pants."

"Oh yeah," Jack replied, "to cover his buns!"

Then Jack got quiet for a moment.

"And to cover his beanie (Jack's self made word for private parts)!"

Then he asked another one of those four year old questions you just don't want to get too deep into.

"Mom does Incredible Honk have a beanie????"



I quickly changed the subject.

Happy BLOG day! My baby is turning 7!!!

Oh my! My little girl is turning 7 tommorow! I can't believe it. What I wouldn't give for a few hours watching her shove all her little chubbies into dress up dresses and parade around the house again! I miss those times! Jacey always had on a princess dress or a tiara or atleast a boa and plastic dress-up shoes. In fact that has got to be my favorite, a diaper and heels! She has brought us so much joy! Enjoy the little moments, they go by to fast!


Age 1

Age 2

Age 3

Age 4

Age 5

Age 6

1st birthday

Soft as a babies BLOG

Some friends made me this adorable quilt as a surprise! Isn't it cute?
Thank you Kathi, Betsey, and Emily!!!

Vintage EmBLOGishments

I went to a big garage sale this weekend. I didn't find the pratical things I was looking for...crib, dresser, lamp. But, I did find more "shabby chic" things to decorate with! If it's old, got chipped paint, a dent, a crack or cabbage roses on it I must have it! It's a sickness I think. My cupboards are stocked full of mis-matched china!(Must stop buying little things and work on the big picture!)
Here's some pics of my favorite finds lately!

Swim BLOGgles

What a day! My husband left to go out of town today to record on an album. I am excited for him, but I hate, hate, hate when he leaves. So it's just me in the kiddos. After kissing him goodbye I left to take the kids swimming and within 5 minutes got into a car accident!!!
My fault, there was a car in my blind spot. Thank God everyone is fine. I accidentally had my husband's proof of insurance not mine, so now I have a court summons. :(
I am so annoyed...
Atleast the kids had fun at the pool.

Don't eat your BLOGgers!

Why oh why do kids insist on eating their boogers? I can feel my gag reflex going even as I type this. One day I caught my son picking his nose and of course...eating it. I begged him stop, threatening everything I could think of. "Jack there's germs in there!" (He's a germaphobe...no idea why. One day he came home from preschool terrified of "germs".) He continued chewing. "Jack," I continued,"your boogers have germs and...BUGS in them and they are going to get in your tummy and make you sick!" That got his attention! "What do you want me to do with them?" He asked. Then I made a big mistake. In desperation I replied
"I don't know just wipe them somewhere!"

I am going to live to regret that.

Blogs of Love

A few great things my kids have done lately...
My 4 year-old son told me I was beautiful and sweet three times yesterday. (Of course he also told me my stomach is still big after having the baby!)
My daughter asked if she could cut her long hair to give to "Locks of Love." Of course I couldn't tell her no, but I did love her long hair. She has always been very generous and caring.
And last, but certainly not least...Baby Micah slept 7 hours last night! Woo Hoo! He is 6 weeks-old!

Blogs Away!

Well I am starting a new blog. I fear my page title might be a bit deceiving. I'll admit I was trying to sound kind-of cool and interesting...I think that's just in my own head though! This isn't my first blog. I started an online diary regarding our church plant, The Light House.

I was inspired by a long, lost friend to start this one to chronicle all the aspects of my life. A place to post my favorite pictures, rants, raves, and especially tell stories about my kids who I think are brilliant! (What mom doesn't?)

I need a place to record the moments I want to keep forever in my memories because I am sadly seeing that with the craziness of my days and all the things I have to remember many of the precious moments have slipped away forever.

I want to be able to remember times like a few weeks ago when my 4 year old Jackson was learning the story of Moses being put in a basket and sent away. When we asked him questions to see how much he retained from the story (usually not much!), my husband said "now who was put into the basket?" Jackson proudly exclaimed "Carlos!" (He also said Moses' sister's name was Grilo...)

Here's to remembering the important things!