Blog Perfection Perception

Wow, what a whirlwind of a week it has been!  So- first I want to explain my last post.  Just in case any of you had the perception that my life is perfect, I have now ruined that perception for you.  Lets just get it out in the open- my kids, house, husband, and myself are not perfect.  My kids quarrel, and don't always go to bed on time.  They eat candy and play electronics. Orange juice gets spilled, my baby cries, the car gets dirty, I have 1300 e-mails in my in box, and yes, my house gets messy sometimes.   But no, it didn't look like that when they came, that was a joke.  I hope you thought it was funny.  Actually, probably no one thought it was as funny as I did.  I couldn't stop laughing while posting it.  I crack myself up sometimes.  Honestly- when ever I have guests come I typically spend days cleaning before they get here.  Whenever Mark comes to visit he tells me "the whole house doesn't need to be spotless, just clean up our bedroom and the bathroom and we will be good."  I guess that's why it was so funny to me. I love to tease my brothers, mostly just to get back at them for teasing me.  Like Mark sending me a text they morning they were coming, "missed our flight, trying to find another one."  Ha ha. Good one Mark

What's my point of all this?  I try to post positive things.  Which might lead people to believe that my life is perfect.  Which it isn't.  No one's is.  And that's ok.  That is what life is all about.  But sometimes in the blogging world all that gets posted are the perfect things. There is good and bad to that.  Good, because I don't really want to read about everyone's problems, or post my own.  Bad, because it might lead to the perception of perfection.  And it may make people feel bad about themselves.  But let's always remember COMPARISON IS THE THIEF OF ALL JOY.   So, don't ever compare yourself to me, or anyone else.  Be yourself and love yourself! For me- I try and post a balance of the good, bad, and the ugly.  Sometimes it is a hard balance between being grateful and ungrateful.  I want to complain about 6 of us living in a 1600 foot house with a mini garage and no yard.  But then Paul tells me 6 billion people on the earth don't have a good pair of shoes. Reality check. 
Talking about all this makes me think that I have never mentioned my favorite blog to read.  It's my cousin, Circe, her blog is so much fun to read! She does a great job of explaining real life, being positive and truthful all at the same time.  Her blog is http://dopppartyofseven.blogspot.com/  Check it out sometime, you will love it!! 

Disclaimer:  If at any time I get pregnant again I can't promise any "positive good feelings".  It's pretty much a free for all.

Moving on- We just had a great vacation with Mark and his family.  I have tons of fun pictures to post.  We did a lot of fun things, the vacation wasn't "perfect," but it was pretty darn close!   

Welcome visitors!

Well, we have visitors coming this tomorrow!  My brother Mark and his sweet wife Malinda and their 4 kids are coming.  I just wanted Mark to see the rooms they will be staying in.  Don't worry Mark- call me when your about 10 minutes away and I'll have my kids clear a walkway to the beds. 

This is where all the 8 kids will be staying.  I guess it's only 7 since we will put Gabe in our room.

Here's your room Mark!

                                      See that empty spot of carpet?  That's for your suitcase. 

Can't wait to see ya!!

Ellie

Here is a cute poem that Ellie wrote about herself.  It helps you to get to know my sweet little Ellie better.

 Ellie
blonde hair, green eyes and sweet
Sister of Paul, Kyle, and Gabe
who loves family, soccer, and webkinz
who needs hugs, holidays, and family
who fears BUGS, monsters, and strangers
who would like to see the world
who Dreams of being a wonderful mom like you!
A student of Mrs. N. Smith and Anselmo

Then she put "Chunga" around her picture.  That's her nickname.  We just love our sweet little Ellie!

Comparison

So I have been going to yoga on the beach Saturday mornings.  Ok, I've gone twice.  But I love it, and plan to go more.  The beach is absolutely stunning in the morning.  Serious, stunning.  Anywho, this week our yoga teacher said something that stuck with me.  She said, "let go of all comparison, if you compare yourself, you either end up superior, or inferior, and neither is good."  I like that so much, it made me think of this poster I saw on the internet.  I loved it. 

So, I have been working on not comparing my self to anyone, and I love it!  It's freeing!! I know it sounds cliche, but I try to just be my best self.  And it honestly is great.   Try it for yourself- next time you find yourself comparing you to someone else- stop it!   Lets all free ourselves from comparison!

Paul is 10!

Happy Birthday to my first born!  I love this kid.  It is so fun being his mom.  He keeps me on my toes.

Bright and early on the 17th he was us ready to open presents!

We got Paul this really cool helicopter that doesn't really work!

Paul put these signs out for his party.  Here is his birthday invitation:

You’re Invited to a Reptile and LEGO Birthday Party!

For Paul Ernst who is turning 10.

Time: Saturday, May 19, at 11:00 to 1:00 A.M. and P.M.

Things we will be doing: Piñata, Lunch, Lizard catching, cake, swimming, making LEGO houses, and other stuff.

Place: 15574, Marcello circle, Naples, Florida.

Phone number: 1-423-863-4433.

Paul really wanted a big cookie for his cake.  It was easy and cheap.

Paul and I made this fun pinata where everyone pulls a string.  All the string are fake, except one, which opens a trap door and all the candy falls out.  Much easier and safer than the traditional pinata.

The party started out at our house where we dumped a huge thing of legos in the middle of the floor.  Everyone made lego projects.  Then we had pizza, cookie and ice cream, opened presents, then walked to the pool for a pinata and swimming.  It was lots of fun and not to much work. At Ellie's last party-  I made her invite all the kids in her school class and church class so no one got their feelings hurt.  My mom used to make us do that, well we had over 30 kids come.  Even though the kids had a great time, it was petty much a nightmare for me.  Hurt feelings or not, I swore I would never do a party that big again. So I put a limit of 15 invitations.  I figured about 10 kids would come and that was about how many I could handle.  It ended up being just perfect.

Happy Mothers Day!

Well, Mothers Day was over a week ago- but it took me that long to get this post finished!  When you see all the stuff I got you'll know why!  It was practically like Christmas here!

What can I say about being a mom?  That i love it more than anything! When I was a little girl I wanted nothing more than to grow up and be a mom.  I wanted to have 10-12 kids.  After having 4 kids I decided 5 sounds about right to me.  We will have to see what happens.

Anyways, Mothers Day Eve I heard whisperings of breakfast in bed for mom.  Sure enough I woke up the next morning to a delicious breakfast of crapes with strawberries and whipping cream and eggs.  The kids had put their gifts and flowers all around the bed. 

The kids were even in their church clothes and it wasn't even 8:00 yet.  Look at that chubby cute baby!  The following gifts were all from my kids.  It's interesting to see their point of view on me as a mother. 

A Mother's Day Quiz for Kids:  filled out by Ellie Ernst

1. Her favorite color is: White or Pink
2. Her favorite television show is: Avatar, (that's the cartoon with Aang, not the naked blue aliens)
3. She likes movies about: romance
4. My mother's favorite outfit to wear is: swet pants 
5. The outfit I like her to wear is: a Dress
6. An expression or saying that my mom always uses is:  I Love you!
7. My mother get angry when:  I don't do my jobs.
8. My mother's favorite sport is: Soccer
9. My mother's favorite foods are:  doants, craps, and pizza.  (translation, donuts, crapes and pizza)
10. I like my mom to cook:  Everything
11. My mother's favorite restaurant is: Perkinz   (LOL)
12. Her favorite vacation is: when we visit her mom and dad
13. My mom has a funny habit of: haveing boys.   (sorry Ellie!)
14. My mom looked beautiful on the day she: got mardedy  (married)
15. My mom looked funny on the day that she:  She awsly looks beautiful
16. My mom doesn't know:  How much I love her
17.  My mother's best friend is:  She dose not have one. 
18. My mom's pet name for me is:  Smerf and chunga

 

A Mother's Day Flower by Paul Ernst

1. My mom makes the best:  Food

2. My mom loves me because: I'm cute

3. My mom teaches me: to be nice

4. My mom is as beautiful as: a flower

5. My mom is good at: Being kind

6. My favorite thing to do with my mom is: Go to the movies!

7. I love my mom because: She is nice

My Mom is Special by Kyle Ernst

My mom is pretty as a:  Flower

She is: 33   years old

She weighs: 103 pounds and 5 feet tall.

Her favorite food is:  Pizza (it seems like my favorite food is whatever that child's favorite is)

My mom loves to make:  art

When she was little, she used to:  Play with dolls.

I think my mom is funny when she: tells jokes

She always says:  I love you

I wouldn't trade my mom for: infiwitys  (infinity) 

Kyle also made this plate and these cute flowers for me.

Here is a letter preparing me for the gift from Paul that he had been telling me about for weeks.  The night before Mother's Day he gave me this note:  On mother's Eve, I will give you a small present.  But in the morning, you will have an AMAZING Present.  Happy mothers Day, MOM.   

The present was a book of poems he wrote about me!

         Dedication:   This book is dedicated to my mother, Emily.  Happy Mothers day, 2010. 

Acrostic Poem:
Misses me when I'm gone
Outstanding
Teaches me
Happy
Exiting
Really awsome

I Love You More Than Candy:
I love you more than candy,
Than red blueberry pie,
You are very handy,
And definetly high.  (LOL)
I love you more than chapter books,
and millions of Legos,
Than tons and tons of fishing hooks and
my very own computer, very only mine,
I love your more than Dinosaurs,
Than a big numangus roast,
I love Kanoodle anytime,
But I love YOU the most!

A Day At The Beach
Dear mom,
   I loved it when we went to the beach with aunt Julia and saw a squid!  It was fun when we saw the dolphins and the hermit crab.  I had fun with Aunt Julia and I wish I could see her again, and I bet you wish that too.  It was cool finding shells, and I had a VERY special time with you.

Mom's Love
Love is eating yummy food,
Love is being in a good mood.
Love is a big hug around the waist,
Love is having nothing to waste.
Love is being just so tall,
Love is dodging a big wall.
Love is going to the mall,
Love is having a cute doll.
Love is going up to your mom,
and saying, "I Love You mom!"

Diamante
              Mom
        Warm, Cozy
   Kissing, Hugs, giving
 Care, kiss, share, hugs
Helping, Supporting, Caring
         Kind, Livley
               Love

These Little hands
These little hands can hold a hand,
Lend something or give a hug,
Show you the way to have fun,
Play a game, or help you run,
Go to the mall Just with you.
When when I'm grown up and faraway,
These little hands with you will stay.

Top ten reasons why I love mom
10. I love my mom because she reads me "The Giving Tree."
9. I love my mom because she helps me clean my room
8. I love my mom when she makes me laugh by tickling me.
7. I love my mom because she taught me how to be kind.
6. I love to hear my mom sing "We are Young"
5. I love my mom because she finds time to be with me
4. I know my mom cares because she loves to be with me.
3. I know my mom is smart because she helps me.
2. I love my mom because she works so hard at being kind to me.
1. I love my mom because she is the BEST MOM EVER!

 

My Favorite thing about my mom is her Personality- happy! 

I Enjoy my mother most when we go to the movies. 

My mom says the most important rule is not to fight.

My mother looks prettiest when we go to church.

The funniest thing that happened to my mom is when she saw a huge spider and screamed!

If I could give my mother anything from me, It would be whatever she wanted.

                                                       Happy Mothers Day!!

Darren and  Paul bought these beautiful flowers for me.  They smelled SOOO good.   Paul was in charge of them, and the poor sweet boy wanted them to be so nice for me.  He tried so hard to take care of them, and ended up over watering them.    

Ellie also gave me this cute bag with some things she gathered from her room. 

Another cute letter from Ellie.  I love my kids!  Being a mother with 4 kids and awesome husband makes Mothers Day practically as good as Christmas!

Oh- and I didn't even mention that Darren gave me a Metal Detector !  I have wanted one forever! I'll have to post a picture of it sometime.

Taking a break

I have decided to quit doing so much stuff.  Next week will be official "electronics" week for my family.  Why? Because I am WAY behind on my blog.  I have like 5 posts I want to post, but never have time, cause I'm off doing the next adventure- which in turn puts me further behind.  So, I plan on next week to be boring so I can get some stuff done.  Then I'll get back to our adventures.  Bo Ya!