Finding little blessings in the day to day chaos

Clearly with 4 kids, my life is chaotic. Some days all I can do is laugh at it. Some days I would rather cry. Having 4 kids within 5 years is definitely busy but such a blessing! In fact, I would have 10 more if only my husband would let me!;)
There are so many moments as a mother that I am pretty certain I am losing my mind! The house is dirty, the playschool is busy, one kid is late for ballet while the other can't seem to get their homework done, dinner is pushed back due to soccer practice, one kid falls down and smacks their face in the ground and blood is gushing everywhere while my 2 year old is crying because he can't get his superman costume on (for the 10th time today) by himself. So much chaos. In fact, some days raising littles causes so much chaos that it is no longer considered chaos, it is considered normal. It is the season of life that I am in. Our family is LOUD, very hyper, outgoing, competitive and messy! We cause a whirlwind of chaos but we try to bring happiness with us!
I am working on myself more and more each day to embrace (really embrace) the chaos that is my life. When I slow down and take a look around me, I am more than aware of my blessings. Like when my 2 year old crawls in my bed each morning at 5:30am and I desperately want to be mad but then he says "mama, you're my lady, I lub you!" in the cutest voice ever. Or the moment that my 4 year old couldn't fall asleep without another hug and kiss from me but the second she gets that hug and kiss, she is content. I shouldn't be upset by that but instead be thankful that she needs and wants ME. I am the center of her universe. It's the blessing of running on empty trying to keep up with the house chores and then walking into my 5 year old's bedroom and finding that she made her bed perfect so that I wouldn't have to. It's that glorious moment when my 7 year old becomes brave enough that she asks to lead dinner time prayer. All blessings. Each little moment I  have a choice. I can just ignore the sweet little blessings and go on about my chaotic day and not stop to pause and think about the memory my child just made and what it meant to me OR I can stop, take it in and simply tell them "I love you". I could never tell my children I love them too many times. I warn them that when they are grown with children of their own I will still call them at least once a day to simply say "I love you and you are a blessing to me". I am so blessed that God chose me to be their mama and it is my job to never make them feel like they are "too much" for me but instead make them FEEL loved and content and confident in my love for them. There are so many blessings in my day to day chaos.

Being Transparent in a Photoshopped World

Lately it's been on my mind a lot how hard women (well the world in general really) are on each other. I spend my time teaching my daughters to not be judgmental, to be a friend to those in need and to always show each situation in life grace. Funny thing is though, a lot of days I feel like very few people show that grace to each other any more. I know the christian thing to do is to show kindness even when that same kindness is not shown to you, but darn it, that's hard sometimes! The people that never should let you down may and whenever someone doesn't agree with your views, they will be right there to tear you down! Do not get me wrong, I totally understand that if you are going to be an opinionated person (like me) not every one is going to agree with you and they are going to want to give their viewpoint.

 I use social media to lift up other moms and to share about my ups and downs as a wife and mother. When I first started using Myspace which evolved to Facebook and then I hopped on to Instagram, my purpose was to document life for my kids and family that could not be around day in, day out. Over the course of the last few years, I have tried to use it as more of a connection with other moms. I love for them to cheer with me when I'm happy, help me when I am frustrated and even be sad with me when I am sad. I love for people to see me be real. Transparent. Funny thing is I feel it's a darn if you do, darn if you don't situation. If I post happy moments as a wife/mom/woman I have people comment with "must be nice", "her life's perfect and it's not fair", "why does she have to brag", etc. If I post about the down moments as a mom, when my children make mistakes, when I had a rough day, or when I am having a more depressed day, I am told "wow, why would you share that", "yikes, she's airing her dirty laundry", etc. I share because somewhere out there may be a mom that needs to know that some days will be better! Or that some days just down right stink no matter what mom you are! None of us have it perfect. Some days are hard. Some days you're up with a crying baby/toddler/child for half the night. Sometimes you go 6-9 months without a date night with your husband. Some days your child makes a bad choice at school and it ruins your whole week and makes you doubt yourself as a mom. Some nights you burn dinner, some nights you make the perfect dinner. Some days your child is a perfect angel and makes you feel on top of the world. Some days they are not.  One day you may be in sweats because you couldn't muster up the energy to put on clothes, some days you may get dressed, have your hair done and makeup perfect before a kid wakes up. Some mornings you may make the perfect breakfast and the next day it may be a sugar doughnut as you run out the door to make it to school/work on time. On a great day your husband may leave you a sweet note that makes the world a perfect place, on a different day he gets home late and you miss plans because of it. Some days you have it all together, some days you don't.

My point is, we ALL have good and bad days. I love sharing mine with the world because I want to be real. No, it's not airing my dirty laundry or seeking attention, it is to try to be a leader in a world of followers. It's to be honest and strong willed and opinionated and show women that that is ok. I really need to work on having a thicker skin because of course it hurts when others do not agree with my ways and put me down. I have to remind myself that not everyone followed Jesus or believed in him but he didn't stop caring about them. He continued to show kindness to all, in a world that tried to break him down. If we all worked on showing a little more kindness and compassion, we may discover that we have more in common with the people we judge than we care to realize. I too, am guilty of this. Snide comments on Facebook about thinking the types of pictures people post are silly, or judging their actions are not necessary. If you do not like the pictures someone posts, maybe you should not be following that person on social media. There really is no one to blame but yourself for that. Stop complaining and stop making judgments and instead, show that person grace and get to know them on a different level. You may find there are a lot of things you like about that person. I'm sure not everyone likes my pictures, updates, blog posts, etc. and they don't have to. They are more than welcomed to remove me or simply not read what I post. But if you do, show me grace the same way I do you. Get to know me. Share in my life and understand that I am just trying to be as transparent as possible in a photoshopped world.

Is anyone out there?

For the first time in about 7 months, I hopped onto my blog to catch up! I could promise as usual that I will be better about it, but who am I kidding! Life is always busy for us and about to get even busier in the next few months when 3 of our 4 littles head back to school, soccer season starts, the playschool will be in full swing for the school year and holidays and other sports will be taking up all of our time! I'm not sure anyone even reads or cares about this poor little dippy blog anyways, But, at least my kids can read it someday and see what we were doing during different phases!
This summer we have had lots of fun (although I wish we had time for more). Jasper and I both have BUSY jobs so our free time is limited. Add to that remodeling our house and it has sucked most of our time! We have had time to head to Reno for a short family trip,

                                 we made a day trip to Capitola to have a family day at the ocean

                 
                   We celebrated Father's Day with a day on the lake! Jasper's choice of course!

                                        The girls had their annual dance recital and did amazing!!

                                                   We made time for a little water park fun!!!

So many other things have gone on in 2013! Jasper started a new job in February and he absolutely loves it! Peyton played her first year of Farm softball and she had a blast! Reagan had her first year of tball. The girls continue to love both ballet and gymnastics. Peyton finished first grade and will soon be a second grader! Caiden is now 2 and SO full of life! He keeps us on our toes! As for me, I have been having a blast running the playschool, living my chaotic bliss and with the little free time I do have. I run. I finished 2 half marathons so far this year and hope to do at least 2 more in 2013, a few 5ks and "possibly" my first full marathon in December.....We will see how that goes!;)

In may, this handsome man and I also celebrated 8 years of wedded bliss! I love him so much more today than the day I married him. 

Here's a little look at what has been going on to our poor house to....

                                        And then the time came to put it all back together again....

We still have a long way to go and lots more to be done but it is coming along just as we dreamed it! We were up in the air on renting our little bitty house out and purchasing larger but it just didn't seem to be the right time for us right now. This house is where Jasper and I started life and I'm not ready to move on! So, maximizing space has been a must with 4 kids and 2 adults in a 3 bedroom house! Simple changes has made life even more organized for us and helps us all fit!:)) I am so thankful to be married to a man that can build a house from the ground up (or at least most of it and call on his handy subcontractors to do what he can't/doesn't want to;)) He has worked his usual 12-14 hour work days and then gets home and works on our house until 11-12 at night and gets up at 4:30 and does it all again. He's pretty much superman!

Well, although this post is very jumbled and only bits and pieces of our 2013, I'm glad I could finally sit down and share a bit! I hope that 2013 has been fabulous for all of our friends and family so far! Our first half was great and I am looking forward to an even better second half of 2013! Blessings to all and I will post more when I have some "free time" hahaha, wishful thinking!;)

Raising daughters

Lately I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a mother to daughters. What is my job? What should I teach them? How can I be their role model? I remember 7 years ago at this time I was pregnant for the first time ever.Actually at this time 7 years ago, I was less that 2 weeks away from finding out if that little tiny creature inside me would be a boy or a girl. I remember the feeling as I laid down on that table and draped a sheet over my belly. I waited for the technician to come in and for my husband to come in. As I laid there, I really can think back now and realize that I had no idea what that defining moment would mean to my life. The technician and Jasper came in the room and after some routine measurements and checks and a little emptying of my bladder, we were able to see that that sweet baby growing and thriving inside my belly was most definitely a girl! I was over the moon. Every woman wants a daughter. We think we know what it will mean to raise a daughter. We think it will be a walk in the park. We think we will have all the answers and never fear a moment. At least I did. 7 years later, I realize, I was wrong. Being a mom of THREE beautiful daughters terrifies me.
Sometimes I think that I will not have the right answers at the right time for them. From time to time I worry that I will not have the ability to raise them with the God fearing, God loving spirit I want them to have. I worry peer pressure will make them cave. I think about the amount of times their hearts will be broken by friends, boys, teachers, family and others. I dread the fact that as much as I would like to shelter their sweet, innocent hearts form all hurt, negativity and struggles, I can't. What I have come to realize lately is that I don't have to. God will fill in the blanks that I can't. I know that what I can do is be a role model. I am pretty sure that until I became a mom 6 1/2 years ago, I didn't know what my goals and ambitions were. Now I do. Being a mom is what fills my heart and soul with joy and contentment. Knowing that I get the privilege of guiding these sweet children is my happiness  But raising daughters is hard. I do not fear raising my son near as much as my daughters. That may sound silly but I just know that as a mom, I have such a huge responsibility to my daughters.
Above all, I pray that I can raise them with class, dignity, self respect, respect for others, love and a God fearing/loving heart. The world today can be a harsh place. It's so tough for young women to know where they stand, which way to go and who to look up to. If I have one goal in life that is most important to me, it would be to lead my children in the way God wishes me to lead them . I pray I am doing an OK job and setting a good example of what a woman should be. Of course, I always have more work to do and I will always be a work in progress, just the way God created me to be. If it was easy and I never tripped, I wouldn't remember to turn to God for grace. His grace carries me through and keeps me reaching to always be better for my children. For my daughters. To help them be the Proverbs 31 women I want them to be. To help ME be the Proverbs 31 woman that I want to be.

These memories warm my heart and make me hopeful that I am the mom they need. The mother that God designed me to be.

Christmas 2012-Instagram overload!

I am ashamed to admit that I am awful about about having a camera with me. So my trusty old, cracked iPhone has to get the job done! We had a fabulous Christmas filled with God's blessings. Christmas is by far, my favorite holiday. Not that it is not great to celebrate Jesus every single day, but it is so magical and humbling to celebrate his birthday! Happy birthday Jesus and thank you God for giving me another Christmas with my amazing family. Life is short and health is a gift. I never want to take a single day for granted  Especially to be together, healthy and happy on Christmas! Here's a blurry look into our Christmas!

My whole world-the hunky man behind the camera;)

6 year olds take awesome pictures!

My biggest best friend

Ready for Christmas Eve service

Cookies for Santa, carrots for his reindeer and cheese for Santa Mouse!

Santa came!!!!

He left treats in the playschool too!

Christmas morning chaos!

Beautiful new hats from our neighbors!

Oroville bound for grandpa's house!

Great grandpa Warren and his mini me! I am so thankful the children get to spend the holidays with him!

                                                                Happy Birthday, Jesus!!!

Last night of our 25 Christmas books. Each year on the 1st of December the children pick one wrapped, Christmas book to unwrap, opening the last on Christmas night! Love creating this tradition for my babies.

It's been real 2012! On to a new year and new memories! Hello 2013!!!

Hope you all had a blessed Christmas and holiday season!

Love and hugs, The Warren Family

Being mommy for the week!

Running a playschool is amazing and I sure do love ALL of those littles with ALL my heart....BUT, each year I am blessed enough to close down from Christmas until after the 1st of the year. I used to feel guilty but then I realized how much I can truly say I earn and deserve this time with my children. And THEY deserve this time with me! Each day of their life, they share their home and their mommy with a room full of other children. I am with them but I am not REALLY with them until 5:30 pm. SO, this week has been full of horse back rides, sleeping in, cuddling on the couch, games galore, tea parties, time for long daytime baths instead of rushed ones at night, appreciating all of their little giggles more and watching them enjoy playing together as a family. What a blessing this time has been. Thankful that God gives me these moments to re center myself and remember what it's all about.
I am working on my New Year's resolution, and I can say that finding more balance and giving more of me to MY kids and my hubby is definitely included! What is on YOUR New Year's resolution?

Seriously-This poor blog!

I am so sad and ashamed that I only posted on this poor little blog FOUR times in 2012.:( What happened to me? I guess it could be due to the 4 kids 6 and under, the very busy playschool I own and run and keeping a household going!;)
Our life is busy and chaotic as ever! Jasper's job is demanding, mine even more so and then there are of course sports, friends and a busy toddler that keeps us going!! Peyton is now 6 1/2, she is in gymnastics, rejoining ballet after a 3 month break and will do a little cheerleading from January to March! Reagan is 4 and LOVES gymnastics and her ballet class. Jordyn is 3 and will be starting Gymnastics and ballet in January.  Caiden is 22 months and well, he's just BUSY!:)  I can barely believe that he will soon be two! For those that have asked, YES, I am in full blown baby withdraw mode BUT as of now we are still set on stopping at 4 littles!
For those readers that don't know, I run a large family child care home (I care for up to 14 kids each day). I have two assistants that make my life easier and I pretty much would be lost without them!:) Each day my life is full of chaos, laughter, messes, some tears and lots of memories being made! It is such a blessing to get up each day and spend my day with a room full of little people! It's even better that my own children are with me each and every day! I am blessed to get the time with them!
I wish I had more excitement to write for all of you but, things have kind of been the same old thing around here. We have been filling our December with Christmas crafts, Christmas music, talks about what Christmas is really about, a ride on the Polar Express (which was amazing) and hanging out with close friends! This weekend I will kick into holiday baking mode, finish last minute shopping and do our annual Christmas light tour complete with hot cocoa!:) I am hoping to be on here A LOT more in the future! So, as I have said before (and then disappeared for months on end) please don't give up on me!:) In 2013 I will find more balance and put myself first now and then which means giving myself more blogging time-maybe a new computer that actually works and doesn't freeze too!;)
I hope that everyone is enjoying their holidays and holding their babies tight! I know I have been holding mine a little tighter since last Friday's tragedy in Connecticut. If you are the praying kind, please say a prayer for all families and individuals hurting right now. Life is short, sometimes MUCH shorter than it should be. Enjoy the time you have! Love your babies, kiss your spouse, eat bad for you food sometimes, sneak some chocolate, dance in the rain, take chances and live life.
Here's JUST A FEW of my favs over the last few months! They are in no particular order. Just some randomness of our "Chaotic Bliss"