PROJECT 365-Day 3

Well, we're just plowing through the days, now aren't we? Day 3? Already? Why yes, thank you! I'm happy these days are passing quicker! Keep 'em coming!

 Today meant the start of school for my oldest wee one. All in all today was pretty successful! For our 365, we are taking a pause to celebrate a girl in our house, not as much talked about as others. This lady keeps us safe, loves us when we're happy, loves us even more when we're sad, is a giant cuddly teddy bear when you need her(and even when you don't), and put her in the snow, and she turns in to a GAINT puppy! Yes, today, is devoted to a Hogan we don't talk about as much as she deserves! Bella-boo! Our Bella is amazing. The best dog that ever was(ok Tilly, you're pretty cool too), but Bella is an awesome watch dog, keeps up with the kidlets, and knows how to pick me up when I'm down! So here's to our biggest FUR-baby on day 3. This is our Bella! Life is just that much sweeter because of you big stuff :)

PROJECT 365- Day 2

Here we are on day 2! Busy day around the house, cleaning up, trying to fit in last minute fixes before school starts back. Over all the break seemed too long and not long enough at the very same time! Back to running errands, school drop offs and pick ups, and trying to wedge everything else in between and around those hours. Sounds easy enough right ;) On the up side of things, it means we are in 2013! And this year we GET HIM BACK!! My husband, or better known around these parts as DADDY, is going to be home soon-ish! So excited to finally have him home! And it also means we will be getting a visit from our very own, a personal celebrity around here, Aunt Erin!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEE! Yes, this year is looking promising!

So today, when I pulled my camera out, I only had a few minutes to snag a photo before I had to get back to my giant pile of laundry. Miss Evangeline was in rare form :) being a sweetie pie! She is growing up FAR too fast for me though! My baby is crawling, talking, sings to herself, and is just such a big girl! It makes me sad and proud at the same time! She is so beautiful, just like her 3 older sissies. Speaking of which, she can almost keep up with them! It's like having Speedy Gonzales on the floor! She's here, then she's there! You blink and she's gone! Baby gates are being installed!

But this little girl, my fourth wee one, is still my baby. She is still breastfeeding exclusively(we beat mastitis, twice, mommy fist-pump! YEH), she still would rather be in my arms than anywhere else(most times), she still has some gorgeous grey-blue eyes, and she is still all gums! I'll celebrate all the things that make her a big girl, but I will also be celebrating all the things that still make her a baby too :) today, I snapped a quick picture of her for my day 2. Just to capture this special stage. She's still my baby, for now!

And it is 4 am....

I just finished cleaning up a wet bed. Again. My 5 year old refuses to get up and go to the bathroom at night, why? I haven't a clue! But then she informed me, her pull ups were uncomfortable and rather than walking to the bathroom, she just decided it best to pee in the bed. Literally told me there was an awake, decision making process for her there. Now that I've scrubbed the mattress(again) and washed the sheets and blankets(again), I made said 5 year old a temporary bed(hello sleeping bag), in the hallway that the bathroom is off of. Mommy is officially done scrubbing pee for this kiddo. And we have to be up in a couple of hours for a trip to the eye doctor. I won't DARE ask what else could go wrong, because quite frankly, I have no desire to find that out! For now I'm going to get the 2 year old and 8 month old back to sleep. If anyone wonders what a stay at home mom does, well here you go! This is why your mommy friend has bags so big they could be the family luggage under her eyes. And if you ever dare to ask why she looks so tired, I guarantee it most likely had something to do with someone and a bodily function/fluid. So tread lightly unless you want the unedited version of that story. Now to see if I can try to slip back to sleep with these two kids here with me. Wish me luck(I think I need to remind that it's good luck I'm in short supply of, I seem to have a hidden stash of bad luck somewhere. So if you could specify GOOD in the luck vibes you send, I'd be forever grateful *curtsey and wobbles* ) , this exhausted, frustrated woman has a face date with a soft pillow I don't see nearly as much as I should.

<3 Jes with 1 s

PROJECT 365- Day 1.

New year, new day, fresh snow! There is nothing like fresh snow. Un-crunched snow. It took all I had inside my 26 year old body not to hop on it late last night. It looked so perfect, I was DYING to just stomp all over it! Instead, I waited until the kids could play this afternoon. WORTH IT! I loved watching them stomp all over that super crunchy, beautiful, cold, white snow!

Here are my two middle daughters, making snow angels! They took a whopping two steps out the door before they dropped down and got to messing up that snow :) like mother like daughters, eh?

<3 Jes with 1 s

My first post. Ever.

    Well, here we are. 2013, truly hoping this year is better than the last. While I'm thankful for many things 2012 had to offer, we welcomed our fourth beautiful baby this year, bought our first home, settled in to a small and sweet community. I must admit I went through one of the most trying things I've ever endured, losing my father. There is so much I could say about that, about him, but I will save that for another day. One where I am more upbeat, so I can do him justice.

    I suppose I'm at the now or never stage. I choose now! I'll start by introducing myself. I'm Jes. Well formally Jesica. But lovingly nicknamed Jes with 1 s by my husband. I am an army wife to my high school sweetheart, Travis, married for nearly 8 years. He is my best friend, other half, and every other amazing thing that someone should be lucky enough to have in their husband. And I've had the pleasure of being with him since we were just 16. We have 4 amazing daughters. Madelynn Elizabeth 8, Sophie Annalise 5, Lucy Isabelle 2, and Evangeline Vivienne 8 months. Oh, those girls, I could write a novel about them! But again, another time and place. I'm the kind of girl, er, woman I suppose, who loves all things sentimental. Original right? I think it's possible for me to choose a song to convey my emotions on any given day. In fact, I think it's quite therapeutic to do so. Music is my release. It's how I can express myself when finding my own words is too hard. I'll catch myself immersed in a certain song, only to be singing the lyrics louder as I start to resonate with the words. I love living through the lyrics.

    Another little tid-bit, I'm fickle. I dabble in so much, that it's hard to keep straight! My true loves, after my family and music, are writing, photography, and decorating. I'm a novice, at best, at all 3. But the only way I will see improvement is if I push myself. So I'm here to do just that! Today I'm beginning my blog, for my writing, and I'm starting the photo a day 365 challenge! I am very excited to do both.

    So here goes nothing! I'll be back today to post a photo to start my challenge :) For now, motherhood calls(in the form of my 5 year old asking about 75 questions while she should be eating her lunch ;) and I'm off again!

<3 Jes with 1 s