Five Years Ago….

Today Tyler and I are celebrating our five year wedding anniversary, wow, sometimes I just can't believe how fast time really goes. Wasn't I a bride like yesterday? Where the hell did these two children come from? Surely we are NOT OLD ENOUGH to have two children. I means seriously, I've never looked younger, I…cannot….possibly…..have…..two…..children……..eeek!

Our first five years could surely be classified under "roller coaster." After five years of four moves, three new jobs (his), three remodels,  loss of a pet, loss of loved ones, family explosions, two pregnancies. two babies, postpartum, etc. etc. etc. I think it's safe to say we've gone through more in five years that some go though in a lifetime. We never really had a "newlywed" year, we were sort of just thrown into the "thick" of it, but you know, looking back, I think it just made us that much stronger.

I spend a lot of time as a Mom of two itty bitties, feeling like I'm being pulled in five hundred directions, running around like a chicken with my head cut off----tired is an understatement. Most of the time when the hubs and I get a free second and we start to talk, inevitably I've got things to say or suggest like, "I wish you'd make the kids breakfast more, or, would you mind pitching in with bath time, and hey, since your going to be out of town all next week, would you mind taking the night shift a few times this week, etc" You might say, I tend to nag a little, ok, maybe alot (Yes honey, I am admitting this publicly). So in honor of our anniversary I'd like to not only admit that I nag my husband on occasion :), but I'd like to celebrate and recognize the top ten things that I admire and/or love the most about him as a spouse and as a Dad. So here we go…..

1. He can fix/build ANYTHING!!! Tim Taylor has nothing on Tyler Deneault. He puts up with all my grandiose ideas and lovingly fixes whatever needs fixing and makes whatever Pinterest project I'm eyeing that week. He is MR. HANDYMAN. (Hahah, I know Tyler is reading this right now and going, really honey, this is your number one, wow (let it be known these are not ranked in importance!))

2. He is the best Dada around. They say you start to love your husband more when you see him with your kids…. Wow. Isn't that the truth? I thought I loved my husband before kids, but watching him with Ford and Marcelle- well there's not a word in the English Dictionary that could properly explain how those feelings have grown. Parenthood changes everything. In a good way.

3. He makes the best chicken noodle soup, EVER. (of course this makes the list! It would be my last meal, it's THAT good.)

4. He brings me Advil when I really need it bc I'm too stubborn to take a pill and he knows I won't take one on my own, I'm weird like that. He just knows all of my weird, quirky, makes absolutely no sense, habits of mine, and he accepts them. (well, let's be honest he'll tease me tip hell freezes over about them, but still, he deals :)).

5. Every day Tyler makes me want to be a better person. Corny? Yes. True? ABSOLUTELY. He is just so darn good. And I'm serious people, I'd say this even if he wasn't my main squeeze. He is the MOST honest and good person I have ever met. If someone dropped a dollar, he would chase them for MILES to return it, he's just that kind of guy.

6. He's not the kind to hold a boom box over his head and declare his undying love for me, BUT he makes it crystal clear that I'm the peanut butter to his jelly. I don't worry about us, AT ALL, bc I know with all my heart and soul, that despite our ability to have some of the biggest knock down drag out fights, that once it's over, we'll still be together. He's my rock and I know he's not going anywhere. (and neither am I :))

7. This isn't really Tyler, but it's part of what he brings to the table :)---- His Family--- they're a crazy bunch and all totally different, but I honestly love them all (I know, weird right?! Great in-laws- WHAT?). They welcomed me with open arms, and treat me like I'm one of theirs. They have been there for me in ways I never expected and pulled through for me, when they didn't need to. Tyler tells me all the time, "This is what family does, it's normal." But to me, it's so, so, special, and so appreciated.

8. Tyler is the best night time story reader. I love eavesdropping on the monitor when it's his night to read Ford books. He does different voices and he's so animated. He even sings the "Barnyard Dance." People, he sings, I'm serious. I melt. When I've had a long day with the kids this is THE BEST medicine.

9. He makes me laugh, no, he makes me gutturally laugh. He can diffuse any situation with a joke or with a side story. He's so quick, with a joke. I'm the kind of girl that twelve hours later thinks, "OOO I should have said this!" but Tyler, he's quick and oh so funny. He's the one you want in a crisis not only bc he's good at fixing problems, but bc he's great at reminding you NOT to take things so seriously. Hah, he has to do this with me--- a lot :).

10. Because I just couldn't imagine my life without him. He knows me, knows the good, the bad and the ugly and he just gets it. Five years married, seven years together and HE STILL loves me?! I'm one lucky chick and I'm reminded of that every day. :).

My little family is very blessed to call Tyler the leader of our pack; he is the glue that holds us all together. I could list about a gazillion more reasons why he's so special to me, but the most truthful and the most honest is that Tyler has given me the greatest gift anyone could ever give someone (in my opinion) and that's---our family. That might sound simple and even cliche, but when you grow up in the environment I grew up in and you have some of the life experiences I've had, a family, a good family, seems very, very out of reach. None of this deterred my husband and I love him for being able to see me, love me, and in some sense, save me. He's my everything. And with every hurdle, every bump, every smile, every laugh, every tear, I continue to love him a little bit more, he is simply- amazing.

you are my heart. 

happy five year anniversary. 

Blink....

It's been a rough month. The terrible two's and a newborn are KICKING my butt! how did I ever complain about ONE child!? The blessing is NOT knowing folks--- ignorance IS bliss! Seriously. Holy smokes! That said, today was PARTICULARLY rough. Without going into too much detail, let me define the day like this--- poop on the couch and the car seat and pink eye folks-----Yah, it sucked. Oooooo and of course the hubs was out of town, Isn't that always how it works for every Mom--- grrrrr!?!?!? That said, I was about to claw my eyes out and then I went to put M to sleep this evening..... Seriously people I was about to throw my screaming, teething, child in her crib, but then as I rocked her, she touched my face and gave the biggest sigh and  as she did it, seemed like" Ahhhhhh, now I have your attention."  I couldn't help but just breathe... smile. regroup. love. feel blessed. She's my girl, my baby..... 

Maybe it's the wine (it was a ROUGH day), maybe it's my adorable baby girl, but suddenly all I can think about is how FAST it's going. Ford is still my main squeeze, seriously, can he be any cuter? But honestly there is something about the bond btw a mother and daughter. God, I just want her to succeed. And by succeed I mean I want the world for her and by world, I mean however SHE defines it. I want her to smile every day of her life. I want her to know how special she is to me and to EVERYONE.  

She's my gift from God, but also my Grandpa. Marcelle wasn't planned and in fact, she wasn't even on our radar. My Grandfather passed away while "I was pregnant."  I flew home and was fortunate enough to say my goodbyes before he left this world, still totally oblivious that I was carrying our sweet Marcelle.  

(I'm convinced he played a part in this, in her, bc honestly, truthfully, I wasn't ready for a second baby yet and I don't know that I ever wouldv'e been.... I think my Grandpa knew I could handle it, handle her, knew I needed her, subconsciously wanted her, bc two weeks after his death, we found out we were blessed with another child and then that October, as if my Grandpa touched my heart, we found out it was a girl......). I have never cried so uncontrollably from happiness in my life.... my baby girl, my world. As the anniversary of her gender reveal approaches, I just feel thankful. Thankful for BOTH of these "little blessings" in my life. And thankful to my Granpdpa for putting a "good word" in about the "girl."  Lately we've been listening to a lot of  Plumb--- ladies, she wrote a whole album about the birth of her child---- AMAZING---- anyways, the other night, I "REALLY" heard this song and it just brought tears to my eyes. I know my baby girl and I will go through a rollercoaster of feelings for one another, but gosh, I hope and I pray she never doubts my love for her. EVER. 

I just love these lyrics...

I'd like to remember, I'd like to know all you are

I'd like to know everything you'll be

Where will you go? What will you do?

When the world's right in front of you

When I think of how slowly life passes by

Then I'll blink and you're growing

No longer a child

What I can do, to capture this moment in time

Is to sing you a lullaby

I like to watch you dream

I like to touch your face 

I like to hold you in a sweet embrace

When will you laugh? When will you cry?

When you need a special place to hide

When I think of how slowly life passes by

Then I'll blink and you're growing

No longer a child
What I can do, to capture this moment in time
Is to sing you a lullaby

I love you you sweet girl. My girl, baby Marcelle. 

Smoothie Time!

I posted a picture a few days ago on FB of the newest addition to my family smoothie regiment and some of you lovely ladies requested a smoothie post, so here goes..... Keep in mind, I am NO expert. In fact any "healthy" information I learn usually comes from one of my super healthy, in the know mom friends OR my sister in law who is BIG into nutrition. Usually they tell me things they've bought into and then I go and do some more research to decide if I'm going to jump on the bus or not. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't....  but here are a few things that I find beneficial to sneak into our smoothies especially since my son basically only consistently eats broccoli for a vegetable, I have to find other ways to get this boy his vitamins. Plus, truth be told, my husband could honestly take or leave a veggie, he's a meat and potato kind a guy. So smoothies are essential in keeping my family heathy! So here goes.... as far as sneaky ingredients, here are the basics----

1. Chia Seeds- from what I've read these little suckers are ridiculously nutritious. Packed full of nutrients and antioxidants and even better? they can be digested whole (unlike a flaxseed). They also help to fill you up. So,  while the smoothie is a "snack" for my kiddo, it's my breakfast and keeps me full until lunchtime. TIP- do not use more than a tablespoon of them in your smoothie or the consistency will get a little gooey. 

2. Flaxseed- contains a boat load of omega-3 essential fatty acids, often found in fish. Since we now live in TX, we don't eat seafood nearly as much as we did when we lived in Florida, so an extra boost of this? Why not? TIP- You've got to buy the "cold milled" otherwise the seed isn't broken down and your body will not be able to break down the nutrients (meaning it's of no use to you at all).

3. Blue Agave- this naturally sweetens up your smoothie, which for a picky toddler, works wonders. I alternate between this and Raw Local Honey. I tend to use more Raw Local Honey during allergy season bc it really seems to help reduce the sneezing and itchy eyes. Seriously! TIP- Agave goes a long way! You don't need nearly as much agave as you would honey. 

4.) Coconut Oil- I could go on and on about this. My friend Debbie is in love with this stuff and I learned quite a bit about this on our beach trip, if your friends with me on FB, you saw we dubbed it the "Eighth Winder of the World," because it's THAT good. There's a great article about the health benefits of coconut oil, here. TIP- The hotter the temp in your house the "soupier," more "oil-like" it gets. Which will dictate how much you use in your smoothie. When we were at the beach, the temp in the house must have been cooler bc it was sort of the texture of yogurt, but in my house in TX, it's very similar to oil. 

Alright enough about the vitamins, supplements, and oils, now on to the good stuff.... My basic smoothie ingredients are kale/spinach (one every other day), strawberries (the whole deal, stem included) , a whole banana, greek yogurt, and frozen blueberries. I usually always buy frozen blueberries bc its typically a better buy. you can get a huge bag of organic blueberries at Costco for 12 bucks! The bag pictured is only half full, so, in my opinion, that's a pretty good buy. Everything else is fresh.

What you don't see pictured are my "cast offs," which are any veggies or fruit that look like their going to turn before we get around to eating them,  so I'll just toss whatever in the smoothie. This could be a carrot, some leftover broccoli, a pear, a red apple (tried a green one and it didn't really jive well). etc. I haven't met a veggie or a fruit that I haven't liked in a smoothie, so I saw try whatever you've got! But there's my "go to" smoothie recipe. I'll give you an estimate of measurements below but keep in mind I make my batch for three people and honestly it's more of an eyeball thing, but this morning I tried to be more aware of how much of what I was putting in the blender, so here goes.....

1 Tbs. Chia Seeds
1Tbs. Flaxseed
1Tbs Agave
1 heaping Tbs. of Coconut Oil (if it's the consistency of yogurt) or if it's runny just fo 2 Tbs.
1 C. Greek Yogurt
3/4C Blueberries
3-4 Strawberries
1 Banana
2 Large handfuls of either Kale or Spinach
1 Cast off
1 12 oz. cup of water
1 12 oz. cup of ice

Enjoy!

Ok, ok, I cannot wait.....

So remember when I posted earlier this week about the "piece," Dada was still working on for Miss Marcelle's room, the one waiting to be hung above her rocker? 

Well, my plan was to wait until we had it professionally framed and hung to show you, but I just CAN'T WAIT! It's too cute and too sweet not to share, right now! He finished it a few weeks ago, we've just been taking our sweet time to have it pressed and framed. 

Tyler cross stitched this adorable sketch of a little girl. You probably can't make it out but on the bottom beneath the frog it says, "Love Dad '13." I die.... This is seriously too cute for words and something Marcelle will have from her Dad for the rest of her life. Such a keepsake. Even more swoon worthy? All Tyler's idea. The Deneault men all know how to cross stitch, something they learned as children. Tyler hadn't done it in years, but when we found out we were having a sweet baby girl, he asked if I thought it was something she'd like and if I'd hang it in the nursery. Um.... duh. 

Seriously, it's true what they say, watching your husband love on your kids, makes you love 'em even more. He's a keeper, a definite keeper. 

If You Make One More Summer Salad......

It should be this one....

Grilled Ginger Sesame Chicken Salad

yum. yum. yum 

You can find the recipe here. Super simple, super yummy, and super filling. 

your welcome. 

Marcelle's Nursery Reveal

Welcome to Miss Marcelle's nursery.... 

Someone once told me, "If your going to go girly..... go GIRLY....."

Well, I took their advice to heart, what do you think?

When I found out I was having a girl, like most women, my heart skipped a beat. Not bc I love sweet Marcelle anymore than my wild man Ford but bc I think, like Dad's feel about their son's, it gave me the opportunity to love on a "mini me," to share in all things "girly," and to have a little human that I knew a thing or two about. And ladies, let's face it! To have a girl, is like getting to play dress up everyday! Who doesn't like dressing a sweet baby girl?

That said, once I knew I was having a baby girl, my wheels started spinning over her nursery. I didn't want something that looked like it came out of PBK, but I also didn't want something that looked like an homage to interior design. I wanted her nursery to be unique, fun, young, and playful, like I hope she'll be one day.

Her room is a complete mish mash of old and new, hand me downs, gifts, keep sakes, and trinkets given to her by some completely AMAZING women. Everything in it has a special meaning that as she grows I hope she'll appreciate even more.

1.)The blanket resting on the back of her rocker was her sweet Meme's as a baby. Such a keepsake.
2.)The ballerina bunny was from her adopted Grandmother Paula, one of the strongest women I know.
3) The silver cup, rattle, and brush were gifts given to me when I was a baby by various family.
4.) The Madame Alexandra doll was a gift to me, from Tyler's Mom (Marcelle's Nani) bc she knows my affinity for antique Madame Alexandra Dolls, something I hope to pass on to Little Bug.
5.) The painting hanging above Marcelle's crib! Ahhh!!! Cannot say enough about this painting. It was a labor of love made by a woman I grew up hoping to be like, the woman I babysat for as a kid. She's amazing and EXTREMLY talented, I love, love, love it!
6.) The adorable doll in Marcelle's crib (her FIRST doll, believe it or not!) From none other than my best friend Brooke's Mom. Who in my opinion is a world class Mother, who raised two extremely ambitious, go get 'em daughters. Marcelle could only be so lucky.

And in case you were wondering here's where you can pick up some of my other finds.....

1.) Large wooden monogram, A League of Letters
2.) Crib sheet and Changing pad sheet, Soren by Angelique
3.) Marcelle Pillow on rocker, Ted and Lucy
4.) Bunting above changing table, FawSewLa Stitches
5.) Chandelier, Overstock
6.) Bumper and Crib Skirt, PBK

I still have a few things to do in here, but it's more or less complete. I'm still waiting on one piece of art for above Marcelle's rocker; a handmade piece that her Dada's been working on for her. I cannot wait to hang it and of course show you, it is the sweetest thing..... ever.

So anyways, thanks for stopping by. I know how much I liked looking at other people's nurseries for ideas when I was planning for both my kiddos; so hopefully these pics may inspire a few of you!

I love a good schedule.....

Let's just say the last two weeks of August have had me all over the place. Schedule? What schedule? Like most Mom's I'm sure, come August I start itching for a routine, for some order.... a schedule!!!

And it's not just the "back to school routine" I love. I love the fact that we have three holidays slammed back to back, it keeps me in motion, keeps me planning; planning keeps this Mama happy! It's because we're so busy that it gets me itching to organize. Organize our weekly meals, organize our bags, organize our days, organize our lives. It just feels.... good.

 Hubs will be smirking as he reads this post and thinking, "Oh your sooooooo not type A." (sarcastically of course). 

That said, what better way to stay organized than with the PERFECT agenda? Now ladies, let's be clear I am NOT tech savvy. I own an iPhone and I couldn't even begin to tell you all the nifty things I'm sure it can do. I am just not that girl. Call me old fashioned but I LOVE writing stuff down. So at this stage in my life, I think it's safe to call myself an agenda connoisseur of sorts----I've used them all. To list just a few,  I've tried the basic MEAD organizer, the Lilly Pulitzer organizer, the Erin Condren organizer, the Momagenda, etc. While some were better than others, I never found one that covered it all. They were either too big and bulky, the layout didn't work for me, it didn't have something I wanted, etc. etc. Until now.... 

This year I bought myself a May Book. Have you heard of these nifty little babies? 

Let me count the ways I love this thing..... 

1.) It's small and skinny enough to fit inside my purse. 

2.) It's bound like a book so there's no chance of thing's getting caught in a spiral binding!

  (this is important as I tend to plunk jewelry in my purse to throw on when I'm not carrying a "grabby" baby!)

3. You can design your own AND monogram it! 

4.) The pages contain a monthly calendar and weekly pages, large enough to fit everything

5. The pages make Saturday and Sunday just as big as the week days

(which is nice when your weekends are filled with kiddie parties, dinner dates, barbecues etc.) 

6.) Starting at $15, you cannot beat the cost or the quality! 

So any who, I thought I'd share this little lovely with you as it has quickly become my favorite agenda to date! Check them out! So fun! 

Par-TAY in Marcelle's crib, 4AM!

So, let me first start out by saying I am a huge advocate and fan of "Babywise." It worked like a charm with my first. Ford was sleeping twelve hours a night by the time he was two months old. Naps were a litttttttle trickier but eventually, we got him hooked on two consistent naps a day, one cat nap in the AM  and a longer siesta in the afternoon. He was the perfect Babywise kid and I was one happy, well-rested Mama.

Fast forward to my little bug Marcelle and well, this Babywise thing just isn't working out..... First, could someone please explain to me HOW your supposed to do the Babywise method when you've got a thirty pound ball of energy running a muck in your house demanding your attention 24/7? I mean seriously?!? I have to admit, this time around we've been less than structured and well it shows. Right now the bug generally takes one long three/four hour nap smack dab in the middle of the day, in her swing (worst mother ever), then goes down for the night around 630/7PM, waking again at midnight(ish) and then again at 4AM!!!! And the worst part?!?!? Sometimes when she wakes up at 4AM, she is wide awake and READY to par-TAY! You know what this creates????? Two EXTREMELY grumpy parents! Argh....

She's taking in about 6 ounces of formula in one sitting about every four hours so I'm pretty sure my little piggy isn't hungry. And we definitely have a night time routine down pat. Argh. Is she ready for solids? Am I putting her down too early (she is whiney and fussy starting at about 6PM every night) or is this just typical for a poor ole' second child who sometimes isn't given as much "structure" as the first?

I mean, I love the little stinker, she's a cutie isn't she?

BUT this Mama (hah and Dada!) need their sleep. 

I can't F-U-N-C-T-I-O-N!!!!! So all you parents of two, three, and four (gulp!) help this Mama out- ALL suggestions welcome! 

It finally happened....

I've been on a blogging hiatus for more reasons then I could fully explain in one blog entry. Maybe it was the move, the birth of our new baby girl, the remodel of our new home, a gazillion vacations thrown in there, etc. etc. Or if I'm being brutally honest, my inability to blog positively while dealing with some heart wrenching personal drama in 2012.

But I'm back and ready to share my life with ya'll again--- hah, for the two people that may be interested, since I've left everyone hanging for close to a year :)

But all that said, this morning, while perusing the internet, sipping on my morning coffee, and enjoying this few minutes of solitude, I came across this bible verse and it literally stopped me in my tracks. I am living the exact life I have always dreamed and prayed for, it's here, I'm living it. It's been a long road, so long, and so filled with obstacles, drama and heart ache, that it took a bible verse this morning to say- WOW..... I'm here, HELLO, wake up, enjoy it!

My life is not always perfect, in fact, more times often then not, it's utter chaos, but I have what I've worked so hard to achieve- a loving husband, a working marriage, two beautiful kiddos etc. etc.  To date, they are my greatest accomplishment. God is good.

So, without further ado I hope you'll rejoin me as I talk about our REAL lives, the great, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. This blog isn't meant to become a part time job, or to chronicle our photoshopped lives. This blog is my way of sharing my family stories, my take on motherhood, kids, and this crazy thing called life. I hope you'll follow along..... again :).

-Crispin