Paper Mama FAMLY

It feels good to be back to blogging, and what better way to jump back in then to do a photo challenge.  The Paper Mama's photo challenge for the week is 'Family.' We don't have a ton of family photos because I'm usually hiding behind the camera. These were taken for a Christmas cards last year, I used my fabulous remote so I didn't have to run a marathon trying to get them all done :) This was one of my favorites, because look at that kid! He's so cute and funny!

I wuv my fam!

Lessons I've Learned As A {stay at home} Mom

I've officially been a mom, and a stay at home one at that, for over 2.5 years. I can't believe how honestly, truly, fast it has gone. It has been the most challenging, stressful, rewarding, exhausting, exhilarating job ever.  It has been a struggle being a single income family in California, and well anywhere right now.  We  do get some criticism for doing things the way we are doing them. But for us Quinten and our family means far more to us than any amount of extra money. We have what we need and most of all we have each other! Shannon has been lucky enough that the last few projects he has done the customers are close to retirement age, have grown children, and are starting to have grandchildren all their own. Shannon came home one day with a little extra pep in his step. The customer spent a good 10 minutes praising Shannon for what we are doing. He told him thats how they did it, they struggled, went without, stressed, the whole deal. But in the end it was more than worth it. They wouldn't have done it any other way, and that they are still reaping the benefits of the hard work they put in. And since that job, I kid not, he has had probably 6 or 7 different clients say the exact same thing! With the judgment that can go around when you struggle, it was such a breath of fresh air to hear people praising us! Woohoo! :) Anyways all that to say, I've learned a lot these last few years. Not just in parenting, but about myself as well. Things I always believed to be true about myself were SO not! Things I said I'd never do, I did. Things I said I would always do, I never have.  So this morning as I was sweeping up I started thinking about all the things that have gone on, all that I have learned and I thought I'd share.

 **DISCLAIMER** These are things I've learned, that work for me, I in no means think these are written law, right or wrong, blah blah blah. And most of them pertain to working moms, and SAHM's alike. Its just stuff running through my head, k?

  Lessons, a little humor, a little truth...

**You will never get used to the smell of poop. You just learn to tune it out, and get done quick.

**No 2 days will ever be the same, if you expect them, or think they will HA!

**Children are little people. You know how sometimes you are in a bad mood for no reason? So are they... just let it be.

**On that note, your kid is his/her own person, they may not want to do what you want them to, or how you want them to do it. Just like you don't, learn their ways, and man your life will be so much easier!

**Laundry does not fold itself, no matter how much you stare at it.

**Nap time is really for you, your sanity, and same breathing time. And a little for your kid.

**Sunshine does everybody wonders.

**If your kid is hungry enough for more "noooodles" they are hungry enough to finish that chicken and broccoli ;)

**Patience is learned, and it changes, be patient it will come ;)

**If your kid wants to sit down and read a book, do a puzzle, scoot some trucks with you, DO IT. Those dishes will be there later, the bathroom wont get much dirtier, the vacuum works after 2pm. Time with your child is way more fun and rewarding!

**When your child is behaving in a manner that makes you want to simultaneously pull out your hair and scream in a pillow, remind yourself that he/she has only been around for __ years. Ask yourself what are you "2"? Oh ya, I guess they're new at all this.

**Some days 5:30pm {husband gets home from work} takes years to get here, and in turn 6:30am will be here in the blink of an eye. Tomorrow is a new day.

**Don't be afraid to ask for help, it doesn't show you are weak, it shows you are human. 

**Your child will seem to get PMS when you do. I have no idea how that works.

**Don't raise your voice to talk over your kid, it just turns into a competition, instead whisper, they will shut up to see if they want to hear what you are trying to say.

**You will say the same thing 5000 plus times. And then turn around and say "how many times to I have to tell you..." Probably at least once more...

**Sharing goes both ways.

**Kids learn most by watching you, so be careful...

**You will lose sleep, and they don't care.

**If you get to pee alone, enjoy it, and take a little extra time doing it.

**Kids don't "know better" they don't think like that. Its our job to teach them to.

**You are never too old to need your mommy. 

**Sticking to your guns is exhausting, but so worth it. 

**When you put your kid in time out, do the same for yourself, sit down, slow deep breaths, count to 10, shake it off, and start fresh. 

**In parenting you get out what you put in, be patient, loving, kind, and one day you'll get the same in return <3 

This is why I do it.. My little sweet man!

April Showers

It rained ALL night last night! It was fabulous. I missed the wet stuff this "winter." It is far more challenging with a 2.5 year old to have rainy days, but none the less I miss it! So it rained, I slept. It was still cloudy with a chance of rain today. Quinten and I chilled out inside this morning and waited to sit by the slider and watch it pour! No luck, it never rained, so we bundled up and went for a bike ride! It was wonderful, I love cool, cloudy, breezy weather. School is still out over here so we headed over there. Normally we can't play in the parking lot, but today we had it all to ourselves! Then... it happened. He spotted it. A puddle. Perfectly oval, shiny, and wet! He glanced back at me with that sneaky smile if not to say "can I, should I, is she watching?" And to his surprise I said "GO FOR IT!!" He double looked like "wha?" Then he was off! He rode through that first puddle for close to 10 minutes, then dropped the bike and started jumping, running, splashing. He thought it was the coolest.thing.ever. until I showed him a bigger one! It was so fun watching him. That is one of the funnest things as a kid. I remember doing it allll the time as a kid and loving it! He had so much fun, was so wet, ear to ear grin I tell you. We came home took a warm bubble bath, had lunch, watched a little bit of Walle, and now he's dreaming away! What a good day :0) Happy hump day! Its all downhill to weekend from here!

Lets Get Our Easter On!

Easter sure jumped up and bit me in the butt this year! I'm in complete denial that its already April. Taxes, Quarterlies, Spring? Where did the first of the year go?! So Quinten and I jumped in the car and headed out to get our Easter decor tools (on a budget of.course.), and got our craft on. Double bonus, it kept him busy enough I got a few chores done as well ;)

18 pack of foam bunnies from JoAnn's (like 2 bucks!), blue buckets from Target a buck each! And some puff paint and washable markers. I gave the glitter bunnies faces and bellies, Quinen gave the un-glitter bunnies make-overs of sorts. Hot glue those babies to the buckets...

Hey Bunny!  Quinten working hard

I then took a 3 color pack of tissue paper and made paper flowers and packed the buckets full and placed them all over the house. With the left over bunnies I taped them to purple crate paper and hung them on our shelf. Quinten woke up from his nap and was so excited to see his bunnies all over the house! It was a fun and cheap craft project that brought a little spirit to the house. Last minute, yes, awesome... you know it! ;) Hope you all had a most wonderful Easter!! 

He is so 2

Can't believe my baby boy has passed the 2 1/2 mark already. Oh wait, ya I can! The past week we have entered into some new territory. The "I know better than my parents, and you can't stop me" territory. I guess it's a little my fault, I was a little more independent and head strong as a kid, but c'mon! It's timeouts and talkings to, toys being taken away, rinse and repeat. I try to hold my patience, it's just a phase right? And will be over in 16 years I know... Ha ha. It's crazy to watch him develop not just into a person but his own person. One with opinions, ideas, and attitude! He's an awesome little guy, so full of humor and joy! There are just some days I miss telling him something once and it working ;) he's 2 for sure!
Guess where the dogs ball is? Perhaps in the bucket...

This Kid

Remember This Kid? Can you believe its been a little over a year since I wrote that post. So much has happened. So much has changed. He is now a kid, with a mind of his own. Who loves to help mom and dad with whatever they are doing. He helps unload the dishwasher, dryer, sweep, you know the daily stuff. He is talking up a storm. Cracks himself, and inevitably everyone else in the room up. Still loves to be outside, but his new favorite activity is riding his push bike. I blame his father, this kid is insane. I am basically jogging to keep up with the little racer. Off into the dirt, down little hills, over bumps. You name it. He loves his doggies, but can be quite the bully. Trying to establish some dominance I guess since he usually doesn't get any inside ;) We try to be "firm" but that kid already has us rapped around his little finger. He is slowly discovering what those little decadences are that mom and dad pop into their mouths when passing through the kitchen, you know M&M's, and gummy candies. He still loves his fruits, veggies, BBQ chicken, pasta, most everything. He's a pit! Those DVD's are still a treasure, we don't have the lounge in front anymore, giving him full access, he tries to get away with is by counting them. It's alright because I'm learning right? He is very good natured. As long as he isn't too tired, he's pretty easy going. BUT he is also very strong willed, if his little heart is set on something good luck, it may take a bit to convince him other wise. He loves to dance around with mom, ruff house, play trucks, do puzzles, play his electric guitar, walk around the stores sans mom and dads hands. I'm excited to see what the next year brings, but sad that he is growing up so fast. I'm feeling a lot more pressure as he gets older to make sure I'm instilling all those important things in him. Gratitude, respect, strength, faith, moral, joy. I want the world for him, like the whole world! So proud of what a little man he is!

Under Construction

The Cowan Chronicles is currently Under Construction!! If you've been around a while, thanks for sticking with me. If you're just stopping by, stay a while! The Cowan Chronicles is coming back! Better than ever, and with a little something new as well :) See you soon!!

Check that kid out!! Aint he getting big!! And just so adorable!?  Love love love