my thoughts...

I haven't been on this blog long.  However I have been on this blog long enough to meet some pretty amazing people..

 

This community is changing me.  Opening my eyes to people and places and parts of life that I never knew existed...

 

It is becoming an outlet to share what travels around inside my head and wants to get out...  Sometimes I feel like maybe these thoughts could make a difference...

 

Today is one of those days... 

 

I received a little note the other day from one of my fellow bloggers who is expecting her third little one soon... I wrote this long before I started this blog but my thoughts haven't changed, they have only grown stronger....  

I have debated on publishing this post for a long time, until I had a little conversation with her and decided that today maybe my thoughts could help anyone who is on the fence...

 

Having Three Kids

I always knew that I wanted three kids… at least I thought that I did… but I was never really sure.  It was around Madison’s first birthday (it usually does for me) that the baby bug started biting again.  My husband and I would talk so often about how tough life was during Madison’s first year and about how we never wanted to go through that again.  Still deep down inside of me I still had more love to give.  More places at the table, more time to rock, bathe, tickle, walk, kissy face, more raw love someone so much it hurts love to give.  It wasn’t until my husband and I decided to make the decision final that the talk about making our family a family of five became a serious discussion.  My husband and I aren’t patient people, often times as soon as we make a decision we are full gusto to complete the task.  With this decision it was something more.  We (I) found patience I never knew I had.  I title this journal Having Three Kids because often times I would sit at the computer and type in those exact three words and pour over all of the articles and life experiences of other families.  I would weigh the pros and cons.  My mind would slip back to the times I felt half crazy (no exaggeration) and couldn’t wait for the day to be over and hope for a fresh start in the morning.  Quickly I would close the computer or move to a different site.  Sometimes I would find a website or blog about a family of five and be in tears by the end about how much a baby making five had fulfilled their lives. 

Living in a family of five is the norm for my husband and me.  I was one of three, he was one of three. It only made sense.  We decided on a time that we would start “trying” again.  This time we were talking about it a year ahead of time.  Something that we never do.  We let the year go by and continued to talk about it and communicate with each other about our fears, our future, and our family.  When it was time, we took a leap of faith.  The leap that so many other mothers wrote about on their blogs, and on their websites.  This time was so different.  This time meant so much because this time we were taking a leap of faith.  There was no set time schedule, no perfect month, just making our family bigger and welcoming a new baby into our family and into our lives.

It took one try and here we are.  We welcomed Lauren Abigail  into our lives on March 27, 2012 (two weeks early).  Life on that day changed for me.  That day I became a better Mommy.  I no longer was able to compare one child to the next, no longer could I focus on the negative behavior all day; no longer did I feel like someone was missing.  She was there in my arms.  The completion to the big question that sat in the back of our minds and hearts.  The stay in the hospital was different as well.  Often times in my past deliveries on the first night of my child’s birth I would have thoughts creep into my head that would scare me to death.  Am I ready for this?  Can I give this child everything they need?  This is for the rest of your life.  Your life just changed forever can you handle it?  The night that Lauren was born I was so elated, so blessed, so comfortable with my life and where I was.  Starring it all in the face and ready to take it on.  Ready to bring her home and start life together as a family of five.

The months have flown by like the wind.   I sit here on Madison’s third birthday and can’t help but cry.  It wasn’t so long ago that she was the baby that I was holding in my arms.  Now she is in preschool and has her ears pierced. My little guy is writing, and spelling… growing into a big kid, and my little one… my last, is almost 7 months old already.  The dynamic of our family is awesome.  Never do I get the feeling that any child gets more attention than another.  My middle child doesn’t suffer from middle child syndrome (if that is even a real thing), and life is good.  So many times during my day I thank the Lord for helping us take the leap.  I thank the Lord for the best husband in the world, for without his continual devotion to our family it wouldn’t be as awesome as it is.  All of the great parts of life happen in front of my eyes every day and I am so lucky to have a front row seat.  Having Three Kids… So glad I did!

 

I really do hope that this post helps some of you... I know that I looked to other mothers for their thoughts, experiences and fears.  Here is where I did a lot of reading... Her columns are really funny and bring a different light to having three kids.   Here is the one that changed my life....

 

 

hello monday

I am linking up with Lisa today over at Lisa Leonard Designs for some hellos for this week.  Come join in...

 

This weekend we spent with family and friends and that always feels good.  One of my husband's friends from college was in town and we had a little time to visit.  He is so much fun and makes us laugh so hard.   Sometimes visiting with friends helps to remind me that I am more than just a mother and that is nice...  We went for a snow walk with the kids in the woods on Saturday.  We just took our time and it was so refreshing... There is nothing like being out in nature....On Sunday we celebrated my brothers birthday.  We were gathered around with our family and it was so great!

 

How about some hellos for the week?

 

Hello to a new week and a fresh start... I really need it!

 

Hello big mug of coffee.  You make my day start right and you keep my hands warm too!

 

Hello  "Puddles" the new pet in our house... Oh how the kids love you...

 

Hello rainy snowy days.... Where are you spring?

 

Hello skating lessons tonight.  Madison is so excited!

 

Hello doctors appointments this week.  Hopefully we can find out what is causing Madison's tummy troubles...

 

Hello looking for inspiration for my LNC Designs shop.  It has been gone for a while now and I can't seem to get it back....

 

Hello to NO LAUNDRY waiting for me... YAY!

 

Hello friends, what are your hellos for the week?

instafriday!

I am linking up my phone pics again this week with jeannett at Life Rearranged. Here is our week in instagram photos.

           My kids were home from school this week.  That is a great recipe for get nothing done around the house, for the LNC Designs shop, or this blog... 

Have you ever heard of "The Mommy Button?"  I first found out about Mommy buttons from Lindsey at  The Pleated Poppy.  You can check out her post  (here) Once she mentioned them I realized we have mommy buttons in our house... They are EVERYWHERE... !!! I  have to be careful around them because once I hit one I hear... "Mommy!  Hey Mommy! or  Mommy??? Can you....?  This picture right here....Humongous mommy button. My hand doesn't even need to touch the mouse and I hear my name.  Another mommy button, the coffee pot... Every kid in this house could be dead to the world but as soon as I touch the coffee pot everyone is up and ready to roll.  Do you have Mommy buttons in your house??? I would love to know where yours are... 

 

Oh and yes, we are HUGE parrot heads in case you were wondering.

 

LOVE + HATE= Brother and Sister

 

Oh these two.  They can be so hot and cold.  One minute they are playing great together and the next "they are not best friends anymore and their only best friend is Mommy!"  Wait another two minutes and they are back playing together again.  At least I have proof they love each other. 

 

Be still my heart... Goodness I love her.  She is really good at MEMORY too!

 

 

This is about right... And that is what kind of week we had... He has made it his personal mission to perfect his headstand.  Yup, you heard me right, headstand...

 

 OH MY!!!  The friendly giant is standing all over the place... She gets really happy for herself and starts clapping... Then falls down.  Cutest thing ever! 

 

Now it's your turn!  Head on over to Life Rearranged and link up  jeannett and your instagram photos from the week!

 

Happy Friday Everyone!

 

Bitter Cold....

Our kids have been home from school most of this week... We had Monday off for the holiday and then two days off due to the bitter cold temperatures around here.  Having the kids home for multiple days home stuck inside is a challenge sometimes...

Today as I watched them play in their pj's, hooded sweatshirts and slippers I couldn't help but feel truly blessed and grateful... I never have to look far because blessings surround me everyday... Some days they are so overwhelming it makes my heart beat a million miles a minute. Today it is for our nice warm home, the place that keeps our little ones toes warm and smiles on their faces....  

 

Today and everyday, I am truly blessed...

 

 

 

  

Hello Monday

WOW! It took me until now to realize that today is Monday and I haven't posted my hellos for the week. My husband and kids are home from school today so I am a little off my game today...

Goodbye to a great weekend filled with TONS of fun!   Saturday we went to a park near us to walk along the river.  The water is really high due to all of the rain lately.  We put the kids in their mud boots and went on our way to explore the trails... Oh my was it muddy!   Later in the afternoon we took the kids to open skate so Madison could practice her ice skating... What fun!

 How about some hellos for the week?

Hello day off with my husband and the kids...  I can't wait to see what today holds! 

 

Hello loads of laundry that wait to be done....

 

Hello looking for inspiration for the LNC Designs shop... I feel a little stuck... 

 

Hello skating lessons tonight... I love watching Madison on the ice...

 

Hello new week, I can't wait to see what you hold for us.... What are your hellos for this week?

 

 

A Mother's Challenge

A Mother's Challenge...

 

So, Casey came up with this really cool mother's challenge for all of us out there. It isn't too often that I have to tell myself to slow down, but it is fun to challenge your inner mommy and see what you can come up with to make your little one's lives more special and meaningful...

 

 

 

It's your turn... What are your challenges...?  Join us... You can find us here!

instafriday

I am linking up my phone pics again this week with jeannett at Life Rearranged. Here is our week in instagram photos.

The week started off great.  The little man went to help Daddy with groceries and came back with these for me.  How sweet!  No occasion, just because.... His Daddy is teaching him well!

 

This one is feeling much better this week.  It is so nice that she has her spunk back.   I have to admit I love when she is a cuddle bug too! She has been on a waffle kick lately... 

 

 She started skating lessons this week and LOVES them!  She was already pushing the bucket away.  I think I am just as excited as she is to go to practice again on Monday... 

 

 

 

One of the little man's favorite things to do is wash his hot wheels cars.  It is a win win for both of us... Cars get clean and it takes some time away from a long afternoon and he gets to play in the water. 

 

 Little sister likes to help too!  When the two of them wash cars together they escape into their own little worlds.  Their imaginations go at full speed talking to the cars and pretending they are talking back.  I love to sit back with my cup of coffee and relish in every moment of it.

After they were all washed they were brought over to the "Radiator Springs" parking lot.  I never realized how many hot wheels cars we have until they are all drying in Radiator Springs.

 

 

Is it bad to say that we have about this many more in our attic that we change out when Little Man gets tired of playing with these???

 



 

I adore these kids!  They are the greatest and they make my life so full...

 

We don't have much going on this weekend and the kids are home on Monday from school.  I don't know what our weekend holds, but I know it will be great!  What are you doing this weekend?

 

Happy Friday everyone!  Don't forget to link up with jeannett at Life Rearranged.

 

Hello Monday

It was a funfilled weekend for the all of us.  A Cleveland visit on Saturday and a lazy day on Sunday...  We went to Fireside Book Store in Chagrin Falls.  It is one of our favorite places to visit.  They have a kids book room upstairs.  Our kids could stay and look at books forever. 

 I am linking up with Lisa at Lisa Leonard for some hellos for the week.

Hello starting the week off running... All of these pretties are waiting to find a home.   Hello working on filling inventory for markets coming up this spring.

Hello to a new week of school for the kids.  They love their new school and I love it when they are happy...

Hello skating lessons for Madison tonight and swim lessons for Shawn on Sunday.  They are really excited.  Madison wants to be an ice princess ever since we went to see Disney on Ice.

Hello to flowers sitting on my kitchen table.  They make me so happy.  Shawn and my husband picked them out for me... Ahhhh... So blessed!

Hello phone calls from old friends.... If feels so great to reconnect again.  It has been such a long time.

Hello planning boards... If you haven't read my new years resolution post you can check it out here! 

Hello new week, it is going to be a great one!  Ready, Set, Go!!!!  What are you saying hello to this week?

instafriday

I am linking up my phone pics again this week with jeannett at Life Rearranged. Here is our week in instagram photos. 

 

This week we were back to the grind of life and I am loving being on a schedule.  I have been busy working on Carousel Clips and Little Ones to stock the LNC Designs shop.  All of these little pretties will find homes soon!  Come visit the shop and see if you see any you like!

We got together with some friends on Saturday and went to play on inflatables for the morning at one of the indoor soccer complexes in our area.  If you live close it is worth checking out!   The kids had so much fun.  I have to admit I was kind of jelious watching how much fun my kids were having.

HAPPY KIDS + INFLATABLES = WORN OUT KIDS & A QUIET AFTERNOON

What is that saying???  A tired puppy is a good puppy?   Yeah, that goes for my kids too!

That's right, I just compared my kids to puppies!

 

These two are inseparable!  Lazy afternoons after Church are perfect for Tickle Fights and lazy afternoons!

 

I forgot how fun 10 months old can be!  Lauren loves every minute of life.  It doesn't matter what you say to her... As long as it is spoken in a high pitched happy voice, she's up for it. 

 

Maybe I should try that next time she needs shots...

 

We also call Lauren the "Friendly Giant."  You will see why in the next picture...

The toy of the week last Friday was Trouble for the big kids...  I put a ban on trouble in our house after I got schooled by my husband, Shawn, and Madison... I can't win even if I try!  This week it's  Mega Blocks... They have been made into tunnels for trains, castles for ice princesses, and a destruction zone for the Friendly Giant.  She also likes to use them as teething toys....

I am not sure who loves instagram more... Me or Shawn?  He loves taking pictures with my phone and then using the tools to make them cool.  Too bad there isn't a tool to make me look less tired... My goodness I need more sleep!

 

 

This one is fighting another cold.... She is a trooper though....  Little Ones are so pathetic when they are sick.

 

 Word World always makes things better!  You can find it on PBS.  If you haven't ever watched Word World, try it you'll like it... and so will your kids!

 

Happy Friday!  We are visiting family this weekend.... What are you up to?

 

Don't forget to link up with jeannett at Life Rearranged 

 

 

 

New Year's Resolution??

With a new start to the year everyone is talking about their New Year's Resolutions.  What is your New Years Resolution???

Becoming and staying organized???

Planning more meals at home and getting less take out???

Getting all of your family's activities written down all in one place???

Organizing your school work a little better???

Whatever your resolution may be, these Weekly Planning Boards may come in handy for you or someone in your life. 

I use my weekly planning board as a dinner menu board.  We are a very busy family on the go and for us this board helps us stay organized throughout the week.  Every Sunday we come up with a weeks worth of meals that we are going to make, shop for the food we need, and we add the dinners to the board.   Viola!  Dinner for every night of the week.  I can glance at the board in the morning and pull anything from the freezer I need, or do food prep while the kids are at school.





 There are other ways that you can use our Weekly Planning Boards... If your family is on the go and you need to keep everyone's activities organized, you can use our boards to help you.  You can write the day and date in the left column and your activities on the right hand side.

Are you trying to exercise more?  Plan your workouts for the week...

If you are a teacher or if you work in an office and find yourself organizing your week and your work schedule to- do's these are so much prettier than the everyday calendar or dry erase board.  Pick one up for your desk or your classroom.  These boards can hang on a wall or can sit on a desk or counter... The possibilities are endless!

 

 

 

 

These Weekly Planning Boards make great gifts too!  Do you have a high school graduate or college student in your life?  Best of all, these boards ship for free! 

 

Take a look in the shop and let me know which one's your favorite! 



Random Thoughts...

The start of the new year always gets me thinking...

 

My mind wanders into so many different areas of life...

 

When I reflect on this past year, I can't help but think about all of the ways that life has changed...

 

Our kids have grown so much. 

 

They have accomplished so much within themselves that it is overwhelming. 

 

Learning to ride a two wheel bike...

 

  potty training...

 

 growing from baby to toddler...

 

Our kids will never cease to amaze me....

 

Every year I grow in different ways.  This year was a big one...

 

I became a Mommy to three... The completion to our family and I was born to be a Mommy of three.  I know, because it is so easy... So much easier than two..

 

I started LNC Designs.  My business that I never had in my dreams but is so glad it became a part of them...

I created this blog ,Ginkgo Street because I was inspired by other Moms who stay home with their kids and share their lives while creating a business on their own.... The Pleated Poppy, The Wiegands, Lisa Leonard... Thank you for your inspiration...

 

Our relationships with our family and friends have grown stronger...

 

Simple everyday life still brings so much happiness....

 I turned 30, grew up a little more, started to accept who and I am and what I contribute to this life, began to notice a change in myself that feels so good....

I learned that life isn't always fair and that horrible things can happen to really great people....

I also found the power of prayer...

The year has flown by so quickly that it takes my breath away.  Our little ones are growing up so fast that I feel like they are slippping away sometimes.  I relish in every moment with them and wish that I could grasp those moments and keep them forever... This new year brings new beginnings for us and for our family.  The page is turned and a new chapter has started...

I can't wait to see what this year brings....

 

Hello Monday

 I am linking up with Lisa from Lisa Leonard Designs with my hellos  for this week!

 

I love this time of year for a lot of reasons # 1 being that we have long lazy weekends that are filled with friends and family.  There are some parts of our weekend that hardly ever change like cozy Friday nights and Church on Sunday mornings…   Lately we have been spending lots of time building trains, playing games, and enjoying each other’s company.  It has been so nice just to be…. Here are a few hellos for the week.

Hello new school!  Shawn and Madison‘s preschool moved over break in to a new wing of our elementary school.  Ms. Jenn and Ms. Marcie are the best.  Thank you for sacrificing your break to make the transition to our new school great!

 

Hello new Weekly Planning Boards and Carousel Clips just added to the LNC Designs shop.   I am busy working on some new products and working the kinks out.

Hello quiet mornings spent with a cup of coffee and Baby Lauren Abigail.  It has been a long time since we have shared a morning together just the two of us.

Hello structure I have been looking for you!  I love our lazy pj days but I am ready to get back to the grind of life for a little while.

Hello little bathroom that sits waiting to be gutted.  I have so many ideas for our new one floating around in my head.   Yes, I find fun in home improvement projects.

Hello Carney kids.  The three of you make my heart overflow with happiness.

 It’s going to be a great week getting back into the swing of things.  What are your hellos for this week?

instafriday

I am linking up my phone pics again this week with jeannett from Life Rearranged.  Here is our week in instagram photos.

My husband and I had a date night with the little man this week.  He has been begging for light up Sketchers ever since his sister got a pair.  While trying them on in the store he took them for a "test drive."  Shawn's idea of a "test drive" is running as fast as he can down the aisle of the store and back and finishing with a baseball slide on the floor.  "Yep, these will work" he said.  Coolest kid ever!  We went out to dinner afterwards to a place that had lemonade and chocolate sundaes... Shawn's request.  I love being able to spoil him for a couple of hours.  Date night was long overdue and needs to happen more! It's Madison's turn next.

 

The kids are totally into games lately.  They can't get enough.  We taught Maddie and Shawn how to play trouble.  I forgot how fun that game is to play.  My husband and I ended up playing it again after the kids went to bed.  We lead such exciting lives....

 

The potato heads came out yesterday.  Madison can finally build them on their own and she loves them!  I love how contently she plays. 

Meet Duck Face and Ballooney

 

 

Maddie is quite the cuddle bug lately....I'll take every minute of it!

 

This little one is 9 months already and into EVERYTHING!!! 

 

No big plans this weekend, just hanging out with the family.  It is freezing here so I am sure it will be filled with cozy blankets, popcorn and movies.  Happy Friday everyone!