House of Rose —

Track Lighting, A Sick Kid, & Dog Puke

by M on January 9, 2012

Let’s start with the good news shall we?

You see this ladder? This is the start of my dad installing the track lighting for the picture wall! Woo hoo!

He also bought the wood to start building the boys their own lockers for the garage!I like it when I get him on a roll…because I can usually keep him going! The projects that are brewing in my head are endless.

Now, the bad news?

About an hour ago I got a call from daycare and this happy fella…

…is not feeling so happy! He has a 101 temperature. I am wondering if God is playing some sort of awful joke on me? No?

I can take NO MORE SICKNESS! I know you guys are really getting tired of my posts and tweets about sick kids.

I guess I should have known yesterday when SJ was not loving his playtime with his brothers that we were on the brink of being sick.

Again.

I think my husband might fire me. I haven’t had a chance to really work in almost 3 weeks. Ha! I can’t imagine if I was truly still with my old company. I would probably owe THEM money by this point!

Did I mention that when I left to go get SJ…the dog decided to get in to my diaper bag, destroy the formula container, eat about two 8 ounce bottles worth of Enfamil powder, and then PUKED all over our bedroom.

REALLY? Because I am pretty sure I was already at my puke quota for the DECADE!

Too bad I hate wine.

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Just A Typical Friday Afternoon

by M on January 6, 2012

You know, where one of your children decides that instead of napping he will REMOVE his pants from his legs…attach them to his head…and SHAKE IT SHAKE IT!

Because every kid does that right?Or is it ONLY the middle children that embrace this type of behavior?

I THINK WE HAVE OUR ANSWER.

Perhaps it runs in the family?

Guess we’ll blame that behavior on daddy.

Ahem.

Now let’s talk about my child that can’t take his pants off just yet and wear them on his head. Yes, little SJ!

He had TWO bottom teeth pop through over the weekend. You can’t see them just yet, but you can definitely feel them!

He’s growing so fast! He’s still as happy as ever. Even when he’s teething. And he absolutely loves to watch his brothers. They don’t even have to be doing anything funny and he will smile and laugh at them. Such a blessing to have him in our lives!

Well, I better run before Bents decides to remove his diaper too! I’d prefer to keep my Friday night laundry free!

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BlissDom 2012 – Here I Come!

by M on January 4, 2012

Back in November I purchased my ticket to BlissDom 2012! For those of you who are wondering, “what in the heck is BlissDom?” check it out by clicking below!

I am very excited to be attending my first “official” blogging conference! I went to the Financial Blogger Conference this past year with my husband and I had a such a great time (remember I met the two coolest girls ever – Linda and Besty?)

After I left that conference, I decided that one of my goals for 2012 would be to attend BlissDom! So…in 50 days…I will be in Nashville, TN having the time of my life with tons of other bloggers. Some that I have been corresponding with since 2008, but have never met in person!

BUT, as a BlissDom “newbie”, I need some advice from the veterans…

Let me know if you are attending BlissDom 2012!

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The Never Ending Sickness

by M on January 3, 2012

I would love to update with pictures of Christmas or my New Years resolutions, but unfortunately 2 of the 3 Rose boys are down and out. It’s been a LONG December for us and I can honestly say…I am ready for a fresh start in 2012! Someone in our house has been sick EVERY SINGLE DAY since December 2nd. Yes, that is one WHOLE month of sickness. Unfortunately, now I am sick too. Daddy & SJ are the only ones who are feeling ok.

I am worried that me and the boys have food poisoning. None of us have fevers, but lots of puking and using the bathroom is going on. I feel like I am in puke H***! The only thing we all 3 ate the same was Monday evening…a skillet frozen meal with pasta and broccoli.

P has finally stopped puking (I think), but Bents…not so much.

Please say a prayer that the Rose boys will feel better ASAP and that the sickness will stay away in 2012! I feel like we have fulfilled our quota for a good while now.

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Public Service Announcement: via the Rose Boys

by M on December 31, 2011

I hope you are all planning to have a wonderful New Year’s Eve! Although the Rose boys would like to celebrate and party…they happen to be on duty tonight so it looks like there won’t be any parties going on here.

If you are planning to celebrate your evening by indulging in some adult beverages the Rose boys would like to remind you:

DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!

Stay safe and have a fabulous start to 2012!

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the thing is: 4 year olds are funny

by M on December 28, 2011

Sometimes I love the things that come out of my four year old’s mouth.

He can be so sweet. And loving. I always tell people he will be my child that NEVER leaves me! He will go to college locally, find a wonderful woman and move down the block from us. This is all in my dreams of course. Doesn’t that sweet smile just scream “I will never leave you mom”!

Deep down he is a mama’s boy at heart. He loves to be my cuddle buddy and every night he says, “Momma, can we cuddle on the couch?” If that doesn’t make your heart skip a beat I don’t know what will.

He’s funny. Always has been. Since the time he was wee-big he has been cracking us up with his funny faces and hilarious personality. He seems to constantly be doing humorous things and then he will say, “Was that funny mom?”Such a people pleaser he is!

He is also my most challenging child. Not sure if it’s just his age or the fact that he is the first born, but he definitely has the stubborn personality inherited by yours truly. He’s defiant. Hard headed. And has a very hard time listening lately.

He’s the “baby” of the family and when he doesn’t get his way. Watch out. He is not exactly understanding.

Remember when I said that I love the things that come out of my four year old’s mouth? Well, other times…not so much.

Over Christmas break we watched one of my favorite holiday movies of all time – “Christmas Vacation”. Little did I remember it having so much profanity. Luckily the boys were too busy playing with all their new great gifts & I assumed they weren’t paying much attention.

That is until 2 nights ago. When my loving, sweet, funny, stubborn, hard-headed mommy’s boy yelled, “Hey mom, the sh*tters full!”

And this would be one of those times that I was thankful we weren’t in public because the ONLY thing worse than him reciting that line from the movie would have been him reciting that line from the movie in public. At church. Or Pre-k.

Like any good mom, I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants (I couldn’t help myself). Then I politely (or not so politely) explained to him that we do not use that kind of language in this house.

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Counting My Christmas Blessings

by M on December 26, 2011

Our Christmas was more than blessed. I feel like God provides so much for my family that it sometimes feels wrong. I know that sounds silly. After all, God loves everyone. He doesn’t love me or my family more than the next. But, I just feel BEYOND thankful for the things that He provides for us.

Yea, sure, my kids were ALL 3 sick at the same time. But, I prayed that God would help them enjoy Christmas despite their sickness. You know what? He provided. They had spent the whole week with fevers and on Christmas Day (for the first time in 5 days) not one of my children had a fever.

Sometimes I feel like I am pretty demanding of Him. At times, I only go to Him when I need something. I am guilty of wanting God to do things for me. That glorify me. That make me feel good.

In reality…I should be focusing on Him. What I can do for Him. How I can glorify Him. What makes Him feel good.

I am a control freak. I like things my way. I get mad when God doesn’t follow my rules. I question Him.

WHY? Why on Earth would I question the Creator of me? The One who provided ALL of the things that I have. The God that continues to provide me with things that I never imagined I would ever have. How selfish of me!

Do you ever find yourself in that “selfish” place? The place where you feel “entitled”?

He didn’t have to provide my husband and I the means to be able to give our children presents. He didn’t have to provide us one of the best Christmas meals around. He didn’t have to provide us with grandparents that love our children like their own. He didn’t have to. But He did. He does.

And sometimes I forget.

So this morning I took some time to talk with Him. To appreciate Him. To let Him know how blessed I feel despite my often self-centered attitude.

Most of all I thanked Him. Not just for the best Christmas we have ever had, but for the healthy children that He entrusted to me.

If you haven’t taken the opportunity to thank Him for your blessings you still have time. That’s the best part about Him. He doesn’t demand that you thank him immediately. He provides grace.

I am always amazed at how many non-believers celebrate Christmas. How can you believe in Christmas, but not in Christ? He is the reason we celebrate! Let’s not forget that! If your feeling thankful, but have been so caught up in the holiday rush that you haven’t taken the time to thank Him…I would encourage you to STOP…take a moment…and say thank you.

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Using Children’s Art For Decorating

by M on December 22, 2011

I know this is not a “new” idea by any means, using children’s art for decorating. Trust me, most of my ideas are usually stolen from somewhere. The good ones at least.

Maybe your creative. Maybe you come up with your own ideas. Maybe you don’t even need Pinterest to spark your creative juices.

Welp, not this girl.

I like to copy. After all…imitation is the best form of flattery, right? Or so they say!

So just about every magazine I get in the mail has the cutest pictures of children’s art being used as wall art.

Awhile back I purchased this fabulous round frame from Ikea. The one I posted about here.

The black one in the top left of the picture. Yea, that has the Ikea ad still in it.

I actually purchased TWO of them to be exact. The only problem? I had no idea what I was going to put in it. It looks like it should be a mirror…but it’s not. It’s just a frame.

Luckily I enlisted my 4 year old to paint me something pretty. Since the frame was such an odd size I figured it would make the perfect place for children’s art!

I love looking at it and thinking about all P’s hard work! And his cute little hand print!

What do you think?

I also just recently added these Christmas trees to the top of my buffet and I adore them!

BUT, what I adore more than the trees??? The fact that my Christmas card holder from Callie is OVERFLOWING with wonderful Christmas cards! I think I should have ordered two! I still have a stack that won’t fit!

Christmas is such a great time to have your children paint something for your wall! With all the time off from school you will surely be looking for activities so try it out! And add it to your home decor!

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A House Full of Sick Kids

by M on December 20, 2011

Unfortunately the boys are all feeling YUCKY! It started with P more than a month ago, then went to me, then to the MIL, back to P….now to SJ AND BENTS!

I have no idea how J has escaped it! I have a feeling it may hit him just in time for Christmas. UGH!

I took SJ to the doctor this morning because he was running a fever, had a terrible cough, runny nose, and red icky eyes. Turns out he has a double ear infection AND pink eye in both eyes!

I was hoping Bents wasn’t going to become victim of it. After all, he woke up acting fine and had no signs of a temp. Fast forward till 1:00 pm and now he has a 102 temp!

We are gonna work on getting all these poor boys better before Santa is suppose to visit!

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Keeping Christmas Decorating SIMPLE!

by M on December 16, 2011

When Nina, Meredith, Erin, AP, and Molly decided to host the “Oh What Fun It Is” link up week, I must admit, I was most excited about the decorating link up! Decorating is one of my hobbies.

Funny thing is…I am never all that motivated to decorate for the holidays. I think it’s because I know that whatever I put up…must come down within a month. So, if I am being honest with you all…I will admit…I don’t decorate for ANY holiday EXCEPT Christmas.

*GASP*

Sorry, but it’s true.

I absolutely LOVE Christmas time though and I am all about getting the decorations out early! It seems like every year gets better and better as the boys get older (and we keep adding boys-ha!)This year I let daddy and the boys decorate the tree. I am usually very anal about how it “needs” to look, but something happened in me this year because I honestly haven’t touched it once since the boys did the hanging of ornaments. Unless you count picking up ornaments off the floor and putting them back on the tree. You know, after Bents attacks the tree every other day.We also kept the ornaments to a minimum this year. Not sure why, but nonetheless I’m at peace with it.We have a small tree at our front entrance, along with our awesome new card holder from Callie! I have never owned a card holder before and I am telling you now…if you don’t have one. Get one. Make one. Find one.

This table is also in our front entrance and I found these “B E L I E V E” blocks at TJ Maxx for $12.99!

Although, most of the time, they read something like ” E B E L I E V” because a certain little middle child thinks they are building blocks. Ahem.

One of the easiest ways to add some Christmas spirit to any table is to use a clear glass vase…and throw some Christmas ornaments in it!

We don’t have a mantel above our fireplace so we hang our stockings from a shelf.

Poor SJ, his stocking is still on order!

I really like reindeer during this time of year.

But, again, I usually see a lot of this going on…

…reindeer look like toys!

Our dining room table has this pretty lantern on it that I usually keep a candle in.

I would have like to add some more colorful ornaments in it, but gold was all I had. So gold it is.

One of the boys favorite things? The advent calendar that hangs in the kitchen. P tries to move the candycane to the 25th every morning. Ha!

As you can see, I keep most of my Christmas decorating simple and easy! It keeps the stress levels down!

Can’t wait to check out all the other “Oh What Fun It Is…To Decorate” posts!!

I am also linking up with Kelly’s Korner for the Christmas home tours!

Merry Christmas!

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Make Memories Through Christmas Cards

by M on December 15, 2011

I am linking up with AP from I Love You More Than Carrots! Today is all about “Making Memories”!

One of the first things I think about when “Making Memories” for the holidays is Christmas cards! It’s the ONE time of year that I make sure we get a family picture taken! Such a great way to document memories…through pictures!

Luckily, this year one of my BF’s, Katie, did our pictures and…miraculously, all the boys looked at the camera.
They didn’t all smile, but hey…looking in the right direction accounts for something! I keep a copy of each years Christmas card in our fire proof safe! If all else burnt down…at least we would have the memories of every Christmas!