Family | A Day in Mollywood

No Filter

April 15, 2013 By Molly

Sometimes you just need to disappear from the blogging world for awhile. Nothing significant is happening. Just life in general. I was sick with a head cold and it is finally leaving me. It sucks when you’re trying to live life and you can’t breathe out of your nose. I filled myself up with antihistamines just to get through the day.

I’m feeling, I don’t know, restless. I’ve been at my job for seven months now and it must be the seven month itch but I’m just sick of it. There was a round of random lay-offs and it has me scared that this isn’t the most stable place to be. So what now? Back to the job-hunt? I’m bitter. I wish I could just stay home.

I had a bad parenting day last week. Brigham got my cold and was up all night coughing. So I woke up tired and groggy and in a bad mood. Lack of sleep is a recipe for disaster for me. I have no patience for anything when I’ve gotten no sleep. In turn, I yelled at my kids for some stupid shit like the fact that Brigham wouldn’t put on his shoes.

You know, it’s strange. I try to be more aware so that I don’t get upset at my kids. I give myself pep talks. Molly, don’t get upset and yell because it will only make the kids and you feel terrible. Well, I started yelling anyway and while I was doing it my brain was screaming at me to S.T.O.P. because I knew it was wrong. I wish I could have just turned around for a minute and gained composure. But instead I messed up and then I end up feeling guilty about it for weeks afterward.

Brigham started crying. Landon just sat there looking up at me and then one lone tear dropped from his eye. It was the saddest thing I’ve ever seen. They don’t understand why I get upset and I know they are left feeling sad and confused because of their mommy’s behavior.

God, sometimes I really hate myself.

I’ve got two blog posts just setting in the drafts folder. They are a month old. One I just can’t bring myself to post because it makes me sad and the other I’m terrified to post because I’ve never told anyone. It’s an important post though and I so desperately want and need to release this from me. But I’m scared. I tell myself every Sunday that I’m going to post them but the weeks fly by and they are still unpublished.

I’ve really been struggling with anxiety lately. My mom found out that she needs open heart surgery and although I’m positive that everything will work out okay and she will be fine, unfortunately, my brain just isn’t kind to me in these situations. I’ve been having trouble sleeping. I say prayers with Landon every night and each night we pray for Grandma’s heart. If you could spare a prayer for her I would love you forever.

I realize this is kind of a depressing post. But it’s either this or no writing at all. This is just where I am in my life right now. Feeling quite blah about it all. You know how on Instagram you can use filters to make life look prettier than it really is? But when people don’t use one they tag it with #nofilter. Well, that’s what this is today. Blogging with no filter.

Filed Under: Blogging, Family, Silly Me 8 Comments

Snow Days

February 25, 2013 By Molly

A big snow storm moved in last Thursday morning. It was so big that it shut down the entire city! My work was closed and Naaman just happened to be off so we had an unexpected family day! As much as I dislike the cold weather it was nice to be together, cozied up inside. This was the view outside our front door. At one point we couldn’t see anything. Total white-out conditions!

snow

The news stations went crazy obviously, showing cars and trucks stuck on every major road and highway. They told everyone to stay home, which is exactly what we did. I received a text early the next morning that work would be closed again! Naaman was off too so we got another family day! That night Naaman took the boys out to play in the snow. Can you spot our garden gnome’s pointy hat in the picture? I think we got about a foot of snow!

snow2

The boys seemed to enjoy getting out of the house and playing around in the snow. I watched them from our big picture window while they had snowball fights and made snow angels.

snowangels

There was more playing in the snow for the next two days. It’s been cold enough that it has stuck around. Landon built a snowman with the help of Daddy. He looked so proud.

snowman

Usually I would be upset that we got snow so late in the season. But missing work and our family being together for four whole days was a wonderful feeling!

And now we’re bracing for the second big snowstorm to hit Kansas City! I was at the grocery store yesterday and it was a total madhouse! I wonder if tomorrow will be another snow day as we are supposed to get heavy snow tonight. I’m crossing my fingers

Filed Under: Family 4 Comments

Grateful

November 21, 2012 By Molly

Grateful for enjoying fall with these two hooligans.

Grateful for my first son and his sweet smile.

Grateful for my second son and his cheesy, squinty smile.

I’m grateful for a loving husband and a warm and wonderful house we are making a home.

I’m grateful for snacks and books and internet and snacks. Oh wait.

I’m grateful for our health.

I’m grateful that every day is a new day and for the choice to make it good.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Warm wishes for a family-filled holiday.

Filed Under: Family, Holidays 5 Comments

Fall Family Photo Shoot 2012

September 27, 2012 By Molly

Landon is four and Brigham is two and I knew that it was time for a family photo shoot to mark their age. We chose to have Megan take our photos on the first day of fall. She is a long-time blogging buddy of mine (seriously, I can’t remember how long ago I started reading!). We both have two boys that are close in age and she just so happens to have a budding photography business. What better reason to meet in person?!

She was just as sweet and genuine as I imagined and the boys really warmed up to her. Apparently Landon asked her if she could come home with us

What Megan probably doesn’t know is that she has been integral in my journey to strengthen my faith in God. I read her blog, a woman who truly believes in Jesus, and I want to be more like her. Someone that praises Him each day.

Isn’t blogging amazing? I’ve made real connections with awesome people. It just means the world to me.

So thanks, Megan, for encouraging me AND for taking such beautiful photos of our family.

Oh, how blessed I am to have this life and this family.

Filed Under: Blogging, Family, Friends, he's growing up, Naaman, Photography 10 Comments

Lately

July 16, 2012 By Molly

Do you guys like these type of posts? Just some happenings in our little world? I’d like to get back to doing more of that. Documenting the fun we’re having by just living life. It’s nothing earth shattering but I promised I would post more photos this year. Instagram makes it so easy to snap, snap, snap away. All of these photos were taken on my iphone.

……………………

Landon really wanted beach buckets and shovels but we have no real beaches in Missouri. I bought them anyway and we went to a sand volleyball court at the park instead. The boys thought it was pretty cool.

We went to the zoo last week with my sister Kelli, nephew Harrison and niece Charlotte. Aside from it being in the nineties it was really fun. We saw the bird show, which let us see endangered parrots, owls and a vulture up close. The blue picture is actually of the polar bear exhibit. She is still fairly new to the Kansas City Zoo and is the main attraction! We like watching her do flips in the water.

Just some random happenings around the house. Brigham skipped his nap after the zoo. Um, not acceptable Brigs! Landon watched daddy change the oil. He was very interested. We recently signed up for ABCmouse.com after hearing the commercial a bazillion times. It is an educational computer program with games, songs, math, reading, etc. It’s fair to say that Landon is obsessed with it now. He woke up wanting to play it. I don’t mind it so much since it does teach him important things. It’s fun for me to watch him learn and help him along. He is really good at using the mouse and can quickly find letters on the keyboard. He’ll probably be typing faster than me by age 5!

Brothers sharing icy pops. All three boys got new tennis shoes last week. Can you say expensive? I went on a lunch date with sisters while my sister Jennifer was in town. The boys like to do anything with our sectional other than sit down. There they are climbing on the back of the couch. I don’t always let them. But on this day I just gave in and let them have some fun.

Naaman’s brother Nathan and his family are in town for a visit. They are currently in transition with the Navy and will be moving to Germany next week for three years! We went to Naaman’s hometown for a family get together and it was a lot of fun. We made homemade ice cream, the kids splashed in the kiddie pool, we fed the neighbor’s horses carrots. Levi is their six-year-old son and Landon just loves him. They usually get along really well. They rarely get to see each other but when they do I hear a lot of little boy giggles and I love it. We will miss them while they’re so far away but wish them luck on their next big adventure across the ocean!

And that’s what’s up lately. Have a wonderful Monday, everyone.

Filed Under: Brigham, Family, Landon 6 Comments

Fabulous Fourth

July 6, 2012 By Molly

We had a fabulous Fourth! It started with a parade downtown in my sister’s neighborhood. The kids hung out with their cousin Harrison. We had never taken the boys to a parade before and they seemed to really like it. There were fire trucks, a drumline and people passing out candy!

Next we headed to my parents house for dinner and swimming! Landon likes the American flag. He knows the Pledge of Allegiance and was saying it while holding the flag. Too cute.

The boys wore matching shirts much to Naaman’s chagrin. I think it’s adorable. He thinks it’s lame. Oh well, I win.

We let the boys stay up late and go to the city’s big fireworks display. This was Brigham’s first year watching it and he was memorized. He kept saying wow and boom! It was quite something!

Nothing like watching fireworks with family and a box of popcorn.

(do my kids not look exactly alike in these photos!)

Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday. I’m so glad we made some great memories with family. I hope yours was swell too!

Filed Under: Brigham, Family, Holidays, Landon 5 Comments

Day Out with Thomas!

June 13, 2012 By Molly

We took the kids to meet Thomas the Train this past Saturday in Baldwin City, Kansas.

It was kind of far away and ended up being in the nineties. Although the heat made it a bit uncomfortable it was still fun to see the kids’ reaction when the full-sized Thomas the Train pulled up.

It was hard to get them to sit still while the train was moving. I think they were just really excited. Look at Brigham’s reaction when the train started blowing its whistle!

And Landon was all smiles and waiting patiently for the train to start moving.

At one point both boys and cousin Harrison wound up on Naaman’s lap!

After the train ride we decided to forgo the long line to get a photo in front of Thomas’ face. We opted to go the side route and save time and our sanity. I can’t believe everyone was looking the same direction for this photo.

It was hard to get the boys to turn around. They only wanted to look at Thomas!

All in all, it was a great day with family! I loved seeing their little faces get excited about Thomas. They’ve been watching Thomas and reading his books for quite some time. So I know it was a special day for them to meet him in person!

Filed Under: Family 5 Comments

Briggy’s 2nd Birthday

May 15, 2012 By Molly

It has already been two weeks since his party but better late than never. All three of my sisters got to be at Briggy’s second birthday party, which made the day extra special. It was a small party with family only. Turns out that’s the way I like parties now. Low key and limited guest list. But it was just perfect! We did a Clifford the Big Red Dog theme. Not much to go off of for that theme but Briggy loves Clifford so I was bound and determined to incorporate him somehow.

Here is the only halfway decent photo of our family. How do people get good family shots? I mean, really. HOW?

Birthday boy Briggy blowing out the candles!

Brigs got lots of good loot. Tons of matchbox cars, which are his favorite. He didn’t want to put them down.

I posted awhile ago on my blog that I was doing a Clifford themed party. That day I got an email from a local blog reader who owns a party rental company. She offered me the Clifford costume at no cost! So sweet. See this blogging gig does pay off from time to time.

The best part of the whole party was when the kids heard a knock at the door and opened it to find CLIFFORD himself!!!

Landon got up on the table to hug him!

Brigham was timid at first . . .

But by the end he and Clifford were fist bumping.

Here’s the best shot we got of Grandma and Papaw with all five of their grandkids, princess Charlotte now included.

It was another great birthday party with many wonderful memories made!

Filed Under: Birthdays, Brigham, Family 12 Comments

Old Missouri Town

May 10, 2012 By Molly

I love where we live. There is a nature reserve five minutes away from our house where buffalo and elk roam. Pretty cool, eh? They also have Old Missouri Town there. It is a place made to look like a Missouri town in the 1800′s. They do fun events there and this past Saturday they had sheep shearing day! Even though it was a scorcher (90 degrees in May!) my boys, grandma and papaw and my nephew ventured out to experience something new.

We first met Moses the cow. He was chewing straw just hanging out when all of a sudden . . . cow pie!

The boys laughed so hard when the cow pooped. It was too funny.

Next we headed over to see them shear a sheep! The boys were mesmerized by this. The sheep just laid there like it was nothing.

You have to think how good it would feel to have all that heavy wool shaved off of you. They only do it once a year!

Then they take the wool and start making things with it immediately! Pretty amazing!

The boys listened to some old-fashioned music. The woman played Old McDonald and we all sang.

Next thing we knew, the boys were running in the field trying to find the sheep that was making the loud “baaaaah” sound.

I didn’t really know how this would go but the boys saw the stilts and had to try them out. Papaw helped give all the boys a try.

We were pretty hot and sweaty by this time but Landon wanted to try the “hoops” game.

Brigham cannot be left out. He must do whatever Landon is doing so he tried it out too.

It was another fantastic Saturday. I promised to try new things with the boys and so far we’re succeeding!

As always, thanks for reading.

Filed Under: Brigham, Family, Landon 13 Comments

Go Fly a Kite!

April 25, 2012 By Molly

This past Saturday was one of those special days that you want to store deep in your brain and never forget. It is my plan to get the boys out and about this spring. I want them to discover new things and go to new events. So when I saw that Kansas City was having a kite festival I knew we needed to go!

The sky was perfectly blue and the sun shone through the trees in the park-like setting of the suburb. It was a really beautiful day for kite flying.

They had fun things for the kids to do. These little fish kites were poking out of the ground inviting all the little ones to play. And play they did!

Brigham was so enthralled with the kites in the air. I tried to get him to say kite but he was too busy looking around at all there was to see.

Landon was pretty excited too. Unfortunately, a large portion of the grassy area was blocked off for the huge kites. Kids don’t understand why they can’t cross over a line so he was a bit frustrated. Not to worry! A kind kite club member walked over mid-tantrum and totally calmed him down by telling him there was a dragon kite! Why thank you, nice stranger. You totally saved us!

They both ran through these things that were sticking out of the ground. The kids loved it!

Landon kept running and as always little brother kept following along.

Grandma and Papaw were there with us. My sister and her family came along too. It was a family affair.

There was a huge kite in the shape of a cat. Brigham kept yelling, meow, meow, meow! It was so cute. Truly wondrous to see all those kites up in the sky at the same time. You couldn’t help but smile.

If this next photo is any indication of how the day went I’d say it was a big WIN. There was music playing and out of the blue Landon and my nephew started dancing. It was hilarious especially since Landon is usually shy of strangers. Maybe he is growing out of that phase!