Mischief makings

When I log into my blog there are about 10 posts that I have started to write and never finished...As well as a huge long list of posts that need to be written. As every mommy can attest to; there is never enough time in one day to do all the things that we need to do. For me it's a GIANT pile of laundry, baby books still not finished, cards not mailed out, photos not sorted, piles of "stuff" still sitting in certain corners, phone calls to friends and family that need to be made. Oy. Then all I have to do is look at my sleeping family and then I know that the rest of that doesn't really matter at the moment, it will all get done...someday. So when you get your 29th birthday card when you turn 31 or a phone call that is months late, I am sorry, I do think about you often and love you, I just have two littles that are mischief making and keeping me uber busy.

Take the time today to appreciate yourself for ALL of the things that you do get done. Loving someone, tickling, reading stories, sending out a prayer and a thought, those count too!

All the love in the world,

The MommyTree

Drinking Buddies

It starts now. Sitting on the couch in jammies, drinking milk, living the life. This whole series of photos just cracks me up. The best part is Calem never once takes the sippy cup out of his mouth. Not once.

Like all siblings, they love fiercely and are already starting to fight...We have been trying hard to teach Declan that how he treats Calem is how Calem will learn to treat others. Life is hard as a younger brother because you are always trying to do what your big brother does, the frustration and struggle is real! However, in these moments I look at them and think I am so thankful they have each other and I hope they always remain the best of friends. I'm cherishing these moments when they sit still and they actually look little-ish.
And my heart breaks a little as Declan is rapidly outgrowing his 4T jammies and clothes and what will I do when Gap no longer has matching big kid and little kid jammies?!?!?!

Blogger Holiday Gift Exchange

My sweet friend Elizabeth over at Chasin Mason invited us to participate in a Blogger Gift Exchange! Her and her friend Megan got it all organized and I was beyond thrilled to be included! I LOVELOVELOVE the idea of all these amazing mothers and sweet kidlets sharing in the holiday spirit together. Not only that but who doesn't love getting mail, like real, fun to open mail! This was our first real event like this and it was so fun!

Not only did the boys love the books, they loved the packing materials too!

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. I loved that Laura sent one of her favorite books as a child! So sweet!

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett Seriously an adorable and hilarious book. He also has a few other cute ones out there!

And with the chaos of two boys sometimes these are the best photos you can get! 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to Laura and Liam over at Tiny Toes, Tiny Nose for the most adorable books!  and Blueberries for Sal. We LOVE them and have been reading them every night since opening!

All the love in the world,

The Mommy Tree

GRADUATION!!!

WOOOHOOO! PHEW! and FINALLY!!!

These have been two long and crazy years. I am so happy and thrilled to announce that I have completed my Masters of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education.

I was really fearful the week before graduation because I got the stomach virus that has been going around. I was sick for a WHOLE week. Better me than the boys. I spent the whole week praying that I would feel better by the time I got to graduation because really I didn't want to have to race up the auditorium steps with that panicked feeling, no thanks. AND I wanted to eat real food!!! And luckily I did.

So I have to answer a few questions...No I am not getting a new job. At least not right now I am going to just relax and enjoy a little more freedom in this life without shaking the Maple Tree. And no I do not get a pay raise or any other perk. I did this for me, for the nurses I work with, for my kidlets. 

And just in case you felt like you wanted to see me walking in my super cool graduation garb, I included a video. D$ got to come and sit with me for a portion of the ceremony. We also happened to be sitting next to Samantha, who was Declan and Calem's nurse the first night of their lives! Those kind of happenings are the best!

I am so happy to be done and have already started working on my giant list of things that I dreamed of doing once I was done with school! 

I apologize that for the 2nd year in a row I dropped the ball on 30 Days of Thanks. I really will go back and fill them in. Really, I will. 

So I guess with that announcement I can say....I'M BACK!!!