Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Is That Poop Smeared on My Shirt?!?

We've been in Wisconsin Dells for the past few days and have had a blast on our much-needed family vacation! Horseback riding, water parks, go-carts, arcades, treats, an historical train ride, and a petting zoo. My boys have loved every minute of it - except, of  course, sitting down to eat three times a day. I have a love-hate relationship with food - I love it, but its hard to eat while trying not to toss my cookies. And I hate it when I know I need to eat, but it takes me 30 minutes to choke down a banana!

We had a few meltdowns on this trip - which were quickly curtailed by an appropriate punishment and due to little boys being tired from simply too much fun.

I spent almost all of my trip covered in food that the boys [generously] wiped on my clothes, sticky, and just plain dirty. I sported raccoon eyes while running in and out of waterfalls with the boys, up ladders and down water slides! I carried tired guys, and lugged my camera to capture every minute. I sometimes get wrapped up in how I look to others. 'Hi! We're from Indiana. Haha - normally I don't look like this but *child* spilled *whatever can be spilled* on me.' {Haha, cringe!} and 'Normally I don't sweat this much, but I'm 7 1/2 weeks pregnant. Yeah, I know. I look huge, but it's just ONE baby and I'm SURE I'm just 7 weeks. No, yeah, I'm sure.' Thanks for asking!

I spent about 4 hours walking around exploring and feeling good about how I looked. Showered, hair done, and a clean cute outfit. It wasn't until we home that I realized that brown streak on my belly was, in fact, poop from changing a diaper on the go. Oy!

But to my kids - I'm beautiful. I'm strong and fun. And I carried them - 10 months of 'mountain' climbing EACH. My body bears the battle scars of 30 hours of combined labor to bring the first two into the world. I don't always have time for make up and a blow dryer - or clothes that don't use the word 'sweat-____' to describe them. My hands and my feet are almost never manicured - or painted.  But, I do have time for kisses and hugs, discussions about animals and matchbox cars, and wiping tears. These are the things I care about - the things I wouldn't miss for the world. I have years and years to get my pre-baby figure back (Yikes! That was about 20 pounds ago....but, I digress. Let's get THIS little bundle healthy and out - then I'll work on losing [hopefully] a few of those!)

Us moms live a selfless life - and I'd give up even more if it meant that my children and husband could feel any  more loved or happier......

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Changes....Big and Small

It's been a busy and way too fast-paced summer in the Krooswyk Household! Between Church events with Youth, the boys, weekends at the Lake, work, and school it seems like we're chasing our tails! But, the summer school semester is over and I have a few precious weeks to slow down and enjoy my guys!

Speaking of school - I received my grade in Math....3% points off from a C. So, no nursing school this Fall. But, I am continuing on with my pre-reqs and will apply to the ASN program again next Summer or Fall. I was sad and disappointed - but I refuse to play the shoulda-coulda-woulda game. I worked hard and did my absolute best, and that's all I can say. I also appealed to my teacher, and his supervisor - to no avail.

Another school- related topic - Parker is all enrolled and ready to start pre-school at Little Lamb this Fall. I am so excited for him; he just beams when he talks about pre school and all the fun he'll have....but my 'momma heart' is aching that he is such a big boy - and that he's not sad in the least to be without his momma! On one hand I am so grateful that he isn't clingy and scared to go - but he could at least humor me and say he'll miss me! :)  I guess I should get used to my 'babies' growing up!

I am still fiercely clinging to knowing that God has a plan for me... and to following where He leads. I am beginning to see that sometimes unanswered prayers aren't at all unanswered, just re-directed to fit God's way-too-good-to-be-true plan!

And that brings me to this - the biggest - well - 'smallest' change.....

Mike and I are beyond excited to announce that Baby Krooswyk #3 will make a grand entrance in March 2012!! Everything is going great, healthy, and right on schedule. I had an ultrasound on Tuesday that showed a strong heartbeat and a gorgeous baby growing and changing! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness - and His plans that we can't always see or understand!