Life on the prairie can be cruel.

Labor Day weekend was this wannabe-farmgirl's dream come true.

Horse rides...

after horse rides...

 

after horse rides...

after horse rides.

 

Throw in a few tractor rides,

and some campfires,

and you've got yerself one heck of a good time!

Just when things couldn't seem more perfect, this little lady got the bright idea to learn how to gallop off into the sunset.

The first go-round went smooth as can be. The second? Well, not so much. Starlight, the three year old mare (who was sweet as pie to my boys, thank goodness), decided she had had enough of me. She reared once, she reared twice, and the third time she successfully threw me towards the moon.

Ouch.

No, seriously....OUCH.

I landed square on my my right hip, which inevitably, landed me here-

I'm bruised and banged up, and I've got a backside that could rival Kim Kardashian.

(beauty is not pain-free.)

To Starlight, the spirited mare-

throw me once, shame on you.

Throw me twice.....well, that just isn't going to happen.

Prepare yourself, girl.  You and I have only just begun.

Tuesday woes.

Little Wes, pretending to make it snow (thanks to shredded paper towels) in his city. 

I'm not the only one who's ready for a change.

Today I'm feeling gloomy. There's not a cloud in the sky, and the outside temperature will reach a toasty 91 degrees today. Sounds dreamy, right? 

Yuck.

This girl is longing for flannels and jeans, sweaters and leggings, scarves and snow. Lots and LOTS of snow.

Browsing through old pictures and stumbling upon these just adds fuel to the fire-

 

 

As the Denver forecast isn't going to change much over the next 10 days, I'll continue to live vicariously through these pictures-
(which I borrowed from one of my favorite etsy stores, Grace and Lace)

 

 

 

(I'm pretty sure that the model in the picture above is my very own Aunt Sheila.  She's lucky enough to live in foggy San Francisco, and dress like this 365 days a year.  Like me, she's a leggings and boots type of girl who wears

 a coordinating scarf with every outfit.  I'd duplicate her wardrobe in a heartbeat)

 

If you're not drooling over these legwarmers right now, you and I may as well part ways.  Just looking at them may help to pull me out of these warm weather blues.  I don't own any, but if I did, I'd take one in every color.

 

Check out the link above and browse their etsy site.  You'll be swooning in no time.

If mama ain't happy....

If sanity came in a bottle, I'd be first in line to buy it. I'm pretty sure I'd be one of those selfish consumers that is first in line, 24 hours before the store even opened. I'd race in, trampling those who got in my way. I'd snatch it up....all of it. I'd sit back and drink it whenever I felt as if I just may lose my marbles. Which happens to be occurring a lot lately.

However, since bottled sanity remains somewhat of a fantasy (wine does come pretty darn close) and since I'm not mean enough to trample people (in the event a magical sanity juice was ever invented), I've resorted to more conventional ways of staying sane. Like accountability charts for my little men. Nothing makes me more giddy than a good, old fashioned chart.

Last week was the first of 37 weeks for the 2012/2013 school year. By day 3, I was ready to yank my hair by the roots. Each morning was spent in a total frenzie, as I made breakfast, packed lunches, gathered snacks, filled water bottles, and collected homework from the night before. Making sure 5 backpacks are set and ready to go is not one of my fondest tasks. I noticed last Friday, as I hollered at the boys for a little direction, that they seemed to enjoy watching me dance around the kitchen. Like cows chewing their cud, they continued to graze on their warm pancakes, slathered in blueberry syrup. I stopped in my tracks and stared back at their faces.  As I did, I saw little thought bubbles pop above each and every one of their wee little heads-

Pop, POP, PoP, pop, pOp....and I read each individual bubble....

(The following sentences are best read in a  S   L   O   W , southern draw.)

"Ma will do it for us."

"Yeah...she always figgers it out, it just takes er a while."

"Sure is fun watchin' er, iddn't it, fellas?"

"She ain't as sharp as she used to be.  Poor mama."

"Good thing her cookin' hasn't changed...mmmmffff."

That's when I decided to burst their bubbles.  "Things will be different on Monday, boys.  Just you wait and see."

And I came up with this-

In the morning, the stars are empty.  As the boys make their way downstairs, I serve them a hot breakfast and pack their lunches.  That's my job.  And that's where my job ends.

They are responsible for picking a snack and placing it in their backpack.

They are responsible for filling their water bottle and placing it in their backpack.

They are responsible for gathering their homework and placing it in their backpack.

And they are responsible for grabbing their lunch off the counter and, (you guessed it)

PLACING IT IN THEIR BACKPACK!

As we race out the door (we're always racing), the charts look like this-

 

All filled....for the most part. 

Everyone is happy.  Everyone is sane.

The End.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye.

Spring isn't the only time for cleaning. Fall is the new black, baby. Having the boys back in school has given me time to clean, think, reorganize, and rearrange.

Oh how I LOVE change!

My closet, my purse, and my car are at the top of my list.  I've also been sweeping up and throwing out the little things in life that don't mean much.

Sorry, Facebook, you're one of those little things.

I was late to the jump on the FB bandwagon.  Having one central location, and broadcasting thoughts to friends and family at the same time, seemed a bit odd to me.  Emailing friends to say hello, and picking up the phone to keep in touch was what I was used to, and I clung tight to the old fashioned way.

Despite my efforts, my kung fu grip on vintage social networking slowly started to slip.  Before I knew it, I was known as Amy Madden Olivas.  I was married, and had 7 friends.

FB quickly sucked me into it's dark and deep black hole.  Without realizing it, I was spending every spare second (that I really didn't have) checking my status feed from my steadily-growing list of friends.  Every new friend request that came my way gave me a jolt of confidence and was quickly accepted with glee.  After all, it's not every day that someone who never gave you a second glance in high school is suddenly popping up with a hankering for your friendship.  So what if we only spoke to each other a total of two times during our entire high school career?  We were adults now, and our lives have evolved far beyond locker codes and algebra books.  I was desperate to know who was married, who was single, who had kids, who did not, who's moved away, who's stayed close to home, and who was changing the world.  Besides, I've never been one to turn a 'friend' away.

Like a moth to a flame, it didn't take long for my facebook fondness to turn into a full blooded addiction.  Checking my phone for new friends and status updates was a constant habit.  I enjoyed seeing pictures of family and friends, high school classmates, and all of their adorable kids.  I found it enjoyable to share 'glimpses' of my crazy life.  Even more satisfying, was if and when I'd get a few 'likes' or even a comment on my most recent post.  Who knew social networking would be so gratifying.

Three years ago, as the Lenten season was vast approaching, I debated (as I always do) over what to 'give up' for 40 days.  Chocolate was too easy, as was pop, wine (OK, OK.  you caught me there), and all of the other usual and traditional items I had ditched in recent years.  As I continued to ponder my options, a little voice popped in my head and said, "Alright, missy....if you truly want to sacrifice, try giving up facebook for 40 days!"

Give up facebook for 40 days?  No way!  It's my only link to the real world.  It's the way I stay sane.  It's the only chance I get to converse with adults.  It keeps me happy.  I can't leave my friends.  What if I get a new friend request, or someone leaves me a message in my inbox and I'm not there to accept and reply? 

Oh, the horror.

I forced myself to really listen to the lame excuses raging through my head.  It was then and there that I knew it was the right thing to step away from.

I'm not going to lie.  The first time I deleted the FB app from my phone, I needed a paper bag to breath in.  I had the shakes (a bit of a stretch) for the first few days, but they eventually subsided and I succeeded in my Lenten Journey....sans facebook.

During the 40 days of Lent, I was much more in-tune with my family, and much less worried about missing something great from my 100+ friends floating about in cyberspace.  I came back to FB feeling proud and refreshed, but sank back into the vault even faster than before. 

This cycle continued for two more years.  Give it up, claim it back.  Give it up, claim it back.  Each time, leading me on a two-day post Easter FB binge in an effort to soak up everything I had missed.

What in the world was I thinking?  Constantly checking and comparing my status to that of my cyber friends?  Wondering why my status (which I thought was ultra witty and down right hilarious) only got 2 likes?  Fretting over why Norma Jean (fake name inserted) wants to be Sally's (another fake name) friend and not mine? Wondering if people thought my kids were cute (duh, they're freaking adorable)? And best of all, losing my every day thought process to always, ALWAYS thinking in terms of my next brilliant facebook post.

What a shame.

I've felt this way for awhile, but it wasn't until a recent (and currently ongoing) health scare made me look at life through a completely different set of lenses.  It's time to simplify.  Much to my oldest son's dismay, I'm about to become even more 'old fashioned.'

Ditching facebook this last (and final) time will be easier than ever. If I wanted to, I could rant and rave, and tell you everything about facebook that annoys me.  I could go on and on about all of the political rubbish that clouds up my feed, and how the recent trend of eecards (oh how I DESPISE eecards) makes me wince. I could tell you that I don't believe in prayer requests via facebook posts, and how the God I know requires much more from me than a mass petition for prayer.

Life just ain't that easy.

So instead of ranting, I'll just kindly say that facebook is being tossed away.....and it feels SO good!

To the 176 friends I leave behind, please, PLEASE write, call, or read this little blog of mine from time to time.  You know, just to check in and see what my current status is.

This girl is over and out.

Love,

The BIG bus riders.

Lil' preschool man.

Will someone PLEASE tell me how in the world we went from 'week two of summer break' to the first day of school in 2.2 seconds? I'm sitting here (alone) at my kitchen table looking at my surroundings, which are still shoving summer in my face. Flip flops and sandals strewn throughout the house, a mountain of swim towels upon my kitchen table, a back yard littered with squirt guns & beach balls, and a mildewed slip n slide flung over the railing of the deck.

These are a few of my favorite things.

What's a mom, who hasn't been alone at home in over 11 years, supposed to do?  Of course, I have my list of things that need to be done-

Clean bathrooms
Vacuum/Mop
Organize closet
Sort toys
Make beds
Pay bills

But I also have a list of things that sound entirely dreamy-

Read a book
Read a magazine
Read a newspaper
Read fricken anything I can get my hands on
Blog a post
Write a children's book
Drink tea

I'm torn between the chore list, and the selfish list.  Cleaning and organizing feels right, while sitting on the couch reading a book seems a bit sneaky.

As I glance at the clock, I realize that now I've only got 20 minutes until I leave to grab lil' preschool man.

 Just enough time to fold the towels that are sprawled across the kitchen table, and wipe up the puke the dog just left by my side.

Summer Break Week 2

Our entire state seems to be ablaze. I took this picture from our upstairs window, just as the sun began to set. Proof that beauty can be found everywhere; even in tragedy.

On a lighter, and much bigger note, take a look at the ginormous egg we got from our backyard hens this week-

Have you ever seen anything like it?  It was "a double" as the boys call it (a double yolk).  Just like my children, my chickens are also gifted.  No surprises there.

Week two of summer break is coming to a close, and I continue to clean constantly.  My house is strewn with wet swimsuits, stray underwear, lone socks (always inside out and curiously wet), soaked towels, bubble wands, kite string, and crumbs from children snacking on the CONSTANT go.

Taken from my mom, I've always tried to maintain a house that could welcome unexpected guests.  Needless to say, the hurricane of boys in and out of my home has weathered me.

However, last night I came across a quote that just may save my sanity -

"Cleaning your house while your children are home is the equivalent to brushing your teeth while eating Oreos."

This is the testimony I so desperately needed to hear.  I have been reborn.

Week one comes to a close....

Our first week of summer break is almost over, and I can't believe how quickly it flew by.

My house has been infiltrated with children from near and far. It's loud, it's even more disheveled than normal, and it's become hard to keep track of who's coming and going.  We always have an extra body (or two...or three....or four) joining us for lunch or dinner, or crashing at our pad for the night. It makes me happy that the boys enjoy bringing their pals to our house. I can only hope they still want to make this their hang out as they get older. A girl can dream, right?

The numbers of children aren't the only things increasing within these walls.  The sum of random stabbings has also hit an all-time high.

Look who's 5!

Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest boys I know.

The last 4 years have been filled with wonder, excitement, fear, imagination, love, adoration, and lots and lots of energy.

Just last week, I read an article that stated the average 4 year old asks 437 questions per day. You ask 632....I counted.

If not for you, I may have gone my entire life without ever dialing 911. Thank you for all of the 'firsts' you have given me.

I love you Bogie - to the moon and stars, and around the world and back again. Happy 5th Birthday! Love, Mommy

Summer Break; Day 3

This is our third official day of summer break, and I want to share what I've learned.

*I spend the day cleaning. No really, I spend the day cleaning. Keeping up after 5 boys, 24 hours a day, is a dirty job. Lucky for them, I'm always close behind, dustpan and disinfectant in hand.

* My boys feel the need to eat ALL. DAY. LONG.  The next person who says "I'm hunnnnngarrrrryyyyyy" goes straight to time out.  Come on, I dare you.

*My children have a band-aid addiction.  Did they ask for band-aids round the clock at school?  Surely they didn't.  We've gone through an entire box in 24 hours.  Though it seems mundane, this topic is high priority at the next family meeting.  I realize I have much bigger fish to fry, but the whole band-aid fixation is making me nutty.  You're not bleeding?  Step away from the band-aids!  Try to sneak one, and you'll find yourself against the wall, alongside the brother who said he was hunnnnngarrrrryyyy.

*We're all getting along wonderfully!  I acknowledge that I most likely just shot myself in the hip.  I really don't want to jinx the camaraderie that is taking place here, I just wanted to brag a little.

*Perhaps the most thrilling news of all is that I can now handle ALL 5 boys at the pool ALL BY MYSELF.  I've taken them 3 times and today I even let them bring a friend.  That's right, 6 boys! Have you any idea how liberating this feels? 

The sprouts and I are having a lovely start to summer break.  If things continue to run so smoothly, I may never send them back to school.

(That was a joke)

I've spent way too much time this week fussin' and wrastlin' with my computer, trying to make it behave.  The recent inability it has to recognize any type of picture has me a bit despondent.

Life (and blogs) without pictures?  I don't think so.

This here's a test to determine just who won the wrestling match.

Attempt #1......

Fail.

Attempt #2.....

Well what do you know?! If only you could hear my shrieks of victory! (I got this picture to post in a very round-a bout way, but it's here....for the world to see.....and that's all that matters.)


This is our Priest, Father Alvaro, straightening Luke's tie on the day he made his First Communion.





And this is the two of them....tie straightened.











We now have two boys who have made the sacrament of First Communion. Three more to go. We love our Luke, we love First Communion (it's truly one of my most favorite days), we love our church, and we love Father Alvaro.

Life is good.

(I still can't believe I got a picture to post. I'm hitting 'send' before this computer decides to self-destruct.)