Seriously, folks...

This life I live... Will it ever slow down?? Probably not, but that's okay. There are ebbs and flows, so I take the down time when I can and run around like crazy all the other times. It all works out in the end, I suppose... I'll sleep when I'm dead! I was chatting with a pal at work recently, and we kept adding little pieces until we felt like this was an accurate description of what we are required to do every day: juggling chainsaws blindfolded on a tight rope wearing high heels during a thunderstorm with no roof after severe sleep deprivation, hopped up on caffeine all while NAKED!! Yeah, we're easily amused- so what?

So much going on around here- where to start?? Simon and Ellie turned 3 in August, Craig and I celebrated 6 years of marriage, Ashlyn started her last year of middle school, my brother David shipped off to Russia for the year and we are MOVING!! We are in the final stages of preparing our current home to sell, and man- has it been a gruelling experience... I sure wish we'd kept up on this house better- lesson learned for the next house, for sure!! All the little things that we never got around to or thought would be much bigger projects than they were... We hope for this house to be on the market by the end of next week, and will then move on to a more exciting stage in the process- looking for our next home- our FINAL home! We are very blessed in this economy and housing market and with the crappy situation this house has become to be given such an opportunity to move forward in a way that will give us more space for our growing family and put us in a better situation financially as well. God is good!

Anyway- It had been so long since I'd even looked at this blog of mine that the background I was using no longer existed... So I figured I'd change that and pop in to say hello! I'll load some pictures from our summer soon- it sure has been a whirlwind of fun and craziness! A friend told me this past weekend that I should blog because she thought I had such a good voice for it... LOL If only I could find the time! And the inspiration at the same time! I guess way back when, I thought it would be fun, and I like to think I'm fairly entertaining, so I started this blog, and ever since then, I feel like I need to have something brilliant to say and just plain don't do it in my infrequent 'spare' time. Oh well- I guess you'll get what you get!

Until next time!

Princess P

One-on-One Time

Simon woke up yesterday from nap and again this morning with an eye crusted shut with gunk. So we stayed home today. I figured he'd just lay around, and had some work I could do from home, so I sent Ellie off to daycare for the day. Now we don't separate the twins regularly, but I think Simon thought it was one of the best days ever- he had SO much fun! I think he just really enjoyed reading the LeapPad books for as long as he wanted and using Ellie's favorite pens to color with and just having the run of the place! Plus, he had me all to himself and I think he really got a kick out of that. We went to the store to pick up some eyedrops for his pink eye, and he got to be the only one in the cart- we weren't even going to walk around, really, but he was just really digging it! Then we brought Wendy's home, sat at the table with his new booster seat, and just enjoyed eating- just the two of us. My favorite son and I had a great day and I was reminded that we need to do a better job of taking the twins out one on one. We always said we'd be sure to do that, but that was before they were actually out in the world- what did we know?!?! I was talking to another twin mom about it this evening, and she agreed. We're normally in a 2:2 ratio- which is not 1:1- it's kind of like a roaming zone defense, if you will... Is that even a real thing? Anyway- they are also manageable in a 2:1 them:us situation at this point, so we try to do that to give each other a break- although my friend is now in a 3:2 ratio, which I do not envy. This parenting thing really is an energy suck, I tell you! Of course, we go back and forth between 3:2 and 2:3- it just depends which side Ashlyn's playing on at the moment... So anyway- we rarely remember to take/make the time to just take one twin to the store. Or to breakfast. Or to the library. Or whatever! As they get older, this will be more and more important, I think. But even now, not only did Simon really appreciate the one on one time with me today, but he really enjoyed just doing his own thing at his own pace and not having to worry about sharing or taking turns or using something that is just not worth fighting Ellie over... Ellie was in a great mood when she got home too- and with a bit of a 'tude! I think she got to rule the roost at daycare today. Or at least she just got to act as herself instead of acting as part of the unit she has always been a part of...

Ashlyn got to go to a youth group retreat up in the mountains this past weekend. She had a GREAT time and even made a connection with someone she has a ton of stuff in common with and also goes to her school, which is nice. And... it's a boy. Deep breaths... Here we go again...

No more pictures again- SORRY!! I guess I'm going to be one of those bloggers that just really hopes they're interesting enough to keep people reading based mostly on what they have to say... Or maybe I just think my kids are THAT cute- that even though you don't get to see them all the time, you'll keep coming back just waiting to adore them once again... Oddly, I thought I'd be one of those bloggers that puts lots of pictures up (Why?!?! Why did I think that?!), but no such luck... Oh well... At least it hasn't been months since I posted last! You can't have it both ways, people! Goodnight!

Princess P

Blah.

So weird. Ever since I got myself all worked up and wrote a whole blog post about being positive and living in the moment, blah blah blah... I have just been in a... funk. I'm stressed out and frazzled all the time and it's just no fun for anyone! What is that all about?! It's so frustrating and I don't know how to make it stop. I think I need to not be involved in so many things and to just relax a little bit, but quite frankly, I just plain don't have the time!! LOL- Putting it in writing like that just seems so... backwards... and obvious... **Sigh**

Alright- you deserve obligatory cute kid pics, but I don't have any to share because... well- blah. And I don't feel like going through all the hassle of connecting the wire and pulling them off the camera. How lazy is that? Thank GOD I don't have to drop things off at the store to be developed and then go back a few days later to pick up pictures!! It would NEVER happen! Anyway- next time, I promise...


Princess P

Oh My!

We were just watching some old school Looney Toons and I heard Simon excitedly yelling "A Titty! A Titty!" Of course, I quickly looked towards the TV- my mind screaming "NETFLIX- WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"- and was delighted to see - a Kitty- on the screen...

Whew!

Just wanted to see if any of you have these moments to share- they happen all the time!


Princess P

I told you so...

In my defense, I did say that it could be a long time in between posts... The last few months have been really busy. I know- you're thinking- "Is she going to start all her posts that way?" Well....... Maybe....... This time, it was a ridiculously long time- I may actually be the worst blogger ever. Oh well... You're reading this nonsense- what does that say about you?

So I'm going to stop thinking that each post should be something great and just type what I have time for when I have time for it. I'm going to stop thinking that every post has to be some great pictoral overview of some great event or a montage of the last month. I'll just drop some gems whenever they come to me or I feel like sharing and you'll either care to stick around or not, I suppose!

So here's something I've really been thinking about and trying to focus on lately: I've decided to really try to focus on the positive from now on. So cliche- I know- but I'm going to do my best to stop letting the stress and frustration overwhelm me and instead- do my best, remember that I can only do what I can do, and celebrate the results. I'm going to live in the moment- not in an 'I don't care what tomorrow holds' kind of way, but more of an 'I'm going to be engaged in each experience and not spend each moment worrying about something I didn't get done and keeping on top of the living To-Do list in my head' kind of way. So this should be interesting. I am really having fun enjoying my family lately- Ashlyn is at an age where I really want to make sure we retain our close relationship. The twins are at an age that is really fun and also demanding. And I am so lucky to have my bestest friend at my side- I'd prefer to spend more time enjoying his company. So I'm going to try to make it a priority to spend more time enjoying this season of my life. The bottom line is this: whatever comes after this life, I'd hate to look back and wish that I'd snagged more kisses and hugs or had that one important conversation with Ashlyn or that I'd spent more quality time with my husband. I don't think there's any chance of me looking back and wishing that I hadn't been 3 days late for that deadline or that I had included more info on that spreadsheet or that my meals were more elaborate and my house was cleaner! So I'm going to enjoy my family while my kids are still young and I can enjoy them. I'm going to enjoy the wonderful friends that we are so blessed to have in our lives. I'm going to be proud of the work I do and leave it at that. I'm going to be the best person I can be, do what I can, and not stress about what I can't. Because that's one of the biggest challenges for me- I feel bad all. the. time. I over extend myself and then I feel bad because I'm spread so thin that instead of succeeding at a few things, I'm just not succeeding at more things. And I'm going to remember that to take care of others, I need to take care of myself... Okay... enough of that... I'm getting carried away.

Anyway- We had some significant things happen since I posted last including the twins turning 2 in August, my sister's wedding in October and of course, the holidays- which were SO fun with the kiddos this year! So I'll leave you with some pictures to enjoy! Thanks for your patience and I'll see you next time!


What an adorable boy- so cool in his shades... They're always upside down...


And my gorgeous gal in her shades. For the record, neither one will actually wear their sunglasses to avoid the sunlight...


My kiddos love their very own picnic table!




The twins celebrated their birthday party with a bunch of friends on the train at the City Park- what a blast!!




We do this all the time and this is what I end up with- nothing ever worth putting in a frame or anything- just goofy shots of giggles and them trying to see the LCD screen of the camera... I'll take it! :D


We love our fire pit!!


I went to Chicago for work in September and got to visit Wrigley Field! Yay!


Ashlyn's first day of Junior High- can you believe it?!


What a wonderful site- such nerdly little children we have...

Here come the pics from my sis' wedding:

These are my beautiful sisters- Bethany (the bride) and Emily...


Emily and her husband 'Unkah Mike'


This is one of the better pictures of me, in my opinion- oh, and those kids aren't bad either!


This is the happy Parmenter 5 all dressed up at the same time- only time it's ever happened. And no- the purple background was NOT on purpose! Too much!


Bethany and Ellie in their matching red satin shoes


Me and my love!


My brother David- one of the other leading men in my life- I heart him so!


Ashlyn caught the bouquet for like- the THIRD time or something crazy... And how old does she look here?!?! She looks like 16 or something- just beautiful...


Shame- this was the best of Bethany and my new Brother-in-Law Jeremy... That I have, anyway.


Halloween- Princess Leia, Darth Vader and the gypsy


Craig and I were lucky and got to go to a Broncos game where we got to sit in a box and hang out on the field for about an hour before hand- it was a blast!


He couldn't have been happier...


See- they all turn out goofy...

Home stretch now, I promise:

Then we had a storm and the kids got bundled up and played in it for like- an HOUR and it was awesome.




Then at some point, we decorated for Christmas and they loved it so much they just wanted to lay on it and be near it...


Then we decorated Christmas cookies and Ellie did far more taste testing than frosting...


Then I stood in line for an hour to see Santa Claus so that my kids could sit on his lap and scream like he was on fire for 30 seconds.

Whew!!! Okay, so much for not wanting to share lengthy picture montages- I just can't help it- we've had a lot of fun since I last posted and I wanted to share! Now on to shorter and sweeter posts in the future... See you then!


Princess P

Summers Rock!

Sorry, but I did say that it might be a while between posts... Sorry about that. I will give you lots of pictures as compensation for the delay.

Life has been hectic and crazy lately- especially over the 4th of July weekend. I took Thursday off all to myself (OMG- you can do that?!?!)- I had a rough morning (WHINY King, Queen B split her head open and POURED her blood all over my concrete... you know- the usual trying to get out the door in the morning...), spent some time paying bills and balancing my checkbook (I love it- sick, I know...), and went to see Transformers 2 all by myself with my own popcorn laced with Milk Duds during the afternoon- it was GREAT, BTW...

Anyway- Friday, the whole fam damily (my Prince was given the day off by the hounds of hell his bosses- yay!) went swimming at City Park with some of my favoritest friends. No pictures though because my camera isn't waterproof. Maybe I'll post some pics if someone shares theirs... We got rained out, which turned out to be great, because we took the opportunity to go across the street to the park to play and have lunch, rode the train when it got sunny- which the King LOVED so very much, AND we got free passes for going back to the pool later this summer!! Win/Win!

Saturday- went to Civic Center Park for 4th of July stuff around lunch time (BORING and overpriced). No pictures because... well, I forgot my camera. What did I say? NO promises!! Barbeque that evening with some friends- fabulous time!


Some friends and my Prince gathered around the grill... It took all 4 of them... For Brats and hot dogs... LOL Just kidding, my Prince!


Queen A doing what a good 12 yr old does- playing her DS instead of being social...


My BFF, who chose to be rather piratey that day for some reason...


BFF's daughter with a big purple dragon facepainting... I had to use LOTS of makeup remover to get this off- AFTER her shower...


The King found Queen A's DS- look how excited he is about it! He knows it will be fun until she finds him- and OH the reaction he'll get when she does!!


Queen B worked on this masterpiece for quite a while- it was very colorful! And then, I turned around. And all of a sudden, the crayons were all over the floor...


We got rained out- i.e. we were not willing able to attempt attendance at the fireworks- but Queen B and the King were thrilled to put their sparkley 4th of July hats on and play in the water that pooled in the chairs. (Sorry for the dark picture- it was too cute, but I didn't want to leave the covered porch to take the picture- again, camera not waterproof...)


After the rain, we got a nice double rainbow display- I love rainbows. The first one was really bright, with a double to join it, which is just cool...

So THEN, after an awesome 3 days, and an awesome service by Jeff Lucas that morning, I went to an INDIGO GIRLS concert Sunday night at MISHAWAKA (SO AWESOME!!!):



with my BFF:

(This is the ONLY picture she will let me post! Lame...)


(Shhh- don't tell her- I liked this one too...)


(and this one, cuz we're silly like that- I love her so much!!)

While I was gone, the Queen B had an epic meltdown because her fingernail (smashed in a doorjam a month ago) finally fell off:

That was within days of The Smash. Thanks, Prince- for the picture! And for being such a wonderful daddy to all our little royalty...

AND THEN (YES- there's MORE!!), the kiddos and I went to Windsor Lake on Monday, which was SUPER fun- even the King's Froggy (His Highness' prized stuffed animal that goes positively EVERYWHERE with the King- a MUST for daycare and naptimes, and... well... most other places) took a dip. (Don't worry- He got kidnapped in the middle of the night for a washing...) No pictures because not only is my camera not waterproof, it is also not sandproof. Again, may add someone else's pics once I can steal them through the internets... We'll see- I may have forgotten moved on by then...



That was one more photo for good measure (too many?)- I just couldn't not add it. My little King is so good with his breathing treatments nowadays- he will finally hold the mask for himself and is even really stingy about it! They get to watch TV, and sometimes, the Queen B will 'help' her brother keep the mask on his face... It's bittersweet- I hate that he has to do this at all...

Anyway- that was just over the last 5 days- this whole summer has been NUTS like that!! Hope your summer has been just as awesome.

A wise woman once said that "since she isn't a 'spring chicken' anymore she must be in the summer of her life. And summers rock. :)" I couldn't agree more...

Princess P

Seize the moments...

I had a great day today!

It was full and tiring, but I had a great day- and the kiddos were great- which makes ALL the difference in the world!

Today was the first time in a long time- ever? maybe?- that I spent a weekday at home without Ashlyn from start to finish. I work from home on Mondays, and in the past, when she's with her dad for the weekend, I've either picked her up from her dad's on Sunday night or on the rare occassion, just picked her up Monday morning or Monday after school or whatever... So to be without her for the full day on a Monday without school is weird... I'm really stoked about her splitting the summer evenly between the houses- I can actually say that now- which is weird. And the week with her is really cool! But the week without her is kinda rough. I haven't seen or talked to her since dropping her off at Band Camp at 9 on Friday, and that is a big bummer......

SO. I decided to seize the day. The twins have started to take only one nap a day (...........................................*moment of silence*....................................................), but to push naptime off until it's closer to the middle of the day than to the earlier nap of 2 naps, they have to be pretty entertained. Which is fairly easy to do, and when done right, they are great. It's not a 'delaying the inevitable meltdown' type of situation. There's pretty much one rule- take them out of the house. Which is kind of nice, but kind of a pain at the same time. If I just want to hang out in my pajamas and chill in the living room with the toys and the kiddos all morning, it ends up being a LOT more difficult to entertain them, and the meltdowns are many...

SO- when we got all cleaned up after breakfast and dressed in street clothes, we went for a LONG walk filled with lots of fun. I walked from my house down to Sunflower Market, because I LOVE their produce and needed some fruit. For those of you that may not know- that's FAR pushing a stroller full of kids! Then I took the kids to the park, which was FAR in another direction completely, kiddos munching on grapes the whole way. Simon made sure to hand one back for me every so often- he's so darn cute... We had a blast at the park- Ellie enjoying the ample opportunity to people watch and Simon jumping and running everywhere- and about an hour and a half later, I completed the triangle and walked home. It was a long morning, but the kiddos were great, and we were all pooped after that! How I wish I could take one nap a day- or a week, actually! I'll settle for one a week!!!

After lunch, they napped and I got some work done- all through through a thunder and hail storm. My Prince got home shortly after I got Queen B and the King up and we all hung out in the living room- well, I was in the kitchen making food- and ate dinner before heading up to bath time. I decided to seize the day for what it was and make it something enjoyable. And it was a really fun day! Busy AND productive- I LOVE it when that happens. We even got 3 loads of laundry washed and dried! I'll fold it tomorrow...

I busied myself so that I wouldn't feel what's missing... And ended up having a great day with Simon and Ellie! So it worked! Mostly...

Princess P