I turned 27 last month. Not old. Not too young. Just kind of stuck in the middle of this 3 years till 30 age. We have spent the majority of our 20’s on a roller coaster of figuring out what works best for ourselves. For our kids, for our relationship, for our lives. I think every family, no matter how big or small, needs a constant level of maintenance. Finding the perfect balance of work, play, money, family, and free time is a challenge. This past year we have learned a few things….

1. If it doesn’t happen today, it does not mean it will not happen someday.

2. It’s only a phase.

3. Let it go.

4. Do what works for YOU.

5. Be HAPPY. LIGHTEN UP!!!

1. If it doesn’t happen today, it does not mean it will not happen someday. Whether it be potential job positions, family vacations, buying a new home, or paying off credit cards. We spent far to many years stacking the odds against ourselves. Seeing everything in a negative light. Always wanting the next best thing, instead of enjoying where we were at in that moment of our lives. And once we started breaking things down and simplifying our lives, things became that much easier, and enjoyable. Nothing happens over night. Everything that is meant to happen will… you have to just stick to a game plan. Do not beat yourself up for being in a rut. Everyone is.

2. It’s only a phase. We’ve taken to this saying like nobody could. Maybe it is having 2 boys, close in age that makes challenges arise quicker than an earthquake. But, it has taken us time to not get so paranoid as to what other people think when our kids have meltdowns in public. Or will not let go of sucking their thumb (brody) – Or will only eat certain things. We learned to get over it. We take one day at a time. Our boys are our world, and if we beat ourselves up over every little thing they did “wrong” we would be exhausted, and well, they wouldn’t be kids.

3. LET IT GO. While Dan and I have a lot in common, we also have different tastes in a lot of things. SO, like every couple, we bicker, disagree, get upset, and let it fester inside. TEN years of being together and learning to “let it go” has just worked for us. We do not brush it under the rug… we’ve learned to accept our differences, talk them out, and compromise. Find a common ground where the both of us are happy… It is not letting it go unresolved. It is letting go of the constant who will win this argument idea. There is ZERO point in that!

4. DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. We ALL do it. Compare, compare, compare. They have this, they did it this way, they always seem to have it together. So and so forth. It is SO hard not to constantly put yourself on the stand. Questioning every last thing you decide to do. Everyone has different families, different situations, different lives. So do what works best for you and your family. I use to always think, why doesn’t this work for us? How did they get their act together so effortlessly? And I am sure if you were a fly on the wall in others homes that you may envy, you will to see that everyone is working towards the same goals. Just in different ways. Comparing just brings out jealousy and feelings of insecurity. We try our very best to accept things the way they are, and make choices for our lives that work best for us.

5. BE HAPPY. LIGHTEN UP!!! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am nervous nelly. About everything! From food bourne illnesses, to career changes, to my kids running down the pavement. I twitch and shreak over everything and anything. I worry about everyone in my life…during good and bad times. It’s my nature. Thank goodness for Dan – because he is the most laid back guy on the block. He has taught me in so many ways to lighten the heck up. I let people get the best of me. I try to please everyone. And sometimes, you have to learn to say no. Take things day by day. You are not a failure if you don’t accomplish everything you sought out to do. Lighten up, live a little. Drop the laundry, play with the kids.

These are not rules… just my little lessons learned through some stressful times we’ve had these past few years. As husband and wife, and as parents, we will constantly evolve. Try not to get too caught up in stuff that makes you huff and puff. I am always one to get easily overwhelmed, discouraged and out of ideas. And after this past month of selling the house, we have been tested in every way imaginable! Guess these pointers are my way of making life a little clearer for me!

It was a great weekend in the – thome – home! And after these past few weeks of summer I am realizing that my blogging has fallen off a cliff.  Not that I don’t care, nor do I not feel like doing it.  BUT, summer is short and sweet… and we are soaking up every last drop of every moment of every day to make it the best summer we can.  So, computers, uploading pics, finding a few hours to blog is just silly right now! I do not know how people who blog FULL time do it.  Well, maybe the pay check helps, but I just believe my boys come first (and the hub), then selling the house… and whatever extra lovin’ I can give to something is sheer bonus.  So my dear diary blog, I will do my best to tend to you this summer.  But just know that the littles and the hub will trump you everytime, especially in the summer.  That being said, here are some pictures from these past weeks…

Owen loves two things.  Ears (his own, or others) and his binky.  Last month, we said goodbye to binky and he hasn’t had any meltdowns since.  No binky fairy, or toy trade needed.  Owen for once in his life cooperated 🙂 This is one of the last days with “Bink-Bink”

Dan keeps getting more handsome to me, each and every year.  Nearly four years of marriage, and ten years together total, and he hasn’t lost a drip of being my Mr. Good-lookin’

We went to the Tribe Game last week.  I do not like sports.  On a scale of 1-10, it rates about a zero on the level of importance in my life.  But, being in a house of boys, I know it’ll have to grow on me.  It was in the 9th inning when I turned to Dan and asked which color jerseys our team was wearing.  If that doesn’t show how much I do not pay attention, I don’t know what does!

A Pinterest junkie like myself? Follow me @Abby Thome (abbythome) on Pinterest

Good Thursday morning! Ever crave a weekend SO badly it hurts? This weekend couldn’t come sooner.  We have a kitchen countertop project to start tomorrow evening.  It is a three-day process – so this weekend will be full of Frog Tape, baby gates to block the littles, and a kitchen-less house.  By day 4 we should be sick of ordering in meals, but we will have a gorgeous new surface to drool over!  We will be sharing all the details with you guys next week!

Random mommy fact of the day :: Bath time rocks!  Maybe because they’re in one place, at the same time, and getting along.  They are super content/happy in water,  they could stay in the bath until their baby toes look like raisins.  It is a treat to sit on the bathroom floor and just stare at their sweet splash-kissed faces.  Last night Dan was in work meetings and work related events till nearly midnight.  The kids were up since 6:30am and ZERO napping for the entire day, so when 6:00 rolled around I was a bit fearful that bath time would only bring out a screamfest (they’ll know bedtime is near).  And yet, bubbles and water win again! Thank you bath time, for creating happier kids 95% of the time (until mom pulls the plug).

When everyone has Monday off, the weekend is just that much brighter.  We consumed ourselves with family, cooking out, pushing back bed times, the zoo, and a little DQ to top the final day off.  It was a fantastic weekend.  Now our sweet boys are lounging on the couch, feeling the aftermath of being completely thrown out of their routine, but I don’t think anyone is complaining!

Brody’s “smile” when he is asked to take a picture lately, is hysterical.  It makes my face hurt watching him give the biggest grin possible.  And Owen, well, this 2 year old will turn any object into a completely new toy.  Corn hole and a slide all in one!

Dan and I actually found a moment to snap a picture of ourselves.  In between Owen having a complete meltdown at Dan’s parent’s house for a few hours.  I think we were both ready to have a meltdown as well.  Oh, the joys of parenting.

Our tour guide Brody… I wish I would have shot a quick video of him talking through our walk through the zoo.  This kid is a hoot.

Their love for meerkats is growing a little stranger by the day.  First it kicked off with them picking out a meerkat birthday card for their GiGi (my mom) for her birthday.  Nothing like opening up what you expect to be a sweet poem filled card and all you see is meerkats staring back at you.  Once they saw these two holes to stick their faces in, there was no stopping them.

They sat and watched the lions while they ate lunch, and I tried my best not to have a panic attack.  Mind you, the ledge they are sitting on is no more than a foot or two off the ground, and it is the first of many barriers from the lions.  However, in my twisted fearful mothers mind, I pictured the lions smelling their chicken nuggets and bolting it over all the barriers to consume my children for lunch.  Dan laughed.  And had to tell me multiple times to chill out.  So I did, thankful now, because this picture is too cute.

And two of our many attempts to get a family portrait.  FAIL.

Oh well! A lovely few days of fun with my family.  This week we are cooking up a few new recipes that we’ll be sharing with you (if they turn out of course).  But, most of our time will be dedicated to setting up for our open house this weekend.  Whoop Whoop! SO excited!

Who can avoid a burger print T-shirt when your kids nick-name is B-mac? (like big mac)

I couldn’t.  Nor could I resist trying to snap some pictures of him in it.

This shirt is now in constant rotation in his wardrobe.. and will more than likely be ruined with stains or over washed and shrunken before we know it.

For now, I will adore this little guy in his over the top burger shirt.  Super-size my heart… Brody always knows how to make mine melt.