"The Day I Stopped Saying 'Hurry Up'"

My cousin posted an article on Facebook last night.
The Day I Stopped Saying 'Hurry Up'

It could not have hit me in the forehead any more head on.

The first paragraph sucked me right in.

When you're living a distracted life, every minute must be accounted for. You feel like you must be checking something off the list, staring at a screen, or rushing off to the next destination. And no matter how many ways you divide your time and attention, no matter how many duties you try and multi-task, there's never enough time in a day to ever catch up.

Dead on.
After my post yesterday, I could have sworn this article was written for me.

The story about the little girl, the message, the lesson. I loved it from top to bottom.
It really inspired me. And made me think.
And confirmed I need to make an effort to change some things.

While my problems are more associated with the organization of my life and less with rushing my child, the part about lists, multitasking, rushing through life and never catching up couldn't be more true.

The last line really got me.

I will not say, "We don't have time for this." Because that is basically saying, "We don't have time to live."

Ya know, it's funny how certain things happen at just the right time. This article, popping up in my news feed on a day I was feeling so frenzied and exhausted with my lengthy list of to dos.

Just last week, Brian and I argued (yes, we argue) about balancing time at work and time with family.
Do we do a decent job of balancing? Well, yes. 
But could we do better? Of course.

We really struggle during the week and simply can't find something that works for us. And our baby is almost two years old. I swore we would have it figured out by now, but we don't.

Getting home close to 6:00 makes for a hungry toddler and those two hours every night for five days straight are really, really tough.

Monday through Friday, and that two hour nightly routine brings out the worst in all three of us.

I hate it.

And I realized it last Friday when something spoke to me.
Something in my head told me to be spontaneous.
Leave work right now, go run an errand for myself, pick up Carson early and go to the pool.
Make time to relax. Time to be spontaneous. Enjoy time with your family.

It's pretty uncharacteristic of Brian and I to leave work early on a whim.
And that's the part we argued about. He needed to work, I wanted him to leave to join us.

I prayed that night for guidance. Help with finding ways to slow down, finding ways to make more quality time, and help with controlling my feelings of getting things done.

This life of chaos is our new normal, at least for now. And although it's messy a lot of the time, it's extremely beautiful. To put it simply, I just need to learn to let go every now and then. BOOM. Just let go.

While some of my personal characteristics and imperfections will never change, I can find ways to be more spontaneous, carefree and stop being so critical of perfecting every single thing in my life.

I want my family to enjoy the best parts about me. Not the frenzied, over-analyzing part that makes me want to hide sometimes.

...things taste sweeter and love comes easier when you stop rushing through life.

Find time this weekend to be spontaneous my friends. Happy Friday.

 TOP | beer during bath + stinker face | Good Company antique store | enjoying the new play set

MIDDLE | peek-a-boo | floatin' and relaxin' | so proud. meanwhile, mom is hyperventilating

BOTTOM | the fish light switch covers win | pool time | toddler in adult shoes + the best dog ever

Friday Randomness

Well hello Friday! Boy, am I happy to see you.

The past month has been a bit crazy for us. I'd say I'm busy, because we really are, but every one's busy.

Aren't we all running around like chickens with our heads cut off? Or is that just me? 

As much as I'd love for everything on my list to get accomplished or to have a clean house and a home-cooked healthy meal more than two days a week, it just ain't gonna happen. For awhile at least.

The blog gets shoved to the back burner when everything else kicks into gear. And then I come here and try to write and nothing flows.

The next thing I know, I'm 10 posts behind and Big Boy is two months older than the blog says. Ugh. Definitely a stress I don't need.

So, please excuse my randomness on this wonderful Friday, it's all I got. This could be fun:).


{1} A grasshopper flew in the car window while we were at the farm and attacked me. I screamed like a little girl, and Carson got scared. Momma K and Brian made fun of me, but for real, it attacked me. No lie.

{2} I've read the same book to Carson for the past six nights in a row. He's obsessed and won't let me read any other book. I find myself reciting the book while working, running, driving, you name it. I can't get it out of my head. It's obnoxious. I don't know how many more times I can read "Go, Dog Go!".

{3} We sold our house and have a pending contract on a new house. Well, not new, but new to us. Eeeek! Here in a few weeks, we will be moving! We are SO excited!

{4} Said new house is only about a half mile from where we are now. Shawnee forever!

{5} I can 't tell you how excited I am to no longer make my bed. House showing with a toddler was exhausting, but really, making your bed everyday is the worst.

{6} Brian forgot to pay our taxes. Yes, I'm serious. We He didn't realize it until it came up with our lender. All is good, but seriously men, get your acts together or leave the important stuff to the women  (Love you babe!).

{7} It was nearly 100 degrees in Kansas City on Wednesday and we are expecting 79 on Sunday. Can I get a WOO-HOO (while fist pumping the air like Vicki from RHOOC)!

{8} I've once again gotten myself hooked on watching The Bachelorette. I told myself I wasn't going to, but this season hasn't disappointed one bit. This season is full of hair gel, bad haircuts, dramatic cry babies, high pitched voices and some men who I question if they need to come out of the closet. Good stuff.

{9} Were headed to Denver over the 4th for a wedding and to meet my bestie's baby girl, Harper. Carson isn't coming along and I'm already dreading being away from him. Flood gates have already opened!

{10} I've had two cookies today and it's only 12:32. Dammit. Good thing I haven't been to the pool once this year.

Happy Friday!

TOP | cooler in the wagon full of soda | carson and friends | picnic at the shawnee central park

MIDDLE | got my DSLR ma | wheach= wheat + peach | chick fil a play date with layne

BOTTOM | hk is the big 30 | concentration | night out with our DILFS

A Week I Won't Forget

This world is a good place. I just know it.

We are blessed and fortunate and happy. I feel it.

Impossible things happen everyday. I've heard it.

But there is tragedy, heartache, pain and confusion. I've seen it.

It's been a tough week. For Oklahoma, for families and friends of the victims, and for one of my closest friends who lost her dad very unexpectedly.

Give your loved ones an extra hug this weekend and always tell them that you love them. Life is too short, my friends.

It's been awhile since I've done a Friday Phone Dump post. I tend to be lazy with the blog these days (thanks, Instagram). But I'm back today, with gobs of pictures of my kid. Surprised? I didn't think so.

What have we been up to lately? Thanks for asking.Well, let me tell you.

Bachelorette Party in Dallas. Replaced our AC. Traveled sans Brian to Wichita for my niece and nephew's graduations. Bachelor Party in Vegas (Brian). Put our house on the market. And Big Boy learned how to open and close doors. Yikes.

It's crazy at our house. We are a mess. This whole house on the market stuff is going to be interesting. How do people have more kids?

Crazy town. But, if they make me smile as much as he does, I'd be open to it.

Happy 3-day Memorial Weekend y'all!

TOP | c's first sporting kc game | mother's day orchid | batman can stand in his highchair

MIDDLE | two blond headed peas in a cousin pod | squirrel hunting in the hat | mmm pudding

BOTTOM | professional mower and weed whacker | grad cards #targetdollarbins | the reason I smile everyday

Heavy Heart on a Friday

It's been a long, sad week. I'm happy it's Friday, but heartbroken by the tragedy in this nation.

And simply astonished by all that has happened in the past 24 hours. I've been glued to the Internet since Monday, especially today.

I've read news sites and blogs all week long, hearing of people's first-hand experiences, runners and spectators who were there on that day. Reading about runners uniting and coming together to share their stories.

Tomorrow, I am running a 5k. If you know me well, I'm not much of a runner.

Sure I run sometimes, but I'm not one to sign up for a 5k the day before "just because." When I heard that two friends were doing it, I had to join. For Boston.

Please keep Boston in your thoughts as police force continue to try and find this wacko. Why can't everyone in this world be this innocent?

Nothing but love to you all. Have a great weekend.

Here's some recent Instagrams. Follow me at kutterchaos.

 

TOP | never appreciated a child lock button more | online shopping gone awry | smiles

MIDDLE | such a good helper | family park date | ranch dip is yummy

BOTTOM | crazy toddler for sale | so big | cookie butter + banana bagel

Thankful for Days like Today

Thirteen months. That was the last time I did a Watch Me Grow post on big boy.

That was three months ago. He's learning and growing and changing right before our eyes.

And continuing to steal my whole heart.

That kid just makes me melt. I can't even begin to explain how special motherhood is or how it has so very drastically changed me as a person, but it's days like today that I am thankful for.

I had a cookie butter and banana bagel for breakfast, which was pretty awesome, but that's not it.

Today is just another ordinary Friday, but the day that I get to go home and not come back to work for two whole days.

It's a day that means I get to soak up quality time with my boy where maybe, just maybe, we won't be running around frantically trying to accomplish our nightly routine to get ready for the next day.

A day that I'll head out early to take my boy to the park. Because nothing is better than seeing his smile. Nothing.

It's a day where we look forward to all the things that follow this day.

Daddy's pancakes. Time outside. Exchanging laughs. Watching our boy figure out something new. Extra snuggles. Teaching him. Watching him. Sleeping in (well...when he lets us). Much needed time that I don't get during the week.

Days like today are just the best.

I've lacked the time to document our fun-filled weekends together this past month, but it's been jam-packed.

We had a great Easter with Nana Jana and really enjoyed being outside. We went to the park four times in three days.

I am so thankful for the time we had with her. It was low-key, relaxed and just what we needed. Mom and I got away so we could gossip over coffee, and the hubs and I got a very unexpected date night on Saturday.

Watching Carson try to understand the concept of hunting for eggs was amusing and seeing him with his Easter basket made me giggle. He wanted to eat the chocolate AND the foil, and got mad when I didn't let him:) I'm already looking forward to next year's Easter.

This weekend, Gammy is visiting and we are hoping for nice weather!

It's days like today that I feel so very thankful. Happy Friday!

TOP | mama gets to drink a beer in peace | mmm...tim riggins and sangria | fwends

MIDDLE | teething is no fun | three musketeers | mom is working late

BOTTOM | lets go haul some stuff da-da | shark hunting | breaking the rules already

TOP | cookie butter from TJs = dangerously worth it | uncle bri and maddie | makeshift shape sorter

MIDDLE | cousins | potbelly | special visitor at the office on a sunday

BOTTOM | my boys and their bed head | forward facing...dad breaking the rules | date night + im 29

I hope Carson can dance like that...

Is anyone else doing a happy dance like me? It's been a tough week, and I'm exhausted.

It's Friday folks!

For real, maybe it's just too much coffee, but I'm rather giddy today.

I have to work this weekend, wah wah wah, but I'm excited to spend some quality time with my little booger. And teach him how to dance.

I caught this video on Facebook posted by Amber, a sorority sister of mine, and just loved every minute of it. I'm not usually one to click on videos, but I've needed the extra boost lately, and have come across some pretty good ones that just make me smile.

This 6 year-old is amazing. Too, too cute. And gosh, I just love Ellen.

Seriously, can Carson pleeeeeaaaaase be blessed with wicked dance moves someday? I would love it.

Happy Friday everyone! Have a glass of wine. Or Two. I know that's on my agenda for the evening.

TOP | i eat all the snacks I buy for my kid | cheeseball | takin the wheels for a spin

MIDDLE | im not listening ma | his concentrated face | kerry walsh jennings at win for kc

BOTTOM | im sexy and i know it | just stop, you are too grown up | nuthin here just sittin in a drawer

Making a Change

The blog has taken the backseat for a few weeks.

With good reason of course. You should know by now that I always have a good excuse.

In the midst of the usual happenings, you know, chasing a toddler, being busy at work, dealing with sickness, having no time to mop my floors, and making life changes, we've managed to teach our boy a few things.

He's just so darn cute these days. Brian likes to say, "He's a real person now." I'm not sure what my husband exactly means by that, but he is starting to act less like a baby.

He likes to help you dress him by lifting his leg and foot to put his pants and shoes on. 

And raises his arms for the shirt.

He is squealing a lot these days. Like a lot. Brian says he sounds like a girl.

(Don't listen to him buddy. Ever.)

He reads books. Finally! His Dad hates to read, so I was worried.

He now runs.

He stumbles of course, but it's fun to watch.

He has tantrums. 

Because he knows what he wants. And gets really mad if you even think about interfering.

He responds to requests correctly and likes to do everything you do.

His latest tricks (see, he's just like a dog) are quacking and showing us his belly.

We encourage him to do this, daily, giving it our best effort. He can also moo like a cow, but I don't have that one on video. You'd think it would get old, but nope, it doesn't.

See for yourself, it's just the cutest darn thing you ever did see.

In other news, Daddy got a new job and starts the 28th!

A new job where he has to wear suits. Every. Single. Day.

My construction man turned business man. Kidding, but kinda not. He's still serving as a construction professional, but will now be an owner's representative rather than a manager for the general contractor. We're both excited for this new chapter.

See, told you we were making big changes. We also have big plans for this next week, but you'll just have to check back later to see what it is.

Happy Friday!

TOP | big boy's first snowfall | a new hobby | cheers to my bff finding her wedding dress

MIDDLE | basket rides | morning snuggles | show us your belly

BOTTOM | shopping in the frigidness | we love TJs | cabin fever = wagon ride