The big lil' rises first.

Wakes up daddy. Wakes up mommy. Insist on waking up brother.

The norm. 

I try to ease myself out of bed. No real excitment for the day. This morning, just like every other morning. At home. With my boys. 

Washing faces. Brushing teeth. Dressed. Chores. Down the stairs and ready for breakfast.  

Oatmeal. Cheerios. Daddy says goodbye and he's out the door.  

We read. We sing songs. We play with train tracks as I count down the hours until nap time even though they just woke up. 

I've purposed to take pictures EVERYDAY no matter what. So I snap a few here, and get a few there. 

I watch as he pretends to read from the pages of a beautiful book. Far from tuned in and still counting down until my next "break". 

We stop to color and have a little snack. 

And then back to reading again. 

Finally, nap time rolled around. I quickly changed them, started their favorite flicks and put them down. I plopped myself down on the couch and thanked God for getting me through the morning. I flipped through a few channels and tip-toed upstairs to grab something really quickly. I peeked into the big lil's room for a sec and found this...

Apparently, he did a little reading before he decided to make himself comfortable in his tent and get a little rest in for the day. 

I inched myself back and sat in the chair directly across from my precious baby boy and I cried. I cried at the thought of how ungrateful I had been.

I had taken for granted everything that was so beautiful about this morning. Everything that I had spent so much time wishing would go by quickly. Trying to speed through from morning to nap time and then nap time to bed time.

What had I done? How ungrateful had I become?

This morning...

there was so much beauty right before my eyes. My beautiful, healthy, vibrant, joyous boys. My amazing, loving, devoted, Godly husband... I could go on. 

This morning...

I made one good decision. And, as I downloaded the images from the day, that I forced myself to take, I was able to replay and re-live a morning that should have been filled with gratefulness and joy. 

It is so easy to focus on all of the things that you DON'T have or DON'T get to do. So easy to focus on the people that get to go out and the couples before kids that get to travel and do things on a whim. 

If you're not careful, it's so easy to become so ungrateful in a situation where gratefulness should abound you. 

So, this is me...reminding myself of that very thing...

This morning.

XoXo,

Syreena 

who he heck told you that's...that's personal information. Violation!!!

Then I remember that this little blog of mine is really being read by more than just the tiny green and white Martians on Mars. I've gotten somewhat comfortable with being a "blogger" but the social media part still makes me hesitate. How much do I really want other people to know? What is really necessary to tweet or worthy of a Facebook update?? I don't normally comment on celebrity happenings and major "issues" but I just couldn't help but share my thoughts.

I got back just in time from my night out with the husband to watch Whitney Houston's Homegoing service. Which was nothing short of sad and beautiful all at the same time. I was also privy to the social media play by play as people tweeted and commented on Facebook throughout the entire service. There were so many things about the service that I loved more than I wish to share. But there were two parts that stood out so clearly to me. The first being the genuine words spoken by her "real life" bodyguard mentioning how she gave herself to the world and heartwarmingly pleading for the world to have a little grace with others that do the same. Seriously guy... I could have cried right then!!!!

sidenote: so in love with how goWageous she is in this picture...

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The second thing that touched me so was the story that Be Be Winans shared about how she selflessly gave of herself and in the height of her career didn't think twice about singing back up for them when they needed a little help. I found this clip (gotta love YouTube) and it touched my heart just to watch and witness the beauty of who she truly was.

I've been thinking about social media and the media in general a lot lately. I have a very interesting love hate relationship with social media that I care not to seriously expand upon however I will briefly explain. In so many ways social media is nothing short of amazing, the ability to connect, share and reach out has never before been so tangible as today but on the down side it also gives the idiots, uninformed and uncompassionate a platform and that just plain sucks. Her ability to set all pride aside and ACT from her heart speaks volumes to the kind of person she really was. We make mistakes. People make mistakes. Life is not easy and darkness is all around you. But grace carries us through and the quick to judge attitude that so many of us adopt today is seriously disheartening.

Seriously!

I struggle, at times, with this blog of mine, with the nature of blogging and opening yourself up to the public in general. It's scary. You are opening yourself up to, not only the good, but the jokes, critics and critisism as well. It's scary. But despite the fact that I am a pretty private person at heart, I do it because of the many people who have told me that my words help them. I do it for the people who write me and call me to tell me that they look forward to my post and that they tried something new because I did or that they thought of something differently because they saw that I challenged myself to think and do differently too.

There is so much beauty in sharing who you are with others. I am constantly encouraged and uplifted by others who choose to share their stories and experiences and I can only hope that I can do the same for someone else. When people share with you in any capacity, weather it be the beauty of someone's voice and music or the openness of someone's personal dreams, hopes or feelings don't be so quick to judge, criticize, critic, tear down etc. watching this video really touched me...

...too much not to share.

XoXo,

Syreena

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G sums up my day today! I'm still sitting here trying to figure out why in the world we hadn't done this sooner. 

Oh yeah, it was because of my silly self who (for some reason) convinced herself that her kids couldn't survive without her. That they would somehow become Russian spies if I'm not around every second of the day to guide them through this cold, cold world that we live in.

Ummmm... yeah, NO! 

If you are a new mommy...please don't do this to yourself. 

You NEED time away, you NEED a break...

I felt like a married woman for the first time in three years. Not just a woman, with kids...and a baby's daddy who just happens to be my husband. There's a difference. Trust me!

Instagram when I just didn't feel like reaching for the camera...

We kept it simple... kept it quite.

Went to a few stores (without two whiny babies :), candy run to Five Below and camped it in the room for the night ;)

MUST.DO.THIS.AGAIN.SOON!!!

Please tell me that I am the only one that takes this long to get away with their husband after having babies. Do you go away often? For some reason I feel like the one nighters are the best. Sadly and cutely enough we were both super excited to get home to our babies. Those dang boys are our world :)

XoXo,

Syreena

Going out with the husband for the night for the first time since the lil's were born!!! Thought this night would never come :) I have to be the only weirdo that took this long before she left her babies over night with someone else. It's been THREE YEARS, ReallY???!!???

XoXo,

Syreena

Having a sick baby is certainly número UNO on my list of things I never wanna experience in my life! I hate it. Everything in me just wants to take all of the pain away and I can't. When my big lil was in the PICU for a couple weeks I really learned how to turn to God for comfort and grasp a better handle on the mess that I was when my babies are sick. After bringing him home form the hospital my anxiety got even worse and it became extremely difficult for me to deal when my babies had any type of health issue from a normal cold to eczema and even watery eyes and runny noses. I was a MESS!!!!

Through the months I have learned that there are certain things that I must do in order to control the stress ball that I become when my boys are not feeling 100%. And yes, it is that serious. I know that it is God's will for his children to be in perfect health even when it comes down to the "common" cold. And, oftentimes I find myself frustrated and sometimes even angry with God (never the way to go, to be angry with God...Lord forgive me :)) when my babies get sick. What I know now, for sure, is that sickness is no part of God. That he doesn't bring it or allow it but what he does do is take it away (if I only believe). What I have also realized is that growing my faith in a certain area and seeing its manifestation in my life are a process. And on that journey to divine health for myself AND my children these are the things I do to cope... to deal... in the meantime...

.Get friendly with the professionals- I adore my doctor and ALL of his staff!!! The secret is that my doctor isn't even a pediatrician!!! I KNOW!!!! Well not really :/ I've had my same doctor since the husband and I married six years ago and when my lil's came along it was only natural that he manage their care just as he has been for the husband and I. I got a lot of slack from other people for not finding a "Pediatrician" but here's the thing... He listens, he cares, he doesn't pretend to know everything, he doesn't rush me out of his office to get to the next patient of the day! We are super close and comfy with the secretaries and one of them the lil's call Grandma Patty (doesn't get much better than that). I even keep in good touch with the Attending Physician that cared for the big lil' during his stay at the PICU. A text message here and there to reminding him of how grateful I am for the quality of care that he showed my baby and my family. These connections have been my saving grace! I have no problems calling my doctors answering service after hours nor any hesitations to bust out a quick text when something just doesn't seem right and I need some advice. These relationships are SO important! Don't be afraid to make sure your doctors know your name and remember exactly who you are even if you were their ba-zillionth patient of the day.

.Don't doubt my mommy instincts- I doubted my mommy instincts once before and I will NEVER DO IT AGAIN!!! I AM my baby's voice and if I don't speak up for them no one else will. If something doesn't seem right....it's not! That's all.

.Nip it in the bud- I don't wait for gi-normous red flags to start waving before I start doing something about it. If my lil's are slowing down, looking a tad strange, moving a bit funny, eyes a bit glassy I get on it. Tylenol is my friend. Cool mist humidifiers, even better. I don't wait until they are full fledged out of commission before I pick up the phone for a quick doctor's visit or a small dose of pain reliever. I also try a lot more preventative things now. Daily multi vitamins, smoothies full of antioxidant packed fruits and nutrient filled veggies, and a regular cleaning of thier billions of toys.

.Trust and Agree- Some times I just can't! Sometimes I just have too much on my plate to take on the "worry" of having a baby that is not feeling so good. I just can't stay up all night making sure his breathing sounds normal, checking his skin for any signs of reaction, counting the minutes until his next dose of medicine, I just can't. So no matter how much I feel like no one can take care of my babies better than I can, the fact is that that's just not true. Times like these I have to trust that the husband can take over and agree that he can decide what's best. This is when I leave all of my worries at the door and rest. I just let thier daddy be the nurse for the day :)

.A little comfort goes a long way- There is nothing quite like a mommy or daddy snuggled up next to you with your favorite blanket and plush animal when you are feeling a little blue. Sick time is snuggle time for sure. 

How do you deal when your babies are sick??

XoXo,

Syreena

that lead to this...

and then a little bit of this... 

LovE him! Last week I picked up a few cork and dry erase boards along with some animal and car stickers for a chore and potty chart for the big lil'...

they turned out pretty cute and the big lil' LOVES them. He has a list of 5 chores to complete every morning. Getting dressed, brushing teeth, making the bed, putting away dirty clothes and cleaning up toys. He gets an animal sticker of his choice for every task he completes.

then it's potty time... the new lil' typically comes along for a quick overview of things to come and some moral support (he's so cute).

The potty station is just above the throne. It holds a few books for reading, clean undies, wipes and treats...

this is when I hang out and do a little waitin'...

I adore that morning face...crusties and all...

the potty chart is marked with 7 slots by time. each time he goes he gets a Car's sticker of his pickin'...

then we brush our teeth...

make our beds...

and dart to the charts for more stickers...

while this guy is still soakin' it all in...

I absolutely LOVE his morning routine, although it's been kind of tough getting other grow people in our house to follow the plan he seems to fall right back into the swing of things every time mommy handles morning so that's good...

then we snap as many pictures as we can...

then it's downstairs for some breaking of the fast...

I started a Pre-school workbook routine with the big lil' that he seems to really like. Each day has it's own designated subject with Wednesdays being field trip day and everyday includes some computer time (ABC Mouse.com is the BOMB!!!)...

we get some money talk in learning about nickels and dimes while the new lil' does a little exploring...

love that the big lil' must have his Cars' slippers but not necessarily on his feet :)

after our lesson, song bible songs and a little free play and snack, it's naptime...

the big lil' normally fixes a palate on the floor with his Cars' pull out sofa, his animals and his blanket and watches his Disney movie of choice for some nap time soothing...

I LOVE our structured morning routine and can't WAIT to get back to them. If you are a SAHM, what's your morning routine? 

XoXo,

Syreena

On another note, I am SERIOUSLY looking forward to feeling better and getting myself and the lil's OUT of the house and having a little fun. I am suffering from some pretty bad cabin fever and what I miss the most around this time is our walks around the neighborhood. 

Oh April and May... you can't come soon enough!

p.s. I HATE viruses and the fact that all you can do is ride them out. Am I the only one out there that feels like someone in her family is sick WAY too often?? AgggHHHH!!!!!

XoXo,

Syreena

So, I've missed two days of my twenty-one day challenge and I've decided to cut myself a break since it was honestly beyond my control. Just simply tacking on two extra days to the challenge. Easy enough, right?!? Whoooo Hoooo, today is Valentines Day People!!!  Valentines Day is one of my favorite holidays!!! And, unfortunately, due to the fact that I have been seriously under the weather for the last 9.5 days, my V-Day isn't quite going the way I envisioned it. Welcome sadness and yet another celebration that is being pushed back a few days ;) But I thought it would be great to share my Valentines Day inspiration via Pinterest! 

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Red velvet? Heart shaped pepperoni pizza? A book of love? Macaroons? Heart fluttering decor? V-day breakfast? Ummm, yes please! Couple days ago the big lil' and I colored up some hearts for some v-day fun. Isn't he the cutest???

can't wait to hang these up all over and make love day last a little longer this time around! 

Happy Valentines Day my bloggy friends. What are your plans to celebrate? Any fun crafts with the kids? Anyone have awesome valentines treats that they'd like to share? 

XoXo,

Syreena

I'm having serious trouble shaking my mommy guilt today. Despite the fact that I've felt like death for the last two days, I somehow thought I would be able to get it together and be ever present for my big lil's birthday. But, that would be a big-ole'-fat-I-think-ummm...-NOT!!!...

Thank God that we have some fun things in store tomorrow for our little man that we think he'll be pretty pleased with :) Let's all pray that I be fully HEALED in the morning long before the festivities begin! 

Oh... and praise the Lord that 3 year olds seem to have a serious dose of grace for their mommies who are sick and partially ill-prepared for the proper birthday celebrations. 

Talk about imperfect conditions...

XoXo,

Syreena

I should be celebrating my big lil's birthday today. Making oatmeal and banana cupcakes, picking up balloons, opening gifts and consistently shouting out reasons why I love him so every 15-30 minutes...he loves that! But instead I am pretty much out of commission. On my 2nd or 3rd dose of DayQuil for the day, partially wrapped in a blanket that I angrily toss off of me every 30 secs because I'm super hot but crazy cold all at the same time. Sore throat, achy legs not the way I wanted to spend my babies 3rd birthday aggghhhhhh!!!! Thank God for Father-in-loves who take the day off to take care for the boys, make me the best homemade chicken soup and tea with ginger lemon and honey so that I can fully recover for the real party day this weekend . Team grandpa all the way!!!

I can't believe I've had him in my life this long. He sure can be a handful sometimes but I wouldn't have it any other way. Back to soup, DayQuil and ginger honey tea.

XoXo,

Syreena