I love him! 

I really do. But, not that butterfly in the stomach conditional love. The real stuff. The kind that makes me never give up and always have hope. The kind that makes me pause after raising my voice at him (not that I'm proud of this) and instantly apologize and ask if I can try that again. He stands beside me and supports me as God transforms my brokeness and gives me beauty for my ashes. He's there rooting me on. He's patient with me. He gives me space to grow, allows me to feel and, yet, he knows just how to say enough is enough with such a gentleness that comes straight from his heart. 

I'm a tough cookie. I can be moody, a bit too often. I struggle with depression, a daily battle. I am terrible at showing him affection, I actually have to pray about it. I have the most unhealthy interdependence, way too dependant on him for my happiness. A MESS!!!

What I love about him most is at any moment, I can look over his shoulder as he fiddles with his iPhone to see his fingers scrolling through SCRIPTURE. Immersing himself in the word! Looking through it's pages for instruction as how to treat his wife, the gift that God has given him. He is not perfect, but praise God, he looks to the one who is. He makes my heart patter when I think of him. When I think of the fact that he is there to see me through the end. To be beside me as I am transformed from broken to mended and whole. 

A few weekends ago, we spent the weekend in D.C as I invested in myself for once in far too long. He was there to support me and cheer me on yet again. He was there to gently push me to do what I had spent far too long trying to get past the fear and just go. He was patient and kind. He didn't judge me or think I was strange. He was just there. To love me. 

This is why HE comes right after God. And, I will be forever grateful for him, all the days of my life.

 XoXo,

Syreena

The boys have been pretty demanding these last few weeks and that coupled with a goWageous wedding and preparing myself to attend this awesomeness has kept me pretty busy lately. 

Can you stand how goWageous they are??? 

And, right now, I am most thankful for Tuesday...at naptime. Finally, a little time to do what is sometimes the hardest thing for me to do... to put into words what I am feeling at this very moment. The short version. 

Hopeful.

How about you?

XoXo,

Syreena

And please don't think that all of my rough days are in vain. I hope that I am not turning readers away by writing about so many bad days. I just believe that there is so much strength in knowing that your not alone. So if there is any chance that I can make just one other mommy feel that they are not alone. Then I will write on.

The night was rough. The new lil' decided that sleep wasn't on his agenda for the day and the big lil' thought it would be nice to scream all night long, well because he felt like it..... So the husband and I started our days on maybe 30 seconds of shut eye and that's just not whatspoppin.com.

Because I was so sleep deprived and had no head start on my day, things went from breakfast demands (" I think I want juice.", "I don't want waffles anymore mommy." " I just want juice.", " I want juice!!") to wanting grilled cheese and then wanting graham crackers and ultimately deciding that naptime was not what's really good either.

The husband got off of work early thank god so we went for a walk...

the new lil' was chillin'...

like seriously...chillin'...

I typically like going out for a walk and find it slightly relaxing. Except for this time it was less relaxing and more... "No mommy, I Camerons wants to push the cart"... Yes, Camerons plural :/

push me on the swing...

...follow me around the park and down the slide then try to get me to calm down and stop screaming cuz I just ain't ready to go home yet, so I'm gonna scream like you lock me in the closet all day and never take me anywhere. 

Then once we got home it was right to cooking dinner all to have things hot and ready while everyone else runs out of the house to church (well y'all coulda just ate cereal when you got home and I could have saved myself the tiny bit of energy that I preserved by drinking my third cup of coffee for the day). Now here comethe dinner demands... "No mommy, I don't want pizza anymore...I just want juice!" All while the sounds of the new lil' screaming sound in the not-so-background because it's impossible for him to wait 3.5 seconds for me to cut his food into smaller pieces.

I finally get the boys in bed 7:30 (thank God for early bedtime) and then it's off to working on a project for church that should only take me 3-4 hours but has taken me 80 something days because my babies attach themselves to my left nostril and can't live without me.

The husband gets home and starts asking ridiculous things like did you eat? have you showered? and would you like a back rub?...ummm, no, no and heck freakin YESSS. And then he wants to know if I was irritated, tired or frustrated and wants to know why????

"What's the matter?????", he says.

"You hate being a stay at home mom, don't you?"

What the flip was I supposed to say to that right there? I wanted to respond but I hadn't quite gotten my thoughts together (which almost NEVER happens). What really was the matter??? Was I tired? Ummmm, yes. Was I frustrated? yep yep, you bet. But, do I hate being a stay at home mom? Absolutely NOT! Then it hit me and it hit me hard...

I remember hearing Oprah say we all just want to know that we matter. And that was exactly the matter. I am willing to deal with the screaming, the impatience, the crying, the demands. They are here for me to teach them and yet they teach me. Teaching me to be patient, forcing me to be kind, to never give up, to always have hope...they teach me how to love.

I've struggled so much with being a stay at home home. Always feeling like I need to "bring something to the table". Feeling like the world looks down on me for just staying at home. Feeling like I contribute nothing to society. And at that very moment I realized just how much damage it does to be lead by my feelings. That my feelings had made this blessing of mine feel more like a curse.

What's the matter is that we just want to know that we matter.

That what we do matters.

If we don't take the time, have the patience, make our children our priority how will they know? where will they learn? what type of person will they grow to be? THAT is my JOB as a stay-at-home-mom. To mold these beautiful little people of mine to be kind, to be compassionate, to be patient, to be thoughtful, to know that they are loved, that they are worthy, that they are important.... that they matter!!!

What we do matters!!!

I am so grateful for my rough days because I learn from them. I become as better person because of them. A better mom because of them. But, I'm not sure I can take too many more of the rough days right now. I would be forever grateful if someone would send my lil's the memo. Thanks in advance :)

XoXo,

Syreena

I know I can.

I've been repeating these words over and over to myself these last couple of days. Trying to gather strength where it often seems like I have none. I've established my priorities but it is a constant struggle to make sure my actions are a reelection of the priorities I have set.

It is not easy. Being a mom. Being a wife. Running a business. Keeping it all together. (Me rockin' my UNICEF hoodie and the new lil' along for the ride, basically what I look like 5 out of 10 days).

Over the last week I have really began to accept the process involved with running creative business. I have come to terms with and am embracing the evolution of it all and that being a mommy makes things THAT MUCH HARDER. I've realized that finding my way in this world of small business, motherhood and the world of the married IS in fact a process.

I'm learning that its ok to evolve. That it is ok for your business to change and it's even ok for you to change businesses. Besides, how will I ever find what I'm truly passionate about and what sets me apart if I don't start with something? If I don't start somewhere?

The last few weeks I have been working hard at a new project that I am extremely excited about. And, while it seems like it is taking me FOREVER to get it up and running with the lil's around, i just keep reminding myself...

"I Can Do This..."

Besides...

{get this print here}

I'll never be "superwoman" and I'm starting to be ok with that. Who the flip is this "superwoman" anyway???

XoXo,

Syreena

So that was my vision! And, that is my dream! I certainly figured that it would be one of thoe ideas that you would put in the "idea" files and think on on a rainy day in the far far future. But how small was i thinking of my God who said that he would give me the desires of my heart, Psalm 37:4 ?!? 

One day I was sitting in the rents' office, typing up some goals and a few business plans when my mother-in-love caught a glimpse of my #5 which read, "Publish my first children's book", so she asked me about it. I gave her the lowdown and then she mentioned that she had a cousin who she believed did some illustrating. OK. NOTED. And then this is me..... moving on with life. (**ENTER MOVING ON WITH LIFE HERE**). The mother-in-love sent over a friend request on Facebook, I saw an example of one of the cutest little illustrated  brown skinned boys I had ever seen on a recent book that she had completed and I decided to shoot over and email. 

It read a little something like this...

"Hi, this is me...

these are my lil's...

this is how many pictures I take of my lil's...

this is how much I never wanna forget them this lil'...

this is how much I am in LOVE with the lil illustrated brown boy on your latest book...

this is how much I LOVE you...

and, this is how much I hope you LOVE me too..."

OK... so it didn't quite go JUST like that but you get the drift! She sent me back the most beautiful email (that made me smile for days) and told me to give her a call. So, I called! BEST. CONVERSATION. EVER!!! And, the best part is that she totally wants to work with ME!!! She explained that she works through an agent but takes on a couple of personal projects from time to time and would love to fit me in. WHAT, WHAT?!???!!! Little did I know that what I saw of her work was not nearly the half of the beauty that IS her ART!!!! So, I sneaked (with permission) a couple of my favs from her blog to show you what I mean....

and check out the AMAZINGNESS that is this one....

And, the best part is that SHE LOVES MY JESUS TOO!!! We spent a good amount of our conversation chatting about just how good God is to us and it darn near melted my heart away....

I can not WAIT for this story to unfold...

Love you Nessy... already!!!

Isn't this so amazing???

XoXo,

Syreena

Late one night I felt a strong urge to let her know that I was thinking of her. But, I hesitated. The typical excuses crossed my mind. It's too late. It won't make a difference. It's not like you have something "legitimate" to say. But as the minutes passed by, I just couldn't get her out of my head. And, so I wrote...

Hi...It's Syreena from church :) I'm sorry it's so late and I hope this doesn't wake you... I just had you on my mind and didn't want any more time to go by without letting you know... I LOVE YOU! Thank you for your hugs and I always love seeing your gorgeous face time and time again! I'll call you soon :) goodnight!

I felt silly. But at the same time I felt obedient. I felt like I had taken a step toward my purpose (strange but true). And, this was her reply...

Good morning baby girl, I just wanted you to know I am thinking about you and praying for you. Have a great day and week. You are precious to God and me. 

Super sweet. And, I thought that was that until I saw her again, at church, a few weeks later. She stopped me. We hugged. Then she began to tell me how much my little text meant to her. She told me that it made her feel special and that, get this, so special she cried!!! That was when it hit me. It hit me that all I had to do was take a few minutes of my busy day to stop and send a simple text that made her feel love inside. And because God is love, it made her feel God inside. 

***insert huge light bulb HERE***

Each and every hug we exchanged from then on was full of hopes for one another and an indescribable amount of love. And, the texting continued as well...

Hiiiii...Sorry just getting back to you. The holidays were a bit crazy but I'm so excited for this new year!!! Love knowing that I am precious to you! I only pray you know that I feel the same about you! Can't wait to hug you for the first time this year!!!

That was mine to her.... and this was her reply...

I can't wait to hug you either baby girl. And, know without a doubt only God connected us. I love you!

Through our simple messages to one another it was made more and more clear to me that it is relationships just like these that sustain us. 

something SO small and yet SO big at the same time...

This is the part when my mind began to spin. I began thinking of how consumed I have been with my own needs and wants and how little time I spent thinking about being a change in someone else's life. I had spent the last year or so discovering my faith and finding that, "What matters most is faith expressed through love."~galations 5:8, but what exactly is this thing called love? And, what are tangible, realistic ways to be and show love???

I started making a list of small things. Small things that would show someone love. Show them patience. Show them kindness. Show them that I'll never give up. That I will always be hopeful. Small things to show them LOVE! And, this is when I decided to challenge myself, yet again. A challenge to stop focusing on my own wants and needs, issues and problems. But, instead, to use a fraction of each and every day to DO something small, something lovely....to DO something....one lovely THING at a time...

Do something PATIENT. Do something KIND. Do something that shows them that you'll NEVER GIVE UP. Do something that says you'll always be HOPEFUL. Do something that is evidence that you're willing to ENDURE through it all. Something HUMBLE. Something POLITE. Something FLEXIBLE. Something to show that you're STARTING FRESH TODAY... Do something LOVELY. One THING at a time....

I have added a separate tab/journal to document this little challenge of mine. A challenge that will have no end, but instead become my way of life. My Life Through Love....

sidenote. I'll also be tweeting the "smaller" lovely things with the hashtag #onelovelything because they count just as much ;) So make sure you follow me @syreena_b 

XoXo,

Syreena

I'm back in the swing of things with the lil's this week after spending the weekend road trippin' with a friend to Rhode Island. She asked me to ride along to a baby shower and I thought it would be a great time to get away for a day, talk, and knock another one off of my 30/30 (which is going through a little update at the moment). I didn't take nearly enough pictures, especially of the BanGin' breakfast we had at the hotel's restaurant, but thank God for Instagram!!! I really love taking road trips and I can't wait to start taking more now that the lil's are getting older. On top of traveling out of the country I am SOOOO looking forward to hitting all fifty some states (may need to add that one to my 35 before 35 :). We talked about traveling a lot on our trip. She says that I would LOVE Toronto and now I am counting down days until we get to go. (if you're reading Shug, I'm totally holding you to that one :). Anyhoooo, good times!!

Now onto the 'realness'.... am I the only one who thinks it is super hard trying to spend time with new friends???? I am so use to my BFFK who finishes my sentences and understands all of my thoughts with no explanations needed???!!!???!!! Don't get me wrong, I am SO excited about meeting new friends and I welcome new relationships. I'm just sayin', it can be a little awkward at times. Mainly because I'm a bit awkward and you don't want them to go home and say things like, "I don't think I'll be kickin' it with that chic for a little while." LOL. These are times when I TOTALLY miss my Auntie Karmen (inside joke here), but I know that new friendships bring new joys!

And, back at the home front...things are also a little different this week because the husband will be away until Friday so it's just me and the lil's for the next few days. For some reason I feel like I "rise to the occasion" pretty well when I have the lil's on my own. Anyone else feel that way? A TON of cuddling and a tiny amount of controlled mess. 

And, if you're reading this husband... we miss you a TON!!! (in my favorite cousin voice..LOL).

XoXo,

Syreena

{SEE MORE HERE...}

 Also, make sure you are subscribed to the new feed to get updated when there are new post to share :)

XoXo,

Syreena

And, since Thursday is date night in our household, today I will be gearing up for our date with the finances tomorrow ;) We bought The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey which is totally changing our perspective on how to approach our finances and we love that. 

Today I'll be reading a little more of this and browsing even more info on good money practices so the husband and I can have a well informed date tomorrow night. 

Any more good books, websites, or finance tools that I should know about?

XoXo,

Syreena

I remember birthdays being very small and intimate with a homemade birthday cake, (my favorite memories from my childhood) and I want, more than anything, for my lil's to share that same joy. So, homemade birthday cake it was...

Simple streamers are very inexpensive and a great way to add a little fun, flare and excitement. I lined them across the doorways for the lil's to run through in order to enter the party...

he LOVED it...

they did it over and over again before they even realized that there was more fun ahead...

the inspiration...

juice and snacks...

favor bags full of fun...

opening gifts...

Nana and Pop Pop's birthday gift. Great game... too bad the big lil' LOVES to watch us play it instead of playing it himself LOL...

a birthday hug from his God-sister...

the birthday boy...

the new lil' was super tired so he wasn't too interested in joining the fun. He just laid back and watched...

loved that the streamers also made and awesome backdrop for the birthday table...

and time for blowing out some candles...

a lil' dur-day cake...

and some self timer fun for mommy and daddy...

just know that I am only including more pics of myself because I know that I enjoy seeing pictures of the bloggers that I follow. But, please me know if it's getting to be too much. I will gladly cut back ;)

My babies had a blast and that makes me one happy momma. I really have a greater appreciation for parents who make these great memories possible for their children. It's rough work but it's SOOOO worth it. 

I love them!!!

Maybe year 4 or 5 I will start inviting a bunch of kids to the boy's birthday bashes. But for now, I don't think they even notice so why bother?!? How do you do your kids birthdays??!?? Go all out or keep it small and simple?

XoXo,

Syreena