Month: January 2017

One Month In.

~ Kimberly Landreth ~ Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe that 31 days have passed in the year 2017!  How can we already have made it thorough one month of the new year? Blows my mind.

Here’s a little list of my favorite things from this first month of 2017.

Book:  I read three books! I know- some of you are thinking, “Wow! Only three?” That’s kind of a big deal. I mean, I feel like I have no down time to do anything around my house expect for running around after a three year old, and a seven month old who is Army crawling around like it’s nobody’s business.

Out of the books that I conquered, I think I loved Nicole Curtis’ book, Better Than New: Lessons I’ve Learned from Saving Old Homes (and How They Saved Me) the most. Nicole is just a boss. She doesn’t apologize for who she is, for what she thinks, or for what she says. She sticks to her guns, and goes with her gut. I find that admirable.

Music:  These songs are constantly on repeat. It doesn’t matter if I’m driving or on the treadmill. I can’t get enough…

Old Dominion- Song for Another Time

Brothers Osborne- Stay a Little Longer

Brett Young- Sleep Without You

Amy Grant (ft. Tori Kelly)- Baby, Baby

Carrie Underwood- Dirty Laundry

Scripture:  “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8

I lost my grandfather this month. It was very bittersweet. My grandfather suffered from Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s. At the funeral home it was so sweet to see how many lives he touched. There were people there from his entire walk of life here on Earth. I say that losing him was bittersweet because I said goodbye to him several years ago. It was difficult to see his mind go. The last time I saw him, he didn’t even know who I was. I do mourn that his presence is no longer on this Earth. It’s sad knowing that I no longer have any grandparents left. But, I do rejoice in the fact that he is healed, and that he is whole once again. I take comfort in knowing that he is in the presence of The Lord.

Down Time:  Mr. and I started House of Cards on Netflix. Neither one of us can get the boys to bed fast enough so we can watch one (or three) episodes. It’s great mindless entertainment…and it’s also eye opening to the fact that I never want a career in politics!

Looking Ahead:  I am looking forward to the month of February. I love, love. I love celebrating Valentine’s Day. I love surprising the boys with their Valentine’s gifts. I love receiving what they’ve picked out just for me. It’s just a very special holiday. I’ll talk to you guys a little more about what we do around here to celebrate. It’s just a fun tradition we started when Monster was born. I’m’ all about creating memories and traditions for our boys; I hope that it carries over into their adulthood and -one day- they pass along the things we do, with their families. Memories and traditions- easy and simple ways to make sure that this everyday love remains.

What’s Your Favorite Pie?

~ Kimberly Landreth ~ Leave a comment

Sweets. I love them. I often say that I don’t have a sweet tooth; all of my teeth are vying for that coveted title. What can I say? Dessert is one of my most favorite things in the whole wide world.  *That can attest to the fact that I am still working on getting rid of the extra 30 pounds of baby weight I am still carrying around.*  (We’ll just save that for another blog.)

Have you ever noticed that on a menu- pie is always an option? I don’t understand. Pie is one dessert I can pass up. I won’t even give it a second glance- but there is one pie out there that lingers long after you eat it. It may not even be that satisfying. I know, you’re thinking- what? No way. There is though…

Humble Pie.

I got served a big piece of it yesterday from Monster. So let me catch you up to speed. Yesterday was a day where I didn’t get a shower until Noon and I didn’t get to brush my teeth until two. I was over-worked. I was over-tired. I was out right mean to my three-year-old.

Wild Thing had gone for his six-month checkup, on Tuesday, and received his shots. He was fine…until it was time for the house to sleep that night. In total Mr. and I got about four hours of sleep Tuesday night into Wednesday. Monster woke up early (and he’s one that once he’s up- he’s up. He takes that after his Daddy.) Wild Thing was up just a little after I got Monster settled and eating breakfast.

I won’t give you all the details, but once I served Monster, Wild Thing cried for two hours straight. TWO HOURS. This is totally and completely out of his character. I knew it was all because of his shots. He didn’t want to be worn. He didn’t want to be naked. All he wanted was for Momma to hold him- which I did. For the millisecond that he wasn’t in my arms, Monster grabbed him and Wild Thing started his crying fit all over again…

That. Was. It.

I yelled. I completely took my fatigue out on him. He got upset that I was upset, and left me alone with crying Wild Thing. I thought, ‘I don’t even care. He can stay in his room all day. I don’t even care.’ I walked Wild Thing to his room to rock him. Thankfully he fell asleep quickly. Monster comes in as soon as Wild Thing drifts off and asks me if I’d like for him to turn the light off.

Cue tears.  Cue Momma-guilt.

I felt like a failure as a mother. I cannot describe what it is like to be needed by both of your boys and you have to pick one over the other; because at that moment one needs you more than the other. I know Monster didn’t see this- or even feel like I was picking his brother over him. He selflessly came in and asked if he could do something so simple to help out his Momma, you know- this one, the one that just ripped him a new one not 7 minutes earlier. Yea, he was ready and willing to help me out even though I acted like a monster towards him.

Cut the pie. Place it on the serving tray. Place in front of Momma.

Wild Thing finally went down for a 4.5-hour nap and I was able to walk up to Monster and apologize.   I told him I was sorry for yelling at him. That I was tired, and just like when he gets tired- and he gets mean…that’s what happened to Momma.

He just looked at me and said, “It’s OK. I love you just the way you are.” (WHAT?! Who is this kid and where did he hear Bruno?) Then hugged me. Talk about seeing grace! I hate that these roles were reversed and I was the one who acted like the three-year-old, and he the parent.

I’m thankful that each day is new, and that my little Monster is so forgiving of me- when I can hold onto things, and continually make myself feel like an inadequate mother. I am thankful that Monster has seen over his little span of life how easy it is to say you’re sorry and ask for someone to forgive you. I’m thankful that he has seen love everyday.

So to all of the Mommas (and Daddies) out there- one thing I hope you take away from this rambling story from my life, is to always admit your wrongs to your kiddos. Never be afraid to tell them you’re sorry when YOU have crossed a line. Always remember to show them love- no matter how much of a jerk you think you are for acting the way you did…they think you hung the moon.

So until next time, I’ll be sitting alone eating my Humble Pie- wishing it were a piece of chocolate cake- watching my Monster and Wild Thing grow with this everyday love.

Wrapping Up Christmas, Wrapping Up 2016

~ Kimberly Landreth ~ Leave a comment

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays! I mean, seriously who doesn’t love the idea of staying home and watching A Christmas Story, eating home made candies, and making traditions come to life with your family? Just simply put, Christmas is fun!

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is Christmas cards. Although, I feel like people think they are a waste, I look forward to that quick walk to the mailbox to see who has sent my family a little Christmas cheer. You can’t beat making someone’s day with a simple card wishing you a joyful season!

So, here I am to give you an idea for those Christmas cards you got. Are you ready? Keep them. Yes- keep them! Here’s what I plan on doing with mine. I plan on placing a Christmas card on our kitchen table, and every night for a week our family is going to pray for the family who’s Christmas card lays on our table.   We received 50 cards this year, so that means my little family will intentionally pray for another family, for a whole week, for the year 2017.

Now you can do whatever you want with your cards…I mean they are yours. But I plan on putting them to good use and spending a little more time reflecting on the person who thought of my little family this past Christmas. It’s an easy way to teach your children about praying for others. It’s a simple way to share gratitude with The Lord. It’s an effortless way to make sure you have a little love in your day!