Jaelyn

I have been doing a terrible job of writing down the numerous funny things that my girls say. However, Jaelyn said and did something the other day that I just had to share.

We were driving to the Sam's Club parking lot to meet up with Michaela's youth group leader so they could pick her up to go on an outreach. We ended up leaving the house a few minutes early so we stopped by Sonic to grab a drink. As we were driving to drop her off, Jaelyn made it known that she had a brain freeze. I told her to press her tounge to the roof of her mouth for a few seconds and it should go away. Michaela chimed in that she could also use her thumb meaning she could put her thumb in her mouth and press it on the roof, just like she would her tounge.

We pulled into the parking lot and waited just a few more minutes. The girls were quietly sipping on their ice water when I looked back at Jaelyn who just happened to be sitting in the backseat with her thumb quietly placed on the top of her head. I asked her what she was doing and she looked at me like I was crazy and told me she was getting rid of her brain freeze. I just had to laugh at how silly she looked. Instead of placing her thumb in her mouth, she thought placing it on the top of her head would do the trick!

Toys 'R Us Girl

Many of you have heard this story time and time again but this blog is a journal of my life and I couldn't go without writing about someone who has taught me so much about life, just by being a friend.

When Chaseton was just a few weeks old, I took the girls to Toys 'R Us to play with the train table and Power Wheels. It was my only chance for a few minutes to myself that day as Matt had just gone back to work that week. I was tired, emotional, stressed, and not really sure as to how I was going to care for three children under the age of 4, after just having a major surgery.

As I got there, I noticed another mom with a little girl and her very own baby girl in tow. I smiled and watched our kids play together while checking my phone, hoping some sort of social life would embrace me that day. The mom asked me a few questions, small talk if you will, while giving me the "look" that I've received time and time again while in public. The "you have your hands full" look that is permanently etched in my brain. Infact, I still see the look or hear "you have your hands full" atleast once while in public to this day.

After playing, we made our way throughout the store. I let the girls pick a toy that day as a part of a bribe and a little bit of mommy guilt, seeing as how I had a newborn which meant less attention for them. As we made our way to the checkout, the mom I met at the train table filed in line behind us. She asked me if I had ever heard of MOPS before. I told her I had but I didn't belong to a group. She invited me to the same MOPS group that she attended because she noticed "I needed a break." :) I gave her some information and made my way to my car. As soon as my kids were loaded and buckled, I immediately called Matt and my mom. I was thrilled. I met a friend and she asked me to join a group where I could meet other moms who are walking the same path that I was.

A couple months passed and I vaguely remembered the information that my new-found "friend" had given me. Mommy brain. I was starting to get bummed out because I hadn't heard from her. I couldn't remember when MOPS would be starting but I knew it would be soon. My mom came for a visit and while she was here, we took the kids to the library. They were playing in the play area when I seen the girl I had met at Toys 'R Us out of the corner of my eye. I made eye contact with her but I didn't want to be the first one to approach her to find out that it wasn't really her. I mentioned something about her to my mom, reminding her of the time I called her from the Toys 'R Us parking lot. Allison, I later found out her name was, saw me in the library and again reminded me about her MOPS group. I was so happy and I couldn't wait to attend my first meeting.

The rest is, as they say, history. My first meeting went great and I eventually started opening up, getting comfortable, and making friends with some pretty amazing ladies that have blessed my life beyond measure. I'm convinced that Allison was sent to me through God when I needed a friend and someone to confide in. I desperately needed a change in my life and Allison was the one that was chosen to open my eyes. MOPS has forever changed my life all because a mom stepped out in her faith and asked a fellow mom to be her friend.

Allison has no idea how much she has changed my life. She has taught me how to love, how to be a good friend, and how to be comfortable in my own skin. She has taught me to stand strong in what I believe in and to be confident in who I am. She's seen me cry, seen me struggle as a mom, and encouraged me when I've needed it most. She's helped me in ways that she will never know. Because of her, I will feel important, work hard, and treat others differently. I never imagined that a girl I met at Toys 'R Us could be so near and dear to my heart. God has a way of placing people in our life right when we need them and I will forever be thankful for her.

Today, our friendship continues to grow. She keeps me grounded and understands who I am as a mom, wife, and friend. Our girls just happen to be bestfriends as well and I love her girls more than words. When we're in public together, we love to approach moms, invite them to our group, then laugh about it later. Allison will always be my Toys 'R Us girl.

This quote reminds me so much of Allison.

An Update

• Summer is busy but its almost over and I am starting to wish it were a few weeks longer! However, I am really looking forward to fall! One of my most favorite seasons!

• School enrollment is this week! Its official...my baby is going to kindergarten. I'm not ready for her to be gone everyday but I know she's going to love it!

• I spent this past week at my grandparents house. I'm so thankful to have a place to go "home" to. Its always hard to leave but my grandma and I had such a fun time sewing and spending time together. I have always had just one set of grandparents growing up but my own grandparents make up for that. I love them and wish they didn't live so far away. My cousin from Texas met me there. Its always great to spend time with her there in the summer..it makes me feel like we're kids again and we don't have a care in the world! My most favorite memories from my childhood are spending summers at my grandparents house with my cousins!

• After visiting several churches, I think we have finally found one that feels right. Its so hard to move forward and leave everything you know and love but I have faith that we're moving in the right direction. I'm so thankful for God's provision and love!

• Matt's sister, Michaela, has officially moved in! She will be spending the next year here with us in Topeka while she attends cosmotology school. Even though she will have a busy schedule, I am thankful for the extra hands of help around here! Its fun to have someone older than the age of 5 to talk to everyday. If my very own sister were still with us, I feel like this would be something that we'd do for her, too. Michaela is such a blessing to ourselves and our kids! We love her!

• Even though we haven't been searching too hard lately, we've kind of been taking a break from the job hunt. I feel like there is so much pressure for a college graduate to find a job right after college when in all reality, the job he has is a great one! I'm so thankful for Matt's job but I am open for change! Its fun to explore and dream about where God will take you!

• A great friend and fellow MOPS mom and I have joined together in starting a MOPS group for Teen Moms here in Topeka. I have a HEART for teen moms! I think about how I can help them almost every day. We are still in the brainstorming process but I feel like I am one step closer to opening a home for teen moms!

That's all...for now!

Random Truths

1) At the age of 24, I am just barely starting to feel comfortable in my own skin. From something as simple as what I wear to my parenting techniques, I'm just starting to realize that what others think isn't the most important thing in the world. Its okay to be who I am and its a wonderful thing to have the confindence to be who God made me to be!

2) I love reality TV. Its my guilty pleasure. Given that some of it is staged, I just love seeing into other peoples lives.

3) I'm terrified for my girls to grow up. I'm so nervous to raise two teenage girls and I often don't think that I'm cut out for the job. I was a very easy teenager (atleast I think so!) I may have been sassy at times but I was never into any trouble. I take pride in dressing modestly and I want my girls to, too! I want them to be Proverbs 31 women! I want them to serve others. I want them to be modest and kind and loving and know how beautiful they are. Being a teenager in our society these days is hard, especially for girls but I want them to rise up and beat those stereotypes. Through prayer, I have faith that they will be just fine!

4) I'm addicted to Sonic, Target, and Hobby Lobby.

5) If I could, I would eat ice cream everyday. I love it. My grandpa used to eat Butter Pecan ice cream every night so I'm sure that's where I inherited my love for ice cream!

6) This girl has become one of my closest friends. She understands me, encourages me, and makes me laugh. The sad news? She's moving in just over a week. I'm so sad but I'm happy that her family will get the opportunity to be close to loved ones.

7) I'm so excited to say that I will be leading my morning MOPs group this year. Its such a great opportunity for me to serve others and grow closer to a great group of ladies! I'm so excited!

8) I have been thinking a lot about going back to school. Before Chaseton was born, I was still taking online classes through FHSU. I needed to take a break to concentrate more on my kids but lately, I've really been thinking about what I would like to major in. My first major was Hospitality and Tourism. I love traveling and planning vacations. After learning more about myself, I am now considering majoring in the area of Social Work/Physchology etc. I'd really love to be an adoption and pregnancy counselor. If you remember, one of the items on my bucket list is to open a home for Teen Moms who are either homeless or need direction. I also still have thoughts of becoming a Marine Biologist. That was one of the main things I wanted to be when I was little. We'll see where God directs me when the time comes! :)

9) I wish my brother knew how lucky he is to live 5 minutes from my grandma's house. I had always dreamed of my kids living close to her, just like I did. Instead, I followed my groom and we now live 5 hours away. I get more and more homesick everyday. My grandparents house holds some of my deepest, safest secrets and memories. My grandma has deeply impacted my life and I hope she knows how thankful I am for everything she taught me and how she loved me.

10) I'm certain I have been blessed with some of the greatest friends ever. New and old, I love them all the same. They have blessed me and changed me in a way that they will never know. I'm so grateful they were put in my life! 

the First Year Adventures of Chaseton Pollock

This weekend has been full of celebration for our family! On Saturday, we celebrated Chaseton's first birthday! And today is Matt and I's sixth anniversary! We have been surrounded by family and friends and have had such a fun time! For now, Chaseton's birthday recap!

Chaseton had a "Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn" inspired party. I wanted his party to be full of nature, outdoors, and centered around the times of Tom Sawyer. I thought it turned out to be the perfect party for a little boy and I hope Chaseton is just as adventurous as Tom Sawyer!

The invite:

We had Chaseton's party at the perfect location; the Kansas History Museum! It is woodsy and full of nature!

These are two of the picnic tables where our guests sat. The lantern is one that I borrowed from Matt's mom. The jar I found at the recycling center and made my own 'hobo bags' for decoration!

We had a Scavenger Hunt, Potato Sack Races, a picture opp, and a boat building contest!

I found this Scavenger Hunt list on the internet. I stapled it to a plastic baggie and added a pencil.

Potato Sack Races!

A photo opp in front of Tom Sawyer's white-washed fence.

Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn made and floated on log rafts that they made themselves so I thought our guests would enjoy building a boat of their own!

Our supplies for our boat building contest! Everyone loved this part of the party most of all!

I found all of the supplies from items I had at home, from my yard, and from the recycling center.

A birthday banner made from burlap.

The pie table. I made the name cards from paper and sticks.

Instead of cups we used Mason Jars for our drink ware. Placed inside are the handmade napkins that I made. I wanted to use handkerchiefs but it wasn't in my budget so I did what my grandma taught me, I sewed them!

The pies! Instead of cake, I had my mom make pies. We went crazy making pies but everyone loved them! We served peach, pecan, cherry, apple, and blueberry pie, all homemade!

For supper we served fried chicken, corn-on-the-cob, baked beans, biscuits and cornbread with jam and honey, sweet tea, lemonade, and water!

Our birthday boy eating his dinner!

Chaseton's friend, Aria, came to his party!

Addison

Uncle Marty

Chaseton by his Uncle Scott.

It was so hot out! I ended up having to take Chaseton down to his diaper because it was just so hot.

All of our guests. Mostly family and a few close friends.

So refreshing on a hot day!

Jaelyn and Addi building their boats.

Chaseton and Papa Loren.

Allison, Aria, and Addison with their boat.

Aunt Melissa and Uncle Scott.

Allison and Logan

Building, building, building!

My mom and Finlee. They could be twins!

Emily and Chad. Chaseton loves Emily and often prefers her over me.

Grandma, Finlee, and Papa Loren building a boat!

Some of the boats.

Matt, Michael (Matt's brother), Chad, and Uncle Marty

Potato Sack Races.

The little ones wanted a try.

Chaseton loved watching the boats in the creek. He loved hearing everyone clap and he often joined in on cheering and clapping!

Floating the boats.

Chaseton's blueberry pie.

He nibbled on it a little bit but wasn't too interested.

Love these kids!

Chaseton,

I can't believe you are one-year-old! You are the happiest baby and have completed our family so well. Having you as a son is something I will cherish every single day. I hope you know how much we love you and how much joy you bring us every day! Happy birthday, brother bear!