The Williams Six

I must admit that talking comes pretty easy to me! I enjoy talking with others, and spending long hours with the 5 and under crowd makes me hungry for conversation! However, I know that conversation does not come easy for everyone. Awhile back, I was reading this post and I loved the advice she gives! A great conversation starter for someone you don't know well is "What keeps you busy during the day?" Asking this is a great way to invite the other person to open up about their life, but you avoid a potentially awkward conversation by asking about something that could be a sensitive subject (job loss, relational difficulty, etc). Aside from that question, you could also think of a few other open-ended questions before your guests arrive to ask in case there's a lull in conversation! Happy hosting!

I wrote yesterday's post a few days ago. After writing all of my helpful tips, I realized that my own toys were disorganized, which turned chaotic very fast. Every single day, the playroom closet and both kids' bedrooms were so messy! Like unusually messy. That told me I just did not have a good system. It takes me a few months of living in a new home to get into a good groove. This afternoon, the toy chaos just got to me, and I took action!! I literally found every toy we own and put it in our living room. (Those bins were all full) I texted Brett and let him know he may not want to come home for awhile! It was a huge mess. Four hours later (whew!), the toys are way more organized! That's the playroom closet. I got rid of two big bins of toys, which was impressive considering we just moved!! We haven't bought any new toys since moving in, but there were still plenty to purge. Most of the toys are random little ones that I did not think wer...

I saw this on Pinterest (which I can't post from my phone)..... "Do not kiss your children so they will kiss you back but so they will kiss their children, and their children's children." (It was on a Starbucks cup) - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sherry inquired about a great topic: TOYS! Toys are a necessary part of childhood. As much as they clutter our homes and I would prefer to donate them all to Goodwill, that obviously is not possible. While I have definitely not mastered the art of toy organization, I do have some tips! And, mamas, please feel free to share your own. I am always looking for new ways to contain the chaos! The most important thing I try to remind myself is this is a short season of life. One day, our living rooms will actually look nice again, and we won't step on Legos in the middle of the night. Of course, that will be the day that we will wish for all the toys to come back again, if it means having our kids little again!! But all of those sentimental feelings we know we'll one day have do not change the fact that the toys are taking over the house now! I do believe it is important for children to love their home and be free to play in it. But I also do not think it needs to l...

This was really great for me to read today!!

Your fellowship with God enables you to gain a victory over the Evil One. 1 John 2:14 I'm loving this verse lately. Live victoriously today!!

I love the way Luke is looking at Chloe! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Chloe asked me if she could go to the store in this outfit. Ummmm....no! But she can walk perfectly in these heels. Amazing! I know this picture probably isn't the most appropriate but it is her outfit of choice most days! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

On Sunday, Chloe was super tired but wouldn't nap! Knowing she needed to, I snuggled her to sleep. It was so precious that I laid there for over an hour, just soaking in this sweet moment. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Today was Caleb's first day of Classical Conversations--his one day a week "real school". Though he told me he was nervous, Caleb did awesome! He sat and listened so well. Everyone has to given an oral presentation each week. He gave his from his seat because he was too nervous to stand in the front of the class. I hate public speaking so I understand!! I'm so proud of Caleb! He's doing well in school so far! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I am loving all the home improvement projects I've gotten to do since owning our home!! For now, I'm only doing ones that are easy on the budget. I have some long term plans on some bigger projects (you know, for when I win the lottery). In our foyer, there's a planter. I was unsure what I should do with it, at first, but I decided to actually put plants in it. Because I have zero gardening ability, I Googled "hardest plants to kill". I found some plants I like that made the list. Here is the before picture of the planter: The after: I love how much brighter and fun it is!! The paint is whiter than I had hoped, but it looks fine so it's staying! I had wanted an off-white, but the bright white stands out more. The "before" color was nowhere else in my house, but we have lots of white! So it goes much better with the house! It's fun to have real plants in the house, and I enjoy this unique feature of our house! Yay for home improvements!!! - Posted...

Last night before bed, Caleb asked how many more days of school were left. We were only three days in and already he was losing interest. The curriculum I have is a bit dry for the first week, but then it gets really fun (from what I can tell). So I know that will pick up in a few days. I realized that the book I got Caleb to learn to read was not interesting him at all. I actually had not thought about it until today when we were at the library. He picked out some books that are a series that a friend recommended to me. I had honestly forgotten about them, but when I saw them, it dawned on me that I could easily change up his reading books! Caleb will go to Classical Conversations one day a week. His first day is tomorrow. He is super excited for his "real school", as he puts it! I actually sit with him in class so I learn what I need to review at home, while Luke and Chloe have their own little class. Everyone is really excited about it. I also signed up...

As I wrote a few days ago, hospitality has been a work in progress for me. I have read a lot of books and observed friends' hospitality, but the best way to be hospitable is to just do it! Invite a friend over for dinner. You may be nervous. You may not know how to cook. Your house may be a disaster. Do not let those things hold you back! The joy of having others in your home far outweighs any reservations! Call up a friend you've been wanting to get to know better and ask them over for dinner. If you're on a tight budget, ask if they can bring a part of the meal. (Though I could make the case that giving to others will always bring blessing back to you!) Through the years I have learned that people are just so thankful to enjoy the company of another that they are not critical or rude. I have had some meals TOTALLY flop. One time, in particular, I messed up a meal and it was so embarrassing....but years later, it is still a funny joke among the friends we...

It has been awhile since I've written a Family First Friday post. The summer feels like it was like a week long....it went SO fast. I guess that is what moving will do! I have been thinking a lot about different topics I'd like to write. Which, by the way, if you have any ideas on topics you'd like to hear about, please contact me! I'd love that! One idea that keeps coming to mind is the importance of being the mom you want your daughters to become and you want your sons to marry. Chew on that, for a second. Yikes. That is a big responsibility. And such a privilege. Think about it: at home is where our children will learn what is "normal". I know normal is a relative term, but the world we create for them is what becomes their normal. Naturally, our daughters will learn how to be a wife and mom from watching us. Our sons will learn how to treat a woman by how we let them treat us, and they'll learn what to expect from a wife. Med...

Chloe pretends to be a dog about 1/3 of the day. She crawls on all fours and barks. Her dog name is Collie. Collie cannot talk, of course, since she's a dog, so Chloe will tell me what Collie wants before becoming a dog. Each day, when the kids get their gummy vitamins, Chloe pretends to be a dog and begs for them. A few days ago, I called the kids in for their vitamins, and Luke dropped to the floor and pretended to be a dog. I could not stop laughing. Luke is quite the imitator. He loves to follow his brother and sister, and I find it very humorous when he behaves like them!

Someone mentioned to me recently that I am good at hosting people in my home. Which made me literally laugh out loud. I absolutely love having friends and family to my home. I am a social person, and with young children, socializing is way more relaxing and fun in a home....especially my own home because I know there's nothing my kids can destroy and nothing that can hurt them. Inviting friends into my home has been a journey for me. This is not a joke: as of my wedding day, I had never cooked a meal in my life. Ever. Well, that's not entirely true. Once I tried to cook for Brett, and it was literally so nasty that we could not eat it. Part of enjoying the company of others is providing food, so this has been a huge area of growth for me. Early in our marriage, I had a strong desire to have an inviting home, yet I did not know how. I bought several books on hospitality and read each of them a few times. I gleaned from the wisdom of others, from those who a...

We just finished our first day of school. Caleb did great! About 15 minutes in, he wanted to be done, but he continued on and did great. It was such a fun first day. I am really excited about the upcoming year. Last night, Caleb got to pick dinner, and he chose Mickey Mouse pancakes. He spent most of the evening trying to get every treat possible by saying, "Since it's my first day of school, can I (drink chocolate milk, have dessert, stay up late, etc)?" It was really cute!! He seemed very excited and nervous. He woke up at 4:30 am and couldn't fall asleep until 6 am, which is totally unlike him. I used to be like that on the first day of school, so I figured it had to be nerves! He woke up today, excited to start the day! I am so thankful he is hungry to learn. I know it won't always be easy, but so far, I am having a lot of fun! My boy on his first day. He picked out his outfit :). A nice benefit to homeschooling: it doesn't matter if...

So I am putting this out there to see if anyone else has the same problem as me. Before having children, exercise was a regular part of my life. I played sports year around until college, and in college, I worked out (usually by jogging) 3-4 times a week, at least. Ever since having children, I find it difficult to stay committed to working out. I think I have diagnosed my problem--besides being tired-- knowing I want to have another child (and each time after having a child, I have known I wanted another) and knowing what it does to my body (when I am puking literally 20x's a day, its impossible to get the energy to work out), I just find it hard to get motivated. But once I am done with having children, I truly think I will get back into the habit of working out....because the results will be more long term! And IF (that's a strong IF), I can lose the belly chub, it won't come back in a year (after baby #4). Does anyone else feel that way?? Or am I justifyi...

Trying uploading from my phone with a photo. I captured this a few days ago! I love when my kids play together!! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please disregard any slaughtering of the English language.

I downloaded an app to write from my phone. This is a test to see how it works! Test 1-2-3. Test 1-2-3. Can you read me? - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Last night, I went to the 10:20 showing of "The Help". Truth be told, it was really hard for me to watch. Watching the mistreatment of African American women is so painful. It is an embarrassment, quite frankly. I can't believe how ignorant people were (and still are). The movie was FANTASTIC! It was inspiring and beautiful. I enjoy going to late movies every once in awhile, just to prove to myself I still can have fun :). I did not get to bed until about 2:30 am. Which made for a very short night. After church, I wanted to nap. I fell asleep....for 15 minutes. Ugh! I couldn't sleep a minute more. I am not sure if I am nesting (like a pregnant person but instead of being pregnant, school starts in a few days....so I somehow feel I have to have my house looking perfect by then?!), but all of a sudden, I was inspired to go some major housework. My parents have a vacation home about 2 hours from us, so they keep a car at our house. We have a large ...

On Wednesday, we will be entering a new phase of life. School. Yikes. Life without school has been so fun! I love our carefree days. Sure, we have activities, playdates , errands, etc....but there is nothing we have to do. But that is all about to change. I am sad that this chapter of my life is closing. It means my children are only getting older, and it feels like I have a lot more responsibility. Up until now, I have only had to keep them alive, fed, and clothed. Now, I actually have to plan our days, prepare school work, and function before 9 am. Though part of me is mourning the end of our "freedom", I am SO excited to enter this new chapter of life. More importantly, Caleb is SO ready and excited to start school. He's been asking me for weeks when he's starting. I know it's not quite as dramatic as the first day of traditional school, but it will definitely change our days. I was actually a kid who loved school (until I burned out aro...

A few days ago, Brett was swimming with the kids. He was holding Chloe and dancing with her in the pool. She asked him, "Do you know your dancing with a princess?" We both about died laughing! Recently, as I was tucking in Chloe for bed, she whispered, "I am going to marry Daddy one day." I said, "Oh really?" She replied, "Yes, once he's Prince Charming. He is not Prince Charming yet, but when he is, I will marry him." When asked how he can become Prince Charming, she said he had to get a white suit and grow out his hair. Um....ok?!

I've been focused on home updates, but I have to tell you....our kids are absolutely hilarious!! Watching them play, laugh, and grow is the best!! Caleb is all boy. He loves weapons, wrestling, and racing around the house. His new favorite thing to do is hide behind things and jump out to scare me. A lot of the time I know he's waiting, but sometimes, he scares the junk out of me! It is fun to watch him develop and be able to plan a practical joke. I recently discovered one of Caleb's gifts is logical intelligence. He is really good at mazes, patterns, etc. He can literally look at a maze and figure out the path in like 5 seconds. I absolutely love watching him absorb information and process it. He is a deep thinker and is a great problem solver. He is also an amazing big brother. He is such a great pacesetter for the kids. He is Luke's personal bodyguard....ensuring he does not step out of line. It's so cute! My first born is so incredible. He bri...

I do not like that my blogging has been a bit sparse lately. My kids are actually funnier and more entertaining than ever, but I still do not feel settled into our new home. I am not sure why...every box is unpacked, things are hung on the wall, and everything is it its place....but I still feel unsettled. I think it's because my house is not "just right". There is still lots of empty wall space that I refuse to fill until I find something I love. In my last two homes, I basically just filled space with inexpensive items I found without much effort. We knew both places were not long term, so I could never justify investing much into a house. But, we plan to be in this house long term, so I want to only have things I love. I still don't plan to spend too much money (but I have learned it often pays to buy quality products), but I do want to only buy things that I really want. All that being said, I think the really unsettled feeling is just the sort of en...

At a local science center.... Caleb and his friend, I, talk about marrying one another.....so this picture is even cuter because of their affectionate pose!! I love this man: Chloe and my niece Playing with bubbles This is the life

I stole this idea from my cousin and his wife. They have had a similar piece of decor for awhile, and I have always liked it. They bought it at an art fair, and it never dawned on me that I could find it online! When moving into our new house, I wanted some fresh ideas.....and found this. It is on the wall in our foyer! If you can't see it that well.....it is our last name spelled out in random objects!

Babies Don’t Keep by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth, Empty the dustpan, poison the moth, Hang out the washing, make up the bed, Sew on a button and butter the bread. Where is the mother whose house is so shocking? She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking. Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue, Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo. Dishes are waiting and bills are past due Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue? Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo. The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep I read this poem for the first time probably 4-5 years ago. For some reason, lately, the last two lines of this poem play over and over in my he...

When Caleb and Chloe want me to pour something, they use the word "spill". As in: "Can you spill some milk into my bowl?" Or: "Can you spill some ketchup onto my plate?" I do not correct them because it is so darn cute!!!