First World Problems

A friend of mine, after offering some complaints over her day, said, "Those are such first world problems."

Her comment made me pause and it made me think. What does that mean? Well, starvation and worries over malaria are typically third world, or extremely underdeveloped countries worries. Not something you worry about in the USofA most of the time.

Here we may complain about our neighbors dog using our yard for it's morning break or that the sanitation workers broke the lid to our trash can or that our three-way sliding glass door broke and had to be fixed. Bummer.

So if and when I get into the pit, I try and analyze if my problems are really worth being all bent up about.

Sometimes, yes, they are! First, third, fourth world, what have you!


But a lot of the times, my concerns are things that if I take a moment to put them in perspective,

 my angst falls by the wayside. Inconveniences are easily dealt with. Broken things can get fixed. Sickness, in this country, thankfully, can be healed by our top notch pediatrician. Thankfulness and choosing to be thankful instead of whiny also helps to adjust my outlook.


Because there is beauty in so much!

Flowers for a baby shower...

One of Chloe's "kids"- the baby doll and yeah the other "kid" in the seat belt next to the doll.. yeah the clearish one...

Oh, and more of Chloe's kids in the way back seat. I already have grandchildren :)

Three-year- old Chloe who wants so badly to do presentations like her big sister and big brothers!

School presentation costumes! This is Ben as Genghis Khan. He looks so serious.

And Jay as King Tut..

Of course, Chloe and Hans, the love story continues. Love!

Helpers in my kitchen- we love aprons here!

Ballet costumes- fun to try on for the first time! Mom, what am I again? I... don't..know...

Kid hair cuts- yep, the back left half is missing. It was located under said child's bed.... with the scissors..

Old dogs who just need a home! Hans (Han Solo). His military family went to serve in Dubai- at 9 years old he needed a place to call home! He's not beautiful. One of his cropped ears fell over and his breath stinks and he sheds and he passes gas audibly and often (so gross).. first world problems... he is loving and gentle and fun and my kids think he's pretty awesome! Thankfulness is beautiful.

Where are you when I need you?

It's amazing how much time can go by. This blog was supposed to serve a good purpose of keeping family and friends updated on what's going on. I think I have found face-to-face time worth more of my TIME than  sitting in front of the computer. However, time tends to go by and face-to-face can certainly lessen. So, after coming across a few fun posts I thought I would give this the ole college try once again. I love my family. I love and value the life God has given me. I think of how fast time is slipping by. If you had the fun of looking at our All About Baby website, pictures of the boys are there and I think Lily too when she was really little. One of Chloe may be on there as well but there are lots of pictures of the boys from a very young age saved there. I love that site. Here is a link if you want to go down memory lane a bit:

http://brackettboys.aboutmybaby.com/

I'm tempted just to use that site but they keep wanting to make it a pay-for site and free is so much nicer when you have four kids, one income, and one in braces... and two in baseball, and two in ballet, and sliding glass doors that break suddenly, and flu takes over the household and tamiflu is not cheap even with insurance... am I whining?

How can I complain at all with such sweet cherubs, some hairy even, living in this house? :) Chloe (3) relaxing with Hans. She loves to hug this dog. She climbs all over him and around him and under him. He is so patient and tolerant of it. Doesn't seem to mind it a bit.  He's so old I wonder if he thinks of her like a puppy. We sure are lucky to have him to love on. Kids need pets- but don't quote me on that down the road.

Here is Lily running around Lake Baldwin. A stranger caught this picture and walked over and sent it to me. A sweet lady with a knack for using her iPhone camera! I was grateful to get it and would love to have it put on canvas or note cards or something. This was such a beautiful Florida day- full sunshine, warm outside and cool in the shade. Two of my arrows, enjoying the simple things. Life is composed of moments like these.

Chase's Birthday

My husband for the past two years has requested printed pictures for the family album as his only birthday present. In the age of selfies and digital media the printed picture seems to becoming antiquated! However, it has become a wonderful new tradition for our family. It's fun to look  back at all the pictures that have been taken between the camera and the iPhones to get a snap shot of all that has occurred over the year. It also is good for reminding me to take more pictures than I do! Here is a sampling of what I printed for Chase and added to the current family album! These are not in any kind of order.

 

Ben's pumpkin

 

Chloe playing dress up

 

Both boys played on the same team again this year

 

Sweetest picture of the year

 

Lily in swim lessons last summer

 

Lily's end of the year ballet recital

Ben lost 4  teeth since last May

 

Chloe and I in the mountains

 

The boys dressed for Halloween

 

Spoon on nose hijinks

 

Visiting Leu Gardens in January! Gotta love Florida!

 

Lily frequently helps us cook in the kitchen and here she is helping with cookies!

 

Chase and I smooching in the snow!

 

At the zoo on the train

 

Chloe's birthday!

 

My birthday- nice lot of candles there

 

Easter

 

At the nursery at Classical Conversations

 

Jay and his monster snow ball!

 

 

 

What kind of pictures could you pull together to give a snap shot of your year? How about starting your own tradition of printing pictures for a birthday or anniversary present. What about doing annual picture books using one of the many websites available. They make great gifs for grandparents and relatives out of town. We enjoy looking back over our year-in-pictures!

The Life of a Three-Year-Old through I-Phone Pics

My three-year-old Lily got a hold of my I-phone the other day. I only knew this because I noticed a ton (like 50) of random pictures in the photo files. I started to erase them- slightly annoyed-  but then actually stopped to take a look. She got quite a few amazing shots- shots that made me think about what she sees from her vantage point. Many shots made me smile. At the time she was eating a snack at the table in the afternoon by herself. Hence, why she had time with my phone. Good thing she didn't call Sochi! 

Mi-ladies tutu.

A view of the ceiling from her seat.

She must enjoy art!

School book pile-

The edge of the table-

More of her tutu-

Nice X!

Her brothers dirty socks-

Worthy of two shots to capture the full evidence-

A view between the chair rails but right at her sight level- love it

 Gotta have more tutu! Legging knee perspective-

And more books!

And spaghetti-o's- these are Aunt Annie's though! 

I think I ate a full ton of these growing up.

Love the tiara and purse in the background-

I hope you enjoyed the peek into the world and vantage point of the sweetest three-year-old I know!