The beautiful month of May

Jack's pre-school graduation

Isn't May just an awesome month? I mean really, who couldn't love the month of May?  Beautiful weather, and monumental events: graduations, birthdays, Mother's day, and the start of summer!

It was 8 years ago that I fell madly in love with Adam during the beautiful month of May.  I can still remember the way he made me feel, our first dates, and the unbelievable force that drew me toward him. Once we met, we never spent a day apart.


Last May I was both petrified and excited as we upheaved ourselves from our first home, the place our family had began, and moved into our new home. May was full of boxes, organizing, de-cluttering, and preparing for the next chapter of our lives.  It was full of hard work and determination, full of forging ahead and not looking back.
AND...3 years ago our baby girl was born in the month of May.

That's right, NonaJane turned 3 on May 10th!  It was another reason to celebrate, and we decided it was her turn to have a big birthday party.  We decided on a bouncy themed party. Jack helped me come up with the wording for her invites- "Let's Jump and Bounce, Laugh and Play, come have some fun on NonaJane's 3rd Birthday!"  We had planned to give NonaJane a trampoline for her birthday, but ended up giving it to them early (back in March because Adam and I are TERRIBLE about waiting to give presents.  We're always so excited about the gift that we give it early...)  but anyhow, the trampoline was the inspiration for her party theme.

NonaJane looking beautiful and poised beyond her years

Me with my two brothers, Mom and Dad

Holding NonaJane's birthday party turned out to be a bit tricky seeing as it has been particularly rainy. Which normally would really annoy me. BUT now that we have this BEAUTIFUL pond in our front yard, suddenly rain has a new benefit.  When we moved in last year our pond was about 10 feet low.  It is now FULL, right up to the dock and I couldn't be more pleased! I remember saying "our pond will never be full. I can't imagine that it could ever rain enough to fill it"  and in saying this I apparently jinxed the state of Kansas to a year of rain, rain and more rain!!  oops.  (you can tell I really feel bad about this).  Anyways, the weather man said that we only had 4 dry days in the entire month of May.  We ended up having to postpone Nona's party- twice.  But nevertheless the party was held, the weather was beautiful and the celebration was fantastic.  Over the past year I have absolutely fallen in love with our home, and being able to have great parties is one of it's greatest attributes.  It's awesome having 20 plus people over at the drop of a hat, and my house can stay spotless (making my neat-freak self oh SO happy!).  The party barn serves as a perfect place for buffets of food, fridges of beer, and evenings filled with music, friendship, and outdoor enjoyment.

our family lunch

Matthew T looking particularly handsome

In fact, we were also able to host my Mom's 60th birthday party this May as well.  We pulled out my grandfather's croquet set (that we grew up playing with) and played our first family game of croquet in probably 15 years.  It brought such joy to my heart.  The memories of the croquet set, the games we played with Bobo and Dado, their HOT back yard, and fire ant hills.  It all came flooding back to me.  My brother Mark had drove all the way from Wisconsin to surprise my Mom. Probably the best present ever.  The 5 of us, the original Crabb clan, went out for lunch and spent some time together before joining the crazy kids and spouses back at our house.  There was something about having just the five of us together that was reassuring and cathartic.  Our family ties are still strong despite the miles between us, despite our busy lives and our aging years.  We still cherish each other and hold tight to those years we spent growing up together. Our childhood still bond us- a bond that holds memories, inside jokes, and a shared understanding about our lives and dreams.   Another bitter sweet part of life.  Our years together, just the 5 of us are no more. But we all have beautiful children, amazing spouses and jobs that take us in different directions.  My Mom turning 60 was a reminder that as time continues to relentlessly march,  that our family has only become bigger, sweeter, and more full of love than ever.

The croquet crew

My brother attacking his wife :)

Looking back at this May, my heart is full of gratitude.  I'm thankful for my husband that I fell in love with 8 years ago. I'm thankful for a job that I am passionate about, I'm thankful for my amazing Mom, my beautiful daughter, and everything else that the Month of May has to offer.  This May, though wet, has been a beautiful kickoff to what I hope to be an amazing summer.

The same brother now climbing a tree...

preparing to sing Happy Birthday to my Mom

I used to be sane... I think

Worth it all :)

   
I used to be a cool and calm Mom. I mean, I had it all together.  My kids' face were always clean, hair combed, I never thought twice about a trip to target.  Not so much anymore.  My inner crazy has come out.  My kids faces are dirty, heck I think my own face has been dirty a few times.  I think LONG and HARD before a trip to target.  I think "Is this really necessary? Can I just order it online and wait for it? Yes, yes I think I can, and I WILL."

Too cute for words

I used to be able to remain calm, gently listen to and redirect my children avoiding meltdowns and preventing sibling brawls.  Now I occasionally find myself egging them on "agh, I don't care just go figure it out yourselves" which is not the most helpful directions when given to a 3 and 5 year old.  It just seems that my mental capacity has not yet expanded for the demands of three needy children. I say "yet" because I have very high hopes that it will... and SOON.  I mean, the other day Jack's preschool had to call me because I forgot to come pick him up from school! I didn't exactly 'forget' but I did lose track of time... significantly.  I don't think there has been a day since I returned to work that I haven't forgotten something, I just prefer it to not be one of my children that I'm forgetting.  Usually it is a pump part, or my lunch, or Jack's backpack, or diapers for Matthew (it sucks pretty bad when you forget diapers for your kid too. In case you were wondering).

First time with all 3 on the swings

But nevertheless, we are surviving. And really, I am having quite a bit of fun.  In a weird way I am enjoying Matthews midnight feeding (and the 3 am, and the 6am) but I'm pretty sure that each interruption to my sleep is causing massive cell damage to my brain.  To help give you an idea of just how much time I spend nursing, and how much sleep I have lost- When Matthew and I are up during the night I watch Gilmore Girls on the iPad.  I've made it thru 7 seasons. That is a massive amount of sleep lost... massive.  I'm to the point that when I get woken up, I am confused as to where I am. I can't remember ever going to sleep from the last feed, and sometimes worry that I have merely blinked and lost track of time.  It can all be very disorienting! So if you've seen me lately, and I look disheveled, or perhaps a bit crazy... please have some mercy on me.  I promise this isn't my norm... or at least it never use to be!

Adam giving some friends a ride on his 'train'

Classic "let your child taste beer so they won't want anymore.... but it didn't work photo"

Nona's first BIG haircut!

Adam and NJ on his cart... before he finished all his work on it, and before her haircut!

The time Mom forgot to get their easter baskets down from the attic. I told them they wouldn't be the only ones with grocery sacks... but they were. The ONLY ones without cute adorable baskets.  Thanks a lot all you other Moms ;)

How NonaJane solves problems on a hot day when your not looking

The time we survived the stomach flu. Not fun at ALL

But sleep or no, time marches on and our baby girl turned 3 last weekend! We postponed her actual party because we had been having torrential rains and thunderstorms all week long.  The weather man predicted an 80% chance for severe storms for the day of her party.  So, of course the sun came out and it didn't rain a drop all day.  NonaJane was just as happy with the slip and slide and cake with her family.  We re-scheduled the party with her friends for this coming weekend.  So I am sure it will rain.  Sometimes you can't win, but with NonaJane everything can be made fun.  That girl knows how to make the best of anything, and the most of everything.

Jack also started T-Ball! I'll have to work on getting better pictures of him- as he is the cutest darn thing EVER in his gear.  But seeing as I was the most unprepared t-ball mom ever, things were a bit hectic for me.  I feel as if I was barely there at all.  Matthew was hungry and fussy, NonaJane was busy climbing up and down the bleachers in a never ending attempt to injure herself, and she was mad at me for not packing her a SNACK.  I was the stressed out Mom whom I'm sure the others were pitying! Next time I plan to pack supplies, and to sit very far away from the bleachers.  Maybe I'll get to see more of the game... maybe.
Well, my eyes are starting to cross and I should be heading to bed.  Until next time sweet blog... I'm sure we have a lot to catch up on.

Jack hitting the first pitch to him at his first t-ball game ever!