All Things Boles

Why on earth do I get “inspired” to start huge and tedious projects at the most random of times??  I’ve been wanting to paint our bedroom for months, and have had the paint and supplies to do so for several weeks.  I do not know what on earth possessed me to bust them out Friday afternoon during that one precious and elusive hour when both of my children were asleep.  

Guess how much of a bedroom one woman can paint by herself in one hour?  Yeeeeah, not so much.  By the time I had laid out a drop cloth, cracked open the paint, patted myself on the back for my amazing motivation, and plunged my roller into the lovely bath of Sherwin Williams Rainwater, Bailey’s “you have exactly 30 seconds to come and get me before I meltdown completely” call blared through the monitor.

Unfazed, I darted upstairs, grabbed the nearest baby carrier, strapped Bailey onto my back, and returned to the task at hand.  This is what Supermoms do, right?  Feeling even MORE proud of myself, I couldn’t help but swagger a bit as I rolled the fresh, new hue across our wall.  Sure, I was having to contort my body a bit to keep baby hands from grabbing at the roller.  True, the additional 20 pounds of child were making the “reload your brush” squats downright laborious.  But hey, I was DOING this.  Knocking it out.  Making it happen.

And then Parker woke up.  Bless his heart.  99% of the time, I adore having a little boy who loves to help.  But I’m going to have to say that this situation decidedly fell into that other 1% of the time.  I could see Parker’s fingers twitching as he eyed the beckoning full-to-the-brim gallon of paint.  Meanwhile, the mere sight of her big brother sent Bailey into a squirming and kicking frenzy.  Surveying the scene at hand, I decided that it was time to close up shop.

So Matt was thrilled that he was able to help me finish painting yesterday.  (and by help, I mean that he was on kid-wrangling duty while I slapped the rest of the paint on the walls.)  The room is still in complete limbo – furniture askew, former wall hangings piled like land mines – but we’re getting there.  I LOVE the new color and am delighted that I finally just did it!  Now, to tackle the office…

How awesome is it that my best friend’s son is my son’s best friend??  

We spent the morning at the Boyd residence with Lizard, Kemper, and Carson, and I couldn’t help but have that overwhelmed moment as I looked around the room at the four awesome kiddos that were screaming and running and raising general chaos.  And there, responsible for all of this explosion of children sat Liz and I, who raised plenty of chaos in our day….probably more than we are willing to admit. (and definitely more than most people know!)  Ten years ago, I didn’t dare dream that we would still be hanging out like this, surrounded by our very own offspring.  

I dig it.  I really dig it.    

Parker and Kemper…always a giggle fest

And Carson, the third muskateer-in-training!

No, I am not talking about the traditional English steamed suet pudding containing dried fruit.  I really, really wish that I was.  I apologize for the crass title, but seriously, how could I possibly resist?  I am also painfully aware of the fact that this is the second post in the very short history of this blog to be focused on the manly bits of my dog…but hey, it is what it is.

As I began petting little man Arnie this morning, he promptly rolled over in delirious hopes of a belly rub.  That’s when I noticed (e-gad!!) the four or five spots that have appeared, seemingly overnight, across his tinkle-zone!  What on EARTH?  

Any ideas?  Some sort of doggy STD?  Hound Herpes?  Canine Chlamydia?  I never did have “the talk” with him…what kind of mother am I??  

I am soooooo not looking forward to this call to the vet’s office.

It was a good evening for Team Boles.

I am proud to say that I have finally cooked a roast.  And it was a damn fine roast.  My mother cooks such a mean roast that a mere whiff of it simmering away in that 50-pound iron dutch oven will bring a tear to your eye.  For years, my secret fear of utter roast failure has kept me throwing my own hunk of meat into the oven.  

However, I woke up this morning and decide that today would be the day.  I called Mom for a last minute pep-talk,  knew that I was as ready as I was ever going to be…and I went for it.  

With delicious results.  (still can’t get the gravy right, Mom)

My carnivorous husband was beyond pleased, and I’ll be darned if I didn’t spy a misty eye as he walked in the door and caught that first whiff…

And in other (arguably more important) news, Bailey is crawling!  The entire process frustrates the heck out of her, but tonight, perhaps inspired by her mother’s culinary victory,  my little girl knit her eyebrows in determination and across the rug she went!  

Parker is incredibly amused by his little sister.  He is delighted to see her grow and evolve into a fully functioning playmate.  I can only imagine what these two are going to get into in the years to come.

I’d be willing to bet that I am the only girl who got to take her grandmother to get her ears double-pierced today.    

Gorgeous, isn’t she?  She was very brave and didn’t even flinch.  (although she did emit a little squeak or two!  heehee)