we move a month from today and I joined the #CSEchallenge

May 27 is the official move out date. I still cannot believe it is coming up so soon. Just about everything that can be packed away, is. And everything else... will have to wait till that weekend.

My "hatred of making food" funk is officially over! I know it's not great timing since I SHOULD be trying to just eat up all the stuff we have so we don't have to toss or move it but I. Just. Can't. Mentally I am ready for an easy-ish challenge when it comes to eating so when I saw this I knew it was meant to be. I got my cookbook (hard copy, because I am old school like that) late, so I started today. I love that I don't have to calculate calories or fat or anything... I just make the food and eat it and the dinner plans make enough for "8" which means enough for everyone for dinner and then I have enough for lunch the next day (which is part of the plan). I love that it gives you ideas of what to prep for two big "prep nights" a week, which is ideal for me, and I really only have to make one thing a day (dinner). The snacks have been easy enough to make that I make with the kids and they love sharing it with me.

I finally stepped on a scale for the first time in a long time and was not terribly surprised at the number. At 2 years postpartum, I weigh just about as much as I did at 6 weeks postpartum with the twins. True story. Obviously, the makeup of my body is completely different now than it was then, but inside it feels the same--it feels like neglect. I have been neglecting too many aspects of my life, and I am ready to take back that control in any way that I can. I don't know how well I will be able to manage the Clean Simple Eats challenge for a full 40 days (since we will be moving across country with all our stuff somewhere in the midst of that), but having a new arsenal of foods that I love to make and enjoy eating and are good for me is setting me up for future success regardless of how well I am able to abide by a meal plan. And I can certainly do it for the next 30! I did my first "at home" workout they provided and I actually LOVED it... my hands have been healing since my last crossfit visit earlier this week, and I will probably be back tomorrow but it is so nice to have an option in case I can't make it at 6am.

I have a sinkful of dirty dishes, an entire evening was spent prepping instead of relaxing with Drew, but I feel really really good about everything. That peace I was talking about in the last post? A lot of it came along with this plan, and I am thrilled that I stumbled upon it because it was literally an answer to some serious prayer. Fiesta Lime chicken tacos on the menu for tomorrow night and for the first time in a long time, I am not worrying about if my kids or husband likes what I am making them.

 and HBD little Kevs! 9 years old today and I still cannot believe how big a part he has played in our lives for most of our marriage! We have known him longer than any of our kids and while we have had our ups and downs, the last year has been on the up and up with him as we continue to love him and count our blessings for such a patient, affectionate, loving cat.

Can't let national cat day go by without some pics of this crazy guy

He's back in our good graces, which means he sneaks into little d's bed for nap time with sister (hidden under her blankets)

He's even cozying up to the kids to snuggle with when drew is out of town

He sneaks into my car just to snooze and say hi...speaking of which, I cannot wait to have my car back tomorrow!

He's patient with the babies.

Even the mean ones (cough.... Sister...)

Kevin Garnett.... You're a good cat. And we are happy to have you in our family.

The prodigal son has returned and I've forgiven him

After a summer of a trial separation (he wasn't allowed in the home if I was asleep or not there, his litter box was moved to garage and food outside the front door), He has stopped throwing up, peeing on the carpet and the like. Still occasionally eating chipmunks but they're pretty annoying anyway and as long as they don't make it into the house I'm ok with that.

(I'm) Trying to be better about forgiving and forgetting. And he's been awfully patient with all the kids lately.

Also awesome to have Drew back. Longest week of my life to date.

Declaring my independence from the kevs.

I've always wanted a cat ever since I can remember. And I got one and he was awesome. I say was in the past tense because over the last few years he's gotten progressively more irritating to me... Leaving me cleaning up vomit, poop, urine, half digested cat food, and dead animals in what feels like every corner of my new home. I do all I can in my power to keep a clean house in addition to all that's required of me as a mom of four young kids, but enough is enough.

Tonight was the last straw.

As of today Kevin Garnett is officially an outdoor cat who is not allowed inside our home. I will still love him till the day he dies but I cannot tolerate him in my home any more.

Kevs is 7!

One of the very first things I ever blogged about (back in 2008, when I had to start a blog for an art and technology class) was the birth of a little litter of kittens that occurred in our home (first birth I ever witnessed, happened in our bedroom!) a few months after I convinced drew that although he was allergic to cats, it was the "right thing to do" to invite a stray cat we called Lucy (kevs' momma) into our home. I would love to say that Drew has regretted that decision every day the last seven years of his life (because it would be a predictable outcome), but I know he has grown to love Kevs as much as I did, and the fact that he is (more than likely) the only pet we will ever own, makes him all the more special with each birthday we spend with him.

Happy 7th birthday Kevin Youkilus Faulk Garnett Dowling! We sure do love you!

And a little flash back to that blessed first day of life: (Kevs looks just like his mama but with short hair)

And the whole litter... 5 kittens!

Christmas came early for Kevin Garnett

Poor guy has been drinking from a gross, perpetually moldy fountain or a bowl of water the last year... I decided once we found out we were pregnant that this year I would splurge on our little Kevs and get him groomed and also get him a new drinking fountain so he can stop sneaking drinks from the bathroom sink while the kids are brushing their teeth.

This guy has been through a lot in the last 6.5 years of his life, including some serious hate coming from me, mostly borne from pregnancy/postpartum hormones and overall neglect. But he is really such a good cat, the only pet this family will ever know, and I do adore him. Next year's going to be hard for him but at least he can have fresh water, and I'm hoping the kids can continue to give him

The attention he deserves.

Love you doo doo kevs.

Because I have to admit, even when he's naughty he puts up with just about anything. Oh kevs.

I have wanted a cat every year for my birthday and Christmas since before I can remember. Then I married a boy who was allergic to cats (oh yeah and hated them too) and I thought those dreams were forever crushed.

And as the fates would have it, 2 years into marriage Kevin Garnett came into our lives in the most unexpected way. And drew grew to tolerate him.

Then we had two kids and poor kevs took a backseat to attention in this house. He has made only two less moves than drew and I as a couple since we have been married and he has been through a lot in 6 1/2 years. This year was the worst in our relationship, where he used our basement crawlspace as a litter box as we were in Boston for a long weekend. Then a few weeks ago he decided to start peeing in the playroom corner....

Needless to say, it took a lot of cleaning, cursing his name under my breath, and overall hatred towards little Kevin before I finally got that awful stench out of my house. And since I finally got it out (as of yesterday), I've fallen back in love with my little kevs.

Not to mention wen he does stuff like this and doesn't freak out at attention from little kids, it's kind of hard not to love him.

KG will be the only pet our family will ever own. He has survived through two children and I have no reason to suspect we will not survive another two, especially since little A has taken quite a loving attachment to him since she has been able to reach out and grab him.

The twins are even due on his birthday. What are the odds?

He's a good cat and I don't say it enough.

He tolerates a ton of abuse and even sneaks across the street to play with us when he thinks we aren't looking.

Grateful for our crazy crazy kevs.

And as a bonus for read through all this about my cat (or scrolling through all those crazy pics), here's the story of why we affectionately call him out Poopy Kevs... When he was a kitten, his mama Lucy was teaching the litter how to use the litter box, and of course as she goes to do her business, Kevin just wanted to be close to her (he's been a mamas boy since birth) so he stood where no kitten dared to stay. And got pooped on. Hence the name poopy kevs and easily one of little d's favorite stories to hear me retell, usually on Kevin's birthday.

Yesterday was rough. Today was tough. Tomorrow will be better.

Super grateful to start my morning with brunch with Keely and Andrea. Nothing lifts my spirits when I need it most like byu girlfriends!

And Andreas baby J is just about one of the sweetest cutest little boys ive ever met. I love seeing kids interact with kevs!!

Speaking of....

This was post 20 min nap yesterday. As in the only nap she took.

Today's nap was an hour. So at least we are headed in the right direction!

Also seeing my little a interact with other babies her age just makes me extremely happy. It's not much interaction compared to the time little d logs with our neighbor boys, but at Least they manage to feed each other goldfish and share necklaces.

Dear Kevin, this is what you get for catching and eating three chipmunks in front of the children in the last 24 hours.

A banana. Enjoy.

Kevin's new punishment for misbehaving (scratching someone)

Five solid minutes of snuggling. Or else. Mwahahaha.

Happy 6th birthday Kevin Garnett!

I still remember that Sunday morning six years ago like it was yesterday. Waking up to see that our pregnant stray cat we were caring for had disappeared in the house, frantically looking for her and finding her hiding under a night table with a bloody mess that would be Kevin Garnett's big brother Jude (the only kitten of the litter not to make it). Freaking out that it was a dead mouse initially and then over the course of the next three hours watching the births of Kevin Garnett and his other three siblings. That morning still stands as one of the top 5 most amazing things I have ever witnessed.

He sure does drive us crazy sometimes, but he has been with us now through 3/4 of our marriage! I love that little stinker and how good he is with our kids, he truly is a wonderful addition to our family and while I heartily complain every time I have to clean the litter box (he is seriously the messiest cat on the planet and our laundry room is forever covered in little litter pebbles!), he is really the best cat we could have asked for. Love our crazy kevs!

Three little kittens and a life hack (self cleaning oven!!!)

Lately I have really been feeling like my heart is full. But mostly my lap.

What our playroom really needs is a mommy chair... A comfy couch that looks like my lap because these kittens would have a heyday crawling all over it like a jungle gym. How do I know? I just have an inkling about stuff like that.

(When I stand up they all act like, "what do we do now?!")

The playroom is finally starting to get some use. I say that because big brother usually needs an entire acre to feel like He has enough space to kick a ball, run around, etc. His sister on the other hand is more than content to play with her toys. It's refreshing, and nice when he goes down for quiet time to spend some time with her. Most days I feel like all I want is some alone time so I nap them simultaneously in the afternoon, but lately I realized that staggering naptime allows me more time with baby girl, just the two of us, and I can still get some time alone.... Just not the full 90 minutes or so :) worth it. Also much easier to do now that she's not permanently attached at my hip.

She's so strong! Just like her mama.

Calf raises while watching puppies outside.

The fine art of hammering. She may not really be able to play ball but she can be coordinated when she wants to be!

Also growing hair: she's been hard at work on that since I gave her the memo to get it long enough for me to put in a hair clip before nursery. Six months , girl!

And while it may not seem like it here, I've been trying to not worry so much about snapping pictures, especially when we are with friends or family and to just enjoy myself more in the moment. It's not easy because I am so worried that I will forget these moments,and I do try to post all the photos I take here or on Instagram but there are certainly ones worth searching for the phone to capture.

Love her photobomb almost as much as his sweet smile:

It's nice to have someone who will happily finish off my apple core.

This was probably the craziest thing to ever happen to me in my short mothering life. I explained to little d that while I will eat any vegetable on the planet pretty much, and love 99%of them, there is one I absolutely refuse to eat or make anything with and it happened to be in my can of soup tonight--PEAS. Well apparently little d took that with a grain of salt because he said I don't like celery but you like celery. You don't like peas but I love peas! And popped them in his mouth like candy.

Awesome! Yup, my child, my own flesh and blood, just called peas AWESOME. Mind blown. I guess I will have to add peas to the list of plants for our garden... Yeech.

One last thing: self cleaning ovens. I have never had one (we had yet to live in a home less than 75 years old till we moved here) and THEY ARE AMAZING!!!!! I only scrubbed the oven with oven cleaner like 4 times since moving in and then I discovered the self cleaner and have been blown away. Someone recommended I leave the pizza stone we use every week in there and I did and PEOPLE!! I tell you that stone was crusted in black and brown and it's like new!

My life has officially been hacked. I will never manually clean my oven or pizza stone ever again.