Mother

Pregnant at 19…. It was never in my ‘plan’. Having a child was item number 12 on my list, right after getting my master’s degree and getting married. What a life altering change was in store for me, when one day becoming a mother moved to the top of my list. Replacing marketing textbooks for pregnancy books and switching coffee for water, I was on a journey to become a bona fide Mom. Up until that point the only thing I knew about parenting was how to be a daughter, or so I thought. Little did I know I was about to take everything I thought I had ever known, and throw it out the window. Education started now. Life, started now.

Throughout 9months of preparation, I saw my life slowly changing. Designer clothes swapped for stretchy clothes. Chaise lounges swapped for cribs. Slowly but surely I let my former self go in layers, ready with a blank canvas to start anew again.

November 26, 2003, my painting began to take shape. As I held my innocent baby in my arms for the very first time I felt a shift in my heart as warm tears of awesome wonder trickled down my cheek….I had become a mother. I learned more in those tender moments than I did in months of reading books. I learned to love without conditions. I learned to sacrifice, even with my life. I learned to protect at all costs. I learned to forgive with my whole heart. But most importantly, I learned what if felt like to be whole.

The years to follow continued to be educational, as I was schooled on not only becoming a mother, but in my case a father as well. I learned to discipline while being the nurturer. I learned to support while raising a child. I learned to wipe away tears while shedding tears of my own. I lived off of the energy of his smile during moments of exhaustion. I craved the feel of his soft hair after working my fingers to the bone. I learned what it felt like to be alone, only to look at him and feel whole again.

January 9, 2007, a splash of color brushed across my painting. As I looked into my husband’s eyes and cradled our new baby, once again my heart shifted. I learned what it was like to have a father for my children. And I learned to let go, to trust another to love how I had love, to protect how I had protected, and to cherish as I had cherished. Both terrifying and comforting, not only letting go….but letting someone in.

December 2, 2008, the final stroke. A daughter. I had given birth to an angel. Once again my heart shifted, falling perfectly into place. I learned what it meant to be a daughter, despite having been one all my life. I learned what it felt like to not want, to be fulfilled, to feel complete. With my sons and my daughter all by my side I had all I would ever need. I learned my calling in life....nurturer, warrior, protector, comforter, provider, giver...Mother.

As I sit back and look at my painting, I can't help but see just how perfect it is. Covered in stretch marks and love. Spit up and laughter. Boo boos and tears. Dirt and imagination. What was once a blank canvas has been brushed with the education of life, the joys of parenting, and the beauty of children. My three gifts from heaven. My teachers. My muses. My masterpiece.

**This was prompt #4 for MamaKat's writer's workshop**

10 months of cuteness....

I'm ending the week on a sweet note....with 10 pics of my little miss celebrating 10 months of supreme cuteness....

{She's all about her clubhouse...meeska moosa}

{Check out the killer outfit...houndstooth leggings...fabulous}

{holy stinkin' dainty batman!}

{why yes, that is a cupcake bow to match her cupcake jammies...gotta accessorize!}

{Rrrraaaawwwwrrrrr!!!}

{watch out daddy...this one's a heartbreaker!)

{this is my serious face...}

{love the footsies...just like her mama}

{spaghetti anyone? sharing is caring!}

{No words for this one....just too dang precious}

Happy 10 months Little Miss....we love you...

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, Dude, Boogie, Sang sang, and Boosa

pee ess- if you could stop growing that would be great...its breaking mommy's heart that you're growing up so fast...

Meet Los Mustachios...

I have to say I've really been feeling the blog lovin' lately. Thanks to all the fabulous people who find my random writing about nonsense worthy of sexy tags, fun awards, and what not. However, there was a certain random act of blog love kindness that I just HAD to share with you....I really could not deprive you of the wonder of...the Stylish Mustaches. That's right, I said it. They're a little bit of heaven on earth.

Thanks to my wonderful blog buddy Taylor for these AWESOME faux facial hair pieces...we've had a blast here at the House of Cline so I thought I'd share our fun with you! Without further ado, I introduce you to Los Mustachios....A style for everyday!

Featuring Mason as The Hollywood...

Jordan as The Hero...

Alicia as The Square...

Kitchen Pig as The Bruiser...

Bruiser as The Weasel...


Little Miss Presley as The Sheriff...


(Which was followed by this...)


Sampson as The Grandpa...


Even the Cheeseballs got in on the action!! Carma this one is for you!!


And Boogie was having nothing to do with these rad staches, buuuut I didn't want him to feel
left out. Thank goodness for photoshop!

So.....here he is. With his new, ahem, 'haircut'.

Note to self: Check clipper guard BEFORE cutting commences.

And in the spirit of blog lovin' I'm participating in a sweet pay it forward gig. So if you'd like to receive some of my used crap...I mean, an AWESOME gift...be one of the first three to comment and let me know!!

I'm Baaaaccckk....

On the road...a must have car photo a la oofa.

Our kids learned all sorts of neat words like 'traffic' and 'road rage' and some other slightly vulgar words I shall not post!! But they may ryhme with Moosh-bag. Thanks Jordan for that! Here is our least favorite person from the trip. Who has an IM N DMND (i'm in demand) license plate?! Honestly. Btw- IM N DMND....you and I. Not friends. In fact, my husband slightly hates you. Yeah, what now?!


My favorite land mark: The giant angry golfer on the 405, he looks like he's gonna beat the crap outta somebody....it's good to be home!


Our favorite outing was taking the chillins to the LBC Aquarium with Nana & Papa. They had a blast seeing this....


and this...

and touching these...


and riding this...wait a minute, how did this picture get in here?! Look at those little girls in the back like 'Tell the old hag to stop hogging the shark!!' HAA sucks for you!

Ohhh and here's our favorite person of the trip. DO YOU SEE THE WOLF SHIRT?! This guy is FIERCE!!! Seriously...the ladies were swooning all around him. I bet he even wears Axe deoderant....Grrrrr


Awww...my favorite Boogie picture. How awesome is that Avengers shirt?! So jealous it's not in my size...


Little Miss Presley couldn't decide what to order. She's only 8 months and she's already indecisive!

My favorite place...sigh....Abuelita's house. Good times with the fam!

And finally, the drive home. What's a family vacation with out a flat tire...in the middle of nowhere...yeah. Of course. But on the bright side, my man looks down right SEXY all sweaty and manly....Nom nom nom


Finally, we come home and go straight to this....

MASON'S FIRST SOCCER PRACTICE! HOLLA!! Aaannnnd.... Guess who's team mom?

Ahem.
Moi.

I KNOW!!! THEY'VE LOST THEIR MINDS!!! HAHAAA!! Those kids aren't gonna know what hit them!

Go Lillehammers!

It's great to be back....missed you all dearly!

Note to self: patience is key

Dear Vacation Alicia,

I figured by now you would be about done with this so-called "vacation". Just remember that you knew going into this it was gonna suck going to be challenging. I know you're upset that Aunt Flo decided to tag along on your trip but here's a tip: as soon as you wake up, pop a few midol and chase it was a red bull and your day will go heaps better! Whatever you do STAY AWAY from the chocolate...it will not end well! Take my word for it!

And while you'll be tempted to drop the kids off at the nearest fire station and run for the border, don't forget to leave the diaper bag with the firemen don't forget that kids will be kids, and after all, it's vacation, they're allowed to act a little crazy. Ok, A LOT crazy.

It may help if you just came to terms now with the fact that your kids WILL NOT take naps while on vacation. The sooner you accept this, the easier your life will be. And if you're thinking that night time will be any better just realize now that the kids will be up ALL night EVERY night. Oh, I may as well tell you now that trying to feed your kids anything healthy will be pointless. Go pick up the happy meal and call it a day.

Well I hope that you're having fun!! Remember to take heed to all of my valuable advice and one last thing...take lots of pictures!! Don't forget, patience is key. And if that fails, pop some more midol and down another red bull. Good luck!

Love,

Alicia

Milestones suck...

It seems as if I'm always waiting for my kids to learn something new. To hit the next age benchmark per se. I remember reading What To Expect The First Year and having anxiety attacks because Mason couldn't clap at 6 months. What was wrong with him? Did he have medical issues that I didn't know about? Was I a failure as a mother?! And wasn't he supposed to be crawling by now?!! I called the doctor on the verge of hysteria, all snot faced and sobbing into the phone "MY SON DOESN'T CLAP! bwwwaahhhh!". Motherhood makes you do some stupid crazy things.

I over-analyzed EVERYTHING the first time around. The second time around I was a little less neurotic. Ok , who am I kidding, no I wasn't. At all. And Jordan if you say anything I will cut you!! Be afraid fool! The crazy runs deep in my blood I can't get rid of it. And the third time around....well, let's just say I'm not encouraging milestones at all.

I encouraged Mason to walk at such a young age and the kid went from a crawl to a RUN! And he's never stopped. He just slows down slightly when mommy remembers to crush the ritalin over his frosted frakes for breakfast. And Boogie has had such a struggle learning to talk and now that he's started, the kid never shuts his flippin pie hole and drives me straight crazy. Thank goodness they are so cute, and quiet, when they sleep.

And last but not least, Presley. You see, this is my baby and I'm really not excited for her grow up. She's clapping now. She waves hi and bye. Sigh....And now she's crawling. Is it bad that I pull her legs out from under her when she crawls?? I really don't encourage it. She's growing up way too fast. Maybe I should strap a weight to her back, that should slow her down! And I refuse to let her hold her own bottle. She NEEDS me dang it!

Milestones. Shmilestones. Pooh on them. Can't I just keep her my baby just a little bit longer? On the bright side...I can't wait to hear her say Mommy. I can't wait to take her to get mani pedis with me. I can't wait for her to wipe her own butt. Ok, so maybe there are a few milestones I can live with...Ha...come to think of it, it's gonna be Jordan that has issues with this little beauty growing up. I mean, come on, just look at this face...

Free dog! Any takers?

I'm done. I've thrown in the towel. And earlier today I made the phone calls...that's right, plural. The phone calls that make all my worries disappear...now you're wondering who I called, aren't you? Let me tell you a little bit about my day first.

There I was, lovingly preparing Little Miss Presley a wholesome breakfast when she starts to whimper. So I rush over, whisk her up from her exersaucer, and plop her on my hip. That's when I feel "IT". No. No no no no no. Oh friggin monkey butt, it is. Yup, definitely poop. The little princess had gone and caused a crime scene on her clothes, the exercauser, herself, and ME. Somehow it had worked its way down her leg and she was doing a friggin river dance to make things worse! 45 minutes, 2 baths, 2 new outfits, and 1 destroyed exersaucer later we were back in business.

So I put her in her highchair and finally start feeding her the now cold breakfast and then it hits me. The dogs!! Where are the dogs? Ok, I see Bruiser, but where on earth is Sampson? Backyard? No. Boys room? No. KITCHEN? LIVING ROOM? OH CRAP!!!

Presley's room. Mmmhhhmm.

Yeah.

Devouring the left overs of the now empty diaper genie. Breathe, Alicia, breathe....

There he was, caught red-handed (or pawed, whatever) looking at me with a chunk of diaper hanging from his mouth. I'm pretty sure I looked like one of those cartoon characters with steam coming out of their ears because let me tell you, I was TICKED!! Fuuuming mad!!

So I clean up yet another disaster and go into the kitchen to wash off, happen to peek at the clock...and WHAT THE FREAK??? It's not even TEN in the flippin MORNING and my house smells like a dang public latrine!! That's when I knew it was going to be a very. very. long day. And that my friends, is when I picked up the phone and called Jordan. I explained to him very calmly that he has a vasectomy scheduled Monday morning because we are never having any more children and that I'm hanging up my bucket and mop and taking a few days off.

Following that call, I called Aleada. Aleada is a gift from above. Aleada is a true bearer of all things happy and lemony fresh scented. Aleada is my awesome housekeeper that I treat myself to now and again. Aleada is coming first thing Wednesday morning. Ahhhhh. Aleada is my favorite.

The not-so-fantasy suite night....

Well it was that time of the week again...time for another fool to suck face with Jillian one last time before getting the proverbial boot! Let's start at the beginning, shall we?

Kiptyn- Yeah I can't make up my mind on this guy. I can't fully trust that he's really emotionally invested in her. There's something off about him and I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe it was the creepy way they kept winking at eachother...it gave me the heebie jeebies. And as far as their date was concerned it bothered me to watch Jillian be the damsel in distress. You're on a friggin rope course with a harness keeping you from plunging to certain death...get your panties out of a bunch and get on top the dang totem pole! And watching them be kissy kissy face makes me cringe. He looks like he's trying to eat her face. Blech. I knew she would keep him...but will she pick him?

Reid- Dear, sweet, Reid. Way to shoot yourself in the foot!! When a girl asks you a question 1,487 times it probably because she WANTS AN ANSWER....and I mean an answer other than 'Ya, you know...'. And avoiding the question by making out with her isn't going to work. But I guess you found that out didn't you?! At least you got a little tubbie time action before she threw you out on your hinney...that's not a bad consolation prize I suppose. Keep your head up Reid, and remember....They say love, it don't come easy....

Ed- Oy.....where to begin? How about those shorts?! Or lack there of...I mean, really?? I couldn't take my eyes off of those things! It was really sweet of Jillian to let Ed borrow her shorts, but yikes, it was just a tad distracting. I was terrified that his cash and prizes might fall out! But on a side note....his thighs were almost as nice as Jillian's! It was way sweet of him to bring his parents out though. You can tell it was really important to make this happen for Jillian. And as for the boom boom room drama. Was I the only one that though it wasn't that big a deal?! So he didn't sleep with you...um, ok, that's a bad thing why? Personally I thought it showed a great deal of character and respect on his part. Weird. If she wanted to be treated like trash she could have kept Wes around. And he dropped the L word. With a capital L. Ohh la la! The boys got some gumption! Hopefully he can redeem himself in her eyes because I'm totally rooting for Ed!

But you know what really has me excited?! THE TELL ALL!! I can't wait for the return of the cheese arse, the drunken trucker, the foot freak, the two timing cowboy, and the rest of the gang! WOO HOO! I hope some punches get thrown!! I can't wait to hear all the juice!! Man, I really need a life...so what did you think?! And Kip or Ed? Hmmm.....

Ps- Don't forget to enter the giveaway!
Pss- So I found out today that on top of being lactose intolerant, allergic to seafood, and having IBS.....I'm also allergic to gluten! this royally sucks monkey butt...I'd drown my sorrows in ice cream, but I can't. Boo.

To quote Beyonce....I'm a survivor!

Mama Kat's writer's workshop: #3 Describe a difficult moment you have survived...

Life is good. I have no complaints. In fact, I always wondered how I was so lucky to end up how I did....because I'll be honest, if you would have asked me 5 years ago where I thought I'd be, I never would have guessed I'd be married to my scrumptious man meat and be a mother of 3.

When my oldest was just shy of a year I made the decision to leave where I was living and move home with mom. Truly a humbling experience. But it was more than leaving my home. It was leaving my job, my family, my friends, my life.....and my son's birth father. Now I wasn't moving the next town over. I was moving a good 7 hours away. I knew what it meant to take my baby so far away, and that was exactly why I was doing it.

For those of you who read the blog regularly you know I don't go into this topic too often, so sorry if I keep it vague, it's my little piece of life I don't like to share. So on with the story...It was gonna be hard. Of course I had my mom, but other than that I was alone. Just me and the little guy. But I knew in my heart that I was doing what was best for my baby. I was securing his future while protecting him from the present...and one day he would see that. I realized as I packed everything I could fit into my car and hit the road that I was the only hope this little boy had. If I didn't do what was best for him, no one would. So I left. We had some rough times, the little man and I. I got up for work at 3:30 every morning and went to school at night. This way I could spend my day with my baby. It began to take a toll on me.

I was exhausted. I was broke. Being a single mom to a one year old, working, going to school, and paying for daycare wasn't exactly the high life. And dealing with the aftermath of leaving didn't make things easier. Just thinking about that makes me sick. But after being there almost a year I landed a better job, with better hours and pay and took a semester off school. Things were starting to look up. Then I met Jordan......(this is the part where the heavens open and angels sing)

We'd barely been dating for two weeks at this point and we were making plans for the evening. I remember telling him I couldn't get a babysitter because I only had $20 until Tuesday...and it was only Thursday. The next day he paid my day care and my bills. I didn't know how to respond to that. So I married him. Just kidding...but really, it was hard. But as he slipped my ring on my finger a mere month and a half later and vowed to take care of 'us'...I realized it didn't have to be hard. The hard days were gone. We were a family. He loved us. He would protect us. And my oh my, how he has....

Why can't I wear a ruffled swimsuit?!

You know what I miss about being 6? Being able to wear a one piece swim suit with an attached ruffled skirt and people thinking it's cute. Those were the days! You know what else I miss? Being flat chested and people thinking it's cute. One more thing...I miss pig tails. The ones that sit right on top of your head with the big obnoxious bows...why can't I wear those anymore?!

As we hung out and bbq-ed on the 4th I had such a blast watching the kids destroy my house play, laugh, and just be so care free. They ran around with popsicle stains on their clothes and dirt smears on their faces and they looked so dang cute! I found myself thinking how nice that would be...

For some reason when I walk out the door with toothpaste dried on my shirt and baby spit up dribbling down my back it's not so cute. Weird, I know! Apparently some people don't appreciate the finer fashion that comes with motherhood. And if I walked out in a ruffled one piece my husband would disown me it wouldn't be so cute. It'd be funny though! And just think of how comfortable I would be...Sigh....if only I were six...Maybe I should bring back the ruffled skirt...or maybe the pig tails. It could be the next big thing! What do you think? Take a look for yourself...(sorry for the crappy picture, my camera died before I could take another one)
ps- bachelorette tonight!!! booya!!
pss- sorry if i haven't stopped by your blog recently...the fams in town and my bloggin time is minimal!!

As we celebrate the 4th....

I think I've watched this video one too many times, and still, it gives me chills...There's just something about the day and age that we live in that has made my pride for our country rise to a whole new level. And as we get ready to celebrate our nations birthday...the day our freedom was restored, I hope we can keep in mind the true meaning of the day.

I can not even begin to express my undying gratitude for the brave men and women of our country that fight to uphold our beliefs, to defend our country, to give us our freedom. As we have our bbq's, let our flags wave high, and watch the sky burst with beauty, let's keep in mind the amazing people who make this all possible.

As I sat and watched this video, comfortable in my home, I thought of the men and women in the trenches, on the front line, torn away from their families, alone, and I am so saddened...but even more, I am just proud.

I have so much emotion that words just can not capture. Words can not do justice to the sacrifice that these countless number of men and women make. And not just soldiers, but their families as well.

So thank you to all those who serve our country, we celebrate this day for you and because of you. You are truly my heroes.

Reason #521

So my lovely lady friends and I went out tonight for a little girl's night out and caught the flick The Proposal. It was ah-may-zing! LOVED IT! About every 30 seconds I had to wipe the drool off of Brooke's chin, but we had a blast! Note to self: buttered popcorn not a great idea. bowels completely mad. I left the theatre feeling all starry eyed and kissy kissy face, eager to get home to my delicious husband. Romantic movies do this to me....I get all gooey and lovey dovey. So once at home Jordan and I start naming off the reasons we love eachother (aren't we cute? gag) He loves me because I have cute feet apparently...good to know...I wouldn't want him to love me because I'm an amazing mother and can make the best impersonation of a chicken ever. Feet are definitely more important. Kinda creepy in a Tanner P kinda way...

Then I made some raunchy remark about how I just want to run my fingers through his hair...but here's the rub. Jordan has an afro. Totally thick, curly hair...and a lot of it! So he uses gel to style it and I. Hate. Gel. For some reason I can't stand the way dry gel feels, it gives me the heebie jeebies. And needless to say, I can't run my fingers through gelled hair. He then tells me that he wants me to find him a new hairdo! Ummm, was that angels I heard singing?! I took full advantage of the moment and the next thing I know it's midnight and I'm washing his hair in the tub getting ready to channel my inner Vidal Sassoon. He was such a good sport, he didn't even complain when I got shampoo in his eye! I was on fire as I busted out the flat iron and got to work...I wish I had a picture of the end result, but can you say Ay Papi!! Bow chika bow wow.....Me likey!!

So reason #521 why I love my scrumptious piece of man meat: he goes along with my crazy ideas at all hours of the day and lets me tame his wild mane...what a man!

These dang sappy movies...but you know what? I don't need the movies, I have the happy ending...Some people thought we were nuts when we got married after only knowing each other for 55 days. But man it sure is fun to prove them wrong day after day!

We're a bunch of dorks...

We have some fun times here at the ol' Cline residence, just not all of them make it to the blog... so here's some snapshots of the good times this past week...

Making my hubs take goofy pictures with me...he's was a good sport, not that he had a choice!

Cowboy Mason (he dressed himself..he's so fashion forward!)

Cowboy Bruiser...poor dog


Boogie found my camera

Wearing my favorite bra to Bunko night with the ladies


Taking the offspring to see Mickey & Minnie at the new Disney store...
too bad the kids couldn't care less, they just wanted a new toy...figures.


Little Miss Presley Rose with her new Minnie sporting matching bows...

So there you have it! Proof that it's not all playdoh in buttcracks and explosive doo doo butter bombs over here...hope you guys had an awesome week!! Don't forget to enter the giveaway, time's almost up!!