The Danleys

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Long time

It's been a long time since I blogged... or journaled.. or wrote down any of my thoughts. And as much as I would love to have an excuse as to why, I simply don't have one. Life is busy. Raising four kids is tough. Like riding a bike up a hill with two flat tires tough. I find that I can't remember everything about my kids that I want to. So in an effort to record these events and milestones. And my emotions involved with all of it, I have to start writing again.
Let's start with the beginning. Emma is 13. I can't even believe that I'm writing that. I don't know where it went. But in the back of my mind all I can think is that I really only have 5 years left with her under my roof. I already miss her. I miss her chubby cheeks and dimpled fingers. I miss her innocence. I miss the way she used to think I was the smartest and best woman in the world. However I will say that she figured that one out pretty quickly. She has turned into the most wonderful young lady. She is responsible and determined. She sets goals for herself that I never dreamed for her. I love how she takes control of a situation. She takes responsibility for her self and for her future. I truly can't wait to watch her grow over the next 5 years.

Payton Danley is about to graduate from 5th grade. Next year I will be the mom to 2 middle school girls. I could not be more proud of her. She works hard. She marches to the beat of her own drum. She is a loyal friend and a determined softball teammate. Her will to achieve astounds me on most days. She has a quiet and watchful eye. And in all of our kids I see Erics personality in her the most. She worries about people. Last Wednesday as I checked her out from her bus on her field trip, she quietly asked her teacher who the girl she sat with on the bus would find to sit with on the way home. She worried that she would have to sit alone. I pray she will aways have that tender heart and I pray that I will be more like her in that manner. As she is heading to middle school next year I know I will miss the last of the class parties with my two girls. As they grow older they are trading in Their days of playing dress up and American Girls for Netflix and FaceTime with their friends. Through it all I can only look around and wonder where the time has gone. I am left only with the choice to cherish these days I have left with the girls and hold tight to the moments I have with their little brothers because I know all to well how quickly these days pass us by.
Easton. What a ray of sunshine God has given us in this little boy. I catch him at 6 years old somewhere between the sensitivity of an innocent kindergartener and the toughness of an elementary aged little boy. He sees the word through fresh eyes. And treats everything as an adventure. He loves to play and explore. He is too busy for hugs during the day but in the quiet of the night when he is still and a little by drowsy , he lets me snuggle him and let's me know that the best part of his day was this right here. This hug and kiss and snuggle. Most of the time, it's the best part of my day too. When the girls weee little I didn't cherish those bed time moments like I do with the boys. I didn't realize that one day they would no longer need me to tuck them in and it just seemed like one more chore to do at the end of a long day. Now I see it as the prize I get after mothering these kids at the end of the day. I will take it every time.
Parker. Last but not least. Not that he would allow himself to be least in anyone's mind. He is a spitfire. A lover of life and laughter. A stubborn little man who adores his brother more than anyone in life. He looks to him for fun and guidance. He wants to be with him as much as he can. I pray that Easton will be the type of big brother that leads him well and shows him love and life. The type that leaves footprints worthy of being followed. Since I have taken a new job, I now have the flexibility to work from home on Fridays. I have loved getting to spend a little one-on-one time with him. In getting to know his personality, I see in him the desire to learn. The quest for knowledge and growth. He asks more questions than I am ready to answer and in the moments when he is quiet I know he is pondering his next move.

My kids are growing up so fast. In trying to get through the day I forget most of the small moments that are worth remembering. So I am challenging myself to take the time, slow down and write it down for my future self to look back and reflect upon.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

To my yearbook class:

I know I haven't seen you in 7 days. It's because I've been doing this:

However, I haven't forgotten. Tomorrow you will have this:

Love,
Your Favorite Yearbook Queen

Long time coming

In my last post I showed you the room for the baby I was expecting... that was 10 months ago. On Friday that baby boy will be 9 months old. My how the time flies! I have loved every minute of watching my little boy grow from a tiny baby to happy, bubbly, loud 9-month old.

It dawned on me today as I was holding my newest nephew, Ethan Shane, just how quickly they grow up. Then I went and picked up my 2nd born 6 year old from school. Have I mentioned that she is purposely lying about the answers to questions you ask her to see if you can catch her? Without skipping a beat she tells me false answers to questions I already know that she knows the answers to. What is that about? Man. They really do grow up... and outsmart you. Still later I was helping my 2nd grader study for a test on Martin Luther King. I remarked to her that he died in the same year that my parents had been married. After the initial shock about the fact that her grandmother was alive at the same time as MLK Jr. wore off she asked if they had been friends and then thought a second and said, "No. I guess they wouldn't have because they were segregated." Segregated? That's a big word to use in a conversation with a 7-yea-old. After thinking some more she then remarked on the fact that he had died in the same year her grandparents were married by saying, "It was the beginning of one life and the end of another." When did she grow up? Who is little person sitting in front of me and when exactly did she change into someone I can hold a regular conversation with?

After the lying, the studying, the crying, the protesting, the upset tummies, the poopy diapers, the homework, the spilled milk, the uneaten dinners (and this was all today) I think I want another one. ;)

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Baby E's Room

I have for the most part finished Baby E's nursery. I did just find a great little dresser I will refurbish and add... after he is born, but for now this should be it!

Newish Cabinet

Two summers ago I bought a cabinet at a garage sale for $15. I painted it black and it sat in my foyer for 2 years.

Before the great "Spray Paint Ban of 11" I had plans to paint it over spring break.

However, I did sand it down to this:

And then I enlisted the help of my dear friend Tammie to paint it while I watched from the side and added my moral support!

(see this is NOT me painting... apparently my condition is soo sensitive for open air spray paint)

Here is the finished product! I am very happy with how it turned out!

THANKS SO MUCH TAMMIE!

Monday, April 4, 2011

What I did on Spring Break: Day 1

It's the first day of Spring Break and I was already planning so many projects. I got started on a few today.

My dining room chairs went from this:

To this:

There will be more Dining Room updates throughout the week, so stay tuned.

Then I decided to re-purpose the door handles to all 22 rooms in my house. That gets expensive... unless you like spray paint. And I do love spray paint.

So I primed with this:

And then painted 2 coats with this:

(Side Note: The sprayer on top is my NEW BEST FRIEND!

And my handles went from this:

To this:

I heart the change!!!

Then I had a little extra time on my hands so I made this beautiful spring wreath for my front door. It's perfect!

(until the "It's A BOY" sign gets hung up in 3 weeks!)

I liked the spring flowers so much I decided to save my backyard from a FEW of the coming dogwood flakes and brought some inside the house. This was an idea sparked by ANGEL... the true craft woman.

After that I cleaned the walls and door frames in my house. Oh and all the spindles on the stairs where little ~~grimey~~ precious hands hold on. Then I took a nap, went to Brusters and came home to blog. There will be another update tomorrow!

Off to make dinner... it's Mexican Monday!