Great Great Aunt Betty

Ah, Miss Elizabeth Archer, you were quite the firecracker. You took charge of your own education, built your own wealth, never married, and never had kids but managed to mother so many of us at one time or another. My mom labored with me on your couch and it was just the beginning of many memories I would build with you. You and your sister (my grandma) were the original thrifters and showed us all how it was done. I still can't pass an estate sale without squealing with delight and thinking about you and Grandma Ruth.

After I became an adult it was time for ME to labor on that exact same couch with Miss Athena Elizabeth and she was named just for you. She thought it was the coolest that not only were you Great Aunt Betty, you were Great GREAT Aunt Betty. That is quite a title. Not to be outdone, Zofia decided to be born directly on your birthday (pictured above.) Zofia. The perpetual one-upper.

I'm so happy for how peaceful everything was for you. You were comfortable and doted on by the rest of the women that make this family great. I hope you're having the best time ever back with your sister thrifting in the Great Beyond.

We love you, Betty. All I ask is that you continue to shine over our sweet babies.

My Diagnosis. Also? I think I have a mustache.

Had you told the girl in this picture that in ten years' time she'd be sitting in the bathroom putting Rogaine on her head with hair remover on her lip and an estrogen patch on her butt, I'd wager she'd keel over. Either that or punch you. Probably punch you. I use to be really bitchy. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that at the age of 32 I'd be dealing with the body of a 55 year old. The official diagnosis is estrogen deficiency. My body thinks it's in menopause. I've lost at least 50% of my hair, my ovaries have shut down, and for the past 6 years I've honestly thought I was losing my mind. The anxiety, depression, memory loss, COMPLETE emotional instability: ALL symptoms of estrogen deficiency. How did it take so long to figure out? Well, since I've been pregnant or breastfeeding since 2006, it was kind of hard to tell what was what. Certifiable problem or hormonal pregnant girl? Your guess. It wasn't until my body really started shutting down and I really started getting scared that I actually had dementia did I get full bloodwork. What's next? For the time being while we wait for Zofia to wean I'm on an estrogen patch. I shed my tears about the hormone replacement therapy drying up my milk and bringing an end to this stage of Zofia's life, but if left untreated, estrogen deficiency leads to osteoporosis, stroke, and heart disease. As my mom pointed out, Zofia would rather drink out of a cup than have me die of heart disease. Touche, mom. I'm not going to cut her off cold turkey though, so they aren't going to test for the cause of this deficiency just yet, such as tumors, as breastfeeding would skew the findings in lab work. (For now I'm going to pretend like there's never been any mention of tumors as I MIGHT FREAK THE FREAK OUT!!!!!!)

So, that's where I am. Estrogen patch firmly on my butt and a lot of fixing and healing to do. The toll that it has taken on my body, marriage, kids, career, and relationships is hard to put into words. The task of rebuilding everything makes me feel like an asthmatic acrophobic about to scale Mt. Everest. Impossible. I'm scared y'all. Real scared.

If you're the praying type, send me a prayer. If you're the hugging type, send me one of those. If you're the forgiving type, well thank the Good Lord for you.

I call this "Dad's in the Shower"

It's a spectacle. It has been for a long time.

Upon entering the shower dad hears things such as:

"You have a peep!!"
"I see your peep!"
"Are you peeing?!"
"Can we PLEASE come in?"

I take this as an opportunity to enjoy a nice glass of pinot noir. Cheers!

(Ok. I'm going to take this as an opportunity to be completely honest and tell you that that shot was taken from me on the toilet. We all have zero privacy. It's like a locker room. However, immediately getting off the pot I enjoyed my glass of wine.)

OCD be damned! We're off to the pumpkin patch!

Backyard Chicken Farming Starring: Athena

My mom started backyard chicken farming when Athena was a baby. Athena began gently handling eggs and baby chicks as a teeny tiny toddler so she's no stranger to the poultry class. Going to her Gammy's house is one of the most exciting things she gets to do. This evening we were showing houses in Gammy's neighborhood, and even though I said we weren't there to play, Athena played.

This is my favorite chicken. She's just so chickeny.

This is Athena and Shaq. They harvested tomatoes for Dad.

Athena and her Gampy getting sunflower seeds.

That's one enormous spaghetti squash.

This is Tina. I like her hair.

After looking for eggs, harvesting vegetables, and checking out bunnies, Athena very forlornly got into the car to leave. The memories that my kids will have of their grandparents' house makes me so happy my chest hurts. This is livin'.

Come Visit My Humble Abode

Every so often it happens. A little snide remark, an all out question of "Why do you live here?" or passive-agressive comment of "Well my husband is doing very well." Yes, every so often over the past 10 years it has happened and I lose a little footing for a second.

But only for a second.

Then I remember I'm proud of modest living. I'm proud of what we're teaching our daughters and I'm proud of us for living in a way that has little stress on my husband and me at home every day with my kids... because that's what I so desperately want. Because of our modest living style my husband was also able to take very long paternity leaves with both girls and that's generally unheard of.

I'm not a high and mighty stay at home mom. I'm just as proud of the career moms that do what THEY want and teach their kids their way, not being forced into a homemaker role that they don't want. We're all doing damn fine jobs with our kids in our own ways. We're all, ahem, mom enough.

We've gotten a lot of questions as to why we live in the house we do and why we don't upgrade. I'm hoping to give a peek into our home and try to explain why, to me, it's so lovely. First of all, this has been our home for 10 years. It's the first home Louis and I bought, we got married here, and we've had our babies here. Take a tour with me and see if you can find its charm.

Our street is very established. Multiple generations stay in these homes and pass them down.

It dead-ends on both ends to water. The ladies LOVE to walk to the lake.

Our sweet, wee house. All of the landscaping has been lovingly done by my mother and Louis,

Our backyard has hosted birthdays, fireworks, and the ladies think it's a playground.

(Athena's pride and joy is her container garden in the background.)

The kitchen and living room are where I spend so much time with my ladies.

(I lusted after that sectional until my mother in law gave it to me.)

And the ladies' rooms were made just for them... even if we do all sleep in one bed.

Perhaps they'll want space some day? (I hope not.)

(Zofia's)

(Athena Bee's)

(I'm a sucker for 50's tile.)

(Downstairs family room. More 50's tile and comfy furniture.)

(The ladies' play room built by their dad...)

(...and creation station.)

I know I don't have to explain myself, but I just really wanted to share why I love the charm of my home. We have no financial pressure, a comfortable life, plenty of time to be together, and an adorable neighborhood. We'd love to have you over. :)

*Also, I'd like to point out that no cleaning was done for this tour.

I want you to see us in our natural states :)



My favorite soldier. I remember him every Memorial Day.

Well, to be honest I think of him a lot more than just on Memorial Day. He was one of the greatest grandfathers a little girl could have.

Happy Memorial Day, Grandpa Ralph!

I could look at old photos of soldiers all day. I can't fathom what some of those boys went through. Past, present, and future soldiers, I recognize and admire you.

Brocus Easter 2012 Eggstravaganza!!!

Since Athena was 21 months old, Easter has been her favorite holiday. Who can blame her? Seeing the Easter Bunny, Easter baskets, and..

CHICKY PINATAS!!

And family!!

And Easter eggs!!

Zofia made Spongebob ones.

Athena painstakingly hand-painted all hers:

All fresh from their Gammie's chickens.

Good times were had by all!

Happy Easter, friends. Enjoy your day.

Merry Christmas from the Brocus House

And how cute is this picture of the ladies and their cousins taken by their Yia Yia??

They're in gift bags! Look at Fifi peeking!! I love it!!!

My heart, she bursts!

Oh sweet Zofia. You're getting SO big. 14 months already? Where has the time gone? You are developing and changing so quickly. You run, you try to jump, and your climbing is completely out of control.

Your sister is your absolute best friend and you want to do everything she does, even if this will lead to a broken leg.

You guys are always together, always touching, always laughing. When you were first born I was so nervous about taking care of two littles. Turns out having two ladies is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

One of my absolute favorite things that we have shared is nursing. It's been the best experience for both of us. At 14 months you still think booby juice is the bee's knees and real food is merely something to play with. I will treasure our nightly nursing cuddle times forever.

Your likes: Bananas, balls, sand, your water table, tortilla chips, boobies, and Barbies.

Your hobbies: Dancing, belly button inspecting, and crayon eating.

Your dislikes: Diaper changes, shoes, and power tools.

Words you say: Hello, bye-bye, Mama, ball, Dada, Yia Yia

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Every month is a new, fun adventure. You know in the "Grinch" where his heart grows and explodes off the charts? That's what I feel like every time I hear my daughters laugh together. It explodes every time I think about what it's like to be the mom to two girls. And it explodes every time I see those two little ladies completely rule their dad. I did something so right in a past life to deserve these gifts I've gotten.

Wordless Wednesday - Birthday