Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder..

They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.  I have to agree with that.  It is all in the mind on how you perceive things, and I know God made each of us with like minds, but different perspectives.  Let me elaborate on why I'm writing this.  

This last week, and here recently, I see all these young teenage and young ladies wearing these daisy dukes.  And I mean daisy dukes like the actual Daisy Duke wore in the 70s.  Not just teenage girls, but 12 and 13 year olds.  Some even younger than that.  It shocks me at first when I see it, but it seems like society is ok with this.  Why?  What is our mind set for our children setting them up for?  Are we ok with letting me throw theirselves out on a sexual platter and say here I am?  Well, all I can say is that if I had a teenage daughter right now we would have many discussions.  I am all for shopping for cute outfits, and wearing what you like, but I just don't agree with some of the garb that is being put out there for our beautiful young ladies.  God made you beautiful enough without all the body showing, so why add to and mess up what already is beautiful.  Showing more skin or slapping on a lot of makeup doesn't make you beautiful.  It makes you a twin to what society thinks is beautiful.  

Throughout my raising I never once asked for makeup, and was never offered   makeup.  I just didn't want it.  The few, and I mean few, times that someone else has put makeup on me I actually went to the bathroom and washed it off as fast as I could.  I felt like I couldn't breath, and felt like I had a mask on.  I am God's child, and feel that he made me (just like He made you) beautiful in every way.  Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but put that back to what God wants you to see.  Not what society wants.  Look at the amazing human He created.  That in itself is beauty.  

Ok, that's my two cents for today on some of my thoughts.  ;) Here is a song, and video of what beauty really is.  You. Just. Don't. Need. Any. Extra.  

http://www.lifebuzz.com/colbie-caillat-got-tired-of-being-photoshopped-so-heres-what-she-did-about-it/

Video:

http://youtu.be/GXoZLPSw8U8

Blessings from this Okie chic! 

Free range chickens...

The analogy that I have been going to for these little rascals of mine here lately is free range chickens.  I mean free range babies.  ;)  Let me just get right to it here.  

Pretty much every tiny thing, and large thing too, has been tested by the babies in every form and fashion.  I let them go around here like free range chickens pretty much.  I could fence off everything, but they would go nuts.  I would too.  The only room I have a gate on is Beau's room.  He has so many Legos, and other big kid toys, that I don't want to deprive him of living life as a young boy.  Then the bathrooms, well everyone knows those doors just have to be shut.  Any time they get in there it's like a party in the bathroom.  I mean why not?!  Let's play in the toilet like a dog on a hot summer day, and take the tp off to tp the entire house, and we can't forget get in the bath tub and turn the water on.  We have to have a splash party right?!  No, lol.  By the way, they have tried all that.  Lol.  

At their 15 month well baby check Thursday, I was talking to our pediatrician about them.  I told her they are like free range chickens at home...you never know which direction they will go.  Lol.  It totally suites them, cause they seriously go in every direction.  One baby, or two, will go to where the third baby is partying at and do what he is doing, but at first (in all circumstances) they all go in each direction.  It keeps me busy, and on my toes.  Anywho, back to their checkups.  All are growing like weeds, and all 24 pounds.  My scale here is way off.  When I weighed them last it was around 27 or 28 pounds, but even though it was lower than I thought I do know they are growing.  Their percentiles are all off the charts for triplets at 15 months, which makes me happy.  They only got two shots, and praise Jesus they all did well this time.  

Update on my sweet Wyatt.  He has his next check up with the orthopedic surgeon in August about his scoliosis.  While we go in for that they will also check his hips and legs.  He is pretty bowlegged still, so we are just going to get him checked on that.  It might be because of his back, but not real sure.  We shall soon find out hopefully.  

Some of the little things they do here at fifteen months are:

Wyatt still loves to rub momma's hair, and is ornery as ever.  He climbs everything, and runs faster than any baby  I've ever seen.  Btw I haven't seen a baby run like him.  He just might be a baby track star.  Lol.  He says mommy a lot, and it's pretty stinkin cute.  Use to be momma, but somehow changed to mommy.  He loves to play with cars still, and ride the little baby carts we have around here.  He can get to goin fast.  

Brant is really starting to talk.  He works hard on articulating his words.  His little lips start to pucker up, and then he starts talkin.  It is too cute.  He started saying Beau a lot.  He will holler for Beau real loud, and then start searching for him all over the house.  Then the other two just fall in sync.  It's the cutest thing.  They love Beau so much.  Brant is also the best eater right now.  He tends to be the one with good manners, lol.  When Wyatt and Luke decide to throw their food, Brant usually just keeps eating.  :) Sweet boy.  He also loves his little woobie, aka taggie blanky.  I bought then these little taggie blankies about a month ago in hopes that if they love them it would be a good alternative for when I take the pacies away.  Let's hope that works...of course later on when they are almost two.  Anywho, Brant loves tags, and he usually falls asleep rubbing the tag of his pjs.  :)

Luke is such a funny, cute little thang.  He copies everything I say.  So I am starting to watch my mouth a little better since he does copy me on everything.  Lol.  The other day while I was feeding Brant, Wyatt comes running in the living room with toilet paper.  I'm like oh great, y'all got into one of the bathrooms.  Well, yeap, they did and were playing in the toilet like it was so fun.  I walk in and was like on great, and just gave this loud sigh.  Well Luke walks out in the hallway, throws his hands down (like I did) and did the same exact sign.  It was actually halarious.  I stopped, laughed, and was like...I know Lord, I need to laugh about some of this and not be so stressed.  It taught me something that is for sure.  But, back to what Luke does.  He is pretty easy going.  He grunts and frowns, and acts like he is the toughest baby out there.  It's cute when you see him in action.  Also, he still doesn't leave any crumbs at mealtime.  He loves to eat anything, and everything.  

I know I'm forgetting things I thought about writing, but I tired.  Stayed up watching a movie tonight, and haven't done that in a while.  Plus, I wanted to enjoy the moon, so after the movie I took a gander at it.  It's so clear out, and the moon is so bright.  Reminds me of this song my Grandpa use to sing when I was young.   

Enjoyed my Friday with this cutie.  Needed to run some errands, but decided they could wait.  So we spent the day at Gram's.  

That's Beau and Brant last night watching a movie together.  I was putting one to bed, and realized I hadn't heard Brant in a long time.  So I peaked around the corner, and they were all cuddled up watching a movie.  So sweet!  

Brant loved playing in the dirt today at Grams.  He played in it for about two hours.  

Sweet babies had a fun Saturday of swimming, and playing outside.  

Hope y'all have a blessed Sunday!  

The stay at home momma...

The past two days, especially yesterday, have been nothing short of a sweet peachy day.  Let me tell ya that this momma was at her wits end yesterday.  

Yesterday morning the babies decided to wake up at 4:45 am.  What?! I know, I was a bear yesterday running on very little sleep, and dealing with cranky babies allllllll day long.  Today it dawned on me that they probably woke up early, because three days ago is when I lowered their Prilosec dosage.  :/ I was trying to ween them off of it, but it seems like I won't be able to do that for a while. :( So bummed, but very thankful for medicine like this that helps them so much with their reflux.  

Yesterday evening I just sat down prayed out loud, and asked God for grace.  Today was much better, and the babies all took a two hour nap making up for yesterday.  Thank you Lord!  

You know I am totally undeserving of the mercy, and grace God pours on me.  Some times it is small things, and some times it is huge things.  It doesn't go unoticed, and I'm truly thankful.  But, I will admit in my busy rush of life I sometimes forget to continually praise HIM everyday for my healthy, and happy boys.  While reflecting on my own journey, and reading other triplet moms journeys I see how fortunate I am with healthy babies that do not struggle in any way.  I also, am personally greatful that I can stay at home to take care of them.  Although, I would love to be teaching, but realized when they came into this world that my job until they are a little bigger is at home.  

It is not an easy job being a stay at home mom, and yesterday just about did it for me.  But, I am re-learning to lean on God on days like that.  Life changed drastically, and my spiritual season changed while going through this triplethood.  It is just a season, and God somehow reminds me of that when I get down about some things.  

My fave part of my rides...my back road.  This is where I take off like a rocket, and just ride.  Tonight was a perfect night to ride, and I needed it.

I have to stay on them like flies on you know what. Lol.

This is how a Grandma baby proof.  Lol. 

To motherhood, triplethood, and lifelong learning as a woman of faith.  Blessings from this Okie chic!

15 month triplets...look out.

All I can say is time is flying by with these babies.  They are now 15 months old, as of July 4th, and they are in to everything and are all little rascles.  I thought I had posted this, but for some reason it didn't post last Friday.  So here ya go. :)

All three boys, are just that, ALL BOY.  They love to throw things, play in the dirt, and love to play with cars and say "vroom vroom."  It's pretty cute.  :) They love to climb, and I do mean climb everything.  Furniture, chairs, cabinets...you name it and they probably have tried it.  It's a circus all the time.  Lol.  They also love to play outsider.  Brant loves playing in the big dirt pile in our back yard.  The yard is a huge mess right now, but I'm hoping progress will come, and it will be finished soon.  Hard to take triplets out there right now by myself, because of all the trees down, and dirt work, and the fence is down.  Just crazy.  Anywho, Wyatt loves to run, and I mean full on baby sprint.  Lol.  His run is basically my run.  Lol.  He is a fast little turkey, and giggles all the way.  My sweet Luke loves to find things, and eat them.  Lol.  He finds bugs, leaves, and I'm always cleaning his mouth out and watching what he has.  They all keep me on my toes.  Once the backyard is done I won't be runnin around like a chicken so much when I'm by myself.  Lol.  

On the growing front, they are huge.  I'm thinking around 27 pounds, but I won't know the exact until their well baby appointment this Thursday.  They all eat so well, and constantly want a, "nack nack."  That stands for "snack."  They are all still on prescription based formula.  They can not tolerate milk proteins yet, so they will have to stay on the formula for a little while longer.  As for their reflux, I think it is almost null and void.  So I have been slowly taking their Prilosec dosage down.  Their next GI checkup is not until August, but I wanted to get a jump on things to see if they work.  So far so good.  So they eat, then snack, then eat, then snack.  

As for napping.  They have been at one long nap a day since before they turned one, and do quite well with that.  They wake up when the rooster does, and go to bed around 7:30 to 8.  Most of the time they sleep all night, but do wake up at least once wrestling around.  I think if I had them all separated in different rooms they wouldn't do that, but oh well them all together works pretty well most of the time.  

As for cloths ect.  They are in 24 months cloths, and just started size five diapers.  Hopefully they will be in this size for a while, because I feel like I'm always buying them cloths.  I don't spend much, and always shop the clearance racks.  With three you can't really be picky.  If I had girls, oh boy, would I be in trouble.  

The daily routine, well here is what our day to day is like most of the time.  Totally different then those who have just one toddler and a baby.  Your ease of just getting out is a lot more difficult, but can be managed.  It's all in what you want to do I think, or feel like that day.  With it being summer it is a little different since big bubba is home during the day, but most of everything is still the same.  They all are up around 6 to 7, and get some milk. This tides them over until I get breakfast made, and Beau up and ready for swim school.  It also let's me get the dishes done, and possibly put in a load of laundry.  Woo hoo!  Lol.  That's never ending.  Then they usually have breakfast, play while I clean up, and then it's almost time for snack again.  Lol.  They eat all the time.  Normally I would take them out to swing and play outside, but our back yard is a total mess so that's out for now.  :(  Every other day I try and take them for a two mile walk in the mornings, and they love that.  They get to see some donkeys and geese along the way, and they all get so excited.  Once we are back it is almost time for lunch, which is usually around 11, and then they are ready for nap.  Naps usually last from 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 hours.  It all depends on what all we do that day.  They have dinner around 5 each day, sometimes 6.  Then play for a while, get a bath, and then off to bed.  I know it all seems so rigid, but with these babies they have to have routine.  When it gets off, oh boy, they will be so darn cranky.  We always have our occasional days when I take them out to Gram's to swim, to SAMs or Target, somewhere fun (that rarely happens), or to take Beau  somewhere.  Those days are always crazy, but somehow I manage.  Right now at the stage they are in of getting into everything and running like little road runners it's tough to do anything.  But, I like to try, and keep saying I will give things a whirl soon.  Lol. 

As y'all can read they are busy busy all the time.  They love to explore things, and keep everyone on their toes.  ;)

Here are their recent pics from this last week.  It is just a sneak peek, but they are too cute not to share.  Love my friend Mary for always capturing my kiddos personalities perfectly.  

Nothin like being at home :)

The past few days the boys and I spent out time out at My Gram's, my home growing up, and I will say we all are wore out from all the fun.  I think I wore everyone else there out too.  Lol.  

Beau came home from his lake trip early, and we enjoyed my home towns 4th of July festival and celebration.  Their fireworks show is pretty good for a small town, and Beau and I enjoyed it.  I wasn't sure I would get to take him, but thankfully that night all the babies went down by 7:45.  Perfect timing.  Once I got all three to sleep, Beau and I hit the road.  He definitely enjoyed the fireworks, and afterwards I took him to buy his own fireworks.  Just small ones. ;) 

Me and my sweet brown eyed, cotton top, dimple cheeked boy.  Love you Beau! 

What was cool about this night, and the fireworks show, is that is was exactly right over the moon.  Beautiful night for sure, and we both enjoyed it.  :)

So then Friday I took all the boys out to Grams.  We swam, played outside, played in the sprinkler, played with the dogs, and they all had lots of fun.  

They all understand each other pretty good.  I have no clue what they were giggling at, but they make each other laugh all the time, and it is precious.  

On our way home that night.  lol.  Tuckered out for sure. 

Wyatt...Saturday all four boys got summer cuts.  I trimmed a lot of hair off.  Their hair grows back fast.  

I know, I always snap pics of these pretty thangs, but I love them.  I need them both.  :) A momma and her baby.

Grams baby proof skills lol.  

Our thoughts when she finished.  

Watched Uncle Roger pop some

Fireworks tonight.  He is an awsome

Uncle, and all four of mine love him a lot. :)

Tonight was a nice evening.  I love spending time back at home.  I was able to watch the sunset tonight, and at Grams you can see off that hill for miles, and western sky of Oklahoma is always beautiful.  I loved it!  

Alright, I better get to bed.  This momma is tired. 

Blessings from this Okie chic! 

The story behind the ride

So I get asked all the time, "what made you start road biking, and how did you get to the point where you are now?"  Well, there is a lot to it, and I decided to share it all.  Here goes the story.

First y'all should know that anytime I get physically hurt, and have to rehab my body I always do what the doctor says to do, and then some.  In 1999 I broke my back in three spots, and I was devastated.  First thing I thought, way back then, was I won't be able to have children without a lot of pain.  But, I did and without any pain in pregnancy or delivery.  Trick, do what your told plus some.  Two years after my injury in '99 I went in for my usual check up, and they did an MRI 9 months after the last one.  My doctor was in shock.  My back had healed completely, and the disc that were injured as well were in great shape.  It was something somewhat unexplainable.  He said, "now Tiffany I know you do exactly what I write down each week, but what else have you been doing?"  My response was, "I do what you have me do in my workout times ten."  Go above and beyond.  The reason I did was because I always dreamed of becoming a mother, and I didn't want that ruined because of my health.  It wasn't, and I am thankful for that.  So that is part of this story...just keep in mind I don't let anything hold me back. :) 

Back when I was about 29 weeks pregnant with the triplets I had some friends over, and her two year old was sitting in a chair, eating a snack at the kitchen table.  She started to fall head first, and my first (motherly) response was jump and run.  Well, as I started to catch her I tripped on the carpet/tile change over.  I know, gosh that frustrated me.  I couldn't believe I actually tripped and fell.  But, being big and pregnant your equilibrium is way off.  You are top heavy.  My babies lives flashed in front of me, and I landed right on my knees as I caught the little girl.  My stomach was safe.  Only touched the corner of the chair, and thankfully they all checked out safely at the hospital.  

So, that fall, injured my knee pretty bad.  I cracked my cartilage, and tore the tendon on the side of my knee.  I knew something was wrong for a long time, but ignored it until the babies were born and good at home.  When I went in to my ortho doc he did an MRI, and it showed all the damage.  I. Was. Bummed.  I knew surgery was inevable with the cartilage being cracked, but had no idea how I would have time to rehab with three new additions to my motherhood journey.  Having four kids is a busy job.  But, once I decided to go through with the surgery I discussed in detail with my doctor about what exercise I had been doing post pregnancy.  I told him I road when I could, and it didn't bother my knee.  He said that was exactly what he was going to prescribe me to do.  :) He told me I would need to ride a certain amount each day, and for a certain amount of time to rehab after surgery.  He knew I didn't have time to go to actual physical therapy, and to him biking is the best knee rehab out there.  I have to agree.  It's gentle, and a you can progress at your own pace.  But, I couldn't just jump right to it.  I had my hands full with 7 month old triplets at the time of my surgery, and knee surgery is a very tricky thing.  It takes time to get to a point where you even feel flexible in the knee again, and for all the swelling to stop.  Mine stopped at about a month post op. So I gradually started riding, and gradually increased my workouts.  I started falling in love with the road, and more with the feel of being a roadie.  

The other reason I love road biking is this.  As I looked at myself after having the triplets I was sad.  I couldn't believe the woman in the mirror went through so much growing three babies inside her.  It changed me mentally and physically.  So that pushed me to keep going and keep going.  Get back to the woman in the mirror that I use to see.  Well, that doesn't always happen, but I look in the mirror now and I am proud of my progress.  I'm also happy, cause riding makes me feel really good.  Also, being a stay at home mom to four boys under five is a tough job, and I truly believe all moms need to feel good after all their hard work.  This is my "freedom" outlet.  But it is also my "getting fit in my thirties" outlet too.  :) I found out once you hit thirty your entire workout has to change.  You have to work harder, and be a lot more dedicated.  

Here I am at 33, a roadie chic that just wants to keep riding and riding.  I love it. I was determined when I started pushing myself into riding, and I'm even more determined now.  I'm always trying to increase my miles, and find better ways to move with my bike better.  Finding more effective ways to ride is a goal I continually have.  

So that's the story behind the ride.  Everyone has a story, and I want to say this.  Find your story, and...have FUN, get FIT, and feel the FREEDOM.  ;)

Road the good ole Kona to grams this morning.  She didn't know I was riding there.  And....

And bam I got there right in time for homemade biscuits and gravy.  I love my Gram so much.  We enjoyed the morning, ate breakfast on the patio, and just talked.  It was perfect.  

Okie out! 

Spring cleaning in July

Since it's just the babies and I this week I decided to fill my extra time with some deep cleaning.  So spring cleaning it is, here on July 2nd.  

Beau and Russ are down at the lake enjoying this beautiful weather.  I stayed at home with the little road runners of mine.  They are all over the place, and run fast so I thought I would just let them have fun here at home.  Taking them to the lake at this stage just my do me in.  Lol.  

With all this extra time, not really any extra energy lol, but I decided to go ahead and get organized.  I'm having a big garage sale in two weeks.  Hopefully! I have so much baby stuff it's a little overwhelming.  I've gave a lot away, sold some stuff, but the rest is piled in my attic and guest room.  So it's time to clear out.  I also started organizing the kids keepsakes and cloths that were sentimental in totes for each boy.  So all four now have a childhood tote that I've started.  

The other thing I worked on yesterday before Beau left is a school tote.  I saved all of Beau's work from day one of pre-k until the last day, and let me tell ya it was almost a 13 gallon trash bag full.  I let him go through it all and choose what he wanted to keep.  We weeded it down to a thick file folder full of papers and artwork.  Woo wee that was a big reliefe. I cleared out a shelf in my closet...finally.  Lol. 

Pretty much gettin stuff done with this spring cleaning in July.  Ok, got all these sweet dumplins down for nap.  I better get busy.  

They loved watchin momma clean the windows.  

Got a special treat from Gram yesterday. Her sand plum jelly.  It is mmmmm good too.  

Hope y'all are enjoying this beautiful day! 

Okie out!