I'm back from my break!

I haven't let go of the blog love ladies (and maybe gents). It's just been one heck of a summer.

A great summer.

Just, you know, sometimes we need a break.

So here we are, mid July, stepping through rain puddles 

and watching our hair frizz in the humidity.

I feel like I've taken the summer "off" really. Not much happening around the house. Really, I don't have too much to report beyond two beautiful babies and an always exhausted mother who longs to be "me" again. Nothing against you men at all (because I know deep down we just couldn't do it without you) and this is not a complaint, but women go through a lot. Maybe men do too, but I can't speak for you guys. I have nothing to say beyond that regarding the subject, unless you know me personally 

and would love to join in on the pity party.

 I'll hush. 

Giving birth to two kids in two years...it's had its moments.

I'm almost done reading an amazing new book, too.

 I've joined a book club. 

Should have seen the look on my husbands face when I told him that. 

Yep, darling, you married a book lovin' nerd.

What's been pretty great though is hopping in bed 

around 8 o'clock with a book to read. 

That's been fantastic. 

I've basically got a month to go until I'm a full time stay at home mom.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I could say it.

People, I would wear 5" heels to stand in for 

9 or 10 hours straight every day at work.

I hardly wear shoes at all anymore.

Like night and day. 

From heels to bare feet, through being one size to another, from makeup to a bare face, and skinny jeans to sweatpants 

(I hate to claim that one)...

the gal two years ago has become someone totally new.

 I've fallen in love with two angels.

 Two years ago, I had no idea how my world would be turned around. 

How quickly I would change, how my values would change...

that's just being a mom. 

Simple as that.

When you know who you are, and what you want, taking total care of two children 24/7 can be tough. I would never say they're holding me back... they're just along for the ride! They're my sidekicks.

Life as a mom is one heck of a ride. 

When you want to give the whole world to your children, at times it can feel like you've got the world on your shoulders.

 Again, that's being a mom.

I could go on for hours with the ups and downs. 

If we're all honest here, there's plenty of both.

It's just mastering enjoyment of the ups and the lessons from the downs. 

And planning an night out for goodness sake.

Let me have a moment.

                    

I'm blogging from the iPad again. Computer screen still won't turn on, I'm sure it was Brady's doings. 

In May of 2010, when we first found out we were expecting a baby, I had dreams of a little curly-haired wild boy. I wanted stories to tell, adventures to share and hilarious moments with him...

God gave me exactly what I wanted in this family. Plus more. Like...way more...

I'm taking my anxiety out on a bag of M&M's (These are Brady's potty training treats. Or...Were.) and a really tacky bright green mommy drink I grabbed out of desperation while at the store with the babies yesterday. My body hurts. My brain hurts. God must think I'm some sort of superhero. 
Could be punishment, too. 

Yesterday began with a trip to the ER for Brady. 

Thank goodness all is well, but that was only the beginning. 

After we returned home, Brady found the dog treats and emptied them out for Lilly to eat as fast as she could. 

She was sick all night.

This morning, Brady stripped down to nothing while running around the house with a pop-tart in hand. Next thing we know, he's using the potty
everywhere but the potty.

And laughing hysterically of course.

I. Am. Tired.

I'm exhausted. 

And someone had the nerve to tell me "...just wait 'till he turns three."

I have nothing left to say other than bless your sweet souls, mama's.

Time's A Changin'.

Being June 2nd, I've started blog posts about five times since my last post, with so so much on my mind, so much to say, and so much ahead of me. All that's on my mind is only a million times thought over. A jumble of emotions, except for one. Which I'd like to not claim, but fear, which is usually one. I'm always the planner, the one with it all figured out. Only lately with life bringing one thing after another (some wonderful and some not so much), it's seemed that my decision to become a stay at home mother has happened right on time. My love for my work is something I'll never let go of. But my love for my children will always come before work, and before money. This short period of beautiful time in my life I want to make all that I can.

Here are some amazing things that have happened in my life lately...

-A relationship that was once broken has now been restored. 

A weight has been lifted. What a beautiful thing.

-My sister is close again. She's happy, and we've been having an absolute blast together.

-Yesterday, we had a yard sale to grab a little extra cash...

Made more than we hoped for, met a new neighborhood couple, and I watched my grandmother play with both my babies.

-Just the right doors have been opened, and just the right ones closed for our 'brand new' life ahead.

I could dance. I could sing. So many weights have been lifted.

Nothing huge has even happened, but I've found this peace I can't even explain.

Our life ahead isn't like what we've been living. Or atleast that's not what I expect. 

Our yard sale was a tiny start. My car is for sale. We're cutting back majorly, and wanna hear something wild? I feel like we've won the lottery. When you make the decision to cut back by putting priorities in order...you don't and won't miss a darn thing. Really, it's not crazy.  

It's our life.

It'll be worth every shiny penny we cut back on.

Just the other day, a sweet friend of mine stopped by to catch some pictures of myself with the kids.

Actually, she's the most wonderful photographer ever, that girl.

I was in a frenzy, not a darn thing in my closet that fits well. Marcy Lane is five months old, and well, baby weight is a tough subject for any mom. 

I made it through 6 days of my 10 day cleanse. By the fourth day, I had already lost five lbs. By day #7, I'd almost withered away from missing my Reese's and craving a margarita.

Hey, I did better than expected.

It was a surprisingly easy cleanse to follow, 

I felt unbelieveably clean of everything I eat on a daily basis. 

For the photo session, dad let me borrow his shutters he was in the middle of painting...

Random, yes, but the perfect prop!

I can't wait to see how they turned out... 

                                     

             On this rainy Sunday, the four of us stayed in. We had the laziest of days,but I've enjoyed      every second with them. (Except for the few tantrums thrown.) Marcy's growing so fast, but we're enjoying it! She's been laughing and playing so much more. Brady's been playing the entertainer...which is adorable and scary at the same time. Brian and I have become a strong team towards these babies. While Marcy does no wrong, being the perfect little angel she is, Brady has tested us constantly, while we hold back our laughs or turn our heads, or walk away so we don't lose it completely with him... He's a wild man...and he knows how it all works now. And we're potty training. And I hear Brian snoring now on Brady's monitor ...between work, staying up working on the house, and chasing this crazy child around, I figured he'd be out early... 

    

   What a wild life that comes with children. But how beautiful to see God unfold a plan for us right before our eyes. Something I could never dream of myself. A gift that we're given as a family tiny pieces at a time. I was rocking Marcy to sleep last night when she looked up at my face. Right into my eyes and I smiled at her, just so thankful for a peaceful moment with my girl...she smiled the biggest smile right back at me, and giggled the sweetest sound. It was a moment only a mother understands, and of course I had that wonderful feeling....God is all around our family. What beautiful blessings He gives us daily. The amount of love I could have for these children I couldn't have ever imagined. Of course the tears came, and my gratitude for this life has grown to become even greater. I'm so excited for the journey ahead as a family of four. The most exciting part is that I've given up planning our life myself. Why do we bother? There are too many precious moments to be lived that we cannot and will not ever be able to create ourselves.

                                   Letting go and living life is where my heart is. 

How I love these children.

                  

                     

I'm blogging from the iPad for the first time, so if this all looks a bit funny, that's why. That's because Brady has done something funny to the computer that we can't quite figure out yet.

It's a happy Mothers Day simply because I'm home with my family, exactly what my heart desires. 

   As far back as I can remember, I never really had the urge to become famous, to become a doctor or a lawyer, or anything of the sort. I suppose it's because I looked up to mom as, well, a mom...and sort of always kept it with me. I thought a woman's job was to keep a clean house, meals on the table, and take care of her children while dad was gone to work. No, it's definitely not the most glamorous of careers, but it's what I saw, so it's what I know. Never once did I wake up and say, "One day, I'll be a hairstylist" either. I somehow fell into these roles because of my unrecognized passion for creativity and opened my eyes to the importance of a child's upbringing. So, now I'm here doing a lot of both and juggling every other "side" job in the meantime. Meaning, we also have two dogs that need more attention than we're giving right now. It's not something Brian and I need to sit down and discuss, it's understood how much we once loved these dogs and now, we're simply too busy to love them like they deserve. Anyone looking for a curly-haired lap dog named Lilly or a very protective gentle giant named Diesel, I'm all ears. To a good home, that is. 

   Anyway, there's something about the month of May that has always brought the "changing of seasons" far beyond the temperature. Two Mays, two years apart we shared the life changing news of beginning parenthood. Lately, I've been feeling something new on it's way. Something exciting and also life changing. If you've been following my blog, you understand where my heart belongs. Brian and I rarely sit down to talk, maybe because we're too busy, maybe because we roll along easily taking things as they come. It's been three days ago that we sat outside, late and after dark, discussing our lives like a timeline. My heart belongs to my family. I've always been one to follow my heart because first listening to my heart, second, using my head, along with hard work and determination has never once let me down. That's how I became a hairstylist, you know.

   The road ahead, believe me, will have it's challenging days, I know that for sure. Our lifestyle is about to change drastically. 

But I'm not attached to it, we'll be just fine.

My decision is for my children's sake. Brian gave the best word of advice "it's all about long term, Morgan." So here we go. I want our children to be raised the wisest way I know. I want Brady and Marcy to understand responsibility, learn selflessness, and use their resources, because there are plenty that we've yet to take advantage of. I want them as adults to feel a need for necessities and not just luxuries. I want them to live experiences, not just buy them. To long for and enjoy God's gifts in life, and not waste their years with attachment to passing things. There's no guarantee they'll take any of this with them, but I'll remember that I've done everything I can as a mother to provide wisdom to these children for their adult life! That being said, I can ramble on forever...Brian and I have decided that I'll be a full time stay-at-home mother until these babies have started school. If you know me well, you know my job as a hairstylist has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. We're planning to begin our little journey towards the end of the summer. I'm not putting the scissors down forever, either. This is a few years (I myself have witnessed the incredible speed at which time passes) at the very most. 

  We're stepping out on faith and a strict budget, believing our income and patience can stretch far beyond what it ever has. I'm looking forward to this as an adventure and a change of lifestyle, because I enjoy change, no matter the circumstance. I can adapt pretty well. Or so I think. 

Here's to a "new life" and the lessons we're bound to learn together along the way.

*Happy Mother's Day*

                      

Picnics in the park.

Some days just happen on their own, and some days you have to make happen yourself.

The house was clean and I didn't want that to change..so, we left. 

The weight of the stroller was sort of unnecessary, but (thanks to Ellie for her help with the kids) our picnic on the baseball field had Brady laughing, screaming and singing all over the place. 

...And his shoes were off in a matter of seconds.

A true boy, always excited for a new adventure.

Why can't we all stay as curious and lively as adults? Still, he teaches me things I never knew I missed. Life really shouldn't be so serious, and it doesn't last forever... Picnics on baseball fields should be a trip taken on any given day. Kids don't need new toys. They don't need busy work, and they don't want routine. They need an adventure, and their parents to stay young with them. Something new to learn... 

A change of scenery.

Marcy on the other hand, she'll be thrown in the middle of adventure. I'm counting my blessings every time I see her smile and hear her sweet laugh. It is true, your love does multiply with two. 

I melt for wild Brady and adore my sweet Marcy.

Growing through our fence in the backyard is this beautiful thing. Don't ask me what it is, I'm just bad at that. I do know it made me happy enough to snap a picture.  Finally everything is green and blooming and with all this rain...thriving!
After our playtime in the park this afternoon, I promised myself more trips for the kids this season. They certainly wouldn't mind. 
These times are so precious, 
I never ever want them to end. 

Feelings from a Wife & Mother.

This season has been such a tease switching from hot to cold in a matter of hours.

 It's a gorgeous Friday afternoon, but I hear tomorrow is supposed to be a dreary one. A little downtime never hurt anyone. Life lately has been flying but with the help of our family with the kiddos, we enjoyed an entire weekend getaway to the beach with friends! 

I knew it could go two ways. We'd sleep our weekend away playing catch up away from the energy of Brady J, or we'd go crazy like old times and stay out until the wee hours having the time of our lives. Somehow we managed to find a median amongst our options and settled with having a such good laugh session that the tears were flowing and enjoying just the right amount of crazy before heading home.

Those times are the best. 

Oh, and we ate like piggies all weekend of course.

Crab legs, fried shrimp, and a little dab of everything else you might think of.

Coming home is always wonderful no matter how much fun the weekend held.

Brady lately seems to have grown up before our eyes and Marcy Lane, too.

She's four months old today!

Brady J has been such a hoot saying the most unpredictable things lately.

I was laying in bed with him last night and was almost asleep when he ran his fingers through my hair and said "Like ya hair, mama." He's brought me two flowers today (along with two for Marcy) and proven he's going to be nothing less than a heart breaker. He might be way more than a handful, but the boy knows how it all works. He makes it up to me by picking flowers and holding my hand and telling me I'm pretty. 

He's alright.

As for my little darlin', she's just too sweet for words. She smiles at her brother. Loves to be held. And she's giggled for the first time this week. She loves to watch me make ridiculous faces and sounds, but I love to hear her giggle, so I'll do whatever it takes. And still...she's in love with her daddy. When he's around, not only does he melt when she smiles, she saves her biggest smiles for him.

 It's really just a dream come true, my life. It's so simple. We're nothing fancy, nothing too uncommon either, but we're a close family- 

We love each other unconditionally and that makes everything just right.

She's so content outside. I love that.

We wrestled him for his summer haircut...and won!

Brady and I grabbed our potting soil, plants, and a pitcher of water. 

I showed him how to water the plants so that they're happy.

While I turned my back for only a minute, Brady was drowning our plants with water, yelling "HAPPY!!!"

Brought him back a surprise from the beach. We're finding them everywhere.

I'm slowly realizing that two little ones in every single way is (obviously) double the work, which makes me even more of a homebody. We usually leave home only when need be and I'm cooking almost every night. It's something I think about often, and I believe when I look back one day and remember my children as babies, I could never regret spending all the time I could with them.

 Of course the hard days come and go, 

but this is my most important job. 

My family is everything to me and I have to treat it as the blessing it is. 

When we're blessed tremendously, given something out of our own power to create ourselves, really what else can we do but give all of ourselves back as a grateful gesture. 

The Cox Household Lately.

There's something about rolled up blue jeans and bare feet in the grass. 

The boy is suffering from severe allergies, along with all the folks in South Carolina. We visited the doctor today and after a screaming fit, he told the doctor "Thank ya so much. Good job, Brady did it." 

I adore his self encouragement.

Brady J's room is together for now. I finished my "no sew" bed skirt. and it turned out pretty well!

I've got to learn to sew next. Got to.

 Miss Marcy has within the past week become the most cheerful little angel.

Still loves to be held...pretty much always. She makes me so happy.

Oh, and she giggles now. She's still my little monkey, almost always strapped on to mama and so glad to be carried around throughout the day. I love having her so close, myself.

Last summer before our deck was started, our favorite place was the front porch.

I've felt like it's been neglected, so tonight Brady and I both sat in the swing, 

read books and listened to the thunderstorm under a blanket. 

I still love it just as much. 

Another favorite thing of mine every spring are these glorious plants. 

Cilantro. Sweet Basil. More Cilantro and Mints of all kinds! 

Brian even surprised me with chocolate mint...

I'm sure I can find a use for that.

While I was downtown last Saturday sharing french toast and grits with the best friend I've ever had, my husband sent a picture to me from home. 

I fell in love all over again.

Life's been crazy lately- something I've learned is now routine. A routine chaos. Seriously as a mom of two babies, I question daily my strength to make it until bedtime. I've never known this type of exhaustion...or how empty my life was until I had a family. 

So much happens on a daily basis, so many things that they don't even belong in a blog post. 

Life did, however, slow down for one beautiful moment this week.

It was the first time Brady said (by himself and at a very random time...)

I love you, mama.