Moving!!

Team Dobbertin is moving... Well, moving our blog anyway. I am finally giving up blogger and heading over to wordpress. Sorry, blogger. you've served me well, but it's time to move on.

I will be consolidating my two blogs into one - you can read more about it on my "About" page over at the new blog:

thefrugalrock.wordpress.com

Thanks for following us on over!

So fickle

Yesterday I was up to my eye balls in messes and crabby kids. I was very content with my three little ones. And even considering giving one or more away.

Today, I look around at all the messes and craft stations we have going and I am quite sure I need several more little ones around calling me mama and hanging on my legs.

It's such a wonder what a good nights sleep will do for your spirit. A loud and joyful "Thank You!" to the baby who finally slept through the night. It's been a long nine and half months...

The Creative Family

I picked up this book at the library last week and haven't been able to put it down - well, I put it down long enough to start crafting away! Then it's right back in my hands. I only have a few pages left but it has been such a fun read. It is full of creative inspiration for me and the kids. Gavin has even been looking at all of the tutorials saying, "Let's do that!" It has been so much fun! It is a book that has landed a permanent place on my "recommended reading" list. I must warn you though, be ready to ignore your household chores to break out the sewing machine, paints, yarn, colored pencils and so much more!

Turning 30, Ten years together and a Tattoo

I can't believe it's been a month since I turned 30 and I haven't even blogged about it. I've been waiting for this since I was 16 years old. I love 30. It's where I've always wanted to be. Now that I am here, it feels just like I thought it should. I feel settled, secure, and truly love my life.







In a few short weeks Ryan and I will be celebrating 10 years together as man and wife. Ryan truly has been my greatest gift in life. When I think about what my life would have been like if I hadn't married him ... well, I really can't even consider it. I'm thankful for every day, every minute with him.






A few years ago, in anticipation of these two big events, I decided that I was going to get a tattoo this summer. I've always wanted one - the same thing, in the same place. My determination never wavered. A few weeks ago, I went ahead and did it! I love it and am so glad I waited for this momentous occasion - it's makes it that much more meaningful. One of the best parts about the tattoo, is that my best friend from high school helped to design it. I love that.

Text messages and Beach Days!

I frequently receive text messages from Ryan around 3:00 that read: "on my way home, wanna go to the beach?"

I LOVE getting this message. I always have our beach bags packed and ready to go. All I have to do is pack up some food and we can hit the road. It is so refreshing going in the evening when there are less people there and it isn't quite so hot. Here are some pictures from our recent beach outings. It's fun living so close to Lake Michigan!

Wake up Call!

Confession - I didn't actually start waking up at 6:00 until today. Let me tell you, I thought I was going to die. This is going to be an adjustment for me. You bet I hit that snooze button as soon as the alarm went off. Less than two minutes later, Charlotte was up crying dramatically. I went into her room and rubbed her back for a few minutes and she settled back down. As I was staggering out of her room, I thought "Okay, okay. I'm up!" and I stayed up. It was rough, though and I accomplished very little. I should have prepped my coffee the night before. I didn't want to wake everyone up while grinding my beans. I think a hot cuppa would have helped me wake up a bit more. I sure hope tomorrow is better. I'm sure it will get easier and easier every day, right? RIGHT? (in need of some encouragement here!)

Preparing for Fall

I know that summer is only half over, but I have already started prepping our Fall schedule. I've always been a "get up when the kids get up" kind of mom. It's worked for me up until this point. I've gone through short (very short) spurts where I would climb out of bed before them. Now that I have three kids, quiet moments are extremely few and very far between. Getting up before the kids will be a must once our Fall schedule starts. Instead of waiting until Fall, I am going to implement this aspect of our schedule now. This week, I will be getting up at 6:00 a.m. That gives me one hour all to myself before my munchkins start their day.

Do you think I can do it?