Happy New Year!

Love, The Binkleys

Happiness vs. Joy

2010 has been a really exciting year for our family. We bought a new house that we adore, we watched many good friends move away and watched our friendships flourish amidst the distance. Tom began a new job, I was able to teach swimming and find time to take some friends Christmas pictures this year. Matthew learned to ride a bike with no training wheels, Drew started swim team and kindergarten, Tyler started martial arts and second grade at a new school.

It was a busy year to be sure.

The one thing I learned very well this year was that you can't waste your time chasing happiness. I realized that I had spent the better part of 18 months thinking that if I just moved or just had different neighbors that I would be happy. Maybe I have spent much of my life thinking this... when I get my drivers license, when I get married, when I have kids, when I get a job, when I get a new car, when we make more money, when I get....

So when people ask me, "Are you happy with your new house?" I reply, "you know, it's not the house so much as it is enjoying what you have at this moment."

If you want to be happy, be. ~Leo Tolstoy

I am thankful for the memories we have in each house we have lived in and I look forward to creating many more with my family wherever we live.
I pray that all of you will be blessed and find joy in 2011. Joy is being happy for no reason, it is happiness that does not come from the external circumstances in our lives.

“When you wish someone joy, you wish them peace,
love, prosperity, happiness... all the good things.” -Maya Angelou

Night Lights

almost forgot...

By the way, I am having a love hate relationship with headers right now...

-M

Baby it's COLD outside!

Well, cold for Texas that is.

We had an awesome Christmas in the new house. No extended family here (bittersweet), just lots of fun family time, food, games and lounging in pajamas. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing day. Nothing was perfect (just look at this tree)



a third of the lights have been out since the second day it was up and neither Tom nor myself were up to the challenge of finding the light bulb needing replacing. sigh.

Matthew slept in way past everyone else (7:30am) much to the disappointment of his brothers who were chomping at the bit to open something!!

I even took a picture of the aftermath... part of it.




Santa spoiled me rotten by bringing in... (drum roll)A NEW TABLE!! Yeah! We can now all sit comfortably around our kitchen table with room to spare. It even has a cozy bench, which the boys have already called dibs on. I LOVE it, thanks Santa.



Santa brought the boys lots of legos, race cars and ds games. Oh and a basketball hoop that is the envy of the neighborhood... now if we can just get it up. Tom needs to dig a hole four feet deep to cement this baby in, so it might be a while.


My parents should be here in a few days which will be awesome. They are driving, a first for them, so I can hardly wait to hear from them about the drive. It's long, 22 hours to be exact. Tom leaves on a hunting trip shortly after their arrival ( no shock a new gun was on his list this year ). Yes we are a gun family... comments welcome.

I hope your Christmas was just as merry as ours. I will be posting some reflections of the past year this week as the New Year approaches (and I might actually have time to blog!) . So many exciting things this past year!

Dog for Drew

I should be doing laundry right now or working on the Christmas card... but I have been wanting to blog about this dog for days and he finally came back.

Drew has been wanting a dog for the better part of two years. Tom and I have always had a good excuse why he couldn't have one like "we don't have a big enough yard," "we can't have an indoor dog," "would you rather spend your money on dog food or..." and now we use, "we don't have a fence." But Drew has been persistent and continues to save every bit of money he gets in his "dog fund."

I think we may have found the best solution to our dog problem. There is a dog who lives in the neighborhood who greets us almost every morning. He waits out back for the boys to come play, gets some love and then leaves. It really is perfect for me. No vet bills, no kenneling, no barking, no dog food, no real attachment... When the boys have had their fill, the dog saunters back to his real home (wherever that is).


So for this busy family right now, this is the perfect dog. We call him Buddy.

friday nights and food

Well, it is Friday night and that usually means doing something with kids. When they were younger, by the time Friday came around I was so ready to hand them over to someone else for a few hours. (I still feel that way on many occasions)

But as my boys get bigger, I really enjoy spending Friday nights with them. They are so fun to talk to. With school and after-school activities all week, I don't often take the time needed to see just how they perceive life right now (which is sometimes comical).

It's the end of the week, laid back, usually movie night and I try to rarely cook on Fridays. What's not to love about a Friday around here?

The other great thing about Friday specifically in this house, has to do with our awesome fire pit outside. There is something about sitting around an outdoor fire that is magical.

We do A LOT of smores here in that awesome fire pit and what is not to love about some carbs, chocolate and a squishy ball of sugar melted to perfection? Mmmmm, I can feel my butt getting bigger by the minute.



Enjoy your weekend!
XOXO M

Just a little Boo-ing

We have had this little tradition in our neighborhoods the last few years. I just love it and the kids think it is awesome. We scour stores for days searching for the perfect items to go into our 'boo basket." Then the boys and myself give reckless abandon to our creative selves while we arrange the perfect little surprise to land on someone's doorstep. This year's theme was finger licking good. We found gummy fingers and hands, a box of boogers, halloween frosting, bags of candy blood and candy corns that looked like finger nails. The bag looked awesome and I wish I would have taken a picture of it but the boys quickly slunk away under the cover of darkness to deliver the goods. The delivering part is of course the best part. Who doesn't love doorbell ditching??!! Did I mention that I really like Halloween? Now if I could just come up with a good costume idea that included my broken arm... any thoughts??

How to get your husband to do more

So besides getting out of housework, breaking your arm is a great way to get your husband to do more around the house! He will probably have to spend more quality time with your kids as well. It is such a win win situation!

I have noticed the past few days just how wonderful Tom really is. It has not been easy to relinquish control of nearly all household chores but it has been necessary. Where I left off is right where Tom picked it up again.

Tom has stayed up late to finish cleaning the kitchen or folding laundry. He has set his alarm to wake up an hour early to make sure the kids get off to school with everything they need. He didn't even complain when I asked him to drive my carpool of four little boys. By himself he attended Tyler's parent teacher conference and today he will read a story to Matthew's preschool class instead of me. He has somehow managed to work while taking children to their after school activities and running errands.

If ever there was a "super-Dad" it is you this week. Thanks Tom for all your help and even for attempting to straighten my hair for me... hair stylist you are not but wonderful you can be.

XOXO

How to get out of housework

This post is for all of you who need a "break" from housework. Yes I found the perfect way to get out of it for a while. Just break your arm! Really it is simple enough to do, you don't even have to try! Here is how I did it;

Monday, I drove Drew to school and then came home to wash my windows. We live in a one story house so how difficult can this be, right? These windows were so disgusting, spider webs were growing all over them from neglect. I actually considered leaving them in that state until Halloween passed, rationalizing that it would fit right in with the decor. But I just couldn't stand it any longer! I would have washed them sooner but I was waiting for the weather to get cooler. So this week we had morning temps in the 60's and I thought it was the perfect week for window washing. Little did I know that it is hazardous to your health!

It started out innocently. Beautiful morning,



Matthew playing by himself


while I began washing my fifth window of the day. Yes I noticed that my ladder was on a small incline but I went ahead with my plan anyway. And then the ladder slid out from under me as I toppled over the back side of the ladder. My left arm, outstretched in a feeble attempt to grab hold of something, landed elbow first onto the last rung of the ladder. You know what it feels like to hit your funny bone... well imagine breaking it... it's not very funny.



I laid down and screamed for Tom until he came to rescue me. He kept me calm and drove me to the hospital. Two hours later I was home with pain meds and this lovely addition to my wardrobe for the next several weeks.



If I don't need surgery, it will become a beautiful pink cast on Friday (in honor of breast cancer month).

So no housework for me! I can't fold laundry, too drugged to carpool, I can't do my hair, dishes, open jars and I struggle to dress myself. But thankfully I am surrounded by loving family and friends who can't wait for me to be back to normal. While I secretly enjoy my "Break" and watching Tom gain a greater appreciation of what I do everyday.

So, what do you do when you need a break?

Blah Blah Blah

It has been a while. I could use the excuse that I am too busy but I have three children and really should be too busy for anything. My real excuse is laziness. I know, you are shocked.

The past few weeks have been kinda hard. Two of my very best girl friends moved away over the summer (I mean away, away one to Belgium and one to Grand Bahama). I miss them terribly mostly because they were both my "spontaneous" friends. You know what I am talking about. A friend that doesn't need a lot of planning just say the word and they are there at a moments notice! Feel like going to the movies? Call your spontaneous friend and they can be ready in minutes. Need a last minute lunch date, shopping partner, pedicure duo, they can usually make it happen. And the Martini/girls nights with your spontaneous friends are always the best. Everyone needs a few friends like that!!

Now don't get me wrong, I have many wonderful and fabulous friends but there is this little empty space now in my heart. Maybe it is just the change in season or just that I need a job. Whatever it is, I have been lonely. And only by my own fault since only we ourselves have control over our attitudes and the emotions we allow ourselves to feel... right? Have you ever felt that you belonged everywhere and nowhere at the same time?

Well, life goes on and I am sure there are plenty of things to keep me busy around here. So put away that pity party hat!

In lighter news, I have successfully done my 5:30 AM workouts all week! And I think if I can stop putting ice cream on the daily menu I might be able to fit into the jeans I bought last year (yes) because I have no money what so ever to buy new ones. Tom and I are doing the Dave Ramsey plan in full swing in the hopes that we can be completely debt free by next year. We could reach that goal much faster is our children would stop eating, needing new clothes, needing new shoes and wasting toilet paper (you are boys, just shake it!)

It's been a long week. I really need a girls night... might have to make it a girls weekend (but somewhere cheap.

Tom gets home today. He's been in Chicago. I realize that he is working on these trips... but it is still a flight to somewhere. He's still eating at a restaurant instead of having the dreaded "leftovers." Oh has it been that long since I was served warm food without having to look over at my boys hanging all over the furniture and hiss

Sit UP we are in a restaurant!

One more thing. To all you beautiful people out there that keep posting pictures on FB of your latest exotic vacation with clear blue water and white sandy beaches, just stop it!! You know who you are.

I will now drown my sorrows in this....





Have a great weekend!! I know I will, football starts tomorrow!!

Annual BBQ cookoff

We live in Texas and BBQ is kind of a big thing here. So this year Tom allowed himself to be roped into actually cooking on a team in the Sterling Ridge annual BBQ cook off. Lets just say it was our first year and we learned A LOT! Yes we will do many things differently next year and maybe I will get more involved. I said maybe, right?

The boys had a great time. They camped out at the event (since apparently you need to start cooking meat for a few thousand people at 3 am) and the boys witnessed all the fireman/ police officer antics. I will not go into further detail here to protect the innocent, let's just say that alcohol was involved and so was pizza.

Our wonderful cooks! Tom and Greg



They were really just there for the beer and food... and beer.
We were the "aloha" cookers and had some decorations to go with the theme




And Tyler was there for the free sno cones... I think he had at least four.

the firemen were so funny. They gave the police officers across the way a little gift... BBQ-ed doughnuts. I heard they were pretty good too.

Stacey and Greg

the Guys

Matthew by at the end of the Day



The best part about the whole event was that it was FREE. Yes all of it, all you could eat BBQ, pony rides, jumpy houses, mechanical bull, cotton candy, snow cones, face painting, all free fun. I love good FREE stuff.

Drew and the Pony rides

and Friends...

Stacey and myself, having a good time



The Fireman ended up winning the cook off. Tom was bitter until he tasted their BBQ and had to admit it was REALLY good.
The boys were exhausted after running around the event pretty much unsupervised all day. They slept great. Tom still smells like a fire pit but it could be worse... right?

For Tyler

Happy Birthday to my sweet Tyler. Thank you for 8 years of bliss and chaos rolled together. I look forward to many more. Thank you for helping me cultivate patience, deepen my love for things unseen and for stirring creativity into everyday.







And I apologize for being unable to find your baby pictures in anything other than hard copies... I know they are on one of these hard drives somewhere.

Lots of love,
Mom

Beach Day

Well, I must admit that we had not been to Galveston since before Matthew was born! So when the boys asked if we could go during our three day weekend (which by the way ALL weekends should be three days, it's so much better than two) we jumped at the chance. Well not really, Tom tried to do everything but get ready. He mowed the lawn, even edged, took an indulgent shower, ate a slow breakfast then looked out the window. The boys and I had the car packed and we were all waiting in the driveway. He had no choice, but sometimes it's like that. You get dragged along somewhere you don't want to go and most of the time you have fun despite.

After the insane two hour drive!! Yes TWO HOURS! the traffic was horrible. Tom threatened to turn around multiple times and even tried to get us to change our plans but we were all determined by that point. Heck I even went into Wal Mart on a Sunday morning to get ice for the cooler! (Excellent people watching on Sunday Mornings by the way, my favorite was the young, overweight mother with a baby in a baby carrier in one hand and lit cigarette in the other.) We finally arrived. Now I know it's not like this in California, but here at least, you seek out the beaches that cost money. Why you may ask, well for $8 I get a parking spot, showers, a groomed beach scape, more family oriented crowd and someone to rent chairs and umbrellas from. And they set up the umbrella and chairs for you... does it get any better? Well yes, it could be Maui with some little cabana boy bringing endless supplies of pineapple and water (but that would have cost way more than $8).

Once we were all settled on the beach, we had a blast! It was the first time I have been to the beach (post children) and I was able to read a book! Thank the Lord!

This is my current book club book and it's not bad so far...

Matthew found a stick to write in the sand.


The boys all loved playing in the water and who wouldn't? I think the water temp was near 90 degrees, it felt great! Matthew learned to dive under the waves and attempted "body surfing."






Drew built lots of sand castles, collected a whole bucketful of shells and chased any bird that dared to land nearby.

Tyler spent most of the day avoiding the lime light, but I caught a few... like this rare moment of peaceful team building?






We finished off the day with dinner at a local restaurant, trying to support the local economy. The boys all slept on the way home and even slept in to 7 the next morning (which is considered sleeping in at this house). I of course did not get a family picture... which is now my goal anytime there is a family event to blog about! Tom of course had a great time too (even brought home a little sunburn to prove it.)

Hope your long weekend was as good as my mango mojito at dinner. Cheers!

No fun to be sick

What a crazy week! Everything was going great until Wednesday and then the first illness of the school year raised its ugly head. Matthew felt horrible and was not afraid to let everyone know about it. His head hurt, his mouth hurt, he was cold, he was hot, he just wanted to snuggle in my arms while the hours passed away. So of course I indulged him and held him like a baby until he fell asleep. It was longest I think I have held him since he was born, that child is a mover and shaker when he is not sick.

Although he seemed to be just fine the next morning, my mommy instinct told me to get that kid to the doctor. Tom laughed at me but still I persisted. Glad I did too! The poor child has tonsillitis, no wonder he felt like poo. After two helping of the amazing pink liquid, he is doing much better and might actually get to enjoy the long weekend.

I am trying not to worry about the other two who just started complaining of sore throats.

All Growns up

Matthew, my third, my baby, my sweet little guy mastered riding a bike without training wheels today. And like his brothers, he required little assistance from Tom or myself. Just a little push and he was off.





Here is to many more successful "take-offs" in your life. Mom, XOXO

So Long...

Well one third of my crew is in school now. The little two start next week. This summer went by so fast! But I am ready to spend some time making this house a home. Right after we moved in, swim lessons started and I just haven't had time to do much (pictures just got hung last month).

Change is in the air, fall is right around the corner and I got this crazy idea to write down some of the things that go through my mind each day. So there is one thing that is bugging me, I just need to get it out there.

I love my husband very much. He is perfect for me in many ways but there is one item we seem to disagree on lately. I realize he is cheap at times, but this is out of control. See if you can guess what I am talking about based on the picture...



notice how well this table goes with the rest of my house



The beautiful hand scraped table top



attention to detail...

This is the first table Tom and I purchased together. We lived in California at the time and our eating area at the time was not suitable for a very large table. Now there is just one small problem. There are only 4 chairs and five of us!!
So, should I just go and buy a new table? How do I get Tom to spend money on a table for at least five people? Tom would rather we eat on the floor than spend money on a new table right now. I am open to discussion... until the new table arrives, please don't feel bad if we don't invite you over for dinner, just know that we don't have any room!







Matthew took this picture of Drew, I thought he did a nice job!