How I Plan to Rock Being a BOYMOM

We can check crib off the list! Thanks mom and dad! :)
And also, this cheetah Coach diaper bag...is. to. die. I'm literally dead over it and want to fill it with diapers and start carrying it around now, THAT'S how fabulous it is.

It hasn't quite been quite a week since we found out we're having a boy. And in this past week I've thought about many things...but these, my friends, were the first five thoughts that crossed my mind last Thursday after I hung up the phone with the doctor's office. I'm just being honest.

"Oh my gosh it's a boy, what if he wants to wrestle in high school. I absolutely hate wrestling."

"I hate all boy clothes. Why does every onesie have something stupid written on it?! 'Mommy's Little Man' 'Daddy's Sports Star' 'Handsome Guy'...JUST NO."

"Boy room themes seem so cheesey...Sports? Unoriginal. Noah's Ark? Dated. Dr. Seuss? Overdone. And blue everything is just not going to work in my house."

"We can't name this child after anyone on Josh's side of the family...male names on that side are...interesting."

"I don't hunt/fish/shoot/camp/4-wheel...and I don't plan to learn. For any reason. Ever. Oh dear."

In just six days I have found ways to remedy all five of these initial fears. And here they are:

1. Josh also hates wrestling. We have agreed to subtly, yet heavily, encourage running, basketball, swimming, soccer...and PRAY TO JESUS OUR CHILD LIKES ANY SPORT BUT WRESTLING.

2. My trip to Target last week...oh wow. Jamie got a very annoyed-pregnant-sister phone call immediately upon my departure from my first boy-shopping excursion. And then...I discovered Baby Gap Outlet and all was right with the world. Bonus: Josh loves everything I've brought home!

3. Why do baby rooms have to have a theme anyway? Neutrals is what this Baby B is getting. This means lots and lots of gray. Our registry is a masterpiece of neutral clothes, gear, bedding, etc. I like gray. Josh tolerates gray and didn't have any better ideas...so, no problems there.

"I need you to help me remember what kid books we need to register for." - Me
"Wild at Heart, baby edition." -Josh

So we compromised (since that book doesn't exist) and this is a print that is going up in B's room...neutral, modern, perfect.

4. Name is chosen! It's been in the works for years, specifically since October of 2009 (there's your hint). I like it. Josh said he likes it as long as I'm sure I like it. So a win there too.

5. This child's father is Josh Boersma and I'll do my part by packing and sending him to Hidden Acres for a week each summer from the ages of 5 to 18. I'm crossing hunting, fishing, shooting, camping, and 4-wheeling off my list of responsibilities.

So in six days I've come to the conclusion that being a girl mom would have just been too easy. God knows I'm up for a challenge, and now I plan to be the cutest, funnest, girliest, most adorable boy mom there ever was. Just because we're having a boy doesn't mean I need to carry a sports backpack for a diaper bag; decorate an all-blue baseball room; and it definitely doesn't mean I need to stop being my glittery-girly-self. Because...don't even joke about a thing like that.

And I like to think I came to that realization in a fairly quickly, rational, unemotional way. Pregnancy hormones, PSH.

I've also decided I need this hoodie. But it's $75 which is a joke. So I'm following them on Facebook and waiting for a drawing or a sale or something. BUT I WANT IT!

Pregnancy Brain is Real

A little behind, but this was 14 weeks and in a dress I plan to wear the living crap out of. ;)

I'd like to share three things that have happened to me in the past three days...all three of which are pretty out of character for me...thus proving (as if my tummy didn't already) we are officially having a baby.

1. The day we found out we were having a boy, I immediately went to Target and bought a nice array of onesies (more on that dreadful shopping trip later). After I paid and was leaving the store with purse, keys, and phone in hand (I was busy texting and walking...Katie Kascel I could actually try and blame you for this), I walked out without my Target sack full of purchases. As soon as I made it back to my parking spot I realized they were missing and ran back inside to get them from my still parked cart. And at one day shy of week 16...so it began...

2. The next day Jamie and I were out running errands. I picked her up from her apartment and was carrying a couple things in my arms so I put my iced coffee on the roof of my car. She said, 'Don't forget your coffee.' I said, 'I won't!' then got in the car, drove up hill about two blocks and said, 'Jamie where's my coffee?!' As she was peeking her head up out of the passenger window, I was slowly and carefully reaching my arm up and out of my window. I (quite gracefully) grabbed my coffee and effortlessly brought it back inside for a drink. This was actually hysterical in real life, We laughed until we cried and I DIDN'T pee my pants...which I've been relentlessly told is coming.

3. Today Josh and I went for a lovely evening walk around Ada Hayden. My goal is to take a nice walk every day of these next 6 months and drag Josh along. So...after one hour of walking the whole trail, we got back to our car and it was locked. Keys inside. Thanks to yours truly. My husband who is wonderful, but not the most patient man was actually fairly calm but visibly annoyed. My phone was locked inside the car so we used Josh's to call numerous friends who didn't answer because they were in small group; were working; were with their families; or were out of town...which left the one person who I DIDN'T want to call, mostly because it's my job to assist her in these situations...not the other way around. Yes, I called Tami Hicks, who drove from the other side of town to come get us and take us to our house to grab our keys. Bless.

In other news, Josh and I agree on a name, a room theme, and how we will dress this child. So basically what I'm telling you is that we could write the book on parenting. And we plan to...so you're welcome.

MmB

Initial Thoughts on Pregnancy

We made a little announcement on Sunday, if you hadn't heard...

So now that I'm officially allowed to have these opinions...I'd like to share.

These are 15 observations that have been festering for the past five years, and now I can  finally write about them. BECAUSE I'M GOING TO BE A MOM TOO.

1. Unless I ask for your advice...please don't give it to me.

2. I am not tough. I never claimed to be, and I really don't care if you think I'm a wimp. I have nothing to prove to any of you moms who run 10 miles everyday during your third trimester or tough it out at work puking in the bathroom. Good for you. Hi, I'm Mollie and I prefer to barf in the comfort of my own home.

3. Regardless of whether we're having a boy or a girl...if I hear one more comment about, 'Oh wow I can't wait to see how you'll handle a boy.' Or, 'Are you nervous about having a boy? You never had any brothers.' Or, 'Hmm...Mollie with a boy, I can't picture that at all.' I'd like to ask...what about any of those comments to a soon-to-be-new-mom seems helpful or encouraging to you?

*crickets*

4. Stop telling us our house is too small. The Duggar's raised 17 children in a house the size of ours (theirs included the basement ), so...I think we will be fine in our house with ONE. I can't believe we live in a world where a 1,500 SF house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms is 'too small.'

5. Kindly stop asking us when we're going to build a farmhouse and move to the acreage. Not that it's anyone's business, but when we bought that acreage last year, we were on a five to seven year plan...and it hasn't even been two years. So unless you'd like to donate $250,000 to our house-building cause...don't speak.

***However, brainstorming about floor plans, design, and décor is encouraged***

6. Saying things like, 'You can never plan or predict babies.' And 'They will turn your schedule upside down whether you like it or not!' And, 'I can't wait to see how you handle kids since you're such a planner,' is not helpful. Why does everyone think I am so unprepared for this? I realize I won't be sleeping through the night; sitting through an entire church service; watching a movie in silence; or finishing tons of projects and crafts in my time at home with a new baby for years...I GET IT OKAY.

Josh complained that he gained four pounds in one weekend...I've gained four pounds during the past 15 weeks of pregnancy. #winning

7. Already asking how many we're planning to have or when we're planning to have our next one is ridiculous. For now...I think two sound about right, but who knows what God has planned for our family. This is such a pointless question to me.

8. Epidurals (yes), doulas (no), midwives (no,) vaccinations (YES), cloth diapers (no), breastfeeding (whatever works), and organic products (literally don't care at all) are all things I don't care to get into a heated discussion with you about. I won't judge your choices for your kiddos if you won't judge mine. kthanks.

9. Unless I hear it from my doctor, I'm not likely to listen to your opinions on what kind of face wash and lotions I'm allowed to use during pregnancy; if I should stop wearing certain underwear; or if I shouldn't drink an ounce of coffee for nine months. I had no idea your Internet research made you a medical professional. In addition to the lovely ladies at Informed Choices who I like to visit for frequent and fun ultrasounds and my 'real' doctor at my monthly appointments...I also have a personal nurse named Kylie and a personal doctor named Winston who I can text with questions and get answers on demand...so. I'm good.

10. I hate reading. And I also hate touchy-feely annoying mothery books. So unless it's the absolute best book you've ever read in your entire life...don't suggest I read it. Because I probably won't. Let me tell you how much reading I've done thus far in this pregnancy...approximately...zero.

11. Upon hearing I didn't experience the usual morning sickness during my first trimester, the typical reaction is, "Oh my gosh I hate you! I was so sick! Every single day! And I puked, like 8 times a day! For all 9 months!" Listen, I'm sorry you were sick when you were pregnant, but I can't help that I wasn't. So...can we not make this all about you? Because I'm the pregnant one here.

12. Baby is due in August. Please do not ask me how we're planning to handle that during lawn care season. Josh has been in lawn care for 15 years now and 7 of those years have included me. I've had PLENTY of time to get used to the idea that he will be gone from March to October. My husband owns a business that provides above and beyond what we need for our family and for that I am grateful. I have a sister who will be living with us when Baby B is born, a mom who is coming to stay for weeks on end, and a mother-in-law who is only a half hour away if I need her. Is it entirely possible baby will be born at midnight and Josh will need to work the next day? Or that baby will arrive at 3 in the afternoon and Josh will be taking phone calls about breakdowns and crews and customers during baby's first few hours of life? Yes. To quote Vern Boersma, in light of eternity...is this a big deal? No.

13. I kind of dreaded the idea of having a baby in the winter, though that's what we had always tentatively planned. After hearing many of you moms complain explain that winter babies are tricky because you can't go anywhere and they're constantly sick...I've fallen in love with the idea of a summer baby. Lemons to lemonade, people.

14. When I talk about being busy with errands and work and our house...please don't look at me and say, 'Oh wow, just wait until you have kids!' Please don't compare our levels of busyness because it's not a contest...when did it become such a badge of honor to be busier than the people around you? Me mentioning errands or BLC tasks or summer in real estate is just conversation...it's what I have going on in my life while I'm having a conversation with a friend...and you piping up to make sure I know that YOU'RE WAY BUSIER BECAUSE YOU'RE A MOM is stupid. So stop.

15. I Mollie Marie Boersma vow to never complain to friends/family/acquaintances/strangers/social media about anything involving this pregnancy or the newborn and toddler and childhood stage thereafter. I AM SO SICK OF MOMS COMPLAINING. I'm seriously just done with it. My personal favorite are Facebook statuses that are a paragraph of complaining followed by a sentence that is something like, "But I wouldn't trade it for the world!" or, "But this is the most rewarding job ever!" Just. Don't.

***People exempt from this: Josh, Jamie, Mom***

Announced my retirement from cheer coaching at Ames High on Sunday, but wanted to prove to everyone that I. Still. Got. IT.

I Painted My Bathroom...148 Days Ago

By this time, most have you have either seen this bathroom makeover in person, on Insta, or on Facebook last fall. It's scary how long it's been since I've posted anything so let's just not talk about it, k?

Josh's bathroom got a makeover last summer with fresh paint, neutral colors, some glitz, and a few new towels...so my bathroom was feeling left out.

Four and a half years ago when my mom and I and my friend Sarah painted this bathroom, I loved the intense, lime green color. In fact, I sort of prided myself on my fearless choice of bold paint colors. Looking back, I was maybe a little too fearless...the lime green, eggplant purple, and deep red  I was so excited about have all been replaced with beautiful, creamy, neutral grays...

For those who don't remember...this is what my bathroom looked like when we moved in:

For whatever reason, I don't have pictures of my lime green and zebra bathroom in all it's glory...but I'll trust if you're spending time reading this, you've probably been to our house and used that bathroom a time or two. Even the lime green was a step up from what this room originally looked like. Geez. Cabinets and vanity were all painted black ASAP!

As I've been going through our house tweaking things....I've discovered that it's not that I absolutely hated the way I decorated and painted everything...it's just that I totally didn't know what my style was. I'd never had a house before and Pinterest and Houzz didn't exist...so how was I supposed to research and plan and create what I wanted each space to look and feel like? I just walked down an aisle at Target and registered for their cookie-cutter towels and curtains and bedding with color schemes, all sitting on the same shelf to be perfectly placed in a matchy-matchy coordinated bedroom or bathroom.

NO MORE OF THAT MALARCHY AT 422 13TH ST.

While I was spending Labor Day painting with my parents and my sister (and also shamelessly using them to accomplish random crafting projects I had been putting off) I was trying to decide what exactly I was going to do with this room once it was painted. All I knew was that I wanted it to be VLAM.

I was able to use the same, mis-tinted paint color I used in Josh's bathroom (meaning it essentially cost me $5/bathroom). Once that was on the walls, I basically had a beautifully blank, neutral canvas I could do anything with.

I thought I was ready to kill the zebra print...but as it turns out...I wasn't ready. I just needed to take a more subtle approach. So off I went. These were my priorities:

1. Glitter
2. Vintage
3. Silver and Gold
4. Zebra
5. Gray
6. Reuse Black/White/Zebra Towels
7. Chalkboard
8. Organized
9. Aqua Accent Color
10. Easy to Clean

I used to decorate our house with all kinds of 'rules'...some rules I still think are great (always decorating in odd numbers) and some I decided...I had no idea why I made them 'rules' in the first place. Why couldn't I mix silver and gold and gray and glitter and vintage and chalkboards and zebra towels all together to create a bathroom I loved? So that's what I did...

 From Top Left:

1. I dug through my basket stash and found this large basket that was perfect for this spot. I picked up six new towels to freshen up my bathroom...the turquoise are DKNY brand from TJ Maxx and the gray and cream colored towels are from the Nate Berkus collection at Target. All the zebra and plain black and white towels in this bathroom were wedding gifts.

2. The 'Boersma' picture was taken last fall after we bought our acreage, before we painted all the floors black. I was kind of in love with those blue floors (and almost kept them that color), but the color in this picture didn't really fit anywhere in our house...until now! I just snatched the frame from another spot in our house and I found the little vintage glass container at my sister-in-laws garage sale...she said I could just have it! I use it for bobby pins, hair ties, and earrings that float around in my bathroom.

3. Those are old milk bottles my G'ma Rose had in her kitchen and I thought they just added a little bit of vintage height to this shelf. I found that little silver frame at TJ Maxx for $3.99 and thought it would add some sparkle.

4. I had those black candle stands in this bathroom when it was green, so I just swapped the lime green pillar candles with some white and cream ones I had on hand.

From Top Left:

1. I have a lot of really great storage in my bathroom, but sometimes it's hard to keep it looking cute and functional at the same time. I found this locker basket at TJ Maxx for $6.99 and it's perfect for keeping the hand towels and wash cloths folded and corralled nicely...and also handy.

2. I searched every single store in the greater Ames area before I settled on this shower curtain. It. Is. Gorgeous. And I think I will keep it forever. I wanted something that was neutral but glamorous...but not too bold. It was tough. I also hung the curtain rod a lot higher and farther in toward the shower to make the bathroom seem bigger. It makes the shower feel smaller, but that doesn't bother me. It's hard to see but I picked up a fresh shower curtain rod from Wal-Mart (the old one was getting dingy and rusty) as well as some new shower hooks that have big diamonds on the ends! The curtain and the hooks both came from TJ Maxx.

3. I'm not usually a person who likes to decorate with 'nik-nacs'...but this little owl...he was too cute and glitzy and cheap to pass up. And I think he fits in perfectly with my mix-mash VLAM theme. He was only $2.99 at TJ! I've been wanting a mirror like this for a while so I can use it to check the back of my hair instead of using my tiny make-up foundation mirror. I believe I found this for $12.99 at Wal-Mart.

 

This might be one of my favorite projects ever. This was a frame that had some saying about shoes printed inside and was headed to the 'Donate' pile when my mom (not the most creative/crafty woman) asked, "Are you sure you can't keep that and turn it into something else? I just really feel like you could do something with that, Mollie."

So I designed this project but delegated it to my mom and Jamie since they were so bent on me keeping it. :) We took it apart and they headed to the garage to spray paint the frame silver with some paint I keep on hand. Then they spent the next few hours applying four layers of chalk paint to the glass. Once everything was dry, I put it back together, found this simple bathroom saying on Pinterest, and hung it up. People get a kick out of this sign. My plan was to change it up during holiday's and when we host parties...but I really like keeping it like this. :)

I'd been keeping my Coach bag to use for something clever and creative and decided the white bag and gold logo would fit perfectly into my "Everything-Mollie-Loves" bathroom. This space is between the top shelf where I keep towels and the bottom shelf with the towel basket and the owl and the mirror.

I went to Hobby Lobby when frames were 50% off and found this one for $8...the only problem was the detailing was RED on the white frame. Lucky for me, I keep Gold Sharpies readily available in our house and made quick work of that problem. Josh hammered a nail into that tricky spot and now I have this fun reminder of our 'Three-Generation Girl Trip' to Chicago from last spring break.

NOT PICTURED:

I forgot to mention my inspiration behind picking aqua as my accent color...I found this book at Urban Outfitters when I was at the MOA with my sisters this summer for the Katy Perry concert. It's the most unique, hilarious book I had ever seen and I wanted it, but didn't know how to tie the aqua and gold into my bathroom...TADA! NO RULES! IT MATCHES PERFECTLY! I also knew I could buy it for cheaper on Amazon, so when I got home and started planning my bathroom re-do...that's what I did! :) It was a big hit at Thanksgiving...Josh's G'ma Junice even wrote on a page!

I didn't just have a hard time finding a shower curtain...deciding on a rug was a challenge too. I wanted it to be neutral, but not plain gray and also not too light because it would get dirty fast. I wanted the rug to coordinate with everything but not be too 'matchy-matchy' with everything.' I ended up picking a smaller square rug that matches one of the towel colors I chose. I try not to get too obsessed with color names because I think that can blind people into picking colors based on how cute they think the name is...but Creamy Chai is the name of my rug and two of my towels and I sort of love it.

Since this little project happened approximately six months ago...I've added a few things, but still tried to keep everything simple. A small vintage tray has been added to the back of the toilet for my perfume. I found a small, square aqua city-scape canvas at Hobby Lobby that I've hung behind the toilet. The colors fit in perfectly. I've also decided I'm going to change out the towel rack for hooks so more people can come visit and have a place to hang their towels. I'm tired of towels on the floor,;hanging on the backs of door knobs; and never getting dry hanging on top of each other on the towel rack. So that's a small Josh-Project that will be happening soon.

One last note...I still have not found fabric for curtains in either of our bathrooms. Since the paint colors are the same, and both bathrooms are already heavy on patterns...I'm hoping to just buy two yards of the same fabric and make it work for valences in both bathrooms...That's a project and a blog for another day though I suppose. :)

So there you have it...my 2015 debut back to the blogging world.

WAR! A composition by Josh Boersma, 6th grade

Earlier this week I opened a package and found the following writing, composed by my husband at the age of 11. I think we can all assume that this must have been for some sort of descriptive English assignment and of course he's the hero at the end.

Josh claims this was a 'published work' and a little bit ago when he caught me typing up this paper (without his approval) he wondered out loud, 'that was published...I can't remember where, but it seems like I should be getting some kick backs for that.'

One grim, cool morning my friends and enemies went to the wooded paintball battlefield. My team started on the north side of the battlefield and cautiously moved in, looking for the enemy. It was easy to hide among the trees and bushes, but not so easy to find the hidden enemy.

By the time we got down the ravine and were at the water,w e heard a whistle. It was an ambush! We all scattered for cover. We were almost completely surrounded. We were pinned down tight. I was pinned down behind an old, dead willow tree, as my fellow comrades were waist deep in muddy, paint-filled water. They were behind a fallen oak tree, falling victim to heavy fire. As I was returning fire, I saw several paint grenades rolling down the hill. I yelled out, "Incoming paint grenades! hit the deck!" We were surrounded by exploding grenades. Paint was flying in every direction. By the look of things, I thought I had lost my whole squad. But through the spray of paintballs I saw my men bravely fighting back. I pulled out my paint grenade launcher and sot several grenades. It seemed to be working until I ran out of ammunition.

Suddenly, the enemy pulled out a gatling gun. I yelled at my men to get down. It didn't look good for us. All I could see was the green spray of paint flying from the nozzle of the gatling gun. As they were shooting at my comrades, I took out my sniper rifle. I yelled at my men to cover me and to give 'em everything they had. As my men were valiantly holding off the enemy, I slowly made my was around the main part of the battle. I crouched into my sniper position and began to pick off the enemy. Suddenly I saw that they had a sniper taking position as well. He was taking aim at one of my men. I unloaded my rifle at him. I took out their sniper, along with two others. I then continued to pick off more of their men. I saw our chance. I radioed back and told my men to charge! We took out every single one of their men.

That was quite a day! Only one out of the seven men had been injured. We had taken out an army of thirty soldiers and chased them back at least a mile. We had captured their go-karts and completely annihilated the rest of the men. In our minds, it was a very bloody battle. But then again, this is only paintball, so no one actually got hurt. All in all, it was a really great day!

Josh Boersma