Cobb Mobb: Inside the Circus: Part Two

Cobb Mobb: Inside the Circus: Part Two: I promised an update and here you have it.  The eleven ring circus.  The sister wives and brother husbands.  Home of the twin cousins.  We&#...

Inside the Circus: Part Two

I promised an update and here you have it.  The eleven ring circus.  The sister wives and brother husbands.  Home of the twin cousins.  We're the house with 4 cars in the driveway and a giant bounce house in the backyard.  Anyone is welcome to stop by but try to avoid trash days for obvious reasons.

We have gotten pretty good at being a blended family.  One mom is in charge of grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking (me) while the other is in charge of laundry organizing, washing, and folding (mandy).  Neither task is easy or enjoyable but much less overwhelming when you only have to head up one of them.   The kitchen and laundry room have good days and bad days.  All children eat everyday and all members of both families have clean clothes everyday.  What more can you ask for? 

Some days it looks like this:

And some days it looks like this:

For the curious, we have groceries down to an every two week art.  Our bi-weekly Costco trips consist of 36 chicken breast, 15 dozen eggs, 7 gallons of milk, 4 loaves of bread, and 2 giant carts full of various snacks and frozen fish.  The dishwasher runs twice a day IF we use paper plates.  The older kids take Mayzie's dairy allergy very seriously and Mayzie does not.  The kid will eat anything in sight weather it's edible or not.  So hide your apple cores, contruction paper, tiny rocks, and chewed gum.  It all goes down the same.

The kids seem to really be pulling their weight around here also.  Even though it's not in the ways we had planned.  For example, Holly has taught Melrose how to read.  No one saw that coming.  They play school everyday and it wasn't until a few weeks ago that we all found out Holly gives her a "pre-test" every Monday and a final test every Friday.  Mel can now read, add, subtract and is currently working on multiplication with her teacher, Miss Cobb.  I have also witnessed Mayzie washing Stella's hair in the bath and Stella feeding Minnie Jo.  Again, not planned but also not shocking.

I have nothing negative to report.  Just tons of funny crap.  I laugh every day when I think about these kids.  As high maintenance as they all tend to be, they are even more funny.  We have nightly dance parties that bring out the actress in Melrose, the teacher in Holly, and the inner puppy in Marlow.  In fact, Beans is often our house pet and she LOVES to be scratched behind the ears.  We are swimming in little girls around here and I'm not going to know what to do with myself when it goes back to me and my only child during the day.  Thankfully we are 2 short weeks from summer vacation where we move our dance party to grandma and grandpa's backyard! 

I believe the only downfall that could come of this is that our kids will miss each other terribly when they are no longer in a 24/7 earshot of each other. 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yYttG6s3fxk

Happy 2nd birthday, Stella!

Today my baby turns 2.  I forgot what a fun age this is.  As her personality comes through more each day, I fall deeper in love with her.  She's the funniest OCD, perfectionist, clean freak, mature little toddler I've ever seen.  She loves to laugh (especially at "Zizi" - that's what she calls Mayzie) but she is not often the one doing the entertaining.  Ironically enough, I am HIGHLY entertained by her quiet lonesome form of play.  She doesn't seem to miss a beat, even though she is a gal of few words.  She likes to tell me to "bucko" (buckle) if I forget to put my seat belt on and is quite a joy to watch eat.  As long as you have PLEN-TY of time to do it.  She don't like to rush. She is so great.

It's been a while since I've blogged about Stella so I feel like there is so much I could say about her.  First of all, she loves her siblings and her cousins an equal amount.  Mandy's kids feel like siblings to mine and I am already nervous for the Mayzie withdrawal Stella will endure we when move.  She doesn't even like to take a nap without her.  They are both talking so much now and their convo's are perfectly hilarious.  Each and every one.  Mayzie is a clown and Stella is her best audience.  Stella is a miniature mother and Mayzie likes to be her baby.  They are peas and carrots.

For the last 2 years, Stella has done nothing but fill our lives with even more joy.  She is so special to us and we are all obsessed with her.   Holly laughs at her all the time and Sammy LIVES to teach her new "tricks."  She pretty much has Gage wrapped around her finger and she is more than I ever prayed for.  In the best way possible. 

She insisted on this buddy shot with her favorite child.  Although I had matching bows for her sleeves, she HATED them on her shirt and wanted them in Elmo's "hair" instead.  What birthday girl wants, birthday girl gets. 
But only today.

Walking through the tall grass was quite a stretch for this girly chic.

The best way to describe Stella's personality is through this series of pictures that were taken for her "cake smash."  I put those words in quotes because that cake was far from smashed.  I don't know why I was surprised....




SOOO excited to see her cake




Until we told her she could put her finger in it




She wasn't a fan of the mess




We convinced her it was okay and told her to pick it up (such a good listener)




After she requested a utensil, we told her to just take bite without a "poon" (spoon)




See Stells?  Mother knows best.  I'ts frosting.  Told ya.




Going in for another




And promptly telling us she was done.  The #2 still perfectly in tact.

 Did that series not properly illustrate my little angel?  Perhaps this next one will...

My genius idea (stolen from Pinterest) of taping balloons to the wall:




She LOVED the balloon wall and didn't try once to take them down.  She appreciated their beauty




Until I sprinkled confetti on the ground and awoken her OCD




She kindly asked me to remove the "parkles" (sparkles)




When I told her it was okay, she was not as easily convinced as she was with the frosting.  At least the frosting tasted good.  There is NOTHING cool about tiny things being stuck to your bare feet.




She was straight up disgusted.  I mean, look at those hands!




And the toes!  Trying so hard not to touch the "parkles."  I was dying.




Way to ruin a fun photo shoot, mom




So I put the Diva on her magic carpet per her request




Oh, Stella.  Be still my heart.



Stella Rose-

Today is your 2nd birthday!  Two years ago you were born on 5/6 and you weighted 5lb 6oz.  Nothing is a coincidence, little one.  God did that.  He knit you together in my womb and planned out your entire life before that day.  He knows how many hairs on your head and has had more thoughts about you than the grains of sand in the whole world.  He knew that your precious personality would bless me personally and that you being a "daddy's girl" had changed your daddy forever.  He knew Holly desperately wanted a sister and that Sammy would take such pride in teaching you new things.  He blessed you with a best friend for life in Mayzie and purposely created you two to compliment each other in all the right ways.  The last 2 years of my life have been some of the greatest ever.  I love watching you grow up and can't wait to find out all that God has in store for your amazing life!  Happiest of all days, Stella girl!

Love, Mommy

The blog life

I've lost steam here at cobbmobb.  Even this post has taken me 4 days to complete.  It's not like I have nothing to write about.  I mean, my life is a traveling circus.  In the last month, we attended roughly 12 baseball games, 22 trips to Nebraska Dance (there and back), 2 dance competitions and 2 performances, and 3 bridal showers.  Holly was "sweet of the week" at school (precious), Sammy got his Middle School placement (he may or may not be taking the same math class in 6th grade that I took in 9th), and Stella is TWO short weeks away from turning TWO. 

You can't call it writers block when your days are one giant race against the clock.  Right?  AND I totally meant for that to rhyme.  Block clock.  Also, when you are not technically a writer.  Gage?  That was for you.

I've thought about updating the blog several times.  I even got a new camera lens that I have used a total of 1 time.  I blame the weather and our schedules.  Since the entire mid-west is skipping spring this year, the snow in April has just been salt in our wounds. 

Speaking of wounds, my bro is back at it.  Remember this post: A Real American Hero?  It's still my most read post to date.  Well, he left again.  Left his wife and 2 kids to fight for our country.  Like any good ninja would.  Pray for him, pretty please.  Along with Betty, Pipsqueak, and Wittle Wyatt.  He's missing my sister's wedding this summer and my cry baby self can only take so much.  My siblings are stronger than me.  They also cry slightly less than me.  Slightly.  Nine out of ten times, my tears can be ignored. 

For example:  If I cry because my son strikes out at bat, it's cool because I also cry when he gets a hit.  They cancel each other out.

However, I'm sad my brother is called to action again even though I'm so proud of him.  Those don't cancel each other out.  Life is filled with emotions right now. 

Since we're on the topic of emotions (and I'm having a hard time focusing), I took a road trip a few weeks ago with my mom and sister to see my grandpa who had a stroke last year.  This is so far, my favorite picture of 2013.

Grandpa Jack, AKA Yackety Jack, face chatting with my brother.  His only grandson that he has been begging to see for months:

Grandpa says he's joining the Reserves WITH Tommy when he gets back.  I had to write that down because I never want to forget him saying that.  It kept me smiling for days.

Even though the weather is telling me otherwise, the calendar says it's spring.  That means Stella's birthday is creeping up and Summer is on deck.  My mind is racing with birthday photo ideas and I'm leaving the iPhone in the truck.  We're pulling the big dog out for this.  I'm fighting the temptation to murder mother nature (who, BTW, can't possibly be a mother) and searching for joy in the very small glimpses of sunshine.



                                         Proof that Spring is not giving up the fight with Winter:

Now, since I am guilty of only taking iPhone photos, let's play a game.  It's called "which one of these people are ready for summer?"

Did the mohawk, flip flops, and swimsuit make it difficult to decide?  It's okay.  It was a trick question.  The answer is ALL THREE! 

I'm going to try to be a better blogger.  I really am.  I'm a sucker for memories and since I'm 7 years behind on my scrapbooks, everything is riding on this blog.  Birthday's and Benefits are next!

Boy on fire

Q:  What's better than meeting the Harlem Globetrotters and 2 baseball victories in one weekend?

                                

A: A spur of the moment baptism.

Sammy commited his heart to the Lord at a young age and his faith is so strong and so real.  He started asking me about baptism a few weeks ago and when we found out that there was going to be scheduled baptisms in church, he definitely wanted to skip his usual Sunday school routine to come watch in the "big church."  (He's called it "big church" since he could talk).  The baptisms were amazing as always and as soon as there was a call for the unplanned baptisms to take place, I could feel him squirming in his seat.  I could tell he wanted to go so I told him I would walk with him if he wanted.  He didn't even respond to me, he just shot up (BAREFOOT!) and scurried down the isle.  He was the only person down there that left their shoes at their seat.  This kid was ready to roll.

I've watched that video a couple hundred times and it chokes me up every time.  I still can't believe that I get to be this kids mom.  I'm amazed at God's faithfulness.  Part of being a grown up means you will have moments of weakness and periods of discouragement.  In those times, I love when God uses our children's pure faith to let us know how much He loves us.  My kids remind me that we are to have faith like a child.  Life is not perfect but God is.  Kids get that.  Adults complicate and justify things.  God is always teaching me through my kids.  His love for us and his desire to walk through life WITH us is simple.  It's not complicated and there's no catch. 

Last night, we went out for my little sister's 21st birthday!  (I know that was a random change of subject but just stick with me).  I pray with my kids every night before bed and we weren't home for bedtime last night.  Therefore, Holly decided to text me her prayer from her Ipod right before she went to bed.

It might be safe to assume that Suri doesn't know Jesus.  She auto corrected his name. 

I'm heading into this week with a little extra encouragement that came straight from JC, through my kids, and into my heart.  It feels good.  So take that, "deval."

Now everyone, please have safe drives today.

Happy Easter!

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter.  Mama just got a brand new lens and will back later with more great pics.  Thanks for the laugh tonight, Holls.

Breaking the Law

It's time to celebrate again!

Tomorrow Gager turns 32. I don't want to steal JC's thunder on Easter, but I do love a double whammy. Celebrating my favorite person the same day we celebrate the greatest miracle of all time?  I'll drink to that. 
One Eastertini coming right up.

Gager, I know promised I wouldn't write a birthday blog.  Well I lied.  Also, you're not fooling anyone because I know you loved it last year.  (That's what she said).

There are just way too many cool things to say about you and I love making you laugh more than anything in the entire world.  You are my toughest audience to crack but one chuckle from you will leave me satisfied till next year.

I want you to know that I love you, but it's not easy being married to a lawyer. Especially one that likes to follow ALL the rules.  It's like 1% cool, 99% annoying.

**Example: I let my licence plates expire every year (sometimes for a month or even two) before renewing them.

I also see zero harm in doing so. If an officer wants to pull me over to shoot the breeze about why I haven't got around to it, bring it. That doesn't scare me. What DOES scare me is when my attorney husband makes me go in front of a judge to apologize.

I'm so glad I gave you a good laugh when I texted you profanity from inside courtroom 28 while sitting behind a man in handcuffs. I do believe I wet myself when I heard "the state of Nebraska vs. Melissa Cobb." I hear ya loud and clear, counselor, and I'll renew them on time next year. But just in case I don't, I'm paying the ticket!!!!!!!

It's impossible to get you to take a normal picture.  I don't know why I try.

I'm glad you keep me on toes and force me to obey the law.  Without you, the glove compartment of my car would put Loyd Christmas' parking ticket stash to shame.  I would also cheat on my taxes.  You're a good man, GRC. 
And I'm a little bit glad that I saved $75 by apologizing to the judge.

You are a top notch husband and father.  Your daughters adore you and your son wants to be you.  Thank you for loving us as much as you do.  It's more than I could have ever imagined possible.  I hope your birthday is filled with memories.  Amazing ones.  Look back on the last 12 years we've been together and know that I love you more and more every day. 

Happy Birthday!

Love, Mis