I was stopped at a red light today, by the high school. Ellie and on were on our way to our doctor's appointment.
I looked over and saw a little gaggle of teenage girls running and laughing, grabbing onto each other. The sun was hitting their shiny hair, they were so...free.
I became a mama when I was 20 years old. Just a few years older than those carefree girls. That's when Em came into my world. Her mom just wasn't up to the task, even though she was still around then.
I forget what that feeling is, freedom, even watching those girls. It's been 9 years of mom time for me.
I love being a mom. It's beyond the beyond of awesomeness. God has given me so much more than I could ever ask for, and more.
But, it's scary, and it's hard.
It's hard going to pick up a two year old from her mom, and she's covered in filth and you're 20 years old and you have no idea what to do.
It's scary when her mom wants her less and less, and you want her more and more, and you don't know what's this all means.
It's hard explaining to a 5 year old why she can't see mommy right now.
It's hard to be a newlywed in your first apartment and trying to help and listen to a 5 year old baby scream and cry and throw up for hours day after day after day because she misses her mom.
It's hard when your little kid is having a hard time at school, because she is destroyed inside, and you don't know what to do.
It's scary not knowing where her birth mother is, and so you have to pick her up from the school office everyday for awhile, just to be safe.
It's scary when you try to get pregnant and you can't, for 3 years.
It's scary when you're finally pregnant and you start to bleed, and your doctor says there's nothing to do but wait, and see. So you wait and see, and cry and pray, and beg and plead.
It's hard when you don't have a nice, smooth pregnancy you can brag to everyone about.
It's scary when you end up having to have a c-section.
It's scary when you find out your pregnant when your baby is a few months old.
It's hard to have babies 13 months apart.
It's scary when you're little one has a lot of ups and downs, left and rights.
It's hard watch your 10 year old baby turn into a pre-teen.
It's hard to watch your 2 year old go from a baby to a boy.
It's hard to watch your little baby girl get older everyday, knowing there are no more babies, no matter how much you wanted one more.
I just wanted to scream to those girls that all their problems, all those things they think make their lives so hard, to embrace them. The boys, the crushes, the first kisses, the pimples right before a dance, the bad grades, the parents who just don't get it, the fighting with friends, the heartache of being a teenager is nothing compared to the heartache of being a mom.
Every moment is their biggest moment, when they are young and running across the street.
One of my biggest moments was sitting in her car seat, singing along to a song she didn't know the words to...because she doesn't know a whole lot of words to begin with.
There is nothing more beautiful in this world to me than my children. They have filled me with more appreciation, wonder, and awe than I have words for. They are the hardest, the scariest, the most tiring, wondrous creatures. They breathe life into me, they anchor me to this world.
Those little girls running, someday they will be mamas, their shiny hair will fade, their carefree smiles will turn into smiles of joy, and pain, and pride. I used to be one of them, now i'm just some lady, staring from a minivan, wishing them all the happiness, (and the hard and scary parts) i've been blessed with, while my baby girl sings me a song.
Yummy Orange Cake
I had some oranges in the fridge, and I thought an orange cake sounded good. I looked around online, but couldn't find anything I wanted to make. Everything called for lots of orange juice, or cake mix, but no orange pieces. I wanted to use some real oranges. So I did an experiment and it came out awesome (according to my husband and 10 year old)!
It's gone.
The whole freaking cake is gone.
I brought 4 pieces over to my parents house, and the rest is history, literally. I put the last few pieces away last night, but it mysteriously disappeared (into my husband's lunch box, I presume). I might have to make another one in a few days!
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, grease your pan of choice. I used a 9x13.
Get a bowl and combine:
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Beat a stick of butter and 1 1/4 cup sugar until fluffy, then add 3 eggs, one at a time. I put in some vanilla, probably a teaspoon.
Get 1 cup of milk
Alternately beat in the flour mixture and the milk, starting and ending with the flour.
I zested two medium size oranges, then peeled them, cleaned most of the white fiber off, and then diced them pretty small. Of course, two oranges didn't make it into the cake because I have kids running around, but a good part of the orange got in.
Just mix the zest and orange to the batter, then transfer it to your cake pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes, or until done.
When it was cooled I made an orange glaze.
I cut an orange in half, and squeezed all the juice out. Then I mixed it with one cup of confectioners sugar, then spread it on the cake.
The cake came out incredibly moist, and it had a nice, but not overpowering orange flavor.
It's gone.
The whole freaking cake is gone.
I brought 4 pieces over to my parents house, and the rest is history, literally. I put the last few pieces away last night, but it mysteriously disappeared (into my husband's lunch box, I presume). I might have to make another one in a few days!
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, grease your pan of choice. I used a 9x13.
Get a bowl and combine:
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Beat a stick of butter and 1 1/4 cup sugar until fluffy, then add 3 eggs, one at a time. I put in some vanilla, probably a teaspoon.
Get 1 cup of milk
Alternately beat in the flour mixture and the milk, starting and ending with the flour.
I zested two medium size oranges, then peeled them, cleaned most of the white fiber off, and then diced them pretty small. Of course, two oranges didn't make it into the cake because I have kids running around, but a good part of the orange got in.
Just mix the zest and orange to the batter, then transfer it to your cake pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes, or until done.
When it was cooled I made an orange glaze.
I cut an orange in half, and squeezed all the juice out. Then I mixed it with one cup of confectioners sugar, then spread it on the cake.
The cake came out incredibly moist, and it had a nice, but not overpowering orange flavor.
Let me know if you try it out!
What Did I Do Today?
What Did I Do Today?
Author - Unknown
Today I left some dishes dirty,
The bed got made around 3:30.
The diapers soaked a little longer,
The odor grew a little stronger.
The crumbs I spilled the day before
Are staring at me from the floor.
The fingerprints there on the wall
Will likely be there still next fall.
The dirty streaks on those windowpanes
Will still be there next time it rains.
Shame on you, you sit and say,
Just what did you do today?
I held a baby till she slept,
I held a toddler while he wept.
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.
What did I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess that's true.
Unless you think that what I've done,
Might be important to someone
With deep green eyes and soft brown hair,
If that is true... I've done my share.
Healthy sites with shitty attitudes!
So, doing some browsing on the 'ol Internet was a bad idea for me...this week...if you ladies catch my drift here...blah...
I read something...then get all riled up, then I think about what got me riled up, then I get pissed off. Then while i'm doing the dishes, I write a scathing response or ten in my head to the person who got me all huffy. Then I realize i'm obsessing about something stupid, so I sit down and write a blog about it.
I like information, not too much, i'm not going to research every little thing my children will come in contact with or eat, but maybe I want a healthy recipe, or information about certain kinds of food...you know? I like finding out ways to make my family healthy and happy. What I do not like is the tone in which said information is provided.
There are too many smug people on the Internet. Smuggly Smuggers being Smug.
Some healthy living advocates can kiss my plump ass.
You know why? Because they arebitches. Not very nice.
I stumbled upon one healthy eating site where a woman ripped anyone who disagreed with her to shreds. Then another site, then another site.
So, I started looking for them, these shitty attitude/healthy living bloggers.
I found them.
What the hell is wrong with you people?
You want people to live healthy like you do? Quit being snobby, close minded, and judgemental. Quit being...smug. It's annoying. You start telling people they are making terrible choices, their hackles go up and you've lost them. People aren't going to want to make a recipe of yours if you just called them stupid, unless they are into that sort of thing, of course.
You know what I think is the problem? They don't actually want to share the information with everyone in an accessible and open way, they just want validation from the people who agree with them. They are Shepard's trying to herd sheep, just like the big food companies they rail against.
You want people to eat healthier, get off your soapbox. Nobody wants to be told they are ignorant for asking questions or disagreeing with you. You want people to eat healthier, answer their questions with a little courtesy and respect. I think it's time for some people to relearn manners.
I find it unfortunate that so many people focus on the negative instead of the positive of learning to eat healthier. People need encouragement, not a unasked for scolding.
Is it wrong for me to want to find information in a nice, calm, cheerful, good 'ol fashioned that's the spirit, let's do this together, encouraging way instead of here's a list of everything you eat everyday that's going to kill your fat ass and maim your children because you are worthless how dare you buy those foods you big moron did I mention how awesome I am compared to you because I am making all the right choices whereas you are too stupid for words... baa for me bitch, baa baa baaaaaaaa way?
Maybe i'm being a little dramatic. It's been a long day.
Baa.
I read something...then get all riled up, then I think about what got me riled up, then I get pissed off. Then while i'm doing the dishes, I write a scathing response or ten in my head to the person who got me all huffy. Then I realize i'm obsessing about something stupid, so I sit down and write a blog about it.
I like information, not too much, i'm not going to research every little thing my children will come in contact with or eat, but maybe I want a healthy recipe, or information about certain kinds of food...you know? I like finding out ways to make my family healthy and happy. What I do not like is the tone in which said information is provided.
There are too many smug people on the Internet. Smuggly Smuggers being Smug.
Some healthy living advocates can kiss my plump ass.
You know why? Because they are
I stumbled upon one healthy eating site where a woman ripped anyone who disagreed with her to shreds. Then another site, then another site.
So, I started looking for them, these shitty attitude/healthy living bloggers.
I found them.
What the hell is wrong with you people?
You want people to live healthy like you do? Quit being snobby, close minded, and judgemental. Quit being...smug. It's annoying. You start telling people they are making terrible choices, their hackles go up and you've lost them. People aren't going to want to make a recipe of yours if you just called them stupid, unless they are into that sort of thing, of course.
You know what I think is the problem? They don't actually want to share the information with everyone in an accessible and open way, they just want validation from the people who agree with them. They are Shepard's trying to herd sheep, just like the big food companies they rail against.
You want people to eat healthier, get off your soapbox. Nobody wants to be told they are ignorant for asking questions or disagreeing with you. You want people to eat healthier, answer their questions with a little courtesy and respect. I think it's time for some people to relearn manners.
I find it unfortunate that so many people focus on the negative instead of the positive of learning to eat healthier. People need encouragement, not a unasked for scolding.
Is it wrong for me to want to find information in a nice, calm, cheerful, good 'ol fashioned that's the spirit, let's do this together, encouraging way instead of here's a list of everything you eat everyday that's going to kill your fat ass and maim your children because you are worthless how dare you buy those foods you big moron did I mention how awesome I am compared to you because I am making all the right choices whereas you are too stupid for words... baa for me bitch, baa baa baaaaaaaa way?
Maybe i'm being a little dramatic. It's been a long day.
Baa.
Don't Be Trashy!
One of my followers said I should do a post on how I lowered the amount of garbage out on the curb every week. Ask and ye shall receive, lovely lady.
Lindsay's Somewhat Helpful Guide
to Reducing the Trash On Your Curb:
1. Buy in bulk.
*We have a membership to BJ's, so we buy a lot of our goods in bulk, like pretzels. The pretzels come in those nice big plastic containers with screw on lids. They last a month, then I find a use for the container, or I recycle it. One houses my flour, which I buy in bulk down in Amish country. Twenty-five pounds of flour for 13.00? Yes please!
2. Homemade is (usually) best.
*Oatmeal is yummy and good for you. A box of chemical fruit oatmeal packets? Not so much. I buy big bags of rolled oats, it takes about 5 minutes to cook, and my kids devour it. Sprinkle a little brown sugar, and ta-da! No packets to throw into the landfills, and the bag of oats last awhile. Prepackaged food is convenient, but challenge yourself to make a few more homemade meals, I have way less waste that way! I make rolls, not buy them, so no packaging waste (until i'm done with the ingredient packages, of course). No time during the week for homemade bread? Make a batch on the weekend. No time on the weekend? You're WAY too busy!
3. Look at the packaging the food is in.
*Find out what your local recycling centers accept, or your curb recycling service accepts, and attempt to shop accordingly.
4. Quit grabbing paper towels.
*I've taken to laying a towel on the counter. Cleans up little spills, wipes the table after lunch, the stove after dinner, and I know to throw it down the laundry shute at the end of the day. No paper waste.
5. Quit buying stuff you don't need.
*Do I love to shop? Oh yeah. Do I shop? Not anymore. I buy groceries. We eat out once a week. If you and your kids have more clothes than closet space, you need to reevaluate what's important in your life. If mass amounts of clothing is important in your life, forget I said anything. I've stepped away from material goods, and it's really made me appreciate what I have. Do I wish I had new things? Of course. Am I going to buy them? Nope. Your life can be as simple or as complicated as you choose.
6. Hit up farms for eggs.
*My sister lives on a farm. 2 bucks for a dozen farm fresh eggs. Guess who gets the container back when i'm done with it? Guess who has two egg cartons on top my fridge waiting for her to come get them? Guess who never throws egg cartons away anymore?
7. Farmers Markets.
*Bring your own bags, get some fresh produce, support your local farms, no packaging. Everyone wins.
Reducing your waste is not easy. You really have to pay attention to what you're buying as well as what you're throwing away. I don't buy plastic water bottles for my home, but if you do, recycle them, etc.
I'm in the learning process right now, so i'm learning along with you. I do know it's Monday, our trash day is Thursday, and our trash bag has tons of room left in it. It's all about effort. Once you start, it becomes a challenge, to see how much you can recycle, or how to see how little you throw away. I encourage you to look into your local recycling options, and challenge yourself to see how little garbage you produce in a week.
*My family of five produced once bag of garbage last week.*
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear about tips and ways you reduce your waste, and I REALLY want to hear how it goes once you challenge yourself.
Free, and me...
On this beautiful Easter morn, while putting on my makeup, I leaned in close to my bathroom mirror and really took a look at my face. Ughh..then I backed up a little bit. Ha ha, just kidding...kind of...
It's weird to see a 29 year old face staring back at me. Got to work a little harder to blend in the 'ol makeup around the eyes. Starting to get little laugh crinkles. That bright, unblemished 18 year old skin is gone. Now it's 29 year old skin, with a dry patch here...and what the heck is that, there??
I finished my makeup, put on my adorable headband made by the lovely Chrissy over at Boerman Ramblings, got the kids out of the bathroom drawers, and went to make breakfast. A big Easter feast of omelette's, potatoes, and toast. My 29 year old hands making my family breakfast. Breaking eggs, slicing potatoes...these hands of mine getting it done.
I tried to explain to my dear 10 year old over breakfast why mommy had to take medicine every morning and every night. She asked what it was for. I contemplated for a moment, do I tell her it's for anxiety or do I make something up? So I tell her the truth, as simply as I can, so she can understand. Then we finish out breakfast.
I feel old today, but not in a bad way.
Maybe it's not old, maybe it's comfortable. I am comfortable being 29, being a mom, being a wife. My role in this world. Why I'm here and all that heavy stuff.
I capture my happiness around the Easter table with my husband, brother and his wife, sister and her husband, and my cousin. I gather my comfort from our loud laughter and funny stories. Spending the day with my beloved family...
After we get home, I have my hands in soapy water, doing up the dishes. The babies are running around, exhausted and cranky. Bobby vacuuming the toy room, Emily putting away the Easter gifts. It's the sounds of my life.
I remember something my ex-best friend said to me a long time ago. When I was younger I would always tell her that I was going to get married, have babies, the white picket fence, the whole shebang. I would have it all. She, who was older than me, would tell me that wasn't how life worked, that it probably wouldn't happen like that.
She was wrong. It did happen. When she said it didn't work like that, she meant it didn't work like that for her. Because I am me, and not her...and her choices were her own.
So here I sit, on my squishy couch, typing out all the reasons why i'm ok with being me. All my little dumplings are cozy in their beds, visions of new play-doh and chocolate bunnies in their heads.
I am 29. I hate doing laundry. I hate bugs so much that when Emily said she saw a slug outside earlier I had to go run and see, just so I could gross myself out. Some days I really wish I had the kind of friend I could call on the phone and chat with. I am nothing special outside of my home, but inside I have my doctorate in applying band-aids, am a fairly poor sewer upper of ripped toys, a therapist, a chef, a fantastic story reader, play doh sculptor extraordinaire, champion fort builder, I am drawer of ferocious dinosaurs, No health food advocate could ever make me feel disgrace for giving my kids a warm from the oven homemade cookie. Because I am...me, and not them, and I can't help it if they make crappy cookies no one wants to eat.
I have a scar on my forehead, c-section scars, and scars from a breast reduction. I wear the ones on my belly with the most pride. Those brought my children to me. No anti-c-sectionist website or comment will ever quell the pride I have from those scars, and anyone who tries, can liken themselves to a bully and go away. Because I am me, and not them, because it was the birth of my children, not theirs.
I am living with anxiety and depression. I take medicine to help control it. I take medicine so I can get out of bed and make my kids mickey mouse pancakes and dance with them in the living room. I take medicine so I can walk around not feeling dread in the pit of my stomach every moment of every day. No anti-medicine-person is ever going to make me feel contrition for wanting to feel like myself again. Because I am me, and not them, and they aren't taking my medicine, I am. Pretty simple, eh?
So, I am celebrating this beautiful day, and am celebrating feeling at home in my skin, at home with my choices, and at home...in my home...they are my home...
I'm 29, and i'm happy...because I am me.
It's weird to see a 29 year old face staring back at me. Got to work a little harder to blend in the 'ol makeup around the eyes. Starting to get little laugh crinkles. That bright, unblemished 18 year old skin is gone. Now it's 29 year old skin, with a dry patch here...and what the heck is that, there??
I finished my makeup, put on my adorable headband made by the lovely Chrissy over at Boerman Ramblings, got the kids out of the bathroom drawers, and went to make breakfast. A big Easter feast of omelette's, potatoes, and toast. My 29 year old hands making my family breakfast. Breaking eggs, slicing potatoes...these hands of mine getting it done.
I tried to explain to my dear 10 year old over breakfast why mommy had to take medicine every morning and every night. She asked what it was for. I contemplated for a moment, do I tell her it's for anxiety or do I make something up? So I tell her the truth, as simply as I can, so she can understand. Then we finish out breakfast.
I feel old today, but not in a bad way.
Maybe it's not old, maybe it's comfortable. I am comfortable being 29, being a mom, being a wife. My role in this world. Why I'm here and all that heavy stuff.
I capture my happiness around the Easter table with my husband, brother and his wife, sister and her husband, and my cousin. I gather my comfort from our loud laughter and funny stories. Spending the day with my beloved family...
After we get home, I have my hands in soapy water, doing up the dishes. The babies are running around, exhausted and cranky. Bobby vacuuming the toy room, Emily putting away the Easter gifts. It's the sounds of my life.
I remember something my ex-best friend said to me a long time ago. When I was younger I would always tell her that I was going to get married, have babies, the white picket fence, the whole shebang. I would have it all. She, who was older than me, would tell me that wasn't how life worked, that it probably wouldn't happen like that.
She was wrong. It did happen. When she said it didn't work like that, she meant it didn't work like that for her. Because I am me, and not her...and her choices were her own.
So here I sit, on my squishy couch, typing out all the reasons why i'm ok with being me. All my little dumplings are cozy in their beds, visions of new play-doh and chocolate bunnies in their heads.
I am 29. I hate doing laundry. I hate bugs so much that when Emily said she saw a slug outside earlier I had to go run and see, just so I could gross myself out. Some days I really wish I had the kind of friend I could call on the phone and chat with. I am nothing special outside of my home, but inside I have my doctorate in applying band-aids, am a fairly poor sewer upper of ripped toys, a therapist, a chef, a fantastic story reader, play doh sculptor extraordinaire, champion fort builder, I am drawer of ferocious dinosaurs, No health food advocate could ever make me feel disgrace for giving my kids a warm from the oven homemade cookie. Because I am...me, and not them, and I can't help it if they make crappy cookies no one wants to eat.
I have a scar on my forehead, c-section scars, and scars from a breast reduction. I wear the ones on my belly with the most pride. Those brought my children to me. No anti-c-sectionist website or comment will ever quell the pride I have from those scars, and anyone who tries, can liken themselves to a bully and go away. Because I am me, and not them, because it was the birth of my children, not theirs.
I am living with anxiety and depression. I take medicine to help control it. I take medicine so I can get out of bed and make my kids mickey mouse pancakes and dance with them in the living room. I take medicine so I can walk around not feeling dread in the pit of my stomach every moment of every day. No anti-medicine-person is ever going to make me feel contrition for wanting to feel like myself again. Because I am me, and not them, and they aren't taking my medicine, I am. Pretty simple, eh?
So, I am celebrating this beautiful day, and am celebrating feeling at home in my skin, at home with my choices, and at home...in my home...they are my home...
I'm 29, and i'm happy...because I am me.
Respect Your Mother!!
In honor of Earth Day i'm going to do a very serious post about recycling and all that important crap.
Actually, i'm not.
It's Friday, and I get to go to Amish Country to pick up supplies tomorrow, and I don't get out much, so i'm a ridiculously good mood. Plus Easter is Sunday and I get to see my whole family....not that I don't see them all the time...but whatever...You know I think everyone should recycle! So go recycle something!
Show this beautiful Earth some love, so our kids and grandkids have somewhere beautiful to live!
GO GREEN and see how much you can accomplish.
I'll leave you with this thought (yay for gettin' all preachy on ya!):
My family of 5 had ONE bag of trash on the curb this week. ONE. Everything else was recycled. Think about it!!
I used to fancy myself an artist...
What's your passion? These days mine is being a wife and mama. But, I had a life before, and in my former life my passion (whether I was good at it, or not) was art.
I found my old portfolio and had to share!
Here's a few examples of work I did when I was a little ol' teenager.
It's been a long time since i've picked up a brush, pencil, or chalk.
My husband and I are cleaning out an area of our basement to make me a studio. I haven't painted in years, and I am really excited to get back into it!
Do you have something you love to do, like painting or drawing? I'd love for you to share your former or current passion with me!
I found my old portfolio and had to share!
Here's a few examples of work I did when I was a little ol' teenager.
It's been a long time since i've picked up a brush, pencil, or chalk.
My husband and I are cleaning out an area of our basement to make me a studio. I haven't painted in years, and I am really excited to get back into it!
Do you have something you love to do, like painting or drawing? I'd love for you to share your former or current passion with me!
Blog Rerun- A little musing for a rainy day.
I've been thinking today, musing perhaps. The people who see the ugly in everything. In everyday life. To them, everything, every person, every action corrupt, aligned against them.
As I have played with my children, fed them lunch, laid them down for their naps, read my book, I have pondered these individuals.
Are they self absorbed? Do they believe every action is an action against them? That every thought, movement, was directed specifically to make them uncomfortable?
Are they unhappy? Is their distaste for this world rooted somewhere in being miserable?
Maybe they are slightly dim, unaware that most people are unaware of them.
*Everyone has a level of self possession:
Why did it rain when I wanted sun?
Why can't I sleep in?
Why do I have to pay this bill?
*Some people take it to another level:
Why are you not like me?
Why do you believe what you believe?
Why do you do these things I do not approve of?
*Then there are those who see no good:
You are asinine to believe what you do, it is wrong.
You are not doing it the way you need to, you will never be right.
This cannot be, I did not say this was OK.
You did this to me specifically, and everything is wrong. I am right.
I have no answer for why they believe what they do, I just wish them Peace, and maybe a little humility.
As I have played with my children, fed them lunch, laid them down for their naps, read my book, I have pondered these individuals.
Are they self absorbed? Do they believe every action is an action against them? That every thought, movement, was directed specifically to make them uncomfortable?
Are they unhappy? Is their distaste for this world rooted somewhere in being miserable?
Maybe they are slightly dim, unaware that most people are unaware of them.
*Everyone has a level of self possession:
Why did it rain when I wanted sun?
Why can't I sleep in?
Why do I have to pay this bill?
*Some people take it to another level:
Why are you not like me?
Why do you believe what you believe?
Why do you do these things I do not approve of?
*Then there are those who see no good:
You are asinine to believe what you do, it is wrong.
You are not doing it the way you need to, you will never be right.
This cannot be, I did not say this was OK.
You did this to me specifically, and everything is wrong. I am right.
I have no answer for why they believe what they do, I just wish them Peace, and maybe a little humility.
If the world existed
But in my invention,
Wouldn't it pay me
More attention?
-Robert Brault
*Tell me, what are your thought's on this subject?
Get your hands off your booty, kid!
I was going to write a blog about teaching my children the importance of tolerance but I put it on the back burner. Then I was going to write a blog about what kind of parent I am, but I lost interest.
All I can think about is driving home from my parents tonight dancing like foolios and singing at the top of our lungs.
All I can think about is sitting at the kitchen table eating ice cream with my family after our raucous car ride.
All I can think about is singing a ridiculous version of One, Two, Buckle My Shoe complete with over-exaggerated hand movements to Noah because he kept belly laughing.
All I can think about is Emily telling me I was a dandelion over homemade soup at dinner, when she meant to say daisy. Mommy's a weed.
All I can think about is that I JUST KILLED A DAMN SPIDER WHO DARED CRAWL ONTO MY COUCH.
All I can think about is the conversation with Noah explaining why we don't scratch our buttcracks, even if they itch.
All I can think about is all the silly, wonderful moments that made up my day. I hope you all had wonderfully funny days, too!
An important message:
Do you talk to your kids about the importance of not digging at their booties? It's a conversation every family needs to have. If you aren't talking to your kids about crack scratching, who is? Maybe it's those dirty crack scratching supporters in back alleys. Talk to your kids about keeping their hands off their asses today, before it's too late.
Thank you, that is all.
All I can think about is driving home from my parents tonight dancing like foolios and singing at the top of our lungs.
All I can think about is sitting at the kitchen table eating ice cream with my family after our raucous car ride.
All I can think about is singing a ridiculous version of One, Two, Buckle My Shoe complete with over-exaggerated hand movements to Noah because he kept belly laughing.
All I can think about is Emily telling me I was a dandelion over homemade soup at dinner, when she meant to say daisy. Mommy's a weed.
All I can think about is that I JUST KILLED A DAMN SPIDER WHO DARED CRAWL ONTO MY COUCH.
All I can think about is the conversation with Noah explaining why we don't scratch our buttcracks, even if they itch.
All I can think about is all the silly, wonderful moments that made up my day. I hope you all had wonderfully funny days, too!
An important message:
Do you talk to your kids about the importance of not digging at their booties? It's a conversation every family needs to have. If you aren't talking to your kids about crack scratching, who is? Maybe it's those dirty crack scratching supporters in back alleys. Talk to your kids about keeping their hands off their asses today, before it's too late.
Thank you, that is all.
A Thankful Heart...and a Sore Back!
When I was preggo with Mr. Noah we lived in a two bedroom townhouse. It wasn't big enough for our new addition, only a small two bedroom. So, Bob and I started looking for a bigger place to rent. We had only been looking for a few weeks when Bob came home from and told me they had drastically cut his hours at work. (My husband retreads semi tires.) Drastic meant they cut three shifts down to one, and most of the guys got laid off. Drastic meant he might not even get 40 hours a week. Drastic meant we couldn't pay our bills.
Get a job, lazy ass, you may say. Ahh, I was pregnant. No big deal, right? Wrong. I am not a good pregnant lady. I am a bleeding, high blood pressure, bedrest, off bedrest, partial bedrest, Sicky McSicker pregnant lady. No workie for me.
We went from looking for a new place, to moving in with my parents in two weeks.
Eventually Bob's work picked back up, enough that we could have moved back out. But, I got pregnant with Ellie when Noah was a whole three months old, and Emily was finally FINALLY making friends at school, and came home with a smile on her face. I couldn't move her. There aren't many places big enough to rent around this particular school that aren't expensive. Believe me, we looked.
When I say I've sacrificed to be a stay at home mom, I mean it. We have lived with my parents for three years for Emily. To see that light in her eyes again, that her birth mother destroyed (for awhile). For Noah and Ellie, so their mama could be home. Being married and living with your parents isn't the most fun thing in the world. There were awesome moments I wouldn't trade for anything, but there have been some...not awesome...moments too, as anyone who's lived with their parents as a young married couple could attest to.
Cue the thankful heart and sore back!
This weekend, my Mom and Dad, (along with my Aunt and my Grandma), moved to a new house. Just a mile down the road! They are letting us buy this house from them. They sacrificed everything so Bob and I have a home to raise our family. I was weighed down with a lot of guilt for awhile, but over time it's grown from guilt to seeing it as it's meant to be, a blessing. So there is my overflowing thankful heart. I can't even tell them thank you to their faces, as I would burst into tears and turn into a blubbering idiot.
So, then comes the sore back. After we spent the day moving and getting everyone settled into their new home, Bob and I came home and lost our minds for a little bit. Nothing says overexcited like scrubbing the carpet in my parents old living room/soon to be toyroom at 9:30 at night. Then waking up and going into a get the toyroom done frenzy. Which we did get done, because we are awesome. We also used stuff we owned, and didn't spend a penny fixing up the room!
Pardon the pajamas, we were bums today!
Get a job, lazy ass, you may say. Ahh, I was pregnant. No big deal, right? Wrong. I am not a good pregnant lady. I am a bleeding, high blood pressure, bedrest, off bedrest, partial bedrest, Sicky McSicker pregnant lady. No workie for me.
We went from looking for a new place, to moving in with my parents in two weeks.
Eventually Bob's work picked back up, enough that we could have moved back out. But, I got pregnant with Ellie when Noah was a whole three months old, and Emily was finally FINALLY making friends at school, and came home with a smile on her face. I couldn't move her. There aren't many places big enough to rent around this particular school that aren't expensive. Believe me, we looked.
When I say I've sacrificed to be a stay at home mom, I mean it. We have lived with my parents for three years for Emily. To see that light in her eyes again, that her birth mother destroyed (for awhile). For Noah and Ellie, so their mama could be home. Being married and living with your parents isn't the most fun thing in the world. There were awesome moments I wouldn't trade for anything, but there have been some...not awesome...moments too, as anyone who's lived with their parents as a young married couple could attest to.
Cue the thankful heart and sore back!
This weekend, my Mom and Dad, (along with my Aunt and my Grandma), moved to a new house. Just a mile down the road! They are letting us buy this house from them. They sacrificed everything so Bob and I have a home to raise our family. I was weighed down with a lot of guilt for awhile, but over time it's grown from guilt to seeing it as it's meant to be, a blessing. So there is my overflowing thankful heart. I can't even tell them thank you to their faces, as I would burst into tears and turn into a blubbering idiot.
So, then comes the sore back. After we spent the day moving and getting everyone settled into their new home, Bob and I came home and lost our minds for a little bit. Nothing says overexcited like scrubbing the carpet in my parents old living room/soon to be toyroom at 9:30 at night. Then waking up and going into a get the toyroom done frenzy. Which we did get done, because we are awesome. We also used stuff we owned, and didn't spend a penny fixing up the room!
Pardon the pajamas, we were bums today!
 |
| Noah "schweeping" |
 |
| A little break in the middle for some doodling |
 |
| All done, the kids wouldn't smile for me, they were too busy! |
 |
| Caught Noah about to sit on his sister and get in trouble. |
 |
| He was ignoring me. |
 |
| Miss Ellie had to have a whole slice of pizza for dinner, not that cut up shit mama put in front of her. |
Bob and I are proud of the new room. My kids may not have fancy flat screen tv's and new furniture, and Mommy may have had to put a rug in the middle of a carpeted room to cover a certain Nyquil stain, but we have a pretty awesome toy room if I do say so myself! Now I have to dig up a lamp and an endtable from the depths of the house, because there is no light in the room! We stuck a lamp on top of the play kitchen tonight. Not going to work for long!
So, I am about to go to bed...tired, a little sore, a list of things to do running through my head. But, I am happy, I am thankful, and I love family and my parents.
Here's to new beginnings!
A Whole Lot Of Nothing.
I've been sitting here trying to think of something to write. I got nothing, totally blank, so here's some random thoughts.
Does anyone else think those Marshall's commercials are idiotic?
I'm sitting here watching Bones. I love me some Bones.
At 5 a.m. my son threw up. I caught it. That moment pretty much defined the rest of my day.
We watched Shrek 2 four times today. Don't be jealous.
Women who blog about how "hard" it is to be around other women who parent differently than them and how "hard" it is to keep their opinions to themselves make me laugh. Seriously? You're that immature and unsure of yourself? Shut your yappers, you big babies. Diversity makes the world go 'round!
Did I mention i'm grumpy?
I have a friend on Facebook, who has a friend who doesn't use vowels or punctuation when she comments on said friends statuses. I don't care what i'm doing, or if i'm in a hurry, when I see one of her almost unintelligible comments I have to stop and try to make it out. I don't care what it says, I'm just fascinated by the horribleness. Wndr f sh tlks lk ths n rl lfe?
I literally cannot text on any ones phone if they have that T9 turned on. I turn into a total dipwad. I try to type out "mom says to call her" and "Lindsay is a giant moron" comes out instead.
I am excited beyond what the amount I should be excited that I have 29 people "following" me. It's kind of silly I am excited for my 29 when I look at some people's blogs and they have 5000 followers. I am a dweeb, but i'm a proud dweeb!
Here's one of my favorite pics ever of Noah and my sisters dog. It's hilarious!
Does anyone else think those Marshall's commercials are idiotic?
I'm sitting here watching Bones. I love me some Bones.
At 5 a.m. my son threw up. I caught it. That moment pretty much defined the rest of my day.
We watched Shrek 2 four times today. Don't be jealous.
Women who blog about how "hard" it is to be around other women who parent differently than them and how "hard" it is to keep their opinions to themselves make me laugh. Seriously? You're that immature and unsure of yourself? Shut your yappers, you big babies. Diversity makes the world go 'round!
Did I mention i'm grumpy?
I have a friend on Facebook, who has a friend who doesn't use vowels or punctuation when she comments on said friends statuses. I don't care what i'm doing, or if i'm in a hurry, when I see one of her almost unintelligible comments I have to stop and try to make it out. I don't care what it says, I'm just fascinated by the horribleness. Wndr f sh tlks lk ths n rl lfe?
I literally cannot text on any ones phone if they have that T9 turned on. I turn into a total dipwad. I try to type out "mom says to call her" and "Lindsay is a giant moron" comes out instead.
I am excited beyond what the amount I should be excited that I have 29 people "following" me. It's kind of silly I am excited for my 29 when I look at some people's blogs and they have 5000 followers. I am a dweeb, but i'm a proud dweeb!
Here's one of my favorite pics ever of Noah and my sisters dog. It's hilarious!
The Versatile Blogger Award!
Imagine my surprise this morning when I discovered two awesome bloggers awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award!
Thank you soooo much!
To formally accept this award you are asked to do a few things:
First thank and link to the blogger who gave you the award:
* Thank you to Kathy from My Dishwasher's possessed. She has a fantastic blog, I always look forward to her Sunday posts.
*And Thank you to Alison from Mama Wants This! She has a great blog, go check both these awesome ladies out and show them some love!!
Share 7 things about yourself:
1. I have a cat named Chloe Louise. He's a boy and he's neutered. I call him Chloe de Ballsac so he feels more manly.
2. I adore the first three Die Hard movies, The Usual Suspects...I like dude movies.
3. I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a lot for lunch, I feel like a grade schooler.
4. The inside of my minivan looks like a warzone...oh the shame...
5. I love watching River Monsters, the new season started on Sunday and I was super excited!
6. I am allergic to beer. Well, to something in beer. Figured that one out the hard way.
7. I swear like a truck driver. I'm working on it.
Share this Award with 15 other bloggers. I'm being Versatile and awarding 5.
* Amanda from Blinded By The Light
* Chrissy from Boerman Ramblings
* Megan from Our House of Pink
* ThaiHoa from Tootie Foodie
* Cynthia from Mommied Life by Cynthia: My Life as Mom
Thanks again. I love that you guys chose me!
I had to throw this picture on here. It doesn't have anything to do with this post, but I think it's hilarious. My little peanut is silly! She was showin' off her outfit, she likes dressing up!
Thank you soooo much!
To formally accept this award you are asked to do a few things:
First thank and link to the blogger who gave you the award:
* Thank you to Kathy from My Dishwasher's possessed. She has a fantastic blog, I always look forward to her Sunday posts.
*And Thank you to Alison from Mama Wants This! She has a great blog, go check both these awesome ladies out and show them some love!!
Share 7 things about yourself:
1. I have a cat named Chloe Louise. He's a boy and he's neutered. I call him Chloe de Ballsac so he feels more manly.
2. I adore the first three Die Hard movies, The Usual Suspects...I like dude movies.
3. I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a lot for lunch, I feel like a grade schooler.
4. The inside of my minivan looks like a warzone...oh the shame...
5. I love watching River Monsters, the new season started on Sunday and I was super excited!
6. I am allergic to beer. Well, to something in beer. Figured that one out the hard way.
7. I swear like a truck driver. I'm working on it.
Share this Award with 15 other bloggers. I'm being Versatile and awarding 5.
* Amanda from Blinded By The Light
* Chrissy from Boerman Ramblings
* Megan from Our House of Pink
* ThaiHoa from Tootie Foodie
* Cynthia from Mommied Life by Cynthia: My Life as Mom
Thanks again. I love that you guys chose me!
I had to throw this picture on here. It doesn't have anything to do with this post, but I think it's hilarious. My little peanut is silly! She was showin' off her outfit, she likes dressing up!
Cheesy Meatloaf Awesomeness
Soooo, I took some hamburger out for dinner yesterday, then couldn't decide whether to make a meatloaf or burgers or whatever. I found a recipe for cheeseburger meatloaf. Lightbulb!!
Now, because I hardly ever follow directions...shocked i'm sure...I read them over and then decided I would create my own version. Thus, Cheesy Meatloaf Awesomeness was born.
Here's how to do it:
Get a big 'ol bowl.
Dump into it:
*oatmeal
*salt
*garlic pepper
*dried green and red bell peppers (if you have them)
*diced up onion
How much? However much you feel like.
Squish your beef into it. I find this part disgusting, I hate raw meat. I do it anyway because..well..who the hell else is going to do it?
In the recipe I read, they got all fancy with wax paper and rolling up the meatloaf with the cheese inside. I don't have time for all that jazz.
Slap half the meat into your meatloaf baking device of choice. Make a little well down the middle.
Time for cheese! I used some shredded cheddar and a few slices of white american.
Once it's sufficiently cheesed, give it a meat hat with the other half. Crimp it all together so the cheese can't escape.
I squirted some BBQ sauce on the top. You could use ketchup, or whatever you feel like.
Cover it with foil. (I took the foil off towards the end so the meat went from that icky color to nice and brown.)
I cooked it at 375 degrees for like an hour or so.
About halfway through I made my husband come in and dump some of the grease out of the pan. It was his contribution to preparing dinner.
To be honest I didn't pay attention how long it took. I've developed that mom-o-meter that can somehow get all the food done at the same time, know what i'm talking about? It's like a superpower.
I didn't take any pictures, so you'll have to use some imagination. But, it was really good. Really, really good.
*I received TWO versatile blogger awards, what an great surprise to wake up to! Thank you soooo much ladies, now I know what i'll be posting tomorrow!
Now, because I hardly ever follow directions...shocked i'm sure...I read them over and then decided I would create my own version. Thus, Cheesy Meatloaf Awesomeness was born.
Here's how to do it:
Get a big 'ol bowl.
Dump into it:
*oatmeal
*salt
*garlic pepper
*dried green and red bell peppers (if you have them)
*diced up onion
How much? However much you feel like.
Squish your beef into it. I find this part disgusting, I hate raw meat. I do it anyway because..well..who the hell else is going to do it?
In the recipe I read, they got all fancy with wax paper and rolling up the meatloaf with the cheese inside. I don't have time for all that jazz.
Slap half the meat into your meatloaf baking device of choice. Make a little well down the middle.
Time for cheese! I used some shredded cheddar and a few slices of white american.
Once it's sufficiently cheesed, give it a meat hat with the other half. Crimp it all together so the cheese can't escape.
I squirted some BBQ sauce on the top. You could use ketchup, or whatever you feel like.
Cover it with foil. (I took the foil off towards the end so the meat went from that icky color to nice and brown.)
I cooked it at 375 degrees for like an hour or so.
About halfway through I made my husband come in and dump some of the grease out of the pan. It was his contribution to preparing dinner.
To be honest I didn't pay attention how long it took. I've developed that mom-o-meter that can somehow get all the food done at the same time, know what i'm talking about? It's like a superpower.
I didn't take any pictures, so you'll have to use some imagination. But, it was really good. Really, really good.
*I received TWO versatile blogger awards, what an great surprise to wake up to! Thank you soooo much ladies, now I know what i'll be posting tomorrow!
Birth Wars.
How did you give birth? Was it epiduraled (is that a word?), on your back, regular hospital style? Was it a c-section, or maybe a home birth? Does it freaking matter?
To a lot of women out there, the answer is oh hell yeah it matters. How people are bringing their children into this world is becoming quite the debate. Women who have hospital births get vilified by the natural women out there and vice versa. Lets not even bring c-sections into it, thems come straight from the devil!
There are so many birth stories out there.
*I did mine on a hospital bed
*I did mine in an inflatable pool
*I did mine in the back of a car
*I did mine standing up with two nurses and a midwife
*I did mine in a bathroom
*I did mine on my knees
*I did mine on an operating table
*I did mine in an ambulance
*I did mine in the hallway of the hospital (that would be my mom with my sister)
*I did mine in my living room
*I did mine at Target
Cool. I did mine twice on operating tables. I'm still a mom aren't I? Or do I not get my mom badge until I squeeze a baby out of my birth canal? Does someone get extra points for having a drug free birth? How about an epidural?
The funny thing to me, is no matter how you and I birth our children the damn outcome is still the same. Two years later you and I both have screaming toddlers throwing toilet paper down the stairs. Sleepness nights, snotty shirts, big gummy baby grins. We have crayon on our walls and we can't remember if we brushed our teeth. The first time we hear our kids say I love you, the first lip puckers instead of open mouth baby kisses...WE ARE ALL MOTHERS! What's all the fighting about?
It's not the various opinions on the "right way" to give birth that irritate the shit out of me, it's the boring, never ending fight about it. People devote whole blogs about why women shouldn't get c-sections, or have hospital births, etc! Seriously? THAT'S your hobby?
No one wants to hear someone tell them the way they gave birth was wrong. People who constantly criticise others are trying to convince themselves of something. The whole, "thou doth protest to much" comes into play.
You know what? Lets start a NEW debate. Let's debate over who had the best HOW I GOT KNOCKED UP experience. How about that topic of conversation? How about whole blogs devoted to those stories, eh? How's my birthing list sound now? Now it's just dirty...and awesome!
*I did mine on a hospital bed
*I did mine in an inflatable pool
*I did mine in the back of a car
*I did mine standing up with two nurses and a midwife
*I did mine in a bathroom
*I did mine on my knees
*I did mine on an operating table
*I did mine in an ambulance
*I did mine in the hallway of the hospital
*I did mine in my living room
*I did mine at Target
Does anyone else see the ridiculousness of these "birth wars" here? Or....Does anyone have an overly awesome 'How I got knocked up' story? Ha!
To a lot of women out there, the answer is oh hell yeah it matters. How people are bringing their children into this world is becoming quite the debate. Women who have hospital births get vilified by the natural women out there and vice versa. Lets not even bring c-sections into it, thems come straight from the devil!
There are so many birth stories out there.
*I did mine on a hospital bed
*I did mine in an inflatable pool
*I did mine in the back of a car
*I did mine standing up with two nurses and a midwife
*I did mine in a bathroom
*I did mine on my knees
*I did mine on an operating table
*I did mine in an ambulance
*I did mine in the hallway of the hospital (that would be my mom with my sister)
*I did mine in my living room
*I did mine at Target
Cool. I did mine twice on operating tables. I'm still a mom aren't I? Or do I not get my mom badge until I squeeze a baby out of my birth canal? Does someone get extra points for having a drug free birth? How about an epidural?
The funny thing to me, is no matter how you and I birth our children the damn outcome is still the same. Two years later you and I both have screaming toddlers throwing toilet paper down the stairs. Sleepness nights, snotty shirts, big gummy baby grins. We have crayon on our walls and we can't remember if we brushed our teeth. The first time we hear our kids say I love you, the first lip puckers instead of open mouth baby kisses...WE ARE ALL MOTHERS! What's all the fighting about?
It's not the various opinions on the "right way" to give birth that irritate the shit out of me, it's the boring, never ending fight about it. People devote whole blogs about why women shouldn't get c-sections, or have hospital births, etc! Seriously? THAT'S your hobby?
No one wants to hear someone tell them the way they gave birth was wrong. People who constantly criticise others are trying to convince themselves of something. The whole, "thou doth protest to much" comes into play.
You know what? Lets start a NEW debate. Let's debate over who had the best HOW I GOT KNOCKED UP experience. How about that topic of conversation? How about whole blogs devoted to those stories, eh? How's my birthing list sound now? Now it's just dirty...and awesome!
*I did mine on a hospital bed
*I did mine in an inflatable pool
*I did mine in the back of a car
*I did mine standing up with two nurses and a midwife
*I did mine in a bathroom
*I did mine on my knees
*I did mine on an operating table
*I did mine in an ambulance
*I did mine in the hallway of the hospital
*I did mine in my living room
*I did mine at Target
Does anyone else see the ridiculousness of these "birth wars" here? Or....Does anyone have an overly awesome 'How I got knocked up' story? Ha!
Making Memories
I love days that just fall into place, that put glimmers of sunshine in every ones eyes. I love the days full of silly faces and big smiles. I love playing outside all day with my kids, watching them discover their world in our little piece of paradise. A paradise that needs alot of cleanup after winter, but our slice of heaven, nonetheless. There is something therapeutic to me to be outside with my rake and wheelbarrow, making a dent in the weeds sprouting up while the kids run around. Brings some calm into my world. I'm ready for more lovely Spring weekends like this one!
Pics from Em's play and my niece Rylee's father daughter dance and the rest of the weekend. Em made me so proud, she did an amazing job. Grandpa accompanied Rylee to her dance because her daddy had to work! A great weekend making memories with my family!
Pics from Em's play and my niece Rylee's father daughter dance and the rest of the weekend. Em made me so proud, she did an amazing job. Grandpa accompanied Rylee to her dance because her daddy had to work! A great weekend making memories with my family!
Did you have a great memory making weekend with your family?
Recycle that trash!
I read up on what is recyclable and found that there are all kinds of helpful websites out there. As an added bonus, my brother-in-law works as a diesel mechanic at a large waste collection company, so I gather up all our recycling for a few weeks and he drops it off before work. I know not everyone is that lucky, but what's a few minutes out of your day every week or so? Plus, most garbage companies offer curb pickup these days.
We also received a local recycling information brochure, which was a welcome surprise. After I gained some knowledge, it was time to get down to business.
* I have a box on top of our refrigerator for used batteries. There are a few places around my town that will take the old batteries for about 20 cents a pound. So, I bring a few pounds of batteries, it costs me a couple dollars, and my little box of batteries are off to be used in producing new batteries!
* My daughter's school, and many other schools in our local town, have paper collection bins. I get paper bags from the grocery store if they offer them, then use those paper bags to collect newspaper, junk mail, old magazines, and other bits and pieces that end up piling up. Then, I just toss them in the bin after I have a few bags. Simple as can be!
* Most grocery stores have bins for old plastic bags. Drop them off when you go into shop. Doesn't take but a minute.
* I buy garbage bags made from recycled plastic, they only cost a few cents more than regular ones.
* Donate those old items you don't want. You're getting rid of them anyway, why throw them into a landfill?
* Don't forget about your paper towel and toilet paper tubes! They can go in with your cardboard recycling. Think about how many of those you throw away!
* After a party, I usually end up digging through our trash to get the plastic party cups. Recyclable!
Shampoo bottles, body wash bottles, yogurt cups, ketchup bottles, cans, ...glass...etc..
I think that healthy living and recycling go hand in hand, don't you?
I am learning as I go, but I am proud of my progress so far.
I want to show my children that not only do we respect our bodies, but we respect nature. We are a part of this earth. Like I said before, by being wasteful, throwing away things that can be recycled, what are we teaching our children?
All the cool kids are doing it...
Check out some of my favorite blogs!
Today I thought I would share with you a few of my favorite blogs. Go check them out, I know you'll enjoy them as much as I do!
They are in no order here. : )
Chrissy over at Boerman Ramblings.
Not only does she have an awesome blog, she makes the most amazing pieces. I covet her Etsy shop. I am the proud owner of one of her headbands! Do yourself a favor and head over there now!
* We have Megan over at Our House of Pink . Beautiful pictures, and a great mommy blog. I enjoy all her posts!
* ThaiHoa over at Tootie Foodie. She posts some awesome recipes, and is also a great mommy blogger. Go check her out!
* Kathy's blog is My Dishwasher's Possessed. She posts every Sunday, and I always look forward to reading her blog!
* Go check out Jill's blog Blessings of a Stay At Home Mom. She's one of the first blogs I started following and she has a great family oriented blog.
* Brea over at Becoming Brea has another great blog. She always has great posts! Head on over there!
I think i've used awesome, and great a whole lot in this post.
I hope everyone checks these awesome blogs out, and enjoy them as much as I do!
They are in no order here. : )
Chrissy over at Boerman Ramblings.
Not only does she have an awesome blog, she makes the most amazing pieces. I covet her Etsy shop. I am the proud owner of one of her headbands! Do yourself a favor and head over there now!
* We have Megan over at Our House of Pink . Beautiful pictures, and a great mommy blog. I enjoy all her posts!
* ThaiHoa over at Tootie Foodie. She posts some awesome recipes, and is also a great mommy blogger. Go check her out!
* Kathy's blog is My Dishwasher's Possessed. She posts every Sunday, and I always look forward to reading her blog!
* Go check out Jill's blog Blessings of a Stay At Home Mom. She's one of the first blogs I started following and she has a great family oriented blog.
* Brea over at Becoming Brea has another great blog. She always has great posts! Head on over there!
I think i've used awesome, and great a whole lot in this post.
I hope everyone checks these awesome blogs out, and enjoy them as much as I do!
Dear Girl That Lives Next Door...
Hi, girl that lives next door that I haven't met. You are living in my grandparents house with your parents, and that irritates me. That's not your fault, though. That's a whole other family issue that i'm not going to get into. Anyway...
So, girl next door, you are a little..thick...
I'm not judging your thickness, as I too, am quite squishy. The problem, strange girl, is your choice of clothing. As I sat today, enjoying my afternoon free time, I looked out the window, and there you were giving your car interior a little scrub a dub. You had jeans on...and a thong...and a hoodie. Now, my concern here is that you might have put on someone else's clothing by accident. Or maybe someone stole all of your clothing and you had to borrow a friends? There is no way you could actually want that muffin top, is there? Watching you bent over your car was almost...horrifying. Now, like I said before, I too have "fluffy body" issues, that is why I lay off the thongs. Yours looked stretched to the limit, darlin. Then there's the damn hoodie. What in the world are you thinking? You looked like a damn can of biscuits popped open!
Ok, ok, i'm not being nice, I know. There I sat in my old Tinkerbell pajama bottoms and one of my husbands t-shirts. All I could think was, I may look like I broke out of a mental ward, but at least all my bits and pieces are covered up. Some may say, "Hey! Let the girl be proud of all her fluffy bits hanging over her too tight pants! Who are you to judge? If someone wants to strangle their pikachu with too tight underwear, that's their business!" And you're right....
She still looked ridiculous, though.
You know what the worst part is? No one was there to share in my gawking. I couldn't nudge my husband and say, "don't you wish I dressed like that?" or "I think she quit buying clothes 50 pounds ago..."
Why does all the good shit happen when you're alone??
So, girl next door, you are a little..thick...
I'm not judging your thickness, as I too, am quite squishy. The problem, strange girl, is your choice of clothing. As I sat today, enjoying my afternoon free time, I looked out the window, and there you were giving your car interior a little scrub a dub. You had jeans on...and a thong...and a hoodie. Now, my concern here is that you might have put on someone else's clothing by accident. Or maybe someone stole all of your clothing and you had to borrow a friends? There is no way you could actually want that muffin top, is there? Watching you bent over your car was almost...horrifying. Now, like I said before, I too have "fluffy body" issues, that is why I lay off the thongs. Yours looked stretched to the limit, darlin. Then there's the damn hoodie. What in the world are you thinking? You looked like a damn can of biscuits popped open!
Ok, ok, i'm not being nice, I know. There I sat in my old Tinkerbell pajama bottoms and one of my husbands t-shirts. All I could think was, I may look like I broke out of a mental ward, but at least all my bits and pieces are covered up. Some may say, "Hey! Let the girl be proud of all her fluffy bits hanging over her too tight pants! Who are you to judge? If someone wants to strangle their pikachu with too tight underwear, that's their business!" And you're right....
She still looked ridiculous, though.
You know what the worst part is? No one was there to share in my gawking. I couldn't nudge my husband and say, "don't you wish I dressed like that?" or "I think she quit buying clothes 50 pounds ago..."
Why does all the good shit happen when you're alone??
Today's a good day.
Pretty boring post today...
I think i'm in the Twilight Zone!
Today has been a damn good day for me. I slept pretty good last night, I was feeling energetic when I awoke this morning. I've been soft spoken and patient with Mr. Noah. I got a few things organized, which is unheard of with the babies running around. I love when everything just kind of falls into place. Kind of makes me feel hopeful for the rest of the day.
Last night I told myself I was going to have to try to change Noah's behavior,before I pull my hair out if at all possible. I am going to be as consistent as possible, and hopefully I can get him to not be quite as....unruly...as he normally is. If I could just get him to stay out of stuff. I'm hoping some warmer weather will come to stay so I can get him outside to run off some of his endless energy.
I know i'm having a good day when I remember I actually have a cup of coffee, and only a little gets spilled. Noah's only sat on his sister three times, and no one has poopied yet...maybe they'll cut me a break today and wait until Daddy gets home!
I need more days like this!
I think i'm in the Twilight Zone!
Today has been a damn good day for me. I slept pretty good last night, I was feeling energetic when I awoke this morning. I've been soft spoken and patient with Mr. Noah. I got a few things organized, which is unheard of with the babies running around. I love when everything just kind of falls into place. Kind of makes me feel hopeful for the rest of the day.
Last night I told myself I was going to have to try to change Noah's behavior,
I know i'm having a good day when I remember I actually have a cup of coffee, and only a little gets spilled. Noah's only sat on his sister three times, and no one has poopied yet...maybe they'll cut me a break today and wait until Daddy gets home!
I need more days like this!
I've decided that the stuff falling through the cracks is confetti and I'm having a party!
-Betsy Cañas Garmon
You know how I know I'm a mom?
* There's a roll of toilet paper unravling down the basement steps.
* There's an old computer keyboard the kids play with outside in the grass. Why? Because Noah dumped my forgetten coffee on it. It's raining, nature's doin her thang on it for me.
* After lunch the kitchen floor sounds crunchy when you walk across it.
* I've said, No you can't have a sucker 47,000 times today.
* I keep singing There was a pig, and he was big, he liked to dig, and wear a wig, he did a jig, and ate a fig, he was a big, BIG PIGGGGG. It's stuck in my head...forever...and ever... Play THIS for your babes, mine love it.
I love so many little things. I love the way Ellies lips pucker, and she gets a funny look on her face when she's tasting something new.
I love the way Noah cuddles into me first thing in the morning. Nose to nose, those giant blue eyes staring at me like i'm something special.
I love that I opened Emily's school folder and THE PAPER is in there. You know, that special little piece of paper that says it's time for "the talk" at school. Ahhh, remember that day at school?....shudder...I'm looking forward to the glazed look of horror when she comes home after she's been schooled on how babies are made. She's totally going to get that EWWWWW feeling when she realizes that's how her brother and sister came to be. Poor kid doesn't know whats about to hit her.
Ahhhh, Mondays....
* There's an old computer keyboard the kids play with outside in the grass. Why? Because Noah dumped my forgetten coffee on it. It's raining, nature's doin her thang on it for me.
* After lunch the kitchen floor sounds crunchy when you walk across it.
* I've said, No you can't have a sucker 47,000 times today.
* I keep singing There was a pig, and he was big, he liked to dig, and wear a wig, he did a jig, and ate a fig, he was a big, BIG PIGGGGG. It's stuck in my head...forever...and ever... Play THIS for your babes, mine love it.
I love so many little things. I love the way Ellies lips pucker, and she gets a funny look on her face when she's tasting something new.
I love the way Noah cuddles into me first thing in the morning. Nose to nose, those giant blue eyes staring at me like i'm something special.
I love that I opened Emily's school folder and THE PAPER is in there. You know, that special little piece of paper that says it's time for "the talk" at school. Ahhh, remember that day at school?....shudder...I'm looking forward to the glazed look of horror when she comes home after she's been schooled on how babies are made. She's totally going to get that EWWWWW feeling when she realizes that's how her brother and sister came to be. Poor kid doesn't know whats about to hit her.
Ahhhh, Mondays....
What I Am...What I'm Not.
Anger has a funny way of making you remember past transgressions. This morning I was pissed off and it was like someone took a needle and poked a balloon, and POP a memory surfaced. Someone I won't name told me once no boy would ever want to date me because I had big thighs. Remembering that made me even more angry, because who the hell says that to a teenager? Outside of a Dollar General, in the car, actually. Funny how some things you can still piss you off, no matter how long its been.
Good news, they were wrong!
It made me think, though. How things shape who you are, the choices you make. The choices you make to please others, the choices you make that they don't agree with...and how it affects everything.
I believe some people hope my marriage fails.
I believe some people take advantage of me.
I believe some people talk down to me.
I believe no one wants to hear what I have to say, when it comes to the hard stuff.
Why do people think it's ok to tell me they think something is wrong with my child because he misbehaves?
Why do people think it's ok to question me like a child?
Why am I not allowed to tell people no?
Have you ever wanted say to someone, what do you see when you look at me? You have no idea who I am. You don't even try to see. All you see is what i'm NOT.
I'm not bubbly. I'm not the best housekeeper. I lose my temper. I get upset easily. I get overwhelmed. Sometimes I'm sad for no reason, no matter often you demand one. I get tired easily because keeping my anxiety at bay wears me out. I have very few friends. Shall I go on? Let's stop here.
The thing about all those things? I'm so much better than that.
I am MORE than all the sum of my faults.
I have a husband who loves me, and I love him. I have children who love me, and I love them. I don't have a lot, but what I have is phenomenal. No one can take all my good and try to twist it into something bad.
So, here we go:
I am happy, no matter what you think.
I am done being a doormat.
Your issues are your own.
My choices are my own, start making yours.
Quit throwing things I can't control back at me.
I am allowed to defend myself.
Sometimes I make the wrong choice, and I know it. Please don't remind me.
Your obvious disappointment in me makes my heart hurt.
Quit saying you never and you always, they are untruths.
I am my own person.
My anxiety and depression have nothing to do with you or anyone else. Seriously.
So what happens when anger fades? Maybe you feel weary. Maybe you feel like you've learned something about yourself or the other person. Maybe you sit down and write a blog, knowing the post is going to hurt someone. Maybe it's time for that person to reread what I wrote, and try my shoes on for a few minutes.
I want support, advice. A pat on the back when it gets to be too much. I want what any mom with babies and bills and laundry. I want a smile and a good job, an it gets better, an i'm proud of you.
Good news, they were wrong!
It made me think, though. How things shape who you are, the choices you make. The choices you make to please others, the choices you make that they don't agree with...and how it affects everything.
I believe some people hope my marriage fails.
I believe some people take advantage of me.
I believe some people talk down to me.
I believe no one wants to hear what I have to say, when it comes to the hard stuff.
Why do people think it's ok to tell me they think something is wrong with my child because he misbehaves?
Why do people think it's ok to question me like a child?
Why am I not allowed to tell people no?
Have you ever wanted say to someone, what do you see when you look at me? You have no idea who I am. You don't even try to see. All you see is what i'm NOT.
I'm not bubbly. I'm not the best housekeeper. I lose my temper. I get upset easily. I get overwhelmed. Sometimes I'm sad for no reason, no matter often you demand one. I get tired easily because keeping my anxiety at bay wears me out. I have very few friends. Shall I go on? Let's stop here.
The thing about all those things? I'm so much better than that.
I am MORE than all the sum of my faults.
I have a husband who loves me, and I love him. I have children who love me, and I love them. I don't have a lot, but what I have is phenomenal. No one can take all my good and try to twist it into something bad.
So, here we go:
I am happy, no matter what you think.
I am done being a doormat.
Your issues are your own.
My choices are my own, start making yours.
Quit throwing things I can't control back at me.
I am allowed to defend myself.
Sometimes I make the wrong choice, and I know it. Please don't remind me.
Your obvious disappointment in me makes my heart hurt.
Quit saying you never and you always, they are untruths.
I am my own person.
My anxiety and depression have nothing to do with you or anyone else. Seriously.
So what happens when anger fades? Maybe you feel weary. Maybe you feel like you've learned something about yourself or the other person. Maybe you sit down and write a blog, knowing the post is going to hurt someone. Maybe it's time for that person to reread what I wrote, and try my shoes on for a few minutes.
I want support, advice. A pat on the back when it gets to be too much. I want what any mom with babies and bills and laundry. I want a smile and a good job, an it gets better, an i'm proud of you.
Stylish Blogger, Part Deux
I want to start this blog by giving a big Thank You to Megan over at Our House of Pink. Go check out her awesome blog! She put me on her list of blogs for the award, and said she liked reading my blog. This is the second time someone has thought my blog was stylin'! My head is starting to get poofy with happy people like me fuzzies! Since I just was given my first one the other day, i'm just going to do 7 more things about me.
1. My favorite cereal in the whole wide world is the very adult and healthy for you Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
2. I get excited when the mail comes. I have no idea why.
3. I pick at my lip when I get nervous...because I am weird.
4. I make my husband get gas for my van. It's like the 1950's over here sometimes.
5. I love our Friday Night Movie Night. We use our air popper to make popcorn, dump it in a big bowl, drizzle some butter and sea salt, turn all the lights off in the living room and cuddle in with the kids (except Miss Ellie, who goes to bed) Best night of the week!
6. Blue play dough makes me hands itch, and my son always wants to use blue. Of course he does. So get rid of the blue, you say? Yeah, I have no idea why I haven't.
7. I build big dinosaurs out of the kids blocks. I built six today and we roarrred all over the living room!
Time to tell me some fun stuff about you!
Ellie says, Cheeese, and have an awesome Friday!! (and to ignore her runny nose!)
1. My favorite cereal in the whole wide world is the very adult and healthy for you Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
2. I get excited when the mail comes. I have no idea why.
3. I pick at my lip when I get nervous...because I am weird.
4. I make my husband get gas for my van. It's like the 1950's over here sometimes.
5. I love our Friday Night Movie Night. We use our air popper to make popcorn, dump it in a big bowl, drizzle some butter and sea salt, turn all the lights off in the living room and cuddle in with the kids (except Miss Ellie, who goes to bed) Best night of the week!
6. Blue play dough makes me hands itch, and my son always wants to use blue. Of course he does. So get rid of the blue, you say? Yeah, I have no idea why I haven't.
7. I build big dinosaurs out of the kids blocks. I built six today and we roarrred all over the living room!
Time to tell me some fun stuff about you!
Ellie says, Cheeese, and have an awesome Friday!! (and to ignore her runny nose!)
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