If You Give a Mom a Minute

I remember being a teenager and writing poetry for hours...always well into the wee hours of the night. It was always due to an overwhelming urge to be artistic. I had that urge during my nighttime clean up...but it was already late and then when I sat down to do something, anything, I realized it would be wiser to go to bed.

I'd say I was being a responsible adult, but it was already 2 AM. Watcha gonna do?

At least the dishes got put away and the sink was cleaned out. That's what happens when you leave directly following dinner and, when you return, your hunk wants to watch a show (that you really want to watch).

It's okay, the dishes are done:

 Believe it or not, I finished folding the laundry BEFORE the show. It isn't put up, yet, but my children were in bed. They have to put up their own clothes. And by "they," I really mean my oldest, who puts away his own clothes, his younger brother's clothes, and helps his sister put away her clothes.  

I love my older daughter, but she is definitely in her own world.

 

 

 

But at least it gets put away. Special thanks to my son, Oliver, for a job well done *standing ovation.*

 

And by "well done" I mean that it is all in the correct drawers...even if it doesn't look tidy.

 

I am NOT going to let that bother me........I just don't go into their drawers and I am blissfully unaware.

 

But really, it drives me crazy.

 

 

But I'm grateful....it's like a bittersweet thing.

 

I love that they help. Every morning I come downstairs and they can turn on the TV and not destroy the house in the wee hours of the morning: READ: before my baby wakes me up.

 



The baby gets fed, the kids get fed, mama gets fed....until she dumps too much cinnamon into her oatmeal.

 

If You Give a Mom a Minute

 

If you give a Mom a minute,

It is likely she'll reheat her coffee with it.

 

 

 

And if she reheats her coffee,

She will likely clean out the microwave.

 

 

And if she cleans the microwave,

She'll want to clean the dishes, and wash the sink,

and clean the entire kitchen from the chaos of breakfast

 

 

After cleaning up the kitchen, she'll see her kids outside,

Which will leave her some time to clean up the living room.

She will decide to go ahead and dust and even vacuum, too.

 

 

By then, she'll have worked up a sweat, and,
Because she is hot and sweaty, she will take a quick shower,

 

And if she takes a quick shower,
She'll want to do her hair and put on some make up...
Only she'll have a child or two interrupt that thought,
So she'll just finish her quick shower...

...and then she will get the kids an early lunch.
And while her kids are eating their lunch,
She'll decide to check the laundry.

Her laundry will be finished,
And then she will fold and put away the clothes.
Just as she's finishing, her kids will be get down from the table,
And she will clean off their plates, taking bites of any remnants.

And when she is finished with the dishes,
She will send her kids all to bed for a nap.

And when the kids all finally decide to take a nap,
She will see all the cleaning supplies.
And she will decide to clean out the bathrooms.

Once she is done cleaning the bathrooms,
She will return the cleaning supplies to the kitchen.
And she might even remember to reheat her coffee,
If you give a mom a minute.

Or she'll write a blog post because she made a promise to post once a week and her time was running short...but hey, the kitchen got cleaned last night and the kids were playing outside before it started sprinkling and now this mommy is going to take a minute to get dressed and go to the mall with her kids.

Hiatus...Return from the Grave...Lazy Streak

I have been abysmally MIA...as in, I didn't really want the extra work of writing something, so I kept putting it off...

...kind of like my laundry.

I think I should rename this blog ...

...because, you know...the laundry.

I've been sick the last few days...almost a week. Getting better...having ups and downs and all with short little people at my feet, pushing my boundaries, daring me to boil over. I'm a daredevil, so I tend to oblige *guilt* BUT what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? I give hugs after the fire has been extinguished with the pottage...

...hopefully that makes up for any burns earned in the spill.

My hunk came to the rescue. Probably was for the benefit of him and our children...BUT he let me sleep in (after waking up with the baby to feed her...the biggest downside to breastfeeding!) and he even cleaned up the kitchen...but remarkably, two days later, the kitchen is once again a disaster zone and I am feeling incredibly sleep deprived and still not back to 100%.

I may have been up really late.

It was for a good cause, I promise!

So I'm making it a goal to sit down at least once a week and write about something. Maybe more frequently but NO LESS THAN ONCE A WEEK. We'll see how long that lasts. I have this amazing ability to NOT keep my word on blogging frequency. Hoping to improve......

My children have grown since the last time I shared, plus I've added another little ankle biter in the mix.

 

I love them so much....*stops to yell* "GET OUTSIDE, NOW!" *holds head in hands* I'm only yelling because this is probably the 847,323,685,198,746th time they've come in since they have been "outside" in the last 30 minutes...and 5 of those minutes was walking over to the house behind us to retrieve a ball that the <not-even-2-year-old> threw over the fence.

Se la vie! And I wouldn't change it...most of the time.

Whew...Where Did August Go?

Before you go judging me, I just want to throw out there that I had family in town for the last 2 weeks, and if I were to have written a blog post during their visit I should probably be considered rude, at best, because it takes away a lot of time better spent chatting or sleeping.

I like my in-laws.

I love e-cards. LOL. I don't really pretend. I am pretty bad at having a poker face, so if I don't like you, or if I'm annoyed by you, then you will definitely know. Also, I will pretty much tell you.

First my sister-in-law came with her husband and kids, then my parent-in-laws and other sister-in-law came the following week, and then some really good friends of ours (my hunk calls her husband his cousin because they grew up really close to each other and spent some holidays together, etc.) came over.

For the record, I actually get along with my sisters and mother-in-law...not that I don't with my father-in-law...it's just he and my hunk are usually pow-wowing together somewhere so I don't really chat with him like I do the gals of the family.

 

I post this knowing they will not be offended.

For future reference, any visits from or to family will probably result in a quiet spell...followed by a couple posts. Consider this your weekly update (believe me, it really is).

To be honest, I was actually enjoying the time. I'd be doing "A" and then would look around and "B" had already been done for me! I must say, I was pretty spoiled for the entire two weeks they were here. And now I'm left to face the dishes and laundry and children and cleaning all on my own *SOB*

There is something to be said for multi-family living. I mean, you could take shifts. "I can't handle another second of children." Okay, no problem, let me take over the kiddos, while you take over something tedious and time consuming...here's a hamper full of clean laundry!

Oh, and an adorable baby to keep you company :)

Not that I have a bias.

That's it for now. Up next: How I'm going to start making subtle changes to my blog. Be prepared...it won't be a lot of changes...I'll still talk about my favorite things. But I'm going to introduce you to what is rapidly becoming my MOST favorite thing...give or take a few kids and a hunk.

Fabulously Flawed

Yesterday, I spent too much time getting angry and upset at my children...like yelling, and then having to apologize for yelling, etc.

"Oh my gosh, I can't stand that she yells at her kids."

Yeah, well bite me.

We are all flawed individuals and where I shine the most in this system is in my ability to yell/throw things/slam doors. I'm sorry, but we can't be as perfect as YOU. I know my flaws and believe me, it is a constant prayer.

And when things are extremely stressful, from like a million aspects at once (no, this is not a slight exaggeration), then that flaw is even more pronounced.

I've even been angry and upset at my hunk, who has been working so many hours he hasn't even really been home! But it's still his fault....(in my flawed perspective, chill out...geez).

(That is so me the last couple months...)



We all have our bad days, and the key is realizing the good moments even within those bad days. (And not in thinking that someone else is having a worst day....how does that make your day better?! o.O)

Some bad days line up in a matter of weeks and you get shot down in an emotional firing squad...which is what makes you a pissy....er....person.

I keep getting so worked up about all these little things. And then something happens to put things in a new perspective. And boy do I feel shame.

I'm not going to be fake and insensitive and say, "Which makes me love and appreciate my children and hunk even more." I don't need to declare that to anyone...and if you don't realize that I think that, then you obviously don't know me very well.


What I do wish is that I could pass on the blessings that God has given to me, to help out those in need. Somethings are just impossible. I'm on my fourth and, as far as my hunk is concerned, final child...so why can't I pass on fertility, or pregnancy, or child bearing? Although, I have considered doing that in another real way...but more on that later (if that choice is made). I wish every woman could experience the journey of motherhood.

But what I do want my friends to know is that I'm a fiercely loyal person and would drop everything to help you out if you needed it. And I mean that.

I would delay nap time for you. I would end nap time early for you. I would completely forgo nap time for you. Nap times are pretty important around here (for the sanity of the mommy and the well being of the children).

 

(not that this has been me lately, either...)

I would not, however, give up lunch/dinner for you, BUT I would bring it with me to make sure you were not missing out on that as well. No really...ask me to do something around lunch/dinner time and see what happens.

I won't eat your cookie...I have kids, I've learned how to just eat a portion and share with them. <3 this cartoon.

My point is, I would be there if I could and make a way when I couldn't. And maybe that will be all that someone needs. Sometimes it's best just not to be alone. Plus, I would be bringing my children...dinner and a show!

And as my children sit on the couch and watch TV, yet again, today (not a complete failure...they played together without too much incident for well over 2 hours today!) I take this time to stop and think. To process and write. To come to peace.

There has been a lot on my mind, but it has been mostly selfish. And now I have more serious, less selfish things to ponder...thank you, God, for throwing that at me when I was being absolutely ridiculous with my petty, pathetic problems. My heart is still heavy, and I can't fathom the mixture of sorrow and joy in this world, but I can take refuge knowing that there IS someone who DOES know.

<For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then will you call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (Amplified Bible)>

A Much Delayed Update...

Why would you start a blog but not post in so long? I just don't understand!

Well, there are a few reasons:

1)

This was a few weeks ago...I'm much, much larger than that now.

I'm 28 weeks this week! And get to take the amazing *gag* glucose test tomorrow.

2)

In summation: We bought a house, we renovated and painted the house, and we moved into the house. It doesn't look as bad as that now............buuuut not much better. I will post a full house blog later :)

BUT, today I'm procrastinating pick up...see, blogs are useful, right?

Between those two things, and a myriad of other things, I have been really busy and just really burned out.

And even though my kids are fighting (no really...physically fighting) right now, I still love them.

That is all...new posting goal: once a week, at least. Sorry :/

A Crazy, Lazy Life

I don't even know when I last wrote something.

It's not that I haven't wanted to write, or that I couldn't find anything to write...I just literally did not want to sit down during the only time of the day where I have a brief moment to myself and dedicate it to a blog post. I did something even more mundane...I planted my tush in the nearest seat and went brain dead until the first munchkin dared to cross the nap time threshold. Sometimes I napped...but usually I just wasted away a couple hours watching (recorded) TV shows. I didn't even have a good excuse like "I'll watch these while being productive and folding laundry!" Nope...in fact, my mom and my sister folded almost three weeks worth of laundry for me while I was at a Dr. appointment.

I like to think that this (current) lazy streak is because of my pregnancy. I am always soooo lethargic during the first trimester. But I don't know if it would be fair placing all the blame on the baby.

I haven't even been on Pinterest since last week. No, really. And I am starting to think that I don't want to be on it again (except to review some of my old pins for house/organizing/cleaning/meal ideas).

Today is the first day that I finally did some cleaning and I stopped before I got everything finished (ooops!) I got the kids rooms cleaned all the way, but now I need to focus on getting the kitchen and living room cleaned all the way. They are both started!

Then I stare into the living room and chicken out. That's right...I'm an ostrich with her head in the sand, hiding for all the work I should have been keeping up on this entire time. Now, molehill mountain is threatening to topple over on top of me. Yes, that's a reference to my laundry pile that is cleaned and folded (thank you, Mom and Des) and STILL needs to be put away. "But I have another load in the dryer that needs to be folded and then I will put everything away!" she said to herself, unconvincingly.

...that pile of clothes has been in the dryer since Monday before lunch...

...we went to play at the mall to avoid it...

My mind is a fizzy bottle of soda that got shaken too hard and exploded. I'm knee deep in a sticky mess and I just need to find an outlet for all the filthy liquid hard at work ruining my pristine deplorably average mind. Forgetting is a good one...but somehow it all soaks back up again, eventually. Calling on God? Yes, that's a good godly answer, but I find myself failing at that too many times (to my shame.) And perhaps that IS the best outlet (okay, I know it is, but I'm writing this blog, not you.)

Average? I think not. I fail sooo miserably. With my house, with my kids, with my hunk...it's a mess. I'm not even going to put a positive spin on it...that's how sticky stuck my mind is at the moment. I'll be better tomorrow. "After all, tomorrow is another day!" Thank you, Scarlett.

Well, I will attempt to write fairly more frequently...I won't promise, because we have all seem how THAT goes, but it's a start to want to again.

This is also one of my favorite praise songs.
<I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from teh LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is they keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalm 121>

A Lazy Streak Update

Well, let's not get carried away . . .I wouldn't say lazy . . .

My energy levels are pretty low . . .but that could be due to waking up early and going to bed later than I should. Going to bed at 11:30 pm and waking up at 5:30 am . . .not conducive for an energetic day . . .

. . . I promise that I was NOT grouchy . . .but please don't ask my hunk about this . . .one of us would be lying.

So that's why I like Calvin and Hobbes so much . . .who knew?!

And of course, Garfield.

But, I'm not always in a bad mood. When I'm being productive I'm usually in a good mood! That being said . . .

I mentioned that I made my own butter (yum.) Well, now I have finally made my first (actually second) loaf of bread. I found the recipe for a loaf of bread and then made the necessary modifications so that I could prepare it in my bread machine (someone gave me one when I got married . . .never used it and actually gave it away because it was so big and took up so much room in our mobile home . . .but I got it back and now I am super excited about it . . .if anyone wants some fresh bread, let me know!)

I will probably make my bread weekly . . .so next time I will post pictures of the process along with my method. But if you don't have a bread machine, just use the link and enjoy a wonderful loaf of bread!

I also made my liquid hand soap again . . .I didn't take pictures of the process like I promised, but I plan to do so soon . . .I have another bar waiting to be useful. Who wants to give kids a bath with a bar of soap? Not me! I used Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Castile Soap this time . . .was super excited at how great it did!

As you can see, it is all organic. I also have a bar of lavender soap that I want to liquify as well. I get almost a full gallon when doing this myself . . .and still for the $5 this bar costs . . .versus the bottle available in a 32 ounce size (a gallon is 128 ounces) which costs $17. So I'm essentially getting 4X's the amount . . .well, a little less, but still...4X's for 1/3 of the cost! 

See . . .PINTEREST! IS a useful waste of time!

Hopefully I will update more regularly again. After getting to bed earlier so I don't fall asleep during the kids' nap times/my blog times like I have been. Weekends end up being the time for the house to get destroyed and then I have no energy to clean up during the week . . .I need to improve! Average homemaker :/

<He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32>