Finally!

Usually I am the second one to get sick. One of the kids gets it, then I get it, then everyone except J (my husband) gets it. Then, we are all miserable because even though J is willing to help out and even stay home from work when it is bad enough, I don't rest. When the kids are sick, they want their mommy. And, no matter how hard I try, if I can hear them wanting me, I can't rest.

Well, this time is was different. I am FINALLY the only one in the family who has stayed healthy for the last 5 days while everyone else has been miserable with high fevers, terrible coughs, runny noses, mucus galore, and aches and pains. It was SO much better this way . . . exhausting for me . . .yes, but so much better. I suppose it sounds awful for a mother to say, "I'm sure glad it's not me!" in a situation like this, but I think in this case, I am completely justified . . . so here goes, "I am sure glad it's FINALLY not me!"

A Different Feeling

Some days are hard. Today was one of those. It wasn't a bad day. In fact, it was good until about 4:00 pm when I was trying to clean the fish tank (curse you Aunt K ;) for getting that algae filled poop swamp that I just cannot seem to clean without spilling water EVERYWHERE) . . . and both the girls woke up, R peed her pants (for the 3rd time today), K hurt herself and was poopy, and A just simply didn't feel good which meant whine whine whine . . . shall I go on???  I have 4 fingers that have deep splits in them which makes everything I do for the kids hurt, my hubby is sick, my house is dirty, my laundry is piled high, and my van looks like 10 diaper bags exploded inside of it.

Today I am feeling a little blobbish. Hmmmmm, I was doing so good at not feeling blobbish too! What to do? What to do?

For me. Today. The answer is . . . reflect.

This morning I read the following in the book of Mark in the New Testament:
Chapter 6, Verses 31-34

31And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a ^adesert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no ^bleisure so much as to eat.

 32And they departed into a ^adesert place by ship privately.

 33And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

 34And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with ^acompassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a ^bshepherd: and he began to ^cteach them many things.

Before these verses it explains that Jesus had just left his home city where he was saddened by their unwillingness to listen, to go and finally rest and eat something after working, teaching, blessing, healing, praying, and preaching days upon days without any break at all. 

Just as he was coming out of the ship, he saw the people who needed him and, as it says, he "was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd."

It hit me today that our children are like these lost sheep not having a shepherd. When they came through the vale at birth, they forgot what they knew in heaven. It is our job to be a sort of a shepherd for them so that they can find their Great Shepherd . . . the Savior. We can be like the Savior and though we are tired, overworked, hungry, and even discouraged . . . we can take compassion on our sweet children and teach them, love them, and help to bring them to the Savior. 

This gave me a different perspective on parenting that I had never discovered before. I am feeling a strange sort of gratitude today . . . pressure to be more willing to keep going . . . but also a great peace and power in knowing that I get to teach my children about the Savior. 

Promoted

I think I received a promotion today. I went from Mom - Baker - Housekeeper - Teacher - Butcher - Taxi Driver - Accountant - Lawyer - Nurse - Scientist - Wrestler - Personal Trainer - Health Advisor . . . to all of that PLUS Storyteller.

We read a monster book tonight about how monsters are born under kids beds. Weird I know . . . on a side note . . . I often wonder how some of these kid's books ever got published in the first place?? Anyway, when I went to tuck A, age 4, into bed, he pulled the covers up to right beneath his little chin and said with fear in his eyes, "Mommy, what if a monster is born under my bed tonight?" To which I responded, "Well, then you can take your two fingers and just squish him up." Then this conversation ensued:

A: "But my fingers aren't big enough."

M: "Oh yeah. You're probably right."

A: "Are monsters real?"

M: "Nope."

A: "Then why did somebody make that monster book?"

M: "People like to make pretend things so we can use our imagination."

A: "Well, whenever I think of scary things, I always think of monsters and then I hide under my covers like this!"

M: "Well, let me tell you something about monsters.  Now, it's a secret, so are you sure you want to know?"

A: "Yes!"

M: "Well, there are very few things that monsters are scared of, but I can tell you the ones I know for sure."

A: "What!?"

M: "Monsters are very very very scared of Mommies!"

He then got really wide eyed and a huge smile on his face.


A: "Why? What do mommies do to monsters!?"

M: "Well, monsters are afraid of mommies because they know that if a mommy catches a monster then she will grab him and bake him in the oven and eat him right up for dinner."

A: "Whoah!! That would be disgusting!"

M: "Yep . . . that's why monsters don't ever come where a mommy lives. They do not like to be baked and eaten up."

A: "Who else are they afraid of?"

M: "Babysitters!"

A: "What do babysitters do to them?"

M: "Babysitters grab them quick and pop them in the microwave which makes the monsters explode!"

A: "Really!? Wow! Are they afraid of anything else like dragons or super heroes?"

M: "They are only a little afraid of those things. BUT, there is ONE more thing they are very very very very afraid of!"

Again . . . realllllly wide eyed and excited!


A: "WHAT?!

M: "Boys named A!"

A huge smile spreads across his no longer scared face....

A: "Why!?"

M: "Well, you don't know why?!"

A: "No. Why?"

M: "Well, it's because they know that boys named A are really really good at Karate and that if they come anywhere where a boy named A lives, that boy named A will karate chop him right up!"

Very very wide eyed now.....

A: "How do monsters know that?"

M: "Well . . . somehow they just know...."

A: "I think they know that because boys named A can kick harder than anybody and punch harder than anybody. That's how they know."

M: "hmmmmm . . . . ya know . . . I think you might be right. Good night Karate Boy."

Happy contented smile . . .

A: "Good night mommy."

Needless to say . . . this promotion was well deserved.

Mission Accomplished and New Goals

My first post . . . I think it was my first post . . . was about monthly goals.

I neglected to report on here at the beginning of this month that I actually ACCOMPLISHED my January Goal!!!!! Whaaaaaahooooooo!!!

I read the entire book, Master Your Metabolism Cookbook by Jillian Michaels, and I made a new snack every week. I learned a better way to make hard boiled eggs. I learned how to make hummus and homemade pita chips. I learned how to make this really delicious black bean dip. And I learned how to make a delicious banana almond smoothie. All of it was sooooo tasty and I feel darn good about myself! I not only met my goal . . . I exceeded it by trying some main dish recipes from the book as well. Feels good to accomplish a goal instead of accomplishing part of one or none of one like I normally do.

Now for FEBRUARY GOALS!

This month my goals are to
1) Make a new main dish and a new side dish each week from the book. So far so good. :)
2) Do at least 50 of some exercise 6 days a week (Mon - Sat). This means, 50 situps, 50 pushups, 50 Burpees, etc, etc.

I made this 2nd goal because for anyone who knows me you know I love to work out and have always been a bit obsessed with it. Well, sadly, that has gone by the wayside ever since we moved to the East. I think it is a bad combination of easy to find excuses such as: K is a terrible sleeper, I can't run outside because there is no safe time of day to go when J is here to watch the kids, I feel suffocated here, we have no money for a gym membership (which never stopped me before, but does now for some reason), etc, etc, etc.

Anyway, so I wanted to find a way to get back into it that I knew I could accomplish so that I wouldn't get discouraged. It used to just annoy me to work out and not feel sweaty and exhausted at the end. I like to see immediate results. I realized, however, that this is not realistic at this point. So, I decided to do something that is quick and gets my heart going . . . which is usually all I need to get myself to do more. It is the "getting started" that is hard for me lately.

I am happy to say that it is working. Often times I do my 50 push ups or sit ups and want to keep going . . . and I do. Or, I actually feel up to doing a good hard longer full workout and I do! It feels great!

Now . . . if I could just stop eating so much chocolate . . .

Priorities used to be a swear word

I am a perfectionist. I am a little selfish. I am a planner. I am an organizer. I am prideful. I am bossy. I am demanding.

None of these things make for a happy mom.

The good news is . . . they can change, soften, or be altered . . . with time.

When my oldest was a baby I would get so frustrated when I couldn't do a task start to finish with no interruptions. Especially when it came to cleaning . . . one of my favorite hobbies. 

Things have changed. Perhaps it is partly out of necessity, but I think it also has to do with that word I don't like very much. That one. You know it. The one that I am not very good at and hate thinking about it because it makes me feel guilty . . . yep that one . . . priorities. 

I think I am getting better at this word . . . so much better in fact that it isn't even a swear word anymore!

I used to have to wash, dry, fold, and put away the entire week's laundry in one day. Now I am happy to have it all washed and dried in a day and am still okay with having to do a couple of other random loads throughout the week.

I used to have to be able to clean my entire house top to bottom and side to side once a week AND finish it all before lunch! Now I am happy to vacuum once a week, a clean a bathroom here a bathroom there, dust here and dust there, mop here and mop there . . . whenever I find the time. How liberating!

I used to have to be able to sit the kids to an activity and start and complete dinner without interruption. This never happened, but before I would get frustrated when I was interrupted. Now I am happy to have it "going" and stop and play with the kids for a minute in between steps. 

I used to want to get all my grocery shopping done in one trip each week. Now I am happy if the kids are somewhat happy during our several trips. Instead of hurrying, we try to have a little fun.

I used to have to sit down and complete all my bills, blog posts, phone calls, and emails during nap time. Now I am happy just to complete the necessities. 

It is nice to keep your priorities straight. I like it. I am much happier . . . and so are my kids. 

Lucky Me

I think one of THE most annoying things about living where I do is the looks of horror and confusion when I tromp through the grocery store, target, and even the library with my three young children.

Even more annoying is this comment . . . "Wow lady! You've got your hands full!"

Until today I was a little shrinking violet when people made this comment. I would simply shrug and smile.

Today was different. As I was getting the kids out of my van at the grocery store, this old grump took one look at me, grunted and said, "Man lady. You've got your hands full." I replied with a large grin, "I sure am lucky aren't I?!" He looked at me quite confused and walked away. It made me feel GREAT!! It was all I could do to keep myself from putting my hands by my ears, waving my fingers back and forth, and singing, "Neener Neener Neener!"

Then, as we walked through the store . . . my two older kids energetically pushing their mini carts and me feeding crackers to my 11 month old while also trying to concentrate on finding the best deal and keeping the older ones from running old ladies down . . . blah blah blah . . . I got some nasty nasty nasty looks, a few more, "you've got your hands full," and even a huff and a puff from a disgruntled middle aged man.

Perhaps next time I will be brave enough to wear a sign on my forehead that says something like,

"You only wish you were as lucky as me! Instead you are lonely, uptight, self-centered, and unhappy. I feel badly for you. How about instead of giving me a dirty look you focus your eyes on the adorableness of young children exploring their world around them with energy and passion. Perhaps you might even remember that you were a child once too!"

The End

Old Soul

A attends a Co-op Preschool. If you are unfamiliar with this it is a preschool where you pay tuition, but it is generally a lower fee because you are required to help in the classroom, help clean the building, etc. We love it! 

Anyway, today was my co-op day. My son, A, took two hand puppets, a goat and a triceratops, that he had gotten at church yesterday to show to his teacher. Being the awesome person that she is, she said, "Well hey! Let's use those for circle time today!" And they did. The goat was the big billy goat gruff (as A had explained for her) and the dino was the troll. Awesome. 

At the end of school I was walking A to the bathroom and said, "You sure are lucky to have such a nice teacher to use your puppets for circle time today." To which he responded, "Yes. I am. I love Mrs. E because she has such a great imagination." 

When I shared our conversation with Mrs. E, she said, "Oh, please don't move away and take A! I just love him. He is such an Old Soul."

I then mentioned to her that he is similar to his Daddy, to which she responded, "Well, wherever he gets it, I think he was just born with an "old soul" because not many 4 year olds can be that sincere with a comment like that."

This conversation made me think . . . I believe that we were all spirit children of our Heavenly Father before we came to this earth and received our bodies. Therefore, it makes sense that our spirits (souls) are a very different age than our earthly body. We just don't know how long we lived as spirits with our Heavenly Father before we came to earth.  

Perhaps, A's spirit (soul) is much older than mine or my husbands . . . perhaps that is why we can learn so much from children. Some of their souls are just more experienced than ours.

I sure count myself lucky to mother an "old soul."

Butcher, Baker, or Candlestick Maker

Today during lunch, A said, "Mommy, someday when you get a job somewhere I am going to clean the toys and my room, do the laundry, take care of my sisters, make food, and even sweep the house!"

I said, "well, I hope I never have to go to work because my job is to be here and be your mommy."

A: "Why?

Mommy: "Well, daddy works so we can have things in our home that we need and we want me to be home with you to teach you and take care of you."

A: "And to clean and make wonderful dinners."

Mommy: "That too."

I thought about that conversation today and for a second I thought, 'awesome, I am a nanny, a cook, and a maid . . . some job description . . .'

Then I thought better of it . . . I am not a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker. I am not a nurse, a teacher,  or anything else . . . I'm a mom . . . which means  . . .

I am a butcher, a baker, an EVERYTHING maker, a nurse, a teacher, a counselor, a business manager, a photographer, a writer, an environmentalist, a scientist, and on and on and on.

Hmmmmmm, I think my job is actually pretty cool. Plus . . . I have NO boss! Neener neener neener.