Mommy Vacations

Tonight I had the best sort of vacation, not the sort that involves taking days off from work, or even packing a bag.. No, mine was simple. I escaped to the bathroom, and took a shower by myself, with the door shut, hot water steaming the mirror, savoring the quiet time. I shaved my legs with shaving cream, heck even shaving them at all sometimes is a conquer. I followed the drections on my conditioner bottle, I showered until there was no hot water left.
 I really thought about prolonging what I thought would be a warzone when I exited my heaven, a screaming baby perhaps, a stressed out husband, or a naked toddler, any of these are plausible in our household.. But I walked out to a father and son building blocks next to their baby jumping along in her seat. It was so funny.

On days when my job is particularlly stressful, or Austin has one too many toddler meltdowns, or Abby gets into the trash I often too easily lose focus on whats really important to me.

Mainly and most importantly, my kids. Their future, their present really - their childhoods. I want to be an example, and teach them right and wrong, compassion and patience. And while when one asks God for one such a virtue it is not hand deilevered fed ex for your immediaite usage, no, when one asks God for patience or kindness, God gives you a situation in which you can triumph and use it.

Austin's first time washing the car

My mommy vacation really help reset my mindset, I took a little timeout, and felt so much better for it.

Sometimes it's all you need to help find focus. I found my focus and I am ready to finish out the week with an overabundance of paitience and kindness.

Who couldn't just pinch these cheeks??

Happy October

Learning

These past few weeks have been such a learning experience for us.
I was nervous to start work, excited too, but nervous for the reserved shy girl inside. Afraid of meeting new people, afraid of leaving my kids for the majority of the day. Of course I knew I had to get a job, because Lord knows I wouldn't have otherwise...

But starting new chapters can be scary. Change can be scary. When I found out I was prengnant with Addison, I was scared, among other feelings of joy and excitement, the future was uncertain, I was scared of the unknown. And when I met her, and finally held her in my arms, my heart melted and forgot the fear from nines months before.

I feel like everything is falling into place, I love my job, I am learning so much about myself, and actaully feel myself growing, becoming a better person. And in turn it makes me a better mother. A mother who will teach through example that it's important to work, to work hard for the things you want, to help people in need, and less fortunate than yourself, to always be giving, putting others before yourself. To love all people, the same, no matter what color skin they have, or what disabilites or handicapps they possess.

Those things, I have seen, and have learned do not define a person. A person is definied by the things they do, the way they treat others, the good they do. The courage they have to stand up for others.

I have had my wishy-washy-not-sure-if-Im-doing-whats-best for my baby days, when I feel emotional or over tired, or stressed from a hard day at work. I have questioned whats right and wrong, and thought hard about my choice. Some days regretting it, missing my baby so much.

One thing I know fo sure - I have such a deep respect for working mothers, super moms who seem to be able to do it ALL, AND have a clean house, and polite children. The juggleing act of parenting is setting a list of priorites, and working from the top.

For every family it's different. My TOP priority is family time, with my kids. taking walks, making dinner, having dinner TOGETHER, talking, watching movies, doing crafts. Sometimes housework gets left behind, but at the end of the day, with a pile of clean clothes in a laundry basket, and two sleeping babies next to me, I never feel more complete. and not a shread of guilt.

In ten years I wont remember a pile of dishes, neither will my children. They will remember this.

and this..

 

 

 

From me to you, have a good weekend, and week!

Today was the first day of Fall, and in this house,

that is reason to

CELEBRATE!!

 

 



New job and four months old

I'm in my third week of working at my new job, I was waiting to write about it for a couple reasons, mainly because I was giving myself some time to digest my feelings about leaving the kids and being seperated for the whole day. every day. But also because I wanted to get established in our schedules and new routines.

For the most part the kids are doing really great. The first week was excellent, Austin had his cousins at daycare to play with, and also his sister to help with.

Addy did great transitioning into having bottles during the day, and having naps and all the good stuff moms worry about when it comes to their littles..

I was pleasntly surprised when Austin wasn'y upset to see me go, and I thanked the Lord above for this because it would have broken my heart. And I honestly, am doing okay.

But when you add a women and mother who has spent the better half of two years being a home staying mother, some residual pregancy hormones and a little baby at home it could have been trouble..

I remember on new years eve I told Keith that 2012 was going to be a great year, I was 6 months pregant waiting for the birth of my daughter and was very hopeful. 2012 has not dissapointed yet, we have worked so hard in all aspects of our lives and it feels so good to finally feel like it's moving along..

This mommy is happy, I have such a rewarding job, I know my kids are safe, and seeing them after being at work all day really makes our afternoons so much sweeter. My babies are growing up so fast...

AND also.. Fall is here.. hello - all my favorite things..

Summer just flew by, but it was amazing

. Addison is four months old now. She sleeps through the night still, eats rice at dinner time, poops ALL the time ( lol) She has the sweetest laugh, we call it a taradactal laugh, its really more of a screach.. but oh so adorable. She loves her big brother, and loves loves loves to sit up.