Well, this post is more for family because it is all about Nate, his curly locks, and his cute little face. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
The Joyful and Tired Mom
Friday, September 2, 2011
Check out those curly locks!
Well, this post is more for family because it is all about Nate, his curly locks, and his cute little face. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Can I Call Myself the 'Master of All Things Vegetarian Yet?'
Hardly. But I will say, in the few attempts I have made to make healthy, flavorful, non-processed foods...I think each recpe has been a success. So-I pretty much rock at this Vegetarian thing, nevermind that I threw chicken into one of my dishes. Baby Steps people, baby steps. Please also keep in mind that Zachary's favorite food in all the world is noodles with parmesan cheese. His second favorite meal is mac and cheese. And his third favorite meal is McDonald's chicken nuggets. So him gagging, crying, and then almost throwing up is not, I repeat, IS NOT a reflection of how good these recipes are. Mark is the better gauge for these recipes successes. When we were dating I told him that I would absolutely not cook to his taste if the only thing he was going to eat was fried food and scalloped potatoes. Loe and behold the man has been trying new foods since that night and is loving vegetables. I dare say he even likes brussel sprouts! The man is amazing. And while his digestive system is taking a hit from all of the freh vegies we are eating in this house (last night he was begging for processed food, yellow #5, etc-haha), he loves the food!
So, per the request of a Miss Lori Moore, and the inspiration of Chelsea Rankin, here are a few of the recipes I have makde recently.
Vegan Banana Bread-so ridiculously moist and amazing!
2 large or 3 small very ripe bananas
1/4 cup applesauce (I used cinnamon spiced)
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sucanat sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas really well. Add the sugar, applesauce, oil, and molasses, and whisk briskly to incorporate.
Sift in the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Use a wooden spoon to mix until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. If you're using chocolate chips or nuts, fold them in here.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes (it took 50 for me). The top should be lightly browned and a knife inserted through the center should come out clean.
Remove from the oven and let cool!
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito
Half a large sweet potato
1 cup black beans
1 galic clove
Half an onion
2 wedges light laughing cow cheese
1 tsp cumin
hot pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Bake sweet potato in skin at 400 degrees for one hour.
Brown onion and galic in skillet until soft.
Add black beans and spices and cook for 5 minutes.
Mash together black beans and the laughing cow cheese until creamy
Heat tortilla.
Mash sweet potato on top of tortilla.
Add the bean cheese mixture.
Roll and Enjoy!
Number of Servings: 2
And my most favorite dish I have made...thank you Chelsea...
Sauteed Spaghetti Squash with Veggies-and I threw in chicken as well.
Cook 1 Spaghetti Squash (I microwave it because it is quicker)
While it is cooking cook chicken (I used our griddle)
In a large pan begin to sautee veggies of your choosing in Olive Oil. I used: zucchini, red peppers and onions.
When chicken has finish cooking, cut into bite size pieces and toss into pan with olive oil and veggies.
Shred the Spaghetti Squash strands into the pan and sautee everything together for 10 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
I hope you enjoy some new and fresh ideas for meals. I'll keep posting fun and healthy vegetarian or vegan recipes as I make them. (Yes, I know adding chicken no longer makes ot vegetarian...get off of my back!)
Here's to trying to be healthier,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
So, per the request of a Miss Lori Moore, and the inspiration of Chelsea Rankin, here are a few of the recipes I have makde recently.
Vegan Banana Bread-so ridiculously moist and amazing!
2 large or 3 small very ripe bananas
1/4 cup applesauce (I used cinnamon spiced)
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sucanat sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas really well. Add the sugar, applesauce, oil, and molasses, and whisk briskly to incorporate.
Sift in the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Use a wooden spoon to mix until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. If you're using chocolate chips or nuts, fold them in here.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes (it took 50 for me). The top should be lightly browned and a knife inserted through the center should come out clean.
Remove from the oven and let cool!
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito
Half a large sweet potato
1 cup black beans
1 galic clove
Half an onion
2 wedges light laughing cow cheese
1 tsp cumin
hot pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Bake sweet potato in skin at 400 degrees for one hour.
Brown onion and galic in skillet until soft.
Add black beans and spices and cook for 5 minutes.
Mash together black beans and the laughing cow cheese until creamy
Heat tortilla.
Mash sweet potato on top of tortilla.
Add the bean cheese mixture.
Roll and Enjoy!
Number of Servings: 2
And my most favorite dish I have made...thank you Chelsea...
Sauteed Spaghetti Squash with Veggies-and I threw in chicken as well.
Cook 1 Spaghetti Squash (I microwave it because it is quicker)
While it is cooking cook chicken (I used our griddle)
In a large pan begin to sautee veggies of your choosing in Olive Oil. I used: zucchini, red peppers and onions.
When chicken has finish cooking, cut into bite size pieces and toss into pan with olive oil and veggies.
Shred the Spaghetti Squash strands into the pan and sautee everything together for 10 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
I hope you enjoy some new and fresh ideas for meals. I'll keep posting fun and healthy vegetarian or vegan recipes as I make them. (Yes, I know adding chicken no longer makes ot vegetarian...get off of my back!)
Here's to trying to be healthier,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Can you double knot your tubes?
This week Mark and I have the privilege of having our 2 oldest nephews, ages 9 and 7, stay with us. And I do want to make sure everyone understands that Mark and I do feel honored and privileged to have them here. They are awesome, awesome kids that we love and our kids adore. With that said though, I have learned a few things about myself, and our family, in the midst of all of the chaos.
So without further adeu...lessons I have learned in the 72 hours we have had 5 boys with us ages 1,3,6,7,9:
1) Next week I am going back to the doctor to have my tubes double knotted...just to make sure.
2) Mark's Christmas present this year from his lovely, generous, thoughtful wife-moi-is going to be a vasectomy.
3) Indulging your nephews is soooo fun! Indulging your kids sets your kids up for entightlement. Case in point: Zachary says to Ben, "Sorry that Drew mixed up our Pokemon cards. It's ok though, you can have my DSi. My parents will just buy me a new one."
4) Every moment of every day is totally chaotic, so in order to ensure one area of my life seems in control and "unmessy" I was on my hands and knees today just scrubbing my shower with a toothbrush. Fortunately, no one came into the room during that time or they may have seen me crouched in the corner, rocking back and forth, sucking my thumb, and talking to myself.
5) No matter how many chocolate chip cookies you make, IT IS NEVER ENOUGH.
6) Never make a promise if you can't follow through. Plan: pitch a tent in the backyard and eat popcorn and watch a movie under the stars. Reality set in when after setting up the tent in 95 degrees, no one could stand to be outside because it was too freakin' hot. So now the cool movie night has turned into a semi-cool movie night inside...in our messy family room.
7) I don't understand why boys always have to go to the bathroom whenever we are out and about...and why when they go (and by "they" I mean Drew) do they have to take their shoes, pants, and underwear off...in a public bathroom!? I'm not sure where he learned this behavior. I am going to blame Mark, only because I have to blame someone and I can't blame God...and calling it spiritual warfare seems a little excessive.
8) Boys eat A TON.
9) In the time it takes for Mark and I to make 4 tacos kids can: spray koolaid from a water bottle all of the walls, ceiling, and floors, learn how to arm pit fart, and pee in a trashcan. Yes, all of that happened tonight. And to answer you question...no, we have no control.
10) The greatest thing I have learned though is that memories are not made by everything always going according to plan, and being clean, tidy, and perfect. Our memories are made through laughter, chaos, and being crazy together.
And that, my friends, is why I love my wild, crazy, and wonderful family; and hope my nephews can come stay with us every summer.
Enjoying the Chaos,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
So without further adeu...lessons I have learned in the 72 hours we have had 5 boys with us ages 1,3,6,7,9:
1) Next week I am going back to the doctor to have my tubes double knotted...just to make sure.
2) Mark's Christmas present this year from his lovely, generous, thoughtful wife-moi-is going to be a vasectomy.
3) Indulging your nephews is soooo fun! Indulging your kids sets your kids up for entightlement. Case in point: Zachary says to Ben, "Sorry that Drew mixed up our Pokemon cards. It's ok though, you can have my DSi. My parents will just buy me a new one."
4) Every moment of every day is totally chaotic, so in order to ensure one area of my life seems in control and "unmessy" I was on my hands and knees today just scrubbing my shower with a toothbrush. Fortunately, no one came into the room during that time or they may have seen me crouched in the corner, rocking back and forth, sucking my thumb, and talking to myself.
5) No matter how many chocolate chip cookies you make, IT IS NEVER ENOUGH.
6) Never make a promise if you can't follow through. Plan: pitch a tent in the backyard and eat popcorn and watch a movie under the stars. Reality set in when after setting up the tent in 95 degrees, no one could stand to be outside because it was too freakin' hot. So now the cool movie night has turned into a semi-cool movie night inside...in our messy family room.
7) I don't understand why boys always have to go to the bathroom whenever we are out and about...and why when they go (and by "they" I mean Drew) do they have to take their shoes, pants, and underwear off...in a public bathroom!? I'm not sure where he learned this behavior. I am going to blame Mark, only because I have to blame someone and I can't blame God...and calling it spiritual warfare seems a little excessive.
8) Boys eat A TON.
9) In the time it takes for Mark and I to make 4 tacos kids can: spray koolaid from a water bottle all of the walls, ceiling, and floors, learn how to arm pit fart, and pee in a trashcan. Yes, all of that happened tonight. And to answer you question...no, we have no control.
10) The greatest thing I have learned though is that memories are not made by everything always going according to plan, and being clean, tidy, and perfect. Our memories are made through laughter, chaos, and being crazy together.
And that, my friends, is why I love my wild, crazy, and wonderful family; and hope my nephews can come stay with us every summer.
Enjoying the Chaos,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
One of His First Words was Sponge Bob...Yep, I may Deserve the Judgment
The other day I took all three boys to get their hairs cut in prepartion for my brother's wedding. This is an appointment that had to be strategically planned for the perfect time (not too close to th wedding so the cuts look brand new), and by the one hair dresser I can trust to cut all of their hair and make it look nice (and not like we came from the back woods of West Virginia with a buzz cut all over the head, with long bangs in the front). I'm orginally from WV so I feel like it is entirely appropriate and acceptable that I made that reference. Y'all know what kind of haircut I am talkin' about! I also love my heritage, home, family and friends from WV...so please don't take too much offense.
Anyway, with that said...
I took all three boys to get their haircut. I knew it would be a long process, and I knew that the temptation to run all over the place and get into the things they weren't supposed to get into (you know, act normal) was a definite possibility. So I began the trip dangling a reward in front of their faces. Some people may call that I bribe and say I shouldn't do things like that, but to them I say, "Um, whatever. 1) It's a reward. 2) You are obviously not a parent." We love the reward system at our house. And for their big reward for doing well they were promised a BK happy meal with chicken fingers and apple fries...and ofcourse, the coveted happy meal toy.
So you can stop holding your breath in anticipation...they did earn their reward and the favorite part of the happy meal was the apples...which was my reward because it made me feel as though there was an area in parenting where I wasn't failing because my children like fruit! I digress...
While at Cookie Cutters (place they get their haircut) there was a mom that held her screaming child for no less than 20 minutes while he sobbed, screamed, kicked, and dry heaved because he hated getting his haircut. All I could think about was how thankful I was that that was no longer my reality, that because of the screaming no one noticed the m&m's my kids spilled all over the floor, and that even though it was stressful watching all three boys in the midst of chaos, atleast they were content. At one point I even looked at the mom and asked if she was ok, and then began to get very teary because I have SSSOOOOOO been there and it's an awful place to be.
When I looked at this mom though it made me realize how much I like to strike up a conversation with anyone. Maybe it is my need to have a conversation with anyone about anything other than Beyblades; or maybe it is because I am like my dad and could talk the ear off of anything that has an ear because I just like to meet people. Whatever the reason, I do like to talk to other adults. And so I decided to try and strike up a conversation with another mom that walked in with three children of her own. And although I don't want to spend every waking hour talking about cartoon characters, I did initiate a conversation with her about Sponge Bob because her son seemed so excited to play with a SB toy he had found.
Me: "Oh, does he like Sponge Bob? My boys are obsessed with it now. They just started watching it and love it."
Her: "No. I don't let my kids watch Sponge Bob."
Ouch. Immediate conversation stopper as I begin to feel my ears turn red, and my face drain of all color out of shame.
Keep in mind, one of the tv's in the place had Sponge Bob on in the background and my 18 month old, who is in speech mind you and has yet to say 'da-da', is bouncing up and down in my arms, pointing to the tv and saying, "punge paw! punge paw!" No lie.
And then I got to thinkin'...so many people take this like high and mighty approach to Sponge Bob, "Oh...we don't let our children watch the likes of Sponge Bob and all of his immoral huligans on that show that he calls his friends." (Not a direct quote, but I am quite vertain it is what they are thinking.) But...this show has been on since 1999. Someone is watching this show!!!!!!!
And honestly, why not. Yes, Squidward says some unkind things. And Mr. Crab is a totally greedy grouch. But Sponge Bob...oh sweet Sponge Bob...why wouldn't you want your children to watch him? He is kind to everyone. He is always doing the nicest things for people so they feel loved and taken care of (Mr. Crab's daughter on her birthday). He is generous, incredibly hard working, a faithful and loyal friend, sentimental (I mean come on, he cried watching an underwater sunset people!), funny, doesn't conform to the norm-he is his own person, he keeps his house and closet spotless, and he has a pet snail that he takes care of which shows a tremendous amount of responsibility. Why wouldn't you wat your child to watch him. He's a great character on tv and I am tired of him getting such a bad rap. It is undeserved I tell you-UNDESERVED!
So yes, I wanted to tell this random mom what I thought: why Sponge Bob is a great character, unlike Dora who is allowed to wonder through the upsidedown jungle, around the oversized dancing chicken, and through tickle fingers farm with a monkey and NO PARENTS!
Yes, I wanted to tell this mom what I thought, but I was too busy praising Nate for actually saying "Punge Paw" and opening his 4th sucker for him.
This Joyful and Tired Mom is also,
The Sponge Bob loving Mom
Anyway, with that said...
I took all three boys to get their haircut. I knew it would be a long process, and I knew that the temptation to run all over the place and get into the things they weren't supposed to get into (you know, act normal) was a definite possibility. So I began the trip dangling a reward in front of their faces. Some people may call that I bribe and say I shouldn't do things like that, but to them I say, "Um, whatever. 1) It's a reward. 2) You are obviously not a parent." We love the reward system at our house. And for their big reward for doing well they were promised a BK happy meal with chicken fingers and apple fries...and ofcourse, the coveted happy meal toy.
So you can stop holding your breath in anticipation...they did earn their reward and the favorite part of the happy meal was the apples...which was my reward because it made me feel as though there was an area in parenting where I wasn't failing because my children like fruit! I digress...
While at Cookie Cutters (place they get their haircut) there was a mom that held her screaming child for no less than 20 minutes while he sobbed, screamed, kicked, and dry heaved because he hated getting his haircut. All I could think about was how thankful I was that that was no longer my reality, that because of the screaming no one noticed the m&m's my kids spilled all over the floor, and that even though it was stressful watching all three boys in the midst of chaos, atleast they were content. At one point I even looked at the mom and asked if she was ok, and then began to get very teary because I have SSSOOOOOO been there and it's an awful place to be.
When I looked at this mom though it made me realize how much I like to strike up a conversation with anyone. Maybe it is my need to have a conversation with anyone about anything other than Beyblades; or maybe it is because I am like my dad and could talk the ear off of anything that has an ear because I just like to meet people. Whatever the reason, I do like to talk to other adults. And so I decided to try and strike up a conversation with another mom that walked in with three children of her own. And although I don't want to spend every waking hour talking about cartoon characters, I did initiate a conversation with her about Sponge Bob because her son seemed so excited to play with a SB toy he had found.
Me: "Oh, does he like Sponge Bob? My boys are obsessed with it now. They just started watching it and love it."
Her: "No. I don't let my kids watch Sponge Bob."
Ouch. Immediate conversation stopper as I begin to feel my ears turn red, and my face drain of all color out of shame.
Keep in mind, one of the tv's in the place had Sponge Bob on in the background and my 18 month old, who is in speech mind you and has yet to say 'da-da', is bouncing up and down in my arms, pointing to the tv and saying, "punge paw! punge paw!" No lie.
And then I got to thinkin'...so many people take this like high and mighty approach to Sponge Bob, "Oh...we don't let our children watch the likes of Sponge Bob and all of his immoral huligans on that show that he calls his friends." (Not a direct quote, but I am quite vertain it is what they are thinking.) But...this show has been on since 1999. Someone is watching this show!!!!!!!
And honestly, why not. Yes, Squidward says some unkind things. And Mr. Crab is a totally greedy grouch. But Sponge Bob...oh sweet Sponge Bob...why wouldn't you want your children to watch him? He is kind to everyone. He is always doing the nicest things for people so they feel loved and taken care of (Mr. Crab's daughter on her birthday). He is generous, incredibly hard working, a faithful and loyal friend, sentimental (I mean come on, he cried watching an underwater sunset people!), funny, doesn't conform to the norm-he is his own person, he keeps his house and closet spotless, and he has a pet snail that he takes care of which shows a tremendous amount of responsibility. Why wouldn't you wat your child to watch him. He's a great character on tv and I am tired of him getting such a bad rap. It is undeserved I tell you-UNDESERVED!
So yes, I wanted to tell this random mom what I thought: why Sponge Bob is a great character, unlike Dora who is allowed to wonder through the upsidedown jungle, around the oversized dancing chicken, and through tickle fingers farm with a monkey and NO PARENTS!
Yes, I wanted to tell this mom what I thought, but I was too busy praising Nate for actually saying "Punge Paw" and opening his 4th sucker for him.
This Joyful and Tired Mom is also,
The Sponge Bob loving Mom
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day
Every year for Mother's Day magazines, tv shows, and the news pay tribute to moms. One of the ways they do this is by asking people what the greatest lesson was that their mother taught them. The answers range from ultra serious things in life to ways to make your waist look smaller in a bathing suit (although, I do see this as an especially important issue as well-whoever can teach me to do this in the 2012 presidential race will undoubtedly win my vote).
I started thinking this past week what my mom's legacy is in me. What is one thing that she has taught me that I will take with me forever, will pass onto my children, and will hopefully be passed on for generations to come.
Honestly, I can't think of one extremely valuable thing she has taught me over the years; but I can think of two extremely significant life lessons she has taught me that have helped to shape who I am and how I live.
1) She taught me, not by words, but by example, that when you get married you are married for better or worse. Now I am not saying stay with someone that is abusive or consistently commits adultery. What she did teach me though is that in life and in marriage, it isn't always easy, but that doesn't mean you run. You work to make it better, as much as it depends on you, you honor the vows you made before God and man. Because even when we see a situation as hopeless, God sees it as hope-filled.
2) This has been a big one for me since 3rd grade when I really started to get teased in school, and it continues to be a lesson that I live daily in response to how people may treat me, my husband, or my children. She taught me that even if an injustice has been done to me, I should not REACT to someone in anger. Rather, if I am going to stand up to injustice I need to watch my words very carefully, and in every way take my time and understand the possible ways something could be misconstrued or misunderstood, and be aware of what the possible consequences may be for how I handle a situation.
I love this piece of advice because I think there is so much wisdom in it! Have I always conducted myself in a way that I am proud of? Nope. Always watched my words? Nope. But the times that I have I can honestly say that when I look back those are the moments where I feel I walked with a lot of dignity, and that personally feels really good.
So thank you mom. Thank you for being such an incredible mom that loves her family with her whole heart. Thank you for consistently supporting me, my marriage, and your grandsons in everything! We love you with everything in our hearts.
Happy Mother's Day.
With a Heart Full of Love,
Lindsey
*What are some great lessons your mom has taught you over the years?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Check it Out!
Check out my friends cookies. She has an amazing gift!
www.sugarchicbydawn.blogspot.com
She has made us Buckeye cookies, Harry Potter cookies, and Mickey Mouse themed cookies...and I can't wait to see what we will have her do for Zachary's 6th birthday!
www.sugarchicbydawn.blogspot.com
She has made us Buckeye cookies, Harry Potter cookies, and Mickey Mouse themed cookies...and I can't wait to see what we will have her do for Zachary's 6th birthday!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
I've Often Wondered
Over the years I have just come to accept, by faith, that there are mysteries of God I will never fully understand; and I'm ok with that. I don't want to be all-knowing. Who wants that pressure? I'll leave the big stuff to God. So when it comes to questions and mysteries of the universe I am not one to sit and ponder questions I am not convinced can ever be answered.
With that said however, there is a mystery of God that I would LOVE to understand...and that is how on earth He reveals Himself, His greatness, His splendor, His forgiveness, His approachability, His love, and His grace to a child in a way they can comprehend.
At night when praying with our boys I will sometimes just ask God to reveal Himself to them in a way they can understand. I believe He can and has done that for them, and believe He will continue to do so throughout their lives.
However, because we are human there can sometimes be a glitch in our understanding. Case in point:
Last night I took Drew to Children's-again-for his asthma. As he was struggling to breath in the backseat after a failed breathing treatment at home he says to me from the backseat (unprompted),"Mommy, I don't need to be afraid. Jesus is always with me. He is always with me. He lives in my tummy though and can't get out because He's too big. Yeah, He's too big. But a bunny can get out of my tummy because it's really small." Well ok then! Not exactly what we've been teaching him about Jesus, but it'll do for now.
So apparently last night Drew had a "fever in his head, wheezing in his chest, and a bunny and Jesus living in his tummy."
I absolutely love his innocence. I love how his little mind works. I love his heart and faith in a God that will never leave him, so he never has to be afraid...even if that God's bunkmate is a bunny for now.
Until next time...I'm hoping for healthy kiddos, clear lungs, and Jesus moving from Drew's tummy to his heart.
The Future-Pastor's Momma (ha),
The Joyful and Tired Mom
With that said however, there is a mystery of God that I would LOVE to understand...and that is how on earth He reveals Himself, His greatness, His splendor, His forgiveness, His approachability, His love, and His grace to a child in a way they can comprehend.
At night when praying with our boys I will sometimes just ask God to reveal Himself to them in a way they can understand. I believe He can and has done that for them, and believe He will continue to do so throughout their lives.
However, because we are human there can sometimes be a glitch in our understanding. Case in point:
Last night I took Drew to Children's-again-for his asthma. As he was struggling to breath in the backseat after a failed breathing treatment at home he says to me from the backseat (unprompted),"Mommy, I don't need to be afraid. Jesus is always with me. He is always with me. He lives in my tummy though and can't get out because He's too big. Yeah, He's too big. But a bunny can get out of my tummy because it's really small." Well ok then! Not exactly what we've been teaching him about Jesus, but it'll do for now.
So apparently last night Drew had a "fever in his head, wheezing in his chest, and a bunny and Jesus living in his tummy."
I absolutely love his innocence. I love how his little mind works. I love his heart and faith in a God that will never leave him, so he never has to be afraid...even if that God's bunkmate is a bunny for now.
Until next time...I'm hoping for healthy kiddos, clear lungs, and Jesus moving from Drew's tummy to his heart.
The Future-Pastor's Momma (ha),
The Joyful and Tired Mom
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Just Because
There isn't anything in particular that is driving my desire to write this blog...I just simply want to put it out there-I love my husband.
He is so incredibly perfect for me. He wouldn't be perfect for someone else, I know that. I am not saying he's perfect. I am just saying that he is perfect for me. He balances me in ways no one else can. He affirms me in who I am as a wife, a mother, and a friend. He is kind. He is hysterical! He works out with a trainer with me, and doesn't allow pride to get in the way of us having fun and laughing together. He is polite. He is an incredible father. He is always there to lend a hand to my family if there is a need. He sacrifices his time and works overtime so I am able to stay at home with our children. He comes home every day from work and immediately begins playing with the boys-wrestle mania in our house every day! ...and there is so much more.
He is a good man. He is a good man that has allowed the transforming power of God to change his life. I am so grateful for him every day. I am so thankful to call him my husband.
Totally in Love,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
He is so incredibly perfect for me. He wouldn't be perfect for someone else, I know that. I am not saying he's perfect. I am just saying that he is perfect for me. He balances me in ways no one else can. He affirms me in who I am as a wife, a mother, and a friend. He is kind. He is hysterical! He works out with a trainer with me, and doesn't allow pride to get in the way of us having fun and laughing together. He is polite. He is an incredible father. He is always there to lend a hand to my family if there is a need. He sacrifices his time and works overtime so I am able to stay at home with our children. He comes home every day from work and immediately begins playing with the boys-wrestle mania in our house every day! ...and there is so much more.
He is a good man. He is a good man that has allowed the transforming power of God to change his life. I am so grateful for him every day. I am so thankful to call him my husband.
Totally in Love,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Oh-If You Only Knew...
A few months ago my 6 year old nephew asked my sister-in-law what she did all day. I will tell you what she does all day: she is a nurse practitioner at Children's Hopsital in the cardiology department 20+ hours a week, and she is a very involved parent raising four boys 8 and under. And she is also a marriage mentor through their church. That's what she is doing!
But honestly, I can understand why a 6 year old may have no concept of what his parent actually does during the day and would question her. It was totally innocent. Very sweet. Hysterical to most parents. And it endeared me even more to my nephew.
I can understand a child not having any concept what his parents do; but it is baffling to me how an adult can have NO CLUE what a day in the life of a parent consists of...I mean, no clue.
Yesterday I met with a trainer for the very first time. He was, and is, great! But in our initial meeting he was trying to guage what my life looks on a daily basis and he says to me, "So you're a stay at home mom? You probably sit most of the day." Hahahahahahaha. Yes. Yes. I sit 90% of the time; the other 10% I spend standing in front of my refrigerator.
The thing is, I would never expect someone that hasn't spent a lot of time with young children to understand what a day looks like and how it unfolds minute to minute. So as I was going through my morning I thought that I would just document what our morning looked like today, and then maybe send sweet ole Vaughn this blog, along with all of the comments people made on my facebook page regarding his ridiculous, totally clueless, comment.
4:45 a.m.: Drew wakes up and Mark goes in to try to get him back in bed.
5:15 a.m.: Drew has still not fallen back alseep so I go into his room to lay with him.
5:30 a.m.: Sleeping=failure...we go downstairs to start our morning.
5:50 a.m.: Zachary wakes up and Drew's whining begins.
6:03 a.m.: Drew is in his first time-out for the day.
6:05 a.m.: I jump in the shower and get ready for the day.
7:00 a.m.: Mark leaves for work (tear).
7:30 a.m.: Throw 3 boys in the bath and get them ready for the day.
8:15 a.m.: Feed Nate a bottle, the liner folds into the bottle, 8 oz. of milk spill all over me and Nate.
8:20 a.m.: Change Nate's outfit, make another bottle, feed him the bottle, put him down for a nap.
8:30 a.m.: I take another shower so I don't smell like spoiled milk all day.
8:40 a.m.: I finally sit down for a coffe and quick breakfast.
9:00 a.m.: Start packing a bag to take with us when we go and meet friends to play.
9:15 a.m.: Tell the older boys to go to the bathroom before we leave. I then have to break up a fight between the two about who gets to wash their hands first.
9:20 a.m.: Wake Nate up from morning nap, get his shoes, socks, and coat on...load everyone in the car...plus our little neighbor that was going to the play place with us.
10:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: Have a fantastic time with friends while our children run around and play together. Still have my eyes on four children though, so the stress level remains somewhat high.
11:50 a.m.: Finally had all of the kids laoded and buckled into their carseats and drive through Wendy's for lunch. As I am driving away we discover that Wendy's messed up our order...unable to turn around and correct their mistake.
(Spend the drive to our home listening to two of the children in my car scream hysterically: one because he is exhausted and thirsty, the other because he can't stand listening to his brother cry-it's awesome.)
12:10 p.m.: Drive through McDonalds for drinks for the kids, and something else for the boys to eat, since they didn't eat their food from Wendy's.
12:30 p.m.: I drop Zachary off at school.
12:35 p.m.: I drop David off at home.
12:40 p.m.: Brought Nate and Drew into the house and started prepping them for nap. I put a diaper on Drew, which I discovered wasn't on tightly enough when he peed all over himself, and the floor, right before nap. At the exact moment that I was changing Drew again, Nate decided to dump an entire bowl full of Cali's water onto the floor...and then slip and fall into it...outift change #3 for the day.
12:50 p.m.: The boys are finally in bed.
1:00 p.m.: Drew hollers down that he needs to poop. I run upstairs, wipe him, help him get dressed again, put him down again, and finally land on the couch at 1:04 p.m.
I will sit for a little longer before I have to load the kids back into the car, drive and get Zachary at school, and then take a meal over to a friend who just had a baby.
But yes Vaughn, I do a crazy amount of sitting during the day, and I read People, and eat chocolate, oh...and don't forget the mani's and pedi's that I am known for doing weekly (if you know me and my ugly nails at all, you know that's a lie).
This man, bless him, has no clue. And the reality is, a lot of people don't...and that's ok. I just hope Vaughn doesn't say anything like this to his wife one day if they choose to have children.
My Rear End is Falling Asleep from Sitting Too Much,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
But honestly, I can understand why a 6 year old may have no concept of what his parent actually does during the day and would question her. It was totally innocent. Very sweet. Hysterical to most parents. And it endeared me even more to my nephew.
I can understand a child not having any concept what his parents do; but it is baffling to me how an adult can have NO CLUE what a day in the life of a parent consists of...I mean, no clue.
Yesterday I met with a trainer for the very first time. He was, and is, great! But in our initial meeting he was trying to guage what my life looks on a daily basis and he says to me, "So you're a stay at home mom? You probably sit most of the day." Hahahahahahaha. Yes. Yes. I sit 90% of the time; the other 10% I spend standing in front of my refrigerator.
The thing is, I would never expect someone that hasn't spent a lot of time with young children to understand what a day looks like and how it unfolds minute to minute. So as I was going through my morning I thought that I would just document what our morning looked like today, and then maybe send sweet ole Vaughn this blog, along with all of the comments people made on my facebook page regarding his ridiculous, totally clueless, comment.
4:45 a.m.: Drew wakes up and Mark goes in to try to get him back in bed.
5:15 a.m.: Drew has still not fallen back alseep so I go into his room to lay with him.
5:30 a.m.: Sleeping=failure...we go downstairs to start our morning.
5:50 a.m.: Zachary wakes up and Drew's whining begins.
6:03 a.m.: Drew is in his first time-out for the day.
6:05 a.m.: I jump in the shower and get ready for the day.
7:00 a.m.: Mark leaves for work (tear).
7:30 a.m.: Throw 3 boys in the bath and get them ready for the day.
8:15 a.m.: Feed Nate a bottle, the liner folds into the bottle, 8 oz. of milk spill all over me and Nate.
8:20 a.m.: Change Nate's outfit, make another bottle, feed him the bottle, put him down for a nap.
8:30 a.m.: I take another shower so I don't smell like spoiled milk all day.
8:40 a.m.: I finally sit down for a coffe and quick breakfast.
9:00 a.m.: Start packing a bag to take with us when we go and meet friends to play.
9:15 a.m.: Tell the older boys to go to the bathroom before we leave. I then have to break up a fight between the two about who gets to wash their hands first.
9:20 a.m.: Wake Nate up from morning nap, get his shoes, socks, and coat on...load everyone in the car...plus our little neighbor that was going to the play place with us.
10:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: Have a fantastic time with friends while our children run around and play together. Still have my eyes on four children though, so the stress level remains somewhat high.
11:50 a.m.: Finally had all of the kids laoded and buckled into their carseats and drive through Wendy's for lunch. As I am driving away we discover that Wendy's messed up our order...unable to turn around and correct their mistake.
(Spend the drive to our home listening to two of the children in my car scream hysterically: one because he is exhausted and thirsty, the other because he can't stand listening to his brother cry-it's awesome.)
12:10 p.m.: Drive through McDonalds for drinks for the kids, and something else for the boys to eat, since they didn't eat their food from Wendy's.
12:30 p.m.: I drop Zachary off at school.
12:35 p.m.: I drop David off at home.
12:40 p.m.: Brought Nate and Drew into the house and started prepping them for nap. I put a diaper on Drew, which I discovered wasn't on tightly enough when he peed all over himself, and the floor, right before nap. At the exact moment that I was changing Drew again, Nate decided to dump an entire bowl full of Cali's water onto the floor...and then slip and fall into it...outift change #3 for the day.
12:50 p.m.: The boys are finally in bed.
1:00 p.m.: Drew hollers down that he needs to poop. I run upstairs, wipe him, help him get dressed again, put him down again, and finally land on the couch at 1:04 p.m.
I will sit for a little longer before I have to load the kids back into the car, drive and get Zachary at school, and then take a meal over to a friend who just had a baby.
But yes Vaughn, I do a crazy amount of sitting during the day, and I read People, and eat chocolate, oh...and don't forget the mani's and pedi's that I am known for doing weekly (if you know me and my ugly nails at all, you know that's a lie).
This man, bless him, has no clue. And the reality is, a lot of people don't...and that's ok. I just hope Vaughn doesn't say anything like this to his wife one day if they choose to have children.
My Rear End is Falling Asleep from Sitting Too Much,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I Surrender
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! There, I did it...I virtually screamed. Believe it or not, it unfortunately does NOT have the same effect as doing it in real life. I thought it would take the edge off though, and unfortunately, it didn't do that either. And oh yes, please don't confuse that scream as some sort of a William Wallace, "They may take our lives, but they will never take...our freedom!" victory battle cry. Nope. It's more of a scream of surrender that closely resembles sobbing. You know the type, where if you had a white flag you would wave it in the air and submissively hand it to your 3 year old because he is the victorious one.
Man, my kids hate me today. They really hate me.
Zachary has been an angel actually. But a very very very talkative angel. One that could actually make your ears bleed if he doesn't stop. Kidding about the bleeding ears, but seriously, the sweet sound of the humming garbage truck outside is soothing to me today because it isn't talking to me.
Nate may not hate me so much as he has been hating life. Or rather, life in a stroller or car seat. We used to call him "puppy" or "koala" because of the sweet way he used to crawl all around us or cling to us whenever we picked him up. His new nickname is "screech owl" and it isn't a cute name, and he didn't earn it by being cute either. Oh my gosh, the child screams so loudly all the freaking time! By 9:30 a.m. I started planning what kind of wine I was going to buy at the store tonight to drink when Mark gets home because I just want a little something to help take the edge off...and an excuse to not respond to every scream, "Sorry Mark, can you help Nate? Yeah, I got me some wine." Then I'll go upstairs and take a bath in the kids tiny tub (because ours needs cleaned after giving Cali a bath in it) and lay my hair against the toy basket that smells like mildew...ahhh...relaxation.
Another reason I desperately want to enjoy a tiny glass of wine in the quiet is because Drew, sweet, wonderful, fiesty Drew hates me. LOATHES ME! There is not one thing that I have said today that he hasn't argued...and I do mean "nothing." He has fought me on everything and I am so beyond exhausted from making everything a choice for him so I can get my desired result, but have him feel as though he is in control. It's mentally exhausting. And it's physically exhausting to have to still drag him to and from the car while carrying a sreeching one year old, because he won't do as I have suggested/told him to do.
No one ever mentioned that parenthood was this hard. When people say it's hard you can never grasp the truthfulness of that statement until you have kids...or until you have one like Drew. I love him, but oh my gosh, he is wearing me down today. He wins!
Never Been more True with My Title,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
Man, my kids hate me today. They really hate me.
Zachary has been an angel actually. But a very very very talkative angel. One that could actually make your ears bleed if he doesn't stop. Kidding about the bleeding ears, but seriously, the sweet sound of the humming garbage truck outside is soothing to me today because it isn't talking to me.
Nate may not hate me so much as he has been hating life. Or rather, life in a stroller or car seat. We used to call him "puppy" or "koala" because of the sweet way he used to crawl all around us or cling to us whenever we picked him up. His new nickname is "screech owl" and it isn't a cute name, and he didn't earn it by being cute either. Oh my gosh, the child screams so loudly all the freaking time! By 9:30 a.m. I started planning what kind of wine I was going to buy at the store tonight to drink when Mark gets home because I just want a little something to help take the edge off...and an excuse to not respond to every scream, "Sorry Mark, can you help Nate? Yeah, I got me some wine." Then I'll go upstairs and take a bath in the kids tiny tub (because ours needs cleaned after giving Cali a bath in it) and lay my hair against the toy basket that smells like mildew...ahhh...relaxation.
Another reason I desperately want to enjoy a tiny glass of wine in the quiet is because Drew, sweet, wonderful, fiesty Drew hates me. LOATHES ME! There is not one thing that I have said today that he hasn't argued...and I do mean "nothing." He has fought me on everything and I am so beyond exhausted from making everything a choice for him so I can get my desired result, but have him feel as though he is in control. It's mentally exhausting. And it's physically exhausting to have to still drag him to and from the car while carrying a sreeching one year old, because he won't do as I have suggested/told him to do.
No one ever mentioned that parenthood was this hard. When people say it's hard you can never grasp the truthfulness of that statement until you have kids...or until you have one like Drew. I love him, but oh my gosh, he is wearing me down today. He wins!
Never Been more True with My Title,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Drew's First Date
I just wanted to share these pictures with family and friends. To celebrate Drew's birthday, and our sweet little neighbor Lydia's birthday, Pam (Lydia's mom) and I took them to see "Tangled" yesterday. Drew adores Lydia, and I am confident the feeling is mutual from her end as well. They are so adorable together! Anyway, we took them to the movie. Drew sat next to Lydia. And in the middle of the movie he put the moves on her and tried to give her a kiss on the lips, but awkwardly missed, and landed a big one on her cheek. The innocence was so perfect, and so is their little friendship. I am just hoping that this can be the start of a wonderful tradition-even when Lydia is 16 and Drew is 10.
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