Old Posts that I thought I lost! These are from last summer!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Longest......pee......ever

It's that time again...the dreaded potty training. Grace seemed to get the handle on it pretty quick, but Gabe is really not that interested. My mom was visiting a couple of weeks ago, and like she did with Grace, she just started putting Gabe on the little potty even though he didn't want too (which is what I needed with both kids....I do not look forward to potty training!) He has sat on the potty before, and did pee in it once, but he didn't even realize he had peed until he stood up. So before bed one night, my mom got out the potty and plopped him on it. My mom, Grace and I were all sitting around him for support, which he seemed to like. So we waited, and cheered him on, and waited, until at last, the trickle! This is the best sound to hear when you're potty training! He didn't pee long because I think it felt funny to him...he giggled and giggled when it came out! We cheered and cheered and did the potty dance and he was so proud! End of story? Of course not, we're just getting started! After the first initial trickle, he had a longer stream, giggled again, and then stopped peeing. I thought...hmm, he's doing great! My mom asked him then, "are you done?" and Gabe said "Mope (this is how he says no...(mo) more pee!" So we were thinking, yeah yeah, I'm sure he's done. But not long after he said that, he indeed peed again! I don't think he would fully let it all out...just a little at a time. So we cheered again, and did the potty dance, and thought, ok, now he's done. Mope. "More pee" he says. Now at this time, it had been about 10 minutes, so how could he possibly have more pee in there? Well folks...this is no joke. He peed and stopped and peed and stopped for.....wait for it..... 45 minutes!!! Not kidding! It was one of the most amazing/hilarious/confusing/proud moments! After the first 10 minutes, we just thought he was kidding when he would say "more pee," but alas, more pee would come out. At about 20 minutes into the pee, my mom and I started giggling uncontrollably every time he would start peeing again because seriously, who pees this long? I kept having these images of Tom Hanks in the movie "A League of their own" when he proceeded to pee for probably a minute and a half straight, and just when you thought he was done, more would come out. In our state o f shock, my mom and I started to say these crazy things like "Is he going to be dehydrated when he's done? Will we have to take him to the doctor? Is his head going to be smaller afterwards?" (which wouldn't be that bad of a thing since both my kids have huge heads. They really do.) Seriously, where is all this pee coming from? At about 30 minutes into the pee I was practically on the floor belly laughing every time he would pee again. I honestly did not know what think! My mouth was pretty much on the floor at this point. My mom took Grace in the kitchen at this point, and every time he would go again, I would yell to her, "Mom, he's peeing again...what the heck?" And then we would proceed to giggle again like little kids. All this time Gabe was beaming. Finally, we asked him one last time if he was done, in which he then said, "yep" and got off the potty and walked in the other room. We were all exhausted. My mom turns to look at me and said "I have never seen anything like it!" And she raised 4 kids! Oh, and mom, I'm expecting you to verify this story so people know I'm not lying!! So I did what every mother would do in this situation. I measured the amount of pee in the potty. I know, I know, gross right? But I didn't care, I had to know! So in 45 minutes of peeing, he had peed a little more than 3/4th's of a cup! Now, that might not be a lot for us adults, but for a 2 year old? I mean, are you guys amazed too, or is it just me and my mom??! Please, I'm curious!?
Wow...I'm exhausted just writing this and reliving it. So this might be a little too much for some people to read, but I just had to write about it because it was so hysterical!
With all of that said....he hasn't gotten on the potty since.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

All the single mommies (echo:all the single mommies)

This post is a shout-out to all the single mommies out there...especially a dear friend of mine who is the epitome of strength, courage, and is brave beyond belief. Let's start out with a song, shall we?

"All the single mommies (echo: all the single mommies) All the single mommies (echo: all the single mommies) so put your hands up....oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh, whoa oh oh, oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh. That's all you get...I'm too tired to change all the words.

So I've been married for 6 1/2 years to the love of my life. I'm fortunate enough to have found someone who gets me and accepts all the crazy that comes with me (and friends, there's a lot of crazy here) Not only is he a great husband, but he's an out of this world dad. He's been 100% hands on since the beginning. With our first, miss Grace, I labored for 23 hours before I needed a c-section. Many of you know that with a c-section comes days of immobility, especially the first few days. David stayed with me with me in the hospital all 4 days and nights I was there. He was the first to get up when she cried and would change her diaper to let me rest. He would hand her to me when she was hungry because he knew that I couldn't get up, and the days after we got home, he took care of her 100% when I suffered from a spinal headache and couldn't even sit up. He was Mr. Mom when I couldn't be. When I had moments of panic, suffering from post partum depression, he would hold her, and me, and tell us both that everything would be ok. When I needed to go back to the doctor because my c-section incision got infected, he took care of both of us and gave me this look that told me he would do anything he could to be there for us. There were moments that I didn't even want to get up and get Grace when she cried because the connection I felt wasn't the connection I thought I should feel. David would get her, rock her and then hold us both. Since Grace was mostly bottle fed, he would get up many nights and feed her, and this not only lasted the first few weeks, but months after. He was the ultimate hands-on dad, and I realize now how lucky I am.

When I had Gabriel, a planned c-section (wooo hoooo!) he took off a month of work so he could be home with me and take care of the things I couldn't do physically. I have had an enormous amount of help raising our children. He takes them to the park so I can go workout, he lets me go on girls weekends when I need a big break, and he wrestles with them on the floor when they need some physical dad time. He helps tuck them in at night making sure they say their prayers, and if he hasn't seen them all day, he won't let me tuck them in at all because he wants and needs that time alone with them. I have been blessed in so many ways.

So now that he's gone for 2 months, I realize all the things he actually does, and I'm blown away at how much he helps! It's just me, myself and I with these kids right now. I have to do everything for them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I don't get a break. I have to tuck them in everynight and wrestle with them (poor kids, it's totally not the same as when dad does) I have to be mom and dad and to be honest, it's hard as hell. It's tough and lonely, overwhelming and exhausting. If I have to take one to the doctor, the other one comes with. When I go to the store, they both come with (which isn't a stress free event here people!) Some days I don't know how I survived the day, and most days I don't know if I'm doing things "right" or raising them "right" Some days are fantastic and pure joy. Some days I feel defeated and not good enough.

So I guess my point of this whole blog is to say how much I respect all the single mommies out there. I bow down to you, I really do. I've only gotten a taste, and it's enough to know that it's one of the hardest things I've ever done. I commend you all and think the world of you...and I honestly don't know how you do it everyday without being committed. I'm crazy enough, and I have a significant other that helps out, well, significantly! Yikes! Is there any hope for me?

So to you single mommies, I respect the heck out of you. You should pat yourselves on the back and do a little celebratory jig because what you are doing makes you all super tough bi-otches (and I mean that in the best way!) So, to my friend Alicia, way to go woman! What you do everyday is so amazing and I think the world of you, I really do! So pat yourself on the back and go do a celebratory jig...and tape it so I can see!



So David, I love you and am so proud of you. This experience has taught me that I'm tough and brave, strong and courageous...and I know that I can survive being a single parent (without needing to be commited...yet anyway)......but come home already!!!! I need a break!!! :-)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Cookies make me anal

If I had to pick the one thing that I'm most anal about it's definitely my chocolate chip cookies. I can't help it, it's one of the thing's that I'm really good at. They're probably the best cookies I've ever tasted (sorry, but they are) and therefore every time I make them, they have to live up to standard that I've upheld for them. This may sound crazy, but after all...who's the crazy lady here? Oh, that would be me. I won't apologize for this either, although this morning I did realize just how anal I was about this topic which made me question how healthy this really is for me.
So I'm making cookies for some of my friends. I cream the butter and sugar to the right consistency, crack the eggs in a separate bowl because let's face it, who wants to have eggshells in their cookies? Then I carefully add the rest of the ingredients and I'm ready to go. I have my two best cookie sheets, my favorite spatula, the table lined with waxed paper where they can cool, and of course, my ice cream scoop which is how I get them to look perfectly round (that's one of my secrets). I can't stand to have an oblong cookie, and I think the roundness adds to how good they taste because when it comes down to it, isn't the presentation a big part of it? I think so. When the cookies look good, they taste better...just my opinion. Sometimes I don't even want to eat them, just look at them. I could look at those suckers for hours. The first thing I always do is make a "test" cookie. This way if something isn't right and I need to change the dough in anyway, I've only ruined one cookie. I've learned this to be a very important step in creating the best cookies.
So I'm making cookies this morning and everything's going great. I have my favorite Glee soundtrack cranked up and my kids are happily playing with their new Thomas Train table. All of a sudden, I hear the dreaded question from Grace, "Mommy, can I help?" Gulp. I instantly have a lump in my throat. So, being the great mommy that I am (right??) I picked up the scoop and cautiously handed it over to her. She picked it up with the biggest grin on her face (which helped a little), scooped up a huge amount of dough (another gulp) and proceeded to throw it on the pan. She was so proud...I was horrified. So I did what any anal-cookie-maker-mother would do. I let her skip out of the room, happy as a clam that she had helped. As soon as she was out of sight, I quickly corrected her hugely misshaped lump of dough. Sigh. Everything was as it should be again. After that everything went smoothly and I'm happy to report that as of now, they are cooling off beautifully and ready to be snatched up.
I guess I've realized that I may be a "little" too anal about my cookies, and in the future I'm going to try and be more willing to let my kids help (because seriously, what mom doesn't let her kid help?) It does need to be a balance though because it's something that truly makes me happy (sad, right?). So, if you've had my cookies, now you know what really goes into them. A lot of love...a lot of happiness...and a lot of stress!! :-)

Monday, June 14, 2010

My kid said what?

So you never know what's going to come out of your child's mouth, and I always thought I would be the mom who had the best behaved children who always say the right things (I know...what the heck was I thinking?) I was reliving a moment that happened a couple of months ago and had to share it.
Grace was in the bathtub with her brother and one of my friends was in there watching them. Everything was going as usual...Grace squirts Gabe in the face with a squirtgun, Gabe then gets mad and pinches her which then makes Grace scream (in a very high annoying girl scream) and squirts him more, which then starts a whole water war in the bathtub that usually ends up needing more than one towel to clean it up. After things started to quiet down a bit Grace then proceeded to say this, "Girls have a giant (she gets confused with that one) and boys have a junk." Anyone laughing yet? Now I did NOT teach her that word, nor do I ever encourage her to say it. It came out of her dad's mouth one time when she accidentally kicked him in the, well, junk. We do teach her the correct names for female and male anatomy, but apparently it's more fun to say other versions. My first reaction when she said that was, "My kid said what???" And then, after I got over the shock and embarrassment of having "that child," I busted out laughing which actually made my whole day better.
Before I had kids I always had an opinion of what kind of what kind of a mother I would be, and therefore what my kids would be like. I wasn't going to be that mom who took their kids to the store with a messy face and clothes. Well, I've done that so I guess I'm now THAT mom. I was never going to raise my voice at my kids because having a teaching degree I always thought there were alternative ways to get their attention. And there are, sometimes. Well, I've definitely raised my voice at my kids so I guess I'm THAT mom also. And I wasn't going t o have kids that said inappropriate things at inappropriate times. Well, it's pretty obvious that I'm THAT mom as well. So I've learned a few things (a few hundred thousand things). Being a mom isn't clean, nor is it pretty all the time. It's unpredictable most days, and embarrasing sometimes, and you just have to deal with is as it comes and figure out some sort of life lesson that goes with it. Ideals change, expectations fail, and if you're a mom, you're definitely going to have those moments when you think to yourself, "My kid said what?"

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Two months of single-mommyhood

So as many of you know, My hubby David is in Germany for two months. He's in the Minnesota Air National Guard as a flight nurse and got deployed over there. He flies in these huge planes and they go and get patients that need to be transferred to different hospitals. He assured me that they wouldn't be flying into the desert that much....maybe once or twice. Yeah. Try twice a week. So I try not to think about it that much but it's hard because I'm a single mom who stays home with my kids which means I virtually never get a break. I have to deal with all kinds of stuff that would be so much easier to deal with if he was home. Last year he was gone also for a couple months for some training. That was when Grace decided to throw up all over my face in the middle of the night. Yep, you heard me....in my eyes and everything. That's the kind of thing I don't want to have to deal with by myself. If David was there, he could have gotten me something to wipe up with, but instead I had to walk to the bathroom with my eyes closed (because there was puke all over) with my hands out trying to feel where I was. Awesome. This time there hasn't been anything to that degree; just the little things like getting locked out of my house with my friends and their kids all outside (with no cell phones) and having to use a power screwdriver (which I've never used before) take off my bedroom window and then proceed to try and put it back on. Just little things like that. Oh, and the other day when both my kids decided to have meltdowns at the same exact time in the grocery store. That was fun. It's situations like those that would be much easier to deal with if David was home. But, he's not...and I'm sick of dwelling on the negative's of the situation. So I decided to write down all of the positive's to this situation...because there are a few.
#1. I get to park in the middle of the garage. I didn't realized how crammed I felt when both of our vehicles were in there. It's very freeing.
#2. Along with #1, I also get to sleep in the middle of the bed which I realize I love. I crawl in and sprawl out as wide as I can get. I usually end up diagonally in the bed. Sometimes I'm completely upside down.
#3. There's nobody to make fun of me in the morning after a night of me sleep-talking. He never let's me forget the time I saw bigfoot, or when I started"making cookies" at the end of the bed. He never let's anyone else forget about them too.
#4. My bed is virtually fart-free. Yes, I just said the "F" word in my blog. I'm sorry, but men are smelly, and even though I try to set a "no farting in bed" rule, it seems to never hold up. It's nice to go to bed in peace, and with good smells in my nose.

So while there are lot's of negative thing's that I can dwell on about this situation, I'm going to keep thinking of the positives and pray he comes home in one piece. I can survive getting puked on, or being Macgyver (sp?) for a day. I will survive the baby meltdowns my kids have and anything else that comes my way.....at least I think.
I'm so proud of you babe and I love you!

And so it begins...

So I've followed a few people's blogs and came to the realization that I should write one too. I kept having all of these thoughts in my head and I figure, why shouldn't I just write them down for everyone to see? Well ok then...here goes.
There's a few things you should all know about me before I start writing intimate details of my life.
#1. I'm pretty much a crazy lady, and I'm not afraid to admit it. I have mommy meltdowns, regular people meltdowns, I'm OCD with certain things, I'm very dysfunctional, I see a therapist, and at times I feel like I have no grip on life at all. But I've realized when you own it, it doesn't seem to be as bad. I mean, who's completely sane anyway? What's the fun in that?
#2. I have two of the best kids in the whole world. Grace is almost 4 and Gabriel is 2 1/2....they're probably 50% of my daily crazy meltdowns. I mean, love the kids to death and would do anything for them, but come on, some days I just want to sell them on E-bay.
#3. I've been married to my college sweetheart for 6 1/2 years. He's one of the best men I've ever known, and also one of the best fathers I've ever seen. He's the other 50% of my daily crazy meltdowns.
#4. I stay at home with my kids and wouldn't have it any other way. I do have days I wish I had a job and curse at my husband for "getting" to go to work, but most days I absolutely love it....when I'm not having one of my mommy meltdowns that is.
#5. I'm a giver by nature. I would much rather give than receive and I think that is one of my best qualities.
#6, I'm very sensitive. Like, really sensitive. Thing's affect me that probably shouldn't, and I cry during most movies whether it's sad or not.
#7. I'm a hopeless romantic, and wouldn't want to be any other way. I've often been ridiculed for having such a love for the white knight sweeping the lady off her feet, but it's a part of who I am. I believe that you can have the fairytale, not just dream about it. I mean, when it comes down to it, all you need is love...right? Well, and a few other things...
#8. One of my best stress relievers and loves is playing the guitar. It's my outlet. My dad used to sing to us when we were little, and it's one of my fondest childhood memories. I also write songs about things like how I hate to shave my legs.
#9. I love the Lord and I try to live for Him. It's been such a lifelong journey for me, and I'm still trying to find my own way, but I know that my life is so much better with Him.
#10. I love with all my heart, I give with everything I have, and if I'm a friend of yours, I will put 100% into it. Wow, that was kind of tooting my own horn now wasn't it?
So now you know the general things about me, and I already can't wait to write my next blog. So follow me if you dare. I'm not perfect (thank goodness) and I can't guarantee correct spelling or punctuation (and I have a teaching degree...sad!) But what I can guarantee is that I'll be completely honest and will hopefully make you laugh once in a while. I mean, life is pretty darn funny when you sit back and think about it. Right? God bless!

A big move!

Well hello world!  (Or at least the 3 followers that I have!)  It's been a while since I've written, and I'm finally at a point where I think I can entertain you all again! (or, again, at least the 3 followers I have)
A lot has happened in the months of my absence.  And it would probably take me lots and lots of blogs to catch up and fill you all in.  Guess I'll just start with the biggest.

So we moved from Rochester to the Twin Cities in April.  We lived in Rochester for 5 years...it's where both our kids were born...two of my best friends lived there...and I had established a wonderful support group with my MOPS mommies at our church.  I didn't want to move.  I really loved it there, and it finally felt like "home."  And then there's the actual packing part.  If you ask me what's one thing that I absolutely hate doing, I would probably say moving.  The actual process of packing everything up, putting all of your possessions in one huge truck, and then unpacking things again is something that I seriously despise.  Really?  Yes really. There are so many more unpleasant things I would rather do than moving.  For example, I would rather go to the grocery store with my two kids while they're both throwing tantrums and people are looking at me like I'm a horrible parent.  I would rather sprain my ankle (been there, done it, would choose that over moving).  I would rather have hundreds of paper cuts all over my body.  I would rather run out of gas in the middle of interstate 494 during rush hour.  I would rather be stuck in rush hour and go into labor.  You get the point, right?
So we moved because David got into a Nurse Anesthetist Grad program up here, and it's something he's wanted to do ever since nursing school.  It was pretty much now or never.  So I took one for the team and packed the boxes, then moved the boxes, then unpacked the boxes, then vowed to never do it again.
There's so many reasons why I didn't want to ever move to Minneapolis.  I'm a small town girl at heart.  Rochester seemed big to me at first, so moving here was kind of a big deal.
So obviously there's been a lot that I've had to learn and deal with.  For example, I've learned how to be a "city driver."  I can cut someone off like a pro, and even do it where I don't get honked at!  I just flash my little smile and act like I have no idea what I'm doing.  Oh, but I do.  See, you have to learn how to be an aggressive driver here otherwise you would get eaten up...and you would always miss your exit, not to mention get lots of the middle fingers flashed at you for driving like a granny and hanging out in the fast lane when you're definitely not going fast.  I'm actually quite comfortable being an aggressive driver.  Makes me feel empowered!  Another thing I've learned is that not everyone gets robbed every night.  See, growing up in a small town, the perception I had of a big city was that everyone got robbed.  (I know...you are shaking your heads)  But seriously.  Then one night my husband left his very expensive ipod on the deck overnight, and low and behold, it was still there the next day!  Shocking!  The city was starting to grow on me.  Now, obviously he didn't mean to leave the ipod out there, and will always try and be careful about not leaving things outside, but it was nice knowing that for at least one night, our yard was creeper free.  Another thing I've learned is that you can get pretty much anywhere in the city in about 20 minutes.  Except, of, course, Ikea and the Mall of America because they're practically in my backyard (three miles away).  It's proven to be a bit dangerous, but we're working on it.  No, I don't have to go there 3 times a day..once is probably enough.
One of the most important things I've learned living here is that I can practically wear anything I want, in any combination, and I would blend right in.  Plaid knee high tights with a hot pink striped shirt and tie-dyed sneakers?  Perfectly normal.  Different colored socks with two different shoes and a dress that looked like a tiger had gotten to it?  Seen it lots, might even try it.

So we're here for at least two years.  And then who knows where.  So I'm going to make the most of our time here, and who knows, we might end up here permanently.  I sure miss everybody from Rochester, but am coming to terms with our new life.
So here's to new adventures, new dreams, and wearing whatever the heck I want without getting looked at like I'm a freak!

There's no place like home.

Growing up, I always found it so fascinating how my mother transformed into a completely different person when we went to the "farm" (Her parents farm in Illinois).  I never saw that side of her unless we were there.  She was 100% relaxed and had this look on her face that said "I'm home."  Now, the farm was/ is a truly magical place, and it transforms everyone that spends time there, but it transformed my mom the most.  It brought out this giddyness, sillyness, and craziness side that was truly amazing.  I remember late nights when we were at the farm where my mom and her sisters would just laugh and laugh and be squirly and silly and completely crazy!  I loved seeing this.
Now, as an adult, I understand why my mom was the way she was at the farm.  It was her "home," the place where she grew up....the place that held so many magical moments, moments that helped shape and mold the person she is today.
The kids and I went to my moms house last weekend, the house where I grew up, and it was the perfect time to go because the kids were driving me nuts!  I swear it was a full moon the Friday before we left.  I was tired, emotional, frustrated, defeated, and drained.  It just so happened that my little sister was there that weekend also, which was an extra bonus!  As soon as I walked in the door and watched my kids run to their Grandma and Aunt, I sighed a big long sigh and said to myself, "There's no place like home."  I really do feel like a different person when I'm at the house I grew up in.  Not that it's a good or bad thing, I just feel different.  It takes me to this world that feels safe and warm.  I become this person that does really awful interpretive dances (I dance a lot anyway, but it get's so much worse at my moms!) and acts the silliest I've ever acted.  I remember the first few times I brought David home to meet my family when we first started dating and I could see the look on his face that said, "Who is this person??"  Something takes over me.  We always eat a lot when I'm at "home," always great food,  food that reminds me of my childhood....food that comforts my soul and warms my heart.  We dance even more than David and the kids and I dance at our home in Rochester.  And you should see how my sisters and I dance when we're together.  Seriously.  It's like nothing you've ever seen.  It maybe should even be illegal.  And then there's scrabble.  My family loves scrabble, and we're out for blood.  We usually play at night, after the busy day has ended.  My mom does crossword puzzles everyday, so she's the word guru.  If we have any questions about a word, she is our dictionary.  I'd like to say that I clean everyone's clocks every-time we play, but that that wouldn't be true or fair.  We usually take turns winning, since we're all awesome at it.  Right guys?  And then there's usually some guitar playing and singing.  We pass around the guitar and take turns singing our favorite songs.  It's therapeutic, relaxing, and makes me feel like everything is right in the world.  It takes me back to when I was a child and I would hear my dad playing after we had all went to bed.  It was the best lullaby, soothing my very core, and still does to this day.
So to me, there really isn't anyplace like "home," and after this past weekend I felt refreshed and rejuvenated.  It's always sad to leave, but nice to get back to reality. I only hope to create an environment for my kids that my parents created for me, and I hope and look forward to the day when my kids are grown, and they come to me and say "Mom, there's no place like home."

Anyone up for a "Shave 'em Song" sequel?

So many of you know I play guitar and like to write songs (not as many anymore since I'm kinda busy these days).  My favorite song I've written is called "Shave 'em Song....I didn't actually officially name it that, but I didn't name it anything else, and that's what I call it, so I guess that's the name it got inherited.  So I hate shaving.  I hate everything about it.  I always seem to cut myself and my skin is so sensitive that razor burn is inevitable.  It takes me forever and by the time I'm done shaving, the hot water is gone.  Nice.  I do have to admit that I love the way it feels after you shave...there's nothing like that feeling, it's just getting to that feeling that I have a problem with.  It's not that I want to be a hairy beast or anything, I just don't want to shave.
So looking at my options, I figured I wouldn't like waxing because I can't take the pain, and plus that would probably take even longer than shaving.  Recently at my mother-in-law's house I saw that she had a bottle of Nair in the closet and my curiosity peeked.  I asked her about it and apparently she loves it and get's silky smooth legs (I have to admit, she does have nice silky smooth legs) So, curious little me decided, what the heck?  Nothing could be worse than shaving, right?  Wrong.  Nair is worse than shaving.  For one thing the smell is God-awful.  It's like, well......I can't even explain it.  It burns your nostrils and reminds me of a hospital.  It also feels funny on my skin.  Since I have sensitive skin it probably wasn't the best choice because it is kind of harsh, and sort of burned.  Who wants to burn their hairs off?  Also, it didn't even work!  Seriously, I left it on for as long as they said...even a little longer just to make sure.  So I rinsed it all off, and alas, no silky smooth legs!  What the H-E-double hockey stick is that all about?  I had patches of hair and patches of semi-smooth leg.  Gross.  So I ended up having to just shave them all in the end anyway.
So I guess my point for this whole story (if you call it a point that is)  is that I think the next song that I write will be the sequel to the "Shave 'em Song."  It will be about my experience with this God-awful thing called Nair.   Coming to a bad and desperate coffee shop near you.

Mom-cation!!!!!!

Mommy got a vacation! Can I hear a "Hallelujah?"  It was time.  It was needed.  It was fabulous!  3 of my good 'ole college friends that I've known for 9 years decided it was high time to get the heck outta dodge for a while.  I couldn't have been accompanied by better gals.  Alicia's a single mom who just graduated from Law school.  She had her son while she was in school, managed to juggle school/single mommyhood, and somehow stayed sane throughout everything. She's got true grit that girl.  I admire her so much and can't sing enough of her praises.  She challenges me to explore the depths of my soul and I love just being around her.  She's got this determination that you can see when you look into her eyes...not only determination for her career but also for her son and being the best mom she can be.  I only wish I could be as tough/wonderful and determined as her.  Jes is....well, how do I describe her.  She's probably one of the most likable people you will probably ever meet.  Everyone is drawn to her, and everyone is a happier person for knowing her. You can't help but like her.  Her attitude on life,  her disposition in general, and her bubbly personality is totally, 100% infectious, and you want to just be with her as much as possible because you feel alive and happy and wonderful when you're with her.  I strive to have her outlook on life and her calm sense of everyday reality.  She makes me truly happy.
Candice is, well....she's my sunshine.  I always call her the sunshine in my life because she's exactly that.  She brightens up my life.  She sparkles and shines and makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.  She has this heart of pure perfection....she is so compassionate, considerate, genuine, and warm.  I feel like everything is right in the world when I'm with her.
So the four of us went to San Diego for almost a week and had the time of our lives!  It was so laid back and low-key that if one of us said we were going to take a nap, nobody thought anything of it.  We spent time at the pool reading, listening to music, and just enjoying everyone's company.  We went to the beach and acted like teenagers, posing for picture after picture and loving every minute of it!  We didn't have a care in the world, and for all of us, that was our true vacation.  There was no drama, no caddiness and no schedule,  which was pure heaven.
One of the great aspects of my trip was when I talked to David one night and he admitted to me how hard it was to be home with the kids.  He told me how much he appreciates me and what I do at home because it's not easy.  Can I hear an "Amen?"  Hello?!!!  Hell no it's not easy, and it felt so so so so so good to hear that affirmation.  Big sigh.  Hearing that made me feel like it was alright to come back...alright to step back into reality because everything was right in the world again.  I needed to hear that I was appreciated.  I needed to hear that what I do isn't easy.  And by David saying those things, he's never seemed so vulnerable/sexy/manly and wonderful.  I love that side of him.....the side where he's not perfect and everything isn't easy for him.  That makes me love him even more.
So I guess what I've realized is that mommies need vacations too.  It's ok to want/need to get away.  It's healthy and NEEDED, and good for not only yourself but for your kids.  I came back a better mother, a better wife, and a better friend.  Heck, I'm ready for another one girls....how about it?!

One of THOSE days

So I had a really crappy day today.  I don't even know why really because if anything, yesterday should have been my really crappy day.  Both kids started puking yesterday morning.  Like, heaving so hard Grace would kick her legs she was so mad at the situation.  It's not that it was the worst thing in the world because let's face it, as parents we all signed up for days like that.  David was flying in the cities with the Air Force, so it was just me holding down the fort.  I couldn't really do anything because the kids were puking like every 15 minutes, so I basically had to watch them both, look for the signs (Gabe wouldn't tell me when he was going to throw up so I had to watch him all the time) and have a bucket ready for each kid.  I was the official bucket holder, one of the many perks of being a mom.  It's hard for any mom to see their kids sick, but for me it's especially hard to watch them throw up.  I saw their tiny little bodies throwing up so hard that tears would stream down their cheeks.  It's a hard thing to watch.  It was probably one of longest days ever because the kids didn't want to do anything but lay on the couch and watch TV.  And that's what I had to do because once again, I was the official bucket holder.  One of the highlights of the day was actually when both kids had to throw up at the same time and I found myself with only one clean bucket.  Crap.  So I held the one bucket and they both threw up in it, their heads hitting each other.  Poor little dears. Turns out it was a 12 hour bug because by the time they went to bed the puking had stopped, thank goodness.
Anyway, that's not really the point of the story I guess.  Today was the day I felt out of whack.  I woke up and everything just felt off, like I wanted to go to bed again so I could wake up and start over.  I was crabby, tired, and my patience was really thin.  Of course the kids were extra wild today since they felt so much better and  had to make up for yesterday.
One thing that I've learned over the years is that I need to recognize the things that make me feel better, and actually do them.  So I have a list of a few things that I did that really made me feel better!  First and foremost, I went to the mall, because, duh, that always makes you feel better.  And by the way, I got only spent 20 bucks at Gap and got two pairs of jeans!  It's this gift I have. Anyway, so I went to the mall, walked around, and by the time I left I felt a little better.  As soon as I got home I put in one of the Glee soundtracks because let's face it, Glee makes everything better, right? :-)  I found the songs I like the best and played them over and over, because music has this way of soothing my soul and taking me to my "Happy place".  Part of the reason I put on music was the fact that I knew David would start dancing, and for everyone that knows my husband, his dancing is so ridiculous that you can't help but laugh!  And laughing instantly makes you feel better!  He does this hip thrust thing that is hysterical, and his mouth always makes funny faces while he dances!  So I rocked out to Glee, got a little dancing show from my husband, and already I knew my day was looking up.  I then went to the fridge and proceeded to squirt copious amounts of Redi Whip straight into my mouth.  Pure bliss.  Some may be repulsed by this, and for all of you that think that, all I can say is TRY IT!  It might make your day better!  The last thing I did is sort of a staple for me.  I found the best gummies in the house and ate them really slow so I could savor every bite.  My choice today was some yummy cherry gummies that  David brought back from Germany.  European gummies are so much better than the ones we have here.  I'm not even sure why.
So my day ended much better than it began, thanks to a few of my favorite things.  I guess I've learned that you are the only one that can control your mood, so why not try and make it better?  So the moral of the story is this.....if you're having a bad day, all you have to do is call up my husband and have him come dance for you, seriously, it will make you feel better!

Single mommy, no more

I was as giddy as a teenager at their first prom.  My long lost husband was finally coming home!  I honestly couldn't eat that whole day because of the excitement, nervousness, and pure bliss that I was feeling.  It's funny, people always say, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," and I can now say that I believe it wholeheartedly.  I felt all the butterflies that you feel in the beginning; the way that your heart races to the point where you feel like it's hard to breathe.  The kids and I got to meet David at the gate, which made it feel even more special.  Grace picked out a purple headband with a bow right in the front, and Gabe wore a nice blue polo, his usual.  We actually almost didn't make it on time.  It took me a little longer than  I thought to get ready, drive to the airport, park, get cleared to meet him at the gate, and then actually find the darn gate.  We got there literally 5 minutes before the passengers started coming out of the plane.  This was it!  The door opened and the first of the passengers started coming out.  I got the kids out of the stroller, perched alongside of me just right so that we were in perfect position.  And we waited.  And waited.  And waited.  There was a split second there when I thought to myself, "crap, I'm at the wrong gate...perfect, I've blown everything." And then the passengers started getting  fewer and fewer until they stopped altogether.  Again, crap.  But wait, just then, more started coming!  So we waited.  And waited.  By this time I was really sweating.  Just then, I saw a couple of guys come out that looked at me funny, so I figured either they just thought I was extremely good-looking, or they were the two that were traveling with David. Turns out they were with David.  I quickly asked if they were with him in which they replied, "yep, he'll probably be one of the last ones out."  Well that explained it.  Relieved, I loosened up a bit, realizing I was squeezing the kids' hands so tight I was probably cutting off circulation.  Finally, we saw him!  He was here!
The first thing that came to my mind was, "what the heck is he wearing?  Are those man-pri's?  Is he really wearing man-pri's?"  For all of you who don't know, man-pri's are like capri pants that women wear, only, well, now men wear them as well....apparently.  I don't think they're actually called man-pri's, but that's just the name a friend and I coined for them.  So after the initial shock of his choice in clothing wore off, I realized that the kid's had already ran to him, jumped in his arms, and now they were all three looking at me like, "um, aren't you going to hug him too?"  So this was it!  The moment I've been waiting for for over 2 months!  The big first moment that we get to see each other!  So I walk over and wrap my arms around him....which lasted all of 2 seconds.  I thought, "What?  That's it?  Where was the slow motion run we see in movies, and the long romantic kiss that I expected?  Where were the fireworks and the "big" moment I thought we would have?   Yeah.  My movie version had ended and reality set in.  He was back, and so glad to see us, but we simply couldn't have a hot movie scene in the middle of the airport.  That would have to happen later :-)
So all is right in the world again.  Even though I have to give up the middle of the bed, the middle parking spot in the garage, and a fart-free bedroom, my family was complete again, and that was all that mattered. 
So hug your significant other.  Tell them how much they mean to you.  And then tell them to get the hell out of town for 2 months so you can appreciate them again when they get back :-)