Living life

The other day I was feeling bad about getting so behind on blogging. I felt overwhelmed at all the things that I needed to post and mad at myself for letting so much time pass without posting. Then I read my talented friend Janine's blog post about the "things that matter most". It came at the perfect time for me. I realized that I didn't need to feel bad for falling behind on my posts because what is most important to me is that I spend time with my children. Not just time, but what I call "real" time. Time without a cell phone, ipad, or computer screen in sight. Quality time taking in those sweet smiles and silly faces, really listening to the smart and hilarious things that come out of my almost 3 year old's mouth, and hanging on to every coo and chubby cheeked smile from my 2 month old. In other words "living life" as Janine so perfectly puts it. With the tragic events in Colorado this past weekend, I only feel more strongly about this subject of making sure we are spending quality time with our loved ones. While I love blogging and keeping a record of my life, I don't feel so bad that I can only blog in the evening resulting in me posting 5 posts all at once. I'm not saying you shouldn't blog daily, because if you are able to do that I think that makes the record much more complete. I'm simply trying to say that I am learning to balance my life and this is what it means for me.

Read her whole post here because its just something that we can never be reminded of too much.

This is just one of those beautiful everyday moments, and I just don't want to miss these kinds of things.

Find Joy in the Journey...

I have this printable that I want to share. It's on my refrigerator and as I look at it daily it helps me to keep a good perspective. It serves as a constant reminder to see the good in that day and to remember the bigger picture. 

printable can be found here

Growing up my mom and dad  worked really hard outside the home to be able to provide for me and my older brother and older sister...so they were gone A LOT. With my siblings being 7-9 years older and gone by the time I was in middle school- I spent lots of time alone wondering what it would be like to have a house full of noise and activity, routines... I just  longed to be with my parents (especially my mom- she is the warmest, sweetest , kindest woman I know) and even my siblings who were gone. I remember feeling so jealous of my friends whose moms were home for them when the were out of school and they got to talk about their day, what made them happy, what made them sad...they were heard and validated and felt loved and important. Don't get me wrong, I generally felt loved and I felt important... and I'd like to think I turned out ok... but I craved that constant reminder and security that comes only from time spent daily with those you love and trust the most. So growing up I decided that I would do that and be that for my kids...Fast forward to now, 5 kids later- I have realized that parenting is SO much HARDER than I could have ever imagined! and that I have SO much to learn on HOW that is done!! With my parents gone so much I knew what NOT to do, BUT I needed tons of help on WHAT TO DO  to make sure I'm that happy, loving, caring Mom that provides that safe and loving environment I so badly craved ! I have found as a parent with no real pattern to follow that I have had to rely a lot on my faith in God through prayers, the scriptures , instinct, good mothers I know (including my MIL who I really admire)...AND really good parenting books!  there are SO many out there...I have read several through out the years and I must say this one is new favorite... I have read it twice and made hubby read it with me the 2nd time

I don't believe that there is ONE great parenting book that has ALL the answers to EVERY parenting challenge... BUT from this book I have found many ideas on ways to help ME be a better and more "in tune" mom.  some of the "tried and true" tips I have implemented from this book have actually worked!!  

one of my favorites from this book is the "repenting bench" --So I send my kids here when they have an argument or fight and do the "he said-- she said" routine and try to get me to play good cop/bad cop... SO-they have to sit on that bench until they work it out, apologize and are on good terms.  If hitting is involved they have to sit and hug for 5 WHOLE minutes!!! that's a LONG time I know...for the first minute or two they hate it! but by the end of the 5 minutes they make the best of it and get silly (pretending to be 2 headed, 4 legged monsters) and it helps break up the contention and they get over it! 

 It could sort of look like this....

 

I've noticed that when I am reading my scriptures and reading books like the one mentioned above that I focus on being a happier momma  and that for brief moments at a time I find joy in the journey... and when I am finding joy in the journey this is what I get to see...

It's a constant work in progress, BUT

Here's to finding joy in our journey!!! 

I think I'll read this once a day. Just to be sure.

If there's one thing I've learned about being a mother, it's that your children grow up WAY too fast.



I've heard this time and time again from people who have been there, done that.



It makes me sad, but I can already see it happening. I hope I can make the most of their childhood before it's over.



I think I'd add a couple things to this list. . . .

Get to know their individual personalities

Teach them to enjoy the small pleasures in life

Stop what you're doing and LISTEN to them

Jump in puddles



{image: home}

Pop!

Since there seem to be pregnant women everywhere, I've been thinking about all of the strange things people (sometimes myself included) say to pregnant women.
I know we've all heard some pretty funny, sometimes annoying, things while we were pregnant. Tell us your faves in the comments.

One of my favorites is "you're about ready to pop." The reason this one bothers me is two fold.
1. I don't need people telling me I'm huge, I have a mirror.
2. Having a baby isn't as easy as 'popping'. It hurts a ton, and lasts a lot longer than a quick little pop.

Even with that said, this video of how a baby is made is pretty cute.

Lessons of a mother.

I love the outlook that Tina, of Blissfully Domestic, has on motherhood. So positive and so true. Now that I've become a mother, I've become a lot more appreciative and thankful for my own mother and all that she's done for me. I believe parenthood to be one of the hardest and most fulfilling jobs there is in life. And I find all of Tina's observations to be true for myself. . . .except the whole gray hair thing. What gray hair?

Rain, rain, go away. . . . -POPPY

Parenthood is hard. You get used to hearing this before you've actually experienced it, but it doesn't ever really sink in. Then you HAVE kids. You realize just what everyone was talking about. There's so much stress, fear, guilt, doubt, frustration, worry, responsibility, sadness, anger, and feelings of inadaquacy that come along with the job.

Mix that with pure bliss, awareness, pride, happiness, love, laughter, satisfaction, clarity, wisdom, and peace, and you've got parenthood. How do I discipline my children? Am I doing it right? Are they learning all they need to learn from me? Do they know I love them? Will they grow up to be good, responsible human beings? parents? citizens?

One of my biggest questions at the moment is How can I make their childhood memorable? I have a 2 year old and a 3 1/2 year old. Both boys. Crazy boys. Who love to be active. On top of that, my husband's job requires him to work 24-hour shifts. Therefore, I also work 24-hour shifts. If I'm not on top of my game, it's not a good day. One of the things I've learned is that I need to have activities lined up and ready to go on the spot. I've learned to be creative in order to keep my boys happy. And hopefully we're building family relationships and memories in the process.

(rain gear from Target)

I want my kids to remember a mom who got down on the ground and played with them, who put down what she was doing to listen to them, and who made every situation more enjoyable. I want them to remember the creativity of childhood, the excitement, the innocence, and the joy.

Today I took baby g out to the park. We sat in the warm sun and had snacks, then walked through our little old Downtown streets. I discovered a cute, little antique shop. I drive down that street EVERY OTHER DAY and have never even noticed it. It's amazing what sticks out to you when you slow down and take in your surroundings and those around you, isn't it?