We have decided to spend Sundays unplugged...No computers, no TV...Just us and some books, board games, parks, and the backyard
Yesterday was our first unplugged day. Like most other things, it didn't go quite as planned. We knew, obviously, that it was an open house day. We had planned on going to Chocolate World (one of our favorite free outings) then to the Disney Store Outlet to get Wyatt a prize for sleeping in his own bed for a week. What we didn't plan on was a certain mischevious (albeit adorable) 4 year old undoing everything as we were doing it. So, in desperation, we put in a movie for him to watch so we could get things done.
We finished everything, and off we went to Chocolate World. Had a great time (as always). We came home, and it was so funny...we kinda sat there and stared at each other. If we weren't on our computers, what were we doing? It really reinforced WHY we were unplugging. We started talking, then went outisde to play in the water.
I'm glad we spent a day with no TV or computers. (Well, almost no TV) It was nice. Dare I say...even peaceful.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Going to Hershey
I am SO proud of Wyatt. As all moms know, we never stop loving our children. But there are times when you just...appreciate them more.
Every night before bed we say prayers. First we say the "Nite nite prayer", then the Our Father. We finish by thanking God for what He has given us, then asking Him for what we want. I have never told Wyatt some things are better to ask for than others. I want him to think he can talk to God like He's a friend. Last night, he thanked God for his house, his parents, and his friends. Then my sweet little boy remembered a conversation he had overheard that morning about a good friend of ours who has been down on his luck lately. It was a very brief conversation, but one that made an impression, apparently. He then asked God to help Mr. Rust (Russ) have cars that worked. I have never been more proud of my son than I was then.
Last night Wyatt also did a big thing. For the first time in MONTHS he fell asleep in his own bed BY HIMSELF! He still woke up in the middle of the night and crawled in bed with me (Randy was at work). But still...that was a major step! So, we are going to the Hershey outlets today to go to the Disney Store to get a toy. Maybe we will even go to Chocolate World for lunch. (They have the BEST bread in the Kit Kat Cafe) And if mom gets some chocolate? Well, all the better :)
Some days it would be so hard to figure out ways that I'm NOT blessed.
Every night before bed we say prayers. First we say the "Nite nite prayer", then the Our Father. We finish by thanking God for what He has given us, then asking Him for what we want. I have never told Wyatt some things are better to ask for than others. I want him to think he can talk to God like He's a friend. Last night, he thanked God for his house, his parents, and his friends. Then my sweet little boy remembered a conversation he had overheard that morning about a good friend of ours who has been down on his luck lately. It was a very brief conversation, but one that made an impression, apparently. He then asked God to help Mr. Rust (Russ) have cars that worked. I have never been more proud of my son than I was then.
Last night Wyatt also did a big thing. For the first time in MONTHS he fell asleep in his own bed BY HIMSELF! He still woke up in the middle of the night and crawled in bed with me (Randy was at work). But still...that was a major step! So, we are going to the Hershey outlets today to go to the Disney Store to get a toy. Maybe we will even go to Chocolate World for lunch. (They have the BEST bread in the Kit Kat Cafe) And if mom gets some chocolate? Well, all the better :)
Some days it would be so hard to figure out ways that I'm NOT blessed.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I'm a Mom.
Ask my son, he'll tell you. I used to be a "worker". I used to be a firefighter. I used to be an EMT. Now, according to him, I'm "just a mom".
Before I got sick, when I was still working, Randy and I had discussed whether I would stay home once we got married. We knew we wanted to try for kids right away, and while pregnant women can certainly function well on an ambulance, it's not the most comfortable career with an extra 20 pounds added on. Randy grew up with a mom who was always home, and he wanted that for his children. Plus, we can both easily admit that I am better at keeping house than he is. We can afford it, and Randy said that if money ever got tight, he would happily take on a 2nd job. Sounds great, right? Well, first of all, I had issues with him working 2 jobs while I (in my mind at the time) didn't work. Secondly, I'd been an EMT for 14 years. I felt that a lot of my identity was tied up in being an EMT. How do I walk away from that? Well, we prayed about it. Shortly thereafter I was told I could never work as an EMT again. What a blow. I mean, I can't be "me" again. But, our choice was taken out of our hands. Of course, as most of you well know, we found the issue to be relatively minor, I had surgery, and now I'm better. Can I go back to work? Absolutely.
I get asked all the time "Now that you're better when are you going back to work?" I just smile and tell whoever asked that I'm staying home for now. Really, inside I'm thinking "Have you ever stayed home to take care of a house and 2 dogs and a 4 year old and a husband?" That, in itself, is a full time job, and one I take a lot of pride in.
I used to come home from work to find dishes all over the kitchen, a child who was clingy for my time, and just "stuff" that needed to be done. I never got to come home and be "off". Which was fine. As a single mom for 3 1/2 years, I was used to it. Did things always get done? No. Was I stressed at home? Yes. Did we have time for Wyatt to get to do all the things he wanted to? Not at all.
Now that I'm home, I find myself constantly working. There's always laundry to be done, a floor to be swept, a counter to be wiped off, and, more importantly, a game to be played, a child to love. I often tell people I'm busier now than I was when I worked outside the home. And I am, but also happier and constantly content. And I'm proud of our home. I know at any given moment someone could knock on our door, and I will happily invite them inside (Unless, of course, they are wearing a ski mask and brandishing a gun...But I don't think the HOA would allow that) Now that I'm home, we can have family time, Randy and I have "date night in", Wyatt seems happier and more secure than ever. Sure, there are some things we go without, but never without love.
Now, let's not pretend there aren't days when I'm ready to scream my head off and I want to go on strike in the fort out back. Those days exist, although not often. But I am so incredibly blessed to have a husband who sees those days when they happen, and he encourages me to take time for myself. And I think that's crucial. I see my son blossoming, and I get to be the one to watch him grow. We get to play games together, look for bugs, battle the monsters under the bed. For the first time, I'm really seeing what life is all about. Yes, I can honestly say I used to save people. I loved it, and truly believe I was good at it. But this, what I do now...this is everything.
Now, when someone asks me what I do for a living, I smile, and proudly say "I'm a Mom" There is just no living better than that.
Before I got sick, when I was still working, Randy and I had discussed whether I would stay home once we got married. We knew we wanted to try for kids right away, and while pregnant women can certainly function well on an ambulance, it's not the most comfortable career with an extra 20 pounds added on. Randy grew up with a mom who was always home, and he wanted that for his children. Plus, we can both easily admit that I am better at keeping house than he is. We can afford it, and Randy said that if money ever got tight, he would happily take on a 2nd job. Sounds great, right? Well, first of all, I had issues with him working 2 jobs while I (in my mind at the time) didn't work. Secondly, I'd been an EMT for 14 years. I felt that a lot of my identity was tied up in being an EMT. How do I walk away from that? Well, we prayed about it. Shortly thereafter I was told I could never work as an EMT again. What a blow. I mean, I can't be "me" again. But, our choice was taken out of our hands. Of course, as most of you well know, we found the issue to be relatively minor, I had surgery, and now I'm better. Can I go back to work? Absolutely.
I get asked all the time "Now that you're better when are you going back to work?" I just smile and tell whoever asked that I'm staying home for now. Really, inside I'm thinking "Have you ever stayed home to take care of a house and 2 dogs and a 4 year old and a husband?" That, in itself, is a full time job, and one I take a lot of pride in.
I used to come home from work to find dishes all over the kitchen, a child who was clingy for my time, and just "stuff" that needed to be done. I never got to come home and be "off". Which was fine. As a single mom for 3 1/2 years, I was used to it. Did things always get done? No. Was I stressed at home? Yes. Did we have time for Wyatt to get to do all the things he wanted to? Not at all.
Now that I'm home, I find myself constantly working. There's always laundry to be done, a floor to be swept, a counter to be wiped off, and, more importantly, a game to be played, a child to love. I often tell people I'm busier now than I was when I worked outside the home. And I am, but also happier and constantly content. And I'm proud of our home. I know at any given moment someone could knock on our door, and I will happily invite them inside (Unless, of course, they are wearing a ski mask and brandishing a gun...But I don't think the HOA would allow that) Now that I'm home, we can have family time, Randy and I have "date night in", Wyatt seems happier and more secure than ever. Sure, there are some things we go without, but never without love.
Now, let's not pretend there aren't days when I'm ready to scream my head off and I want to go on strike in the fort out back. Those days exist, although not often. But I am so incredibly blessed to have a husband who sees those days when they happen, and he encourages me to take time for myself. And I think that's crucial. I see my son blossoming, and I get to be the one to watch him grow. We get to play games together, look for bugs, battle the monsters under the bed. For the first time, I'm really seeing what life is all about. Yes, I can honestly say I used to save people. I loved it, and truly believe I was good at it. But this, what I do now...this is everything.
Now, when someone asks me what I do for a living, I smile, and proudly say "I'm a Mom" There is just no living better than that.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Pure contentment
First of all, let me say....
Happy Birthday, Sean!!!
OK, now that that's been handled :)
As I'm sitting here typing this, I'm getting a preview of every Tuesday and Thursday for the next 2 months. It's 9:00pm, and sprawled out on my living room floor with blankets and pillows are my 4 year old, my 3 year old niece,and 1 year old nephew. Lights are out, Disney movie is on. Life is good. (Mind you, 20 minutes ago, 1 was in time out, 1 was complaining about having to get ready for bed...it's not always this good, but let me document it while it is) Normally this time of night, we'd be fighting with Wyatt about staying in his bed. But now, with 3 kiddos here, we're "forced" to spend some quiet time together. It's nice. Granted, Randy and I aren't into the movie, we're each on our laptops, but hey...we are spending time together as a family, and, I can only hope, getting a glimpse of our future. Right now it's not about what needs to be done tomorrow, who needs to go to the store, what needs to be done before the Open House, the dogs, the chores, but just...relaxing, with family. And really, what can be more important than that?
I think, and I'm saying it here and now for the blogging world (so hold me to it you annonymous readers!) that I'm going to declare a weekly "unplugged" day. One day, every week, we are going to unplug. No computers, no TV, just...us. Think we can do it? We shall see. We've already decided that once we move we won't be hooking up sattelite/cable in the living room at the new house. Yes, there will be a TV, but with a limit of 1 movie a day. We will still have satellite/DVR in our bedroom, for those few shows we just HAVE to watch. The primary show for both of us is 18 Kids And Counting. I have to say, Michelle Duggar is a wonderful inspiration. She keeps herself calm, I have NEVER seen her yell, she has tremendous faith, and those kids are the most well behaved children I've seen. Granted, we dont' know how they behave when the cameras stop rolling, but I don't think that's an act.
Anyway, I digress. Family really is the most important thing. I think we all need to take some time to sit back and remember that. Noone knows what tomorrow will bring, and don't we all want to be able to say that those we love won't ever have to question how we feel?
Speaking of which....(and this is NOT directed at my husband, for the record) Husbands, don't just tell your wives you love them. You have to show them. Make them feel pretty. Because they desesrve it. And your children desesrve to know what love is. Being a good parent is more than providing tangible things. It's also teaching your children what love and happiness is. And the best way to teach a child is to show them. Whatever it takes, show your child true love and happiness. Sometimes being a good parent means giving up the things other people see as sources of security in order to find that happiness. We are examples for our children, and we need to behave as such.
*Disclaimer...I am not advocating living in a cardboard box to "find yourself"....I am just saying to follow your heart. Everything else will fall into place
Happy Birthday, Sean!!!
OK, now that that's been handled :)
As I'm sitting here typing this, I'm getting a preview of every Tuesday and Thursday for the next 2 months. It's 9:00pm, and sprawled out on my living room floor with blankets and pillows are my 4 year old, my 3 year old niece,and 1 year old nephew. Lights are out, Disney movie is on. Life is good. (Mind you, 20 minutes ago, 1 was in time out, 1 was complaining about having to get ready for bed...it's not always this good, but let me document it while it is) Normally this time of night, we'd be fighting with Wyatt about staying in his bed. But now, with 3 kiddos here, we're "forced" to spend some quiet time together. It's nice. Granted, Randy and I aren't into the movie, we're each on our laptops, but hey...we are spending time together as a family, and, I can only hope, getting a glimpse of our future. Right now it's not about what needs to be done tomorrow, who needs to go to the store, what needs to be done before the Open House, the dogs, the chores, but just...relaxing, with family. And really, what can be more important than that?
I think, and I'm saying it here and now for the blogging world (so hold me to it you annonymous readers!) that I'm going to declare a weekly "unplugged" day. One day, every week, we are going to unplug. No computers, no TV, just...us. Think we can do it? We shall see. We've already decided that once we move we won't be hooking up sattelite/cable in the living room at the new house. Yes, there will be a TV, but with a limit of 1 movie a day. We will still have satellite/DVR in our bedroom, for those few shows we just HAVE to watch. The primary show for both of us is 18 Kids And Counting. I have to say, Michelle Duggar is a wonderful inspiration. She keeps herself calm, I have NEVER seen her yell, she has tremendous faith, and those kids are the most well behaved children I've seen. Granted, we dont' know how they behave when the cameras stop rolling, but I don't think that's an act.
Anyway, I digress. Family really is the most important thing. I think we all need to take some time to sit back and remember that. Noone knows what tomorrow will bring, and don't we all want to be able to say that those we love won't ever have to question how we feel?
Speaking of which....(and this is NOT directed at my husband, for the record) Husbands, don't just tell your wives you love them. You have to show them. Make them feel pretty. Because they desesrve it. And your children desesrve to know what love is. Being a good parent is more than providing tangible things. It's also teaching your children what love and happiness is. And the best way to teach a child is to show them. Whatever it takes, show your child true love and happiness. Sometimes being a good parent means giving up the things other people see as sources of security in order to find that happiness. We are examples for our children, and we need to behave as such.
*Disclaimer...I am not advocating living in a cardboard box to "find yourself"....I am just saying to follow your heart. Everything else will fall into place
So very very blessed
There are some times that I look around and just cannot believe how truly blessed I am. To say that I haven't always made the best decisions would be putting things pretty mildly. Yet, all of those decisions have brought me where I am.
I have the most amazing husband. He loves Wyatt just like he was his own. If it wasnt' for the blonde hair and blue eyes Wyatt has and the fact that Randy and I have dark features, you would NEVER guess that Wyatt isn't biologically Randy's. That offers a security to me that is invaluble. This morning all I've heard are giggles from Wyatt. I used to dream of the day when my son would have a father to love him, someone to play with him, make him laugh, and teach him how to be a man. I couldn't have asked for someone better. And the bonus? He loves me too.
Randy is one of those rare husbands who not only wants his wife to stay home, but he understands and appreciates both what I give up (gladly) to do so, and how much I do around the house. That's not to say that there aren't days I put on a movie for Wyatt and immerse myself in something totally non-productive, but that's becoming the exception. Randy goes out of his way to make me happy and keep me comfortable. I try to do the same for him, I can only pray that I'm successful.
I have the most amazing husband. He loves Wyatt just like he was his own. If it wasnt' for the blonde hair and blue eyes Wyatt has and the fact that Randy and I have dark features, you would NEVER guess that Wyatt isn't biologically Randy's. That offers a security to me that is invaluble. This morning all I've heard are giggles from Wyatt. I used to dream of the day when my son would have a father to love him, someone to play with him, make him laugh, and teach him how to be a man. I couldn't have asked for someone better. And the bonus? He loves me too.
Randy is one of those rare husbands who not only wants his wife to stay home, but he understands and appreciates both what I give up (gladly) to do so, and how much I do around the house. That's not to say that there aren't days I put on a movie for Wyatt and immerse myself in something totally non-productive, but that's becoming the exception. Randy goes out of his way to make me happy and keep me comfortable. I try to do the same for him, I can only pray that I'm successful.
Monday, August 24, 2009
I can't be rescued...I haven't had my coffee yet!
I am a firm believer that every person needs a little bit of time to themselves everyday to "recharge". Usually I get my "me time" first thing in the morning while the rest of the house is sleeping (In the shower you say? Clearly you dont' have young children at home...the sound of the water is an open invitation to them to need something NOW) Typically I use my time to drink my first cup of coffee peacefully and check the internet and maybe even play a game online. Typically that's all I have time to do....but it's enough.
Well...this morning didn't quite turn out that way. It's been a rough week in our house with 2 sick puppies. So I slept in this morning. (Although, since I became a mom, I've discovered sleeping in is a relative term) I woke up at about 6:30, when a foot found it's way into my mouth. Little boy piggies do not make a yummy breakfast. So I quietly pulled myself out of bed, hoping not to disturb the tornado that was still sleeping. My foot touched the floor...and I heard it.
"Mommy, is it sunny outside yet?" Well, there is just no fooling this particular 4 year old, so I conceeded. Down the stairs we came. I have the greatest coffee maker ever...Put the coffee pod in, push a button, and voila...coffee. Fresh, hot, caffinated goodness. Before the coffee maker even had time to make it's first gurgle, I got tackled from behind.
"Mom, the house is on fire, I need to rescue you!" Really? Can't I just have coffee first? C'mon....just 5 minutes for coffee....Just ONE sip? Please? Nope...not today. As I get dragged off to the "safe spot" I gaze longingly at the coffee counter, looking at the steam rise from the cup with Dorothy and Toto on the front and think that, for now, the smell will have to be enough.
I may be setting the alarm tomorrow
Well...this morning didn't quite turn out that way. It's been a rough week in our house with 2 sick puppies. So I slept in this morning. (Although, since I became a mom, I've discovered sleeping in is a relative term) I woke up at about 6:30, when a foot found it's way into my mouth. Little boy piggies do not make a yummy breakfast. So I quietly pulled myself out of bed, hoping not to disturb the tornado that was still sleeping. My foot touched the floor...and I heard it.
"Mommy, is it sunny outside yet?" Well, there is just no fooling this particular 4 year old, so I conceeded. Down the stairs we came. I have the greatest coffee maker ever...Put the coffee pod in, push a button, and voila...coffee. Fresh, hot, caffinated goodness. Before the coffee maker even had time to make it's first gurgle, I got tackled from behind.
"Mom, the house is on fire, I need to rescue you!" Really? Can't I just have coffee first? C'mon....just 5 minutes for coffee....Just ONE sip? Please? Nope...not today. As I get dragged off to the "safe spot" I gaze longingly at the coffee counter, looking at the steam rise from the cup with Dorothy and Toto on the front and think that, for now, the smell will have to be enough.
I may be setting the alarm tomorrow
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Alright, so....since Randy and I have so many family members all over the country, we decided this would be the best way to keep everyone updated on what's going on in our lives.
We've been married for a month now. This is a busy month....Trying to squeeze in last minute vacations, trying to get caught up on the dogs' training now that I have energy (WOO HOO!), getting Wyatt ready to go back to school, and, the icing on the cake, we have our house on the market. Phew! Are you tired yet? I am, just thinking about it!
This year, for preschool, I think Wyatt is going to go to a church-based preschool, and I will supplement with homeschooling. He is having SO much fun playing soccer. We bought his cleats the other day, and they looked SO little! I can't believe how involved he is getting with things. I think it's great. Keeps me busy! We can't wait to give him a baby brother or sister. Soon, we hope!
We've been married for a month now. This is a busy month....Trying to squeeze in last minute vacations, trying to get caught up on the dogs' training now that I have energy (WOO HOO!), getting Wyatt ready to go back to school, and, the icing on the cake, we have our house on the market. Phew! Are you tired yet? I am, just thinking about it!
This year, for preschool, I think Wyatt is going to go to a church-based preschool, and I will supplement with homeschooling. He is having SO much fun playing soccer. We bought his cleats the other day, and they looked SO little! I can't believe how involved he is getting with things. I think it's great. Keeps me busy! We can't wait to give him a baby brother or sister. Soon, we hope!
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