Every night since returning from our month long assortment of travels I have sat down at my husband's laptop (mine did not survive the travels) with every intention to blog, unsuccessfully of course and quite honestly I think I am just a tad bit afraid of what might actually come out once I start writing...
Do you ever just feel out of whack but if someone asked you what was wrong you probably couldn't tell them? Well thats my life right now but don't go feeling sorry for me, the person that needs the pity is my poor husband...his wife is a real piece of work!!
..but about my trips!! We spent the last month vacationing in Florida, visiting family in Baltimore, attending my sister-in-law's wedding in NJ, and doing a whole lot of catching up and hanging out with old friends, it was simply a great time filled with, big hugs, good laughs and hints of confusing emotions.
The tricky thing is no matter how enjoyable and neccesary it is, change is a challenge. Basically during this trip my husband and I both realized that "home" as we knew it is no longer the same and we were forced to admit that neither are we. Its just funny to see it because for the majority of your young life you think what you see is what you will always get and that becomes quite comfortable. Then suddenly it hits you...parents and siblings and family in general don't have stop buttons just pause and what you think is "the way it is" is truely only the "the way it is right now"....good or bad, this too shall pass.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Vacation
Sorry I went away and did not tell you! Just wanted you to know I am still here..well on vacation but will be back to writing sometime soon!
Well while I am on here I might as well write a little...
So we are in Orlando and although it is simply amazing to watch the kids absord the sites, it really is a lot of work to vacation with a three year old and a five month old. Not to mention my brother and his family are here (3 and 1) and my aunt and her family (10, 13, and 16---great ages for vacation and helpers). Honestly, I think we spend more time using the potty and playing stroller musical chairs then anything else!!
But in the end its all worth it just to see my little ones playing and loving on cousins, aunts and uncles that they don't see often.
Since the kids are so young we decided it would be a real waste of money to actually do Disney or any of that. So we have just been hanging out at the pools and such until yesterday when we ventured out for our big amusment park day. Off to Sea World we went!
Now just imagine...two double strollers carrying nothing but bags, 2 over stimulated three year olds, two babies posted on the shoulders of sweaty adults and a 10 year old who had no idea what Sea World was and really just wanted to get wet...needless to say we were a site! hahaha
Funny thing is after all we saw and did, including the big infameous killer whale SHAMU and an awesome dolphin show with tons of acrobates, lights, tricks and flying objects, all Alena wanted to know was where did the girl's window go after she jumped out and into the water to ride the dolphins!!!...She talked about this and only this ALL NIGHT!!!!!!
Finally on the ride home, when Alena was still expressing her devastation about the girl and her loss window, my husband (who already thought we should have just stayed at the pool)..simply said "just like a girl".....
hmph I am still wondering what that means... ;-)
Well while I am on here I might as well write a little...
So we are in Orlando and although it is simply amazing to watch the kids absord the sites, it really is a lot of work to vacation with a three year old and a five month old. Not to mention my brother and his family are here (3 and 1) and my aunt and her family (10, 13, and 16---great ages for vacation and helpers). Honestly, I think we spend more time using the potty and playing stroller musical chairs then anything else!!
But in the end its all worth it just to see my little ones playing and loving on cousins, aunts and uncles that they don't see often.
Since the kids are so young we decided it would be a real waste of money to actually do Disney or any of that. So we have just been hanging out at the pools and such until yesterday when we ventured out for our big amusment park day. Off to Sea World we went!
Now just imagine...two double strollers carrying nothing but bags, 2 over stimulated three year olds, two babies posted on the shoulders of sweaty adults and a 10 year old who had no idea what Sea World was and really just wanted to get wet...needless to say we were a site! hahaha
Funny thing is after all we saw and did, including the big infameous killer whale SHAMU and an awesome dolphin show with tons of acrobates, lights, tricks and flying objects, all Alena wanted to know was where did the girl's window go after she jumped out and into the water to ride the dolphins!!!...She talked about this and only this ALL NIGHT!!!!!!
Finally on the ride home, when Alena was still expressing her devastation about the girl and her loss window, my husband (who already thought we should have just stayed at the pool)..simply said "just like a girl".....
hmph I am still wondering what that means... ;-)
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Personal Rules...
Ok so if you read some of the comments from my last blog you will see that my cousin "tagged" me on these personal rules...so now its my turn to tell all of the things that make me very anal and drives my husband nuts!
1. I think its offensive to ask me to repeat myself and if its not heard the second time I usually just stop saying it
2. Passing gas without saying "excuse me" is rude...even if its the 10th time in one night
3. Manners are not just polite they are a must...please, thankyou, excuse me...
4. Please ask me if I have to use the bathroom first before you go in to "read a magazine"
5. If I have to call someone for a reason, I have to first practice the converstation with myself
6. I don't like to touch or look at adult feet but I have to take a baby's socks off to see theirs
7. I can't sleep comfortably if I don't thoroughly lotion my hands and feet before bed
8. Stop breathing so hard, maybe closing your mouth will help?? :-)
9. I don't enjoy "stupid talk"...I'd rather sit in ackward silence then make up something to say
10. I love just sitting staring at nothing..no t.v., no book, nobody, just me and the walls
11. Using my toothbrush, washcloth or towel is a please don't
12. I love kids, but if you stare at someone you should say something!
13. You should always wear shoes outside
14. Never take someone's last bite
15. Folding laundry makes you neat but its a true waste of time...
wow...I really am a nice person..really I am!
Ok I only know a few of yall who blog, so Shaneia and Rashad you've been tagged...your it!
1. I think its offensive to ask me to repeat myself and if its not heard the second time I usually just stop saying it
2. Passing gas without saying "excuse me" is rude...even if its the 10th time in one night
3. Manners are not just polite they are a must...please, thankyou, excuse me...
4. Please ask me if I have to use the bathroom first before you go in to "read a magazine"
5. If I have to call someone for a reason, I have to first practice the converstation with myself
6. I don't like to touch or look at adult feet but I have to take a baby's socks off to see theirs
7. I can't sleep comfortably if I don't thoroughly lotion my hands and feet before bed
8. Stop breathing so hard, maybe closing your mouth will help?? :-)
9. I don't enjoy "stupid talk"...I'd rather sit in ackward silence then make up something to say
10. I love just sitting staring at nothing..no t.v., no book, nobody, just me and the walls
11. Using my toothbrush, washcloth or towel is a please don't
12. I love kids, but if you stare at someone you should say something!
13. You should always wear shoes outside
14. Never take someone's last bite
15. Folding laundry makes you neat but its a true waste of time...
wow...I really am a nice person..really I am!
Ok I only know a few of yall who blog, so Shaneia and Rashad you've been tagged...your it!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Cry it out
This blog entry contains information about the babies that grandparents, aunts and uncles may not be able to handle...read at your own risk...haha
I mentioned a while ago about the lack of sleep that I have been getting lately. Well unfortunately that is still the case and I have to admit that it has taken its toll. Besides the permanent bags under my eyes and the fact that I love sleep, it’s gotten even worse; I simply am no good in the morning and sometimes for the entire day! I am cranky, short and a bit lazy, closing my eyes every second I get and dragging myself out of the house only when absolutely necessary. So we decided something NEEDED to be done...
Ok.... so for about a month now I have undertaken different infant sleeping strategies and techniques trying to give her time to work it out on her own. They have included topping her off at mid-night and even asking my dear husband to sleep in the guest room because I was convinced his snoring was the problem!!
After none of these worked, I half-heartedly attempted letting her "cry it out." I even started sleeping in the living room with her so that while crying it out she would not wake up Alena. This was a complete mess and a failure...I could only stand about 3 min of an occasional yelp before I would decide it was easiest to just go on and pick her up. Not only was I tired and miserable, now I was sore...
Finally last night I decided to put on my head gear and boxing gloves. It was on! Kaitlyn and I would go at it all night if needed. This adorable tiny poopy butt baby was not going to control our nights anymore! Funny how she was not the only one who ended up in tears.
That’s right I let her CRY-IT-OUT and I joined her. We moved her to the living room at about eleven. I gave her a good feed, snuggled a bit, laid her down and went to bed (in the bedroom). As expected at about 3:30 she was up. I checked on her, patted her butt and left. She was MAD! Not even crying just shouting at me. I came back…stepped over Jonathan who had posted himself on the hallway floor as a form of support to help me stay strong…and patted her butt again. She was for lack of a better word, PISSED. I went back to bed. Well not quite. There is nothing like listening to your baby scream and not comforting them. So yes as she cried it out so did I.
After a little bit she was sound asleep and slept peacefully until we woke her at 9:30 this morning.
Often times in life we find ourselves in the middle of miserable, uncomfortable and upsetting situations that we feel we have no control over. The longer we put off addressing them the more miserable, uncomfortable and upset we become. We even let it filter into our mornings, days and before we know we are living a lifestyle which is controlled by our circumstances. We can half-heartedly address these situations but it only gets messier. It’s not until we get serious about a change that things will actually change. Some things require an all night fight and a little support to keep us strong. And no matter what, we need to be determined to “cry-it out!” I promise the tears won't last for long.
ummm now let’s see what happens tonight….
I mentioned a while ago about the lack of sleep that I have been getting lately. Well unfortunately that is still the case and I have to admit that it has taken its toll. Besides the permanent bags under my eyes and the fact that I love sleep, it’s gotten even worse; I simply am no good in the morning and sometimes for the entire day! I am cranky, short and a bit lazy, closing my eyes every second I get and dragging myself out of the house only when absolutely necessary. So we decided something NEEDED to be done...
Ok.... so for about a month now I have undertaken different infant sleeping strategies and techniques trying to give her time to work it out on her own. They have included topping her off at mid-night and even asking my dear husband to sleep in the guest room because I was convinced his snoring was the problem!!
After none of these worked, I half-heartedly attempted letting her "cry it out." I even started sleeping in the living room with her so that while crying it out she would not wake up Alena. This was a complete mess and a failure...I could only stand about 3 min of an occasional yelp before I would decide it was easiest to just go on and pick her up. Not only was I tired and miserable, now I was sore...
Finally last night I decided to put on my head gear and boxing gloves. It was on! Kaitlyn and I would go at it all night if needed. This adorable tiny poopy butt baby was not going to control our nights anymore! Funny how she was not the only one who ended up in tears.
That’s right I let her CRY-IT-OUT and I joined her. We moved her to the living room at about eleven. I gave her a good feed, snuggled a bit, laid her down and went to bed (in the bedroom). As expected at about 3:30 she was up. I checked on her, patted her butt and left. She was MAD! Not even crying just shouting at me. I came back…stepped over Jonathan who had posted himself on the hallway floor as a form of support to help me stay strong…and patted her butt again. She was for lack of a better word, PISSED. I went back to bed. Well not quite. There is nothing like listening to your baby scream and not comforting them. So yes as she cried it out so did I.
After a little bit she was sound asleep and slept peacefully until we woke her at 9:30 this morning.
Often times in life we find ourselves in the middle of miserable, uncomfortable and upsetting situations that we feel we have no control over. The longer we put off addressing them the more miserable, uncomfortable and upset we become. We even let it filter into our mornings, days and before we know we are living a lifestyle which is controlled by our circumstances. We can half-heartedly address these situations but it only gets messier. It’s not until we get serious about a change that things will actually change. Some things require an all night fight and a little support to keep us strong. And no matter what, we need to be determined to “cry-it out!” I promise the tears won't last for long.
ummm now let’s see what happens tonight….
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Dreams and Little Letters...
A friend of mine just asked me what my wildest dream was. After thinking long and hard I came up with.........
That's right, I came up with nothing. I have learned that whenever I get what I think I want, I realize that I already had what I wanted, haha....
After telling her what I came up with, she sent me parts of a commencement speech made by an all time favorite Ms. Oprah Winfrey. To sum up the speech Oprah was saying she did a show called "Wildest Dream Tour." You know how it goes, she asked people to submit their wildest dreams and she would fulfill them.
She goes on to say that they had a hard time finding enough dreams to fulfill and that women are so damaged that they lack vision. They did manage to pay some bills, send a few ladies on a trip and buy a couple of homes. They also had a few ladies whose wildest dream was to meet her. After seeing what she did for the other ladies, the ladies who simply wanted to meet her were upset. She summed up her point with, "They did not dream big enough."
I realize I may sound like I don't like Oprah, but I do. However I think I disagree with this concept. I think the women who whose dream was to meet her had the right idea. To me a wildest dream is something that would be nice to have happen but I have no control over it. Why would I dream that someone would pay my bills? Although that would be lovely, for it to be my wildest dream simply means I don't think its possible for me to accomplish this and to me that says a lack of vision....
OK topic change!!! What I really wanted to tell you tonight is that I am so proud of my little Alena..and myself! I, oops correction: WE have managed to teach her (keep in mind she just turned 3 in April) how to write the letters: "M", "P", "F", "E", "H", "A", "L", and "T." She can also run off a list of words that begin with "M," "P", and "F" and give you a bible story that matches!!!!! I am having such a proud mommy night and just wanted to share :-)
That's right, I came up with nothing. I have learned that whenever I get what I think I want, I realize that I already had what I wanted, haha....
After telling her what I came up with, she sent me parts of a commencement speech made by an all time favorite Ms. Oprah Winfrey. To sum up the speech Oprah was saying she did a show called "Wildest Dream Tour." You know how it goes, she asked people to submit their wildest dreams and she would fulfill them.
She goes on to say that they had a hard time finding enough dreams to fulfill and that women are so damaged that they lack vision. They did manage to pay some bills, send a few ladies on a trip and buy a couple of homes. They also had a few ladies whose wildest dream was to meet her. After seeing what she did for the other ladies, the ladies who simply wanted to meet her were upset. She summed up her point with, "They did not dream big enough."
I realize I may sound like I don't like Oprah, but I do. However I think I disagree with this concept. I think the women who whose dream was to meet her had the right idea. To me a wildest dream is something that would be nice to have happen but I have no control over it. Why would I dream that someone would pay my bills? Although that would be lovely, for it to be my wildest dream simply means I don't think its possible for me to accomplish this and to me that says a lack of vision....
OK topic change!!! What I really wanted to tell you tonight is that I am so proud of my little Alena..and myself! I, oops correction: WE have managed to teach her (keep in mind she just turned 3 in April) how to write the letters: "M", "P", "F", "E", "H", "A", "L", and "T." She can also run off a list of words that begin with "M," "P", and "F" and give you a bible story that matches!!!!! I am having such a proud mommy night and just wanted to share :-)
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Old
So last night my neighbors had a party, more specifically it was a "fish fry."
I personally have never spoken to them. However my husband, being the socialite that he is, has held numerous conversations with them and has taken a liking to their 4 kids. They seem to be a nice family and they do speak to me, by default I suppose. But when my husband told me they stopped by a few days ago to 1. prepare us for the noise and 2. to invite us to the function, I knew I wouldn't be going. To be honest I was slightly annoyed that their noise would disturb my nightly routine of quiet time, even though they were polite about it.
So the party started and yes it was LOUD but it sounded kind of fun. So I decided to let their kids come over and sit with Alena and Kaitlyn (they were sleeping) while I joined Jonathan......boy was I in for a suprise...and not really ready for it!!!!
These people were serious! Let's just say they either don't get out much or they get out too much. THEY HAD COME TO PARTY!! It was about 15 40+ year olds, a cooler of assorted beers and a deep fryer. Oh let's not forget the boombox and the lapdance chair!!!
It was entertaining but a bit much for the hubs and I. So after a few good laughs, we took our oldhead selves back home where ironically the real fun began...
We finished the night, watching Anger Managment and playing Sorry, Uno, GoldFish, and I-DE-CLARE-WAR with the kids! It was great.
Just another one of those moments when I just have to laugh at where I am in life....the highlight of my weekend is entertaining the neighbor's kids. Now wouldn't you know they came back tonight.
Man, just like a kid :-)
So just like an adult, I kindly pulled the games down, gave them to them and sent them right back home to "practice." Then I returned to my nightly routine of quiet time.
Not sure which is worse...rather play with the kids or too tired to play with the kids...either way I guess I am just OLD!
I personally have never spoken to them. However my husband, being the socialite that he is, has held numerous conversations with them and has taken a liking to their 4 kids. They seem to be a nice family and they do speak to me, by default I suppose. But when my husband told me they stopped by a few days ago to 1. prepare us for the noise and 2. to invite us to the function, I knew I wouldn't be going. To be honest I was slightly annoyed that their noise would disturb my nightly routine of quiet time, even though they were polite about it.
So the party started and yes it was LOUD but it sounded kind of fun. So I decided to let their kids come over and sit with Alena and Kaitlyn (they were sleeping) while I joined Jonathan......boy was I in for a suprise...and not really ready for it!!!!
These people were serious! Let's just say they either don't get out much or they get out too much. THEY HAD COME TO PARTY!! It was about 15 40+ year olds, a cooler of assorted beers and a deep fryer. Oh let's not forget the boombox and the lapdance chair!!!
It was entertaining but a bit much for the hubs and I. So after a few good laughs, we took our oldhead selves back home where ironically the real fun began...
We finished the night, watching Anger Managment and playing Sorry, Uno, GoldFish, and I-DE-CLARE-WAR with the kids! It was great.
Just another one of those moments when I just have to laugh at where I am in life....the highlight of my weekend is entertaining the neighbor's kids. Now wouldn't you know they came back tonight.
Man, just like a kid :-)
So just like an adult, I kindly pulled the games down, gave them to them and sent them right back home to "practice." Then I returned to my nightly routine of quiet time.
Not sure which is worse...rather play with the kids or too tired to play with the kids...either way I guess I am just OLD!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Be Intentional
The more I talk to others the more I realize that not many things in life "just happen." From your career to your health, positive results demand intentional behavior.
Short and sweet but I think this concept is major and can be applied to any area of life. In general I think most people have wants and ideas as to the life they want, however, far fewer actually take steps to accomplish them.
For example: I have always wanted a six pack (talking stomach here!) and for those that know me I can hear the sighs.....yes I am "small" and have always been but I don't and have not ever had a six pack. Nor do I or have I ever actually done the work to achieve this, go figure.
A six pack is just something that I have always wanted....especially now, 2 babies later! But this desire for a six pack is just not enough. After 20+ years of wanting one it still has not happened.
This concept seems obvious, right?
Well I believe it’s the same concept for the broader picture of how we live our lives.
It’s easy and almost human to focus on and hide behind life's negatives and allow things to "just happen", but it takes an intentional effort to see the positives and make things happen.
It is far too easy to want a peaceful home. To want disciplined children with Godly values but it takes an intentional effort (and a lot of intentional praying!!!) to raise them to go in that direction.
If we don't intentionally seek out God's will and make decisions that lead to your vision it just won’t happen. Even with prayer and God's grace we will end up living a life that God never intended for us to have.
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