A day in the life....

Choices

2011-01-20T13:03:00.002-05:00

Every morning you wake up and it starts... the choices for the day, hit sleep 1 more time or got for a walk, what to wear, what to eat, do you leave on time... its non stop all day.

I believe that no one can determine who we are without our permission. I am a 31 year old mom, wife, and insurance account manager. I suffer for S.A.D. and hate absolutely hate being cold... lately my choice has been to surrender. I am tired all the time, cranky is being polite and extremely sensative... yup, that time of the year again.

There are a lot of things in my life I do not love, but I can change, that's what's great about choice. I'm not happy weighing what I weigh... so today, I had a salad for lunch. I'm tired all the time, so I will go to bed at 10 instead of 11. I'm not happy at my job, so here we go, job prospecting... in the end I am the only one who can control my destiny.

Tomorrow will be a better day, at this moment today, my attitude will change from negative to hopeful, full of promise, and my glass is half full! wish me luck.

losses are never easy

2011-01-14T22:05:00.002-05:00

Everyday I learn something new... I try to be the best parent I can, but you know... sometimes it doesn't matter how positive you are, sometimes things just happen.

My 10 year old lost his basketball game tonight... he had an alright game, tried his hardest, missed a couple of shots, and turnovers, but hey, its just a game. so I try to point out the positive... when I hear, I missed the shot, I replied, atleast you were there to take one... some of the other kids didn't even try for a rebound... which resulted in the usually attitude of whoa is me.

I think there is so much pressure on kids when in sports that they miss the one thing that makes someone truly great... the love of the game. you shouldnt play the game, just to play. you should love the game and enjoy it but most of all learn from it. you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

tonight was a loss in parenting for me, but I am hoping one day, he'll look back and remember, it didn't matter win or lose, mom was there saying you did great.

The New Year, Brings New Attitudes

2011-01-13T10:50:00.002-05:00

We ended 2010 pretty well. Kids had a good Christmas. I was sucessful in meeting my business goals (YAY ME) and everyone at the office benefited from it. Teamwork really is rewarding.

I am hoping that 2011 will bring new attitudes for not only my family, but also for me professionally. Things have been crazy and disappointing at my employer for the past few years. I can't remember the last time I was truly happy here.... that being said, it's time to job search... every risk not taken is an opportunity missed...

The kids also need to adjust their attitudes for 2011. My lil princess needs to realize that its ok to say no thank you every once in a while... she doesn't always have to give up her snack, or toy, or play friend. My son, needs to realize that life is bigger than just him. Let's add some volunteering, helping out more at home, and a lot less temper tantrums. Really I thought we would be over crying fits at 10.

My husband and I need to work on the coparenting side of our marriage. I can give a little more, he can be just a little more consistant.

We will get there, but not unless we try. So my 2011 new years resolution is.... "To be better". I know, its not specific enough, but I can break it down into little goals through out the year... January's goal is to be better at business. Get the resume out and look for new opportunties. Work smarter not harder....

oh sweet temptation...

2010-10-06T20:10:00.001-04:00

day 2 is so difficult... i did a little running... can't do long, it is so hard but I can do it.... Did some stretches, push ups, lunges, and that's all tonight.

traveling for work and trying to keep a healthy lifestyle is really a difficult balance. I miss my kids (been away for 2 nights) and went I tend to get sad... it's all chocolate. not this time. tonight it will be yoga...

sigh... wondering what day 3 will bring.

Eye of the beholder

2010-10-05T20:31:00.002-04:00

Weight... image... height... I wonder when our civalization became so judgemental of image. Unfortnately I find myself at a cross roads. I weight in last week for our wellness challenge at work and found I have reached my heaviest weight ever.... I found myself questioning my worth because of a number represented on a scale....

This leads me to tonights post. I am wondering how my kids view their mommy... I want to be healthy for them, I want them to live a healthy lifestyle and am now realizing that my life choices are influencing their choices.

My husband says I'm beautiful... my babies say the same, but inside I don't feel pretty.... I do not enjoy having issues buttoning my pants or watching the "muffin top" overflowing above my pants... so tonight is the first night I am not longer just going to play victim and sit back and wait for health conditions to start appearing....

For my husband, for my kids, but most of all for me... tonight is the first night of change in my lifestyle... I am looking deep into my soul and praying for stregnth as I pass on the desert and decide to run while watching my favorite TV show... tonight is the first night I will start being the person I want my kids to be when they grow up...

So here's to tonight.

Independence

2010-09-10T09:55:00.002-04:00

Well, I watched my 10 year old enter into 5th grade on Tuesday... excited and happy. He was always so easy getting on the bus and going with his friends.

Today I watched my 5 year old go onto the bus entering into Kindergarten. Where did the time go? Seems like just yesterday I was trying to figure out how to raise this little angel and today I watched her smile at me as the bus approached, waved and off she went. No hesitation, No look back, nothing.

Some of my friends say this means I did a good job with her teaching her independence. Honestly, it breaks my heart... don't get me wrong. I don't want the child who hides her face and cries when mommy isn't there... but I would've really liked just a glimpse back.... or atleast a look out the window with a wave. sigh..... I know as she grows her needs will change and my husband and I will always be there to help in absolutely way.

So today, I am reminded that again, it isn't about us at all... its all about her spreading her wings and taking the 1st steps into the next stage of her life....

The Frugal Family

2010-07-23T10:19:00.002-04:00

Teaching kids about money definately has it challenges. It is not for everyone, and I will be the 1st to say sometimes, it's not easy.

Yesterday in the mail I received my free silly bandz for the last blog post I posted... YAY!!! The kids were amazed that Silly Bandz would mail me something free. I laughed and as they wanted to "trade" with me... I smiled and said, I think I'll hold these for now.

They also have witnessed samples of deodorant, toilet paper, lotion, and even perfume make its way into my mail box over the past few weeks. They think its fun that Mommy gets so excited over mail!

My oldest decided he wanted a pair of Michael Jordan shoes... one of his friends has them and apparently this is the new in thing to have... we searched the sites and the pair he wanted were $130. For a 10 year old... ABSOLUTELY NOT! He rebuttled that he would just use his birthday money... well, instead of just giving it, we used this as a life lesson. We went online and googled for coupons. We found one for 20% off... great! This got the price down to $104. Still too much. I then found the same exact pair on Kids footlocker for $90... better.. but still.... He needed new shoes so my husband and I gave him $40 making his cost $50 + shipping. Then I scored a free shipping code... even better. Final cost for the $130 shoes? $82. His cost... $42. He was thrilled.

With the rest of his money he bought 6 lego sets, 2 DS games and a new DS... all of which he would've wasted on an extremely expensive pair of NIKE shoes... uhg.

Lesson learned... a penny pinched is a penny saved for a rainy day.

Silly Bandz... a craze?

2010-06-30T15:26:00.003-04:00

Well, I'm up for all challenges, but all of a sudden my two kiddos have discovered Silly Bandz... apparently they are these rubber bracelets that are shaped like different things, such as animals, cars, I even got suckered into buying the toy story ones... I know...

Anyway, in researching this latest trend I stumbled upon their website, www.sillybandz.com (for the "real" silly bandz) and logged into their blog.... they have posted a challenge that could score me 18 free silly bandz if I am one of the first 20 people to accept and post specific information on my blog... so here it goes...

There once was a man from Ohio. His name was Rob Croak. He had an amazing idea on how to entertain children with rubber bands. In the beginning his invention was rough... he suffered several snaps that injured his fingers and hands....but in the end, he developed and created Silly Bandz. Holy Toledo... what a craze! People say that this is the equivalent to the pretty pony craze in the 80's or even the beanie baby craze in the 90's. I know for this mom, these Silly Bandz have entertained my two children for hours on end... they have also caused a few tiffs between "trades"..... now... to add to their collection...

Well, I hope that does the trick. I mean really, when I was growing up we had jelly bracelets and snap bracelets. I think it is great how something so simple has entertained my 10 and 5 year old!

Wish me luck!!!

Sometimes I wonder Why?

2010-04-02T15:33:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I sit and wonder why? Why is the life I chose so difficult at times? Why doesn't everyone know just how much I love them? Why don't our kiddos understand how I feel? Why doesn't my spouse understand where I am coming from?

I guess wondering why keeps promise in every day no matter how good, bad, or ugly it may be. Keeping me guessing what the next crisis is going to be or what caused that smile on their faces...

Wondering why keeps me hopeful that each day will be better.

Patience really is a virtue

2010-04-01T07:40:00.002-04:00

Testing boundries is common amoungst all youngsters.... atleast that is what every book, internet article, and parenting website has informed me. I know it really is normal, but how long do we need to constantly remind our children that they are children, we are adults. We have done this before and in some areas have done it better than they ever will imagine. Sometimes I feel like I constantly am saying, No thank you, please dont, really stop, one more time, No thank you..... yet all they hear is blah blah blah blah.... the mind of children.

My family says dont sweat the small stuff, but to me it isnt small. I am trying to equip my kids with the essentials of life, with skills to know how to navigate the world once they are out of my care. I guess it really doesnt matter if the youngest wants to wear the same shirt she went to bed in and is it really the end of the work if the oldest "forgets" to brush his teeth... I guess not. I guess I need to just be patience and need to not sweat the small stuff.

Chaos, yet balance

2010-03-30T20:13:00.003-04:00

Young families are always busy... between school, work, sports, dance and playdates, it is really hard to find valuable family time together. Tonight we played games together. The games played were totally a preschoolers dream... pooh words and candyland... again with candyland. How many colorful spaces can you really move just to be hit with the gingerbread tree card? Really, so close, yet so far.....

Then there are family pets... the important pieces of our families which help our children learn responsibility. When adopting a pet, they should include a disclaimer which states "even though the adoption of this pet was solely to comfort the children of a lost loved pet, it will most definately become the responsibility of mom to feed it, clean up after it, walk and entertain it, and to let it out... many times" There are a lot of life lessons to learn with pets, unfortunately, someo our pets only last a few years. I am dreading the day that I will have to explain elephants demise, or even fred or reeses. I guess for today, I will just be happy they are still here...

In the mix of everyday life, I find comfort in the footsteps that you could hear a city away, and the "outside" voices that we forget should only be used outside. As much as the bickering between the kiddos hits that spot on my spine that I swear will make me crazy one day, it also has a sense of tranquility to know that they are healthy.

I am grateful for having two amazing children and all the noise and chaos that comes with them. I am also extremely thankful for 8:30 - when the chaos ends with bedtime and relaxation takes over.

2010-03-29T22:56:00.001-04:00

Brand new to Blogger...Some of my friends have had blogs in the past and have told me how therapeutic it can be... to have someplace to just type your feelings, views, or anything else that may be going on in your life...

So here it goes...

I'm a mommy of 2 beautiful kiddos.... not so much babies anymore, but will always be my babies... anyway, she is a extremely theatrical, well rounded, princess full of life and happiness. he is an athletic jewel trying to find his place in this grown up world, while still playing with matchbox cars and legos. I am so lucky to have both of them. No one truly tells you everything about parenthood.... granted, I got tons of great advice from people I love very much... but there are things that do not prepare you for the years to come.... who would've though that these little miracles can push your every button, yet, you still feel the unrelentlous love for them. No one tells you how awkward it is when your child has sex ed in school.... or how to sooth the aching heart of a child who has lost a favorite pet (even if it has been over a year).... the joys of being a mommy.

The truth is they both help me become who I am and I learn so much from them... I mean really, on a day when I am dreading getting out of bed... I watch my little one so excited to jump in her pink puddle boots, purple rain coat and flowered umbrella, daring the rain to even try to mess up her perfectly placed hair doo (which she composed all by herself).... How can you not smile. Or when I watch my slightly older one fuss over having to wear a winter coat on an extremely cold day, because he can't sink a basket with the sleeves which barely cover his wrists.... That was when I got schooled on the importance of the angle of the wrist when shooting a basketball.... To sacrifice is to achieve....

These little lessons are lessons I take with me every day and apply them all aspects of my life... besides, I think that it is easy to fall into the trap of being adult. Dealing with crabby and gossipy coworkers, having to come with money for bills, groceries, and of course those name brand shoes, and still finding time to be the lover your spouse fell for so many years ago.... This is when my children remind me of the simple things... all the wonderful things in the life that bring us joy... For me... this is the beginning....