The Thing That Carries Me

"I can't imagine what you've been through."

"I'm so sorry for all that you've had to endure."

"How are you dealing with all of this?"

These are some of the statements/questions I deal with on a daily basis.

Our community is large, but still small enough that lots of people know about the year I've had.

(Or maybe I just know A LOT of people...)

Sometimes, I think I don't know how to answer that question.

How do you deal with losing both parents, unexpectedly, within three months of each other?

But I know it's not a question of "how".

It's a "who".

Jesus.

Now before you think I'm getting all spiritual on you, and you click away, I want to encourage you to keep reading.

This post may look different than you think.

You see, I know a lot of people don't want to hear people talking about Jesus.

It makes them uncomfortable.

Because maybe they've had a bad experience with 'Christians' before.

Or maybe they assume we think we're perfect or better than everyone else.

(Which, let me clarify, isn't true!)

There could be lots of reasons.

But let me tell you about the Jesus I know.

The Jesus I know is solid as a rock.

When everything else was crazy, He was constant.

He was the One that never left.

His love never failed me.  Not even once.

It's like an ocean that never goes dry.  I could swim in it the rest of my life and I'll never run out of His love.

That's what True Love looks like.

Because at some time, everyone and everything will disappoint me.  My husband, my kids, my friends...life.

But not Him.

His love is the *only* thing that I can count on forever.

And that's what has carried me, (literally), through this past year.

Another thing about Jesus,

The Jesus I know loves you.

He loves you just the way you are.  Right now.  Without changing one thing about yourself.

He is wide open.

He is ready to catch anything you can throw at Him.

Doubt?  He's got it.

Insecurity?  No sweat!

Anything else?  Already covered.

You see, the things that keep us from Jesus is our stuff.  It has nothing to do with Him.  

He doesn't ask you for anything.

The only thing you need to do, is fall into Him.

He'll take care of the rest.

If there's something in you that needs to change, He'll do that.  

No need to wait until you're perfect or until you've got it together.  

Because you never will.

That's what He is for.

But I can promise you that once you do Fall into Him, you will fall in love with Him.

You will be so carried away that you can't imagine life without Him.

You will know a joy that you never imagined.

Even in the most horrific of times.

Because His love trumps all of that.

If you don't know His love in this way, then you don't know the real Jesus.

And if you don't know the real Jesus, then why not?

What are you waiting for?

Don't let another day go by without experiencing True Love.

Talk to Him.

Tell Him you want to know that kind of love.

His love.

He'll take care of the rest.

I'm Still Here

I know...it's been a while.

But seriously, life has been hectic.

I feel like cheer and football rule my world right now.

Well, that and sick kids, doctors appointments, and teacher conferences.

And by the way, my girls are ROCK STARS!

(In school anyway...)

They both had great reports and I couldn't be more proud.

But things at home are a little less....well...easy.

We are going through some discipline issues and it's hard.

For all of us.

I am glad my girls are so polite at school and respect their teachers etc.

But at home, it's another story.

Fighting, yelling, throwing things on the ground...it's like I live with 2 teenage girls.

But they're only 8 and 6.

I'm not ready for this.

And sometimes I feel like I'm doing a horrible job at raising them to be self sufficient, respectful, appreciative adults.

I think if there were report cards for moms, I'd be getting a D... (okay, maybe a C.  But definitely not above a C).

Anyone else have this issue?

I'm at a loss.

Grounding them is what gets to them most.  But even that is wearing off.

And I feel like I'm the one who is punished, too, because I have to miss all of my fun.

Any advice?

What's On Your To-Do List?

My To-Do list is approximately 7 miles long right now.

I just keep adding and adding, but not much is getting done.

{Including Blog posts, which I am waaaaay behind on.  Sorry!}

At the top of my list right now are:

Get stuff for my daughter to make football signs tonight, (probably should get on that...)
Pick up and take my prescriptions (I have bronchitis..yay.)
Clean my house (who am I kidding?)
Purchase a camera and laptop (I have been procrastinating on this for months)
Fill out and mail in Red Tape paper work kind of stuff (HATE this!)
Decide what I'm making and then make something for a Football/Cheer Bonfire this weekend (which will probably end up being something pre-made and purchased at the grocery five minutes before we go)
Replace the light that went out in our bathroom a week ago (did someone say my make-up looks weird?)
Call and cancel the Netflix that we planned to only have for the free trial month that we have now paid for for  6 months (my bad...)
Figure out what my husband and I are going to be for the Halloween party we are going to next week (does it even matter??  We all know Amy For Him and her hubby are going to win the prize anyway!)
Take the junk that is left over from my garage sale, IN JULY, to Goodwill (so I can put more junk that is currently *inside* my house out there)
And a ton of other random things that will probably still be on the list in 2 months.

But while I haven't been doing those things, here are the things I have been doing:

Snuggling with my kiddo's while we all take turns getting sick (it's that time of year!)
Exercising (and I'm not even lying!!)
Spending time with friends and family who need it (because I have been so blessed by others when I have needed it!)
Having fun with my kids and all of their 101 activities (they will only want me around for so long...)
Making healthy meals and feeding my body the way it is meant to be fed (down 20 pounds so far!  Ask me how if you want to know!)
Enjoying all the new fall TV shows (if you know me, you know how excited I am about this!)


So while I know I have lots to get done, I think my list of things I have been doing is pretty awesome.  And the truth is, I'd much rather be doing all of that!

So tell me, what's on your To-Do list?  And what are you doing instead of doing it?

Update on Life Changes and Winner of Gift Card!

Hey friends! 

Soooo, since I posted about my food addiction I've been busy making some life changes.

The main thing is praying about changing the way I see food, and then actually putting that into action.

I signed up for a program called Advocare.  I knew a lot of people who were doing it, and most of them were having success.

Not just with weight loss, but with feeling their best.

So, I decided to give it a try.

They have this thing called a 24 day challenge, and so that's where I'm starting.

I like it because I am eating real food, but the kind of food I should be eating....whole foods, things that will help my body instead of hurting it.

It is helping to teach me about what makes my body feel better and run better.  And the best part is, I have never felt hungry, which is something I was afraid of.

I have finished the "cleanse" portion, and am now on to the "max" phase.  Basically, I'm on day 12 and so far, I've lost 16 pounds and 8 inches!!!!

Oh.  My.  Word.

BUT, even better than that, is that I feel great!!

My mind is clearer.

I am not tired all the time like I used to be.

I am not craving sugar or fried foods.

I am not having all the stomach issues I have struggled with for so long.

And I feel good about myself.

It has been a long time since I could say that.

But it's true.

Because, you see, I realized that for so long, I have not even been looking at myself.

I mean, of course I do my makeup and hair in the mirror, and I check my outfit before I leave the house.

But I never really look at myself.  Like, look into my own eyes and actually see me.

Why?

I don't know.  I think it's just because I was afraid I wouldn't like who I saw there.

But the other day, when I realized this, I just took a moment to really look at myself.  And you know what?

I like me.

I try to be kind and giving whenever I can.

I really care about other people and how they feel.

I am a loyal and true friend.

I have a pretty good sense of humor (if I do say so myself...and I do :)  )

I try to stay positive.

I am smart.

I am always trying to be a teachable person.

I am a good mommy.

I am a faithful and loving wife.

And I genuinely love Christ with every fiber of my being.

So maybe I don't exactly love the physical part of my looks, and I know I still have things that I need to change, (like this food addiction I'm working through), but overall, I can honestly say that I like me.  And that is a HUGE step.

Not afraid to really look in that mirror anymore.

And, if after all of this, if that's the only thing I get...I feel pretty great about that!

So there you have it.

My first "update".

I'd say it's a pretty good one. :)




And NOW, are you ready for the results of the $50 Visa Card Giveaway??

Congratulations to...

GRETCHEN!!!!

I hope you enjoy your $50 and spend it on something to spoil yourself!!!!

Please send me your address at thefamilyfunmom@yahoo.com and I will send it off to you!



And thanks again to all of you for continuing to read and for all the encouragement!

What A Week

This week has been ugly.

I started a 10 day cleanse last Thursday, and was doing great...until I got a flu like bug a couple of days ago.

I think it's safe to say I'm cleaned out :(

I'm gonna go ahead and finish out this cleanse, though, just because I said I would.  Then it's on to the rest of the 24 day challenge I'm on.

Which is basically eating the way I should and am planning to eat for the rest of my life.

But I'm excited for the "cleanse" period to be over so I can throw some whole grain bread and a little dairy back into the mix.

It's the small things...

And also, I had to cancel a MUCH NEEDED hair appointment because of being sick.

Not happy about that at all!

My hair has been in a constant state of pony tail for the last 3 months.

It's time for a new look.

And my husband thinks he might be getting sick, too, now.

Which is NOT good because we have big plans for this Saturday to go to COSI to see the new Lego Castle Adventure.

I had to miss last years COSI blogger event because of sickness and I am willing all of us to be well so we don't miss this years.

AND, I have had no time to put into Halloween costumes for the kids or myself, which makes me nervous because I usually start that whole process in July.

Who knows...all of us may end up being ghosts this year.

I think it's time for the sheet with eye holes to come back anyhow.  It's retro and cool.  Right?!

Anyhow...it's just been one of those weeks.

What's your week been like?

Confession Time: My Truth

Okay, so first, I must tell you that this post is going to be LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGG.

So if you don't read all the way through, I understand.

BUT, if you really want to know my truth, then stay tuned for the whole thing.  Because I am REALLY honest in this post.

Like, scary honest.

Here goes:

Almost a month ago, I told you that my dad had passed away.

But at the time, I wasn't ready to talk about the details.

But to tell you the truth about me, I have to tell you the truth about what happened.

First, I want to say that I LOVE my dad, and always will.  I'm not telling you any of this to make him sound bad or to take away from any of his goodness (because there was a lot of that).

But I want to be honest.

My dad was an alcoholic for as long as I can remember.

A very high functioning alcoholic, but an alcoholic nonetheless.

And it was something we all knew, but never talked about (with him).

Oh sure, a few times someone would challenge him on if he was drinking too much, but that never ended well.

And we never had any kind of intervention.

{One of my BIGGEST regrets in life!}

So, to make a long story less long, my dad went into the hospital on a Tuesday afternoon and died exactly one week later.

His liver and kidney's just completely shut down.  All because of the alcohol.

He had literally drank himself to death.

On that first night in the hospital, I cried with him as he explained that the doctors told him that he probably wouldn't make it.

And I asked him if all of the drinking had been worth it.

Was it worth ending up like this?

Was it worth all that he had missed out on in life with his kids and grandkids?

His answer was No.

Then why had he done it, I asked?

His reply: "Because I was addicted."

I had NEVER heard my dad admit that he had an addiction to alcohol.  Never.

And it struck me in that moment that he didn't just realize that day that he was addicted.

That was something he must have known for a long time, but been unwilling to admit.

And I couldn't help but think of how different life could have been if he had admitted that sooner.

As I drove home that night, something was nagging at me.  But I pushed it away, because I had too much to deal with at that point.

But as the week went on, and as he declined, the nagging kept coming.  And I kept pushing it away.

Finally, after my dad's death, I couldn't ignore it anymore.

I was an addict, too.

Not to alcohol, or to drugs, but to food.

I was using food in the same way that my dad had used alcohol all those years.

To celebrate, to cope, to entertain...essentially to make me happy.

But that isn't the job of food.

Food is for nourishment, and I had been abusing it to the point that it was now having the opposite effect on me.

And I knew that I was headed down a dangerous and somewhat similar path as my dad.

My addiction was keeping me from fully enjoying my family the same way his kept him from doing that.

And no one would call me on my addiction because they loved me and didn't want to hurt me or embarrass me, the same way that we did for him.

And if I kept going the way I was going, at some point I was going to end up in the hospital with the doctors saying that I had ruined my own body and that the damage was irreversible; the same thing that happened to him.

I didn't want that for my family.

I don't want my girls to EVER feel like I chose food over them.

I knew I needed to make a change, but it was overwhelming.  Where did I start?

Well, I started by praying.

I knew God was giving me this wake up call.  This second chance.

I knew He would direct me in the right way.

Then I admitted my addiction to my husband.  And to close friends.  And I asked them to pray for me and to hold me accountable.

And I sought out a plan to help me get on the right track, and I didn't hesitate in signing up.

And I continue to pray for God to transform my mind so that I will view food differently.

And finally, I am coming clean on this blog.

Because I know that some of you will pray for me in this journey.

And because it's another form of accountability.

And because there may be others out there who are silently struggling with the same thing.

Maybe food isn't your addiction, maybe it's something else.  Maybe it's drugs or alcohol.  Maybe it's sex or pornography.  Maybe it's gambling or shopping.  Or maybe it's an eating disorder.

Whatever it is, if that's you, please know that you are NOT alone!

Shame, denial, and pride are what kept my dad silent about his addiction for so long.

Don't let that happen for you.


So there it is.

My truth.  My confession.  My addiction.

I really do hope that you'll pray for me as I walk through this.  And also, that you'll hold me accountable.

And periodically, I'll post an update.

And hopefully, somewhere down the road, I'll be able to tell you that I have conquered my addiction!

Disney Disney Disney

My little Princesses

Ya'll know how much I love Disney World!

It's my real life happy place.

Nothing bad happens at Disney, right?!

(Oh yeah, except when my kid got the stomach flu there the last time and we spent 3 days of our vacation in the hotel room with her puking her guts out.)

But never mind all that.

I am excited to tell you that we will be going to Disney World again this November, and OHHH how excited I am!!

We'll get to try lots of new things this time because 1. ) they are opening a whole load of new stuff like the Be Our Guest Restaurant from Beauty and The Beast, Celebrate The Magic, Enchanted Tales With Belle, and Under The Sea- Journey of The Little Mermaid, (click here to find out about all the new stuff!) and 2.) because both girls are tall enough to ride almost every ride at every park now!!

Plus, that feeling, when you walk into the Magic Kingdom, is indescribable.

The first time we took Addy, I cried.

Why?

Because I'm an emotional basket case.

But also because I think taking your kids to Disney World is something that almost every parent dreams of.

I never got to go as a kid and I always felt like I was missing out on a kind of right of passage.

And I just knew that when I became a parent, I wouldn't let them miss out on that opportunity.

(BTW, don't feel too sorry for me.  I got to do lots of other fun vacations as a kid, and even go to Italy when I was in High School.  Rough life, I know).

So when we walked into The Magic Kingdom with her, it was as if I had fulfilled that promise to myself and was able to make one of her very first dreams come true.

Our first visit with Addy when she was 4

And that's what Disney is about.

Making dreams come true.

You want to be a princess?

Then that's what you are!

How about a Pirate?

Yep!

And you want to spin in a saucer, fly on an elephant and ride a magic carpet?

You can do all that, too.

It truly is Magical.

And also, we are getting a great deal.

Which makes it Magical for our bank account, also.

If you are interested in planing a Disney trip of your own, check out their site here.

(And I am NOT an affiliate or making any money off of this recommendation!  I just REALLY love Disney!)

So tell me, have you been to Disney World?  Are you a Disney freak like me?  What's your favorite part?  

Ten Ways To Give A Gift Without Spending Money

I LOVE to give gifts.

I have said before that it is a gift to me to be able to give someone a gift that they really love.

And often, we think we have to spend a lot of money to make someone happy.

But often, the best gifts cost us nothing at all.

Here are Ten Ways to Give A Gift Without Spending Money:

10.  Offer to Babysit!  If you have children, you know what a treasure it is to have a date night and know that you won't have to pay a babysitter.  And don't just put it out there and offer, actually have them give you a list of dates that work, and choose one (or more) that work for you!

9.  Make a Meal!  Sometimes it's nice to get muffins or cookies.  But what really helps out is when someone delivers an entire meal to your door.  No cooking and no having to pay for dinner.  Awesome!

8.  Do some Housework!  Oh the luxury of having a housekeeper!  That is something most of us can't afford.  BUT, if a friend would be willing to come and do it for you, that would maybe be the best gift ever!

7. Write a Note!  Sometimes, the people we care about just want to hear the words.  Take time to sit down and write a letter and tell them what they mean to you and why.

6.  Become a Photographer!  Everyone loves great family photo's, but photo sessions can be pricey.  But with a decent camera and good editing software, almost anyone can capture at least a few great pics.  Offer to accompany them and their family on an afternoon outing and be their own personal photographer.

5.  Get Crafty!  Knit a scarf, repaint a frame to look pretty, or put together a really cool wreath.  We all love those cute little things we see on Pinterest, but we rarely have time to do them.  Try doing one of them for a friend!

4.  Give a Lesson!  Maybe you know how to sew, but your friend doesn't.  Or maybe you're a really good cook and she can barely boil water.  Whatever skill you have that your friend may want to learn, (but maybe is afraid to ask you about), is a great opportunity to give of yourself!

3.  Coupons!  This one is a no-brainer.  It has been around a while, and for good reason...it works!  Write a coupon book that the receiver can exchange for items.  We did this with our girls one year for Christmas and they loved it.  Some of our coupons were for: 30 minutes of staying up later, ice cream for breakfast, having a friend spend the night, and getting to choose what we have for dinner.

2.  Make a Scrap Book!  This one is great for anyone, but especially family members.  Collect old photo's, write down memories, and be creative.  We did this for my Father-In-Law's Birthday one year and I think I loved it as much as he did because I got to learn so much more about him while I was putting it together.

1. Give them Your Time!  If the receiver is anything like me, it's your time that means the most to them.  Take a whole day and spend it doing fun stuff with your friend.  And it doesn't have to cost a lot (or anything!).  Hiking, cooking together, watching TV movies, or just sitting and chatting are great bonding activities.  OR, if it's a guy your giving to, let him have a day just to watch sports or listen to his favorite band.

Do you have any other good ideas for ways to Give without spending Money??  If so, Please Share!!

I will be linking up with Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings and WFMW at We Are THAT Family!

Random Friday: Stuff About Me

-I like tuna sandwiches but only when I have frito's to go with them




-I sleep with an ice pack every night because I have this thing called costochondritis.


-I am going to buy a good camera soon, but I can't decide on which one is best (any sugesstions??)

-Sitting in front of a bonfire or on a beach are two of my favorite things.

-I got a sewing machine for Christmas last year and I have yet to use it.

-If I were rich, my #1 luxery would be to hire a housekeeper.

-Not really a fan of caramel apples.

-I am obsessed with celebrity news.

-I have a fear of heights.

-If I didn't have an alarm clock or kids, I would probably sleep past noon every single day.

-I don't really have a favorite song...there are too many to choose from.

-Sometimes I think about adopting a little boy.

-I used to be a super political person, but now I can hardly stand to talk about it at all.

-I have never taken my kids camping....and I may not.  Ever.

-My favorite dessert is Chocolate Lava Cake.

-This blog has started to feel like a personal friend of mine.


I shared.  Now go ahead and tell me one random fact about you!

For The Love of Reading: Sacred Marriage

Last week, my husband and I celebrated our ten year anniversary.

All the time, people comment on our marriage. And they wonder how we stay strong, and how we stay happy.

 Let me share a secret.

This past year has tried us on almost every level.  But I feel like our marriage is truly better and stronger than ever.

And part of the reason, is a book we have been going through called 'Sacred Marriage' by Gary Thomas.

We started this book with a few other couples in our house church who were also interested in taking their marriage to the next level. 

I really think it's one of the best decisions we've ever made as a couple.

This book challenges the idea that marriage is meant just to make us happy, but rather that it is more to make us holy.

Whoa...BIG CONCEPT!

For almost all of us, we go into marriage thinking that the other person will, in a sense, complete our lives.  We buy into the lie that 'happily ever after' really exists.  And then, when it isn't all happy and wonderful, we think that we must have made a mistake and give up.

"Marriage shouldn't be so hard."

"I don't have any feelings for him/her anymore."

"I deserve to be happy."

"I fell out of love."

These are all things I've heard before.

The person leaves the marriage and when the next guy/gal comes along who makes them happy, (for a time), they decide they are in love.  Maybe they get married, or maybe they don't.

But guess what happens?

Real life creeps in, the flaws start to show, and ultimately, they don't make you happy anymore.

But think about this:

What if God didn't intend for your marriage just to make you happy?  What if, instead, He intended it to make you more like Him?

Let me explain it a little...

As humans, we are pretty much all about making ourselves happy.

We surround ourselves with people and things that make us comfortable.  And when something or someone comes along that challenges that or makes us uncomfortable, we start to change things so that it works out that we are again happy and comfortable.

BUT,

what is instead of doing that, you took a different approach?

What if you stopped and thought, "hmmmm, maybe I'm not always supposed to be comfortable.  Maybe God wants me to grow.  Maybe He wants to get my attention.  Maybe I'M the one that needs to change here."?

And then, instead of removing the people or things in your life that are making you 'unhappy' or 'uncomfortable', you decided to see in through, and see what God wanted to teach you?

Imagine what would happen.

Instead of always looking at your spouse's flaws, you remember that you, too, have flaws and are so thankful for the grace God shows you, that you realize that you can show that same kind of grace to your mate.

And after a bit, you decide to go a step further and not only do you start showing your spouse grace, but you start to actually look for ways to serve them.  To make them happy, even when it makes you uncomfortable, and even when you don't think they deserve it.

You know who this is beginning to sound like?

Jesus.

And that's the goal.

Marriage is meant to be a reflection of God's relationship with us.  And if we truly want to be more like Him, then the best place to start is in our marriages.

And the crazy thing is, when we actually do these things, WE are the ones who end up happy!!  Crazy, I know! 

This idea has changed the way my husband and I view our marriage.  And in return, we are stronger than ever. 

Does that mean we don't argue anymore?

Nope!

Does that mean we have perfected our marriage?

Far from it!

But does it mean that we are committed to our marriage, flaws and all?

Yes!


So tell me, have you read this book?  If so, what are your thoughts?

If not, have you struggled/are you struggling in marriage/relationships?

What do you think about the ideas above?

I will be linking up with WFMW at We Are THAT Family. 

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A Decade

Ten years ago, I married this guy:

He is loving, handsome, goofy, kind, gentle, smart, supportive, funny, patient, respectful, faithful, and completely wonderful.

And when I refer to him as my prince, I absolutely mean it.

He has saved me in a thousand ways.

And while this year has definitely tried our marriage, we have stood strong and he has been rock solid.

To say I love him more today than the day I married him would be a massive understatement.

Happy Tenth Anniversary to my Best Friend and The Love of My Life!

The Pain Of Another Loss

You may (or may not have) noticed that this blog has been silent for a few weeks.

Unfortunately, our family has had to deal with yet another heartbreaking loss.

Just 3 short months after losing my mom, I lost my dad.

He passed away on September 21st.

It was sudden and fast and I still can't believe it.

My mom and dad had been divorced since I was 5, so this was my biological dad.

There's no romanticism about him missing her or dying of a broken heart to blame it on.
 
It was just life.

And sometimes, life just isn't fair.

I might go into details of what happened at some point, but not now.

Right now, I'll just tell you about my dad, and what he meant to me.

My dad loved Christmas and he would decorate the tree until all you could see was sparkle, and he would buy enough gifts to fill a room.  I totally get my love of giving gifts from him!

And when we were little, he would teach my sister and I silly songs while we drove in the car with him.  And it is fun to teach my girls some of those same songs.

And he enjoyed taking us out to nice restaurants and ordering the most expensive things on the menu.  Even when we were kids.  It might seem odd for an eight-year-old to order filet mignon like it was a happy meal, but that was how my dad liked to roll.

And Oh My Gosh, how he LOVED to theme dress for any occasion.  St. Patty’s day was all green, Christmas was all red, and Game day was brown and orange all the way (GO BROWNS!).

I will always remember how happy it made my dad to watch a new western…or ten. We ALWAYS knew those would be on his Christmas wish list!

And my dad had a lot of pride in the fact that he served his country.  He volunteered to go to Vietnam when he was seventeen.

And he was an expert QVC shopper!  Pretty sure they knew him by name...

And my dad was willing to sacrifice to help those he loved, without asking anything in return.

And I will laugh every time I think of how much my dad loved sports and would yell at the TV as if the players could hear him.

And he would give the biggest hugs every time he saw us and tell us how much he loved us.

And spending time with his grandchildren made him the absolute happiest.

These, and a million other little things that make me smile, are the things I will remember about my dad.



But one thing I have learned through all of this loss is that for the rest of us, life goes on.

And so it will.

My dad wouldn't have it any other way. 

Thanks, friends, for staying loyal and continuing to read. 

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.

{HUGS}

Don't Be {THAT} Mom

School is starting, and you have a choice to make.

What kind of mom will you be this year?

Here are some Moms you DON'T want to be!




1.  The Hooker Mom.  No one wants to see you prancing into school with the words "Juicy" or "Pink " on your behind.  It's a school, not a meat market.  And by the way, it's also inappropriate to send your six year old to school with anything across her behind too.

2.  The Over Achiever Mom.  Other mom's don't like her, because she makes us look bad.  Don't volunteer for every.  single.  thing.  And at least ONCE, send in something that is NOT homemade!

3.  The Clueless Mom.  Teachers hate this mom.  They send home all those information packets for a reason.  Try reading it. 

4.  The Gossip Mom.  It's a quick way to lose friends and get a bad rep.  Unless of course you are gossiping about celebrities.  In which case, Gossip On My Friend!

5.  The Mom whose Kids are ALWAYS right.  No kid is perfect and every kid has issues.  Little Johnny did hit that girl.  And for no good reason.  Accept it.

6.  The Bragging Mom.  We know your husband is a doctor.  And you're building your dream house.  And you just got back from Fiji.  And you bought a new Mercedes.  And you lost 15 pounds.  And your nanny is the best.  Yay for you!  Now quit telling us about it.

7.  The Slacker Mom.  You know, the mom who never helps at the dreaded classroom party, or worse yet, volunteers and then never follows through?  Or the mom who can't even send in a bag of chips on teacher luncheon day?  Yeah, don't be her.

8.  The Green/Whole Foods Mom.  It's all well and good that you buy raw milk, save rain water in a barrel, and plan to save the Earth one sheet of saved paper at a time.  But please, for the love of parents everywhere, stop insisting that the entire classroom participate in your projects.  When I'm ready to make my kid's clothes out of grass, I'll let you know.

9.  The Bad Mood Mom.  Grumpy is not a lifestyle.  Even if you have to fake it, try acting happy every once in a while.

10.  The Sales Mom.  We don't want to buy your Tupperware, or your Avon, or your energy/diet drink that will take off 100 pounds in three weeks and make me feel like a new person.  (Okay, if you *actually* sell something that promises that, call me!).  The classroom is not your new sales territory.  Quit asking!

Here's hoping for a great year of wonderful teachers, well behaved children, and sane parents.

I will be linking up with Many Little Blessings for Top Ten Tuesday and We Are THAT Family for WFMW.

Tales of The First Grade Nightmare {For Mom's}

When my oldest daughter started first grade, I was so excited!

She would be at school all day for the first time, (we did half day kindergarten), and I just knew that would be the year she blossomed.

Ummm, not so much.

{At least not at first}

The first day was wonderful.  She loved her teacher, her classmates, and getting to eat lunch at school like a "big kid".

But after that first day, things changed a bit.

I noticed that she was a lot more emotional.

And when I say a lot, I mean laying-on-the-floor-crying-for-no-reason kind of emotional.

She would hit and kick her sister for no reason at all, (which may be a normal thing now, but back then it was completely out of character), and scream and my husband and I when we asked her why she did it.

It was as if I had sent my sweet little precious girl to first grade, and they had sent back an emotional basket case.

After this had continued for several weeks, I started to get concerned.

Did she have some kind of psychiatric problem that was just now surfacing?

Did she need medication?

And I was wondering if she was behaving this way in class.

I emailed her teacher, and I am so thankful for the advice she gave me.

She said that while it was frustrating for me, this was completely normal behavior.

She explained that transitioning into a full day at school is a BIG deal for a kid.

She told me that she was behaving wonderfully at school, and that may have even been responsible for some of the problems I was having at home.

You see, My little girl was holding all of her "stuff" inside all day long.

Her nervousness.

Her anxiety.

Her insecurities.

Her extra energy.

Her emotions.

And once she got home, all those things had to come out.

In the safety of her home.

The place that she knows that she is loved unconditionally.

And yes, it was VERY frustrating to me.

But after she explained it, and I thought about it, I knew she was right.

This was one of the biggest changes in her life, and of course it would be a big adjustment.

So instead of yelling at her and sending her to her room, I started having conversations with her about all the feelings she was having about school. 

We started talking about ways to help with her tiredness and frustration.

We had earlier bedtimes, and decided that when she got home, being alone watching TV or reading was what she needed for the first half hour or so.

And we also encouraged her to write about how she felt, or whatever was going on.  And she LOVED that.  In fact, she is still a writer today.

Not all of the emotional craziness went away, (she is my daughter after all....the craziness is inherited!), but it did get better.  And over time, it got a lot better!

Now I have my youngest starting first grade in two days.

This time, I'm prepared.

{As well as any mom can be}

I am expecting the emotional roller coaster we will probably face for the next several months.

Not fun, but completely "normal".

Anyone else have this same experience?  How did you handle it?

Clark Howard For President

I'm pretty sure Clark Howard isn't running, but I kinda wish he would.

I am SO SICK of all the political ads already.

I turn the channel whenever one comes on.

And here's why:

I don't feel like I can trust anyone.

Of course The President is going to say Mitt Romney is a only out to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. 

He wants to stay in office.

And of course Mitt Romney is going to say that The President hasn't done his job, and has only increased the debt.

He wants to become President.

And while I am all about social issues, I also care about our economy.

And I kind of think that our economy is the main issue in this race.

And if that's the case, I think that Clark Howard is my guy.

Why?


I think he wouldn't be interested in any kind of hidden/personal agenda (other than scoring a great deal at Walmart).

And isn't that what we think about most politicians?


(Not the Walmart part.  The hidden agenda part.)

I am generally pretty conservative, but even I have to admit that I usually feel like I'm choosing the lesser of two evils.

And I hate feeling that way when I vote.

So, I may be writing in Clark Howard's name in on the next election.

Because at this point, it might be the only thing I do feel good about.

{And yes, I'll be stepping down from my soap box now.}

What do you think about all of this political business?  (Warning: If you leave a comment, Be Nice!)

For The Love of Reading: Sophie Kinsella

I have shared my love of reading before. 

And often, I am asked which Authors I like to read.

So today, I want to tell you about one of my favorites: Sophie Kinsella.

You may have already heard of her, as she wrote the book, "Confessions of a Shopaholic" which was made into a fun movie starring Hugh Dancy.

And while the movie was cute, the book was soooooo much better!

{Which, in my opinion, is almost always true...}

And, in fact, she has an entire series devoted to 'Shopaholic'.

The reason I love Sophie Kinsella's books are that they are always light hearted, spirited and fun to read. 

The main character is usually a young woman who has the best of intentions, but always finds herself in some hilarious, crazy circumstance.

And her witty, irreverent, British humor cracks me up.

Often, I find myself laughing out loud while reading.

And for a time, I can just relax, forget the serious stuff in life, and enjoy a story that is zany and fun.

I have read several of her books, including:

I've Got Your Number

Twenties Girl (my favorite!)

The Undomestic Goddess

Can You Keep A Secret?

AND, I'm getting ready to start Remember Me?

So tell me, have you read any Sophie Kinsella books?  Which is your favorite?  What are some of your other favorite Authors?

I'm Taking a Mom Sabbatical

Not really.

But I've thought about it.

And so has every other mom.

(Even if they don't admit it!)

And here's why:

I can go away for a night or two or maybe even a week and leave the kids with my husband.

At first it's all fun and games.

He takes them to a few parks, out to dinner, and sometimes even the pool.

They might watch a fun movie, or read some books, and he plays all kinds of games with them. 

And maybe after the first few days, things start to get a little more stressful.

But he's got this.

Why?

Because he knows that I'm coming home.

He knows he only has to last a few more days, and then he'll be back at work while I'm home doing what I always do.

His perfect world is restored.

BUT,

what if I were gone longer?

Maybe a month or two.

Now we're really talkin'!

The thing is, anyone can entertain kids for a few days, or even a week. 

And when you do all the fun stuff, you're a rock star!

But after the fun stuff wears away, and you realize McDonalds doesn't taste good after the 3rd night in a row, and your bank account is quickly depleting because all this "fun stuff" starts to get expensive, it's not so easy anymore.

This is why I say I want a sabbatical.

I want my husband, (and children), to know what being a full time mommy really is.

I want them to know that it takes Super Hero skills to make dinners that children will eat, husbands will like, and that cost under $10 for the whole family.

I want them to appreciate that it takes many a' midnight hours lying awake to try and think of new and fun things to do that won't completely throw your budget off.

I want them to experience what it's like when mom isn't there to organize the schedules and activities of the entire family.

I want to know what happens when kids are tired and whiny, dad is losing his patience, but homework, dinner, dishes and laundry all still have to get done.

And a library book is missing.

And the oldest left her lunch box at school.

And the youngest can't find her special blankie that she can't sleep without.

And the refrigerator isn't working right.

And

And

And

And I want to see how long it takes before all of them are begging me to come back!

See what I'm getting at?

And please don't think that my husband doesn't already appreciate what I do as a mom.

He does.

At least to the best of his ability.

But the thing is, no one can truly appreciate all a mom does for her family, until she isn't there to do it.

And even though I say that I would like a sabbatical, (or maybe just a month long Hawaiian vacation...), the truth is, I don't do this job for the praise or appreciation, (even though sometimes, that's nice, too!).

I do it because I love this family of mine.

And I hope, (for everyone's sake!), that they never really have to experience what it's like when I'm not there!

Back To School 2012: The Teacher Questionnaire {Free Printable}

I posted last year about ideas for Teacher Gifts and I also mentioned a letter I send to the teacher during the first week.  It's a little questionnaire that I use to help me when it's time to get a teacher gift. 

I got a TON of positive feedback from it and this year, I thought I would share mine so that you can use it, too.

My Back To School Gift for you :)

Click here for the free printable!

Back To School 2012: Sending Your First Child To Kindergarten

Last year, I sent my youngest child to kindergarten, and while it was hard (for sure!), it wasn't anything like sending my first.

my first little baby going into kindergarten on the first day!

That first time you have to part with your baby to let them walk into school without you, is just heart wrenching. 

After all those nights of getting up with your baby, all the rocking them to sleep, kissing boo-boos, singing lullabies, answering a million "why?" questions, caring for them when they're sick, and snuggling them all day long, you have to let them go.

Not let them go forever, but just enough to make you realize that it's coming. 

That day when the leave the nest for good.

When they don't need mommy (or daddy) all the time.

When they want to be on their own.

It's coming.

And while we're so excited for them, we are scared too.  Because all we know is taking care of these little babies God has given us.

So, if this is you, here are a few words of encouragement and some small bits of advice to help you through this emotional time.

First, show your excitement for them more than your fear.  They take their cues from you, so if you act sad about it, so will they.  It will cause unnecessary anxiety, and this should be a super fun time for them!

Also, help them get prepared.  Visit the school they will be attending and let them look around.  My advice is to do this *before* the open house.  That way, they won't be overwhelmed by all the other people and activities going on there.  Also, the library has TONS of books on going to kindergarten.  Get some and talk with them about what to expect and all the great stuff they'll be doing.  Let them help pick out the school supplies, clothes, back packs etc.  This way, they'll feel like they are already starting to be a "big kid".

And on that BIG DAY, make it a BIG DEAL!  At our house, we make it a celebration!  I put streamers on their doors, they get to have a special breakfast, I put a cute note in their snack, and then we take loads of pictures.  And then when they get home, we have a special lunch and then make Back To School Bread (aka: zucchini bread).  It really makes them feel special.

Finding something else for you to do will also be important.  Especially during those first couple of weeks.  So make breakfast dates with friends, plan errands to run, join a gym, or start a home project.  Whatever it is, it's a way to get your mind on something else besides your little ones while they're in school. 

OR, if you have other children at home, make sure and help them adjust, too, by spending some alone time with them.  You can take them to a new park, find a new playgroup, or get them involved in an activity/lessons that they will enjoy but perhaps didn't have time for before.

Be sure that you talk with your new kindergartner a lot during those first weeks.  Find out if they have made new friends.  Ask about the teacher.  Find out if there is anything that makes them nervous about the new changes and talk about them.  Also remember that this huge change in their schedule will probably cause them to be pretty tired and they may be a little more cranky than usual.  Try to be understanding and gentle with them, remembering that this is a big adjustment for all of you!

Another quick tip is to not schedule a lot of extras during those first weeks.  I know we try to pack a lot in to those last few weeks of warm summertime weather, but kids really just need to rest and get accustomed to the new routine. 

And finally, don't forget to remind them that no matter how big they are, they are still your baby.  They always will be.

Back To School 2012: Fashion For Kids

It's that time again!

All the stores are starting their Back-To-School sales, and we start to think about what our kids will be wearing.

If your school shopping experience is anything like mine, it usually involves arguing over what's cool vs. what's affordable.

My kids want whatever's in style, no matter the cost.

I want to not have to take out a second mortgage on my house in order for them to achieve that "cool look".

I've done a little research on what's "in" for this season, and that way, you can be on the lookout for a good deal.

That way, we ALL win!

For Girls, the trends are:

Plaid, Bright Colors, Argyle, Anything that sparkles (think sequins and glitter!), Peace Signs, Animal Prints, Dresses and Leggings, and cutesy graphic tees.

Check out my 'Back To School For Girls' Pinterest Page for samples of some of these looks and where to find them:

For Boys, the trends are:

Plaid, Skater Style (think skinny jeans, and tees), Argyle, High-Top Shoes, Military/Camo, Layering, Fedora Hats, and Graphic Tees.

You can also check out my 'Back To School For Boys' Pinterest Page for samples of these looks, too.

Here are a few tips to help you as you shop:

• Take note of the styles that are in, and then look for them at discount places like Target or WalMart.  They may not have as big of a selection of "in" styles, but even if you can just get a few pieces there, that will help!
• Try to find jeans, khaki's, and other basics at places like Goodwill and second hand shops.  I always get lucky and find tons of Gap and Old Navy jeans at my local Goodwill!
• Try to keep from buying sweaters, coats etc. until later in the fall.  Even though they are out now, kids won't wear them for a while, and by then, the prices will be much better!
• Shop armed with coupons!  Gymboree often sends out 30% off coupons, and they also have a loyalty card.  Gap and The Children's Place do the same.  Save those for the few items that you really want that you know you won't be able to find someplace else.
• Set a Budget and stick to it!  You don't need to buy everything all at once.  Most likely, your kids can and will be wearing most of their summer shorts and tops for the first month or so.  Time is money and you can be saving for more items while they are wearing those.
• Shop Online when you can!  Often, you will get a better price for the same items as in the store!

I hope this helps you as you set out to keep your kids in style this season!