Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Why So Serious?

I decided to write this after reading a friends diary.

Lots of moms have self esteem issues.

They don't think they're pretty. Or they're overweight. Your singing voice isn't the greatest. You don't feel comfortable out in public in anything but jeans and a tshirt.

To your little person, you are the world.

You don't think you're pretty? Why not let your kids be your mirror. Look in their eyes when they look at you. You may not be runway model material, but to them, you're more beautiful than anyone else they've ever seen.

Overweight? They don't care. It makes you more comfortable to lay on. It makes you cuddly. More snuggly.

You don't think you're singing voice is the greatest? Your little person would be happy to sing a duet with you any time (unless they're trying to be the center of attention, then NO ONE can sing with them). I can't tell you how many times I've been told "You sing so pretty mama" by both of my kids when I was told "Don't quit your day job" by any adult that was listening to me (seriously though, I don't think I'm THAT bad).

You may feel like you're substandard. But your kids think you're a superhero.

Really.

Batman, Spiderman, Superman? Gisele, Tyra, Heidi? They've got nothing on mom.

Yay!

I've got my own button now! Yes, I know it's not the greatest in the world, but I made it so it's definitely an accomplishment for me!


Friday, September 24, 2010

Closing Time

So fall is officially here.

With fall comes cooler temperatures, changing leaves... Halloween and Thanksgiving. Kids are all back to school. It's my favorite time of year. Time to break out the spice scented candles and all the jewel toned decorations (if I had any, heh). It's time for football season (not saying that I LIKE football, but it's on). Time to head out to the pumpkin patch and carve your pumpkins. Load up on Halloween candy.

Soon it'll be time to rake the leaves (or jump in them... whichever you prefer, me... I like jumping). Time to head to the pumpkin patch and swing in the rope barn and go on a hay ride. Maybe try your luck at the Maize Maze. Time to break out the hooded sweatshirts (or big chunky sweaters... no one needs a coat yet, I tell you. Not cold enough). Maybe go to a football game or 2 at your old highschool. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and a blanket and cheer on your team (and I say highschool because I never went to a 4 year college, so I'm not partial to any college team).

This is my favorite time of year. Bundle your kids up in long sleeves and a jacket and take them outside to play! Go for walks at night. Start a leaf collection. Have them find leaves in every different color and then use them to make wreaths for your front door. Or maybe placemats for the dinner table. Pick up acorns and throw them in a bowl as a centerpiece. You can decorate without having to buy anything. :-) That's definitely a plus for me. Haha.

Ok, so this didn't really have a point. I just wanted everyone to know I'm excited that it's officially fall. I just don't look forward to how dark it's going to start getting soon!

Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Moment for Mom

Every once in a while I have to have an adult moment.

If anyone has noticed, my posts this month have been kind of few and far between.

It's been a busy month and a stressful one. My youngest turned 3. My oldest had strep throat and was missing school. Work has become increasingly hard to stomach. Literally almost. Migraines and anxiety are never good when you work at a job where you have to listen to people complain all day.

If I could find a job where I could be home at a decent hour in the evening and I actually made a DIFFERENCE with someone I would be so much happier. But I make no difference to anyone. You hang up the phone and within 30 seconds can't remember my name (if you even got it right to begin with). Only time I get remembered is if you have to call back in... then I'm "I talked to one of your representatives a few days ago..."

I used to want to be a teacher. Had gone so far as to do my student teaching with my senior English teacher, who was the biggest reason I wanted to be a teacher. English was my FAVORITE class in school and she made senior English fun. I want to make a difference to people the way she did for me. I want to be remembered 10 years down the road as the person who made English fun and exciting. As the person who made you want to do something more with yourself.

I know that sounds completely selfish and egotistical. But I'm tired of dreading my job. Of counting down the hours in between breaks just so I can make it through the day. I miss being home with my family during the day and eating dinner with my kids at night. Being able to put them to sleep.

I've got a lot of decisions to make. And none of them are easy. But I'm a mom. My kids are more important to me. My sanity is more important to me. And I'm currently missing both. :-P

But there are so many things I want to do, I can't pinpoint just one thing. I want to be an English teacher. A writer. An artist. A photographer (I do get to take someone's senior pictures this afternoon so it's a step in the right direction). Whatever it is I'm supposed to be doing, I hope I figure it out soon.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Let Me Educate You

Since becoming a mom I have learned several things. I'm sure I've already made a post similar to this in the past, and because I can't remember exactly where in my blog it is, some of these may very well be repeats. I'm sorry.

I have learned:

Your kids generally prefer your bed. Not because it's bigger, softer, fluffier, or has better blankets. They wouldn't care if it was a sofa or a sleeping bag. Wherever YOU are is fine with them.

Not to expect your kids to be like you. Because they are their own people. And if you try and turn them in to miniature versions of you (on purpose or subconsciously) you will be disappointed. And they will be upset to disappoint you. So let them be their own person.

It doesn't matter where you are, if your kid wants to put their head up your shirt, they will, at least, make the attempt. Whether this be in the privacy of your own living room, or in the customer service line at Walmart.

If you let your kids wipe water or shampoo out of their eyes with your shirt, they will proceed to wipe everything ELSE on your clothes as well. So you may end up going to work with a frosted handprint on your back and not know it.

Kids are incredibly influence...able. Is that a word? Anyways. Don't let your feelings about a person negatively effect (affect?) how your CHILD views that person. Your kids don't have to hate everyone you do. Because I can guarantee you, they won't know why they do.

A little dirt never hurt anyone. If you're outside playing with your kids (and believe me, this one was hard for me) it's ok if they get a little dirty. I was covered in grass stains from the time I was 5 until I learned how to do my own laundry. Dirt isn't going to hurt anything (unless of course, that dirt is actually dog poop, because people walking their pets down the sidewalk infront of your apartment don't pick up after them).

So, that is all the wisdom I have to impart upon you all today. I am almost done with my lunch break so it's back to work for me. Then only 4.75 hours and I'm off for 2 days!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

The Apple Has Jumped to Another Tree

Be still my beating heart.

The day before yesterday, my 7 year old told me...

Sorry, gimme a minute...

::takes a deep breath::

That... she hates.... to read.

::SobS::

Imagine that. My child. My offspring. Heart of my heart. Flesh of my flesh. My first born...

She doesn't like to read.

Why?

She says that its... get this... BORING.

Well, duh... I hated reading when it came to schoolwork TOO. Took me THREE WEEKS to get past page 1 of Les Miserables. Well, not really to get past it, but to remember what had happened after the first page. And I couldn't STAND 1984. Course, I didn't read all of that one either. I skimmed through it. I can't stand it when something I LOVE becomes a chore... or work.

So I don't know if it's just the fact that she has to read as homework for school or what.

But seriously.

Me. I have a child that for the moment, does not like books! Can you IMAGINE the horror.

After getting her all those Junie B Jones books and The Velveteen Rabbit and I don't know how many countless other's she's gotten, she tells me NOW that she doesn't like to read.

I keep trying to convince her that she secretly loves it.

I don't think I've been successful.

::pouts::