Catching up

At the urging of a dear friend of mine....thru text message none the less, she sweetly reminded me how I have not blogged in like...a really long time. I personally blame Pinterest, cause thats basically what I do online now. I also blame my beautiful children....they demand a lot of time yo.

Anywho....

Ive got some ideas rolling around in my head for some blog topics. So stay tuned.

In the meantime... here's just an update about our life...and some random stuff thrown in.

Enjoy.

1. I have a job.....well like a partime-partime job (was is that? Like 1/4 of a job?)....
I am now the Wedding Director at our church. I am very excited about this opportunity and looking forward to serving in this ministry area and assisting couples on their big day. I have learned a lot from the ladies who have served in this area before. I have had the priveledge of directing one wedding so far. I have learned that thus so far...
 a. It is important to really push down on the candles in the candleabras, so they do not pop out and shoot upward in the middle of the wedding ceremony.
b. Bring Tums for the wedding party

2. I turned 31 a few days ago...and I honestly had a panic stricken moment where I could not remember if I was turning 31 or 32. My husband reassured me it was 32....and then I smacked him in the shoulder when I realized it was really 31.


3. My girl turned 2 this April. She ridiculous. And adorable. Ridiculously adorable if you will. Her loves at the moment: Cailou, referring to herself  as "Rosie" (Cailou's little sister), ....wearing hats, wearing tutus, wearing her boots (sometimes all three of these things at one time)...and drawing. Much to her artsy mommy's happiness.                               


See? The Force is strong with this one.

4. We had a big decision to make concerning our little guy. His birthday falls a few days shy of the kindergarten cutoff...and seeing how he is reading on at the very least a  3rd grade level, can do simple math, knows the name of every state, its capital, almost every country (Thank you Animaniacs) and the facts of all 9 ...err...8 planets (Sorry Pluto! It's a DWARF planet, Mommy!...does this fact fall ill with anyone else?? Hands? Pluto's planetary knighthood just stripped away. I digress... )
and the names of the major stars in the Universe....we decided to get this boy tested and we are proud to say he will be starting Kindergarten at a private school this fall. I am so proud of him and excited. I cant believe he is starting school already.

5. I am going to try out for the sixth time, to get on the Mickey Moms Panel. Here's hoping. ...I am assuming you know what the Mickey Mom Panel is....and more than likely....cause many of you do not suffer from Disney-nerditis like me...you probably don't know. Basically a "go-to" Disney board for people who have questions about Disney and need a "mom's point of view." So wish me some geek-luck come September.

6. I am not reading Fifty Shades of Gray
7. I am not watching Keeping up with the Kardashians. (who can really keep up anyway?)
8. I did not see Boys Gone Wild...er Channing Tatum Shirtless: The Movie...Magic Mike...whatever.

9. I am trying to kick my coffee habit with Green Tea...and surprisingly its working..for now.

10. Kicking my chocolate habit with carrot sticks.....not working.

11. I have opened somewhat of a "shop" on Facebook...featuring my art. (also due to the urging of friends) And have been completely blown away/humbled, by the response. I received many requests for orders. This was a HUGE struggle within my mind. I love art. I love to paint, I love to be creative....putting price on my art is weird for me....not in that snooty way of like "Oh honey, you can't put a price on ART." :::snort snort:::....
More like...."What the heck do I charge people for doing something I LOVE to do?" I am slowly coming to terms with being comfortable of charging people for creating works of art, I fall in love with each time as I make them.



12.. I have eaten entirely too many cheez-its while typing this...but I was drinking Green Tea...so it should all even out, yes?

Cheers! Till next time!



The Post Where I Kinda Judge Pinterest

WARNING: This post is extremely pic heavy. But since the topic is Pinterest...I'm sure you understand.

Who loves them some pinterest?

Um...like everybody....well the female everybody anyway.

Have you noticed that? Pinterest, I would say, is majority visited by women? Wouldn't you say? Probably cause men don't spend time dreaming up how they would decorate their dream home or have any interest in what you can do with a mason jar...

Speaking of...look what you can do with a mason jar!!!

You can make them into a chandelier!!!

Or you can put some dry ingredients in them and  use them for gifts!

Or you can turn it into a much more attractive dispenser for you sugar or salt. (I have done this.....my husband doesn't understand why...I don't understand why I did it either...except for the fact its just cute...and easy)

I was thrilled!! "Honey! Look what I did today!! :::presenting the mason jar filled with salt:::
Honey was less than impressed...."What was wrong with the salt shaker the salt came in?"
....
"Nothing.....but this is so much cuter."
Honey shrugs and walks off to turn on Myth Busters.

Whatever...my salt is cute now...Whoever comes to my house to visit...please ask to use my salt.

I have actually done some awesome stuff with inspiration from...well other people's inspiration. My son's teacher's appreciation gift idea came from Pinterest and seriously...cost me 3.00 and some change...

I have made some yummy things thanks to Pinterest....

Broccoli quiche...ahhhh-mazing. And that's saying a lot cause I don't even like quiche!

But there's a weird side to Pinterest for me...maybe not for you...but there is for me...

And maybe it has presented itself in a stronger way being a mom....

Pinterest = Crazy weird "mompetition"

("Mompetition" its my cool new hippie word. Spread it around like wildfire....)

I recently read an article I like...that I cannot find. Probably Parenting Magazine...or Disney Family Fun Magazines...cause that's the only magazines I really read at this point. Anyways...the article talked about Pinterest and a certain kind of pressure it can put on you as a mom. She talked about a bakesale her son's school was having and like any good mom..she broke out the Duncan Hines and voila...39-41 minutes later..she had Brownies...individually saran wrapped and all. Off to school the next morning...and what did she see....

 Stuff similar to this...

First....  oy

Second of all...okay super adorable. I need a recipe right?

Third of all.... oy

The author went on to explain that her son's face just fell, upon seeing all the cutesy, pinteresty goodies. Carefully wrapped in adorable bags, ribbons, printable labels...that took a half hour to do.

Let's be honest.

His mother encouraged him to hold his head high and they proudly walked their Duncan Hines $1.97 brownies to the table of goodies. Long story short...the brownies sold out in minutes.

Now dont get me wrong. I love Pinterest. I do. I have planned 2 parties with ideas Ive gotten from Pinterest. Adorable ideas, where I've literally had a few weeks to prepare and have turned out super cute. What a way a to show creativity with the world. I love Pinterest. Things I wouldnt have thought of. Things I wish I thought of. But do you ever get to that point of pinning things and think...Oh my gosh....I'm a bad mom.

Not that you really think you are a bad mom, cause you honestly know you are indeed a really terrific mom. You cut crusts off the PBJs. You visit the park on a semi regular basis. You talk with your kids, so they know you care and are interested in what they are interested in. You read to your kids. Sometimes even TWO stories before bed!  You color, you sing the songs, you kiss the boo boos, you make the chocolate milk...you are a GREAT mom.

But...but...but...I am not this mom who did this...

Cause if I did...I'm pretty sure it would end up like this....

I did not have my kids make their own playdoh because it literally costs the same to make it and buy a four pack at Wal-Mart. Besides, I'm making dinner right now.  And there is laundry that needs to be folded. I also did not make my own bubble mixture, and when me and my kids make sugar cookies, its slice and bake with the left over sprinkles Ive had in my cabinet from Valentines Day maybe 2 years ago.

But then you think...but look at all these PINS! That mom is knitting her baby a hat that looks like a Panda!! A panda !!! And that mom found an old window, distressed it, and now its her coffee table. Say Whaaattt??Ohhhh! And that mom over there repurposed her nightstand into a playkitchen for her kids!! She doesnt have a place to put her glasses or glass of water before bed...but gosh darn it her kids can make her breakfast in bed made from plastic food now!!

Sigh...

Really...where are these moms? Because the moms I know...the amazing moms...they are busy being moms. They are busy playing, reading, and talking with their kids. The projects and crafts they do with their kids is the coloring sheet, or a drawing they dreamed up together. Its the Duncan Hines Brownies they made with their kids....and they were so happy cause they "baked" (which means "Mommy let me stir")...

Moms: Do not let Pinterest be intimidating. Think of it as an outlet for creative ideas. Pick and choose what you like. What you think you could actually do. On my list is Balloon Ping Pong...Paper plates on sticks are your paddles. Balloon is the ball = instant fun for a 4 years old.

 I will not be hot gluing crayons to anything.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

I am going to be a Tia, this coming May, to a baby boy!!
My brother and sister-in law are becoming first time parents. I am very excited for them and am looking forward to spoiling him silly...because he will be so far away....I shall have to buy his love with toys...no not really, of course not...well ...maybe just a little bit... just a bit.

What? You no speaky spanish? ...Tia is "Aunt" in Spanish. Not shorthand for "Transiet Ischemic Attack" as one nurse friend asked.

Anyways...I informed my brother this past Christmas that next Christmas he will have to become "Christmas Card people."....because of the baby. "You'll have to take cute Christmas themed pictures next year and send out Christmas Cards," I told him. He said he and his wife just realized that.

I got to thinking....how our lives change once we have kids...

Sure sure there's the "I never knew I could love someone I just met." and the "I never knew my heart could hold so much love.".....yadda yadda (its true, but not where I am going with this post)

I'm thinking more of....My "me time"...which used to be shopping or a pedicure is now..."Ooooo it's 9:00pm...I could go to Publix and shop by myself...or go to Target and lose myself in the clearance racks and the dollar spot while hubby stays home with the sleeping kids."

True story...I was once at Publix 9:00ish at night and one of the cashiers said something about no kids with me...and I happily said, "Yup, this is "me time" as I handed over a box of toddler yogurt drops and whole milk to be scanned. To which the teenage Publix bag boy chuckled and said "Wow, thats sad." I waved a box of Snoopy fruit snacks in his direction and said, "Just watch bucko, this is your future."

But whatever...I was shopping...with no children whining at me...my heart still full of love...just also full of love about the fact that I could listen to the car radio to my station and not the Sesame Street Happy Birthday CD that lives in my car CD player.

So what else changes after kids....I asked some of you...and here's what a few of you said...

1.No one ever watched me pee or shower until I had kids, now it's a daily occurance. (Kristen)
2. I never thought I would obsess over the color or consistancy of a dirty diaper. (Regina)
3. My husband I were pretty serious vacationers (the more exotic the better). Now getting to the zoo has been attempted...and failed....twice. (April).
4. You know...I love an expensive meal....as you know thats -oh so much harder now..." (April)

and my favorite:
5. Someone once told me after Samuel (her son) was born, 'all your family's/friends kids you thought were so cute, don't look nearly as adorable now that you have your own.' (Tara)
...to which I replied..."What you dont think my kids are adorable??"


I also would like to add...
-You also have to share dessert...cause if she sees it...its now "ours" not yours...the following is also true for ice water, your orange juice, and apples.

-you no longer look at your purse as a cute accessory...you look at it for its durability and its ability to hold baby toys and a sippy cup with out spilling.

- annnnd New Years Eve...will now...and forever more...until you allow them out until 12:00 be spent watching Ryan Seacrest and Beyonce awkwardly ring in the new year on TV while you toast with a bottle of cheap champagne or the last of the kids Mott's apple juice.

But with all these changes...comes all the wonderful moments that parenthood brings. Even though you will wonder why his poop is green, and then spend the next few moments wondering if you gave him anything green to eat...your heart...will always...be full of love.