Friday, January 30, 2009

Frustration (Take the good with the bad)

So , a few blogs back I talked about the difficulty we were having with Mackenzie and sleep. Well, good news is that she seems to be over that! Praise the Lord! Alot of tears and prayer have gone into that. Bad news, round two with little sister Maggie! Out of nowhere she has decided that she wants to put up a fight at bedtime, didn't see that one coming. So here we are again with the tears and prayers. I know that to some it may seem silly to petition God for help on this, but that's what I know works. Not much else. I have read my fair share of how to's and believe me, tried them all. I am frustrated because it seems there is always something! I hate to hear my girls cry, I hate to see them be so stubborn (although if they use those powers for good one day, watch out)!!!! I ask you to say a little prayer for us. Several nights with sporadic sleep and tears wears on you. But as the saying goes, "this too shall pass, just in time for the next problem." I am thinking of painting a sign with that on it and hanging it in my house, just to remind me!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Flashback


So today has been a little crummy. I am dealing with a baby that did not sleep well at all last night! She was up like 47 times and I still can't figure out why. But I did get a little relief when my dad brought some of my old toys over. He and my mom were cleaning out the attic and found my Barbies amongst other things. Anyway, when I saw this pair it reminded my of a couple things, why the 80's were a bad fashion decade, and Ken looks like he might moonlight at Chippendale's! Made my day a little brighter.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

random things about me

1. I was a vocal performance major in college, before changing to social work
.2. I once stuck my fingers in an elecrtic mixer to see what would happen
3.I have sung on the Grand Ole Opry
4. I am really not a good cook, but I really wish I was
5. I have 3 tatoos and am really considering more
6. I worked at he YMCA while I was in high school, I was a summer camp counselor
7. I was born in England, but don't have dual citizenship because my parents didn't want me to. I really wish I did because that would be cool now!
8. I re-arrange my kitchen (Drawers, etc) about 4 times a year, but always go back to how it was to begin with!
9. When I die I really want chicken McNuggets served at my funeral, with sweet and sour sauce
10. I would rather eat at Chick-fil-A than a nice restaraunt.
11. I vaccuum my house at least every other day!
12. I buy way too many clothes for my kids, guess something form my childhood is playing out in that!
13. I am very shy around new people, I try not to show it though.
14. I am terrified of speaking in public.
15. I hate to unload the dishwasher and put away laundry.
16. I do not miss working at all!!!!
17. I always have some kind of list going- baby names, goals, grocery, whatever. I really enjoy lists.
18. I have no desire to go to Vegas, Egypt, or China.
19. I wish I had better skin- tan and blemish free
20. I try to grow my hair out at least 2 times a year but always cut it
21. I am really bad at math, stems from multiplication tables in the 4th grade.
22. Moustaches kinda freak me out
23. I am fascinated by Amish people and people who are in religiuos cults.
24. I hate to drive with a coat on.
25.I do not like to leave my house messy when I have to go somewhere, I like coming in to a tidy house.
26. I knew after 2 weeks of dating my husband I would marry him.
27. My husband and I used to go out dancing- alot!! We could cut a rug.
28. I am a big BonJovi fan.
29. I've seen Cher in concert, really one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Also saw Barry Manilow, pretty good too.
30. I listen to talk radio, even though I used to make fun of my dad for it!
31. I would like to teach voice lessons.
32. I hate my ears being touched, and I do not like people getting to close to my face.
33. I really like the phrase "hot mess", it's my new slogan- as in "wow, she looks like a hot mess"
34. I love my husband, adore my kids, and think that I have a really great life!!!!!!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

You can be anything

Today Mackenzie said to me, "Mommy, did you know that when you grow up you can be anything you want to be? You can be a bee, a butterfly, or a poodle!" Maybe she was insipred because my hair is a little on the big and frizzy side today!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Happy Birthday Dewayne

Just a quick note to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dewayne! I hope you have a wonderful day. WE are so gratful to have you in our lives

Not One of my Brightest Moments

Yesterday as I was fiddling with the car seats to put them back in the car after cleaning, I did something really dumb!! I was closing the liftgate on the Jeep and apparently was standing closer than I thought. BAM! Right on the bridge of my nose, met the liftgate!!!It took me a good 5 seconds to process that I just did that. I put my had to my nose and was gushing blood! And you know that the first thing I thought was "great, now I am gonna have a big bump and a bruise right between my eyes, and I just got some great new makeup that won't be seen because of this stupid goiter!!!" Then I rushed upstairs crying like I had not in a really long time. I actually thought I broke it. The girls were silent for quite a while, probably in shock because their mother was acting like a maniac. But as sweet as they are, kept rubbing my back and patting my arm. I think I'm in the clear as far as it being broken, but have learned to give the liftgate a wider clearance!!!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Terrible 3's?

So, I thought we got really lucky and missed the terrible 2's that everyone warns you about. Until the past few weeks, we have had relatively few problems behavior wise out of our kids. Well, I guess they just reared their ugly head!!! I have not felt so helpless, frustrated, and discouraged yet in my parenting. Why is my 3 year old having a colossal meltdown over a waffle? Why does she want 47 stories before bed? Why all of a sudden does she refuse to go to sleep? How long can she scream for at one time? I am sure that this is just a phase, but it sure doesn't feel like it in the middle of a 45 minute screaming session. I am telling you this because I feel that there are a few things I have learned in the last few weeks.
  • Everybody with a toddler has had this experience! I am not alone!!!!
  • This too shall pass
  • She really does love her mom and dad, even if she is screaming at us, throwing books and a stool out of her room, and kicking the door.
  • One day she and her little sister will be best friends, even though they pull each other's hair right now.
  • She needs to know her boundaries.
  • Alot of books on parenting are a waste of money- yeah, I'm pretty sure I didn't need to spend $13 to be told I need to stay calm!
  • Is there ever really a way to anticipate that a Popsicle that you don't even have in the freezer will send her into a tailspin?

Most of all, God is with us. I cover that child in prayer daily, several times a day. I thank God for her in my life. I am honored that God chose me to be her mother. I am amazed at her beauty, her smile, her spunk. I love her beyond any measure that I could have dreamed of. God has great plans for both Mackenzie and Maggie and it is not in his will that our lives be in chaos. I urge you to pray for your children daily, Pray for their obedience, their sleep, their attitudes, all the "little" things that you think God is not concerned with. Let me assure you, He is! You will see a difference I promise. I believe there is nothing better you can do as a parent thatn pray for your children- even if they are not here yet. (I prayed over my girls from the day I fould out I was pregnant with each of them- I prayed for easy delivery- and although it was not what I expected, I never had one labor pain with either). He is concerned with all that concerns us. And remember He forgives us when we act up or throw a hissy fit, he hugs us and says "I love you, forgive you, and want you to do better." And when I feel like a failure as a parent because my child does not always act perfect, the truth is I don't always act so great myself. I think I disappoint my Father alot too. But I have a God that loves me for all the good things that I am, and all the things that I need to do better at. And just like my 3 year old, I am learning to "do better.'

Monday, January 5, 2009

New Year

Well we had a wonderful Christmas. The girls got way more than they needed, but oh well. Mackenzie has been rockin out with her Barbie Jammin guitar. It plays songs (although we never seem to get passed Girls Just Wanna Have Fun), and even has a whammy bar. She is diggin it. She also got a dollhouse and a camera. She and Maggie got the Rose Petal Dream Cottage and the Market. So, they have had sooo much fun with that. Maggie is obsessed with dogs, so needless to say she received alot of dogs. But that's ok she loves them. We had a wonderful day with our family. The next big thing is maybe planning a trip to Disney in a couple of months. As anyone with a little girl knows, Princesses are it right now. So I think it will be a perfect time for the girls to go. We will be in full swing with our "lessons" as Mackenzie calls them. We are learning letters and counting and all that fun stuff. She loves it and asks several times a day "when are we gonna do our lessons"? The thing is that we usually do them when Maggie is asleep, so now she keeps telling me I need to put Maggie to bed- even at 8am! Poor Mags!