Bloggin' Again

Once upon a time, I had a blog. In fact, I had a blog with over 350 stories that abruptly ended in February of 2014. This was after I spewed some random "advice" about mothering two children, while working full-time and going to graduate school. The idea kind of makes me chuckle now. Not only has our family, our home, and my employment changed, but I am truly a different person as well. So, here we are in the changes, with many more to come, I'm sure. I'm 32 years into this life, and you are welcome to tag along while I narrate the days, months, and (God-willing) the years to come.

 Ironically, my last post was about the inability to "do it all," and it was the last thing I wrote and published. Obviously, my blog was one of the things I gave up. Isn't that the way it goes? When you are mommin', something for yourself is always the first to go. I really did love it. I miss it - which, leads me back here.

I think about writing a lot. Our changes have resulted in me being in my own head for several hours a day. I have little interaction with adults, unless I seek it out or you count social media "likes" as interactions. That means that I have random thoughts just bouncing around my mind all day, every day - some are worth saying aloud, and many are not. Nevertheless, I miss "talking." I miss journaling, and archiving. I miss the deep thought, and the laughs. I miss writing a blog.

Please understand that a new blog does not mean that I suddenly have a whole bunch of time on my hands. It doesn't, and I'm not sure how much of a commitment I can make to it yet. As I type this, I am avoiding three "to-do" list items, sitting directly in front of me. But, I believe in balance more than ever these days. This, this blog, it is for me. And, someday, maybe it will be for my kids. Either way, as wife, a mom, and a decent person living in today's society, I am still struggling, still contemplating, and still almost bang my head against the wall daily.

I have decided to post this blog publicly, unlike my previous blog that was marked as private for the last year or so. With this change, I will not likely post my children's photos or personal information/locations, etc. anymore. But, I hope you will still come by for visits, once I start writing more often.

 Hello again, everyone. I hope to write you again soon.

More About Me

If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?Well, as my profile suggests, they are totally members of our family. The Chihuahuas are my fur-children. :) They were an even bigger part of our lives before we had Lucy. Santa would bring them gifts, as did the Easter Bunny, and so on. Santa still brings them gifts; but, Lucy is now the center of our universe. We try to make sure we give them special time and attention when Lucy is sleeping. They are still very special and close to my heart.

If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?My wish would be to see Lucy grow up, get married, and have a family of her own. Materialistically, I would love to be able to help design a home, to be custom built. :)

What would you do with a billion dollars?Design a home to be custom built, with all the trimmings!
Buy a huge Cadillac SUV
Buy a truck for Heath
Buy a snow blower
Go to Disney World annually
Go on a European Cruise
Go on a Disney Cruise
Adopt more Chihuahuas
Start my Masters and Doctorate right now
Visit my distant family annually
Go on a clothing shopping spree for the entire family
Pay off our family’s debt/share with our families
Invest/Save
Donate


What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?Lucy, Heath sometimes (if he didn’t put me in the bad mood, haha), good food, the movie theatre, buying a new movie, holidays, the weekend, shopping for pretty much anything, new clothes, a new purse, decorating, organizing, exercising, family, sleep

What is your bedtime routine, with your kids?It changes with teething. She gets her jammies on, she gets her binkie and her sippy cup of water, and we try to read to her on most nights. On others we snuggle until she is sleepy. I always pray and occasionally sing to Lucy.

If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your significant other?We met in high school. :) It really isn’t that interesting. Haha.

What kind of books do you read?I like mysteries. I am super juvenile and have been reading Nancy Drew Mysteries since I got the entire set for Christmas in 2009. It is a quick and fun read. I have also been reading the Pretty Little Liars Series; I am in the beginning of the third book. Otherwise, I am lame and like reading biographies about celebrities. I finished ‘Miles to Go’ about Miley Cyrus and have read the beginning of Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett’s book, ‘Sliding into Home.’

How do you see yourself in 10 years?Oh boy! Well, I hope we are even more financially secure and perhaps I will be making more money ;). I hope we will be shopping around for or moved into a new home. I am still thinking 3 children. I want to have my Masters degree and hopefully either have or am working on a doctorate. Of course I am still happily married and our family is involved in the community.

Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?Umm….no. This isn’t really even something that I had to contemplate.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?Hit snooze as many times as I can. Then when Heath pokes me and says, “You need to get into the shower.” I finally give in. I then gather my undergarments and a brush, then head for the shower.

If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?That he listened more sometimes and that he had the same sleep schedule as me (stay up late and sleep in). :)

If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?I wouldn’t. It is weird to think of a name that fits me. I like my name now too. I used to hate it because it was a boy’s name. But, now that I am older, I like the uniqueness (without the crazy spellings).

If you had to choose between six months of sun or six months of rain, what would you choose?I would probably choose sun; but, I sure do love rain! I just love thunderstorms!

If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?Cheeseburger, fries with ranch, and bosco sticks. I have an addiction! Or, Kraft Mac and Cheese!

What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?The journaling – I think it will be so neat for Lucy to see these blogs when she grows up. It is sort of like writing a book about your life, with really short chapters. Plus I love getting followers, ‘Likes’, and comments about the blogs. It makes me feel like people care, which is really nice. :)

Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?
Salty – bring on the chips, crackers and cheese. When I was pregnant it was all sweets though (Oreos, Sour Patch Kids, and Laffy Taffy).

What items are in your purse right now?My wallet, a coupon book, Ibuprofen, Sucrets, a pen, gum, a compact, chap stick, my keys, my cell phone, my iPod Touch, a small brush, tampon case, lipstick, antibacterial, paint samples, lotion, perfume, Dramamine, and a list of daycare children for Lucy’s valentines

If you had to choose between vacationing at the beach or in the mountains where would you go?I have been to both and enjoyed the beach more, I think. I was horrible at skiing!

What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn’t?I don’t think I watch anything that I necessarily shouldn’t. It is more that I shouldn’t watch so much TV! Right now I watch: Pretty Little Liars, Greek, American Idol, American Pickers, Hellcats, Glee, Holly’s World, Saturday Night Live, Tosh.0, and Biggest Loser.

I also watch: Secret Life of the American Teenager, Kendra, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Melissa and Joey, Storm Chasers, the Buried Life, 16 & Pregnant, and Teen Mom.

After some reflection I’ve decided that I probably shouldn’t watch 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom. They are pretty horrible; they are my guilty pleasures. And, Tosh.0 is pretty offensive. Haha. Lucy is definitely banned from these shows!

Pregnancy Journaling

It seems that last week's post was pretty popular. Or, rather, it had a lot of 'Likes' and a few comments. Either way, since it went over so well, I thought I would share a few more entries that I wrote back before I had a belly. Enjoy - I know I like reading them. It seems like forever ago!


June 22, 2009 - Week 7, Day 1

Today was by far the worse day of morning sickness yet.

I woke up at 6:20 a.m. for work. I couldn't even shave my legs in the shower, I thought that I might throw up or pass out. I moved at the speed of sound! Everything was more challenging: getting dressed, fixing my hair, putting on makeup, and especially brushing my teeth. There is no faster way of triggering my gag reflexes than brushing my teeth! At one point I collapsed in the middle of the room and cried, I felt so bad. Heath helped make me feel better, emotionally of course; there was no stopping the morning sickness! Even the smell of toast was disgusting at this point.

I somehow made it to work, 10 minutes late. For one and a half hours I stared at my computer monitor, in a daze. I finally choked down some oyester crackers and one ginger snap. Better? Not really. Relief didn't come until I finally threw back a few Dramamine at 10 a.m. Since it was Dramamine, you can imagine what happened next. I left at 2 p.m. from work because I thought I might fall asleep sitting up! Heath drove me home, where I fell asleep for the next 4 hours. I woke up enough to eat supper and watch Secret Life of the American Teenager and Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Then, I went back to sleep.

June 23, 2009 - Week 7, Day 2

This morning went a little better. I told Heath on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst, I felt like a 7.

It is better than yesterday. Yesterday was almost unbearable! I still didn't eat any breakfast, not that Heath offered though. I tried to eat crackers before getting out of bed, but could only choke down one. I somehow got down two ginger snaps though. Maybe it helped; who knows? Everything is still quite dazy. I still move at the speed of nothing.

I got to work, on time, or 3 mins late (close enough). I still look horrible, but that is to be expected I guess. Our building's air conditioning went out, yay! So, now I was hot and nauseated. It was a good time to drink my water for the day. It is supposed to get up to 100 degrees, or close to it, today. They better get the a.c. fixed!

I also heard that a girl I went to high school with named her son 'William'. We were thinking that was going to be our #1 boy's name. It sure does bum me out. We'll see; we may not use it now. She lives in another county and I don't really see her much anymore. It still bothers me though.

June 25, 2009 - Week 7, Day 4

Yesterday was much better. I felt alright throughout the day and felt a little more sick in the morning. I took a ginger pill and it seemed to calm my stomach. I am also wearing sea-bands on my wrists. I don't know if it is working or not, but it was worth a try! Since I have been wearing them, I haven't felt AS bad.

Yesterday afternoon I started to get a little queasy, but mostly tired. I have already planned a nap for today, right when I get home. I feel exhausted!

I also wanted to mention the acne that I have been getting! It is like I am 16 again. I hope this too will pass.......


Ahhh, now I am starting to remember what the early stages of pregnancy were like. Oh, how easily it was all forgotten! I am glad that I journaled this stuff for Lucy though. I think she'll enjoy reading it all someday. For anyone who is planning on starting a family - I recommend doing this. Even if you only have the energy to write three sentences, you'll never regret it. :)