tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55713645442509788182024-03-13T04:34:10.172-04:00Living DeliberatelyDerfing it up since 2004, a stay-at-home mom with a BA in English throws away a successful career as a secretary to raise her kids and write a blog that doesn't reflect her knowledge of grammar.... at all. She then goes back to work for a year in an overwhelming career in the real world and blows off her blog and THEN decides to go BACK into SAHMotherhood, and write about it again. Really.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-20119781584457322642014-05-20T18:00:00.000-04:002014-05-20T18:00:00.360-04:00Timely...<div dir="ltr">
And maybe three times if she has two children... sooner or later we <i>might </i>want to think about Dad, and finances, and long term effects, short term benefits. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Sophia is on it, but she's really only just starting. </span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-88244108708319632012014-05-19T17:30:00.000-04:002014-05-20T09:00:54.371-04:00Why Stay At Home? STILL, A Very Personal Decision.I've covered this topic before. Of the massive amount of 11 or so posts I have on this blog, I'm already re-covering my material.<br />
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I've been "out of retirement" and "back to work" for over a year now, and I am currently counting down another 6 days until I go "back into retirement" as a Stay-At-Home Mom. (That's SAHM for you rookies.) The transition this time, has been starkly different than the first time I stayed home. The first time we decided I would stay at home we had just had a 10 week premature baby; our family had been through a trauma and we were ready to reprioritize.<br />
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At that time, when people would ask why I personally had made this decision, I had a dramatic story to tell. I was incredibly sick and probably could have died. My premature and skeletal baby clung to his wires and little plastic castle in the NICU, and I had a new lease on my life. No one second guessed my decision as a mother or as a woman doing what she thought was best for herself and her family.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVA4woUugNIYHdogxkQYe9zfDVw30AayRuVpBkE7uycCxZTdYrHGbMfDAM9oPI1UAx8TGeErb-DFiHabLTYN5g_mUE8FzkgtFBumsdztKCp8tF9Z-3BesYtWZB_U0wgojRBeJimDb4-0/s1600/IMG_20140513_071030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVA4woUugNIYHdogxkQYe9zfDVw30AayRuVpBkE7uycCxZTdYrHGbMfDAM9oPI1UAx8TGeErb-DFiHabLTYN5g_mUE8FzkgtFBumsdztKCp8tF9Z-3BesYtWZB_U0wgojRBeJimDb4-0/s1600/IMG_20140513_071030.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who wouldn't miss this?</td></tr>
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THIS time, however, the difference has been amazing. When people ask why my family and I have made this choice, I have give the following answers:<br />
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1. I missed my family.<br />
2. I was overwhelmed.<br />
3. I wasn't pleased with my job.<br />
4. I want the time back to enjoy weekends together rather than only having time to prepare to survive the upcoming week.<br />
5. I want more freedom to guide my son's preschool education.<br />
6. It is a financial adjustment for my family, not a financial burden.<br />
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Many of the answers above are selfish. I understand and I take full responsibility for that. But, sometimes women like to glorify that as mothers they need to sacrifice everything that exists of themselves for their children. They believe they should never come first. I disagree with this mentality. I think I'm a better mother when I get my turn on the priority wheel as well.<br />
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I think my family benefits from allowing me to do the things that I need to do to make myself happy. I'd never want anyone I love to have to constantly sacrifice things THEY truly want and need to make MY life easier. I challenge the "Mommy Sacrifice Theory", and embrace the "Mommy Equality Model", and I believe it teaches my children to be more selfless. (Yes, by asserting my selfishness at times! lol)<br />
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Being a parent does not mean you suddenly become the least important person in the world. It means you have to learn to balance and be prepared to sacrifice things, and you will face that challenge regularly. No one gets everything they want all the time. (Well some people do, but quite honestly those are not the kind of people whose company I enjoy...) I don't get everything I want. My husband doesn't. My children don't. I don't want to be a person everyone has to constantly sacrifice themselves for, and I don't want my children to expect that from anyone, or to have to be such martyrs themselves.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Friends in the Garden</td></tr>
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I can only speculate that this change of tone, and the shift from "we had a traumatic experience" to "I want something different for my/our lives" is the reason for which I have garnered such ire from some women. My first "retirement" everyone was happy, amazed we could do this financially and fully supportive. This time, I'd have to say that responses are about 50/50 supportive vs. disgusted, and I find that amazingly disheartening.<br />
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I have never judged anyone for their decision to stay home or to go to work. Men or women. I have never judged anyone for actively crashing through life, however haphazard that effort may seem, it is effort, which is more than a lot of people can say who just resign to float along the stream. I wouldn't begrudge anyone the opportunity to find what they truly want, and where they truly want to be. I think these are requirements that all people should seek out in their lives, and I feel bad for those who don't understand that they can have what they want, as long as they are prepared for the shake-up and work that ensues when you make commitments to big life changes.<br />
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The amount of ire that some women have shown me for this decision has been amazing and daunting. Yes, I am capable of work. Yes, I am good at what I do. But no, I don't want to do it anymore. I'd rather be somewhere else. That somewhere else is with my family.<br />
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The number one irritation I have is the "potential" quote.<br />
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"...But you have so much potential."<br />
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Yes I do, and why wouldn't I spend it on my children and family?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Movie Time on Mother's Day</td></tr>
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I have potential. I don't know what industry or mode I wish to give it to the workforce for the next 30 years of my life, so now, I'll spend it with my men. Their desire for my involvement will wane quickly in the coming years. They will stop coming into my room at 5:30 am, cuddling and talking my ear off. Work will be there when I'm ready. Maybe when they don't want or need my management and guidance as much, I'll be ready for work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE4tCgQZje6S-VQxjTEq1IOOjLNxwH37jrGrISN9OoX7NtDAg4BcSEGXqSxtv4IgnI1446CCe5c7yaZG9AwRXYuVBkpwRp1M_8cdQ2oZWjwI2NHGnid6sz3FK3wD0OKA7NJIJ_wakgow/s1600/IMG_20140409_213508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE4tCgQZje6S-VQxjTEq1IOOjLNxwH37jrGrISN9OoX7NtDAg4BcSEGXqSxtv4IgnI1446CCe5c7yaZG9AwRXYuVBkpwRp1M_8cdQ2oZWjwI2NHGnid6sz3FK3wD0OKA7NJIJ_wakgow/s1600/IMG_20140409_213508.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>I think as women we should not be so quick and harsh to judge decisions other women make for their families. We have enough going on in our heads as it is without worrying about the lives of others; lives that we ourselves don't even have to live. Its a waste of valuable time vocalizing how appropriate or inappropriate it is for someone else to have a traditional job, and its an unnecessary tax and judgement on a careful consideration someone has made.<br />
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I'm wasn't trying to start a feminist movement by working. I'm not trying to take the world back to the 40's by staying home. I'm making a choice for me, and my family. I'm trying to live my life and find my path. I like to think I'm brave enough to change my direction when I'm off course and unhappy. After all the goal is to "die with memories, not dreams", right?<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-27456589118290569702011-08-12T10:53:00.001-04:002014-05-19T13:21:39.932-04:00Broken Concentration<div>
We are in the throes of our busy August, and I've had so much on my mind I've not written simply because I couldn't find anything one thing to focus on. So here is the mish-mash of things going on, thoughts, and happenings that have rested themselves in my head and heart, leading to a state of constant broken concentration.<br />
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My 30th birthday is tomorrow, and I'm underwhelmed by the prospect of moving into my 30s when I already feel so old. I've never been one of those people who has really cared about getting older, and I'm actually slightly annoyed that this birthday bothers me so much. I'd love to age fearlessly and with grace, but I guess that isn't my innate style.<br />
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Next weekend Dan's uncle is getting married, and we are traveling to Rochester for that. The following weekend Dan's family is having a get together on the same day we are doing my first 30 mile bike ride, for which I am completely unprepared. <br />
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I've started a new audiobook, Anne Rice's <em>Angel Time</em>. I tried reading it once, but lost interest and lost time. I'm disappointed because I have not felt engaged in her writing since she left the Vampire Chronicles and Mayfair Witch series. I miss my old "go to" author. Guess it may be time to research some new material. <br />
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With the heat lightening up a bit the past several days, I've been trying to make opportunities to get the boys outside. The other day, Colton took his first wagon ride through the neighborhood, while Tyler rode his bike. He seemed much more comfortable traveling that way, than he did in the bike trailer.<br />
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After a failed morning of furniture shopping early on a Sunday (apparently no furniture places in Lafayette open before noon on Sundays) we stopped for a quick look at the botanical gardens close to our house. We didn't get far, as it was close to lunch and a pretty humid day, but the boys were interested and we learned the umbrella stroller is useless for off roading!<br />
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I have already been thinking about and starting some christmas shopping. In past years it wasn't a big deal to do most if our shopping the last few months if the year, but now that we are surviving on one income fairly successfully, I want to not destroy our credit card debt free lifestyle for something I knew was coming for months! I've found some sales, and have even planned out what I'm going to be making for whom this year, I've almost got one of those gifts accomplished! <br />
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We are nearing the end of our green beans, zucchini, and maybe peppers & okra for the garden, and are clearly starting to hit tomato & gourd season. Tomatoes are wonderful, but at times a daunting task to keep up with, especially if you don't want to be wasteful. This is our first year for gourds, and I'm excited about those. I'm going I'm doing the right thing in waiting to pick them until the vines die off. It feels wrong to just let it all sit there when it looks ready!<br />
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A whole lot of little things, with no real time to focus on anything. The break in the heat has brought me one solid reoccurring thought however: I can't wait for fall. </div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-51336495181785382422011-07-29T12:03:00.000-04:002014-05-20T09:11:37.709-04:00Karate Ship - Tyler's Imagination Mode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyRsSHalzb2eJ8AVWLAYw5IMvXLpjgWLp4pialpwC1dbYVWjr38bK05RQvkYQrE7RfbIE0mrys7HQhd8E-XmQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-33611226385124223572011-07-29T11:56:00.001-04:002011-07-29T12:05:47.160-04:00Feeling Overwhelmed? There isn’t always a solution.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkjqehBr8cUnGxc4askFWVkettNpjbziY8pRcBe-3oy3QF82ETN7luFQCTKzdUlH7hHujXbfs7p49t8OH_5zc-zbrAbcwh8JuuhAXG1mZoOd82v_JAhIKz5IDYs9b4CjL1uY2CEjyP-s/s1600/picsay-1311954750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkjqehBr8cUnGxc4askFWVkettNpjbziY8pRcBe-3oy3QF82ETN7luFQCTKzdUlH7hHujXbfs7p49t8OH_5zc-zbrAbcwh8JuuhAXG1mZoOd82v_JAhIKz5IDYs9b4CjL1uY2CEjyP-s/s320/picsay-1311954750.jpg" t$="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was just literally rained out of green bean picking so I guess this is as good a time as any to stop and write for a moment. Tyler is playing his leapfrog for an hour, which keeps him quiet during Colton’s nap, and gives me some time to get some things accomplished unhindered. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I knew that when I stayed home my workload would change. I knew it would be busy, varied, and I knew it would be difficult at times. (Like any job.) I didn’t really anticipate the occasional arrival of the feeling of being overwhelmed with things to do. I suppose that isn’t something that we can ever truly escape, whether we work like dogs, divide the time between work and family, or dedicate our time solely to our families. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have to admit that now I find the feeling of being overwhelmed more difficult to deal with. When I was at work, it was easier to say, “I’m one person managing a big life, and some tight deadlines, I’m going to get overwhelmed and just have to breathe and trudge through it.” That is difficult to do now. Perhaps I shortchange what I do and what I am accomplishing, but I get frustrated because I feel like I used to manage it all with less time. I guess the difference now is that I am doing more as my own boss. As my own boss, I have myself to answer to and my expectations of myself have always been more unreasonable than anyone’s expectations of me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How to manage this? For me, tackling projects, and multi-tasking with something I enjoy (one ear dedicated to an audio book, another listening to the boys) is the easiest way to get things done. Oddly enough, this is the same way I dealt with my workload while at work, I just gave myself more of a break! However, when it comes to free-time and getting things done throughout the day, it isn’t always a steady stream of work dedicated to crossing things off of my to-do list like it was at work. I had an office where I could shut the door to focus, and a list of things to get done by this time, and I didn’t always have the level of interruptions or “fire-fighting” I have now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list of things to get accomplished now is constantly overshadowed by the #1 Priority of someone else’s needs or need for attention. (I can’t be home and ignore my kids all day so I can cross things off our list!) There is very little opportunity to focus. (Sometimes that can be a procrastinator’s dream when it is a distraction from something you really don’t want to do in the first place!) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being your own boss though, means being accountable for the things that happen, as well as being accountable for the things that don’t. Owning to that responsibility at times is tough, especially when you feel like you are falling behind. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I guess I tend to like to get the nasty things done first, so that I can quickly get to my “reward” of having some peace of mind. Overwhelmed, for me, comes when everything on the list is something I don’t want to do, and one accomplishment leads to another task I’d rather avoid. The simple for me to address this I suppose would be: Being a grown up sucks sometimes, but at least I’m doing something good and I’m finally where I should be. I always wanted to have myself to answer to, how does that feel today? Plllb. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I guess it beats being bored!</span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-87006848206455016252011-07-24T22:54:00.018-04:002011-07-25T23:09:45.081-04:00Don't You Get Bored?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The simple answer? No. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a personality trait, I don’t get bored often. I don’t think I have a busier life than anyone else in the world, but we certainly keep busy as a family! Yes, I do have 2 kids home with me almost constantly and I’m sure if I were home by myself all day it would be a different story. If both kids were in school, my ability to get bored would have a much lower threshold.</span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do I not get bored? </span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) A constantly running to-do list, 2) The constant pursuit to saving money and 3) An excessive amount of diverse hobbies that constantly keep my brain and/or hands busy. </span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s it. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first decided to stay at home - and before I had actually done it - I thought that my time to accomplish things would be infinite. (Pllllb. What Was I thinking?) I started off my first couple of months like a tornado. I took care of the kids with excitement, scheduled special time to spend with them, and got everything done and then some. (I compare it to the “honeymoon” phase of any new job, where you start on adrenaline and excitement before finally slowing down and reaching reality.) </span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since life has calmed down, I find it much more difficult to get everything accomplished in the way that I did in my first month home. I even find it more difficult to take the kids out to do activities than I thought it would. (However, I have become a master at managing everyone and everything by myself! Even when out in public!) </span></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alright, to address #1: A constantly running to-do list. As my previous job, I had a large whiteboard which I constantly used to keep track of what proposals I had due and when. I used it to manage and guide my daily activities. Shortly before I began my new “career” at home, Dan obliged my desire to have a central zone for keeping track of what needs to happen and when. He created a homemade white board for our endeavors, and I use it to keep track of chores, and what needs accomplished. If I think of something off the cuff, I write it down. With a list like this in plain view and larger than life, I always have a reminder that I have something "productive" to do. (As a list person, I also get great satisfaction for crossing things OFF the to-do list, and Tyler has his own section where he has made some VERY interesting (and sometimes embarrassing) drawings. </span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#2: The constant pursuit of saving money. We do several things in the name of saving. We routinely do “once-a-month” cooking, which allows us to buy certain things in bulk or that are on sale, and create homemade stouffer-type meals. (This is not only a money saver, but also a lovely time saver.) We also have our vegetable garden and this year we have made a concerted effort to plant things that we use, eat and enjoy. Early in garden season, we have already made great efforts to get everything processed so that nothing goes to waste. It is only the end of July, and I already have a freezer full of green beans and zucchini, and we haven’t even gotten started yet! The cooking and the garden, take huge amounts of time, planning, maintenance and preparation. (A large vegetable garden? There goes our summer, no seriously, there is ALWAYS something to do… and for the record, I HATE WEEDS!) </span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Noh1IQZHMK9va7RRvgNzuG3GMH8glglbu4vAvWiwDE7VikqoWxuuyuG8NJ_hpF58El6c65Y4M_0sdMrRaiv2hIma5TCx9UVj4kdzR-a5l2qPpgVd1q1ido-7Njdwy0aGIcOAGIz5uFw/s1600/IMAG0338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; height: 186px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 108px;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Noh1IQZHMK9va7RRvgNzuG3GMH8glglbu4vAvWiwDE7VikqoWxuuyuG8NJ_hpF58El6c65Y4M_0sdMrRaiv2hIma5TCx9UVj4kdzR-a5l2qPpgVd1q1ido-7Njdwy0aGIcOAGIz5uFw/s200/IMAG0338.jpg" t$="true" width="118" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#3: Hobbies! Hobbies! Hobbies! Some people call it a short attention span, I call it personal education & enrichment, my style my speed. I play guitar (I was taught classical guitar as a child which I think has helped me have a good ear for figuring out tabs/chords), I love reading almost anything, I have taught myself to crochet, am currently learning how to decorate cakes, and trying to become a regular bicyclist! I’m sure there are more I can’t think of at the moment! </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_mKWb-K9_Q/TdqIvZXD8LI/AAAAAAAAAx4/mE3gWdhCI0E/s1600/IMAG0260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_mKWb-K9_Q/TdqIvZXD8LI/AAAAAAAAAx4/mE3gWdhCI0E/s320/IMAG0260.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There you have it. That is how I do it. I’m a little curious how this is all going to work during the winter, when we are trapped in the house. (I imagine it will work very similar to the way it has worked this last week with the INTENSE heat. Not a good time to send a little boy outside to play!) </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do believe that my personality will be my saving grace against boredom. Being at home is still new to me, but I am not a person who gets bored easily. I can always think of something that needs to be done, or something I would enjoy doing. Going down to one income doesn’t mean that you have to find things to do that cost a lot of money, it just means you have to be creative with your time and use it in ways that offer benefits to the current situation. (I can crochet Christmas presents, spend quality time with Tyler playing guitar, brave a "field trip", the possibilities are endless!) </span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6VP71OMu1E/TdRr5BoiDlI/AAAAAAAAAwc/Oj6LzviGKmI/s1600/IMAG0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6VP71OMu1E/TdRr5BoiDlI/AAAAAAAAAwc/Oj6LzviGKmI/s320/IMAG0036.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My absolute, number one recommendation for making the most of your time and not getting bored? Stop and play with the kids. They won’t always want to play, or snuggle close and watch a movie. They won't always be interested in what you're doing. Soak it up. Even if you are one of those talented ladies that balances it all, work, family, hobbies, etc. Dishes will be there, so will laundry and weeds, but playing legos with a 4 year old, or pat-a-cake with a one year old, will not be an option you will have forever.</span></div></div></div></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-9019045708554982052011-07-19T21:29:00.005-04:002011-07-25T21:48:11.182-04:00Hindering Socialization<div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xZM7va6UFc/TdPSN1HgInI/AAAAAAAAArY/J2SHJkMNUSU/s1600/IMAG0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xZM7va6UFc/TdPSN1HgInI/AAAAAAAAArY/J2SHJkMNUSU/s400/IMAG0190.jpg" t$="true" width="238" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Staying at home has been something that I have enjoyed the past several months, but it certainly comes with its challenges as well as its benefits, for the entire family. One in particular, I didn’t anticipate. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I’m concerned with my decision on Tyler’s behalf. At 4 years old, he has spent his entire life in daycare. He is acclimated to the society of it, the friendships, the constant activity and everything that goes along with it. I am well aware that I have removed him from this, and it has been a difficult transition for him because I have taken him away from something that was such a way of life. I will never be able to offer him the sort of entertainment and activity that a daycare environment can. I know he misses it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have never thought that Ty would have been better off NOT being in daycare. I’m a firm believer that the socialization that it has offered him and the formal learning environment it provides, has helped him become the observant and insightful little man that he is today. Yes, he’s learned some bad habits, but surely he would have found some of mine to copy had daycare not obliged. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has adjusted to the change well, but slowly. We started doing “class time” for an hour or two each morning he did not go to school. That stopped for the summer, but will begin again in August with the start of the school year. He is FINALLY starting to learn that I have things I have to do without him, and sometimes he needs to play alone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As it stands right now, he goes to preschool for 2 days a week. I think that being a part-timer at school is a difficult position for him to be in, and I have to admit that at times I feel guilty for putting him in that position. His school frequently plans activities for which they prepare though out the week. Not being there three days is a big deal. He has worked to make things for programs that he would attend, and at some times he has not been able to be a full participant in some things he would have really liked to have done. I feel responsible for this. Rightly so. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is give & take. Although I know he misses out on some opportunities, I try to create activities to off-set this whenever we can and fill the void. He told me about a puppet show he was going to miss and to make-up for it (and relieve my guilt) I gave him his own cupcake to ice and decorate as he wished while I was making Colton’s birthday cake. Tomorrow, one of his grandma’s is coming over to watch Colton while he & I take a special trip out to see Car’s 2. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parents never want to be the source of their children’s disappointment. Truth is, sometimes we have to disappoint them. Sometimes we have to say no to things they want because we think we are making a choice based on a bigger picture. In this case, a lifestyle change. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My attempt to replace missed opportunities with special activities or attention may be mislead. Whether it is right or wrong, or whether it is a product of guilt or fairness, I will have one year home with him before he starts school. I guess it helps me make the most of my time for now! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">School next year. Holy Mother of Mayhem. </span></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-32495301655291533802011-07-18T21:00:00.006-04:002011-07-25T21:53:27.224-04:00Why stay at home? A very personal decision.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFHlOeEaeSE/TPkWzPM9ftI/AAAAAAAAAZc/woc7ZEhoNzM/s1600/IMAG0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFHlOeEaeSE/TPkWzPM9ftI/AAAAAAAAAZc/woc7ZEhoNzM/s320/IMAG0059.jpg" t$="true" width="268" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today was a tough day. As a stay at home mommy, sick days do not exist, rather they become focused on survival & safety for the most part. Allergies, sinus infection, whatever it is, has me down for the count and I stumbled through this day with the help of nickelodeon, netflix, and leapfrog. However, this isn't the main focus of my thoughts tonight. My focus is on why I became a stay at home mom.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rewind to the morning after Colton was born. I had been in & out of an eclamptic coma, and could only remember bits & pieces of the night before. I had a headache, I lost my vision (completely), I was at the hospital getting an epidural, my midwife was talking to me about my cesarean during the procedure, intense pressure on my stomach, they delivered the baby, BUT did NOT put him in my arms, or tell me he was ok. I remember thinking, "can you tie those tubes while you're in there", but couldn't muster the words & knew it wouldn't matter anyway. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I came to the next morning, blood pressure lowered, pharmaceutical haze lightened, the first thought I had was, "Is he alive? Am I ok? I didn't have enough time."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't have enough time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over & over again I heard it. I felt it, it rang loudly in my head, even through the the first words I remember my husband saying. "He is alive, but he is very small." (Apparently a much kinder version than he heard!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As lucidity came back to me, I felt shaken. I had always wanted to be the one to raise my own children, to be there when they walked, talked, and to watch the miracle of their learning. I mourned the time I felt I had wasted at work. I wished I had spent it with Ty, and taken more value in it. My heart wasn't at work. I wanted my work to be my family. I wanted my children, good & bad, and I felt that all the time I had been spending trying to help provide for them, was time I'd wasted. (Not that providing isn't it own sort of support, it just wasn't where I wanted my focus if it could be changed with sacrifice.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told Dan, our priorities needed to change, and he agreed immediately. He has always supported the idea of me being home if I wished to do so, but now we were willing to "take destiny by the horns" a make it happen. If we had to move to a smaller house, go down to one car, sell our TVs, we were going to make it happen.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although we all have those moments where we are brutally shown our time with each other is finite, I had never considered that my time with my children was finite as well. (duh?) My first child was 3 years old, and I felt like I was almost taken from him. What had I missed in the name of making sure he had all the toys and trips his greedy little toddler heart could want? How silly. As a parent, I missed that one of the best things for him, was quality time with me, his father, and his family. How had I failed to take that to heart?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things changed. We scrutinized our money. Focused on paying down our bills. Figured where the breaking point was, and almost moved to Bloomington for a job that would have given Dan enough of a raise to let me stay home. (Thank you Purdue for fighting for him.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The decision was very personal to me. As an english major, I'm capable if spouting off quotes till my little heart is content. During the whole situation I kept thinking of Thoreau's Walden. "I went into the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life ... to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Up until that point, I had not lived the life I wanted to live. I faced a moment of realization. I almost lost it all, and hadn't even tried very hard to be home to raise my children. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(This is all a very selfish endeavor isn't it! Haha!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How invigorating to get that out.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here I am. Sucking the marrow from life. A mother without conflict. Dedicated completely to her family & husband. Someday I may answer dreams to be a great career woman, with a successful power house career, but for now, I'm right where I get the most satisfaction, and where I believe my children need me. (covered in spit up & teaching a 4 year old to be a gentleman... )</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have no judgments for others who cannot or do not wish to be home. I am purely answering to my own heart and living the way I wish to. And when I come to die, I will have lived exactly the way I wanted, deliberately, wholeheartedly, and true to the desires of myself and (hopefully) my family.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at that. I'd been struggling with finding a blog name, and I just found it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Living Deliberately.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading, go live deliberately.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-23428412370811279332011-07-18T09:44:00.001-04:002011-07-18T14:34:59.832-04:00Saving Me From Myself<div><p>This weekend we had the pleasure of having our families over for Colton's first birthday. I always love getting everyone together, particularly all the children. My sister and myself never had much opportunity to party with our cousins, so I think I speak for us both when I say we really revel in the opportunity for then to get to know each other. This Saturday however, we were missing my sister and her husband, thanks to a poker run for a great cause, but we did get Grace & Brody thanks to my mom. (I asked my niece what it was like having a motorcycle momma & daddy, and I think she was confused.)</p>
<p>Colt's birthday was a big deal for our small family. Having a 10 week premature baby, that missed nearly his entire third trimester of development, is a scary thing. Even scarier, my husband was the one who was told point-blank, that Colt may not survive.</p>
<p>The story of that trying day is one I have been contemplating writing, as it was very much a turning point in our lives.</p>
<p>Back on topic. Everything turned out great, the boy its strong & tough like the grandma he was named after. I will never forget my final check up after Colt's birth when my doctor asked if we had given any thought to a third child. I replied "We had, but aren't sure now!" And she very kindly explained that the chances of a repeat if the entire ordeal, the eclampsia, the emergency delivery, & the premature baby, were very steep, and we may want to "make peace with two". </p>
<p>Sometimes, I find that thought painful. The love I have for my existing children is boundless, and despite the complications, I'd never take any of it back. But God works in funny ways. </p>
<p>We bring our families together to play, and 3 children between the ages of 4-6 descend upon our home, with all their excitement & idiosyncrasies. I love the time together, watching them play & enjoying each other's company. When it is time for half the brood to return home and go back to their own lives, our house quiets and I think, "Woah. Two is perfectly fine."  </p>
<p>Sometimes, things happen for a reason, if for no other reason than to offer perspective. In this case, it is nice to have a reminder that we all have limits. (Despite the amount of love in our hearts we are willing to share.) And that's ok.  </p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqd0I8g-pyTOQ1aEoBhT5LGulr36hxZtFKAnKOV4WxNv0mF2D_KGojtZKfad2pwwcUhogmgZI8brseWaB_NWEB5UUPrtvNYKIprSg-M49cGPhxTjyFeUvi6PBKR4KF3WEbsPswSRp-QA/' /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-11925045606412296662011-07-13T14:09:00.001-04:002011-07-18T20:55:07.961-04:00Here We Go<div><div><div>Two days after his birthday, Colton starts to inchworm his way around. Especially for the remote...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3bhlVoFqNkK7FDtzrFB1Fi52mgimM8J7kkLlM2ZwMcTdWvUI_qa5HRLJg1vGHtn--mWERYg-460zZqotTbw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
</div></div></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-24275774676895223422010-10-21T11:04:00.001-04:002010-10-21T11:12:18.378-04:00Coos and Bullies<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_M6jl0g3gpy4/TLcKsdkUTlI/AAAAAAAAAFc/jzcKJ4GJdE4/s1600/DSCF2555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_M6jl0g3gpy4/TLcKsdkUTlI/AAAAAAAAAFc/jzcKJ4GJdE4/s200/DSCF2555.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Life with a preemie and a three year old. Yes, interesting. Colt has finally reached a healthy 8 lbs for a 3 month old baby, and this is a great thing. He is catching up quickly, and spending less time sleeping… already! He is starting to enjoy “talking” and cooing and sometimes I swear words accidently slip out even though I’m sure it is more my/our brains registering it as a familiar word than him actually acknowledging he understands something or has any idea what he is saying at all. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Plans for holidays are starting to come together. Thanksgiving at my mother’s house with her & my stepfather, my sister’s family, my family, and my in-laws. That’s going to be a lot of people for that little house, but we’ve have big groups in small spaces before, and if nothing else, it helps us keep a tight rein on the children. … and let’s have some excitement for the upcoming of Black Friday! Yay! Wonder who is going to step up to watch the kids for us this year? Any volunteers?</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ty has been grappling with how to deal with a bully at school this week, which is sort of interesting and totally heart-breaking at such an early age. He got bit so hard the other day at school that the other boy broke the skin on Ty’s leg through his jeans. Tyler keeps talking to us about it even though the two war wounds he received the other day were the only physical effects he has shown for his trouble this week. Bullies at three… ugh. Not to mention a complete meltdown he had this morning when I tried to get him dressed. A bad mood from him is not uncharacteristic for the morning, but this level of meltdown was. Poor guy, I think he is looking forward to the weekend. I think we will try to take it easy and get some pumpkins. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Tyler has said more than once he wants to be a bunny for Halloween. I think this is the 3<sup>rd</sup> or 4<sup>th</sup> costume idea he has had this year. His last was Iron Man, and I was sort of looking forward to that one. I’m not sure how I feel about the bunny. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Constantia; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Constantia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Boo for Halloween on a Sunday night. I’m not sure we will get a chance to take them trick-or-treating because of the school night. I’m torn about Halloween this year, and I know my time to get ready is counting down.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_M6jl0g3gpy4/TLcK-QXXvyI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/COozu1dop-s/s1600/DSCF2561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_M6jl0g3gpy4/TLcK-QXXvyI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/COozu1dop-s/s200/DSCF2561.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Constantia;">On a more positive note, we have learned how to exhaust Tyler... Give him a kite, and let him run around the backyard with it for about an hour. This is what happens... And please note, this kid is definitely NOT known for his "relaxing". He is always thinking, and always doing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Constantia;">We are definitely willing to take kite donations for anyone who wishes to contribute to the sanity of the parents of a young boy.</span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5571364544250978818.post-38517959818678847612010-10-13T11:48:00.000-04:002010-10-13T11:52:50.140-04:00"My Dad Said..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW2aVoCUpn9U1BV8m-uy7XRkrIEmMHsq6cllFp-xkkvfWEAn5MytrlICHwLuHmfgKBl_igFlYtnv2Ry7CcbNwEobyg4eRa4jXVS0Hb5B4cVCW15qlZMQPwirLBKshByQuZ_nCDjKtGc0/s1600/351746_7165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW2aVoCUpn9U1BV8m-uy7XRkrIEmMHsq6cllFp-xkkvfWEAn5MytrlICHwLuHmfgKBl_igFlYtnv2Ry7CcbNwEobyg4eRa4jXVS0Hb5B4cVCW15qlZMQPwirLBKshByQuZ_nCDjKtGc0/s1600/351746_7165.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My son, is quite literally the funniest person I know. I have to admit to frequently stealing his comments and observations and sharing them on facebook. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yesterday was an interesting day with him, because he was on a very solid lying streak. Luckily, the benefit of a three-year-old’s lies, are that they are pretty easy to pinpoint. Here were yesterday’s doozies! I think this is probably going to be the start of a very frustrating and entertaining phase...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">#1. Tuesday October 13, 7:15 am </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“My dad said I could have a piece of candy for putting my clothes on.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I know my husband better than to believe he would bribe our son this early with a piece of candy. When I shared this with Dan, he told me he thought that Tyler misunderstood something he told him. I think the boy knew exactly what dad said to him, and he said to mom. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">#2. Tuesday, October 13, 5:45 pm</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“My friend Cameron gave me his crackers.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My response: “I hope that is true.” Tyler had folded up an extra large amount of animal crackers in a napkin. I’d seen his “friend” Cameron playing with some other kids, with very little to no concern for the food Tyler and another boy were focused on. I think Cameron just wasn’t guarding his food the way Tyler thought he should have. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Constantia; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Constantia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Ty did not let this one slip, until we were out in the car. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve learned another telling sign that he is lying, is he justifies the things he does or wants, that normally he wouldn’t even think of talking about, MUCH more when he is telling us the fibs! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Constantia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sneaky boy… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12523583738136064354noreply@blogger.com0