Today I was...
Short order cook
Maid
Diaper changer
Personal dresser
Hair stylist
Trampoline
Fort builder
Nap enforcer
Lap to sit on
Owie Kisser
Baby grower
Artist
Referee
Seamstress
Launderer
Dish washer
Gift wrapper
Cuddler
Snack maker
Apple peeler
Toenail painter
Did I mention maid????
No wonder I fall into bed by 9pm each night thoroughly exhausted. This mom stuff is hard work.
My kids truly give reason and purpose to my words, thoughts and actions but every once and a while it sure is nice to remember the days when I was simply....
Heidi.
Connect
December 20, 2012
December 19, 2012
2/3 done
Only because I am almost to my third trimester (on Friday) and I have been promising a picture since November....
Here I am, 27.5 weeks pregnant with "Tiebreaker" coming sometime mid-march.
Here I am, 27.5 weeks pregnant with "Tiebreaker" coming sometime mid-march.
December 18, 2012
Random Acts of Kindness
In efforts to combat the negativity and heartbreaking news, I am upping my positivity output- One random act of kindness at a time.
Yesterday as I finished my holiday shopping, I focused energy on being kind to strangers. Just an extra smile, a small gesture, a generous tip...nothing big.
Boy of boy, did that sure fill my happy meter. It really pulled me out of my funk.
I am no way trying to forget or downplay the sadness of the loss of those innocent lives in Connecticut, merely trying to find a way to move through it.
Imagine the positive energy output if we all strived, everyday, to be kind. Not just going through the motions, and living in our own bubbles but truly being thoughtful and kind. It doesn't take long before the ripples of positive energy hit someone who really needs it or better yet find their way back to you or someone you love.
So be kind to each other, make a stranger smile, be thoughtful in your words and actions. I sure am trying to do this in my life and already feel better.
Need some ideas?? Check out this great site:
http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/
Yesterday as I finished my holiday shopping, I focused energy on being kind to strangers. Just an extra smile, a small gesture, a generous tip...nothing big.
Boy of boy, did that sure fill my happy meter. It really pulled me out of my funk.
I am no way trying to forget or downplay the sadness of the loss of those innocent lives in Connecticut, merely trying to find a way to move through it.
Imagine the positive energy output if we all strived, everyday, to be kind. Not just going through the motions, and living in our own bubbles but truly being thoughtful and kind. It doesn't take long before the ripples of positive energy hit someone who really needs it or better yet find their way back to you or someone you love.
So be kind to each other, make a stranger smile, be thoughtful in your words and actions. I sure am trying to do this in my life and already feel better.
Need some ideas?? Check out this great site:
http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/
December 15, 2012
Heartbroken
I spent much of yesterday afternoon either on the verge of, or in tears. Upon hearing the news of the mass shootings in Connecticut, I was in shock.
Disbelief.
Kindergarteners?? Why??
I feel like many people around the nation and world probably felt the same way and had the same questions.
Who could do this? Why would they do this? How does this happen?
I am not writing this because I think I have any of these answers. I only wish to help sort out in my own mind how to process these events, grieve appropriately and probably hardest of all try to move on with a sense of security that was seemingly shattered yesterday with the loss of 20 children and 6 of their educators.
After the initial sadness for these families and parents sinks in, leaving a pit in my stomach, we are faced with the reasoning or rationalization of such tragedy. How can we make something so messy and broken fit into our worlds? This is the place where I feel religion plays a tremendous role in healing. For those who have a God and turn to Him, I know this can bring comfort, strength, and eventually forgiveness and healing.
For someone like me, who chooses a secular life, the desire to understand horrible events is the same. I take comfort in the fact that the community and people all over the world are sending their thoughts and best wishes towards those affected. I take strength in knowing that tomorrow will come, then the day after that, then the day after, etc. I find strength in the fact that I will be spending these days with my children, husband, and those I hold dear. I will eventually find forgiveness, not for what this shooter did, but for the fact that he was most likely a sick individual who for unknown reasons took such an evil path. I will try and remember that even people who choose to do horrible things were at one time innocent little babies. It doesn't make what they did any less horrible or tragic. It does, however,humanize these events and remind us that at a very basic level, we are all similar.
No matter your coping mechanisms, I feel it is important to acknowledge these feelings of grief and insecurity we have after a random act of violence against the most helpless of victims; children.
Hug your children an extra time or two before bed, call your mom and tell her you love her, pray, participate in a vigil, or whatever you have to do to feel better.
Then remember that although these tragic events could happen anywhere, thankfully, they don't.
Tragic
Heart-breaking
But rare.
Although it sounds generic, my thoughts truly are with the people of Newtown, the families of slain educators, the parents of babies taken too soon.
I honestly hope that these events inspire thoughtful conversations on humanity, gun safety, and mental illness awareness.
It seems like these tragic losses keep happening in vain without the thoughtful rhetoric that should go along with them. It's not a more guns vs less guns argument we need, or a school security system overhaul, or even a blame game on certain types of people in our society.
We need to dive deep into humanity, realize things do not happen in a vacuum. We are connected. We are all connected. Those children lost, in a sense, were OUR children. The shooter was OUR neighbor or a kid we used to know. This is the world we live in.
The choice we have to spread love, positivity and warmth is our own.
It will not stop individuals from committing acts of violence against their fellow humans but when given the choice, I know, that positivity, love and compassion rarely steer you wrong.
Disbelief.
Kindergarteners?? Why??
I feel like many people around the nation and world probably felt the same way and had the same questions.
Who could do this? Why would they do this? How does this happen?
I am not writing this because I think I have any of these answers. I only wish to help sort out in my own mind how to process these events, grieve appropriately and probably hardest of all try to move on with a sense of security that was seemingly shattered yesterday with the loss of 20 children and 6 of their educators.
After the initial sadness for these families and parents sinks in, leaving a pit in my stomach, we are faced with the reasoning or rationalization of such tragedy. How can we make something so messy and broken fit into our worlds? This is the place where I feel religion plays a tremendous role in healing. For those who have a God and turn to Him, I know this can bring comfort, strength, and eventually forgiveness and healing.
For someone like me, who chooses a secular life, the desire to understand horrible events is the same. I take comfort in the fact that the community and people all over the world are sending their thoughts and best wishes towards those affected. I take strength in knowing that tomorrow will come, then the day after that, then the day after, etc. I find strength in the fact that I will be spending these days with my children, husband, and those I hold dear. I will eventually find forgiveness, not for what this shooter did, but for the fact that he was most likely a sick individual who for unknown reasons took such an evil path. I will try and remember that even people who choose to do horrible things were at one time innocent little babies. It doesn't make what they did any less horrible or tragic. It does, however,humanize these events and remind us that at a very basic level, we are all similar.
No matter your coping mechanisms, I feel it is important to acknowledge these feelings of grief and insecurity we have after a random act of violence against the most helpless of victims; children.
Hug your children an extra time or two before bed, call your mom and tell her you love her, pray, participate in a vigil, or whatever you have to do to feel better.
Then remember that although these tragic events could happen anywhere, thankfully, they don't.
Tragic
Heart-breaking
But rare.
Although it sounds generic, my thoughts truly are with the people of Newtown, the families of slain educators, the parents of babies taken too soon.
I honestly hope that these events inspire thoughtful conversations on humanity, gun safety, and mental illness awareness.
It seems like these tragic losses keep happening in vain without the thoughtful rhetoric that should go along with them. It's not a more guns vs less guns argument we need, or a school security system overhaul, or even a blame game on certain types of people in our society.
We need to dive deep into humanity, realize things do not happen in a vacuum. We are connected. We are all connected. Those children lost, in a sense, were OUR children. The shooter was OUR neighbor or a kid we used to know. This is the world we live in.
The choice we have to spread love, positivity and warmth is our own.
It will not stop individuals from committing acts of violence against their fellow humans but when given the choice, I know, that positivity, love and compassion rarely steer you wrong.
December 5, 2012
Homemade Fried Rice
Since I live in the middle of no where, Chinese delivery is WAY out of the question. So how do I fulfill the craving for some yummy Asian Cuisine??
This super simple homemade fried rice. It hits the spot and at least helps this former city girl reminisce about days of splurging on take-out.
Ingredients: (these are estimates since I typically don't cook with recipes. Feel free to adjust according to taste preference)
3 cups Rice (white or brown) cooked
1/2 finely chopped onion
2 tbsp butter or olive oil
1 1/2 Cups frozen peas and carrots mix
1/4 c soy sauce
3 eggs
In a large fry pan sauté onions & peas and carrots in butter or olive oil.
Add cooked rice and fry until small pieces are starting to get slightly golden brown.
While the rice is frying, scramble 3 eggs in a separate pan.
Add the eggs to the rice mixture. Stir.
Add soy sauce and stir well.
Enjoy!!
Some other great additions to make this more of a main dish is cooked chicken, shrimp, bean sprouts, or chopped water chestnuts.
On ambitious days I serve this with homemade egg rolls or spring rolls.
This super simple homemade fried rice. It hits the spot and at least helps this former city girl reminisce about days of splurging on take-out.
Ingredients: (these are estimates since I typically don't cook with recipes. Feel free to adjust according to taste preference)
3 cups Rice (white or brown) cooked
1/2 finely chopped onion
2 tbsp butter or olive oil
1 1/2 Cups frozen peas and carrots mix
1/4 c soy sauce
3 eggs
In a large fry pan sauté onions & peas and carrots in butter or olive oil.
Add cooked rice and fry until small pieces are starting to get slightly golden brown.
While the rice is frying, scramble 3 eggs in a separate pan.
Add the eggs to the rice mixture. Stir.
Add soy sauce and stir well.
Enjoy!!
Some other great additions to make this more of a main dish is cooked chicken, shrimp, bean sprouts, or chopped water chestnuts.
On ambitious days I serve this with homemade egg rolls or spring rolls.
December 4, 2012
Sleep
It's one of the things I find myself obsessed with. How much did I get? How much did the kids get? When is naptime?
As pregnancy continues to change my body shape and function, my sleep patterns change too. Add to that a 2.5 year old and an 18 month old and you might think I never sleep. Believe me, somedays I feel like that too.
With all honesty, I do sleep. It's not every night or even a single night in a week sometimes but we do have pretty healthy sleep habits here in the Northland. (Maybe the cold, dark winter nights are nature's way of giving my kids 7pm bed times) Whatever the reason, I take what I can get.
I don't question a good night's sleep or the 3 hour naps. I am simply thankful for them. I also try not to begrudge a 5:00 am wake up time or middle of the night "MOMMY!!!" This is my life.
The mom of two toddlers.
The pregnant lady.
The light sleeper.
To get through the rough days and nights I tell myself that I will sleep again...someday.
When my kids are older, when they don't need me as much, when my body is mine again, etc.
I may be delusional and this obsession with sleep and lack thereof may simply be a trade off for the kisses, laughs, dirty hands and feet, snotty noses, family vacations, creative artwork, little arms wrapped around my neck, and the unconditional love that is given and received throughout the day of a Mommy.
If that's the trade off, I'll take it. I'll take every second of it because this is exactly what I signed up to do (3 times in 3 years to be exact).
As pregnancy continues to change my body shape and function, my sleep patterns change too. Add to that a 2.5 year old and an 18 month old and you might think I never sleep. Believe me, somedays I feel like that too.
With all honesty, I do sleep. It's not every night or even a single night in a week sometimes but we do have pretty healthy sleep habits here in the Northland. (Maybe the cold, dark winter nights are nature's way of giving my kids 7pm bed times) Whatever the reason, I take what I can get.
I don't question a good night's sleep or the 3 hour naps. I am simply thankful for them. I also try not to begrudge a 5:00 am wake up time or middle of the night "MOMMY!!!" This is my life.
The mom of two toddlers.
The pregnant lady.
The light sleeper.
To get through the rough days and nights I tell myself that I will sleep again...someday.
When my kids are older, when they don't need me as much, when my body is mine again, etc.
I may be delusional and this obsession with sleep and lack thereof may simply be a trade off for the kisses, laughs, dirty hands and feet, snotty noses, family vacations, creative artwork, little arms wrapped around my neck, and the unconditional love that is given and received throughout the day of a Mommy.
If that's the trade off, I'll take it. I'll take every second of it because this is exactly what I signed up to do (3 times in 3 years to be exact).
December 2, 2012
Christmas Traditions
Have I mentioned I love Christmas? I love the decor, the baking, the chilly weather, the first snow, the traditions, etc.
I am truly striving to decommercialize for my children and instead focus on the fun, togetherness, and traditions that I love about Christmas.
We are starting a tradition with our kids that they get one "big" present from us on Christmas Eve, then Santa visits to fill our stockings with little treats and trinkets. I am doing this not only because my kids are already overloaded and overwhelmed with toys in our house but also to try and keep the focus of the holidays on what's important. I want them to grow to be thankful for what we have and the lives they are fortunate to live, not the quantity or size of the presents under the tree each year.
I want them to remember the activities surrounding Christmas rather than the "stuff" they accumulated. I want them to remember how we went into the woods and cut our tree, how Mom let them tinsel the tree, bake cookies, and arrange the mini figurines in the Christmas village. I want them to be involved, present, and thankful for the love and life around them.
I know the challenges of downsizing commercial Christmas will be greater as they get older. However, if we don't start now to make conscious choices about what we focus our energies on I can see how easy it is to overspend, overindulge and under-appreciate.
Even as an adult I need to remind myself from time to time to sit back, look at my life, and choose to be content. What better time of year for a reality check than the holidays right?
I hope you and your family take the time to focus on what's important in your lives this holiday season:)
Merry Christmas Season!!
I am truly striving to decommercialize for my children and instead focus on the fun, togetherness, and traditions that I love about Christmas.
We are starting a tradition with our kids that they get one "big" present from us on Christmas Eve, then Santa visits to fill our stockings with little treats and trinkets. I am doing this not only because my kids are already overloaded and overwhelmed with toys in our house but also to try and keep the focus of the holidays on what's important. I want them to grow to be thankful for what we have and the lives they are fortunate to live, not the quantity or size of the presents under the tree each year.
I want them to remember the activities surrounding Christmas rather than the "stuff" they accumulated. I want them to remember how we went into the woods and cut our tree, how Mom let them tinsel the tree, bake cookies, and arrange the mini figurines in the Christmas village. I want them to be involved, present, and thankful for the love and life around them.
I know the challenges of downsizing commercial Christmas will be greater as they get older. However, if we don't start now to make conscious choices about what we focus our energies on I can see how easy it is to overspend, overindulge and under-appreciate.
Even as an adult I need to remind myself from time to time to sit back, look at my life, and choose to be content. What better time of year for a reality check than the holidays right?
I hope you and your family take the time to focus on what's important in your lives this holiday season:)
Merry Christmas Season!!
December 1, 2012
First Day- December
I don't want to gross you all out with my disgusting details of my stomach flu-filled first day. But I did spend a majority of the day either in bed or laying on the couch while my husband helped take care of me and our two ailing little ones. It was not a fun day.
So obviously- not any pictures... Well except for one. This has been my savior today: Luigi's Italian Ice. As I lay on the couch eating my second one of the day, I am convinced that tomorrow will be better:)
At least my Christmas tree is sparkling beautifully in the background right?
So obviously- not any pictures... Well except for one. This has been my savior today: Luigi's Italian Ice. As I lay on the couch eating my second one of the day, I am convinced that tomorrow will be better:)
At least my Christmas tree is sparkling beautifully in the background right?
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