Domestic Goddess!

Two things you could have never convinced me of in my 20s is that I would actually plan to have a child and that I would have an apron collection!

Here's my latest apron bought at an Amish market.

(thinking I am a riot with these spoons in my hair!)


Now being a Mother is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I gotta look the part!

Seriously, I think that aprons are something cool to be passed down through generations of woman (wow is this really me talking?) as well as family recipes.


What are some things that you collect or plan to pass down to your children?

Talkin' 'bout my generation...

Well, I sit here tonight in tears because I had to discipline Madi again. She has been a different child for the last two weeks. She is always a very hyper child but it has been even more so lately and she is back to being "testy" like the terrible 2 stage. For about 8 months I had absolutely no trouble with her. I thought yay, the tantrums are all gone...LOL!!! How wrong was I!! She fell down 3 times in a store the other day from running so fast after my sternly telling her to stop. Then she proceeded to have a tantrum on the floor after not getting something silly she wanted.
All of this got me to thinking about how my generation seems to be a little bit "softer" on our children. And is this a good quality or are we spoiling them and making them dependant on us,etc. I think what we are trying to do is show them that we love them unconditionally and that they can come to us with anything. We are not the "sweep it under the rug and pretend it isn't there" generation. We openly talk about topics these days that were definitely not spoke of and pretty much taboo not so long ago.

Ugh, I know this has to be done on occasion and I should not be so hard on myself. She knows exactly what she is doing and that is seeing how far she can push me. She even told me she was the boss, lol. But she will be starting preschool (part-time 5hrs/wk) and she needs to understand that NO means...NO!! Stop means STOP and don't means DON'T. My family and I are seriously concerned that she may not sit in her seat!
Wish us luck and I know we will get through this stage together just fine. She's my joy, my gift from God...I love her with all my heart.

New Attitude

Wow, have I really changed my thinking in the last few weeks. For three years now I have been a SAHM and I have loved it as a Mom but struggled with it as a person. There were a lot of days where I felt "worthless" as far as not working a public job. Within the last few weeks I feel I have found my "nitch" as the keeper of the home. I have truly started to look at it as a J.O.B., yep that's right a JOB! And I realize it will be the most important one I have in this lifetime. And I am NOT "a dime a dozen."
I know that I am not superwoman and I cannot do everything everyone wants me to do at that very moment. I used to run around like Edith Bunker doing everything Madi wanted when she was an infant. Well, haha, now that she is a testy toddler I am letting her learn that we don't do everything she wants to do and we do not do everything RIGHT NOW, lol! It hurts me inside to discipline her but this is my job as her parent. I am her parent first, her friend second. I have to guide her and teach her what is best for her to be a productive member of society. For her to be patient, learn to share and strive as an independent person. So, yeah, I feel that this is an important occupation I have here on my shoulders and I am going to keep doing my best job to make our home a loving, fun, happy place where she can feel confident and safe with lots of wonderful memories.
I was guilty prior to having Madi as thinking of SAHMs kind of like Peg Bundy! Someone who sat on the couch eating bon bons and being sort of a weirdo not wanting to "work"...like the "cat lady." Boy was I wrong! If you are blessed enough to stay home with your children in our generation we have changed it from being a housewife to a domestic goddess :) It's all about the attitude.

Psalms 113:9
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

SAHM

Growing up I never saw myself being a stay at home mom. I always thought I would never even have a child. But now after having Madi I am so blessed to call that my "job title". And I know soon enough I will be back to work and she will be in school, this precious time will pass. It will be something I look back on feeling thankful that I was able to stay at home with her.
All of this got me to thinking about what we hope our kids will grow up to be. Doctors, lawyers some high paying job. NEVER the job STAY AT HOME MOM. I thought to myself why? This has been the most important job of my life so far. I have done everything from assisting doctors with surgery to making pizza and this has by far been the hardest yet most rewarding. And I want Madi to be happy and at peace with her life. Education will run second place to her being a happy, spiritual, kind to others young lady. Life is short. I don't want her to be a slave to some occupation or spend her life trying to be perfect and feel the pressure of always bringing home an A. YES, I will encourage her to...but will find out why she got something other than an A before I punish her.
Just random thoughts of mine...happens often as a parent.

Eat Your Veggies

Everyday I strive to be a better mom and keeper of the home. At the end of the day I will think about what all I have accomplished and the things I need to work on. One major thing I need to work on as the homemaker is what I cook. We eat fairly heart smart as far as oils, butter and certain fats are concerned but we could always do a little better about eating fruits and veggies. Madi is like her mama when it comes to not liking the vegetables. So tonight I made Speedy Stovetop Lasagna from this awesome website ( http://www.sneakychef.com/) refered to me by a friend. It's a way to incorporate veggies in without tasting them, lol! My SIL Stacy has talked to me about doing this before as well and I am happy there's a website to help me with it.
Well, although Madi didn't eat a bite of it :(...Andy didn't know it was diet and absolutely loved it. I thought it was definatley doable and I am not giving up on finding something on here that Madi will like.


This may sound kind of silly to some people but one of the reasons I wanted to have a baby is simply to do the duties of a mother. I remember telling my mom when I was trying to get pregnant that I wanted to make sandwiches and pack school lunches. And she assured me that wasn't silly to her but natural. It seemed so odd to me because I had no clue I would ever want children. Now I can't imagine my life any different.
Being a parent is the hardest job you'll ever love.

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. Psalms 113:9

All She Wants To Do Is Dance...

Tonight was Madi's "Super Toddler" class and she could not wait! She was very anxious.
Madi is a hyper-active only child who needs to learn how to listen to other adults, following instructions and WAIT HER TURN. :) So instead of putting her in daycare I am trying to get her in a few actives that will help develop her for pre-school.
Her Grandma Jacie made her a new tutu!

She is lovin' her new look!


Most of the other kids have been doing this since like fall, I think, and this was Madi's first night. She was not understanding she had to STAY on the white line and listen to the instructor. All she has ever known is Mama's the boss and disciplinarian so she kept facing me, lol! We were doing the "big claps." Well...I am. :)

Thank God the instructor knows us! She is laughing due to Madi being lost and ornery.

We are skipping down the runway...

This is actually me trying to get her off of this and with the rest of the group.

She is doing great here and loving it!!

And this is what made her disobey all night...the trampoline she played on last week. Finally she got her turn to jump...I MADE her wait until last, to try and teach her what it means to wait your turn. As an only child she honestly doesn't get this concept.

This photo needs no words, LOL!

I hate taking my arthritis medication and have only taken it about 10 times in the past year and tonight was one of them! She's worth every pain.

SUPER TODDLER

On my last post I mentioned how Madi was taking a dance/tumble class and getting so excited about it. Well, sometimes in life we are thrown a disappointment or two. I had signed her up for the "beginners" class. In my mind this was the right one since she had never been before. We get there early to fill out paperwork and she keeps saying "I'm ready Mama...I wanna dance!" An Instructor that we have known for a long time takes Madi in the gym and shows her some tumbles etc. Then they tell us that parents are not allowed to be with the kids but we can watch in the next room through the glass! Um...Madi is not quiet 3 yet, never gets to play with kids, always with mom & not to good at sitting, this could be a problem. And it was. She was so lost as the other girls (like ages 6-7) were doing back bends etc. I saw her start to look for me and panic a little. As she spotted me through the glass I waved frantically "HERE I AM HONEY!" LOL! Then here came the big tears..."I wanna dance mama!"
Here she was before the meltdown:

Not knowing what to do:

The Instructor said come with me Madi and I will show you what our Super Toddler class does:

Listening to her instructions:

She turned on the music and showed Madi some moves:


So next Weds we will be a SUPER TODDLER! And mom is allowed to sit in the class. :)

Tiny Dancer

Ballerina,
you must have seen her

dancing in the sand


Well, I had to make a decision this week. I was going to take a phlebotomy course that was starting in about a week or so. I called and registered Madi for dance class every Thurs from 6-7 and then ran in and told her about it. She was ecstatic!!! She immediately twirled around and smiled so big. Then I got this feeling like I was punched in the gut! THURSDAYS! D'oh! My course was on Mons & Thurs for 3 months. As I sat trying to make this decision I realized that I am not in a big hurry to get back to work. I mean for me I would love to for some adult interaction but the wolf is not at our door quiet yet financially. That evening I walked into the living room and stopped when I heard Madi talking to herself. This is what she said:
I'm going to dance in a minute.
Hi kids my name is Madi, what's your name? Would you like to jump with me?
You see Madi is hardly ever around other children. Maybe a couple times a month at church for about 45 mins but that's it.
Then I knew what I had to do! I called the school and the next phlebotomy course starts in July. Jobs and school will always be here, Madi will only be this age, home with Mama for a short period of time.
And besides, I think being a Vampire will still be cool for the next few years anyway. ;)

Super Power

I don't know about other women, but one thing motherhood has really done for me is opened my eyes on how strong God made women. I think about this today as I have one of my migraines. As most of you know when a stay at home mom is sick she cannot just call off work. Oh no, her job has to be done no matter what. And at those times when I feel like I just can't get the job done I get this inner strength to press on. The type of strength that I know comes from God given to women to do their job as a mother. Just like the strength he has given our men to work long hard hours and still manage to get up and do it all over again (of course I am not saying women cannot do this). But, before Madi I didn't know of this strength at all. I mean I would push myself to do certain things but not to the point I do in the long hours of raising her. To this day I have NEVER fallen asleep before her. I make sure she is asleep, safe and sound before I shut my eyes.
And of course it can be stressful and it takes a toll on you mentally, physically and emotionally but you always manage to get what needs to be done...done. However, it is such a wonderful gift that God has given us as women. We are nurturing, loving, gentle and can even crack the whip and give "the look" when need be!

Like my gynecologist says "God made you women to give birth because us men are wimps!"
Gotta Love that man!
Psalm 113:9
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

Madi's Prayer

As I have said in previous posts I have been struggling with some personal battles lately and I have come (hopefully) to terms with it. It's not a new epiphany I have recently had or anything like that, something I have been feeling all along. As a parent we say we would do ANYTHING for our children; die for them. So, I need to focus and realize I have had my carefree fun time in life and now it's more about her. Andy & I have had our party phase, honeymoon phase, travel phase, rock concert phase, working too much phase...you name it! Now it's family time. There are certain areas that I am not happy with and I'll be honest with you, it needs to be worked out.
(this is what I bet her prayer would sound like)

Dear lord Jesus,
Thank you for my home, clothing, food, family & health.
I pray Lord for a loving home with my Mom & my Dad together. For a place where I can feel safe, loved, grow & strive to be my very best. A place where birthdays and holidays are not split up between homes. A place where people do not raise their voices in anger but rather talk out their problems with respect. I pray that the stress of everyday life doesn't get in the way of our love for one another. I pray that my Dad will have confidence as our provider and leader. I pray that my Mom will become more independent but not to the point of not having enough time for me. I want my Mom to be happy and playful not sad and uptight. I pray that my Mom will be my friend as well as my parent and that I can always cry on my Daddy's shoulder. And And I know Lord that with your love and guidance all of the above is possible.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
After all isn't this what any child wants.
*This is only about MY situation I do not judge others for divorce etc...I am by no means a hypocrite*

SERENITY

I have been in a serious rut for about a year now. Some things I can change, others I cannot. So instead of moping around another day I have decided to set some small goals and stick with them. Work on the things I can change. The things I need to work on in order to make my life better for myself and those around me. I can be a bit of an open book and I definitely wear my heart on my sleeve at times. We are all human and fall short of the glory so I don't mind sharing some of my problems, thoughts and views on things.
I have had some dark days as the individual named Amy. I am very happy and blessed as a mother but that's only one part of my life. Madi is such a joy and as much as that should make me happy it would be unhealthy to ONLY concentrate on her and not myself. To be a good mom~I have to take care of her mother. So one goal I have conquered but is an everyday battle is my weight loss and trying to exercise. I fail often at the exercise. I plan on going to school in Feb. for a phlebotomy course and will gradually go back to work when need be. No rush on that just yet but I want the degree under my belt for when I need it. Although we are moving and our expenses will increase so I may be going back this fall. I do have some private personal issues I am working on as well just to be my best as a person in general. It's a new year and I am ready to get over this rut one way or another.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
The courage to change the things that I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference.

"ME" Time

Here recently I have been saying I need some me time. And since I dedicate my every second to my daughter and husband, people tend to freak out and jump to conclusions when I need a breather. I am literally with my daughter every second of the day including night time. And very rarely do I go out with anyone other than my family. But, there comes a time when I have to tend to my needs as an individual and not as mother and wife. I am more than those important roles in my life. I am AMY and if I don't take care of her sometimes then I fail at the other two. When Madi was born I focused on her 100% and truly lost myself as a person for a while and that wasn't benefiting her either.
There are those days where I need to just let my hair down and be free to be "ME" for a change. Turn the radio up and dance around the house without a care in the world. Or go out shopping or to lunch with my gal pals and have some girl talk. Dress up a little more sexy than usual and feel comfortable being a woman. It's my skin I need to feel comfortable in. Some people are envious of a SAHM and although I would never trade it for a million dollars, it's not all glitz and glamour. I have those days where I get depressed missing the world of working and having adult conversations. So this year I am not asking...but demanding...more "ME TIME" so that I can be better at the job I need to do in a more loving and competent way.

Childhood is a journey...

not a race.

This is my daughter Madilyn Grace. She is 2 1/2 years old. She is not a doll, nor a princess, nor a trophy for me to show off. I rarely put her in fancy dresses that a 40 yr old woman would wear and try not to tell her she's pretty TOO much. She doesn't have her ears pierced and she's NOT about to wear any make-up. I don't want her to think her looks are top priority. I know she's beautiful inside and out. I want her to look and act her age. Childhood goes so fast, I want her to enjoy every moment of it. I want her to grow up knowing clothing and material things do not make a person.
She is shy, smart, funny, hyper, loving, onery, beautiful and a blessing.
She likes to run, jump, sing, dance and play.

This is my daughter Madilyn Grace...she's a 2 1/2 year old girl, and that's exactly what I want her to be.

Halloween Dress Up Challenge

Madi was ecstatic when she tried on her Bumble Bee costume...she's been wearing it daily since!

Please go to I heart faces today to enter to view more.

Wordless Wednesday

Got Milk?

Please go to 5M4M for more WW!

My Story (part 3)

SAHM~Stay at Home Mom
By far being a Mother is the best thing that has ever happened to me. The love you have for your child is beyond measure and belief.
I was working for a GYN/OB and when I turned 32 I realized that if I wanted to start a family I better talk to Andy about it now before it would be to late in life. I didn't want to be sitting around in my 50s without having known what it was like to be a mother.
The only downside to being a SAHM is that I don't balance things very well in my life. For example I get on a kick of something and I focus on it and give it my FULL attention. And this time it was Pebbles. I live for her 24/7-she even sleeps with me. The main problem with this is I did not give myself any "me time". I was trying to become a Super Mom and driving myself and everyone around me crazy with it. I only listened to her music and only watched her shows on TV...NONE of mine...lived in "her little world".

And of course this among other situations is going to cause a problem in your marriage. I lost myself along the way as well. Labeling myself as wife and mother I truly forgot I was an individual...a person.
Bottom line:
I became a lonely, numb, sometimes angry, robotic, shell of a person.

Confessions of a SAHM

I have a confession to make about my life as a stay at home mom. I thought I would run a tight ship and have a very clean and organized house. HAhahahahaha!
Now I have found out what dust bunnies are and I'm lucky to get the kitchen cleaned at this point. I confess I have more than one junk drawer, my closet is back to a danger zone, if you open my bottom kitchen cabinet you better watch your toes and I look like a bum the majority of the day! I thought my daughter would do as I say and I would have time for all sorts of things. Boy was I wrong! At this terrible two moment full of tantrums and time for the potty training and all sorts of independence, I barely have time to have my own thoughts.
Another confession is that I have been known to use the T.V. as a baby sitter when I HAVE to clean or have company over. Now, I have a hyper child who never sits and plays with toys so I result to her cartoons. She doesn't even sit to watch them, usually jumping in front of it.
Now I know all I have to do to is get stern with her and shove her to the side and tell her that mommy is too busy to play with her.
But, this is why I choose to live this way:

Like it says on my friend Jessie's blog

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow ~ For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow ~ So quiet down cobwebs, Dust go to sleep I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep." ~Anonymous

Thunder Storms

Well, we have had a gorgeous weekend here and the day is ending with thunder storms. Pebbles seemed just a little frightened by the crack of the lightning and I remembered what my Mom used to tell me as a child.
When the storms would start I would yell "Moooooooooom" from my bedroom as a scared little girl holding the covers up over my head. She would come in and sit by my bedside and tell me to listen. The thunder would rumble and she would say "Do you hear that?" "That's God bowling." The rumble was the ball rolling down the lane. And then CRACK "Did you hear that", she would say. God got a strike! Every time the lightning would strike and my room would light up we would cheer for God getting a strike. The storm ended up becoming a game we would play together. And soon all would be quiet and the peaceful rain would start to fall. Off to sleep I would go.

So tonight, I told Pebbles that God was bowling. And she repeated it! I'm anxious to see if she says it next time it storms. She has no idea what bowling is and she realizes that God is a special word we say, but of course not sure what He is yet.

Did your parents do anything special during scary situations for you or do you do things now for you kids?

Only Child

I've been feeling a little sad for Pebbles the past few weeks. She's really been wanting to play with other kids. She has thrown a fit the last 2 days crying and saying "dance,play & kids" meaning she wants to go to the church nursery. It breaks my heart to know she desperately wants a playmate her own age. Fred and I being older parents really don't know any friends with children her age or those we kind of know are very busy and work. I wish I knew another SAHM like me in the neighborhood (listen I sound like Mr. Rogers!) that was home with a toddler during the daytime. Can some of you come over...LOL!
And as far as having a sibling for her, we just don't feel it's God's plan for us. Life feels complete with just having Pebbles...seems right.


I try to play with her as much as I can, but chores have to be done. I do most of them while she's taking her nap.
She loves her playroom.



This is my view of her everyday while I'm in the kitchen cleaning or cooking. As you can tell by all the toys she does play fairly well by herself.


However, I can tell she wants to run and play with someone other than Mom.

Any words of wisdom for me?