Not too busy to laugh...

Sleepy Head

All cozy and warm...what more could you 

ask for? (This is once again my oldest

son as a baby).

Fun fall activity

Today I decided to take some time for myself, something that has become a stranger to me, and spend some quality time with an old high school friend of mine. Neither of us had ever been to a corn maze so we thought we'd check it out and see what all the fuss was about. After talking back and forth about where the closest corn maze to us would be, a friend of mine suggested through Facebook that we go to the one in Clio. I had completely forgotten that the Elf Khurafeh group (pronounced Elf Kurafuh...and yes, I asked) constructed a corn maze every year.

Upon arriving, I was SO shocked to see only a couple other cars in the parking lot aside from the one my friend and I had come in. Most of the cars that were there belonged to the gentlemen who were running the maze. Everyone there was so friendly and explained everything to us...the confusion must have been written ALL over our faces! After paying the admission fee, we started through the corn (after being warned to watch out for deer and raccoons)...several laughing fits, short-cuts (cheating), and trying to figure out just exactly WHERE we were on the map, we found our way out.

It was a fun time and both my friend and I could not believe it wasn't busier than that, especially on a Saturday. If you're looking for a fun time out, even if your busy life can only afford a half hour, head out to the corn maze with some friends and enjoy yourself. There is one side that took us a little over an hour, and the other side took us about 30 minutes. I was so glad to be a "normal" person again, and not just someone's mom (although I love that part of my life).

Feel the burn...

So, on top of ALL the other things I have crowded my days with, I decided it's time for me to get myself back in shape. I always complain about "the bulge" but I've never taken the time or put in the effort to get rid of it. So, I have entered the wide (and painful) world of P90X. I couldn't be happier with this decision but now that I'm on day 3, I must say I am a little leery of what comes next! I am not in pain but in a LOT of discomfort so I know I must be doing something right. You know it's a VERY good workout when the day after working on your legs, you can barely sit down because it hurts so much.

So, where does this fit in with being a busy mom? Well, in order for me to accomplish my daily tasks I need to gain extra energy - my hope and belief is that once I have done this workout for a while, I will feel so revitalized and ready to tackle the day's tasks with ease. And, as hard as it is for me to keep up with my toddler and my 3 month old, once I am more physically fit maybe I'll be running laps around HIM instead of vice versa!

As I venture into this wide world, I would love to know if anyone has ever tried this program OR if they knew (or know) someone who did it and had great success. I know someone who worked at Taco Bell and when he started he was kinda pudgy - by the end, he was ripped. Not that I want to be ripped since I'm a girl...but I want to hear those stories! :)

My day off...

As a busy mom, typically my day off never ends up being a day off. I thought I would run through a typical "day off" for a mom - just to give you a better idea!

Today, I woke up at 8:00 AM to a 2 month old crying because he was hungry. I very groggily placed my feet over the bed, got up and stumbled to the kitchen where I proceeded to search for a clean bottle. After successfully retrieving the clean bottle, I put the water and formula in, shook, and returned to my bedroom to feed my son. After he finished the bottle, I was able to put him back to bed but it was now time for me to get my day started. So, I went to the bathroom, took a shower, did the necessary rituals that most women do every morning, and then got ready to go visit my parents. 

I miss the day when going to see someone meant throwing my shoes on and walking out the door. Now, I search for the diaper bag, fill it with necessary items (diapers, wet wipes, extra clothes, socks, diaper rash cream, etc.) THEN proceed to change both boys to make sure they don't leak before I am able to change them again. After both boys are changed and clean, I put baby in his car seat, put shoes on my toddler...at which time I forget where I put the diaper bag - then ensues the search for my car keys. After finding all missing items, we start out the door only to have my toddler declare "truck" because he wants to bring his construction truck WHEREVER he goes!

Once out the door, it's now the crazy battle of getting my toddler to follow me (like a duck) while I carry my purse, their diaper bag, and the infant car seat. I "click" the car seat in the car then turn around only to have what seems to be a heart attack when my toddler is not directly behind me. I look over just in time to see him jump in a muddy puddle, and I sigh deep because I know now I should bring him back inside, change him, and clean him - but I decide it's not that important to clean him off right now. Then, we go to my parents' and stay a while. Once we leave, my son gets right in the car and is ready for whatever adventure may come next.

I said I'd let you know how my typical day off goes - but that's just the beginning!!!

Sleepy Head

Every Monday I will post a photo of one of my boys sleeping - there are some funny ones, some cute ones, and even some boring ones that I'll throw in there! So, look for these photos EVERY Monday. The reason I'm putting on pictures of my kids sleeping is because Monday is definitely a day that most people wish they could just stay in bed, curled up in a ball, because the weekend flew by once again. Also, as a busy-bee mom, it's always important to remind myself to get as much rest as my kids do...or at least try! :)

This is a photo of my oldest son when 

he was first born. He was SUCH a sleepy

head!

What a rainy day...

As I peer out my apartment window and see the rain pouring down, I can't help but think "Man, my hair is going to get so messed up when I go outside," which to most of you will probably seem very petty. It has always been something my husband just does not understand – who cares what other people think? It’s true, who does care, except I am quickly reminded that I am one who does care. My mind goes back to the thought of being drenched by the rain. But, then I quickly remember that in the busy-ness of this week I did manage to purchase a couple umbrellas for just such a day as this. Not just any umbrellas – the kind of umbrellas that open and close with a simple push of the button. And, these are not your ordinary umbrellas – one is zebra print (SO fun) and one is leopard print! So, why did I purchase two of them? Well, the nice side of me may answer “One for me and one for my husband,” but that’s not true. I purchased two because in the chaos of my life I lose everything. I don’t have high hopes that either of these umbrellas will last longer than two weeks before being lost and perhaps found by someone who needs them more than I.

Why does it matter if I get a little wet? Well, typically I LOVE the smell of rain, love to jump in puddles and act like a child again, love to just stand in the rain and soak it all in (pardon the pun). But, today is yet another busy day for me - I've spent the morning preparing for a jewelry home show and around 3:45 I will leave and venture out into the wall of rain to be the glamorous jewelry lady I know will be appreciated. And, who would ever purchase jewelry from someone who doesn't have it all together? Oh if they only knew!!!

Burned Out Like Burnt Rubber...

In the Winnie the Pooh cartoon, it seems as though life is against Eeyore - every time he gets his house built to his liking, something makes it fall down. Whether that something is Roo (while trying to help Eeyore fix the house), the wind (on a blustery day), or a small butterfly. It's interesting how the creator of this cartoon and the writer of the episodes makes the "house" fall down because of something small.

Isn't this so true in our lives? Just yesterday my boys (ages 20 months and 2 months) were in the car when a vehicle driving in the opposite direction decided to turn left in front of me. I am not sure if they just didn't see my bright orange Avenger, or if maybe they were just preoccupied with something more important like texting on the telephone or eating their lunch, or maybe even brushing their teeth on the way to their significant other's house. I was so shaken after this event and had to pull over to regain my composure. As I turned around to make sure my boys were okay, I was relieved to see they were both sound asleep - I didn't cuss at the driver of the other vehicle but now that I know I could have, I wish I would have! Now, why do I tell you about this incident? Because it took something small like a VERY close call to make me open my eyes. I have been running around ragged trying to please myself, trying to please my husband, and trying to please others (even strangers) but this small almost-accident made me snap back and made me realize what is truly important in my life. Not only did this scary encounter make me snap back, but also helped me realize that I can never let my guard down especially when my boys are with me - I have to continuously be aware of my surroundings and always try to keep them safe, a mother's instinct.

My boys are the heart and soul of my life and always will be. When I realized that someone was going to hurt my boys, on accident or not, I became defensive like a mother bear with her cubs. Though as I said earlier I did not swear at this driver, I became very tense - somewhat like an angry street cat. Once the moment was over, I thanked my maker for keeping us safe. But, mostly I thanked him for giving me a reality check and making me realize that though I may be a busy bee, life's too precious to sweat the small stuff.

Sure, it's important to not sweat the small stuff and maybe that's why Eeyore is so persistent in fixing his house day after day. He may be gloomy all the time, "if this is a good day, which I doubt," but he's got one thing going for him - he knows what's important (having a roof over his head) and he has one focus and that's on his house...which others may see as just a big pile of sticks. I think we could all learn something from Eeyore!