He is Risen! What a glorious day!
Happy Easter to all!
This post is short because we should be spending time with family and friends....not reading my life updates.
Brunch was delicious and now it's time to gear up for dinner!
May your Easter Sunday be blessed!
Cheers -
Megs
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Day 4 - Ellie Girl
Dear Ellie:
Oh dear chocolate lab....you are quite the conundrum in my life. There are moments that I absolutely adore you and can't imagine our family without our fifth member. Then there are moments when I wonder what the h*ll we were thinking and what I am thinking when I seriously consider a second one of you! I fear that we shall always have this roller-coaster love/hate relationship.
...
Alas - Megs
-----------------------
Yes...our dog and I have a love/hate relationship. I never had a dog growing up. Ellie was mostly Dear Husband's idea that I supported because we'd have her while he was gone on deployment. I really consider her more DH's dog than mine but I am the one she follows around the house and whose feet she plants herself at when I stand still for more than 30 seconds. I think she loves laundry time and dishwashing time because she knows she can lean her 70 pound body against my calves for a few minutes and rest. I do find some joy in that.
Then the next moment she's puking because she drank water too fast or I come home to a nasty smell in the garage and quite the disgusting, unspeakable mess spewing from her kennel. Yah...that happened yesterday.
If I had truly committed to the Orange Rhino challenge (not there mentally yet), then I would have failed epically yesterday afternoon. The kids and I had just enjoyed some fun moments driving home and were all looking forward to watching "the funny girl" aka Ellen. That was dispelled immediately upon walking into the garage and smelling then realizing what had happened. I got pissed......FREAKING pissed. (Totally unfair, yes, I know. Poor thing couldn't help it.) It didn't help that I knew Ryan wouldn't be home for another couple hours. I had to wing this on my own.
So I was pissed and Little Man started freaking out. I mean stage 5, earth shattering screams. In the open garage door. In our new neighborhood. At a time when most of the neighbors are coming home from work and various errand runs. Little Miss was the most calm just repeatedly saying "Ellie stinks. Really bad."
When Little Man continued freaking out instead of listening to my plea to go inside while I tried to figure out how to handle it, I reached my max. Embarrassment and frustration and exhaustion set in and I yelled. Big time. Well Little Miss caught part of it as well and started crying. Oh how I wish I could have stood across the street. Not sure if it would have been entertaining or if Child Protective Services would have been on their way!
After I yelled, I moved. I moved Little Man to his room. I moved Little Miss to her room. Both still screaming. I texted Dear Husband to update him. I moved Ellie to the backyard. I moved the kennel to the front yard where I left it for DH to figure out. I then moved boxes, etc that were around the crime scene and cleaned up as best I could. Give me baby poop any day!
See how the hate enters into our relationship?
After aforementioned crisis was cleaned up, I had the latter crisis of two screaming kids to deal with. I got my stuff put away, then went up to get them out of their rooms. They both kept talking about how Ellie stunk and how she shouldn't poop inside. Yes, dear children, I know.
So I finally got Little Man and Miss settled down in front of Ellen with their super processed treats I had promised them - it's Good Friday right? I then opted to sit with them instead of starting dinner. DH came home and cleaned up dog and kennel and the night seemed to right itself (mostly).
The love entered back in as she cuddled under my feet while DH and I watched some shows.
Those damn dogs. They know how to worm their way back into good graces so quickly don't they?
So we are back to the love part. I'm sure within five minutes of letting her in tonight, something will happen. (sigh)
Cheers -
Megs
Oh dear chocolate lab....you are quite the conundrum in my life. There are moments that I absolutely adore you and can't imagine our family without our fifth member. Then there are moments when I wonder what the h*ll we were thinking and what I am thinking when I seriously consider a second one of you! I fear that we shall always have this roller-coaster love/hate relationship.
...
Alas - Megs
-----------------------
Yes...our dog and I have a love/hate relationship. I never had a dog growing up. Ellie was mostly Dear Husband's idea that I supported because we'd have her while he was gone on deployment. I really consider her more DH's dog than mine but I am the one she follows around the house and whose feet she plants herself at when I stand still for more than 30 seconds. I think she loves laundry time and dishwashing time because she knows she can lean her 70 pound body against my calves for a few minutes and rest. I do find some joy in that.
Then the next moment she's puking because she drank water too fast or I come home to a nasty smell in the garage and quite the disgusting, unspeakable mess spewing from her kennel. Yah...that happened yesterday.
If I had truly committed to the Orange Rhino challenge (not there mentally yet), then I would have failed epically yesterday afternoon. The kids and I had just enjoyed some fun moments driving home and were all looking forward to watching "the funny girl" aka Ellen. That was dispelled immediately upon walking into the garage and smelling then realizing what had happened. I got pissed......FREAKING pissed. (Totally unfair, yes, I know. Poor thing couldn't help it.) It didn't help that I knew Ryan wouldn't be home for another couple hours. I had to wing this on my own.
So I was pissed and Little Man started freaking out. I mean stage 5, earth shattering screams. In the open garage door. In our new neighborhood. At a time when most of the neighbors are coming home from work and various errand runs. Little Miss was the most calm just repeatedly saying "Ellie stinks. Really bad."
When Little Man continued freaking out instead of listening to my plea to go inside while I tried to figure out how to handle it, I reached my max. Embarrassment and frustration and exhaustion set in and I yelled. Big time. Well Little Miss caught part of it as well and started crying. Oh how I wish I could have stood across the street. Not sure if it would have been entertaining or if Child Protective Services would have been on their way!
After I yelled, I moved. I moved Little Man to his room. I moved Little Miss to her room. Both still screaming. I texted Dear Husband to update him. I moved Ellie to the backyard. I moved the kennel to the front yard where I left it for DH to figure out. I then moved boxes, etc that were around the crime scene and cleaned up as best I could. Give me baby poop any day!
See how the hate enters into our relationship?
After aforementioned crisis was cleaned up, I had the latter crisis of two screaming kids to deal with. I got my stuff put away, then went up to get them out of their rooms. They both kept talking about how Ellie stunk and how she shouldn't poop inside. Yes, dear children, I know.
So I finally got Little Man and Miss settled down in front of Ellen with their super processed treats I had promised them - it's Good Friday right? I then opted to sit with them instead of starting dinner. DH came home and cleaned up dog and kennel and the night seemed to right itself (mostly).
The love entered back in as she cuddled under my feet while DH and I watched some shows.
Those damn dogs. They know how to worm their way back into good graces so quickly don't they?
So we are back to the love part. I'm sure within five minutes of letting her in tonight, something will happen. (sigh)
Cheers -
Megs
Friday, March 29, 2013
Day 3 - Motherhood isn't 100% great all the time...
I seriously think every high school student, male and female, should have to participate in one of those classes where they get a fake baby to take care of for a few days. And then they should have to work in a daycare for a couple months.
Those two combined together would probably show most people that motherhood/parenting isn't 100% coos and goos and ahs and wows and major first moments. There are days when that's all it is and then there are days, weeks that those moments speed by and you are back into a circle of exhausting negotiating with a three year old.
There are ways to make those glorious moments last longer and become more frequent. Grandparents have this figured out....and because of their years of wisdom and several trips around the block, they encourage us young mothers to figure it out sooner. Both my mom and mom-in-law tell me often to relax and enjoy the kids where they are at. This advice is true; we do need to do that. However, life also has a say and those wonderful kids need food to eat and clothes to wear.
It's all about balance.
Balance is not something I do very well. I always thought because I was a great (ahem) multitasker, that I was great at balancing. But as I've learned again and again, multitasking is not the same as being balanced. Usually when one is doing multiple things at once, those things aren't getting the full attention they deserve. So when I try to cook dinner, run laundry, wash dishes, and play a game with the kids something is going to get burned or I'll get frustrated and yell. Yes, I yell. I mentioned this yesterday and reiterate it today.
It's not fair to yell at the kids when I'm the one spreading myself too thin. It's also not fair to yell when I'm not feeling so great (like today as I battle a major head cold). It really struck me as a problem when I saw Little Man exhibiting the same behavior. Embarrassing!!
So I started reading the Orange Rhino blog, and it's really inspiring. I've also been hugely inspired by Little Man's teachers. They are so caring and patient and they do the simplest thing to help the kids. The biggest thing I've noticed is that they physically go to the child, place a hand on the shoulder, and talk to them. If the child resists the hand, they just squat closely and talk. It's subtle and easy and makes a huge difference. Really? I mean making eye contact with them is better than yelling from my bathroom at the back of the house down the hallway, stairs, and into the living room?? I'll get better results if I take the 30 seconds to walk to them? Yah, it's communication 101. Another class I think all mothers should take.
Therefore I'm working on balance and not yelling. To help this epic journey, I've decided to get up earlier. "Huh?" you say. Yep - earlier. Like pre-dawn early. I need my time in the morning. I need to get a good shower in and be ready for the day otherwise I'm scrambling to get ready and the kids are scrambling and the lunches that get packed are crappy in nutrition and my coffee spills and stuff gets knocked over and I'm yelling in the car about how embarrassing it is when two kids are crying in the driveway. Oh yah - model family right there. It's just me in the mornings because Dear Husband has an early class he has to teach so he kisses the kids goodbye before they even open their eyes and is out the door. He will occasionally have a few minutes to rile them out of bed, which is SUPER helpful on the days he can do it, but I can't count on that.
So it's me against Little Man and Little Miss. And our dog. See why I need to get up at 5:45 AM at the latest?
Getting up earlier is step 1 in finding balance. Step 2 is getting more me time. I know one of my friends will be super excited to hear I'm really working on more Meg-Time. It's a biggee.....fighting the guilt of having it is also something to work on.
Of course there will be days that just stink. How we choose to react to them makes the difference. And finding balance in life helps our reactions be more positive.
I hope on this blessed Good Friday you all find something to balance in your day.
Cheers -
Megs
Those two combined together would probably show most people that motherhood/parenting isn't 100% coos and goos and ahs and wows and major first moments. There are days when that's all it is and then there are days, weeks that those moments speed by and you are back into a circle of exhausting negotiating with a three year old.
There are ways to make those glorious moments last longer and become more frequent. Grandparents have this figured out....and because of their years of wisdom and several trips around the block, they encourage us young mothers to figure it out sooner. Both my mom and mom-in-law tell me often to relax and enjoy the kids where they are at. This advice is true; we do need to do that. However, life also has a say and those wonderful kids need food to eat and clothes to wear.
It's all about balance.
Balance is not something I do very well. I always thought because I was a great (ahem) multitasker, that I was great at balancing. But as I've learned again and again, multitasking is not the same as being balanced. Usually when one is doing multiple things at once, those things aren't getting the full attention they deserve. So when I try to cook dinner, run laundry, wash dishes, and play a game with the kids something is going to get burned or I'll get frustrated and yell. Yes, I yell. I mentioned this yesterday and reiterate it today.
It's not fair to yell at the kids when I'm the one spreading myself too thin. It's also not fair to yell when I'm not feeling so great (like today as I battle a major head cold). It really struck me as a problem when I saw Little Man exhibiting the same behavior. Embarrassing!!
So I started reading the Orange Rhino blog, and it's really inspiring. I've also been hugely inspired by Little Man's teachers. They are so caring and patient and they do the simplest thing to help the kids. The biggest thing I've noticed is that they physically go to the child, place a hand on the shoulder, and talk to them. If the child resists the hand, they just squat closely and talk. It's subtle and easy and makes a huge difference. Really? I mean making eye contact with them is better than yelling from my bathroom at the back of the house down the hallway, stairs, and into the living room?? I'll get better results if I take the 30 seconds to walk to them? Yah, it's communication 101. Another class I think all mothers should take.
Therefore I'm working on balance and not yelling. To help this epic journey, I've decided to get up earlier. "Huh?" you say. Yep - earlier. Like pre-dawn early. I need my time in the morning. I need to get a good shower in and be ready for the day otherwise I'm scrambling to get ready and the kids are scrambling and the lunches that get packed are crappy in nutrition and my coffee spills and stuff gets knocked over and I'm yelling in the car about how embarrassing it is when two kids are crying in the driveway. Oh yah - model family right there. It's just me in the mornings because Dear Husband has an early class he has to teach so he kisses the kids goodbye before they even open their eyes and is out the door. He will occasionally have a few minutes to rile them out of bed, which is SUPER helpful on the days he can do it, but I can't count on that.
So it's me against Little Man and Little Miss. And our dog. See why I need to get up at 5:45 AM at the latest?
Getting up earlier is step 1 in finding balance. Step 2 is getting more me time. I know one of my friends will be super excited to hear I'm really working on more Meg-Time. It's a biggee.....fighting the guilt of having it is also something to work on.
Of course there will be days that just stink. How we choose to react to them makes the difference. And finding balance in life helps our reactions be more positive.
I hope on this blessed Good Friday you all find something to balance in your day.
Cheers -
Megs
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Day 2 - The Results
As I'm typing this, I'm shushing our dog for the fifteenth time as she continues to bark at herself in the large windows at the front of our house. Ellie is quite the character....but let's save that for another post...or blog!
Last night, Little Man and I sat down and had a brief discussion about peer pressure. I still can't believe I'm starting now at the age of four, but with how fast life travels it's never too early, right? I told him a story about when I was little and tried smoking. Yep - I did it. Eighth grade and I puked. Granted I smoked a (half, fourth?) unfiltered cigarette then went to dance class right after....but still. I did it because the girls I was with wanted me to.
He seemed to get it. He said he didn't want to be a follower. I'm proud of how he has come to a lot of these conclusions on his own. I'm constantly amazed at his intuitiveness and memory at moments. I can't say he's both of these all the time because there are moments he'll forget he's putting on shoes and start playing basketball. I chalk that up to being four.
Those are the moments I struggle with as a parent, though. Those "four" moments. I've asked him to do one thing and he feels it absolutely necessary to do 15 thing before doing that one thing. Then I get frustrated and I yell. Well not every time but if I'm needing to get on with the day but can't until he finishes the one thing or if I'm in a hurry to leave the house. I yell, he cries, nothing happens.
Because of my heightened awareness of these moments and some recent instances where the "life is too short and goes too fast" cliche has hit me smack in the face, I wanted to reevaluate how I handled those situations. I know it can be done. His teachers are AMAZING with all 35 preschoolers every day without yelling. My mom is a guru with kids without yelling. I know it can be done. The question was - can I do it?
I was trolling Pinterest and found this blog: http://theorangerhino.com/ . It's a mom of four boys who took a self-placed challenge to not yell for 365 days. She did it and is on day 414. Amazing. I love reading her posts. It encouraged me on my own "not yelling" journey.
So while you desperately ;) wait for tomorrow's post, browse through her blog. Absolutely mesmerizing.
Now I hear little beeps of alarm clocks but no little steps. Time to gently get the rolly-pollies out of bed!
Cheers -
Megs
Last night, Little Man and I sat down and had a brief discussion about peer pressure. I still can't believe I'm starting now at the age of four, but with how fast life travels it's never too early, right? I told him a story about when I was little and tried smoking. Yep - I did it. Eighth grade and I puked. Granted I smoked a (half, fourth?) unfiltered cigarette then went to dance class right after....but still. I did it because the girls I was with wanted me to.
He seemed to get it. He said he didn't want to be a follower. I'm proud of how he has come to a lot of these conclusions on his own. I'm constantly amazed at his intuitiveness and memory at moments. I can't say he's both of these all the time because there are moments he'll forget he's putting on shoes and start playing basketball. I chalk that up to being four.
Those are the moments I struggle with as a parent, though. Those "four" moments. I've asked him to do one thing and he feels it absolutely necessary to do 15 thing before doing that one thing. Then I get frustrated and I yell. Well not every time but if I'm needing to get on with the day but can't until he finishes the one thing or if I'm in a hurry to leave the house. I yell, he cries, nothing happens.
Because of my heightened awareness of these moments and some recent instances where the "life is too short and goes too fast" cliche has hit me smack in the face, I wanted to reevaluate how I handled those situations. I know it can be done. His teachers are AMAZING with all 35 preschoolers every day without yelling. My mom is a guru with kids without yelling. I know it can be done. The question was - can I do it?
I was trolling Pinterest and found this blog: http://theorangerhino.com/ . It's a mom of four boys who took a self-placed challenge to not yell for 365 days. She did it and is on day 414. Amazing. I love reading her posts. It encouraged me on my own "not yelling" journey.
So while you desperately ;) wait for tomorrow's post, browse through her blog. Absolutely mesmerizing.
Now I hear little beeps of alarm clocks but no little steps. Time to gently get the rolly-pollies out of bed!
Cheers -
Megs
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
1st Post - Peer Pressure
Hey All!
This is my first official post on a blog of my own. I've posted on several family blogs previously, but this is my first stab at my very own! Incredibly easy.....now I see the danger of it.
This first post was actually inspired by a series of events that has transpired in the last 24 hours. All circling around my four-year-old son. Who goes to preschool. And still is scared of the dark. Who knew peer pressure could hit so young?
The situation is that little man is making not-so-good-choices during their outside play time. He's been pushing and going where he's not supposed to, etc. I spoke with his teacher today, who explained he was allowing himself to be pulled along those roads by three other personalities. Two of them are younger and are obviously more susceptible to the older kids' influences. The third is a major personality who dances to the beat of his own drum. Little man has the ability to be a leader but is choosing not to. Disheartening to hear as a parent, but a great chance for life lesson.
We discussed with him about safety issues when he goes out of sight of teachers and when he pushes his friends. He got it. The consequence agreed upon was that he would no longer have outside play time if he kept it up. That seemed to get through to him. Guess we'll find out tonight!
The conversation to have tonight will be about peer pressure. I'm turning over in my head how to explain this to a four-year-old. He obviously has experienced it...just not sure how to get him to not fall prey to it. Start young, right?
I'll update tomorrow on the results of the conversation.
Cheers!
Megs
This is my first official post on a blog of my own. I've posted on several family blogs previously, but this is my first stab at my very own! Incredibly easy.....now I see the danger of it.
This first post was actually inspired by a series of events that has transpired in the last 24 hours. All circling around my four-year-old son. Who goes to preschool. And still is scared of the dark. Who knew peer pressure could hit so young?
The situation is that little man is making not-so-good-choices during their outside play time. He's been pushing and going where he's not supposed to, etc. I spoke with his teacher today, who explained he was allowing himself to be pulled along those roads by three other personalities. Two of them are younger and are obviously more susceptible to the older kids' influences. The third is a major personality who dances to the beat of his own drum. Little man has the ability to be a leader but is choosing not to. Disheartening to hear as a parent, but a great chance for life lesson.
We discussed with him about safety issues when he goes out of sight of teachers and when he pushes his friends. He got it. The consequence agreed upon was that he would no longer have outside play time if he kept it up. That seemed to get through to him. Guess we'll find out tonight!
The conversation to have tonight will be about peer pressure. I'm turning over in my head how to explain this to a four-year-old. He obviously has experienced it...just not sure how to get him to not fall prey to it. Start young, right?
I'll update tomorrow on the results of the conversation.
Cheers!
Megs
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