10 Reason why I love my son...

I am taking this idea from one of my sweet mama friends. She was having a challenging morning with her two girls under 2 and decided that rather than melting down herself that she would write 10 things that she loved about each of her daughters. Well, we also had a rough night with E even though we tried our best to keep him entertained by going walking and to a park. By the time we got back to our house, he was in full tantrum mode which followed us through shower time and into bedtime. During that time, I teetered on the verge of negative thoughts like , "He doesn't love me as much as his daddy" or "He hates me because we made him eat dinner." After my freshly bathed son was tucked into bed, I kicked the negativity out of my head and chalked it up to the challenges of toddler hood (for parents and toddlers). I really do love my son with all my heart, trying as it may be at times, I can't imagine a day without him. So in his honor, 10 things I love about my son.

1) I love that his new wake up routine includes snuggling in bed with mama and daddy.

2) I love that he sits in my lap to read books.

3) I love than he has tons of energy and loves to play outside.

4) I love that he drinks milk and says "ah" afterward.

5) I love that he drinks water with citrus fruit.

6) I love the way he sweet voice sounds when he says..."sure".

7) I love that he picks up a new word everyday.

8) I love how his body smells after he has been bathed and had lotion put on.

9) I love that he is a routine baby, if you do something once, that must be the way you should always do it.

10) I love the each morning when he gets up, he is happy and ready to meet the day. (Mama should take this approach)

For all of these reasons and so many more, I love my son with all my heart. I had never really imagined how it would be to have a son given the predominance of women in our lives but it certainly was the best gift I could have ever asked for.

I love you EAK.

Keep on rolling...

A few years ago on Labor Day weekend none the less, my husband and I decided to go out and buy roller blades. We had seen a lot about rollerblading with dogs on the Dog Whisperer and since we had 3 active pit bulls we thought, what the heck? So we went to the store and picked out our blades and I of course invested in some protective gear for my arms, knees, and elbows. Right out of the gate, NK was awesome. It was like riding a bike for him. He was jumping curbs and speeding down hills. For me? Not so much. I coule get the rythm down of rolling but could not get over the fear of going down any type of incline...I mean any. I would feel like I was losing control and move over into the grass.

Fast forward, three years and one baby later...we are back to rollerblading. We went over to a the local jogging path when NK had scoped out the flatest part for me to start practicing. E tooks his place in the jogging stroller. I put on my wrist/hand guards and my elbow pads along with my blades and off we went. It took a few minutes but I really started getting into the groove. I even decided to go up an incline! And you know what? I did it and then turned around and went again. Now this may not be a big feat for some but for me it was huge. We all celebrated and I speed up my pace with the breeze blowing against. It was wonderful until....I hit a patch of gravel and lost my footing! Darn it! There I was tumbled over, knees scraped and bruising. So what did I do? I got up gingerly, let NK help dust me off, squeezed back the tears and kept on rolling!! That's right, I keep on rolling. Isn't that symbolic? How many times in life does something knock us over? We have always have a choice. Let it keep us down or get back up and keep going. I don't know about you but I choose to keep going.

The night ended with a trip to the store to pick up a sweet treat for me and I could tell my hubby was proud of me! He even helped me bandage my knee last night. I may not be out there again today but I promise you will see me "rolling" on again!

Building a Fortress

I am stregthening my fortress walls this morning. What does this mean? Well for me it means I am working to block out the negativity and/or drama that threatens to invade my life. So rather than allowing myself to get worked up, I am taking a step back, inhaling deeply, and kicking that stuff out the front door! And just to be safe I am going to add a little extra protection in the way of a morning church service.

That being said, I have been having a really great weekend with family and friends! I am using today to refresh and prepare for the work week ahead. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday!

What's for dinner...

PIZZA! It would not be a lie if I confessed that today I had pizza from three different vendors. It started with my leftovers from the weekend from Domino's then some of my work staff ordered from Papa John's so I "had" to have another slice and then my husband asked me to pick up a pie at our local favorite. So here I am at the end of the night having consuming 5 slices of pizza in one day.!! Think maybe I am in a bit of a rut?

I know I have been really neglecting this portion of my blog. So I am hoping to get back on track by organizing our menus. Over the next few days I am going to make note cards with our entrees, veggies, and starches, etc. I will also search for a few new recipes. Each week prior to going grocery shopping we will make the menu selections using any combination of these note cards as well as trying to account for lunches on the weekend. I am officially OVER eating out these days and can't wait to eat something other than pizza! ;o)

Finding peace

I joke from time about how I need to settle down and find my "zen". You know the peaceful place where you are able to find joy and calm despite the chaos that surrounds you? At times, my personality conflicts with my desire to find calm. I am not sure my personality can be summed up in a "type" per se because I am a bit of an oxymoron. Fiery one minute, sensitive the next, carefree then worrisome, content and yet controlling. See? I am confusing!

So lately, I find myself at a crossroads. I am living the life I dreamed of but not HOW I dreamed I'd live it. So it is time to start again on my path to finding the peace and contentment in each day. I fully recognize there are things about my life that present challenges to this goal, like having a sometimes stressful job, living in the metro area and being the mother of a rambunctious toddler. Despite these things, I am determined to go down this path so I can feel good about the way I am living.

Here are my thoughts on how I will do about finding my "zen".

-Set time aside for prayer and meditation
-Spend time falling in love all over again. Stop and enjoy the man I married, put him back towards the top of my priority list
-Continue to stop and enjoy the moment with E
-Keep work frustrations in perspective (AKA Hold my tongue)
-Express gratitude for my blessings
-Enjoy nature by taking walks
-Schedule time for physical fitness
-Watch the things I put into my body
-Practice Yoga
-Plan for the the work week by picking out clothes, planning for lunches
-Stop hitting SNOOZE
-Ask for help
-Pet my pets (2 dogs and 1 kitten)
-Write, draw or paint for no purpose other than my own enjoyment
-Read books that I find interesting, fictional or non-fictional
-De clutter/downsize

I will continue to revisit this topic from time and let you know how it is coming along. The walk down this path really started for me last week. I am finding myself a little more calm already. The work week has started off more smoothly and I am realizing how greatly my sense of peace can impact my home and those that live there.

Keep on, keeping on...

Do you ever notice that many times in life you are faced with a choice? Quit or keep going? I know it is easier to quit at times, to let circumstances defeat you but when I look back on the joy I have been able to experience from perserverance...the choice is easy. Keep on, keeping on!

Summertime

Why is it that the summer months seem to go by so fast despite the length of the days? It seems like these past few months have flown by in a blink of an eye. Those of you who know me know that this really isn't a problem for me. I love the Fall. I mean REALLY love it. The summer is nice for the few days you spend at the beach and the pool but that's about it. My boy has been keeping himself busy this summer playing outside and helping around the house. Hope you are enjoying your summer and staying cool!

A blip on the radar screen....

I promise, I am coming back. I have missed blogging oh so much. I can't believe it has been this long. Just wanted to let you all know, I am still around...feisty as ever. We are just about in the final monht before Emory turns 2 and I am already busy planning out his birthday party. NK is doing good, hair keeps getting longer, and he is enjoying being out riding that motorcycle. The picture above is from our family trip to Atlantic City which I will tell you all about soon!