Wordless Wednesday

Painting a snake (with my help)

This is the result of army crawling and getting into places you don't belong.

Do you juggle?

Stock Photography - Businesswoman Juggling Clocks
BU009751 Photodisc Royalty Free Photograph

Do you juggle? I do and know that others do too. I was reading a blog over at simplemom.net, and really identified with what she had to say. She was talking about how moms tend to juggle many things at once. She gave a few tips on how to handle the many things that we juggle. Although I do agree with what she has to say, I don't think it is as simple as just following a few rules. At least it isn't for me anyways. I would still consider myself a novice (even though I have 2 kids) and know that I still have some things to improve on.

I hope I am improving but fear that sometimes I am not. I often ask myself the question is there a balance between being a mom and a professional. I don't know the answer. My problem lies first, from the fact that I demand so much from myself. I'm nearly 28 years old, so there's no turning that off. I realize that I put too much pressure on myself, but I don't know how to stop. Secondly, I can't do anything less than 100%. 100% to my family and 100% to my job. Well since 200% doesn't exist someone, be it my family or my job, always seem to be on the loosing end because I can't always give it my all.

It is an understatement to say that teachers are underestimated and underpaid. If teachers were given the credit they deserve and paid by the hour, many teachers would be able to retire at 45 instead of 60! Only we truly dedicated teachers know how true that is. There are those teachers who really live by the 7:30-3:30 time schedule or whatever their daily hours are, but for me, that doesn't work. I could work 12 hours a day and still bring stuff home. In fact, I do work 9-10 hours a couple days a week and still leave stuff to work on or bring it home for it to sit in the corner and stare at me with that glowing evil eye. I find myself waking up to still see it sitting in the same spot, arms crossed, wondering when I will pick it up and work. So I still bring it home, but the bag usually stays in the car. No more evil eye in the middle of the night!

Maybe it comes from disorganization or lack of time management, but I just can't seem to get everything done in a day that I want to. So what I don't get done today gets put off for tomorrow. So what happens? Yep, my scroll just keeps going an going! Does anyone else feel that way? Just curious. I try really hard to stay optimistic, but sometimes I just like to throw a pity party as Chad calls it and sulk for a moment about the many stresses of my life. Yes, I know that in the whole scheme of things, what I stress about is not that important. But they are to me, so just let me worry if you would.

So to wrap up this Friday Night Vent, if I could make my life what I wanted, I would be a jeanie. Then would I be happy? Probably not! Gez, I am a woman in case you forgot. LOL

Anyways, thanks for listening! I do feel better now that I got that off my chest!

The Sweetest Thing

Well,I've been waiting , let's see, 2 years, 3 weeks, and 2 days to hear the sweetest words to leave Marlee's mouth. Tonight she finally told me she loved me!

We did our regular bed routine: bath, book, and play with Chad and me in our bed. She's quite the manipulator these days. Anyways, I put her down in her bed, tucked her in and told her to have sweet dreams and gave her a kiss. As I walked away toward the door I said, " I love you Marlee!" and she said "love you" back to me.

Now, she will say she loves you on command, but this was the first time she has done it without being prompted. I went back to her bed to give her a kiss and told her she made my day. She, of course, jumped up to give me the kiss. As I walked away the second time, she said, "More Kiss, Momma!" So, I went back for a third kiss from the sweetest girl in the world!

I think all of our kisses and hugs and I love you's are finally starting to pay off. I see why we shouldn't sweat the small stuff and should just focus on the good things in life, like your two year old telling you she loves you!

Wordless Wednesday

My Kids!

7 Reasons Why I'm Lucky to be Cooper's Mommy

Cooper is 7 months old today! Here are 7 reasons I am lucky to be Cooper's mommy. (Don't worry, I'll do one for Marlee soon.)

1. I love it when he intently stares at me when he is nursing. (That's all before he falls asleep.) He has beautiful deep, dark brown eyes. They are story tellers themselves.

2. He greets me with a smile and aggressive leg kicking every time he sees me. His smile melts my heart a thousand times a day.

3. I love the way he cuddles in my arms when he is asleep. Sometimes I want to be selfish and have him sleep with me, but I don't want to mess up his independence. He's been a good sleeper since 3 months old. Like a champ, sleeping 10+ hours a night.

4. I love the way he watches and reacts to Marlee. He has a great sense of humor and laughs at the air sometimes.

5. I love his exploratory nature when he is studying something new. And again, you can read his face to know if he likes it or not.

6. I love his touch. He grasps my shirt or reaches out to touch me when he is nursing. I assume it is his way of assuring himself that I am still there.

7. I love his laid back personality like Chad. He sometimes looks at Marlee in all her glory, wrinkles his eyebrows, and I assume is saying to himself, "What the hell is wrong with her?!?!"

Cooper dressed in his first little jacket. So cute!

All smiles for the camera.

Look at those big brown eyes!

Music Man in the making! Look, he's sitting up too!

Football Time in TN!

Here are a few pictures from the Tennessee vs. Miss State game this past weekend. Nana came to keep the kids so Chad and I could go to our first night game in many years. It was perfect football weather, just chilly enough for long sleeve, pants, and a jacket.

The Pride of the Southland Band before the game.

Forming the Power T. I get chill bumps every time!

Running through the T to Rocky Top. Again, I get chill bumps every time.

Shot of the jumbotron at night.

UT just seconds before they scored a touchdown. Chad got the "right before" shot and the "right after" shot. He missed the one shot he wanted, UT scoring.

Quick and Easy Does It!

I am looking for SUPER easy recipes. With 2 kids and a full time job plus some, I have no time and no desire to cook big meals. So, I am on the lookout for really easy and healthy choices to eat. As many of you know, Chad is really only a chicken man. I can only fix chicken so many ways so many times. So, please leave me a comment of some quick and easy ideas (I'm looking for something other than Rachael Ray's 30 minute meals). Sandra Lee is more my style and affordability. LOL

In the meantime, here is something I found on sale at Kroger Sunday. It is the quickest way to make cupcakes. The bonus is that Marlee really feels like she is helping and there is hardly any mess to clean up afterwards!










Marlee patiently waited as I iced the cupcakes, so she got to lick the spoon. Then she got mad at me for taking her picture.

Family Fun

Here are some pictures of family fun over the last few weeks. I can't remember if I have shared any pictures of a neat idea I got from my friend's blog. It is called Muffin Tin Monday. I haven't gotten all creative with the themes, but Marlee really likes to "pick" what she eats. So, there are a few of those we have done. Also, there are a few pictures of Marlee climbing to the top of what she calls a mountain.
Marlee was so excited to get her picture taken. Do you notice her "neigh" pj's? It's a dress and she likes to dance around and make it swing from side to side.
Sibling love.
Queen of the mountain!
Round 1 with Muffin Tin food. She ate one bite of cottage cheese and the mac and cheese. Nothing else was appealing to her.
Coop's a big boy sitting up to eat now!
Playing with her horse and looking for rocks.
Round 2 with Muffin Tin Monday. She ate the peaches, raisins, and green beans. She did take a bite or two of yogurt.
I would LOVE to know what they are thinking as they are looking into each other's eyes.
Round 3 with Muffin Tin Monday. She ate most of the mashed potatoes, all of the green beans, no squash, a few bites of pork chops dipped in ketchup, and most of the bananas. She really wanted the cheese as I was getting her plate ready. It was still sitting there when she finished. Go figure.

Wannabe

I've known for a while that I was a "wannabe". This past weekend and today have helped confirm that for me. This past weekend was beautiful, and we spent most of it outside. Marlee is not a happier little person than when she is outside playing. She loves to be outdoors even if it consists of just sitting and listening to the birds chirp.

Ms. Karen, the sitter, called yesterday to tell us she was going to open late. She had a sick daughter and was taking her to the dr today. Chad has the flexibility in his schedule to stay home with the kids most of the time. He's taken on a new project and some people from Microsoft were coming in today to go over some things with him. So, I jumped at the opportunity to stay home. I am less than a week away from Fall Break, so I could use a little mini-vaca! LOL

Well we had another great day at home. I've enjoyed putting off the mounds of school work for some quality time with my 2 kids and a little house work here and there.

So, I'm a wannabe stay at home mom. Actually, I would be at home if things were going better with the house in GA. Oh, yeah, it's still there... sitting empty... draining our bank account... monthly. But hopefully a new realtor will help. And yes, Chad and I aren't oblivious to the reality that we can't bank roll GA and TN forever. We're talking about options for the future. Enough said...

Onto happier news...Coop has is 6 month checkup last week. He's growing right along. He weighs 17 pounds which puts him in the 40th percentile. He is in the 50th at 26 and1/4 in long. He's sitting up for a few minutes unassisted then topples over with that big head he has. LOL He's also started "baba-ing" and "dada-ing" in the last few days. He's enjoying SOME cereal and a FEW veggies. He has enjoyed sweet potatoes and green beans. He does NOT like peas. But who does, really? I'm gonna do carrots a few days this week then try fruits. We should hit a home run there.

I'll post some pictures a while later. Hope all is well. Please remember to visit Hayden Johnson's blog (at the top of my list) and pray for his recovery and family!

Take care!
K

Wordless Wednesday

More Birthday Weekend Fun!

Here are some more pictures from our weekend of celebrating Marlee's birthday.

Marlee and her "neigh" Sugar.
Marlee's "anio" as she calls it.
She got bashful when we started singing Happy Birthday!
She really picked out all of the decorations at Party City. She passed over Elmo and Mickey Mouse for the above.

Birthday Time in Tennessee!!

It was Birthday Time in Tennessee this past week! Marlee rocked all week long in the birthday department! It started with Chuck E Cheese and ended in Lewisburg with immediate family.

I'll let the picutres tell the story.

Caroline, Matthew, Marlee, and Cooper
Marlee's rain boots!
Marlee walking in her new high heels to her little 4-wheeler
Say "Cheese!"

Wordless Wednesday

I'm a day late, but I thought I would post these pictures anyways!