1. What is something that bothers you if its not done perfectly?
I sat and thought about this for quit some time........ The truth is I am not a perfectionist! There is very little that upsets me when it comes to doing some thing EXCEPT for one thing.
There is one thing that gets me worked up and mad if not done right, My COFFEE!!!! Well any food service really, if it is not the way it is supposed to be I am NOT a happy person but you make my Latte wrong.........! ; )
2. Do you think a 6th sense exists? Explain.
Yes, I do but it is not one that is well used. I believe that our 6th sense is the Holly Spirit. Most of us have had a time were you get a feeling and almost hear a voice from with in, a whispering to you that warns, encourages or drives you to some thing. It is only a whispering because God voice is quit and calm, you have to be tuned in to Him to her it, to choose to make the right choices. Satan is loud, he is the one that will over whelm you. He will try to be the loudest noise you hear just to keep you from hearing Christ. The thing is that once you have the Holy Spirit with in and you are walking with the Lord no matter how loud Satan gets he CAN'T drown out the voice of God!!!
3. Do you say your goodbyes slowly, quickly, or not at all?
I think I tend to start saying "goodbye" the min. I say "hello". I hate saying goodbyes, I have since I was a little girl.
Aug. 10th we went to the airport to get my sis, & her kids. They were moving from Okinawa Japan after 4yr. of living there to the closest they will EVER come to home. They are moving to Mt. Home Idaho!!! Practically next door : )
Any ways she came & stayed with us for a week & a half : )) But the second she got here I started to think about her leaving...... I know that we are hoping to spend the holidays together and then Cassidy & Gracie's birthdays BUT still a week & a half with my BEST of friends is just not enough! I HATE GOODBYES.........
4. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being hot hot hot, what level of spice do you like in your food? What is your favorite spicy dish?
I like things to have a kick, a good spice flavor....... but NOT hot!!! I would say a 2-3 at the MOST!
Fave spicy dis would be Coco's : )) YUMMMMM
5. What is one of your all time favorite commercial jingles?
When I was a child I LOVED commercial jingles. I would walk around the house singing them. My favorite was "I'm gonna wash that gray right out-a my hair......." LOL I'm a DORK!!!
6. Plane, train, boat or auto...your preferred method of travel?
Plane = scary but fast.
Train = never been on one, but think it would be fun.
Boat = I LOVE the water and riding the ferry, always wanted to go on a cruise.
Auto = across country road trip with the $$$ & time to see ALL the great, unique, wonderful things in our country is awesome!
7. What is something you take for granted?
The benefits, security, & opportunity we had while in the Air force........
Don't get me wrong, I love the things God has blessed us with since getting out of the AF but life was a bit easier then (at times).
8. Insert your own random thought here.
My sweet, good friend that I miss terribly......... used this quote and I think it is perfect for were I am today!
"You can't roll your sleeves up while you wring your hands."
I love that!!!!! And am going to focus on this as I go about doing the things I need to get done
: )
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Goulash ........
What is goulash??? Well I will tell you. It is some thing my grandma made for her family and my mother made it for our family growing up. I have my self never made it for my family.... yet!
It is basically a pot of what ever you have in your cupboard or more so the weeks uneaten left overs. Sound good? Well it can be : ) Typically for us growing up it was ground turkey or beef cooked, tomato based (what ever you have, you make it work) beans, ketchup, brown sugar, a veggie (mom always used corn), noodles and what ever else you think will taste good and have.
I thought of this dish today because I was reading a friends blog and she did this Wednesday hodgepodge thing were she answered random question just to get some thoughts out of her head and "declutter". I loved this idea but decided to make it a bit my own. I am calling it "goulash" because of what goulash is and how it is made it fits. I am going to try to every week (hopefully on Wednesdays) I will answer some random questions in my blog. I think of a billion, or at least 4 different things to blog about through the week and when I sit down to type it out I go blank!!! So annoying.......
Also, like a good goulash that is filled with tasty bits and pieces of the weeks dishes that are to small to feed some one a whole meal but when added together makes some thing good and filling! My hope is that my goulash blog will become filled with all the bits and pieces of thoughts running through my head and when added all together here become good!
So here we go......
1) Favorite Song Lyric:
When I look into my file of memory of all the MANY songs I love the one that pops out the most is from Tim McGraw's song "Felt Good on My Lips". The chorus starts like this.....
3) Money, fame, happiness.
Money- It is in many ways an evil, it is the cause of so much grief, pain & heart ache. BUT with out it we can't really survive. Would I like more of it? Yes, but really only enough to live off of and a tiny bit extra to go do as a family with.
Fame- Aren't I already famous??? LOL I always WANTED to be when growing up, like ridiculously famous! By definition I am..... sorta ; )
FAMOUS:
having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated:
Happiness- I have plenty of it!!! I am by nature a happy person. As my dear Tutu (grandma) would say "life it short and it's what you make of it!" I live by this.
4) What is your favorite dish to prepare for family and friends that doesn't require turning on the stove, oven or an outdoor grill?
COCO'S....... it is a dish Josh & I perfected before we left Okinawa, we discovered it there, you get it at a diner type of restaurant. It is a curry but not Indian curry. We fell in love with this dish!
To make it you take chicken (tenders are best) then bread them in a panko breading and fry in the fryer. Your pour the curry (can be made in mricro, not recommended) over rice (made in rice cooker) then topped with chicken and shredded cheese!!! YUMMMMM......
5) The 1st week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week. What is one thing you could do this week to simplify your life? Will you do it?
Oh.... man! I have so many little things I could do. But I would say I really have the worst time getting out the door on time, I know if I planned ahead, got ready first thing, and got the kids to set out clothes the night before, OH and NOT check FB or email the day of. It would be WAY.... better! Will I, I will try (know promises)!
6) On a scale of 1 - 10 (with 10 being 100% and 1 being not at all) how tuned in are you to your country's national political scene?
LOL..... this is a funny one because when I was a kid I HATED any thing to do with politics! As I got older my dad would say to me "Amber, it is you right & duty to know what is going on and to make it better" . So then a 1
It wasn't till the last few years that I started to tune in more. NOW, well I am really fallowing, Josh & I would say the ideas are more REVOLUTIONARY, but they are not NEW ideas. Small government and individual liberties are, after all, what this country was FOUNDED on. and he has started a blog to share the truth we have been held from.... (Here's your plug babe!) if you are interested in reading it go to his blog at
www.redpillpharmacy.blogspot.com
Now a 9
7) What are your final parting words to the month of July?
Thanks for nothing........ regarding the lack of summer weather!
8) My own random thought
Well Aug. is always a crazy month in the Sawicki house, we started football on Mon. cheer starts in a week or so, the moms group I am co-coordinating just had our "all day planning extravaganza". We are finishing up details for home schooling in Sept. our family has a HUGE picnic coming up on the h, my sister & family are moving next door (as in Idaho), camping, and Maxx's 12th birthday (my baby is going to be 12!!!) to end the month on the 30th.......
Few, I'm already worn out ; ) but looks like I should have plenty to talk about!!! Here is to August WA folk, may we finally get the summer we have been waiting for!
It is basically a pot of what ever you have in your cupboard or more so the weeks uneaten left overs. Sound good? Well it can be : ) Typically for us growing up it was ground turkey or beef cooked, tomato based (what ever you have, you make it work) beans, ketchup, brown sugar, a veggie (mom always used corn), noodles and what ever else you think will taste good and have.
I thought of this dish today because I was reading a friends blog and she did this Wednesday hodgepodge thing were she answered random question just to get some thoughts out of her head and "declutter". I loved this idea but decided to make it a bit my own. I am calling it "goulash" because of what goulash is and how it is made it fits. I am going to try to every week (hopefully on Wednesdays) I will answer some random questions in my blog. I think of a billion, or at least 4 different things to blog about through the week and when I sit down to type it out I go blank!!! So annoying.......
Also, like a good goulash that is filled with tasty bits and pieces of the weeks dishes that are to small to feed some one a whole meal but when added together makes some thing good and filling! My hope is that my goulash blog will become filled with all the bits and pieces of thoughts running through my head and when added all together here become good!
So here we go......
1) Favorite Song Lyric:
When I look into my file of memory of all the MANY songs I love the one that pops out the most is from Tim McGraw's song "Felt Good on My Lips". The chorus starts like this.....
Oh oh oh I wanna go crazy You can go crazy too Oh oh oh I wanna go crazy....2) Last time someone yelled at you:
LOL the song is a favorite of mine and absolutely not about what I think of when I hear it.
I have it as my ring tone currently and it feels like every time my phone rings I am hearing the theme song to my life : )
I probably get yelled yet by Alivia once a day but she is a toddler learning acceptable behavior. But other then that I'd have to say it has been a while since I have been "yelled" at. The closest I'd say was on Mon. I received a text from a dear friend basically going off on me about my lack of time I have spent with her and my time she feels I spend with another friend. This is GREATLY upsetting to me because I love this frind and have felt that she hasn't really made time for me.... The thing that hurt me the most was that the last time we were supposed to get together I had to cancel because Alivia was PUKING...... seems reasonable to me but!? I am hoping to smooth thins out with her and talk about "life" soon. I honestly was really put off by the FIVE page text I got over it. : (
3) Money, fame, happiness.
Money- It is in many ways an evil, it is the cause of so much grief, pain & heart ache. BUT with out it we can't really survive. Would I like more of it? Yes, but really only enough to live off of and a tiny bit extra to go do as a family with.
Fame- Aren't I already famous??? LOL I always WANTED to be when growing up, like ridiculously famous! By definition I am..... sorta ; )
FAMOUS:
having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated:
Happiness- I have plenty of it!!! I am by nature a happy person. As my dear Tutu (grandma) would say "life it short and it's what you make of it!" I live by this.
4) What is your favorite dish to prepare for family and friends that doesn't require turning on the stove, oven or an outdoor grill?
COCO'S....... it is a dish Josh & I perfected before we left Okinawa, we discovered it there, you get it at a diner type of restaurant. It is a curry but not Indian curry. We fell in love with this dish!
To make it you take chicken (tenders are best) then bread them in a panko breading and fry in the fryer. Your pour the curry (can be made in mricro, not recommended) over rice (made in rice cooker) then topped with chicken and shredded cheese!!! YUMMMMM......
5) The 1st week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week. What is one thing you could do this week to simplify your life? Will you do it?
Oh.... man! I have so many little things I could do. But I would say I really have the worst time getting out the door on time, I know if I planned ahead, got ready first thing, and got the kids to set out clothes the night before, OH and NOT check FB or email the day of. It would be WAY.... better! Will I, I will try (know promises)!
6) On a scale of 1 - 10 (with 10 being 100% and 1 being not at all) how tuned in are you to your country's national political scene?
LOL..... this is a funny one because when I was a kid I HATED any thing to do with politics! As I got older my dad would say to me "Amber, it is you right & duty to know what is going on and to make it better" . So then a 1
It wasn't till the last few years that I started to tune in more. NOW, well I am really fallowing, Josh & I would say the ideas are more REVOLUTIONARY, but they are not NEW ideas. Small government and individual liberties are, after all, what this country was FOUNDED on. and he has started a blog to share the truth we have been held from.... (Here's your plug babe!) if you are interested in reading it go to his blog at
www.redpillpharmacy.blogspot.c
Now a 9
7) What are your final parting words to the month of July?
Thanks for nothing........ regarding the lack of summer weather!
8) My own random thought
Well Aug. is always a crazy month in the Sawicki house, we started football on Mon. cheer starts in a week or so, the moms group I am co-coordinating just had our "all day planning extravaganza". We are finishing up details for home schooling in Sept. our family has a HUGE picnic coming up on the h, my sister & family are moving next door (as in Idaho), camping, and Maxx's 12th birthday (my baby is going to be 12!!!) to end the month on the 30th.......
Few, I'm already worn out ; ) but looks like I should have plenty to talk about!!! Here is to August WA folk, may we finally get the summer we have been waiting for!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
My crispy is about to get a little more crunky.......
Life is moving along in the fast lane here in the Sawicki house........ As always!
Base/softball wrapped up a few weeks ago and though I love being at the ball park and watching my kids & husband on the field I am really happy that this season is over! With Josh coaching Gracie, Maxx & Myles being on separate teams and being down to one car during it all. It was just to much to handle!!! BUT I am already looking forward to next year...... LOL
We got the kids report cards in the mail the other day and I couldn't be any more proud! They all ended the year with high remarks and wonderful comments from their teachers. Josh & I feel blessed to have such great kids : )
That being said......
Last year at the start of summer I pondered the thought of home schooling and felt after a few weeks that it was just NOT for me! I know many women that home school and make it look so easy and great, but I just felt that I didn't have what it takes. So ours kids went to school yet again and in the back of my mind I felt unsure of my decision.
So here we are, school is over, summer is starting, and...... not only am I considering home schooling but so is Josh! With the way things have been going in our world lately we both feel that though the teachers are doing a wonderful job at teaching our kids what the schools are allowing them to teach. It is the things they aren't teaching them that bother us! We want our kids to get MORE then what they can/are getting from a class room. I am not saying any thing bad about the schools or teachers here, this is a decision that we have been praying over and tossing around in our heads for a while.
Josh & I want our kids to be able to grow beyond the pre-folded box that the school systems have made for them and be able to be "out of the box" thinkers and doers! We have more feelings that run deeper on the subject but unless you directly ask me about them this is were I will leave it for now.
As of last night we have decided to give home schooling a try.....
Am I nervous? YES!
Do I know what we are getting into? NO, not really!
Do I believe this is with God's blessing? YES!
Is it going to be hard? YES!!!!!
But the things I am sure about is that Josh & I made this decision together to support each other in this and do what we feel is going to benefit our kids in the up most way.
Oh wait! How do the kids feel about this???? They are thrilled! We have talked & talked about this with them making sure they ALL know what this means and they are so on board with it. It just reassures me that this is God's will for our family.
Now we have so many questions and things to figure out. We have to get the family room set up for a class room and I need prayers and any bits of advice!!!
Really I am excited about it and looking forward to the blessings it will bring!
Base/softball wrapped up a few weeks ago and though I love being at the ball park and watching my kids & husband on the field I am really happy that this season is over! With Josh coaching Gracie, Maxx & Myles being on separate teams and being down to one car during it all. It was just to much to handle!!! BUT I am already looking forward to next year...... LOL
We got the kids report cards in the mail the other day and I couldn't be any more proud! They all ended the year with high remarks and wonderful comments from their teachers. Josh & I feel blessed to have such great kids : )
That being said......
Last year at the start of summer I pondered the thought of home schooling and felt after a few weeks that it was just NOT for me! I know many women that home school and make it look so easy and great, but I just felt that I didn't have what it takes. So ours kids went to school yet again and in the back of my mind I felt unsure of my decision.
So here we are, school is over, summer is starting, and...... not only am I considering home schooling but so is Josh! With the way things have been going in our world lately we both feel that though the teachers are doing a wonderful job at teaching our kids what the schools are allowing them to teach. It is the things they aren't teaching them that bother us! We want our kids to get MORE then what they can/are getting from a class room. I am not saying any thing bad about the schools or teachers here, this is a decision that we have been praying over and tossing around in our heads for a while.
Josh & I want our kids to be able to grow beyond the pre-folded box that the school systems have made for them and be able to be "out of the box" thinkers and doers! We have more feelings that run deeper on the subject but unless you directly ask me about them this is were I will leave it for now.
As of last night we have decided to give home schooling a try.....
Am I nervous? YES!
Do I know what we are getting into? NO, not really!
Do I believe this is with God's blessing? YES!
Is it going to be hard? YES!!!!!
But the things I am sure about is that Josh & I made this decision together to support each other in this and do what we feel is going to benefit our kids in the up most way.
Oh wait! How do the kids feel about this???? They are thrilled! We have talked & talked about this with them making sure they ALL know what this means and they are so on board with it. It just reassures me that this is God's will for our family.
Now we have so many questions and things to figure out. We have to get the family room set up for a class room and I need prayers and any bits of advice!!!
Really I am excited about it and looking forward to the blessings it will bring!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
It's NOT always sunny in Poulsbo!
Today is MAY 24th 2011........ Ok, so what?! I will tell you what!
It is almost stinking JUNE and I am looking out at cloudy, gray skies with a possible high of 66 and rain predicted for the next week!!!! Now I understand that 66 isn't to bad and some love this weather, I DON'T! In my perfect world it would be sunny with a few (very few) puffy white clouds floating by and it would be in the upper 70's. But no, it is this God awful weather and I feel like I am beginning to suffocate in it! I need LIGHT & SUN. The weather here alone is enough to make me want to move!
Josh & I moved with our 3 kids to Poulsbo In January 2006, 5 years (& counting) ago. We left our dream city for the health of our family. At the time the place was right but not the environment. So we packed up and rolled out of town in the middle of the night (a story for another day maybe). We chose Poulsbo for really one reason, it was familiar . We had family here and near here and I spent summers here with my Aunt from birth on.
Looking back now I see that God called us here for many reasons : ) We are grateful for that and blessed by the love, support and friends that have come into our life. These last five years have been amazing! We gained the family we did not have & needed through this place & our church, what was formally known as Christ Memorial and is now Gateway Fellowship. I don't think it could be possible to fit into one blog the blessings and amazing shows of love Christ has filled our family with in our time here. My eyes fill with tears as my memory is flooded with the events in witch God has touched our life! To name a very few of the most significant things would be these and in no real order.
* Josh started to build his relationship with Christ
* I over came my insecurities, I'm not nor will I ever be totally free from them. But I can live strong, secure, and firm in who Christ is shaping me to be as a women, wife, mother and friend!
* My kids have been saved and know who their savor is!
* I was blessed with being a part of the moms group
* God gave Josh a job.
* Our family was given Alivia
* Through my dad's terrible death we have found life!
* Friends that I know with out a doubt would wake at 3am to be there for me & my family!!!
There is so much more but you get the point, we are richly blessed!
So here is the real question.
Why would any one want to move if God has given you so much and things are so good?
Well.........
1~ Poulsbo was never intended to be forever, we all knew that.
2~ Josh and I have felt the stir and pull to move on from Christ for quit some time now.
3~ Josh has a secure job for a great company that isn't paying him enough to support a family of 6 and as our kids get older it is getting more expensive to support them.
4~ The weather is depressing....... This last winter was so hard on us, especially Josh! He/we need warmer sunnier weather.
5~ If God is calling you to do some thing you should do it.
6~ Why wouldn't we go? We believe that when things are good and you become comfortable it is time to move (not always location but take action, get out of your comfort zone). God can't grow you if you aren't willing to get stretched and flexible!!!
So we are entering June, our lease is up in March 2012, if God wants this to happen then we will hold faith and follow His calls..... It just better be warm & sunny ; )
One thing more to add, One of the most important things I have learned is that being with those I LOVE is enough...... it doesn't always mean family, I don't need a fancy car or a big ne
w house, all I need is the ones I love and I'll be okay : )
Well the sun just came out, I better go get what vitamin D I can before it's gone again!!!
It is almost stinking JUNE and I am looking out at cloudy, gray skies with a possible high of 66 and rain predicted for the next week!!!! Now I understand that 66 isn't to bad and some love this weather, I DON'T! In my perfect world it would be sunny with a few (very few) puffy white clouds floating by and it would be in the upper 70's. But no, it is this God awful weather and I feel like I am beginning to suffocate in it! I need LIGHT & SUN. The weather here alone is enough to make me want to move!
Josh & I moved with our 3 kids to Poulsbo In January 2006, 5 years (& counting) ago. We left our dream city for the health of our family. At the time the place was right but not the environment. So we packed up and rolled out of town in the middle of the night (a story for another day maybe). We chose Poulsbo for really one reason, it was familiar . We had family here and near here and I spent summers here with my Aunt from birth on.
Looking back now I see that God called us here for many reasons : ) We are grateful for that and blessed by the love, support and friends that have come into our life. These last five years have been amazing! We gained the family we did not have & needed through this place & our church, what was formally known as Christ Memorial and is now Gateway Fellowship. I don't think it could be possible to fit into one blog the blessings and amazing shows of love Christ has filled our family with in our time here. My eyes fill with tears as my memory is flooded with the events in witch God has touched our life! To name a very few of the most significant things would be these and in no real order.
* Josh started to build his relationship with Christ
* I over came my insecurities, I'm not nor will I ever be totally free from them. But I can live strong, secure, and firm in who Christ is shaping me to be as a women, wife, mother and friend!
* My kids have been saved and know who their savor is!
* I was blessed with being a part of the moms group
* God gave Josh a job.
* Our family was given Alivia
* Through my dad's terrible death we have found life!
* Friends that I know with out a doubt would wake at 3am to be there for me & my family!!!
There is so much more but you get the point, we are richly blessed!
So here is the real question.
Why would any one want to move if God has given you so much and things are so good?
Well.........
1~ Poulsbo was never intended to be forever, we all knew that.
2~ Josh and I have felt the stir and pull to move on from Christ for quit some time now.
3~ Josh has a secure job for a great company that isn't paying him enough to support a family of 6 and as our kids get older it is getting more expensive to support them.
4~ The weather is depressing....... This last winter was so hard on us, especially Josh! He/we need warmer sunnier weather.
5~ If God is calling you to do some thing you should do it.
6~ Why wouldn't we go? We believe that when things are good and you become comfortable it is time to move (not always location but take action, get out of your comfort zone). God can't grow you if you aren't willing to get stretched and flexible!!!
So we are entering June, our lease is up in March 2012, if God wants this to happen then we will hold faith and follow His calls..... It just better be warm & sunny ; )
One thing more to add, One of the most important things I have learned is that being with those I LOVE is enough...... it doesn't always mean family, I don't need a fancy car or a big ne
w house, all I need is the ones I love and I'll be okay : )Well the sun just came out, I better go get what vitamin D I can before it's gone again!!!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sugar, gardening, babies & other addicting habbits......
I am so excited to have my "lil pinky" (pink little laptop) back up & running!!! Like many of the broken things around my house they have to wait in a government length line before getting proper attention and being fixed. LOL It is not that my man can't or wont fix them it is just that there is really never time.
His day goes some thing like this...
5:00 am- alarm goes off
5:10 am- snooze
5:20 am- snooze
5:30 am- finally out of bed
6:00 am- get to work
work
work
work
2:00 pm - leave work
2:15 pm - home
2:30 pm - P90X (work out with me)!
3:40 pm - run out door to get boys from school
4:00 pm - back with boys
4:05 pm - home work/get caught up on days events
4:30 pm - get ready for base/softball
4:45 pm - out the door to game and/or practices
on average the games are 6-8 but Maxx does have games till 10:00pm some nights!!!
8:30 pm - all showered
9:00 pm - ALL KIDS IN BED!!!
9 - 11pm - Josh & I sit staring blankly at TV & computer to exhausted for "married" time or even meaningful conversation....
11:00 pm - go to bed
11:01 pm - OUT LIKE A LIGHT!!!
So how could he get any thing else done?! I know there are people that think we are crazy, insane and nuts. The truth is some times we are!!! We talk about this often and question ourselves at times but this is what our kids like and we do too. Josh too LOVED playing sports as a child and wanted nothing more then to have his family there in the stands cheering him on. So now that his kids are choosing (it is always their choice) to play sports he is determined to be on the field or in the stands and ALWAYS supporting them. They could choose to play (cough... choke, wink, wink) soccer of all things and he would pull through his horror and cheer them on.
: ) He is a great dad and I love his devotion to supporting his kids!
On to my addition......
Hello my name is Amber and I'm a sugarholic.
In my some what recent decision to take my weight serious and get healthy I had to evaluate my diet/eating habits. I realized that there was some things that had to GO..... pop aka soda-gone, fast food-see ya, easy ready to cook processed food-wont miss it, sodium-don't need it, but sugar....? Sweet, yummy, white, brown, powdered sugar!? Oh now that is another story!!! I can cut it WAY back, almost to nothing and then BAM it calls to me from a maple donut or a choco cup cake with pink icing. I walk by it eyes focusing on a juicy, sweet, crisp apple and tell it "no baby, I only have eyes for you. I promise!" LIES...... I sit on a mountain of lies. Poor apple, it never had a chance, all it wants to do is be faithful and love me but I go and cheat on it with a spoon in the frosting jar! "sob, sob"
Never the less I go on after each fling or affair and reset my thinking with a new attitude! One day I will prove myself to you apple, we will be together. don't give up on me yet!
BABIES...... I love them almost as much as sugar ; )
Josh & I have closed the baby making shop, locked the door and walked away but I can't help it...... Alivia is 2 and I have baby fever! I know it will pass but I am obsessed. I will see a prego momma and my hand will subconsciously rub my belly, I will hear one cry in a store and get the urge to nurse, I see a new momma 3 days deep in sleepless nights and I want to "rescue" her by "borrowing" her baby for a day, month or year! It is a sick problem...... one I know I will get over some day, I hope! In the mean time I will snuggle the love-O-lishes Evie and all the other sweet smelling babies in my life : )) Don't worry, I wont go taking one. Josh would only make me give it back any ways! ; )
Well I was going to touch on gardening but this post has given me carpal tunnel so I'll touch on that next time, now that lil pinky is back in service!!!
His day goes some thing like this...
5:00 am- alarm goes off
5:10 am- snooze
5:20 am- snooze
5:30 am- finally out of bed
6:00 am- get to work
work
work
work
2:00 pm - leave work
2:15 pm - home
2:30 pm - P90X (work out with me)!
3:40 pm - run out door to get boys from school
4:00 pm - back with boys
4:05 pm - home work/get caught up on days events
4:30 pm - get ready for base/softball
4:45 pm - out the door to game and/or practices
on average the games are 6-8 but Maxx does have games till 10:00pm some nights!!!
8:30 pm - all showered
9:00 pm - ALL KIDS IN BED!!!
9 - 11pm - Josh & I sit staring blankly at TV & computer to exhausted for "married" time or even meaningful conversation....
11:00 pm - go to bed
11:01 pm - OUT LIKE A LIGHT!!!
So how could he get any thing else done?! I know there are people that think we are crazy, insane and nuts. The truth is some times we are!!! We talk about this often and question ourselves at times but this is what our kids like and we do too. Josh too LOVED playing sports as a child and wanted nothing more then to have his family there in the stands cheering him on. So now that his kids are choosing (it is always their choice) to play sports he is determined to be on the field or in the stands and ALWAYS supporting them. They could choose to play (cough... choke, wink, wink) soccer of all things and he would pull through his horror and cheer them on.
: ) He is a great dad and I love his devotion to supporting his kids!
On to my addition......
Hello my name is Amber and I'm a sugarholic.
In my some what recent decision to take my weight serious and get healthy I had to evaluate my diet/eating habits. I realized that there was some things that had to GO..... pop aka soda-gone, fast food-see ya, easy ready to cook processed food-wont miss it, sodium-don't need it, but sugar....? Sweet, yummy, white, brown, powdered sugar!? Oh now that is another story!!! I can cut it WAY back, almost to nothing and then BAM it calls to me from a maple donut or a choco cup cake with pink icing. I walk by it eyes focusing on a juicy, sweet, crisp apple and tell it "no baby, I only have eyes for you. I promise!" LIES...... I sit on a mountain of lies. Poor apple, it never had a chance, all it wants to do is be faithful and love me but I go and cheat on it with a spoon in the frosting jar! "sob, sob"
Never the less I go on after each fling or affair and reset my thinking with a new attitude! One day I will prove myself to you apple, we will be together. don't give up on me yet!
BABIES...... I love them almost as much as sugar ; )
Josh & I have closed the baby making shop, locked the door and walked away but I can't help it...... Alivia is 2 and I have baby fever! I know it will pass but I am obsessed. I will see a prego momma and my hand will subconsciously rub my belly, I will hear one cry in a store and get the urge to nurse, I see a new momma 3 days deep in sleepless nights and I want to "rescue" her by "borrowing" her baby for a day, month or year! It is a sick problem...... one I know I will get over some day, I hope! In the mean time I will snuggle the love-O-lishes Evie and all the other sweet smelling babies in my life : )) Don't worry, I wont go taking one. Josh would only make me give it back any ways! ; )
Well I was going to touch on gardening but this post has given me carpal tunnel so I'll touch on that next time, now that lil pinky is back in service!!!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Dream birth
I felt compelled to post my feelings about birth (my birth) tonight on a facebook page I am a fan of. It is a page focused on birth with out fear, some thing I wholeheartedly believe in!!! this was my post and how I feel.
At 22yr I had my first baby and that bubble was popped, here I was a young military momma and I had NO ONE in my corner giving me the advise, encouragement, and most of all the confidence to go against what I was being told was right vs. what I KNEW my body could do if given the chance! Sadly because I had one c-sec I was told from day one that #2 would have to most likely be the same (that was a midwife, I was trying for a v-bac!) then #3 they told me I was out of my mind to even consider a v-bac, by #4 I had crushed my dream of birthing a baby rather then it being ripped out of me in a cold sterile room.
Now I am done having babies but the fight in me for momma's to KNOW all the facts, feel supported and realize that they can say no, ask questions and be supported in their decision of birth WHAT EVER THAT IS it as strong as ever! I wasn't given that chance and I mourn the loss of that dream every day....
Thank God for there being women focused on education, support, and encouraging women to not be afraid of birth but to be strong, go for your dream birth!!!
Now I am done having babies but the fight in me for momma's to KNOW all the facts, feel supported and realize that they can say no, ask questions and be supported in their decision of birth WHAT EVER THAT IS it as strong as ever! I wasn't given that chance and I mourn the loss of that dream every day....
Thank God for there being women focused on education, support, and encouraging women to not be afraid of birth but to be strong, go for your dream birth!!!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Lately the subject of parenting has been on the front of my mind and in the conversations of my friends.
Ok, Ok, I know we are moms, isn't it ALWAYS!? Not really, but the moms group I belong to just had two back to back studies on boundaries in parenting and one of my close friends that has a 2yr old has recently been entering a new stage in boundaries with her lil one. This has had me thinking about me as a momma.
Being a parent, what is that?
When I was a young girl being a "Mommy" was all I dreamed of. Having a baby and a husband was all I ever wanted, really! In my senior year I had to write a paper about what I wanted to be when I grew up (where will I be in 10yr. thing). My paper was about being a momma & a wife. : ) I got an A!
Then my idea of being a mom had nothing to do with parenting. I had no understanding that to have a baby and raise it meant I'd have to be a parent. Parents were the uncool, rule making, never right, annoying people we are supposed to obey and respect as children to teenagers. Not mommies of sweet little babies! Yes, this reality is just hitting me now as a 34yr old mother of 4 for that last 12 years.....
Josh & I were thrilled about becoming a mommy & daddy when we found out we were pregnant with Maxx. In less then 3 minutes two pink lines where telling us our life had just changed forever! When (almost to the day) a year later we found out we were adding another to our little family we were over joyed! This same excitement carried with each child we were blessed with. Never did I ask myself what this all meant, maybe it's normal maybe I'm crazy but it's how it was.
With the challenges that came and the years that went by we dealt with each as it was. Some things we did really good and others not so much. But the one thing I did realize was "it's not all about sweet coos, late night snuggles, gentle moments and all those baby smiles"! WHAT??? I said I wanted to be a MOMMY, did any one get that!?
Here I am elbows deep in baby poop, a husband I barely see doing his best to support our VERY young family, no sleep, no money, crying, so much crying...... stress, tantrums, spanking vs. time outs, feedings, clingy-ness, and just all out wrong, all wrong! Why was this not the picture perfect scene I saw in my youthful dreams? Why hadn't any one told me that it was going to be like this? Now I am not saying it has ALL been bad or hard, just more so then I expected. There were many of those sweet moments, if not we wouldn't have kept on having kids but I was taken off guard.
So your saying being a mommy means parenting.....? Yep Amber they are the SAME! It is true you, mommy, have to set limits, make the call, know when to go and ask and when to trust yourself. You, lil momma are responsible for raising these children into adults. You have to know when to love by loving and love by discipline. This is hard! There is so many thoughts on this subject. Many people think they have all the answers and push you to do as they believe in parenting. Now don't hear me wrong, I am not saying they are all wrong or right. I just feel that some of the louder opinions out there push their views because if every one is doing it it can't be wrong! WRONG!!! Sorry but there is some crazy people out there raising kids.
I am NOT a perfect parent. Most days I consider my self mediocre. But I know that what matters is that every day I try. I wake up striving to be a better mom then the day before (it doesn't always work but I try). I wanted to be this confident, calm, loving mom that is always cool and ready. Not this frazzled, fretting, half crazy women that has 4 kids and feels like it's 20! I have 4 kids, it is a lot, a lot of so much wonderful things but a lot of work.
My point.......
There is so much more to being a mother. There is more then one way to raise a happy, loving, healthy child, and no parent on this planet will ever raise a perfect child. What matters at the end of the day is how much you try, how much you give to the Lord, and how much grace you allow your self in your role as a momma.
I now see that I am a parent. In the eyes of my children I can see the seed of the thought "uncool, rule making, never right, annoying person we are supposed to obey and respect as children to teenager......" and I'm ok with that. I am their parent. It is a blessing and a gift from God. He gave these children to Josh & I to love, raise, teach and send out to hopefully become good PARENTS
: ) some day.
If I succeed at this, I've done ok.
Ok, Ok, I know we are moms, isn't it ALWAYS!? Not really, but the moms group I belong to just had two back to back studies on boundaries in parenting and one of my close friends that has a 2yr old has recently been entering a new stage in boundaries with her lil one. This has had me thinking about me as a momma.
Being a parent, what is that?
When I was a young girl being a "Mommy" was all I dreamed of. Having a baby and a husband was all I ever wanted, really! In my senior year I had to write a paper about what I wanted to be when I grew up (where will I be in 10yr. thing). My paper was about being a momma & a wife. : ) I got an A!
Then my idea of being a mom had nothing to do with parenting. I had no understanding that to have a baby and raise it meant I'd have to be a parent. Parents were the uncool, rule making, never right, annoying people we are supposed to obey and respect as children to teenagers. Not mommies of sweet little babies! Yes, this reality is just hitting me now as a 34yr old mother of 4 for that last 12 years.....
Josh & I were thrilled about becoming a mommy & daddy when we found out we were pregnant with Maxx. In less then 3 minutes two pink lines where telling us our life had just changed forever! When (almost to the day) a year later we found out we were adding another to our little family we were over joyed! This same excitement carried with each child we were blessed with. Never did I ask myself what this all meant, maybe it's normal maybe I'm crazy but it's how it was.
With the challenges that came and the years that went by we dealt with each as it was. Some things we did really good and others not so much. But the one thing I did realize was "it's not all about sweet coos, late night snuggles, gentle moments and all those baby smiles"! WHAT??? I said I wanted to be a MOMMY, did any one get that!?
Here I am elbows deep in baby poop, a husband I barely see doing his best to support our VERY young family, no sleep, no money, crying, so much crying...... stress, tantrums, spanking vs. time outs, feedings, clingy-ness, and just all out wrong, all wrong! Why was this not the picture perfect scene I saw in my youthful dreams? Why hadn't any one told me that it was going to be like this? Now I am not saying it has ALL been bad or hard, just more so then I expected. There were many of those sweet moments, if not we wouldn't have kept on having kids but I was taken off guard.
So your saying being a mommy means parenting.....? Yep Amber they are the SAME! It is true you, mommy, have to set limits, make the call, know when to go and ask and when to trust yourself. You, lil momma are responsible for raising these children into adults. You have to know when to love by loving and love by discipline. This is hard! There is so many thoughts on this subject. Many people think they have all the answers and push you to do as they believe in parenting. Now don't hear me wrong, I am not saying they are all wrong or right. I just feel that some of the louder opinions out there push their views because if every one is doing it it can't be wrong! WRONG!!! Sorry but there is some crazy people out there raising kids.
I am NOT a perfect parent. Most days I consider my self mediocre. But I know that what matters is that every day I try. I wake up striving to be a better mom then the day before (it doesn't always work but I try). I wanted to be this confident, calm, loving mom that is always cool and ready. Not this frazzled, fretting, half crazy women that has 4 kids and feels like it's 20! I have 4 kids, it is a lot, a lot of so much wonderful things but a lot of work.
My point.......
There is so much more to being a mother. There is more then one way to raise a happy, loving, healthy child, and no parent on this planet will ever raise a perfect child. What matters at the end of the day is how much you try, how much you give to the Lord, and how much grace you allow your self in your role as a momma.
I now see that I am a parent. In the eyes of my children I can see the seed of the thought "uncool, rule making, never right, annoying person we are supposed to obey and respect as children to teenager......" and I'm ok with that. I am their parent. It is a blessing and a gift from God. He gave these children to Josh & I to love, raise, teach and send out to hopefully become good PARENTS
: ) some day.
If I succeed at this, I've done ok.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
2yr olds, baseball bats and yoga mats.....
My Alivia Joan is 27 and a half months old (2yr. 3months). We have hit the independent, self reliant, some times bossy, very sweet, loving, happy, curious, cranky, giggly, exploring, singing and dancing age! To wrap it up in a small package she is wonderful. I will say though, with the boys and Gracie at time it seemed a lot easier to have them all 3 in that age group together. One toddler alone can be exhausting : ) My day consist of "momma help" one min. then "NO.. I do it" the next, every thing from getting into the car and doing her own seat belt to getting herself down from the table and putting her plate/bowl into the sink! She is very much her own person and nothing in this world is going to keep her feet from moving forward. Most of the time I really have no issues with it but what we are running late due to my poor time management and she is losing it over her car seat buckle I admit I too feel like losing it!!! We are getting through it most days.....
I love this age, she is really so much fun! She is such a good girl Josh looked at me the other day and said "if I could have a guarantee all babies were this good, we would have more." Say what?! LOl a bit to late babe, sorry!
Our family has now moved from our winter sport of wrestling to our spring sport of base/softball. Josh had originally planned on coaching the boys but due to low numbers wasn't able to but then was asked to coach a softball team (Gracie's). I honestly enjoy being a coaches wife, and he is good at it and it makes him happy.
People think we are nuts for being busy, we get comments ALL the time like "man, your crazy" or "you poor thing, always going and doing". So I will say it and put it out there, yes we are busy, yes we like it, no my kids don't suffer from it and no it does not keep us from being a family. We spend 5 to 7 nights a week together.
We had 2 weeks between wrestling and baseball and we enjoyed it but really we got board! LOL It is what works for us and THAT is what matters! The kids play, Josh coaches, Alli is the team mascot and I am the bus driver/meal planner/equipment manager/uniform launder/and so on.... My most favorite thing about the base/softball season is that though it is crazy cold and nasty now, by the time it is over we are in tank tops and eating ice cream!!!
Josh & I have almost finished our 1st month of our "life change" (eating right, working out, loosing weight and feeling good). I know that when people look at me they most likely don't (yet) see the changes in me BUT they are there. I feel stronger, more balanced, happier and smaller. I am still wearing the same sizes but they are fitting different : ) I love working out with Josh in the morning. One of my favorites is the yoga and the kempo!!! The exercise is fun, hard but fun! In a week we do our 1 month photos and weight so we will bee then what is really going on.
Last note, I am thrilled for a dear friend of mine to be moving closer to me! She is such a wonderful mother and she inspires me to be a better mom myself. I can't wait to be able to have the blessing of spending more time withe her and our girls growing up together : )
I love this age, she is really so much fun! She is such a good girl Josh looked at me the other day and said "if I could have a guarantee all babies were this good, we would have more." Say what?! LOl a bit to late babe, sorry!
Our family has now moved from our winter sport of wrestling to our spring sport of base/softball. Josh had originally planned on coaching the boys but due to low numbers wasn't able to but then was asked to coach a softball team (Gracie's). I honestly enjoy being a coaches wife, and he is good at it and it makes him happy.
People think we are nuts for being busy, we get comments ALL the time like "man, your crazy" or "you poor thing, always going and doing". So I will say it and put it out there, yes we are busy, yes we like it, no my kids don't suffer from it and no it does not keep us from being a family. We spend 5 to 7 nights a week together.
We had 2 weeks between wrestling and baseball and we enjoyed it but really we got board! LOL It is what works for us and THAT is what matters! The kids play, Josh coaches, Alli is the team mascot and I am the bus driver/meal planner/equipment manager/uniform launder/and so on.... My most favorite thing about the base/softball season is that though it is crazy cold and nasty now, by the time it is over we are in tank tops and eating ice cream!!!
Josh & I have almost finished our 1st month of our "life change" (eating right, working out, loosing weight and feeling good). I know that when people look at me they most likely don't (yet) see the changes in me BUT they are there. I feel stronger, more balanced, happier and smaller. I am still wearing the same sizes but they are fitting different : ) I love working out with Josh in the morning. One of my favorites is the yoga and the kempo!!! The exercise is fun, hard but fun! In a week we do our 1 month photos and weight so we will bee then what is really going on.
Last note, I am thrilled for a dear friend of mine to be moving closer to me! She is such a wonderful mother and she inspires me to be a better mom myself. I can't wait to be able to have the blessing of spending more time withe her and our girls growing up together : )
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