Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Thankful Thursdays (in pictures):






Thursday, March 24, 2011

Thankful Thursdays

Wow! It's really been quite awhile since I posted anything on Thankful Thursdays, but I thought I would jump back in!

Today, I am thankful for...

1. Temper tantrums. Now, don't ask me this in the midst of the fit itself, but I am glad that my children are growing and developing on schedule and with that comes some fits. We have at least 1 minor meltdown everyday and sometimes a major meltdown thrown into the mix. I am most thankful when these little tantrums happen at home so we don't have to display our wonderful toddlerisms in front of an audience, but regardless I am grateful my children have thoughts and feelings they feel comfortable displaying for us.

2. A wonderful husband who is a great parenting partner. He is great at jumping in and helping or taking over when Mommy is running low on patience. Our kids LOVE their Daddy!!!

3. My job. There are days when I am frustrated by my job and all it entails, but I am grateful to have a job and work with a great group of people! Makes going to work so much better!

4. Coupons. We have been somewhat hesitant to use coupons here because we don't want to get in the habit of buying it just because it is on coupon. But, somewhat cautiously we started clipping coupons a few weeks ago and loading them on our Kroger card, and last Friday was our first attempt with having a coupon for almost everything we purchased. We saved > 40% at the grocery store last week using coupons. We only bought what we needed for the next 2 weeks' meals and snacks. Tonight, we were running low on snacks and cereal, so Ryan went to the grocery and bought 14 boxes of General Mills cereal, Nature Valley granola bars, Golden Grahams snack bars, 2 boxes of Weight Watcher frozen treats, 1 Jello Temptations desserts, and bananas for around $35. It was a 50% savings!!! If you're in the mood for cereal, we've gotcha covered. We are getting ready to purchase a better organizational method for our coupons, but we are excited about the savings.

5. Spring! Hallelujah!!!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

You know you're the parent of 2 toddlers when...

1. Your couch cushions are used more for fort building than for sitting.

2. Your vacuum has permanent residence beside the dinner table.

3. You can't tape your favorite show because the DVR is full of Dora and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

4. You don't even worry about your daughter eating most of her meal off the floor.

5. You go on drives 1/2 hour before you have to be somewhere because both kids are strapped in for the entire ride.

6. You look forward to trips to the grocery because your spouse watches both kids while you shop.

7. You can sing "Jesus Loves Me" forward, backward and in your sleep.

8. Your conversations with other parents revolve around potty training, nap time, and timeouts.

9. You sympathize with another parent in the grocery store who is struggling with their toddler because you know it could easily be you.

10. You have given your child a cookie for eating 2 bites of dinner.

11. Your vocabulary has changed from, "When I am a parent I will never" to "I'm so glad someone else's child does that."

12. You think it might just be easier to stay in diapers until they are 5.

13. You spend all day at work thinking about the hugs and kisses that await you in your first 5 minutes at home.

14. You pack a bag full of games, books, snacks, and drinks to make it through one hour of church.

15. You worry less about messes and more about memories.

16. You can't imagine life without these precious babies.

17. Your childrens' smiles are like Christmas every morning.

18. Punishing your child has made you cry.

19. You look forward to nights out with just your spouse even though you spend the entire time talking about your kids.

20. You have learned how to choose your battles.

Most of all, you know you are doubly blessed and wouldn't change a thing!!!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Do you ever get bent out of shape?

Do you ever get bent out of shape? I mean seriously, do you ever REALLY get bent out of shape? Occasionally, I read something that makes my skin crawl and I can't help but respond. Occasionally, I fly off the handle when I should have just held on and kept my mouth shut. Occasionally, I let my emotions take over and blow a situation WAAAAY out of proportion. It's not like I want to get bent out of shape, but sometimes it isn't in my DNA to just sit back and take it. For example, there are moments when I am at work and an email comes across my desk and it completely changes the mood of the day. Or, when we have had a really great day at home until Ella dumps the remote control car remote into the fish bowl. Or, perhaps when we are out somewhere and my kiddos decide to be toddlers and someone offers us unsolicited advice. Yes, these things happen pretty much everyday. Most days I am controlled. Most days I smile and nod and move on. Most days I don't give these things a second thought. MOST days I can handle it. And then it happens. Who knows if it is because it is the 5th such email that day or the 10th person to tell me my children aren't perfect, but once in awhile I bark back. Once in awhile, I tell the lady on the back row of church who tells me that my 2 year old son would be happier in the nursery to "Bug off!" Maybe it's the Mommy in me. Maybe it's my personality. Maybe it's my time of the month. Maybe it's because I am a woman. While some of these situations are not my brightest moments, I don't think I would have it any other way. There is something to be said for defending yourself, your spouse, your kids, your job. There is something important about knowing when right is right and wrong is wrong. I hope I am not the only one who occasionally gets bent out of shape; who sometimes gets on a soapbox about something I believe in; who once in awhile takes a stand for what is right. I hope you're having the kind of day that is filled with flowers and frills; but just in case you're not, I hope you have the strength to take a stand!

By the way, I had this entire post almost finished and hit a button that deleted everything. You want to talk about getting bent out of shape!!!