Hmmm..so it's Wednesday..almost Thursday, which is technically my Friday, so let's get this day out of the way. It seems like there's a lot jumbling around in my brain today so it may be a good day to put it out into the universe and maybe get it off of my shoulders.
1. The hubby's work is not going so good right now..ugh..I hate worrying about money and even worse I hate fighting about money, so we're trying really hard not to go that route. Hopefully things will turn around soon because we are a family of eaters and I would hate to have to give that up. However, it has helped us reexamine our spending (his at Lowes and mine at certain online sites..dang you Kohls and your incredible savings!!!) and also at our weekend spending, which is all FOOD. My mantra before the economic downturn was I cook during the week, I'm not doing it on the weekends. Well, we can't go blowing $100 we don't have on eating out all weekend, so we've been eating at home. Sigh. This has it's pluses too. Our sensitive stomachs seem to feel better, I don't have that bloated sick feeling after I eat, and I sense my butt is actually getting a little bit smaller since I'm wearing a size 6, yes, SIX pant today. Just to let it be known, I've also cut back on my $15 hot yoga class I was taking and instead I went to the $5 class on Sat! At 8AM! Look at me SAVE.
2. I've been reading a TON this summer. I always forget how much I love to read until I start doing it and then I'm carrying books around with me and smuggling them into the bathroom for that few minutes of peace and quiet! Ah, I never thought I'd enjoy the time I spent in the bathroom until I had baby W. The best so far, The Red Tent. I've also joined Goodreads so that should help me keep track of my reading list instead of the rumpled list I've been carrying around with me.
3. My brother-in-law is still out of work. Without saying anything terribly ugly or negative, that's all I'm going to say. Well, I will say that I worry about my sister, a lot.
4. My mother in law has been asking about potty training. Wow. How can I have a kid old enough to be thinking about teaching how to use a toliet? One that maybe one day might not wear diapers? But he's just a BABY...my heart actually aches thinking about him getting that big. We decided we would just introduce it into the bathroom and let him check it out for now. I might actually cry at my desk today thinking about this.
5. I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be thankful lately. I found a couple of quotes today that sum it up for me:
Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. ~W.T. Purkiser
and I like this one too:
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder
I've been trying to live with a little bit more grace and peace and to let people know how much they mean to me. I want the people in my life to know what they mean to me. And I want God to know how truly grateful I am for every moment I have with them. Some days I do better than others, but all I can do is try.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The Early BDay Gift
Sometimes it feels like the days all cram together..the work days drag by and the weekends are over before I've even had a chance to put my feet up on the reclining sofa, which I love and feel some guilt about not spending enough time on. But I love those moments where things slow down and come into focus. Where the blur of the work week disappears and it feels like is actually time to breathe. There have been a lot of moments like that for me lately. Maybe it's the upcoming birthday (ugh to 33) but I know each day is a gift. Mushy, yes, but absolutely true. These are a couple other things I've picked up along the way:
1. I know that my husband does all that he can for me and Will. Does he go off on a 4hr trip to Lowes sometimes, yes. Does the never ending list of projects make my OCD go a little nuts, sure. I'd be lying if I said he was perfect..that we are perfect all the time, but I didn't marry him because he was perfect. I married him for a million other reasons. And in the 9 years we've been together those reasons have only multiplied. I know how lucky I am to be his wife.
2. I have a pretty awesome kid. He is the sweetest soul I've ever met. He is kind and tender-hearted, surprisingly patient and already has this sense of humor that cracks me up. He has learned how to tickle other people and makes the cutest damn noise while he does it..lalalala. Most nights we all gather in our bed and read stories and tickle and laugh. It is the best 20 minutes of my day. I am blessed.
3. My mom and dad are my constants. Sure they can make me a little crazy from time to time but they have spent the majority of their lives taking care of us and they continue to take care of us even as we all become "adults".
4. My mom was right when she said my sisters would be invaluable to me when we grew up. I love them so much. They are my best friends. Laura is sensible and so considerate. She is the first one there when I need her. And Jenny is so much like me. She makes me laugh all the time.
5. My MIL and FIL are the most amazing grandparents. They care for Will in ways that I can't even convey in writing. He is so lucky to have them.
6. Oh, and my friends. I am blessed to have friends that I can pick up with right where we left off. It is a gift to have them all.
7. I love yoga. I started it back in February and it has become my most favorite way to spend any free time I stumble across. I am lucky enough to get to go during my lunch hour 2 days a week and then my MIL keeps him some Friday mornings and on really special occasions I get to go on a weekend. it is awesome. It makes me feel like I am awesome. I mean come on, we all need something that makes us feel like a rock star! Even if it is an almost 33 yr old rock star.
So, how about you? What do you know to be true?
1. I know that my husband does all that he can for me and Will. Does he go off on a 4hr trip to Lowes sometimes, yes. Does the never ending list of projects make my OCD go a little nuts, sure. I'd be lying if I said he was perfect..that we are perfect all the time, but I didn't marry him because he was perfect. I married him for a million other reasons. And in the 9 years we've been together those reasons have only multiplied. I know how lucky I am to be his wife.
2. I have a pretty awesome kid. He is the sweetest soul I've ever met. He is kind and tender-hearted, surprisingly patient and already has this sense of humor that cracks me up. He has learned how to tickle other people and makes the cutest damn noise while he does it..lalalala. Most nights we all gather in our bed and read stories and tickle and laugh. It is the best 20 minutes of my day. I am blessed.
3. My mom and dad are my constants. Sure they can make me a little crazy from time to time but they have spent the majority of their lives taking care of us and they continue to take care of us even as we all become "adults".
4. My mom was right when she said my sisters would be invaluable to me when we grew up. I love them so much. They are my best friends. Laura is sensible and so considerate. She is the first one there when I need her. And Jenny is so much like me. She makes me laugh all the time.
5. My MIL and FIL are the most amazing grandparents. They care for Will in ways that I can't even convey in writing. He is so lucky to have them.
6. Oh, and my friends. I am blessed to have friends that I can pick up with right where we left off. It is a gift to have them all.
7. I love yoga. I started it back in February and it has become my most favorite way to spend any free time I stumble across. I am lucky enough to get to go during my lunch hour 2 days a week and then my MIL keeps him some Friday mornings and on really special occasions I get to go on a weekend. it is awesome. It makes me feel like I am awesome. I mean come on, we all need something that makes us feel like a rock star! Even if it is an almost 33 yr old rock star.
So, how about you? What do you know to be true?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
At Sixteen Months
You are 16 months old! How can that be? It was just yesterday when you were looking up at me with a look of total wonder like 'where am I' and 'are you the lady who feeds me?'. You are not a little baby any more and at least once a day, this breaks my heart. But for the most part, you amaze me and your dad every day. You understand far more than you can speak right now. You went over and picked out every book I asked for the other night while we were reading!! I had no idea you were really listening when we read books every night before bed! You say dada all the time and momma only when it's a really urgent matter. You point at everything and say 'da'. We figure that means 'that'. You've gotten the hang of saying 'thank you' when someone hands you something, at least, that's what we like to think you are saying. Sometimes you just talk and talk and talk with such emphasis that I know you are talking about something serious. I can't wait until you start talking in words I can understand. I know you have a lot to say. You've learned how to cheese really big when a camera is out (see above) and you've even taken a couple pretty decent shots. Maybe you have a future in photography.
You are in the process of getting FIVE molars and it is tough work. You seem to enjoy chewing on mustard bottles for pain relief. And having extra cuddle time which is ok with me. You love to watch the Wonder Pets and any time Moose and Zee are on, you get very still. In fact, that is the only time you are very still. I tried to make you a Moose and Zee pillow but you seem very uninterested. If they are not on that big tv, they are just not as good.
You STILL do not sleep through the night. I'm not sure what else to say about that other than..please, please sleep through the night soon. You have taken an interest in sleeping in our bed around midnight each night and because I am exhausted, I bring you in there. I guess that makes me an enabler. You are also very attached to my pillow. You do not like to share the bed. You sleep sideways most nights. Although I am more tired than I can even say, the perk is that you always snuggle in close to me while you sleep and sometimes you make the sweetest little noises..little sighs, small words..it is the most precious thing and makes it totally worth missing sleep.
Monkey is still your #1 friend. Monkey comes everywhere with us. One day when you're older I will tell you how we really had two monkeys that we switch out so that you always had a somewhat clean monkey to chew on and that I was terrified that you would somehow find both monkeys and your universe would suddenly no longer make sense!
I can't believe how fast it's all going by! I love you more each and every day.
Monday, February 1, 2010
My Kid Thinks I'm Pretty Neat
So, I got my W2 in the mail last week and it set my mind into motion..How can this be? I'm making LESS now than I did in 2004? This is ridiculous! No wonder it feels like we never have any money! This went on for quite some time and then I set out on the computer, career builder to be exact. I glanced around until something caught my eye. A paralegal job in Charlotte in litigation and appeals (which is the area that I work in now). Hmmmm. I thought about it for a day or two before I mentioned it to Ric. When I finally did, he said what any extremely supportive husband would say, 'I'll support you in whatever you do'. As much as I like to hear that, it didn't really help my decision any. See, to work in Charlotte, I could expect a hefty raise in my sad little salary, but I'd be trading in a whole lot. Right now, I work in Concord, 15 minutes from my house. I only work Mondays-Thursdays because my boss knows how hard it was for me to come back to work after having Will and well, because he is an ok guy, he lets me take off on Fridays to be with Will. I can leave work at the drop of a hat if I need to get home for whatever reason. No questions ask, because again, my boss rocks. And I've been here for 6 years. They took me in with NO experience, and he has taught me everything I know about litigation.
But it was something Ric said that really helped me make up my mind. He said late one night this weekend that Will wouldn't be a little one forever and it would be wise for us to spend as much time as possible with him now, while we can. I realized last night that right now Will thinks I'm pretty neat. I feed him when he's hungry, I know where all his tickle spots are, I read him the books he picks out and I play the games he makes up, like when he stuffs shapes in my mouth and I blow them out as far as I can and he laughs and goes and brings it back (kind of like a game of fetch). He thinks I rock. And I know that the older he gets he might not always feel that way. His dad is a pretty cool guy too, and he's gonna teach him how to work on cars and play with power tools (I can't compete with that), so for now, I want to soak up each and every minute I can with him. So, I'm staying put. I may have to work, but at least where I'm at now, I can take my Fridays and spend it with my baby. And that is worth way more than any big, fat paycheck.
But it was something Ric said that really helped me make up my mind. He said late one night this weekend that Will wouldn't be a little one forever and it would be wise for us to spend as much time as possible with him now, while we can. I realized last night that right now Will thinks I'm pretty neat. I feed him when he's hungry, I know where all his tickle spots are, I read him the books he picks out and I play the games he makes up, like when he stuffs shapes in my mouth and I blow them out as far as I can and he laughs and goes and brings it back (kind of like a game of fetch). He thinks I rock. And I know that the older he gets he might not always feel that way. His dad is a pretty cool guy too, and he's gonna teach him how to work on cars and play with power tools (I can't compete with that), so for now, I want to soak up each and every minute I can with him. So, I'm staying put. I may have to work, but at least where I'm at now, I can take my Fridays and spend it with my baby. And that is worth way more than any big, fat paycheck.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Our First Adult Getaway in 3 YEARS!
Yep, so it finally happened. We said goodbye to Taco (our nickname for baby W) and headed to the mountains for 2 days of skiing, snowboarding, sleep and other adult type things. Our first vacation together just me and Ric in 3 years..and those three years have included a couple of the most significant events in our lives...a flood that destroyed our home, a rebuild of said home thanks to flood insurance, moving in with my inlaws while I was seven months pregnant, moving into my parents retirement home, moving back into the "flood" house, and the MOST important of all, getting pregnant after trying for a YEAR and giving BIRTH..yep, so we've been a little busy but I figured since W. is almost 15 months old, he would probably have enough memories to remember me when I came home but not old enough to miss us so bad that he refused to play, eat or poop (the main parts of his day).
We are so lucky to have grandparents that live 2 streets away and that are willing to tackle the ever changing, never the same 2 nights in a row, dreaded nights. Yes, they were tired when we returned home but they said they loved every minute of it, even the 2:00 AM wrestling match with Will rolling around on Granddad and sleeping across Grammie's neck. They even said we could make plans to do it again. WOOHOO!! (How is next Friday? haha) Those are some good grandparents.
But back to the story at hand..we went to Appalachian Ski Mountain..stayed in a room that wasn't pretty but it was perfect for what we needed and hit the slopes. Now, I have never stepped foot in skis or on a snowboard. I've never even been on a skateboard and the last experience I had with rollar blades left me with a pretty nasty road rash (OUCH! I will never again try to walk a german shepherd/beagle mix on rollar blades)..so I'm not the most graceful or balanced gal..we tried to just wing it at first, along with the 3,000 App. students that were also there that night for orientation. I mean seriously? On a Tuesday night? COME ON! But when I couldn't even walk up a tiny little hill, I knew I was going to need some instruction. Some serious professional instruction. We signed up for a group lesson but it only ended up being the 2 of us and our instructor..a 16 year old little ski-dude who when talking referred to "older people" and I think he meant US. Anywho..I made it up on the skis and down on the bunny slopes a couple time and felt pretty good about myself. Now my husband who "claimed" he had been skiing once like 15 years ago is a big fat LIAR. He was awesome on skis..he made it look so easy and fun, just like one of those fellas in the olympics. Totally cool to see your husband just rock at something you've never seen him do before!
The next day we decided since we had mastered the art of skiing..haha..we'd tackle snowboarding. Again..we went with a lesson and again we were the only ones who signed up for that one..very nice! I knew as soon as I locked into that board that I was wrong..skiing is not scary..skiing is fun and free and your legs can move independent of the other one. Snowboarding is one tricky, terrifying sport. I fell down the hill repeatedly, face first, butt first, flying down the hill throwing out "shit!" while the 6 years old skiied down with expert percision. Ric fell down like twice. I had to talk myself into picking up my foot to go again and again..Ric was doing turns and jumps after 20 minutes. You get the picture..He took to it in no time and loved it and I couldn't wait to trade in my board and go back to the skis. But we laughed. A LOT. We smiled and talked and just took our time. No schedules, no one to feed but ourselves and we just ate JUNK, just the two of us. It was by far one of my favorite vacations with him.
And even though we missed taco and he missed us (we were told), we all did just fine, no better than fine. It was really, really great.
We are so lucky to have grandparents that live 2 streets away and that are willing to tackle the ever changing, never the same 2 nights in a row, dreaded nights. Yes, they were tired when we returned home but they said they loved every minute of it, even the 2:00 AM wrestling match with Will rolling around on Granddad and sleeping across Grammie's neck. They even said we could make plans to do it again. WOOHOO!! (How is next Friday? haha) Those are some good grandparents.
But back to the story at hand..we went to Appalachian Ski Mountain..stayed in a room that wasn't pretty but it was perfect for what we needed and hit the slopes. Now, I have never stepped foot in skis or on a snowboard. I've never even been on a skateboard and the last experience I had with rollar blades left me with a pretty nasty road rash (OUCH! I will never again try to walk a german shepherd/beagle mix on rollar blades)..so I'm not the most graceful or balanced gal..we tried to just wing it at first, along with the 3,000 App. students that were also there that night for orientation. I mean seriously? On a Tuesday night? COME ON! But when I couldn't even walk up a tiny little hill, I knew I was going to need some instruction. Some serious professional instruction. We signed up for a group lesson but it only ended up being the 2 of us and our instructor..a 16 year old little ski-dude who when talking referred to "older people" and I think he meant US. Anywho..I made it up on the skis and down on the bunny slopes a couple time and felt pretty good about myself. Now my husband who "claimed" he had been skiing once like 15 years ago is a big fat LIAR. He was awesome on skis..he made it look so easy and fun, just like one of those fellas in the olympics. Totally cool to see your husband just rock at something you've never seen him do before!
The next day we decided since we had mastered the art of skiing..haha..we'd tackle snowboarding. Again..we went with a lesson and again we were the only ones who signed up for that one..very nice! I knew as soon as I locked into that board that I was wrong..skiing is not scary..skiing is fun and free and your legs can move independent of the other one. Snowboarding is one tricky, terrifying sport. I fell down the hill repeatedly, face first, butt first, flying down the hill throwing out "shit!" while the 6 years old skiied down with expert percision. Ric fell down like twice. I had to talk myself into picking up my foot to go again and again..Ric was doing turns and jumps after 20 minutes. You get the picture..He took to it in no time and loved it and I couldn't wait to trade in my board and go back to the skis. But we laughed. A LOT. We smiled and talked and just took our time. No schedules, no one to feed but ourselves and we just ate JUNK, just the two of us. It was by far one of my favorite vacations with him.
And even though we missed taco and he missed us (we were told), we all did just fine, no better than fine. It was really, really great.
Monday, November 23, 2009
If I had left a note for the nanny today it would have read...
So, I didn't have a chance to write the note that was in my head for Jesscia, our nanny, this morning before running out the door (late again) for work and then spilling oj all over my sweater..so I rambled off the part about the juice to my hubby in the hopes that he would pass it along...but if I had been the ultra prepared, totally organized mom, my baby's note would have read the following:
Dear Jessica,
1. So, we started juice this weekend. He can have 1 cup a day with either lunch or snack. We don't want him to think he can have juice all day long and become hooked on it and refuse his water and/or milk.
2. He only pooped once yesterday so that means he's probably going to have at least 3 today. I apologize ahead of time.
3. He was super fussy last night and ended up sleeping in our bed ALL night. He likes to sleep sideways in my spot so that I end up curled up at the foot of the bed next to our dog, Max. Max does not like having someone in his spot but he's starting to get used to it. He might be very cranky, fussy, icky today, just like his Mom. Again, I apologize.
4. We have spent 4 days together just hanging out. He will miss me today (this is what I chose to believe) just like I will be missing him. Please give extra cuddles today from me and let him know that as soon as we hit the lottery, I will be available full-time.
Dear Jessica,
1. So, we started juice this weekend. He can have 1 cup a day with either lunch or snack. We don't want him to think he can have juice all day long and become hooked on it and refuse his water and/or milk.
2. He only pooped once yesterday so that means he's probably going to have at least 3 today. I apologize ahead of time.
3. He was super fussy last night and ended up sleeping in our bed ALL night. He likes to sleep sideways in my spot so that I end up curled up at the foot of the bed next to our dog, Max. Max does not like having someone in his spot but he's starting to get used to it. He might be very cranky, fussy, icky today, just like his Mom. Again, I apologize.
4. We have spent 4 days together just hanging out. He will miss me today (this is what I chose to believe) just like I will be missing him. Please give extra cuddles today from me and let him know that as soon as we hit the lottery, I will be available full-time.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Married Life
Quoting Bishop Jeremy Taylor, "Marriage hath in it less of beauty but more of safety, than the single life; it hath more care, but less danger, it is more merry, and more sad; it is fuller of sorrows, and fuller of joys; it lies under more burdens, but it is supported by all the strengths of love and charity, and those burdens are delightful."
I love being married. I guess I always knew that I would be good at it if I was fortunate enough to find my 'lobster' (Friends reference). And I did. Mr. B. is my person. He is my everything. I sometimes spend time watching him do small tasks that I've seen him do countless times and I never get tired of watching him do them. He makes me feel GOOD inside. I can't imagine my life without him and there's no way I would ever want to. Don't get me wrong, we've had our fair share of fights, some major, others not so bad, but we always came out the other side of them. We just decided that we'd stick together through the good and the bad, no matter what. And we have. I am so blessed to be married to my very best friend, someone who gets who I am, who knows me. He is an amazing husband.
I love being married. I guess I always knew that I would be good at it if I was fortunate enough to find my 'lobster' (Friends reference). And I did. Mr. B. is my person. He is my everything. I sometimes spend time watching him do small tasks that I've seen him do countless times and I never get tired of watching him do them. He makes me feel GOOD inside. I can't imagine my life without him and there's no way I would ever want to. Don't get me wrong, we've had our fair share of fights, some major, others not so bad, but we always came out the other side of them. We just decided that we'd stick together through the good and the bad, no matter what. And we have. I am so blessed to be married to my very best friend, someone who gets who I am, who knows me. He is an amazing husband.
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