Wondering On Wednesdays

I’ve been on a bit of a blogging hiatus.  Some of you have inquired about my lack of posting and I truly appreciate you checking in with me.  I was honestly quite shocked this morning when even my husband mentioned in a questioning tone to me while eating our breakfast, “You really haven’t been blogging much lately?”  It’s hard to answer why because even I don’t really understand exactly why I stopped posting.  I love writing in this blog.  When I really stop and think about it though I just haven’t felt like blogging.

You may have been expecting some juicy reason as to why I haven’t been posting much or maybe even think I was going to pile on the excuses.  I recently heard a great theory from a friend.  She said that when she hears others give excuses, the more excues they give the more she knows they are lying.  Isn’t that the truth?!  I don’t want to lie to any of you.

In all reality I simply just haven’t been posting.  As much as I love this blog and writing, as of lately, this blog hasn’t been my number one priority.  If I am also honest with you, I’ve been battling depression a bit (although not diagnosed by any professional).  When depressed, I tend to feel unmotivated and the things that I enjoy, tend to not feel so enjoyable in those moments.  Which I’m sure those of you who battle depression are familar with feeling as well.

I’ve noticed that since I hurt my calf muscle playing soccer that it has limited my ability to do the things I want to do to stay active.  I am dealthly afraid of hurting it again and fear even a worse case scenario if I jump back in.  When I’m not active, something I notice about myself is that not only does the way I feel about my overall self start to plummit, but my mental health does as well.  When I’m not feeling good outwardly, it directly affects how I feel inwardly.  Staying active has always been a great outlet for stress for me and truly helps these waves of depression that hit me like a ton of bricks.

At any rate, I’ve got nothing juicy for you to know and no legit excuses for my blogging hiatus.  I’ve just got one honest answer.  I just haven’t felt up to blogging lately.  I know I will turn a page and will blogging up a storm again in no time…but in the mean time, please ride this storm out with me, be patient with me, and if it’s not too much to ask would you keep me in your thougths and prayers?

I truly appreciate those of you have noticed my silence on here and have checked in.  I also appreciate my loyal and few followers…I love you guys!

 

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Motivational Mondays for Mombies

…5 ways to get through the stress of Christmas

1.  Do not step foot into an actual store.  It will just add to your stress.  I tried this last week and almost had a full on anxiety attack in the middle of Target.  Get yourself settled at your home, with a cup of coffee and an idea (or thought out list) of gifts you would like to get your friends and loved ones and do 99.9% of your Christmas shopping online.  I have 4 new best friends this holiday season:  etsy.com, target.com, amazon.com & walmart.com.  This not only applies to gift giving, but also when needing to buy groceries.
2. Buy a Fake tree.  My entire life I’ve always had a real tree and have loved the tradition of hunting for the perfect tree with my family.  However, within the last few years, I’ve noticed my allergies overreact everytime I bring a real tree into our home.  I have to say, I was skeptical of this fake tree when we first set it up but now I am in love with it.  Not only are my allergies staying at bay, but I am not having to clean up needles all over my house 24/7.  I also do not have to remember to water my tree.  I also did not have to fight with a tangled web of lights this year because my fake tree came pre-lit!  When all is said and done, I can take my tree apart, shove back in the box and store in my basement until next year.  In the long run, this fake tree will also save us money.  I was lucky and got a $300 tree at target on sale and with my redcard 5% off, I was able to get this particular one for $180.
3. If you are struggling with gift giving stick with the something to wear, something they want, something they need, something to read rule.  This year feels so overwhelmingly hard this year buying gifts for not only my own children, but also other people.  This year I applied this rule when shopping for my kids and it really helped narrow down what to get them.  I think it will work well for some of you as well, especially if you are trying to scale down with all the “stuff” this Christmas.
4. Do a random act of kindness for someone else.  With all the stress that this holiday season can bring.  Do something to humble your spirit.  Take on a family in need and provide them with things they need to make their Christmas bright, make cookies and deliver them to a neighbor, write a letter to someone you’ve lost touch with, shovel your neighbors driveway.  The list of random acts of kindness that you could do this holiday season are endless.  By just choosing one, I bet you that it will melt away the stress and fill up your heart.
5. Don’t forget to make memories with those you love.  It’s so easy to get caught up in all the to-do’s this time of year but sometimes you just have to throw in the towel and go have a snow ball fight in your back yard, or bake cookies with your kids or play a board game as a family

Happy Holidays!!!

Free Friday

Oh deer!

The first accumulating snow fall is hitting Eastern Wisconsin.

My daughter was in awe seeing it. She was too little to remember the snow last winter, so in her eyes, this cold fluffy white stuff is magical.

I dont know about you but one of my favorites is to witness firsts in the eyes of my children. I may have woke up grumbling that it was snowing, until I took my children outside this morning and saw how happy it made them.

For those of you traveling today, stay safe and drive slow with extra caution. Turn on your lights and put your cell phones away. Be attentive!

Happy Friday and cheers to the weekend ahead.

Thankful Thursday

PHILLIPIANS 4:6

“Don’t worry about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Thankful that in every struggle, circumstance, & feeling…God has me in the Palm of His hand.  Phillipians 4:6 is a a gentle reminder to us all that no matter what we are struggling with in our lives, we are never alone…ever.

Take a moment to please pray with me on this Thankful Thursday.

Dear Lord,

Life can be hard and the season of struggling feels like it is never-ending.  If it isn’t one thing, it’s another.  Sometimes the feelings associated with all of this are heavy.  Sometimes we all need extra encouragment to feel joy and to just give us an extra pep in our step to put one foot in front of the other.  We all yearn to feel appreciated when we give and give and give of ourselves.  Although you are using us as instruments for your glory for other people in our lives, sometimes it can be exhausting to give when our personal tanks are empty.  Jesus, help me to learn to ask for help when I need it and find humor in everyday circumstances.  I know I am not perfect, so when I feel like I am failing or feel that depression creeping in, help to remind me of all my blessings and help me to find humor in things that may not go as planned.  Thank you for loving me always and giving me hope  with new opportunities to see your Grace in each new day.  

Amen!

Wondering On Wednesday…

Just the other evening, in the midst of my nightly family chaos, I decided to press pause.  I didn’t excuse myself.  I didn’t make some big announcement that Mama was leaving the room.  I didn’t say anything.  Instead, I just got up and quietly left the room.  I grabbed my devotional book and walked into my closet and sat on the floor.  Before I opened my book, I prayed to God and just openly stated that I’ve been struggling.  I told him that each and every day has been a challenge from the moment I wake up until the moment I close my eyes to sleep.  I asked God to lead me to a message in my devotional that would speak to my heart.

We’ve all been there haven’t we? I’m wondering how many of you have asked God to just send you a simple message to lift you up?  Has He delivered?  In that moment in my bedroom closet the guy upstairs sent me a message that was very clear.  It was the gift of encouragement.  This particular devotional that I opened up to specifically talked about how we can all feel discouraged at times and it can be especially felt during motherhood when  you feel that you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.  I felt myself nodding right along and feeling less alone-that maybe the way I’ve been feeling lately is normal.  It talked about how the remedy of discouragement often is reversed by the encouragement of others.

As I sat and thought about that for a moment, it is so true.  It takes one simple act of random kindness or someone’s simple words or actions of encouragement to lift our spirits unexpectedly.  This can truly help those who are discouraged and drained of all energy and joy to feel a spark of energy and joy once again.

Take a good look around today at all the people in your life or maybe even just people in passing (but maybe focus on the moms you know in particular who juggle so very much and lack the self care they so desperately need).  How can you be used as an instrument of encouragement to lift up someone who many need it?  We all need extra love and support.

If you are like me and needed a little encouragement in that moment, then maybe the answer is to just take 5 minutes of quiet to reflect, pray, meditate or do what ever you need to do to get away from the chaos for a bit.  It never fails though, that when I pray and read devotionals my soul feels renewed and I find a bit more clarity.

Encouragement.  Lets work hard today at helping to lift others up.  Life is hard and we all need help at times.  It takes a village sometimes to be able to stay in a joyful place.

 

Aimless 20 Talk Tuesday…

1.  Did you know it was Election Day? …haha, guys!  That was a joke.  Of course you knew that.  With all the political nonsense thrown in our faces on a daily basis it is kind of hard to miss this piece of information.  If you really didn’t answer ‘Yes’ to my joke though, the joke’s really on you!
2. Are you going to vote in the Election today?  Honestly, I wasn’t. (GASP!  I KNOW…I KNOW…).  However, I feel like I’ll get the fith degree from my husband if I don’t.  Ironic thing is, I didn’t even know who he was voting for until the other day.  We don’t talk much about politics in this household.  However, in general, I don’t talk much about politics with anyone.  I really don’t involve myself, or really educate myself on any of it (GASP!  I KNOW…I KNOW…).  Judge me all you want, but I know I’m not the only one who is like this or feels this way.  A huge part of me feels like I shouldn’t vote for the simple reason that I don’t feel like my vote is fair given that I don’t know much about what I am even voting for…however, as I’m told time and time again:  It is our civic duty to vote.  I take that with a grain of salt because it’s people like me that could screw things up because my vote counts.  Any one else feel this way?
3. How are you feeling this morning?  This time change is the pits.  It is crazy how it messes with me in every possible way.  Last night I went to bed (at 8pm) with a horrible headache.  I’ve been waking up around 4am (imagine that) and the same horrible headache I went to bed with was and still is present.  For once it isn’t a sinus headache.  However, I’m convinced it’s a stress headache.
4. Besides voting (haha) what do you all have up your Tuesday sleeves today?  After sending my oldest on her way to school this morning, I acquired my extra kiddo that I have until about 5pm tonight.  I fed K her 2nd breakfast and my extra kiddo his 1st breakfast and then we are off to Toddle Time at the Library.  We most likely will be there for a couple hours.  We will arrive back home and I’ll make them lunch and hopefully get them both down for a nap after lunch.  One of them goes down easy (not mine) and the other I will feel like I’m fighting an Octopus to get down (yep, mine).  Once they are napping I will clean up their lunch mess and toy mess and have a few moments in my afternoon to tackle a couple to-do’s before they wake up.  I will entertain them both for a bit until my extra gets picked up…then I will make the Fam dinner.  I won’t get into my evening because those never seem to go as planned.
5. (Women geared question)  Who else hates working out when you are on your period?  I had a huge pep talk with myself that since my calf injury is feeling better I needed to get back into my workout routine.  I did really well last week but then BAM!  My period came on Friday.  Gross.  I hate working out with my period.  I think it’s a legit excuse to not workout.  I hate working out when I have it.  I have soccer Th so that counts as 1 workout day this week and my period should be over by then thank god!  I didn’t work out last night and I won’t tonight…so hopefully it’s gone by tomorrow so I can squeeze one in then.
6. Who is in the market to get a new SUV?  My 2011 Chevy Traverse just rolled 80,000 miles and it’s time to trader her in.  As much as I loved my Traverse I think I’m leaning towards either a GMC Acadia or Ford Explorer this time around.  I absolutely love the new body styles on the Chevy Traverse, but haven’t seen any that are in my budget yet.  So, anyone with opinions on the Acadia or Explorer?  I’d love to hear your take.  I haven’t done any major shopping around yet, just looking online at local dealerships.  From what I’m seeing, I think I’m leaning towards the Acadia.
7. Anyone have any amazing news to share with me?  I’ve got some shocking news to share with you all.  I think I can officially say that my and K’s breastfeeding journey has come to an end.  Yesterday marked a week of not breastfeeding AT ALL.  NOT EVEN ONCE.  I can’t tell you how bittersweet this is for me.  Hopefully, I’ll have time to write a longer post about it one of these days soon.  Shocking though right?!  I think so.  We did it!
8. What is your favorite soup this time of year?  It is soup season.  One of my favorite foods!  I love any kind of soup I can make in my crockpot (which is pretty much all soups) but my favorite soups are those that my sister makes and lets me have a taste of.  Haha!  I stopped over at her house today and she had made a cauliflower ginger soup.  K and I heated it up for lunch and it was absolutely delicious and hit the spot!
9. Who has started Christmas shopping already?  Are you kidding me.  My child’s 2nd birthday is in 11 days and I just finished getting her birthday gifts.  I just can’t switch gears to Christmas until after Thanksgiving…and even then, I still don’t want to.  I typically regret not getting a jump start on my holiday shopping.  Heck, I needed to pick up a few things at Wal Mart yesterday I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.  I couldn’t believe the crazy amount of people shopping (and what appeared like Christmas shopping) on a Monday morning.  No thank you.  I think I will continue to stick to doing all of what I can for holiday shopping online.  I just can’t handle going to the stores anymore…pretty much for anything.
10. On that note, who already has their Christmas tree up?  Not this girl.  Nope…again, we usually wait until the first or 2nd weekend of Decemeber and the tree comes down the weekend directly after Christmas is done with.  I have pets and little ones that get into enough things…I don’t need the added stress of them climbing to the top of the Christmas tree and knocking it over.
11. Speaking of Christmas tree…do you have a fake Christmas tree or a real Christmas tree?  It’s always been tradition in my family to have a real Christmas tree.  However, the last 3 years and how awful my allergies have become the moment I bring that dang tree into my house has got me second guessing this tradition.  Hubby and I have seriously been contemplating getting a fake one.
12. Back tracking…what kind of treats did you steal out of your kid’s halloween bags this year?  My favorites were Milky Ways, Chewy Sweet Tart Mini’s, and York Peppermint Patties (sorry kids, mama ate them all)!
13. What is your favorite piece of clothing, now that we’ve had to switch from summer to Fall?  I have to say I always love drowning in my oversized cardigans and love the simplicity of tunics and leggings.  So comfortable and cozy!
14. What is the last movie you watched?  I checked out from the library, “Bad Mom’s Christmas”.  I just watched it this weekend.  It was pretty funny!  Today at the library I checked out, “Life Of The Party” and the remake of “Overboard”.
15. Have you voted yet?  Haha!  I seriously just got a text from Emma with Americans for Prosperity reminding me it is Election Day and asked if I planned on voting.  I’m sorry Emma but I am not texting you back.  How’d you get my damn number anyways…I don’t know you!  Leave me a lone!
16. If you are a SAHM and your kids are napping what are you doing with your free time?  I’m finishing up this blog post and then I intend on tackling two of the items on my to-do list before they wake up.  Wish me luck!
17.  What’s for dinner tonight?  We are going to have Broccoli-Cheese soup, side salad and crescent rolls.  Yes it’s perfectly ok to eat soup for lunch and soup for dinner.  I love soup remember!
18. How much water have you drank today?  I’m on my 3rd ThermoFlask full.  I’m not sure how much my ThermoFlask holds but I have been slacking on my water intake today.  I should probably chug an entire bottle right now while it’s on my mind.
19. Just for fun…if you look directly up from where you are currently what do you see?  I see two thumbtacks that have been on the wall since E’s birthday in June that I keep forgetting to take down and the ceiling.
20. Are you sending out Christmas cards this year?  Every year I say I am not going to just to save time and money, then last minute I end up caving and sending them out anways.  This year I’m saying I am going to make them and send them out but already am procrastinating at the slight idea of them.  When you think of it…it kinda is a waste of time and money.  I feel like as the years go by I receive less and less Christmas cards.  Maybe it’s a tradition that is going to be dead soon.  If so, can it just die this year because I really don’t want do.

 

Motivational Monday for Mombies

Today marks the first Monday after the dreaded day light savings time.  For those that feel like they’ve won the lottery with an “extra hour of sleep” consider yourself lucky (and I hate you).  For those of you that feel like your entire being is messed up and you are literally diving head first into your morning coffee this morning…you are not alone (thank God I am not alone).

If I’m honest and to paint a little picture for you,  I did about four laps around my house and still didn’t know why I was doing this or what I was going to do next.   When I finally stopped and concentrated and remembered what task I was going to do, I immediately was distracted and by the time I got to where I thought I needed to be I had forgot already what I had orginally intended to do.  At this point I just feel tired, overwhelmed, and depressed.  This is why nothing gets done…ever.

Many of you may be inquiring how the first paragraph is helpful or motivational.  Well, I’m here to tell you that sometimes all you can do is survice in the midst of chaos.  If you make it from AM to PM in once piece (maybe not a pretty piece, but one piece) you give your Mombie shoulders a large pat!  In fact, go down to that giant sticker collection you have for your kiddos and dig yourself out a big fat gold star.  Life is hard and when you have good routines that are abrublty changed by a stupid time change…it takes sometimes to get back into the swing of things and even feel human.

My best time change hacks for you Mombies are:

1.  Dive head first into that coffee and pour yourself that 2nd cup guilt free.
2. After you have our energy courage fueling your body…go to the mirror and tell yourself, “I am a beautiful, strong, capable women and I can kick Monday’s ass.”
3. Once you’ve filled your head with confidence, go to that nasty to-do list and pick one item off it to accomplish and focus on that one thing from start to finish.
4. You may feel yourself freaking out, but don’t lose your shit.  Take deep breaths and keep on keeping on Mama bear!
5. Remind yourself that if you make it from AM to PM (and maybe getting only that one thing done) and make it in once piece you’ve rocked the shit out of this first Monday after the time change.

You’ve got this Mombies and remember, no matter where you are at in life…you are never alone!