Wordless Wednesday

Motherhood=Sacrifice

I love my kids, I love my family, but does having other dreams make me a bad mom?

I thought one of the reason's we were made to be the 'mother' instead of 'father' is because of our ability to multi-task.

Does taking a side job, or side hobby, make us less of a mother?

Does this mean we're neglecting our children?

Motherhood=Sacrifice

It is a give in that when we sign up to become a mother we give up a lot of things.

Tis true that our husbands would most likely rather be golfing or fishing than in a 4x4 office and the mundane task of bringing in the money, but wouldn't we all?

I wouldn't trade motherhood for anything in this world. If anything I am blessed to have the opportunity to stay home with my children and enjoy every waking moment of their developing lives. But should I feel guilty if I decide to take on another activity or task?

I'd like to believe there is a right answer for my questions, but for every mother there is a different way of thinking, mothering, and decision making for their own family.

I'd love to hear everyone's input on this topic, because we are all individuals in our own right, and I love the inspiration I get from all of my followers.

{To a better week}

Wordless Wednesday

What day is it?

Ever have one of these moments? Yes, don't lie to yourself. They happen every day, don't they?

It's been another one of those months, and as it draws to a close, I just thank God that a new month is quickly approaching. My toddler is going on ear infection number 3, I'm still suffering from my 2 week strep throat, and luckily Baby boy is over his sickness and just fussy. When will it end?

We're in a rut. And Stuck we are.

Summer is coming, and I've never craved the heat more than I do now. I can't wait to yet again spend the entire summer in a swim suit, drink lots of mint lemonade, and get a tan. Not to mention forget all of my responsibilities of being a housekeeper and be free. Maybe I'm drawing an obscure vision of what our summer is going to be like, but I can only hope that I will just let go and enjoy every second with my little ones.

They're growing up so fast, and every summer they're bigger and doing different things. I can't wait to experience my first summer with my Baby boy and another with my toddler princess.

What are you looking forward to?

Danny the Dragon

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the personal assistant to Tina Turbin, author of the Danny the Dragon book. She asked me if I would do a review of her book and DVD, in which I accepted.

A little about Tina Turbin, she is a super mom. She is involved in all sorts of areas in the community and in her home. She is actively involved in intense research in children's education, literature, celiac disease, allergies, gluten-free issues, and education for the deaf. Her research led to her writing about these issues and making others aware f them.

Tina is a prolific writer and lends her expertise to a variety of weekly publications, radio shows, websites, and has started a new gluten-free website called www.glutenfreehelp.info.

Her book Danny the Dragon "Meets Jimmy" has been nominated Best Children's Picture Book of 2009, and has won other numerous awards. It takes the child back to a time where things were simpler, as this family heads to the beach and discovers a magical seashell with a special visitor inside. It is the world seen through the eyes of a child, and I cannot wait to see what Jimmy and Danny do next. The book will have a sequel to accompany this one.

Tina's DVD is a very unique one. It is basically the book, read allowed, and interpreted in sign language for those children hard of hearing, or hearing impaired. My daughter didn't seem to notice the woman signing next to the story, but for me (having studied Sign language in high school) I found myself trying to catch on to what she was signing. The DVD will be available for purchase mid April on her website.

This book encourages children to use their imagination and welcome new expperiences. Although geared towards 4-8 year olds, my toddler loved watching the DVD and having the story of Danny the Dragon read to her at night.

Thank you Tina for sharing your book with me and allowing me to do this review.



Disclosure: Tina Turbin provided me with a complimentary copy of this book and DVD in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own. Clicking on the picture above will take you to DannytheDragon.com where you may purchase the book and DVD.

My Baby is 3!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl! Can't believe your 3!

What's growing in your Bath Toys?

My Favorite segment of the Today shows is "Secret Filth Exposed".

Yesterday they had one on those cute little bath toys that our children love to play with. Lately I've been allowing my toddler to take more frequent baths, mainly because it's time for me to relax while she entertains herself. When I saw this story I was appalled.

They found that these bath toys were contaminated with fecal matter. Ecoli & Strep were just 2 of the bacterias they found on these toys. The toys with holes let germs thrive. When they opened them up they found that they were positive for staph, known for skin infections (for you moms with kids that have eczema).

Also, watch were you place these toys. Each flush of a toilet disperses fecal matter up to 20 ft.

SO...How do we let our kids enjoy their bath without the possibility pf getting sick?

♥ Give them toys without holes.

♥ After every bath, wipe them off with Alcohol or peroxide, and let them thoroughly dry.

♥ Watch for Black stuff! The moment you see black stuff build up, throw them away!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rental Car Secret...Beware

We are quickly approaching Travel season and with that comes trips on Airplanes, or renting a vehicle.

Here's a study done on the Today show that really grossed me out. They compared Rental cars to public restrooms in that they contain just as much bacteria! They even found Strep in a mini van, vomit on the floors, and the flu.

This study made me think twice about renting a car, and even being more affective in cleaning my own car.

Also, I heard the other day to treat the tray table in an airplane like a changing table, in that there's probably fecal matter on it. Travel Clorox wipes come in handy for wiping them down.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

What to do:
Wipe down Steering Wheel, gears, Spray Lysol.

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Featurette

Here's another blog Feature!

Meet Mandi
Her blog is not only funny, but also inspirational. She has gorgeous giveaways, and she doesn't skip a beat.

Here is some advice I read on her blog a while back that I really liked, and really helped:

"If you find yourself slacking on other areas of your life because blogging is taking up too much of your time then I would suggest a few things:

♥Schedule out your day. What do you have to do? What chores need to get done?
♥Plan what time you will spend on your blog and stick to it! Set the oven timer if you have to!
♥Write your posts when you are less distracted. Before the kids get up or after they go to bed.
♥Make sure you have time for that husband of yours! Trust me, this helps! ;)
♥If you find some extra time write more than one post and save them for crazy times.
♥Don't neglect your kids to be on the computer. It will affect (effect?) your writing.
♥Make sure your major chores are done before writing. It can relieve the stress.
♥Be realistic. It may not be possible for you to post everyday. Maybe 3-4 days is all you can do. That's fine!"

Check her out!

Monday Madness

Wind...

It is windy today. Why is it that when It's windy I don't feel like going out?

Last time it was this windy I was at the museum loading my kids up into the car when I turned around to find my stroller on the other side of the parking lot. The wind had carried it away.

Wind is always such an inconvenience with kids. They don't like it, You don't like it, it just makes it hard to get anything done out on the street.

So we'll play it safe and stay indoors.


Anyone here watch the Bachelor? Yep, tonights the finale and I'll be watching it for the first time with some girlfriends. I can't believe I've been watching the Bachelor since it started in 2002! I was in high school and my parents and I loved watching it together. Next to Idol this has been the one show that I've seen since the beginning, and although the outcome isn't always what I'd like it to be, and the couples don't always stay together, it's always a fun ride.

Fun fact, my husband's good friend in Law School grew up with Jake. Jake's dad is their family Dentist in Denton. Small world huh?

Luxuries

To all of you stay at home moms...

Would you consider the ability to stay at home with your children a "Luxury"?

The other day, after a hard week of sickness and tantrums and not having any help, I sat in front of the TV, 5 cookies in hand, and zoned out. I got a phone call and as I told her what I was doing her reply was, "I wish I had that luxury."

Now this is coming from a single woman with a job and school, and nothing more to worry about but herself.

To me, my 15 minutes of alone time with no children climbing on me (only because they had finally decided to nap at the same time) was nothing more than a breather, and wish I could have taken my 15 minutes and read a good book. But come on...a luxury?! I had no energy for anything else but that.

Out of curiousity I went ahead and googled it...

luxury

1. indulgence in and enjoyment of rich, comfortable, and sumptuous living
2. (sometimes plural) something that is considered an indulgence rather than a necessity
3. something pleasant and satisfying the luxury of independence
4. (modifier) relating to, indicating, or supplying luxury a luxury liner

So, what do you think? To me a luxury would be a nanny maybe, or even a night for myself. Or how bout a 20 minute uninterrupted shower? Or a bathroom break?! What a luxury :)


Or how bout this house? I'm sure I would also have the "Luxury" of having a few maids, a chef, and JUST have the responsibility of caring for my children and husband.

No, my friends, I do not consider myself to be luxurious in the "stay at home" department. Although I do love my children, and do appreciate my husband for giving me the opportunity to stay home with my little ones, it does have it's downsides.

I wouldn't trade these moments for anything, but I wouldn't mind a break with a side of energy once in a while.

Comments?

PS: Yes, I have been away from the blogging world. My husband has pretty much been gone from 8 in the morning to about 8 at night, so I've been on my own with the babies. And I'm exhausted. But I am not giving up!

Wisdom for your Weekend

"The best way out is always through."

-Robert Frost

US poet (1874 - 1963)

Do you ever find yourself in a situation where all you can think about is the best way to get out?

Many times I find myself screaming "Get me outta here!"

But this quote hit me right in the gut. You just have to stick through it and in the end you'll be proud that you did, and in turn may have learned a thing or two.

Don't give up. You can do it! Stop thinking about where you could be, and enjoy where you're at. Time goes by too quickly...and our kids (or us) aren't getting any younger.

Take the time to enjoy the "little" things in life.

I've been absent

Crazy past couple of days...

Yesterday my toddler fell off of some spinning seat at the park which was 3 feet off the ground.

Thought nothing of it, till she woke up crying 3 times in the night complaining about her head hurting.

Next morning, belly hurt, but went to library anyways and to a friends house to play.

At friends house, she started running a fever.

Came home, Fever was 103.0 and she was very cranky.

Called husband to come with me to take her to the ER (just in case there was some injury to her head)

2 hours in waiting room

2 hours in ER room

2 tests later...negative (strep and urine test)

Pull a diagnosis out of a hat...

Ala Kazaam...Ala Kazoom!

Here are your antibiotics...your healthy!

Gosh, I hate ERs and Doctors...can't live with them, can't live without them.

Daughters fine, but no real diagnosis. I feel like I came out with less information than when I went in.

Monday Madness

I'm starting to sense a trend in my Mondays. I guess I try to jump into the week full throttle, making myself clean the entire house on Monday, so that I can semi-enjoy the week, but this never works.

Today I spent the entire day cleaning. I mostly cleaned the kitchen, but then got caught up picking up all the dirty clothes around the house. Although each of us have our own hamper, somehow we tend to throw our dirty clothes in corners.

Just when I think that the day is coming to a close, and both my kids are napping, my daughter pees on the couch in her sleep.

Unfortunately this is not a first, but I should have known better than to let her fall asleep without a diaper on.

My daughter has been potty trained for almost a year now, but we still haven't gotten over the night time peeing. I know it's because she drinks a TON of milk before bed, but that's the only thing that gets her to sleep on her own!

Anywho, yes, Mondays are a dreaded day for me, So I'm glad tomorrow is quickly approaching. Maybe I'll be better scheduled this week and get some things done.

Just gotta keep telling myself..."I will SURVIVE!"

Wisdom for your Weekend

Here's a good one I came across today :)

Money doesn't always bring happiness. People with ten million dollars are no happier than people with nine million dollars.
- Hobart Brown

Gee, I'd be fine with the nine million right about now :)

Olympics 2010

God Bless all the Olympians! I love the Olympics. I would love to just be in their shoes one day :)

Snow

I Have a Love/Hate relationship with the snow. I grew up in Miami, so never really had the pleasure of living with the snow. It was pretty much summer all year round. After having lived in Utah for 3 years and North Texas for a winter, I'm beginning to realize that I don't really Love the snow, but I don't always hate it either.

Today it snowed, and my daughter loved it. I love watching her experience things for the first time. She is finally fitting into her $1.50 rain boots I bought her almost a year ago at a garage sale. She loved kicking around the snow and not worrying about cold wet feet.

My infant wasn't too excited about the snow, mainly because his nose started to drip, but all in all he was a good sport and loved to watch his sister play.

Someone saw my daughter running around in the snow and asked her if she had caught a snowflake in her mouth yet. This opened up a whole new door of fun for her. She was trying to catch those snow flakes left and right. At least the lady didn't ask her if she licked the snow off the ground :)


Things I love about the snow:
♥ Chunky Snowflakes
♥ Snow angels
♥ Every thing is covered in white
♥ No bugs...think about it :)

Things I hate about the snow:
⇓ Having to bundle up the kids, worrying that they aren't warm enough
⇓ Bad drivers
⇓ scraping the ice of your windshield
⇓ getting kids in their car seats with puffy coats


What are your experiences with the snow? And how do you cope those long winter days indoors with your kids?

Wordless Wednesday

Popsicles

"I want a Popsicle Mama." Is all I ever hear when I make the announcement that I will be going to get the mail. Since our mailbox is at the clubhouse my 3 year old always wants to tag along. Not just for the mere pleasure of accompanying me, but to get a Popsicle from the office. They love her at the front office, so they keep the freezer stocked for when she comes...but it's WINTER! And only she would want a Popsicle at this time. I thought a little fun in the falling snow would suffice, but no. She still insisted on her Popsicle. Maybe a cookie would change her mind? Nope...My daughter loves those darn sugar tubes.

So, I give in to her commands and let her pick a color. At least blue looked cute for a picture :)

Now Featuring...

It's time for another Blog Feature!

Meet HyperMom:

Jing Lejano is a single mother of four and grandmother of one. She is also a writer, entrepreneur, and crafts enthusiast.

HyperMom is truly a writer, and I enjoy reading her blog because she's not only funny, but you can always relate to her experiences.

Why do I blog? It's my me-time; I love it that I can just say whatever I want in my little corner of the blogosphere.

Tell me something Unique about yourself:
Something unique? At 42, I became a granny mwahaha

So go check her out! And make sure to mention that you found her on GoingPeanuts!

Monday Madness

Ever feel like you're stuck in a box?

I hate Mondays. For some reason I still dread Mondays as if I were still working a 9-5 job. Well, we all know that Motherhood is a 24/7 job that cannot be escaped, but somehow Mondays are just the worst.

I'm stuck, in a box, in a town I don't truly care for. My Husband is at school, and fortunately he makes an effort to come home early when he senses something is wrong.

I just don't know how to get out of this "Monday Mode". I sure hope tomorrow is better.

Did I mention I just HATE Mondays...

Sunday Recipe

OK, so I have had this book for a while, but I haven't actually used it yet, until now. It is absolutely the greatest recipe book ever! It's called:

It's a great way to get your kids to eat vegetables, without even knowing it! Her whole theory is to puree the vegetables and use them in some common recipe's.


You must get this book! I have now fallen in love with steaming my vegetables. All of the nutrients stay in the vegetable and then they are super easy to puree after. I steamed some cauliflower today to use in this recipe I will share with you, and my daughter thought it was mashed potatoes. She ate it and thought it was SO "yummy".

My daughter eats vegetables just fine, but what a great way to sneak in some extra every once and a while. Here is a great recipe I made last night.



Chicken Alphabet Soup
(With Cauliflower and Sweet Potato)

Prep: 45 minutes Serves 8

Ingredients:
♥3 qts reduced-fat low sodium chicken broth
♥1 chicken breast on the bone (about 1/2 lb) rinsed and dried, skin removed (I used 2 breasts for more chicken)
♥1/2 tsp salt
♥1/2 cup alphabet pasta (or pinwheels, since I couldn't find the letters)
♥1/4 cup cauliflower puree (steam cauliflower for 8-10 minutes, then puree)
♥1/4 cup sweet potato puree (steam sweet potato with skin for 30 minutes, remove skin and puree)

Directions:

1. Bring broth to a boil in large pot. Sprinkle chicken with salt, carefully slide it into the broth. Immediately turn off the heat and let the chicken cook in heated broth for 25-30 minutes.

2. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and let cool on plate for a few minutes, until cool enough to handle. Then pull meat off the bone and cut into small pieces (I shredded mine into strips) set aside.

3. Bring broth back to a simmer and add pasta. Stir in both puree's and simmer for 5-6 minutes or until pasta is ready. Toss in chicken and serve hot.

This was a great recipe, and fairly easy to make. My daughter loved it and Husband ate it with Parmesan triscuits.

Enjoy!