Well I could take the time to rehash the holidays, but I'll do that in our family year book for the kids, and the other family that reads this were here, so I guess we'll move on to a fresh year. I'll tell you what though, I cooked so much in my bare feet on that hard floor that my back STILL hurts. Because I'm old.
Anyway, I'm not super great with the resolutions. I like when people have a word of the year, so I've decided to do that this year.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!
I've also decided to just have a list of things I really work on this year. I think I blogged earlier about how now that Nash is bigger and I'm coming out of the fog of birthing 3 kids in 4 years it's time to get my life together.
So the word of the year fell into place.
Focus.
I haven't quite figured out which month is going to be which focus, but I guess I should get on that. Because I'm also working on not procrastinating. Because I think that would solve a lot of my problems.
(((OMG did my door bell just ring? WHY DO PEOPLE RING DOOR BELLS DURING THE DAY? KIDS ARE ALWAYS SLEEPING!!!!!)))
As I was saying: Focus.
This month my focus is on getting up before the kids, getting my coffee and taking a moment to meditate and just sort of awaken slowly. I already got up before them most days so I could shower, but I wanted to take a moment in which I wasn't immediately task oriented.
I admit, we're 4 days in, and today I was a little slower because Nash was up a lot teething and also Erik was here - making things less hectic, but I can really see a difference! All the mom bloggers in all the land talk about getting up before your kids to get a jump on them, and now I get it. I HATE getting up even 2 minutes before what is absolutely necessary, but I can honestly say that I have enjoyed my quiet time in the mornings. I definitely think I'm on to something!
Also, I'm 10 days and 11 bags into a 40 bags in 40 days purge AND twice now I have slept more than 10 hours. 2017 is off to a pretty good start!
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Thursday, December 1, 2016
The Last Day of the Month
Every last day of the month, Fort Stewart conducts a test of the emergency warning system.
It starts with a honking noise that makes Piper scream in fear. (Seriously, when Grant wants to upset her, he starts saying "This is a test..." and making a siren noise.)
Then it goes to a big voice announcing "This is a test. This is a test of the Fort Stewart emergency warning system. This is only a test. This is only a test."
And then the air horn goes off for like 45 seconds.
And then the big voice comes back and says "This was a test. This was a test of the Fort Stewart emergency warning system. This was only a test. This has been a test. This has been a test. This has been a test. This concludes the test." (I'm not making ANY of that up. It goes exactly like that. So seriously redundant it makes me want to scream.)
My small children cling to me petrified. God help me and them if I've accidentally laid them down for a nap earlier than I should have because this will RIP THEM FROM THEIR SLEEP. AND IT GOES ON FOREVER.
So yesterday when the siren went off we all sat in Nashie's rocking chair. I snuggled him close and stroked Piper's hair and we sang a song until it was over.
And I couldn't help but think about the Momma's that are rocking their babies as air raid sirens go off in whatever land they're living in, praying until it's over. If there even are any sirens. Maybe the windows just start shaking up on impact and the moms just run full tilt toward their children. How do you help in this case? I don't even know. I couldn't help but think that THIS IS WHY Syrians are cramming themselves into tiny boats and feeling under cloak of darkness. I read a quote once that went something like "You don't put your babies on a boat in the middle of the night unless what you're leaving behind is scarier than being on a raft, in the middle of the ocean, in the middle of the night." Oh but no way should they be allowed in the land of milk and honey. Ohhhhh no. No, no. *MAGNIFICENTLY OBNOXIOUS EYE ROLL*
So I sat with my kids and I snuggled them while they whimpered each time the siren blew, and I cried too. And I prayed for those momma's and their babies. The world is scary. I'm so grateful to be raising my kids in a safe place with plenty of food and water and safety and freedom.
We take so very much for granted.
It starts with a honking noise that makes Piper scream in fear. (Seriously, when Grant wants to upset her, he starts saying "This is a test..." and making a siren noise.)
Then it goes to a big voice announcing "This is a test. This is a test of the Fort Stewart emergency warning system. This is only a test. This is only a test."
And then the air horn goes off for like 45 seconds.
And then the big voice comes back and says "This was a test. This was a test of the Fort Stewart emergency warning system. This was only a test. This has been a test. This has been a test. This has been a test. This concludes the test." (I'm not making ANY of that up. It goes exactly like that. So seriously redundant it makes me want to scream.)
My small children cling to me petrified. God help me and them if I've accidentally laid them down for a nap earlier than I should have because this will RIP THEM FROM THEIR SLEEP. AND IT GOES ON FOREVER.
So yesterday when the siren went off we all sat in Nashie's rocking chair. I snuggled him close and stroked Piper's hair and we sang a song until it was over.
And I couldn't help but think about the Momma's that are rocking their babies as air raid sirens go off in whatever land they're living in, praying until it's over. If there even are any sirens. Maybe the windows just start shaking up on impact and the moms just run full tilt toward their children. How do you help in this case? I don't even know. I couldn't help but think that THIS IS WHY Syrians are cramming themselves into tiny boats and feeling under cloak of darkness. I read a quote once that went something like "You don't put your babies on a boat in the middle of the night unless what you're leaving behind is scarier than being on a raft, in the middle of the ocean, in the middle of the night." Oh but no way should they be allowed in the land of milk and honey. Ohhhhh no. No, no. *MAGNIFICENTLY OBNOXIOUS EYE ROLL*
So I sat with my kids and I snuggled them while they whimpered each time the siren blew, and I cried too. And I prayed for those momma's and their babies. The world is scary. I'm so grateful to be raising my kids in a safe place with plenty of food and water and safety and freedom.
We take so very much for granted.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Gilmore Girls
Okay, I finished the Netflix revival of Gilmore Girls.
I have lots of feelings about it. I was happy, I was sad. I was irritated. I was "WTFing" at my TV with all those musical numbers and the whole Wild thing. But by and large, I was pleased with the peek into their lives after 10 years (although, what exacty has happened over those 10 years none of us will EVER know because it seems like exactly ZERO living actually went on.) Was that a spoiler? Nah, I don't really think so. But if someone wants to discuss this with me, I'm happy to partake. I have feelings about it.
ANYWAY
When the original series started, I was Rory's age. Exactly her age and grade in school. As she progressed, I progressed. When she went to college, it got a little boring because... well... I was in college. And after awhile, the show fell off my radar. So after I finished the revival series last night I decided to start over from the beginning.
Holy crap, you guys. The year 2000 was SO NINETIES!! The hair, the clothes, the television resolution. I thought we were so progressive back then. 2000 brought us American Pie after all, right? PROGRESS. BUT seriously, watching that pilot episode last night, I thought to myself "I might as well be watching this in black and white."
And then the Earth crumbled.
I was looking at Lorelai.
And it hit me.
I'm HER age now.
THE MOMS AGE.
NOT THE KIDS AGE.
And then I died.
I have lots of feelings about it. I was happy, I was sad. I was irritated. I was "WTFing" at my TV with all those musical numbers and the whole Wild thing. But by and large, I was pleased with the peek into their lives after 10 years (although, what exacty has happened over those 10 years none of us will EVER know because it seems like exactly ZERO living actually went on.) Was that a spoiler? Nah, I don't really think so. But if someone wants to discuss this with me, I'm happy to partake. I have feelings about it.
ANYWAY
When the original series started, I was Rory's age. Exactly her age and grade in school. As she progressed, I progressed. When she went to college, it got a little boring because... well... I was in college. And after awhile, the show fell off my radar. So after I finished the revival series last night I decided to start over from the beginning.
Holy crap, you guys. The year 2000 was SO NINETIES!! The hair, the clothes, the television resolution. I thought we were so progressive back then. 2000 brought us American Pie after all, right? PROGRESS. BUT seriously, watching that pilot episode last night, I thought to myself "I might as well be watching this in black and white."
And then the Earth crumbled.
I was looking at Lorelai.
And it hit me.
I'm HER age now.
THE MOMS AGE.
NOT THE KIDS AGE.
And then I died.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Fun Old Fashioned Family Christmas.
So my dad was here for Thanksgiving, which I love. I always feel silly putting out a huge spread when it's just our nuclear family. I like a reason to pull out all the stops. Which I shouldn't need, but I'm too pragmatic. Also, since my dad is single, I like the opportunity to make him decent food because I'm pretty sure he just eats hot dogs and take out for dinner. I do admit that I think being with us makes him feel like he misses the Family Years but I think that's actually good for me. Anyway, he just left this morning and now I'm switching gears for Christmas.
Because a crowd is descending.
My mom had planned to come for awhile, since we were with Erik's family for Christmas last year. But then my in-laws decided they were ready to try flying again after my mother-in-law's stroke, and they're coming too! So now, we're going to have a bustling house full for Christmas and a few days after!
I have to admit, at first I was kind of worried, but now I am STUPID excited to have everyone. I LOVE a house full of people for the holidays and I'm so glad my kids are going to have THREE grandparents to watch their eyes light up on Christmas morning.
I am totally planning to be obnoxious about activities and games and recipes and just general Pinterest Mom junk. I am almost certainly going to blow 6-months worth of grocery budget, but I don't care. I can't think of a single holiday in which nearly all my grandparents were in one place. In fact, I know for certain it NEVER happened.
Reason number 25 (get it?) that my kids are so ridiculously lucky.
Because a crowd is descending.
My mom had planned to come for awhile, since we were with Erik's family for Christmas last year. But then my in-laws decided they were ready to try flying again after my mother-in-law's stroke, and they're coming too! So now, we're going to have a bustling house full for Christmas and a few days after!
I have to admit, at first I was kind of worried, but now I am STUPID excited to have everyone. I LOVE a house full of people for the holidays and I'm so glad my kids are going to have THREE grandparents to watch their eyes light up on Christmas morning.
I am totally planning to be obnoxious about activities and games and recipes and just general Pinterest Mom junk. I am almost certainly going to blow 6-months worth of grocery budget, but I don't care. I can't think of a single holiday in which nearly all my grandparents were in one place. In fact, I know for certain it NEVER happened.
Reason number 25 (get it?) that my kids are so ridiculously lucky.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Holiday Prep
Oh gosh, I can't believe it's nearly Thanksgiving again. I swore last year that I'd get my holiday act together over the summer so all the activities and recipes I wanted to make would be ready to utilize by the time the holidays rolled back around.
Didn't. Happen.
Are you surprised I didn't want to think about the holidays during a Georgia summer? It's hard to focus on Christmas when it's 144* outside.
But then, I didn't even think to buy a turkey until last weekend at Sams when Erik gave me a little nudge in that direction. I thought "Well, I'm here, might as well buy it." so I walked away with a 22lb turkey for SIX PEOPLE. We will be eating turkey until Christmas. When I make another turkey.
So today I sat down to make out our menu, because, I think we know I'm a procrastinator, and it occurred to me that all I make is what our mothers always made.
Pat's stuffing, cranberry jelly (okay, from a can, but I'd never even touched that goop until I met Erik)
Mom's relish plate (haha! She's not exactly known for her innovative cooking.. Sorry mom!) and pumpkin mousse pie (my dad's fave!)
Grandma's pink fluff and green bean casserole
Close Friend Carmen's Turkey (it doesn't need to be basted!!!)
Sheena's nothing.
So I set out to remedy that.
This year, I'll be making maple bacon deviled eggs, and Paula Deen's Pineapple Casserole (which I've had before and am more than happy to make a permanent staple at our table). I'm also glazing some carrots for the first time, but those are mostly for Nash to eat SOMETHING healthy because Erik HATES carrots, so I'm not counting on those sticking around. I just need to find something my kids annoyingly insist on having on every holiday table from here to infinity.
I'm so annoying about holidays. I try so hard to make everything really nice. If I put half that effort in throughout the rest of the year, I might be a better homemaker. Ha!
Didn't. Happen.
Are you surprised I didn't want to think about the holidays during a Georgia summer? It's hard to focus on Christmas when it's 144* outside.
But then, I didn't even think to buy a turkey until last weekend at Sams when Erik gave me a little nudge in that direction. I thought "Well, I'm here, might as well buy it." so I walked away with a 22lb turkey for SIX PEOPLE. We will be eating turkey until Christmas. When I make another turkey.
So today I sat down to make out our menu, because, I think we know I'm a procrastinator, and it occurred to me that all I make is what our mothers always made.
Pat's stuffing, cranberry jelly (okay, from a can, but I'd never even touched that goop until I met Erik)
Mom's relish plate (haha! She's not exactly known for her innovative cooking.. Sorry mom!) and pumpkin mousse pie (my dad's fave!)
Grandma's pink fluff and green bean casserole
Close Friend Carmen's Turkey (it doesn't need to be basted!!!)
Sheena's nothing.
So I set out to remedy that.
This year, I'll be making maple bacon deviled eggs, and Paula Deen's Pineapple Casserole (which I've had before and am more than happy to make a permanent staple at our table). I'm also glazing some carrots for the first time, but those are mostly for Nash to eat SOMETHING healthy because Erik HATES carrots, so I'm not counting on those sticking around. I just need to find something my kids annoyingly insist on having on every holiday table from here to infinity.
I'm so annoying about holidays. I try so hard to make everything really nice. If I put half that effort in throughout the rest of the year, I might be a better homemaker. Ha!
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