I Enjoy "It"

I read another article this week referencing motherhood and the common phrase, "Enjoy it, because it goes by way too fast."

As newer mothers or mothers of young kids, we hear this a lot from older mothers. 

It's true.  I feel it.  I mean, four years and poof--I have a 4-year old!
It does go by fast.

But this new mother was talking about how there are days when we truly do NOT enjoy it. 

And I get that.  Maybe even a week for goodness sake! 

There are some good and some bad moments of being a mother.  And we all try the best we can to take away as much from it as possible.  While trying to keep them clean, fed, stimulated, educated, and whatever else we feel is important.

It's a lot.  And sometimes it IS hard to enjoy. 

That was me this week and maybe even today (I know, after 48 hours without them, today was still rough.  WHY???  No clue).  But I'm here.  Sane.  Because I'm blogging, with green tea in hand, and the lullaby music I hear from my daughter's room as she naps.

And we look at the positive stuff or things we enjoy that happen in just one day.

Mal cutting out hearts I had made for her.  She was elated. 
Clay snuggling with me this morning while we watched a few cartoons. 
Playing "camp out" in Clayton's room where the bear (AKA Tipper) was about to get us.
Both kids eating the healthy lunch I cooked them. 
Both kids falling asleep like 5 minutes after leaving our play date this afternoon AND still sleeping when I carried them up to their rooms.

Priceless.
 
I'm not perfect.  I still worry too much about having a clean house, doing laundry, and trying to make EVERY moment count with our kids.  I still get upset when my kids don't listen, when they talk back, or when they fight. 

BUT then I take a step back and realize, nothing really matters.  The ONLY thing that truly matters is loving our children.  And making them feel loved.  And that is what I enjoy doing (MOST of the time at least). 

Which counts in enjoying "it." 
Right?!?!?!

Top 10 for the WEEK:

10.  Gluten FREE.  I was tested for food sensitivities this week and found out that Gluten along with 17 other foods bother me.  NO wonder I can't seem to stop these headaches or the nausea that comes every moment of the day but then worse at night.  Man is it going to be a challenge.  But just like the pop (THREE months now!!), I'm going to do it.  If it means feeling normal again, I'm all for it.  I am tired of it!!  Since Thursday, I have tried my best with the situations I've been in to watch what I eat.  And this is what I have discovered.  My body is a wreck.  It definitely reacts to these foods.  Who knew???  I meet with a Nutritionist this week...which I'm really excited about.  Here's to a better 2013.  I'm ready.

9.  Dog Farts.  Our dog, Tipper, is a strange one.  We hear her burps, farts, and stomach ALL the time.  I am in complete shock every time air comes out of her!!! I have NEVER had or heard of a dog that does this.  Seriously.  It's crazy.

8.  Conversations with our Daughter.  I'm not exactly sure what it is with the age four.  But wow!  She has had some crazy, mature thoughts and questions lately.  That have even left me confused on how to respond or react.  We had a whole discussion on bones one night.  She wanted to know what they were used for and where they were in her body.  Then she even asked why her brother's Sternum poked out.  Then there was the talk on fruit snacks and how they truly don't contain much fruit.  It still boggles my mind.  And makes me realize even more that I really need to watch what I say around her.  Not that I'm talking about things that are R-rated or anything...but she is at a very LITERAL stage.  Everything gets taken in the simple context of her mind. 

7.  New Job.  Barber.  Clay crawled into the bathroom sink earlier this week and I decided it was the perfect time to cut his hair.  His Daddy was commenting on how it was getting "too long" so I decided to make it shorter.  He just sat there, content.  I'll need to remember this for next time:o)

6.  Outdoor Family Fun.  It was super cold at the beginning of this week.  Which meant that I didn't take the kids out as much.  Well, when Jay got home, we had dinner, and decided we all needed to feel some fresh air.  It was cute.  Jay used the snow blower while Mal and I shoveled.  And Clay just walked around chasing the dog or falling down and then screaming.  It felt great to be outside for those 30 minutes.  Amazing what fresh air can do for you.  Looking forward to spring!!!

5.  Baker House.  I made a loaf of bread (NOT in the bread maker) and baked cookies this week.  I truly do love cooking with the kids.  Clay is a handful, but Mal really gets into it and enjoys it.  Which I'm glad.  Because sometimes I'm not really in the mood to do things like that, but she ALWAYS is.  Makes it more fun.  Even with Clay on the counter, in the sink, touching everything.  Clay.  Clay.  Clay.

4.  Malloryisms.  This week's sayings:
*"OMG."  Seriously.  She said OMG.  I have NO clue where she got it from.  But she said OMG.
*"I love you better."  We were saying I love you back and forth to each other and she came up with this.  I thought it was cute.
*"Oh dear."  As she was missing putting sprinkles on a sugar cookie.  Do I say this??
*"I just did that last week."  She's really been aware of past tense and time.  It seems that even if it happened yesterday or a month ago, it was last week.  Seems it's her age.  I think it's funny.

3.  Clayisms.  Just call him GOOSE EGG.  Worst experience EVER so far.  He was trying to get into a kid grocery cart, fell over, hit his head on the floor, and proceeded to get the biggest golf ball shape egg on his forehead.  I was panicking.  Mal was calm.  Doing everything I told her to.  Go get the ice.  Go get his paci.  Talk to Nana and Papa (which the first thing she said was "I didn't have anything to do with it!).  She was a champ.  Thank goodness I have her to calm me down because it was extremely frightful for me.  Now he just has a big yellow spot on his forehead.  Thank-you Clay.  I know this is only the beginning.  BUT please give your momma a little slack on getting hurt. I'm also noticing he copies Mal more and more.  He really thinks the world of her even when she's mean to him. 

2.  Continual Snow Day.  It's unbelievable how many snow days the schools have had around here--like FOUR!!  Mal also had two days off of school this week.  It was nice to not have to drive all the way to Paw Paw and back to get her.  However, we were definitely cooped up in our house WAY too long.  Here's to getting out more this week.  Let's hope.

1.  Weekend Getaway.  Jay and I had the chance to get away this weekend to Traverse City with two other couples.  It was great.  Much needed.  Except for one little thing.  We were the first couple to get to the house (which was around 9:00PM Friday night).  I unlocked the door, we looked around, and then headed out to get our stuff.  I went to open the front door and realized it was LOCKED.  Seems the door stays locked, until you unlock it from the inside.  Wouldn't have been such a bad thing, except I left the key on the counter and my purse in the hallway.  Luckily, the other couple had a key (who were about an hour out), the casino was just down the road, AND the casino didn't ask for my ID.  Spent an hour playing black jack where we broke even and then met them at the house.  We played games, talked, ate, shopped, scrapped, and just relaxed all weekend.  It was bliss.  Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Newell for watching our little ones:o)

Another week done.
February is almost here!!

Have a great week!!
Until next week,
Mrs. Newell