Still Feeling Great

Still Feeling Great
September 23rd, 2013

As I start my second year at home, I'm STILL feeling great about our decision.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about what our life would be like--IF I was still working.  More chaos, less time, more stress, less "me" time.  I'm overall feeling completely blessed that I can be home.  And blessed that I have moments like the one I'm having right now.  As I sit here and type this, Mal is playing with different beads I bought her, talking to herself, totally content, right next to me.  Or the moment I had this morning when Clay and I played with Mr. Potato Heads.  Just the two of us--Mal was at school. 

Sometimes it feels like I've been home years, and other days it feels like only a few months.  But that's how motherhood rolls.  Expect the unexpected.  Enjoy the GOOD moments.  And I'm glad to report I still am enjoying this new life I've created for us.  And I'm pretty sure our kids are as well!:o)  Or let's hope!


Top 10 for the Week:

10.  Sinus Hate.  I had the MOST horrible headaches this week--and this wasn't even the start of them!  I went to my chiropractor several times, with little relief but not enough.  I finally ended up at my regular physician's office and one of the doctors there prescribed a Z pack to kill the sinus infection.  It worked!! Feeling SO much better. (However, I woke up this morning with a slight headache--my last day of the antibiotic.  Let's hope this doesn't continue!). 

9.  Meatloaf Muffins.  I bought a new cookbook (Against All Grain--great cookbook!!), and I've been trying a few recipes from there.  This week I saw one in there for meatloaf muffins--or shall I say I thought I was reading one.  Come to find out it was a vegetable muffin recipe;o)  Silly me.  I was kinda wondering why you would add cinnamon and nutmeg!  Anyways, I omitted those spices and added onion and meat.  AND they tasted delicious!!! It was a hit!! I was like--it's my headache. 

8.  GR Trip.  On Sunday, while Jay was cutting wood, the kids and I headed up to Grand Rapids to see my mom and nephew.  It was nice to get away for a bit with the kids...even when they started to break down towards the end!  Both kids were awake almost the whole ride home.  I sure wish our kids slept in the car!!!!  Instead of fighting and bickering with each other.

7.  Sew Much Fun.  I am seriously addicted to sewing.  I LOVE it.  This week I tried making a few purses and they turned out totally adorable!  I made two...and would love to spend all day sewing...but I have a few kids at home I need to care for:o) 

6.  Nana Here.  Just Girls.  SO, I have to admit.  I always have big plans for when my mom comes down to visit.  I know that with an extra pair of eyes on the kids...I'll hopefully be able to do a few more big chores/tasks around the house.  Well, unfortunately this week--I was sick.  First with sinus headaches and then a virus bug hit me as well.  So, I was kinda out of it.  It was and always is still great to have her around and the kids love it.  Mal, Nana, and I were able to get out shopping one night--and Mal thought it was the best.  "Just us girls."  Riding the carousel, an ice cream cone from McDonald's, and new shoes were the highlight of her night!  Oh and of course being able to stay up LATE!

5.  Halloween Décor.  My kids (especially Mal) love decorating for the seasons.  She would not let it go until we had all of our decorations up AND our Halloween tree decorated.  It is an exciting time of year...and I love being able to share it with my kiddos.  Being home, I am able to enjoy the décor a bit more.  Although I have had to put a few things away--THANKS to Clayton.

4.  31 LOVE.  I went to a 31 bag party this weekend which was also a gold to cash party!  I hit the jackpot--which wasn't even a ton of money.  But for this SAHM--I'm loaded!:o)  And I also won a door prize--a big tote.  Made my day and weekend.  Plus it was nice to get out for a bit and not have to worry about putting the kids to bed.

3.  Claytonisms.  Something is totally up with him.  I'm not exactly sure what, but something has changed.  He used to be pretty good about going to bed.  With our nighttime routine and all.  He'd even read books to himself AFTER and then just fall asleep.  Not sure if he's growing or if this is the "terrible twos" but things have gone bad to worse in just a few weeks.  I DREAD nap time and bedtime.  45-60 minutes later AND he's finally asleep.  We've also decided to get a second opinion on his speech.  We feel his frustration is definitely increasing...and are wondering if there is STILL something more we can do for him.  Met with his pediatrician this past week to get a referral and he agrees as well (mind you Clayton had the mother of all poops there during this time!! Of course!!).  So, we are trying out another speech therapist this week.  Between his appointments, Mal's school, and my chiro visits--I feel like I'm constantly on the go!  At least I have the luxury of being able to go to them...and not work. 

2.  Malloryisms.  Mallory is amazing me daily!  She remembered she had homework!  I still am seriously stunned that she did!  I don't think that I would even remember that!  And she's FOUR!  They've started letters in school last week (L was the first letter).  And her "homework" was to write down as many L words that she could do.  She was rattling them off!  I'm glad this year is going SO well.  Except for the fact that she is being chased by zombies during recess:o)  But she is "Proud to be an American."  The things a 4 year old can remember!  One night this week after the kids had been sleeping awhile, I went in to cover Mal up more.  She moved a little, and I told her "I love you" to which she in her sleep responded "I love you too." 

1.  Fall.  I love this time of year.  The cooler weather.  Trees changing.  Comfort foods.  Windows open.  Being able to enjoy our backyard.  Seriously is the best!  I found 4 frogs last night while we were out on the back deck.  It was SO cute seeing the kids AND the dog so entertained by frogs.  I can honestly say, I'm looking forward to putting away the kiddie pool and getting out the fire pit.  Bring on the cooler weather (as long as it doesn't get TOO cold--like this morning!!).


I FINALLY finished a blog ON time.
(I started last week's...but never finished it).

It's so hard getting back into a schedule.
But we are getting there.

Enjoy this week! 
Great weather I hear!

Until next week,
Mrs. Newell

Losing Motivation

Lately I've been struggling with finding motivation to blog.

Like, I'm dreading it,
EVERY time.
Like I find a few other things to do,
Before sitting down and writing.

So, I'm left with puzzlement.

What do I do?

Do I continue to be annoyed with a "homework assignment,"
Until, hopefully, one day my love of blogging comes back?

Who knows!

I'm indecisive.
BUT,
Unwilling to give up my diligent record of my weeks.
Of my family.
Of my kids.

So, here's another week!


This Week's Top Eight:

8.  Leo.  Is LOVED by our kids.  Like TOO much.  And it's funny because he will never go around them...unless they are sleeping.  He's woken up both of them several times in the last week or so.  SO much that we've had to lock him in the downstairs bathroom to keep him from doing so!  I mean, it's hard enough putting them TO sleep, we don't need something waking them up.  Right?!?!

7.  Flying Kites.  The three of us decided to fly kites this past week.  It was SO adorable watching the kids try their best to get their kite up in the air.  Mal had quite a bit of skill in doing so--she just ran as fast as she could all the time:o)  While Clay, was a little too slow.  He had the most problems and was the most frustrated.  Sweet Mal tried to help him out, but it was no luck. 

6.  Potty Champ.  May boy is doing well when I'm on it!  One day this week while Mal was at school, Clay and I ran several errands in Kalamazoo.  He used the public restroom TWICE!! And had dry diapers until 4:00 on TWO days!  It's more ME getting on the bandwagon and keeping track. 

5.  Love of School.  I have seen a change in Mal's attitude towards school.  Last year, I felt it was just something she did.  Something she liked doing but never really talked much about it.  Or even wanted to "play" it at home.  So, when this year, during the second week, she came home and was insistent on all three of us playing school--I was kinda excited.  She was the teacher, I was the teacher.  It was cute.  This week, the learned what a vertical line looked like!  Yes, people she came home and told me that.  Plus she's really been into letters and trying to figure out what words start with different letters.  Very encouraging for this momma.

4.  Clayisms.  I love my boy.  And I know my boy.  I know that he struggles to communicate.  I know that he is now becoming extremely frustrated with this.  I see this.  Everyday.  And I want SO badly to help him.  To know what to do.  To give him everything that he needs.  To thrive.  We've decided to see a private speech therapist.  We are working on getting a referral.  I just feel like there is something MORE we could be doing.  And I will go and do whatever it takes to help him. 

3.  Malloryisms.  "That's my boy!" referring to her brother.  They were sitting up at the counter eating a snack and he was scarfing down his.  It's amazing to me how much the depend on each other and then how much they can't stand each other. 

2.  Chicago.  Great time in Chicago celebrating the last singledays of my girl Anne.  Looking forward to her wedding in Atlanta in October!

1. 6 years.  Jay and I marked our 6th wedding anniversary on Sunday.  We were both recovering from a day or so away from our littles...so it was a very uneventful day.  We are planning on celebrating when we head to Atlanta for my friend's wedding.  It's funny to think it's been 6 years because somedays it seems like forever ago and others it feels like yesterday.  Still in love with my man and still in love with our life together.  Wouldn't have it any other way.  Love you JW.

Top 7

Top 7 for the Week:

7.  Schedules.  Mal started school this past week, which is an adjustment.  I feel like our routine is all up in the air...and we will take awhile to get into the groove.  Thank heavens it's only her at school.  And not me.  I still get to do the things I want to do. 

6.  Lake Cora.  Our little secret getaway was visited by us THREE times this week.  It was perfect.  It IS perfect.  I took the kids there by myself in the evening one day this past week.  They LOVED it.  I caught about 15 or so minnows.  It truly was the perfect weather and the kids love it. It helps that they sleep well after going too!!

5.  Potty Training.  I've started with Clayton.  He went poopy on the potty this past week which was huge.  He is scared sh--less of doing it!  But we are getting there.  He definitely wants to.  Which HELPS!

4.  Clayisms.  Clay has been breaking things.  I know this is just the beginning.  This week it was a few books, his piggy bank, and a canister of coffee. He also pooped on the potty--totally on his own without me saying a word.  A small miracle.

3.  Malloryisms.  Quite a few cute sayings this week.  She kissed me on the leg one day this week and states..."Did that go up to your heart?  Did it think of me?"  Sweetest thing ever.  "It's okay Clayton.  It's me Mallory."  "Daddy didn't peal this orange so well."  "Making chocolate chip cookies is too big of a chore for you, so I will help you." 

2.  Mal's First Day of School.  She was so excited!!  She came home telling me that a boy pulled her hand and there was a new girl in her class who like to ride her bike and had a kitty just like her. 

1.  Jay's Old.  My hubby had his birthday this week--Labor Day to be exact.  I ended up surprising him with a babysitter for dinner and then drinks out with friends.  He LOVED it and was SO surprised.  He did not see it coming.  It's good to know that I can keep a good secret in every once and awhile:o)