Being Grateful...

The past week I have really been thinking about different ways that I can show and teach my kids how to be grateful.  I think my biggest fear is having children that feel entitled to everything.  My husband and I are fortunate enough to be able to provide our children with nice things and most things that they want.  I've heard from numerous people that my children "want for nothing."  After hearing this (which, was fairly recently), it made me start thinking and really paying attention to how my children react when they get a gift.  And sadly to say, I've realized that they are starting to feel entitled to things.  For instance, whenever we go to a store, whether it's a gas station, a grocery store, or a department store, they seem to think that they should get something.  I know that my husband and I are to blame for that.  We are not perfect and we like to buy our kids things.  I mean, seriously, what parent doesn't?  With that being said though, things are going to change.  My children will no longer be getting something every single time we go to a store.  I want them to appreciate the things that they do get instead of playing with a toy that they BEGGED for for a week, and then watching it sit in a closet. 

Now don't get me wrong, my children do work for some of the things that they get.  They have daily chores that they are responsible for and they earn money for doing their chores.  My son saved up enough of his own money to be able to buy an iPod Touch.  I was VERY proud of him for that.  I want them to understand that you have to work for the things you want in life, whether it's something materialistic OR something emotionally gratifying. 

There is a family that I have become very close to within the past two years, and to be honest, I consider the mother of this family to be one of my best friends.  This is the most appreciating family that I have EVER met.  I have commented to her numerous times about how grateful they all are!  Even her and her husband, they thank each other for the littelst things that I wouldn't even think of thanking my husband for!  This family has had a MAJOR influence on me and the way I want my relationship with my husband and children to be, and how I want our family to function.  Their little girls are some of the most polite children I have ever come across and they are truly grateful for everything.  I understand that gratitude is not something you are born with and that it is something learned and taught (and if you do it right, something taught at a young age.)  I must say that this family is doing it right because all of her girls are under the age of 10.  It's unbelievable to see chldren that have that much gratitude at such a young age. 

I hope to be able to instill gratitude upond my children the same way she has with hers.  I am currently looking into ways to teach this to my children and I'm SO excited to take this journey with them.  Also, I want to thank my friend Ashley, for showing me how to be grateful for even the small things and having SUCH an impact on every aspect of my life.  You really don't know how much your friendship means to me!

Kickin' My Own Butt...

So I have recently come to realize that I kick my own ass every single day.  It's like I have my own worst critic in the back of my head everyday, constantly criticizing every parenting, relationship, and school decision I make.  Why don't you play with your kids more instead of doing homework?  Why don't you clean the house more instead of playing with the kids?  Why aren't you doing homework instead of getting to bed early?  Why aren't you getting more sleep instead of doing your homework?

 It's like a vicious cycle that I can't seem to quit.  Part of me thinks it would be easier if I just got a job outside of the home....which I want to do very bad because I want to start using the skills that I have developed and my college education.  Then, the other part of me wants to stay home with the kids while they are still young and impressionable so I know that they are having good morals instilled in them and they aren't spending more time with the babysitter than their own parents.  What makes it even more difficult is the fact that I'm at home by myself with the kids most times.  So not only do I have to play Mom (and where all the hats that come with that role), but I also have to play Dad during the week, and be a college student as well.

     Every night, after I give my sweet babies a kiss and hug and get them all snug in their beds, I think about all of the things I "should have" done with them instead of what I did do that day.  I tell myself that I could have done this better, or done that better, or this could have waited or that, because they are only little for so long. I question every decision I make, every single day.  As I'm sure most mothers do.  I just have a really hard time dealing with it at the moment.  I didn't know being a mom could make you feel so much guilt every single day. 

  I never thought that being a mother was going to be easy, but I definitely did NOT think it was going to be this hard either, especially being a stay at home mom.  Being a mother is the most difficult job there is on this beautiful earth of ours, but it is definitely the most rewarding.  My kids make me happier than I have ever been.  They make me smile and laugh every single day, and I love being able to see the world from their perspective.  I just want them to grow up with open minds and open hearts, and I want to know that the way my husband and I are raising them is the right way.  I know there is no answer to that, and I'm sure we are doing a great job.  I just need to learn to not question my decisions so much and trust in myself that I am doing the best I can do, and being the best mom and wife I know how to be. 

Laundry, Lizards, and Lifetime Fears

     Who knew you could have such crazy adventures doing laundry?!  I was going about my normal business, getting the clothes washed before the beginning of a regular week.  My husband needed his work uniforms washed and my children needed their school uniforms washed.  After everybody is tucked into bed, I'm still awake finishing up the laundry.

     I'm waiting for the last load in the dryer so I can fold it and put it away before I crash in bed for the night.  The dryer finishes and I, of course, open the door to start folding.  I noticed something fall out of the dryer, and I didn't really pay too much attention because I wanted to finish it and be done.  I fold the entire load, and that is when something catches my eye. 

     You know how when your dryer catches sometimes on clothes or on a dryer sheet and it leaves kind of a burnt mark on the piece of clothes or the dryer sheet?  Well, as I look down it looks like a piece of fabric that has been a little burnt in the dryer.  (Hey, I'm not claiming that my eyesight is the best, you can ask my optometrist if you want!)  Anyway, I see the object and bend down to pick it up.  It took me no more than 5 seconds to realize what I am holding in my hand is a dried (and I'm assuming washed) LIZARD!!!!  I immediately throw it down, jumping up and down in my laundry room screaming.  I run OUT of the laundry room and start scrubbing my hands obsessively and that's when I realized that I still had to get that disgusting little thing out of there! 

     I managed to work up enough courage to grab a plastic bag and pick up the lizard with that, running as fast as I can to the garbage can.  Anyway, the point of my story is that I am now terrified of doing laundry in  my own house and I can't help but think about how many other creepy crawly things are in here! 

Negative Nancy

     Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, you don't feel supported?  I do, more often than I should in my opinion.  I'm sort of a free-spirit who moves in all sorts of different directions.  Something catches my attention, and I'm off on a mad dash to do whatever it is until the next thing catches my attention.  If you know me well, then you know that I'm like that. 

     What's really frustrating to me is when people don't support me.  Especially those that mean the most to me.  Yeah, it's true; I may not stick with something for a long time...usually until I get bored with it, but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't support me while I am doing it. 

     I normally try to surround myself with people who make me happy, people who see the best in me and I in them.  Most days, I'm really good about it, but (and I'm sure everybody has them), I have those days where I feel like no matter what I do, it's not good enough, or that I am not good enough to be doing it. 

     What do you do to help yourself out of these little funks?  How do you explain to those that mean the most to you that all you want is their support and encourgement? 

This Is Me....

     I'm a 27 (soon to be 28) year old mother of two wonderful children.  My family has just recently moved to Texas from Wisconsin for my husband's job.  Yes, that's right folks...I'm a liberal, tree-hugging yankee who now lives in one of our great nation's most conservative states....dun, dun, dun!!

     Don't get me wrong, we love it down here!  We have met some wonderful people on our Southern journey so far and the kids have made some awesome friends!  From what I can tell, we will be down here for quite some time, however; I'm not opposed to moving again.  I want to be able to see all kinds of places and experience new things all the time.  And as far as I'm concerned, if my husband's job gives us that opportunity, we may as well hold on for the ride!

    I'm starting this blog, well, mainly for someplace to put all of my random thoughts, and crazy ideas, but also to have a place to keep our memories.  A place where I can record our life adventures, whether they are good, bad, or ugly.  A place where I can keep these memories for my children and family.  I would be fibbing if I wasn't to say that I'm a little nervous about starting this because, honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing. So I say this to you, my fellow bloggers (if I actually do ever get any followers), I hope you enjoy my life and all of its crazy antics that tend to follow it. 

     How many of you were unsure of how to start your blog?  Or how many of you had no idea what to write?  What helped you?