Week of Thankfulness - Day 3

Today I want to say how thankful I am for my hubby, his job and lots and lots of patience.

My hubby decided shortly after we met that he wanted to learn a trade. He was already working for a private company as a plumber's apprentice, but he worked all hours of the day and night and had to carry a beeper on the weekends.  He took a big pay cut to start off in a local union's plumbing apprenticeship school. Little did we know that this one decision would make such a big financial difference in our lives.

Through his apprenticeship he earned small raises each year and when my daughter was born we decided I should stay home to raise her.  Finances have always been tight but we are okay with that. We appreciate everything we have been given.

My hubby and I are very thankful for his current employer. He has worked for many companies over the years, but really lucked out with his current one. They trained him to work in their drafting department when he could no longer work in the field because of medical issues.

I'm also extremely thankful for the lots and lots of patience I was given today.

I'm sure I don't need to remind anyone that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Well Wednesdays are our usual grocery shopping day and because Thanksgiving is tomorrow all the stores were extremely crowded. Like crazy crowded and I don't do well in crowds.

I'm used to shopping with a bunch of older folks and a few stay at home moms. Today it looked like the Black Friday ads on TV with lines and lines of people. Where did all these people come from???

Anyways, my kids who don't enjoy shopping at all were very good. Not a lot of complaining, bickering or arguing. I was thrilled to say the least.

What are you thankful for?

Week of Thankfulness - Day 2 Thankful for the Mess

Today I'm very thankful for my messy house.

Yep, I said that.

I'm thankful to have a sink full of dirty dishes, piles of laundry, and even rooms to clean up.

No, I didn't go crazy and yes I do work to keep it clean.

When I see a sink full of dirty dishes that means I had food to feed my family. Hopefully something nutritious, delicious and filling.

When there are piles of laundry to be washed I know I have a house full of people who need me. They don't just need my help cleaning their clothes, but they need me to teach them how to be an independent person when they grow up. 

So yes, I'm thankful for the messes my family makes, because it means that I have people who still need me, as their wife or mom.

I love that I'm needed because I know someday soon I won't be. That's the job of a parent - raise your children so they are happy, productive human beings that don't need you but hopefully still love and want you.

What are you thankful for today?

"It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings. "  ~  Ann Landers

Conquering Your Fears

Will you do what needs to be done, even if your are afraid? What if there was no one to help you? What if your kids depended on you?

Okay enough of the dramatics. LOL!

We've all been there.  

 

A creepy bug is climbing the wall of your shower and you're afraid of spiders.

Replace a high up light bulb when you're terrified of heights.

Conquer your fear of maggots on the trash can when you just want to get sick.

It doesn't matter whether you are married, dating someone, living with family or you live alone, at some point you will need to do something that really frightens you. It won't go away just because you don't like it. You won't be able to get someone else to help you every single time.

I've had to do all the things listed above this past week and I was a bit freaked out by them, but I still did them. 

 

I had to climb into my attic to put some summer clothes away in storage and noticed 4 little bats hanging by my attic vent.  It had climbed through the slats in the vent and was hanging on the screen just inside.  

I'm not afraid of bats, I just don't want them in my house. Luckily, they were on the outside of the screen and couldn't get in.

At the time, I was home alone with all my kids in school, so I was the only one home to investigate where the bats were. My hubby wouldn't be home for a few hours. By the time he could get home it would be too dark and the bats probably gone to hunt for food. But I didn't want them to come into the main part of the house and fly around.

 

We don't necessarily live in the country, but I've had to deal with a lizard, frogs, lots of camel crickets and too many bugs to count. All while my hubby was at work.

 

What would you do if you were home alone and HAD to do something that frightened you?

Home Yoga Workouts Help Reduce A Mom's Stress

Home Yoga Workouts Help Reduce A Mom's Stress
By Pascale Vandenbroucke

If you are like many moms, your day never seems to be over. When your stress levels are climbing and you just can't seem to catch a break, try turning to a few calming exercise videos. Exercise gets your blood pumping and puts your muscles to good use, allowing your body and mind to focus on something other than the stressful situations that are getting you down.

Yoga is ideal for exercising at home because it requires little to no specialized equipment, there are plenty of online exercise videos with dozens of different moves to try, and can be done in almost any room. The beauty of yoga routines is that they can be as long or as short as you need them to be, and many exercise videos feature combinations of moves that work specific areas of the body which is something many women appreciate. By combining any of the following moves you can easily devise your own home yoga workouts! Simply select a move / pose, hold it for about 10 seconds, and release. You can then begin your next move or end your workout, it's entirely up to you!

Five yoga poses to help reduce a mom's stress

1) The Arms Overhead Position - Sit or kneel on the floor. Next, slowly lift your arms over your head and lace your fingers together once your arms are fully extended. For maximum benefit, try to keep your spine as straight as possible.

2) The Arms in Front Position - Similar to the Arms Overhead position, make sure that you are seated or kneeling with your arms fully extended and your fingers laced together. Instead of having your arms extended above your head however, in this position you should lean forward, gently rounding your spine. You should feel the muscles between your shoulder blades working with this one!

3) The Reclining Cobbler Position - Find a small cushion or roll up a throw blanket for use with this position. Lay back with your cushion / blanket positioned vertically, supporting your head and shoulders. Put your feet together with the soles touching and try to touch the floor with your knees.

4) The Child's Position - Kneel down and rest with your bottom against your heels. Slowly lean forward until your forearms are resting on the floor. Elongate your neck, take a deep breath, and exhale. You can use your cushion / blanket roll to support your upper body during this exercise if needed.

5) The Supported Bridge Position - Place your cushion / blanket on the floor and lay down on top of it with it supporting your hips. Arch your back gently, feeling the muscles in your hips and abdomen engage. Hold this position as long as you can, and then relax.

You can find moves like these and many more in the wide variety of exercise videos that are available online! Even the busiest of moms will be able to appreciate the stress-reducing properties of a relaxing yoga workout at home.

Pascale Vandenbroucke is the Creative Director of Workouts On Demand. They offer instant access to over 200 online exercise videos for only pennies a day.


Article Source:  Home Yoga Workouts Help Reduce A Mom's Stress

Kate Middleton's Post Baby Wardrobe

(photo: Michael Middleton)

Okay so I don't usually comment on pop culture stuff, but I had to send kudos to Kate Middleton for this latest "news".

Prince William and Kate Middleton posed with their new bundle of joy and Kate was wearing her maternity clothes.  A couple weeks after the baby was born.  Say it isn't so. LOL!

I applaud Kate Middleton because she didn't give in to the pressures of the media. I feel it makes her seem more relate able.  More like a normal mom and less like a celebrity who has fitness trainers, nannies, chefs, etc. (Though she may have all three).

This is only news because some newspapers and television outlets try to pressure celebrity moms  to feel as though they need to have their pre-baby bodies back within days after having their baby.  Plus they seem to negatively highlight any weight gain while pregnant. I feel as long as the mom and baby are healthy and their doctor isn't concerned - it's none of the public's business.

I've known many moms and very few has been able to slip right back into their pre-baby clothes. To me that's normal. Though I don't know a mom who wouldn't mind magically being thinner after giving birth.

Many moms stay physically active throughout their entire pregnancy, but still cannot fit into their pre-baby clothes. Your body can change shape after you've been pregnant. Hips can become wider, a small stomach where there wasn't one before, even a bigger or smaller bust.

I was always told it took 9 months for your body to get ready to have the baby and will probably take 9 months before it returns to "normal". That normal may or may not be the same as before.

I don't know about you, but my doctor said not to exercise my stomach muscles for week 4-6 after delivery. Normally your doctor can recommend some gentle exercises like walking or yoga to help you stay healthy, but I was told sit-ups, crunches, etc were off limits.

Remember every person is different and every pregnancy is different.

When Queens Ride By - A Fave Ebook

I'm writing today to share with you a wonderful ebook. It's one of my faves and I read it a couple times a year.

It's called "When Queens Ride By" by Agnes Sligh Turnbull. It was written in 1926 but it could just as easily been written yesterday.

The topic of the story is a woman's role in a marriage. Whether it's better for the marriage for the wife to work side by side her husband as an equal or she takes care of the home and family and acts as an encourager. I myself have felt like the main character many times and find this ebook very motivational.

Being a stay at home wife and mom with all 3 kids in full time school - I frequently feel like the main character. Torn between working outside the home to help my family financially and stay home for my family to help raise and care for my children (avoiding day care/summer camps).

The ebook is offered by one of my favorite websites: Living on a Dime.com.  The owners of the site are a lovely mother/daughter team, Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam. They offer lots and I mean lots of really common sense advice on how to live frugally. Love, love, love their site and have been reading their work for years.

So here's the book - enjoy!

"When Queens Ride By"
Click Here to Download

Are You Just a Mom?

Lately, I've gotten the feeling that being a mom isn't enough. How many of you have ever been asked what you do for a living and once you said you are a mom the person quickly ended the conversation? Like they were thinking - Oh so you don't work!

I was getting the feeling I need to work outside the home, care for my kids, hubby and home, and an endless number of other things in order to be valued as a person.

Just out of curiosity I googled "Is being just a mom enough?" and ran across this great video. It's was just what I needed and I hope it helps some of you also.

http://www.momversation.com/video/why-isnt-just-being-mom-enough

Let's face it we as moms are responsible for teaching our kids to become responsible, respectable, caring, and intelligent people. We are in charge of keeping our homes running smoothly, making sure everyone has clean clothes to wear, food to eat, homework done correctly, and pets are fed and cared for - just to name a few.

I'd say that's a pretty important job!

Motherhood and Isolation

I've been a mom for 12 1/2 years now and a stay at home mom that entire time. During that time I've dealt with the occasional bout of depression. Normally nothing serious, I just wasn't my normal self.
Only more serious after the birth of my son which I had some wonderful meds help me though those difficult 6 months.

Let's face it being a stay at home mom is challenging with constant feedings, cleaning, laundry and anything else you have going on. However, what about when your kids get older. You have to deal with different personalities, attitudes, wants, needs, etc.

Wouldn't it be great if there was an instruction manual. Unfortunately, everyone has to learn by trial and error.  No doubt that's partially to blame for approximately 26% of stay at home moms experience sadness*.

My kids are 12 1/2, 11 and 8 and they are all in public school during the day. So I'm home most days by myself cleaning, cooking, running errands, blogging, etc. I make sure I get out at least once a week just to see other people.

So, anyways, here are some ways I fight the blues when I start feeling a bit down in the dumps.

* Get out and run errands, shop or window shop - usually in the morning because the stores are full of other moms and nice older people.

* Go for a walk - weather permitting of course

* Turn on some dance music - this almost always works for me. I love to dance!

* Call a friend just to chat

* MOM Club - when my kids were little a group of moms would get together with their kids at a local playground to chat while the kids played.

Most of the time I needed to get out and be around adults. Other times I just needed a new project to work on or something to look forward to.

Any suggestions on how you beat the mommytime blues.

* Source http://www.gallup.com/poll/154685/stay-home-moms-report-depression-sadness-anger.aspx

Ways Moms Can Volunteer

As a stay-at-home-mom living on one income I find it hard to help out my fellow man. I don't make any money to donate to my favorite charities. I don't have a lot of time free (without kids) to volunteer places. So here are a couple ways we as stay-at-home-moms can help out.

1. Volunteer at schools - this is of course once your kids are in school or preschool. You can help out coping forms, help the teacher with individual work, not to mention field trips.

2. Volunteer at church - I don't just mean in the nursery. Fundraisers, soup kitchens, etc.

3. Help out the elderly in your community - Run errands for them such as picking up items from the grocery store or pharmacy. Visiting with them is another way to help out by making sure they are healthy or just having someone to talk with can make all the difference.

4. Of course there is babysitting. This is something you can do with your children present. We call them playdates.

5. Pitch in at sporting events - agree to bring in the team snack or drinks, help with fundraising ideas, or even sign up to wash the uniforms.

There are lots of ways moms can help give back to a community. Can you think of any others?

Enjoying Everday Life

I've spent a lot of time thinking lately and have come to the realization that I'm not enjoying my life. Don't get me wrong it's not bad - just not exciting or fun. I found myself constantly thinking of the future. Daydreaming about times in the future when life would be better, more fun, or less stressful. I was always waiting for those better times to come, but they rarely did. I needed a change! I needed to change my perspective - my outlook on life. I needed to focus on today and what I could do today to make my life better.


"Today is a gift that's why it's called the present."


My new motto is to enjoy the little things in life. Slow down. Enjoy everyday life.

Well today I had a lot of chores to do like washing the dishes and clean my house, so I turned on some music and danced and sang while I was cleaning. I had a blast and time flew by plus I even burned a couple calories!

Later on tonight I plan to take my kids to my oldest daughter's violin recital. Yes, I will be bringing the earplugs. Plus I will be bringing something quiet for my other kids to play with such as a doll, small toy, or book because I've learned from experience that kids get bored easily. This way everyone has a better time because the kids are busy and I can watch my daughter perform.

Join me. Slow down and focus on the small stuff today. Remember it won't last long. Kids grow up so fast, people leave, and situations change. Enjoy this moment.

HMAH Tip #13 Have Faith and Stop Worrying!

My hubby and I just had our income taxes done yesterday and this quote/tip really applies to me today.

"Worry looks back, hope looks forward, faith looks up." Author Unknown

With the current state of our nation, many people worry they should have prepared better for a potential job loss. The bad news is you can't change the past.

People in major financial troubles put their hope in winning the lottery or for someone to help them out. Reality is no one is going to help you completely. No one is going to come and pay off all your bills, credit cards, student loans, etc. Unless your related to Donald Trump or Bill Gates - and if you are, I'm up for adoption :)

Have faith! God has a good plan for your life. Situations may not go as you want them to, but God knows what He's doing. He sees the BIG picture and his timing is always perfect.

This is just a nice quote to think about.

HMAH Tip #12 Quote to Live By

Here's a wonderful quote to live by.

"JOY means Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last."

Author unknown

Even if you aren't a Christian, put your religion first, whatever that may be. A great way to do this is spend the first few minutes of the day in prayer or meditation. Start the day off in calm, peaceful manner that will hopefully continue on throughout the day.

Next, focus on others. Direct your time and attention to your family, friends and others in your life. Spend time building others up, motivating and encouraging them. Volunteer your time to help others.

Put yourself last. Now I'm not talking about all the time. I understand and fully believe you need to take care of yourself in order to take care of others, however, don't have YOU on your mind every minute of every day. Stop thinking "What about me?" or "What's in it for me?" all the time.

By getting your mind off yourself and onto others and Jesus (or your religion) you will start to see a bit more joy in your life. Enjoy it!

HMAH Tip #10 Save Time with A Gadget You Already Own

Since 82% of Americans have a cell phone, this tip applies to almost everyone.

Cell phones, nowadays, have lots and lots of features that can make your life easier*. Some of the basic features include voice mail, call waiting, built-in camera, alarm, memo/notes/to-do list, and calculator. Here's how these basic features can help you save time, save money and your sanity.

First of all is the voice mail feature. This is no longer just for your home (land-line) phone anymore. If you are shopping at the checkout line and someone calls you can easily send them to voice mail at the click of a button. Then return their call when it's more convenient for you.

Another feature that is popular on land-line phones is call waiting. You're on the phone with your sister and the school nurse from your daughter's school is trying to reach you. Good thing you have call waiting. My phone will beep and display a message on the screen during the call asking whether I want to take the call or not. It's peace of mind that you won't miss those important calls.

The built-in camera is probably the most fun feature. Taking pictures of your family and friends is the most common use. Another way to use the built-in camera is to take pictures of items you are considering buying. For example; buying a dress, furniture, painting, etc. to get someone else's opinion or to coordinate the item your current decor.

My favorite feature is the alarm. Some phones allow you to set alarms at a certain time each day every day or on specific days. Personally, I set my alarm to go off a couple minutes before I need to get my kids off the bus. It reminds me to get my coat on and head out to the bus stop. This way I know my kids will be safe and they aren't walking home alone.

Most phones include a voice memo or to-do list feature. t allows you to record a voice message to yourself or type in a note to yourself. This is a helpful when trying to remember your grocery list or the row you parked in. Save yourself time hunting around for your vehicle or making multiple trips to the store for items you forgot.

Finally, and the most useful is the calculator. This is a big money saver when shopping. Use it to figure out sale prices (ex. 30% off or 4 for $5) and to compare price per unit. Sometimes the larger size packages aren't the best deal after all. It can also be used to keep a running total of all the items in your cart to insure you don't go over your budget.

Your phone is a handy, little gadget you carry with you anyways, start using it to it's fullest. Start using all the features, so you can save time, and save money.

* Please note that each phone is a little different and refer to your owners manual for a full listing of your specific phone's features. These are basic features that a majority of phones have.

Reference:
Tuesday November 13, 2007
U.S. Cell-Phone Penetration Tops 82 Percent
http://www.gearlog.com/2007/11/us_cellphone_penetration_tops.php

HMAH Tip #8 Baby's First Steps

Another great use for your calendar, day planner, etc. is as a memories keeper.

Record your child's first steps, first day at school, first hair cut, lost their first tooth or just the funny things your children say or do.

It's a place to write your personal journal entries. Write notes to yourself or just details about your day. Ex. Dr.'s appt.: Dr. Doe said to start stretching my back more to avoid injury.

What about your home business successes or ideas? Maybe you want to remember to research the latest marketing techniques or the name of the latest book to boost your business. Well, write them all down in one spot, so you can refer to them often.

Just another way to put your calendar to use.

The Mom Song

This is the "The Mom Song". Everything a Mom says in a 24 hour period, set to the "William Tell Overature" (lyrics by Anita Renfroe)


It's hilarious!!! You have got to listen to this!

Make Exercise Fun

Who says exercise has to be boring and painful? Just look at kids -- they run around chasing each other, climbing on things, spinning and dancing, and riding their bikes. They don't know that all those activities are considered exercise by adults.

As adults we just need to find an activity we enjoy and then do it. Don't think about all the requirements doctors say we should do, like 30 minutes 5 times a week. Just think of it as "scheduled playtime" or recess. Besides it's a wonderful stress reliever and who couldn't use that nowadays!

One of the easiest activities to do is walking. It doesn't require any exercise equipment and can be done almost anywhere. If you're neighborhood isn't very safe - go to a mall, a nice community or get a walking buddy. One thing that gets me moving is music, so I break out my mp3 player and start walking. The time really does fly by when you're listening to music you enjoy.

If walking is not your thing, do something you enjoy that gets you moving. Whether it be dancing, soccer, running, jogging, swimming, basketball or golf.

Break out your inner child and have fun. Exercise can be enjoyable - just give it a try!

* Note always check with your physician before you start any exercise program.

New School Year = A Fresh Start for At Home Moms

September signals back to school for most of the children in the U.S.A. What will us moms do with all our free time? LOL

Whether your kids are in preschool a couple times a week, 1/2 day kindergarten, or are full-time in grades 1-12, you now have some time to yourself without children or at least less children. Use that time wisely because a new school year can mean a new start for moms also.

Make a List
Start by writing a list of everything you want to accomplish during your lifetime. Do you dream of going back to school for a degree, start your own business, or simply work on craft projects you've been putting off. Maybe your goal is to finish reading a book or perhaps write one of your own. Do you want to learn a new skill like photography, computer programming, knitting, gardening, or scrapbooking? It's completely up to you!

Break out your calendar
Set aside time each week to work toward your goal, just like you would for a doctor's appointment or meeting with your child's principal. By taking small consistent steps toward your goals you will build momentum and ultimately reach your goal quicker than you thought possible. Consistency is key!

Don't Make Excuses
If you dream is to take courses toward your degree consider distance learning through online courses. These allow you to do the coursework when it's convenient for you (during naps, bedtime, etc.)

If you want to learn a new skill check out some books from your local library or try a correspondence course. Many offer affordable monthly payment plans and it doesn't matter where you live.

If you plan to return to the workforce once your kids are in school full-time; practice your skills and keep up on the trends in your chosen field. Perhaps you want to train for a new career. There are other options to taking college courses. Try reading and learning the skills from books, videos, online, etc.

With your little ones in school now is your chance. Schedule some time, even if it's only 10 minutes, to work toward the life of your dreams. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" -- Tao Te Ching