10 Facts Friday

Food

1. My favorite cookie is a sugar cookie with icing. Here is my favorite recipe.

Source

2. My favorite restaurant is Texas Roadhouse. I always order the house salad with Italian dressing (they have the best Italian dressing) and a baked potato. Sometimes I order a 6 oz steak with it. This is my absolute favorite restaurant meal. The rolls just make it all come together.

3. For each of our birthdays my mom cooks us a birthday dinner. I always pick fried pork chops, fried potatoes, homemade biscuits, sliced tomatoes, pinto beans, and gravy made from the grease from the pork chops. 

4. My favorite ice cream is vanilla with hot fudge with cherries and salted pecans.

5. The day my mom broke her leg and knee I made  this crock pot chicken Parmesan recipe. We were about to eat when I got the call. I never even got to taste it but Jeremy said it was good.

Source

6. My mom makes the best banana pudding from scratch.

7. I HATE milk, sour cream, and ranch (gasp!)

8. I really love green beans. I like to cook them with purple onion and garlic. I also like them wrapped in bacon with a butter/brown sugar/garlic mix on top. 

9. The easiest meal for me to cook is chicken and dumplings. We all love it, it's cheap, and pretty easy to make.

Source

10. The perfect breakfast has a little sweet and meat. Give me sourdough French Toast with sausage every morning.

Men Are Big Babies

My sweet darling husband had outpatient surgery yesterday. It was a quick 35 minute surgery where they cut open his stomach and took out some scar tissue from an old appendectomy. The cut is about 5 inches max. You would think he was on his death bed. Aren't all men like that? If he gets a little cold he can't get out of bed for days. I get a cold and I have to put on my big girl panties and deal with it. So just imagine how he is after a surgery.

Last January I had major surgery where they cut out a whole bunch of my stomach and inserted a wound vac. I had to stay in the hospital for 4 days. The day after the surgery I was up walking around. I wanted to feel productive. Laying in the bed didn't feel good. The night I came home to my parents house I cared for my baby. For the most part I was the same person. Resting wasn't what I wanted to do. I got in trouble by him and other family members for not taking it easy but it just isn't my way. I do not like being taken care of. It's either that or just me keeping score. You can read more about that here. 

I know this post sounds kind of braggy but that isn't my intention. My intention is to say men are big babies when they are sick. Us women don't have the option of taking it easy. There have been very few times where I've been so sick that I couldn't be around Jack. What did I do? Depend on the husband to take care of everything? Heck no! I called my mama. 

Jeremy will be home for the whole week. During the day I'll be at work and Jack at daycare. At night I'll be taken care of two babies. Please pray that the Lord will give me the patience I need this week. 

For your viewing pleasure a few sick men jokes:
*Apologizing now for some of the language but it was too funny.

Active Mama Series

One of my resolutions for 2014 is to participate in the Active Mama Series that Leslie from Violet Imperfection started to keep her active as a stay at home mom. She started it a year ago for herself but she is now opening it up for others to link up to this year. It's a great way to learn about other activities for you to do with your little ones. 

I started the Active Mama gig on January 1st. I wanted to start right away to get myself into the habit. I won't post every thing that Jack and I do but I will show the highlights. 

We started the new year right by heading to the park. It was cool but not too cold. My brother bought me a new camera for Christmas and I was anxious to try it out. 

 

On a perfect 70 degree day we spent several hours outside playing with his toys that he got for Christmas.  

 We then headed down the road to the park to swing.

I also let him wander around wherever he wanted. I just stayed a few steps behind. He was fascinated with picking up every stick.

One morning we brought out the bubbles that he had gotten in his Christmas stocking. Yes, the floor got sticky but I had to mop that day anyways. Jeremy even got in on the action (see his foot).

 Something new we tried was playing with stickers. Of course all he wanted to do was eat them and then he would get mad when I wouldn't let him. He did however learn pretty quickly how to put the stickers on the paper even if they weren't flat. 

Another new fun thing we tried was a Baby Oil Sensory Bag. You can see how to make it and some of the other things I have pinned by clicking here. 

He loved playing with it. You poke the big blob and it splits into a bunch of smaller blobs. It's a great activity to keep him busy while I'm preparing his food.

Another new thing we did this month was try to color. It was a big fail. We tried several times and each time was a major fail. All he wanted to do was eat the crayons. I wouldn't let him so he would get mad and throw them in the floor. Once he even tore his coloring sheet up. Boy has serious anger issues.

All in all this month was very successful and I hope each month is just as great. I'm so excited about the Active Mama Series and how much it will push me to be more active with Jack in the months ahead.  

Ottoman Redo

Here is our sad looking ottoman

I found this burlap at Wal-Mart today that I thought would look good covering the top of the sad looking ottoman

I took the bottom off so the burlap could be stapled

Just knifed those right out and unscrewed the screws a little

Then stapled the burlap on and reattached the bottom hard piece

I think it added a little modern touch to our living room

I'm thinking of making 2 pillows to match

Not too bad for $7

Are You a Scorekeeper?

I'm the dork that has The Best of Oprah episodes saved on her DVR. The particular episode I wanted to watch was called "Are You Poisoning Your Relationship?". I've watched it several times and keep it as a go-to when I feel like I need a reminder on what not to do.

There were several ways that a person can contaminate their relationship but one specific way that I'm guilty of is being a scorekeeper. 

Overall, we as women are really good at remembering what we did for someone else and what they did for us. Isn't this specifically true with our husbands?  I can mentally keep up with every single little thing that I do around the house or for him specifically. Jeremy is always calling me out for doing it. I'll say exactly what chores I've done today and he'll ask me why I'm keeping score. I keep score to validate myself and my role. I also feel the need to remind him of how much he hasn't done. 

This is not a good practice. When you are keeping score you are playing a game. In a game there is a winner and a loser. Even if you win every single time, do you really want your husband to lose? Who is really losing? Probably the person who is killing themselves trying to win. But what are they really winning? 

Building Back a Bond

After we had Jack we seemed to grow apart. I've heard that this is sometimes a common thing but I've also heard that some couples grow closer. We were the unfortunate couple to grow apart. 

Just about everything he did pissed me off. I was super snappy and resentful. My body had went through torture (remember I had that horrible botched c-section and didn't recover until Jack was 9 months). I was the one who was sleep deprived, in pain, and completely exhausted. I couldn't help but to be angry with him. It wasn't healthy for me or him.

I knew I was being way too snappy and snarky but I really felt upset with him. He wasn't as helpful with Jack or around the house as I needed him to be. We ended up bickering a lot and avoiding each other emotionally. 

In November I went to the doctor because my husband asked me to. He said he missed his wife. I knew things were bad but when he said he looked forward to work just to get away from me then I knew it was really bad. Of course, my first thought was anger. I wasn't too happy with him. I felt like he had let me down. When I went to the doctor I went for myself. I went to try and get my brain a break from all the anxiety. 

He put me on Celexa and it has helped a lot. It isn't an overwhelming feeling. It just took my ball of nerves that I was walking around with and shrunk it. Within a few weeks my husband kept asking me if I were okay. He even thought I was being cold or distant because we weren't fighting. It's sad when he associated our connection with fighting. 

This is when I wanted to start being actively productive at fixing things. I started intentionally doing the following things:

1. Cooking his favorite meals

2. Kissing him when he came home or left

3. Holding his hand in the car

4. Asking him how his day was

5. Saying I love you first

6. Giving his a surprise every once in awhile

7. Stopping myself from saying something back when he said something he knew would create a reaction

8. Ask for what I wanted

9. Snuggle/go to bed when he did

10. Watch whatever he is watching 

These were just some not so simple things that I did to recreate a bond. They may sound simple but when you are in a situation of anger they are pretty difficult. Thankfully these things worked and our bond is stronger than ever. 

I Had a Date with a Cute Boy

 After leaving work yesterday I made the decision to take Jack out on a little mama/son date. We never go do stuff just the two of us unless it is running errands so I thought this would be fun and it turned out to be so fun that I'm thinking about making this a regular thing.

First we hit up a place called Piggy Sue's for a fish plate. They gave him stickers and a sticker book which was great because we had just practiced with stickers the day before. 

I look so washed out. I promise I did full make-up before work but by the end of the work day I look like this. I touch my face way too much. 

Next door to Piggy Sue's is a new frozen yogurt place that we haven't tried yet so I thought this would be a great time. It is super cute. They have a bunch of soft serve machines and you serve yourself. They have a several flavors. You then go through a toppings line. Then you pay. EXPENSIVE!!! It's okay though because it is a special occasion. 

The inside is super cute. They have couches, a tiki bar, cute tables, benches, and big screen tvs showing cartoons. 

We had an amazing time. We laughed and played and had a really great time for a Tuesday evening. I'm looking forward to the days where I can take him to the movies and bowling. It was one of the best dates I've had in awhile. 

Perfection

I'm basking in the glow of this day. It was perfection. After a yucky weekend I woke up Monday morning feeling much better. Thankfully we were out of school for MLK day. After breakfast Jack and I blew bubbles in the living room. We then played around the house and then he took a nap. While he napped I cleaned house. My dear husband was so great this weekend by caring for Jack and doing the cooking BUT he didn't do a pinch of cleaning. After nap time we played with stickers.

Jeremy then called and said he needed me to drive over to his work (45 minutes away) to bring him some things he forgot. I really didn't mind since we didn't have anything planned. Jack did great on the ride there and back. We got back and shared a pot pie and a cupcake for lunch. 

It was a perfect 70 degrees outside so I decided it was time for a little air.

Playing on his ride toy that he got from Nana for Christmas.

After playing in the driveway and walking around the backyard, I decided it would be great to walk down to the park. It felt great getting out and doing some walking.

I let Jack call the shots. I stayed a few steps behind him and just let him do what he wanted. He ran all over that park. He kept picking up every stick he came across. He wanted to put them in his mouth and would get mad when I had to tell him no. It was the cutest thing watching him try to pick up those big heavy branches. 

I felt like a brand new person as we walked home. It was the best feeling. The walk made me feel great. Spending time with my son and seeing him laugh made me happy. Feeling good and being productive was making me wish I could be a stay at home mom.

After the park trip I let Jack have an early supper. Oh what a mess! I was in such a good mood that I didn't even care about the mess though. It is just a mess and can be easily cleaned up. I had already had the bath water ran because I knew there would be a mess but he ate that stuff right up. 

Jack went to bed without fail thirty minutes early. He was tuckered out. It felt really good to have such a wonderful day. It really was just the thing I needed to get over a slump I've been in lately. Hopefully this amazing mood will continue with me into the week. 

My Yucky Weekend in Review

Well my weekend didn't start off yucky. It started off great. Jeremy suggested I go get my hair done. It really needed it. I went in a cut and color. Well mid-way in the wonderful experience my head started hurting. I suffer from migraines but I've been on medication for them for awhile. Well Saturday I had a full on migraine. I didn't get much sleep Saturday night and the migraine went into Sunday. Thankfully I did I have beautiful hair!

Here is my silly boy. He had a moody day. It was just too cute when he grabbed his shirt and laid on the floor. Please ignore my dirty floor. Cleaning this weekend did not happen. Thankfully I'm off work today and hopefully can get some stuff done.

Now for the WORST part. We got rid of our precious baby Lexi dog. I had her before I had Jeremy or Jack. She has been my bed partner for 4 years. I love her so much. She did not like Jack. She was super jealous and growled at him when he got anywhere near her. Saturday she bite him on the finger and I knew I had to find her a new home. Thankfully we were able to find her a wonderful new home. I took this picture as we were waiting for the new family to meet us. I cried like a baby (which did not help the headache). It will be an adjustment I know. 

A Fight Leads to an Epiphany

The other day my husband and I had a fight. It wasn't a huge fight but it was a long fight (it last 2 whole days). On day 3 I said the words that ended the fight and changed my life. All along those words were stuck inside of me but it took me a few days to figure my feelings out. Once I figured it out and told Jeremy we both changed. 

The fight was about Jeremy watching too much tv. We use to fight about this a lot but a few months ago he changed his ways and started helping out more at home and walked away from the tv a little more. Around Christmas he slunk back into his old ways (thanks for the huge flat screen mom). 99% of the work landed on me and Jeremy spent his time off work posted on the couch in front of the tv. I let it go for a few weeks but it didn't get any better so I finally had to say something. 

It didn't go well. He felt offended and I felt unappreciated. 

I tried to explain to him that each time I saw him just sitting in front of the tv that my frustration grew a little more. I know my husband loves tv but this wasn't good. He wasn't spending time with Jack except for when Jack crawled in his lap and they watched tv together. He came to bed late. He ate his meals in front of the tv. He was like a knot on a log and I hated seeing him like that. He looked so lifeless. 

So after 2 days of yammering back and forth about who does what and what is fair we were still not agreeing. Like all fights, we said too many things we shouldn't have and feelings were hurt. 

The next morning he was gone to work for 3 days and nothing had been resolved. On the way to work it was all I could think about. Suddenly it came to me why I was so upset. 

I was scared that Jeremy was being a bad example for our son. I sent him the following text:

I can't help but to want a picture perfect family. I will always want that. I will never stop wanting that. I want Jack to see 2 people living life. I want him to witness us dreaming, achieving, and reaching goals. He needs to see us passionate about something. We need to be his role models.

After writing that I realized that although I wasn't posted in front of the tv that I was still being a bad role model for my son. I wasn't living life to the fullest. I wasn't dreaming, achieving, or reaching goals. Yeah, maybe I was marking off a few things off a to do list but I wasn't doing phenomenal life changing things. I needed to stop complaining about my husband being a couch potato and I needed to start being an inspiration to him. 

He texted me back:

Well when you put it that way I feel really bad about my actions. I never thought about it like that.

I'm ready to make a life change. I want my son to see his parents as people who live life.

Simple Valentine's Wreath

One of my goals for January was to complete a Valentine's craft. Sunday I decided to tackle this goal by creating a Valentine's wreath with the supplies I had on hand. I had a leftover Spring wreath that I pulled the stuff from and turned over. I didn't want to do a traditional all pink, red, and white. I started by painting it this really pretty blue. 

I took some washi tape and put around it. I picked up this LOVE piece from the Dollar Spot in Target a few weeks ago. 

The last piece I added was an R that I painted pink. I really would love to add a big burlap bow to the other side but I don't know how to make a bow. I might get my friend to do one for me because is great like that. 

I like the way it turned out and I'm happy that I'm able to cross this off my list of January's goals. 

I'm Dreading Work Now

I'm going to be really honest in this post. 

Jack was a difficult baby. He never seemed to get on a schedule no matter how much I tried. He slept horrible or rather I should say he rarely slept. Nothing seemed to make him happy and if we found anything it didn't keep him happy for very long. Honestly, work was my break time. I use to feel absolutely awful about being happy about dropping him off at daycare. It really felt like I never got a real break. When I was at work I was working and when I got off work the real hard work started. 

Pictures from our difficult times

The summer wasn't easy either. I was so excited about spending time with my precious baby and it was great but boy was it hard. It was work day and night. He still wasn't sleeping at night. In order to get him to fall asleep, even for naps, it was pure hell. He fought it all the way. He choked on every type of food we gave him. He was crawling which was amazing to witness. I waited for that moment for so long. I couldn't wait for him to be able to really enjoy all those wonderful toys we bought him. He had almost no interest in them. He wanted cords, leaves, the dog, my hair, pretty much anything he wasn't suppose to have in his mouth. I know that is what babies do but it got exhausting with little sleep. Each time I put him down he would scream but when I held him he would wallow all over me. Not the summer I imagined.

Work started back and once again my work became my break. I spent my lunch break like it was a Bahamas vacation trying to live it up as much as I could in those 40 minutes. I would use every free moment before, during, and after work to take care of adult business like bills, phone calls, post office visits, and store runs. Jack hated being in the car seat and hated going to the store even more. 

In November he turned one and started walking. Things did get a little easier. I started taking Celexa which helped with the anxiety I was feeling over him getting hurt. He started sleeping a lot better. We got smart and put up a baby gate between the living room and kitchen. We then baby proofed the areas that he had access to. We turned our foyer into a playroom area to get the bigger toys out of the living room. For the first time since Jack was born I could actually relax a little. He could play without me worrying and I was able to clean house, watch tv, blog, read, and even really enjoy him like never before. He started eating like a champ. He started playing with all his wonderful toys. 

Life was grand during Christmas break! Two whole weeks with my amazing baby boy who brings so much joy to my life. We had fun. It was so nice. He woke up around 6 am and we spent most of the morning just playing, eating, watching some cartoons, and taking a nap. Our afternoons looked similar. We just hung out and it really was a blast. 

I did NOT want to go back to work and it broke my heart. I'm a teacher and I love my students but I wanted to spend the day teaching my kid. Getting up in the mornings is so difficult because I really don't want to leave. I want to be at home with my baby. I hate being at work dreading being there. It isn't the way it is suppose to be. I've got to find a way to get my passion back. As much as I would love to stay home, I can't. It just isn't financially right for us and probably never will be. 

Sorry for such the long post but I needed to write these feelings down so maybe I can make peace with them because I need to so I can let it go.

Come on Spring Break! 

Zip, Zero, Nada

I literary have nothing to write about. My life is good, not great. I'm working, taking care of my kid, cooking supper, cleaning house, paying bills, you know just being an adult. Blah. Blah. Freaking. Blah. So what is going on in my life right now?

1. I got my flu shot today. Jack and I went to the health department and finally took care of it. My dad called today and demand we get it done pronto. I would like to add that he has not had his. #typicaldad -

2. I've been selling lots of stuff on the swap shop. Yesterday Jeremy said "You are selling everything like we are are crack heads". It really cracked my stuff up. 

3. I found out I have an endometrioma. Apparently, it was caused from the c-section. I have a marble sized knot in my stomach that is quite painful. I go on the 27th to get more information on what to do. 

4. We are looking forward to American Idol and The Following starting. I need some new tv shows to watch with Jeremy. It is a good bonding experience for us. 

5. I'm really starting to give more thought to where Jeremy and I are going to put down forever roots. I want to really start making some process into the decision making. I know a decision doesn't have to be made right away but I am really starting to feel a yearning to belong to a community. 

Well that's all I got for ya today. Jack is trying to take the dog's toy and the dog is having a fit. 

What I Want From My Blog

Friday I shared with you what I like to read or not read from a blogger. You can read that post here. Also on Friday, Chloe from The Sunshine Blog wrote a post about how to set goals for your blog. After reading this wonderful post it got me thinking about my own blog and what do I want from it. 

Source

If I know what I want to read from a blogger then I really need to get more intentional (there is that word again) with what direction I want for my own blog Mrs. Mama. 

First, I reread Chloe's post about how to set goals and I made some notes. Second, I tried to look at my blog through a strangers eyes. I wrote down things that I wasn't happy with and could use some work. I updated my About My Family page because I know for me that is the first thing I click on when deciding if I want to follow a particular blog. 

I recently updated the look of Mrs. Mama using the incredible Erin from Love, Fun, and Football. If you need help with blog design she is wonderful. Her fees are just right, she works with you so well, and she is quick. Seriously, even if you don't need help with blog design go to her page anyways because her blog is awesome. Okay, I'm getting off topic (I tend to do that).

Now that I have some changes in mind for the look of the blog, it is time to think about content. I've never really considered myself a particular type of blogger. I want my blog to showcase almost every aspect of my journey as a wife and mother. Those two roles are extremely difficult and if I can help someone else with their journey using my blog then I'm happy. I want my readers to look at my blog and see a woman who struggles to figure it all out but who is continuously striving to be all she can be to her family and herself.

BLOG GOALS 2014 

1. Make a new button

2. Make a sponsor page when I feel the time is right (I'm not ready yet)

3. Work on sidebar (if you would like me to add your button just let me know)

4. I got a new camera for Christmas so I need to use it and edit my pictures

5.  Get real more often. I'm always so worried about being judged in the blog world. I don't want anyone to read a vent and think that I'm not appreciative of anything in my life. 

6. Post more DIY and recipes. It isn't that I'm not doing DIY or cooking, it is just that when I'm in the moment I tend to forget to take pictures. 

7. Be more intentional with my posts. I need to think before I write a post about what message I want to share. What is the take away? 

8. Promote my posts more often. Holly at Back Home Again has been great at promoting my blog this month and I've seen the positive effects of that with more comments and readers. Her blog would be a great blog to sponsor because she works really hard for you. I want to sponsor more blogs to get my content out there.

I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to a new blogger named Maggie.

Here is her url: http://itsbellasbedtime.blogspot.com/

She found my blog and thankfully introduced herself and I'm so glad she did. She is focusing on living intentional this year as well and has been a wonderful motivator for me. Like I said, she is really new to the blog community so stop by and give her a blogger welcome.

What I Want From a Blog

[source]

Not only am I a blog writer but I am also a blog reader. I follow over a 100 blogs but only read about 20 of those a day depending on what they are offering that day. There are a handful of bloggers that I read religiously because they are my blogging buddies and I must see what they gotta say. Today I thought I would share with you what I am looking for when choosing which blog posts I want to read and which blog posts I want to skip. 

What I love to read:
1. Lists. When people write numbered lists I always click. 

2. Interesting facts. Every now and again a blogger will post facts about themselves. I love reading those because you get personal insight. Quirks are the best!

3. Rants. Who doesn't love a good rant?

4. A review of a product I've been thinking about purchasing. I don't always read reviews but there have been several times where a review has come in handy.

5. Organizing tips. I love organizing so anytime I see a post about organizing I always click. I've learned so many amazing tricks thanks to bloggers.

6. Process posts. Posts where a blogger is writing about their progress always interest me. I'm always on the path of bettering myself so I enjoy see other people make progress. Even if they weren't able to make strides I like seeing that I'm not alone. What worked for them could work for me.

7. Easy recipes. I really love crock pot recipes.

8. Money saving tips or anything about getting out of debt.

9. Free printables. My Pinterest board is full of my printable collections.

10. Cute and easy DIY. If it requires tools then it probably isn't for me. I'm more of a tape/glue/scissors kinda gal. I don't mind a little paint but a saw will not be used. I also love the vinyl projects but I don't have the equipment so until I win one I'll just have to stick to pinning them. 

What I don't care to read:
Absolutely no negative feelings toward that blogger but it is just me and what I'm seeking to read. I still follow them but just don't pick that particular post to read that day. 

1. What I Wore. My fashion is awful so seeing someone else look cute just reminds me how awful my clothes are. My only exception is Absolute Mommy because she makes even those posts funny.

2. Recipes that look complicated.

3. Over the top party recaps.

4. Year in Review posts. They are just too overwhelming.

5. Weekend recaps unless you are my blogging buddies. I'm so thrilled you had a wonderful thrilling over the moon exciting weekend. I spent my weekend keeping my one year old from eating his poop so seeing your weekend pictures of you looking super cute at the club makes me sad. I'd rather just skip that. 

6. Amazing house renovations. My house ain't that nice and will probably never be and I don't have the money to do anything like that. Makes me jealous. Sometimes if it looks like something my future could be like I'll take a look and pin it. 

7. Skinny people talking about weight loss. Weight is an issue for everyone. I get that. I also understand that even skinny people might want to gain some weight. #wishihadthatproblem. What drives me a little crazy is when a skinny gal obsesses on her blog about losing weight. Girl, you don't even understand what it feels like to have a real weight problem. I'm not saying your 5 pounds aren't important to you but I just don't want to read about it. People who are in that position will. 

I hope this posts gives you a little insight into the mind of this blog reader. We can't please everyone everyday but we can please someone.

The most important thing when writing a blog post is just to stay true to yourself. If you are a fashionista and love it, that is awesome, share it with the world. If your life is simple and your family is your life, that is awesome too, share it with the world. There is someone out there who shares similar life experiences. 

Happy blogging my friends!!!!

How I'm Staying Intentionally Organized

I made a family binder last year and loved it so much that I wanted to continue it this year. I made a few changes and added a monthly planner that I can keep with me at all times rather than the bulky binder. 

This is January in my monthly planner. In the notes section I have listed my 14 goals for January. I have everything written down that I can. At the top I have a place where I write down the things that are part of my January goals. For example, one of my goals is to do 2 dates. At the top I have dates and then have them listed as I do them. I don't want to forget the things I've accomplished when it's time to write up the update. 

The calendar inside the family binder. I mostly use it to write down important things that go along with family appointments and bills.

Here are my tabs: calendar, passwords, books to read, bills, debt plan, medical, notes, and master lists. 

In my master lists section I keep ideas for the Active Mama Series, my house to do list, date ideas, basically just anything and everything. I put in a notes section because sometimes I need to sketch something out or think things out using words. I also use that section for when I'm making calls and I need to take notes. In the back I have a purple 3-hole folder labeled "Recipes" where I put clipped recipes or recipes that I print. 

Here is the my binder and monthly planner. Aren't that cute? I got the monthly planner for a dollar at Dollar General!

You can go to my Printables Pinterest board and find most of my printables that I used.