You smooch your babies with that mouth?

Ok so as a mom I am sensitive to what people say around my little ones. I'm likely to reach for soap if you have a potty mouth in front of my bunch! But another thing that makes me crazy is how people talk about their children, in front of their children!

I was shopping with all three kiddos a week or so ago and a woman with one kiddo said, "You must be brave to take all three kids shopping by yourself!!" I replied that although it can be difficult, I am proud of my kids and their general good manners. She went on to tell me all about what a nightmare it is to shop with her kid and how awful he can be.... Lady, you're kid is listening to you... every word. As you are ranting and raving about how awful he is, he's standing there patiently. I believe that kid has much better manners than you seem to have.

We all need to vent about our lives, but not in front of the little ears that God has given us. It was a reminder to me to watch what I say all the time. I remember my mom talking to another mom one time. The woman said, "THREE teenagers?!?! What's that like?!" and my mom said something like, "It's wonderful." That left a major impression on me. Thanks for that mom.

skunk?

So, my middle kiddo has some serious tummy issues. He decided long ago that he is not a fan of pooping and he just won't do it anymore. He got some wisdom from my oldest a while back, "Brother, I know it's not fun to poop. No one likes it, but you have to do it. So, just go."

Our Dr. suggested some fiber gummies.... it's working great except for the horrible side effect of having the worst gas on earth! He's decided that to save himself a little embarrassment he'll just blame it on the skunk. You know, the imaginary one that smells so bad that we need to open the windows. Poor kid... poor me.

My mom always said, "trash in, trash out"

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23

I am very careful about what my kids see, hear and do. I want to protect their little hearts and minds. I'm their mom, that's my job. My sis and I had a conversation a while back about how you can't "un-see" or "un-hear" things so it's better to take our time when it comes to exposing our kids to things. My oldest has a very sensitive heart and my middle is not one who enjoys being scared. (I don't either!!) No tv show is considered totally safe to me. I don't turn on cartoons and walk away. I am responsible for what they hear and see! It's my job to protect them!

So, why don't I censor what I see and hear? I don't go around looking for trash to view, but I don't tend to shut off the tv if something comes on.... GUARD YOUR HEART, FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FLOWS FROM IT. It's time for me to set my mind upon things that are GOOD, PURE. Things that have real value, not just entertainment. I love movies, I love getting lost in a good movie or show, but I need to ask myself, "Am I guarding my heart?"

One of my kids' favorite songs is one my mom taught me years ago,

"Oh, Be careful little eyes what you see! Oh, Be careful little eyes what you see! For the Father up above is looking down with love, so be careful little eyes what you see!"

It goes on to do, "Be careful little mouth what you say", "Be careful little ears what you hear" and so on.

I know that I tend to be more calm, more patient, more "Supermom" if I am spending time with the Lord and setting my heart and mind on Him.

Talking to a cupcake

If you know me, you know that I have struggled with weight. I have been well over 200lbs and down to about 128lbs. Currently I'm about 135. The big issue isn't the scale though, it's the battle with the food. It's the wanting to eat anything and everything till I'm stuffed to the brim!

I love cupcakes. I had a conversation with a cupcake right before I began my journey to lose 75lbs, it went something like this...

"I have a problem. I am too attached to you, cupcake. I can't eat just one of you, I have to eat 6. That is unhealthy and wrong. You're going to have to find someone else to pick on because I'm done. Don't even try to smell good or look tasty. It's over. I know you're made of funfetti goodness, but I deserve better."

This was me that day... enjoying one last cupcake binge. yuck.

I really want to encourage you if you're struggling. Make a change. NOW. Don't wait till a monday or the first of a new month, don't wait for anything. I'm talking to myself right now too. I've gotten really relaxed about things lately and it's time to get a hold of myself! Come along with me peeps!

Trapped inside!!

We are getting creative. It's too cold to play outside, we don't have money to go to crazy places, and we are feeling BORED and Trapped inside! My hubby and I got quite a workout yesterday pulling the kids around on a blanket! We also worked together to make a hammock and swing them around. They had a blast, my arms are sore!

What's that smell?

Ok so if you know my oldest son, you know that his unfortunate super power is SMELL. He can smell anything that stinks for miles around. I had to share my favorite smell story.

I took the kids to Dillons to get several things and decided to go by the bakery area to look at the goodies. Apparently, it was too close to the seafood. My son said, "mom, it smells bad over here. REALLY bad. We gotta get outta here!" I took him very seriously because he also has a super gag reflex. Before I could even look at the donut I had my eye on he puked... a lot... everywhere. All over the floor smack dab in the middle of the bakery at Dillons. Ugh.

He then started to cry out of embarrassment and frustration so I scooped him up, squeezed him with a "mom" hug and then got out the wipes from my bag. I cleaned up as fast as I could (all the while listening to more gagging and threatening to puke more) and then we ran outta there! My oldest was sad, the second was angry (he wanted a donut as badly as I did) and I was laughing to myself about fun story I would get to share.

Weaning.... or not.

Isn't it funny how God helps us grow? Before I was a mom I remember saying a lot of things like, "Well, I'd never let my kids do that!" or "I'll never do this or that!"

One thing I used to always say was that I would not be nursing my kids till a year and I certainly wouldn't nurse any longer than that! My first baby had issues with a milk allergy and I got so nervous about everything that I switched to formula at 6 months. (I know now that there are things I could have done, but it's ok!)

Then came baby #2. I remember our pediatrician asking if I was only nursing and was pleased when I said yes, the benefits are HUGE. I was so glad that I was nursing when at 2 weeks old, my little spiderman got RSV and was hospitalized. It was horrible. There just are no words to describe that experience and the understanding that babies die from this virus. My little man was probably the only baby in history to actually gain weight during this trauma! I attributed that to the frequent nursing and apparently the very high calorie milk that I make! HAHA! My boys are big boys and by the time they're 9 months old they look like they're a year! They also both walked at about 10months so I was afraid of looking like I was nursing my babies well beyond the necessary time!

Anyway, he nursed till right about one year and it was lovely. Here I am with my baby girl, she's 13months old and shows no signs of wanting to wean. She is so little and sweet and such a mama's girl. Although I am so ready to have my body back to myself for a while, I am counting my blessings that I can nurse my babies and that it has been an amazing experience. I know that not all mommy's get to experience it.

So, I certainly feel like every time I say, "I will Never....." then inevitably it will happen. So, just to put this out there, "I'll never be a millionaire who lives on my own private island!"

Elastic... my love.

Ok so I have had three beautiful children and although pregnancy can be hard, I loved it. I loved bonding with my babies as they grew, feeling their kicks and movements. It's a beautiful thing. Here's the thing though. I really really love maternity pants. Oh the freedom!!

Maternity pants have ruined me for life. I hate jeans now. I find them restricting, annoying and dumb. So, imagine my joy when I saw these....

https://www.pajamajeans.com/flare/next

Don't hate. I'm gettin' some. When you run into me at the store or wherever, you can judge. Thing is though, I'll be comfortable and happy. You will not be... and you have to unbutton those jeans of yours just to pee. Not me, not in my new fabulous pajama jeans. Aaahhhh.

My husband doesn't know that he's buying me these yet.... I figure this is ok since he won't let me buy the adult footie pajamas....

Really... too busy to say Hi????

My four year old is sweet. He's tender-hearted and genuinely LOVES everyone. It's possible he's even inherited my "MUST HUG EVERYONE" disease. Anyway, when we're at the store or anywhere for that matter, he tells EVERYONE near him, "Hi!" Usually followed by his name, age and any other information he can think of. (which is why I have not taught him our home address yet, LOL)

So, it PEEVES me when people ignore him. Seriously, lady are you so busy choosing your new nail color that you can't give him a smile or a wave? It always shocks me how many people walk right past his smiling, friendly face and go on about their day. It's hard explaining to a kid why some people are too busy to say hi. Or too busy to give a quick smile.

On the other side, I love the people who not only say hello, but take the time to SEE him. Maybe shake his hand (which an older man did the other day and he's still talking about it), sometimes people are so happy to talk that eventually I have to say, "It was so nice meeting you! We better get going!" Although, truth be told, usually I could stand there and talk as long as we can. I love people. My kids love people. Jesus loves you, just so you know... even if you're a snotty looking lady who doesn't think children should be allowed in the grocery store. I love you anyway and some day there is a good chance that I'm going to tackle you, snuggle you and help you pick out your nail polish.... because I love you.... so there.

Confession

I started my day off with some very good intentions. Had my coffee, a protein bar.... and then things went down hill. My hubs brought home pizza from my favorite place and I said to myslef, "Self, I know you love this pizza, but we have to have some control here. Two pieces is sufficient. Let's do that."

After that little pep talk.... 5 pieces. FIVE people. Who does that? I just watched Biggest Loser last night and was feeling so very excited about getting back on the wagon. Frick. (my main word for all things that make me mad)

Here's to doing better at dinner...

Wait. The truth is I did have 5.... but I also had about another half that my son did not finish. That's embarrassing. Frick.

Caged Animals

Ok so it's freakin' freezin' outside. We're stuck inside. My children have not been out much lately and now ones got a cold so we're really stuck. I don't usually get cabin fever, but lately this house is crazy! The boys are literally bouncing off the walls! (well, if it's literally it's more like smacking into the wall and falling)Anyway, it's like being stuck in a cage with wild monkeys! I do pretty good at finding fun things to do. We've built forts, danced to music, lots of art, etc. Yet we're losing it! Time to get OUT!!!

Mom Hands

I was doing the dishes this evening and turned to put a dish in the dishwasher, my 4yr old reached up to wash his hands and yelped! "Mom! That is way too hot!" I remembered that same scenario when I was a kid. I used to think there was something wrong with my mom's hands that she could stand the water that hot! I believe I just earned a mom medal of some sort... cool.

Freakin' Food

For those who know me well, you know I dubbed the name RockStar from my sisters and friends by losing about 75lbs... I had my third kiddo and gained a lot of that back... now I've lost it again! Woo hoo! The problem is that I lately I've been slipping. I like to eat. I like it a lot.

I'm currently on a quest to eat more naturally, but somewhere along the way I forgot that you can't eat 100lbs of food every day (even natural foods) and still lose or maintain your weight. It's a daily struggle for me.

I'm asking God to help me continue on the healthy life journey. If I'm gonna be a Supermom, I can't be running out of breath every time I chase a kid or... you know, stand up. ugh. 

Who doesn't have a blog?!

I've been trying to decide if I want to start my own blog or not. When I found out that you can use your blogs to create a scrapbook, I knew it was GO time. I am not sure that I have anything spectacular to share, but hopefully I will make you laugh every now and then! 

My life is always changing and I feel like God is constantly teaching me to grow and change into the woman I want to be. I have three kiddos: Superman is 4, Spiderman is 3 and Supergirl is 1 year old. They are pretty much the cutest kids ever made... no really. 

So here's my first post of many to come. Nice to meet you. ;-)