Life Lesson Of The Day

For the record, don't ever, 

and I mean EVER, 

slice up jalapenos and then put your hands to your lips before washing them.

You will thank me, I promise.

My Kid Is So Weird - And I LOVE It!!!

Today Finley spent her morning licking the different textures of her touch-and-feel books.

I love that kid.

Just Another Mom Of The Year Moment. No Big Deal.

Last night my husband informed me that he would be leaving the DirecTV boxes outside in the morning because the post office would be picking them up. I thought, "Awesome, we can finally get them out of our entry way!" Easy, right? Hmmm.

This morning, I go about my business. Doing laundry, cleaning up cheerios, wiping up vomit (reflux, I HATE YOU!), hauling around a 22lb baby, making beds, dusting, etc. You know...the usual.

Around 12, I stuck Finley in her high chair and plopped the computer on the table so she could watch an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while I made her lunch and threw in the last of the laundry. While I was in my bedroom, I heard a knock at the front door, buttttt, since I never answer the door if I'm not expecting someone, I just ignored it and went about my business.

Two minutes later, I heard a knock at the side door, which enters into the dining room. I thought to myself, "Wow, they are persistent...and now I have to answer the door because they can plainly see the baby through the window....

....sitting there by herself watching a video while I am nowhere to be found." Strike one.

I quickly get my buns to the door and whip it open. But, since I'm a SAHM who gets puked on at least twice a day, I am most definitely not put together. Not only am I still in my pajamas, they are the rattiest, nastiest, oldest pajamas I own. I mean, the sweatshirt was so old I had the entire collar ripped off and the shoulders slid halfway down my arms. The pants? Bleach-stained and hole-y. My hair was a rat's nest because of course I hadn't showered yet. And I was wearing fuzzy slippers.

Strike two.

Well, the postman tells me that my husband did not leave the boxes outside like he was supposed to. So I find them and haul them to the side door (I mean, these things were heavy, and there were four of them!), and I see him just eye-balling the room. I know he must be thinking what a disaster I am, but really, no big deal right?

Wrong.

As I close the door and turn around, I notice that the only thing on the table besides the computer (and right next to the computer, of course)...
.
...is the empty beer bottle from last night's dinner.

Awesome. He thinks I'm THAT MOM.

Just another day in paradise lol.

So Maybe God Does "Do" Signs

So, I've been watching this awesome, AWESOME parenting/relationship series by Andy Stanley of North Point Church Community Church (check it out, you won't be sorry), and it got me looking around for a new church in my area. 

Online, I found a little place I thought I might want to attend and they had a link to click so they could send me info. Of course I fill it out because I'm a freak and I LOVE reading material. 

Well,  wouldn't you know it - today in the mail I received Andy Stanley's How Good Is Good Enough from them! 

I think it was a sign!

There's Something To Be Said For Domesticity

**Let me start by saying that I almost didn't publish this post, because it makes me feel selfish and like I am a bad mom. But I decided if even ONE mom out there, who is struggling to find herself within the messy confines of wife and mommy-hood, reads this and realizes she's not alone (and that it does get better and it's worth it!!), then I'll take the heat from those who don't understand. 

The other day, a family member of mine wrote this blog post. As a new mother, one who has worked all her life up until her child was born and has a creative/impulsive streak not to be believed, I could completely relate. 

Some days, I wish I could pick up and run away - and be free from all constraints. No obligations, no schedule, no planning - just me doing what feels right, when it feels right. I'm a free-spirit. I'm a creative soul. And sometimes, I feel like a flower that is wilting because I can't quite reach the sunlight. 

Sometimes, I lay in bed at night over-whelmed with the monotony that faces me the next day.

But, I love my husband, I love my daughter, and I chose them - which means I chose the obligations, I chose the schedule, I chose the planning. So I do it (and, man, I do it WELL!). Is it right? Is it healthy? I'm not sure. But I pray on it every night and every morning that God will bring some balance into my life so I'm not ALL selfish and not ALL giving.

And he has.

Because then, there are days like this. When I am so in love with staying home. When I  realize how LUCKY I am to see every "first", to be her consistency, to know her every cry/laugh/whimper/hum and know exactly what it means. Days when I am simmering a stew in the slow cooker and I have all of my fall candles burning. Days when we are listening to Halloween music and dancing around the house, laughing until we can't breathe. These are the days I love, the days I cherish, the days I never - ever - want to let go of.

I try very, very hard to never take what I have for granted, because I know if it was ever taken from me I would be broken.

My sweet, sweet pumpkin :)

3D magic in Disney!

Tuckered out.

More pumpkins!

My happy, happy girl :)

Sleepy baby.

My faves :)

Just hanging out with my girl.