Ever feel like you spend a lot of time in your car traveling around town, picking up and dropping off children, often traveling no more than 10 miles from your home, and yet all that time and brief trips add up but you always arrive back where you started? Don’t you feel like you should be somewhere by now? Where does the time and mileage go?
I decided to solve this case through the use of snap shots. Each time we enter our vehicle the Law & Order Doink Doink will appear to indicate important evidence in this case.
So here we go…
And so it begins, our trips, albeit short trips, in the car. We are off to story time at the Library. I have all 3 kiddos because our school district has a delay start. Thankfully we had a little bit of time to relax this morning our typical departure time is 8:40am.
She loves story time! Songs, bubbles, dancing, stories, and more! It is a ½ of toddler bliss!La pièce de résistance bubbles!Back in the car! We need to go drop off our eldest at school. She had a delay start this morning. We do not have bus transportation so I often joke that I am the bus driver.And we are off to the park on this unseasonably warm day.She had a blast!!Nothing like picnicking in the Park in the winter!!It got up to 66 degrees, unseasonably warm for Northwest Ohio.We had a blast at the park, now it is time to head home.Once home from the park it was time to clean up from breakfast. I should have at least soaked this one, oh well, thank goodness for vinegar.Crap, I forgot to wash my daughter’s Girl Scout smock. It’s not like it hasn’t been sitting down here for the past two week!! Why? Why do I do this to myself, do I like the rush that comes with, well, rushing? Truthfully, a little, yes. It’s like I am in a game show and I don’t know if I will make it before the buzzer goes off. The procrastination leads to anticipation that becomes addicting and so the cycle continues. And yes, in case you were wondering I did get the task accomplished before the buzzer. WINNER!!Nap time!! This is also when mommy does a little dance time in honor of nap time!!!The running around at the park helped, he is actually sleeping. Thank you God, I need a few minutes to myself in order to maintain my sanity, or what is left of it.Time to prep dinner; I would love to kiss the person who invented the Cock-Pot, now that is a pure genius!!Me time! Time to catch up on some of my favorite blogs! Let’s see what’s going on at Table for More, Allie is due like any minute with baby 3, maybe today is the day! Is blogging, writing and reading blogs, the new reality Soap Opera time? Hmm……I try to take at least 10 minutes a day to workout. Which usually involves me doing standing sit-ups and, yes, I hate to even admit it but I have a shaky weight thing, there, I have come clean! My motivation is usually a DVR Dr. Oz show. Most of his shows involve weight loss, getting, healthy, and such. Not today, today was Pro Anna movement which entailed a lot of pictures of Anorexic women.This is one of the images they showed. This is a woman’s hip bones, it was so sad. She is literally dying to be thin.After viewing and listening to those women’s stories I ran to the kitchen with my shape-up shoes on and grabbed a cookie in honor of them. So much for my motivation!It is nice to have a snack ready after school. Sweet Potato sticks are one of the kiddo’s favorite.It is time to wake up, freshen up and go pickup our Kindergartener.Nice incentive for being early to pickup, everyone get a few minutes to read, or in our preschooler & toddler’s case look at a book.
We are arriving home with all 3 kiddos with just enough time to freshen-up, have a quick snack, and grab her Girl Scout smock and go!It is time for that after school snack. These go quick! So quick that it is difficult to capture in a picture, the toddlers had is that blur in the corner.I ran upstairs to go potty (that sounds real distinguished) and came down to find that our toddler had changed shirts, misplaced her pants, and was now wearing a hat. Seriously!?! We have to go, now!We are all back in the car to drop off our eldest at a Girl Scout meeting. Thankfully we have an awesome neighbor, and friend, who’s graciously offered to drop her off after meetings. Thank you Sue!
Once home it is time to get things ready for tomorrow. Finish laundry, go through papers, clip coupons, plan menu of meals for next two weeks, answer questions about light sabers and dinosaurs (Really!?! I an extensive knowledge of things like architecture, food, clothes, furniture, and how to get food out of clothes and furniture but unfortunately my knowledge is lacking when it comes to Star Trek and Dinosaurs) and read Dora the Snow Princess 8 times.It is time to clip and organize coupons and finish meal planning which has been made so much easier thanks to Rachel Ray’s meal planning inserts from her magazine. Simply keep all the inserts in a file and go through past ones to plan for future meals (you can substitute certain ingredients in order to meet your dietary needs).Our little Girl Scout arrives home with this awesome St. Patrick’s Day craft. How cute is our little Lepracon? She always has so much fun at her meeting, her Leaders and mom helpers are amazing.This is one of those slim pickings meals, you know the ones, when you are trying to squeeze out one more meal before you have to go grocery shopping. This meal contains 4 ingredients, high fiber whole grain bread, one can of cream of mushroom soup, four skinless boneless chicken breasts, and green beans. So easy and full of fiber and protein, could you ask for more? (Well, I guess you could, someone else could so the dishes).Before we eat dinner and our eldest goes to CCD (school of religion class) we read out of our MagnifiKid, The flight from Egypt, and do the Jelly Bean prayer.I am back in the car, for the last time (fingers-crossed), to drop of our eldest at CCD. My hubby does pick-up at 8pm, thank goodness.
Based upon the evidence provided and after carefully and thoroughly analyzing that evidence we have come to the conclusion that…..that…you should most definitely be somewhere by now.
This weekend was amazing. It was one of those weekends where even though it was busy and full of activities I feel renewed and refreshed this morning. This past weekend I was fully submerged in my community and got to spend time with family and friends, through service and praise, what could be better than that?
Service…..
It all started Friday evening. Our local playgroup sponsored pizza and movie night at the Beach House, a local family shelter. For the past two weeks moms in our group have been generous in donating money to go towards the pizza order, made cookies, made brownies, purchased juice and pop, donated napkins, cups, and plates, donated movies, and some even dropped off their own donations based upon the shelter’s wish list.
So on Friday evening two other moms met at my home and we loaded up one of the moms Jeeps (it was so kind of her to drive, I was initially supposed to drive but my driver’s side windshield wiper fell off and wouldn’t you know it just so happened to be raining. It was a little scary to say the least but everything has worked out) with the donations, picked up pizza, and dropped of everything at the Beach House. While there it reminded me to be thankful for all I have. Sure there are moments when I wish I had a new computer, a new phone, a new mattress but being there on Friday reminded me to count my blessings. I have a home, heat, clothing, shower, a bed, and so much more. It also reminded me that in a blink of the eye it could all be gone, and my family could be that family in the shelter. It felt good to know that I was part of a group of amazing mothers who saw an opportunity in their local community, to give families less fortunate the joy of a family bonding activity in an otherwise less than ideal circumstance, and they were willing to help.
Love…
I started listening to K-love, a Christian based radio station, about two years ago and then I took their 30 day challenge and have been listening to nothing but since January. I listen mostly in the car while driving the kiddos to and from school, after school activities, playgroup meetups, church, and weekly errands. My interest in Christian music all began at a local Mother of Preschoolers (MOPS) meeting. Two DJs from Yes FM came in and explained the influence music can have on our children (I will blog more about this in the future) and that was my “aha moment”. Up until that point I thought it was cute when my son sang a Lady Gaga song word for word, I didn’t make the connection between the music and the image that was being portrayed in/by the music. So we made the switch to listen to positive and encouraging music. Now my son sings Matthew West and Casting Crowns songs word for word. So when my family heard that the Come to the Well tour was heading to Toledo we were excited.
It should be known that my mother and extended family have been listening to Christian music for years, decades really. I always thought they were a little crazy or overly religious, what was the big deal? I thought church was just the motions. I thought Sunday mass was just what you did, just because. It didn’t sink in, the magnitude, the feeling of peace that comes with knowing that Christ loves you know matter what. I think I was ashamed, guilty, or felt like I didn’t deserve Christ love, or maybe just elementary in my thinking (I will address this more in a future blog). So, it was a crazy journey there but I have finally come to the well.
Eat…
So the evening of the concert my family, my parents, sister, brother, grandfather (who turns 80 in a couple of weeks), uncles, aunts, cousins, my son, and I all met at Tony Packo’s for dinner before the concert.
It was a blast to catch up with everyone over Hungarian food at one of Toledo’s popular establishments.
Dinner is served
Tony Packo’s has been serving Hungarian food since 1934 and is well-known for its buns signed by celebrities, M*A*S*H connections, and of course the delicious food.
Shop…
So we had a few minutes before the concert, what to do, what to do? Hmm, shop! Off course! So we stopped into the Swan Creek Candle co. and enjoyed the amazing aromas and the cool antiques on the second floor.
I took a few pictures of some items I would like for Mother’s day (Hint…Hint for my hubby. No more grabbing the cheap, contents containing known carcinogens candles ten minutes before we have Mother’s Day brunch).
This is my favorite. This would make a great Mother's Day gift.
Praise…
COME TO THE WELL concert was awesome. It was so much fun being with the extended family, having 4 generations present at such a moving concert was truly a gift from God (and my parents, thank you for the tickets), I felt so blessed and thankful for this night. The concert included, Lindsay McCaul, Matthew West, Royal Tailor, and Casting Crowns.
Waiting
My 4-year-old thought Lindsay McCaul sang beautifully and wanted her CD. I agreed and yes, Nana got him the CD after the concert and we are so enjoying it.
I was really impressed with the group Royal Tailor, they are a great band for teens and tweens to listen to, I like the positive influence they can have on the younger generation.
Matthew West
Finally Casting Crowns came on stage. I had a difficult time explaining to our preschooler how a concert works. After every song prior to Casting Crowns he asked, “Are they next”?
All their songs are beautiful and moving but I got teary-eyed during Just Another Birthday.
Thankfully before I got to that point of sobbing, so others could hear, my little prince exclaimed, (and during a moment of silence for prayer), word for word…” I can’t hold it any longer. I have to go. I have to now. I have to go poop now!!” I guess God even knows when things are getting just a little to deep.
It was an amazing weekend.
Do you have a favorite song or Christian band that you enjoy listening to?
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! This is how we celebrated Dr. Seuss Birthday.
Goodmorning Kiddos!
We start off with Green Eggs but no Ham because I do not like it Sam I am.
After they have finished their eggs I exclaim that today is their day! You’re off to great Places! You’re off and away!
Then Left foot, Right foot, Left foot, right to brush their teeth and make their hair neat.
Then carefully, Tenderly, Gently they creep into the car and then once at school I yell “use your FAST feet”. There is work to be done before our friends arrive for fun!
But oh the pressures can be many for moms and that’s a fact but we must step with care and great tact and remember that life is a great balancing act.
Oh know, what could this be? What is it that I see? Is that pink ink that I dare see near the sink? No need to fear for this Kat, this Kat can handle that even without a cool looking hat!
Then we are headed to a most useless place. The Waiting Place…..for people just waiting. We waited for the snow to snow, the rain to go, and our friends to show. What to do while we wait, while we wait for our play date? Dr. Seuss Ville while of course it’s better than riding a horse.
Finally, finally could it be what is it that thing 1 sees? Our friends our friends they have arrived indeed. There is fun to be done! We have cakes to make and decorate, books to read and faces to feed.
Cat in the Hat cupcakes
Before we knew it the fun was done and thing 1 and thing 2 knew it.
To bed to bed I said mommy has an aching head.
Nite…nite
So off they went, right foot, left foot, and then I called it, Thing 1 said to me “I am not tired I am not tired you see, there is no way I will succeed in this falling asleep scheme”. “Oh Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
After a quick snooze thing 1 and things 2 got in the car and we didn’t have to drive far to pick up thing 3 so we could flee off to the show, off to the show we must go!
We must be dexterous and deft and never mix up our right foot with our left. But the little one, thing 2 what should we do? She is so small does she really matter at all?
She may not be very tall but “A person is a person no matter how small”. So that settles that, it is a great fact!
Guess what show, guess what show the kiddos did go. Lorax, Lorax but you probably already knew that.
Oh what a show, oh what a show that they did go. They cheered and they cheered and they CHEERED more and more. They’d never seen anything like it before!
After the delightful show wouldn’t’ you know they had to go with appetites in tow! What to eat? What to eat that could be neat? I don’t mean to vent but do remember it is Lent. One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish?
After a great feast that couldn’t be beat they were back in their seat all tidy and neat. With brains in their head and shoes off their feet it was off to bed with their dreamy heads.
Do tell me if you dare to share, how did you spend Dr. Seuss’ Birthday day?
As many of you know our house is on the market. And while we haven’t received an offer, we would even settle for an insulting offer, we are hopeful. Last weekend we prepared for an open house. I have to admit we almost have this showing/open house thing down to a science. When preparing for an open house or a showing a symphony of emotions tends to accompany the process and it goes a little something like this:
Mommy and daddy are so excited, HOPE fills the house. Soon ANXIETY shows its ugly face and mommy starts yelling about toys on the floor, dirty clothes shoved under beds, the food on the trim, walls, and ceiling, oh, the crayon marks strategically placed 18” above the floor, and last but not least, the gosh darn toilet that is a graffiti of pee, rust, and mildew (daddy usually disappears around this time, off on doggy doodoo duty). The mood slowly lifts and ENTHUSIASM builds as the house becomes cleaner and cleaner. Then, like a big drum (my symphonic vocabulary really stinks, I should have taken orchestra, big drum, how expressive!) bang!!!! PANIC sets in! Panic because it is time to poke the cat with a broom in order to get her out from underneath the bed and into her cat carrier. Panic because it is time to hurry up and make the cookies that take 10 minutes, in five. Panic because you can’t remember where you put the car keys and you still have a bunch of crap to throw in the car. And then, like the end of a beautiful piece of music all is PEACEFUL and quiet again as the car keys are found, everyone is buckled into their seats (often with more crap piled on top of their laps) and you drive away PRAYING the entire time that God sends the person meant to purchase the house TODAY, please!
Thanks to my amazing husband (and my parents, they took the kiddos all day) preparing for our Open House this past Sunday was beautiful. Our symphony of emotions was lacking in the anxiety portion because he got me, us, the whole family really, but I just like to think me, because he knows the struggles, the frustration, the long sleepless nights (this might be a bit of a stretch but there were a few stomach flu filled nights and lots of morning sickness, make that all day sicknesses when pregnant with the kiddos) I had with the toilet, so he got A NEW TOILET!!
The newest addition to our family/household
In honor of our 9th wedding anniversary (coming up in April) he splurged and purchased a brand new toilet!! He really does love me. All you moms can agree that nothing says honey I love you like a brand spanking new toilet. This is why we are declaring year 9 of marriage as the Year of the Toilet.
Look, no pee, no rust, no mildew…..it is graffiti free!
He really does love me!
I never really understood the purpose behind all the anniversary gifts. Like the first Anniversary, Year 1 is paper. Is that so you can write your condolences to each other?
Year 2 is cotton or straw? What? Is that because the little lady destroyed clothing while doing the wash and in an effort to keep the marriage afloat you purchase new cotton clothing and perhaps new sheets. Are we sleeping on straw mattresses anymore? What is the deal with the straw? You could make a scarecrow to scare away the marriage demons?
Year 4 is leather. Now this one I totally agree with and in fact we did purchase a leather couch for our 4th year of marriage or maybe that was our 3? It kind of felt like a 4th, that was the year we had our first child that was one long crazy year, so crazy it felt like two years.
Year 5 is wood. One website states a wooden cabin or a walk in the woods. Really!?! After 5 years what better way to express your love than a walk in the woods. Please, you can do that any gosh darn day. Or maybe your husband is not one to go for a walk in the woods. In which case if you find yourself walking in the woods with your husband on your 5th Anniversary you might have cause for alarm, leave a trail for the authorities.
Year 6 is iron. No joke, one website states the following…. 6th wedding anniversary is iron. Not the steam iron variety, domestic appliances are not a romantic gift, ever! This iron is the heavy black metal, maybe a new gate, or a fun candlestick. Nothing says I love you baby better than his and hers side of the house divided by an iron gate no less.
Apparently we weren’t to far off with the 9 th Anniversary, it is pottery. Well, we did get something porcelain!
Us 9 years ago
These date back hundreds of years and are supposed to be a lovely romantic gesture but I think it is time to update them; it is time to get with the modern-day necessities. Hello, we have indoor plumbing now and toilet is nowhere on the list even after all the crap you have been through during the past 9 years (the years that often include building a family, those are some crazy years; you see stuff that you can’t take back (childbirth and your husband peacefully sleeping while you get up a third time in one night with the baby)). Thus, we are officially declaring Anniversary 9, or Year 9 of marriage, as toilet, who is with us?
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 