Baby Time: Tips I Wish I Had

Babies, Babies, Babies! We're entering the stage of our lives where most of our friends are entering either their second or third children.

The people with the second still are in awe, another wonderful miracle. The people with the third, I just wish I could do something to help with the craziness.

We opted out of the third option, a few months after finding out about our 'surprise,' second.

If you're just starting out with your first child, there is SOOOOOOOOOO much to share! 

I know there are a ton of lists out there, but if you're children are spaced apart, there are a few things I learned that are VERY helpful, in the beginning. I can't nurse your child, or help you with the lack of sleep, but I can hopefully give you a list to look at, when you can't remember what it is you're supposed to be preparing, and why!

Things to Buy Either For The Hospital/After:

Stool Softener

Dermaplast (It's my new best friend!)
Tucks Pads

Pads, Pads, Pads

Ibuprofen, the BIG KIND

DARK pajama bottoms (You'll thank me for this)

Underwear (You don't have to, but yours might get ruined, think dollar store disposable!)

Tips of Things to Do Before Baby:

#1. Meals

Pick a day or two, and a few friends (they are totally willing to do this) and start cooking some meals to freeze. I did this with a friend, for my second, and for some reason, all the cooking I thought I did (2 lasagnas and 2 casseroles) were supposed to be enough to feed us. Boy, did I have mommy brain! (And seriously, who eats two lasagnas in a week?) 

Food Ideas:
Sloppy Joe's 

Sloppy Cheeseburgers

Taco Meat

Fajitas

Lasagna

Casseroles

Shredded Chicken (For Quesadillas, BBQ, etc.)

Brown Hamburger (for pizza toppings, fillers, etc.)

Desserts

Soups

Chili

Bread (Garlic French Bread)

Make sure you have enough room in your freezer and just go to town. Also, remember to pull it out of the freezer to use it! Put a note on your fridge to remind yourself of the food in the FREEZER!

Secondly, if you've already got other kids at home, make a list of snacks, or snack foods for them, or easy lunches. Go buy them, in bulk. I found myself at the grocery store quite often and pretty much with out a brain for this. With two children under two, and a sore, sleep deprived mom, this is a nightmare!

Snack List Ideas:

Tortillas for Tortilla pizzas

Pepperonis

Cheese, of all kinds

Fruit (but not necessarily bananas, unless you know you're baby is due the next day)

Milks

Juices

Pretzels

Animal Crackers

Cheetos (dad's need snacks too!)

Graham Crackers

Carrots & Other Veggies (Dip too, if they eat them that way)

BREAD (This is essential at our house!)

Nutella (might as well splurge)

And whatever else you LOVE to snack on and eat.

#2. Get Help!

No one is super mom. Assume, right now, either you, or your friend will need help. If this is her/your first, call friends and ask for help, or tips. We've been there! Crying in the shower? It's NORMAL! Laundry piling up? It's OK!

If this is your second, or third, ask friends or family now, ahead of time, for help. Just tell them that you'd like to maybe plan for someone to take the kids (if they aren't in school or day care) maybe once a week for an hour or two, for the first few weeks, until you feel you've gotten things under control.

Maybe see if someone can help clean house or fold your laundry. My mom came and stayed with us, when my son was born for a week. She cooked meals, and folded laundry and tried to help us in the middle of the night, when he was up, so that my husband could get some sleep. 

(Husband's are lucky-but I was really more concerned with his safety at work. He works with high voltage and if he comes home safely at the end of each work day, it was a success in my book. I didn't need him jeopardizing himself because of lack of sleep.)

#3. Get Addresses, Stamps, Thank You Cards 

You're going to get gifts, flowers, cards, meals and visitors. You're going to have to send a thank you card. Have you ever seen a mom, tired and struggling, standing in line at the post office, just waiting to buy a book of stamps? I've been there. It was NOT fun. For anyone involved. 

Additionally, you're probably going to be sending out announcement photos to family and friends. Right now, get all your addresses, and print them up on labels. That way, all you have to do is stuff and stick. Plus, it makes your count, for getting announcements easy too! You've already got the names printed, count them up quickly. Takes the guessing and thinking out of the game. (PLAN for STAMPS for this as well!!!!!)

#4. Plan to Leave Your House

I'm one of those people, who will go stir crazy, just sitting in my house, day after day, after day. After my son was born, during the peak of swine flu, I found myself in a dead panic when I had to go to Target. He was a week old, and I covered him from head to toe with blankets and clothes. The minute I stepped foot into that store, I could hear anyone, within a two mile radius, coughing. But we survived.

And you should plan to leave your house too! Even if it is just for a walk. Make sure you have a sling, or a stroller, to get some fresh air. Does wonders for you, baby and any extra kids! If you find yourself going to a store, or the doctor's office, and you're scared, buy hand sanitizer now! It'll be ok.

#5. Sleep, and Watch Movies NOW!

I think everyone tells you this, and I never listened. I worked up until I had my kids. I wish I would have napped. I miss naps. My kids think they are punishments. I wish someone would punish me with a nap.

One of the last things my husband and I did, before we had our first, was go see a movie. I tried to see a lot. I even tried to rent a lot. That really doesn't happen that much anymore. I'm not really missing out, or I tell myself that I'm not.

#6. Go to a Quilt Shop for Baby Bedding!
With my son, I struggled so hard at finding something that didn't have light blue, or trucks, or tractors, or baseballs for his room decor. I kind of forgot all about quilt stores, and those amazing people that have sewing machines and can sew. We ended up settling for jungle animal theme. Just like everyone else.

For my daughter, I had WAY more fun! The quilt shops had fabric galore! In every color, in every animal, in EVERYTHING! I could make her room whatever I wanted it to be! Bold colors, dark colors, shapes, and more! I wished the first time around I had known about this. I picked out a few different fabrics, and had a bed skirt, curtains, pillows and wall hangings made for her room. This was WAY cheaper, and didn't limit me as much. Also, I didn't have the exact same room for her, as everyone else had. It was very nice being able to think outside the box.

From now on, for each of my kids, when we go to do their rooms, we'll be making it our own. Instead of just relying on whatever the stores have on the shelves.

#7. Buy Diapers and Wipes!
I used every paycheck, after I made the 12 week mark, to buy diapers and wipes. One box of each, to stock up. I had my closet filled! I never filled up on newborn, but I bought boxes of each size. I always tried to balance out the sizes. With a newborn, they poop and pee round the clock! I went through more diapers. But, as they got older, it slowed down. The wipes, however, you will continue to use all the time! They will be in your car and almost every corner of your house, diaper bags, purses, etc. They will be every where and you will ALWAYS have a use for them. These also make great gifts!

I joined up with Amazon Mom the second time around and I always loved shopping at Target for diapers, because the coupons and deals and clearances were always AWESOME!

#8. Enjoy it the last of it!

With my daughter, I didn't realize the sadness I was going to have, as I started putting away her newborn clothes. It was a sadness of, "I'll never have a newborn again." I didn't know I would miss it that much.

I do blame hormones for half of it, but there is something that is just kind of sad, I think for most of us women, when we really, truly, realize, this is the last child of our own. Sure other people will have kids-friends, family members, etc. But, they won't have come from your womb. 

Now, if you've never had a child and are thinking of gift ideas for a friend or loved one who will be having one, I can help there too!

I think there will always be people who want to give you flowers and balloons. While, it's a nice gesture, they really get ignored. And then they leave a mess to clean up afterwards. Plus, getting them all from the hospital to the home, can be a nightmare!

If you'd like to give a gift, one bouquet of flowers is perfectly acceptable. Same with balloons. If they have already received that, give them diapers (not size newborn, but sizes 1 and up!), and baby wipes, or gift certificates for restaurants that do take out so they don't have to cook a meal. 

Or give the MOM a gift you know she'll love. Mom's get kind of passed up. Sure, the baby is new and the big deal, but mom's are special people too! She just performed a miracle! Shower mom with some love!

If you're offering to cook, make sure it's a meal, you know the family enjoys. Don't give them something they've never had before, because if they don't like it, then they're stuck scrambling to find something else to eat. (Unfortunately, we've experienced this. This is bad for mommy hormones!!)

If you're feeling really generous, get them a cleaning lady for a few weeks! Seriously. Who doesn't like a clean house?

My girlfriends and I have a hospital tradition. We give each friend their favorite candy and champagne, and the dad gets his favorite beer! That's a gift that is awesome!

Get her a massage, a hair cut, or pedicure/manicure gift certificates to make her feel good! It's a stressful time, and child birth is rough and tough! Pamper her!

These may not be all the greatest tricks and tips in the book, but these were definitely the ones that helped me, or would have helped me a lot! Especially the second time around.

If you have anything else to share, please leave it in the comments below! 

Looking for more on Babies? Check out my post on Natural Birth (It isn't negative or scary either!)

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For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

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Flying with Thanks!

Being an airline employee is one of the top stressful jobs you can have. If you're doubting this, you've either never been an employee for an airline, or never flown and had your flights cancelled, delayed, or rerouted, and encountered a mob of angry passengers.

When you fly, you basically check your control, at the curb. For type A personality people, this is hard. You check your bags, hoping they'll make it to your final destination. You hope you get a good seat (and are always secretly hoping they'll call you up and 'upgrade' you to first class for being such an awesome person, for free!). You hope you'll be on time, or early. You're basically just hoping for the best, knowing full well, you can't do anything about whatever it is, is about to happen to you!

Most of the time, if you pay attention, those airline agents rarely ever smile. But, if you listen to what they're dealing with, you'll understand why. They get paid just barely minimum wage, to deal with world's angriest population, on a daily basis. If you come up with the comment, "Well, they fly for free." You'd be wrong. Over the past several years, they've had these rights taken away as well. They pay for their seats now too.

Most people are aggressive to these people from the get go. Just always ready to battle in hopes of getting something for free. You messed up my checked bag last time, I get this one for free. My seats were in the back next to the toilet and it smelt, I want a free upgrade. I want, I want, I want. Honestly, these people have no control over that either. The constant battles, make it hard to really do anything for a lot of people. Even if they start out on a positive note, it will usually end sour. 

When I travel, even when I was working for the airlines, I liked to travel with little gifts. Just something to say, "Hey-good job today! I understand." Even now, as just a regular paying passenger, I do this. Might as well spread a little love around the world, right? What's wrong with putting some good out in the world? Plus, having someone come up and give you a little treat pretty much ensures, even the person in the most rotten mood, will probably, if it needs to happen, go out of their way to help ensure you're taken care of it something should go awry. What's wrong with having a little help on your side? Nothing! Win-Win, I say!

Giving them a little treat and thank you!

We have a small out station in our town. This is a regional airport, where the same person you check in with, will also be boarding you. (Best NOT to make these people mad, because you WILL be facing them over and over again. *Just a tip!*)

Plus, they LOVE food! As I was checking in our car seats, I gave them this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake, with a little note of thanks! Something to brighten the morning mood of everyone!

It's nice to see smiles at 6:30 a.m. Especially, when traveling with kids. 

Denver Airport Gate

When we got to Denver, as you can see, it's a little clustered. People every where! My gate agent, never looked up. She had a line that went from her podium to the end of the wall. Talk about stressful, and she was trying to board the flight by herself to boot. 

Give a little thanks, to anyone you can!

After she had cleared her line, I walked up, smiled and handed her, her 'treat.' I told her she was doing a great job, and walked away. She seemed really happy. I didn't give her gold, just a compliment, but that's the stuff that can help change a person's day.

I've offered to even get some of these people coffee before, too! Never know when a cup of Joe might just change a person's perspective.

In any event, spreading the love around, never hurts. Helps a lot. Try it next time you fly. Give them a little thanks and understanding. They don't like it when your flight is delayed or cancels either. They don't like pulling people off flights, or when your bags get lost. They're people, who fly just like you, too! They've experienced everything you have, but times ten.

Hope this gives you some great ideas on how to share some positive goodness on your next trip. Just knowing I was going to give them treats, really made MY day!


Need other giving ideas? Check out Encouragement in a Balloon, The Library Fine, Coffee Dates, and Little Red Truck.
I'd love to hear if you've done something like this before! Share your ideas in the comments or on our Facebook page!

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Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.
Psalm 100:4 


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ShopKick App is AWESOME!

Good Morning! I rarely ever do this, but I need to share. I'm secretly couponer (not a big one, but I use them, and LOVE them!). 

I've been using the ShopKick App for over a year and I LOVE IT! I actually used my points last year for my iPad!

It's free, and you get points for walking into stores, and they have coupons as well. You redeem the points for gift cards. They Also have a Target Starbucks coupon for BOGO Drink!! Today has been like Christmas on my shopkick app!

To my surprise today, they completely updated their app and now-you can get gift cards to Starbucks, Target, Tiffany & Co., Coach, a Kitchen Aid Mixer, American Eagle, and many more!!! Pretty easy and you don't have to buy anything! (Who wouldn't like some FREE Tiffany's?????? Or Starbucks?????? or Target???? (Those are my favs!)

Check it out! You get points for signing up!
http//get.shopkick.com/rail9169

By the way, this isn't sponsored or anything, but I really just love sharing this stuff! This helped us so much at Christmas last year! And we all know it's right around the corner!

Enjoy! Let me know if you join or how you like it!!


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I'm a Her: Saying Sorry (Part 2)

Yesterday, I talked about dealing with the Her's in your life. Sometimes, you just need to vent, or find someone who understands what you might be going through. But, now let's dig into the big stuff.

Today, I'm sharing about, how I WAS one.

“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”  Corrie Ten Boom

I went through a really dark time in my life. I was really mean, and spiteful. Honestly, I was probably EVERYONE's HER. I deserved it. I know I lost a lot of people during this time. But, I was definitely a person who was tough to be around.

I did get help though. I really did. I'm so thankful for the anti-depressants I started taking. I no longer have to take them, but they were blessing. They helped to change my life, back to the me, I knew.

But once you get yourself stable, you still have to deal with your mess that you leave behind.  I hurt a lot of people. I said and did a lot of things that weren't good. I felt bad. REALLY bad. 

My actual text message to a hurt friend.

I'm not sure why as parents, we really focus on making our kids say they're sorry, when we as adults, rarely seem to be able to do it. I think this is taken to be a sign of defeat. For me, it was embarrassing. But, it needed to be done.

I read a book called, The Resolution For Women. (They also have a men's version of this that I HIGHLY recommend for anyone. I actually preferred this version to the women's one.) I really enjoyed it. Though, it didn't answer all of my questions, it definitely answered enough. I knew what I had to do. 

I needed to ask for forgiveness and give closure to the people I had hurt. 

When you think back on things, most of the time, wouldn't it just have been nice to have an apology for hurt feelings? An apology to just clear the air, one that really meant, I'm sorry? I think so.

I think back to times when I was younger and in school. I was picked on, a lot! For many different reasons. Bullying seems to be a big issue today for parents and kids. I know today, that if someone would say, "Sorry for what I did," it would probably make me cry. But not of sorrow, but just for clearing the air. Starting over. Feeling that sense of release. Apologies are for healing.

I made a list. Seriously, of all the people that I had on my heart that I felt the need to apologize to. These are the people I felt I had done something to wrong them. 

One by one, I went down that list. Some people I had really lost touch and it took some searching. Others I found quickly. Some people were still friends with me today. I am very lucky.

I even did a few face to face apologies. Those were tough. Those were the ones, where my face went red, I almost couldn't make eye contact, and I was full of shame and embarrassment. I was humbled, to say the least.

A few of the "friends," I had lost, that I had apologized to, reached out. One was so shocked, she responded back and we talked for almost two hours on the phone. I'm not sure we'll ever talk again, but there isn't any regret now lingering on my behalf. She got closure as well. 

Not everyone took it well. One person ignored the apology completely. That's ok. That's for them. Not everyone can just be ok with an apology. Sometimes, it takes time. I'm ok with that, that's their right, to do with the apology as they please. Again, you can't change people, you can only change yourself.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted and treated you. You deserved better." Powerful words, huh? A few of those people were family members, who also got an, "I love you."

I have to say that I'm thankful for having a chance to do this. I take my relationships so serious now. I don't take people for granted, or I try not to at least. 

I've been at both ends of the spectrum. This side, is definitely better. I'm not saying everyone should turn into a Her to have to recover from it, but if you know you have been someones Her, you know you have steps you can take to heal the hurt.

Have you ever felt the need to apologize? Have you ever done it? What are you waiting for?

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Let all the bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Pin It

The Zoo....I Mean, The Pet Store

We have a dog. He's extremely mellow with our kids. He's also broken. (I'm serious. He has no ACL in his left hind leg.) But, he's still good. He doesn't mind it when the kids body surf him. He also doesn't mind it when they throw him food from the table.

Once a month, we go to the pet store to buy his specialty dog food.

We found lots of Nemo's!

Since having kids, I look at the pet store in a whole new way. I call it, "The Zoo."

Since, basically, it has all the properties of what an actual zoo has. Animals. Just on a more domesticated scale. You can observe them, watch them get feed, buy souvenirs, and food/snacks. Plus, admission is FREE!

During the summer, when it's really hot here, I take the kids a couple times a month. They never tire of "The Zoo," and it's air conditioned. (Plus, it's a great way to kill an hour.)

Cool Neon Fish

We have PetCo and PetSmart in our town, along with at least one small business pet store. Sometimes we rotate where we go. (PetCo tends to be more my favorite, since Michael's is right next door!)

When we enter this magical world, my kids are in wonderment! All the animals! The fish tanks are always a big hit, along with the guinea pigs and adoption cats.

I think people think we are crazy, because I would refer to it as, "The Zoo." But why not? We don't have an actual zoo in our town. The closest one is four hours away.

At the "Zoo" with the kids!

If you're like me, and not blessed with a local zoo, go check out your pet store! It makes for such an exciting day for your children. Plus, a nice escape from the house for you!

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"The godly care for their animals..."

Proverbs 12:10

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Kid's Passport (Domestic/Play Only!)

From the moment I can remember, I've wanted to travel. I couldn't wait to see the wonders of the world. I couldn't wait to have my own PASSPORT!

I remember seeing other people's and flipping through them with envy at every earned stamp. Each one was different, and represented a special place on the globe.

I remember the day I got mine. I couldn't open that package fast enough. I remember the first time I used it. My first trip out of the country, was to Australia. I was so giddy when I got that first entrance stamp. I had the biggest smile on my face, just from that stamp. (The country was beyond amazing as well!)

My passport, with stamps from a few of my travels.

Working for the airlines, was a blessing. Slowly over the course of a few years, I had earned stamp after stamp.  I was diligent about getting them. I only missed out on two stamps, while in Europe. When you rent a car and drive, you don't have to show a passport at the border. If you've never been there, it's no different than driving from one state to another.

While working a year later, I found out from an Australian couple, who were seasoned in traveling, that they had found a way to get those coveted stamps. They had rented a car and driven around the U.S. and into Canada.

I'm not sure where they learned it, but the gentleman proceeded to tell me and show me, upon checking in for his flight, his different "stamp." He was able to go to the local post office, purchase a stamp, and they postmarked it. The postmark had the date and location. Just like a regular passport stamp would have! How cool is this!

I am really excited to share traveling with my children. No matter where it is. The whole process is so much fun for me. My husband HATES it! If anything goes wrong, he doesn't handle it very well.

When I would travel, pre-children, I looked forward to any adventure. Each time I flew, I expected the unexpected. I didn't know where I would end up. I never made a hotel reservation, just went however the good Lord provided for me to go. Sometimes, I was alone. Sometimes, I had a friend or two with me. Sometimes I made it to my destination, sometimes, I didn't. But I never let it trouble me.

As I was reminiscing on the past, I came across these little passport's by Jolee by You. They are always in the scrapbook section and I never really knew what they were for. Until today.

In my children's baby books, I saved each and every one of their boarding pass stubs. For my son's first flight, he had five. These tend to stack up quite quickly and they take up so much room!

All our passports.

Today, I created, my children's first domestic passports!

When you get them, they are pretty self explanatory. I took photos of my children that I had laying around, and I trimmed them down to fit in the photo section of their passports. I filled out all the information for each one.

This is what they look like fresh from the package.

We are getting ready to travel soon, and instead of saving all those boarding passes, we can use these. I had to test the "stamp" theory at our local post office first. I didn't want to post this and find out later no one was able to do this.

Ours filled out, sorry for all the blur, but we like a little mystery in life.

We headed out, with our passports ready to go. I waited in line to be the last person, in case I was going to find out that what I was doing, wasn't going to be allowed. (It's a small town, and I wanted to save face, I guess.)

Turns out, you can't post mark a stamp, BUT, you can Collect Postmarks! My awesome post office clerk happily stamped my kids passports, for FREE! What a cool memory! 

Where ever you travel too, just swing by a post office, and they'll "stamp" your passport!

This is the post mark stamp. Pretty official!

I know that I am way more excited about this, than they are, and right now I'm OK with that. As the years go by and we fill up their little passports, this will be such a treasure!

This is only for domestic travel, because when we finally decide to go somewhere where we all need official government documentation, that will be a whole different story.

But for now, these do just fine.

Enjoy your travels and more importantly the JOURNEY! And, be nice to your airline employees. They work so hard, for so little. It really isn't THEIR fault you get charged a bag fee, or your flight is delayed.


The Lord shall preserve thy going and they coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Pslams 121:8



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From sticker to passport!

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Carmel Apple Cider

Antidotesformom.blogspot.com
Carmel Apple Cider

One of the things I forget about, but absolutely enjoy during the fall, is Carmel Apple Cider. Yum! It's perfect for any time of the fall day, and a special treat during a chilly night!

What you'll need:

Apple Juice/Cider
Whipped Cream
Carmel Sauce
*Cinnamon optional

#1.) Heat the juice to desired drinking temp. (I do it in the microwave.)

#2.) Top with whipped cream.

#3.) Drizzle Carmel sauce on top.

#4.) Optional Cinnamon stick

Carmel Apple Cider
Antidotesformom.blogspot.com

Drink and Enjoy!


Have you checked out my other recipes?
Sloppy Cheeseburgers, Easy White Chicken & Spinach Pizza

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"You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water" 
Exodus 23:25

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The Great Pumpkin Hunt!

Happy Birthday,

 Peanuts Gang!

If you don't know, today marked the 62nd birthday of the Peanuts Gang. They were first published on this day, October 2, 1950. If this hadn't happened, I'm not sure who my children would love so dearly! Thank you, Charles M. Schulz!

In honor, of the Peanuts Gang, and October, I decided to have a little fun with my kids.

I held a "Great Pumpkin Hunt!"

The Pumpkin Clues

I used pumpkin foam and wrote out little scavenger hunt clues. I, of course, was going to help them solve this. But I wanted to include the five senses for the clues. 

For one of the clues, I made my own "sniff." I just put some double sided tape on the pumpkin and put a little cinnamon spice on it. Easy as can be!

Clue, with home made, sniff!

We started off in the house! First clue was handed out, read, and we thought it out together.

The Pumpkin Clue was, "Where is Snoopy's Doghouse?"

The answer-outside! So out the door we went!

The second pumpkin was right outside the door. (Sight)

The Pumpkin Clue "What do trees have that fall down?"

Answer-leaves!

After looking around all the trees, we found the third clue, under some fallen leaves (touch).

The Pumpkin Clue, "What do you do for trick or treat? (*Hint* At the door)"

Answer-ring the door bell and say, "Trick or Treat!"

 On our way up to the door, we found

THE GREAT PUMPKIN!

The Great Pumpkin

But, there was also another Pumpkin Clue to be found at The Great Pumpkin.

The Pumpkin Clue, "Where do we keep something that smells like this (cinnamon)?" (Smell)

Answer-in the house!

We stopped to "pretend" trick or treat, and ring the door bell (hearing) to finish out the third clue. (This also helps get us prepared for trick or treating for real this year! Check out what my kids will be this year for Halloween!)

When we came inside, we found a little birthday party for Snoopy and the Gang! (I'm always up for a little imaginary justification for chocolate cake, on a Tuesday.)

This also finishes out the use of the five senses-taste! Chocolate Cake!

Happy 62nd Birthday, Gang!

We had a lovely afternoon using our senses hunting for the Great Pumpkin! Hope you can do this too! 

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“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”                                                    1 Timothy 4:12                                            

                          

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Missing The Office...Kinda

Every once in awhile, someone I know gets a fantastic job. (This is a lie, this seems to happen all the time!)

I even know a few people who have gone through quite a few jobs that I felt would have been perfect for me! I felt ENVIOUS of these people. Most of them are friends. (Looking for new ones? Here are some tips!) 

I start to question everything that I do, and who I am. I'm not perfect. I gave up trying to be. There is no such thing. I just go day to day. I think as a mom, especially one at home, that's all you can do. 

As news of these great jobs pop up, for some reason, I start to scour the newspapers and internet. I start actively "looking," obviously with no intent. A few times, I had even caught myself almost full fledging preparing my interview questions in my head.

This is HARD for me. I'm a recovering workaholic (pre-children). Most of these other women have children who they put in full-time day care. This is what they want. This works for them. 

This doesn't work for me. I still want to be home with my kids. They take priority over anything that a regular job could ever offer. I sometimes, just feel caught in the middle. Work limbo. I guess, I'm just being HONEST.

There are things I MISS about an office. I miss the interaction with adults. I miss the pressure of deadlines. I miss the successes. I miss the fun lunch dates (sans kids) where we act like women off of Sex and The City (because we're obviously successful business women...not because of the other part). I miss the collaboration, and the traveling. The meeting new people and the helping to solve problems. I loved the challenges and the dares. I miss the paycheck. I even miss my performance reviews. 

I don't think I'm crazy to say this. 

What I DON'T MISS is the office cattiness, or cliches. I don't miss the drama that gets brought in from home. I don't miss working with hateful people. I don't miss the late nights, weekends AND holidays. I don't miss accounting for every second, of every minute, of every day. I don't miss the days that are boring and dull. I don't miss being inside, all day long. I don't miss sitting for 8 hours a day. I don't miss doing someone else's job, and not getting credit or being paid for it. I don't miss the paycheck. (Money isn't everything.)

Being a stay at home mom is the hardest job I've ever had. I understand the lure of working outside the home, because of this fact. Any job, besides this one, is probably EASIER! (Especially on the days when you have two sick kids, or children who are teething!) 

Everyone tells you that this is a thankless job, and it really is. Ever googled "Benefits of a Stay at Home Mom?" Its a joke. Really. There really isn't much said that doesn't seem generic. The one I see all the time is "Your kids aren't as sick, but they get sick once they go to school." If that were a recruitment poster, or a slogan, no one would sign up.

About once a year, someone does a study that says, "If we were to pay a salary to a stay at home mom it equals $112,962 (2012)." (THIS MADE ME FEEL AWESOME FOR A WEEK!)

But, then the glory fades if you google, "Benefits of a working mother." You'll find just about any and everything you can imagine as to why it's amazing and that you SHOULD work. Lots more studies on why being a working mother is right and best for you and your children. With all those positives, who wouldn't sign up?

I wish someone could give me a performance review once in awhile to tell me, in SPECIFICS, why I AM doing a good job. 

I hear this generic phrase A LOT, "You're a good mom, because you're at home." Just because I'm home, doesn't mean that. This isn't universal. This isn't one size fits all. But tell me that I'm doing great, because of specifics. (I'm a woman, I need all the juicy details!)

My 'campaign' or 'project' doesn't come with a lot of people stopping me on the street saying, "Heck of a job you did! Thanks for raising your kids!" I have to wait a little longer, to find out the results of how good of a job I did. They aren't a television commercial, or building being constructed, where you see instant results. I'm in this for the long term pay off.

Right now, I have different successes. Unlimited hugs and kisses, words, and milestones. I get to be there for them. All of them. I've never missed a milestone because I was working. I know all their favorites. I know and speak their language. 

I also have the opportunity to help others more often. I get to volunteer. There is never a dull moment. I'm never stuck sitting at a desk for longer than I want to. (I still have bills and budgets to do.) We go for walks all the time. We learn. We have different types of challenges and dares every day. Travel is reserved for something special. I get to do lunches, they are rare, but usually reserved for picnics with my kids and someone willing to subject themselves to the mess of it all.

I'm doing MY job. I enjoy it. I love it. Some days are harder than others. I'm not saying this is for everyone, and I'm not saying anyone else, ever feels the way I do. This is just me.

I hope that some day, when I return to the job market (hopefully as a motivational speaker, or book writer), that when someone glances at my resume and sees that I've been volunteering and raising my children, they'll give me a chance. 

They'll understand the worth and the values I have and uphold, to take on such a large project, for no money, and to see it through. Whole heart and soul. They'll understand the sacrifice of nights, weekends, and holidays. They'll understand the sheer discipline needed to make it through. They'll know I'm tough and determined. They'll know they can count on me. That I can do it. Because, right now, I AM doing it!

To live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

Titus 2:5

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