Love the Library

I have just started to get into going to the Library regularly. It is sooooo much fun! Especially right now with the Summer Programs going on. All I had to do was read 10 books to my beautiful baby girl and we got a whole bunch of free stuff. Including coupons for a lemon slushy at Fazolie's which I just think I will have to use instead of the baby. She will never know...They also have story times once a week where a few stories are read, a few songs are song and it always ends with an activity. So, seriously, if you are having the Mid-Summer blues and don't know what to do go to your local Library and participate in whats going on! It makes for a great outing for you and your kiddo's!

Free Magazine Offer

My Husband came home last week with the "Taste of Home" magazine that my Mother-in-Law wanted me to look over. She knows that I enjoy cooking and food and thought I would like making a few of the recipe's in it...She was right! I love this magazine. I used at least 4 of the recipes over the weekend and LOVED every single dish! Especially the Blackberry Cobler recipe. It was some of the best cobler I have ever eaten. The fun thing about this magazine is that they let you send your recipes in, if you have one that you love, and then after it has made it through their test kitchen they will publish it. How cool is that! So, seriously, if you are needing some new recipe's to spice up your kitchen or wanting a good magazine to look over you have got to check it out!! You can get a free issue if you go to this website www.tasteofhome.com
Happy eating and reading!

Mommy Moment

Since the title of my blog is "Memoirs of Mothers" I thought that I should share this "memoir" of mine with you all. Last night I was rocking my baby before putting her down for bed. The light was off, the door was closed the noise machine was on and also her little night light was being projected on the ceiling. I sang her a few songs and then said "Love You," in the sweet Mommy voice that every Mother has. A few seconds later she repeated in the exact same baby tones of "Love You," back to me. It really literally melted my heart! It was a moment that I didn't want to end. Finally, after 26 months of long nights, lots of lost sleep, millions of feedings and diaper changes, and the feeling of not knowing if what I was doing even really mattered, paid off. In two sweet little tones, she loves me! And I love her, and this is how as a Mother I am able to continue facing every day-the good and the not so good Mommy day's, knowing that, even if she doesn't tell me vocally, I am loved in return. Everything I choose to do right now is just a foundation for the future teenage years which will inevitably come to quickly. But, the foundation of love is set and she knows where I stand no matter which way her mood swings!
Have you had sweet "Mommy Moments" with your kids? Be sure to write them down, so that you can look back and remember the sweet moments!

Blessings from Extended Family

My Husband has an Aunt that lives close by but we don't get together too often, because lets face it, life is busy!!! The other day she offered to watch my baby for a few hours just so that I could have a break. I was surprised and kind of shocked. All of her children are grown and I figured that most people when they hit that phase of life don't want to be bothered with small children any more. I of course said I would love to have you watch her! So, this morning I was able to drop her off at her Great-Aunts house and go do a few things that I haven't been able to do because I was dreading taking the baby in and out of the car seat, and in and out of the stroller. I had a wonderful 2 hour break, and was happy to hear that my little girl loved being with her Great-Aunt.
I realized today how no matter if you are a Sister, Mom, Aunt, Cousin, or Adopted into the family type of a relative you can reach out and help someone that you usually wouldn't. At your next family gathering look around and pick someone out that you don't usually do stuff with and offer to help them in some way. I don't think you will ever know the impact that makes on someone until you have received that helping hand yourself, but you will be able to lift someone's load a bit, and form a stronger bond, and relationship than what you may have thought was ever possible.

Early Morning Walk

Over the weekend I discovered that my neighbor is starting a new walking regimen every weekday morning at 6 a.m. I asked if I could join her and she ecstatically agreed! It is so much easier to walk with a friend and have someone that you have to meet up with, or else the desire fades very quickly. So, this morning at 6 a.m. sharp I bounded out of bed, turned off my alarm and headed out the door for my walk. It was so wonderful to be able to be out before the blaring Sun was shining down on us! It also started out my morning wonderfully! I was able to spend time with my Husband before he left for work, tidy up my house, do the dishes, clean out the fridge, and do 2 loads of laundry all before 10 a.m. Talk about being productive! I have basically had a full day, and I still have hours to go. The only thing I need to do different is start going to bed before midnight and then I think I will feel a lot better! There is some truth to the old adage of "Early to bed, Early to rise. That's the way to stay healthy, wealthy and wise!"
I'm actually going to challenge you today to get up early this week and try out the early morning walk, if you aren't already doing it. Let me know how it goes for you!

The Caroling Cricket

Last night I was able to get to bed at an unusually early time, which I very much needed! I slowly fell asleep and was slumbering peacefully until a rather annoying Cricket right outside my bedroom decided to start Caroling at the top of its lungs at midnight. I was so mad! I got up, used the restroom, tried to remember where the earplugs were, which I realized were in the baby's room and I would not be able to get to them with out making a big racket. Flustered I went back to bed and told my Husband to go outside, find the cricket and kill it. (I am usually a little delusional when I am woken up from a deep sleep.) Luckily the cricket only caroled for a few hours and I was able to eventually block it out. So, tonight I will be sleeping with my earplugs close at hand in case last nights concert goes on again tonight.
Are you a light sleeper? If so, what techniques do you use to make it through the night in a full, peaceful rest?

To Much Phone Time?

Today I my daughter and I were in my bedroom while I was getting a few things together before we went out on the town. I could hear her sweet little baby babbling voice talking in sweet tones and after a bit I looked over to see what she was doing. She had the computer mouse pressed against her ear and was having a very entertaining phone call with whomever she was conversing with. It was actually really adorable! Unfortunately I probably am on my phone way too much and should have me attention elsewhere most of the time. I need to learn that its ok to not always pick up the phone.

"Whats for Dinner?"

I am discovering more and more the great possibilities for each meal made in the kitchen. Sometimes you can hold out ingredients and sometimes you can add some more ingredients. Either way it usually turns out yummy. Be Creative and get in touch with your Inner Chef!! My Brother just told me about this recipe and I changed it up a bit. Here is a leftover Dinner idea if your fridge ever gets too full:

Chow Mein(Raman Noodles) and Whatever you want to add to it Dinner
Get 1 Pkg Raman Noodles and start the water boiling. Once the water is boiling add the noodles and the seasoning to the water cook for 2/12 to 3 min. While that is cooking get out a skillet heat up a little oil or butter and saute up some Garlic, onion, any Red or Green peppers you have would be yummy in there also. I had some carrots that need to be used up so I grated them and then put them in with the onion mix. Then go through your fridge...Do you have any left over meats that need to be used? I had a little bit of diced ham and a few slices of bacon that were just hanging out. So I threw them in the skillet and warmed them up.
Now, Get the noodles and be sure to drain the water out. Then place the noodles into the skillet with the hodge podge mix you have in there. Mix it all together. Add some salt and pepper. Add any marinade or seasoning you thing would be yummy to give it a little more flavor (I added a Terriyaki Marinade and glaze (add only a little at a time because some things come with big flavors in small amounts.) You could use a Soy Sauce and ever a Worcestershire sauce if you would like. Then you can call it done, or if you want to add just a little more to it throw in a couple eggs to scramble up with it all, and then Enjoy!
-This meal makes enough for 2 smaller portions. If you have a big family you may want to consider using 2-3 pkgs of Raman Noodles.

Thought for the Day

"The small and simple things you Choose to do today,
will be Magnified into Great and Glorious Blessing Tomorrow."
Ann M. Dibb

Make some memories with your kiddo's today. If you have a long list of things to do, be sure to include them, they learn from being by your side, day-by-day. Share with me way's that you include your children in your daily schedule, and any fun activities that you enjoy with them!

Absent-mindedness

The weekend was of course crazy, so not too much was accomplished as far as cleaning the bathrooms and doing the laundry over the weekend. Most everything was half finished. So, this morning, I opened up my cloths dryer and put the clean cloths, that has been there all weekend into the laundry hamper to carry to my bedroom and then emptied out the cloths in the washer and put them into the dryer and started it. Then I proceeded with starting the washer and placing all of the cloths in the hamper into the washer. It wasn't until the basket was emptied into the washer, and I sighed the sigh of one more wash down, one more to go, when I realized I had just placed all of my newly cleaned cloths strait from the dryer into the washer for round two...Erk!!! Where is my mind! Focus!
In my defense a lot has been going on and I am a Mother, therefore I take a pass on this mornings absentmindedness and am hoping that it is only one of few set backs I have to deal with today.
Happy Monday!

The Neighborhood Yard Sale

My Neighborhood had a yard sale this morning, and I thought it would be fun to participate. I have never been part of a yard sale before and was excited to see what kind of money our stuff could bring in. So, last night for my date with my husband we went through the attic in hopes to find any gems to sell, and also picked through the baby cloths for things that we didn't need anymore. Then we geared ourselves up for the morning sales. 8 a.m. came much to quickly and of course I had to drag myself out of bed (not a morning person!) I had a friend who brought over some of her stuff to be part of the yard sale also, which she made for wonderful company! We set all of our stuff up, and sat down to chit chat, and wait for the people to pour into my driveway. And we waited, waited and waited some more. So, we didn't have too many customers, but the customers that we did have loved my friends stuff and at the end of the yard selling day she was able to walk away with around $25 and I walked away with $1.50. Yes, this morning was not too successful for me, but it has lit a new fire within me and I realized that I enjoy being out in the early Saturday morning Sun soaking in the fresh morning air and being with my friends. After some planning with my them, we decided that we want to have another yard sell next Saturday, only this time around we hope to sell some homemade goods and bring in a much better, bigger sale than what we had this morning. I will be sure to keep you all updated with next weeks yard sell!
Have you ever done a yard sell before? What tricks of the trade have you learned?

The Take Home Hair Coloring Kit

I decided yesterday that I needed a change. And the most feasible change was to color my hair, as my hair is short and I prefer it not to be any shorter. Unfortunatly a hair color is way over my budget, so I thought I could save us a few penny's and and bought a box that promised to color my hair a beautiful dark, Auburn brown. The model's hair on the picture looked beautiful and I figured that my hair would turn out the same way. So, I came home and during nap time applied the color. After 25 long minutes I rinsed my hair, put in the conditioner and then blew my hair dry. The shocker was that my hair had come out a dark, purple red color, with brown high lights. Aghhhh! So, then I had the task of deciding whether or not to text my hubby to give him the heads up that his brunette was know a purple/red brunette, but mostly purple/red. Or, should I just let him come home from work and go through the shock factors of the matter. I decided it was best to give him the heads up so that he wouldn't have a heart attack when he returned. We have had a good laugh about it, and he has been very understanding. Thanks babe!
I have decided to give the color 1 week. Hopefully the purple/red will wash out and lighten up and the brown will come through some more, if not, then I hang my hat on the shelf and will plunk down the money to have my hair professionally colored next time.
Do you use the take home hair coloring kits? If so, have you found a brand or color that you love? Please let me know!

Male PMS

Yesterday I went and got my hair cut, which is always something that I look forward too! I was enjoying my visit with the hair stylist when she brought up the topic of how her husband woke up that morning in a very onery mood, and proceeded to grip and complain all morning and act out irrationally. She got to work somewhat perturbed because lets be honest if one person in the couple is feeling crummy they usually tend to share that emotion with the other one. Of course a few hours later she had a chance to check her phone and her husband had apologized for his behavior earlier that morning and was know begging for forgiveness.
The reason I bring this up is because I experienced the Male PMS earlier this week and know of a couple other friends who have been having a particularly hard time with there husbands right now. I feel that the best way to understand why all of this is happening is because of the above stated issue.
Now, the problem with Male PMS is that it always catches me off guard. I will be going along happy in life and suddenly my cowboy wakes up or comes home from work in a no good, very bad mood and suddenly I have to figure out how to fix the problem or make it better, which adds one more thing to figure out because at the same time I am trying to figure out why my baby is screaming and crying. So, I attempt to try using every happy thought I can come up with and even hum a favorite happy song, and then my husband will say something to me that puts me over the edge and he has succeeding at making two miserable people and a screaming baby. Within minutes the happy home turns to the turmoil home when no one really honestly knows exactly why.
After my husbands last PMS episode we had a very good talk and he informed me that all I needed to do is stop what I'm doing, take a moment to sit on the couch with him and ask him "What is bothering you? Can I do anything to alleviate your stress." Which, yes seems like such an easy way to solve the conflict, but for some reason I struggle to remember what I am supposed to do, because I am always caught off guard by this strange behavior. So, the solution is: the next time your husband has a Male PMS moment, before you start to freak out with him be sure to take a moment to run your fingers through his hair (if he has any) and let him know that you absolutely adore him and that you are there for him when he is ready to talk about it. Perhaps the issues will be able to be worked through a bit quicker then they have been in the past.
What do you do whey your husband is in a bad mood? How do you handle the conflict?

3rd Wedding Anniversary Celebration

My Husband and I just celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary yesterday. It is so amazing how something that I waited for and dreamed of for so long, finally happened. And now time has sped up and stealing away every moment that I wish could last for a lot longer amount of time. My husband surprised me with the idea of leaving the baby at Grandma's house and taking a short trip to Mammoth Cave National park. I made a reservation at a local Bed and Breakfast, wrote up a 4 page list of my babies daily routine to give to Grandma as a guidline and then we were off.
It was a beautiful drive down to the cave's. My Husband and I were able to come up with big dreams and hopes for our future, and also were able to just relax and enjoy each others company. The cave was fun, but the bed and Breakfast was an adventure! We were able to stay in a B&B that is over 150 years old, that had many stories to tell of Abraham Lincoln's visit there, the Underground railroad, and also the housing of Union Soldiers.
They had a little game room upstairs that my husband and I were able to play pool on and then picked out a few board games to play. It was so wonderful to be able to chill out and remember why I fell in love with my husband in the first place. He is a fun guy! I guess sometimes when life gets crazy you forget that there is more to life then paying the mortgage and putting food on the table.
For breakfast the B&B owners served us a delicious 3 course meal on beautiful china dishes! Then my husband and I went and relaxed a bit in the library before we headed back to pick up our beautiful baby girl from Grandma and Aunt Shell.
I really hope that someday we can go back to this adorable little B&B, and put our feet up to relax! If you ever find yourself heading toward Glasgow, KY and need a place to stay the night be sure to look up "Hall Place Bed and Breakfast." You will not be disappointed with your stay!
P.S. I love you babe and am looking forward to another wonderful, adventurous year with you!!!