Life with Laundry

I have come to realize that the idea of ever catching up with the laundry is hopeless. For such little people, my children sure do accumulate more clothes than I’ve ever seen.

I put a load of clothes, only to turn around and there’s already another full load of their clothes waiting for me. My husband came out the other morning and asked if he had any clean shirts. I laughed. For some reason, the kids’ clothes always get ahead of ours! One resolution for this year should be to try and keep up rather than get ahead with the dreaded laundry!

Toys Toys Toys!

Well, Christmas is finally over. We are lucky enough to have three families (my parents are divorced and remarried). This being the case, the kids received three different occasions to open presents.

Now, I’m one for Christmas, but what I’m not one for is tons of toys! My children love books. A toy here and there is ok, but the amount of toys the children received this year sent me into a tizzy. I think it’s a combination of the whole year actually and it simply came to a head after this Christmas.

I finally got fed up and cleaned up and stored away half of my children’s toys for a later date. This being done, they still have way too much. I found myself threatening my oldest daughter and son with taking away all their toys if they continued to mistreat them and give them away to children who don’t have any at all!

Hopefully this year will bring some stability to our house and people will learn with time that when I say books are the best gift they will follow my advice!

Pet Peeve

I have not had much time to write lately as one can imagine with three kids and the holidays here. Nevertheless, I need to write about my hatred towards Wal-Mart.

I do not like the word hate. In fact I think it’s a bad think to hate – especially people. Hatred should be reserved for very important things. This being the case, I feel very safe saying I hate Wal-Mart.

I hardly ever shop there, but needed to for the first time in close to two years. I bought one to many of something and wanted to return the extra item. I thought it would be a very simple task. I entered the terrible store, got one of those return stickers and continued to the customer service desk.

Now, I was about third or fourth in line. To most this would be okay because if a store ran efficiently then one would be in and out in a reasonable amount of time. However, being that this is Wal-Mart and not an efficient store, I stood there for almost ten minutes while only one other person got helped. What bothered me even more is she was cashing a paycheck and complaining because Wal-Mart takes a 3% fee! Lord help me!! It was everything I could do not to yell at her “GO TO A BANK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!”

I ended up getting out of line since the one person helping everyone must be part snail and decided that eating the little bit of money I would get back would be less painful than staying there! Someone should tell the idiots that run Wal-Mart that if they want to keep/get new customers they should try having some customer service (like Target and Costco do!).

Hectic Christmas

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year but this year has seemed to left a lot to be desired. First off, there has not been a single break from action in the last five weeks. Now, I like to go, but this is absurd!

To make matters worse, we finally got our tree up this past weekend and finished decorating it on Wednesday. Yesterday morning, the thing fell and broke some of my precious ornaments. Can it get any better??

I have some of my family coming in town this coming week and I really can’t wait to see them. They live far away and I don’t get much time with them so this is exciting for me. They have a foreign exchange student who is coming too, so this makes me very nervous. I’m a perfectionist and now my house must be super clean and pretty! AHHHH!!!!

Well, it can only go up from here right? Well, it’s time to wrap presents!

My Day’s Been Made!

Being a mom is one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs I think there is. I spend lots of time doing laundry, cooking, and picking up toys only to have them pulled back off the shelves and put onto the floor.

My daughter has made my day today. She came running up to me from her room and said “I love you so much Mommy!”
Then she even said “Thank you so much” when I handed her the peanut butter and jelly sandwhich I had made her for lunch!

There is truly nothing better than that!

A Parent’s Responsibility

If you live in or around the state of Alabama I’m sure you have heard about the young boy who went “missing” on Monday. If by chance you don’t here’s a quick recap.  An Amber alert was issued for a five year old boy Monday morning by his mother and it came clear Tuesday morning that the report was a hoax. The mother said she and her seven year old daughter went into a gas station and left the boy asleep in the back of the car – where she left it running as a side note. She then proceeded to report the car stolen and thus the Amber alert was issued.

The car was found at the boyfriend’s house sometime in the early hours of Tuesday. A press conference releases these facts but never eluded to motive (though I’ve read it could deal with a poor report card – he was in kindergarten!). Nevertheless, no motive will satisfy me. The mother has been charged with hindering prosecution and that is all at this point. I sure hope more comes to her and that she is never allowed to have access to her daughter again. The boyfriend is facing capital charges and though I am not positive where I stand on the death penalty I would have no problem with Alabama instituting in this situation.  Here is a link to a letter that the boyfriend wrote in 1998 looking for an early release – which he received. It’s a shame he was given a second chance when poor Geontae was defenseless and will never receive his second chance to live a full life.

I am a mother of three very close together children and I feel that my sole responsibility is to keep those kids safe. I am to monitor what they do and who influences their lives as much as possible. If nothing else, I should never bring someone with a questionable background into their lives. I am appalled that this mother would a) bring this man whom has an extensive background with the law into her children’s lives, and b) would leave her child in the car!

All of my children are still in carseats and I’ll be the first to tell you that it is hard getting them in and out of the car, but by golly I certainly do it. I see countless people leave their young children in the car as they run into a restaurant to get take out or pick up a coffee. I am appalled each and every time.

Complaining

Having three kids is a hard job. It takes a lot of energy and patience (which I’ll admit I don’t always have). I would not, however, trade my job for anything in the world. My oldest daughter is finally saying “I Love You” for no reason, my son gives out kisses with reckless abandon, and my smallest daughter doles out smiles like candy. There is no better feeling than loving someone so much.

This being the case, I really feel like I want one more. I know I’m a glutton for punishment but I’m ok with that. My husband wonders why he comes home though and I complain about not having had one minute of time to myself. Mmmm…I wonder why. Complaining is my way of venting. Complaining doesn’t mean I’m unhappy it just means even I need to talk to adults and sometimes I even need a break from my loving children.

People see me out with my children and I get lots of “you ahve my sympathy,” or “Boy do I pity you, “or even I wouldn’t want to be you.” Please stop saying this! I do not want nor do I need your sympathy or pity. I’d bet that those you who say this do not get near the love I do every single day from my children!

To those you who are reading this, if you are the stay at home mom – congrats to you keep up the good work and remember to take breaks for yourself (I’m still learning this lesson) and if you are the loved one of someone who stays home – be extra kind to that person and tell them how much you appreciate them and what they do. But for goodness sake don’t say you pity them or they have your sympathy!

First Party of the Season

Well, last night was our first Christmas party (one down two to go). We took the whole family and it was a tad crazy! The smallest of my babies thought it would be fun to be awake the whole time! She got passed around and held by several sweet people who wanted to let me eat – now there’s a thought.

My biggest angel had to use the potty several times leaving me to feel as though I spent half the party in the bathroom. My little boy is in limbo. He can walk but won’t hold your hand and he doesn’t listen at all. This being the case, we had to chase him after dinner. Oh well, it’s good exercise for Mom and Dad.

We ate well and had a good time. The kids exchanged presents and that was fun of course. I even got to talk to some adults which is always a good time!

More on Safe Haven (from Oprah’s show)

I’ve had a lot of people reading this site for safe haven laws. I’ve done a little research and wanted to add a link for those interested in their own states. Check out this link for more details on your own safe haven law. Also, please pass on the information if you know people who can benefit from this information. Babies are a gift and we need to remember that and help those who struggle.

Life returning to normal

Well, I haven’t written in what seems like forever. I can’t believe it’s December already! I can’t even remember the last time I had several minutes of time! Thanksgiving was great. The food turned out well and the weekend seemed to be a hit.

My in laws were in town from Wednesday until Sunday morning and my father and his family came by on Friday. This being the case the kids were completely off their schedule! One thing about having three kids in 29 months teaches you is that a schedule is extremely important for all parties involved – mom included!

I have spent this entire week trying to get the kids back to some sort of normalcy. Needless to say, by the time I fix it it’ll be Christmas. Boy, I love holidays but they can be stressful!

The kids are truly enjoying decorating for Christmas. My 2.5 year old wonders everyday when Santa is coming. She is quick to “call him on the cell phone.” She walks around talking to Santa a lot during the day. My little boy isn’t sure about what’s going on but he loves the stockings hanging on the mantle!

Well, my children are calling so I’m off to play!