The Sex of the Baby IS....

Take the poll and tell me what you think it is....

Selfish...

I was talking about this earlier...I was BLOG inspired...

Why parents can't be selfish:

1) YOUR sleep schedule becomes THEIR sleep schedule from the beginning

2) Changing diapers must be done correctly and thoroughly...enough said

3) Kids grow out of clothes faster than you will (hopefully)...that means no new duds for a while

4) After the child learns to eat solids and walk you will NEVER have a snack or drink to yourself, again...

5) There are no breaks, free time, days off, sicks days, and you are always "on call"

6) You find yourself putting your Christmas wish list aside to fulfill theirs...

7) Most of the time, the meals that you fix aren't your favorite, but you know your kids will eat it

8) If #7 isn't applied the meal you prepared can go completely untouched and snubbed

9) Kids aren't clean beings...you are constantly picking up someone else's mess

10) READERS fill THIS one IN with YOUR thoughts....

Fall is Fun

It is that time of year when the pumpkins are out, and people are beginning to make their Thanksgiving plans. That is followed by Christmas shopping and singing carols 24/7 at my house.
I love this time of year. Unfortunately, this would be the time of year I'd head north for a week and soak in cool weather, apple butter, and mountain views. Instead, I am watching the news for weather reports (it will be 65 tomorrow, yeah!), turning my thermostat down, and searching for leaves that turn another color other than brown. Here are some of my favorite things about this season (not in order...) :

1) Apple Cider - the smell, taste and warmth of it

2) Making my Thanksgiving Menu

3) Pulling out my nice china to eat on

4) Carving a pumpkin and smooshing the insides

5) Pulling out sweatshirts and light sweaters

6) Dressing up the kids in their costumes

7) Sneaking some of the kids good candy (shhhh...don't tell)

8) Finding holiday tunes way too early and blaring them whenever I want

9) Lighting candles that smell like the holidays

10) Finishing my Christmas shopping earlier than anyone I know and hiding them in the house

Ego Blow....

Did you ever think that you were meant to do great things in life? Maybe change people lives, make a mark on this earth, or help bring change to something? Yes, I use to feel this way too. Then I became a stay at home mom. Now I am bringing change to diapers, folding laundry, making dinners, washing dishes, juggling bills, keeping people healthy, and everything else that people take for granted growing up (again, another reminder to call your mother and thank her).
There is no greater thankless job on this planet, but yet, the most rewarding; plus, people still volunteer and desire to do this over and over for years and years. There must be something to it.
Yet tonight when sitting on the couch with my husband my ego was lowered just a bit more. It went something like this:
Kelli: "We have to keep you healthy because I want to keep you around for a very long time. I can't make it without you here."
Stephen: "Yes, and the same for you. I mean, I could survive without you, but I don't want to."

Ouch....like the market, my stock (and ego) just plummeted....

Throw me a Bone here.....

Today I have been feeling more stressed out than usual. I don't know if it is me just being pregnant that heightens my irritability, or if my emotions are justified in accordance to things going on around me....Here 's what has been going on:
1) Sleeping has been limited...One child goes to bed later than the other, but other child gets up earlier only to wake the sleeping child (and mother)
2) I have been going to the doctor every other week now for a while, and it is taking a toll on my patience....I'm just sick and tired of it....
3) My wonderful husband was in an accident yesterday....that may not sound like a big deal, but being a driver for a living...you never know what these little mishaps can bring up...it makes me stressed over his job security during a hard economic time with a baby on the way
4) My daughter now communicates by screaming rather than using words to express happiness, anger, or disgust
5) Potty training is a good thing...HOWEVER...a two year old running to the potty 5 times within 10 minutes (not even joking) wears on a person's patience when it is EVERY DAY.....
6) Just went to the mail...our A.R.M. is going up due to the sinking economy....so our payments will increase 90 dollars....ok, now I'm feeling crapped on....
7) Did I mention that I am 29 weeks prego?

Alright, so now I am just exhausted from listing these things and that is merely a glimpse of my reality.....

I'm Listening, now what

Is God trying to tell me something?

1) Last night I dreamt that my family was moving to "Dale, NC" (I actually don't know if this town exists, but I will google it later. Just don't ask why my brain picked that name...I don't get it, either)

2) My neighbor's house that had been for sale forever finally sold and a new family moved in

3) 3 People have asked me lately about our potential of moving without prompting from me

Don't get me wrong, I've been wanting to move (on and off) for a little while now. However, the economy is horrible (selling a home, job transfers, yada yada yada) and there is NO way that we could handle TWO house payments, family, and a new baby all at once, financially.

Any ideas out there of how to fulfill this desire (coherent or not) but not break the bank right now?

It's Potty Time

Yes, it is that time for my two year old. Let me start off by saying to those reading...stop and call or just plain appreciate what your mother went through with you when you were a little toddler! It's true; potty training is as bad as it sounds. Here are a few thoughts on the subject....

1) Gag reflex is real

2) Underwear IS optional but only if you are a fast runner

3) I must really love my children to go through this

4) This is one of my last hurdles of toddler hood

5) If I give up, I'll have to start at the beginning again the next time

6) It DOES get better...This too shall pass....(too much of a pun?)